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CONTENT EDITOR Fitzgerald Morgan PUBLISHER Moses Motsepe STAFF JOURNALIST
Rachel Motsumi GOVERNMENT NEWS CORRESPONDENT Reginald Mothibeli POLITICAL ANALYST Abel Mthombeni ECONOMIC CORRESPONDENT Sarah Madiba BUSINESS ADVISOR Bruce Tsokolibane FEATURE WRITERS
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Zama Ndlovu Phillip Makumbe
FINANCIAL ADVISOR Bridgette Tsotetsi HEALTH CORRESPONDENTS Sylvia Modise MOTIVATOR
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Mandla Sithole —-
cogent.compere@gmail.com
EDITOR’S EDITOR’SNOTE NOTE Fitzgerald Morgan Fitzgerald Morgan
Know your area, Know what it has achieved, Know when to be proud!
“IGNITE YO
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OUR MIND”
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CURRENT AFFAIRS Rachel Motsumi
MomConnect issued in Senorita Ntlabathi Free State Department of Health launched a project seeking to register all pregnant women in SA through MomConnect. This is an SMS service which provides information and advice on pregnancy. It is
also a channel that will be used to report poor service. Through MomConnect, women will be encouraged to start ante-natal care as well as to test for HIV, diabetes in early stages of pregnancy.
Municipality’s innovative initiative to reduce electricity costs been vandalised by public In alignment with the National Development Plan that envisages that South Africa should have ample supply of electricity and liquid fuels to ensure that economic activities and welfare are not disrupted by 2030, Mantsopa Local Municipality saw a need to install solar street lights in Tweespruit and Hobhouse as a pilot project towards this goal. But these street lights are been cut down, leaving the streets dark and therefore encouraging criminal activities to
take place. Municipal spokesperson, Eric Mkhunjulwa, said, “The vandalising of these street lights creates a challenge for the municipality to reach the goal of fully embracing renewable resources like solar as viable alternatives to reduce the cost of electricity.� He further appealed to the public in the two towns to refrain from vandalising municipal property and also to report those who vandalises the property belonging to the municipality.
GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT ININReginald Mantsopa GOVERNMENT Mantsopa Mothibeli Reginald Mothibeli
Patience and perseverance finally pays off for the community of Hobhouse The community of Dipelaneng in Hobhouse have been built for a brand new library facilities by the Free State Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation. Though this library is not yet opened to public, it is worth noting that it is the best library facility that Mantsopa Local Municipality have ever received. In August 2014, Beisang Mabewana Primary celebrated the opening of the Mandela Day Container Library in Hobhouse which was handed over by Public Investment Corporation. But the future opening of this new library will be the best ever in Mantsopa.
High on radicalism? High on respect? High on discipline? EFF has proven their lack of radicalism, discipline, respect and many more, writes Abel Mthombeni
POLITICALAbelANALYSIS Mthombeni
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Sarah Madiba ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Sarah Madiba
Stubbornly resisting the prickles of unemployment Informal trade is common in South Africa and elsewhere in the world. When taking a walk in your neighbourhood, you are bound to come across a woman or a young man by the corner selling vegetables or snacks. Even in sophisticated countries you still find these informal traders doing what they are good at – meeting the demands of their ever flowing and growing clients. These informal traders, or vendors as many would refer to them as, are vital in our communities. Their contribution to South Africa’s growth domestic product (GDP) is not the only positive aspect about this particular informal economy. These informal traders have a huge potential to create meaningful livelihoods through which locals and cities can be changed greatly.
They do it for themselves, making a living out of their skills and expertise! Sarah Madiba writes about them.
A bit of research on the topic will reveal the importance of informal economy’s role in pro-poor economic development.
You may already know that the informal sector contributes significantly to the national GDP. Although it is difficult to measure, some have estimated that the informal economy’s contribution is valued at 28% of South Africa’s GDP. You may have even predicted that the informal economy acts as a buffer between employment and unemployment, providing a means of survival and the opportunity to create livelihoods that sustain entire households. What we don’t yet know is how informal economy occupations affect individuals lived experiences beyond the scope for economic development, and the implications of these occupations for their wellbeing.
trade. But because of their notable economic contributions and position as a vulnerable group. Women are also a designated group for economic empowerment in South Africa. The genderrelated development discourse of the early 1980s praised women’s work in the informal sector for contributing significantly to the economies of developing countries.
how informal trade relates to the individuals’ wellbeing, we can imagine how some of the social, structural, political and economic barriers can affect street traders’ livelihoods and their contribution to better future cities.
