Discovery South Africa: Recent Episodes
Discovery South Africa
Tune in to Discovery South Africa for the latest news and opinion on everything from health and nutrition to managing your finances. Our industry experts bringing you the best advice - straight to your device!
Gareth Friedlander and Daniel Stoch offer valuable insights into how Discovery Life’s Shared-value Insurance model works and how you can benefit from it. Their expertise sheds light on the innovative approaches to life insurance that reward you for living well.
In this episode, Discovery’s Dr Maritha Van der Walt and Gareth Friedlander shed light on the significant effect of increased screenings on severe illnesses. Their insights reveal the importance of early detection and lifestyle choices in mitigating the risks associated with severe health conditions.
In the ever evolving landscape of financial security, diversification is key. In this episode, Gareth Friedlander and Kashmeera Kanji from Discovery Life discuss the innovative Dollar Life Plan. This groundbreaking approach offers life cover in US dollars, providing a global edge to financial planning.
In a world where uncertainty is the only certainty, protecting our children’s futures becomes paramount. In this episode, Sylvia Steyn and Kashmeera Kanji from Discovery Life have brought to light the importance of comprehensive protection for children. Let’s take a cue from their expertise and make informed decisions that protect and empower the next generation.
12‑year‑old Dali sat down with @Radio702 to discuss how adults can make more grown‑up decisions about their retirement.
How much should you be saving to retire comfortably? How much should you be spending in retirement? Dali answers these questions and more, providing key tips on saving for retirement to secure your financial future. #LearnFromDali #DiscoveryInvest Learn from Dali
Life can be unpredictable – especially when it comes to savings. That’s why it’s important for you to withdraw from your retirement income plan responsibly to reduce the risk of using up your investment funds. Dali has a rule of thumb that can help you prepare for your golden years. Learn from Dali
You can’t reset the clock on the savings years you might’ve missed. But there’s always time to start building your wealth through an investment plan that will give you enough income in retirement. Dali gives some examples of how you can boost your investment returns. Learn from Dali
The path to success can take many different routes in your career journey, but that shouldn’t make your investment goals hit a speedbump. Maintaining your savings is the key to future financial independence. Listen as Dali explains why. Learn from Dali
With so many investment plan options, it can be difficult to decide which one is best. Dali explains why a Discovery Invest retirement plan is a useful tool to help you reach your retirement income goals. Learn from Dali
If you want to live comfortably in retirement, it’s important to keep track of – and manage – your retirement savings. Dali gives some guidelines on how much you should have invested by certain life stages. Learn from Dali
The earlier you start saving, the more you’ll benefit from compound interest and the less likely you’ll need to sprint to reach your retirement goals. Let Dali show you how much you should be investing to secure your financial future. Learn from Dali
What tips would you give your parents to save more money for their retirement?
A kid’s perspective: Andile’s mom loves to spoil herself with new clothes, as do many of us. So Dali suggests a bargain where she can continue to shop and get a retirement plan that looks just as good on her as her latest fashion. Learn from Dali
What tips would you give your parents to save more money for their retirement?
A kid’s perspective: Nuraan has a healthy tip for a great retirement plan, one that Dali agrees can help Nuraan’s parents maintain their savings and benefit from boosted investment returns. Learn from Dali
What tips would you give your parents to save more money for their retirement?
A kid’s perspective: Naledi would like to go to university one day. Dali responds with an important investment tip for Naledi’s mom on balancing education and retirement savings. Listen to it. Learn from Dali
What tips would you give your parents to save more money towards their retirement?
A kid’s perspective: At seven years old, Xavier has a very smart savings tip for his mom, but could there be more to what he says? Listen to Dali’s investment tip to Xavier. Learn from Dali
A kid’s perspective: Eight year old Simphiwe gave her thoughts about what she thinks retirement is. She learns from Dali why having an investment plan can secure your financial future. Learn from Dali
A kid’s perspective: Young Meliska has an interesting view on what retirement is, a view many of us would want to be true. Check out her answer and why Dali suggests investing her prize in a Discovery Invest Retirement Annuity. Learn from Dali
How can you enjoy a comfortable retirement doing the things you love? Listen to Dali and his Mkhulu chat about how to get additional income in retirement - for life. Learn from Dali
How can talking about the birds and the bees lead to a conversation about retirement planning? Listen to this unconventional conversation between Dali and his parents. Learn from Dali
The Rand has fallen dramatically against the US dollar in 2023.
What are the driving forces… and can we expect even more Rand weakness in the short and long term?
Find out with Yasheen Modi and Adam Furlan, Portfolio Manager at Ninety One, in episode 7 of What’s Going on.
The Financial Action Task Force has grey-listed South Africa.
What does that actually mean – is it all downhill from here, or can we rally together and do something about it?
Join Yasheen and rates and income expert Malcolm Charles from Ninety One to find out.
2022 has been a tough year for investment returns. Depending on when you last viewed your retirement fund balance, the current value may not have grown very much. In some cases, it may even be slightly lower.
What exactly happened, why should we not panic, and what can we expect for 2023?
Find out with Yasheen and Ninety One investment director Louis Niemand.
Property markets tanked in 2018, and some would say that COVID-19 then permanently changed the supply and demand for commercial and residential property. What has truly unfolded?
COVID-19 is here to stay. So how do we best protect ourselves over the long term? Discovery Life Deputy Chief Executive, Gareth Friedlander, and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Maritha van der Walt, break it down for us.
Our cost of living has increased dramatically in 2022… what has this meant for South African retailers?
Have certain companies struggled, while others flourished?
Find out with Yasheen and Ninety One analyst Achumile Mashalaba in episode 3 of What’s Going On?
Cancer can affect anyone, at any age. Tune in as Discovery Life’s Head of Market Analytics and R&D, Kashmeera Kanji, and Chief Medical Officer, Dr Maritha van der Walt, delve into the importance of early detection.
How can you use life cover to fund your child’s education? Tune in to learn more from Discovery Life’s Deputy CEO, Gareth Friedlander, and Head of Market Analytics and R&D, Kashmeera Kanji.
How can your life cover better benefit you? Discovery Life Deputy Chief Executive, Gareth Friedlander, and Head of Market Analytics and R&D, Daniel Stoch, get into the finer details, including how to maximise your benefits.
Shafiq chats to Dr Ismail Mitha, a GP serving the Muslim community and to Nazeer Bulbulia, Independent Financial Adviser. They’ve both provided their care and services to the Muslim community for many years and share fascinating, independent views on the relevance of a Shariah compliant arrangement. Shafiq also chats to Mahomed, a Discovery Health Medical Scheme member who has elected to have his medical scheme option managed in line with the Shariah compliant arrangement. Shariah Compliant Arrangement
Shariah Scholar Mufti Ahmed Suliman and Shariah Consultant Uwaiz Jassat talk to Shafiq about their involvement in guiding Discovery Health Medical Scheme to develop the Shariah compliant arrangement, and their role in the Advisory Committee established to ensure regular compliance reviews. Shariah Compliant Arrangement
How does the Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s Shariah Compliant medical scheme arrangement meet the Muslim community’s needs? Shafiq chats to Shariah Consultant, Uwaiz Jassat; Discovery’s Chief Marketing Officer, Firoze Bhorat; and Head of Product Development at Discovery Health, Farzana Baba. Shariah Compliant Arrangement
What is a medical scheme and how does it operate? What led Discovery Health Medical Scheme to develop a Shariah compliant medical scheme arrangement? How was it created to align with Shariah Law and Takaful principles? Shafiq chats to Shariah consultant, Uwaiz Jassat; Discovery’s Chief Marketing Officer, Firoze Bhorat; and Head of Product Development at Discovery Health, Farzana Baba. Shariah Compliant Arrangement
The US Federal Reserve raised rates by 0.75% – the highest increase since 1994.
But… what does it mean for us, as South Africans?
