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    How to Calculate your Pension Fund

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    In South Africa, many people work well into retirement. Whether that’s a choice to keep busy or because most people are grossly under budget for retirement is debatable. But, what isn’t debatable is that to survive retirement without having to compete with South Africa’s high youth unemployment for jobs, you need to know how much you have in your pension fund and start making plans to save more, if necessary.

    Step by Step Guide to Calculate Pension Fund

    If you want to know exactly how much you have contributed to a pension fund, it’s time to pull out your payslips and look over your employer’s pension fund contribution. Your employer’s pension fund contribution will depend on your salary in addition to the fund your employer chooses to contribute to, as each fund has criteria that the contributors – in this case, your employer – have to comply with.

    Step 1: Prepare Your Payslips

    The amount your employer contributes will be available on your payslip. It may differ month to month if you have a commission-based job or complete shift work. For that reason, you can add every monthly contribution together. Alternatively, you could ask the HR department or payroll department what your annual contribution is to a pension fund to save yourself the time of having to calculate it manually.

    Another trick would be to look through your tax returns. If your employer provides information to SARS about your pension fund contribution, the annual figure will be available on your ITR12 tax return, which you can access through e-filing.

    Since SARS also has an extensive archive of returns, you can determine how much you have contributed if you got a promotion or changed jobs without having to dig up every payslip in the history of your career.

    Step 2: Calculate The Total

    Once you have your payslips ready, your historical tax returns or information from HR, you can add the total of each annual contribution. If you have also made any contributions, this would be the time to add those.

    Don’t worry if you’re slightly off; these estimates will help you better plan your retirement savings.

    If you need more accurate figures, you will need to contact your provider.

    Step 3: Add Interest

    Since your pension contribution goes into a fund, you should also add the effective interest rate to get a complete view of how much you have in retirement savings. Most funds will either invest in unit trusts – a low-risk option – or international and local funds that also carry minimal risk. For example, Old Mutual’s Retirement Annuity options give you an annual interest rate of between 5% and 8%. You can contact your retirement fund provider to get an annual interest rate.

    Determine If You’re Saving Enough

    Once you know more or less how much you have in your pension fund, it’s time to determine if that’s the ideal figure based on your age and stage of life.

    Relying on being able to work in old age can be detrimental to your health and could be difficult to sustain. Whereas the old people’s grant, which is currently just under R2,000 a month, isn’t enough to cover rising electricity, petrol, and food prices, especially if you’ve gotten accustomed to the kind of money you will earn having a full-time job for most of your lifetime.

    Multiply Your Needs By 300

    To get an idea of how much you would need at retirement, you can multiply your currently monthly income by 300. So, if you live comfortably on R30,000 a month, in retirement, you would need R9 million. However, that figure can differ as you wouldn’t need to pay for expenses like school fees and the cost of raising dependents if you have any. However, this calculation factors in inflation. While you may not have the expenses associated with youth, by the time you retire, the value of R1 will have decreased significantly.

    Once you know how much you need to retire based on this calculation, you should subtract your current age from the age of retirement. The result is the number of years you have to save before retiring.

    Then multiply the number of years by 12. This figure will be the number of months you have left before retirement – and will help you determine how much your monthly contribution should be toward retirement. After you’ve completed this process, divide the amount you need by retirement by the number of months left until you retire to discover how much you need to contribute every month.

    Also Read: How to Get Funding for a Start-up Business in South Africa?

    Consider Using a Pension Fund Calculator

    If you don’t want to put in the effort to determine how much you should be saving in a retirement fund, there are pension fund calculators that make the process simpler. These calculators give you a rough idea of what your financial needs will be like at retirement, in addition to how much you can expect to get at retirement based on how much you put aside each month. Many calculators will also display potential retirement products once you complete the information in the calculator.

    Sanlam Pension Fund Calculator

    The Sanlam Pension Fund requires you to enter your personal details. You need to input your gender, age, retirement age, pretax income, existing retirement savings, and monthly contributions. The calculator also needs you to insert how much income you want to receive every month at retirement age. The calculator will then reveal the deficit – if any – to achieve a comfortable retirement.

    Old Mutual Retirement Fund Calculator

    Old Mutual’s calculator requires you to input your age, the amount you have saved in retirement funds, current monthly contribution, and monthly income into the calculator.

    The calculator will then tell you how much you’ll receive a month at retirement based on the information you provided, in addition to how much you’ll need a month to continue living comfortably in retirement.

    GEPF Benefits Calculator

    If you are or have ever been a government employee, you’ll need to use the GEPF benefits calculator to determine how much you have in retirement savings. Unlike other calculators on this list, the GEPF calculator will reveal how much you’ll receive at retirement.

    When using the calculator, input your initials and surname, followed by your date of birth. Then accept the terms and conditions.

    You will then need to enter your service date and exit date in addition to what you would like to calculate (in this case, retirement).

    If, for some reason, you need a precise figure detailing how much you have in retirement funds, compile a list of every former employer – where you did not transfer funds or withdraw benefits. Then contact the HR department to determine which fund they contributed to on your behalf. Using this list, you will need to contact each fund, either fax or email your details, before you can access details about the fund. Using this information, you can calculate how much you have in your pension fund and decide if you would like to consolidate these figures into one.

    How to Compile A Top CV And Nail the Job Interview

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    Many South Africans find themselves in a position where they need work because they’re unemployed or want to find new jobs because they are dissatisfied with their current employer. However, given the competitive nature of South Africa’s job market, you need to have a CV that stands out – and once you’re in, know how to nail the job interview. To help you do this, we have created a detailed guide on how to compile your CV, in addition to tips on how to nail the job interview.

