Post Matric - LMN 2019 by Yes Media

POST MATRIC 2019 | LIMPOPO MPUMALANGA • NORTH WEST

WIN SAMSUNG GALAXY A2 CORE SMARTPHONE

OWN YOUR

destiny PLUS BE INSPIRED • PLAN YOUR ROUTE • FIND FUNDING

CAREER IDEAS INSIDE PMLMN2019.indd 1

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FROM THE ED

M A T R IC F IN A LS A RE C O M IN G

y favourite Instagram selfie is one where I’m parking off on my couch binge-watching season seven of Game of Thrones – brushing up on who did what to win the Iron Throne before winter finally came in April this year, as a rushed fiery torrent that felt a bit… meh – with my kitten watching curiously over my shoulder. The expression on Finn’s face was the cutest thing ever, so, of course, I whipped out my smartphone to capture the moment. I admit there are actually about 20 takes of the same shot, with only slight shifts

in angle. But I never did manage to lock that moment down digitally, not the way I remember it anyway. He’s a young adult now: in cat years, nine months; in human years, 18. But he continues to give me moments of joy and tons of cute pics. He’s left the ‘den’, struck out on his own. He’s chosen to attend the University of the Wild. Signed up for a BSoc degree, with hunting, sleeping and purring loudly in my face at 5am as his main subjects (I’m firmly encouraging him to change the latter next semester to cat behaviour 101).

In many ways, cats are no different from humans. They too need love and encouragement to follow their instincts in choosing how to survive in the adult world. But humans have so much more freedom; more choice. And these days, we have all the information we need, literally at our fingertips. Post Matric is one such resource. With inspiration from Candice Thurston, who is breaking down the barriers of beauty and haircare, the latest trends in post-school options and #NabbingThatFund, and a bunch of lit career ideas and

Win

websites to spark you off in the right direction, we’ve got your back, totes! Now, go out there and capture as many moments as you can. But remember not to miss them play out in real life, because there will always be another best-ever moment for the perfect Instagram pic.

Olivia Main

EDITOR: POST MATRIC

A SAMSUNG GALAXY A2 CORE SMARTPHONE

This new kid on the block sports an easy-to-use interface and a design that slips into your pocket or bag without a hitch. But the main pro is that it comes with Android Go software, which makes apps like hats pp possible to use. lso, selfielovers will be glad to hear about its user-friendly 5-megapixel camera. And with 16GB storage and 1GB RAM, keeping your favourite shots close by won’t be an issue.

How to Enter: SMS your name and the name of the school where you got your copy of Post Matric to 072 129 2058. Example: Sipho Nkosi, Victoria Park High School Competition Closes: 30 September 2019 Competition Rules: Only one entry per person will be entered in the draw. The draw will be held by 4 October 2019 and the winner contacted by 9 October 2019, on the number they used to send the SMS.

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CONTENTS

CONTENTS FEATURES EDITOR Olivia Main olivia@yesmedia.co.za ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER Kamiela Abrahams

6 Own your hair, own your conﬁdence

Entrepreneur Candice Thurston is building a brand that breaks down racial barriers and builds confidence… with revolutionary beauty and haircare.

10 Navigate your next move

A quick flashback, then a bunch of legit advice about all the possible moves you can make after Matric.

14 #FundingMadeEasy

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Ursula Munnik ursula@yesmedia.co.za

The secrets to funding success are revealed to be just clicks away.

CONTRIBUTORS Jo Spies, Christina Kennedy, Gavin Dudley, Cindy Glass, JS Smit

ENTERTAINMENT

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Jan Weiss jan@yesmedia.co.za PROJECT SALES MANAGER Andy Nicholson

JS Smit swipes right for the mighty pen (and for the smartphone).

CAREER JUNCTION 17 Model 18 Pastry chef | Industrial designer

CEO Deon Muller

Post Matric ISSN number 2074-4412

The latest in tech trends for the digitally-minded.

32 Grab a pen, pal

PUBLISHER Yes! Media

Post Matric is published by Yes! Media. All copyright in material appearing in this magazine belongs to Yes! Media and/or the individual contributors. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or Yes! Media. No responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions in the contents of the magazine.

5 Gotta have gadgets

Up your game with these tried-and-tested tips for focus and positive vibes.

TEL 021 447 6467 FAX 021 447 6351 EMAIL info@yesmedia.co.za POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 44383, Claremont 7735, South Africa WEBSITE www.yesmedia.co.za

COVER IMAGE Jo Spies

You have to be in it, to win it! Samsung Galaxy A2 Core up for grabs.

31 5 Ways to boost your brain

ADVERTISING SALES Graeme February, Joy Voss

PRINTED BY CTP Printers

1 Competition

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THE ULTIMATE

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TECH TRENDS

GOTTA HAVE TO P G EA R FOR A DI GI TA LLY E N A BL ED L I F EST Y L E

FUJIFILM INSTAX SQ20

Instant photo cameras are now the ultimate retro tech. The SQ20 produces the standard square 6cm prints, but it does some other neat tricks too. Film a short clip and, using the screen on the back, you can choose which frame to print. Photos and video are now saved on the included 16GB microSD card.

R3000

NOKIA 9 PUREVIEW

FITBIT VERSA LITE

The Pureview’s five 12MP rear cameras make it stand out in a crowd of identical looking smartphones. Add in the flash and a sophisticated light meter and the constellation of seven sensors on the back give us a little thrill each time we turn it over. Pictures are excellent, as you would expect. For thousands of rands less, the Nokia 9 matches the other top phones spec for spec and, we think, it looks even cooler. 6” screen, R12000

One of Fitbit’s cleverest products, it combines the wellness metrics and long battery life of a health tracker with the ability to add apps and faces like a smartwatch. It will recognise around 15 kinds of workouts, including swimming and gym, but also excels at measuring step count and movement through the day, and the quality of your sleep at night. Waterproof, R3000

ROCKETBOOK WAVE

TRUST GXT 165 CELOX GAMING MOUSE

Gamers like to customise their weapons. This mouse steps up resolution from 200DPI up to 10 000DPI, has eight other programmable buttons, eye-watering RGB lighting effect and extremely generous finger scoops with textured finishes for maximum grip. Fine-tune your movement using the four tiny 4g weights. R700

Scribble your notes and doodles, photograph the page with the phone app, and it gets delivered directly into your preferred cloud service like Evernote, iMessage, Dropbox or Google Drive. No more lost notes! It even converts your handwriting into text which is searchable. The A5 notepad is re-usable: pages magically go clear after a few minutes in the microwave. 80pp, R525

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OWN YOUR

hair, OWN YOUR

confidence

F U ELL ED BY PASSI ON AND PERSON A L EXP ERI EN C E, THE F OU NDE R A N D MD OF CA N DI & C O SET OU T T O R EMIND AFRI CA N WOME N THA T SEL F - L OV E ST A RT S WIT H L O VING YOUR HAI R B Y C HR IS TI NA KE N N EDY 6 | POST MATRIC 2019

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INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE

SMART TIPS FOR WOULD-BE ENTREPRENEURS Candice Thurston says that “entrepreneurship is not for everyone” and jokes that “all entrepreneurs are a little bit crazy”, but if you have your sights firmly set on starting a business, she has some advice for you: • Start young: “I’m a firm believer that you need to start running a business from as young as three years old. Start a business today, whether it’s selling socks or sweets or developing an app. You’ll learn different business skills from each business, like how to manage cashflow and expenses. Build that mindset from a young age.”

“AS A BRAND, WE’RE NOT JUST A HAIR SALON, WE’RE A BRAND THAT BUILDS CONFIDENCE”

hen Candice Thurston was a young mixed-race girl growing up in a small (and often small-minded) mining town in Mpumalanga, she had to endure the indignity of going to a hair salon and being told that the stylists there could either cater to her long, straight hair or her mother’s curly hair, but not both. “Hair was always a big thing in our family,” she relates. “And the hair space for women of colour was not great – you couldn’t find hair salons [catering for ethnic hair] that were neat or clean.” She couldn’t understand why, in an African country such as South Africa, most hairdressers in the formal space still focused on Eurocentric, Western ideals of hairstyling – and beauty. “Beauty was defined as light skin and straight hair, whatever race you were,” she notes. “Growing up in a place like Secunda, we had to overcome a lot of racial barriers. But my parents grew me up with the approach that if you work hard and respect people, you’ll be successful in whatever you do.” So, inspired and encouraged by Ian Fuhr, the founder of the Sorbet group of beauty salons, this brainy BCom

graduate decided to take the plunge and act. Pooling her knowledge of beauty, business and brand building that she’d built up while working in marketing and customer service at Unilever and MTN, she came up with a “kick-ass business proposal for Sorbet … And at the end of it, they were like: ‘We love it, where do we sign?’ And so Candi & Co was born.” This chain of classy yet accessible hair and beauty salons under the Sorbet umbrella caters specifically (but not exclusively) for ethnic hair. From braids, weaves and dreadlocks to curls, twists and knots – and all the natural products needed to keep your hair in tip-top condition – Candi & Co is all about making women feel like a million bucks. “We want you to love your hair, whatever it looks like, and use the right products to get the most out of your hair,” Thurston says. From the original pilot store that was opened in 2014, it has now grown to eight stores in Gauteng, with plans to expand, plus a training school for stylists and women entrepreneurs who wish to own their own beauty business. Over 100 people have been employed since its inception.

• Put together a tight business case: “Make sure you understand your idea, costs, your market, the amount of investment you need. Talk to a lot of people and focus groups – you need others to rip it apart and build it up for you.” • Start small: “Even if you start with R1 000, start small and register your business. Plough money back into it. This will help you when you approach the banks for financing by showing proof of concept.” • Be passionate: “Make sure you are passionate about your business. I’m not passionate about cars, for example, so I wouldn’t start a car business. But I’m passionate about beauty.” • Build a purpose-driven brand: “People don’t want to be part of brands that are just seen to make money. They want to be part of brands that are driven by a purpose to change the world, whether it be through sustainability, changing lives, driving equality, eradicating poverty.” • Put people before proﬁts: “If you look after your people – whether it be your employees or guests – the money will come.” • Prepare and plan: “Do your research. Be the hardest-working and best-prepared person in the room.” • Be humble: “There’s a level of entitlement in the millennial space. Remember that no one owes you anything; you have to work, as no one’s going to give you anything on a silver platter. If it were easy, everybody would be doing it.” • Be a slashie: “Don’t just focus on one skill. Be a forward-slasher with a multitude of skills – become a photographer and a copywriter; learn how to build a website and manage your own social media accounts. I’ve worked in every department of my business and know how each works.” POST MATRIC 2019 | 7

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FROM BRAIDS, WEAVES AND DREADLOCKS TO CURLS, TWISTS AND KNOTS – AND ALL THE NATURAL PRODUCTS NEEDED TO KEEP YOUR HAIR IN TIP-TOP CONDITION – CANDI & CO IS ALL ABOUT MAKING WOMEN FEEL LIKE A MILLION BUCKS

“I wanted to deracialise hair and create a space where all race groups can sit next to each other and enjoy themselves,” the 36-year-old says. “I often use this analogy about bras: it’s like when girls buy bras, you don’t have Spanish or Portuguese boobs – you have a bra type. Hair is exactly the same – if you pull your hair out and stretch it, it looks the same but when you let it go, everyone’s got a different hair type.” Thurston didn’t stumble upon a winning concept by accident – it was the culmination of personal experience, research, workplace insights and, most importantly, passion and persistence. Having been exposed to apartheid injustice first hand when growing up, she was determined to chart a successful path in life. She initially wanted to be a chartered accountant but then decided to study marketing at the University of Pretoria (UP), while keeping accounting as a major – “I’m both left- and right-brain inclined,” she says. After graduating with a BCom, she did her honours at the University of the Witwatersrand, before being accepted into Unilever’s Integrated Business Management Challenge internship programme at UP. Thurston laid the groundwork for her future entrepreneurial venture while at Unilever, working on its deodorant and haircare brands, as well as at MTN. This is where the dream of opening her own Sorbet franchise began germinating – as a user of the salons herself. “From my experience in MTN and Unilever, I’d developed concepts from scratch, so I put together a very detailed business proposal, looking at the market and spending time developing the concept,” she recalls. These insights enabled her to carefully craft a “bright and entertaining” brand that appeals to the LSM 6 to 10 market, mainly women with an average age of 30, and children. She knew what it was about the consumer experience that would set Candi & Co apart from the rest of the pack. “We give you an amazing experience,” she says – from a loyalty programme where you earn points and get a 50% discount on your birthday to enjoying free wine, champagne and Wi-Fi in salons, as well as professional stylists and nail technicians, retail products and weekly promotions, not to mention regular trend reports. “As a brand, we’re not just a hair salon, we’re a brand that builds confidence,” says Thurston. “We want women to come in and do their hair and #ownit. We want them to feel they can take over the world, and we help them with that journey.” No wonder Thurston likes to think of herself as a gardener – cultivating confidence, growing selfesteem, nurturing a proudly African concept of beauty that comes from the self-belief within. The sky’s truly the limit for this hair guru!

