MAGAZINE MARCH 2022
ISSUE
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY CELEBRATION WINTER TIPS “Flying High with Nhlamulo Baloyi”
GETTING TO KNOW
Cecilia Phiri
Editorial Team
Nomazwe Ntlokwana Editor-in-Chief Kefilwe Mphake Editor & Creative Director Nomonde Ngcobo Graphic Design & Layout Contributors Vinolia Chere Godfrey Pitje Gundo Maalakano Kefilwe Mphake Lebohang Bell Mpolokeng Moloi Nomonde Ngcobo Tumelo Taunyane
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Kefilwe Mphake
Mpolokeng Moloi
The Poet. “I am whatever you say I am. If I wasn’t, then why would you say I am.”
The Authentic 9 to 5. A day well spent staying true to the craft.
Nomonde Ngcobo
The Portrait. A noble expression of the arts.
Gundo Maalakano
The Anchor. Always gives us what we need to know when we need to know it.
Vinolia Chere
Lebohang Bell
The Present. Always in the right place at the right time.
The Homework. No place like home.
Godfrey Pitje
The Ultimate Getaway. The best hour in any workday.
Since we started this magazine, your continued support is the one thing we could alwayscount on. You showed us how you always value our content, guided and motivated us whenever we needed. Thank you for supporting us for the past five years and counting. XOXO.. #TeamNtshebele Email us: SACR.Communications@gauteng.gov.za 3|Ntshebele
HUMAN RIGHTS | P09 WEDNESDAY PROGRAMME | P10 PUISANO | P12 MEC ENGAGES ARTIST | P14 GETTING TO KNOW CECILIA PHIRI | P19/20 SCHOOL SPORT CHAMPIONS | P23 WINTER TIPS | 29 FLYING HIGH WITH NHLAMULO BALOYI I 32
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Source: https://www.behance.net/gallery/
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HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
We call on all South Africans to use Human Rights Day as a reminder of the importance of fostering greater social cohesion, nation-building and a shared national identity. Lets us all continue working together for inclusive socio-economic
development
and
combat
scourges such as racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and all related intolerances as well as gender-based violence and fermicide, which continues to undermine our human rights culture. Gender-based violence continues to rear its ugly head and continues to trample on human rights of women and children. Wherever we witness these human rights violations, we must condemn them without reservation, hesitation and qualification. Rampant poverty, pervasive inequalities and structural discrimination are human rights violations and among the greatest challenges of our time. Addressing them effectively requires measures grounded in human rights,
renewed political
commitment and participation of all, especially those most effected.
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CENTRAL CORRIDOR LAUNCH OF THE SCHOOLS
W E D N E S DAY
INTEGRATED PROGRAMME The Gauteng Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation in partnership with the Gauteng Department of Education have introduced a new indicator: The schools Wednesday Integrated Programme (WIP) for Sports, Arts and Culture. Affectionately referred to as the “Wednesday League”. The Central Corridor instalment of the Schools Wednesday Integrated Programme Launch took place on Tuesday the 15th of March 2022 at Moletsane Sports Complex in Soweto. The programme consisted of several exciting activities and entertainment such as a live band and a special performance by Yanga Chief as well as a special guest appearance from Lebo “Shugasmakx” Mothibe best known as the co-founder and star of iconic hip-hop brand Skwatta Kamp.
By Mpolokeng Moloi
The event was also graced by some of South Africa’s renowned legends such as Kaizer Chiefs attacking mid-fielder Lebogang Manyama, Ramehlwe Mphahlela, Kaizer Chiefs Defender, Manti Moholo, former Orlando Pirates player as well as Siboniso Pa Gaxa, former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs Defender, the presence of these amazing soccer stars served as great inspiration for the students who look up to them. The programme kicks off with an inclusion of arts and culture activities simultaneously implemented in schools and is aimed at establishing a vibrant hype of activities in form of school leagues and festivals championed from all the no-fee-paying schools across the Gauteng province.
The programme will be implemented in 1270 no-fee paying schools in the Gauteng province during the Mid-term period. 381 schools have already benefitted in the initial stages of the programme and 410 schools will be supported in the 2022/23 financial year. The Arts and Culture unit also has schools that are supported under this programme. The Department intends to host an integrated launch at a Provincial scale with subsequent Wednesday League Launch Corridor Roadshows which will kick-start the awareness for the Netball World Cup that will be hosted in South Africa in 2023. This will also assist the department in rolling out the integrated Sport and Arts and Culture programmes in schools during the 2022/2023 FY and beyond.
