Sanlam Reality Summer 2020/2021 by Machine_

sanlamreality.co.za Summer 2020/2021

What happens when you live to

100

work until

and have to retrain at

60? discussion

Can payment holidays do more harm than good?

wealth

How to disaster-proof your finances

travel

Work hard, play hard: making the most of local business travel

wellness

Is your stress contagious?

Just a few weeks left to increase your 2021 tier status! Earn up to 25% of your tier points online! Why does your tier status matter? The higher your tier status, the bigger the discounts on your benefits. For example, a Reality Plus member on gold tier status enjoys 30% off premier risk policy premiums.

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SANLAM REALITY PROGRAMME Head of digital, marketing and communications Francois Uys Communications manager Lucille Moore Communications coordinator Hasina Khan SANLAM REALITY CALL CENTRE Telephone 0860 732 548/9 Email info@sanlamreality.co.za Website www.sanlamreality.co.za REAL FUTURES (PTY) LTD Real Futures is a wholly-owned Sanlam Ltd company managing the Sanlam Reality Programme for the Sanlam Group. Chairman Jan Steenkamp Directors Gary Allen, André Larisma, Theesan Moodley, Jean Lombard Deputy company secretary Zuko Mgawuli

PUBLISHED BY NARRATIVE FOR SANLAM REALITY EDITORIAL Editor Sarah Browning-de Villiers Email mag@sanlamreality.co.za Content editor Dominique Bowen Contributors Rachel Nyaradzo Adams, Katelyn Allegra, Tracy Lynn Chemaly, Jade Taylor Cooke, Christine van Deemter, Tori Hoffman, Sanelisiwe Maliza, Angelique Ruzicka, Busang Senne, Cebokazi Sotobe PRODUCTION Head of production Nicky Scheepers Campaign manager Kelly Hendricks CREATIVE Creative group head Juan Geel Art director Marisa Steyn NARRATIVE, A DIVISION OF MACHINE_ Managing director Robyn Campbell Business lead Lauren Brabant Chief content officer Sarah Browning-de Villiers Account manager Roxanne Lopez-Maggott CAPE TOWN HEAD OFFICE Tel: 021 487 9100 Email: mag@sanlamreality.co.za 50 Harrington Street, Zonnebloem, Cape Town, 7925 PO Box 16258, Vlaeberg, Cape Town, 8001 All content and pricing correct at time of print. Printed by

A division of Novus Holdings

Published by Narrative. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrievable system or transmitted in any form or by any means – electronic, photocopying or otherwise – without the prior written permission of the copyright owners, Narrative Media Group, Harrington Street, Cape Town, 7925. Printed by Novus Print. While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of advice and information given to readers, the editor, proprietors (Real Futures (Pty) Ltd) and publishers cannot accept responsibility for any damages or inconvenience that may arise from incorrect information.

O C J

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T B O A R D W A L A D S U R N

SARAH BROWNING-DE VILLIERS, editor

Up to 50% off selected benefits this summer! 2020 has been… well, not what anyone expected. Time for a recharge, reboot and reward! We’re supercharging some of your benefits for summer: For use on a colour background:

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V F

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Andrew J Scott and Lynda Gratton put it, we should think of it as “living younger for longer”. The trick: to rethink your financial planning to sustain these shifts. Prepare yourself (and your pocket) on p.44. A plan well executed is always rewarding – but 2020 has taught us to create plans resilient to disruption. This includes our financial plans; use the shift from 2020 into 2021 to reboot your financial planning with an expert. After all, great financial planning delivers the ultimate reward: peace of mind.

E S A

‘New normal’: what does that mean? Truth is, no one knows – so you can craft what you want your ‘new normal’ to be. It could be filled with new ways of living that better suit our multifaceted lives: turn to p.26 to learn about the importance of routine and reshaping yours for the better. Then reboot your sleep (and discover why it’s your superpower to recharge your career and relationships) on p.16. Perhaps one of the best things we could reboot is our financial planning. Gone are the days of a three-stage life: education, career, retirement. We’re living longer, with retirement at 60 an increasingly unlikely goal – especially if you end up living beyond 100. Instead, it’s time to plan for 60 as a new phase in our careers. Scary? Perhaps; but as London Business School professors

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Solution for puzzle on p.61

editor's letter

E N D

H T

D E

Claim up to 4 free Nu Metro movie tickets between November 2020 and February 2021!

Keep an eye on your inbox for more communication on how to claim! Movie ticket offer valid while stocks last until 28 February 2021; single membership options: 2 x 2D movie tickets; family membership options: 4 x 2D movie tickets. Increased discounts applicable to members already eligible for that benefit. Subject to availability. All content correct at date of print and subject to T&Cs of our partner benefits.

Photography: Kirsten Mackrill, Shutterstock, supplied

Sanlam Reality is the loyalty programme of the Sanlam Group and its strategic partners. The programme helps members to make the most of their money in a way that’s honest, meaningful and real. Sanlam Reality empowers its members to make responsible financial choices and enables them to live their best financial lives possible. All because Sanlam Reality believes that taking care of your money should be rewarding.

summer 2020/21 8

Wellness

On the cover 6 Can taking a PAYMENT 8

HOLIDAY do more harm than good? Is your STRESS contagious?

28 Travel

34 44 52

WORK HARD, PLAY HARD: making the most of local business travel The new LONG LIFE How to DISASTERPROOF your finances

40 Wealth

Entertainment

REAL WORLD Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re part of something bigger

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

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meet the members

USE YOUR BENEFITS

Meet the members

Save yourself time and money by chatting with your free Personal Assistant benefit, available 24/7 on the Sanlam Reality App. Visit sanlamreality. co.za/benefit/ personal-assistant to find out more. Download the Sanlam Reality App

Reality Plus

YOU TELL US WHY SANLAM REALITY IS REWARDING.

Reality Core

Photography: Shutterstock, supplied. Pricing correct at time of print.

Tougeedah Solomons, 35 from Bloemfontein, Free State

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“My benefits help to lessen my burden” “The Personal Assistant has been a great help over the five years I’ve been a member. It’s useful when I search for products, which can often be time-consuming. It’s especially saved me from standing in long lines, which I’ve always dreaded.”

“I love the benefits, and so do my kids” “My kids have benefited from the Dial-A-Teacher benefit – it’s helped in such a convenient way. “Discounts on Nu Metro movie tickets and refreshment combos have also saved me a lot of money.”

Buy R30 2D tickets, R50 3D tickets (Reality Plus and Health only) and R35 refreshment combos at Nu Metro. Book via the Sanlam Reality App for tickets on the go. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/nu-metromovies. T&Cs apply.

Rajes Naidoo, 51 from Durban, KwaZulu-Natal “A huge saving means regular treats for my family” “For me, discounted Nu Metro tickets and refreshment combos make for such a great family treat. When there is a new release, all I do is purchase online and there’s no stress of having to carry any money when going to the movies.”

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get real

payment holidays

Can taking

payment holidays do more harm than good? PAYMENT HOLIDAYS CAN BE CRITICAL TO HELP STABILISE YOUR CASH FLOW – BUT THEY COME WITH CONS, TOO. It is only when the tide goes out that you learn who has been swimming naked,” said businessman and investor Warren Buffett. COVID-19 has pushed the tide out from under us unexpectedly, and many of us have been left financially naked. In a bid to help, many creditors, financial service providers and insurers have offered clients payment holidays. But should you take one?

Your interest may continue to compound

“Payment holidays are a temporary relief plan,” says Ayanda Ndimande, strategic business development manager at Sanlam Personal Loans. “The downside is that depending on how each payment holiday is structured, it can lead to a longer term of payment and more interest charges.” Interest on your debt may continue to accrue; instead of this reducing over time with each monthly repayment, you could find yourself in more debt following the end of your payment-holiday period. Consider the diagram on the right-hand page about Adam to see what this means.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Ask your provider what the terms are regarding interest during your payment holiday; ensure it makes financial sense to take a payment holiday.

You may not be covered by your policy during a payment holiday

When it comes to insurance policies such as life cover or income-protection cover, payment holidays may allow you to take a break from your monthly premiums without needing to cancel your policy entirely. This can be extremely useful, since cancelling and later reopening policies is not only an administrative

SPEAK TO AN EXPERT Get personalised advice from a qualified financial planner to fully understand the right financial decisions for you. Visit sanlamreality. co.za/contact-anadviser.

headache, but may mean you don’t have access to the same types of cover, benefits or premiums that you’re enjoying currently. What’s worth noting, however, is that many risk policies that offer payment holidays may suspend your benefits during the payment-holiday period. This could

GET FREE CREDIT COACHING FROM SANLAM

Some of the assets you’re paying off will continue to increase in value over time (for example, your house). Others – like your car – are unlikely to. In fact, you can expect something like a car to decrease in value. In general, paying off less in the short term and therefore increasing the total amount you need to pay off for a depreciating asset, like a car, is an unwise financial choice. A payment holiday can essentially do this: like the credit-card debt example below (Adam), a short-term payment holiday will likely increase the overall amount you owe on the item in the long term.

Adam has R30 000 debt on his credit card at an 18.6% interest rate per month. He normally pays R500 towards this monthly. Let’s assume Adam doesn’t make any further purchases on his card for 3 months. Here’s what his debt looks like with and without a 3-month payment holiday:

Remember!

A change to payment terms, for example a payment holiday, can mean a change in your contract. Be sure to read the fine print and ask a financial planner to decode any jargon for you before you sign.

or it’s repossessed, you may not recover the full amount you owe against it and find yourself having to stump up extra cash.

ON A 3-MONTH PAYMENT HOLIDAY R5 580 in interest accrued. Total debt now owed: R35 580

R6 617.88 in interest accrued. Total debt owed: R42 197.88

Photography: Shutterstock, Freepik, supplied

R7 848.80 in interest accrued. Total debt owed: R50 046.69

It may not solve the root cause: affordability

There’s no doubt that payment holidays can provide immediate, vital relief – in themselves, they are not bad things. The key is that they are not a silver-bullet solution: they should be a last resort. The most sustainable thing you can do is to review your finances and policies with a qualified financial planner to find out whether a payment holiday is worthwhile, or if there are other things you can adapt instead. There’s no substitute for reducing your non-essential living costs in order to afford the essentials – including your essential savings, debt servicing and risk cover costs – within your existing budget. See if there are any ‘nice-to-haves’ you can cut before you look to payment holidays.

WITHOUT TAKING A PAYMENT HOLIDAY Month

Financed items like cars will continue to depreciate

Think especially hard about taking payment holidays on depreciating assets like your car. Should your financial situation get worse and you’re forced to sell your car

R500 payment made, bringing balance at the beginning of the month to R29 500. R5 487 in interest accrued. Total debt now owed: R34 987

Month

“Debt management is not a scourge – it’s a tool that can help you get back on your feet,” says Ayanda. It’s why we’ve launched Sanlam Credit Solutions. View your credit score and access a personalised dashboard, plus speak to a credit coach for free. Visit sanlamcreditsolutions.co.za for more.

R500 payment made. R6 414.58 in interest accrued. Total debt owed: R40 901.58

Month

mean you’re not actually covered should something happen, possibly putting you in a worse position. The best way to understand what’s right for you is to speak to your financial planner, so that they can advise on the specific terms of payment holidays for specific policies, and how these terms could impact you in the long run.

R500 payment made. R7 514.69 in interest accrued. Total debt owed: R47 916.28

At close of Month 3: Payment holiday saved R1 500 Total increase in debt: R20 046.69 While Adam saved R1 500 in repayments over 3 months taking a payment holiday, he has actually accrued R2 130.41 more in interest than if he hadn’t taken the payment holiday.

At close of Month 3: Total increase in debt: R17 916.28 Ultimately, his payment holiday cost him R630.41 more at the end of Month 3 than if he hadn’t taken one. Because his overall debt is also now higher, it will continue to cost him more in the long run if he doesn’t increase his R500/month repayment amount.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Is your stress contagious? You’re aware of the negative impact of stress on your own health, but how often do you consider how it affects those around you? “Your stress is certainly negatively affecting others, especially if you’re a manager,” writes leadership coach Kristi Hedges for Harvard Business Review. ANALYSE YOUR STRESS Become familiar with your triggers, rather than making general statements such as ‘work is stressful’. Keep a stress journal for a month to spot patterns.

THE POCKETS-OF-SANITY APPROACH Be militant about scheduling breaks. We’re not talking about a two-week holiday once a year, either. Hedges says your ‘pockets of sanity’ could be as simple as taking a walk during your lunch hour, or keeping the day after a big deadline or business trip clear of meetings.

SHARING + STRATEGISING = SUCCESS “While sharing that we’re stressed can make us feel better momentarily, we’re actually contributing to a stressful culture because emotion spreads,” says Hedges. It’s more helpful to share strategies you’re using to improve the situation. Case study: One client of Hedges’ announced that she was no longer checking her email over weekends in an attempt to disconnect. “Her entire team exercised more caution about sending emails on the weekend, and people started showing up to work more refreshed on Mondays,” says Hedges.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

wellness 12

Exercising after COVID-19

Harness your secret superpower

How to navigate grief

Intelligence beyond book smarts

Why WFH isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t all that great

your wellness benefits

As much as 80% monthly discount at Planet Fitness As much as 80% monthly discount at JustGym As much as 60% off monthly fees at independent gyms & studios Go to sanlamreality.co.za/ benefits/health to view your specific benefits, tier status and discount percentage.

wellness

bites

The case for

‘video on’

BREAKOUTS “These times call for a pared-down skincare routine,” oculofacial plastic surgeon Dr Chaneve Jeanniton told US Vogue. “Steer clear of harsh scrubs, heavy-duty exfoliants, and thick creams.”

