YOUR WELLNESS MATTERS | ISSUE 20 | JUNE 2021 by 44ten Media

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June 2021 – Issue 20

Matters The community paper to whom your wellness matters. facebook.com/yourwellnessza

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Women’s Golf Development The Golden BowMomentum Gains

Jehad Kasufor breastfeeding protection, promotion and support. a symbol

Close to a hundred girls between the ages of eight and 16-years old stand to benefit from the ground-breaking Standard Bank Golf Development Programme which is set to be rolled out since May 18.

opportunities for young females and women in South Africa to forge professional careers for themselves in the golf industry through playing ability, coaching and all aspects related to the business of golf.

Aimed at taking the game of golf directly to the girls to create interest and excitement for the game, and generate support for them within their communities, the Standard Bank Golf Development Programme has been designed to grow women’s golf on all levels and create

“We are honoured and grateful to Standard Bank for their continued support to upskill and empower talented young girls in South Africa, from start to finish. It is our collective mission to empower and drive women and girls to reach new heights through sporting programmes

PARTNERS:

like this! It is a first in South Africa and it is historical. The impact it will have on the lives of plus-minus 100 girls will be immense” said Jenny Havenga of Lifestyle Golf, founder and promoters of the Standard Bank Golf Development Programme. The programme was launched at Serengeti Golf Estates from May 18 –

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Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

Your Wellness Matters is a free wellness community newspaper created to empower readers with preventative wellness information in order to make better wellness and lifestyle decisions.

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Your Wellness Matters

WOMEN’S GOLF DEVELOPMENT GAINS MOMENTUM AS NEW TALENT IS SET TO BE UNEARTHED 19th and all golf coaching will be facilitated by professional coaches from the Women’s Professional Golf Association of South Africa (WPGA). The launch dates served as player identification fun days focussing on introducing the game to young females between the ages of 10 and 16. The purpose is to identify and recruit 30 girls with potential for participation in the 2021 Golf Development Programme. The day consisted of fun activities, modified golf games and golf instructional clinics conducted by WPGA coaches.

equipment. It consists of more formalised and structured coaching over six weeks in the form of weekly one-hour instructional clinics.

The 2021 Standard Bank Golf Development Programme will cover four levels of abilities and learning from the young beginner right through to top amateur and professional players and will initially be hosted in Gauteng and will grow, in the long term, into a wide-reaching grassroots national programme. Level one will be coached by WPGA Professionals for an hour at Serengeti Golf Estates and this will take place over six weeks.

The Elite Player Mentorship Programme is level four, and it is designed to coach, mentor, and support two top amateur and two WPGA Professionals in the development of their playing careers over 12 weeks with two-hour individual sessions weekly – covering Golf Skills Enhancement, Mental, Physical and Emotional Development, Personal Brand Building and Marketing Skills Development, Managing Life on Tour and Goal Setting, and Personal Motivation, among other things.

Level two is the intermediate stage which sees the transfer from the modified coaching methods and equipment to regular golf coaching with junior golf

Margie Whitehouse, chair of the Women’s Professional Golf Association (WPGA) added: “After the successful launch of the inaugural 2021 Standard

Images Supplied

Level three is the advanced stage in the programme which will consist of selected players from ability assessments during level two. The coaching will be more individualised and focussed on smaller groups of four over 12 weeks, with 11 x 1-hour weekly lessons and a full nine-hole golf course experience at the end.

Bank Pro-am Series, initiated by Lifestyle Golf in collaboration with the WPGA, we are delighted and most appreciative of Standard Bank’s continued sponsorship and support for the development of the women’s game in Southern Africa. Extending the reach from women to girl children is most exciting and we look forward to playing our part in unearthing and nurturing new talent whilst enriching lives.” “As a financial institution, it is vital for us to enable growth particularly amongst young girls within the sports arena. It is important to equip young girls who have a vested interest in sports and to empower them in learning and growing within the sports. We are delighted to be the head sponsor of such an initiative and to be making a difference in the lives of young girls very early in their lives and careers”, said Schalk Kotze, Standard Bank Head of Affluent: Consumer and High Net Worth South Africa. The various venues are yet to be confirmed but the excitement is building as the sun is beginning to shine on women’s development in golf. For more information, contact Lifestyle Golf – Gina Read.

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

ONE IN FIVE STUDENTS STRUGGLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH, HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP

Supplied Content

South African students’ lives changed in unprecedented ways when lockdown measures closed schools. Overnight, students had to embrace online learning, adjust to cancelled extra-curricular activities, and miss seeing their classmates, teachers, friends, or extended family. This drastic change to their routine and news about the growing global health crisis introduced a new uncertainty in the students’ already-disrupted lives. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that one in five students face a mental health issue, including anxiety and depression. Teachers, parents, and guardians need to offer students emotional support to look after their mental health. They should also lookout for the tell-tale signs that may indicate a child is struggling with their mental health, which can present in students in different ways. Here are some guidelines from Mayo Clinic that may indicate if a student is struggling with their mental health. • Change in academic performance. • Struggling to focus on tasks. • Persistent sadness. • Mood swings and emotional outbursts. • Avoiding social interactions. "The past year has placed immense pressure on everyone, and especially students. Anxiety and burnout are common as students of all ages feel anxious about their family, friends, state of the country and their future. This can affect their overall well-being," said

Byron Kölkenbeck-Ruh, a counsellor at St Martin's High School in the south of Johannesburg.

ing board games, reading a book, or even trying a new craft.

Teachers, parents, and guardians should be encouraged to support students and help them practice techniques to improve students’ emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Five ways to promote positive mental health with students

Many students find it difficult to open up about what they're going through. Let them know help is available and that you are there to listen, no matter how big or small they may be. Remind them as a family, you're all in it together. If they're still struggling to open up, find a counsellor or group where they feel comfortable to talk.

One task at a time

Create a positive environment

Often students push homework and assignments aside, especially if deadlines are a long way off. Encourage them to tackle small tasks at a time and not leave homework to the last minute. Working ahead can relieve pressure and feelings of being overwhelmed and enhance positive emotions as they feel a sense of achievement. Time to unplug

Social media can be a source of negativity, especially in the case of cyberbullying. Encourage students to take a break from their devices and social media. Connecting with the real world and especially spending time in nature can relieve stress and anxiety. Rest and relaxation

Schedule time for students to be social and have fun, focusing on something other than academics. Playtime can include socially distanced time with friends and family, play-

Listen with an open mind

Students can find school challenging, especially if they're struggling emotionally or dealing with low self-esteem. Practice positive thinking and talking, and praise all their achievements. Encourage students that with practice, their hard work will pay off. Supporting students with their mental health starts by recognising when they’re struggling and implementing effective techniques to help. "By helping students practice techniques that promote positive mental health, we can help them to cope with anxiety, focus on tasks and thus not overload themselves with additional work," Kölkenbeck-Ruh said. Learning about mental health issues, offering support, and knowing techniques that can relieve stress and anxiety can help students succeed despite difficult challenges.

