Economic trends

Author: Kentse Radebe - Moneyweb.co.za

16 January 2013 08:04

Student insurance: a first for SA?

Insurance, ‘medical’ for only R99 a month, comment from Aengus.

JOHANNESBURG - 4sho smart student insurance is offering to insure laptops and cell phones for only R99 a month. Conceptualised in 2012, 4sho smart student insurance is still in the pilot phase and should be launched this year. FirstStay insurance brokers believes there is a gap in the student market, and as the first company to launch an affordable student insurance product in South Africa, it believes that there is a lot of opportunity.

4sho smart student insurance is targeted at students who live in private accommodation and are either under-insured or not insured at all. Caj van Zyl, chairman of FirstStay Insurance Brokers, says that in their research it was found that a majority of students who stay in private accommodation are on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas).

Nsfas provides funding in the form of loans to tertiary students who cannot afford to pay for their fees. Partnering with other service providers, 4sho provides other benefits that would be useful to students living in private accommodation such as telephonic legal advice. Medical emergency services include telephonic advice, ambulance services, access to a health advisor as well as an HIV protection treatment service if a student has been raped. The HIV treatment service allows students to have 24-hour access to over-the-phone trauma counselling, consultations with a GP, blood tests, a 30-day starter pack of antiretroviral medication, 7-day STI medication and pregnancy prevention medication.

The 4sho student policy is underwritten by Santam. Patience Baloyi, affinity markets accounts manager at Santam, says that student insurance is a largely untapped market. As such with no specific product tailored for them, according to van Zyl, this often leaves students with little recourse. Insurance education in South Africa is also low, therefore targeting students in university introduces them to the concept of insurance from an early age, Baloyi says.

The 4sho student policy insures laptops up to the value of R3 500 and cell phones up to the value of R1 000. Van Zyl says that this is because their research indicates that students who are on Nsfas do not own laptops or cell phones over the price of R4 000 or R1 000 respectively. The excess payable is R350 on a first claim, a minimum of R500 on a second claim and R750 if it is a third claim.

Baloyi says that providing a product at an affordable price takes looking at student risk as well as affordability. The 4sho smart student insurance does not provide comprehensive cover but it does allow students to be able to deal with lost, stolen or damaged goods. Van Zyl also highlights that FirstStay has other products targeted at assets that are of higher value.

Asked why the company partnered with 4sho Brett Nadel, Group Operations Director at Aengus, says it’s important for students to start taking responsibility for their property now that they are on their own. “We do not force it on anyone, but the price point should make it quite attractive to them.”

Regarding benefits he said should students suffer a loss of or damage to their property, they will now have recourse to recover the cost. As to whether or not it will take off, he says it’s difficult to tell. “As I said, we do not force it on anyone.”

There are a number of road shows that FirstStay has already undertaken in order to attract students attention, says Van Zyl. The impact of the product will only be known once it is servicing a number of clients. This, Baloyi says, will also allow them to better understand the student insurance market and tailor their products to suit students’ needs.

FirstStay insurance hopes to have 200 000 students signed onto the policy in 2013. Students can apply for the policy through a call centre, Facebook as well as online.

Funding for poor students to increase

Pretoria - Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande says he will make sure that funding for poor students and those who perform well academically in higher education and training institutions continues to grow every year.

Nzimande said this at the COSATU Education and Skills Conference held in Benoni, Johannesburg, on Tuesday. He was speaking as part of a panel discussion on the topic, "Critically engaging the current education and training landscape: government's transformation agenda".

According to the department, funding grew from R2.375 billion in 2008 to R6 billion in 2011.

Many Further Education and Training (FET) college students, who would normally have qualified for a National Student Financial Aid Scheme of South Africa (NSFAS) loan, now no longer have to pay fees and in many cases, they can also get their accommodation or transport subsidised.

"An important feature of our skills development policies is our emphasis on expanding workplace-based training opportunities to complement classroom-based education. Many programmes require learners to have experience in workshops as well as in workplaces in order to qualify," said Nzimande.

Workplaces which are prepared to accept learners are often in short supply, and one of the most important thrusts is ensuring that more employers provide opportunities for apprentices, learner, interns, cadets, articled clerks, among others.

Nzimande said the numbers of new artisan learners has now started to increase again after a long decline from the mid-1980s.

He said the numbers of people passing their trade tests to qualify as artisans has more than doubled in the last four years, from 6 030 in 2007/08 to 13 168 in 2011/12.

