WORLD TEEN MENTAL WELLNESS DAY

Each year on 2nd of March, we recognize World Teen Mental Wellness Day. The day aims to “raise greater awareness of mental health issues among teens, as well as provide education about removing stigmas surrounding preventative mental health.”

Many teenagers struggle with their mental health. It is important that as a society we increase awareness, stop the stigma, and let teens know that is okay to not be okay.

While we have come a long way in terms of spreading the word about mental health, there is still much work to be done. Many mental health concerns in teens go undetected and untreated due to a lack of understanding about the subject. To secure a brighter future for all children, parents and caregivers, as well as teens themselves, must be educated around the importance of good mental health.

People with mental health disorders have long been stigmatised in our society. There are numerous negative connotations linked with mental diseases and individuals who suffer from them. These are unfounded and based on falsehoods, and they make people, especially teens, less reluctant to seek treatment.

We must eliminate this stigma, and raising awareness is an important first step. For people who are hurting, especially those who are suffering silently, it may appear that no one understands and that they are fighting this battle alone. This day serves as a reminder to kids that they are not alone, that it is okay to feel the way they do, and that there is plenty of support available.

To ensure an inclusive and viable commemoration of this year’s provincial Human Rights Day on 21 March, the MEC Mosupyoe engaged various stakeholders in Sharpeville.

These included the two mayors of Emfuleni Local Municipality, Sedibeng District Municipality, various political parties, potential service providers and partners from Sedibeng including Sharpeville. This year marked the 63rd anniversary of the eventful day on 21 March 1960, where 69 innocent lives were lost, under the apartheid brutal regime.

Every year the provincial government commemorates the day in remembrance of the lives lost, but mostly in the celebration of our constitutional democracy which guarantees rights and equality of all.

By: Staff Reporter

The department works to ensure the event benefits the local economy of Sedibeng including the livelihoods of the local people. Service providers had an opportunity to bid for services which range from water supply, catering, security, sound, stage etc.

Other engagements have been with the various political parties to come together in commemoration of the event, to honour the fallen heroes of our struggle who lost their lives fighting for the freedom we enjoy today.

The department will continues to engage the different stakeholders including educational institutions, families of victims, NGOs, and more to ensure incident free and inclusive commemorative events.

Tip|

Tomatoes suck up sunlight almost as much as they take in water.

Picking a good location for your garden is absolutely key. A subpar location can result in subpar veggies!

Why garden, you ask? How about enjoying the best vegetables and fruit you’ve ever eaten? If you’ve never tasted garden-fresh food, you will be amazed by the sweet, juicy flavors and vibrant textures. There’s absolutely nothing quite like fresh veggies, especially if you grow them yourself—which you can!

It may seem daunting at first, but gardening is a very rewarding hobby. On this page, we’ll highlight the basics of vegetable gardening and planning: how to pick the right site for your garden, how to create the right-size garden, and how to select which vegetables to grow.

Sunny spot: Most vegetables need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. There are a few veggies (mostly the leafy ones) that will tolerate some shade.

Drains well and doesn’t stay wet: If you have poorly drained soil where water pools, plant veggies in a raised bed or raised row for improved drainage. Wet soil means wet roots, which can turn into rotted roots. If you have rocky soil, till and remove the rocks, as they will interfere with root growth and make for weaker plants.

Stable and not windy: Avoid places that receive strong winds that could knock over your young plants or keep pollinators from doing their job. Nor do you want to plant in a location that receives too much foot traffic or floods easily. Plant in a location that would make Goldilocks smile—somewhere that’s “just right.” https://www.almanac.com/vegetable-gardening-for-beginners

Nutrient-rich soil. You soil feeds your plants. If you have thin, nutrient-poor soil, you’ll have poor, unhealthy plants. Mix in plenty of organic matter to help your plants grow.

In an effort to build and encourage local businesses and promote market access, the department is currently hosting a two-day Oral History and Documentation session at Kwa Mai-Mai Cultural Market. The session will touch base on oral history storytelling and discussions including cultural and traditional showcasing of products.

