Beads Magazine (Issue 2)

Beads Jan - Feb 2017 / No 02

Diversely Connected

www.beadsconnect.co.za

City meets elegant African

Style

skin revival in

Summer

R29,00 South Africa

Why the Lack of business INNOVATION

Habits

to break when you hit the big

30

Her Royal Highness Princess Mukelile Zibusiso

Zulu

CONTENT

07 03 Editor’s Note 04 Issue Contributor 20 On the Rise Nomfanelo Dlomo “Big-Bang” on iGagasi FM 28 Subscribe for convenience

Fashion

Jan - Feb

2017 13 Health & Beauty 13 Skin revival for summer 15 Why Gym is better then Therapy

17 uKhozi’s Nomfundo Mkhize posing for SineM Designs

Finance 25 Black Tax

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Business 26 Business Myths

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Contributors Linda Mkhize Beauty Therapist Linda Cebo @imifanekiso

+2761 7886699

@imifanekiso_magazine

#BeadedConnection Lets Engage We would love nothing more than to talk and engage with you. Tweet, us, email us, hey... you can even poke us on Facebook.

imifanekisophotography@gmail.com

www.facebook.com/beadsmagazine Well done sis Nqobile Born in New Castle, Linda Mkhize is Beauty Therapist qualied in Somatology. She has her own practice in eMpangeni; KZN North Coast called Beauty Zone Cosmetic Clinic. She has worked in the industry with names including Estee Lauder. She has obtained advance skin care training from houses like Firolga, Essel Cosmetics, Neostrata and more. Her practice is focusing on skin care and body shaping. In 2011, her business won a SAB Kick Start Award. Linda knows about beauty and skin and has written for a number of publication and has spoken on a number of events.

Nothando Ndlovu, via Facebook I will need details to subscribe I feel I just shouldn't miss any issue..Kuyaphoqa!!I'm proud of you and the team Vuyisile Nuh Ngobese-Mtungwa, via Facebook Top notch work on the rst issue! Big ups to the team, ... big up to you

Xolani Ncune KaMakwawa via Facebook

Nqobile Nene Founding Editor & Director of GX Marketing

Senzo Khambule Photographer Linda @imifanekiso

+2761 7886699

@imifanekiso_magazine

imifanekisophotography@gmail.com

Senzokhaya is a young, talented, fun and passionate photographer. From Northern KwaZulu Natal – Mtubatuba Mfekayi - but now residing in Durban. He has intense experience gained through working for different companies with Big names. His blossoming company IMIFANEKISO was ofcially started in 2015 but is already sort after. The company shoots on locations and indoors, functions, corporate events, one on one, couples and family shoots.

Some of his work have been featured on Drum Magazine, Ilanga, Isolezwe and other local newspapers. Under his belt has names such as Babes Wodumo, Kingz Kid, Matome Mathiane (Golden Arrows), Mahlatse Makudubela(Orlando Pirates).

Associate Editor: Features Editor/ Content Producer/ Research: Fashion & Beauty: Designers: Photography: Marketing & Events Sales Production / Distribution

+2781 752 6832

@Sinegugu Snosh Makhoba

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Khanyi Mdluli Sthabile Mchunu Thabani Hlela Nix Photography Ntokozo Mbambo Bongani Nene

Beads is owned and published by Gxabhashe Trading Enterprise cc t/a

SineFashion Makhoba Linda Designer @SineMDesigns

Nonto Zulu

Jan-Feb ‘17 www.beadsconnect.co.za

MAGAZINE

Editor’s Note

Thank you soooo much for the love we have been receiving from the readers through social media. It was amazing that we had more than 20k likes on our Facebook page Beads Magazine and we are still counting. Our launch month was one of my busiest months in a long time. Traveling and leaving my family for days have not been fun but presenting Beads Magazine has been worth the little discomfort of home sickness. That is how you run after a vision. When you climb a mountain you can't expect not to sweat.

2017 is upon us people. For some it's an exciting new start, for some it's regrets for plans never achieved in 2016. Well there is no use crying over spilt milk now is there?. Ok, so you made resolutions for 2016 but you achieved only 2% of those, so what? The fun of making resolutions is that you get to put into writing or thought the things you would like to achieve, trust me it beats just breathing. So if you feel like making resolutions again, go on, some are too pessimistic about such, which is also ne for them.

In this January – February issue we are honoured to have our cover lady. The Zulu Princess Mukelisiwe. I have always wondered how or even who our princes and princesses are, haven't you? While growing up, we watched all the fairy-tale movies about princesses being rescued by prince charming and living in the castle happily ever after. Princess Mukelisiwe's story will make you rethink the stereotype of what being a princess is about. Read on.

