Parliament invites submissions on changes to Constitution

Members of the public can have their say on which parts of the Constitution they believe should be reviewed after Parliament’s joint constitutional review committee on Thursday extended an invitation for submissions.

The Constitution has been in the limelight more than ever over since the Constitutional Court on March 31 ruled that the Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s remedial action must be adhered to in the case of the millions of rands of state money spent on non-security upgrades to President Jacob Zuma’s home in Nkandla.

Also, in an interview with Economic Freedom Fighters leader, Julius Malema, broadcast by Al-Jazeera on Sunday evening, Malema questioned if it was time for the Constitution to be tested over whether it was still necessary to pay compensation when land was expropriated.

Section 45 (1)(c) of the Constitution stipulates the committee must review the Constitution at least annually.

Further information and written submissions can be sent to Ms Pat Jayiya, Committee Section, PO Box 15, Cape Town 8000; or delivered to W/S 3/091, 90 Plein St. For more information, tel: 021 403 3661, fax 0865 141 638, cell 081 441 0345 or email pjayiya@parliament.gov.za.

The closing date is May 31 2016. The submissions would then discussed at public hearings but were unlikely to be heard before the August 3 elections, according to previous meetings on the issue.

Copies of the Constitution are available from the nearest offices of the department of justice and constitutional development, the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) or from a Multipurpose Community Centre.

Source: News24

SA Home Affairs targets transnational crime

The Department of Home Affairs said transnational crimes such as terrorism, drug-trafficking, illegal arms, money-laundering and illegal migration would come under the microscope once again, following a high-level delegation meeting with Kenyan authorities this week.

Minister of Home Affairs Malusi Gigaba, who led the delegation to Kenya, said these particular issues were preventing a strong push by African authorities to implement free movement plans for travellers on the continent.

The meeting took place at the request of Gigaba’s Kenyan counterpart Joseph Nkaissery.

“While hailing the warm and cordial relations which continue to flourish between Kenya and South Africa, and noting that the free movement of people is key to further enhancing these excellent bilateral relations, the two Ministers concurred that this particular visit offered the prime opportunity for deepening the ties and expanding the scope of collaboration between the two countries,” read a statement released by the Department of Home Affairs this week.

“The two Ministers lauded this visit as a way of opening an important door to the establishment of a high-level strategic dialogue that will ensure issues are resolved amicably and expeditiously.

“The two Ministers reviewed the status of implementation of the decisions of the various technical meetings in the area of immigration, especially the meetings of 4th August and 9th – 11th November, 2015 held in Nairobi and Pretoria, respectively,” continued the statement.

Despite the apparent hurdles, the two delegations were able to agree on certain areas.

Among them were the following:

– Visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports.
– Decrease of service fee from $71 to $49.
– Issuing of three-year multiple entry visa for frequent travellers.
– Ten year multiple entry visa for frequent business travellers and academics.
– Issuing of study visas for the duration of study (including extending permanent residence to those studying within the critical skills category).
– Removal of transit visas for travellers transiting through South African airports.
– Hon. Gigaba will meet with representatives of the Kenyan/South African private sector with a view to learning the challenges faced by the Kenyan business community in their travels to South Africa as well as exchanging views on how to ease the business people’s visa requests.

Zahara to perform at AZGO Festival in Mozambique

Azgo festival is one of the biggest international arts festivals happening on the 20th and 21st of May 2016 in Maputo, Mozambique.
The word Azgo is an old slang word from Maputo meaning, “Lets go.”
The festival is aimed at celebrating cultural diversity and to honour musicians from Mozambique and the world at large.

Together with Mozambique’s finest, this year will see the likes of Swaziland singer Bholoja, Angolan singer Paulo Flores, and Mzansi’s very own Dj Kenzhero and country girl singer Zahara Mkutukana.

