KwaPEP December 2020

PEP’s new plastic bags made from

100% recycled materials PAGE 22

December 2020 Issue #94

Kwa

PAGE 4

Our 1 Canal Walk store st

Flagship Fetoga Blue concept store opens in Canal Walk.

Read the winning Imbizo stories

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SUGAR COOKIE RECIPE STEP 1 Sift all-purpose flour (358g), 1/2tsp baking powder, 1tsp baking soda, and 1/2tsp salt together, set aside dry mixture. In a large bowl, cream the margarine (224g) and sugar (233g) together, until light and fluffy. Beat in 1 egg into the wet mixture, then stir in the 2tsp vanilla extract.

Gradually blend in the sifted, dry ingredients into the wet mixture until fully absorbed.

Cover dough, and chill for 2 hours.

STEP 2 Preheat the oven to 180 0C. Grease baking paper and line your baking tray.

On a clean floured surface, roll out small portions of chilled dough, and cut out shapes with cookie cutters.

STEP 3 Bake 7-8 minutes in the preheated oven, or until edges are slightly brown. Remove from cookie sheets and patiently wait for them to cool, decorate to add that festive cheer!

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DECEMBER 2020

BERTIE’S LETTER

Hi 5 Dynamos!

And so the 2020 financial year eventually ended (some say this year was 30 months long, and considering the lockdown, it surely felt that way!). I think 2020 will be remembered for the year where we saw the largest destruction of our economy and tremendous pressure on our customers and country as a whole. But it was also a year in which PEP really played a huge part in supporting our customers and Dynamos – continuously delivering the best prices in the market, continuing to open stores and creating employment.

While we ended the year with sales being flat and profits down quite a bit compared to last year, our results were amongst the best in the whole industry.

Even though we had almost no sales in April, we made our sales budget in four out of the five months after April! All departments helped to make this happen and this was clearly evidenced by the fact that we gained significant market share across clothing, cellphones and FMCG. Looking forward to 2021, it will be a tough year for our customers with high unemployment and our economy having to start recovering. All focus should

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therefore be on making sure we drive the sales line by continuing to open stores, improving our stock availability, and delivering great service and the best price leadership to our customers – especially when there is money in the market. In addition, the focus will also be on how we manage our costs. Spend smartly, continue to invest in the right areas and bust those bad costs where you get nothing in return.

I hope that the sales momentum that we have seen in the past few months will continue in the new financial year and that it sets us up for success.

A special word of encouragement to our Dynamos in stores: keep on delighting our customers, take care of your fellow Dynamos and your stores and lastly, all the best for the upcoming festive season – may you sell a lot and enjoy some time with family and friends over this special period.

Sikhula KunYe!

Blow the whistle It’s your responsibility to report any dishonest behaviour of customers or fellow Dynamos (including management) regarding the misuse of company assets. Nobody will know that you reported the incident.

You do not have to give your name and nobody can trace your call.

Follow-up on your lead is guaranteed.

Toll Free Number: 0800 006 285 Email: information@ whistleblowing.co.za Toll Free Fax: 0800 212 689 Postal: FREEPOST KZN665, MUSGRAVE, 4062 SMS:33490

Chief Executive Finance

Online: www. whistleblowing.co.za

JAAP’S LETTER

Hi 5 Dynamos We have come to the end of an extraordinary year. One that we will never forget for as long as we live. It was tough but we have survived.

Some of us lost loved ones, lost possessions, but we all gained faith in each other and our ability to withstand adversity.

I am grateful and blessed to have survived this year in your company Dynamos! Thank you for giving it your all under such difficult circumstances.

Thank you for delighting our customers more than ever before. Thank you for not only keeping our company afloat financially but also for letting us excel in times when others are really suffering.

We have so much to be proud of. It was definitely the toughest year in the history of PEP. The first time ever that we had to close our doors. But it was also a year filled with many magic moments. It took bravery for our store and DC Dynamos to go back to work. We were forced to do things differently, to work from home, to use technology, to find better ways of working and we are never going to look back. We learned more from our customers than ever before. We launched a new refreshed brand, a new store design, opened many new stores and many new Dynamos joined our family. We told the world that this is a time of new beginnings for PEP. I want to wish you strength, health and wealth over this festive period for you and your families. Thank you for all the sacrifices you will have to make to bring magic moments to our remarkable customers. Without your smiles and service many would not be able to give their children the amazing products at the lowest prices that PEP affords them.

You are part of a beautiful family and a beautiful story of giving during this magic time. Thank you and I wish you strong souls, minds and feet during the Christmas and Back-To-School periods – the busiest and most important time of the year in our business. May you be safe and healthy!

Merry Christmas and may 2021 be remembered for good things only!

Sikhula KunYe!

CEO DECEMBER 2020

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PEP Fetoga Blue concept opens a flagship store There was great excitement when PEP opened its first store in Canal Walk shopping centre at Century City, Cape Town on 30 October 2020. PEP had been planning for the store over a long period.

PEP CEO Jaap Hamman says, “Our customers have been asking for some time for PEP to be in this important shopping centre, and we wanted to make sure that, when we did open there, we delivered an outstanding and contemporary concept store for them. I am very proud of, and excited by, this Canal Walk store which is

paving the way for PEP’s future.”

The new store is twice the size of an average PEP outlet and has a completely new layout which includes cellular and home divisions. The design is the result of extensive research into both the latest retail trends and the needs of PEP customers, and it involves a collaboration between three specialist design companies. The new concept is called Fetoga which is the Sotho word for new beginnings.

