Rethink safety... National Home Security month

Private security has become as South African as braai and biltong. According to the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (Psira), South Africans spent just less than R70-billion with security companies in 2013.

And paying for protection against crime came, according to the Institute for Security Studies, a close second to putting food on the table.

“Security is the second basic need after food,” the Institute for Security Studies policing researcher Johan Burger told a newspaper last July. “Those that can afford it, even if it is difficult in the current financial times, will still hang on to private security. It’s not much use if you have everything else but you don’t feel safe.”

Yet despite this, South Africans aren’t nearly as safety-conscious as they most likely believe they are.

While South Africans are highly security conscious – so much so that we rank fourth-highest in the world in terms of average spend after Guatemala, India and Honduras, according to Africa Check – we lag far behind the global curve on home safety.

How many South Africans have invested in fire security, or first aid training? Outside of TV series, do people know what to do in the event of a heart attack or stroke?

South Africans are so focused on securing their persons and property against attack, that it’s easy to forget about overall safety in the home.

That is why we are launching National Home Security Month in June. Imported from the United Kingdom where it has been successfully trialled since 2013, National Home Security Month is aimed at creating awareness around the importance of home security.

While it might seem akin to selling oil to Saudi Arabia, when we look at South African homes and what security products homeowners are buying or investing in, it is clear that there is a need for guidance on the right products and solutions.

National Health Security Month will meet that need by providing South Africans with impartial, independent information, advice and guidance on home security and safety.

When it comes to security, many security-conscious South Africans are not well versed on the different options available, the importance of different security elements, or quality levels and how they differ, and often end up buying the incorrect product for the application, or being duped by unethical service providers.

Let's ensure our vehicles are roadworthy this Easter

We expect our roads to get busier from tomorrow when boarders return from schools countrywide to their homes for the holiday and people travel for the Easter break.

Like the Christmas and New Year holiday, the high traffic volume contributes to the more accidents on our roads, killing and injuring people.

As we do every year, we pray and call for safer road use that limits accidents, injury and death. This is a very important matter for us as any that is a matter of life and death. Last year 10 people died in road accidents during the Easter holiday down from 19 who died over the corresponding period in 2014. It was a 90 percent decline, but one death is too many for us.

Schools will close tomorrow and for boarders that will mark a mass movement to their homes for the first holiday of the year. On Thursday ordinary people will, as is the norm, begin the trek to their rural homes or holiday destinations across the country where they will spend their Easter until Easter Monday when they return home. Christians go on pilgrimages to places of worship during a holiday dedicated to mark the suffering, crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and His rise from death on Sunday.

As a result, road traffic will increase sharply from tomorrow to Monday next week.

Unlike previous years, it is a different situation this year as the increased traffic would be complicated with tricky road conditions amid the prevailing heavy rains.



We advise motorists to always value life. They must avoid attitudes and actions that potentially cause accidents.

Private motorists or those driving public service vehicles must ensure that their vehicles are well serviced and roadworthy.

Every car is inherently a hazard whenever it is being driven on the road, but a jalopy on the road is worse. A vehicle that has worn out tyres, that has poor wipers, malfunctioning lights, a sloppy braking system and so on must not be driven on the roads until it is fixed.

But in the hands of a bad driver, the most roadworthy car can be as dangerous as a rattletrap. Therefore a driver should be in the right mental state, one who is sober, is licensed to handle it and is of the right attitude and frame of mind.

Drivers need to obey road rules by adhering to the stipulated speed limits, avoiding overtaking at prohibited areas and rest when they feel they are too tired to continue driving.

The same message of safe road use must go to passengers and pedestrians as well. They contribute, though on a much smaller scale, to the accidents that happen on our roads. Passengers need not incite drivers to break road rules and should avoid excessive drinking. Pedestrians should walk in designated zones and, if they decide to walk at night, strive to wear white clothes or any clothing items that make it easy for drivers to spot them.

There is a heavier police presence on the roads as officers enforce the law. Officials from the vehicle inspection depot have been deployed as well to check vehicle defects and take corrective action. The TSCZ are playing their educative role.

However, the best policing is that which is undertaken by the individual himself or herself. Our people must obey the law even when they know there is no one watching them, for police and other law enforcement agents are not omnipresent.

We look forward to a happy and safe Easter Holiday for all travellers.