He told conference delegates that the continued growth in these numbers was essential if the country was to successfully undertake the planned strategic infrastructure projects and all the peripheral industries which will grow to complement them.

Nzimande further called on delegates to start developing a comprehensive skills strategy per union-member of COSATU and per economic sector in the country to guide negotiating strategies at all levels.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshega and Labour Minister Mildred Oliphant also made inputs into the discussion with Nzimande. - SAnews.gov.za



Reported by: South African Government News Service

A welcome support to SA's vulnerable students

A new insurance product launched to South Africa's 800,000 registered students aims to specifically tackle the everyday vulnerabilities that can halt a learner's studies in their tracks. 


Given the typical risks and exposure to crime that is associated with life on campus and within shared student accomodation, the affordable cover (unmatched at R99 per month) seeks to fill a gap left by other insurers in covering critical items such as cell phones, laptops, and assisting with covering student fees lost that cannot be covered in the event of death of a sponsor, bursar or parent.

Currently a great number of students are on the government financial aid scheme, NSFAS, and have limited recourse in case of theft of their communication devices, placing their studies at risk at an all-important time in their lives.

In conducted national focus groups, these were regarded as the most valuable and vital goods for successful learning.
In addition to this, a distinct need for value added products such as medical, legal, tenant and personal liability was identified by the student tenants, as well as the landlords that accommodate them.

While the policy is specifically aimed at the uninsured or underinsured student market, accommodated in on- or off-campus, shared or private accommodation, the product also can also cover the university or academic institution, and the landlord, while a sponsor receives cover should the student die or be permanently injured - vital if the student has a student loan.

Landlords can for the first time mitigate their risk without affecting their no-claim bonus or claims ratios. They can add value to their accommodation by offering the insurance as an addition to the lease agreement.
Says Firststay Insurance Brokers Chairman Caj van Zyl, "Our aim with 4sho was to create an insurance policy that was priced below R100 per month and that covered the basic perils and needs associated with the student accommodation market."
"Typically this market is price sensitive and relevant insurance product options are non-existent. Value for money is at the top of the priority list."
"With the rapidly growing student accommodation market and its associated risks, the need for a product such as 4sho has become more important than ever."
He adds, "Landlords also require a product to mitigate the risks associated with housing students. We have always been concerned with having to potentially deal with medical emergencies or trauma suffered by our tenants on our properties."

"They can now offer tenants a 24hour call centre that will deal with any medical emergency over the phone and if deemed necessary the operator will dispatch emergency medical services."
"Should we have a robbery on the property a tenant's most valuable belongings are insured."
"Should they have a problem tenant that has caused serious damage to our property, landlords are covered up to R100,000 under the tenant liability clause. This is all highly relevant in this country."

The 4sho policy is available for purchase online at www.firststay.co.za or through leading student accommodation rental and management agencies nationally. Our call centre can be contacted for any advice or queries 0860 103 103.

Student Insurance Policy - A South African First

Student Insurance Policy (Launching February 2012)

Firststay Insurance Brokers, in collaboration with Santam Insurance and Let and Stay Student accommodation agency, have through extensive research and experience crafted a South African first, an affordable and relevant student insurance policy.

This policy, priced at R100 per month, will now offer the student staying in a shared accommodation environment, basic cover for a range of items as well as additional benefits. Benefits include;



Students and their parents are often financially and emotionally paralysed by theft or injury, severely affecting their ability to continue their studies successfully. This policy should mitigate this risk and allow them to focus on their studies.

The policy will be launching in February 2012 through relevant student accommodation and letting agents nationally. Agents that would be interested to offer this policy to their tenants can contact Ryno Diedericks at ryno@firststay.co.za or 082 928 0170

The policy is underwritten by Santam and all claims will be administered by the Santam call centre. For more information on the policy please visit www.firststay.co.za

Dept to help pay for 25 000 students waiting to graduate

Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System
Date: 26 May 2011
Title: Dept to help pay for 25 000 students waiting to graduate
--------------------

Cape Town - The Department of Higher Education and Training is coming to the rescue of about 25 000 students from universities who have completed studies but are not able to graduate and get jobs because they have not finished paying student loans.

Briefing the media before his Budget Vote in Parliament today, the Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande, said his department would set aside about R200 million to help students who had taken out loans and had since graduated, but still owed monies to the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS).

Those who meet the requirements to graduate between 2000 and 2010, and who are eligible for NSFAS loans can apply for this special funding through their respective student financial-aid offices, he said.

Nzimande, who also made several other announcements on the NSFAS, said the new measure would apply to students that registered for loans from April 1.

