Women and children are the heartbeat of our homes and communities, and any harm that befalls them shatters the very core of society. It is therefore our collective responsibility to protect them and ensure that they are not harmed in anyway.

We are reminded once again to take an active stand against any form of violence, harassment or abuse against women and children as we commemorate 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children from 25 November to 10 December 2024.

The tragic cases of food-borne illnesses have brought to the fore pressing concerns over the health, safety and hygiene standards in community retail outlets. While these outlets provide a valuable service to communities, their inadequate hygiene practices often leave communities vulnerable to foodborne illnesses.

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.