Suzuki se S-Presso is nou goedkoopste motor

Suzuki Auto het pas sy nuwe intreevlak-reeks vir Suid-Afrika, die S-Presso in Suid-Afrika bekendgestel, en die goeie nuus vir mense met ‘n beperkte begroting is dat dit nou die goedkoopste model op die plaaslike mark is. Suzuki wys ook dat “goedkoop” en “sakpas” nie “afskeep” hoef the beteken nie en die S-Presso se indrukwekkende lys van standaard toerusting bewys dit.

Die S-Presso is beskikbaar in vyf modelle; drie met ‘n handratkas en twee met ‘n AMT (outomatiese handratkas) en bied ‘n kompakte dog ruim bakwerk. Gebasseer op die HEARTCT-platform van die nuwe Swift en Dzire maak dit die S-Presso lig maar stewig en lei tot beter verrrigting en hantering, minder geraas en die beste passiewe veiligheid in sy klas. Die hele reeks word toegerus met ABS-remme met elektroniese remkragverspreiding, twee lugsakke en agterste parkeersensors terwyl die meeste modelle selfs oor ‘n trukamera beskik.

Die hele reeks word aangedryf deur dieselfde eenliter-enjin met drie silinders wat 50 kW en wringkrag van 90 Nm lewer. Volgens die vervaardiger is sy gemiddelde brandstofverbruik 4,9 liter per 100 km.

Aan die buitekant is die sportnuts-karakter van die S-Presso duidelik sigbaar. Aan die voorkant is daar ‘n sierroooster met vier gleuwe en ‘n groot S-kenteken, met die kopligte en rigtingwysers aan weerskante. Die swart onderste stamper onder die sierrooster word in ‘n trapesiumvorm in die gekleurde hoofstamper ingetrek om ‘n groter luguitlaat en die visuele indruk van ‘n sportnuts te skep. Die grondvryhoogte van 180 mm is deels te danke aan die 14 duim-staalwiele met volle wieldoppe. Aan die kant is daar fris modderskerms met halfvierkantige wielnisse en die wiele is heeltemal in die hoeke geplaas vir verbeterde padhouvermoë. Daar is ses bakkleure beskikbaar: wit, grys, silwer, blou, rooi en oranje en die deurhandvatsels en buitespieëls is dieselfde kleur as die bakwerk. Aan die agterkant is daar ‘n klein ingeboude lugskort by die agterklap gevoeg terwyl die vierkantige agterligte met hul C-ontwerp tot bokant die skouerlyn geskuif is om die sportnuts-tema nog verder te versterk. Die swart agterstamper se ontwerp is soortgelyk aan dié van die voorstamper en is onder die gekleurde deel aangebring.

Daar is drie spesifikasievlakke beskikbaar. Die GL is die intreemodel en beskik oor standaardkenmerke soos ABS-remme met elektroniese remkragverspreiding, twee lugsakke, elektriese vensters, agterste parkeersensors, ‘n sentrale sluitstelsel met afstandbeheer, ‘n sirkelvormige instrumentepaneel met ‘n volledige ritrekenaar, lugversorging, ‘n 12 volt-kragpunt, twee luidsprekers, voorbereiding vir ‘n radio en ‘n brandstofvuldop wat van binne af kan oopmaak. Die GL is net met ‘n handratkas beskikbaar.

Die middelste model, die GL+, is beskikbaar met die hand- en AMT-ratkaste. Onder die bykomende kenmerke wat standaardtoerusting vir die GL+ is, is ‘n inligting-en-vermaakstelsel met ‘n seweduim-kleurskerm en Apple Car Play, Android Auto en Bluetooth-verbinding, USB en AUX-kragpunte en ‘n trukamera. Die topmodel in die reeks is die S-Edition, met kenmerke soos silwer afwerking op die middelkonsole, lugversorging-uitlate en deurpanele, silwer invoegsels vir die sierrooster, silwer skermplate voor en agter, syskerms op die wielboë en die onderste dele van die deure. Die syskerms aan die deure word verder beklemtoon deur ‘n groot silwer paneelinsetsel wat die voorste en agterste silwer skermplate visueel met mekaar verbind.

Daar is verskeie bykomstighede by Suzuki-handelaars beskikbaar, onder meer ‘n kleurgepaste sierrooster, ‘n agterste drukvlerk, skermplate aan die kant van die voertuig en skermstroke in swart en silwer of swart en oranje.

