Weekly Highlights - 26 November 2021

Weekly Highlights 26 November 2021 - Issue No. 116 In this issue Dear Colleagues THE RTMC REMINDS MOTORISTS TO RENEW EXPIRED The 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against LICENCES BEFORE DEADLINE Women and Children Campaign (16 Days Campaign) is a United Nations campaign which takes place annually TAX RETURN DEADLINE EXTENDED BY A WEEK from 25 November (International Day of No Violence against Women) to 10 December (International Human LIT BLACK FRIDAY VIBES – DON’T BURN YOUR Rights Day). BUDGET! The theme for 2021 is: “The Year of Charlotte IMPROVE YOUR MENTAL WELLNESS Mannya Maxeke – 16 Days of Activism – moving from awareness to accountability”. HOW THE COVID-19 VACCINES WORK Given the scourge of gender-based violence in COVID-19 STATISTICS the country, which is declared a second pandemic, government is implementing the Emergency Response THE FUN PAGE Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, which was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in Letters to the Editor September 2019. We invite our readers to share their Through his weekly newsletter, the President reflected comments, feedback, and suggestions on the latest crime statistics released by the South with us. Readers are encouraged to submit African Police Service (SAPS) showing an increase their letters, of no more than 200 words, to in rape, domestic violence, and child murder. “These [email protected] and TholakeleR@raf. statistics are shameful. We are in the grip of a co.za. We are looking forward to hearing from relentless war being waged on the bodies of women you. and children that, despite our best efforts, shows no signs of abating. We have said before that the violence Editor: Thabang Mahlatsi ([email protected]) perpetrated by men against women is the second Sub-editor: Tholakele Radebe ([email protected]) pandemic that our country must confront and like the Reporter: Tintswalo Nkuna ([email protected]) COVID-19 pandemic, it can be overcome if we all work Editor-In-Chief: Anton Janse van Rensburg ([email protected]) together,” the President said. Our government has made a clarion call on men to be at the forefront in speaking out and reporting gender- based violence, raising awareness, peer education, and prevention efforts. With emphasis being a shift from awareness to accountability, 16 days of activism is a call to action to challenge attitudes and stereotypes that perpetuate gender-based violence and femicide. Enjoy this week’s Highlights! Kind regards Internal Communication

THE RTMC REMINDS MOTORISTS TO RENEW EXPIRED LICENCES BEFORE DEADLINE by Road Traffic Management Corporation All other provinces, except the Northern Cape, have introduced extended operating hours in 106 major centres and open on weekends in an effort to clear the backlog. The two RTMC operated centres at Waterfall Office Park in Midrand and Eco Origin Office Park in Centurion, operate from 7am to 9pm daily including Saturdays and Sundays. Experience from the two RTMC centres shows that 25% of applications for renewal are from people affect- ed by the lockdown and covered by the extension of the validity period whereas 75% are from applicants who are exempted from the extension. The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) As a result, the backlog of driving licence cards that is calling on motorists whose driving licence cards expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 August 2021 is expired at the start of the lockdown to make ar- moving slowly. The backlog now stands at 1, 476 853. rangements now, while time still permits, to renew Gauteng accounts for 509, 888 driving licence cards their documents and not wait until the last minute. not yet renewed, followed by KwaZulu-Natal with 242, 170, Western Cape at 192, 519, Limpopo at 134, 886, The Corporation has noticed that motorists whose Mpumalanga at 122, 566, Eastern Cape at 107, 601, driving licences expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 Free State at 71, 165, North West at 69, 350 and North- August 2021 are not taking full advantage of the ex- ern Cape at 26, 708. tended validity period of driving licence cards to renew their documents. Motorists are warned not to be complacent as the March 2022 deadline is fast approaching and chances The Minister of Transport, Fikile Mbalula, has extended are that another extension will not be granted. It re- the validity of driving licence cards that expired between mains a great concern that 30% of applicants who book 26 March 2020 and 31 August 2021 to 31 March 2022 for renewals on the online platform do not show up to in an effort to assist driving licence card holders to com- finalise the application. ply with legislation. In addition, the Minister launched two driving licence centres in Gauteng, thus increasing available capacity in the province by 26, 000 more slots per month. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Meanwhile motorists who applied for the renewal of their licence cards when the two RTMC centres opened in October are now able to collect their cards. Messag- es are being sent to those whose cards are ready for collection. Sh2to0tpu2sr2c:-/ed/w:ewadwli.ngeo-v1.z6a-n/sopve-2e0ch2e1s-0/r0e0m0inder-renew-expired-licences-31-march- 2

