YOUR WELLNESS MATTERS | ISSUE 16 | JAN/FEB 2021 by 44ten Media

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Jan/Feb 2021 – Issue 16

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

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Image Credit: Jonx Pillemer. Miss South Africa, Shudufhadzo Musida visits Masijonge Place of Safety, Nyanga Cape Town.

MISS SA RAISES AWARENESS OF FOOD INSECURITY IN CAPE TOWN The Golden Bow Refiloe Nomdada

South Africa’s much-loved Shudufhadzo change through advocacy and other Musida, Miss South Africa 2020, consistsystemic initiatives. a symbol for breastfeeding protection, promotion and support. ently proves that she is as beautiful on She spent time in the Philippi farmlands the inside as on the outside. Last week, visiting KT Grows Organics, one of the she took the opportunity of a free mornmany farms that donate surplus produce ing to spend it on the road with SA Harto SA Harvest. The highlight of the mornvest, South Africa’s fastest-growing food ing for Shudufhadzo was a visit to Masirescue organisation whose mission is to jonge Place of Safety in Nyanga, one of end hunger in South Africa. more than 20 beneficiaries in Cape Town Shudufhadzo was given a whirlwind tour that receives weekly deliveries from SA of SA Harvest’s daily operations - rescuHarvest. Last stop on Miss South Africa’s ing perfectly good food that would have fast-and-furious tour was to the SA Hargone to waste and delivering it to benefivest Cape Town warehouse, the base of ciaries that feed hungry people on a its operation in that region. daily basis, and creating long-lasting Shudufhadzo shared her experience

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with her fans on Instagram and Twitter, saying, “Due to COVID-19, there has been a lot of food insecurity in many communities and organisations like Masijonge Children’s Home. It has become more important now than ever to extend a helping hand to those in need. Organisations like @saharvest are doing their bit to fight food insecurity around our country, but together we can do so much more. Thanks to @brandsouthafrica,

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Your Wellness Matters

Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 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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Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021

Your Wellness Matters

MISS SA RAISES AWARENESS OF FOOD INSECURITY IN CAPE TOWN @saharvest and @gemproject_I got to meet Mama Victoria who started Masijongwe Children’s Home in Nyanga, Cape Town to feed children in need in her community. She cooks and feeds them with the help of donations from organisations such as @saharvest and sometimes from her own pocket.” Shudufhadzo, who received her honours degree in International Relations from the University of Witwatersrand in December, has spoken frequently of her hope to one day use her qualifications to create positive change and have a positive impact by working with the United Nations.

Your Wellness Matters’ Publisher, Jehad Kasu and Shudufhadzo at the SA Harvest Warehouse in Cape Town.

As Shudufhadzo prepares to represent South Africa in the Miss World pageant in the latter part of 2021, she continues to garner the love and admiration of South Africans as the embodiment of beauty-with-a-purpose. Ali Conn, Regional Manager of SA Harvest in the Western Cape, says, “It was an honour and a privilege to have Miss South Africa join us in highlighting the terrible effect of food waste (10 million tons a year goes to waste in South Africa) and in helping to encourage all South Africans to do what they can to end hunger in our country. To blossom as a

SA Harvest Team shares a light hearted moment with Miles Kubheka and Shudufhadzo before her departure back home.

Miss SA assists a member at Masijonge Place of Safety, Nyanga Cape Town.

nation, individuals and communities must have access to enough nutritious food and clean water. This is their basic human right as expressed in the constitution of South Africa. It is humbling to know that Shudu Musida is as passionate

From left: Ali Conn Shudufhadzo Musida and Houda Toefy.

about making this a reality as we at SA Harvest.” To find out more about SA Harvest’s mission to end hunger, go to www.saharvest.org or follow them on @saharvest.

Your Wellness Matters

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6 SUPERFOODS FOR BEAUTIFUL SKIN Supplied Content

Step aside beauty filters – there’s a way to get a 24/7 glow-up effect naturally, and without much effort. Wouldn’t it be great to always look your Insta-model best? Well, just a few small adjustments to your diet could give your skin the nutrients it needs to shine. Are you intrigued yet? It all starts with foods rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and other nutrients straight from mother nature. But why do superfoods, as they are also referred to, have an effect on your complexion? We all know the saying “you are what you eat”, right? When we fuel our bodies with the nutrients it needs, it will start to show in our skin. Because the skin is the largest organ in the body, the foods we eat play an important function in its overall health. The skin protects us from bacteria, viruses, pollution, and chemical substances. So, naturally, what we eat has a direct impact on our skin. A healthy diet full of good fats, antioxidants, vitamin C, collagen, and amino acids is the secret to having radiant, glowing skin - and here are some of the best superfoods to help you shine from the inside out in 2021. Avocado

