I did an experiment this evening. I asked my six year old daughter to hold her hand against mine. She looked a bit puzzled but was curious as this was something mommy usually does not ask her to do, out of the blue. She cautiously put her hand against mine. I applied pressure to push her hand back and she pushed mine back.

Of course this was a load of fun for her and we spent the next 10 minutes with the hand pushing exercise eventually enrolling dad in the fun as well! I wanted to try this exercise because Richard Pike, CEO of Adcorp, delivered a tremendously heartwarming and poignant recollection of his life story at our offices in Sandton. He demonstrated this hand push back example, to illustrate that as human beings, if we are pushed, we push back. (more…)

We all know that it is important to focus on Employment Equity and the reasons these policies, procedures and the measurements have been put into place. Hopefully this is accompanied with a sense of pride, reason and backed with knowledge. But what about the other (previously) disadvantaged minorities? Focus is concentrated on legalities whereas the softer side, may I say the humanity, seems to falter. Certainly a notion as strong as empowerment is filled with meaning and sentiment, a collective strive for a splendid integrated nation. Although the minorities I refer to, stretch further than females, this article has its focus on this group. (more…)

DAV staff would like to wish Nelson “Madiba” Mandela a happy 93rd birthday!

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born 18 July 1918, served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election.

Mandela Day on 18 July is an annual international day adopted by the United Nations. Individuals, communities and organisations are asked to donate 67 minutes to doing something for others, commemorating the 67 years that Nelson Mandela gave to the struggle for social justice.

“Today, give a stranger one of your smiles. It might be the only sunshine he sees all day.”
- H. Jackson Brown, Jr

Have you ever noticed how good you feel after a good laugh? How do you feel when you walk into a room and the people already there greet you with wide smiles?

Smiling is one of humankinds most unique and endearing traits- and it has important psychological and physiological effects too.
Smiling connects us with others, makes those around us feel happier, reduces the level of stress hormones and, amazingly, also has the same stimulating effect on our neurochemistry as eating 2,000 chocolate bars! (more…)