Taking Back The Night - Grocott's Mail

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Megan JacksonNewsThe Black Sash has slammed the passingof a new bill which will cause thousandsof people to lose their disability grants.The Social Assistance Amendment Bill,which was tabled last month by social developmentminister Edna Molewa, could preventpeople who suffer from chronic illnesses fromreceiving government aid.The bill redefines the term “disability”and will have the effect of further regulatingeligibility for disability grants. According tothe bill, a person will be classified as disabled,and therefore eligible for a disabilitygrant, if there is a moderate to severe limitationof that person’s ability to function asa result of a physical, sensory, communication,intellectual or mental disability, whichwould then prevent that person from gainingemployment.Black Sash Advocacy Programme ManagerRatula Beukman says that as the bill stands,only those who become “functionally disabled”will be able to receive social assistance in future.“What it essentially means is that onlywhen you become so sick that you can’t look afteryourself or support yourself, can you applyfor income support.It basically encourages those who are alreadychronically ill to become disabled as well.The Black Sash argues that it is only withsome income support that poor people canmanage chronic illnesses.We believe these reforms will have a widespreadnegative impact on thousands of individualsand households currently battling thedual hardships of poverty and illness,” insistsBeukman.In its submission, the Black Sash has askedthat provision be made for those living with achronic illness and that those currently on disabilitygrants, are not cut off under the newlegislation. “We understand the need to implementa standardised disability assessment toolso that it’s not left up to the sole discretion ofstate doctors to decide who gets support.“However, it would be extremely shortsighted to withdraw all assistance to poor,chronically ill people who depend on the grantto help them access proper nutrition, shelterand treatment.“Helping sick people participate meaningfullyin society is not just our ConstitutionalGrocott’s Mail Tuesday, 27 April 2010Black Sash condemns Social Assistance Billsteven LangTHE Kenton Community Computer Centre(KCCC) needs financial assistance from donorsin order to maintain the project and improve itsservices.The centre currently provides a valuable serviceto the community by training locals in basiccomputer skills, and at the same time, serves residentsand holidaymakers as an internet café.A group of retirees living in Kenton-on-Sealaunched the KCCC in 2004 with a donation of10 brand new computers from Buckley School inCalifornia and the Lions Club of Kenton, payingrent on a building to house the machines.A local businessman maintains the machinesat his own workshop and ensures that thenetwork and connectivity are in tip top shape.Teachers from the nearby Ikamvalesizweand Nompukuku rural schools are trained in basiccomputer skills which they then share withthe wider community.The centre is managed on a voluntary basisby Kenton and Bushman’s River residents withtwo representatives from the schools serving onthe organising committee.A team of 11 volunteers train learners atthe centre.The project earns revenue during the holidayseason by charging visitors to use the computersand the internet connections.Retirees of Kenton and Bushmans arecharged R50 per session and teachers employedat local schools are charged R20 per session.All unemployed people may use the centrefree of charge.duty, it also makes social and economic senseto prevent people from becoming functionallydisabled and unproductive,” said Beukman.If the bill is passed it will also have the effectof creating a double process for appeals.Presently, when people apply for a disabilitygrant they submit their applications to theSouth African Social Security Agency (Sassa).If their application is unsuccessful, they thenhave the option of appealing to an independentappeals tribunal.However, the bill will require unsuccessfulapplicants to first appeal to Sassa before appealingto the independent tribunal.This would put even more pressure on analready backlogged process.Public hearings for the bill in Parliamentare now closed.Kenton Community Computer Centre needs helpSMS ALERTSNow you can get the latest Grocott’s Mail headlines onyour phone every Tuesday and Friday morning - forFREE! We’ll also notify you every now and then of anymajor breaking news, and of fantastic special offers inthe Grahamstown area.To sign up, SMS “alertme” to 082 049 2146(you’ll be charged for one regular SMS), or go towww.grocotts.co.za/smsONLINE... A team of 11 volunteers trains local residents at the Kenton Community ComputerCentre. Photo: Steven LangHead of Journalism delayed inAmsterdam due to volcano ashsandhira chettyHEAD of the Rhodes UniversityJournalism School, ProfGuy Berger, was delayed inAmsterdam due to the recentIcelandic volcano eruptionwhich disrupted flights acrossnorthern Europe.Eyjafjallajokull erupted forthe second time in one monthon 14 April, which sent up aplume of ash six