What should you take into consideration? Discovery’s Head of Legal Services, Harry Joffe & Senior Risk Specialist Daniel Stoch get into the finer details, as well as how to maximise benefits too. Transcript: Why offshore financial planning is relevant for South Africans — PDF (109.8 KB)
With more people ‘on the move’, how can your life cover better support you? Tune in as Discovery Senior Risk specialist, Kashmeera Kanji & Financial Adviser, Claire van Wyk delve into this and so much more. Transcript: The rise of the South African globetrotter — PDF (117.8 KB)
What exactly is ‘offshore life insurance’ and how can it benefit me? Tune in to learn more about offshore risk protection from Discovery Life’s Deputy CEO, Gareth Friedlander and author, David Joshua. Transcript: An introduction to offshore life insurance — PDF (186.4 KB)
Professor Salome Maswime shares the profound sense of relief and hope that being vaccinated against COVID-19 brought to her and to her parents. And, she reminds us to do all we can to help our elderly loved ones and older people in our communities to access their vaccines.
Dr Illana Links, a psychiatric registrar at Dora Nginza Hospital in Gqeberha (formerly known as Port Elizabeth), was one among the first, of the country’s COVID-19 frontline doctors, to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in February this year. She tells us what having her vaccine has meant to her, and shares how knowing that the vaccine meant protection from serious COVID-19 illness made a huge difference to her outlook.
Dr Despina Demopoulos, a paediatric intensivist and head of the paediatric ICU at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg, shares the way in which COVID-19 vaccines have brought hope and kept many doctors and healthcare workers going through the very tough experience of the pandemic. She adds: “Don’t be scared to vaccinate. If you’re given the opportunity, please take it. Please do it for yourself, your family and our country. It’s probably the only way we’re going to get through this and eventually get back to normality. It’s the only way we’ll be able to go back to spending time together.”
Specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist Dr Khatija Kadwa says the best way to fight the COVID-19 pandemic is through sticking to the preventive habits that limit our exposure risk and having our COVID-19 vaccine. She shares how the pandemic has changed her life and what being vaccinated in February meant to her. “On that first day 40 of us were vaccinated. There were cheers and celebrating,” she says. “The next day we worked in shifts vaccinating our colleagues.”
Professor Brian Allwood says having a COVID-19 vaccine is an important step for all South Africans to take in the collective fight against the pandemic. For him, being vaccinated felt like he was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief after a year at the coalface, spent treating very sick people in ICU and critical care. His message to all of us? “We all want to get over this. We all want to look at COVID-19 in the rear-view mirror. COVID-19 vaccines are a really important step in reaching a level of immunity that will mean COVID-19 is a thing of the past.”
Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Professor Mosa Moshabela led the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (KZN) COVID-19 response. A chance trip to Singapore in February 2020 gave him early insight into the impact that COVID-19 could have on a city and its people and allowed him to return to South Africa with key learnings and prepared to support a local and national response. He’s since been at the forefront of research and training aimed at educating the public on COVID-19, and has supported both the National and KZN Provincial Departments of Health in this regard.
Professor Liesl Zühlke had her COVID-19 vaccine on 26 February at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town. She shares her experience of the pandemic and encourages all of us to have our vaccine as soon as we are eligible.
Dr Sumy Thomas says that for the elderly and for people who live with chronic illnesses, COVID-19 is “a matter of life and death”. She explains the benefits of COVID-19 vaccines and encourages everyone, especially the elderly, to get vaccinated as soon as possible.
Paediatrician and infectious disease specialist, Dr Fikile Mabena, shares her experience of the COVID-19 pandemic, and encourages all South Africans to help our elderly family members, friends and colleagues to register for and get vaccinated.
What does estate planning entail and why is it so important? Tune in to find out about the key components of an estate plan and so much more from Head of Legal Services, Harry Joffe and Financial Adviser, Claire van Wyk.
‘What if’ moments happen when you least expect. In an instant, life changes. Tune in as Gareth Friedlander & Nikki Bush chat through how to better understand ‘the human side’ of it all.
When it comes to estate planning, the law has a considerable impact on the decisions we can make about our assets. Head of Legal Services, Harry Joffe shares some valuable insights.
How should you go about preparing yourself and your family for life’s biggest ‘what ifs’? Nikki Bush and Discovery certified financial adviser, Onalenna Disipi chat through all the necessary details to remember.
Developments in digital banking, currency and the law are shaping the future of financial services. Get interesting insights from two experts about what’s happening in fintech, security and how tech is making banking easier, safer and more personal. Your Money Matters · Transcript.pdf — PDF (121.8 KB)
There is a legal imperative to comply with POPIA or face serious legal consequences - which Larry expands on. However, the spirit of this Act is principles-based and simply about upholding everyone’s right to privacy. At the end of the day, adherence to the POPIA is simply about doing the right thing.
What are ten key considerations for POPIA readiness? Larry explains each of the necessary steps required – from the appointment of an Information Officer to training your staff on POPIA.
Discovery Health’s POPIA-readiness efforts date back to 2014. Among initiatives in place are processes to increase internal and external systems’ security, streamline access control and more. Discovery Health has also created three platforms to ensure secure engagement with healthcare providers and protection of medical scheme members’ data.
One of POPIA’s key objectives it to limit information being shared inappropriately. Larry delves into the way in which POPIA considers all areas of sharing patient data, communicating with existing customers and considers the dynamics around direct marketing.
When a patient visits a medical practice for the first time, they fill in a form that provides both clinical and administrative information. What must both doctors and patients know about correctly acquiring, dealing with and disposing of this information? And why is a “Privacy Statement” fundamental in this regard?
POPIA can be thought of as comprehensive data protection legislation enacted in South Africa. Larry delves into eight conditions that must be met in order to ensure lawful processing of information under POPIA.
POPIA distinguishes “Personal Information” from “Special Personal Information”. Why is this distinction critical to protecting patient information? And, who are the roleplayers who must ensure that this information is secure?
Larry takes us back to November 2013 when the Act was signed into law. He also explains the appointment of the Information Regulator at the end of 2016, and processes that have led to the 1 July 2021 cut-off date for full POPIA compliance.
