Alan

There are batteries in the WMD (Water Management Device – prepaid water meter) that do run down after a number of years – most people get 8-10 years if the valves are not opened and closed too often (by running out of water) or topped up daily.

Here are some reasons why you could be seeing CLOSED:

• Depleted Credit: The most common reason is that you have run out of water credit.
• Tamper Mode: The WMD may be in tamper mode, which will be shown on the UIU by displaying 0L and/or no water droplet visible on the screen.
• Communication Error: There might be a communication issue between the UIU and the WMD *
• Valve Closed Manually: Check if the ball valve on the meter box is closed.
• Water Interruptions: There may be water interruptions in your area.
• Keypad Not Communicating: Try moving closer to the unit, check the state of battery level. **

* You can try resetting the UIU first by pressing #981# on the keypad, which should display “default”.

THEN Re-pair the UIU: After resetting, you can re-pair the UIU by entering #999# followed by the serial number on your water meter (the same number you use to purchase water with OR engraved near the base), and pressing ### after entry.

** The white keypads have a non user replaceable battery in them and have now been replaced with the BLACK Keypads which have user replaceable batteries – https://stratlec.co.za/shop/prepaid-water-meter-user-interface-unit-uiu-keypad-with-user-replaceable-batteries/

Replacement Amanzi Water Meter: https://stratlec.co.za/shop/us-pp-prepaid-water-meter/

Video: My Prepaid Water Meter Shows ‘CLOSE” – What Now?

Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on My Prepaid Water Meter Shows ‘CLOSE” – What Now? here:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyPE
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StratonElectrical/

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/my-prepaid-water-meter-shows-close-what-now/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

Reel Escape: Africa’s New Magazine Uniting Film, Tourism, and Community

Johannesburg, 07 April 2025—Reel Escapes, a pioneering magazine, unveils Africa’s extraordinary creativity, innovation, and culture while capturing the continent’s breathtaking…

First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/free-and-affordable-online-services-for-troubling-times/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

• Do the budget friendly press release submission resources fail to perform in the Search Engines
• Do we really need Press release distribution services in South Africa?

I had occasion to do the above search on Google recently. Okay, I confess, it was just an ego trip to see how MyPR performs for that particular set of keywords. In case you were wondering – at the time of writing MyPR was the 5th organic listing for the search term: “Press release distribution South Africa”.

Dominating the search results were 3 paid for listings at the top; Prowly, EIN Presswire and Republic PR. Towards the bottom of the page were three more paid for listings: Prowly, Fiverr and EIN Presswire.

Now, companies pay big bucks to be at the top of search listings as their press release distribution services can range in price from $258.00 (R5311.25) to $999.00 (R18617.31) per month (figures taken from the Top Three firms listed).

MyPR presently charges a flat fee of R200 per month for 10 releases per day.

Factor in the cost of actually producing a press release – pricing of which from a professional freelancer can vary from $150 (R2795.39) to $1000 (R18635.95) per press release.

We think that our offering is very fair and our media monitoring mates seem to agree as most press releases get an AVE of over R5000.00 per article published (in some cases that could be in as many as 9 other publications).

Update: A day after publishing this article MyPR gained one more organic listing on the first page of results in Google – https://www.google.com/search?q=Press+Release+Distribution+South+Africa – making MyPR the only press release distribution service with TWO organic listings on the first page.

Click HERE to Submit Unlimited Press Release Submissions for R200.00 per month.

First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/press-release-distribution-south-africa/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

In the PR World we have a ‘difficult to define’ relationship with journalists – we hate it when they don’t publish our puff pieces and love them to bits when they do.

In any event journalism as an industry is under threat and it is behove upon us as PR Professionals to support and promote the journalism industry upon which we rely more than we will admit.

So, MYPR does a weekly feature on journalists along with giving journalists the OPTION to promote their work via a FREE FEATURED JOURNALIST SUBMISSION on MyPR of their latest article – we are not asking the journalist to just post a few sentences or paragraphs but also to give a personal narrative about their article and why they wrote it.

That submission form is at the bottom of this article or can be found HERE.

In addition to the above MyPR also has a dedicated section where journalists can request the help of an expert.

These articles about journalists popped up this past week:

Journalism Awards:

Caxton journo scoops journalist of the year award: “My mission is to ensure female athletes receive the same attention and respect as their male counterparts. Their dedication, skill and passion deserve to be highlighted.” ~ Obedience Mkhabela

Amanda Davies named Broadcast Journalist of the Year: CNN Sports’ Amanda Davies was crowned Broadcast Journalist of the Year at the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards on Monday.

Davies was up against the BBC’s Dan Roan, Sky Sports’ Patrick Davison, Sky News’ Rob Harris, Amazon Prime’s Alex Aljoe and Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater.

Afterwards, Davies called the winning of the award “really, really special.”

Barney Ronay, Donald McRae and Suzanne Wrack win at SJA awards: The Guardian’s chief sports writer, Barney Ronay, won two prizes, named both columnist of the year and popular culture commentator of the year. Donald McRae also won two awards: as best feature writer and specialist correspondent of the year, both of which he also won in the previous year’s event.
Guardian chief sports writer Barney Ronay.

