FAMILY FEAST - Western Cape€¦ · Special unit promotes police efficiency MAINS ANd dESSERT FoR...
Transcript of FAMILY FEAST - Western Cape€¦ · Special unit promotes police efficiency MAINS ANd dESSERT FoR...
O F F I C I A L M A G A Z I N E O F T H E W E S T E R N C A P E G O V E R N M E N T
Priority projects to tackle Western Cape issues
CHANGING THE GAME
WATCHING BRIEFS
Special unit promotespolice efficiency
MAINS ANd dESSERT FoR
uNdER
R500
FAMILY FEAST
m a g a z i n e
ISSUE 19 | DECEMBER 2015
32
28
14
30
In EvERy ISSUE
2 Q&A
32 Recipes
40 Games, Quiz and Solutions
FEatURES
3 Inside Info
Dreamfields Partnership
4 Inside Info
Benefits of our management courses
6 Main Feature
The thinking behind the Game Changers
10 What’s new
The internet revolution
12 Breatheasy Programme
Empowering mothers
14 Watching Briefs Unit
More criminals in court
16 Children’s Parliament
Deaf Speaker makes history
18 Did you know?
How much food we waste
20 Safely Home
Fighting fatigue
aDvICE
22 Personal Finance
Tips for the festive season
24 Workplace
Plan your leave
26 Health
Treating sunburn
LIFEStyLE anD LEISURE
28 Out&about
The best spots in Darling
30 arts&Culture
Trumpeter saves our youth
36 Bt Games
Photos of our sports day
CoNTENTS
Better Together magazine 1
Editor’s note
BEttER tOGEtHER MaGaZInE tEaM:
Editor in Chief:
Faiza Steyn
Editor:
Maret Lesch
Proofreaders:
Aré van Schalkwyk,
Leah Moodaley
afrikaans translation:
Aré van Schalkwyk
isiXhosa translation:
Luvuyo Martins
Contributors:
Leah Moodaley, Sylvanus du Plessis, Jenny Cargill,
Tania Colyn, Ameerah Kenny, Ayesha Augustus,
Safely Home, Monica Makaula, Charlene Sheraton,
Fabian Williams, Dianne le Roux
Layout and design:
Corporate Communication
art director:
Trudine Scannell
artwork and illustrations:
Trudine Scannell
Photographers:
Zanele Jam-Jam, Sergio Kirkwood
administration, quiz and competitions:
Nokuzola Ngcizela
Communications and liaison:
Portia Percival, Nokuzola Ngcizela, Bilqees Davids
Editorial Committee:
Advocate Brent Gerber (DG), Andre Joemat (SG),
Faiza Steyn (Head of Corporate Communication),
Sylvanus du Plessis (Deputy Director: Creative),
Maret Lesch (Editor)
telephone: 021 483 3806 Fax: 021 483 8267
Postal address: Better Together Magazine,
P.O. Box 659, Cape Town, 8000
E-mail: [email protected]
all letters and competition entries can be sent to the above e-mail or postal address. Only Western Cape
Government employees may enter. note that all cash prizes are subject to tax.
Dear Colleagues
Working on this issue inspired me. I realised once again
that most of the people working for the Western Cape
Government are here because they truly want to make a
difference.
Government is often scrutinised and criticised and we
tend to not see the positive side of how our hard work and
dedication help other people. This is why we decided to
make a few changes to the magazine. We want to show
you how you are making a difference in our citizens’ lives.
A great example is the nursing team of the Breatheasy
Programme at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital. They are
doing ground-breaking work in empowering mothers with
nursing skills to look after their children at home.
We also met the Watching Briefs team, who made
history by being the first unit in South Africa to monitor
court cases. Thanks to them stepping in when cases are
struck off the court roll, more criminals now have to face
their day in court.
When talking about firsts for South Africa, I have to
mention the deaf learner Jean-Claude Smit from the
De La Bat School for the Deaf. He was recently elected as
the first disabled Speaker of the Nelson Mandela Children’s
Parliament. What an achievement! This goes to show that
we have young leaders who will not let anything stand in
their way of having their voices heard.
We face unique challenges in the Western Cape that are
severely affecting our quality of life. This is why the WCG
has decided to implement projects that address specific
issues, such as alcohol abuse, unemployment and safe
after-school programmes for our children. These priority
programmes are called Game Changers because as a
government we are changing the way we tackle issues.
Read more about our approach on page 6.
Do you have plans for Christmas lunch yet? I know
many of us are on a tight budget this festive season. This
is why we have done the hard work for you and planned a
delicious family meal for under R500. (And if you do get
into financial trouble, please read our financial advice article
on page 22!)
I wish you a merry festive season and a prosperous 2016.
Until next time
Maret Lesch
Disclaimer: The Department of the Premier’s Corporate Communication Directorate has copyright
on all intellectual property and artwork in the Better Together magazine. All content in the Better
Together magazine adheres to copyright law.
Letters
Do you have any
stories about excellent
government officials?
Perhaps you have seen
someone do remarkable
work and who has gone
the extra mile for a citizen
or a colleague? Write a
short letter and tell us
about them!
WIn R500!
QUEStIOn:dear Better Together magazine,
My concern is the effective use
of skills and employees within the
WCG.
Many employees are unhappy
because they feel they are being
underutilised. It is extremely
alarming, as the WCG has highly
skilled officials who are either
wrongfully placed or their skills are
not being used effectively.
We often hear the phrase “using
people who are fit for purpose”.
Yet someone who was awarded a
departmental bursary for a three-
year degree is still employed at
a salary level 2, regardless that
they’ve successfully obtained the
qualification.
I also make reference to admin
clerks who have either obtained
or are busy completing their
postgraduate qualifications, but
are restricted to taking minutes or
carrying out general administrative
tasks.
directorates and departments
often conduct skills audits for the
proper placement of officials, but it
never materialises.
My suggestion is that if the
department is not able to upgrade
the salary level of these officials
and if no posts are vacant, at least
let these officials be exposed to
a relevant work environment.
Then they can gain the relevant
experience in their field of study and
contribute to the WCG’s strategic
goals and vision of improving the
quality of life of its people.
yasien Ryklief
Priority Programmes Coordination,
DotP
Please send us any questions you might have on processes, procedures, programmes and
projects within the Western Cape Government. We will ask the appropriate department or
directorate to answer you and you might see your answer in the next issue.
anSWER:dear Yasien
Your concern is valid.
Government is driven by legislation,
policies and rules. From an
organisational design perspective,
structures and posts are created
to ensure that certain functions
are performed by a department to
achieve certain goals to meet the
needs of its customers. Changes
in the functions of one post can
have an impact on other posts and
the achievement of organisational
goals.
Your concern also calls for a
carefully managed human resource
planning process, with the main
objective to have the correct
number of employees with the right
skills available when required to
achieve our organisational goals.
Bursaries and skills development
interventions are put in place
to ensure that employees with
the required skills are available.
This may result in a situation
where employees have higher
qualifications than required for their
posts.
In view of the above, the WCG
has highly skilled officials who may
not be in their “correct” positions,
yet. An employee may have joined
the WCG as an Administration
Clerk, having satisfied the
criteria for appointment (“fit for
purpose”) and then acquired higher
qualifications whilst employed.
Prescripts require that employees
must apply and compete for higher
posts that require the acquired
skills. However, as you correctly
pointed out, there may be no
vacancy (for which the employee
would have to compete) within
which to appoint them.
Matching and placing processes,
where skills audits are done to
ensure the correct placement of
employees also have legislative
prescripts; one of which is that
employees may not be matched
and placed in a post with a higher
salary level. Employees must apply
and compete for higher vacant
posts that are in line with their
qualifications.
However, all is not lost. It is the
responsibility of the employee’s
supervisor to utilise the newly
acquired skills optimally within
the work environment, still taking
the job’s required functions into
consideration. Supervisors can
apply job rotation and enrichment
to expose employees to other areas
of work and to increase their job
satisfaction. It calls for innovative
leadership and management, which
I am sure our supervisors are
capable of.
nS Miti
Chief Director: People Training and
Empowerment
Better Together magazine2
I n S I D E I n F O
Making dreams come true Building on the legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the Dreamfields
Partnership seeks to promote youth empowerment through sport
participation and stimulating social dialogue.
By Leah Moodaley and Ayesha Augustus
The Dreamfields Partnership is a multi-
stakeholder partnership between the
Western Cape Government, Dreamfields
and Life Zone, and has been successful in
empowering youth since the first event in
2009.
This partnership will provide learners at
schools across the province the opportunity
to participate in a football and netball
tournament with a twist. While some groups
are playing, others will be engaged in dialogue
sessions during which they can talk about
their challenges and experiences. Topics for
discussion include bullying at school, peer
pressure, alcohol and substance abuse, and
teenage pregnancy.
The programme has taken place in all five
regions of the Western Cape, in addition to
the Metro. This year, the programme was
expanded to include learners from the De La
Bat School for the Deaf, St Dominicans and
Noluthando School for the hearing impaired.
“We see activities that integrate learners from
different backgrounds as critical for youth
empowerment in the Western Cape,” says
Denver Moses, Acting Director for Priority
Programmes Co-ordination.
The Dreamfields Partnership facilitated nine
events this year, including an event on 16 June
to commemorate Youth Month with Minister
Anroux Marais, who launched the programme
at De La Bat School for the Deaf in Worcester.
Tournaments and interventions that are
linked to days of significance on our country’s
calendar were rolled out successfully.
Sport development, combined with social
dialogue, provides a platform for pupils,
learners and coaches to address the needs
of our youth and the larger community.
According to Dreamfields’ Graham Bath,
“Engaging in conversation provides specific
insight into the unique circumstances
they are experiencing. Sport provides
a rich and inclusive lifestyle outside the
classroom and family circumstances.
Creating a supportive school and
community environment encourages healthy
choices and outcomes for the greater benefit
of society.”
De la Bat, Noluthando and St Dominicans
have expressed their appreciation for the
partnership that the programme has built. As a
result of this partnership, two representatives
were chosen as part of the National Children’s
Parliament which took place in Bloemfontein
during October 2015. (Read the article on
page 18.) The Speaker of Parliament and the
Western Cape Ambassador are both deaf
learners at De la Bat School. This is testament
to how different entities can collaborate to
mainstream the needs of the disabled into our
programmes and society.
DREaMFIELDS PROGRAMME
aBOvE: Aviwe Jemane and Jean-Claude Smit, from the De La Bat
School for the Deaf in Worcester, represented the Western Cape at
the National Childrens Parliament.
See page 16 for full article
on the National Children’s
Parliament.
Better Together magazine4
Changing perspectives
Use the Provincial Training
Institute as a resource to build
your skill set and make headway
in your career.
By Maret Lesch
Government does not only impact the
lives of citizens, but can also make a
positive impact on the lives of its staff
members. The Provincial Training Institute (PTI)
is a valuable resource that staff members can
make use of to add to their skill set and make
headway in their careers.
According to 28-year-old Sandra Pow
Chong, the Managing Editor: Web and
Production for the Communication Unit
in the Department of Local Government,
attending the Junior Management course at
the PTI assisted her in preparing for greater
responsibility in her job.
“I was brought in to manage the digital
platforms at Local Government in November
2014. This was a first for the Department and
my first time in a middle management role. I’ve
never had to manage people before, but my
position entailed managing two staff members.
