Weekly Highlights 23 September 2021

Weekly Highlights 23 September 2021 - Issue No. 107 In this issue Dear Colleagues COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Facts Heritage Month is celebrated annually in September in South Africa. Heritage Day on 24 September in particular CELEBRATING MZANSI’S UNESCO-RECOGNISED is celebrated annually to mark our nation’s diverse culture HERITAGE SITES: ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARK and heritage. RAFZins who have received the COVID-19 Jab This year’s Heritage Month is celebrated under the theme: “The year of Charlotte Maxeke: Celebrating South Africa’s remember the raf #ICARE Values Intangible Cultural Heritage.” vaccination- own your life Government calls on all South Africans to use Heritage Month to foster greater social cohesion, nation building COVID-19 Statistics and a shared national identity. the fun page The celebration of Heritage Month has created a condu- cive environment for all people to embrace and celebrate Letters to the Editor what was inherited or bequeathed to us by our forebears. The 2021 Heritage programme focuses on two areas: of- We invite our readers to share their ficial languages and sign language; and Living Legends. comments, feedback, and suggestions with us. Readers are encouraged to submit We therefore call on all South Africans to support the their letters, of no more than 200 words, to culture of reading in all official languages and incorporate [email protected] and TholakeleR@raf. it into their daily lifestyles. It is important to encourage co.za. We are looking forward to hearing from your children to visit a library and start reading at an early you. age so that they grow up with the passion for reading as this develops a broader vocabulary and increased general Editor: Thabang Mahlatsi ([email protected]) knowledge. Moreover, when they read material written in Sub-editor: Tholakele Radebe ([email protected]) their own languages it will foster their love and apprecia- Reporter: Tintswalo Nkuna ([email protected]) tion for their cultural heritage. Editor-In-Chief: Anton Janse van Rensburg ([email protected]) Enjoy this week’s Highlights! Kind regards Internal Communication

COVID-19 Vaccine Myths and Facts Researched by Nomthandazo Wright The Department of Health has put together informa- Myth: Vaccines contain a form of microchip that will be tion which includes basic facts about COVID-19, its used to track and control an individual prevention measures and on how vaccines func- tion to prevent the disease, especially their safety Fact: There is no vaccine ‘microchip’ and there is for use on humans. The aim of this information is no evidence to support claims that such a move is to debunk the myths around COVID-19 and its vac- planned. Receiving a vaccine will not allow people to cines. be tracked and personal information will not be entered into a database. Myth: Vaccines are unsafe and normal safety protocols have been circumvented to fast-track their authorisa- Myth: Big businesses are pushing vaccines to improve tion for use profits Fact: The fast development and approval of vaccines Fact: The COVID-19 crisis has caused massive up- is a great human feat worthy of celebration. This has heaval across the globe and no nation has been been possible because we have learnt over many spared. A vaccine represents the best hope to save decades how to make and test vaccines and we were lives and to restore our way of life. Many governments able to take those lessons and challenge ourselves have therefore entered into direct talks with vaccine to produce a vaccine much quicker. No step in the manufacturers to ensure a timeous supply of vaccines. development, testing or ratification of the COVID-19 vaccines has been skipped. The world was able to Myth: Government is complicit with big businesses in develop vaccines fast because scientists and govern- pushing vaccines despite the risks ments around the world collaborated in a manner that has never been achieved before and pooled resources Fact: Government is committed to saving lives and and information to ensure that everyone can contribute livelihoods. The fastest way to return to our way of life to the knowledge. is through ensuring that the majority of the population are protected from the virus. Vaccines are the simplest Myth: The vaccine will change my DNA and most effective way to do this. Fact: Vaccines work by stimulating the body the same Myth: The vaccines have the mark of the Beast – 666 way the virus would if someone were infected. That means when you receive the vaccine the body then Fact: Vaccines have no connection with any religious recognises that it looks like the coronavirus and then it organisations and cannot be infused with spirits, de- releases certain chemicals that start a chain reaction mons or other abstract ingredients. There is no conspir- to make immune cells that can fight the real virus. The acy to possess, bewitch or control anybody. vaccine does not work on the DNA of the body. Some   people think that because some of the vaccines are made using RNA technology that means the RNA will IQShtootpubsrCc:/he/wM: wIhwO.g2oRv5.zdaO/cPo8vwidI-V1p9u/vjtaCchc0in_eb/QmDytxhEsA?gAcYlAidy=AEAAEIa- 2 interact with the DNA. That is not how it works. The gJbYfD_BwE technology is simply the way the vaccine is made – not what it will do to the body. Nomthandazo Wright is an EWS Specialist based in Cape Town CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