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INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE

“MY MISSION IS ABOUT DERACIALISING, DESTIGMATISING AND REVOLUTIONISING HAIR AND BEAUTY NOTIONS. I WANT TO ENSURE THAT ALL PEOPLE FROM ALL RACES AND CULTURES HAVE THE STRENGTH TO FEEL BEAUTIFUL AND CONFIDENT”

CANDI’S SIX Ps FOR SUCCESS People (if you focus on them, profits will follow) Patience (in bucketfuls) Planning (lots of it!) Pride (swallow it) Passion (a must) Purpose (another essential)

TAKE FIVE ON CANDICE What are you reading?

More Important than Money: An Entrepreneur’s Team by Robert Kiyosaki (author of Rich Dad, Poor Dad).

What are you listening to?

Spotify playlists according to my mood – hip-hop, romance, ’90s music.

What and who inspires you?

Being part of bringing out the best in people – that gets my heart pumping. Other people’s success excites me more than my own! And my parents. My mom and dad came from poor backgrounds, and they worked so hard to support my brother and me, and instil the values in us to be successful and change lives.

Travel goals?

Ooh, I love travelling! This year I did Tel Aviv and last year I did Vietnam and Ibiza, next up is Croatia and Bali. I’ve done Lagos and Zimbabwe, but also want to travel to more African countries.

Your motto in life?

To be respected, respect. To be trusted, trust. To be loved, love.

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N A V IGA T E Y O U R N EX T M O V E NEED ADVICE ON FINDING YOUR WAY THROUGH TO THE OTHER SIDE OF MATRIC, AND BEYOND? SPOILER ALERT: YOU DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T HAVE TO HAVE A UNIVERSITY DEGREE TO SUCCEED AT LIFE. BY CINDY GLASS

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STEPS TO SUCCESS

emember the tingle of excitement and anticipation about starting ‘big school’? The crisp, slightly oversized new uniform; the satchel or backpack carrying virgin stationery – possibly even an eraser that smelt of fruit. I bet you (or your proud parents) still have your first-day-of-school photo either tucked away safely in their wallet or displayed somewhere prominent: the beginning of the epic adventure that is school. And in a flash, 12 years of firsts – first ‘besty’, first homework, first exam, first kiss, first rejection, first success, first failure – have culminated in the threshold of adulthood: your matric year, and all the (overwhelming) decisions about your future. To some it is clear what direction to follow, while to the majority, the future is a blank page. But that can be a good thing. There are endless avenues to explore. And, it may not feel like it with the pressure of finals and life choices looming large, but you have time, a lifetime in fact, to figure out and grow into what it is that you want to spend your days doing. That doesn’t mean you can just kick back and wait for the good times to roll – here are some practical tips on navigating your next move:

SELF-AWARENESS IS ESSENTIAL

Knowing who you are and what you are interested in or passionate about is key to finding a career that you will fully embrace and stick with. Grab your notebook (digital or paper), take down your answers to the following questions, and then share them with a few people you trust to help you decide – not make the decision for you! Ask yourself: • What does success mean to me? Create a vision board where you can write, draw or paste examples of what success looks like for you. Remember: you are a unique person with unique views on what you want to achieve. Don’t compare your dreams with others – say no to FOMO! • What are my strengths and weaknesses? Be honest and don’t judge yourself. Only you will see your answers and only you will benefit (or not) from them.

• What skills will I need to achieve my goals? Think about the skills you have and find out how you can best develop those. Choose skills that will stay relevant in the changing world of work. • How well do I perform under pressure? Some people are slow and methodical, others thrive on adrenalin. If you’re the methodical type, steer clear of careers that require you to think on your feet. • Am I self-motivated and self-disciplined? Think about what you are willing, and not willing, to do to achieve your goals. And whether you have the discipline to be your own boss or need a little external push to get you going. • What will make me happiest? Figure out what makes you tick, and do that. But be open to other options if your first choice doesn’t work out.

EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS

There are a whole bunch of career and post matric options, and not all of them involve having to get into varsity. The trick is to find your ‘best fit’. Take a look at these: STUDY FURTHER A great option if you’ve got a clear career path to follow. But also if you want to explore what you’re interested in. Not all institutions offer all study options, so where you study will depend on your chosen journey. Universities offer degrees and postgraduate qualifications, which often lead to the more conventional professional careers, whereas Universities of Technology offer a wider range of degrees and diplomas which lead to titles like paramedic, graphic designer, chef. At a TVET college, you can do a certificate course for work in technical or vocational fields. To study at a University or University of Technology, you have to pass Grade 12. However, you can start studying at a TVET college with only a Grade 9 pass. The 50 colleges around South Africa have more than 250 campuses between them and study POST MATRIC 2019 | 1 1

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STEPS TO SUCCESS

a learning curve – offer to work for companies for free, gaining valuable knowledge and skills you can add to your CV. Search the online job seeking websites like careers24.com, indeed.co.za, jobs.co.za and careerjunction.co.za regularly and register your application wherever you can – it can’t hurt.

costs are very reasonable. They offer a wide range of qualifications: from design, engineering, business studies to education, hospitality, travel and tourism. In fact, it is now possible to complete your matric in the form of an NCV (National Certificate Vocational) at one of these colleges, allowing you to leave matric with subjects in these areas, rather than traditional academic subjects like biology and geography. Distance learning and online study are increasingly popular. And a good option if you want to earn while you learn. It’s cost-effective and you can choose how long you want to take to complete your course. Well known distance learning facilities include UNISA, Damelin, INTEC College, and even Wits University. Whatever you decide, make sure the institution you pick is accredited – ask to see the certificate if you’re unsure. Search their name online for reviews from other students to check their reputation. GAP IT Studying is not the only A game. A gap year is a brilliant way to get to know the world of options out there, and yourself. And it doesn’t have to be all about fun in the sun. Other reasons to take a gap year: • Save money for your studies. • Travel while working – working on a cruise ship and au pairing for an overseas family are popular (have your travel documents and requirements sorted before heading off on these adventures). • Do volunteer work – it could lead to invaluable work and social experiences; many companies leap at the opportunity to have extra hands available. • Learn new skills through short courses – incredibly valuable, especially if

you’re leaning towards becoming an entrepreneur or wanting to explore the latest technologies and digitisation. Check out the National Scarce Skills List (found at labour.gov.za). B E CO M E A N A P P R E N T I CE Combining studying with on-the-job training is perfect if you’re into learning a trade. Internships and Learnerships are exciting opportunities to gain experience and competitive skills. A Learnership is a structured learning programme that includes theoretical and practical workplace experiential learning over a period of at least 12 months, leading to a qualification registered on the NQF (National Qualifications Forum). Learnerships are funded for both employed and unemployed learners through SETAs (Sector Educational and Training Authorities). There are 23 SETAs in South Africa – for example, one deals with the banking industry and another with the food and beverage industry – and one of their roles is to provide skills and training, which is vitally needed in various fields. Have a look at the list of SETA contacts provided to research this opportunity further. LA N D A J O B Finding employment straight after school may be necessary, but a word of caution. A salary that looks ‘good’ now may not be enough in a year or two’s time. Carefully consider whether the job offers you growth opportunities for personal and skills development. That said, it may be difficult to find employment straight after school without any experience behind you. Think of the first few months out of school as

GO DIGITAL There are literally thousands of ways to build a career using social media and other internet applications. Technology is constantly expanding; the world is truly your oyster. Use this unique position to create a platform on which to build a lucrative career. So, if you’re the entrepreneurial type, start your business small and grow it as opportunities arise. Make sure you seek advice from experienced business people along the way. It’s never too late to start working hard and putting in the effort to achieve your goals. I like the inspiring wisdom found in this old Chinese proverb: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” And don’t forget to ask for help when you need it. We’ve all either been or are going where you are.

SOME USEFUL WEBSITES

• Study information: postmatric.co.za • Job descriptions: onetonline.org • Learnerships: serviceseta.org.za/index. php/learners/internships • TVET Colleges: studentroom.co.za/listof-public-tvet-colleges-in-south-africa • Gap year ideas: educonnect.co.za/ﬁvegap-year-ideas-inspire-you/ • Overseas study: globaleducation.co.za

Cindy Glass Founder and Director: Step Up Education Centres

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#FundingMadeEasy YOUR FUTURE COULD BE CLICKS AWAY

WITH A STREAMLINED ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS, THE GOVERNMENT HAS MADE IT EASY TO APPLY FOR FREE TERTIARY EDUCATION

reat news for future trailblazers! The process to apply for funding from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has been revised to allow for applications to be completed in, get this, five minutes. All of which means you have no excuse for not taking action to earn your degree, diploma or certificate and put yourself on course for a higher income – and a better life. Thanks to the #FeesMustFall class of 2015, free tertiary education has become a reality and the time to make use of it is now. And there are many opportunities up for grabs. In 2018, NSFAS disbursed loans and bursaries to the tune of R22-billion for 659 000 (371 368 university and 288 341 TVET college) students. This amount is expected to increase in 2019 to approximately R32-billion, which is estimated to fund about 400 920 TVET college students and 377 050 University students. Here are some tips on what bursaries, scholarships and loans you may be eligible for. This is your moment to shine – seize it with both hands!

ROADMAP TO SUCCESS: HOW TO APPLY WHAT TO DO AND WHERE TO GO

• First, secure a place at your university or college of choice.

• You will still have to meet the academic requirements or criteria for a particular public university or TVET college. • Each university will still set its own fees for its various programmes of study, which will be covered by the government bursary if you qualify. • Once you have been offered a place, apply for your university or college bursary online through NSFAS. • NSFAS reserves the right to verify your household income, to ensure that you are eligible for free tertiary education. • If your funding application is successful, NSFAS will pay your fees directly to the institution where you are enrolled. • If you fail to secure a place in an institution, register on the Department of Higher Education’s Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) system once you’ve received your matric results. This online application portal will then share your information with all the universities, colleges, private institutions and SETAs that still have space available.

YOU WILL BE FUNDED IF

• Your combined annual household income (or the income of your family) does not exceed R350 000 per annum. • You’re registering for the first time for an undergraduate qualification at a public university or you are registered at a TVET college for one of the National Certificate Vocational or report 191 programme.

• You’ve passed Grade 9 & 10 to receive NSFAS funding to study at a TVET college. • You’ve passed Grade 12 to receive NSFAS funding to study at a university.

