Internal Newsletter
In the Loop Issue No.
33
November 2016
What’s inside:
A shining example of a top Joburg employee
7
15
23
Contents
Arts, Sports & Culture
3
Message from the Executive Mayor
13
How we can protect women and children
4
New Mayor to shed light on future plans in State of the City
14
Exotic animals find home at Joburg Zoo
15
Sowetans get ready to make their own fashion statement
5
City gears up for ward elections
6
City to host International Fraud Awareness Week
16
City pays tribute to fallen heroes
7
Let us set the example with water savings in Joburg
17
Hannah puts City’s name in lights
8
Steps taken to ensure a safer Joburg
18
Start your day with a workout in a City gym
9
“It is in our hands to end HIV and TB ” in Jozi for under 19 R200 ‘Grow your Mo’ this month in support of men’s 20 health
10
11
City takes to the pedal in war against diabetes
12
Waste turned into resource to power city homes
How to make your bonus work for you City athlete joins elite group to run for education
21
It’s ‘panto time’ in Joburg to delight all audiences
22
Pedal power to hit Joburg streets
23
Thousands lace up for “People’s Race”
Acknowledgements
Cover Credits
We would like to hear from you…
Editor: Thomas Thale - thomasth@joburg.org.za
Hannah Kirkwood, an executive secretary at the Transport Department was named as the winner of the 2016 SA National Professional of the Year. She took top honours from among 15 finalists from both the public and private sectors and was joined at the presentation by Brendan Peterson, a director in the Department of Transport and Bianca Filmalter, the CEO to the Office Professionals of SA.
In the Loop continues to grow from strength to strength in reflecting all aspects of the City of Johannesburg and its employees. We value your comments and your feedback on what we publish every month and what you would like to read in your own internal magazine. From the December edition we will publish letters and messages from readers and we invite you to write to us at email thomasth@joburg.org.za.
Contributor: Luyanda Lunika - luyandal@joburg.org.za Lesego Ngobeni - lesegong@joburg.org.za Mongadi Mafata - OupaMa@joburg.org.za Lesego Montsho - LesegoMon@joburg.org.za Photography: Enoch Lehung - enochl@joburg.org.za
Please keep it short and topical – but, by all means, give us your opinion. Thomas Thale – Editor
November 2016
Thousands lace up for “People’s Race” S
cores of City employees will be pounding the tarmac come November 6 as they take part in the “People’s Race”.
Ethiopian runner Sintanyehu Legese Yinesu won last year’s race in 2:23:19.
A record 25 000 runners have registered to run the 22nd edition of the Soweto Marathon, which will start and end at the FNB Stadium instead of Nasrec. Last year’s figures hovered around the 20 000 mark.
As part of the City’s sponsorship deal of the “People’s Race, members of the JMPD will be deployed on the route to keep roads free of traffic so that runners can do their business in peace. There will be a lead vehicle ahead of the front runners and a Metro clearing vehicle sweeping the route. Hydration stations will be located every 3km.
Gauteng Premier David Makhura is expected to be among the front runners waiting for the starter’s gun at 06h00 for the 42km part of the race. The 21km leg of the race starts 30 minutes later at 06h30. Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba will take part in the 10km section, which kicks off at 07h00.
Some of the proceeds of the Soweto Marathon will go towards supporting the Kliptown Youth Centre and Prostate Cancer Foundation of South Africa.
One of the runners who has been putting in a lot of mileage in preparation for the Soweto Marathon is Cynthia Mkhabela, who is based at the Joburg Metro Police Department’s Communication Centre. Mkhabela, who will be running the Soweto Marathon for the 12th time, is aiming to finish the race within four hours. “The Soweto Marathon is tough. Last year I finished in four hours and 20 minutes. I’ve been training five to six times a week and hope to improve this year,” says Mkhabela, who has finished eight Two Oceans and four Comrades marathons. Her colleague in the JMPD’s By-laws Management Unit, Musa Ngungama, who will be taking part in his fifth Soweto Marathon, is aiming to finish the punishing 42km race in three hours and forty minutes. “I’ve been doing 20km training runs in two hours and also did 30km around the Zoo Lake to get myself ready for the marathon,” says Ngungama, who had his first taste of the “People’s Race” in 2011.
Major landmarks on the route Thousands of runners will pass six significant heritage sites along the marathon route, including Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (the third-largest hospital in the world), Walter Sisulu Square (the birthplace of the Freedom Charter that emphasised a non-racial society, liberty and individual rights), Regina Mundi Catholic Church (also referred to as “the people’s church” due to its role in the anti-apartheid struggle), Morris Isaacson High School (where Soweto Uprising leader Tsietsi Mashinini was a student), Vilakazi Street (the only street in the world in which two Nobel Prize winners former president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu lived) and the Hector Pieterson Memorial.
In the Loop – 23
Message from the Executive Mayor
Arts, Sports & Culture
Contents
Message from the Executive Mayor message that early detection can significantly increase the survival rate of patients. This month is Diabetes month during which we want to draw attention to a condition that is often referred to as “the silent killer.” Many people don’t realise that they have diabetes because they do not show symptoms and diagnosis only takes place at a late stage.
Pedal power to hit Joburg streets I
t’s that time of the year to get on the saddle and use pedal power to propel yourself to fitness, as Joburg gears up to host the 20th edition of the gruelling Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge. The annual ride will start and finish at the Riversands Commercial Park in Fourways on Sunday, 20 November. The event is held under the auspices of the City of Joburg in partnership with commercial patrons, Primedia Broadcasting and Century Property Developments. Telkom was announced as headline sponsor earlier this year following the inking of a three year, multimillion rand deal which changes the event’s name and tagline to Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge – The fastest way to connect to the city. The telecommunications parastatal enjoys sponsorship rights at all water points, the live television broadcast and the annual Cycle Challenge expo and registration. “Joburg prides itself as a top-notch host of world class events such as the 947 cycle challenge, which promotes the city’s solid infrastructure and positions us as a business and leisure tourism destination,” says Bongi Mokaba, the City’s Director of Events. The route chosen for the 947 cycle challenge will give the more than 30 000 riders a once-a-year experience to cycle on Joburg streets, without any vehicles involved. “The JMPD will ensure the safety of cyclists, spectators and motorists and participants should look forward to enjoy themselves without any safety hazards,” Mokaba says.
