Latest news with #Geldenhuys
The Citizen
27-07-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
World Brain Day: More than 40% of dementia cases can be prevented
World Brain Day: More than 40% of dementia cases can be prevented The World Health Organization estimates that 57 million people globally live with dementia, with this number expected to reach 153 million by 2050. A total of 60% of people with dementia live in low- and middle-income countries, but this will rise to 71% by 2050. Welma Geldenhuys, senior social worker of the Association for Dementia and Alzheimer's of South Africa in Pretoria, said that for the association, World Brain Day is about creating awareness for communities and families of how to let people with dementia live lives of dignity and quality. 'At the association, this is something we truly advocate for,' said Geldenhuys. Overall, around 45% of cases of dementia are potentially preventable by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors at different stages during the life course. These include things such as not completing secondary education, social isolation, and depression, as well as several medical conditions such as hypertension, obesity and diabetes. 'We need to get the word out that it is important to get a professional diagnosis of the illness by an expert medical professional because the right treatment and medication can be administered,' explained Geldenhuys. Diet might also be an important aspect to look at in addition to these 14 factors, and has a key role in reducing the risk of chronic diseases that affect dementia risk. Speaking ahead of World Brain Day, Dr Patty Francis, president of the Neurological Association of South Africa, said dementia is no longer an inevitable consequence of old age, but 'the result of decades-long exposure to modifiable risk factors'. Dr Francis said the brain is highly sensitive to long-term physical, emotional, and environmental stressors. 'The rise in dementia in our region is deeply concerning, considering that we carry high burdens of HIV, hypertension, diabetes and stroke, all of which are linked to increased dementia risk,' she said. 'The most powerful message we can share this World Brain Day is that dementia is not just about ageing, it's about lifelong brain health. What we do in our 30s, 40s and 50s has a direct impact on our risk later in life.' Although addressing risk factors at an early stage of life is desirable, there is also a benefit from tackling risk throughout life; it is never too early or too late to reduce dementia risk. 'Dementia does not happen overnight. It often starts with decades of unmanaged risk factors such as high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, poor sleep, alcohol abuse, and hearing loss, all of which silently damage brain tissue. When addressing these, research shows dementia could be prevented or delayed in up to four in 10 cases.' 'Every stage of life offers an opportunity to protect your brain,' said Dr Francis. 'From maternal nutrition to childhood immunisation, and from midlife stress management, to staying socially connected in older age. Preventions start early and are lifelong.' While dementia presents differently in each person, common warning signs include: – Memory loss that disrupts daily life – Difficulty performing familiar tasks – Language problems such as difficulty in speaking or writing – Confusion with time and place – Trouble understanding visual images – Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace one's steps – Decreased or poor judgement – Personality or mood changes – Withdrawal from work or social activities – Problems with reasoning or problem-solving. Other red flags include trouble with planning and organising, poor co-ordination and control of movements, and confusion and disorientation. 'It's important not to dismiss symptoms as just getting older,' Dr Francis said. 'Even in younger adults, persistent cognitive changes should be assessed by a neurologist or specialist physician.' Some forms of dementia are amenable to therapy, such as HIV-related dementia or deficiency in vitamin B12. While there is currently no cure for Alzheimer's disease, early diagnosis and treatment can significantly slow progression and improve quality of life, with options, including: – Medication to manage cognitive symptoms and behaviour – Cognitive rehabilitation – Occupational therapy – Management of underlying conditions like hypertension or diabetes. Dr Francis said new drug developments, such as anti-amyloid therapies, are promising but remain costly and limited in availability in most low- and middle-income countries. 'In South Africa, our most urgent need is access to early screening and specialist care, particularly in under-resourced communities. 'We also need to destigmatise dementia, so families feel supported, rather than isolated,' she added. 'This World Brain Day, we are calling on all South Africans to prioritise brain health from the earliest stages of life. 'Healthy brains build healthy communities and the power to prevent dementia starts with awareness, education and action.' If you suspect someone you know is showing signs of dementia, you can get support and guidance from your local GP or community clinics for referral to specialists, or Alzheimer's South Africa. A workshop on dementia will be held on August 20 at the Sungardens Hospice in Lynnwood, Pretoria, by Alzheimer's South Africa from 09:00 to 13:00. More information is available from Welma Geldenhuys, who can be called on 082 821 4862, or visit the ADASA website on Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. 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The Citizen