WHAT WILL BE COVERED?

• Accommodation (and/or transport), as well as study materials and meals will also be subsidised for students who qualify, but this will be capped at a certain amount. • Qualifying students will have their tuition and registration fees at a public tertiary institution covered by the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Bursary Scheme. • The bursary scheme started with firstyear students in 2018 and will be phased in over five years. In 2019, first-year and second-year students will be eligible for free education. • Students who have received NSFAS loans in the past, and who are currently enrolled at a South African university, will have their loans converted into grants.

PATHS TO SUCCESS: DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUNDING BURSARY

This is funding from an academic institution, company or government entity that enables you to start or continue with

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NAB THAT FUND your tertiary education studies after matric. A bursary is awarded based on an excellent academic record and/or proven financial need. It usually covers registration and tuition fees, and often includes accommodation and meals, as well as textbooks and stationery. To keep receiving the bursary, you will need to maintain a certain level of academic performance while studying. In some cases, this might mean simply passing. In others, you may have to maintain an average of 60% or more. Some bursaries give preference to previously disadvantaged groups. Pros: The government bursaries that are now being awarded to financially needy students do not come with any strings attached. And if you receive a private-sector bursary that you have to ‘work back’, it means you’re guaranteed a job after graduating. Cons: Certain bursaries are only offered for the second year of study onwards. Also, some students might resist the idea of being tied down to work back the study grant or complete some sort of training after graduating. Plus, if you fail some of your modules, you may have to repay the bursary or risk having it withdrawn.

SCHOLARSHIP

A scholarship is similar to a bursary in that it is money for tertiary education that doesn’t need to be repaid. But it is based more on merit – such as artistic, academic or sporting ability – than on financial need. Scholarships can be awarded by universities, government institutions, companies or nonprofit organisations. The Rhodes scholarship, which enables exceptional students to study at England’s Oxford University, is a good example of this. Pros: No financial aftershock. A scholarship doesn’t need to be repaid – think of it as your reward for working hard, or having a special talent or ability! Cons: There’s no such thing as a free lunch, and scholarships are often awarded as an investment in the student rather than a gift. Sometimes there are strings attached – you will have

to pursue a certain career, or provide voluntary mentoring or coaching. Many scholarships require you to maintain a certain minimum level of academic performance.

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT FUND

If you’re already working, why not try to get your employer to pay for your studies? Companies with an annual payroll of more than R500 000 have to pay the South African Revenue Service a skills development levy (1% of their total monthly salary bill) to develop and improve employees’ skills. Companies can claim back a portion of the levy to train their own employees through the relevant Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). Pros: You can get your study costs covered by your boss – as long as it is related to your job. That means you can learn for free! Cons: Read the fine print carefully when enrolling for studies paid for by your company – you may be tied to your firm for a certain period afterwards, to work back your training costs.

ADDITIONAL FUNDERS COMPANIES

• Many companies – especially those in the scarce and critical skills sectors, such as mining and engineering – award contract bursaries for studies in a particular field. You will have to pass your subjects (or risk having to repay the grant), and sometimes you’ll have to work for the company for a few years after you graduate. • Companies that award bursaries include: Spoornet, Transnet, Sasol, Absa, Anglo American, Gold Fields, Anglo Platinum, Eskom, Sasol, Iscor, De Beers, Edgars, SA Breweries, Harmony, Mintek, AECI, Engen, Group 5, Murray & Roberts, PPC, the SA Institute of Race Relations, the SA Weather Service, Vodacom and Old Mutual. • Fundi (previously known as Eduloan) is a private credit provider that gives study loans to students whose parents are permanently employed. Visit www.fundi.co.za

SECRETS TO SUCCESS • Study hard. Find out what the minimum admission requirements are for the degree, diploma or certificate course you want to follow. Try to exceed those requirements to improve your chances of being accepted. • Do the legwork. Attend the open days of universities and colleges, and gather information on all the funding options. Speak to your career guidance counsellor at school for tips. • Be thorough. Have certified copies made of your most recent results and your ID book or card. This can be done for free at your local police station. Make sure you scan and save all your documents (or take photos of them with your phone), as many institutions require you to apply online. Remember that many public institutions such as libraries offer free internet access.

GOVERNMENT INSTITUTIONS

• Approach your local municipality, or the provincial or national government department relevant to your studies. • The Funza Lushaka bursary scheme, for example, is open to teaching students who intend working at a government school. Visit www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za/ for more details.

FOR MORE INFO, CONTACT:

• National Student Financial Aid Scheme on 086 006 7327, info@nsfas.org.za or www.nsfas.org.za • Career Centre on 086 999 0123 or www.careerhelp.org.za • Department of Higher Education and Training on 0800 087 2222 or www.dhet.gov.za • National Career Advice Portal on http://ncap.careerhelp.org.za/ • For lists of bursaries available, check out www.bursaries-southafrica.co.za or www.zabursaries.co.za

BANK LOAN • The four major banks offer loans to students to cover tuition fees, accommodation and other expenses. Once you have been accepted and have registered to study for a course, the bank will pay the amount directly to that institution and, if necessary, the residence. If you have applied for extra funding for textbooks and so on, that amount will be paid directly to you. • If you are not working or if you earn less than R5 000 a month, someone (like a parent) will have to sign surety for you.

This means that if you default on your loan repayments after graduating, that person is liable for your debt. Pros: Investing in your chosen career path will ultimately pay off handsomely. Plus, you can apply for a bank loan to study at any university, public or private college accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority. Cons: While you’re studying, the person who has signed surety for you has to service the monthly interest on the loan. And once you’ve finished your studies, you have to start paying back a capital amount

that could run into hundreds of thousands of rands. Plus, if you don’t complete your degree, you have to repay the full loan amount – immediately. Contact the big four banks: • Standard Bank: 0860 123 000, www.standardbank.co.za • First National Bank: 0860 100 762, www.fnb.co.za • ABSA: 0860 100 372, www.absa.co.za • Nedbank: 0860 555 111, www.nedbank.co.za POST MATRIC 2019 | 15

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July 2019 The Council for Geoscience (CGS) is a multidisciplinary institution empowered by diverse and highly skilled researchers who are encouraged to develop their capabilities and knowledge according to national imperatives. These researchers enable the CGS to develop onshore and oﬀshore geoscientiﬁc information using several specialisations, including Geoscience Mapping, Economic Geology and Geochemistry, Geophysics and Remote Sensing, Water and Environmental Geology and Seismology and Geohazard Research.

BURSARY APPLICATIONS

INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS

BURSARY APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN TO:

WHEN DO APPLICATIONS OPEN?

Students from Grade 12 with a Level 6 and above achievement in Mathematics and Physical Science, as well as students who would like to pursue an Honours, Masters, Doctorate or Post-Doctorate qualiﬁcation in Geoscience.

There are no speciﬁc dates for internships. Internships are dependent on the needs of the Business Units. You are advised to continually check the CGS website.

WHEN WILL YOU GET FEEDBACK? In December or the beginning of January, depending on when the Skills Development Committee make recommendations.

WHO QUALIFIES FOR INTERNSHIPS? Graduates with Honours qualiﬁcations in the following ﬁelds: Geology, Engineering Geology, Geophysics, Geohydrology, Geochemistry, Economic Geology, Geo-Informatics, Remote Sensing.

HOW LONG DO INTERNSHIPS LAST? The CGS also provides an Experiential Learning Programme to students who are studying towards a National Diploma in Geology for a period of six months.

A period of two years.

DO INTERNS GET PAID A STIPEND? Yes, the CGS pays R13 000 per month to interns.

HEAD OFFICE: 280 Pretoria Street, Tshwane, 0184, South Africa • Tel: +27 (0)12 841 1911 Fax: +27 (0)12 841 1221 • Email: info@geoscience.org.za • Web: http://www.geoscience.org.za

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CAREER IDEAS

CAREER JUNCTION

GET A GLIMPSE INTO YOUR FUTURE

CHECK OUT OUR Q&A SECTION FOR THAT FLASH OF INSPIRATION

Visit our website and Facebook page for stacks of career ideas

www.facebook.co.za/postmatric

www.postmatric.co.za

A MODEL OF GLAMOUR DID YOU TRAIN TO MODEL? No, I had to learn through experience and watching Fashion TV, and looking through magazines.

OLE MORAPEDI PROFESSIONAL MODEL: ICE MODEL MANAGEMENT • OGORGEOUS MODEL MASTERCLASS (OWNER)

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE A MODEL? When I was young a relative encouraged me to enter a modeling competition. I received 1st position in my region (North West) and went on to represent my region in Gauteng. Coming from a small town, Rustenburg, representing my province in big cities was a big deal; it sparked my love for modeling. I also love travelling, so when I discovered that I would be travelling for competitions, my passion grew even more.

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY Modeling is seasonal, but when a gig is on it gets hectic! I usually do ramp modeling like fashion weeks and bridal expos, but I also model for magazines in fashion and beauty spreads. A photo shoot can take hours in cold weather and as a model you must always look on point until the photographer gets the perfect shot. During fashion week, in one day there could be about four to six shows. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? I enjoy the glamorous side of it. You get exposed to a sophisticated lifestyle. One day you’re wearing a dress worth R100 000 for a shoot; the next you get an allexpenses-paid trip to Cape Town or overseas.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? I don’t like the ridiculous hours waiting the whole day doing nothing until a show starts, or working in freezing cold weather. ANY HURDLES? I had to overcome dealing with rejection, being concerned about my body weight and how to handle jealousy and competition. ANY HIGHLIGHTS? The highlight was when I was booked for a big campaign in Cape Town for the Italian brand Carpisa during the Soccer World Cup. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? Currently, I offer a modeling masterclass called Ogorgeous to young aspiring models in Rustenburg. I started it with no capital and no business background, so I studied a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. I now have about

16 students in total. My goal is to guide them and educate them about the modeling industry, so they can identify scammers vs legit modeling platforms and choose the right direction. IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO MODELING? You need to believe in yourself. It’s the era of Instagram – marketing companies don’t look for tall and skinny anymore but rather for people with a huge following or who are influencers. WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR WOULD-BE MODELS? Do the research and educate yourself. Be respectful, be on time and always follow instructions. Get a degree so you have something to fall back on when there are no gigs. YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Glamorous and cut-throat.

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FOR THE LOVE OF FOOD

SISANDA SINESIPHO NKONYENI DEMI PASTRY CHEF BELMOND MOUNT NELSON

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE A PASTRY CHEF? My love for food started when I was still in primary school. Whenever I got home I’d watch these cooking shows and sometimes recreate what I had seen on . aking up cheffing as a profession was never part of the plan, until my final term in high school. I went ahead and studied professional cookery, and then worked in various kitchens, looking for who I wanted to be in

the world of chefs. I found a true sense of belonging, but that wasn’t enough for me. I moved on after my three years in hotel school, applying for a pastry position. Since then, I’ve never looked back. I feel at home when I’m in the pastry kitchen. It has taught me a lot of patience. WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING? I studied Hospitality Management: ND Professional Cookery at the Cape Town Hotel School, CPUT. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT CHEFFING? I love it when things come together! It goes with being organised. Working with other people, working in a team. Honestly, it doesn’t matter how good a chef you are, you always learn something from the people you work with, be it at the junior or senior level.

“If it’s done in love, it’s done well” WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? I don’t like receiving complaints about work that I was involved in. Hence, it is important for me to do my best every day. ANY HURDLES? I guess it would have to be taking things personally. Over the few years that I’ve been training and have been a chef, I’ve learnt that everyone I serve will have an opinion of their own. Taking criticism in a constructive manner wasn’t easy, but it has helped me; it is slowly shaping me into the person I want to become. AND HIGHLIGHTS? Happy, content guests is a highlight of my every day!

