What to do during loadshedding.

Herman Pienaar
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What to do during loadshedding.
Failing Eskom and its resulting power outages have been called a “national crisis”. How soon our power supply will become stable again we don’t know, but at least we know we should brace ourselves and get prepared, right?In case you like checklists or you forgot your Scouts training, here we present some tips to lessen the blow of load-shedding for your family.1. Preparing for an unexpected power outage:
  • Ensure that your cell phone is always fully charged when power is available, and get a power bank as back-up (remember to keep it charged). If you need to get some work done, charge your laptop battery too.
  • Try to keep some fuel in the car’s tank since during power outages, petrol stations cannot pump fuel.
  • Ensure that you have adequate cash as auto tellers cannot operate without electricity.
  • Keep temporary lighting, such as candles and electric torches, readily available.
  • Keep a torch (with fresh batteries) by your bedside at all times, since your cellphone battery may run flat.
  • Obtain a small LP gas lamp, as they provide good quality lighting for a large area.
  • An LED battery-operated night light will provide a warm, comforting glow in your child’s room.
  • Obtain a stand-by bottled LP gas heating ring for essential cooking and to boil water for hot beverages.
  • Get some sterilising liquid or tablets or have a gas stove and pot to hand so you can sterilise your baby’s bottles.
  • Keep adequate stocks of essential foodstuffs and snacks that do not need to be refrigerated.
  • Place plastic containers with water in your freezer or freezer compartment. This frozen water will act like ice bricks to help keep food cold during a power outage. It also helps your fridge to save electricity otherwise. When you fill the bottles or tubs with water, leave some space so the water can expand.
  • Most medication requiring refrigeration can be kept in a closed fridge for several hours without spoiling. To be sure about this, check with your doctor or pharmacist.
  • Regularly check your alarm system’s battery. During outages, the battery may die and it won’t be active in the dark.
2. Just before scheduled load-shedding:
  • Release automatic electric garage door mechanisms to allow you to gain access to your property during a power outage.
  • Release electric security gates and switch to manual operation to avoid either being locked out or locked into your home.
  • Boil water and keep in hot water flasks for hot drinks.
  • Use a thermal cover on tea pots and other pots and pans to keep hot drinks, soup and other hot meals warm.
  • Prepare meals beforehand so your kids won’t have to eat peanut butter sandwiches for dinner (again).
  • Homework by candlelight can be potentially hazardous, so make sure you have a bright gas or LED lamp ready.
  • Buy glow-in-the-dark stickers and allow your children to decorate their rooms. Little stars or planets on the ceiling will brighten their night!WARNING!
  • Teach your children about fire safety! Keep candles in safe containers out of reach, and don’t leave them on overnight.
  • Always ensure there are no gas leaks (ask an expert to install your gas if you’re not 100% confident) and switch all gas appliances off the moment you’re done with them.
  • Remind your neighbours of the same.
  • Have a fire extinguisher on hand.
3. During a power outage:
  • Switch it off! If the power goes off, it is safer to turn off or disconnect any electrical appliances that you were using, since a power surge may occur when the electricity is restored.It is always useful to keep one light switched ‘on’ to alert you when the power returns.
  • Keep refrigerator doors closed. This will keep your food colder for longer. A power outage of up to 4 hours should not cause food spoilage, and a freezer should keep frozen food safe for at least a day.
  • Do not burn refuse, unwanted furniture, copper wire or any other materials to cook or for heat. This emits toxic fumes.
  • If you arrive home in the dark, and you have armed response service, check if they will wait for you at your house and accompany you into your home.
  • Have old-fashioned fun with the kids with games, or listen to a podcast or audio book that you downloaded before.
  • Go outside in the dark and gaze at the stars.
Sources: http://www.capetown.gov.za, PowerAlert