“I wanted to acquire the necessary skills
and improve myself and decided to attend
PROvINCIAL TRAINING INSTITUTE
a management training course at the PTI. I
considered the Middle Management course, but
realised that I would have to build a foundation
first.”
Sandra opted for the Junior Management
training and says the course helped her to see
the bigger picture. “It helped me to understand
the core values of the organisation and where
legislation and policies fit in. It helped me to
look at things differently and to realise that
management is all about the people. Once you
can see the bigger picture and realise there are
different ways of dealing with problems, you
can make more strategically based decisions.”
Soon after completing the course, Sandra
was asked to fill in as acting HOC for four
weeks. “I was excited about the opportunity,
as it gave me the chance to practise the skills
I had learnt at the course. But I have to admit,
I would not have been able to cope in the new
role if I did not go for the management training.
It was really hard, but is now a great frame of
Inside info
Better Together magazine 5
reference,” says Sandra of the experience.
“It is important to have a mentor who you
can talk to and who can support you. It is scary
to make decisions on your own because you
are accountable and responsible for projects
that cost a lot of money. That is why you
must build a supportive culture – people with
experience you can learn from.”
Sandra says the course changed her
perception of management. “I realised it is all
about the people and humanity. As you move
up, you need to be a good people manager.
You must be aware of how people react to
your decisions and actions.”
It is especially the peer-to-peer learning that
Sandra valued during the course. “It breaks
down the silo mentality and forces you to work
in groups. It is also nice to hear how others
resolved issues similar to those that you have
to face. I heard actual case studies and learned
how to look at things differently. The course
included elements of project management and
the assignments were quite intense. It was like
being back at varsity!
“Most importantly, I learnt that as a manager
you have to improve the skills of those you
manage and there are different ways of dealing
IMPROVING SERvICE DELIvERy
Beulah Neumann (49), a Senior
Administrative Clerk: Information
Management working for the
Department of Health, says the
Introduction to Junior Management
course she attended at the PTI enabled
her to enhance service delivery in her
unit.
“The course equipped me with
knowledge about the operational
requirements necessary to enhance on
service delivery. It brought back how
important compliance, correctness
and transparency are in the work
environment.”
Beulah said the course changed
the way she thinks and added to her
skill set, enabling her to serve the
citizen better. “I’ve always been a
person devoted to serving to the best
of my ability. The course definitely
changed my perception of work. I’m
now conscious of a broader spectrum
of current affairs in information
management.”
She recommends that other staff
members also attend the course.
“I think many of us can add to our
skill set and this is a good course to
start with. It changes how you deal
with community queries, interaction
with staff members, commitment,
compliance, and transparency.”
Beulah feels that the course
motivated her to lead by example to
create a more pleasant and healthy
environment within the community
and among service delivery staff. The
next course she wants to attend is
the Junior Management Development
course in February 2016.
ManaGEMEnt TRAINING
Shirley Esterhuizen, a Course Coordinator at the Provincial
Training Institute, says many of their programmes are
focused on managerial and leadership skills, as these were
identified as skills gaps.
“There are several programmes on different levels for
managers. Many first-line managers enrol for the credit-
bearing Junior Management Development Programme. The
goal is to prepare you for a junior leadership position. It is a
little bit tougher and more work than normal programmes.
You have to complete a portfolio of evidence, go back to
the workplace and incorporate some of your work in the
portfolio of evidence. Because of all the work participants
have to do, we are very confident at the end of the
programme that they have mastered the content and skills.”
If you want to develop managerial skills regarding people
management, Shirley advises that you enrol for one of
the following programmes: Performance Management,
Managing Incapacity and Poor Performance, Meeting Skills
for Chairpersons and Facilitators, Grievance Procedure,
Managing Absence in the Workplace, Progressive Discipline
for Supervisors, Project Management, or Problem-solving
and Analysis.
with problems. It is important to find the
root cause and understand the strategies
around your decisions.
“I believe that everyone who wants
to advance in their career and better
themselves must do this course. It changes
your entire perspective of management and
where you fit into the picture.”
LEFt: Sandra Pow Chong
Inside Info
To adapt to a changing world and ever-increasing
service delivery demands, the WCG has adopted a new
delivery approach for eight top priority programmes.
By Maret Lesch
Uppingourgame
Better Together magazine6
Feature
The world in which government operates
has changed drastically. We are
experiencing a technological revolution
and have to rethink the way we deliver services
and address problems.
Our citizens are becoming increasingly
demand driven and we must find new and
innovative ways to deliver quality and value-
for-money services. This means that the
Western Cape Government must become more
consumer focused and think of ways that we
can make a real and sustainable difference.
To do this, we have identified eight Game
Changers that we will drive over the next
five years. These programmes will be action
driven and focused on specific problems and
opportunities in the Western Cape, as identified
by our five Strategic Goals (PSGs).
According to Jenny Cargill, who is the
Special Advisor to the Premier, we are tackling
key issues in a new and innovative manner.
“The Cabinet decided that it was crucial to
address some of our intractable problems in
the Western Cape, like alcohol abuse, and new
opportunities, like e-learning, in a focused and
business unusual manner in order to achieve
visible impact on the ground.”
The Game Changers were selected with
specific outcomes in mind. They are energy
security, building a skilled workforce,
e-learning, broadband, after-school
programmes for youth, reducing alcohol-
related harms, sustainable sanitation for all, and
better living for all.
“The Game Changers were chosen to
prioritise the youth, address the legacy of
apartheid through a focus on better living, and
to strengthen the key foundations of economic
growth,” explains Jenny of the thinking behind
the strategic decision.
Other governmentsTo address the problems our province is
facing in a rapidly changing world, the WCG
investigated how other successful governments
worldwide adapt to address the unique
challenges they face. Jenny says delivering
services in an increasingly demand-driven
environment is a challenge all governments
across the world face.
“Globally, governments are finding it difficult
to meet the demands of citizens. They have to
do more with less, in an increasingly complex
and challenging environment. In addition, we
are amidst a technological revolution that is
driving change in ways we have never had to
deal with.”
In order to adapt, the WCG decided to
change the way we think and behave. “It was
critically important that we rethink and reform
the way we go about our business. To help
guide and advise this change, the Cabinet
decided to create a special team, called the
Delivery Support Unit,” explains Jenny.
The WCG has drawn on international
experience of improving public sector
performance, in particular the approach of Sir
Michael Barber from the United Kingdom. “He
established the world’s first Delivery Unit in the
Tony Blair government in the UK. This system
has an excellent track record worldwide and
the WCG is now implementing it in a manner
that suits our circumstances,” says Jenny.
Our approachWe are changing the way we operate to
be absolutely result and delivery focused.
According to Jenny, “Our overall approach is
to be intensely result focused, with a suite of
delivery tools to keep on-going track of the
performance of the Game Changers.”
Better Together magazine 7
Energy security
We are prioritising
finding solutions for
the power supply crisis.
We want to ensure that
the Western Cape has
sufficient energy to
grow the economy and
encourage households
and businesses to be
energy efficient.
e-LearningTo enable our young
people to be well-
equipped for the
21st century working
environment, information
technology must be part
of their learning and lives.
With this Game Changer
we will create modern
classrooms and improve
teaching and enhance
learning by connecting
teachers, learners and
parents.
Building a skilled workforceThis Game Changer aims to equip our youth with the necessary skills to find jobs. We are focusing on prioritised occupations and sectors, particularly the green economy, oil and gas services, tourism, and agri-processing.
Broadband Infrastructure
We want to extend
access to broadband
infrastructure in 2 000
government buildings,
schools, health facilities,
and libraries with the
aim to create connected
government, communities
and businesses.
after school
programmes for
youthThis Game Changer
builds on the work of
the Mass Opportunity
and Development (MOD)
centres. We want to give
learners significantly
more opportunities,
for example homework
support and IT access, as
well as stimulating and
safe after-school facilities.
MOD Reducing alcohol-related harmsAddressing the Western Cape’s history of alcohol abuse is a priority for us. Alcohol abuse is putting severe financial pressure on our health system, communities and economy. One part of this Game Changer will address areas with very high alcohol abuse and violence and the second part will focus on road safety through targeted Random Breath Testing (BRT).
Sustainable sanitation for allSanitation is a huge
problem in informal
settlements. With this
Game Changer we want
to restore dignity to
many of our communities
by providing upgraded,
decent sanitation
services. We will first
focus on informal
settlements that are not
currently part of urban
upgrade plans.
Better Living modelWe have severe shortages of housing for the poor. Many people have to travel far to work and are not close to transport and health infrastructure. With this Game Changer we are addressing this problem by developing a mixed-use, mixed-income housing settlement which will serve as a model for other developments that are in the pipeline.
The
GAME CHANGErS
8
Better Together magazine8
Feature
“It is important to embed a results- and consumer-focused approach in the way government goes about its business.”
She says that we will also implement tight
deadlines and dedicated teams responsible
for delivery, who will be supported by the
Delivery Unit to ensure we address any issues
immediately.
“Leadership is key and the Premier is playing
a central role in ensuring that the momentum
is maintained and that problems are identified
and resolved early.
“It is important to embed a results- and
consumer-focused approach in the way
government goes about its business. We
are starting in a limited but strategic way by
focusing on a few key priorities (the Game
Changers). We hope that this experience
motivates a much wider adoption of the
delivery system we are spearheading.”
PartnershipsThe WCG has adopted a whole-of-society
approach, meaning that we want to form
partnerships with business, institutions,
communities, families, and individuals to ensure
that we deliver the services our people need.
Jenny explains that this is a very conscious
and important effort to change the way we do
business. “On the whole, government cannot
deliver on its responsibilities on its own. Almost
everything requires collaboration in some
form. Also, the WCG is committed to changing
our approach from supply-side (civil service
determined) provision of services to a demand-
side response (consumer- or citizen-centric).
“The delivery approach for the Game
Changers ensures that relationships are
explicitly addressed at the delivery interface.
There is a delivery roadmap and delivery
chain for each Game Changer that detail these
relationships and partnerships.”
Over the next five years these priority
programmes will enable the WCG to create
conditions for economic growth, better
education, and better health, safety and social
outcomes for our citizens.
aFRIKaanSE OPSOMMInG
Ons burgers word toenemend aanvraag-gedrewe en ons
moet nuwe en innoverende maniere vind om kwaliteitdienste
te lewer wat waarde vir geld verseker. Dit beteken dat
die Wes-Kaapse Regering meer verbruikergefokus moet
raak en aan maniere moet dink om werklike en volhoubare
verandering teweeg te bring.
Met hierdie in die oog het ons agt Speltransformators
geïdentifiseer wat oor die volgende vyf jaar gedryf gaan
word. Hierdie aksiegedrewe programme sal op spesifieke
probleme en geleenthede in die Wes-Kaap gefokus wees.
“Dit is belangrik dat ons ’n resultaat- en
verbruikergefokusde benadering vaslê ten opsigte van hoe
die regering sake doen. Ons begin op ’n beperkte maar
strategiese wyse deur op ’n paar belangrike prioriteite (die
Speltransformators) te fokus,” sê Jenny Cargill, Spesiale
Adviseur van die Premier.
