Weekly Highlights 03 February 2022

Weekly Highlights 03 February 2022 - Issue No. 122 In this issue Dear Colleagues Fantastic Client Service – Nokwanda Masinga A special Cabinet meeting held on Monday, 31 January 2022, has approved changes to the Adjusted Alert Level 1 COVID-19 Records Management WEEKLY Feature: Intro- regulations. This follows meetings of the National Coronavirus duction Command Council (NCCC) and the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC) which received updates on the management of Records Management WEEKLY Feature: About COVID-19 in South Africa.  the Writer... The information gathered through the system used by the Records Management WEEKLY Feature: GETTING Department of Health has reported that South Africa has exited the TO KNOW THE REGISTRY – ARTICLE 1 fourth wave nationally.  Census 2022: Get Counted! Based on the trajectory of the pandemic and the levels of vaccination in the country, Cabinet has decided to make the World Cancer Day following changes to Adjusted Alert Level 1 with immediate effect:  • Those who test positive with no symptoms do not have to RAF Operational Shift Model | RAF Library Hours isolate.   • If you test positive with symptoms, the isolation period has been Covid-19 Statistics reduced from 10 to seven days. the fun page • Contacts do not have to isolate unless they develop symptoms.    Letters to the Editor The rationale for these amendments is informed by the proportion of people with immunity to COVID-19, which has risen substantially, We invite our readers to share their exceeding 60-80% in several sero-surveys.  comments, feedback, and suggestions with us. Readers are encouraged to submit Cabinet also reviewed the resumption of schooling to full-time their letters, of no more than 200 words, to learning in all schools. Primary, secondary, and special schools [email protected] and TholakeleR@raf. will return to daily attendance. The regulatory provision for social co.za. We are looking forward to hearing from distancing of one metre for learners in schools has also been you. removed.  Editor: Thabang Mahlatsi ([email protected]) The Ministers of Health and Basic Education will in the coming days Sub-editor: Tholakele Radebe ([email protected]) issue directives reflecting on this new approach.  Reporter: Tintswalo Nkuna ([email protected]) Editor-In-Chief: Anton Janse van Rensburg ([email protected]) Government commends all South Africans who continue to observe COVID-19 regulations and protocols. We also remind those who are yet to get vaccinated to go for their COVID-19 vaccination and continue observing basic health protocols to prevent the transmission of the virus. Lastly, and on a happier note, please join the Internal Communication team in congratulating the Editor of the Weekly Highlights, Thabang Mahlatsi, on their new bundle of joy! You, your spouse, and your family truly deserve all the happiness your new baby boy will bring. We are so happy for you. Congratulations Thabang! Enjoy this week’s Highlights! Kind regards Internal Communication

Fantastic Client Service – Nokwanda Masinga by Thabang Mahlatsi and Ntombi Kulati she is able to assist) and sticks to her word. She is a great asset to the institution and I thought I would just share this with you and her senior. Regards, Tamlyn Melville, Employees such as Nokwanda are what we envision a transformed RAF to be. Such letters from satisfied clients serve as a testament that we are indeed on the right path to achieving our goal of an RAF that is financially stable, claimant-centric and committed to the efficient settlement of claims within a period of 120 days. Well done to Nokwanda!! We chatted with Nokwanda to find out more about her job, motivations and some hidden talents. Enjoy!! 1. How long have you been working for the RAF? Nokwanda Masinga I commenced employment at the Fund on 01 April Officer: Legal Costs Validation, Finalisation 2021. I was initially appointed on a one-year contract basis as a Legal Cost Validation Officer. Cape Town On Wednesday, 26 January 2022, the Management On 01 September 2021 I was offered a permanent team from the Road Accident Fund’s (RAF’s) Cape position in the Litigation Unit as a Litigation Officer. Town Office received a letter of appreciation from one of the RAF stakeholders. The letter details the So, I’ve been at the RAF for a total of nine months and good service received from the Fund, in particular, four of those have been in my current position as a the message mentions Nokwanda Masinga, Litiga- Litigation Officer tion Officer, in the Litigation Unit, for the excellent service rendered. Please read the original e-mail below: Continues to the next page 2   Tamlyn Melville, Director at Simpsons Attorneys writes: Date: 26 January 2022 Subject: Nokwanda Masinga Dear Leonette   I know the fund often gets a lot of harsh criticism and for this reason I think it is important to also make an effort to call out the employees that stand out and are making an outstanding effort. Nokwanda has honestly been an absolute pleasure to work with since the day she started. She communicates with us regularly (even if it means letting us know when CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

