Olympic Games: Women's soccer sets the pace

So the Rio 2016 Olympic Games roared straight into life last night,
Hmmm! That's all I can say after goals flew in on Match Day One.

The first match was played in front of a sparse Olympic Stadium crowd,
were Sweden won 1-0 against South Africa in the opener, before host
nation Brazil beat China 3-0.

Germany put in six goals past Zimbabwe in their triumphatic 6-1 win.

A year on from scoring a hat-trick in the World Cup final, Lloyd was
once again America's star in a 2-0 win over New Zealand in Belo
Horizonte.

Canada set two Olympic records in beating Australia 2-0 in a battle
between two quarter-finalists from last year's World Cup.

More than 11,000 athletes will compete in the first edition of the
Olympic Games to be held in South America.

There are 42 Olympic sport disciplines, with 306 events over the
course of 19 days of competition.

Awesooooooooooooooooome......

Womens Month Feature: Where female entrepreneurs can borrow money in South Africa

Its women's month and what better way to celebrate women than through
empowering them?

Well it is interesting to note that both government and companies
offer loans to women who want to start businesses. Great - let's get
on with it!

GOVERNMENT

Most loans for business come through the department of trade and
industry (the dti) and its associated organisations, such as the Small
Enterprise Development Agency. These loans tend to offer lower
interest rates than those from financial institutions, and have longer
and/or more flexible repayment terms.

The Isivande Women's Fund is exclusively available for women. It was
established by the dti to accelerate the economic empowerment of women
through affordable, usable and responsible finance. For more
information, visit thedti.gov.za.

Khula is the government's agency for small business finance. It
operates across both public and private sectors and is dedicated to
providing much-needed funding to businesses. It offers indemnity to
financial institutions that provide loans to businesses without assets
to put up as collateral. Visit sefa.org.za for more information.

The National Youth Development Agency offers mentorship, development
programmes and grants, and facilitates funding for youth businesses.
Visit nyda.gov.za for more information.

The National Empowerment Fund was established by the National
Empowerment Fund Act No 105 of 1998 to promote and facilitate black
economic equality and transformation.


PRIVATE

Absa has a Women Empowerment Fund, with the criteria for eligibility
being that you must be a South African woman permanently residing in
South Africa and your business must be a small to medium-sized
enterprise, as defined by the dti. This includes start-ups, existing
businesses, franchises and businesses switching from other banks.

Crowdfunding is a way of raising capital in small amounts from a large
group of people, using the internet and social-media sites. For an
entrepreneur in need of finance, crowdfunding – also known as
crowdsource capital – has radically expanded the pool of potential
investors for people who might otherwise not be noticed.

Wathinth' umfazi, wathinth' imbokodo. Go out there and make things happen.

Olympic Games: South Africa engages Sweden in opener tonight

The media are arriving in Rio quicker than cappuccinos are served on
cold winter nights in Jo'burg. And behold, there is a huge media
frenzy.

Today they'll be served up with the best of women's soccer.

Yeap you heard that right - the Olympic football kicks off this
evening with six women's fixtures. The first game is between Sweden
and South Africa at the Olympic Stadium.

In 2012, Banyana Banyana got a baptism of fire at their maiden Olympic
Games when they lost 4-1 to Sweden. So there will be some doses of
revenge stacked in the bag.

Banyana will rely on the likes of Sanah Mollo, who has scored 21 goals
in 69 games, and the experience of Mpumi Nyandeni and Amanda Dlamini,
who were all at the London Games.

As usual, captain Janine van Wyk will lead from the back with Noko Matlou.

All the best to our sisters in Rio. We will be cheering you on.

PUMA challenge women to work hard & look fierce

PUMA has undoubtedly justified itself as one of the most exciting
sports wear manufacturers through their constantly innovative apparel.

So guys what are PUMA all about this time around? Well, we received a
communique from them and all the ladies will be pretty chaffed.

Here goes - For Autumn-Winter 2016, PUMA introduces the Women's Gold
Pack Collection of Running, Training and Sportstyle apparel and
footwear designed for the brave, confident and unapologetic women to
wear from the gym to the street.

The Collection, in a predominant colour palette of Gold, Black and
White, is headlined by PUMA's next-level training shoe, The Fierce (R1
699) as worn by Kylie Jenner.

The Pulse XT (R1 299), a lightweight trainer for high-intensity work
outs, has been given a golden makeover, while the IGNITE Dual Gold (R1
699) offers flexibility and cushioning features for mid and long
distance runners. Rounding up the footwear are the PUMA Suede Platform
Gold (R1 999), a chic update on PUMA's court classic, and the
boxing-inspired Eskiva with an elaborate gold mesh upper, available in
a low (R1 299), mid (R 1 399) and high (R1 699) profile.

