Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

Bonitas celebrates record growth and broker excellence at 2026 Top Broker Awards

Bonitas Medical Fund hosted its annual Top Broker Awards last night, recognising the leading brokers, advisers and brokerages whose performance and partnership helped drive the Scheme’s growth in 2025. The awards reinforce the strategic role brokers play in educating members and guiding them through healthcare decisions that have long-term impact. Brokers form an integral part of Bonitas’ distribution ecosystem, helping individuals and corporates match needs with the right medical cover and support. The evening brought together South Africa’s foremost advisory professionals, as Bonitas honoured top performers across multiple categories, including Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum and Special Awards. The pinnacle accolade, Bonitas Broker of the Year, was awarded to AlexForbes, reflecting its exceptional performance with more than 5 000 new principal members enrolled during the year. Record growth and impact Bonitas entered 2026 on the back of a strong 2025 performance, building on record financial results and membership growth reported in 2024. The Scheme achieved its highest January intake ever this year and with substantial gains in total lives covered and diversification across market sectors. This is a key milestone in the Scheme’s strategic redirection in appointing new providers with a diversified, innovative skillset to optimise performance in terms of wellness, marketing, new business, digital and data management. Bonitas Principal Officer Lee Callakoppen acknowledged the contribution of the broker community to this performance, highlighting that sustained member growth is rooted in conversations, trusted advice and deep professional relationships. “Behind every membership figure is a family, an employee, an individual whose peace of mind has been strengthened by the assurance of quality healthcare. Our brokers make that possible,” said Callakoppen. He further emphasised that the Scheme’s robust financial position allows it to absorb cost pressures while maintaining competitive pricing and benefits for members. Celebrating excellence across categories A total of 31 awards were presented, each backed by detailed actuarial analysis and independent evaluation of performance based on new principal members enrolled during 2025. Awards recognised not just volume but quality of growth and strategic contribution. Among the standout winners: Special awards included Best Net Growth (NMG Consultants and Actuaries), Most Sustainable Book (Wynsam Wealth) and Best New Performing Broker (Nexus Independent Financial Professionals). The inaugural Top Wellness Broker Award, reflecting commitment to member health engagement and risk profiling, went to AlexForbes. The evening spotlighted not only strong performance but also the breadth of expertise and resilience within South Africa’s advisory community. Bonitas reiterated its commitment to ongoing collaboration with brokers to enhance service delivery, strengthen member outcomes and respond to evolving healthcare needs. “Our shared work extends beyond figures,” Callakoppen added. “It is about improving access to care, enabling sustainable healthcare decisions and building trust across all segments of our membership.”

March 9, 2026
Dalza

Preparing for Your Next Parent–Teacher Meeting in Under 20 Minutes: A simple pre-meeting pack to make parent-teacher reviews calmer, clearer, and more productive

Parent–teacher meetings can feel high-stakes, especially when your child has additional learning or support needs. But a productive meeting doesn’t require hours of prep. With a few focused notes—and a quick tidy of the information you already have—you can walk in feeling confident, organised, and ready to advocate for your child without re-explaining their whole story. Here’s a simple 20-minute plan. 1. Capture the “Last Two Weeks in a Nutshell” (6 minutes) Instead of trying to summarise everything, zoom in on the most recent stretch of daily life. Teachers find this far more useful than long histories. These don’t need to be polished. Teachers appreciate real-life context—especially when it’s concise. Jot down: This gives the teacher a quick, whole-child snapshot. If you’ve been using Dalza, these notes are already there—no need to reconstruct the past two weeks from memory. 2. Gather Quick Evidence (7 minutes) You don’t need a folder of documents—just a few examples that show patterns. Look for: With Dalza, your reports, notes, and teacher feedback sit together, so you’re not digging through text messages or email chains at 11pm. 3. Prepare Five Questions (5 minutes) This is your chance to understand the school-side of the picture. These questions shift the meeting from a download to a partnership. Try: These questions help you avoid re-explaining and instead focus on shared understanding. 4. End With One Clear Next Step (2 minutes) A great meeting ends with clarity, not overwhelm. Choose one next action—something small, doable, and shared between home and school. With a few notes, a handful of questions, and a single next step, you can walk into any meeting prepared.And when your child’s information lives in one secure place, the story doesn’t need to be retold—just built on. Dalza helps make that possible. Dalza is free for 30 days, so you can try it out risk-free. To get started today, simply add your name and email here. 