'Business insurance’ and ‘business assurance’ – what’s the difference? Head of Legal Services, Harry Joffe and Senior Risk Specialist, Daniel Stoch explain the answer to this and more. Your Money Matters · Transcript.pdf — PDF (65.1 KB)
Could your children continue their education if something unforeseen were to happen to you? Discovery Financial Adviser, Claire van Wyk & Senior Risk Specialist, Kashmeera Kanji share how life insurance can help to secure your child’s education. Your Money Matters · Transcript.pdf — PDF (80.1 KB)
Is there a life insurance gap when it comes to women? What kind of cover do women really need? Tune in for insights from Discovery Life’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Maritha van der Walt and Senior Risk Specialist, Kashmeera Kanji. Your Money Matters · Transcript.pdf — PDF (83.7 KB)
When should you consider life insurance cover? When your career is well established, get married or start a family? Tune in for Discovery Life Deputy CEO, Gareth Friedlander’s insights. Your Money Matters · Transcript.pdf — PDF (82.5 KB)
Understanding why you want to invest offshore will inform the how, says author of The South African's Guide to Global Investing, David Joshua. Here he shares insights to help locals gain the right perspective and approach to global investing. Your Money Matters · Transcript.pdf — PDF (112.3 KB)
Need inspiration? Learn how model turned entrepreneur Jo-Anne Strauss set herself up for success as she and Guy Chennells, product head at Discovery Employee Benefits, share life experience and explain how to put retirement planning into action. Your Money Matters · Transcript.pdf — PDF (96.2 KB)
Saving is nowhere near as exciting as spending – or is it? The Wealth Chef, Ann Wilson, and head of Research and Development at Discovery Invest, Craig Sher, want to turn SA’s savings culture on its head. Tune in to hear how. Your Money Matters · Transcript.pdf — PDF (85.9 KB)
Being financially free sounds hard. Without the “sacrificing mindset”, Stealthy Wealth aims for financial independence at the age of 45. His worst mistake is what he calls the R60 000 date he took his wife on. Listen to his journey to reach his goal. Your Money Matters · Transcript.pdf — PDF (105.3 KB)
Does the size of your income really mean you are better off? This podcast may tell another truth. Making the right choices and implementing practical tools, say Hayley and Akash, all develop a mindset of managing money well, no matter how much money you have. Your Money Matters · Transcript.pdf — PDF (102.0 KB)
Ever thought about your relationship with money? How feelings and behaviour influence your choices? David Zidel and David Leibowitz expose the good and the bad of human nature and money. And, give tips on little steps, behaviours and motivators to manage money well. Your Money Matters · Transcript.pdf — PDF (174.9 KB)
“One thing’s for sure: there are compelling reasons for the majority of investors to invest more offshore.” To wrap up this series, we turn to industry leaders Kenny Rabson, the CEO of Discovery Invest, and Nazmeera Moola, Head of SA investments at Ninety One for their perspectives on what South Africans should prioritise to get global investing right. Your guide to Offshore Investing, done right
“A few key decisions when investing offshore can have a significant impact on your returns. Some choices may not weigh as much as you think, while others can come back to bite you!” Talking through some of the most common investing dilemmas is Craig Sher, Head of Research and Development at Discovery Invest and Discovery’s Head of Legal Services, Harry Joffe. Your guide to Offshore Investing, done right
“When people decide to invest offshore, they’re often torn about when to make the move.” Time and timing are powerful variables in the world of investing, so in Episode 2, we focus on getting them right. Our guests are Steven Amey, Head of Specialist Invest Services at Discovery, and Lindsay Bateman, Director of Business Development at Brooks MacDonald International. Your guide to Offshore Investing, done right
“The extent to which you ask the right questions and implement the right solutions will determine the amount of financial freedom you have in your life,” says independent wealth specialist David Joshua. The author of The South African's Guide to Global Investing joins Bruce in Episode 1 to discuss how you can harness the key principles of global investing. Your guide to Offshore Investing, done right
In our dramatically changed world, mental health is not the private space it once may have been for leaders and employees. The pressures brought to bear by the Covid-19 pandemic have meant an increase in stress, anxiety and mental illnesses across the spectrum, for people the world over. The world as a collective is experiencing and reacting to a trauma – this trauma and our reactions to it has speed into every aspect of our lives – including our work. As more and more people transition towards a blend of work-from-home and being at the workplace, how might we all cope better? Louisa Niehaus, psychotherapist and with a specialisation in trauma, shares advice on cultivating compassion in a changed working landscape. Louisa delves into five key ways in which leaders can serve as influential role models for compassionate acts at a time when they are most needed, helping all people within the workplace to better approach the current turbulence and maintain mental wellbeing.
Ilana Gerschlowitz is director of the Star Academy, which caters for the education needs of children on the autism spectrum or with a related disorder. She is also the author of a book called “Saving my sons - a journey with autism”. In her latest podcast, she shares key insights into safely re-opening schools that cater for children with special needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ilana shares ideas on which protocols to put in place and even tips on how to get special needs kids to wear a face mask. Ilana’s message is always one of hope and innovation to get through every challenge and her latest podcast is no exception.
Azania speaks to two women at Discovery who are challenging the status quo every day. Not only are they at the forefront of building innovative digital healthcare solutions, but they are also role models for future generations of women.
Karren Sanderson, Chief Operating Officer, and Ana Endres, Head of Discovery Healthcare Services have been instrumental in developing Discovery Health’s digital healthcare channels – especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. They speak to Azania about their passion for building digital healthcare technologies for the good of Discovery Health members.
Karren and Ana are examples of #WomenInMotion at Discovery – and testament to what women can achieve through resilience and a strong support system.
Discovery SA CEO, Hylton Kallner shares that a secret of Discovery’s success has always been to liberate the best in people. By building a company culture that is focused on innovation, differentiates Discovery as a business not only in South Africa, but in the world. Now in 24 territories around the globe, Discovery has become synonymous with award-winning innovative ideas. Kallner says the key is to allow people to be creative and expressive so that they are able to think in an innovative way.
e-learning fundi and GetSmarter co-founder talks to us about why entrepreneurs need to invest in lifelong learning and how different ways of learning are beneficial to both start-ups but also young people who have different world views.
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted how important thriving healthcare systems are. A number of South African public sector doctors at the COVID-19 frontline are recipients of grants from the Discovery Foundation. Azania talks to Obstetrician and Gynaecologist - Prof. Salome Maswime, and Nuclear Medicine Physician - Dr Dineo Mpanya, to hear all about the ways in which their work has been influenced by Discovery Foundation’s support. And, Azania chats to Dr Vincent Maphai, chairperson of the Discovery Foundation, to explore how the Foundation has, since 2006, invested a staggering R261 million to support 473 medical specialists and institutions in many parts of the country. The aim is to invest over R300 million towards specialised healthcare services over 20 years.
For survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), fear and shame are overwhelming emotions that may prevent them accessing the help they need and deserve. In an eye-opening conversation Azania chats to attorney Lindsay Henson (Lawyers against Abuse) and Trauma Counsellor Lana Snoyman to explore the rights available to survivors of GBV and to the support needed to overcome the trauma they endure. Azania also hears all about legal remedies available to survivors of GBV and the role that the justice system has to play in turning the tide on this form of crime. Transcript.pdf — PDF (116.6 KB)
South Africa has one of the world’s highest gender-based violence (GBV) rates in the world. Now, #DiscoverYourVoice against GBV by listening to Azania Mosaka’s interview with survivor of GBV, Mara Glennie, who started the TEARS Foundation to provide a support network for survivors of rape and abuse, underpinned by technology that is available to us all. And, Azania chats to Service Executive at Discovery Health, Raffaella Ruttell to find out more about Discovery’s #DiscoverYourVoice initiative which encourages Discovery Health Medical Scheme members who experience GBV to reach out for help and to access immediate and confidential trauma support and scheme benefits. Transcript.pdf — PDF (92.7 KB)
Did you know that South Africa has one of the world’s highest gender-based violence (GBV) rates in the world? President Cyril Ramaphosa has said that, in 2020, our country is in the grip of two pandemics – COVID-19 and violence against and killing of women and children. #DiscoverYourVoice against GBV and be inspired by Azania Mosaka’s interview with Sasha-Lee Olivier, our dynamic and passionate reigning Miss South Africa. As a survivor of sexual abuse she is driving the #ItsNotYourFault initiative and using her platform to obliterate the fear that, in the aftermath of GBV, prevents survivors from speaking out. Transcript.pdf — PDF (71.1 KB)
Lere Mgayiya started his national airport shoe-shine business after selling his fridge and television. His grit despite many setbacks is an inspiration to all entrepreneurs who need motivation to keep going.
In her latest podcast for Discovery, Clinical Psychologist Dr Colinda Linde speaks to employers and employees about dealing with the very real fears, anxieties and discomfort people have around returning to the workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. How does a leaders’s anxiety filter down to employees? And how do feelings of anxiety and insecurity affect employees personally and also their ability to work? How should leaders help employees to adjust to working from the office again? Why is it critical to explain how the business is working to safeguard employee health (especially to high-risk staff or those who have vulnerable family members)? Why is sharing information around decision-making and planning key to helping employees to feel included and safe? Why is ensuring staff connectivity key? Dr Linde speaks to key aspects of business preparedness and business continuity in the time of COVID-19.