Die Speltransformators is met spesifieke uitkomste in
gedagte gekies. Hulle is energiesekuriteit, die opbou van ’n
vaardige werksmag, e-leer, breëband, naskoolse programme
vir die jeug, vermindering van alkoholmisbruik, volhoubare
sanitasie vir almal en ’n beter lewe vir almal.
ISISHWanKatHELO SESIXHOSa
Abemi bethu baye baqhutywa yimfuno ngakumbi
nangakumbi, kwaye simele sifumane iindlela ezintsha
nezivelisa izinto ezintsha ukuze sikwazi ukunikezela
ngeenkonzo ezilungileyo nezinexabiso elilingana nemali
echithwe kuzo. Oku kuthetha ukuba uRhulumente
weNtshona Koloni kumele ajolise ngamandla kubaxumi aze
acinge ngeendlela ezinokwenziwa nekunokuqhutyekwa
ngazo kusenziwa umahluko ngendlela engcinekayo.
Ukwenza oku, kufuneka sichonge iiNkqubo
zokuTshintsha indlela yokwenza eQhelekileyoi ezisibhoso
ezizakusetyenziswa kule minyaka mihlanu izayo. Ezi nkqubo
ziza kuqhutywa yintshukumo kwaye zigxininise kwiingxaki
nakumathuba athile eNtshona Koloni,
“Kubalulekile ukuzinzisa indlela yokwenza izinto
egxile kwiziphumo nakubaxumi xa urhulumente esenza
umsebenzi wakhe. Siqalisa indlela emfutshane entsha
kodwa iyeyeqhinga lokusebenza kwiindawo ezimbalwa
emakuqalwe ngazo (iNkqubo yokuTshintsha indlela
yokwenza eqhelekileyo),” utsho uJenny Cargill, uMcebisi
weNkulumbuso.
IiNkqubo zokuTshintsha indlela yokwenza eqhelekileyo
zakhethwa kukho iziphumo ezithile engqondweni. Ezi
ziphumo lukhuseleko lwamandl’ ombane, kwakhiwe
abasebenzi abanezakhono, ukufunda nge-intsnethi okubizwa
ngokuba yi-e-learning, ibroadband, iinkqubo zasemva
kokuphuma kwesikolo zolutsha, ukunciphisa umonzakalo
obangelwa butywala, ugutyulo olugcinekayo lomntu wonke,
kunye nokuphila ngcono komntu wonke.
.
X
A
* The information on the Game Changers was correct and approved at the time of going to print.
Better Together magazine 9
5-7 million years ago: We can communicate orally.
550 BC:The Persians have a working postal system.
11th century:Carrier pigeons
are used for long-distance
mail.
1836:Samuel Morse
develops Morse code and signals are sent via an electrical
telegraph. 7 September 1927:
Philo Farnsworth transmits the fi rst television image at his laboratory.
29 October 1969:ARPANET establishes the fi rst computer-to-computer link. The fi rst message is sent from
a computer at the University of Utah to acomputer at Stanford Research Institute (SRI).
Tim Berners-Lee develops Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). We still use it to navigate the internet.
1998:The Google
search engine is created.
33 000 BC:We can leave messages via cave paintings.
1440: The printing press is invented.
2 November 1920:KDKA becomes the
world’s fi rst commercial radio station.
April 1963:Computer scientist
J.C.R. Licklider (1915–1990)
sends a memo
discussing the concept of an “Intergalactic
Computer Network”.
1971:Raymond Samuel Tomlinson sends the fi rst e-mail via the ARPANET.
12 March 1989:Tim Berners-Lee submits a
proposal for a communication system that would eventually
become the World Wide Web.
1991:CERN (the European Organization for
Nuclear Research) introduces the World Wide Web to the public.
2004:Facebook goes online.
2005:
launches.
1876: Alexander Graham Bell is granted a US patent
for the telephone.
150 BC:Soldiers along the Great Wall of
China transmit messages as far as 750 km by smoke signals.
1990:
“Intergalactic Computer Network”.
proposal for a communication system that would eventually
become the World Wide Web.
1991:CERN (the European Organization for
<html>
THE INTERNETA SLIGHTLY GEEKY REVIEWTake a second to imagine your life without the internet. Can you? Google could have answered that question faster. A single Google query uses 1 000 computers to retrieve an answer in 0,2 seconds.
In its short history, the internet has made such a massive impact on modern society and the way that we communicate that most of us can’t imagine our lives without it. Through the WCG’s broadband infrastructure projects, what was once a resource for a privileged minority will soon become a reality for everyone.
There is nothing you can’t do via the internet; in fact, there is not much you can do without the internet. Most computers, mobile communication devices and software require an Internet connection to work properly.
But what is the internet, where did it come from and where is it heading?
What’s new What’s new
What is the internet?The internet is a vast system of computers connected to each other. This network serves as a global data communication system that links millions of private, public, academic, and business networks.
What is the World Wide Web?World Wide Web is an information space where documents and other web resources can be accessed via the internet.
It mostly uses hyperlinks and URLs (Uniform Resource Locator), usually accessed by web browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc).
What is broadband?Broadband is simply a very fast internet connection. It usually refers to speeds of 1 Mbps (megabits per second) and above.
THE WORLD
LOGS ON
2015: Around 40% of the world
has access to the internet (3,17 billion).
HO
W I
T A
LL
ST
AR
TE
D
A “
bri
ef”
tim
elin
e
TH
E IN
TE
RN
ET
TO
DA
Y
*No trees were harmed in the writing of this article – it was researched using the internet.
Sources:
• www.factslides.com
• http://www.internetsociety.org
• http://www.investintech.com
• http://www.bbc.co.uk
• http://www.computerhistory.org
• www.livescience.com
• http://www.internetlivestats.com
• http://www.radicati.com
• http://binscorner.com
• http://www.carmag.co.za
• www.bbc.com
• www.atlassian.com
• www.fcc.gov
…basically, the internet.
What does this mean for the Western Cape Government?
In September this year, the WCG launched its new e-Learning Portal. This portal gives learners, teachers, parents, school managers and members of school governing bodies access to various tools to improve education in the Western Cape. By doing this the WCG is embracing the technology reliance of our youth.
The WCG has provided internet access for those who do not have it at home through our Thusong centres, Cape Access centres and Youth Cafés.The roll out of free Wi-Fi to various regions across the Western Cape is also underway.
A new spin on a ‘network driver’
Some manufacturers offer internet connectivity in your car (in addition to your GPS), to entertain your passengers. The driver can access this while the vehicle is stationary, turning your vehicle into a mobile internet hot-spot.
Certain cars are even being released with software that integrates with specifi c smartphone operating
systems (iOS or Android), so that buying a car depends
on the model of your smartphone.
‘Motion pictures’ taken literally
Movie streaming is fast becoming the easiest way to watch your favourite blockbuster while you’re on the move. Why go to the movies if the movies can come to you?
*59% of worldwide online consumers fi nd it convenient to watch video on mobile devices.
Welcome Homepage
Your entire home can be connected to the internet and controlled via your mobile phone!
Scenario: You’re about to leave the offi ce on a hot day and you use the internet application on your phone to turn the air-conditioning to 20°C at home, switch the geyser on, and to switch the oven on to warm the food you made this morning. Better yet, you can programme your home to do this for you every day.
As a security measure, you can monitor your home’s security cameras from wherever you are, even locking and unlocking doors.
Better Together magazine10
5-7 million years ago: We can communicate orally.
550 BC:The Persians have a working postal system.
11th century:Carrier pigeons
are used for long-distance
mail.
1836:Samuel Morse
develops Morse code and signals are sent via an electrical
telegraph. 7 September 1927:
Philo Farnsworth transmits the fi rst television image at his laboratory.
29 October 1969:ARPANET establishes the fi rst computer-to-computer link. The fi rst message is sent from
a computer at the University of Utah to acomputer at Stanford Research Institute (SRI).
Tim Berners-Lee develops Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). We still use it to navigate the internet.
1998:The Google
search engine is created.
33 000 BC:We can leave messages via cave paintings.
1440: The printing press is invented.
2 November 1920:KDKA becomes the
world’s fi rst commercial radio station.
April 1963:Computer scientist
J.C.R. Licklider (1915–1990)
sends a memo
discussing the concept of an “Intergalactic
Computer Network”.
1971:Raymond Samuel Tomlinson sends the fi rst e-mail via the ARPANET.
12 March 1989:Tim Berners-Lee submits a
proposal for a communication system that would eventually
become the World Wide Web.
1991:CERN (the European Organization for
Nuclear Research) introduces the World Wide Web to the public.
2004:Facebook goes online.
2005:
launches.
1876: Alexander Graham Bell is granted a US patent
for the telephone.
150 BC:Soldiers along the Great Wall of
China transmit messages as far as 750 km by smoke signals.
1990:
“Intergalactic Computer Network”.
proposal for a communication system that would eventually
become the World Wide Web.
1991:CERN (the European Organization for
<html>
THE INTERNETA SLIGHTLY GEEKY REVIEWTake a second to imagine your life without the internet. Can you? Google could have answered that question faster. A single Google query uses 1 000 computers to retrieve an answer in 0,2 seconds.
In its short history, the internet has made such a massive impact on modern society and the way that we communicate that most of us can’t imagine our lives without it. Through the WCG’s broadband infrastructure projects, what was once a resource for a privileged minority will soon become a reality for everyone.
There is nothing you can’t do via the internet; in fact, there is not much you can do without the internet. Most computers, mobile communication devices and software require an Internet connection to work properly.
But what is the internet, where did it come from and where is it heading?
What’s new What’s new
What is the internet?The internet is a vast system of computers connected to each other. This network serves as a global data communication system that links millions of private, public, academic, and business networks.
What is the World Wide Web?World Wide Web is an information space where documents and other web resources can be accessed via the internet.
It mostly uses hyperlinks and URLs (Uniform Resource Locator), usually accessed by web browsers (Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, etc).
What is broadband?Broadband is simply a very fast internet connection. It usually refers to speeds of 1 Mbps (megabits per second) and above.
THE WORLD
LOGS ON
2015: Around 40% of the world
has access to the internet (3,17 billion).
HO
W I
T A
LL
ST
AR
TE
D
A “
bri
ef”
tim
elin
e
TH
E IN
TE
RN
ET
TO
DA
Y
*No trees were harmed in the writing of this article – it was researched using the internet.
Sources:
• www.factslides.com
• http://www.internetsociety.org
• http://www.investintech.com
• http://www.bbc.co.uk
• http://www.computerhistory.org
• www.livescience.com
• http://www.internetlivestats.com
• http://www.radicati.com
• http://binscorner.com
• http://www.carmag.co.za
• www.bbc.com
• www.atlassian.com
• www.fcc.gov
…basically, the internet.
What does this mean for the Western Cape Government?
In September this year, the WCG launched its new e-Learning Portal. This portal gives learners, teachers, parents, school managers and members of school governing bodies access to various tools to improve education in the Western Cape. By doing this the WCG is embracing the technology reliance of our youth.
The WCG has provided internet access for those who do not have it at home through our Thusong centres, Cape Access centres and Youth Cafés.The roll out of free Wi-Fi to various regions across the Western Cape is also underway.
