Dear MyPE The Departments of Social Development and Basic Education have sent mixed messages on the reopening of the Early Childhood Development (ECD) sector. The Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, on Friday, gazetted directions on the reopening of the ECD sector. The directions indicate that the sector would reopen on 6 July 2020. This stands in contrast to a circular sent out on the same day by the Acting Director-General of the Department of Social Development, Linton … [Read more...] about Government sends mixed messages on reopening of Early Childhood Development sector
Coronavirus
Shambolic Sports and Arts Covid-19 relief funding
Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) is demanding transparency from the Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa, on his department’s shambolic handling of the R150 million Arts and Sports Sector Relief Fund. We have received several complaints from athletes and artists who have successfully applied for relief funding but are yet to receive any payments from the department. They have sent numerous emails to follow up but never received any response, the DA’s emails and … [Read more...] about Shambolic Sports and Arts Covid-19 relief funding
Minister Dlamini Zuma lied to the nation and must be fired
Dear MyPE It appears that Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma lied to South Africans in her justification for the continued ban on the sale of cigarettes and other tobacco products. If this is indeed the case, then President Ramaphosa surely has no choice but to fire her from his cabinet. On 29 April, in a televised briefing of the regulations for Level 4 of the lockdown, Minister Dlamini Zuma claimed that government’s decision to … [Read more...] about Minister Dlamini Zuma lied to the nation and must be fired
Tourism resumes limited operations in June
Relief funding for tour guides South Africans, who have been confined to their homes, will now be allowed to venture out for hikes from 1 June when the country moves to level 3 of the lockdown. As of next month, hiking is permitted - provided it is done in compliance with existing guidelines and not in groups. Tourism Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane made the announcement when she outlined plans for the gradual return of the sector in a briefing on Saturday. In addition to hiking, … [Read more...] about Tourism resumes limited operations in June
Tourism relief fund applications close on 31 May 2020
Tourism recovery plan The application window for the COVID-19 Tourism Relief Fund will close on 31 May 2020. The Tourism Relief Fund provides a once-off capped grant of R50 000 per entity to subsidise expenses towards fixed costs, operational costs and other pressure cost items. To date, more than 6 000 completed applications for grant assistance have been received from across the country. A large bulk of the applications were from businesses that provide accommodation services (2 … [Read more...] about Tourism relief fund applications close on 31 May 2020
Travel restrictions eased as millions return to school and work on Monday
Port Elizabeth Airport will resume operations in Phase 1 With millions of citizens set to return to work, school and institutions of higher learning when the country moves to COVID-19 lockdown level 3, Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula has announced that public transport will operate throughout the day. However, capacity restrictions remain, with minibus taxis still only permitted a 70% loading capacity. Buses are still expected to adhere to a maximum loading capacity of 50%, taking due … [Read more...] about Travel restrictions eased as millions return to school and work on Monday
Are Our Political Leaders Meerkats?
As the lockdown starts to ease across the world, we knocked on the door of Estienne de Beer, a motivational speaker on the USA, UK and South African circuit about his popular Meerkat Motivation message and how it applies to the current situation. The concept of lockdown is not new to the meerkat species. Consequently, meerkats have become highly skilled and successful at dealing with lockdowns underground and at navigating their uncharted "business world." There are parallels in the way … [Read more...] about Are Our Political Leaders Meerkats?
