Teachers’ salaries will be released, South Africa promises to lift cigarette ban in the future and tips on how to disconnect from work ﹘ read these and other stories in your Friday wrap below!
1. Local headlines
Government has resolved to reimburse salaries of teachers who went on strike in September last year and fell victims to the “no work, no pay” principle that was employed as a punitive action.
Last week, the cabinet approved and ordered the Ministry of Education to facilitate payment of some of the teachers who were victimised.
“The agreement has been reached that teachers be paid their September salaries and we highly appreciate the effort but will only be happy when we start receiving the money,” said Lesotho Teachers Trade Union (LTTU) Secretary General ‘Mapitso Molai in an interview with Metro news on Tuesday.
[Held teachers’ salaries to be released, Maseru Metro News]
2. Local headlines
The Lesotho National Olympic Committee (LNOC) in association with the ministries of Gender, Youth, Sports and Recreation and Home affairs on Wednesday held local refugees to a world refugee day commemoration at LNOC headquarters in Maseru west.
According to Commissioner of Refugees Agency Lesotho Mohlolo Lerotholi this day is an international day designated by the United Nations (UN) to honor refugees around the globe. It is celebrated annually on June 20th. The day celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home countries to escape conflict or persecution.
Meanwhile, Minister of Home Affairs Hon. Motlalentoa Letsosa commended LNOC and the Home Affairs Ministry for joining forces in making sure that the day was celebrated. [World Refugee Day commemorated, Informative News]
3. Global headlines
The ban on cigarettes will be lifted, President Cyril Ramaphosa said, but when exactly this will be, he didn’t say. Ramaphosa interacted with the public in a virtual imbizo – a public participation platform, where communities can interact directly with the government – on Wednesday evening.
After Ramaphosa’s short address, the very first caller asked when the ban on cigarette sales will be lifted. “We will not be in lockdown forever,” Ramaphosa responded. “So the ban on cigarettes will be lifted.”
He pointed out that it is still in effect, though. Ramaphosa was also asked about the rationale of unbanning alcohol sales. He said the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) discussed this extensively, and thought that the alcohol ban should be lifted at Level 3.
He said they also opened other areas of the economy, as they couldn’t keep the economy closed forever. [Ramaphosa says cigarettes will be unbanned again… someday, News24]
4. In lifestyle
Econet Premier League (EPL) clubs have agreed to end the currently suspended 2019/2020 football season halted in March when the country declared a COVID-19 national lockdown. The clubs reached the decision in a meeting with the Premier League Management Committee (PLMC) last week.
According to PLMC Public Relations Officer, Moeketsi Ramakatsa, the agreement has been to consider the league played to finality despite an average of seven matches remaining to the end – no team will, however, be relegated to the A-Division.
Ramakatsa said the clubs said even if the league would resume it would still be difficult for them to comply with proposed COVID-19 precautionary measures as set out by the National Emergency Command Centre and their financial implications. Ramakatsa was not sure when the final decision would be made regarding the league cancellation.
[COVID-19: Clubs call for end of football season, Public Eye News]
5. What we’re reading
Ahead of the weekend, we recommend this helpful Forbes article that explains how a failure to disconnect from work could be manifesting in your life, where it might stem from and how to finally detach without feeling guilty. We think it’ll be helpful for those of us that find themselves working over the weekends or well into the evening, at the expense of much-need rest and social connection. [How To Disconnect From Work And Enjoy Your Downtime (Without Feeling Guilty), Melody Wilding]