Devan Moonsamy

July has always had a spirit of Ubuntu and sharing. It is the birth month of the father of our nation and it is also referred to as Mandela month. 

In this month we often find big companies, small businesses and organizations coming up with creative campaigns to commemorate the legacy of the late president. It is the month in which all South Africans are encouraged to do their bit and pledge their support in the smallest way. 

Be it helping an organization in need or feeding a group of people, any form of selfless contribution is encouraged. Sadly, this year most projects are on ice as the number of people infected with the coronavirus rises daily. 

As South Africans, the chance of not being able to do something might leave a void. That being said how can we still celebrate a month of selflessness and adhere to the rules and regulations of our current lockdown? 

It is simple. Keep it small. You could provide your help and assistance if possible, to a smaller group of people. 

As a company, look at NGOs that are assisting communities feeling the pinch of the economy following many industries having to embark on retrenchment and liquidation. This has resulted in a number of people without work. If you are able to, run a programme to offer work to these individuals. 

Schools are also always participating in activities during this time, however with the limited number of grades and the major social distancing at school this year activities might not be possible. This doesn’t mean our children don’t have to feel the spirit. 

Get the kids to help put together sanitizing packs and distribute these to those who are less fortunate than us. Alternatively, you could find out which organizations are doing distributions and drop it off to them. 

The spirit of Mandela day should not be lost due to the fact that we are dealing with this pandemic. Use this rather as an opportunity to get the family behind a project to distract ourselves from the daunting numbers and the scary Whatsapp messages that are doing their rounds. 

Devan Moonsamy is the CEO of ICHAF Training Institute and the Author of Racism, Classism, Sexism and the other ISM’s that Divide us. ICHAF offers SETA-approved training in business skills, computer use, and soft skills. Devan specialises in conflict and diversity management, and regularly conducts seminars on these issues for corporates. To book a seminar with Devan or for other training courses, please use the contact details below.

Tel: 011 262 2461 | Email: devan@ichaftraining.co.za | Website: ichaftraining.co.za | devan-moonsamy.com

Devan Moonsamy 

The number of people tested positive for Covid-19 is on the rise with regions seeing a drastic increase in a matter of days. With this we have also seen online stories of people who claim to not be showing any symptoms of the virus but still having their test showing positive. 

Many offices have resumed work but what has been a sore topic is the stigma around the virus. As much as the symptoms to the virus are similar to a flu, people with sinus and usual winter health issues get the ‘glare’ when they cough or sneeze in the office. 

We obviously can’t send every person home with a slight sneeze or cough but what we can do at the office is encourage those who have the flu symptoms to work from home. This not just prevents them from being glared at the office but also safe guards from being exposed to people while sick. 

But this needs to be communicated. Instead of just assuming people are going to realize this send an email highlighting the need to protect your employees. Also ensure that this is communicated not in a manner to put them under the spotlight but to safeguard the spread of bacteria at the work space. 

It seems as though the stigma around the virus is growing. People might be sceptical about associating with someone who has previously tested positive in the work place. We have to realize that people are being tested, treated and recovering from the virus. 

As an owner of an organization implement strict rules about social distancing. Ensure employees have access to sanitizers and that sanitizing of the office is done each afternoon when the employees leave for the end of the day. 

These are but a few things that we should be already be doing if we have staff working from the office. A lot of staff also travel by public transport we should ensure they are not victimized in the workplace. We must understand the virus does not target you based on where you stay and how you travel to work. So do not put on a mask when you see a colleague who uses public transport but take it off when taking to someone who has their own vehicle. 

Right now as an employee of a company just ensure you are sanitizing and wearing your mask whenever you are out of your home. The only way to safeguard you and your family is to take the necessary steps of precaution. But while doing so remember the virus does not select a specific race group, gender or culture. Anyone can get it so always keep your mask on when interacting outside your home. 

Devan Moonsamy is the CEO of ICHAF Training Institute and the Author of Racism, Classism, Sexism and the other ISM’s that Divide us. ICHAF offers SETA-approved training in business skills, computer use, and soft skills. Devan specialises in conflict and diversity management, and regularly conducts seminars on these issues for corporates. To book a seminar with Devan or for other training courses, please use the contact details below.

