Sport24.co.za | Healthy logjam for SA T20 top-order spots

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Cape Town – The big squeeze is already on for places in the Proteas’ all-important top three at Twenty20 international level.

While the first-up Test series against England undoubtedly represents the premier business of their looming tour here, the two white-ball formats (three ODIs and three T20 internationals) immediately afterwards will also be of extra interest with next year’s ICC T20 World Cup in Australia in mind.

In that respect, the race has certainly begun for berths in the Proteas’ plans – and especially in the top-order batting slots.

They are critical positions in the game’s shortest international version, given how often the top three are the likeliest to be able to play suitably lengthy innings: it is very common for all batsmen from No 4 down in a line-up to effectively have to play roles as finishers rather than have any luxury of playing themselves in to a meaningful extent.

Getting selection right at one, two and three, then, is a vital element of a successful team brew: they are the players tasked with not only setting a strong platform but also ensuring a suitably rollicking tempo in the first-six-overs powerplay.

As things stand, and with the ongoing Mzansi Super League a clear illustration, South Africa have increasingly fierce competition for those berths.

Of the leading runs-scorers in the competition so far, five of the top six performers statistically (Englishman Liam Livingstone the odd man out, as he has more regularly batted at four for the Cape Town Blitz) can be branded specialists in top-three positions in the order.

The pile is headed by Janneman Malan, the crisp-striking right-hander with the Cape Town Blitz, pleasingly only 23 years old and the sort of relatively new face South African cricket badly needs.

Already blooded in two T20 internationals against Pakistan last season, in which he made a promising 33 on debut at the Wanderers, the Nelspruit-born customer has amassed 298 runs from eight MSL innings at an average of 42.57.

Renowned for his ability to play assertive, usually safely lofted drives over the infield, Malan is also striking at a rosy rate of 150 – the best of the top five run-scorers so far.

Boasting a top score of 99 not out in the opening round against the Jozi Stars in the Bullring, Malan has been a bastion of consistency and not yet fallen in single figures.

Running neck and neck against each other as they have done all campaign – and despite the Jozi Stars’ broader, still-winless troubles – are Reeza Hendricks in second place (275 runs at 39.28) and captain Temba Bavuma in third (232 runs at 38.66, from one less knock).

Bavuma had an especially good mini-series (drawn 1-1) for the Proteas against India away at the start of the summer, too, with his whippet-like fielding an extra asset to the cause.

While 31-year-old Jon-Jon Smuts may have a more difficult task now to crack the SA T20 squad – he averages 15.75 after eight prior opportunities – the all-rounder from the Nelson Mandela Bay Giants is nevertheless the fourth-highest tournament scorer at the moment with 205 runs at 41.00 (strike rate 140) so he remains thereabouts in a Proteas context with his ability to chip in slow left-arm fare as well.

But the SA top-order race is spiced up further by the fact that two proven stalwarts at the highest level remain right in the frame: regular captain Faf du Plessis (though he sat out the Indian T20s) and wicketkeeper/opener Quinton de Kock.

Neither has set the MSL alight yet – there is still a bit of time for that – but their international T20 credentials are entirely beyond doubt.

Remember that Du Plessis has played all but seven of his 44 T20 knocks for the Proteas in the No 3 berth he so clearly relishes, and averages a touch under 39 there (strike rate 137).

The X-factor-laden De Kock, meanwhile, was a majestic SA figure in the decent series outcome in India, blasting 52 in Mohali and 79 not out in Bangalore, while his glove-work remains right up on the premier tier worldwide.

South Africa’s one, two and three in T20s over the next few months? It’s a pleasantly tough ask for the selectors.

Well, when we actually have a panel, of course …

*Follow our chief writer on Twitter: @RobHouwing

News24.com | PICS | Rape accused Willem Breytenbach arrives in handcuffs at police station in Cape Town

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ICYMI

MY ONLY STORY | A podcast series and live investigation into a sexual predator

Deon Wiggett, in a four-part true crime podcast supplied exclusively to News24, tracks down the man who sexually abused him more than 20 years ago. 

PART 1: ‘I was raped at 17, and I’m not the only one’ – man tracks alleged molester after 20 years

In the first podcast, Wiggett recounts a chilling story of how he and other boys were allegedly sexually molested by a man – dubbed Jimmy – who used to be a teacher at Grey College. Wiggett’s memories of abuse were jolted by his father’s death in November 2017.

