Weekly Highlights - 16 July 2021

Weekly Highlights 16 July 2021 - Issue No. 100 In this issue Dear Colleagues RAF ICARE VALUES CAMPAIGN REFRESHER On Sunday, 18 July 2021, the world will be celebrating Mandela Day. The day was adopted by the United THE NEW AMENDED AARTO ACT HAS OFFICIALLY Nations to remember Mandela’s achievements in KICKED INTO GEAR working towards conflict resolution, democracy, human rights, peace, and reconciliation.This year’s theme for HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE DEPRESSED? Mandela International Day is: “One Hand Can Feed Another.” PRAY FOR SOUTH AFRICA This is the second year that Mandela Day is being DAILY TIPS TO IMPROVE MENTAL HEALTH celebrated amidst the ongoing battle with the COVID-19 pandemic. South Africa finds itself under THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FEAR AND ANXIETY Alert Level 4 due to a surge of the third wave as a result of the Delta variant of the virus. The pandemic PLUG INTO YOURSELF – JUST 10 MINUTES OF has exacerbated the existing crises of poverty, YOUR DAY unemployment and inequality. This moment in history has come with the devastating loss of life, exposed HOW TO WEAR A MEDICAL MASK SAFELY the fragility of health systems and aggravated food insecurity for many communities.  COVID-19 STATISTICS With the world now increasingly working and THE FUN PAGE socialising digitally, we are encouraged to volunteer safely from our homes or offices, by using our skills Letters to the Editor and interests to help a cause, online. You can also purchase much-needed items online and arrange to We invite our readers to share their have them delivered to the cause of your choice. And comments, feedback and suggestions with of course, a monetary donation goes a long way too. us. Readers are encouraged to submit their letters, of no more than 200 words, to In 2005, Nelson Mandela gave his speech at the Make [email protected] and TholakeleR@raf. Poverty History rally in London, and called on world co.za. We are looking forward to hearing from leaders to make poverty history. He said, “As long you. as poverty, injustice and gross inequality exist in our world, none of us can truly rest.” Even us as ordinary Editor: Thabang Mahlatsi ([email protected]) citizens can do something, however little. Let us Sub-editor: Tholakele Radebe ([email protected]) emulate the actions of Madiba and exemplify the RAF Reporter: Tintswalo Nkuna ([email protected]) Value of Compassion. As you celebrate Mandela Day, Editor-In-Chief: Anton Janse van Rensburg ([email protected]) please remember to be vigilant and keep yourself and loved ones safe. Wash your hands regularly, wear a mask in public spaces and maintain social distancing. Enjoy this week’s Highlights! Kind regards Internal Communication

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THE NEW AMENDED AARTO ACT HAS OFFICIALLY KICKED INTO GEAR Researched by Thabang Mahlatsi Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula on Thursday, 01 The Road Safety Partnership South Africa (RSP-SA) July 2021, kicked off the implementation of the warns motorists to be prepared for AARTO. The body amended Administrative Adjudication of Road says: “Irrespective of how one may feel about AARTO, Traffic Offences (Aarto) Act with its first phase. The its implementation will become a reality. The RSP-SA amendments brings with it multiple changes to urges motorists that have not yet changed bad driving driving laws, including a new demerit system. habits to start doing so soon. Speaking at a media conference, Minister Mbalula Here’s how you can lose your driver’s licence said phase one of the implementation of the Aarto Act amendments, which officially began on 1 July 2021, Accumulating 12 demerit points could easily happen would run until the end of September. He said there when one least expects it. Disobeying the ‘simplest’ of would be three more phases, lasting until July 2022. road rules could see you lose your driver’s licence in the space of a month. If, for instance, you are caught The minister said phase one was intended to increase driving 90km/h in a 60km/h zone, you will be slapped the Road Traffic Infringement Agency’s reach with six demerit points. If you are caught skipping a red nationally through seven service outlets, as well as traffic light, a further three points are added. Failing to online services such as the Aarto website and the stop behind the line at a stop sign is worth two points, Aarto mobile APP. He said that during this phase, the while inconsiderate driving adds one point.In all, you Transport Department would hold public awareness can have your licence suspended in the blink of an eye. and education campaigns to ensure all road users understand the process. The RSP-SA concludes: “Irrespective of how you feel about the validity of AARTO, its fairness or potential for Phase two will take place between 1 October 2021 corruption, it is time to start taking it seriously. Once the and 31 December 2021, which will include the demerit system begins properly in 2022, you will not be establishment of 18 more service outlets, the Appeals able to reverse the demerits you received for breaking Tribunal coming into full operation, and 67 local and the rules of the road based on your reluctance to accept metropolitan municipal areas going online for the roll- the Act. out. The adjudication process for all nine provinces will also commence. “Ultimately, you can prevent yourself from landing in this precarious situation by simply becoming a better Phase three will begin in January next year until June driver. No driver has anything to fear if they drive 2022, and will start to include 144 remaining local within the confines of the law. Not only will you protect municipal areas announced for the Aarto roll-out. yourself from being negatively impacted by the demerit The final stage will take place on 1 July 2022, and will system, but you will do your part in creating safer roads commence the online points demerit system, as well as in South Africa.” the rehabilitation programme for offenders. Twenty self- service kiosks will also be established. Shkhqtiotcuttpukpicsresck:d:/el//y-/eswi-nw:ywtonowu.-cgr.-noede.arzwiravse/22r0s4-2.lci1co/e0mn7/c/w0eh1-ce/toehulesl-d/nn-ebewew--ssa/ugmsuepidneednsed_dea-dan-audrn_tdolise-atrs-c/tthh-heear-ensse-o-whff-oiacwaia-rltloy-- CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE ThCaobmanmguMniacahtlaiotnsi, ibsaaseSdpeinciEacliost:GIlnatdeernsal 3