The gilt inspired collection carries over to training and lifestyle
apparel with the PWRSHAPE Forever PUMA bra (R499), Essentials Tank
(R549), Evo Hooded Cape (R1 199) and Tee (R429) that pair stylishly
with the Evo Grid (R799) and Clash Tights (R899).

Millions of South Africans expected to vote #LGE2016

Today is election day *Sigh*.

The very first time I ever cast my vote was during the election of our
primary school music club President.  That was some decades ago (Time
does fly). But it taught me a lot about selecting leaders.

Anyway, millions of South Africans take to the polling stations today
to cast their ballots in the local government elections. The first
results are expected to come through from the iconic Robben Island.

The South African local government is comprised of 3 kinds of
municipalities which are run by councils - eight metropolitan
municipalities which are our big cities, 44 district municipalities
which coordinate local municipalities in a region and 207 local
municipalities which are towns and rural areas. The municipal council,
which will be determined by the upcoming elections, governs the
metropolitan municipality and works to make sure that the services
such as sanitation, electricity, water and refuse are in working order
and accessible to everyone in the community in which they serve.

Municipal elections are held every five years to elect councillors who
will be responsible for governing a municipality for the next five
years. This means your vote is vital in these elections in order to
determine the future of your community.

Go cast your vote South Africa. It's your chance to vote for the ward
councillors to represent you in the local governments across the
country.

Olympic Games: Rafael Nadal trains in Rio

Feeeeel it people, it is here! The most watched single sporting event
in the world is, well need I say, hours away!

Lets get down to it. Some exciting news for all tennis fans - after
not playing since pulling out of the French Open in May with a wrist
injury - King of Clay Rafael Nadal was practising on court in Rio on
Monday night.  Hmmm.

The rumour mill had been loaded with doubts that he would be fit
enough for the Olympic tennis tournament, which starts on Saturday,
but this is at least a promising sign.

Nadal, who won singles gold at Beijing 2008, did ice his wrist
afterwards... but wore a beaming sign as he did so.

We all hope he is fine...

Nonzamo Mbatha and her painful childhood

It's fair to say that Nomzamo Mbatha hasn't had an easy life growing
up. The beautiful actress has spoken out about why her childhood was a
sad period in her life. The 25-year-old took to Twitter to share a
heartfelt account of her childhood.

"Promising myself that one day I would have a car and not have to walk
in the rain again. That I'd work really hard to change my narrative."

Nomzamo says that the hardest part of the rain was getting to school soaked.

"The most heartbreaking part was getting to school soaking wet. Socks,
uniform ALLES.Oh and my backpack, with all my schoolbooks"

Natural remedies for removing stretch marks

Every woman develops marks in some body parts, and this is considered
as perfectly normal and natural due to weight loss after giving birth
or after living for years with extra pounds. While it is a natural
occurrence, no woman would want to deal with these unattractive lines.
Thus, you may want to try your luck using various tactics such as
surgery, retinoid cream and some other trusted ways to remove these
marks.




Natural Remedies for Removing Stretch Marks




1. Aloe Vera




Known for years as a natural remedy for skin issues, aloe vera is also
effective when it comes to minimizing the appearance of stretch marks.
With its cooling and healing components, you can achieve positive
results from using this herbal remedy regularly. Just get few small
aloe vera leafs, and use this to rub on your skin for a few minutes.
Next, rinse the area off with lukewarm water.




Another option in using aloe vera is by taking the gel form of this
plant. Then, get 5 capsules of vitamin A and vitamin E, and extract
their oil. Combine these vitamin-enriched oil with your aloe vera and
rub on the affected area well. Wait for the mixture to be absorbed
completely by your skin, and leave on for about 10 minutes. You should
also apply this daily for favorable results.




2. Potato Juice




Loaded with minerals and vitamins, potatoes enhance the growth and
repair of skin cells. Because of these effects, it is not surprising
that the juice of this vegetable has been used for eliminating stretch
marks. Simply cut a potato into thick slices and just rub these on
your skin for 5 to 10 minutes. Once the juice dries on your skin, let
it stay for a few more minutes before rinsing off.




