African Scholar Magazine October-December 2013 Issue 7 by African Scholar Magazine

SELAMAWIT ADUGNA BEKELE ETHIOPIAN GENDER ACTIVIST

EMPLOYABLE GRADUATES

EOH

SKILLS DEVELOPMENT

SASOL

PHEMO KAREN KGOMOTSO

Dr. at 31

VOLUME 07 OCT-DEC 2013 R24.99

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Recent history of human development has witnessed unprecedented progress especially within the developing world. There is a “Rise of the South” as the 2013 Human Development Report puts it. A profound shift in global dynamics driven by the fast-rising new powers of the developing world is being witnessed. The reports points out 40 developing countries that have made greater human development gains in recent decades than would have been predicted. What is interesting from the report is that the achievements scored by these countries have been attributed to sustained investment in education, health care and social programmes, and open engagement with an increasingly interconnected world. We know that generally, higher-risk investments offer higher potential returns, and vice versa. However, many studies conducted so far show evidence pointing to the fact that investing in education, unlike other forms of investments, yields more returns than risks. Our continent is the second-largest and second most populous on earth. With an estimated population of 1 billion people, more than half of whom are still in their youthful and productive age, coupled with the resources spread over 30million square kilometers, we do not need to look elsewhere to solve our problems. We should not doubt our ability to reach the level of development that is enjoyed by other parts of the world. The progress the continent has witnessed this far is not enough- we still have millions of our people wallowing in poverty. We need to make the right investment choices because what we invest in today will determine how our continent will be shaped in the not-so-far future. It is well known that where people lack knowledge, they perish. The 2013 Human Development Report has put forward a very good case as to why the global south has risen; investment in education, health care and social programmes. We need to invest in the kind of education that equips the continent’s citizens with appropriate skills and knowledge that they can apply to solve the many challenges they face in their communities. We need the kind of education that promotes innovative thinking; that promotes use of local knowledge to solve local problems and ultimately promotes exchange of ideas among population groups. With improved education, so many other areas are positively affected. As a continent, we need to invest in the type of education that gives people critical skills and tools to help them better provide for themselves and their children. We need to promote the kind of education that helps people work better and create opportunities for sustainable and viable economic growth now and into the future. In this issue of the African Scholar, we share with you why we still believe in education as the first step to realising our continent’s potential. Through the many life journeys of some of the continent’s dedicated and hardworking young men and women we share in this issue, we believe together we will continue valuing education as a right and not a privilege. We share with you how hard work, focus and dedication continue to lift people out of poverty. Through testimonies, we highlight how education has the power to make the world a better place. The global south faces long-term challenges shared by industrialized countries of the North, including mismatches between educational preparation and job opportunities and the need for meaningful civic engagement, among others. We need to prepare our people for life’s challenges through our curriculums. We need to ensure that products of our education systems are competitive beyond our national boundaries. Only then are we going to realize the full returns of our investment in education. Education is more than reading, writing, and arithmetic. It is one of the most important investments a country can make in its people and its future and is critical to reducing poverty and inequality. Enjoy reading the African Scholar!

Lucky Musonda

The African Scholar Magazine Inspire. Inform. Impact.

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Contents

Cover Story page 36

Selamawit Adugna Bekele Features

12 42

SAFTA

Education & Entrepreneurship

Skills shortages and the role of FET Colleges - Des Squire

LoveLife: You & Me

AEL Mining up-skills next generation of professional engineers in South Africa

Building on qualifications makes graduates employable

Phemo Karen Kgomotso, Dr. at 31

Corporate Entrepreneur - Pastel

Sasol Techno X contributes to our skills development

Tevaughnay van Wyk

Q&A: McKinsey & Company

Regulars 34

Lifestyle

44 6

www.africanscholar.co.za

Game Review: The Last Of Us - NAG

Chicken, Sausage & Red Pepper Paella

Raspberry Miso Dressing on a Summer Salad

GLOBAL LEADERS START HERE

Susan Rice Worked at McKinsey from 1991 to 1993 in Toronto. Susan is the United States National Security Advisor. She has previously served as an American Diplomat and is a former United States Ambassador to the United Nations.

To find out how you can join the next generation of global leaders visit our careers page at www.mckinsey.co.za www.africanscholar.co.za

FEATURE

AEL

AEL Mining up-skills next generation of

Professional Engineers in SA

“

South Africa’s mining students are in essence future human capital, which is the reason why AEL is both able and willing to educate South Africa’s mining professionals of tomorrow on AEL’s product offerings to the South African and international mining industry.”

- Simon Tose, Group Consulting Mining Engineer, AEL

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AEL

he severe shortage of skills in the engineering sector has raised concerns worldwide of whether companies are able to employ engineers who have sufficient qualifications within the mining sector. As a result, AEL Mining Services Company (AEL), has partnered with Universities such as the University of the Witwatersrand, University of Johannesburg and University of Pretoria, to host student days to give third and fourth year engineering graduates the opportunity to gain practical and theoretical insight into the mining sector, as this has been found to be lacking in their current education and training. “With a sufficient portfolio of qualified engineers working at AEL, a student day with an itinerary designed to introduce students to this sector will serve as an annual training and development programme offered to university engineering students,” explains Simon Tose, Group Consulting Mining Engineer, of AEL. Furthermore, Tose says AEL will also be discussing sponsorship, training and accredited courses that future graduates can apply for in order to enhance their skills and gain valuable working experience. “This is an opportunity given to aspiring engineers to experience practical mining explosives and allow students to paint a detailed picture when taught theoretically in their lecture rooms. With the great concern of insufficient engineers currently, major thoughts and processes have been taken into consideration to raise the benchmark of gaining more equipped and qualified engineers,” explains Tose. “South Africa’s mining students are in essence future human capital, which is the reason why AEL is both able and willing to educate South Africa’s mining professionals of tomorrow on AEL’s product offerings to the South African and international mining industry.” AEL’s third student day for the year was hosted on the 24 October at the AEL Modderfontein Skills Development Centre in Johannesburg. “The event provides a platform of practical demonstrations parallel to their studies. This also enables future graduates

FEATURE

“With a sufficient portfolio of qualified engineers working at AEL, a student day with an itinerary designed to introduce students to this sector will serve as an annual training and development programme offered to university engineering students,”

a better chance applying for engineering graduate programmes in the sector. He adds that a high volume of applicants is expected this because of the appeal of the bursary programmes and encourages more companies in the industry to get involved in these initiatives. “The programme entails the students studying towards their Diploma and BTech at the University of Johannesburg. Once they have passed they will be offered an incentive of working at AEL for two consecutive years.” “The annual student day, was a day to experience the revolutionary innovations in blasting technology through various activities such as guided tours, product shows and lectures. The aim of this tour was for the students to comprehend the history of explosives, moving away from dynamite and how the past 30 years has had rapid advancement in design technology,”

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Abdullah Nawab, MBA student, Institute of Business Administration (Pakistan)

This was my first international experience, so it was an eye opener to live and work in Zambia. I got to deal with people in a new culture and it enhanced my soft skills, which is a key part of developing your career in management. I had worked with medium enterprises before, but this was the first time that I was responsible for putting structures in place. Towards the end of the project, we started seeing the positive results from the initiatives we had taken, and that was very satisfying. Nneka Ekwuozor, MBA student, University of Bath (UK)

My experience opened my eyes to the fact that the network between African countries is strong and growing. I do not have to limit myself

to Nigeria-where Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m originally from. Thanks to my experience, I feel enabled to approach markets in countries like Zambia, Ghana, and Kenya. I feel like there is a lot of work to be done on the continent and there are a lot of opportunities available to people.

Michael Nkansah, MBA student, Harvard Business School (USA)

I have always wanted to work in Africa and I am now more inclined [to do so]. The programme gave me a better understanding of the challenges that entrepreneurs face working in Africa. I will definitely have a better mindset when I return, which will allow me to hit the ground running. I could not have had a better summer programme. NAG

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FEATURE

EOH

Building on qualifications makes

Graduates Employable The ICT skills challenge in Africa is not due to a lack of candidates with qualifications – it is the result of candidates’ lack of exposure to practical experience. EOH is pioneering a new approach to addressing this challenge. By Asher Bohbot, CEO of EOH

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EOH

FEATURE

hile much is made of an ICT skills shortage across Africa, the truth is that there are ample numbers of potentially suitable, qualified young people seeking employment in the sector. Unemployment levels, especially amongst young people, are high. There are around five million unemployed people in South Africa – and 75% of them are youths. Many of these young people hold some qualifications on paper. However, while they may have qualifications, what they lack is the business skills and experience the industry needs. Contrary to what many may believe, skills are not defined as educational qualifications alone – they are a combination of formal qualifications and on the job experience. Once a graduate has both education and experience, he or she becomes employable, and there is an 80% likelihood he or she will be employed for life. But for every year a graduate remains unemployed, their chances of ever being employed drop off, as their peers gain valuable experience and become more employable. Recognising this challenge, EOH has taken concrete steps to develop a programme that equips young school leavers and graduates with the skills they need to become employable in the ICT sector. This pioneering EOH Youth Job Creation Initiative, which saw 600 learners and interns up skilled within the company last year alone, has proven so successful that we are championing it among our partner network and business at large across South Africa. This year, we will expand our programme with a new intake of learners and interns. Ultimately, we plan to help create internships for 20 000 graduates and learnerships for 30 000 matriculants. Our model is surprisingly simple and is not a costly exercise, thanks to government incentives supporting skills development. It is simply a matter of giving young people work experience. Much like the old tradition whereby artisans undergo apprenticeships as part of their training, the next generation of employees can be effectively equipped with the necessary hands-on experience if they work for a period alongside experienced mentors.

