Gosh it seems like forever since I made contact, with the public holiday on Monday, yesterday just never gave me two minutes.
What I would like to touch on, is the dire situation of the women in the rural areas of South Africa. With so much development and forward growth in getting the message out about HIV/Aids, why then are our women dying and being infected with this disease.
Last night watching a South African programme on SABC 3 "Special Assignment" it became very obvious how bad the real situation is with these women.
Dying like flies, these women still don't seem to understand that they need to be part of the system, they need birth certificates for their children, ID Books and all other papers that prove that they are in fact alive.
What I don't understand, surely these people have to be registered somewhere, these children that are being born need to be registered.
So how do we make it easier to educate these people, one thought is (which is mine) is that Home Affairs offices need to be set up in the rural areas, education programmes at the school need to be put in place, more root development.
Im not sure of the answer to this solution, but what is sure they are not being educated, they are not getting the necessary assistance, and they are definately not getting to be part of the growth and the development of South Africa.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Thursday, September 20, 2007
A real glimpse into the lives of the rural South Africans
Sixteen documents required
Rejane Woodroffe
19 September 2007 11:59
Rural poverty is being exacerbated by bureaucratic inefficiency. (Photograph: Tracy Lee Stark)
Although I work as an economist and portfolio manager in the finance sector, I live in a remote rural area where my husband has, together with the local community, built a backpackers’ lodge.
This is in the most remote village in the poorest district in South Africa (according to Statistics SA). The village has no running water, no toilets, no road, no clinic, no functioning school and no electricity or government services of any kind.
Most of the community members are illiterate and speak little or no English. Because we have made this our home and are considered part of the community, we are often asked to help sort out problems, one of the most common being to help retired mineworkers or their widows access their pension funds.
The problem is a good example of the disparity between our first and second economies. The best way for me to describe the extent of the difficulties of the poorest in our society in accessing their pension funds, is to use an actual example.
In 2004 a respected member of our community passed away. He had worked for many years at Anglo Platinum’s Amandelbult mine in Rustenberg. The tragedy of his death was magnified by his family’s inability to access any of the money from the provident fund that he diligently put aside to care for them and to which they were entitled.
His wife, Nothembile (not her real name), a good friend of ours, lives in a mud hut. She’s had to remove her children from school because she can’t pay school fees, she doesn’t have enough money for food and she suffers from chronic epilepsy.
Why has she not received the money owed to her by the provident fund? The answer to this lies in the disempowering reality of abject poverty and illiteracy.
After her husband’s death, Nothembile took what papers she had (various payslips and so on) and went to the labour department in Mthatha. There she was given a cheque late last year, which she couldn’t read. She tried to deposit the cheque and was told by the teller that it had “expired”.
The teller kept the cheque. We have not been able to find out where this cheque was from: possibly the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) or some funeral benefit. She doesn’t know the value of the cheque. The UIF says it has no record of any cheque being paid.
She was advised on how to go about applying for the money. Three certified photocopies of the following documents were required:
The deceased’s ID, which she had, so no problem;
The death certificate -- this involved regular visits to home affairs in Mthatha and Elliotdale (a journey that takes five hours each way and costs R100);
Her ID, which she had;
Her marriage certificate. Traditional marriages are not registered and she has to get affidavits from various traditional leaders (four hours’ walk away) -- a tedious process;
Birth certificates for her eight children. All of them were born in her hut and have no birth certificates. With the authorities keen to avoid social grant fraud, it is a difficult process to get birth certificates;
Proof of school attendance. This was relatively easy to get, but the kids have since had to drop out;
A letter confirming physical and postal address. This again requires a long walk to the chief;
A bank account. With the new Fica rules it is difficult to open a bank account if you live where there are no roads and thus no addresses. This requires numerous trips to Mthatha and the chief. She did this, but it turned out to be a savings account instead of an ACB type bank account -- even us city-types don’t understand what that’s about. Now she needs to get an ACB account statement -- not a savings account statement; and finally
An added complication is that the deceased had two wives, which is not uncommon in traditional areas. The second wife also needs to supply documents before either can access the provident fund.
This process is difficult for someone with no money, but it is almost impossible for someone who’s illiterate. Nothembile wandered around Mthatha for days trying to get copies made and then not understanding that every copy had to be certified.
The police are often busy and refuse to certify on demand: she requires as many as 60 documents certified. Even when she has all the documents, she doesn’t know who to phone and she doesn’t have money to make phone calls. She doesn’t know what “registered mail” is and she will believe pretty much anything anyone in authority tells her.
