Internal Staff Newsletter - Edition 3 - August 2018

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World Cup, Wimbledon and Blood Moon Lunar eclipses; one
can say July was a trending and very active month. Many of
us are probably withdrawing from the World Cup fever
which had so many curve balls and surprise wins, and no sign
of Paul the Octopus as many people tried to predict the
scores and winners of the different matches.

We may have not had Bafunny Bafunny (Bafana Bafana) in
the World Cup, but South Africa had its very own Kevin Anderson representing at the
Wimbledon, who clenched his first semi-final win after beating defending champion Roger
Federer. Anderson went on to break a world-record, when he outlasted John Isner, into the
men’s final.

Anderson may not have won the finals, losing to Novak Djokovic, but he is the still a winner as
he is the first South African man to reach the Wimbledon singles finals since Kevin Curren in
1985 and first South African man into the last eight at the All England Club since Wayne Ferreira
in 1994.

Still on the sports segment, our very own Keeghan Isaacs
was selected to be part of a team representing the
Western Province at the Inter-provincial Tournament
(IPT) National Indoor Cricket Tournament in Durban last
week. We are happy to announce that they won the finals
and are reigning champions; against Kwazulu Natal North,
the hosts of the tournament. Read all about that in the
newsletter.

August is finally here, and I am very excited about
attending the ICON Conference. We have the last
segment of the build up to the conference by sharing
the theme background: Optimising outcomes and
unlocking value.

August is also Women’s Month and I hope that we will celebrate our women a little extra this
month. As a country we still battle violence against women and children and we need to speak
out more on this until we can finally remove it from within our societies and behind closed doors.
However, not to dwell on the negative, let us appreciate and celebrate all the Phenomenal
Women among us, and to you we say Happy Women’s Month!

We also share the value of giving to the less
fortunate as we share a few snips of some of the
employees taking part in the 67 minutes of Mandela
spirit as the world celebrated what would have been
his 100th birthday on the 18th of July 2018.

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We also talk psychological wellbeing in the workplace, tax and property bonds, celebrate
birthdays and long service awards and have a chat with the CEO Jacques Snyman.
Don’t forget to send us questions on any burning issues that you would like answers to.
Questions are anonymous when posed and would love to hear more from the regions.

Some parents are re-adjusting to the school-run after a 3-week hiatus and winter is not exactly
letting up with the sporadic cold fronts and warm summer days in between, but let’s not lose
heart because soon it will be spring and will be chasing summer into December holidays.

Looking forward to your input and hope you enjoy the read.

Thoko,

In it to win it ~ unknown source the Western Province Mens O/30 at the
Inter-Provincial Indoor Cricket Tournament
Keeghan Isaacs, the System Administrator that took place in Durban from the 22nd of
in the IT department, who many have come July until the 28th of July 2018.
to know as “Keegs”, started playing indoor The opening ceremony was on Sunday 22nd
cricket at the young age of 8 years. What July where they got to meet and interact
started off as a social sport and family with the other teams and the games
games soon became a competitive sport for officially kicked off on Monday, 23rd July
him. This saw him play at his first provincial 2018. His team won the first game against
game at the age of 13 years old for his Gauteng North and second game against
province at the time, Boland. Kwazulu Natal North. Their winning streak
saw them lose only 4 games out of 12
“It has been a passion since I was young, and matches and put them through to the semi-
I now take part in competitions every year”, finals.
Keeghan added.
2018
In January this year, Keeghan was selected
to be part of the team that would represent

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The victorious Saturday morning of 28th July 3
2018, they knocked out Kwazulu Natal
South off the last ball of the innings to head Although he suffered a minor injury on day
into the gold finals. For the winning match two, Keeghan came back strong and was
they clashed against the host Kwazulu Natal part of the winning match. He is very proud
North, which they took out for 37 runs and about their performance in the entire
scored 67 runs, winning the champion title; tournament, of which they celebrated until
crowning the Western Province O/30 as the they returned home.
best in the country for the 2nd consecutive
year. Welcoming him home were his dogs; 2 pit
bulls and 2 jack russells, who missed him a
lot. He says they keep him busy and
entertained when he is not playing cricket or
hanging out with friends. Not only is Keegs
a gym enthusiast, which keeps him in shape
and fit, he is also into motorsports and
follows the English Premier League ‘by
heart’ and often plays Superbru and Fantasy
League on the side for some fun.

In his spare time, he also tries to give back to
the community by coaching soccer and
cricket at grassroot level at local clubs where
he grew up.