A new spin on a ‘network driver’
Some manufacturers offer internet connectivity in your car (in addition to your GPS), to entertain your passengers. The driver can access this while the vehicle is stationary, turning your vehicle into a mobile internet hot-spot.
Certain cars are even being released with software that integrates with specifi c smartphone operating
systems (iOS or Android), so that buying a car depends
on the model of your smartphone.
‘Motion pictures’ taken literally
Movie streaming is fast becoming the easiest way to watch your favourite blockbuster while you’re on the move. Why go to the movies if the movies can come to you?
*59% of worldwide online consumers fi nd it convenient to watch video on mobile devices.
Welcome Homepage
Your entire home can be connected to the internet and controlled via your mobile phone!
Scenario: You’re about to leave the offi ce on a hot day and you use the internet application on your phone to turn the air-conditioning to 20°C at home, switch the geyser on, and to switch the oven on to warm the food you made this morning. Better yet, you can programme your home to do this for you every day.
As a security measure, you can monitor your home’s security cameras from wherever you are, even locking and unlocking doors.
Better Together magazine 11
Better Together magazine12
Not even the nurses at some local clinics
are familiar with the specialised care
that children with a tracheostomy need,
but thanks to the Breatheasy Programme at
the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital
more than a hundred mothers can take care of
their children at home.
Children with a tracheostomy – a small
surgical incision in their throat through which
a tube is inserted to help them breathe – need
specialised care, which they can usually only
receive at a hospital. This means that in many
cases they have to stay in hospital for a few
years and can’t grow up with their families and
in their communities.
Thanks to the Breatheasy Programme, Sister
Jane Booth and her very competent team of
nurses are teaching mothers to take care of
their children with tracheostomies or ventilators
at home. Not only does this initiative empower
mothers and give children the opportunity to
grow up with their families, it also saves the
hospital more than R120 million per year.
Our story“Thanks to the Breatheasy Programme, I feel
empowered,” says Thandokazi Gosa proudly.
She and her one-year-old daughter, Aghama,
who received a tracheostomy last year on 24
December, are from Strand.
“When the nurses taught me how to take
care of Aghama, I was scared. It was difficult in
the beginning, but now I have the same skills
as a nurse with regards to taking care of her,”
says Thandokazi while she cleans Aghama’s
tracheostomy tube without any hesitation.
Empowering
The Breatheasy
Programme makes it
possible for mothers
to take care of
their technology-
dependent children
at home.
By Maret Lesch
mothers
Better Together magazine 13
“Breatheasy helped me a lot. I feel confident
in my ability to look after my daughter and I
even taught the nurses at our local clinic how
to look after a child with a tracheostomy,” says
Thandokazi.
Zukiswa Raga and her three-year-old son,
Awande, are from Port Elizabeth. She says the
Breatheasy Programme had a huge impact on
their lives. “It helped us so much. Because of
the Programme my son now has a chance to
live. It changed my life. I now look after him at
home, where I have people who can support
me. It also means I don’t have to be separated
from him because we stay so far away.”
They only have to come to the hospital twice
a year for a week. Zukiswa can do everything at
home – from cleaning the tube and suctioning,
to handling minor complications. “Being able to
help my son means a lot to me,” adds Zukiswa.
Another mother, Ntombizanele Makasi, says
without the Breatheasy Programme her three-
year-old daughter, Ntombikayise, would not
have survived. Ntombikayise developed outside
the womb and was born prematurely at seven
months. She had breathing difficulties and
was transferred to Red Cross War Memorial
Children’s Hospital shortly after birth.
“She was very small and could not breathe
with her nose. Her airway was in her mouth,
which meant she could not breathe while
feeding. She received a tracheostomy and can
now eat and breathe. She also had another
operation in August to help with her breathing
problem,” explains Ntombizanele.
The Makasis are from Grahamstown
and Ntombizanele says she is grateful that
Ntombikayise can grow up at home with her
family and doesn’t have to stay in hospital. “The
training we received from the Breatheasy team
was excellent and I can now show the nurses at
our Grahamstown clinic how the tracheostomy
works,” says Ntombizanele.
She adds that thanks to the Breatheasy
Programme, she can now teach her family how
to look after Ntombikayise and even further
her studies. “Being able to show my family
how to take care of her allowed me the time to
complete my caregiver training certificate.”
the Breatheasy ProgrammeThe Breatheasy Programme is a nurse-led
initiative, coordinated by Sister Jane Booth, that
enables parents of children with tracheostomies
or ventilators to take care of their children at
home. The programme was founded in 1989.
Before then, almost 30 children occupied the
equivalent of an entire ward at the Children’s
Hospital because they needed specialised care.
Sister Booth realised that it will improve
the children’s quality of life and development
if they grow up with their families and are
integrated into their communities. Along with
a multidisciplinary team, she trains the parents
to take over from the medical team at the
hospital in taking care of
their technology-dependent
children.
“We have about 140
technology-dependent
children living at home,”
says Sister Booth. “We
are the first in the world
to send children home to
conditions of poverty. The
amazing thing about this
country is that many of our
people might live in poverty,
but there is nothing wrong
with them on an intellectual
level. Basically we train the
mothers as nurses. It is better
for the mothers and little
patients and better for the
hospital, as beds free up,”
says Sister Booth, who is
clearly passionate about the
Breatheasy Programme.
The programme is unique
as the parents have to take
complete responsibility for
the care of the children
at home, as there are no
paediatric home-based
caregivers yet. However,
Sister Booth is available 24 hours a day if the
parents have any questions. She also pays
them visits whenever she can to ensure the
little patients are doing well.
Her pioneering work was recently
acknowledged by the Critical Care Society of
Southern Africa’s President’s Nursing Award,
the highest accolade awarded by the Society, in
recognition of her outstanding service to critical
care in South Africa.
“Breatheasy helped me a lot. I feel confident in my ability to look after my daughter and I even taught the nurses at our local clinic how to look after a child with a tracheostomy.”
OPPOSItE LEFt: Sister Jane
Booth with one-year-old Aghama.
OPPOSItE RIGHt: Zukiswa
Raga and her three-year-old son,
Awande.
Inspiration
HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you want to learn more about the Breatheasy Programme
or want to donate money, clothes, toys, or baby products,
please visit their website at www.breatheasyprogramme.org.
Better Together magazine14
jUStICEI
f you’ve followed the news over the past
year, you might have noticed that there is an
increase in mob justice or vigilantism where
communities take the law into their own hands
to punish alleged perpetrators.
While this kind of behaviour is absolutely
unacceptable and against the law, it shows
how desperate people are to fight crime and
see criminals be punished. Unfortunately, even
when a suspect is caught by the police, justice
is not always served as cases are sometimes
struck off the roll and the suspects are
released.
This is where the Watching Briefs Unit
steps in. The aim of the Unit is to promote
professional policing. They monitor court cases
and intervene where necessary.
“The Programme was born out of necessity.
The Premier asked our department what is
happening to these serious cases that are
struck from the roll and let criminals walk
free. This gave birth to the Western Cape
Community Safety Act, which is in the process
of being implemented,” explains Gideon Morris,
the Head of the Department of Community
Safety.
Promoting police efficiencyWatching Briefs is a first for South Africa and
the Western Cape. The Unit is headed by Adv.
JC Gerber SC and the other members of this
elite team are Adv. Leslie Morris and former
police captain Adv. Jerome Norris, who has in
the interim been appointed in the Office of the
Western Cape Provincial Police Ombudsman.
Together they have many decades’ experience
in the legal and policing fields.
A pilot Watching Briefs project was run
in five courts in the Western Cape and a
submission was made to the Cabinet to report
SERvING
The Watching Briefs Unit is making history in South Africa by ensuring that
criminals face their day in court. By Maret Lesch
LEFt tO RIGHt:
HOD of Community Safety,
Gideon Morris and the
members of the Watching
Briefs Unit, Adv. Leslie Morris,
Adv. JC Gerber SC and
Adv. Jerome Norris with the
Productivity SA Gold Award.
Better Together magazine 15
on the excellent results of the pilot project. In
August 2014, the Cabinet resolved that the Unit
be a permanent function of the Department of
Community Safety.
According to a statement by Minister
Dan Plato, the Unit inter alia identified 144
cases during the pilot phase in 2014/2015,
where serious police inefficiencies or failures
by the SA Police Service resulted in these
cases initially being struck off the court roll.
“Through the intervention of the Watching
Briefs team, who quickly identified a number
of shortcomings, brought these cases to
the attention of the SAPS and because of
the swift and decisive action being taken by
SAPS management, most of these cases were
thankfully placed back on the court roll.”
Adv. JC Gerber, who has 42 years’
experience as a prosecutor, says the most
common inefficiencies or systemic failures that
the Watching Briefs Unit identified during its
pilot phase are cases where the investigating
officer failed to finalise the investigation within
a reasonable time; cases where the police
docket was not delivered to the court; and
cases where the investigating officer failed to
subpoena witnesses to attend court or where
the summons was not properly served.
In order to assist in the monitoring of court
cases across Cape Town, the Unit will be using
six law graduate interns. “They are qualified but
don’t have a job yet. By helping us, they can
get exposure. They will be attending courts and
report to us immediately if they observe police
inefficiencies,” says Adv. JC Gerber.
He explains that it is very important for the
Watching Briefs Unit to build networks and
have the right communication channels when
monitoring cases. “Building networks and
contacts are very important, especially at the
courts and with the various role players. Our
attitude towards people is also very important.
The way we speak to people determines
whether they are going to help us. We ask
them to cooperate and don’t demand that they
help us.”
Jerome Norris adds that using the graduates
makes a big difference in monitoring police
efficiency. “We are no longer reliant on the
police only for information. We get it first hand
from the courts.”
Any inefficiency or ineffectiveness of a
member of the police that is observed by
the Watching Briefs team is reported to the
Provincial Police Commissioner on a quarterly
basis. Disciplinary steps are taken by the SAPS
management against the relevant investigating
officers where necessary.
The Head of the Department, Mr Gideon
Morris, has approved five additional posts in
the Unit, which they aim to fill towards the
beginning of 2016. Adv. JC Gerber says this will
be a major boost to the ability of the Unit to
monitor the performance of the police.
Productivity Sa awardWhat makes the Watching Briefs Unit’s work
excellent value for money is that it is a point of
audit very late in the criminal justice system. As
the court process is very expensive, the Unit
maximises the government’s investment by
ensuring cases are added back onto the roll.
This is why the Watching Briefs Unit was
recently awarded the regional Productivity
SA Gold Award. Productivity SA is a public
entity and its mandate is primarily to enhance
the productive capacity of South Africa. The
awards are divided into four sector categories:
corporate, public, emerging business, and co-
operative.
“What makes this Award noteworthy is
that Productivity SA is a non-governmental
entity. The fact that this project was reviewed
and rated as the best in the Province says a
lot. The reviewers focused on cost and return.
Ultimately, Watching Briefs was recognised as
high value for money,” says HOD Gideon Morris.
The Watching Briefs team says they feel
extremely honoured by the recognition. Adv.
Leslie Morris adds that he is very proud of
the fact that they are helping people. “The
award means the world to me. It shows that
we are doing something good and making a
difference.”
They now look forward to expanding the
team in order to cover courts in more areas of
the Western Cape. “We are now expanding the
Unit and appointing more people. We want to
expand to 25 criminal courts in priority rural
areas, such as Paarl East and Khayelitsha,” says
Adv. JC Gerber.