In line with this model, EOH has created a structured programme of training, mentorship and assessment, which ensures that learners and interns are exposed to real-world business challenges and learn the skills required by business today. The first intake of learners and interns quickly became commercially productive under the mentorship of our skilled staff, and reported that the process was hugely beneficial for them. Subsequently, most of them have been employed within EOH or our partner network. At EOH, we believe that all businesses should take responsibility for equipping our youth with the skills they need to become employable. Encouragingly, we see signs that businesses across the country agree. At roadshows staged by EOH to promote this model of job creation, companies from a range of industry verticals expressed great interest in emulating our model. To assist them in implementing their own youth job creation initiatives, EOH has made its specialist project team available to share advice on procedures and planning. Theoretically, if every business in South Africa were to implement similar job creation initiatives, it would mean the employment of hundreds of thousands young South Africans. The benefits would be immense – for the youth, for society and ultimately for the very businesses that invested time and effort in passing on skills. After all, it is easier to run a business in a successful society.

“Contrary to what many may believe, skills are not defined as educational qualifications alone – they are a combination of formal qualifications and on the job experience. Once a graduate has both education and experience, he or she becomes employable, and there is an 80% likelihood he or she will be employed for life.”

For more info on the EOH Youth Job Creation Initiative, please email: ersjobs@eoh.co.za

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FEATURE

Phemo Karen Kgomotso

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Phemo Karen Kgomotso

FEATURE

PHEMO KAREN

KGOMOTSO: From humble beginnings to a Doctor of Philosophy at 31 In life, circumstances that we encounter shape us. They shape our behaviour, perceptions and sometimes, our values. In Botswana, Phemo Kgomotso shares with us her experience. At the age of only 31, she earned her Doctor of Philosophy qualification. She may not be the first one to do it at her age, but she is certainly among the few in our continent. Raised in a poor and female-headed household, among peers with different aspirations in life, she is certainly an example to many African scholars; male and female alike. In this story, African Scholar finds out what it took for her to achieve this. AS: Tell us about yourself PK: I was born in Gaborone, Botswana to a primary school teacher. However, I spent the first half of my life living, schooling and growing up in rural settings, and spending school holidays at the farm. The one time I spent my school life in the city is the same one I remember the least about. It was tough; I lived away from my immediate family members and missed my mother and my sisters a lot. This is often the case when you are born into a poor rural family, especially one without a father; you get raised by many people, and almost always by your grandmother. In general, times were hard, I didn’t grow up with a silver spoon in my mouth and even though I think that has contributed a lot to the positive things in my life, I would rather not have experienced a lot of the challenges I did. I think we take for granted the strain poverty can place on families and their ability to stay together as a single unit. I have spent the latter part of my life working hard at reclaiming my immediate family: getting closer to them and spending as much time as I can with them, because I missed that when I was growing up. AS: What do you remember about your early school life? PK: My first days at school are mostly a blur; I remember looking forward to playing with my friends though. I enjoyed reading stories and learning grammar. I don’t particularly remember having any ambitions until much later in my schooling years, probably even at University.

I mostly just went to school, attended class, played and wrote tests and exams at the end of the year and moved on. I did not struggle at all with primary school so it was basically just sailing through until I got to secondary school where mathematics revealed itself to be my worst nightmare. I had to rely on my mother a few times to solve the mathematics homework. I became very aware of the importance of education in my life during my high school years, I think partly because I had seen my older siblings’ opportunities narrow down because they did not perform very well at junior secondary school. My mother had to spend part of her already very meagre salary to finance their education, and even though I was still young, I could comprehend that if I took my studying seriously, I would never have to put my mother in such a position. At the age of 15, I left home (and my mother and 2 sisters), to attend boarding school in another village for my high school (senior secondary school). I did a lot of growing up there. It is also where I learnt the importance of learning, and the potential to lift oneself out of difficult situations through education. I had many mentors, and I think in many ways I was at the peak of my physical and intellectual capabilities. I was part of the athletics team, which was among the best in the country at the time (and many of us ended up in the national athletics team for some time). We had an excellent mentor in my athletics coach, who not only pushed us to our physical limits but was also extremely strict about the academic performance of his athletics team. As the athletics

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FEATURE

Phemo Karen Kgomotso

wanting to become a professor of political science at some point, because I had the privilege of being exposed to some of the best thinkers, and the work of some of the best in this field. By the time I graduated with a BA in Political Science and Public Administration degree, I knew I wanted to go as far as possible in my academic studies. AS: You earned your doctorate at the age of 31, what made it possible? By the way, congratulations! PK: Thank you. First and foremost, what made it possible was the opportunity that I was honoured with in 2007 for a PhD scholarship in a field of my choice at a university of my choice in the United Kingdom. If it wasn’t for that I don’t think I would have managed to do it, in fact if it wasn’t for a similar opportunity three years before that, I would have struggled to earn a Master’s degree. With this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I made sure I got into the best school for my field The history of our continent demands of interest and studied the subject of my passion, and I did. I am not suggesting that it is simple that we take the responsibility, as to get a scholarship and get accepted into your citizens, to educate ourselves and the dream school. Many people do struggle in fact, future generations and leaders of the but the way I look at it is that these opportunities continent. We need to value education don’t come often in life, and so the hard work and effort I put into getting them is insignificant in and literacy. comparison. - Phemo Karen Kgomotso Once I got my foot in, I focused on getting it done. This sounds simple, but I never really thought of it in any other way. I didn’t see myself as having any other choice; it was just obvious team represented a model for many students as we were that I had a responsibility, and I needed to fulfil amongst the best in the field and in the classroom; our coach it. One of the pressures I had was to complete a four-year was uncompromising about it. programme within the stipulated duration of four years even We had the discipline and the drive to be the best we could though the financial assistance I got was for three years only, be. I also had many other amazing teachers who believed in so I put extra pressure on myself. me and my ability to excel, and I did my best not to disappoint I was fortunate enough to be amongst the best in the field them. I think for the first time I really started to appreciate the of Development Studies, and it goes without saying that I had tremendous work that teachers play in the lives of people and to establish myself as a credible scholar too. I was also hungry how the teacher-student interactions can literally change one’s for knowledge, and the more I learnt, the more I realised how life. little I knew, and needed to learn. My high school years were in many ways the formative years The most pressure, however, came from the social and of my life, they stirred a hunger in me to want to know more personal side of my life; when I started the PhD I was and learn more; so by the time I went to university, I was very approaching 28, and at that age, as an African woman, there clear about what I wanted to study, and it was along the lines were many societal and family expectations (real or imagined), of politics- even though at the time I didn’t know where that that demanded that I take a particular path in life (in a sense would take me. So yes, school has helped me move towards growing up). I therefore had to give up relationships (family, achieving my dreams, even when I didn’t know what those friends and romantic), what I considered a comfortable life at dreams would or could be. the time, and obligations that became a constant reminder By the time I was at university I enjoyed school and was throughout my studies that I still had things to do. I sacrificed acutely aware of how education can change my life for the a lot for and during the PhD, and in some ways, that’s part better, my dreams were already very lofty by then. I remember of what drove me to work harder. In the end, I managed to

“

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FEATURE

Phemo Karen Kgomotso

complete the degree within the four years, and even though at the end I was exhausted, I managed to achieve my goal. AS: How would you describe your current social status? PK: I currently stay in Gaborone, in what I would term a middle-class neighbourhood. The neighbourhood is less than 10 years old and I first moved there when I got my first job after completing my Masters degree. It was an exciting time in my life: I could afford a big enough house to live with my 2 younger sisters, each of us with our own private bedroom, something we didn’t have when we were growing up. I specifically moved my younger sisters out of University accommodation to live with me, because I wanted to give them that opportunity that I didn’t get, to have a home. Even though the rent took almost 50% of my monthly earnings, having a decent home was extremely important to me and my family because we had never really had our own home until just a few years earlier, and having a home or base in the city was even more paramount. I still live in this same place, and I can safely say my economic circumstances are much more different now, for the better. I am currently employed with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Botswana Country Office as head of the Energy and Environment Programme. I have been there almost 2 years now. AS: Pursuing a Doctorate requires time and dedication, among others, what has been the opportunity cost you have had to achieve this? PK: Like many undertakings in life, a PhD requires a lot of work. You have to sacrifice a lot of things. I gave up a lot of things to go and pursue my studies, and during that time I also put a lot of things on hold and what I considered a comfortable life to live on a meagre student budget in a crammed apartment. But those are the sacrifices one has to make to achieve important goals in life. When I finished I was overwhelmed with anxiety about how I was going to catch up with life, but I’m slowly accepting that even time away at school is also life, it is just a different path. So even though I felt like I could have done this and that in the four years I spent on the PhD, I would not have had it any other way.

