Weekly Highlights 19 August 2022

Weekly Highlights 19 August 2022 - Issue No. 149 In this issue Dear Colleagues Women’s Month Celebration - Perspectives on The Road Accident Fund together with entities of the Leadership Department of Transport and other National Departments, joined President Cyril Ramaphosa, on Friday 12 August My First Paparazzi Experience With SDM Team 2022, at the Sharpeville Cricket Grounds in Gauteng for a District Development Model, Presidential Imbizo. RAFzins Running the 2022 Comrades Marathon Amongst others, the Presidential Imbizo assessed service Five Tips to Stay Healthy as Winter Fades delivery by gauging the implementation of Government’s District Development Model. This Model enables Road Safety Activation highlights integrated and responsive planning, implementation, and budgeting across all three spheres of Government with the fun page a focus on 44 Districts and 8 Metros around the country, including Sedibeng. The Imbizo served as a platform Letters to the Editor through which hundreds of Sedibeng District Municipality community members could interact with the president We invite our readers to share their around the challenges in their community. comments, feedback, and suggestions with us. Readers are encouraged to submit The President was firm with his assessment of service their letters, of no more than 200 words, to delivery, not only in the Sedibeng District, but in local [email protected], [email protected] municipalities throughout the country. and [email protected]. We are looking forward to hearing from you. “Our municipalities must pay attention to what needs to be done so that our people live with dignity. We want to see Editor: Thabang Mahlatsi ([email protected]) an improvement in the lives of our people from a service Sub-editor: Tholakele Radebe ([email protected]) delivery point of view from now on. We cannot, in this Senior Reporter: Naziphi Mpokela ([email protected]) place which used to be the industrial hub of the country, Editor-In-Chief: Anton Janse van Rensburg ([email protected]) allow our people to live in squalor; in a dirty place,” President Ramaphosa said. The RAF used the platform to engage with the community around its range of services and products; raise awareness and share tips on issues of road safety and assisted claimants to check the status of their existing claims. The Fund’s Activations Team handed over some of the Fund’s promotional items, such as pens, stationery and water bottles, to community members who visited the RAF stand. Enjoy this week’s Highlights! Kind regards Internal Communication

Women’s Month Celebration - Perspectives on Leadership by Maurice Hlangwani as N’waMakambule, as their induna (Tribal Councillor/ Head). This gesture of a woman running the affairs of a tribal community was unheard of, just as some of the Xitsonga language proverbs confirmed and confined women to household roles. The people of South Africa could regard the community as a trailblazer for not clinging to sexist traditional and cultural practices that only seek to see men at the helm. They chose some- thing novel and progressive. The female induna brought a tar road and a school as some of her most notable developments during her reign. The month of August presents us with yet another Secondly, the N’wamitwa community which has been opportunity to celebrate all the female colleagues under the chieftaincy of a woman since 2008 to date. within the employ of the Road Accident Fund (RAF). In 2007, the Constitutional Court confirmed, in its The RAF Language Unit sees it fit to draw on the historic judgment, Hosi Dr Tinyiko Lwandlamuni Phillia proverbs that affirm women as equally capable N’wamitwa-Shilubana, the only child of Hosi (King) leaders alongside their male counterparts. The Fofoza and Hosikati (Queen) Favaza N’wamitwa, as the unit further calls for the surgical removal from the rightful Chief of the people of N’wamitwa. In his court codified system of the Xitsonga language of all the papers, the son of the then regent had based his argu- proverbs that seek to promote patriarchal tenden- ments on the traditions and customs of the Vatsonga cies that have over the years disadvantaged women people. But the Constitution of the Republic and the Bill in all spheres of life. Dogbevi (2007) has already of Rights prevailed over such tired and outdated argu- made the same observation that “[s]ome African ments. What the late Hosi Fofoza did right was to not proverbs have become outmoded and are of no impose her daughter as the chief, but to forearm her use…”. In a similar move, Chauke (2021) et al. cite with education. Chief N’wamitwa has been a School Maluleke (2012) who clamours for “a balance be- Principal, a Circuit Manager, and a Member of Parlia- tween culture and rights for all.” ment. As we celebrate Women’s Month, we should also ap- In our celebration of the RAF female staff alongside the preciate two communities that have created conducive two traditional women leaders, the proverb that seems conditions for women leadership. First, applause and to hold absolute truth is: “If you educate a man, you celebrations go to the Matsakali community, just a educate an individual. But if you educate a woman, you few kilometres outside Malamulele township, for the educate a nation.” Happy Women’s Month! foresight and forthrightness of its members who, be- fore the advent of democracy in 1994 and for some ShPWtoatoputrmsrica:e/er/ncw: h_wyinw__A.rTenrsaaedlyaistriiocsnh_agolaf__tAeL.kinnaegntu_/piCsutoibcml_icPmartueionjunitd/ie3ics3e_9_o4af9_n1Gd1_h7Ra2ne_apP/rrceoistvaeetnirobtanst/_idoaonnw_dno_lfo_ad time thereafter, installed a woman, famously known hWttopms:e//nw_winw_.Trerasedaitirocnhagla_tLee.naedte/prsuhbilpic_awtiiothn_/3S2p1e2c1ia6l3_9R8e_feTrheen_cReo_lteo__othf_e_ Valoyi_Tribe CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE MauricSepHelcainagliswta, nbiaissetdheinXEitcsoonGglaadLeasn.guage 2