Kudos to you and the team!

Optimising outcomes: Unlocking value

As we build up towards the conference happening in this month, in this edition we give background
to the theme for this year’s conference.

Unlocking value and optimising outcomes looks at how ICON scales the outcomes of patient
care and treatment, and rewards delivery of value treatment. The managing company, ISIMO,
manages protocols; keeping them in line with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and
offers the advantage of peer-to-peer management.

Peer-to-peer management holds oncologists accountable while ISIMO regulates delivery of
treatment, and the measured outcomes help change the mindset of many practitioners
especially in private health – as it rewards doctors who provide quality outcomes.

“This is where the concept of Value = Cost / Outcome comes in”

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In other countries, a list of doctors with acceptable outcomes is published to encourage other
doctors to spend time refining their art and service. This prompts us as South African oncology
to ask - Are we delivering quality treatment at a reasonable cost, and in turn providing an
improved quality of life for our patients?

The theme emphasises the importance of clinical outcome measurement and reporting as an
essential component of determining the value delivered to our patients by the care we provide.
The quality and value of care; both aspirational and pragmatic, is key in all the discussions and
evident looking at the themes in the previous years.

Previous themes for the conferences are:
2016: Real World Oncology
We looked at the challenges that South Africa and developing countries are dealing with in the
face of the rapid, and often expensive, advances in cancer treatment.

2014: Quest for Quality
The focus was on improving both the quality of our care of patients and the clinical outcomes.

2012: Appropriate Value-based Cancer Care
This was not the official theme, however discussion around it had a strong focus on doctor-
patient communication.

2010: Launch of the initial ICON Clinical Protocol Development Meeting

“Central to the successes of the ICON Conference is the involvement of the network; as
presenters and chairs of sessions. If we as a country-wide network, with a very high percentage
of all cancer specialists in the country, work together in the interests of our patients, we can
achieve far more than individually-and-divided. This meeting will consolidate the network in its
focus and energy to achieve the best for our cancer patients”, said Jacques Snyman, CEO of
Medical Specialist Holdings (MSH), holding company of ICON.

ICON’s fifth conference will take place from the
17th August to 19th August 2018 at the Century
City Conference Centre in Cape Town. Visit the
website: www.icon2018.co.za for more
information and programme.

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Health and Wellbeing

For August we look at another factor to help employees become more
resilient: promoting a healthy psychological environment. In July the
theme under the National Health Calendar was Mental Illness
Awareness. A healthy psychological environment in the workplace is
quite an important factor in ensuring a healthy workforce that is both
productive and happy to be at work.

We spend most of our adult life at work and it has become an almost obvious that organisations
see the importance of a healthy work environment and its impact on employee productivity.

According to World Health Organisation (WHO), a healthy workplace can be described as one
where workers and managers actively contribute to the working environment by promoting and
protecting the health, safety and well-being of all employees.

In fact, studies have consistently shown that risks to a work environment result in work-related
stress, health, physical and psychological problems, and in turn affects the bottom line through
reduced productivity and high staff turnover.

Bullying and psychological harassment (mobbing) are the most common reported causes
globally, while most risks relate to interactions between the organisation and managerial
environment, the skills and competencies of employees as well as support available to
employees to carry out their work.

Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression leading to a disability, while many
suffer from anxiety.

How does an organisation turn statistics around?
• Re-invent wellness awareness: Focus on the overall well-being of
employees and not just the health aspects; e.g. mental,
financial, etc.
• Provide support resources: Have referrals for support
organisations that can provide professional help 24/7 to
employees
• Develop policies and procedures that help facilitate changing an
environment and culture.
• Learn from companies that have taken actions and implement
their success stories.

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Life in pictures

July was Mandela month, and we have a few pictures from Cape Town, Centurion and Durban, in
case you missed them on Yammer.
Some of our staff members took time out to represent MSH and the companies that fall under
it for the internationally celebrated charity day.

“There can be no greater gift than
that of giving one’s time and energy

to help others without expecting
anything in return”- Nelson
Mandela

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We also have pictures from Durban’s group who took part in the Totalsports Women’s Race that
took place on the 22nd July. We will share pictures from Cape Town and Joburg on Yammer and
in the next edition.

Races coming up in August

Johannesburg Cape Town

09 August 09 August

Mary Fitzgerald Square Grand Parade

Newtown Cape Town City Central

08h00 08h00

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National Women’s Day

9th August marks a historic event that took place
in 1956, where 20 000 women from across the
country marched towards the Union Buildings in
petition against pass laws.