Fantastic Client Service – Nokwanda Masinga (Cont.) 2. Please tell us briefly about your job at the RAF I draw my inspiration from knowing that I am a role model to so many young children where I come from. My job mostly entails assessing High Court Litigation matters and attempting to settle them within the 120 I was born and raised in a township just outside Dur- days, as required by the RAF Act of 1996. ban, KZN, and if you know anything about the town- ships, you will know that it is a very challenging and But, even prior to settling each matter I have to con- volatile environment and most people never make it sider whether the relevant claim is valid and it’s not a out of such places. However, I was fortunate enough fraudulent one; assess the Fund’s liability on the mat- to make something of myself and become what most ter; and identify which experts need to be appointed, people from there would consider successful and as if any. Subsequently, I appoint those experts; hold result, many youngsters from my neighbourhood look pre-trials with Plaintiff’s attorneys; refer matters to the up to me. So, I try to be a good role model for them State Attorney where necessary; and finally assess the and show them that there is an entire world and life out quantum of the claim and make offers to the attorneys. there, beyond where we come from and what we have If the offer is acceptable, then the matter becomes been exposed to. I want to show them that irrespec- settled, but if it isn’t and no resolution can be made be- tive of where you come from, you can do anything and tween the parties, then the matter proceeds to trial with become anyone you want to be and achieve anything if the assistance of the State Attorney and Counsel where you put your mind to it. appointed. 3. What do you enjoy most about your job? I mostly enjoy the degree of control and ’freedom’ within my job. I work on a flexible schedule, both in and out of office, and my Senior and Manager trust me to produce work of good quality whether I am working in the office or from home. With that comes a lot of trust between the parties, and I try by all means to not break that relationship of trust between us. I also enjoy the open-door policy followed by my se- Continues to the next page 3 niors and Manager. They are always a phone call or an email away and are always willing to assist promptly. I believe this helps me perform better and makes my work run much more smoothly. They are also very friendly and approachable people, but that goes for the entire Cape Town Litigation Unit. 4. Where do you draw inspiration for the work that you do? CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

Fantastic Client Service – Nokwanda Masinga (Cont.) the claimant doesn’t have a fancy attorney representing them. 6. What do you do to relax in your spare time? 5. Which of the ICARE Values do you resonate with I love trying out new experiences, whether it be a new and why? restaurant, or travelling to a place I’ve never been to before, learning and experiencing new cultures. mostly resonate with Integrity and Compassion. I like doing things that take me out of my comfort zone First, I safeguard my Integrity because of my moral prin- or something I wouldn’t ordinarily do on any given day. ciples and the way I was raised. Knowing and standing If not trying out new places or food, then I just stay for what I believe in, not being easily influenced and not indoors watching Netflix or sleeping. fearing to stand alone, just as long as I stand for what I believe in, have always been my convictions. 7. What is the one thing that your colleagues might not know about you? Being honest and keeping my word to others is also a big deal for me. And I would hate to work with someone I am an introvert and a loner. I really enjoy my own who does not share this belief. I try to give my col- space and company. I don’t mind being around people, leagues and stakeholders the same treatment I would but I really just prefer not being around them. wish to receive from them. If I know I am unable to do something or I don’t understand, I tell them upfront about it and ask for clarity, or rather take it to one my superiors and ask for their assistance. I would much rather under-promise and over-deliver, than over-prom- ise and under-deliver. Second, Compassion also resonates with me the most as I understand the seriousness of the type of work we deal with. What might just be “another file” to you is another person’s entire life. A claimant could have been the sole breadwinner at home who is no longer able to ever work again because of accident-related injuries and relying on the RAF payout to support and provide for his/her family. Whether one claimant was a medical doctor, and his claim is worth R5 million and the other was a garden worker and his claim is worth R70, 000 thousand, I work on both claims with the same level of respect. I give both of them their required attention and not disregard one because it simply is a small claim where CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE ThCaobmanmguMniacahtlaiotnsibisasaeSdpaetcEiacloistGInlatdeernsal 4 NtoCmombimKuunlaictiaitsioansMbaansaegdera: tMCaarpkeetTinogwannd