    How Do You Compile a CV in South Africa?

    Even if you have the qualifications or skills required for a job, you may not get a callback or an interview if your CV doesn’t meet the standards expected by the employer or agency. For that reason, compile your CV in a manner that shows off your strongest traits.

    List Your Details

    There should be a section on your CV that includes your details. This should include your phone number, email address, and name and surname. You can also add your physical address. However, given that South Africans regularly travel out of the suburb they reside for their jobs, adding your physical address isn’t necessary.

    Tip: Below your details, you can also include the title of the job you are applying to, as this shows employers that you are the right person for the job.

    Summarise Your Work Experience

    Summarising your work experience is not necessary. However, it can help recruitment agencies and HR departments review your CV. This summary will be one or two sentences that condense the information on your CV into a byline that sums up your work experience.

    Detail Your Work History

    After the above sections, you should include your work history. Format it like this:

    The position you held, the name of the company where you worked, followed by the month and year you worked there.

    Then you should add two or three concise bullet points detailing what you did in the job and the responsibilities you had.

    If you do not have a lengthy work history, add volunteer experience or even leadership roles you held in high school or college.

    Add Your Education and Qualifications

    Beneath your work history, add the qualifications and education you have.

    You should add the name of the qualification, the school or body where you received the qualification and the year you received the qualification.

    For example: Matric, St Cyprian’s College, 2005.

    Display Your Language Skills

    Since South Africa has eleven official languages, you may want to include your skill level for each language you can speak, write or are fluent in.

    Include a List of Soft Skills

    Beyond your education and qualifications, you should also include a list of soft skills. You can place this anywhere on the document. But, closer to the top is usually advised.

    In addition to soft skills, you can also add systems that you are proficient in.

    Add One or Two References

    At the very end of your CV, add the contact details of one or two references. If you want to, you can add the individual’s job title as a reference to give your CV some relevance.

    How Long Should Your CV Be?

    Regardless of how long you’ve been working, your CV should never be more than two pages. Ideally, you want to fit all the most critical information on one page so that agencies and internal recruitment staff can review the CV. Besides, a short CV makes it easier for a manager or employer to ask questions about your CV when you are being interviewed.

    Tips to Have a Successful Job Interview

    If you’ve created a winning curriculum vitae, you will most likely get a call for an interview. The interview determines whether or not you will get the job, so work on putting your best foot forward.

    Before The Interview

    These are some of the steps you should take before going for the interview. They will help increase your confidence on the day of the interview.

    Research The Company

    Smaller companies frequently hire workers. So, if you are being interviewed by a smaller company, it helps knowing more about the company, like who its founders are and what are the company’s values. Smaller companies tend to have a lengthy interview process that could include an interview with senior executives – or the CEO – and requires that you impress them.

    Prepare for Common Interview Questions

    Most interviewers will ask the same questions about your work history, experience, and skills. Since they are interviewing several different candidates, you want to keep your answers short yet memorable. You don’t have to rehearse your answers, but try to have some talking points you want to mention and then create a list of questions you would like to ask at the end of the interview.

    Some of the questions asked at interviews include:

    • Why do you want this job?
    • Why should we hire you?
    • Tell me about yourself?
    • What are your strengths/weaknesses?

    Take Practice Aptitude Tests

    If you haven’t been to a job interview recently, you may be surprised to find out that many businesses rely on aptitude tests to determine if a candidate is right for the job. For that reason, you may want to familiarize yourself with some common aptitude tests before the day of the interview.

    Day of The Interview

    While preparation helps you feel confident in the interview room, what you do on the day of the interview reflects on your character and professionalism and is the most important first impression.

    Dress Appropriately

    You don’t need to be wearing a three-piece suit to an interview. However, you should dress appropriately. This means that even if the company you’re applying to work for has a casual dress code, you will still dress professionally.

    A shirt tucked into slacks with a neat hairstyle and appropriate shoes are ideal. You can add personality with small touches like a watch, scarf, or cardigan.

    If you’re wearing makeup, use neutral colours.

    Arrive On Time

    You want to be waiting for the interviewer, not the other way around. Therefore, try showing up to the interview at least 10 minutes prior. If you are driving, add time to your commute to account for traffic and parking at the venue.

    For A Remote Interview

    Since the country – and the world – is still battling a pandemic, the company you apply to may conduct remote interviews. If this is the case, there is proper etiquette you need to follow to have a successful remote interview.

    Have Good Lighting and Audio

    You may want to test your audio and lighting before the interview to see if you look good and if your audio is clear. Consider using a headpiece or in-ear earphones to improve your audio. Also, your face should be lit up sufficiently. Try putting a lamp – with a daylight bulb – behind your PC, or sit in front of a window. Test different techniques if the room you are sitting in is dark.

    Check Your Internet Connection

    If the position is for remote work, be sure your internet connection is fast and reliable. You can check this before the interview by completing a test run with a friend.

    Remember that having faster speeds shows the interviewer that if you were working from home, you would have the necessary bandwidth to do the job, and it also shows employers that you are committed to working.

    Sit in a Quiet Area

    While you may think it’s a good idea to go to a coffee shop to get faster internet speeds, be warned: that is a bad idea. Not only could you be interrupted at any time, but the background noise and movement also makes it appear that you are unprofessional.

    After following these tips to compile your CV and nail the job interview, you will be one step closer to getting the job you are applying for.

     

    How to View and Pay AARTO Traffic Fines Easily Online

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    Many South Africans may not be aware that road infringements were criminalised and processed as part of the Criminal Procedure Act before the Department of Transport’s recent changes to traffic violations.