Four women; Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa, Sophy
Williams and Lilian Ngoyi, led The Federation of
South African Women to deliver a petition to then
Prime Minister JG Strijdom. Fast forward to sixty
years later, marches are still happening to this day
but for a different struggle.

The day and its events have been celebrated since 1994 when South Africa gained its
independence. It is however disheartening to celebrate the National Women’s Day in a country
that still battles with many challenges around women and children’s rights. Last month, July
2018, as part of the Mandela Centenary celebrations, the South African government and social
partners hosted a national #100MenMarch against violence against women and children and
seeking to raise awareness on the ever-rising violence against women and children.

The United Nations (UN) International Women’s Day, took place earlier this year, 8th March,
under the theme “Time is Now: Rural and Urban activists transforming women’s lives”.
However, while at the time of going to print, a theme is yet to be announced for the South Africa
2018 Women’s Day celebrations and is assumed that the international theme remains
applicable.

Under the phrase, “Wathint’abafazi, wanthint’imbokodo” – indeed when you have touched
the women, you have struck a rock as this year will continue to see many dialogues and marches
happen to honour the iconic women of 1956 but remains to be seen if we become the change
we want to see, as we continue to display courage and strength, not only as women but as
humanity.

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Randelas 9

Still talking tax with Capital Gains Tax

In the last edition we reminded you that tax season
was upon us, and one of the tax returns details under
IT3b/IT3c is capital gains through investments.

In this edition we shed some light on Capital Gains
Tax (CGT).

The relevant legislation on Capital Gains Tax is contained in the 8th Schedule of the Income Tax
Act 58 of 1962, as it is considered part of income tax and not separate.

What is Capital Gain?
According to SARS, this is a result of when one disposes/sells an asset for proceeds that exceed
its base cost – definition applicable as of October 2001 – and the tax thereof is relatively lower
than the normal income tax.

Before October 2001, gains or losses from selling an asset were not taken into consideration,
but it is also good to note that not all assets fall under CGT and certain gains and losses are
disregarded.

Who is implicated by CGT?
This tax applies to individuals, trusts and companies. Some persons such as retirement funds
are fully exempt from CGT while public benefit organisations may be fully or partially exempt.

Where do you fit as an individual?
Many South Africans are cautious of Capital Gains Tax (CGT) because, essentially, it creates a
tax liability when you make a profit on the sale of an asset. But it is also good news that the
capital gains (or losses) made on the disposal of certain assets are excluded from CGT. Some of
these exclusions are:

1. Personal-use assets, such as a motor vehicle, a caravan, artwork, stamp collection,
furniture, household appliances and other assets used mainly for non-trade purposes;

2. Personal-use boats smaller than 10m in length;
3. Lump sum payments from pension, pension preservation, provident, provident

preservation and retirement annuity funds;
4. Proceeds from an endowment policy or life insurance policy (with minor exceptions);
5. Compensation for personal injury or illness.

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Importantly, on the sale of a South African resident’s primary residence, the first R2 million of
the profit is also excluded.

Other expenses incurred in respect of the home may also be subtracted from the amount of the
profit, thereby decreasing the amount of tax payable.

Legal: What you need to know about co-owning property and bond

There is nothing like the thrill of purchasing
property that you will call your own once the bond
is paid off.

However, as much as co-signing property and a
bond means less financial burden on you as an
individual, one must be weary of the legalities to
protect yourself should things turn sour.

Co-ownership agreement
Whether for financial or other reasons, people often invest in property as co-owners, whereby
each owns an undivided share in the property. Many such buyers take the sound precaution to
draw up a co-ownership agreement.

If there is no co-ownership agreement, when acquiring property, it is legally assumed that the
property is acquired in equal shares.

Implications and risks of co-ownership
The bank that grants the home loan will generally insist that both (or all co-owners) agree to be
‘jointly and severally’ liable to repay that loan. This allows the bank to recover the debt from all
the debtors in proportion to their shares or, if necessary, to recover the whole amount from any
one of them. So, if one co-owner should fall on hard times or stop paying for any reason, the
others will be required to make up the difference, or both are at risk of losing the property
through auction.

Beyond the bond costs?
Buyers in this situation should not forget that no matter what they agree to with regards to
split in shares in the property - maintenance, occupation or income from the property - their
agreement will not bind third parties such as banks or municipalities.

Thus, it is very important to draw an agreement that stipulates exactly what each party is
responsible for and costs incurred, as all parties are joined to the hip – legally and financially.