This little fruit is probably one of the most versatile foods there is. We’ve all seen it used in healthy cake and ice cream recipes, as a face mask, and as a creamy addition to basically any meal of the day, but have you stopped to consider its benefits? Avocados contain healthy fats and are rich in vitamins (especially vitamins E and C) and minerals. These nutrients help regenerate damaged skin cells, improve suppleness, and reduce redness and irritation. Salmon

Jam-packed with omega-3 fatty acids, the nutrients in salmon can do wonders for your skin. That’s because omega-3 helps calm inflammation; inflammation can lead to a breakdown of collagen and elastin, which is why we try and combat it. As we get older, the natural barrier that sits on top of the skin to protect it from the elements starts wearing thin and retains less moisture. That’s when the skin starts to sag and wrinkles start forming. To help counter this, you can make sure you incorporate healthy fats into your diet, and salmon is a great source of those fats. When you have high levels of good fat in your body, it helps the skin maintain healthy levels of oils that

make it look and feel healthier. Blueberries

Free radicals are one of the skin’s worst enemies. They increase inflammation and break down the skin’s collagen, leaving it less firm. Luckily, antioxidants, like vitamin C found in blueberries, can help prevent free radical damage. Blueberries are also a good source of several other vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K and manganese. These help improve your heart health and blood circulation, and ultimately lead to healthier skin. The added boost of vitamin C and anthocyanin can also help your body produce more collagen, giving you the appearance of plumper, healthier skin. Overall, these small, round berries pack a powerful punch when it comes to skin benefits. Bone broth

As unappealing as it may sound, think of bone broth as a super stock that boasts good-for-your-skin collagen. It's also packed with minerals like calcium and magnesium, and essential amino acids that help skin look smooth and firm and increase elasticity. This is especially important as we get older because our bodies break down more collagen. Making sure your body has the right nutrients to replenish collagen is important for skin health. So, how do you incorporate bone broth into your daily diet? If a bone broth soup doesn’t sound like something you’d try, pop it into your protein shake in the morning or mix it into your oatmeal for a savoury version. Lemon

From their rinds to their juicy centres,

lemons are great for the skin. The refreshing citrus contains vitamin C, which helps neutralise free radicals and contributes to collagen and elastin production in the body. Magnesium and potassium can also be found in lemons, which can help improve the appearance and condition of our skin. One study showed that increasing your vitamin C intake increases the levels of antioxidants in the body, so start your day with a glass of lemon water - your complexion will thank you. Turmeric

It’s time to head to the spice rack and grab the container of turmeric. Why? Because of its incredible anti-inflammatory properties. It stimulates circulation, which may help reduce puffiness and under-eye darkness caused by poor circulation. It can also help reduce redness from blemishes and calm skin conditions like eczema. Not only does it add incredible aromatic flavour to Indian dishes, it can also be used in lotions, facemasks, and tea, among many other home remedies, to help bring out your natural glow. Healthy skin comes from nutritious dietary habits that start at home. Superfoods are a great starting point for anyone looking to improve the overall quality of their skin or something to help prevent the appearance of premature ageing. What makes it even sweeter is just how delicious these superfoods are! Chances are that you’ve been eating them without even realising their special properties – why not add a couple more and give those beauty filters a real run for their money?

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Your Wellness Matters

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PLANNING FOR YOUR HEALTH IN 2021 Supplied Content

2020 has been a brutal year, financially and emotionally. The pandemic and its subsequent aftershocks on household income and spending have been severe. Going into the new year, many families are reviewing household expenses and prioritising the ‘must haves’ from the ‘nice to haves’, but also reviewing their level of spend on the ‘must haves’ and whether there are better ways of doing things given their financial situation. Medical scheme membership is one such ‘must have’ that falls squarely into this category – everyone agrees they must have it, but at what price and benefit level?

usual health conditions and complications remain, in addition to the threat of the second wave of COVID-19. The parlous state of public healthcare is well-documented, and hence why access to private healthcare by means of medical scheme membership and gap cover is a non-negotiable for many. “There are many ways of structuring your healthcare needs based on your unique circumstances, benefits usage and budget and why the advice and guidance of a professional healthcare broker will prove invaluable in unpacking all your options, and weighing up the pros and cons of each in line with your specific risk appetite,” explains Rimmer.