PART 2: Tracking the 7 ‘missing years’ of the man who raped me 20 years ago

In his second podcast, Wiggett sets off to Grey College under a guise in an attempt to gain access to the school’s archives to find more of Jimmy’s victims. He easily charms his way into the school by pretending to be part of a research project.

PART 3: Unmasking ‘Jimmy’ – this is the man who raped me 20 years ago

Wiggett unmasks “Jimmy” as Willem Breytenbach. He dedicates the third episode to Ben whom he describes as his brother. “Ben, thank you. Meeting you gave me the big break I needed, both factually and emotionally. He is one of the heroes of this story. Not only are you my brother, but you were the first to say to me, ‘me too’.”

PART 4: ‘Willem Breytenbach will no longer bother us and I find peace in that’

In the much-anticipated finale episode of My Only Story, Wiggett finds out more startling information on Breytenbach’s “seven missing years” and his time time at Die Burger. Wiggett ends off the podcast by saying he did it for three reasons: justice, activism and art. But he also discovered a fourth reason: revenge.

Health24.com | Tainted faecal transplant killed one patient – more vigilance needed

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Faecal transplants can bring the promise of an improved microbiome in ill patients, but a new report suggests they are not risk-free.

In a faecal transplant, donated faecal matter is processed and put into capsules for patients to swallow. Once in the gut, the capsules dissolve, releasing new, healthy bacteria into the gut.

A variety of harmful bacteria

But doctors from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston reported that two patients who received faecal transplants suffered infections from drug-resistant E. coli, and one of them died from their infection.

Although donors and donated matter are typically tested for a variety of harmful bacteria, at the time of these transplants, drug-resistant extended spectrum beta-lactamase E. coli wasn’t one of those germs tested. Now it is. Continually adding germs to screen is one way to reduce future risk, the researchers noted.

“I think screening is important, but it’s a work in progress,” explained lead researcher Dr Elizabeth Hohmann, an investigator in the division of infectious diseases at Mass General.

“It’s not a panacea, because we can’t screen for everything,” she said. “There could still be things there that we’re transmitting which might cause medical consequences down the road.”

Hohmann believes that patients need to weigh the benefits of a faecal transplant against the possible risks.

“I have patients tell me they don’t want to have a faecal transplant because of the risk of infection, because of the ‘yuck’ factor, because intestinal microbiome are linked to weight and they’re worried about becoming overweight,” she said. “It’s a personal decision that people need to talk through with their physician.”

Used for other conditions

Faecal transplants were first developed to treat infection with Clostridioides difficile (C. diff), a common bacterial infection seen in hospitals and nursing homes.

Antibiotics are the usual treatment for C. diff, but the treatment often destroys the good bacteria along with the bad, and C. diff can return. That’s where faecal transplants can help.

The two patients in this report were enrolled in studies to see if fecal transplants could be used for other conditions.

The first patient, a 69-year-old man with liver damage from hepatitis C, was in a study to see if faecal transplants could improve brain function in patients with liver disease. When this patient came down with drug-resistant E. coli, he was treated with antibiotics and recovered.

The second patient, a 73-year-old man with leukaemia, was in a study to improve the microbiome at the time he was receiving a stem-cell transplant.

This patient developed E. coli infection shortly after the faecal transplant, and died of complications from the infection.

Once the US Food and Drug Administration was notified of these outcomes, they stopped both studies and issued a warning. Both studies are underway again with added precautions, Hohmann said.

Balance benefit and risk

She also said that new methods of faecal transplants are being developed, including one that would not rely on donors but on bacteria grown in the lab, which would all but eliminate the odds of transplanting harmful germs.

The report was published online in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Dr Martin Blaser is chair of the human microbiome at Rutgers University, in Piscataway, New Jersey. He said, “Any time we give people biological products from people, there is the risk of transmitting infectious agents.”

The more this is done, the more agents will be discovered, said Blaser, who wrote an accompanying editorial.

“On the other hand, there are important diseases for which treatment is not good enough, and we need to find new treatments. Scientists and doctors need to balance benefit and risk,” he said.

Image credit: iStock

Senior Software Engineer – C# .Net (Johannesburg)

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Remuneration: R780000 – R900000 per year 
Location: Johannesburg
Education level: Degree
Job level: Senior
Type: Permanent
Reference: #ND48181
Company: E-Merge IT Recruitment

Job description

A very cool real-time solutions and payments channel house, based in Bryanston, is looking for a hands-on, energetic, self-motivated Full Stack C# developer to get involved in robust technology architecture and development; working end-to-end Solutions on a multi-tenant system.

