An activist with India’s ruling party has been arrested after a volunteer fell ill from drinking cow urine at a party to combat the novel coronavirus, police said on Wednesday, as interest grows in home remedies amid the pandemic.
Narayan Chatterjee, a Bharatiya Janata Party activist, was arrested by West Bengal state police late on Tuesday for “organising the cow urine consumption event and compelling a civic volunteer to drink cow urine”, Kolkata police chief Anuj Sharma told AFP.
“The civic volunteer fell sick on Tuesday and lodged a complaint with the police. The BJP activist was arrested on Tuesday night.”
Unfortunate
The president of BJP’s West Bengal branch, Dilip Ghosh, told AFP Chatterjee’s arrest was “unfortunate”.
“India is a democratic country. Everyone has the right to express his opinion,” Ghosh said.
“It’s unfortunate that Chatterjee was arrested for expressing his opinion organising the event. We don’t know if the civic volunteer was forced to drink cow urine.”
Many in the Hindu-majority nation of 1.3 billion consider cows sacred and believe drinking cow urine is a panacea for all manner of ailments, from arthritis and asthma to cancer and diabetes.
Last week, dozens of Hindu activists held a cow urine party in the capital New Delhi where they staged fire rituals and drank urine from earthen cups in order to fight the Covid-19.
Critics have rejected the urine claims as quackery.
A milk trader in the same state was arrested Tuesday for selling cow urine and dung and claiming they “would keep the novel coronavirus at bay”, senior police officer from Hooghly district Humayan Kabir told AFP.
Selling
Kabir said the trader, Sheikh Masud, was selling cow urine at 500 Indian rupees a litre and cow dung at 400 rupees a kilograms.
Masud, who hung a poster at his shop with the words “Drink cow urine to ward off coronavirus” told police he was inspired to sell the excrement after hearing about the Delhi party.
AFP has sought comment from the Ministry of Health on whether cow dung and cow urine are effective in curing COVID-19.
The World Health Organisation in India has also been contacted for comment over the urine and dung claims.
The government said Wednesday there have been 151 positive cases and three deaths from the virus in India, the world’s second-most populous country with 1.3 billion people.
Most schools, entertainment facilities including cinemas, and even the iconic Taj Mahal have already been closed in India to try and stop the spread of the outbreak.
More South Africa is looking for an experienced and talented senior recruiter for a three-months contract opportunity based at our head office in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg. You will be responsible for the implementation of the recruitment process for the attraction, and acquisition of MORE people in SA and Global.
Responsibilities of the role:
The individual will be required to work with people at all levels; juniors and senior management alike.
Using various platforms for the purposes of advertising and sourcing: Job boards, social media, and direct sourcing in providing talented or highly skilled candidates.
Ability to carry out thorough prescreening prior to interview stages via manual and telephonic channels.
Ability to prescreen and present suitable candidates to line management for interview processes.
Scheduling of interviews with relevant stakeholders.
Ability to carry to reference and verification process on candidates.
Following the approval process and the purchase requisition process in order to bring resources onboard.
Ability to facilitate the supplier/independent contractor agreement and onboarding process for freelancers.
Requirements
Skills required:
Great communication skills
Attention to detail
Ability to build structure in ways of working
Strong administration skills
Influential capability
Build database, strong networking capability
Technologically savvy
Resilience and ability to work under pressure
Qualification and experience required:
Must have experience having recruited in the advertising and production industry
Having recruited for various skill levels with quick turn around times
+-Three years of relevant experience
Tertiary qualification in HR/business management preferred
To apply, click on “Apply now”, or email your updated CV to
labolg.erom@tnemtiurcer
.
Applications close: 31 March 2020
About us:
More is a production-agency, part of the global Inside Ideas Group (Oliver, AdjustYourSet, DARE, etc.), producing content for a range of brands across multiple platforms, channels and countries. The content we produce includes digital media, animation, moving image, and design. We pride ourselves on delivering work aimed specifically at the international marketplace. Brands we count among our clients include Starbucks, Liberty, Unilever, Virgin, Samsung, Gumtree and Hyundai, to name a few.