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PUISANO LIVE MUSIC FESTIVAL
The Gauteng Provincial Government in partnership with the Sedibeng District Municipality hosted a Puisano Live Music Festival on Sunday, 20 March 2022 at Dlomo Cafe, Sharpeville.
IN SHARPEVILLE
The live music performance programme is aimed at promoting live music performances in communities and develop a culture of live music appreciation as an art form, especially in townships. Puisano Live Music showcase is also instrumental in providing and creating market access for unsigned and unrecorded bands, while also continuing to strengthen the growth of the live music circuit in the province. This event was part of a buildup programme for Human Rights Day commemoration. By Gundo Maalakano
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By Vinolia Chere MEC took some time on Friday, 18 March 2022 to engage with artists in the Sedibeng District Municipality. The engagement was held to ensure that artists are able to raise their issues or concerns and find amicable solutions to ensure a positive working relationship. In her address to the artists, MEC Mbali Hlophe said: “Because of COVID-19, our artists have gone through a terrible period, the past two years have been difficult, everyone who is an artist knows how much the pandemic has affected their work, but the pandemic has also shown us that there’s new opportunities for individuals and has really forced artists and sports athletes to start thinking out of the box, and that is why you have seen that when everyone was depressed by the hard lockdown, the DJ’s came up with lockdown sessions which were able to entertain people from their homes and they were really able to bring back some life even though everyone was depressed.” MEC further explained that there’s a lot that was done and Minister Nathi Mthethwa was congratulating our province that we were the province that was able to give the most relief funds to artists as we account for 44% of the country’s relief fund distribution. There is an understanding that there is a lot of artists in the province and unfortunately not everyone was able to receive the funds. “We are working with the Department of Economic Development to revive the heritage route of Sedibeng to keep the economy of this region alive. We must bring projects such as that of Vilakazi Street in this area, SMME’s, drive tourism to ensure that tourists utilise their spend in this region. We want to bring back sports and arts to schools because kids are getting involved in bad activities including drugs, we want young people to be engaged positively. We need to fill that gap working together with MEC Lesufi.” MEC also highlighted the importance of working with legends in the sports and arts fraternity to assist in developing and motivating upcoming talents and encourage young people to be involved in the business of sports or business of arts. 14|Ntshebele
THE LANGUAGE
OF SUICIDE
“Prevention and Stigma” By: The late Dr Sindi van Zyl
W
ords have immense power. How we talk about emotions, behaviours and ideas has a strong influence over what we think about them – and how we make others think. The words we choose are more important than you might think and create an emotional impact. The only way we directly affected by each suicide. Suicide is not a word people like to say - it makes us uncomfortable. I have openly spoken about mental health, depression and suicide for many years and there’s a marked awkwardness/taboo around the subject. Many people feel their questions will make things worse – that just by asking questions around suicide or if someone has a plan to kill themselves it will trigger them to start planning or activate emergency response units. We as mental health professionals have the ability to notice things, show care and concern, and to connect people at risk to professional help. Despite all those who have experienced the loss of a loved one to suicide or have been in that suicidal place themselves, this is still not a topic openly discussed. The stigma associated with suicide is very real. At the heart of the misunderstanding, ignorance and fear is language. “He committed suicide”; “Hannah successfully committed suicide after years of failed attempts” and “She’d always been attention seeking”. We need a strict review of the way we talk about suicide. The language we currently use to report on or discuss suicide is insensitive, stigmatising, disrespectful and dated. The word ‘commit’ comes from a time when suicide was treated as a crime. Yet we still talk of people like they committed a crime when they die by suicide. “We now live in a world where we seek to understand people who experience suicidal thoughts, behaviours and attempts. We need to treat can change how society talks about suicide starts with us as doctors and mental health practitioners. If we change the way we as medical professionals refer or talk about suicide, we can help destigmatise it in our communities. In South Africa, as the rest of the world, suicide is a growing concern. For the 15 – 24 age group, suicide is the second leading cause of death. For teens, 9.5% of their deaths are due to suicide. Children as young as six have died by suicide and every hour someone takes their life. For every suicide there are approximately 20 attempts. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention report, between 6 and 32 people are them with compassion rather than condemn them. Part of this is to use appropriate, non-stigmatising terminology when referring to suicide,” says suicide prevention adviser, Susan Beaton. As we learn more about suicide, our language must evolve. Depression warps our sense of who we are, our sense of worth and value, and takes away our ability to see the future. SADAG runs the only suicide crisis line in South Africa (0800 567 567) and their counselling call centre receives as many as 600 calls a day. We need to be compassionate and sensitive when we talk to someone who is suicidal. In an unclear state of bereavement, survivors of suicide loss often wonder if they could have done something to prevent the death; they wonder if they contributed to their loved one’s actions. Their self- blame and guilt runs deep. We need to reach out to survivors of suicide loss – to understand how traumatic that kind of loss is – and try to ease their guilt and suffering. 16|Ntshebele
SA HIP HOP LOST ANOTHER ARTIST
NTS EBE
C EC IL I A
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL Who Is Ntsebe Phiri? I got my name from my maternal grandmother and the name is a clan name and doesn’t mean “know” me. You pronounce it like you’re talking about an ear in Setswana. Ke Setlogolo sa Thlophane Moumakoe, Bogoshi le Diale. Ke Kgabo Mokgatla ke namela setlhare ke ja borekgu. I was born and bred in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. I am married and blessed with two well-grounded sons who are now out of the house and living in their own homes however they are never out of our pockets. I am also a Glamour Gran to my grandson Kabo Warona who is so adorable. What was your first job?
