Weekly Highlights 14 April 2023

Weekly Highlights 14 April 2023 - Issue No. 180 RAF Language Unit Celebrates the Decade of Indigenous Languages Xitsonga WPreoevkerb of the Dear Colleagues ‘Mati ma halakile, ma halakile.’ Stress Awareness Month is held annually in the month Translation: The ship has of April, and its observance has been in existence since sailed. 1992. Its aim is to increase public awareness about the causes of stress and how to help combat it in this harried, Meaning: The situation can no modern-day life. Stress can filter in from various parts of longer be changed. life, from the workplace as well as personal relationships, and coping with and relieving it can certainly look different In this issue for each individual person. BENEFITS OF POPIA COMPLIANCE Learning about stress this month can certainly help anyone who struggles to cope with it and those who may CONSERVING MOTHER EARTH find themselves in need of guidance and advice. LANGUAGE TIPS – GRAMMAR QUIZ: VERB TENSE Stress is a widespread feeling that almost everyone will experience at one time or another in their lives. As EASTER ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WITH TRANSPORT such, millions of individuals around the world are likely to MINISTER SINDISIWE CHIKUNGA struggle with it and have their lives impacted negatively by it. EASTER ROAD SAFETY ACTIVATIONS Stress can have an impact on a person’s health, whether THE FUN PAGE physically, mentally, or emotionally – and often it is a combination of them all! These health issues, when Letters to the Editor allowed to build up over time, could manifest themselves in issues such as anxiety and depression, hormonal We invite our readers to share their problems, difficulty sleeping, high blood pressure, heart comments, feedback, and suggestions disease and much more. with us. Readers are encouraged to submit their letters, of no more than 200 words, to Simply becoming more aware of stress and learning to [email protected], [email protected] apply the various coping mechanisms can certainly help and [email protected]. We are looking an individual who is feeling overwhelmed by this emotion. forward to hearing from you. In addition, it is well understood that if people become aware and there is less shame involved, then they are Editor: Thabang Mahlatsi ([email protected]) more likely to reach out for help when they need it. Sub-editor: Tholakele Radebe ([email protected]) Senior Reporter: Naziphi Mpokela ([email protected]) RAFzins, Employee Wellness Services through ICAS Editor-In-Chief: Anton Janse van Rensburg ([email protected]) can provide support and guidance to help address issues related to stress, mental health, finances, and other areas. It is important to seek out these resources and take advantage of them when needed in order to promote overall well-being and success both in and outside of the workplace. Enjoy this week’s Highlights! Kind regards Internal Communication

PROTECTION OF PERSONAL INFORMATION ACT (POPIA) POPIA gives effect to the constitutional right to privacy, by safeguarding personal information when processed by a responsible party, regulating the manner in which personal information is processed, and provides persons with rights and remedies to protect their personal information. Examples of Personal Information: Race, Gender, Marital Sta- tus, Medical Records, Biometric Details, etc.  INCREASED STAKEHOLDER DATABASE RELIABILITY REDUCED RISK OF: CONFIDENCE POPIA compliance involves capturing • Unlawful access to Personal POPIA promotes transparency with the minimum required data, ensuring Information (PI) regard to what information is accuracy, and removing data that is collected and how it is to be no longer required. These are likely • Monetary or Financial loss due to processed. Openness is likely to to improve the integrity of information applied penalties increase stakeholder confidence in held by the RAF. the organisation. • Reputational damage  CLEAN DESK CAMPAIGN Non-Compliance Compliance  Access to personal information should be strictly controlled as per the roles and delegations of authority of employees. CLIINCTEKGRHITEYRE FOR NCEOMXPTASPSAIOGNE ACCOUNTABILITY RESPECT EXCELLENCE 2

