Lets’ tax sensibly and give SMMEs a break to recover  

Two years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic caused havoc that continues to be widely felt amongst many industries, including the entire beer value chain. SAB is of the view that there must be a deliberate intention by government to resuscitate the economy through providing a tax relief for small and medium brewers. 

Last week the Minister of Finance went live asking the public to give him tips on what to prioritise for the Budget and SAB’s main tip is to call for a tax break for smaller businesses to allow them to recover from the COVID-19 impact.

They say similar policies have been successfully implemented in several African countries, and have been found to stimulate local agriculture and the extensive value chains of the industry, creating direct and indirect employment.

Title:                          [• Ms]

Name:                        [• Fatsani Banda]

Position AND org.:   [• Economist and Excise Specialist at SAB]

The State of healthcare for key populations’

People who belong to, what is referred to in HIV jargon as, key populations (KPs) including men who have sex with men (MSM), people who use drugs (PWUD), sex workers, and transgender people often report that it is difficult for them to access healthcare services. While many publications have often reported on such issues, the reporting has mostly focussed on individual cases.

Last week, community healthcare monitoring group Ritshidze, launched a report, titled ‘State of healthcare for key populations’; and this large survey has given a glimpse into how big the problem of access to healthcare is and it also provides some insights into the particular ways in which services for people belonging to KPs fall short.

Title:                          [• Ms]

Name:                        [• Ndivhuwo Rambau]

Position AND org.:   [• Project Officer at Ritshidze - community healthcare monitoring group]

An estimated 1,9 million road accident victims in South Africa are unable to get the medical treatment they need from private healthcare providers, despite undertakings from the Road Accident Fund (RAF) that their healthcare needs will be covered.

For their part, private healthcare providers are generally unwilling to take on these cases as they have had many claims rejected by the RAF and successful claims take between 180 and 210 working days to be settled.  One hospital group has accumulated RAF debt in excess of R300 million and private healthcare providers simply cannot afford to carry this burden for extended periods.

We’re in conversation with Bianca van Zyl, the CEO of Valomate Medical Services - they make it possible for patients to get private medical treatment related to an initial RAF claim, provided a section 17 (4) undertaking has been obtained via a court order. Backed by a partnership with specialist funder Taurus Capital, Valomate facilitates the necessary treatment with medical services providers, at no cost to the patient, and administers RAF claims on their behalf.

Title:                          [• Ms.]

Name:                        [• Bianca van Zyl]

Position AND org.:   [• CEO of Valomate Medical Services] 

GUEST: Lerato Mogoatlhe - Content Lead at Africa No Filter

GUEST: Jovial Rantao - Chairperson at the African Editor's Forum

GUEST: Kevin Barnes - Chief Financial Officer at  Allianz South Africa

GUEST: David Letsoalo - Sankarist, an Activist and Law Academic

GUEST: Zikhona Ndlebe - Researcher at Judges Matter

On the 10th February, South Africans from across the country will be tuned as the President addresses the nation and opens Parliament.

Our next guest has noted, with concern, The number of South Africans who are employed has plunged by 2.1 million since Covid-19 first hit local shores, translating to an alarming average of over 3,800 fewer breadwinners each day.

They call for job creation must be a cornerstone of the speech and that through localization, small and medium enterprises can play a key role in rebuilding the economy.

Title:     [• Ms ]   

Name:  [• Happy Ngidi ] 

Position at organisation:    [• Chief Marketing Officer & Acting CEO | Proudly South Africa ] 

On this final day of Thyroid Awareness month, we take a closer look at Thyroid cancer.

According to the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA), about 50% of people over the age of 40 have a thyroid nodule, most of which are benign.

Only 7-15% of thyroid nodules are malignant. Thyroid cancer is usually very treatable, even if at a more advanced stage.

Title:                   [• Prof (He) ]   

Name:                 [• Michael Herbst ]  

Position at organisation:   [• HEALTH SPECIALIST AND PATIENT ADVOCATE AT THE CANCER ASSOCIATION OF SOUTH AFRICA ]