Die pryse van die S-Presso-reeks, wat ‘n waarborg van vyf jaar of 200 000km, ‘n diensplan van twee jaar of 30 000 km, ‘n jaar se omvattende versekering en padbystand van drie jaar ongeag die motor se kilometerafstand insluit, lyk só:

S-Presso 1,0 GL-handrat: R 134 900 S-Presso 1,0 GL+ handrat: R 139 900 S-Presso 1,0 GL+ AMT: R 152 900 S-Presso S-Edition-handrat: R 147 900 S-Presso S-Edition AMT- R 160 900

Artikel: Gerrie Smit (Ultimate Drive)

Nuwe Toyota Corolla Sedan

Die staatmaker nou nog beterDie wêreld sonder ‘n Toyota Corolla is omtrent soos ‘n leefstyl sonder rugby en braaivleis, dit is nou in ‘n Suid Afrikaanse konteks. Meeste Corolla eienaars kan hul nie indink aan ‘n lewe sonder hul getroue Corolla nie.Toyota het die Corolla in 1966 bekendgestel en die model het sedertdien wereldwyd gegroei tot ‘n huishoudelike naam. Met die nuwe Toyota Corolla, nou reeds die 12de generasie van hierdie legende in gesinsmotor, het Toyota ‘n nuwe ontwerprigting gekombineer met die suksesvehaal wat geskryf is oor meer as ‘n halwe eeu en verkope wat 45 miljoen Corollas oorskry.Ontwerp en VoorkomsDie nuweling het dieselfde voorkant ontwerp as die luikrug wat laasjaar plaaslik bekendgestel is.Die pylvormige LED hoofligte met dagryliggies geïntegreer wat na die sentraal gemonteerde Toyota-embleem in die sierrooster fokus, trek onmiddelik aandag. Soos die luikrug wat laasjaar plaaslik gedebuteer het, vertoon die sedan modern en sportief danksy ondermeer ‘n kort daklyn en skuins C-pilaar. Die agterste buffer dra by tot die sportief aggressiewe voorkoms met geïntegreerde vinne om die lugvloei van die wielboë te kanaliseer.ModelleDrie modelle is beskikbaar met twee afwerkingsvlakke naamlik XS en XR, waar die XR as die vlagskipmodel dien. Die XR model word eksklusief met die nuwe 2.0 liter enjin toegerus en bied ‘n keuse van ‘n 6-spoed handratkas of 10-gang CVT. Die 1.8L XS model is die intreemodel en kom standaard met 16” allooiwiele en 205-55-R16 bande. Daarteenoor ry die XR modelle op stylvolle 18” allooiwiele met ‘n nuwe “turbiene”-ontwerp en 225-40-R18 bande.Kajuit en ToerustingDie nuwe Corolla se kajuit bied ‘n soortgelyke uitleg en ontwerp as die luikrug weergawe met ‘n ergonomies praktiese uitleg en moderne stilering. Afwerking is met materiale van gehalte terwyl harde plastiekoppervlaktes nou grootliks met ‘n sagte oppervlaktes vervang is, terwyl dowwe aluminium afwerkingstroke die moderne gevoel in die kajuit beklemtoon.Die sedan bied ook blou kontrasterende stiksels wat goed kombineer met die blou agtergrond beligting rondom die skakelaars en in die instrumentepaneel. ‘n Nuwe ontwerp vir die skottelvormige voorste sitplekke, beklee in ‘n moderne sintetiese materiaal genaamd “RezatecTM”, sorg vir ‘n luukse gevoel. Die luukser XR model bied kopers ‘n keuse van sportiewe blou of klassieke grys afwerking.Met Apple CarPlay, Android Auto en ‘n volkleur raakskerm (4,2″ in die Xs en 7″ in die XR modelle) is kommunikasie, rit- en voertuiginligting asook die klankstelsel maklik toeganklik. Klimaatbeheer met ‘n “Eco”- opsie, tru-kamera, elektriese vensters, sleutellose toegang asook elektriese verstelling vir die voorsitplekke sorg dat daar heelwat geriewe vir insittendes is in die nuweling. Die bestuurder sal ook die multifunksionele stuurwiel met skakelaars vir meeste geriefsfunksies gemaklik vind. Die stuurwiel kan op en af, so wel as teleskopies verstel word. XR modelle bied boonop ‘n truspieël wat outomaties verdof.Rit en PaddinamikaDie nuwe Corolla reeks beskik oor ‘n bewese voor veerstelsel wat