Safety tips for Tourists

Herman Pienaar
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Safety tips for Tourists
AT THE AIRPORT
  • Make sure your bags and luggage have locks and name tags.
  • Do not allow people to tamper with your bags.
  • When seeking directions, proceed to marked information counters only.
AT THE HOTEL, GUESTHOUSE, OTHER ACCOMMODATION
  • Report any suspicious, unattended luggage or parcels to the personnel at reception.
  • Never leave your luggage unattended unless it is locked away in your room.
  • Store valuables in the safety deposit box.
  • Keep your room locked.
  • If someone knocks, check who it is before opening the door. Contact reception if you have any reason for concern.
  • Hand your keys in whenever you leave.
  • Make sure that luggage is only given to the bell staff and a receipt is issued for stored luggage.
ON THE STREET
  • Avoid an ostentatious display of expensive jewellery, cameras, mobile phones and other valuables.
  • Keep your handbag with you, keep it closed or zipped, and do not leave it unattended.
  • Keep your mobile phone with you and do not leave it unattended.
  • Do not carry large sums of money with you.
  • Exchange your currency at a bank or at the hotel – never exchange it on the street.
  • Carry your wallet in an inside pocket – never in the rear pocket of your trousers.
  • Credit card transactions must be processed in your presence.
  • At night, stay away from dark, isolated areas.
  • It is always better to explore in groups and to stick to well-lit, busy streets.
  • Plan your route beforehand and, as far as possible, do not ask directions from strangers.
  • A police officer or traffic officer will be happy to direct you if you get lost.
  • Should you want to call a taxi, your hotel or the South African Tourism helpline (contact number: 083 123 6789) can recommend a reliable service.
    IN YOUR VEHICLE
  • Plan your route in advance.
  • Keep the doors locked and wind the windows up at all times.
  • Do not leave your mobile phone or other valuables where they are visible from outside the vehicle.
  • Lock valuable items in the boot (trunk) before your departure.
  • At night, park in well-lit areas.
  • Never pick up strangers or hitchhikers.
  • If in doubt about the safety of an area, phone a police station for advice and help.
  • Make sure you have the number of the car rental company at hand in case you get stranded.
ON HIKING TRAILS
  • In the interest of personal safety and having assistance in the case of a physical or medical emergency, it is advisable to explore trails in groups.
  • Steer away from isolated areas unless accompanied by a guide.
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERSSouth African Police Service Emergency Number        10111Crime Stop (report criminal activity anonymously)        08600 10111Mobile phone emergency number        112South African Tourism helpline        083 123 6789

Whatsapp Group Guidelines

Herman Pienaar
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Whatsapp Group Guidelines
Here are some Whatsapp Group Guidelines.
  • Don’t share irrelevant messages about other topics.
  • Do not spam the group with memes, adverts, deals or irrelevant pictures.
  • No birthday wishes in groups
  • Politely excuse yourself before you leave a group.
  • Post your message in one single chunk of text, don’t post every word or sentence in a  new message.
  • Do not have one-on-one conversations in the group. Switch to private messages.
  • Do not post in any group between 21:00 and 07:00 unless it is an all-out emergency. By emergency, we mean the “blood, floods, and broken bones” type of emergency, not the “I needed the scone recipe at 2am because I had the munchies” type of emergency.
  • If someone asks a question and you don’t know the answer don’t respond with “I don’t know”. Just wait for someone who knows the answer to reply.
  • Please don’t send in a hundred “thank you” messages. If you feel gratitude towards someone – tell them in a private message.
  • If someone asks a question of a personal nature (like asking for advice) don’t respond if someone else has already answered, or else respond to the person directly in a private message.
  • Groups is not political or religious platforms (unless you have specifically set it up for this purpose)
  • No arguing, no heated opinions, no fear mongering, no hyped-up drama, no fake news. Check your sources before you share.
  • Never EVER use a group to berate someone else or air grievances. If you have an issue address it one on one with the relevant person.
  • Don’t send data-insensitive messages. No-one wants their last 3GB used up on uninvited memes.
  • Hit “Mute” on your Whatsapp group (unless you’re part of an emergency rescue group). You will still receive all the messages, but your phone won’t buzz or make a noise for every one of them.
  • When sharing videos, state what it is so that people in the group can decide if they want to download and view it.
  • Stop with the chain letters. It was annoying then, and it’s still annoying now.
  • Don’t reply to every chat. Radio silence for a few hours is fine. You don’t need to have an opinion about everything that someone posts to the group.
  • No ghosting.There’s no dignified way to exit a group. Instead, mute the chat. Your WhatsApp settings has a mute function. Hey, you can even mute for up to a year!
  • No fake news. Most of us are probably guilty of it. You see a post on social media and immediately believe it. Next thing you know, you’re sharing it on the group chat. An aunt once posted a picture of some random woman to the group, saying that people should be careful because she’s been seen around primary schools trying to abduct children. Long story short, the woman in question went straight to the media and demanded to know who was spreading lies about her.
  • Don’t be offensive. This refers to jokes as well. Just because you might find it funny, doesn’t mean the rest of the group will. So anything that has to do with race, religion and sex is most probably a big no.

