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Death awaits us all, that is the one thing we have in common - we all die. But what if you had to die because doctors and hospitals showed you away because you had no medical aid. I have heard this story so many times before and I have always just accepted it because thats the way it is. South Africa does not have the cheapest medical aids and we dont have enough doctors or hospitals to cater for the poor. And even though there are thousands of private beds and rooms lying empty you cannot be saved because you dont have a medical aid and you cant afford this type of Medical Attention. I have heard stories of sons drowning in the ocean with the father begging the Rescue teams to go out and save him, to look for his body but they refuse because he does not have a medical aid or the cash in his pocket. I think it is absolutely sickening.

And this weekend it hit home.

My friends dad died on the weekend of a heart attack. Actually he had a couple of heart attacks in one week and up until now as I write this story to you they are still waiting for the government ambulance to come and rescue her dying dad. And even as he took his last breath after holding his granchild in anticipation of his death just to see her for one last time, even after that last breath and second call in a couple of days to summon the ambulance they are still waiting. The doctors couldnt help him and the JHB general hospital had no beds to aid the dying man clutching his chest. His daughter is getting married in October and he wont be walking her down the isle because an ambulance is still on their way to come aid the dying man. She is walking down the isle without her father on her special day because their was no hospital bed open for him that he could afford. His life ended because our doctors and hospitals couldnt take action because he had NO MEDICAL AID. He could not live life longer because no one could spare an open PRIVATE ROOM AND BED FOR A DYING MAN.

They chose to let him die rather because their oath is only valid if you can present your medical aid card. They chose to let someones father, husband, son and friend die because he could not afford the monthly premium of  a medical aid.

So much for their OATH or should I say Hippocratic Oath - and so much for just saving a life, so much for compassion and sympathy. For heavans sake I would have let him use my MEDICAL AID to save his life. I would have given up every cent of mine to get him a doctor who would actually help him irrelavent of his medical aid status. QUESTION IS WOULD I HAVE FOUND SUCH A DOCTOR OR HOSPITAL ?

But I write this to you who care to read it and I could write this to the most influencial and wealthiest person in South Africa and they would have an excuse. They would find some ground to justify their decisions. And to me - Its choosing to let a life end without a sacrifice on your part. I would bend any rule if it meant saving someones life.

And here friends is the loving OATH -

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

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Two moons on 27th August

27th Aug the Whole World is waiting for………….

Planet Mars will be the brightest in the night sky starting August. It will
look as large as the full moon to the naked eye. This will cultivate on Aug.
27 when Mars comes within 34.65M miles off earth. Be sure to watch the sky
on Aug. 27 12:30 am. It will look like the earth has 2 moons.

The next time Mars may come this close is in 2287.

Share this with your friends as NO ONE ALIVE TODAY will ever see it again.

http://urbanlegends.about.com/library/bl_mars_encounter.htm!

This email was circulated almost each year, the closest it got to the truth was in 2003.

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Integer throws lifeline to abandoned FNB clients.

Call AssetAnt Bonds to apply  !!
(www.assetantbonds.co.za)

“Leaving approved clients high and dry is an extreme response to tightening market conditions,” stated Integer Home Loan CEO, Simon Stockley. “The need to make fair, balanced and transparent credit decisions - and to stand by these decisions - is paramount, or hard-pressed South African consumers are once again going to bear the brunt of industry inefficiencies and indifference.”

Other lenders, including Standard Bank, have also expressed their surprise and concern at the decision by FNB, which effectively erodes public confidence in South Africa’s property market. Since purchases in developments of the sort being reviewed by FNB often involve the payment of deposits, purchasers who have finance withdrawn could find themselves breaching their conditions of purchase and potentially forfeiting their deposits as a result of this action. The knock-on effect of this unilateral action could be profoundly negative.

Rising interest rates and the introduction of the National Credit Act in 2007 have also imposed further lending strictures on the borrowing public. Such events will have placed greater pressure on home owners to repay the higher bond installments on these loans. In many cases, the home loans granted by banks a mere 6 to 18 months ago would today not have been granted due to affordability issues.

“The market is decidedly tougher now,” says Stockley, “but it would seem that rash or, in the least, marginal decision making has now caused a bank to renege on commitments already made.”