FOGGED-UP LENSES Choose a mask that has a wire nose bridge. Or, fold a tissue and position it across the bridge of your nose to absorb air updraft. A tip doing the rounds at The Royal College of Surgeons is to wash glasses in soapy water, covering the whole lens, and gently drying them off with a microfibre cloth.

FLYING OR WORKING WITH A MASK Opt for masks made of 100% cotton or even silk. These fabrics form effective barriers and are cooler and comfortable against the skin. If you’re prone to sweating or you find your mask becomes damp after a few hours, carry enough extras to swap them out for the duration of your shift or flight. Damp masks have been shown to be less effective.

MASK MOUTH New York dentists have coined the term ‘mask mouth’ after encountering an uptick in cases of gingivitis, cavities and halitosis. “People tend to breathe through their mouth instead of their nose while wearing a mask,” Dr Marc Sclafani told the New York Post. He recommends making an effort to breathe through your nose, drinking more water, cutting down on caffeine, using an alcohol-free mouthwash and scraping your tongue when you brush your teeth.

MAKE-UP EVERYWHERE Masks are changing the way make-up wearers put on their faces, too. If you can, skip foundation to help prevent the dreaded maskne. Can’t live without it? “Stick with lightweight formulas and apply only on exposed areas,” says make-up artist Cyndle Komarovski. “A lip balm containing humectants and occlusive agents, such as shea butter, provides a protective barrier to keep lips from drying under your face mask,” says New York dermatologist Marnie Nussbaum.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

SOUND IS ONLY HALF THE STORY

VIDEO REDUCES MISCOMMUNICATION

WORDS SINK IN BETTER WITH VIDEO

IT HELPS US CONNECT

MIX IT UP

“A lot of communication – as much as 90% – takes place non-verbally,” explains Sher.

Thanks to our reliance on non-verbal cues, having your video switched on becomes particularly important when it comes to tricky or awkward conversations. “Without it, there’s a higher probability that what you say could be misinterpreted,” adds Sher.

“We process information in various modalities,” says Sher. “Integrating what we see with what we’re hearing allows us to process information at a deeper level.”

“A newborn can’t talk, but its mother still does a huge amount of comforting through eye contact, facial expression and gestures. Those means of communication are familiar and important to us on a primal emotional level.”

Feeling shy? “It’s okay not to be on video for the whole call,” says Sher. Try switching your video on when it’s your turn to speak or to ask a question.

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Text: Jade Taylor Cooke; Photography: Shutterstock, Freepik, supplied

5 M a sk , problems solved

STILL RELUCTANT TO TOGGLE THAT ZOOM VIDEO SETTING INTO THE ‘ON’ POSITION? HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD, ACCORDING TO CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST DANIEL SHER.

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T&Cs apply. Offer correct at time of print. Movie ticket offer valid while stocks last; single membership options: 2 x 2D movie tickets; family membership options: 4 x 2D movie tickets. Increased discounts applicable to members already eligible for that benefit. For full T&Cs, go to sanlamreality.co.za. Sanlam Reality reserves the right to withdraw the offer should circumstances change.

wellness

workout tips

How to return to

exercise

after COVID-19 Returning to a fitness regime after recovering from COVID-19 requires a careful, gradual approach. COVID-19 affects more than just the respiratory tract, and deals the body a big blow that may take some time to heal from. By TRACY LYNN CHEMALY

n comparison to influenza, where over 90% of outpatients recover within approximately two weeks, COVID-19 has proven more challenging; regaining full strength to get back to the gym after infection has required a lot more patience. Even those with mild cases have struggled to get back into shape.

CONSIDER YOUR BODY’S HEALTH HOLISTICALLY

Dr Angelique Coetzee, national chairperson of the South African Medical Association, cautions against exercising too soon after infection, stating that, for many people, complications only arise in the second week of contracting the virus. “COVID-19 can potentially impact the whole body,” she says. “Blood vessels can become inflamed, and patients can develop secondary complications where organs such as the heart and kidneys may be negatively affected.” The lungs, afflicted by an acute respiratory distress syndrome, take time to recover fully, further pausing exercise plans.

WAIT AT LEAST 2-3 WEEKS

A study published on JAMA’s COVID-19 Resource Center, laying out a game plan for returning to sport and exercise, recommends asymptomatic athletes refrain from training for at least two weeks after testing positive, while those who develop mild or moderate symptoms stay away from physical activity for at least an additional two weeks after symptoms have been resolved.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

ARE GYMS REALLY SAFE? “We’ve gone above and beyond the protocols necessary and have taken every precaution not to put our members at any risk,” says Planet Fitness MD Mannee De Wet. Here are some of the things gyms like Planet Fitness are doing to help you go back to training safely: • There is a sanitiser station at each and every piece of equipment so that people can wipe before and after use. • In the weights section, gym members drop their used weights in a box, where a dedicated cleaner sanitises them before returning them to the rails. • Gyms are defogged every evening. • Members are screened upon entry by a COVID-19-compliance officer or nurse. • Strict social distancing rules are applied throughout the club, with markers to assist members.

A study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that:

35%

Of outpatients who had tested positive for COVID-19 had not returned to their usual state of health 2-3 weeks after testing.

1 in 5

people between the ages of 18 and 34 – with no chronic medical conditions – had not fully recovered during this time. Besides fatigue, they most commonly reported:

lingering coughs and headaches – red lights for physical activity.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

workout tips

Those who were hospitalised are recommended to undergo clinical cardiovascular evaluation before gradually resuming exercise. “You have to practise caution when returning to exercise from any illness,” says Planet Fitness MD Mannee De Wet, who advises getting sign-off from your doctor before working out again. “And listen to your body – it tells you very quickly if it’s tired or not coping.”

UP TO 80% OFF GYM FEES Enjoy up to 80% off monthly fees at Planet Fitness and up to 60% off fees at over 200 independent gyms and studios nationwide. Plus, we haven’t penalised members for not being able to gym – members will enjoy discounts based on their visiting history pre-lockdown. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/benefits/health for more.

START WITH LOWINTENSITY TRAINING

Physical activity has been shown to have positive anti-inflammatory effects, but Dr Coetzee advises taking it slow when returning to gym or resuming a fitness regime. The World Health Organization recommends easing in with milder forms of low-intensity exercise such as walking, step-ups and marching on the spot, and adjusting the intensity according to what your body can manage. Says De Wet: “If you’re not up to taking a brisk walk down the road, then you shouldn’t even consider coming into the gym.” Dr Coetzee agrees: “More intense forms of exercise like running and cycling should only be undertaken after a trial run of milder activities, with gradual progression, such as an additional 30 seconds or one minute each time. And if you don’t feel well, stop.” Symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, severe shortness of breath, clamminess, a tight chest or increased pain are signs to cease exercising, or signals that your body is not yet ready for such strain.

WATCH YOUR HEART RATE

“Don’t take your heart rate into the yellow zone when you return to exercise,” says De Wet. “Limit your cardiovascular,

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

high-intensity training in the beginning, and stick to walking or seated rowing at a very light pace, no longer than 18-20 minutes, until you get your fitness levels back up to normal.” He recommends starting out with light resistance training, circuits and weights, as well as gentle yoga classes or floor work that promotes strength, flexibility and core stability.

These sorts of viruses can happen again, and it’s our breathing and lung capacity that will see us through.

GETTING BACK TO FITNESS MATTERS FOR YOUR LONG-TERM HEALTH

“COVID-19 has shown us the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” says De Wet. “We need to stay active and keep our weight down, because these sorts of viruses can happen again, and it’s our breathing and lung capacity that will see us through.”

Photography: Shutterstock

wellness

Of course dancing counts as exercise!

Save up to

60%

on monthly fees at independent gyms & studios, plus pay zero joining fee!

Use in your Sanlam Reality App

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wellness

sleep

Unlock your superpower for success:

In a world where hard work is perceived to mean less sleep, we’ve created a culture in which sacrificing sleep is the norm. But what if the opposite were true: that sleeping more could unlock success? It’s time to rethink your strategy and supercharge your sleep routine. By SANELISIWE MALIZA

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

here’s a reason why, when you type into Google ‘Why am I’, it autocompletes to ‘Why am I so tired?’ We’re all asking the same question and suffering from the same problem: our culture of exhaustion. While you’re probably exhausted because you’re pushing for a better career and more time with your kids and friends, the irony is that the best thing you can do for all of these facets of your life is… get enough sleep.

MYTH:

SACRIFICING SLEEP FOR EXERCISE IS WORTHWHILE

MYTH:

PRODUCTIVITY = LESS SLEEP “I’m so tired” has become an in-office brag: you’ve pulled an all-nighter and dedicated your evenings and weekends to show your dedication to the job. But here’s the thing: you’re actually just hampering your productivity during the day, creating a vicious cycle that lowers your ability to do good work during office hours, continuously forcing you to put in overtime to catch up. “Good sleep has been associated with enhancement of memory consolidation, concentration and emotional stability,” says Dr Nontyatyambo Sondezi, a medical practitioner. Those are all things you need to do your job well. Ongoing lack of sleep reduces these functions, making it harder and harder for you to do good work and be productive during your 9-to-5.

Yes, getting in daily physical exercise is extremely important for your health, but not at the cost of your sleep. If you’re waking up at 5am to go for run, you need to be getting to bed earlier the night before to compensate. “Poor sleep has been linked to and contributes to cardiac risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. It also worsens premorbid conditions including asthma and hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease, among other conditions. People with chronic sleep disorders have impaired daily functioning, a compromised health status and reduced quality of life,” explains Dr Sondezi. Exercise and sleep are both important for wellbeing, and a healthy lifestyle strikes a sustainable balance between the two.

DRIVEN PEOPLE TRAIN THEMSELVES TO SUCCEED ON LESS SLEEP Champion tennis player Serena Williams has sleep built into her training regime, saying: “I require consistent, restful sleep in order to be at my best.” For NFL player Tom Brady, at least eight hours of sleep is his minimum to stay on track. “I think sleep is so important because I break my body down with my sport. It’s the only place to get the recovery that I need,” he explains. The importance of sleep doesn’t just apply to elite athletes; it has an important part to play for people who are in corporate or creative fields. Good sleep can maximise problem-solving skills and enhance memory.

I require consistent, restful sleep in order to be at my best. – Serena Williams SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

wellness

sleep

FIXING A CULTURE OF BURNOUT At the heart of the sleep conversation is our always-on culture that’s driving exhaustion and burnout. “It’s also our collective delusion that overwork and burnout are the price we must pay in order to succeed, ” says author and sleep expert Arianna Huffington. “We need a third metric of success, which includes our health and our being first of all, because if we sacrifice that, what do we have?”

Success and wellbeing work together, not in competition It’s not a matter of choosing wellbeing over success; the two can – and must – work together. “When we prioritise our wellbeing, everything else in our life gets better, including our products, including our performance at work, including our success,” explains Huffington.

Burnout will damage your career, your relationships and your life Cutting sleep to climb the ladder may seem like a good idea now, but it’s not a sustainable way to build a career – the effects of burnout are physically and mentally devastating, and can take years to recover from, ultimately setting back your career in the long term.

TAKE TO-DOS OFF YOUR MIND Use your free Personal Assistant in the Sanlam Reality App to keep track of to-dos and outsource your chores, so you can rest easy. Download the Sanlam Reality App for free from your app store. Download the Sanlam Reality App

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

It’s our collective

“Repeated lack of sleep can, in the long term, result delusion that overwork in ‘light’, non-restorative and burnout are the sleep or insomnia,” says price we must pay in Dr Sondezi. Ongoing sleep deprivation and burnout order to succeed. can, according to Mayo Clinic, lead to excessive stress, insomnia, sadness, anger or irritability, alcohol or substance abuse, heart disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. In the worst cases, people suffer breakdowns, and have to take extended sabbaticals – not exactly a career-boosting move in the long run!

1 2

4 STEPS TO GOOD SLEEP HYGIENE

Be consistent: go to bed at the same time each night, and get up at the same time each morning. Manage your light exposure, since light plays a vital role in your sleep. Ensure your room doesn’t have any light coming in. “Exposure to light in the late evening tends to delay the phase of our internal clock and lead us to prefer later sleep times. Exposure to light in the middle of the night can have more unpredictable effects, but can certainly be enough to cause our internal clock to reset. This greatly impacts on the quality of sleep,” says Dr Sondezi. Be smart about what you eat. “Medication and other substances including caffeine, alcohol, nicotine and antihistamines, as well as prescription medications including beta-blockers and alpha-blockers, affect both quantity and quality of sleep. Discussions with your physician about risks and benefits, minimal effective doses and alternative treatment can help overcome medicationinduced sleep disorders,” she adds. Keep your sleeping space sacred. Don’t work in your pyjamas, or worse, don’t work in bed. It’s important that your sleeping area is distinct from stressful things, like work. When you’re in bed, you want to train your body to know it’s time to switch off. That includes keeping it separate from your smartphone, too. Buy an old-school alarm clock and leave your phone charging overnight in another room.

How to deal with insomnia 1 SLEEP STUDY If you don’t understand the cause and habits of your sleep deficiency, study your sleep with apps like Sleep Cycle, which help keep a tab on your sleep habits.

2 PRACTISE RELAXATION BEFORE SLEEP Meditate or do calming exercises to ensure you’re calm before getting into bed. Use an app like Headspace for beginner guided meditations.

3 AVOID OR LIMIT NAPS Naps can make it harder to fall asleep. Avoid napping during the day. If you can’t get by, try to limit a nap to less than 30 minutes.

