Newsletter
Lockdown Edition - 2020
Newsletter
Lockdown Edition 2020 CEO FOREWORD I envisioned the year 2020 to be the year where we would be showcased as a force to be reckoned within the gaming and entertainment industry. Unfortunately CoVID-19 took us all by surprise and saw us being on lockdown, which created a new way of living for us all. I never imagined that being united apart would be the best way to show you care for your loved ones and those that you interact with. What this has taught me is to never take anything for granted and it has also reminded me that each and every one of you play an extremely pivotal role in your respective postion(s) within the Group. Prior to the lockdown, I saw how you all rallied up in unity to prevent the spread of CoVID-19, moreover, how you were in support of the remuneration adjustments, which I know and understand may not have been easy for us all. I want to thank you for your comprehension of this as it was done to ensure that once we have overcome this pandemic, each and every Goldrush Family member will be able to return to their respective role(s) within the Group.
Mergan Naidoo Goldrush Group CEO
This is by far the most interesting professional year that I have ever been blessed to be apart of, considering the global pandemic we are experiencing. Irrespective of the effects it has had on us as a Group, I am proud and priviledged to be your CEO and humbled by you entrusting me to lead you through this. We as the Goldrush Family will overcome this pandemic! #StaySafe #StayHome #ICARE
“We owe it to the memories of those who came before us to live the values they cherished, of empathy, compassion and solidarity. As we are reminded this Freedom Day, we have known far worse and we have prevailed. Let us keep our arms locked together in a column of defence against this pandemic, a united people.” – President Cyril Ramaphosa
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GOLDRUSH FAMILY LOCKDOWN CONVERSATIONS As we combat CoVID-19, you are encouraged to reflect on some of the fundaments of what is crucial and valuable in one’s life, this also serving as a reminder to you that you are a crucial member of the Goldrush Family. Below are some of the thoughts shared by a few family members during the National Lockdown:
Name & Surname:
Glynnis Zietsman
Branch & Position:
Eastern Cape Boss Gaming Compliance Manager
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? The lockdown was a much-needed measure to combat Covid-19 which has infiltrated our country. Our president took the correct decision by putting his citizens first. It could have been executed in a more systematic manner, whereby the restrictions were strictly enforced from day 1 of the Lockdown. What have you been up to during the Lockdown? I have also discovered that my domestic has a hectic a job to keep this house clean and in her absence, I have learnt to appreciate her more. Most importantly, this Lockdown has humbled me, my faith has grown in the Lord. What do you miss about work? I really do miss the office a great deal, all my colleagues and our goofy moments. Working from home is not the same as working in the office. The guy’s at home don’t share the same humour as my colleagues. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? I hope and pray that we can stand together as a country and assist our fellow citizens, support one another and build each other up to be stronger and better than what we were prior to the Lockdown. A united country is my dream after lockdown.
Name & Surname:
Raymond Thangwane
Branch & Position:
Limpopo Bingo Operations Manager
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? I think it's good that the president has decided to lock the country down because looking at the other countries that didn’t recognize the danger of this virus and act proactively were hit hard and have lost a lot of lives. What have you been up to during the Lockdown? I am using the free time to reflect on my areas of responsibility and analyzing some of the decisions and actions that we have taken, keeping in touch with the entire team and thinking about how to make the most of upcoming opportunities post lockdown. What do you miss about work? Actively keeping tabs on the growth of the business, identifying weaknesses and implementing measures to counter them, interacting with colleagues and sharing ideas. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? I wish that our industry can also be given an opportunity to start operating when the lockdown is eased, we can implement the same measures we did prior to the lockdown to ensure that we eliminate the opportunities of the virus from spreading within our properties.
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GOLDRUSH FAMILY LOCKDOWN CONVERSATIONS Name & Surname:
Felicity Gibbs
Branch & Position:
Goldrush Head Office Foundation Director
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? It was very necessary to keep people uninfected. It can be a lonely time but good for doing all the things one doesn’t normally have time for. Also good for meditation and introspection, being with my dogs, cats, birds and family (only 2 humans but good). What have you been up to during the Lockdown? Caught up with all outstanding correspondence and applications for funding, cleaned up my computer, learnt some indoor exercising and staying optimistic. What do you miss about work? Sharing of information, the planning - working together for the good of Goldrush. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? To get back to helping our beneficiaries, working with the committee and seeing more people. NOT to the traffic and the crowds!
