Public Sector Leaders | December / January 2022/3

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DISCLAIMER

BY FIONA WAKELIN

“W

e are in the grip of terrible crimes in which offenders are known to the victims. Women and children are being violated not only by strangers but by people who are known to them – by their fathers, boyfriends and husbands, by colleagues, teachers and even classmates,” –President Ramaphosa.

His Excellency stated that we are, however, not powerless to stop this scourge - citing that there has been a growing mobilisation, with more than 17 000 trialready GBV cases having been processed by teams of the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority. However, whilst many of the perpetrators are no longer getting away with their crimes, first and foremost we have to focus on the prevention of the abuse in the first place.

As part of his busy schedule, President Ramaphosa arrived in London for a State Visit to the United Kingdom hosted by His Majesty King Charles III and delivered his annual address to the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) during the “Taking Parliament to the People” programme summit.

Letter

the Editor

from

This bumper December/January edition of PSL takes a look at the major events of 2022 and tips and advice for the Festive Season.

Our Trailblazer this month is Free State Education MEC Pule Makgoe; and Women in

Leadership celebrates two female SAA pilots, Captain Annabel Vundla and First Officer Refilwe Moreetsi. The Regional Focus is KwaZuluNatal and, appropriately for this time of year, in the Legal Matters regular we take a look at bonuses, leave and overtime – while in Financial Fitness we help with tips and advice for planning your 2023 finances.

Feature articles include a 2022 retrospective and a sustainability update (COP27). If you are stressing about data protection and privacy we have some valuable insights into how you can ensure you are secure.

Whether you are in the public sector, the private sector, supply chain or an interested individual, PSL has something for you.

Thank you for your support during 2022. We wish you a peaceful, safe, healthy, happy end of year and look forward to seeing you in 2023.

We hope you enjoy the read.

FIONA WAKELIN | GROUP EDITOR

President Ramaphosa’s Letter to the Nation on 28 November focused on the GBVF scourge that South Africans experience on a daily basis.

BY FIONA WAKELIN

South Africa is a nation at war with itself

President Ramaphosa’s letter to the nation on 28 November focuses on his address to the second Presidential Summit on Gender-based Violence and Femicide where he stated that South Africa is at war with itself.

He refers to the tragic crime statistics for the last quarter, which were released just before the start of the annual 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children.

“Between July and September this year, 989 women were murdered, 1,277 were victims of attempted murder and more than 13,000 were victims of serious assault. In just these three months, more than 10,000 rape cases were opened with the South African Police Service (SAPS).

“Not even children, our most vulnerable citizens and most deserving of our care and protection, were spared. In the six months to September 2022, over 500 children were killed.

“We are in the grip of terrible crimes in which offenders are known to the victims. Women and children are being violated not only by strangers but by people who are known to them – by their fathers, boyfriends and husbands, by colleagues, teachers and even classmates,” - H.E. Ramaphosa.

In his letter, His Excellency states that we are, however, not powerless to stop these crimes, citing that there has been a growing mobilisation, with more than 17 000 trial-ready GBV cases having been processed by teams of the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority with the courts handing down heavier sentences to perpetrators.

However, whilst many of the perpetrators are not getting away with their crimes, first and foremost is the

prevention of men and boys from becoming abusers in the first place.

“To give meaning to 16 Days of Activism we now need to engage the men of South Africa in a dialogue about their responsibility towards women and toxic masculinity. All of society should be mobilised to organise these men’s dialogues.

“The government, nongovernmental organisations and the private sector should be encouraged to support such dialogues in every workplace, place of worship, school, college and university, and in every community. Every day various entities devote resources to public engagements, conferences and seminars on various pressing social, economic and political issues of the day. These are forums where this engagement should happen,” – President Ramaphosa. His Excellency emphasises that it is through these

dialogues that we can examine our understanding of sexual consent and show how some assumptions and practices that many people consider ‘normal’ are harmful to women and children.

The belief that men are strong and women are weak must be challenged.

“As President, I stand ready to participate in men’s dialogues. I call on Ministers, Premiers, religious, political and community leaders, sports people, artists, celebrities and business people to do the same.

“The men of South Africa owe it to the women and children of this country to take up the struggle against gender-based violence.

“These men’s dialogues can be platforms for men to challenge each other to become better men, more responsible, more understanding and more caring,” – President Ramaphosa.

By Jessie Taylor

It’s a wrap: The news stories that shaped 2022

The past year has seen some significant triumphs in the face of adversity for South Africans, with the government taking decisive and bold action in response to both local and international events. These are some of the stories that South Africans followed this year:

immediately to restore services to affected communities, with more than 90% of services restored in under three months.

In addition to the infrastructure damages, the province suffered a severe blow to the economy, with the tourism and logistics sectors severely affected.

This saw repairs prioritised at attractions such as the Mandela Capture Site, Howick Falls and beachfronts as part of the recovery and reconstruction process, as well as work at King Shaka International airport to support air travel into the province

reBuilding in The face of naTural disasTer

In April, KwaZulu-Natal fell victim to devastating floods and landslides. The natural disaster saw more than 400 lives lost, another 40 000 people displaced, and billions of rands’ worth of damages to public and private infrastructure.

However, the provincial and national governments acted quickly to rebuild in the face of the disaster, with R1-billion in contingency funding has been committed by National Treasury for flood relief efforts. With the support of the private and non-profit sectors, the government departments began working

The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport launched a project to patch potholes and repair damaged roads and bridges through more than 700 initiatives to be implemented through an emergency procurement process.

As part of the province’s recovery plan, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for the Department of Economic Development, Tourism, and Environmental Affairs Ravi Pillay said the focus would be placed on resilient sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and the ocean economy.

TighTening regulaTions on financial crimes

This year saw the South African government taking decisive action to prevent greylisting the global money-laundering and terrorist financing watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

New amendment bills were submitted to Parliament to counter money laundering and combat terrorism financing, focusing on amending the Financial Intelligence Centre Act, Non-profit Organisations Act, Trust Property Control Act, Companies Act and the Financial Sector Regulations Act. The amendments seek to tighten the regulations around how businesses keep records of ownership and will introduce ways to trace the legal standing of individuals in leadership positions.

The government is also looking to amend two other Bills in a bid to combat financial crimes and corruption: the General Laws (Anti-Money Laundering and Combating Terrorism Financing) Amendment Bill and the Protection of Constitutional Democracy Against Terrorist and Related Activities Amendment Bill.

The new laws are critical to avoid greylisting, says Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. The finance minister adds that he believes the country can address the shortcomings raised by the FATP by February 2023.

Minister Godongwana says the legislation sends a strong message to the FATP that the government is taking action.

In addition, the way in which the government investigates and prosecutes financial crimes has also been bolstered.

Justice Minister Ronald Lamola announced that a tripartite agreement was concluded among the National Prosecuting Authority, Financial Intelligence Centre & the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigative Unit (Hawks) to fast-track criminal and financial investigations in money laundering matters.

Minister Lamola says an Anti-Money Laundering Desk Strategy has been formulated to cover the investigation and prosecution of money laundering and terrorist financing.

souTh africa exiTs The sTaTe of disasTer

After more than two years after South Africa declared a State of Disaster in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, all restrictions and regulations were dropped in April.

The declaration of the National State of Disaster on 15 March 2020 empowered government to take the measures that saved countless lives in the face of an unprecedented global threat

“These measures were effective in slowing down the rate of infection, easing pressure on our hospitals, and providing the time we needed to develop the infrastructure, resources and capacity to manage a large number of people who became ill as a result of Covid-19,” says President Cyril Ramaphosa.

It also allowed the introduction of the special R350 Social Relief of Distress Grant and other forms of economic relief for those affected by the pandemic.

The disbanding of the State of Disaster heralded the end of a series of lockdown levels that had been imposed to manage the pandemic, which ranged from no public movement beyond essential workers to curfews and mask-wearing.

“The end of the National State of Disaster is an important milestone in our fight against the pandemic. It is a sign of the progress we have made together and a reminder of what our nation has endured,” said President Ramaphosa.

“The end of the National State of Disaster is a firm statement of our determination to live our lives and rebuild our country even as this virus remains in our midst.”

Several Covid-19 regulations remained in place after the end of the State of Disaster, but these were repealed by Health Minister Joe Phaahla in June. The repealed regulations included the wearing of masks, curbs on gathering sizes and border checks for Covid-19. The government’s response to the pandemic is now facilitated by the National Health Act.

decisive acTion againsT corrupTion

This year saw the conclusion of the monumental effort to unravel the extent of state capture and the damaging effect thereof on our democracy through the Zondo Commission of Inquiry in State Capture

Initially slated to take place over 180 days, the hearings stretched to more than 400 days, during which more than 300 witnesses testified. The whole process took nearly four years to complete. This year, the Commission concluded its work by issuing a 5000-page report detailing how state resources were plundered. During the handover of the final part of the reports, President Cyril Ramaphosa committed to submitting an implementation plan to Parliament, detailing how the government would respond to the findings and recommendations of the Commission.

The president has also committed to professionalising the public service to prevent future abuse of power and the manipulation of public service appointment and dismissal processes.

This will include addressing political interference and a lack of transparency and accountability in appointing the leadership of state-owned companies.

The government has also invested significantly in strengthening law enforcement agencies. The Investigating Directorate (ID) was established within the National Director of Public Prosecutions to police corruption, and to date, more than 20 state capture-related criminal cases have been enrolled by the National Prosecuting Authority.

The National Assembly Rules Committee has also adopted a plan to deal with the Commission’s recommendations and oversee the president’s implementation plan. Parliament’s plan includes the establishment of a committee to oversee the president and Presidency, enhancing the capacity of members of parliament to hold the executive accountable, adequate resourcing for parliamentary oversight, and a system to track and monitor the performance of the executive on resolutions of the Houses of Parliament.

decisive foreign policy in The face of criTicism

International headlines were dominated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier this year. With intense international pressure to take a stance in support of either nation, the South African government elected to strongly enforce their foreign policy of mediation and negotiation in the face of international conflict.