CELEBRATING MZANSI’S UNESCO-RECOGNISED HERITAGE SITES: ISIMANGALISO WETLAND PARk Researched by Tholakele Radebe Covering 220km (137 miles) of coastline, this KwaZulu- Natal Wetland Park brings together eight inter-locking ecosystems and ten unique destinations: Maphelane, Lake St Lucia/St Lucia Estuary, Cape Vidal and the Eastern Shores, Charters Creek and the Western Shores, False Bay, Sodwana Bay, uMkhuze, Lake Sibaya, Coastal Forest and Kosi Bay. In today’s edition we put the spotlight on one more A very special slice of Africa, the iSimangaliso Wet- of our World Heritage Sites in South Africa, the land Park offers eco-tourists some of the most diverse iSimangaliso Wetland Park. This place has a lot to African wildlife and outdoor experiences imaginable. offer and should be definitely on your list of holiday The variety of fauna and flora is unique. Four wetland destinations in the country. sites within the park are Ramsar sites (wetlands of in- ternational importance). The park protects rare swamp ISimangaliso means miracle and wonder, which aptly forests, Africa’s largest estuary and some of the world’s describes this exceptional KwaZulu-Natal Wetland Park highest coastal vegetated dunes, which are 25, 000 on the Zululand coast. years old. Accommodation: Self-catering tents and cabins, cot- “ISimangaliso must be the only place on the globe tages and a private lodge. where the oldest land mammal (the rhinoceros) and the world’s biggest terrestrial mammal (the elephant) share Activities: Birding, boat cruises, fishing, game viewing, an ecosystem with the world’s oldest fish (the coel- hiking, whale watching, scuba diving, kayaking and acanth) and the world’s biggest marine mammal (the horse riding. whale)” − Nelson Mandela. ISimangaliso Wetland Park offers turtle tours and turtle tracking on the Cape Vidal and Kosi Bay beach during summer. You might be lucky to spot loggerhead and leatherback turtle hatchlings. It’s definitely worth a visit! Highlights: World Heritage Site, game viewing, diving and turtle tracking. ISimangaliso Wetland Park (the former Greater St Lucia Shptrotepussrec:/re/vw:ew.hwtm.nlature-reserve.co.za/greater-stlucia-wetland-wildlife- Wetlands Park) incorporates an astonishing variety of habitats from the Ubombo Mountains to grasslands, for- Tholakele Radebe is a Copy Editor based in Eco Glades 3 ests, wetlands, mangroves and ancient dunes, magnifi- cent beaches and coral reefs. This awesome KwaZulu- Natal Wetland Park stretches along the Zululand coast from Maphelane in the south to Kosi Bay in the north, on the Mozambique border. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

RAFZins who have received the COVID-19 Jab by Zama Ledwaba We continue with our series of profiling our Were you scared /had any fears before getting your colleagues who have received the COVID-19 COVID-19 jab? vaccine. It is important that we emphasise the importance of I was very scared but once I spoke to the nurses, they getting inoculated to ensure the country overcomes made me realise that there was no need to be scared. this pandemic and get back to building our economy. They gave me brief counselling. Furthermore, this feature serves to encourage RAFzins to register to get the COVID-19 vaccine. What was your motivation for getting vaccinated? COVID-19 vaccines are safe, and getting vaccinated will help protect you against developing severe The reason why I got vaccinated is that prevention is COVID-19 disease and dying from COVID-19 related better than cure. complications. What side effects (if any) did you experience after We touched base with some RAFzins who have already getting your jab? received the jab to hear about their vaccine experience. After my vaccination later that day I felt cold and the following day my joints were not fine but after the third day everything was back to normal. What would you say to someone that has doubts about getting the COVID-19 vaccine? Vaccination is not a cure. People must still adhere to all government-sanctioned safety and preventative measures. I will still repeat though: prevention is better than cure. Clement Nyaku Continues on the next 4 Officer: Mobile RAF, page Menlyn Branch When and where did you receive your COVID-19 jab? I received my vaccine on 30 July at Mamelodi West Community Hall. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

RAFZins who have received the COVID-19 Jab (CONT) What was your motivation for getting vaccinated? The President and his assurance to the public about the safety of the vaccines, global vaccination outcomes and hope for a return to a normal life. What side effects (if any) did you experience after getting your jab? A mild headache, slight itching and mild pains in my arm. What would you say to someone that has doubts about getting the COVID-19 vaccine? Getting vaccinated is the right thing to do; it is safe and minimises the chances of getting infected. If we all get vaccinated, life can go back to normal. We can go to stadiums to watch soccer and attend the weddings and funerals of our loved ones without any restrictions. As public servants, communities are looking for our services and we need to get vaccinated so we can assist them in a safe environment. We must all get vaccinated. William Maphutha Road Accident Fund’s Spokesperson When and where did you receive your COVID-19 jab? Mondeor Community Centre, South of Johannesburg. Were you scared /had any fears before getting your COVID-19 jab? Yes, I was scared, very worried. I was a bit sceptical and not convinced to take the jab, especially after many false rumours were spread about the efficiencies and safety of the vaccine. Zama Ledwaba is a Marketing Officer, based in Menlyn. 5 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

remember the RAF #icare values CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 6





THE FUN PAGE ASsouptahrtAofrficHae’rsituangieqDueaytecremlesbtrhaatitorness,otnhaistewweiethk we focus on the citizens. Enjoy! 1. Ag 5. Shame In South Africa, ag [agh] is not short Shame is a typical South African for aggressive or agriculture − it’s a expression for sympathy or admira- filler word to express irritation or res- tion, e. g. ‘Ag, shame man, poor girl!’ ignation, e. g. ‘Ag, no man!’, or ‘Ag, ‘Shame, he’s so cute.’ let’s go.’ 6. Mzansi 2. Eish Mzansi is a Nguni term which means Eish [aysh] is a colloquial exclamation south but is also an informal name for of surprise, disapproval, exasperation South Africa. or regret derived from Xhosa, e. g. ‘Eish, my cell phone broke’. 7. Braai 3. Sharp Braai [br-eye] is a widely used noun and verb for an outdoor ‘barbecue’ Sharp [shahp] is often doubled up where meat is cooked over a fire or for effect (sharp sharp!) and means coals, e. g. ‘We’re having a braai ‘goodbye’ or that everything is great. tomorrow.’ ‘We braaied the meat yesterday’. A braai is a popular social 4. Hayibo! event in South Africa. Hayibo! – has no direct English trans- 8. Takkies lation. It’s used as an exaggerated response to something and can be An athletic shoe, trainers or run- applied to any situation (from Xhosa, ning shoes. For example, ‘My sister ‘definitely not’). bought new takkies’. NOTE TO READERS: What kind of content would you like to see on this page in future editions? We would love to hear from you! Kindly send your suggestions to: [email protected]