Minister Plato believes that the Watching
Briefs Unit’s work will also build a better
relationship between the Department, the
community and the SAPS. “We look forward to
many more successes of the Watching Briefs
Unit as it allows the Department of Community
Safety to work even better with the SAPS to
identify areas of improvement, enabling the
SAPS to provide a better quality of safety
service delivery to everyone in the Western
Cape.”
Inspiration
Better Together magazine16
Speaking up
Jean-Claude Smit was elected as
the first disabled Speaker of the
National Children’s Parliament, not
only representing our youth, but
showing that deaf people are just
as capable as their hearing peers.
By Maret Lesch
It was former President Nelson Mandela’s wish
that children share their vision for South Africa
and influence policies and programmes which
affect them. To honour this, a National Children’s
Parliament was inaugurated in 2011 and has been
held every year since, in partnership with the
National Department of Social Development and
the Nelson Mandela’s Children’s Fund. Every year,
five children from each of the nine provinces are
selected to represent their peers at the Children’s
Parliament.
This year, the Western Cape made history
when one of our representatives, Jean-Claude
Smit, a deaf learner from the De La Bat School for
the Deaf, was elected as the first disabled Speaker
since the Children’s Parliament’s inception.
Jean-Claude (17) was born deaf with a
profound hearing loss in both ears. As a hostel
captain and member of the representative council
for two consecutive years, Jean-Claude was
nominated by his school to represent the Western
Cape at the National Children’s Parliament in
Bloemfontein this year.
“The principal selected me to go because
of my leadership skills. I was very excited to
get the opportunity to show what we (deaf
people) can do. As part of the selection process
for the Speaker, all the children attending the
Children’s Parliament could nominate someone.
The nomination had to be supported by another
member and the candidate (nominee) had
to agree to be part of the process. I was
nominated and had to make a speech to say
why I wanted to be the Speaker. We then
voted and I was elected as the Speaker for
this year,” explains Jean-Claude.
As part of his year as Speaker, he wants
to ensure that children realise that they must
take responsibility for their lives. “I want to make
a difference in people’s lives. Many children get
pregnant at a young age and become involved in
gangs. They do things that ruin their lives. I want
to make them aware of their future and that they
must make good choices. They must be aware
that life is not only about now and that things we
do now will change the future.”
Jean-Claude is very excited about the
opportunity the Children’s Parliament gives
Better Together magazine 17
Inspiration
DRIVING FORCE
Jean-Claude and Aviwe were part of the
Dreamfields Partnership and participated in
the social dialogue opportunities that the
programme hosted. Within the WCG, this
programme is managed and coordinated by
the Chief Directorate: International and Priority Programmes.
Monica Makaula is the project manager who worked
extremely hard behind the scenes in order to get the learners
selected and to prepare the Western Cape learners for the
Nelson Mandela National Children’s Parliament.
Monica conducted a preparatory two-day workshop
to prepare the selected five Western Cape learners for
the Children’s Parliament. The children were briefed on
parliamentary processes and what to expect. She was
also responsible for their safety and well-being whilst in
Bloemfontein for the Children’s Parliament.
Monica’s thorough preparation at the workshop paid off
when Jean-Claude was selected as Speaker. “Jean-Claude
was selected because the other children saw his leadership
qualities and the way he engaged during debates. Being deaf
did not prevent him from expressing himself. I see him as a
voice for the disabled community and someone who will be
able to amplify Madiba’s legacy,” says Monica.
AMBASSADOR
Aviwe Jemane (17), was elected as the
ambassador for the Western Cape at
the National Children’s Parliament in
Bloemfontein earlier this year. She is deaf
and a learner at the De La Bat School for
the Deaf in Worcester.
She says that she welcomed the
opportunity to not only represent the
children of the Western Cape, but also to
make a difference in deaf people’s lives.
“I want to make a difference in disabled
people’s lives. I feel it is important for
me to show others that although I’m
deaf, I can still do anything and that my
deafness is not a burden. Hopefully, other
disabled people can look up to me and do
the same.”
Although she is very polite and
friendly, Aviwe is firm when it comes to
her rights and the youth’s responsibilities.
“I am aware of some issues at my school
and community and like to speak out
about these issues. I also feel that I have
the right to do so in my chosen language,
which is sign language.
“After my experience at the Children’s
Parliament, I feel confident to raise key
issues and try and find solutions. We
(youth) must take responsibility for
our own education and problems in
our communities. We cannot wait for
others to fix it. We must use the available
resources and work together to make the
future better for us.”
She believes that young people should
work together. “They must speak their
mind about issues in a civilized way
without violence. We know now that it is
possible to speak out and work together
to find solutions. According to me, it does
not matter what language you speak, who
you are or where you are from, anyone
can become great. Just set goals for
yourself and you can do it.”
As part of her duties as ambassador,
Aviwe wants to encourage the youth
to go to school. “I want to give young
people a purpose to go to school and
become someone great instead of
wasting their life. I also want to raise
funds for schoolbags or shoes. One of my
responsibilities is to do community work.”
learners. “We can speak up
and let our voices be heard.
Children must be willing to
contribute, be positive and take responsibility for their actions. I
believe our input at the Children’s Parliament will be conveyed to
the Parliament to inform our leaders what the needs of the youth
are and how to support us in those specific areas.”
Jean-Claude hopes that his appointment as Speaker will show
disabled people that they are capable of anything. “It is a huge
step forward for me and other deaf people, especially deaf kids
who now know it is possible. In South Africa many people see
being deaf as an illness and something that needs to be fixed.
Now, I can say it is not true. It doesn’t matter that I’m deaf, this
is who I am and I am proud of it. Now I can show others that we
are just as capable as any other person to participate and have
opportunities.”
OPPOSItE LEFt: Jean-Claude Smit.
tOP: Aviwe Jemane. BELOW: Monica Makaula
FAo, 2011;
ToTAL AGrICuLTurAL wATEr uSE
70%ABOUT
of all water withdrawn from its source globally15 415 litres 1 222 litres 1 020 litres5 988 litres 4 325 litres 3 178 litres
LESS IS MoREof all food produce world wide gets lost or wasted.
Globally there are 663 million people with no access to clean water.
IN SouTH AFRICA, MoRE THAN
11 MILLIoN pEopLE ARE Food INSECuRE
ANNuAL CoNSuMEr Food wASTE IN INduSTrIALISEd CouNTrIES:
222 MILLIoN ToNSIS AlMoST AS MuCH AS THE ANNuAL NET Food produCTIoN oF Sub-SAHArAN AFrICA:
230 MILLIoN ToNSThis equals about 1,3 bILLIoN ToNS and could feed more than 3 bILLIoN pEopLE
oNE-THIrd
1 IN 7 pEopLE GloBAllY ARE uNdERNouRISHEd
Food loss and waste contributes to
1. Food INSECurITY2. LoSS oF LANd ANd
rESourCES3. FINANCIAL LoSS
How MuCH wATEr doES IT TAkE To produCE:
1 kg beef 1 kg pork 1 kg chicken 1 kg cheese 1 kg corn 1 litre milk
Water used to irrigate food that ends up being thrown away could meet the domestic water needs of about.
9 bILLIoN pEopLE
FAo, 2011;
4,1% 16,8% 26,7%
25,9% 26,4%
31,4%
SHOPPING
1 3
6
7
54
2
98
Sources: www.csir.co.za; www.fao.org; www.globalagriculture.org; www.tristramstuart.co.uk; www.unep.org; www.waterfootprint.org * Statistics, facts and figures correct at time of going to print.
LESS IS MoREMost of us tend to waste more food
during the festive season than any other time of the year. Let’s make
an effort to waste less food.
About 9,04 MILLIoN ToNS of food produced gets lost or wasted each year (31,4% of average annual production).
Food wASTE ANd LoSS IN SouTH AFrICA
Most of the food loss in South Africa happens before a meal even reaches your plate. But as a consumer, there are things you can do to help reduce your waste:
ANNuAL HouSEHoLd Food wASTE IN SouTH AFrICA:
1,4 MILLIoN ToNS= 7 kG pEr pErSoN
CoST oF wASTEd Food ANd dISpoSAL THErEoF:
r21,7 bILLIoN
A large amount of the food we waste is because of our culture of preparing extra food for unexpected visitors
total food loss in South Africa agricultural production post-harvest handling and storage processing and packaging distribution consumer
Eat in seasonSeasonal food uses less resources to produce.
Plan your shoppingBuy only what you need and check the use-by dates.
Embrace leftoversFreeze left-over food or be creative and use in pastas or on sandwiches the next day.
Buy localShorter travelling distances makes food stay fresh for longer.
Proper storageFood lasts longer when stored at recommended temperature.
Cook only what you needConfirm your number of guests and plan your portions.
Smaller platesSmaller plates prevent dishing up too much. Rather go back for a second helping.
Self-serveLet your guests dish according to their appetite. Leftovers from a serving bowl are less likely to get wasted.
avoid buying perishable giftsOnly buy food gifts when you know for certain it’s something the reciever likes. Select foods with a longer shelf life.
Better Together magazine20
Road safety
Fight the fatigue
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
any emergency in Cape
Town (ambulance, fire,
traffic, police)
• Landline: 107
• Cellphone: 021 480 7700
Emergency Traffic Control
Centre
• Tel: 021 812 4581 (all hours)
• Tel: 021 483 5818
(Weekdays from 08:00
to 16:00)
• Tel: 0800 092 468
(08000 WC GMT)
Metro Emergency Medical
Services
• Tel: 10177
So
urc
es: S
afe
ly H
om
e; A
rrive A
live
USEFUL TIPS
When you drive for many hours
without a break, the chances are
good that you can become tired
and even fall asleep behind the wheel. The first
step in combating fatigue is to recognise the
signs that you are tired.
If you can’t keep your eyes open and your
head up, you yawn a lot and miss road signs
and exits, the chances are that you are tired.
Other signs that it is time for a break are if you
let the car wander over the centre line or on
to the edge of the road, your reactions slow
down, and you daydream, have disconnected
thoughts and struggle to stay focused. Feeling
irritable and restless are also symptoms of
fatigue.
Safety firstIt is important that you ensure your vehicle is
in a roadworthy condition before departing.
Always do a quick pre-trip inspection to
ensure the brakes, wipers and all the lights
and indicators are working. Remember to also
check the condition of the tyres and to make
sure you have a ready-to-use spare wheel.
Everyone in the vehicle should wear their
seatbelt. The driver must obey the speed
limit, guard against distractions while driving,
maintain a safe following distance and never
use a cellphone while driving. Turn the vehicle’s
lights on when you drive to improve visibility.
If the vehicle breaks down, you should turn
on the hazard lights and try to get the vehicle
to a safe location. If you can’t move it, turn the
hazard lights on and stay belted in the vehicle
until professional help arrives.
Try these tips to fight the fatigue:• Take a 15 minute break at least every two hours or 200 km.
Get out of the car and walk to stretch your legs.
• Plan your trip in advance so that you know where you can
stop to rest.
• Take turns to drive.
Rest when you are
not driving.
• Listen to music or talk
to your passengers.
• Don’t drive during
your body’s down
time, which is usually
between 01:00 and
05:00 in the morning.