van MacPherson strutte voorsien is, terwyl ‘n veelskakel stelsel agter ingespan word. Nuut ontwerpte en spesifiek gespesifiseerde skokbrekers voor en agter word gebruik. Hierdie skokbrekers beskik oor nuwe kleptegnologie en word, tesame met doelgeboude kronkelvere wat spesifiek ontwerp is sodat die reaksies maksimaal reageer, ingespan ten einde die beste terugvoer van die stuurstelsel te kry wanneer die Corolla teen middelmatige tot hoëspoed deur draaie gelooi word. Die resultaat is vinniger reaksies van die skokbrekers ten einde die oordrag van skokke vanaf slegte padoppervlaktes, gouer te kan minimaliseer vir ‘n sagter rit. Uiteraard is die algehele resultaat beter hantering en stabiliteit asook ‘n geriefliker rit.Die Corolla se GA-C platform is ook spesifiek ontwerp om ratkasvibrasies te onderdruk. Tesame met die mildelike gebruik van hitte- en geraas-isolerende materiale in die enjinkompartement, word die instrumentepaneel van die nuwe Corolla ook uit drie lae isolerende materiaal vervaardig om enjin en ratkasklanke asook vibrasies te minimaliseer. Alles sodat die kajuit so stil moontlik kan wees tydens ‘n rit.Enjin en Kraglewering Toyota SA het die nuwe Corolla aanvanklik net met twee enjinopsies plaaslik beskikbaar gestel.‘n Normaal ge-aspireerde 1.8-liter petrolenjin is net so oorgedra van die vorige model. Die enjin lewer 103kW en 171Nm en is gekoppel aan ‘n 7- gang “Shiftmatic” CVT ratkas wat met 7 voorafgeprogrammeerde “ratte” krag na die voorwiele oordra.Die tweede kragbron is ‘n nuwe toevoeging, naamlik ‘n 2.0-liter “Dynamic Force”’ TNGA enjin soos wat in die RAV4 beskikbaar is en in die nuwe Corolla groot klem plaas op brandstofbesparing. Ook sonder turbokrag lewer hierdie petrolenjin 125kW en 200Nm wat krag na die voorwiele dryf deur ‘n opsie van ‘n 6-gang handratkas of ‘n 10-spoed “Shiftmatic” CVT. Amptelik word brandstofverbruik vir die nuwe Corolla aangegee as 6.2 l/100 km vir die 1.8-liter model, terwyl die 2.0-liter handrat 6.5L/100km en die 2.0-liter CVT 6.0 l/100 km gebruik.Veiligheid Al die nuwe Corolla modelle kom standaard met sewe lugsakke, ISOFIX, aktiewe elektroniese veiligheidstelsels soos ABS, EBD, BAS, VSC, HAC asook ‘n impak-absorberende bakstruktuur.Die topmodel XR word bykomend toegerus met Toyota se TSS stelsel (Toyota Safety Sense) wat ‘n omvattende stel bestuurderhulpmiddels insluit. TSS sluit onder meer in “Pre-collision system”, blindekol monitor, spoedbeheer en “Lane Trace Assist”. Die XR model kom ook standaard met Bi-LED hoofligte.Vir die bakstruktuur word aluminium, hoë sterkte staal asook ander materiale ruimskoots aangewend, terwyl dunner panele vir die dak en deure gebruik word ten einde heelwat gewig in die nuweling te bespaar wat weer bydra tot beter brandstofverbruik. Met die groter gebruik van sterker kleefmiddels en minder sweislaste het die nuwe Corolla ‘n 60% verbetering in bakrigiditeit bo die uitgaande model wat hoëspoed stabiliteit, hantering en paddinamika asook stuurgevoel en terugvoer grootliks verbeter.Ook die enjin en die sitplekke is laer gemonteer en dra dit ook by dat die nuwe Corolla se sentrale gravitasiepunt 10mm laer is as die vorige model. Dit help vir beter stabiliteit en bestuursdinamika op die pad.Modelle en Prys Corolla 1.8 XS CVT – R 372 700Corolla 2.0 XR 6MT – R 412 300Corolla 2.0 XR CVT – R 425 200Waarborg en Diens Alle Corolla modelle word verkoop met ‘n 90 000km/6 dienste diensplan met ‘n diensinterval van15 000 km/12maande. ‘n 3 jaar/100 000 km waarborg is ook ingesluit.Article: Dirk Galowitz (Ultimate Drive)

