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2 Vuk’uzenzeleDecember 2014 / January 2015GENERALVoice of citizens strengthenedNoluthando MkhizeIt is what every citizen hopesfor – a government thatlistens to their needs and thendelivers services that addressthose needs.After all, we all want to have a say inthat which impacts us directly in ourday-to-day lives.Government is a step closer to thevision of building a capable state, with theDepartment of Planning, Monitoring andEvaluation’s (DPME) piloting of the CitizensbasedMonitoring (CBM) approach.CBM monitors government’s performance,focusing on the experience of ordinary citizensto strengthen public accountability and improveservice delivery.CBM closes the gap between the perceived andactual experiences of service delivery for boththe user (citizen) and the provider (government).How CBM worksJonathan Timm, the Director of CBM at DPME,says the programme utilises feedback from citizensto improve the services that are delivered.“If you really want to understand whetheryou are delivering the right services or whethergovernment is doing what it has planned to do,you need different sources of data.“CBM, in the context of water, could be findingout whether the community is able to get waterfrom a tap. Getting feedback from people whoare affected by the service is a very importantpart of the monitoring cycle or system.”Timm says that civil servants are also consultedto determine what the challenges are in deliveringservices.“At times you find that the problem is not withthe civil servant administering the service on theground, but that the challenge needs to be solvedhigher up in the system.”CBM is a four-step process. The first step ismeetings, facilitated by the DPME, within aspecific community where citizens, civil societyand government officials discuss the challengesfaced by that community.Secondly, CBM teams from the community,which have been trained by the DPME, conductThrough citizen-based monitoring government will be able to strengthen publicaccountability and improve service delivery.community surveys on locals’ experiences whenthey receive government services.Short questionnaires are used to determinefrom citizens what they think about the participatinggovernment departments.The surveys are also used to gather the viewsof staff members providing the services, to gettheir opinion on the conditions that they workunder.“By listening to the community and staff,the CBM model is able to identify where thechallenges lie. People who use the service areasked to share their views about the quality ofthe service, waiting times, bribery and the waypeople are treated by officials,” explains Timm.The information is used to develop a plan toimprove services.The third step includes community members,staff, civil society and service delivery facilitymanagers coming together to determine the wayforward.Timm adds that once a plan to improve serviceshas been discussed and agreed on, a publiccommitment to the improvements is made ata community meeting, bringing together governmentofficials, local councillors, traditionalleaders and community members.The last phase of the programme ensures plansare in place for improvements, including waysfor community members to monitor progresstowards achieving agreed upon targets.The piloting of CBMThe first phase of the CBM pilot has alreadybeen completed in Msinga, KwaZulu-Nataland Phuthaditjhaba in the Free State.Timm says that a number of lessons werelearnt in these two areas.“In Msinga, for example, there was lackof communication between the local traditionalleaders and the police. One of the keyactions was to build healthy relationshipswith the community through dialogue andparticipation in strengthening the communitypolicing forum.“In Phuthaditjhaba, the communityraised concerns about the lack of policevisibility in the area. This resulted in thepolice station installing tracking devicesin all police vehicles to monitor where patrolswere taking place, which increasedvisibility.”CBM is currently being piloted in Tembain Gauteng, Burgersfort in Limpopo andJouberton in North West.By 2015, CBM would have been pilotedin all nine provinces and DPME will workwith sector departments to take CBM to abigger scale.A five-year strategy will then be developedand policy recommendations will besubmitted to Cabinet. CBM roll-out acrossthe country will then be determined.SA’s ocean to boost economyNosihle ShelembeGovernment will implement oceaneconomy projects, which are expectedto contribute more than R20 billion tothe Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by2019.“Going forward, delivery units have been establishedin the lead departments to drive theimplementation of the detailed delivery plans.We will achieve the growth and the jobs we needin the economy,” President Jacob Zuma said.He said progress on the ocean economy initiativeswould be monitored on a weekly basis bythe Department of Planning, Monitoring andEvaluation.President Zuma was speaking in Durban duringthe open day of Operation Phakisa, whichpromotes economic growth and job creationin line with the goals outlined in the NationalDevelopment Plan (NDP).The open day was an opportunity for thePresident to release the results of weeks ofexploratory work of unlocking the country’socean economy.Operation Phakisa has four priority areas,which include marine transport and manufacturing,offshore oil and gas exploration, aquacultureas well as marine protection services andocean governance.The operation is an adaptation of the Big FastResults methodology that was successfullyapplied by the Malaysian Government in theFor more information, call the Batho Pele call centre: 0860 428 392delivery of its Economic and GovernmentTransformation Programmes.President Zuma said the oceans have thepotential to contribute up to R177 billion to theGDP and create just over one million jobs by2033.He said teams from government, labour,business, academia and other sectors workedtogether explore all possibilities and further unlockthe potential of the country’s vast coastline.The work stream on offshore oil and gas explorationhas set a target of drilling 30 explorationwells in the next 10 years.“Over the next 20 years, this work could leadto the production of 370 000 barrels of oil and gasper day. The result would be 130 000 jobs and acontribution of US $2,2 billion [approximatelyR23.8 billion] to GDP,” said President Zuma.South Africa’s coast and adjoining waters havepossible resources of approximately nine billionbarrels of oil.The aquaculture work stream underlined thehigh growth potential of South Africa’s aquaculturesector due to an increasing demand for fish.Eight initiatives that could spur growth in thesector have been identified.One of the initiatives includes implementing24 projects across South Africa, which are expectedto grow the aquaculture sector’s revenuefrom about R500 million today, to almost R1,4billion in 2019.President Zuma said the marine protectionservices and ocean governance work streamhas undertaken the task of developing acomprehensive, integrated ocean governanceframework for the sustainable growth of theocean economy.He said work on an Ocean Act was in progressand a draft Oceans Bill would be ready in 2015.“The Oceans Act will provide a clear foundationfor marine spatial planning,” he said.The marine transport work stream has developed18 initiatives across three categories,including infrastructure and operations, skillsand capacity building as well as market growthto accelerate sector growth.President Zuma said the initiatives wouldexpand the South African port capacity forrepair work for oil ships and oil rigs.Another target included increasing theamount of minerals exported on South Africanships, which would create more than 4 000direct jobs.President Zuma said some of the progressmade included the process of establishing aNational Shipping Company in partnershipwith South Korea.He said Operation Phakisa represented a newspirit of moving faster in achieving a growthtarget of five per cent by 2019.For more information, call the BathoPele call centre: 0860 428 392...Continued from page 1and the slow industrialisation of oureconomy.As a result of slow growth, we are notraising enough from our tax collectionand our revenue is below the projectedtarget.Minister Nene said the National Treasurywill be taking difficult tax decisionsto boost revenue.“Revenue measures will also comeinto consideration in the period ahead.If we are to avoid reducing expenditurein real terms, about R15 billion a year inadditional revenue will need to be raised.Details will be announced in the 2015budget,” he said.More funds set aside forsocial grantsAccording to the National Treasurydocuments, government proposes toallocate just under R500 billion to socialprotection over the next three years.“Social grants, which are expected toreach 17,3 million people by 2017/18,will account for nearly 85 per cent ofthis spending.“The Medium Tern Strategic Frameworkfocuses on enhancing the legislativeand policy framework to improveservice delivery and access to socialassistance.“The national department will alsoimprove regulation and oversight ofthe sector.“Removal of the means test for accessto the old-age grant has been deferredand will form part of comprehensivesocial security reforms,” the NationalTreasury said.Details of what this means to the pocketsof the beneficiaries is expected to beannounced in the main budget in 2015.Plans to create morejobs, continue allocatingfree servicesThe National Treasury Medium TermBudget Policy Statement documentsfurther state that government supportsemployment growth directly in a varietyof ways:- By improving the managementof the Expanded Public WorksProgramme, combined with rapidgrowth in allocations, means thatgovernment is on track to achieveits target of 6 million short- tomedium-term jobs between 2014and 2019.- Implementing the employment taxincentive, which provides firmswith incentives to hire youngworkers, is already supporting atleast 209 000 young workers inabout 23 500 firms.- The Jobs Fund, which will spendabout R3,9 billion over the nextthree years, will partner with theprivate sector and non-governmentalorganisations on projectsexpected to create more than 167000 jobs.- To create platforms for the growthof export-oriented firms, a numberof special economic zones are to beestablished, complementing existingincentives for industrialisation.The Minister said on top of these jobcreation initiatives, government wouldalso continue to supply free basicelectricity to vulnerable groups of thesociety.“Financial assistance to municipalitiesfor free basic services will continue,ensuring that the poorest householdsare protected against rising electricitytariffs,” he said.