My First Paparazzi Experience With SDM Team by Vanessa Mathope The email read: Hi Vanessa The SDM unit is currently working on organic video content for our Women’s Month campaign. We feature different women in the Fund from different depart- ments to educate users about their roles and about their development as women in the industry. We would like to do a video feature with you next week Friday (12 August 2022) at Head Office as we felt you would be a great candidate for this following your recent achieve- ments..... Yes, achievements – plural. At that point, I was scratch- ing my head, wondering which achievements are these? Fortunately, the SDM team was kind enough to provide the questions that they would ask me during the shoot. Well, the questions were in English, nice high-level English spoken in Head Office: The shoot content will be based on the questions below. You can familiarise yourself with them as preparation ahead of the shoot. Iyoooh!! This is serious mos! I even need to rehearse my answers, I thought to myself. However, I do not subscribe to the Hawthorne effect. I didn’t practice my answers. Just looked at the questions and thought, huh? The other day I received an email from Lesego Before I knew it, it was the Friday of the shoot. When- Matshaba in Head Office. Yes, that Lesego. The ever I go to Eco Glades, it becomes obvious that I don’t “success story” article Lesego. I must admit, her work there, for two reasons. I am loud and I dress like emails make me anxious. Please don’t get me a Correspondence girl (the CAFS runner in me prefers wrong, I like Lesego, but I have a problem with how hiking boots). Therefore, when I am in the upmarket she always exaggerates my success. She has a way RAF Head Office, I look out of place. As such, I went with words. I read them and wondered, which Van- for the shoot as myself (cargo pants, a sweater and my essa she is talking about? The last article she wrote ride-or-die hiking boots). about me during Transport Month (October 2021) is now the biography I lead with when I do academic To my surprise, as soon as I walked into the Call Centre presentations. building, Lesego approached. She was with Johannes Satekge, her colleague. First, Lesego said, “bathong o So, on Friday, 05 August 2022, an email titled “Wom- montle yang” (you look beautiful). Then Johannes said, en’s Month Video Shoot” popped up on my computer “I saw your book on LinkedIn. How do I get a copy?” I screen. It was from Lesego. This time, however, the didn’t realise that I had such a following on LinkedIn. email had copied many people whom I did not know Then, as we walked from reception to their office, I saw alongside my Manager, Team Lead and Senior. I would a bathroom sign and asked if I could quickly go before later learn that they are part of the Social and Digital we went into their office. As I entered the bathroom, a Media team (SDM). When I saw the email, I thought lady was washing her hands. Then she looked at me Lesego was trying to trick me into another ‘task team’ and looked away and looked at me again. She said I hence all the people included in the email. I read the feel like I know you. I laughed. To my surprise, she says email regardless… “are you, Vanessa, from the Weekly Highlights”? We both laughed, and I nodded my head. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to the next page 3

