Earlier in April Nando’s released a spoof of insurance company Santam’s latest television advert featuring actor Ben Kingsley.

The Nando’s advert pokes fun at this set-up and shows a local actor addressing the audience while the Nando’s meals on the counter next to him obviously change.

For those abroad its best to watch the ads in sequence.

Santam Advert

Nandos Advert

Santam Advert

What is a National Insurance Number?

You pay National Insurance contributions to build up your entitlement to certain state benefits, including the State Pension. The contributions you pay depend on how much you earn and whether you’re employed or self-employed. You stop paying National Insurance contributions when you reach State Pension age.

Who pays National Insurance?

You pay National Insurance contributions if you’re an employee or self-employed and you’re aged 16 and over, as long as your earnings are more than a certain level. If you’re employed you stop paying National Insurance contributions as soon as you reach State Pension age. If you are self-employed, you stop paying Class 2 contributions as soon as you reach State Pension age and Class 4 contributions from the start of the tax year after the one in which you reach State Pension age.

State Pension age is 65 for men born before 6 April 1959 and 60 for women born before 6 April 1950. But it will gradually increase to 65 for women between 2010 and 2020.

Some people also pay voluntary National Insurance contributions. For example, you might choose to pay them if you:

- aren’t working and are not claiming state benefits

- haven’t paid enough National Insurance contributions in a year to count for the State Pension or other long term state benefits

- live abroad and want to maintain your state benefits entitlement

Your National Insurance number is your own personal account number. The number makes sure that the National Insurance contributions and tax you pay are properly recorded on your account. It also acts as a reference number for the whole social security system.

Every National Insurance number is different. It’s made up of letters and numbers like this:

QQ 12 34 56 A.

Your National Insurance number never changes even if you go abroad, marry, register as a civil partner, change your name, etc.

Your entitlement to many state benefits depends on your National Insurance contribution record

If you don’t have a National Insurance number, you can apply to get one.

Applying for a National Insurance number

Phone Jobcentre Plus on 0845 600 0643 – lines open 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday. (The National Insurance number is free, but other unofficial websites may charge you if you apply through them.)

Who uses your National Insurance number?

You will have to give your National Insurance number to:

- HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)

- your employer

- Department for Work and Pensions (which includes Jobcentre Plus and Pension, Disability and Carers Service), if you claim state benefits

- your local council, if you claim Housing Benefit

- the Student Loan Company, if you apply for a student loan

You also have to give your National Insurance number if you open an Individual Savings Account (ISA).

It’s very important you keep your number safe and don’t give it to anyone who does not need it. This will help prevent identity.

State benefits that depend on National Insurance contributions

Your entitlement to certain state benefits and the amount you can get depends on your National Insurance contributions record. In some cases it depends on your spouse or civil partner’s contributions. These benefits include:

- State Pension

- contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance

- Bereavement Allowance

- contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance

How much National Insurance you pay

The amount and type of National Insurance contributions you pay depend on whether you’re employed or self-employed and how much you earn. The rates shown below are for the 2011-12 tax year.

If you’re employed

If you’re employed you pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions. The rates are:

- if you earn more than £139 a week and up to £817 a week, you pay 12 per cent of the amount you earn between £139 and £817

- if you earn more than £817 a week, you also pay 2 per cent of all your earnings over £817

You pay a lower rate if you’re a member of your employer’s contracted-out pension scheme.

Your contributions are deducted from your wages by your employer.

If you’re self-employed

If you’re self-employed you pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance contributions. The rates are:

- Class 2 National Insurance contributions are paid at a flat rate of £2.50 a week

- Class 4 National Insurance contributions are paid as a percentage of your annual taxable profits – 9 per cent on profits between £7,225 and £42,475, and a further 2 per cent on profits over that amount

If your profits are expected to be less than £5,315 you may not have to pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions.

From April 2011, your Class 2 National Insurance contributions payments will become due on 31 January and 31 July, the same as a Self Assessment tax bill. You pay Class 2 National Insurance contributions either monthly or six monthly by Direct Debit – follow the first link below for more information about payment dates.

You pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions when you pay your Income Tax.

Call South Africa for just 3p per minute!

