Delete bank statements from your inbox immediately: Sabric

The South African Banking Risk Information Centre (Sabric) has launched its #Skelm

campaign, advising people to “Wise Up and Watch Out” to avoid becoming victims of cybercrime.

In the past few years, cybercrime cases have increased – with people being defrauded of billions of rand online.

“It affects business sectors and consumers, and this has called on security measures to be put in place to protect assets and important information,” said Kalyani Pillay, Sabric CEO.

“The responsibility of protecting yourself against cyber-crime and increasing your cyber-security lies with every single one of us.”

Security tips from Sabric

Sabric said consumers should ensure their PC and mobile phones are updated with the latest updates and anti-virus software.

It further advises creating a new password directly after updating software, and the use of a secondary email address for financial matters.

Sabric also warned that public computers are not safe for banking. “They are prone to spyware and malware and should be avoided at all costs,” it said.

It is also important to delete sensitive information like bank statements from your inbox, moving them to a secure folder.

Scratch out your credit card CVV number now: security expert

Professor Basie Von Solms has advised consumers to scratch out the CVV number which is displayed on the back of their credit card.

Professor Basie Von Solms, Director of the Centre for Cyber Security at the University of Johannesburg, has advised consumers to scratch out the CVV (Card Verification Value) number which is displayed on the back of their credit card.

The CVV number is an anti-fraud security feature which helps online retailers verify that you are in possession of the credit card you are using.

The CVV code is typically a three-digit number located on the back of MasterCard, Visa, and other credit or debit cards.

Von Solms said that anyone who steals your credit card has access to all the information needed to make an online purchase: your name, credit card number, expiry date, and the CVV number.

However, if you remove the CVV code from the back of your credit card, the criminal will not be able to purchase goods online from retailers which require the code.

Von Solms said consumers must memorize or write down the CVV number somewhere safe before removing it from the card.

African Funerals. Where Do We Draw The Line?

Is there a line to start with? Who determines what and how things should be done at funerals? Have we stooped to the level where the society dictates on how we should conduct funerals?

Some few decades ago, funerals used to be a dignified, solemn, somber occasion. Families, friends and neighbors would gather together to comfort one another. Sometimes a night vigil would be held and at that occasion, the life of the deceased is remembered. On the funeral day the surrounding area would be quite. No noise of children playing, no sound of music would break the thick gloom over that family. I don't know where things changed. What we have today can make many of the long gone turn in their graves! The black nation has experience a huge revolution in the way funerals are conducted. I can';t even explain where did it all start.

Was it City Funerals, by introducing glamorous limousines as hearses and family cars to the African market? Was it the 80s, at the height of township riots where 100s were dying on a weekly basis, that our weekend were spent mostly at funerals than at home to relax? Was it the increase of deaths from HIV-related diseases that made us callous to the seriousness of death? Was it hunger at home, knowing that the best cuisine will be at the funeral? What went wrong where? Does it matter?

The funeral management industry and insurance companies saw this gap and took advantage of it, unfortunately to the detriment of the living. How so. Poor families cannot afford to pay for funerals because even a basic coffin has been made so expensive that it's unaffordable. Coffin manufacturers make the basic coffin look so ugly that the family is psychologically pushed to upgrade to a 'better', meaning more expensive coffin. In order to meet these rising expenses families are having stokvels or funeral policies which can meet with these expenses. Many families rather go hungry or with less necessities that miss a stokvel payment. It seems we have invested more in death than in life.

And then there comes the part now where we have turned funerals into parties. My goodness! It's shocking, appalling, to name a few. Girls dress and dance semi-naked. DJs are hired to entertain the mourners. The funeral procession has become more of a wedding celebration than a funeral. Booze flows like rivers, to music blaring at every car with the best sound system one can afford. See video on heavy dancing at a funeral in Dance at a funeral Where do we draw the line? Does it matter?

Look at other nations around us, more richer than us. Just take time to observe their practices and compare it with our funerals. We can't even claim that this is how Africans do things. We have been made puppets of funeral commercialization, all in the name that we want to bury our loved on in dignity. Yes, there's nothing wrong with dignity, but at what cost? What legacy and lesson are we leaving behind for the generations to come? Is this how we want to remembered?

R1 gets you a Gautrain bus straight to the SAB World of Beer

Hop on a Gautrain bus straight to the World of Beer this December and January. Photo courtesy of Gautrain

Travelling to the SAB World of Beer is about to get a whole lot easier – and cheaper too. From 5 December 2015 to 17 January 2016, you can hop on any Gautrain bus for just R1 per trip. One rand? A hundred cents? Yep, we could hardly believe it either.

