APRIL 2020 ISSUE 04
KEEP WASHING YOUR HANDS AND STAY AT HOME
HAPPY NEW FINANCIAL YEAR – 2020/21 COVID-19 UPDATE: POSITIVE CASES 1380 / RECOVERIES 31 / DEATHS 5
IN THIS ISSUE... PLAY YOUR PART TO STOP THE SPREAD Page 3
HOW IS EVERYONE DOING OUT THERE? Page 4
THANK YOU FOR BEING A FAN, WE LIKE YOU TOO Page 5
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EDITORIAL TEAM Martha Editor-in-chief Rhulani Editor Desmond Production coordinator
MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
Connie Support team member
HAPPY FRIDAY It has been 8 days since the national lockdown and we are slowly, but surely adapting to staying and working from home. The number of Covid-19 cases in our country continues to rise with 5 fatalities recorded which is heartbreaking. We are grateful that everyone in the W&RSETA family is still well and safe. Let us continue to stay home in order to help reduce the spread of the virus. In the midst of all the doom and gloom, on an exciting note; our 2019/20 FY performance results are in and the CEO has made the announcement. Congratulations and well done to all of us for working together to greatness once again. Let us keep the momentum up as we start with the new financial year. It is going to be a great year of exceptional performance. Moving back to the coronavirus, for the first time since declaring the lockdown, President Ramaphosa addressed the nation on the measures currently being undertaken to contain the pandemic. He said the public mostly responded positively to the lockdown. The President thanked South Africans for being disciplined through this very difficult period, but was concerned about those who have not yet appreciated the seriousness of this disease. It was heartwarming to hear the President acknowledge those that are in the forefront and coalface of the fight against the virus, including our retailers. In the next few days, government will be rolling out a screening, testing, and tracing and medical management programme on a huge scale
~ Rhulani, Editor A new financial year has now started and we have new goals to pursue. In the next issue, we will include the 2020/2021 targets so that you know what we have committed to achieve. This is another chance to move even further from good to great!
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PLAY YOUR PART TO STOP THE SPREAD
1. 2. 3. 4. Wash and/ or sanitise your hands often
Keep a safe social distance
Cough on your elbow and not hands to prevent the spread of corona virus
Stay home to flatten the curve
TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES AND BE SAFE!
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HOW IS EVERYONE DOING OUT THERE? It has been a week since we went on lockdown and started working remotely. There were a few teething challenges with getting everyone up and running, but we must be grateful to our IT team for stepping up to the challenge. They have worked tirelessly to ensure that we are all connected. A few colleagues shared their experiences with us and gave us permission to share them with you.
Most challenging thing as it is new thing for us but we are grateful for the Microsoft’s Teams as it making our lives easier than before. We can video call and have updates about linking of agreements and updates from time to time where on we are and challenges are resolved much easier than in the office where people are all over. With this lockdown, everyone is home waiting to respond to issues we encounter though it was very frustrating at first but now I am seeing the brighter side of it. Possible productivity gains due to fewer interruptions, allowing me to focus on work. It has increased my motivation – I have better/life balance. Financial benefits as well as I am not traveling and savings on office space and other facilities
KK (Projects Officer: KZN)
Working from home during the lockdown period was challenging on the first day because i had to juggle both house chores and my work simultaneously. I also experienced some internet connection difficulties and i guess all that was caused by the fact that i was under pressure as we were approaching our financial year end and i was unable to perform my duties the way I am used to when at the office. On the second day everything was going smoothly according to my schedule. I was bit relaxed because I was now connected and everything is normal. Patiance, Administrator: QQA
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Mushtaq, EM: PMO
Colleagues, the world is advancing technologically and this global crisis has challenged us to get on with the programme. After this, we can attest that our Organisation can operate remotely, to a greater extent, with areas for improvement. One thing’s for sure, the country’s business continuity plan is being drafted through this experience and we also need to use it to learn some lessons and plan for the future. Please share how you are coping so that we can motivate each other.
THANK YOU FOR BEING A FAN, WE LIKE YOU TOO We appreciate the support of the following colleagues in increasing awareness of the SETA and sharing important information that we publish on our social media platforms:
Christine (WC)
Patiance (QQA)
Rodger (HR) Lizzy (HO)
Busi (EC)