4 SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION Speak to a specialist to get to the bottom of your sleeplessness.

EARN TIER POINTS Do our online wellness check to assess your overall wellbeing, and you’ll earn

3 000 Photography: Shutterstock, Freepik

tier points.

Head into Clicks or Dis-Chem to take our Basic Medical Test and earn an extra 10 000 points. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/ earn-points for more.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

wellness

secondary trauma

Navigating

grief, loss

and secondary trauma

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed all of us to caregiving, grief and loss in a new way. Here’s help in managing the trauma that these experiences can bring. By CEBOKAZI SOTOBE

eath is one of life’s sad guarantees, but that does nothing to ease the pain we feel when we lose a loved one, especially in a pandemic. It has become widely accepted that you go through the five stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance), but it remains that there is no ‘right’ way to grieve. “In May, I experienced two sudden major traumatic events in my life due to the pandemic. I was retrenched, and my older sister died from complications related to COVID-19,” says one journalist based in Jo’burg. “Both incidents happened a week apart; I was devastated. I struggled a lot with showing It’s not only the passing of a loved one that leads to feelings of loss. People also my emotions, and some family and friends were puzzled experience grief when a relationship ends, or if you lose a job or possessions by this, which made me such as your house as a result of financial difficulties. These instances have feel judged.” become increasingly common as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. “There is a lot of pressure on watching how you grieve,” says – Megan Hosking, psychiatric intake clinician at Akeso Psychiatric Hospital Lindiwe Tshabalala, a Jo’burgbased counsellor. “This is because people have different views of grief. What’s important, though, is not so much how you grieve, but that you allow yourself to grieve According to Hosking: “Often there is no time to prepare for the loss, and often you may not have your full support system around.” She in the way that you need.” adds that it’s important to remember that even though you are an adult, dealing This includes allowing yourself to with a major loss can make you lose your footing. This is a sensitive time when grieve for other losses in your life, like you should be taking care of yourself more than usual and taking your time to a job. It’s just as important to process evaluate how you feel. “Many people lean on alcohol, sex and partying to distract your emotions related to these kinds them from their loss,” Tshabalala warns. Rather lean into people and a support of losses as it is when someone system – talk to friends, colleagues, HR or an independent counsellor. Seek out passes away. support groups with other people who have gone through a similar loss to yours.

Lean into others

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THE STAGES OF GRIEF

While these stages are often presented as a linear process, you can experience several stages at once, or in your own way.

DENIAL

The first emotion many people experience following a loss is a state of shock and denial. Denial may result in a person carrying on with life as though the loss has not happened, refusing to ‘feel’ the emotions associated with the loss.

BARGAINING

As you move out of anger, you may try to make arrangements, promises or bargain with others or a higher power to try and ‘reverse’ the loss and minimise your own sense of being harmed. For example, if a relationship ends, this can present itself as you trying to get your partner back.

ACCEPTANCE

Acceptance does not mean that everything suddenly feels right again; or that you are completely healed or ‘okay’ with the loss you have suffered. This stage is more about realising that life without your loved one or in your changed situation is the way things are going to be, and learning to live with this.

DEPRESSION

This stage is often where reality starts to set in, and you move your attention to the present situation. You may feel intense sadness, or feel like doing nothing. Depression as a stage of grief is not the same as depression as a diagnosable, long-term mental health illness. At this point, it becomes important to refocus your goals and dreams, and to stay physically active, to sleep well and to stick to routines.

What is secondary trauma?

Illustrations: stories/freepik

ANGER

Anger can often feel endless; you may feel angry at others – the deceased person, your family, the health system, your employer, or even a higher power. Feelings of regret and guilt (whether perceived or real) often manifest as anger against others who you think may have contributed to, or caused, your loss.

Compassion fatigue, also referred to as Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS), can happen when professionals or caregivers experience extreme emotional stress as a result of working with people who have been traumatised. Typically, secondary trauma is experienced by healthcare professionals and first responders – but in the pandemic, when we’ve all become caregivers, a rise in secondary trauma among the general population is inevitable. Secondary trauma can present itself as fatigue, loss of appetite, sleep disorder, numbness and a sense of fear or despair. To help protect yourself, try to consume less bad news or media that may increase feelings of anxiety or loss of control. Educate yourself with facts so you feel empowered, not bad news or, worse, fake news. Speak to a counsellor if you’re suffering symptoms, and reach out to your support network for help. If you’re feeling very low, speak to a medical doctor.

NAVIGATING JOB OR FINANCIAL LOSS Need help navigating loss in the form of a job loss, financial loss or property loss? You have access to free legal assistance telephonically; call 0860 732 548/9 or visit sanlamreality. co.za/benefit/ legal-assist.

YOU HAVE 24/7 COUNSELLING HELP Use your free Trauma, Assault & HIV Assist benefit to speak to an expert over the phone 24/7. Call 0860 732 548/9 or visit sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/traumaassault-hiv-assist.

Helping a child navigate loss

Helping a child navigate grief is complex and tough – it’s best to seek expert help in the form of a child psychologist, medical doctor or paediatrician. Here are some other tips for navigating this day-to-day: + Have an open and honest conversation about grieving. Share with children how you’re feeling, what’s normal to feel, and why talking about feelings can be helpful. Don’t shame any kind of emotions – allow children to speak freely about how they’re feeling. + Reassure the child that they will still be loved and taken care of. Providing a sense of security is key. + If you’re concerned about their behaviour, get advice from a counsellor, social worker or psychologist.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

wellness

the smarts we all need

How

INTELLIGENT

are you?

Today’s best managers, partners and workers aren’t just book smart – they’re all sorts of other smart, too. Find out your strength areas, and what you can do to improve for well-rounded intelligence. By DOMINIQUE BOWEN Beyond book smarts “One of the biggest sins we’ve committed as humanity is boxing people into ways of being and doing,” says Rachel Nyaradzo Adams, founder of Narachi Leadership (narachileadership.com; @narachileadership), a pan-African leadership consultancy. “It creates a lot of ineffectiveness and disconnectedness in the world. There’s IQ, but then there’s also EQ, and there’s a spiritual quotient; what is the full holistic package of what it means for one to be intelligent?”

IQ alone won’t cut it

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University pinpoint a balance of two parts of your brain – the empathetic and the analytical – as the key to winning on the work front. “Most of us risk getting stuck in one of the two neural networks,” the team led by Prof Melvin Smith note. “But we need both. In fact, the most effective leaders are able to toggle back and forth between them seamlessly.”

One of the biggest sins we’ve committed as humanity is boxing people into ways of being and doing.

Our career successes depend on qualities outside the IQ bucket, and increasingly, emotional intelligence (EQ) has been sought as a key skill in leaders. Self-awareness, self-management, social awareness and relationship management are the core competencies for EQ.

“If you look at relationships, a lot of us don’t have emotional fluency,” notes Nyaradzo Adams. This leads to an unwitting blindness to others’ feelings, and an inability to support their emotional wellbeing properly. “There are disruptions that continually happen in our relationships because we don’t have emotional intelligence,” she continues. “So being educated in that is so fundamental.”

BOOST YOUR INTELLIGENCE(S) Ask your free Personal Assistant to source quotes for classes, coaches and more to boost your all-round intelligence. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/ personal-assistant or chat to your PA in the free Sanlam Reality App. Download the Sanlam Reality App

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

wellness

the smarts we all need

YOUtick?

What makes

Which type of intelligence is your strength area? Find out with this quiz & see how you can grow your intelligence further.

What you’re drawn to Career choices

Your strong suit

How to boost this intelligence

The power of the written and spoken word

Patterns and sequences, logic and method

The pitch, tone and rhythm of musical compositions

Poet, writer, lawyer or speaker

Anything in the sciences

Conductor, musician or music therapist

You’re analytical and methodical.

You’re an auditory learner and could be skilled at imitation or mimicry – great for acting!

You have a flair for languages, which you use to express yourself and help you remember things. • Play word games such as Scrabble, 30 Seconds, crosswords etc. • Join a book club.

• Solve logic puzzles.

• Learn to play a new instrument.

• Play board games to develop your strategicthinking skills.

• Play a name-thattune quiz.

LOGICALMATHEMATICAL

MUSICAL

“Being among people who do similar work to me really gives me grounding and confidence that this is valid,” shares Nyaradzo Adams. “When you have a tribe, you start to see there’s a language that you share and that helps you develop and grow.”

Type of intelligence

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LINGUISTIC

THE IMPORTANCE OF VERSATILITY “Just because you’re building a certain kind of intelligence, it doesn’t mean you can’t pivot into other types of intelligence,” says Nyaradzo Adams. “I think it’s about understanding that ‘this is the core of my intelligence. This is the space in which I play.’ So, investing in any resources that allow you to grow within that is very powerful.”

Visualising objects in more than one dimension (2D, 3D) and rotating, transforming and manipulating them

Intentions, motivations and desires of the people around you, making it easier for you to collaborate with others

Your own thoughts and feelings, and your capacity to self-reflect. You’re intrigued by your potential and ways to achieve it.

Actor, athlete, paramedic, personal trainer or farmer

Architect or engineer

Educator, salesperson, influential leader or counsellor

Psychologist, therapist or entrepreneur

Your motor skills and coordination are top-notch, and you are always up to experiment, using your body as a tool.

You’re able to judge the parameters of a space using your mind’s eye.

You pay attention to the different sides of a story, and feel comfortable resolving conflict in group situations.

Your self-awareness helps you connect naturally with your personal growth, while regulating how you respond to negative moments in a practical way.

Your body’s ability to achieve outcomes, and learn through physical movement and experimentation

• Practise learning through doing. • Get out there! Explore your environment to see what your body is capable of.

Photography: Shutterstock, Rawpixel.com/Freepik

• Keep experimenting!

“You can’t grow any intelligence without experimenting,” says Nyaradzo Adams. “Take yourself to the next level all the time by taking big and small risks. I think that’s a useful mechanism.”

BODILYKINAESTHETIC

• Have the courage to make the first move, even if you are shy. “The more hours you practise something, the sharper that intelligence will become,” says Nyaradzo Adams.

• Practise drawing and modelling objects in a 3D plane. • Tackle craft projects from concept to design and construction.

SPATIAL

• Pay more attention to non-verbal cues like your body language. • Listen to understand, instead of simply listening to respond.

• Regularly find a quiet spot in your day or week to meditate and reflect on your personal growth, including challenges and achievements. • Start a vision board or scrapbook of your dreams, ambitions and anything else that inspires you.

“Being courageous is often initiated at the point at which you’re able to step into your own adult voice, your authentic self,” says Nyaradzo Adams. “Up until that point, you are living according to what society has said you are, and what you should be.”

INTERPERSONAL

INTRAPERSONAL

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

wellness

routine

You’re not alone

Can’t wait for your commute again?

Chomping at the bit to get back to the office? There’s science behind why routine can make us happy, healthier and holistically better off. Here’s why working from home isn’t all it’s been cracked up to be. By CHRISTINE VAN DEEMTER

he alarm starts blaring at 8:45am. You roll out of bed, into the kitchen, and flick on the kettle. Your slippered feet lumber over to your work desk, where you nudge your mouse to wake up your computer so it looks like you’re online at 9am sharp. No Zooms today means you can stay in your house robe instead of changing into your meeting top. Ooh, is it 11am already? Snack time! And so another work-from-home (WFH) day rolls indistinguishably into the next, especially for those of us who don’t also have to take on the role of engaged teacher and always-available playmate to the children of the house. And you thought you would never miss jammed printer paper and droning small talk about weekend plans!

Turns out WFH – and its cousin, flexible hours – could be hiding some surprising downsides. As much as we might decry routine, do we actually need it for our wellbeing?

Create a healthy routine you’ll actually stick to Whether you’re at the office or at home, having structure is key for wellbeing.

MAKE YOUR ROUTINE HOLISTIC

It should include habits for yourself, your relationships and your career. By only focusing on one aspect, you risk neglecting the others. That doesn’t mean they all need equal time, but they do all need constant attention.

TAKE THE TIME TO NURTURE YOURSELF

You don’t need to schedule in a week at a yoga retreat – but a quiet coffee every morning, or 30 minutes of exercise every day, or reading before bed are all healthy habits that may make you happier.

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CONNECT WITH YOUR LOVED ONES

Schedule in story time with the kids, 20 minutes to check in with your partner, or give your parents a call. Not only will you feel more loved and loving, it will also help assuage feelings of guilt about your workload.

SEPARATE WORK AND HOME WITH A RITUAL

Having a clear transition from work to home – even if you don’t have an office – will help your mind switch from one sphere to the next. You could end each

WFH day by staying off your phone for an hour, or making it a habit to get up and water your plants at 5pm.

BE PROACTIVE WITH YOUR WORK SCHEDULE

Have a solid outline of what needs to be done, by when. Vague work deadlines or projects will only lead to procrastination. It’s also important to set clear boundaries, including having a dedicated workspace and blocking off time where you only focus on work, for instance by going offline on Slack or Microsoft Teams.

Why the stats suggest WFH increases productivity… but increases your working hours, too

JUGGLING KIDS AT HOME?

Photography: Shutterstock, Freepik, macrovector_official/Freepik

Use your Dial-ATeacher benefit to get free help with their schoolwork. Call 0860 00 7325 or email personalassistant@ sanlamreality.co.za Monday to Thursday, 6pm-9pm.

When the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered most people behind doors, many companies embraced remote working and flexible hours. While WFH does have benefits, there are a number of pitfalls – especially for people who struggle without structure.