kilometresinto the atmosphere. The disruptionin flights was reportedas the worst caused since theWorld Trade Centre attacks.Berger, who was invited tolaunch a book in Amsterdamproduced by the World PressPhoto Competition organisation,arrived on the same dayas the eruption and only managedto leave the followingTuesday night. “There wasa sense of being trapped, ofbecoming a refugee, dependenton the sympathy of localpeople to find accommodationand sustenance. The worstwas the uncertainty,” he said.It was just a blur of eventsafter he realised that his flightwas cancelled. “I sought outinformation about flights onlyto find the airlines and the airportswere completely hopelesson their websites andemergency numbers.”Berger also consideredPortugal and Greece in hisattempt to come home. “Ithought about getting a trainto Lisbon or Athens, whichwould take several days, in orderto get a flight home.”After queuing for hoursat the Amsterdam airport,One man’s keyboard...Berger changed his airlineticket to Frankfurt to a trainticket in the hopes of catchingthe scheduled SAA flightthat evening, but on the waythere he heard the flight hadbeen cancelled. “I got off andheaded for a friend who livesin Holland. Then I heard therewas a Lufthansa flight still on,with standby options. I racedto another Frankfurt train.”Berger reached an emptyairport, but it seemed the flightwas still scheduled for takeoff.He then waited until9.30pm before he found out hisstandby had been successful.“People are very helpful ina crisis, but the chaos showedthe need for decent informationsystems.”Berger is glad to be backat home and the experiencehas even seen a new additionto his vocabulary. “It is a greatrelief to be back. I have howeverlearnt a new swear word– the name of the volcano –which you pronounce age-jafjulle-yokul.”If you have any unwanted or obsolete computer keyboards and mice, don’t throw them away. KismaKreative can recycle them by using them to make new products.Please contact Tracy on 083 522 8932 or email tracy@kisma.co.za They can collect. Any quantitieswelcome, from one to hundreds!
Grocott’s Mail Tuesday, 27 April 2010ENVIRONMENT7Makana Enviro-News 104Compiled by Nikki KöhlyRaindrops falling in the redGrahamstown’s rainfall has never been reliable. Since RogerRowswell began recording rainfall in Darling Street in January1986, his lowest annual measurement was in 1992 (± 500 mm)and the highest in 2006 (± 1 160 mm). Rowswell’s data translateto an annual rainfall average of ± 720 mm.Figures vary across town. At Grant Street, Robin Stobbs measuredonly ± 910 mm in 2006. His highest annual measurement,since 1975, was 946mm in 1985, and lowest was 379mm in 1992.Since 1975, Stobbs’ data translate to an annual rainfall average ofaround 641 mm.Our water supply dams are at an all-time low. Why?Over the last few years, there has been less runoff (surface fl ow)caused by heavy rain over a short time span. Even if annual rainfallis low, good runoff is important, because this is what is needed tofi ll our water supply dams.Another reason is that water courses are drying up. Thirsty invasivealien plants are a major contributing factor. Look at GlenthorpeStream and the upper Palmiet River which feed Howison’s Poortand Settler’s Dams. They are heavily infested with eucalyptus andlong-leaved wattle.Nobody is sure how we will fare as changes in climate bringabout unpredictable weather patterns. All we do know is that itwould be wise to pay attention to what is going on. Grahamstowndoes not want to be plunged into ongoing water crises because nobodythought to plan for the future!Counting every dropGrocott’s Mail will publish weekly rainfall fi gures from now on, drawingon rainfall measurements sent in by Roger Rowswell and RobinStobbs. Another great blend of citizen science, civic participationand citizen journalism. Says Stobbs: “I hope that more wetwatcherswill be encouraged to come forward with their fi gures.” Findout more about Grahamstown’s Wetwatchers’ Guild from Robin on046 622 6592, email rstobbs@telkomsa.net, or Roger on 046 6223212 or rar.tecs@telkomsa.netBirds of a featherWild birds are important environmental indicators – they act aswarning lights of important environmental changes. If we watch thebirds, we can get an early warning that something major has happened,like a spill of toxic chemicals – or is about to happen, likea drastic change in weather. For example, groups of the beautifulLesser Flamingo – BirdLife’s 2010 bird of the year – have died off inlarge numbers because of heavy metals in a lake where they werefeeding and breeding. This threatened species is only occasionallyseen in the Eastern Cape. Look out for its paler relative as youdrive past Coega, or check it out online at http://www.birdlife.org.za/fi eldguide/book/index.php. Click on ‘waterbirds’ then ‘GreaterFlamingo’.National Bird Week – which runs from 3 to 9 May this year, aimsto raise awareness about birds, and get South Africans from all walksof life afl utter with excitement over our feathered friends. School childrenare involved in the fun. Teachers can download a free resourcepack with information about lots of curriculum-linked activities atwww.birdlife.org.za. In