A recent study aimed to reveal the effect that noise in restaurants has on diners.
Senior Sales Assistant (Durban)
| Remuneration: | negotiable Basic plus commission |
| Benefits: | Monthly target incentive, bonus over and above commission |
| Location: | Durban, Umhlanga |
| Education level: | Diploma |
| Job level: | Senior |
| Own transport required: | Yes |
| Travel requirement: | Occasional |
| Type: | Permanent |
| Reference: | #HiIlcrest |
| Company: | Leather Gallery |
Job description
Leather Gallery is a sought after luxurious furniture and decor brand. At present, we have nine beautiful retail showrooms in KZN and Gauteng, together with a large warehouse and Clearance showroom in Maxmead, Pinetown.
We require a sales leader for oura concept showroom in the Crescent, Umhlanga.
You will be required to:
- Manage and motivate sales team
- Create sales and prospects
- Ensure the shop is a beautiful clean environment with attractive, inviting displays. You will be responsible for creating these displays which include moving of furniture as a team, and the placing of paintings, mirrors and decor
- Communicate with head office, warehouse operations and all staff to ensure a smooth flow of goods to the shop and customers
- You will be required to organise out of shop displays and promotions in surrounding areas from time to time
- You will be responsible for your branch’s work roster
- You need to have your own transport
Company Description
Leather Gallery is a progressive, upmarket, aspired for, furniture and decor brand. We offer customers deliveries from our Pinetown warehouse to anywhere in the country.
Requirements
- You need at least three years of sales experience
- We require a responsible person of high integrity with an ability to manage and motivate people.
- A flair and passion for home decor and design will be an advantage
- You need to be computer literate with an attention to detail in all admin and decor
- A good command of the English language is necessary for a minimum of matric or post-matric qualification in English. A second language will be an advantage
- You need to be a team player and have an ability to work with all people
Posted on 13 Oct 08:00
News24.com | SAHRC finds no evidence of religious discrimination in Limpopo premier’s office
The SAHRC has cleared Limpopo politicians of religious discrimination.
- The SAHRC has cleared a Limpopo official of wrongdoing after investigating allegations of religious discrimination.
- Nehawu had alleged that Nana Manamela discriminated against staff who went to the Zion Christian Church.
- The provincial government welcomed the outcome of the investigation.
Limpopo deputy director-general Nana Manamela has been cleared by the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) of allegations of practising religious discrimination in the office of the premier.
Speaking to News24 this week, the commission’s provincial manager, Victor Mavhidula, said the allegations could not be substantiated.
“We did not find any evidence to substantiate the allegations. We interviewed all the relevant people involved, including the deputy director-general and the [trade] union,” Mavhidula said.
READ | Limpopo premier digs heels amid calls to quit
The commission launched the investigation after complaints by the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (Nehawu) that Manamela, who is in charge of corporate management services in the office of the premier, was practising discrimination against staff members who belonged to the Zion Christian Church (ZCC).
Manamela was alleged to have told some staff members that she doesn’t want “members of the ZCC in the office”.
ZCC is one of the dominant churches in the province, with its headquarters in Moria, outside Polokwane, where more than a million people gather during the Easter weekend every year.
The investigation was initially abandoned after the commission cited interference with processes and procedures by the director-general, Nape Nchabeleng.
Denied
Nchabeleng denied the allegations at the time. The provincial government said Nchabeleng did not intervene at all.
Nehawu branch chairperson Norman Mavhunga expressed shock that the investigation was completed and its outcome made public without the knowledge of the union.
He said the only time the union was consulted by the commission during the investigation was when it was requested to avail witnesses during the lockdown period.
He described the investigation as “totally unfair” because not all witnesses, including union officials, were interviewed.
“The information available was deliberately ignored by the commission,” Mavhunga charged.
But acting government spokesperson Mamogo Ntuli said: “The office of the premier is pleased that the matter has finally been concluded as the SAHRC confirmed that, as per its determination, the allegations were without any merits and therefore dismissed.
“The office wishes to reiterate that no violation of any fundamental rights will be tolerated in the provincial administration and is committed to uproot it in whatever form it manifests itself.”
News24.com | Paul Hoffman | Ace Magashule is right about the Hollywood cop style of effecting arrests
The seven accused in the controversial asbestos contract case seated at the dock in the Bloemfontein High Court.