    Now that the phased introduction of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) system is in full swing, South African road users will no longer be criminally penalised by most common road infringements. Besides not being criminally prosecuted, they can expect to make considerable savings if they know how to view and pay AARTO traffic fines online.

    The first part of the phased introduction of AARTO is to make viewing and paying for traffic violations easier. The AARTO has partnered with many retailers to create service outlets but has also been working with online service providers in the hope that more drivers will pay their traffic fines on time.

    Where To View AARTO Traffic Fines Online

    The most significant incentive to view and pay traffic fines online is that you could benefit from a 50% reduction in cost. This reduction is available if you pay your traffic fine within a specific period – 32 days after receiving the initial infringement notice.

    The AARTO has committed to delivering the infringement notice by registered mail. However, many drivers find that they either have not received the notice or received the notice too late, making it impossible to benefit from savings.

    Furthermore, many drivers aren’t aware that they have committed a road infringement, possibly because the violation was captured by a traffic camera or someone else was driving the vehicle when the infringement took place. For that reason, knowing where to view AARTO traffic fines online is ideal.

    This list of online service providers shows the most commonly used platforms to view traffic fines for free online.

    AARTO.gov.za

    The simplest method to view your traffic fines is to create an account with AARTO.gov.za.

    Step 1: Start by visiting AARTO online portal and clicking on ‘Register’ at the top right side of the screen.

    Step 2: Select if you are an individual driver or registering as a proxy for a company. 

    Step 3: Fill in the required details and complete the registration process.

    Step 4: You will now be able to search for traffic infringements.

    PayCity

    For the municipalities where PayCity works, it has become a go-to for many drivers. The service is convenient, modern, and easy to use, and they have telephonic support if you need it.

    On PayCity, viewing your fines is free. However, there are fees if you want to pay your fines using the service.

    To view fines using PayCity, you can follow the steps below.

    Step 1: Visit the PayCity Website.

    Step 2: Click on ‘Register‘ at the top right side of the screen.

    Step 3: Input your name, surname, email address, and password.

    Step 4: On your dashboard, click on traffic fines and add your ID number, company registration number, or foreign identification.

    Step 5: You will now be able to see your outstanding fines.

    ViewFines.net

    ViewFines.net has valuable features in that – if your traffic offence is caught on camera – you may be able to see the image. This will help you decide if you should dispute the offence or if you want to nominate another driver.

    However, not all traffic infringements have an accompanying image. Nevertheless, you can still view your traffic infringements and the information about each traffic infringement on viewfines.net. Then, from there, you can make arrangements to pay. But, to view your traffic infringements, you will need to create an account:

    Step 1: Visit viewfines.net

    Step 2: Click on ‘Login/Register at the top right side of the screen.

    Step 3: If you don’t have an account yet, click on ‘Don’t have an account yet? Get Started‘ beneath the login section.

    Step 4: Fill in your ID number and other personal details to create an account.

    Step 5: Access your dashboard to find any outstanding fines.

    How to Pay AARTO Traffic Fines Online

    Once you’ve been made aware of a traffic violation, it makes sense to want to pay it immediately or – at the very least – make payment arrangements with the AARTO. Considering that if you don’t make payments – or a payment arrangement – within those first 32 days, you could be liable for penalties of up to R300 besides the cost of the initial infringement.

    Although there may be plenty of options to view your traffic violations online for free, there aren’t that many service providers that enable you to pay your traffic fines online for free.

    Many service providers allow you to pay your traffic fines, either at a once-off cost or part of a subscription model that comes with additional perks. The list below details where you can pay AARTO traffic fines online.

    Internet Banking

    All of South Africa’s major banks – FNB, Standard Bank, Capitec Bank, Nedbank, and ABSA – allow their customers to pay their traffic fines online, using the online banking portal. FNB also enables users to pay for traffic fines via cellphone banking.

    Nevertheless, if you’re using your online banking portal, use the navigation menu to find the section for traffic fines. You can then pay for the fine using your ID number to search for the fine or the traffic violation number.

    Cost: This will be subject to the type of account you have with your bank or any additional service charges.

    PayCity

    PayCity is the most convenient option as they provide you with notifications of new traffic infringements and calculate the potential savings if you decide to pay sooner.

    However, to pay using PayCity, you will need to sign up for an account, and there is no way to pay your fine for free using this platform.

    Cost: If you have not signed up for a subscription with PayCity, you will be subject to a R10 ‘convenience’ fee every time you pay using PayCity. However, subscriptions start at R130 a year and include perks like getting real-time notifications of traffic infringements as well as reminders to pay fines.

    There are also mechanisms to pay traffic fines offline. If you find yourself in retailers like Pick n Pay, Checkers, Shoprite, Boxer, and some Spars, you can pay your traffic fines at the till point.

    It can be more convenient – and cheaper – if you’re already at the shop. However, if you need to go out of your way to visit a retailer, it’s better to know how to pay your AARTO traffic fines online.

    UFS Prospectus – How to Download And Apply to UFS

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    UFS plays a major role in teaching and learning, as well as advising academic projects nationally and internationally.

    Once the academic year begins, applicants worldwide will look to find ways to download the UFS prospectus. This is a highly required document for prospective or new students. The UFS prospectus, mostly in pdf format, contains all the information you need to complete your UFS admission.

    Viewing your desired university’s prospectus is important for you to gain necessary information regarding your specific program or other details like fees, accommodation, campus facilities, admission requirements, courses, and all other required information.

    Our blog will provide information on downloading or accessing the 2024 UFS prospectuses.

    To view it, you will need a smartphone, tablet, or computer that accepts PDF file downloads.

    How To Download UFS Prospectus 2025

    To access the UFS prospectus, you can do so through a quick Google search or searching “prospectus” on the university’s website.

