Motorists urged to obey road rules this Festive Season
Following the launch of Arrive Alive 365 Days WayaWaya Festive Season Campain by the Minister of Transport, Mr Fikile Mbalula, yesterday, Mpumalanga MEC for Community Safety, Security and Liaison, Ms Gabisile Shabalala, reiterates her call to road users to obey the rules.
MEC Gabisile Tshabalala
Festive Season is usually associated with high volumes of traffic with people either travelling to visit their loved ones for the holidays or travelling for various reasons.
Since Mpumalanga Province is neighbouring Mozambique and Eswatini, there is usually a high increase of traffic movement between the two countries through the province.
With increased traffic volumes and a number of vehicles on the road, there is a likely increase in the number of crashes.
Experience has shown that some of these crashes are as a result of excessive speeding, driving vehicles which are not roadworthy, fatigue and drinking and driving among others.
It is in this context that MEC Shabalala calls on all road users to be cautious and obey the rules during the Festive Season and beyond.
She says that many lives are lost during the holiday season and it should be everyone’s responsibility to help government curb deadly road crashes.
“We are ready as a department, but we cannot bring an end to these crashes without the involvement of the road users. We need responsible drivers who will always prioritize their own safety and that of other road users.”
“We have lost many lives this year due to Covid-19 and we cannot afford to lose more due to recklessness and negligent driving. Traffic officers on the other hand must not show any leniency to those who disobey the rules during this holiday season and beyond,” she says.
The department together with various stakeholders will stage road blocks, various law enforcement operations, road safety campaigns and rest stops on most routes especially those that have been identified as major contributors to road crashes in the province during the previous holidays.
Meanwhile, the MEC also calls on communities to continue to adhere to the Covid-19 regulations as festivities are expected to increase during this period.
She says that the fact that the country has been placed on Alert level one does not mean that the virus is gone.
She advises communities to continue adhering to the regulations by among other things, maintaining social distance, regularly sanitizing or washing of hands and wearing masks in public spaces.
She states that the police should not hesitate to arrest those who will be found disobeying the regulations.
Visit the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison Facebook page HERE
Sibosiso Hlolweni has a heart for the people in Govan Mbeki Municipality. Sibosiso has spoken to The Bulletin on several occasions on the plight of some of the people here in our area. A little while ago he donated a wheelchair to an elderly lady that couldn’t use her old one anymore. He mustered the help of several members of the community to rebuild a new structure for an old man so that he can sleep better.
Now he is doing it again!
Sisbusiso is going to walk from eMbalenhle (Govan Mbeki Municipality) to Nelspruit. This walk is intended to raise funds to build houses for struggling elderly persons, child-headed families and people living with disabilities.
His first walk of this kind was on February 14, 2015, from eMbalenhle to Nelspruit. This walk was a great success since more than 10 families got their first-ever homes, cutesy of Mpumalanga provincial government.
The walk will start on 14 February and will end on the 19th of February. They will start in eMbalenhle and has invited members of the community to join them on the first short leg of their walk.
They are hoping to raise money to build 50 houses for struggling families from eMbalenhle, Bethal/eMzinoni, Hendrina, Carolina, Waterval Boven and Nelspruit. This walk was inspired firstly by the solo walk by Sibusiso Hlolweni in 2015 and the struggling families on our list.
Living conditions of some of the people
Sibusiso Hlolweni will no longer walk alone this time but will be joined by Lucas Jani and Lucky Sithole, both renowned athletes from Mpumalanga province. They both represented Mpumalanga and South Africa in international athletics.
They are assisted by two NGOs, NDP foundation and Lathoma, who will assist in collecting funds and help with the building project.
Attached are also photos of the conditions in which some of the families are living. The conditions are appalling, to say the least. Some of the dwellings have no floor and mattresses are placed on the soil directly.
They have hope that this walk will change their conditions forever, therefore it’s very important that this walk becomes a success. Should it not succeed, many families will be so disappointed since they have all hopes on this program.
Tehuise en kerke in Morgenzon ontvang skoonmaakmiddels vanaf Afriforum
AfriForum se Bethal-tak het saam met die Helpende Hand-tak in Morgenzon op 3 Desember skoonmaakmiddels aan kerke en tehuise in Morgenzon geskenk en versprei.
Hierdie skenking ter waarde van R8 000 sluit handreinigers en handewasseep asook ’n groot hoeveelheid skoonmaakmiddels soos bleikmiddels en skottelgoedseep in.