Ninety9cents Communications (Pty) Ltd is a full-service, integrated advertising agency with offices in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Zambia, and is one of South Africa’s largest independently owned agencies. Led by founder and managing director Andrew Brand, the agency’s extensive client base includes leading brands such as Shoprite/Checkers, Ackermans, PUMA and The Spur Group to name but a few. Our Cape Town office is looking for a junior digital DTP art director (roll-out) to join their growing team.
Main responsibilities
Your main responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Work to a design brief from the client or designer
Use software (i.e. Adobe InDesign) to produce a layout
Product and price layout
Select formatting, such as the size and style of type; column width and spacing
Select and check colour
Requirements
Tertiary qualification in DTP/art direction or similar
At least three years’ experience in DTP art direction with one year being in digital
Experience in working on retail clients in an advertising agency
Knowledge of and experience in using Adobe software (Adobe InDesign)
Knowledge of and experience in digital, product and price layout is essential
Excellent communication skills
Excellent organisational skills
Team player with the ability to work independently
Ability to multi-task across multiple briefs at any given time
Ability to work under extreme pressure
Deadline driven
Resilient
Assertive
Proactive
Reliable
Accountable
Meticulous with attention to detail (careful and thorough in completing tasks and meeting deadlines)
Flexible to work overtime (outside of regular working hours)
Other
Valid driver’s licence and own vehicle will be advantageous
Must be willing to work on alcohol brands
Interested candidates must please submit a concise CV and a link to their online portfolio (this is essential). Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Should you not hear from us within two weeks after submitting your application, please consider your application unsuccessful.
We remain committed to the principles of employment equity.
I remember walking into the office sometime in February, finding our head of reservations chuckling over the irony of a virus being named after a beer.
“It’s called Corona. It must be pretty severe though; the Chinese are constructing hospitals in a matter of days.” As usual I was rushing somewhere, to meet someone about something and hardly paused to soak in what she was saying.
I remember thinking about Chinese construction wonders, and the few hotels I’d seen built within 90 hours. I never considered the fear, the economic impact and the change in communities.
Fast forward a few weeks, and I was destined for my annual work trip to Berlin, Germany, for the ITB Berlin Travel Show and Berlin Travel Festival. I was excited to see industry colleagues, travel agents, partners, learn about new trends, network and get some inspiration for my travel business.
The main show was cancelled
The cherry on top was an invitation to talk at the Berlin Travel Festival about Khwela Youth Tourism Stars, a tourism non-profit I co-founded two years ago in Cape Town, focused on teaching young South African women from under-resourced communities how to work and thrive in the tourism industry.
I was scheduled to speak on the Travelmassive stage with five other inspirational speakers, under the title “Travel Changemakers” about which the organisers had already briefed me.
Four days before my departure, the main show was cancelled. It was a hot debate for weeks, with industry people taking bets about whether it would continue. After all, a travel show with over 100 000 delegates is a big deal for tourism, and a huge deal for the Berlin economy. Despite the cancellation, the consumer show (Berlin Travel Fest) was not cancelled, so I decided to continue with my travel plans. I had booked a non-refundable ticket and was staying with a friend, so at the time it seemed logical to still go.
I left Cape Town early on Monday 2 March, heading to Munich. As I was leaving Cape Town, I was texting with the organisers and the moderator of the panel discussion. Due to the cancellation of ITB, and many travel professionals already in Berlin, my friend Ian started a WhatsApp and Telegram group called #StrandedinBerlin.
He built a website showing travellers which events were happening where, and how to get on travel party guest lists. Despite the cancellation, I was optimistic. By the time I landed in Munich, the Berlin Travel Fest had been cancelled. I was dumbfounded.
Berlin was no longer carefree
The first case of corona had arrived in Berlin, in the co-working space of the Berlin Travel Fest no less. Since my bags were already on their way to Berlin, I continued my journey. The next day was a blur as my friends and colleagues went into self-quarantine as a measure, and I tried to make the most of my business trip.