Many informal traders are working despite a variety of personal barriers such as limited material, financial and human resources. On Street trade provides top of various personal income for women and their barriers (such as limited households, in most cases material resources, these women are sole education and training), breadwinners. Through my street traders face a casual interact with women number of external forces street vendors in Ladybrand stifling their ability to has revealed that street flourish through their work. trading was not only a way As long as these for them to survive, but to businesses face actively pursue positive overwhelming barriers, our outcomes for their lives in cities will miss out on key the face of difficult opportunities for historically disadvantaged and conditions. In the informal sector, marginalized groups to marginalized and With the above said, secure meaningful and historically disadvantaged difficult times are bounty. sustainable livelihoods, and groups are well represented Street traders as well as overall well-being. among street traders. The others who are surviving role of women in street through informal economy Local is “lekker” and when trade is significant not only work, faces a number of we support these street for the prevailing number of barriers every day. Taking in traders, we are making a women engaging in street to mind the description of difference in their lives.
BUSINESS ADVICE BUSINESS ADVICE Bruce Tsokolibane Bruce Tsokolibane
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believe there are far too few resources directly addressing the nonacademic trials and tribulations young entrepreneurs face along their journey. Whenever possible, I encourage upand-comers and established entrepreneurs to mentor the next generation of dreamseekers; for it is this insight and insider education that will provide the foundation for the entrepreneurs of tomorrow. With that, here are 10 pieces of advice that I wish someone had given to me before I launched my first venture. 1. Focus. Focus. Focus. Many first-time entrepreneurs feel the need to jump at every "opportunity" they come across. Opportunities are often wolves in sheep's clothing. Avoid getting sidetracked. Juggling multiple ventures will spread you thin and limit both your effectiveness and
productivity. Do one thing perfectly, not 10 things poorly. If you feel the need to jump onto another project, that might mean something about your original concept. 2. Know what you do. Do what you know. Don't start a business simply because it seems sexy or boasts large hypothetical profit margins and returns. Do what you love. Businesses built around your strengths and talents will have a greater chance of success. It's not only important to create a profitable business, it's also important that you're happy managing and growing it day in and day out. If your heart isn't in it, you will not be successful. 3. Say it in 30 seconds or don't say it at all. From a chance encounter with an investor to a curious customer, always be ready to pitch your business. State your mission, service and goals
in a clear and concise manner. Fit the pitch to the person. Less is always more. 4. Know what you know, what you don't know and who knows what you don't. No one knows everything, so don't come off as a know-it-all. Surround yourself with advisors and mentors who will nurture you to become a better leader and businessman. Find successful, knowledgeable individuals with whom you share common interests and mutual business goals that see value in working with you for the long-term. 5. Act like a startup. Forget about fancy offices, fast cars and fat expense accounts. Your wallet is your company's life-blood. Practice and perfect the art of being frugal. Watch every dollar and triplecheck every expense. Maintain a low overhead and manage your cash flow effectively.
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ON THEZama MOVE Ndlovu
“He has never brought me this far to leave me!”
Passionate, focused and confident local business woman, Martha Damasane tells Zama Ndlovu
Who is Martha Damasane? Martha Damasane is a beautiful Mosotho woman. A business woman who was born in Lesotho. She grew up in Ladybrand. Martha is a very sweet and a very humble person. “He never brought me this far to leave me.” How far does Martha come from? Growing up as Martha was not easy. Life for me then was a mere fog view. But I thank my mother for teaching me that even though life isn’t going to be easy, there are simple ways to live life. I then learned the simple philosophies in life. Among a lot of things I have learnt in life, I learned that I must work hard for myself and that has been the way I turned my life around. I worked hard. I still work hard even today. If I had not worked hard, my life would not have turned around. What keeps you going every single day – your motivation? Like I have mentioned. Life is not easy but it is simple. There are simple things in life that would really bring genuine happiness and motivation into your life. Love is one of those genuine fruits of the spirit that keeps me going daily. The love I have for people keeps me motivated every single day. Through that love I get to motivate others as well as making a difference in their lives. This is what keeps me going daily. In business, what are your proudest achievements thus far? I did a lot of things that I am proud of. There are a lot of personal and business milestones that I have reached. For some they may mean nothing but for me they mean the world – personal growth for me is key hence I do not compete with others but with myself. I have run a successful hair salon, a catering and decorating businesses. I have also ran a successful computer skills teaching