#Happy

2017

We live in an era where we are fortunate enough to make our own decisions and judgements. This is what you would call a selsh era. We say “so what” a lot which can actually be a positive thing living for ourselves and not leaving for the approval of others. As you start a new year I hope that you keep an open mind, a receiving spirit and a positive attitude. Your mind is your greatest weapon, sharpen it with positive things. I personally plan and then call on my higher power and remember the bible scripture in Jeremiah 29:11 that says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”.

Have fun reading our second issue. New Year issue.

May God grant you the wisdom to read and understand that identity is partly heritage, partly upbringing, but mostly the choices you make in life every day.

Nqobile

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Call us to discuss your business.... in marketing terms.

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Dressed by: Zinathi Fashion Make-up Artist: Sthabile Mzimela Photographer: Imifanekiso

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Royal Highness Princess Her

the Zulu

by Nqobile Nene

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t's a beautiful Saturday morning; the drive from Richards Bay to Nongoma has been nerve wracking. Not a lot is known about our cover lady except for news clips here and there, so we do not know what to expect but are praying for the best.

We are welcomed into Lindizulu Palace in Nongoma with refreshments and smiles. As you walk in you are greeted by a big portrait of His Majesty King Zwelithini. The palace has about three beautiful lounges - at least that I saw. The interior is of royalty with touches of cream and royal red. We are led into a big lounge after the entrance foyer. The Princess welcomes us and immediately points us to sofas we can sit on with the exception of three. You don't have to be a brain surgeon to gure out that out of the three, the middle one is the King’s chair, from the leopard skin with the head still intact only the King is t to sit there. The two on each side have Nguni skin - at least I think it's Nguni.

There, we are thinking, those are probably for the Queen and the Prince or the Princess.

Right away we begin what we came for. Our stylist, Sthabile Mzimela is taken to a private room for the tting of the specially designed garments just for her. In those, there is just this one that we were not so sure about, but we take it anyway. A little while later, she emerges in her own clothes, and in my mind I am thinking “Oh Lord she didn't like even one” and I casually ask – not sure if I wanted the answer but had to know. She says “I love the Burgundy one” I open my eyes wide with shock because that the one we almost hid in the car. From there she is ready for our interview.

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ou would think seeing royalty you are forced to bow down, but not with Princess Mukelile Zibusiso Zulu. With her you feel honour is what she deserves, bowing comes natural. Her inviting nature, calm, modest, humorous and gracious manner draws you in. The Princess is a daughter to iSilo Samabandla onke, the great King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuZulu with forth Queen, Queen Thandi Zulu of Lindizulu Palace. She is a sister to many siblings but has one brother - Prince Sihlangu - Zulu in the same house, who she admires as a musician of note. As we start our interview, it becomes clear that she is very particular about her name, she says some people call her Mukelisiwe and some think her last name is her father's name which is wrong and she doesn't like that because her parents did not call her that.

Y

Being Born Royalty Being born in the royal family is yes rst and foremost a birth right and its God's will. It has its amazing moments but it can be very challenging at the same time because everyone always has an eye on you. There are many things that are expected of you in terms of being exemplarily and also putting your best foot forward. It is an honour. It is also something that most people would never understand because understandably they do not know much about. We live in a palace which is our home but there is still uniformity across all borders, whether you are of royalty or not, there need to be love in that home, there needs to be support, there needs to be prayer. Our set up is a unique set-up. I have six mom's (she chuckles). Like any child sometimes you run from one to another to get your way. Not many people can say that.

Spirituality My relationship with God is not something that I take lightly; it is something I aspire to strengthen every day. I understand that I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for God. I believe you can have and lose everything but God is everything.

Education Some people say that we only study overseas which is not necessarily true. Myself, I am a local baby it's just that I am well-travelled. One of the primary schools I went to is Holy Childhood Convent in Eshowe. That local school made me love my primary school times more then I loved High school. I have always been in boarding schools.

About my father [When she talk about her father, she light up. She gives us a huge smile, the one you get from a loved and loving child.]

My dad and I get on like a house on re. I love him. He is not the way that most people see. He is so funny. He is a very brave strategic man. He is also a very prayerful man.

A lot of people don't know this about my Dad. When Isilo prays it's like the heavens are going to open. And this always reafrms that he is Isilo for a reason. And that is a great foundation for his leadership. Those are the things I'll always

remember about him, but thank God that he is not going anywhere anytime soon (she says this for her comfort more than me - what child of a father wouldn't ).

