STAFF NEWS 1

TsaronaSpring 2015 staff newsletter

Did you know South Africa?

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CONTENTS

Tsarona Editor’s Note

Editor’s note 2

Meet your new NEHAWU Shop stewards

3

Did you know South Africa

4

Know your country Traditions in the NC

5

Employees views on Heritage

5

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty- 17 October

6

Employees Views on Poverty

NDA Limpopo continues to invest in ECD

7

Health Corner - Breast Cancer Awareness 2015

8

Fashion Corner 10

Greetings All

It took me two full weeks to write this column. I find myself struggling to express how I feel about what we are going through as an organisation. However, work must continue.

A special thank you to all those who responded to the survey to ensure that

we improve the quality of the newsletter that we produce. We are taking your inputs very seriously. Below are the consolidated responses received.

Tsarona Dipstick Survey

The survey questionnaire was sent to 49 employees and 33 questionnaires were returned, here are the results:

When was the last time you received Tsarona

21 people were aware of the newsletter and most of the respondents confirmed that they last received the newsletter in July 2015.

12 people confused Tsarona and The Voice because their responses were either, I last saw it in 2013 and our office has not received a new one for a while.

What do you do when you receive it?

7 of the 21 people could not open the link so they have not done anything about it.

Most people, including the ones who are confusing Tsarona and The Voice said they read it. The ones who received the link read it immediately or waited until they had time to read it.

If you read it, how long did it take you to read the entire publication?

30 minutes is the maximum time given.

Which stories interest you the most?

7 people were not interested in any of, the stories but the rest enjoyed stories about their colleagues profiles, the CEO’s message and motivational stories from other provinces.

Which stories could you like to be included in future editions?

• Employees achievements came tops• Employees stories from the fields• Stories from different provinces on how NDA is changing people’s lives• Motivational stories• HR updates• Open column that employees could share whatever they like

If you do not read it, what is your reason for not reading?

8 people said that they don’t read it because it does not carry interesting stories.

Others don’t read it because the link takes too long to open Do you think it is important to have an internal news-letter?

Everyone agreed that it is very important to have a newslet-ter. However, it must carry interesting stories and inform employees on what is happening at the NDA.Suggestions were:

The newsletter should be printed so that people could take it home to show their familiesIt must be published every second monthIt must be re launched?It needs to be distributed creatively so that people could pay attention

The next newsletter will be issued on December 9th,

Themed “Festive Season”. Ar-ticles should be submitted to the editor by November 20th,

2015.

STAFF NEWS 3

We have also gone further and appointed the new Editorial Team. Provincial Managers were key in nominating the people who should be on the team. We would have appreciated it if the provinces were represented to ensure that we get stories reflecting on what’s happening in the entire NDA.

Here are the new members• Mukondi Makhwathane • Nonhlanhla Mashaba (MPU)• Cynthia Radebe • Obakeng Mareko (NC)• Lonwabo Ganelo • Sthembiso Nkuna (GAU)• Babalwa Magida (WC)

Thank you so much! We hope that the team will produce a credible Newsletter that we would all be proud of.

Anyway, I hope we are all geared up towards year-end. We just celebrated heritage month and now we are at the end of Social Development Month commemorations as the Social

Development Family. At the NDA, we also refer to this month as the poverty eradication month since we commemorate the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on the 17th of October. Read about what your colleagues think about these two days.

In August, we bid farewell to Dr Vuyelwa Nhlapo and, a number of senior officials have exited the organisation. On a good note though, we welcomed Ms Nelisiwe Vilakazi as the Acting Chief Executive Officer. The Minister assigned her to us for a few months while she is looking for a permanent candidate.

Please read about the South African Heritage story from the NC on page 5, a short paragraph on Poverty eradication on page 6 or just enjoy our normal articles.

Mukondi MakhwathaneEditor

In August 2015, NEHAWU convened a branch congress to elect new Shop Stewards who will run the office for a period of four years.

