Weekly Highlights 07 October 2022

Weekly Highlights 07 October 2022 - Issue No. 156 OCTOBER TRANSPORT MONTH 2022 In this issue Dear Colleagues THE RAF INTERNSHIP AND MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE October was declared Transport Month in 2005 during the Transport Lekgotla. It is used to raise awareness of OCTOBER IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH the important role of transport in the economy and to encourage participation from civil society and business, LANGUAGE TIPS – THIS IS THE REAL DIFFERENCE including the provision of a safe and more affordable, BETWEEN “LESS” AND “FEWER” accessible, and reliable transport system in the country. An effective transport and logistics network is a 2022 Heritage Week Highlights: menlyn fundamental building block for a country’s economy. ECO GLADES WELCOMES THE raf wellness bus October Transport Month is hosted by the government to remind us just how vital an intermodal transport Road Safety Awareness Campaign network via seaports, roads, railways, and airports is to our economy. While there are certainly challenges that Cogta Heritage Month Outreach need to be addressed, there is a great deal to be proud of as we move towards integrating transport systems to Government Exhibition Day provide mobility and accessibility to all South Africans. the fun page Now in its 17th year running, the annual celebration of October Transport Month, #OTM2022, continues to Letters to the Editor advance the country’s road safety initiatives further, while also creating awareness of the economic We invite our readers to share their benefits of the sector. This year’s #OTM2022 theme is: comments, feedback, and suggestions “Sishov’ingolovane: together building infrastructure with us. Readers are encouraged to submit that builds and sustains livelihoods.” their letters, of no more than 200 words, to [email protected], [email protected] The Road Accident Fund (RAF) as an entity of the and [email protected]. We are looking Department of Transport will be launching the Long- forward to hearing from you. Distance Driver Wellness Programme in Polokwane as a part of the RAF’s October Transport Month’s planned Editor: Thabang Mahlatsi ([email protected]) activities. Sub-editor: Tholakele Radebe ([email protected]) Senior Reporter: Naziphi Mpokela ([email protected]) It will also support the Department of Transport’s Editor-In-Chief: Anton Janse van Rensburg ([email protected]) activities to increase the reach of Transport Month messages across the country. The RAF will also be creating awareness of the range of services it offers to the South African public and sharing with stakeholders the Fund’s new Operating Model which is customer- centric and seeks to settle claims in 120 days. Enjoy this week’s Highlights! Kind regards

THE RAF INTERNSHIP AND MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE by Thato Tshikomb Graduate Internship Programme is managed according to SETA regulations and the RAF Internship and Learn- ership Policy. Interns need to report according to the SETA guidelines and progress against the on-the-job exposure through L and D. In addressing the high unemployment rate amongst graduates and improving employability of the youth in South Africa, the RAF has created a pool of experi- enced learners for itself. We encourage departments to partner with us in this effort by availing themselves for hosting and mentoring of our youth. We asked some questions from some of our ex-interns, current interns, and their mentors on their experience of the RAF Graduate Internship Programme. This is what they had to say: If we are to tackle the problem of graduates’ un- Phaphedi Sebjeng: Library Intern employment, the graduate internship programme might be a possible way to pursue. South Africa, 1. What are your expectations of the Graduate In- although faced with a skills shortage, finds itself ternship Programme? in the predicament of not being able to absorb its graduates into the South African economy. It My expectations academically are for me to apply and also appears that in some instances the higher test the knowledge learned at university to the profes- education system is not responding to the needs sional work environment. In terms of career develop- of companies, and more so that not all graduates ment, I expect the Internship Programme to assist me have the same opportunity of being employed in exploring a specific field of interest and expand my upon graduation, but that graduate unemployment professional network. Lastly, in terms of personal devel- lies predominantly amongst Africans, as the “poor opment, I anticipate that this opportunity will equip me performance of tertiary qualified workers tend to be concentrated solely among Africans” (Bhorat and Lundall,2002:1). Findings also indicate that gradu- ates who have been disadvantaged by the inad- equate schooling received, face further challenges of entering the workplace (Morea Josias, 2011). In a quest to partner with the government in reducing unemployment and improving employability of gradu- ates, the RAF opens the window, once a year through communication by the Senior Manager: Learning and Development (L and D), for departments to host interns following recruitment based on the required tertiary level qualifications, e.g., degrees, diplomas, etc. If the departments satisfy certain criteria, like having working tools for the interns, mentor allocation and submission of the work-based exposure programmes, interns can be allocated to them with assistance from L and D. The Skills Development Unit in L and D conducts grad- uate internship and learnership programmes as pre- scribed in the Learning and Development Policy. Our CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to the next page 2

