Weekly Highlights - 30 July 2021

Weekly Highlights 30 July 2021 - Issue No. 102 In this issue Dear Colleagues WHAT DOES ALERT LEVEL 3 MEAN? Today, 30 July 2021, is the International Day of Friendship. The day was proclaimed in 2011 by the #ICARE VALUES CAMPAIGN-ACCOUNTABILITY United Nations General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and GETTING TO KNOW OUR RAFZINS IN ECO GLADES individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities. UPDATE: RAF EMPLOYEE AWARDS Friendship requires empathy, compassion and concern GRIEF DURING COVID-19: SUPPORTING OUR COL- for other people. By valuing and celebrating friendship, LEAGUES FOLLOWING LOSS we foster these characteristics and adopt a more selfless and grateful outlook on life.  DAILY MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGIES Across communities, the International Day of SELFLESSNESS Friendship can help build and strengthen relationships in spite of differences among cultures. The day can COVID-19 STATISTICS help build a more kind and peaceful world, with implications that are wide and far-reaching.   THE FUN PAGE Our country is faced with a number of challenges Letters to the Editor at the moment, chief amongst those being the fight against COVID-19. Some of our friends and loved We invite our readers to share their ones have tested positive for coronavirus or have comments, feedback and suggestions with had those close to them lose their lives because us. Readers are encouraged to submit of it. Some have suffered financial loss or may be their letters, of no more than 200 words, to experiencing mental health issues. It is in such [email protected] and TholakeleR@raf. moments where a friend is truly needed. A simple co.za. We are looking forward to hearing from video, voice call or a comforting text can go a long way you. in uplifting a friend’s mood while giving them hope. Editor: Thabang Mahlatsi ([email protected]) Even though we may not be able to solve or eradicate Sub-editor: Tholakele Radebe ([email protected]) all their problems, this day serves a reminder to us as Reporter: Tintswalo Nkuna ([email protected]) RAFzins to be there for our friends in their times of Editor-In-Chief: Anton Janse van Rensburg ([email protected]) need. Enjoy this week’s Highlights! Kind regards Internal Communication

WHAT DOES ALERT LEVEL 3 MEAN? Government Communication Information Systems On Sunday, 25 July 2021, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that South Africa would be returning to a lighter level of lockdown, Alert Level 3, with the current third wave of COVID-19 infections finally showing signs of slowing down. All citizens are urged to be vigilant of COVID-19 and to observe all preventative measures to ensure their safety and those of their loved ones. Furthermore, vaccinations are still ongoing and citizens in the age group 35 and older are encouraged to register for the jab. New regulations for South Africa’s Adjusted Alert Level 3 are as follows: CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 2

CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 3

GETTING TO KNOW OUR RAFZINS IN ECO GLADES by Thabang Mahlatsi how do you relax and unwind in your spare time? Visiting family members, watching TV and reading books. 4. How have you been coping with the COVID-19 pandemic and what impact has it had on your work? I am a victim of COVID-19. I tested positive on 18 Dec 2020. It was painful and I was scared for my life. I did everything necessary to get better as per the advice of medical practitioners and I survived. I will urge every- one out there, especially my colleagues to be extra careful and follow all health protocols to minimise the chances of infection. I work with many stakeholders but physical consultation sessions are not possible now due to COVID-19. Out- reach programmes have also been hampered. 5. What can you say you learnt from the legacy of Nelson Mandela? Selflessness and lending a helping hand to those in need. William Maphutha Road Accident Fund Spokesperson In this week’s ‘Getting to know our RAFzins’ feature, we profile William Seripele Maphutha, the Road Accident Fund’s spokesperson. He will let us into his world to learn more about his passions, highlights of working for the RAF and in honour of Mandela Month commemorations, the lessons learnt from Madiba. 1. What inspires you to wake up in the morning to pursue the work that you do? The passion to help other people. 2. What have been some of the highlights of your job? I get stopped at weddings, funerals and parties by people who know me to enquire about RAF process- es. Sometimes I find people waiting for me at my house to enquire about RAF issues. 3. We know your work can sometimes be daunting, CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE ThCaobmanmguMniacahtlaiotnsi, ibsaaseSdpeinciEacliost:GIlnatdeernsal 4

CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 5

GRIEF DURING COVID-19: SUPPORTING OUR COLLEAGUES FOLLOWING LOSS Researched by Bridget Peega Even if we have been fortunate enough not to the funeral service after the death. experience loss ourselves during this pandemic, • Individuals may feel guilt and remorse about unwit- there may be colleagues who have. So, how can we support grieving colleagues during these challeng- tingly infecting the deceased if they were a health ing times?  worker or a family member who had been unwell. • Family members are left in a liminal state, having What does it mean to grieve? Or to be bereaved? been informed of the death, until they are advised of There is variation in how grief and bereavement are the decision regarding disposal of the body of their understood by different people and cultures. This is in- loved one. fluenced by the circumstances surrounding death, types • Increased anxiety around death happening to of death, the timeliness of death as well as by individual someone else. and familial experiences and the way a society expects • The lack of compassionate physical touch around people to grieve and respond to loss. the time of death, as well as afterwards, creates additional loss for the bereaved. Some of the responses to grief are many and may • Grief will be more complicated when family mem- include: bers and significant others grieve without their usual support network and traditional rituals surrounding • Shock the death. • Numbness • Hopelessness According to the Child Bereavement Trust (CBT), • Heartbreak bereavement is one of the most common factors that • Guilt impacts employees’ performance in the workplace. At • Sadness any one point in time, one in 10 employees is affected • Exhaustion by bereavement and it has been identified as a major • Loss of appetite life event that can cause or exacerbate mental health • Confusion conditions. Yet according to the CBT, bereaved people • Anxiety are failed by a lack of support in the workplace. • Loneliness So clearly there is a need for improved training to This list is not exhaustive but during COVID-19 there support all staff in regular contact with people who have are additional consequences when someone dies. been recently bereaved. This is particularly important for line managers who play a significant part in influ- Additional consequences encing a grieving employee’s experience of their work- place. • Disbelief or difficulty in accepting a loved one’s Yet even the most senior personnel can feel deskilled in death is greater when people are unable to be situations of bereavement, and colleagues struggle with physically present either at the time of death or at what to say and how to behave when someone returns CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE CONTINUES TO NEXT PAGE 6

GRIEF DURING COVID-19: SUPPORTING OUR COLLEAGUES FOLLOWING LOSS (CONT) to work. more effectively and remain loyal to their workplace. There is no doubt that returning to a supportive working Part of the problem is the way we look at grief and our environment following bereavement can be an import- how we think someone should respond to loss. ant aspect of a bereaved employee’s adjustment to their loss. Psychiatrist William Worden would argue that grief is a A basic principle for any good employer is to recognise process to be worked through. Others such as sociol- their duty of care for employees’ health and well-being ogist Christine Valentine would argue that there is no in the workplace. Organisations that are prepared, are timetable for grief and a bereaved individual will find aware of the issues related to bereavement in the work- ways to continue a bond with those who have died. I place. Having a bereavement policy in place can miti- know many people do this by remembering the person gate the costs of employee grief to all concerned. The in a special way on the anniversary of their death, or likely impact on productivity of both the individual and by keeping an item of clothing such as a scarf worn by the business as a whole can also be mitigated, thus the person who had died. So how people grieve will be striking the right balance between a supportive environ- dependent on so many things, such as the relationship ment and job accountability. with the person who died, the type of death, the support systems a bereaved individual has in place and the list At the best of times we can feel uncomfortable about goes on and on. what to say when someone you know has been be- reaved. But in these unprecedented times it matters The important thing to remember though is that just as more than ever that you reach out to those who are people are different, so too are their needs of support. suffering after someone dies, while they are likely to be So what are some of the ways we can support col- more isolated than ever. leagues and ultimately ourselves? Supporting colleagues Bereavement is often viewed as an event at a particu- lar point in time, but it is actually the start of a process whereby the employee will grieve and have to adjust to a changed life over time. Significant occasions such as anniversaries, birthdays, holidays, Mother’s or Father’s Days, Christmas, or other religious holidays, are there- fore times when an employee may be affected, even years after a death. Each individual will be on their own time scale. What helps? The individuality and unpredictability of grief requires a Sources: flexible response from an employer. Approaching these rmhetettupnrstna:/-l/w-whowerawkl-t.ahon/pgder-niteh.efr-ddivuue/ro-ifnpogell-noclwoeavinridgn--/1hlo9es-assluthp-psoprotrintsg--posuyrc-choollloegayg/ues- situations with sensitivity, understanding and flexibility whtotprksp:/l/awcwew.childbereavementuk.org/bereavement-in-the- can help support a bereaved employee by reducing the anxiety they may have about returning to work and BridgeDt iPgietaelgMa eisdiaa,SbeansioerdMinaEnacgoeGr:laSdoecsial and managing their workload, ultimately minimising the impact on the organisation. An informed and supportive approach is likely to miti- gate the potential for increased absence and decreased productivity, improve staff morale and maintain positive working relationships with those affected. Staff who are well informed and well supported are known to work CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE 7

