International Press Release Submissions

Roll around the Wild Coast Sun

Segway tours are just one of Wild Coast Sun’s exciting leisure activities Wild Coast Sun, Sun International’s only beachfront resort, has been a family holiday destination for more than 40 years, with an abundance of activities to choose from. One such activity is the popular Segway tours that takes you exploring around the resort. You can opt for the botanic forest tour that takes you down to the Riverside Aqua Sports Beach Bar on the banks of Mtamvuna River, or the golf tour that takes you around the 18-hole championship golf course, with beautiful greenery and spectacular sea views of the Indian Ocean. Whichever tour you pick, you will not be disappointed, with great photo opportunities to add to your social media posts, along the way. Segway tours is something the whole family to do together – all you need is a little co-ordination and practice, and you will be on your way. For those who have zero experience or are a little unsure of their Segway skills an experienced tour guide will be on hand to provide a lesson before you set off. What is a Segway? It is a one-person electric vehicle with two-wheels and a handlebar that is designed to self-balance. The basic premise for manoeuvring is easy – lean forwards to go and lean backwards to stop. Leaning forward, off you go, winding through the resort, stopping to take in sights, or for a troop of curious monkeys in your path, or for a golfer teeing off. Now that local tourism is on the rise again, it is time to do your bit to support tour operators and others in the tourism industry whose livelihoods were heavily impacted during the pandemic. Tour details Segway Guiding Tours is situated at the Wild Waves Water Park. For bookings, 24-hours in advance, please contact 083 456 8507 or mms@segwaytourskzn.co.za. * Tours are weather dependent. Cost varies between R250 and R550, depending on the length of the tour, starting at 30-minutes to an hour, or R 150 5 laps for the children’s …


Source: MyPR International

FNB Life pays out R2.4 billion in insurance claims, mostly for death and retrenchments

R450 million paid out in pre-emptive claims to help beneficiaries 30 March 2022: FNB Life has paid out over R2.4 billion in life insurance and policies to its customers in the last year. The majority of pay-outs (R2.3 billion) are for death-related claims, followed by retrenchment and/or inability to earn an income (R190 million) and disability (over R81 million). Death related insurance claims have decreased over the course of the 4th wave of COVID-19, compared to spikes recorded during the 1st, 2nd and 3rd waves of the pandemic. Similarly, claims relating to retrenchment and/or inability to earn an income have begun to normalise as lockdown restrictions are gradually eased. Raj Makanjee, CEO of FNB Retail says, "Our life insurance business has been a significant part of our efforts to support customers in navigating the uncertainly of the pandemic. As a result, we take pride in our ability to pay-out claims at this substantial scale, particularly because we only integrated this insurance business into our offering only 6 years ago with the aim of helping customers in times of vulnerability. As a financial services provider with a focus on money management, we believe that insurance is vital in protecting families against financial hardship." Lee Bromfield, CEO of FNB Life, says, "FNB Life was founded with the primary aim of disrupting and changing the insurance landscape by promoting innovative and digitally-driven insurance solutions for the benefit of customers. In times like these, it is critical to ensure that claims are paid out seamlessly to minimise financial pressure and anxiety for customers affected by unforeseen events." For the fifth consecutive year, FNB Life has been ranked as one of the top three leaders for customer satisfaction in the annual SACSI customer satisfaction survey. The insurance provider is also the only insurance provider that proactively pays out claims for life insurance claims by routinely checking the National …