THE RAF INTERNSHIP AND MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE (CONT.) with decision-making skills, self-confidence, ethics, and The Internship Programme gave me an opportunity to the teamwork collaboration required for a conducive put into application all the knowledge I had acquired work environment. at university. It gave me a valuable opportunity to gain practical work experience that went beyond my chosen 2. Do you have a mentor allocated to you? Also, field of study which is Internal Audit, through the Inter- are you receiving relevant work-based exposure/on- nal Audit engagements which were conducted for the the-job training or just idling? duration of the programme. I was given full exposure to all the other departments within the RAF, and I got Yes, a mentor was allocated for me, and I am receiving an appreciation and understanding of how they work relevant work-based exposure. I have been allocated practically and how all these departments contribute to specific tasks to be completed within stipulated times. the objectives, mission, and vision of the organisation. This has enabled me to be accountable and acquire It also set me on a clear path for professional develop- time management skills. ment as I have amassed several academic qualifica- tions and I am a member of a professional body within 3. Tell us how your experience has been so far the Internal Audit fraternity. It also greatly enhanced my social life through engagements with the different My experience so far, exactly six months into the pro- people I have interacted with through and beyond work. gramme, has been so valuable. The exposure to the work environment has presented me with new insights 2. What were your expectations, and were these in contrast to some of the theoretical knowledge I expectations met during your internship? brought with me when I joined the RAF. In layman’s terms, practically, things are different, for example, I was obviously just so relieved and happy that I got when I did the module on cataloguing and classification an opportunity to learn and gain experience. Based on at university, we had to catalogue and classify library the grapevine of those previously involved in intern- items manually. In stark contrast, at the RAF Library ship programmes elsewhere, my perception was that and with the latest technology trends followed currently, interns do not do much; they are made to make copies we catalogue and classify electronically. and tea and just do administration functions and noth- ing extensive that is particularly related to their relevant work. So, with that perception, I just hoped for anything slightly better than that. With that perception in mind, it is my considered view that the programme far ex- ceeded my expectations. My mentor and my Internal Audit colleagues made me do relevant work. I was given guidance on the activities to be done throughout an entire audit engagement. Throughout those learn- ings and teachings, there came a point when I was entrusted to run with things on my own and that helped my confidence levels to grow so much, and I gained a lot of skills, such as communication and report writing to mention but a few. 3. Is there anything else you can tell us about your Graduate Internship Programme experience at the RAF? Mpho Ramukumba: Ex-Intern: Internal Audit My time as an intern at the RAF has been the most rewarding experience for me. I interacted with other 1. What did you benefit from the Graduate Intern- interns and colleagues, all of whom contributed im- ship Programme? mensely to my growth, both directly and indirectly. With such compassionate and supportive mentors and col- leagues, I was able to achieve my objective of gaining proper and relevant work experience. Because of the lessons learned, not only from the Internal Audit Team CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Continues to the next page 3

