“Third, we will focus on reconstruction and rebuilding. This will not only involve the construction and repair of major infrastructure. It will also involve the construction of houses in suitably-located areas and measures to protect the residents of these areas from such adverse weather events in the future,” President Ramaphosa said.

This as he announced that Cabinet at a special session on Sunday, decided to declare a National State of Disaster.

By then, 443 people were known to have lost their lives in KwaZulu-Natal, with approximately 48 people still missing or unaccounted for. One death was also reported in the Eastern Cape.

Several national government departments are working with their provincial and local counterparts to ensure an effective response in the allocation of financial resources and technical expertise to the emergency.

The President announced that the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) had been leading search-and-rescue efforts, with a total of 247 rescue operations to date.

This includes the deployment of SAPS personnel, diving teams, canine units and various vessels, helicopters and fixed-wing planes to the most affected areas.

“Aircraft from the SANDF have been used both for rescue and for the delivery of relief supplies – such as food, water, tents and blankets – to people in inaccessible areas. I have authorised the SANDF to bring in more personnel, water storage and purification supplies and engineering teams to assist with electricity and water restoration.

''In addition, various government departments at national and provincial level, municipalities, non-governmental organisations and businesses are distributing basic relief materials such as food, blankets, mattresses, clothing, chronic medication, toiletries and cooking utensils'.''

Solidarity Fund

The President also reported that he had met with the leadership of the Solidarity Fund for assistance. The board of the fund has agreed to assist with humanitarian and other forms of relief in partnership with government, the private sector and various other non-governmental and community-based organisations.

“The National Treasury will make an initial amount of funds available as part of our efforts with the Solidarity Fund to implement these support measures. The Solidarity Fund has effectively managed the resources that government, the private sector and many South Africans made available to manage the COVID-19 effort as well as the July 2021 unrest assistance measures,” the President said.

The fund will now set up a separate bank account for the flood disaster that can be used by South African and foreign donors who want to contribute to relief efforts.

The President commended the many individuals and organisations that have taken the initiative to provide humanitarian assistance to those most affected.

He also commended and expressed appreciation to the emergency service personnel, including healthcare workers, police and defence personnel, municipal workers, volunteers and community members who spent many hours, at great risk to themselves, saving lives and providing support.

– Source: SAnews.gov.za

“We appreciate the solidarity and generosity with which people and organisations across the country have come to the assistance of those whose lives have been so tragically disrupted by the floods.

“We have also been touched by the expressions of concern and solidarity and offers of assistance expressed by many countries around the world.”

They demand the release of the then imprisoned Nelson Mandela in exchange for the hostages.

Netflix is the world's leading streaming entertainment service with 222 million paid memberships in over 190 countries enjoying TV series, documentaries, feature films and mobile games across a wide variety of genres and languages.

At the recent South African Investment Conference, Netflix pledged to invest R929 million in the South African creative industry during the course of 2022 to 2023.

"My thoughts are with all those who have lost their lives, their loved ones, homes and businesses.

"The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with South Africa as you recover from these terrible events," Queen Elizabeth II said.

– Source: www.news24.com

The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP) invests in African youth and their ability to keep themselves and their peers safe from HIV/AIDS. The foundation was created in 2007 by Theron with the hope of making a difference in fighting HIV in her home country of South Africa.

“Earlier this week, the most devastating floods on record struck the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province in South Africa, killing almost 400 people and displacing thousands. At CTAOP, our most critical role entails supporting our partners in whatever challenges they face – and right now, organisations in KZN are reeling, trying to support their communities however they can, as affected families desperately need food, water and shelter.

''We’ve been receiving questions and requests on how to help those in the region, so we created an easy way for everyone to give. 100% of these funds will go directly to this effort. Every $8 000 (R118 997) we raise helps our partners with one week’s worth of support (food, water, basic needs) to displaced families staying in community halls.”

 – Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

The nominating partner, the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf), in partnership with the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI), will host a pre-travel meeting in May 2022 for the selected young scientists to prepare them for what to expect at the Lindau Meeting in Germany.

In Lindau’s quest to continuously strive to increase the quality and internationality of the candidates, their scientific review panel has selected 600 of the most qualified young scientists from more than 100 nationalities to participate in this year’s Lindau Meeting. The selected young scientists will experience and contribute to the unique atmosphere of the Lindau Meeting. About 35 Nobel Laureates are planning to attend the meeting and welcome the outstanding qualifications and the great diversity of nationalities of the applicants.

ASSAf, as the official partner of the Lindau Foundation and with funding from the DSI, annually nominates young scientists to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, which is designed as a forum for young scientists from all over the world to have in-depth exchanges with Nobel Laureates.

The 11 South African young scientists who have been selected to participate in the 71st Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting are: Alan Eaby (University of Stellenbosch); Dr Shepherd Siangwata (University of Cape Town); Dr Alexandré Delport (University of KwaZulu-Natal); Dr Nzondelelo Bingwa (University of Johannesburg); Lindokuhle Ngema (University of the Witwatersrand); Dr Gauta Matlou (University of Johannesburg); Dr Gugu Kubheka (University of Pretoria); Dr Penny Mathumba (Mintek/University of Fort Hare); Pamela Moyo (University of Johannesburg); Dr Nqobile Xaba (Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection); and Dr Zamani Cele (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research).