If someone from Anglo Platinum said, “Sorry, you’ve taken too long to apply for the provident fund,” she would sadly accept it. It would be the easiest thing in the world to defraud her -- which might be what happened when her cheque was rejected at the bank last year.
Even when Nothembile gets these papers, she can’t read them and won’t know when she has all of them; she’ll probably end up sending the originals too, which will no doubt get lost in the post; she’ll have to phone for the postal address, but she doesn’t know the phone number and can’t write and has no money to phone anyway.
She’ll almost certainly send only some of the documents and not others, and then no one will be able to contact her to tell her that there are documents outstanding.
She and many other people in the same position do not understand that they have a right to this money. Nothembile has given up trying to access the money now.
The solution to her problem is simple: it has to be legislated that all pension and provident funds must get all the required documents from employees while they are still healthy. This should be included as a term in the employee’s employment contract and the fund’s adherence to this rule should be monitored by the Financial Services Board.
Additionally, Anglo Platinum and other companies that benefit from the migrant labour system need to be proactive when their employees die. Surely someone must have noticed that this money has been sitting unclaimed for three years?
This is just a glimpse of the gulf between South Africa’s sophisticated first economy and the underdeveloped second economy. If we want to build a bridge between these two, as government has proposed, we need to recognise the extent of this problem and find creative and practical solutions.
Réjane Woodroffe is an economist and head of international portfolio management at Metropolitan Asset Managers and director of the Bulungula Incubator
Rejane Woodroffe
19 September 2007 11:59
Rural poverty is being exacerbated by bureaucratic inefficiency. (Photograph: Tracy Lee Stark)
Although I work as an economist and portfolio manager in the finance sector, I live in a remote rural area where my husband has, together with the local community, built a backpackers’ lodge.
This is in the most remote village in the poorest district in South Africa (according to Statistics SA). The village has no running water, no toilets, no road, no clinic, no functioning school and no electricity or government services of any kind.
Most of the community members are illiterate and speak little or no English. Because we have made this our home and are considered part of the community, we are often asked to help sort out problems, one of the most common being to help retired mineworkers or their widows access their pension funds.
The problem is a good example of the disparity between our first and second economies. The best way for me to describe the extent of the difficulties of the poorest in our society in accessing their pension funds, is to use an actual example.
In 2004 a respected member of our community passed away. He had worked for many years at Anglo Platinum’s Amandelbult mine in Rustenberg. The tragedy of his death was magnified by his family’s inability to access any of the money from the provident fund that he diligently put aside to care for them and to which they were entitled.
His wife, Nothembile (not her real name), a good friend of ours, lives in a mud hut. She’s had to remove her children from school because she can’t pay school fees, she doesn’t have enough money for food and she suffers from chronic epilepsy.
Why has she not received the money owed to her by the provident fund? The answer to this lies in the disempowering reality of abject poverty and illiteracy.
After her husband’s death, Nothembile took what papers she had (various payslips and so on) and went to the labour department in Mthatha. There she was given a cheque late last year, which she couldn’t read. She tried to deposit the cheque and was told by the teller that it had “expired”.
The teller kept the cheque. We have not been able to find out where this cheque was from: possibly the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) or some funeral benefit. She doesn’t know the value of the cheque. The UIF says it has no record of any cheque being paid.
She was advised on how to go about applying for the money. Three certified photocopies of the following documents were required:
The deceased’s ID, which she had, so no problem;
The death certificate -- this involved regular visits to home affairs in Mthatha and Elliotdale (a journey that takes five hours each way and costs R100);
Her ID, which she had;
Her marriage certificate. Traditional marriages are not registered and she has to get affidavits from various traditional leaders (four hours’ walk away) -- a tedious process;
Birth certificates for her eight children. All of them were born in her hut and have no birth certificates. With the authorities keen to avoid social grant fraud, it is a difficult process to get birth certificates;
Proof of school attendance. This was relatively easy to get, but the kids have since had to drop out;
A letter confirming physical and postal address. This again requires a long walk to the chief;
A bank account. With the new Fica rules it is difficult to open a bank account if you live where there are no roads and thus no addresses. This requires numerous trips to Mthatha and the chief. She did this, but it turned out to be a savings account instead of an ACB type bank account -- even us city-types don’t understand what that’s about. Now she needs to get an ACB account statement -- not a savings account statement; and finally
An added complication is that the deceased had two wives, which is not uncommon in traditional areas. The second wife also needs to supply documents before either can access the provident fund.