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the government opted to engage in dialogue and mediation to contribute to the achievement of a resolution. He said that South Africa strongly urged all sides to uphold international law, including humanitarian law and human rights law, as well as the principles of the UN Charter, including sovereignty.

He added that this approach allows South Africa to make its voice heard, not only publicly but

also by the parties that are involved in the conflict.

Despite pressure to implement sanctions against Russia, the government said it had called on Russia to withdraw from Ukraine but held its ground on a cautious and measured response, saying it would first promote dialogue before it considered sanctions.

South Africa’s approach to the conflict was informed by its history, said President Ramaphosa, and that South Africa had attained democracy through a negotiated settlement

“We remain steadfast in our conviction that achieving world peace through negotiation, and not force of arms, is indeed attainable. This is a principle on which we have been consistent since the advent of our democracy and which remains an important part of our foreign policy orientation,” he said.

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

Sustainability Update (COP27)

The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) closed with a breakthrough agreement to protect vulnerable countries affected by climate disasters by providing “loss and damage” funding.

The agreement was concluded at the end of more than two weeks of negotiations around climate change and efforts to mitigate its impact.

A REAFFIRMED COMMITMENT

COP27 saw countries reaffirming their commitment to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial

levels, as well as cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The conference brought together more than 45 000 participants to share ideas and solutions and build partnerships and coalitions to address climate change and its impact.

The two-week summit began on Sunday, 6 November. While it was meant to finish on Friday, 18 November, the process over-ran into the early hours of Sunday, 20 November, as nations thrashed agreements on sticky issues. The work of the conference comes at a critical time. A recent UN Climate Change

report found that implementation of current pledges by national governments put the world on track for a 2.5°C warmer world by the end of the century. In addition, the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said that greenhouse gas emissions must decline 45% by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

COP27 President Sameh Shoukry said: “The work that we’ve managed to do here in the past two weeks, and the results we have together achieved, are a testament to our collective will, as a community of nations, to voice a clear message that rings loudly today, here in this room and

Commitments to protect vulnerable countries against the effects of climate change

around the world: that multilateral diplomacy still works…. despite the difficulties and challenges of our times, the divergence of views, level of ambition or apprehension, we remain committed to the fight against climate change…. we rose to the occasion, upheld our responsibilities and undertook the important decisive political decisions that millions around the world expect from us.”

BALANCING THE CLIMATE CHANGE SCALES

Much of the discussion at COP27 centred around “climate finance” which considers the needs and priorities of developing countries, and these discussions gave rise to

the ground-breaking decision to establish a dedicated fund to assist developing countries in responding to loss and damage caused by climate change. The fund will help climate-vulnerable countries considered to be developing. It will not include emerging economies.

Governments also agreed to establish a transitional committee to make recommendations on how to operationalise the new funding arrangements. Countries also agreed on the institutional arrangements to operationalize the Santiago Network for Loss and Damage to catalyse technical assistance to developing countries that are particularly vulnerable to the adverse effects of climate change.

Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, said: “This outcome moves us forward. We have determined a way forward on a decades-long conversation on funding for loss and damage –deliberating over how we address the impacts on communities whose lives and livelihoods have been ruined by the very worst impacts of climate change.”

In addition to the loss and damages funding, countries also made progress on the Global Goal on Adaptation. This aims to improve resilience to climate change among vulnerable countries and has seen nations pledge more than $230 million to the Adaptation Fund at COP27.

The funds will help vulnerable communities adapt to climate change through concrete adaptation solutions.

Sources:news.un.org|unfccc.int|edie.net|nytimes

SOME KEY OUTCOMES OF COP27

• The conference saw the launch of a new five-year work program to promote climate technology solutions in developing countries.

• A mitigation work programme was launched in Sharm elSheikh, aimed at urgently scaling up mitigation ambition and implementation. The work programme will start immediately and continue until 2030, with at least two global dialogues held each year.

• Delegates at COP27 wrapped up the second technical dialogue of the first global stocktake, a mechanism to raise ambition under the Paris Agreement.

• UN Secretary-General António Guterres announced a $3.1 billion plan to implement early warning systems within the next five years.

• Countries devised a master plan to accelerate the decarbonization of five major sectors – power, road transport, steel, hydrogen, and agriculture.

• The Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership was launched. The partnership aims to unite action by governments, businesses and community leaders to halt forest loss and land degradation by 2030.

• Former US Vice-President and climate activist Al Gore, with the support of the UN Secretary-General, presented a new independent inventory of greenhouse gas emissions created by the Climate TRACE Coalition.

BY JESSIE TAYLOR

The grass is greener

Growing the economy through the cannabis industry

The cannabis industry has been earmarked as a key economic differentiator by the South African government, as it has the potential to increase both jobs and economic revenue.

To enable this sector, the government is in the process of developing essential items of legislation that will regulate the use and growth of the plant.

THE POTENTIAL OF CANNABIS PRODUCTION

President Cyril Ramaphosa committed in his State of the Nation

Address to fast-track regulations for the local cannabis industry. The industry has the potential to be a significant economic driver, with hemp and cannabis production having the ability to create as many as 130 000 new jobs for the country.

The global CBD and cannabis market has seen exponential growth in recent years, and some estimates say it will be valued at close to $180-billion by 2030.

Last year the global CBD market was calculated to have a market value of $4.5-billion, by 2028 the value of this market is expected to reach $20-billion. Europe and North America are the biggest players in

the market, but other regions are also beginning to claim their share. According to the African Cannabis Report, the continent is likely to see the value of its legal cannabis rise to at least $7.1-billion in the next few years. One of the nations that is capitalising on this rising market is Lesotho, which has been one of the first African nations to award licenses for cannabis cultivation for scientific and medical purposes. It now serves as a model for other countries looking to begin cultivating cannabis – such as South Africa.

President Ramaphosa has called Lesotho a shining example of a country already grasping the enormous opportunities of cannabis cultivation.

South Africa has a rich heritage of medicinal plants and the cultivation thereof, and there are around 100 cannabis-related companies in South Africa (many of them cultivation businesses) that are investment ready. An estimated R5-billion has already been invested in the South African industry.

FAST-TRACKING REGULATORY CHANGE

To fully unlock the potential of this industry, the South African government has embarked on a journey to change legislation around cannabis use and cultivation.

Government plans include the signing of the Cannabis for Private Purposes Bill during the 2022/2023 financial year.

The Bill, which follows a 2018 ruling by the Constitutional Court that the use, possession, and cultivation of cannabis in private homes is not illegal and should be allowed in South Africa, will ensure South African laws are in line with the court decision.

The Bill, if passed by the National Assembly, will make amendments to the Drugs and Drug Trafficking Act. The Bill does not make provision for the commercialisation of cannabis, but the government’s Cannabis Master Plan provides a regulatory framework to overcome other legislative hurdles.

The Cannabis Master Plan details how cannabis can be incorporated into South Africa’s business sector. In the master plan, the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development has proposed legislative measures to remove the restrictions on the commercialisation of cannabis and hemp.

President Ramaphosa says that cannabis products will now be industrialised, to allow the country to harness the economic benefits they bring, and that policy and regulations will be fast-tracked. According to the master plan, the government will develop and support the growth and development of the manufacturing and product development capacity of the cannabis industry. The Cannabis Master Plan includes legislative reform and the development of a national seed supply system, and education initiatives.

Assistance for growers is also covered by the master plan, and the focus rests on supporting smallscale and traditional cannabis farmers, as well as formalising growers that were previously operating illegally. They will be offered both technical and financial support.

The Department of Small Business Development will be tasked, under the master plan, with developing and implementing special incubation programmes for new suppliers, as well as facilitating off-take agreements between cannabis growers and manufacturers.

The master plan will see the implementation of breeding programmes for new cannabis and hemp cultivars and will support research and development programmes for the cannabis industry. It will also look at ways to develop both local and export markets.

But the economic effects of encouraging the cannabis industry go beyond just supplying cannabis produce – as the industry grows, so will the demand for services such as greenhouses, nutrients, plant growers, quality control systems and software.

This leaves investment opportunities in cultivation, processing, laboratories and manufacturing, with each sector bringing the potential for economic growth and job opportunities. The Cannabis Master Plan aims to provide a broad framework for the development and growth of the South African Cannabis industry in order to contribute to economic development, rural development and poverty alleviation.

This means investment opportunities in cultivation, processing, laboratories and manufacturing, with each sector bringing the potential for economic growth and job opportunities

Afriplex

From source to shelf

Afriplex, a member of the ImpiloVest group, was established in 2001, with the original objective of unlocking the potential of traditionally used African botanical remedies.

Over the years we have gained superior knowledge of African botanicals and their associated extraction technologies, enabling us to incorporate them intouniquely developed final products.

With specific focus on complimentary and alternative medicines (CAMs), we have equipped ourselves with the ability to develop a range of innovative ingredients and final products for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, veterinary and food and beverage industries.

Today, we are proud of ourwell-established organisation and see ourselves as a forerunner in good manufacturing practice (GMP) compliant manufacturing.

By utilising the resources and expertise we have developed as a product manufacturer, we are able to provide certain functions in the supply chain as stand-alone services.

The services we offer include routine laboratory analysis and the compiling of Common Technical Documents (CTDs).

Our in-house laboratories are managed according to GLP principles, allowing us to offer routine analysis on an ongoing basis for our clients.

Our laboratory capabilities include:

GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY

• FT/IR identification

• Viscosity, pH, conductivity, specific gravity

• Loss on drying dissolution, solubility

• Tablet and capsule disintegration

INSTRUMENT LABORATORY

• High-performance liquid chromatography

• Thin layer chromatography and fingerprinting

• Gas chromatography

STABILITY

ROOM (SHELF LIFE TESTING)

• Long term stability chambers vShort term stability chambers

MICROBIAL LABORATORY

• Total plate count

• Yeast and moulds

• E.coli (quantitative analyses)

• Salmonella (quantitative analyses)

• Bile-tolerance estimations

FINAL PRODUCTS

As a third-party manufacturer, we have the expertise and capacity to manufacture various dosage forms on site.

Producing over 5 million final packed products a year, Afriplex’s capabilities lie mainly in manufacturing oral liquid solutions and solid dosage forms.

