The Star Early Edition

ON THIS DAY, APRIL 17

- And 3 000 men, killing most of them. A British delegation proposes that 30 representa­tives from each of the two Boer republics meet at Vereenigin­g to decide on their future. General Jan Smuts, in charge of British, South African and Indian troops in Kenya

1969

1970

AS THE Covid-19 virus pandemic impacts peoples’ lives worldwide, society shuts down in an effort to contain it. People find themselves isolated at home, seemingly powerless. Unity is needed during these difficult times. Although people worldwide have been divided, there are points of agreement regardless of political persuasion: people are no longer tolerating corruption and people are no longer condoning the sacrifices of integrity and ethics to intimidati­on and deal-making.

Most of us are desperatel­y seeking positive changes in our lives, and yet we feel an overwhelmi­ng powerlessn­ess in terms of effecting these changes. And now we have the additional threat of a viral pandemic ripping apart the seams of our society. We ask: what can we do in these challengin­g times to restore sanity: not only to our day to day living but to our political structures as well?

The answer to our current dilemma lies within us rather than outside of ourselves. Inner peace is the basis of outer peace. By going within, one gains clarity and is able to come up with positive solutions that work for everyone. A proven way of utilising this inner wisdom is through transcende­ntal meditation. There is a powerful brain-based technology known as Invincible Defence Technology (IDT)

Email letters starletter­s@inl.co.za (no attachment­s). All letters must contain a full name, address and telephone number. No pen names. in military circles. Militaries worldwide are beginning to use IDT as a ground-breaking and effective means to help solve supposedly insurmount­able problems and create lasting peace.

IDT utilises the non-religious Transcende­ntal Meditation (TM) programme and its advanced techniques. Hundreds of independen­t research studies on TM have found major increases in calmness, clarity of mind, happiness, creativity, and energy. This evidence-based approach 1946 1949

1980

1984

1986

1986

is highly effective for stress-related conditions, brain function, and cardiovasc­ular health.

In particular, the more advanced TM-Sidhi programme is akin to using a laser instead of ordinary light; the effects are far more powerful. Scientific research has demonstrat­ed over and over that this advanced IDT practice raises the consciousn­ess of all those within its field. Positive solutions to ongoing problems occur naturally, and society more readily shifts from division to unity.

Covid-19 may be an opportunit­y for South Africa to re-evaluate its approach to societal issues and try something new. South Africa needs to come up with immediate and effective solutions to this virus and societal issues in general before it is too late.

Served at the Centre for Advanced Military Science (CAMS) and Dr David Leffler served as an Associate of the Proteus Management Group at the Centre for Strategic Leadership, US Army War College now at CAMS

TWO SPECIALISE­D health clinics for men who have sex with men (MSM) will continue to provide free life-saving HIV services during lockdown.

Engage Men’s Health (EMH) in Melville, Joburg, and OUT’s TEN81 clinic in Hatfield, Pretoria, offer sexual health services that are free, welcoming and tailored to the needs of MSM communitie­s.

The clinics, which have protective measures in place, will provide the following free HIV-related services: ART (HIV treatment/medication) PrEP (the daily pill that prevents HIV)

PEP (medication for emergency exposure to HIV)

Individual­s who are HIV-positive and are not on treatment and/or have weakened immune systems might be at higher risk of more severe coronaviru­s symptoms.

If you are HIV positive or suspect you may be HIV positive, now is the time to get tested. It could save your life.

TEN81 will also provide limited phone and Skype counsellin­g to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgende­r (LGBT) and MSM individual­s dealing with urgent matters or crises.

Measures in place to protect clients and staff from spreading the coronaviru­s:

Visits and collection­s strictly by appointmen­t only. No walk-ins will be allowed.

No physical contact during consultati­ons unless necessary. Only one client allowed in the clinic at any time. Anyone waiting outside must maintain a safe distance from one another.

Surfaces will be wiped down with disinfecta­nt regularly and staff will wear gloves and masks.

Staff will work on a rotation basis. For more informatio­n or to make an appointmen­t, please call:

EMH clinic in Melville, Johannesbu­rg: 010 500 0934

OUT’s TEN81 clinic in Pretoria: 012 430 3272/066 190 5812

For more informatio­n, visit www. engagemens­health.org.za and www. out.org.za and on social media.

Engage Men’s Health services an OUT’s TEN81 clinic

By Stephen Francis & Rico

 ?? Reuters African News Agency (ANA) ?? PARTICIPAN­TS meditate during an event in The Gherkin in London’s financial district on World Meditation Day. The writer believes that transcende­ntal meditation is the answer to our current dilemma. | PETER NICHOLLS
Reuters African News Agency (ANA) PARTICIPAN­TS meditate during an event in The Gherkin in London’s financial district on World Meditation Day. The writer believes that transcende­ntal meditation is the answer to our current dilemma. | PETER NICHOLLS
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