The View Point

Genetics testing has evolved from simply being used to determine paternity. Advances in both the understanding and accessibility of genetic testing are giving healthcare professionals and their patients a unique understanding of human biology with new ways to analyze health data. This data can help you determine which diet, lifestyle, and medication are best for your long-term health.

Our next guest argues that traditional medical practice often applies the same treatments to all patients with the same disease. It does not take into account genetics and other contributing factors. We are joined by Dr Danny Meyersfeld.

Title:                   [• Dr (He) ]   

Name:                 [• Danny Meyersfeld ]  

Position at organisation:   [• Chief Executive Officer | DNALysis] 

A coalition of hunger relief organizations has launched a petition to protest the donation of R50 million by the Department of International Relations (DIRCO) towards fighting hunger in Cuba.

The group of over sixty organizations has chosen to object the donation as the government has not addressed the injustice of hunger suffered by millions every day. According to World Hunger, 52% of South Africans face food insecurity compared to 20% of Cubans. So far, close to 15 000 people have signed the petition. This Thursday, the group will deliver this petition to DIRCO’s headquarters.

Title:     [• Mr ]   

Name:  [• Arnold Tanzer ] 

Position at organisation:    [• Chaiperson | Chefs with Compassion] 

Small businesses often struggle to access markets, especially in a world where big brands with big budgets dominate the advertising space. Almost a quarter listed access to markets as a bigger challenge than funding. In this year’s State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa alluded to the fact that small businesses are the driving force of the economy and featured prominently

We're in conversation with Michelle Geere, CEO of Adbot, who believes that the critical success of the SME sector as it directly reduces unemployment and poverty in South Africa. However, there are some challenges faced by the SME sector that government intervention alone can’t fix.

Title:                   [• Ms ]   

Name:                 [• Michelle Geere ]  

Position at organisation:   [• Chief Executive Officer | AdBot ] 

Andy Mashaile is an Interpol Ambassador for the Turn Back Crime Campaign with a coverage of 194 countries. He’s a co-author of the current National Community Policing Strategy with 12 years Community Policing experience.

Andy is also a Cyber Security Advisor, who is frequently featured on various talk shows as an expert on Cyber Crime and Cyber Security issues. 

He’s the former Chairperson of the Gauteng Provincial Community Police Board, former advisor to two Ministers of Police, three MECs of Community Safety in Gauteng and three National Commissioners of SAPS

Title:                          [• Mr.]

Name:                        [• Andy Mashaile ]

Position AND org.:   [• CEO of Cyber Smart South Africa and Interpol Ambassador for the Turn Back Crime Campaign] 

Title:                          [• Mr.]

Name:                        [• Charles Ndabeni ]

Position AND org.:   [• Former CEO of the North West Parks and Tourism Board]

It is a worthwhile and powerful message in the SONA! Our take from the President’s message is that the time has come for the commercial proposition of cannabis to be mined for its full economic potential. South African cannabis companies will capitalise from this, and this sector will be a powerful thrust for measurable change in our manufacturing and service industries” these are the words of Herschel Maasdorp, Group Executive of Labat Healthcare - a subsidiary of the country's cannabis giant and JSE-listed Labat Africa Ltd. 

We know that our country’s European counterparts in the cannabis industry will reluctantly concede that South African raw material cannabis supply is now their promise for the sustainable growth of their pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.

Title:                          [• Mr.]

Name:                        [• Herschel Michael Maasdorp]

Position AND org.:   [•  Group Executive Labat Healthcare] 

Contacts details:      [• ]

It has been said for years that the future success of South Africa’s unique democracy depends on the development of harmonious race relations. Understanding the factors underlying the countrys interracial attitudes is, consequently, important.

The past couple of days have been shocking to say the least - how can a racial incident cause such havoc and put learning to a halt in a community? Well maybe it’s because these racial incidents that we’ve seen in schools are a replica of the societal tensions that exist in South Africa; and inevitably, children pick up such things 

Title:                          [• Ms.]

