The Rep 20 April 2018

6
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THE REPRESENTATIVE 20 April 2018
EDITORIAL
OPINION
C o l l ate r a l
damage
THE topic of drug abuse and
its effects on humans is
nothing new in South Africa.
In 2015, Carte Blanche
reported that the World Health
Organisation (WHO) had found
that an estimated 15% of South
Africans suffer from drug abuse
– and it’s a steadily rising
statistic, making the country one
of the world’s drug abuse
capitals. Cocaine, mandrax and
marijuana are listed as among
the most popular drugs.
Recently, there have been an
increasing number of people
contacting The Rep expressing
concern about drug usage
within their communities. Some
people want to reach out and try
to help, others are just worried
about the devastating impact of
such drugs on the ones they
love and on their community.
Of course there is money to be
made in drugs. An addict will do
anything to secure cash for his
or her fix and dealers capitalise
on this. It’s a roaring trade both
globally and nationally.
Africa Check reported in
February that South African
Revenue Service s p o ke s m a n
Sandile Memela said that,
according to their records, the
police confiscated narcotics to
the value of R265-million in 697
busts across the country in 2015.
Memela said the figures
“should not be misconstrued as
an indication of the actual trade
in illegal narcotics”.
The devastating impact of
drug abuse can barely be
quantified. Families break apart,
jobs are lost, children drop out
of schools, crime rises.
Addiction eventually overrides
all other aspects of life – be it
safety, ambition, hope, love –
leaving only a shell of the
person who could have been.
The collateral damage to
families and communities is
huge while the fact that drug
abuse is so rampant is an
indication of the impact of the
socioeconomic challenges
facing our country.
Nobody purports to have all
the answers. The police have to
do their bit in taking drugs off
the streets and ensuring that
dealers are brought to book. The
courts have to have a
no-tolerance approach and
sentences should be effective
and suited to the crime.
Communities have to help
safeguard their neighbourhoods
and refuse to harbour dealers.
Schools and parents should be
vigilant and help children.
No community is safe and the
rising concern in Komani shows
that here, too, the impact is
being felt. Don’t let drugs
destroy more lives.
Wool industry to
create new fund
THE National Wool Growers’
Association national executive has
decided to investigate possibly
establishing a development fund for
the wool industry.
In a press release the NWGA said
this was being done against the
background of the decline in
external development funds (like
funding from government sources),
economic pressure on existing
industry assets and investments,
and challenges in development
par tnerships.
The proposed fund will enable the
industry to be more self sufficient,
while maintaining quality standards
and development initiatives.
An industry fund can only be
implemented if it has the support of
wool producers. This fund will help
to fund projects that will benefit the
total value chain.
If such a fund is implemented by
the wool industry, it will create a
sense of ownership of every rand
collected, in contrast with a statutory
levy that is subject to rules,
regulations and prescribed by law.
With a statutory levy, the wool
producer does not have full control
over the funds collected.
The SA Wool and Mohair Buyers’
Association (Sawamba) will consider
administering the fund in the same
way as the wool promotion
cont ribution.
A development fund like this will
be set for four years to fund specific
projects in the interests of the wool
industry. Thereafter, funding and
projects will be reconsidered,
depending on the circumstances and
support. Comprehensive business
plans and an audit will specify and
control the use and management of
the funds. The following projects
could be funded by this:
ýShearer training, to retain this
skill in SA;
ýMaintenance of monitor farms in
support and research on healthy
predation management (currently 29
such farms countrywide);
ýImproved communication
through the circulation of Wool
Farmer publication to all parties in
the value chain (including
producers).
In order to execute the projects,
about R5.8-million per annum is
required, a drop in the ocean if one
considers that the total value of the
clip exported in the 2016/17
marketing season, amounted to
more than R4.29-billion (it comes
down to a contribution of 0.135% by
wool producers to the total value of
the clip).
The Sawamba levy will increase by
7c/kg – from 15c/kg tot 22c/kg – to
enable a fund for wool promotion
(national and international) as well
as the establishment of envisaged
projects. Wool Trust funds will
continue to be utilised for approved
development projects, advisory
services, research, statistics,
information and promotion, as
approved by Cape Wools SA
(CWSA).
The amount that will be collected
will include a collection fee of
R150 000 to allow CWSA to manage
and audit the fund.
Any enquiries can be directed to
the NWGA at nwga@nwga.co.za
(e-mail), telephonically at
(041) 365-5030 or via their website,
w w w. n w g a . c o . z a .
In Touch by Phumelele Hlati will
be back next week.
HEALTHY LIVING: Ikhala student Sive Nomana, left, receives help from Gardens Clinic nurse Lindiwe January during the
Ikhala Wellness Day
Picture: PILANATHI RASMENI
FACE 2 FA C E
ZUKO TOLASHE
YOUR VOICE
WHY do people walk in the
street instead of the
pavement which is meant for
pedestrians? The Rep intern
Pilanathi Rasmeni took to
the streets of Komani to find
out.
Zuko Tolashe from Newvale
Komani is a central town,
therefore most people are
doing their shopping and
business here. As a result of
that, the pavement is
congested. Car washes are
... vox pops on the street
What do you think about ...
IVINISHCA BROWN NTEMBEKO KOYANA INGRID COETZEE SIYASANGA MZINJANA
operating on the pavements.
As an example, it is
difficult to walk over the
bridge (on the way to
Mlungisi) because of
hawkers who have occupied
the space with their stands.
Yes, it is dangerous, but we
take a short cut to avoid
being mugged.
Ivinishca Brown from New
Re s t
It is just something we are
used to and it became a
Question: What inspired you
to choose your career?
Answer: I have always had a
passion for working with
children and helping others.
Growing up, I also always had
a dream of being an
ent repreneur.
This dream turned into reality
when I started my own
pre-school and started working
as a teacher.
Q: What role do you play to
make South Africa a better
p l a c e?
A: I would like to contribute
by being goal-driven and
self-motivated, by being a
better person and never
forgetting my background, and
by always making the best out
of any situation.
Q: What would you say to
encourage the youth to
become involved in the
running of the town?
A: They must join hands with
the South African Police Service
in fighting drug dealers.
Q: What is your typical
weekend like?
habit. There is no specific
reason.
Ntembeko Koyana from
Top Town
The reason for people to
walk in the streets is
because of the hawkers. Yes,
it is dangerous, but what are
we supposed to do – kick
the stands on the pavement?
Ingrid Coetzee from
Ko m a n i
I still do not understand
why people do that because
with Little Likers’ Day Care
owner Donatia Abrahams
A: Spending time with my
son, family and friends. Cooking
and being creative in the house.
Q: If you were given the
opportunity to give advice to
Enoch Mgijima Local
Municipality what would you
say?
A: Involve people, create
employment and get rid of
corruption.
Q: What is the best book you
have read so far?
A: Mom & Me & Mom
Q: What is that you cannot
leave the house without?
A: My cellphone, my bag and
a bottle of water ... you never
know what might happen along
the way.
Q: Who is your role model?
A: My mom. The fact that she
is still so active at her age sets
a good example for me. She is
always ready to lend a hand.
She taught us – as her children
– t h at whatever we do is always
a reflection of what we were
taught at home.
it is dangerous. We are
grown-ups, we should teach
the children road safety tips
i n st e a d .
Siyasanga Mzinjana from
E zibeleni
I think people are
ignorant. Pavements are
meant for pedestrians and
the road for motorists. We
continue to cause
unnecessary accidents by
walking where the cars are
supposed to drive.