This process is difficult for someone with no money, but it is almost impossible for someone who’s illiterate. Nothembile wandered around Mthatha for days trying to get copies made and then not understanding that every copy had to be certified.
The police are often busy and refuse to certify on demand: she requires as many as 60 documents certified. Even when she has all the documents, she doesn’t know who to phone and she doesn’t have money to make phone calls. She doesn’t know what “registered mail” is and she will believe pretty much anything anyone in authority tells her.
If someone from Anglo Platinum said, “Sorry, you’ve taken too long to apply for the provident fund,” she would sadly accept it. It would be the easiest thing in the world to defraud her -- which might be what happened when her cheque was rejected at the bank last year.
Even when Nothembile gets these papers, she can’t read them and won’t know when she has all of them; she’ll probably end up sending the originals too, which will no doubt get lost in the post; she’ll have to phone for the postal address, but she doesn’t know the phone number and can’t write and has no money to phone anyway.
She’ll almost certainly send only some of the documents and not others, and then no one will be able to contact her to tell her that there are documents outstanding.
She and many other people in the same position do not understand that they have a right to this money. Nothembile has given up trying to access the money now.
The solution to her problem is simple: it has to be legislated that all pension and provident funds must get all the required documents from employees while they are still healthy. This should be included as a term in the employee’s employment contract and the fund’s adherence to this rule should be monitored by the Financial Services Board.
Additionally, Anglo Platinum and other companies that benefit from the migrant labour system need to be proactive when their employees die. Surely someone must have noticed that this money has been sitting unclaimed for three years?
This is just a glimpse of the gulf between South Africa’s sophisticated first economy and the underdeveloped second economy. If we want to build a bridge between these two, as government has proposed, we need to recognise the extent of this problem and find creative and practical solutions.
Réjane Woodroffe is an economist and head of international portfolio management at Metropolitan Asset Managers and director of the Bulungula Incubator
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Women Abuse
When will this ever stop, having experienced this twice in my life, why is it that men believe that they own you.
Today one of the women in the projects admitted to me her home situation, she lives with an abusive husband, she can't get him out the house, she doesn't have the money to leave, he drinks, hits her, takes it out on the children, and refuses to contribute to the household - and on top of it, he earns a decent living.
She now has to sit in court for a whole day, get no where because of the queues, takes time of work, gets into trouble because she is not there to deliver - and the cycle goes on.
So to all the policies and processes in place, it still doesn't work towards getting the support women like her need.
I pray that through the relationships I have I can find some way out for her and her family
Today one of the women in the projects admitted to me her home situation, she lives with an abusive husband, she can't get him out the house, she doesn't have the money to leave, he drinks, hits her, takes it out on the children, and refuses to contribute to the household - and on top of it, he earns a decent living.
She now has to sit in court for a whole day, get no where because of the queues, takes time of work, gets into trouble because she is not there to deliver - and the cycle goes on.
So to all the policies and processes in place, it still doesn't work towards getting the support women like her need.
I pray that through the relationships I have I can find some way out for her and her family
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Inspirational Women
I am so glad to be back online, for the last few days I have not been able to connect.
Today I would like to dedicate this blog to all the inspirational women and men in South Africa who are making a difference.
Every day I come across a story that just proves that there is just so much good going on in our country, and I am now determined to only share our good news stories.
Its time for the world to real take notice and see that we are not just about hand outs, its about proving that all the attention and belief in South Africa is now paying of.
Look at ourselves, Tangerine we are close on assisting directly and indirectly over a 1000 people predominately women - but now we are opening the doors and our hearts to working with the youth of our country.
Keeping them of the streets and helping them find opportunities.
South Africa "Our time has come"
Today I would like to dedicate this blog to all the inspirational women and men in South Africa who are making a difference.
Every day I come across a story that just proves that there is just so much good going on in our country, and I am now determined to only share our good news stories.
Its time for the world to real take notice and see that we are not just about hand outs, its about proving that all the attention and belief in South Africa is now paying of.
Look at ourselves, Tangerine we are close on assisting directly and indirectly over a 1000 people predominately women - but now we are opening the doors and our hearts to working with the youth of our country.
Keeping them of the streets and helping them find opportunities.