“The history of our continent demands that we take the responsibility, as citizens, to educate ourselves and the future generations and leaders of the continent. We need to value education and literacy. “

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AS: Although at the time of earning your PhD, you fell within the global average age for doing so, you (probably) are among the few Batswana who have managed to achieve what you did. How does this make you feel? Do you use your experience and achievement to encourage others to aim at not just earning a Doctorate, but pursuing higher education? PK: What was interesting during my time in the UK, is that I always felt like I was amongst the oldest people pursuing a PhD, a lot of my peers were younger than me, and it made me realise that in our part of the world it is still challenging to put aside time for higher education and often times we live this up to chance and opportunity that may or may not come. A lot of my friends in the UK had long made plans to pursue their PhDs and had put aside time and money for it. My family certainly did not plan for my education beyond secondary school; I had to ‘educate’ myself. While this is also a remarkable strength that exists in our society, it also presents a challenge when we do not deliberately think

Phemo Karen Kgomotso

about and plan our children’s education beyond the basic levels. I have certainly learnt from this. It is important to invest time and money in planning for children’s education. Primary and secondary education is not enough anymore, and undergraduate education is just a springboard for more practical academic training. Knowledge evolves extremely fast nowadays. It is simply impossible to compete in today’s world with just an undergraduate university degree. A PhD is not necessary for everybody to pursue, but higher education, and learning beyond the basic degree level is definitely important. AS: Has this achievement changed the way you look at the importance of education in a continent that is experiencing unprecedented economic growth? PK: Earning a post-graduate degree and most importantly being exposed to higher learning has definitely opened my eyes about the importance of education. For me, getting an education was my only way out of poverty, and I am confident that it is the case for many individuals and households. Successful economies are driven by an educated and learned workforce. It is how this workforce applies its skills and knowledge that defines the development path societies take. The history of our continent demands that we take the responsibility, as citizens, to educate ourselves and the future generations and leaders of the continent. We need to value education and literacy. These should be promoted by individuals, governments, development organisations and everybody as fundamental human rights and not privileges. We need to strive towards a better quality of the education we give to our children and youth if this continent is to reach the development levels of others like Asia and Europe. AS: Investing in education is one thing, investing in the right form of education is another: Where should Botswana invest most in order to sustain and build on the progress the country has scored going forward? What form of education should African governments invest in order for the continent to move forward? PK: Proper education should be one that equips a learner with useful tools in order to influence positive change; and this could range from change at the individual level to make better, informed decisions, to the kind of change that Ghandi spoke about; one that matters the most to the world; ends poverty, stops civil strife and war and moulds human beings into better citizens of the world and the countries they live in. The kind that makes individuals take responsibility to make the world a better place for everyone. On a practical level, African countries, including my own, need to invest in the kind of education that positions learners and graduates well on a competitive global stage. The competition for jobs and fulfilling careers is extremely fierce. If, as citizens of this continent, we are not well prepared and equipped, we will not be able to compete at the global level. While many of our economies have yet to diversify and

FEATURE

provide sustainable employment opportunities suitable for the younger workforce, the youth do not possess the right kind of skills to help them compete with a more educated workforce outside their own countries. So we are seeing a situation where countries continue to import skilled labour, yet at the same time, there is a pool of young, energetic and eager people that are educated, but do not possess the requisite skills to take companies and organisations where they need to go. This is partly because the type of education we continue to invest in as a continent, is not the right one and even though a significant part of Africa’s population is educated, they are not skilled enough to exponentially grow its economy. We still rely on technology and approaches that are made elsewhere, and even then we struggle to adapt these to our own contexts. There are, however, pockets of brilliance and hope in many places on the continent. I would never forget the time when I read about the now-popular Kenyan-developed innovation called Mpesa. It has been named ‘the most developed mobile payment system in the world’ and has changed the lives of many people in east Africa, while at the same time influencing change in the finance and banking sector. This and other innovations on the continent are the kind that we need; tailored for the needs of an average African and actually provide solutions to everyday life challenges. We cannot expect the solutions to very African problems to come from outside the African continent. AS: Where do you see yourself both professionally and academically in the next 10 years? PK: As part of a group of Africans who play a role in contributing, in whatever small way in whatever small corner of the world, to unlocking the potential of the continent and its people. In the next 50 years or so, many of the world’s development solutions will be in Africa; we have the population, the youth, the raw wealth, the landmass, and most importantly, a potential that remains untapped. We have not even begun to scratch the surface and the future of the continent, and the world will be shaped by us and the decisions we make now. AS: Any word of advice to African scholars on academic and career dreams they may have? PK: Qualifications are important for achieving some of the career dreams one might have, and some of the knowledge and expertise can never be completely replaced by the number of years on a job. Yet in some ways, academic qualifications can never prepare you for everything you have to encounter in your career; some things simply can’t be taught, they should be experienced. So broaden your mind and your horizons and remember the future of this continent rests on your shoulders!

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FEATURE

Pastel Accounting

The Corporate Entrepreneur Words By Steven Cohen, Managing Director, Sage Pastel Accounting

very business starts small. Creativity, passion and a real entrepreneurial spirit usually drive the successful ones into large impressive corporations. But as these accomplishments take hold, the leaders – the entrepreneurs - often find themselves trapped in the role of corporate warrior, more focused on maximising efficiencies and chasing profits than on guiding the business to ongoing success. I know how difficult it can be to maintain the entrepreneurial spirit that was the original heart of the business but without it, the future is probably doomed. So I encourage all entrepreneurs to harness their passion and hold on to it for dear life! Learn to run While running a smaller business comes with its own challenges, one thing is for certain: it’s easy to drive new ideas and be fleet-footed in reacting to market changes. But as it grows into a large corporation with complex structures, systems and bureaucratic processes that streamline operations and increase margins, innovation is often forgotten. But it shouldn’t be because as the market and economic environment changes – which it does constantly – that original entrepreneurial thinking is essential to keep pace! Innovation versus operation Some argue that the purpose of a big corporation is not to be innovative, but rather to be as efficient as possible, focusing only on operational excellence and maximising returns. I think that banks are a great example of this; focusing on operational excellence has undoubtedly brought down their cost structures. And yet, when you see the introduction of products like Mpesa in Kenya, or Capitec’s offerings locally, it becomes quite clear that a bit of out-ofthe-box thinking can disrupt an entire sector. Think about it:

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Mpesa has revolutionised payments systems in sub-Saharan Africa and the Kenyan mobile money market is now worth $8 billion as a direct result. And Capitec, which was originally laughed off by the big banks, has introduced a fresh approach to banking that the competition is now scrambling to replicate! The essential role of leadership So how does an entrepreneur entrench their exciting creativity in the business once the corporate structures begin to take control? Vital to driving the spirit of discovery is to lead by example and to make sure that there is always room for entrepreneurial ingenuity. But beware; this kind of environment cannot be faked. It’s also not something that can be imported or introduced through the use of consultants, it’s either in the leaders’ DNA or not. Of course there are some obvious ways to incentivise creativity like introducing incentive structures and applauding success. But while these may be congruent with the environment you are trying to create, it’s really the dayto-day manner in which you run the business that matters. This requires connecting with your people truthfully and not by design - people will pick up if you are in any way being disingenuous. Be excited about what your teams do and share their enthusiasm. Above all, don’t punish or embarrass them if they make mistakes or come up with an idea that doesn’t make it – that’s a sure way to kill innovation! But where to start? Of course this all starts with hiring the right people, those with the correct DNA and cultural fit. This is one of the challenges I have struggled with most and I really think the issue is underplayed. There’s the saying, “If you pay peanuts you get monkeys” but the problem is that the corollary doesn’t always hold true – paying lots isn’t a guarantee that

Pastel Accounting

FEATURE

“

It’s not about money it’s about the people you have, creating passion and excitement, and providing the headspace and time to be inventive.”

- Steven Cohen, Managing Director, Sage Pastel Accounting

you will get a soaring eagle! Then there’s the question of resources. I think that when it comes to innovation, resources have nothing to do with it. When Apple created the Mac, IBM was spending at least 100 times more on R&D. It’s not about money it’s about the people you have, creating passion and excitement, and providing the headspace and time to be inventive. Overcoming the challenges. The biggest challenge in remaining entrepreneurial in your approach is to get buy-in from stakeholders. This is especially true for listed entities that have a responsibility to shareholders who are primarily concerned with profits. I think Apple was one of the only listed entities with a profit pressure that managed to be innovative at the same time. But if you read Steven Jobs, he said he never cared for profit, only a beautiful product. “Profits would be consequential to beautiful products,” he said. For listed upstarts, there is a honeymoon period where their investors do not expect a return, but eventually things will catch up and the importance of financial value takes over the need to come up with new ideas. When Facebook listed,

they were hammered right from the start and as soon as Google missed their profit target the share price dived. Don’t sit still! At Sage, we play in one of the most rapidly changing and innovative sectors, so for us it’s essential to remain quick off the mark in developing cutting-edge products that meet our customers’ expectations. This doesn’t only position us as leaders in the software market but also as technology entrepreneurs. It’s a space we’ve worked hard to fill but to keep it as ours; we simply can’t afford to sit still! Don’t let me make it sound easier than it is: remaining entrepreneurial within a large enterprise is tough. We’ve experienced many growing pains as Sage Pastel has transformed from a three-partners-with-two-staff startup twenty-two years ago, to a JSE-listed company into the African partner of London-listed Sage Group plc, but our innovative appetite has not changed. It may be my entrepreneurial spirit or just a solid business principle, but I really believe that creative endeavor is critical for the longterm success of any business and must be nurtured as much as profit margins.

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Discovering ABB is even better on the inside. Our business. Your legacy.

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With some 145,000 people in over 100 countries, the facts speak volumes about ABB but they are far from the full story. Our innovation, passion and collaboration need to be experienced for themselves. As you will discover as a graduate here, these qualities add up to a diverse, multi-cultural environment where your ideas will be heard and your talents developed. Discover the difference your initiative, drive and passion for technology could make, and why a better world begins with you at www.abb.com/careers

There are no limits at ABB, except those you set yourself.

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Our projects make a lasting difference to customers and communities all over the world, which means you can too. With the emphasis on collaboration and teamwork, you will find your influence will span countries and continents. But to make the most of all our possibilities and to appreciate the different perspectives that you will find across ABB, you will need to complement your passion for technology and engineering expertise with global mobility.

