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In the News Today: Six young South African cricketers are in line for a career-changing opportunity at the SA20 rookie draft in Cape Town on 1 October. After proving to be a successful addition last season, the draft will once again form part of the premier auction. A total of 89 young players have entered the …
Magistrate reprimands Rael Kassel for interrupting court proceedings
Najwa Petersen's parole decision referred for review
The decision by the Pollsmoor Correctional Supervision and Parole Board to place convicted murderer Najwa Petersen on parole has been referred to the Correctional Supervision and Parole Review Board (CSPRB) for review.
The referral was made by Minister of Correctional Services Dr Pieter Groenewald in terms of section 75(8) of the Correctional Services Act.
Peterson is serving a 28-year prison sentence for orchestrating the murder of her husband, popular artist, Taliep Petersen.
“The CSPRB is tasked with reviewing the original decision made by the Pollsmoor Correctional Supervision and Parole Board and must confirm or replace it with its own decision.
"This referral suspends the decision to place her on parole, effective from the 27th of November 2024, pending the outcome of the CSPRB,” the department said.
Furthermore, the department explained that the referral follows representations made by Taliep Petersen’s family.
“The discrepancies in Marius van der Westhuizen’s case have led to a lack of public trust. As a result, I am exercising my discretion under the provisions of the Act to ensure that Parole Boards consider all reports comprehensively to prevent future occurrences of such issues,” the Minister said. – SAnews.gov.za
NeoB
Fri, 09/27/2024 - 14:01
Women on Farms is calling for better policing of the Fairtrade standards on certified farms
Tangible Africa is shaping Africa’s future leaders at the Robben Island Museum’s annual Spring School programme, hosted this week on Robben Island in Cape Town. It is the first time that Tangible Africa, an engagement project of Nelson Mandela University Computing Sciences Department and the Leva Foundation non-profit organisation based in Gqeberha, has been invited …
Dear Editor The DA has written to the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Security and Justice to demand answers as to why a young offender was not referred to the Children’s Court after the Magistrate was warned that he was at high risk of continuing to resort to violence and have a disregard of …
The winners of the inaugural V&A Waterfront Neighbourhood Retail Awards have been announced. Honourees were named on 25 September 2024 at a gala event MC’d by popular public figure and radio presenter Carl Wastie. Newly-opened Spyced restaurant, in the Silo District of Cape Town’s renowned destination, hosted the evening. There were 17 awards across 8 …
The Welsh Rugby Union has issued 37 new full-time professional contracts to Wales Women players – it confirmed today as the squad prepares to face Australia in the WXV2 tournament hosted in South Africa this weekend. The move, which, for the first time, includes many extended two-year deals, makes Wales Women one of the best …
Johannesburg – 27 September 2024 – AOW, in collaboration with Lean In Equity & Sustainability, has included development economist Kalnisha Singh in its Pan-African Female Leaders in Energy Power List 2024. Kalnisha Singh contributes to the emerging renewable energy sector through several innovative avenues. As founder of KD Strategies and Our Common Future, she provides …
The moment you’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived. The Orms X Canon: Wonders Through Focus Photographic Competition has been a tremendous success. Now in its fifth year, this annual showcase has become a beacon for photographers, offering a platform to showcase their work to the world and win incredible prizes to help elevate …
Power has not been restored for a year to Dunoon fire victims
Discovery Vitality is excited to host the second edition of its popular Vitality Run Series in Gqeberha next week. The BayRun will be hosted by 32Gi athletic club on Saturday, 5 October, and will start and finish at Cape Recife High School. The Vitality Run Series was introduced in 2017, with the aim to help …
W Cape records lowest HIV prevalence rate in SA
Out of the nine provinces in South Africa, the Western Cape had the lowest HIV prevalence (7.4%) in 2022 and second lowest in 2017 (8.6%).
According to the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), this translates to 540 000 people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the Western Cape, which was a decline from 560 000 PLHIV in 2017.
The information is based on the findings of the Sixth South African HIV Prevalence, Incidence and Behaviour Survey (SABSSM VI) for the Western Cape, which was released by the HSRC on Thursday.
According to the overall principal investigator of the study, the HSRC’s Professor Khangelani Zuma, the survey showed that in 2022, HIV prevalence in the province was higher among those aged 25 to 49 (10.8%) for both females (14.6%) and males (5.8%).
Meanwhile, HIV prevalence was higher among females (9%) compared to males (5.6%).
“HIV prevalence peaked at 12.9% amongst those aged 35 to 39 in 2022 from 23.4% in 2017 within the same age group.
“There was a decrease in HIV prevalence in 2022 among all age groups younger than 30 to 34 years compared to 2017, apart from the age groups zero to 14; 15 to 19, and those 50 years and older.
“The worsening prevalence among those younger than 24 years is deeply concerning, as it shows continued new infections from both horizontal and vertical transmissions,” Zuma said.
SAnews reported last week that Mpumalanga now has the highest HIV prevalence at 17.4% in 2022, which translates to an estimated 890 000 (PLHIV) in the province, followed by KwaZulu-Natal.
READ | Mpumalanga records highest HIV prevalence rate
Antiretroviral treatment
Antiretroviral treatment (ART) coverage in the Western Cape increased to 76.8% in 2022, from 54.4% in 2017.
This translates to an estimated 360 000 PLHIV in the province receiving ART in 2022.
In 2022, ART use among all PLHIV in the province was lower among those aged 15 to 49 (76.5%) compared to other age groups.
ART use was also lower among males (75.3%) compared to females (77.1%).