To Call South African landline. Dial 0844 988 9910 then 0027 + your number (cost 3p per minute)

To Call South African mobile. Dial 0871 919 9910 then 0027 + your number (cost 10p per minute)

T&C’s apply. Billed per second. Visit www.mootel.co.uk

Voluntary National Insurance contributions

You can pay voluntary contributions (usually Class 3 National Insurance contributions) at a flat rate of £12.60 a week.

Class 3 voluntary contributions are paid either monthly by Direct Debit or by quarterly bill. But if you have gaps in your National Insurance contributions record you can make one-off payments of voluntary contributions to fill these.

Other National Insurance contributions rates

There are other rates that apply in certain cases. Examples of these are:

- the married women’s – and widows’ – reduced rate

- the special rate for share fishermen

- the special rate for volunteer development workers

National Insurance and Income Tax

If you have to pay National Insurance you normally have to pay Income Tax too. Income Tax is a tax on your ‘taxable income’ over a certain amount. It’s payable at different rates depending on your income. There are some allowances and reliefs available that can lower your Income Tax bill.

]]> http://www.saffagator.com/applying-for-a-national-insurance-number-2/feed 0 mootel_logo Mootel cheap international calls from the UK download-pdf-version http://www.saffagator.com/intoxicated-man-burst-into-perfect-rendition-of-bohemian-rhapsody-in-cop-cruiser http://www.saffagator.com/intoxicated-man-burst-into-perfect-rendition-of-bohemian-rhapsody-in-cop-cruiser#comments Fri, 30 Mar 2012 16:48:26 +0000 admin http://www.saffagator.com/?p=5379 The unknown man was picked up for allegedly being drunk just before 4am in November last year.

The footage appears to come from a Royal Canadian Mounted Police car in Edson, Alberta.


At first, the bearded man, who wears glasses and a pale-coloured T-shirt, tries to make a plea.

He says: ‘I’ve done nothing ...]]> A highly intoxicated man has been filmed singing a perfect rendition of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody by the camera in a police cruiser.

The unknown man was picked up for allegedly being drunk just before 4am in November last year.

The footage appears to come from a Royal Canadian Mounted Police car in Edson, Alberta.

He says: ‘I’ve done nothing wrong.’

And then: ‘But it doesn’t even matter. It has to do with the brotherhood of man from the planet earth.’

When he gets no reaction from the cops, he sits quietly for a moment, no doubt mulling on the words, ‘It doesn’t even matter’, a lyric from the song immortalised by the film Wayne’s World.

The bearded man then takes off his glasses, draws a deep breath and embarks on singing a flawless rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody.

He has an impressive recollection of the words, if not the pitch and tone, from Queen’s 1975 masterpiece.

Complete with air guitar, screaming vocals and drumming on the cruiser’s protective plastic shield, he shouts lines from the famous song, which seem ideally suited to his predicament.

He asks himself, ‘Is this a real life? Is this just fantasy?’

And later, drowning out the sound of the police radio, yells, ‘Will you let me go? Will you let me go?’

At one point he even cleverly changes a line from the song:

‘Nothing really matters. No nothing really matters. Even in the RCMP’.

When the officers arrive at the station, they let him finish his performance, before asking if he’s going to calm down.

‘Are you going to be good?’ says one tired-sounding cop when the question of handcuffing comes up.

‘Physical violence is the least of my priorities,’ quips the man before exiting the car.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2122419/Drunk-man-sings-perfect-rendition-Bohemian-Rhapsody-Canadian-cop-cruiser-YouTube-video.html#ixzz1qcPcuzTe

Click here for the pdf version

A passport renewal is made under circumstances where a current passport is either expired or nearing its expiry. 

Expected turnaround time:

4 months (estimated). If you never had an ID Number or Barcoded ID or if you were born outside South Africa, the processing time could be longer.

Requirements:

All forms must be completed in black ink.

Passport application form (DHA-73 form). Section C must be signed by both parents for children under the age of eighteen.

Determination of RSA citizenship (BI 529 form) must be fully completed by all South African citizens living outside of South Africa. Holders of foreign citizenship MUST provide proof (registration/naturalisation certificate) of how they acquired such citizenship. In cases of those applicants who acquired foreign citizenship through any of their parents, a certified copy of your own full birth certificate showing the birth places of your parent(s). Under circumstances where even the parents acquired such citizenship through descent, a letter from the relevant authorities of the country concerned will suffice. Foreign passports are not proof of citizenship. Documents issued in a foreign language must be officially translated to English by a sworn translator.