Source: MyPR International

Mobile Operators To Collect Client’s Biometric Data

29 March 2022: ICASA (the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) has published draft regulations requiring mobile network operators to collect their subscribers' biometric data and link it to their SIM cards. The regulations define biometric data as the "measurement and statistical analysis of people’s unique physical and behavioural characteristics". The proposed regulations require network operators to collect this biometric data for each of their subscribers and link it to their mobile numbers. In reality, this infers that a user's fingerprints and facial features will be linked to their SIM card. ICASA stated that criminals hijacking mobile numbers through fraudulent SIM swapping are the main reason for the proposed regulations. A mobile operator will only be allowed to process a SIM swop if the requesting user's biometric data corresponds to the card. "Fraudulent SIM swapping is indeed a problem. But there are several underlying concerns with these proposals. Primary among them relate to information security and privacy. There are an estimated 53.4 million smartphone subscriptions in South Africa. Collecting and securely storing the biometric data of millions of private individuals in compliance with proper information security protocols is a significant task. Even a small data breach can potentially place millions of South Africans in jeopardy, as recently demonstrated with the TransUnion hacking attack. We transact, communicate, and do business via our smartphones. Hence another concern is the extensive potential for future governmental abuse of this information to suppress freedom of speech and political dissent. Therefore we must tread carefully with new regulations to not create greater risk." says Gideon Joubert, DearSA CEO. DearSA has launched a campaign for you to give your input regarding these regulations. Comment closes on 11 May 2022, and we encourage all citizens to participate. You can access the campaign at the …


Source: MyPR International

Law Reform Commission hands reports to Justice Department

Tuesday, March 29, 2022: South African Law Reform Commission chairperson Justice Jody Kollapen says the process of reforming the law to best suit both the country and its constitutional democracy, is not easy nor will it be quick. Kollapen was speaking at the handover of four reports on various aspects of the law and legal practise to Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Ronald Lamola on Tuesday. The reports are: Project 107: Report on Sexual Offences (Pornography and Children) Project 142: Investigation Into Legal Fees, Including Access To Justice And Other Interventions Project 138: The Practice of Ukuthwala Project 125: Harmonisation of Existing Laws Providing For Different Periods Of Prescription Justice Kollapen explained that the commission’s work was conducted with extensive consultation. “In much of the work that we’ve done, sometimes there isn’t a definitive answer and sometimes there is but sometimes in the public consultation process, two very viable options may emerge as possible routes to law reform. Minister Lamola said although a definitive timeline cannot be placed on when the reports will be implemented, government will be working “within reasonable time” as the reports are “top of the mind”. “These four reports go a long way in analysing systemic problems in our justice system and in society and recommending an appropriate legislative remedy to address these. The reports cover issues which are at the heart of access to justice, the distortion of cultural practices and the ability for claims to be justly adjudicated. “We welcome the research, investigations and recommendations as set out in the reports as we consider the necessary legislative changes, amendment bills and regulations,” Lamola said. Report on Sexual Offences (Pornography and Children) Justice Kollapen said the report on child pornography covered a “variety of areas” in how the law can protect children from being exposed – as either …


Source: MyPR International

Presidential Imbizo moves to Free State

Tuesday, March 29, 2022: President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to undertake a District Development Model (DDM) Presidential Imbizo in the Free State on 08 and 09 April 2022. The President will be accompanied by the Premier of Free State Province, Sisi Ntombela, various Cabinet Ministers, including the DDM champions and Free State Provincial MECs, Mayors and Councillors. The visit to the Free State – which will be the second Presidential Imbizo after President Ramaphosa visited Mahikeng earlier in March - exemplifies the President’s message in the 2022 State of Nations Address of a government that must work for the people The Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs said the DDM Presidential Imbizo is an important public participation platform. It gives citizens a voice and the President an opportunity to listen to the people and respond to their concerns. The visit will also assess the level of service delivery in the province and track progress on the institutionalisation of the DDM in the province. The Mangaung Metro is under Intervention in Terms of Section 139 (5) (a) & (c). The intervention is meant to assist the metro to improve its finances and to deliver on its mandate, thus setting it on a path to an effective and efficient functioning municipality. “Progress has been registered in this regard and it is expected that the DDM Imbizo will give the necessary impetus to key interventions and plans being implemented for sustainable stability and development,” said the Ministry. The DDM is an all of government and society approach which enables integrated and responsive planning, budgeting, implementation, as well as monitoring and evaluation through the ‘One Plans.’ The 'One Plans' are central to building an accountable, ethical, capable and developmental state that delivers on its mandate. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za International/. Presidential Imbizo moves to Free State Submission …