Urgent need for masks

LoveGeorge – call to everyone that can donate cloth face-masks to the clinics. If you cannot help making the masks please make a cash deposit to enable us to fund mask-making. If you have an easy pattern please post in the comments below. Drop-off @ Shofar Church, 4 Commercial Close, George; Between 8:00-13:00; Weekdays. Your cash donations: Love Garden Route NPC (2018/544129/08) Account number: 10 11 022 552 8; Standard Bank Branch: George; Branch code: 051001; Swift address: SBZA ZA JJ. Remember to mark it for: MASKS 

Property Owners

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The corona lockdown has forced me to think further and take action for buyers and sellers.
Die korona-grendelstaat het my gedwing om verder te dink en aksie te neem vir my kopers en verkoper.

Please donate food items

Georgiete ons het u hulp nodig met die aankoop van basiese voedsel items soos 2.5 kg Mieliemeel, 2 kg Rys, 2 kg Samp, 1 kg Omo, 2.5kg Suiker, blikkies Pilchards en Baked Beans, 2.5 kg koekmeel en Toiletrolle.Dit kan by Shofar Church, 4 Commercial Close, George afgelaai word of in die waentjies geplaas word by deelnemende winkels, soos Checkers Paddagat ; PnP Courtenaystr; Spar Heather Park.Donasies is ook baie balangrik sodat ons in grootmaat kan aankoop: Love Garden Route NPC (2018/544129/08) Rek no: 10 11 022 552 8 Standard Bank Tak: George; Tak kode: 051001; Swift: SBZA ZA JJ. Merk die inbetaling asb vir COVID 19
Love George | Serve George
Covid-19 Relief Initiative – FOOD LIST
ITEMPackaging SizeNumber of items
Bread Flour / Cake Flour2.5 kg1
Cooking Oil750 ml1
Instant Coffee250 g1
Longlife Milk1 litre1
Maize Meal2.5 kg1
Rice1 kg1
Salt500 g1
Samp2.5 kg1
Soap (Body)200 g1
Omo500 g1
Sugar2.5 kg1
Beanscans2
Tea100 bags1
Soya Mince2
Pilchardscans2
Toilet PaperEach3
Yeast10 g2

Protection Services where it matters during Covid-19

George Municipality Protection Services remain the backbone support of Covid-19 lockdown operations with all sections playing a role in keeping people safe.George Municipal Manager Trevor Botha said Fire and Disaster Management, Traffic, Law Enforcement, Anti-Land Invasion and GO GEORGE played crucial roles in the bigger picture. “The George Municipality is part of the Garden Route Multi-Agency Coordinating Committee (formerly the Garden Route District Municipality Joint Operations Centre) but has also established its own George Municipal Joint Operations Centre (JOC) to coordinate municipal operations.“Managed by the municipality’s Fire and Disaster Management units, the George JOC has representatives from all relevant departments connecting every day to provide feedback, share resources and come up with solutions to issues as they occur. The municipality is blessed to have experienced, professional, selfless people working together to make a difference in our communities,” said Mr Botha.
Law Enforcement Officer Jason Rondganger dishes up food at the temporary homeless shelter at Rosemoor stadium.
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 lockdown, Traffic and Law Enforcement officers have been involved in a range of activities including visible policing, patrolling, supporting security and emergency agencies, looking out for criminal activity, distributing posters and loud-hailing in neighbourhoods to warn people to stay off the streets. While residents in most neighbourhoods are generally adhering to lockdown regulations, officers respond to occasional calls of people roaming or hanging around outside shops and kids playing in the streets.Law Enforcement also supported SAPS in assisting other departments to safely provide services including installation of water points and restoring electricity.Traffic officers continue with traffic safety, point duty and dangerous road offences such as skipping traffic lights, smooth tyres, driving while using a cellphone and driving without a safety belt.
Law Enforcement Officer Roland Hardnick dishes up food at the temporary homeless shelter at Rosemoor stadium.
Anti-Land Invasion assisted in transporting the homeless to the temporary shelter and continues to enforce municipal bylaws such as illegal informal vendors, illegal structures and occupations, vagrants and closing businesses not allowed to operate during lockdown.Fire department staff is integral to the establishment and management of the drive-through donation centre at City Hall – this in addition to their usual duties fighting fires. Since the Covid-19 lockdown, the department attended to a few reports of veldfires as well as a bush fire at Touwsranten, which was attended with Garden Route Fire Department and the aerial fire-fighting unit, and an informal structure fire in Thembalethu.GO GEORGE continues to provide a limited service to transport essential workers. Strict safety protocols are enforced.“Our men and women in protection services are exceptional in filling gaps and helping out wherever they are needed, making a difference where it matters. We are very proud of their attitude and commitment, sometimes in the face of conflict and difficult circumstances – we see and appreciate all their work,” said Mr Botha.