These included a doubling of disbursements under the fund - from R2.7 billion in the 2010/11 financial year to R5.4 billion this financial year - and placing a limit on interest charged on student loans, so that students no longer have to pay the interest on their loans until 12 months after their graduation.

At present, interest charged on loans kicks in the moment you sign for a loan, unlike in Brazil and Canada, where interest payments on student loans only become payable after a student graduates.

Added to this, R50 million has been provided for post-graduate students who require financial assistance to complete their degrees.

These students will enter into loan agreements with the NSFAS and the money they pay back would be earmarked to fund post-graduate students, Nzimande, said.

But Nzimande hastened to add that this wasn't a license for other students to not pay back their NSFAS loans.

He said the department would approach SARS to assist in tracing and forcing those NSFAS loan beneficiaries, who are now working but are not paying back loans, to pay back their loans.

The department is also looking to increase the number of university accommodation available to students.

Currently only 18.5 percent of students stay in university accommodation and the department had set aside R686 million for the years between 2010 and 2012, to build and refurbish student residences, he said.

Nzimande said preliminary reports were being studied by the department on setting up universities in the Northern Cape and Mpumalanga, while work is also under way to increase the number of universities that offer courses for teachers that want to teach in African languages.

The department was also busy overhauling Further Education and Training (FET) colleges and department officials had already visited all 50 FET colleges to assess how to give hands-on support.

The minister said the career advice services programme, run by the South African Qualifications Authority (Saqa), was launched in January this year and a website was now up and running - www.careerhelp.org.za, as well as a Facebook group - www.facebook.com/careerhelp.

The department is partnering with the SABC, which is running 30-minute career guidance slots on nine radio stations, reaching about 2.3 million listeners per week.

The programme is broadcast in nine African languages and Nzimande said the department intended expanding the radio programme to Afrikaans as well.

Turning to the transformation of the Skills Education and Training Authorities (Setas), Nzimande said the department was strengthening Seta governance and had reduced the number of Setas from 23 to 21.

He said the department is tackling underspending at Setas and has told boards to reduce the trend.

Setas would be reconfigured to spend more on long-term workplace-orientated training.

The department would also be setting up a task team to analyse where Setas spend money and how much use Setas make of public learning bodies, rather than just private consultants.

Commenting about media reports on the appointment of ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe's wife Nolwande as a member of the new Services Seta's board, Nzimande said Mrs Mantashe is a human-resource expert and should be seen on her own merits as a professional, rather than be judged on who she is married to.

Nzimande said the Green Paper on Higher Education would be released later this year.

The appointment of a new director general is in process and the department would begin interviewing candidates soon, he said.





Reported by: South African Government News Service

Quicker student loans on the cards

Sowetan

17-Nov-2010 | Sapa

"The implications of this are far reaching," Qualifications Verification Services (QVS) managing director Danie Strydom said in a statement.

"It means, among other things, that student loans can be granted much quicker so that individuals can pay for tuition and buy books sooner than before," he said.

In the past, students had to obtain a letter from the university to confirm that they had registered.

This had to be presented to the bank where the student had applied for a loan.

It usually took several days for the bank to verify the authenticity of the letter before funds became available.

"By replicating the computer database of the university, the whole process can take place on-line and student registrations can be verified in seconds rather than the days that it took previously," Strydom said.

QVS's announcement had raised serious interest, and all the major banks would gather at the University of the Free State on Thursday where they would be fully briefed on the new service.

Seven universities had already subscribed to the new QVS services and would implement them soon.

Student registrations and qualification verifications currently live on the QVS system were the University of Johannesburg, Tshwane University of Technology, and the University of the Free State.

Other universities in implementation stages were the University of Stellenbosch, Durban University of Technology, and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University.

The new on-line service would also save the banks millions in lost revenue by informing them when students had terminated their studies, thus becoming ineligible for the reduced interest rate loans, he said.

They would also immediately have to start repaying their loans.

"Banks risk losing millions of rand every year by students absconding and not repaying their loans.

"Our new product will keep banks and other role players, such as trustees of bursary funds, up to date on the status of every student on a day-to-day basis," Strydom said.

Students would be required to give permission to have their details made known on the database and would have full access themselves to ensure that the correct information was displayed.

The system was secure and fully automated in the sense that computers, rather than human beings, did the processing.

It could also be audited to ensure that no mistakes slipped in, he said.