“The realisation is that going into the new year, nothing has changed just yet in terms of the COVID-19 pandemic as we face a second wave, and hence our personal financial planning should factor this in for the long term, and how we mitigate the ongoing impact of a severely constrained economy on our finances and income. Reprioritising household budgets is key in navigating through the months ahead, while ensuring that essentials such as access to quality private healthcare are taken care of,” explains Martin Rimmer, CEO of Sirago Underwriting Managers (FSP 4710) an authorised FSP, a gap insurance provider underwritten by GENRIC Insurance Company Limited (FSP 43638), an authorised Financial Services Provider and licensed non-life insurer.

any changes or decisions to your medical scheme benefits, thoroughly investigate and compare your options and ensure that you are not financially compromised by any benefit option change or buydown in benefits by this decision. Most schemes only allow buying-up (getting more benefits) at the beginning of a benefit period, but you can buy-down at any time during the year. Talk to a professional broker and unpack your options together in a plan that will work for you and your family’s needs.

The most crucial aspect right now is to secure your basic healthcare cover needs, such as medical scheme and gap cover options, which will be fundamental to carrying you through a potential health crisis. The

Do a thorough analysis of your current day-to-day healthcare expenditure, your claims history and whether your existing benefits provided sufficient cover or whether you faced out of pocket shortfalls – your

Top new year resolutions when planning your healthcare budget for 2021: Talk to an accredited and professional broker from the outset: Before making

broker will help get this information for you and to unpack and analyse it and what it means for your healthcare financial planning. Are you healthy or do you have pre-existing, chronic conditions? If you are

considering a buy down in benefit options, it is especially important to check whether any chronic conditions and associated medicines for you and your dependents are covered under the 27 prescribed chronic conditions or whether there would be additional costs for any chronic medicines, and whether the savings on premiums versus out-of-pocket costs are worth it. While a buy down may work for a healthy family with no pre-existing conditions, it may not be suitable for a family with chronic medical conditions that require consistent and long-term treatment.

Get Gap Cover. Most medical schemes have deductibles and co-payments and many members are left out pocket when hospitalised due to shortfalls on what specialist doctors charge which is usually significantly higher than the rate that medical schemes reimburse – this can be especially marked on lower benefit options. Sirago recently paid three large gap claims during 2020 for cancer and musculoskeletal surgeries coming in at R153k, R142k and R162k per claim which were not covered by the medical scheme benefit – until recently, claims of this magnitude were the exception, but are now becoming more common. An average “large loss” gap claim now sits at around a

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PLANNING FOR YOUR HEALTH IN 2021 Supplied Content

R40-60k shortfall. When you consider the potential financial impact of a shortfall on your medical scheme benefits, and that a gap cover premium is around R400 per month for a family (2021 Sirago Gap Plus), and each family member is covered for up to a maximum of R174K per annum (from 1 April 2021), it is clear that Gap Cover is a non-negotiable part of your healthcare strategy, at a very affordable monthly premium. A single gap claim of R60k would be the equivalent of almost 13 years of premium payments at current premium levels. How much self-funding can you realistically take on? If you are considering a

hospital medical scheme benefit option that pays for in-hospital events only, remember that you will need to self-fund any primary care costs, such as day-to-day GP visits, dentistry and optometry for example. Know and understand what the impact of Prescribed Minimum Benefits on your options are, what you would be liable for in terms of non-PMBs and apply the discipline to make provision for when you may need to self-fund these medical needs. Be comfortable with your savings versus the risk you may be exposed to. Get serious about preventative health checks – preventative healthcare checks

mean doctors can detect an illness early and early detection can minimise the severity of an illness, the associated costs of treatment and most crucially, possibly save a life. Many people avoided going for their usual annual checks out of fears of COVID-19 infection, and ended up missing out on early detection of physical changes that could be indica-

tive of specific diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, heart disease and cancer. Commit to your preventative health checks in 2021 and every year. This way, you ensure that any potential health crisis is “nipped in the bud” early and this will have a significant impact on reducing the health, emotional and financial consequences. Get serious about a healthier lifestyle –

no one expects you to go out there and sign up for the ironman or a triathlon, but even small and consistent changes to your lifestyle can have a huge impact on your overall health and directly affect the impact of what you could spend on managing your health. Drink less alcohol and more water, eat healthier foods, kick your smoking habit for good, exercise for a few minutes every day – even a brisk 20 to 30 minute walk is great for body and mind, and most of all, take care of your stress levels and mental wellbeing, especially during tough financial times. Make sure that all important ‘me-time’ to destress and unwind happens.