Dié skenking is aan AfriForum gemaak deur ’n anonieme donateur wat gevra het dat die organisasie dit versprei na areas waar dit benodig word. Daar is ook ’n soortgelyke skenking aan die Silwerjare-tehuis in Bethal gemaak.
“Organisasies soos tehuise en kerke kry finansieel baie swaar te midde van die COVID-19-pandemie en ’n skenking soos hierdie help om die las ’n bietjie ligter te maak,” sê Hennie Bekker, AfriForum se distrikskoördineerder in Mpumalanga.
Nog ‘n “So is die lewe” rubriek vanuit die pen van Ds Marius Britz. Titel is “Karretjiemense”
Hierdie is pure verbeelding. Of, dalk is dit ‘n storie, ‘n kykie deur die sleutelgat op die fenomeen wat lewe genoem word. Maar, dalk is dit die werklikheid, en, nog meer skrikwekkend, die waarheid.
Op die uitgestrekte N12 deur die karoo het jy hulle dikwels gekry, die karretjiemense: vanaf Hopetown, Strydenburg verby regdeur tot in die Moordenaarskaroo. Donkiekarretjies gelaai met alles en nog wat. ‘n Vrou op die bankie voor, ‘n gryserige man langs haar, blas en seningrig, met ‘n verslete hoedjie op sy kop. Hulle keer die fel son af met serpe om hulle nek gebind, en die pet laag afgetrek.
Hy hits die maer, moedelose en uitgeputte donkies aan met ‘n selfgevlegte swepie, hulle kinders agterop wat grootoog na die omgewing loer. Die vrou het ‘n toegeknoopte Shopriteplastieksak met droë brood in wat eergister op Britstown gekoop is. As die kinders te veel kerm omdat hulle honger is, kry elkeen ‘n homp brood en ‘n paar slukke uit die plastiekkan met water wat in die son staan op die karretjie.
Agter die donkiekarretjie draf ‘n hygende hond met ‘n tong wat uithang in die versengende hitte van die karoo. Die waentjie kreun onder ‘n volledige trek, tafels, beddens, stoele, die raam van ‘n outydse BSA-dikwielfiets sonder wiele kartondose, blikke, sinkplate, ‘n sifdraadhok swaaiend onder die wa met ‘n paar kaalnekhoenders wat kloekend protesteer teen die hitte en dors en ongemaklike hokkie. Die karretjiemense van die karoo wat van plek tot plek swerf; hier vir ‘n paar oulap drade reggemaak, daar weer skaapskeer of krale bou.
Maar altyd maar weer aan die beweeg, rusteloos op soek na ‘n meer permanente staning waar die lewe rustiger sou wees. Dalk ‘n goewermentshophuis, of, indien dit nie moontlik is nie, ‘n selfaanmekaargeflansde pandok met sink en houtpale, dalk ‘n paar groot kalkklippe op die dak om te keer dat die spulletjie wegwaai in een van die karoo se stofstorms. Hunkerend na permanensie vir hulle oudag: ‘n wasgoeddraad waaraan die deurgewaste klere smors vroeg kon hang, ‘n houthok vir die hees hond wat sou waarsku as daar ongewenste besoekers in die nag aankom.
En, wie weet, miskien. Net miskien, selfs ‘n televisieskottel teen die muur vasgemaak om te wys dat die bewoners van hierdie woning nie sommer enige hierjy mense is nie. ‘n Outydse, tweedehandse swaar televisiestel wat op huurkoop lay-buy afbetaal is by die pandjieswinkel, toegegooi met ‘n oranje handdoek om dit te beskerm teen stof. Ook ‘n goedkoop cd-spelertjie op ‘n houtkissie in die vertrek met ‘n rytjie cd’s wat gekoop is by Cash Crusaders teen R2-00 stuk. Greatest Gospel Hits en Country Hits of All Times. Meestal ingeskakel op RSG in die dag, waar Amorè Bekker en Ian Wessels en al die ander omroepers hulle huisgenote geword het. ‘n Kleinnood in die huis.
