We all hate it when data bundles we have bought, are taken away from us after 30 days, or when our data bundle runs out and the networks don't tell us, so it chows our airtime because we are being charged out of bundle rates. Or the fact that those of us who have the least money can only afford small bundles which expire even faster. For too long companies have made up their own rules and ripped us off. But thanks to our Data Must Fall campaign and other voices, ICASA our regulator has published draft regulations that, if implemented in final form, will prevent networks from expiring users’ data for up to 36 months [1]. The likes of MTN, Vodacom, Cell C and Telkom mobile are furious with Icasa, and are crying poor, but we know the truth, and we can ensure people power supports Icasa's bold moves. Icasa is asking for public comment on their draft regulations, the deadline is the 3rd January. We need to cease the moment, and demonstrate enough public support for these regulations, so that these greedy companies don’t find a way to undermine our campaign demands. We need to build on the momentum gained by the Competition Commission launching an Inquiry into the high price of data. For three years our community has fought for justice in many ways. Today, let’s once again come together to ensure that the Competition Commission acts to ensure that network providers don’t profiteer on the backs of those who can only afford the smallest data bundles. Consumers get discounts for purchasing many other basic goods in bulk and pay premiums for buying in small sachets. One of the underlying reasons for these price differences is that it costs more to package and distribute these goods in small quantities. Data is not a product at all. The costs of supplying data reside largely in the billions of rands of investment in the mobile infrastructure and the cable backbone that supports it. How this cost is distributed amongst consumers is in the hands of the operators. In principle there is no reason why data should not cost the same whether bought in small or large quantities. The only additional cost of providing small bundles for operators rests on the billing and associated communication costs. ICASA should demand that operators justify the costs associated with small bundles. At the moment the ratio between the best value package and the worst on Vodacom for 30 day bundles is 1:20 on MTN is 1:29 on Cell C is 1:40 and on Telkom Mobile is 1:10. While we support Icasa’s move to ensure data bundles only expire after 3 years, we only support this being implemented if ICASA ensures companies don’t then remove smaller data bundles that low-income earners can afford, or remove these bundles altogether. Basically, Icasa while ensuring data bundles don’t expire for 3 years, must ensure this does not come at the cost of low-income consumers.

Diabetes is the leading cause of death for South African women [2], yet the beverage industry is desperately trying to delay and further water down the sugary drinks tax (Health Promotion Levy). BevSA and Coca-Cola’s job losses scaremongering has been exposed as exaggerated [1] and self serving [3]. A recent study showed that 3/4s of adult South Africans believe that government is doing the right thing when it makes and enforces policy to discourage the consumption of sugary beverages and junk foods [4]. We can’t underestimate how far the likes of Coca-Cola will go to protect their profits at the expense of our health. Leaked Coca-Cola executive emails show that the company has managed to get a “seat at the table in on-going regulatory discussions with the Ministry of Health” and has been fighting the tax [5]. BevSA and Coca-Cola also managed to keep health experts and advocates out of the NEDLAC process. Treasury seems to be standing up against companies like Coca-Cola and announced that the sugary drinks tax is likely to be introduced in April 2018. Treasury Deputy Director General Ismail Momoniat went one step further, acknowledging the criticism from the health sector regarding the watering down of the sugary drinks tax, stating that they would “... increase the tax until we get the result we need” [6]. [2] Diabetes - the silent killer. Amy Green for Health-e News August 15, 2017 [3] SA’s proposed sugar tax: claims about calories & job losses checked. Kate Wilkinson & Vinayak Bhardwaj for Africa Check August 2016 [4] 70% of South Africans support sugar tax - Genesis study August 31, 2017 http://www.genesis-analytics.com/news/2017/70-of-sa-suppports-sugar-tax-genesis-study [5] New #CokeLeak: Soda Tax Opposition in 8 More Countries. https://medium.com/cokeleak/new-cokeleak-soda-tax-opposition-in-8-more-countries-a53e2df3d8e4 [6] Sugary drinks tax set for April next year. Kerry Cullinan for Health-E News September 2017

As a community of Mokopane with high levels of youth unemployment, low skills level, major tourism potential, political challenges and also low paying jobs, we need to assist government to save ourselves by creating our own opportunities in partnership with our local state offices by persuading them to support us. We can be the masters of our own visions and future if only we are given the simple support we require Mahwelereng can be internationally great and local community can benefit a lot more from the mines and passing traffic if we are allowed to be more creatives in business and leverage our combined skills away from politics - we can be great.