The mood in Berlin was not as carefree as I knew it. A smog of seriousness hung in the air. Hastily printed signs hung in the window of the corner Apotheke (pharmacy): “NO HAND SANITIZER”
People kept their distance and commuters buried their faces into layers of scarves. I remembered my hand sanitiser from home and was conscious not to shake hands, touch surfaces, or touch my face.
On the first evening I joined travel bloggers and industry colleagues at the local pub, and we talked business, drank beer, hustled to exchange business cards and got into a heated debate with a group of female bloggers about the realities of travel stalkers.
I can’t believe this was only two weeks ago! Coronavirus was still not the topic of every conversation.
By the end of that week, two of my friends whom I hadn’t seen had tested positive and were in self-isolation. Another friend was in self-quarantine, and had asked me help him move into a rental apartment – after all, collecting key, signing for the deposit is outright impossible without coming into contact with someone. I had to leave the keys on a windowsill and wave through the glass as he fetched them.
A case of FOMO
Even after all these encounters, I was still looking forward to the weekend girls’ ski trip in Austria with a dear friend. Westendorf, a small alpine village in Austria, holds a special place in my heart.
After finishing Matric I had gone to work in Westendorf as a ski instructor and barmaid. After four seasons working there over varsity holidays, I had made friends and knew the mountain like the back of my hand. I was excited to show it to my friend and spend time reconnecting.
Somewhere in the back of my mind was that voice: “Northern Italy is so close to Austria. Is this wise?” but the counter-voice responded, “It’s only the flu. The snow will be amazing! You’re not old, you’ll be fine if you catch it.” I’ve always had a bit of a FOMO (fear of missing out) streak, so in this instance, the second voice won the argument.
Fast-forward 48 hours: My colleagues in Europe were closing business units and retrenching staff – some closing their doors for the first time in decades.
72 hours later, and I almost couldn’t get out of Austria as all trains were cancelled, and the flight board at Munich airport displayed about a quarter cancelled flights. I gave myself an extra five hours to get to the airport and made it just in time.
By the time I landed in Cape Town, I was relieved to be on home soil – but nervous for what lay ahead. As I reviewed my mental to-do list, and disembarked the Lufthansa flight, I was surprised at how full the flight still was.
Saving the business
I passed the thermometer checkpoint and was one of the only passengers in the “South African nationals” queue. The foreign nationals queue was chock-a-block. Good news for business, I thought… we don’t know what is about to hit us.
The day I arrived back there were 17 confirmed cases in South Africa, and I felt like I had been to the future – according to my calculation South Africa was about two weeks behind Germany. A week earlier when I’d left there were just over 100 confirmed cases, and on the day I left there were over 2 000. Today (a week later) there are over 9 000 cases in Germany.
I just had to read that sentence again. That’s 90X in 2 weeks. I felt obliged to tell my family and friends how quickly the “k*k” had hit the fan and make a plan to save my business.
After dropping my bags at home, I checked in at the office and discussed my thoughts and actions with my team, and business partner. My business partner was destined to leave for Europe the next day, and we had a lot of decisions to make.
On my way to collecting my kids from school, I received a WhatsApp message from the principal asking all parents who had been abroad to self-quarantine for 14 days with their children in order to minimise any risk. I was outraged.
I don’t have time for this, I thought. I need to get going on the plan. I walked into the principal’s office to ask if this was true – after all I had been in Germany, not Italy.
Hardly any symptoms
I felt furious and frustrated. I knew it was probably for the greater good, but I couldn’t warrant the personal sacrifice. I took the kids to a playdate and went home to stew. Over dinner at a local restaurant we decided it probably was the right thing to do and stocked up our house with supplies. That was six days ago – it seems like a lifetime.
Our family doctor arranged the forms for me to get tested the next morning. My hope was to get the test, prove I was negative, and go back to work.
I went to a private laboratory in town and may have been one of the first handful of tests. The team were apprehensive, yet professional. I had to argue with the administrator to get tested as I was hardly displaying any symptoms.
I mentioned the dry cough I got from the airplane, and coughed a few times – she was not impressed. I explained my mission: I needed to get back to work. She continued that I didn’t fit the full criteria, and that there were limited tests available.
