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Cabinet has approved changes to the Adjusted Alert Level 1 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) regulations as South Africa has exited the fourth wave nationally.

“With the new changes, those who test positive with no symptoms, do not have to isolate," said Minister in the Presidency, Mondli Gungubele.

The isolation period has been reduced from 10 to seven days for individuals who test positive and experience symptoms.

Organisations that work to improve their communities may be eligible for  government funding through the National Development Agency (NDA).

The NDA’s Senior Manager of Grant Bouwer Funding and Research Mobilisation, Anthony Bouwer, says it funds organisations that promote community development, including cooperatives, faith-based and non-profit organisations

The Services Sector Education and Training Authority (Seta) is offering free entrepreneurship courses to individuals and cooperatives. The Seta appointed Chartall Business College to develop four customised e-Learning courses, targeting four beneficiary groups.

Three local innovators have produced a smart, self-cleaning mask they say is effective against many skin conditions such as acne and is reusable for up to a month.

Copper Fresh’s Dean Lazarus, David Ash and Roy Miller started producing and selling their masks in 2021, after a period of research and development.

The mask has been endorsed by Proudly South African under its #BuyLocalToCreateJobs campaign.

A new Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) vaccine manufacturing plant in Cape Town will enable Africa to access vaccines without having to compete with rich countries.

Mothupi Kgopa is a mathematician who has invented a scientific calculator named Geleza, which uses both solar and battery power.

“The solar power takes first preference to save the life of the battery. The calculator does not need to be charged in the sun and works indoors without a battery,” says Kgopa who is from Polokwane in Limpopo.

Late last year, I received a letter from a group of concerned citizens calling on the government to protect the women and children of this country from violence.

Pointing to an increase in rape and sexual assault, they wrote that as women they continue to live in fear; they are losing their faith in the law.

I was deeply moved and touched by their account of the fear that the women of our country are subjected to on a daily basis.

Pumla Gobelo (38) from Dutywa in the Eastern Cape has become an entrepreneur, thanks to the assistance she received from government through the child support grant.

In 2011, Gobelo used the child support grant she was receiving for her daughter to start a business selling chicken livers and hot dogs in Dutywa town.

South African taxi operators and owners are in line to benefit from a once-off Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Relief Fund.

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says the R1.35 billion relief fund will be shared by 137 000 minibus and 25 000 metered taxis and 63 000 e-hailing operators.

The taxi industry was one of the severely affected sectors during the Level 5 national lockdown in 2020. As travel was limited, citizens were urged to work from home and cut out non-essential travel.

The Richtersveld Community Property Association (CPA) in Alexander Bay in the Northern Cape is reaping the benefits of government’s land reform programme.

The  Richtersveld CPA owns 195 150 hectares of land.