Integer has grown its book significantly since launch in October last year having processed over R3.5 billion rands worth of applications, with the committed loan portfolio now rapidly approaching three quarters of a billion rand. An inaugural securitisation issue is planned for later this year.

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What were the Heineken sponsors thinking ? BOOOO !!!

I have had the pleasure of partaking in the annual Knysna Marathon After Party and the off-shoot of the event which can only be described as a beer fest of biblical proportions.

I must add thought that there were way too many events to go to this year and the Heineken after party must have been a disaster. The Crabs Creek After party is legendary and with Prime Circle playing all over the show it was hard to choose were to go to. But we stayed Loyal and headed to Crabs Creek and no doubt about it there was one hec of a party going on the entire day. We were at the Heineken after party at 18:00 just to check it out and there was nothing happening. I was quite excited about dancing to Lady Lea but there was nothing happening and when we hit Crabs Creek I knew why. There were once again thousands of people dancing and partying the night away. Some with sore legs from the run and some fresh out of their sleeping bags - those who only come for the party.

We left because they stopped the music at 2 ?? Anyway we thought we could go to the Heineken spot afterwards but they were cleaning up.

Rock on CRABS CREEK and lets hope they have the Heineken tent at Crabs Creek next year with Prime Circle on the same grounds … We can all be in one spot partying the night away next year.

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Finally its here , the Hillsong Church has come to South Africa and to the Mother City of all places, I have only but heard fabulous reviews on the experience people have had at the opening, I am going to check it out on Sunday.

A note from Phil & Lucinda

Hi Everyone,

We did it!! We’ve launched church… and what can we say but it was… Unbelievable!! Amazing!! Incredible… (It’s so difficult to put the last 24 hours into words!!)
5 services, over 3000 people and 200+ decisions for Christ!!

We are exhausted but are celebrating God’s goodness!! Big love and gratitude to Pastors Brian and Bobbie for entrusting us with this! How cool to be able to share the moment with our Hillsong Sydney family together via internet technology… WOW!! Thanks to Pastors Gary and Cathy Clarke, and all the crew in Hillsong London for your generous support and also to our Ukrainian Hillsong family leaders, Pastors Zhenya and Vera Kasevich (”The Coolest Pastors in Ukraine!”).

The Biggest THANK YOU must go to our beautiful, special and courageous volunteers who gave of themselves tirelessly through the day! You served others with a smile and a generous spirit and your lives painted a picture of true Christ-likeness…  enabling God’s church to be glorified by your willing hearts and committed hands!! We pray you will rest well (Thank God for public holidays!!) and be refreshed by the Holy Spirit ready for next Sunday!

To all the wonderful people of Cape Town and beyond, thank you for celebrating with us as we commenced our brand new church. Thanks to all the local churches that have encouraged us and prayed for us. We are all in this together!!

We pray that those of you who having been searching for a spiritual home may find a place of hope, love and support… a family of believers committed to making a difference in this great city and nation!! This is our prayer at Hillsong Church Cape Town. The opening Sunday was beyond our expectations but we know and believe that… “The Best is Yet to Come!”

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He has kicked his bad rap with drugs and he is bag with an Iron bang! Super sexy and great acting I cannot wait to see him summore !!!

From All Movie Guide: Hailed by many critics as one of the most brilliant and versatile actors of his generation, Robert Downey Jr. chalked up a formidable on screen track record that quickly launched the young actor into the stratosphere. Although, for a time, Downey’s stormy off  screen life and personal problems threatened to challenge his public image, he quickly bounced back and overcame these setbacks, with a continued array of impressive roles on the big and small screens that never sacrificed his audience appeal or affability.

Robert you can be my action hero anytime. Cant wait to see more movies with you leading.

Now stay on track.

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Office politics - a taboo word for some people. It’s a pervasive thing at the workplace. In it’s simplest form, office politics is simply about the differences between people at work; differences in opinions, conflicts of interests are often manifested as office politics. It all goes down to human communications and relationships.

There is no need to be afraid of office politics. Top performers are those who have mastered the art of winning in office politics. Below are 7 good habits to help you win at the workplace:

HABIT #1 - BE AWARE YOU HAVE A CHOICE.

