Your
August 2015 – Issue 2
Matters
English
The community paper to whom your wellness matters.
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WOMEN AND WELLNESS By Janine Fortuin
The WHEAT Trust is a women’s empowerment organisation that provides financial and technical assistance to grassroots women across South Africa. For the past 17 years, we’ve found and funded marginalised women who are unable to access formal funding due to their socioeconomic position. We also provide skills training and education to women around issues like gender-based violence, and their sexual and reproductive health rights. Women of the WHEAT team.
GRANTEES AND WELLNESS At WHEAT, the holistic wellness of our grantees and the communities they serve are key, thus we give grants to organisations such as the Women’s Holistic and Support Programme (WHASP) in the Capricorn (Vrygrond) informal settlement just outside Muizenberg in Cape Town. In this community, unemployment, poverty, gender-based violence and sexual abuse are the order of the day for most women. WHASP operates out of various venues, be it schools or counsellors’ offices – just about anywhere a project is required – providing emotional and psychological support to grassroots women. They are motivated to empower women in their community. These women are often not seen as the heads of their households, yet are the ones who manage the day-to-day functioning thereof. WHASP argues that these women provide care and support to their families, yet often
there are no support or care given to them. A lack of care impacts women’s wellness. WHASP has determined that many of the women they provide care to often do not eat during the day, although they provide meals to their families, and even going to the bathroom becomes a rushed affair. Many women – not just the women from Capricorn – find that they often do not have the time or space to sit down and plan their day, as their responsibilities begin from the minute they wake up. Women who manage families and a career often find themselves at work, but their mind is thinking or stressing about personal responsibilities. “Many female caregivers were seeking help ... they felt alone and stuck in a deep hole and so desperately wanted to get out!” says Taryn Nicholas, WHASP founder and chairperson.
Through WHASP, WHEAT Trust has committed to empowering the individual and their communities by granting various support structures which facilitate personal growth and well-being. Through WHASP’s weekly counselling and wellness sessions, women are given the chance to breathe and engage in a safe space, affording them a much-needed moment to process thoughts, think clearly and be more productive and creative than they would be without it.
Recognising these multiple responsibilities of women caregivers, WHASP seeks to provide safe, non-judgemental spaces where women can access support and care.
WHEAT Trust is located at 20 Devonshire Road, Wynberg • Email: communication@wheattrust.co.za • Tel: 021 762 6214
1 Women and wellness
3 Getting the Cape in shape
6 CANSA is going 8 Men’s role in the distance this breastfeeding August
2 Editor’s letter
4 Women and heart disease
7 Give your baby the best start
IN THIS
ISSUE
WHASP’s vision is the creation of an entity that offers and provides various support structures, wellness, knowledge and empowerment, where women residing in impoverished communities can strive toward a dignified life. “In teaching women the skills of empowerment, we uplift the mothers of this nation in every aspect of their being,” says Taryn.
10 Women’s Month: financial tips tailored to women
Partner:
Your Wellness Matters – August 2015
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Editor’s letter In South Africa, we dedicate the month of August to celebrate the women of our beloved country. We celebrate their achievements, reward their efforts and highlight their challenges. In keeping with this theme, the August issue of Your Wellness Matters explores women’s health and wellness matters. As individuals and even as families, we may be guilty of failing to understand that women are predisposed to illness and life changes that men are not. Examples of this are breast and cervical cancer.
Foundation South Africa (HSF). The HSF plays a leading role in the fight against preventable heart disease and stroke, with the aim of seeing fewer South Africans suffer premature deaths and disabilities.
We therefore use this issue to discuss these matters to create understanding amongst not only women, but men too, and how they can support their partner or spouse when faced with a female-specific health or wellness matter.
“This is a tremendous validation of our humble effort to create a wellness culture in South Africa,” says Jehad Kasu, co-managing editor of Your Wellness Matters. The HSF was established in 1980 and is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation with both NPO and section 21 statuses.
We are also excited to announce that Your Wellness Matters has concluded a working partnership with the Heart and Stroke
Doctor Vash Mungal-Singh, CEO of HSF, stated: “collaboration is a key strategy for the HSF in extending the reach of our messaging. We are
This is a tremendous validation of our humble effort to create a wellness culture in South Africa.
therefore excited and happy to partner with Your Wellness Matters, further extending the reach of our efforts toward wellness promotion. Your Wellness Matters is a particularly valuable resource to more remote communities where the penetration of information is limited. We look forward to a long and purpose-driven partnership moving forward.” 1 – 7 August also marks Breastfeeding Awareness Week and is signified by a golden bow – this might be because most medical practitioners and mothers describe breast milk as liquid gold.
We focus not only on the importance and benefits of breastfeeding, but also how the male counterpart can play an active role in supporting a breastfeeding mother. The Western Cape Department of Health has been instrumental in highlighting the importance of breastfeeding and they share some valuable information in this regard.
