NIGHT FALL

Closet Conversations –The Complete Marriage and Relationships Masterclass

If you were to change certain aspects in your partner what will that be and why?

-If a relationship or marriage had an expiry date would you renew it?  If so, under which conditions?

-What is the missing link in your relationship?

-How do you tell your partner that you are sexually unsatisfied?

Guest on the line: Dr. Mashudu David Mbedzi, marriage counsellor and author of the book titled “Married but Intimately Divorced”.

Guest in studio: Herman Mazibuko, founder Agent Director of Amalga Real Estate Agency

How do couples view the use of toys?

Do they feel threatened?

Do they feel that the toys are great help (a treat)?Are people aware that toys are not limited to vibrators? Because most times when we say toys mostly guys tend to think now the women won't enjoy a real penis.

Are people aware that toys include swings and chairs that make it easier for both parties?-Can people introduce toys freely to each other without fear of judgment? If one partner is used to toys, can the other lover allow them to share the pleasure when they are together?

The matric class of 2022 who wrote the National Senior Certificate exams achieved a pass rate of 80.1%, according to the Department of Basic Education. Given that the pass mark in some subjects is as low as 30%, this figure is nothing to celebrate, particularly as most school leavers will struggle to find employment even having passed matric.

The DA says the National Senior Certificate pass rate is misleading, arguing that the real matric pass rate – calculated by including the number of learners that dropped out prior to writing their final exams – is actually 54.6%. Only 58% of learners, according to the DA’s calculations, reach grade 12. There is no question that the high dropout rate is exacerbating youth unemployment, which in the third quarter of 2022 reached 59.6%. Unemployed youth are defined as those not at school, not enrolled at a training or tertiary institution and are not employed.

Only 38.4% of matrics who wrote the 2022 National Senior Certificate matric exams achieved sufficient marks to be accepted to a bachelor’s degree compared to 89.32% of learners who wrote the Independent Examination Board (IEB) exams, highlighting the inherent inequality in outcomes in our education system. More than 98% of IEB learners passed the 2022 exams. The IEB consistently achieves a higher pass rate and more bachelor pass passes, highlighting just how unequal our education system is becoming.

Many South Africans face the prospect of a tough 2023. Inflation is the highest it has ever been, and the repo rate has steadily risen with more increases expected in the near future. Further stress is applied to the majority of consumers through (regular) significant increases in both petrol and diesel prices which not only impact car owners, but also have a knock on effect in the price of other items such as food and transport.

“All of these increases have negated the financial relief initially offered by the rate reductions of 2020,” said Steyn. “Our concern is that South Africans are now feeling the brunt of these increases, with rising living costs eventually influencing the number of consumers forced to default on their debt payments. Increasing numbers of defaulters may in turn increase the number of creditors instituting legal action for the foreclosure/repossession of financed goods,” explains Reana Steyn, the Ombudsman for Banking Services.

Guest on the line: Kwanda Vabaza -communications manager for the Ombudsman for Banking Services

Most Young people find themselves at a crossroads, not sure about what to do this year, some regretting how they handled last year. Most importantly what parents can do?

A current challenge with young people and it being the beginning of the year and their frustrations in doing something they want versus what parents expect them to do.

It’s important for young people to understand where parents are coming from, but also important for parents to hear their kids.

The other point could be where the young person could find something to do with their hands, and then study further in that area where they are productive.

Guest on line: Matseleng Mogodi - a Life and Executive Coach and founder of I Get It Now.

It's a brand-new year, full of promise and a time for new goals and aspirations. Don't let unwanted and avoidable sexual health issues derail your year.

Sexual experimentation is normal and fun, but it is important to keep safety in mind. Unplanned pregnancies and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are more common than ever.

The statistics don’t lie

In South Africa, there are over 10 million STIs recorded per year. This means around 1 in 6 South Africans suffer from an STI every year.

Common STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis and trichomoniasis. Luckily, bacterial STIs, are all treatable with scheduled medication.

Some viral STIs, such as Aids, Herpes Simplex and HPV are incurable. These infections require the use of Antiretroviral medication (ARVs) to manage the condition.

STIs can have a major impact on your sexual and reproductive health. These infections can increase your risk of infertility, cancer, pregnancy complications and HIV.

Guest on the line: Alex Schmid - Founder - Contro

Social conversations: What is forfeiture of assets in a divorce?

 Guest: Shani van Niekerk is a senior associate at Adams & Adams' CPL department.

In most divorces, either one of or both the parties feel wronged and aggrieved by either having to share their assets, or having any assets included in the calculation of the accrual.

The Pretoria High Court recently ruled that a woman’s infidelity amounted to substantial misconduct and, as such, she forfeited her right to share in her husband’s pension fund. The judgment received extensive media coverage and divorce attorneys are now inundated with queries regarding forfeiture.

It is quite correct that our law allows a court to make an order that one party forfeits the patrimonial benefits of a marriage. This means that a specific asset or even all benefits can be forfeited, regardless of the content of the parties’ ante-nuptial agreement. This legal position is, however, nothing new and has existed for years.

Prior to the introduction of the Divorce Act, a forfeiture order was based on the principle that no one ought to benefit financially from a marriage that he/she wrecked. Under our current Divorce Act, conduct of the parties is but only one of the factors that a court will consider when deciding to grant a forfeiture order.

In terms of Section 9 of the Divorce Act, a court may make an order that the patrimonial benefits of the marriage be forfeited by one party in favour of the other, either wholly or in part, if the court, having regard to the duration of the marriage, the circumstances which gave rise to the breakdown thereof and any substantial misconduct on the part of either of the parties, is satisfied that, if the order for forfeiture is not made, the one party will in relation to the other be unduly benefited.

Contact:

Closet conversations: Clairvoyant Medium Mondays

Guest on the line: Adrian Nelson -Holistic Wellness Practitioner 

We need your Name, Date of birth and one burning Question.

Guest on the line: Adrian Nelson -Holistic Wellness Practitioner

Social conversations: The relationship between loadshedding and insurance

Guest on the line: Oswald Kuyler - Head of Short-term insurance at Momentum 

The reality of loadshedding is causing immeasurable damage to the economy, and it is important for consumers to know how they can protect their assets.

It is not only consumers who feel the impact of load shedding, insurance companies do as well. The unexpected escalation in load shedding to level 6 earlier last week, resulting in warnings that the country could be subjected to an even stricter electricity reduction protocol, had many people worried.

• Loadshedding and its impact on insurance.
• Tips consumers and businesses can use to protect their assets and belongings during power outages.