COVID-19: a response by the Church in George

In the face of the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) crisis and impending danger that looms over our communities, we as leaders in the broader church in George are sending out this call to action.Our God is not intimidated by the COVID-19 virus. He is still on the throne and will turn this dark time into good (Genesis 50:20, Romans 8:28). He has however, also given us a responsibility to partner with Him in fighting this very real public enemy. Therefore, we ask all our members to continue to:
  1. Persist in prayer (Luke 18:1-8).
  2. Heed the government regulations with regards to the lockdown, precautionary measures and social distancing, remembering that God placed this authority over us (Romans 13:1).
  3. Make every effort within our local congregations to assist people in and outside the congregations, through the many wonderful vehicles (discipleship structures, NPO’s, programmes etc.) that have already been established in the local church.
We also see the need for a further concerted effort beyond the boundaries of our respective churches, especially into communities where people literally do not have enough food and hygiene products to see them through to 17 April.We therefore want to encourage the church in George to come alongside Love George (Love Garden Route NPC*), that will act as a centralised vehicle through which donations, both financially and in other forms, can be channelled to the different needs in our community. Love George will be working closely with government at local and district level, as well as with the churches and other organisations in George, to identify and address the pressing basic needs of our communities.An operational plan will soon be published, which will include how communities can seek assistance and how donations will be processed. Financial donations may be made to the following account:Love Garden Route NPC (2018/544129/08); Account number: 10110225528; Standard Bank; Branch: George Branch code: 051001 Reference COVID19.Please also heed further communications within each church’s internal structures and externally through the Georgiete Staan Saam Facebook Group and LoveGeorge Facebook page.We call on every church in George to become part of this initiative, so that we may join hands towards sustainable improvement of life in our communities at all levels. We are called to be salt and light in George!Churches and members of the public that want to get more involved with this effort, please contact Herman Pienaar on 082 829 6428 or at info@lovegeorge.co.za.Signatories:Pete Veysie (George Methodist Church), Jannie Horne (Eagles Nest Ministries), Paul van Coller (Hope Church), Andre Olivier (Cremhog), Floors Meyer (NG George Suid), Amo O’Kennedy (Shofar Church), Allen Spies (AGS Pacaltsdorp), Herman Pienaar (LoveGeorge/ENMI), Koos van der Merwe (Eden Gemeente), Gerhard de Jager (Eden Gemeente), Bonganjalo Mbenenge (Uniting Reformed Church) Paul Williams (Bikers Church), Philip and Maryna de Vries (Life Community Services), Boyce Saleni (Thembalethu Baptist), Richard Murphy (His Heart), Walter and Ena Richards (Work4aliving), Pieter Niemand (Keep the Dreaam), Amos Moyikwa (House of Grace), Jackson Moyikwa (Word of Faith temple), Basson Nel (Liberty Church), Keith Elliot (Victory Church), Vusi Selani (River Church), Charlie Williams (New Life in Christ Ministries), George Methodist Church, NG George Suid, NG Bergsig, NG Moedergemeente, NG Tuinedal, NG Blanco, NG Herold, NG Outeniqualand, NG Denneoord, Pacaltsdorp Fraternal, Martin de Klerk (Volle Evangelie Kerk), Derek Flannigan (Vineyard George), Kobus Smith (Ekklesia), Mike Burnard (In Context Ministries)

Are you suffering?