The products we supply include syrups, drops, sprays, tablets, capsules, effervescent tablets, powders and granules, and are ready to be distributed by our clients once they leave our facility.

We are able to procure all raw materials and packaging components required, and ensure appropriate quality control for each component as well as the final product we deliver.

FUNCTIONAL FOOD AND BEVERAGE SOLUTIONS

Over the years we have developed the expertise to conceptualise novel and commercially viable product concepts for our local and international food and beverage clients.

Today, through the utilisation of unique technologies, we have a proven track record when considering the innovation and development of value-added food and beverage solutions.

The process starts in our Product Development Centre, where our team operates from a state-of-the-art research

laboratory and simulation centre. This is where creativity truly comes to light; supported by the necessary technical skills and industry knowledge.

The accessibility to a range of our own functional botanical extracts has given us the necessary edge needed to develop innovative, science-based health ingredients for utilisation in the functional food and beverage arena.

The end result is a market-ready functional solution and unique final product.

OUR FACILITIES

Our manufacturing facility is situated in Paarl, South Africa and includes botanical extraction, separation and spray-drying equipment; tableting and encapsulation machinery as well as manual and automated liquid filling lines.

Our facility gets audited on a regular basis by regulatory bodies such as the MCC, NAFDAC, FDA and SGS.

Our commitment to adhere to full pharmaceutical CGMP standards is evident throughout our quality management system. Our quality control systems are in line with GLP and GMP principles. To keep pace with the current regulatory requirements and to ensure exceptional quality control, we expanded our quality control department by investing in the necessary equipment and qualified personnel.

In order to maximise our capabilities as an all-inclusive product manufacturer, we’ve invested in our storage, production and

quality control facilities for it include:

• A temperature controlled incoming goods and final product warehouse with a total storage capacity of 1500m²

• A technologically advanced reverse osmosis water system

• Bulk liquid storage tanks with a total capacity of 35 tons, resulting in a monthly output of up to 350 000 units

• A microbial lab enabling us to perform microorganism quantification and pathogen detection

• Three state-of-the-art raw material dispensaries

• Plant extraction and separation technology, supported by membrane separation and concentration facilities

• An instrument lab housing thin-layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography equipment

• Three validated Constant Climate Chambers for long- and short term stability testing

CONTACT DETAILS

Telephone: +27 (0)21 872 4976

Fax: +27 (0)86 578 1305

Email: info@afriplex.co.za

Physical Address: 10 De Vreugde

Crescent, Dal Josaphat, Paarl, 7646, South Africa

Postal Address: PO Box 3186, Paarl 7620, South Africa

ImpiloVest - growing the health and wellness industry in South Africa

Interview with ImpiloVest Director of Business Development, Paul Nunes

ImpiloVest was founded to provide a holistic approach to creating value throughout the entire supply chain of health and wellness companies. The company’s business model was founded on a vision to create value from source to shelf by providing quality solutions in health and wellness.

The Director of Business Development, Paul Nunes, shares with Public Sector Leaders how they are making a positive impact on people’s lives, communities, and the environment.

PLEASE DESCRIBE YOUR ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

I focus on business growth and performance by researching and delivering profitable solutions which will drive sales in all sectors of ImpiloVest. I build and develop a solid corporate brand image and focus on customer retention and future growth opportunities for the business.

IMPILOVEST IS AN INTERESTING NAME – DOES IT REFER TO HEALTH?

It’s a direct translation of Zulu, meaning health, expressing their commitment to revolutionising complementary and alternative medicine in South Africa.

PLEASE UNPACK SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST OBSERVATIONAL CLINICAL TRIAL ON MEDICAL CANNABIS – WHAT IT MEANS, ITS IMPORTANCE, TIMEFRAME AND IMPACT.

The Cannabis Research Institute of South Africa (CRI) has sponsored a

year-long study that examines the effectiveness of medical cannabis as an alternative to opioids for chronic pain management. In addition to demonstrating therapeutic efficacy and pain relief, the objective is to provide credible, reliable, and verifiable data to the relevant authorities to regulate the availability of medicinal cannabis.

Since the cannabis industry has become more customer-centric and customer-facing over the past few years as patients, consumers, and society have become more educated, the industry has seen significant growth. In collaboration with the Releaf Cannabis E-Clinics, a member of the ImpiloVest group, participants of the latest groundbreaking study will have access to their medicinal cannabis through the study. Patients who register for the study will not be charged for their medication as part of the sponsorship.

WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATE OF THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY IN SOUTH AFRICA?

Cannabis or cannabis-derived products are still very much in their infancy and have struggled with numerous challenges in attempts to industrialise the industry. CBD as a cannabinoid was the first to have a scheduled framework attached to it. However, I feel the dosage limits allocated to it are extremely conservative and it has caused efficacy issues at patient level. Complexities around the regulation of

Nunes DirectorofBusinessDevelopment

recreational cannabis usage have proved to be a challenge for decision-makers. Regulation to legalise commercial activities as regards the production, sale, marketing, and distribution of recreational cannabis in South Africa should as a collective deliver on the needs of key stakeholders within the recreational cannabis value chain. Beyond regulation, there are several other areas of strategic interventions required for the development of the recreational cannabis industry.

WHAT EXCITES YOU ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?

The chance to really make a difference in the health of people and to contribute to communities by creating job opportunities.

WHAT EXCITING PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR 2023?

We will look to grow the health and wellness industry in South Africa. Health, food and beverage will be the focus of ImpiloVest’s newest division, Afritaste. We would want to have a resolution on the state of the Cannabis market and see how we can assist in its development as a frontrunner in this category.

CONTACT DETAILS

Physical Address: 3 Rose Street, Wellington 7655

Email: info@impilovest.co.za

Paul

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By Jessie Taylor

New regulations to give departments more discretion in procurement

Treasury has announced new regulations around procurement, which will come into effect in January.

The updated regulations are still focused on Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) criteria in public procurement, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has stressed, but they also provide for more departmental discretion in tendering.

The regulations will act as a placeholder until the adoption of new legislation around procurement.

reviewing The regulaTions Minister Godongwana said the new regulations allow government departments and state-owned enterprises to determine their own preferential procurement policies. The change in regulations came after a Constitutional Court ruling.

The ruling looked at changes made in 2017 to the Act, originally passed in 2000. The 2017 overhaul of the regulations saw two key changes. The first stipulated that companies awarded tenders above R30-million were obliged to subcontract 30% of the contract value to benefit the previously disadvantaged, women, youth and the disabled. Secondly,

the changes required state entities to procure from local suppliers, even in the case of imported items or items that could only be sourced from a global supplier.

The litigation centred around the argument that the 2017 preferential procurement regulations were harmful policies resulting in the misallocation of funds away from maximum value-for-money for the public. Setting aside the regulations now gives organs of the state constitutional discretion in the procurement process, allowing them to choose value-driven and effective solutions relevant to the communities they serve.

The Constitutional Court ruled in February this year that the 2017 changes were to be set aside, as policy changes cannot be made in ministerial regulations. The court gave the finance minister until February 2023 to make rectifications, and Treasury has since reinstated the 2000 regulations.

The revision of the regulations mean that government departments and state-owned companies will still be able to operate in a middle ground between the two versions of the legislation. The 80:20 and 90:10 BEE system remains a fixed requirement, but departments will now be able to include preconditions as part of their procurement policy, should they wish, such as the pre-qualification for tenders, 30% sub-contracting to designated groups, and local procurement clauses in the 2017 regulations.

This status quo will remain in place until the Public Procurement Bill is passed in Parliament next year. This Bill is likely to standardise procurement policies across state entities and is expected to be presented by March next year.

“While we are finalising the Public Procurement Bill, which will empower the Minister of Finance to set preferential procurement, the 2022 regulations repeal the 2017 regulations and take effect on 16 January 2023,” says Minister Godongwana.

Procurement is a complex and highly contested arena in South Africa

“In essence, the 2022 regulations are a placeholder while we finalise the Bill.”

Focus on value For money

The latest regulations specify that an organ of state must, in the tender documents, stipulate the applicable preference point system as envisaged in the regulations; and the specific goals in the invitation to submit the tender for which points may be awarded.

“It should be noted that these Regulations deal with preferential procurement in terms of the PPPFA.

The new 2022 Regulations require organs of state in the development of their procurement policies to also consider specific the programmes [sic] stipulated in the Reconstruction and Development Programme as published in Government Gazette No 16085 dated 23 November 1994 and provides for points to be awarded for specific goals,” Treasury says.

“In addition to maximising valuefor-money objectives, a further objective is to regulate preferential procurement anew in the draft Public Procurement Bill (among others repealing the PPPFA) and, as announced during the MTBPS, is to be introduced in Parliament by March 2023.”

The regulations, under the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA), still favour companies with BEE status. The regulations state that the government must award extra points during the scoring of tenders for black-empowered firms. For contracts valued at under R50million, firms can score up to an extra 20% on the scorecard if they are fully black-owned and empowered. For contracts above R50-million, they can score an additional 10%. This rule has been in place since the Act was promulgated in 2000.

The regulations allow for departments and state-owned companies to add preferential criteria when awarding tenders, so long as these criteria advance the country’s developmental goals, as stated in the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) of 1994. This allows departments and state-owned companies to award points to companies that subcontract to small and mediumsized enterprises, for example.

“Procurement is a complex and highly contested arena in South Africa. Much of it is steeped in legalese and technical language. It is no accident that the Zondo Commission published a dedicated report on public procurement and made significant findings. The Minister of Finance, as well as the National Treasury and the Government, remain wholly committed to transformation and empowerment as envisioned in the Constitution,” the Treasury says.

KwaZulu-Natal Joint Municipal Pension/ Provident Funds

Giving members a choice

The KwaZulu-Natal Joint Municipal Pension/ Provident Funds (NJMPF) is a leader amongst its peers in the industry. We are responsible for three funds, namely; the Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund (Superannuation), Natal Joint Municipal Pension Fund (Retirement), which are both defined benefit funds with guaranteed predictable benefits.

The KwaZulu-Natal Joint Municipal Provident Fund is a defined contribution fund. In the Provident Fund, the fund credit (retirement savings) depends on employer and employee contributions, interest on investments and returns by the fund, where the member bears the investment risk.

