Weekly highlights 18 June 2021

Weekly Dear Colleagues Highlights This year marks the 45th anniversary of the 16 June 1976 18 June 2021 - Issue No. 97 student uprising in Soweto when young people protested against the imposition of Afrikaans as a medium of instruction by the In this issue apartheid regime. The uprising ended tragically with hundreds of young people Well-done Dorah Mathiba for Providing being brutally killed. Following the advent of democracy in 1994, Fantastic Claimant Service! the new democratic government declared 16 June as National CELEBRATING OUR RAF GRADUATES: Bridget Peega Youth Day. Tools to Manage Anxiety The declaration honours the contribution of the youth in the 1965 Youth of Mmametlhake Village in sCYtohruuagtrhlgolDteteafyoMrwathanesnycliabeelMerbaartxaioetnekdeo:fuGSndrooeuwrthitnhAgefrytihoceaum.thTehe:im“sTpyhleoeayYrmeNeaanrttiooffonraal n Mpumalanga Still Seeking Reconciliation and inclusive and transformed society.” Closure As the caring arm of government, the Road Accident Fund Eight Ways to Keep Fit while Working from (RAF) plays an important role to empower the youth and make a Home difference by providing internship opportunities. The internships Financial Accountability – The Key to Financial run for a fixed period of time and enable young people, many Success of whom are tertiary graduates, to gain practical skills, acquire Accountibility: 4 Keys to Financial sUCCES workplace experience and develop professional competencies COVID-19 Statistics in their particular fields, making them eligible for permanent the fun page employment in future. This was the second year that the Youth Day celebrations took Letters to the Editor place against the backdrop of a COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa is in the midst of a third COVID-19 wave with the number We invite our readers to share their of positive cases on the increase. On Tuesday, 15 June 2021, comments, feedback, and suggestions President Cyril Ramaphosa stated Cabinet had resolved to with us. Readers are encouraged to submit place the country under Alert Level 3 and imposed some strict their letters, of no more than 200 words, to restrictions to assist in curbing the spread of the virus. [email protected] and TholakeleR@raf. The vaccination roll-out is currently underway with Phase Two co.za. We are looking forward to hearing from of the inoculations focusing on healthcare workers and elderly you. citizens above the age of 60. To slow down the third wave, all citizens are encouraged to continue observing all COVID-19 safety protocols. Let’s continue with properly wearing our masks when in public spaces; regularly washing and sanitising our hands; avoiding large events and crowds; and self-quarantining or self-isolating when we experience COVID-19 symptoms or have been in contact with a positive case confirmed by professional health practitioners. Enjoy this week’s Highlights! Kind regards Internal Communication Editor: Thabang Mahlatsi ([email protected]) Contributor: Babalwa Mdandalaza ([email protected]) Contributor: Dr Adriaan Taljaard ([email protected]) Sub-editor: Tholakele Radebe ([email protected]) Editor-In-Chief: Anton Janse van Rensburg ([email protected])

Well-done Dorah Mathiba for Providing Fantastic Claimant Service! by Thabang Mahlatsi The Management of the RAF would like to send Ms Mathiba and many RAF employees like her for the a huge congratulations for a job well done to sterling work they do and ensuring that the Fund fulfils Dorah Mathiba, Junior Merits Officer based in the its mandate of providing excellent care to its claimants. Menlyn Office, for the excellent service provided to claimants! Last week, the RAF Management Please see the letter of appreciation below: received a letter of appreciation from a claimant, Sirs Daniel Foster, who described Mathiba’s service as There is a lady working within the RAF who is doing ‘first-class’. The claimant’s letter, amongst other just a fabulous job and offering a first-class service to things, describes Mathiba as someone who is claimants; her name is Dorah Mathiba. committed to her job, often going beyond the call Dorah was working on my claim for a long time. of duty to ensure that claimants are brought up to She would regularly keep me abreast of progress, speed regarding the status of their claims. sometimes responding at unsocial hours, and was nothing but an absolute pleasure to deal with. Dorah Mathiba Dorah was taken off my claim at the beginning of the year, yet she has still been keen to help and assist me Junior Merits Officer when her colleagues Shane and Nzumbulolo have Menlyn been otherwise engaged. Would you please convey my immense gratitude to Dorah? I really feel such outstanding customer service ought to be acknowledged. Being from overseas originally, everyone has always told me what a nightmare dealing with the RAF can be. I see that the RAF is often derided and is a whipping boy in the press. Now, as, hopefully, my claim draws to a close, I can say that my experience has been anything but negative, which is in large part thanks to Dorah. Sincerely, Dan Claim No.5001112 Well done, Dorah and your team! Employees such as Mathiba are what we envision a transformed RAF to be, that is, a financially stable, claimant-centric Fund committed to the efficient settlement of claims within a period of 120 days. Such letters from satisfied claimants serve as testament that we are indeed on the right path to achieving our goal. Speaking of excellent service, world-renowned business consultant Damon Richards once said: “The customer does not care how much you know until they know how much you care”. We would like to thank CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Thabang Mahlatsi is a Specialist Internal 2 Communication based at Eco Glades