On Tuesday, the National Assembly passed the Sugary Drinks Tax (Health Promotion Levy). The beverage industry was so worried that they threatened the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance the night before the vote [1]. But our voices beat Coke and the rest of the beverage industry. The beverage industry has done everything in its power to stop the Sugary Drinks Tax, and their dirty tactics have been exposed [1]. Not only did the industry fund dubious research to fuel its scaremongering about jobs losses claim, it forced the Sugary Drinks Tax to be discussed at Nedlac, a forum which excluded those affected by type 2 diabetes and other non-communicable diseases fueled by sugary drinks. The beverage industry successfully watered down the Sugary Drinks Tax, but despite a huge campaign, the majority of our MPs in the National Assembly voted to pass the Tax. Now BevSA and Tiger Brands are desperately trying to further erode our democracy by trying to convince the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that the Sugary Drinks Tax should be scrapped. It is deeply disappointing that the Select Committee on Finance Chair, Charel de Beer, is giving BevSA a platform, and excluding health experts and health groups. [1] Politicians aid industry in dirty war over sugar tax. Kerry Cullinan for Health-e News.

This is important because no human being should ever suffer the injustice of being tied down like an animal. We have a responsibility to shield the world's vulnerable peoples. We have a responsibility to stop tyranny in its tracks. The overt racism diaplayed here is deplorable. The fact that all the slaves to be sold are Black African suggests an even more horrible statement. NO TO SLAVERY ! SLAVERY IS AFRICAN HOLOCAUST !

On Tuesday, the National Assembly passed the Sugary Drinks Tax (Health Promotion Levy). The beverage industry was so worried that they threatened the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance the night before the vote [1]. But our voices beat Coke and the rest of the beverage industry. The beverage industry has done everything in its power to stop the Sugary Drinks Tax, and they have had the upper hand. Not only did the industry fund dubious research to fuel its scaremongering about jobs losses claim, it forced the Sugary Drinks Tax to be discussed at Nedlac, a forum which excluded those affected by type 2 diabetes and other non-communicable diseases fueled by sugary drinks. The beverage industry successfully watered down the Sugary Drinks Tax, but despite a huge campaign, the majority of our MPs in the National Assembly voted to pass the Tax. Now BevSA and Tiger Brands are desperately trying to further erode our democracy by trying to convince the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that the Sugary Drinks Tax should be scrapped. It is deeply disappointing that the Select Committee on Finance Chair, Charel de Beer, is giving BevSA a platform, and excluding health experts and health groups.

On Tuesday, the National Assembly passed the Sugary Drinks Tax (Health Promotion Levy). The beverage industry was so worried that they threatened the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance the night before the vote [1]. But our voices beat Coke and the rest of the beverage industry. The beverage industry has done everything in its power to stop the Sugary Drinks Tax, and they have had the upper hand. Not only did the industry fund dubious research to fuel its scaremongering about jobs losses claim, it forced the Sugary Drinks Tax to be discussed at Nedlac, a forum which excluded those affected by type 2 diabetes and other non-communicable diseases fueled by sugary drinks. The beverage industry successfully watered down the Sugary Drinks Tax, but despite a huge campaign, the majority of our MPs in the National Assembly voted to pass the Tax. Now BevSA and Tiger Brands are desperately trying to further erode our democracy by trying to convince the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that the Sugary Drinks Tax should be scrapped. It is deeply disappointing that the Select Committee on Finance Chair, Charel de Beer, is giving BevSA a platform, and excluding health experts and health groups.

Diabetes is the leading cause of death for South African women [2], yet the beverage industry is desperately trying to delay and further water down the sugary drinks tax (Health Promotion Levy). BevSA and Coca-Cola’s job losses scaremongering has been exposed as exaggerated [1] and self serving [3]. A recent study showed that 3/4s of adult South Africans believe that government is doing the right thing when it makes and enforces policy to discourage the consumption of sugary beverages and junk foods [4]. We can’t underestimate how far the likes of Coca-Cola will go to protect their profits at the expense of our health. Leaked Coca-Cola executive emails show that the company has managed to get a “seat at the table in on-going regulatory discussions with the Ministry of Health” and has been fighting the tax [5]. BevSA and Coca-Cola also managed to keep health experts and advocates out of the NEDLAC process. Treasury seems to be standing up against companies like Coca-Cola and announced that the sugary drinks tax is likely to be introduced in April 2018. Treasury Deputy Director General Ismail Momoniat went one step further, acknowledging the criticism from the health sector regarding the watering down of the sugary drinks tax, stating that they would “... increase the tax until we get the result we need” [6]. South Africa can’t afford any further delays or the watering down of the sugary drinks tax. [1] Sugar tax: Job losses lower than industry’s projections. Amy Green for Health-e news June 2017 [2] Diabetes - the silent killer. Amy Green for Health-e News August 15, 2017 [3] SA’s proposed sugar tax: claims about calories & job losses checked. Kate Wilkinson & Vinayak Bhardwaj for Africa Check August 2016 [4] 70% of South Africans support sugar tax - Genesis study August 31, 2017 http://www.genesis-analytics.com/news/2017/70-of-sa-suppports-sugar-tax-genesis-study [5] New #CokeLeak: Soda Tax Opposition in 8 More Countries. https://medium.com/cokeleak/new-cokeleak-soda-tax-opposition-in-8-more-countries-a53e2df3d8e4 [6] Sugary drinks tax set for April next year. Kerry Cullinan for Health-E News September 2017