Case Study

While there are many reasons why someone may want to change their medical scheme options, the most pressing one right now is likely to be affordability, cost and utilisation. For healthier members and families with lower utilisation of benefits, this is a massive consideration of whether the costs justify the usage. “We were on a comprehensive medical scheme option that covers extensively for in hospital and day-to-day benefits and so on. The big issue for me was the cost versus our

actual usage, and whether the eye-watering monthly premium of almost R14 000 really justified it. Our family is healthy and an analysis of our claims history over three years was one of the best exercises we did. It was also a very sobering revelation,” explains Christo Kok, a self- employed business owner. “We averaged five GP visits for the entire family during the year, along with the usual dentistry check-ups for the children and optometry and annual health medicals for my wife and I as we’re both older than 40. When we combined all the costs, including the spend on any prescription and over the counter medicine and preventative screening and so on, our total spend was barely more than one month’s medical scheme premium. It was sobering. Of course, no one knows what the future holds, and being prepared for the costs of an accident or critical illness and required hospitalisation and specialist care in a private facility is a non-negotiable for us. We investigated further and found that we could get all of this cover on a lower benefit option that covers all the relevant PMBs, with a monthly premium that came in at less than a third of what we were currently paying. “We were more than prepared to pick up the costs for any day-to-day GP visits, medicines, dentistry and optometry as out-of-pocket costs, and we would still be saving around R80k per year. After a meeting with our broker to go through our benefit options and what exactly we would be covered for – and not covered for - we moved to a lower ‘core’ benefit option within the same medi-

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PLANNING FOR YOUR HEALTH IN 2021 cal scheme that covers all hospitalisation and PMBs within an approved healthcare provider network. “Gap cover was a non-negotiable for us and we added this at around R400 per month – this picks up any shortfalls on in-hospital procedures and specialist care since the benefit option we are currently on pays this out at 200% of tariff, and potentially providers can charge up to 400% of this rate. Both our medical scheme and gap premium now come in at just under R5k per month, which is a far cry from the R14k we were paying. As my wife and I are both self-employed, there was no relief from any company contributions to medical scheme membership, so this saving is huge for us. It is almost R110k per annum that we can put

towards our savings and to funding any potential out of pocket healthcare expenses in future. With the combination of our medical scheme option and choice of gap cover option, we’re confident that we can face any health crisis in future, in a private, quality health facility, without having to fork out more than we are repaying on our bond repayments every month!” Christo says. Get the balance right for your speciﬁc healthcare needs and budget

Martin Rimmer of Sirago adds: “While consumers increasingly move to more affordable ‘core hospital plans’, adding gap insurance to cover any potential in-hospital tariff shortfalls is essential to protect you

from big financial expenses related to shortfalls on in-hospital treatment, from the anaesthetist to the specialist surgeon. A major health event is usually an unpredictable event and can strike a family at any time which is why the need for healthcare insurance cover, even in tough financial conditions cannot be emphasised enough. Never assume that the only time you need to see your broker is when you have money. It’s exactly when you are weighing up what is essential versus non-essential that your professional broker’s knowledge and impartial advice will shine a light on the way forward, and make sure your health needs are taken care of without crippling financial worries,” concludes Rimmer.

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Your Wellness Matters

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FAD DIETS AND HEALTHY EATING FOR WEIGHT LOSS Partner Content

A fad/crash diet is a trendy weight-loss plan that promises dramatic results. Therearehundreds of bad fad diets out there that promise to melt off the weight without effort. However, they all have one thing in common - they don’t work and can be bad for your health. So why is it that fad diets donʼt work?

Most often these diets require radical changes to eating patterns which are not healthy, practical, or affordable in the long-term, which means they become unsustainable. There’s no magic secret that will cause you to burn dozens of kilos instantly. While fad diets can cause you to drop a lot of weight (often water weight) instantly, it’ll come right back within a week or two. Types of fad diets Diets that focus on meal replacement shakes:

Examples of these diets comprises low calorie meal replacement shakes and often include metabolism-boosting supplements. They are expensive, may cause side effects, and the safety and effectiveness of the supplements hasn’t been researched. Diets that Focus on a few foods or food groups:

Examples include the grapefruit diet, cabbage soup diet, extremely strict vegan and raw food diets, and low carb diets. Eating the same food or food groups limits the kind of nutrients your body needs.

Detox Diets:

Examples of these diets are liquid only cleanses which replace solid foods. These diets have no grounding in science, and your liver and kidneys do an excellent job cleansing your body for you.

How crash diets harm your health

All crash diets end up harming your health and possibly even your heart. The message that crash dieting doesn't work and can be dangerous is a message that gets lost. Firstly, research suggests rapid weight loss can slow your metabolism, leading to future weight gain, and deprive your body of essential nutrients. Secondly crash diets can weaken your immune system and increase your risk of dehydration, heart palpitations, and cardiac stress. Long-term calorie-cutting can eventually lead to heart muscle loss and increase your risk of heart disease. Shortages of potassium, magnesium, and copper have been suggested as possible causes of the arrhythmias (irregular heart beat) seen in crash dieters, and studies have also found that the diets can cause a drop in blood pressure and sodium depletion. Healthy eating plan: Don’t risk the dan-

gers and failure of a bad fad diet that doesn’t work. Start a weight loss eating plan that works. Maintaining a healthy weight is one of the best things you can do to protect your health. Being overweight or obese increases your risk for having a heart attack or stroke. In fact, up to 80% of heart disease and stroke can be prevented by simply living a healthy lifestyle and that includes healthy eating.