Suzanne Wrack was named best women’s sport journalist for the ­second time in succession, having won the inaugural prize in the cate­gory last year.

Jonathan Liew was recognised with a silver award in the columnist category, having won the title for the previous three years. Tom Jenkins won a bronze award for news picture of the year, and Scott Murray was given a bronze award in the ­summariser of the year category. Ronay also won a silver award as specialist correspondent for his Olympics writing.

Dezeen design editor named Young Arts Journalist of the Year: Jennifer Hahn has been named Young Arts Journalist of the Year at the Chartered Institute of Journalists’ inaugural Young Journalist Awards.

Hahn was presented the award, launched to “celebrate and promote the exceptional talents of young journalists”, at a ceremony in London earlier this week. Other winners on the night included journalists from The Times and ITV News.

The judges praised Hahn for her “polished writing” and her “eye for impact”.

Success for Sky Sports at SJA British Sports Journalism Awards 2024: Sky Sports News’ Deadline Day was named Television Show of the Year; Roy Keane was awarded Pundit of the Year; Sky Sports’ Kelly Cates claimed the prize for Presenter of the Year; SSN senior reporter Geraint Hughes picked up the award for Sports Summariser

Commercial Radio News Awards 2025 Winners: The winners of the Commercial Radio News Awards 2025 have been announced.

Coverage of the Southport stabbings, the life of Rugby League legend Rob Burrow and the shocking ways in which gangs are exploiting vulnerable people in north west England have all been recognised.

The event, in association with IRN and Sky News, took place at Sky Cinema HQ in London today.

It was a memorable event for Chris Chambers from Global’s Newsroom North West who was named Regional Reporter of the Year. The judges said he was a ‘versatile reporter who fearlessly covered a wide range of stories from crime and hard-hitting content to politics and entertainment.”

Palestinian journalists honoured with RTS award: The UK’s Royal Television Society (RTS) paid tribute to Palestinian journalists in Gaza with a special recognition award during Tuesday’s RTS Programme Awards, following outrage over the abrupt cancellation of the award category.

The show, which honoured several acclaimed figures in the UK television industry, opened with a ceremony highlighting the work of Palestinian journalists in their coverage of the 17-month long Israeli military campaign on Gaza.

SPAC Journalist of the Year: Any fan of Mount Carmel for the past four years knows who Matt Malloy is, likely hearing his voice on home sports broadcasts and podcasts, yet he is also an accomplished journalist in the making.

Last year Malloy joined The Caravan, MC’s student newspaper and has transitioned into being an editor this year while continuing to contribute articles. He has drawn thousands of page views and the attention of Scholastic Press Association of Chicago.

On March 14th Malloy was honored at SPAC’s annual conference at Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism with awards for “Superior Achievement” in the category of Opinion Piece or Column, and “Excellent Achievement” in the categories of General Feature Story, Sports Feature Story, and Sports News Story based on submission of select pieces he has written for The Caravan over the past calendar year. Most notably, though, Malloy was named SPAC’s Chicago High School Journalist of the Year, which also includes a $1,500 one-time scholarship to be used for his college education.

Tough Times Ahead:

Vance hints at US plan to take over Greenland after independence vote: US vice president JD Vance and his wife are visiting the US Space Force outpost in Greenland. Meanwhile, Donald Trump has repeated his desire for US control of Greenland.

Lester Holt Tells How God Gets Him Through Tough Times: Lester Holt has admitted his faith in God is what keeps him going through global turmoil and tragedy.

As the anchor of NBC Nightly News prepares to step down after a decade and transition full-time to Dateline this summer, RadarOnline.com can reveal he previously shared how faith “permeates everything he does” and keeps him grounded in his life’s purpose.

New York Times reporter reveals reason Trump won’t fire Mike Waltz: New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman said she believes that National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and other officials embroiled in the Signalgate security breach will not be fired.

Haberman, known for regularly breaking stories about the Trump administration, told CNN’s Kaitlan Collins Thursday that President Donald Trump will resist firing Waltz because he doesn’t want to be seen as “giving in to Trump the media.”

Alone in the storm: Why do news organisations not stand with their own journalists and leave them alone in difficult times? This is the main question that we must be asking ourselves. If this trend continues, journalists will begin to censor themselves, fearing punishment for simply telling the truth. This is a dangerous situation for press freedom in Pakistan.

It is time for media organisations to take responsibility and protect their journalists. Freedom of the press should never be compromised.

Supporting Independent Media in Troubled Times: We believe unashamedly we need a pro-independence, left-wing, ecologically-focused media more than ever. We have one week left to hit our target of £20,000 to go towards improving and expanding our content, working with more writers and illustrators, and doing more audio content (interviews and podcasts).

Will you support us?

Atlantic journalist says Trump officials included him in war plans group chat: Jeffrey Goldberg, editor in chief of The Atlantic, was apparently included in a Trump administration group chat on Signal in which top officials debated and then discussed details of attacks against Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The initial invite to the group apparently came from national security adviser Mike Waltz. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reportedly sent the group details including weapons used, targets, and timing — two hours ahead of the attacks, which began March 15.