In addition to the tech, the job requires value-adder’s who are passionate about solving complex problems. If you have the ability to take initiative, lead and assist, while producing exceptional quality work, then this job has your name on it.

Reference number for this position is ND48181-2019 which is a permanent position based in Bryanston Sandton offering a salary of R780k to R900K per annum, cost to company. Contact Nicole on

az.oc.egrem-e@delocin

at www.e-merge.co.za or call her on 011 463 3633 to discuss this and other opportunities.

Are you ready for a change of scenery? e-Merge IT recruitment is a niche recruitment agency. We offer our candidates options so that we can successfully place the right people with the right companies, in the right roles. Check out the e-Merge IT website for more great positions.

Do you have a friend who is a developer or technology specialist? We pay cash for successful referrals!

Requirements

Required:

  • You come equipped with five+ years of development experience within C# ASP.Net
  • JavaScript you know well and have touched on Angular and React
  • You have exp using WCF, Web API, Bootstrap, HTML5, you can mentor a few guys too.
  • You are looking to get heavily involved in .Net Core – the business is moving in this direction so you will be part of an integral turning point.
  • Skilled in web-based business application development
  • Excellent verbal communication skills
  • Good problem-solving skills
  • Attention to detail is key to get the job done.

What the job involves:

  • The senior Full Stack .Net developer is an integral part of the development team and ensures daily development on new and existing systems and projects.
  • You will constantly test and debug code before live rollout/implementation
  • You will assist clients and the support teams’ requirements by helping in fault finding as well as giving clients and the support team feedback thereon, once the issue has been identified and rectified
  • You will provide weekly reports to the development manager.

Qualifications:

  • Microsoft certifications essential
  • Bcom degree or related qualification

Posted on 03 Dec 16:35

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Nicole de Sousa
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Senior Java Developers (Fairlands)

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Remuneration: R990000 – R1000000 per year Cost to company 
Location: Fairlands
Education level: Degree
Job level: Senior
Type: Permanent
Reference: #ZH47829
Company: E-Merge IT Recruitment

Are you a senior Java developer that is passionate about innovative technologies, solving problems and you desire to work on a top-secret mission! This mission will have you working with a great team combating problems encountered by their consumer base. You will be surrounded by like-minded innovative developers all trying to go where no man has gone before.   

Requirements:

  • Java developer six years+ in a development role
  • Degree in computer science or equivalent
  • Experience with Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Rapid Application Development (RAD)
  • MVC frameworks
  • XML
  • Maven, Ant, CVS/SVN/GIT
  • JEE Application Servers such as JBoss and Tomcat running in Windows and Linux environments
  • JMS, MQ
  • SQL
  • UML
  • JEE standards, Java 1.5+, EJB, JSP, JPA, Web Service (REST, SOAP) technologies, frameworks and enterprise application development
  • Design Patterns, Refactoring, Unit Testing
  • Past experience in a highly collaborative, team-driven software engineering environment
  • Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to interact with all levels of technical and non-technical staff

Advantageous abilities

  • Be responsible for object-oriented design and development
  • Lead and participate in the analysis, design and development (coding) of client/server business applications

Reference number for this role is ZH47829 as a Senior Java Developer which is a permanent position based in Fairlands, Johannesburg offering a salary of R1 Million per annum cost to company negotiable on experience.

The time for change is now! e-Merge IT recruitment are specialist niche recruiters with a wide range of positions available. We offer researched positions with top companies to strong technical candidates. Email Zara on

az.oc.egrem-e@haraz

or call her on 011 463 3633 to discuss this and other opportunities.

Check out our website www.e-merge.co.za for more positions that might be right for you!

 Do you have a friend who is a technology specialist? We pay BIG CASH to you if we place a friend that you sent us!

“If you haven’t heard from e-Merge IT within 2 weeks of your application, please consider it unsuccessful for this position”

Posted on 03 Dec 16:01

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Zarah Harvey
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Postgraduate/International Student Recruitment Assistant (Port Elizabeth)

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Remuneration: Basic salary 
Location: Port Elizabeth, Central
Education level: Diploma
Job level: Junior
Type: Threemonth
Company: AFDA

Job description

Post graduate and international recruitment assistant (PG and I RA), based at AFDA Port Elizabeth Campus.