The three funds provide pension benefits for municipal employees in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, give members a choice of products, rate of contributions and the facility to transfer between the three funds according to changing life circumstances.

It has gained recognition for its consistent excellence, amongst others; in governance, communications and education/ training practices, treating

customers fairly and investment performance/practices. Over the years, NJMPF has notched up a commendable list of awards in the industry, both locally and internationally.

well as Africa Investor (Ai), CFI, The European, European CEO, Stevie Awards and Innovation Awards by the World Pension Summit.

NATAL JOINT MUNICIPAL PENSION FUND (SUPERANNUATION)

KWAZULU-NATAL JOINT MUNICIPAL RETIREMENT FUND

The Retirement Fund was established in 1967 as a defined contribution fund and was subsequently converted into a defined benefit fund for the lower income members, in 1975. At which time the payment of lump sums and monthly pensions commenced upon the early retirement of members at age 55 to normal retirement at age 65, and to spouses upon the death of members, subject to the provisions of the regulations, calculated on salary and service.

KWAZULU-NATAL JOINT MUNICIPAL PROVIDENT FUND

The Provident Fund was established in 1996 as a defined contribution fund, and provides lump sum benefits only, upon the retirement or death of members, based on total accruals in respect of contributions paid by both member and employer, plus profit and interest earned.

info@njmpf.co.za

The NJMPF has been acknowledged for excellence by the Institute of Retirement Funds Africa (IRFA), Standard Bank – Top Business Awards, Council for Retirement Funds in South Africa (Batseta) as

The Superannuation Fund was established in 1942 as a defined benefit fund, and provides lump sum and monthly pension benefits upon the retirement or death of members, calculated on salary and service.

In case you missed it, our annual Standard Bank Top Women Conference took place on the 12 -13 October 2022. Here is a look at just some of the highlights throughout the 2-day conference:

We trended No. #1 on South Africa’s Twitter trends throughout the conference

Over 47 000 views on our Instagram Filters and Stickers

We dropped our very first Swag Bag - and completley sold out!

Amazing feedback on all platforms from our delegates

Over 15 000 photos were taken by our delegates at the Virtual Photo Booth

We hosted SA’s most influential women such as Zozibini Tunzi, Terry Pheto & Shannon Esra

By Jessie Taylor

Injecting healthcare with a new dose of HIV prevention

Anew form of HIV prevention is expected to be piloted in South Africa early next year, which could transform the country’s strategy to prevent infection among HIV-negative patients.

The pilot project, announced by international medicine financing initiative Unitaid and planned to start early next year, will trial the antiretroviral cabotegravir injection administered every second month. By targeting young women, the pilot project holds the promise of preventing new infections as well as changing the stigma around pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) usage.

FighTing sTigma Through science

Recent modelling suggests that as many as 52 000 new HIV infections could be prevented over 20 years across the country if the injection is found to be effective. In order to test its efficacy, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) and the national Health Department are expected to begin providing injections to young women as part of a Unitaid-funded project.

PrEP in tablet form has been available in South Africa since 2016. It is widely available and extremely effective when taken correctly – in fact, it can reduce a person’s risk of contracting HIV by 99%.

South Africans using oral PrEP accounted for about one in ten people globally in 2020.

However, healthcare professionals have had to contend with the stigma around the treatment. This is partly due to the rollout programme, which

initially targeted sex workers and men having sex with men. While this initial rollout provided essential information on how to scale the treatment to other groups, the focus on populations who were largely stigmatised has impacted the public perception of oral PrEP. Today, it is still incorrectly perceived by many as a treatment used by those who are promiscuous or unfaithful to their partners.

An estimated eight million South Africans are living with HIV. Globally, HIV prevention efforts have stalled with 1.5 million new HIV infections in 2021 – the same as in 2020. There are around 4000 new infections every day. The South African programme will include a second new long-acting hiV prevention product targeted at adolescent girls and young women

access prevention measures such as PrEP, as their guardians feel they should not be having sex and prevent them from using the treatment.

The injection removes this stigma. Administered at a clinic, it will give women and girls access to a treatment which is safe and judgement-free. It also mitigates fears that pills will be misinterpreted for HIV treatment and cause the patient to suffer stigma, discrimination, or intimate partner violence as a result.

The injection has had the support of the World Health Organisation, which has called on countries to consider it as a safe and effective prevention option for people at risk of HIV infection

Clinical trials of cabotegravir, taken every second month, have shown that participants were about 80% less likely to contract the virus. In addition, it was found to be much more accessible than taking pills every day, the World Health Organization found.

In South Africa, women make up over 60% of all new HIV cases. Adolescent girls and young women, who will be the target of the Unitaid-funded efforts in South Africa, become infected at a disproportionately high rate. In sub-Saharan Africa, six in seven new HIV infections in adolescents occur among girls, and young women are twice as likely to be living with HIV as their male peers. The vulnerability of this group is the reason why women and adolescent girls have been chosen as the first group to access the injectable PrEP.

Focusing on vulnerable groups Young girls especially struggled to

The pilot will only commence once the injection has been approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), which is expected to take place early next year. It was approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration in December last year. The Wits RHI pilot, which will see the shot provided in some public health facilities and mobile clinics, is expected to be the first of several projects to see how best to roll out the injection.

The South African programme will include a second new long-acting HIV prevention product targeted at adolescent girls and young women: The dapivirine vaginal ring, which lasts for 28 days and can be inserted at home.

“I

The Free State Education Department sits on the shoulders of the MEC for Basic Education in the province, Dr Pule Herbert Makgoe. Affectionately known as Tate, Dr Magkoe has taken the matric results in the province to greater heights with 2021 marking three consecutive years in which the province has taken the number one spot for matric results in the country.

Dr Makgoe was appointed in 2009 as the MEC for Education in the Free State. He’s always been passionate about education and believes that it’s one of the “ingredients to take people out of abject poverty.”

His life is devoted to the disadvantaged and marginalised in order to fully realise the objectives of true political transformation and the total eradication of grinding poverty.

Upon his appointment, he said: “We have to make education comparable and comparative. The department is going to make difficult decisions to improve the existing situation. And in dealing with the existing problems, some of the solutions may not be in everyone’s favour. We have to raise the morals of our officials for them to be able to give the teachers all the support they need, to produce quality education. We need to work together as a team to overcome all the shortcomings.”

To this day, the province continues to produce excellent results for matrics in the country and has taken the number one spot in the country in various years, including; 2013, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, and 2021.

The leader holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the

world-renowned University of South Africa (Unisa) and later obtained an Honours degree from the University of the Free State, and a Master’s degree in Business Leadership from Unisa. He was also awarded with an honorary doctorate in Business Administration by the VUT Faculty of Management Sciences. Dr Makgoe praised teachers in the province for their contribution to the province’s education system stating that they were the “lifeblood of the education system in the Free State.”

In 2021, he was conferred the Chancellor’s Excellence Award by the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) for his sterling leadership excellence and immense contribution to the advancement of education, not only in the province but nationally, as his work has touched communities and institutions alike.

“Growing up in the dusty township of Tumahole, Parys, I could not have possibly imagined that one day I’d be standing in front of esteemed academics, receiving this distinguished award. This accolade

is a symbol of appreciation for one’s capacity to guide and motivate others to excel, with a proven commitment to serving and contributing to the development of our country, our province and our communities,” he said.

Speaking at the provincial matric prayer service at Kgolathuto Senior Secondary school in Phuthaditjhaba, Maluti a Phofung Local Municipality, ahead of the 2022 matric final exams, the Minister of Education, Angie Motshekga said the Free State makes an invaluable contribution to the overall quality of the matric results we produce as a country.

“The Free State continues to set the bar extremely high, and the level of excellence propels the entire country upward. The consistency of the Free State shows robustness and a systematic approach to producing excellence. There’s nothing more important to the country than our children and the Free State has made a telling investment in the education of its youth,” she said.

For the 2022 matric results, the province aims to achieve a 90% pass rate and remain the leading province country.

“We are destined to succeed and nothing will stop us, we have a good strategy that we have been improving annually. Our strategy looks simple at face value, but is difficult to implement. It needs dedicated leadership, teachers, administrators and pupils.

“I aim to achieve a 90% pass rate. I want to raise the bar higher and higher. It is achievable. We are ready to reach it.”

Dr Tate Makgoe

BY SINAZO MKOKO

“The aircraft doesn’t know your gender”

On Tuesday, the 25th of October, history was made in South Africa. For the first time, in 88 years, two black women operated a flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town.

The two trailblazers who made history are South African Airways (SAA) pilots, Captain Annabel Vundla and First Officer Refilwe Moreetsi. Public Sector Leaders spoke with the pair to find where it all began.

Their stories couldn’t be more similar as this was a childhood dream for both of them. For Captain Vundla, it all started when she was only seven years old when she visited the airport for the first time.

“When I first got to the airport, I saw

Two SA pilots proved their mettle, paving a way for many others

First Officer Refilwe Moreetsi and Captain Annabel Vundla.

the cabin crew looking so smart and asked my mother what they did and she explained it to me. I asked if they travel by plane to which my mother answered ‘yes’. As I was talking to my mother, I noticed two white males behind these cabin crew wearing uniforms [sic], I asked what they did and my mother said they flew the planes and I was amazed. “I told my mother that I wanted to do that instead and get to travel the world,” she says.

First Officer Moreetsi recalls a similar memory, except that she was going on a holiday to Durban when she realised that this is what she wanted to do. “My first flight was on the South African Airways flight to Durban. And at the end of the flight, I went to the flight deck. And I saw that flight deck, all those buttons and for me, that day, in 1994, I decided this is what I wanted to do,” she says.

Moreetsi says she was fortunate to have had the support of her parents. She states: “My parents’ support is what really pushed me and kept me sane, because they encouraged me, although other individuals or teachers weren’t so encouraging, my parents pushed me and as a young kid that is a huge deal when your parents push you up. That’s why I never wanted to do anything else because I had people who believed in me.”