Tel: 011 262 2461 | Email: devan@ichaftraining.co.za | Website: ichaftraining.co.za | devan-moonsamy.com

Devan Moonsamy

Lockdown regulations have gradually been lifted, allowing for more people to head to work. The recent sector to be allowed back have been the salon staff. In a line of work, where socializing forms part of grooming social distancing might seem difficult. 

With the new regulations there has been a lot of relief as more and more people have been allowed to head back to work. Sadly, we have also seen a large number of people facing the chopping block as the virus crippled certain sectors of the economy resulting in retrenchment and liquidation. 

This means we have far more people job hunting while trying to keep afloat. This might be a very difficult time for those of us already in our respected industries as we try to make sense of it all. We have already seen how all our major retailers as well as food hotspots have taken to the sanitizing routine. But we have also seen how many people are still blatantly ignoring these safety measures that have been made mandatory. 

The question is how do our staff working under lockdown regulations implement the necessary safety measures. 

You need to ensure that all staff are educated about the changes. Chances are that due to many hoax messages and often misinformation people might feel they will not contract the virus. This is incorrect. As an employee, your safety is absolutely important. But it is also essential that you encourage the safety of your customers. By this we mean ensuring they understand why their temperatures are being checked, inform them as to why their kids are not allowed into the store or even why they will not be allowed to enter your premises without a face mask. 

Many retail workers have already had to face the harsh treatment of being told off and customers saying “I just sanitized.” But we must follow the new policies implemented by our own organization. 

Do not be afraid to call a manager should the situation seem like it isn’t getting out of hand. Managers play an important role now more than ever in supporting staff of companies who are trying to  implement the social distancing policies.

Ensure that as a manager you show the support to your staff member who might be dealing with a difficult customer refusing to acknowledge the new policies your store has in place. At the same time help your customer see why you there is a need for you to take on this approach. 

As customers we need to be a lot more understanding to these regulations. They have been put in place for our safety and security. If we neglect to wear a mask and do not practice social distancing, we are at risk of contracting a virus that has turned the face of a year that we once thought was full of promise. 

Before leaving home to enjoy the few more relaxed regulations of the lockdown understand your responsibility and most importantly respect the measures put in place by businesses for your safety. 

Devan Moonsamy is the CEO of ICHAF Training Institute and the Author of Racism, Classism, Sexism and the other ISM’s that Divide us. ICHAF offers SETA-approved training in business skills, computer use, and soft skills. Devan specialises in conflict and diversity management, and regularly conducts seminars on these issues for corporates. To book a seminar with Devan or for other training courses, please use the contact details below.

Tel: 011 262 2461 | Email: devan@ichaftraining.co.za | Website: ichaftraining.co.za | devan-moonsamy.com

Devan Moonsamy

Gender based violence has dominated headlines as much as the news of the increase in the number of coronavirus cases. In the past few weeks scores of South African woman and children have lost their lives at the hand of perpetrators. 

These stories have not just shocked our country but the world as well. At the same time, it is not something new. South African woman live in fear and are never sure whether an innocent night out might turn into a statistic or whether a simple trip to the post office could be the last trip they make. 

We also know of the number of women who live with their potential perpetrators based on the history of abuse and violence in the relationship. The question however is why are we accepting it? 

Why are we turning a blind eye to it?

How often is it that a friend, cousin or neighbour comes to you and pours out their heart about the abuse they endure?

There is always a trusted person that a someone being abused turns to when it comes to dealing with this situation.

But what do we do? 

We give the advice of staying in the relationship. We say they are men this is how they are. Perhaps it is actually your fault for generations of woman enduring abuse becomes in some cultures it is normalised. But why is this alright? Why do we still tell woman to have patience this will work out? 

This is not acceptable.

You need to be realistic. If you know of someone that is in a potentially abusive relationship insist they seek help. 

Take it upon yourself to give them a key word so if things get out of hand, they know they can get you to assist them. 

We can’t be silent and watch as more and more woman become victims of the heinous acts that lead to their murder.