Our brains crave routine: it gives us a sense of comfort, knowing that the same thing will happen every day, reducing unpredictability, which stresses the brain out. A study published in The Lancet Psychiatry even found that people with a daytime routine have healthier sleeping habits, while family routines help children feel safer.

80%

66%

65%

Say they can better manage interruptions from coworkers

Prefer working in the office or workplace

Feel their productivity has increased

How have jobs changed now that more people work from home?

42% 27% 26% 29% 71% 72%

Miss socialising with co-workers Say they’re working more hours Parts of their job are being executed more quickly Say non-essential meetings have been pared down to emails Don’t feel pressure to prove they’re working Say they’re not checking in with their team more than usual

A slow/unreliable internet connection is a major obstacle when working from home South Africa Australia France India UK Mexico Global average USA Germany China Belgium Brazil Canada Netherlands Japan

23%

Miss colleagues and in-office face time

56%

Feel their ideas and opinions are heard less in video meetings

0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35%

12%

Admit to being naked during conference calls

Top WFH grievances globally Family demanding attention Difficulty concentrating Family/pets disturbing phone calls Lack of office equipment Household noises Slow/unreliable internet connection Personal financial cost 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% Source: Zapier and Mentimeter, 2020; Regus 2017

NEED HELP GETTING THINGS DONE? Use your free Personal Assistant in the Sanlam Reality App to help work through your to-do list; plus, keep track of tasks and chat to your PA in-app. Download the Sanlam Reality App

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Immunity passports: the future of travel? While digital passports (aka ePassports or biometric passports) are increasingly commonplace, ‘immunity passports’ may be a route to unlocking international travel safely after COVID-19. Spearheaded by Chile – and with Germany, Italy, the UK and the US joining the conversation – immunity passports would allow recovered patients to travel with exemptions from quarantine restrictions. Applicants may receive immunity passports (based on an antibody test) that last for three months from the date of recovery. But the World Health Organization (WHO) has some concerns: long-term immunity against COVID-19 is still in question; experts aren’t sure there is such a thing as long-term immunity. The WHO also has concerns about the accuracy of testing and results, and a fear that this kind of ‘quick fix’ might shield governments from putting in place the thorough health, economic and social reforms needed to control the pandemic in the long term.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

travel 32

Make Austria your post-lockdown destination

Master the workcation

Top bush breaks for every budget

Supercharge your summer! From 1 November 2020 until 31 January 2021. T&Cs apply.

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SUPERCHARGED!

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Access Bidvest Premier Lounges at airports for free (Reality Health & Reality Plus)

Go to sanlamreality.co.za/ benefits/travel to view your specific benefits and discount percentage.

travel

bites

How the pandemic flipped our travel budgets IN A BID TO SEE HOW SOUTH AFRICANS’ TRAVEL HABITS WILL CHANGE, CAPE TOWN TOURISM RAN A NATIONWIDE SURVEY IN JUNE WITH 5 485 RESPONSES. THEY FOUND:

50%

of us travelled domestically

in 2019/20.

12%

of us travelled overseas in the same period.

GET UP TO 30% OFF YOUR HOTEL STAY You enjoy up to 30% off Protea Hotels by Marriott® bookings. Visit sanlamreality. co.za/benefit/ protea-hotels to learn more. T&Cs apply.

How to stay in a hotel safely post COVID-19 Can you trust hotels and enjoy all their usual luxuries post COVID-19? According to THUTHUKILE MOLOTO, general manager at Protea Hotel Fire & Ice by Marriott® Durban Umhlanga Ridge, you most certainly can. HOW HAS ROOM SERVICE CHANGED?

22%

of us plan to spend this on leisure travel in the near future.

79%

of us are shifting our budgets to focus on groceries and day-to-day necessities instead.

39%

are doubling down on savings and investments over travel.

SAVE ON TRAVEL You enjoy discounts on everything from Mango and Emirates flights and Tempest Car Hire to Uber trips, plus free access to Bidvest Premier Lounges and more. We’re here to help make travel more affordable, even in tough times. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/benefits/travel. T&Cs apply.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

“Food is prepared and packed in sealed disposable containers together with disposable cups, and placed on a tray. Our room service waiters, who deliver meals to the guest room, are dressed with Personal Protective Equipment. To avoid direct contact with guests, the waiter knocks and announces the food order and doesn’t enter the room. Disinfectant wipes are also provided,” she explains.

WHAT ABOUT THE LINEN? Thuthukile adds that their laundry company has implemented procedures to minimise risk. “Linen is placed in a PPE zone that’s been sanitised before being taken up to rooms. Over and above this, rooms are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. This includes buttons, knobs and switches, doors and handles, electronics and telephones, luggage racks and TV remote controls. In addition to your room, these elevated cleaning protocols and advanced cleaning technology are used throughout the hotel’s public spaces,” she says.

HOW SHOULD YOUR PACKING CHANGE? Thuthukile suggests packing a face mask, hand sanitiser, disinfectant wipes and a plastic bag to separate your used clothes from your clean ones. “Although the hotel may provide these, it’s very important that you carry your own,” she stresses.

CHECK BEFORE YOUR STAY Lastly, Thuthukile recommends you ask the hotel you’re staying in to share the new processes implemented. “By doing this, you will be assured that safety and hygiene is a priority for guests and staff,” she says, reminding guests to sanitise after leaving any area of the hotel, whether it be the bar, restaurant or even the lifts.

Text: Tori Hoffman; Photography: Shutterstock

24%

of us have disposable income to spend on travel.

You donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t need to fly overseas to go on an adventure

Special offer! From November 2020 to January 2021, get up to

50%

off Mango flights!

To book, go to sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/mango-flights or call 0860 732 548/9 for more information. Subject to availability. Sanlam Reality reserves the right to withdraw the offer should circumstances change. T&Cs apply.

travel

austria

Where’s safe to go?

Try Austria! Top things to do and see

IF YOU’RE A CULTURE VULTURE Some of Austria’s most famous castles, built during the Habsburg reign, include Festung Hohensalzburg, Burg Hohenwerfen and Castle Liechtenstein and are not to be missed if culture and history are your passion. Once you’ve worn out your walking shoes, why not head over to the magical city of Salzburg and take a tour of Mozart’s family home? The original Sound of Music movie was also filmed here in 1964, and is another top destination for tourists. For a truly first-class experience, head to Vienna from June to September and you’ll catch the acclaimed Vienna opera

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

season, where the three big opera houses host their headline shows (the State Opera House, The Volksoper and Theater an der Wien). IF YOU LOVE ADVENTURE Austria’s popularity among international skiers is boosted by its value for money. Holiday packages, lift passes, lodging, dining, ski schools, and even après-ski activities still cost less here than in the French or Swiss Alps. What’s more, Austrian skiing is also not limited to winter because glaciers provide year-round snow. Try Ski Solutions (skisolutions.com) or Tripadvisor (tripadvisor.com) for more info on where to stay.

IF YOU’RE A FOODIE If you fancy yourself a foodie, then you’ll have to try out tafelspitz (boiled veal or beef in broth, served with a mix of minced apples and horseradish) at the most famous tafelspitz restaurant in Austria, Plachutta (plachutta.at). Wiener schnitzel – a thin, breaded, pan-fried veal cutlet – should also be a must on your menu, and you can savour one at Schnitzelwirt (schnitzelwirt.co.at) at around R140 per head. Don’t forget to wash it down with a Stiegl, a renowned Austrian beer. For a truly unforgettable experience, time your trip for Vienna’s Beer Festival, which happens in May each year (wienerbierfest.at).

Prices and information correct at time of print. Photography: Shutterstock.

According to Deep Knowledge Group, Austria has been ranked as one of the safest travel spots post COVID-19. It means if you’re daring to dream of a holiday abroad, then Austria – famous for its architecture, coffee houses, opera halls, cosy wine taverns and ski slopes – is where you need to direct your fantasies… and your savings. By TORI HOFFMAN

UP TO 25% OFF FLIGHTS Reality Plus and Health members enjoy up to 25% discount on Emirates flights. Learn more at sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/emirates. T&Cs apply.

Austria’s capital is home to Baroque architecture, chic city hotels, the Imperial Palace, galleries and museums, and the famous Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Give yourself at least three days to explore.

What’s where?

The home of The Sound of Music and Mozart, the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Old Town set in the mountains with its own castle. Go in August to enjoy the annual Salzburg Festival. An hour from Salzburg Airport UPPER is the lakeside town of Zell am See, AUSTRIA where snow is almost a guarantee Salzburg and the ski season lasts as long as October to June.

Vienna LOWER AUSTRIA

BURGENLAND

STYRIA

VORARLBERG TYROL

SALZBURG TYROL

CARINTHIA

In summer, see stunning lakes and scenic mountains. Visit Kaisertal Valley in Tyrol and Körbersee Lake in Vorarlberg. In winter, Arlberg, Brandnertal, Bregenzerwald and Montafon in Vorarlberg are all world-class ski spots.

An hour from Vienna, Burgenland is one of Austria’s top wine regions, promising vineyards and eateries galore.

Must-knows

VISAS: South African passport holders need a Schengen visa to enter Austria. BEST TIME TO GO: Spring and autumn offer moderate weather and sparser crowds, but time your trip according to your activities: music festivals, beer festivals and skiing seasons happen at certain times in the year. Expect the peak summer months of June to August to be busy and more expensive. FLYING THERE: A return flight from Jo’burg with Emirates will cost you around R12 500. GETTING AROUND: Train travel is an efficient way to zip around Austria and take in its lush scenery. Trains are operated by the Austrian Federal Railways (Osterreichische Bundesbahnen or OBB), which provides schedules, prices and ticketing on its website (oebb.at). Buses can get you to remote regions and villages that can’t be reached by train, including ski resorts and hamlets at higher elevations. OBB’s Postbus network (postbus.at) covers 900 routes that have a combined 40 000 bus stops. Buy package-rate passes to save money.

But can I afford it?

To give you a rough idea, a double room at Vienna’s The Beethoven (hotel-beethoven. at/), a few minutes’ walk from the Vienna State Opera, will set you back around R3 000 per night. More affordable is The Senator Hotel (a 20-minute tram ride from the centre), where you can get a double room from R1 250 per night. A hostel like PrimeRooms 2.0 (primerooms.at) offers beds in dorms from as little as R350 a night. Try looking on Booking.com or Hotels.com for more hostel options (including private rooms) if your budget is tight.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

travel

local cities

Work hard, play hard! Make the most of business travel by taking in the local sights, sounds and eats of our beautiful cities during your trip. Here’s what to pencil in around those business meetings. By BUSANG SENNE

CAPE TOWN

IF YOU’VE GOT…

STAY AT PROTEA HOTEL BY MARRIOTT® CAPE TOWN SEA POINT IF YOU’VE GOT…

A FEW HOURS

1 Where to eat KLEINSKY’S

Cape Town’s answer to the traditional New York deli, expect bagels, lox and lots of rugelach. kleinskys.co.za

2 Where to go for a dose of culture

SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL GALLERY

Part of Iziko Museums and in the heart of the Company’s Garden (worth a walk-through in itself), explore one of SA’s largest art collections.

3 Where to go out at night

PUBLIK WINE BAR

With unusual wines on offer

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

and a great tapas menu, sit back and go where your taste buds take you.

4 Where to relax

LONG STREET BATHS & TURKISH STEAM BATH

A special hole in the wall in town, this spot has indoor heated swimming pools, saunas and Turkish steam baths.

5 Where to go to stretch your legs THE COMPANY’S GARDEN

A national monument, this public park has a rose garden, Japanese garden, fish pond and aviary. It comes alive over lunchtimes.

A DAY 1 Where to eat SOUTH CHINA DIM SUM BAR

Simple, sit-in street food with perfect portions for solo travellers. 078 846 3656

2 Where to go for a dose of culture

THE ZEITZ MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART AFRICA

The largest collection of contemporary African art. The building itself is an architectural masterpiece, converted from old grain silos at the V&A Waterfront. (Free on Wednesdays for African citizens.) zeitzmocaa.museum

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PRETORIA

STAY AT Protea Hotel by Marriott® Pretoria Loftus Park IF YOU’VE GOT…

A FEW HOURS 1 Where to eat

PRETORIA NATIONAL BOTANICAL GARDEN

A celebration of SA’s diversity, sample cakes, tarts and other lunch delights. afroboer.co.za

2 Where to go for a dose of culture

5 Where to go to stretch your legs

Surrounded by Arcadia Park, see some of the best South African art on display. tshwane.gov.za

Opt for a short hike to clear your head or to prepare for a meeting. The Zebra Trail lasts two hours and is relatively easy. hennopstrails.co.za/hiking-trail

PRETORIA ART MUSEUM

3 Where to go out at night

HENNOPS

WHISK WINE BAR

TJING TJING

A 200-year-old building with a Japanese dining experience and rooftop bar. tjingtjing.co.za

4 Where to relax

THE LABIA THEATRE

South Africa’s oldest indie cinema, enjoy slushie cocktails while watching their unique selection of flicks in retro style. thelabia.co.za

5 Where to get some exercise/get out/see the scenery NEWLANDS FOREST

A short drive around the mountain from the CBD, enjoy an easy hike on one of the gravel trails, suitable if you’re walking alone. sanparks.org

IF YOU’VE GOT…

Sit and soak in the lush oasis of these beautiful gardens, one of nine of SA’s national botanical gardens. sanbi.org/gardens/pretoria

AFRO-BOER

3 Where to go out at night

T&Cs apply.