We are delighted to be partners with global health care company Novo Nordisk in the “Cities Changing Diabetes” programme, a global campaign which links us to similar initiatives in Mexico City, Houston, Copenhagen and Shanghai.
new Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, giving cyclists the chance to test their speed on the racetracks. “The opportunity to ride through the newly renovated circuit with its breath-taking views of the city, smooth tarred surface, wide sweeping road and sharp exhilarating bends will be something unique,” says 947’s PR Manager, Pippa Rowles. Because the safety of cyclists is paramount, the Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba has ratified the closure of several arterial roads for the duration of the cycle challenge. Closed routes will be manned by JMPD officers and will not be accessible between 04h00 and 16h00. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes. The winding route chosen for this year’s cycle challenge starts and ends at Riversands Commercial Park. It meanders through the streets of Joburg, from Summit Road in Mnandi, past the city centre via the M1 and M2, through the iconic Nelson Mandela Bridge then up Jan Smuts Avenue, through the northern suburbs. It then take riders through Cosmo City, turn towards Diepsloot to finish inside the Riversands Commercial Park. “Joburgers are encouraged to come out and support the cyclists, while soaking up the atmosphere of this world class event,” says Rowles. • For more information on the Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge follow them on:
As part of the new route, the cycle challenge will start at Riversands, then move through Blue Hills, then turn into the
@947Cycle
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Working towards a healthier Joburg Colleagues,
Our City is committed to build a healthy society which promotes active lifestyles and the promotion of healthy choices. In the last quarter of the year we are focusing on a number of campaigns that will enable us to build a healthy society which is free of both communicable and non-communicable diseases. In October the spotlight was on breast cancer and the outreach services offered at health facilities in Johannesburg to create awareness and promote the
The reality is that some 450 million people around the world live with diabetes and, if current trend continues, this will rise to 642 million by 2040. Current research show that diabetes as a lifestyle disease grows faster in urban areas and the research will, thus, focus on efforts to combat this trend.
One of key programmes announced in our 10-point plan is to improve access to health care through the extension of operating hours. We have just launched a pilot programme at the Princess Clinic where residents are able to visit the facility after work. This will not only improve the ability of Joburg residents to receive quality treatment, but also reduce the burden of unmanageable queues on our doctors and health care professionals. As we enter the festive and holiday period I want to call on Joburg employees and residents to support our healthy lifestyle campaign – and especially our new focus on schools and educational institutions where we want to instil a culture of healthy choices at an early age.
Herman Mashaba Executive Mayor
World AIDS Day in December is a global event and Johannesburg will, no doubt, make its contribution to heighten awareness and reach people who still lack access to comprehensive treatment, prevention, care and support services.
947CycleChallenge
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22 – November 2016
The programme was launched in response to a dramatic rise in urban diabetes across the world and brings together city leaders and planners, health care professionals, academics and communities to study the phenomenon and develop effective responses. We are also working closely with the University of the Witwatersrand on this research project.
During November we will have volunteers conducting door-to-door campaigns across all seven regions, organise sports, arts and culture programme and work with churches and communities to spread the message of prevention and care. We are delighted to support the Anova Health Institute which is extending the operating time at its clinics in Alexandra and Roodepoort to make it easier for men to go for testing and counselling.
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In the Loop – 3
Arts, Sports & Culture
Good Governance
New Mayor to shed light on future plans in State of the City E
xecutive Mayor, Cllr Herman Mashaba, will deliver his maiden State of the City Address in council on Tuesday, 22 November, in which he’s expected to give a forecast of the City’s economic growth prospects during his tenure. Among the myriad issues Mayor Mashaba is expected to outline in his address are public safety, job creation, the electrification of informal settlements, the expansion of water reticulation networks, storm water drains, and urban management. The SOCA gives Mayor Mashaba the platform to communicate with residents and staff of the City about his bold plans for the current term of office, including job creation initiatives, infrastructure development projects and improving municipal services. The City of Joburg is currently governed through a coalition administration, which was set up in the aftermath of the August local government polls, in which no single political party clinched a majority. Mayor Mashaba is expected to detail some of the City’s aspirations for the current political tenure, as he builds up from work done in the past and tackles lingering challenges. In his inaugural speech, Mayor Mashaba highlighted that under his leadership the City will focus attention on a new service delivery model, reprioritise expenditure to build a strong revenue base, invest in infrastructure and alleviate underdevelopment.
4 – November 2016
“Together we will bring change that creates jobs, delivers better services and fights corruption. Together we will make this a city of golden opportunities,” says Mayor Mashaba.
In the SOCA, the Mayor will elaborate on progress made in widening the M1 and the M2 thoroughfares, a project expected to ease traffic flow and improve urban mobility. He will give an update on electricity substations, the upgrading of informal settlements and the recruitment of more JMPD officers. The City wants to reduce the proportion of income its poorer residents spend on transport, decrease traffic congestion by investing in new and efficient transport options and enhance the urban environment. Mayor Mashaba will likely announce further infrastructure projects and provide detail on which projects will be expedited to stimulate economic activity and create an enabling business environment for growth and job creation.
Ten-Point Blueprint The City has invested immensely in infrastructure development in the past years, including the construction of subsidised housing. However poverty remained and inequality is steadily soaring. In his administration’s blueprint, the Ten-Point-Plan, Mashaba promises to run a responsive and pro-poor government, align plans and policies for the City to achieve a 5 percent economic growth rate and create a professional public service that serves residents with pride. Last month Mayor Mashaba met up with a large contingent of private investors, who are keen to plough millions in to reviving the Johannesburg inner city; he will likely give feedback on this engagement.
It’s ‘panto time’ in Joburg to delight all audiences Y
ou know the year is rushing to an end when the annual pantomime returns to the Joburg Theatre to delight young minds of all ages. But the growing number of panto-fans in the City should hurry up because more than 30 000 tickets have already been sold for the show which starts on 5 November and runs past Christmas day. This year audiences are in for a special treat because theatre doyenne, Janice Honeyman has written an entirely new pantomime script called Robin Hood and the Babes in the Wood. The production combines the much-loved legend of Robin Hood with that of the ageless fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel. Honeyman’s production is, once again, expected to leave audiences spellbound. The plot sees the young and naïve Hansel and Gretel visiting their sly uncle, the Sheriff of Nottingham, who, unbeknown to them, is plotting their demise. “It’s an exciting year for us when Janice Honeyman writes a brand new pantomime script,” says Bernard Jay, Joburg Theatre’s Executive Producer. “We don’t know exactly what to expect until the last minute but we do know it will be full of her magical flair for storytelling, spectacular special effects, zany comedy and outrageous double entendres!”
adored Desmond Dube as the jolly Friar Tuck; Idols finalist Bongi Mthombeni as the dandy Will Scarlet; and leading lady of South African musical theatre Kate Normington as Silly Sylviana, the Spirit of the Forest. • The show runs from November 6 to December 30. Tickets are from R220 and are available on www.joburgtheatre.com or through 0861 670 670. They are also available through Webtickets and at Pick n Pay stores. For group bookings of 10 or more call (011) 877-6853/6815.
