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While packing for international travel is usually a straightforward procedure depending on the season in the destination country, I found myself packing and repacking my two suitcases to fit everything that I wanted to take with me to Canada. With a negative Covid test in hand, I boarded my jam-packed flight from Johannesburg to Doha and onward to Toronto, where I arrived after 29 hours of traveling time.
Canada had recently implemented new Covid measures which required me to spend the first three days isolated in a quarantine hotel. Only after I received my negative Covid test, was I able to travel onwards to Sudbury for the remaining 11 days in quarantine. After a total of five Covid tests and 14 days in quarantine, I was finally able to head out into the unknown. Ontario was however experiencing its 3rd Covid wave and went into lockdown three days after I completed quarantine.
While Ontario was in lockdown, outdoor exercise was permitted and I decided to make the most of what Sudbury has to offer and tried to explore a new trail every weekend whether it be hiking or Cycling. To date, I have explored 303km on bike and hiked 50km and still there are many more for me to see in my free time.
Revauw's new home
Sudbury,
Werner's journey to
Sedgefield
Life sometimes has a way to decide for us. I often visited my dad in Sedgefield and was always astonished by the people’s friendliness. However, I never considered moving there at that stage. It was never an option. During February, I came down again for my dad’s wake and as things turned out, there was a plot for sale with a lovely view of the ocean. Needless to say, I purchased it! Some would say, on a whim. That started the process of relocating.
The move from Pretoria with my two grown German Shepherds was probably the most traumatic experience. It was the slowest 1289km drive I had ever done. My app showed that I stopped nine times. First stop was at a filling station, but that went sour very quickly as my dogs wanted to attack everyone in sight. I guess that is the result of being alone with me for the entire lockdown, no social skills at all. Maybe for me too. From there on, I made sure to stop at desolated places such as farm roads.
I'm still getting used to people greeting each other all the time, I hope that I did not earn a reputation as a grumpy old man. With only around 3000 households, it is not a massive town and the infrastructure reflect this. No Kentucky or McDonald’s. I really miss my Uber Eats as well. But that might just be a blessing, though.
The change in quality of life is fantastic! Driving around town, which takes about 15 minutes in the beach buggy with my two German Shepherds, and the subsequent stops at the beach, long walks on the beach, and breathing in the ocean - makes the move worth it! Even the two dogs have (mostly) improved their social skills. When I start the buggy, they go ballistic!
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Working from home, overlooking the lake, makes for a sought after working environment. What a pleasure! Sedgefield is about 35km from George airport, making travelling easy. I did a trip to the office in Pretoria and returned on the same day... smooth like clockwork!
Concerning my work routine, not much has changed! I still have scheduled meetings and “walk-ins”. I still do testing and interact with clients.
I am still trying to convert ideas into solutions and product. The only difference is, I do it with a smile on my dial…

Epiroc
Meet & Greet
Epiroc means "at or on rock", coming from Greek and Latin roots. It reflects their core business, their proximity to customers and the strength of their partnerships.
With the excitement levels on a super high, the South African team could all finally visit the office for a Meet and Greet session to officially celebrate Epiroc as MineRP’s new home! Over a cup of coffee, we caught up with some of our colleagues face-to-face and met some new employees that joined MineRP during lockdown.
Kumeshan Naidu and Pieter Nel carefully explained what could be expected for the journey lying ahead and why this acquisition was the number 1 choice for both Epiroc and MineRP.
Between reminiscing over the good “old” days and the anticipation of what’s to come, everyone had a laugh about all the things they had to clean from their desks… But with a box in one hand and a donut in the other, they walked away knowing this is not the end, but only the beginning!
Watch this video for breaking news at your fingertips!
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Let's meet some colleagues from:
Shared Services
Elaine Fortuin
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy the work environment and the fact that I feel my employer cares about me and my well-being.
How long have you been with MineRP?
9 years.
If you didn’t have to work, what would you do with your time?
Take care of my family and grandchildren, spend time on the farm and look after the welfare of my broader family.

Rina Koekemoer
How long have you been with MineRP?
7 years
What kind of music do you like?
Music of the sixties
Coffee and tea: Milk in first or last?
Milk in first


Lazarus Mashaba
What do you enjoy most about your job?
It is fun and what I like most about my job
seeing people happy with the job I did.
What kind of music do you like?
House Music and Gospel
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What three items would you bring on a desert island?
Phone, rope and food

Lydia Makoe
How long have you been with MineRP?
19 years
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What kind of music do you like?
Jazz music
Coffee and tea: Milk in first or last?
Milk in last
Jan Louw
How long have you been with MineRP?
Coming August 20 years (minus 3 days)
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What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Bread pudding in the army, made of last weeks old bread.
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What three items would you bring on a desert island?
Bible, My Wife and a bottle of 10 year KWV.

Andrew Pierce
If you didn’t have to work, what would you do with your time?
Spend more time on my photography, astronomy, electronics, and travel
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Coffee and tea: Milk in first or last?
For tea, milk in first. For coffee, milk in last.
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What kind of music do you like?
Rock music with some reggae thrown in now and again


Anika Weich
How long have you been with MineRP?
6 years, going on 7 years
If you didn’t have to work, what would you do with your time?
Write and produce music with my husband while being a stay at home mom
What three items would you bring on a desert island?
McDonalds Drive though, sunscreen and my family

Janri Liebenberg
Coffee and tea: Milk in first or last?
Good coffee doesn’t need milk
Tea: My in-laws view tea making as a sacred ritual. I just drink it however I get it (as long as I DON’T HAVE TO MAKE IT)
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
Runaways aka cooked chicken feet
What three items would you bring on a desert island?
My husband, a good book and yacht to take me home
Jhané Nel
If you didn’t have to work, what would you do with your time? As my office mug states, “Born to shop, forced to work”
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Coffee and tea: Milk in first or last?
Milk first, as my grandmother taught me it's a show of respect to your host/hostess
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What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever eaten?
A sheep’s head. Never again! Still can’t get the image out of my mind

Jeanne-Lee Smit
If you didn’t have to work, what would you do with your time?
Roadtrips with a lot of dancing along the way
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How long have you been with MineRP?
Since August 2019
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What kind of music do you like?
Quality Afrikaans music and any musical number


July
Wellness Month
If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us one thing, it’s that life is unpredictable. Even the most carefully managed plans are not immune to unexpected forces. But that shouldn't scare us...
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We want to use July as an opportunity for everyone to take charge of their emotional wellness and find the soothing activities that work for you.
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Mental health refers to our ability to process feelings in a healthy, positive way and manage the stress of everyday life. For MineRP wellness month will focus on a few of topics including self-care, managing stress and promoting healthy routines. We know that the lines between life at work and life at home have blurred and we want to focus on how to create wholesome habits in your lifestyle all month long.
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So look out for some exciting activities, articles and videos for the month of July and always remember
You are not alone

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You can't wait until life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy
-Nightbirde, AGT 2021-