Losing weight: Losing weight is not easy.

This does not mean that successful weight loss and keeping the weight off is impossible. However, it is most likely when using a comprehensive approach that includes changing eating habits, increasing activity levels, and making changes to lifestyle habits that can be continued long term.

Simple steps to healthy eating

Enjoy your food but eat less • It’s good to enjoy food and share meals together but eating too much can lead to weight gain, increasing your risk for diabetes and heart disease. • Reduce your portion sizes of fatty, starchy and sugary foods • Portion with caution. Try to portion your plate according to the ‘Plate Model’ where: • ½ of your plate consists of non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, cucumber, carrots • ¼ of your plate consists of high fibre starches such as brown rice, whole wheat pasta, sweet potato, butternut • ¼ of your plate consists of lean protein such as grilled skinless chicken, fish, lean mince, ostrich meat, soya Remember to always look out for the Heart Mark on foods to help you choose healthier options Physical activity

Gradual and sustained weight loss is best achieved by combining a healthy eating pattern with regular physical activity. Aim for at least 150 minutes a week of moderate intensity physical activity - any activities that increases heart rate and breathing rate. If you are not currently exercising or very unfit then it is important to start slow and build up gradually as your fitness levels increase. General weight loss tips

In addition to making healthy food choices and being more active, these tips can be helpful: • Set a goal • Create a regular eating routine on a daily basis • Eat slowly and mindfully • Plan ahead for meal • Get support and encouragement from friends and family

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Your Wellness Matters

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DITCH DETOXES AND REJUVENATE YOUR BODY WITH ROOIBOS THIS NEW YEAR Supplied Content

January typically marks the time of year when we recalibrate our diet towards the cleaner end of the spectrum, after weeks of festive season indulgence. Many claim that tea can help flush out toxins, enhance the immune function and boost energy levels, but how effective is it really? Adele du Toit, spokesperson for the SA Rooibos Council (SARC) explains that when we eat healthily our bodies can detoxify efficiently, but when we consume food with additives, preservatives, artificial flavours and colourants, and drink too much alcohol, this function is hampered. “Tea-drinking may aid in the detox process by encouraging adequate fluid intake, provided that it’s complemented by a healthy diet and cutting out other harmful practices, such as smoking and excessive drinking. Our bodies naturally detoxify via the kidneys, liver, skin and gastrointestinal tract – in which the water component of tea plays a major role. “For generations, our indigenous Rooibos tea has been used to treat a variety of ailments ranging from colic to allergies, but it’s also a great way to rejuvenate your body.” Here’s why: • Low in calories Rooibos is low in calories and is naturally sweet, so you don’t need to add any sugar to it. • May curb your appetite The tea has been proven to decrease the body’s production of cortisol. These stress hormones can increase one’s appetite for comfort food – ultimately leading to weight-gain. • Regulates blood sugar Aspalathin – a polyphenol unique to Rooibos may help to keep blood sugar levels stable. Green Rooibos is especially effective at doing so. Up to six cups of Rooibos tea is recommended for optimal benefits. • Removes free radicals It is packed with antioxidants which help to rid the body of free radicals caused by unhealthy lifestyle habits. • Caffeine-free It is 100% caffeine-free and has a soothing effect, which can aid in a good night’s rest. • Supports vital functions Rooibos aids in digestion and supports bladder, liver and kidney function. • Protects your heart Rooibos may help to protect the heart by improving blood circulation, blood pressure

and cholesterol. • Soothing effect The tea also has a calming effect, relaxing tense and aching muscles. • Keeps you hydrated Every cell in your body needs water to function optimally. Drinking Rooibos is a healthy way to stay hydrated with the added benefit of consuming antioxidants without compromising with sugary drinks. Du Toit says internet searchers for detoxes usually spike in the first few weeks of the new year, but warns that there are no quick fixes to combat excessive overeating and drinking during the holidays. “The average person consumes a whopping 6 000 to 7 000 calories during the festive season – that’s two to three times more than they normally would. To burn it off, you would have to run two marathons, which is equivalent to 84 km. “If you consider that most of us are sedentary during this time, that amount of calories can quickly pack on a few extra kilos that may take months to shed. “Many typically turn to drastic diets or major detoxes to get their bodies back on track, without success. Fasting, skipping meals and living off juices for a week are not the answer and will only leave you hungry and irritable. “If you really want a long-term solution, you are far better off making a series of small, sensible and sustainable changes such as: • Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables • Cutting back on saturated fat, sugar and salt • Limiting your alcohol intake • Giving up smoking • Exercising daily