Issue 20 - June 2021

Your Wellness Matters

MOOD DISORDERS – KNOW THE SIGNS & WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD Supplied Content

One in eight young people between the ages of 5 and 19 are at risk of developing a mental disorder, of which Mood and Anxiety Disorders are the most prevalent. Emphasis on the mental health of young people recently increased as a result of the disruption caused by Covid-19 and lockdowns which exacerbated challenges that existed before the pandemic. It has therefore once again become important to not only start talking about the mental health of young people, but also to recognise symptoms and know where to look for help, an education and mental health expert says. “The prevalence of mood difficulties among young people is increasingly becoming a concern internationally,” says Dr Jacques Mostert, Brand Academic Manager at ADvTECH, SA’s leading private education provider. Dr Mostert holds a PhD in Psychology of Education and is globally renowned in his field, having conducted experiential research in education in Denmark, the UK, South Africa and The Netherlands. Dr Mostert notes that an estimated 24% of teens between the ages of 11 to 19 suffer from depression caused by the home environment, 25% are subject to cyber-bullying and loneliness, 92% of LGBT youth report depression during the ages of 11 to 19, and 80% of teens between the ages of 11 to 19 report a sense of isolation that causes them to feel depressed. “It is very important to understand the signs of depression, so that action can be taken timeously should concerns about the mental wellbeing of a child arise,” says Dr Mostert. “Teachers and parents can recognise the onset of depression when a sudden change in behaviour

becomes apparent and continues for at least 3 weeks or longer. These include an atypical lack of energy, becoming increasingly irritable and agitated without a rational explanation, and a sense of being down in the dumps for no reason.” Some adolescents may withdraw from friends and family over a sustained period of time, he notes, adding that this is especially concerning if this is atypical of the normal interactions of the teen. “Another red flag is the inability to concentrate in class where ADHD or other non-neurotypical difficulties are not present, as well as regularly failing to complete classroom and homework assignments in time or often being late to class because of feeling overwhelmed. “This, coupled with unusually defiant behaviour towards teachers and other school staff, especially if this is non-typical behaviour, may indicate that the teen is experiencing difficulties with mood and affect.” In the same way as with anxiety difficulties and disorder, the student often asks to go home because of feeling ill with no discernable symptoms. The teen often has days off from class time due to doctor’s appointments, hospitalisation, or inability to attend classes. Changes in sleep patterns, a significant weight loss or gain in a short period of time and disinterest in hobbies or areas where the teen previously showed interest also raise concerns about the mental wellbeing of the teenager. Finally, a loss of future-mindedness, or talk about death or suicide, engaging in risky or

Dr Jaques Mostert

self-destructive behaviour (drinking alcohol, taking drugs, or cutting, for example) are clear signs of the teen suffering from mood difficulties or a possible mood disorder. “Not all of the above need to be present, but if there is a discernable and drastic change in a young person’s behaviour which continues for a period of several weeks or longer, intervention is necessary,” Dr Mostert says. He says first steps teachers and parents can take to help their child deal with depression at home and in the classroom include: • DEVELOPING COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS Parents of teenagers should develop the habit of listening with empathy and not give in to the easier way out of lecturing. However, it must also be said that parents should be gentle yet persistent when it comes to holding realistic expectations of their child.

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Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

MOOD DISORDERS – KNOW THE SIGNS & WAYS TO HELP YOUR CHILD Supplied Content AVOIDING NEGATIVE STRATEGIES

TECHNIQUE

Punishment, sarcasm, disparagement, and passive-aggression is a way of affirming the depressed teenager’s belief of not being worthy or a valued member of the family or society. Parents must be willing to be vulnerable and acknowledge their own and their teenager’s feelings, especially at a time of disruption such as the Covid-19 pandemic. NOT LOWERING EXPECTATIONS OR GIVING UNEARNED REWARDS

Realistic and earned rewards is one of the most important tools in a parent’s approach to supporting their depressed child. The sense of having earned a reward, and receiving acknowledgement for an aspect of their life they find significant affirms a sense of value. However, the opposite is also true. Unearned praise leaves the teenager with a feeling of inauthenticity and affirms their already negative self-perception. PLANNING FOR EARNED SUCCESS

Activities that are of interest often fall by the wayside when teenagers are depressed. Often parents try to arrange and engage in these activities as a panacea to their teenager’s depression. However, this may exacerbate the young person’s feeling of worthlessness. Parents should find novel and interesting activities that may lead to earned success. This may include DIY activities around the house or asking for help with a

specific app or technology in which, when success is achieved, due praise is earned. “Most importantly, parents should trust their gut,” Dr Mostert says. “If your teenager insists that nothing is wrong, despite a prolonged period of depressed mood or being diagnosed with major depressive disorder or bipolar disorder, parents should trust their instincts and seek help. “Should the above techniques not bring about an improvement in the mental wellbeing, parents should seek advice from their medical practitioner or a psychiatrist.” ABOUT ADvTECH

The ADvTECH Group, a JSE-listed company, is Africa’s largest private education provider and a continental leader in quality education, training, skills development and placement services. The Group reports its performance in a segmental structure reflecting the Schools and Tertiary as two separate education divisions, and Resourcing as the third division. ADvTECH’s Schools division comprises 10 brands with more than 100 schools across South Africa, including Gaborone International School in Botswana and Crawford International in Nairobi, Kenya. It owns 9 tertiary brands, across 30 campuses across South Africa and the rest of Africa, and its higher education division, The Independent Institute of Education, is SA’s largest and most accredited private higher education provider. ADvTECH’s 9 resourcing brands places thousands of candidates annu-

ally, assisting graduates to make the transition from the world of study to the world of work. ABOUT Dr Jacques Mostert

A renowned educational expert with more than two decades of experience locally and internationally, Dr Mostert holds a BEd Honours (Cum Laude) and MEd in Curriculum Design from University of Johannesburg. He completed a UK Qualified Teacher Accreditation from the University of East London in the UK as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in Social, Emotional and Behaviour Difficulties from Leicester University in the UK. He completed his PhD in Psychology of Education through the University of Johannesburg. Dr Mostert was awarded the Outstanding grade for Teaching and Learning by Her Majesty’s Office in Standard in Education (Oftsed). Following his work in the UK, Dr Mostert was appointed Head of Department of Psychological Sciences at the American University of the Middle East in Kuwait. He managed qualitative and quantitative research projects, has published peer reviewed articles in international journals, presented and international education conferences, led and presented staff development seminars and is currently the Academic Manager of ADvTECH’s Niche School Brands in South Africa. Dr Mostert has conducted experiential research in education in Denmark, the UK, South Africa and The Netherlands.

Issue 20 - June 2021

Your Wellness Matters

83% OF GIRLS IN SOUTH AFRICA ARE USING FILTERS OR RETOUCHING APPS BY THE AGE OF 13 Tsolofelo Mhabe

Over the years Dove, as one of the leaders in self-esteem education around the world, through their Dove Self-Esteem Project, has aimed to drive purposeful conversations that bring about positive change to people and society. Dove recently launched the ‘Reverse Selfie’ film which represents how far retouching apps can distort reality and how young girls are digitally self-distorting their appearance for social media. Rooted in new research commissioned by the Dove Self-Esteem Project, the film undoes the emotional and physical stages of posting a selfie; highlighting how editing tools once only available to the professionals can now be accessed by young people at the touch of a button without regulation and, rather than models on set, it’s girls in their bedrooms filtering away their identities. After a year of increased screen-time due the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent increased exposure to unrealistic beauty ideals and pressures, there has never been a more important time to act. The research that informed the making of the film highlights some major issues that girls are facing around the world, finding that 80% of girls using retouching apps by the age of 13, globally, but in South Africa, that number is even higher – 83%, highlighting the issues that social media brings