Port Elizabeth, BirdLife Eastern Cape is celebratingits 60th anniversary with many exciting events. More infofrom David Brown on 041 360 4025 or baldcoot@xsinet.co.za.Those in Grahamstown who are keen to get involved in localbirding activities may contact the Diaz Cross Bird Club. On 8 May,the club’s monthly outing will be to the spectacular FeatherstoneKloof. To join them, meet in front of the Albany Museum at 7.15 am(remember comfy walking shoes, waterproof jacket, binoculars andrefreshments). On 10 May, their Annual Mike Bands Lecture will beheld in Kenton-on-Sea. Charismatic photographer, writer and birdexpert, Dr Warwick Tarboton, will give an illustrated talk on birds’nests and eggs. Shared transport to the event will be available.Contact the Diaz Cross Bird Club Secretary, Jenna Holmes on 046622 3000.Wind farms – what do we know?All interested parties are invited to attend an information-sharingmeeting on the benefi ts and issues surrounding wind farms. Speakersinclude the CEO of the Wilderness Foundation and LeadershipSchool Andrew Muir, Dr Frederik Voster, a senior lecturer at theNMMU Physics Department’s Centre for Energy Research, Nick Foxof Sibuya Game Reserve, and Dr Garth Cambray, a sustainabilityentrepreneur.Date: Thursday, 29 April 2010Time: 5.30-7.30Venue: Rhodes University Zoology Major lecture theatre (Prince AlfredStreet).Come along and give your support to the Makana wind farm project!Environmental Calendar - May1 – Workers’ Day: our labour supports our livelihoods.3-9 – National Bird Week (SA): birds are part of our biodiversity.15 – International Day of Families: environmental and communitycare starts at home.18 – International Museum Day: support places of learning.22 – International Day for Biological Diversity: biodiversity is ournatural ‘insurance policy’.25 – Africa Day: remembering our roots, growing together.GREEN CHURCH... Bishop Ebenezer Ntlali (centre) of theDiocese of Grahams-town signs the document ratifyingthe minutes at the end of the 65th Synod of the Diocese ofGrahamstown, in St Alban’s Church East London. From leftto right, Rev Randall Gallant Tony Schnell, Brenda Amsterdamone of the Diocesan lawyers, Bishop Ntlali, the Bishop’sChaplain, the Rev George van der Merwe, and the Dean ofGrahamstown Andrew Hunter. Photo: SuppliedSynod commits togreen policiesMAGGY CLARKEThe Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Grahamstown met atSt Alban’s Church East London from last week to consideredvital environmental issues. These included climatechange, human trafficking, alcohol and other substance abuse,polygamy and the abuse of initiation rites.Over 100 clergy and laity from some 45 parishes which makeup the Diocese of Grahamstown met under the chairmanship ofBishop Ebenezer Ntlali. It was the first time since his installationas bishop that he has chaired the synod, which is the maindecision-making body of the diocese which meets approximatelyevery three years. As well as routine church business thesewere some of the issues that synod discussed:•The delegates committed their parishes to introduce greenpolicies of water and electricity management and recycling.•In accepting a motion concerning polygamy, they resolved touphold the teaching of the church that marriage is a lifelong andexclusive union between two partners, and to provide teachingand support to those about to marry, married people and thosewhose marriages have failed.•Among other church bodies, the Mothers’ Union will be embarkingon a campaign against human trafficking, which seemsto be increasing in the run-up to the World Cup.•Two motions condemned alcohol abuse (appealing for betterapplication of the existing licensing laws), and substance abusein general. The diocese undertook to embark on an awarenesscampaign to educate young people about these dangers.•The members of the Anglican Church in the GrahamstownDiocese re-committed themselves to working to eradicate theabuses which occur at some initiation schools, both medicalmalpractice which sometimes results in amputation or death,and undesirable teachings which can lead young men to treatwomen with disrespect.The synod was conducted throughout in a joyful atmosphereof prayer and spirituality. People felt safe to expressthemselves, even when they disagreed with one another, andalmost every resolution was – after a sometimes heated discussion– passed unanimously.RU GREEN... 22 April wasEarth Day – a day reservedfor raising awareness andshowing appreciation for ourplanet. Founded in 1970 byUS senator Gaylord Nelson,it aims at teaching individualsabout issues facing ourplanet and suggesting waysof living more sustainably.Earth Day comes as the culminationof Earth Week (16– 22 April), a week focusedon environmental issues. Thisyear, Rhodes University madea visual statement. Studentsgathered in the library quad,wearing purple and green, toform the words ‘RU Green’.Photo: Saskia KuiperD ENNISW ICKSS PORTS119 High StreetGrahamstown 6139Tel: (046) 622 3275 • Fax: (046) 636 7828Watch this space.Opening sOOn!ALBANY OUTDOOR
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Taking Back The Night - Grocott's Mail

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