Name:                        [• Terry Oakley-Smith]

Position AND org.:   [• Founder and Director of Diversi-T] 

The word ‘Excelerator’ in the name of the programme blends key concepts such as

excellence and accelerator. In line with this, MiX Telematics Africa has launched its Ithuba Excelerator Programme, an enterprise development project to assist young entrepreneurs establish their own fitment centre businesses. It provides opportunities for young black entrepreneurs with a technical certificate and/or a qualification in autotronics to start their own business in the vehicle tracking industry.

Interested applicants are not required to have a business yet; they just need a technical

qualification to qualify and must be between 21 and 35 years’ old. If accepted into the

programme, MiX Telematics will equip applicants with the financial and other resources, training, skills, coaching, and mentoring to set up their respective businesses.

Title:                          [• Mr]

Name:                        [• Marius van Reenen]

Position AND org.:   [• MiX Africa COO]

STI and Condom Awareness Week: Consequences of unprotected sex on Valentines Day are not romantic

Precious Robinson, chief technical specialist for prevention, care and treatment at health NGO, Right to Care, is calling on South Africans to, “Use condoms to reduce your risk of getting HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which include the human papillomavirus (HPV). Go to your closest clinic or health facility to get help and prevent HIV and STIs, as well as pregnancy.”

Her plea forms part of Right to Care’s efforts during STI and Condom Awareness Week (10 -16 February 2022), to raise awareness about the consequences of unprotected sex and avoiding healthcare services. Consequences can include chronic pelvic pain, cancers, ectopic pregnancies, infertility, adverse pregnancy outcomes, neonatal death and congenital abnormalities. A congenital abnormality is an inherited medical condition that occurs during or before birth. Some STIs increase chances of getting HIV.

Title:                          [• Ms]

Name:                        [• Precious Robinson ]

Position AND org.:   [• Chief technical specialist for prevention, care and treatment at health NGO, Right to Care]

The National Heritage Council (NHC) of South Africa in partnership with the Limpopo Sport, Arts and Culture is inviting stakeholders to nominate Heritage activists who work selflessly to make the country proud of its African heritage for the annual 2021/22 Golden Shield Heritage Awards.

The NHC seeks to honour individuals, groups or organisations in municipalities, management authorities, conservancies, academia and institutes that have made worthwhile contributions to the preservation and promotion of the county’s cultural and natural heritage.

Categories include National Living Treasure, Young Heritage Activist, Corporate Heritage Management and Heritage Education. The closing date for submission of nomination forms is the 25th of February 2022.

Title:                          [• Mr.]

Name:                        [• Danny Legodi]

Position AND org.:   [• head of Communications and Stakeholder engagement at the National Heritage Council] 

Feziwe Phungula is the Director at Mnedisi Ndlovu Sedumedi attorneys. She joined the organisation in 2016. Feziwe specialises in litigation such as medical malpractice, employment law, administrative law and contractual law. She holds a LLB degree from the University of Zululand.

She has instituted and defended matters from the High Court to the Constitutional Court. She is currently the lead attorney, in respect of the dispute regarding the leadership contestation in Nazareth Baptist Church Ebuhleni; the City of Johannesburg vs Regiments Fund Managers Pty Ltd; the SABC v Mjayeli Security; Transnet Civil Claims; the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse v Road Traffic Infringement Authority.

One of Feziwe’ s career highlights was working on the Transnet submission to the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, where she was involved in drafting the statements relating to Transnet’s procurement of locomotives. She describes working at MNS as being “part of a university – you learn so much, and there are no limits to the opportunities”

Title:                          [• Ms.]

Name:                        [• Feziwe Phungula]

Position AND org.:   [• Director - Mncedisi Ndlovu Sedumedi Attorneys] 

Title:                          [• Ms.]

Name:                        [• Kanabo Skhosana]

Position AND org.:   [• Senior Associate at MNS Attorneys]