Fingerprint form BI 9. This form is COMPULSORY for all applicants who are 15½ years and above. Fingerprints will be taken free of charge on the day of application for all successful applicants.  Applicants who are taking fingerprints for the first time for passport purposes will be required to complete 2 BI 9 forms.  The fingerprint form is not downloadable and the applicants who need the form can obtain it in the following ways:

-          They can collect it from the office from 8:45 am – 12:45 pm.

-          They can send a self addressed stamped envelope to 15 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2 DD with a request for the form so that it can be posted to them.

 4 passport sized photographs.  Please check the photograph specifications before taking the photographs. Applicants who are 15½ years old and those who do not have identity numbers MUST provide 6 passport sized photographs.

 2 certified copies of photo page of the passport and ID book. Applicants who will be applying in person at the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

2 certified copies of marriage certificate if married in South Africa or a legalized (Apostille) marriage certificate if the marriage was entered into outside of South Africa. Applicants who will be applying in person at the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation

 2 certified copies of the divorce decree if marriage was dissolved in South Africa or legalized (Apostille) divorce decree if the marriage was dissolved outside of South Africa. Applicants who will be applying in person at the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation

 It is compulsory that foreign marriages/divorce must be registered with the Department of Home Affairs. Please complete Registration of Marriage form /Registration of Divorce form. These forms can be downloaded from our Website.

 Applicants who wish to change their surname to that of their spouses or wish to retain their maiden name must submit the request in writing.

 2 certified copies of retention/reinstatement letter. Applicants who will be applying in person at the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

Written consent from both parents (if applicants are under 18 years). Information on legalization of documents issued by UK authorities is available on this link:

 http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation

Please do not post any original documents if application is submitted by post

Opening hours:

The office dealing with South African passport holders will be opened from 08h45 to 12h45 Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Collections will be from 08h45 – 12h45

Fees:

Full adult passport: £35; Full child passport: £35; Full maxi passport: £50

Payment MUST be in cash or postal order payable to SA HIGH COMMISSION.  Personal cheques are NOT accepted.

Source:

http://southafricahouseuk.com/passports/psprt_renpsprt.html

Call South Africa for just 3p per minute!

To Call South African landline. Dial 0844 988 9910 then 0027 + your number (cost 3p per minute)

To Call South African mobile. Dial 0871 919 9910 then 0027 + your number (cost 10p per minute)

T&C’s apply. Billed per second. Visit www.mootel.co.uk

Click here to download the pdf version

Expected turnaround time:

6 months (estimated). If you never had an ID Number or Barcoded ID or if you were born outside South Africa, the processing time could be longer.

Requirements:

All forms must be completed in black ink.

Determination of RSA citizenship (BI 529 form) must be fully completed by all South African citizens living outside of South Africa. Holders of foreign citizenship MUST provide proof (registration/naturalisation certificate) of how they acquired such citizenship. In cases of those applicants who acquired foreign citizenship through any of their parents, a certified copy of your own full birth certificate showing the birth places of your parent(s). Under circumstances where even the parents acquired such citizenship through descent, a letter from the relevant authorities of the country concerned will suffice. Foreign passports are not proof of citizenship. Documents issued in a foreign language must be officially translated to English by a sworn translator.

Fingerprint form BI 9. This form is COMPULSORY for all applicants who are 15½ years and above. Fingerprints will be taken free of charge on the day of application for all successful applicants.  Applicants who are taking fingerprints for the first time for passport purposes will be required to complete 2 BI 9 forms.  The fingerprint form is not downloadable and the applicants who need the form can obtain it in the following ways:

-          They can collect it from the office from 8:45 am – 12:45 pm.

-          They can send a self addressed stamped envelope to 15 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2 DD with a request for the form so that it can be posted to them.

4 passport sized photographs.  Please check the photograph specifications before taking the photographs. Applicants who are 15½ years old and those who do not have identity numbers MUST provide 6 passport sized photographs.