business. We have recently started reviving the computer skills teaching business, my brother and I. For me, each and every milestone, no matter how small it is, I consider it a proudest moment because it means I develop each time I reach them. How long have you been in business and what encourages you to continue staying in business? Though I do not have big businesses. I have managed to create employment for quite a number of people. Some I have transferred skill onto them and they are growing in their fields. This encourages me to wake up in the morning even when I have woken up on the wrong side of the bed. There is a quite I have seen doing the rounds on social media and it goes, “Not up for it? Get up. Dress Up. Show up!” As a woman, what is your analysis on the viability of business as well as the economic development in Ladybrand? Well I have been here for close to 20 year – 18 years to be precise. There has been some development here and there. Some significant, some not that significant but needed people to take advantage of it to have huge returns of their investments. There is more we can do to actually build a strong economy in Ladybrand. An economy that will develop the lives of many especially if we focus on youth development. There are people
sitting with business ideas and their business models are capable to employ and empower so many people. Maybe these people are discouraged by factors that we know and some which are only known to them. Hence we see the state of our economy slowing going down. What would your words of motivation be to young women in and around Mantsopa – especially those who wants to pursue business? Ladies, ladies, ladies! It is best to start something on your own. By yourself. For yourself. It is possible. Set your mind on one thing and find profuse and legit ways to achieve it. Do this instead of depending on government for everything. There are certain things that our government will assist us with but “everything” in not one of those things. My utmost prayer is to see more and more women competing in the business arena amongst small and big competitors. Get up and do it for yourself, push yourself and challenge yourself! What are your current business ventures and where can people find you? As I have mentioned. I own a hair and nails salon. A decorations and catering business. As well as a computer skills training business. People can find us on Shop 28 in Piet Retief Street in Ladybrand. They can call us on 078 184 2296 or 063 567 3187. They can also email us on jaggamartha@gmail.com.
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FINANCIAL ADVICE Bridgette Tsotetsi
There are many ways to kill a cat. But here are seven tricks to save money, writes Bridgette Tsotetsi 1. Change banks. Some banks have great packages for new customers that will reduce your fees and bank charges. It’s a hassle, but it could save you thousands. Take the money and put it either in a separate lowcost account, or if you feel secure enough, keep it at home. Large amounts of cash are probably safer in the bank, though. Burglars know every possible hiding place. 2. Wait a month before you buy anything big. Much of our buying is on impulse, even when it comes to big items. If you have your heart set on buying an expensive item, tell yourself you can have it if you still want it after 30 days. Quite often, you will find your needs have changed, or you find a better, or cheaper, deal. Take the money you have saved, and put it away. 3. Cancel memberships
“Make your own healthy lunches, and calculate the difference in cost.” you don’t use. Haven’t been to the gym since last September? Either start going again, or cancel your membership. And while you are about it, check the debit orders going off your account. Even a small amount deducted in error every month can add up to a lot of money over a period of time. Sign a debit order to siphon these amounts into a savings account of some kind. You are already used to living without that money. You may as well save it for your own benefit. 4. Pack your own lunches. Takeaways are expensive, they are high in fat and kilojoules, and low in nutritional value. Make your own healthy lunches, and calculate the difference in cost. Put that money away every day. 5. Clear out the garage/ attic. It’s probably stuffed with stuff you will never use
again. But someone else might pay you good money for it if you advertise it on OLX or Gumtree. Clear out rooms filled with clutter – you might even be able to rent out the space once it’s empty. A clear-out or a garage sale is a great way to kick-start your savings plan. 6. Use your company benefits. If they offer a housing allowance, a car allowance, free courses, access to certain events – use them. If you’re saving even R500 because of the company benefits you’re using, within a year or two it will be quite a substantial sum. 7. Empty the small change out of your wallet every day. It will be a few rand every day. Put it in a jar (not where your kids can see it!) and you will be surprised at how much is in there at the end of the month.
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MEN’SSylviaHEALTH Modise
“Even the busiest or laziest among us can find the time and energy for that.”
W
hen it comes to health care, we men are like ostriches. We bury our heads in the sand. We are much less likely than women to visit our doctors regularly, take symptoms seriously and live a healthful lifestyle. Maybe that’s one reason why women have a seven-year average survival advantage on us! Yet it’s obviously important that men of all ages become more proactive about their health. And an easy way to start is to follow these 10 basic steps to maintaining health and vitality.
(margarine, peanut butter, shortening, store-bought pastries and cookies) contain trans fats that raise your risk of heart disease. Eat only healthful fats, such as olive oil and the omega-3 oils found in salmon and other cold-water fish, which actually protect against heart disease.
2. Stay Away from Dangerous Trans Fats. While it’s important to reduce your overall fat intake, it’s even more important to watch the types of fat you eat. Deepfried foods and anything made with hydrogenated oils
weekly resistance exercise can improve muscle strength. Even the busiest or laziest among us can find the time and energy for that. Join a gym, consult a personal trainer or ask an experienced friend to show you the ropes.