December 2014 / January 2015 Vuk’uzenzele3From theUnion Buildingsa message from the PresidentEnding a successful year and looking forward to a fruitful 2015This is the time of year when millionsof South Africans – likemillions of people around theworld – begin to “ease” into theyear-end, reflecting on the past 12 months,taking a breather from work (for the 15million who are employed) and thinkingup resolutions for the year ahead.For government, where our financialyear ends on March 31, December is a festiveyear-end but not an official year-end.We will press on till the end of the financialyear, when we start the task all over againof working with all South Africans tomove South Africa even further forward.There is no rest for the hard-working orthe committed.Even so, we look back on 2014 as a yearin which we achieved many milestonesand were also deeply wounded as anation when we lost compatriots in thechurch tragedy in Lagos, Nigeria, or,more recently, when we lost our sportingpersonalities such as Senzo Meyiwa,Mbulaheni Mulaudzi, Shadrack Ngcobo,Phindile Mwelase and Tinus Linee. Indeedwe lost many more South Africans whowere very special to their families.This was a year in which we reflectedfrequently on our nation’s achievementsduring 20 Years of Freedom – 20 years thatbrought opportunity and hope to millionsof our people. From the deepest rural outpostsin our country to the ever-changingskylines of our metropolitan centres,there is no place or person who has notbeen reached or touched by 20 years oftransformation.Social grants, extended public worksprogrammes, community works programmes,government support forcooperatives and emerging farmers, andfree social housing, water and electricityfor millions of South Africans are amongthe ways we have brought dignity andsecurity to citizens.Giving students state funding to studyat our universities, making it possible formedical students to develop their careersin a partner country such as Cuba andlaunching brand-new universities andother institutions of higher learning areamong the ways we are investing in ournation’s knowledge base for a more sophisticatedeconomy in the future.This year South Africa celebrated 20 Years of Freedom.Cutting back on the red tape involved instarting a business, creating special economicand industrial development zones, improvingour rail and port infrastructure, building newhospitals, clinics and residential settlementshave all been part of improving our economyand living conditions – and of creating jobs forpeople who need them the most.South Africa’s built landscape is changingevery day as we undertake ambitious projectsthat are quickly changing the way we live anddo business, the way we feel about ourselvesand the way the world looks at and interactswith us.But our nation faces a much greater challenge:that of building from the inside, not theoutside.As you read this, we are observing 16 Days ofActivism for No Violence Against Women andChildren as part of a year-round campaign toprotect vulnerable groups in our society and tofocus our attention on the values and principlesby which we live.This is also a period during which we observeWorld Aids and the United Nations day dedicatedto people with disability.In addition, with people preparing to headhome or on holiday to various parts of thecountry, this is thetime our Arrive Alivecampaign advocatessafety on our roadsand responsible andrespectful celebrationsaround Christmas,New Year and otherfestivities.Each year, as we experiencethese campaigns,we are confronted byfrightening statistics,stories and experiencesarising from the actions of South Africanswhose behaviours, attitudes and actions havenot kept pace with the visible development wesee around us.There are just too many of us who live by theknife, the gun, the bottle neck or illicit drugs.There are too many of us who are quick toanger and disrespectful in the way we relateto people around us, especially in situationswhere we have differences or arguments overthe smallest things.Much of this is driven by factors other thanpoverty. I say this because among poor SouthThis was a year in which wereflected frequently on ournation’s achievements during20 Years of Freedom – 20years that brought opportunityand hope to millions of ourpeople.Many students received state funding to study at universities making it possible tosecure a better future.Africans, the majority of people are living liveswith respect, dignity and empathy. Some of ourpoorest compatriots who live on the economicmargins and have the least to offer to others,often go out of their way the furthest to sharetheir little with others and to do good.Much of the violence and conflict we experiencein our communities arise from greed ordisrespect for commondecency and the valuesof living in harmony withthose around us.Grandchildren who abusetheir elders, grandfatherswho abuse their descendants,teachers who have inappropriaterelations withlearners and workplacesupervisors who sexuallyabuse or exploit staff tellus we need to build heartsand minds, not just bricksand mortar.People who do these terrible things do notlive on an island of their own. They live amongus. They are in our homes, in our neighbourhoods,in our workplaces, in our churchgroups, in our sports clubs.It is a tragedy - and very often a furtherbreaking of the law - that thousands of SouthAfricans stand by idly or turn a blind eye toterrible events, adding to the misery, sufferingand violation suffered by relatives, friends,neighbours or colleagues.The law-abiding majority of South Africansmust take a stand that will show those whohave no respect for the wishes, lives or propertyof others that they have no place in ourdecent society.When people aren't able to or refuse conductthemselves with dignity and respect, it is ourlaw enforcement agencies to whom we turnfor justice, punishment, rehabilitation andrestitution.In such cases, we welcome the occasions onwhich our courts send clear and severe messagesto criminals and show our communitiesthat the courts are responsive to the outrageand trauma we all feel when individuals breakthe law or the codes of common decency.Daily, killers, rapists, cable thieves, membersof mall heists and truck-jackings gangs aredealt with by our courts, thanks to the dedicatedand often dangerous work of our police,prosecutors and cooperation of witnesses whoare often terrified of retribution but choose totake a stand against perpetrators of crime.However, our justice system shouldfunction as our last resort.Our thoughts and actions should be ourfirst resort in the quest for a better society.It is time we rebuilt our moral infrastructurein the same way we are puttingup new houses, schools, bus rapid transitsystems or office parks.The call to this effect was first made byour founding President Nelson Mandelawho spoke of the reconstruction and developmentprogramme of the mind.Indeed, this December we unite again asa nation to reflect on those sad momentson the evening of 5 December 2013, whenour beloved Madiba left us after an extendedillness.It was a heart-breaking moment for hisfamily, for South Africa and for the worldand it was a moment that challenged usto ensure that Madiba's legacy as a moralbeacon nationally and internationally -and his many calls to action - would live inour lives as individuals and communities.While December is indeed a time to takeit easy and reflect, it's also a season of commitmentnot just to New Year's resolutionsbut to a whole new life ahead.As President of our Republic and onbehalf of government and my family, Iwish you a joyous and safe festive season.I also look forward to seeing how thematric Class of 2014 have done all of usproud.In 2015, government and I will be alongsideyou once again to move South Africaforward.Together we moveSouth Africa forward!

December 2014 / January 2015 Vuk’uzenzele5healthSA’s efforts to fight HIV and AIDSGabi Khumalo andNoluthando MkhizeAs the world observedWorld Aids Day on the 1December, South Africa usedthe opportunity to reflect onthe gains made in the fightagainst HIV and AIDS.This year World Aids Day was commemoratedunder the theme: “ZeroStigma and Discrimination”.While the country has made stridesin fighting the disease over the past 20 years,Vuk’uzenzele takes a look at the country’sachievements since 2009.2009: The start of SA’s HIV,AIDS revolutionIn 2009 President Jacob Zuma unveiled SouthAfrica’s AIDS policy. The following was announced:• All children under one year of age wouldget treatment if they tested positive forHIV. Initiating treatment was no longerdetermined by the level of CD4 count.• All patients with both TB and HIV wouldreceive anti-retrovirals if their CD4 countwas 350 or less. At the time treatment wasavailable when the CD4 count was lessthan 200.• All pregnant HIV positive women witha CD4 count of 350 or with symptoms,regardless of CD4 count, would receivetreatment. Previously HIV positive pregnantwomen were eligible for treatment iftheir CD4 count was less than 200.• Other pregnant women not falling intothis category, but who were HIV positivewere put on treatment at 14 weeks ofpregnancy to protect the baby. In the pastthis only started during the last term ofpregnancy.These measures became effective fromApril 2010.2010: SA launches the biggestHIV testing campaignIn April 2010, President Zuma and HealthMinister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi launched theHIV Counselling and Testing campaign toencourage all South Africans to know theirHIV status and get screened for TB.Through the campaign, the departmenttargeted people from the age of 12 and older,with the hope of reaching 15 million peopleby June 2011.By December 2010 more than four millionpeople had taken an HIV test. In the sameyear up to a million people were already onanti-retrovirals. By mid-2012, Health MinisterAaron Motsoaledi announced that almost 20million South Africans had been tested andknew their status. Millions were also screenedfor TB.2011: The launch of the NationalStrategic PlanIn 2011, President Zuma launched the NationalStrategic Plan (NSP) for HIV and AIDS 2012-2016 to deal with TB, HIV, sexually transmittedinfections and issues of violence againstwomen. Its goals included:• Reducing new HIV infections by at least50 per cent by using a combination ofprevention approaches.• Putting at least 80 per cent of eligible patientson anti-retroviral treatment with 70per cent being alive and on treatment fiveyears after initiation.• Reducing the number of new TB infectionsas well as deaths from TB by 50 percent.• Ensuring an enabling and accessible legalframework that protected and promotedhuman rights in order to support the implementationof the NSP.• Reducing stigma related to HIV and TB byat least 50 per cent.2012: ARV roll-out boostslife expectancyIn 2012, the Department of Health released areport on research conducted by the MedicalResearch Council that estimated that the country’slife expectancy, which stood at 56.5 yearsin 2009, had increased to 60 years in 2011 (57years for men and 63 years for women).Added to this, the under-five mortality ratehad also fallen - from 56 deaths per 1 000 livebirths in 2009, to 42 deaths per 1 000 live birthsin 2011.2013: The single dose pillIn 2013, the Department of Health announcedthe introduction of a single dose of the triplecombination of tenofovir, entricitabine andefavirenz for people living with HIV.The new drug meant people living with HIVhad to take only one pill a day to maintain theirhealth, saving up to R2,2 billion over two yearswith a 38 per cent reduction in drug costs.2014 and beyondWhen Minister Motsoaledi presented his2014/2015 Budget Vote this year, he announcedthe following:• As from January 2015, HIV positive patientson treatment at the CD4 count of500 would be put on treatment comparedto the current CD4 count of 350.• With regards to pregnant women theDepartment of Health would now followoption B+ of the World Health Organisation,which stipulates that every pregnantHIV positive woman goes on life longtreatment regardless of their CD4 countstatus. Currently, the HIV policy indicatesthat pregnant women stay on treatmentonly while breast-feeding and stop aftertermination of breastfeeding if their CD4count is 350.In 2016 South Africa will host the 21st InternationalAIDS Conference in Durban forall those working in the HIV field, includingscientists, policymakers, activists politicalleaders, healthcare providers, people livingwith HIV and others committed to the globalresponse to HIV and AIDS.The new single dose pill was launched in2013.Vuk’uzenzelegoes digitalAndile CeleYou can now access Vuk’-uzenzele on your smartphone,tablet and other mobiledevices thanks to the newVuk’uzenzele mobile app.The app was launched recently andallows the user to view all Vuk’uzenzelenewspaper editions and downloadthese editions onto mobile devices.A mobile app is designed to run onsmartphones, tablets and other mobiledevices, which means that Vuk’uzenzelewill be accessible to any person whohas these devices.The Vuk’uzenzele app is available onGoogle Play Store and Apple Store fordownload.Living positively with HIVHIV and AIDS Activist Zandile Mqwathisays every young person is responsible forNoluthando MkhizeEight years ago ZandileMqwathi, 31, found outshe was pregnant and HIVpositive. She was scared andunsure of how those aroundher would treat her.I found out I wasfrightened and questionedwhat people would think“Whenof me. Eventually I decidedto stop worrying about other people andI chose to tell my story of living with the virusas a way of healing,” explained Mqwathi, whois from Slovoville in Pretoria.Although she sometimes feels as if peopleare judging her for having HIV, Mqwathi isdetermined to make her voice heard and in theprocess, educate others about the disease.“When you tell people about your sickness,they automatically assume that you are promiscuousand this is how you got the virus whichis not always the case.”Mqwathi said after discovering her status shewas immediately put on the Prevention of Motherto Child Transmission (PMTCT) programmeto ensure that her baby did not contract the virus.The Department of Health runs the PMTCTprogramme. When a pregnant woman goes to aclinic or hospital for her first antenatal visit, sheis offered routine HIV counselling and voluntarytesting.If she is found to be HIV positive, she will havethe option to join the PMTCT programme free ofcharge. Her CD4 count is also taken and she isplaced on anti-retroviral treatment (ARV).It was this programme that helped ensureMqwathi’s son who is now eight years old isHIV negative.Mqwathi said she has made taking care ofherself a priority.“Living with HIV is not easy, its not just abouttaking the medication but there is a whole supportsystem associated with ensuring that youare healthy. I have to make sure I eat properly,remind myself to take my medication at a particulartime everyday, drink a lot of water andrest.”“What people need to realise is that you needto have a good quality of life when you are HIVpositive. It’s very important to take your ARVsbut you also need psychological support fromyour family, support group or psychologistwhich must be on-going to help you cope.”She stressed that living with HIV was aboutmore than juts taking medication“If you are an HIV positive person listen toyour body, know exactly what type of lifestyleyou need to avoid. Make it your business tocare about your well-being and ensuring yourimmune system is strong.”Young people in particular, need to take responsibilityfor their lives.“Young people are aware of the virus but theyare complacent when it comes to prevention.They don’t realise that being HIV positive is hardand very costly, which puts a huge burden onour economy as a country because ARVs areexpensive.“How is it possible that as a young persondecides not to use a condom or take ARVs whenyou they are aware of the devastating effects ofthe HIV and AIDS?”Her message to all young people is to look aftertheir health and make the right decisions, whileshe advises those living with the virus to have apositive attitude.Apart from being an HIV and AIDS activistMqwathi is also studying towards a degree inDrama Therapy.Zandile Mqwathi is also amotivational speaker andcan be reached onzmqwathi@yahoo.com formotivational speaking.