Meet your new NEHAWU Shop stewardsMeet your new NEHAWU Shop Stewards

Nohlanhla MashabaAdditional Member representing

Limp, Mpu and Bokone Bophirima

Solly Sethlodi Chairperson

Mukondi Makhwathane Deputy Chairperson

Tshidi MolokoSecretary

N Gillian Nkhensani MahangeTreasurer

Nokuvela ManinjwaDeputy Secretary and

representing NC, WC and EC

Dineo LebonaAdditional Member representing

Gau, KZN and FS

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South AfricaI

Thought it would be good to put together some interesting facts about South Africa and our diverse cultures. With 11 official languages and 8 other recognised languages, the rich culture of many groups brings its own vibrancy to our diversity. We live in a country so rich with culture and history, knowing some of these facts may help us learn a few things about ourselves and where we come from.

1. The original aboriginal peoples living in South Africa were the KhoiKhoi and San. They were joined by two main migrations – that of the Bantu peoples from the north in Africa and the colonisation by the Europeans from the south, all bringing their own cultures, skills, arts and farming methods with them.

2. The Zulu traditional culture was well known for the ferocity of its shield bearing warriors, especially under King Shaka, for its beadwork and the beehive grass huts that pepper the KwaZulu-Natal hills.

3. The Xhosa culture is well known for the complex dress code that indicates a person’s social standing: How senior they are, if they are married or single, if they are the new wife or have had a baby – all shown in the headdress and dress of the wearer. A combination of a long skirt with no slit in front, together with a marriage bib and two beaded aprons means the wearer is a widow. The more elaborate the hat, the more senior the wearer. Only young girls may go around bare-breasted. The pipe smoking of Xhosa women is also well known and a huge variety of beaded pipes abound. Traditionalists were described as ‘Red’ because of their practice of daubing (ukuqaba) red clay on their faces and bodies. Women and men also use cosmetic white clay on their faces.

4. The Ndebele culture is renowned for the skill of the women who decorate their homes in vibrant geometric designs. Skills are passed from mother to daughter and the shapes used are often inspired by their intricately fashioned beadwork. Ndebele woman wear neck rings and traditional blankets of striking colours.

5. The Sotho groups are the South Sotho, Pedi and Tswana. They have some major cultural differences from the Nguni group (Zulu, Xhosa, Ndebele and Swazi), especially with respect to how they organise their villages and their marriages. The Sotho peoples tend to organise their homes into villages, rather than scattered settlements. In Nguni society, marriages to kin is frowned on while the Sotho will seek brides from kin, notably cousins on the maternal side.

6. The Shangaan people, through Tsonga influence, are one of the few ethnic groups in South Africa to practice fishing and include fish in their diet. Because of the wealth of game in the area they also enjoy venison and crocodile, which they bake in a delicious groundnut (peanut) sauce.

7. The Venda culture is built on a vibrant mythical belief system, and water is an important theme, believing lakes and rivers to be sacred, and that rains are controlled by the Python God. One of the most sacred sites of the Venda is Lake Fundudzi where annual rites are held. This is where the famous Domba Python Dance is held and young maidens, as the final stage of their initiation into womanhood, line up in single file and dance in long winding lines, like a snake.

8. Dutch became the official European language, and gradually transformed into the local form, called Afrikaans.

Did you know

SOUTH AFRICA

STAFF NEWS 5

The Northern Cape is geographically situated in the South of the mighty Orange River. Its landscape is characterized by vast arid plains. The cold Atlantic Ocean forms the Western boundary. The capital city is Kimberly that is located in Frances Baard District. Census 2011 indicated that there are 1.1m people who reside in the province. The big hole is a tourist attraction and now hosts the Kimberly Diamond Cup an international skateboarding competition.

Upington is another big town in the Northern Cape, it is located in ZF Mgcawu (ZFM). Their way of living involves cultural integration and cohesion to foster communal living. The cultures in ZFM are celebrated through food, song and fashion. This is where the Sakkie Sakkie dance by the Afrikaners and the Nam Stap by the Khoi San, Imigidi by the Xhosa are famous. Tswana dance has people ululating with pride. The main source of income is vineyards and wine production.

This is where Mr Dariol Cloete was born and raised in a town called Nababeep, 17km north west of Springbok. He said, “The marvel of the province is Springbok especially during spring with the beautiful flowers that attract tourist from all over the world”. It is set in a narrow valley across the granite domes of the Klein Koperberge. The town owes its existence to copper mining undertaken after 1850 and a ready supply of water. It is also the largest town in Namaqualand District. We have people from different ethnic groups from coloured, white and blacks. Nam and Afrikaans are the most spoken languages here, he continued. “ you see, we have a slang which is unique to us here and we are also known for our hospitality and friendliness”.

