I will be flying into Johannesburg in about three weeks. It is my first time and I am looking forward to it more than I can put into words. I’ve wanted to visit since I was a kid. I land Friday night (spending the night at an airport hotel), and I have a trip to Kruger for the weekend planned, followed by work in Pretoria for three days. I then fly to Cape Town, haven’t booked the JNB-CPT ticket yet, and here is my question:

Ideally, I’d like to finish meetings/ work in Pretoria then head to JNB and catch the last flight out of JNB that lands at CPT at 2335. Is that wise from a safety perspective? Or am I better off leaving first thing in the morning the next day? I’d be hiring a car/ getting an uber anyway. I’d like to maximise my time in CPT, but there appears to be quite a few warnings about landing at night re safety on the roads to/ from the airport.

The second question, if I may is cash. How much cash does one carry in Pretoria and/ or Cape Town? I don’t carry any cash where I live but I generally like to have some cash when I’m in a different/ new country. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated :)

Hello,

I am in need of help...I am 26 and currently working a 45 hour a week job. I need an extra job or side hustle to help with the ever increasing cost of living. When my salary comes in, it's gone within 24 hours with bills.

I know the majority of South Africans are feeling the pinch in terms of inflation, lack of jobs, salary cuts, no increases, etc. and not assisted by further increases in fuel (and everything downstream) since the attack on Iran. So, just painting the picture of where I'm coming from as well before the real question...

...a few years back, both my wife and I were working. We could save and during holidays visit our family around the country. However, she was taking massive strain at work for the longest time from verbal abuse, being overworked with long hours she wasn't being paid extra for, until one day she couldn't and had a breakdown. She quit immediately. Although it wasn't the plan, we did have a conversation leading up to that point on what would happen if she did have to quit. At that time, things were reasonably good and we could afford to live off a single salary. Fast-forward 3 years, and with only 1 year of increase and a bonus, along with the rising costs of everything, that's no longer possible.

During that period, my wife took a year off, even from her extra-mural activities. She picked this up again the year after, and became a qualified instructor in that field end of last year, which she was gearing up to use as a business venture with a friend this year. Things are progressing, although the current payment is just off-setting fees and travelling. No issues, though. As a result, she's also started working at night and currently still in a 6-month probation phase. Things are slowly moving forward at least.

The issue we have currently, is that towards the end of last year, we took on additional debt due to unforeseen reasons, which was on top of the slow decline from my salary to not be able to afford our previous lifestyle and having to cut quite a bit here and there. The issue I have, while we're making small in-roads into this payment, at the current rate, I expect to be paid off only in 12-18 months - that's provided nothing else major pops up until then, which tends to happen. This isn't including standard annual grudge payments like renewing car licences, taking the cars for service, new tyres (one car needs this), etc.

While we are paying this off slowly, the interest on that debt fluctuates between R2,500 and R3,000pm depending on how much we were able to put into it that month. This amount is what's worrying me and continues to eat into our monthly funds available. This is why I'm looking at dipping into the tax-free savings and withdrawing the "savings portion" (the monthly payments were added to a Discovery account) to pay off 3/4 of the debt and then having it be paid off in the next 3-4 months instead.

Initially, I waited a bit longer to see what would happen with my company's annual results and increase announcements, but I received the news that I was one of the selected (nearly half the company) to receive a blanket "not-met" on their performance review, despite it having been marked as met on submission. This can be a whole separate rant on its own. So without that increase, and possible bonus, I don't have any other option to take a big chunk out of the debt other than to pay it off over the next 18 months to 2 years, or take from the tax-free savings and get it done sooner and not waste monthly on interests and repayment fees.

I understand that I won't be able to add the amounts back into that pot without incurring the additional taxes on any interests, as per SARS rules, but looking at the term, I'd have maximimised my R500k contribution threshold in the next 5-6 years, after which I'll then be subject to this anyways. I do also have retirement fund through my work, so this is over-and-above that already.

Are there better alternatives or suggestions to paying off the debt, or is using the funds available from the tax-free account a viable option?

Apologies, didn't expect this to be to long. TL;DR - Should I use the savings portion of my tax-free account to pay off 3/4 of debt I accumulated and minimise the R2,500-R3,000pm interest being charged, or should I just pay this over the 18-24 month period of my current rate of paying into the debt?

I work in the mattress trade here in SA, so I hear the success stories all the time but rarely the failures. Curious to hear yours.

What was the worst mattress you've owned? What did you pay, where did you buy it, how long did it last before it became unsleepable, and if you remember, what actually went wrong with it?

No brand bashing needed. Just genuinely interested in what goes wrong and why.

I'll go first. My own first proper mattress was a cheap pillow top from a chain in the early 2000s. It hollowed out in about 14 months. Looked fine from the side but felt like sleeping in a hammock. Cost about R2400. Lesson learned.

Hello I'm 19M & I run a web & branding agency . I've worked with with established companies and I quite have the great reputation for being competent. I would love to find a partner (preferably under 23) with any kind of skill like graphic design, web design or content making to build this agency with me. ECDC invited me to pitch on the 12th June so I would love to have a partner that I can build this with. Even if it's your nephew, cousin or anyone you know that you think might be great to work with please tell.

So I want to write a book on my mom’s behalf. For context, I’m 23 years old, I love writing, and I’ve always felt like my mom’s story is worth sharing.

However, I don’t even know where to start when it comes to publishing or finding an editor and proofreader.

