Imagine a South Africa that is free from Gender Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF), where women and children feel safe to fully participate and thrive in our communities. Turning this dream into a reality is possible if everyone commits to ending violence against the most venerable in society.
Many of us go through challenging periods in life and when these difficult times arise, it is crucial that we seek support from family and friends or a trained professional. The issue of mental health is oftentimes misunderstood and there is usually a stigma around it.
However, it is a reality of the fast-paced world that we live in and we must do more to create public awareness about mental health-related issues. October is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about mental health matters.
In August last year, President Cyril Ramaphosa met chairpersons and chief executives of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) to discuss accelerating the implementation of measures to ensure that these entities perform optimally and meet their constitutional mandate.
During the meeting, the President was upfront about the crucial role of SOEs in growing the economy, along with the importance of stabilising their finances and promoting good governance.
South Africa is on a path to transform its electricity system that will in future end load shedding and ultimately lower the price of electricity for all South Africans. The recent signing into law of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act creates a competitive and sustainable electricity sector that meets our nation’s energy needs.
Everyone loves a great deal, but sometimes a deal is too good to be true. When you are offered goods well below the normal price, there is a good chance that you are unwittingly partaking in the purchase of illicit or counterfeit goods.
Replicas of original or branded products are considered counterfeit goods and their trade is illegal. Counterfeit products are often poorly formulated and pose serious risks to people’s health, safety and our economy.
Breathing is a natural process that few people give a second thought towards. The clean fresh air that we often take for granted is made possible by trees, which convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. They are nature’s miracle and our defence against pollution, which is often present in our cities.
South Africa has come a long way in ensuring that female excellence shines through in all sectors of society. Since 1994, we have seen women represented in every sphere of society, and even in roles that were previously only the domain of men.
As we conclude our Women’s Month celebration, we remember the many women of our nation who have defied the odds and excelled. This year has been a great year for female excellence and we recently witnessed our women in sports doing exceptional things at the Paris Olympic Games.
Everyday women take on different roles in their lives. These include being mothers, partners, educators and caregivers and simultaneously fulfil positions such as entrepreneurs, leaders and professionals. Considering the instrumental and dynamic roles of women in our society, it is our responsibility to protect and empower them.
We should provide women with the tools, resources, skills and opportunities they require to make their dreams a lived reality. By practically empowering women there are no limits to what can be achieved.
Ending Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) is the one thing that all of us agree upon, yet it continues to plague society on an almost daily basis. Hardly a day goes by without another heart-wrenching story of a women or child being hurt, abused or murdered.
Most people begin their day by scrolling through their phones to catch up on news, or current affairs, or by listening to radio or tuning into TV. Being accurately informed on current affairs and updated on the world around us relies on the prerequisite of a free and independent media.
Media Freedom is one of the many rights upheld by the South African constitution. Our constitution declares: “Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes freedom of the press and other media”.