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS TRAINING? efinitely, some things you can’t be taught in class, or in a culinary lab. You get to pick up a whole lot more in the kitchen. As a chef, you do more practical work, and may find that the theoretical part of it is not as important. For me, if you have both then your work becomes a little bit less difficult. IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? Passion is key. You have to love what you do. As Vincent van Gogh once stated, “If it’s done in love, it’s done well.” ANY ADVICE? Always keep an open mind to others, and eventually find a style that illustrates your individuality. DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Sweet • Hard (work) • Fun

INDUSTRY BLUEPRINT

JARED MARK VORSTER INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER SELF-EMPLOYED

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE INDUSTRIAL DESIGN? As a kid, I was always getting my hands dirty making things and I constantly wondered how stuff worked. My dad had a background in carpentry and a career in electronics, which helped fuel my passion. My discovery of industrial design was by complete chance when we had someone come to speak about it at our school’s open day. The idea that a person could design products as a career seemed incredible to me.

DESCRIBE WHAT YOU DO I design, develop, engineer and help bring to the market a wide variety of the consumer products/physical objects that a person sees around them every single day. These items can be as diverse as household consumer products, electronics, furniture, lighting or even cars. WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I completed a four-year BTech degree in Industrial Design at what was then Cape Technikon (and is now CPUT). Subjects include design, drawing, theory, business, history, technology and professional practice. IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? You need to have a passion for design, making things and solving problems. Patience and persistence is also key.

It’s important not to take yourself or your design ideas too seriously. IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Absolutely! Every day you learn how to do something better through practice. Describe a typical day A typical day could consist of research and design exploration; meetings with clients and manufacturers; preparing product design specifications and briefs putting together quotations for clients; engineering and detailed design development; rendering 3D models to look realistic for presentations. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? It is incredibly rewarding to see a concept sketch develop into a finished product on the store shelf. The design process, strategic thinking, problem solving, prototyping and often hands-

on work make for a truly dynamic environment that keeps me on my toes and surprises me every day. WHICH ASPECTS ARE YOU LEAST KEEN ON? Many clients do not understand the value of design and the lengthy process that needs to happen for a final product to be realised. This is a dayto-day struggle and can be quite draining. ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT? In order to be sufficiently prepared for a career in industrial design, one needs to do a lot of self-study around materials, processes, 3D modelling and other important computer skills. I would also encourage people to look at existing products to see how they are made and put together. So much can be learned from taking things apart.

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CAREER IDEAS

BABY ON BOARD

ANGELA WAKEFORD REGISTERED NURSE AND MIDWIFE BIRTH OPTIONS MIDWIFERY TEAM (PRIVATE SERVICE)

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE A MIDWIFE? After school I did nursing training. During the course we did six months of midwifery. I loved it so much that I went straight on to specialising in midwifery after completing my nursing training. WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO? I did a Diploma in Nursing (Psychiatry, Community Health and Midwifery) at Carinus Nursing College and a BSc in Midwifery Studies in the UK.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AS A MIDWIFE Every day is different: seeing pregnant women for routine pregnancy care, providing labour and birth care, teaching antenatal classes, doing home postnatal visits to support new families, doing admin. I’m glad I’m not working long shifts in a hospital. Because I work in a team, we take it in turns to be on call overnight for our clients, so I’m lucky to be at home with my family most afternoons and evenings. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? I can make a big difference to a new family’s beginning. A positive birth experience has a major impact on the mother and her baby and her partner. It is especially rewarding when families come back to you for their next births because they trust you.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Being called out at night to go to a birth! Sometimes I work through the night; it’s difficult to fully catch up on sleep during the day. It can be stressful; it’s a big responsibility. ANY HURDLES? Learning to run a business – not something I was taught. WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? I’ve been interviewed twice on the Expresso Morning Show. That was fun! Being part of the Birth Options Midwifery Team (since anuary has definitely been a highlight. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS? I’d like to do a Master’s in Midwifery. I’m thinking about going into midwifery education. EXPERIENCE VS FORMAL TRAINING? You need lots of hospital labour ward experience

before setting up your own private practice. IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? You need to be nonjudgemental, calm, assertive, open-minded, and always ready to learn. ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Choose where you train carefully, and work in the government maternity service for at least five years – that is where you will gain invaluable experience. Do the advanced midwifery course. This will give you a much deeper understanding, and will make it easier to get jobs and with registering to practice in other countries. DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Safe • Supportive • Evidence-based

HOME BREWED VIBE

DANIEL MUDYIWA BARISTA DOLCE BAKERY

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A BARISTA? I wouldn’t say I chose to be a Barista; it came about because of limited opportunities after I finished my studies. But I grew to love it and I have zero regrets about what I do. WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO? I did a short barista training course at Origin Coffee in Cape Town. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY The day usually starts with a morning rush, as customers

stop by to quickly pick up our breakfast and bagel special before they head off to work. We also get orders from Uber Eats and OrderIn throughout the day. In the afternoon, we mostly get orders for our main menu meals, but as they say, coffee knows no weather, so it is a favourite in the afternoon too. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? Making good coffee, pushing sales and offering the best service every day. Seeing customers happy is what brings joy to me. Being a barista has given me lots of friends – my motto is: “Beyond coffee towards making everyone family at the bakery”. WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Working under pressure gives me a whole lot of stress and I make more mistakes. So, I’ve trained myself to multitask and work fast and smart. When I’m working

under pressure, sometimes my temper gets tested, but I always manage my anger – thankfully, a skill I acquired back in Varsity. WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? Being mentioned by various clients and them making referrals to their families and relatives to come to Dolce and request their coffees to be specifically made by me. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS? I’d like to start a business that involves working with people and growing to be a giant in the service industry through providing high quality products and services. IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO BEING A BARISTA? Yes, you need to be punctual, patient, calm and more of an extrovert than an introvert – you’ll be dealing with people and you have

to entertain them while they’re waiting for their coffee. My goal is for people to come to the bakery because they enjoy talking to me, not just to get good coffee. There are plenty of places that sell good coffee, but who’s making the coffee? It’s important to be unique in terms of how you treat your clients and interact with them. ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Being a barista is something that people take lightly, but it’s one of the best and most interesting jobs for learning about people and the world. To those starting this journey, you have to stay focused and never be afraid of failing, because making mistakes and finding solutions to correct them is what makes people successful. YOUR JOB IN FOUR WORDS Making coffee brings family!

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SETTING YOU STRAIGHT biomechanics to ensure they can function on a daily basis without pain, or with as little pain as possible. Lastly, we work with high performance athletes, helping to increase strength and stability so they excel in their sports.

ELOISE ACKERMANN BIOKINETICIST STEPHAN MULLER BIOKINETICS

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? My interest in the human body and how it functions got me looking into careers like this, and what better way to keep moving, meeting and helping people – and getting paid for doing it! PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT A BIOKINETICIST DOES We use exercise as a modality to help rehabilitate injuries and other conditions. We also help our clients to improve their posture and

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO AND WHERE? I completed a BA Sports Psychology undergraduate degree (BA Sport Psych) and a BA Biokinetics Honours degree (BA Hons Biokinetics) at UJ. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY Get to work by 5:30am; see clients by appointment. Write programmes, do assessments and ensure my clients are on the correct programmes for their conditions. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? I enjoy seeing the big (and small) improvements and achievements of my clients over time.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? The very early wake up! But you get used to it.

“We work with high performance athletes, helping to increase strength and stability so they excel” ANY HURDLES YOU’VE HAD TO OVERCOME? In second year I changed my degree from BA Sports Development to BA Sports Psychology, which was a challenge. Also, the Biokinetics programme has about 150 applicants annually and only 20 get accepted. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS? I would like to train athletes to compete in the Olympic Games.

EXPERIENCE VS FORMAL TRAINING? Experience teaches you what a book can’t. In some instances experience is much more important than formal training, but you do need the basic knowledge to back up experience. IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK OR TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE? You have to be a people person. You need to be someone who people feel comfortable around and you need to be a good listener. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN BIOKINETICS? Knowledge is key. And just hang in there – it isn’t always smooth sailing. Handle the hurdles one step at a time. DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Medical Personal Trainer

tradesmanship

PLUGGED IN AND SWITCHED ON “There is always IN AND work available for SWITCHED electricians because ON it’s one of the most

ILUNGA JEAN PAUL MUAMBAYI ELECTRICIAN ELECTRO SURGEON

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PROFESSION? BECOME ANTHIS ELECTRICIAN? I enjoy Iworking with people and prefer on the enjoy working withbeing people road than in an office. There is always work available and prefer being out on the for electricians because it’s one of the most common than being in an trades,road and there is always a lot of stuck growth potential offiwork ce. is always when you for ahere well-known company. work available for electricians WHAT because TRAINING DID it’s YOU one UNDERGO of AND theWHERE most DID YOU DO IT? common trades, and there I did an apprenticeship section 28 with ECA and Train is always a lot of growth All training centre in Cape Town. potential when you work for DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB a well-known company.

P H OTO :

P E T E R

R U D D E N

We mainly work on maintenance on electrical work in houses and small buildings – like plug points, WHAT TRAINING DID day YOU light fittings, earth leakages, etc. Every there is UNDERGO? something different and we are always needed.

I did an apprenticeship WHAT section ARE THE BEST 28PARTS? with ECA and I enjoy a good team spirit, and when a client is happy Train All training centre in with my work. Cape Town. WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? I don’t like it when sometimes a client thinks they know what is wrong and overrun my decisions when 20 a| problem, POST MATRIC I’m fixing in the end2019 realising that I did intend to do the right thing. This is why you need lots of patience and good social skills!

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB We mainly work on maintenance on electrical work in houses and small buildings – like plug points, light fittings, earth leakages, etc. Every day there is something different and we are always needed.

IlungaWHAT Jean Paul AREMuambayi THE BEST PARTS ELECTRICIAN

OF WORKING AS AN ELECTRICIAN? I enjoy a good team spirit, andBEEN when a client is happy HAVE THERE HURDLES TO OVERCOME? I have found in this industry you have to keep withthat my work.

ELECTRO SURGEON

your focus and be positive because when I started it was not easy. I did not get a lot of help and not many WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT companies wanted to hire me because I hardly had YOUR JOB? any experience.

I don’t like it when sometimes CAREERaHIGHLIGHTS? client thinks they know When I what resolve the by giving to is problem wrong andsatisfaction overrun the ones in need and I can look back and be proud of myexperience decisions when I’m how much I have gained. fi ing a problem, in the end YOUR FUTURE GOALSthat ARE… realising I did intend to To find myself managing a big electrical company. do the right thing. This is why you need lots of patience HOW DOES EXPERIENCE WEIGH UP AGAINST and good social skills! FORMAL TRAINING? The more experience you get, the better equipped you are mentally and physically. HAVE THERE BEEN HURDLES TO

OVERCOME? WHAT MAKES A ‘GOOD’ ELECTRICIAN? I have found that in this An electrician needs dedication, passion and a hard you have to keep workingindustry ethos.

ARE THERE ANY CAREER HIGHLIGHTS YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE? The highlight for me is when I resolve the problem at hand by giving satisfaction to the ones in need, and I can look back at my work and be proud of how much experience I have gained in the process.

common trades, and there is always a lot of growth potential when you work for a wellknown company”

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS? I d like to find myself managing a big electrical company in the not too distant future.

WHAT MAKES A ‘GOOD’ ELECTRICIAN? An electrician needs dedication, passion and a hard working ethos. Be professional and patient with clients.

HOW DOES EXPERIENCE WEIGH UP AGAINST FORMAL TRAINING? The more experience you get, the better equipped you are mentally and physically to deal with challenges.

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER? Always be willing to learn and take on new opportunities that come your way. And never give up.

