It is a fascinating story, among other reasons, because the revelation of what God has graciously done in Christ for the renewal of the whole creation comes to us through narratives in which the main actors are not the powerful living in palaces, but the humble living in the margins.”
The Christmas story and its fascinating paradox invite us to meditate about Christian life in today’s world, the message reflects.
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South Africa has recorded 22 391 new COVID-19 cases, representing a 29.8% positivity rate.
This means there are now 3 093 452 laboratory-confirmed cases since the outbreak, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said on Thursday.
This as there has been19 988 045 tests conducted.
Gauteng recorded the highest number of infections after 11 791 people tested positive.
The province is followed by 2 756 cases in KwaZulu-Natal, 2 194 in the Western Cape, 1 308 in the North West, 1008 in Free State and 1 055 in Limpopo. The rest of the provinces recorded less than 1 000 additional infections.
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The South African Council of Churches (SACC) extends its warmest congratulations to Professor Tinyiko Maluleke on his appointment as the next Vice Chancellor of the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
Prof Maluleke has been involved with the SACC for many years, having served as a past President of the SACC in his capacity as a minister in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church. “Professor Maluleke is a long-standing contributor to and supporter of the SACC,” Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, General Secretary of the SACC.
As an academic, Maluleke’s research into higher education at secondary and tertiary levels contributed to the conversations around the decolonisation of education in South Africa. This we believe will have a bearing on his leadership of this important university for industrial development.
Adding his voice, newly elected SACC President, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba said, “Professor Maluleke’s plans of elevating the standing of the TUT to compete with the top universities in the world is a profound vision which we support, both in prayer and in hope that his work will enable the young people at the university to achieve their God-given potential – an element of that for which the SACC prays.”
Prof Maluleke is scheduled to assume office on 1 February 2022.
Photo: Twitter
A recent survey shows that half of the adults polled support compulsory workplace COVID-19 vaccination and a vaccine passport, while approval drops significantly by vaccination status and levels of vaccine hesitancy.
The findings are contained in research by the Centre for Social Change, University of Johannesburg (UJ), in collaboration with the Developmental, Ethical and Capable State research division of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC).
President Cyril Ramaphosa announced last month that government has set up a task team that will undertake broad consultations on making vaccination mandatory for specific activities and locations.
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Amid the sharp rise in COVID-19 infections, Cabinet has urged the public take stronger action to fight back against the disease and its variants.
In the last 24 hours, the country recorded 19 842 cases, translating into a 26.8% positivity rate.
“We have also lost 36 people to COVID-19 related complications in the last 24 hours,” said Minister in the Presidency Mondli Gungubele during a post-Cabinet media briefing on Thursday.
“Vaccination does not only help us fight back against the deadly pandemic by preventing serious illness, hospitalisation or even death, but it also reduces the health risks posed by future variants.
“We must continue adhering to the non-pharmaceutical prevention measures of wearing a mask that covers our mouth and nose; maintaining social distancing and regularly washing our hands with soap and water or using a 70% alcohol-based hand sanitiser.”
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South Africa’s COVID-19 cases jumped by 19 842 on Wednesday, pushing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 071 064.
According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), this increase represents a 26.8% positivity rate, with Gauteng continuing to record the highest daily infections.
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The Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) concluded its visit in Pemba.
On the 29thNovember – 3rd December, Fr. Dumisani Vilakati, representing IMBISA, had the good fortune of visiting the Diocese of Pemba in the Cabo Delgado Province, Mozambique. The aim of the visit was to see and experience first-hand the life of the Church in this area of Northern Mozambique. This was important given that IMBISA had issued two statements calling for peace in Cabo Delgado.
In sweltering heat, I was warmly welcomed by the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Pemba, Bishop Juliasse Sandramo. The Bishop’s house was to be the place of residence throughout my stay in Pemba. I was also welcomed by other staff at the Diocesan Chancery, Caritas Pemba and not least Fr. Frederico Antonio, one of the priests of the Diocese of Pemba, whom I had known since my days at the Pontifical College of St. Paul in Rome.
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The South African Health Products Authority (SAHPRA) has approved the administering of the third dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for adults and children with a weak immune system.
This means all adults in South Africa are now eligible for an additional shot six months after the second dose and it may be given at any point after that time.
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Join the South African Council of Churches Women’s Forum today for a National Healing Service against GBVF. All people of faith; the clergy, men, women and youth are invited.
Please click the link below to join the webinar:
Code: 89971700705
Password: 866335
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According to Briefly, Bulelwa Mkutukana, also known as Zahara, is a celebrated South African songwriter and singer. Her debut album, Loliwe,was released in 2011, and it went platinum. In 2015, Zahara released her third album, Country Girl, and it was certified triple platinum.
Her fifth and most recent album, Nqaba Yam, topped the charts on iTunes.
She is also a multi-award-winning artist with an astonishing 17 SAMA awards to her name. Her most loved songs include Loliwe, Phendula and Ndiza.
Listen to her music here:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSjAS3hh-N1cd2SJMnS_u2w
Photo: Facebook / Zahara