This recruitment assistant reports to the Postgraduate Recruitment Officer as well as supports the International Recruitment Officer in a split role. They will assist them in with execution of marketing strategy across two national portfolios (for all AFDA campuses) of courses in order to reach student number targets for each campus. This includes the following Core Value Points (CVP’s):

  1. Assist with strategy execution via programme and campus promotion for postgraduate and international.
  2. Assist with student recruitment to promote, present and recruit students for AFDA’s programmes to build a database of enquiries in order to achieve targets, and work on increasing recruitment activities year on year by supporting the Recruitment Officer with material and/or confirming (but not booking) recruitment activity details. Assist with executing recruitment events on campus and workshops via schools, and help with securing and arranging of consultations and individual contact with the prospective student market to keep up with Postgraduate & International targets. 
  3. Assist with postgraduate and international admissions administration via data capture, processing of and communication with applicants with individual follow up and feedback systems, in order to keep up with targets and submitting a weekly EAaCR report.
  4. Assist with postgraduate and international advertising and branding by ensuring campus material is well and neatly stored and assist with regular audits of stock to determine needs.
  5. Assist with postgraduate and international communication and relationships through bulk communication and feedback data.

Role responsibilities and duties

As an extension of the Core Value Points, the following duties are expected to be fulfilled in relation to Postgraduate and International Recruitment and Admissions: 

High priority:

  • Executing continuous and quality calling (outgoing/follow-up) and Speaking to (incoming) enquiries interested in AFDA as per instruction and targets from Recruitment Officer
  • Assist with driving the student application process from enquiry to application, and the registration process from application to enrolment 
  • Assisting with admissions to ensure timeous and accurate processing of all applications with prompt communication and excellent customer service, including assisting with issuing of acceptance letters electronically and in hard copy
  • Maintaining processes and preparing deliverable as instructed by Recruitment Officer as per targets and/or deadlines
  • If/when engaging with prospective students and related stakeholders (eg. parents) including via face-to-face, email and calls, confident, consistent and professional communication is required to contribute to optimum conversion of students through experience of marketing staff 

Medium priority

  • If/when required, assisting prospective students with the application process, booking and coordinating of consultations/contact time with prospective students and related stakeholders. Assist recruitment officer when needed to guide applicants through the registration process in order to achieve optimum numbers (targets) for enrolment 
  • Assist with providing relevant and accurate documentation and information to prospective students and parents 
  • Assist with preparing prospective students and related stakeholders for enrolment 
  • Assist with all marketing activities and events including schools visits, expos, open days, workshops etc as required
  • Assisting with confirming presentations/ exhibitions (recruitment activities) and preparing sufficient and appropriate material stock as required 
  • Assist with proactively promote AFDA’s image 
  • Assist to ensuring accurate and timeous data-capturing, filing, record keeping and management 
  • Assist to ensure there is always an appropriate staff member present at reception
  • Maintaining a professional appearance in dress, presentation and conduct in the workplace at all times

Accountabilities and authorities

  • Proactively welcome and assist guests coming to the campus when appropriate
  • Assist with achieving sort-term and long-term targets
  • Achieving calling targets allocated to you
  • Assist with communicating to the market as required to increase Open Day, Application Day and Holiday Workshop numbers year on year
  • Assist to store material and manage stock numbers. Alert the recruitment officer if additional stock may be required well in advance
  • Make suggestions to Recruitment Officer, communicate regularly
  • Report on additional factors influencing student number intake when necessary and express needs to your team/ your role to Recruitment Officer

Company Description

AFDA is the School for the Creative Economy offering fully accredited and outcomes-based Undergraduate & Postgraduate degrees and higher certificate courses in study areas within Filmmaking, TV, Performance, Radio, Business Innovation & Technology.

Requirements

Qualifications and skills and experience ie. capabilities

  • A relevant Diploma or Higher Certificate qualification in a relatable field to marketing and recruitment, preferably an AFDA alumni
  • Microsoft Office: especially excel and powerpoint
  • Customer relations experience is highly beneficial
  • People’s person, friendly and approachable
  • Focused and driven to achieve short term goals
  • Thinks ahead and takes initiative within mandate to achieve long term goals
  • Organised and process-driven

Posted on 03 Dec 14:18

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Marketing Department
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Apparel Buyer – Cape Union Mart – Head Office (Cape Town CBD)

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Remuneration: Market related 
Location: Cape Town CBD
Job level: Junior/Mid
Type: Permanent
Reference: #CUMG-3274
Company: Cape Union Mart

Job description

Cape Union Mart is looking for a resilient, passionate, apparel focused and detail orientated Buyer. The successful candidate will add value to the Cape Union Mart chain through assisting in working with various aspects in the buying process including the successful trending, sourcing and procurement of apparel merchandise for Cape Union Mart.