In addition, ART use was 76.2% amongst respondents who reside in urban areas and 81.4% in the City of Cape Town.
The SABSSM VI survey, conducted between 2022 and 2023, aimed to maintain surveillance of HIV infection and behaviours in South Africa, evaluate the progress of the South African national HIV and Aids, STI and TB Strategic Plan, and monitor HIV indicators for national and international reporting.
Viral load suppression (VLS)
The survey further revealed that in 2022, among all provinces, the Western Cape had the seventh highest proportion of PLHIV with VLS (78.4%), having increased from 2017 (54.6%).
Overall, VLS was also lower among males (76%) compared to females (79.7%).
VLS was also lower among those aged 50 and older (69.4%) compared to other age groups.
Knowledge of HIV status
The professor expressed concern that PLHIV between 25 and 49 years accounted for the majority of PLHIV in the Western Cape, who were unaware of their HIV status (59.1%); aware but not on ART (64.7%), and on ART but not VLS (66.7%).
Adolescents and youth aged between 15 and 24 contributed disproportionally to gaps in treatment, accounting for just 9.5% of all PLHIV.
Regarding the key drivers of the HIV epidemic, Zuma noted that in the Western Cape, there was an increase in the proportion of adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24, who reported sex before the age of 15 in 2017 (14%), compared to 2022 (16.3%).
Sexual debut before the age of 15 among adolescents and youth aged 15 to 24 in 2022 was higher among males (21.5%) than females (11.3%).
Multiple sexual partners
The survey revealed that in the Western Cape, 6.7% of people aged 15 and older reported having two or more sexual partners in 2022 compared to 7.6% in 2017.
The proportion of people aged 15 and older who reported having multiple sexual partners was two-fold higher among males (8.9%), compared to females (4.4%), and higher among those aged 15 to 24 (19.1%) compared to other age groups.
Condom use
The survey revealed that 22.1% reported using a condom with their most recent sexual partner in 2022 compared to 26.6% in 2017, representing a 4.5% decline.
Condom use with their most recent sexual partner among people who are 15 years and older was higher among those 15 to 24 years (39.9%) and in the urban areas (22.5%), while it was similar by sex.
A higher proportion also reported that they had never or sometimes (81.4%) used a condom with their most recent sexual partner. Only 13.4% reported that they had used condoms almost every time.
Consistency of condom use with their most recent sexual partner among people aged 15 in the province was higher among youth aged 15 to 24 (24%). – SAnews.gov.za
Gabisile
Thu, 09/26/2024 - 12:51
There are mixed emotions for Aseza Hele, as the Springbok Women No 8 gears up with the rest of the squad to face Japan at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Friday, in what will be the opening match of the 2024 version of WXV 2. During the inaugural tournament, also played in South …
Scotland Women captain Rachel Malcolm will mark her 50th cap against Italy on Saturday 28 September against Italy in her side’s opening match of WXV 2, with Head Coach Bryan Easson making seven changes to the starting line-up that defeated Fiji two weeks ago. After earning her first start for Scotland in that Fiji match, …
Sandton, South Africa – Foot fungal infections, such as Athlete’s Foot and Toenail Fungus, are common but persistent problems that affect many individuals. M Maddocks Inc, a leading podiatry practice, is addressing these issues with effective, evidence-based treatment solutions that help patients get back to their daily activities free from discomfort and pain. Fungal infections …
Wales have named the side to face Australia in the WXV2 opener at the DHL Stadium, Cape Town, Saturday, September 28th (KO:11.30am, UK). Scrum-half Keira Bevan captains the side for the third time and leads a side made up of the bulk of the squad that recorded a historic first win over the Wallaroos at …
SevenC, a top-managed service provider in South Africa, analyses cybersecurity trends and how South African businesses can stay ahead of cyber threats. Bringing attention to rising cyber attacks, Graeme Millar, managing director of SevenC Computing, warned, “Be it through a phishing scam, data breach, malware infection or ransomware, cyber-attacks can throw your entire business into …
Cape Town, Gauteng, and Lowveld — Window Art, South Africa’s leading vinyl frosting and window tinting company, is raising awareness of an often-overlooked solution that enhances interiors and protects valuable assets: professional window tinting. With more than 18 years of experience, Window Art serves businesses and homeowners, helping them improve privacy, save on energy costs, …
Recycled PVC products stole the spotlight at the 2024 Best Recycled Plastic Product of the Year Awards, announced last week at a glittering gala dinner held in Cape Town. The event, organised by the South African Plastics Recycling Organisation (SAPRO), saw three innovative products made from recycled PVC dominate the Building and Construction category, impressing …
Cofimvaba villager Bongani Mgqebisa has given up waiting for an RDP house
Nicky Whitehead, NSRI Strandfontein station commander, said: At 16h55, Tuesday, 24 September, NSRI Strandfontein duty crew and the CoCT (City of Cape Town) water rescue network were activated following reports of a small boat capsized offshore of Blue Waters, between Monwabisi and Mnandi, on the False Bay Coast. CoCT lifeguards and CoCT Law Enforcement had …
Simon McDonnell, NSRI Simonstown station commander, said: At 16h21, Saturday, 21 September, NSRI Simonstown duty crew were activated following a NSRI SafeTrx emergency activation, intercepted by NSRI EOC (Emergency Operations Centre) from a local paddler on a surfski reporting to be in difficulties at Sunny Cove corner, near to Fish Hoek, in an onshore strong …
City says it currently manages about 2.1-million tonnes of waste annually across the metro