Name & Surname:
Freddy Bongani Makala
Branch & Position:
G-BETS Klerksdorp Supervisor
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? As far as human lives are concerned, I believe the lockdown is necessary as it reduces the risk of infections, but financially it’s affecting us in a negative way because we understand that the company needs to support all its employees and it’s very hard when there is no cash injection. What have you been up to during the Lockdown? There is not much to do because of the type of work I do can't be done at home, so I always watch news, play boardgames with my family, use social media to keep in touch with the staff and register people for online betting which I get from social media. What do you miss about work? I miss going to get more customers by means of marketing our business, telling them about it and convincing them to try their luck with us. I miss the environment at work where I get to interact with my colleagues. The funny part of it is that I miss making money for the branch and reaching targets. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? I hope it doesn't get worse to a point that we are out of jobs. I hope we still have jobs and my wish is to see things change professionally. I wish people see that their jobs are a serious need for them and how serious they need to be about their job and stop taking it lightly.
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GOLDRUSH FAMILY LOCKDOWN CONVERSATIONS Name & Surname:
Moalusi Phosa
Branch & Position:
Limpopo LPM General Manager
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? This led to closure of Goldrush business operations and it is beyond everyone’s control but I am happy because Goldrush Group Management team decided not to go through the process of staff retrenchments. What have you been up to during the Lockdown? Working remotely from home. What do you miss about work? My branch 2020 dream financial year business growth. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? To work harder in order to cover the loss of the profit that we could have generated if not affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
Name & Surname:
Manini Molefe
Branch & Position:
G-BETS Head Office Compliance Administrator
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? I must say it is not easy it has been a stressful daily cycle/routine, not being able to go out even with all the positives which come with this extra time spent together with loved ones. What have you been up to during the Lockdown? I have been resting a lot and reading. Yesterday finished book one of Blake Pierce and started the second book. I am putting my ECD knowledge to practice home schooling my 4-year-old son and 6-year-old nephew, responding to work emails and watching series’. What do you miss about work? I miss being in the office with my colleagues, our conversations and the edge of working on deadlines. I miss pacing up and down the stairs with my heels as form of my daily exercise lol. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? I hope for things to get back to normal and be able to leave the house with no fear.
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GOLDRUSH FAMILY LOCKDOWN CONVERSATIONS Name & Surname:
Khina Hlongwani
Branch & Position:
G-BETS Klerksdorp Supervisor
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? Lockdown is helping us to decrease the spread of the virus. What have you been up to during the Lockdown? I have been exercising a lot, I have a 6 pack now lol. What do you miss about work? I miss my hardworking staff, our bond and friendly customers. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? My wish is to see us working harder than before so that we can make more money to cover the loss of our company and I wish that no one must be retrenched.
Name & Surname:
Wynand Riekert
Branch & Position:
Goldrush Ballito Bingo General Manager
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? I think that the president acted in the best interest of all South Africans. I do understand that the current situation is a difficult one but a necessary one. Remember there is no price on a life; everything else can be recovered but a lost life never. What have you been up to during the Lockdown? I have come down to Limpopo to spend this time with my family. We always say we don’t get quality family time or rest. What do you miss about work? To be honest I miss the everyday challenges that the new day presents. I miss the discussions with my punters and staff. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? I hope that we realised in this time that how little we actually need and how much we truly have. I hope that we can continue with the unity and caring that the whole of South Africa has shown each other.
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GOLDRUSH FAMILY LOCKDOWN CONVERSATIONS Name & Surname:
Nomakhephu Gijana
Branch & Position:
LPM North West Store Controller
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? What a time to be alive! One of the scariest times ever as our lives have been put on hold and the whole world at standstill, it’s not easy being kept prisoner in your own home but if the lockdown helps in easing the spread CoVID-19, we will definitely stay at home. What have you been up to during the Lockdown? Spending time with the family, playing teacher to my nephew and niece, reading a few online books and cleaning – which I’m getting tired of lol. What do you miss about work? My colleagues mostly, their jokes and the production, being able to finish your tasks or duties by the close of business. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? We have been postponing and taking for granted a lot of things, my wish after lockdown is that we do them, lose that weight , get that qualification and yes spend more time with family and friends, do better at work, appreciate and give more above all, love like you have never loved before.