Tekens van ‘n bestaan, ‘n lewe. Tekens dat hulle darem nie heeltemal agtergebly het by die moderne lewe nie. Die leefvertrek is afgerond met die linoleum wat die plaasvrou van drie stanings gelede uitgegooi het toe haar man die kombuis laat teël het, die kaggelhorlosie met die vermiste wysers wat een of ander familielid vir 25 jaar getroue diens iewers by een of ander maatskappy gekry het, die afdruk van Jesus met ‘n stralekrans om sy kop teen die muur, en dan ook die horde fototjie’s teen die muur aangebring van die karretjiemense se kinders, familie en werkgewers wat vir hulle goed was en baie ou klere en stukkende potte vir hulle gegee het.
‘n Panoramiese blik op ‘n deel van Suid Afrika.
Ek het aan karretjiemense gedink toe ek Saterdag met ‘n sleepwa my studentedogter se trek in Stellenbosch gaan haal het. Die laaste Saterdag van November, en meeste studentekontrakte vir verblyf het verstryk. Oral deur die boomryke strate van Stellenbosch sien jy hulle; die ander Afrika-karretjiemense met dubbelkajuitbakkies, SUV’s, Mercedesse en BMW’s met Ventersleepwaentjies agteraan gehaak wat by luukse landgoede in- en uitry. Meubels agterop wat eintlik nog min gebruik is omdat die meeste van die woonstelle die grootste deel van 2020 leeg gestaan het as gevolg van Covid19.
Duur dubbeldeuryskaste met kouewaterkrane vir Stellenbosch se hitte, draagbare lugversorgers, wasmasjiene wat 9 kilogram wasgoed op een slag kan was, egte leerbanke, mikrogolfoonde, seilplanke, vierwielmotorfietse. Die groot plasmatelevisiestelle, die Blueray-spelers en die gesofistikeerde rekenaars, tablette en skootrekenaars is binne-in die voertuie gelaai. Op verskeie van die waentjies is wynrakke versigtig gelaai, die landgoedwyne wat sorgvuldig geproe en gekoop is verpak in kartonhouers.
Die tuisgimnasium se trapmeule en die R50 000-00 bergfiets is vasgeketting aan die Ventertjie. Die meeste van die woonstelle se inhoud wat nie op die Ventertjie pas nie, word vir bykans niks verkoop aan pandjieswinkels, of bloot afgelaai by Hospice of die DBV se winkels om ontslae te raak daarvan. Beddens, lessenaars, waaiers, lampe, rekenaars, hoëtroustelle, houers vol duur voorgeskrewe boeke wat tot R1000-00 stuk gekos het, kombuistoerusting. Die Venterkarretjies het nie plek daarvoor nie.
Voordat die uittog aangepak word na die dubbelverdiepinghuis by die see, of die groot plaas in die wyndistrik of die mansjoen in die Boland of elders, word daar eers geëet in Andringa- of Kerkstraat by ‘n straatkafee onder die akkerbome. Die gesinnetjie stap in nadat die 4×4 en Ventertjie geparkeer is en die student sy of haar jaaroue afslaandak Golfie GTI of Hyundaitjie langsaan getrek het (oulike studentemotortjie). Al lyk hy soms verspot daar in die parkeerarea van De Goede Verwachting-meenthuiskompleks waar die ander studente se Toyota Prado’s en C-klas Mercedesse, Audi A4’s en 3-reeks BMW’s geparkeer is.
Ons is almal maar karretjiemense.
Met hulle gemaklike ontwerperslenterdrag en hulle Rae-Bans op hulle kroontjies lyk hulle cool, en sou mens nie sê dat die historiese Stellenbosch bak in ‘n 35-grade somersdag nie. Hulle bestel die aanloklikste cocktails with crushed ice, in waatlemoengeur en helderblou bessiegeur, net vir die dors en lekker, voordat die landgoedwynlys gevra word.
Dis ‘n bargain, sê hulle: die gesogte landgoedwyn wat soveel toekennings gewen het, is slegs R495 per bottel. Hulle bestel sommer twee, net om moeite en tyd te spaar. Die geregte op die spyskaart is amazing: 300-gram verouderde biefstuk met Belgiese fritte en gesmelte bokmelk-en-fetakaas met Griekse slaai vir slegs R350! Truly a bargain! Ook die nagereg is divine! Swartwoudkoek vir slegs R75-00 per porsie! Hulle bestel al die goed van die spyskaart af sonder om eers na die kelner te kyk.