However, in Captain Vundla’s case, there was a little bit of fear from her mother. “My mother is a traditional woman, she told me that it was too dangerous and it’s a field for men. She asked how was I going to settle down and said I needed to get married and have kids and work

in an office. But my father told me that I can do whatever I want,” she shares.

Sharing the challenges they’ve encountered in the maledominated industry, the pair say that being constantly undermined remained a challenge for women in this industry. “As a woman and, of course as a black woman, that won’t be taken away anytime soon. And overall, that is the biggest challenge; constantly being undermined because I come from a background of the military. I’m not fazed by it because the training is hard and tough. On top of that, you are learning how to plan everything. So I’m not fazed by that and I know how to address certain situations. Whether you’re a captain or a first officer, you are undermined,” says Captain Vundla.

Mooretsi added that people will tell you directly or indirectly that you do not belong purely based on the agenda of your race. “And one thing I always say is that the aircraft does not know your gender. At the end of the day, when you’re flying that aircraft or when you’re on that flight deck, the only thing that matters is your knowledge, skills and your experience. And so for me, this negativity that came from these certain individuals, only fuelled the fire in me to achieve my dreams and in the process even aim for higher,” she says.

Despite this, both women proved their mettle and became the first two black women to operate a commercial flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town. Touching on that historic moment, Mooresti said, while it was long

South Africans can feel proud of a national carrier that is truly represented of our diversity

overdue it was a great moment for them and the positive feedback that they got from the public and communities, from villages, townships and schools, showed them how big this was. “It means a lot for a young black girl to see and know that this is attainable for them because they’ve seen somebody that looks like them doing and my race is not a barrier. We are happy that it’s finally out there and it will be an inspiration to not only children but to society as a whole.”

SAA CEO and Chairperson, Professor John Lamola, said this was a milestone in the transformation of the national carrier. “The airline continues to show leadership in transforming the aviation sector and overcoming inequalities in scarce skills and employment opportunities.”

SAA Executive for Human Resources, Mpho Letlape, added: “South Africans can feel proud of a national carrier that is truly represented of our diversity and we celebrate that. SAA is a non-discriminatory, non-racial, equal opportunities employer with a strategic transformational role.”

By Jessie Taylor

A renewed focus on festive season road safety

Road safety tips

Annually, thousands die on South African roads over the festive season. To ensure those travelling to celebrate with their loved ones arrive safe and sound, the government has announced a range of safety measures to prevent road accidents this year.

efforTs cenTred on reducing road deaThs During the last festive season, there were 1 685 deaths on the country’s roads – during a period of just 42 days. This saw the death toll rise by 14% from the 2020 holiday period. Seven provinces saw an increase in fatalities, but most of the deadly accidents took place in the Northern Cape and Western Cape.

In an effort to reduce road deaths this year, both national and provincial governments are stepping up visibility and enforcement operations.

The City of Cape Town has launched an automated highway patrol unit

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said most of the fatalities were caused by jaywalking, speeding on wet and slippery roads, overtaking across barrier lines and poor visibility. Many of the accidents were caused by a single motor vehicle overturning and head-on collisions.

Police Minister Bheki Cele recently launched the 2022 safer festive season operational plan, ushering in a season of heightened visibility countrywide. He announced that the plan would run in tandem with intensified, integrated crime prevention and crime combating operations.

The campaign, which will run until the end of January, looks to mobilise maximum resources to ensure safety and security for communities across the country.

One focus area of the plan is enforcing by-laws and ensuring the enforcement of road safety together with metro and national traffic law enforcement officers. A proactive approach to safety Ahead of the festive season, the City of Cape Town has launched an automated highway patrol unit. The unit can automatically track motorists with outstanding warrants, as well as identify duplicate or cloned licence plates.

The 32-member strong unit will be used to enforce traffic laws and to assist motorists who find themselves in emergency situations during the holiday season.

In Gauteng, Premier Panyaza Lesufi launched the province’s festive season campaign with the aim of educating the public on road safety and ensuring fewer fatalities during this festive season.

Premier Lesufi said that all resources in the province would be mobilised to fight crime and promised that CCTV cameras and drones would be employed to ensure safety in the province. He added that six helicopters would be made available to fight lawlessness over the festive season.

In KwaZulu-Natal, Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube has warned that law enforcement agencies will be increasingly active this festive season. She said there would be heightened law enforcement visibility across the province, with a focus on provincial and national roads.

“The vision of government is ensuring that the people of KwaZulu-Natal live in a safe and secure environment,” she said.Premier Dube-Ncube called for stakeholders to play a role in reducing road accidents. “We call on the road freight industry to attend to the issue of errant truck drivers whose negligent driving has taken many lives in the province recently. We remember

vividly the Pongola horrific accident [sic]. The multiple truck accidents a few weeks ago claimed more lives. Our roads cannot be turned into mass graves and places of untimely deaths. The Road Traffic Inspectorate has a huge responsibility to make every road user feel that when in KwaZulu-Natal you drive responsibly or face the music,” she said.

road safeTy Tips for The fesTive season

Many South Africans will be taking to the roads to travel to loved ones over the festive season. To ensure your safety, as well as that of fellow road users, follow these safety tips.

• Obey the rules of the road and carry your driver’s license with you.

• Plan the route to your holiday destination well in advance, and allow yourself enough time to reach the destination. Try to avoid driving after dark.

• Make sure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before departure. Check that all lights and indicators, windscreens, windscreen wipers, brakes, steering, shock absorbers, exhaust system and tyres are in good working condition.

• Ensure you are well rested when you embark on your journey, and take regular breaks while travelling. It is recommended to take a break every two hours or 200km.

• As the driver, always wear your seat belt and ensure that all passengers are also wearing theirs.

• Drive defensively and try to recognise potentially dangerous drivers on the road, and keep well clear of them. Also, keep an eye open for pedestrians alongside the road.

• Maintain at least a 2-second following distance - this distance should be increased at night, in foggy or rainy conditions and when the road is wet.

• Always adhere to the speed limit, as driving too fast or too slowly can be a potential hazard. Only overtake when it is absolutely safe to do so.

• Drive with your lights on. This will make you more visible to other drivers.

• Always be prepared for emergencies and keep an emergency kit in your vehicle.

• Never drink and drive.

• Avoid distractions while driving, such as using a cellphone.

By KoKetso MaMaBolo

Four organisations that could use your help this festive season

Christmas and the New Year are around the corner and while for many it has been a year of recovery, there are many who will need a helping hand to recover from more than just the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Throughout the year, there are opportunities to offer up your time to help those in need, and if you haven’t done so already, the festive season is a perfect time for you to start making a difference. Here are some places where you can volunteer and bring some cheer to others.

HPsa

Formerly known as Heifer South Africa, HPSA has been on a mission to end hunger and poverty since it was founded in 2001. The new, simplified name follows a review that was conducted recently, but their goal remains the same. Over the years they’ve helped more than 18.5 million families overcome hunger and poverty.

“We believe all people deserve dignity, opportunity, and a future free from hunger,” says HPSA.

By providing rural communities with livestock, they bridge the hunger gap through animal products such as “milk, eggs, meat and honey”. They also educate communities about managing water and assist with infrastructure including tanks and boreholes. The work goes even deeper, with a focus on empowering women, setting up sustainable development programmes, as well as education and training.

For more information on how you can donate or volunteer your time, visit hpsa.org.za

KHulisa social solutions

With a national footprint - including over 180 staff members, working in around 150 communities - Khulisa Social Solutions is a non-profit organisation focused on vulnerable young people and communities at large. In the beginning, they were geared towards helping young offenders by establishing the country’s first official rehabilitation programme specific to the youth.

They have since broadened their focus incorporating “peace-making and restorative approaches, to

The festive season is a perfect time for you to start making a difference

holistic community development, tackling a wide range of issues countering social and economic inclusion”.

Khulisa Social Solutions doesn’t view social issues in isolation, instead, they take a unique approach to community development which seeks to align policy, service delivery and support systems.

For more information on Khulisa Social Solutions, and information on how you can play your part, visit khulisa.org.za

tHe Haven nigHt sHelter Cape Town is a popular tourist destination, not only for international travellers but for locals as well. If you find yourself in Cape Town this festive season, offering your time at the Haven Night Shelter is a great way to give back. The shelter’s history goes back to the late 70s.

“Our method is to make temporary shelter, rehabilitation opportunities, social welfare services, family reunification services, physical care and support available to adult people living on the streets who are committed to reintegration,” says the shelter.

With 15 shelters across the city, their reach allows them to help as many people as are willing to be helped. Social workers assist in

helping the people who come to the shelter with forming a personal development plan.

For more information on how you can get involved, visit haven.org.za

tlc cHildren’s HoMe

For almost three decades, TLC Children’s Home has been providing “attachment-based, trauma-informed” care to children and babies. The home runs on a family-orientated approach, rescuing abandoned children.

“Since 1993, we have helped over 900 abandoned babies find forever homes. Building on our legacy, we recently moved to a new property that is better suited to the excellent services we provide our babies,” says TLC Children’s Home.

A team of 40 cares for the children full-time, and the annual cost of running the facility is R9 million. Over the years, almost a thousand babies have been cared for at the home. They have a close relationship with social workers at the Department of Social Development, who bring children from different backgrounds to TLC.

“We also help to support about 30 other ‘TLC children who, over the years, have been placed into the care of the TLC founding family.

As they reach adulthood we work hard to support and encourage their independence as they gradually phase out of their dependency on the organisation,” says TLC.

For more information on how you can volunteer your time or make a donation, visit tlc.org.za

by Jessie Taylor

10 ways to explore South Africa with your family this festive season

Ceres sTeam Train

ConsTiTuTion hill

Constitution Hill is an incredible glimpse into the past, hidden in the heart of Johannesburg, and provides the opportunity for a family outing steeped in history. The home of the Constitutional Court, the precinct includes several prisons that held numerous world-renowned men and women, including Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, Joe Slovo, Albertina Sisulu, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Fatima Meer. The prisons at Old Fort, Women’s Jail and Number Four held thousands of people over a 100year period and today are open to the public in the form of a living museum that tells the story of South Africa’s journey to democracy.