The store boasts energy efficient LED lighting and all plastic bags are made of 100% recycled materials. The Canal Walk store is also one of the first stores to fully use the refreshed PEP brand look and feel which was recently launched to a very positive reaction.

Hamman says, “We owe it to our loyal customers to keep listening to them and carefully change in ways that always offer them the lowest prices and convenience that PEP is famous for, while also ensuring that we provide a great shopping experience.” The new concept aims to increase the shopping

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STORE OPENING

“Our customers have been asking for some time for PEP to be in this important shopping centre, and we wanted to make sure that, when we did open there, we delivered an outstanding and contemporary concept store for them. PEP CEO, JAAP HAMMAN experience through eye-catching window displays, warm and inviting usage of colour, new impressive fixtures and fittings, new ways of doing visual merchandising that entice customers to buy, funky new mannequins and signage that makes it easy to navigate the store.

“The store brings out the best of our beautiful merchandise and gives our customers what they have asked for,”

says CEO Hamman. “I look forward to witnessing our customers enjoy the amazing shopping experience.”

This store’s opening follows on the successful opening of the first Fetoga concept store that opened in Paarl on 1 October and took 158% of its budget.

On its opening weekend, the Canal Walk store achieved 209% of its budget.

DECEMBER 2020

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Imbizo

Imbizo story winners

Southern Division Outeniqua Region: Cravenby 8121 The first ever Imbizo in PEP’s history took place on Tuesday, 13 October when the stores closed for an hour and a half and 17 000 Dynamos celebrated PEP’s culture together. The Imbizo replaced the conventions that could not take place due to COVID-19 this year. This was also the first time that the P27s took part in the culture celebrations, as they are not normally part of the mini conventions.

The Imbizo was aired on Feelgood FM where all Dynamos listened to the winning PEP stories.

2 051 stores submitted stories, and the top six stories were read live on air. Wynand, Cavelle and Jaap hosted the event along with Ntutuko and Ayanda from FGFM. The Dynamos had great fun and they all agreed that our culture is alive and well! Each Dynamo also received a special armband and certificate. Laughter, joy and dancing marked the special day in PEP’s history!

The DCs also read their stories on air but combined it with info sessions where they handed out various certificates and trophies for exceptional performances during the year.

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The store had another ten minutes before closing time when Thelma Goliath, a PEP Dynamo situated at the front door, noticed a shy, young lady staring into the store from outside. The lady was dressed in rags; dirty with broken shoes that barely covered her feet.

Thelma called her in and told her that if she wanted to buy something, she should come in and have a look around before closing time. It was obvious that the lady felt ashamed of her appearance and thought she couldn’t enter the store.

Thelma, however, made her feel welcome and the rest of the staff caught on and gave her the best shopping experience ever.

Turns out she had been homeless for some time. She had recently played one line of the national lottery with the

money she got from begging on the streets, and won a considerable amount of money to keep her going for at least a few months.

How she looked didn’t bother us. We didn’t expect her to buy anything, yet she bought everything she needed and gave us an R4000 sale to end off our sales for the day.

All because we were not prejudiced. We delighted our customer, who is now a regular here, and we managed to make her feel and look great with the new items she bought, feeling like she was just as important as the rest of our customers.

This made a huge impact on her self-esteem, which was at its lowest when she entered our store. That to us as a team is what we’re here for – delighted customers, our focus and pleasure!

IMBIZO

Northern Division LIMPOPO Region: Kgapane 8536 The year 2020 started off as a blast, we saw Back-To-School come our way with its obstacles and trials but as a team we made it successful and overcame it all.

March 2020 came our way and the world as a whole as we know it faced a pandemic, a pandemic that shook the world as we know it and disposed of it all. Our daily routine changed, the ideas and goals we had for our futures changed, so many things changed even such small things like the way we dressed changed.

Central Division Lesedi Region: Oakfield 6431 Once upon a time a child was born. A Dynamo with a good attitude, best in everything she does.

A Dynamo who knows customers. The Dynamo gods boiled her blood in a clay pot of passion, honesty and resourcefulness to course in her veins. Her heart was shaped into an ox shield to foil every foe (COVID-19).

Her ancestor is the big tree of oak where her roots are so strong, watered on South African soil and growing even to the nearest countries. Living as a grandchild to the new third generation of the Sikhula KunYe Credo, it is her culture and tradition. Her muscles into thongs as tough as wattle bark.

The birth of a Dynamo, her parents born in the year 1965. To her it is a dream, a goal and purpose because the GSTY supports her efficiencies and standards to give service to sales with full capacity. She was taught to live her life with the pride of feeling good, given a roadmap to delight customers and to treat them with dignity and respect. Her eyes were lanterns that shone from the dark valleys (COVID-19) to see white swallows coming across the sea. Her cry for fellow sisters and brothers after 55 years. Her roots keep her strong as she is, her parents gave her the mission of life to know her values. To continue to preach and strive for her vision. LALELA! (listen). Her calling is love thee to the depth, breadth and height of Feelgood FM. That keeps her day when she is feeling out of sigh! What makes best of her days at PEP as her best second HOME. It is the Power Hour, she feels good and she is proud to be a Dynamo!

Over the lockdown periods we saw people go hungry, people losing their jobs, people being unable to feed their families, fears and insecurities about the future occupying a bigger space in our lives and the uncertainty continues as we speak.