Original

about for the young people in our country. “In our efforts to create a world where beauty is a source of confidence, not anxiety, we would like to raise awareness about the importance of having conversations with the young people in your life about self-esteem and digital distortion in social media. If the research that has been done is anything to go by, then we as individuals throughout this country need to unite to empower young people to be their most authentic selves. As Dove, we are providing a Confidence Kit, a free resource on our website, with tools for parents, teachers, and mentors with the aim of empowering young people and turning these numbers around,” notes Sphelele Mjadu, Unilever Beauty & Personal Care Senior PR Manager for Africa. Based on these findings, which highlight the importance that influencers play in the how young people view the world and themselves, Dove South Africa has partnered with well-known personalities and advocates for real beauty; Lesego Legobane (also known as Thickleeyonce), Hulisani Ravele, Bothlale Boikanyo, Chantel Struwig and Tasneem Valley to name a few. Through these partnerships we hope that we can continue to create awareness and educate and remedy the negative effects of social media and create a movement for

Filter

change, standing against digital distortion of images on social media. Dove Beauty Behind The Filter: South Africa Research Findings

Social media filters and editing apps have dramatically changed the way girls can be creative with their photography; allowing them to experiment with self-expression. But when they distort the way girls really look in an attempt to meet unrealistic standards that cannot be achieved in real life, they can have a lasting and harmful impact on girls’ self-esteem. New Dove Self-Esteem Project research reveals the extent of the issue:

• 83% of girls in South Africa have applied a filter or used an app to change the way they look in their photos by the time they are 13 (compared to 80% globally) • 83% of girls try to change or hide at least one body part/ feature before posting a photo of themselves (compared to 77% globally) Understanding the relationship between social media appearance pressures and self-esteem • On average, every day, South African girls spend almost 2.5 hours on social media in South Africa • South African girls take an average number of 13 selfies before they are happy

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

83% OF GIRLS IN SOUTH AFRICA ARE USING FILTERS OR RETOUCHING APPS BY THE AGE OF 13 Partner Content

posting on social media • 61% of South African girls spend more than 10 minutes getting ready for a photo that they want to post on social media • Girls with lower body esteem are more likely to use an app / filter to change an aspect of their body (76%) than girls with higher body esteem (58%) • Girls with lower body esteem distort their photos more before posting on social media (77%) than girls with high body esteem (64%) Importantly, South African girls said that if images on social media were more representative of the way girls look in everyday life, they would feel more confident: • 81% of girls wish the world would focus more on who they are instead of what they look like • 78% of girls wish social media would be more representative of different types of beauty (show there are lots of ways to look different and that’s ok) • 60% of girls feel that influencers/celebrities should have to tell followers when their photos have been edited on social media • If images on social media were more representative of the way girls look, this would lead to 80% of girls feeling more confident

Research at the University of West England and body image expert says “Although certain aspects of social media can promote connection and well-being, in recent years dozens of scientific studies have shown that social media can negatively influence body confidence, mood, and self-esteem. This happens when users spend significant amounts of time posting selfies, using editing apps and filters to alter their appearance, comparing themselves to others, and seeking validation through comments and likes. It’s therefore imperat i v e

How you can get involved Dove aims to contribute to a more inclusive, less apologetic definition of beauty so young people growing up with social media also grow up with confidence #NoDigitalDistortion. Take action with us at Dove.com/Confidence and download the new Confidence Kit to talk to a young person in your family or your community about social media and self-image. Use the dedicated section on social media and discuss the challenges young people face online, to help make social media a positive space where they can freely be themselves.

Making social media a positive and creative space

It’s clear from the research that young people in South Africa are facing serious challenges in the digital era where social media currency and self-esteem are in a constant battle. We need to help young people navigate social media in a positive way, making it more about self-expression and less about validation. The Dove Self-Esteem Project research also shows that using the Project’s educational tools with young people, including workshops, online articles, and digital games, can boost young people’s body confidence and skills to navigate media in a healthier way. Professor Phillippa Diedrichs, Research Psychologist at the Centre of Appearance

ed online tool which empowers parents and carers to help children navigate appearance pressures and the world around them. It includes a dedicated section to help adults understand the challenges that young people face online, to encourage conversation and provide tips on how to make social media a healthy place where young users can flourish – from curating a positive and diverse social media feed to recognising that social media is a highlight reel of people’s ‘best bits’. The Confidence Kit is part of the Dove Self-Esteem Project’s mission to help 250 million kids with self-esteem education by 2030, making it the largest provider of self-esteem and body confidence education in the world.

that w e help young people to develop skills to navigate social media in a healthy and productive way.”

The new Confidence Kit from the Dove Self-Esteem Project

Created in partnership with the Centre for Appearance Research at the University of West England – the world's largest research group focusing on the role of appearance and body image in people's lives – the Dove Self-Esteem Project tools are academically validated and free to download. Including a new Confidence Kit, a dedicat-

Follow Dove on social media and join the conversation using #BehindTheFilter #NoDigitalDistortion #LetsChangeBeauty • Facebook (@DoveSouthAfrica) • Instagram (@dove) • Twitter (@Dove_ZA)

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Issue 20 - June 2021

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

THERE’S A SPECIAL PLACE I GO TO HIT PAUSE ON THE NOISE IN MY LIFE Tsolofelo Mhabe

Why working in a garden takes you back to your roots What do you hear when you truly listen? For a while, I heard a lot of noise. I’m not talking about the noise you hear when you turn on the news (there should be a health warning that comes with this particular endeavour). I’m not even talking about when you unmute your WhatsApp notifications – only to receive yet another COVID death notice. I heard my own noise. The unending checklist of tasks I needed to get done for the business, as well as other responsibilities that await me as a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. If I listened closer, I would’ve heard my heart-rate peaking from the sprinting I was doing in my head. My emotions and nerves were shot, and my kids, who sounded louder and whinier than usual, felt the wrath of my irritability. And so, at the height of a farming peak season, I reached for my internal pause button. This is where other clever agripreneurs would be salvaging the blessing of gloriously warm days and imminent rainfall, after a dry spring. I took a break from the business of installing and tending to my clients’ backyard food gardens, despite there still being a demand for my services. I decided to tend to my own garden. The first task was to weed out all the “yucky stuff”, as my 7-year-old son says. I started exercising again, to shed the excess luggage I’d picked up during lockdown. Working with a biokineticist has helped fix my disfigured core, improving my posture even when I’m working in the garden. My mood has improved and so have my stress-levels. The next task was a revelation. Exercise alone wasn’t going to make me feel more like myself again. I added breath work and meditation, as well as a more plant-based diet. That’s when I started to see the magic happen. I feel more grounded now, thanks to the yoga and breathing techniques. I’ve learnt

how to release all that doesn’t serve me, and bring in what I needed to improve sleep and feel bliss. I have become precious, once more, about whether the vegetables I was eating were grown using indigenous, natural and organic methods. I go out of my way to collect organic veggies from my parents’ food garden, as well as from other organic farmers I’ve supported in the past. I spend more time in my own garden, weeding, and trimming overgrown plants. I harvest tomato for making sauces. I have found glorious plants I’d forgotten I had planted in spring, the most stunning being crystal apple cucumber and cucamelon, which I’d never planted before. I was pleasantly surprised by a butternut plant that grew from our compost heap, pushing its way through the wooden compost box, and spreading over our small backyard garden. What emerged from that are 10 extraordinary butternuts we’ve started enjoying and sharing. We’ve been devouring homegrown potatoes of intriguing colours. I had forgot-

ten how flavourful organic butternut and potatoes could be, no match for anything we’ve bought from the store. I’ve fallen in love with gardening and vegetables again. My clients were doing great with the gardens we helped them start. We could rejoice from each bountiful harvest from our backyards, while contending with Mother Nature’s pests. With food as our medicine, my family and I also always have herbs as part of our meals, and medicinal herbs such as African Wormwood (Umhlonyane), to boost our immune systems where needed. We religiously drink shots of Buchu to keep illness at bay (touch wood). Nothing warms my heart like hearing the kids recounting health as top of the list of things they are grateful for. I feel more ready as I work my way towards pressing PLAY on business, preparing new and existing edible gardens for the change of season. I hope I’ll remember to breathe through each moment, pause often, and be grateful for the gifts of health and happiness. Gone is the noise. It’s refreshing to hear birds and quiet again.