The Kimberley big hole

If you’re taking a journey into the past, you must give the Kimberley Big Hole a visit. The Big Hole tells the story of South Africa’s diamond rush and when thousands of prospectors descended on the Northern Cape town and created the largest handdug excavation in the world. The mine is 463 meters wide, with a depth of 240 meters, and was active between 1871 to 1914. It is considered one of the deepest cavities excavated by man. Neighbouring the Big Hole is the Kimberley Mine Museum, which will teach your little ones about South Africa’s rich mineral heritage.

There are less harrowing ways to see the South African countryside t hat younger children will love, such as a ride on a steam train through the Cape Winelands. The trip from Cape Town to the Elgin Valley will take you back to a bygone era, on a steam-train line that was first opened in 1862.

Cradle of humanKind

Travelling further back into our past requires a visit to Maropeng, the visitor centre for the famous Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. Only an hour outside of Johannesburg, this site is considered the birthplace of humanity and has evidence of life dating back more than three billion years. This educational tour will allow you to explore some of the 13 excavated sites in the area, including the famous Sterkfontein Caves, where the pre-human skull, known as Mrs. Ples was found.

Tubing on The sabie river

A unique way to explore South Africa’s natural beauty involves immersing yourself in it – and getting a little bit wet! Take your family on the adventure of a lifetime and try your hand at tubing along the Sabie River. This river is one of the most biologically diverse waterways in South Africa and offers both an educational and exciting family activity suitable for children older than 12.

ZiPlining

If you’re not one for getting your feet wet, you might like to have a go at flying through the air. You can explore some of South Africa’s most beautiful mountain areas with a ziplining canopy tour. This exhilarating experience is available in the Western Cape, Drakensberg and Magaliesberg and will see you and your family flying through the treetops. This adventure is suitable for children older than six.

Kruger naTional ParK

If you’re visiting Mpumalanga, make time to visit the Kruger National Park. With nearly 2 million hectares of wild spaces teaming with 147 species of mammals and 508 species of birds, you’re guaranteed to have an unparalleled wildlife experience. Those visiting the province can easily visit the national park for a day trip or stay over at one of the many accommodation options within the park.

bridge swings

For the more adventurous families, bring out your inner adrenaline junkie with a bridge swing. Unlike bungee jumping, bridge swings are attached to a fixed point and allow you to swing out – while less daunting; it still gets the heart pumping! There are several sites that offer this activity, such as Oribi Gorge in KwaZulu-Natal and Bloukrans in the Eastern Cape.

ushaKa marine world

Those with a love of the wild will be equally enthralled by a visit to Ushaka Marine World in Durban. The kids will have hours of fun at the theme park and will also be able to enjoy educational activities at the aquarium, where they will learn about South Africa’s diverse marine life and how to protect it.

boulders Penguin Colony

Boulders Beach in Cape Town is a popular spot for tourists and will offer your family the unique experience of encountering endangered African Penguins up close. Take a tour of the beach and learn about this iconic marine bird, or simply spend a day playing in the sand and surfing.

By Kathryn Main

New year, new goals

Starting 2023 with a plan

Goal setting is one of the most important habits you can implement in your life if you want to progress and achieve the things that are important to you. Setting goals marks the beginning of financial planning and gives meaning and direction. Setting financial goals helps you focus on your finances and gives you something to work towards.

For many of us, resolutions are made as easily as they are broken. Why? Because a resolution is just a decision. To make real changes,

you need more than a decision - you need a plan. The plan is the guide to put your decisions into action so that you can reach your goals. Learning how to set goals takes practice.

A financial goal might be getting out of debt, saving for a specific item you can’t afford right now like a new caravan for family holidays, saving for retirement or buying an income generating asset.

Why are goals iMportant? 1. Help with focus and direction on a personal level

2. To help you reach financial freedom 3. Keep you moving forward and to ultimately reach your goal 4. To have something to work towards 5. To motivate you

Setting short-term, mid-term and long-term financial goals is an important step in securing your financial future. If you aren’t working toward anything specific, you’re likely to spend more than you should. You’ll then come up short when you need money for

unexpected expenses, or when you want to retire. You might get stuck in a vicious cycle of debt and feel like you never have enough money to meet expenses, leaving you more vulnerable.

Setting short-term financial goals can give you the confidence boost and foundational knowledge you need to achieve larger goals that will take more time. These first steps are relatively easy to achieve. Achieving small victories will drive you to achieve your medium and long-term goals.

step 1: visualise your goals

What does your ideal life look like? Visualise where you’d like your money to take you and start jotting down some ideas. Does it include being debt-free? Perhaps there are countries you’d like to visit, sports events you would like to attend. You might see yourself buying a new boat or renovating your home. Your dream could be to send your kids to a different school.

Think big and small. Your goals do not have to be long-term or complicated to be worthwhile. In fact, it’s important to have a mix of goals. This is your life and your financial goals are yours.

step 2: get practical aBout your goals

i. avoid goals that are unreachable

Goals need to be specific and actionable

As you review your list, you will notice that some goals are going to take more effort and time than others. Those goals that are the hardest to achieve are called “stretch goals.” Stretch goals can be great for changing behaviours or breaking out of negative patterns but having too many of them in your goal list can be demotivating.

short-terM

goals: (3 Months or less)

Short-term goals can be easily achieved in a short space of time E.G. Save R1 500 for a pair of new pair of sunglasses

MediuM-terM goals: (3 Months to 2 years)

Mid-term goals are priorities that can be accomplished within 3 months to 2 years

E.G. Saving R35 000 for a family holiday or paying off debt

long-terM goals: (More than 2 years to achieve)

Long-term financial goals are priorities that may take more than 2 years to accomplish. Most long-term goals require regular savings.

E.G. Saving for retirement, saving for your child’s university education

ii. avoid goals that are too general

Goals need to be specific and actionable. For example, if your goal is to be debt-free, specify exactly which debts you’re going to reduce this year and by how much. If your goal is to have savings, specify how much you’re going to save and how often, where you will save the money and how long it should take.

iii. avoid goals that are outside of your control

Avoid goals that rely on factors outside of your control (e.g. winning the lottery). Focus only on outcomes you can directly influence by your own actions.

For example, if your goal is to find a higher paying job, focus on the behaviours required to get the job you desire.

iv. prioritise your goals in order of importance

Ask yourself: What goals can I start working towards immediately and what goals can wait? It would be nice to be able to achieve all your goals simultaneously, but life isn’t like that. The reality is that you must target your goals in order of priority.

v. Break big goals into smaller, more manageable goals

Big goals are great, but smaller goals are easier to measure and keep on track and you get to celebrate achieving milestones more often! For example, if your goal this year is to save R1 500 for a new fridge, break it into 12 monthly saving goals of R125 per month.

step 3: Write doWn your s.M.a.r.t. goals

What is a SMART goal? A SMART goal is one that is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and time bound. The idea behind a SMART goal is that it should capture the behaviours and actions that will lead to the outcome you desire.

• S = Specific (What do I want to accomplish? Why? When? Who with?)

• M = Measurable (What will the outcome look like when it’s complete? What are the milestones along the way?)

• a = attainable (Is this goal achievable/affordable?)

• r = relevant (Is this what I should be focusing on?)

• t = time-bound (How long will it take? What is the timeframe and target date?)

exaMples

1. goal: To have savings in the bank. sMart goal: I am saving R500 from each paycheck for my emergency fund. By the end of this year, I will have R6 000 in my emergency fund account.

2. goal: To cut back my social spending after the New Year. sMart goal: For January and February: I am taking my own lunch to work; budgeting R80 a week for going out which I will pay myself in cash every Friday; taking my credit card out of my wallet.

3. goal: To save R50 000 for an overseas holiday sMart goal: I am saving R1 000 per salary into my ‘holiday’ sub account so that I have R50 000 for my Thailand trip in [month and date]: This year’s goal: R600 by April; R1 200 by July; R1 800 by October; R2 400 by Dec 31.

It is always better and easier to plan one’s journey after choosing the destination.

tips and hints:

• Be specific. When thinking about goals, be as exact as possible. People who set specific goals are more likely to succeed.

• Put it in writing. Write down exactly what you want to achieve and post it in a place where you will see it every day. This will help remind you of what you’re working toward. When you write, use positive terms. For example, instead of writing, “I can’t afford it” re-word your goal in more positive terms: “How can I afford it?”

• set realistic goals. When you think about setting goals, make sure that they are within your reach. Be mindful of your finances, schedule, and other personal affairs. Remembering these important factors will help you set realistic goals. It’s unreasonable to expect to make a lot of big changes at the same time.

• develop an action plan. Create a timeline with steps toward your goal. Set deadlines for each step and cross them off as you go. Sometimes just crossing things off and watching your list get smaller can give you a sense of accomplishment and help you stay motivated.

• Believe in yourself. Stay positive about your progress. Share your goal with a friend and ask them to help hold you accountable.

• Be flexible. Keep in mind that setbacks can happen. Don’t get discouraged and give up. Try again! Your hard work will pay off!

• ask for help. If you get stuck or need a little encouragement, don’t be afraid to talk about it.

• reward yourself. Acknowledge your successes, even the small ones. Reaching a goal takes work and you should be proud of your efforts. Celebrating small achievements helps keep us motivated.

Kathryn Main is the Founder and CEO of Money Savvy. Email her at kathryn@moneysavvyhumans.co.za or visit www.moneysavvyhumans.co.za

By KoKetso MaMaBolo

To the people of KZN

President Ramaphosa takes parliament to the Ugu District Municipality

“honourable Chair, I stand here, not only as a leader of the district but as a product of the valleys and dusty villages of Izingolweni, who clearly understands the plight of an African child, having risen from an impoverished background myself,” said , speaking at the latest Taking Parliament to the People event, which was held in the Ugu District Municipality in late November. The event was attended by officials from all three levels of gov-ernment, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, who addressed the community as part of the Taking Parliament to the People Programme.

taKing it to the people The programme was established by the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) in 2002 as a way to bring parliament closer to the people, in order to increase and enrich public participation in the legislative process. Community members are afforded the opportunity to see how parliament works, to give them a better understanding of how they can contribute to the law-making pro-cess. They’re brought face-to-face with legislators and the executive through public hearings and site visits where they can share

their experiences, suggestions and take leaders through the challenges they are facing.