But the Dynamos of PEP had only a few of the above-mentioned problems to worry about. PEP, our Company, communicated with its Dynamos on a regular basis to reassure them of their salaries and jobs being secured and safe; more importantly we were cared for and we were being checked on a regular basis regarding our wellbeing and health.

Our CEO himself showed love and care and wished us Dynamos and our families well regularly (P.S. those videos brought comfort to our worried hearts). Actually what we the Dynamos of 8536 are trying to say is THANK YOU, PEP – you did more than what was expected of you as a company considering the way our line of business was affected, and you survived and took everyone with you. Working for such a company makes it worth it to wake up in the morning for work and to actually do more than is expected of us as employees. We are a blessed army of Dynamos!

PEP you are loved, you are appreciated and you are that light at the end of the tunnel. You are highly appreciated by the Dynamos of 8536 and we can guarantee you the feeling is mutual across the whole company. Indeed family doesn’t only have to be blood relatives and have proved that undoubtedly, indeed you will never walk alone in PEP.

DECEMBER 2020

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PEPcell WINNER INTABA COAST AREA - Richmond 4464 In a small town called Richmond close to Pietermaritzburg, came a small shop called PEPcell 4464 Richmond. The store was so different from the other Richmond stores. When you visited the store there would be a Dynamo welcoming you, asking you how they can help you, making you feel welcomed, and they would always find a solution to the customer’s problem.

It was so different because the store introduced new and wonderful things to the community of Richmond. Everyone was talking about this shop that offers so much more than just cellphones.

After a while there was a complaint about the shop coming from the other competitors, and they called an Imbizo. PEPcell had to appear to defend themselves against the accusations that have been placed against them: that they have taken all the customers; everyone wants to shop at PEPcell 4464.

The accused PEPcell was asked to come before the chief at the Imbizo and answer to the accusations of how they were excelling. Dynamos of 4464 were present while their leader stood up with pride and a smile on her face.

She greeted the group, “Hi5 everyone. We, the Dynamos of 4464 are from Richmond and our cause is to make it possible for 8

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everyone to feel and look good. We help people with an easy and affordable lifestyle.”

“Where do you go to do your shopping and pay your accounts fast and easy?” she asked. “Where do you go to collect your pension payout without waiting in the long queues? PEPcell offers you the service to send your parcels to your relatives quickly and fast with PAXI. Moreover, where do you get the best handsets in town?”

The Richmond Dynamos responded, “PEPcell!”. She continued, “To add onto that, where do you find cleanliness in a shop with the best customer service, which also offers lowest prices that are affordable for everyone?”

The crowd screamed at once, “PEPcell!”.

The Chief stood up and declared, “You have heard it all for yourself, my good people. PEPcell has brought change, and a good one for my people. Let us all celebrate, dance, rejoice, sing PEPcell songs.” And while the Chief spoke, some were ululating.

LONG LIVE PEPCELL! The Imbizo went very well and instead we got more customers who were very happy to shop at store 4464 Richmond PEPcell.

PEPhome WINNER MIDDELBURG CHECKERS 5566 Our cause is to make it possible for everyone to look and feel good! In the year 1965, a multinational retail company was founded. It was called PEP: a symbolic name that could be pronounced in any language in the world, with a very strong mission and vision.

Today the company has grown from strength to strength and has hundreds of stores around the continent. We Dynamos of PEPhome 5566 Middleburg Checkers are very happy and proud to be part of this wonderful Company. We appreciate having PEP in our lives – a company that surely lives by its values.

A company with a strong culture and a very unique greeting called Hi5. PEP has played a huge role in our lives as Dynamos of 5566 and that of our families. We are able to make our families look and feel good with the very low prices. We delight our remarkable customers every day in our stores with our GSTY! In March this year the whole world was hit by a pandemic called COVID-19 where we saw many companies closing their doors and

IMBIZO

employees losing their jobs. But with PEP we never walked alone. We instead witnessed and experienced a very caring company that truly cares for its people. Our company not only paid all permanent Dynamos full salaries but it also paid our P27 Dynamos a goodwill salary. This helped them to continue caring for their families during these extremely difficult times.

We as Dynamos of PEP 5566 witnessed the saying “you never walk alone”. We had two Dynamos that tested positive for COVID-19. At that time we lived in fear and did not know what to expect, but our leaders of PEP walked with us throughout the journey. They gave us support, encouraged us, made us believe that we can and we would conquer the battle. And YES – we have conquered and came out of it even stronger like a chain of strength.

We had to close our store for two days and lost sales. Because of our strong teamwork and SK culture we all shared the same goals. When we came back we were stronger and managed to make up all the lost sales for those two days. We created magic moments for our remarkable customers and they supported us through this period as well – SHA SHA sales were flying.

The beautiful thing is that, at the time of the first case, the Department of Health tested the Dynamos who were in contact with the positive Dynamo. Both of these Dynamos tested negative the first time. The same happened with the second case – none of the Dynamos showed symptoms. Everyone is okay because at PEP we care for each other. That is why we made sure we follow the #CLAYGO (Clean as you go) and all the procedures and the guidelines.

As Dynamos of 5566 we say thank you PEP for everything and we are looking forward to evolving with you.

left after she deducted the money for groceries and the twins' birthday cake. She lost hope and tears rolled down her eyes.