6Vuk’uzenzele December 2014 / January 2015healthSA’s AIDS fight applaudedMore MatshedisoDeputy President CyrilRamaphosa has commendedefforts from all role playersin the fight against HIV andAIDS, saying this has resultedin important gains beingmade towards reducing thespread and impact of theepidemic.Briefing reporters on the 2016 InternationalAids Conference, the DeputyPresident said the world could bringthe HIV and AIDS epidemic to an endthrough sustained collaboration between varioussectors of society.“We need to strengthen the social compactsthat have been developed over thecourse of many years. I wish to commendall our partners in the SA National AidsCouncil for the contribution they continueto make individually and collectively,” saidDeputy President Ramaphosa.South Africa, which has the highest numberof people living with HIV in the world,has rolled out the world’s largest treatmentprogramme, with over 2,7 million peopleinitiated on anti-retrovirals.Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has applauded the country's fight against HIV and AIDS.The Deputy President said while manyachievements have been made, South Africawas not yet home free, as evidencedin the stubbornly high numbers of newinfections.Getting those on treatment not to defaultand overcome stigma was still a trickyhurdle to negotiate.“In our quest for social justice and equity,we need to ensure that the developmentcommunity, G8 and other global healthplatforms continue the focus on ensuringuniversal coverage.“As we prepare for the 21st InternationalAids Conference, we will intensify our effortsto address these challenges,” said theDeputy President.The 2016 International Aids Conferencewill be held in Durban and the country willbe hosting it for the second time in the sametown since 2000.The Deputy President said the 2000 conferencewas pivotal in focusing the world’sattention on the impact of HIV in sub-Saharan Africa, fundamentally changingthe course of the epidemic on the continent.“A decade and a half later, thanks in largemeasure to the deliberations at that conferenceand the unparalleled response of theglobal health community, we have mademuch progress in tackling the epidemic inAfrica and across the world,” he said.The Deputy President quoted the lateformer President Nelson Mandela when hesaid in his closing address to the 2000 conference:“AIDS today in Africa is claimingmore lives than the sum total of all wars,famines and floods and the ravages of suchdeadly diseases as malaria”.The Deputy President said by the timethe conference starts in Durban, “we willbe able to report significant progress on allthese fronts”.“If we are to achieve the objectives articulatedat AIDS 2014 in Melbourne, Australia,earlier this year, we need to ensure thatthe response to AIDS remains prominentin the post-2015 sustainable developmentframework,” he said.The conference is organised by the InternationalAids Society, with its partnersthe United Nations, the South Africangovernment and international civil societyorganisations.South Africa ready for EbolaSouth African healthcare workers have been trained and are ready to handle Ebolacases in South Africa.Noluthando Mkhize, SAnewsSince the outbreak of theEbola Virus Disease (EVD)some six months ago,countries across the worldare scrambling to fight andcontrol the disease.In recent months more than 5 500 peoplehave contracted the disease and over 2 500have died.While African countries such as Guinea,Sierra Leone and Liberia are still battling tocontrol the virus, South Africa is out of thewoods with no suspected or confirmed casesof Ebola in the country and its neighbouringstates.Despite no Ebola cases reported in SouthAfrica, government has stepped up its effortsto control the disease to ensure the country’sreadiness.The Department of Health has also reassuredSouth Africans that health care workers areready to deal with any cases of infection.Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene also announcedduring this Medium Term BudgetPolicy Statement, that Treasury allocated anadditional R32,6 million to the department toprevent the spread of Ebola to South Africa.Outbreak response teamsHealth Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi announcedthat all provinces have trainedoutbreak response teams and have regularmeetings at national level to monitor the Ebolaoutbreak and preparedness measures.“The department monitored the risk andThe Ebola Virusassessed the situation as the outbreak unfolded.Risk of infection for travellers is low,since [EVD is] not transmitted through casualcontact. However, preparedness and responsemeasures are needed due to the spread of EVDcases to capital cities,” Minister Motsoaledisaid.Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natalhave been identified as the provinces at thehighest risk for importation of cases. Priorityports of entry are OR Tambo, Lanseria, CapeTown and King Shaka Airports.The surveillance for viral hemorrhagic fevers,in particular EVD, has been strengthened atports of entry and thermal scanners havebeen installed at the OR Tambo and LanseriaAirports.The National Health Laboratory Service andthe National Institute for Communicable Diseaseshave also intensified laboratory surveillanceand the port health services, includingpublic and private health care practitioners, areon alert for any ill persons that have travelledto very high-risk areas.Each province has designated health facilitiesto manage EVD cases in 11 designated hospitals.Personal protective equipment (PPE) hasalso been placed at designated hospitals.The 11 hospitals are Polokwane in Limpopo,Rob Ferreira in Mpumalanga, Charlotte Maxekeand Steve Biko in Gauteng, Addington inKwaZulu Natal, Klerksdorp in North WestPelonomi in Free State, Kimberley in NorthernCape, Frere in East London Livingstone in PortElizabeth in Eastern Cape and Tygerberg inWestern Cape.All PPE kits include one overall, a pair ofover shoes, a pair of N95 masks, two pairs ofgloves, one white plastic apron and one setof goggles.Approximately 100 registered nurses atthe South African Military Health Servicehave been trained in (biosafety level) BSL-4isolation techniques. Aeromedical evacuationteams have also been trained in BSL-4 isolationtechniques, and they are able to collect andtransport Ebola patients by air using transportisolator and intensive care equipment.How the Ebola Virus DiseasespreadsThe EVD cannot be spread through casualcontact but is rather transmitted from personto person through direct contact with bloodor infected tissues from an infected person.Health workers and family members of infectedpersons would be at risk.The disease can then spread in the communitythrough human-to-human transmission,with infection resulting from direct contactthrough broken skin or mucous membraneswith the blood, secretions, organs or otherbodily fluids of infected people, and indirectcontact with environments contaminated withsuch fluids.Signs and symptomsEVD is a severe acute viral illness often characterisedby the sudden onset of fever, intenseweakness, muscle pain, headache, and sorethroat.This is followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash,impaired kidney and liver function, and insome cases, both internal and external bleeding.

December 2014 / January 2015 Vuk’uzenzele7EDUCATIONNSFAS breaking new ground*Melikhaya BandlaMore than 65 000 studentsat 11 universities and collegeshave received their loans andbursaries through the newNational Student FinancialAid Scheme (NSFAS) directpilot model.The new model has provided financialaid totalling R1,4 billion to pay fortuition, books, accommodation, foodand travel.“We call this the ‘student-centred model’of financial aid because we put the studentat the centre of everything that we do,” saidZamayedwa Sogayise, Chairperson of theNSFAS board.“For the first time in the history of NSFAS,we have a direct relationship with students. Inthe past, NSFAS did not even know a studentuntil they had left university and we contactedthem to repay their student loans.“In 2014, with the introduction of the pilotwe have a direct relationship with more than65 000 students involved in the pilot phase ofthe new model.”With the new model students no longerreceive cash instead they receive vouchers ontheir cellphones, which they can use to buytheir day-to-day necessities.This voucher can be retrieved at any Spar orShoprite store, where students can buy food,as well as NSFAS accredited bookshops.The tuition and the accommodation are paiddirectly to the university.“This innovation has helped us to distributeallowances to students within seven days ofregistration. Students have received R195 millionin allowances for books, accommodation,food and travel sent by cellphone vouchers,”said Sogayise.Students apply directly to NSFAS for loansand/or bursaries, and not through the universityor college and they are also fundedfor the duration of their studies, not one yearat a time.“A big benefit of the new model is thatstudents apply only once in their lives forfinancial aid. As long as they pass well, theywill continue to get funding. In the old system,every student had to apply every year. They didnot know if they would be funded from one yearto the next,” said Sogayise.For the second year of the pilot phase in 2015,returning students who were funded in 2014 donot have to re-apply.“We already have their details in our system,and we will get their results automatically fromthe university. This eases the administrative burdenon students, NSFAS and the institutions.”He said NSFAS funds 450 000 students everyyear, providing loans and bursaries to thevalue of R9,2 billion and reducing the numberof students who have to re-apply every yearwill make the administration much quicker andeasier.The NSFAS system also encourages studentsto excel at their studies by offering a conversionof up to 40 per cent of a student loan to a bursaryin each year of study.“This means that if you get a student loan ofR50 000, study hard and pass well, you will onlyhave to repay R30 000, and R20 000 will be takenoff your loan.”Students are also incentivised through theNSFAS Final Year Programme where studentswho pass and graduate receive a conversion oftheir final year loan to a 100 per cent bursary.Institutions participating in the pilotinclude Durban University of Technology,Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University inthe Eastern Cape, Sol Plaatje University in theNorthern Cape, University of Mpumalanga,University of South Africa, University ofVenda in Limpopo, Ekurhuleni East Collegein Gauteng, King Hintsa College in the EasternCape, Motheo College in the Free State,South Cape College in the Western Cape andUmfolozi College in KwaZulu-Natal.*Melikhaya Bandla is a communicationofficer at NSFAS.For more information about NSFAS,contact: 0860 067 327School governing bodies helpschools function betterMaths made easy by ClickMathsClickMaths helps learners to understand maths and perform better at school.Minister Angie Motshekga launched the SGB elections campaign.Albert PuleWhile government isdoing its best to ensurethat all children receivequality education, parentsalso need to make acontribution to theirchild’s education.One of the best ways to do thisis for parents to take an interestin the affairs of the schooltheir child attends.From 6th to 28th March 2015, schoolsacross the country will host elections fortheir School Governing Body (SGB).During this period, parents who havechildren at a particular school can beelected to serve for a three-year term onthat school’s governing body.SGBs are made up of parents, teachers,pupils and people working in the schoollike clerks and cleaners.Over the three-year term, the governingbody will be responsible for draftingschool policy, which should be in linewith the policies of the Department ofBasic Education.According to Director of Education Managementand Governance Development atthe department James Ndlebe, SGBs areresponsible for drafting and implementingfinancial and religious policies.Apart from policy implementation,the SGB is also responsible for draftingthe code of conduct, maintenance of thephysical structure of the school, hiring ofteachers and any other activities relatingto the day to day running of the school.