My Office - November 2022

Whyyoushouldbea memberof SHOP-SA?

Anymemberorganisationisonlyasstrongasitsmembersallowittobe–themoreyouputin, themoreyougetout!

SHOP-SAservesasaconnectorbetweenthemanufacturersandsuppliers,theretailersandresellersandtheend-userofstationery,home,andofficeproducts.Assuchwedisseminate informationthatcaninfluencebusiness,buyingdecisionsandstrategicplanning.However,we alsowanttobetheplatformfordiscussionsandknowledgesharing.

Annualmembershipwillgiveyouthefollowingbenefits:

•Subscriptiontoaweeklye-newsletter

•SubscriptiontothemonthlyMyOfficemagazine

•Advertisingopportunitiesinthenewsletterandthemagazinetogetyourshareofaccessto ourwell-maintaineddatabasewhichcarriescloseto10000uniqueemailscontacts

•Opportunitytosharenewsaboutyourproductorcompanywithyourpeers

•Accesstoamember’sportal,whereyoucanupdateyourowncompanyprofileandaddyour latestcatalogue

•Beinformedaboutthemarket,alsointermsofouraffiliationwiththeCanadiancounterparts andthePaperManufacturersAssociationofSouthAfrica

•Trainingoffersatexcellentratesthatwenegotiateonyourbehalf

•Membershipcertificateand“proudmemberpin”toshowyouraffiliationtotheAssociation

•Memberratesforourevents

•Featureinthemagazineformemberswhentheyjoin

For2023wearetentativelyplanningthefollowing:

•AnnualSportsDay(Feb)

•NetworkingeventlastThursdayofeverymonth(Feb–Oct)

•TradeShow&Conference(April)

•RegionaleventsinKZNandCapeTown(tbc)

•AshortdocumentaryprogramontheAssociation

Signuptodayandhelpusbuildthisindustry–

www.shop-sa.co.za

MyOfficeonlinemagazineistheofficialmagazine oftheStationery,HomeandOfficeProducts AssociationofSouthernAfrica(SHOP-SA).Itwas firstpublishedin1916.Thestationeryandoffice supplyindustryisafast-changingenvironment. Weaimtowriteandselectarticlesthatwillboth informandbenefitreaders,keepingthemabreast ofcurrentandfuturemarkettrends.

FIRSTPUBLISHEDIN1916

PUBLISHER SHOP-SA

EDITOR

BronwenJones-editor@shop-sa.co.za

SUB-EDITOR

HanlieDelport-hanlie@shop-sa.co.za

ASSOCIATEEDITORANDMARKETING

WendyDancer-wendy@shop-sa.co.za

FINANCIALCONTROLLER

BillAndré-bill@shop-sa.co.za

NATIONALOFFICE

DesignandLayout:LeandraStrydom NewMembership:WendyDancer

JohannesburgOffice

21KrotonStreet,WeltevredenPark, Roodepoort,Gauteng Tel:+27125480046 Email:info@shop-sa.co.za Website:www.shop-sa.co.za

CONTRIBUTIONS

Lettersandeditorialcontributionsarewelcomed andshouldbeaddressedtotheeditorat editor@shop-sa.co.za.Publicationcannotbe guaranteedandissubjecttospaceandthe editor’sdiscretion.

THELEGALBIT

Hellotoall

Welcometothepenultimateeditionof MyOfficemagazine

Withtheendoftheyearbeingalmost uponus,wearealreadylookingtoward thenewschoolyearandallthat encompasses,sowearerunningthe BTSfeatureinthisedition.

Asthisyearends,welooktowardplanningforthe nextyear,soplannersanddiariesarein,which dovetailsnicelywith“BacktoSchool”,forwhatis schoolwithoutadiary?Thatsaid,thisyearisn’tquite doneyetandwealsoneedtolooktowardthehighlight oftheyear,Christmasoratleastthefestiveseason.

Welookatartsandcraftsforthisperiodasmany withchildrenareusuallydesperatebythesecondday inkeepingthechildrenentertainedoroccupied.These craftyideasshouldkeepchildrenoccupiedwithoutthe needforanelectronicdevice,however,thereare

millionsofideas–fartoomayforustopublish–on varioussitesfromPinterestandInstagramtoYouTube andmanymoreonGoogletoo.Givingchildrenthe opportunitytocreateandmakedecorationsorcardsfor thefestiveseasonissomethingthatmostchildrenwill enjoy,gosh,evenadultsenjoycreatingandcrafting.

Rollupyoursleevesandgetbusymakingmemories withyourchildorchildren,createeverythingfrom wrappingpaperandgiftboxestocardsand decorations.Somemayevenbecomekeepsakesand traditionsmaybeborn.

Staysafe,enjoythelastpushtowardyearendand holidaysandstaycreative.

Bronwen

ShiftHappens

TheAnnualGeneralMeetingoftheAssociationwasheldatTarsus’officesrecentlyandfollowed aninformativeandthought-provokingpresentationbyTarsusCEO,AntonHerbst.Aptlynamed “ShiftHappens”Antonshedsomelightonwherebusinessisgoingandwillbegoinginthenear future.Hecautionedbusinessmanagersandownerstonotlettheirego’sgetinthewayoftaking theirbusinessestothenextlevel.

TheAGMwaschairedbyCliveHeydenrychsinceHansServasretiredfromtheBoardattheend ofJune.Thechairman’sreporthighlightedthesuccessfulvirtualtradeshowhostedbySHOP-SA inSeptember2021.Thevirtualtradeshowwassupportedby13exhibitors,had2357unique visitorsand5487visitstothevariouslive,staticandvideoexhibits.

ABTSsurveywasconductedagainandtheresultsindicatedthattherewassomerecoveryin themarketforthissectoratthestartoftheschoolyearin2022.TheAssociation’sfinances remainedconstraintdespiteseveralcutstoexpenses.Themainreasonforthecriticalfinancial positionisthattheinterestfromadvertisershaddecreased.

TheAssociationtookthestaffandcontractorsbackafterITOnlineindicatedthatitwasno longeraviablepropositionforthem. MyOfficemagazine andtheweeklynewslettersweretaken backintoSHOP-SAandaChiefOperatingOfficer,MrsHanlieDelport,wasappointed.Sinceshe tookoffice,themagazinehasbeenbroughtbackinadigitalformat,thewebsiteoftheAssociation hasreceivedafacelift,includingafreshandmoremodernbrandandaneweditorwasappointed toensurethat MyOffice andthenewsletterscarriedalargerpercentageoforiginalcontent.

HansServasreiteratedinthereporthecompiledthatanynewinitiativeswillonlybearfruitif theyaresupportedbytheindustry.“Itwouldbeasaddayiflackofinvolvementandsupport wouldmeantheendofa107-yearchapter,”HanswroteinhisfinalreportasChairman.

NonewBoardmemberswereelectedatthemeetingbuttheBoardmaystillco-optmembersat itsfirstmeeting.TheConstitutionoftheAssociationwaschanged–minorchangestoget terminologyinlinewithourcurrentstructureandtocomplywithSARSrequirementsforaPBO. ThesechangeswereapprovedattheAGM.�

Plansforthenewyearfor back-to-schoolsupplies

Havingaskedsomeofourmembersforfeedbackontheirback-to-schoolplans,wegotthefollowing feedbackfromOfficeNational:

OfficeNationalisSouthern Africa’slargest independentlyowned commercialand retailproviderofstationery, officefurniture,businesstechnology productsaswellascanteenand janitorialproducts.

Withover50outletsacrossthecountry, theybringawholenewmeaning toLOCAL.

Think.Shop.SupportLocalwithOffice NationalResponsibilityand accountabilityaretwocorevaluesof OfficeNational.Bychoosingoneoftheir OfficeNationaloutletsasyouroffice productssupplier,youwillbeuplifting thecommunityyouliveinandimproving theirwelfare.

Theirexclusivecatalogues giveyou accesstoarangeofleadingbrandsand products-“Iftheydon’thaveit,they’ll sourceitforyou”.

Whenitcomestobusinesssuppliersthey arethesolutiontoallyourneeds. Ownermanagedandoperatedoutlets guaranteeyoufastandefficientservice delivery.

1.Whatareyourexpectationsforthis year’sBTS? TheirexpectationisfortheBTS markettostabilizebacktopre-covid years.

AtOfficeNationaltheywanttoensure thattheyaretheconsumers’one-stop shopforalltheirstationeryneeds.

Their44differente-commercesites allowparentsandteachersapleasant onlineshoppingexperiencetoloadand purchasetheirstationeryschoollists.

2.Areyoulaunchinganynew products?

Yes,theyhavelistednewitemsin theirBTSCatalogue.Ourcatalogue isavailablein-storeand online: https:// www.officenational.co.za/currentcatalogues

3.Whatchangingtrendshaveyou pickedupinBTSnecessitieslately? CodingandRoboticsinSchools Thegoalofthecodingandrobotics subjectistohelppreparestudentsto solveeverydayproblems.Learners areexposedtoarangeofknowledge andskillsthatassistwithcritical thinking,helpsthemtoworkmore creativelyandcollaboratively,andto adapttoatechnologicaland information-drivenworld.

4.Inyouropinion,whatarethemost essentialproducts?

•BallpointPens •CounterBooks •Calculators •ExerciseBooks •GlueSticks •Highlighters

5.Doyouhaveaspecialpayofflinefor yourcampaignthisyear,andwhatis it? Think|Shop|SupportLocal

6.Areyourunninganyspecial initiativesnowthatchildrenare officiallybacktoschoolandnot learningonlineanymore? Yes,theymakethestationery shoppingexperienceapleasantone bymakingschoollistsavailable online.Orderingwiththeclickofa button.

ParrotProducts(Pty)Ltd,a supplierofpresentation andsignageproducts,was establishedin1992, operatingfromsmall premisesinCleveland Johannesburgwithatotal ofthreeproductlines. Todayweoperatefroma sitespanningover12000m2withatotal ofover2000lineitems.

Basedonthedecisionofthecompanyto diversifyandprovidespecificfocusto relativelynewproductlines,Parrot Productsnowhavethreemaindivisions:

ParrotProducts –Themanufacture, supplyanddistributionofPresentation Products,OfficeEquipmentandDesktop Stationery.

ParrotInteractive –Followingthe technologicaladvancesintheeducation, presentationandtrainingsectorsthis divisionfocussesonthesupplyand distributionofelectronicpresentation productsandaccessories.

ParrotSignage –Themanufacture, supplyanddistributionofmodular aluminiumsignage.

OurResearchandDevelopmentteam continuetoresearchbothpotentialfinished productandrawmaterialsacrosstheglobe toenhanceourexistingrange.

TheirRangeNextDayensuresdelivery ofallstockproductlinesnextdayandis facilitatedbyfullystockeddistribution warehousesinJohannesburg, Bloemfontein,KwaZuluNatal,Western Cape,EasternCapeandNamibia.

Afleetof40vehiclesacrossthecountry supportsthisvisionandhasearnedthem

FromParrotwegottheirfeedback–

theacknowledgement,amongsttheir dealerbase,ofbeingoneofthebest suppliersintheindustry.

Allwarehousesboastafully computerised,paperlesspickingsystem enablingfastandaccuratedeliveriesto theirclientbase.

TheParrotrangeofproductsarealso wellrepresentedinBotswana,Zimbabwe, MozambiqueandZambia.

Parrotboastsasalespresence throughoutSubSaharanAfrica,offering valueaddcallstoeachoftheirDealers. Theirsalesforceunderstandsthe importanceofawell-informeddealerbase andtothisendconductregularproduct trainingsessionsonsiteandcustomer daysatregularintervalsatanyoneoftheir branches.

Thesalesteamareeffectivein identifyingopportunitiesattheirDealer baseforimplementationofanyoneofa numberofmarketingtoolstheyhave designedtoensurethesaleofanyoftheir productlinesissupportedandeffective.

Highlyprofessionalshowroomsateach oftheirbrancheswelcomesdealersand customerstoviewtheirexcitingrangeof products.

Theirnewlydesignedwebsite incorporatestheirentireproductoffering. Dealerswhoregisterontheirwebsiteare abletoplaceordersatadiscountedrateon lineaswellasviewexistingorders, invoices,statements,creditnotesand PODs’.

Instructionmanuals,installationvideos, pricelistsanddealerresourcesare availableatthepushofabutton.

DebbieOConnor,Parrot

1.Whatareyourexpectationsfor

International FraudWeek

Fraud,phishing,smishing,vishing,moneymulesandmore

Fraudisdefinedas:“Theunlawful andintentionalmakingofa misrepresentationwhichcauses actualprejudice,orwhichis potentiallyprejudicialtoanother.” Thisisaverybroaddescriptionandit’s notmerelylimitedtofinance,butinthis article,thefocuswillbeonfraudinthe financialcontext.

Thequestioniswhyisfraudsorifein SouthAfricaandwhyaresomanypeople affected?Fromasocio-economic standpoint,theanswerissimple:South Africa,infactmostofAfrica,hasa populationthatareignorantwhenit comestofinances,bankingandthelaws andprotectionsthatexisttostopfraud fromoccurring.

Theoldadageof“Ifsomethingappears toogoodtobetrue,itprobablyis”comes tomind.Withapopulationthatisliving onorbelowthebreadline,SouthAfrica createsperfectfeedingplaceforpredators andscam-artists.Thelocalpopulationis asofttarget,andtheunscrupulous fraudsterswillpreyontheagedandthose withlittle.However,themoreaffluent havealsobeentargeted.

MoneyMule

Moneymuletransactionsrefertotheuse ofanaccounttosendmoneyabroad,but theowneroftheaccountisnotaware wherethefundsarebeingsentortheir purpose.Thisiswhenaperson approachessomeoneandasksthemif theycanusetheiraccounttosendmoney toarelativeinanothercountry.The moneyisthensenttoapersonor organisationwithtiestocrimeinsome form.Theowneroftheaccountmaybe investigatedandprosecuted.

