PROTECTING THOSE WHO GAVE US LIFE

Researchers say the very first Mother’s Day was commemorated in the USA back in 1908, when a local woman organised a day to honour her mother. Six years later, the US Congress voted to officially recognise the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day. A century later, it is a day commemorated around the world. 

Charnel Hattingh, Head of Marketing and Communications at armed response company Fidelity ADT, says this day plays an important role and should be used as an opportunity to honour the many women that have played a mothering role in our lives. One way of doing it, she adds, is by focusing on their safety and security and offering them the best protection possible.

“Any opportunity to focus on personal safety should be used. We can give our mothers a wonderful present by making sure we empower them with the skills and knowledge they need to be safe from crime,” says Hattingh.

Criminals often see women as vulnerable and easy targets. Hattingh recommends remaining vigilant and to never let one’s guard down so as to avoid becoming a crime statistic. The key to safety is always to err on the side of caution.

She offers the following pointers:

- Of utmost importance is to trust your instincts. Women have great intuition and should listen to their instincts. If someone or something makes you feel uneasy, avoid the individual and leave the area

- Make contact with your private security service provider and asking them if they offer a mobile panic alarm service, which could be downloaded to your mobile phone

- Tell someone where you are going and the time you expect to return. Save to your mobile phone or memorise the details of the person to be contacted in the event of an emergency 

- Be aware of people around you when heading to your vehicle, especially at places such as shopping centres, petrol stations, and the likes. Ensure that you take a moment to check the street before pulling into a driveway, be it your own or a friend’s

- If you are driving, the first thing to do once you are inside your vehicle is to ensure that all the doors are locked. Never drive with a handbag or any other valuable items on a seat or in the view of anyone looking into your vehicle from the outside. Try and make your car a mobile-free zone so you can concentrate on your surrounds and keeping you and your family safe

“I encourage women to not only use these tips, but to share them with family and friends. In this way we can help make a positive difference in the fight against crime and keep our women safe." says Hattingh.

Fidelity-ADT


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WHAT DID I LEARN DURING THE PANDEMIC?

Just before the pandemic hit the UK, my dear Dad passed away at age 77, after a brave, 3 year battle with bowel cancer.  

It left our family reeling in shock - he'd felt well enough to take my Mum on holiday in February 2020 when he suddenly fell seriously ill. My two older brothers, older sister and I wrote in our funeral tribute to him that "he was the best Dad anyone could ever have."  

So - like many people who have lost loved ones during the pandemic - we all had, to learn after the shock had diminished slightly, especially my dear Mum, to whom he'd been married for 57 years - to go on with life without him. And then, a week after his funeral, the country entered into a lockdown and self-isolation that none of us had experienced before. And like the Queen, who recently lost her long-term partner too, my Mum has been a real source of comfort and wisdom to our family, in the way that she has taught us to remember to nurture self-reliance and resilience. It reminds me of that very British, stoic trait, encompassed in the phrase "keep calm and carry on" - borne during the WW2 Blitz, which has been variously likened to the pandemic experience this year.

And so, to nurture self-reliance and resilience are the most important things I've learned during the pandemic. While I have of course dearly missed person-to-person contact with family and friends this year, I have also been reminded of my strength of character that has helped me to carry on alone, during all of these very hard, life-changing events. And I have surprised myself - I haven't just carried on, but rather, I've taught myself to alchemise what became a very difficult epoch - converting a terrible situation into an opportunity to read many books (from neuroscience to South African crime fiction), to learn oil painting, to learn to change the oil in my car and fix a puncture on my bicycle in the middle of nowhere, to discover that I can make great banana and walnut bread, and that I am a dab-hand at gardening!  I've taught myself to do a regular morning 30 minute yoga practice before work, and to explore on my bicycle the beautiful coastal and forest countryside.  And so, while I've felt the loss of my family member profoundly this year - I've also been reminded, that I'm my own best friend in times of need - and that we learn most about ourselves during times of struggle.

Moving forward - here's to a healthy, positive year of regained freedom and resilience!

My PGCE Graduation in 2001, University of Greenwich, with my very proud Dad!

Click to read all previous articles by Dr Samantha J. Brooks Ph.D.


STILL TIME TO BOND

After the five aggressive repo rate cuts last year that dropped the prime lending rate to a historic low of 7%, homeowners and aspirant buyers have been holding their breath, waiting for the pendulum to swing the other way in 2021. But expert predictions suggest that interest rates will remain low for a while yet, with the first significant hike only expected next year.

“While the current favourable lending environment has resulted in a massive surge in buyer activity, with BetterBond reporting a 24% increase in bond applications volumes for March, year-on-year, consumers must look at projections for the next three years so that they can plan and budget accordingly,” says Carl Coetzee, CEO of BetterBond. “Now may well be the best time to bond, but homeowners also need to be prepared for what happens when interest rates increase again.”