Kindly submit your CVâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s to HR.Helpdesk@za.abb.com

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FEATURE

Sasol

Sasol Techno X contributes to our

Skills Development

athematics, science and technology play an important role in the country and to compete favourably with developed economies, South Africa needs to produce ten times more engineers than it currently does. To address this socio-economic challenge, Sasol has created a platform, Sasol Techno X, where young enthusiasts have the opportunity to engage with the real-world application of mathematics, science and technology in a way that captivates their imagination. Now in its 13th year, this premier exhibition provides a dynamic and interactive way for learners to discover career opportunities in these three fields. This year, The Sasol Techno X took place from 19 to 23 August 2013 at the Boiketlong Sports Centre in Sasolburg. The learners can discover and satisfy their curiosity in the worlds of science, maths and technology. According to the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA), South Africa currently has one engineer for every 3 100 people, compared to Germany with one engineer for every 200 people. In countries like Japan, U.K. and U.S.A.,

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this ratio stands at about 1:310. “Sasol’s involvement in specific investments in the areas of mathematics, science and technology is key to closing the skills gap in our country and it is crucial that we engage and inspire our future leaders. Sasol participates in initiatives that support excellence in education,” said Ivor Zwane, General Manager: Public Affairs Sasol, Sasolburg. “On a national level, these change reactions contribute significantly towards enhancing education, while expanding the pool of talent.” The exhibition was aimed at grade 7 to 12 learners. The theme for this year’s event was ‘Curiosity fuels our future’ and the interactive and hands-on workshops, displays and tours are sure to have the curious minds of the learners lost in a world of endless possibilities. In an effort to extend the reach of Sasol Techno X and amplify the benefit to learners, teachers and the community alike, Sasol’s publicprivate partnerships are paramount. Barrend Pule, a Mechanical Engineer at Sasol, said his whole life changed when he attended Techno X in 2002. “I was exposed to the world of engineering when a young engineer explained the world of mathematics and science to me.

“Sasol, and indeed South Africa, needs well-qualified people to build and strengthen our economy in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. The learners of today are the mathematicians, scientists and engineers of tomorrow who will enable us to overcome poverty and reach the South African dream of a better life for all.”

Sasol

This ignited my ambition to pursue a career in this field and later, I attained my BSc Mechanical Engineering at Wits University,” he said. At Techno X, learners have the opportunity to engage with universities and other industry stakeholders on the practicalities of moving through course studies and bursary options. Sasol’s bursary scheme is recognised as one of the largest and most competitive offers in South Africa. Boasting an all-inclusive package, this scheme includes all tuition fees, provides the possibility for paid vacation work and an opportunity to work for the company upon graduation. Sasol is an employer of choice amongst professionals in the energy and chemicals sphere and has been recognised, even amongst students.

FEATURE

Sasol will be providing information on career paths and opportunities available in the field of chemical operations to learners. Learners will be able to gain knowledge and be exposed to Sasol’s learnership progammes in the fields of mechanical, electrical instrumentation and process. Learners will have the opportunity to apply for learnerships and bursaries at the exhibition. “Sasol, and indeed South Africa, needs well-qualified people to build and strengthen our economy in an increasingly competitive global marketplace. The learners of today are the mathematicians, scientists and engineers of tomorrow who will enable us to overcome poverty and reach the South African dream of a better life for all,” concluded Zwane.

“I was exposed to the world of engineering when a young engineer explained the world of mathematics and science to me. This ignited my ambition to pursue a career in this field and later, I attained my BSc Mechanical Engineering at Wits University.” - Barrend Pule, Mechanical Engineer, Sasol www.africanscholar.co.za

PLATFORMS PS3 REVIEWED ON PS3 GENRE Survival horror / action-adventure AGE RESTRICTION 18 MULTIPLAYER Local None Online 8 players DEVELOPER Naughty Dog WEBSITE www.thelastofus.com PUBLISHER Sony Computer Entertainment Europe DISTRIBUTOR Ster Kinekor Entertainment

’S C H

E • E DI

Game Review

E •E DI

LIFESTYLE

’S CH

There’s a multiplayer mode in The Last of Us that I didn’t play. I’m oﬃcially boycotting multiplayer components in single-player games, but I took some time to read about it and it sounds  ne, if a little limited. What a surprise.

Reviewed

The Last of Us What a ride

aughty Dog has a habit of making blockbuster hits. From their humble roots through to the success of Crash Bandicoot and ultimately Uncharted, everything that this studio touches seems to turn to gold. Knowing that, it’s almost impossible to go into The Last of Us without a double-edged bias – not just an expectation that this will be a great game, but a sense of trepidation that says “there’s not a chance that a studio renowned for their platformers can put together a decent survival horror.” As it turns out, they can. And then some. The Last of Us tells the story of a smuggler named Joel who, 20 years after a fungal infection turned most of humanity into an army of zombie-like lunatics, is charged to take a girl named Ellie across the wastelands of the United States. The setting is familiar and the task simple, but during the 15 or so hours you’ll spend with the duo there are so many levels of depth in both storytelling and gameplay to experience that (almost) any idea that this is a “safe” game is made laughably untrue. Let’s take a look at that “almost” ﬁrst. Joel and Ellie’s epic journey is one fraught with danger. Around any corner there could be a pack of infected or a survivor looking to rob/ murder/rape anything with a conscience. This journey warrants an excessive use of force

to deal with those who’d get in their way, and Joel is completely at ease with taking another life – infected or otherwise. While The Last of Us feels like a survival horror at its heart, with perfectly-timed fluctuations in pace and danger, the game’s many combat scenarios are a bit of a let-down compared to everything else on offer. This is mostly true in the case of medium difficulty (which will still push you to keep your head down and pick off enemies without resorting to the use of guns wherever possible), but much of the combat with humans takes place in wide, open areas filled with a mix of convenient waist- and head-high cover for you to hide behind, and the linear nature of some of the scenes practically forces you to play in a way that devolves into highly actionoriented gunplay. Thankfully, this is seldom true of the sequences in which you fight infected, which are usually incredibly tense encounters that force you to take a stealthy approach or suffer the consequences (in the form of death). Now, this is only a criticism depending on what you want out of The Last of Us, and even though the game is practically all action towards the end, the panic and tension you’ll feel for the large majority of the story more than makes up for this little transgression. And, to be fair, in the context of that story this

One of the most powerful parts of player immersion in The Last of Us is its soundtrack. It’s beautiful and moving, and a pleasure to listen to even outside of the game. Melee combat is on offer but it’s mostly 1 a matter of getting your timing right on approach or succeeding in a quick-time event. It’s always violent, and it feels incredibly satisfying when you bring down a tough opponent.

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54 August 2013 www.nag.co.za

2 There’s a amethrower in the game. Don’t ask us why; I used it once when I unlocked it but didn’t touch it from there. It felt a bit like cheating.

The Last of Us

change of pace makes complete sense, but saying any more would be spoiling it. So onto the good stuff: the other 94% of The Last of Us. I’ll start by saying that I simply can’t remember the last time a game made me feel this connected to its characters. This is part of a very conscious effort by Naughty Dog to build a world and cast that makes sense; it’s more about establishing a believable framework and ﬁtting in gameplay elements than starting from the gameplay elements and working inwards, as is so often the case. What this means is you, as the player, can take a back seat: let yourself become the characters and make this journey as though your life depended on it, and you’ll ﬁnd that everything you do and every nook you explore makes sense. It’s wonderful to be able to experience this level of immersion, which is only broken by the surprising chime of a PlayStation Trophy that pops up just once, as the closing credits roll. This connectivity resonates throughout every gameplay mechanism, many of which are implemented with such care to keep the player immersed that it’ll be some time before you notice you’re reacting to them. Perhaps my favourite example of this is the system that lets the player know it’s okay to put your weapons away, chill out and just experience the beauty of the world: when

Game Review

LIFESTYLE

“This journey warrants an excessive use of force to deal with those who’d get in their way, and Joel is completely at ease with taking another life – infected or otherwise” Ellie starts talking or whistling (it scared the pants off me the first time it happened), you know you’re safe. But when Joel’s stance and animations shift to become tense and quick, or Ellie gasps in surprise – it’s time to take cover and assess the situation. And every now and then, just to keep you on edge, you’ll simply be dumped into a hostile situation without expecting it. It’s these changes in pace that make the experience such a breathtaking one (sometimes literally); you’re constantly swinging between delicately designed modes, from tense to relaxed to jubilant to triumphant to panicked to terrified. This rollercoaster ride fits perfectly with the auxiliary activities you’ll do between the combat and stealth sequences, such as scavenging for supplies, crafting survival items like shivs and first aid kits, climbing through ruined buildings, upgrading your weapons at workbenches, and even improving Joel’s stats with supplements that you find hidden throughout the world. The mix of gameplay elements on offer here might surprise or even concern those

of you looking for a pure horror survival experience, but the result of this ﬁne blend is a unique ﬂavour that is made strong because of this blend; aside from the sometimes weak gunplay there is very little that I’d want changed in this balance of gameplay. - GeometriX

The Last of Us is an almost perfectly conducted assembly of  nely-tuned components, all working together to form one of the most enriching, immersive gaming experiences I’ve had in ages. Play it.

PLUS Incredible character depth / Great blend of gameplay mechanisms / Tense and terrifying infected combat

MINUS Somewhat unimaginative human combat

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www.nag.co.za August 2013 55

PROFILE

Tevaughnay Van Wyk

Tevaughnay

van Wyk

Tell us who you are in a nutshell? y name is Tevaughnay van Wyk, but I am also fondly known as Tev. I am a funny and jovial young man who is curious and inquisitive about life and people. I am strong willed and have particular ways of doing certain things.

What was your upbringing like? I was brought up in a home with my mother, father and adorable younger sister. My parents have always described me as a mature individual who wanted to know the why behind every why. As a unique character, society always opts to highlight that uniqueness beyond its ordinary nature and define you from what is different about you.

Kindly share your undergraduate experiences with us? It only made complete sense once I had graduated and left the University of Pretoria. All the sleepless nights and intellectually stimulating conversations added to my well rounded nature as a trained legal mind. The institution is truly an academic driven hub that pushes you to reach your optimal levels of success through hard work. However, I would not trade the experience and exposure I received from it for any material or immaterial asset today.