The Soweto Theatre will have a packed programme throughout November • Sesfikile Theatre Productions is a show aimed at the youth that uses drama, poetry, traditional music and gumboot dancing to confront social issues such as teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and crime. – 20 November. • Local reggae group, Tidal Waves, launches its new album at an event that will be accompanied by the shooting of a promotional video – 25 November. • An Evening with Max-Hoba is part of a series of performances hosted by the Theatre’s general manager, Nomsa Mazwai. Hoba is a rising talent who sings in a number of African languages and recently concluded a tour of eight European cities. – 26 November.
Tickets are flying at the box office for this year’s production, which features several local celebrities including Izak Davel of Isidingo fame, who will play the role of Robin Hood; the In the Loop – 21
Good Governance
Employee News
City athlete joins elite group to run for education Y
ou get joggers and weekend cyclists. There are runners and athletes… and those intrepid few who take on ultramarathons or long-distance cycling events. And then there are the select few who choose to extend the limits of their endurance to tackle supreme tests such as the Unogwaja Challenge – completing an arduous cycling trip
from Cape Town to Durban, just in time to put on their running shoes for one of the world’s most iconic races, the Comrades Marathon. One such athlete is City Power’s own running man, Kenny Chiloane, who is one of only 12 elite athletes from across the world who will tackle the gruelling distances in June 2017… first a 1 700km bike journey over ten days from the Mother City to the KwaZulu-Natal capital – and then the uphill run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on the following day to complete the Comrades. Chiloane is part of the Unogwaja team, a group of men and women who combine their long-distance running and cycling prowess with a passion to raise money for primary education in South Africa. Each of the 12 members of the team has committed to raise at least R50 000 for the Unogwaja Charitable Trust – and this money will go directly to support learners at two primary schools, the Lebone Village in Bloemfontein and Umsilinga in Pietermaritzburg.
Training for success By the time he reaches his office at City Power in Booysens the 42-year old Chiloane has already put in a two hour early morning run near his home in Midrand or completed a strenuous workout session at a nearby gym. As a logistics supervisor at City Power his day job involves the management of stock moving in and out from maintenance and contracting projects. And when most of his colleagues go home at the end of day he gets on his bicycle to put in another punishing training session. On weekends he steps up the pace even further – either competing in local marathons or cycling long distances on his favourite training roads from Broadacres Mall to the Cradle of Humankind or at Suikerbosrand. Growing up in Seshego near Polokwane, Chiloane always had an interest in sports and outdoor activities. The running bug bit while he was studying in Cape Town and, when he later moved to Joburg, he became a well-known competitor in local marathons and long-distance events, including four successful completions of the Comrades. As a member of the Unogwaja team he now wears the distinctive “red socks” that draws attention to the charitable work they are doing and signifies their commitment to inspire people and have a positive impact on society. The Unogwaja Challenge for Chiloane is a great opportunity to combine his love of sport with a deep-rooted passion to serve his community. “I really believe that we must use every opportunity available to give back to society – especially to young children from underprivileged backgrounds who can benefit from a solid education,” he says. Chiloane invites Joburg colleagues to support the Unogwaja Challenge by contributing to his fundraising efforts through sponsorships and crowdfunding. Details can be found at www.quicket.co.za/events/22039-unogwajachallenge-2017/#/schedules. Or you can watch him on TV when he runs the Comrades on 4 June 2017.
Speaker of Council, Vasco da Gama, announced the process to elect Ward Committees.
City gears up for ward elections T
he election of ward committees will contribute to the deepening of democracy in Johannesburg and ensure the greater involvement of communities in issues that affect their daily lives, says the Speaker of Council, Cllr Vasco da Gama. From November 1 to 25 residents have the opportunity to nominate people within their communities to serve on ward committees. This will culminate in elections that will take place in each of the City’s 135 wards from 28 January to 11 February 2017. The Office of the Speaker has launched an extensive communication campaign, supported by civic education to create awareness, encourage residents to make themselves available and participate in the election process early next year. Both the nomination and election processes will be overseen by the Independent Electoral Commission and voting will take place through the ballot system. Nomination forms are available from all municipal offices and on the City website.
Speaker Da Gama called on residents who have the time to make themselves available to serve on the Ward Committees. “We have an obligation to advance our democracy and we encourage the active participation of communities in the affairs of the City.” Prospective Ward Committee members must be permanent residents in the ward, be on the voters’ roll and must not be in arrears for rates or service charges for more than three months. No official of the City – or any of its entities – may be elected to such committees. Speaker Da Gama emphasised the fact that democratically elected councillors remain the representatives of wards in Council. Ward Committees serve in an advisory committee and will provide essential support to councillors. Ward Committees will meet one a month to obtain feedback from councillors and to identify issues that might be raised in Council. “The establishment of appropriate structures and processes is fundamental for successful service delivery by local government,” says Speaker Da Gama.
He will be one of the select few wearing knee-high red socks. 2016 – November2016 2020 – September
Inthe theLoop Loop –– 55 In
Employee News
Good Governance
How to make your bonus work for you Y
City to host International Fraud Awareness Week C
orruption in state institutions robs ordinary people of much needed resources to improve their lives. For accelerated delivery to take root, graft needs to be nipped in the bud. In his first week after assuming office, Executive Mayor Herman Mashaba warned City employees against corruption. He says: “Those intent on being corrupt must make way for the professionals among us who answered the call to serve. We have listened to the voices of the people crying out for improved service delivery free from corruption – our public enemy number one.” To accelerate the delivery of services to communities, the City of Johannesburg’s new administration has mapped out 10-point Plan. Point five of this plan puts the spotlight on the City’s commitment to fighting corruption. This is done to entrench Joburg’s brand personality of a world-class African City that is committed to clean and transparent governance. City employees and residents are also encouraged to disclose fraudulent or irregular conduct so that necessary steps can be taken by law enforcement agencies. As part of the City’s initiatives to tackle fraud and corruption, Joburg has partnered with the South African chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) to host the International Fraud Awareness Week in November. ACFE, which boasts 85 000 members in over 157 countries, is the world’s largest anti-fraud organisation and premier provider of anti-fraud training and education. It is committed to proactively fight fraud and help safeguard business and investments from this growing problem.
ou have worked hard for your money. You have even put up with noisy colleagues and grumpy managers. Now that you have your bonus safely in your bank account, 12 months of pain and hardship now seem a little bearable.