Source: MyPR International

Children urged to take full advantage of their digital rights

Tuesday, March 29, 2022: Children in South Africa have been urged to become active digital citizens and take full advantage of their digital rights. This comes after a webinar on creating a safer internet space for children was hosted by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) in partnership with Digify Africa on Tuesday. The webinar aimed to highlight the importance of online safety, recommend interventions to protect children online and promote responsible digital citizenry. One of the panelists, Phakamile Khumalo from Media Monitoring Africa, said that it is really important to understand what children and young people are doing online. She said despite the enormous challenges of access and digital literacy, children are online. Referring to a South African study by UNICEF together with the Department of Social Development, Khumalo said that 70% of children surveyed have used the internet without parental consent and only 41% surveyed have some sort of information about online safety. “The children are using internet be it at home, school or at a friend’s place and not a lot of them have the resources to be safe online. Children in South Africa are not in a position to fully take advantage of their digital rights or become active digital citizens. “It is so important that our young people begin to become active digital citizens and this is now leading to the skills resources and platform to be able to participate in the digital world in a way that enhances our democracy as a country.” Khumalo added that although children are using the internet they are not using it wisely or in a way that puts them on platforms where they can participate in high-level discussions and decision-making processes. She said the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the country that digital literacy skills are no longer a nice-to-have, but rather a must-have for every child. “The only way to achieve this is through the integration of digital and …


Source: MyPR International

Changes in housing subsidies welcomed

Tuesday, March 29, 2022: Western Cape Human Settlements MEC, Tertuis Simmers, says the social housing household income qualification criteria adjustment will ultimately enable more citizens to access affordable rental opportunities and enable the department to initiate more social housing projects. Simmers welcomed National Minister of Human Settlements, Mmamoloko Kubayi’s changes on human settlements subsidies and other portfolio issues, which include social housing adjustment of the qualification criteria of household income from R1 500 – R15 000 to R1 850 – R22 000 gross monthly income. “The social housing household income qualification criteria adjustment will enable those who could not access housing opportunities, due to earning higher than the previously prescribed household income band, to access these opportunities. This will also assist youth with a household income of up R22 000 and who are not ready for a mortgaged home,” Simmers said. Extension of FLISP gives hope to more people The MEC also commended the extension of Finance Linked Individual Subsidy Programme (FLISP) to non-mortgage housing finance facilities from 2022/23 financial year, saying it will particularly be of benefit to citizens in the province. “The FLISP extension to non-mortgage housing finance facilities gives hope that more people who were unable to access this programme due to not qualifying for a mortgage loan for various reasons, will now be able to access this programme through various non-mortgage housing finance facilities,” Simmers said. During a media briefing last week Friday, Kubayi announced that FLISP may be used in combination with one of the following products and situations: Housing loans granted or guaranteed by a pension and provident fund. Unsecured housing loans from any registered lender. Housing loans granted or guaranteed by cooperative- or community-based savings scheme. FLISP can be used in combination with individual own …


Source: MyPR International

Oversupplies in the 3 major commercial property buying/selling markets have been diminishing, with the Industrial Market possibly reaching demand-supply balance

We continue with the 1st quarter 2022 results of our FNB Commercial Property Broker Survey, which surveys a sample of commercial property brokers in and around the 6 major metros of South Africa, namely, City of Joburg and Ekurhuleni (Greater Johannesburg), Tshwane, eThekwini, City of Cape Town and Nelson Mandela Bay. Given FNB Commercial Property Finance’s strong focus on the “Owner-Occupied” Property Segment, a pre-requisite in selecting broker respondents is that they deal in owner-serviced properties, but a portion will also have dealings in the developer or investor markets as well as in the listed sector. In this report, we deal with questions relating to the perceived balance/imbalance between demand and supply of properties being transacted in the main markets. Market “strength” refers to a relatively strong demand level relative to supply, and vice versa for market “weakness”. These questions include estimates of average times of properties on the market prior to sale, as well as perceptions of whether demand exceeds supply or vice versa. Key themes that emerge from the results are: • The Industrial Property Market is still perceived to be the strongest of the 3 major commercial property sectors, i.e., Industrial, Retail and Office. • A perceived oversupply of property on the market relative to demand remains in the Retail and Office property classes, but the Industrial Market is perceived to have more-or-less reached demand-supply balance. • In the area of Industrial Property, it appears to be the 3 coastal metros, i.e., eThekwini, Nelson Mandela Bay and Cape Town, where the relative market strength lies, with Gauteng metro regions being the area of relative weakness. Greater Johannesburg is especially weak. • In the area of Office Property, all major metro regions are perceived to be heavily oversupplied. The City of Cape Town, however, is perceived to be the least oversupplied of these. • Given the apparent elimination in the …