Instellings oorval

Instellings oorval
Die Beeld
2011-01-11 23:34

Alet Rademeyer en Loren Pienaar

Teleurstelling en wanhoop het duisende studente gister by universiteite in Gauteng begroet waar hulle ure lank in lang toue gewag het om aansoek om toelating tot instellings te doen.

Baie moes hoor dat daar nie meer plekke beskikbaar is in die studierigtings wat hulle wil volg nie. Talle se punte het nie aan toelatingsvereistes voldoen nie en baie het geen idee gehad wat hulle wil studeer nie.

Die Universiteit van Johannesburg (UJ) is sover die ergste geraak met meer as 30 000 laat aansoeke wat ingestroom het.

Prof. Marie Muller, registrateur van UJ, het gesê die toename in getalle kan toegeskryf word aan die beter matriekuitslae wat kandidate vir hoër onderwys laat kwalifiseer.

Meer as 126 000 van 2010 se matrikulante het toelating tot graadstudies gekry.

Muller het ook gesê UJ word oorval deur aansoekers wat nie in 2010 toelating gekry het nie omdat hulle gr.?11-punte nie aan die toelatingsvereistes voldoen het nie.

Volgens hul gr. 12-uitslae voldoen hulle nou wel.

UJ het in 2010 meer as 63 000 aansoeke van eerstejaars gekry, terwyl daar vir net 13 000 plek is.

By die Tshwane-universiteit van Tegnologie (TUT) en Unisa se kampus is Pretoria was daar ook lang toue voornemende studente.

By TUT is van die studente later meegedeel dat hulle by ander instellings moet gaan aanklop omdat al die programme reeds gevul is.

Mnr. Nico Dietsiso (18) van Kroonstad in die Vrystaat was gistermiddag die laaste een in die UJ-ry.

Hy het gesê dit het hom sowat R1 200 aan kos, verblyf en vervoer gekos om daar te wees, terwyl hy ook vyf uur lank op ’n trein na Johannesburg was.
Me. Francis Inama van Soshanguve wou vir uitvoerende kunste by TUT inskryf. Sy moes egter hoor dat haar 32% in wiskundige gelettterdheid, 48% in Engels, 45% in verbruikerstudies en 42% in toerisme nie goed genoeg is nie.

Me. Irene Lephale (21) wou verpleegkunde of kliniese tegnologie studeer en moes hoor al die plekke is gevul.

Sy het in 2009 matriek geskryf en verlede jaar haar punte in die aanvullende eksamen verbeter. Met 59% vir lewenswetenskappe, 46% vir fisiese wetenskappe, 43% vir wiskunde en 49% vir Engels het sy gesê sy gaan haar uitslae weer probeer verbeter.

By Unisa het me. Nonhlanhla Shongwe gesê sy het al die pad van Paul Pietersburg in KwaZulu-Natal gekom in die hoop om onderwys te studeer.

Me. Doreen Gough, woordvoerder van Unisa, het gesê tussen 10% en 15% van studente wat net opdaag, moet weggewys word.

TUT het in ’n verklaring op die gevare gewys van ouers wat hul kinders universiteite toe stuur sonder dat daar vir hulle verblyf is. Van die studente bring nagte voor die universiteitshekke deur in ’n poging om toelating te kry.

Die universiteit het studente ook gewaarsku om nie enige geld of dokumente aan mense te oorhandig wat beweer hulle kan vir hulle ’n plek verseker nie.

R150m financial aid boost for students

11 January 2011

South Africa has allocated an additional R150-million to its National Student Financial Aid Scheme to help tackle the backlog of scarce skills in the country.

Making the announcement in Pretoria on Monday, Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande said that, through the National Skills Fund, the government had set aside R22.9-million for funding 820 first-year students and R7-million for a bursary scheme targeting rural students who did exceptionally well in the 2010 Grade 12 exams.

R21-million had been set aside for 300 first-year bursaries for students with disabilities, with the balance of R99.1-million to be allocated to students who were already studying in fields of scarce skills.

Career Wise bursaries

The National Skills Fund will also be allocating R100-million Career Wise bursaries in the following categories:

* R17-million to fund 258 first-year students.
* R4-million for the Dipaleseng Special Bursary Scheme.
* R4.6-million for 67 first-year bursaries.
* R11.5-million to support 245 first-year students pursuing studies in chartered accountancy at the University of Fort Hare.

In a bid to ease access to Further Education and Training colleges and help the country to meet its needs for intermediate and technical skills, hard-working students from poor families would this year be exempted from paying academic fees.

The bursary, to be allocated to students whose parents earn a combined salary of R122 000 per annum, will cover tuition, accommodation, meals and transport costs.