Name & Surname:
Fundeka Mbele
Branch & Position:
Goldrush Bingo Malvern Treasury Audit Supervisor
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? If there's a silver lining to the current lockdown it’s that we can save a lot of money when not buying irrelevant stuff. REMEMBER THIS: You're not stuck at home but you're safe at home. What have you been up to during the Lockdown? For me nothing much to be done as I'm in the rural areas with limited resources but my mind still strategically working perfectly. What do you miss about work? I miss my colleagues’ little misunderstandings, the smallest conversations that can get us through even the most stressful days. Team work especially when it comes to the constant changes in our daily duties. Nothing beats face to face interaction, being able to pick up body language and physical clues makes a great big difference. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? I hope at the end of the lockdown we still have our jobs and wish the business itself picks up beyond expectation from the financial losses that occurred during the lockdown.
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GOLDRUSH FAMILY LOCKDOWN CONVERSATIONS Name & Surname:
Masabata Mandla
Branch & Position:
LPM North West Accounts Clerk
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? My thoughts are even though it hurts the economy and people might lose jobs, the government should do whatever they can to fight the Coronavirus. This is not just a plaster the wound situation but a pandemic that takes lives. Whatever must be done to fight and win it for the lockdown to be uplifted let it be done. What have you been up to during the Lockdown? Been reading, helping my child with homework, spring cleaning the spots I missed. Spending more time with family. What do you miss about work? I miss the work environment, the deadlines, my colleagues, the good morning voices. The strategic plans on how to keep our clients and sites happy in boardroom meetings. Checking the bank statement every morning, sending invoices on Tuesday’s. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? I pray and hope that we can all go back to work freely without the worry of the Coronavirus, keep on practicing personal and good hygiene. Hopefully we can go to the shops and walk the streets freely without being regulated. Business can hopefully go back to normal and the children back in school and class in progress as usual.
Name & Surname:
Lebogang Morobe
Branch & Position:
Goldrush Head Office Communications Officer
What are your thoughts about the Lockdown? It has been an interesting life changing experience considering how comfortable I was with my daily personal and professional daily routine. I’m glad the president was decisive in implementing preventative measures and I pray for more recoveries. What have you been up to during the Lockdown? The fridge and I have built a solid friendship which needs to come to an end sooner than later lol, working from home, reading, doing house chores except for cooking lol, video calling my loved ones and hanging out with my brother. What do you miss about work? I miss dressing up a lot lol; one of my professional plans for this year was to become a slay queen lol, travelling to branches but mostly, the Head Office corridors where a lot of hugs, laughter, ideas and compliments are shared between colleagues. What are your hopes/wishes after the Lockdown? We globally recover financially and socio-economically, moreover, come out of this as better people. I not only hope but also pray to achieve all my personal goals that I have set for the year.
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GET UNLOCKED DURING THE LOCKDOWN WITH THESE ACTIVITIES
Play sports with your family.
Try out a new cooking/baking recipe.
Teach your child(ren) to
Have a picnic/braai with your family.
do various chores around the house.
Wash the car(s) and do the
Register for that online course
garden with your child(ren).
you’ve always aspired to attain.
Play board or card games with your family.
Read a few books.
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A FUN Q & A FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILD(REN)
Q&A
1. What would you do if you won 1 million rand? 2. What is your favourite meal? 3. Which province and/or country would you like to visit one day and why? 4. What is your favourite chore? 5. What must we do to combat CoVID-19? 6. What is 100 x 10 – 100 / 10 =? 7. What colour do you get when you mix red and yellow? 8. What is tax and why do we pay it? 9. What does your mom/dad always say to you? 10. What is your favourite car and in which colour? 11. Who is your favourite teacher and why? 12. What is your favourite school subject and why? 13. Name 3 of the wealthiest people in SA? 14. Who is your role model and why? 15. What is your favourite movie? 17. How many days do we have in the year 2020? 18. What is your favourite song? Sing it. 19. Who is the best cook in your family? 20. What is your favourite sport/hobby? 21. Who is your favourite actor/actress? 22. Who is your favourite super hero/heroin? 23. What is your favourite number, multiply it by 10? What is your answer? 24. What’s your favourite book that you have read? 25. What is faster between a car, the gautrain and a speed boat?
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REMEMBER TO:
LEAVE YOUR HOME TO PURCHASE ESSENTIAL GOODS OR TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AFTER YOU HAVE MADE AN APPOINTMENT 1,5m
KEEP SOCIAL DISTANCE STAY INFORMED 11
CONTACT HUBS FOR COVID-19 24-HOUR contact number: 0800 029 999 24-Hour WhatsApp contact number: 0600 123 456 Website: https://sacoronavirus.co.za/