Worried about whether you will have a job to go back to, and the uncertainty of a next pay cheque being all you can think of when you close your eyes at night?For many Georgians, this possibility is going to be a reality – businesses are going to suffer, and jobs will be lost, this will have a significant knock-on effect on our economy as the rise in poverty will mostly likely see an unprecedented climb.For many of us, we will find ways to overcome this; new employment opportunities will arise, and lifestyle changes will be necessary. But for many, relying on a helping hand is all they will have while trying to make ends meet.It is during these trying times that those in need turn to charities, service organisations, churches and the public for help. Is helping those in need, not our responsibility if we are capable? Is it not the rent we pay for the space we occupy on the planet? For some people, this can easily be a R1 000 donation, for others it may just be R1 – it does not matter, it matters only that we all try to help! Fortunately, George has many organisations that are dedicated to making a difference – so all we ask is that YOU give us the tools, ie, the funding and the resources.The George Municipality has appointed the Eden Lions Club to manage and consolidate all donations towards the COVID-19 pandemic, this entails providing assistance to registered individuals and families who have registered with the Municipality.Together with Love George, a well-established NPC that aims to see George residents coming together and supporting each other at a time of crisis, aid will be given to those in need. Both of these organisations are also part of a wider network, The George Action Team, that encompasses a large range of organisation and service providers, including the Garden Route Municipality.As Love George NPC – we are calling on YOUR support of the drive to drop off food and essential needs at the City Hall as from tomorrow (5/4/2020) between 8am and 6pm (open 7 days a week). You will not need to leave your car – the drive-through has been set up to ensure your safety.Financial donations can be done via the: Eden Lions Club | FNB | 6223 504 5045. Enquiries or letters to confirm donations, can be acquired by emailing: carl@edenlions.org.zaLove George NPC thanks you in advance for your support during these strange times and wishes you and your loved one’s strength and good health.