However, Nzimande called on recipients to work hard, as the department will be monitoring their performances, warning that if they failed to produce good marks, the bursary would be forfeited.

"This is not a free ride, we require students to work hard," he said. "You can't continue to get a bursary if you don't deliver."

Career guidance

Nzimande also announced that his department and the South African Qualifications Authority had entered into a partnership with the SABC to provide pupils with information on career guidance.

The career information will be broadcast on all Nguni radio stations.

"Our aim is to ensure that information flows to rural schools and that no learners go to school without such information. It should be made available earlier in their schooling careers."

Pupils and ex-pupils can get advice from the career advice website www.careerhelp.org.za or from the Career Advice Helpline on 0860 111 673. The helpline can also be contacted via SMS on 072 2045 056 or by e-mailing help@nqf.org.za.

Source: BuaNews

Our Youtube production has gone live!

We are proud to announce that our Youtube production is now live. You can get a glimpse of what our properties look like, our office and our friendly staff. Visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhWp7LOW288 to watch the video.

New Price Guarantee

Price Guarantee

At Let and Stay we are so confident in the price that you pay for our service and quality offering that we will not only match but beat any written qoute for accommodation based on the following conditions;

- the accommodation is of similar quality,
- in the same suburb,
- for the same lease term.

Bring your written, verifiable qoute to the office and we will beat the price you pay for the accommodation!

Student accommodation tips for the novice

By Let and Stay (Pty) Ltd

So you have passed your matric exams, have been accepted to varsity and now need a place to stay. If you have not been accepted to a university dorm then you can make use of a student accommodation agency such as Let and Stay (Pty) Ltd to assist you in finding a suitable spot to lay your head.

It’s important to remember that you have a lot of campus activities in your first year so you need accommodation that is close to the university so that you can save time and effort in travelling between classes and activities. Accommodation that is walking distance from your campus will not only save you pot loads of money but also increase your available time to do your campus activities.

You have two private accommodation options to choose from;

• Commune / digs: You have your own room in a house shared by other students – you will commonly share a lounge and kitchen and sometimes a bathroom. You do not have to worry about trivial things like the garden and other maintenance, plumbing issues and so forth – your managing agent will take care of these issues. Your room will be semi furnished – you will have a bed, desk, chair, curtains, and cupboard. Some properties also offer WI-FI internet access and DSTV connections. Your house will be cleaned weekly and will offer secure parking for a car if required.

This option affords you the opportunity to stay with other students in a secure environment that is not as restrictive as a university dorm but still has its own house rules that you need to abide by.

• Cottage: You have your own unit that’s completely private. You could also share this cottage with a friend. You also don’t have to worry about maintenance related issues.

Other important information:

• Always deal with a reputable student letting agent that understands your budget and requirements. Your agent will present you with a professional lease agreement and offer you protection from unscrupulous landlords. Your agent will also ensure the standard and upkeep of the property.
• If you are under 21 then your parents will have to co-sign the lease agreement with you.
• Your lease will typically be for 1 year at a time.
• You want to stay within walking distance from campus – this saves time and money.
• Prices for a room in a digs start form R1900 – R3500. A cottage could cost you R2000 – R4500.

If you visit our website www.letandstay.co.za you will find more valuable information and tips on finding the perfect place to stay.

Good luck with the next phase of your lives.

Students warned of fake landlords

A Londonderry father has warned students looking for accommodation for the new term to beware of bogus landlords advertising on the internet.

The man, who wanted to remain anonymous, said his son paid a deposit to a man who claimed to have a house for rent in south Belfast last year.

He was among a group of students who lost hundreds of pounds in the scam.

The National Union of Students said there has been a rise in the number of such cases.

The students' parents contacted Foyle MLA Martina Anderson after they realised they had been caught up in the rental scam.

The Sinn Fein representative said the families had paid a deposit of almost £800.

Unanswered calls

She added: "They spent weeks trying to get paperwork and keys, both of which never materialised.

"The owner never answered their calls, the contact ran cold and they lost all their money."

She urged those seeking student accommodation to exercise caution.

"For many of those students it will be the first time they have lived outside the family home and looking for accommodation can be a daunting task particularly in a new area.

"I would appeal to students and their parents to go through well established letting agencies and check the track record of private landlords who advertise on the internet before they sign any tenancy agreements or hand over large deposits."