Ugandan Journalists Talk Tough 2026 Election: bubaker Lubowa, a senior photojournalist at Daily Monitor, has over the last decade distinguished himself in photographing some of the most tumultuous political events. Even as many of those events often turned violent, he has always gone back home largely unscathed.

But it appears his luck ran out on March 13, during the Kawempe North by-election. Hooded security operatives pounced on him and other journalists, shunted them into a waiting van and beat them, some to near death.

When we spoke, almost a week after the ordeal, Lubowa was still nursing wounds and, he said, his left leg suffers periodic paralysis. “In the past, we have faced the wrath of police; where they grab you, throw you in a van and take you to their cells and later release you. But this time, I was beaten,” he said.

Journalists Under Threat:

A pig’s head and decapitated rats: a new era of intimidation dawns for journalists in Indonesia: When a large box arrived at the office with her name on it, Indonesian investigative journalist Francisca Christy Rosana assumed a friend had sent her a package.

Instead, it contained a stinking, mutilated pigs head.

“I was shocked, I cried, and was immediately evacuated by some of my friends,” said Francisca, “I was worried this terror would hurt my family.”

The grisly gift was the first in a series of threats aimed at Tempo media in the past week, in what is being seen as a new low amid increasing intimidation of journalists in the world’s third-largest democracy.

First it was the pig’s head, with its ears cut off. Days later, six decapitated rats wrapped in rose-adorned paper were sent to Tempo’s Jakarta office.

Turkey deports BBC journalist: Turkish authorities deported a BBC News correspondent on Thursday after detaining him for 17 hours and branding him a “threat to public order”.
Mark Lowen had been in Turkey to cover mass street protests triggered by the arrest and jailing of Istanbul’s Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu.

‘If you’re reading this, it means I’ve been killed’: “If you’re reading this, it means I have been killed – most likely targeted – by the Israeli occupation forces. When all this started, I was only 21 years old, a student with dreams like everyone else…” Having covered the war from northern Gaza since Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, journalist Hossam Shabat, 23, knew his life was under threat. He left it to those close to him to publish a final message on his behalf, written in case he was killed.

Journalism under threat in Turkey: Yasin Akgul, a photojournalist for Agence France-Presse who was arrested this week after covering the huge protests rocking his native Turkey, said after his release on Thursday that the profession is under threat in the country.

Journalists in the DRC contend with threats to independent media: When journalist Philip Mayifilua* discussed press freedom challenges in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with colleagues on a popular radio show in early February, he never expected it could lead to being arrested.

Shortly after the show — during which Mayifilua condemned the frequent harassment of journalists — he said a friend notified him that the Higher Council for Audiovisual and Communication (CSAC), the country’s media regulatory body, had accused him of working in the interests of the Tutsi-led March 23 Movement, better known as M23, and threatened to detain him.

Backed by Rwanda, the M23 is one of more than 100 armed rebel groups fighting DRC forces in the eastern part of the country. Former members of the political armed militia, National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP), created the group in 2012, to protect the minority Tutsi population.

Turkey criticized for detaining journalists: Press freedom groups have criticized Turkey for detaining journalists and enforcing a media blackout amid nationwide protests sparked by the arrest of Istanbul’s mayor.

Turkish authorities detained and deported BBC correspondent Mark Lowen for “being a threat to public order” after he spent a few days in Turkey covering the protests against the imprisonment of Ekrem Imamoglu, Istanbul’s popular mayor and the leading political rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Lowen was detained for 17 hours before he was deported, a BBC statement said.

Accolades for Journalists:

2025 Isle of Wight Sports Awards: The night, organised by the Isle of Wight Sports Foundation, will see 24 awards handed out as well as special awards recognising Service to Sport, Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Commitment.

The ceremony will be presented by former CP co-editor Lucy Morgan, journalist Harriet Hadfield and PR expert and former CP journalist Matt White.

Music Journalism Award Finalists Announced: Established in 2021, the NZ On Air Outstanding Music Journalism Award “honours a journalist, blogger, editor, or creator whose work has had a significant and enduring impact on the Aotearoa music scene through ethical, and innovative reporting” — coming with a cash prize of $2500.

Please Log in to your MyPR Account and then submit at will. We will ONLY publish articles submitted by you as the Logged In user.

First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/news-for-journalists-expulsions-signals-and-awards/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

The Annual SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees has a new home under the Karoo sky.

From this year it will be hosted in a purpose-built venue at the Mayogi bomas on the R75 between the two Kirkwood turnoffs.

To mark the occasion and the 100th anniversary of Afrikaans being accepted as an official language, a free concert will be hosted on Thursday, June 26.

The Kirkwood Wildsfees will be held from Friday, June 27 to Sunday, June 29.

For the past 22 years the festival has been held at the Kirkwood High School, but had to be moved after the Eastern Cape Education Department banned the sale of liquor on school grounds.

“Everyone is very excited about the new venue as we were also bursting at the seams,” says festival director Jenni Honsbein.