I don’t know… do any of you have tips on where to begin? I’d really appreciate it.

Ps: My mom’s on board with it , her work schedule is just busy for her to do it herself.

Hi everyone,

​I am a paramedic from Germany and I’m looking into the South African Emergency Care path. Since the European scope of practice is often more limited than the South African ECP level.

​As an paramedic, is there any realistic way to shorten the 4-year B.EMC degree?

How does the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process work for someone with an existing south african psramedic license?

Are universities generally open to giving credits for prior experience, or is the full program mandatory?

If a full degree isn't the only option, are there any "bridging courses" or high-level clinical short courses that allow an (international) paramedic to reach ECP-level capabilities without doing the full 4 years?

Do you know of any universities (like UJ or CPUT) that have experience with international paramedics looking to upgrade their skills via a condensed pathway?

​I am primarily interested in the medical depth and capability rather than just the academic title.

Any insights on how to approach this or who to contact for a credit assessment would be great. Thanks for the Help.

Hi guys,

I’ve moved out on my own and now need to do shopping etc.

Where do you guys buy your meat from that’s lekker quality but also a lekker price?
I’m in the Northern suburbs, Kuils River.

Hello everyone, I am in Joburg looking to study a certificate or Diploma in Business management, but there are so many options, I'm also not sure on which Colleges are accredited, and if their credits are transferable.

Does anyone have any advice please, so far I have checked out Boston, MANCOSA, Milpark and UNISA but I'm just not sure how their costs and distance learning facilities would be the best. Thank you in advance.

Hey all, For the past few months, I've been trying to find any jobs, but they all want matric graduates, does anyone know of a reliable place to work when you're still in high-school? I'm 15, turning 16 if that helps.

Thank you all

So I am currently working as a clerk at an accounting firm while I'm studying, and I'm currently 2nd year going the SAIPA route, as my branch only offers the SAIPA route. I know that going SAICA route and becoming a CA will get me a lot more money than becoming an professional accountant, but i am wondering how much of a difference it will be, like how much is the salary difference between Professional accountants and CA's in South Africa.

Hey guys,

As the title suggests,I have a dress I want to sell. Hopefully quickly too.

I bought it for R1500 at Truworths, wore it once to a wedding and since then it's just been hanging in my closet never to be worn again. With that being said I will never wear it ever again as it was for my ex's brother's wedding.

Where can I sell it in Pretoria/Centurion side? Hopefully for a decent price too, I need the cash to fix my car🫣.

I’ll be coming to cape town in 2 weeks from now and I’m from the UK, how is the temperature like, I saw on the weather app it’s around 20-15 which isn’t cold but a lot of people say it’s freezing. Is there anyone in cape town who can confirm this, thanks

Hallo everyone I have a steam account that I dont really use anymore I want to sell it it hasr lot of game on it like foza 4 battlefield 5 and a alot of other high end games can anyone tell me where would be the best place to sell this.

Hi everyone,

I lost my job in October. It was an interesting experience. I really enjoyed the job until I was sent overseas for training. I was treated really poorly and lies were told about me. I came back early to be given a "retrenchment notice" which listed a bunch of lies (basically complaints about me being autistic). Unfortunately, I was only officially diagnosed 2 months later. I got a package and left without issues.

I have since been unemployed for 7 months. For a bit of background, I have a lot of experience in administrative roles and a degree in Mechanical engineering. All of this means nothing. I have been told that I am over qualified for grad roles and under qualified for junior roles. So I am stuck. I run a small tutoring business that isn't doing well at the moment and I am completing an online course. I have seen people say that you can tweak your CV but I find that hard to do. Other than that, I don't really know where to go from there. I feel like I have done all the right things, I have tried so hard to make myself into a good candidate and it feels like it was for nothing. Advice or assistance would vent welcome.

P.s. if anyone needs a tutor or is hiring, Im available.

Hey guys

I have a very small company I run part time.

I just want advice on getting someone to do my books and tax? I am not very good with numbers and accounting just frustrates me.

What is the typical cost for that and what is the process like? Everyone is giving me conflicting information.

Company is small and probably does about 10 to 20 transactions per month.

Thank you

Hi guys
I am moving to Potch this month end. I request you to suggest me places where I can source my groceries, furniture (a cot and mattress) and other small items at discounted rates (sort of like Costco?). Help would be appreciated

Also, regarding medication. I have bronchitis condition and use Seroflo 250 inhaler (consists of Fluticasone Propionate and Salmeterol) and Asthalin inhaler (Salbutamol). Will I be able to purchase it from pharmacy shops without a doctor's prescription?

Hi,

Im a newly qualified CA (27M) looking for a job in Pretoria in a privately owned company. (Financial controller/manager)

\- Own transport and license

\- 6 months experience with SAGE, Microsoft BC and overseeing the creditors department of a multibillion rand entity.

\- Contract with the above entity ends tomorrow and I have been submitting CVs since january with no luck and feeling distraught.

Please DM me for CV and any other questions.

Thanks

Howzit guys! I'm in the market to buy my first house. It's quite exciting and it poses some challenges breaking into the market as a first time buyer.

I have done my homework so I'm not to worried about the intricacies.

What I do find frustrating is the availability of listings on the same old same old websites.

Is there any other platform or service that I can use to source the properties for sale? I want to make sure that I have every opportunity to find the right place because this is no small purchase. Thanks in advance!