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

FIVE IMMUNE-BOOSTING FOODS TO KEEP YOU HEALTHY IN THE WINTER MONTHS Supplied Content

The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the focus on immune-boosting foods, resulting in consumers making healthier lifestyle and food choices. With winter around the corner, now is the time to consider whether your daily food intake is providing the full health benefits you require. Functional foods, for example, are a critical part of a well-balanced diet because they offer health benefits beyond simple nutritional intake. According to Registered Dietitian, Megan Pentz-Kluyts, our current interest in health and wellness can lead to a greater understanding of the functional impact of healthier foods. “At the core of science-based nutrition advice is to enjoy eating a variety of foods, every day. It’s this variety that exposes us to benefits from a wide range of foods. Fruit and vegetables are key food groups and should be well-represented in what we eat daily. We can add other foods and beverages that also play a role in the healthy functioning of the body and contribute to strengthening our immune function,” she says. When it comes to foods with functional benefits, the Libstar family has a diverse portfolio of products that form part of an immune-boosting diet. These include dairy products from LANCEWOOD®, Denny Mushrooms, Khoisan Gourmet Rooibos Tea, Goldcrest honey and nuts from Ambassador Foods. Pentz-Kluyts highlights some of the health benefits offered by these foods with simple ways to incorporate them into your family’s daily eating regime: Rooibos Tea

You can start the day with a good cup of caffeine-free rooibos tea. This delicious, proudly South African tea is abundant in polyphenols, which are antioxidants that are anti-inflammatory and antiviral.

Pentz-Kluyts says, “Rooibos tea can help to fight colds and infections and support the immune system. Rooibos also contains aspalathin, an antidiabetic miracle worker that together with the correct food choices, can help balance glucose levels and improve insulin resistance.[i]” Honey

Used in baking, as an alternative to sugar for sweetening hot drinks and smoothies, or just enjoyed as a healthier spread, raw honey is an age-old remedy and is still commonly used to promote digestive health. “Our digestive system is an integral part of our immune functioning,” Pentz-Kluyts says. “‘Honey is known for its prebiotic qualities, which means it nourishes the good bacteria in our gut.” Nuts

These are great snacks on their own but can be added to breakfast, lunch and supper dishes, as well as lunchboxes and baked treats. It’s easy to add more nuts into your family’s daily diet, and when you do, you add a nutritional powerhouse. Pentz-Kluyts points out, “As an example, walnuts are loaded with essential fatty acids and minerals like manganese, copper, potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. These micro-nutrients play important roles in the functioning of our bodies and can strengthen immune function.” Dairy

Dairy is a family favourite and greatly valued as an important daily source of calcium for building strong bones and teeth in growing children. It is also an affordable high-quality protein that helps the whole family in maintaining health and building resilience. Pentz-Kluyts says, “It’s less well-known that dairy also contains both Vitamin B12 and selenium which play their roles in healthy immune

functioning. Fermented dairy products such as yoghurt contain probiotics, which strengthen immunity by promoting digestive health.” Setting out to support your family’s health through maintaining the health of their microbiome is an achievable goal. “Based on the increasing knowledge of the microbiome, it’s important to feed the body’s gut flora by eating a more varied diet including lots of high-fibre foods and fermented foods. Kefir, yoghurt and pickles such as sauerkraut and kimchi are all examples of fermented delicacies,” explains Pentz-Kluyts. Mushrooms

Many families are including more plant-based meals in their eating regimes, and mushrooms have an important role to play in this dietary change. Mushrooms are a low-calorie, low-cholesterol, and low-sodium food with a lot of potential as a meat alternative and as a versatile star ingredient in many different kinds of dishes. “Mushrooms contain powerful polysaccharides called beta-glucans,” says Pentz-Kluyts. “Preliminary evidence suggests that mushrooms may support healthy immune and inflammatory responses through interaction with the gut microbiota, enhancing development of adaptive immunity, and improved immune cell functionality.” It’s important to know that no one food or food group can prevent sickness, but we can reduce our vulnerabilities to infections through following the South African food-based dietary guidelines and eating a variety of foods. With the winter months fast-approaching, our increased focus on family health and wellness is taking us on a journey to learn more about a wide range of functional foods that can help increase immunity.

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

FUSSY EATERS Tsolofelo Mhabe

How to make sure the kids’ feeding time is not mission impossible For parents, getting their little one to eat may sometimes feel like mission impossible, which can create tension and anxiety in parents, which is not great for the entire family dynamic. “Without an understanding of how young children eat, many parents find themselves disillusioned about feeding their child and misunderstanding them as ‘fussy’ eaters. This can lead to life-long issues around food,” says Dr Iqbal Karbanee, paediatrician and CEO of Paed-IQ BabyLine. He adds that surprisingly, there are cultural and societal expectations, together with that of the parents’, that can sometimes get in the way of understanding how your child eats. Below Dr Karbanee elaborates on the above and gives his top tips to help parents and children survive the very normal “fussy” eating phase. Should parents get “fussy” eaters to take that next bite? When a baby or toddler refuses certain foods or does not eat at regular mealtimes which adults are accustomed to, it can create tension and anxiety. Without an understanding of how young children eat, many parents find themselves disillusioned about feeding their child and misunderstand them as “fussy” eaters. This can lead to life-long issues around food.

This is the view of Dr Iqbal Karbanee, paediatrician and CEO of Paed-IQ BabyLine, who says that a lot of conflict arises when parents expect their children to conform to certain unfounded expectations around eating patterns and food preferences, which can be avoided. BabyLine is South Africa’s trusted telephonic medical advice service for the first 1000 days of a child’s life, starting from conception to birth and beyond. “Childhood is a dynamic phase, and as a child grows and changes developmentally and physically, their nutritional requirements are also changing, ” says Karbanee. He says that when it comes to butting heads with “fussy” eaters, it is often within the 18-month to 3-year-old category where feeding tantrums, food refusal and picky or select eating give parents headaches. He adds that parents must learn to be more dynamic in adapting to the unique needs of their child. “Although feeding and nutrition should be viewed in the context of a child’s individuality, unfortunately we also have to consider the cultural and societal norms that come with the family, as well as the influence of others on our expectations of eating,” says Dr Karbanee. He stresses the need for parents to understand that their young child is an individual, and as long as they fall within the basic developmental parameters, then they’re still within normal limits and doing fine. Below he gives his top tips to help parents and children survive the very normal “fussy” eating phase: • Patience is a virtue – parents may need to offer a certain food to a child on many sepa-

rate occasions before they’ll stop rejecting it. Just keep trying while showing your child how much you enjoy the food yourself. • A child’s stomach is only the size of their fist, so they’re only comfortable eating small portions of nutritious meals and snacks. • Sometimes it’s also as if children go through certain phases where they crave more protein or more carbohydrate in their diet. Go with the flow and allow your child to eat when they are hungry, and don’t become stressed if they skip a meal here or there. Look at your child’s food intake over an entire week before worrying whether there’s a problem. • Don’t give your child excess fluids like milk or juice or other snacks between meals. Allow them to develop that hunger so that they can eat in a healthier way. • Keep mealtimes happy, positive and fun. • Don’t react if your child refuses food. Provide positive feedback even when their food is only touched, smelled, licked or tasted. • Parents should only seek professional help if their child is not drinking fluids, not growing well, and/or becoming anxious or upset around food. If you are uncertain whether your child’s fussy feeding behaviour is anything serious, consider phoning a reputable medical advice line, which can help you quickly understand whether or not you need to take your child to a doctor. “Children eat very differently to adults. Adults seem to have regular meals at certain times, sometimes whether they’re hungry or not. We should actually aim to eat more like children, because they will eat only as much as they need to eat,” Dr Karbanee concludes.