Na ete vertrek die Venterkonvooi-karretjiemense na hulle bestemmings, wonings afbetaal en verkoel met lugreëlaars en swembaddens, met jacuzzi’s en saunas. ‘n Panoramiese blik op ‘n ander deel van Suid Afrika.
Ons is almal maar karretjiemense. Dis net genade wat bepaal hoe jou karretjie lyk.
ASSET FINANCE FRAUDSTER SENTENCED FOR NEARLY R800 000
MPUMALANGA –Themba Wilson Lushaba (28) appeared at the White River Magistrate Court for sentencing on a charge of fraud worth R793 158.48 on Wednesday 02 December 2020.
Themba Wilson Lushaba 28
Lushaba was arrested in May 2018 by the Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team after he submitted fraudulent documents in an attempt to secure a favourable result on his vehicle finance application at a local car dealership in White River.
MPUMALANGA – Simangaliso Ennocent Khoza (36), Nhlanhla France Nyambi (42), Marcus Madala Mdluli (43), and Sabelo Given Khumala (34), appeared before the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court for alleged fraud and tax evasion on Wednesday.
Smangaliso Innocent Khoza (36)
The four were arrested earlier on the same day following a Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation which revealed that they colluded and defrauded the South African Revenue Service (SARS), through misrepresentations.
Their modus operandi was that around 2017, they registered dormant entities including; Khuzumdumo General Trading and Smangalisobusisiwe General Trading. Fictitious tax returns were then submitted to SARS resulting in actual losses of approximately R3.8 million.
Nhlanhla France Nyambi (42)
About a week ago, Simangaliso Ennocent Khoza was initially arrested with his partner, Busisiwe Prudence Nkosi (35), a sole director of Madam and Eve General Trading. The pair was charged in for fraud, theft and money laundering in contraventions of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act as well as the provisions of the Tax Administration Act. They were both released on R10 000 bail each.
Sabelo Given Khumalo (34)
Further investigation has linked Khoza to other entities established for a common purpose of defrauding SARS through fraudulently tax returns. The money would then be paid into the other arrested syndicates’ accounts and further laundered into family and friends’ bank accounts.
Marcus Madala Mdluli (43)
The Court has extended Nkosi’s bail from his previous appearance. Nyambi was released on R3000 bail, Mdluli was released on R5000 bail whilst, Khumalo was released on warning. The group is expected back in court on 14 December 2020.
John Steenhuisen released the following statement on gender-based violence
South Africa’s coronavirus pandemic has highlighted, in gruesome detail, the rising scourge of gender-based violence in our country.
For the many women and children in South Africa who were forced into isolation with their abusers, our country’s national lockdown was a time of terror.
As much as 51% of South African women have experienced violence at the hands of an intimate partner, and the worrying spike in gender-based violence under lockdown serves as a reminder of the crucial work we must all take up to bring a swift end to this crime in our country.
Today as we observe the United Nation’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, the Democratic Alliance recommits itself, both where we are in government and in opposition, to bring an end to this prolific crime which robs women and children of their basic rights and freedoms. South Africa does not need 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, we need 365.
The DA recognises that tackling gender-based violence in our country requires a multifaceted and comprehensive approach including victim support and empowerment programmes, violence prevention initiatives and, more importantly, education and public awareness campaigns to bring about behavioural change which is the root cause of this crime. Here are just come of the initiatives we have rolled out where we govern:
The Western Cape Department of Community Safety has tasked Advocate Leslie Morris to monitor gender-based violence and domestic violence cases in the Court Watching Brief Unit;
The Western Cape Department of Social Development currently funds 20 shelters in the province which can accommodate victims and their children for up to 3 months, and 4 emergency shelters which accommodate victims for up to 3 weeks; and
The Western Cape Department of Education’s Safe Schools holiday programme creates safe spaces and activities for children during the holidays and includes content on gender-based violence, sexual abuse and gender equality to empower learners.
For a full breakdown of how the DA is fighting the scourge of gender-based violence in South Africa, visit our website at www.da.org.za.
Tackling gender-based violence isn’t a convenient campaign or a catchy slogan, it is a pledge to which we must recommit ourselves each and every day, for the women of our country, and for the basic freedoms of which they are robbed by crippling fear of harassment, violence, and rape. It is these basic freedoms that we as the DA fight to uphold and protect as a liberal party.
I am recommitting myself to bringing an end to gender-based violence, and I call on each and every male DA public representative, member, and activist to do the same.
