Author: Staff Writer

Government has deployed a total of 22 347 traffic officers across the country, to ensure compliance with the published Regulations and Directions for the 21-day nationwide lockdown. South Africa went on lockdown on Friday in response to the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic. “Our National Traffic Police are working closely with the Defence Force and the South African Police Service (SAPS) in enforcing the law at the Beitbridge and the Lebombo border posts,” Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said. He was updating members of the media on the first day of the lock down with Ministers who are part of the…

Government has urged all South Africans to unite, remain positive and continue to work hand-in-hand to turn the economy around. This comes after Moody’s decision to downgrade South Africa’s long term foreign and local currency debt ratings to ‘Ba1’ from ‘Baa3’ and maintain the negative outlook. South Africa’s credit ratings by Moody’s are now one notch below investment grade. “It is with a heavy heart to note that all three major credit ratings agencies currently rate South Africa at sub-investment grade. However, every crisis presents an opportunity. “The opportunity we have today is to unite and work together to…

The number of COVID-19 deaths in South Africa has been revised down from two to one mortality, after a subsequent investigation found that one patient was negative for the virus. Earlier on Friday, the Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, said South Africa had recorded its first two deaths. The cases were in private and public institutions in the Western Cape. As of Friday, South Africa had recorded 1 170 positive cases. This is an increase of 243 new cases from yesterday’s announcement. The total number of tests conducted to date is 28 537. On Friday evening, the Minister in a…

Today, as South Africans experience the first day of the 21-day national lockdown, Springbok Rugby Captain, Siya Kolisi, will head up a digital fist-bump relay in an attempt at the Guinness World Record for the longest social media fist-bump relay in a 24-hour period. MTN SA will also temporarily change its slogan from “everywhere you go” to “everywhere you stay” in an effort to encourage South Africans to observe the call to stay home during the national lockdown. The relay, initiated by MTN, stands as a reminder of the importance of social distancing at this time, but it is also…

MultiChoice has set aside R80 million to ensure that current productions are able to pay full salaries of cast, crew, and creatives for the months of March and April, by when hopefully we will have the worst of the disruptions behind us. This is part of the several measures, aimed at safeguarding the incomes of cast, crew, and creatives as well as the sustainability of production houses. Through the MultiChoice Talent Factory, the company will be launching an online learning portal that will support over 40 000 members of the industry to gain access to courses and online masterclasses, so they can continue to hone their craft…

Vodacom is in full support of the measures announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19 and help to flatten the curve of infections in South Africa. The Minister of Trade and Industry, Ebrahim Patel, has announced that South Africa’s telecommunications workers will be exempt from the Covid-19 national lockdown as digital infrastructure is deemed a critical service. To that end, both fixed-line and mobile telephony systems must be maintained during South Africa’s 21-day lockdown. “While we are all feeling anxious about the health and wellness of loved ones, family, colleagues and members of…

While South Africans face the challenge of curbing the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, Momentum Short-term Insurance (MSTI) is determined to help alleviate the financial burden by giving clients early access to R26 million in future no claims and safety bonuses. To provide immediate financial relief, clients can now opt to take an early cash benefit from their Rewarder bonus (no claims bonus). In addition, clients can also opt to cash in early on their Safety Bonus. MSTI rewards clients with a cashback Safety Bonus of up to 30% of their annual car and home insurance premiums depending on their…

Several people have been arrested for allegedly disregarding South Africa’s lockdown rules that officially kicked in at midnight on Thursday, News24 reported. SABC News reported that the South African Police Service (SAPS) raided taverns and clubs where people were gathering and drinking in the early hours of Friday morning. Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced a three-week national shutdown, as part of wide-ranging interventions to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus. 21-day lockdown begins as police patrol Johannesburg CBD SA Under Lockdown I South Africa border to Mozambique closed

Specialist transport insurance underwriting company, CTU, has announced measures to help alleviate the financial burden that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is placing upon the commuter transport industry. Following the COVID-19 update received on 23 March, from South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, regarding the imminent 21-day Lockdown, and the clarity received through the Government Gazette, on what constitutes essential goods and services, CTU has announced that: for the month of April and potentially May, all active CTU policyholders’ insurance risk-premiums will be reduced by 35%, and in addition, no inflationary risk-premium increases will be processed for April and May but will…

Avon has offered a lifeline of much-needed sanitary amenities to shelters and institutions working with survivors of gender-based violence in Diepsloot, in the north of Johannesburg, to help them protect themselves and their families against possible infection from coronavirus. The donation is in line with Avon’s quest to complement government’s initiatives of providing support to vulnerable women during the 21-day nationwide lockdown. Abused women are often disempowered and dependent financially on their abusive spouses, including for provision of critical amenities such as soap and sanitizers. “As a company for women, we believe that we have an ethical and moral obligation…