Counting down to those Black Friday sales?

It seems that everyone is counting down the days to “Black Friday” sales.

According to the Reserve Bank, consumer debt currently stands at R1.7-trillion, with a study by the World Bank revealing that about 25 million South African adults owe money.

We would like to ask our listeners to avoid getting  caught by sales gimmicks and false discounts. Remember to plan for the necessities  for  the  months  ahead  like  your  rent, bond, food and transport.

Do not get yourself into unnecessary debt.

Some advice from the National Credit Regulator:

• If it is on sale and you buy it on credit, remember that interest and fees will push up the price. Therefore, cash is king for sale items.
• Don’t spend what you don’t have this  means  do not  live  beyond your  means and don’t buy if you haven’t budgeted;
• Set a realistic budget of what you can afford to spend at the beginning of your Black Friday/Christmas shopping and stick to it;
• Don’t shop in a hurry, without a plan and place everything on your credit/ store card;
• Plan carefully and pay particular attention to your budget, especially bearing in mind the additional expenses that come with the new year;
• Have  a  shopping  list  to  avoid  buying  unnecessary  items if you don’t need it now, chances  are  you  may  never  need  it. So  a void  wasting  your  time  and  hard earned money
• If  you  want  to  begin  the  New  Year  in  a financially  sound  position, be  aware  of  how you spend your money during this period and save for the New Year;
• Do  a  budget  for  the  festive  season  which includes all  debt,  rent,  electricity,  water, insurance, transport, gifts, school uniform, stationery, entertainment etc;
• Don’t blow your bonus on treats. Spend Wisely and rather pay off your debts;
• Shop around for specials and compare prizes; Spend wisely tomorrow and during the festive season and enjoy a financially relaxed and  peaceful  new  year.

Remember  that  if  you  choose  to  ignore  your  budget  and break the bank on Black Friday or max out your credit cards for festive shopping you may be headed for a bleak 2019.

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Opening streets and doors

As part of Open Streets Main Road on Sunday, 1 October 2017, Bush Radio will be hosting a “Pavement Broadcast”, as well as an Open House.

Open Streets Main Road aims to bridge social and spatial divides in Cape Town by encouraging people to think differently about how we move around in the city. (visit Open Streets)

October 1’s Open Streets will be the longest to date. It will entail close to 5km along Main Road between Observatory and the city centre. The main road will be closed to motorised vehicles and it will become an open space for pedestrians, cyclists, skateboarders, wheelchair users and other non-motorised transport users to move in safety.

Bush Radio’s Sunday programmes will be broadcast from outside the building at 330 Victoria Road in support of the activities for the day. We encourage listeners and supporters of the Open Streets initiative to pop by the station and talk with us.

People are also encouraged to come and check out the station where volunteers and staff will give guided tours of the station, and share information on the work of Africa’s oldest community radio station project.

Open Streets Main Road and the Bush Radio “Pavement Broadcast” and Open House runs from 10am to 3pm.

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The battle to get to work and home

The majority of the Bush Radio team have to rely on public transport to get to work and home. As most of us live on the Cape Flats taking this mode of transport can be scary at the best of times. Mkhuseli Veto was trekking home when he captured the following footage.