Asmentioned,fraudcantakemanyforms andthisparticularformisaconcerning occurrence,asitislinkedtoterrorism, moneylaundering,humantraffickingand drugs.

Thenew-agepyramidscheme Anewformofpyramidschemehastaken offthoughsocialmedia.Eachinvestoris encouragedtosignupandrecruitnew investors(friends,family,acquaintances,

andcolleagues).Inturntheythenrecruit evenmoreinvestors,andamulti-level pyramidstructureisformed,withthe fraudsterfirmlyontop.

Initially,thereturnsaregreatandthey canconvinceothers.However,these schemesarenotsustainable.Whennew investorsdryup,theschemefolds, leavinginvestorswithpermanentcapital losses.

Phishing

Phishinghasbeenaroundforawhile now,anditisstillhappening.It’sa cybercrimewherethetargetiscontacted bysomeoneposingasalegitimate institutiontolurethetargetintoproviding sensitivedatalikepersonallyidentifiable information,bankingorcreditcard details,andpasswords.Theinformation isthenusedtoaccessimportantaccounts andcanresultinidentitytheftand monetaryloss.

Vishing

Thiscybercrimeusesthephonetosteal personal,confidentialinformationfrom victims.Thecriminalsusesavvysocial engineeringtacticstoconvincevictimsto act,givingupconfidentialinformation andaccesstobankaccounts.

Thecallerwillpretendtobecallingfrom thegovernment,taxdepartment,police, orthevictim’sbank.Theywillthenuse threatsandpersuasivelanguagetomake victimsfeelliketheymustprovidethe information.Somecybercriminalsuse forcefullanguagetoframetheir conversationas“helpingthevictimavoid criminalcharges.”Asecondtacticisto leavethreateningvoicemailsthattellthe recipienttocallbackimmediatelyorrisk beingarrested,havingbankaccounts shutdown,orworse.

Smishing

Smishingisaphishingcybersecurity attackconductedovermobiletext messaging,alsoknownasSMS phishing.

Thisisslightlydifferentfromphishingand vishing,butusuallyfollowsthesame

patternofimpersonationforthepurpose ofgettinginformation,byusingSMS. Thereareusuallylinksembeddedthat taketheusertoamalicioussitethat recordstheirinput.Oncetheyhaveyour personalinformationandbankingdetails, theyarefreetoaccessyouraccount.

Cybercriminalsoftenuseoneoftwo methodstostealthisdata:

Malware: ThesmishingURLlinkmighttrickyou intodownloadingmalware—malicious software—thatinstallsitselfonyour phone.ThisSMSmalwaremight masqueradeasalegitimateapp,tricking youintotypinginconfidentialinformation andsendingthisdatatothe cybercriminals.

Maliciouswebsite: Thelinkinthesmishingmessagemight leadtoafakesitethatrequestsyouto typesensitivepersonalinformation. Cybercriminalsusecustom-made malicioussitesdesignedtomimic reputableones,makingiteasiertosteal yourinformation.

Onlinegamingscams

Peopleplayingonlinegamessometimes purchasevirtualgameitemsinorderto becomebetteratthatgame.Criminals poseasplayersandsetupfakevirtual marketplaceswheretheyclaimtosell sought-aftergameitems,butdon't deliver.

Inheritancescams

Victimsreceiveamessageviaemailor SMStellingthemthey'veinheriteda generoussumofmoneyfroman unknownperson.Criminalsposeas attorneys,taxagents,andeven governmentofficials,askingforfeestobe paidandpersonalinformationbehanded overtostarttheinheritanceprocess.

Courierswindles

Acriminalposingassomeoneelseonline willdevelopafriendshipwiththevictim throughsocialmediagroupsordating sites.Thecriminalthen“sends”the victimagiftfromoverseas.Afakecourier

companycallsthevictimandtellsthemtheymustpayarelease feetogetthepackage,afterwhichtheysendfakeSARS documentsdemandingmoremoneybepaidbeforethepackage isreleased.

Foreignexchangeswindles

Trainingseminarsareheldandspeakersarepresentedasbeing extremelywealthy,havingmadetheirmoneyfromforeign exchangeinvestments.Unfortunately,thepromiseofaquick buckistoogoodtobetrue.Somevictimsmayspendtheir moneyonfakeprogrammesthatpromisetooptimiseprofits. Someevenlosealloftheirmoney,occasionallywithinamatter ofdays.

Fakejobfrauds

Fakejobfraudshavebeenaroundforyears.Thelatestone’s targetpeoplewhohavefairlyhighqualifications.Scammers advertisejobsoverseasandgotogreatlengthstocreatethe illusionofalegitimatejob,likeconductingSkypeinterviewswith thevictim.Oncethevictim'gets'thejob,theyaretoldtheyare financiallyresponsibleforthecostsofbackgroundchecks,credit scorechecks,andtheirvisa.Inthemostextremecircumstances, thevictimcanarriveinaforeigncountrywithoutalegitimate visaandbetreatedbytheauthoritiesasanundocumented immigrant.�

Back-to-school, morethanjustpenandpaper

Stationery,studyspacesandsavingsforsuperstudents

Thestartofanewschoolyear, somethingthatchildrenlookat withbothgleeandtrepidation. Thefunpartisthenew stationeryandbrandnewbooks, thebadpartisthattheholidaysare over!

Childrenlovetogetnewstationery, choosingnewbagsandpencilcases, pensandpencilsandseeingwhatthey candotocoerce,begorbartertogetjust whattheywantfromparents.Most parentswillbuyafewspecialgoodiesto keepthechildrenhappy,mostwilldo anythingtokeepchildrenenthusiastic andreducethestressofgoingbackto school,orgoingtoschoolforthefirst time.

Schoolandtheassociatedstationeryare important,buthavingsuppliesand workspaceathomeisequallyimportant. Ensuringthatyourchildhasaspace whereheorshecandotheirhomework isimportant,notjustforthechild,butfor thefamily.Childrendoinghomeworkon thediningroomtableisnotidealfor severalreasons;messbeingaprimary concern.Also,homeworkcanoverlap mealtimesandhavingtomovebooks andthenre-startafteramealislessthan ideal.

Achildthathasadesignatedspacewith adeskandchairandmaybeabookshelf ismorelikelytodevelopgoodhabitsand keeptheirschoolstuffinoneplacerather thanscatteredaroundthehouse.Itallows themtousethespacetofocusontheir workawayfromdistractionslikeTVand thegeneralactivityofthehouse.Itwill encouragethemtobeabitneateranda bitmoreordered,hopefully,astheywill beworkingintheirspace.Orderhelpsto aidconcentrationandfocus.Havinga shelforbookcaseforbooksandstationery supplieswillmotivatethemtowardorder.

Sittingatadeskisalsobetterforthe child’sposturethanslouchingonacouch orsittingatacoffeetableinthelounge. Whilstideallybeingabletoprovideageappropriatefurnitureandgoodquality chairthisisnotalwaysfeasibleor affordable,buttherearemanyfurniture optionsthatwillallowachildtohavea

goodworkareaandneednotbereplaced formanyyears.

Childrenshouldworkwithoutelectronic devicesordistractions,theywillbemore focussedandmoreproductive,finishing theirhomeworkfasterwhichwillallow moretimeforplay.

Whenbuyingstationery,therearesome thingsthatwillrunoutmorequickly; havingastashthatyoucangotoina cupboardwillsaveyoualotofangstona Sundaynightwhentheirlastpendriesup ortheirgluerunsoutandtheyareinthe middleofaproject.Someitemscanbe storedindefinitely,othersmayhavea shortershelflife.Childrenwillalways rememberthattheyneedsomethingat 7pmoronaSundaynight,havingextra supplieswillsaveyoualotofdrama!

Itemsthatyoucanstockorbuyinbulk andstore: •Paper •Cardboard •A4Books

•Felttippens

•ColouredPencils

•APairofScissors

•ExamPads

•Pens

•Pencils

•Erasers

•Sharpener

•Ruler

•GlueSticks

•Pre-cutbookcoverswithplastic •Labels

Mostschoolssendoutlistsofthe requiredstationeryandinsiston everythingbeingbroughttoschoolonday one,ifthisisthecasewithyourchild’s schoolthenyouwillneedtocomply. However,ifyourchildisolder,theywill usuallyadvisewhatisneededandleave ittoyourdiscretionwhetherallthe stationeryisgiventothechildonthefirst day;theymayneedfourgluesticksper year,buttheycertainlydon’tneedallof themonday1!

Therearemanysavingideasthatyoucan implementtoreducethecost–most stationeryitemsarestapleitemsthatyour childwillneedyearafteryear,sotherisk

islowthatyouwon’tusesomething, eventually!

CostSaving

•Bagsareexpensive,youcanclean andaddsomecharmsoratransfer andtheoldbagistransformedfor thenewyear.

•Shopthesalesandspecials, especiallyinJanuary.

•Buyinbulkwherepossiblelikeblue pens,pencils,A4books,exampads –theywillgetused.

•Someitemsarejustbetterthan others,qualitycountsbutwhenyour childisinkindergartenorGrade 000,therereallyisnoneedtobuy artistgradepencils.

•Lunchboxesandjuicebottlesare expensive,again,smallchildrentend toberatherroughwiththeseor misplacethementirelywithstartling regularity.Buyfunctionalitemsat affordablepricesratherthantopof therangeitemsthatwillprobablygo missingratherquickly.

•Buyafinepointpermanentmarker tomarkstationery–andgetlabels, atleastthiswaysomemisplaced itemswilleventuallycomehome.

•Pre-cutbookcoversoftengotosale aftertheback-to-schoolrush,you canstockupforthenextyearata fractionofthecostorbuybrown paperandstickersorstampsand kidscancreatetheirowncovers.

•Gatheralltheoldstationeryatthe endoftheyearanddiscardthe brokenandunusableitemsbutkeep allthecolouredpensandpencilsin acentralstashforemergencies.

•Cutoutunusedpagesfromexercise booksandbindthemorfilethemto useasscrappaper. �

Heigh-ho,Heigh-ho, it’sofftoschoolwego!

Backtoschoolisacrucialtimeforstationerycompanies.

Indeedpossiblythemostimportant eventoftheyear.Whattomarket andhowtopositionyourofferingas opposedtowhatyourcompetitors aredoingisallimportant.Certain criteriawillelevateyourofferingabove thoseofyourcompetitor:rangeand diversification,onlineoffering,free deliveryandprice.

Thepastfewyearshasbeentoughon manyduetothepandemic-teaching childrenathome,goingthrough retrenchmentandhavingasmaller income.Parentswillthereforebelooking tosavesomemoneyonthisessential annualendeavourtokittheirchildrenout forthenewacademicyear.

Marketingback-to-schoolsuppliesisone thingbutensurethatyoualsomarketfor thehomeofficeoradviseparentstostock uponthoseitemsthatwillcertainlyrun outandneedreplacing.Thesewould typicallyincludepens,pencils,erasers, spareexercisebooksdrawingmaterials, gluesticksandpaper.Havingthisina safeplacewillpreventpanicafterhours whenchildrenusuallydiscoverthatthey havelostapenorranoutofglue.Having

spareinkcartridgesisalsoimportantas thesewilltendtorunoutinthemiddleof anassignmentorproject.

Clickinggooddeals

Adefiningcriterionistheabilitytohavea goodonlinestoreforyourcustomers.This sectorhasexpandedinleapsandbounds sincethestartofCOVID-19,withmany peoplepreferringtoshopfromthe comfortoftheirhome.Certainly,for parentsthishasgottobeeasierthan shoppingwithchildrenintow,goingfrom onestoretothenextanddealingwith tiredandbored,orworse,fussychildren! Havingafullrangeofstationeryandan easilynavigatedonlinestorewillbe appealingtomanyparents,especially thosethatrelyonpublictransportbut haveaccesstotheinternetwhetherat workorathome.

Schoolsbythistimeusuallysenda comprehensivelistofitemsthatlearners needtohaveforthenewyear,from stationerytobooksandbags.Many schoolswillemailandpublishthelistsfor thedifferentgradesontheirwebsitesso thatparentscanbuytheitemsbeforethe startofthenewschoolyear.Some

schoolsevenpartnerwithastore,where theywillmakeupapackandtheparent canjustbuythepackrelevanttothe gradeandtheschool.Formanythough, costwillbeafactorandtheymayoptto shoparoundtogetthebestdeals.

AnotherchangethathascomeinpostCOVIDistheuseofdigitaltechnologyin theclassroomandathome.So,allthings techrelatedliketabletsandprintersor laptopsandsmartphoneshavebecome standarditemsformanychildren.

Positioningyourofferingsothatthetech appealstothechildaswellastheadult andconfirmingthesuitabilityforuseina classroomorahomeofficewillensure broaderappeal.Possiblybundlingschool techwithhomeofficetechmaybean ideaworthpursuing.

Theusuallistsforback-to-schoolhave nowbeensupplementedbytech,tothis end,emailcampaignsandadvertising willgoalongwayinpromotingyour brandasmillionsofSouthAfricanparents gearuptobuyingthestationeryand associatedparaphernaliafortheir children.

Back-to-School

SchoolBags

Schoolbagsareparticularlyimportantfor severalreasons:primarilytheyareused forcarryingthebooks,stationeryand otherdailyrequirements.