TAX RETURN DEADLINE EXTENDED BY A WEEK Researched by Thabang Mahlatsi on taxpayers who had not filed their returns would be extended and implemented in January 2022. SARS in the statement urged taxpayers to use its convenient digital channels, namely, eFiling, SARS MobiApp, as well as the SMS service, which has the number 47277. “By sending an SMS to this number, taxpayers can book an appointment at a SARS branch and check if they need to file a return and other services. . The South African Revenue Service (SARS) has “The SARS website has also been upgraded to allow extended the filing season deadline for non-provi- for more digital services to taxpayers. For more infor- sional individual taxpayers from 23 November 2021 mation on these services, visit www.sars.gov.za,” it to 2 December 2021. said. In a statement, the revenue collector on Tuesday said SARS said it “…remains committed to make it simple the week-long extension was to accommodate taxpay- and easy for taxpayers to meet their legal obligations ers whose tax filing was affected by various challenges and hopes that the extension of the filing season dead- beyond their control. line will encourage greater compliance among taxpay- ers”. “SARS is acutely aware of systemic issues the organ- isation has experienced, as well as the impact of load Despite the deadline extension, SARS said there had shedding on taxpayers, which made it difficult for tax- up to date been an “overwhelming response” from tax- payers to file their returns.” payers who have submitted their personal income tax As a result, SARS said the date for levying of penalties returns since 1 July this year. SARS thanked these taxpayers for responding to its strategic intent of promoting a culture of voluntary com- pliance. Shtotpusrc:/e/w: ww.sanews.gov.za/south-africa/tax-return-deadline- extended-week is a Specialist: Internal Communication, 3 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Thabang Mahlatsi based in Eco Glades

LIT BLACK FRIDAY VIBES – DON’T BURN YOUR BUDGET! Researched by Thabang Mahlatsi Remember, unplanned and impulsive buying, especially on credit, may ultimately damage your credit bureau record and lower your credit score. So, it is wise to save and plan your spending for Black Friday and festive season sales, she adds. Consumers intending to buy on credit should do so responsibly. Check and compare prices before the actual day to source the best deals. Before you commit to a credit agreement, check your budget to establish if you will be able to afford repayments. Always request a pre-agreement statement and quotation and know the real cost of credit after interest and all the other fees have been added, she advised. T• ips to stay financially savvy during the Black Friday hype: • Avoid impulsive buying. If you did not plan for this year, rather save for other upcoming ‘spe- cials’ during and beyond the festive season, this is not the end of the world. Statistics released by the National Credit Regulator • Avoid borrowing from unregistered credit provid- (NCR), as of June 2021, revealed that 61.59% (16.14 ers to feed your temptations. million) of the 26.22 million credit active consumers are in good standing, whilst 38.41% (10.07 million) • Set aside the amount you intend to use during have impaired records. Black Friday. Draw up a budget and stick to it. Shopping lists will help to curb excessive spend- An impaired record is one in which a consumer and/ ing and unnecessary purchases. or any of the accounts, are either classified as three or more payments or months in arrears, or which has an • If you will be applying for a loan, only apply for ‘adverse listing’, or that reflects a judgment or admin- what you need, do not be tempted to apply for istration order. The negative impact of COVID-19 over more just because you are told that you qualify the last two years on consumers’ finances has caused for more. some financial distress. Therefore, sales such as those on Black Friday should be approached cautiously by • Prioritise your debts – pay off your current debt consumers to avoid reckless spending and borrowing first before spending money on ‘wants’ and mak- and possible over-indebtedness, says Anne-Carien du ing new debt. Plooy, Acting Manager: Education and Communication at the NCR. • Stop comparing yourself with peers and col- leagues, everyone has different income levels Given the hype and the alluring advertising by different and budget so don’t compete. retailers, consumers are overcome by the temptation to buy the ’specials’ and benefit from the ‘deals’ on • Develop a culture of saving and try to save a little offer. Such deals may blindside the consumer, caus- every month towards some goal. ing unnecessary credit purchases. Du Plooy reminds consumers that credit purchases don’t actually amount • Always live within your means, and not your to savings as you have to pay interest and other fees. imagination. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Shnteotpwusrsc://e1/w:2w2-wlit.-nbclra.ockrg-f.rzidaa/dye-vmiboe/isn-ddeoxn.-pth-bpu/lrant-eysotu-nr-ebwusd/g8e-ltatest- 4 Thabang Mahlatsi is a Specialist: Internal Communication, based in Eco Glades

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THE FUN PAGE Today we take a humorous look at being late for work meetings. Enjoy! NOTE TO READERS: What kind of content would you like to see on this page in future editions? We would love to hear from you! Kindly send your suggestions to: [email protected]