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER? Always be willing to learn and take on new opportunities. Never give up.

post matric 2012

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your focus and be positive because when I started it was not easy. I did not get a lot of help and not many companies wanted to hire me because I hardly had any experience.

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CAREER IDEAS

THE FUN POLICE

SERGEANT RENECIA AVONTUUR SECTOR MANAGER SAPS, MOWBRAY

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? It sort of chose me… I wanted to join the army and went to the police station to get my fingerprints done, papers stamped and signed, but one of the sergeants there, who later became a ‘big brother’ / mentor to me, convinced me otherwise. So, I walked out with forms to join the police instead.

n eks of ated my lenge for

hat I grew lot of ten diving f 12. e sea oring

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DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AS A POLICEWOMAN I start with coffee, check my wall planner, do some admin, then you’ll have a walk in visitor and the day starts to go in all sorts of directions. The homeless people in the area sometimes come in with a tip-off. I brief my

ANY HURDLES YOU’VE HAD ALONG THE WAY? Getting my job done while getting around corruption. It’s only a tiny handful of corrupt people, so we just have to keep doing what we are doing to stamp it out and serve the community.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? I love the interaction with people. I missed that at the Dog Unit. WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? People telling me what to do, and corruption.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? When the community thanks you. They send letters of recognition and thanks to you or your station commander and then you feel that you’re making a difference. The police also rewards you with long-service medals every ten years. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS? I would like to keep doing courses like the next firefighting course and also, the Basic Ambulance Assistance course (paramedic line; three weeks). IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO POLICE WORK? You have to be on a different level of crazy! You must be a strong person; be able to work with the community; you must be level-headed; be able to take a lot of stress, think on your feet and walk away in certain situations.

EXPLORING THE DEPTHS WHY THIS PROFESSION? My mother would tell you that I was always a water baby. I grew up in Sea Point, so spent a lot of time in or near the sea. I often boogieboarded, and began diving and snorkelling at the age of 12. I am very comfortable in the sea and have always loved exploring its depths.

uring

trusted colleagues and go on searches, finding things like stolen property, drugs. My hours are from 7:30am4pm/12am-8pm/10pm-6am. crime intelligence officer gives us a pattern analysis once every month and I plan according to that. I decide my hours and I put in my time.

commercial diving

RING

NTAIL?

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO AND WHERE? In 2000, I started in Cape Town Central as a community patrol officer and did my basic police training. Two years later I decided to become permanent police and was transferred to Kraaifontein, where I did Crime Prevention and Complaints. But it was too dangerous, so I joined the K-9 Unit. I did my Patrol Dog Handler’s course in 2006, and in 2008, my Explosives Dog Handler’s course. I went on to do the K-9 Narcotics course in Pretoria. Three years ago I started at Mowbray Police Station as Section Manager.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO? At the age of 16 I completed my first pen ater I scuba FREDDY LEMOINE diving course at the Dive COMMERCIAL DIVER Centre. I then ventured to the South of France Freddy Lemoine WHAT DOES YOUR JOB AS A and sailed around the COMMERCIAL DIVER COMMERCIAL DIVER ENTAIL? Mediterranean for two I am a commercial opportunity todiver find outby if you years. Upon my return to profession. During the under-water relics, as well as the actually have sea warm legs. South Africa I completed an summer months I dive for quest for finding treasure. Yes, amateur marine archaeology DESCRIBE TYPICAL DAY it is possible to feel passionate scrap metal found Aaround course at the Maritime As a commercial diverfor (perlemoen, Museum, which deepened about both! I strongly believe in shipwrecks, modern and metal and year treasure) I have to the preservation of artifacts the twofor weeks of the I dive my passion for the sea and prepare theperlemoen night before for an sake of history and art,out but also my allocated sparked my interest in both early startmy the next enjoy the challenge andquota. prospect However, realmorning: diving the conservation of ancient packed, safety equipment of seeking a potential fortune. passion liesgear in the great under-water relics, as well permits and documents challenge verified, of researching as the uest for finding WHAT TYPE OF PERSONALITY on for hand,undiscovered boat fuelled, aqualungs and hunting treasure. Yes, it is possible MAKES A GOOD DIVER? filledshipwrecks with air. We are usually a treasure from at to feel passionate about You need to be passionate about team of three people: one skipper the bottom of the ocean. both! I strongly believe in the the sea and her endless mysteries. It is also important to enjoy history, searching for clues, and have endurance and drive – you’ll spend countless days at the archives just trying to find one clue! You also have to be physically fit and have good sea legs in order to withstand 23 choppyPMLMN2019.indd waters when on a boat.

to man the boat and two divers.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

preservation of artifacts for the sake of history and art, but also enjoy the challenge and prospect of seeking a potential fortune. WHAT TYPE OF PERSONALITY MAKES A GOOD DIVER? You need to be passionate about the sea and her endless mysteries. It is also important to enjoy history, searching for clues, and have endurance and drive – you’ll spend countless days at the archives ust trying to find one clue! You also have to be physically fit and have good sea legs in order to withstand choppy waters when on a boat out at sea. EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING? Formal training is fundamental and the only starting point. But experience gives one the opportunity to find out if you actually have sea legs. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY As a commercial diver (perlemoen, metal and treasure) I have to prepare the night before for an

early start the next morning: diving gear packed, safety e uipment verified, permits and documents on hand, boat fuelled, a ualungs filled with air. We are usually a team of three people: one skipper to man the boat and two divers. WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? Escaping the daily humdrum into a world of serene beauty.

“My real passion lies in the great challenge of researching and hunting for undiscovered treasure” IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DON’T YOU LIKE? The freezing-cold water in the summer months. SHARE A FUTURE GOAL I dream about finding a treasure ship laden with coins!

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Escaping the daily humdrum into a world of serene beauty.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DON’T YOU LIKE?

The freezing-cold water in the

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KEEPING FIGURES IN SHAPE WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING AND WHEREABOUTS DID YOU DO YOUR TRAINING? I trained in full function of basic accounting bookkeeping and business management. I attended Boston College and Achievers Business College.

URSULA MUNNIK BOOKKEEPER YES! MEDIA

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE BOOKKEEPING AS YOUR CAREER? I actually wanted to do personal training, and decided to work parttime as a receptionist to generate a decent income in the meantime. I ended up thoroughly enjoying the reception work, so I enrolled as a part-time student at college and have never looked back.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB AS A BOOKKEEPER I start off with coffee and the most important meal of the day: breakie. Next, I log on, attend to any accounting queries and quotations that are needed, capture all invoices (both debtors and creditors), receipt all payments that have gone out, check the bank statements, and deal with the debt collecting. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO? Interacting with my colleagues and clients is rewarding; my job plays an important role in the finished product.

WHAT IS THE LEAST ENJOYABLE ASPECT? I REALLY don’t like having to harass clients for money that they owe us. ANY HURDLES YOU’VE HAD TO DEAL WITH ALONG YOUR PATH? I had to take a cut in salary due to the poor economy of our country at the moment. I constantly have a battle with my mind, but keep pushing myself to try to remain positive and continue even when the going gets tough. WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? I’m truly blessed, working with an amazing team; it feels like home to me. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS? To set up a business from home doing bookkeeping, tourism and full-time missions. IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Yes, formal training is very important, but then so is in-house training. What I experience in the workplace

cannot be taught. I learn daily through trial and error. WHAT TRAITS DO YOU NEED TO DO THIS JOB OR WHAT TYPE OF PERSONALITY SUITS THIS WORK BEST? You must be a people person, be approachable, and, most importantly, be sharp with figures.

“Try and stay ahead with accounting packages: knowledge is power!” WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE WANTING TO GET INTO ADMINISTRATION? I would definitely tell them to try and stay ahead with accounting packages: knowledge is power! YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Stimulating, challenging and rewarding.

HIGHLY CLASSIFIED

RYAN CUMMINGS CHIEF SECURITY ANALYST FOR SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA RED24

WHY THIS UNUSUAL CAREER? I have always had a keen interest in politics, conflict and terrorism, and how these phenomena shape both global and continental security. WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO? We provide a broad range of clients analysis on the political and security risks posing a threat to their safety and interests across Africa. This includes providing bespoke analysis and forecasting on terrorism, government stability, crime and social unrest.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO? I completed a university degree in political studies, and further pursed an Honours degree in the same discipline. During my postgraduate studies, I was offered a position at a Danish-based political risk consultancy, which allowed me to use the skillset I acquired to earn a living. I have been trained in various internal and external research and analytical methodologies, including those used by security agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and other related institutions. WHAT SKILLS ARE REQUIRED? This industry is tailor-made for individuals who excel at working under continuous pressure, who enjoy doing research and who are able to make decisions with a degree of spontaneity. Given the amount of written and verbal communication the role entails, candidates should also be confident communicators.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING? While experience is always important, the training regimen provided by many organisations in this industry is comprehensive and will definitely compensate for any lack of practical experience for candidates who apply themselves. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK onitoring of classified, declassified and open source intelligence, which I then assess and present to clients in written briefs of varying length and depth; verbal assessments; compilation and coordination of contingency and evacuation plans, which are used by our clients in the event of a crisis that could impact their safety or business continuity. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? Many facets of my work. For one, as an analyst, you are constantly exposed to information, which provides you with a broad

understanding of many issues that are topical and of public interest. Also, there is a fair degree of dynamism involved in the work. WHICH ASPECTS ARE YOU LEAST ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT? As our company operates on a 24/7 basis, 365 days per year, I am often required to work shifts that some people would perceive as unsociable. WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT TO DATE? There have been many. My analysis of the security threats across the African continent has been published by various media publications and think tanks. I am also often requested to provide insight on topical issues for major news networks such as CNN, l a eera and C. I was just recently commissioned to author my first book on the Nigerian insurgent group, Boko Haram; something I consider to be a significant milestone.

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CAREER IDEAS

TELLING IT LIKE IT IS WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? On-the-job training. Some say it’s the best way to learn and I believe acquiring formal training in something you love is half the journey travelled. It is through experience that most of us learn the most important lessons that end up shaping our lives.

NKEPILE MABUSE NE

N EN

CNN

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? I didn t choose it, it chose me. That may sound clichéd but it’s the truth. After school I studied civil engineering at Witwatersrand Technikon in ohannesburg. It took me five years of working in the field to realise that it was not for me and I quit. In my search for any job that would pay my bills I landed an insignificant position at a current affairs show and fell in love with journalism.

WHAT KIND OF PERSONALITY SUITS JOURNALISM? You have got to love people and be patient – most good stories come to those who wait. ost importantly, you have to care about the people and events you report on. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? I learn something new every day and meet incredibly interesting people. If a story about illegal organ transplants breaks, for e ample, I have to uickly familiarise myself with the laws that regulate operations in the country concerned. It’s important to be able to locate people or information

that can help me become an instant expert. WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Sometimes dealing with government officials can be extremely frustrating. Many of them do not return calls, have no sense of urgency and generally feel they should not be answerable to anyone. Journalists are the last people they want to deal with. WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? I’ve had many. Barack Obama’s African roots made covering the 2008 American presidential elections extremely exciting for me. I was in his father’s village, ogelo, in enya. eople who had never seen a television set, never mind followed a election, were glued to screens brought into the village for all to witness history unfold. When the announcement was made that he had won, old ladies danced alongside school children as the whole

community erupted in jubilation – truly unforgettable scenes. Obama’s visit to Ghana comes a close second. His motorcade drove past us while I was live on air and it was really special to witness the enormous admiration and love that ordinary people have for him. ANY ADVICE TO IMPART? Work hard. Be humble and keep learning. Learn from those you admire and also from those you regard as intellectually inferior. FUTURE GOALS... My biggest personal goal is to shape my seven-monthold son into a responsible and open-minded young man who will make a positive contribution to his country, community and fellow man. Careerwise I would like to tell more stories that change the lives of those they are about and alter the thinking of those watching. YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS A constant thrill!