4 Where to relax

What better way to wind down from a hard day’s work than in this chic but comfy bar and restaurant, with everything from burgers to craft beer? whiskwinebar.com

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A DAY 1 Where to eat FERMIER

Founded on conscious-farming practices, this spot promises fresh, fascinating dining. fermierrestaurant.com

2 Where to go for a dose of culture

KLITSGRAS DRUMMING

Watch an array of drumming circles and musical experiences, or opt to take part in the action. klitsgras.co.za

3 Where to go out at night

BARACAS WINE & BEER BAR

One of the oldest pubs in Pretoria, expect good beer mixed with rich heritage. 012 460 5291

4 Where to relax

INNER SOUL ART LOUNGE & DAY SPA

Be pampered while admiring the fine art on display. innersoul.co.za

5 Where to go to stretch your legs BLUE CRANE RESTAURANT

Situated on a lake in a nature reserve, take a short walk followed by a coffee. A great way to see Pretoria’s hidden beauty. bluecranerestaurant.co.za SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

travel

local cities

DURBAN

STAY AT Protea Hotel by

Marriott® Durban Umhlanga IF YOU’VE GOT…

A FEW HOURS 1 Where to eat

IF YOU’VE GOT…

JOHNNY’S ROTIS

A Durban institution! Also known as Sunrise Chip ‘n Ranch, try the famous Chip ‘n’ Cheese Roti with gravy. 031 209 2020

2 Where to go for a dose of culture

KHANGELA BREWERY

The largest manufacturer of umqombothi traditional beer in the country, book into a guided tour from Tuesday to Thursday. unbreweries.co.za

3 Where to go out at night

LIGHTHOUSE BAR, THE OYSTERBOX HOTEL

A DAY 1 Where to eat

BIG EASY WINE BAR & GRILL

Dine at pro golfer Ernie Els’ accalaimed restaurant. bigeasydurban.co.za

2 Where to go for a dose of culture

JUMA MASJID MOSQUE

Aka the Grey Street Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the southern hemisphere! 031 304 1518

3 Where to go out at night

MOYO USHAKA PIER BAR

Drink the signature Umhlanga Schling cocktail and marvel at 180° views of the Durban coastline. oysterboxhotel.com

Watch the world go by with ocean views at this trendy bar destination. moyo.co.za

4 Where to relax

Slip away from the crowds and wind down surrounded by calming ponds and fountains. durbanbotanicgardens.org.za

Explore the array of incense, spices and colourful fabrics. victoriastreetmarket.co.za

AMPHITHEATRE GARDENS

5 Where to go to stretch your legs

THE GOLDEN MILE

Walk along the promenade and take in the sea views; or people-watch on the beach.

VICTORIA STREET MARKET

5 Where to go to stretch your legs

POINT WATERFRONT

Walk to Durban’s Point Waterfront, then give your legs a rest by taking a ride on a gondola. gondolas.co.za

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JO’BURG

STAY AT Protea Hotel Fire & Ice! Melrose Arch IF YOU’VE GOT…

A FEW HOURS 1 Where to eat THE WHIPPET

What used to be an old Linden hotel is now the perfect coffee spot. Spend time chipping away at ideas over their speciality baked goods. thewhippetcoffee.com

2 Where to go for a dose of culture

3 Where to go out at night

Nestled in the creative Maboneng Precinct, this eclectic space offers eateries, markets, clothing stores and more. artsonmain.co.za

Craighall’s crown jewel, this spot has transformed into a vibrant bar and restaurant with colourful Cuban influences. theroyale.co.za

ARTS ON MAIN

THE ROYALE

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IF YOU’VE GOT…

A DAY 1 Where to eat

GINGER RESTAURANT

T&Cs apply. Download the Sanlam Reality App

One of the best beachside-view spots in PE, expect fine dining with an open kitchen and terrace. ginger-restaurant.co.za

PORT ELIZABETH STAY AT Protea Hotel

2 Where to go for a dose of culture

Port Elizabeth Marine

4 Where to relax

3 Where to go out at night

Part Champagne bar, part curio shop, part bookstore, there’s something for everyone. skoobs.co.za

So secluded, you may miss it. Enter inside and it’s a swanky cocktail emporium that takes mixology to a whole new level. sintaxbar.com

SKOOBS THEATRE OF BOOKS

5 Where to stretch your legs

4 Where to relax

Water features and bird-watching benches some of the highlights of this urban park. 011 643 2313

A rooftop jungle with a stunning view of inner-city Jozi, enjoy a drink or tapas with music and a laidback vibe. livingroomjozi.co.za

THE WILDS NATURE RESERVE

Photography: Rockingchair Photography, Robyn Davie Photography and Brandon Hinton, Mohammed Hoosain, Wianelle Briers, Huft + Crow, Shutterstock

SIN + TAX

THE LIVING ROOM

IF YOU’VE GOT…

A DAY

1 Where to eat BEERYARD

An extensive beer selection and a PE fave for thin-crust pizzas and hearty burgers. 041 582 2444

2 Where to go for a dose of culture

One of Jo’burg’s best kept secrets, enjoy a collection of fresh seafood or creative gastro-style comfort food. eatout.co.za/venue/shuckedoyster-bar

ROUTE 67

Sixty-seven art pieces by 67 Eastern Cape artists, this heritage walk was created in celebration of 67 years of Mandela’s legacy. nmbt.co.za

A beautiful Victorian conservatory built in 1882. nmbt.co.za

SARDINIA BAY BEACH

One of the best beaches to walk along for unspoilt coastline and lovely picnic facilities. nmbt.co.za

ZOO LAKE

Take a boat ride, have a bite at Moyo, grab a cold one at Bowl’s, or picnic on the green. zoolake.org

SALT

PEARSON ST. GEORGE’S PARK CONSERVATORY

4 Where to relax

5 Where to stretch your legs

3 Where to go out at night

4 Where to relax

A local must-see and PE’s first craft brewery. bridgestreet.co.za

2 Where to go for a dose of culture

NANAGA FARMSTALL

Although an hour’s drive or so from town, the ‘roosterkoek’ is the best! Their pies are a must-try, too. nanaga.co.za

Relaxed without compromising on quality, this eatery and bar is a perfect place to settle down for the evening. facebook.com/Salt.pe

BRIDGE STREET BREWERY

SHUCKED OYSTER BAR

Turn cinema into an indie experience with retro showing rooms, unusual films and amazing combo deals on pizza and Jack Black ale. thebioscope.co.za

A FEW HOURS

3 Where to go out at night

1 Where to eat

BIOSCOPE INDEPENDENT CINEMA

IF YOU’VE GOT…

5 Where to go to stretch your legs

HUMEWOOD BEACH

Blue Flag-accredited, this is one of the country’s most pristine beaches. nmbt.co.za

5 Where to go to stretch your legs

ST GEORGE’S PARK

The oldest park in PE houses the famous Port Elizabeth Cricket Club and the oldest bowling green in the country. nmbt.co.za SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

travel

bush breaks

Bush breaks for every budget There’s nothing like nature to re-energise you – and what better way to enjoy a socially distanced adventure than via safari? Find a spot to suit your budget, here.

BUDGET

NORTHERN CAPE

MOKALA NATIONAL PARK

BLOWOUT

EASTERN CAPE

MOUNT CAMDEBOO PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Privately owned and with a passion for conservation, Mount Camdeboo Private Game Reserve is home to numerous endangered species that have been successfully rehabilitated and reintroduced into South Africa’s malaria-free Great Karoo. Stay in one of three beautifully restored Cape Dutch houses, or opt for a luxe safari tent nestled within the majestic Sneeuberg range. Take a night drive to spot a Cape eagle-owl, bat-eared fox or aardvark, book a 4x4 experience in search of buffalo, zebra and expansive, rocky views, or go on one of the many Camdeboo National Park nature walks. The Valley of Desolation is also only a short drive away, and perfect for sundowners. GETTING THERE: Seven-and-a-half hours’ drive from Cape Town and three hours’ drive from Port Elizabeth. RATES: From R3 160/person per night. newmarkhotels.com

Seventy kilometres southwest of Kimberley lies SANParks’ newest park: malaria-free Mokala. Home to buffalo, rhino, giraffe and plenty of buck (but no big cats), its claim to fame are its remote, rustic, self-catering treetop cottages that are a delight for up to two people. Fall asleep in the trees to the sound of buffalo grazing around you, and wake up to 360-degree views as warthogs snuffle for roots below your deck. Unbeatable! The three unfenced treetop options book up fast; all have braai facilities, a gas fridge, stove top and geyser, and en suite facilities. Take mozzie spray in summer. GETTING THERE: Just over an hour’s drive from Kimberley, just over two from Bloem and just over six from Jo’burg; a doable nine hours’ drive from Cape Town. RATES: From R1 750/ night. sanparks.org/ parks/mokala

BUDGET

EASTERN CAPE

MOUNTAIN ZEBRA NATIONAL PARK

Close to Cradock lies one of our country’s most underrated national parks: Mountain Zebra National Park is a pristine SANParks gem that offers rare cheetah sightings and big five viewings. The best part? You can camp in the simple but tranquil campsite, which offers decent ablutions and a laid-back vibe. If you’ve got a 4x4, book into one of the mountain cottages for a night or two. Game drives and cheetah tracking can also be booked. GETTING THERE: Close to three hours’ drive from Port Elizabeth, and eight hours’ drive from Jo’burg. RATES: From R345/night camping. sanparks.org/ parks/mountain_zebra

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

BLOWOUT

BUDGET

LIMPOPO

MDLULI SAFARI LODGE

Text: Sarah Browning-de Villiers; prices and information correct at time of print. Photography: Shutterstock, Bedneyimages/Freepik, supplied

Bordering Kruger, Mdluli Safari Lodge is a sustainable initiative created in partnership with the Mdluli Community. Expect en-suite tents (family sizes available) with all the luxuries of a hotel yet theauthenticity of being under canvas. Game drives and walks promise Big Five sightings, while the kids’ programme will let you take advantage of the spa, pool and restaurant in peace. GETTING THERE: Enter via Kruger’s Numbi Gate, five hours’ drive from Jo’burg; Numbi is the closest gate access from Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport. RATES: From R3 850/person per night (incl. breakfast, dinner, game drive). Mdluli offers a unique post-COVID-19 zero-interest payment instalment option, to allow you to ‘pay at your pace’ (T&Cs apply). mdululisafarilodge.co.za

LIMPOPO

KRUGER ADVENTURE LODGE

Simple, unpretentious and just 15 minutes from Kruger’s Phabeni Gate, Kruger Adventure Lodge makes a Big Five experience affordable. Book into a simple dome tent with ablutions (from R280/ night) or upgrade to an en suite, double-room canvas tent, which includes breakfast. GETTING THERE: An hour’s drive from Nelspruit Airport; just over four hours’ drive from Jo’burg. RATES: From R1 140/night for two people (incl. breakfast). krugeradventurelodge.co.za

HIRE A CAR FOR JUST R190/DAY

BLOWOUT

KWAZULU-NATAL

NAMBITI HILLS

Boasting sweeping views, fine-dining cuisine and plush suites, Nambiti is on the sumptuous end of safari experiences 30 minutes from Ladysmith. Each suite has a private terrace that juts out into the veld, while a lodge pool, restaurant, game drives, spa and excursions to the historical sites of bloody battles past (including the Siege of Ladysmith, the Battle of Blood River) will keep you distracted from your everyday worries. GETTING THERE: Three and half hours’ drive from King Shaka International Airport. RATES: From R3 850/night sharing. nambitihills.com

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Why it pays to be an optimist Turn that frown upside down – if only for the sake of your money. A recent study by TRUE Global Intelligence and positive psychology expert Michelle Gielan found that optimists are “significantly more likely to experience better financial health than pessimists”. According to Gielan, optimism is “the expectation of good things to happen and the belief that behaviour matters, especially in the face of challenges.” This makes optimists more likely to take steps to secure their financial freedom.

Optimists plan

Optimists bounce back

²/³

of the optimists surveyed had started an emergency fund compared to

69%

of optimists reported adopting better financial habits after a financial setback.

less than ½ of the pessimists.

36% of pessimists

reported having done the same.

Pessimism results in more stress The study measured how many days per year participants felt financially stressed: Optimists:

81 days Pessimists:

226 days

Become a financial optimist

Start talking about money – to friends, to your family, to a financial planner.

Choose progress over paralysing perfection; celebrate the small wins along the way.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Expect the unexpected; learn from setbacks to fuel your financial optimism for the future.

wealth 44

How to flourish as we begin to live longer

The ethics of your investments

Disaster-proof your finances

COVID-19â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s impact on how we insure

your wealth benefits

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wealth

bites

Is customer service impacting your bottom line? ALWAYS RESPOND

Customers who received any kind of response to their tweets were willing to pay almost $9 more for a ticket on that airline in the future, and $8 more per month for their cellphone packages.

DON’T IGNORE POSITIVE FEEDBACK

Huang’s team found that customers who received a response to a positive tweet were likely to pay $28 more for a future airline ticket, and as much as $12 per month more with that mobile provider.

DON’T IGNORE NEGATIVE COMMENTS

This held true even if customers were particularly vitriolic in their tweets. “Sometimes customers are just looking for empathy. A mere acknowledgement of the customer’s problem can defuse frustration and put them back on the road to loyalty.”

BE QUICK ABOUT IT

The faster the response time, the more customers were willing to spend in future – up to $20 more if an airline responded within 5 minutes. “Even a short acknowledgement of the customer’s issue and reassurance that the agent is looking into it can pay off,” said the team.

4 REASONS TO INVEST IN CHINA 1

It’s the global growth engine

Investing is ultimately about growth, so it makes sense to put part of your portfolio into the most rapidly expanding slice of the world’s pie. These days, that’s China, which powered more than a third of global consumption growth from 2010 to 2017, according to the McKinsey Global Institute.