“We have the support of our sponsors and the stallholders.

“The Kirkwood Wildsfees service providers, most of which have been with us for many years, have pulled out all the stops and are confident that we will stage a festival to remember,” she adds.

There is already an historical link with the site, as it is where the bomas for the annual Kirkwood Wildsfees Wildlife Auction have been built.

Shuttles are planned to take festival goers from the town of Kirkwood to the new home of the SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees.

Video: SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees on the move

Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on SPAR Kirkwood Wildsfees on the move here:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Siyathetha
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SiyathethaCommunications/

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/spar-kirkwood-wildsfees-on-the-move/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

This morning I experienced the power of a press release from the point of view of a consumer.

I’ll be quick:

At around 6:00 am this morning I read a press release about Renergen’s first successful delivery of Helium

The Helium project has been on the radar for a while and is known to me.

I placed a buy order for a number of Renergen shares at 6:15 am

At 9:00 am that order was executed and at 9:17 am the profit on that buy was already at 6.84% on my original investment.

My ‘weapon of choice’ for my stocks is through Easy Equities.

Click HERE to get a R50.00 voucher to kickstart your investment journey on Easy Equities – https://bit.ly/3Hah4OE

So, Why is it the Power of the Press Release?

The press release from Renergen celebrated a milestone event which was a signal to investors that Renergen’s stock was about to get more valuable – Submit YOUR milestone event press release HERE on MyPR.

Many people like me consequently did exactly what I did which poured money into the company at a rapid rate.

Caveats:

This particular share will still be volatile as the Helium Mining is still not completely in production so expect some losses to come through by the end of the day as people invest more and more.

Overall though the long term returns are looking pretty promising – with the YTD return at +17.82% starting to eat into the 5 year negative return rate of -27.05%

Whether this marks the beginning of a sustained turnaround for Renergen remains to be seen, but the company’s entrance into the commercial helium market represents a significant step forward in its evolution from explorer to producer.

About Renergen:

Renergen is South Africa’s first onshore natural gas explorer and the first integrated producer of both liquefied helium (LHe) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), both of which are produced from the natural gas found in their vast proven reserves that underpin their Virginia Gas Project, which includes:

• the liquefaction of natural gas into LNG
• the separation of helium from natural gas and
• the further liquefaction of helium into 99.999% pure liquid helium.

About The Purple Group (Easy Equities):

Through their various products and services, clients can choose everything from DIY investing, managed portfolios through to goal-based robo-advice or any combination of these, ensuring that the Purple Group is capable of catering to the changing needs of all investor types, not just locally but abroad too.

Video: The Power of a Press Release Powered by Helium

Boilerplate and Editor’s Notes.
More Info on The Power of a Press Release Powered by Helium here:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MyPE

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/the-power-of-a-press-release-powered-by-helium/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

As a member of a number of SOS WhatsApp groups I see many people very angry at admins deleting images of suspects in the neighbourhood.

When it comes to journalists reporting, the basic rule is that a ‘suspect’ may only be identified once charged in a court of law i.e. after a decision to prosecute has been made or criminal proceedings have started. Something that our keyboard warriors think they can bypass in their entitlement.

Journalists have no special privileges above a member of the public so all are bound to follow Section 154 (2)(b) of the Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 which stipulates that: “No person shall at any stage before the appearance of an accused in a court upon any charge referred to in section 153 (3) or at any stage after such appearance but before the accused has pleaded to the charge, publish in any manner whatever any information relating to the charge in question”.

Failing to do so may result in a hefty fine, 12 months’ imprisonment or a massive civil suit for defamation of character, should you post a picture of any “perceived criminal” on a social media platform and they are arrested and detained unlawfully.

Contravening the Criminal Procedure Act by identifying alleged perpetrators before they have pleaded is a criminal offence. Those found guilty can be either fined, or jailed for up to three years. If the person who has been wrongfully identified is under 18-years-old, the imprisonment could be five years.

All defence attorneys are aware that their clients images may have been shared on Social Media (Yes, WhatsApp is a social media) and often that will represent one tool in their belt as any suspected criminal can be acquitted by the court after arguing that his/her conviction was based on a prejudicial identity parade since his/her pictures were all over social media before the parade. A suspect is more likely to walk free from a criminal case if his or her identity has been publicised on social media platforms. This also applies to vehicle registration numbers as this may lead to cases of mistaken identity. The importance of following the identity parade procedures, as conducted by a senior police officer in line with the country’s criminal procedures, is essential for a successful prosecution.

Hands up if you have seen the following messages around suspects:

• “Do we have a photo to identify him?”
• “Just because something is law……. (Popi) does not mean that it is right. People need to protect themselves.”
• “If I can get his details we can have him arrested.”
• “How am I supposed to protect myself if I can’t see what I must be on guard against?”

Hands up if you have seen neighbours children erroneously identified as suspects with these devastating words:

• “Two Young BMs acting suspiciously” attached to a grainy image taken over a wall and through the shrubbery by a nosy parker – who was wrong in his/her assumptions?