FNB’s senior economist, Siphamandla Mkhwanazi, argues that there may well be a good few months still to apply for a bond at the current low prime lending rate, suggesting that the rate’s cycle outlook may be even rosier than initially expected. “The South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) Quarterly Projection Model’s (QPM) implied policy rate path is for a cumulative policy rate increase of 50bps this year: 25bps in the second quarter of 2021 and another 25bps in the fourth quarter. We however do not see the second quarter’s QPM’s policy rate increase materialising, and we believe the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) will delay the fourth quarter policy rate increase envisaged by the QPM and will likely only start to hike interest rates, albeit within limits, in 2022.”

Mkhwanazi goes on to say: “We expect only one 25bps hike through the forecast horizon (through to 2023). We believe the hiking cycle will be gradual at best, and rates will likely remain low for a long time.” He adds that the March decision to hold the repo rate steady at 3.5% suggests that the SARB has reached the end of its cutting cycle.

The surprise turnaround of the residential housing market is undoubtedly one of the few good news stories to emerge from the pandemic, says Coetzee. “In a bid to provide some financial relief to cash-strapped consumers, grappling with salary cuts and job losses during lockdown, the South African Reserve Bank aggressively cut the repo rate five times in 2020, taking the prime lending rate to a historic 7% - the lowest it has been in five decades.”

Adds Coetzee: “While it may be difficult to foresee what the future holds in terms of the rates cycle, we do know that historically the increase in the repo rate is gradual.” If one works on the SARB’s more measured projection of two repo rate increases of a modest 25 basis points in the second and fourth quarter of this year, the year would still end with the prime lending rate at a very comfortable 7.5%, says Coetzee. “This is still a record low for consumers, and on a R1 million bond over 20 years, would work out to about a mere R300 increase on the bond’s monthly installment.”

As a bond is a long-term commitment, it’s advisable to keep an eye on projections for the interest rate for the next three years, says Coetzee. “This will enable homeowners to pay in a bit more on their bond each month, to reduce the interest over the bond repayment period, or to budget accordingly so that when the interest rates do start to climb, they are still able to keep up with their bond payments.” The next repo rate announcement is scheduled for 20 May, 2021.

Anne-Marie Bamber is Norgarb Properties dedicated Home Loans Consultant. She has over 15 years’ experience in assisting clients with their Home Loan needs and has placed many happy families in their dream homes.

Contact her today for no cost stress-free home-buying.
Anne-Marie Bamber
Home Loans consultant
Tel: +27 (0)21 851 3568 | Fax: +27 (0)21 441 1494 | Cell: +27 (0)82 071 1665
E-mail: anne-marie.bamber@betterlife.co.za










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JUNE IN THE GARDEN

As we approach the longest night and the shortest day, amidst some beautiful clear days, the temperatures are dropping and we're finally getting some rain! Autumn is the perfect time to collect your leaves (or leaves from your neighbours or street!) to use for mulch in your gardens, or as brown matter in your compost.

Here's the June plant list. It's short, but planting things in the right season gives them the best chance at thriving:

Broad Beans, Beetroot, Chard/Spinach, Cape Gooseberry, Celery, Chives, Chilli Pepper, Lettuce, Onion, Parsley, Peas, Potato, Radish, Tomato

Happy growing!

Patchwork Group
Gabriella Garnett
076 2199 849 | gabriella.garnett@gmail.com


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HOW TO USE INTERMITTENT FASTING IN YOUR DIET

Intermittent fasting (IF) has received a lot of attention lately.

So what is it?

It is when you alternate between periods of eating and fasting. There are a number of different methods to choose from.

Some research has shown that IF can aid weight loss and improve metabolic health. This is due to the fact that you eat less in the week than what you usually would. This approach may work for some people while it may not work for others. Sustainability can be a problem when it comes to adopting this approach to eating, as it can be very difficult to follow long term. Additionally, there is a lack of research on the long-term effects of following this dietary approach.

IF is not a magic pill. If you do choose to follow this dietary approach, it is important to do it the right way to ensure that you stay true to your body’s needs.

Keep the following in mind if you decide to give IF a try:

If you feel like you are becoming too obsessed with food and the clock you might want to consider a more balanced approach to eating where you can enjoy regular healthy meals and snacks. Your dietary approach should not increase your stress around food. IF can result in disordered eating because you have to stick to a strict rule of eating or not eating during a specific time in the day. This is a red flag, as it takes us away from listening to our body and rather puts a focus on external rules that are made by humans. Our head starts deciding what is best for our body! It is important to listen to your body's internal hunger & satiety cues. If you are hungry, eat! Don't create hard rules for yourself and don't feel guilty if you're eating a meal outside of a set time frame. You don't have to follow IF 100% all the time for it to have benefits on the body.