3. Take a Potent Daily Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement. Although there is no substitute for a good diet, I am convinced that for optimal nutrition, you need to take a high-potency multivitamin and mineral supplement. Even if you are eating right, it’s 1. Eliminate “White Foods” unlikely that your food from Your Diet. contains all the nutrients you White flour, white sugar and need. Poor soil quality, other processed foods are not storage, processing and only devoid of vitamins and cooking deplete our food of minerals, but they’ve also vitamins and minerals. Taking been stripped of their natural a high quality daily fibre. As a result, they rapidly supplement is “health drive up blood sugar levels, insurance” against possible which contributes to weight deficiencies. gain, diabetes and a host of 4. Include Weight Training in other health problems. Avoid Your Exercise Routine. breads and baked goods Aerobic exercise is great for made with white flour, sugarcardiovascular conditioning, laden sodas and snack foods. but it’s vastly inferior to weight Instead, focus on eating fibretraining in attacking the “flab rich fruits, vegetables, factor.” Recent research has legumes and whole grains. shown that as little as once-
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WOMEN’S HEALTH WOMEN’S HEALTH Sylvia Modise Sylvia Modise
Menopause - there is no pause to living life fully!
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enopause may be the final phase in a woman's reproductive cycle, but it's the beginning of a whole new chapter in her life. A giant myth surrounding this life stage is that menopause means the end of sex. The reality is that your sex life postmenopause will be much like your sex life premenopause: It's entirely what you make of it. Naturally, there are some challenges to overcome and changes to get used to. The first step is to educate yourself about what to expect as you approach and pass through this phase. Physically, tissue changes may decrease genital sensation and lubrication, and your hormones can cause dramatic fluctuations in temperature (hot flashes). Emotionally, you may notice mood and energy changes that may negatively affect
your libido. Menopause can cause some women to feel as if they're suddenly in someone else's body — declining estrogen levels may cause your body to store excess weight in new places (you may find yourself gaining fat around the abdomen or even on the back rather than around the hips, thighs, and butt, as younger women commonly do), and lower testosterone levels can reduce your muscle mass and tone. Keeping fit with a regular exercise routine and healthier eating habits can do a lot to minimize the physical effects of declining hormones — but it's only half the battle. The other half is conquering your mind. You need to believe you are still sexually desirable on the inside and out. And you are! You should treat this time as a gateway to new possibilities, sexually and
otherwise. Maybe menopausal symptoms will inspire you to focus on your health. Or perhaps your newfound freedom from worries over pregnancy and menstruation will spark a new flame in your sex life. Postmenopausal women do still enjoy sex — sometimes even more than before! The truth is, sexual desire declines naturally for both men and women as we age. But it doesn't disappear, and your chances of achieving sexual satisfaction when you do want sex can remain completely unchanged. Menopause is a time of profound physical and emotional changes, and with every change comes the opportunity for renewal. Appreciate the possibilities for growing into a new you. Adapting to life's changes is challenging, but the sooner you accept this next phase of the journey, the sooner you can start to enjoy it!
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GET MOTIVATED Mandla Sithole GET MOTIVATED Mandla Sithole
Often
it takes the wise words of someone else advising us for us to actually take action. To make a positive change and to really do what we know we should already. Is it that this just gives us the confirmation that we needed? Why are we often so reluctant to follow our own advice? When we often look back and go I know I should. The old 'woulda shoulda coulda' is something I am sure we have all said to ourselves at some point. We talk to ourselves (not in that I am crazy muttering murmurs as I walk down the street talk to ourselves) well maybe sometimes if you know me. We tell ourselves, this is what we
need to do, what we should do, we think of an idea but fail to take action on it. We often fail to take our own damn advice. We even offer this advice that we don't follow to other people, oh what wise sages we all are. What the hell is up with that anyway? I write a lot. I always have and for many years, and when I look back at some of the things I have written (well some, ok maybe a lot is crap) but some is great and I often find things I have written in the past. I find gems of ideas and motivation hidden there, things that I have told myself, ideas, recommendations and all manner of great stuff. Insights into my thinking and understandings of my psychology that
somehow I have still failed to realize and to follow up on. I am sure many of you are the same that there are things you have thought, written, contemplated, discussed, mused, pondered, told yourself. That ended there, that you didn't follow up on, follow through with. Why? Why the disbelief in yourself, myself, ourselves. There is like an untapped resource, a reservoir if you will of great information and ideas in your head just waiting and wanting you to take action on. So this month I challenge you (and myself) to just go through with one of those things that you think to yourself some of that advice that you have and follow up on it.
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