Responsibilities and Passion There is what is normal and is a cycle of life, like you need to be educated and you need to work. I can't speak for my siblings, I can only speak for myself for something I account to. My responsibilities are aligned with my talent and what I know is aligned with God's plan for my life. I believe once you know why you are on earth, it all makes sense. One of the things that I have discovered in my life is my ability to address people, my ability to make them feel very positive towards life. This is something that I know and I do best. It's not always easy but it's something that I must do. I like it when people are moving away from me with a feeling of hope.

I have the responsibility to make sure that we as Zulu's are given the recognition that we deserve historically. I believe that women deserve to be celebrated and supported. I also love children. I believe that we have so much to learn from them even as adults.

Pressures I choose not to give into pressure, that's one thing for sure. I believe if you know who you are and you know your responsibility, you will not mess things up. I have an understanding that everything that I do is a reection on my dad whether I like it or not. Whether it be a poor reection or whether it be a shooting the light out so much people say “He is so lucky to have a daughter like that”, either way it sways I need to understand that it's not just about me. I understand that if I do something wrong my father would be held accountable, so will my mother and the family at large, because people tend to put all of us in the same boat whilst we are different. We are from the same family but have different women in our lives, so there can't be a hundred percent uniformity. There is pressure but one just has to know who they are and what they want and to be true to themselves. Being true to yourself could be pressure on its own.

Projects I am one of SA Zazi ambassador. There is a trust called the Queen Thandi Trust which I am a Program Coordinator and Monitoring and Evaluation Ofcer for. The foundation is putting focus back to HIV/AIDS awareness.

People have heard of HIV, they have read about it and they are tired of it and they have stopped listening because the communication methods have become stale. For the foundation the goal is to recreating awareness, educate and train in various communities. So we conduct dialogues, door-to-doors and having campaigns.

I feel very strongly about rape. Working as Zazi ambassador I discovered that statistically KZN has one of the highest reported rape cases in South Africa. I feel this is nothing to be excited about, it's wrong and it needs to be addressed. Because of my feelings about this issue, in my spare time I have conversation with young girls about this and encourage them to speak up if something is not right.

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went onto the International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) last year 2015 for a month. I would recommend that program to everybody who wants to travel – rst and foremost -, someone who likes to meet people and someone who has an open mind about how people are different. That program taught me that we are so different but yet we are so similar.

From that trip I have been able to form a network with women from all over the globe, countries like Jamaica, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Nepal and more . Amazing women, who are doing amazing things in their parts of the world. The program is not just about the holiday, you work, you form allies and you are given homework that is said and unsaid, like what are you going to do when you go home with this knowledge and make a difference. How are you going to challenge the system for betterment of the people.

On Maiden Bursaries There are certain things that the Zulu people have and the people that are doing the talking against these bursaries lack.

We are a culture that command good behaviour. What confuses people with the virgin bursaries under Mam Mazibuko of uThukela is the fact that out of more than a hundred bursaries available there is only an allocation of 16 virgin bursaries. So I don't see where that is a limit because everyone else is allowed to apply. More than 70% of those bursaries allow everyone else to apply.

I believe this issue runs deeper than meets the eye. I also believe you must consult and get clarity about something that you need to know more about. Had the Commission for Gender Equality taken the time to understand what Reed Dance is about, they would not have – from what I've had – gone to the UN to say the Dance must be shut down or done away with. When I heard this had happened, I was disappointed. I thought, where do they get the right to say or go to the UN when they have never even been part of the experience. Numerous invitations have been extended to them and they have not come even once, I am not even sure they are going to come this year. I said the important thing is that they talk to the maidens themselves. Reed Dance is about these girls making decisions over their own lives, abstaining and taking care of themselves. All we need to do is support and encourage while a child is still a child.

The main platform these girls us to communicate is the Reed Dance itself. The numbers speak for themselves. Even the numbers do not say much for someone who has never been there, you have to experience, but the only time you will know better is when you engage.

The way that we dress is an issue. We have one of the most beautiful cultural attires in the world. Yet we try by all mean to look anything but Zulu. I don't know if it's because of the way it was perceived as ubuqaba, as being backwards and uncivilised.

That is not the case though. If anything, some want ours and we want theirs.

The food that we eat, some of it is not for us. I always use an example that God would not have said trees must bare oranges in winter had He not known that the fruit would be medicine for the cold. We need to remember that Zulus are beautiful and well-shaped, they were that even in the olden days. That was mostly because of the food they ate. They ate, beans, vegetables, imno, they boiled rather than fried.