    To access the UFS prospectus on the website, simply visit www.ufs.ac.za. Locate the prospective within the page and select prospectus to view all the available prospective for the academic year. If navigating your way on the homepage is the problem, you can easily click the search button at the top right corner of the home page and type in “prospectus.” This will direct you to the page, and you can click to download your required prospectus.

    UFS Undergraduate Prospectus

    It is important to note that the UFS undergraduate prospect is targeted at prospective undergraduate students looking to apply to The University of Free State and looking forward to starting their academic year in the current year. The prospectus describes and outlines the university’s programs/courses and services and the admission requirements for each program. Reading all the university’s rules, policies, and regulations is important. From time to time, the university amends it to suit the students, the mission, and the school’s objective.

    Part of their mission is inspiring and excellent transformation of lives. UFS stands for quality, positive impact, and care.

    The undergraduate prospectus for UFS contains the pros and cons of your choice, the faculties within the school, a detailed description of their various campuses, applications for local and international applicants, various offices and facilities, and the bursary procedures.

    UFS Postgraduate Prospectus

    As we know, postgraduate is all about furthering the undergraduate courses that you completed. Hence, the prospectus describes and outlines the university’s programs/courses and services and the admission requirements for each program. Reading all the university’s rules, policies, and regulations is essential. Every academic year, UFS updates and makes necessary amendments to its programs that will reflect the objectives and mission of the school.

    Even with the postgraduate prospectus, there are requirements to gain admission to UFS. Not all programs offered in the undergraduate section are offered in the postgraduate section. Some programs may be offered if there are enough applicants, and this is a normal procedure to ensure the logistics and facilities are ready to serve the students or applicants.

    Do You Upload UFS Prospectus When Submitting an Application?

    The school administration provides the UFS prospectus. New and prospective students who have submitted their UFS application are not required to submit the UFS prospectus again. This PDF document has already been made accessible to all students on the University’s website. You can easily download it based on entry purposes, whether undergraduate or postgraduate.

    Does UFS Have Bursaries?

    At this moment, there is good news for all students or applicants at UFS. It has been confirmed that from April 2025, UFS will receive bursaries. The university will also provide a detailed step-by-step process for remitting all payments. The need is to ensure that all bursaries from UFS will be available and provide financial assistance to all departments within the university.

    Does NSFAS Funds UFS Students?

    As part of the new arrangement with UFS, NSFAS allocates all your funds to the UFS system, which automatically allows you to register your courses without making any payment. NSFAS sends SMS alerts to all notified parties.  NSFAS provides funding to UFS students regularly and upon request. All approval and validation are done to ensure students who applied for financial aid will receive alerts informing them about their payment.

    If you still have concerns or inquiries about accessing the prospectus at UFS, feel free to email studentadmin@ufs.ac.za or call 051 401 9666. For general information, email info@ufs.ac.za.

     

    How to Register On the Central Supplier Database [CSD]: Step-by-Step Guide

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    Governments worldwide have ways that they do business with private suppliers, with minimum set standards that must be adhered to. In the same manner, the South African Government has its own demands, one of which is that all businesses that do business with it be registered and entered into the Central Supplier Database (CSD) of the country.

    What is the CSD? Well, this is a platform where individuals, businesses, and institutions that want to do business with the South African Government can register their details. The fact that you would have registered there is, in fact, an expression of interest in doing business with the Government of South Africa. The CSD, therefore, maintains a database of organizations, institutions, and individuals who can provide goods and services to the Government. And, below is the registration process.

    • Visit the CSD website, click where it says Register, and register as a new account
    • Afterwards, you receive an activation email to the email address you would have used to register. Follow instructions to activate the account
    • Log into your account on CSD
    • Next, you will fill in the following details, as requested
      • Supplier identification information – foreign suppliers can register too
      • Provide your industry classification
      • Provide your contact and address information
      • Provide your banking details
      • Provide your tax information

    The above stages are the initial registration processes. Once you are done with those, you will be asked to proceed. Below is how the process will continue;

    • After providing your tax information, if your company was not registered through the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC), you will be asked to provide directors and members information
    • Provide company associations, if relevant
    • Provide commodities information
    • Maintain users
    • Complete notification information
    • If relevant, provide accreditation information
    • Complete your B-BEE information
    • Once done, click on Submit to continue

    After submission, a CSD supplier number and unique registration reference are auto-generated and sent to you. Once you complete registering, your information will be verified before inclusion in the database. Organs of the state will now be able to access your verified CSD supplier information after you are included, and you will also receive communication to that effect.

    Kindly note that there is auto-verification of supplier information with the South African Revenue Service (SARS), the CIPC, and other relevant organizations that maintain up-to-date databases of companies. Therefore, if your company is registered in South Africa and is not up to date with its taxes, or is not compliant on its annual returns with the CIPC, that may jeopardize your chances of making it into the government suppliers database.

    Also, as a parting shot, you cannot do business with the South African Government outside this process. Therefore, it helps that your company adheres to all the registration requirements. It will increase your chances of being approved and included in the database. However, the registration process is not very scary, nor is it too difficult – approach it calmly and provide everything they require.

    How to Apply for SITA Learnership Programme

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    The SITA ICT learnership program offers a year-long paid internship to qualifying South Africans who are willing to advance their careers in the field of Information Technology (I.T.).

    SITA is a government I.T. agency central to the successful implementation of the National Development Plan Vision 2030. Also, this agency exists for the sole purpose of strategically leveraging I.T. as a resource for the Government, using it to manage the I.T. procurement and delivery process. This is done so that the Government gets value for money and uses I.T. to support the delivery of e-Government services to all citizens.