THE RAF INTERNSHIP AND MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE (CONT.) but also from the various stakeholders within the RAF, Practical experience for the theory that I had from uni- I am confident that I will continue to grow and develop versity. I’ve learned how to do stochastic models (non- professionally and in my own personal endeavours. deterministic models). Without a shadow of a doubt, I am certain that the skills 2. What were your expectations and were these and experience I possess today are a direct result of expectations met during your internship? the RAF Internship Programme. I thought I was going to focus on MVA quantum calcula- 4. What was your highest qualification at the time of tions but that was not the case. joining RAF as an intern? 3. Is there anything else you can tell us about your National Diploma: Internal Auditing. Graduate Internship Programme experience at the RAF? 5. Who was your mentor? I was given a project to create a time-series model for Mpho Makgatho. accident forecasting. That was new to me, and I’ve learned a lot from it and my model was a great benefit to the team. 4. What was your highest qualification at the time of joining the RAF as an intern? BSc Actuarial Science. 5. Who was your mentor? Alina Malatje. Kgothatso Mamphoke: Ex-Intern: Actuarial Unit Continues to the next page 4 1. What did you benefit from the Graduate Intern- ship Programme? CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE

THE RAF INTERNSHIP AND MENTORSHIP EXPERIENCE (CONT.) We received the responses below from Deon Botha As I have constant interaction with the intern and have about his mentorship experience. biweekly meetings, we do not let things drag until it is a big job to finalise. Keep up to date and make sure you assist as and when there is a problem. The RAF Internship Programme has yielded good re- sults so far and we will continue to give new graduates the opportunity to gain valuable work experience which clears the path for them to find employment and con- tribute to the South African economy. Click here to watch a short clip by one of our ex – in- terns motivating newly appointed interns earlier this year. Deon Botha: Senior Officer: Facilities Manage- ment (FM), Cape Town Office 1. How are you mentoring your intern/s? How is the mentorship experience thus far? We have four sub-disciplines in FM. I assign the intern to an officer on a quarterly basis. As I check all the processes and oversee the whole department, I see everything he does. I also get feedback from the officer if there are any challenges. 2. How do you manage your mentorship role in conjunction with your everyday duties? We have biweekly meetings on a Friday for 30 min- utes max. We discuss what the intern dealt with in that period and if there are any challenges, then I give input from my side. 3. What advice would you give your colleagues when interacting and working alongside interns within the work environment? CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Thato Tshikomb is a Skills Development Facilitator based in 5 Eco Glades

OCTOBER IS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH Researched by Sibathathu Mlonyeni Mental and brain disorders vary in severity: Transient (like an acute stress disorder) • Periodic (like bipolar disorder, characterised by periods of exaggerated elation followed by periods of depression) • Long-lasting and progressive (like Alzheimer’s dis- ease) The month of October has been declared Mental Other conditions include: Health Awareness Month with the objective of not • Schizophrenia only educating the public about mental health but • Dementia also reducing the stigma and discrimination that • Depressive disorder people with mental illness are often subjected to. • Obsessive-compulsive disorder An estimated 400 million people worldwide suffer • Panic disorder from mental or neurological disorders or psychoso- • Post-traumatic stress disorder cial problems. In South Africa, mental health prob- lems have caused several deaths and have affected Here are a few symptoms of mental illness: many, including youth. • Dramatic sleep and appetite changes. • Decline in personal care. What causes mental illness? • Rapid dramatic shifts in emotions. Several factors can contribute to mental illness, but • Uncharacteristic behaviour (suicide thoughts). there is no single cause for it. These might include: • A change in performance at work/school. • Life experiences, such as stress or history of abuse. • A vague feeling of being disconnected from oneself • Biological factors such as chemical imbalances in or one’s surroundings, a sense of unreality. the brain. • Use of alcohol or recreational drugs. Tips to help yourself or someone suffering from a • Having a serious medical condition like cancer. mental illness: • A traumatic brain injury. • Take care of yourself – get eight hours of sleep, eat • Severe long-term stress. • Social disadvantage, poverty, or debt. healthily, and avoid alcohol and drugs as this may aggravate your problems. • Stay active – exercising regularly can keep your mind healthy. • Meditate – meditation helps to clear and quieten your mind. • Take a break – either from school or from work to help reduce stress. • Seek help – speaking out to someone that you can trust can also help reduce feelings of stress/anxiety. Remember, you have power over your mind. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Source: 6 https://www.gov.za/mental-health-awareness- month https://mot.org.za/2021/10/mot-sa-mental-health- awareness-month/ Sibathathu Monyeni is an Intern: EWS, based in Cape Town