INFORMATION SECURITY

THABO RAMOSHAI FIREWALL ADMINISTRATOR E F

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CHOOSE A CAREER AS A FIREWALL ADMINISTRATOR? I always found information technology an interesting field of study as a whole, and as I went on to work in different I careers, I found the information security profession to be very interesting and highly challenging. This particular area requires a more indepth understanding of how the different I concepts fit together and how to secure an organisation’s network infrastructure.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO? For my basic training, I studied an International Computer Drivers License IC , followed by a Comp I Essetial, Comp I echnician, CompTIA N+ and Microsoft Certified rofessional C . I then chose to specialise in networking. For my networking career path, I studied a Cisco Certified Network ssociate CCN , Cisco Certified Network Associate Security (CCNA ec , followed by a Cisco Certified Network rofessional ecurity CCN ecurity . In addition to Security rofessional, I studied Cisco Certified Network ssociate oice CCN oice , Cisco Certified Network esign Associate (CCDA) and Cisco Certified Network rofessional outing and witching CCN R&S). IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED? To do well at this kind of work you need to be motivated and prepared for loads of

hard work and long hours. You need to have a thirst for knowledge and be able to apply that knowledge, as well as have a good understanding of concepts. You also require the ability to think out of the box. EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING? I would boldly say that experience is most important. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY My day-to-day duties are to handle 2nd- and 3rd-level security support incident re uests from clients, which includes designing and implementation of approved changes. I conduct research on advanced threats in the cybersecurity world, apply security patches and finetune security appliances to tighten the network security of a client. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? I like the fact that every day presents new challenges. Attackers or hackers constantly find

new ways of exploiting security systems to enter your network infrastructure. Whereas companies adopt more innovative ways of interacting with customers and other partners, the cybersecurity challenge will only increase. It’s an opportunity to continuously learn new concepts. AND LEAST? Working on the same technology for an extended period of time. ANY HIGHLIGHTS? When I was appointed as a network security administrator, as it has opened up a lot of opportunities in the cybersecurity field. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO NEWCOMERS? Cybersecurity is evolving every day. To be up to standard one needs to be self-motivated, and be able to set and achieve goals above your knowledge and understanding. POST MATRIC 2019 | 23

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HEALTH TALK

DR SUMAYA MALL EPIDEMIOLOGIST/LECTURER CENTRE FOR EVIDENCE-BASED HEALTH CARE, FACULTY OF HEALTH SCIENCES, STELLENBOSCH UNIVERSITY

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? I always had a passion for research. I think it originated at the age of about 12, when I conducted a research project on the death penalty. This made the decision to become an academic a natural one, where research is combined with teaching and mentoring students to conduct research. WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO I am an epidemiologist, which means I study disease distribution in societies,

and factors that influence disease. My current research is on schizophrenia and the factors that influence the onset of schizophrenia. I also teach epidemiology at Stellenbosch University to undergraduate and postgraduate students. WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I studied a BA degree at UCT, followed by an honours degree, also at UCT. During this year, I became interested in human language, disability, the human brain and behaviour. I registered for a Master’s in Public Health at UCT, which led to a PhD degree at Stellenbosch University. The research for my PhD encapsulated the disciplines of health, disability and human behaviour. I also completed a Master’s degree in Epidemiology at Columbia University, New York, which made me much more proficient at statistics, a very necessary aspect of doing research.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY I spend most of the day interrogating data, writing research papers alone and collaboratively with colleagues, and thinking up new ideas for research. I also give lectures to students and meet with students about their projects. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? I have a passion for research and discovery but also love the interaction with students. WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Research can be lonely and difficult at times. It also requires a great deal of organisation and management. New research projects can also be quite daunting. WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? I think the crossover of discipline from humanities to health sciences was a bit tough, but the interdisciplinary aspect of my work is also rewarding.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? The mentorship I have received has shaped me as a mentor to my students. I never tell students they can’t achieve something but rather encourage them to achieve their own realistic goals. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS? I would like to remain in academia, attract research funding from international bodies, and mentor students from different backgrounds to pursue stimulating and rewarding research careers. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER? I would encourage passion for one’s work, resilience, determination, never giving up and a whole bunch of discipline. DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Stimulating, gruelling and rewarding!

TALK WITH THE ANIMALS WHAT MAKES A SUCCESSFUL ANIMAL BEHAVIOURIST? You need to have patience in bucketloads. You also need to be physically fit, passionate about conservation and be a good team player.

MBHABE DANIEL MTETWA ANIMAL BEHAVIOURIST: SEALS, DOLPHINS AND PENGUINS

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WORK WITH ANIMALS? As a young boy I loved my dogs and spent hours training them in my back garden. After visiting Sea World, I knew that one day I would work with marine mammals and birds. From that point on I spent as much time as possible learning about animal behaviour. WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO? After completing Matric I focussed on dog training, and then built on the knowledge I had acquired when I started working at Sea World uShaka.

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? I think you need both and that, in my position, one never stops with either formal training or with gaining valuable experience in this field of work. DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL WORKING DAY Most of my day is spent with the seals. When we arrive in the morning we check them to ensure they are in optimal health, prepare their morning feeds, spend time playing with them and strengthening the bond of trust. Then we do some training and prepare them to participate in the seal show. WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? I love sharing my animals

with the public, and then watching the audience as they learn about conservation through observing them and their many antics. DO YOU HAVE ANY WORKRELATED DISLIKES? I have to admit that I don’t enjoy sitting down to do paperwork, but it is essential and needs to be done on a daily basis – unless you want to get behind.

“You need to have patience in bucketloads. You also need to be physically fit, passionate about conservation and be a good team player” WHAT’S BEEN THE MAIN HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? I really loved being part of the move from the old Sea World premises to our current

home at uShaka Marine World. This transition brought so many new challenges and was a once in a lifetime opportunity for me to learn about how animals adapt and adjust to change. WHAT ARE YOUR CAREER GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? I am going to continue working towards my main goal: a world where everyone cares about the environment and about the animals in it. You will notice when I have reached it – we will be living in a litter-free South Africa! DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNGSTERS STARTING OUT IN ANIMAL BEHAVIOURISM? I would advise them to volunteer at their local animal care facility or conservation organisation to find out if this really is the work they want to immerse themselves in. This is not just a job – it’s a lifestyle. YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Sharing, caring and nurturing.

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CAREER IDEAS

A TALENT FOR TINKERING

DANIEL NOBEL OWNER DANNY’S AUTO REPAIRS

WHAT DOES YOUR PROFESSION AS A CAR MECHANIC INVOLVE? My work, in brief, involves reception and liaison with clients for diagnosis of vehicular problems, estimation of costs of repair and technical advice. Then there’s the running of the business side of things which involves recourse to absolve problems, directing and guiding staff to tackle the faults and multitask in carrying out repairs, and doing costing, invoicing and public relations.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO THIS FIELD? This trade was actually thrusted upon me after leaving the University of Cape own. I passed my first year studying a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, but was impeded to complete my studies due to lack of funds or bursaries at that time. I was readily accepted (during ‘apartheid years’) as an apprentice at a major franchise dealer. WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO AND WHERE DID YOU DO IT? I did an apprenticeship contract of five years, which I completed by passing a trade test after a mandatory two years. WHAT IS IT THAT MAKES A GOOD MECHANIC (OR A BAD ONE)? You need to be a patient and mechanically-inspired individual with a passion for automobiles. You’ll also need

to be a good problem-solver with lots of patience, possess good people skills and be a good listener. IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Experience is the best teacher, but is well complemented by formal training. One of my favourite things to quote is “Have the recipe, but cook the meal!” WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOUR BEING A CAR MECHANIC? I enjoy the feeling of satisfaction that I get when I have successfully solved a complex problem as efficiently and as promptly as possible under the circumstances. ARE THERE ANY ASPECTS OF THE WORK THAT YOU DON’T LIKE MUCH? I don’t enjoy it when I get complaints about items relating to rattles, noises from the body or from the trim of the car.

“You need to be a patient and mechanicallyinspired individual with a passion for automobiles” ANY WORDS OF WISDOM FOR NEWCOMERS TO THE WORLD OF CAR MECHANICS? You have to accept that there is always someone with valuable skills and important knowledge in your chosen trade that you can learn a ton from. WHAT’S YOUR DREAM FOR THE FUTURE? I’d love to own a beautiful state-of-the-art workshop built to my own personal design.

THE DESIGN SPACE for a building and, with the help of a structural engineer, make the building stand up.

TARRYN CRAIG ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST SELF-EMPLOYED

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? I was always drawn to detail. In an art composition I would take hours to draw the pattern in the backdrop fabric and the rest would be almost irrelevant. My parents introduced me to an architect when I was 16 and from there my school subjects were steered towards a career in architecture. PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS THAT YOU DO We document and resolve structures in the built environment. Basically, we are given a design/concept

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO? I left Zimbabwe at 18 with a couple of A Levels behind me and did a three-year Diploma in Architectural Technology at Cape Tech. The course took me six years in the end, as I worked while I studied to support myself through the course. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY A typical day would be spent behind the computer drawing. It’s not a glamourous ob, but I find the challenge of resolving how a building will become a space where people live, work, play, etc, very interesting. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? I love drawing! My people skills aren’t great, so I prefer being in the background drawing. WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? I sometimes feel a bit isolated, because I work

mostly on my own. When starting out I would highly recommend working in an office with other people and also getting involved on site. WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD? Creating my own business was a big leap for me and it continues to be a challenge. WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER? Running and documenting a multistorey commercial building. I learnt so much from the team of engineers, contractors and so on that the experience was invaluable to my career. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS? Bigger and more challenging projects. EXPERIENCE VS FORMAL TRAINING? You have to have a good base of knowledge before starting in the industry, but experience is vital. I worked in architecture and interior

design while I was studying and they both helped me get ahead in the job market. The tech course’s second year is a practical year, where you work in an architectural office. hat s so important, not just for experience but also to get an idea of what you are aiming towards. IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? You need to have great attention to detail, patience for when that detail changes and a practical/logical way of thinking. ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Work hard at college: the course isn’t easy, but if you are consistent you will succeed. In the work environment, remember a building project is a team effort, listen and learn from those around you. YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Challenging, interesting and rewarding.

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SASOL SECUNDA OPERATIONS STRIVING FOR EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE STRIVING FOR EDUCATION EXCELLENCE Sasol is one of South Africa’s largest investors in education. Through the Sasol Foundation, which specialises in education, we collaborate with partners and stakeholders to identify, formulate and execute a range of targeted interventions and solutions from early childhood education to tertiary education. Sasol together with Osizweni Science Centre, its education Fagship implement the following programmes in municipalities around its operations and beyond. Early Childhood Education • Learner support • Practitioner and management support • Infrastructure and learning resources STEM Education • STEM curriculum support • Learner and teacher support • Resource development Technical Education • Learners support • Teacher support • Infrastructure support Tertiary Education • Bursaries • Research support • Equipment and infrastructure support

E - learning is an online system, whereby schools connect to a central venue and join in an interactive live broadcast. The programme offers live, interactive lessons as well as pre-recorded video lessons in Mathematics and Physical Science. The boards allow teachers to interact with learners in different venues simultaneously. Teachers receive online tutoring, which assists in subject content delivery. This programme is implemented in the Dipaliseng and Lekwa areas. In Dipaleseng there are now five secondary schools that are in the programme i.e I.M. Manchu Secondary School, Balfour Combined School, Isifisosethu, Nthoroane, Setsheng and Tsepeha High Schools. The three schools from Lekwa are Khunjuliwe Secondary School, Holmedene Secondary School and Hoérskool Standerton. Mrs Kubheka, principal of IM Manchu commented that the E- Learning programme has brought a positive impact on the Grade 12 results. “In 2017 we achieved 59% pass rate, last year we improved and reached 92.8%. E-learning and other Sasol education initiatives contributed to this outcome as they have assisted learners to understand the subject content better. The learners that passed in 2018 are not roaming the streets, but were absorbed in various tertiary institutions to further pursue their studies”.

