Latest news with #Gerhard
The Citizen
a day ago
- The Citizen
Germiston audience inspired by blind man's Kilimanjaro climb
Shrouded in darkness, a formation of eight men climbed the face of Kilimanjaro. Second from the front, Gerhard Ferreira walked with great effort, willing his body to take the last strides to the top of Africa's highest peak. Gathered in the Katse Room at Ebotse on May 29, members and guests of the Garlands Ladies Luncheon Club listened in awe as Gerhard, a blind mountaineer from Lakefield, recounted his 54-year-long journey that led him to stand on top of the world on August 4, 2001. ALSO READ: Nature lovers invited to adventure at Melville Koppies At the age of 16, Gerhard's world went dark when a degenerative condition claimed his vision. Starting from humble beginnings, the father of two's career includes countless accolades, such as becoming one of the country's first programmers. He went on to become manager of quality management and coaching at Standard Bank's Corporate and Investment Bank. Despite being visually impaired, his vigour and lust for life have taken him on a series of whirlwind adventures. Under the guidance of his running partner and lifelong friend, Denis Tavakin, Gerhard has won two bronze medals at the Comrades Ultra-Marathon, two bronze medals at the Two Oceans Marathon, and two silver medals at the New York City Marathon. 'Whether it is bungee jumping or battling rapids, there is very little that scares me,' he said, with a hint of his wicked wit tugging at the corners of his mouth. 'Perhaps it is my die-hard approach to life or merely the fact that I cannot see the dangers or challenges before me that have pushed me beyond my comfort zone.' Zeroing in on his trek to become one of the first three South Africans to reach Uhuru Peak, at an elevation of 5 895 m, Gerhard said that the climb was not only a physical challenge due to extreme conditions but also tested every inch of his will. 'Uhuru means freedom in Swahili,' he said. ALSO READ: Melville Koppies get new paths for adventure 'Freedom of movement and the ability to grow beyond physical limitations were something that I had to quickly adapt to if I wanted to live a life of independence. Navigating through life in darkness became second nature. 'However, trudging through dense vegetation, covered in mud, and steadily making my way up a mountain that stretched beyond the clouds were the moments that cemented my will to live without limitations.' Detailing his adventure, Gerhard told the Garlands how the most encouraging words during the climb came from his patient guides, who routinely told him, 'It's not too far.' 'As humans, we are so fixated on our goals that we grow impatient when it takes a little longer to see the results,' he said. 'This could lead to despondency and frustration, but if my journey has taught me anything, it is to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. 'Every step inches you forward. Take the time to examine the end destination and take stock of how far you have come, but do not linger there. ALSO READ: Treat your family with some adventure at Melville Koppies 'Again, focus on every step, and before you know it, 'it is not too far,' becomes 'lift your hands, you have made it to the top.' The Garlands Ladies Luncheon Club will meet again on June 26. For more information about the club and its monthly meetings or to become a member, email club president Margie Kostelac at margie.h@ At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Blind mountaineer's tales intrigue Garland Ladies
Shrouded in darkness, a formation of eight men climbed the face of Kilimanjaro. Second from the front, Gerhard Ferreira walked with great effort, willing his body to take the last strides to the top of Africa's highest peak. Gathered in the Katse Room at Ebotse on May 29, members and guests of the Garlands Ladies Luncheon Club listened in awe as Gerhard, a blind mountaineer from Lakefield, recounted his 54-year-long journey that led him to stand on top of the world on August 4, 2001. At the age of 16, Gerhard's world went dark when a degenerative condition claimed his vision. Starting from humble beginnings, the father of two's career includes countless accolades, such as becoming one of the country's first programmers. He went on to become manager of quality management and coaching at Standard Bank's Corporate and Investment Bank. Despite being visually impaired, his vigour and lust for life have taken him on a series of whirlwind adventures. ALSO READ: Mountaineer Eva ready for Annapurna adventure Under the guidance of his running partner and lifelong friend, Denis Tavakin, Gerhard has won two bronze medals at the Comrades Ultra-Marathon, two bronze medals at the Two Oceans Marathon, and two silver medals at the New York City Marathon. 'Whether it is bungee jumping or battling rapids, there is very little that scares me,' he said, with a hint of his wicked wit tugging at the corners of his mouth. 'Perhaps it is my die-hard approach to life or merely the fact that I cannot see the dangers or challenges before me that have pushed me beyond my comfort zone.' Zeroing in on his trek to become one of the first three South Africans to reach Uhuru Peak, at an elevation of 5 895 m, Gerhard said that the climb was not only a physical challenge due to extreme conditions but also tested every inch of his will. 'Uhuru means freedom in Swahili,' he said. 'Freedom of movement and the ability to grow beyond physical limitations were something that I had to quickly adapt to if I wanted to live a life of independence. Navigating through life in darkness became second nature. 