Investments are better

2 regulated these days

You’d be forgiven for exercising extra caution when it comes to China – it is a communist country and President Xi has in the past been accused of state interference in private enterprise. However, a growing number of privately owned Chinese companies (including the e-commerce behemoth Alibaba)

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

are listed on foreign stock exchanges, which makes them subject to independent regulatory standards.

It’s easier than ever

If you’re looking to get a foothold in China without burying yourself in homework and paranoia, a good place to start is the Satrix MSCI China ETF, launched in July 2020. It tracks the MSCI China Index, allowing you to use South African rands to invest in Chinese equity, including big players like Alibaba and China Mobile.

GET EXPERT ADVICE Speak to a financial planner about investment opportunities in China and you’ll earn

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tier points for your appointment. Visit sanlamreality. co.za/contact-anadviser.

China weathers a crisis well

While many countries won’t emerge from the rubble of 2020 any time soon, China has already sprung back to its feet. In fact, its smartphone industry is outperforming its

pre-COVID-19 earnings. It makes sense to have assets in a place that isn’t as harshly buffeted by the winds of recession.

Text: Jade Taylor Cooke; Photography: Freepik, Shutterstock, supplied

According to a study published in the Harvard Business Review (‘How Customer Service Can Turn Angry Customers into Loyal Ones’), the answer is yes. Led by Wayne Huang, a senior research manager at Twitter, the study analysed more than 400 000 customer-service-related tweets directed at top US airlines and cellular companies, as well as their responses. Six months later, they conducted a survey that analysed what those same customers were willing to spend with the companies in the future.

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wealth

new long life

We’re living longer, healthier lives than any generation before – is it time to reinvent the way we work and retire? By CHRISTINE VAN DEEMTER

122 years

4 700 years

The estimated age of the oldest tree in the world, a bristlecone pine tree in California’s White Mountain range.

Hong Kong

The place with the longest life expectancy in the world, where women reach an average age of 87 and men 81.

63.9 years

South Africa’s average life expectancy, ranking us 155th out of 186.

The #1 skill to future-proof yourself…

Resilience

omewhere swimming along the coasts of Tasmania to Walvis Bay is an orange roughy, an unassuming deep-sea fish that can live up to 200 years. And on Saint Helena, a tiny island off the coast of Angola, 188-year-old Seychelles giant tortoise Jonathan is still ambling along today, having hatched in 1832, just 11 years after Napoleon’s death. But Jonathan and the orange roughy have nothing on the hydra, a genus of small freshwater organisms that don’t show any signs of ageing and have been baffling scientists with their ‘biological immortality’. It certainly makes our measly few decades on Planet Earth look like a drop in the ocean of time. But what if future A NEW WAY OF LIVING generations could reach their (AND PLANNING) centenaries the way we reach The authors, Andrew J Scott and midlife: still vital, relevant, Lynda Gratton, know what they’re and healthy? That’s what talking about: Scott is a professor the authors of a new book, of economics and Gratton is a The New Long Life (Bloomsbury), professor of management practice are positing. at London Business School, and The New Long Life is a follow-up to 2016’s The 100-Year-Life. In it, they turn our traditional concept of the ‘three-stage life’ on its head. Instead, we’re looking at longer lives thanks to advances in healthcare, and numerous shifts in our careers.

and 164 days

The age of the oldest person ever to be recorded. Jeanne Calment was born in France in 1875 and died in 1997 and attributed her age to a diet rich in olive oil.

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wealth

new long life

What do we need to RETHINK?

YOUR CAREER

Be prepared to change career often

Hone your ‘human’ skills

Technological innovations are advancing rapidly; to stay relevant in the job market, you have to pivot more frequently. Relying on your high-school education and being with the same company for a few decades? Increasingly, argue Scott and Gratton, this won’t be sufficient. “Over a lifetime of work, you can expect that you will experience more change and many more transitions,” write Scott and Gratton.

“As machines become more advanced, the jobs that will grow in number will place an emphasis on human skills. This puts a premium on more complex emotional skills (such as empathy) as well as more cognitive skills (such as judgement and decision-making),” suggest Scott and Gratton.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Stop thinking of longevity as being older for longer, but rather as being younger for longer.

Plan to upskill yourself well into your 60s

“The combination of longer lives and greater technological disruption will mean that in your career you will experience repeated transitions and shifts. At times this will mean that you will need to upskill to safeguard your role, whilst at other times you will need to reskill – to move into a completely different type of work. “Across these transitions you will see your status change – sometimes an employee, sometimes a contractor. Developing the mental and emotional flexibility to surf through these shifts and provide coherence to a career will be a key source of resilience,” advise Scott and Gratton.

YOUR IDEA OF AGEING

As our lives become longer, how we treat our bodies and minds becomes even more important. “Diet and exercise are important, but it’s about acting with purpose, seeking engagement and renewal, and finding ways to connect and form meaningful relationships,” add Scott and Gratton. “You have a chance to reinvent how you live – to do that you need to be healthy and imaginative.”

Thinking of your age as a biological age allows you to plan for a longer future – goodbye retirement at 65, which will likely rather become another phase in your career.

Forget chronological ageing; embrace biological ageing

“Currently age is measured chronologically – how many years since you were born,” say Scott and Gratton. “However, how people are ageing is changing, with each generation on average ageing more healthily than the previous. When society focuses exclusively on chronological age, it fails to capture these improvements in how we age. It interprets longevity as about being older for longer – not as being younger for longer.”

YOUR RELATIONSHIPS

YOUR HEALTH

Prioritise your body and mind from a young age

“Through our actions, our environment, public health and medical progress, we’ve discovered that age is malleable,” explain Scott and Gratton. “It means that the choices you make throughout your whole life course are cumulative. Ageing isn’t something that starts to happen when you get old.”

Get better at mixing more widely

With everything around you changing more frequently, solid, consistent relationships become an important stabiliser. On top of that, as you work for longer and encounter a wider mix of generations socially and professionally, you’re going to have to work harder at building bridges to an increasingly diverse range of people.

GET EXPERT ADVICE Speak to a financial planner to ensure your long-term solutions suit later retirement and the likelihood of living for longer. Visit sanlamreality. co.za/contact-an-adviser for more.

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new long life

People will be a bigger part of your identity

“As your career goes through more frequent shifts, you’ll need to work harder at maintaining lifelong friends and investing in community relationships. Your job and employer will define you less and less and, as a consequence, more responsibilities about your future career will be transferred to you. It will be increasingly important to continually invest and renegotiate with your partners as you traverse more changes and consider more options.”

YOUR EDUCATION

School is no longer just for kids

If you’re expected to stay relevant in the working world into your 70s, at a time when disruption and change happens exponentially, you’re going to have to be open to adult education throughout your 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s. Instead of seeing education as something for your teens and 20s, save and plan for embarking on courses and going back to school throughout your career.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

WHAT LIVING LONGER COULD MEAN FOR YOUR FINANCES

Esta Theron, business development manager at Glacier by Sanlam, explains how to approach your financial planning.

In the face of a longer life expectancy, how should we be adapting our financial planning? “Retirement planning is not a once-off event that happens when you start working or when you approach a financial planner at age 40 to plan for retirement at age 60 – it is a continuous plan that must be reviewed annually. “Since the number of years in retirement is increasing due to life expectancy increasing, the difference in the number of years between the preretirement phase and the post-retirement phase have become less. That means that maybe a decade or so ago, you could save for 40 years and then live off these savings for 15 years. Now, people are saving less (due to job changes) and living longer. Your financial planning therefore has to provide for a longer retirement.”

What should people be focusing on in their financial planning? “You have to start saving for retirement as early as possible. Holistic financial planning will focus on all your needs at every age and should include life cover, disability cover and saving for retirement. “An important financial planning aspect that needs more attention, especially at age 40 and younger, is risk planning. Since we’re living longer, risk planning becomes even more important. Life cover needs to be taken out as soon as possible after you start your working career, as it is normally cheaper when you are younger and healthier.”

How should you buffer changes like career transitions financially? “The most important aspect here is to try to keep your financial plan in place at all times, even as your life changes. People tend to cash in their pension money in their employer’s retirement fund when they change from one job to another. This is the one thing to try to avoid at all costs. “Never use pension money to buy a business – if the business fails, it could set your retirement plan back by many years.”

Photography: Shutterstock, vectorpouch/Freepik, upklyak/Freepik

wealth

Being connected has never been more important

Reality Plus & Health members enjoy 1GB of AlwaysOn Wi-Fi free, monthly.

Visit sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/wi-fi. T&Cs apply.

wealth

ethical investing

Should you be concerned about the ETHICS of your investments?

What is an ESG fund? Funds that cater to this trend are known as ESG funds, which stands for ‘environmental’, ‘social’ and ‘governance’. The trend is also referred to as ‘sustainable investing’. Investors are asking if companies have a record for polluting the environment, treating their staff poorly or mismanaging the way they offer services and products to people. Many are also aligning their investment philosophy with their beliefs or religion (for example, sharia). Francis Marais, head of research at Glacier by Sanlam, explains: “A company is not a living thing. It’s something that society gives licence to for existing and can revoke that licence. People are more cognisant of society and the environment. “Environment, inequality, discrimination and corruption have come together and brought it all to the fore in investors’ minds.”

$ 30 000 000 000 000

Many investors are no longer just looking at a company’s value and their performance on stock markets; they’re also considering the long-term impact companies have on society, the environment and how they govern themselves. But why, and should you be doing the same? By ANGELIQUE RUZICKA

ESG investing is globally worth over $30 trillion

Source: Global Sustainable Investment Alliance, 2018

Not embracing ESG principles may have an impact on the bottom line (the income and profits companies make). Companies that sell tobacco or deal in oil, for example, may have spikes of short-term success,

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Glacier Financial Solutions and Sanlam are licensed financial services providers.Photography: Shutterstock

Does it help your returns to invest in ESG funds?

Pros and cons of ESG investments

Some studies show that ESG companies tend to outperform their peers in the long term, but there are some downsides to ESG investments to consider. These may include sacrificing some initial returns, and a reduction in choice. Williams explains: “Tobacco or gambling companies may deliver excellent or stable profits, which ESG investors wouldn’t benefit from if they screen them out.” If investors are seeking ‘pure’ ESG funds they will have their choice restricted further. Williams explains: “It’s all about how you apply the ESG approach in your portfolio. You could exclude companies outright, but you could also underweight them, meaning you could still have exposure to companies that do well that don’t embrace all ESG principles.”

but they could also be prone to major losses if they do wrong. Catastrophes like oil spills, major fines for non-compliance, and changes in laws can have a detrimental impact on long-term performance. ‘Doing good’, however, may prove to be beneficial over the long term for investors’ portfolios. Studies show that companies that exhibit characteristics of resilience have focused on things like job satisfaction, strength of consumer relations or effectiveness of the company’s board.

Can you ‘measure’ good? It’s possible to measure each ESG element. For example, environmental metrics cover themes such as climate risks, natural resources scarcity, pollution and waste, and environmental opportunities. Social metrics include labour issues and product liability, risks such as data security, and stakeholder opposition.

Where can you start? Sanlam has a variety of ESG funds to choose from, including these:

GET EXPERT HELP Speak to a financial planner to ensure your investments work for your needs and goals – plus, you’ll earn

8 000

tier points for meeting with them. Visit sanlamreality. co.za/contactan-adviser for more.

Governance encompasses items relating to corporate governance and behaviour such as board quality, diversity and effectiveness. Another way of assessing the behaviour of a business is to see if it aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The goals include aims such as poverty eradication, quality education and ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. Kingsley Williams, chief investment officer of Satrix, adds: “Funds managed according to an ethical or ESG approach would need to comply with specific investment guidelines and may even need to report to an independent board to confirm compliance with its mandate.”

GLACIER

SATRIX

Glacier offers access to the Prescient Living Planet Fund. “Ultimately we would like to see ESG as a part of all investment processes,” says Marais. glacierinsights.co.za

Satrix has listed two new ESG ETFs: the Satrix MSCI World ESG ETF will track the MSCI World ESG Enhanced Focus Index, while the Satrix MSCI Emerging Markets ESG ETF will track the MSCI Emerging Markets ESG Enhanced Focus Index. Both exclude weapons and tobacco companies, and aim to invest in companies working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. satrix.co.za

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

wealth

disaster-proof your finances

Steps to disasterproof your finances

As you begin to rebuild your financial health post lockdown, it’s wise to bake in a few strategies that will help you weather the next storm. By JADE TAYLOR COOKE According to the Sanlam Benchmark report for 2020,

41% of South Africans went into

debt to make ends meet during lockdown,

15-20%

and of Sanlam members requested access to their retirement funds during this time. It’s tempting to imagine that we’ll never have to go through a 2020 level of upheaval ever again, but the truth is that life will always throw you curveballs. Whether they’re on a global scale or more personal next time, here’s how to start future-proofing your finances today.

Register for Sanlam Credit Solutions to access your free credit dashboard and a credit coach. Go to sanlamcreditsolutions. co.za.

Photography: Shutterstock

SPEAK TO A CREDIT COACH FOR FREE

advantage of the lower interest rate and keep paying the same amount as before – or even more – towards your debt.”