August also observes CANSA Care Week where CANSA (the Cancer Association of South Africa) provides some useful information on prevention as well as mobile screening clinics that will be visiting communities around the country.
The Metropolitan Group has joined our celebration of women and in this issue addresses some financial matters and tips that are womenspecific. August turns out to be a bumper month with so many things happening with women in mind! We wish all our female readers a happy Women’s Month and Women’s Day on 9 August. Eat healthy. Keep moving. And keep it up!
Your Wellness Matters managing editors, Dali Chiwara and Jehad Kasu.
CREDITS Your Wellness Matters is the first free wellness community newspaper created to assist people in understanding all aspects of wellness. The Business Centre 1 Bridgeways Road Bridgeways Precinct Century City Cape Town 7441 ywm@44tenmedia.co.za +27 (0)21 830 5490/ +27 (0)21 388 5522 www.44tenmedia.co.za
Managing editors Jehad Kasu Dali Chiwara
Staff writers Tasneem Smith Nicole Watson
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Designer Catherine van Dyk
Advertising ywmads@44tenmedia.co.za
Proofreading and Afrikaans translations Lois-Mari Swanepoel
Printing Paarl Coldset
Xhosa translations Nobuntu Stengile
Published by 44Ten MEDIA Publishing
Contributors • Western Cape Department of Health • Heart and Stroke Foundation • CANSA • Milk Matters • Metropolitan Group • Women’s Hope, Education and Training Trust – WHEAT
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Your Wellness Matters – August 2015
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Getting the Cape in shape Since launching the WesternCape on Wellness (WoW!) project on 31 March 2015, the Western Cape Department of Health has gained huge momentum in promoting and activating healthy lifestyles to prevent and reduce chronic diseases that could be caused by a lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating and being overweight. What started out as a six-month test has since morphed into a full-on movement to support people in order to be more physically active, eat healthier and to have a healthy bodyweight. Just three months into the test and already 46 teams, consisting of approximately 690 provincial government employees, 240 school staff and 300 community members have joined the WoW! initiative. And more participants, including school learners, are joining this exciting initiative. In addition to the government employees, the current teams include: • eight schools (Rylands HS, Bonteheuwel HS, Joe Slovo HS, Cloetesville HS, Dalweide PS, Belvue PS, Willow PS and Nolungile PS); • 12 community groups (Stellenbosch Hospice in Klapmuts, St John’s in Langa, SACLA in Khayelitsha, Philani in Khayelitsha, YMCA in Athlone and Heideveld, Rusthof Old Age Home in Paarl, Tygerberg Hospice in Klipheuwel, Caring Network in Bishop Lavis and Stellenbosch Hospice in Cloetesville); and • in addition, Eskom is testing WoW! with their employees. The project team is planning the expansion of WoW! to additional schools and community groups in Paarl East as part of a new project of the provincial government in the area. Several WoW! leaders (champions) have been trained and are being supported in starting healthy lifestyle clubs where they work and/ or live. A team of biokineticists will conduct a health screen on all adult participants, and learners at schools will be observed periodically to assess an increased level of physical activity during school breaks. The screening will be completed during August 2015, and each month the WoW! participants will conduct their own screening to record and track their progress towards achieving healthier habits. The launch of WoW! Online in June 2015 is another exciting development. Participants have started to set up their profile and select their healthy lifestyle goals on the website. Additional phases are being developed, aiming to have a WoW! mobisite and cell phone app that will provide participants and the general public access to WoW! news and other wellness/ healthy lifestyle-related material.
WoW! guest speaker and wellness advocate, actor/comedian Siv Ngesi, participates in a walk as part of the launch’s programme.
Three wellnesspromoting messages (motivation, nutrition and physical activity) per week are being sent to subscribers. The WoW! WhatsApp is an additional exciting development that is being tested. Three wellness-promoting messages (motivation, nutrition and physical activity) per week are being sent to subscribers. WoW! participants are encouraged to subscribe to the cell phone app in order to evaluate the feasibility, value and impact of this platform to raise awareness about and activate healthy lifestyle habits. Although the initial focus is on increased physical activity and healthier eating, additional topics will be introduced in the future. Feedback and updates received from the teams suggest that great progress has been made through the enthusiastic uptake and creativity amongst participants to increase physical activity and healthier eating habits. The announcement of a monthly WoW! team leader board will soon be introduced to add as further motivation to the team members and to encourage additional participants, including community members and schools, to join their local WoW! clubs. Depending on the success of the test, the aim is to make the WoW! project, including WoW! Online (website, mobisite, cell app) and WoW! WhatsApp, available to all residents in the Western Cape – Together to Create a Culture of Wellness!
The WoW! initiative is being developed and tested in partnership with several organisations. Current partners include:
Western Cape Government Departments Health, Cultural Affairs, Sport, Education, the Premier
Universities University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape, University of Stellenbosch
Organisations 44ten Media, Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, Biokinetics Association of South Africa (BASA), Eskom, Pharma Dynamics, Discovery Vitality, SiyaGyma-SA, Ignite Fitness, Mamelani Projects Additional sponsors Virgin Active, Ubuntu Touch, Capitec Bank
Adopting an inclusive approach, additional organisations with related expertise and a keen interest are welcome and encouraged to join the partnership.