'However, trudging through dense vegetation, covered in mud, and steadily making my way up a mountain that stretched beyond the clouds were the moments that cemented my will to live without limitations.' Detailing his adventure, Gerhard told the Garlands how the most encouraging words during the climb came from his patient guides, who routinely told him, 'It's not too far.' 'As humans, we are so fixated on our goals that we grow impatient when it takes a little longer to see the results,' he said. 'This could lead to despondency and frustration, but if my journey has taught me anything, it is to focus on putting one foot in front of the other. 'Every step inches you forward. Take the time to examine the end destination and take stock of how far you have come, but do not linger there. 'Again, focus on every step, and before you know it, 'it is not too far,' becomes 'lift your hands, you have made it to the top.' The Garlands Ladies Luncheon Club will meet again on June 26. For more information about the club and its monthly meetings or to become a member, email club president Margie Kostelac at margie.h@ ALSO READ: Climbing the mountain of life with courage At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BDO USA launches AI strategy
BDO USA has launched an AI strategy aimed at empowering its people and clients to work more strategically. The accounting and advisory firm said it has made advances over the past two years, including implementing a responsible AI governance framework and deploying an AI learning curriculum for its professionals. The strategy is supported by a global investment of more than $1bn over five years. To lead this initiative, BDO USA appointed Mike Gerhard as chief data and AI officer in 2024. Gerhard is responsible for spearheading the firm's data and AI projects and using data analytics and technology to drive business insights and innovation. Gerhard collaborates with leaders across the firm to develop proprietary AI tools that enhance how BDO professionals work and improve service delivery for clients. He also oversees the firm's research and AI development (RAID) team, focusing on research and prototyping based on business priorities. BDO began piloting potential tools and approaches in early 2023 and has since achieved several business milestones. The firm believes AI must be purpose-built to augment daily needs, creating solutions that enhance human capabilities and minimise errors, allowing professionals to focus on strategic work. One of the tools, Chat BDO, is an internal, secure, generative AI platform customised for BDO-specific processes to improve productivity. Another tool, Consultative Selling Account Insights, uses AI to analyse data, helping BDO professionals identify opportunities and make informed recommendations. BDO's AI strategy also includes learning and development opportunities to empower professionals to adopt AI responsibly. AI Ambassadors champion BDO's AI solutions, while the AI upskilling programme teaches best practices, trends, and ethical considerations. As BDO continues to innovate, it focuses on several high-impact areas, including generative AI assistants, AI-driven personalisation, AI business automation, and multimodal AI. Gerhard said: 'At BDO, we already see AI unlocking new opportunities for our people and our clients. Our approach with the RAID team reflects BDO's commitment to providing innovation that drives business growth, enhances operational performance, and adds value to our relationships. 'We are seeking to be both agile and responsible as this technology quickly develops. By investing in dedicated teams, a proprietary AI approach, and custom solutions, we're setting a new standard for innovation in professional services and will continue embracing the next generation of solutions.' "BDO USA launches AI strategy " was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Throat reconstruction is pensioner's last hope of a normal life
Gerhard Deysel, a 71-year-old resident of Middelburg, and his wife Martie are both pensioners, and their income is simply not enough to cover the overwhelming medical expenses that have built up due to countless throat surgeries. The couple urgently needs to raise R300 000 or more to cover Gerhard's past medical bills, ongoing high-cost medication, and future life-saving procedures, including throat reconstruction and an operation to remove a tumour in one of his kidneys. According to Martie, Gerhard's 47-year-long battle for survival began in 1978 after a thyroid operation left him with severe breathing, swallowing, and choking problems. Doctors initially dismissed his symptoms as unfitness and psychological, but Gerhard knew something was wrong. Despite the pain and difficulty, he persevered for 10 years until 1988, when his condition worsened dramatically. 'After being hospitalised, doctors discovered that his vocal cord nerves had been damaged during the 1978 surgery, leaving his vocal cords paralysed in a closed position. This caused chronic breathing difficulties, choking, and swallowing issues. Over the next eight months, Gerhard endured 16 throat surgeries, including the removal of both vocal cords to create a better airway. Miraculously, he retained some speech and continued living life for 34 more years, as normally as possible, despite constant pain and discomfort,' the BackaBuddy profile reads. 'A new crisis, however, arose in July 2022 as Gerhard was fighting for every breath, and was rushed to the hospital with severe breathing problems. Gerhard underwent an emergency tracheostomy to ensure oxygen flow. Doctors then made a terrifying discovery, food and fluids were entering his lungs, causing aspiration, life-threatening infections, and choking episodes.' From September 2022 to January 2025, Gerhard underwent multiple surgeries as doctors tried to balance oxygen supply, prevent choking, and preserve his speech. However, his case is so rare that doctors admitted there is no medical textbook for his condition, Martie explained. 