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

FIVE SIGNS THAT YOU ARE COLLAGEN DEFICIENT

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With winter on its way, is your body sending you the sign’s that it's collagen-deficient? If your neck is drooping, your hair is drying out and your joints ache, these are all warning signs that you may be collagen-deficient. And the worst is yet to come. Catherine Clark, the Owner and Founder of Harvest Table says that while there is no way to measure the amount of collagen in your body, you can generally tell when your body doesn’t have enough. “Collagen deficiency strikes nearly everyone over the age of 30. As you age, your body naturally begins to manufacture less collagen. But this is the glue that holds your body together and without it, your body literally starts falling apart. So if you have any of the signs that you may have a collagen deficiency, it’s time to act,” Catherine explains. Catherine shares five of the key signals that you could be collagen deficient. 1. Wrinkling

It’s not just your imagination, winter really is harder on your skin as cold air and wind strip away the skin’s hydration. That’s why you will often see more wrinkles appearing in the colder months, especially on your face. The great news is that collagen will keep your skin strong and elastic. Collagen aids in the skin’s hydration and helps wound repair and stretch marks by improving skin elasticity. It will also help your fingernails and hair grow and keep your teeth strong. 2. You lose flexibility

If your collagen stores are running low, you may lose some flexibility and find that your tendons and ligaments are stiffer. Whether you head indoors during winter or brave the cold outside, collagen can aid in exercise recovery and muscle growth. Glycine and arginine, two of the most important amino acids found in collagen, play a role in helping to form and repair muscle tissue, healing injuries, sparing tissue wasting, boosting the metabolism and aiding in muscle development. 3. Joint pain

Another all too common problem you may experience is joint pain. Though we often assume this is a natural part of ageing or caused by over-exercising, it can actually be due to a collagen deficiency. Cartilage is the buoyant, rubber-like tissue that covers the ends of long bones at the joints and it’s mostly made up of collagen. A collagen deficiency leads to more bone-on-bone movement, which can cause excessive friction that will lead to inflammation and may eventually progress to arthritis. Collagen will assist your body in preventing joint stiffness, swelling and pain. 4. Cellulite

A collagen deficiency can also result in worsening cellulite. When the fatty tissues underneath your skin push upward against your body’s connective tissues, the skin at the surface begins to pucker, resulting in cellulite. As your levels of collagen reduce, your

skin becomes less firm, grows thinner and becomes more vulnerable to damage. The result is the all too familiar “orange peel” look that worsens with age. Collagen will boost your cell renewal and the skin’s suppleness and will reduce the all too obvious signs of cellulite.

5. Digestive problems

Uncomfortable bloating and other gut symptoms can be an indication that your body needs more collagen. A lack of collagen in the gut can lead to intestinal permeability or “leaky gut syndrome” and symptoms include constipation, diarrhoea, brain fog, fatigue and an impaired immune system. Again, this is easy to reverse if you boost your body’s collagen levels. Catherine says that the easiest and most efficient way to address a collagen deficiency is to look after your body with the right diet and supplements. “While we often think of wellness in terms of what we can see and apply on the outside, there’s a lot that can, and should, happen on the inside,” Catherine explains. “By supplementing your diet with collagen and making it part of your daily routine, you can vastly improve your skin and boost immune, cardiovascular and digestive health. Healthy winter skin and joints are only one scoop away.” Harvest Table has a wide range of collagen products that are available from www.harvesttable.co.za. Follow Catherine on Instagram: @whole_healthy_me.

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO COMBAT THE ROOT CAUSES OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN SOUTH AFRICA Supplied Content

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Childhood obesity is a growing global epidemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) obesity report of April 2020, the global prevalence of obesity is 340 million children. In the South African context, there is a combined overweight and obesity prevalence of 13.5% in children aged 6–14 years which is higher than the 10% global prevalence in schoolchildren. Being overweight as an infant increases the risk of being overweight as a child, which in turn increases the risk of being overweight as an adolescent and adult. The results from the largest and longest running longitudinal birth cohort study, the Birth to Twenty study in Soweto, showed that obese girls between the ages of four and six were 42 times more likely to be obese in their teens, compared to their peers of normal weight. The first step is to understand childhood obesity. The most obvious causes are overeating and under exercising. But like all chronic diseases, the root causes of childhood obesity run much deeper. The complex causes of childhood obesity can be genetic, biological, psychological, social, cultural, environmental and economic. We inherit our genes from our parents, and it has been estimated that 40-70% of our chance of having obesity is due to our genes. While our genes influence our risk for obesity; the impact of their contribution can be modified by environmental factors such as our life choices and habits which include healthy eating and physical activity. Both children of overweight parents and children subjected to malnutrition during pregnancy or infancy are likely to become obese later in life. In fact mounting evidence suggests that the origins of childhood obesity can be found as early as the “first 1000

days” - the period from conception to age 2 years. Several risk factors during the first 1000 days including higher maternal pre-pregnancy BMI, maternal excess gestational weight gain, high infant birth weight, and accelerated infant weight gain, are consistently associated with later childhood obesity. On the other hand, breastfeeding has been described as a protective factor, and the more exclusively and the longer children are breastfed, the greater their protection from obesity. Studies have also shown that stunting or short stature in children is associated with the increased risk for obesity during adulthood. Children with stunting have lower resting energy expenditure compared to non-stunting children. Stunted children also have higher respiratory quotient and carbohydrate oxidation but lower fat oxidation compared to non-stunting children. These results might explain why stunted children easily become obese, which is due to lower fat oxidation leading to the tendency to store fat. The population group that is most vulnerable to the obesogenic environment we live in is children. What does this obesogenic environment look like? Unhealthy foods at supermarket tills, on phones or billboards, increased screen time and sedentary behaviour, cultural beliefs such as expectations to be voluptuous, or poor knowledge of healthy foods. Poverty in South Africa has also been associated with a change in food consumption patterns whereby healthier foods, such as fruits and vegetables are more expensive than energy-dense junk foods. Energy-dense foods are high in fat and sugar but low in vitamins and minerals and unfortunately this becomes the food of choice for

those who are living in poverty. The obesity epidemic mirrors these changes in the food environment. Once associated with Western diets, the increase in processed foods is now seen in many lowand middle-income countries and is undermining local diets. Easily available sugary drinks and junk food at schools contribute to children overindulging in unhealthy food. A child’s sugar intake should be no more than 100 calories from added sugars - 25 grams of sugar or less than six teaspoons a day. It is very easy to get these numbers wrong. A 330ml can of sweetened gas colddrink contains on average seven teaspoons of added sugar and contains 139 calories from added sugar (already more than the daily quota). Parents, as the single biggest influence on their children should introduce healthy eating habits from six months onwards and lead by example. Dietary behaviors develop in the early years of life. During the second year of life, children share their food environment with parents and siblings in family. This shared “family food environment” influences children’s dietary intake, and provides a fundamental target setting for improving eating behaviors among children. Parents also need to negotiate an activity plan with their children. This is likely to evolve around television viewing time, which can be used as a reward for being active. There are many chores around the house that involve physical activity and these can also be included in a daily activity plan. Obviously, compliance will be best when the child is involved in activities that he enjoys, so efforts should be made to maximise these opportunities.