Chanté Schatz, News24
ANC secretary-general Ace Magashule is right about what he calls “Hollywood cop arrests”, where the media tag along to high-profile arrests, writes Paul Hoffman.
It is rare for Ace Magashule, ANC secretary-general, to get it right on any topic relating to the accountability element of the rule of law. His aversion to what he calls “Hollywood cop arrests” by the Hawks is, however, right on the money.
Here’s why:
The state in SA must respect, protect, promote and fulfil the rights guaranteed to all in our Bill of Rights, which is chapter two of the Constitution of SA, our supreme law. Among the rights that enjoy this status are rights to dignity, privacy, a fair trial and, once accused, to the benefits of the right against self-incrimination.
The last of these rights is widely misinterpreted in the ranks of the ANC. It is used to cling to power when under a cloud of suspicion of wrongdoing. Far better for all involved is to accept a precautionary suspension until the cloud dissipates or bursts on those suspected of malfeasance or misfeasance.
It is not necessary to prove criminality beyond any reasonable doubt to incur adverse consequences for bringing the ANC, the government, the public administration or indeed an employer in the private sector into disrepute.
A whiff of wrongdoing ought to be enough for those suspected to accept precautionary suspension as an opportunity to dispel the suspicion. This is where the presidential spokesperson finds herself at present.
Media contingent at arrests
Some of the arrests effected by the Hawks in recent days have been accompanied by a media contingent with cameras, microphones, recording equipment and breathless reporters anxious for a scoop.
This practice is called a “media ride along arrest” in the US, where similar rights to those mentioned above are available to the citizenry. The practice has had the attention of the Supreme Court, which is the equivalent of our Constitutional Court.
Should the practice be challenged in the courts of SA, it is likely that reliance will be placed on what has been decided about Hollywood cop style arrests in the US.
READ | Adriaan Basson: Ace Magashule is not Jacob Zuma and we are not stupid
The term “media ride along arrests” is used as a neutral descriptor of what Magashule calls “Hollywood cop arrests”, as seen on local television news channels in recent days.
In 1999, a unanimous US Supreme Court Bench held that police violated the Fourth Amendment of the US Constitution when they allowed members of the news media to ride along with them while executing search and arrest warrants.
The court also held police were entitled to qualified immunity from money damages for violations occurring before this ruling.
The US Supreme Court also held that the First Amendment to the US Constitution bestows no right on the media to accompany the police on operations.
It dealt with this point tersely:
Surely the possibility of good public relations is simply not enough, standing alone, to justify the ride along intrusion into a private home. And even the need for accurate reporting on police issues in general bears no direct relation to the constitutional justification for the police to go into a home in order to execute a felony arrest warrant.
The First Amendment of the US Constitution protects freedom of speech and freedom of the press, among other things. The Fourth Amendment protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.
The Fourth Amendment, however, is not a guarantee against all searches and seizures, but only those that are deemed unreasonable under the law.
The Constitution of SA is much younger than that of the US and has more detailed provisions for the protection of human rights in the type of situation in which those arrested in the full glare of media publicity find themselves embarrassed, hiding under hoodies and coats and generally subjected to unwanted attention.
READ | Opinion: Fighting corruption: A transparent and accountable law enforcement system is needed
It must be remembered that an arrest follows a decision to prosecute and a decision to prosecute is made on the basis that a prima facie case has been established by the police in the docket to which the case relates. All of that is a far cry from a conviction in a criminal trial, in which proof beyond a reasonable doubt has to be adduced by the State to the satisfaction of the court hearing the charges brought against the person arrested pursuant to a warrant of arrest issued by the prosecuting authority.
If the version of the arrested person is found to be reasonably possibly true an acquittal follows whether or not any crime was committed. A good example of this was Jacob Zuma’s rape case in which he persuaded the court that it was reasonably possibly true that he had consensual sex with the complainant.
Showy arrests
The Hawks will do well to remember that one of the reasons put forward for closing down the Scorpions was their predilection for showy arrests, searches and seizures, such as were carried out against Zuma, at the time a private citizen running for a leadership position in the ANC.
So far it has not come to the point in SA where an arrest with all of the fanfare of a media ride along has been challenged for its lack of constitutionality. The US Constitution was interpreted and the Supreme Court ruled finally on such a challenge more than 200 years after that Constitution came into effect.
The Hawks should learn from the experience of their colleagues in the US and pay attention to what Magashule is saying about the ill-effects of highly publicised arrests. It is likely that, if asked, our courts will follow the precedent set in the US.