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PRAY FOR SOUTH AFRICA by Tholakele Radebe Cry, the Beloved Country, is the title of a novel by that the instigators of this unrest have made. Yes, we one of my favourite authors, Alan Paton. It explores understand that some people are poor, hungry and the themes of emotional pain, suffering, loss and suffering, but does that justify forcefully taking what disappointment suffered by the main characters as does not belong to them? Does it justify taking away a result of the poor choices they or those close to livelihoods and risking food insecurity? The answer them have made in life. At the same time, despite is no. We know for a fact that some of the looters are the darkness and hopelessness suffered, it offers not that poor. If they can afford to own cars then drive hope for a better South Africa. The themes of the to places of business to loot, as has been seen in the novel are relevant to what has been happening in media, then they are not that poor. It looks like some South Africa in the past week. The country needs evil force drives them to do what they do. And we look prayers and hope in these difficult times. at them and wonder where things went wrong. For the past few days some parts of South Africa have The country is in the midst of the third wave of been in turmoil. The levels of the violence that has COVID-19. South Africans have suffered a lot from erupted and destruction caused are unprecedented. A the pain of losing their loved ones, their jobs, their dark cloud hangs over the country. Each day we wake businesses and livelihoods, and now this violence up to see and hear of yet another place destroyed, erupts in addition to everything else we have suffered. looted and burned down to ashes, and some people It’s difficult to understand that some groups who are losing their lives in the process. But the big question criminal elements in our midst are determined to is: why? Why are we suffering like this just when we destroy everything that we hold dear. No consideration thought that the levels of violence in the country that at all for what the future will look like. They are only were last seen a few years ago would be at last under focused on the gratification of their immediate needs control? Just when the President has announced that and everyone else must suffer for a long time to come the economy is showing some signs of recovery from as a result. the effects of the pandemic, which has raised our hopes for the future. We have come too far as a nation to regress this much. Division is never the answer but unity is. What we see now is not the South Africa we have always hoped for. In fact, it’s the opposite. But we can always hope for a better future. To quote Alan Paton, “I envision someday a great, peaceful South Africa in which the world will take pride, a nation in which each of many different groups will be making its own creative contribution.” Let us all pray for peace to be restored to this beautiful land that we call home. We desperately need divine intervention to set things right once more. May God bless South Africa. It seems like it is mostly because of the poor choices Tholakele Radebe is a Copy Editor, based in Eco 6 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Glades