Continued on page 15

Issue 20 - June 2021

Your Wellness Matters

LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO COMBAT THE ROOT CAUSES OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN SOUTH AFRICA Supplied Content

There is no singular solution for obesity, and involvement of all sectors is needed. The food industry is a vital factor in any potentially successful long-term strategy to prevent obesity. By producing new products low in energy density and improving the nutritional quality (and reducing the energy content) of existing products, as well as through advances in responsible marketing and labelling, the food industry can provide foods that are lower in energy but higher in essential nutrients. The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa (HSFSA) will continue to advocate at all levels for a healthier environment and create public awareness around childhood obesity. The Heart Mark programme is one such tool used to make it easier for parents to make the healthier choices when faced with a variety of options at the grocery store. It helps them to identify healthier products that contain less added sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, and more fibre compared to other similar products. The food industry is not the sole factor. The Government has shown intent by announcing tax on sugar-sweetened beverages and

draft legislation to restrict the advertising of unhealthy foods to children. Swift and effective implementation of these policies are vital. We are also in the middle of a COVID-19 pandemic which has layered a crisis on a crisis. Thankfully, children are rarely seriously affected by medical complications of COVID-19 However, there is some indication that young people with obesity are at higher risk of severe outcomes. During this time, it is vital to ensure policies to promote child health are included in government’s agenda. The complexity of the obesity epidemic is often cited to explain the little success in turning the tide and perhaps as an excuse not to make the changes we know are necessary. The 2016 WHO Report on Ending Childhood Obesity clearly outlines a comprehensive action plan. Recommendations include addressing norms, treating children who are already obese, promoting intake of healthy foods and physical activity, improved preconception and pregnancy care, healthier school environments, and curbing the marketing of unhealthy foods.

The South African Department of Health have incorporated these guidelines in their own Strategy for the prevention and control in South Africa of obesity framework. Childhood obesity is singled out within this strategy as a specific area of focus. Clearly early interventions should already be addressed during pregnancy and infancy. Modifiable risk factors in the first 1,000 days can inform future research and policy priorities and intervention efforts to prevent childhood obesity. The President of the World Obesity Federation, Professor Ian Caterson, calls for decisive action “If governments hope to achieve the WHO target of keeping child obesity at 2010 levels, then the time to act is now.” We can end the childhood obesity epidemic if we act together. If we want to have a real impact on childhood obesity in South Africa, we need to work together to address its many root causes and acknowledge that everybody has a part to play. An urgent and comprehensive approach including parents, food industry and governments is needed to reverse this epidemic in the country.

LUNCHBOX DEBATE: PAEDIATRICIAN WEIGHS-IN Refiloe Nomdada

Local social media sites recently lit up with flurry of activity when a mom posted about having sent her child to school with a non-alcoholic cider when she had supposedly run out of juice to include in the child’s lunchbox for the day. It has since been found that the post that circulated was fake. Despite this, the incident, which sparked some hilarious but divided social media comments from parents, showed just how different parents’ views are when it comes to drink and snack choices for their little ones. Dr Iqbal Karbanee, a paediatrician and CEO of Paed-IQ BabyLine, a trusted telephonic medical advice service for the first 1000 days of a child’s life, starting from conception to birth and beyond, says that the “lunchbox” incident has highlighted the need to discuss what being healthy means, and how parents can help their children eat healthy and stay healthy. “Children learn by watching their parents’ behaviour. If families regularly eat unhealthy food, this may result in bad habits, and may negatively impact the

health of the children over the long term,” says Karbanee. He adds that when it comes to fruit juices in a lunch box, water is always preferred, and sugary drinks should be kept to a minimum. “This is because fruit juice contains fructose that is a type of sugar. In excessive quantities this can result in loose stools as well as cramping of the tummy. Fruit juice should also be limited due to the effect of on the teeth in young children. Milk teeth enamel is easily affected. It is recommended to always dilute fruit juice with water at least 50/50 to reduce this effect specifically. Fruit juices also have quite intense sweet tastes generally. Children love them for this reason. Diluting the juice makes this taste less intense and is beneficial in this way. Diluting fruit juice helps reduce the loose stools associated with large amounts of concentrated juice in the diet. As a rough guide children should not get more than 250ml of juice per day.”

He adds that lunchboxes are the cornerstone of healthy food habits from a young age. “In order to provide enough energy to concentrate and participate properly at school, the lunchbox should contain snacks that are wholesome. Dried fruit, nuts, yoghurt, vegetable sticks like carrots and cucumber are great. Two slices of bread are usually enough. Try and limit the amount of high fat content in the bread. It is best to keep the cheese and polonies to a minimum,” says Karbanee. He adds that it is an opportune time for all parents to reconsider what they deem healthy or appropriate food choices for their kids. “Eating healthy starts early on in life. If there are changes to be made, it should not be an isolated event, but rather, the changes should be extended to the whole family. Neither should this be a temporary change but should become part of a lifestyle that can have positive effects for the whole family,” concludes Karbanee.

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Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

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Issue 20 - June 2021

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

CITY-ZEN COMMUNITY PROJECT Refiloe Nomdada

CITY-ZEN community project City-Zen is a community project, registered as a NON-Profit Organisation, with the aim of creating cleaner, greener and safer cities. Started by Dan Hunt and Najen Naidoo, who met through their mutual passion for their communities and wanting to be part of the solution to South Africa’s numerous social challenges. Dan started out cleaning the Rivonia section of the Sandspruit River, spending 10 years cutting back growth and bush along the river banks to create the pristine environment it is today which is now home to fish, ducks, walking and bike trails and is secured with cameras. During this time Najen was actively working in the community tackling crime and looking for alternate ways to reduce crime through the creation of jobs for the unemployed

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and homeless. Soon after meeting they decided to join forces and form City-Zen. The aim of City-Zen is to build an active community of engaged citizens who are looking to reduce crime through the creation of employment whilst uplifting their own neighborhoods. It is a project by the community for the community. Research indicates that neighborhoods struggling with physical decline and high crime often become safer simply when local residents work together to clean and fix up their neighborhood and enjoy the public spaces together driving the criminal element out. City-Zen provides jobs for the unemployed and under privileged by helping them make a meaningful contribution to the community and to develop basic skills

and trust in the neighborhood whilst earning a dignified living. City-Zen has a current team of 5 people, mostly previously unemployed and 5 casuals and around 10 informal vendors, car guards and beggars at the various intersection who actively weed, sweep and clean their surrounds. The idea is to provide purpose and meaning to the lives of the less fortunate whilst providing them with a decent days wage instead of just begging for a living. The general cleanup areas currently cover well over 10 square kilometers and includes Rivonia and parts of Gallo Manor, Morningside and Bryanston. By raising donations from residents and companies in the area who see the work we are doing we are hoping to increase the footprint to more and more areas. Our aim is to make a meaningful difference in the city where

