Weekly Highlights 26 April 2022

Weekly Highlights 26 April 2022 - Issue No. 133 In this issue Dear Colleagues Road Safety Awareness Campaign: RAF Visits South Africa celebrates Freedom Day on Wednesday, Kuruman 27 April 2022, under the theme: “Consolidate Our Democratic Gains”, to mark the country’s transition RAF Joins Department of Health to Promote from the oppressive apartheid regime to a free COVID-19 Vaccination among Youth democratic country. The first democratic elections on 27 April 1994 gave birth to our constitutional democracy. World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2022 For the majority of South Africans who had never Congratulations! RAF Wins Prestigious Innova- voted before, their dignity was restored, and the tion Award country transformed into a non-racial, non-sexist, and democratic society. It led to the emergence of a national Covid-19 Statistics identity built on respect for each other and our love for the country. the fun page This year’s Freedom Day celebration takes place as the Letters to the Editor country emerges after two years under the weight of COVID-19. In the spirit of the month, it is time to come We invite our readers to share their together as one nation to rebuild our country from the comments, feedback, and suggestions devastating effects of the virus. We call on everyone with us. Readers are encouraged to submit to use Freedom Day celebrations to pull together and their letters, of no more than 200 words, to work towards a developed and united South Africa. [email protected] and TholakeleR@raf. co.za. We are looking forward to hearing from There is more that binds us together as South Africans you. than divides us, let us strive to build on our many ties. We have a national identity that is built on mutual Editor: Thabang Mahlatsi ([email protected]) respect, tolerance and acceptance. South Africans Sub-editor: Tholakele Radebe ([email protected]) are also encouraged to reflect on the progress made Senior Reporter: Naziphi Mpokela ([email protected]) over our democratic journey. It is a time to recommit Editor-In-Chief: Anton Janse van Rensburg ([email protected]) ourselves to the Constitution, which is the foundation of our democracy, and the very essence of what freedom means. The Preamble to the Constitution refers to a democratic and open society in which government is based on the will of the people and every citizen is equally protected by law. The Bill of Rights reaffirms that everyone has inherent dignity and the right to have their dignity respected and protected. As we commemorate Freedom Day, let us redouble our efforts to end the injustices wherever they emerge. Each citizen has a responsibility to take charge and play an active role in building the South Africa we want. We can never take our freedom for granted. Enjoy this week’s Highlights Kind regards Internal Communication

Road Safety Awareness Campaign: Road Accident Fund (RAF) Visits Kuruman by Sibusisiwe Mzila Community members were advised to ensure that be- fore travelling (when using their cars), their vehicles are in good running condition which could help in avoiding breakdowns or even accidents.They were also advised to keep a safe following distance and keep to the speed limit. To continue spreading the word about road safety, the RAF Johannesburg Regional Office held activa- tions in Kuruman, Northern Cape from 16−18 April 2022. The activations were aimed at reminding community members about the rules that drivers and pedestrians should adhere to, to avoid being involved in accidents on the road. Ultimately, the objective was to urge road users to make the right decisions on the road to ensure that they arrive safely at their destinations. During the activation, claimants were also assisted to check on the progress of their existing claims. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Sibusisiwe Mzila is an Officer: Marketing and 2 Communications, based in Johannesburg

RAF Joins Department of Health to Promote COVID-19 Vaccination among Youth by Sibusisiwe Mzila The Department of Health, through the Katlehong The RAF saw about 200 young people on each North Clinic, hosted a Youth Zone Road Show with day and was able to assist members of the public the aim of promoting COVID-19 vaccination in the check on their claims. They were also given tips on City of Ekurhuleni South Sub-District. With the Na- how to conduct themselves when they are on the tional State of Disaster in response to the COVID-19 road as drivers or passengers to avoid collisions. pandemic having recently been terminated, citizens As part of the efforts to promote the Fund’s brand, have been urged to protect themselves from further officials handed out RAF branded items such as infection and COVID-19 waves by getting vaccinat- licence disc holders, pens, key holders, and lan- ed. In addition to promoting COVID-19 vaccination, yards. the youth were also encouraged to live a healthy lifestyle and reduce substance abuse. The road show ran from 20-23 April 2022 and the RAF was among the stakeholders invited to take part and assist the community of Katlehong to check the status of their claims while also promot- ing road safety. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Sibusisiwe Mzila is an Officer: Marketing and 3 Communications, based in Johannesburg