You joined the Public Protectors office for your Internship Programme. Share with us your interview experience. At first, I did not think that I would meet the Advocate at all and yet she conducted the greatest portion of the interview. It was not as nerve wrecking as I had imagined as she allowed me to speak freely and remained open to frank dialogue. It certainly gave me an opportunity to reflect on the value my legal knowledge will contribute to Public Protector South Africa and society at large.

Describe your work experience and how it makes you feel being part of a reputable chapter 9 institution as the Public Protectors Office? It has and continues to be a tremendous learning experience as I started there fresh out of varsity. I have grown accustomed to

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Always conduct yourself in a professional and respectful manner. This applies already during your days as a student, because you must remember that we are all colleagues of the same profession now or later. - Tevaughnay van Wyk, Intern to the Public Prosecutor

Tevaughnay Van Wyk

working with a variety of personalities and the working hours which are no longer within my discretion. However, I must add that the amount of skills I have acquired far surpassed what I could possibly have imagined and I take a moment from each day to reflect on the experience and absorb as much information as possible. I am in constant awe of my boss and mentor as well as the amazing Public Protector team. I am truly privileged to form part of a body that changes the lives of people daily and strives to curb corruption in every possible form. Not only do the people of South Africa look to us when they are frustrated and vulnerable, but our continent commends us in respect of the dedication that we have shown to our people. This has been one of the most fulfilling engagements in my life thus far, for which I will remain eternally grateful.

What adversities have you faced so far in the corporate world? The unspoken pressures of being an Intern require strong emotional command as you are always expected to give your best under the desire to embed any tangible value to the organisation. Definitely having to cope with extreme deadlines every so often, while ensuring that your work remains of professional and superior quality at all times. Lastly, by ensuring that the legal prescripts are indeed still in force and that you have used them accurately.

What is your advice to prospective Lawyers? Always conduct yourself in a professional and respectful manner. This applies already during your days as a student, because you must remember that we are all colleagues of the same profession now or later. Be yourself and allow the law to become embedded in your life, give your best as that may be the last thing you have to give. Finally, venture into uncommon fields of law and practice that part of the law that most excites you.

You are currently enrolled for a Masterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Degree in Multi-Disciplinary Human Rights, What is your experience so far? It has been an amazing notch up from my undergrad experience. I am stunned at the amount of legal knowledge you gain during your LLB studies but I am even more shocked at the little we, as legal scholars, know about other fields extra law. My current degree forces me to view human rights and the law through the broader spectrum of economics, psychology, sociology and design for the creation of a legal framework that caters for all.

How do you intend to use the legal knowledge you have acquired to the benefit of South Africa? I will be moderately forward and state that I have already began on this path as my current minimal contribution sees

PROFILE

me assist with investigations into government corruption and maladministration, which leads to the re-vindication of the rights of our people. By bringing to book those who choose to make the public purse or wallet their own, we have been able to restore electricity, water and sanitation to houses of our grandmothers and fathers. I am committed to remain within the public service and speak for those who no longer have a voice in our country.

What drives you to succeed? The confidence I have in myself and the ability to instil confidence and belief in others. My consciousness of accepting full responsibility for my own actions and the consequences that may affect others around me and this is based on my realisation that I do not live on this earth in isolation but with many vulnerable souls who sometimes just need a brief moment of your time. The act of tapping into own time and sharing that with people just so that they may feel human again drives me to share my time and inspires me to do more in life.

What are your future plans? I believe that I will remain loyal to the public service, whether that is at Public Protector South Africa, or fighting crime in the seats of our courts. I wish to take up leadership roles within the educational system of our country to enhance effective learning, if in this little we can alter mind sets; we can accomplish what is deemed the impossible in any particular setting.

What important lessons has life taught you thus far? Remain humble, diligent and perseverant, because all the stumbling blocks merely form a paved out path to good things and a greater appreciation of everything in life. Never underestimate anyone as it may be your greatest weakness and can lead to your greatest failures.

What is your favourite quote? â&#x20AC;&#x153;To err is humanâ&#x20AC;? as this pans out in every facet of our existence and that if you accept that you can be and probably are wrong at times, it becomes easier to look beyond the mistakes of your own and that of others with a view to focus on how they can be avoided in future.

What advice can you render to young Africans about the importance of education? I believe that we educate the people around us all the time; the only difficulty arises in what we teach each other. Irrespective of your field of work or study, you bear the duty to share that knowledge with those around you and to empower them to excel. Knowledge selfishly harboured remains a fruitless act towards yourself and others.

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YO!

WHY YOU NEED TO CHOOSE SOUTH POINT your last step Your tertiar y career is r the world as a that equips you to ente ed young adult. It capable and experienc er ything at your is vital that you use ev to reach heights disposal allowing you ioned for yourself. you have always envis necessar y to Making ever y provision future. shape and secure your

having With universities only n for enough accommodatio ke. 20% of their yearly inta such a Where you call home in ur life is significant period of yo ade on a not a decision to be m eration. whim or without consid ide you with At South Point we prov ban living a clean and balanced ur ur ambitions, environment where yo are harnessed. goals and capabilities

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affordable This vibrant, safe and s you, and accommodation ensure aying at South ever y other student st mpromised Point, receives an unco udents attain student experience. St mpus by submitting accommodation on ca c exam marks. their preliminary Matri intending to This means that anyone al year marks is apply with his or her fin not to receive a essentially guaranteed sidence. position in a campus re gest privately At South Point, the big company in owned accommodation l out to ensure your South Africa, we go al ion are spent in a years of higher educat thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s met with a studying environment ment; making it a buzzing social environ as a journey. life experience explored ts in 2013, Housing 10 000 studen residences to South Point caters 33 in Johannesburg, 5 cities country wide â&#x20AC;&#x201C; d Cape Town. Pretoria, Durban, PE an

exclusively offered Accommodation is not therefore you to university students; ite whether are assured a spot desp cided about you are perhaps unde ll be attending. which institution you wi at South Point Your self catering turf to eat how, when gives you the freedom so supplying you and what you please; al dr y facilities as with coin operated laun all common areas– well as the cleaning of the life skills all equipping you with g independent necessar y for any youn cilities are provided adult. Other building fa y systems, 2 way such as 24-hour securit een student rooms intercom systems betw t access and and securit y, fingerprin . surveillance cameras

e serious But its not all about th lies you with stuff – South Point supp TV rooms, pool entertainment areas, hing clubs and and soccer tables, enric internet access societies, free monthly of up to 1GB a month. according to Accommodation costs, R1680 to R3200. 2013 rates, range from of occupying a Students have a choice with a roommate. room by themselves or ing fee of R1000 and A non-refundable book sit will secure a one month’s rent depo m 1st February 10 month fixed lease fro student. to 30th November per

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/ /

FEATURE Massmart FEATURE McKinsey & Company

“

To meet our clients’ ever-evolving needs, it is imperative that McKinsey continues to attract and retain top talent capable of tackling tough challenges in a very collaborative environment.” - McKinsey & Company

Q&A:

McKinsey & Company is one of the world’s top management consulting firms. We discover what makes it an extraordinary company to work for.

hy does your organisation need to attract and retain the right talent? For more than 85 years, our primary objective has been to serve as our clients’ as their trusted external advisor. We currently work for 90 of the world’s top 100 corporations, many preeminent NGOs, and more than 70 governments. To meet our clients’ ever-evolving needs, it is imperative that McKinsey continues to attract and retain top talent capable of tackling tough challenges in a very collaborative environment.

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What is the “right” talent for your organisation? We’re always looking for people who have an unusual blend of passion, dedication and energy – people who want to make the world a better place, enjoy working in teams, possess an entrepreneurial spirit, and focus on accomplishment while still achieving a balanced life. Being a natural “problem solver” – that is, taking a complex fact situation and being able to rigorously analyse it and then make positive recommendations forward is key. We also love people who like people, because they will be committed to

McKinsey & Company

helping their clients and colleagues succeed. We have a culture of inclusiveness, and seek people from diverse backgrounds in the fullest sense of the word. What makes your organisation an attractive employer? Our success is based on our ability to deliver compelling and unique opportunities to grow personally and professionally; to work on important challenges and have meaningful impact; and to participate in a collaborative culture, making lifelong friends along the way. Mentorship is part of McKinsey’s DNA, and our scale and scope provide opportunities for an amazing variety of experiences across many industries and functional areas. Such an environment allows our consultants to ultimately grow faster and go farther than anywhere else. What kind of opportunities do you offer for personal and career development? Because our people matter most to us, we invest heavily in formal training and development programs to make sure each consultant grows and succeeds. New associates and business analysts participate in up to 5 weeks of training, including two in-person programs, during their first two years with McKinsey. This helps them learn how to be successful on client engagements and prepare for leadership roles, while building friendships with colleagues from around the world. In addition, McKinsey teams provide a feedback-rich, day-to-day learning environment in which new associates work alongside McKinsey leadership, McKinsey experts and alumni, and talented client leaders. How do you manage career advancement in your organisation? At McKinsey, each person continually grows and pushes him/herself to new levels of accomplishment. We reward problem solving prowess, entrepreneurship, and creativity. We provide deep apprenticeship, mentorship and formal training to help our consultants develop these skills and ultimately reach their full potential. Is it possible to achieve work/life balance? How do you assist employees in this regard? Most of our consultants join McKinsey because they want a career that enables them to make a difference, but we also realise that they want a career that makes a full life possible.

“We look for people with leadership, entrepreneurship, the ability to solve challenging problems and to have real impact while working well with others.”