Someconsiderationstohighlightwhen marketingabagincludethefollowing:

•Robust,butlightweightconstruction

•Strapsforwearingthebagonthe back,wheelsandahandlefor pickingup

•Outsidepocketsforquickaccessand storageofitemslikeatelephone

•Waterproof

•Reflectivestrips

•Lockable

•Markablewiththechild’snameand school

Bagsareanecessity,however,thereare manyshapesavailableonthemarket. Spendingabitmorewillensurethatthe baglaststhefullyear(orseveralyears) anditwillbecomfortableforthechildto wear.Besuretotellparentsthatthebag isbigenoughtoaccommodatethebooks andstationerygoingfromoneyeartothe next.

BasicStationery

Thebasicstationerylisthasremained unchangedfordecadeswithpens,pencils colouredpencilsandkoki’smakingup thewritingcomponentandthestaples like,rulers,sharpeners,scissorsand erasersmakingthecut.

Again,parentsmaybewillingtopayabit moreforrulersandsimilarhardwareto ensurethattheygetqualitythatwilllast theyearandbeyond.Butforthelittle Grade000tillaboutGrade3,expect itemstogomissingorbeleftuncapped. Buyingthetopoftherangeexpensive stationeryforreallyyoungchildrenwould beawaste.Simplyput,theylosethings, loanthemoutanddon’ttakecareoftheir thingsatthisstageoftheirlives.

Shatterproofrulersarenecessary, regardlessoftheageofthechild.These shouldlastseveralyears(iftheyaren’t

lost),asaretheadditionofagood sharpenerwithacontainerforcollecting theshavingsandadecentqualityeraser. Theerasermaybeusedtodeath,butthe sharpenershouldlastafewyearsatleast.

Nowwecometothecontentiousissueof glue,asanyparentwilltellyou,children willsmearthatstuffonpaperlikethey arepaintingandschoolswillrequestthat parentsbuyseveralsticksandthisall costsafortune.Thereareanumberof gluesticksthatareaffordableandthat workequallywell.Chooseabrandthatis affordable-afterallthestuffneedsto staystuckforayearorless,notfor eternity.

Pensandpencils

Pensandpencils,althoughanabsolute musthave,canbecomeexpensive.For youngerchildrenthattendtomisplace theirstationery,considerdisposableor cheaperpensandpencilsandremind parentstokeepastashoftheseathome astheywillmysteriouslydisappearwith startlingregularity.Forolderchildren, refillablepensandclutchpencilsmaybe thebetterchoiceastheytendtolookafter theirthingsbetter.Althoughtheseare moreexpensiveinitially,theyareworth themoneyasrefillsareinexpensiveand theycanlastformanyyears.

Books&FlipFiles

Exercisebooksareavailableinseveral degreesofquality,andsomebookshave beautifulandeye-catchingdesignsonthe cover.Thisnotonlyindividualisethe booksforthechild–parentscanalso saveoncovering.Afilmofplasticto protectthemisusuallyenough.Similarly, flipfilesandplasticsleevesareaclever ideatoprotectstudymaterial.

DiariesandYearPlanners

Diariesareanindispensablepartof attendingschool.Itisusedforwriting homeworkremindersandgettingthis signedoffbyparentsisariteofpassage throughoutalearner’sschoolcareer.Even adultsusediaries,andithasbeenproven thatbywritingdownappointmentsour memoryimproves.Thisoffersthe opportunitytomarketdiariesand plannersforbothchildrenandadults alike.Aninnovativeideawithayear plannerorcalendarinthehomeisto recordholidaysandessentialinformation likesportandotheroutdooractivitiesof thechildrenforthewholefamilytosee. Addinginprojectdeadlineswillhelpkeep everyoneinformedinthehouse.Theare manycreativeideasonhowto personaliseyourplanner–whichopens upanopportunitytoalsolink-sellcraft supplies!

LunchBoxes

Lunchboxeshavecomealongwaysince wewerechildren.Theynowhave compartmentsandlittlecoolingbricks, placesforsaucesandforutensilsandare availableinanamazingarrayofcolours. Besuretomarketthisnotonlyforkids butfortheirparentstoo!Lunchboxes withwaterbottlesforthesummerand thermosforthewinterissomethingthat childrenandadultsalikewillneedand use.

GivingBack

Tipforparents:Attheendofeveryyear, collectallyouroldstationeryandunused exercisebooks,textbooksandschool clothesthatyourchildrenhaveoutgrown. Makebundlesanddonatethesetothe lessfortunate,placesofsafetyoreven schoolsinruralareas.

Createaspaceforhomework

Nowthatthechildrenarebackatschool, theywillneedanareatodotheirhomework. Assistparentsbygivingadviceonhowto createsuchaspace.Somevaluableadvice willincludethefollowing:

•Ensurethatyouhavedeskinanarea wheretheyhavegoodlightandno distractionssothattheycancomplete thehomework.

•Allowingchildrentodecoratetheirarea forhomework,havingabookshelfor justashelfforschoolbooksand stationerywillallowthemtokeepthe areatidyandnotleavemiscellaneous itemsintheloungediningroomand kitchen.

•Teachingchildrentobeneatand organisedwhenitcomestotheirschool stuffissomethingthatwillstandthem ingoodsteadastheygetolderandthe workloadandresponsibilityincreases.

CoveringBooks

Booksneedtobecovered,andthiscanbe donewitheitherpurposecutcoversthatcan justbeslippedon,withtraditionalbrown paperandplasticorbyusingcreativepaper likewrappingpaperorpaperboughtata craftstore.Plasticcaneitherbethesheets boughtinarollortheself-adhesiveplastic. Whateveryourchoice,remembertoalsobuy adhesivetapeandlabels.�

C M Y CM MY CY CMY K

Choosing abag

Choosing abag

Choosingatypeofbagis importantandformanyschools, theydictatethetypeandcolour, butthereisstillchoice available,evenwithinset parameters.Quality,build,weightand designfeaturesallbecomeafactor.

Forthosewithnosetregulations regardingthechoiceofbag,considerthe ageofthechild,theloadtheywillneed tocarryandiftheywillneedtocarrythe bagupanddownstairs.Childrenareno respectersofwheelsorhandlesandwill merrilydragbagsupanddownstairs,or justdropthemfromthefloorabove.This canbeveryhardonabag.

Types

•Backpack–carriedonthebackwith twoshoulderstraps

•Messengerbag–multi-sectionalbag withastrapgoingdiagonallyacross thebodyfromoneshoulder

•Totebags–abigsinglespacebag withtwohandles,basicallyalarge materialshoppingbag

•Wheeledbags–similartoa backpack,butwithwheels,a handlerandstraps,somealsohave aframethatcanberemovedsoit canbeabackpackorawheely bag.

Considerations

•Weight–Thisisabigconsideration especiallyforyoungerchildren.The bagneedstobelight-weightbut sturdy.Evenwheeledbagswillneed tobecarriedattimessothisisabig consideration.

•Size–Againtheageandsizeofthe childisanimportantconsideration asistheexpectedloadtheywill needtocarry.Matchthesizetothe loadastoosmallabagandthe childwillneedtocarrythingsina separatebagorintheirhands.

•Lumbarsupport–basicbackpacks willhaveshoulderstraps,butthe moreergonomiconeshavepadded lumbarsupport,andsometimesa stomachandacheststraptooalong withanaluminiumframe.Allof theseadditionalfeatureshelpto makethebackpackeasiertocarry forlonger.

•Build–Aschildrenwillinvariably pickupandmovethebagbythe strapsorhandles,stitchinghastobe donewiththisinmindorthestraps willtearoff.Havingawaterproof outerlayerisalsoimportantasis havingabasemadefromplasticor othersturdymaterial.

•Cost–Costispossiblythebiggest factorinpurchasingaschoolbag.

Generallyspeaking,thehigherthe cost,thebetterthebuildandthe longeritwilllast.However,some brandsleantowardpopularimages ordesignsthatcostalotbutarenot verydurable.Looktowardknown bagmanufacturerswithgood reviewsandwarrantiesor guaranteesontheirproducts.

•Colour–Dependingonwhetherthis isdictatedbytheschool,choosea baginadarkershadeorpatternso thatmarksordirtaren’ttooevident. Lightershadeswilllookveryshabby veryquicklyaschildrentendtobe ratherroughontheirschoolbags.

Materials

Mostbagsaremadefromnylonor canvas,thoughmessengerbagscan oftenbemadefromleather.Nyloniseasy toclean,iswaterproofandlightweight. Canvasiswaterprooftoadegreeandcan becleanedbutnotaseasilyasnylonand isabitheavier.Leather,whilstwaterproof andeasytocleancanbeheavy,thoughit certainlyisdurable,leatherbagsare reallymoresuitedtoolderchildren.

Ifaestheticsismoreofafactorandthe parentsplanonreplacingthebag annuallyatleast,othermaterialslikePVC canbeconsidered.Forschoolandsports bags,nyloniscertainlythego-toasit’s hard-wearing,waterproof,lightweight, easytocleanandcomesinrangeof coloursandpatterns.

�

Notallbagsare created equal Thebetterthebuildthemoresuperior

Drivebymostschoolsandyou’ll seechildrenbucklingunderthe weightoftheirschoolbags. Childrencarryexcessively heavyweightsintheir schoolbags.Evenifthey’redrivento andfromschool,theylugtheirheavy bagsaroundfromclasstoclass. Calculatethehours,days,monthsand yearsofcarryingtheheavybagsandthe negativeimpactithasontheiryoung developingbacks.It’sthecumulative timethathasaneffectonachild’s spine.

Itismostimportantthatchildrenchoose therightschoolbagattherighttime.

Thecriticalagesarebetweenages10 -14years.Thisisthetimechildrenare mostvulnerable,asitsduringtheirallimportantgrowthspurt.Childrenthat carryill-fittingschoolbagswithnosupport systemtohelplightentheloadarefar moresusceptibletobackproblems,asit’s duringtheseyearsthattheirbones, musclesandligamentsarestill developing.Tensemusclesthatare continuallyunderstrain,causediscomfort andpainwhichcanbeongoing,effecting concentration,causingheadachesand oftenresultinginmuscleimbalances.

NotareallparentsawarethatTOTEM hasanalysedandresearchedtheproblem andhascomeupwithanOrthopaedic andErgonomicschoolbagthatdealswith theproblemheadon.

Parentscanhelpreducetherisk,by buyingtheirchildanErgonomically designedschoolbag,whichisresearched todotheheavylifting,lighteningtheload whileprotectingtheirbackandspine.

Honestly,aschoolbagshouldbeseenas equipmentwithastrongfocuson functionality.Thinkofthedifferent scenarios.Whenyou’rearoadrunneryou buytherightshoesforthejob.When yourcarryingheavyweightupa mountainyou’llinvestinabackpackthat willhelpyousupportandlightenthe load.Likewise,whenchildrenare carryingheavyweightontheirbacks, everydayatschool

Theytooshouldhavetherightequipment forthetask.

Whenselectingaschoolbagparents shouldconsiderthefunction,thecomfort, thesupportassistance,thedurability,the qualityandlastlythefashionappeal.

NottosaythattheCOOLFACTORisnot important.Tothecontrary,thechildwill notwanttowearabagiftheydon’tlike thelookofit.

Aparentshouldlookforvalueformoney whenbuyingaschoolbag.Ifabagis highqualityandlastsformanyyears, thentheyhaveahugeadvantage.They won’tneedtoreplacebagssofrequently, whichisahugerelief.Thiscanbecome expensiveandoftenagrudgepurchase forparentsasmostbagsdon’tcarrya guaranteeandrepaircostsareexpensive.

TOTEMproductsareexceptionally durableandgenuinelylast,evenwiththe kindoftreatmentkidsdishout.Totemis confidentofourQUALITYandstands firmlybehindour3-yearguarantee. �

FEATURESOFA TOTEMORTHOPAEDIC SCHOOLBAG

•Internal,Aluminium framework –lightweightand contoured,tofitthenatural curveofthespine.ThisSpinal SupportSystemoffersstability andhelpssupporttheload andpreventspostureproblems andbackinjuries.Thisframe actsasasecondspine.

•Ergonomicallydesignedback feature -allowsforperfect contactbetweentheshoulders andthelowerbackwhich ensuresevendistributionof theloadbetweenthe shouldersandthelowerback. Thisbuilt-ininfrastructure helpstosupportupto20%of theitwhichmakesthebag feellighter.Designedtocarry theweightwithease.

YEAR GUARANTEE CUSHION COMFORT MEDICALLY APPROVED ERGONOMICALLY ENGINEERED ORTHOPEDICALLY APPROVED

•Thickbackpadding –is strategicallyplacedalongthe lengthofthebackmuscles andacrossthelowerlumber section.Helpstocushionthe loadcomfortably.Highquality foampaddingthatwon’t compressovertime.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

AngeliqueRoss-Totem

Bewareofusing retrenchment togetrid ofundesirables

Thereareseveraltypesof dismissalincluding,amongst others,poorperformance dismissalandretrenchment dismissal.Eachofthese dismissaltypeshavetheirownseparate anduniqueprocessesthattheemployer mustfollowpriortoeffectingthe dismissal.Employersarenotallowedto misuseoneprocessinordertodealwith aproblemforwhichanotherprocess hasbeendesigned.Forexample, employersarenotallowedtouse retrenchmenttogetridoftheir deadwood.

Asaresultoftherestrictivelegislation employersthreatentoclosedowntheir businesses.Butitisnotnecessaryfor employerstotakesuchdrasticstepsmerely becausethelabourlawinterfereswiththeir righttomakebusinessdecisions.

Thisisbecauseeveryemployerhasthe abilityandopportunitytoacquirethe expertisenecessarytoimplementbusiness

decisionswithouttransgressingthelawand stillmaintainaviablebusiness.

Employersarenotrequiredtogettheir employees’“permission”toretrench.That is,theyarenotrequiredtonegotiate retrenchmentsbutonlytoconsultwiththe tradeunionorotheremployee representatives(iftheseexist)orwiththe employeesthemselves.However,itisinthe employer’sinteresttonegotiatethecriteria forchoosingretrencheesbecause,ifthe employeesagree,thentheagreedcriteria arelegal.