    Hence, the first part of a successful job application is preparation. In your preparation, first, get on the SITA site and review the requirements for the learnership program. When done, make sure that you introduce yourself in your CV, stating how you will help advance the above-listed SITA functions and how you will benefit South Africa at large.

    Here are the major requirements for the application:

    • You must be an unemployed South African citizen between 18 and 35 years
    • You must have completed Matric / Grade 12
    • You must possess an IT Degree, Project Management, or equivalent qualification
    • You must also be Computer-literate
    • No working experience is required
    • Applicants should not have participated in any internship program before

    Once you are done preparing and reviewing all requirements, gather all required documents. These are your S.A. I.D copy and copies of all qualifications. If you have an international qualification, get it verified by SAQA. Remember, SAQA has a turnaround time which may stretch to 14 days or more in some cases. Therefore, make sure that you apply for their evaluation in time – enough not to miss the deadline.

    Once you are done with the paperwork, send your detailed CV, certified copies of qualifications and a copy of your S.A. I.D document to the preferred provincial office. SITA releases emails that you must use for each province. These emails are also specific to which division you will be applying for.

    Here are examples of emails they used for applications:

    • If you were applying in the Eastern Cape province, you would send your CV and supporting documents to ecrecruitment@sita.co.zaIf you were applying in Gauteng Province; you send your CV and supporting documents to gprecuitment@sita.co.za

    The rest of the provinces’ email addresses are listed below;

    • Mpumalanga/Nelspruit – mprecuitment@sita.co.za
    • Western Cape – wcrecuitment@sita.co.za
    • Northern Cape – ncrecuitment@sita.co.za
    • Limpopo – lprecuitment@sita.co.za
    • Kwazulu-Natal – kznrecuitment@sita.co.za
    • North West – nwrecuitment@sita.co.za

    While sending through the applications, note that each province has its own unique requirements. For example, Gauteng Province may only be taking interns for the Business Analysis division, while Kwazulu-Natal will be looking for Software Engineers. Therefore, ensure that you take note of your own province’s requirements, including who they are looking to hire. This helps you not to make the mistake of applying for a position that is not in line with your career goals.

    How to Register for the City of Johannesburg(COJ) Account

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    The long queues and system downtime at regional customer service centres are the reason getting assistance in person from the COJ is challenging.

    However, since these regional customer service centres provide essential services, finding the time to visit a centre during their office hours is seen as unavoidable.

    Thankfully, property owners, buyers, developers, tenants, or business owners in Johannesburg, can reduce this frustration by opening a City of Johannesburg eServices account. This account allows you to access vital services and track the progress of your requests online, making it far more convenient than spending a weekday – during office hours – being shuffled from one desk to another, only to leave with the wrong form.

    Everything You Need to Know About City of Johannesburg eServices.

    If you own a property in Johannesburg, having access to this eServices platform will make dealing with the city easier. The platform is available 24/7 and can be accessed from anywhere in the world. This allows you to manage rental properties or access pertinent information about your property even when you’re not in the city or can’t find the time to make it to a regional

    service centre.

     

    All the Services Offered on The COJ eServices Website.

    Although the eServices website is far more convenient than going to the customer service centre, only some services offered through the centres are available online. Many of the most frequently accessed services are available online. However, given that not all services are available online, it’s important to identify the services you can use. That way, you’re able to determine when going to a regional office is necessary. The following list will help you determine what services are offered by the COJ eServices platform.

    Building Plans

    Draughtsmen, owners, architects, and agents can better manage building projects by tracking the progress of the building plan through the eServices platform. You can track the progress of these plans by inputting the plan’s reference number, township name, and applicant name in the search engine available on the COJ eServices platform.

    If you have further queries or need further assistance, you can also email Emmanuelmu@joburg.org.za.

    Rates, Water, and Lights Statements

    Using the COJ eServices platform, you can access online invoices – eStatements – for your municipal rates, water, and electricity bills. This way, you have immediate access to your statements, which will be emailed to you, and you can manage your account 24/7 from anywhere in the country or world.

    Property Evaluations

    Property evaluations are necessary to determine the amount you pay in rates. Because of the role it plays in deciding the cost of municipal rates; users can use the COJ website to view valuations, object to valuations, and request new valuations.

    COJ Maps

    For information relating to zoning, transportation, and tourism, users of the City of Johannesburg eServices platform can access COJ maps. To access these maps, users do not need to have a COJ account but will need to accept the terms and conditions before viewing or accessing any maps on the database.

    How do I Register with the City of Johannesburg?

    If you need to access any of the services mentioned above, you must register a City of Johannesburg account. The process is simple and shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to complete.

    Step 1: Visit The COJ eServices Portal.

    Begin by visiting the COJ eServices portal and navigating to the prompt to register further down the page. Alternatively, once you’re on the eServices portal, you can click ‘Login’ on the right side of the screen and then click register beneath the login button.

    Step 2: Complete the Online Form

    You will then be redirected to the online form where you need to input your ID number, passport number or business registration number – if you’re registering as a business. You will also need to include your initials and full name and surname, followed by your contact details, email address, and username and password.

    Your username should be between 6 to 10 characters and not include any special characters.

    Step 3: Submit Your Application Form

    Before you can submit your application, you need to complete a captcha challenge and accept the terms and conditions. Once that is done, you can access your COJ account using your username and password.

    How to Open a Municipal Account with City of Johannesburg

    Unfortunately, those who have purchased a new property or are in the process of purchasing a property will not be able to view and track the property’s eStatements until they have the rates, water, and electricity registered in their name. The COJ has expressed that owners and tenants cannot inherit existing water and electricity accounts from previous owners or tenants. Therefore, to register a COJ water and electricity account in your name, follow the three-step process detailed below.

