Where were you at noon – Freedom Day edition

The CN&CO team is sometimes described as the “Scatterlings of Africa”, since we really are all over the place – geographically speaking, that is. It’s part of our lifestyle business approach: being able to work wherever we are and finding a balance that helps us to succeed in all areas of life, especially during lockdown. This month’s “WWYAN” we checked in on what the team was up to on Freedom Day, 27 April 2020.

Let me start off by asking if you have checked out the #AnthemChallengeRSA? Everyone is speaking about it, even Health Minister, Dr. Zweli Mkhize, shared the link. Check it out here and give it some love and share it with your friends and family.

What were you getting up to on Freedom Day? I know it goes without saying that the majority of us were housebound – which is a given. I was catching up on some hours of a course I am doing through Harvard Business School. This is what the rest of the team (around the country) at CN&CO were up too.

Josie

Josie was sipping on a delicious GnT after smashing 10 km for the @TeamThandulwazi #FreedomRun Challenge.

Carel

“It’s been a very busy start to Freedom Day! Always special for me as I remember voting in my first election as a student. After my charity run for Thandulwazi (only 5 km in my driveway – can’t wait to get out more) & helping to launch a superb version of our National Anthem https://www.cnandco.com/being-free-on-freedom-day/. I had a meeting with our MCSA Bishop Gary Rivas and am at noon about to make brunch before playing in a bridge tournament with Penny later.”

Llew and Francois

The CN&CO events team had a full day assisting some of our clients with their virtual event needs and getting them connected with their clients. We are excited to see that May is already filling up with a couple of virtual events hosted by our team, including InsureTalk2 and a virtual concert with the popular Bianca Le Grange.

Blake

“Building a puzzle that was kindly donated to Malachi Place of Safety, the orphanage I help at; I can only visit them after lockdown as some kids are ill and high risk to the virus. So I have been checking all the pieces are there. Who knew building puzzles could be so addictive?”

Colin

“Around noon I took some time out from the #NationalAnthemRSA PR efforts to do some laps around the garden. All told I did around 3km for the #SAINTSMoments #FreedomDayRun for @TeamThandulwazi .”

Gianluca

“Watching a documentary called The Last Dance, which highlights the iconic Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan. Reminds me of sport, how I am missing watching or doing it, and how multi-dimensional it is in bringing people together, pushing our limits and teaching us to never stop learning and being passionate.”

Rikus

Rik was working on #AnthemChallengeRSA and making some PR magic

Josh

“It’s the 27th of April 2020. Freedom Day in South Africa. A day where we celebrate freedom and commemorate the national elections of 1994 which mark a significant date in our country’s history. 

Today, amidst it all, the world is in an interesting space. I am typing this from my flat where I have spent the last 6 weeks in self-isolation/quarantine as we deal with the global health crisis. Work has shifted – fortunately, I have been able to continue working with businesses in the data/digital space. I have also spent time learning as much as I can about the virus, the impacts and the models that can be used to help us navigate what the future has in store. We can learn a lot from history and thinkers whose views and insights we now have access to, thanks to the information age.

The ripple effects of this crisis will be long-lasting and in adapting to the changes we will need our humanity now more than ever.

So, as we celebrate Freedom Day, each in our unique way, let’s remember to be grateful for the freedom we have and to encourage ourselves to help make the world a better place. We truly are #InThisTogether”

Rob

“Where am I? At home, where I should be during the lockdown.

• Being grateful for the freedoms I have thanks to others.
• Being able to receive a quality education and explore the world through reading, beyond what is taught.
• Being able to move my body and exercise, beyond what your mind believes you can achieve.
• Being able to work with people and companies that truly make a difference, big or small.

These freedoms are not taken lightly by anyone, yet we often take them for granted when we get into a routine. 

Important to take the time to reflect occasionally.”

So that’s where we were on Freedom Day 2020. What did you get up to?