Consider expenses you will definitely be faced with in 2017, such as school fees, any holidays that you have planned or home maintenance, and put money aside for those costs. Also put aside money for emergencies. Your car might break down. You might lose your job. There could be a death in the family.
First things first. Draw up a plan on how you are going to make the bonus work for you so that you can point out things you did with your hard-earned cash. Top on your list of people you need to pay from the bonus must be you.
Plan for all those eventualities. You don’t want to be running to loan sharks (abomashonisa) when a dark cloud is hovering above you.
City to benchmark its progress The International Fraud Awareness Week, which is held annually in November, falls within the first 100 days of the new administration’s term. The City will showcase its anti-fraud and anti-corruption initiatives during the week and leverage on the opportunity to benchmark these with other institutions from the private and public sector.
• Come up with a plan and stick to it like Chappies on the sole of your shoes.
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The week-long event – from 14 to 19 November – provides a great opportunity for the City and its partners to place the spotlight on this serious problem and stress the importance of anti-fraud training and education.
• Do a self-inventory. How much do you owe Edgars and Jet? What’s your credit card balance?
Fraud costs organisations worldwide an estimated 5% of their annual revenues, according to a study conducted by ACFE. If applied to the 2015 estimated Gross World Product, this translates to a potential projected global fraud loss of about R54-trillion. Part of the arsenal of the fight against fraud and corruption is the City’s centralised independent fraud hotline. Reported incidents are investigated and actions are taken when fraud is discovered. • Details of the Tip-offs Anonymous Hotline 24/7 are: Toll-free 0800 00 25 87 (All 11 Official languages); Toll-free Fax 0800 00 77 88; SMS 32840 (sms charged @R1.50); Email anticorruption@tip-offs.com; Website www.tip-offs.com.
Ten steps to a ‘regret-free bonus’: • Remember Chappies on a wet tarmac? Stick to your plan like flies to a freshly slaughtered sheep.
2 • Divide the bonus into percentages towards debts, savings and spending.
3 4
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• Pay your hardworking self 10% of the bonus, which is R1 000. Then divide the balance of R9 000 towards clearing your debt mountain.
5 6 – November 2016
• Don’t carry lots of cash on you as you might be tempted to splash out on unnecessary items.
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• Say you have scored a R10 000 bonus and have short-term debts of R22 000 made up of clothing accounts (R4 000); credit card (R8 000); personal loan (R6 000) and a bond of R500 000.
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• Set aside another 10% (R1 000) towards an emergency fund and divide the remaining 80% (R8 000) among short and long-term debts.
• Ensure you include other members of family as you plan how to spend your bonus. That way, there won’t be any unplanned expectations.
• Clothing accounts and personal loans accrue the highest interest, so divert 60% (R6 000) of your bonus to them and pay the remaining 20% (R2 000) to your bond.
In the Loop – 19
7
Service Delivery
Employee News
Start your day with a workout in a City gym T
op-class gym facilities at many City facilities now offer modern equipment and trained instructors to offer guidance and support for employees who want to stay in shape. There are no longer excuses for employees at the Metro Centre in Braamfontein and a growing number of municipal entities not to do moderate exercises and follow healthy lifestyles. The city cares about the lifestyle of its workforce. Gyms are there to keep employees in good shape and contribute to broader health efforts to fight diseases and conditions such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, cancer and heart ailments. The ultimate objective of the Go Jozi Healthy Lifestyle programme is to improve the quality of life and lengthen life expectancy of Joburgers. It encourages residents and employees to eat healthy, exercise regularly, run, cycle or walk to keep the body in shape. Some employees belong to gyms but they find excuses not to exercise or complain that they struggle to find time to exercise between work and gym. Thus, the City encourages employees to make use of the facilities close to their work places. In addition to the gyms that are open at office buildings the City also has numerous outdoor gyms in the neighbourhood parks city-wide. According to gym instructor, Zita Domingues, the gym has just over 200 members. Domingues who started training at the age of 16 runs an aerobics class which has 40 regular participants. She says the gym is her life and she has gained experienced as a fitness trainer for Virgin Active in Bassonia in the south of Johannesburg.
Gym membership costs only R480 per year for city employees and R600 for outsiders. This is exceptionally low compared to what people pay for gym at other fitness facilities. She is also responsible for administration as well as making sure the equipment stays in working condition.
Many of the Municipal Entities also have their own gym facilities. Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo has two indoor gyms for employees – one at the Head Office in Braamfontein and another in the Facilities Management Depot in Springfield. City Power also boasts a world class indoor gym that currently has 447 members registered as employees, 97 immediate family members and 44 external members from surrounding companies. According to Benedict Likotsi, a team leader at City Power that runs the gym, employees enjoy this modern facility with a registration fee of only R150 and monthly fees of R40 and R100 for external members. The gym opens at 05h00 and closes at 19h00, Monday to Friday. “Among our members we have seasoned long distance runners that make use of the gym every day. The likes of Sydney Mphahlele and his team have participated in the Soweto marathon several times,” says Likotsi. Exercise support is provided by free-lance fitness trainers who take care of members needs and also lead the aerobics classes.
Let us set the example with water savings in Joburg
Anthony Still MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services
T
he gravity of the current water shortages in Johannesburg should not be underestimated. Our City and our region are in the grips of a severe and prolonged drought and this will not change soon even if we receive better rains later in the year. We recently introduced level 2 water restrictions as part of our efforts to reduce consumption. This includes actions and fines that will be imposed on serial wasters and persistent offenders. We also announced higher water tariffs on a sliding scale for households or entities who consume more than 20 000 litres per month. The initial public reaction to our measures was positive – and we managed to reduce consumption by about five percent in the first month. However, these savings were not sustained and have since slipped back to only about three percent.
Big savings through small changes Johannesburg has always been a water scarce city within a dry country. Apartheid spatial planning and urban sprawl contributed to an inefficient city from a planning perspective with low population densities and too many kilometres of pipes per size of the population. These are issues that are being addressed through efficient planning and densification strategies – but it will not happen overnight – and in the mean time we have to introduce measures and encourage behaviour that contributes to a better utilisation of our finite natural resources. One of the areas where we can achieve the biggest savings is by restrictions on the irrigation of gardens through sprinkler systems – especially during the hottest times of the day. Residents are not allowed to water their gardens from 06h00 in the morning till 18h00 and after hours they are urged to use hosepipes and water cans. We also encourage residents to use covers for swimming pools to reduce evaporation and to invest in JoJo tanks to harvest rainwater that can be used for domestic purposes. There are a number of practical measures that households can introduce to save water and cut down on their monthly bills.