• Getting enough sleep • Switching coffee, soft drinks or fruit juice for water or healthy herbal teas, such as Rooibos. “This way you are much more likely to stick to your new health regime, while reaping the rewards,” says du Toit. Try this delicious antioxidant-packed Green Rooibos smoothie for breakfast: GREEN ROOIBOS SMOOTHIE Ingredients for 1 serving 1 small apple, cored 5 cm piece cucumber 1 stalk celery, including leaves 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley, including stems 1 cup baby greens (your choice of spinach, chard, kale) 1/8 slice of lemon (including rind) 10 ml lemon juice 1 kiwi peeled 1/4 cup raw almonds 1 Tbsp chia or sunflower seeds (optional) 1 cup brewed Green Rooibos tea, chilled 6-8 ice cubes Step-by-step • Combine all ingredients except ice cubes in a high-powered blender. • Blend on high until smooth. • Add ice cubes one at a time until fully crushed and mixed. • Serve immediately. Handy tip: • Add an extra peach or lemon flavoured Rooibos tea bag For more info on Rooibos’ health benefits, visit www.sarooibos.co.za

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IT’S HARDER FOR SOME TO BE ON PAR OpEd: Jehad Kasu

Golf is traditionally perceived to be a predominantly male sport. A sport for wealthy, white males to be specific. The unfortunate divide and systemic exclusion within this sport where a little white ball is bashed around approximately 6km - 8km of manicured lawns, is as rife today as it was 60 years ago. This wound that just won’t heal was again opened just a few weeks ago when Gary Player – one of the world’s greatest golfers, recently accepted the American Medal of Freedom from the disgraced former US President Donald Trump, who is infamous for making numerous racist utterances while President. One of the many people who have expressed their dismay at this, is Player’s son Marc Player, who called the event “unacceptable” and “a shame”. This is worth drawing attention to since Player was beaten in the 1965 Natal Open by Sewsunker “Papwa” Sewgolum, the first non-white to win a Professional South African golf tournament. This just two years after Papwa won the same tournament for the first time, beating a red-hot Harold Henning – an event that also gave rise to one of the most shameful moments in world sport. Because of the colour of his skin, Papwa was not allowed to enter the club house and was humiliated by being handed his winner’s trophy outside in the rain, while his white counterparts watched from the comfort of the club house. At the time of this deplorable incident, Player had just completed the elusive career Grand Slam and was a world sport sensation. Many felt that he should have used his influence to effect change within the sport by denouncing the disgraceful incident. But he didn’t. Instead, the very next year the Apartheid Government banned Papwa from competing in domestic tournaments and revoked his passport, so as to prohibit him from competing in international golf tournaments too. Another opportunity for Player to have used his clout and influence to effect meaningful change, but again did not. Ultimately, condemning the unlettered Papwa to die a pauper before the age of 50. Today however, the problem remains but is more systemic than overt. While some black

Sewsunker (Papwa) Sewgolum, First Black Golfer to win a professional SA Golf tournament.

youth have talent to succeed at qualifying school, they face a myriad of other socio-economic challenges that places them at a distinct disadvantage versus their white peers – Absent parents, unemployment, substance abuse, domestic violence, and the lure and threat of gangsterism to mention a few. A coloured or black kid from the Cape Flats or somewhere in a township, who by some miracle (I say a miracle because a typical black or coloured child does not have a parent who plays golf, or a premium DSTV subscription that allows them to watch it or has the option of taking up the sport at school that might trigger their interest), develops a keen interest in the sport, does not have the inherent support network that a typical aspirant young white golfer does. Support in the form of a parent or family member who is firstly present, who is able to drive him/her to practice or matches. There’s no friend or family member who is an entrepreneur or a c-suite executive to assist with fundraising or guide them on how to approach sponsors. This is why we often only see aspiring young black golfers struggling

to raise funds in their pursuit of a professional golf career. A recent point in case is the plight of Iman Adams, a talented coloured female golfer who after winning several local tournaments such as The Raymond and Johnathan Ackerman Cups respectively and the Royal Cape Ladies Club Champs Tournament, was scouted by a coach from Ranger College, Texas and was promptly presented with a scholarship that she accepted. There are however many aspects of living abroad that the scholarship does not cover that her parents are unable to – travel, extracurricular activities, clothing and entertainment. I mean, a girl’s at least got to see a movie or go to a theme park with friends, right? I certainly have never come across the fundraising effort for any of Iman’s South African peers who have also opted to pursue their pro golfing ambitions abroad – some of them without the need for a scholarship. A striking moment for me is when I jokingly said to Iman during an interview with her “maybe don’t wait until the last minute to let