My First Paparazzi Experience With SDM Team (CONT.) “Okay, first question.” Talk about being a ‘party pooper’! Lebo; next time please forget to include her in our email so that we can have fun making videos, Lesego is ‘too professional’ for us. First question (Lesego): “Tell us your name and oc- cupation in the RAF?” This is an easy one. Second question: “What has been your biggest achievement in your career thus far?” Me: “Writing articles for the Weekly Highlights.” Everyone looked at me shocked. I asked, did I say something wrong? SDM team bursts into laughter, then responded “no, not at all but you need to tell us a bit more. Give us some contextual background.” Then I was like got it. So I replied “on 04 February 2022, my first article was published on Weekly Highlights introducing a feature called getting to know the registry. I went on to write a total of ten articles for the feature. It was the most fulfill- ing experience ever.” Third question: “What is your message for women navigating and growing in the workplace?” I am a typical Motswana girl, so as we walked into Me: “Stop trying to be better than another woman. Be SDM’s office, I was like Dumelang (greetings), dume- yourself. Stand out. Do not conform. Be authentic. lang, dumelang from the first person we saw in that When you strive to always be a better version of your- room.. I know that in Gauteng this is not a norm. How- self than you were yesterday, you bring something new ever, where I come from in the North West we say mad- to the table.” ume ga a fele (greetings never end). Shortly after we got into the office, they introduced me to Lebo Malapa- Lebo said out loud, “Vanessa my flu is gone. Girl you ne who remarked, “Hi Vanessa our LinkedIn ambassa- are magic.” Then we all laughed. But because she dor, it is nice to finally meet you in person. I don’t want spoke, and I laughed they had to shoot that again. to get too close I am a bit fluish”. Lesego looked at me and Lebo and said, “you two are practically one person Fourth question: “What is your road safety mes- [both are Jovial and Loud]. I don’t know how I am going sage for women?” to cope with the two of you”. Then we all laughed. Me: “Stop doing your make-up while driving.” A short while later, Johannes came back and said, we Fifth question: “What does women’s month mean to are ready for you. As we left the room, my fluish tsala you?” (friend) left with us (I was thinking… I thought you were sick). When we got to the area where the shoot was Me: “NOTHING!” supposed to take place, there was another colleague there. There were lights, cameras, and that long mic Then I got my first cut. Lesego looked at me and started that I usually see on eNCA and for a moment I felt like laughing. She thought I was just being funny and then I was Tumelo Mothotoane [eNCA News Anchor]. Espe- said I am going to ask you that question again, give me cially when one of the crew members said Vanessa, I a serious answer this time. I said that is my serious an- am going to count you down… While I was still enjoying swer. Women’s month means absolutely nothing to me my celebrity moment, Lesego burst my bubble and said because women do not cease being women throughout CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to the next page 4

My First Paparazzi Experience With SDM Team (CONT.) the year. Why do we only set aside one month and one monetary gifts, so I decided to fund the book myself day (09 August) a year to celebrate us women? Then just so she could leave me alone. This is the book that they all said, “that’s the answer that we are looking for.” Johannes saw on LinkedIn. At this point everyone was I laughed and said “I hope you recorded that because teary at the shoot, I didn’t understand why at first until I don’t remember what I said word for word”. We all Johannes said, “I have been working on my book for laughed! the past eight years and it is still in my head”. We all laughed. However, at that moment, I realised just how Sixth question: “What is your Personal Leadership much the Weekly Highlights newsletter has helped by Statement?” allowing me to test my writing skills... I am now a pub- lished author. This book is my ultimate success story Me: I don’t have any. However, I borrowed from Oprah because not only am I the first Weekly Highlights real- Winfrey, “You can have it all. Just not all at once.” Of- life success story, but, in addition, my Correspondence ten, women fail because they are trying to do too many and Documents Management Services ‘family’ is proud things at once so that they can look like superwomen. to have a published author who is not ashamed of her However, this often fails because we (women) bite off humble beginnings. The happiness that I saw on Tebo- more than we can chew for the sake of looking suc- go Serake’s (my Correspondence colleague) face after cessful. Easy tigresses. he saw the book on the socials, authored by Vanessa Neo Mathope from Correspondence, was priceless. He I remember someone saying “wow, we are done.” Then came to my desk at Originations saying, “V, you are my Johannes said, “you are now ready for your SABC inspiration. When you get your PhD, please ask every- interviews.” We all laughed, and I thought that we were one in the Mailroom to write a message or two to you in done, done. But these four stood together and were the front of your thesis, Dr” My eyes swelled with tears. whispering something then smiled after their discussion saying “we have a follow-up question based on your an- swer for Question 2. I think Lebo was the one who put them up to this because she’s also an Archivist like me. “How can writing articles in the Weekly Highlights be the biggest achievement in your career?” Me: “The feature lasted for ten weeks. When I was While I was narrating the story, the room was getting done writing articles for Getting to know the registry, I felt like something was missing in my life. I missed writ- too heavy for me. The SDM team got emotional too, ing. At first, I thought of developing that same feature series for publishing in academia, but that idea just so I changed the subject and said I can’t believe you could not come together. Remember, in academia I can’t use Wikipedia like I was allowed to when writ- didn’t get me any breakfast. I am starving. They all ing for the Weekly Highlights. There are too many technicalities. However, the urge to continue typing turned to Lesego and said she must call Uber Eats, but persisted so I decided to work on a Memoir as a gift for my daughters, not for publishing. Before I knew it, I was only joking, just so that we could deviate from the there were ten chapters of over 100 hundred pages. I told my colleague, Zamantimande Ledwaba, about my emotional talk. Before releasing me, Lesego said “when newly found passion for writing and she was keen to read my work – big mistake! She read the whole book you write an article about SDM next Friday please don’t in one weekend and when I saw her at work the fol- lowing Monday, she was talking about a book launch mention the ‘no food’ part.” I laughed and asked what in January 2023. At first, I thought that she was joking but she went all out to gather information about pub- made her think I was going to write an article next Fri- lishing a book. I realised that she was being serious when she asked for my banking details to pay for half day. She laughed and said, “girl, I follow you on Linke- of the publishing fees. My pride does not let me accept dIn”. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Vanessa Mathope is a Registration Officer, based in 5 Menlyn

