Author Archives: Ezimtoti News

Debt consolidation allows consumers to consolidate their debt held with various credit providers into one manageable debt that they can pay off.
Debt consolidation can lead to better control and financial relief for the consumer.
Alpheus Legodi, FNB loans product head, says, “If used correctly, debt consolidation can be a powerful money management tool for consumers as it also helps them to avoid dealing with numerous creditors who charge varied interest rates.
However, there is a need for more education on what debt consolidation is and isn’t to ensure that consumers can maximise its benefits.”
Legodi demystifies three myths about debt consolidation:
Debt consolidation will hurt your credit score: There will be an initial bureau inquiry on your credit report; however, over the longer-term debt consolidation could help improve your credit score as you’ll have more control over your credit commitments.
There will be an adverse listing on your credit report: Debt consolidation is often confused with debt review; with debt consolidation, you will not be listed and are permitted to take further credit if you can afford to.
Debt consolidation automatically decreases your debt: You can benefit from monthly cashflow unlock from the term extension; however, you are still required to repay the full outstanding amount you owe.
“The high interest rate environment has affected the cashflow of many households, and debt consolidation is one of the most effective money management tools that can help customers free up monthly cashflow. However, it doesn’t take away the habit of knowing how to manage your money effectively. Consumers are advised to approach their financial institutions or advisors before choosing to go for debt consolidation,” Legodi added.
“As FNB, we offer Credit Switch as a solution to help customers consolidate their qualifying credit. We remind customers that if they consolidate their small unsecured credit products, such as store cards and micro loans, into one easy-to-manage loan with a single account fee and a personalised interest rate, it could reduce their monthly premiums and free up money to direct towards their other needs. We also caution all consumers to ensure responsible use of credit and only use credit from reputable and authorised financial service providers,” concludes Legodi.

By KOPANO MONAHENG 

PEOPLE used to eat a particular staple food thousands of years ago and because people were grouped according to their clan or tribe, they were known for a particular dish.

As generations evolve and people start to live together irrespective of their tribe, they are slowly but surely stopping the practice their great, great grandparents followed for years.

Most of these foods, like Dikgobe (boiled corn), Motoho (soft porridge), Dipabi (instant sorghum porridge or pop corn (Diqhome) are today accessed from big supermarkets and restaurants around the world.

But who branded these foods?

Someone stole our great grandfather’s idea and made it their own.

As Mzansi celebrates Heritage Month, we decided to focus a lot more on types of foods our elders used to eat back in the days.

Young people today don’t know of these things unless we teach them.

According to African Food Network, people not only eat foods to survive, but they also get nutrition and energy.

It says that memories, culture, heritage and information are also rich within the food space.

Have you ever wondered why certain cultures identify with certain foods and why certain events, especially in the African culture, call for certain foods?

Now, imagine a directory or an online library that your children and children’s children can go back to years down the line, just to experience the type of food you used to eat.

The African Food Network aims to do exactly that, educate the young generation about Africans and their culture.

This Heritage Month, the goal is to ensure that our diverse culture is shared through food. 

For example, many Africans identify with offal meat, and this is simply because of the history of the sharing and access to certain foods.

Tshego Stone, founder of Cucumber & Cream and brand ambassador for South African Food Network, said during Heritage Month, the biggest conversations are around our languages and attires. “We forget that the food we eat also has a story within the larger scheme of things,” she said.

Tshego said thst the Xhosa people prepare samp in a totally different way from the BaTswana clan. “We identify with offal as our heritage food, from the mogodus, skopos and trotters. I think it’s important that we are able to go back and record all of these foods that we enjoy for future generations to be able to taste what we tasted years ago”