Zahara’s latest and 2nd album Country girl went gold in the first week of its release in 2015.
This hitmaker is currently touring Switzerland sharing her music and has been nominated forBest R&B/Soul/Reggae Album and Best Produced Album of the Year at the South African Musc Awards.

Duo moves from Blitzboks to focus on Boks

South Africa Sevens have suffered a setback after both Damian de Allende and Warren Whiteley pulled out of the squad to focus on Fifteens.

The centre and number eight for the Stormers and Lions respectively have, according to SuperSport, told coach Neil Powell of their decision.

“Unfortunately for us, both Damian and Warren withdrew from the Olympics,” Powell told the website in a setback ahead of the Paris event.

“Both of them really want to focus on their Fifteens career and hope to make the side to play against Ireland in June.”

Powell added: “It is a bit of a blow for us, but I am still confident that we have more than enough players to cover the positions that Warren and Damian played in and obviously they still had to come in and prove they could play Sevens.

“Both of them would have played in the forwards, and I am still happy with the forwards we have for those tournaments. The team we have will be strong enough to take a good team to Rio.”

South Africa currently sit in second position on the World Rugby Sevens Series standings with just two rounds remaining, in Paris and London.

How to ask for a raise at work with confidence

Approaching your boss about anything, positive or negative, can be extremely daunting, especially when you’re not sure of the outcome. So if you’re in a position where you feel you deserve a raise, but don’t know how to bring it up, we’re here to help. Ziva Meditation founder Emily Fletcher, who also created the world’s first online meditation training, zivaMIND, has shared her top advice on how to ask for a raise with confidence.

So how does she suggest you begin? “We don’t get what we want; we get what we negotiate,” she said, according to Mind Body Green. “If you go into your boss’s office with a mindset of ‘I am valuable,’ you will likely have a much better outcome than if you go in with a mindset of ‘I’m not enough.’ People respond to nonverbal cues, so by cultivating an air of confidence and calmness you will set yourself up for a more successful interaction before you even open your mouth.”

Once you’ve mastered the right mindset, she suggests viewing the situation as a conversation rather than a request. So rather than waiting for a yes or no response from your boss, take the time to explain your accomplishments and how you feel you should best be compensated.

“If you receive a negative response, take the opportunity to negotiate and advocate for yourself,” Emily recommends.

Before going straight in with your proposal, it’s best to practise your conversation with someone who can embody your employer. Tell them to be ready to disagree and don’t hold back on making comments, so you can be prepared for the worst. This will allow you to calmly and effectively come up with a response that will result in the outcome you desire, and with several different run-throughs you’ll be ready for whatever could come.

Another important part of this process is being open to what’s offered, Emily stressed. If you go in with a set idea or number in mind, that will come across during the chat with your boss and the less willing you are to budge, the less empathetic they will be to your needs. Overall, aim for a positive result, and you may end up coming out with more than you bargained for.

Lastly, Emily notes you should embrace your fear and not let it hold you back. “When you recognise that your beliefs about how much you deserve actually affect how much you receive, you’re better able to enter the situation with confidence and a sense of worthiness – which ultimately leads to a better result,” she explained.

© Cover Media

Middle aged men without friends at risk of health problems

Men who lack a strong social network are more likely to suffer health issues like a stroke or depression, research has found.



Initiative beyondblue, which raises awareness for mental health problems like anxiety, found that males who are facing isolation and loneliness as they head into middle age are five times more at risk of dying from the problems mentioned above, as well as high blood pressure and heart disease.



They are also more prone to psychological distress, as they have no one to discuss their feelings and thoughts with. A report by beyondblue found 25 per cent of 30 men, aged 65, had no one aside from their immediate family to rely on. On top of this, 37 per cent reported not being happy with the strength and quality of their relationships, and often felt they weren’t supported or connected enough emotionally.



“Many men want greater openness with their friends and to be able to talk about personal problems, but admit they don’t always have the skills or tools to initiate these conversations, or understand how to respond when a friend opens up to them,” researchers shared.