March 9, 2026
Cartoon Network Africa

Family Laughs Guaranteed: Why Watching GOAT GIRL Together Is the Perfect After-School Treat

There’s something special about sitting down together at the end of a busy day and escaping into a world that makes everyone laugh. Whether it’s after homework, dinner prep, or a long workday, shared screen time can become one of the simplest — and most fun — family rituals. That’s exactly what makes GOAT GIRL such a brilliant show to watch together. This is the story of Gigi, a 13–year-old girl who just happens to have been raised by mountain goats. But now that she’s a teenager, her Nanny and Billy think it’s time that Gigi spread her wings (her… horns?), so this year she will attend a boarding school and, for the first time in her life, spend time around actual people. The result? Pure comedy. From awkward first impressions to wildly funny misunderstandings, GOAT GIRL delivers the kind of humour that kids love — and parents genuinely enjoy too. Gigi’s journey into the “human world” is packed with heart, friendship, and laugh-out-loud moments that spark conversations long after the episode ends. Watching together gives families something to talk about:• What would it really be like to grow up on a mountain?• How do you navigate being the “new kid”?• Why is being different actually your superpower? It’s light, it’s clever, and it’s full of adventure — the perfect way to unwind as a family while still sharing meaningful moments. 📺 Premiere: Monday 9 March 2026⏰ Tune-In: Monday to Friday @ 17:00 CAT only on Cartoon Network Channel 301 Tune in for endless laughter and adventures for the whole family! Make it your new after-school tradition — popcorn optional, giggles guaranteed.

March 9, 2026
Bonitas – innovation, life stages and quality care

What is abdominal separation and how do I deal with it?

Abdominal separation or diastasis recti is the separation of the two parallel bands of muscle in your belly. This is common in pregnant women, and luckily often heals on its own, or with the help of exercises,  after pregnancy. This condition is not only experienced by pregnant moms, but also by men, as well as women who’ve never been pregnant. You may be wondering how you’d know if you have abdominal separation,  how to tell if it’s bad and what you can do to help your tummy return to normal. How do I know if I have diastasis recti? If your muscles have separated, you may notice a bulge in your abdomen where the two muscles have pulled apart. In addition to this, you may notice a sore lower back, constipation and bloating. Women who are expecting multiples or women who have been pregnant more than once (especially if the pregnancies are close together) are more likely to experience muscle separation. There is a way you can check if you have diastasis recti yourself. Lie flat on your back and then sit up slightly, engaging your core muscles. Put your fingers just above your belly button on the middle of your stomach. If you feel like the gap between your fingers is more than three fingers, then you probably have diastasis recti. However, this is not an exact science but rather a way to gauge if you may have a problem. How can I correct my diastasis recti? If you have a smaller separation, it may go away on its own or with the help of exercises, however, bad cases may need the help of a physio or even surgery. If you have a gap, chances are it’ll close up one or two months after birth. However, certain exercises may help the gap close up quicker. That being said, be careful of what exercise you do, some fitness practices make it worse. If you are worried about it, it’s best to talk to a health care professional and they can help you make the best choice for you and your body.