I lost my sh*t.
My parents are both doctors, and I knew with a phone call I could go to any other lab and get the test. I told her that I was getting the test today, with her or with their competitor. The name dropping and “strop” did the trick and she admitted me for the test. After the adrenaline died down I felt a bit skaam as I really did overdo it a bit.
A swab ‘halfway to my brain’
Within five minutes I was called in to the nursing cubicle. I kept thinking they were really under-dressed. The administrator wasn’t even wearing a mask or gloves. That was the first time I considered the implications of being a carrier, and how horrible I would feel if I managed to transfer the virus.
The nurse came in and was handed gloves and a mask. No hazmat suit. No blue goggles. He seemed nervous, but had kind eyes. The administrator offered to hold my head so not to move as the test could be painful. It was mildly unpleasant to say the least – a swab up my nose and halfway to my brain. The nurse called it “the sweet spot”. Then there was a throat swab that made me gag.
I suddenly realised how badly this could go if I were indeed positive.
I returned to life in self-quarantine, as we awaited the results. The school health advisory body was now in constant communication with me. I was preparing my arguments in advance to bring the kids back when I tested negative.
I felt the pressure mounting to make changes in the business, and struggled to keep up with the kids, housework, chores and calls with my team.
Self-quarantine for two weeks
On the first day of self-quarantine we had six hours of load shedding – Koeberg had lost a unit, and we had three blocks a day of no electricity, no WiFi and no cellphone reception. It was trying, to say the least.
Late on Friday night our physician called with my results: The test was positive.
I felt a wave of calm wash over me as we received the news and my husband took the lead in asking a barrage of questions: Could this be a false positive? No. Can we leave the house? No. What about the people I came into contact with? They would have to go into self-quarantine for 14 days. A health official will make contact tomorrow. I heard our doctor encouraging us not to stress, that she would help us monitor our health from afar, especially our three-year-old, who had had respiratory issues as a toddler.
At that point my heart stopped. I hadn’t considered the implications of him contracting the virus. I was suddenly terrified and overcome with guilt. Should I remove myself from the family? No. There are no reported cases of deaths or severity under nine years old, and the emotional trauma would be far worse if the kids and I were separated now.
Our doctor advised us to stay anonymous to the school, as the emotional impact of angry parents and potential stigma and bullying could be traumatising to our children. We, however, decided to take an open approach, and address the parents directly and ask their support.
Kids remain top priority
We have been inundated with offers of help and support, with parcels of flowers and food chucked over the wall. For this, and all the quiet words of encouragement I am eternally grateful.
I never believed I would test positive and have sobered up to the strength of the spread. While my husband John and I are reeling with how to deal with our businesses, our children remain out top priority and we are focusing on creating a routine, taking turns cleaning the house and trying to keep healthy and exercise.
The school subsequently closed, following a number of other cases of closed schools, and the parents and the school have been supportive throughout the whole experience.
From home schooling resources, child-friendly coronavirus explanations and homemade muffins and wine – the strength of the community has shone through.
I have a feeling that we may reflect back on this time as a turning point in our humanity.
Kim Whitaker is the CEO and co-founder of Once Travel – a youth travel company that operates experiences and hub hotels for adventurous travellers and storytellers. She has set up a fund for the Team of Once in Cape Town and Once in Joburg, where friends of Once can contribute https://www.once.travel/tribe-fund/
Volt Africa has an exciting opportunity in Cape Town for a research analyst digital responsible for coordinating research projects without day-to-day supervision, including all aspects of project delivery, handling relevant client communications and general queries.
The successful incumbent will be responsible for:
Responsible for all projects allocated
Brainstorms proposals with regards to research design, costs and timing
Project brief and timing
Sample design
Screener, questionnaire/discussion guide design and testing
Data collection brief
Design tables, analysis plan and coding
Data processing
Report writing and presentations
Requirements
Required competencies:
A degree or diploma in marketing or business is essential
Minimum of three years’ experience as a research analyst
Minimum of three years’ experience in a digital environment preferably in “agency”
Minimum of three years’ practical experience and understanding of the research process in order to coordinate a research project from start to finish
The successful applicant should meet the following criteria:
Understanding of basic methodologies and techniques to provide input into research design
Understanding of client issues and processes to enable input into client discussions, research design, and analysis, brainstorming, etc.