One of the groups that’s been economically hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic is the roughly 1.2 million household employees who work in South Africa. These employees have eagerly anticipated their return to work and their employers have looked to welcome them back. However, the pandemic has resulted in anxiety about the impact of movement between our home and the homes of others on our health. Household employers also worry about exposing those considered high-risk for severe illness from COVID-19 – whether family members or employees – to increased risk. Medical doctor and occupational medicine specialist Dr Odette Volmink (based at the National Institute for Occupational Health) understands this well. In this interview with Discovery she explores the ins and outs of keeping those who are at high risk safe, with a focus on high-risk household employees and other members of the household. Transcript Dr Odette Volmink.pdf — PDF (81.6 KB)
Multiple members of Dewald Wentzel’s immediate family who live on the same property – including his 74-year-old father – contracted COVID-19 within days of each other. As a trained paramedic, Dewald knew that a pulse oximeter was critical to monitoring the seriousness of his father’s symptoms while he recovered at home. The device measures the amount of oxygen in the blood, which can decline to critical levels in some people who contract COVID-19. Yet, none of these devices were available at any pharmacies Dewald contacted. That’s when he found out that Discovery Health Medical Scheme members who contract COVID-19 and fall into the high-risk category for severe illness from the disease, have access to a fully covered pulse oximeter. The device, which allows for home oxygen monitoring, is sent by courier to the member’s home, and supported by the Discovery Healthy Oximetry Support call centre. Thanks to this easy-to-use device, any dangerous decrease in oxygen saturation can be quickly detected, and medical assistance requested.
When COVID-19 lockdown was first instituted it might have felt unfathomable to stay at home almost 24-7. Now despite the easing of alert levels, for some of us it may feel strange and nerve-wracking to do anything but stay at home. Psychotherapist Louisa Niehaus explains why we may be feeling so-called “re-entry anxiety”. It manifests as we contemplate or act on reintegration to society, as we go back to schools and universities, to shops or work. This anxiety can also present as we interact with others, especially where we don’t trust that they are making every effort to limit their exposure to COVID-19. The COVID-19 pandemic is now a part of life and we must make space for the emotions that adjusting to this reality brings. Louisa explains what drives re-entry anxiety and how to deal with it best.
Niket Desai, who at 23, sold his company to Google and now oversees a $120bn fund in Silicon Valley, explains the definition of an MVP (minimum viable product) and the tenets of a lean startup.
Nic Latouf, Nick Dreyer & Ross Sondagh, co-founders of Veldskoen, a brand that has gone from zero to viral hero in just two years. These iconic South African shoes are now being worn by Prince Harry and Ashton Kutcher, and has received funding from famed US billionaire investor Mark Cuban. In this episode, they reveals how to ensure your product positioning is investor-friendly.
Seemingly overnight, businesses both large and small have found themselves navigating an unprecedented operating environment with profound impact on employees. What sort of support do South African businesses need to assist employers and their management teams in formulating and executing an effective response to COVID-19? Azania chats to Nonku Pitje, Head of Employee Health Solutions at Discovery, to dig deeper into what Discovery is doing to support South African businesses and their people through this extraordinary time.
When 33-year old Matshepo Matlejoane, began to feel unwell in March 2020, her anxiety about contracting COVID-19 escalated. However, as she tells Azania, access to a free online doctor consultation started her on the path to wellness. Whether you’re tech savvy or not, this offering makes it easy to talk to a doctor from the comfort of your home. In fact, all South Africans have access to free COVID-19 online doctor consultations, thanks to Discovery’s partnership with Vodacom. Ana Endres, Head of Discovery Healthcare Services and GP, Dr Sudeshan Govender tell Azania why this is another brilliant example of Discovery Health’s efforts to limit our exposure to COVID-19.
Are you concerned about contracting COVID-19 but having nowhere to self-isolate, away from loved ones? That’s exactly how Eugene Roux felt when he contracted a serious form of the illness. Thanks to Discovery’s partnership with a leading local hotel chain, Eugene was able to recuperate in a designated isolation facility where all his needs were met. He shares his remarkable recovery story with Azania. She also chats to Discovery Health’s Chief Commercial Officer, Dr Ronald Whelan and Founder and Managing Director at The Capital Hotel & Apartments, Marc Wachsberger, to find out what it takes to turn a hotel into a COVID-19 isolation facility.
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven home the importance of access to the right medical cover and healthcare support. Azania interviews Chris Jones, Head of Technical Marketing for Discovery Health, about brilliant innovations in Discovery Health and Discovery Health Medical Scheme’s coordinated response to the challenge of the global COVID-19 pandemic, such as the innovative WHO Global Outbreak Benefit. Find out all you need to know about how Scheme members and broader society are feeling about Discovery’s enhanced support.
Khayelitsha’s star entrepreneurs, Lethu Tshabangu of Beerworx and Sikilela Dibela of Siki's Coffee share how they navigate opportunities and challenges in the townships that gave them a spring-board. Exploring why they got involved with their respective brews, and how scale doesn’t always equal success.
Yuppiechef is one of South Africa’s iconic brands. Co-founders Shane Dryden and Andrew Smith share their success story and hacks about visual marketing, logos and creating love for a brand.
Clinical psychologist Dessy Tzoneva says it’s impossible to deny that being human comes with many limitations. People we love can become ill and die. We might suffer illness or serious injury. Across the world, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought these realities to the fore for us all, also acting as a catalyst to widespread human suffering. People are living with loneliness, fear, anxiety, great social and financial uncertainty, a prolonged loss of freedoms and more. With COVID-19’s effects set to impact our lives for months to come, Dessy expertly talks us through making sense of suffering, before sharing brilliant insights on how to cope at this time and always.
Around 1.2 million people work as employees in private households in South Africa. These individuals provide an invaluable service in their roles as domestic workers, gardeners, drivers and caregivers. COVID-19 restrictions have eased, and household employees are returning to work. However, both employers and employees share concerns around the health of the household during COVID-19 and into the future. Could access to very affordable private, primary healthcare for household employees – that also provides cover for COVID-19 – make all the difference? Alec Hogg interviews Discovery’s Head of Employee Health Solutions, Nonkululeko Pitje, about Discovery Primary Care for household employees, a product that brings excellent healthcare to household employee and their dependants. This innovative, affordable product has never been more relevant. Transcript - Alec Hogg and Nonku Pitje.pdf — PDF (49.0 KB)
The COVID-19 pandemic has brought massive uncertainty to South African and global businesses. Psychologist James Gower says that up to 80% of employees – especially those working remotely – feel the need to prove to that they are working hard. With fear of retrenchment looming large for many employees, people are burning the candle at both ends to prove that they are worth keeping. Gower adds that, on average, those working from home are working nearly four additional days a month. Many employees also feel that managers have begun to disregard working hours, making demands of them at all hours and causing workloads to double or triple. Employees feel that they need to be online and available as much as possible. As restrictions ease and these exhausted employees return to the workplace, the risk of a burnt-out workforce is more real than ever before. What do we all need to know to take care of our mental and physical health at this challenging time and recognise the signs of burnout before we suffer serious harm? Transcript - James Gower Burnout and remote work with James Gower.pdf — PDF (41.9 KB)
This podcast is a must-listen for business owners navigating the uncertainty around bringing employees safely back to work during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr Tshidi Gule – employee wellness specialist and Chief Medical Officer of the MLI Group – says that while COVID-19 has disrupted life on every level, the show must go on. She is working hard to help businesses to navigate the uncertain environment they now find themselves in and to understand how to address both employee physical and mental health needs. Benefit from Dr Gule’s top insights in assisting employers to make sound decisions at this critical time in our history.
Meet Alexandria Procter, founder and CEO of DigsConnect, a startup that began in university and which received the largest seed round of a student startup in South African history, just a year into their existence. From gimmicks to smart staff choices, she shares her key learnings on how to attract investors.
Expert lawyers, Lwando Xaso and Graeme Wilson share their passion for the law. How to be compliant in business, from tax and employment, to constitutional legalities and ethics.
Medicine is a stressful profession under normal circumstances. Medical personnel are even more at risk of burnout so under crisis conditions such as during a pandemic. Psychotherapist Louisa Niehaus, looks at how healthcare professionals can cope during the time of extreme anxiety and uncertainty brought by COVID-19. This is a time in which the demands of the work can lead to exhaustion, cynicism and perceived inefficiency. Caring for patients who are sick and deteriorating can be very stressful and deeply saddening. Louisa shares insight into acute stress reactions and how doctors can help themselves through the present and future reality.