Thedifferencebetweenconsultationand negotiationismostimportant.Negotiation meansthatthepartiesmustreach agreementbeforeanyideacanbecomesa decisionorisimplemented.Thisisnot requiredinretrenchmentlawalthoughthe tradeunionsarepressinghardforthistobe legislated.

Ontheotherhand,thelawof consultationprovidesthat,aslongasthe

employercanprovethatitdisclosedrelevant informationandtriedthoroughlyandin goodfaithtoreachconsensus,itdoesnot havetoactuallyreachagreementwiththe employees/representatives.

ThehallsoftheCCMAandLabourCourt echoendlesslywiththegroansofmany thousandsofemployers(andsomeexemployers)whorefusedtobelievethe labourlawrequiringfairoragreed retrenchmentcriteriaandwhofailedto acquiretheknowledgeandexpertise necessarytoreconcilebusinesspressures withlegalrequirements.

Countlesscaseshavebeendecidedatthe CCMAandLabourCourtwhereemployers haveeitherhadtoreinstateretrenchees and/orhavehadtopayhugeamountsin compensation.Thisisoftenadisasterfor theemployerbecausethebiggestreasonfor retrenchmentsisfinancialweaknessand theseawardsagainstemployerscanplace anunbearableburdenonthealready strainedfinancesoftheemployer.

Followthecorrectdismissalprocesstoavoidregretlater

AcaseinpointisthatofToyotaSA reportedintheBusinessReportof30 November1999.Here,theemployerwas requiredtoreinstate280employeesandto paythemR15,2millionbecauseToyotahad failedtodisclosetotheemployeessufficient informationnecessaryforeffective consultation.

InWolfaardt&anothervsIDCofSA(Pty) Ltd(2002,11BLLR1127)theemployer failedtogivethetwoemployeesachanceto applyforalternativepostsbeforeretrenching them.TheLabourCourtfoundthistobe procedurallyandsubstantivelyunfairand awardedatotalofR600000,00in compensation.Theemployerwas,in addition,requiredtopaytheemployees’ legalcosts.

InNtshangavsSouthAfricanBreweries Ltd(2003,8BLLR789)Ntshanga,a commoditymanager,wasretrenchedaspart ofarestructuringexercise.Priortohis retrenchmenthehadappliedforapostin thenewstructurebutwasrejected.He thereforelodgedadisputeofunfair retrenchment.

TheCourtfoundthat:

� Therewereanumberofavailableposts inthenewstructurethatwouldhave suitedthequalificationsoftheemployee

� Theemployerfailedtoconsultwiththe employeewithrespecttothoseother availableposts

� Theemployerfailedtoofferthe employeeoneoftheavailableposts becauseitwasdissatisfiedwithhis workperformance

� Employersmaynotmisuse retrenchmenttogetridofpoor performers

� Theretrenchmentwasthereforeunfair andtheemployeewasawarded compensation.

Thecourtswilloftentoleratetheemployer retainingtheemployeeswiththemost appropriateskills.However,employersare warnedthatthisdoesnotmeanthatthe employercanmisusethere-application criterioninordertogetridofpoor performers.Inotherwords,ifthecriterion chosenisNecessarySkillsthenthe employerwillberequiredtoshowincourt that:

� Thiswasthecriterionactuallyappliedin everycase

� Employeesnotgiventheavailableposts didnothavetherequiredskills.

Properstrategicthinkingand understandingofthesecomplexlegal principleswouldhavepreventedthese costlyawards!Managersthereforerequire adviceandtrainingonhowtorestructure businessesandhowtodealeffectivelyand legallywithpoorperformers.�

ChiefExecutiveofLabourLaw ManagementConsulting.

0828522973orone-mail address: labourlaw@absamail.co.za.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

DrIvanIsraelstam www.labourlawadvice.co.za

www.shop-sa.co.za

One day ata time

Adiaryisnotaluxury–itisanecessityforrecordingtasksandcommitments

Thereissomethingsatisfying aboutmarkingofflong weekends,publicholidays,and schoolholidays;itmakesthe wholeschoolyearsomuchmore manageable.

Peopleusediariesformanyreasonsprimarilybecauseitstandsasareminder togettheworkcompletedontime.It allowsustokeeprecordandtodotdown ourcommitmentssowedon’tforget. Whilstthishabitstartsatschool,most adultsstillkeepadiarywhetherinthe traditionalformofaphysicalpaperdiary oranelectronicversion.

Someschoolsallowdevicesand thereforekeepinganelectronicdiaryisa possibility,butmostschoolsstill recommendandpreferthetraditionalway ofdiarisinghomework,activitiesand exams.

Whatconstitutesagooddiary Schooldiariesareusuallyapage-a-day A5book-nottoobigortoosmall,exactly right!Theseusuallyhaveasectioninthe frontforpersonalinformationandfora timetable.Wehaveseensomediaries offeringaspacetoaddextra-curricular activities,aswellasthedayandtimeof thestartoftheactivity.Thedailysections

shouldbebigenoughtowritehomework downformultiplesubjects,without needingtowriteitinoverweekends.

Adiaryshouldincludesomeblankpages fornotesandasectionforfriends’details andnumbers.Alistofallthepublic holidaysandtheschooltermsinalso included–planningtimeoffisequally importantwhenyou’reatschool.

Thereshouldalsobeacalendarforthe yearaheadandpossiblyforthenextyear included.

Beorganised Astheyearprogressesandtaskbuildup, thediarybecomesahelpfultoolfor reference.Ithelpstokeepyouorganised andwillensurethatyoucompletetasks orattendmeetingsontime.Itisalsoa suitableplacetowritedownitemsof interestthatyouwanttoresearchor contactdetailsoffriendsorteachers.

Planforyourday

Adiarycanbeatoolfordraftingyour personaltimetable.Byplanningforthe followingdayinadetailedmanneryou

areabletoalsosetasidesomefreetime. Throughthistechnique,youcanplanfor yourpersonalstudiesaroundtheexams aswell.

Achieveyouracademicgoals

Keepingarecordofhomeworkand assignments,andcompletingthem,will helptoensurethatyouareontopofyour work.Itwillmeanthatyouarelesslikely tosufferbadgradesorpunishmentfor leavingtasksundone.Byfastidiously completingandtickingoftheworkdaily willfurthermoregiveyouasenseof accomplishment.

Reducestress

Thereisnothingworsethanforgetting somethingcruciallikethedeadlineforan assignment.Diariesallowustokeep trackofwhatwestillneedtocomplete. Rememberingbirthdays,outingsand sportscommitmentsarealsovitalto socialanddevelopmentalprogress.

WorkDiary

Asmentioned,diariesintheworkplace arenothingnew.Mostofususethemin oneformoranother-whilstmanypeople nowadaysrelyonthedigitalformatand thesubsequentremindersthatare emailedtotheuser,somepeoplestill prefertowritedownappointmentsand

commitmentsinatraditionaldiary.A workdiaryisusuallyanA4-sizedbook, withahardcover.Ithasapageper day,withthedatesatthetopofthe page,thoughsomepeopleprefertousea diarywithoutdatesastheyusemultiple pagesperday.

Ayearplanner

Thisisusuallyacalendarprintedon plasticthatcanbeattachedtoawallor thatcanbeusedonadesk.Itcanbe writtenonusingdryerasemarkersand givesanoverviewfortheyear.Thesecan beusedinconjunctionwithadiary.The yearplannercanbecolourcodedto indicateschoolandpublicholidays, specificdaysforaspecificextra-curricular sportsorclubs.Thiswillallowaperson, ataglance,toseewhattheirmonth aheadisgoingtobelike.

Theseareusefulforfamiliesand companiestocoordinatethemovements ofallmembersandtoplanahead, keepingcommitmentsinmind.

Adiarywillhavemuchmoredetailthana yearplanner,butayearplannercanalso beusedtocreateavisualreminderofa goalortargetthatoneisworkingtoward. Again,thisatoolthatishighlyeffectivein promotingorganisation.

DiariesandYearPlanners

Colouryourworld

Colourcodingonayearplannerorina diarycanbeaneffectivewayofseeing,at aglance,wherepeopleareorwhattasks needtobeundertaken.

Colourcodingsubjectswillnotonlyallow theviewertoseewhichsubject homeworkissetfor,butitwillmakethe diarylookvibrant.

Crossingoutortickingoffcompleted tasksisverysatisfyingandgivesasense ofaccomplishment.

Thismethodwillalsoallowforthe studenttolookbackovertheweekand instantlyseeanyuncompletedor incompletetasksthatneedattention.

Foreveryonelookingtogetsomeorder intotheirlives,weatSHOP-SAstrongly recommendadiary.Useddailyitwill helptoorganiseandstructureyourtime, bothworkandleisuretime.

Itcanbeamazinglyeffectivein structuringyourdaysothatyouhave timeforhobbiesandpastimesthatyou enjoy,whilststillensuringthatyouget aroundtodoingeverythingelse;thiscan alsoassistthosewithstressandanxiety �

Labelremoval

Takingtheickyawayfromsticky

Wehaveallbeentheretryingtopriseasticky labeloffajarorworse, offpaper.Thistimeof year,whenwearelooking forgiftsandweareusuallypressedfor timetogetthesewrapped,ahackthat willsolvethisproblemwillbewelcome! SHOP-SAhasinvestigatedandfounda fewideasthatwillmakethisprocess lessdaunting.

Itdoesdependonwherethelabelisbut sufficetosaythattherearebetterwaysof removingalabelthanbreakinganail.

Beforechoosingamethodtoremovea label,alwaysthinkaboutwhatthelabel isstucktoandwhetherthemethodwill damageoraltertheunderlyingmaterial. Ifthelabelisonapaintedsurface,donot useasolventasyoumaystripthepaint intheprocess.Similarlyifthelabelison aporoussurfacelikecard,liquidswould damagethecard.

Therearecommerciallyavailablelabel andstickyresidueremovers,butthegood newsisthatwehavemostofwhatis neededinourhomesanyway.

Method1:Addheat

Tryaddingheatwithahairdryer.This shouldmaketheadhesivetackyand allowyoutopeelitoff.Graduallyheatit upsothatyoucanfindthebest temperaturefortheadhesivesoitdoesn’t makeitworse.Startatamediumheatfor about20secondsatatimeandgradually increasethedurationratherthanthe heat.

Method2:Addwater

Foritemsthatcanbesubmerged,placing theiteminasinkofhotwaterwithalittle dishwashingliquidwillalsoallowmost labelstoberemoved.Beforesubmerging, trytopeeloffasmuchaspossible.

Usually,30minutesorlesswillbe enough,butsometimesagoodovernight soakistheonlywaytoremovea stubbornlabel. Youcanalsousethe spongetypepotcleanertolightlyscrub overthelabeltoremovetheglueresidue.

Method3:Addvinegar

Warmwhitevinegarinthemicrowave andeitherplacetheobjectinabowl containingthewarmvinegarorweta clothwiththesolutionandplaceitover

thelabelfor15–30minutes. Youshouldbeabletopeelthelabeloff afterthis.Althoughvinegarisasolvent, itislessharshthanmostchemicals.

Method4:Addoil

Ifalabelisonpaintedwoodoraplastic surface,dipyourfingeroracottonballin cookingoilandwipeitoverthelabel. Allowtosituntilthelabelappearstohave absorbedtheoil.Youshouldbeableto peelitoffafterthis.Toremovesticky residue,tryusingmayonnaiseoroilifthe itemisnon-porous.Somepeopleswear bypeanutbutter,butaswiththe mayonnaise,thisisprobablybecauseitis highinfat,sojustuseoil.Ifnecessary, youcanwarmitupwiththehairdryer andwipeoffwithkitchentowelora cloth.Almostanyoilwillworkfrom vegetable&seedoiltooliveoil.Ifthisis notavailabletoyou,usingbutteror margarinewilldothetrick.Mayonnaise andpeanutbutterarealsohighinoilsso likelytoworktoo.Evenbabyoil,bathoil andessentialoilscanmakethesticky messgoaway.

Method5:Addnailpolishremover Rubalcoholornailpolishremoverover thelabel.Peeloffasmuchofthelabelas possible,thensoakacottonballinthe solventandapplythistothelabel.Once ithassoakedin,youshouldbeableto peelthelabeloff.Asmentionedearlier, solventscandamagesomeplasticsand mayalsoalterthecolourorpeelpaintso testthisbeforetryingitout.Startwitha moreconservativeandlessdamaging methodthangoingalloutinroundone.If youdon’thaverubbingalcoholornail polishremoveronhand,aclearspiritlike vodkaorcaneshouldwork.

Labelremovalisnotcomplex,butitdoes requireabitofpatience.Takeabitlonger andgraduallyremovethelabelthanrisk damagingyourpossessions.

Ifyouwouldprefertoleaveittothe experts,thehardwareandcertainlysome craftstoresorstationerswillhavea commerciallabelremoverproductfor you.�

What’sinalabel?

Makingthefunctionalfantastic,fromblandtoblingandeverythingin-between

Labelsareintrinsicallysigns;they tellyouwhatisandwerelyon theminoureverydaylivesespeciallyifyouareonadiet! Ratherthanjustfunctionalbitsof stickyephemera,theyaregatewaysto creativityandcantaketheordinaryto theextraordinary.

Labelsadornmostthings,yettheyarenot somethingwethinkabouttoomuch. Withoutlabels,thehumanracewould havediedoutcenturiesago,trialand errorcanonlytakeyousofarbeforeit catchesupwithcuriositykilledthecat.