List of Fake News Sites

Herman Pienaar
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List of Fake News Sites
Published by My Broadband The following sites are fake news. And I don’t mean fake news as in opinionated pieces, I mean actually 100% fake news. Don’t fall for manufactured outrage.SA Based Fake News Sites:• African News Updates • blackopinion.co.za • mzansitimes.com • Nationalnewsbulletin.com • News24-TV • PretorialiveInternational Based Fake News Sites: (that are known to publish articles related to SA):• Abcnewgo.com [USA] • AfricaNewsUpdate.com • AfricanNewsUpdates.com • AllNews.co.za [USA] • AllNews1.com [USA] • AllReport.co.za [USA] • AllTheNews.co.za [USA] • ANewJerusalem.com • BestNews.co.za [USA] • BreeknuusZA.com [USA] • CitySun [USA] • DailySun.fun • Dodgysaministers.com [Bulgaria] • GautengPraise.com • Gossipmillsa.com – Gossip Mill Mzansi [USA] • hdnews24h.blogspot.com [USA] • Hinnews.com [USA] • Hinviral.com [USA] • iMzansi [USA] • Live Monitor [USA] • Lovejessy.com [Ukraine] • Mzansi LIVE [USA] • Mzansistories.com [USA] • Mzansistories.co.za [USA] • Mzansistories.inf [USA] • NationalNewsBulletin.com • News360.co.za [EU] • Newsatlast.com • Newsatlastsa.online [USA] • Newsdaily.co.za [Canada] • NewSoweto.co.za [USA] • Newspage.co.za [UK] • Newsupdatessa.site [USA] and Facebook Page • NewToilet.xyz [USA] • Nusa.site [USA] • Sanews247.blogspot.co.za [USA] • Sa-news.com [USA] • Satirenews.co.za [USA] • Southafricabuzz.co.za [USA] • South Africa Latest News [UK] • SouthAfricaToday.net [USA] • SouthAfricaUncut.com [USA] • Southern Daily [USA] • Sultrysource.com [USA] • TheReports.co.za • TimesOfBotswana.com • Timesl1ve.co.za [USA] • Trendsdaily.co.za [USA] • Tumfweko.com [USA] • The-watchdog.wixsite.com [USA] • Wmcleaks.com [USA] • Worldwatch.site [USA] • Xpouzar.com [USA] • ZANews.xyzPlease also see the News24 Website Blacklist!Youtube Channels known to be spreading Fake News or falsehoods:Loving Life Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb7VHcbNIOYJW8Q_r1UywMA https://www.youtube.com/user/scottbgwbAnd here is a list of US Sites which post fake US or World News Articles… http://www.factcheck.org/2017/07/websites-post-fake-satirical-stories/

Prevalence of Enteroviral Meningitis in the Garden Route

Herman Pienaar
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Prevalence of Enteroviral Meningitis in the Garden Route
Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord, usually caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Viral meningitis is usually less severe than bacterial meningitis.  Enteroviral Meningitis is not classified as a notifiable disease – notifiable diseases are those that is required by law to be reported to government authorities. Meningitis can also be caused by injuries, cancer or drugs, therefore it is important to know the cause because the treatment is specific.Since 01 February 2019, hundred and eighty-two (182) suspected cases of enteroviral meningitis were reported in the Garden Route District Municipal area of jurisdiction.The distribution of cases in the region are as follows;
RegionNumber of casesConfirmed casesSuspected cases
George711160
Mossel Bay4444–
Knysna66–66
Hessequa11–
 The report will be updated as soon as more current statistics is received.Over the past decade, small outbreaks of Enteroviral Meningitis has been reported in South Africa. With the outbreak in the Garden Route District municipal area, the relationship with climate change will be investigated.According to Mr Clive Africa, GRDM Executive Manager: Community Services, “Good hygiene practises like thorough handwashing is essential to combating the disease”.Enteroviral meningitis occurrences in South Africa Seasonal peaks of enteroviral meningitis occur in the warmer months. Limited information is available about the serotypes of enterovirus that occur in South Africa.Between November and December 2015 a possible outbreak of enterovirus were reported in the Tshwane District. Forty-two (42) cases were reported of which forty (40) was under the age of 10 years old and the other two (2) cases adults.  Thirty-one (31) cases tested positive for the enterovirus. The National Institute for Communicable Disease requested that samples be submitted for further testing and genotyping.Prevention and ControlTo prevent the further spread of the disease the Municipal Health Department of the Garden Route District Municipality are implementing awareness campaigns in the affected areas. Awareness campaigns will comprise mainly of health and hygiene education. We are currently busy translating education material into the three official languages.SymptomsThe following symptoms can be observed with exposure to enteroviral meningitis, namely;The most common symptoms in children include;
  • Fever
  • Poor eating
  • Irritability,
  • Lethargy (lack of energy)
  • Sleepiness
Symptoms present in adults may include;
  • Fever
  • Stiff neck
  • Headache
  • Dislike of bright lights (photophobia)
  • Lethargy
  • Sleepiness
  • Lack of appetite
  • Nausea and
  • Vomiting
Alternative symptoms are diarrhoea and abdominal pain. Muscle pain, joint aches, sore throat and rash have also been reported. Acute flaccid paralysis has very rarely been associated with enteroviral meningitis.Causes and vulnerable members of societyThe most common causes of viral meningitis are non-polio enteroviruses, but other viruses’ can also cause meningitis, namely;
  • Mumps virus
  • Herpes virus
  • Measles virus
  • Influenza virus
  • Arbovirus (West Nile virus)
People of all ages are at risk, but children younger than 5 years old and those with weakened immune systems (immune compromised) have a higher risk of getting the disease. There is no specific treatment for enteroviral meningitis, however, most cases completely recover within 7 to 10 days. Supportive treatments are used to relieve symptoms. Antibiotics have no effect on enteroviral meningitis.For more information relating to Municipal Health and Environmental Management Services, contact the GRDM offices in the relevant offices in the region:George Community Services, Tel: 044 803 1522Knysna Community Services, Tel: 044 382 7214Mossel Bay Community Services, Tel: 044 693 0006Plettenberg Bay Community Services, Tel: 044 5011600Oudtshoorn Community Services, Tel: 044 272 2241Riversdale Community Services, Tel: 028 713 2438