For more information or comments on WoW!, please contact: Dr Frederick Marais on 021 483 0887/ frederick.marais@westerncape.gov.za OR Ms Joanna Janse van Rensburg on 021 483 9932 Joanna.JansevanRensburg@westerncape.gov.za
WesternCape on Wellness
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Your Wellness Matters – August 2015
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Women and heart disease Continuing our focus on women’s health and wellness in the August issue of Your Wellness Matters, we shift our attention to the woman’s heart.
We spoke to a dietician at the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa to learn exactly how serious heart disease is amongst South Africans, specifically amongst women, and what they can do to prevent it. 1. How big a problem is heart disease in South Africa? • Heart disease and strokes are the second biggest killers in South Africa after HIV/AIDS. • Once thought to be a disease of the elderly, heart disease now affects people of working age, with more than half of deaths occurring in people under the age of 65 years. • 210 people die from heart disease every day. • South Africa has one of the highest rates of high blood pressure worldwide: one in three adults. 2. Who is affected by heart disease more: men or women? • There is a misperception that heart disease is typically a man’s disease. However, women tend to develop heart disease later on in life than men do, but heart disease and stroke is the biggest killers amongst women globally, and kill more women than men in South Africa. • According to the Stats SA Mortality Report of 2013, about 13.1% of men died from some form of heart disease or stroke, compared to 17.4% of women. 3. Why does heart disease affect women more? • Overall, our lifestyles are largely to blame for the growing problem of heart disease – we eat too much, smoke and drink too much and are not keeping active. • These unhealthy lifestyle habits are affecting both men and women, but we see that many of these factors are much higher in women. For example, up to 70% of women are overweight or obese, and almost half are physically inactive, putting them at a greater risk.
• In women, the risk of heart disease increases significantly around the onset of menopause. Although declining oestrogen levels are often blamed, it does not fully explain this trend. • Increases in blood pressure and unhealthy LDL cholesterol often occur around this time, putting women at risk of heart disease. So even though menopause does not cause heart disease, it is the time when unhealthy lifestyles and diets can start to take their toll. • Women are less likely to survive a heart attack and often their warning signs may be less obvious. 4. What symptoms should women look out for? • Although chest pain is the most common heart attack warning sign in both men and women, women may be less likely to report chest pain or pain radiating to the jaw or arm during a heart attack. • Often women experience other milder symptoms, such as uncomfortable pressure, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, back pain, unexplained fatigue, dizziness and sweating. • These symptoms are often ignored, resulting in misdiagnosis and delay in treatment. 5. How would a woman know if she is at risk? • Many of us think, “I feel fine, it won’t happen to me,” and many women aren’t aware that they may be at risk. High blood pressure is a silent killer – there are no warning signs to tell you there is a problem. 75% of people with high blood pressure don’t even know they have it. • Besides knowing what her lifestyle looks like, regular screening is essential for knowing if you are at risk. This is why, as part of Heart Awareness Month, we are calling on women to Have Heart and show they care by getting screened to find out their numbers. The most important numbers to be aware of are blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and weight status. • Screening for these risk factors should be a regular occurrence, although frequency of screening depends on whether the person is already at an increased risk.
• If you have not checked your blood pressure or cholesterol recently, this may be the perfect place to start. 6. Where can listeners go to get screened? • This Heart Awareness Month, the Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) has partnered with national pharmacy retailer, Dischem, and we encourage the public to visit any Dis-Chem store nationwide for free instore screenings throughout the month of September until 4 October (Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the quietest times). • This will include measurements for blood pressure, blood glucose and weight status. • We hope that you will also encourage your friends and family to go to Dis-Chem to get screened so that more people can know their risk.
7. What are some preventative methods women can take? • Leading a healthy lifestyle can prevent 80% of deaths caused by heart disease and strokes. • Eat better – this means eating more healthy foods, like fruit and vegetables, wholegrains, beans and lentils, lean protein meats and dairy products, and less of the bad foods such as sugar, salt and bad fats, as well as eating the right amount to maintain healthy bodyweight. • Move more – we all need to get moving. Exercise keeps us healthy, and helps maintain healthy blood pressure and bodyweight. You don’t have to visit a gym; anything that increases the heart rate counts. Try brisk walking, dancing or even gardening. • Stop smoking – if you are a smoker, it doubles your risk of a heart attack. Start cutting down today and you will start feeling better in as little as two weeks! To get the full benefits, you have to quit for life. 8. If the public would like more information, where can they go? • Call the Heart and Stroke Health Line on 0860 1 HEART (43278) or visit www.heartfoundation.co.za • Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
PLEASE NOTE: free screenings at Dis-Chem stores will take place during September until 4 October. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays are the quietest and best days to visit.