• Avoid eating big,
heavy meals or using
alcohol or drugs
before driving.
• Don’t exhaust
yourself the day
before a long trip.
• Avoid making the
temperature in the
car too hot or cold,
this can make you
feel even more tired.
• Wear good quality
sunglasses that won’t
strain your eyes.
During the festive season we’re
excited to visit our families or holiday
destinations and we often end up
driving long distances at a time.
E X P E R t a D v I C E
Plan early for the festive season. Decide upfront what you
and Santa are going to spend on gifts and stick to your budget.
- Minister Ivan Meyer
PERSONAL FINANCE | WORKPLACE | HEALTH
Better Together magazine22
Personal finance
Surviving the holidaysYou can enjoy the festive season and
survive January without breaking the
bank or getting into debt.
By Maret Lesch
It’s that time of the year again. All the shops
are playing Christmas carols and your post
box is stuffed with pamphlets advertising
gifts at special prices. Many of us get swept
away by the spirit of giving and we cannot wait
to hit the shops and start spending money on
our homes and loved ones.
The bad news is that January can be a very
long month. Not only do you have to recover
after spending a lot of money in December,
you have to budget for your normal household
expenses, bond or rent, and very likely pay
school fees and buy new school uniforms and
stationery.
The good news? You can do something
about your financial situation, no matter how
dire it seems.
tHInK BEFORE yOU GODid you manage to stay out of the red until
now and have not used your credit cards or
retail accounts to buy gifts? Even without any
savings you can still survive December and
enjoy a stress-free January.
Before you start spending, budget for things
that you must pay in January, like your bond
or rent, car payment, insurance, school fees,
school uniforms, stationery, transport, and
food. Set some money aside for emergencies
and entertainment and then see how much
money you have left.
Use the “envelope strategy” if you want to
buy presents. Decide on the amount you can
afford to spend on each gift and draw the
money. Put the cash for each gift in a separate
envelope.
Don’t get fooled by the specials in the
pamphlets and shops. You might end up
buying things you don’t need and gifts your
loved ones won’t use. Take only the envelopes
with the gift money with you to the shops. The
chances are that you won’t be tempted to buy
anything unnecessary, as you will know exactly
what you can spend and only have that amount
of money with you.
It might be helpful to make a list of exactly
what you need to buy and where to buy it to
prevent you from getting swept up by the
festive season shopping hysteria.
So
urc
es: M
on
eyw
eb
, San
lam
, Sta
nd
ard
Ban
k, D
eb
t Bu
sters
Better Together magazine 23
Plan early for the festive
season. Decide upfront
what you and Santa
are going to spend on
gifts and stick to your
budget.
Do not forget to pay
your everyday bills.
Rent, your bond, food,
municipal services, etc.
still need to be paid.
Keep things simple. If
you do not have the
cash, do not give into
the temptation to enter
into extended credit
agreements or access
an overdraft.
Shop around and be
aware of expensive
extended warranties.
The cost of repairs
could be cheaper than
the cost of the warranty.Part of holistic
employee wellbeing is
financial wellness. Our
relationship with money and
how we manage our finances can have
an impact on our lifestyle. If you need
advice in terms of debt guidance and
counseling or basic information on financial
planning, you can get this support from
ICAS on 08600 611 155 as part of the life
management services. This is a free service
where accredited financial advisers will
assist you in resolving financial challenges.
You cannot access any financial aid and
loans through this service.
StOP RIGHt tHERE!You’ve already spent money on necessities
and things for the house, but now you’ve got
almost nothing to buy presents with or to
entertain the children. The only solution you
can think of is a new credit card, a personal
loan or to use your retail accounts.
Planning and budgeting is important to
avoid getting into debt. Don’t be tempted to
spend more money than you have on eating
out, entertainment and gifts. Even if you have
very little money left after you set aside money
for everything you must pay in January, you
can still enjoy the holidays and festive season.
Suggest that everyone in the family only
buy presents for the children or use the Secret
Santa method – write everyone’s name on a
piece of paper and put all the names in a hat.
Every person draws a name and only buys
a present for the person whose name they
picked.
You don’t have to go away to enjoy the
holidays. Why not go for day outings and
picnics to entertain the children? Rather host
a movie day at home with DvDs and popcorn
than going to the cinema. The children might
also enjoy building a fort outside, playing
games with you, arts and crafts, and going on
play dates with friends.
Choose outings that will entertain the
children for the entire day and pack your own
snacks and drinks rather than buying there.
Many libraries offer holiday programmes for
the children and it might be a good idea to ask
your local library what they are planning.
In tROUBLEYou don’t know what
to do or how you are
going to survive the
very long January. You
barely made it through
the festive season and
now have to service the
interest and repayment
on a new credit card
or personal loan and
the increased monthly
payments on retail
accounts. You might
even have to make more
debt just to put food on
the table in January.
Before spending
any more money,
you should try to do
something about your
financial situation. Try
to pay off your debt and
stick to your monthly
repayments.
If you cannot make your monthly payments,
call your credit provider as soon as possible
and before they call you. Inform them of
your situation and decide on a payment
arrangement plan. They might be able to
extend your repayment term and lower your
monthly payments.
If you are in a debt crisis, you might want to
consider debt counselling. It is a legal process
that involves having your debt restructured so
that you can still pay your monthly expenses
and pay off your debt.
1
2
3
4
MINISTER MEYER’S FOUR Top TIpS
FrEE HELP
SERVICE
“You can do something about your financial situation, no matter how dire it seems.”
LEavE Ever had questions about taking leave, but were too
scared to ask your manager or colleagues? We asked
the tough questions for you.
Compiled by Fabian Williams and Leah Moodaley
Q: It’s holiday season and I want to take
leave but I don’t have any or enough leave
days. How can I better manage my annual
leave throughout the year?
The best approach is to be prepared. You
should plan your annual leave at the beginning
of each year. Start by using a calendar to
mark the important days in the year for
you (birthdays, family trips planned, study
periods, and holidays). Once you know the
amount of days needed, complete your Z1
leave application forms and forward it to be
processed. It might be a good idea to ensure
you have a few spare leave days in case you
need to take unplanned leave during the year.
Q: I want to take leave, but my supervisor
does not approve it because my colleague is
already on leave and there must be someone
in the office to do the work. Can they do this
and how can I avoid this situation in future?
This is one of the most frustrating situations in
the working environment. Yes, your manager
can reject your leave application. Your leave is
recommended based on your workload, leave
usage and the effect your absence will have on
your unit as a whole. Your work is important
and leave should be planned around it, not the
other way around. To avoid this situation in
the future, you must plan your leave. In some
cases, employees arrange with their managers
to complete the necessary work and then take
a half day’s leave to attend to their personal
matters.
All about
Workplace
Q: I feel unhappy because I have to stay in
the office over the holidays. My office does
not close for the holiday season and someone
must be there. Can I refuse or should everyone
take turns?
The best solution would be for everyone to
work as a team and take turns over the years.
Bear in mind that we work in a government
environment and have responsibilities to
the public that cannot be placed on hold.
However, this does not mean you cannot bring
the festive spirit to work – try decorating the
office, playing some festive music and lifting
the mood – this is guaranteed to make the
experience enjoyable.
Q: I have not taken leave in more than a
year, only a day here and there. My manager
now wants me to take ten consecutive days’
leave. Can they do that and do I have to?
To avoid a situation where you forfeit unused
credits, your manager can recommend that you
utilise a big portion of credits during a down
time period to ensure minimal impact on the
work whilst granting you time to recuperate.
This is only a recommendation and will not
negatively affect your performance. You can
refuse to take the leave. However, all credits
not utilised within six months after the current
annual leave cycle will expire.
Q: I want to go on leave, but I have project
deadlines and I am the only person in my unit
who can do the work. How do I manage my
leave without it having a negative impact on
my work?
Try to pre-plan your leave around the project
by identifying what needs to be done by when.
Lay out the project on your leave planner to
see how it corresponds to your annual leave
planned for the year. This will give you the
best understanding of how to utilise your
leave around periods during which you have
important tasks and projects to complete.
Q: I want to plan my leave around the public
holidays, but my supervisor won’t approve my
leave request, as he feels too many people
will be out of the office at the same time. Can
he do this and how can I avoid this situation in
future?
The best solution is to apply for leave for the
festive season and around public holidays early
in the year. Create a database where everyone
in your unit can add their preferred leave
periods. This will ensure that there is ample
time to consider your application, and appeal if
your leave is not approved. This will also help
the manager to have a better understanding of
the efficiency of the unit when considering the
leave requests.
Better Together magazine 25
Health
Sun smart
With the summer holidays finally here,
many of us are looking forward to
spending time outside in the hot
summer sun. Unfortunately, a wonderful day
relaxing at the beach or in the pool often ends
with red, sore and sunburnt skin.
The good news is that even though sunburn
is very painful, you can easily treat it at home
or even prevent it completely!
PreventionThe Cancer Association of South Africa
(CANSA) recommends that you:
• Use a sunscreen that is SPF 30 to 50 and will
protect you against UvA (cancer-causing)
and UvB (burn-causing) rays.
• Apply water-resistant sunscreen every two
hours and at least 15 minutes before you go
outside.
• Use sunscreen brands with the CANSA Seal
of Recognition (CSOR). It is a guarantee by
the manufacturer that their Uv protective
products comply with the strict criteria
developed by CANSA.
• Avoid direct sunlight between 10:00 and
16:00. Stay in the shade or under an umbrella
as much as possible.
• Wear sunglasses with a Uv protection rating
of Uv400.
treatmentSunburn directly damages the DNA of skin cells
and can cause long-lasting damage to your
skin, such as cancer and wrinkles. To minimise
the damage to your skin cells and help your
skin to repair itself, treat your sunburn as
quickly as possible.
Try these remedies to control the damage and
relieve the pain:
• Drink a lot of cold water. Sunburn draws
fluid to the skin’s surface and away from
the rest of your body. The extra water
when you are sunburnt will help to prevent
dehydration.
• Add a few spoons of bicarbonate of soda
to a lukewarm bath – it is cooling and helps
your skin retain moisture. Avoid the shower
and do not use soap. Pat yourself almost dry
and apply lotion generously to the affected
areas.
• Use aloe vera gel or a moisturiser that
contains aloe vera or soy to soothe your
skin. If it is very sore you can apply a
hydrocortisone cream that you can buy
without a prescription. A lotion that
contains oatmeal is also a good idea, as it
is particularly soothing. Avoid creams with
petroleum, benzocaine and lidocaine.
• You can also soak a soft, clean washcloth or
gauze in cold milk, let the excess liquid drain
off and put the cloth on your burn. Repeat
as many times as you want.
• Go to the hospital if you feel nauseous, get
intense chills or have a fever.
So
urc
es: C
AN
SA
; Am
eric
an
Acad
em
y o
f Derm
ato
log
y
DID YOU kNOW?
• Skin cancer is one of the most common
cancers in South africa and that at least
80% of sun-induced skin damage occurs
before the age of 18.
• SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.
The SPF listed on a container of
sunscreen tells you how long you can be
exposed to the sun before burning when
protected by sunscreen compared to
without sunscreen.
• you should never take a cold shower
or bath when sunburnt, as it will seal off
your pores and trap the heat.