You are contagious | Vanessa Van Edwards | TEDxLondon

Herman Pienaar
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You are contagious | Vanessa Van Edwards | TEDxLondon
Vanessa reveals that our behaviour, from hand gestures to how we say ‘hello’, changes the way others perceive our confidence, Vanessa Van Edwards is an interpersonal intelligence expert and public speaker. Her behaviour research lab ‘The Science of People’ has been featured in Fast Company, Inc, Men’s Health, Forbes, and on Fox News. She is a monthly columnist for Entrepreneur; the leading instructor in people skills on Udemy and CreativeLive; and has led training sessions at a number of Fortune 500 companies around the world. She lives in Portland, Oregon. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

Simon Sinek on Millennials in the Workplace

Herman Pienaar
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Simon Sinek on Millennials in the Workplace
Excerpt of Simon Sinek from an episode of Inside Quest. http://www.insidequest.com/

How great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek

Herman Pienaar
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How great leaders inspire action | Simon Sinek
http://www.ted.com Simon Sinek presents a simple but powerful model for how leaders inspire action, starting with a golden circle and the question “Why?” His examples include Apple, Martin Luther King, and the Wright brothers — and as a counterpoint Tivo, which (until a recent court victory that tripled its stock price) appeared to be struggling. TEDTalks is a daily video podcast of the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world’s leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, and TEDTalks cover these topics as well as science, business, development and the arts. Closed captions and translated subtitles in a variety of languages are now available on TED.com, at http://www.ted.com/translate. Follow us on Twitter http://www.twitter.com/tednews

12th May the set date for OCC 2019

Herman Pienaar
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12th May the set date for OCC 2019

George Municipality is pleased to confirm the date for the OCC 2019 as the 12th May 2019. OCC 2019 has evolved and will include athletes with other disabilities taking part in a road running competition. Amputees (T42-44, T45-47 and T61-64) as well as visually impaired athletes (T11-13) will be able to take part in this year’s OCC, allowing the race to become more inclusive and opening the field thereby providing opportunities to a wider range of athletes. The organising team together with the sponsors are looking forward to seeing many more athletes on the road this year and in providing the perfect positive opportunity to bring people together.

The OCC challenge on Sunday 12th May, will be preceded by a Disability Sports Festival, which will run from 6 – 11th May at various venues around George. This sports festival will include exhibitions on sporting codes for persons with disabilities as well as opportunities for teams to participate against each other. The sporting codes that will be played include: wheelchair rugby, goalball, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, blind cricket, bocce and golf. George Municipality, George Airports Company and other sponsors welcome visitors and athletes from all over South Africa, to join us in a celebration of sport during this festival.

The route and other relevant information for the OCC 2019 will be communicated to the athletes and all stakeholders shortly on various media platforms. Registration documents will be sent via e-mail and will be available for download on the Municipal website www.george.gov.za.

We ask that athletes or organisations who want to attend, to please send an e-mail to Jonique Claasen-Gozongo at occ@george.gov.za or contact her on 044 801 6346 during office hours and on 073 311 8343 after hours.

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George Economy

Herman Pienaar
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George Economy
Dear Business Owner in George Can we ask that you answer the following questions regarding our current economic situation in George? Is there hope for our economy in George? What made you successful? Can anybody start their own business? What does it take to start your own business in George? As an entrepreneur, what is your biggest concern for the business environment in George?Please send us your thoughts to herman@lovegeorge.co.za
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