31-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Phala Open returns with 91 entries
LIMPOPO – Henk Geldenhuys claimed overall victory at the 2025 Phalaborwa Open, held on Saturday, May 24, at the Ba-Phalaborwa Resort and Golf Club. Geldenhuys, who also won division A, delivered an outstanding performance with a 139 gross score, finishing five under par. In division B, Zjuan Muller emerged as the winner, while Brian Mawasha took the prize for best gross in the same division. Trevor Miller secured the division C title. Among the other top performers were Ilze Heyns, who won the women's category; Rogan Dreyer, who was crowned the junior winner; and Karabo Luphondo, named best development player. Muller also walked away with the best nett score of 140. This year's tournament marked the successful return of the Phalaborwa Open to the Limpopo Golf Union calendar after several years' absence. Now hailed as the biggest Limpopo Golf Union open event of the year so far, it drew an impressive field of 91 players, including 41 club members and 50 visiting golfers from across the region. Nic Grundtvig, golf manager at Ba-Phalaborwa Golf Club, credited the Indalo Hotels and Leisure Group, owners of the club, for restoring the course to a standard fit for high-level competition. He also extended thanks to ALJ Insurance Brokers for supporting local golf development by sponsoring eight junior players, coordinated through a programme led by Harry Mathaba. 'We are honoured to have hosted the Phalaborwa Open at our club this year,' the club said in a statement. 'It was a privilege to welcome talented golfers from near and far. The strong spirit of sportsmanship, enthusiastic spectators, and generous support from local sponsors made the event a tremendous success. 'We thank everyone who contributed to making this tournament so memorable and look forward to hosting many more successful events in the future. Congratulations to all participants, and especially to the winners!' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Citizen
La Mercy woman's polyandrous wedding challenges SA marriage laws
The symbolic wedding of a married woman to a second husband in Ballito has reignited debate over gender equality, cultural norms and legal inconsistencies in South Africa's marriage laws. Jo-Leen Geldenhuys (34) – known as the 'Pink Pitbull' in boxing circles – married her boxing coach, Santini Lee (38), in a traditional, though not legally binding, ceremony at Salmon Bay on April 26. She remains legally married to her husband of 12 years, Jack Geldenhuys (37), with whom she has four children. Polyandry – where a woman has multiple husbands – is not recognised under South African law, while polygamy for men is permitted under customary law. 'Afrikaans culture holds strong religious and patriarchal traditions, which can be isolating when advocating for progressive ideas,' she said. Originally from the North West, Geldenhuys moved to La Mercy last October. Her lifestyle has drawn online criticism, but she says prejudice comes from across cultural lines, not just her own community. 'Polyandry is more than a legal issue – it's cultural and societal,' she said. 'I've received messages from other couples who are afraid to speak out. That's why I will continue to advocate for recognition of polyandrous relationships.' She draws inspiration from the LGBTQ+ community and says her story promotes broader dialogue around personal freedom and the influence of religion in law-making. South Africa's Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on grounds such as marital status (Section 9.3, Bill of Rights). Geldenhuys believes this clause should support the legalisation of polyandry. Polyandry is not uncommon around the world but very rarely accepted. It is legal in Nigeria and Kenya. In India and Tibet, fraternal polyandry – where a woman marries a set of brothers – continues to be practiced. A 2021 green paper by the Department of Home Affairs proposed the legal recognition of polyandry in South Africa, sparking fierce national debate, with many conservative voices labelling it 'unAfrican.' One prominent critic of the proposal was reality TV star Musa Mseleku, who has four wives. The main concerns raised by Mseleku involved the potential impact on family structure and the legal complexities of determining paternity. 'I don't have the resources to take this to court,' Geldenhuys said. 'But by sharing my story, I hope to inspire change.' Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
11-05-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
KZN woman's polyandrous wedding challenges SA marriage laws