The most common reactions to politics at work are either fight or flight. It’s normal human reaction for survival in the wild, back in the prehistoric days when we were still hunter-gatherers. Sure, the office is a modern jungle, but it takes more than just instinctive reactions to win in office politics. Instinctive fight reactions will only cause more resistance to whatever you are trying to achieve; while instinctive flight reactions only label you as a pushover that people can easily take for granted. Neither options are appealing for healthy career growth.

Winning requires you to consciously choose your reactions to the situation. Recognize that no matter how bad the circumstances, you have a choice in choosing how you feel and react. So how do you choose? This bring us to the next point…

HABIT #2 - KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACHIEVE.

When conflicts happens, it’s very easy to be sucked into tunnel-vision and focus on immediate differences. That’s a self-defeating approach. Chances are you’ll only invite more resistance by focusing on differences in people’s positions or opinions.

The way to mitigate this without looking like you’re fighting to emerge as a winner in this conflict is to focus on the business objectives. In the light of what’s best for the business, discuss the pros and cons of each option. Eventually, everyone wants the business to be successful; if the business don’t win, then nobody in the organization wins. It’s much easier for one to eat the humble pie and back off when they realize the chosen approach is best for the business.

By learning to steer the discussion in this direction, you will learn to disengage from petty differences and position yourself as someone who is interested in getting things done. Your boss will also come to appreciate you as someone who is mature, strategic and can be entrusted with bigger responsibilities.

HABIT #3 - FOCUS ON YOUR CIRCLE OF INFLUENCE.

At work, there are often issues which we have very little control over. It’s not uncommon to find corporate policies, client demands or boss mandates which affects your personal interests. Bitching and complaining are common responses to these events that we cannot control. But think about it, other than that short term emotional outlet, what tangible results do bitching really accomplish? In most instances, none.

Instead of feeling victimized and angry about the situation, focus on the things that you can do to influence the situation - your circle of influence. This is a very empowering technique to overcome the feeling of helplessness. It removes the victimized feeling and also allows others to see you as someone who knows how to operate within given constraints. You may not be able to change or decide on the eventual outcome, but you can walk away knowing that you have done the best within the given circumstances.

Constraints are all around in the workplace; with this approach, your boss will also come to appreciate you as someone who is understanding and positive.

HABIT #4 - DON’T TAKE SIDES.

In office politics, it is possible to find yourself stuck in between two power figures who are at odds with each other. You find yourself being thrown around while they try to outwit each other and defend their own position. All at the expense of you getting the job done. You can’t get them to agree on a common decision for a project, and neither of them want to take ownership of issues; they’re too afraid they’ll get stabbed in the back for any mishaps.

In cases like this, focus on the business objectives and don’t take side with either of them - even if you like one better than the other. Place them on a common communication platform and ensure open communications among all parties so that no one can claim “I didn’t say that”.

By not taking sides, you’ll help to direct conflict resolution in an objective manner. You’ll also build trust with both parties. That’ll help to keep the engagements constructive and focus on business objectives.

HABIT #5 - DON’T GET PERSONAL

In office politics, you’ll get angry with people. It happens. There will be times when you feel the urge to give that person a piece of your mind and teach him a lesson. Don’t.

People tend to remember moments when they were humiliated or insulted. Even if you win this argument and get to feel really good about it for now, you’ll pay the price later when you need help from this person. What goes around comes around, especially at the work place.

To win in the office, you’ll want to build a network of allies which you can tap into. The last thing you want during a crisis or an opportunity is to have someone screw you up because they habour ill-intentions towards you - all because you’d enjoyed a brief moment of emotional outburst at their expense.

Another reason to hold back your temper is your career advancement. Increasingly, organizations are using 360 degree reviews to promote someone.

Even if you are a star performer, your boss will have to fight a political uphill battle if other managers or peers see you as someone who is difficult to work with. The last thing you’ll want is to make it difficult for your boss to champion you for a promotion.

HABIT #6 - SEEK TO UNDERSTAND, BEFORE BEING UNDERSTOOD.

The reason people feel unjustified is because they felt misunderstood. Instinctively, we are more interested in getting the others to understand us than to understand them first. Top people managers and business leaders have learned to suppress this urge.

Surprisingly, seeking to understand is a very disarming technique. Once the other party feels that you understand where he/she is coming from, they will feel less defensive and be open to understand you in return. This sets the stage for open communications to arrive at a solution that both parties can accept. Trying to arrive at a solution without first having this understanding is very difficult - there’s little trust and too much second-guessing.