CONSERVING MOTHER EARTH by Maurice Hlangwani Today’s article opens with a poem that is dedicated to planet Earth as the only known massive body in the universe capable of giving home and habitat to plants and animals and support life. The poem makes us aware that the natural resources under Earth’s belly and the plant and animal species on its surface which are important for the sustenance of livelihoods are facing depletion and extinction because of man’s inju- dicious use. Man’s daily activities are seen to be directly or indirectly impacting negatively on plant and animal life as well as planet Earth itself. Mother Earth by Sophia E. Valdez The land is in a constant state of birth, Giving life to all who live on Earth. Our carelessness and fears Have taken a toll over the years. Her land is parched and scorched As man continues to light the torch. We continue a want of speed and ease, All while our pesticides kill off our bees. It’s time to wake up and see Mother Earth’s pain. Humanity’s selfishness is becoming insane. Soon her cries will turn to gloom, And man will cause its own doom. The poem cautions us about our anthropogenic activ- Annual celebrations like Earth Day, commemorated ities that are not harmonious with the Earth’s ecosys- on 22 April this year, raise awareness of the need to tems because they fuel global warming. Our heartless- protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations. ness towards living and non-living creatures is being Just as the Biblical Noah used his ark to save each exposed and condemned. The poet reveals our incon- plant and animal species, some zoos and botanical siderate behavioural tendencies in dealing with the en- gardens have been established to save the endangered vironment and that these tendencies are spiralling out and threatened animal and plant species. Scientists of control to an extent that if they are not reined in both in botanical gardens in many countries are said to fauna and flora will be brought to complete destruction. be working collaboratively on initiatives such as seed collection to protect biodiversity. They are also said to be exploring ways of harnessing DNA technology with a view to restoring damaged habitats. In the same breath, inorganic farmers, for example, are also said to cause damage to aquatic life because of the use of pesticides to destroy insects such as bees that produce the honey that we consume. Furthermore, the artificial fertilisers that these farmers input to the soil tend to be washed downstream to the ocean and consequently destroy fish and other aquatic life. Amongst the fossil fuels that are heavily mined and consumed is coal. Coal is a sedimentary rock consist- ing of a high amount of carbon and other elements such as hydrogen and sulphur that formed from decayed and CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to the next page 3

CONSERVING MOTHER EARTH (CONT.) compressed plant matter over 100 to 300 million years their goals on climate change and have set themselves ago. Bituminous coal, which is cheaper than anthra- new targets, some of which will possibly be achieved by cite, is primarily used in the coal-fired plants as the 2063. However, from a social setting point of view to a main source of energy for generating electricity. Most corporate setting point of view, we need to behave in a of South Africa’s electricity is generated by burning manner that addresses climate change by transitioning coal. As a result, South Africa is sitting in the seventh away from fossil fuels to using carbon-free energy. position amongst the top ten countries that produce and consume coal. It is not surprising that we have a At a personal and social level, we need to mull over municipality in Mpumalanga province called Emalahleni finding alternative ways of heating our homes and move Municipality which is named after this natural endow- away from the infamous imbawula (brazier). We also ment – “emalahleni” means “a place of coal”. However, have to create awareness among ourselves that it is coal power has to be gradually supplanted in favour of practically possible to live without fossil fuels. We can other cleaner energy sources such as wind power, solar also start doing our bit by recycling and reusing prod- power, hydropower, geothermal energy, and so on. ucts in order to address the climate crisis that the world is facing. By recycling and reusing we reduce air pollu- There are targets that countries must achieve as set out tion and save land for landfills. This also saves the en- in the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals 7, ergy that is required for the manufacturing of the same 11 and 13 by making available affordable, reliable, sus- products. At a governmental level, there is a need to tainable, and modern energy for all. This also includes legislate around the reduction of carbon emissions and making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, create incentives for compliance. At a corporate level, resilient, and sustainable and taking an urgent action there has to be compliance with the enacted legislation to combat climate change and its impacts. Goals 7 and towards saving the planet. 13 call for just transition energy and cutting down on over-reliance on coal as the main energy source so as The transport sector has been identified as one of the to not exacerbate global warming. Goal 11 touches on contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. This finding the question of safety which also includes improved is in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement that requires road safety. countries to have reduced carbon emissions by 25% by 2030. Because of the important need to remain part African states, through the African Union have aligned of the global community, we are obligated to transform CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to the next page 4