HEART AWARENESS MONTH
SEPTEMBER 2015
Have Heart in September GET TESTED – know your risk
We are offering free tests! Do you know your blood pressure? Do you know your blood sugar? Do you know your cholesterol? Do you know your body mass index? * Subject to terms and conditions as set by the HSFSA
GO TO YOUR NEAREST DIS-CHEM PHARMACY NATIONWIDE THIS SEPTEMBER OR CONTACT US ON 08601 HEART (43278). YOU CAN ALSO VISIT www.heartfoundation.co.za
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CANSA is going the distance this August As part of CANSA Care Week during August, the Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA)’s mobile health clinics are going the distance in providing cancer education and information to help reduce the cancer risk as well as cancer screening and early detection programmes. (Read more on http://www.cansa.org.za/ cansa-mobile-health-clinics/.) Mobile health clinics will be operating from the towns of Polokwane, Witbank, Durban, ® Pietermaritzburg, Bloemfontein, Gauteng West, Eldorado Park, Pretoria, Upington, West Coast, George and Rustenburg during the first two weeks of August. “We encourage the community to make use of this opportunity and visit one of our mobile health clinics, or visit one of the many CANSA Care Centres across the country – get yourself screened, get educated and be informed,” encourages CANSA’s Acting CEO, Elize Joubert. (Contact your local CANSA Care Centre for details: http://www.cansa.org.za/cansa-carecentres-contact-details/.) is the ®
®
Breast cancer
most common cancer among is theSA Women
Nqobile Nkabinde (32), care worker from the mostacommon Breast cancer among cancer Community Soshanguve Clinic, took part in SA Women a recent CANSA wellness and screening day
at the clinic and said: “As a field worker, I get exposed to different things on a daily basis and I always grab the opportunity to be screened every time CANSA does wellness and screening at the clinics. I am deeply touched by women I meet during my daily home visits, since most of them discovered at a late stage that they have cancer that could have been detected much sooner if they had gone for a screening. As part of my home visits, I educate the women on the importance of early detection of cancer”. The mobile health clinics travel to mostly remote areas throughout South Africa to reach people who would otherwise not have access to screenings, helping to bridge a gap by offering the following: • clinical breast examinations and how to do breast self-examinations; • how to do testicular self-examinations to reduce the risk of testicular cancer; • prostate-specific antigen (PSA) – a fingerprick blood test to help detect prostate abnormalities; • pap smears – screening test for early diagnosis of cervical cancer; • lifestyle risk assessments to assess your cancer risk; ®
Warning Signs
• blood pressure and glucose testing; • height and weight measurement for body mass index to advise on maintaining a healthy body weight; and • information on cancer warning signs for adults and children. Joubert adds: “We know that early detection is important to help with more effective treatment and to have a better chance of fighting cancer. Ignorance and late diagnosis of cancer can lead to a poor response to treatment and poor diagnosis. And it’s also important to know what screening options are available to you, especially if you have a family history of cancer”. (Read more about early detection online at: http://www.cansa.org.za/get-screenedearly-detection/.) ®
®
®
Visit the CANSA website at http://www.cansa. org.za/cansa-care-centres-contact-details to see where our mobile health clinics will be, or phone us toll-free on 0800 22 66 22. Also keep an eye on our social media pages for more information: CANSA The Cancer Association of South Africa on Facebook, @CANSA on 1 Twitter, and @CancerAssociationOfSouthAfrica on Instagram.
®
Warning Signs
Warning signs ®
2
®
A puckering of the skin of the breast
uckering of the n of the breast
A lump in the breast or armpit
A change in the skin around the nipple or A change innipple the skin discharge
A lump in the breast or armpit
around the nipple or nipple discharge
A puckering of the skin of the breast
A lump in the breast or armpit
A change in the skin around the nipple or nipple discharge
Dimpling of the nipple or nipple retraction
An unusual increase in the size of one breast
One breast unusually lower than the other; nipples at different levels
An enlargement of the glands
An unusual swelling in the armpit
How to do a breast self-examination in 3 easy steps Dimpling of the
An unusual
One breast
nipple or nipple An unusual increase in the size mpling of the Oneunusually breast lower than is the retraction increase inof one the other. pple or nipple the sizebreast than Nipples unusually lower different levels mostatNipples common retraction of one breast the other. at different cancer levels among
Breast cancer
SA women
1 In the mirror – In front of a mirror,
check for any changes in the normal look and feel of your breasts, such 1 as dimpling, size difference or nipple discharge. Inspect four ways: arms at sides, arms overhead, firmly pressing hands on hips and bending forward.
2 An enlargement
3 While bathing – With your right
arm raised, check your right breast with a soapy left hand and fingers flat using the method described under “Lying down”. Repeat on the other side. Do a breast self-examination every month 7 to 10 days after your period. Repeat monthly within same time interval.
