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Being one of the country’s first veterinary nurse graduates is a dream come true for Randburg resident Phumelela Mthimkhulu (21), who has been passionate about animals since she was a child.

Mthimkhulu recently graduated from the University of Pretoria (UP), the only veterinary training facility in SA, with a Bachelor of Veterinary Nursing degree.

“It’s crazy to wrap my head around. To know that I was part of the first class to do the bachelor’s degree, which has been years in the making, is an honour.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured the communities of the Gert Sibande District Municipality in Mpumalanga that all three spheres of government are hard at work to resolve their challenges and issues.

He was speaking during the Presidential Imbizo held in the town recently which was preceded by an engagement with business people.

The imbizo is a platform for community members to raise all of their challenges to government leaders including ministers, deputy ministers, provincial leaders and local government leaders led by the president.

Government departments continued to table their 2022/23 financial year budget votes recently, Vuk’uzenzele shares some highlights. 

Social development

Of the Department of Social Development’s R257 billion budget, R248 billion will be spent on over 18 million social grants, said Social Development Minister Lindiwe Zulu.

In addition, R44 billion has been allocated for the extension of the Special COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress grant for one year ending in March 2023. 

Getting the flu vaccine and taking care of yourself by ensuring a healthy lifestyle are the two best ways to reduce your risk of becoming seriously ill from the flu this winter.

Getting your annual flu vaccination is the most effective way to protect yourself against flu and serious complications, says the Western Cape Delft Community Health Centre’s dietician, Tanja Venter.

She said you can also help your body to fight off infections by eating a well-balanced diet that includes lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

With South Africa’s COVID-19 cases increasing ahead of the predicted fifth wave and cold winter months around the corner, government continues to urge the public to get vaccinated against the virus and stay up to date with their booster shots.

According to Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, on 25 April South Africa recorded a 137% increase in new COVID-19 cases, compared with the previous seven days, driven mainly by higher rates of infection in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.

From The Union Buildings

The South African economy, like any other economy, cannot function, let alone grow, without efficient and competitive network industries. These industries – which include electricity, water, transport and telecommunications – are the arteries through which the oxygen of the economy runs.

The Mpumalanga province will host the third instalment of the District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Izimbizo.

The Imbizo will take place on Friday, 20 May 2022, in the small town of Carolina in the Chief Albert Luthuli Local Municipality under the Gert Sibande District.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Ministry said the Mpumalanga Presidential Imbizo follows a series of successful episodes of the Presidential Izimbizo in both the North West and Free State provinces respectively.

Health Minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, has committed to checking on the Global Fund Grant to ensure that it is implemented in a quality manner and that the country utilises the funding received efficiently.

Minister Phaahla said this recently while officiating the signing of the new Global Fund grant valued over R8.8 billion for the next three-year cycle for the country’s response to HIV and tuberculosis (TB).

“I urge our implementers to make South Africa proud and utilise the money accountably and effectively ensure that services are reaching the communities in need.

Government departments tabled their 2022/23 financial year budgets in mid-May. Vuk’uzenzele shares some highlights.

Higher education, science and innovation

The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande, announced a budget of R130.1 billion to be distributed between six programmes, namely administration, planning, policy and strategy, university education, technical and vocational education and training (TVET), skills development and community education and training.