 2 certified copies of photo page of the passport and ID book. Applicants who will be applying in person at the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

2 certified copies of marriage certificate if married in South Africa or a legalized (Apostille) marriage certificate if the marriage was entered into outside of South Africa. Applicants who will be applying in person at the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation

 2 certified copies of the divorce decree if marriage was dissolved in South Africa or legalized      (Apostille) divorce decree if the marriage was dissolved outside of South Africa. Applicants who will be applying in person at the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation

 It is compulsory that foreign marriages/divorce must be registered with the Department of Home Affairs.

Applicants who wish to change their surname to that of their spouses or wish to retain their   maiden name must submit the request in writing.

2 certified copies of retention/reinstatement letter. Applicants who will be applying in person at  the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

 Written consent from both parents (if applicants are under 18 years).

 Information on legalization of documents issued by UK authorities is available on this link: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation

Please do not post any original documents if application is submitted by post

Opening hours:

The office dealing with South African passport holders will be opened from 08h45 to 12h45 Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Collections will be from 08h45 – 12h45

Fees:

£12.00

Payment MUST be in cash or postal order payable to SA HIGH COMMISSION.  Personal cheques are NOT accepted.

Source:

http://southafricahouseuk.com/passports/psprt_idbook.html

Call South Africa for just 3p per minute!

To Call South African landline. Dial 0844 988 9910 then 0027 + your number (cost 3p per minute)

To Call South African mobile. Dial 0871 919 9910 then 0027 + your number (cost 10p per minute)

T&C’s apply. Billed per second. Visit www.mootel.co.uk

Click here to download pdf version

Expected turnaround time:

4 months (estimated). If you never had an ID Number or Barcoded ID or if you were born outside South Africa, the processing time could be longer.

Requirements:

All forms must be completed in black ink.

Passport application form (DHA-73 form). Section C must be signed by both parents for children under the age of 18.

Determination of RSA citizenship (BI 529 form) must be fully completed by all South African citizens living outside of South Africa. Holders of foreign citizenship MUST provide proof (registration/naturalisation certificate) of how they acquired such citizenship. In cases of those applicants who acquired foreign citizenship through any of their parents, a certified copy of your own full birth certificate showing the birth places of your parent(s). Under circumstances where even the parents acquired such citizenship through descent, a letter from the relevant authorities of the country concerned will suffice. Foreign passports are not proof of citizenship. Documents issued in a foreign language must be officially translated to English by a sworn translator.

Fingerprint form BI 9. This form is COMPULSORY for all applicants who are 15½ years and above. Fingerprints will be taken free of charge on the day of application for all successful applicants.  Applicants who are taking fingerprints for the first time for passport purposes will be required to complete 2 BI 9 forms.  The fingerprint form is not downloadable and the applicants who need the form can obtain it in the following ways:

-          They can collect it from the office from 8:45 am – 12:45 pm.

-          They can send a self addressed stamped envelope to 15 Whitehall, London, SW1A 2 DD with a request for the form so that it can be posted to them.

4 passport sized photographs.  Please check the photograph specifications before taking the photographs. Applicants who are 15½ years old and those who do not have identity numbers MUST provide 6 passport sized photographs.

 2 certified copies of photo page of the passport and ID book. Applicants who will be applying in person at the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

 2 certified copies of marriage certificate if married in South Africa or a legalized (Apostille) marriage certificate if the marriage was entered into outside of South Africa. Applicants who will be applying in person at the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

 http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation .

 2 certified copies of the divorce decree if marriage was dissolved in South Africa or legalized (Apostille) divorce decree if the marriage was dissolved outside of South Africa. Applicants who will be applying in person at the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation .

It is compulsory that foreign marriages/divorce must be registered with the Department of Home Affairs. Please complete Registration of Marriage form /Registration of Divorce form. These forms can be downloaded from our Website.

Applicants who wish to change their surname to that of their spouses or wish to retain their maiden name must submit the request in writing.

2 certified copies of retention/reinstatement letter. Applicants who will be applying in person at the High Commission should bring the original documents and two copies of the original documents which will be certified by the official during submission.

Written consent from both parents (if applicants are under 18 years).

