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A successful entrepreneur will soon be the first woman in South Africa to own a mutual bank.

Likotsi, from Botshabelo in the Free State, is the founder of the Young Women in Business Network (YWBN).

Head: Justice College (Chief Director)

Over the past five years, government has invested approximately R32 billion in about 800 black industrialist businesses and black entrepreneurs. 

These investments have taken place through funding initiatives within the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (dtic).

If are looking to buy a home or property for the first time, you can apply for financial assistance from the Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP).

The government programme encourages home ownership for those who earn between R3 501 - R22 000 per month.

The FLISP offers financial assistance which can be used as a deposit or to reduce the bond balance. The once-off assistance ranges from R27 960 to R121 626, depending on the level of household income.

Africa Month, in May, provides an opportunity to celebrate all cultures across the African continent.

May marks Africa Month, and the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it is an opportunity for people across the continent to break down barriers.

While government continuously calls on South Africans to stop the cycle of neglect, abuse, violence and exploitation of children, an even greater focus is placed on protecting these vulnerable members of society during National Child Protection Week.

This year, National Child Protection Week will be commemorated from 30 May to 6 June. The Department of Social Development, in partnership with key government departments, civil society organisations and non-profit organisations that render child protection services, will run a campaign to generate awareness of children’s rights.

SASSA and GovChat have launched a pilot system to improve service delivery to disability grant applicants.

This is thanks to a new online system that will enable applicants to book their medical assessment from the comfort of their own home.

As part of government’s effort to accelerate land reform, the Covie community in the Western Cape received 764 000 hectares of land after a successful land claim.

The community lost their land and land rights under the apartheid government in 1978.

Deputy President David Mabuza, in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Land Reform, presided over the ceremony that handed over the land and title deeds to the community.

South Africa will rely on the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) and Pfizer vaccines to protect citizens from the pandemic for now.

So far, government has secured 31.2 million J&J doses and 21.4 million Pfizer doses.

“Currently, the Pfizer and J&J vaccines have been registered by South Africa’s Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) and have been selected for procurement,” said President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The first shipment of the Pfizer vaccine arrived in South Africa in early May.

While the world is focused on new vaccines to protect against the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Department of Health says it is important to ensure that routine vaccinations are not missed.

“In South Africa, about 298 935 children missed their routine immunisation since the beginning of the COVID-19 lockdown, which suggests that they might be vulnerable to childhood diseases,” says the department.