FEATURE

As such, we support many working models – ranging from full time to part-time – to allow flexibility for how we do this work. For example, McKinsey has a robust program that allows consultants to take up to an additional 10 weeks of unpaid leave time per year. Working on a novel, getting an advanced scuba certification, or accompanying a spouse on a rural medical residency are some of the personal pursuits that this new program has made possible last year. You can imagine the rave reviews our people give this program and the level of interest it garners. Tell us something about your organisational culture. McKinsey is a values-driven organisation. Our values put the interests of our clients ahead of our firm’s interests and ahead of our own. Values give us the strength to do what is right, as we help to solve some of our clients’ most difficult, pressing challenges. Also key to our culture is the people themselves. At McKinsey we have the opportunity to build lasting friendships with colleagues and alumni from all walks of life, including entrepreneurs, professional musicians, Academy Award winners, engineers, Olympic athletes and surgeons. What advice would you give new graduates wanting to apply for a position in your organisation? We look for people with leadership, entrepreneurship, the ability to solve challenging problems and to have real impact while working well with others. In addition to strong academic credentials, we look for people who have broad ranging interests and pursuits across fields – such as sports, community services and social causes. A description of their employer organisation McKinsey is the pre-eminent management consulting firm, committed to helping institutions in the private, public and social sectors achieve lasting success. We work closely with teams at all levels of an organization to shape direction, build capabilities and support execution. Number of employees We have more than 18,000 colleagues globally, about 9,000 of whom are consultants. In South Africa, we have over 300 people based in Johannesburg. History of the organisation When James O. McKinsey founded McKinsey in 1926, he could not have imagined the reach his small firm would eventually have. Eighty-five years later, McKinsey has grown into the largest global consultancy serving two-thirds of the Fortune 1000. We still value entrepreneurship and encourage our consultants to “create their own McKinsey,” whether that means launching a community service initiative or pioneering a new way to serve clients, or starting a new office or practice.

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Regular

Skills Shortage

Skills shortages and the role of

FET Colleges

Des Squire (Managing Member) AMSI and ASSOCIATES cc des@amsiandassociates.co.za

here is a place for FET Colleges and there is a need for our youth to consider attending FET Colleges. Further Education and Training Colleges or FET Colleges are different to universities in that they offer many of the essential courses to ensure the achievement of the skills and training needed that are essential to the South African Economy. South Africa is in need of educated, qualified and experienced people with the right skills to assist in growing the economy of SA. Currently there are in excess of 500000 positions vacant in South Africa but surprisingly, according to solidarity, there are insufficient trained and qualified people to fill these vacancies. Consider these facts South Africa has 1 engineer for every 3200 people compared to 1 for every 130 in china- 250 in Europe and 450 in Australia. The governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s list of scarce and critical skills shows that there is a shortage of 400000 teachers in all subjects which includes teachers at FET Colleges. In 2008 there was a shortage of 22000 accounting specialists â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5300 of whom should be chartered accountants. There are 70000 positions available in Information Technology but only 17000 learners have qualified over the last 10

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years. There is a need for 30000 registered nurses and 10000 pharmacy assistants. So why are more of our learners not applying for positions at FET Colleges? Is it a lack of information or is there a stigma attached to them? Only the youth can comment on this. Further education and training takes place at any time from grades 10 to 12. At this level there is a need for career counselling and orientation or our youth should be encouraged to approach FET Colleges for more information. At this level it is quite common for learners to want to study for a diploma or certificate course. Diplomas and Certificates should not as far as I am concerned be offered by Universities or studied by Higher Education Candidates. The Department of Education is offering bursaries for FET College education and training. In addition the Career Advice Services managed by SAQA is offering career advice through its helpline. Call 0860111673 or you can e-mail help@careerhelp.org.za. You can also send and SMS to 072 204 5056 and an advisor will call you back.

CMY

2 2 MAKE A SMART CHOICE, BECOME 1A CHARTERED 3 6 ACCOUNTANT 5 45 6 3 2 0 2 4 8 3 9 4 7 4 65 6 7 6 8 5 8 0

Skills Shortage

w - 5 = 2 3

a future leader in business

REGULAR

+ 2 = 8

Cool Facts About CAs(SA) and More Reason to Believe:

30% of all South African CEOs are CAs(SA)

A CA(SA) earns on average 30 to 40% more than other young professionals

db = 10 log 10 P1 P2

Source level

75% of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) of JSE top 200 are CAs(SA)

Now I CAn

When you are a Chartered Accountant you become a leader in business with the flexibility to work anywhere in the world, not forgetting the financial rewards and job security so you can finally live the EXTRAORDINARY LIFE.

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COVER STORY

Selamawit Adugna Bekele

Future Leader:

Selamawit Adugna

Bekele

Selamawit Bekele represents the new generation of Africa’s most outstanding women leaders with the courage and commitment of leading change in their communities.

ho is Selamawit Adugna Bekele in a nutshell? I am a young woman from Ethiopia; a proud feminist and youth activist.

Can you tell us more about your formative years and how they have impacted on who you are today? I was born and raised in Addis Ababa; both of my parents are engaged in the health sector. My dad is a very protective father and passionate about education, therefore he invests all of his resources into his kid’s education. There is this Amharic proverb we used to hear a lot from our dad ‘Ye Temarena Yebela Wedeko Ayewedekem’ which means ‘Those who are educated well and feed well will never lose in life, even if they fall, they will stand up again’.

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Selamawit Adugna Bekele

COVER STORY

“African Renaissance can only be achieved through the struggle of the young people; we must be the dynamic agents of social and political change. ” In the early days, education and food were the basic things in our home. He used to buy inspirational books for us, sometimes they were beyond our understanding capacity. He once bought us a book titled ‘How to be a scientist’ (That was his dream for me) and told us the story of Marie Curie; the first female scientist to have won the Nobel Prize and first person to win 2 Nobel Prizes for her contribution to Physics and Chemistry. And those practices shaped me a lot in the way I value education. Also, being the eldest in the house my dad focused and invested a lot in me, for the reason that he believed that if I succeed the others will follow my lead and that also impacted me in a way that made me a very responsible person at a young age, and he was right they follow my lead. You attained your Master’s degree in Gender Studies at age of 22. What kept you focused and motivated? What inspired you to pursue a career in Gender Studies? I started school early. My grandpa died when I was in preschool which required my dad to be responsible for his little brother. After that my uncle, whom I call and consider as an elder brother joined our home. Then my dad came up with a plan; he influenced the school to enroll both of us in the same class so that we could look out and be an inspiration to each other. They said I could join, but only if I passed the entrance exam, which I did, so I joined grade two from preschool. This made me finish school early. On my 18th birthday, I completed varsity and started working as a teacher in a government preparatory school. The school was in one of the most crowded parts of the city of Addis Ababa, which is

also known and characterized by its deprived economic condition that has a downbeat on students’ learning skill. Working at the school and being one of the 6 female teachers among 168 staff, the administrator asked me to join the Gender desk and organize the girls’ club, which I did. That was an initial stroll for me; it opened my eyes to see how life is a challenge for young girl and how I had the potential to rally round. I then found an opportunity to participate in a 45 day sequential training at one of our partners International Institute of Rural Reconstruction (IIRREthiopia), having a theme ‘Gender in Leadership and decision making’. These opportunities inspired me a lot to blend my passion with proficiency and following that, I applied for a MA program under the Institute of Gender Studies at Addis Ababa University. You started your career as a preparatory teacher then worked with Habir capacity development, RaDO (Rehabilitation and Development Organisation) in Phugedo and currently you are working for a reputable NGO as a Gender Officer. Tell us about this journey that landed you in the current role. As I mentioned earlier, I started working as a teacher and then went back to graduate school. Whilst studying for my Masters, I was giving Gender and Life skill training for an NGO that provided self-defence Taekwondo courses to girls in secondary school and women who are

survivors of violence. Upon completion of my master’s degree I joined an organization named RaDO, which works in refugee camps in Ethiopia, as an implementation partner for UNHCR. I worked as a community service project officer at Phugedo refugee camp, a South Sudanese refugee camp in Ethiopia, conducting UNHCR community service projects that focused on women, children, youth and other vulnerable people. An added learning experience for me while I was there is that I erudite how conflict affected women and men differently and how women are left out in the peace building and conflict resolution processes. After the refugee camp experience I headed to Kampala for an internship program with Eastern African SubRegional Support Initiative for the Advancement of Women (EASSI). The internship program on Young Women Leadership created an additional opportunity for me to broaden my gender knowledge in the African context. It was intensive, they invited a number of sophisticated African women scholars to lecture us; keeping the mantra ‘our issues can be solved in our own way’. It was an altered experience for me because most of the theories I get to learn and books I read are based on Eurocentric values but at EASSI it was more of African History by African Scholars.