START A ‘RAINY DAY’ FUND ASAP

Having a healthy emergency savings pot means you won’t be financially crippled by each hiccup. Exactly how much you save is unique to your circumstances, but it’s generally suggested that you aim to have three to six months’ worth of your usual monthly living expenses. It goes without saying that a 50%-off sale at your favourite tech store does not constitute an emergency worthy of dipping into this fund.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SHORT- AND LONG-TERM SAVINGS

Keep your various savings vehicles separate, so you don’t dip into longer-term investments for emergencies. As Sherwin Govender, business development manager at Glacier by Sanlam, explains: “Retirement savings are your money – but they belong to you

One of the biggest assets you’ll ever have – and therefore one well worth insuring – is your ability to earn an income. only when you retire. Spending that money now could mean that you won’t have enough to live on later. That means you will need to find incomegenerating employment after you retire.”

MAKE SURE YOU’RE COVERED IF YOU CAN’T WORK

One of the biggest assets you will ever have – and therefore one well worth insuring – is your ability to earn an income. “People mistakenly associate disabilities with one-in-a-million freak accidents,” says Nonkululeko Zungu, product support consultant for Sanlam Individual Life. “However, it is frequently depression, diabetes, heart disease,

spinal injuries, joint disorders, arthritis and bone fractures that incapacitate people.” Speak to your financial planner about severe illness cover, lump-sum disability payouts, and income protection for temporary disabilities.

STAY ON TOP OF DEBT

Paying down unnecessary consumer debt is one of the best things you can do for your financial health. If you can, avoid the payment holidays being offered, says Ayanda Ndimande, strategic business development manager at Sanlam Personal Loans. “You’ll still be charged interest on the balance of your loan, including your usual monthly fees. Rather take

DIVERSIFY YOUR INCOME

Retrenchment is a word we hear all too often, and many of us haven’t thought about how to earn an income beyond being a dutiful employee. Even if you held on to your job, brainstorm ways you can make extra cash. Passive income (from returns and rentals) is one way, if you already have assets. Starting a side hustle offering your services or skills is another.

EARN 8 000 TIER POINTS Speak to a financial planner to get expert, personalised advice – plus, you’ll earn

8 000 tier points.

Book an appointment at sanlamreality. co.za/contact-anadviser.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Start an adventure today

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COVID-19 impact

wealth

Has COVID-19 changed the way we insure against risk forever?

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed many things about the way we live, reminding us that the unexpected can (and does) happen – making insurance more important than ever.

Your financial planner may continue to connect to you digitally As millions have been prevented from attending the office for months, the need for digital communications technology has exploded. Petrie Marx, product actuary at Sanlam, says: “The pandemic has fast-tracked the shift to digitisation, but we’ve learnt how effective and productive it can be and how easy it is to use. The shift we’ve seen from face-to-face consultations to digital engagements through the likes of Zoom

is likely to continue beyond the pandemic.” Let your financial planner know what you prefer to ensure they accommodate your preferences – remember, not being able or comfortable to meet with them face to face doesn’t remove the need to review regularly with them.

Insurers will pay out for COVID-19 deaths and related disabilities There’s been much confusion about what is covered by insurers in relation

to COVID-19 deaths or related disabilities. But Marx assures: “None of our basic products like severe illness and life cover will change. If a person dies or becomes ill from COVID-19, they remain fully covered.”

Long-term products cover the illness, not lockdown Marx says policies like severe illness will pay out for COVID-19-related damage to the lungs, heart or cardiovascular problems. But severe illness cover and disability insurance do not pay out if you have a mild, symptom-free version of the illness that forces you to isolate at home. SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

wealth

COVID-19 impact

There’s likely going to be more choice for where and how you could get tested for pre-existing conditions.

Contrary to what some may say, the coronavirus or any other types will not be excluded from policies such as life, disability and severe illness. Marx explains: “I don’t believe COVID-19 will be excluded. The cover we sell won’t change that much. We are here to protect our customers.”

Underwriting practices will change Where customers could, however, experience some change is the way insurers conduct their underwriting (how risk is assessed). There’s likely going to be more choice for where and how you could get tested for pre-existing conditions like

HIV. A nurse may come to your home or you may be able to access your own GP. Sanlam is also looking into making use of medical records to access information and to ensure no further undue pressure is made on medical staff.

You could see products specifically designed with COVID-19 in mind COVID-19 and other future pandemics could be covered under a separate specialist policy that would provide increased cover to what you already have. Marx explains: “We may design products that have specific payments for respiratory pandemics. But we’ll make it clear for customers of the future exactly how a pandemic like this will be covered.”

RENEGOTIATE YOUR PREMIUM IF YOUR HABITS HAVE CHANGED Santam offered a 20% discount to people who were not using their cars during lockdown. You may be able to negotiate a better rate if you can demonstrate that you’re not using your car as much.

DON’T JUST CANCEL OR DEFAULT ON PAYMENTS You never know when you’ll need to rely on your insurance. If you’re having difficulty affording the premium, rather contact your financial planner to tailor a policy suited to your budget.

MAKE SURE YOU READ TERMS AND CONDITIONS

SAVE UP TO 30% ON RISK COVER Reality Plus and Health members get up to 30% off Sanlam risk products including life insurance, disability cover, income protection and more. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/sanlam-life-cover.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Short-term products like travel insurance could have terms changed in light of COVID-19. You could, for instance, not be covered if you’ve been advised not to travel to a particular country where there’s a spike in COVID-19 cases and you go against such advice and travel anyway.

Text: Angelique Ruzicka; Photography: Shutterstock, macrovector/Freepik, Freepik

COVID-19 and other pandemics will not be excluded in future

How to get the most out of your insurance in a post-COVID-19 world

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/ UNLOCKING US BY BRENÉ BROWN Explore the universal experience of being human with The New York Times bestselling author and researcher. Topics include courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy.

/ THE WORKPLACE REVOLUTION Organisational culture strategist, author and activist Sihle Bolani tackles everything from discrimination and the corporate ladder to mental health, boundaries and parent guilt.

/ THE MATT BROWN SHOW Matt Brown interviews leading business leaders, technologists and more to provide compelling insights into what it takes to succeed as an entrepreneur in Africa.

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SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

/ THE SPORKFUL WITH DAN PASHMANN An award-winning podcast known for its humour- and humanity-filled content focusing on food. Conversations dive into the history, science, culture and economics of food.

/ ZERO TO TRAVEL Jason Moore uses his 15+ years of global travel experience to bring you budget hacks and planning tips to get you to wherever on the planet you’ve set your sights on.

entertainment 60

Watch, listen & read this month

4 Ways with strawberries

5 Minutes with Darren Blasich

your

entertainment

benefits

Pay R30 for a 2D movie ticket (R50 for 3D; Reality Plus & Health only) and R35 for a refreshment combo at Nu Metro

When public events reopen, buy one ticket, get one free (up to R300) on Computicket (Reality Plus & Reality Health only)

Six months of free music streaming from simfy africa

1GB free data monthly with AlwaysOn (Reality Plus & Health only) Go to sanlamreality.co.za/ benefits/entertainment to view your specific benefits, tier status and discount percentage. Content correct at time of print.

Use your Uber, Mango, Tempest or Nu Metro benefits before 31 January 2021 and not only will you enjoy supercharged savings, but you’ll also stand to win a copy of What’s Your Move?. T&Cs apply.

Summer reads your bookshelf is waiting for 1 / LOOK AGAIN: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY DAVID BAILEY

When you’ve photographed everyone from the Queen to Kate Moss, you’re bound to have some intriguing stories worth sharing. That’s David Bailey’s intent with this, his autobiography.

2 / THE SENTINEL BY LEE & ANDREW CHILD Famed author Lee Child has teamed up with his brother Andrew to pen the 25th instalment in the Jack Reacher thriller series. A great page-turner for lazy days during your summer break.

3 / PEOPLE LIKE HER BY ELLERY LLOYD Former features editor at Stylist Collette Lyons has partnered with her author and scholar husband Paul Vlitos on this debut novel that zooms in on the dark side of influencer culture. A fascinating read.

4 / THE HIDDEN GIRLS BY REBECCA WHITNEY Fans of The Girl on the Train will find themselves engrossed in this narrative about Ruth, a new mother recovering from postpartum psychosis, who has lost confidence in her own judgement – until she hears a scream one night. A compelling tale exploring how much you can help someone else when you can’t trust anyone – even yourself.

5 / WHAT’S YOUR MOVE? A COLLECTION OF ORDINARY FINANCIAL LESSONS BY NICOLETTE MASHILE Sometimes the best way to learn is from other people’s mistakes, and this is exactly what Nicolette Mashile aims to achieve with her debut title. “My hope is that people will read this book and feel empowered to make educated moves that lead to financial wellbeing,” says Mashile.

DISCO KYLIE MINOGUE Ms Minogue has gone back to her disco routes with her 15th studio album. Expect Kylie’s classic feel-good sound.

STREAM TUNES FOR FREE Listen to Kylie and other artists for free (first six months) using your simfy africa benefit. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/simfy/ to activate your benefit.

Text: Dominique Bowen; crossword from Memory-Improvement-Tips.com; Photography: Shutterstock, supplied; prices and information correct at time of print

Win!

things to do

Listen

Read

entertainment

Watch

SAVE ON THE BIG SCREEN! You pay only R30 for Nu Metro tickets, and R35 for refreshment combos. Reality Health and Reality Plus members also enjoy 3D movies for only R50. Book your discounted tickets directly via the free Sanlam Reality App.

1 / NO TIME TO DIE Just when Bond thought he could hang up his gun to enjoy life in the tropics, an old CIA friend asks for his help. The mission? To rescue a kidnapped scientist. COMING SOON IN 2021

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2 / RUMBLE It comes with the tagline ‘The biggest underdog story ever’, but this family romp will also have you doubling over in stitches. Follow Winnie, an aspiring monster-wrestling manager, as she trains an inexperienced monster to be a world champ contender. RELEASE DATE: 29 January 2021

3 / ETERNALS Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek and Richard Madden are just a few of the big names who bring this Marvel instalment to life. Watch as they reunite after living in secret for thousands of years to tackle mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants. COMING SOON IN 2021

Do 1

2 3

8 9

11 12

14 15 16 17

18 19

20 21

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ACROSS: 4. Clingy crustacean 5. Wind-driven craft 6. Where the buoys are 7. Moving waters 10. Spineless one 12. Sandy area 13. Coney Island attraction 15. Coral formation 17. Wave rider 19. Two-hulled vessel 20. Saturday and Sunday 21. Ocean motion

DOWN: 1. Marine creature’s home 2. Flying saucer 3. Shore construction 8. Drying cloth 9. Holiday from work 11. Beach whistle-blower 14. Breakers 16. Beach hill 18. Luxury boat See solution on p.2.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

entertainment

sweet & savoury strawberry

Bring on

summer! What better way to bring summer into your food than via strawberry-infused recipes for everything from your starter to your dessert? Food styling: KATELYN ALLEGRA Photography: KIRSTEN MACKRILL

Tres leches, meaning â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;three milksâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, is a refreshing, chilled dessert perfect for hot weather. A sponge cake is soaked in a combination of evaporated milk, condensed milk and full-cream milk and then chilled. If you want to ramp up the strawberry flavour, spread a layer of strawberry jam between the cake and the whipped cream!

WINTER 2020 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Strawberry tres leches sheet cake

SERVES: 10-12 | PREP TIME: 30 MIN COOK TIME: 20 MIN CAKE: • 10 large eggs (separated), at room temperature • 300g soft brown sugar • 250g cake flour • 2 tsp baking powder • Pinch of salt TRES LECHES MIXTURE: • 200g fresh strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped • 1 x 380g tin evaporated milk • 1 x 385g tin condensed milk • 1 ¼ cup full-cream milk • 1 tsp vanilla extract or essence TOPPING: • 500ml cream, chilled • 200g fresh strawberries, hulled and halved • Edible flowers, to garnish (optional)

Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan-forced. Grease and line a 23cm × 33cm sheet tray. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the egg yolks and sugar together until very light and fluffy, about 8 minutes. In a separate bowl, whisk the egg whites until they form soft peaks. Sieve the dry ingredients together. Gently fold a third of the whisked egg whites into the beaten egg yolk mixture and fold in a third of the dry ingredients. Alternate between the egg whites and dry ingredients until everything is folded in completely, taking care not to knock out the air that you’ve incorporated. Pour the batter into the prepared baking tray and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden and a wooden skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely. Place the strawberries and milks in a blender and blitz until smooth and combined. Strain through a sieve. Using a skewer, poke holes into the cake and slowly pour ⅓ cup of the milk mixture over the cake, allowing it to soak in. Do this until all the milk has soaked in. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight before serving. Before serving, whip the cream until soft peaks form. Remove the cake from the tray and top with the cream, strawberries and edible flowers.

Strawberry & tomato gazpacho with pickled strawberries & goat’s cheese SERVES: 4 | PREP TIME: 15 MIN PICKLED STRAWBERRIES: • 1 ½ cups red wine vinegar • 50g caster sugar • 1 tbsp fine salt, to taste • 250g fresh strawberries, hulled and halved GAZPACHO: • 4 small cucumbers, peeled and roughly chopped • 400g fresh strawberries, hulled and roughly chopped • 500g ripe tomatoes, quartered • 1 leek, finely sliced • 1 garlic clove, grated • 1 lime, juiced • 2 tsp fine salt, to taste • 100g goat’s cheese, crumbled • Fennel fronds, for garnishing • Black pepper, to serve • 60ml olive oil, for drizzling • Edible flowers, to garnish

For the pickled strawberries, combine the vinegar, sugar and salt in a large jar and stir until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Add the strawberries and place in the fridge for at least an hour, or overnight. For the gazpacho, in a large bowl, combine all the ingredients and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature. Transfer to a blender and blitz on high until smooth and completely combined. Adjust the seasoning if needed and strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl. Refrigerate for 1 hour or until completely chilled. Serve the gazpacho divided between 4 bowls topped with the pickled strawberries, goat’s cheese, fennel fronds, black pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Garnish with edible flowers.