By TANA ‘Lulu’ MALINGA
LIFE is precious!
Isn’t it?
But many of us realise so when we are very sick, suffering from a dreadful illness like cancer.
And we no longer having to do the things we normally do on a daily basis.
According to Brian Harris, general manager operations at Turnberry Risk Management Solutions, it takes one to celebrate more if they’re survivors of cancer.
He said living with a chronic illness is suffocating especially when you do not have medical cover.
“Even with extensive medical coverage, it is common for these plans to fall short of covering the entirety of the costs. As cancer treatments often span months or even years, the financial obligations can become prolonged,” said Harris.
He said without supplementary gap cover, surviving cancer may result in a lifetime of debt due to insufficient coverage for medical expenses.
What are some of his tips:
; Early detection is one of the most important factors especially for cancers like breast cancer, prostate, and colon cancer, which are highly treatable but also very aggressive and can spread fast. He said cancer survival rates are increasing as diagnosis and treatment protocols are improved.
However, the journey to recovery can be a long and difficult one, with physical, emotional, and financial challenges that can linger long after the treatment has ended.
; Having a strong support system is also essential, whether that means leaning on family and friends or seeking support from healthcare providers.
; While diagnostic medicine has improved and earlier detection leads to better outcomes, incidents of cancer are on the rise, especially in individuals younger than 50 years of age.
Harris said at Filotimo Cancer Project, the mission is to create awareness around all cancers, advise, educate and support cancer patients, survivors and their families.
Evy Michalopoulos, founder and CEO of Filotimo, added:
“We are also supported by an extensive multi-disciplinary network of medical professionals and institutions in both the public and private healthcare sectors, and we can offer various services to our cancer patients and their families,” she said.
Gap cover has become an essential tool to ensure that surviving cancer does not leave you with a lifetime of debt, by providing cover for medical expense shortfalls related to diagnosis and treatment.
A diagnosis of cancer is a traumatic experience, but with early detection and access to treatment, outcomes are often favourable.

Cancer can be defeated if discovered early.

By KOPANO MONAHENG
DIEHARD soccer fans know nothing beats being in the stadium to watch your team play.
The thrill of being one of the hundreds of supporters cheering for your team beats watching it from home any day.
So it will be a good feeling when Bafana Bafana take on Namibia and the Democratic Republic of Congo in a packed Orlando Stadium this weekend.
Both international friendlies will be played at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on the 9th and 12th of September.
Kickoff will be at 3pm on Saturday and 5pm on Tuesday.
The Hugo Broos knows the quality in his team and wants to play against tougher sides to prepare the boys for the upcoming African Cup of Nations (AFCON) meant to take place in Cote D’Ivoire.
Said the coach:
“I always said that I want to play against stronger teams with different playing styles, not that I undermine other teams. It is better for us to get better as a team,” he said.
Broos said all in all there are seven players who won’t be part of his team due to injuries. But that doesn’t mean he will be happy with a draw or a lose. Since last year, Bafana had not lost even a single match, winning five and drawing just two. So the aim is keep winning and winning. That’s the mentality he wants to be prevalent in his team.
Since the arrival of the coach in May 2021, Bafana have been doing very well winning games and it’s about time that they show their capabilities in bigger tournaments like AFCON.
Banyana Banyana have done it in the recent World Cup hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand. Now the boys have to display a great performance and put Mzansi where it belongs.
The Belgian manager is happy considering that some of his strikers are now scoring goals in their domestic leagues and that will make his job easier as it hasn’t been the case in the past strikers misfiring in front of goal.
Hugo will rely on Zakhele Lepasa and Mihlali Mayambela for scoring goals.
It’s been quite some time now since Bafana have brought smiles to the faces of millions of South Africans.

By KOPANO MONAHENG
PUPILS who live in disadvantaged communities are hungry for information and more knowledge.
This became evident when a brick library was opened officially at Nageng Primary School in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni on 7 September, just a day before World Literacy Day on 8 September.
About 1 000 pupils from the school will forever be thankful for what Danone Southern Africa and its partners have done for the school.
The leading food and beverage company
built the library from upcycled yoghurt tubes. The school has been around for more than 59 years now but without a proper library.
According to Nageng Primary School’s principal, Ephraim Monobe, they would convert a storage room into a library but that is history now.
The state-of-the-art library built from 1 million upcycled yoghurt tubes will accommodate not only pupils from their school but all the children living around the school area as well.
The structure is a first of its kind ever built in Mzansi.
The library was awarded to the school as part of NutriDay’s Tubs2Classrooms competition.
Leanne Kiezer, head of corporate affairs at Danone Southern Africa, said this would not have been possible without partnership.
“This launch today is proof that we can do things differently and work collaboratively to meet this challenge while protecting our planet, driving sustainability, and serving the community,” she said.
Leanne told Ezimtoti that one hundred schools in Gauteng collected yoghurt tubs but Nageng collected more than everyone.
The library is stocked with over 4 500 brand-new books, teaching aids, laptops, a projector, a screen, and furniture.
They also have one full-time librarian who opens doors from 7am-4pm weekdays and 8am – midday on a Saturday twice a month.
Leanne said that when they launched the Tubs2Classrooms campaign, they only had a dream of what this could mean for South African communities but seeing the results of a collective initiative and being able to leave a great footprint in the community and on the environment, reveals the real meaning behind why they do this.
“If waste is treated correctly and put into a recycling stream, it can be converted into something useful,” concluded Leanne.