Eastern Division Thekwini Region: Khayyan Centre Isipingo 925 It was month-end when the sunset came and Nomalanga was filled with tears in her eyes. Winter was approaching and her twins' birthday was coming up. Nomalanga who is a single parent to two beautiful 12-yearold twins. She had promised them a birthday party and winter clothes once she got paid. She promised this, knowing very well that she may not be able to deliver on this promise, but she had hope.

While she was out shopping, Nomalanga heard ladies talking about a certain store that had winter clothing which provided value for money.

The other ladies had already bought clothes there, so it had to be true! She was skeptical, because she knew that all clothing stores usually say they have sales but then, when you get to the store, it is always a different story.

Somehow, Nomalanga had hope.

She asked the other ladies for more information about the store – it was PEP! On her way home she decided that she would go to town the next day, to PEP, to buy the clothes for her twins.

Her bubble burst when she got home and counted that she only had R500

That night, her little girls called her to come join them to watch an ongoing soapy. She did not want to as she was sad, knowing she was going to disappoint her girls, but after the girls begged her, she decided to join them.

She was scrolling through her phone’s contact list, looking for someone she could borrow money from, as she believed that she needed more money to buy at PEP. Fifteen minutes later she saw a PEP advert on television, with winter clothes at the lowest prices! There was the answer she had hoped for.

She couldn't believe her eyes, and couldn't contain her happiness. She just laughed out loud. Her girls were so excited that they didn't even ask why she was laughing. She realised that the R500 was more than enough for her girls’ clothes and more.

The next morning Nomalanga went straight to her nearest PEP at Isipingo 925 with her girls. A Dynamo came and greeted them with a smile and offered to assist. Nomalanga told the Dynamo she only had R400 in her pocket, the Dynamo replied with a smile and said, “That will be more than enough for you and the girls”.

They looked around and found the winter clothing for the girls and for Nomalanga including sweets for the girls and balloons for the party, Nomalanga was so happy that she got everything she needed and more – she also got R10 MTN airtime!

Nomalanga was thrilled to tell her friends about the help and assistance from PEP and she was happy to say she got value for money and more at PEP. We know she will call again, and the hope that she had, had never let her down.

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Durban DC Nikki Govender In September 2005 I started working for PEP after being unemployed. I was married with one daughter (3). I started in the QC department as a casual worker.

I worked very hard and did whatever was asked of me.

I never gave up. I still remember Danny used to say, "Don't worry. Hard work pays off one day," and it did.

After one year I became a permanent worker. I could help my husband to pay the bills and soon life became easier. I still remember my first time I went for the Tuesday morning meeting and the singing and prayer shocked me. PEP’s culture was something I had never seen before. Then I had my second daughter.

JHB DC Charlotte Tladi I started working at PEP DC in 2011. I remember my child was only six months old at the time and I was a single parent working as a carton maker. It was difficult for me at times and I often felt like quitting my job.

But I knew I was doing it for my family and child, and I hoped and prayed that things would get better.

So I remained a carton maker for 18 months and got appointed by my supervisor as a clerk for line closure. After a few years I got appointed as stock controller and that’s when I became a team leader at full carton.

What I am trying to say is that there are a lot of opportunities here at PEP. Patience and determination are the keys – never give up and always challenge yourself to do great. Thank you for ripping me out of my comfort zone and pushing me to do more and for challenging my thoughts and expectations. Thank you PEP for helping me grow as a person.

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Kuils River DC Merle Lotterie My late mother was pregnant with triplets without knowing, because there were no ultrasounds back then. We were one of the first triplets within the Western Cape. My mother gave birth at Karl Bremer Hospital.

While my mother was giving birth the nurse said that there is a second child coming out, and then a third child. After the third child came out, my dad collapsed.

We were one of the first families that PEP sponsored. The Cape Argus visited us in the hospital and published the story. After PEP heard there were triplets born in the Western Cape, they paid a visit to the hospital. PEP sponsored us with clothes and food throughout the years, and sponsored us every year with brand new school uniforms.

I have been working for PEP for 32 years and counting, and I still enjoy being here. I am beyond grateful for what PEP has done over the years for me and my family. PEP has had a positive impact on my life – if it was not for PEPs loyalty and contributions, I don’t know where I’d be today.

Four months after returning to work from my maternity leave, I had to often stay away from work because my baby was unwell and often admitted to hospital. At PEP they were very understanding and I got these days off. When my daughter was one-anda-half years old she was diagnosed with Nephrotic syndrome (kidney disease) and is still receiving treatment to this day. My kids love shopping at PEP and thankfully I get a discount.

In 2016 I was chosen in my department to be in the cultural committee and was offered the opportunity to go to Cape Town. It was my first time on a flight. Being in the cultural committee was very exciting and I got chosen the second time around as well. I also collected my 10-years-service award that year.

Last October I received The Best Dynamo award for my department. In November last year my husband passed away of a sudden heart attack and l received lots of support from fellow Dynamos. It's never been easy after that and I finally got back on my feet when COVID-19 came our way.

We had to stay at home for lockdown. I was now a single parent with one child in matric and one with a chronic condition. Luckily for me after lockdown level 5 I still had a job. At PEP they were hands-on, keeping us safe in the best possible ways. My sister is a healthcare worker and tested positive for COVID-19 in July.

My family had to go for testing and we all tested negative, At work I was welcomed back on a good note. I appreciate everything PEP has done for me throughout my working career so far.