In addition Section 35 of the Constitution affords every citizen the right to a fair trial. The publication of a photo identifying an alleged perpetrator could thus render the trial unfair and it might result in the suspect being acquitted.

Leave the policing to the police and the law to the lawyers.

A good rule of thumb guideline is to do the following whenever you are dealing with a suspected criminal: Consult with the SAPS before publishing any identifying information/images/video on the web or any social media portal.

For those needing more guidelines as social media journalists they would be well advised to study this guideline: https://courtreporting.sanef.org.za/wp-content/uploads/SANEF-Court-Reporting-Manual-webversion-Feb-2022.pdf

More Reading:

CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za.

First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/why-we-dont-share-images-and-registration-numbers-of-suspects-and-or-vehicles-on-sos-groups/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

This has been a long time coming – a way to showcase journalists hard work and a small contribution to keeping the news industry alive.

The offer to bona fide journalist is simple – go ahead and post your extract or full article on MyPR. We will distribute that article further for you to a different audience, make it a featured article for free and link to the original PLUS your social media accounts and employer (or your own site if you are self-employed/freelance). YOU are in control here.

The link to the submission page is: https://mypr.co.za/members/journalists-only/

OR

Post your article below:

Please Log in to your MyPR Account and then submit at will. We will ONLY publish articles submitted by you as the Logged In user.

The fight to keep journalism to journalists continues. Social media giants would have us all believe that social journalism is all that we need, forgetting that when someone is PAID to do a job they will strive to do it correctly, honestly and fairly in order to keep that job. Of course passion for the truth and fairness in all things has to also be there.

Let’s also not forget that social journalism is ‘supported’ by the ground work done by genuine journalists.

I invite all journalists to share their articles, challenges, triumphs, setbacks and joy here: https://mypr.co.za/members/journalists-only/

First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/exposure-links-and-more-just-for-journalists/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

The fight to keep journalism to journalists continues. Social media giants would have us all believe that social journalism is all that we need, forgetting that when someone is PAID to do a job they will strive to do it correctly, honestly and fairly in order to keep that job. Of course passion for the truth and fairness in all things has to also be there.

Let’s also not forget that social journalism is ‘supported’ by the ground work done by genuine journalists.

As an aside – I fell in love with journalism through the printing press. An uncle worked in the printing room of The Herald and he once showed me how a newspaper was typeset. Proof reading of each page had to be done reading backwards (typesetting was a mirror image of the finished product) and I then spent ages learning how to read backwards in a mirror. For years I experienced the thrill of the pounding press, smell of ink and machine oil and the roar of newsprint every time I picked up a newspaper to read.

These articles about journalists popped up this past week:

Journalism Awards:

South Africa calls for journalists to enter the 2025 SADC Media Awards competition:

On 24 February 2025 an invite to enter these awards was published on the GCIS web site:

South African journalists/media are invited to submit their entries for the 2025 SADC Media Awards competition.

The SADC Media Awards competition is open to journalists from the SADC Member States.

The first prize winner in each category receives US$2,500 and the runner-up receives US$1000.

Journalists who wish to enter the competition can access more information about the competition from the www.gcis.gov.za website.

Entry Form: https://lnkd.in/dN9BrxAc 
Rules of the 2025 competition: https://lnkd.in/drPn2KBs 

On 19 February SANEF posted an invite to journalists to enter the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards 2025.

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) in partnership with Standard Bank, sponsors of the Sikuvile Journalism Awards, reminds all journalists to submit their finest work from January 1 to December 31, 2024, for the prestigious 2025 awards.

The call for entries officially opened in early February, and we urge all journalists not to wait until the last minute to enter. The deadline of 31 March is fast approaching.

Tough Times Ahead:

Writing for IOL, Thabo Makwakwa says that the USAID funding ‘crisis’ could affect 6 200 jpurnalists negatively.

According to WikiLeaks, USAID supported media outlets in more than 30 countries.

“A since-deleted fact sheet from the agency revealed that starting as early as 2003, USAID funded training and resources for approximately 6,200 journalists, supported 707 non-state news organisations, and backed 279 civil society groups, exposing the vast extent of direct US influence in global media systems over the past two decades.

“The scale of this involvement is further reflected in the 2025 foreign aid budget, which included a $268.4 million allocation from US Congress specifically earmarked for initiatives aimed at fostering the so-called ‘independent media and the free flow of information’.

BizCommunity also carried a similar warning for journalists in an article titled – Trump’s foreign aid freeze disrupts global journalism.

President Donald Trump’s decision to freeze billions of dollars in foreign aid, including more than $268m allocated by Congress to support independent media, has thrown news organisations and journalists into crisis.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has condemned the move, warning that it has left NGOs and media outlets facing severe uncertainty. The organisation has called for international public and private funders to step in and ensure the survival of independent journalism.

‘Tech giants threaten real journalism’ was the tile of Rorisang Kgosana’s article on News24.

Competition Commission to release findings on the impact of digital platforms on journalism

Owning a smartphone and posting information on social media and digital platforms does not equate to journalism, as the profession is based on the discipline of verification and accuracy of facts…

The Witness continued with doom and gloom for ‘proper’ journalists with this article: Report confirms big tech’s toll on SA media industry.

