The concept for even an open minded guy like me is a bit far fetched and "blasphemous".!!!

The Last Supper, that is now Da Vinci's original, is a widely loved picture and one I also took a fansy in after seeing the original in the 80's. But, now this horny o'le bugger Alfred, I think has really just gone a bit overboard. That Christians will be upset and protest, one can understand. I guess we will not see the kind of protests sparked by the controversial cartoon portrayal of Islam's prophet Mohammed, which led to protests and violence around the world, but none the less, it was serious enough for the cardinal to remove the painting in a haste.

I just wonder what in your own mind will prompt you and motivate you to take on a painting like this. To depict that particular moment in the christian history as a gay orgy and with disciples masturbating each other and what not. Nope, even in my open mind, I say, stop the bus. Art is art and freedom of expression is good, but not this. People righly so, will be upset. I can understand and in my heart agree with it.

Bernhard Boehler, the museum curator, has insisted that despite the criticism, the exhibition is serving its purpose by encouraging debate.

"We think Hrdlicka is entitled to represent people in this carnal, drastic way," he said. "People can imagine what they want to."

According to notes accompanying the exhibition, Mr Hrdlicka's work focuses on the carnality of religion, and on the search for "God as a human experience". 

Alfred, you horny old bugger!!! Sies man, dis nie mooi van jou nie!!!

I cannot help but get the impression that we behave like the preverbial three monkeys. "See nothing, hear nothing and say nothing" when it comes to Zimbabwe.

What happens to Mugabe, I frankly don't care at all. Neither do I care about who takes over the government of that country. My concern is the effect this all have and potentially have for the human beings who live in that country. Their life expectancy is some of the lowest in the world. The starvation is cruel and inhumane. The economic and political outlook is horrific!!! I find it very difficult to erase from my mind, images of thousands of humans and baboons, side by side, desperately search through therotting dumping grounds outside Victorial Falls. Going through every possible thing that can hold something to eat... and that was three years ago. Desperate then and one can imagine even more so today.... 

What has happened to diplomacy, our ability and obligation to apply pressure and persuade leaders up north to come to their senses? By not saying and doing anything, we are ourselves to blame for condoning their action. We therefore have to accept reponsibility too for what has happened. Of all governments, our government given the struggle thry fought, must understand that where there are blatant human rights abuses, undemocratic government, oppression, etc. etc., one cannot take the view that we should respect their sovereignty and cannot interfere in their internal affairs. That is rediculous and weak!!!! it is most irresponsible, inhumane and cruel. We let down the people of Zimbabwe. And for Aziz Pahad to blame foreign and our media for misrepresenting what is happening there, nearly made me puke. I cannot even laught something like that off.

Just look at the imlications this situation already has for us. The almost uncontrolled influx of refugees, police officers on the ground in our cities tell you to what extent the crime and violence can be attributed to Zimbabwians, etc. How will we cope with a civil war across our border? Can we cope with the potentially catastrophic situation that may unfold? Too negative you say? "Gaan haal die bobbejaan agter die bult"? 

No, I am deeply concerned about the people at ground level in Zimbabwe, and whether we in any way are preparing ourselves and our countryman for the potentially millions that may stream into this country still? I think we sit like three little Pahads: Hear nothing, see nothing and say nothing! If all else fails, lets blame the media!!

 A man stood on the side of the road hitch hiking on a very dark night in the middle of a storm. The night was rolling and no cars passed. The storm was so strong, he could hardly see a meter ahead of him. Suddenly he saw a car come towards him and stop.

The guy, without thinking about it, jumped in the car and closed the door to realise that nobody was behind the wheel. The car started slowly. The guy looked at the road and saw a curve coming his way.

Scared, he started praying, and begged for his life. He hadn't come out of shock, when just before he hit the curve, a hand appeared through the window and moved the wheel. The guy, paralysed in terror, watched how the hand appeared every time before a curve.

The guy gathered strength, got out of the car and ran to the nearest town. Wet and in shock, he ran into a bar and asked for two shots of whisky, and started telling everybody about the horrible experience he went through. A silence enveloped everybody when they realised the guy was crying and wasn't drunk.

About half an hour later, two guys walked into the same bar, and one said to the other. "Look, that's the dizzy character who climbed into the car while we were pushing!"

Herewith a photograph of EAP Counsellors trained in Gauteng during July 2007.

We will be running two EAP Counsellor Workshops in Johannesburg and Pretoria during June 2007. These are three day programmes and aimed at HR people and employees in organisations who want to make a difference in the life of other employees.