GA 360 and data studio
Excellent command of spoken and written English
Exceptional presentation skills
Excellent leadership and project management skills
Must be able to build and maintain internal and external client relationships
Top four bank has an exciting opportunity for a BI manager. This company is looking for BI manager with great technical skills and people management ability with very strong SQL and SSIS experience. Come join this dynamic division and enjoy benefits like performance bonuses, 28 days leave and preferential lending rate.
Start 2020 with a bang with this role!
The reference number for this position is SM48440 which is a permanent position based in Constantia Kloof offering a salary of R1m per annum negotiable on experience and ability. Contact Sifiso at
az.oc.egrem-e@mosifis
or call him on 011 463 3633 to discuss this and other opportunities.
Are you ready for a change of scenery? E-Merge IT Recruitment is a specialist niche recruitment agency. We offer our candidates options so that we can successfully place the right developers with the right companies in the right roles. Check out the E-Merge website www.e-merge.co.za for more great positions.
Do you have a friend who is a developer or technology specialist? We pay cash for successful referrals!
Requirements
Degreed – Computer science/BCom/BSC/IT
Three to four years’ experience with a fine balance of people management and technical ability.
Managing data environment
Expert knowledge of SQL
Experience in identification and movement of raw data from multiple sources in a single source
Experience in:
Mananger business intelligence
T-SQL
SSIS
SAS
SSAS
ETL
SSRS
POWER BI
QlikView
Teradata
Posted on 18 Mar 12:11
Apply Sifiso Mthombeni
011 463 3633
Or apply with your Biz CV
Create your CV once, and thereafter you can apply to this ad and future job ads easily.
The incumbent will report to the head of IT audit, and in accordance with the Sasol Assurance Services (SAS) Charter as approved by the Sasol Limited Audit Committee, his/her tasks will be to:
Direct and execute the IT project and governance audits of the Sasol Group.
Ensure that the quality of audits executed are in alignment with the Sasol Assurance Services Operating Manual (SASOM).
Manage the allocation of audit resources on assignments and projects.
Manage the execution of IT audits and act in the role of a subject matter expert for audits managed and executed.
Manage the execution of audits to be within budgeted planned hours.
Ensure timely reporting of assigned audit tasks and follow established reporting protocols.
Integrate with other departments with regard to knowledge sharing on audit tasks being managed and executed.
Act as liaison with clients.
Functional outputs:
1. Audit task planning:
Review/compiling of the planning memorandum to ensure focus on high risks.
Review/compiling of the audit program to ensure audit objectives are met.
2. Audit execution/reporting:
Review/ prepare audit evidence supporting the reported findings in the audit report.
Manage the execution of the audits and execute own audits to ensure factual and timely reports with the flexibility to adapt to change.
Plan/execute overseas audits when required.
3. Internal audit reporting:
Periodically compile status reports to all relevant stakeholders for the area of specialisation and Vice President: Projects and Combined Assurance and/or Chief Assurance Officer (CAO), as appropriate and in accordance with the Reporting Protocol.
Prepare report on quarterly basis for the Group Executive Committee (GEC) and the Sasol Limited Audit Committee on significant governance issues identified and progress against annual audit plan for area of specialisation.
Factual, comprehensive and timely reporting to Operating Model Entities’ and Functions’ management, Governance Committees, Boards and relevant stakeholders.
4. Quality control:
Review all audit reports prior to submission to head of IT Audit and ensure that all reporting protocols are observed.
Conduct review of audit working papers.
Assist in conducting quarterly peer reviews of audit working papers.
Complete task assessments of all team members of audit tasks managed and take appropriate corrective actions to ensure corrective measures for quality concerns identified.
5. Specialist advice:
On request review policy and procedures.
Attend and provide specialist advice on request at project steering committee meetings or client meetings.
Ad hoc requests for specialist advice.