– Paul Hoffman SC is a director of Accountability Now
Office Manager / Pa / Hr Support
- Ad Placed : 13 Oct 2020 06:00:59 Affiliate ad
- Remuneration : PER MONTH
- Employment Type : Full Time
- Employment Level : Senior Management
- Industry :
- Region : Western Cape
- Company : Time Personnel
We require a highly efficient Professional to use their competent experience to manage a busy office, cover HR support and attend to Managers and Directors PA duties. It is essential to have experience in all three sectors where you are able to juggle duties accordingly.
Our International Client is based in the Southern Suburbs and this will be an excellent career move to join this well establish
REQUIREMENTS
Matric plus Tertiary qualification highly advantageous
Professional command of the English language written and spoken
Excellent communication skills
Ability to organise and multi-task requirements
Confidentiality for HR matters
Min 5 years’ experience
Computer Literate with Excel and PowerPoint
DUTIES
Office Management:
Arranging meetings and co-ordinating calendars for Managers and office staff
Organisation of bookings for video conferencing and meeting rooms
Answering incoming enquiries
Ordering of stationery and consumables
Liaising with landlord regarding maintenance issues
Organising contractors for various maintenance issues not related to landlord
Management of office cleaning contract
Arranging external meetings venues/conferences/teambuilding as required
Distribution of meeting packs and any other preparatory information requirements for meetings or trips
Catering arrangements for meetings
Managing team events and function requirements
Booking travel arrangements for Domestic & international travel for management and employees
Meeting and greeting limited number of visitors, accepting deliveries etc.
Responsible for issuing of tags and management of access control including parking bays for employees
Maintaining records of various contracts, processing of capex forms etc.
Manage the filing system and medical aid claims – both personal and business
Additional ad-hoc reasonable tasks that are requested for the office or Managers
HR Support:
Employee contract filing, onboarding documentation and new joiner administration
Leave administration and documentation
Payslip distribution
Annual HR audit of employee supporting documents – in line with pre-defined list
HR policy management and filing of existing and updated policies
Expense claim management – filing and administration
EE submission completion – assistance to CFO
Company document template management – letterheads, LOA templates, Leave templates, Expense Claim templates, etc.
Company document filing and administration
Managing formal job descriptions, organogram, and title control with CEO/CFO oversight
Data Capturer – Hiv/gbv Prevention Programme
- Ad Placed : 13 Oct 2020 06:30:03 Affiliate ad
- Remuneration : PER YEAR
- Employment Type : Full Time
- Employment Level : Senior Management
- Industry :
- Region : Kwazulu-Natal
- Company : AJ Personnel
A Data Capturer – School Based HIV and GBV Prevention Programme vacancy is available at our Client Wits Health Consortium’s Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (RHI) in King Cethwayo District – KwaZulu Natal.
Background
The Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) is a renowned African-led research institute that seeks solutions to Africa’s health challenges.
It is located within the University of the Witwatersrand and addresses some of the greatest public health concerns affecting our region, including HIV and its related problems, sexual and reproductive health and vaccinology. This is done through pioneering, multi-disciplinary research; responsive technical support and innovation in health services; and evidence-based policy development and advocacy with national, regional and global stakeholders.
Main purpose of the job
- To coordinate the data processing and data management activities in fixed facilities (clinics) and roving mobile units, such as developing standard operating procedures, overseeing data capturing and providing analysis output and data quality control.
Location
- Wits RHI – KCD (King Cethwayo District)
Key performance areas
- Receive patient data from Clinicians for data capturing.
- Identify missing data, inconsistencies and errors and follow-up or report on missing data or errors.
- Capture confidential information.
- Compare data entered with source documents and make necessary corrections to information entered.
- Perform data cleaning.
- Perform regular data back ups.
- File patient documents according to protocol.
- Maintain an effective and efficient filing system.
- Distribute data and reports to relevant team members.
- Provide administrative support i.e. copying, faxing, filing, archiving etc.
- Take ownership and accountability for tasks and demonstrates effective self management.
- Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of own work are consistently and accurately maintained.
- Maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback.
- Take ownership for driving own career development.
Required minimum education and training
- Grade 12 with basic computer and typing skills are essential.
Required minimum work experience
- Minimum 1 year’s experience in data capturing or administration.
Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities
- Certification in good data practice and experience in a community or healthcare facility environment will be an advantage.