Because women deserve the freedom and the right to feel as safe as we do in our homes and places of work, on our streets, and in our cities. Let’s #CommitToEndGBV
DAWN is a growing network of women across South Africa. If you are passionate about addressing issues affecting South African women today- such as rape, gender based violence, maintenance and access to Anti-retroviral drugs join DAWN and be a part of the solution.
Greetings to all citizens of Govan Mbeki Municipality. I am Councillor Nhlakanipho Zuma, the Executive Mayor. I would like to take this opportunity and give a commemorative message for all those that have lost their lives as a result of HIV/AIDS related illnesses; a message of support to all those that are living with the virus; a message of caution to all those that are practising unsafe sexual intercourses and a word of support to all families that have been affected by the pandemic.
Councillor Nhlakanipho Zuma, Executive Mayor of GMM
The modern society has been riddled by this unforgiving pandemic in a form of HIV and AIDS. Families have been ripped apart, perished and gotten devoured by this silent mass murderer. We have endured the pain of stigmatization, isolation, brutalization and so many other forms of torture by one human being to another based on misinformation or having no information at all about the virus.
Today we are happy with the progress that this country has made in fighting all forms of discriminations both those that relate to the virus and all other forms of discrimination. The interventions made by the government and other progressive stakeholders is acknowledged and appreciated. This progress is however not enough as there is still some form existence of oppression of one being by another.
The continuous abused that women and children find themselves subjected to, which leaves some of the women and children with the virus is just uncalled for, purely evil and must be stopped. We are from time to time comforted by the fact that evolution of society and the advancement of humankind has proven to us that living with the virus cannot be taken as a death sentence anymore as there are now means to live a long, happy and healthy lifestyle after having been diagnosed with the virus.
We call on those that are affected and find themselves not coping, to reach out so as to receive the necessary support for themselves. There is no need for anyone to die in shame while support is out there and available to everyone.
The South African Government has come a long way in ensuring that we are putting up a good fight against the virus. The provision of free, accessible health care that has been put in place for all is a milestone that very few countries in the world have been able to achieve. As Govan Mbeki Municipality, we remain committed to giving support to all those that are affected and assist the department of health in creating continuous awareness campaigns to the people.
Govan Mbeki Municipality is currently having 28 273 while Gert Sibande District Municipality is currently situated at 144 527 confirmed cases of HIV/AIDS. This then culminates to the district being number 7 which is a positive as it was number 1 at some point. We call on all to support the initiative of the National Health Insurance so as to build sufficient capacity in our public health system.
Let us love each other so as we can protect each other!
World AIDS Day is commemorated each year on the 1st of December and is an opportunity for every community to unite in the fight against HIV, show support for people living with HIV and remember those who have died.
The theme this year is: “We are in this together. Checka Impilo”.
HIV and AIDS in South Africa
South Africa has been relentless in its mission to turn the HIV, AIDS, and TB epidemics around and there are notable achievements to celebrate. A review of our efforts in addressing the HIV and AIDS epidemic over the past 20 years, paints a mixed picture. There have been many scientific advances in HIV treatment and we now have a much better understanding of the virus More people are receiving antiretroviral treatment, which means HIV infection rates are decreasing. There is also a scientific optimism around the benefits of treatment as prevention, and progress towards a cure and vaccine.
However, despite these advances, stigma and discrimination still persist for many people living with, or affected by HIV. World AIDS Day 2014 is an opportunity for all South Africans to remind themselves that HIV is still a reality and that it is incumbent on all of us to continue fighting prejudice, stigma and discrimination.
South Africa has come a long way in the fight against HIV and AIDS. In 2012 government implemented the National Strategic Plan on HIV, Sexually Transmitted Infections and Tuberculosis 2012 – 2016.
In 2010 government also scaled up its antiretroviral treatment programme. A further expansion is planned from January 2015 to bring South Africa in line with World Health Organisation treatment guidelines. As part of this, the Department of Health will start HIV-positive patients with a CD4 count of 500 or less on antiretroviral treatment, as opposed to the present CD4 count of 350. All HIV-positive pregnant women will also receive lifelong treatment, regardless of their CD4 counts. Currently, HIV-positive pregnant women receive treatment until they stop breastfeeding.
Despite our many advances we still struggle to eliminate the stigma associated with HIV infection and the resultant discrimination. There are still people with limited knowledge of the facts about how to protect themselves and others.