An unusual swelling
An enlargement An unusual in swelling of the glands the armpit of the glands in the armpit
Breast examinations are available at Breast examinations are available at Breast examinations are available at CANSA’s mobile health clinics, care centres CANSA’s Mobile Health Clinics, CANSA’s Mobile Health Clinics, and countrywide Careclinics Centres & Clinics country-wide
2 Lying down – Lie on your back
Care Centres & Clinics country-wide
-free 08000800 22 6622 2266 22 Toll-free www.cansa.org.za www.cansa.org.za
3 3
with a pillow under your right shoulder and your right hand under your head. With the three middle fingers of your left hand, make small circular motions, follow an up-anddown pattern over the entire breast area, under the arms and up to the shoulder bone, pressing firmly. Repeat using right hand on left breast.
Lower your cancer risk • Do monthly breast self-examinations • Go for regular screening (clinical breast examinations) at CANSA care centres • SureTouch – non-invasive device for safe breast screening (not a diagnostic tool) – available at some CANSA care centres • Symptom-free women should go for a mammogram every year from age 40
Your Wellness Matters – August 2015
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7 xpressing fo se r er
rs he ot
Give your baby the best start –
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PUBLISHING
breastfeeding is good for you and your baby From the start Skin-to-skin contact with your newborn baby helps bonding and breastfeeding. The first milk, called colostrum, is like your baby’s first immunisation. The small quantities will increase when you feed your baby often. It should not be painful when your baby latches and suckles. Painful nipples are due to poor latching and can be corrected by a good latch. Facts about breastfeeding • The more you feed your baby, the more breast milk you will produce. • Breastfeeding is healthy for you and your baby. Your baby is less likely to get diarrhoea, chest, ear and other infections. • Your baby will have less allergies and chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. • Breastfeeding provides your baby with the nutrition for ideal brain development. • Painful breastfeeding is not normal; ask for help on how to get your baby to latch properly. • Breastfeeding also helps you and your baby to get closer – physically and emotionally. So while your baby is feeding, the bond between you can grow stronger. • Breast milk is the only food your baby needs for the first six months of life. No other food or drink, even water, is needed during this time.
g saves lives!
• When your baby is six months old, you can start to introduce solids, but carry on breastfeeding until your baby is at least two years old. Your baby will be strong and healthy. How to position and latch your baby • Hug your baby towards you; avoid pushing his head towards the breast. • Make sure your baby’s head and body are facing you. • Allow his head to tip slightly backwards so that his chin is tucked into the breast. • When he opens his mouth, allow him to take a large portion of the nipple and breast into his mouth. • Allow him to feed for as long as he wants. • Finally, don’t forget that if you are at ease and comfortable, then your baby will be more relaxed and happy too.
Top tips • You will always have a good milk supply if your baby is latching well and you are feeding frequently. • The more you breastfeed your baby, the more milk you will produce. Giving other food or drink will reduce your milk supply. • You don’t have to stop breastfeeding because you go back to work – you can express and keep your milk in the fridge for at least 24 hours or in the freezer for up to four months. • Breastfeeding can take time to be established. Find help from your local clinic or from the recommended contacts given if necessary. Breastfeeding help and support – there is help out there • Breastfeeding Association – Tel: 021 686 8363 • Milk Matters – Tel: 021 659 5599; Cell: 082 895 8004; Website: www.milkmatters.org • La Leche League South Africa – Tel: 011 394 1549; Website: www.llli.org • Lactation Consultants (International Board Certified Lactation Consultants®) – Email: southafrica@iblce.edu.au • The Parent Centre – Tel: 021 762 0116; Website: www.theparentcentre.org.za • Post Natal Depression Support Association South Africa (PNDSA) – Tel: 021 797 4498; Website: www.pndsa.co.za
Breastfeeding saves lives!
How do I know my baby is getting enough breast milk? • Your baby will be content and satisfied after feeds. • He feeds about eight to ten times in 24 hours. • He should be healthy and gaining weight. • Your breasts and nipples should not be sore. • After the first few days, your baby should have at least six wet nappies a day.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding saves lives!
• Babies need to be EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFED for the first six (6) Breastfeeding saves lives! months of their lives. The baby is offered NO other fluids or solids. ONLY breast milk.
• Babies need to be EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFED for the first six (6) months of Do not time breastfeeds. Allow the baby to feed as often and for as their lives. The baby is offered NO other fluids or solids. ONLY breast milk.
•
Breastfeeding saves lives! long as the baby wants.
• Do not time breastfeeding. Allow the baby to feed as often and for as long • as Breast milk contains ALL the necessary nutrients required. Colostrum. the baby wants.
The first milk produced, is rich in nutrients and antibodies and acts
• Breast milk contains ALL the necessary nutrients required. Colostrum, the as the first ‘vaccine’, helping to the baby from infections, • protect Babies need to be EXCLUSIVEL milk produced, is rich in nutrients and antibodies and acts as the first Y BREASTFED for the first six (6) first allergies and diarrhoea. months of their lives. The baby s offered NO other fluids or solids. “vaccine”, helping to protect the baby from infections, allergies and diarrhoea.