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COVER STORY

Selamawit Adugna Bekele

Past the internship, I returned home and worked as an independent researcher for a while and then I joined the current organization which is a child oriented indigenous NGO created to provide services to children living in difficult circumstances. We mostly work with children who are affected by early marriages, child-trafficking, domestic labour and street involvement. Why is it important that societies and governments promote gender equality, education for girls and empowerment of women? Gender equality is a basic concept that implies that men and women should receive equal treatment. It does not mean that men and women become the same; only that access to opportunities and life changes is neither dependent on, nor constrained by, their sex. Where there is gender inequality, it is mostly the women who are disadvantaged in relation to decisionmaking and access to economic and social resources. Therefore a critical aspect of promoting gender equality is the empowerment of women, with a focus on identifying and redressing power imbalances and giving women more autonomy to manage their own lives. Why is it important? Because a country with 50% of disempowered and disadvantaged populace lags by 50% on development than the other country that includes and empower citizens equally. If governments are keen to sustain economic growth they need to understand gender equality as the corner stone of development, which requires women’s empowerment, as in ensuring men and women have equal access to resources. Decisionmaking at both private and public levels should no longer be weighted in men’s favour, so that both women and men can fully participate as equal partners in productive, reproductive and community life. And when we ask, what the basic tool for women empowerment is, the answer will be education. Education

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is an essential means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to fully participate in the development process. When a girl is educated, she is likely to marry at a later age, have fewer and healthy babies, she is less likely to be infected with STDs or have reproductive health complications, and she will be a healthier and happier citizen. The Girl Effect raves that for an additional year of primary school, her wages will likely increase up to 20%. Other study also alleges that when 10% of girls go to school, a country’s GDP increases by 3%. Isn’t this what development is all about? If our dream is to see a prosperous Africa, the way to live it is to educate our girl children. What are some of the highlights and adversities you have experienced throughout your career? Being a fanatic feminist and living in a dominantly patriarchal society is not

“I love what I do and I value every experience I have garnered. I wouldn’t change a single thing about it.”

easy. I have worked with chauvinistic people, and there were moments I cursed the day I decided to pursue this career. However, luckily throughout my career I have been privileged to have great mentors who have guided me to become adept in this field. They have taught me how to practice emotional intelligence and how to deal with difficult situations. This coupled with intuition drives me to persevere. You have received a number of accolades – Vital Voices Global Freedom Exchange program group associate, Milead Fellow, just to mention a few. How does it make you feel being recognised for your contributions? In June 2013, I was fortunate enough to have been invited by Vital Voice’s to participate in their Global Freedom Exchange program. Vital Voices is a global partnership that works with women leaders. The partnership was established in 1997 by prominent women leaders such as Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright, as a follow up to the 1995 Beijing Conference on women. Its purpose was to promote the advancement of women; with a mission to identify, invest in and bring visibility to extraordinary women around the world by unleashing their leadership potential in order to transform lives and accelerate peace and prosperity in their communities. This program attracted 26 women leaders from 13 countries all together. And I am thrilled to have taken part in this tremendous program, I learned a lot from host organizations and my peers. In 2012 I was selected to be a Milead Fellow which is an award and opportunity for “a new generation of Africa’s most extraordinary young women leaders with the courage and commitment to lead and shape their communities and Africa’s future as a whole”. It aims to promote emerging young African women leaders to attain and succeed in leadership in their communities and Africa as a whole. In 2011 I represented Ethiopia at the

CMY

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COVER STORY

Selamawit Adugna Bekele

EASSI leadership summit In Uganda. All this made me feel really great and responsible; it also enhanced my motivation and determination for a better change. Out of more than 2000 applications you were one of, only 28 selected outstanding potential young women leaders. How did it make you feel to be part of the program and what life lessons did you garner? Being a Milead fellow is by far the greatest thing that has happened in my life. Meeting other high spirited young women from different African countries was a great opportunity for me. Moremi invited inspiring African Scholars to the program who exerted unmeasurable influence on us. During my stay in the leadership institution I gained Leadership, Advocacy and Activism skills. What’s fantastic about Moremi is; not only do they focus on professional development, but on personal development too, as in how one brands self and how to scale up your emotional intelligence which is usually a challenge that hinders women leaders potential. The Fellowship is a long term support program where they assigned mentors to us and an opportunity to participate with their partner network. Because of this opportunity, I have been a member of the organising team for the world Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in the on-going young women’s advocacy group. What are your future plans in say, the next 5 years? My plan is to pursue schoolwork in Gender and Conflict studies at an African institute and then work in conflict affected African countries. You are an inspiration to young Africans out there. What words of advice do you have for African scholars on the importance of education (especially the girl-child)? I would say use education as a weapon to defy the status quo. The

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“Education is an essential means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to fully participate in the development process.” more educated we are, the more access we have to resources and leadership. Outstanding leadership can transform our generation into one that values gender equality. We need to observe that the higher we go the fewer the women are and this is all because of the socialization process. As women, we have been taught to limit our dreams and not to be too successful, because that will scare the potential husbands away and leave us unhappy single women. Our society believes and considers the bottom line of our success is to be a wife and a mother. We need to aspire more than just being a wife and a mother. Lastly, how can we as young Africans change our continent, and make it better for ourselves and the generations to come? African Renaissance can only be achieved through the struggle of the young people; we must be the dynamic agents of social and political change. Only then can our continent prosper. We must be tired of reading international reports that show our continent as the worst in development index, how we are the leading countries in maternal and infant mortality, how we are the face of poverty and famine. The negative publicity should make us hunger for success and motivate us to being change agents. One thing for sure, most African cultures don’t value young people’s voices but we have to claim our rightful place to make an impact, freedom is not given rather taken. Fun Facts Social Interests. Hanging out with friends, spending time with family and travelling.

Books that have changed your way of thinking. While I was attending the EASSI institute in Uganda I had the opportunity to watch the documentary ‘Pray the Devil back to hell’ which was produced by Abigail Disney. It was a documentary about the peace movement by Liberian Women and this documentary introduced me to my Liberian Idol Leymah Gbowee. Following that, I read her Memoire ‘Mighty Be our Powers’ and that was a kick in the head to me. In the book Leymah describes how she used her indigenous knowledge and power to drive change in her country. The book taught me a lot about sisterhood, African feminism and aspirations and setting goals. Made me question, think and evaluate things differently. Favourite city you have worked in. I love my city, Addis, it my home city. I also enjoyed the days I spent in Kampala, Uganda. The people are so modest and welcoming and I love ‘Matoke’ (cooked bananas). People that have inspired you. I’m a lucky product of great people in my life. Family, teachers, mentors, and friends all have had a great impact in my life. I am fortunate that I meet inspiring people in my day to day life, and I tend to focus on the positive attributes of these people and learn a lot from them. If you could start your career over, would you change anything? If so, what would it be? I love what I do and I value every experience I have garnered. I wouldn’t change a single thing about it.

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FEATURE

SAFTA

SAFTA My affair with the air

Amanda “Ladybird” Kandawire Soweto, South Africa, #PinkSkies

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Ever since I was a little girl I wanted to fly. Soaring through the skies and seeing the world. It was a dream and I knew that if I pursued this dream I could make it a reality. So straight after matric I had my sights set on attaining my flying license. I started flying in 2008 and when I was looking for a flying school. SAFTA was high on my list because of its location. The fact that it was relatively new at the time wasn’t an issue in my books, because it meant I could fly as much as possible. I looked forward to training in the busy hub of Rand Airport’s airspace. After obtaining my PPL, I became an OPS Cadet and moved with SAFTA to Heidelberg base. Heidelberg was the time of my life! That small town holds a lot of good flying

SAFTA

memories and was the foundation for some pretty awesome friendships. I loved the fact that I got to interact with people from all parts of the world and flying ZS-PSL was the highlight of my days. I got my CPL in 2010 and since then I’ve worked in Flight Operations at Comair Ltd and got my Grade 3 Flight Instructor Rating. I’m also part of an organization called the Southern African Women In Aviation and Aerospace, which is all about the empowerment of girls in the Aviation industry, and was such a blast being back at SAFTA earlier this year when we hosted our annual adopt a pilot campaign. I currently work at SA Express Airways as a Junior First Officer on the Dash 8 Q400. I got my type rating done in Austria and we go back every 6 months for recurrent training. I absolutely love my job and wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world. Sometimes people will ask me where to from here, and

FEATURE

then I reply I want to do part-time instruction and have my eyes set on aerobatics and a glider’s license. So, as you can see, I have made my dream a reality and I am living it, but I am definitely not done yet! So pursue your dream and even if you achieve it, keep going, never stop!

Saïd Ben Ahmed Touré Côte D’ivoire

My love for the skies I was 4 or 5 years old when I first travelled in a Fokker 100 from Abidjan (Côte D’ivoire) to Bamako (Mali). Since then it was my dream to become a pilot. It was something I just couldn’t shake it, it was in my veins and heart. I started my PPL late 2010 with Guido Gouveia as my instructor at the South African Flight Training Academy. One month later on 14 September 2010 I went solo. It was the best day of my life! The aircraft was a ZS-PNV which is a 2 seat aircraft. I enjoyed flying it along with the ZS-PZD. I was looking for a flying school and saw an advertisement on Airliners.net or jetphotos.net I can’t really remember. My brother who is studying in Johannesburg came to check the facility in Heidelberg and he phoned my parents who later agreed to send me to SAFTA. By the time I got my PPL my country was facing political turmoil and I had to stop flying for 4 months. By the end of May 2011 I resumed flying and started my night rating and the hours building as well. I got my CPL license by the middle of January 2012. By March 2012 I was done with the Air Transport Pilot License exams and passed all the CAA theoretical exams on the first attempt throughout my training course. I now fly in my country for the national carrier called

Air Côte d’Ivoire. I also fly the Airbus 319 which is superb machine with a cruising Mach number of O.78 at cost index 25 and a MMO 0.82 Before joining the airlines I had to pass some exams including a written test, a FNPT2 simulator session for the basics flying skills assessment, (VOR, ADF, ILS approach hold etc.) in France and a FFS A320 sim session just to see how can you handle the 320. Before going for the type rate in Paris (Air France Flight Crew Training Centre) I had to pass a Multi Crew Corporation course before which was a requirement for the type rate. I highly recommend to everyone the MCC course which is important in order to work in a multi-crew airplane I actually started flying a jet with just 200 hours CPL. You can make it if you study hard and are well-disciplined. The type rate is all about abnormal situations you might encounter in flight and taking in what you are reading and studying so that you understand you aircraft. In my job you have to be well rested before flying so that you can focus and monitor the instruments such as the pilot flying and to monitor the other pilot when you are the non-flying one. The best part is to live a dream. How many people are doing the job they really love and dreamed of since they were young? Yes, my job comes with a lot of stress because of the schedules, you have to respect the weather, you have to deal with getting up early in the morning, but it is worth it! So pursue your dream and live it! Make it a reality and love it.