You’ve been working in the department for many years, please take us through your journey. I was appointed to work in the Department in 2004 after serving 17 years in the Health Sector where my last job there was as a Provincial Manager (ASD) in the Health Promotion Unit. I remember the interview very vividly with the current acting HOD (Ntate Mpofu) as the chairperson of the panel, by then he was the only Chief Director for the whole Department. I remember when he asked me where I stayed, and I said Three Rivers East in the Vaal and his follow up question was “which are those three rivers”? and I was like mara this one, what do those rivers have to do with the interview? The interview was tough, but I knew that I would make it because I know how eloquent, confident and articulate I am when it comes to me having to sell myself.
After graduating from the University of Cape with a Bachelor of Social Sciences and Humanities Degree in 1986 I was lucky to get a job at the National Department of Health in Pretoria as a Community Liaison Officer, that was in 1987. The job queue was very short then unlike now where graduates wait for jobs for years on end. Thereafter, I attained post graduate qualifications in three other universities and School of Public Health. You see, I have st always been a community and a peoples’ person hence I On the 1 of May I would have been in the Public Service for 35 years. am where I am today, serving the people of Sedibeng.
P H I RI What is the one thing you would say has been the highlight of your work throughout these years in the department? I must say that when the corridor concept was introduced, the office space in the South Corridor was situated in a very dodgy and unsafe place in Vereeniging town. I made a deal with myself that by the time I retire, I would have secured a very habitable and decent office space for the corridor. I then realised that there was a newly developed office building in town and then requested the department to consider it as an office space for the corridor. It wasn’t easy but the facility unit was greeted by my e-mails every morning in the quest to persuade them to secure that office space. Eventually they gave in because I wasn’t accepting no for an answer. Today I must say the staff in the South Corridor are the most comfortable when it comes working in a conducive environment. That is why they remain the best at least in my view. I also played a very crucial role in the re-engineering of the hubs. When I started, they were about 64 and now they are 27. Each Municipality is a hub now with a few satellite hubs which makes more sense.
How do you prefer to start your day?
What is the one thing you would like to see change to improve working relations in the I must start my day with a department? cup of tea. I am the last child of three at home, so I spent Communication and communication most of my time with my throughout the whole Department parents who loved their tea. from top to bottom. Usually, one learns Now that I am so blessed to about changes in the department by be a gran, I must then get chance especially when it comes to my grandson “Kabo Warona” SCM as well as line functions from who is three years old ready the Head Office. I also feel that the for creche, yes, that’s my hubs and staff there need to be on Pumpkin, the apple of my top of the Departmental agenda eye and of course thereafter as they are the backbone of the I head to the office. Department. They are on the ground and make the Department of Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation, without them there is no Department. 20|Ntshebele
I am a disciplinarian and I don’t like disorder. What’s the one thing you can’t go a day without?
Share five facts about youself that you believe your colleagues don’t know.
I can’t go a day without my cell phone my family needs to be able to always get hold of me.
•
What is your favourite holiday destination?
• •
I love Mozambique and any place that has terrenial rains but locally, Cape Town is my second home. What is your dream retirement get away?
• I still want to go and visit the St. Peters Basilica Cathedral in Rome it was my parents’ holiday • destination every winter and I also want to spend some time in Turkey, it has a good sense of fashion. Their clothes are the best. 22|Ntshebele
I attended my high school years at Lona and Loreto Convents in Pretoria, so I am convent girl. I used to be a Ballroom and Latin Dancer. I met my husband at the University of Cape Town in 1984 and in December we will be married for 36 years, and I have never taken any fed-up leave in the entire time. I am very happy and fulfilled. I am a disciplinarian and I don’t like disorder. I am the President of the Catholic Women’s League at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. I am a prayer warrior.