World Day for Safety and Health at Work 2022 Researched by Sibusisiwe Mzila strong OHS culture, workers feel comfortable rais- ing concerns about possible OHS risks or hazards in the workplace and management is proactive in collaborating with workers to find appropriate, effective, and sustainable solutions. This requires open communication and dialogue built on trust and mutual respect. The task of OHS in the workplace is the responsi- bility of every member of that organisation. This will ensure that we mitigate against risks and hazards which may result in injuries or death at work. Our governments are responsible for providing the infrastructure - laws and services necessary to en- sure that workers remain employable and that en- terprises flourish; this includes the development of a national policy and programme and a system of inspection to enforce compliance with occupational safety and health legislation and policy. Employers are responsible for ensuring that the working en- vironment is safe and healthy. As workers we are responsible to work safely, protect ourselves, not endanger others, know our rights and participate in the implementation of preventive measures. The World Day for Safety and Health at Work is an annual international campaign to promote safe, healthy and decent work. It is held on 28 April and has been observed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) since 2003. This year’s theme, as set by the ILO, is: “Act together to build a positive safety and health culture”. A global occupational health and safety (OHS) As we continue to live through a global health crisis culture is one in which the right to a safe and and face ongoing OHS risks in the world of work, healthy working environment is respected at all lev- we must continue to move toward building a strong els, where governments, employers and workers safety and health culture at all levels. actively participate in securing a safe and healthy working environment through a system of defined Shfototrpu-ssrac:/ef/ew:tyw-wan.adw-haereanltehs-astd-wayosr.kc-o2m02/a2w/ areness-days-calendar/world-day- rights, responsibilities, and duties, and where the htrtatpinsi:n//gw/ewvwe.niltos.-omrge/egtlionbgasl//stoapfeicdsa/ys2a0fe2t2y-/laanndg--h-eena/ltinhd-aetx-w.hotmrk/events- highest priority is accorded to the principle of pre- vention. Thabang Mahlatsi is a Specialist: Internal 4 Communication based in Eco Glades At the workplace level, a strong OHS culture is one in which the right to a safe and healthy working environment is valued and promoted by both Man- agement and workers. A positive OHS culture is built on inclusion, through the meaningful involve- ment of all parties in the ongoing improvement of safety and health at work. In a workplace with a CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

Congratulations! RAF Wins Prestigious Innovation Award by Hein Spingies and Naziphi Mpokela On Thursday, 21 April 2022, the Road Accident Fund (RAF) was announced as a winner in the category: Medium Organisations in the SA Innova- tion League Awards by Innocentrix, a leading South African innovation company. The awards recognise an organisation’s readiness to manage innovation as a whole, i.e., its innovation database, innova- tion recognition, implementation and sustainability. The RAF competed in the Medium Organisations Category, against Legal Aid SA and African Oxygen Limited (t/a Afrox). Congratulations and well done to the HC: Centre of Excellence team for their submission, innovation and hard work. They have once again placed the RAF amongst the top achievers in the public sector! Innocentrix’s South African Innovation League rec- Hein Spingies is a Manager: Knowledge ognises top innovation leaders. It exists to not only Management based in Eco Glades. recognise innovation excellence but also to impact growth and innovation capability building in Africa! The Naziphi Mpokela is a Specialist: Internal Communication 5 Innovation League, through the data at its disposal on based in Eco Glades innovation, provides local case studies, frameworks, in- formation pieces and relevant methodologies that offer deep insights into our local innovation context, to help facilitate better Return on investment (ROI) for innova- tion in Africa. The SA Innovation League provides valuable insights into the local innovation landscape, fostering learning and growth, sharing information on the new Innovation Management standards and assisting organisations to build a sustainable innovation capability into the future. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE



THE FUN PAGE This week we take a look at the funny side of Occupational Health and Safety in the workplace. 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]