Johannesburg – Three out of five young South Africans claimed to have taken part in Mandela Day activities on 18 July, a survey revealed on Friday.

Sixty-one percent of the 1 917 respondents who took part in the survey, said they did something to “make a difference” on former president Nelson Mandela’s birthday, consumer insights company Pondering Panda said.

“Young South Africans don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk. It shows that young people across the country identify with the spirit of Mandela Day and are ready and willing to help make a difference to South Africa,” spokesperson Shirley Wakefield said.

The number was, however, lower than anticipated, as a survey conducted several days before Mandela Day revealed that 89% of 16 046 respondents, aged between 15 and 34, planned to do something on the day.

The latest survey revealed that more younger respondents participated in the day’s events as compared to older respondents.

Seventy-one percent of 15 to 17-year-olds said they did something on the day, as did 61% of 18 to 24-year-olds and 56% of 25 to 34-year-olds.

Wakefield said: “It’s very encouraging that the highest turnout was among the youngest age group, and that so many people worked together to help make a difference.”

Helping the community

The survey also revealed that 38% of those who claimed to have participated in the day’s events said they helped their community.

Thirty-two percent said they helped make a difference to the lives of their family members and friends, while 14% said they made charitable donations.

Most of the younger respondents claimed to have helped their community, while older respondents mostly did something for friends or family.

The majority of participants (65%) took part in group activities with their friends, families, colleagues, and schools compared to individual activities.

Around 83% of the respondents said they believed people would help each other more often because of Mandela Day.

There was little difference in opinion among people of different genders and race, Wakefield said. The survey was conducted nationally on cellphones between 24 and 25 July.

Responses were weighted to be nationally representative in terms of age, gender, and race, said Wakefield.

– SAPA

By Obakeng Maje

The North West Traffic Authorities have warned motorists to pay their outstanding traffic fines to avoid inconvenience on the road as they have already started with special operations to recover all out standings through the special JAWS unit.

“Thousands of rands are expected to be recovered during these operations which will be held in all major roads of the province” departmental spokesperson Simon Mmope said.

According to Human Settlements Public Safety and Liaison MEC Nono Maloyi, not paying traffic fines is also an offence.

“Most drivers don’t pay their fines to an extent of getting warrant of arrests and those would be inconvenienced because if we find you with an warrant of arrest then your trip ends right there” Maloyi said. 

“We are not going to allow any motorist to drive on our roads while owing the state for not complying with the road laws. To avoid being subjected to an inconvenience, please go and check yourself and do the right thing, pay your outstanding fine and drive freely,” said MEC Maloyi.

He further warned drivers to obey and comply as they will not escape the justice system if found on the wrong side of the law. 

The MEC said the department has strengthened its operations as the recently launched Highway Patrol Vehicles has started to operate on all the roads of the province.

The operations will be held in a form of roadblocks and through the Automatic Number Plate Recognition System vehicles on the major roads of the province.

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Cape Town – Transport Minister Dipuo Peters aims to push President Jacob Zuma to sign into law the electronic tolling bill, BDLive reported on Wednesday.

The newly-appointed minister said she was expected to meet with presidential advisers to put pressure on them to ensure that Zuma signs the bill.  

“We are wishing he does it (signs the bill) very soon and will be communicating with his office to check where in the process it is,” Dipuo was quoted as saying. 

The transport laws and related matters amendment bill was passed by the National Council of Provinces in May.

The bill provides for the electronic and cross-border collection of toll fees.

For more http://www.news24.com

Pretoria – Heavily armed police intervened in the CBD on Thursday as South African Students Congress (Sasco) members, on a protest march to the Department of Higher Education, became unruly.

Police and education officials were pelted with eggs as the assembled students received messages of support from trade unions and other organisations outside the department’s offices on Francis Baard Street. Police officers stood guard outside the main entrance, whose doors had been closed as the protesters approached.

For more http://www.iol.co.za