IMBIZO

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6 1. 4791 PEPcell Cosmo Mall 2. 4737 PEPcell Mhluzi Mall 3. 203 Wolmaransstad 4. 4818 PEPcell Burgersfort 5. 7220 Mabopane 6. 4770 PEPcell Durban 7. 533 Hartbeesfontein 8. 4832 Intaba Area 9. 4339 PEPcell Temba city 10. 4441 PEPcell Simunye 11. 4929 PEPcell Madadeni

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1. 8725 Mittah 2. 0918 Capricorn area 3. 4393 PEPcell Northgate 4. 737 Flagstaff 5. 8513 Mbazwana 6. 6101 Mokopane 7. 4800 PEPcell Vereeniging 8. 4230 Burgersfort 9. 108 Bloemfontein 10. 14396 PEPcell Lebowakgomo 11. 487 Jagersfontein

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1. 6244 Mthatha Plaza 2. 4912 PEPcell Lenasia Square 3. 8463 Umzinto 4. 8779 Malamulelet 5. 4880 PEPcell Vaalgate 6. 8738 Pinecrest 7. 4853 PEPcell Malamulele 8. 5645 PEPhome Rundu 9. 6296 Mdantsane 10. 4745 PEPcell Phalaborwa 11. 270 Piketberg

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Wholesale and Retail Operations Supervision Learnership Journey In June 2019 PEP was awarded funding by the Wholesale and Retail Sector Education and Training Authority (W&RSETA) for a Retail Learnership on an NQF Level 4 for 320 learners. This was mainly focused on the unemployed youth in our country. Between the months of October and December 2019 the Regional People Support Managers successfully employed a total of 319 learners.

These learners were housed in stores across South Africa. Their official classes started at the end of January 2020:

classes were set up out of store and lasted usually about three days at the relevant providers’ venues.

In March 2020, almost everything in South Africa came to a halt as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Classes were suspended until further notice.

Nonetheless, PEP paid out all stipends for the entire lockdown.

In July 2020 the Skills Department together with the Field and amazing providers rolled out online classes in stores. Social distancing, connectivity

matters and classes via Whatsapp groups were implemented and taken on with great passion. These Dynamos proudly did it and overcame all these hurdles. The project ended with 207 learners (due to unfortunate circumstances, many learners had dropped off the programme).

At the end of September 2020 we sadly had to say goodbye to many of these learners as we could not retain all of them. Fortunately, the Field team appointed some of these learners as P27s.

Here’s what some of the learners had to say: t journey “It’s been a grea t time with and I had a grea en though my colleagues ev lenging it was quite chal ause dealing sometimes, bec s is not with customer ned how to child’s play. I lear and how to count money on learned a lot!” operate a till. I oso

- Sethembile Mag

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“I had a m anager an d staff members who treate d me with so m uch respe ct. What I learnt in this learne rship is that har d work pa y s . The learnersh ip has cha n g ed my life positiv ely becau se I got th chance to e be indepe ndent.”

- Marara R angongo

oyed “I was unempl find a and hungry to ed a lot job. I've learn o much and gained s a retail experience in I'm store and now you proud to tell n given that I've bee P27!” a position of lane

- Tumelo Masha

Jon ready to take Dealz to new heights

1. Jon with his wife and daughters.

2. The family dog, Sandy.

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Jon’s two idols in life are Sir Alex Ferguson for his longevity in a stressful environment and Steve Jobs for his attention to detail.

He believes that it’s not what happens to you in life that matters, but how you deal with it.

1 Jon Els recently took over the reins as General Manager of Dealz. Jon comes with a wealth of experience as he was previously the managing director of The Crazy Store and grew the business from 40 to 200 stores. Thereafter he brought a brand called Collette from Australia to South Africa, and later sold it to Foschini. His latest ventures before joining PEP were Plasticland and Store and More.

occasional ski or island holiday and you have a satisfied Jon. Jon stays fit by walking his Hungarian Vizsla dog called Sandy, running and exercising.

Jon is a born and bred Capetonian. He has been married to his wife Janine for 22 years and they have two daughters, Kirstin (21) and Kelsey (19). Jon sets high standards for himself and others and his definition of happiness is being healthy and successful. Add to that a nice braai, a Heineken beer, some biltong, watching sport and the

“I am very excited about the future of Dealz. We have amazing products and a great team. I know the space well.

I know the suppliers and landlords. I cannot wait for Dealz to hit the sweet spot! Watch this space, as I predict that you will see tremendous growth in Dealz and in the Dynamos in the not too distant future!” says Jon.

His two idols in life are Sir Alex Ferguson for his longevity in a stressful environment and Steve Jobs for his attention to detail. He believes that it’s not what happens to you in life that matters, but how you deal with it.

DECEMBER 2020

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PEP Academy takes learning into the home PEP Academy opened its doors to 4374 Gr 4 and 5 learners across 15 schools in February 2020. This was a growth year for PEP Academy, with three new schools starting out on the programme. But sadly, schools and PEP Academies were closed at the end of March in accordance with the COVID-19 lockdown regulations.

The PEP CSI team then considered how best to open learning opportunities at home during school closures in low-technology environments while continuing to build a community of learning that includes learners, teachers and parents.

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It was the Greek philosopher Plato who said necessity is the mother of invention. With that in mind, PEP @ Home was developed as a new approach to take learning directly into homes.