South Africa "Our time has come"
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Good week for Tangerine
So the weekend is back upon us, I hope your week as been a successful one. I'm back into the swing of finding business again. After the show and getting sick, it has taken me a while to get back to being fully motivated.
But after this week definately back up there - requests for pricing for orders are starting to increase again and some new opportunities opening themselves up.
Also a new project maybe in Limpopo, waiting to see what comes out of it, and within my own camp in Etwatwa some surprises with the womens groups.
Kenny the young man who I have taken under my wing is starting to shine and I am so happy that he'll being earning some money from the end of the month - I though need to spend some quality time with him.
With a great weekend in front of us, so much to be grateful for - have a good one!!
But after this week definately back up there - requests for pricing for orders are starting to increase again and some new opportunities opening themselves up.
Also a new project maybe in Limpopo, waiting to see what comes out of it, and within my own camp in Etwatwa some surprises with the womens groups.
Kenny the young man who I have taken under my wing is starting to shine and I am so happy that he'll being earning some money from the end of the month - I though need to spend some quality time with him.
With a great weekend in front of us, so much to be grateful for - have a good one!!
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
South Africa Crafting Celebration
Today we had the members of the Timken foundation visit the Impumelelo Project at the John Wesley Centre out at Etwatwa.
Timken have agreed to fund the building of the new art and craft manufacturing centre, shop and admin offices out at the centre.
It was really great meeting everybody and it is days like today that make it all worth it.
Every day I see the people out at the centre take a bigger positive role in the growth of their own lifes.
Craft and art development play a major fundamental role in the long term growth opportunities for our country.
Timken have agreed to fund the building of the new art and craft manufacturing centre, shop and admin offices out at the centre.
It was really great meeting everybody and it is days like today that make it all worth it.
Every day I see the people out at the centre take a bigger positive role in the growth of their own lifes.
Craft and art development play a major fundamental role in the long term growth opportunities for our country.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Pushing crafters into the corporate market
Well I couldn't get into the blog last night for some unknown reason.
Tangerine has now been going over a year, and were pretty much up there with getting into the retail space.
Now we have our eyes on the corporate market, and like every thing it takes time to break in.
Our marketing message is so different, I am now thinking of adding a whole new section onto the web site that shows businesses the kind of products and what we can do for companies.
The whole playing field changes, and companies make decisions so differently, my concern is do we push the development part or do we push more the product.
I suppose time will tell
Tangerine has now been going over a year, and were pretty much up there with getting into the retail space.
Now we have our eyes on the corporate market, and like every thing it takes time to break in.
Our marketing message is so different, I am now thinking of adding a whole new section onto the web site that shows businesses the kind of products and what we can do for companies.
The whole playing field changes, and companies make decisions so differently, my concern is do we push the development part or do we push more the product.
I suppose time will tell
Thursday, September 6, 2007
Crafting in South Africa
Tomorrow I present more samples to potential new buyers, partners and possible long term initiatives.
Each time we produce these samples, it allows me to think of new product opportunities, already I now have an idea for a new bag which I believe I also have the right buyer for.
The opportunity for South African crafters is to produce products that are worldly but also show the true South African flair.
On the ceramic side, I present on Tuesday a way forward to set up a commercial venture I am awaiting to get their approval on the product type and to get my good old friend Lloyd up to Johannesburg to work on producing master and working moulds.
I am also going to get him to produce artist drawings on 3 tier product range that I have in mind leading up to the 2010 world cup socceer that is happening in South Africa.
See you tomorrow - sorry about the spelling and grammer, but my blog is constantly opening in an error mode and it doesn't allow me the opportunity to check my spelling so please don't judge. - thanks goodnight
Each time we produce these samples, it allows me to think of new product opportunities, already I now have an idea for a new bag which I believe I also have the right buyer for.
The opportunity for South African crafters is to produce products that are worldly but also show the true South African flair.
On the ceramic side, I present on Tuesday a way forward to set up a commercial venture I am awaiting to get their approval on the product type and to get my good old friend Lloyd up to Johannesburg to work on producing master and working moulds.
I am also going to get him to produce artist drawings on 3 tier product range that I have in mind leading up to the 2010 world cup socceer that is happening in South Africa.
See you tomorrow - sorry about the spelling and grammer, but my blog is constantly opening in an error mode and it doesn't allow me the opportunity to check my spelling so please don't judge. - thanks goodnight
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Respectful Attitude
I need to get of my frustration, so please bear with me.