This offer makes getting to the World of Beer so much easier. Simply hop on the Gautrain to Park Station, get on the bus for a mere R1 (let’s say that again: one rand) and make use of the Gautrain bus’s new route (applicable over the festive campaign) straight to the World of Beer.

What’s more, if you join us for a beer tour during this time, we’ll give you R5 off your ticket price. To qualify, all you have to do is collect your voucher at Park Station as you get off the Gautrain. Travelling this way also affords a little bit of freedom if you’d like to stay for a pint or two in our Tap Room afterwards.

It’s worth mentioning that travellers who will be making use of the Gautrain will also be able to park at any Gautrain station for R1 per day, depending on space availability and when taking a return Gautrain trip.

During the promotion, be sure to keep your ears tuned to Jacaranda FM, 947 and Kaya FM for more incredible prizes brought to you by Gautrain – you could win cash prizes, vouchers and special packages, including tickets to the World of Beer for beer tours, and tour and tasting combos.

Get ready to hop on the Gautrain for a fun, stress-free and super-cheap outing. Roll on December!

Simple Yet Effective Resolutions For 2016.

It is that time of the year again, when New Year Resolutions are drawn and will be quickly shelved back into drawers before any one of them is executed. What can you do to stick to yours? What simple resolutions can you set for yourself and make sure they are all successful?

What simple resolutions can you make for yourself in 2016.


   1. Exercise more, keep fit.- There's nothing more important than keeping a healthy lifestyle, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Setup a fixed time to wake up in the morning to exercise, meditate and pray. You day starts better when you call for divine intervention. It puts you in a right frame of mind and when you start meeting challenges in the day, you have a more calmer,sober frame of mind to deal with them.

  2. Spend More Time With Family.- The importance of family cannot be overemphasized. They can be your primary support structure, your mentors, referees, critics and cheerleaders. I've seen people going to Idols auditions, with no voices capable to sing to save their lives, but with their families believing in them, stand in the long queues and standing before the judges to break the Mics. It's your family, use them.

  3. Save Money, Find Deals.- Look around for ways you can save money in 2016. Can you try to keep your credit card in positive. How about starting end January, to put money aside for your December holiday? There's many platforms today that offer consumers 30% up to 70% Discounts on essential goods. Take advantage of such.

  4. Travel to new places. Explore, be adventurous. Go see places. Do not be stuck in one place. Don't let your weekends be consumed by attending funerals or Pubs. Visit Game farms, canoeing and hiking can be distressing activities you can do in 2016. There's many travel agents that can assist you with your travel arrangements, like NdizaFofa Travel, see www.facebook.com/Ndizafofa

  5. Listen More, Talk Less.- Many people are getting more anxious with the conditions in the world, unemployment, depression, relationship breakdown, economic turmoil. Friends need a listening ear. Be there for them when they need you. Do not be quick to pass judgement, but be careful of taking sides in couple squabbles, you will end up being the villian.

  6. Decorate your Home.- Do not hold back in spending money for your home. It is your haven after all, that's where you unwind after a long day at work. So your home should look relaxing, it should be welcoming, giving you peace of mind. Spend something on it.

  7. Be More Awesome.- Understandably you can't please everyone, but can you try to make your company a pleasant one, refreshing and beneficial to others. Perhaps you are going to be joined by new colleagues, some fresh from school, college or university. Can you try to be polite, friendly and more helpful. You never know what that investment can yield later on in life.

  8. Quit Bad Habits- You know yourself more than anybody else. You know your weaknesses and bad habits. Work on them. Make a commitment and be determined to rid yourself of these bad habit. Let your colleagues see a new you. It can be done, it is worth all the effort.

All in all, as we come to the close of 2015, may 2016 be the most memorable and prosperous one for you and your loved ones.