Members of the Provincial Legislature, local government officials and representatives from other spheres of government engage with the public on issues before the sitting takes place, where they are addressed by either the President or Deputy President of the country. After the event, the leaders are briefed andthen follow-up through site visits to see if the concerns of residents have been addressed.

ugu District Municipality in nuMBers

4 908 km² the area covered by the municipality 112 km the length of the municipality’s coastline 85 the number of municipal wards 40 the number of traditional council areas 4 the number of local municipalities

parliaMent coMes to town “Your effort in ensuring parliament is taken to the ordinary citizens is commendable and most welcome,” said Councillor Mthiyane. Along with President Ramaphosa, the Mayor was joined by KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomsa Dube-Ncube, who acknowledged the water challenges faced by the residents of the Ugu District Municipality.

From “burst pipes, leaks, vandalism, illegal connections, low pressure, pump failures and load shedding among other things,” the Premier

informed the community that the provincial govern-ment is working closely with the National Department of Water and Sanitation to resolve the is-sues. A ‘war room’ has been put together, meeting daily to speed up the response.

“The war room has put a turnaround plan in place which includes replacing old pipelines and equipment through Water Services Infrastructure Grant and the Municipal Infrastructure Grants. Some areas are complete and some are budgeted in the 2022/2024 financial year. There is in-sufficient funding available to attend to all areas simultaneously [sic],” the Premier said. “There are planned major bulk projects such as the Vulamehlo Cross-Border Water Supply Scheme (R1.1 billion) and the Harding-Weza Water Supply Scheme (R1.3 billion).”

In his address, which included sections in isiZulu, President Ramaphosa spoke directly to the people of the Ugu District Municipality, placing their issues in the broader context of

municipal management and national government’s developmental mandate.

“In many ways, the challenges facing residents in Ugu District Municipality mirror those of many of our municipalities countrywide,” said the President.

“That is why we should welcome the new Local Government Municipal Systems Amendment Act, which is an important tool for improving the manner in which our municipalities function and for accountability.”

“Among other things, the Act disallows municipal officials from holding political office, defines competency criteria for the appointment of municipal managers and strengthens the framework for performance evaluation,” continued the President.

DiD you Know? the ugu District Municipality was recently recognised for its efforts to implement the extended public works programme at the Kamoso awards. out of 34 categories, the municipality won in 10, including the best performance category.

The President went on to highlight how the Taking Parliament to the People Programme allows state officials to improve how they respond to the concerns of the population by seeing what work has been done, and what still needs to be done.

The President’s closing remarks reflect his broader approach to the relationship between the public and elected officials: “To the people of the Ugu District Municipality I say, ‘join hands with us to make local government stronger here and throughout the province.”

By Sinazo Mkoko

President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State Visit to the UK

Memes of His Excellency, President Cyril Ramaphosa, during his two-day state visit to the United Kingdom (UK) may have been circulating on various social media platforms, but the President didn’t visit the UK to play, he was there to discuss business.

The President honoured the invitation from His Majesty King Charles III with the visit that commenced on Tuesday and ended on Wednesday, 23 November.

Delivering his address to Houses of Parliament in the United Kingdom, President Ramaphosa said the ties between the two countries are old and enduring.

He said over the past three decades, this story of the two countries has been one of trade, investment, tourism, sport, education, art, science and innovation.

He said they see the visit as an opportunity to celebrate the two countries’ modern relationship, as equal partners, working together for the prosperity and security of the people.

“We are grateful that the principles that are represented and safeguarded within these hallowed halls – democracy, liberty, humanity and equality – are now at the centre of our strong and dynamic bilateral relationship. These principles not only guide our interaction with each other.

“These principles also inform our shared perspectives on the difficulties confronting humanity and the opportunities for progress and development.

“Our world today is beset by conflict and instability, by poverty and

UK and SA partnership - a story of trade, investment, science and innovation.

inequality,” - President Ramaphosa. President Rampahosa added that collective action, within the appropriate global governance systems, is now “more important than ever before.”

He said a strong partnership between South Africa and the United Kingdom could make a significant contribution to multilateralism and the achievement of consensus on critical global issues.

“It is essential that we reform the international institutions on which we rely in times of crisis and need. We look to the United Kingdom to raise its voice in favour of more representative and more inclusive international bodies, including the United Nations Security Council and global financial institutions.

“These bodies need to be better equipped to respond to the needs of countries with developing economies,” he said. Touching on the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Rampahosa stated that the pandemic laid bare the huge disparities in wealth, power, technology and health capacity. “It demonstrated both the capabilities and the limitations of institutions of global governance, finance and development. Therefore, as we work to rebuild in the wake of the pandemic, it is essential that we address the inequality within and between nations. Unless we act with urgency and purpose to close the gap between the wealthy and poor, hardship and suffering will only deepen. Instability, conflict and terror will increase,” he said.

On inequality and climate change, President Ramaphosa said the countries that carry the

Sources:SAGov|ThePresidency|UKGov

least responsibility for global warming are most vulnerable to its effects as they do not have the resources needed to adapt to drought, floods and rising sea levels.

“And as they seek to grow, industrialise and diversify their economies, their energy needs will increase and the space they have to reduce emissions will narrow.

This places a responsibility on industrialised nations to contribute substantial resources to low- and middle-income countries to fund their climate actions.

“This is not charity. It is compensation for the harm done – and the harm yet to be done – to people in developing economies as a consequence of the industrialisation of wealthy countries.

“And because a global reduction in emissions benefits all countries and all people, it is also a necessary investment in the future of humanity. We greatly appreciate the commitment of the United Kingdom to the implementation of a just energy transition in South Africa.” - President Ramaphosa

In a joint press release by the two countries, it was confirmed that the UK and South Africa will launch a new agreement on health, building on the work done to address climate and other global challenges.

“Institutions from across the UK and South Africa will undertake research into vital issues from health systems and financing to mental health and surgery.

“The projects formed part of a new agreement to enhance the UK-South

Africa health partnership, signed by the South African Health Minister and UK Health Secretary today at the Francis Crick Institute in London, during the President of South Africa’s State Visit,” the statement read.

According to the statement, the UK and South Africa are also working together to protect global health systems from the increasing threat of climate change. UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly stated: “The UK and South Africa have shown global leadership in joining together to protect people by preventing the spread of dangerous diseases, and by working to halt climate change – including through the ground-breaking Just Energy Transition Partnership, to help countries move away from using fossil fuels.”

according to the PreSidency: Since 2015, the United Kingdom has invested more than R350 million in Newton Fund partnerships with South Africa, reciprocated by a South African investment of R100 million. The activities of the Newton Fund include a programme to train the next generation of radio astronomers in Sub-Saharan Africa, marine food security in the Indian Ocean, bio-medical research and innovation, and support for entrepreneurs in the informal economy.

Over 800 South Africans have benefited from the Chevening Scholarship programme, and there are currently over 130 South African PhD candidates studying in the United Kingdom.

By Jessie Taylor

Overtime and bonuses

The end of the year is often a time to consider your employment package, especially if you’re planning to take leave or are looking forward to a bonus.

But many South African businesses have experienced tough financial times over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic downturn, and this may affect how much your employer can part with at the end of the year.

Here’s what you’re entitled to as an employee:

leave

All employees are entitled to 21 consecutive days of annual leave for every fully paid 12-month cycle. This equates to 15 days each year if the employee works a five-day week, or 18 days if they work a six-day week. Public holidays are not counted as leave.

You will be paid in full during your leave and this will usually form part of your usual salary payment.

Companies are not permitted to reimburse the employee for the leave days except on the termination of employment.

The leave cycle starts on the day of employment and leave days are accrued. This means the number of leave days will start at zero and increase during the 12-month period. Most employers, unless another agreement is in place, will allow for the accrual of leave at the rate of 0.25 days per month in the case of a five-day week worker, or 1.5 days per month for a six-day week worker.

What you should expect to see on your end-of-year payslip

Only those employed for more than 24 hours a month for the same employer may take annual leave. Some companies may close over the festive season and will require employees to take their annual leave over this December and January period. Employers are entitled to stipulate this in your contract. If you decide to take your leave at another time of the year, you may have to take unpaid leave during this shutdown period.

Bonuses

There is no labour law requirement for employers to pay bonuses. However, many companies do have bonus structures in place, especially to incentivise staff performance.

Because bonuses are considered as remuneration, your company must deduct tax from the bonus payment and pay it over to SARS. If the bonus is paid in a form other than cash, it must still be declared to SARS and reflected on the employee’s tax certificate.

There are primarily three types of bonuses employers can pay workers, and they should be stipulated in your employment contract.

1. 13th cheque: A 13th cheque is essentially an additional monthly salary, or 8.33% of the employee’s yearly salary, paid to the employee, most often in December. This payment should be stipulated in your contract and will appear on your payslip. This bonus is not tied to your performance and is instead part of your payment package.

2. Performance bonus: A performance bonus is based on an employee’s individual performance. The conditions around this performance and

payment should be established ahead of time and be laid out in your employment contract, but it is usually based on a percentage of the worker’s salary.

3. Production bonus: This bonus is not measured against individual performance, but rather targets or a rate of production. This bonus is often paid to a team who contributes to the target and is usually divided fairly as a lump sum split between workers, or with each employee receiving the same percentage of their salary.

overTime Overtime pay is money earned outside an employee’s regular working hours or standard shift. According to the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, employees may only work a maximum of 45 hours weekly, or nine hours per day (excluding a lunch break) for fiveday week workers. Those who work six days a week should work eight hours per day (excluding lunch breaks). Employees may work fewer hours depending on their employment contract.

Any time worked over the maximum 45 hours a week or the employee’s contract is considered as overtime. All overtime is voluntary and may only be worked by agreement between employer and employee. Employees may only work 10 hours of overtime a week, or three hours on any one day.