March 9, 2026
Lotus Preschool and Aftercare

Welcome to a New Year at Lotus Preschool | A Nurturing Montessori Preschool in Gallo Manor, Sandton 

As we begin a beautiful new year, we extend the warmest welcome to all our returning families and a very special greeting to new families who are considering or joining our community. At Lotus Preschool, we are truly honoured to walk alongside you during these important early years of your child’s life.  Choosing the right Sandton is one of the most meaningful decisions a family makes. It is not only about academics, it is about finding a place where your child will feel safe, seen, loved, and inspired to grow. As a trusted Montessori preschool in Sandton, we hold this responsibility close to our hearts every single day.  Lotus Preschool proudly serves families in Sandton and surrounding areas, providing a calm, nurturing environment where little learners can truly thrive.  A Gentle and Nurturing Beginning  The start of a new school year can bring many emotions excitement, curiosity, and sometimes uncertainty, especially for first-time parents searching for a safe preschool. Please know that at Lotus Preschool, every child’s transition is handled with patience, empathy, and deep care.  Our environments are thoughtfully prepared to be calm, welcoming, and engaging. As a leading nursery school in Sandton, our educators take time to build trusting relationships with each child, supporting them gently as they settle into their new routine and begin to feel confident and secure.  We understand that when children feel emotionally safe, meaningful learning begins to flourish. Our Montessori-Inspired Approach  At Lotus Preschool, we follow authentic Montessori principles that honour the whole child. Families looking for the best Montessori preschool often choose our school because we recognise that children are naturally curious, capable, and eager to learn when given the right environment and gentle guidance.  Throughout the year, your child will be supported in developing:  Our interactive environments ensures that each child is given the time and space to grow at their own pace, without pressure, while still being lovingly guided toward important developmental milestones. A Place Where Families Belong  For families who are new or exploring preschools in the area, we want you to know that Lotus Preschool is more than just a quality preschool in Sandton — it is a caring community built on respect, communication, and partnership.  We value strong relationships with our parents and believe that when home and school work together, children flourish. Throughout the year, families can look forward to:  Parents searching for a nurturing preschool environment in Sandton often tell us that this strong sense of community is what makes Lotus Preschool feel like home. Looking Ahead With Joy and Purpose  As we step into this new year, we look forward to many meaningful moments — new friendships forming, confidence growing, and joyful discoveries happening each day in our classrooms.  To our returning families: thank you for your continued trust.  To families searching for the best Sandton, we warmly invite you to visit and experience the Lotus Preschool difference, where every child is nurtured with intention, patience, and love.  Here’s to a year filled with growth, happiness, and beautiful learning journeys.

March 6, 2026
Holistic Awareness

Failure Is a Step Toward Success: Rewiring How We Perceive Failure

We often say failure is not an option, but it should be. When our children were small and learning to walk, we never saw their falls as failure. We clapped, encouraged, and celebrated each attempt. Every stumble was part of the process. Each fall strengthened their balance, their muscles, and their courage to try again. So why do we lose that mindset as they grow? At some point, failure became something to fear. Not making the A-team, failing a test or exam, not getting into the university stream or career path we hoped for. Suddenly, these experiences became silent topics. We don’t talk about them. We sweep them under the carpet. But the truth is: These moments are inevitable. Everyone fails. Everyone misses a mark, a goal, a dream. What matters most is not the fall, but what we do next: build conversations. When we avoid conversations about failure, we rob children of the chance to learn how to manage disappointment, to think flexibly, to find alternative routes, and to build emotional endurance. Failure teaches self-reflection, adaptability, and problem-solving; the exact skills needed for adulthood. We need to shift how we frame it. Failure is not the end of a path or a limitation.  It’s part of the terrain. It provides feedback, redirection, and growth. So instead of protecting our children from it, let’s guide them through it. Let’s normalise conversations about setbacks; about not getting the result they wanted, about changing plans, about sitting with frustration and learning from it. Success is not defined by never failing; it’s defined by learning how to get up, again and again, with wisdom, strength, and compassion for oneself. Let’s raise resilient and eager-to-learn individuals. Originally published on the Holistic Awareness Website.

March 6, 2026
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