VUK'UZENZELE
As from April 2011, Vuk’uzenzele has taken on new look and will be published every month instead of every second month. Instead of its former A4 format, the printed version of Vuk’uzenzele is now published as a tabloid newspaper. It will still be full of news and advice on socio-economic opportunities created by government, and how to access these opportunities.
Government has committed itself to making a difference in the lives of people by addressing five key priority areas. They are education, safety and security, health, job creation and rural development.
Each issue of Vuk’uzenzele will carry information and news about government’s programmes relating to these priorities. It will include a special four-page supplement, called Employment News, which will address matters relating to job creation, careers and skills development. Among other things, it will also feature news on youth matters, international relations, events, advice and sport and recreation.
It has a print run of 1,7 million copies, which are distributed in all nine provinces, in large part door-to-door in deep rural, rural and peri-urban areas. It is published in all official languages, but the majority of the print-run is in English. It is also published in Braille for the visually impaired.
CONTACT US
Tel: +27 12 314 2935 / 2245
Email: vukuzenzele@gcis.gov.za
Address: Private Bag X745
Pretoria 0001
OUR TEAM
Publisher
Government Communications (GCIS)
Chief Executive Officer:
Government Communications (GCIS)
Jimmy Manyi
Editor-in-Chief
Vusi Mona
Editor
Tyrone Seale
Managing Editor
Dorris Simpson
Sub-editor
Louise van Niekerk
Design & Art Direction for Printed Magazine
Ntsiki Zungu-Mputamputa
Featured writers
Mbulelo Baloyi, Samona Murugan
Contributors
BuaNews
Photos
GCIS Photography
GCIS Language Services
Elias Tibane
Mashite Mogale
Nomgcibelo Motha
Distribution
On the Dot
Subscriptions
Mduduzi Shabangu
012 314 2935
Office Administrator
Sekgabo Kedijang
012 314 2245
From the Editor's desk...
In his recent Budget Speech to Parliament, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said this was a time when “the healthcare system is at a crossroads”.
He said according to a Performance Agreement signed with the President, “the health sector must provide four identifiable and measurable outputs with the ultimate objective of ensuring a long and healthy life for South Africans.”
A lot has already been done in the recent past years to improve healthcare for all. Since 1994, for example, over 700 clinics have been built or extended, 2 298 clinics upgraded and given new equipment, and 125 new mobile clinics introduced. However, a great deal still has to be achieved to get our health- care system up to the standard where it can meet all its goals.
In this issue of Vuk’uzenzele we look at some health issues that are receiving attention as part of government’s ongoing efforts to create a better life.
New hospital
In New hospital for a healthier Limpopo, we reported on President Jacob Zuma’s visit to Limpopo as part of his Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Campaign to assess the state of health. He announced a new multimillion rand hospital to be built in Siloam village and inspected a hospital in Lebowakgomo.
HIV and AIDS remains a major concern in South Africa, but progress has also been made to curb its spread and to make treatment more accessible.
Fighting corruption
The fight against crime and corruption remains high on government’s priority list. Minister of Police Nathi Mthethwa has given the assurance that his department is committed to achieving better policing, a better-trained and efficient criminal justice system and involvement of all in our society to fight crime and corruption.
In Committed to root out corruption, we look at actions taken to root out corruption and report on police top management’s visits to police stations throughout the country in an effort to improve services. As a reminder that stopping corruption starts with each one of us, we give guidelines on how to report corruption.
Climate change
Climate change has become a critical issue throughout the world. Later this year, South Africa will host the COP 17 conference in Durban. It will be the largest international event ever hosted by a South African city.
National Arbor Week is celebrated from 1 to 7 September each year. In Plant a tree this Arbor Week, we highlight the importance of trees. You can also try your hand at our tree-related crossword puzzle.
With August being Women’s Month, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all our female readers a happy Women’s Month.
– The Editor