Makingbeautifulhandmadelabelsfor books,bags,stationeryorjarsisafun andcraftyprojectthatcanreallycreate cohesionandaddstyle,butforthosethat preferorderanduniformity,labelprinters orprintedlabelswillbeyourgo-to.

Handmadelabels

Tomakehandmadelabels,youneedto choosethecardorpaperandwhether youwillbeusingagummedpaperor addingglueafter;youcanalsobuyA4 sheetsofstickerandcustomisethesize andsimplycutoutthelabelsizethatyou want.

Ifyouareusingpaperandaddingglue, ensurethatthepaperisheavyenough thatitwon’tliftandcorrugate.Youmay evenconsiderlaminatingthelabelto ensurethatitdoesn’tgetdamagedor smudged,oryoucancoverthebookin plasticfilmorsheetasameansof protection.

Youcanaddembellishmentslikestones, glitter,ink,paint,feathersandalmost anythingthatwillstick!Ifyouareputting thelabelonabookorflatsurfaceyoucan useglue,thindouble-sidedtapeoreven broadtransparenttapeoverthetop surface.

Creatingalabelforagiftorbottleusing twineorribbontoattachthelabelcan makeitlookreallyspecial.The attachmentcanmakethelabelreally standout,raffia,ribbon,twine,material strips,wireoreventwinklylightstrands ortinselcanbeusedtogreateffect.

Printedlabels

Thereareamultitudeofprogrammes availabletodesignandprintlabels.Some arefreeontheinternetandhavepredesignedlabels,othersallowformore creativitywithdifferenteffectstoreally

makethelabelstandout.Scalethesize tomatchyourstickerorlabelsizeand simplyfeedthesheetintoyourprinter.

Personalisation

Creatinglabelswhetherviaacomputer programmeorfree-handwillpersonalise anitem.Labelscanbestuckonor attachedtoanything,wellalmost anything.Forweddingscreatinglabelsfor thewinebottlesateachtable commemoratingthedayisonepossible use.Christmasiscomingup,creating personalisedlabelsforgiftsaddsa personaltouchandconveysrealthought andconsideration.

Movingintothenewschoolyear,creating labelsforbooksorstationerycanbeafun projectforchildrentodo,aslabelsare smallenoughtoholdachild’sinterest, theprojectiseasilymanageable. However,iftheygetboredduringthe project,theycanjustleaveitandthereis noharmdone.Whetherthelabelis embellishedornot,itwillstillbeperfectly functional.

So,havefunandcreate,yourspiceand herbjarsandjamscancertainlybenefit fromapersonalupgrade!! �

RetailerPNAandNGOBreadlineAfrica handoveryetanothertwoEarly DevelopmentSchoolinBizanaEastern Cape.

Johannesburg,19October2022: On11October2022,SouthernAfricabasedretailerPNAproudlydeliveredtwo newEarlyChildhoodDevelopment schoolsinunderfundedcommunitiesand thistimeinEasternCape.BothNtlakwe Pre-PrimaryandTandabantuPre-Primary, locatedinBizana,EasternCapeProvince, havebeensufferingfromachroniclackof resourcesandmakeshiftbuildingswith noelectricityorrunningwater.These upliftmentprojectswerefinancedthrough thesuccessfulculminationofa fundraisingcampaignlaunchedon MandelaDay2022,whichsawPNA`s RockYourFunkySocksdrivesellover75 000`FunkySocks`stickers.The proceedsfromthepromotionweretopped uptoafinalamountofR1,2millionby PNAandwereallocatedforthefinancing andconstructionoftheschoolsonan ongoingbasis.

Thisnationbuildingcampaignisthe resultofapartnershipbetweenPNAand BreadlineAfrica,acollaborative relationshipthatbeganin2021withthe constructionofanewschoolinthe impoverishedcommunityofOrangeFarm, located42kmfromJohannesburg.

AccordingtoHermanBotha,PNA SeniorExecutiveforProductand Marketing,privatesectorinvestmentisa criticallyimportantfactorindetermining betteraccesstoeducation–especiallyin vulnerablecommunities.“Weareproud tobeinitiatinganothertworebuild projectsinourongoingeffortstomakea differencetothecommunitiesthatwe serve.”

ThemoneyraisedbythePNAGroup andtheirloyalcustomersculminatedin thehandoverof2newclassrooms,an office,andafunctionalkitchenforboth schools.Inaddition,theschoolsreceived newfacilitiesincludingflushtoilets,water harvestingtanks,andplayground equipmentwhichwasgenerously donated.

Socksfor schools

PNAhasalsoralliedthesupportofstaff andsupplierstofulfilaresourcewish-list fortheseschools,whichincludes stationery,educationalbooks,posters, artsandcraftsmaterials,plusgasheaters forthebitterlycoldwinterstheregion experiences.

“Werecognisethatliteracyiscriticalfor children’slong-termsuccess,”says MarionWagner,DirectorofBreadline Africa.“Itisfundamentallyimportantfor childrentoobtainthehigh-levelskills neededbyanationtoaddressissuesof povertyandinequalityfordevelopment andgrowth.”

ThePNAGrouphasalreadybuilt5 newschoolsacrossSouthAfrica.In additiontoitsrobustbusinessgrowth strategy,thegroupalsoemphasisesits mandateofsocialinvestment,withthe helpandsupportofcustomers,toinvest inthefutureofSouthernAfrica. �

AboutPNA:PNAisawell-known SouthernAfricanfranchisebrand specialisinginstationeryretail. Foundedin1992,thefranchise groupnowhas117storesintotal, allindependent,owner-managed storesthroughoutSouthAfricaand Namibia.Itofferscustomersa comprehensiveproductrangein Stationery,ArtandCraftMaterials, EducationalBooks,andassociated products.

IndustryLeaders

Merry Arts and Crafts

Gettingcreativeforthefestiveseason

Thereareamultitudeofwaysto createforthefestiveseason, thisisafunactivitytoplanfor thestartoftheschoolholidays. Doingcraftythingstogetherasa familyisfunandgoodforbonding,but alsomakingpersonaliseditemsthatcan beusedtodecoratethetreeorhome, giftwrappingorhandmadecardsare justmorespecialthanstorebought,and itneednotcostafortune,though,tobe fairtheskyisthelimitdependingon yourbudgetandhowyouwantto decorate.

Usingthingsfromthegardenandhome Garlands,wreaths,table decorandkissingballs

Soasthenamesuggests,thisismore plantbasedandIpromiseakissingball isnotasobsceneasitsounds!

Notallplantsaresuitablefor decorationastheyshedastheydry,but youcancollectsomepineconesorpine conebrancheswithsmallconesstill attached.Anotherpossibility,aswein Africadonothavemistletoeorholly,is theseedpodsfrompalmtrees,someof theseareniceandroundandcanimitate berriesifyouspraythem–bigberries, butthisisanAfricanChristmas.

Ifyouwanttomakeawreathetohang onyourdoorsortouseasatable decoration,shapethewreathwhilethe plantsarestilldampornewlyharvested sothattheyarepliable.Drytheminthe sunandthenyoucanusespraypaint andglittertogetthecoloursthatsuityour decor.

Youcanuseeucalyptustoo,orwheat earsasthesearepliableandsuitedto drying.Wrapthemaroundaplateafter dryinganddecorating,youcanthenput

themasacentrepieceonatablewith candlesinthecentre.

Pineconescanbestrungtogetherin garlands,eitherbywindingthinwire aroundthebasesoryoucanusea screwedintothebaseandtiethepine conestogetheronastringusingfishing line.Thepineconescanbepaintedand adornedwithglitterorfakesnoworeven varnishedforamorecountry-likefeel.If youdrytheconesandvarnishthem beforepaintinganddecorating,theycan bekeptforyears!

Now,thekissingball,thisisaballof pineconesthatareattachedinthe middlebytheirbasestoformaball,then hollyandmistletoeisattached,andthis ballishungup,whenpeoplewalkunder it,theycanstealakiss!Oryoucan decoratealargepolystyreneballandadd themistletoetothat,whateveryour creativespiritdesires

Homemadewrappingpaper

Thisissomethingthatissosimple,yet creativeandalwaysappreciated.Itisa greatprojectfortheholidaysforkidsand potentiallymuchlessexpensivethan storeboughtwrappingpaper.

Oneoftheeasiestwaystopersonalise paperistostartwitheitherarollofbrown orwhitepaper,orevencolouredpaperif youlike!Cutthisintoabout1msections sothattheyaremanageable,andeach canbedecorateddifferently.

Nowthefunbegins,youcanbuyor craftstampsanduseinkorpaintto stampthepaper,ifyoudonothave

stamps,usingcookiecutterscanalso work,oreventherimofamug,tomake roundbaubleshapes.Thesecanbe embellishedwithglitter,glitterglue, sequins,paint,markersorevenpressed driedflowerscanbegluedon.

DriedFernleavescanbegluedonand embellishedtolooklikeChristmastrees, oryoucansimplywriteorpaint Christmasmessagesontothepaperand addasmuchembellishmentorcolouras youdesire.

Anotherideaistobuybrownpaper bagsanddecoratetheseasChristmasgift bags,thenaquickadditionofaribbon andacard,andyouhaveabeautifulgift!

Homemadecards

Makinghomemadecardsisjustassimplyascraftingwrappingpaper,

Foldthecardinhalf,rememberingtokeeptheopeningtoyourright–so youdonotaccidentallydecorateacardupsidedown!

Nowyoucanstamp,draw,paint,makeacollageorjustaddswirlsofglitter andsparkle.Somepeoplelikethefeelofmaterialsoncard,ifthisisyou,buy

Theadditionofgoldleaforsmallrhinestonescanreallymakeacard

Trytyingarollofcinnamononwithstring,orlavendertoaddthesenseof smelltothecard.Evenusingadropofessentialoilontothecardwillmakeit special.

Christmastableclothand serviettes

Ifyouwanttomakeafestive tablecloth,youcaneitherre-purposean oldtableclothoruseaflatsheet.Youcan gothetiedyerouteforahippyChristmas orusefabricpaintsandmarkers.Thisis alsogreatforkids;itwillbeakeepsake foryearstocome.Eachchildcan decorateaservietteorsectionofthe tableclothandsigntheirartworkwith theirnameandage.Everyyeartheycan decorateanothersection.Itwillbe interestingtowatchtheirdevelopment andartisticstyleovertheyears.

WhendecoratingforChristmas, traditionalcolourslikered,green,blue, white,goldandsilveraretheorderofthe day;buttrendswithrose-goldandplum orlighterbluesalsomakeanappearance. Ifyourdesigndoesnotturnouttheway youhoped,glitterisyourfriend!The more,themerrier.Justaddingsparkle makeseverythingbetter!Ifyouare allowingthekidstomakebaublesand otherhangingdecorationsoriftheyare workingwithpaintandglitter,remember tohavethemworkoutsideratherthan inside.Justputpaperorpainter’ssheets downsothatyoudonothavetoworry

Rememberitisfunandkidstendtogo fortheadage“Ifsomeisgood,aLOT moremustbebetter!,”letthemcreate anddonotworryaboutmaking‘perfect’ decorations,youaremakingmemories.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT homesandgardens.com shelterness.com

October inreview

ThisiswhatgotourattentioninOctober

� ElonMuskisnowtemporaryCEOof Twitter,havingdecidedtogoahead withthepurchaseafterimpending legalaction.Whileheacknowledges thathehasundoubtedlypaidabove itsworth,hebelievesthatthereis untappedpotentialthatheplansto capitaliseon.Hehasintheinterim firedthetopexecutivesandchanged hisprofilenameto“MainTwit”.

� MarkusJoostehadallhisassets seized,atleastinSouthAfrica,just shyof5yearsaftertheSteinhoffsaga explodedinDecember2017.Assets seizedweren’tlimitedtojustJoostehisgirlfriendandhissonwerealso targetedashavingreceivedgains fromwhatisallegedlydeemedtobe theprofitfromfraud.

� TheUKsawalotofdrama,notall playingoutinOctober,butcertainly uptillthen.ThedeathofQueen ElizabethIIinSeptember,the

resignationofBorisJohnson,andthe selectionofLizTrussasPrime Ministerforabrief45days;her resignationandtheUKgotathird PrimeMinisterin2022–RishiSunak on25October.Sunakistheyoungest PrimeMinisterin200yearsandis alsothefirstHinduPrimeMinister thattheUKhaseverseen.

� JeremyMansfield(59)passedaway fromcanceron31Octoberafter decadesasaradioandTVpresenter.

� ThewarbetweenRussiaandthe Ukrainedoesnotappeartobeending despiteglobaleffortstobringthewar toanend.Thewarhascausedsevere disruptionandshortagesoffueland gasinEuropeandtheUK predominantly.

� Loadsheddingcontinuesdespite numerousassurancesoverthepast yearthatitwillimprove.

Loadsheddingsettobecomepartof theSouthAfricanlandscapeforthe foreseeablefuture.

� Duetotheloadsheddingand infrastructuredegradation,water supplywasseverelycompromised andcausedareasofGautengtorun drydespitedamsbeingatreasonable levels.

� FuelcostscamedowninAugustand continuedtofall,howeverdieselsaw ariseandariseforbothdieseland unleadedfuelisonthecardsfrom 2November.

� Gauteng’sE-tollsaregone–orare they?TheGautengprovincial governmentstillneedstotableits planforroadmaintenancefroma limitedbudgetnotthatthedreadedetollsystemhavebeenscrapped.We arekeepinganeyeonthisone! �

POPIandtheprocessingofminorchildreninformation

ConsentisdefinedinPOPIAasbeingavoluntary,specificandinformedexpressionofwill.

Withback-to-schoolin 2023returningto normal,thousandsof grades1learners’ pictureswillagainbe shareonsocialmediaandin newspapers.Beforeyoudo–maybe readthis.