Coronavirus: Are children able to adhere to social distancing? – Lockdown News
Coronavirus: Are children able to adhere to social distancing?: Media captionEmily King will not be taking her children to see their grandparents when the rules change on Monday How difficult will it be for children to social distance when they see loved ones for ... Source: "Coronavirus Lockdown" - BingNews. Weekend lockdown breakers WILL be fined, police warn as UK braces for mass rule breaking: Police chiefs and MPs have complained that the Government is putting them into an impossible … [Read more...] about Coronavirus: Are children able to adhere to social distancing? – Lockdown News
Coronavirus: Current lockdown plans are ‘confusing’ for the vulnerable millions shielding, government warned – Lockdown News
Coronavirus: Current lockdown plans are 'confusing' for the vulnerable millions shielding, government warned: Charities say messaging to the group is "currently confused" after the PM vowed to "say more" on shielding people "soon". Source: "Coronavirus Lockdown" - BingNews. Lockdown restrictions lifted before experts ready to lower coronavirus threat level from ‘high’, No 10 admits: Lockdown restrictions are being lifted in England before experts are ready to cut the threat level from … [Read more...] about Coronavirus: Current lockdown plans are ‘confusing’ for the vulnerable millions shielding, government warned – Lockdown News
Coronavirus: Johnson hints at pubs opening before July as lockdown measures ease – Lockdown News
Coronavirus: Johnson hints at pubs opening before July as lockdown measures ease: The PM hopes the two-metre social distancing rule could soon be reduced to help hospitality businesses reopen faster. Source: "Coronavirus Lockdown" - BingNews. Coronavirus: Pret A Manger to reopen 200 more shops after lockdown: Sandwich and coffee chain Pret A Manger will reopen more than 200 shops for takeaway and delivery from 1 June, following the coronavirus lockdown. Source: "Coronavirus Lockdown" - … [Read more...] about Coronavirus: Johnson hints at pubs opening before July as lockdown measures ease – Lockdown News
Coronavirus: R number ‘very similar’ across UK – Lockdown News
Coronavirus: R number 'very similar' across UK: Coronavirus cases are falling at roughly the same rate across the UK, according to a leading scientist advising the government. Prof Graham Medley said there was no evidence of differences in the ... Source: "Coronavirus Lockdown" - BingNews. Coronavirus UK LIVE: Boris Johnson eases lockdown rules as deaths top 37,000 and last Clap for NHS could be tonight: BORIS Johnson has eased lockdown measures further, revealing groups of six can meet in … [Read more...] about Coronavirus: R number ‘very similar’ across UK – Lockdown News
Real Estate receives go-ahead for Level 3
Breaking news has just confirmed that the real estate industry will be resuming operations under Level 3 lockdown on 1 June. The announcement has been met with widespread relief and excitement from industry professionals, as well as buyers, sellers, landlords and tenants who have been left in limbo since 27 March. According to Tony Clarke, MD of the Rawson Property Group, permission to operate under Level 3 is the result of extended lobbying by the industry. The Rawson Property Group’s … [Read more...] about Real Estate receives go-ahead for Level 3
100-point plan implemented to protect employees on site
Uitenhage plant restarts production in line with Level 4 lockdown regulations Uitenhage - Following a gradual ramp-up of its local production, the Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) plant in Uitenhage has resumed its manufacturing operations. In line with the regulations pertaining to Level 4 of lockdown, VWSA production was restarted on 4 May, with essential employees returning to work in a phased approach. The company has since started exporting Polos to various markets, in … [Read more...] about 100-point plan implemented to protect employees on site
Emerging trends to look out for as rental market responds to Covid-19
Like most real estate sectors, the rental market has been deeply affected by Covid-19 and landlords around the country have had to adapt quickly in order to make the most of a difficult situation. According to Jacqui Savage, National Rentals Manager for the Rawson Property Group, these are the four biggest trends hitting the market since lockdown began. 1. Negotiated payment plans With countless citizens facing reduced salaries or job losses thanks to lockdown, it’s no surprise that … [Read more...] about Emerging trends to look out for as rental market responds to Covid-19
Providing Healthcare Support to the Local Community
Logistics Assistance to Business' Collaborative Healthcare Support Initiative Isuzu is a partner for the long run, particularly when it comes to becoming proactively involved in providing healthcare support to the local community during the COVID-19 crisis. For the past few weeks Isuzu's Vehicle Conversion and Distribution Centre (VCDC) in Markman Industrial Township, Port Elizabeth, was made available to serve as a centralised logistics and distribution hub for medical supplies … [Read more...] about Providing Healthcare Support to the Local Community