“The size of the SGB depends on how bigthe school is. For example, if you’ve got aschool of about 1 200 pupil, you’ll have17 members of the SGB. Nine parents, 3teachers, 3 pupils, one admin clerk andthe principal,” explained Ndlebe.He said that it was important for parentsto participate in the affairs of the schoolstheir children attend because their researchshowed that the performance ofschools at which parents participated inthe SGBs had increased.The Department of Basic Educationmeets with the SGBs four times in a yearto discuss and find solutions of the challengesexperienced.Other role players can also participate inthe affairs of SGBs. Churches, traditionalauthorities, non-governmental associations,clubs and community organisationsare encouraged to serve on the SGB in theircommunity.Ursula GraaffStudents now have the opportunityto learn maths intheir home language.This is all thanks to three South Africangraduates - Adrian Cox, Pratik Pokhareland Monique Baars - who foundedClickMaths, a non-profit organisationin 2012.Cox, Pokharel and Baars were students at theUniversity of Cape Town when they had theidea to start ClickMaths. They then formed apartnership with the Khan Academy, a globalorganisation that offers maths lessons on theInternet, to translate maths lessons into isiXhosa.ClickMaths offers mathematic tutorials onlinethrough videos that can be accessed anywhere.“We became aware of the language barrier thatexists when students are trying to understandmaths, and believe that maths skills will increaseif learned in a mother tongue language as wellas English.”Cox, Pokharel and Baars believe that there is abig difference between learning and understandinga subject.They view maths as a language on its ownand is therefore difficult to understand when itis taught in a different language other than one’smother tongue.Being able to access maths in one’s homelanguage makes it easier to understand andeventually improve maths marks, even thoughthe tests are in English.The trio chose to translate maths lessonsinto isiXhosa as it is widely spoken in SouthAfrica, especially in many rural towns in theEastern Cape and Western Cape.They have also started translating mathslessons into isiZulu and would like to translatethem into other South African languages.“The long term vision of the project is,of course, not to stop here but to translatethe syllabus into all the official languages.ClickMaths has already started on Phase 2of the project using undergraduates at theUniversity of the Witwatersrand to translatethe lessons into isiZulu.”There are 30 translators involved in theprogramme, 20 dealing with isiXhosa and 10with isiZulu. There are many students whobenefit from this programme as the materialis freely available online.ClickMaths has received an overwhelmingresponse from both teachers and students.The students feel they can finally understandconcepts and the teachers appreciatethe videos and use them as extra teachingmaterial in the classrooms.When asked why they chose the nameClickMaths they said: “We control technologyto improve education. [It also has to do with]the ability to ‘click’ on a link and watch thevideo lesson and the focus on making educationalcontent available in South Africanlanguages “many of which are famous forthe 'click' sounds”.For more information visit:www.clickmaths.org.za

8Vuk’uzenzele December 2014 / January 2015RURAL DEVELOPMENTPermaculture project feeds the hungry*Buyanima-Afrika MkhuliseFor many years, 56-yearoldCabangile Mdletsheworked on other people’sfields as a weeder. Mdletshesays life was difficult and shehad to find ways to supporther eight dependants.Life was tough for the resident ofKhula village in Mtuba, northernKwaZulu-Natal, and she often hadto travel long distances to harvestiKhwani (water straw grass), knit it to makegrass mats, which she sold.Things have improved for Mdletshe, herfamily and village as a result of Departmentof Agriculture and Rural Development’straining programme on the use of permaculturesystem.Permaculture is a system of agriculturethat is developed to be sustainable, ecologicallysound and self-sufficient.After receiving the training, Mdletshe and179 families were given a plot, which theyused to start a garden using a permaculturesystem.The department’s Agricultural Technician,Samke Khanyile, says the projectto establish the gardens in impoverishedhomesteads began in 2011 through a jointeffort between the Departments of Agricultureand Rural Development and Cooperative Governanceand Traditional Affairs (Cogta).“Cogta provided the funds to hire the NkanyambaDevelopment Trust as trainers to trainresidents. The department provided seeds andagricultural technicians as local agents for foodsecurity.”Mdletshe says this method of planting doesnot demand a lot of strength.“It is easy planting using this system becauseall you do is neatly place cardboard paper on topof grass all over the area that you want to turninto a garden. Next step is to heap up layer ofcow manure, leaves and grass over it.“After that I begin watering the layer witheither bath, washing or cooking water for a fewdays so that the layer becomes compost. Whenthat has happened I start planting seeds. Thegrass that I put on top ensures that moistureremains in the soil and that encourages theearthworms to work the soil.”She added that the programme has helped herand her family.“Sometimes neighbours buy from me andthat gives me a little extra money to buy what Ineed,” she adds with a smile.*Buyanima-Afrika Mkhulise works for theKwaZulu-Natal Department of Agricultureand Rural Development.For more information, contact thedepartment of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment: 0800 007 095Cabangile Mdletshe is one of 180 residents of Dukuduku in Mtuba area that reaps thebenefits of the One Home, One Garden project that has been implemented in the areausing the permaculture technique as a means of ensuring food security in the ruralhomesteads.Lubala village: a better place to live in*Ndyebo KopoThe village of Lubala in theEastern Cape, has experiencedpositive changes over the pastfew years.In 2008, when the War on Poverty campaignwas launched, the village was chosen as oneof the pilot sites to help improve the livesof residents.At the time, the village was among the country’smost poverty-stricken areas and facedchallenges such as a lack of basic services, highilliteracy rate, no access to primary health careservices and lack of access to proper roads.Based on the findings of the household profilingthat was carried out in Lubala, governmentdepartments made commitments, some ofwhich have been fulfilled and some are still awork in progress.Some six years later, the situation has improvedand the village is on the mend.Access to educationAn early child development (ECD) centre andGrade R classroom was built by the Departmentof Roads and Public Works. The Departmentof Social Development provides funding forthe ECD centre. SASSA also provided schooluniforms to about 57 school learners.Improved infrastructureEskom, together with Ingquza Hill Municipality,ensured that houses in the area have electricity.The Department of Water Affairs drilled threeboreholes to ensure ground water harvesting.The municipality also started building bulkwater infrastructure in Lubala and neighbouringvillages.The community is also using water tanksprovided by Eastern Cape Department of RuralDevelopment and Agrarian Reform. The installationof taps is still in progress.The Department of Human Settlements hasstarted building 91 houses and to date 21 houseshave been completed.The village will also get a community hall,which is being built by the Office of the Premier.Creating of decent workLubala Village before.In an effort to encourage the community ofLubala to be self-reliant, government has embarkedon a number of initiatives.The Department of Labour registered a numberof people, particularly the youth, as job seekerson the Employment Services System South Africa.Currently, 25 residents are participating inthe household contractor programme, receivinga monthly stipend.Community members have also been employedto help with the construction of theThe people of Lubala Village now have access to basic services and decent shelter.infrastructure for the bulk water supply toLubala, while others were employed as part ofbuilders training programme of Department ofRoads and Public Works.Rural Development andsocial reliefThe Department of Rural Development andAgrarian Reform have supported the communitywith seedlings, garden implements,wheelbarrows, tanks, fencing of householdgardens and ploughing fields. It also providedtechnical support during the construction ofboiler units for the local poultry project.The Department of Social Development hasalso assisted with initiation grant funding forthis project, while the Department of EconomicDevelopment and Environmental Affairs helpedfund the erection of boiler units.Skills developmentWith the help of the Department of Educationstudents were placed on an in-service trainingcontract. These students have since graduatedand are now undergoing in-service training atdepartment and receive a R5 000 stipend.Twenty farmers were also trained in poultryand vegetable production.Statistics South Africa trained five auxiliarysocial workers, three community developmentpractitioners, four auxiliary community developmentpractitioners, five social workers and17 social development officials.* Ndyebo Kopo works for the Department ofCommunications in the Eastern Cape.For more information, contact theDepartment of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment: 0800 007 095Tel: (+27) 12 473 0179 E-mail: vukuzenzele@gcis.gov.zaAddress: Private Bag X745, Pretoria, 0001Website: http://www.vukuzenzele.gov.za/All rights reserved. Reproduction of the newspaper in whole or in partwithout written permission is strictly prohibited.Vuk’uzenzeleVuk'uzenzele @VukuzenzeleNewsis published byDepartment of CommunicationsDistributed by:Printed by:Download App on:Vukuzenzele

December 2014 / January 2015 Vuk’uzenzele9safety & securityPolice to ensure a safe festive seasonEdwin TshivhidzoPolice Minister NkosinathiNhleko assured SouthAfricans that security wouldbe beefed up during thefestive season.Operation Duty calls will run up to the end of January 2015. Security will be on theincrease during the festive season.“We will increase thenumber of police officersthroughout thecountry to ensure thesafety of all South Africans during the festiveseason,” he said.Speaking at the launch of the festive seasonsafety campaign Operation Duty Calls, inEscourt, KwaZulu-Natal, Minister Nhlekocalled on communities to report or exposeany criminal activities in their communities.“As government, we need your assistancein fighting crime,” he said.Minister Nhleko said the festive seasonsafety campaign would focus on armed robberies,liquor outlets, social crimes, trackingwanted criminals, road safety campaignsand border patrols.The campaign would also be extended torural communities throughout the countrywhere stock theft was still a problem.Operation Duty Calls will run up to theend of January 2015. The campaign willalso focus on clamping down on a numberof criminal activities, which include drugabuse and dealing as well as cash-in-transitheists and ATM bombings.During the campaign, the South AfricanPolice Service (SAPS) will raise awareness onhow people can ensure the safety of childrenover the festive season.Also as part of Operation Duty Calls highvisibility patrols will be increased along touristdestinations, especially in coastal cities.The campaign is being carried out jointlywith the Departments of Defence, Home Affairsand Justice and Correctional Services.National Police Commissioner GeneralRiah Phiyega also called on communitiesto expose any suspicious activities in theircommunities.“Ensuring your safety is our daily task.We do not only focus on it over the festiveseason. We discuss and devise waysof responding to crime in South Africathroughout the year.“We have realised the importance of involvingyou, the people we serve, to giveyou a say in how policing should be implementedin your community,” she said.She noted that high crime incidents occurbetween October and January each year.“The SAPS is particularly concerned aboutthe high rate of armed robberies at malls andshopping centres in all the provinces, butespecially in Gauteng and the Western Cape.According to an analysis carried out by ourAnalysis and Monitoring Section, armedrobbers at shopping centres mostly targetchain cell phone shops as well as clothingshops, second-hand dealers and hardwareshops.”General Phiyega said based on the analysis,the SAPS issued a new instructionsdealing directly with these crimes.“We have therefore increased our effortsto curb these crimes. All Provincial CrimeCombating Forums (PCCFs) are ready toparticipate fully in our efforts to respondto these robberies and related crimes in allthe identified hotspots.”General Phiyega told the local communitythat police had the safety and security of alllaw-abiding citizens at heart.