Dr Stephen Carbone, head of the project, explained that social support is used as a protective mechanism against mental health issues like depression, and that it proves valuable in diffusing stressful situations.



While Dr Carbone notes it’s not every middle-aged man will suffer such grievances, he does believe they will do better in the long run with friends.



So why are friendships difficult as men get older? Issues such as expectations and cultural norms associated with masculinity were identified, though these do not provide a proper explanation.



“There are nuances below that, such as changes in family circumstances, or financial issues, or changes in work, or people moving away from where they grew up, or middle-aged men not keeping up with sport and losing contact with that group of friends,” Dr Carbone added on other aspects that may play a big part in this subject.



His words of advice: don’t stop making the effort. Social networks need to be kept alive by regular contact, even if the man in question is feeling sluggish and tired after a long day at work.



Another expert, Dr Elizabeth Celi, a psychologist and men’s mental health specialist, urges men to open up more too, and says that males should never compare their bonds to women’s.



© Cover Media

Why we love #Shotleft - MiCasa

There is absolutely nothing to hate about the music group Micasa. They have great music, dances, lyrics and are lovely people. The group which is currently on a tour of the nine provinces of South Africa with South African Tourism explained why they are doing the project yesterday at Karibu Leisure Resort in Tzaneen, which is part of their Shotleft tour.

“We didn’t win a tender to do this,” joked Micasa singer J Something. “We just came up with an idea that resonated with what SA Tourism wants to do, to get people travelling our beautiful provinces,” he explained.

J Something went on to explain how these trips not only enrich the lives of the traveller but also those of the places they travel to. “As much as travelling is about yourself, the next you travel, think of the jobs you are creating just by doing that. Look around at the people who are serving you at the hotel and tour guides and operators, you are helping the economy by travelling.”

The group said they are asked if they get tired of the travels and doing the ‘same thing’ all the time, “We hardly do the same thing all the time because all our provinces have so many different things to offer. Also when we travel we get to learn a lot about each other as a people, which helps us understand each other better.’’

Micasa went on to explain their popular hit Chocolat explaining that the reason they made it was to show people that the world has diversity and people should embrace it. “The song talks about white, dark and all types of chocolates and that’s how diverse all humans are and we all prefer certain types of chocolate and there is nothing wrong with that.”

Micasa is currently riding the waves with their album Home Sweet Home with Chocolat being one of the leading singles.

©Drum

SA petrol price to keep rising in 2016

According to economists, if the rand doesn’t strengthen, South Africans can expect several petrol price hikes for the rest of 2016.

The petrol price is expected to go up by 12c a litre in May, says the Automobile Association. The price of diesel, however, will drop by four cents.

Economist Dawie Roodt says, “The only thing that will save us from a further increase in the petrol price soon will be a strengthening currency and fortunately for us the rand hasn’t been doing too badly.

“But I’m afraid this is only temporary and over time I think we have to get used to the fact that petrol prices are going to be much higher that what it is at the moment.”

Cold front to hit Gauteng and Cape Town

Gauteng and Cape Town should expect chilly conditions this week, according to the South African Weather Service.

The cold front is moving towards the south east coast, but no rain expected in and around Johannesburg.

Forecaster Kgolofelo Mahlangu said, “Through to Wednesday, the rest of the country is not expecting any rainfall. The cool temperatures are still to persist all the way through to Wednesday for most places except those in the north – that’s from Centurion all the way to Limpopo and Mpumalanga.”

How to take care of your hands

Wear gloves when you work with any detergent. Whether it’s hand-washing your undies, quickly rinsing a couple of glasses, or scrubbing the bathroom basin, it’s best to keep your hands covered.



Apply all your facial skincare products to the back of your hands too. You won’t necessarily use more – just dab the last bit of serum, cream or mask onto your hands instead of rinsing or wiping it off your fingers or palms.



Replenish moisture with hand cream every time you rinse or wash your hands, and apply sunscreen to the back of your hands and your forearms every single day.