Newsbreak

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - The entrepreneurship route is often touted as a huge source of employment and economic growth for the country. However, small businesses are at severe risk with over 75% of them faced with failure or bankruptcy. That's according to Vuyelwa Nyakaza, Managing Director of development firm - Sukume Consulting. She says although the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector contributes 39% to South Africa's GDP, the failure rate is between 50% - 95% depending on the industry. Nyakaza says it's therefore important that proper research and consultation is carried out by prospective entrepreneurs...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - International relations expert, Professor John Stremlau believes U.S Vice President, Kamala Harris is a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming elections. Harris has picked up dozens of endorsements from members of Congress and key Governors across the country after President Joe Biden announced he will no longer seek re-election. Democrats have netted more than 100 million dollars in online donations in the 24 hours since Biden's exit from the race, indicating a strong belief in Harris. Professor Stremlau says while Harris is yet to be formally nominated, she has the skills set and projected support to outrun Republican Donald Trump in the race to November polls...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Fresh from a trip to Johannesburg where her peer-to-peer workshop was extremely well received, 17-year-old Paetyn Naidoo is now in Durban to share her knowledge of coding. Interested in STEM subjects and computing from a young age, the American-South African has been studying in the U.S and is now on a mission to share her lessons learnt with South Africa's youth. This week she will host a presentation to both educators and learners at the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre in Chatsworth, south of Durban. Paetyn says it's important to prepare for the future by grasping the fundamentals of digital literacy...  

By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - A PhD project celebrating the Fordsburg Women's Group of the 80's - a civil society group of activists - is expected to be showcased during Women's Month. Entitled "Memory is a Weapon" the project will feature an exhibition, storytelling, biographies, a sari installation and fitness demos. Independent filmmaker and producer Firdoze Bulbulia says she co-ordinated the project to pay tribute to those women activists who fought for a better country...

By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Although brain disorders are emphasised worldwide, neurological diseases are the second leading cause of death globally. That's according to the World Federation of Neurology. The startling statistic comes on the backdrop of World Brain Day that was commemorated yesterday. The Neurological Association of South Africa says neurological disorders are preventable through early detection and effective management. However, not all patients have equal access to early detection and effective management in the country. Dr James Butler, Executive Board Member of the Neurological Association of South Africa explains...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Every July for the past four years, epidemiologists at the United States have noted a sudden spike in Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations, an annual trend which has been dubbed "the summertime surge". Taking North America into account, Covid-19 rates are reportedly particularly high in Arizona, California, Hawaii and Nevada. In these western states, the number of positive tests reached 15.6% in the first week of July, a significant increase on the previous week. The investigations show that viral rates in wastewater are also on the rise once again. In this week's Medical Monitor, I find out more about this seasonal trend and what it means going forward... 

By Newsbreak Producer South Africa is witnessing a disturbing increase in the number of people being kidnapped, going missing and being used as a commodity. According to advocacy group - Missing Children South Africa, they say that the recent trends have seen an alarming increase which has fallen on deaf ears, urging people to remain aware around their communities for an increase in child abuse, kidnappings, and human trafficking cases. Criminologist and national coordinator Bianca Van Aswegen explains the seriousness of the situation...

By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - Introducing Newsbreak's new feature: The Wellness Wake Up! This is a segment that focuses on tips and tricks to help you unlock your best health, mental and well-being potential. Now corporate experts say a good day starts the night before. But what happens when you keep hitting snooze on the alarm? Mentally Fit South Africa's Executive Business Coach Luc van der Hofstadt explains how snoozing your alarm in the morning disrupts your routine... 

By Newsbreak Executive Producer Salma Patel - Family and friends of Springbok captain, Salmaan Moerat's are celebrating the 26-year-old leading the national team to victory against Portugal at the weekend. Moerat is the first Springbok from a long line of national rugby players from Paarl in the Western Cape - and the first Muslim - to lead the side to victory in the democratic era. Moerat's Uncle, Marwaan, says the family are very excited that Salmaan is the 66th player to lead the Boks AND that the captain has the ability to lead the team to victory in a world cup match...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The Woodview Ratepayers Association, in Phoenix, north of Durban, together with other stakeholders are opposing a housing development on Viewhaven Drive. According to the Chairperson of the Woodview Ratepayers Association, Theo Pillay, there had been no prior consultation between residents and the eThekwini Municipality regarding the development - which is a Durban Metropolitan Open Space System (D'MOSS) area. Pillay says the development is not in the best interest of the community and is calling for a complete stop to the development...