6. Special ad hoc requests:
Conduct specific ad hoc audit requests as and when required.
Communicate and assess the relevance of requests from business management to line manager and allocate resources as necessary.
Execute special requests by the Audit Committee as and when required.
7. Audit planning and management:
Assist in developing an annual audit plan for area of responsibility – IT projects and governance.
Develop/execute a functional work plan and schedule in order to execute and to complete the IT audit plan based on priorities and risks with flexibility.
Weekly feedback to Head of IT Audit on resource requirements, audit status and budget control of audits allocated and managed by self to enable effective scheduling of annual audit plan.
Perform allocated audit, management and/or administrative tasks as and when allocated by the head of IT Audit.
8. Sasol Assurance Services Management:
Maintain and update standard audit programs.
Support the developed tactical plans to support the implementation of the Sasol Assurance Services and IT Audit strategy.
Act as a change manager and assist in driving the implementation of innovative improvements and tactical changes to Projects & Combined Assurance processes and systems effectively and efficiently.
Stay abreast of new developments in the assurance and IT project and governance environments and make recommendations on necessary changes.
Lead team and be a role model for Sasol values.
Manage delivery to ensure requirements of the Sasol Limited Audit Committee in terms of our performance measures are met.
Manage team effectiveness.
Communicate requirements and assist in implementing skills improvement and team development through training and exposure.
Proactively engage and share knowledge with other teams in order to drive integration between all departments within Assurance Services.
9. Values and Ethics:
Being a role model in living the Sasol shared values and complying to the Code of Ethics and Guide to Code of Ethics.
Relationships, teamwork and Collaboration: Internal and/or external stakeholder management
Stakeholder engagement:
Attend, monitor, evaluate and contribute to discussions at relevant committees, forums, projects and steering committees where assurance about the area of specialisation is being discussed.
Identify and communicate any significant risks not yet identified through the risk management process.
Issue and discuss all audit findings with senior management (internal and external).
Shares knowledge, networks and collaborates with assurance services colleagues on internal audit findings.
Contribute to advice provided on Corporate Governance frameworks.
Discuss and obtain input on annual audit plan.
Build constructive working relationships with manager, peers, clients and other service providers.
Communicate and behave professionally so that actions result in high level of credibility, trust and respect.
Job requirements
Minimum qualifications:
University B-Degree with information security, information management and auditing related subjects as majors.
Seven+ years of relevant experience (of which at least two years should be supervisory experience), including auditing experience/articles (relevant experience at an audit firm).
Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) or similar qualification.
Alternative qualifications and experience to be considered that will be an advantage:
University B-Degree with honours with information technology/information management and auditing related subjects as majors, or
Seven+ years’ relevant experience (of which at least two years should be supervisory experience), including articles.
Certified Ethical Hacking (CEH).
Minimum experience
Subject matter expertise focusing on:
Internal auditing
IT/IM related auditing using Cobit as the basis (IT governance, information security, general IT controls, applications controls and emerging technologies audits)
Information security audits
IT project life-cycle framework (Waterfall and Agile)
IT consulting
Emerging technologies
Data analytics and computer-assisted auditing techniques.
Additional qualifications/certifications that will be an advantage:
Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA)
Certified Information Security Manager (CISM)
Information Systems Security Architecture Professional (ISSAP)
Qualifications relating to emerging technologies.
Closing date: 24 March 2020
Applications should be emailed to:
moc.losas@isinM.elizmuhP
Note: Failure to provide Sasol with truthful information and valid documents will render your application null and void. If you don’t hear from us within a month (30 days) after the closing date of the advert, please regard your application as unsuccessful. Follow us on: YouTube, LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, http://www.sasol.com
Posted on 18 Mar 12:05
Apply by email Phumzile Mnisi
Or apply with your Biz CV
Create your CV once, and thereafter you can apply to this ad and future job ads easily.
We are niched in the communications industry with offices in Johannesburg and Cape Town from where we service all of South Africa, Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the rest of the world. Our portfolios include Digital, Creative and Client Service in Advertising, Marketing, Media, Public Relations and Corporate Communications.