Diabetes is the leading cause of death for South African women [2], yet the beverage industry is desperately trying to delay and further water down the sugary drinks tax (Health Promotion Levy). BevSA and Coca-Cola’s job losses scaremongering has been exposed as exaggerated [1] and self serving [3]. A recent study showed that 3/4s of adult South Africans believe that government is doing the right thing when it makes and enforces policy to discourage the consumption of sugary beverages and junk foods [4]. We can’t underestimate how far the likes of Coca-Cola will go to protect their profits at the expense of our health. Leaked Coca-Cola executive emails show that the company has managed to get a “seat at the table in on-going regulatory discussions with the Ministry of Health” and has been fighting the tax [5]. BevSA and Coca-Cola also managed to keep health experts and advocates out of the NEDLAC process. Treasury seems to be standing up against companies like Coca-Cola and announced that the sugary drinks tax is likely to be introduced in April 2018. Treasury Deputy Director General Ismail Momoniat went one step further, acknowledging the criticism from the health sector regarding the watering down of the sugary drinks tax, stating that they would “... increase the tax until we get the result we need” [6]. South Africa can’t afford any further delays or the watering down of the sugary drinks tax. [1] Sugar tax: Job losses lower than industry’s projections. Amy Green for Health-e news June 2017 [2] Diabetes - the silent killer. Amy Green for Health-e News August 15, 2017 [3] SA’s proposed sugar tax: claims about calories & job losses checked. Kate Wilkinson & Vinayak Bhardwaj for Africa Check August 2016 [4] 70% of South Africans support sugar tax - Genesis study August 31, 2017 http://www.genesis-analytics.com/news/2017/70-of-sa-suppports-sugar-tax-genesis-study [5] New #CokeLeak: Soda Tax Opposition in 8 More Countries. https://medium.com/cokeleak/new-cokeleak-soda-tax-opposition-in-8-more-countries-a53e2df3d8e4 [6] Sugary drinks tax set for April next year. Kerry Cullinan for Health-E News September 2017

Diabetes is the leading cause of death for South African women [2], yet the beverage industry is desperately trying to delay and further water down the sugary drinks tax (Health Promotion Levy). BevSA and Coca-Cola’s job losses scaremongering has been exposed as exaggerated [1] and self serving [3]. A recent study showed that 3/4s of adult South Africans believe that government is doing the right thing when it makes and enforces policy to discourage the consumption of sugary beverages and junk foods [4]. We can’t underestimate how far the likes of Coca-Cola will go to protect their profits at the expense of our health. Leaked Coca-Cola executive emails show that the company has managed to get a “seat at the table in on-going regulatory discussions with the Ministry of Health” and has been fighting the tax [5]. BevSA and Coca-Cola also managed to keep health experts and advocates out of the NEDLAC process. Treasury seems to be standing up against companies like Coca-Cola and announced that the sugary drinks tax is likely to be introduced in April 2018. Treasury Deputy Director General Ismail Momoniat went one step further, acknowledging the criticism from the health sector regarding the watering down of the sugary drinks tax, stating that they would “... increase the tax until we get the result we need” [6]. South Africa can’t afford any further delays or the watering down of the sugary drinks tax. [1] Sugar tax: Job losses lower than industry’s projections. Amy Green for Health-e news June 2017 [2] Diabetes - the silent killer. Amy Green for Health-e News August 15, 2017 [3] SA’s proposed sugar tax: claims about calories & job losses checked. Kate Wilkinson & Vinayak Bhardwaj for Africa Check August 2016 [4] 70% of South Africans support sugar tax - Genesis study August 31, 2017 http://www.genesis-analytics.com/news/2017/70-of-sa-suppports-sugar-tax-genesis-study [5] New #CokeLeak: Soda Tax Opposition in 8 More Countries. https://medium.com/cokeleak/new-cokeleak-soda-tax-opposition-in-8-more-countries-a53e2df3d8e4 [6] Sugary drinks tax set for April next year. Kerry Cullinan for Health-E News September 2017