Some examples of initiatives implemented as part of these programmes include: RALLY TO READ South Africa is one of the countries ranked amongst those where learners’ reading and writing is a huge challenge. Therefore Sasol in support of the education fraternity has through various programmes, adopted the RALLY TO READ initiative with an intent to support learner literacy and numeracy. This programme assists learners with reading from a young age as it can be challenging if the child does not know how to read the learner’s school years can be more difficult than normal. The Rally to Read programme aims to close the gap of learners who are unable to read and write at the expected age. It is scheduled to run from Monday to Thursday in eight different centres around Lekwa, Dipaleseng and Govan Mbeki local municipalities. There are twenty five schools in total from the Gert Sibande Subregion that are benefiting from the programme, and 960 learners that attend weekly after-school sessions for two hours in these centres. The programme gives learners an opportunity to interact with others on literacy activities which enhance their reading skills. The target audience for this initiative are Grade 5 and 6 learners.

SASOL FOUNDATION BURSARY PROGRAMME The aim of Sasol Foundation undergraduate bursary programme is to create opportunities for disadvantaged students – particularly historically disadvantaged individuals from families with limited annual income to access university education and also to build a pool of qualifed South African Scientists and Engineers. In addition to financial support, the programme includes provision of laptops, peer mentoring, psycho-social support, academic seminars, life skills workshops and vision care. In the 2017 intake, the programme was broadened to include studies towards National Diplomas, Bachelor of Technology (BTech) degrees, and artisanship at Universities of Technology and TVET colleges. Progressively the bursary in 2018 included employees’s children and those from Sasol fence line communities. Sasol employees’ children and learners in communities around the operations have received bursaries to study in a South African institution of their choice in STEM and Non-STEM related careers. There are nine learners that benefitted from this bursary extension, four of them are from Govan Mbeki, two from Dipaleseng, two from Lekwa, four from Metsimaholo (Free State) as well as one from Emfuleni municipalities. In 2018 graduation ceremony, 123 students graduated after completion of their studies, 63 obtained BSc and BEng undergraduate degrees and the others obtained postgraduate degrees including Honours, Masters and PhDs.

Photo caption: Some of the learners that are taking part in the RALLY TO READ programme

E-LEARNING INTERACTIVE BOARDS The education system is evolving in order to embrace and keep up with the changes of the digital age, Sasol in support of effective learning, introduced E-learning in high schools near its operations.

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Wow-shows, where scientific principles are demonstrated to inspire and motivate the next generation of scientists are a highlight on the daily programme. Many learners who attended previously, said that they were impressed with the easy access to information regarding possible career paths they can follow in future. Another “not-to-be-missed” show is the Kalahari Scientist who teaches scientific principles through demonstrations designed to inspire and motivate our country’s future leaders. His passionate way of presenting, coupled with clear explanations, makes it a truly memorable experience for learners and teachers.

Sasol Techno X 2019 is an exhibition that encourages youth to dream, explore and become. Photo caption: Some of the previous Sasol Techno X photos

Sasol, in partnership with Mpumalanga government, will from 29 July - 2 August 2019 bring learners to Sasol Techno X 2019 in Secunda, which is regarded as the largest career guidance exhibition of its kind in the inland provinces. For the past 19 years Sasol has hosted the exhibition. Since 2015 the exhibition has alternatively been hosted between Sasolburg and Secunda. Sasol Techno X is an annual career exhibition that is part of the company’s programmes that promote sustainable socio-economic development through education. It mainly promotes STEM education at schools to enable access to tertiary education, and ultimately boosts the pool of technical, vocational and STEM-related skills among the youth of South Africa. The exhibition is targeting high school learners from across the country and enables them to engage with the real world application of STEM subjects in a way that creates interest and captivates the imagination.

TOY LIBRARY The Toy Library which is a programme run through Osizweni Science Centre, Sasol education flagship, provides an exciting space for discovery and learning. Educational materials are varied and engaging, from puzzles and toys to easy-to-follow computer-based activities. Children are placed in two age groups, three to four and five to six, and their journey of exploration and play is guided by trained practitioners as well as other key staff.

This will be the third time Sasol Techno X is hosted in Secunda. During 2015 and 2017 more than 48 000 learners from different provinces, with a large number from Mpumalanga province attended the exhibition. Learners are given access to relevant information on careers within STEM-related fields, career guidance and bursary opportunities from different institutions. Learners further directly engage with academic institutions in order to get better insights on the fields of study they would like to pursue. The exhibition also offers learners an opportunity to enter various competitions (such as science, art and making fashion garments from used recyclable materials). Photo caption: A practitioner assisting a child during the Toy Library sessions

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A STRONG FOUNDATION

SHAMIEL KAFFOOR CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN KATULL PROJECTS

WHAT DOES YOUR PROFESSION INVOLVE? My function starts right at the beginning of the job and carries through to the end. It involves everything, from ensuring straight foundations, to setting out and working the levels to a certain height according to the plans. It’s about overseeing colleagues (I manage around 30 labourers), managing subcontractors, working on roof heights, and other stuff, right down to the finishes details like tiles and cupboards.

HOW DID YOU GET TO BECOME A CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN? My father was a bricklayer and from when I was about nine years old I would spend school holidays on-site earning pocket money as a labourer. I didn’t like the effect the years of hard graft had on my father he suffered back problems from all the physical work. He urged me not to follow in his footsteps, so once school was over I fell into tiling, which I did for a few years. While I was tiling, I witnessed countless struggles taking place between clients and builders. I noticed the lack of attention to detail, the faults and poor workmanship. A few years later I was introduced to Yule (co-founder of Katull Projects) and he offered me a position as foreman. WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO? On-the-job training Everything I know is thanks to experience.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD FOREMAN? You have to be strong, hard but not too hard. It’s about balance, about not being overpowered. I’m a soft person by nature and am a different person at work to who I am at home. The labourers need to know who’s boss. You definitely need to be a good communicator. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION Every day something goes wrong and I feel responsible! Mistakes mean cost implications. You need to be constantly on the ball. The daily routine depends on the job and the stage it’s at. My work involves all aspects of the job. WHAT PARTS OF YOUR JOB DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST? I love my work, there’s nothing I don’t like. I love being outside, not sitting in an office and working in all sorts of different places. I’m happy working for someone

else too, I prefer it to always having to look for more work and struggling to meet payments. As long as I can put food on the table for my family and take the kids to the doctor, I’m happy. I believe money is evil, it changes personalities. WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION? Winter when it’s cold and wet is particularly challenging. WORDS OF ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN YOUR PROFESSION? The same advice my father gave me: don’t do hard labour. Choose a trade and become good at it. Be humble, work hard, be prepared to learn and to take direction from others. DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Challenging • Outdoors • Rewarding

MASTER PLAN

MELISSA DEE SENIOR EVENT MANAGER CHATTELS INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS / AVENUE

WHAT GOT YOU INTO THE FIELD OF EVENT MANAGEMENT? My dreams of being a ‘party planner’ all started when I was 12 years old; I attended a wedding that blew my mind. I couldn’t believe the d cor, flowers, food and the way everybody and everything looked so beautiful and elegant. I made a descision that day that I would do it as a profession. WHAT IS IT THAT YOU ACTUALLY DO? I have been focused on international and domestic

events for the last ten years. A year ago, I took on an unusual challenge, assisting with the project management of Avenue, a new event venue. It’s a little different to creating an event, but the planning, research and implementation is the same.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? I enjoy creating events and the feeling of knowing that a client is happy with what you have created for them. It’s a great achievement.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO AND WHERE? I studied at Leeds Metropolitan University in the UK. I completed a 4-year BA (Hons) Degree in Event Management. Some of my most valuable training was the first year of working.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? There are many small and large hurdles in the events business. Every event has its challenges, and not everything goes according to plan. You have to be ready to do crisis management at any point.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB There isn’t really a typical day in the events industry. Each day brings on its own challenges and demands. Depending if it’s a build day, event day or break day, I am on-site with suppliers and clients. Inbetween this, I do the financial aspects of the venue and events, sales and marketing, and client liaison.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Sometimes I struggle with the long, exhausting hours!

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? I was headhunted to work for FIFA for the World Cup 2010 South Africa team. My responsibility was running the hospitality and ticketing at Ellis Park Stadium. IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Experience is key in the events industry. There are

always good and bad experiences in every event, you need to take those experiences and learn from them. ARE THERE CERTAIN TRAITS ONE REQUIRES IN THIS INDUSTRY? Absolutely, you need to love working with people, but you also need to be organised and dedicated to your work. It’s not always as glamorous at it seems. ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT WITHIN THE EVENTS INDUSTRY? Starting off at the bottom allows you to gain good insight into the industry. It also allows you to gain the fundamental organisational and administrative skills. It’s important to try your best to gain valuable exposure to the many different elements of event management. SUM UP YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Satisfying • Challenging • Creating

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CAREER IDEAS

THE MORALE BOOSTER

LESEGO MASHISHIMATLALA OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST LIMITLESS OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY SERVICES PTY LTD

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY? As a teenager, I didn’t know what it was about. I was awarded a bursary by the Department of Defense to study it and seized the opportunity. In essence, occupational therapy chose me. When I discovered that it was about empowering people to function at their full potential with whatever physical, mental or development deficit they may have, I knew that this was the right profession for me.

WHAT TRAINING HAVE YOU DONE? I completed my fouryear Honours Degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Pretoria. I then did a postgraduate course in Functional Capacity Evaluation, offered by Dr Campbell from Occupational Rehabilitation Services Ltd Scotland. I also received training in the Australian-based job fit system and obtained certification in ractical Labour Law from the University of South Africa. WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? The strain placed on our families as occupational therapists. The work we do has a big impact on the client or patient we are servicing. One often has to sacrifice personal time in order to ensure that deadlines that may affect your client or patient are met, in order to ensure their well-being. This is, at times, overwhelming and not

always properly understood by some families. WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? Establishing my own company, Limitless Occupational Therapy Services, as it gave me the opportunity to explore the profession even more and allowed my creativity to flow, while applying core principles of occupational therapy. WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS? I would like to see occupational therapy playing a more active and involved role in organisations, assisting with the formulation of employee assistance programmes and employee wellness programmes. Occupational therapists are experts when it comes to productivity management and disability management in the workplace and we are yet to own the space in the corporate environment.

IN YOUR LINE OF WORK, IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? es, definitely. ur approach to patient handling is client centred. Therefore, the more patients and conditions you are exposed to, the more developed your skills will be to handle different cases efficiently. IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED? Vital character traits to possess in the profession of occupational therapy include empathy, care, patience, good social skills, discipline, diligence, and the innate ability to extract the best out of anyone who interacts with you. ANY ADVICE FOR NEWCOMERS? Make sure that you gain exposure and experience in all the different facets of occupational therapy.This will aid you in making informed decisions as to which field you are best suited for.