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has welcomed the provisional findings and proposed remedies released by the Competition Commission’s Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI), which examined the impact of global technology companies on the South African media landscape.

Sanef, alongside several media companies and advocacy groups, made representations to the Competition Commission in 2023, raising concerns over unfair commercial practices by major technology firms. The forum has long warned that these practices have had a devastating impact on South African media, which has suffered significant financial strain over the past two decades due to digitisation and the rise of social media platforms.

Quintin Boucher, writing for Newcastillian News continued the theme against big tech with a piece titled; Pay Up or Step Up: South Africa’s Plan to Save Journalism from Google.

South Africa’s Competition Commission has thrown down a bold gauntlet, demanding Google fork over R300-500 million annually to local media for leveraging their content. It’s a fiery ultimatum that’s sparked a fierce debate over digital equity—and whether tech giants should pay to keep journalism alive.

This clash stems from a 16-month investigation launched in late 2023, driven by suspicions that platforms like Google and Meta twist competition and choke traditional media.

After relentless evidence-gathering – public hearings, expert analyses, industry sit-downs, consumer surveys, and focus groups – the Media and Digital Platforms Market Inquiry (MDPMI) dropped its provisional report. Siyabulela Makunga, the Commission’s sharp-spoken spokesperson, laid it out: “This isn’t just about bargaining codes seen elsewhere. We’ve gone bigger – covering radio, TV, AI chatbots, and the AdTech cashflow that keeps news sites alive.” The report, now open for public scrutiny, pairs findings with remedies aimed at tech titans like Google, Meta, Microsoft, OpenAI, X, and TikTok. Feedback’s due by April 7, 2025, with a final ruling expected late 2025.

The NUB of the whole gripe against big tech is encapsulated in what Siyabulela Makunga, the Commission’s sharp-spoken spokesperson said; “Digital platforms don’t produce news,”” he said. “They profit off it while journalism withers.”” Globally, this isn’t unique—media everywhere is scrambling to reinvent as online giants siphon profits.”

Journalists Under Threat:

The Citizen reported on French Journalist, Nicolas Henin’s torture: French journalist recounts IS torture and mock execution in Paris trial.

French journalist Nicolas Henin in a Paris court quietly recounted repeated torture and a mock execution while the Islamic State group held him captive in war-torn Syria.

“The whole time, I was in a torture factory,” he told the court on Monday, also alluding to the brutalising of Syrian detainees and executions of fellow Western hostages.

The SABC reported on Zimbabwean journalist Mhlanga’s bail application postponement.

Zimbabwean journalist Blessed Mhlanga spent two nights behind bars after a Harare magistrate postponed his bail application.

A judgment on a bail application will now be heard on Thursday. Mhlanga appeared in court today facing charges of transmitting data messages inciting violence.

Many fear a return to the past dark days when press freedom in Zimbabwe was denied.

IOL posted an AFP article about Truong Huy San, also known as Huy Duc titled: Vietnam jails leading journalist over Facebook posts.

A Vietnamese court sentenced a leading independent journalist to 30 months in prison over Facebook posts that criticised the government, state media said.

Huy Duc worked for influential state-run newspapers before authoring one of Vietnam’s most popular blogs and Facebook accounts, where he criticised the country’s communist leaders on issues such as corruption, media control and relations with China.

Accolades for Journalists:

BizCommunity wroe a long piece on Trailblazer Lesley Visser to receive 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award at New York Festivals.

New York Festivals Television & Film Awards has announced that sports journalist and broadcasting groundbreaker Lesley Visser will be awarded the New York Festivals 2025 Lifetime Achievement Award.

The New York Festivals Lifetime Achievement Award, launched in 2011, honours prominent industry leaders, innovators, and driving forces in the broadcast world whose groundbreaking accomplishments have advanced their field and left a lasting impact on the industry. The award recipient will be celebrated at the annual Storytellers Gala virtual event, which will recognise TV & Film Awards and Radio Awards trophy winners in May 2025.

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First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/news-for-journalists-awards-censure-pushback-danger/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

2030 Reading Panel Findings Reinforce National Urgency to Transform Early-Grade Reading

Johannesburg, 25 February 2025 – Just weeks after President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address (SONA), where he reaffirmed…

First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/how-to-unsuck-your-press-release-title-mtga/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

MyPR uses Payfast (and Paypal) to process online payments.

These payments are for once off and monthly subscribers to our featured press release products.

Payfast By Network, MyPR’s trusted online payments partner, is running an exciting campaign that will reward one lucky online shopper with a quarter of a million rand in cash!

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First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/we-would-really-like-to-see-you-score-r250-000/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

• When 2% is Actually 13.33%
• How to Spin Percentages Positively (sort of)

The recently postponed budget speech following dissension in the ranks of the GNU was, to most reports, as a result of a proposed increase in VAT of two percentage points – from 15% to 17& VAT.

As any PR Professional or Journalist will tell you – any reaction to data is dependent upon how you present the good/bad news.