In Lindau, the young scientists will experience a six-day programme with numerous lectures and panel discussions. They will also have the opportunity to meet the biggest science names in physics when they are introduced to the Lindau Nobel Laureates.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

Venniker first completed a BA in English at the University of Cape Town, which is where her love of writing blossomed but then changed direction and studied Veterinary Science at Onderstepoort, Pretoria. She has been a vet for the last 10 years, working in South Africa, the United Arab Emirates and the UK.

Her winning entry, The Hunt, is a 10-page short story about a vet nurse looking for love and marriage and finding it or at least an affair of sorts with a married farmer. A truffle pig uncovers their affair, and all her plans unravel.

Venniker started looking for writing competitions late into 2021 and decided to try her luck with the Mogford Prize. She never dreamed she would go on to win the top prize. She hopes to continue entering competitions and earning awards as she goes.

– Sources: www.goodthingsguy.com

The young ladies ventured all the way to Belfast, Ireland, for the 50th World Irish Dancing Championships, which made its return after two years due to the COVID-19 restrictions. The championship was staged by An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha, which translates to the Commission of Irish Dancing. The commission is the biggest and oldest governing body of Irish dancing worldwide.

The event is often referred to as the Olympics of Irish Dance, so having competitors back together after so long was a real treat. The dance style is performed by solo dancers as well as incredible group performances. It is a social dance, so being together is essential.

More than 3 500 dancers signed up to partake in the massive world championship event. The Robinson Dance Studio took 15 talented dancers over for the event and came back as world champions.

 – Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

This big cat’s population is steadily decreasing in the wild. In just two decades, populations decreased by 43% and it’s estimated that as few as 23 000 remain today. One of the main causes is the alarming rate at which they are losing their habitats due to expanding human populations and the resulting growth of agriculture, settlements and roads.

The Glen Garriff Conservation is in Harrismith in the Free State and home to 77 lions in their care who live out the duration of their lives in the conservation area.

The first lions were introduced to Glen Garriff in 2002, 100 years after the last two wild lions were hunted down on Platberg Mountain in 1902. In 2015, Glen Garriff Lions NPC was registered as a non-profit company committed to the sustainability of the African lion population in South Africa and to the enhancement of the study, learning and understanding of the species.

– Source: www.goodthingsguy.com

The awards took place on 9 April but were only made public in a recorded show that was broadcast on DStv’s Nicktoons channel on 13 April. They were hosted by South African presenter, Lerai Rakoditsoe. Some of the winners include Ntando Duma’s daughter, Sbahle Mzizi, who walked away with Favourite African Kidfluencer Award.

Taking to the stage with her mother, the four-year-old said she won because “I am smart, I am beautiful, I am light, I am black, I am leadership,” after her mother, Ntando asked her why she thought she won.

“To the people, thank you so much, I appreciate this,” Ntando said.

– Source: www.news24.com

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Social Impact unit, with Georgia Arnold as Senior Vice President of International Social Responsibility, focusses on "ground-breaking social impact-driven content addressing climate, equity and health for the ViacomCBS portfolio of brands, including Paramount+, as well as for third-party partners."

Arnold was the executive producer of MTV Shuga, which Mbedu also starred in.

Arnold said in a statement: "Having been privileged to work with Thuso on MTV Shuga: Down South, I've seen her powerful creative talent first-hand; I'm in no doubt that her skill and expertise will help our studio develop ground-breaking social impact-driven content with worldwide appeal."

She also tweeted: "Thuso's an amazing talent, and I'm so looking forward to seeing what she creates with us."

The International Emmy nominee said in a statement: "As Africans, we have so many unique and diverse cultures, histories and experiences that the world needs to see and hear about and, as an African woman, to get an opportunity to tell stories that will uplift, empower and shape new ways of thinking and seeing the world, is absolutely amazing."

Sharing the news on Instagram, Mbedu wrote: "Thank you to Viacom and Georgia Arnold for giving us a chance to collaborate with our peers in crafting important and impactful stories."

– Source: www.news24.com

Steyn had been focussing on her marathon prowess over the past two years as COVID-19 limited ultra-marathon events, but she showed little signs of rust in galloping to the finishing line.

"The record stays home. I'm really proud and humbled by that," she said afterwards.

"It was very tactical. I've been focussing on marathons over the past few years, so I didn't always feel so strong, but it worked out."

Irvette van Zyl, who led for a chunk of the race, ensured a South African one-two by finishing in a time of 03:30:31.

Meanwhile, there was heartache in a thrilling men's race for Nkosikhona Mhlakwana, who agonisingly missed out on a maiden title in battle with Ethiopia's Edndale Belachew.

The man from Howick tried to build enough of a buffer in the last km to keep his opponent at bay, but Belachew's superiority with the finish line in sight was decisive.

He finished in a time of 3:09:05, just a mere three seconds ahead of Mhlakawana's 3:09:08.

 – Source: www.news24.com