An activity book and story book were developed and included in packs for each Gr 4 and 5 learner at PEP Academy schools. The packs also included stationery, workbooks, playing cards and dice (for maths games), and basic household personal protective equipment (PPE). 5307 of these packs were delivered to schools.

At the time of writing, about 75% of packs have been collected by parents. Learners who hand in their completed eight-week workbooks in November will be entered into a lucky draw to win PEP vouchers.

Previously, PEP Academy schools did not have any direct communication platforms with parents. After exploring various platforms, PEP Academy set up a bulk WhatsApp platform to enable direct communication with parents. The first messages were sent in October.

The trial of PEP @ Home in 2020 opens up a new opportunity to take PEP Academy directly into the home while opening up a direct communication channel with parents. The CSI team hopes to build on this platform further in 2021.

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The PEP @ Home workbook is packed with activities that mirror the PEP Academy curriculum. It includes games and activities to encourage the whole family to get involved in supporting the child.

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A parent at Ebuhleni Primary in Soweto collects the @ Home pack for her child.

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Learners at Kgato Primary in Mangaung collect their @ Home packs.

The regions show they care

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Botswana made a difference at Maposa Primary and assisted 100 learners with clothing, shoes and school uniforms.

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The Cederberg region donated school uniforms, stationery and food to Zanokhanyo Children's Safety Home.

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PEPhome Agulhas donated school shoes to House Andrew Murray Child and Youth Care Centre.

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The Port Elizabeth area reached out to the Ernest Malgas Treatment Centre and donated toiletries and clothing to the girls in the centre. They also donated some sanitary towels as part of the “Keep our girls in school� project.

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Thekwini assisted the children from Home of Comfort with goody packs and masks.

DECEMBER 2020

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6.

Eswatini reached out to Gigi’s Place by donating clothing.

7.

Umgeni made a difference at Greytown Children’s Home & Youth Centre by donating clothing and goody bags to the children.

8.

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Emfuleni donated stationery towards the Serve My Community organisation.

9.

Eastern Cape supported the King’s Children’s Home in East London by donating children’s clothing.

10.

Gauteng assisted Education Of Hope Africa by donating clothes and stationery towards the children.

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DECEMBER 2020

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Ikageng Region made a difference at the Thato Ke Matla Home, which takes care of underprivileged children.

12.

Lekoa made a difference to Tumahole SelfHelp Association for the Disabled.

They hosted a Christmas function for the children and donated some clothing and toys as gifts.

13.

Langeberg recently made a donation of 200 sanitary packs towards the “Keep our Girls in School� project.

14.

PEPHome Legae donated food parcels to Stanza Bopape Community Centre.

15.

Kwena donated clothing to the Letlhabile Care of the Aged Home.

DECEMBER 2020

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Lesedi region warmed the hearts of children from Hlasempho Community Development Projects by hosting a Christmas party for the children.

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DECEMBER 2020

17.

The Lesotho region assisted Semonkong Children Care Centre with some winter clothing.

18.

Outeniqua made a difference to Tharros Child and Youth Care Centre by donating children clothes and blankets.

19.

Limpopo donated school shoes to Patience Ntuli Ministries.

20.

North West assisted Sirologang Trauma Centre with school uniforms, sanitary towels, clothes and cosmetics.

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PEPcell Marula made a difference to Dimakatso Safe House recently.

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22.

PEPcell Coastal assisted Maguqu Primary School with a JoJo tank and PPE products.

23.

Tugela reached out to Mahathma Primary School by donating school uniforms.

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24.

PEPcell Zimbali donated food parcels to Ithateng Home.

DECEMBER 2020

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Dynamos

on the Move Khanani Masingi

joined PEP as Divisional People Support Manager for PEPhome.

DID YOU KNOW? All of PEP’s new plastic bags are made from 100% recycled materials. PEP is using 1000 tons of post consumable plastic waste for their shopping bags in a year. This is plastic that instead of going to dumps now gets cleaned and used by our suppliers as raw material for the new PEP shopping bags. Currently PEP uses 130 million bags per year.

These bags already are 100% in line with Government regulations for plastic bags in 2028.

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DECEMBER 2020

Liaan Scholtes has

been transferred to the position of Regional Manager for PEPcell Imbewu.

Heritage Day Celebrations!

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2 1. 918 Makhado 2. 338 Musina 3. 218 Louis Trichardt 4. 269 Knysna 5. 6273 Moratiwa 6. 8742 Plettenberg Bay 7. 4773 PEPcell KwaMnyandu Mall 8. 8488 Northam 9. 8727 Carlton centre 10. 4839 PEPcell Vosloorus

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11. 4791 PEPcell

Cosmo Mall

12. 681 Louis Trichardt 13. 8663 Louis Trichardt 14. 338 Musina 15. 4800 PEPcell

Vereeniging

16. 4438 PEPcell

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Mabopane

17. 272 Phalaborwa 18. 603 Phalaborwa 19. 6178 Matoks 20. 6265 Mankweng 21. 6332 Maake 22. 6633 Savannah 23. 6748 Gandlanani 24. 8035 Nkowankowa

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25. 8104 Tzaneen 26. 8212 Moreobeng 27. 8417 Thohoyandou 28. 8437 Johannesburg

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29. 6488 Burgersfort Mall 30. 4900 PEPcell Durban

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DECEMBER 2020

HERITAGE DAY

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34 33 35 31. 6368 Phangami Mall 32. 6248 Port Elizabeth 33. 6610 Langa Junction 34. 6685 Greenacres 35. 6114 Lorraine 36. 6242 Walker Drive 37. 8496 Metlife Plaza

