Insure Group donates R500 thousand to ASA

On behalf of the ever-increasing number of children and adults with autism in our country, Autism South Africa sincerely thank Insure Group Manager (Pty) Ltd for their incredibly generous donation of R500 000.00. This is the largest single corporate donation that we have ever received in our 24 year history. www.insuregroup.co.za

With the increased incidence and detection of Autism Spectrum Disorders in children of our country, the call on our office for services, especially for those with minimal resources, has markedly increased. It is essential therefore to place emphasis on the fact that if it were not for people like yourselves, we would not be able to start addressing the diverse pressing issues that we are faced with on a daily basis.

Words are always inadequate to express heartfelt gratitude but please know that all involved with the management of Autism South Africa, really are most grateful for your support.

ASA awarded massive Prasa sponsorship

Autism South Africa is excited to announce that, through our holding in the Khiphunyawo Rail Consortium, we are part of the 3 winning B-BBEE consortia that have secured the R51 billion rolling stock supply contract with Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) over the next 10 years. We are so excited!

“THE board of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has selected three groups to participate in the broad-based black economic empowerment (BEE) component of the company’s R51bn fleet renewal programme. The initiative is part of plans to modernise South Africa’s commuter rail system as well as stimulate the country’s rail engineering sector.

There are few household names disclosed as beneficiaries of what is one of the country’s largest empowerment programmes.

The companies and beneficiaries of the empowerment programme appear to be largely black and female, while many of the beneficiaries included disabled trusts and nonprofit organisations with a focus on skills development programmes for disabled people and black youth. The closure of the empowerment selection process is an important milestone for Prasa’s fleet renewal programme, and leaves just the shareholder agreements between the winning partners and the finalisation of the contract with Gibela Rail before the programme begins coach production.

Prasa’s empowerment partner selection process came under attack last year from the Black Business Council. The umbrella body’s general secretary, Sandile Zungu, said allowing Prasa to choose BEE partners was "dangerous" and that it fed into "the stereotype that BEE is about handouts".

Neither could Black Business Council CEO Xolani Qubeka, who was a bidder in the BEE process but was not selected.

Two of the three winning consortia are Khipunyawo Rail, which consists of SA Freight Logistics and Autism SA; and Community Rail Services, which is made up of a "number of people with disabilities, black female youth, Parmtro Investments and Kaelo Investments", Prasa said.”

Taken from: Few big names among groups chosen for Prasa renewal project

BY NICKY SMITH, 02 AUGUST 2013, 06:24 on BDLive.co.za

http://www.bdlive.co.za/business/transport/2013/08/02/few-big-names-among-groups-chosen-for-prasa-renewal-project

ASA at Future Ed

Autism South Africa was proud to take part in the Future Ed show at the Coca-Cola Dome in Northgate from the 25^th to the 27^th of July. Our stand was a great success with lots of interest and requests for training in various schools.

National Education Facilitator, Claire Allen spoke a total of seven times in the TeachTime seminars over the course of the three day expo and received a fortune of positive feedback.

Up and coming events:

• 2^nd of August: Minister’s consultative session with the disability groups at the Department of Social Development in Pretoria  from 10-12pm.
• 2^nd of August: Autism training meeting with the Gauteng Education Department in Braamfontein @2pm.
• 7^th & 8^th of August : Autism awareness and school support training at Coronation Training Centre in Newlands, Gauteng. It is a Special Needs School.
• 12^th - 16^th of August: Fishbowl 5 days hands on Autism course in Durban, KZN.
• 15^th - 17^th of August : SAMA conference. Autism South Africa will be hosting a table for Autism Awareness and Understanding.
• 19^th &20^th of August: 2 days Autism training at a school in Witbank, Mpumalanga  for teachers.
• 20^th of August:  Asperger’s Support Group Meeting in the East Rand. Looking at the difference between DSM-IV and DSM-V with regards to Asperger’s Syndrome.
• 24^th of August: Autism presentation at the NAPTOSA conference.
• 26^th -30^th of August: Fishbowl 5 days hands on Autism Training in Swaziland.