Our ideal candidate will have the ability to significantly contribute towards the achievement of our department and business objectives as well as have the high energy levels required for this fast-paced, exciting and dynamic retail environment.

Duties and Responsibilities

  • To achieve and exceed the departmental inflow margin and GP Rands
  • To influence and execute the seasonal and purchasing strategy for relevant departments
  • To research, understand and execute the relevant seasonal trends in line with the companies target market
  • To build a competitive product range in order to maximize sales by sourcing and procuring the correct product within the seasonal strategic framework and in accordance with the agreed quality specifications
  • To select and manage suppliers appropriate for the product category
  • Ensuring timeous execution of procurement administration to meet target dates in the critical path
  • To liaise and collaborate with marketing to ensure marketing needs are met
  • To react to in season sales performance in collaboration with planning and suppliers to turn on/turn off stock in order to maximize KPI’s
  • Managing that Product tech/spec packs are briefed to suppliers
  • Responsible for the lab dip process in developing ranges
  • Responsible for the Range Plan process
  • Responsible for Marketing Briefs and Photography sign-offs
  • Product Information Hub
  • Execution of Product Ignite
  • Swing ticket, packaging and barcode briefs

Requirements

  • Grade 12 certificate and a relevant tertiary qualification is required
  • A minimum of 2 – 3 years’ experience working in a clothing retail environment is an important requirement
  • Proficiency in MS Excel, Word & Outlook
  • Previous experience in using Dolfin Stock Management system is an advantage
  • Effective written & verbal skills
  • Strong administration skills
  • Experience in working with OEM product
  • International exposure is advantageous
  • A valid South African Driver’s License is preferred
  • Understanding of the product life cycle
  • Experience in establishing and maintaining supplier relations

Key Competencies

  • Ability to self-manage
  • Effective Team player & passionate about product.
  • Accurate & detail orientated
  • Taking ownership & time management
  • Accountable, honest and forward thinking
  • A passion for keeping up to date with trends and a creative flair for fashion
  • The ability to adapt trends to our different target markets
  • Proven negotiation skills
  • Ability to make sound decisions together with effective problem-solving skills
  • Able to build and maintain influential relationships at various levels and across business functions
  • Effective communication and presentation skills (advantageous)
  • Solid organizing, planning, & time management skills
  • Conflict management
  • The agility and resilience to maintain high levels of drive and initiative under pressure
  • High energy levels, flexibility and a sense of urgency

Posted on 03 Dec 14:15

Cape Union Mart

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.

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Interior Design Discourse/Meta Theory/Interior Design Lecturer (Durban)

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Location: Durban
Reference: #IILIC(01
Company: Vega School – Durban Campus

Job description

Code/reference:IILIC(01)

Applications accepted until: 2019-12-27

Number of openings: One

Campus/business unit: Vega School – Durban Campus

Direct reporting line: Vice principal – academic

Job purpose:

Lecturing and academic delivery to ensure students are guided and supported in their learning to achieve module outcomes.

Education:

  • MTech in Interior Design (NQF 9);
  • MA in Interior Design (NQF 9)
  • M (Int) ProfM (Int) by Research;
  • MA in Design  (NQF 9);
  • PhD (Interior Architecture) (NQF 10) 

Alternatively:

  • MTech in Architecture (NQF 9);
  • M (Arch)
  • Prof (NQF 9)

Requirements

Work experience:

  • Interior design/Interior architecture/Architecture studio experience;
  • Lecturing experience (studio modules), supervisory experience (Research Modules);
  • Software experience: Sketchup. I11 AutoCAD and Autodesk Revit;
  • Portfolio needed to show examples of work or a teaching portfolio.
  • Candidates with Architect qualifications (second choice) need to show an interest in Interior Design by means of a professional or teaching portfolio.

Key performance area:

  • Deliver the module in such a manner as to achieve the stated subject outcomes within the assigned contact hours.
  • The assessment of student work within the stipulated marking and moderation cycle and provide constructive feedback to students and reporting any students concerns to the student relations coordinator.
  • Class preparation and development of lesson plans in a constructivist learning approach.
  • Proactively participates in Vega events, such as open days, graduation and others.
  • Arrange for the appropriate guest lecturer to support application to the world of work.
  • Operate in line with The Independent Institute of Education’s (The IIE) policies.

Working conditions:

Campus environment.

Equity statement:

Preferably equity candidate.

Disclaimer
Please note that only successful candidates will be contacted within two weeks of applying. Should you not hear from us in two weeks, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Posted on 03 Dec 14:08

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