    Visit the Nearest Customer Service Centre

    You cannot complete or initiate this process online. Instead, you will need to visit the closest COJ regional service centre. You can find a list of regional service centres using this link. However, before you travel to any service centre, be sure you have confirmed the opening times for the day you plan to visit and know whether the service you need assistance with is accommodated at that location.

    Bring Supporting Documentation

    To ensure this is a once-off visit, be sure you bring along the correct supporting documentation. To help you in this regard, you can find a list of supporting documentation requirements below.

    Standard Supporting Documentation:

    • Valid South African ID Document (and certified proof of your South African ID)
    • Next of Kin Details
    • Banking Details (proof of account)
    • The Deposit Amount (in cash, cheque, or EFT proof)

    For Properties That Have Not Yet Been Transferred:

    • All the Standard Documentation
    • Offer to Purchase Deeds Document
    • Meter Number and Latest Reading

    Developers or Buyers of a New Township or Sub Division:

    • Standard Supporting Documents
    • Separate Title Deed for your Stand
    • Certificate of Occupation
    • Surveyor’s General Diagram (which you can obtain from the developer)
    • New Township Proclamation Notice (this can be obtained from the developer)

    Submit the Application for the Supply of Water and Electricity Contract

    Then once you have gathered the supporting documentation, you can make your way to the customer service centre. When you’re at the customer service centre, you will need to ask for an Application for the Supply of Water and Electricity contract. Fill in this form and submit it along with the necessary supporting documentation.

    If you need any assistance or have any queries, you can contact the City of Johannesburg’s Call Centre on 0860 56 28 74 or contact them on social media @CityofJoburg on Facebook and @CityofJoburgZA on Twitter.

    How to Easily Pay E-toll Bill Online

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    E-tolls have become a major point of controversy for Gauteng road users, even resulting in the validity and future of e-tolls being questioned by the national government. The result of those questions hasn’t led to the answers many road users were hoping to hear. Instead, it seems like e-tolls are here to stay. So, whether you agree with the system or not, paying your e-tolls is unavoidable. This guide should make complying easy.

    How Do I Pay my ETAG Bill Online?

    There aren’t many options to pay your ETAG in person. So, if you aren’t particularly cheerful about spending time at a Customer Service Centre or a retailer, paying your ETAG bill online is far more convenient.

    If You Do Not Have An ETag:

    To pay your E-Toll bill online, you will first need an ETAG. To get an ETAG, you can visit a Pick n Pay, Checkers, or Shoprite. These are the only retailers that provide ICASA-approved ETAGs.

    You can also visit a SANRAL Customer Service Centre at a mall or along Gauteng’s e-roads.

    You can also call 0800 726 725 between 06:00 and 22:00 to be able to pick up your ETAG at a Customer Service Centre or to have it delivered to you at an additional fee of R60.

    Once you have an ETAG, you can follow the steps below that outline the procedure for those who have an ETAG.

    If You Have An ETag:

    Once you have an ETAG, registering to pay your e-Toll bill online is easier. You have two options: register as a top-up account or a credit card settlement account.

    Register as a Top-Up Account:

    If you prefer to prepay your account, you can register as a top-up account with a tag.

    • Start by visiting sanral.co.za/etolls.
    • Navigate to the Register SANRAL Account tab on the left side of the screen.
    • Choose the option that best describes your use for the account: business, individual, or exempt user.
    • Select “register as a top-up account with a tag.”
    • Complete the registration process using valid information. SANRAL will send you a verification email with a verification code.
    • Follow the instructions in the email. You will need to return to the previous screen and input your username and verification code.
    • Select your top-up amount and pay online.

    Register as a Credit Card Settlement Account:

    If you don’t want to be a top-up user, you can also create a settlement account.

    • Visit Sanral.co.za/etolls.
    • Select Register SANRAL Account on the left side of the screen.
    • Select if you’re registering as an individual, business, or exempt user.
    • Then click the third option (Credit Card Settlement Account)
    • Fill in your email, username, password, and validation code.
    • Follow the instructions contained in the verification email sent to the email address you’ve input.
    • Pay with your credit card online.

    SANRAL ETAG EFT Banking Details:

    If you decide to prepay your account by EFT, you should use the following information or navigate to your bank’s list of public beneficiaries and select SANRAL.

    Bank: FNB

    Beneficiary: SANRAL (TCH)

    Branch: Corporate Banking

    Branch code: 250655

    Account number: 62280212607

    Reference: Your customer identification card number

    How To Pay An Overdue ETAG Bill

    The Violations Processing Centre (VPC) is responsible for processing and collecting overdue e-toll bills. If you have not paid your e-tolls in the seven day grace period, you will become an alternative user. An alternative user doesn’t benefit from any discounts – time of day, frequent user, etc. – and cannot apply for any exemptions.

    To make it easier for these users to make payments and avoid additional penalties, SANRAL has created an online portal to view and pay your e-toll arrears. So, if you have been travelling through Gauteng’s e-tolls but have failed to register an ETAG or have an ETAG but have not maintained payments, you will need to pay your overdue fees. To pay these fees, follow the guide below.

    Visit The VPC Portal

    If you know you have an overdue e-toll bill, start by visiting the VPC Website.

    Login or Create An Account

    You will then be required to log in to an existing account or create a new one. If you’ve accessed the VPC before, use your VPC Account number and password to log in. If you haven’t accessed the VPC before, select “Create Login Details” on the left side of the screen.

    You will then be required to input your Vehicle License Number, ID number, passport number, or business registration number, and either your email address or cell phone number.

    You will be sent a validation code via email in addition to instructions. Follow those instructions and input the validation code when necessary.