The Northern Cape is home to the world’s largest telescope, the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), which is being built in Carnavon. Surtherland is the largest astronomical observatory, the multinational – sponsored Sothern African Large Telescope or SALT.The last remaining true San (Bushman) people live in the Northern Cape ( Kalahari area).

Kuruman was founded by the Scottish missionary Robert Moffat and De Aar, the hub of the South African railway network.

NORTHERN CAPE

Know your Country –Traditions in the NC

Your viewsZweli Mngadi- Heritage month is an important period where South Africans recognise different aspects of South African culture and encourages South Africans across the spectrum to celebrate their cultural heritage, the diversity of their beliefs and different traditions. Heritage not only refers to our historical inheritance, creative expression and food, but it also embraces the various languages that

have become entrenched in our cultural milieu.

Thabang Moloi- Heritage is more about people to remind themselves about humankind and a whole lot of aspects of life that serve as a guideline to help them to survive and to become better people as they succeed in life. We are living in a very rich country full of different cultures that define who were are in the modern society.

Researches are still referencing back to the roots to implement solutions to suit our modern lives and this reveals how powerful it is for people to better understand their roots as they progress in life.

There are common similarities about our cultures especially on how we dress, the type of food we eat, herbs that we use, games we play, beliefs that we have, etc, this is who we are. Heritage month brings all cultures together where people must start to learn and grow themselves to build a safe and succeeding country and also a healthy economy in a modern society.

“Know who you are. Knowledge is power”

Nonhlanhla Zulu- South Africa has different languages, customs, and a history that involved a lot of pain and suffering. Our cultural heritage plays a big part in unifying the nation’s history, and be proud of all the rich traditions and art from its entire people. The national symbols help to remind us of these.

You will agree with me that culture is not something we are born with. It is learned from family, school, religious teachings and nowadays through television and other media. Indeed issues of culture and heritage are with us 365 days a year, they are the cornerstone of nation building. A child is born into a cultural setting, with a rich heritage which, through the process of parenting and socialisation shapes her/his well being throughout the stages of life. Our culture instils in us norms and standards of relating towards each other and behaving in society as a whole. It shapes our identities as well.

We normally neglect the greatest source of wisdom, which is our elders. Protect those people, draw from their rich wealth of wisdom about heritage and history and show them appreciation and love as they are best placed to know how far we have come to be able to celebrate days such as these ones.

Let us all commemorate our heritage with the promotion of human dignity in our minds whilst upholding the good value systems embodied in our various cultures

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International Day for the Eradication Poverty

Your views

Cynthia Khumalo

Poverty affects us all. There is no denying that in South Africa there are people who are still living below the poverty line. Kwa-Zulu Natal province is no different. How can you and I make a difference? The NDA’s primary mandate is to contribute towards eradication of poverty and its causes. As an NDA ambassador, I have an obligation to dedicate myself towards eradication of poverty in the province. The NDA cannot do it alone. We partner with other government departments and civil society organisations to strengthen the impact. We empower people to do things for themselves, we encourage people to help those who cannot help themselves.

“Let’s declare war against poverty”Thembeka Khumalo

Firstly, I would like to say there are various ways of defining poverty, some scientific and others subjective. Mine is rather on the subjective side. I consider poverty in South Africa being the poverty of the mind primarily (we have access to resources and systems that can change lives but very few people know of them or how they work). This inability or lack of information to access be it food , health care, education translates to different visible and tangible forms of poverty, limiting one from creating a better life.

However, it’s not all bad, the government has put in a great effort in ensuring that the disadvantaged have access to basic needs and has also gone a step further by establishing agencies like the NDA to eradicate poverty and its causes.