As lockdown alert levels have eased, household employees have been allowed to return to the homes in which they work. They return to a “new normal” that has raised many questions around how to keep every member of the household as healthy as possible. Household employees may care for the home, for an elderly or ill family member, for a child, or perform another function. They may live with their employer or come and go. Dr Nompumelelo Ndaba of the National Institute for Occupational Health (NIOH) shares the practical steps and insights needed day to day, to ensure the health of the household going forward. Dr Ndaba has been interviewed by Discovery for the Discovery COVID-19 podcast series.
Sizakele Marutlulle has over 23 years of experience in the business leadership, brand building and people development. She shares how how a team can weigh you down or help you to soar. Listen to her insights into how business owners should choose wisely to build the best teams.
Professor Nqoba Tsabedze: A podcast addressing the impact of COVID-19 on the cardiovascular system
Professor Tsabedze is Academic Head of the Division of Cardiology of the University of the Witwatersrand. He is also the Clinical Head of the Division of Cardiology at the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (CMJAH). He is an executive member of the Heart Failure Society of South Africa (HEFSSA), a founding member and Executive member of the South African Clinician Scientists Society and the Director of the CMJAH & Wits World Heart Day Awareness Campaign held annually. In this podcast, he unpacks the epidemiology, cardiovascular complications, viral pathology of COVID-19 and its links to the cardiovascular system and concludes with a few strong take home messages. We are particularly proud that he is also a Discovery Foundation Alumnus.
Strategist extraordinaire, Alex Fraser is a microbiologist turned venture capitalist, turned business consultant. She shares how a business plan should be both the foundation block of a start-up, but also an organic element that grows with your business.
Anton Ossip, Discovery Insure CEO heads up the most technologically advanced insurer in SA and beyond. He shares his insights into how the right technology can give your business the competitive edge – and how it can be a force for social good.
This episode of the Discovery COVID-19 podcast series has been created for all employers and employees who work in food-related businesses. Hear top advice on mitigating the risk of COVID-19 from two experts based at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases - Dr Juno Thomas, Head of the Centre for Enteric Diseases, and Dr Ahmad Haeri Mazanderani, a clinical virologist within the Centre for HIV & STIs. “Staff and customers need to understand how COVID‑19 spreads and how they can protect themselves from being infected,” says Dr Haeri Mazanderani. Dr Thomas adds that the risk of contracting the COVID‑19 virus within the food industry is not from consuming prepared food, but from contact with environmental surfaces and with other people, be they fellow customers or employees. Find out all you need to know. COVID-19 and the food industry .pdf — PDF (26.9 KB)
A must-listen podcast for anyone who is struggling to cope at this time! Zamo Mbele, a clinical psychologist and board member at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group – SADAG brings profound insight into the ways in which the experience of the pandemic and also contracting COVID-19 can result in trauma that develops into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In a podcast that every one of us should listen to, Zamo speaks to the trauma that might be experienced by people of all ages, as well as by frontline healthcare workers. He explores the emotions we feel at this time and reminds us how critical it is to be taking care of our mental health at this time. Zamo Mbele PTSD and COVID-19 Transcript.pdf — PDF (54.1 KB)
Medicine is a stressful profession under normal circumstances. Medical personnel are even more at risk of burnout so under crisis conditions such as during a pandemic. Psychotherapist Louisa Niehaus, looks at how healthcare professionals can cope during the time of extreme anxiety and uncertainty brought by COVID-19. This is a time in which the demands of the work can lead to exhaustion, cynicism and perceived inefficiency. Caring for patients who are sick and deteriorating can be very stressful and deeply saddening. Louisa shares insight into acute stress reactions and how doctors can help themselves through the present and future reality.
As the weeks of stay-at-home orders and school closures continue nationwide, parents are questioning whether isolation measures and physical distancing are doing lasting damage to their kids’ emotional development. Clinical psychologist, Candice Cowen, considers the positives and negatives of remote learning and children’s mental health in general during the COVID-19 pandemic. She also explores how parents can best support their children through learning from home until their return to school.
COVID-19 has facilitated dramatic changes in the way we work. Psychologist James Gower has extensive experience in employee wellness programs. He shares insights for every employee and employer into the pros and cons of remote or in-office work, going forward. What lessons have we learned from the flexibility that has been required, during lockdown? Remote employees have avoided long commutes and found more time to use productively. We have removed the distractions typical of an open-plan office and meetings now need to be more carefully considered. However, there are also challenges at hand and the changing world of work require adaptability on all our parts. How should we navigate this? James Gower Employee Wellbeing during COVID-19 transcript.pdf — PDF (43.4 KB)
Mindful eating is more than a list of tips – it’s a lifestyle. But practical tips sure help! Gain behavioural insight and strategies you can start applying today.
Join Vitality dietitian Terry Harris as she shares fresh ideas on delicious healthy meals and snacks that will stave off the hunger and boost your immune system.
The COVID-19 pandemic has come upon us quickly and threatens both our survival as people, but also that of organisations and businesses large and small. Many people have already faced salary cuts or job losses Clinical psychologist, Dr Colinda Linde knows that many business owners and leaders are now faced with letting go of staff. They also face the anxiety and fear of job loss themselves. How should leaders cope with the decisions that must be made, and how should they communicate these decisions to their staff?
Losing a job means losing income, security, purpose and more. Clinical psychologist, Dr Colinda Linde says it’s to expected that when we are faced with this sort of situation, we will go through stages of grieving. She clarifies what to expect emotionally and physically as well as how to better cope. Then, she inspires us to really think about our skills in new ways that could open up avenues we haven’t before thought to consider.
When we return to work, we will enter a new space on many levels. We are entering unchartered territory. There is bound to be some discomfort as we adapt to changed fundamentals in the way in which we greet each other; the way in which we interact; share communal spaces, laptops, pens, meeting rooms and more. Many things we once took for granted can no longer be done mindlessly. We will also need to interact while wearing masks, removing unspoken facial cues from the interaction and making communication harder. So many facets of work life have changed. Clinical psychologist Sheethal Behari, who practices at PsychMatters in Johannesburg, shares practical advice on the changes we can expect to deal with, and tools on how to manage these new scenarios.
Specialist Physician (Hepatologist) Dr Neliswa Gogela works at the frontline of treating the COVID-19 pandemic in South Africa. She shares the simple steps you should follow every day to protect against contracting COVID-19. Dr Gogela works as a Specialist Physician at UCT Private Academic and Groote Schuur hospitals. Dr Gogela is the first recipient of the Discovery Foundation Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Fellowship Award. She received the award in 2012. Over the past seven years, the Discovery Foundation has worked to develop the next generation of leaders in academic and clinical medicine in South Africa through this award. Valued at R2.1 million, this grant enables a talented specialist clinician to spend a year at MGH - Harvard Medical School’s largest teaching hospital - gaining expertise to enhance their work in South African hospitals.
The presence of COVID-19 in our world has many of us are worried about our own safety and the safety of our loved ones. For essential workers and people who are returning to their places of employment as lockdown conditions ease, these fears may become overwhelming. Educational psychologist Zaakirah Mohamed says each and every one of us feels fear, stress and anxiety at the moment and these feelings, or any forms of mental illness we may have, are not a failure on our behalf. We must reach out for help. She also shares several practical tools through which we can help ourselves to cope, from mindfulness and breathing exercises, the 5-4-3-2-1 sensory exercise, focusing on what we can control, avoiding the news and social media first thing in the morning and last thing at night before bed and more great tips and tools to support our mental health.
Along with eight other people, GP Dr Grant Bekker was quarantined following close contact with one of the first patients to contract COVID-19 in South Africa. Since returning to work, the way in which he runs his practice has changed entirely and digital tools have taken precedence in staying connected with patients. Dr Bekker explains how he sees many of his patients are seen first through telephonic consultations or virtually through Discovery Health’s DrConnect app, for triage and screening purposes. This GP feels that remote consultations are likely to be key management tool going forward.