© Chronicle

Nomzamo Mbatha talks about succeeding

Nomzamo Mbatha is a household name. Not only is she known for her appearances in popular TV shows such as Isibaya and Umlilo, but also for her work as the South African ambassador for skincare brand Neutrogena. The star also very much has her head on her shoulders. Nomzamo initially wanted to be an accountant and started studying the subject at UCT. But fame was calling and she had to listen to her heart, so she decided to discontinue her studies and began working towards fulfilling her passion for acting instead.

Coming from a poor family in KwaMashu, KwaZulu-Natal, Nomzamo says it was difficult to make the choice between job security and going into the arts.

“I didn’t grow up in the most privileged home. I think I weighed the “passion versus reason” aspect with regards to what I wanted to do,” she explains.

Nomzamo says that during the time she was studying accounting, all she wanted to do was take care of her family

“My only dream was to go back home and fix my grandmother’s house and take care of my family because they were struggling,” she says. “There are still some who are struggling. I don’t know what it is about me, but I am a nurturer.”

Despite her small stature, there’s a dynamic personality. Nomzamo, who’s also started her own production company, commands the room with her looks as well as her words. “Serving my family is very important to me and drives me to work even harder. I didn’t want my brothers to be unable to attend the schools of their choice because there was no money at home. I wanted to change that narrative for my family.”

© Destiny

12 year old writes anthem for Mandela

A 12-year-old girl was overjoyed when her lyrics were arranged into a song for the 67 Blankets for Mandela campaign.

With lyrics by songwriter Neill Solomon and voices added by PJ Powers, Tim Moloi and Proverb, the anthem for 67 Blankets for Nelson Mandela was released on iTunes last week for R7.99.

Times Live reported the seventh grader, Ella, a pupil at Clifton Prep in KwaZulu-Natal Midlands was honoured to have her lyrics, combined with those of two inmates, were arranged into a song. The inmates, Ntutuzelo Mdingi and Nkosinathi Majola, are from the Zonderwater Prison in Gauteng.

The grade 7 pupil said it was a “great honour”.

“It’s not something usual for a normal girl to write a song and for it to be used in such a big campaign. I’m hoping that it will help raise money for it.”

Her father, Brendan Grealy, a local actor approached his friend to hone the lyrics into a song.

“I thought it would be great if Ella’s lyrics were used for an official song for the 67 Blankets for Mandela campaign,” he said.

The girl is the goddaughter of the founder of the campaign, Carolyn Steyn.

Steyn took the campaign, started two years ago, to Facebook and has reached beyond the borders of SA to countries such as India, Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia and Ghana.

Thousands of blankets have been hand-crafted and distributed to elderly and children’s homes.

American music producer Nate Butler produced another version of the song, featuring the vocals of The Voice USA finalist Blaze Johnson and Moloi for the same price on iTunes.

“That world-famous recording artists agreed to perform is testament to how highly people regard Steyn’s 67 Blankets initiative,” said Brendan.

Newly crowned Miss South Africa's parents proud

The newly crowned Miss South Africa, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene, is thrilled to have made her parents proud with her win.

Speaking to the Daily Sun, she said: “I owe everything to them and my family.”

Kunene’s dream came true on Saturday, when she was crowned Miss SA at the event held in Carnival City in Brakpan, Ekurhuleni.

The 23-year-old said she was shell-shocked when she was announced as the winner.

“I am not sure the fact that I am now Miss South Africa has sunk in yet,” she said.

“As a little girl growing up in the township, I used to model around the house and even practise my winning speech in front of the mirror.

“And here I am today.”

Kunene is studying towards an honours degree in education at Wits University. Her mother, Baby, owned a modelling school, which she attended. Her modelling career took off after she won her first beauty pageant when she was four.

She gained the title of Miss Ruindruppel.

“I’m very proud of my daughter. Tears of joy were rolling down my cheeks after she won,” her father, Christopher, said on Saturday. Her parents could not hold back their tears of joy.

Seal is coming to South Africa

Big Concerts has announced that Seal is coming to South Africa.

The big news was confirmed on Tuesday!

The concert will be presented by Jacaranda FM, KFM, East Coast Radio and Channel24.

The British singer/songwriter will arrive in the country in June, and perform in JHB, Cape Town and Durban.

Dates for his shows are as follows:
Sunday 12 June 2016: Ticketpro Dome, Johannesburg
Tuesday 14 June 2016: ICC Durban Arena
Thursday 16 June 2016: Grand Arena, GrandWest, Cape Town

Tickets go on sale on Thursday 24 March at 9:00 from Big Concerts and Computicket.