CELEBRATING OUR RAF GRADUATES: Bridget Peega by Tholakele Radebe Our celebrated graduate this week is Bridget academic journey, what it took to attain her goal and Peega, Senior Manager: Social and Digital Media her future career development plans. in the Corporate Communications Department. She recently completed her Master of Business Please tell us briefly about yourself. Please include Administration qualification against the COVID-19 your current position at the RAF? odds which gripped the world while she was halfway through her studies. She is a beneficiary I am the Senior Manager of the RAF Social and Digital of the RAF’s Learning and Development (L and D) Media Unit. A mom to an amazing three-year old and I Bursary Programme. love exploring new places. We chatted with her to find out more about her... L and D informed us of your other qualification obtained through their bursary scheme. Would you please share that with us? I obtained my Diploma: Digital Marketing, with the Digital Marketing Institute. The RAF assisted me in obtaining this qualification. Is there a qualification you are studying towards at the moment or recently completed? If so what is it? I have just completed my MBA with the Regenesys Business School. How was your whole studying experience, what challenges did you experience and how did you handle them? The whole process took two years and of course COVID-19 hit and we had to attend classes virtually. Bridget Peega Continuepsagoen..t.he next 3 Senior Manager: Social and Digital Media CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

CELEBRATING OUR RAF GRADUATES (cont.) Exams also became a big challenge and, in my What advice would you give to someone who is opinion, more difficult because one was expected to considering being a working student (balancing manage one’s own time frames. career, academics and family)? With regards to your personal development, what Have a plan, prioritise (you might have to miss a few are your plans for the future? events, which is why it is important to communicate with your loved ones on your academic plans). It is I aspire to do greater things with my career and I plan not always easy, but all worth it. to move into Project Management in the future. How did you celebrate your achievement? How do you handle the pressure that comes with studying while working? I did a fun photoshoot with my son.☺☺☺ It is all about priorities, if you plan ahead and schedule your studying and workload, it becomes easier to handle. It also helps to have a solid support structure, be it your team at work or your family. They play a big role in the success of your studies. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Tholakele Radebe is a Copy Editor based in Eco 4 Glades

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1965 Youth of Mmametlhake Village in Mpumalanga Still Seeking Reconciliation and Closure by Babalwa Mdandalaza It was on 01 May 1965 when 27 learners aged The story of the RAF intervention has since attracted between 15 and 19 from Nkotolane Secondary a lot of media attention and publicity, which we hope School (now Nkotolane Primary School), as part of will contribute to the victims’ long road to reconciliation a music competition in Pankop, scooped a trophy. and justice. Human Rights organisations are strongly These learners were ferried in a truck and were advocating and mobilising for the arrest of the white dropped next to their school where parents were farmer who deliberately drove over the learners, jubilantly waiting to receive them. As they were claiming that they were trespassing and contravening busy disembarking from the truck, information the apartheid laws at the time. indicates that a certain truck with two occupants appeared driving at high speed and plunged into Although 55 years later, a day which was supposed to them, resulting in some sustaining serious injuries mark victory left many families with deep wounds that whilst others sadly died on the scene. will never heal due this unthinkable act of cruelty, the surviving victims are committed to leaving no stone The surviving accident victims who are now elders unturned in ensuring that justice prevails. They are so with grandchildren, in their efforts to seek justice and grateful to the RAF for paving the way. reconciliation, approached the Menlyn RAF Regional Office to explore compensation opportunities for Indeed, apartheid is a crime against humanity, and their injuries and medical costs 55 years later. They as Nelson Mandela once said: “No one is born hating were unfortunately told that there was no RAF back another because of the colour of his skin”. then, and even if there was, as guided by the Act, the prescription period had lapsed. However, as a During this Youth Month we pray for our country as it caring organisation, the Fund intervened through its continues to deal with the pains of the past. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Unit in assisting the victims to find closure. It is based on this background that the RAF joined hands with the Mpumalanga Department of Education and the accident victims’ families, by erecting a commemoration stone with the names of all the learners that were affected. The mass grave was also demarcated and fenced as a way of paying their last respects and giving dignity to the deceased. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Babalwa Mdandalaza is a Senior Officer: CSR, 6 based in Eco Glades

