On 21 April the President of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa addressed the nation on the next steps during the Lockdown. https://youtu.be/3sWa7M4P-Vk 3 Phase Economic Response: Mid March - National Disaster Declaration with relief measures April - Stabilise the economy, intrduce a R500 Billion support package Near Future - Measures to stimulate demand and supply using such things as a massive infrastructure building programme. R130 Billion of current budget to be utilised in the … [Read more...] about Cyril Ramaphosa Speaks to the Nation – Take Aways
COVID-19
Can You Spare a Tin?
Kindred Kitchen Volunteers Will Pick it up from Your Home in Aid of The Red Cross The coming together of many people, doing just a little bit to help, can have a massive ripple effect on the people around us. The Kindred Kitchen has been issued a “donation license” to assist the Red Cross with essential item donations and they are asking YOU to get involved. There are so many people in desperate need of non-perishable food items, sanitary products, soaps, toothpaste & toilet … [Read more...] about Can You Spare a Tin?
Call For The Designation Of Construction Sector As Essential Services
The construction industry has potential to create employment opportunities to cushion the impact of an anticipated increase in unemployment in the immediate aftermath of the current nation-wide lockdown. This is according to a submission made by the Construction COVID-19 Rapid Response Task Team (CCRR19TT) to motivate for a phased reactivation of the construction Sector. The task team is body representing major organizations in the sector including contractors, property developers, … [Read more...] about Call For The Designation Of Construction Sector As Essential Services
Coronacast – Take Aways and Small Business
We are poised to experience an economic massacre in the small business community Today's Coronacast by the Democratic Alliance featured: John Steenhuisen - DA Leader Zakhele Mbhele - Shadow Minister of Small Business Josie van Aswegen from Fabulous Flowers in Cape Town In the lead up Steenhuisen reminded viewers that tonight Cyril will deal with Economic and Social aspects pertaining to the present Lockdown. The DA is hoping that a solution to the hard lockdown will be … [Read more...] about Coronacast – Take Aways and Small Business
Just How Much The One World, Together at Home Global Concert Raised
Global concert raises over US$127 million for COVID-19 support https://youtu.be/j0_4DuglJkQ The One World, Together at Home global concert - organised to raise funds to fight the COVID-19 pandemic - has raised over US$127 million. The eight-hour concert which took place on Saturday was co-organised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with Global Citizen’s Hugh Evans and musician Lady Gaga. “I’d like to start by thanking the many musicians, comedians and humanitarians who made … [Read more...] about Just How Much The One World, Together at Home Global Concert Raised
UIF pays out COVID-19 benefits to workers
A total of 606 462 employees who have lost their income as a result of the lockdown imposed to mitigate against the spread of COVID-19 will receive their benefit from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF). To date, the UIF has received just over 55 268 applications from employers representing about 1 601 767 employees. In total, the UIF has over 1 800 000 employers registered on its database representing more than 8 million workers. Of the received applications, the UIF has processed 37 673 … [Read more...] about UIF pays out COVID-19 benefits to workers
Practical steps to boost security for your suddenly-remote workforce
For many organisations, the sudden move from an on-premise to a remote workforce has created unexpected information security risks. “For those enterprises that had not yet implemented a remote work strategy, the sudden lockdown left little time for them to roll out remote working security solutions. It was a matter of keeping business going as best they could, despite the risks,” says Martin Potgieter, co-founder & Technical Director at Nclose. With the likelihood growing that some … [Read more...] about Practical steps to boost security for your suddenly-remote workforce
What Will Cyril Say Tonight?
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation this evening – Tuesday, 21 April 2020 – on additional economic and social relief measures that form part of the national response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The President’s address flows from recent deliberations at Cabinet, the National Coronavirus Command Council, the President’s Coordinating Council, and the National Economic Development and Labour Council, among others. The Presidency will in the course of the day announce the time for … [Read more...] about What Will Cyril Say Tonight?
Minister Nxesi assesses COVID-19 operations at UIF
The UIF Call Centre has been experiencing system failures due to the influx of calls Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi is today conducting a walkabout at the Johannesburg office of the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) that is handling a massive number of claims related to COVID-19. The Minister’s visit to the centre on Monday, comes as the country marks day 25 of the nationwide lockdown aimed at curbing the spread of the virus. In an effort to provide income support to workers … [Read more...] about Minister Nxesi assesses COVID-19 operations at UIF
NYDA relieves distressed youth-owned enterprises
The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) has launched the Youth Micro Enterprises Relief Fund (YMERF) aimed at assisting youth-owned enterprises, which might not qualify for other funds. “This fund will respond to challenges facing youth-owned businesses, such as the inability to pay employees, lack of income and waiting periods for other funding mechanisms. “Funding will be capped at R10 000 for every qualifying business. More details about the NYDA Youth Micro Enterprise Relief … [Read more...] about NYDA relieves distressed youth-owned enterprises
Public urged to air their views in COVID-19 survey
Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) has launched an online survey to gauge the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the public. In a statement on Monday, Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke said accurate, real-time statistics are of utmost importance in times of crisis. “These surveys will be used to see how COVID-19 has impacted the population, and will be used by government to inform their strategy going forward. For us to win this fight, the decisions we make must be evidenced-based,” he … [Read more...] about Public urged to air their views in COVID-19 survey
This company is also involved in local and national measures against Covid-19
VWSA to produce protective face masks in partnership with Gusco and a local Ventilator Uitenhage – In response to the global Covid-19 crisis, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) is focusing its time and attention on the manufacture of masks and medical equipment, which could be crucial in protecting South African citizens from the virus. VWSA has partnered with Gusco, which was previously a beneficiary of the company’s Community Trust, to produce soft fabric face masks aimed at reducing … [Read more...] about This company is also involved in local and national measures against Covid-19
Government must ensure that food production takes place
DA calls for farmers to receive essential service permits directly from Department of Agriculture Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) calls on the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) to open all agriculture offices across the country to issue permits for small-scale farmers. The Department should directly issue essential service permits to small-scale farmers as the current process by which these permits are issued by municipalities, has proven to be … [Read more...] about Government must ensure that food production takes place
Dlamini-Zuma to the Rescue
Dlamini-Zuma comes to rescue Patel from his legal nightmare on cooked food Dear MyPE The Democratic Alliance (DA) notes that the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Nkosasa Dlamini-Zuma has swooped in at the last minute to rescue Trade, Industry and Competition Minister, Ebrahim Patel from a legal challenge which we were set to announce at 2pm today. Dlamini-Zuma has hurriedly amended the lockdown regulations to explicitly ban the sale of cooked foods in an attempt … [Read more...] about Dlamini-Zuma to the Rescue
My Personal Experiences in Reporting a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Breakout
We can all learn from my personal COVID-19 experiences and contribute to making this better the next time A member of staff at my Mother's Retirement Village/Sectional Title Complex was sent home on 6 April 2020 showing signs of flu. Over this past weekend this staff member was diagnosed with COVID-19. Two other staff members who were in close contact were then immediately sent to be tested. The test results are not yet available. As a member of the 4th Estate one would think that I … [Read more...] about My Personal Experiences in Reporting a Coronavirus (COVID-19) Breakout