HABIT #7 - THINK WIN-WIN.

As mentioned upfront, political conflicts happen because of conflicting interests. Perhaps due to our schooling, we are taught that to win, someone else needs to lose. Conversely, we are afraid to let someone else win, because it implies losing for us.

In business and work, that doesn’t have to be the case.

Learn to think in terms of “how can we both win out of this situation?” This requires that you first understand the other party’s perspective and what’s in it for him. Next, understand what’s in it for you. Strive to seek out a resolution that is acceptable and beneficial to both parties. Doing this will ensure that everyone truly commit to the agree resolution and not pay only lip-service to it.

People simply don’t like to lose. You may get away with win-lose tactics once or twice, but very soon, you’ll find yourself without allies in the workplace. Thinking win-win is an enduring strategy that builds allies and help you win in the long term.

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Letter from Zimbabwe sent in by John Winter ! 

I reckon that these are the last days of TKM and ZPF. The darkest hour is always before dawn.We are all terrified at what they are going to destroy next……..I mean they are actually ploughing down brick and mortar houses and one white family with twin boys of 10 had no chance of salvaging anything when100 riot police came in with AK47’s and bulldozers and demolished their beautiful house - 5 bedrooms and pine ceilings - because it was “too close to the airport”, so we are feeling extremely insecure right now.  

You know - I am aware that this does not help you sleep at night, but if you do not know - how can you help? Even if you put us in your own mental ring of light and send your guardian angels to be with us - that is a help - but I feel so cut off from you all knowing I cannot tell you what’s going on here simply because you will feel uncomfortable.

There is no ways we can leave here so that is not an option. I ask that you all pray for us in the way that you know how, and let me know that you are thinking of us and sending out positive vibes… that’s all. You can’t just be in denial and pretend/believe it’s not going on.To be frank with you, it’s genocide in the making and if you do not believe me, read the Genocide Report by Amnesty International which says we are - IN level 7 - (level 8 is after it’s happened and everyone is indenial). 

If you don’t want me to tell you these things-how bad it is—then it means you have not dealt with your own fear, but it does not help me to think you are turning your back on our situation. We need you, please, to get the news OUT that we are all in a fearfully dangerous situation here. Too many people turn their backs and say - oh well, that’s what happens in Africa. This Government has GONE MAD and you need to help us publicize our plight— or how can we be rescued? It’s a reality!

The petrol queues are a reality, the pall of smoke all around our city is a reality, the thousands of homeless people sleeping outside in 0 Celsius with no food, water, shelter and bedding are a reality. Today a family approached me, brother of the gardener’s wife with two small children. Their home was trashed and they will have to sleepoutside. We already support 8 adult people and a child on this property, and electricity is going up next month by 250% as is water. 

How can I take on another family of 4 —–and yet how can I turn them away to sleep out in the open?I am not asking you for money or a ticket out of here - I am asking you to FACE the fact that we are in deep and terrible danger and want you please to pass on our news and pictures.

So PLEASE don’t just press the delete button! Help best in the way that you know how. Do face the reality of what is going on here and help us SEND OUT THE WORD.. The more people who know about it, the more chance we have of the United Nations coming to our aid. Please don’t ignore or deny what’s happening. Some would like to be protected from the truth BUT then, if we are eliminated, how would you feel? “If only we knew how bad it really was we could have helped in some way”.[I know we chose to stay here and that some feel we deserve what’s coming to us]For now,— we ourselves have food, shelter, a little fuel and a bit of money for the next meal - but what is going to happen next? Will they start on our houses? All property is going to belong to the State now. I want to send out my Title Deeds to one of you because if they get a hold of those, I can’t fight for my rights.  Censorship!—-We no longer have SW radio [which told us everything that was happening] because the Government jammed it out of existence – we don’t have any reporters, and no one is allowed to photograph. If we had reporters here, they would have an absolute field day. Even the pro-Government Herald has written that people are shocked, stunned, bewildered and blown mindless by the wanton destruction of many folks homes, which are supposed to be ‘illegal’ but for which a huge percentage actually do have licenses. Please! - do have some compassion and HELP by sending out the articles and personal reports so that something can/may be done. “I am one. I cannot do everything, —but I can do something.. And because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do. What I can do, I should do. And what I should do, by the grace of God, I will do.” - Edward Everett Hale