- Thorough with good attention to detail. Ordered and systematic with strict compliance to protocols.
- Good administrative skills are required together with working knowledge of Microsoft Office and database packages.
- Able to work to deadlines. Demonstrated data capturing speed and accuracy.
- Confidentiality, tact and discretion must be maintained at all times.
- Good communication skills.
- Self-motivated and able to work as part of a multidisciplinary
TO APPLY
- Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV – Please Apply Online
- Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
- The closing date for all applications is 16 October 2020.
- Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates.
- Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.
- In accordance with our Employment Equity goals and plan, preference will be given to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.
Please note that AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position
Health24.com | Comorbidities and Covid-19: How pre-existing conditions significantly increase risk of death
- A large data analysis shows how certain underlying health conditions can increase the Covid-19 death risk for infected patients
- The research was done by a team from Penn State University
- Individuals with these conditions should be prioritised for vaccination, once it becomes available
Underlying medical conditions have been known to put individuals at risk of severe Covid-19 illness and death, but there are certain medical conditions that can particularly put patients at an increased risk of death, researchers from Penn State College of Medicine have found.
According to their international study, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, strokes and cancer can increase a patient’s risk of dying from Covid-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2.
The study was recently published in Plos One.
Massive international study
The research team conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 25 international studies and analysed data from more than 65 000 patients.
“We took an all-inclusive, global approach for this study by examining 11 chronic conditions and including patients from four continents: Asia, Europe, North America and Africa,” Dr Paddy Ssentongo, a doctoral student in epidemiology at the College of Medicine and study co-author, said in a news release by Penn State University.
The studies were published between December 2019 and July 2020, and revealed which chronic conditions put hospitalised patients at risk of Covid-19 mortality.
Patients in these studies were on average 61 years old, the researchers wrote.
The following co-existing conditions that may pose a risk of severe Covid-19 disease and death among patients were explored: cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension (high blood pressure), cancer, chronic kidney disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, asthma, chronic liver disease, and HIV/Aids.
What they found
The researchers compared the data of hospitalised Covid-19 patients with pre-existing conditions to those without pre-existing conditions, and found the following:
- Chronic kidney disease may triple the Covid-19 mortality risk in patients;
- Cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and congestive heart failure may double a patient’s risk of dying from Covid-19;
- Patients with diabetes and cancer are 1.5 times more likely to die from Covid-19.
Ssentongo also emphasised the need to be aware that, based on their findings, chronic conditions are not simply just common in patients with Covid-19, but that “their presence is a warning sign for a higher risk of death”.
“There is a high prevalence of cardiovascular disease and hypertension around the world and, in particular, the US. With the persistence of Covid-19 in the US, this connection becomes crucially important,” Ssentongo added.
From a local perspective, a 2017 study by Wits University revealed that South Africa has the highest prevalence of hypertension in southern Africa, as well as the highest number of people whose blood pressure remains uncontrolled, even while on treatment.
The Heart and Stroke Foundation also indicates that around one in 10 South Africans live with diabetes, but that roughly one in two of these individuals is unaware of having the condition as they haven’t been diagnosed.
Vaccination importance, once available
Ssentongo explained that, based on research, the Covid-19 virus may become seasonal and require annual vaccinations.
Once an approved and effective vaccine is available, high-risk individuals with these pre-existing conditions should receive vaccination priority to prevent high mortality rates.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there are currently over 100 Covid-19 vaccine candidates under development. The organisation’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, recently stated that a vaccine may be ready by year-end, News24 reported.
High-risk individuals: how to reduce your risk of infection
The risk of severe Covid-19 illness and death has been shown to increase steadily with age, irrespective of whether an individual has an underlying medical condition, although, as this recent study has shown, pre-existing conditions do increase one’s risk of severe illness and death.
If you are at higher risk, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends taking the following measures:
- Take everyday precautions to maintain physical distancing between yourself and others;
- When you’re out in public, wash your hands as often as possible;
- Limit close contact with people who are sick;
- Avoid crowds;
- Avoid non-essential air travel and cruise travel;
- If you are experiencing a Covid-19 outbreak in your community, stay home as much as possible in order to reduce your risk of being exposed to the virus.
READ | Covid-19 takes heavy toll on kidneys
READ | Covid-19 patients with high blood pressure face higher risk of death, study says
READ | Covid-19 and diabetes: What the evidence says
Image: Getty
Marketing Co-ordinator
An established East London company, working within the Retail and Fast-food industry, seeks to employ a Marketing Co-ordinator to be based in their East London office.
