Go 18 February 2021

GO! & EXPRESS 18 February 2021 For all your advertising needs call Cheryl on (043) 702 2031 or Yaneliseka (043) 702-2122. Find us on Facebook 11
Stay safe
around water
all year round
Memorise these vital safety tips from the NSRI
GO REPORTER
The National Sea Rescue
Institute (NSRI) has said
that it is very concerned
about the high number of
drownings that have occurred
around the country.
They have urged that
members of the public
memorise vital safety tips to
prevent themselves or their
friends and loved ones from
becoming a victim.
● Be careful when near water.
Rivers, dams, canals, and
reservoirs can be dangerous.
You should always keep safe
around water:
● Do not climb on barriers and
over fences — they are there to
protect people from serious
injury and accidents.
● Always obey “danger” signs
— reservoirs and treatment
works can be dangerous places,
so stay away when warned.
● Stay away from trenches
and open manholes — they
are dirty, deep and often
contain hidden dangers.
● Dams, canals, and reservoirs
may present a deceptively still,
flat appearance that can
promote a false sense of
s e c u r i t y.
However, conditions may
change rapidly with the onset
of strong winds.
● When swimming in dams,
enter cold water slowly and
remain in for short periods —
always remember dams contain
“cold spots” and the mud
around the edges is usually very
KNOW THE SIGNS: Lifeguard flags indicate safe swimming areas at the beach Picture: PIXABAY
slippery, soft, and difficult to
move through.
● When you want to dive in a
dam, check the depth and
explore the bottom to locate any
trees, logs, sandbanks, weed,
rocks or any other hazards.
Leave water when getting cold.
● Remember the golden safety
rules: Never swim alone and
never swim without adult
supervision.
- NSRI instructors offer free
water safety courses to schools
and other organisations.
To request a lesson, call
073-648-4867 or email
siya@searescue.or g.za
Your mental health is
just as important as
your physical health
MATTHEW FIELD
While the Covid-19 pandemic
continues to dominate the
headlines, there is another,
silent, pandemic stalking the
c o u n t r y.
“Mental health has always
been critically important
however, as the pandemic
continues to evolve and take its
toll, greater focus needs to be
placed on taking care of our
mental health and the mental
health of those around us,” said
Life Healthcare Brackenview
clinic manager Johan
Lombaard.
According to Lombaard,
Covid-19 and the ensuing
lockdown has placed a lot of
stress on the South African
population, worsening an
already bad mental health
crisis.
“Isolation, loss of family,
financial burdens and loss of
income are all triggers to the
development and exacerbation
of mental health conditions that
in many cases, requires medical
intervention for the safety of the
patient. Since the start of the
pandemic, we have seen that
the when mental health care
users are admitted, the severity
is much more pronounced
because of a delay in seeking
t r e a t m e n t ,” he said.
Statistics released by the SA
Depression and Anxiety Group
(Sadag) estimate that around
one in six South Africans suffer
from anxiety, depression or
substance abuse problems.
Of equal concern is the
growth in reports of depression
among adolescents.
The increased isolation and
inability to interact with their
peers due to the lockdown has
taken a severe toll on their
❝ Isolation, loss of
family, financial
burdens and loss
of income are all
serious triggers
mental health, Lombaard said.
He said that the pandemic
has shown, among other things,
there is a need for improved
access to mental health care in
the country.
“It has shown that more
emphasis is needed on creating
awareness and education on
mental illness to reduce stigma
and ensure early intervention
before someone reaches a level
where they are considering selfharm
or suicide, particularly in
adolescents.
“Now more than ever,
opportunity exists to
destigmatise and promote a
culture of acceptance of mental
health that will lead the way in
2 0 2 1 ,” said Lombaard
“We need to eliminate the
social stigma associated with
mental health and promote a
culture of acceptance.
“Coping mechanisms vary
from person to person and an
increase in psycho-social care is
critical to ensure the wellbeing
and livelihoods of those living
with mental health conditions.”
Venues must obey lockdown
restrictions warns SA Breweries
MATTHEW FIELD
South African Breweries has
called on all tavern owners,
restaurants, liquor outlets and
bars to adhere to the necessary
lockdown restrictions in order to
prevent staff and customers from
falling victim to Covid-19
infection.
The statement was in
response to viral videos on
social media which showed
patrons at a number of venues,
such as EL-based Buccanneers,
blatantly flouting health and
safety regulations.
“The warnings are clear and
unambiguous – s u ch
compliance with the new
operating hours for taverns, bars
and restaurants as well as
restrictions on retail outlet
trading times,” the SAB said.
Regular checks will be
conducted by the SAB to ensure
premises are adhering to the
restrictions.
They added that tavern
owners had committed to an
industry-wide charter.
The charter makes a number
of pledges, such as promising
not to serve alcohol to people
who were already inebriated
and promoting an anti-drunk
driving message.
“Let us be responsible,
together. Be brave and act
against behaviour from traders,
patrons, bars and restaurants
that contravene the current level
3 regulations by reporting
incidents of criminality linked to
the sale and consumption on
080-001-4856.
“The lives and livelihoods of
your fellow South Africans
depend on it,” said SAB senior
corporate affairs manager Kgosi
Mogotsi.
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PLEASE COME IN AND HAVE A LOOK.
Photo’s by
Cassandra Pretorius
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- Female
ůĂŽŶ
C3. WILLOW
- Female
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- Male
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