18 – November 2016
We are working closely with Rand Water and the national and provincial departments and they expect us to cut back consumption by about 15%. The big dams in the Vaal River system which supply water to Gauteng are at their lowest levels in decades and even if we do get good rains later in the summer it will take about three years for the system to recover.
Changes in habits are needed
As a city we continue to attend to leaks and to reduce the volume of water that is lost within the pipe system. Johannesburg Water has introduced a “hit team” to respond quickly and effectively to water leaks that are reported. I want to make an urgent appeal to city employees, departments and entities to lead the way and be examples for other residents of the City through your own water savings at home and at the offices. As Joburg employees – and as residents of our city – we all have a responsibility to change our mind set and habits and to switch to behaviour that will contribute to greater water savings.
In the Loop – 7
Employee News
Safety
Steps taken to ensure a safer Joburg A
safer Johannesburg in which citizens can live in an environment where they are protected against crime and other harms and have confidence in law enforcement and emergency services is a primary objective of a new City Safety Strategy.
The revised Joburg City Safety Strategy recently adopted by Council is designed to improve the experience that citizens have of interacting with law enforcement and shift the image of a City that is not safe.
Joburg’s position as a core driver of economic growth in South Africa poses many safety challenges as the City expands, the population increases and the role of law enforcement becomes more complex. At the same time new technology and new best practices used in other urban environments create opportunities for the City to keep abreast of crime trends and implement effective interventions.
The strategy incorporates a number of good lessons from cities which successfully addressed crime and violence. Building a safe city requires contributions from different role players, not only the police, says the Head of Safety and Security, Hlula Msimang.
“Citizens cannot reach their potential and take advantage of opportunities if they live in fear,” says the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety, Cllr Michael Sun.“Personal safety is a prerequisite for creating an environment in which Joburgers can thrive and contribute to the growth of the City.”
Thus, strengthening the relationship with different role-players, especially the community is an important building block to achieve the vision of a safe Joburg. The Strategy provides for the introduction of a range of “quick-win” actions that can be implemented, together with long-term interventions that can decisively turn the tide against crime in Johannesburg. Hannah Kirkwood received her top award from Bianca Filmalter, the CEO of Office Professionals of SA and was congratulated on her achievement by Brendan Petersen, a director in the CoJ Department of Transport.
Hannah puts City’s name in lights I
Top 6 short-term interventions:
Top 6 medium-term interventions:
1. Foster a better understanding of, and compliance with, by-laws through communication and awareness campaigns.
1. Introduce a standardised set of ‘safe city’ norms to be included on the approval of urban designs and buildings.
2. Ensure more effective by-law enforcement and follow through with appropriate sanctions.
2. Ensure the implementation of the ‘Crime Prevention through Environmental Design’ principles.
3. Target a reduction in street robberies and contact crimes through actions in targeted areas and in collaboration with the SAPS.
3. Implement an integrated social crime and violence prevention strategy that encourages higher levels of community participation.
4. Build community awareness about measures residents can take to decrease their risks.
4. Improve the capacity of community- oriented service providers through training and the provision of equipment.
5. Target the inner city for the initial implementation of the Safety Strategy. 6. Put in place the appropriate systems to collect and analyse information and data which can inform long-term actions and solutions.
8 – November 2016
5. Put in place more response points across the entire city landscape to improve response time by emergency management services. 6. Introduce a ‘Safe City app’ for residents to report environmental hazards, safety risks, unsafe practices and criminal activities.
Vision for a Safer Joburg • A city where everyone feels and is safe. • A city in which safety is supported by a culture of respect and care. • A city that provides equitable access through welcoming public spaces, trustworthy public transport and safe streets. • A city designed and managed with safety in mind. • A vibrant, thriving city that fosters well-being, resilience, prosperity and self-sustainability. • A city in which emergency management, disaster management and law enforcement are relied on and respected, as an integral part of a well-functioning safety system. • A city in which safety is ‘grown’ through the collective efforts of everyone.
“ ’m very blessed, very humbled and I thank God every day for my blessings. But I also think I won because of hard work,” says Hannah Kirkwood, the 2016 SA National Office Professional of the Year. Kirkwood, who is an Executive Secretary in the CoJ’s Transport Department, overcame stiff competition from 15 semi-finalists and was crowned champion at a glittering awards ceremony at the Metro Centre recently.
As a result of a tough, but loved-filled upbringing in Eldorado Park, Kirkwood has let her work speak for her. “I think I got that accolade because I know why I get up in the morning. Every day I try to add value to my work and I don’t live by a job description. And when I make a mistake, I take responsibility. I own up,” says Kirkwood.
The 36-year-old mother of three-year-old John and childhood sweetheart of JMPD-based Kurt, says she also wanted to debunk the myth that civil servants are a lazy bunch.
Her boss, Brendan Petersen, who is Director: Finance in the Transport Department, thanked Kirkwood for making the City shine.
“People think we’re a bunch of palookas who don’t know what we’re doing. And there I was, ‘Plain Jane’ from the CoJ competing with other ladies from prestigious companies and who hold senior positions.
“Thank you, Hannah, for putting us on the map. You are a true gem and I’ve made peace with the fact that I might lose you as you reach for bigger and better things,” said Petersen.
“Every day during the competition I was asking myself ‘Hannah did you do the right thing by entering the competition?’ I was even thinking of pulling out,” says Kirkwood, who credits her spirit of not quitting on her late dad who worked for Joburg Water.
Opsa Director Nomvula Moloko congratulated Kirkwood. “Opsa was not looking for the best or fastest typist who is high on steroid. We were looking for an office professional who is high on ethics.”
“People always say your past doesn’t determine your future. I beg to differ. I come from a family of nine sisters and three brothers. My dad instilled a love for education and mom, who ran a house shop for years, taught me the value of hard work. “She used to wake up at 4am to make fat cakes and mince every day. So my past has played a huge role in the person I am now,” says Kirkwood, who walks away with a year’s worth of goodies and bragging rights.
The Association for Office Professionals of South Africa, which has received South African Qualifications Authority accreditation, is a non-profit body founded in 1982 to promote quality assurance in the administrative profession. In the Loop – 17
Health
Employee News
City pays tribute to fallen heroes E
xecutive Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba, who is the Patron-in-Chief for Remembrance Sunday, will lead a wreath-laying ceremony on 13 November in the Joburg CBD. The Remembrance Sunday service has a long history in Johannesburg, and is the largest commemoration of its kind in South Africa. This year marks the 96th year that Remembrance Sunday has been hosted in Johannesburg. It honours all South Africans who made the supreme sacrifice for their country in wars and conflict, including the struggle for democracy. Mayor Mashaba and MMC for Community Development Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba will lead other civic dignitaries, senior South African National Defence Force officials, ex-service organisations, diplomatic representatives and youth groups in laying wreaths at the Cenotaph in Harrison Street. Members of the public will be invited to lay a flower as well. After the service, light refreshments are served in the old City Hall.