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/8239751.stm

Published: 2009/09/05 13:49:55 GMT

© BBC MMIX

No royal treatment for Princess Eugenie

The Journal

STUDENT digs are not known for being plush, but the ones in Newcastle have been given the royal seal of approval.

Princess Eugenie starts her degree at Newcastle University next month and has taken up a place in a £96-a-week hall of residence.

The 19-year-old, who is sixth in line to the throne, says she wants to be treated just like any other student and will be sharing a living room and kitchen with five other undergraduates.
The Queen’s granddaughter will have her own small en-suite bedroom with a single bed, wardrobe, chest of drawers and desk.

Her choice of accommodation is in stark contrast to her big sister, Beatrice, who turned down digs at London’s Goldsmiths College last September and moved into an apartment in St James’s Palace. However, Eugenie’s move to the halls won’t be cheap, as she’ll be joined by a team of Metropolitan Police bodyguards, costing more than £250,000 a year.

The guards, who will be with the princess around the clock, are relocating to Newcastle. Last month, two detectives travelled to the city with Eugenie to look around the campus and inspect her future accommodation.

Eugenie plans to study for a BA in English and history of art. A number of her friends are also thought to be coming to Newcastle.

Fortunately for the party-loving princess, the university also boasts one of the best student social scenes in the country with six bars to chose from.

Eugenie achieved two As in her A-levels in art and English literature and a B in history of art. Her gap year saw her partying in places as far flung as Australia, South Africa, Cambodia and Goa.

A friend said: “She chose Newcastle because it offered a great degree course and it seems a really fun place to go. Eugenie is a very down to earth girl who hates using her title and she was adamant that she wanted to live in halls with her friends. She just wants to be treated like any other undergraduate.

“The issue of police protection is totally out of her hands. She hates it as much as anyone.”
Eugenie is not the first royal of her generation to take up a place in halls of residence. Prince William spent his first year in university accommodation when he went to St Andrew’s.

On the princess’s move to Newcastle, the city’s Lord Mayor, Mike Cookson, said: “Newcastle is a beautiful, lively, safe and welcoming city, which is justifiably popular with students.

“We’re very pleased that the princess will have the opportunity to experience all of this for herself.”

A Newcastle University spokesman said he couldn’t comment on any individual student.

Swine Flu - Facts

Basic facts about the new fluWhat is novel influenza A/H1N1?

This is a new flu virus infecting humans. It was first detected in humans in the US in April, 2009, but was probably causing infections in Mexico for a period before this.

Initially this new flu virus was thought to be a type of flu virus that infects pigs and sometimes spreads to humans (hence the initial name of "swine flu"). However, further studies have revealed that it is not a virus that came directly from pigs but is rather a new virus formed by the recombination of several different genetic elements from pigs, avian and human species.

What are symptoms of the H1N1 flu - swine flu?
The symptoms are not different from those of seasonal flu. They include fever, muscle and chest pains, cough, sore throat and headache. It is only in rare cases that you will find a person infected having diahorrea and vomiting.

How does the H1N1 virus spread?
Available information on this new virus suggests that it spreads from person to person much like "seasonal influenza" which is mainly via respiratory droplet transmission. Just like seasonal flu it is airborne and spreads through coughing and sneezing by an infected person. When sneezing or coughing, an infected person releases respiratory droplets into the air and the next person will be infected by breathing in those droplets. In addition, infection can result if there is contact with inanimate surfaces such as door knobs or hands that are contaminated with the flu virus and then the person touches his or her mouth, nose or eyes.
The virus can also be contracted by coming into contact with an infected person or even by talking to one. It can be contracted from a contaminated hand after an infected person has coughed or sneezed on that hand.

How long can an infected person spread this virus to others?
At the current time, it is believed that this virus has the same properties in terms of spread as seasonal flu viruses. With seasonal flu, studies have shown that people may be contagious from one day before they develop symptoms to up to seven days after they get sick.

Children, especially younger children, might potentially be contagious for longer periods. It is therefore important for people to stay at home for at least seven days when they have symptoms to reduce spread to other people.

What if it goes undetected or untreated?
The majority of patients experience mild symptoms and make a rapid and full recovery, often in the absence of any form of medical treatment.

Is there a need for the public to panic?
Experience in other affected countries indicates that this virus spreads rapidly through communities. It is not possible to contain this virus by quarantine of contacts and travel restrictions. Social distancing of affected persons, usually by home isolation, may to some extent reduce spread. From the experience of this disease in other countries, spread is inevitable.

What age group is mostly affected by the virus in South Africa?
Although older people were commonly the most infected with seasonal flu, the H1N1 virus is now affecting young people the most.