Issue 20 - June 2021

Your Wellness Matters

CITY-ZEN COMMUNITY PROJECT Refiloe Nomdada

residents are willing to donate to help employ the less fortunate who are doing an honest day of work that the donors can see every day of their lives. The end result is a greener, safer environment for families. For more information, please visit our website www.city-zen.co.za.Follow us on social media @cityzenza. For more media information please contact Mandy at mandyroff@mweb.co.za. Founders South African born Dan Hunt and is a passionate supporter of environmental and social upliftment projects. Dan was inspired to reclaim a beautiful, but neglected stretch of Witwatersrand water. Funding it himself, he set out to clean up a 2.5km stretch of the Sandspruit in Eden-

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burg, Sandton and drove the project to today’s success. covering many public spaces in the greater Sandton area with plans to extend the project to the whole of South Africa. Dan Hunt is passionate entrepreneur and philanthropist. He has built a successful logistics business in South Africa and Africa and uses his spare time to drive his passion of help the unfortunate and to uplift the public spaces around him. His dream is to take City-Zen nationally so that all people in South Africa can improve their lives and take an active interest to help the poor they come in contact with by providing them with purpose and the dignity of a job. Dan Hunt, Najen Naidoo and Janyce Dalziel (The Trustees), decided to found City–Zen a Non-Profit Company to raise funds from donations from residents and

local companies in order to fund and expand the City-Zen activities to create Cleaner, Greener and Safer cities for all people in South Africa. Najen Naidoo has been involved in working with several PBOs and social enterprises throughout the African continent including assisting with feeding schemes in disaster zones working with the WHO and United Nations to ensure the victims received the support they needed. He has also consulted to the UNOPS, Kellog Foundation and Rockerfeller Foundations. Najen has run his own Management Consulting practice for the last 15 years helping blue chip companies in South Africa to structure their operations to ensure alignment between employees who make the money and the shareholders of the company as well as to maximize their profits.

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

SOCIAL AND FINANCIAL RESOURCE IS NEEDED FOR A HEALTHY ELDERLY POPULATION Supplied Content

This 15th June was World Elder Abuse Day. Officially recognised by the United Nations, and held annually, it represents one day when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted on some of our older generation.

times families are also unsure about what resources are available or are reluctant to ask for assistance in managing a difficult situation with an older person. During these times, the elderly are often subjected to abuse through neglect.

“Elder Abuse is a global social issue which affects the Health and Human Rights of millions of older persons around the world, a problem that exists in both developing and developed countries yet is typically underreported globally”, says Hylton Marks. According to Hylton Marks, a social worker and member of the South African Association of Social Workers in Private Practice (SAASWIPP), one day a year is certainly not sufficient. “In South Africa, non-profit organisations (NPOs) provide the lion’s share of social services to the elderly. Yet, the government has cut grants to NPOs mercilessly. Were NPOs able to function effectively, we’d have a much better-cared for elderly population.”

During the pandemic, social isolation became an increasingly serious issue. People – especially the elderly – already suffer significant physical and emotional harm through being socially isolated. COVID 19 exacerbated this problem enormously.

Marks, whose practice focuses on working with the elderly, believes that there are both conscious and unconscious forms of abuse towards older people. Conscious abuse, in his experience, is often that of financial exploitation. Often substance dependent family members use an older person’s grant to feed their addiction. Further, alcohol abuse in families right across the social spectrum frequently leads to abuse of the elderly. This can be through neglect, physical, emotional or verbal abuse. In some communities, dementia is equated with witchcraft and older persons can be vilified and even physically abused. Unconscious abuse on the other hand could take the form of family members with mental illness lacking insight into the effects of their behaviour on an older person. Some-

“A very serious issue is the non-availability of state subsidized and affordable accommodation for older persons in care homes. And yet this issue appears to be getting no attention or funding from the government. Unfortunately, many older persons are exploited financially – especially by family members who use an older person’s state grant for expenses that have no benefit for the older person.” Hylton also believes that society often underestimate the value that our elderly bring to a healthy family culture. “Working parents often rely on their parents to assist with caring for children. Healthy interaction between children and grandparents provides the younger generation with positive role models and educates them in cultural norms and identity. In healthy families, children learn both social and life skills from grandparents as well as their own parents. For children who have lost one or both parents, or who have been affected by an acrimonious divorce, the stability and nurturance that grandparents can provide is critical. ”Norms in societies world-wide have also changed, with younger people generally

appearing to be less tolerant or mindful of older generations. Social ills have also taken their toll on societies all over the world. However, many young people do still respect and feel a familial bond to their grandparents.” This an important reason for the establishment of outreach and education programmes regarding care of the elderly in communities. Families of older persons need education particularly when affected by an older person suffering from dementia. Resource centres and suitably funded and equipped NPOs and community organisations would be the ideal means of educating people about helping the elderly. “There needs to be more resources made available to older persons and their families,” says Marks. “These include access to social and health services, safe accommodation and effective protection by law. Laws, regulations, policy documents, promises and political statements mean nothing if they are not put into practice. SAPS members, who are almost always the first agency to be approached to assist the elderly when there are allegations or suspicions of neglect and abuse, are already over worked and ill equipped and often lack the training and knowledge to deal with these situations. What is needed is a well-trained police service that is supported by an effective department of social development.” The elderly brought us all into this world. They need to feel that they’ve not been abandoned or forgotten. Concludes Marks: “The best thing you can do for the elderly is to protect and care for them with frequent reassurances that their family values and loves them.”

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

NORMALISING DISABILITIES IN THE WORKPLACE Zagreb Kline

Five actions you can use to create a culture of disability inclusion in your business Did you know that one in four employees have been diagnosed with a mental disorder? And, according to the South African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) 39% of people diagnosed with a mental disability do not disclose their condition to their employer because many fears being discriminated against. According to Rajan Naidoo, Managing Director of EduPower Skills Academy, the topic of disability is still fraught with stigma and shame, particularly in the workplace. He believes that companies have to change this mindset, and this starts with creating a culture that embraces diversity and promotes disability inclusion. “Disability inclusion is about far more than hiring people with disabilities. An inclusive workplace values all employees for their strengths and abilities. It offers employees with disabilities an equal opportunity to succeed, to learn, to be compensated fairly and to advance. True inclusion is about embracing difference,” Rajan explains. But how do companies achieve this? As more than 80% of its learners are People With Disabilities (PWD), EduPower is a leader and enabler of skills development for PWD’s. Based on actual experiences, Rajan shares five actions that companies can apply to create a truly inclusive workforce:

1. Commitment from the top

PWD’s and their inclusion in the workplace are now part of the business agenda. Disability inclusion however needs top-level backing to become a company norm. Prove you’re committed to disability inclusion by making it a company policy. This can be a specific policy or the inclusion of disability as part of more general policies on anti-discrimination, diversity or human rights. 2. Skills Development

By recruiting PWD’s, you will not gain real skills, you will be able to support national policy and legislation such as Employment Equity and B-BBEE targets. In the skills development space, you can use learnerships to train PWD’s in the skills required by the business, preparing them for the world of work while also using the 12-month learnership as a screening process. You will be able to claim back the majority of the spend through the higher tax rebates for PWD learnerships and provided you are paying your Skills Development levy; you will be able to claim the Mandatory Grant too. In many cases, the rebates available mean that you can upskill your future PWD’s at zero cost.

4. Remove recruitment barriers

Analyse every step of your recruitment process to make sure there are no barriers for PWD’s. Adverts for jobs and learnerships should make it clear that you’ll provide reasonable accommodations for interviews and the job itself if needed. When it comes to the interview process, remember that your PWD candidates bring creativity, innovation, problem solving and commitment to the workplace so give them the opportunity to demonstrate these strengths. 5. Make your people Champions of Change

individual

The most effective way to promote inclusivity in your company is to empower and encourage all your people to champion the change. The more awareness and teamwork there is in supporting policy, the better the morale, wellbeing and productivity of all your employees. Your people may be apprehensive about someone in a wheelchair or who’s partially sighted in the office simply because of the stigma this carries in society. But guaranteed, when they start working worked together, the disability won’t be an issue. It’s about simply accepting each other as people who have a job to do. It’s about ability, not disability.