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FEAR AND ANXIETY Researched by Hlami Mathye are not affected with fear or anxiety. Fear and anxiety often occur together, but these FEAR is an emotional response to a known threat. If terms are not identical. Fear relates to a known you witness a horrible car accident, you will experience or understood threat, whereas anxiety is from an fear. When you are faced with fear, the people around unknown threat or poorly defined threat. Both you will experience the physical reaction of your fear. produce a similar stress response but I believe that Amongst other things, you will experience the following there are important differences between the two. symptoms when you have fear: The difference can account for how one reacts to • Chest pain various stressors in our surroundings. In this pandemic • Dry mouth people react differently based on how it affects their • Nausea daily lives. Some have fear when they are infected by • Sweating COVID-19, the fear of dying and leaving their children • Trembling and families behind. Others have an anxiety of ‘what • Upset stomach if I get infected, how will I manage to handle it, will I • Shortness of breath survive the deadly virus or will it have a bad impact • Rapid heartbeat on me and my loved ones?’ As an example, muscle tension, heart rate increase and shortness of breath, ANXIETY is an unpleasant, vague sense of mark the most significant physiological symptoms apprehension (the fear of the unknown is a threat such associated with a response to danger which is fear. as the uneasiness you might feel on your space) which, amongst other things, includes the below symptoms: • Accelerated heart rate • Cold chills and hot flushes • Dizziness • Feeling like you are going insane • Muscle pain and tension • Sleep disturbance • Upset stomach • Chest pain In conclusion, please note that fear can also cause anxiety and anxiety can cause fear. The two give you a better understanding to know the difference.If you are experiencing persistent and excessive feelings of fear and anxiety, consult with your doctor for help. It is not only COVID-19 that is affecting our daily lives. Having fear and anxiety is also a threat to our lives. Let’s all take care of our physical and mental well-being. I have realised that currently, our focus is on COVID-19 Shtietotspu-sr2c:/5e/w8: 4w3w9.9vaecryt-w2e0l2lm10in7d1.2c-o2m/fear-and-anxiety-differences-and-similari- and the symptoms of fear and anxiety are mostly the same as COVID-19. We have to take note that if you Hlami Mathye is a Senior Manager: Marketing, 7 test negative for COVID-19 you must also check if you based in Eco Glades CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

PLUG INTO YOURSELF – JUST 10 MINUTES OF YOUR DAY by Tintswalo Nkuna There are way too many things happening around You see people at a family dinner table busy on their us, resulting in our minds being overworked and phones. Married couples spend too much time on their anxious. phones than they do talking to each other. Employees spend meeting times taking a sneak peek at their There is hardly a chance to just take a moment to phones to check if anyone has texted or called. Drivers breathe and clear our minds. News channels, social also text as they drive because of this need to interact media and our gadgets are continuously buzzing to with other people who are not physically present with feed us updates that keep us on our toes with demands us. of things to do or to be aware of. It seems like there is The day I bumped into a glass door was the day my just always something to pay attention to, something eyes were opened to realise just how badly addicted I to do or worry about. There are too many expectations had been to my phone. I then started taking at least 10 and when we realise that we have not been able to minutes off my smartphone and television just to sit in meet all of them, we feel disappointed in ourselves and silence and reconnect with myself. This time has now discouraged, which is mentally and physically draining. increased to one and a half hours every single day. It involves meditating to silence my mind, doing breathing In the midst of all this, it’s important to take some time exercises, taking long baths in silence and journaling to off and disconnect from all social media, television and reflect on the day. All without any external sounds. your cell phone. The fact that the idea of disconnecting from all these things makes you a bit anxious is a sign It helps to evaluate your day, getting in touch with of just how addictive these gadgets and updates can yourself, reflecting on your life and plans. Above all, it easily be, to a point that we cannot even imagine time is important for your mental well-being. It is important without them. to slow your brain down and calm it in the midst of so many things going on around us. Just 10 minutes of Many of us spend so much time in front of our television your day, every day, can become a habit that has great sets, bent on our smartphones or laptops that we hardly take a minute off just to breathe and connect with ourselves. Some people sleep with their phones under their pillows, ready to react to any notification that comes through. The first thing some people interact with immediately after opening their eyes when they wake up is their cell phone. They spend so much time updating themselves on what has been happening during their sleep to a point that they even get up late for work or school. Tintswalo Nkuna is a Call Centre Agent, based in Eco Glades 8 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

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COVID-19 STATISTICS IN SOUTH AFRICA

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