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Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021

IT’S HARDER FOR SOME TO BE ON PAR OpEd: Jehad Kasu

your folks know you are running out of cash. Call them when you have $75 left instead of $5.” To which she laughingly replied, “I never even had $50 in my account.” When a privileged white youth, in the final pairing of a final round in a competition stands over his/her ball, what goes through their minds? “If I play this well, I can improve my ranking? I can progress on the tour? I can get closer to number one?” What goes through the mind of a black player who finds him/herself in that same final pairing? “I can’t mess this up, so many people made such a lot of effort for me to be here. I can’t let them down. If I play well, I can use the prize money to help my family.”. There’s no sports or clinical psychologist to help strengthen and equip their minds and EQ to process the distinctly different pressures they have to manage in order to simply reach mental parity with their white counterparts. Let alone nurturing a winning mentality. Having grown up in a middle-class household in Mitchells Plain, I first learned about golf as a high school teen more than 20 years ago from a friend whose father had a few golf clubs at home. We used those to hit some golf balls on a vacant field close to our homes. It was fun and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But that’s where my pro golfing ambitions was to remain. The first time I was able to access a golf course was more than 10 years later, as an invited guest of a corporate golf day. Such was the lack of exposure to the sport to a black youth in my community. Today I’m a member of the Mitchell’s Plain Golf Club (MPGC), a registered NPO based in Lentegeur Mitchell’s Plain, and I can confidently say that after more than 20 years, nothing has changed. The club practices on the same derelict field I did more than 20 years ago. The MPGC’s objective is firstly to introduce black youth to the sport within their community setting. • Secondly, to create a safe space for them to explore the sport, and for us to identify, nurture and enable talent. • Last but definitely not least, to provide

Iman Adams of Cape Town is currently in her first year at Alabama State University in the USA.

some sort of support structure, guidance and life coaching in an effort to rewire their approach to life, augment their sense of self-worth, and make them understand that the MPGC board will be there to support them within and beyond the realm of golf. We have 35 active youth members from the age of 4 years old to 17 years. And one thing is for sure, these kids are in love with the sport. They are dedicated and committed to mastering it. These kids diligently come to a training session every Saturday from 9am – 12pm. Some arrive with broken shoes and clothing, others without having had breakfast or even supper the previous night. But come sunshine or rain they pitch up every week. To our delight and encouragement, we have a few very promising players but for the sake of brevity I will limit my example to one Yaseen Jardine, a 9-year-old boy from Lentegeur whose got a swing much better than many adult hackers I play with today. And much better than the one I had just a few years ago! In my humble opinion, with the requisite support Yaseen can do phenomenally well and progress to pro level. I shudder to think that Yaseen’s talent may amount to nothing without the humble

effort of the MPGC simply because his intrinsic socio-economic environment does not enable it. Our goal is for Yaseen and every other black player of his ability and aspiration to be enabled to pursue a professional golfing career without the weight of their crippling circumstances holding them down. This is one of the deeply rooted adverse socio-economic impacts of the Apartheid regime that still manifests today. What this sport needs to properly transform, is a development golf fund that will finance the cost of qualifying amateur black golfers who want to go pro. A fund that will cover tournament fees and related costs (with a time period and value ceiling) until said pro is able to cover it themselves or no longer meets the qualifying criteria. The fund should be funded by black owned businesses who have a statutory obligation to spend on CSI programmes such as this, as well as a moral duty to be actively complicit in the creation of opportunities for youth who hail from their communities and still face the same challenges to succeed as they themselves did decades ago. No one else is going to do this if we don’t do it for ourselves.

Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021

Your Wellness Matters

IT’S HARDER FOR SOME TO BE ON PAR

Scenes from Mitchells Plain Golf Club’s weekly youth golf training in Lentegeur.

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Your Wellness Matters

Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021

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Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021

AFROCENTRIC READIES ITSELF FOR VACCINE ROLL-OUT Supplied Content

South Africa’s largest black-owned and diversified health solutions business, AfroCentric is proud to keep the frontline strong and vaccinated in the fight against COVID-19. To bolster this cause, AfroCentric will utilise its network of 3,000 experienced and registered nurses who will travel anywhere in the country and have the ability to provide over 150,000 vaccinations per day in the right conditions. This will help meet the National Department of Health’s phased approach for delivery, in partnership with the private sector for: • 1.25 million frontline healthcare workers prioritised for Phase 1 and • 16 million essential workers and high-risk people, prioritised for Phase 2. “Afrocentric is working closely with Government to procure COVID-19 vaccines as soon as they are approved by SAHPRA and has the infrastructure to rapidly distribute the vaccines, maintaining the cold chain to all corners of South Africa. We have already