DAILY MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGIES Researched by Zama Ledwaba With the scourge of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental Eat a healthy breakfast health has come back into the spotlight and has been Now that your mind is clear – your emails or texts being kept shown to be of much importance when it comes to at bay just for a little while longer – try to make yourself a one’s well-being. Whatever may be going on around healthy breakfast. Here are a few ideas for your brekkie: you, taking care of yourself should be a non-negotiable. Having a good mental health state is always a plus when Avocado, brown toast and egg. Avocados are naturally you have to deal with challenging situations. dense foods which contain almost 20 vitamins and nutrients. Served with the healthy option of brown bread as toast and Here are a few strategies to help you through your an egg, this becomes the powerhouse combo of choice. day: Fruit smoothies. Blending a variety of super fruits together Spend the first 30 minutes of your day away from your with random fruit of your choosing, you can rest assured screens that you will not be left craving a bite to eat come 9am. A For years, people have lived their lives without the impulse quick and easy fruit smoothie of choice would be plain Greek of having to check their phones constantly. This may sound yoghurt, blue, black and red berries with a few strawberries. hard to believe, however, once upon a time screens did not have so much power over people. When you put this thought Egg and bacon in a basket. This is much easier and into context, spending 30 minutes away from your screens yummier than it sounds. Simply spray a baking tray with non- shouldn’t be as hard. Research has shown that reaching for stick spray, flatten brown bread around the edges, add some your phone first thing in the morning may lead to having a bacon and break an egg into the basket before putting this delayed productive start to the day (being late). bad-boy into the oven until cooked. In the morning when your first impulse after opening your Muesli and super fruits. Muesli has long been a healthy eyes – or even before you open your eyes – is to reach for breakfast choice for champions on the go. If you really your phone, don’t. Think instead of what it might feel like want to make the healthiest muesli, add a banana, some to take deep breaths, let your mind naturally wake up and goji berries and blue and red berries along with plain Greek ground yourself in the moment before the day gets away yoghurt. from you. Make a to-do list This can be done by putting pen to paper or using the Notes app on your phone. Ideally, this should be done the night before. Having your day planned out should help you to be more productive and give your day ahead a sense of direction. Crossing off those completed tasks gives you a feeling of accomplishment. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE CONTINUES TO NEXT PAGE 8

DAILY MENTAL HEALTH STRATEGIES (CONT) Get yourself some fresh air There is nothing like the endorphin rush from simply going on a walk or sitting on a bench and breathing in fresh air. Being out of the house and taking in fresh air revitalises both the mind and body, getting much-needed Vitamin D. Move your body While you’re outside in the fresh air, you might as well get your heart rate up. Simply being outside can do wonders for mental health, but getting in a good sweat at the same time takes it to another level. Not to mention, you’ll be tending to your mental and physical health. Indulge in a hobby Collect smiles wherever you can get them. Make time out in your day to do something that brings you joy, something that adds colour to your day. Be OK with spontaneity If things pop up that weren’t part of your plan, because sometimes things do come up, take these within your stride and just go with it. Sometimes, the spontaneous moments turn out to be the ones that make you smile the most. After all, spontaneity is the spice of life, it does not hurt to have some spice added to life. Rest Rest is defined as to cease work or movement in order to relax, sleep, or recover strength. With this definition in mind close your eyes, allow your mind and body to recharge. You can even take a soak in the bath. Taking a hot bath allows you to take some time out, shutting out the noise and improving your ability to sleep well. Shgptoi#tepuismsr-c:ta/oe/gw-:gewe=wt1-9.ymousn-t.hcroomug/ehn-e-zvae/rhye-daalthy//swse-lBlnBe1sdsG/mNeQnbta?l-ohceida=ltshp-satrrtaatned- h- CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Zama Ledwaba is a Marketing Officer, based in 9 Menlyn

SELFLESSNESS by Tintswalo Nkuna It is very important to express our appreciation and recogni- tion to them because even though they have been employed to do all these things, we as the nation benefit the most while at times their families suffer. Some frontline workers have died in the line of duty to protect our nation from the pandem- ic and the violent riots. We have RAF staff members who have continued to work and service claimants from home. Some were in and out of the office as required to ensure that we continue performing our duty as the consoling arm of government. The cleaners continued to keep our buildings clean and hy- gienic. Security officers helped us ensure compliance when we walked into the buildings and at times this meant waiting outside in the cold to help screen us. This year, we celebrated Nelson Mandela day in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdown restrictions and violent riots in our nation. For these reasons, a lot of people were not able to do as much charity work as they usually do in honour of Mandela. With all that has been happening, we have seen some he- roes who rose up and stood for peace and restoration. We have seen community leaders spending sleepless nights out- side malls and shopping centres to protect them from looters. These leaders selflessly forsook their comfortable homes and beds to sacrifice their safety for the sake of preserving our business and shopping centres. Ever since the beginning of the lockdown in March 2020, we Even if you have not been able to do some heroic charity have also seen a lot of frontline workers who risked their lives work that may have made you famous, your daily selfless to provide us with health care, protection services, transport efforts to make your family and community better are just as services and even food services. While we stayed home, important. Not all of us are going to be national or internation- they continuously risked their lives to ensure that some of our al heroes who will end up making headline news but the little most basic, yet vital needs continue to be taken care of. you do really goes a long way. Let us not get tired of doing selfless acts even if it may look like we do not get all the recognition we need. Selflessness is the essence of Ubuntu because we are all created to be interdependent and that small act you do might benefit some- one’s life in such a great way that they will not forget. In our pursuits of the things we want, let us also spare a moment to do or give selflessly for others to achieve their own pursuits. The good you do will be passed on to another in some way, it may not come back directly to you but might come back to benefit your children or future generations. Much appreciation to all of you RAFzins for your continuous selfless acts that make the RAF a better place to work in, and South Africa a better place for all road accident victims. CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE Tintswalo Nkuna is a Call Centre Agent, based in 10 Eco Glades

COVID-19 STATISTICS IN SOUTH AFRICA

THE FUN PAGE Today we’d like to take a humorous look at how to define your product as a business and as a consumer. We hope you enjoy it. 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]