17 OctoberUNITED NATIONS

infographics

Did you know that 0n 17th October 1987, over a hundred thousand people gathered at the Trocadéro in Paris, where the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed in 1948, to honour the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. They proclaimed that poverty is a violation of human rights and affirmed the need to come together to ensure that these rights are respected. These convictions are inscribed in a commemorative stone unveiled on this day. Since then, people of all backgrounds, beliefs and social origins have gathered every year on October 17th to renew their commitment and show their solidarity with the poor. Source: The UN Secretary General, Mr Banki Moon, speech at the commemoration of the 2010 International Day for Poverty Eradication. 17 October

The NDA commemorates this day as it is at the centre of what we do. In previous years, we had activities like the poverty conference, project launches, e.t.c. In 2014, we launched a campaign, together with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, UNDP and SASSA. The campaign was launched in Thokoza, Gauteng. The purpose of the campaign was to create awareness on the importance of the day so that South Africans can remember that poverty is a serious matter in our country. The campaign was known as 17 Acts of Good Will.

DID YOU KNOW?Did you know that poverty was number one of the eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)? Did you know that the deadline for the MDGs is 2015 but South Africa had set its target to halve poverty and achieved other MDGs by 2014.

Last year in September, the UN indicated that progress was made on the goals that were set 15 years ago at their annual conference, however more still needed to be done. At the same conference the UN together with all the countries who were in attendance, adopted new goals known as “Sustainable Development goals” (DSG). They were increased from 8 to 16. See below

STAFF NEWS 7

17 October

Capacity building programme continues to be the talk of town at the NDA. NDA Limpopo Office did not want to be left behind when it comes to this important programme. Together with Hlanganani Group Service Trust, the NDA hosted a graduation ceremony of ECD practitioners in Letsitele, just outside of Tzaneen.

The practitioners were trained on ECD NQF Level 4 and 5. Ms Gillian Mahange spearheaded the programme and on the day she expressed her appreciation that the programme has ultimately ended.

Her words of appreciation were echoed by NDA Provincial Manager, Prof Zach Chuenyane, who said “ the NDA is happy that the programme has ended and now the graduates should work even harder to advance the cause of developing children, congratulations”. A special tribute was given to Hlanganani Group Service Trust for their sterling work of empowering communities, especially the farming communities. Furthermore, he expressed words of appreciation to the group of farmers in the Letsitele area who have committed themselves to supporting ECD structures in the area.

Another graduate who happened to be the only male in the entire group, Mr. Japhta Makhubela, said “ I would like to thank the NDA and Hlanganani for having introduced the programme, it was an eye opener for me. I grabbed the opportunity with both hands when it was presented. In fact, working with children is in my blood. I also work with Sunday School children at my church. I now feel confident to upgrade my qualification with UNISA. I would also like to encourage other men to join the ECD sector, which traditionally used to be women’s business”, continued Mr Makhubele. He was also awarded the best performer in his class.

Ms Ouma Mboweni, received an award for being the most improved learner in the group.

Mr Felix Hacker, representing Hlanganani Group Services Trust, thanked the NDA for providing the funds to ensure that ECD becomes professionalised.

NDA continues to invest in ECD

From left to right: Mr Felix Hacker (Guardian of Hlanganani Group Services Trust), Mr Japfta Makhubela (the only male and best performing learner), Ms Stephelinah Khumalo (Facilitator), Ms Ouma Georgina Mboweni (the most improved learner: representing) and Prof Zach Chuenyane (representing the NDA).

ECD

Where have you been

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HEALTH CORNER

Breast Cancer Awareness

The incidence of breast cancer among South African women is increasing and it is one of the most common cancers among women in South Africa. It is the most prevalent cancer amongst white and Asian women and the second most common cancer among black and coloured women.

• Earlydetectionoftheconditioncanleadtoeffectivetreatmentanda

positiveprognosis.About90%ofpatientssurviveformanyyearsafter

diagnosis when breast cancer is detected at the early stages.

• Regularself-breastexaminationandregularmammogramsarekeyto

early detection.

• Presentingyourselfearlyfortreatmentmayresultinmoreeffective

treatment,leadingtoareductioninpainandsufferingandasignificant

decrease in the loss of life.

Facts about breast cancer:

STAFF NEWS 9

Brea

st can

cer

is th

em

ost co

mm

on

canc

er a

mon

g SA

Wom

enI am too young toget breast cancer

Lifetime riskof breast cancer

in SA women

1* in 35

BIG

Let’s savethem all!

& SMALL,

Go forregularbreast

examinations

DID YOUKNOW?