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LIFESTYLE

Chicken, Sausage & Red Pepper Paella

& e g a s u a S , n Chicke

a l l e a P r e p p e P Red

aside container with a lid. Set Place the peppers into a the into ron Crumble the saff for at least 20 minutes. ter. wa warm ily peel properly the skins will eas 3. If you roasted them ter. wa er und m the g right off without runnin Serves 4-6 julienne them e the peppers and then 2bell peppers 4. Peel, seed and cor oil into thick strips. 1/4cup extra virgin olive inch paella 400 degrees. Place a 16 with salt and pepper 2chicken legs, seasoned 5. Preheat the oven to h heat. Add hig m diu me r ove or a 12 inch sautĂŠ pan pan 2Italian sausages n, skin side cke per chi is hot add the ed with salt and pep the olive oil and once it 2chicken thighs, season roughly tho m the wn Bro es. n, and then the sausag dow y 1onion, julienned ver nt them ed wa slic not do and d to a plate. You d, core remove and then remove them 1fennel bulb, tops trimme king in coo sh fini l wil y The h. to cook all the way throug thinly to brown them. thinly sliced the oven you just want 1/4cup garlic, peeled and and fennel. dium and add the onion 2bay leaves 6. Turn the heat to me per. pep and pinch of salt Season them with healthy 3 1/2cups warm water ppo Ale lic, gar the d Ad . ten led k until they start to sof , Coo ted pinch of saffron, crumb ite gra wh and , the tom add t bot once fragran half from top to pepper and bay leaves, or two 3Roma tomatoes, cut in ving the skin behind es and cook for a minute lea ato ter, tom gra ted box a gra of and ole e win and large wh ter wa ron saff off. Add the letting the alcohol burn 1/4cup dry white wine pepper. and salt ch pin lthy hea a rice. Season again with n 2cups Arborio rice the rice. Place the chicke per Shake the pan to level out the 1 1/2teaspoon Aleppo pep und aro s per pep red ced the min e sley, into the pan and arrang 1tablespoon flat leaf par s ons, sliced into thin ring chicken. 2tablespoons green oni n and set the und pepper ce the pan into the ove kosher salt and fresh gro 7. Bring to a boil, pla half. Once the in es the sausag timer for 15 minutes. Cut the pan back ce pla and es sag timer goes off add the sau s. ute er for 10 min into the oven. Set the tim e, oven or whenever you have tim remove the pan from the day off s the goe ing er dur tim e the etim ce On ner t res 1. Som bur 8. h gas dis a e the hav Let â&#x20AC;&#x2122;t . h. If you don over the top turn a gas burner to hig and place a clean towel hest with hig h the nis at gar k rac and a el ce tow pla the and turn your oven to broil for five minutes, remove all on , then serve. peppers, top, bottom and level you can. Char the parsley and green onions the g kin coo t hou wit skin the r sides. The idea is to cha pepper through.

Ingredients

Directions

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Raspberry Miso Dressing on a Summer Salad

LIFESTYLE

a n o g in s s e r D o is M Raspberry

d a l a S r e m m u S Ingredients Serves 2

Dressing

6ounces raspberries Dressing 6ounces raspberries r 1/2cup white wine vinega o mis ite wh 1/4cup ite pepper 1/8teaspoon ground wh oil d see 1/2cup grape t leaves 1tablespoon fresh min ney ho n oo asp 1te

Salad

Directions

r in a and vinegar to a simme Bring 6 oz raspberries sit for a m the let and off heat small saucepan. Turn the few minutes. - mash genled, strain the vinegar 2. When they have coo or out, flav y err pb all of the ras tly on the solids to get ingredig ssin dre the of . Put all leave the seeds behind t - I didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t mix them. Taste for sal ents in the blender and ssing. dre the like it saltier. Chill add any but you might tly gen y ver it s r the lettuce. Tos 3. Wash and gently tea . Put ies err pb ras ing ain the rem with dressing and half hios tac h and sprinkle the pis the salad in a serving dis ries on top. and the rest of the rapber drink pink champagne to nt wa you 4. Kinda makes doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t it?

f lettuce) other delicate green lea 1head butter lettuce (or 6ounces raspberries s - roughly chopped 1/2cup toasted pistachio

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LoveLife

You

“

&Me

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When you’re really into someone, it’s normal to say you’re so in love. But what does being in love really mean? Here’s a little on what love is and what love is not.” - LoveLife

WHAT LOVE IS.

Respect

eing in love is having absolute respect for your partner. This means that under no circumstances should your partner EVER treat you in a way that makes you feel less than you are and vice versa. If your partner belittles you or forces you to do something that you’re not comfortable with, they don’t have respect for you, and by extension can’t possibly really love you! Trust If you can’t trust your partner, you can’t really love them. If you’re always stressing about who he or she is with or where your partner is, you have a problem! A relationship should not involve military-style interrogation either. If your boy/girlfriend is messing around with other girls or guys they are putting your life at risk for HIV/Aids. If they really you, they will never ever put you in the line of fire like

LoveLife

that. There is NO excuse for cheating or sleeping around – HIV is not selective, and won’t skip you just because you’re his ‘real’ girlfriend or boyfriend. Spreading ‘love’ around means that they don’t deserve yours, so take a step back and tell him or her to get walking! Communication You should be able to communicate your thoughts and feelings to the person you love. This means that if you really love someone you should be able to negotiate crucial parts of your relationship with them. You should be able to demand the use of a condom without being afraid of the backlash you’re going to get from your man or gal. Getting tested for HIV is also something that you should be able to negotiate with your partner; you can only make informed decisions about your relationship if you know your status! WHAT LOVE IS NOT. Angry and Abusive Yes, you will have moments of frustration and anger in any relationship. But, if your partner gets so angry that they abuse or force you to do things with threats of violence then they don’t love you. You should NEVER be afraid to say NO or to speak your mind. A relationship involves two people; if one of them is living in constant fear of the other then it is an abusive relationship. Is your life worth this kind of ‘love’? Hitting, bullying, pushing or pulling around, pinching, scratching and kicking is abuse. Being called ugly names, being ashamed, scared or pestered is no way to be treated. Jealousy is insecurity. Don’t call it love when it’s not. Don’t think that just because he has bought you nice things or taken

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you out to great places, you have to sleep with him or her. Pressuring If your partner is forcing you to do anything that you are uncomfortable with, then he’s not in love with you. Asking you to have unprotected sex for clothes, food or money is not OK and displays a real lack of love! Anyone who truly loves you will do things for you out of the goodness of their heart with no expectations. Your life is not worth the things that he’s offering you! Your partner or friends might try to tell you that having sex proves love. You’ve got to live with the consequences of what you do – not them. So pressuring is a sign that it’s not real love! Unfaithful Having unprotected sex with someone who is having unprotected sex with any number of other people considerably increases your risk of contracting HIV and other STIs. So, someone who is not completely faithful to you does not love you! Not only that, they are a loaded weapon spreading HIV without regard or respect for anyone else! Being in love does not mean compromising yourself for your partner, and if they really love you, they will not expect you to do so. Respect yourself enough to fall in love and stick with one partner – and if you’re both faithful, you’ll remain HIV free! My boyfriend has said the “L” word. This means he loves me. Think again: • I have to kiss him to prove to him that I love him • He doesn’t want to use a condom and I do, but I don’t mind giving in because I love him • My girlfriend won’t have sex with me period! This means she doesn’t love me • My boyfriend loves to rough me up; it’s his way of showing me love • My boyfriend loves me because he buys me stuff. I have sex with him to show him I love him • I want to fall pregnant to show my boyfriend I love him If you recognise yourself in any of the above scenarios, you need to decide whether you’re really in love and whether you’re really loved. It’s not worth carrying out actions that make you feel uncomfortable and that put your life, health and happiness at risk. If you’re in a relationship and feel hurt and helpless or if you’re experiencing any other challenge in life, you can speak to a counsellor through getting in touch with loveLife’s Contact Centre on 0800 121 900 or sending a Plz Cal Me to 083 323 1023. You can also chat to a counsellor through searching “loveLife MX” in the Mxit App Store. *Please note that the loveLife Contact Centre and Mxit Service is only available in South Africa.

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INSPIRE. INFORM. IMPART.

AFRICAN SCHOLAR MAGAZINE

Our clients/partners have come to appreciate our space as a great platform for a plethora of solutions affecting their strategic business outcomes. We provide media solutions ranging from funding opportunities, talent acquisition and product awareness campaigns. We offer our clients an opportunity to interact with the best minds on the continent by connecting with them using our publication.

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“African Scholar Magazine opens up the world of educational opportunities to readers, equiping them with vital knowledge. It encourages youth to always strive for the best by featuring stories of inspirational people who’ve achieved career success. It also contributes to the holistic development of young people by offering valuable lifestyle and health information - not forgetting entertainment too.” - Thandiwe McCloy - Public Relations, LoveLife

www.africanscholar.co.za Phone: +27-11-794-4141 Email: info@africanscholar.co.za

NYDA Career Guidance The National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) can assist you in making sound career choices: we have experienced Career Guidance practitioners who can sit with you and advise you on your choices, based on a sound assessment of your interests, your personality and your competencies. They can help in choosing your subjects, applying for studies, or for a loan or bursary. They also coach you on how to prepare for your first interview or offer help in writing a business plan. Come to one of the Youth Advisory Centres or YACs or organise a school visit by them.

NATIONAL YOUTH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY 11 Broadwalk Avenue | Halfway House | Midrand | 1682 Tel: 08600 YOUTH (96884) | www.nyda.gov.za For more information, visit our website www.nyda.go.za or call our call centre on 08600 YOUTH (96884).

The MERSETA provides funding for training and upgrading skills in workplaces. If you have the right qualifications, please approach your local merSETA office and they will put you in touch with the relevant training institutions and companies. merSETA particularly looks at maths and science learners and graduates.

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Question: Spot the business opportunity in this list:

Sweden Switzerland

GDP GROWTH

Taiwan Tanzania Thailand United Kingdom United States

0.10% 2.30% 2.49% 7.50% 2.80% 1.30% 1.60%

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