ONLY breast milk. •• Avoid Avoid using using artificial teats, bottles or pacifiers (dummies); It will artificial teats, bottles or pacifiers (dummies); it will interfere interfere with breastfeeding, to clean carry germs with breastfeeding, are difficult toare clean and carry germs and that can make your • difficult Do not time breastfeeds. Allow that can make your baby sick. he baby to feed as often and for as sick. • Babies need to baby be EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFED for the first six (6)
long as the baby wants. months of their lives. The baby is offered NO other fluids or solids. •• Working Working mothers can still breastfeed by expressing their breast milk mothers can still breastfeed by expressing their breast milk and • Breast milk contains ALL the nec • Babies need to be EXCLUSIVELY BREASTFEDand storing it for later use. for the first six (6) ONLY breast milk. storing it for later use. months of their lives. The baby is offered NO other fluids or solids. The first milk produced, is rich i essary nutrients required. Colostrum. ONLY breast milk. • Do not time breastfeeds. Allow the baby to feed as often and for as as the first ‘vaccine’, helping to n nutrients and antibodies and acts CELEBRATE BREASTFEEDING WEEK long as the baby wants. allergies and diarrhoea. Do not time breastfeeds. Allow the baby to feed as often and for as •protect the baby from infections,
•
long as the baby wants.
•
Breast milk contains ALL the necessary nutrients required. Colostrum. • Avoid using artificial teats, bot
Breast milk contains ALL the necessary nutrients required. Colostrum. The first milk produced, is rich in nutrients and antibodies and acts interfere with breastfeeding, are The first milk produced, is rich in nutrients and antibodies and acts tles or pacifiers (dummies); It will as the first ‘vaccine’, helping to protect the baby from infections, that can make your baby sick. as the first ‘vaccine’, helping to protect the baby from infections, difficult to clean and carry germs allergies and diarrhoea. allergies and diarrhoea.
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Your Wellness Matters – August 2015
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Men’s role in breastfeeding In an effort to demonstrate that men also have a role to play when it comes to breastfeeding, we interviewed community member Thulani Velebayi about his understanding of and experience with breastfeeding. for parenting workshops via their partners at MOU during their prenatal care periods. This gives me more opportunities to be involved in breastfeeding talks happening at MOU. I also attended breastfeeding classes with my wife during the pregnancy of our second and third children. We were even made aware that breastfeeding is evenly important to and possible for HIV positive couples as long as the mother’s immune system is monitored. She can breastfeed until the baby is 12 months old or even older.
Thulani and Yolanda Velebayi with baby Luncuthu.
Thulani, please tell us a bit about yourself. My name is Thulani Velebayi and I’m married to Yolanda Velebayi. Originally we are from the Eastern Cape, near a town called King William’s Town, from a small village named Ezeleni Kwa Nothenga. We own a house in the Phakamisa township. In the Western Cape we live at Mfuleni Ext 6. How old are you and your partner? I’m 38 years old and my wife is 34. In which professions are the two of you? I am a MenCare+ Trainer South Africa at Sonke Gender Justice, promoting positive parenting, and my wife is self-employed.
Do you feel responsible for the feeding of the baby? If so, how involved are you and how do you assist? Definitely yes, I always massage my partner before she breastfeeds so that she produces more milk, and I wipe up her breasts with a warm cloth so that there will be more milk and that the breasts are clean for baby too. We sometimes breastfeed the baby together, like when a baby is three days old, we train the baby on finding the nipple of the breast – my wife holds the baby, then uses four fingers to push up underneath the breast while supported by her thumb on top, then I will assist the baby to reach the breast. When the baby can do that, it is now for him/her to find the breast again without any help, and by doing so we are promoting independency to the baby. What challenges have you met in your efforts to help with the feeding? Not much with my partner, but what worries us is when other mothers drink alcohol while
I always massage my partner before she breastfeeds so that she produces more milk, and I wipe up her breasts with a warm cloth so that there will be more milk and that the breasts are clean for baby too. breastfeeding, and that really challenges us because it gives harm to babies. How do you deal with breastfeeding difficulties your partner might experience? Do you provide support? When babies start getting teeth, they have a tendency to bite the breast of their mothers and mothers suffer from pain. Sometimes they want to stop breastfeeding because of the pain, and my duty is to support my wife and to make her understand that process so that she continues with breastfeeding. Have you sought assistance from other parties in an effort to learn more about breastfeeding? Yes, at the clinic during talks about breastfeeding.
Is this your first child? No, we have 3 children – a 10-year-old girl named Avuzwa, 3-year-old girl named Buncwane, and an 11-month-old boy named Luncuthu, who is still breastfeeding. What were your thoughts about breastfeeding before your child was born? And now? We both come from families that promote breastfeeding as the best for newborn babies, so our thoughts about breastfeeding were the same even before our children were born – we both believe that breastfeeding is best for babies because it helps them grow quicker. Did you receive any information on breastfeeding during the pregnancy? What and from where? And was it helpful? Yes we did, at Site B MOU Clinic. I am actively involved with the MenCare recruitment of fathers
Thulani and Yolanda Velebayi with newborn baby Luncuthu outside Khayelitsha Hospital.