A puckering of theskin of the breast

Dimpling of the nippleor nipple retraction

An enlargementof the glands

A change in the skinaround the nipple ornipple discharge

One breast unusuallylower than the other.Nipples at differentlevels

A lump in thebreast or armpit

An unusual increasein the size of onebreast

An unusual swellingin the armpit

Men can’t getbreast cancer

Alcohol is not linkedto breast cancer

Many women who are under40 are diagnosed withbreast cancer

1 in 1 066 men have alifetime risk of breast cancer

Alcohol use increasesthe risk of breast cancer

MYTH vs FACT

Only women with a familyhistory of breast cancer

are at risk

All women are at risk,but family history increasesthe risk

I have never had children,so I can’t get breast cancer

Women who have never hadchildren, or only had themafter 30, have increasedrisk of breast cancer

REDUCINGTHE CANCER RISK

• Do monthly breast self-examinations• Go for regular screening (clinical breast

examinations) at CANSA Care Centres• SureTouch - non-invasive device for safe breast

screening (not a diagnostic tool) - available atsome CANSA Care Centres

• Symptom-free women should go for a mammogramevery year from age 40

CANSA hasMobile Health Clinicsthat do screeningin the communities

MOBILE HEALTH CLINICMOBILE HEALTH CLINIC

Warning Signs

Toll-free 0800 22 66 22 www.cansa.org.za

Sponsored by

LOTTERY

NATIO

NA

L

TM

N L D T F

*SA Statistics as per National Cancer Registry (NCR) 2007

HEALTH CORNER

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FASHION CORNER

It’s true that fashion is not defined solely by our clothing choices, but is also conveyed trough the way we carry ourselves, our

personalities and our views of the world. Fashion is simply the prevailing style or custom, expression of you as a person and

your behaviour.

Office Dress code Sometimes one needs a little style pick-me-up especially when a shoe-shopping spree isn’t an option. For a fun (and free!) way to glam up your day, here are the best fashion tips of spring style icons, for ladies and gents. Spring Fashion comes slowly here in SA but, when it arrives you can face it head on, looking fabulous. Feed your closet with bright colourful clothes. In spring, we’re styling gladiators with sundresses and loafers with skirts for the office wear.

Colorful Fashion TipsThe outfits below are just what we’ve been looking for to add a bit of springtime color to every part of our wardrobe.Here are some nice and bright tops, aqua, flare and pencil skirts, trousers, belts with colourful matching stylish shoes, you could even add on a lighter jacket for breaking the cycle.

Confidence is the only healing pillIt is common knowledge that the hardest person to please is yourself, both males and females, we are all constantly criticizing ourselves for our flaws, whether they actually exist or not, and we place our trust in the most deceitful object, which is the mirror itself. However, sometimes it is not so much what we see and what we feel, and no mirror can confirm that emotion. A mirror only shows what’s on the outside and not inner beauty, but it is our internal feelings that count the most. You will agree that it feels good to see your reflection when passing shop windows on the street and seeing your reflection knowing very well that you’re looking good”

STAFF NEWS 11

FASHION CORNER

At the end of the day it is pleasing to receive a compliment from someone else, more especially when it comes from your partner, and that feeling overpowers other people’s remarks about your appearance.

Smart Casual WearMost guys like to feel stylish when wearing sweatpants or jeans with casual shoes like stylish snickers or tekkies match with their belt, watch or tie on casual days. On the other hand ladies prefer skinny jeans or leggings with matching heels or pumps, handbag, belt and matching accessories.

“Flaunt it and control it”

• Makesureyourclothesfityourbodyproperly• Wearrichcolourstoportrayauthority• Avoidneoncoloursandoverlyflashyclothes• Don’twearstrongperfume• Createastatementwithyourclothing• Buildasmartwardrobe• Wearglassesthatfityou

For Women

• Don’tbetoosexy• Facialhairshouldn’toverwhelmyourface• Don’tconfuseelegancewithstyle• Don’toveraccessorise• Wearcoloursthatgiveslifetoyourskin complexion • Getregularpedicure

Style and Fashion Tips:

For Men

• Avoidanklesockswithslacks• Trimyourbeardallthetimetolookattractive• Agoateeisrarelyagoodidea• Don’trepeatthesameclotheseveryday

“Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be the only one with instruments, not the composer”

Quote:

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“Know who you are, knowledge is power”Thabang Moloi