“We are very concerned about criminalityand we respond to any element of criminalityin the best possible way,” she said.General Phiyega said the campaign wouldalso focus on ensuring the safety of womenand children.A resident of Wembezi, an area withinEscourt, Sizakele Sikhakhane, said she washappy the number of police would be increasedin her area during the festive season.She said the community was tired of criminalswho prey on them during the festiveseason.Many locals shared Sikhakhane’s sentiments,saying there were many criminalswho must be arrested.The launch of the campaign has broughthope to the locals, who said they were lookingforward to a crime-free festive season.If you have any information aboutcriminal activities call Crime Stop on0860 0 10111 or SMS Crime Line on:32211 or visit www.crimeline.co.zaThuthuzela Care Centres provide safe havens for victimsNoluthando MkhizeEvery South African hasa responsibility to reportincidence of abuse againstwomen and children.These are sentiments shared by NomsaDombo and Advocate Lida vanSchalkwyk - the two ladies who arepart of a team that runs the MamelodiThuthuzela Care Centre (TCC) in Pretoria.Dombo is the site coordinator and VanSchalkwyk works with the National ProsecutingAuthority (NPA) as a state prosecutorensuring that victims of abuse get justice.Thuthuzela Care Centres are one-stopfacilities and are aimed at preventing secondaryvictimisation of rape and abuse victims,improving conviction rates, and reducing thetime taken to finalise cases. There are 50 TCCsacross the country.The Mamelodi TCC receives between 35 to50 cases a month. Most of these involve youngpeople between the age of 13 and 17.Dombo and Van Schalkwyk have been workingat the TCC for six years and have witnessedthe impact of rape and abuse on a victim.“Rape is a very traumatic experience, thevictims that come in to see us are traumatised.Some of them feel dirty and want to take a bathimmediately after the incident, which is somethingthey should not do because specimensare taken and form part of evidence collected.Nomsa Dombo and Advocate Lida van Schalkwyk are part of the team at the MamelodiThuthuzela Care Centre in Pretoria.“Some victims want to get the smell of theperpetrator out of their skin and want to bathover and over. Others relive the experience andexperience flash backs, this is where counsellingis crucial to empower the victims,” saidDombo.Most TCCs operate at public hospitals, clinics,or police stations and are close to communitieswhere incidences of rape are particularly high.They are also linked to Sexual Offences Courts.TCCs are open 24 hours a day, seven days aweek and a rape case can be reported directlyat a TCC.When a victim walks into a TCC they receiveimmediate medical attention, which includes amedical examination, counselling, medicationto prevent HIV and pregnancy.Police then help the victim open a case. Staffat the TCC arrange on-going counselling andcourt preparation if the trial continues.Every TCC has a doctor, nurse, member ofthe police on call, social worker and a victimassistant officer. It also has child friendly roomswith teddy bears and colourful chairs thatmake a child feel more at ease when speakingto the police or a counsellor.Dombo adds that it helps with the investigationif the rape is reported immediatelyas evidence can then be collected as soon aspossible.“Once victims report the incident and allmedical examinations have been done theyreceive counselling for as long as they need it.”Van Schalkwyk gets involved when courtprocesses begin.“I prepare the victims and make sure theyknow exactly what to expect when they are incourt. I show them were the accused will beseated because some people have never beento court. If a child is involved they are placedwith an intermediary in separate room fromthe court,” she explained.With the country marking the 16 Days ofActivism for No Violence Against Womenand Children campaign (which started on25 November ends on 10 December), Dombostressed the importance of every membersociety to playing a role in dealing with abuse.“Parents need to know where their childrenare at all times, even when children are playingthey need to be constantly monitored. Mothersalso need to have a close relationship with theirteenage daughters teaching them more aboutthe appropriate age to have sex,” she said.

10Rural YOUTH DevelopmentMATTERSVuk’uzenzele December 2014 / January 2015Scholarship fund making dreams come trueAlbert PuleNineteen-year-oldNonhlanhla Seerane isfollowing her dream ofbecoming an accountantthanks to the SolomonMahlangu Scholarship Fund.The R20 million Solomon MahlanguScholarship Fund was launched byPresident Jacob Zuma early this yearand targeted 200 young people whoperformed well in their 2013 matric exams butdid not have the money to further their studies.The Department of Higher Education andTraining contributed R10 million to the fundwhile the National Youth Development Agency(NYDA) contributed an addition R10 million.Seerane is one of the students who have receivedthe scholarship. She is currently studyingtowards a Bachelor of Accounting degreeat the University of Johannesburg.She completed her matric in 2013 and got 63per cent Mathematics, 90 per cent Accounting,75 per cent Economics , 78 per cent BusinessStudies, 77 per cent English, 89 per cent Sepedi,61 per cent Tourism and 81 per cent LifeOrientaton.The scholarship covers tuition fees, food,books, accommodation and a stipend.The 19-year-old teenager, from Bushbuckridgein Mpumalanga, says the scholarshiphas given her a chance to realise her dreams.“This bursary will enable me to supportmyself and my family and I’m also planningto give back to my community by volunteeringto mentor young people from my school whowould like to become accountants.”Seerane is the only one from her family to goto university. She has three older sisters andtwo younger sisters.Though at the beginning of the term shestruggled to cope, she says the support from theNational Youth Development Agency (NYDA)has come in handy.“They check on us to see how we are doingand the support from them is important, ithelps us cope with the new environment,”she explained.Nineteen-year-old Ben Hloai from Vereeniging,Gauteng, has also been given a chanceto realise his dream of becoming a logisticsexpert. Hloai is currently studying for a degreein Logistics Management at the University ofJohannesburg.Just like Seerane, the scholarship pays forhis tuition, meals, books and accommodation.He added that the support received from theNYDA psychologist came in handy when facedwith problems.“They’ve given us numbers of someone whowe can speak to when we have issues to dealwith especially in this fast-paced environment.”For more information about the SolomonMahlangu Scholarship Fund go to the NYDAwebsite: www.nyda.gov.zaNYDA Call Centre: 0800 52 52 52Email: info@nyda.gov.zaHloai says leaving his home in Vereenigingto study Johannesburg required a lot ofadjustment but he is coping with his newenvironment.Cleaning business making a differenceApplications now open forNYDa’S Solomon MahlanguScholarship FundCharlene Mazibuko, Collen Zwane and Siyabonga Skhosana are the brains behindMnandi Global Cleaning Services, a company that provides chemical cleaning suppliesto businesses and schools in Lekazi and neighbouring towns.Maselaelo SeshotliShortly after Collen Zwane,Charlene Mazibukoand Siyabonga Skhosanamatriculated, they decidedto start a cleaning servicescompany to create jobs intheir community.Mpumalanga-based Mnandi GlobalCleaning Services, which startedin January 2014, supplies cleaningchemical supplies to businessesand schools in Lekazi and neighbouring towns.The team, who are all in their twenties, joinedforces with Greg Kihu, an established businessmanin the chemical manufacturing industry,to gain knowledge about the industry.The partnership resulted in a contract betweenthe two businesses in which they agreedto work together.Today Mnandi Global Cleaning Services sells,distributes and markets cleaning chemicalproducts manufactured by Kihu’s company.“We heard about the NYDA from a friendwho encouraged us to make contact and applyfor financial assistance,” said Skhosana.Within five months the NYDA gave the trioR10 000 worth of funding to help them get theirbusiness off the ground.“We used the money for our distributioncosts and uniforms. We were impressed bythe NYDA as they gave us speedy and professionalassistance,” Mazibuko said.The NYDA ensured that the trio got trainingin business management and also offered todo branding for their business.“We consider the NYDA as mentors morethan anything because not only have theygiven us funding and sent us for courses, butthey always come back to review how we wereprogressing,” said Zwane.Since the business started, it has secured 230customers.The company also employs a few part timeworkers who do marketing and deliveries.“It has not been easy for us. There have beena few challenges we encountered in managingthe business but the most stressful one is thelack of our own transport,” said Zwane.Mazibuko said it took hard work, determinationand discipline to run the business.“As a team we have all three qualities. Weunderstand that our business is still growingand we ensure that whatever income comesin goes into the business account,” said Mazibuko.For now the business is only selling cleaningproducts as it focuses on generating income.“The income made will allow the businessto expand and we can buy our own cleaningmachines and employ people to operate anddo the physical cleaning,” said Mazibuko.The trio’s future plans include being completelyindependent, employing more peopleas permanent employees and expanding thebusiness to other areas.The advice the team offers to other youngpeople is to make things happen for themselvesand stop relying on government forjobs.For more information, contact NYDAcall centre 0800 52 52 52The Solomon Mahlangu ScholarshipFund, a fund of the NationalYouth Development Agency(NYDA), is now accepting applicationsfor the 2015 scholarships.This is the second year the SolomonMahlangu Scholarship Fund will beawarded to students who excel in theclassroom and wish to pursue studies inscarce skills at Universities, Universitiesof Technology as well as all public FurtherEducation and Training (FET) Colleges.Established by the NYDA in 2013, theSolomon Mahlangu Scholarship Fundis in honour of the late struggle icon,Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu, a youngmember of Umkhonto Wesizwe who waswrongfully arrested and in 1979, aged 23,executed under apartheid laws.The Fund was officially launched byPresident Jacob Zuma in February 2014– where the NYDA also unveiled the firstgroup of its beneficiaries.With additional financial assistancefrom the Department of Higher Educationthe Solomon Mahlangu ScholarshipFund, last year, awarded R20 million inscholarships to 236 students from previouslydisadvantaged backgrounds, acrossSouth Africa, for the duration of theirstudies.“We are pleased, once again, to offeryoung matriculants a chance to apply forthe scholarship that will ensure they getto attend the best academic institutions inthe country because the NYDA has madeit possible. We also want to invite privateand public institutions to come on boardand partner with us to make it possible toput more young South Africans at institutionsof higher learning,” said YershenPillay, Chairperson of the NYDA.The Scholarship Fund provides financialsupport to young people who have beenaccepted to pursue full-time degrees incourses that fall within the priority growthsectors and critical and scarce skills areasas outlined in the labour planning frameworksof the country.International scholarships will be consideredif they have been endorsed by aSouth African government department ora credible public or private agency.The Scholarship Fund covers 100% costsof the student’s studies, including tuition,books, meals and accommodation.Students who will be considered for thescholarship are those who have been acceptedto register in the following fieldsof study:• ICT• Law• Tourism• Geology• Logistics• Pharmacy• Journalism• Agriculture• Engineering• Development Studies• Supply Chain ManagementApplications are to be made directly tothe participating Universities/Universitiesof Technology (which have full responsibilityfor receiving, processing applicationsand selecting recipients).Applications to FET Colleges mustbe submitted directly to NYDA forthe attention of Mr Sihle Mlaba, 11Broadwalk Avenue, Halfway HouseMidrand, 1683 or e-mailed to: scholarships@nyda.gov.za.Application forms are available onthe NYDA website and all NYDAbranches. The deadline for new applicationsis 23 January 2015.