3. Olive Oil




For centuries, olive oil has been trusted by people as an excellent
skin moisturizer because of its hydrating and cooling effect. It is
packed with essential nutrients and antioxidants that heal a variety
of skin disorders. For stretch marks, you can use this oil by heating
it slightly before applying on your skin. The warm oil promotes good
circulation of the blood, which will soon help reduce the appearance
of the marks. There is no need to rinse the oil off since it is a
great moisturizer that can keep your skin smooth and supple.




4. Castor Oil




Another outstanding remedy for skin issues including fine lines,
pimples, dark spots and moles, castor oil is also worth a try when you
want to reduce the appearance of stretch marks. All you should do is
to apply the oil and massage gently in a circular motion. Once you
have finished massaging the different areas, be sure to use a clean
cloth to wrap the affected skin. Then, with the use of a heating pad,
apply heat on the spot for at least 30 minutes. Be sure to use these
two techniques daily for excellent results on your skin.




5. Sugar




Considered as a home remedy, sugar is known for its exfoliating
effects. Its coarse texture can help get rid of dead skin and minimize
the unsightly appearance of these lines on your thighs, stomach, and
arms.




To use this natural exfoliant, take a heaping tablespoon of sugar and
place it in a small bowl. Then, add in a few drops of lemon juice with
some almond oil. Combine the juice with sugar and stir thoroughly.
When your homemade exfoliant is ready, just rub it for a few minutes
on the affected area of your skin. Afterwards, rinse the mixture off
with warm water and pat dry. Make it a habit to scrub your skin with
sugar and lemon juice mixture for a month until you discover positive
results on your skin.




6. Lemon Juice




If you are bothered by nasty marks on your skin, then lemon juice can
be quite effective in addressing this problem naturally. It contains
acid that is trusted for reducing scars, acne, and even stretch marks.
So, to prepare this natural remedy, simply juice some lemons and
massage the liquid onto your skin, in a circular motion. Then, wash
the area with warm water after massaging. Mixing some cucumber juice
can also be used for additional healing properties.




7. Alfalfa




The leaves of alfalfa are noted for their rich supply of amino acids,
which support healthy skin. It is also a good source of protein,
vitamin E and K, and these work by ensuring body tone naturally. You
can also detoxify your skin using alfalfa leaves because of their
anti-fungal properties. To treat marks on the skin, get a small amount
of alfalfa powder combined with some chamomile oil. Mix well until a
thick paste is formed. Use the paste as a massaging cream on the skin
and apply at least three times a day.









8. Egg Whites




Pamper yourself and give your skin that smoother and fairer appeal
with the help of egg whites. You can use this in minimizing the
appearance of marks that ruin the look of your skin. In fact, the
healing property of egg whites comes from the sufficient amounts of
amino acids and proteins that repair skin cells efficiently.




To prepare the mixture, place whites from two eggs in a bowl, then
whip well. Apply a layer of this mixture on the skin either with a
brush or by using your fingers. Allow the mixture to dry completely
for at least 10 minutes. Then, rinse egg whites off your skin using
lukewarm water. Follow on with olive oil to moisturize the area. You
may use this technique daily for optimum results.




9. Cocoa Butter




An exceptional moisturizer, cocoa butter is renowned for its
anti-aging properties while promoting circulation and reducing stretch
marks. Just take a tablespoon of cocoa butter and massage on the
affected portion gently. Do this technique twice a day for at least
two months until you notice an improvement on your skin.




Although these are all natural remedies, you should realize that there
are some instances when skin irritation may occur, particularly when
you fail to follow the right amount of ingredients in preparing the
mixture. So, it is best to follow the instructions carefully and avoid
overdoing the application of these natural remedies to avoid further
problems on your skin. Ends

Masasa Mbangeni speaks out about being called "ugly for entertainment"

Former Scandal actress Masasa Mbangeni is now an icon, but back in the day someone dared to say that she wouldn’t make it in the industry due to her looks. She says she has gone through her fair share of social media bullying and in particular in her early days of being an actress.

Speaking to Destiny Magazine, Masasa recalled how the early days were; “In the early days of my career, I used to suffer really bad bullying on social media: fans of the show would demand that I be removed from it because I was ‘too ugly’.”

Bridging the gap between education and the workplace

Author: Rashied Small, Education, Training and Membership Executive, South African Institute of Professional Accountants & Liezl Leleu, Professional Accountant (SA)

Many graduates approach the “new chapter in their career” with enthusiasm as trainees/clerks in the accountancy profession, but are often shocked when they encounter the reality and challenges on applying their “knowledge” in practice.

These experiences of graduates are a clear indication of the “education-workplace” gap which is not unique to the accountancy profession but is becoming a global concern with numerous questions being raised by industry captains about the value of tertiary education.