'In January/February 2025, three more surgeries were attempted but had to be stopped when Gerhard developed a severe infection, leaving him hospitalised – including 46 days in intensive care. Tests revealed that all food and liquids were entering his lungs, forcing doctors to insert a feeding tube into his stomach.' Another devastating blow was dealt after a CT scan detected a big tumour on his right kidney. 'Our road ahead consists of urgent surgeries and mounting costs, as Gerhard is scheduled for kidney removal. He must first recover from a heart stent procedure they completed in May. After recovering, they will do a complete throat reconstruction. Each procedure carries enormous risks, and the medical expenses are staggering. We are already under immense financial strain, and with more treatments ahead, we simply cannot manage alone.' According to Martie, Gerhard has shown an unbreakable spirit, despite 46 years of suffering, and remains courageous, positive, and deeply grateful for every day. He sees his survival as a miracle from God and hopes to share his story of hope and perseverance with the world. 'But now, we need your help to give him the fighting chance he deserves. How You Can Help? • Donate – Every rand brings us closer to our R300 000 goal. • Share – Spread this campaign on social media, WhatsApp, and email. • Pray – We believe in the power of prayer and community support.' As pensioners, Martie and Gerhard reside with their daughter, who pays their medical aid. The couple, therefore, created a BackaBuddy profile to help raise the necessary funds for Gerhard's urgently needed procedures. Anyone wishing to donate can visit the following link: 'Our deepest gratitude, as we are completely dependent on the kindness of others and God's grace. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for standing with us in this battle,' Martie concluded. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NH judge affirms convictions of two men charged with recording in federal court
A federal judge has affirmed the convictions of two men charged with failure to comply with federal law enforcement orders for recording inside the U.S. District Court in Concord in 2023. Frank Staples, a leader of Absolute Defiance — the group involved in protests outside Gov. Chris Sununu's Newfields home which resulted in several arrests in 2020 — and former state representative Jason Gerhard, a supporter of Plainfield tax protestor Ed Brown and his wife, Elaine, were each sentenced to pay a fine of $100 with a $30 assessment fee on April 10, 2024, for failure to comply with federal law enforcement orders to stop recording. According to court documents, on Friday, Sept. 9, 2023, Staples and Gerhard came into the lobby of the Warren B. Rudman U.S. Courthouse with video recording equipment and proceeded to record inside the courthouse. Federal police officer Michael Plante told them they could not video record inside the courthouse because doing so would violate court rules. Staples and Gerhard asserted their right to record inside the courthouse and said they would return on Monday, Sept. 12, for a hearing in a criminal case involving Ian Freeman. On Sept. 12, 2023, Staples and Gerhard again entered the courthouse with video recording equipment and recorded in the lobby area. Plante asked them to stop recording. Staples and Gerhard refused to stop and were arrested for the petty offense of failing to comply with the lawful order of a federal police officer. A federal judge denied their motions to dismiss the charges, found each of them guilty, and sentenced each of them to pay a fine of $100 with a $30 assessment fee. Both men appealed, arguing their First and Second Amendment rights were violated by restricting their efforts to make video recordings in a public space. They argued the government has been selective in enforcing restrictions on video recording in the courthouse in violation of their Fourteenth Amendment rights, and claimed their due process rights were violated because the judge did not issue a written order giving reasons for their convictions. They also claimed confiscation of Staples's telephone at the end of his trial violated due process and the Fourth Amendment. The men contend that preventing them from recording in the courthouse lobby deprived them of their First Amendment right to record public officials and proceedings in a public forum. In affirming the men's convictions, Judge Steven McAuliffe wrote the interior of a courthouse is not a public forum. Judge Talesha Saint-Marc allowed Staples to use his phone during his trial for the purpose of presenting evidence but prohibited him from recording the proceedings. Staples complied with that restriction to a point. When Saint-Marc began to deliver the verdict and the reasons for the verdict, Staples began to record the proceedings. The judge ordered him to stop recording, which he refused to do. 'He repeatedly swore at the judge and despite her direction to compose himself, he was unable to do so,' court documents state. 'The phone was then taken from him.' Staples's phone incident did not affect Gerhard's trial, which had already ended. 'The phone incident occurred at the end of Staples's trial, and he has not shown or even argued that removal of his phone caused any prejudice to his ability to defend himself,' McAuliffe writes. 'To the extent he believes his rights were violated by the manner in which the phone was removed or the time before it was returned, those are not issues for appeal. Staples has not shown any due process violation caused by the removal of his phone that would be grounds for overturning his conviction.'