Responsibilities:
– manage a yearly marketing calendar, and plan the relevant marketing channels for each campaign through-out the year
– work with relevant team members / service providers to produce quality marketing materials and track progress to ensure deliverable deadlines are met
– book relevant marketing material / promotional items and deliver to relevant store timeously
– ensure correct visual marketing material is allocated to each store, and is displayed accordingly
– follow-up with relevant managers that correct visual marketing is being displayed and that marketing from previous campaigns has been timeously removed
– track success of each campaign in each store, making necessary adjustments for next campaign
– produce campaign reports to Marketing Manager
– establish and oversee relevant budgets
Minimum requirements:
– Completed tertiary qualification in Marketing / Business Administration / Sales / relevant field
– Previous experience working in similar industry, with internal clients, essential
– own vehicle and valid driver’s license
– able to travel when needed
Competencies:
– Excellent verbal and written communication skills
– Solid computer skills, with emphasis placed on Excel skills
– Negotiation skills
– Able to multi-task
– Work to a deadline and able to work under pressure
– Goal-orientated
– Team player
– Eager to grow and develop in both personal and professional capacity
News24.com | Marauding Jason Jenkins making most of Bulls loan to stay on Springbok radar
- Jason Jenkins wants to perform like a man on borrowed time in order to impress the national selectors before jetting off to Japan again.
- The 24-year-old Bulls lock, on a short-term loan from Toyota Verblitz, admits he came back to Loftus to remain on the Springbok radar.
- He delivered a fine performance last weekend against Griquas, mixing strength with athleticism.
On a lukewarm evening for the Bulls in general, Jason Jenkins delivered a Super Rugby Unlocked performance against Griquas that suggested he was a man on a mission.
The 24-year-old lock indeed needs to shine as much as possible in a very short space of time – he’s on a short-term loan from Toyota Verblitz.
“I only have about four games left here,” the one-cap Springbok said on Monday.
“I have to fly back to Japan around the 10th of November because I need to start training again after my mandatory two-week quarantine. So I’m here till our bye after the game against the Lions.”
Jenkins truly was a standout performer during last weekend’s 30-23 victory over the Peacock Blues, racking up 46 running metres from just five carries, making a clean break and beating two defenders.
The Bulls weren’t required to make many tackles on the night but he completed all four of his and made three turnovers too.
If anything, Jenkins – known for his robust way of playing – seemed like he really missed the physical nature of South African derbies.
Not that he underestimates the value of plying his trade in Land of the Rising Sun.
“Japanese rugby really isn’t as bad as it used to be about five or six years ago,” said Jenkins.
“They’ve really improved their structures a lot to create a world-class domestic league. For me, the rugby is a lot faster that side, a little less physical.
“I’ve had to adapt a bit because I’ve always been a bit bigger and heavier. So I’ve had to get around the park more but that’s only benefited me as a player, even since I’ve come back.”
Griquas certainly felt the full brunt of that potent combination of strength and athleticism.
Despite being fully invested in his Japanese gig, Jenkins most certainly will aim to use the rest of his stay at home to remind the national selectors that he’s still very much keen to be involved in next year’s series against the British and Irish Lions.
“It’s an easy question to answer: it’s every player’s dream to wear the Green-and-Gold,” he said.
“But I obviously have to work for it. It’s one of the things that I discussed with (Bulls director of rugby) Jake White when we arranged this deal. I wanted to come back for this stint to remain on the map so to speak. If you sit in Japan, you’re out of sight and out of mind. I’ll still have to perform.”
There wouldn’t be any objections from his Japanese employer should Jacques Nienaber and co come knocking.
“My contract does have a clause that I’m available for the Springboks. They’re quite lenient as they believe it’s a bonus to have an international player in their ranks.”
The Bulls’ next Super Rugby Unlocked assignment is on Friday evening against the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Kick-off is at 19:00.
Fixed Period Term Sales Assistant – Old Khaki – La Lucia (Kwazulu Natal)
Cape Union Mart International (Pty) Ltd has been equipping South African adventurers since 1933, and is South Africa’s favourite outdoor adventure store. Stocking everything one needs for outdoor pursuits – including hiking, camping, trail running, mountain biking, snow sports, travel and more – Cape Union Mart is an essential first step in every adventure. Cape Union Mart has stores across South Africa, and in Namibia and Botswana.