TheProcessingofPersonalInformation Act(POPIA)cameintoeffectonthe1st of July2021andwhilemostofthepublic eagerlyawaitedandevengracefully accepteditsmagicalpowersofriddingus fromtheconstanttelemarketers,mostof usdidn’treallyunderstandwhatfurther implicationsawaitedusdowntheroadas westartedlivingwiththislegislationin ourdaytodaylives.

Mostpeoplewillknow,assoonasthe honeymoonphasepasses,wereallystart togettoknowournewlyweddedbride withallthegoodthebadandtheworst.

ItisimportanttonotethatPOPIAdoes notmeananyinformationcanbe gathered,forexample,personal informationataCOVID-19registration deskorasecuritygateisallowed,aslong asitisonlyforalegitimatepurpose.

Westartedtofindthatpostingabout neighbours'transgressionona neighbourhoodWhatsAppgroupisabig no-noandthatitwouldbebettersuited toleaveastronglywordedletterintheir mailbox.

Thatsweetpicture Butdidyouknowthatfacescanbe consideredas“personalinformation”?In fact,notjustfaces,butalsobackgrounds oritemscontainedinphotographscan disclosealotofinformationabouta particularcapturedmoment.Allthese examplesareseenasinformationbeing disclosed.

TheInformationRegulatorthemselves havewarnedthepublicagainstsharing photographswithoutthepriorconsentof thedatasubject(thepersonwhose personalinformationisbeingdistributed throughsocialmediaandotherplatforms easilyaccessiblebyanyunauthorised thirdparties). POPIAprohibitsthe

distributionofpersonalinformation withouttheconsentoftheindividualthat isbeingidentifiedintheitembeing distributed.

Yes,youmaysharemypicture ConsentisdefinedinPOPIAasbeinga voluntary,specificandinformed expressionofwill.Somewouldarguethat bystrikingaposeforaphotographcould beanactofconsenttothatspecific photographbeingshared.

However,itisrecommendedthatthe ownerofthephotographexpressly requestconsentfromthedatasubject beforeplacingandprocessingsuch personalinformation.Thedatasubject hastostateyesornoexpresslyand definitivelytotheuseoftheirpersonal informationandasimplequestionposed tothedatasubjectwillnotsuffice. Withoutproperconsentpersonswill subsequentlybeinbreachofPOPIA.

You’refineathome POPIAdoesnotregulateyourdoingsand actionsindomesticspaces.Thereforeif youusephotographsandprintthemfor yourscrapbookathome,feelatease whenyougrabyourgluestickand scrapbookaway.

Minorchildrenarevulnerable FurtherrequirementsintermsofPOPIA willbeinherentlyimposedonpersons processingpersonaldataofminor children.POPIArecognisesthatchildren arevulnerable,sodoesmostlegislation thatgovernscertainpracticestowards minorchildren.Thecommondeterrentin allprocessandrequirementsarethat parentsandguardianshavetoconsentor makedecisionsonbehalfofminor children.

SamecouldbeappliedtowardsPOPIA andtheprocessingofpersonal informationsuchasphotographs containingminorchildrenatabirthday party.Inthatcircumstance,theobligation willbeontheparentorguardianto determinehowtheirchild’spersonal informationisbeingprocessed.

Itisimportanttonotethatalthough POPIAhasbeenwithusformorethana

yearalready,practicesandourstancein termsofprivacyandotherpersons privacyrightsandevenmoreimportantly minorchildren’sprivacyrightsand processingofpersonalinformationisstill verynewtomostofthepublic.

Ablendofmorality,andeveninsome instancescommonsense,shouldbe exercised.Itwouldberidiculousto excludeyourchildrenfromsocial gatheringsatschoolandbirthdayparties infearofinfringingyourchild’sprivacy rights.Commonsensewouldinthese circumstancesdictatethatifIfearmy child’sprivacycouldbeinfringedata particulargatheringorbirthdaypartyIas theparentwillhavetomakeitexpressly cleartotheotheradults,parentsand guardiansthatyoudonotconsenttoany processingofyourchild’spersonaldataor thedistributionthereofonother platforms.

Technically,aneditedphotograph coveringachild’sfacewillbeinlinewith POPIAasthepersonalinformationwillbe interpretedascoveredup.

Inconclusion,tostayinlinewithPOPIA andavoidanyrepercussionswiththe InformationRegulatoralwaysensurethat youhaveexpressconsentfroma responsibleperson.Alwaysbecognisant thatminorsaremorevulnerablethan yourstandarddatasubject.Feelfreeto usepersonalinformationsuchas photographsofothersinyourdomestic spacesathomebutrefrainfromsending thatphotoofLizzytoyourbestfriend.

Matterswillforcertainbecomemore complicatedasmorequestionssurface withregardstoPOPIA.Butfornow,letus comfortourselvesinthefactthatwehave receivedalotlesstelemarketerphone callssincetheinceptionofPOPIA. �

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT StegmannsIncorporated

Mentaldetox isvitalforyour well-being

Howwouldyourateyourcurrentmentalwellness?

Weallhavebeen challengedoverthepast twoyearsandhave experiencedhowour mentalhealth(our emotional,psychological,andsocial well-being)canimpactandaffectour thoughts,feelingsandactions.

Asaworkingmom,Icanrelatewithnot alwaysfeelinglikeIhaveallmyducksin arow.Therehavebeendaysduringthe lockdownperiodthathasbeenespecially challengingandIhadtoremindmyself thatIdon’thavetobe‘everythingfor everyone’.Moreimportantly,Ihadto ensurethatmycupisfilledsothatIhave thecapacitytoremainresilientinthese complexanduncertaintimes.

Whyisamentaldetoxso critical? Amentaldetoxistobeintentionalabout takingastepawayfromallactivitiesor behavioursthatarenotnurturingyour emotional,psychologicalandsocialwellbeingandembracingactivitiesthat increasethat‘happyfeeling’.

TheWorldHealthOrganisation(WHO) urgedgovernmentstoincreasefundingfor mentalhealthcare,warningthatdemand forthoseserviceswassettoriseinthe wakeofthepandemic.

Wellnessisimportantintheworkplace, andinthespiritofthisaveryimportant topic,letuslookatafewtips:

Unplugfromsocialmedia. Isyourmobilephonethefirstthingyou lookatinthemorning?Itmightnot necessarilybeforscrollingdown InstagramorTwitter.Itmightbetoread

thelatestnews.Whateveryouareusing yourmobilefor,itisneveragoodideato lookatitasyourfirstactivityinthe morning.Abetterhabitmightbetoleave yourmobilephoneonadresserandnot onyourbedsidetable.

Prioritiseyourgoal-directedstate. Thisisnotreferringtosettingyourgoals–thisisfocusedonanunconsciousand dynamicbrainstate.Optimism,gratitude andreducingnegativethoughtpatterns actasaspringboardforthisbrainstate. Experimentwithwhatisworkingbestfor youtoignitethefocusedstate.

Here’safewexamples:byhavinga gratitudejournal;reflectingonpast successes;orfindingbenefitinevery situation.

Suppressthesnoozetemptation. Makeaconsciousdecisiontoprioritisea rhythmicliving–itwillboostyour wellnessandbuildresilience.Notsure wheretostart?Aneasystepistostart withyoursleeprhythm.Togotobedand getupatthesametimeeveryday–even overweekends.Thissleeprhythmisas essentialastherhythmofyourheartbeat. So,nexttimewhenthealarmgoesoff, don’tbetemptedtopressthesnooze button.Rathergetupandstartyourday.

Phoneafriend. Whenlasthaveyouphonedafriendto askfortheirsupport?Consideraskinga friendtobeyourthinkingpartner.Thisis aneffectivestrategytoprovideaspace andtimetosupporteachother.

Sometimesyouneedasoundboardto hearyourselfthink.The(ideal)listening partnerwilllistenwithoutinterruptingor

tryingtogiveadviceorasolutionandwill takeanon-judgementalstanceduringthe conversation.

Takeregularmeaningfulpauses. Howlongcanyoufocuswithouttakinga break?Ifthemajorityofyourworkisdone onacomputer,itisrecommendedtotake moreregularbreaks.A5-to10-minute breakeveryhourisbetterthan20-minute breakeverythreehours.Createahabitof movingaround–shakingyourarmsand legswillcontributetokeepingyourmind focused,keepyourbodyenergisedand thebloodflowingtoyourbrain.

Aneffectivewaytobepresentinthe currentmomentistoinvolveyoursenses tonoticeyourenvironment.Forexample, listentothesoundbehindthenoiseyou arehearing,suchasthehummingofa refrigeratorinthekitchen.

Andbreeeethhheeee. Doyoufeeloutofbreathandthedayjust started?Ifyoudon’ttakecontinuousdeep breaths,youwillfeeloutofbreaththe wholetime,andthiswillmakeyoufeel sleepy.Italsoimpactsyourproductivity.

Properoxygenflowisextremelyimportant foryourbraintoresetandrechargeyour adrenalglands,andtostepoutofthe “flightandflightmode”.

Thishasbeenabumpystarttothenew decade.Amentaldetoxmightjustbe whatisrequiredtoessentiallyjump-start thelastmonthof2021.�

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AnjavanBeek AgileTalentStrategist-Leadership

Createaworkplacecultureoftolerance

Adiversegroupofpeoplemixedtogetherintheworkplacehasallthepotentialto stirupsomeinterestingissues.

Therefore,creatingaworkplace wherethereisapositive cultureoftoleranceiskeyto harnessingthecompetitive edgeadiverseworkforcegives thebusiness.

Whatistoleranceintheworkplace? Toleranceisaparticularlyimportantskill neededintheworkspace.JoshuaLoth Liebmandescribeditasfollows: "Toleranceisthepositiveandcordial efforttounderstandanother'sbeliefs, practices,andhabitswithout necessarilysharingoracceptingthem."

Itmeansthatwhenemployees performtheirjobsinamannerthat showsrespectforothersandwhich embraceseachother’sdifferences,it willnothaveanegativeimpacton eithertheirownortheirco-workers’ outputandqualitylevels.

Whenwetalkaboutdifferencesitcan includesexualorientation,age,religion, nationality,andcanrevolvearound certainbeliefswhichcanalsoreferto politicalbeliefs.Italsomeanshaving respectandappreciationfordifferences inpeopleintermsoftheircultureand lifestyle,thetypeoffoodtheyprefer, certainhabitsorpracticestheyadopt, thewaytheydress,thelanguagethey speak,oranycustomstheymighthave, nomatterhowforeigntheymightseem toyou.

10Tipstopracticetolerance AccordingtoRobertGreenIngersoll "toleranceisgivingtoeveryother humanbeingeveryrightthatyouclaim

foryourself". Likeanyothersoft(life)skill, toleranceisaskillthatcanbelearned.

Hereareafewtips:

1.Leadbyexample.Practicethe behaviourthatyouwanttoseein others.

2.Trytoavoidstereotyping,respect individualityandacceptthateach personhastheirownpersonality.

3.Trytopracticekindness.Have compassionandunderstanding towardsothers.

4.Appreciateandcelebratethatpeople aredifferentandtryincludingpeople ofdifferentgroupsinyourday-to-day activities.

5.Thinkbeforeyoutalk.Bemindfulof thetoneandlanguageyoudecideto use.

6.Avoidpotentiallyhurtfulorsarcastic jokes,anddon’ttrytobefunny.It mightbefunnytoyou,butothers mightviewitasoffensive.

7.Changeyourfocus!Ratherconcentrate onwhatyouhaveincommonwith otherpeopleratherthanyour differences.

8.Bebraveandcourageousenoughto standupforotherswhentheyare beingtreatedunkindlyandunfairly.

9.Helpyourco-workersunderstandeach otherthroughestablishingopen communication.Encouragethemto

learnasmuchastheycanaboutone anotherandtoalsosharewithone another.

10.Youhaveonethingincommon…the sameworkplace.Createacultureof toleranceandleveltheplayingfield. Thiswayyourworkforcewillknow thateachofthemmatters.

Buildingandestablishingtoleranceinthe workplaceplaysanintegralpartin ensuringthatworkersgetalong.This alsofuelstheircreativity,innovation, cooperation,andthedynamicsbetween them.Whenthereismutualtolerance, respectandappreciation,trustandloyalty willdevelop,whichpromotesproductivity.

TheMindspaInstitute offersavarietyof coursesbutalsoapractical,motivational workshopcalled,EmbraceDiversitythat willequipyourteamwiththeknowledge andpracticalskillstheywillneedto understand,embraceandmanage diversityinyourworkplace.The workshopwillnotbejustaninformation sessionbutwillmixtheoretical knowledgewithpracticalapplication,so thatdiversitybecomespartoftheDNAof yourteams.

Visit https://themindspa.co.za/ understanding-and-managing-diversity/ formoreinformationonthiscourseand howtobookitforyourteam. �

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ElmariePretorius TheMindSpaInstitute

Readsoutthere

TheLightWeCarry:OvercomingIn UncertainTimes

MichelleObama

Inaninspiringfollow-uptohercriticallyacclaimed,#1 bestsellingmemoir Becoming, formerFirstLadyMichelle Obamasharespracticalwisdomandpowerfulstrategiesfor stayinghopefulandbalancedintoday’shighlyuncertainworld.

MichelleObamaoffersreadersaseriesoffreshstories andinsightfulreflectionsonchange,challenge,andpower, includingherbeliefthatwhenwelightupforothers,wecan illuminatetherichnessandpotentialoftheworldaroundus, discoveringdeepertruthsandnewpathwaysforprogress.