Records Management WEEKLY Feature by Vanessa Mathope This week we bring you an exciting new feature to formation available on the RAF intranet, records man- create awareness of Records Management which agement forms part of the Information Governance will be published in a series for the next few weeks. (IG) Unit at Head Office (Road Accident Fund Intranet, We hope you will not only enjoy it but also learn 2020). This unit provides appropriate standards that much from it about Records Management as a should be observed in creating, using, retaining, and business function and its importance in the smooth disseminating organisational information, regardless of running of the organisation. its origin. These standards are developed through the efforts of a cross-functioning steering committee that is made up of Information Technology (IT) Governance, Information Security, Information Communications and Technology (ICT) Service Continuity, Information Com- munications and Technology (ICT) Risk Management and Records Management (Road Accident Fund In- tranet, 2020). WHY THIS FEATURE? This platform for a Records Management Unit forming part of a committee with the knowledge and expertise The National Archives and Records Services of South to establish new programmes to determine the value of Africa (NARSSA),, through section 13 of the National the organisation’s information only exists at Head Of- Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act No fice. Correspondence and Document Management Ser- 43 of 1996), requires all governmental bodies in South vices are responsible for performing records manage- Africa to adequately manage records in their posses- ment functions in the regional offices. However, these sion. This is to ensure continued service delivery and business units do not form part of ICT, as is the case at to provide the authorities with authentic, reliable, and Head Office. Why? Why is it that Correspondence and usable records when required. This means that records Document Management Services is a stand-alone unit should be managed as vital assets and not merely ob- responsible for facilitating records creation, security, jects that enable these organisations to complete their maintenance, use, and disposal? administrative work. Good records management can improve the quality of service that governmental bodies The idea to run this feature emanates from an obser- deliver to the public, provided these organisations be- vation that I made while reviewing the RAF’s annual come sensitive to the concept of best practice in terms reports that there are two business units in the organ- of record-keeping. Good record-keeping should no isation with similar record-keeping mandates, which is longer be discussed only on the ground but should be- confusing. Even though both Correspondence and Doc- come a boardroom issue, like ICT and other business ument Management Services in the regional offices and units that are concerned with information management. Records Management at Head Office deal with records, For many, the mention of the mail-room and ICT in the one is considered more authoritative than the other. At same breath might not make sense as they may not the same time, they are supposed to be working togeth- be deemed compatible. However, both ICT and Cor- er to ensure the adequate management of the RAF’s respondence and Document Management Services are records. Ideally, the office where the records manager concerned with Information Management. This is why is based should introduce and instill the discipline of in the Head Office of the RAF, records management is managing records in line with statutes, regulations, and located within the ICT Department. best practice (NARSSA 2007). Correspondence and Document Management Services should implement To further emphasise this point, according to the in- and maintain record-keeping mechanisms developed and communicated by the records manager as they are custodians of records in the regional offices. However, this does not happen as it should. As a result, Corre- spondence and Document Management Services are grossly underestimated. This feature seeks to demon- strate that Records Management and Correspondence and Document Management Services can co-exist to ensure that the RAF’s records are managed appropri- ately to reflect best practice. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to the next page 5

Records Management WEEKLY Feature (Cont.) Vanessa Mathope: Registration Officer who I am. I am a Correspondence and Document Menlyn Management Services girl through and through. Even though I am no longer employed in that business ABOUT THE WRITER... unit, you cannot take Correspondence and Document Management Services out of this girl. I always had a My name is Vanessa Mathope, I work in the Claims hunch that I understood records management. When I Origination team in the Menlyn Office. What inspired got the nod from Professor Schellnack-Kelly who gave me to write this feature is because I know after reading me a beautiful recommendation on LinkedIn, I felt that it everybody will be thinking: this girl…what’s in it for my head is now in the right place to advocate for Cor- her? Nothing. I got this idea for the feature when I was respondence and Document Management Services. I listening to the radio. One of my favourite radio person- believe that I am the right person to create awareness alities, David Mashabela on Radio 2000, was interview- about the significant role that records play and the im- ing Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng on King David portance of good records management. Studio, his Instagram feature, so he asked her, “Has Mathematics changed you?” She responded without Now I admit that I am being overambitious for compar- hesitation, “No…I am still the Pitori (Pretoria) girl that ing my tiny effort of creating awareness through a fea- you know”. They both giggled. What stood out for me ture to that of the great Professor Phakeng who is the was that when she responded to David in that moment University of Cape Town’s vice-chancellor and Bristol her accent and pitch changed from Professor to that of University’s first illustrious visiting professor. However, Pitori Slang and her face lit with joy. This is significant based on the fact that my tone and pitch change when and relevant to this feature that I am starting because I speak records management and that my face lights Professor Phakeng was labelled the Maths ‘Einstein’ up with excitement when I am talking about Correspon- when she scored a role at a top UK university. She’s dence and Document Management Services, I believe doing amazing things here at home and globally. Yet, that the comparison is accurate. Over- ambitious? Yes, she’s so proud of her Pitori roots. but still relevant. So, in the same way that Professor Phakeng has made Mathematics fun, I am hopeful that So, like her, being where I am now has not changed by the end of this feature a lot of our colleagues will be looking at Correspondence and Document Manage- ment Services employees as equals. Vanessa Mathope: Registration Officer Menlyn CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to the next page 6