    Make a Payment Using Your Reference Number

    Once you have created an account and logged in, you will see the most recent statement of account according to the VPC. If you don’t want to dispute these charges, you will be able to use the payment reference number found on the Violations Processing Centre invoice or statement.

    Using that reference, you can either pay your account at an FNB ATM, EFT, or online using the VPC website.

    If you’re paying online, you can navigate to the payment section and enter your credit card details. However, if you choose to pay by EFT, you can use the details below to make a payment.

    VPC EFT Details:

    Account Name: SANRAL (VPC) [violation fees]

    Bank: First National Bank

    Account Number: 62280209167

    Branch Code: 250655

    Branch: Corporate Banking

    Reference: As indicated on your VPC Invoice or Statement

    What Happens if I Don’t Pay E-Tolls?

    If you’re hesitant or resistant to paying e-tolls, you may want to reconsider that stance. The penalties for non-payment are harsh, and the discounts offered are more significant if you decide to pay on time or within the seven day grace period.

    According to SANRAL, if you don’t pay your e-tolls – and don’t make arrangements to pay arrears – you will go through the legal process for non-payment, which may result in criminal prosecution.

    After receiving notice from the VPC of overdue e-toll bills, the VPC will begin the debt collection process. If you do not respond or make arrangements during this time, you will receive a final demand notice, and the VPC will hand your account over to the prosecuting authority. From there, you will either be prosecuted according to the Criminal Procedure Act or the AARTO.

    If you have any additional questions regarding e-tolls, you can contact SANRAL’s e-toll department on 0800 726 725 or consider emailing info@sa-etoll.co.za. You can also use this online calculator to determine how much you should prepay on your account to ensure you’re benefiting from discounts.

    How to Check and Block WASP from Stealing Your Airtime

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    If you are like the millions of South Africans with a phone, you have probably received an SMS advertising some “amazing” service. These “services” usually come at an exorbitant daily fee upwards of R3 a day and can be the culprit behind what’s taking your airtime.

    Even if there’s no daily or weekly charge, you may be surprised that the USSD numbers you’re dialling to enter a competition have spectacularly high rates. Nevertheless, if your airtime is depleting without warning, it could be WASP stealing your airtime. Below you will find out how to determine if it’s WASP and what to do about it.

    What is WASP?

    Wireless Application Service Providers (WASP) are companies that render services like USSD, bulk SMS, and MMS in addition to interactive voice response services. These WASPs allow mobile carriers and other companies to create interactive services that don’t require data to access, making it available on all cell phones, not just smartphones.

    How To Check if WASP is Stealing Your Airtime

    Before you decide that WASP is to blame for your suspiciously high bill or the reason why you never have airtime, consider some alternative potential airtime thieves. This could include out-of-bundle usage from apps running in the background and sending messages to premium-rate numbers. But, if you still suspect it’s WASP, there are a few ways you can be 100% sure.

    Call Your Mobile Carrier

    Start by calling your mobile carrier. Then once you’ve gotten through to the call centre, ask them what is taking your airtime, if it’s data charges, WASP, or something else.

    You can also ask them if there’s a company charging you and if they have the name of the company and the contact details.

    If the reason your airtime is depleted is WASP-related, you can also ask them to cancel any subscriptions while you’re on the phone call. Be sure you receive an SMS confirmation informing you that your subscription has been cancelled.

    Check Your SMS History

    If you don’t want to call your mobile carrier, you can also complete this DIY process. Click on the search bar in your SMS app and search for the term “welcome,” as WASP-related content will often send a welcome message after you’ve joined the subscription service. Alternatively, you can search for terms like “subscription.”

    While you’re searching, pay close attention to the services you’ve – unknowingly – signed up for and if there are any instructions on how to cancel your subscription.

    If nothing pops up, someone who may have had the number you have now, before, may have signed up to WASP services. In which case, you can still cancel your subscription using the guide below.

    How To Unsubscribe From WASP

    Once you have confirmed that it’s WASP services taking your airtime, you can follow the instructions below to unsubscribe from WASP. The steps outlined depend on the network you use.

    Vodacom

    On Vodacom, SMS “Stop All” to 31050. If you have unintentionally been subscribed to any WASP products, you will receive a message confirming that you have been unsubscribed from any services.

    Given that SMSing 31050 is a premium service, you can also dial *135# and select option 11 (Next) and then option 4 (Services). From there, you will need to select no.9 to cancel your subscriptions.

    MTN

    To unsubscribe from WASP services on MTN, you need to dial *141*5#. Select option 2 (content services), then click on manage content services and follow the prompts to cancel subscriptions.

    Cell C

    To unsubscribe from WASP, you can dial *133*1# as this will block future and current billing.

    Telkom

    To unsubscribe from WASP products on Telkom, you will either need to use the app or contact Telkom.

    Using the app, you can block all WASP products. Begin by navigating to My Products, then click on Manage, select Protect My Number, and set it to “on.”

    Alternatively, you can call 180 and follow the prompts.

    How To Ensure You’re Not A Victim of WASP Again

    Even after you’ve taken measures to stop being a victim of this airtime thief, unsurprisingly, you could still receive ads from your service provider promoting some type of service to you, whether that’s WhatsApp status ideas, Bible verses, or financial advice.

    And since these ads come from different numbers each time, blocking the number isn’t an option.

    Block Specific Words

    If you begin to notice a pattern in the messages you receive, like a number you should dial or a unique phrase, consider blocking those words. This way, you guarantee that you do not filter necessary text messages as a result.

    For example, you could block “/day” as many messages end with the subscription amount or the term “CONGRATS” as these are frequently used by these pesky advertisers.