Drawingfromherexperiencesasamother,daughter, spouse,friend,andFirstLady,shesharesthehabitsand principlesshehasdevelopedtosuccessfullyadapttochange andovercomevariousobstacles—theearnedwisdomthat helpshercontinueto “become.” Shedetailshermostvaluable practices,like “startingkind,”“goinghigh,” andassemblinga “kitchentable” oftrustedfriendsandmentors.Withtrademark humor,candor,andcompassion,shealsoexploresissues connectedtorace,gender,andvisibility,encouragingreadersto workthroughfear,findstrengthincommunity,andlivewith boldness.

“Whenweareabletorecognizeourownlight,we becomeempoweredtouseit,” writesMichelleObama.A rewardingblendofpowerfulstoriesandprofoundadvicethat willigniteconversation, TheLightWeCarry inspiresreadersto examinetheirownlives,identifytheirsourcesofgladness,and connectmeaningfullyinaturbulentworld.

Neverwasteagoodcrisis

CariéMaas

NeverWasteaGoodCrisis wasborninthewakeofCovid-19.

However,thebookelaboratesonmanyotherchallenges thatleadersincorporateSouthAfricahavehadtodealwith–includingdeeplypersonalones.Isleadershipanart?Canyou learnit?Cananyonebealeader?

CariéMaasaskstwentyseasonedleaderswhattheir leadershipphilosophiesare,andtheiropinionsvaryaswidely astheindustriestheycomefrom.Thelessonstheysharefrom theirjourneysupthecorporateladderwillinspire,encourage andchallengethereader.

WhenMcKinseyComesto

almosteverymajorcorporationaswell ascountlessgovernments,including Britain's,theUSA'sandChina's.It boastsofitsabilitytomaximise efficiencywhilemakingtheworlda betterplace.Itsmillionairepartners andnetworkofalumnigoontotop jobsintheworld'smostpowerful organisations.Andyet,shieldedby non-disclosureagreements,itswork remainslargelysecret-untilnow.

McKinsey'sworkincludes incentivisingtheprescriptionof opioids;ruthlesscost-cuttinginthe NHS;executingTrump'simmigration policies(theonesthatputchildrenin

McKinseyproudlyinsistsitisa

When

36

AADDINGMACHINE,POINTOFSALEANDMACHINE

ROLLS

PaperGeni Rotunda(Pty)Ltd.

ADHESIVES,GLUESANDSPRAYS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Gluesticks,White glue,glitterglue BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd. -Correction Fluid,Gluesticks&SuperGlue

PalmStationeryManufacturers -NewWave

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Multi-Purpose Adhesive,GlueStick

ART,CRAFT,GRAPHICANDDRAWINGMATERIALS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Watercolourpaint set,paintingbrushes,paintingpalette, paintingwaterpot

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RBEEVERYDAY -creativepaperandboard products

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BATTERIES

Kolok -Duracell NikkiDistributors -DuracellBatteries NikkiDistributors -EnergizerBatteries

BINRANGE

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BOARDS

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -BICVelleda SchoolWhiteboards

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D.O.S -iStay FlipFile -Businesscases. Kolok -Kenton

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) -PencilCases

Topmark -SchoolBags,LaptopBags,Pencil Cases,SportsBags,Luggage

BARCODEPRINTERS

Doyouhaveaproducttolisthere?

BARCODESCANNERS

Doyouhaveaproducttolisthere?

CTPStationery -FlipChartPads HortorsStationery -LegalNoticesi.e.Basic Conditions&OSHActandLeaveand AbsenceChart

PalmStationeryManufacturers -New Wave

ParrotProducts -Fullrangeofboardsand accessories.Customboardsprintedtoyour specification

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PalmStationeryManufacturers -brown paperrolls,polyrolls,gift-wrap RBE -Papersmart RBEEDUCATION

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BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Softcover,Hard coverandPPcoverNotebooks

BSCStationery -Treeline Butterfly

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HortorsStationery -Legalregisters PalmStationeryManufacturers PowerStationery -Powerstar RBE -NCRBusinessBooks RexelOfficeProducts -Colourhidenotebooks

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BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -BookEnds

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BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -BusinessCardfiles andboxes

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CANTEEN

Kolok -Tea,Coffee,milketc

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RBEEnterprise -NCRBusinessBooks

CARTRIDGES

DisCartridges -Stockistsofgeneric/original cartridges

CD’S,DVD’SANDDISKETTES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -CD/DVDstorage systems-PVC

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BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Mouldedplastic, PVC,Masonite

CTPStationery -DONAUbrand

ParrotProducts -Masoniteandwhiteboard

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BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Boatshapedpaper clips,Metalfoldbackclips,Metalfile fasteners

GripBinders -Essentials,Stephens,Penguin TidyFiles -Filingsolution

COLOURINGBOOKS

EmpireToy&Stationery -Empirebooks PalmStationeryManufacturers -NewWave

COMPUTERACCESSORIES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -ComputerPrintout binders

Kolok -Verbatim,Kenton,Valcano,Amplify KrostOfficeProducts

Pyrotec -TowerInkjet-laserlabels,business cardsandphotopaper

COMPUTERCLEANING

Kolok -ComputerCare,Multipro Pyrotec -Towercomputercleaningrange

COMPUTERCONSUMABLES

CTPStationery -FullrangeofDONAUfiles

Kolok -Penguin(Ribbons,Toners,Inkjets), Tillandfaxrolls

RedfernPrintServices -Redferninkjet/ laser/copierlabelsandafullrangeof stationerylabels

COMPUTERHARDWARE

Kolok -Gicomlaminators

CONFERENCEACCESSORIES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Conferencebadges, cases,foldersandcustomisedsolutions

CORPORATESTATIONERY&GIFTING

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Customisedsolutions RBEExpress -Customiseyourproducts

CRAYONSANDCHALKS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Waxcrayons PalmStationeryManufacturers -Chalks andCrayons

PowerStationery -Powerstar

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Crayons, RetractableWaxCrayons,Crayons

DOCUMENTSTORAGE

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd –Documentwallets, casesandboxes,Texomodularstorage system

DRAUGHTINGANDDRAWINGOFFICESUPPLIES

CTPStationery -A4PosterBoards

DDESKSETSANDACCESSORIES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -DeskDrawer Organisers,DeskOrganisers,Memocubes, Paperclipdispensers,Tapedispensers, MagazineFilingboxes

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -DeskSetSolo Delux

KrostOfficeProducts

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DIARIES,PLANNERSANDORGANISERS

CTPStationery -CTPBrand

HortorsStationery -Legaldiaries,bespoke diariesandstandardstockitems

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SouthAfricanDiaries -Forallyourdiary needs

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OlympusAudioS.A -DigitalVoice Recorders,TranscriptionKitsandAccessories PowerhouseDictationforPhilips

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EEMBOSSERSANDENGRAVING

RubberStamp&EngravingCo -Ideal& TrodatEmbossers(pocket,deskand electronic),Trotec

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BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Polypropylene Business&ExpandingEnvelopes

BSCStationery -LeoEnvelopes

CTPStationery -Commercialenvelopes Grafton/Star

MerpakEnvelopes -Completerangeof qualityenvelopes RBE -Papersmart RBEEveryday -Envelopes

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PalmStationeryManufacturers -Tape/Erasers PentelS.A(PTY)LTD -Hi-PolymerandAin eraser,correctiontapeandpens PowerStationery -Powerstar

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) -Erasers,PVC FreeErasers,Arterasers,Correctionpen, Correctiontape

FFAXROLLMANUFACTURERS

Rotunda(Pty)Ltd.

FILESANDFILING

AfricanFilingSystems -Topretrievalfiling andarchingproducts

38

BUYERS’GUIDE

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Brochurefiling pockets,DisplayBooks,FilingPockets, Flexi-FileDisplayBooks,LeverArchFilesPP/PVC/Board/Polytec,MagazineFiling Boxes,ProjectFiles,Swinglockbinders, ReportCovers&SlideGrips,RingbindersPP/PVC/Polytec/Board,TelephoneIndexes

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SpecialisedFilingSystems -TopRetrieval, ArchiveandOff-Site TidyFiles -Filingsolutions

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Butterfly CTPStationery -DONAUBrand PalmStationeryManufacturers -Viewfiles, polypropylene&boardfolders

TidyFiles -Specialised

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ReboniFurnitureGroup -Manufacturing anddistributionofeducationalandoffice furniture

SpecialisedFilingSystems -Cabinets, ShelvingandHi-Density

LLABELS

Pyrotec -Towerstationery,inkjet-laser labels

GGUILLOTINESANDTRIMMERS

AZTrading -DSB,Kobra MaynardsOfficeTechnology -IDEAL Shredders&Guillotines -SADistributors PressProducts -BindQuip RexelOfficeProducts -SmartCutand ClassicCut

RedfernPrintServices -RedfernInkjet/ laser/copierlabelsandafullrangeof stationerylabels Rotunda(Pty)Ltd.

SpecialisedFilingSystems -Filing TidyFiles -Filingsolutions

LABELLINGMACHINES

KemtekImagingSystems -Distributorof BrotherP-TouchLabellingSystem

LAMINATINGMACHINES

AZTrading -DSB,Speedlam,Lamiace Kolok -Gicomlaminators

IINDEXTABBINGANDDIVIDERS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Dividers-PP/ ManillaBoard,Indexes-PP/Manilla/Mylar/ CardFileBoxes

Butterfly CTPStationery -DONAUBrandboardand P.P

FlipFile -IndexTabs,Fliptabs GripBinders

PalmStationeryManufacturers RBEEveryday -filedividers

RexelOfficeProducts -Rexel,Mylarand Primaboard

INKS

Kolok -Canon,Epson,HP,Samsung, Brother,Nutek(LargeFormat) RexelOfficeProducts -Numbering machineink

RubberStamp&EngravingCo -Trodat, Norisfastdry,security,numbering,franking. Laundry.

D.O.S -Tofo,DSB,Leitz ParrotProducts -ParrotA4andA3 Laminators

RexelOfficeProducts -GBCandRexel ranges

LAMINATINGPOUCHESANDMATERIALS

AZTrading -A0toIDcardsize ParrotProducts RexelOfficeProducts -GBC Kolok -Penguinlaminatingpouchesand rolls

LEGALSTATIONERY

HortorsStationery -Alllegalregisters, forms,diariesandleases

LETTERTRAYS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd –OptimaLetterTray, OptimaOrganiserSet,VisionLetterTray KrostOfficeProducts

JJANITORIAL

Kolok -Goldenmarc(Cleaningproducts), Brooms,Mopsandequipment.

MMAILINGTUBES

CTPStationery

MARKING

Doyouhaveaproducttolisthere?

MARKERS

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -Permanent Markers,Highlighters,whiteboard

InterstatAgencies -Edding

ParrotProducts -Whiteboard,permanent andOHPmarkers.Widerangeof highlighters

Penflex -Whiteboard,flipchart,permanent markers,highlighters

Pentel(Pty)Ltd. -Maxiflo,whiteboard markerandpaintmarker

PowerStationery -Powerstar

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) -Permanent Markers,Whiteboardmarkers,Highlighters

MATHEMATICALGEOMETRYSETS&ACCESSORIES

PalmStationeryManufacturers

PowerStationery -Powerstar

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Mathematical instruments,Compasssets

MINUTEANDGUARDBOOKS

HortorsStationery -Companyregisters, minutebooksandotherlegalregisters

RBEENTERPRISE -Securitybooks& Registers

PPACKAGING

MerpakEnvelopes -Postsafepackaging range

PAPERANDBOARD

CTPStationery -DONAUA4posterboards

Butterflypaper -boardandpaper Grafton/Star

Kolok -Geha(papermedia),EPSON,HP, CANON, Kolok –penguinphotopaper

PalmStationeryManufacturers-Cubesand board

PowerStationery -Powerstar RBE -Papersmart

RBEEveryday -Creativepaperandboard products

RexelOfficeProducts -PrimaPaper&Board

PAPERFOLDINGMACHINES

MaynardsOfficeTechnology -IDEAL Shredders&Guillotines –SADistributors

PENCILS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -HBtriangularpencils, HBjumbotriangularpencils,colour triangularpencils

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) -Mechanical pencilleads

PENCILSHARPENERS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Two-holesharpener withcontainer,Three-holesharpenerwith container

PalmStationeryManufacturers

PowerStationery -Powerstar STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) -MetalSingle andDoubleholeSharpener,Rotary Sharpener,Double-holetubSharpener

PENS

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -Clic,Crystal, OrangeandPrismo

PalmStationeryManufacturers

Penflex -Penflexballpointsandrollerballs PentelS.A(Pty)Ltd -SuperbBallpoint, EnergelPen

PowerStationery -Powerstar STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Ballpoint pens,Fineliners,Rollerballpens,Pigment Liners,Fibre-tippens,JumboFibre-tippens

PENCARBONBOOKS

PowerStationery -Powerstar RBEEnterprise -NCRBusinessBooks

PERSONALSTATIONERY

NNUMBERINGMACHINES

RexelOfficeProducts

RubberStamp&EngravingCo -Reiner Dater/Numberer(manual/electronic),Trodat

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -BICEvolution Graphite,BICMaticClutch,VelocityClutch, AtlantisClutch,BU4Clutch

PalmStationeryManufacturers

CTPStationery -Homeofficeandpersonal filingsystem,diaries Grafton/Star

RBEExpress –Customiseyourproducts

OOFFICEERGONOMICS

RexelOfficeProducts -Kensington copyholders,risers,footrests,Rexelrangeof electricstaplersandpuncheswhichreduces chancesofRSI(repetitivestraininjury)

OVERHEADPROJECTIONANDACCESSORIES

Kolok -PenguinTransparencies

ParrotProducts-DataProjectors,OHPs, screensandrearprojectionfilm

Penflex -PenflexOverheadprojectorpens

RexelOfficeProducts -NOBO

PentelS.A(Pty)Ltd -Hotshot,Mechanical Pencil,TechniclickPencil. PowerStationery -Powerstar RexelOfficeProducts -RexelHB&Derwent STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –tradition® pencil,tradition®eco,Styluspencil,Wood freepencils,Carpenterspencils,Charcoal pencils,Clutchpencils,Mechanicalpencils, Colourpencils,Woodcasedtriangular ColourPencils,Woodcasedtriangular watercolourpencils,WoodFreecolour pencils,WoodFreeBeginnerspencils

PENCILLEADS

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd -Criterium 0.5mmleads

PentelS.A(Pty)Ltd -Ainlead,standard lead-variousgrades

PLANNINGBOARDSANDACCESSORIES

ParrotProducts -Rangeofyearplanners, termplanners,mapsandin/outboards. customprintedboardsdesignedto specification.