“Each year, a different theme is highlighted for the National Remembrance Sunday Service,” says MMC Sifumba. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Delville Wood, one of the bloodiest battles fought on the Somme in France during World War 1. “South African casualties amounted to 1 080 killed or missing and 1 735 wounded at Delville Wood in July 1916. Especially now, in the anniversary year, this tragic conflict is the subject once again of international attention.” The accidental sinking of the troopship SS Mendi in 1917 was another tragedy, with the death by drowning of 616 men, most of them black, members of the South African Native Labour Contingent on their way to the battlefields of France.
“It is in our hands to end HIV and TB ” A
number of volunteers have started visiting households across the City to provide information to communities about HIV and AIDS and to increase awareness about counselling, prevention and treatment programmes. The national theme of World AIDS Day 2016 is “It is in our hands to end HIV and TB” and Joburg has trained the volunteers to reach out to marginalised groups in particular in a bid to heighten the campaigns against HIV and AIDS. The main objective of the initiative is to educate and prevent new HIV infections among sectors of the population that are most vulnerable and most at risk. The volunteers will also provide information about new test and treat policies and improve linkages to treatment that are available at City facilities.
“At the National Civic Remembrance Sunday Service to be hosted by the City of Johannesburg, tribute will be paid to all those who did not return from these theatres of war,” says MMC Sifumba.
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex (LGBTI) event – 24 November - highlighting the position of LGBTI communities whose rights are often being violated and are at great risk to acquire HIV; - promoting safe sex and focusing on the comprehensive health services that are available to this community. • Tjovitjo – sports, arts and culture events – 26 November and 10 December - prevention of HIV, AIDS and sexually transmitted diseases through programmes aimed at youth; - engaging the youth through events that offers them platforms to express their feelings and discuss solutions; - staging events that combine sport – soccer, netball, basket ball and volleyball – with the arts – theatre, poetry and music – interspersed with dialogues and messages. • Tshepa Thapelo – faith-based organisations – 27 November - discussing the role of churches and religious communities to combat stigma and discrimination; - mobilising faith-based organisations to play a critical role within civil society;
Steeped in history
• World AIDS Day – 1 December - the main national event takes place at the Sinaba Stadium in Daveyton where leaders from government, civil society and activist organisations will join communities to commit themselves for the ongoing fight against the scourge of HIV.
The Cenotaph was first inaugurated as a war memorial to South Africans who fell in World War One, 1914-1918. Inscriptions to those who died in World War 2 were added in 1947. In 2002, a further inscription was added by the City of Johannesburg, to make the Cenotaph inclusive of military heroes and victims of war. The inscription on the west side of the monument reads: “The city of Johannesburg honours all those who made the supreme sacrifice in all wars, battles and armed struggles for freedom, democracy and peace in South Africa.” The Remembrance Sunday event will open with marchpast led by the South African Police Services Band and members of the Emergency Services drill squads, followed by members of the community and youths. Military veterans will march onto parade, where they will be recognised by the Executive Mayor. This will be followed by an inter-faith religious service.
Highlights of World AIDS Day 2016 Activities in Johannesburg • Man 2 Man Dialogue – 3 November - launch of the Score4Life site which provides HIV testing for men seven days a week and at extended hours; - encouraging men to become part of the solution to prevent the spread of HIV; - offering health screening opportunities to ensure early diagnoses. • “Ons phola hier” – 10 November - aimed at commercial sex workers who are part of a vulnerable population; - engaging in dialogues with sex workers about their challenges and proposed solutions; - promotion of pre-exposure prophylaxis in partnership with advocacy organisations. • People Living with HIV – 17 November - offering moral support to People Living with HIV; - linking them to care programmes as part of the Universal Test and Treat policy; - addressing issues of stigma and discrimination. • DREAMS event for adolescent girls and young women – 20 November - promoting the DREAMS vision – Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-Free, Mentored and Safe – to prevent new HIV infection and teenage pregnancy; - promoting the new range of flavoured scented condoms.
16 – November 2016
“In our quest to prevent additional infections, it is imperative to accelerate action around the protection and empowerement of young women and key populations throughout the City. This will be achieved through the various focused prevention and care programmes within the City. It is important for all to know your HIV status and to respond responsibly to your status. If HIV Negative, choose to remain negative; if positive stay healthy, enrol into care.“ – MMC Dr Mpho Phalatse. In the Loop – 9
Health
Tourism
‘Grow your Mo’ this month in support of men’s health P
rostate and testicular cancer and mental health issues will come under the spotlight this Movember, as men grow moustaches to draw attention and debate to health scares that affect them.
There are 23 suicides daily in South Africa among men with over 200 attempts each day. On average, five South African men will die from prostate cancer every day and one in 29 men is at risk of testicular cancer.
Movember, as November will be branded throughout this month-long campaign aims to raise awareness about the significance of men’s health, which often goes ignored. It is marked globally to encourage men to be physically active and to improve their health and general well-being.
“We’re changing men’s lives. We are committed to reduce the number of men dying prematurely. By 2030, we want to even the life expectancy of men and women,” he says.
“Our fathers, partners, brothers and friends are facing this health crisis and it’s not being talked about. We want men to live happier, healthier and longer lives,” says Garron Gsell, CEO and founder of the Men’s Foundation, custodians of Movember in South Africa.
In South Africa, Movember is administered through the Men’s Foundation. Proceeds from the campaign will be diverted to awareness and education programmes presented by the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) and the Prostate Cancer Association of South Africa. • Custodians of Movember are calling on all City of Joburg staff to help change the face of men’s health. Grow a Moustache and Support a Bro. Follow Movember on social media: @MovemberRSA on Twitter or Facebook/MovemberSouthAfrica.
How it all started… In 2003, two friends from Melbourne, Australia – Travis Garone and Luke Slattery – were having a quiet beer when their conversation turned to recurring fashion trends. The moustache, a fixture in past decades, was nowhere to be seen in recent trends. They joked about bringing it back.
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The annual campaign urges men to participate in three ways to raise awareness: − grow a moustache − exercise − host or attend a Movember event.
