Author: Staff Reporter

Business strategy expert Marius Oosthuizen spent three hours with entrepreneurs in a webinar titled ‘Exploring the impact of Covid-19 on the future of the Makhanda Economy’ on Friday 19 June. And on the following Friday, six panellists spoke in the Makhanda Community Forums discussion about what the local business environment needs to thrive. Organiser Suzanne Wolhuter, who is Technology Transfer Manager at Rhodes University speaks to Grocott’s Mail about the scenario-planning workshop – listen here: [pdf-embedder url=”https://www.grocotts.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/PRESENTATION.Scenario-Planning.pdf” title=”PRESENTATION.Scenario Planning”] [pdf-embedder url=”https://www.grocotts.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Stats-SA-Covid-19-survey-on-Makhanda-Business.pdf” title=”Stats SA Covid 19 survey on Makhanda Business”] In ‘Back to Business in Makhanda’, Riana Meiring, Director of Local Economic…

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Iphulo lesikeyile esikhulu liyaziswa kule veki, ukuqokelela iinkcukacha zamawaka abantu abamnyama baseMzantsi Afrika abalwa ngexa leMfazwe yokuQala yoMhlaba. Iphulo eli linethemba lokuqokelela izimvo zoluntu, ukunceda ukuvala iziqwenga ezingekhoyo zobomi bala madoda lawo kude kube ngoku angazange akufumane ukuqondwa ngokuzinikela kwawo ngamagama. Ekuqhubeni kweMfazwe, amawaka abantu abamnyama baseMzantsi Afrika baye babhalisela imisebenzi ekungaliwayo kuyo kwiiyunithi ezahlukeneyo kuquka uMkhosi wezeMisebenzi wabeBala eKoloni, uThutho ngamaHashe oluNcedisayo eKoloni iZiko leMisebenzi yoMkhosi kunye neQela lamaJoni kwiMisebenzi yoMkhosi. Ngokungafaniyo neSiqendu seMisebenzi seeNzaka zoMzantsi Afrika, esasiza kunceda eYurophu kwaye saziwa kakhulu ngokunxulumana kwaso ne-SS Mendi, la madoda afunwa kwaye asebenza kumhlaba waseAfrika. I-Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC),…

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Only an integrated public and private sector approach can provide the best healthcare response to the challenge of COVID-19, say major representative organisations of the medical profession, together with the Progressive Health Forum (PHF). “The COVID-19 pandemic poses an existential danger that necessitates the mobilisation of all the country’s healthcare resources and health workers, guided by professional ethics and a commitment to comfort and care for an increasingly anxious populace facing an unprecedented and devastating plague,” the coalition said in a statement released Sunday 28 June. The Progressive Health Forum is a national advocacy network of healthcare veterans, health activists, health…

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*UPDATED WITH WARNINGS FOR COASTAL AREAS* The southern parts of the country are about to witness a series of cold fronts starting from later this afternoon, continuing into the weekend. The first cold front associated with a steep upper-air trough is expected to make landfall later today (25 June 2020) and should move over the Western Cape Province, clearing from Friday, 26 June 2020, midday. This system is expected to result in strong north-westerly winds (60-75km/h), touching gale force winds (80-85km/h) along the south-west coast, where very rough seas are expected. Another cold front is expected on Saturday afternoon, 27…

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The first participants in South Africa’s first clinical trial for a vaccine against Covid-19 will be vaccinated this week. The first clinical trial in South Africa and on the continent for a Covid-19 vaccine was announced on Tuesday during a virtual press conference hosted by the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg (Wits). The South African Ox1Cov-19 Vaccine VIDA-Trial aims to find a vaccine that will prevent infection by SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. In South Africa, over 100 000 people have been diagnosed with COVID-19 since March when President Cyril Ramaphosa declared a national state of disaster and lockdown.…

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As the 25 June launch of South Africa’s first Virtual National Arts Festival draws rapidly nearer, the Festival has released further details about additional shows to expect on the diverse and adventurous programme that will see the Festival coming into the homes of audiences for the first time ever. “We’re seeing the Festival come together. Work that started as ideas, turned into discussions and are now full pieces are being uploaded to the Festival website for audiences to experience in just a few days’ time,” said Virtual National Arts Festival Artistic Director Rucera Seethal. “Our team is nothing short of phenomenal,…

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Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, says South Africa is moving forward with confidence, backed by science, with regards to the COVID-19 pandemic. He said government has taken the necessary bold steps needed to prevent the rapid spread of Coronavirus. “The numbers would have been extremely high and quickly overwhelmed the system, had we not taken the measures we did. “We are moving forward with confidence, backed by science, which told us it would not be worth extending the lockdown, as it would not have an effect on the inevitable laws of epidemiology. “In terms of our model, even if we…

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President Cyril Ramaphosa has read the riot act to abusive South African men, saying barbaric attacks on women and children must end. In an impassioned address to the nation on Wednesday, the President expressed deep-felt regret at the recent wave of fatal attacks on women of all ages. That gender-based violence had reared its ugly head at this time meant the country was waging a war on two pandemics. “As a man, as a husband and as a father, I am appalled at what is no less than a war being waged against the women and children of our country.…

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Sit-down restaurants, casinos and accredited accommodation will soon open to the public — under stringent conditions — after being closed for over 80 days since the lockdown was announced in March. Personal care services, including salons and personal beauty services, will also be permitted to offer their services, while sports lovers will soon be able to play contactless games, with some contact sport to be allowed with defined restrictions. Addressing the nation in a live televised broadcast on Wednesday night, President Cyril Ramaphosa said many industries have been affected in the country and unable to earn a living. “There are…

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Rhodes University’s Professor George Euvrard, psychologist and educator, pioneered the South African Cryptic Crossword series with Grocott’s Mail in 2015 and dozens of local crossword fans look forward to the weekly challenge. With the help of the Mail & Guardian, which now also publishes the crossword, we’re delighted to present you with the online interactive version. Click here for your favourite homegrown challenge. [crossword]

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