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Birthdays

02 Annesta Coetzer 21 Krupa Lalloo
03 Ewette Menge 21 Gean Louw
03 Jaco Van Staden 21 Nikkita Naidoo
04 Samantha Morton 23 Judy Pols
08 Nicola Fourie 23 Karien De Waal
09 Natalia Ilieva 23 Sonika Van Wyk
11 Ashleigh Myers 25 Noluyolo Dyosi
11 Iris Theron 26 Helaine King
13 Lorna Balkwill 28 Trishantha Govender
13 Hettie Van der Walt 28 Christa Pretorius
17 Geraldine Daniels 30 Michelle Martin
18 Deidre Oosthuizen 31 Maanda Netshivhale
31 Jacques Snyman

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Celebrating milestones of long service

In this edition, we will celebrate all the Long Service Awards for the month of August.

5yrs

Lana Jacobs

20yrs

Nicolene Coetzee
Annesta Coetzer

Jabulane Hlungwane – Rustenburg Oncology Centre
Matjatji Machubeng – Kimberly Oncology Centre
Khodani Maumela – Krugersdorp Oncology Centre

Join me in welcoming the trio that joined us in July 2018. We hope you will enjoy your journey
with us.

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Q & A with Jacques Snyman

Once again, our Communications Officer, Thokozile Mdlalose (TM) had a chat with the CEO,
Jacques Snyman (JS) with your questions. Have a read at the dialogue and some rather
interesting facts.

TM: Jacques, you have been known to say that we are a data business. But it is believed that
we are a radiotherapy business. What do you mean we are a data business?

JS: What you sell to client, which is the medical scheme – a funder – is the outcomes of our
services, and these outcomes reside in data, both clinical and financial. Radiation or
radiotherapy is the tool that interfaces with a patient.

We don’t get asked if we can do radiotherapy – this is a known fact – but we are asked how well
we can do it and what are the outcomes.

How do we measure how well we are doing? That is in the data and that is what we sell. With it
we also sell to patients as quality outcomes as well as to the schemes. Through data-based
arguments, we sell to both the patients and schemes affordable healthcare.

TM: What do you do for fun?
JS: Woodwork as I find it relaxing and allows me to be creative.

TM: What do you do to not take yourself too seriously?
JS: I take a run with the dog. My daughters bought a collie; and it can run! *chuckle*

TM: What does a weekend look like in the life of our CEO?
JS: I follow my wife’s instructions. I have come to know that if the wife is happy, then your life is
happy.

TM: Do you ever mismatch your socks?
JS: No, because my wife checks to make sure I’m well dressed.

TM: What is your philosophy for life?
JS: My life philosophy is “Eternal optimism”. One must see the bright side of life, while not
ignoring the rest but drive for the brighter side of things and always ahead. I always think that
in any misfortune there is always a good opportunity.

TM: Favourite quote and by who?
JS: Quote depends on situation you in. However, recently I heard a quote that made quite a lot
of sense to me. “Don’t invite the turkey for Christmas” – meaning if you had a decision
(Christmas) to make that impacts particular people (the turkey), it is best to not involve them in
the consultation where their opinion may be biased, as they will protect their interests.

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TM: What is the last book you read?
JS: I last really indulged in a book years ago and of recent it has mostly been chapters and
medical journal papers. I don’t read storybooks anymore as I barely have the time but read many
papers on medicine. I also listen to audio books a lot as they are more time efficient – I can listen
to them while driving. The last audio book was “British Mathematicians”.

An interesting fact I came to know is the British government used to pay ministers
(priests/pastors) to be leaders in the community. The requirement was that anyone with tertiary
education and not necessarily in Theology could be a minister. History shows many
Mathematicians and Statisticians doubled as minsters in their communities.

Do you have questions you would like to ask the CEO? Kindly send your questions for the Q&A with
Jacques Snyman segment to [email protected].

Calendar of events

National Women’s Month
01 – 07
CANSA Care Week
09
National Women’s Day*

*Head Office Social Committee will host 08 Aug

15 Aug – 15 Oct
Bone Marrow Stem Cell Donation &
Leukaemia Awareness Month
27
Cuppa for CANSA*

*Head Office Social Committee event

28 Aug – 09 Sept
Career Expo: Hosted by Rustenburg
Oncology Centre

Contact Us

We would love to hear from you for any suggestions and/or feedback you may have for us. Kindly send
us an email or give us a call anytime.

Email: [email protected] Social media platforms:
Phone: 021 944 3600
Ext: #3656 2018

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