CONSERVING MOTHER EARTH (CONT.) and conform to the international agreements that are also not spared in the devastating floods. meant to reduce the carbon footprint. The transport sector is said to account for a quarter of the total carbon These unfortunate weather events call upon the leg- emissions. Automobile manufacturers and other related islators, policymakers, and the RAF think tanks to role players within the industry should urgently entertain also think out of the box in preparation for the electric the need to manufacture electric vehicles and create vehicle era. We can find solace in the fact that African charging stations throughout the country. Nations such Union targets are set for 2063 and that the developed as Norway are reportedly among those that are topping countries are taking the lead in finding alternative clean the charts in terms of the manufacturing of electric ve- energy sources. This means they are more likely to hicles, and they will have something positive to submit hold by hand developing countries such as South Africa through the five-year stocktake report in their efforts as per the Paris Agreement. Importantly, it is the fuel to transform the transport industry to combat climate levy that pulls the RAF into the whole equation. change. We were given planet Earth to live in and enjoy. Let’s If no action is taken to curb global climate change, therefore do all we can to sustain the resources that planet Earth will forever be subjected to raging wild- support our livelihoods and will continue doing so for fires, drought, and tropical cyclones. The deadly tropical generations to come provided we take care of our envi- cyclone Freddy is still very fresh in the minds of the ronment. people of Malawi and Mozambique. One can dare say these two countries are least responsible for climate Let’s protect our planet change, but they have paid the highest price on our behalf. KwaZulu-Natal has not yet recovered from the flooding of the past year where about 400 people died, and 150 households were displaced. Infrastructure was Maurice Hlangwani is a Langauage Specialist - Source: 5 Xitsonga, based in Eco Glades https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/conserving- earth/ CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE https://www.hbku.edu.qa/en/news/conserve-mother-nature https://www.worldometers.info/coal/coal-reserves-by-country/ https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/ documents/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20 Development%20web.pdf

LANGUAGE TIPS – GRAMMAR QUIZ: VERB TENSE Researched by Tholakele Radebe The language of wishing requires a particular combination of verb tenses, according to whether the wish is for the present, the past, or the future. Choose the correct verb form for each of the following sentences. 1. I didn’t see the first part of the Hobbit movie. I wish I ________ it. a) saw b) would see c) had seen 2. Our house is too small for our growing family. I wish we ________ a bigger one. a) had b) would have c) had had 3. I wasn’t thinking when I wrote that comment. I wish I __________ that. a) didn’t write b) hadn’t written c) wouldn’t write 4. I really miss living in London. I wish I ___________ there right now. a) were b) had been c) would be 5. I was interviewed, but they didn’t offer me the job. I wish they _________ it to me. a) had offered b) offered c) would offer ANSWERS AND EXPLANATIONS 4. I really miss living in London. I wish I were there right now. 1. I didn’t see the first part of the Hobbit movie. I a) were wish I had seen it. c) had seen The situation is in the present; use simple past. Note: some speakers would use “was,” but many speakers When we want to talk about situations in the past that and guides still observe the use of the subjunctive with we are not happy about or actions that we regret, we unreal situations. use the verb to wish followed by the past perfect. 5. I was interviewed, but they didn’t offer me the 2. Our house is too small for our growing family. I job. I wish they had offered it to me. wish we had a bigger one. a) had offered a) had The situation is in the past; use past perfect. When we want to talk about situations in the present that we are not happy about but can’t change, we use That’s it for today. Until next time. simple past. Source: 3. I wasn’t thinking when I wrote that comment. I https://www.dailywritingtips.com/grammar-quiz-20-verb-tense/ wish I hadn’t written that. b) hadn’t written Tholakele Radebe is a Copy Editor based in Eco Glades The regretted situation is in the past; use past perfect. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 6

EASTER ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN WITH TRANSPORT MINISTER SINDISIWE CHIKUNGA by Social and Digital Media Unit Easter Road Safety Campaign Venue: Atteridgeville Stadium, Pretoria Date: 31 March 2023 #AlwaysRemember Easter Road Safety Campaign Venue: Mooi River Toll Gate Date: 10 April 2023 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 7

EASTER ROAD SAFETY ACTIVATIONS by Eco Glades Marketing Unit and Durban Marketing Unit Rand Show Venue: Nasrec FNB Stadium Date: 06 - 10 April 2023 Road Safety Easter Activation Venue: Ndundulu, uThungulu District Municipality Date: 07 and 09 April 2023 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 8

THE FUN PAGE This week we take a look at the funny side of stress. 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]