Dr Neliswa Goglela is a hepatologist at UCT Private Academic and Groote Schuur hospital. She is also the first recipient of the Discovery Foundation Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Fellowship Award) where she managed patients with complex liver disease as well as patients needing liver transplants. Dr Gogela is a generalist and has a special interest in liver disease; from viral hepatitis to autoimmune liver disease.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put the spotlight on mental illness. A common statistic cited before the pandemic was that 1 in 7 people at work would have had a common mental health disorder at any given time. Now, our lives and ways of working have been disrupted in significant ways. Psychiatrist, Prof. Christoffel Grobler discusses the need for added sensitivity to mental illness in the workplace going forward. There will be a great need to recognise the signs of mental distress and ensure early intervention, to enable employees to continue to function as productive members of a business. Prof. Grobler is an Associate Professor at Walter Sisulu University and Member of the South African Medical Association Committee for Human Rights, Law and Ethics. Our mental health at work before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic Transcript.pdf — PDF (40.0 KB)
Have you found that the pressures of ongoing lockdown and enforced containment measures, have put pressure on your marriage or intimate relationship? Psychotherapist, Louisa Niehaus, explains how confinement, adapting to new routines under duress, working remotely, home schooling, the stress of confronting an uncertain future and the added gravity of COVID-19 – can be a tinder box for couples. How should you navigate this pressure?
Children thrive when they feel safe and protected, when their routines are in place and when their family and community are healthy and stable. However, COVID-19 pandemic and the global measures enforced to contain its spread have disrupting nearly every aspect of children’s lives. Clinical psychologist Joanna Kleovoulou explains the impact these dynamics have children and teenagers. She also delves into why it is critical that parents focus on their own mental health and that of their children to mitigate the impact of pandemic-related life changes on children’s future mental health. The mental health of your children Transcript.pdf — PDF (114.0 KB)
Many GPs have understood that their patients are extremely anxious about the risk of exposure to COVID-19 at their doctor’s rooms, and will avoid seeing their doctor even if they have a medical issue that requires attention. Dr Charlene de Greef, a GP based at Mayo Clinic in Johannesburg, has recently embraced online consultations, done through Discovery DrConnect, to allow her to continue to care for existing patients and to manage patients who develop possible symptoms of COVID-19 in a way that keeps everyone’s risk of exposure to the disease at a minimum. Find out why DrConnect has become an invaluable tool in managing all patients in the time of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the uptake of telehealth technologies and remote consultation with patients using telephonic or virtual platforms. These platforms have existed for a long time, but the time of COVID-19 and increased physical distancing, they have become indispensable to patient care. Psychiatrist, Prof. Christoffel Grobler shares his insights on the ways in which telehealth platforms are emerging as an effective and sustainable solution to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus and how telehealth may change the face of doctor-patient consultations long-term. Prof. Grobler is an Associate Professor at Walter Sisulu University and Member of the South African Medical Association Committee for Human Rights, Law and Ethics. Unpacking Telehealth Transcript.pdf — PDF (48.3 KB)
In the coming weeks and months, even more businesses will resume operations and employees will return to their places of work. What should employers and their staff understand about COVID‑19 to stay healthy, and to prevent discrimination in the workplace against individuals affected by COVID‑19? Dr Ahmad Haeri Mazanderani is a clinical virologist in the Centre for HIV and STIs at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in Johannesburg. He explains what we need to know about dealing with COVID‑19 in the workplace, and supporting those who return to work once they have recovered from COVID‑19.
In her role as Head of Corporate Sustainability at Discovery, Ruth Lewin has made it her mission to apply Discovery’s expertise, intellectual capital and corporate network in such a way that her team has redefined corporate social investment as we know it. Ruth and Azania delve into examples of several brilliant projects and initiatives funded by Discovery, and how the funding models at play have created lasting partnerships, for maximum benefit of the people each initiative serves.
In Sepedi, “Hlokomela” means “to care”. And, that is exactly what the Hlokomela healthcare project does for low-income employees on farms, in nature conservation and tourism in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Azania chats to Hlokomela’s founder, Christine du Preez, to find out just how this award-winning HIV and AIDS educational and treatment programme has been running successfully for 14 years, reaching an estimated 25 000 people annually. Azania also speaks to Head of Corporate Sustainability at Discovery, Ruth Lewin to find out how Discovery has partnered with, and funded Hlokomela to expand the project’s services. Then, Azania is joined by Wits University’s Dr Jacqui Miot to find out the results of research commissioned by The Discovery Fund to explore Hlokomela’s remarkable success and how this can be applied at scale.
Dentist, Dr Sabelo Mngomezulu, grew up herding cattle, expecting to drop out of school and work on the mines. Today he has pristine dental rooms at Mosvold Hospital and his patients access a standard of dental care they never imagined possible in a rural area. Azania’s interview this UYDF graduate is exceptionally moving. As a student, Dr Mngomezulu made a poor decision to defraud UYDF. This almost cost him his career. How did he get back on track and make amends?
Then, Azania chats to a medical student, in the thick of the challenges that come with university life and finishing his degree. Dumisani Mthembu is currently completing his 6th year of medicine and, without the support of UYDF’s mentorship programme and funding from Discovery, he would have found himself on a very different path.
She is a medical officer, chair of the Rural Doctors Association of South Africa, an UYDF graduate and trustee, as well as a princess of the Nxumalo royal clan. Dr Lungile Nxumalo’s passion for rural healthcare knows no bounds. And, it all started with the support she received from UYDF. She shares her remarkable story with Azania.
Young people in rural areas usually attend under-resourced schools and end up working on mines or herding cattle. What would happen if they could finish school, go to university and return as qualified healthcare professionals (many of them medical doctors) to turn local hospitals into institutions of healthcare excellence? Unheard of? The Umthombo Youth Development Foundation (UYDF) has, since 2001, made this scenario a reality. Azania interviews UYDF founder, Professor Andrew Ross (he is also Principal Specialist in Family Medicine at the University of KwaZulu Natal) and UYDF’s Student Manager Ntombi Mkhize.
Raising healthy children is one of the toughest challenges facing today’s parents. That’s why this podcast is a must-listen for parents and caregivers of children and young teens. Azania speaks to three experts - paediatrician, Dr Hanneke Heyns; Principal clinical specialist and Head of Research at Vitality South Africa, Dr Deepak Patel; and specialist child and adolescent psychiatrist, Dr Wendy Duncan. They share brilliant insights and tools to navigate a child’s physical, mental and emotional wellbeing both now and into adulthood. Raising Healthy Children Transcript.pdf — PDF (289.5 KB)
For many moms, pre- and post-natal depression (also called perinatal depression) and other mood disorders, make the process of a growing and caring for a baby a very challenging time. The truth is that a mother’s mental and physical health are intricately linked to her baby’s health. Specialist psychiatrist Dr Bavi Vythilingum, shares key insights with Azania about how moms might better understand their emotions, and how to support a mom who is struggling to cope.
We have started to develop a good idea of why the period from conception to age two is the most critical time for the development of a person’s mental, physical and emotional potential. Now Developmental Paediatrician, Dr Reneva Petersen, takes it further and tells Azania more about all that is needed to optimise mom’s health a baby’s development before and after birth.
Are you planning or expecting a baby? How well do you understand the concept of “The First 1000 days”? This is a window of phenomenal opportunity to determine a child’s mental, physical and emotional potential for the rest of its life. Azania talks to psychologist Katharine Frost to explain it all to us. Katharine is also Executive Director of The Ububele Educational & Psychotherapy Trust.
What makes for a good leader in the face of a crisis? There is no easy way to navigate the unprecedented impact that COVID-19 has had on our country and the world. The reality is that, for South African people, businesses and our economy, the consequences of COVID-19 will play out over the rest of 2020 and beyond. What does it take for the people who lead others, no matter their context, to adapt to the unprecedented circumstances in which we find ourselves? Azania Mosaka and Firoze Bhorat, Chief Marketing Officer at Discovery, explore this challenging question and reflect on leadership styles and practices that have helped to guide, enhance and protect the lives of others, in the time of COVID-19.