In any normal price increase situation a business will report an increase in prices by using a percentage – e.g. a 10% increase – in that way the general public can reference known numbers like the general inflation rate and even salary increase percentages to determine if the increase is palatable or not.

For the last two years South Africa’s published inflation rate (CPI) has hovered around 3% per annum.

The GNU were intending to report the number of percentage points increase in VAT (2%) rather than the actual percentage increase of VAT (13.33%) which is far in excess of the inflation rate – a number that the VAT man benefits from in the same way that SARS benefits from inflationary bracket creep.

Reporting the lower (true) number is a typical spin tactic as 2% is far more palatable than 13.33%.

There is a lesson in there somewhere.

South Africa’s Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana, said in his leaked budget speech, that was meant to be delivered to Parliament on Wednesday, 19 February 2025, that the increase in VAT was to finance wage increases for civil servants along with other departments.

We propose to raise the VAT rate by 2 percentage points to 17 per cent – a necessary step that will enable us to:

• Fund public sector wage increases for our civil servants
• Expand early childhood development opportunities for our children
• Retain the teachers, doctors, and essential frontline workers that serve our communities
• Revitalise our commuter rail system to better serve working-class families
• Provide above-inflation increases to social grants for our most vulnerable

So what is to be done with the 19 February announcement by the Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council (PSCBC) that they had successfully concluded wage negotiations with a wage Increase, 5.5% for 2025/26, with future increases (2026/27 & 2027/28) linked to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The CPI is the official measure of inflation in South Africa.

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First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/that-mooted-vat-increase-was-actually-13-33/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

As a journalist how many times have you seen this type of exhortation in Press Releases that hit your inbox:

If you use this information, please add credit with a link to this website (https://SomeWebSite.com). This will help us to continue to provide you with quality content.

Let’s break it down:

In a large newsroom the journalist has no to very little say on editorial content at all – sub editors and editors will take the raw material and bend it to their editorial policy.

Buried in that editorial policy will be a very large resistance to freely giving hyperlinks/outlinks (outlinks take the visitor away from the site whilst hyperlinks can refer to internal or external links)  away to anyone who asks without a large monetary consideration attached – that is called advertising and carries a large cost.

Bottom line – asking for a link (with the implied threat of not providing the journalist with more content) does NOT work.

Let’s look at the sentence; “This will help us to continue to provide you with quality content.” and, after snorting our morning coffee through our noses, remind everyone that what is said there is closer to the untruth than the truth. A link out from a news site is ADVERTISING, plain and simple and MAY, in a very roundabout way, help provide you with more content.

BUT, the primary reasons for asking for a link from a news site are: To sell product and gain SEO rankings.

Here at MyPR we allow outlinks for Featured Press Releases as a means to make journalists lives easier to develop a story.

Here is a (not so) radical idea:

When providing outlinks in any press release provide links to more detailed information that the journalist can interrogate.

Provide outlinks to an ALTERNATIVE view to yours (inherent in here is the principal of ‘hearing the other side’).

Provide outlinks with the intent to allow all readers to find out more and make up their own minds.

At all times before providing outlinks stop and think; “Is this for more and better information or just for SEO?” Obviously ‘more and better information’ is the holy grail!

Think back to the start of the internet when web site owners would link out to other sites in the same industry in order to help internet users learn more – it was done in a helpful sharing manner until the search engines started rating the popularity of sites based on how many outlinks pointed to individual sites. From then the game was on.

One of the most famous set of keywords was ‘Click Here’ – a search on Google for ‘Click Here’ would lead you to the Adobe site. How did they accomplish that? By giving away their PDF reader which site owners when uploading PDF documents would ‘helpfully’ provide a link to Adobe’s PDF reader with the simple ‘Click Here’ exhortation!

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First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/truth-if-you-use-this-information-please-add-credit-with-a-link/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

Ermelo, South Africa – As agricultural drone technology becomes an essential tool for modern farming, understanding the licensing requirements in South Africa is critical for safe, effective, and legal operations. Afri Air, a trusted provider of agricultural drone solutions, is committed to helping South African farmers navigate the complex regulations and training processes required for drone use in agriculture.

Licensing Essentials for Agricultural Drone Operations

To operate drones for crop spraying or farmland monitoring, South African farmers must secure two key certifications:

• Remote Pilot Licence (RPL): This certification demonstrates competency in drone operation and ensures adherence to safety protocols.
• Remote Operating Certificate (ROC): This comprehensive approval requires detailed documentation of safety management systems, operating procedures, and maintenance programs.

These certifications are not merely regulatory requirements—they provide farmers with the confidence and knowledge to maximise the benefits of agricultural drones while safeguarding their investments.

Comprehensive Training for Farmers

Afri Air offers a holistic training program designed to prepare farmers for successful drone operation and licensing. Every agricultural drone purchase includes free, DJI-approved training that covers both theoretical and practical components:

• Theoretical Training: Includes aviation regulations, air law, navigation principles, and meteorological studies, ensuring farmers are well-versed in the essential aspects of drone operation.
• Practical Training: Provides hands-on experience with agricultural drones, focusing on pre-flight procedures, obstacle avoidance, efficient flight planning, and specialised operations like crop spraying.