Mo Bros, as participants of the campaign are called, are urged to start 1 Movember clean shaven and to grow and groom a moustache for the entire month. The campaign also wants to raise money to challenge the way in which men’s health issues are researched and addressed. “Early detection is the most important factor in treating mean’s health issues. Annual health checks are vital, along with a monthly testicular self-examination which can help make you aware of your body and able to note any changes,” says Gsell.
A
replica of an ancient Mayan temple dominates a section of the Johannesburg Zoo attracting visitors eager to learn about the animals that inhabit the Amazon rain forest. The Animals of the Amazon exhibition brings together some of the world’s most exotic species – reptiles, amphibians, arachnids and fish – that are predominantly found in the South American rain forest. The specially-constructed temple represents the architecture of the Mayan kingdom, a civilisation that flourished in Mexico and Central America for more than 2 500 years. The Mayans were revered for their development of a written language, art, mathematics, architecture and astronomy.
Exotic animals find home at Joburg Zoo Joburg’s top spot for visitors
Ian du Plessis, the Curator: Reptiles, Amphibians & Fish says the temple and exhibition is the most ambitious project ever undertaken by the Joburg Zoo, at a cost of R33-million. The temple stands at the north eastern edge of the Zoo, overlooking the cows, chickens and elephants enclosures.
Through our exhibition we offer a safe haven for some of these endangered and exotic species and give Joburgers an opportunity to observe the wonderful animals from up close, says Du Plessis. This adds to the reputation of the Joburg Zoo, the City’s most-visited tourism destination.
The temple is a two-storey architectural masterpiece with many attractive features for visitors, including a 360 degree viewing point at its apex, specially designed rooms to hold the creatures and a dome-shaped aquarium which has a walk through. The enclosure also has several habitats made out of glass or steel to ensure a more intimate interaction with the animals.
The Joburg Zoo is located on a 54-hectate piece of land in the centre of the City and is fully dedicated to conservation and the preservation of biodiversity. “The Zoo assists with environmental education and public awareness. It also breeds endangered species and conducts research on how these animals can be protected in the future,” he says.
The animals on display include seven amphibian species, seven tarantulas, 12 reptiles, 20 fish and one primate. Among these are some gigantic tarantula spiders, blue poison dart frogs, yellow anacondas, false water cobras, gila monsters – a poisonous lizard – and red tail cat fish.
Joburg City Parks and Zoo is the custodian of the City’s green spaces, cemeteries and zoological farm. It provides a great outdoor experience for visitors and is an institution of global importance for its contribution to research and the protection of flora and fauna.
They all come from the Amazon rainforest, the world’s largest tropical rainforest which is home to some unique species including 427 mammals, 1 300 birds, 378 reptiles and more than 400 amphibians.
“We welcome the many visitors to the Zoo, especially school groups who come here to gain incredible knowledge about the wide range of animals that form part of our exhibitions,” says Du Plessis.
The two friends decided to talk their mates into growing a Mo. Inspired by a friend’s mother who was fundraising for breast cancer they decided to make the campaign about men’s health and prostate cancer. They designed the rules of Movember and agreed to charge ten dollars to grow a Mo. Trav designed the first Movember logo, and they sent around an email titled ‘Are you man enough to be my man?’ Today, Movember is an annual campaign in 21 countries around the globe to “Change the Face of Men’s Health.” With the support of their Mo Sistas, Mo Bros have become walking, talking billboards raising awareness and funds for the often ignored issue of men’s health. • Sign up for free at www.movember.com or download the Movember app on your mobile device for more information.
• The Joburg Zoo is open seven days a week from 08h30 to 17h30 and more information about special exhibitions, tours and can be obtained at 011 646 2000 or Facebook page /JohannesburgZoo.
Globally there is still a stigma around diseases that affect men; this has a negative impact on early detection and essentially life expectancy. The Movember Foundation aims to create a world where men don’t need to suffer or succumb to preventable, curable and manageable diseases if they are detected early enough. 10 – November 2016
In the Loop – 15
Human and Social Development
Human and Social Development Health
City takes to the pedal in war against diabetes
“We’re also advocating for this culture to be instilled at a very young age, hence our partnership with Discovery in the Healthy Schools programme, aimed at encouraging children to live healthy from an early age. A resilient city is after all, a healthy one,” says Cllr Phalatse. There are over 350 million people worldwide who are living with diabetes. Of these, over 3 million are South Africans – half of whom are not aware they have diabetes.
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ome courageous City cyclists are joining an inspiring road journey from Johannesburg to George as part of the National Diabetes Month activities in November. The Team City of Joburg form part of the #Cycle4Diabetes relay and join riders from Team C4D, Team Rand Water, Team Bestmed Asg and Team B aim to raise awareness about diabetes as a life-changing condition. The teams will traverse 1 600km in three days to raise funds for disadvantaged children living with diabetes, increase awareness about diabetes in the community and provide access to free diabetes testing and advice along the route. Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development Councillor Mpho Phalatse praised the initiative.
Sowetans get ready to make their own fashion statement A
new fashion season will set the tone for innovative designs and new faces that will be gracing the Soweto Fashion ramp. The Soweto Fashion Week is one of the premier opportunities for both established and upcoming designers to demonstrate their skills to wider audiences. Ahead of this year's event, organisers are on the hunt for new designers and models.
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Launched for the first time in October 2011 the Fashion Week is now in its 6th season and runs concurrently with the Joburg Shopping Festival, another annual event with a growing reputation. Fashion Week is supported by Joburg Tourism and has the potential to grow into a flagship event for the industry, demonstrating the City’s ability to host events and exhibitions, says Laura Vercueil, the Communications Manager at Joburg Tourism. The latest creations of 16 designers will be on display and the show will also be an opportunity for upcoming models and fresh faces to make their first appearances on the catwalk. Some 60% of the designers and models will come from Soweto and surrounding areas. The selected designers will broaden their knowledge about the fashion industry and receive advice from established business experts. The models receive
14 – November 2016
Good news about treatmentfor diabetes:
coaching prior to the event on how to present the fashion and how to brand themselves, says Mpume Ngwenya, the Brand Manager of the Soweto Fashion Week.
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The aim of the event is to promote young black fashion designers – but it also has an impact on the wider industry bringing benefits to related sectors such as the beauty industry, cosmetics, jewellery designers and the leisure industry.
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Local make-up artists and hairstylists get opportunities to work with experienced people in the sectors and display their talents to both industry watchers and members of the public who attend the show.
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Previous editions of Fashion Week have led to invitations for local designers to participate in similar events in Europe and the United States and served as launch pads for successful careers.
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A growing number of sponsors recognise the value of the event and are lending their financial muscle to support the organisers and Johannesburg Tourism. Among the sponsors that are on board are E-TV, the Gauteng Development Agency, Soweto TV, Rhythm City and VTK Vodka.