    Be Sure You Share Information with Other Phone Users

    If a child or elderly relative uses the phone, make them aware of these advertising schemes. Since some of these messages don’t advertise the costs involved, encourage them to not participate in any SMS advertising as it could be WASP related, especially ads offering prizes or text-based services.

    Lodge a Complaint

    Many WASP services have registered to WASPA, an association designed to keep the industry accountable and transparent. If you suspect that the WASP services you have subscribed to are non-compliant, start by reviewing WASPA’s code of conduct. If it is confirmed that the WASP services are non-compliant, you should consider lodging a complaint with WASPA. While this may not block future billing, it may assist in getting a refund or ensuring appropriate action is taken against the service provider. However, keep in mind that this is a voluntary association which means not every WASP has a membership.

    Also Read: How to Claim From the Road Accident Fund in South Africa

    Of course, if it’s not WASP, you should consider purchasing data bundles and turning off out-of-bundle usage. That way, instead of your phone using airtime when you’re out of data, you will be forced to purchase more data. This works well whether you’re on a contract or prepaid service.

     

    How to Register Your CV with the Department Of Labour

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    Considering that 34% of the adult population or 14.9 million people are unemployed in South Africa, registering on the Department of Labour database could help many find work. Smaller businesses often use the Department of Labour to find employees as it costs money to use other employment services to advertise jobs.

    Therefore, you may find more jobs than what is available on other employment websites.

    But, it’s also important to do due diligence on opportunities listed on the Department of Labour’s Employment Service as they are not endorsing the companies that use the programme to find employees.

    Who Can Join The Department of Labour’s Employment Service?

    While the Department of Labour has different opportunities available on their employment platform – from employers seeking highly skilled workers to jobs that don’t require formal skills – to access the platform, you need a valid South African ID number and must be over 18 years old.

    Then, once you’ve created an account, you should only apply for work opportunities where you meet the criteria.

    Step by Step Guide to Register Your CV with the Department of Labour

    To make it simpler for you to navigate applying for a job through the Department of Labour’s employment platform, follow the step-by-step guide below.

    Step 1: Visit The Department of Labour Website

    The first step to register your CV on the Department of Labour is to visit their platform – known by the Employment Services of South Africa. You can do that by clicking this link.

    From there, you can select if you would like to register as an Individual or Organisation. The Individual tab is for those seeking work, and the Organisation tab is for those looking for employees.

    To register your CV, you will need to select Individual on the left side.

    Step 2: Read the Disclaimer

    Once you’ve clicked on “CLICKED HERE TO REGISTER,” you will also be required to read through a disclaimer.

    The disclaimer details that you are using the Employment Services of South Africa programme at your own risk, which means that even if the information available on the programme is grossly negligible, you cannot hold the Department of Labour responsible.

    Step 3: Fill in Your Personal Details

    If you agree to the disclaimer, input your ID number, surname, and email address.

    You will also need to complete a security check. Once you’ve filled in those details, click register on the right side of the screen.

    Step 4: Receive Your Login Details

    After you have successfully registered an account, the Department of Labour will email you login details, including your username and password.

    When you receive these details, go back to the website and input your username and password, making sure to keep this information so you can log in again in future.

    Step 5: Input Your Qualifications and Upload Your CV

    Before you start applying for jobs, you will need to input information that will make finding a job easier. For that reason, spend some time inputting your Employment History and Education and Training details in the relevant tabs.

    You can also upload your CV and update your profile, so your applications are more enticing to prospective employers.

    Step 6: Submit your CV to Jobs

    Then once you’ve completed filling in your employment history and qualifications, you can start searching for jobs.

    On the home screen, you will see the option to “Search Opportunities.” When you click on that, you will be redirected to a page where you can select the province, opportunity name, and employment type to begin your search.

    The Department of Labour will display available opportunities that meet your search criteria. You can click on jobs that interest you and – if you meet the criteria – apply to the position.

    Step 7: Prepare Yourself for Interviews

    Although you may not be successful with every application you submit, given that you’re actively searching for work, you should be prepared to attend interviews.

    Prepare a professional outfit and consider learning interview techniques to ensure you put your best foot forward. You should also research the company before attending any in-person interviews to be certain they are legitimate.

    How to Apply for a Job through the Department of Labour via Email

    You can also apply for jobs on the Department of Labour’s website via email, as sometimes the ESSA portal may not be functioning.

    However, given the volume of applications the DoL receives, this is the longer of the two options. Nevertheless, you can apply for jobs listed on the DoLs database via email using this four-step process.

    Step 1: Prepare Your CV

    Ensure that your CV is up-to-date, has a comprehensive employment history that includes your job title, duties and responsibilities at that job, and how long you worked there. Your CV should also list your qualification and relevant training.

    Step 2: Prepare Supporting Documentation

    Besides your CV, you should also get a copy of your matric certificate – if you have one – certified at the police station, and then scan that certified copy so you have it available in PDF format.

    You can also prepare other certifications and qualifications to support your application.

    Step 3: Attach Documents to an Email

    Once you have these documents, you need to create an email. Include the title of the job you’re applying for, or to ensure your CV is sent to the relevant company, the reference number in the job spec.

    Add any other information necessary to complete the application to the body of the email and then attach your CV and supporting documentation.

    Step 4: Send an Email to the PES

    Send the above information to PES@labour.gov.za.

    Accessing the Department of Labour’s Employment Service is free.

    Read Also: How to Apply for Vacancies at the Department of Social Development

    Considering that, the server may experience problems. So, if you’re having any issues with the registration process or application process, you can email PES@labour.gov.za. You should also keep in mind that using the service does not mean you’re applying for a job at the Department of Labour, but at businesses that post their ads on the Department of Labour’s website.