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Your Wellness Matters – August 2015
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Do you feel that there are enough resources available to assist men in supporting breastfeeding? If you know any, please share these. There are a few resources – talks at clinics during pre and post-natal periods, although the clinics need to be more user-friendly so that when men reach the facilities, they receive a warm welcome. Posters inside and outside clinics that speak to both parents and talks not only happening at clinics but elsewhere also to reach men in the communities are also good ideas. But also we as men already doing this must encourage other men to accompany their partners during clinic visits so that they can get tips. Government and other partners should support Sonke Gender Justice as Sonke is the organisation running co-parenting workshops for men, encouraging them to participate in caregiving, and promoting fair, non-violent relationships. What has the experience of breastfeeding been like for you (the highs and lows)? For me, participating in breastfeeding gave me an opportunity to bond with my babies and with my partner too. It also taught me other aspects of baby care, such as learning that a father’s presence in a newborn child’s life helps the baby grow. I’ve learnt that mothers need our support as men especially during this period. A low point for me is when I see
The Golden Bow
a symbol for breastfeeding protection, promotion and support. Gold: The use of the gold colour for the bow symbolises that breastfeeding is the gold standard for infant feeding, against which any other alternative should be compared and judged. A Bow: Why do we use a bow, rather than the looped ribbon of most campaigns? Each part of the bow carries a special message: One loop represents the mother. The other loop represents the child. The ribbon is symmetrical, telling us the mother and child are both vital to successful breastfeeding – neither is to the left nor to the right, signifying neither is precedent, both are needed. The knot is the father, the family and the society. Without the knot, there would be no bow; without the support, breastfeeding cannot succeed.
BREASTFEEDING IN THE FIRST 1 000 DAYS: A WINNING GOAL FOR LIFE!
BREASTFEEDING IN ThE FIRST 1000 DAyS. GoAL a father who doesA notWINNING know what role to play Would FoR you like LIFE! to offer a word of advice in the process. How does your partner feel about the role you have taken in the breastfeeding of your child? She feels supported, relieved when she is tired, and not alone. She is very appreciative of my support.
Breastfeeding
to other fathers about supporting breastfeeding? Fathers-to-be, current fathers and father figures, let us join our hands together and support mothers during breastfeeding, playing our role in building a strong family bond, and closing the gap of absent fathers.
Breastfeeding saves lives! g saves lives! BREASTFEEDING IN THE FIRST 1 000 DAYS: A WINNING GOAL FOR LIFE!
1. What can dads do? Care for the baby in ways other than feeding (baths, change, and for helping around the house). 1. nappy What can Dads walks do! Care the baby in others ways other than feeding
(baths, nappy change, walks and helping around the house) • Babies need to be EXCLUSIVEL 2. What can family and friends do? Listen and be supportive. Boost mum’s months of their lives. The baby 2. confidence What can family and friends do! Listen and be supportive. Boosts mum’s in breastfeeding. Provide ONLY breast milk. emotional support and practical confidence in breastfeeding. Provide emotional support and practical help help (grocery shopping, cooking meals or tidying the house). (grocery shopping, cooking meals or tidying the house). • Do not time breastfeeds. Allow • Babies need to be EXCLUSIVELY for the first six long as the baby wants. 3. What can be done in theBREASTFED workplace? Make it easier for (6) mums to return 3. What can be done in the workplace! Make it easier for mums to return to months of their lives. The baby is offered NO other fluids or solids. work by providing time and place breastfeed or express and store work by providing time and place to breastfeed or express and store breast Y BREASTFED for the first six (6) to • toBreast milk contains ALL the nec ONLY breast milk. 1. Wat kan Pa’s doen! Sorg vir die baba in maniere anders as voeding (bad, milk. milk. breast The first milk produced, is rich i s offered NO other fluids or solids. luier verandering, te loop met baba en uit te help om die huis). • Do not time breastfeeds. Allow the baby to feed as often and for as as the first ‘vaccine’, helping to 4. What mums can do! You will need help with learning to breastfeed and so 4. What can mums do? You will need help with learning to breastfeed and 2. Wat kan familie en vriende doen! Luister en ondersteunend te wees. Verhoog long as the baby wants. allergies and diarrhoea. ma se vertroue in borsvoeding. Emosionele ondersteuning en praktiese hulp will your baby. Don’t be afraid to ask for it! he baby to feed as often and for as so will your baby. Don’t be afraid to ask for it! (kruideniersware te gaan koop vir die ma, maaltye vir die familie te maak of • Breast milk contains ALL the necessary nutrients required. Colostrum. • Avoid using artificial teats, bot te hulp met opruiming van die huis) The first milk produced, is rich in nutrients and antibodies and acts interfere with breastfeeding, are 3. Wat kan gedoen word in die werkplek! Maak dit makliker vir moeders terug as the first ‘vaccine’, helping to protect the baby from infections, essary nutrients required. Colostrum. that can make your baby sick. te keer werk toe deur die verskaffing van tyd en ‘n plek om te borsvoed of CELEBRATE BREASTFEEDING WEEK allergies and diarrhoea. n nutrients and antibodies and acts uit te melk en die bors melk te stoor. • Working mothers can still breast protect the baby from infections, • Avoid using artificial teats, bottles or pacifiers (dummies); It will and storing it for later use. 4. Wat moeders kan doen! Jy sal hulp nodig om te leer hoe om te borsvoed en interfere with breastfeeding, are difficult to clean and carry germs so sal jou baba. Moenie bang wees om te vra vir hulp en ondersteuning nie! that can make your baby sick. tles or pacifiers (dummies); It will CELEBRATE BREA
Breastfeeding saves lives!