Former President Nelson Mandela said: “Many people suffering from AIDS and not killed by the disease itself are killed by the stigma surrounding everybody who has HIV and AIDS.”
The devastating effects include abandonment by spouse or family, social ostracism, job and property loss, school expulsion, denial of medical services, lack of care and support, and violence.
It also results in a lower uptake of HIV preventive services and postponing or rejecting care. Women tend to experience greater stigma and discrimination than men and are more likely to experience its harshest and most damaging effects.
World AIDS Day is important as it reminds the public that HIV has not gone away and that collectively, there is the need to increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education to maintain and achieve the aims and objectives of the country as set out in the National Strategic Plan on HIV, STIs and TB 2012-2016.
Why stigma and discrimination matter
Stigma and discrimination can be as devastating as the illness itself and may mean abandonment by a partner or family, social exclusion, job and property loss, school expulsion, denial of medical services, lack of care and support, and violence for those affected by them. These consequences, or fear of them, mean that people are less likely to come in for HIV testing, disclose their HIV status to others, adopt HIV preventive behaviour or access treatment, care and support.
Every sexually active South African is at risk of contracting HIV. We call on all South Africans to recognise that HIV and AIDS are chronic diseases, and that people living with HIV can have full and happy lives. We each have a responsibility to treat those who are struggling with an HIV-positive diagnosis with compassion, those struggling with AIDS with care, and ourselves and our sexual partners with respect. Addressing stigma and discrimination is important in mitigating the impact of HIV.
BETHAL- Coniforest Kwekery, Bethal, bied op Saterdag, 12 Desember ‘n Kers Boeremark aan.
Swaar reën word voorspel vir die 5de Desember en die organiseerders het dit goed gedink om die mark aan te skuif na die 12de toe.
Die Kersmark vind plaas vanaf 8:00 tot 15:00.
Hierdie mark stel hom ten doel om ‘n platform daar te stel om plaaslike inwoners, en ander instansies, ‘n geleentheid te gee om hul produkte te verkoop. Die afgelope jaar was moeilik vir alle besighede en het veral hierdie sektore hard getref.
Daar is reeds ‘n verskeidenheid stalletjies wat ingeskryf is. Kosstalletjies gaan sorg dat u nie honger hoef huis toe te gaan nie. Die DBV verkoop weer heerlike kos en ‘n gesellige Koffiewinkel gaan verseker sorg dat u heerlik in die kwekery kan kuier.
Vir die kinders sal daar ‘n speletjiestafel wees.
‘n Radiostasie gaan die dag vir musiek sorg, en u moet ook van die geleentheid gebruik maak om bloed te skenk by SANBS se mobiele eenheid.
Daar is nog stalletjies beskikbaar, en as u dalk nog enige ander insette tot die dag wil lewer, is u welkom om vir Paul te skakel op 083 227 0820, of Rita op 083 560 1155.
The Blood levels are critically low at the moment.
Blood stocks fluctuate throughout the year, and with just a short while until the festive season is in full swing, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) has less than 3 days stock of group O blood, this is much lower than the 5 days’ stock needed to sustain the country’s need.
The SANBS is facing severe blood stock shortages, to the extent that there may not be sufficient available blood for patients in need over the festive season. The SANBS is urgently appealing to all potential and existing blood donors that are due to donate, to visit a SANBS blood donation site, to donate their precious unit of blood.
Although the festive season is fun for most people, it is a difficult period for doctors who work hard to save lives, needing blood and blood products to do so. “Traditionally, December is a difficult time for the SANBS, with limited access to corporate blood drives and availability of donors, impacting on the ability to collect the minimum of 3 500 units of blood a day that is needed to treat patients.
We approach this season with low stocks and we know that we have some tough times ahead if donors do not respond to our call to lend a hand,” said Ravi Reddy, SANBS Chief Operations Officer.
The SANBS’ inability to access venues for blood drives is also hampering meeting collection targets successfully. As a result, blood stocks continue to dwindle steadily.
“Our Group O blood stocks have dropped significantly and we are appealing to all South Africans to donate a unit of blood in aid of those in need of it” added Reddy.
The SANBS is, furthermore, appealing to the public to make venues available for blood drives. Suitable venues include spaces accessible and open to the public. “As we head into the busy holiday season, we are facing a particularly challenging situation.
All willing and eligible donors are urged to visit their nearest mobile and fixed donor centres.