December 2014 / January 2015 Vuk’uzenzele11generalBursaries for children of MK soldiersNoluthando MkhizeThe future looks bright for18-year-old Manala MandisaTyodeka a Grade 12 pupilat Christ Church College inJohannesburg.She is one of beneficiaries of the Departmentof Military Veterans and ParamountGroup’s high-tech skills transferprogramme.Paramount Group is Africa’s largest nongovernment-owneddefence and aerospacemanufacturer.As a result of the partnership between the twoorganisations, Tyodeka who is currently writingher final matric exams, will now have an opportunityto study towards a degree in actuarialscience or mathematical science.Tyodeka’s father used to be a member of Umk-honto we Sizwe during the struggle for freedom.Tyodeka says she is proud of her father forhis contribution to a free South Africa but moreimportantly, because of his efforts she has beenhanded great opportunities.“I am really honoured and excited to havereceived this bursary. I am also grateful thatbecause of the battles and hardship that my dadand his colleagues encountered I have so manyopportunities that would not have been affordedto me in the past.”Tyodeka received a full bursary, which meansher tuition, books and accommodation will betaken care of.Young descendants of military veterans,identified by the department, will through aprogramme of bursaries for tertiary educationplacements and on the job apprenticeships,work with employees of the Paramount Groupto ensure their knowledge and world-class skillsare passed on to the next generation of SouthAfricans.The programme that supports ParamountGroup’s existing internal initiative to invest in itscurrent workforce, is funded by the ParamountGroup Trust and ensures that the majority of athird of all company profits made in South Africaare spent on education and skills developmentfor descendants of military veterans.The Trust, together with the department, identifiedopportunities to transfer core skills to thenext generation in order to ensure the defenceindustry’s sustainability.“Veterans have made a huge contributionto this country and need to be recognised andvalued for the role that they have played. It isour obligation to support their descendants andgive them an opportunity to secure their ownfutures and make a contribution to the future ofthis industry,” said Ivor Ichikowitz, ExecutiveChairman of Paramount Group.“The South African defence industry is generallycharacterised by an aging workforce. For it tobe sustainable it needs skills transfer, conductedin a long-term, structured and controlled mannerthat benefits the entire country.”“Through this programme and in partnershipwith the Paramount Trust, there will be an investmentin skills and it will additionally uplift themilitary veterans’ family units which have upuntil now been mostly neglected by the industry,”said the Deputy Minister of Defence andMilitary Veterans Kebby Maphatsoe.Those taking part in the programme will beequipped with the high-tech knowledge basedskills required to keep Paramount Group andSouth Africa at the forefront of the global defenceindustry.The chairman of the Paramount Group Trust,Dr Mathews Phosa said: “Military veterans havebeen the key to the successful transformation ofour country. This initiative will go a long wayto recognising their role and to enabling theirdescendants to benefit from the sacrifices theymade; to build a future for themselves and toplay a role in driving this strategic industryforward.”Tyodeka said she was most excited apartfrom receiving the bursary, she would be ableto work with people in industry of study duringthe holidays.Department of Military Veteranscontacts: 0800 232 344Living ConditionsSurveyData Collection for the LivingConditions Survey (LCS)2014/15 conducted by StatisticsSouth Africa (Stats SA) startedon 13 October 2014. The LCS data is usedto monitor and profile the poverty levelsin the country and also provides the necessarydata to inform the developmentand maintenance of household nationalaccounts and monitor inequality. Fieldworkerswill visit households throughoutthe country to collect data from householdmembers through a questionnaire.The LCS is a household-based surveythat collects detailed income and expendituredata, as well as information oneducation, housing, social welfare, healthand living circumstances from householdsacross South Africa.The survey will be conducted for aperiod of a year from October 2014 toOctober 2015. The data gathered fromthe survey will also be used to updatethe Consumer Price Index (CPI) basket ofgoods and services and also to meet theinternational reporting obligations of theMillennium Development Goal (MDG’s).The data will in addition be used to updateand maintain poverty lines.About 32 000 dwellings/houses acrossthe country’s nine provinces were scientificallyselected to participate in the survey.Living Conditions Survey 2014/15The information collected is also used to update theConsumer Price Index basket.This basket is a list of the of the goods and servicesthe average household spend their money on andis used to calculate the monthly inflation rate.32 000Around 32 000 householdsacross the country havebeen selected to participateThe Living Conditions Survey (LCS) collects information onhow and what households spend their money on.This information is used to paint a clear picture of the povertysituation in South Africa.Each visit will last roughly30 minutesx12CPI BasketThe survey runsover a period of12 monthsA survey officer will visithouseholds once aweek for four weeks tocomplete the questionnaireA survey officer will visit the sampledhome to administer a questionnaire overfour weeks. Visits will be done weekly tocomplete the questionnaire. The sampledHouseholds will also be asked tokeep a weekly diary ofexpenses for two weeksLivingConditionsSurvey2014/15household will also be required to keepa weekly diary of all expenses for twoweeks.During any one of the four visits,Data collection starts inOctober 2014 andends in October 2015The South Africa I know, the home I understandHouseholds will be asked to answer questions relating toFor more information,contact us:012 310 8900012 310 8944info@statssa.gov.zawww.statssa.gov.za @StatsSA www.facebook.com/StatsSADuring any one of the four visits, all members ofthe household will be measured and weighed.This is done so that a person’s nutritional status canbe determined.Survey officers can be identifiedby the their official ID cardall members of the household will bemeasured and weighed. This is done sothat a person’s nutritional status can bedetermined.Ice business helps coolPienaar communityEmpire Cold Stones owner Simangaliso Khoza.Empire Cold Stone ice is sold at petrol stations andshops in Pienaar, Mpumalanga.Maselaelo SeshotliAfter Simangaliso Khoza saw the difficultypeople living in Pienaar, Mpumalanga,would go through to find ice for functions,he decided to do something about it.Khoza did some research on ice manufacturing and purifyingand then started an ice-making business EmpireCold Stones. He started off with just one ice makingmachine, which he bought using his savings, and asecond-hand fridge.“It was not been easy to get the business off the ground as manypeople feared that the water was not purified and questionedwhether it was safe enough for them to consume,” said Khoza.But with support from the community, family and friends,the business is growing, which prompted Khoza to approachthe National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) for financialassistance.The NYDA not only helped the business with an ice makingmachine called MV 606, worth R50 000, and a plastic sealer, butalso provided him with business management training, whichhe completed.Today, Empire Cold Stones products are sold in petrol stationsand shops in his community. The business has also created permanentjobs for two people and part-time employment for two others.“There is no bidding contract with most of the businesses I supply,but I always ensure that my product is of the best quality tosatisfy my clients,” he said.The 30-year-old explained that the ice is usually in demandduring the weekends when people host functions.To market the business Khoza uses word of mouth, social mediaand community radio stations.Khoza’s future plans for his business include getting a biggermanufacturing space, distributing to more businesses, and expandingthe products.“The business name will soon change to Empire Still Water andIce because I plan to move into water bottling and branding asthe business grows,” said Khoza.He added said that the past 20 years since democracy hadbrought a lot opportunities for the youth.“The youth just needs to find information that will empowerand help them move forward,” he said.For more information, contact NYDA call centre0800 52 52 52

December 2014 / January 2015 Vuk’uzenzele13generalSave and spend wiselyUrsula GraaffThe festive season is usuallythe time when people spendtoo much and start the NewYear in debt.Vuku’uzenzelespoke to the SavingsInstitute of South Africa’s GeraldMwandiambira about how to besmart with money.People often make the mistake of treatingmoney differently in December than othermonths of the year and spend money on thingsthey don’t need, he said.“People should treat December like a normalmonth and not spend on things not budgetedfor.”Mwandiambira suggests that a budgetfor the festive season be drawn up to guidespending habits.“If you have not budgeted for it, do notspend on it. Don’t impress people with moneyyou do not have.”Saving before the festiveseasonSaving before the festive season gives onepeace of mind knowing that extra expenseshave been saved for.“You make confident decisions as well,when you have saved for the festive season,”added Gerald.Mwandiambira said although using a creditcard over the festive season was not a badthing, consumers must be wise about whento use it.“Know that you will be able to pay back thecredit and that your budget is able to coverthe costs of paying off your December credit.If you do not have a structured plan on howyou will pay back the debt on your credit card,do not use it until January the following year.”Shopping wiselyBefore going to a shopping mall write a list ofthe things that you need to buy and stick to it.“Ask your bank to reduce your daily limit onATM withdrawals and pay point spending sothat you know where all your money went to.”He said when shopping consumers mustask themselves whether they need or a wantan item.“If it is a need you can’t do without, youcan buy it. If it is a want, leave the item forthree days and then go back if you still wantto purchase it. During the three days cool offtime, the consumer usually leaves it, as theysee no need for it,” added Mwandiambira.He said there was nothing wrong withspending money during the festive seasonbut the concern was the behaviour related tospending it.“Saving should be a lifestyle and peopleshould make wise spending decisions.”Back to schoolWhen it comes to preparing for a new schoolyear, parents should buy stationery anduniforms in January when there are bargainprices.This means that parents will need to savemoney in December.“Go to the bank and put money into aseparate savings account and ask the bankto release the money on a set date, that wayyou are able to afford items for school for thechildren.”Mwandiambira said South Africans shouldmake saving part of their lifestyle.“You should save all the time, regardlessof the occasion or season of the year. Alwayshave an emergency savings account for expensesnot budgeted for,” he said.Going on holiday? Here’show you can save and spendwisely:• When eating out look out for meal specialsto save costs.• Instead of travelling to far away destinationsopt for closer destinations not toofar from your city or town.• Make your accommodation and carbooking online rather than going directto an actual company.• Save costs by booking into a bed-andbreakfastor self-catering units insteadof hotels.• Find something to do in your own town.Be sun smart this festive seasonMaselaelo SeshotliIt is the festive season and many peoplewill be spending a lot of time outdoors,exposed to the sun.Spending too much time in the sunwithout protection can be bad for your skinand can cause wrinkles, age spots and otherskin problems as well as increase the risk ofskin cancer.Vuk’uzenzele has compiled advice on howboth parents and children can protect themselveswhile having fun in the sun. Here aresome tips:• Parents must take extra care of their children’s,particularly infants, skin by applyingsunscreen and insisting that theywear a hat. Parents and guardians shouldalso consider choosing a baby sunscreen,which contains a Sun Protection Factor(SPF) of at least 15.• Contact a health professional to help youchoose the right sunscreen for your child.• When spending time in the park for apicnic or a day at the beach parents mustkeep children in the shade as much aspossible.• Parents should consider dressing childrenin loose fitting clothes and fabricsthat have an Ultraviolet Protection Factor(UPF) rating.• Parents should make use of a broadspectrumsunscreen with a SPF of 30 orabove and it should be applied 15 – 20minutes before going outside.Source: cansa.org.zaDon't spend your money on things youdid not budget for. Make wise spendingdecisions this festive season.For more information, NCR contacts:0860 627 627Save for yourchild’s futureMaselaelo SeshotliParents want the best for theirchildren and education is thebest way to ensure a child hasa successful future.With some form of tertiary educationbeing compulsory for almost every job,today’s economy favours educated jobseekers.“With the cost of education expectedto increase by about nine per cent everyyear, it is wise for parents to prepare forthe future while there is still time,” saidSinenhlanhla Nzama, an investmentmarketing actuary at Old Mutual.She said it is important to start savingas soon as possible.“Whether you are new parents, a singleparent or an established family, the keyis to start saving early. Life can be verydemanding so parents have to be awareof the future cost of quality high schooland university education. The later youstart saving, the more you will need tosave per month.”By starting to save right away, parentscan pace themselves and contribute anaffordable amount each month.Whether you have high school or universitytuition in mind for your childrenthe cost of paying for good educationincreases every year.Nzama added that the tough realityis that currently, one year’s educationcould cost between R23 000 and R42000, depending on the level (primaryschool, high school, university) and type(private, public) of education. A 2033forecast could result in a parent spendingbetween R118 600 and R215 500 for oneyear’s education.There are a few options to considerwhen opening an education fund suchas the Unit trust, Savings Policies andFundisa.People prefer the unit trusts becauseof it is a long term investment as thereare a lot of choices as well as funds thatspecifically focus on beating the rate ofinflation by a certain percentage. This isimportant because education inflation ishigher than normal inflation.“Unit trust investments are ideal forpeople who require flexibility and accessto the funds, however you must bedisciplined and avoid the temptation ofdipping into your child’s funds,” addedNzama.Savings policies are fixed for a certainperiod of time (for example five to 15years) depending on when your childwill go to school or university.Parents can either pay fixed monthlypremiums or make lump sum paymentsinto the policy.Fundisa is a government initiative,which allows parents to save towardsan accredited qualification at a publiccollege or university.Parents are paid an annual bonus on theinvestment, which is about 25 per cent ofthe save annually, up to a maximum ofR600 per child.“Start [saving] early, even if it’s a smallamount each month - it will always goa long way in the future after some investmentgrowth. Speak to your financialadviser who will help you choose the appropriateproduct and give you adviceon how much you should save. This willput you on the right track to securing agood education for your children,” saidNzama.