How can the virus be prevented from spreading?
Cover your nose with a tissue when sneezing, and mouth when coughing, to prevent the infected droplets from being released into the air. Make sure you dispose of the tissue.

Answers by Professor Barry Schoub, a director of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, a division of the National Health Laboratory Service
This article was originally published on page 1 of The Star on August 04, 2009

Energy saving tips

There has been much debate about the increased electricity tariffs to be implemented from 1 July 2009, and although they have not been finalised it certainly looks like prices will rise between 20 to 35%, so we need to be prepared.

What can we do?

Tenants running an inefficient 2kW heater for 6 hours a night can dramatically increase your monthly electricity bill if you live in a flat, cottage or small townhouse. When buying a heater check to see how much electricity it consumes. By checking the instantaneous consumption on your prepaid meter you can easily see how many watts a heater is using and adjust your usage accordingly.

Landlords, by empowering your tenants to easily monitor their consumption with a prepaid meter, surprise "unbelievable" bills can be avoided.

Green tip of the month: Instead of boiling the kettle every time you drink a cup of tea, boil it once, fill a thermos flask and you will have hot water all day. Boiling a half filled kettle can cost about 10c each time. If you do this 6 times a day it will cost you R18.00 per month. If there is more that one family member this cost can multiply - so the answer is to either all drink tea at the same time, invest in a thermos flask.

BRT - Bus Rapid Transit System

1. What is BRT?

In order to deal with the increasing transport problems faced in Jo'burg today, the City is pleased to introduce the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System.

The Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit System (BRT) is designed to provide a high quality and affordable transport system, which is fast and safe.

Rea Vaya BRT comprises a middle lane for large, high tech buses which will transport you comfortably and quickly around Johannesburg using specific designated routes, enclosed bus stations along the routes and a high tech control centre to ensure your Rea Vaya experience is a world class one.

2. Why BRT?

Bus Rapid Transit is a world class transport system being used in developing countries very similar to South Africa, to combat congestion and provide better public transport. By introducing this world class transport system Johannesburg, and all the other cities taking part such as Cape Town, Tshwane and the Nelson Mandela Metro will have many opportunities for development and will help bring in foreign investment to the country. BRT is a world class system which all South Africans can be proud of!

3. How does BRT work?

Buses will run in exclusive, dedicated lanes in the centre of existing roads. Smaller feeder buses will bring people from the outer areas to the stations on the trunk routes. This will extend Rea Vaya's network to areas far beyond the main trunk routes. Buses will be either 75- or 112 capacity vehicles, depending on passenger volumes and will operate from about 150 stations, positioned half a kilometre apart. They will run every three minutes in peak times and every 10 minutes in off-peak times and it will be possible to catch a bus from 5am to midnight.

Rea Vaya will not compete with other transport systems such as Metrorail or the Gautrain. This is an urban transport network that will feed into and complement existing networks to ensure the most effective movement of people across the city.

Student Loans

Getting an education has never been so important, but how does one go about financing such an expensive investment?

A student loan is probably the first and last dread of every student! Its the endless thought of debt hanging over your head with a little factor called interest still playing with your mind. But it's still probably the most utilised option and this method has helped thousands of South Africans achieve successful qualifications!

So how do you go about sorting out your student loans? It's quite a procedure but it's quicker if you do your preparation first.

Step 1: You need to have been accepted into a South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) accredited institution.

Step 2: You need a valid ID.

Step 3: Proof of Registration at the institution.

Step 4: A set of your previous results (this can be matric, varsity, college etc, wherever you last studied)

Step 5: Life insurance: If you haven’t had a life insurance policy made for you, the bank will arrange one for you.

Step 6: Proof of residence not more than three months old.

Step 7: You need to find someone to stand surety for your loan, this person needs to have a full time job and not be black listed. The person will be responsible for paying the monthly interest on the loan during the period of study as well as stand guarantor for the loan. The person needs to provide a copy of their ID, a salary slip not older than three months and marriage status documents (i.e. if the individual is married in community of property etc). Finally the individual
standing surety will also need to provide proof of residency and again not older than three months old.

Hectic we know, you pretty much giving everything except a sample of your DNA.

Okay here are some quick tips and facts:

1.The individual who is taking the loan can actually stand surety for themselves! Provided they have a full time job and a salary slip not older than three months (yet again another three month rule!!)
2.Compare options that various banks and financial institutions have to offer, you may be able to negotiate a better interest rate.
3.Once you start paying off your loan, speak to your bank about an extension in the case of you not being able to make the full payment in the allocated time.