For crop spraying applications, additional training is available to obtain the required COC licence. This training focuses on chemical handling, environmental safety, and precision spraying techniques.

Ongoing Support and Skill Maintenance

Afri Air’s commitment extends beyond initial certification. Farmers benefit from ongoing support, including technical assistance, advanced training modules, and regular updates on regulatory changes. Group training options are also available, making it easier for entire farm teams to gain expertise in drone operations.

By prioritising training, certification, and ongoing support, Afri Air ensures that farmers can integrate drones seamlessly into their agricultural practices, improving efficiency and productivity while remaining compliant with Civil Aviation Authority regulations.

For more information about agricultural drone licensing and training, contact Afri Air at 2 De Clercq St, Ermelo, 2350 or call 072 434 5776. Afri Air is proud to be a leader in agricultural drone solutions, serving farmers across Mpumalanga and beyond.

Video: Agricultural Drone Licensing in South Africa: A Guide for Farmers

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First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/agricultural-drone-licensing-in-south-africa-a-guide-for-farmers/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

It has happened to the best of us – a burst geyser or faulty vacuum breaker in the roof space leads to mayhem below as the ceiling sags, water pours over valuables and the mop up always seems to happen at the most awkward times.

Then the insurance company insists on installing the replacement geyser on an outside wall.

Not only does this present an unsightly ‘feature’ for the homeowner but also introduces the real possibility of theft.

Compounding matters is that geyser trays warp or where never installed properly. Often the geyser ‘feet’ then rest in water leading to rust and failure. But the most common cause of flooding is as a result of Vacuum Breaker failure.

How Then Do You Save Your Ceiling From Being Flooded?

With Ceiling Saver.

Ceiling Saver is a long term cost saving device that fits over the vacuum breakers of a geyser. Vacuum breakers are known to fail, resulting in flooding of ceilings and damages within a home. By using a Ceiling Saver the water is diverted to the outside of a home via an overflow flow pipe preventing flood damage to the interior of a home.

It is recommended that the homeowner install a ceiling saver over both the inflow and outflow vacuum breakers on your geyser.

Expect to pay just less than R300.00 each in 2025.

Contact Straton Plumbing for a price to supply and install the Ceiling Saver.

Video: How to Prevent Flooded Ceilings

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First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/how-to-prevent-flooded-ceilings/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.

Ermelo, South Africa – As technology continues to reshape South Africa’s agricultural landscape, Afri Air is proud to highlight the DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral, a cutting-edge drone designed to elevate farming efficiency and productivity. With its advanced imaging capabilities, precision mapping, and seamless integration with farm management systems, this drone offers innovative solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by large-scale and industrial farmers across South Africa.

Advanced Imaging for Informed Decisions

The DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral introduces an unparalleled approach to crop monitoring with its six-camera array. This includes five specialised sensors that capture light beyond the visible spectrum, offering insights into crop health that go unnoticed by the human eye. By transforming light measurements into actionable data, the drone empowers farmers to address issues like crop stress, irrigation needs, and pest control proactively, saving both time and resources.

Precision Mapping and Field Coverage

Equipped with advanced GPS technology, the Mavic 3 Multispectral delivers 2cm per pixel resolution at optimal flying heights, enabling detailed analysis down to individual plants. With the ability to cover 20 hectares in a single flight and up to 200 hectares in a day under optimal conditions, this drone is built to handle the demands of large-scale farming operations.

Sturdy and reliable, it maintains stable operation even in challenging weather conditions, including winds of up to 39 km/h, ensuring consistent data collection throughout the growing season.

Real-Time Insights and Seamless Integration

Farmers no longer need to wait for data processing. The Mavic 3 Multispectral provides immediate analysis during flights, translating complex multispectral data into clear, actionable insights. These insights integrate seamlessly with existing farm management systems, enabling smarter, data-driven decisions to optimise crop yields and resource allocation.

Comprehensive Support and Training

To ensure farmers maximise the potential of the DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral, Afri Air offers comprehensive training programs and ongoing support. From initial setup to advanced operational techniques, their team is dedicated to helping South African farmers unlock the full value of their investment.

For more information about the DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral and other agricultural drone solutions, visit Afri Air at 2 De Clercq St, Ermelo, 2350, or contact them at 072 434 5776.

Afri Air is a trusted distributor of DJI drones and accessories in South Africa, with a focus on providing advanced agricultural and enterprise drone solutions to farmers across Mpumalanga.

Video: Empowering South African Farmers with the DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral

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First Published here: https://mypr.co.za/empowering-south-african-farmers-with-the-dji-mavic-3-multispectral/ – MyPR is a free press release site distributing releases from well known brands, small business and artists to on and off line publications and social media.

Did You Know? Cradock was founded in 1813 on the banks of the Great Fish River to cater for the migratory farmers who settled in this ruggedly beautiful area with its excellent grazing, abundant water and healthy climate.