MESSAGE BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

MESSAGE BY PRESIDENT CYRIL RAMAPHOSA ON COVID-19 PANDEMIC MONDAY, 30 MARCH 2020My Fellow South Africans, Good evening,It is now four days since our country went into a nation-wide lockdown for the first time in the history of our democracy.   This is an extreme measure we had to embark upon in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.   As government, we are aware that the lockdown has caused great disruption to all our lives and caused upheaval in our economy.   But we all know and agree that this nation-wide lockdown is absolutely necessary to save the lives of thousands, even tens of thousands, of our people.   Many countries on our continent and in our own region SADC have embarked on similar measures.                                                                                                                         The disease is spreading rapidly in many countries around the world with some 740,000 people infected worldwide.   Over 35,000 people have lost their lives.   The health systems of many countries, including hospitals and clinics, are under tremendous stress as they deal with the pandemic.   Our own researchers and scientists have told us that our decision to lock down the country was a correct one.   They were concerned that without quick action we were only a few weeks away from a similar situation to other countries which have been adversely affected.   That is why we took the radical step of locking down the country for 21 days.   South Africans have, for the most part, responded responsibly to this decision, by staying at home, observing the regulations and exercising the greatest of care.   I would like to thank the people of South Africa for acting in a disciplined manner through this very difficult period.   We are, however, concerned about those who have not yet appreciated the seriousness of this disease.   As a nation, we were deeply saddened to learn that, in the last few days, three South Africans have died from the disease.                                                                We convey our sympathies and condolences to their families and friends and to their communities.   The number of infections continues to grow and there are now 1,326 confirmed coronavirus cases in South Africa.   I am therefore once again calling on each and every South African to stay at home for the next 17 days.   Leave your home only if you need to get food and essential provisions, collect a social grant, buy medicine or get urgent medical care.   The only people who can go to work are health workers, security and emergency personnel, those who work to keep our people supplied with food, medicine and basic goods and other providers of essential services as defined in the regulations.   If you do have to go out, make sure you do everything you can not to get infected and not to infect anyone else.   Some people may think this disease is something that doesn’t concern them and will never affect them.   That it is something they only read about in newspapers or see reports about on TV.   But it is very real, and it poses a great danger to every one of us and to our society.   It infects the rich and the poor, the young and the old, black and white, those who live in the cities and those in the villages.   Let us not make the mistake of thinking this is somebody else’s problem.   Every time you violate the regulations the government has issued or try to get around the rules, you are putting yourself and others at risk, and helping the virus to spread.   The next 17 days will be difficult for everyone.   Parents are worried about the safety of their children.   Small business owners and informal traders are losing much or all of their income.   Workers are worried about their jobs.   The elderly and the frail need people to care for them.   Some of those who live on the streets are without shelter or food.   Students are missing their lessons in class and are worried about the future.   All of us are experiencing great hardship and great anxiety at this time.   We have experienced a number of challenges that have imposed enormous burdens on our people.   That is why we are taking various actions to support businesses in distress, assist workers whose jobs are threatened and provide funding to small businesses.   We are providing shelter to people who are homeless.   We are continuing to deliver water to areas that do not have water so that our people can maintain high levels of hygiene.   We are particularly concerned about the impact of the lockdown on the self-employed and on informal businesses.   We are urgently developing additional measures to provide relief to them during this difficult time.   We know that there are many South Africans who are currently abroad and want to come home.   We are paying attention to this and will be giving assistance where possible within our constrained resources.   My fellow South Africans,   We are now entering a new phase in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.   In the coming days, government will be rolling out a screening, testing, tracing and medical management programme on a huge scale.   Around 10,000 field workers will be visiting homes in villages, towns and cities to screen residents for COVID-19 symptoms.   People with symptoms will be referred to local clinics or mobile clinics for testing.   People who are infected with coronavirus, but who have no or moderate symptoms will remain in isolation at home or at a facility provided by government and those with severe symptoms will be transferred to hospitals.   Using mobile technology, an extensive tracing system will be rapidly deployed to trace those who have been in contact with confirmed coronavirus cases and to monitor the geographical location of new cases in real time.   This drive is far-reaching, it is intensive and it is unprecedented in scale.   This grave health emergency is happening at a time when our economy is under great strain.   As the country went into lockdown, we received the news that the rating agency Moody’s had downgraded South Africa to a sub-investment grade.   This will significantly increase the cost of borrowing to fund government spending and will have a negative impact on the economy.   This development will not diminish in any way our response to the coronavirus pandemic.   We are pushing ahead to implement the necessary health interventions and economic and social measures to contain the spread of the disease and alleviate its effects on our people.   Within the constraints of the current crisis, we remain committed to implementing structural economic reforms to address weak economic growth, constrained public finances and struggling state-owned enterprises.   We are working together with our social partners to identify further measures we can take to limit the damage on our economy, and to ensure that as we emerge from this pandemic we set our economy on a clear path of growth.   Even as our country faces deep and pressing challenges on several fronts, there is no doubt in my mind that we will prevail.   That is because South Africans have come together like never before to wage this struggle against this virus.   Many businesses and individuals are making financial and other contributions to this cause.   In addition to the financial pledges announced last week we welcome the commitment by the Motsepe Foundation of R1 billion and by Naspers of R1.5 billion to the coronavirus response.   We are also extremely grateful to Mr Jack Ma, the founder of the China-based company Alibaba, who has donated vital medical supplies to South Africa and other countries across Africa.   We would like to thank our nurses, doctors and other health workers, social workers and frontline government staff, volunteers and NGOs who are leading the fight against the disease.   We thank the 18,000 security personnel, drawn from the police, defence force, metro police and other entities, that are responsible for ensuring our safety.   We have made it clear that the task of our security personnel is to support, reassure and comfort our people, and to ensure peace and order is maintained.   They know that they must act within the law at all times and that they must not cause harm to any of our people.   And then there is each of you, the 58 million South African citizens and residents who are standing together as one in confronting this national health emergency.   Among us are the men and women who rise at dawn every day, and labour through the night to keep this country going.   I speak of the farmworker who is helping to keep us supplied with food.   I speak of the technician in the power station working shift after shift to keep the lights on.   I speak of the caregiver in the old-age home, the childcare home and the hospice, who comes in every day to tend to the most vulnerable of our citizens.   To the taxi driver, the refuse collector, the supermarket cashier, the hospital cleaner, the petrol attendant and all those essential services workers, you are our unsung heroes, and we salute you.   In the midst of this uncertainty, there is a story that brings us hope and encouragement.   Yesterday, I went to meet the 114 South Africans who were evacuated from Wuhan in China and are going back to their homes after two weeks in quarantine in Polokwane.   They are a group of wonderful South Africans who are diverse in age, race, gender and place of origin.   For months, they have been in lockdown, first in Wuhan for some 51 days and then in Polokwane for 14 days.   Now they have to spend a further 17 days of lockdown at home.   We should all be happy that they have tested negative for the virus and are in good health.   They are in high spirits and are deeply thankful for what the country has done for them by bringing them home safe.   Some are students, some are teachers, some were working in China.   We thank the SAA crew, the medical team, the police and soldiers and the wonderful staff and management of the Ranch Hotel for having made this operation a great success.   The experience of these South Africans who returned from Wuhan gives us courage as we face the challenges ahead.   This is unchartered territory for us all.   We have never experienced a situation like this before and a number of mistakes will be made, but we ask for our people’s understanding that all this is being done for the good of everyone.   We will continue to correct the mistakes where ever they are made   But I am convinced that we will succeed, because we will take this coronavirus threat seriously, we will adapt as a society, and we will all act responsibly.   If we work together, if we keep to the path we know we have to take, we will beat this disease.   I have no doubt that we shall overcome.   I wish you a good night.   May God bless South Africa and protect her people.   ISSUED BY THE PRESIDENCY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON WESTERN CAPE ECONOMY