Diabetes is the leading cause of death for South African women [2], yet the beverage industry is desperately trying to delay and further water down the sugary drinks tax (Health Promotion Levy). BevSA and Coca-Cola’s job losses scaremongering has been exposed as exaggerated [1] and self serving [3]. A recent study showed that 3/4s of adult South Africans believe that government is doing the right thing when it makes and enforces policy to discourage the consumption of sugary beverages and junk foods [4]. We can’t underestimate how far the likes of Coca-Cola will go to protect their profits at the expense of our health. Leaked Coca-Cola executive emails show that the company has managed to get a “seat at the table in on-going regulatory discussions with the Ministry of Health” and has been fighting the tax [5]. BevSA and Coca-Cola also managed to keep health experts and advocates out of the NEDLAC process. Treasury seems to be standing up against companies like Coca-Cola and announced that the sugary drinks tax is likely to be introduced in April 2018. Treasury Deputy Director General Ismail Momoniat went one step further, acknowledging the criticism from the health sector regarding the watering down of the sugary drinks tax, stating that they would “... increase the tax until we get the result we need” [6]. South Africa can’t afford any further delays or the watering down of the sugary drinks tax. [1] Sugar tax: Job losses lower than industry’s projections. Amy Green for Health-e news June 2017  [2] Diabetes - the silent killer. Amy Green for Health-e News August 15, 2017  [3] SA’s proposed sugar tax: claims about calories & job losses checked. Kate Wilkinson & Vinayak Bhardwaj for Africa Check August 2016  [4] 70% of South Africans support sugar tax - Genesis study August 31, 2017 http://www.genesis-analytics.com/news/2017/70-of-sa-suppports-sugar-tax-genesis-study  [5] New #CokeLeak: Soda Tax Opposition in 8 More Countries. https://medium.com/cokeleak/new-cokeleak-soda-tax-opposition-in-8-more-countries-a53e2df3d8e4  [6] Sugary drinks tax set for April next year. Kerry Cullinan for Health-E News September 2017

Diabetes is the leading cause of death for South African women [2], yet the beverage industry is desperately trying to delay and further water down the sugary drinks tax (Health Promotion Levy). BevSA and Coca-Cola’s job losses scaremongering has been exposed as exaggerated [1] and self serving [3]. A recent study showed that 3/4s of adult South Africans believe that government is doing the right thing when it makes and enforces policy to discourage the consumption of sugary beverages and junk foods [4]. We can’t underestimate how far the likes of Coca-Cola will go to protect their profits at the expense of our health. Leaked Coca-Cola executive emails show that the company has managed to get a “seat at the table in on-going regulatory discussions with the Ministry of Health” and has been fighting the tax [5]. BevSA and Coca-Cola also managed to keep health experts and advocates out of the NEDLAC process. Treasury seems to be standing up against companies like Coca-Cola and announced that the sugary drinks tax is likely to be introduced in April 2018. Treasury Deputy Director General Ismail Momoniat went one step further, acknowledging the criticism from the health sector regarding the watering down of the sugary drinks tax, stating that they would “... increase the tax until we get the result we need” [6]. South Africa can’t afford any further delays or the watering down of the sugary drinks tax. [1] Sugar tax: Job losses lower than industry’s projections. Amy Green for Health-e news June 2017 [2] Diabetes - the silent killer. Amy Green for Health-e News August 15, 2017 [3] SA’s proposed sugar tax: claims about calories & job losses checked. Kate Wilkinson & Vinayak Bhardwaj for Africa Check August 2016 [4] 70% of South Africans support sugar tax - Genesis study August 31, 2017 http://www.genesis-analytics.com/news/2017/70-of-sa-suppports-sugar-tax-genesis-study [5] New #CokeLeak: Soda Tax Opposition in 8 More Countries. https://medium.com/cokeleak/new-cokeleak-soda-tax-opposition-in-8-more-countries-a53e2df3d8e4 [6] Sugary drinks tax set for April next year. Kerry Cullinan for Health-E News September 2017