dispensed more than 10 million prescriptions in 2020,” says AfroCentric CEO Ahmed Banderker. AfroCentric’s membership base of over 3.8 million lives includes members of GEMS, Polmed, Bonitas, MediPos and other medical schemes that support South Africa’s frontline workers. “These are the doctors, nurses, policemen and women who keep us all safe and healthy. They are the postal workers who pay our sorely needed pensions and grants, and the teachers that mould the next generation of leaders. They are the lifeblood of our nation. We are proud to do everything in our power to ensure they are vaccinated and strong enough to carry our country forward,” says Banderker. This national network of nurses will be mobilised and enabled through mobile technology to take the service to AfroCentric members. These nurses will provide services on an appointment basis at AfroCentric and Medscheme branches, occupational health and primary health clinics nationwide, onsite at the members’ place of work and will follow-up with members

afterwards to monitor their response to the vaccine. AfroCentric also has an extensive network of international suppliers and will source WHO-prescribed PPE for healthcare workers to enable them to administer vaccines safely without risk to themselves or our members. Banderker maintains that education will remain key in fulfilling the optimum rollout of this vaccination drive. “We are using our expertise and resources to educate and encourage members to participate and vaccinate against COVID-19. Together with our Government and all South Africans, I know we can win this fight, and it starts with vaccinations.” He says once AfroCentric’s members are taken care of according to the hierarchy of needs determined by the National Department of Health, the group will also work with Government to rollout vaccinations to the rest of the country. “We believe that investing in our people and communities is of great importance as we work towards enhancing quality of life for all South Africans,” concludes Banderker.

Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021

Your Wellness Matters

PLAN FOR THE UNEXPECTED THIS FESTIVE SEASON Supplied Content

Over December 2019 and January 2020, 1,617 fatalities occurred from 1,390 car crashes. With beaches and pubs open again, South Africans are no doubt busy planning how they will be spending their last few weeks of summer. But what about planning for unexpected events like accidents, thefts and death? According to Johan Josling, Chief Executive Officer at Episodic Health, the only personalised health insurance on the market today,“While we might not want to think about it, this time of year is notorious for increased accidents on the country’s roads. There also tends to be a spike in crime during the holidays and this year, Police Minister Bheki Cele believes it will be even worse with criminals trying to make up for time lost during the level 5 lockdown. Adding to these woes is an anticipated COVID-19 second wave which will be compounded by gatherings during the holidays.” To help South Africans plan for events like these, he shares the following tips: Make sure you have health cover. At the

very least, ensure that you have accident and emergency medical cover as this will enable you to access private hospitals and health-

care in the event of an accident or an emergency. It will also give you peace of mind knowing that, should something happen, you’re covered.

Get your short-term insurance sorted.

Now is the time to ensure that your car, household contents and home are insured. If they’re not, the costs of replacing stolen goods, repairing a car that’s been in an accident, or having to renovate parts of a home damaged by fire or flooding will be exorbitant. If you already have short-term insurance, it’s wise to update it regularly to ensure it still covers what (and, in the case of vehicles, who) it needs to. Confirm that your life insurance policy is up to date. It’s advisable to review your

life insurance policy annually to see if it is still up to date, especially your beneficiary list. Doing so will ensure that the right people will receive the pay-out when you pass away. You should also check to see if you are still happy with the cover amounts and adjust it if necessary.

Ensure that you have funeral cover. In

the event of your death, or that of a loved one, this will help to cover the costs of the funeral without having to pay out-of-pocket

for expenses. Additionally, if you have life insurance, but don’t have funeral cover, those you leave behind may sometimes have to wait months for the pay-out, whereas with funeral cover the pay-out typically occurs within 48 hours. Check that your will is updated. In line with the above, it’s important to ensure that your will is updated regularly to reflect if there are any changes in your relationships or your assets. If you don’t have a will, draw one up as soon as possible, otherwise the courts — not you — will decide what happens to your assets and even to your children. Budget smartly. The festive season is typically a time for spending, but it is vital that you have enough money to cover the premiums for all your insurance needs. Oftentimes people end up cancelling their cover simply because they have blown all their money. However, these premiums are crucial for keeping you and your loved ones covered. “After a long and trying 2020, it’s easy to slip into celebration mode, but if this year has taught us anything it is that life as we know it can change in an instant. I would like to encourage all South Africans to try and plan as much as we can for the unexpected,” concludes Josling.

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Your Wellness Matters

Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021

Partner Content

Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021

Your Wellness Matters

Partner Content

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021

Partner Content

Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021

Your Wellness Matters

Partner Content

Your Wellness Matters

Issue 16 - Jan/Feb 2021