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38. 8246 Govan Mbeki 39. 6574 Hunters Retreat 40. 8265 Korsten 41. Durban DC 42. 8076 Knysna 43. 651 Florida 44-46. Durban DC 47. 4806 PEPcell Delmas

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DECEMBER 2020

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48. 6677 Mall Moutsiya

HERITAGE DAY

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Long Service

Awards January 2021 to March 2021 30 YEARS

20 YEARS 40 YEARS

Glenda Davids, Central Office

35 YEARS Sharon Trouncelle, Central Office

20 YEARS

Neil Douman, Central Office

Nditsheni Mbengwa

Sendedza

Maria Dlamini

Manzini

Wayne Morris

Planning

Cedric Klein

Cederberg

Tutume

Sandra van Boo

Darling

Nokubonga Nyamakazi

Sedgefield

Petros Dlamini

Matata

Sandra James

Umzinto

Sandra van Wyk

Rehoboth

Yvonne Marais

George

Mabafokeng Khutlang

Teyateyaneng

Violet Michels

Mitchells Plain

Aletta Adams

De Doorns

Junita Willemse

Villiersdorp

Thabo Mogapi

Krugersdorp

Lizzie Maselo

Krugersdorp

Clansina Mapeka

Mokopane

Pamella Qhalaga

King Williams Town

Caroline Monyela

Pretoria

Emmah Dlamini

Manzini

Tsepo Tsabeng

Roma

Excellent Shibe

Ulundi

Ashika Singh Malthoo

Durban

Bokani Dijeng

25 YEARS Gaboronwe Moruti Tonota George Mukhuba

Musina

Ishmael Masigo

Lichtenburg

Johanna Masunga Pretoria

20 YEARS Sharief Adhikarie, Central Office

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DECEMBER 2020

Carol du Plessis

Uitenhage

Florah Baloyi

Giyani

35 YEARS Ambrosia Selolo

Pretoria

Peter Manuel

Cape Town

40 YEARS Nozi Mathiso

Theunissen

Patricia Fisher

Hermanus

SIKHULA KUNYE

Dynamos

“I hope to be a paragraph in PEP’s life story, and I know PEP is a whole chapter in my life story.”

who inspire

She has been employed as PEP’s Labour Relations Consultant since 2006 and in her term has made a huge difference in PEP. Her fellow Dynamos praise Thando for her calm diplomacy, trusted advisor role, strong values, open and honest conversations, wisdom and being a pillar of strength.

Where are you from?

All over. I was brought up by my granny in King William’s Town. I then moved to East London to stay with my aunt for my primary school years. My aunt was a strict disciplinarian, and she once gave me a severe beating where I nearly lost sight in one of my eyes. The sad part was that she punished me for something I did not do. If she had only listened first, instead of reacting in anger... Later, I moved to Butterworth to live with my mother for my junior high school years. I finished my high school in Durban.

When and where were you at your happiest?

Giving hope and creating opportunities to others to succeed gives me great joy. I have helped finance other children’s education and helped others with accommodation.

I was part of a group that helped finance more than twenty girls to complete their matric in my Girls High School.

I wanted to be part of a company that is truly invested in communities and making a difference in the lives of ordinary people.

The year 2020 put PEP to the highest test and, in my opinion, PEP passed with flying colours. I hope to be a paragraph in PEP’s life story and I know PEP is a whole chapter in my life story.

Three words to describe yourself: Achiever, Calm, Reliable.

What is your biggest dream? It’s

What makes you laugh?

Funny stories, stand up, clean comedy shows, children just being themselves – especially when they start talking.

What are your biggest passions?

Education and saving water (more of an obsession than passion!).

Where have you visited that you would like to return to?

Cruise ships. I would like to cruise in luxury boats and just have fun.

Last word – teach us something!

It’s never too late to start afresh. If you can dream it, you can do it. Better be something good though. Make Africa proud!

too big and it scares me. It is about building a property. A school, a clinic, a village of entrepreneurs. Liberating the human mind from a begging mentality.

The best advice you ever got: Do not fear. I realised that the most paralysing fears are self-created.

I am happy to share that I have overcome the monster of fear.

What makes you excited What do you enjoy most spending about the future?

I am positive about the future. I see the your time on?

I do a lot of reading and researching. I am a student for life. I am ever studying something new, e.g. project management and life coaching. My latest interest is in neuroplasticity. In simple terms it is about how the brain works.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Getting a driver’s license was my biggest accomplishment.

Why is PEP special for you?

rapid developments and innovation. There is hope for the next generation. New careers are coming up, choices are endless and we are living in what was viewed as the future by our grandparents. The sky is no longer the limit. Thinking has become the new limit.

Thando Mabusela.

Labour Relations Consultant

I joined PEP because of its vision and values.

DECEMBER 2020

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LIVING WITH HOPE

Continuing to

live with hope Wow, and here we are at the end of 2020, getting ready for the last month of the year – which always starts with World AIDS Day on 1 December, the thirty-second one to be exact.

Just recently I have celebrated my own life of survival for thirty years with HIV. I am going to share with you some of the most valuable lessons I have learned throughout this time.

1

Knowledge and information

When I tested positive in 1990 it was the early days of the internet, but the HIV community immediately made use of the opportunity to share information. It is extremely useful to know what is happening to your body and in which ways you can keep your body as healthy as possible. At that time there were no medications available in South Africa. Knowing your rights is also very useful especially if you want to share your status. And finally, knowledge does help to build your confidence.