LANGUAGE TIPS – THIS IS THE REAL DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “LESS” AND “FEWER” Researched by Tholakele Radebe They're similar, but they're not interchangeable – you’re likely discussing a specific quantity. Ordinarily, here's a simple rule to help you remember when to you’d use “fewer” here, since specific quantities are, by use them. nature, countable. “I saw fewer than 50 people at the park.” “There were fewer than ten Doritos in the bag You probably see it every time you make a grocery when she gave it back to me.” run: the Express Lane, with its sign inviting shoppers with “ten items or less.” Despite how widespread it is, The exception comes into play when the countable though, this phrase is actually grammatically incorrect— noun refers to an amount of time, distance, or money. it should say “ten items or fewer.” If this is news to you, Then, you’ll want to use “less than,” not “fewer than.” you’re not alone—the difference between “less” and For instance, you would say, “The concert lasted less “fewer” is easily one of the most confusing rules in the than two hours,” not “…fewer than two hours,” even grammar world. though “hours” is technically a countable noun. This is because this sentence refers to “two hours” as a lump “Less” vs. “fewer”: When to use each sum of time, not as individual hours. For other similar examples, “The concert tickets cost less than 50 dol- The difficulty comes from the fact that, in essence, they lars” and “The venue was less than 20 miles away” mean the same thing; they refer to a smaller quantity are correct as well. For clarification of another pair of and are opposites of “more.” But despite that, they’re similar, but not interchangeable, words, find out the dif- not interchangeable. Here’s the difference between ference between “due to” and “because of.” “less” and “fewer.” “Fewer” describes items that are countable, while “less” describes something that is A trick to help not. For instance, you would correctly say, “He drank less water than I did on the hike,” because “water” isn’t It can be tricky to keep these two straight, especially something that you can count. However, you would since it’s pretty common to see “less” used when it correctly use “fewer” in the sentence: “He brought should technically be “fewer.” If you’re having a tough fewer water bottles than I did,” because water bottles time figuring out which to use, Spellzone offers a helpful are something you can count. Similarly, you would say, tip. Barring the above exception, use “fewer” when you “She has less money than I do” but also, “She has few- mean “not as many,” and “less” when you mean “not er dollar bills in her purse than I do.” “I ate less pizza”; as much.” Now that you know this difference, check out “I ate fewer slices of pizza.” “She saw less wildlife on more words and phrases you’ve probably been using her vacation”; “She saw fewer animals.” wrong. The exceptions Until next week! But, because English likes to make things difficult, Source: there are exceptions. Consider if you’re following the https://www.rd.com/article/difference-between- word with “than,” as in “less than” or “fewer than,” so less-and-fewer/ CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Tholakele Radebe is a Copy Editor based in Eco 7 Glades

2022 Heritage Week Highlights: menlyn HAPPY HERITAGE MONTH CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 8

ECO GLADES WELCOMES THE raf wellness bus by Eco Glades Marketing Unit CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 9

Road Safety Awareness Campaign by Johannesburg Marketing and Communications Unit Road Safety Awareness Campaign N12/R501 Intersection, Carletonville Tuesday, 27 September 2022 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 10

Cogta Heritage Month Outreach by Johannesburg Marketing and Communications Unit Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Heritage Month Outreach Makausi Sports Ground, Germiston Thursday, 29 September 2022 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 11

Government Exhibition Day by Johannesburg Marketing and Communications Unit Government Exhibition Day Diepsloot Mall Friday, 30 September 2022 CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 12

THE FUN PAGE As we observe Transport Month, we take look at the funny side of driving! 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]