VOL.4 #29
17-24 NOVEMBER 2017
“Diabetes Has No Shape or Size, sisi!” WORLD DIABETES DAY CELEBRATED IN TEMBISA!
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young mother of two, Tebogo Mokgope (27) was shocked to learn that although obesity is associated with diabetes, no one is immune to the disease. Every year, November 12 is observed as World Diabetes Day, and the City of Ekurhuleni took a campaign to Rabasotho Community Hall in Tembisa to spread awareness about this silent killer. “I never cared to check myself, I am young and not obese so I really didn’t think that I was at risk until I learnt today that I am killing myself and my kids with the oily food I cook and sugary drinks I give them,” she said. Mokgope acknowledged that a life style change is long overdue after learning that diabetes is amongst the leading causes of
death. NB: Ekurhuleni encourages its residents to look out for the following warning signs: • Blurred vision; • Fatigue; • Frequent urination; • Increased thirst and hunger; • Nausea; • Skin infection; • Weight loss or gain that has no obvious cause; • Wounds that heal slowly. Communities are also advised to follow the diabetic portion plate to prevent diabetes health related ailments; • Half the plate should consist of fruits and vegetables; • One quarter of the plate should be ones’ choice of protein; • The other quarter should be filled with any starch.
Dietician from Nutrition Data System for Research, Jade Jackson takes Tebogo Mokgope through a session on the kinds of food to eat to prevent diabetes health related ailments as part of the World Diabetes Day campaign held at Rabasotho Hall in Tembisa.
GAUTENG MINI-BUDGET: “We promise more inclusive growth and governance!”
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he total budget of the provincial government has increased from R108 billion to R112 billion. The biggest recipients of additional allocations are Health, Education, Infrastructure, Roads and Transport, and e-Gov.ernment departments. This additional expenditure will be financed from the Asset Financing Reserve. Speaking during the tabling of the province’s Medium Term Budget Policy Statement and the Adjustment Budget to the Legislature on November 16, MEC Creecy emphasised the important role sub-national governments must now play to drive social and economic transformation of their cities or city regions. “Because the Gauteng Government understands it cannot solve the challenges the province faces alone, we have worked hard to bring in the collective ideas, creativity and active partnerships of all Gautengers in all we do,” MEC Creecy said. Even in these tough times, the Gauteng province remains the primary destination for
foreign direct investment (FDI). According to the FDI Intelligence Report, between January 2011 and December 2016; a total of 460 investment projects were recorded in Gauteng. These projects represent a total capital investment of R153 billion. This year the first five Mega Human Settlements, namely Leeupoort; Daggafontein; John Dube; Chief Albert Luthuli and Montrose, have attracted approximately R29 billion in new private sector investment. It is estimated that this new investment will create over 50 000 new jobs over the next three years. “In the 2016/17 the Gauteng Government spent R12.4 billion on infrastructure delivery. This is the third year in a row where departments succeeded in spending by more than 96% of the appropriated budget. Research by the Gauteng Government estimates that our infrastrcuture spend is on average creating 53 000 direct jobs per year,” the MEC said. Since 2014 government has spent 92% of its goods and services budget, procuring from
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historically disadvantaged individuals. This amounts to R53,9 billion over the last three and a half years and 11 036 firms owned by historically disadvantaged individuals have benefited. Included in the overall figure are 3 484 companies owned by women, and 2 385 companies owed by youth.
“All Gauteng departments and entities have also been working hard to ensure better financial management and greater public accountability in the use of public funds,” she said. 23 provincial departments and entities now boast clean audits, meaning that two out of three provincial institutions received unqualified audits with no matters of emphasis, while all other departments received unqualified audits. The MEC also reported that over the last three years provincial government had saved nearly half a billion rand by cutting expenditure on non core items. “Despite sluggish economic growth, we have managed to increase our own provin-
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cial revenue collection from R4, 9 billion in 2014/15 to R5, 8 billion in 2016/17. This represents an increase of 16% over the past three years,” she explained. The MEC also announced that the gambling tax review, which is a process to align Gauteng’s gambling tax regime with that of other provinces, is nearing completion. These new regulations will increase the province’s gambling tax revenue by more than 12%.
Gauteng MEC for Finance, Barbara Creecy
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