RexelOfficeProducts -NOBOplanners

POINTOFSALE

POINTOFSALEAIDS

CentralCashRegister -Moneydetector, Moneychecker,Penchecker

POINTOFSALEPRINTERROLLS

Rotunda(Pty)Ltd.

PRINTING

Kolok -Epson,Lexmark,HPPrinters,Oki (Hardware)Pantum,Samsung

40

BUYERS’GUIDE

OlivettiImports -Distributorsof

MultifunctionalPrinters/Copiers

RBEExpress -createcustomproducts

StarStationersandPrinters

Unicopy&StationersCC -forallyour printing&stationeryrequirements

PRINTERCONSUMABLES

Kolok -Epson(inkjet,largeformatetc), Lexmark,HP,Brother(TonersandInks),Oki (Toners,inksandRibbons),TallyGenicom (Ribbons),Seikosha(Ribbons),Panasonic (TonersandRibbons),Kyocera(Toners), Printronix(Ribbons),IBM(Ribbons),Ricoh (Toners),Fujitsu(Ribbons),Pantum(Toners)

RoyceImagingIndustries

Remanufacturersandsuppliersofinkjetand lasercartridges

TechnicalSystemsEngineering -Suppliers ofqualitycompatiblecartridgesandbulk inksforEpson,Canon,Lexmark,HPand Samsung

PUNCHESANDPERFORATORS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd –Bantexrangeof perforators

KrostOfficeProducts

ParrotProducts -Parrotrangeofpunches PowerStationery -Powerstar RexelOfficeProducts -Rexel

SSCHOLASTICSUPPLIES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -projectfiles(10-50 pockets),Displaybooks,Casey,McCasey, Shuttles

BSCStationerySales -Treeline CTPStationery EmpireToy&Stationery Butterfly FlipFile -FlipFiledisplaybooksA5,A4, A2,A3

GraftonPaperProducts

HortorsStationery -schooldiaries PalmStationeryManufacturers

ParrotProducts -chalkboards/slates PowerStationery -Powerstar Pyrotec -TowerAdhesiveBookCover45cm x2m

RBEEducation -ExercisebooksandPads

SCISSORSANDCUTTERS

Bantex -13,17and21cmand13cmlefthandedscissors

PalmStationeryManufacturers PowerStationery -Powerstar RexelOfficeProducts STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Multi-use Scissors14cm,14cmLefthanded,17cm and21cm

SCRAPBOOKING

RexelOfficeProducts -Trimmersand guillotines

SLATES

ParrotProducts -Whiteboardandchalk board

STAMPS,STAMPPADSANDINKS

KemtekImagingSystems -Distributorof BrotherStampcreatorPRO RubberStamp&EngravingCo -Trodat, pre-inkedstamps,stampandfingerprint pads

STAPLINGMACHINESANDSTAPLES

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd -Bantexrangeof Staplersandstaples

InterstatAgencies -Genmes KrostOfficeProducts

ParrotProducts -Parrotrangeofstaplers RexelOfficeProducts -Rexelrange

STATIONERYSUNDRIES–SCHOLASTIC Butterfly

CTPStationery -DONAUScissorsand cuttingknives

PalmStationeryManufacturers -New Wave PowerStationery -Powerstar

STORAGESYSTEMS

BantexSA(Pty)Ltd –PortableSuspension FileBoxes,SuspensionFiles,Suspension FileRack,TexoModularStorageSystem, VisionWallPocketOrganiser Butterfly

RRUBBERSTAMPS

RubberStamp&EngravingCo. –Trodat Kolok -Rubberstampsanddaters

RUBBERSTAMPMANUFACTURINGEQUIPMENT

RubberStamp&EngravingCo -AZLiquid polymer,TROTEClaserengraver,flash system

RULERS

PalmStationeryManufacturers

PowerStationery -Powerstar Penflex -PENFLEXrulers

STAEDTLERSAPTY(Ltd) –Shatterproof Ruler30cm,FlatscaleEngineeringruler, ReductionScaleRuler

RubberStamp&EngravingCo -Making memories,Clearsnap,Marvy,Ranger, Bazzill,Carl

SHREDDERSANDACCESSORIES

AZTrading -DSB,Kobra,Roto,Repairsto allmakes

D.O.S -Kobra

Kolok -GEHAentrylevelandhigh-end shredders

NikkiDistributors -Nikkishredders

ParrotProducts -Parrotrangeofvalue shredders

RexelOfficeProducts -Rexelrange MaynardsOfficeTechnology -IDEAL Shredders&Guillotines -SADistributors

CTPStationery -ArchivingSystemsSuspensionFiles

Kolok -Verbatim(harddrives,USBsticks etc),HP,Sandisk

RexelOfficeProducts -Storageboxes

SpecialisedFilingSystems -Filing TidyFiles -Filingsolutions

TAPES

TPalmStationeryManufacturers

TECHNOLOGY Kolok -Cubot,Alcatel

CONTACTDETAILSHERE

Kolok-PortElizabeth

AfricanFilingSystems

� 0116149445www.africanfiling.co.za

� 0865406892info@africanfiling.co.za

AZTrading

� 0861114407www.aztradingcc.co.za

� 0117929732sales@aztradingcc.co.za

BICSouthAfrica(Pty)Ltd

� 0114740181Box43144,Industria,2042

� 011474606816MaraisburgRoad,Industria,2042

BSCStationerySales

� 0110862900Box278,Brakpan,1540

� 0114203322sales@treeline.co.za

Butterfly

� 0116142243BusinessPark,Gosforth,SilverstoneSt,

� 0116143075Elandsfontein,JHBempire@netactive.co.za

CTPStationery

� 0112265600Box43501,Industria,2042

� 0114749242sales@versafile.co.za

D.O.S(DentonOfficeSolutions)

� 0860007468info@dosptyltd.biz

� 0862374614www.dosptyltd.biz

FlipFile

� 0216383105Box2190,Clareinch,7740

� 0216336942ashly@flipfile.co.za

Grafton/StarPaperProducts

� 0112620777Box550,Bergvlei,2012

� 0112620780sales@graftonpaper.co.za

HortorsStationery

� 0116204800Box1020,Johannesburg,2000

� 0866124663orders@hortors.co.za

InkSpotSuppliers

� 0118543013

� 0118523013info@inkspotsuppliers.co.za

InterstatAgencies-Durban

� 0315696550Box201707,DurbanNorth,4016

� 0315696559interstat@mweb.co.za

InterstatAgencies-CapeTown

� 0215519555Box36696,Chempet,7442

� 0215575456Capetown@interstat.co.za

InterstatAgencies-PortElizabeth

� 0414532558Box27693,Greenacres,6057

� 0414538504pe@interstat.co.za

KemtekImagingSystems

� 0116248000Box86173,CityDeep,2049

� 0866101185labelling@kemtek.co.za

KemtekImagingSystems-Cape

� 0215219600Box181,CapeTown,8000

� 0215515032brenth@kemtek.co.za

KemtekImagingSystems-KZN

� 0317009363Box15685,Westmead,3608

� 0317009369Sandim@kemtek.co.za

KemtekImagingSystems-PE

� 0415825222Box15685,Westmead,3608

� 0415825224clinth@kemtek.co.za

KemtekImagingSystems-PTA

� 0128041410POBox816,Silverton,0127

� 0128044286johlettat@kemtek.co.za

Kolok-HeadOffice

� 0112480300Box4151,Johannesburg,2000

� 0112480381infojhb@koloksa.co.za

Kolok-CapeTown

� 0215972700Box6385,Roggebaai,8012

� 0212972799infoctn@koloksa.co.za

Kolok-Durban

� 0315704900Box4206,RiverhorseValleyEast,4017

� 0315696880infodbn@koloksa.co.za

KolokPolokwane

� 0152988795Box862,Ladanna,0704

� 0152988315infopol@koloksa.co.za

� 0414069900Box3163,NorthEnd,6056

� 0414069920infope@koloksa.co.za

Kolok-Namibia

� 00264(61)370500Box40797,Ausspannplatz,Namibia

� 00264(61)370525valne@kolok.com.na

Kolok-Nelspruit

� 0137582233Box4338,WhiteRiver,1240

� 0137582235infonel@koloksa.co.za

Kolok-Bloemfontein

� 0514331876PvtBagX01,Brandhof,Bloemfontein

� 0514332451infobfn@koloksa.co.za

Kolok-Botswana

� 002673932669PvtBagB0226,Bontleng,Gaborone

� 002673170762clemencem@vbn.co.bw

KrostOfficeProducts

� 0116262067Box75401,Gardenview,2047

� 0116262912sales@krost.co.za

Maynards-OlympusAudioS.A/OlivettiDistributors

� 0860001922sales@maynards.co.za www.maynards.co.za

MerpakEnvelopes

� 0117197700sales@merpak.co.za

� 0118853174www.merpak.co.za

Nikki-CapeTown

� 0860006731cpt@nikki.co.za

� 0800204868www.nikki.co.za

Nikki-Durban

� 0860006731dbn@nikki.co.za

� 0800204868www.nikki.co.za

Nikki-Johannesburg

� 0860006731jhb@nikki.co.za

� 0800204868www.nikki.co.za

Nikki-Pretoria

� 0860006731pta@nikki.co.za

� 0800204868www.nikki.co.za

OptiplanadivisionofWaltons

� 0116204000PencilPark,CroxleyClose,Herriotdale

� 0866818256rcurrin@gp.waltons.co.za

PalmStationery

� 0315077051viran@palmstat.co.za

� 0315077053www.palmstat.co.za

ParrotProducts

� 0116077600debbie@parrot.co.za

� 0116152502www.parrotproducts.biz

Penflex

� 0215212400Box36964,Chempet,7442

� 0215212402/3info@penflex.co.za

PentelS.A(Pty)Ltd

� 0114741427/8Box202,CrownMines,2025

� 0114745563www.pentel.co.za

PowerhouseDictation

� 0118871056info@speech.co.za

� 0865553833www.speech.co.za

PowerStationery

� 0325334003Box1305,Verulam,4340

� 0325333254powersta@netactive.co.za

PressProducts

� 0114936332marketing@pressproducts.co.za

� 0114991019www.pressproducts.co.za

Pyrotec

� 0217879600PvtBagX1,CapricornSquare,7948

� 0217879791tower@pyrotec.co.za

RBEStationeryManufacturers(Pty)Limited

� 0117937321sales@rbe.co.za

� 0117937348www.rbe.co.za

ReboniFurnitureGroup

� 0861732664www.reboni.co.za

� 0866277737sales@reboni.co.za

RedfernPrintServices-CapeTown

� 0215529680Box403,Milnerton,7435

� 0215529681sales@redfern.co.za

RedfernPrintServices-Durban � 0312059598dbnoffice@redfern.co.za � 0312057092www.redfern.co.za

RedfernPrintServices-Johannesburg � 0118374119Box1445,CrownMines,2025 � 0118378917jhboffice@redfern.co.za

RexelOfficeProducts � 0112263300www.rexelsa.co.za � 0118372781sales@rexelsa.co.za

Rotunda(Pty)Ltd. � 021799577015HillstarAvenue,Wetton,7780 � 0217615601rotunda@iafrica.com

RoyceImagingIndustries � 0117929530www.royceimaging.co.za � 0117929480sales@royceimaging.co.za

RubberStamp&EngravingCo-HeadOffice � 0112621400Box931,Wendywood,2144 � 0112621414trodat@rse.co.za

RubberStamp&EngravingCo-CapeTown � 0214487008Box931,Wendywood,2144 � 0214487014cpt@trodat.co.za

RubberStamp&EngravingCo-Durban � 0833774109Box931,Wendywood,2144 � 0312661082dbn@rse.co.za

SouthAfricanDiaries � 0214422340Box4862,CapeTown,8000 � 0214422341phoneyman@sadiaries.co.za

StaedtlerSA(Pty)Ltd � 0115791600www.staedtler.co.za � 0116083497admin@staedtler.co.za

SpecialisedFilingSystems � 0114770640www.specfiling.co.za � 0114773528

StarStationersandPrinters � 0315691061luke@starstat.co.za � 0315691094www.starstat.co.za

TechnicalSystemsEngineering � 0117082304Box1532,Northriding,2162

0117081799sales@tse.co.za TidyFiles � 0119434210www.tidyfiles.co.za

Topmark � 0118378045info@topmarksa.com � 0118377442

Tower(DivisionofPyrotec)-CapeTown

0217879600PvtBagX1,CapricornSquare,7948

0217879791

Tower(DivisionofPyrotec)-Johannesburg

011611182059LepusRd,CrownMines,2025

0116111834tower@pyrotec.co.za

Tower(DivisionofPyrotec)Durban

0317010192Box594,Pinetown,3600

0317011285tower@pyrotec.co.za

0312018415122CheGuevaraRoad,Glenwood,4001

0312018672sales@unicopy.co.za

0112265600Box43501,Industria,2042

0114749242sales@versafile.co.za