difficult to clean and •carry germs Working mothers can still breastfeed by expressing their breast milk
VIER BORSVOEDINGSWEEK
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Your Wellness Matters – August 2015
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Women’s Month: financial tips tailored to women Women and men are two different species. They look, sound, act and think differently. This is no different when it comes to how they manage their finances.
example of this is to think about whether you will save more money if you or your partner stay at home and look after your child, or if it is better to budget for a nanny or day care.
In honour of Women’s Month this August, Cebisa Mfenyana of Metropolitan provides women with financial advice on how to manage these key differences between the sexes.
You will also need to start saving for your child’s education. Start by saving a small amount when your child has just been born. This is a bit easier than having to save larger amounts when they are older.
Maternity leave vs paternity leave In South Africa, women are entitled to four months’ maternity leave, while men are only
Women tend to live longer than men There is plenty of evidence that confirms that
retirement annuity. In this way, you can ensure a comfortable retirement. Women are susceptible to specific illnesses It is an unfortunate reality that there are some illnesses that are specific to women, such as breast and ovarian cancer. A lesser-known fact is that women are also six times more likely to die from heart disease than from breast cancer. Prevention is better than cure, so be sure to go for regular medical check-ups and maintain a healthy lifestyle – especially if you have a history of one of these diseases in
Starting a family is expensive and as a parent you will need to manage your finances well. An example of this is to think about whether you will save more money if you or your partner stay at home and look after your child, or if it is better to budget for a nanny or day care. allowed three days! Some companies will cover your full salary during this time, but for those that don’t, it is important to start saving at the beginning of your pregnancy for any expected shortfall in income during those months. Starting a family is expensive and as a parent you will need to manage your finances well. An
women in general could outlive their retirement/ pension savings. One way of managing this is to contribute to a retirement fund as soon as possible so that you are able to enjoy the benefits of compound interest in retirement.
your family. Speak to your financial advisor about insurance options that cover a variety of illnesses and diseases.
Keep your retirement savings safe and secure in retirement vehicles such as a preservation plan when you change jobs or by taking out a
Pink tax Pink tax refers to fact that women sometimes pay more than men for essentially the same product or service. For example, it is generally more expensive for women than for men to have their hair done. On top of this, women also have additional expenses that men don’t have, such as sanitary ware, more underwear items, gynaecologist appointments, and beauty regimes such as manicures, pedicures and buying make-up and other beauty products.
It is better to be safe rather than sorry.
We suggest looking for online promotions or loyalty and reward programmes that can help save you some money. Great savings can be found, enabling you to look good without having to break the bank.
“Taking into account all our differences and what we, as women, have to deal with – it is best to be prepared for all of life’s opportunities and challenges.”
METAD_201508
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MS PETERSEN, YOU’VE COME A LONG WAY.
NOW LET’S GO EVEN FURTHER. At Metropolitan, we know that starting your own business can be very challenging, especially when you’re from a modest background like Ms Petersen. Thankfully, with the help of a hard-working Metropolitan savings plan, she managed to turn her life’s passion into a stable income. With expert advice and a range of life, health, funeral cover and investment plans, you’ll find the perfect way to create a financially secure future and make your dreams a reality. For more information call 0860 724 724 or visit www.metropolitan.co.za
Happy
WOMEN’S MONTH
Lois-Mari Swanepoel – Proofreading and Afrikaans translations
Nobuntu Stengile – Xhosa translations
Catherine van Dyk – Designer
We proudly introduce you to the women of 44ten MEDIA who are the driving force behind Your Wellness Matters community wellness newspaper. We are honoured to have these talented women as part of our team, who work tirelessly to ensure that our readers have the best wellness newspaper possible. We thank them for their commitment and continued support in growing this newspaper to become the leading community wellness newspaper in South Africa. The management team at 44ten MEDIA wishes them, and all the women of South Africa, a fabulous Women’s Month!
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