RAFzins Running the 2022 Comrades Marathon by Thabang Mahlatsi This week we continue with our third instalment of up the momentum, from then I joined Diepkloof Athlet- our feature series profiling RAFzins who are partici- ics Club as a social runner and then the real-life trans- pating in this year’s Comrades Marathon. formation emerged, and I never stopped since. It has been part of me and I am part of it. We find out more about their training routines in prepa- ration for this year’s down-run. 2. How many times have you run the Comrades Marathon? I have successfully ran and completed two Comrades, the up run and down run. 3. In preparation for the race, can you briefly describe your regular training routine to us? I have been following the Comrades sub 10 programme prepared by Coach P (Peteni Khuzwayo), basically it comprises of short runs which covers your speed work and recovery runs during the week, one strength train- ing and a long run on one day of the weekend. The purpose of the training was to ensure that I don’t reach my peak too early since this year’s Comrades Marathon was moved to August, between June and July it was my high mileage months with two marathons in June and 2 ultra-marathons in July, my distance clocked for June is 204km and July 313km respectively. Currently, we are tapering down the training to allow my muscles to recover for the big day, so in the first two weeks of August I have reduced training to not more than 25km. A long run and short distances of not more than 10km during the week consisting of strength train- ing in-between. 4. What is your expected finishing time? Tricky question, I am attempting sub 10h30 with an open option of anything is possible so that I enjoy what is not enjoyable on the day. Name: Tumisang Moemi Continues to the next page 6 Position: Facilities Officer Region: Johannesburg Region 1. How did you get into running marathons? It all started in 2013 when I received a complimentary entry for a 21km city-to-city ultra-marathon from the RAF Marketing Department, like any other programme it moved at a very slow pace till 2017 and then it picked CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

RAFzins Running the 2022 Comrades Marathon (CONT.) In most of the cases, I follow the Comrades coach train- ing routine. For my level, it is recommended that I run between 800 – 1200 km. I run on average 200km a month from January to May which is 3 to 4 times a week which includes long runs on weekends of 15 – 25 km. I also do strength training 2-3 times and trial runs of 5-8kms a week To condition and prepare mentally I run two Ultra Mara- thons (48 & 50kms) and one 60kms race, 6-8 weeks before the Comrades. 4. What is your expected finishing time? Tricky question, I am attempting sub 10h30 with an open option of anything is possible so that I enjoy what is not enjoyable on the day. Name: Oabile Mahura Continues to the next page Position: Officer Finance Region: Johannesburg 7 1. How did you get into running marathons? By a family member who suggested we start running or doing physical activities to keep fit. 2. How many times have you run the Comrades Marathon? One. In 2019 and I ran 11 hours 48 minutes. 3. In preparation for the race, can you briefly describe your regular training routine to us? CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