Gauteng reign as National School Sport Champions
G
auteng province continue to reign supreme in the national school-sport championships following stellar performances throughout the 2022 SA School Sport season. The aquatics team came in first place in the swimming championships which took place 25-28 March 2022 at the Hillcrest Swimming Pool in City of Tshwane. The team dominated with 98 gold medals out of a total of 162 where they accumulated 2091 points to emerge victorious. Team Gauteng also scored gold at the National Athletics Championships held in Potchefstroom, North West from the 25th to 26th of March 2022. With 89 medals earned, including 33 gold; 27 silver and 29 bronze, Gauteng maintain a record 25th consecutive year as the number one province in South African School Sport Athletics. In a message of congratulations, Gauteng MEC for Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation Mbali Hlophe says “We are so incredibly proud of our province’s young athletes from our schools who continue to preserve our legacy as the Home of Champions. This grand return to school sport at this level after two years of absence due to Covid is truly admirable. Congratulations to all learners, coaches and managers on back-to-back victories which build on years of consecutive championship titles for GP. “As the department gears up to implement the integrated Schools Wednesday League programme, we further invest in the nurturing and development of the immense talent in our schools.” concludes MEC Hlophe
MARCH 8 TH
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
20 March International Day of Happiness 8 March International Women’s Day
21 March World Poetry Day
TRAVEL IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL Traveling helps you enrich your own personal history. Traveling is about more than history; traveling is about enriching your own life. It’s about making memories, creating life-long friendships, and so much more. As you grow old, you will be grateful for the days that you took to travel and try new things. So use your leave days wisely.
CLEAN EATING
I
mage the results of clean eating, Adopting a clean eating plan that can be a simple and effective way to lose weight and boost your overall health. Additionally, eating clean means relying less on processed, store-bought items and preparing more meals at home, which could save you loads of money. INGREDIENTS 250 ml Almond milk 2 cups frozen fruit. 1 cup fresh fruit. ½ cup liquid. ¼ cup yogurt. 1-2 Tbsp sweetener (Optional) Prep Time - 5 min Servings - 2 Servings Calories - 128 Kcal
Source: https://www.healthline.com
Tips for Winter Drink smart If you spent the summer indulging in lemonade and rosé, now’s the time to cut back on the sugary drinks and booze and think more about staying hydrated. But it’s not just because it’s friendlier to your waistline.
Prioritize sleep “Turn off tech at least an hour before bed, avoid caffeine in the afternoon, use lavender to relax before bed,” she suggested. “And Instead of a glass of wine in the evening, try a cup of relaxing peppermint or chamomile tea.”
Take care of your smile A new season is the perfect time to book that missed dental appointment, and not just because it’ll help you look great. “Poor dental health, especially gum disease, is a significant risk factor for more severe COVID-19, including death from COVID,” said Justman. “Don’t wait for the pandemic to be over to go back to the dentist. Schedule that appointment now.” https://www.today.com/health/10-tips-get-stayhealthy-fall
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WELCOME ON BOARD We are thrilled to have a young go-getter like you in our ranks. Let’s work together to make this place fun and successful. Congratulations and welcome aboard!
Name: Ms. Moufhe Charlotte Malowe Post: Assistant Director: SCM (12 months contract) Appointment date: 15 February 2022
Congrats! We are delighted to have you with us. We extend our good wishes and we can’t wait to see you climb to new heights here with us!
Name: Mr. Bongani Dubazana Post: Administration Officer: Procurement Appointment date: 01 March 2022
Congratulations and welcome back! We are excited to have you in our midst once again. Together, we will work towards achieving new benchmarks.
Name: Ms. Lebeko Maenetja Post: Language Practitioner: Sesotho Appointment date: 10 March 2022
Congratulations and welcome back to the team! We have missed working with you over the past few years and we’re so glad you found your way back so we can continue to change misconceptions about public servants.
Name: Dr Themba Masondo Post: Chief Director: Corporate Services Appointment date: 01 April 2022 31|Ntshebele
The experiences and opportunities I have been having access to in the past few years have been challenging, yet extremely fantastic.” You’ve been taking big strides in your career, please share that experience with us.
How was your journey to becoming a Master of Business Administration?
The experiences and opportunities I have been I am a strong believer that professions call you. having access to in the past few years have been I say this because never in my wildest dreams did challenging, yet extremely fantastic.