Employees are entitled to remuneration of 1.5 times the normal wage rate for overtime work. Overtime work on a Sunday or public holiday must be remunerated at twice the normal wage rate. The employer may also offer the worker

time off in compensation of overtime. Overtime pay is taxed and must be clearly marked on the employee’s payslip. It may affect how much income tax an employee must pay.

negoTiaTe Beyond your Bonus

South African companies and workers have a tough economic climate this year, and many businesses may want to play it safe and hold back on substantial bonuses to keep the company stable.

If your company has decided not to pay bonuses, that doesn’t mean you can’t negotiate extra benefits for yourself.

Consider approaching your employer for alternative perks that will not require extensive financial outputs. The biggest bargaining chips you, as an employee, have are flexibility and career development, and you can present these to your employers as a way to ease financial pressure and ensure improved future career prospects for both of you.

Some alternatives you may like are flexible work arrangements, mapped-out career progression, mentorship and coaching, additional time off and sabbaticals, or additional mental health benefits.

Most companies will be invested in finding ways to ensure they continue to attract and retain talent and would likely welcome creative ways to reward their employees.

By Jessie Taylor

Data privacy: Five trends around how your data is being protected

As our world becomes increasingly more digital, every online interaction leaves a trail of personal data. Protecting this data has been the aim of scores of regulations enacted across the world in recent years, and we’re likely to see an increasing investment of time, energy and resources into data privacy over the next few years.

Data privacy is a form of data protection that deals with the correct handling of personal information. It focuses on the rights of individuals and the way organisations collect, process, store, manage and share personal data. Not only does data privacy deal with the way information is

handled it also looks at what rights individuals have to privacy and their information protected.

Here are five daTa privacy mega Trends To look ouT for:

1. increased regulation

The EU has been at the forefront of data privacy reform since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) was passed in 2018, with the aim of creating a safer digital ecosystem through consumer protections.

Since 2018, more than 60 countries have enacted or proposed privacy or data protection laws. This is set to increase, with around 80% of the world’s population likely to have

its personal information covered by privacy regulations in the next few years, according to a Ready Assess report by Price Waterhouse Cooper.The continent has also seen a proliferation of data privacy regulations, with Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Zimbabwe and others implementing new laws or reforming older legal frameworks.

These new regulations will equate to new challenges for businesses, especially as data privacyimpacts fields such as advertising and marketing. The regulations are likely to be increasingly difficult for businesses trading internationally to navigate, with different territories having different legislations in place.

Companies will increasingly need high-demand staff trained in sTem disciplines, law and ethics

There is already a global of cybersecurity talent, including privacy professionals, and the increased demand for advanced skills could put further strain on the industry.

3. 3Digital trust first

With the increased focus on data privacy, consumers are expected to show preference towards companies that favour transparency in their data-sharing practices. Estimates are that around half of consumers are willing to switch companies because of their data-sharing policies.

automation technologies. The global spending could increase to around $8 billion globally as companies seek out more innovative technology to address challenges in the data privacy landscape.

5. data localisation

2. Talent shortage

As data privacy demand grows, so will the demand for people who can apply complex privacy requirements to business problems. This is likely to see a talent shortage as companies begin to redesign their operations around trusted technology and data ethics standards.

Companies will increasingly need high-demand staff trained in STEM disciplines, law and ethics. As the fields of technology and law inform the data privacy regulations, software and hardware engineers will find they require privacy expertise, while lawyers will need to have a broader understanding of technology.

Companies will find themselves having to relook at their data privacy policies in an effort to protect consumer data and retain their customers. This is important if they hope to maintain their revenue – those that maintain digital trust could see increased digital commerce profits compared to companies that don’t value data privacy.

For companies to keep their consumers’ trust, they will need to practice transparency by openly communicating how they process and manage personal data

4. increased investment in privacy technology

As companies work to meet changing data privacy regulations, and with the promise of retaining clients and increasing revenue, they will need to increase their investment in privacy technology. Estimates say that around 70% of companies will need to invest in programmes that include privacy-enhancing and

The move towards localising data appears to be growing, especially as the international transfer of data becomes more complicated under new regulations. Many countries are suggesting localisation as a way to protect data. They are implementing regulations that require data to be kept within a country’s borders and are becoming popular in new legislation.

This could hamper companies operating on an international scale, especially if they deal with sensitive data such as health information, as different regions have different

Data privacy impacts both individuals and businesses. Privacy laws seek to give people control over their data and empower them to choose how it is being used, by whom and for what reasons. To meet this growing demand from individuals, businesses need to look at the way they process personal data. Almost every company will interact with personal data at some point and will have to ensure they are compliant with regulations and have transparent processes in place.

Failure to do so could result not only in regulatory fines but also in the loss of customers and revenue.

By Sinazo Mkoko

December is the month of reconciliation

worlD aiDS Day

The world commemorates World AIDS Day on 1 December with an aim to not only remember those who have died but to also unite communities across the globe in the fight against HIV and show support for people living with HIV. The day is crucial as it reminds the public that HIV has not gone away and that there is the need to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education to maintain and achieve the aims and objectives of the country as set out in the National Strategic Plan on HIV, STIs and TB 2012-2016.

international Day of PerSonS with DiSaBilitieS

Disability inclusion is an essential condition for upholding human rights, sustainable development, and peace and security. The International Day of Persons with Disabilities aims to ensure that this is achieved globally.

UNESCO states: “It is also central to the promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development to leave no one behind. The commitment to realising the rights of persons with disabilities is not only a matter of justice; it is an investment in a common future.”

Day of reconciliation

December is known as the “month of reconciliation”. December 16 was adopted at the very beginning of our democracy when it was “envisioned that reconciliation, peace and stability would be a defining character of our new democratic dispensation.” The day was celebrated for the first time as a public holiday in 1995 and the country’s first non-racial and democratic government was tasked with promoting national unity. One way it aimed to do this was to acknowledge the significance of the 16 December for all concerned and to rename it the Day of Reconciliation.

24 JanUary

international Day of eDucation oBServanceS

Celebrated every year on January 24, the day provides an opportunity to look at education from a broader perspective. According to UNESCO, the day is created to campaign for better education reforms and improve access to education for all. It’s a day to celebrate and advocate for access to education.”The day is a call for action — bringing individuals, civil society, and policymakers to take solid steps towards ensuring that primary and secondary education is given to children, as well as improving youth engagement in education.”

24 JanUary

worlD Day for african anD afroDeScenDant culture

This day aims to celebrate the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world, and promotes them as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue and peace. The African heritage is a rich source of the world’s shared heritagea and “promoting African and Afrodescendant culture is crucial for the development of the continent, and for humanity as a whole,” says UNESCO.

25 JanUary

international Day of woMen in MultilateraliSM

On 23 November 2021 when UNESCO’s General Conference adopted Resolution 41 C/57 declaring 25 January as the International Day of Women in Multilateralism. The purpose of this Day is to recognise the essential role played by women in the promotion of human rights, peace and sustainable development within the multilateral system. UNESCO is committed to provide a global platform to open up horizons for new generations of women and enable them to co-shape multilateral decisions that will have an impact on the future.

BY FIONA WAKELIN

Who are the top 5 wealthiest women in Africa?

And who has tumbled from the top?

Looking at the list of the richest women in Africa, what is striking is that acquiring billionaire status does not happen overnight. Everyone featured here has spent a lifetime investing in, and growing, their entrepreneurial empires. Silver hair and gold in the bank!

1. FOLORUNSHO ALAKIJA - A NIGERIAN BILLIONAIRE

Fifty years ago Folorunsho started out in the fashion industry and today her business interests include real estate, oil and gas and printing.

She is the owner of several groups of companies including Dayspring Property Development Company Limited, a real estate company which owns properties around the globe, as well as Rose of Sharon Prints and Promotions.

Folorunsho is also Executive Director of FAMFA Oil, her family-owned oil production company.

2. NGINA KENYATTA - THE MOTHER OF CURRENT KENYAN PRESIDENT, UHURU KENYATTA

Nearing her ninth decade Ngina Kenyatta is a billionaire with a portfolio which includes investments, banking, media and the dairy industry.

“Mama Kenyatta” has a 24.91% share in the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA) – she also owns shares in Media Max, a media company that owns K24 TV, Kameme Radio, and The People newspaper.

3. HAJIA BOLA SHAGAYA WHO ALSO HAILS FROM NIGERIA

With a current net worth of almost a billion US, Hajia Bola started out as an auditor for the Central Bank of Nigeria and then her entrepreneurial verve kicked in! She started an empire by importing Konica photographic equipment for resale. Nearly 40 years later she is CEO of Bolmus Group International with interests in oil, real estate, banking, and photography. Hajia founded Practoil Limited, and in 2005 became its managing director. Today Practoil is one of the largest importer and distributors of base oil in Nigeria today.

4. WENDY APPELBAUM IS THE RICHEST WOMAN IN SOUTH AFRICA AND THE 4TH WEALTHIEST ON THE CONTINENT

Wendy Appelbaum is the daughter of Liberty Group founder Donald Gordon and the owner and Chair of De Morgenzon Wine Estate. Previously, Wendy also served as the Deputy-Chairman of the Women’s Investment Portfolio Limited (Wiphold Limited), which is a renowned women’s investment holding company that is listed on JSE. Overall, Wendy is also a director of Sphere Holdings (Pty) Ltd, which is a black empowerment company addressing financial services in mining sectors. In 2015, she was awarded both the Forbes Woman Businesswoman of the Year, and the Forbes Africa Woman of the Year.

5. WENDY ACKERMAN – FMCG POWERHOUSE

Wendy Ackerman is one of the founders and an Executive Director of Pick ‘n Pay Stores. Along with her husband Raymond Ackerman, Wendy has been a tremendous force in building up one of South Africa’s leading FMCG retailers, which, to date, consists of over 450 stores, with the inclusion of 121 supermarkets and 14 hypermarkets. The company extends its food and retail services across South Africa, southern Africa and even Australia, and has employed an estimated 49,000 people over the years. Wendy received an Inyathelo Award for her family’s philanthropic efforts in 2007.

A CAUTIONARY TALE

For many years Isabel Dos Santos, daughter of Angolan President, José Eduardo dos Santos, topped the list as the richest woman in Africa. Currently in self-imposed exile in Dubai she is embroiled in legal battles while watching her empire implode.

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