10 Things to know about Soweto Fashion Week The event – from 23 to 26 November – will feature autumn and summer collections.
“We as the City encourage citizens to adopt a Healthy Lifestyle in order to decrease the burden of non-communicable diseases.”
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Fashion Week has the potential to grow the local economy of Soweto, develop entrepreneurial skills, create jobs and transform the South African fashion industry.
BREAST CANCER
More information about the four day event is available on http://sowetofashionweek.com/ and reservations can be made in advance through Computicket. Awareness Month
Learning to reduce stress levels in daily living can help people manage their blood glucose levels. Smoking is also particularly dangerous for people with diabetes.
Having diabetes need not mean the end of a normal, healthy life. The goal of diabetes management is to bring blood glucose levels into the normal range, that is, between 4-6mml/l.
People with diabetes need to learn about their condition in order to make healthy lifestyle choices and manage their diabetes well.
7 risk factors for developing diabetes: 1. 2. 3.
Regular exercise helps your body lower blood glucose, promotes weight loss, reduces stress and enhances overall fitness and enjoyment of life.
How much you eat play an important role in regulating how well your body manages blood glucose levels. It’s a good idea to visit a registered dietician who will help you work out a meal plan, which is suitable to your particular lifestyle and needs.
4. 5.
6. 7.
Being aged 35 or over; Being overweight (especially if you carry most of your weight around your middle); Being a member of a high-risk group (in South Africa if you are of Indian descent you are at particular risk); Having a family history of diabetes; Having given birth to a baby that weighed over 4kg at birth, or have had gestational diabetes during pregnancy; Having high cholesterol or other fats in the blood; Having high blood pressure or heart disease.
In the Loop – 11
Public Safety
Green Economy
How we can protect women and children S
outh Africa is taking part in the global 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children campaign for the 16th year. The campaign runs from 25 November (International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women) through to International Human Rights Day on 10 December.
Waste turned into resource to power city homes C
lean energy generated at Johannesburg landfill sites has the potential to provide power to more than 12 500 homes in the City – and help to cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.
Through the years the 6 000 tons of waste material generated by the City starts to rot and decompose – generating methane gas and carbon dioxide that is harmful to both the environment and public health. Studies conducted by one of the largest
The first power from the Robinson Deep landfill in Turffontein is already integrated into the City Power electricity grid and Goudkoppies in Devland is expected to come on stream before the end of the year.
global activist groups, the Environmental Defense Fund, show that about 25% of global warming caused by human activities comes from methane gas emissions.
This is the first – and biggest – biogas-to-power project of its kind in South Africa, where the electricity that is generated is sold on a commercial basis to customers. Similar projects in other cities only generate power for internal consumption. The Joburg initiative is also recognised globally – the City has been nominated as one of four finalists in the Clean Energy Category for the C40 Cities Awards. The winning city will be announced at the C40 Mayors Summit in Mexico in December and Joburg is competing against Washington DC, Vancouver, Canada and Yokohama in Japan.
Khosi Baker, the Director: Waste Management & Regulation says the biogas-to-power programme meets many of the City’s most pressing environmental objectives: • it turns unsightly landfill sites to productive use and adds value to domestic waste; • it cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions that is harmful to the environment when released; • it provides clean energy to a significant number of house holds – taking them “off the grid” that is currently supplied by coal-fired power stations; • it generates income for the city through the royalties earned on the sale of the power.
However, the same gas can be put to good use through the technology introduced in Johannesburg. A private company, Ener-G Systems is responsible for the operations, at no cost to the City. Wells are drilled into the landfill sites and pipes are inserted into the openings. The gas is captured, harvested and extracted into an on-site generator which turns it into energy. This electricity is then fed into the City Power and Eskom grids and is sold to consumers on the same basis as power generated from coal-based power stations.
With the theme “Count me in: Together moving a nonviolent South Africa forward”, the campaign seeks to reinforce a year-long programme and a national plan to combat abuse. South Africa is still home to high levels of violence against its women and children, despite a world-renowned Constitution and a legislative overhaul that safeguards women’s and children’s rights. Member of the Mayoral Committee for Health and Social Development Councillor Mpho Phalatse says the City will continue to support and protect vulnerable residents of Johannesburg, especially women and children. “We believe in an integrated approach in dealing with violence against women and children. The focus must be on the perpetrators as much as it is on the victims. We have established men’s forums in and around the City whose aim is to focus on preventative programmes and identification of possible risks in our communities.” “These forums also assist men who are perpetrators to open up about challenges and pressures that they face in society, thus enabling us to diagnose and deal with the root cause of their behaviour.” “We must come together to intensify our support programmes and move towards a more action-based approach. Nobody should be left behind,” says MMC Phalatse.
• Challenge the perpetrators of violence to change their behaviour. • Involve men in helping to eradicate violence. • Provide survivors with information on services and organisations that can help lessen the impact of violence on their lives. Employees are urged to support the campaign by wearing a white ribbon - a symbol of peace - during the 16-day period to symbolise their commitment to never commit or condone violence against women or children.
Five steps you can take to support the 16 days campaign
Baker says that when fully-operational the biogas-to-energy programme will generate more than 13 megawatts of electricity – enough to meet the energy needs of some 12 500 middleincome households.
1. Speak out against woman and child abuse. Encourage silent female victims to challenge abuse, and ensure that they get help. Report child abuse to the police immediately. Encourage children to report bullying behaviour to school authorities.
What others say about Johannesburg…
2. Men are critical partners in the fight against the abuse of women and children. Men and boys are encouraged to talk about abuse and actively discourage abusive behaviour.
“Progress is made on sustainability as cities from Mexico City, to Shanghai and Johannesburg adopt plans to clean their environments and conserve resources…” Former Mayor of New York, Mike Bloomberg
3. Parents and adults must ensure children are not exposed to inappropriate sexual and violent material.
Johannesburg conducted a detailed vulnerability study to assess the impacts of climate change and helped the City “to understand its climate risk to ensure it responds accordingly.” Mark Watts, Executive Director, C40 Cities.
4. Seek help if you are emotionally, physically or sexually abusive to your partner and/or children. Call the Stop Gender-Based Violence helpline on 0800 150 150.
Dr. Mpho Phalatse, the MMC for Health and Social Development.
2016 November 2016 2012– –September
The campaign also aims to:
5. Report illegal guns to the police. According to the International Action Network on Small Arms Women's Network, women are three times more likely to die violently if there is a gun in the home. In the the Loop Loop –– 513 In