EAPA-SA and Pan-African Eduweek Round-up | EAPA-SA

The theme of the 20th EAPA-SA and Pan African Eduweek, held in Nelson Mandela Bay in September, was Creating the Future – Innovative Solutions to Uniquely South African EA Problems

Featuring one of our most exciting and valuable programmes to date, we were honoured to be welcomed in an opening speech from Nelson Mandela Bay’s Mayor’s office, Cllr Gidane and to be educated by an array of experienced and knowledgeable local and international speakers, including:

  • Mr Louis Servizio (Brazil) – Keynote Speaker
  • Mr Dirk Antonissen (Belgium)
  • Muyabala Muna (Swaziland)
  • Dr Quinella Minix (USA)
  • Adelowo Adesina (Nigeria)
  • Dr Celisa Flores (USA)
  • Mr Peter Whelan (Canada)

In feedback on the training that stood out for him, the current Egoli Chapter chairperson, André Cloete, says, “The conference session I enjoyed the most was Workshop 6, Culturally sensitive and holistic EAP approaches, by Dr Barbara Louw.  This topic appealed to me as EAP is one of the only tools within the workplace where all employees have equal access to support, information, advice, counselling and care.  The EAP normalises the ‘humanness’ of people and brings to the foreground the real issues that employees are faced with.  Therefore, should the principle of culture and holistic approaches be fully embraced, it will assist in distinguishing the uniquely African EAP.  I strongly believe that our EAPs, within most of the workplace settings, are addressing the vast diversity of our society otherwise there would not have been such a strong demand on our profession.  We listen most often to where it matters the most!”

Past President Tshif Mamaila says, “My favourite was the opium presentation by Dr Minix – even the engagement with the audience after her presentation was great. With the legalisation of cannabis this raises workplace nightmares for organisations without tight policies on substance abuse. The presentation gave good guidelines and outlines for intervention.

And for board member, Radhi Vandayar it was Session 20, Energise Employee Engagement with Relevance, by Ronald Abvajee. Radhi says, “Ronald was engaging and the topic was relevant and practical. Everyone walked away with tools to implement when they go back to the workplace.”

Bernedette Roberson, board member in charge of Eduweek Portfolio reports that the 2018 event was a resounding success, with a record number of attendees – up by almost 22 percent on previous years.  She attests to the fact that the EAPA-SA Eduweek is convergent with current EAP trends and offers excellent return on investment for organisations who send delegates and who, more than just receiving training towards CDP points, are personally developed as they mix and network with their industry peers.

In addition to the prestigious annual Presidential Awards, this year EAPA-SA launched delegate recognition awards to recognise long-standing, loyal supporters of the annual Eduweek who have attended for five, ten, fifteen and twenty years, consecutively.

Recipients of this year’s Presidential Awards; members held in high esteem within the EAP industry for their professional calibre and unstinting contribution, were acknowledged at  the 20th Anniversary EAPA-SA Presidential Awards Dinner.  The 2018 recipients are:

EAPA-SA Board Member of the year Dr Marion Borcherds
EAPA-SA Chapter of the Year Ikhala
EAPA-SA President Tinyiko Godfrey Chabalala
Individual EAP Practitioner  of the Year Zola Honey Mxalisa
Individual EAP Professional of the Year Gladys Chuene
EAPA-SA Special Recognition Award Prof Lourie Terblanche (PhD)
EAP for Africa Special Project Award Tshifhiwa Mamaila

The outgoing board members were recognised for their valuable contribution to EAPA-SA over their term of office.  The outgoing board members are:

Portfolio First Names Surname
Past President Tshifhiwa Mamaila
President Tinyiko Godfrey Chabalala
President Elect Thiloshni Govender
Finance Andiswa Lefakane
Membership & Chapter Development Dr Pravesh Bhoodram
Education Joe Thabo Makasane
Stakeholder & Sponsorship Relations Dr Marion Borcherds
Marketing Radhi Vandayar
Conference & Events Management Bernedette Roberson
Governance Isaac Koto

The chapter chairpersons all who during this term, and continue to serve, were recognised for their invaluable input and work in each region.  These chairpersons are:

Western Cape Patrick Egan
Free State John Ramogakabe Lenong
Nelson Mandela Bay Charmaine Oosthuizen
Ikhala Bridgette Cain-Noveve
Egoli Pieter Andrias Cloete
Limpopo Gladys Chuene
KZN Joel Mzwandile Gumede

EAPA-SA has introduced Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Certificates, and will assign members to formal EAPA-SA designation categories, in order to endorse those individuals who operate in the EAP field and qualify. Two individuals from each EAPA-SA chapter have been trained as RPL Advisors, to give the necessary guidance to RPL candidates. The following members were awarded Recognition of Prior Learning Certificates at the 20th Presidential Awards Dinner:

Nevania Naidoo Egoli
Nthabiseng Francinah Motaung Free State
Gaongalelwe Bendish Makhetha Free State
Matlale Johannah Masemola-Thelejane Ikhala
Ingrid Josephine Lentswane Jacaranda
Alex Molefe Motloba Jacaranda
Smangele  Nomkhosi Simelane KZN
Makhosazana Nqobile Khuzwayo KZN
Gladys Chuene Limpopo
Johannah Mokgaetji Mamanyuha Limpopo
Pogiso Matthews Mosadi Platinum
Dibuseng Suzan Khunwane Platinum
Colette Ann Rodrigues Western Cape
Radhi Vandayar EAPA-SA Marketing
Joe Thabo Makasane EAPA-SA Education
Bernedette Ann Roberson NMB
Thiloshni Govender Ikhala

To mark the Association’s 20th anniversary event, EAPA-SA launched a book at Eduweek, titled Creating Legacy in EAP Business – The South African Approach Towards Employee Assistance.  This book is the first of its kind in South Africa, in which Prof Lourie Terblanche of the University of Pretoria (and past President of the Association) has documented EAPA-SA’s journey, while acknowledging all key role-players.