WHEN SPARKS FLY

IVO SOLA SELF-EMPLOYED WELDER SOLA METAL FABRICATORS

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A WELDER? I had little choice. I grew up on a small island in the Adriatic that had very few industries, and I didn’t like school very much. My dad was a welder and I used to help him from time to time when I was a teenager. I was never taught how to run a business – I had to learn that myself. WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I did a welding course at the shipyard in my home town.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? Someone who likes to be hands-on and who wants to try to make something on his own. Someone who is outgoing and creative, has stamina and a good eye for detail. HOW IMPORTANT IS EXPERIENCE? Formal training teaches you the basics, experience teaches you everything else. Learning never stops. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB Usually I meet my workers at the workshop, order material that we need and then describe to them what needs to be done. There are always meetings with clients or architects. There is lots of driving involved between clients and sites, suppliers and galvanizers. I am very hands-on in my business.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? The independence it offers, the interesting challenges, being creative in order to meet a challenge, and the opportunity to come and go as I please. WHAT DON’T YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR JOB? raffic, unreliable workers and tax! WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER THUS FAR? I have been involved in some big projects in Cape Town, e.g. Boulevard Park, Virgin Active in Steenberg, The Pepper Club in Loop Street and the Crystal Towers at Century City. On all of them I was worried that I was in over my head, but what tools you don’t have you can always hire and you take each day as it comes. I am also lucky enough to have friends who give me good advice and lend me equipment if needed.

“You need little investment, but you do need #Determination” WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS? To grow this business to the next level and, as a sidebusiness, to possibly open a restaurant (cooking is my other passion). ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT? You need little investment to get going, but you do need heaps of determination and the ability to stick at it. You need to network and market yourself all the time. Never pass up an opportunity to tell someone what you do. You never know what a person, or someone they know, may be needing – be it a metal staircase or a beautiful balustrade. DESCRIBE A CAREER IN WELDING IN THREE WORDS Dynamic • Creative • Fun

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CAREER IDEAS

BROAD HORIZONS WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I did my ab initio (initial) training at Emirates training college. Every year you have to do a course to renew your license. To get into private aviation, you need to have a few years’ airline experience as well as business or first class experience for at least a year.

ANDREA WILLEMSE VIP FLIGHT ATTENDANT AVIATION LINK

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER? I chose to become a flight attendant because I wanted to travel the world. I worked for Emirates for five years, and then moved into the private sector. PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS THAT YOU ACTUALLY DO AS A FLIGHT ATTENDANT I fly on the private aircrafts of the Royal Prince of Saudi Arabia.

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY My day starts four hours before departure with a pre-flight briefing, where we discuss the flight, special cases, and have a safety talk. We then go to the aircraft to perform a security search and prepare for the passengers, ensuring the catering is correct and the cabin is clean. Then we take off and supply the meal service. After landing we perform landing duties, stowing all equipment. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST? I really enjoy travelling to new destinations and

experiencing the different cultures and food. I also enjoy meeting colleagues from all over the world. DO YOU HAVE ANY DISLIKES? Missing special occasions with my friends and family is especially difficult for me. WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? The biggest challenge has been to understand the differences in culture. In the Middle East there are rules and laws that aren’t the same as in South Africa. You have to be mindful of your actions as well as the way you dress and speak to ensure it is not perceived as insulting by passengers. WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? The highlight so far was meeting Richard Branson on a flight I was operating. He was one of the three people I most wanted to meet because he has such a positive outlook on life.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING? I would say that they’re both equally important. You have to be properly trained as you have a big responsibility to ensure that any emergency on board is handled correctly. Once you’re comfortable with the job, you will be able to guide your fellow crew members, and this is where experience is essential. ARE THERE CERTAIN TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE? You have to have a good attitude, and be very patient. There are many times that you’ll be disappointed with flight changes and delays, resulting in people becoming upset and asking questions. ADVICE FOR NEWCOMERS? This job is not always glamorous and you have to be prepared to sacrifice time away from family and friends. You also have to have empathy; not everyone is travelling under pleasant circumstances.

ON TOP OF THE WORLD entry requirement for the course is Grade 12, with 50% or more in Mathematics and Physical Science.

DUDUZILE DZONZI METEOROLOGICAL TECHNICIAN SOUTH AFRICAN WEATHER SERVICE

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A METEOROLOGICAL TECHNICIAN? I was always interested in followng the weather while growing up, and during my matric year I came across an advertisement that I saw as a great opportunity to follow my dream. WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO AND WHAT WERE THE REQUIREMENTS? I did a National Certificate in Weather Observation, a ten-month course run by the Regional Training Centre of the South African Weather Service (SAWS). The minimum

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO WORKING WITH THE WEATHER? One needs to be reliable, have the ability to do routine work carefully and accurately, and be able to work in different environments. You have to be someone interested in the world around you (especially the weather). IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS TRAINING? Formal training is essential for foundational knowledge, while experience gained while working takes it to the next level. DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB Each shift has a different focus – observing the weather at routine times from the office as well as in the surrounding areas. We have

to be aware of expected conditions that might occur, and release upper air balloons to ensure that this information gets through to the forecasters. We also monitor the data being collected by automated stations. On other days we do field work, maintaining or reactivating our remote instruments.

“We have to be aware of expected conditions that might occur, and release upper air balloons to ensure that this information gets through to the forecasters” WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? It is not only office based – you get to travel to the different weather stations under your control. I’m almost always informed about present and near future weather conditions.

WHAT ARE YOU LEAST ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT? Working through the holidays (Festive and Easter). WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER? Being interviewed for a children’s programme that was aired on national TV weeks later. WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? I’m currently studying a BSc Environmental Management. It would be amazing to have a career someday that includes both weather and environmental issues. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN THE METEOROLOGICAL FIELD? Be open to learning new things always; it really does get easier with time. DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Informative • Exciting • Fulfilling

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MIND COACH

WAYS TO BOOST YOUR BRAIN

eeling sad, hopeless, depressed? You are not alone! As much as 24% of South Africa’s youth have this experience and a further 21% have attempted suicide at least once. It’s no big surprise – living in a country with hostile politics, high crime, an uncertain future and super expensive living costs can really mess with your mental health (and your matric exam results). But with a few simple tools you can boost your mood and be a happier, more relaxed version of you. The added bonus is the ripple effect: more energy, more focus, better results. So, take charge and try these winning strategies: SLEEP ENOUGH Not getting enough sleep can leave you feeling cranky, paranoid, and even make you hallucinate. Insomnia and irregular sleep patterns can also lead to depression and other more severe mental disorders. Get at least 7-9 hours of solid sleep a night. On nights when you have to cram for tests or exams or have social plans, squeeze in a mid-afternoon nap. While it may seem impossible, stay off your cellphone for at least an hour before bed – those Wi-Fi waves can really zap the quality of your sleep. True story!

LIFESTYLE COACH KATLYN PRATCHETT SPELLS OUT HOW TO KEEP YOUR MOOD IN CHECK BY GETTING THOSE HAPPY CHEMICALS KICKING NATURALLY ACTIVATE YOURSELF Many youngsters in schools around the country get virtually no exercise – no school sports and no active time at home either. When you are active, your brain releases a stack of mood-boosting endorphins. This is exactly why exercise is often seen as a good antidote to stress, depression and anxiety. Be active for at least half an hour a day, even if it means walking around at school during break time. EAT HEALTHY While nothing beats pigging out on a pile of hotwings or a packet of Oreos every couple of days, it doesn’t do your mental health any favours. What you eat feeds your entire body, including your brain. Junk food makes you tired, makes your brain foggy – it brings you down. By eating healthy proteins like eggs and grilled chicken every day, your body will produce enough dopamine and tyrosine – the chemicals in your brain that keep you alert. If you’re a snacker, make sure they’re brain pick-me-ups like nuts, seeds and fruit. Avoid the bring-me-down food at the tuck shop by packing a healthy lunch. Those veggies your mom nags you about, and fish, can also do wonders for your mood and stress levels.

DITCH ALCOHOL AND DRUGS It’s a mistake to think that smoking a joint or downing a few beers (we all know there are those that jump the gun and try it before they’re 18) will take away the stress of a day at school or lift you up when you’re down. The reality is that alcohol and drugs can wreak havoc on your mood and mental health. Psychoactive drugs – weed, alcohol, ecstasy, tik – can enhance certain emotions while suppressing others, with long-term abuse resulting in anything from depression to schizophrenia. Peer pressure may be hard to overcome, but saying ‘no’ to any potentially dangerous substances will seem worth it when you’re living a happy, successful life. HOBBY UP Hobbies relax you and take you on a natural high, helping with anxiety, depression and a bunch of other mental and emotional issues. And being the sport- and music- and art-loving nation that we are, there are loads of options out there: from soccer, netball, swimming or running; to music, drama, art, dancing and martial arts. Many schools offer these as after-school activities, so lack of funds can’t hold you back. POST MATRIC 2019 | 31

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LAST LAUGH

l a p , n e p a b a r G

y favourite pen at school was a Parker. It was a bulky device with a huge cap and runny ink I thought would run dry for sure if I didn’t keep the cap on at all times. Even though I had a Space Case, the Parker didn’t ride along with the ballpoints and pencils and other loser stationery. I carried it proudly in the breast pocket of my blazer. If I had had a leather briefcase, I would have carried it in there neatly clipped to the velvet inner lining of the lid. These days I see fewer pens than ever before. What I do see a lot of is students taking pictures of noticeboards with their smartphones and lecture halls filled with laptops – the only person in the room with a writing instrument the lecturer, standing at the front with a piece of chalk in his hand like an idiot. The thing is, I’m with the idiot. I don’t think a world where everything we write is done with a keyboard or our fingertips on a screen is a good thing. As any artist will tell you, using your body to draw or paint – even spray graffiti – allows for ideas and emotions to flow from brain through heart to hand. Now, writing with a pen (or pencil) does very much the same – it forces you to move your arm from one side of a page to the other. You might roll your tongue and bite down lightly on it to improve your concentration. You might lean in close to make sure you stay on the line, and when you do, you might just hear the tip of the pen scrape along the paper, physically inscribing your thoughts for as long as humanity will have them. What’s written on paper, stays there, especially when done so with an early 90s Parker Refiller Executive. Maybe I’m being paranoid. Maybe a world in which pens have gone extinct is still a way off – a world where Parker pens are on display in museums and the Space Cases the ‘old people’ carried them in are also there. A world where there’s nothing to chew on when the teacher is being insanely boring and, heaven

forbid, nothing to use as a peashooter. Maybe we’ll have many more years scratching itches behind our ears and carving hearts on our desks. Maybe. Even if that is the (space) case, the fact remains we don’t write as much as we used to. And that means handwriting, more specifically, my handwriting, has gone backward. I physically tremble when I have to sign a birthday card, regardless of whether I know and cherish the person or not. In the world of writing, it’s one of the few places you have to get it right the first time and I rarely do. My handwriting is currently limited to all caps print that often comes out as all caps hieroglyphics. Everything I write looks like I’m screaming. (There was a time when I could write beautiful cursive – near perfect, in fact – but sadly the muscles in my hand seem to have forgotten how to draw the curl of a G and have it progress seamlessly into an A.) Many of you might remember, or are sitting at one reading this, the school desks with the tops that open up. The ones where everything slides off onto your lap if you don’t pin it down with your arms. The ones with bubblegum hard as rock stuck underneath the seats, in1978. At the top of those desks, where there’s that little channel for stationery you’ll see a round hole, one on each side. Know what that was for? Ink bottles. True story. Back in the day, people stuck their pens in pots of ink to make them write. In modern times you won’t find pots of ink at universities or colleges unless, perhaps, you’re studying art. And that’s a good thing – pots spill and ink stains. You will, however, still find pens dangling from mouths in libraries and jotting down notes in class. There will still be pens around to press corks into wine bottles with when you can’t find an opener (and have waited until you turned 18, of course). You might even find for sale in the stationery store the new Parker IM Premium Emerald Pearl with Quinkflow®. And that, also, is a good thing.

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We actively embrace e a culture of CARE and KINDNESS

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