1. EAP (Employee Assistance Program) as a basic counselling services

An EAP offers a confidential, personal peer counselling and helping service at a very basic level. This will help employees to identify, resolve and gain control over personal, job or family problems that may be interfering with their work and daily life. The service is brief-solution-referral oriented. This means that the EAP counsellor will do basic counselling and questioning, attempt to determine the root cause or need, and then do the referral to an appropriate professional or organisation for in-depth counselling and treatment. The quality of life of employees, their families, stress, morale, relationships, the workplace, job satisfaction and productivity are the prime focus of the Employee Assistance Program intervention services offered to employees.

2. HIV /AIDS counselling services as an integral part of an EAP.

The EAP provides a confidential counselling and practical assistance for affected and infected employees and appropriate referral for further support of them and their families, and provide access to educational, treatment and wellness programs.

3. Critical incident stress debriefing

The EAP provides an initial trauma counselling service including debriefing, management support and recovery support.

4. Substance abuse

Basic detection, confronting and peer support is provided to employees who make use of any form of substance, be it alcohol, drugs or prescribed medication, and/or who have any kind of compulsive dependency that may affect them emotionally or physically, hence affecting their ability to perform effectively at work. Referral and linking employees with appropriate treatment centres is done, and basic after-care services are provided.

5. EAP program implementation

EAP counsellors are selected, trained and inducted for the company. The basic process and infrastructure is then created to ensure the effective implementation of the EAP program. A broad referral network of professionals (to whom troubled employees will be referred to) is also put in place and each of the trained counsellors will over time further extend and develop this network.

6. Employee communication program

To encourage self-referrals and to keep the program fresh in the minds of all management and employees, the trained counsellors will run regular employee communication and awareness programs featuring EAP promotional activities/services deemed appropriate for the company. Posters advertising the services offered and counsellors available, is posted on walls and in places frequented by all staff. A quarterly Employee Wellness Newsletter will be distributed on all company sites. The communication will ensure understanding and utilization of the basic helping services offered, but also facilitate self and management referrals.

7. Cost of referral services

The fees for nearly all organisations and professionals to whom EAP counsellors will refer employees can be claimed from the medical aid. For employees who are not covered by medical aid benefits, specific volunteer organisations and community based treatment centres offering free extended counselling services, specialized services or medical care to treatment resources available in the community and immediate municipal boundaries. Fees for those specialized services will be the responsibility of the employee. Contact is maintained with the outside resources to assure that referral is appropriate.

8. Who can make use of the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) and the basic counselling services it offers?
8.1. Any employee who needs help and who has identified specific issues in which they have difficulties coping.

8.2. Any employee with an inability to cope with the demands placed on him and particularly where personal problems interfere significantly with his job performance.

8.3. Any manager/supervisor who requires support services for employees on probation due to disciplinary action or performance counselling.

8.4. Managers/Supervisors who require the assistance of a counsellor in the identification of specific issues that affect the employee’s performance, commitment and well-being.

9. What services does the EAP offer?

·         Referral for voluntary HIV testing and counselling for employees wanting to establish their HIV status

·      Basic counselling and intervention where absenteeism, late coming, poor performance, etc.  occur as a result of personal/domestic and external company issues.

·      Support services for employees on probation due to discipline or performance counselling

·      Basic counselling and referral for victims of rape or sexual abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, as well as victims of violent crime, etc.

·      In association with the nearest clinic, offer a sexually transmitted diseases, TB and HIV program;

·      Access to traditional healers;

·      Access to, and counselling on, the use of condoms;

·      HIV /AIDS counselling services as an integral part of an EAP, which consist of a confidential counselling and practical assistance for affected and infected employees and appropriate referral for further support of them and their families, and provide access to educational, treatment and wellness programs.

10. Types of problems to be addressed.

·          Burnout

·          Job stress

·          Emotional stress

·          Divorce

·          Financial problems

·          Alcohol /drug abuse

·          Workplace violence

·          Sexual harassment

·          Child / adult abuse

·          Victim of violence

·          Depression / anxiety

·          HIV /AIDS/STD’s

·          Marital /family problems

·          Parent /child relations

·          Grief & loss

·          Bereavement

·          Career direction

·          Work related issues

·          Relationships and Anger/Stress Management

WANT MORE INFORMATION? CONTACT US AT: kotiedc@mweb.co.za  or (011)880 1992

or forward the mail to persons you think would be interested.