Source: MyPR International

Implied Warranty In Terms Of The Consumer Protection Act

Often consumers find themselves in a situation where they have purchased goods only to find out that the goods which they have purchased are defective and not suitable for the purpose which it was intended to be used for. Upon returning to the supplier, one is faced with uncooperative staff members who refuse to accept the return of the defective goods as their company policy expressly states that they do not accept returns. It is a common misconception under consumers that once you have concluded a verbal or written purchase agreement, in terms of which you have waived your rights to a warranty, that you will have no right of recourse against the supplier should the goods turn out to be defective. The Consumer Protection Act No. 68 of 2008, as amended, (the “CPA”) was enacted to protect and develop the social and economic welfare of consumers by promoting a fair, accessible and sustainable marketplace for consumer products and services and thus preventing situations as mentioned hereinabove. IMPLIED WARRANTY - SECTION 56(2) OF THE CPA In terms Section 56 of the Consumer Protection Act there exists an implied warranty in any transaction or agreement pertaining to the supply of goods to a consumer. This means that the supplier of such goods warrants that the goods are of a good quality, free of defects and reasonably suitable for the purposes for which they are generally intended to be used for. It is however imperative to note that in a situation where a transaction for the sale of goods was concluded and the supplier duly informed the consumer that the goods are sold subject to certain defects and the consumer either expressly or tacitly accepts the goods, the consumer will not be able to rely on the implied warranty at a later stage. WAIVING OF THE IMPLIED WARRANTY Section 48 of the CPA deals with unfair, unreasonable or unjust contract terms and provides that a supplier may not offer to supply or enter into an agreement to supply any goods or …


Source: MyPR International

Individuals who use nav» Money on the FNB App more likely to improve credit status and savings

nav» Money tops 2.5 million active users who are in search of better financial health 28 March 2022: Individual customers who use nav» Money on the FNB App are 23% more likely to improve their credit status, 30% more likely to honour their debit orders and 16% more likely to start or increase savings on hand. The findings are based on the money management behaviour of more than 2 million active users of the nav» Money functionality over a period of 12 months. nav» Money is free money management functionality on the FNB App that helps customers improve their financial health and budgeting. It includes features like saving goals, free credit status updates, and automatic categorisation of monthly spend to enable smart budgeting with limit alerts. Since inception, there has been a 56% increase in usage of the functionality to reach 2.5 million users. Furthermore, users of these features have set up 14 000 active saving goals totalling R528 million, while over 200 000 customers have active budget alerts to help them stay on track, and over 600 000 users are working to improve their credit status. Raj Makanjee, CEO of FNB Retail, says, "The nav» functionality is part of our efforts to give customers platform-based tools to better manage their money across transactional needs, credit, insurance, savings and investments. We are also supporting customers through money management coaching, and these direct engagements have already reached over 300 000 customers. We are excited to see incremental improvements and commend all our customers who take active responsibility to improve the way they manage their money." Senzo Nsibande, CEO of FNB Money Management, says, “The power of this functionality on our single platform is such that the customer’s financial obligations are consolidated into a single view, particularly those who bank with us. We added the My Net Worth (MNW) feature last year, which is an auto-populated snapshot of a customer’s net assets, with the …


Source: MyPR International