WORST DROUGHT IN OVER A CENTURY
WORLD AIDS DAY World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st December each year. It’s an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day. In South Africa, over 7 million people are HIV-positive, and an estimated 3,8 million South Africans have already died as a result of this disease over the past 30 years. Local news reported South Africa’s Aids-related death toll is already equivalent to 48 Hiroshima atomic bomb attacks and as a result, AIDS is like a weapon of mass destruction deployed in the country every six months. Much needs to be done to continue in the fight against AIDS. The United States alone has contributed over R65 billion to South Africa’s ongoing HIV and ARV campaigns. This life-saving funding is a golden opportunity for us to contain the spread of HIV and protect our precious future generations from it.
The Western Cape is facing the worst drought recorded in over 100 years and the effects are crippling. The City of Cape Town anticipates that its supply of municipal water may run out during summer. Water restrictions have been in place since 2005. These were intensified in December 2015 and have been made more extreme since then, as water levels continue to drop. In September 2017, level 5 water restrictions were implemented with water rationing becoming a growing reality. The City of Cape Town is looking into various ways to boost access to water - this includes sea-based desalination, water reclamation and groundwater abstraction projects. Continue to do your bit to save every drop and pray for rain in the Western Cape.
SAFETY FIRST THIS HOLIDAY SEASON Road accidents are one of the main causes of injury and death on South African roads during the festive season. With greater numbers of vehicles and pedestrians on the roads, it is essential to stay vigilant at all times. Always ensure that your vehicle is in full working condition before you hit the long road. Service your car regularly and keep a roadside emergency kit handy including 72
essentials such as a jumper cable, and torch with batteries. Ensure that you have a spare tyre in tow as well as a basic toolkit with screwdrivers, pocket knife and pliers. Remember, it is required by law that children under the age of three are to be securely fastened into a children’s carseat while in transit. Always check that your carseat is correctly installed and that your child is securely fastened.
Never drink and drive. The legal alcohol limit for drivers in South Africa equates to two drinks over the space of one hour. If you are caught with a blood alcohol level above this limit, you could face serious charges including imprisonment for up to six years, fines of up to R120 000, and the loss of your driver’s licence.