Major topics of the day will include indigenous business coaching methods, government intervention on market access, motivation on businesses and the tourism sector.

In line with the TISH (Townships, Informal Settlements & Hostels) Programme, the department visited Kwa Mai-Mai Heritage Site for an Oral History & Documentation Session focusing on market access initiatives, business, heritage and culture.

The Mai Mai Market in the east of Johannesburg is one of the city’s oldest markets and home to approximately 600 people who have lived in the complex for decades.

The market offers African Traditional Medicine, Cultural Artefacts and known authentic South African street food.

When life throws you curveballs, what is the one thing that keeps you going?

Iam a hard-working and driven individual who isn’t afraid to face a challenge. I’m passionate about my work and I know how to get the job done. I would describe myself as an open and honest person who doesn’t believe in misleading other people and tries to be fair in everything I do, at least I try.

To describe myself in one word, I’m a very ambitious person. I take up all learning opportunities that enhance my skills and know-how to cope up with failures. I like challenging myself to find creative solutions as quickly as possible and resolve any issues at hand, I’m a positive self-starter.

What personal goals do you wish to achieve during your time here with us?

• Develop a Passion into my work career.

• Cultivate commitment in relationships with my colleagues.

• Boost Leadership Skills

• Build my professional network.

What goals do you wish to achieve within the department?

• Contribute positively to the departmental goals.

• To see the department being “a department of choice to the Gauteng Community”

• To build a professionalised department

• DSACR to be sampled as one of the benchmarking department in the world

• Strive to improve time management capabilities.

• Assist employees to reduce stress and frustrations, and to Increase productivity.

Knowing what you know now, is there anything you wish you could change and why is that so?

I wish I could change the negative attitude, behaviour and characteristics of some individuals in order to shape the culture of our organisation for the upcoming generation.

Outside of your previous duties, what are the things you do to positively impact someone else or communities at large?

• I share my life experiences

• I give people my time to listen and talk to through my busy schedule

• Through my hobbies of farming and woodwork projects, I create employment for community members

• I always remind people to be focused and remember where they come from because your history will shape you to be a better person in the community you are with today

What advice would you give staff for personal and professional growth? There are strategies that I can say they must be prioritised for professional development, even when they are busy:

• Focus on your objectives.

• Must learn to value individuals around them.

• Manage obstacles and distractions.

• Set boundaries.

• Control your own destiny or someone else will.

• Make learning a habit.

• Make every second count.

• Respect and humbleness are key to acknowledgement

• Learn at your best.

• Learn to have a positive attitude and a good character because this is the mechanism of attracting or repelling good things in your journey of life.

• Collaborate with others.

Please tell us one thing no one knows about you that you enjoy doing?

Unfortunately, it is two, farming and woodwork.

Convince with your Outfit for Career & Advancement

Plan a wardrobe that is appropriate for the organization and its culture, aiming for the most professional appearance possible. Keep your jewellery and accessories to a minimum. Try not to smoke or eat right before the interview and brush your teeth or use mouthwash if possible.

Remember that it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed, and to wear clothing that fits well and is clean and pressed.

The pencil skirt is the perfect pick, ladies. Stylish and professional, it’s a key part of an workplace attire.

Loafers have an on-trend snaffle detail on the toe. Loafers are having a moment right now. Wear yours with belted blazer and ankle-grazing trousers this season.

Iwas recently asked several questions on Human Rights by a 12year old young man. I had recently learnt that he is into performance arts -drama and acting- and I suspect he was researching for this.

This how he went about throwing a list of questions: ‘Nou grootman die ding ya human rights- ke eng vele?; So if kele ntwana so, di human rights tsa ka di lekana le tsa batho ba groot or?; Wena o qadile ho tseba neng ka di human rights tsa gago?; and Vele vele why re tlamaile ho celebreita human rights?

I needed some timeout and wished to tell him that we should make time because I know he can talk waya-waya. And if freedom of expression was a person, he is a perfect fit. With so many important questions I knew I had to pause for a learning and teaching moment and with some help form the quick web search through my phone, we got down to it.