Eight Ways to Keep Fit while Working from Home Researched by Dr Adriaan Taljaard Working from home means you might miss out on Staying active can be as simple as incorporating basic walking or cycling as part of your commute and it exercises into your daily routine, such as sitting down gives you even more excuses not to get up from and standing up ten times in a row or doing jumping your desk. Exercise isn’t just good for your physi- jacks a few times each morning and afternoon. cal fitness; it can also have an impact on your Walk and work mental well-being, so it’s important to find alterna- tive ways to stay active. There are lots of ways to Take a walk around the house at regular intervals. create an active work environment that keeps you For example, you could make it a rule to always walk moving throughout the day. Here are some simple around while taking phone calls. tips from AJ Products to help you keep fit while Run up and down the stairs working from home. If you have stairs, run or walk up and down a few times a day. It’s an easy way to get extra steps in and get Go for a walk or run your heart rate up. Get on your bike Make the most of the fact that you are allowed to get If you have an exercise bike at home, take a 10-min- outside for daily exercise and try to go out every day ute break from your work a few times a day to get your no matter your fitness levels. Fresh air and a change heart rate up. Short bursts of high-intensity activity will of scenery will be good for both your physical and get your blood pumping and burn body fat. mental health. Make sure you follow all government Taking short breaks to get your body moving is not only guidelines and stay a safe two metres away from any- good for your health, it can also help you focus better one not in your household. when you get back to work. Aerobic workouts can help improve memory, lower stress levels and give you more Join in with a fitness video or online class energy. Remember to look after your body in other ways too: eat healthily, stay hydrated and make sure There are lots of workout videos available for free on- you get enough sleep. line as well as live online classes. One of the biggest benefits to working from home is that you can grab a Source: quick shower after your workout and, unless you’re https://www.education-today.co.uk/?s=Keep+fit on a video call, no one will know if you wear your gym clothes to work! Stand up to work Standing at your desk is an easy and effective way to start moving more while you work. A sit-stand desk lets you sit for part of the day and then stand for the other part of it, making it easy for you to switch between the two. Being able to vary your position as you work can make a big difference to your overall well-being; stand- ing has been shown to burn extra calories compared to sitting and helps break the dangerous cycle of too much sitting. Try an active sitting chair An exercise ball chair is a great way to combine your work with a workout. It forces you to work your core muscles to keep yourself upright and counteract the natural movement of the ball. Improve your fitness further by doing simple Pilates chair exercises. Do a mini workout CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Dr Adriaan Taljaard is the Acting Chief 7 Relationship and Stakeholder Officer based in Eco Glades

Financial Accountability – The Key to Financial Success by RAF Employee Wellness Services and ICAS Accountability is important for achieving success Our accountability challenge in every aspect of life, but when it comes to finan- cial success, it is crucial. Here is why – and how This month it is vital to take stock of your financial you can unlock financial success through financial responsibilities to improve your financial life. accountability. Here are four keys to getting started: What is financial accountability? 1. Review your expenses – Draw up a budget so you When it comes to your finances, do you hold yourself know exactly where your hard-earned money goes. accountable? It is easy to blame others for our lack of Then eliminate unnecessary expenses. financial success! 2. Take responsibility for your debt – Check your credit report and take responsibility for maintaining a good Are you juggling accounts and missing payments? Are credit history. Make a list of the outstanding amounts you saving for emergencies and for your future? Have and the interest payable and take action to reduce this you got the right insurance in place? Perhaps you debt. blame your company for not paying you more, or your 3. Prepare for the unforeseen events – Take respon- family commitments for not allowing you to save. sibility for possible unexpected events by having an emergency fund and the right insurance, such as Financial accountability means you accept responsibil- short-term, life, medical, disability and income protec- ity for your financial actions – and for the financial ac- tion. tions you have not taken. 4. Take charge of your future – Make provision for your retirement and start saving for your future goals, whether those include buying your own home or car, travelling, or starting a business. “Until you take ownership of your life, you will always be chasing happiness.” – Sean Stephenson Only you can take accountability for your financial suc- cess, but your financial coach is available to guide and assist you every step of the way! Simply contact your financial coach for amazing sup- port, from budgeting to paying off your debt, getting the right cover and planning for the future, so you can begin to enjoy the financial success that financial ac- countability brings. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 8

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THE FUN PAGE Today we are taking a humorous look at returning to the office after working from home for a long time. We hope you enjoy it! 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]