Information on legalization of documents issued by UK authorities is available on this link: http://www.fco.gov.uk/en/about-us/what-we-do/services-we-deliver/legal-services/legalisation

Opening hours:

The office dealing with South African passport holders will be opened from 08h45 to 12h45 Monday to Friday except on public holidays. Collections will be from 08h45 – 12h45

Fees:

Full adult passport: £35; Full child passport: £35; Full maxi passport: £50

Payment MUST be in cash or postal order payable to SA HIGH COMMISSION.  Personal cheques are NOT accepted.

Source:

http://southafricahouseuk.com/passports/psprt_fulpsprt.html

Call South Africa for just 3p per minute!

To Call South African landline. Dial 0844 988 9910 then 0027 + your number (cost 3p per minute)

To Call South African mobile. Dial 0871 919 9910 then 0027 + your number (cost 10p per minute)

T&C’s apply. Billed per second. Visit www.mootel.co.uk

But who would they bring in to do odd bits and pieces around the house?

Jobcentre staff provided the answer yesterday – a handyperson.

The title was revealed after a property firm tried to advertise for an apprentice handyman.

A woman Jobcentre worker suggested that the word was sexist and so would prevent young women from taking part in the selection process.

The advice, however, shocked executives at London maintenance company aspect.co.uk, who have refused to fall into line.

Bosses at the company said they were keen to do their bit to help tackle youth unemployment by taking on a trainee.

They contacted Jobcentre Plus offices to say they were setting up a ‘Handyman Apprentice Boot Camp’ to find a suitable individual and asking for help to promote the initiative.

The firm asked a number of Jobcentres in London if they would be willing to give out flyers to advertise the opportunity to the young unemployed.

However, it ran up against what it calls ‘ludicrous political correctness’.
Directors were astonished to receive a response suggesting its flyers should be changed to replace the word ‘handyman’ with a more inclusive term.

joThe email from the female adviser at Wandsworth Jobcentre read: ‘Many thanks for the posters you sent over to me for your Apprentice Boot camp.

‘I have a question about the posters. Is there any chance that you can send me one saying Handyperson rather than Handyman? That will mean everyone can apply!’

Will Davies, managing director of aspect.co.uk, said: ‘At this time of mass youth unemployment, it’s hardly the time for political correctness. We welcome female and male entrants. But the name is Handyman.’

The Department for Work and Pensions, which is responsible for Jobcentre Plus outlets, yesterday insisted the word ‘handyman’ had not been banned and blamed a ‘local misunderstanding’ for the problem.

A spokesman said Jobcentre advisers have been handing out the original flyers to young people.

Source:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2116150/The-end-handyman-Now-youve-got-advertise-handyperson-says-job-centre.html

Minibus taxi driver Aggrey Mojanaga, 43, appeared in the Bloemfontein Magistrate’s Court on a charge of assault on Monday, but the charge was provisionally withdrawn by the Free State director of public prosecutions due to a lack of evidence. The case may be reopened.

Volksblad has meanwhile removed the footage from YouTube at the request of Stanley Reizis, owner of the Brent Oil fuel station whose security cameras recorded the incident last week.

Reizis, a well-known businessman and developer, received calls from as far as Greece about the incident, and insists that the road rage attack had nothing to do with his fuel station. It took place in the road in which his business is situated, and the name of his business can be seen in the video.

A Canadian, however, made a copy of the original video uploaded by Volksblad and posted it under the title “Brutal Road Rage Caught on CCTV in South Africa” on the video sharing site.

By Thursday morning, nearly 90 000 people had already viewed the video on YouTube.

The video has been posted on several national and international websites and has been discussed widely on radio stations, television and social media sites such as Twitter.

The American website Guyism also put the video in their humour section, saying that hopefully South Africa has anger management classes. Even Japanese and Dutch sites spread the video footage.

There has also been widespread outrage at the witnesses, who stood watching and failed to intervene in the incident. The victim was reportedly hospitalised, but has been discharged.

Police said the investigation into the driver of the taxi with the registration number DHK506FS would continue.

Source: http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Taxi-road-rage-video-a-YouTube-hit-20120308

You can grab great South African expired kiddies T-Shirts (3 months up to 5 years) from only £5.

Also available are Baie Nice Fish Hoek pantys and Smartie Pants – for the girl who thinks she knows everything.

Click here to visit the Africa Wear sale

Smartie Pants