14Vuk’uzenzele December 2014 / January 2015GENERALCouncillors should not turn people awayAlbert Pulesupposed to help people, if not, and thenCouncillors cannot turnthey should refer them to someone whowill be able to help them,” he said.Speaker of Councilyou away if you go toMogase said councillors are supposed toact the as ears and eyes of government onthem with a complaint. Ifthe ground.“We are supposed to be the link betweenChief Whipthey cannot deal with yourcomplaint, they should referyou to a relevant departmentYou can go to your local councillor tocomplain about water supply, electricity,Chairpersons of Section 79 Committeehousing, refuse collection and services offeredby municipalities.( Rules, Ethics)government and the people we serve andChairperson of Section 79 Committees portfolio Committe on Finance,we should fight for their interests.”Economic Development Ethics and Sportsor individual at a provincialWhen you have a complaint against yourcouncillor, you can raise it through theCouncillorschief whip’s office of the political party theor national level who will be councillor belongs to, the speaker’s officeWard CouncillorsProportional Representitives Councillorsor send a petition to the council.(Elected by commities)(Nominated by political parties)able to help you.Mogase said councillors should haveconstant communication with the peopleCouncillors are people who provide in their respective wards.For more information call Mr Aubrey Ncongwanepolitical leadership in wards in a Councillors are supposed to meet withTell: 011 407 7339 email: AubreyN@joburg.org.za /municipality. They are either elected those in their wards at least once per quarterto give them feedback about the issuesCity of Johannesburg contacts: 0860 562 874by the communities as independentcandidates or they represent the different politicalparties.Their term in office is five years in line withthe local government elections.According to Chair of Chairs at the City ofJohannesburg Councillor Solly Mogase, councillorsare supposed to be able to help peoplein their ward or get someone to help them.Chair of Chairs is a position in a metropolitanmunicipality occupied by a personwho all chairpersons of the committees in themunicipality report to.“Communities can bring almost every complaintto the councillor. They are supposed toknow almost everything about the functioningof the three spheres of government, fromlocal, provincial and national. Councillors arethey raise and the decisions taken duringcouncil meetings.“However, due to the number of differentissues communities raise with their councillors,there are times when more than onemeeting is required. In some cases councillorsmeet with communities three times aquarter.”To ensure councillors have all the toolsto serve their communities, they receivetraining in management and finance fromthe South African Local Government Association.Mogase added that full time councillorswere not allowed to hold other jobs whilethey were serving councillors but part timecouncillors could.Nigeria church victims’remains are homeBathandwa Mbolaand Ongezwa ManyathiThe remains of 74 SouthAfricans, who died when amulti-storey guest house ofthe Synagogue Church of AllNations in Nigeria collapsedover two months ago, havebeen returned home.More than a 100 people, most ofthem South African, died in thecollapse. Since then the SouthAfrican government has beenworking with the Nigerian government tobring the remains home.An 80-member specialist team from theDepartment of Health, the South AfricanPolice Service and the South African MilitaryHealth Service, among others worked hardto identify the bodies in Lagos, Nigeria.Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial TaskTeam, Minister Jeff Radebe, said the governmentteam in Lagos would continue to workaround the clock to identify the remainingSouth Africans and ensure their speedyrepatriation.Minister Radebe met with the NigerianFederal Government authorities, as wellas Lagos State authorities to speed up theprocess.South Africa agreed to repatriate threeZimbabwean nationals and one from theDRC who were travelling on South Africanpassports.Minister Jeff Radebe.The lengthy process to identify the bodieswas made difficult by the nature of theincident.“The bodies of 11 other people from SouthAfrica still have to be positively identifiedin Lagos and will be repatriated later…thejob has not stopped for us,” said MinisterRadebe.Family members of the victims travelledto Pretoria to be part of an official reception,which was led by Deputy President CyrilRamaphosa last month.At the end of the formal reception ceremony,the mortal remains were transported byroad to government Forensic Pathology Servicesmortuaries in the different provinces.From there, the mortal remains weretransported to the government mortuaryclosest to the place of burial where they werereceived by their next-of-kin.Individual families continued with theirown private funeral arrangements.Nigeria and South Africa have enjoyedcordial relations for many years and thistragedy has brought the two countries evencloser and our relations will remain strong.Keep safe this festive seasonUrsula GraffWhile the festive season is atime for fun and excitement, itis also time to be extra carefulto ensure that by the end ofthe holidays you are still in onepiece.It is important to be vigilant on the roads ifyou are travelling during the holidays andalso ensure that your home is well protected.Vuk’uzenzele put together some safety tipsfor the home and road.Advice to keep your premises safeinclude:• Ask your neighbours to take out thepost. Post left in the mailbox indicatesthat nobody is home.• Make sure you have good lighting.Don’t leave outside lightson during the day.• Don’t let too many peopleknow when you are going onholiday, only those you trust.• Make sure your doors lock properly andthat you have burglar bars.• If your house is broken into, notify thepolice immediately.If you are going on a road trip:• Buckle up.• Don’t drink and drive.• Keep a safe following distance.• Do not use up your energy on activities,which will increase your fatigue.• Get enough sleep the night before, at leastsix hours.• Do not travel when you are emotional orstressed out.• Plan your trip, the routes travelled andwhere you will stop and rest overnight.• Make sure your car is road worthy.• Make sure you have a spare wheel and thatit is in good condition and a jack.• Make sure your luggage is in the boot andthat is closed properly.• Stop every two hours, taking 15 minutebreaks.• Avoid driving between 1am and 5 am.• If you feel tired or restless, pull over at asafe stop and rest for a little while.If you are travelling at night:• Be on the lookout for suspicious-lookingpeople or vehicles.• Know where you are going, do not useunfamiliar routes to get home.• Lock your doors and close your windows.• If you are bumped from behind, head to thenearest police station or place of safety.• Never leave keys in your ignition to opengates.• Don’t wait for your passengers, drivearound the block or get out of the carand lock the doors.• Never pick up hitchhikers.• Don’t get out to assistsomeone who seems to be introuble. Inform the police.To ensure your safety whileshopping:• Avoid carrying large amounts of money.• Don’t leave valuable belongings in the trolley.• Don’t have your wallet or purse visible.Keep wallet in your front pocket and notthe back pocket.• Don’t let money be too visible, especiallylarge amounts.• Hold your child’s hand and be alert of themat all times. Always accompany them to thebathroom.Source: SAPS, Department of Transport andSANRAL.