Seal has sold more than 30 million albums worldwide and released a total of nine studio albums in his career so far. His inimitable voice was first heard on Adamski’s 1991 club smash ‘Killer’ and another Top 10 hit ‘Crazy’ arrived shortly thereafter, as Seal went on to achieve global acclaim with his debut.

With global smash hits, including ‘Kiss from a Rose’ which appeared on the soundtrack to the 1995 film ‘Batman Forever’, Seal has won many music awards throughout his career. As a songwriter, he has received the British Academy’s Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musicially and Lyrically, in consecutive years for ‘Killer’ and ‘Crazy’.

Following his latest album release,  ‘7’, Seal said: “It concerns the most sung about, most talked about and most documented emotion – love”.

He reunited with long-time collaborator, producer Trevor Horn, for the album. This continued partnership began with his debut platinum certified release,  ‘Seal’ (1991) and continued with the quadruple-platinum ‘Seal II’ (1994), the gold-selling ‘Human Being’ (1998), and ‘Seal IV’ (2003).

Smell of alcohol raises addiction level

Just the smell of alcohol can an increase a person’s risk of addiction, a new study shows.

The reasons behind addiction vary greatly, with factors such as genetics, tolerance and childhood experiences just three possible cause. However the smell of booze has never been listed, until now. Dr Rebecca Monk, of Edge Hill University in the U.K., and her team have uncovered startling new evidence that may explain why people are drink dependent.



Through a computer-based study scientists were able to determine that just a smell of alcohol can make it harder for people to control their behaviour.



Published in the journal Psychopharmacology, the team looked at a group of participants who had to wear a face mask. Some of the group’s mask had an alcoholic citrus solution in it, while the rest of the participant’s had a non-alcoholic version.



The group had to then press a button when either the letter K or a picture of a beer bottle appeared on screen. When the participants incorrectly pressed the button, it was recorded as a false alarm. These false alarms were an indicator that the person’s ability to inhibit their behaviour when they were expected to had decreased.



“During the experiment, it seemed that just the smell of alcohol was making it harder for participants to control their behaviour to stop pressing a button,” Dr Rebecca Monk said.



She added: “We know that alcohol behaviours are shaped by our environment including who we’re with and the settings in which we drink.



“This research is a first attempt to explore other triggers, such as smell, that may interfere with people’s ability to refrain from a particular behaviour.”



Her colleague Dr Derek Heim points out that other studies in this field will help to further understanding of addiction and substance abuse.

Rhulani Baloyi wins big at SAFTA's

SABC’s Rhulani Baloyi has received a Special Recognition Award at the South African Film and Television Awards (Saftas).

Baloyi was honoured for the strides she has made in television despite having a disability. She has hosted popular edutainment TV show, Shift, on SABC 1 for quite a few years.

She says her blindness has not stopped her from aspiring to be the best

“I’ve learnt that everything is possible,” said Baloyi.



Here is a list of all the winners:

Best Achievement by a Supporting Actor in a TV Comedy
Bongani Madondo (Kota Life Crisis: Season 2)
Best Achievement by a Supporting Actress in a TV Comedy
Linda Sebezo (Gauteng Maboneng)
Best Achievement by a Lead Actor in a TV Comedy
Mandla Gaduka (Gauteng Maboneng)
Best Achievement by a Lead Actress in a TV Comedy
Robyn Scott (Those Who Can’t )
Best Achievement in Directing in a TV Comedy
Krijay Govender , Joshua Rous, Segomotso Keorapetse (Ga Re Dumele: Season 4)
Best TV Comedy
Both Worlds (ZA News: Puppet Nation)
Best Achievement by a Supporting Actor in a TV Drama
Deon Lotz (When We Were Black: Season 2()
Best Achievement by a Supporting Actress in a TV Drama
Charmaine Mtinta (Matatiele)
Best Achievement by a Lead Actor in a TV Drama
Siyabonga Radebe (Saints and Sinners: Season 1)
Best Achievement by a Lead Actress in a TV Drama
Ntathi Moshesh (Saints and Sinners: Season 1)
Best Achievement in Directing in a TV Drama
Rolisizwe Nikiwe, Zuko Nodada (Matatiele)
Best TV Drama
Quizzical Pictures (Umlilo)
Best TV Presenter Non-Fiction
Variety: Katlego Maboe for Expresso Morning Show
Best Achievement by a Supporting Actor in a TV Soap
Samson Kumalo (Isibaya: Season 3)
Best Achievement by a Supporting Actress in a TV Soap
Maggie Benedict (Ashes to Ashes)
Best Achievement by a Lead Actor in a TV Soap
Vusi Kunene (Isibaya)
Best Achievement by a Lead Actress in a TV Soap
Leeanda Reddy (Isidingo)
Best Achievement in Directing in a TV Soap
Eric Mogale, Siyabonga Mkhize, Heather Cooke (Rhythm City)
Best TV Soap
Quizzical Pictures (Rhythm City)
Most Popular TV Soap
Skeem Saam
Special Recognition award for Contribution to Persons with Disabilities
Rhulani Baloyi
Special Recognition award for Contribution to Provincial Development
UGU Film Festival
Best Student Film
Jabu (The Animation School)
Best Achievement by a Supporting Actor in a Feature Film
Marius Weyers (Dis Ek, Anna)
Best Achievement by a Supporting Actress in a Feature Film
Tina Jaxa (While You Weren’t Looking)
Best Achievement by a Lead Actor in a Feature Film
Mduduzi Mabaso (For Love and Broken Bones)
Best Achievement by a Lead Actress in a Feature Film
Fulu Mughovani (Ayanda )
Best Achievement in Directing in a Feature Film
Sara Blecher (Dis Ek, Anna)
Best Feature Film
Palama Productions (Dis Ek, Anna)

Beyonce hires disabled model to launch merchandise collection

Beyonce has hired a model with muscular dystrophy to help launch her new relaxed-fit merchandise line.

Disabled IMG model Jillian Mercado features in the ads for the new items, which the Halo singer has posted on her website.

Jillian was thrilled to get the job of showing off the new athletic gear, which features words and phrases, like “Smack It” and “Slay”, inspired by Beyonce’s songs.

“OK LADIES now let’s get in FORMATION! So BEYond excited to finally announce that I’m on the official @beyonce website,” Mercado wrote alongside an Instagram snap of her new campaign.

“A special shout out to Queen Bee herself and the amazing team behind it.”

The merchandise items will be available to buy at stops on Beyonce’s upcoming Formation World Tour.

The Crazy In Love hitmaker sent fans into a frenzy when she announced plans to hit the road again in an advertisement which aired immediately after her stunning Super Bowl half-time show performance with Coldplay and Bruno Mars at the big football game in Santa Clara, California last month (Feb16). The song she opened her set with, Formation, had also caught fans by surprise as she had quietly released it online just a day before.

In an interview after the sporting event, the mother-of-one said she was blown away by the response to the track and was thrilled to be able to perform in front of such a huge, enthusiastic crowd.

“It makes me proud,” Beyonce told Entertainment Tonight of the experience. “I wanted people to feel proud, and have love for themselves,” she added of the meaning of the song.

The 40-date Formation World Tour will mark the superstar’s first solo headlining trek since her 2013 Mrs. Carter World Tour. Beyonce will kick off the North American leg on 27 April (16) in Miami, Florida, and continue in the U.K. and Europe from June through July (16).

© Cover Media

Introducing the Limited Edition Coke Zero

Coca-Cola is now giving South Africans the chance to experience the combination of great tasting Cola with a smooth cherry flavour by making Cherry Coke available locally for a limited time only. Make sure you grab yours from the middle of March to the end of May 2016.
Cherry Coke is teaming up with the Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice(tm) movie (only in cinemas from the 24th of March) and giving fans the chance to win an awesome #BatmanvSuperman hamper packed full of official merchandise, a set of Beats by Dre headphones and delicious Cherry Coke. All you'll need to do is share your hero pose on Instagram or Twitter with the #CherryCokeHeroes. What's more, you could stand a chance to win the grand prize of a life-size Batman or Superman statue! Pick a side, buy a Cherry Coke and you could be a winner!
If you haven't tried it yet, best you get your hands on a 500ml bottle of Cherry Coke quick to nip your FOMO in the bud. The limited edition, cherry flavoured soft drink is available from Pick 'n Pay, Spar, Checkers, Game and Food Lovers Market stores, Nu Metro and select Ster Kinekor outlets and Engen, Caltex, BP, Shell and Total service stations while stocks last. Plus, you can get the great, different taste for the same price as a regular Coke.
Now's the time to discover something new. It's out with the ordinary and in with brand new experiences!