You will need to prepare the work environment by making reasonable adjustments to accommodate your PWD’s needs. These could include modifying floorplans and equipment or the content of the job itself. You may also need to adjust working hours, work organisation and the work environment.

Including PWD’s and accommodating their disability-related needs are important moves for companies in terms of talent resourcing and compliance with legislation. Inclusion however is everyone’s responsibility and with your team’s commitment to eliminating the misconceptions and biases that hold PWD’s back, everything is possible.

3. Think needs

flexibly

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Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021

GETTING YOUR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS IN ORDER IN CASE OF DEATH Supplied Content

An increase in the rate of new COVID-19 infections is occurring, and with four of the nation’s nine provinces, including Gauteng which boasts Johannesburg and Pretoria, are already battling a third wave of infections, it is anticipated that the rest of the country will inevitably follow suit. Reflecting on the approximate R160-million in life insurance payouts for COVID-related deaths that Momentum recorded in October last year, it didn’t look like things could get much worse. Fast forward to the end of February 2021, and October 2020 pales in comparison to the staggering R750-million the financial services provider has paid out by then - and that is on its Myriad life insurance product range only. The devastating impact of the pandemic has served as an unfriendly reminder of our own mortality. Nobody likes to talk about death, and while one can never be prepared for it, we can certainly put the right measures in place so that when the time comes, our families and loved ones are able to cope financially. George Kolbe, Head of Retail Life Insurance Marketing at Momentum, explains that the claims figures were dramatically higher during the second wave of infections. The financial services group recorded a 205% increase in the amount of payouts with more than 140% increase in the number of COVID-19 death claims in the second wave when compared to the first - and this is expected to climb further following the third wave. According to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa’s third wave of COVID-19 could see more than 70,000 deaths if there is a ‘slow, weak response’. Unfortunately, even if the response is ‘fast and strong’, we can still expect around 7,800 deaths. “Many of us do not focus on our finances until a crisis hits. But COVID-19 has taught us that we need to prioritise planning for emergencies, and that our financial decisions don’t exist in a vacuum.” He adds, “While many would argue that a focus on the financial consequences of not having cover in place is insensitive during this unprecedented time, it is also, unfortunately, a reality that has to be dealt with. It goes without saying that the death of a

loved one will leave the dependents emotionally vulnerable - and thus it is important to try to limit the impact by not also leaving them financially exposed.” Noting the numbers

In terms of gender split, he says that Momentum saw about two times more COVID-related death claims for male clients, specifically those in the elderly age bracket. “Unsurprisingly, considering the fact that the elderly have been proven to be most vulnerable to the virus, most claim payouts during the second wave were related to those members between 60 and 80 years of age,” said Kolbe. Yet, he warned that COVID-19 is a threat to all people. While the cost of death is difficult to quantify, Kolbe said there are significant expenses that arise when someone passes away. “There are funeral expenses, estate duty and executors fees that will have to be dealt with, and in addition there will also be the regular monthly bills and expenses to cover.” With some light starting to emerge at the end of the tunnel in the form of planned vaccine rollouts, people still need to remain cautious. He adds, “As it stands, the government has secured enough doses to vaccinate approximately 45 million people[i], and we need to adhere to the government vaccination roll-out plan, which sees the most vulnerable of the South African population are prioritised.” Momentum supports the scientific view of the protective power of vaccines and strongly recommends that all South Africans consider getting vaccinated when the opportunity arises, as only if enough people are protected will the socio-economic effects of the pandemic start to be overcome. Leaving a legacy intact

Even with the vaccine roll-out underway, Kolbe warns that the third wave of COVID-19 infections will peak before many people are vaccinated. “And with the third wave - and possibly even successive waves thereafter - it is strongly recommended that South Africans have financial plans in place, with adequate cover to provide for

loved ones if the unimaginable happens.” “Times are tough for many South Africans, so access to cash is the biggest issue,” says Kolbe. But he explains that there are solutions available to ensure your family or loved ones are left with the legacy of sufficient financial provision, in the unfortunate event that anything should happen to you. “To really appreciate and understand the need for life cover, consider the following question: If you died tomorrow, would your loved ones cope financially?” Life cover ensures that your financial responsibilities are taken care of in the event of your death. It replaces the income you would have earned during your working life, ensuring that your family is financially secure. The reality however is that most South Africans do not make provision for these events in the form of an emergency fund, for various reasons. He says that these needs can be addressed cost effectively with life insurance, and life cover specifically. How do you know which cover is right for you?

“There are more specialised versions of life cover that address the estate administration costs and professional fees that would typically be associated with a loved one passing away. If the person who passes on was the breadwinner in the family, specialised forms of life cover exist to replace that loss of income.” Further, he says, you may want to think about leaving some sort of legacy behind for family, friends or a charitable organisation. This is what has earned life insurance the title of the ‘ultimate gift’ to leave behind for a loved one as it can be used to give someone a kickstart in life, such as a child who would be able to then get an education which might not have been possible otherwise. “It goes without saying that the death of a loved one will leave family members emotionally vulnerable. While this cannot be avoided, there are steps that we can actively take that will prevent them from being financially vulnerable in the unfortunate event of our passing.”

Issue 20 - June 2021

Your Wellness Matters

BREAK FREE FROM BACTERIAL VAGINOSIS (BV ) Zagreb Kline

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is the most common cause of abnormal vaginal discharge and has been associated with a range of serious health and reproductive consequences. Despite the availability of a number of oral and intravaginal antibiotic treatment options, its management remains challenging. More than 50 % of women experience recurrent episodes with standard antibiotic-based treatments. A key factor is the failure of antibiotics to fully eliminate vaginal biofilms adhered to cells lining the vagina that contain abundant Gardnerella vaginalis, also known as bacterial vaginosis. BV’s recurrent nature can have a substantial impact on women’s emotional, sexual and

social lives. The most distressing symptom of BV is the distinctive, strong, fishy odour that accompanies a thin, grey or white vaginal discharge. Women report feeling embarrassed, ‘dirty’ and concerned that others may detect the malodour. BETADINE BV Gel is a new, non-antibiotic treatment distributed by Mundipharma South Africa, that has the potential to fulfil areas of unmet clinical need in the treatment of BV. BETADINE BV Gel contains astodrimer sodium, a novel dendrimer-based therapy with a physical mechanism of action that disrupts vaginal biofilms and prevents harmful vaginal bacteria from adhering to vaginal lining, reducing their opportunity to grow

whilst allowing normal vaginal flora to replenish. This helps to normalise the vaginal pH while relieving odour and discharge. BETADINE BV Gel has proven clinical efficacy and safety in 3 large randomised trials in over 500 patients. BETADINE BV Gel provides rapid relief from the unpleasant odour in just 24 hours. Because it acts locally and is not absorbed systemically, BETADINE BV Gel avoids potential issues associated with conventional antibiotics such as systemic side effects, antibiotic resistance, and overgrowth of Candida is minimal. It has a favourable safety profile and is well tolerated. BETADINE BV Gel is applied once-daily for 7 days. It is available over the counter (OTC) in leading pharmacies.

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Your Wellness Matters

Issue 20 - June 2021