December 2014 / January 2015 Vuk’uzenzele15International RELATIONSSA called to seize investment opportunities in BurundiAmukelani ChaukePresident Jacob Zumahas called on the businesssector to seize investmentand trade opportunities inBurundi following his firstofficial meeting with BurundiPresident Pierre Nkurunziza.The President said trade between the twocountries have risen steadily from R47,7million to R52 million in 2013.“This visit should also enable us todiscuss further how to take advantage of thepotential that exists to enhance trade and investment.“The business people from both countriesshould certainly improve these figures by furtherexploring opportunities in the two countries,”said President Zuma.The Burundi President was accompanied by adelegation of Ministers, from those responsiblefor arts and culture to those responsible forinternational relations.President Zuma was accompanied by InternationalRelations and Cooperation MinisterMaite Nkoana-Mashamaite, Trade and IndustryMinister Rob Davies, Defence Minister NosiviweMapisa-Nqakula, Arts and Culture MinisterInnovation key to economic growth for BRICSNeo SemonoMinister in thePresidency Jeff Radebesays BRICS countries mustcontinue to embraceinnovation as a key driverfor economic growth.“Innovation is a powerful enginefor development and foraddressing social and globalchallenges. I can also affirmthat innovation is centrally located inSouth Africa’s long term economic growthstrategy, which includes a focus on thepharmaceutical industry, indigenousknowledge and rich biodiversity,” saidMinister Radebe.The Minister was speaking at the officialopening of the third annual InnovaBRICS[Brazil, Russia, India, China and SouthAfrica] conference in London recently.Minister Radebe said South Africa wasdetermined to develop its research capacityto fuel innovation to drive economicgrowth. The country would also havea special focus on development programmesto support young, female andblack researchers.“In that regard, we are putting in place anambitious programme to develop the nextgeneration of academics and researchers.Over the next five years, our target is tospend 1,5 per cent of GDP [gross domesticproduct] on research and development.”Minister Radebe led the South Africandelegation at the conference, which includedthe Ministers of Trade and IndustryRob Davies, Finance Nhlanhla Nene andCommunications Faith Muthambi.South Africa used the conference as aplatform to popularise its National De-President Pierre Kurunziza of the Republic of Burundi met with President Jacob Zuma during a recent visit to the country.Nathi Mthethwa and Agriculture, Forestryand Fisheries Minister Senzeni Zokwana,amongst others.The President said the meeting led to thesigning of an agreement to structure therelationship through the Joint Commissionfor Cooperation.Minister in The Presidency Jeff Radebe believes that innovation is necessary fordevelopment.velopment Plan, which is the blueprint forending poverty and reducing inequality by2030.“The NDP aims to unlock the institutional,human and structural impedimentsto higher growth in the country. It offers aframework for faster growth and socio-economictransformation. The BRICS countriesare an important part of this strategy,” saidMinister Radebe.He said InnovaBRICS was a unique opportunityto promote closer cooperationbetween BRICS countries to support SouthAfrica’s growth, development and povertyHe said the two countries had signed cooperationagreements in the fields of agriculture,arts and culture, commerce, education, politics,defence, sports, mining, women empowerment,investment, health, science and technology, communications,public works and finance.“Our two countries share a rich history ofreduction objectives.He said the BRICS grouping was not onlyone of the most recognised in the world butit also constituted in excess of a quarter ofglobal GDP.BRICS countries account for 43 per centof the world’s population and hold 40 percent of global currency reserves, estimatedat around US$4,4 trillion.South Africa also expressed its commitmentto developing infrastructure thatconnects it to the rest of the continent, aspart of the African Union’s PresidentialInfrastructure Championing Initiative.struggle against discrimination and other ills.“It is only proper that we should cooperate insharing this history through cultural tourism,museums, the restoration of historic sites, thepreservation and conservation of monuments,the study of languages, literature and lecturetours,” President Zuma said.Denmark setto improvetrade with SANeo SemonoDenmark is expected to improvetrade relations with South Africafollowing a meeting between thetwo countries’ trade ministers.Department of Trade and Industry (dti)Minister Rob Davies held a meeting withDanish Minister of Trade and DevelopmentCooperation, Mogens Jensen, last month inCape Town.Denmark is set to improve trade withSouth Africa by 50 per cent.Minister Jensen said that they see SouthAfrica as a port to the rest of Africa with27 000 Danish citizens visiting South Africayearly.Minister Jensen also said that they wouldlike to have a direct flight connection toDenmark.South Africa and Denmark’s bilateral tradeand investment relations are governed bythe European Union and South Africa, Trade,Development, and Cooperation Agreement.Total trade between South Africa andDenmark have steadily been on the increasewith total trade at R2,9 billion in 2009 havingincreased to R3,4 billion in 2011. In 2013, totaltrade increased to R4,8 billion.“The total exports to Denmark from SouthAfrica increased from R1 billion in 2009,R1,4 billion in 2011, with the exception of2010(R917 million), 2012 (R1 billion) and2013(R890 million). The decrease in totalexports from South Africa to Denmark in2012 and 2013 can be attributed to declinein external demand, due to slow recovery inthe EU (28),” said Minister Davies.The Ministers also discussed amongstothers Bilateral Investment Treaties and theTripartite Free Trade Area.On the Tripartite Free Trade Area, MinisterDavies said that the approach is developmentaland has three pillars, namelyInfrastructure Development, IndustrialDevelopment and Market Integration.He further added that the Tripartite FreeTrade Area will be launched this month.

16Vuk’uzenzele December 2014 / January 2015SPORT, ARTS AND CULTURETransnet grooms future sport starsThe Transnet Rural and Farm Schools tournament helps young sports stars to stay focusedon their dreams.Ursula GraaffSouth Africa’s futuresport stars are being given apush towards their dreams,thanks to the TransnetRural and Farm SchoolsTournament.The tournament took place at the GermistonStadium in Gauteng recentlyand saw upcoming sports stars betweenthe ages of 13 and 19 fromschools across the country battling it out fortop honours.The tournament is part of the Transnet Ruraland Farm Schools Sport Development Programme,which falls under Transnet’s sportingportfolio.The programme aims to develop South Africa’ssporting talents by granting teenagersfrom under privileged backgrounds with theopportunity to showcase their talent.This is done by providing sports training, facilitiesand infrastructure to rural communitiesto benefit the young people living there. Theyare also coached and managed by professionalswho develop their raw talents.Transnet also nurtures future sport stars inpartnership with the South African Football Association(SAFA) through the SAFA/TransnetSchool of Excellence.Scouts attend the Transnet Rural and FarmSchools Tournament in search for talentedyoungsters, who are then given the opportunityto join the SAFA/Transnet School of Excellence.Every year 120 boys are chosen to attendthe school, where they receive comprehensiveeducation, with a focus on academic skills,life skills and an opportunity to excel in theirsporting careers.The tournament runs every year and includessports such as soccer, netball, athletics andchess.Chess was only recently introduced, for itsbenefits in cognitive development.Soccer players Itumeleng Khune and JabuPule also shared their wisdom at the tournament’sawards ceremony.Speaking at the tournament, Transnet BoardChairman Mafika Mkwanazi said: “We arededicated to building a healthier, bettereducated, safer and skilled population that ispositive about our country and motivated tograb the opportunities that empower them tolive fulfilled lives. And to our learners…mayyou continue to live by your passion in sport.”Only 2 000 students make it to the tournament,after inter-house competitions withmore than 22 000 learners competing from allover the country.Transnet Foundation’s Senior Sports ManagerMichael Moloto said: “Each and everyyear we hold this competition, and see greaterand more inspiring results. There’s an amazing,positive spirit amongst learners andcoaches, and we can see they’re motivated towin and do well. We are very happy and proudto help South African learners in this incrediblejourney from grassroots to glory.”During the athletics competition EasternCape came out tops, claiming 22 gold medals,followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 20.Northern Cape was overall winner for thechess category, with two gold medals andKwaZulu-Natal was placed second.Northern Cape also dominated on the soccerfield with two gold medals. Mpumalangacame in second place with two silver medalsand a bronze.KwaZulu-Natal was the best province overall.Khune encouraged the budding sports starsto dream big.“Like many of the learners sitting in thegrand stands, I was one of you. When I wasyoung, I would sit and watch the game, lookingup to sports stars, such as Jabu Pule anddream about becoming a great soccer player.Now I am playing for one of the greatest teamsand captained the national team, showing everyoneinvolved that determination can makeall your hopes a reality,” he said.SA bids farewell to sport starsUrsula GraaffSouth Africa’s sporting fraternity andfans were dealt a blow recently whenfour popular sports stars lost theirlives.Soccer player Senzo Meyiwa, athlete MbulaeniMulaudzi, boxer Phindile Mwelase andformer rugby player Tinus Linee died in separateincidents.Meyiwa was shot and killed in Vosloorusduring a robbery. He was the goalkeeper andcaptain of Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates.Meyiwa made his debut for Bafana Bafana in2013.Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, an 800m athlete, diedin a car crash in Mpumalanga. Mulaudziwon, among others, a silver medal at the 2004Olympics in Athens, a gold medal in 2009 atthe World Athletics Championship.Boxer Mwelase was in a coma after beingknocked out in just her fifth professional fight.She died of her injuries two weeks later.Linee died after battling motor neuron disease(MND). He played for the Springboks andWestern Province. A memorial service was heldin remembrance of Mulaudzi, Meyiwa andMwelase. Linee had not yet passed away atthe time of the memorial.Speaking at the memorial service, Sports MinisterFikile Mbalula said Mulaudzi, Meyiwaand Mwelase were unique, talented stars.“We can never compare them, they are not thesame. All of them in their own way served theircountry to the best of their ability,” he said.Addressing mourners at Meyiwa’s funeral,Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe said thegoalkeeper was a humble person and shouldbe an example to all who wanted to follow inMinister in The Presidency Jeff Radebe (far right), KZN Premier Senzo Mchunu (secondfrom right), Orlando Pirates Chairman Irvin Khoza and SAFA President Danny Jordaanwith the late Senzo Meyiwa's family during the funeral.Bafana Bafana and Orlando Pirates captain, the late Senzo Meyiwa was tragically killedduring a robbery. He was described as a humble and hardworking soccer star.his footsteps.“Be modest in your achievements like Senzo[Meyiwa], because even in his national andinternational prominence, he never came tolook down upon his own township and itspeople,” said the Minister.Proteas hopeto blow awayWindiesAlbert PuleThe Proteas will battlethe West Indies in an 11match series to be hostedin various provinces acrossthe country.The two teams are likely to use thetour to put final preparations fornext year’s World Cup to be cohostedby Australia and NewZealand.The West Indies will bring all their bighitters including captain Dwayne Bravo,spinning sensation Sunil Narine as wellas the reliable and hardworking MarlonSamuels who have been a thorn on theside of the Proteas during previous encounters.The teams play three test matches, followedby three T20 Internationals andfive one day internationals.Fixtures are as follows:Test matchesDecember 17 – 21, 1st Sunfoil Test atSuperSport Park in Centurion.December 26 – 30, 2nd Sunfoil Test atAxxess St George’s Cricket Stadium inPort Elizabeth.January 2 – 6, 3rd Sunfoil Test at SaharaPark in Newlands, Cape Town.T20 InternationalsJanuary 9, South Africa v West Indies atSahara Park, Newlands at 18h00.January 11, South Africa v West Indies,Bidvest Wanderers, Johannesburg at15h00.January 14, South Africa v West Indies,Sahara Kingsmead, Durban at 18h00.One-day internationalsJanuary 16, South Africa v West Indies,Sahara Kingsmead, Durban at 13h30January 18, South Africa v West Indies,Bidvest Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburgat 10h00January 21, South Africa v West Indies,Buffalo Park, East London at 13h30January 25, South Africa v West Indies,Axxess St George's Cricket, Port Elizabethat 10h00January 28, South Africa v SuperSportPark, Centurion at 13h30