RAFzins Running the 2022 Comrades Marathon (CONT.) Name: Oabile Mahura Position: Officer Finance Region: Johannesburg 1. How did you get into running marathons? Sunday – Rest I started running to keep fit. I later advanced to ultra- 4. What is your expected finishing time? marathons to test my physical and mental strength. I have no expected finishing time. The goal is to just 2. How many times have you run the Comrades finish. Marathon? This will be my first Comrades marathon. 3. In preparation for the race, can you briefly describe your regular training routine to us? My running club has a week training plan: Monday – Strength training Tuesday – Hill repeat 10km-12km Wed – Grass work 10-15km Thursday – Road work 20-25km Friday – Rest Saturday – Long run 32-38km CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Thabang Mahlatsi is a Specialist: Internal 8 Communication, based in Eco Glades

Five Tips to Stay Healthy as Winter Fades Researched by Naziphi Mpokela workout. You can also do smaller things. Tip 4: Revise your goals. Revisit them and decide what direction you want to go. Whether it’s weight loss, weight gain, or muscle gain. Tip 5: Add variety to your plan. A variety of activities helps keep you on course. Winter is almost behind us but there are still some chilly days left as the last kick of the cold season lingers on before spring comes around. It’s noth- ing new that many of us struggle with less activity and more comfort food when it’s cold. In fact, the temptation is all around us. There are all kinds of excuses to avoid keeping active. That is why it is important to keep a routine. In this article, we look at some tips on how to survive the last kick of winter. It’s inevitable there’ll be lots of different kinds of comfort food, dessert, and beverages available to you, whether or not you’ve planned for them or not. Tip 1: When it comes to food, opt for lean cuts of meat Wholistically keeping a routine of a balanced diet and and grilled vegetables or salads as your side. Listen to exercise is vitally important to our physical health, from your stomach and eat based on how hungry you are, protecting our hearts to maintaining a healthy weight. taking care to notice when you are feeling full and stop But its benefits don’t stop there, exercise also plays a immediately. Avoid eating with your eyes. Yes, the food key role in promoting and improving mental cognition. It looks good, but you don’t need to overly decorate your can also be a useful weapon in the fight against work- plate or build mountains. Overeating is not necessary. related stress. When it comes to comfort food, be careful to not overin- dulge. Watch your portion sizes and don’t build “moun- It might seem counterintuitive, but even the most rigor- tains” on your plate. ous workouts can be relaxing. That’s because exercise releases endorphins. These are feel-good neurotrans- Tip 2: Drink lots of water to keep you hydrated. It will mitters responsible for feelings of pleasure and the also help you with digestion during this period. Drink negation of pain. And the rush of endorphins doesn’t water before, during and after your meals. It will help stop as soon as your workout is over. flush your system, as many other beverages are packed with sugar and therefore calories. Exercising to reduce work-related stress can certainly be helpful at the office. The Anxiety and Depression As- Tip 3: Exercise or follow training for a specific sporting sociation of America (ADAA) notes that exercise is “vital event in the upcoming months, or for general fitness. for maintaining mental fitness.” Additionally, it’s effective This simply means keeping active in a smart way as a at easing fatigue, improving alertness and concentra- form of diet, and exercise. Avoid couch surfing . If you tion, and enhancing overall cognitive function. So, if are at a place that is not friendly to outdoor training, stress has depleted your energy or ability to concen- take a skipping rope with you and create a short, func- trate at work, exercise is there to pick you back up. tional training routine that includes skipping, squats, push-ups, lunges, triceps dips on a chair and even Source: step-ups on the very same chair. Repeat these exercis- htipttsp-ss:t/a/wyw-hwe.aclitthizye-wn.icnote.zr-a2/l0if2e2s/tyle/health/3168477/five- es for up to 40 minutes. That works out to be a full-body https://aaptiv.com/magazine/exercise-work-related-stress CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Naziphi Mpokela is a Specialist: Internal 9 Communication, based in Eco Glades

RAF Road Safety Activation highlights by Durban Regional Office Road Safety Awareness in Partnership with KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport Venue: Kwadukuza Mall Date: 13 - 14 August 2022 Road Safety Awareness and Promotion of RAF Services Venue: uMnini Thusong Centre Date: 16 August 2022 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 10

THE FUN PAGE As runners across South Africa are wrapping-up their training for next week’s Comrades Marathon we take a humorous look at running! 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]