Gentrification in South Africa

Gentrification in South Africa Social Segregation in Cities: GentrificationWhat is gentrification?Gentrification is a process in which low-cost, physically deteriorated neighborhoods experience physical renovation and an increase in property values, along with an increase in wealthier residents who typically replace the prior residents.IntroductionJohannesburg, also known as Egoli is the largest city in South Africa. It is part of the Gauteng province; the most wealthy province of South Africa. More than three million people live in Johannesburg. Johannesburg alone, accounts for 16% of South Africa's GDP.Johannesburg's EconomyJohannesburg economic importance is declining as gold mining no longer takes place within the cities limits. However, most mining companies still have their headquarters here. Manufacturing steel and cement is a very important activity taken place here. Johannesburg is home to Africa's largest stock exchange the JSE Securities Exchange. The container terminal at Johannesburg is purported to b e the largest 'dry port' in the world with 60% of all containers going through port of Durban arriving at Johannesburg.Johannesburg is the largest city in South Africa.Gentrification in JohannesburgIn 1886 George Harrison founded the city of Johannesburg when he found gold mines in the area. Apartheid, kept black people in townships outside Johannesburg; leaving it a commercial stronghold and symbol of white might in the region. At the end of Apartheid in the 1980's restrictions were lifted and thousands of poor blacks flocked into the city seeking jobs and homes. The White minority was astonished by this sudden influx and important commercial activities such as the Stock Exchange were moved to the Northern suburbs. Police lost control of Johannesburg and it soon became an abandoned area that most people gave up on.Several important activities by the government helped turn Johannesburg around. The government and businesses which stayed put up CCTVs connected to police units. City sa faris were set up...

How to Get a Commercial Drivers License (CDL)

How to Get a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Congratulations on your decision to start your career as a Professional Truck Driver! You are entering a field that is in high demand, so your chances of getting a job and becoming a truck driver are more than excellent!The first thing you have to do is to get your commercial driver’s licence (CDL).Different states have different guidelines, click on your state below to find out how you can get started.AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaNorth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingThe Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration works with each individual state to license and certify drivers.The Commercial Motor Vehicle Sa fety Act of 1986 was designed to improve highway safety. It ensured that drivers of commercial vehicles are qualified to drive them and removed unsafe drivers from the highways. The Act established minimum standards and required states to upgrade their existing programs.Before the Act was passed, even in states with separate license classes, drivers were not necessarily tested in the types of vehicles they would be driving. States must now test commercial drivers according to federal standards to ensure that drivers know how to operate the trucks or buses they intend to drive.CDL Classes for Every StateThere are separate classes of commercial driver’s licenses. Every state issues licenses in these categories:Class A: Any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GWVR) of 26,001 or more pounds, provided the GVWR of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.Class B: Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle tow ing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.Class C: Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that does not meet the definition of Class A or Class B, but is either designed to transport 16 or more passengers, including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.The license allows you to drive at the class(es) below it. So If you have a Class A license, you can drive Class A, B, and C vehicles. Those with a Class B license can drive Class B and C vehicles.EndorsementsTo be licensed for certain types of commercial vehicles, extra testing is required. If you pass, you will receive an endorsement on your CDL. These are the endorsements that you can apply for:T―Double/Triple Trailers (knowledge test only)P―Passenger (knowledge and skills tests)N―Tank Vehicle (knowledge test only)H―Hazardous Materials (knowledge test only)S―School Buses (knowledge and skills tests)Applying for a Hazardous Materials Background CheckAfter you get a C DL, apply for a background check from the  TSA if you’ll be obtaining a hazardous materials endorsement. You may do this online or by contacting a TSA agent. They will ask for:Your CDL or CDL permit number.Proof of legal status.Proof of Identity.Next, the TSA will ask you to go to a fingerprint office to give your fingerprints. The TSA and the FBI will conduct background investigations. You will be responsible for various  fees.   Learn more here.If you already have your noncommercial driver’s license, check this round up of state guidelines and see what you’ll need to do to be certified to drive safely behind the wheel of a commercial rig!