MAIN STORY

Reshuffling of provincial boundaries ‘unconstitutional’ – Solidarity

By Inge Strydom

Trade union Solidarity this week said the ANC’s plan to reshuffle the boundaries of provinces flies in the face of the spirit and letter of the Constitution. This comes after the ANC is believed to have started to disseminate among its provincial structures discussion documents on the possible review of the state, following its annual Lekgotla held last month. Should the ANC implement its plans it would reinforce municipal power and certain provinces may well disappear.

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Solidarity Research Institute senior researcher Dr Eugene Brink contends that by doing so, the ANC, in reality, wants to counter declining support in certain provinces and combat regional divisions within the ANC.

STORY 1

Solidarity proceeds with investigation into NWU group life insurance

By Inge Strydom

The trade union Solidarity announced this week that it will continue to question the transparency of a tender process for the administration of group life insurance for staff members at the North West University (NWU). Solidarity demands, on grounds of the Promotion of Access to Information Act, answers from the university.

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STORY 2

Allow unions to negotiate directly with mining companies – Solidarity

By Francois Redelinghuys

Trade union Solidarity called on the various mining companies involved in this year’s coal negotiations to negotiate directly with the trade unions in future. This will prevent irresponsible actions similar to those displayed by the Chamber of Mines in this year’s gold negotiations from thwarting the coal negotiations.

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STORY 3

Whites have betrayed Mandela

Black South Africans should depend less on government policies such as Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) and Affirmative Action and should rather just work hard and learn, trade union Solidarity’s Dirk Hermann said on Friday.

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STORY 4

Solving conflict with colleagues

By Karen van der Berg

He is arrogant, has no people skills, is unreliable and tactless. This is how Annelle, who works at a large firm of attorneys in Bloemfontein, describes one of her senior colleagues with whom she has to deal with every day.

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STORY 5

Renting or buying? It depends

By Eugene Brink

It’s a fait accompli that we need a roof over our heads, but what is less certain is whether we should rent or buy. As with almost everything, it all depends on various factors. And both these options have their benefits and downsides.

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STORY 6

Niks

MAGAZINE

Have a look at the new edition of Solidarity Magazine.

Click here.

Magazine teaser

Anything you can do, I can do better

It is a common belief that men and women possess different skillsets with which they complete a task. These different skillsets allegedly make certain jobs more suitable for men than others, and vice versa. Is this the reality in the workplace? Cilleste van Dyk takes a closer look.

Read more on page 21. Click here.

AfriForum

AfriForum successfully carries out eviction order in Marikana

By Mariska Batt

AfriForum succeeded in carrying out its court order against the EFF invaders in Marikana this week. The police and sheriff have been dragging their feet after the order was issued in the high court in Mafikeng on Friday. AfriForum’s attorneys negotiated directly with the sheriff to have the order carried out as quickly as possible.

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HELPENDE HAND

Taboo subject leads to suffering among girls

Afrikaans speaking people do not discuss it; they try to ignore the fact that this is happening. However, the reality is that girls in Afrikaans schools miss up to 55 school days per year because they do not have the necessary sanitary products. Unfortunately most girls are too embarrassed to talk about this problem.

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RUBRIEKE:

BEDDRYFSBROKKIES

Rand hits new all-time low

On Monday the South African rand plunged to a new all-time low against the U.S dollar as it briefly dropped to R14,00 against the dollar. This was the biggest daily loss in 19 months as rising concerns about waning growth in China hit commodity currencies.

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MY WORK

The nine corporate personality types

By Francois Redelinghuys

The nine corporate personality types

According to the well-known Forbes Media Company there are nine different personality types in the workplace. See below where you fit in:

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MY HEALTH

Tips for students to sleep better

Staying up until the early hours of the morning to finish a project, getting a few hours’ sleep, and then heading off to an early morning class might seem a normal routine when you’re a student, but short-changing yourself on sleep, regardless of the reason, can lead to sleep deprivation — and some serious health consequences.

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ECONOMIC NEWS

Economic retrogression

By Paul Joubert

Earlier this week, Statistics South Africa announced that the country’s gross domestic product had contracted during the second quarter of 2015 by 1,3% on a seasonally adjusted, annualised rate.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

By Francois Redelinghuys

North and South Korea sign agreement

North and South Korean leaders this week signed an agreement in the hope of easing the tension between the two countries. As part of the agreement, the South agreed to cease the loudspeaker broadcasts of propaganda messages in the capital Seoul.

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Knights and Knave

By Francois Redelinghuys

Knight

This week’s knight is the 14-year old Larisca Steyn who won the annual woman’s race for wheelchair users held in Welkom last Friday. Larisca was paralysed in an accident two years ago and has since been a wheelchair user.

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LEGAL QUESTION

Unbearable conditions at work after notice of resignation was given

By Leandri Streit

Question:

What would happen if I were to leave my employer’s service within 24 hours after having given a month’s notice to my employer as the employer is now making life unbearable for me at work?

Click here for the answer

DID YOU KNOW

The shortest war ever was allegedly fought between a British colonial power and the defence force of the Sultan of the island of Zanzibar in 1896. The duration was only 38 minutes.

Source: Pharos se Feitegids. ʼn Kernensiklopedie.

QUOTE

Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not.

- Dr. Seuss

RUNNING CLUB

This is how you can join the Solidarity Running Club

Het jy asseblief die Engels?

You can join the Solidarity Running Club by contacting club chairman Hendrik van der Westhuizen on 082 851 9451 for more information or send an email to .