• Certain medications and cosmetic agents
(face cream, makeup, face wash) can
make your skin very sensitive to the sun
and you can burn much faster than usual.
It’s summer and the chances are that you or
someone in your family might get sunburnt.
Treat it as soon as possible to avoid any
permanent skin damage.
By Maret Lesch
Better Together magazine26
L I F E & L E I S U R E
“I love the way music allows you to communicate with
people. Music is, as they say, a universal language. ”
- Siraaj Allen
OUT & ABOUT | ARTS & CULTURE | RECIPES
Better Together magazine28
HistoricalDarling’s tourism official, Dianne le Roux, says
the Darling Museum is really worth a visit.
It contains a unique collection of artefacts
depicting the beginning of butter making and
the history of the Darling creamery.
Another attraction worth visiting is the
!Khwattu San Culture and Education Centre,
where you can learn more about South Africa’s
first people and see how they lived. Why not
let a San guide take you on a walking trail to
show how they track animals and enjoy the local
flowers, springboks and zebras?
OutdoorIf your family loves adventure, you’ve come to
the right place. Why not test your skills on some
of the MTB trails, go for a hike or sight-running
tour, or play a round of golf? Of course there are
also 4x4, off-road biking and quad biking trails
with various difficulty levels on Swartbergsvlei.
The Mystery Trail is a fun way to keep the
children busy and to explore Darling. It starts
at the Darling Museum and you get to know
Darling by solving the riddles on your very own
treasure map.
art and cultureDarling is known for Pieter Dirk Uys’s theatre-
restaurant Evita se Perron, which is a must-visit
when in Darling. If art is your thing, you’ll enjoy
the Darling Gallery and the Splitpiece where you
can see 31 murals on houses in one road. This
unique project forms part of a living gallery and
is headed by the artist Falko.
Eat and drinkBesides the various wine estates on the wine
route, it will be worth your while to spend
some time at the Darling Brewery to enjoy their
unique craft beer.
The Groote Post Country Market every last
Sunday of the month offers gourmet produce,
handcrafted goods, live music and a play area
for the children.
Foodies should also visit Chicory Cheese
If you haven’t been to the West Coast town of Darling, you’ve been missing out on
one of the most beautiful little towns in the Western Cape. Whether you want to
enjoy the outdoors or catch up on culture, Darling is the perfect place to visit!
My Darling!Out&about
Better Together magazine 29
Café and Deli, the Marmalade Cat, the Flying Pig
Deli and Darling Sweet, where you can buy old-
fashioned toffees.
Include Ormonde vineyards, Darling Olives
and Het Bos Olives in your visit if you want to
try a variety of olive products.
Flowers and wildlifeAs Darling is known for its florae, there are
several reserves dedicated to it. If you want to
experience the abundance of flowers, the best
time to visit is between August and October.
The Buffelsfontein Game and Nature Reserve
and Burgherspost Wine Estate are also worth a
visit and boast beautiful natural scenery.
Darling has recently added a bird-watching
route to its offerings and enthusiasts can enjoy
finding more than 250 bird species on the Cape
West Coast Swartland Birding Route.
OtherDarling is close to Yzerfontein, where the family
can cool off in the Atlantic Ocean. You can also
celebrate our heritage by paying a visit to the
West Coast National Park and the West Coast
Fossil Park.
For more information on tourist attractions, accommodation and what Darling has to offer, visit
the Darling tourism website at www.darlingtourism.co.za or call the Tourism Office (located in
Darling Museum) on 022 492 3361.
arts&Culture
nOtEworthyMusic is often described as an escape for the senses, but for many
people it becomes an escape from the social ills that plague their
communities on a daily basis.
By Maret Lesch
“Music saved me,” says Siraaj Allen, a
talented trumpet player.
“Delft, where I come from, is
known for gangsterism. If I didn’t get involved
in music, I would have been a gangster today.
Music keeps me off the streets and away from
bad elements. It makes me see the bigger
picture,” explains Allen.
This is why he devotes so much of his time
to uplifting the youth in his community through
music. “I don’t want them to get involved with
the gangs. I want to be an example to them of
someone who made it out and who saw the
bigger picture. They must realise that it isn’t
worth it to join a gang.”
The shy 24-year-old’s eyes come to life
when he speaks about his passion for music.
“My parents were part of the Cape Minstrels
and as a child I danced with them. Then I
saw someone playing a trumpet and I was
immediately interested. I wanted to play. I
started playing the trumpet when I was 12 and
played in the Cape Minstrels for four years.”
His perception of music changed when he
went to high school and his teacher, Ian Smith,
started a music programme. “I realised I’m
serious about music. I wanted to be able to
read the notes. I love the way music allows you
to communicate with people. Music is, as they
say, a universal language. It even helps you to
get rid of emotions, such as anger.”
He is studying part-time at the University
of the Western Cape with a bursary from
UWC and the Department of Cultural Affairs
and Sport. “I’m currently doing my Grade 8 in
music. Then I’m tackling the degrees,” he says
with a quiet determination.
Siraaj joined the Delft Big Band in 2008 and
now also plays in the Little Giants and the UWC
Jazz Ensemble. “I’m also part of the Minstrel
Better Together magazine30
“If I didn’t get involved in music, I would have been a gangster today.”
band The Happy Boys and we do a lot of gigs
and even television work.”
The Minstrel bands have a special place in
his heart. “I want people to understand the
Minstrel’s history when they listen to the music.
It is part of our culture. It is a music form on its
own and it should be recognised as such.”
At the moment jazz is his signature style.
“I love jazz and listening to what the artists
do when they play. I don’t even listen to R&B
and that kind of music. I like music where I can
understand and recognise the skill of the artist
and the story they are telling.
“However, I don’t think I can continue playing
jazz if I want to survive in the music industry in
South Africa. The trend is now shifting to pop
and house bands that play in clubs. I must move
towards a style like the band Mi Casa. That is
what the new generation likes and there is a
strong movement in that direction.”
Creating opportunities for the youth and
sharing his knowledge and skills with
them is very important to Siraaj.
“I needed someone to help me
and only found Mr Smith when
I was in high school and then
Mr George Werner, the band
director, at UWC. I don’t want
young people to experience the
same situation. I want them to
have opportunities. Music keeps
them off the streets and gives them
something to do. Some of my Delft Big
Band friends and I have started a Minstrel band
in Delft where we teach the youngsters music.
Anyone is welcome and it’s free.”
He also teaches primary school pupils
to play the trumpet at York Primary in
Lansdowne. “I’m not teaching for money. I
want young people to learn, to have a genuine
interest in music and to grow. I will always
make time in my career to teach.”
Siraaj believes having a role model is
important. “My favourite trumpeter is Wynton
Marsalis. He is the absolute best. My South
African role model is Marcus Wyatt. We toured
together in Paris and I had the privilege of
playing with him.”
He warns that music is hard work and that
you don’t make a lot of money. “I won’t advise
young people to make music their first trade.
Make sure there is something else you can do
to fall back on. Music is a tough industry. Find
a mentor or a role model and learn from their
experiences. Invest in your future and that of
others. Share your skills with people in your
community.”
Siraaj is
studying part-time
with a bursary
from UWC and the
Department of Cultural
Affairs and Sport.
LEFT: Siraaj allen. AbovE: Siraaj teaching one of the
learners at york Primary in Landsdowne.
Better Together magazine 31
Festive
Christmas is a time to relax, enjoy and
be with your loved ones. Treat them
with our delicious Christmas lunch menu.
For only r500 you can prepare mains
and dessert for eight people!
feast
Better Together magazine32
MENu
MaIn COURSE:Roast chicken
Roast potatoes
Butternut and beetroot salad
with halloumi
Baby spinach and strawberry
salad with feta and walnuts
DESSERt:Spiced poached pears with
vanilla ice-cream
RoAST CHICKEN WITH lEMoN RoAST POTATOES
InGREDIEntS2 whole chickens
Freshly ground salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 kg potatoes, peeled
1 large lemon
Olive oil
1 whole bulb garlic, broken into
cloves
1 handful fresh thyme
1 handful fresh rosemary sprigs,
leaves picked
MEtHOD1. Rub the chicken inside and out
with a generous amount of salt
and freshly ground black pepper.
Do this in the morning if possible,
then cover the chicken and leave
in the fridge until one hour before
you’re ready to start cooking it. By
doing this, you’ll make the meat
really tasty when cooked. Preheat
your oven to 190 °C/gas 5. Bring
a large pan of salted water to the
boil. Cut the potatoes into golf
ball-sized pieces, put them into
the water with the whole lemon
and the garlic cloves, and cook
for 12 minutes. Drain and allow to
steam dry for one minute (this will
give you crispier potatoes), then
remove the lemon and garlic. Toss
the potatoes in the pan while still
hot so their outsides get chuffed
up and fluffy – this will make them
lovely and crispy when they roast.
2. While the lemon is still hot,
carefully stab it about 10 times.
Pat the chicken with kitchen
paper and rub it all over with olive
oil. Push the garlic cloves, the
whole lemon and the thyme into
the cavity, then put the chicken
into a roasting tray and cook in
the preheated oven for around 45
minutes. Remove the chicken and
transfer to a plate. Some lovely
fat should have cooked out of
it into the roasting tray, so toss
the potatoes into this with the
rosemary leaves. Shake the tray
around, then make a gap in the
centre of the potatoes and put the
chicken back in. Cook for a further
45 minutes, or until the chicken
is cooked and the potatoes are
nice and golden. (You can tell the
chicken is cooked when the thigh
meat easily pulls away from the
bone and the juices run clear.)
3. Remove the lemon and garlic
from inside the chicken, squeeze
all the garlic flesh out of the skin,
mush it up and smear it all over
the chicken, discard the lemon
and rosemary and carve the
chicken at the table.
SHOPPInG LISt COSt*2 whole chickens R120
Thyme R9
Rosemary R9
lemons R20
Red onions R20
Butternut R15
Feta R15
Baby spinach R22
Strawberries R40
Pears R20
vanilla ice-cream R50
Potatoes R18
Beetroot R10
Tin of chickpeas R10
Ginger R10
vanilla pod R22
Halloumi cheese R40
Walnuts R20
Balsamic vinegar (small) R30
total R500
StORECUPBOaRD InGREDIEntSOlive oil
Salt
Pepper
Coriander seeds
Stick cinnamon
Star anise
Brown sugar
Butter
Garlic
Parsley
* Prices from a large supermarket at the time of going to print.
Better Together magazine 33
Recipes
BABY SPINACH AND STRAWBERRY SAlAd InGREDIEntS4 cups fresh baby spinach
250 g punnet of strawberries,
sliced
100 g walnuts or pecans
100 g feta cheese
Generous sprinkle of freshly
ground pepper
Salt
10 tbs balsamic vinegar (or to
taste)
4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
4 tsp honey
MEtHODIn a medium mixing bowl, add
spinach leaves, strawberry slices
and nuts and toss. In a separate
bowl, mix balsamic vinegar, oil,
honey and salt. Whisk to combine.
Transfer salad to serving plate,
sprinkle feta cheese on top and
then drizzle the dressing over.
Sprinkle generously with freshly
ground black pepper.