It is time to call out those uncles in the family that pass snarky remarks at woman or say things about womans bodies. If you find there is one family member far to fond of taking a girl child to the shop or to do an activity you need to investigate. Why is there this particular appeal to this child?

We sadly live in a world were even the most trusted person could be a potential perpetrator. Start with educating your girl and boy children about sexual abuse and what it in entails and how they must not keep secrets of other adults.

At the same time there have also been calls for parents to educate boys on how to not rape. This is essential. Boy children must be thought the necessary trigger points to prevent them from becoming perpetrators. It is about respect and consent. It is also about understanding that men have a responsibility in society to make it safe for woman. Teach your sons ways in which do this. Whether it be driving a friend home after an evening of partying to ensure she is safe to accompanying her to the shop or library these little steps helps make society feel safer again.

It starts at home. When you daughter has bruising do not ignore it. Do not assume you should not get involved. Stop thinking about what people would say but rather think about them coming to you in a body bag because you were to late to assist.

Devan Moonsamy is the CEO of ICHAF Training Institute and the Author of Racism, Classism, Sexism and the other ISM’s that Divide us. ICHAF offers SETA-approved training in business skills, computer use, and soft skills. Devan specialises in conflict and diversity management, and regularly conducts seminars on these issues for corporates. To book a seminar with Devan or for other training courses, please use the contact details below.

Tel: 011 262 2461 | Email: devan@ichaftraining.co.za | Website: ichaftraining.co.za | devan-moonsamy.com

Devan Moonsamy

As South Africa commemorates youth month we are made aware of the number of racist attacks across the world.

While the world chants Black Lives Matter, here in SA this cause has been alight since the days of apartheid. June 16^th is a day when South Africans commemorate the Soweto uprising. But it should not be like all other public holidays that are often just used as a day to get out of work or a day to have a braai with friends.

We need to use this time, this day or month to speak to our youth about what it means to be behind a cause.

Let us look at the lifestyle of our youth. It is all about social status. It is about how many likes a picture or video gets, what can I do to make my video go viral? We see the challenges in which young people are parading on tik tok with their domestic workers doing challenges. Is this appropriate?

Another common tik tok video that stirs debate is when we find young people adorning the hijab to make a video viral but what this does is only showcase the lack of understanding as to why it is worn. From making videos to mock African and Indian culture to pretending to speak in an accent of other racial groups, we have seen them all.

But the question is what are our young people doing to raise awareness around the issues of racism? Is simply sharing a blacked-out image on social media enough to show your solidarity?

It is not. Racism exists even in our homes. It exists when our family members address the domestic worker as girl or boy. It exists when we make assumptions and comments on culture. When we see the attempt to make a mockery of someone’s accent and relish in laughter at how a certain group dances or celebrates festivities.

This is not new to us. This infact is online racism. It is what we see when someone makes snarky comments about culture, religion and race. It is what we see when a meme is shared and as much as the groups that relate to it share and have a ball of a laugh if the meme was made by another group, we would take offense. The question is as youth how to we deal with it?

We have also seen celebrities being called out for selective participation. From the likes of international celeb Priyanka Chopra Jonas who was called out for her support to BLM but not for the ongoing atrocities to minority groups in India.

The fight against racism is not something we are unfamiliar with. We have seen how for years we have had to deal with racist people within our homes and communities. They are also foolishly in leadership. Racism is not an issue that is alienated. It is one that brings about the bigger discussion on what do we do to address it.

The reality is that our youth are the ones with the most connections in terms of making a subject go viral. This should be a chance for you to go out there and express your concern on these unsettling matters. Rather than ignore social treads of comments on racism call people out. Unfriend and unfollow if you must.

Ask yourself as a young social media user what am I doing to stop hate speech and social divide?

Devan Moonsamy is the CEO of ICHAF Training Institute and the Author of Racism, Classism, Sexism and the other ISM’s that Divide us. ICHAF offers SETA-approved training in business skills, computer use, and soft skills. Devan specialises in conflict and diversity management, and regularly conducts seminars on these issues for corporates. To book a seminar with Devan or for other training courses, please use the contact details below.

Tel: 011 262 2461 | Email: devan@ichaftraining.co.za | Website: ichaftraining.co.za | devan-moonsamy.com