If you are doing IF just for weight loss, this could be another red flag. When we do something for weight loss alone instead of health, we are often skewed with our thinking to start with. When weight loss is our main goal we tend to become more extreme with our behaviours. Although diets like IF can lead to weight loss and weight loss can lead to health, it’s important to keep in mind that the body will eventually adapt to the skipping of meals and will start to use less energy and store energy when you do eat. This is especially true when breakfast meals are skipped. The earlier hours of the day are when we are most active and need more energy. Additionally, the digestion, utilization and absorption of food is more effective in the earlier hours of the day. Hence why the body will start to use less energy and store more energy at night when it is fed. It does this with the goal of ensuring that it has enough energy during the day when it is needed the most. This is when you may start seeing a plateau in your weight loss or your weight may start creeping up while your energy levels start to decline.

When you do eat it is important to make it count. IF won't get you results if you binge on junk foods or eat more calories than what your body needs in general during the non-fasting periods. A focus still has to be put on diet quality and quantity. This means eating a well-balanced healthy diet and being mindful about the amount of food that you are consuming. Ensure that your meals are balanced with a lean source of protein, a high fibre low GI carbohydrate, a healthy fat and lots of vegetables to ensure that you are provided with sustained energy levels. A healthy diet consists of fruits and vegetables, wholegrains, nuts, seeds, legumes, lean protein and healthy fats. Your intake of saturated fat, sugar and refined carbohydrates should be limited.

It is also important to practice mindful eating. Ensure that you take at least 20 minutes to eat a meal. This is the amount of time it takes for the stomach to send a message to the brain that food has arrived. Mindful eating can prevent overeating to ensure that you give your body the correct amount of food that it requires.

If you are experiencing severe side effects from IF like nausea, light-headedness, severe hunger, headaches, irritability, poor concentration and shakiness you might want to try another IF method or skip IF all together. It might not be the best option for you. Note that IF is also not safe for some people, including pregnant women, those with diabetes and other health conditions If IF is not for you, you don't have to worry! As long as you are not eating through the night you are already getting a fast in. By having a slightly earlier supper you can also get the IF results. However, it is also important to remember that the same results can be achieved by exercising regularly and following a normal healthy & well balanced diet. Sustained weight loss follows when a person learns to listen to their body and eats just less than what their body burns.

To conclude:

IF can be used as a tool for its many health benefits, but if it is made into a strict diet that tells you exactly when you should be eating and you are not listening to your body anymore, this is starting to become disordered eating. 

Naturally we fast every night while we are sleeping so the best way to do IF is to do it #1 - intuitively where we listen to our bodies (remember that you do need to know what your body's signals sound like to listen properly!) and #2 - to do it in a way that works with our body’s physiology. This means eating in the day when your body uses and digests food best and needs the food the most, while skipping evening meals where the body doesn’t use and digest the food as well and does not need as much energy. However, if you are hungry at dinnertime, listen to your body and eat! Your body knows best.

Kim Hofmann RD(SA)

Cell: 084 206 2715

E-mail: kimh.rd@mweb.co.za

Website: www.kimsnutrition.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kimsnutrition

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kim.hofmann.988/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-hofmann-14a2b619/

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COMMENCEMENT OF BUSINESS RESCUE BY BOARD RESOLUTION

When thousands of South African companies shut their doors on 26 March, the sad reality was that many that would never open again. As the economic effects of the measures imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19 are being felt across the board, companies in financial distress are forced to examine their options. Chapter 6 of the Companies Act provides for a company or close corporation to enter into business rescue as an alternative to liquidation.

Business rescue is a process of facilitating financial rehabilitation of a company, and can be commenced either voluntarily (by way of filing a board resolution to place the company in business rescue with CIPC) or by way of a court order. In a nutshell, the overarching requirements are:

• that the company must be in financial distress, i.e. it appears to be reasonably unlikely that the company will be able to pay all of its debts as they become due and payable within the immediately ensuing six months, and

• that there must be a reasonable prospect of rescuing the company.

The Act makes provision for an affected person to apply to court, once the company has been placed in business rescue, to have the rescue set aside on certain specific grounds, including where the company does not meet the aforementioned requirements.

If the business rescue proceedings are commenced, as in most cases, by way of a board resolution, notice must be given within five days of filing the resolution with CIPC to every person affected by the decision. This includes shareholders, creditors and employees (through a registered trade union or representative). The board must also appoint a business rescue practitioner, who will supervise the management of the company. While the directors are not removed or replaced, they are subjected to the authority of the practitioner, whose primary function is to draft and implement a rescue plan. Such plan will have to be approved by 75% of the company’s creditors voting on the plan, which must include at least 50% of the so-called independent creditors’ voting interests.

One of the major consequences of being in business rescue is that the company gets a temporary moratorium on legal proceedings and the practitioner can suspend certain contracts, which is intended to provide a breathing space wherein the company through the practitioner can reorganise its affairs to become viable again. After the business rescue plan has been implemented to completion, the business rescue is terminated via filing of a notice of completion to CIPC.

For advice on any of the aspects discussed herein and to obtain assistance in initiating and implementing business rescue proceedings, please contact our commercial department.

STBB Claremont



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