Independent Ethics Committee bans Joseph S. Blatter and Michel Platini

21.12.2015 The adjudicatory chamber of the Ethics Committee chaired by Mr Hans‑Joachim Eckert has banned Mr Joseph S. Blatter, President of FIFA, for eight years and Mr Michel Platini, Vice-President and member of the Executive Committee of FIFA and President of UEFA, for eight years from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) on a national and international level. The bans come into force immediately. The proceedings against Mr Blatter primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 transferred in February 2011 from FIFA to Mr Platini. Mr Blatter, in his position as President of FIFA, authorised the payment to Mr Platini which had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999. Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment. His assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber. The evidence available to the adjudicatory chamber in the present case was not sufficient to establish, to the extent required, that Mr Blatter sought the execution or omission of an official act from Mr Platini within the meaning of article 21 paragraph 1 of the FIFA Code of Ethics (FCE) (Bribery and corruption). However, the conduct of Mr Blatter towards Mr Platini without a legal basis constituted a breach of article 20 paragraph 1 of the FCE (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits). Furthermore, Mr Blatter found himself in a situation of conflict of interest, despite which he continued to perform his related duties, failing to disclose said situation and the existence of personal interests linked to his prospective activities, thus violating article 19 paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of the FCE (Conflicts of interest). By failing to place FIFA’s interests first and abstain from doing anything which could be contrary to FIFA’s interests, Mr Blatter violated his fiduciary duty to FIFA and breached article 15 of the FCE (Loyalty). Mr Blatter’s actions did not show commitment to an ethical attitude, failing to respect all applicable laws and regulations as well as FIFA’s regulatory framework to the extent applicable to him and demonstrating an abusive execution of his position as President of FIFA, hence violating article 13 of the FCE (General rules of conduct). In consequence, Mr Blatter has been banned for eight years from all football‑related activities and fined CHF 50,000. The investigation into the case of Mr Blatter was conducted by Mr Robert Torres, member of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee. The investigation resulted in a final report which was submitted to the adjudicatory chamber on 20 November 2015. The adjudicatory chamber opened formal proceedings on 23 November 2015, and the hearing of Mr Blatter took place in Zurich on 17 December 2015. The proceedings against Mr Platini primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 that he received in February 2011 from FIFA. The payment to Mr Platini had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999. Mr Platini’s assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber. The evidence available to the adjudicatory chamber in the present case was not sufficient to establish, to the extent required, that Mr Platini obtained the payment for the execution or omission of an official act within the meaning of article 21 paragraph 1 of the FCE (Bribery and corruption). Nevertheless, the conduct of Mr Platini without a legal basis constituted a breach of article 20 paragraph 1 of the FCE (Offering and accepting gifts and other benefits). Furthermore, Mr Platini found himself in a situation of conflict of interest, despite which he continued to perform his related duties, failing to disclose said situation and the existence of personal interests linked to his prospective activities in violation of article 19 paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of the FCE (Conflicts of interest). By failing to place FIFA’s interests first and abstain from doing anything which could be contrary to FIFA’s interests, Mr Platini also violated his fiduciary duty to FIFA and breached article 15 of the FCE (Loyalty). In addition, Mr Platini failed to act with complete credibility and integrity, showing unawareness of the importance of his duties and concomitant obligations and responsibilities. His actions did not show commitment to an ethical attitude, failing to respect all applicable laws and regulations as well as FIFA’s regulatory framework to the extent applicable to him and demonstrating an abusive execution of his position as Vice-President of FIFA and member of the FIFA Executive Committee, hence violating article 13 of the FCE (General rules of conduct). In consequence, Mr Platini has been banned for eight years from all football‑related activities and fined CHF 80,000. The investigation into the case of Mr Platini was conducted by Ms Vanessa Allard, member of the investigatory chamber of the Ethics Committee. The investigation resulted in a final report which was submitted to the adjudicatory chamber on 20 November 2015. The adjudicatory chamber opened formal proceedings on 23 November 2015, and the hearing took place in Zurich on 18 December 2015 in the presence of Mr Platini’s lawyers. ~From Fifa

Take a Shot'left Mzansi

Going on holiday is very important.

It is that time of the year when you want to unwind, relax and throw your cares away. You have been sweating all year round, working hard to achieve your goals. Some have, some have not, but it's now time to slow down and spend time with your family and friends. Where are you going?

You have ample choices.

1. You can visit a Game reserve.

2. Go to the sea side.

3. Go overseas

4. Book a hotel inland, or while at home,

5. Visit local attractions in your area. For example, if you're in Johannesburg, visit the Zoo, Gold Reef City, Maropeng/Sterkfontein Caves, Haartebeespoort Dam, and many more.

What ever you do, please don't lock yourself at home. Go out to picnics, parks, restaurants, local pubs, mingle, meet new people. This is the time to relax.

How do you get there?

You can,

Drive,

Fly,

Travel by train or by Bus, the choice is yours.

Come visit our website to choose many destination all over the country. Click on the link below
Take a Shot' Left

 Whatever you do, Be safe. Don't drink and drive. Stay Away from trouble. Happy Holidays Mzansi!!!

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