GAZPACHO IS A REFRESHING CHILLED SOUP THAT MAKES THE PERFECT SUMMER STARTER.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

entertainment

sweet & savoury strawberry THIS CHICKEN IS DELICIOUS PREPARED ON THE BRAAI FOR SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT! SPATCHCOCKING THE CHICKEN HELPS IT TO COOK QUICKER AND MORE EVENLY.

Strawberry & black pepper chicken with strawberry & basil salsa SERVES: 4 PREP TIME: 20 MIN COOK TIME: 1 ½ HRS

SAUCE: • 450g fresh strawberries, hulled and halved • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar • 50g soft brown sugar • 60ml honey • 1 tsp salt • 2 tsp cracked black pepper • 1 tbsp sriracha CHICKEN: • 1 whole chicken, spatchcocked (see TIP) • 3 tbsp olive oil • Sea salt and cracked black pepper, to taste

TIP:

To spatchcock the chicken, place the chicken breast-side down and use clean kitchen scissors to cut down either side of the backbone. Remove the backbone and flip the chicken over. With your palm, push down firmly using the heel of your hand to crack the breastbone so that the chicken lies flat.

In a medium saucepan, combine the strawberries, vinegar, sugar, honey and salt. Place over medium heat and bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 25-30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Mash the strawberries as it cooks. Once the mixture reaches a syrupy consistency, stir in the black pepper and sriracha. Adjust seasoning if necessary and leave to cool.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Preheat the oven to 200°C, 180°C fan-forced. Drizzle the olive oil over the chicken and season well with salt and pepper. Place a griddle pan over very high heat and place the chicken, breast side down, on the pan. Griddle on high until char lines form, about 10 minutes. Flip the chicken over so it’s breast side up, and put in the oven to roast. Baste the chicken every 10-15 minutes until the

chicken is cooked through, about 50-60 minutes. Alternatively, cook over medium-low coals, turning and basting every 10 minutes. While the chicken roasts, toss all the salsa ingredients together in a serving bowl and season to taste. Remove the chicken from the oven and leave to rest for 10 minutes before carving. Serve topped with the salsa and extra basil leaves.

Food assistants: Cassandra Upton and Mia van Heerden

SALSA: • 200g fresh strawberries, hulled and diced • 1 pickled jalapeño, deseeded and finely diced • 1 shallot, finely diced • 10g basil, finely chopped, plus extra to serve • 1 lime, zested and juiced • Sea salt and cracked black pepper, to taste

White chocolate panna cotta with roasted strawberries SERVES: 4 | PREP TIME: 15 MIN | COOK TIME: 40 MIN ROASTED STRAWBERRIES: • 400g ripe strawberries, rinsed and hulled, plus extra for garnishing

PANNA COTTA: • 200ml full-cream milk • 40g white chocolate, chopped • 40g caster sugar • 1 tsp vanilla extract • 300ml cream • 3 (6g) gelatin leaves, softened • Mint leaves, for garnishing

SETTING PANNA COTTA IN JARS HELPS TAKE AWAY THE STRESS OF UNMOULDING THEM – ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU’RE ENTERTAINING! A SPRINKLING OF SHORTBREAD OR SOME CRUMBLED MERINGUES OVER THE PANNA COTTAS WOULD BE A DELICIOUS ADDITION.

GET UP TO 5% CASH BACK ON GROCERIES Use your Sanlam Money Saver credit card, the only credit card that gives you a guaranteed 5% cash back with every swipe, when you choose the co-save option! Learn more at www. moneysaver.cards.

Preheat the oven to 200°C and line a baking tray with baking paper. Halve some of the strawberries and leave the rest whole. Place the strawberries on a lined baking tray and roast for 20 minutes or until they are sticky and jammy. Set aside to cool completely. To make the panna cotta, gently heat the milk to just below boiling point, then stir in the white chocolate, sugar and vanilla until dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in cream and softened gelatin leaves. Spoon 2 tbsp of the roasted strawberries (reserving some) into resealable jars, and pour the panna cotta mixture over. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight. Garnish the panna cotta with fresh and roasted strawberries and mint leaves.

entertainment

5 minutes with

Quick-fire Qs From: Cape Town Age: 31 Career highlight: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Training professional athletes to prepare them for their respective seasons.â&#x20AC;?

An adventure awaits 5 Minutes with fitness trainer Darren Blasich

When COVID-19 lockdown struck, it meant a long pause for many in the fitness industry. For former provincial sportsman Darren Blasich, it started his own lemons-into-lemonade story, turning adversity into innovation via virtual fitness training. The result? Run Your Own Adventure.

“Getting thrown in the deep end sparked an opportunity” “[Schuyler Vorster from Ideas Cartel and I] wanted to answer the question ‘How can we still make fitness work in such a difficult time? So many people are afraid.’ With Run Your

Text: Dominique Bowen; Photography: supplied

SAVE UP TO 60% ON MONTHLY FEES Run Your Own Adventure is one of the many classes you can save up to 60% on using your Independent Gyms & Studios benefit. Visit sanlamreality.co.za/ benefit/independentgyms-and-studios or use your free Sanlam Reality App. Download the Sanlam Reality App

Own Adventure, you can still work out online, but it offers something different. “It allows people to join me on Run Your Own Adventure whenever and wherever they are around the world. You get to run and experience an adventure with me using a live stream, but from the comfort and safety of where you are.”

“I hope this changes the way trainers approach fitness” “Schuyler approached me initially and said, ‘No one’s doing this around the world. Let’s see what we can do about this.’ “The world is evolving every day, and especially with COVID-19, we have had to adapt our ways. Personal trainers couldn’t sit down and run back to their parents with their tails between their legs. We’ve actually had to just make something happen.”

“You can do this workout no matter what” “Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. People that don’t have

equipment or the necessary money behind it can still do this workout. I break the training down for anyone – whether they’re on a treadmill, a bicycle, or just have a skipping rope. “This initiative has also shown that personal trainers don’t have to be so onedimensional by being limited to training in a gym.”

and they can interact with me while we’re doing it.”

“If I do take something away from this, it’s showing Cape Town to people”

“Follow, watch and interact” “If I’m aware of someone who’s doing these workouts, I can speak to that person while I’m doing the workout. “I can dial them in via a Zoom call while I’m running

“I run in different locations, and Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. “Most importantly I think it’s your personality that sells the product. You’ve got to keep people interested in watching you and actually following you. I think that’s a massive thing.”

Save up to 60% on Run Your Own Adventure

1 2 3

Visit sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/independent-gymsand-studios and click ‘Find & apply’. Or go to ‘Benefits’, then ‘Independent Gyms & Studios’ in the Sanlam Reality App. Search and select ‘Run Your Own Adventure’ and follow the sign-up instructions. Join Darren on a live stream of his 30-minute run with a scenic Cape backdrop, followed by a 15-minute guided workout, and another run to finish off your experience.

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

KINGJAMES 42321

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real world 70

How you’re helping give back

Meet Sanlam Group’s new CEO

See your benefits and discount level

inside sanlam reality

Photography: Shutterstock

There’s still time to earn tier points... you can even earn points from home! Visit sanlamreality.co.za/ earn-points to learn how.

Many of your benefits, like your Personal Assistant, are available on the Sanlam Reality App. Go to sanlamreality.co.za/ benefits to view your specific benefits, tier status and discount percentage.

real world

sanlam gives back

You’re part of something bigger

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Sanlam sold Metropolitan Life to Methold, South Africa’s first major black empowerment deal

As one of the continent’s oldest social enterprises – founded in 1918 to empower the marginalised – Sanlam has had a deep impact on the lives of Africans for more than 100 years. As a Sanlam Reality member, you’re part of this impact.

At the start of lockdown, Sanlam Reality donated R1 million to Meals on Wheels on behalf of members.

17 20

– nd Fu a s c i nu fr Bo h A th out o ry o nS na Sm d i E rdi nt BE of o rme ive kin B s s s B- 5% we re f it ew er po le og t o f n urth em peop o Pr uc f ic g d ge a am o ka e om un nl pr ac issu con & yo a d p S a up k e n e ge ed ro ac e th na ov g bl om of ma ent pr the sed ck w n p e a em r a tio lack rs ill se d-b n bla nag owe c a e ld w a o k M mp du t b ho ich bro us lac o e tro irs h B ts t are h ur foc In he f wit rojec sh ns wto o h a p i t m io l it sh d p nla ct ita s w ner re ca art nee fri Sa ansa caplder g p o-pio uth A n tr are ho i o d c sh are tan F), in S g-s BM ers sh Lonrum ( anag Fo ck m bla

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ing go n O

Total employees 105 001

R65m

SA employees 20 319

invested to empower

| 75% black employees | 61% female |

50 000

people through financial literacy programmes

R343.5m invested in tra ining and

| 75% black emplo

yees | 60.5% female |

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R45m

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R2.25bn

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

seed mitted to pital com ct intent of job ’s own ca of Sanlam s aligned with impa three fund n and creation preservatio

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development

interview

real world

“We’re in this together” An update from Sanlam’s new Group CEO, Paul Hanratty, who joined in July 2020.

espite challenging conditions, we gave our clients, businesses and communities over R5 billion in support in the first half of 2020. Sanlam was born out of helping the disadvantaged, and we continue to take this very seriously. Now more than ever, we need businesses that do good; Sanlam has put these words into action throughout 2020. Thank you for being a part of this: Sanlam Reality donated R1 million on behalf of its members in the initial period of lockdown – a valuable part of Sanlam’s wider efforts.

APPRECIATE THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SMALL THINGS COVID-19 has taught us the importance of the small things in life: time spent with family and friends; a hug from a loved one; going outdoors for a run. These things connect us and cost us nothing. Let’s take the lessons of 2020 to refocus and rebalance our 2021. This includes rebalancing our finances. It’s no secret that economically we find ourselves in a precarious position. Now is the time to tighten our belts and to be careful with our household budgets. Our savings and our essential insurance policies must form part of this planning. I’d love to see you work with your financial planner to prioritise the right spending and saving into 2021. At Sanlam, we’re here to help you – reach out to us and speak to a financial planner.

THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL Let’s be honest: I think that 2020 has been a bad year for virtually everybody on Earth. Many people are struggling, are worried and

Our savings and our insurance policies must form part of our household budgeting and planning for 2021. concerned about their finances, and are lonelier due to reduced human contact. I think there’s a fear about when we’re going to get on top of this. But actually, we can see light at the end of the tunnel. As hard as it’s been, part of the answer in getting things back is in the mind: it really is about being positive. When I think ahead to 2021 and beyond, it’s not that bleak! I can see light for next year; I think next year, while not being a boom year, can be a decent year. The same can be true in each of our lives, too. If we take on board the lessons we’ve learnt this year, we can have a very good, balanced 2021. We will get through this thing together. SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

real world

benefits

Sanlam Reality

benefits table

All you need to know about your benefits and discounts as a Sanlam Reality member. Reality Health

Reality Plus

Reality Core

Sanlam Life Cover

Up to 30% off

n/a

Sanlam Personal Loans

Cash back reward of up to 20%

Wealth

Wealth Sense

Online financial platform

TaxTim

Complimentary tax assistance

Virgin Active

As much as 60% off

n/a

Planet Fitness Gym

As much as 80% off

As much as 60% off

JustGym

As much as 80% off

As much as 60% off

Independent Gyms & Studios

As much as 60% off

As much as 40% off

Mango flights

As much as 30% off

As much as 20% off

Emirates flights

As much as 25% off

n/a

Protea Hotels by Marriott

As much as 30% off

As much as 20% off

Tempest Car Hire

Pay as little as R240 per day

Uber trips

As much as 30% off

Bidvest Premier Lounges

Up to 20 visits/year

n/a

Nu Metro movies & refreshments

R30 for 2D or R50 for 3D; R35 for refreshment combo

R30 for 2D; R35 for refreshment combo

Computicket shows and sport

Buy one ticket and get one free up to R300

n/a

simfy africa music streaming

Six months’ complimentary; Six months’ complimentary; Six months’ complimentary; save 7.5% thereafter save 7.5% thereafter save 7.5% thereafter

AlwaysOn Wi-Fi

1GB data/month

n/a

Reality magazine

Three times a year

Personal Assistant

24/7, 365 days a year

NEW! Dial-A-Teacher

Educational help and call-back service

NEW! Legal Assist

Legal helpline (24/7)

NEW! Trauma, Assault & HIV Assist

Expert assistance helpline (24/7)

Adds up to 5% of spend to your savings

Health

Travel

Entertainment

Day-to-Day Sanlam Money Saver credit card

SUMMER 2020/2021 SANLAMREALITY.CO.ZA

Pricing correct at time of print.

Personal Services

Save as much as 50% on Uber! Special offer! From November 2020 to January 2021, you get up to 50% off! T&Cs apply.

Save on trips between 10pm-4am. Save on anytime airport transfers to and from the major airports in Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Port Elizabeth.

Use in your Sanlam Reality App

To activate your Uber benefit, download the free Sanlam Reality app and click on the Uber benefit block. For more, go to sanlamreality.co.za/benefit/uber. Information correct at time of print.

Tap into your benefits from your phone

Simple. Convenient. 24/7. Chat to your Personal Assistant & track your to-dos

Access your digital membership card

Activate your Uber discount

Book discounted Nu Metro tickets

Download or find out more

Visit sanlamreality.co.za for more. T&Cs apply.