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More news at www.news24.com

Read the story online:

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2310442,00.html

READ this Crap ‘Too ugly’ to be South African Apr 22 2008 04:37:41:977PM

Siphiwe Nyathi & Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane A 68-year-old woman from Mpumalanga has been told that she can’t get an ID because she is too ugly to be a South African citizen. Acornhoek - A 68-year-old woman has been told that she can’t get an ID because she is too ugly to be a South African citizen. Clara Sibuyi from Bodlambongolo in Acornhoek, Mpumalanga, has struggled for 10 years to get an ID book and has been forced to beg for hand-outs because she can’t receive her pension grant without one.

“I have tried everything I can in my power, but now it seems the ugliness has beaten me,” said Sibuyi. She says she has spent ten years going back and forth to the department of home affairs and trying to convince them she is South African.

“I have lost hope and just wish God would take me because my life is hard. I don’t have money to travel to offices anymore. I am stuck,” said Sibuyi. She says the last time she went to home affairs’ Thulamahashe offices on March 3, an official told her that she was too ugly to be a South African citizen. Her surname was even misspelt on the copy of the department’s acknowledgement of receipt.

They wrote a Mozambican surname, Xiburi, instead of Sibuyi. “I was told that I look ugly, like a Maputo woman, and that’s the reason my ID cannot be issued,” says Sibuyi, sadly. She says all four of her sisters have their IDs, while she is being treated like a foreigner. “I am now a burden to everyone because I always ask for this or that, whereas I should be getting my old age grant and taking care of my grandchildren,” she says.

Home affairs’ manager for the Ehlanzeni region, Joana Molekwa, invited Sibuyi to her office to get help. “It is very sad to see old people still struggling to get IDs,” says Molekwa.

I cant imagine this to be true - if it is I think we have become a joke of a nation.

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To whom it may concern : I am infuriated at what has just happened to me with my cellphone upgrade.
 
I went for my upgrade yesterday 07/04 at the Vodacom shop in  Canal Walk. After waiting for 4 weeks for my Nokia 6500c I was told that they did not have any phones as yet. I dealt with a gentleman called Matthew. He referred me to the Cellucity shop in Canal Walk and confirmed that they have a phone ready for me. I signed the upgrade took my phone home and when I wanted to put my sim card in the phone it did not read my sim card. The sim silver plate where you need to insert your sim into was loose. Within 18 hours of my upgrade I rushed through to them to replace the phone for me. They took the phone to the back of their shop with my sim card and Nazmy their employee came out and told me that the phone was faulty. The Manager was also called and she refused to replace their fautly phone.
 
He said that they are not allowed to give me a new phone. They made me fill in an out of the box failure claim form and said they had to send the phone back to vodacom and within 7 working days they would replace my phone. I was infuirated as they told me it was company policy.
 
I am sitting without a phone, after upgrading ! I was given a faulty phone and it is just my bad luck.
 
I do not understand how I must be inconvenienced because a branch of yours gave me a faulty phone. I was told by your customer care department that the Cellucity is to replace my phone immediately. They however refuse !!!!!
 
IF I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD A DIFFERENT POLICY I WOULD NEVER HAVE RESIGNED MY CONTRACT WITH THEM
WHY WAS I REFERRED TO THEM BY A VODACOM EMPLOYEE IF THEY DO NOT CARRY THE SAME POLICY TO VODACOM.
 
THE PHONE WAS FAULTY AND DID NOT WORK, THE SIM WAS NOT CHECKED IN STORE ON THE DAY OF MY UPGRADE. AND WHEN IT WAS CHECKED UPON MY RETURN THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THAT IT WAS BROKEN.
 
I DEMAND THAT THEY GIVE ME A NEW PHONE, OR VODACOM STEPS UP AND GET THEM TO ACTION.
I WAS REFERRED TO THEM BY YOUR COMPANY EMPLOYEES AND NOW I HAVE TO SUFFER BECAUSE I WAS GIVEN A BROKEN PHONE AND NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DIFFERENT POLICIES.
 
SOMEONE NEEDS TO CONTACT ME SOON I AM FURIOUS AND EITHER WANT TO CANCEL MY CONTRACT WITH VODACOM OR GET A NEW PHONE IMMEDIATELY.

Popularity: 26% [?]

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