NOTE: Newsbreak contacted the eThekwini Municipality for a response, however comment was not forthcoming by time of broadcast.

By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - A Career Fest will be held in Phoenix, north of Durban, next month to help guide learners in choosing career paths. The event, which is being hosted by the Rotary Club Phoenix, will take place on the 3rd of August. Thirty institutions and 35 working professionals will provide learners with insight into various careers and opportunities. Imantha Armugam, Vocational Services Director at Rotary Club Phoenix says learners of all ages are welcome as they aim to prepare learners for life after school...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - The 45th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) stands head and shoulders above other festivals and is on par with some of the great. That's according to Chief Operations Officer of the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission, Jackie Motsepe. The festival is presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal and is widely regarded as a leading film festival in Africa. The programme at this year's DIFF features 92 films from 50 countries across several continents. Motsepe says attendees have a lot to look forward to...

By Newsbreak Senior Producer Taresh Harreeparshad - If you do not need it, do not touch your retirement funds! That's the advice from financial expert Prem Govender. She was reacting to the Pension Fund Amendment Bill that was signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa. This law now implements the Two Pot retirement system- which means one-third of retirement contributions will be split into a savings component and two-thirds into a retirement component. This will enable members of retirement funds to access their savings without having to resign. Workers in good standing can withdraw up to R30,000 of their pension fund savings- with the minimum being R2,000. Govender says while this could help as an immediate financial buffer- it will have a negative impact on your over-all retirement payout...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Rural Healthcare advocates are calling on the Health Ministry within the Government of National Unity (GNU) to improve district health services in an effort to ensure better delivery to rural communities. Russell Rensburg of the Rural Health Advocacy Project, a division of the University of Witwaterstrand health consortium discussed this at length in a recent podcast hosted by the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA). Rensburg says among the successes over the last decade is that of an increase in life expectancy following the rollout of treatment for people living with HIV. Rensburg believes while the National Health Insurance will take a long time to be implemented, it is in the best interest of South Africans at large. He says differentiated approaches to delivering healthcare for different population segments is also crucial for the country going forward...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The South African Revenue Service (SARS) announced last month that it would apply new rules to both Shein and Temu as of the 1st of July 2024, allowing parcels brought in by the Chinese retailers to be taxed the same as local clothing at 45% plus VAT. SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter said they would continue to clamp down on these retailers as the amount of tax losses they have incurred amount to some R3.5 billion. Donald MacKay is the CEO at XA Global Trade Advisors. He says while it's still up-in-the-air whether the move by SARS is justified, it is within reason... 

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Cast away with this week's Newsbreak Fishing Report, brought to you by KZN angler Sanjay Ramsarup...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - Latest on the location of the 2024 sardine run with fishing expert Adam Kamdar... 

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) in the Eastern Cape has launched a pilot programme of a new biometric identity verification system for social relief grants. This project aims to minimise fraud, especially against the beneficiaries of the Social Relief Distress (SRD) grant. The SASSA District Department in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro says this follows numerous complaints by beneficiaries that they have not received their payments, even though they have been approved. Professor Jacob Mofokeng from the Tshwane University of Technology says it time to embrace such projects if the country are to overcome these instances of fraud... 

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Non-Profit Organisation, Food Forward SA, will provide almost one-million underprivileged individuals with food hampers as part of Mandela Day celebrations today. The organisation which rescues food that would have otherwise gone to waste, is calling on South Africans to spend their 67 minutes helping to pack and distribute these hampers. Managing Director of Food Forward SA, Andy Du Plessis says the hampers will be packed with nutritious content in a bid to combat malnutrition in the country....

By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVETs) play a vital role in ensuring young people have economic opportunities in South Africa. That's according to Dr Amy Lloyd - the Assistant Secretary for the Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education at the U.S. Department of Education. Dr Lloyd is currently visiting KwaZulu-Natal as part of a programme to help improve practices at TVETs in the province. She explains how TVETs in KZN can benefit from specific models implemented at community colleges in the U.S....