Contacts:
Standard Bank: http://www.standardbank.co.za/
ABSA: http://www.absa.co.za/
Nedbank: http://www.nedbank.co.za/
First National Bank: http://www.fnb.co.za/
Edu-Loan: http://www.eduloan.co.za/

Article: http://www.firsstep.co.za/

Wireless Internet to be introduced at all residences

Let and Stay is rolling out a very exciting program to have all its managed residences connected to the Internet.

We will be introducing wireless technology to offer all our tenants access to the Internet at broadband speeds.

The costs would be very affordable and will be cheaper than for instance a 3G connection from one of the cellular phone operators. Tenants would be able to buy their bandwidth online (credit card or SMS) or with prepaid vouchers available from our office.

With your WI-FI enabled desktop or laptop you would now be able to be part of the online community and hopefully contribute to your studies (and music collection) more productively. In addition to your data connectivity you would also be able to use ADSL phone technology such as Skype to keep in touch with your family and friends.

Non Let and Stay landlords wanting to offer this service to their tenants are welcome to contact Let and Stay to discuss the option of installing this system at their properties and offering their tenants this value added service.

State of the art IT system to be introduced

Let and Stay has embarked on an ambitious revamp of their IT system offering a myriad of (free) benefits to landlords and tenants alike. They have partnered with an international group to offer the following benefits with this new system:

Landlords will be able to log online and in real time view 24/7;

• Tenants in their properties.


• Disbursement history.


• Property inspection reports with photos.


• Investment reports such as vacancy rates and extra charges vs income.


• Online statements


• Updating of details and correspondence with Let and Stay.


• and much more...

Tenants would be able to log online and view their payment history, extra charges levied, outstanding amounts due, updating of personal details, property inspection reports with comments and several other features.

The system is truly state of the art and will give Let and Stay the opportunity to offer its clients a 21st century, online solution, as a value added benefit.

Bursaries - What to Know, Where to Go - Eduloan

So, you've got your matriculation certificate in hand, your hopes set high and you're standing on the threshold of ‘what next?'. Now is the time to decide what you are going to study, where you are going to study and how you are going to do it.

There's no doubt that tertiary education is a costly business - you can expect to pay between R15, 000 and R25,000 per year for most undergraduate degrees and even more for specialised or professional degrees such as law and medicine.

Your first port of call should be to suss out the available bursaries. Bursaries are available to students with a good academic record or in need of financial assistance, or both. They can be sourced through major companies, tertiary institutions, or academic foundations. Many mining and engineering companies, for example, offer ‘contract' bursaries to dedicated students, and each company has it's own terms and conditions. These bursaries are provided on the condition that you ‘pay back' the bursary by working at the company after your studies are complete. This is a good option, as you land a job and work experience immediately upon graduating.

The first thing to do is to check out the Bursary Register, which is usually available at high schools and through the financial aid offices of universities, and will provide you with a full list of bursaries available in your chosen field of study.

Even easier than that - log on to the ‘Get-a-Life' website on www.gal.co.za, which is South Africa's largest single open database of bursaries to SA students - for both local and international study. Their listings are comprehensive and you can click straight through to specific websites and application forms.

Another very helpful site for bursary listings is www.mycareer.co.za, which also list bursaries by field of study to minimise your search time.

And lastly, try www.firststep.co.za, for good advice and some comprehensive listings.
So, you've sent out your bursary applications and - lo and behold - you have a bite! After you have whooped for joy, jumped up and down and celebrated wildly, it's time to come back down to earth and face the finance facts. You have to learn fast to manage your hard won money and make it go as far as it possibly can. With our current crazy economy the humble rand is not stretching as far as it used to and the last thing you want is your money squandered by bad management.

When you get your bursary, some do include money for textbooks, accommodation, food etc. To manage these funds effectively you can use a financial tool such as Edu-Loan's Edu-Extras card. This card is a bursary management tool specifically for students and designed like a debit card. The card has within it five ‘pockets' - for tuition, accommodation, textbooks, food and cash, and can be used at a specified range of suppliers/outlets like 7-11 and affiliated book stores which are specifically set up to accept them.

This makes managing your funds so much easier, as instead of spending your textbook money on food and pitching up for class with a full lunch-box but no books, you can use your funds for their exact purpose! For further information on the Edu-Extras card or obtaining any kind of study loan through Edu-Loan, visit www.eduloan.co.za or call their Client Services call-centre on: 0860-55-55-44.