By KOPANO MONAHENG

AUGUST may have come and gone but many women still feel not much was done to improve their situations.

Now is the time to reflect on the progress women have made and the challenges that still lie ahead.

Ezimtoti News chat to a couple of women across Mzansi to hear what they have to say about Women’s Month.

Nondlala Tyakathe from Kagiso, West Rand, says women deserve to be celebrated 365 days a year and that 30 days is not enough.

She said that to get recognition in the workplace women have to work 10 times harder compared to the opposite gender, and that these are some of the things that need to be acknowledged sooner than later.

Samukelisiwe Hashe from Germiston in Ekurhuleni believes that the current generation is actively embracing and flaunting their achievements beyond Women’s Month.

“Of late, we are seeing young women thriving in their careers and are even more driven. I believe that women are more eager and braver than their counterparts.

“As an independent woman, do I celebrate myself enough in August? Yes and beyond that – Women’s Month is just a reminder for us to recap on where we come from and where we are heading,” said Samkelisiwe.

Ukhanyiso Consulting, managing director, Zimkhitha Mquteni-Mabanga said women are the pillars of our society and it’s a pity that it takes only one month for them to be recognised and celebrated for their contribution to society.

The woman from Table View in Cape Town said many Mzansi women are still oppressed in their households and in the workplace.

Just under a month ago a tavern dedicated to women was launched in Molapo Soweto.

It was all smiles as most women would visit the venue not just to drink some booze but to also have fun.

The venue was open to women only as it was their month and that has now been taken away from them as the month is over.

Everyone is now welcome in the SheBeen restaurant.

The Brutal Fruit Spritzer SheBeen, has set tongues wagging across the country due to its novelty. The space was created by the proudly woman–centric brand, Brutal Fruit Spritzer for SHE to BE free, comfortable, inspired and her authentic self.

Thereby affording women the opportunity to come and celebrate one another for the entire month of August through good music, and a tailor-made menu, in a space where they can feel special.

Brand activation and events company Living Masks, was responsible from the activation to operations stage and ensured that the experience of the guests was met and exceeded.

Candice van den Bosch, acting head of the brand Brutal Fruit Spritzer, said they were excited to be part of this beautiful venture.

By KOPANO MONAHENG
NOT everyone who receives money has the skills to manage it well.
Some people are even quick to empty out their bank accounts in a bid to prevent debit orders going off, while others might not know how to save.
Tlalane Ntuli, chief marketing officer at Metropolitan, said people must know exactly what they are going to do with their money before it lands in their hands.
“Make a list of all the things you want to buy once you have the money and stick to your plan,” she said.
She said many people end up making poor decisions around money because they did not follow their budgets.
She said most people blame unemployment while others perhaps feel embarrassed to talk about the money, something which they don’t have.
She said through their Sisonke in Saving programme, they want to ensure that everyone in Mzansi is educated around money.
Tlalane said that even if you’re unemployed, you can still talk about money and in so doing we are learning more from one another. She also said that people could still save the money they make from washing cars or doing just anything as long as it is a source of income.
Remember that it doesn’t have to be a lot of money and as long as we make it a habit to save, the better.

Ezimtoti reporter

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) will observe a moment of silence for the victims of the Joburg Inner City fire tragedy.

The moment of silence will be observed at all Motsepe Foundation Championship and MTN8 fixtures this weekend.

The PSL sends heartfelt condolences to the affected families and loved ones. May the souls of the deceased repose peacefully.