The COVID-19 pandemic is a global health crisis and a major risk for the world economy that is inevitably having an impact on the economy in the Western Cape. However, we remain committed to doing whatever we can to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the Western Cape economy and there is an enormous amount of work being done across government to ensure this.Our economic responseThe Premier, Alan Winde, has convened a Joint Operations Centre (JOC). The JOC has a number of workstreams, one of which is focused on mitigating the impact of COVID-19 on the provincial economy.The economic workstream has met every day since it was established and is focused on supporting key sectors in the Western Cape, namely Conference & Events, Tourism and Travel, Agriculture, Exports, Manufacturing and the Services Sector, which includes Retail and Business Process Outsourcing.Our strategy to support businesses in the Western Cape has three aspects:
  1. Containment – gathering information from industries to understand their business needs and respond to their needs
  2. Adaptation – collating and sharing best practice to help businesses adapt and become resilient, and
  3. Recovery – identifying actions that need to be taken to drive economic recovery once the pandemic has been contained, e.g. tourism and investment campaigns
Consulting business This week, the economic workstream are consulting with business and industry stakeholders to understand and address the challenges companies are facing in implementing the measures announced by President Ramaphosa to deal with COVID-19. This includes understanding the specific impact in each industry, the adaptation strategies that are required from business and how best government can support them.On Tuesday we met with stakeholders in the Tourism and Retail sectors, and on Friday we will be meeting with stakeholders in Agriculture. Further consultations with other sectors are being scheduled.Supporting businessFurthermore, together with Wesgro, the City of Cape Town and industry partners, we have activated the official “COVID-19 Content Centre for Business”, a virtual centre consisting of sector specialists and communications experts, set up to develop reliable content to assist industry and manage daily queries and business concerns.Businesses requiring support are encouraged to send their questions to supportbusiness@wesgro.co.za.Tourism and travelA host of measures are being actioned to support the tourism and travel sector to adapt, which includes assisting industry stakeholders and visitors to the Western Cape with issues such as cancellations and postponement, insurance and other staff and labour-related concerns.The Department of Health have created flyers advising travellers returning to South Africa about the measures put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. Twenty thousand of these flyers have been dispatched to Cape Town International Airport to ensure this message is received.Following our meeting with the tourism sector, these flyers have been shared with to the tourism industry to distribute to visitors in the Western Cape.Shopping malls and retailIn our meeting with shopping malls and retail, representatives from this sector indicated their commitment to supporting our efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19. We commend those that have already put in place significant measures in their operations, for example Pick ‘n Pay who have provided special opening hours for pensioners to shop between 07:00 – 08:00 on Wednesdays.Importantly, the retail sector has indicated that at this time they have enough stock of critical materials to get us through this crisis, such as hand sanitiser and toilet paper, and that there is no need for panic buying.Appeal to businessWe acknowledge the major challenges businesses are experiencing right now. Many are taking innovative steps to allow for social distancing, like ensuring their employees don’t have to use public transport and digitising more of their operations, but there is always more that can be done.We appeal to all employers to do what they can to let employees work from home. Every business should develop a social distancing approach that means staff should not be forced to be in close proximity to each other.A best practice guide is being developed to assist businesses to stop the spread, and together with other FAQs on COVID-19, will be published at www.westerncape.gov.za/coronavirusOur primary concern remains the health and safety of all those in the Western Cape. However, we remain committed to supporting businesses through these difficult times. By working together, we will do everything we can to stop the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the recovery of our economy in the Western Cape.Media Enquiries: Francine Higham Spokesperson for the Provincial Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities (Responsible for the Provincial Treasury and the Department of Economic Development and Tourism) Tel: 021 483 4327 Cell: 071 087 5150 Email: francine.higham@westerncape.gov.za