Records Management WEEKLY Feature: GETTING TO KNOW THE REGISTRY – ARTICLE 1 by Vanessa Mathope information generated by governmental bodies is con- tained in the records that governmental bodies main- tain. This is also true for the RAF. Based on the annual reports that were reviewed for the purpose of this fea- ture, the RAF is a record-driven institution. The govern- ing body also revealed that a major problem for efficient service delivery is that relevant information often is not timeously available to enable governmental bodies to make informed decisions, because the records are not managed properly (NARSSA 2007:i). In 2019, the Auditor-General echoed this notion and revealed that the RAF did not implement proper record-keeping in a timely manner to ensure that complete, relevant, and accurate information was accessible and available to support performance reporting (RAF 2019:192). A registry is usually a physical place where records NARSSA insists that governmental bodies need to management occurs. According to the NARSSA control and manage records according to the legisla- which governs records management practices of tion promulgated by government to enable government all governmental bodies (including the RAF), regis- and the public to have timely access to accurate and try functions in these bodies include receipt, open- reliable information. One may get the perception that in ing, sorting, and dispatch of mail. In the RAF these the RAF, records management as a function is misun- functions are all performed through the mail-room derstood and overlooked because of a lack of aware- located in the Correspondence and Document ness about the importance of adequate record-keeping. Management Services. The Records Management Therefore, the aim of this feature is to create aware- Policy that was issued on 09 February 2021 con- ness among RAFzins about what our records manage- firms that the mail-room is the RAF’s registry. ment obligations are in terms of the National Archives and Records Service of South Africa Act 43 of 1996. Although Correspondence and Document Manage- ment Services are divided into Central Archiving Facili- ties (CAFS) and the mail-room, this feature is biased towards the operations of the mail-room because this is where many record-keeping processes begin and occur. Based on observations, CAFS seems to be more involved with storage issues. However, this does not imply that CAFS’s operations are less important than those of the mail-room. CAFS takes care of the RAF’s storage needs and facilitates the movement of records. On the other hand, the mail-room performs registry functions, which are in line with the objectives and questions of this feature. Hence, the bias. NARSSA (2007:i) argues that the quality of the services Sources: references used in this article is available on request. which governmental bodies deliver to their clients and The list of stakeholders depends on how well they can create, store, retrieve, use and manage relevant information to Vanessa MatbhaospeedisInaMReengliysntration Officer 7 make decisions to act in pursuit of their business objec- tives. NARSSA (2007:i) also revealed that most of the CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

World Cancer Day Researched by Thabang Mahlatsi the same level. The importance of World Cancer Day The global cancer epidemic is huge and is set to rise. Currently, 8.2 million people die from cancer worldwide every year, out of which 4 million are premature deaths (aged 30 to 69 years). Urgent action needs to be taken to raise awareness about the disease and to develop practical strategies to address the cancer burden. Global disparities in access to prevention, treatment and palliative care are growing exponentially. World Cancer Day is the ideal opportunity to spread the word and raise the profile of cancer in people’s minds, in the world’s media, and on the global health and de- velopment agenda. World Cancer Day is observed on 04 February every Shhstotitgtpupnsrsic:f:i//ec//wssaa:wnmcweb.-gatohdvee.mnzage/l-iWsahno.drcl-od%mC2a/w0naoclerl-lrdyD-ocauay-nn2ce0ee2rd2-d-.taoy-k-2n0o2w2/-history- 8 year. It is an initiative by the Union for International ThCaobmanmguMniacahtlaiotnsi, ibsaaseSdpeinciEacliost:GIlnatdeernsal Cancer Control (UICC) under which the entire world unites to fight against the global cancer epidemic. UICC is the leading international non-governmental organisation that unites the cancer community to reduce the global cancer burden, to promote great- er equity, and to integrate cancer control into the world health and development agenda. Observance of World Cancer Day began in 2000 at the first World Summit against Cancer, held in Paris. At the event, various government agency leaders and cancer organisations signed the Charter of Paris against Can- cer. The charter was a document comprising 10 articles that had a co-operative global commitment to improve the quality of lives of cancer patients and to continue investing in advanced studies on cancer, its prevention and treatment. The theme for the year is ‘Closing the Gap in Cancer Care’. There is an equity gap in almost every nation that prevents people from certain economic strata full access to essential healthcare services. This is costing lives. The theme says the difference may seem subtle but closing the cancer care gap would require different solutions in different regions of the world. Equity is after all giving everyone what they need to bring them up to CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

The importance of accurate address information & map navigation # PARTICIPATE IN CENSUS 2022 IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 9

RAF Library The library is open daily from 07:45 to 16:30. We will gladly assist you with: • Information searches • Access to Online Resources • Access to the Online Library Catalogue • Training on Lexis Nexis, Sabinet & LIBWIN For more information contact Kgomotso on: (012) 621 1835 or send e-mail to [email protected] by Knowledge Management 04 February 2022



THE FUN PAGE This week we take a humorous look at employee motivation. Enjoy! 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]