Pregnancy is a time in which a woman’s health is of utmost importance. What does it mean to be pregnant in the time of a pandemic such as COVID-19 and what does this illness mean for mothers to be? Azania Mosaka interviews Professor Priya Soma-Pillay to find out all that pregnant women need to know. Prof. Soma-Pillay She is the newly appointed head of Obstetrics and Maternal and Fetal Medicine at Steve Biko Academic Hospital and the University of Pretoria. She is also Interim President of the College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists of South Africa as well as the Honorary Secretary of the South African Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. In other words, she is really the leading obstetrician in South Africa.
Meditation teacher Vani Pavadai from the Art of Living Foundation takes us on a guided meditation journey.
Meditation teacher Vani Pavadai from the Art of Living Foundation takes us on a guided meditation journey.
Meditation teacher Vani Pavadai from the Art of Living Foundation takes us on a guided meditation journey.
Meditation teacher Vani Pavadai from the Art of Living Foundation takes us on a guided meditation journey.
A guided meditation for achieving stillness with Vani Pavadai, a meditation teacher with the Art of Living Foundation.
A guided meditation on resetting the busy mind with Vani Pavadai, a meditation teacher with the Art of Living Foundation.
A guided meditation on broadening the mind with Vani Pavadai, a meditation teacher with the Art of Living Foundation.
To really determine the health of a business, we must take a holistic view – one that includes the health of its employees. Their health determines their productivity and a company’s growth and potential. Every year South Africa loses billions of rands to absenteeism and a huge proportion of that is linked to employees falling mentally or physically ill. How do corporate organisations combat these losses? Azania talks to Employee Wellness experts Nonkululeko Pitje (Discovery’s Head of Employee Health Solutions) and Dr Tshidi Gule (founder of the Medispace Lifestyle Institute) to explore these dynamics and the holistic solutions that boost employee wellness. Healthy Employees And Healthy Businesses Transcript.pdf — PDF (195.9 KB)
Azania interviews two brave young women – Gugu Masondo and Dr Nokukhanya Khanyile – about their personal journeys through mental illness. Each has a unique journey, one that led them to connect and start public conversations aimed at demystifying mental illness and addressing the stigmas faced by those who suffer from mental health conditions.
Azania speaks to the dynamic Dr Sebolelo Seape, a psychiatrist whose passion for empowering others towards a deep understanding of mental illness and mental health knows no bounds. She practices in Parktown and Soweto, is presently the Chair of PsychMg, and also the President-elect of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP). She serves on multiple advisory boards and strives to teach us all about mental health through her frequent radio and television appearances around this theme.
Have you ever felt sad or down, found it hard to concentrate, had excessive fear or worry? Ever had mood changes with highs or lows, significant tiredness and maybe withdrawn from loved ones? Have you ever felt unable to cope with daily problems and stress or turned to substance abuse to get by? If you have concerns about your mental health, you’re not alone. Azania interviews Dr Noluthando Nematswerani (Discovery Health's Head of the Centre for Clinical Excellence) and Cassey Chambers (Operations Director at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group - SADAG) to explain mental illness and its management in a way that’s accessible to us all.
The mental wellbeing of a pregnant woman will affect the way in which her pregnancy progresses and also impact her unborn child on many levels. So what does the stress and worry that we all feel in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic mean for all the mothers to be out there? Professor Renata Schoeman is a psychiatrist and Head of the MBA in Healthcare Leadership at the University of Stellenbosch Business School. She is also an alumna of the Discovery Foundation and has contributed extensively to mental healthcare in South Africa. And she is particularly passionate about the subject of mental health in pregnancy for a very special reason – she is a new mom! She gave birth to her little boy very recently … and found herself in her final trimester when COVID19 reached to our shores.
We find ourselves facing a pandemic and uncertain times, particularly when it comes to our financial security. How does Discovery Life leverage the use of cutting edge technology in a way that assists and empowers clients, through innovative product solutions that reward them throughout their policy term. As Gareth Friedlander – Deputy CEO of Discovery Life – tells Azania Mosaka, Discovery Life’s approach to life insurance is unconventional, offering both local and global solutions for the modern day client. What is it that allows Discovery Life to follow trends and stay ahead of the curve, to keep solving for evolving, real-life client needs? And, how is the business working to ensure that it capable of meeting, and exceeding, these needs at present and into the future?
A podcast by Professor Mosa Moshabela, a specialist Family Physician, Associate Professor of Public health at UKZN and the dean of the School of Nursing and Public health at UKZN. He has also completed doctoral studies (PhD), in the field of public health, with a specific focus on health systems and policy research, and a Masters in Demography and Health (MSc) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. In this podcast he discusses The Safety of healthcare workers - breaking the chain of transmission in COVID-19.
“What if I don’t make it? What is going to happen to my children? Will everything be okay?” These are the worries that keep doctors like paediatric intensivist, Dr Despina Demopoulos, and her colleagues, up at night. Azania Mosaka speaks to Dr Demopoulos about how lockdown has helped doctors to prepare for a future peak in the COVID-19 pandemic in SA. Dr Demopoulos explains the pressure that doctors are under and the work she and others are doing to ensure that the healthcare system copes with future needs. Dr Demopoulos is a wife, mother of three and nine-year-old boys, and a doctor on the frontline of treating patients with COVID-19 in South Africa. She is also a member of the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centres COVID-19 Task team and Ethics committee, the Gauteng COVID-19 ICU group and The SA Paediatric COVID-19 Ethics Palliative Care & Critical Care team.”
We are all concerned for the health of elderly loved ones who are at high-risk of severe illness should they contract COVID-19. But, for older people who live with dementia - and their caregivers - this is a particularly trying time. People who have dementia have a limited understanding of COVID-19 as well as of the preventive habits needed to keep them safe. Old age psychiatrist Dr Ryan Fuller explains dementia and its causes, how to keep a person with dementia safe in the face of the pandemic, and the role of a care centres, primary caregivers and loved ones at this time.
Clinical psychologist, Dr Colinda Linde, explains the emotional intricacies of returning to work after lockdown, and overturning fear and stigma related to COVID-19. Some may feel fear in the face of interaction with colleagues who have contracted or been exposed to COVID-19. But if we allow stigma and discrimination in the face of COVID-19, we will cause people to hide their symptoms or deter them from seeking medical help. How can we all respond to support each other to stay safe and healthy in the workplace, going forward?
“People are hungry. People don’t have food.” So says Christine du Preez in her interview with Azania Mosaka. When we talk about people working on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic, we must not forget the NGOs that are working tirelessly to support South Africa’s most vulnerable communities. Hlokomela is an award-winning healthcare programme set up 14 years ago by Christine to bring primary healthcare to local workers in farming, nature conservation and tourism in Limpopo and Mpumalanga. One of Hlokomela’s greatest supporters has been the Discovery Fund. Now, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought local tourism to a halt, leaving many people without income. And, Hlokomela’s 82 “Nomphilos” (healthcare workers) have been thrust into the forefront of screening for COVID-19.
Many people the world over have had to face the loss of a loved on to COVID-19. How should we communicate with and support a loved one who contracts COVID-19 and develops serious illness that threatens their life? And, how might we come to terms with their death? Grief is a unique experience for each of us, says clinical psychologist Dessy Tzoneva. And, the current pressures brought to bear by COVID-19 could make grieving even more challenging at this time.
The impact of COVID-19 on healthcare professionals who are on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic is very much in the spotlight. However, what impact is the pandemic having on students working to become doctors, nurses, dentists and to enter other careers in healthcare? And, what happens when these students hail from rural areas where the challenge of access to digital and remote learning is significant? Azania Mosaka talks to Gavin MacGregor, director of the Umthombo Youth Development Foundation. This scholarship programme has for years succeeded in addressing the shortage of qualified healthcare professionals in rural hospitals by investing in local youth. UYDF has, since 2001, been supported by the Discovery Fund. COVID-19 has brought unprecedented challenge to UYDF’s students. How have they adapted?
In this how-to guide by Dr Ela Manga, she explains how to use the Box Breathing technique for mindfulness. Also known as “square breathing” this is a technique used by taking slow, deep breaths for relaxation. It follows a four-step sequence: the inhale, pause, the exhale, and pause. Box breathing emphasises control and allows your body to make full use of the breath. It can heighten performance and concentration while also being a powerful stress reliever.