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BuTTERNuT ANd BEETRooT SAlAd WITH HAllouMI
InGREDIEntS1 medium butternut squash
4 small, uncooked beetroots
2 small red onions, quartered
3 large cloves garlic, peeled
Olive oil
150 g halloumi, cut into 2 cm cubes
400 g tin chickpeas, drained
Ground coriander seeds
1 tsp lemon pepper or lemon juice
Parsley leaves, to serve
Extra virgin olive oil, to serve
MEtHOD1. Heat the oven to 200 °C/gas
6. Cut the butternut into eight
wedges lengthways. Remove the
seeds and keep them. Halve or
quarter the beetroots, depending
on their size. Place the butternut,
butternut seeds, onions and garlic
in a large baking tray and drizzle
with olive oil. Wrap the beetroot
in tinfoil and place in a separate
baking tray.
Put the butternut and beetroot in
the oven and roast for 40 minutes,
or until tender, turning the onions
occasionally. The times may vary
and the butternut may cook before
the beetroot. Remove the butternut
seeds when coloured and crisp.
2. Just before serving, take the
butternut and onions out of the
baking tray and add the halloumi to
the tray (with any oil that remains).
Place in the oven and cook for
about 10 minutes or until golden.
3. To serve, combine the
vegetables and halloumi with
the chickpeas, spices and lemon
pepper/juice and parsley leaves.
Season with salt and freshly ground
pepper and serve drizzled with a
little extra olive oil. Serve warm or
at room temperature.
Recipes
Better Together magazine34
tIP:You can poach the
pears up to two days
ahead. Just reheat
the pears and syrup
before you want to
serve it.
Recipes
SPICED POACHED PEARS
InGREDIEntS750 g brown sugar
1 cinnamon stick
2 strips lemon zest (use a potato peeler)
1 star anise
1 vanilla pod, split lengthways
5 cloves
a piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and sliced
8 ripe pears, peeled (you can use any pear)
MEtHODIn a pan big enough to hold four pears snugly, tip in all the ingredients
except the pears. Fill the pan halfway with water and bring to the boil.
Simmer for 10 minutes to infuse, drop in four of the pears, cover and
gently poach for about 30 minutes until soft. Remove the pears and
drop in the other four pears. Cover and gently poach for about 30
minutes until soft. Turn off the heat and transfer all eight pears to a
container with a lid. Pour the poaching syrup over the pears and keep in
the fridge. Serve warm with a generous scoop of vanilla ice-cream.
9
1
2 3
654
7 8
Bt Games
BT GAMESIt is very important to us that our staff members are
happy and healthy. The annual Better Together Games not only encourages staff
members to be more active, it gives us the opportunity to work in teams and get
to know each other outside our usual work environment. This year our departments
showed their skills at the four BT Games events in October.
Captions: 1. The dominoes competition ensured hours of entertainment. 2. Ms Anroux Marais, the Minister of Cultural Affairs and Sport
opens the Oudtshoorn BT Games. 3. The winner of the running event. 4. The netball was a big hit. 5. Staff members participating in
the opening ceremony. 6. Participants in the fun walk received a medal at the finishing line. 7. The rugby was a lot of fun. 8. Even
ladies showed their talents in the tug-of-war. 9. The soccer matches had everyone on the edge of their seat.
OUDtSHOORn
2015
Better Together magazine36
11
1312
10
14 15 16
191817
Bt Games
Captions: 10. One of the volley ball games in action. 11. Ready, steady, go! 12. The fun walk was a team effort. 13. Elize Steyn, Deputy
Executive Mayor of Saldanha Bay Municipality. 14. The darts competition was a big hit. 15 and 16. Cycling is always a favourite at the
BT Games. 17. One of the chess competitors concentrating on his next move. 18. One of the tennis players showing his perfect serve.
19. The competition was tough in the netball matches.
vREDEnBURG
Better Together magazine 37
24 25 26
27
28 29
23
20
21
22
Bt Games
Captions: 20. Dancing at the opening ceremony. 21. Serious competition in the fun run. 22. What a kick! 23. The 2Wise2Waste
mascot encouraging staff to use the waste bins provided. 24. The table tennis was a popular event. 25. A rugby player breaking away
with the ball. 26. The talent show formed part of the opening ceremony. 27 and 28. Intense concentration in the pool competition.
29. Friends and colleagues encouraging the tug-of-war participants.
BOLanD
Better Together magazine38
30
31 32
353433
36 37 38
40 39
Bt Games
Captions: 30, 31 and 32. Everyone enjoyed the opening ceremony. 33. Ladies pulling their weight in the tug-of-war event. 34. Minister
Anroux Marais opening the event. 35. Premier Helen Zille gave everyone a chance to speak. 36. This is how you play jukskei. 37, 38
and 39. The soccer drew a big crowd. 40. Minister Albert Fritz, Premier Helen Zille, Minister Bonginkosi Madikizela, Minister Debbie
Schäfer, Minister Anroux Marais, and HOD Brent Walters.
MEtRO
Better Together magazine 39
G a M E S & P U Z Z L E S
No
. 5
No
. 6
SOLUtIOnS - Issue 18
WO
RD
SE
aR
CH
No
. 4
SU
DO
KU
CR
OS
SW
OR
D N
o. 4
ACroSS
4. puddle
8. sosatie
10. offspring
11. thatch
12. acrophobia
13. biltong
14. mentality
16. yesterday
18. citrus
20. weekend
22. burgundy
23. hour
24. laundry
dowN
1. avoid
2. nourish
3. reverse
5. dessert
6. conceal
7. endangered
9. escalator
15. halve
17. smoulder
19. podcast
21. kerb
B D C U S t O M S I a E B n a
W R a P a R E H I S t O R y F
O H a M F I R E O P R y a y O
R n C a a L D R n U M a v C D
t E U Q I n U I S a R M I a E
H K U S n O I t a R E n E G C
y n n D y D S a R I O S G E U
C U L t U R E G I I H n y L E
B S a W t L y E t E t O L a t
L I B S P I E a a t I I F K a
G K L O D I v E R S I t y D R
C L E D O R E I M G t I S a B
E I n H E R I t S E E D M R E
L B y S E I R O M E M a L R L
E U n E H t a B S I R R a E E
n O I t I n G O C E R t E I C
C t U H a S I j R E t H t G I
8 3 9 4 7 6 5 2 1
5 4 1 9 3 2 6 7 8
7 2 6 8 5 1 9 4 3
3 6 8 2 9 7 4 1 5
4 9 7 1 8 5 2 3 6
2 1 5 6 4 3 7 8 9
1 8 4 5 2 9 3 6 7
9 7 2 3 6 8 1 5 4
6 5 3 7 1 4 8 9 2
6 7 3 4 1 9 8 5 2
1 4 9 2 5 8 6 7 3
8 5 2 7 3 6 1 9 4
3 9 7 1 6 4 5 2 8
5 2 1 3 8 7 4 6 9
4 8 6 5 9 2 7 3 1
7 3 8 9 4 5 2 1 6
9 6 5 8 2 1 3 4 7
2 1 4 6 7 3 9 8 5
No
. 7
No
. 8
Send us your Quick Quiz answers and you
could win R500! All correct entries will
be entered into a draw and the first entry
picked will be the winner.
1. Google estimates the size of the internet at 5 million ...... of data:a) Megabytes b) Terabytes c) Gigabytes d) Sugabytes
2. Globally, we send and receive ….. billion e-mails per day.a) 250 b) 3 000 c) 35 d) 800
3. Who was the first queen to send an e-mail?a) Queen Margaret b) Queen victoria c) Queen Cleopatra d) Queen Elizabeth
4. Facebook became active in ......a) 2001 b) 2000 c) 2004 d) 2003
5. the internet was previously known as the ......a) Network b) World Wide Web c) Innernet d) Arpanet
6. Which of the following is nOt a breakthrough technology of 2015? a) Nano architecture b) 3D imagery c) Car-to-car technology d) voice identification
7. What is the abbreviation of the operating system used for iPhone?a) eoS b) ioS c) oSi d) SEo
8. What descriptive word/phrase is used for people who are technologically educated?a) Book worm b) Tech savvy c) New Age d) Street wise
9. the roll-out of ...... is a provincial objective for the WCG.a) Cellular devices b) Broadband c) Excellence d) Strategy
10. Which country has treatment camps for internet addicts?a) uSA b) Japan c) China d) Germany
11. Which famous mountain has high-speed internet on the way up?a) Mount Everest b) Mount Kilimanjaro c) Table Mountain d) Mount Fuji
12. Researchers are debating on whether to add internet addiction to the list of mental disorders.a) True b) False
13. ...... of aLL e-mails sent are spam.a) 30% b) 70% c) 80% d) 90%
14. What does the ‘Fi’ in Wi-Fi stand for?a) Fire Intense b) For Intel c) Nothing, it just rhymes
with Hi-Fi d) Free Intel
15. Before the internet, ‘LOL’ meant:a) Lots of Love b) Laugh out loud c) Love or loath d) Life of living
ANSwErS ISSuE 18 1. The kidneys2. The ear3. The tongue4. Low blood pressure5. Coconuts and dates6. Italy7. Casein8. The praying mantis9. Cat10. Ostrich
rules: All ten questions must be answered and spelt correctly to be entered into the final draw. You can e-mail or post your answers to us. Our details are to be found at the front of the magazine. Entries by telephone will not be accepted. All entries must be received by us no later than 15 January 2015.
win!R500
DID YOU kNOW...• Psychologists claim that
colouring can help you
calm your mind and
relieve stress.
• Adult colouring books
are such a fast-growing
international trend, they
are currently outselling
cooking books in France.
WHy nOt GRaB SOME
CRayOnS, PEnCILS OR
PEnS anD GIvE It a GO?
Let us know whether you
enjoyed the exercise.
No
. 5
D U R S L E H E G R O W t H a
O I n O I t a v O n n I E C R
P G F B D a P H a L B E K O S
P D E F S y t I R O I R P M E
O E R P E U P t a W R y R M B
R L G E O R n a S E C R n U L
t I n y L K E S G a X U a n a
U v a G O P t n R S a O K I t
n E K R R E a K C S U I Q t E
I R E E a H O S H E I v U y D
t S t n C K D K a H v a L U E
y E D E t E B I n O t H O L a
M n M L I B O L G E O E S E I
O a E M O D R L E a S B j a t
G H y U n E D S t R a t E G y
ENERGYYouTHSKILLSCHANGE
Try to find these words in the table. Words can be horizontal, vertical or diagonal.
INNOvATIONCoMMuNITYGAME CHANGERSTRATEGY
PRIORITY DELIvERdIFFERENCEGRoWTH
OPPORTUNITYACTIoN BEHAvIOUR vALUE
Flag Header
Better Together magazine42
THE VALUES:
AccountabilityWe take responsibility.
IntegrityTo be honest and do the right thing.
CaringTo care for those we serve and work with.
responsivenessTo serve the needs of our citizens and employees.
CompetenceThe ability and capacity to do the job we were employed to do.
THE VISION:
External visionOpen opportunity for all.
Internal visionTo be the best-run regional government in the world.
better TogetherThe Western Cape Government has a duty to provide opportunities. Citizens have the responsibility to make use of them.
Let’s make use of provided opportunies and make the Western Cape BEttER tOGEtHER.
InnovationTo be open to new ideas and develop creative solutions to problems in a resourceful way.