The symbolic wedding of a married woman to a second husband in Ballito, KZN, has reignited debate over gender equality, cultural norms and legal inconsistencies in South Africa's marriage laws. North Coast Courier reports that Jo-Leen Geldenhuys (34) – known as the 'Pink Pitbull' in boxing circles – married her boxing coach, Santini Lee (38), in a traditional, though not legally binding, ceremony at Salmon Bay on April 26. She remains legally married to her husband of 12 years, Jack Geldenhuys (37), with who she has four children. Polyandry – where a woman has multiple husbands – is not recognised under South African law, while polygamy for men is permitted under customary law. 'Afrikaans culture holds strong religious and patriarchal traditions, which can be isolating when advocating for progressive ideas,' says Geldenhuys. Originally from the North West, Geldenhuys moved to La Mercy last October. Her lifestyle has drawn online criticism, but she says prejudice comes from across cultural lines, not just her community. 'Polyandry is more than a legal issue – it's cultural and societal,' she says. 'I've received messages from other couples who are afraid to speak out. That's why I will continue to advocate for recognition of polyandrous relationships.' She draws inspiration from the LGBTQ+ community and says her story promotes broader dialogue around personal freedom and the influence of religion in law-making. South Africa's Constitution guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination on grounds such as marital status (Section 9.3, Bill of Rights). Geldenhuys believes this clause should support the legalisation of polyandry. Polyandry is not uncommon around the world, but is rarely accepted. It is legal in Nigeria and Kenya. In India and Tibet, fraternal polyandry – where a woman marries two brothers – is allowed. A 2021 green paper by the Department of Home Affairs proposed the legal recognition of polyandry in South Africa, sparking fierce national debate, with many conservative voices labelling it 'unAfrican'. One prominent critic of the proposal was reality TV star Musa Mseleku, who has four wives. The main concerns raised by Mseleku involved the potential impact on family structure and the legal complexities of determining paternity. 'I don't have the resources to take this to court,' Geldenhuys says. 'But by sharing my story, I hope to inspire change.' Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel. Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal. Read original story on At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Vaal Dam levels remain high as sluice gate outflows reduced
The latest information reveals the severity of the situation, with the Vaal Dam reaching nearly 110% capacity as of Tuesday. As water levels remain well above capacity, outflows have been reduced at the Vaal Dam for a second consecutive day. According to the latest data, the dam stood at 109.92% full on Tuesday, with two sluice gates initially open. By 10am, one of the gates was closed to reduce the outflow to 307 cubic metres per second, following a slight drop in inflow levels. Decreasing inflow offers some relief The inflow on Tuesday had decreased to 220.7m³/s, down from 242.7m³/s recorded the previous day. The Vaal Barrage also showed improved conditions, with a water level of 7.4m and an outflow of 601.1m³/s on Monday, a marked improvement from the 1 771m³/s recorded last week. On Monday, Bloemhof Dam's outflow was systematically reduced from 1 100m³/s to 800m³/s by late afternoon. In addition, on 29 April, the Vaal Dam had surged to 119.18% capacity, prompting the opening of 10 sluice gates to manage a massive inflow of over 1 300m³/s. 'Maintain the status quo at both Vaal Dam and Bloemhof Dam regarding releases. Inflow trends show a decline, so both dams should continue to drop,' the data said. The high levels contributed to significant downstream flooding, particularly affecting tourism and business operators around the dam. ALSO READ: Vaal Dam exceeds 120% capacity after opening of 10th sluice gate Business owners battle to recover Carl Geldenhuys, the owner of Anchor Creek, a resort near the dam, said the flooding over the Easter weekend had further devastated a business already battered by years of economic hardship. The flooding was caused by heavy rains, necessitating the department of water and sanitation to open more sluice gates. 'If you look inside the units, we've had to take doors off and remove vanity cabinets. Everything's standing on blocks now to avoid water damage,' he said. 'The chipboard turns to Weet-Bix if it gets wet.' Geldenhuys revealed that one of his members suggested moving items upstairs to protect them from further flooding. 'It's something I have to consider. But to do that, I'd need to redo plumbing and electrical work,' he added. The hospitality sector, according to Geldenhuys, never fully recovered after the Covid pandemic. 'I built this complex for accommodation. It's been almost six years since Covid began, and I haven't had inquiries to fill these rooms.' The unfinished rooms would each cost around R70 000 to complete, but he has put those plans on hold. 'Why complete them if there's no business? I've got accommodation for 75 people, and a sports bar I believe, is the smartest in the Vaal Triangle.' NOW READ: Vaal Dam: Residents refuse evacuation orders despite rising flood dangers