In this how-to guide by Dr Ela Manga, she explains how to use the Honeybee Breathing technique for relaxation. Named after humming sound that bees make with their wings, the sound is soothing and can increase exhalation. It can be a regular daily practice to encourage relaxation or an immediate remedy when needed.
In this how-to guide by Dr Ela Manga, she explains how to breathe consciously for mindfulness. Conscious breathing emphasises control and allows your body to make full use of the breath. It can heighten performance, concentration and is powerful stress reliever.
Managing the daily lives of typically developing children during lockdown is challenging for any parent or caregiver. However, for parents of a child who has autism, the stay-at-home period and all measures aimed at curbing the spread of COVID-19 can be particularly challenging. Ilana Gerschlowitz is a mother of three sons, two diagnosed with autism, and author of “Saving my sons – A journey with autism”. She is also the director of the Star Academy. Ilana shares invaluable tips around helping a child with autism through the day, and keeping them safe and healthy through COVID-19’s disruptions.
Once you’ve run the numbers over the coming months, the time will come where you want to channel any spare cash you have into growing your personal profitability. Make sure you watch the lesson first to listen to the experts weigh in here.
Now it’s time to slow down as you assess the difference between your personal finances pre-lockdown and now. Then it’s time to course correct if need be. We’ll guide you through the online lesson here.
It’s time to stop and take stock of your current financial situation. Make sure you’ve watched the lesson before you begin!
Dr Dale Rae specialises in sleep science, circadian rhythms and sleep in sport, health and illness. She unpacks why our sleep patterns may be altered while we adapt to staying at home, and how to manage sleep issues. Dr Rae is a senior researcher in the division of Exercise Science and Sports Medicine at the University of Cape Town and the director of the Sleep Science unit at the Sports Science Institute of SA.
Dinesh Govender, Vitality CEO, explains why it is more important than ever to keep up a fitness routine – not for your waistline, but for your mind, too. While we are at home, exercise is essential for maintaining both your physical and mental wellbeing. He also shares the ins and outs of the new Vitality Mental Wellbeing programme.
How do we learn to build fortitude and mental capacity to handle the stresses of daily life? Join this guided meditation with Vani Pavadai a teacher from the Art of Living Foundation.
Using the breath as a guide for relaxation, meditation teacher Vani Pavadai from the Art of Living Foundation takes us on a guided meditation journey.
A guided meditation on destressing and relaxion with Vani Pavadai, a meditation teacher with the Art of Living Foundation.
Vani Pavadai, a meditation teacher with the Art of Living Foundation, presents this guided meditation on building resilience.
Meditation teacher Vani Pavadai, from the Art of Living Foundation, guides you on a journey within.
Vani Pavadai, a meditation teacher with the Art of Living Foundation, has taught the practice for 21 years – to individuals, corporates, in prisons and at schools. In this podcast, she explains what meditation is about and how anyone can learn to meditate.
These days the news can feel like a constant stream of anxiety-inducing reports for investors. However, as Guy Chennells (Head of Product for Discovery Employee Benefits) tells Azania Mosaka, he believes that with strategic upskilling, innovation and patience, forward-thinking employers and investors can still come out on top. Guy shares key insights into finding opportunities in the midst of the disruption that COVID-19 has brought to markets and economies.
Hindsight is 20/20, as the saying goes – but learning from the past and present is key for anyone who wants to become savvier with their finances in the future. Azania Mosaka talks to Guy Chennells, Head of Product for Employee Benefits at Discovery. Guy shares tips to help investors gain perspective in this time of economic upheaval and help us to draw out the financial lessons we can all learn from the COVID-19 experience.
Many of us were holding on to the notion of a 21-day lockdown. The most recent extension of the stay-at-home period to the end of April 2020, has reinforced all that the term “lockdown” implies - a loss of freedom, choice, movement, connection and more. Dr Colinda Linde, clinical psychologist and SADAG board member, explains why we might perceive this loss as real grief. You may well recognise the phases of grief that Dr Linde describes in your own responses. However, did you know that there are healthy ways to express your panic and anxiety, anger or other very valid emotions that result from feeling powerless? Dr Linde tells us how to navigate the journey as best we can, starting today.
How can you be as productive as you need to be in your work, while also caring for children at home? Human potential and parenting expert Nikki Bush shares must-know tips to help every parent to manage working remotely, taking care of children’s holistic wellbeing and enforce a sense of control that will reassure children as far as possible. Nikki also speaks to employers about how critical it is to understand every remote employee’s current situation, how this affects the productivity they are capable of and what sort of additional support they may need to get through their work.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic our focus is on flattening the curve, working through the stay-at-home period and maintaining physical distancing. How many of us have paused to acknowledge the mental and physical healthcare challenges that every healthcare professional now faces, day in and day out? Endocrinologist Dr Sundeep Ruder has a deep passion for wellbeing and public health. He tells Azania Mosaka why, and how, our healthcare professionals should care for themselves as they tackle the COVID-19 tide. He also helps us all to better understand the situation our healthcare professionals find themselves in.
The changes that COVID-19 has brought to our lives that can cause fear, anxiety, stress and confusion for a teenager. What are the signs and symptoms that parents should look out for as indicators that a teen is feeling overwhelmed? Access to local and global news around the pandemic, information obtained on social media and general uncertainty around the future can all affect a teenager’s ability to cope with schoolwork, cope with isolation at home - and even present as physical symptoms such as stomach cramps or other symptoms. Cassey Chambers – Operations Director at SADAG – shares tips and tools for parents and caregivers around recognising that a teenager is handling too much stress, and how to help them.
Thinking positively during a crisis is often easier said than done. But, it’s really important that we try to make sense of the situation that we are in. It’s also so important to focus on our mental health as we endure the disruption brought to our lives by the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s okay to feel anxious and it’s okay to feel stressed. However, there is so much that we can do to help us to cope. Cassey Chambers - Operations Director at the South African Depression and Anxiety Group – shares practical tools to help us to manage our lives, daily routines and more – whether we are working from, looking after family or alone at home.
Shared-value is not a buzz word, says Nando’s co-founder, Robbie Brozin, it is the way to run a business. In South Africa, having a business that gives back from the start-up phase is no longer a compromise. Robbie share how having a purpose can propel businesses, and sustain it. Also, why defining a central purpose to your business from the get-go is important, and why is it so important to have a ‘why’.
Just because an elderly person isn’t asking for help, doesn’t mean that they are coping. How can we ensure that our elderly loved ones maintain their physical and mental wellbeing during the COVID-19 pandemic? What are the signs and symptoms of COVID-19 in elderly people and why are the elderly at risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19? How will families know when to seek out emergency medical care for an elderly person? What sort of daily routine will support the elderly through every day? How can technology and apps help to maintain their cognitive health and also stay in contact with loved ones? Psychiatrist Dr Ryan Fuller, founder of the Memorycare healthare practice, and who specialises in old age psychiatry, shares excellent advice on all of this and more.
Doctors are far more vulnerable to COVID-19 than many of us realise. Specialist Dr Venesh Moodley is one of countless healthcare professionals vulnerable to severe illness as a result of repeated exposure to COVID-19 every day, at work. The challenge he and his colleagues face is immense. The stress, responsibility and importance of every decision they make weighs heavily on them. Dr Moodley shares the fear and hope that doctors feel, and explains what life is really like for doctors right now as they do all they can to keep themselves, their families and each and every one of us safe.
Globally, the use of telemedicine has proven invaluable in the management of COVID-19. No one knows this better than Dr Sudeshan Govender, a KZN-based GP. He has for years, run a digitally enabled practice. He is used to carrying out virtual follow-up consultations with his Discovery Health Medical Scheme member patients. He does this using Discovery’s DrConnect app. He tells Azania Mosaka that when it comes to COVID-19, virtual access to his patients is proving lifesaving. And, thanks to the new Vodacom and Discovery partnership, now all of his patients – and every single South African – can access Free COVID-19 Online Doctor Consultations.