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On the other hand, be aware of the “straws”

It is easy to get desperate and start grasping at straws. What I mean by this is that there have over the years been many people claiming miracles and cures and all sorts of deals. The sad truth is that these people are literally out there to make money from you in most cases. Let me tell you this: when there is a cure for HIV/AIDS, the whole world will know about it, not only a random stranger somewhere unknown.

HIV does not stop the rest of your life from happening

You still have to find a job to pay the rent or to buy a car. You will still have struggles with relationships and people around you. You are still going to have

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DECEMBER 2020

money troubles and stress. Normal life remains normal life and you have to learn to live with these things as best as you can.

4

Talk about your HIV

Find someone you trust who you can share to your status with – knowing that someone knows is already a huge relief. We all know that people in communities gossip quite easily, especially when they suspect that you are hiding something – ask me, I’m a preacher’s daughter. Starting to speak publicly about my HIV status was really great for me as it took away the gossip factor. And because I knew my rights and had built up my self-confidence, I would not let people get away with talking nonsense.

5

Forgiveness

It is very easy to be angry and resentful about your status. These negative feelings do, however, also have a negative impact on your health, as well as on your mental wellness. I learned to forgive the man who infected me (yes, it did take some time) and I also learned to forgive myself for putting myself in the situation where I got infected.

6

HIV does not define me

I started to speak publicly about my HIV status in 1993 and, because it

BY TONI ZIMMERMAN 082 926 3368 antoinettezimm@ gmail.com

is such a huge topic, I have given many talks over the years. It is very easy to lose yourself as a person during this time – for many public speaking HIV+ people, doing talks is their only income.

Make sure that you also have interests that have nothing to do with HIV. As with everything in life - balance is very important for wellness.

7

And lastly, find what works for you

I know many HIV+ people and people working in the industry, and many people have ideas on how to stay well and healthy, which is great. We can learn from all of them, but managing your HIV doesn’t follow a copy and paste approach. You have to find what works for you. In saying that though – the one thing that I do know for sure works well is taking your ARVs the way it is prescribed. MY CD4 count has been over 1000 for more than 10 years already and my Viral Load has been undetectable for more than 19 years.

That means U=U… A consistent undetectable Viral Load means the virus is untransmittable.

Good luck for the rest of this year Dynamos, and thank you for the support I have received over the many years of sharing my story with you.

Sikhula KunYe!

SIKHULA KUNYE

You are never too old to learn and, if you fail, try again.

Your career in PEP up to now.

I joined PEP in April 2016 as a store manager.

Biggest success so far.

My biggest success was winning the area Top Performer prize twice in a row and also being in the top 25, all thanks to a great team behind me.

Biggest challenges in your job.

Keeping stock loss as low as possible, #stocklossmustdie.

What makes you excited about PEP? The new look is very exciting and fresh and seeing all the passion Dynamos have on all levels.

Role models in life and especially in PEP? Laetitia Mitchell, my area manager.

I learn a lot from her.

What do you do in your spare time?

I love working in the garden as it makes me forget about all my worries for a little while. And when the weather is bad, TV.

Tell us something about yourself that we don’t know.

In High school, I won the trophy for the highest aggregate percentage in school three years in a row.

What is your favourite food and drink?

Biltong and coffee and coffeee!

What is your motto in life?

Just smile and wave.

Life is too short to waste time on silly things.

Words of advice to Dynamos on career planning.

You are never too old to learn and, if you fail, try again. Never give up.

Christiaan van der Bank

5647 PEPhome Robertson, Agulhas

DECEMBER 2020

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PEP’s team of executives wish every Dynamo and their families a blessed Christmas and a prosperous 2021! Thank you for all your hard work and for the sacrifices that you have made to make PEP the greatest company in the world to work for. Thank you for delighting our customers and creating magic moments this festive season.

Thanks for making a difference, Dynamos!

TOGETHER WE CAN DO MORE This year two initiatives were introduced during lockdown at PEP, namely DO MORE children’s meal initiative and our very own Lay-by Buddy,, in order to help make a difference in the lives of our remarkable customers. The response from both our Dynamos and customers was incredible!

LAY-BY BUDDY:

Lay-by Buddy is a initiative where our customers can contribute as little as R2 in-store or R20 online to help pay towards a PEP customer’s lay-by. And with lay-bys mostly used by moms to budget for items for their families, these contributions did a world of good in our communities!

R85 700 raised by Lay-by Buddies

R1.5 Million contributed

by PEP

Queenstown Store with the most transactions

“Thank you is a small word, but being a pensioner this meant the world to me!

Thank you dear Lay-by Buddy!”

DO MORE:

Our partners at DO MORE are committed to feeding as many school children and their families as they can - every day. So we joined in by asking customers to donate as little as R2 and THOUSANDS responded!

64 460 customers contributed

Most popular in-store token is R10

R179 410 raised by customers

Well done to all our Dynamos who helped to spread our LAY-BY BUDDY and DO MORE initiatives. You’ve really shown our customers that life’s better with PEP. A special thank you to the Dynamos and customers from the following stores: Queenstown • Bhisho • Hartswater • Diamond Fields Plumstead • False Bay • Lebowakgomo • Highveld • Milnerton

Lay-by Buddy INITIATIVE

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