I ever think I would become a Master of Business
The difficulty becomes so real when you realise Administration. I always wanted to be in the that as you are on the growth trajectory, the other creative arts space, I wanted to be an entertainer, parts of your life need attention too. Your health, a storyteller, maybe actor, scriptwriter, producer family, entertainment, spirituality and any important or a director of films. It did not turn out the way aspect of your life must be taken care of lest the I envisaged. However; an opportunity to join a career growth becomes futile when those aspects Marketing and Communication team came along are neglected.
right after completing my first humanities honours
It was at the early stages of my growth trajectory degree. Studying an MBA was not in the plan. The that I really suffered, not making enough time for Department has been awesomely generous I must important matters of my life; I had to quickly adjust say. From the time I joined, there was hardly a year I and learn the so called “work-life-balance,” which would not fill out that part about career development I am working on mastering on a daily. My career in my PMDS. I always explored. I did a number of journey excites me, the little steps taken thus far are those short one to two days courses-cum-workshops. starting to manifest to greater heights, and I can only Doing those kept broadening my brains. At one be very grateful.
point I became interested in becoming a Master of Business Administration. 32|Ntshebele
I applied at Wits Business School, which never worked out. At that time I didn’t have enough credits, work experience to qualify to study MBA, nor a bit of commerce subjects which are normally loved by business schools. Anyhow, I then went to study an Honours in Brand Communications and Leadership. Honestly, it aligned very well with my work, but most importantly, I did not want to idle and do nothing with my time. I must say, Government is quite busy, the environment I worked in presented me with lots of work
What would you say to encourage anyone who may be thinking of taking the next step in their career or studies?
stresses, such as needing to complete an event within a very
I am also a greater believer that you do not
short space of time, but at the same time, there has always
really lose anything when you try something
been a time which could be beautifully killed by studies.
new. It’s also extremely crucial to note that the
After completing my Honours in Brand Communication, I
right time to start is now. Also, waiting does
started exploring all I learnt – quite an awesome part of my
not help, you will still be 4 years older in four
life also because of the team I always worked with. Well,
years’ time, but you might not have that extra
soon enough, I got bored and I needed more. I went back
qualification if you do not start now. Choose
to WBS, they still said no, but offered me a Post Graduate
to be four years older with a new qualification
Diploma in Business Administration, which most would call
and new perspectives.
a mini MBA. I was like anyway, I cannot just be bored. I went for it full force. I was cooked in that course, it really showed me flames. I remember, I even failed two subjects. Time flew, I completed with all those hurdles of work and family. It was at that time I had to learn sleeping for just a few hours. After completion, I was offered an opportunity to now study what I really wanted. I went for it and the rest is history.
“ With honour, you get to appreciate all the wisdom and knowledge your leaders may have.”
Do you have any special message for young people who are just starting out in their careers? I must say, with all humility in me, while I had moments where I failed, there hardly have been a time I refused work from my superiors. I strived for excellence in all I needed to work on. Yes, days and projects are not the same, but let the highest be the excellent ones. While it’s easy to make mistakes while young, it’s equally important to have a few principles to live by. Yes, we could be all equal and call each other by our first names in the work environment, but honouring superiors, whether qualified less than you are or not, after all, they are in the superior position and you are not, and it may have taken a lot of experience to get there, plus it has nothing to do with the paper. With honour, you get to appreciate all the wisdom and knowledge your leaders may have. Diligence pays off, we cannot be lazy young generation if we need to achieve awesome results.
Any future plans you’d like to share with us? The idea is to continue being ambitious, it channels one for greater heights. One of the things that got me so perplexed was how class mates and peers would marvel that I am in the public sector. I did not get it. Did they perceive public servants as not educated people, lazy bunch of long lunch takers? Where I am from, that was not my experience. But moreover, I always wanted to change the status quo of how Government employees are perceived. We are smart people, hardworking people, the ones who take a lot of blame and strain, sometimes for no reason. My plan is to continue trusting God for an elevation, in all areas of my life, to a place where I will have an impact. We cannot stop learning. We cannot stop dreaming. We cannot stop servicing, for to serve is our calling and our efforts should be at work perpetually.
S TA F F H A N YA N I W E L L N E SS PROGRAMME MAKES A RETURN After suffering the demise of COVID-19 like many other programmes of the department, the Staff Hanyani Wellness Programme finally made a return on 18th March 2022, this time hosted by the South Corridor. MEC Mbali Hlophe took the opportunity to encourage staff members to lead healthy lifestyles in order to reduce the risk of ailments and the burden on health services in the province. If all goes well, Staff Hanyani Wellness Programme is planned to be a quarterly event where all staff members are encouraged to come together and participate in various physical activities such as a walk, aerobics and yoga.
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