If there is one thing that gets up my nose is the manner in which a person believes they have the right to treat another person, especially when that manner is disrepectful.
Today one of my collagues send me this stern email all in capitals, this is not the first time it has happened. Like I always do I kept quite just to keep the peace, why should I keep quite, its is there issue and I can refuse to be treated in this manner.
In the same breath by keeping the peace is not really keeping the peace because it means you have to accept what that person has done or is doing to you, so our you at peace - not at all in reality you now carry the burdon of what was put on you.
So I have decided that politely from now on I will be as confrontational as possible to ensure that I know longer carry somebody elses issues.
Ok got it of my chest, but the lesson is only you can make the decision on what you allow yourself to take on, remember you always have to be number one otherwise how can you give to anybody else.
With that - love yourself - goodnight
If there is one thing that gets up my nose is the manner in which a person believes they have the right to treat another person, especially when that manner is disrepectful.
Today one of my collagues send me this stern email all in capitals, this is not the first time it has happened. Like I always do I kept quite just to keep the peace, why should I keep quite, its is there issue and I can refuse to be treated in this manner.
In the same breath by keeping the peace is not really keeping the peace because it means you have to accept what that person has done or is doing to you, so our you at peace - not at all in reality you now carry the burdon of what was put on you.
So I have decided that politely from now on I will be as confrontational as possible to ensure that I know longer carry somebody elses issues.
Ok got it of my chest, but the lesson is only you can make the decision on what you allow yourself to take on, remember you always have to be number one otherwise how can you give to anybody else.
With that - love yourself - goodnight
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Tough day - South Africa Craft Industry
Well today was one of those days, where just so much needed to be done, and just not enough time in the day.
We are busy moving into a bigger room on top of it, don't get me wrong I love the pressure.
I have to get three sample to a buyer by Friday, this is exciting could be the possibility of a new partnership forming.
And on top of it which is really exciting the beginings of our new design agency is starting to emerge.
I'm now starting to creep my way into the corporate maket place with the first batch of the campaign getting out and the response though slow is starting to emerge.
I am meeting with one of the bigger Advertising agencys in South Africa and I am putting to them that they must use us as a direct supplier for as many projects as possible.
Also I have secured a meeting to discuss the region and the possibility of working to develop a branded product range for Gauteng.
Lots and lots, looking forward to the money coming now.
See you all tomorrow.
Going to start working on the keywords, pushing to get as much traffic to the www.tangerinemarketing.com site.
We are busy moving into a bigger room on top of it, don't get me wrong I love the pressure.
I have to get three sample to a buyer by Friday, this is exciting could be the possibility of a new partnership forming.
And on top of it which is really exciting the beginings of our new design agency is starting to emerge.
I'm now starting to creep my way into the corporate maket place with the first batch of the campaign getting out and the response though slow is starting to emerge.
I am meeting with one of the bigger Advertising agencys in South Africa and I am putting to them that they must use us as a direct supplier for as many projects as possible.
Also I have secured a meeting to discuss the region and the possibility of working to develop a branded product range for Gauteng.
Lots and lots, looking forward to the money coming now.
See you all tomorrow.
Going to start working on the keywords, pushing to get as much traffic to the www.tangerinemarketing.com site.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Committed to Promoting Crafters in South Africa
Good evening from a warm Johannesburg, South Africa. Winter is finally starting to leave us for the warmer weather of Spring.
It always amazes me, like clockwork, the seasons change, no level of grasping will ever take this amazing happening from blowing me away season after season.
Another thing that constantly amazes me is the level of workmanship that is produced in South Africa. Why is it that the Indonisans have such a great name for their craftmanship. Why do we battle to create our place in the global world.
I am working now on a few projects that will hopefully play a role in creating a market place for a commercial level of craft both locally here in South Africa and internationally.
So with only a few lines tonight, where ever you are - back tomorrow
It always amazes me, like clockwork, the seasons change, no level of grasping will ever take this amazing happening from blowing me away season after season.
Another thing that constantly amazes me is the level of workmanship that is produced in South Africa. Why is it that the Indonisans have such a great name for their craftmanship. Why do we battle to create our place in the global world.
I am working now on a few projects that will hopefully play a role in creating a market place for a commercial level of craft both locally here in South Africa and internationally.
So with only a few lines tonight, where ever you are - back tomorrow
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About Me
- Sharon Reed
- I love my life, I am doing what I want to do. Every day I am grateful for what I have