I'd like to say we are very different, we must admit that. Yes there are things that are similar and we want from other people, but we must not compromise who we are. The important thing is to copy the best practices and ignore things that will still our identity. Make a wise decision when you choose.

Unwinding I enjoy swimming – even though black people are not known for that. I grew up in schools where that sport was important, so I enjoy it so much, I would swim a mile rather than run a mile. I love movies. I enjoy meeting new people. I enjoy reading. I also know how to cook. Another way I unwind is I nd a reason to laugh. I love all kind of music except hard rock, I enjoy South African Gospel. I can sing, in fact I remember when I was a lot younger I decided to sing Karin White song “Superwoman” in church, in front of all the elders and preachers. Needless to say it was a complete wrong song choice and needless to say my family still joke about that till today.

Love and marriage I won't comment much on this but I will say this, Love is beautiful, Love is necessary, I want to be happy and I am going to be.

Favourite quote This came to me two years ago when I was going to do something very scary in terms of paving the way to my success.

The massage that I want to leave and challenge others is “What you do matters but what counts the most is how you are remembered”. B

Conservation of the Zulu culture The young Zulus have the responsibility to preserve our culture. It starts from little things like the language. Some Zulu's can't speak Zulu. I went to a private school but I took a decision that I do not want to be that Zulu girl, that Zulu princess that can't speak a word of isiZulu. By the virtue that I am Royal, it puts me under the radar and forces me to be an ambassador of anything Zulu. I cannot expect other people to be what I am not. I vowed that no matter how much of English I speak, but when I speak Zulu the person listening should think I can't speak a word of English because my Zulu has to pure.

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skin revival in

Summer

by Linda Mkhize

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Beauty

We can't believe that summer is upon us, with the arrival of warmer weather, comes the increased exposure of our skin to harmful "nasties" and thus a greater need to be prepared and prevent. There are few tips on how to get summer ready...but rstly, what has winter done to your skin?

Seasonal changes in the skin are normal and more noticeable when the weather turns cold. There's a reduction in natural moisturising factors of the skin during the cold months of winter. The cold winter months tend to dehydrate our skin and if we do not carefully adapt our daily regime, we will enter summer with a dry skin which is not ideal for the hot months ahead.

Defeating dry skin: In the summer we nd ourselves sweating more and using large amounts of SPF creams and sprays. These two factors can trap dead skin cells causing dry skin and uneven skin. This is the worst timing for dryness and anything less than perfect as we want to be silky smooth.

Plan for action: * Drink plenty of water: about half of our body consists of water and we lose on average about one litre daily.

Depending on your body, try to consume between one to two litres of water a day. * Eat Omega 3s: your skin can quite literally be moisturised from inside out with the correct fats i.e linseeds, walnuts, oily sh and squash. * Prevention is key: Choose the right moisturiser. This is crucial in preventing dehydration of the skin. Find a moisturiser containing enough, vitamin A and antioxidants to assist the skin in moisturising.

Unwanted pimples and problem skin: The dreaded pimple is more prone to come out in summer due to all the sweating and clogging up of the pores, with extra SPF creams.

Plan for action: * Keep your skin cleansed, morning and evening. This is the most important step to unclogging those follicles and ensuring that sebum doesn't get trapped under the skin. * Keep your hands away from your face (except when applying products of course). During the day we touch a multitude of things not knowing what bacteria we might be picking, do not transfer these bacteria to your skin. * Treat yourself to a facial once or twice a month. Body treatments are also vital, exfoliate your body weekly to minimise scars and unevenness. Consistency is key when it comes to skin care and preparing for summer, and remember prevention is better than repair, so be consistent with caring for the biggest living organ which is your skin.

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Health

7

Reasons Why the Gym is Better Than Therapy

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by Scott H. Young

Jan-Feb ‘17 www.beadsconnect.co.za

I have a love affair with my gym. She's not much to look at: a rubber track and weight room in a dark ba sement, but appearances aren't everything. She's there on my best days and on my worst days. We never ght, and she doesn't care what I look like as long as I give her my full attention for a few hours a week.

I was talking with a fellow gym goer recently (the gym and I have an open relationship). He mentioned that whenever he is facing something frustrating, he goes to the gym. The gym is his form of therapy, and if I think about it, it's my stress release too. So, I'd like to present my list of seven reasons the gym is better than therapy.

#1 – The Gym is Cheaper A typical gym membership costs about R4200 a year. If you go to a therapist, once a week for R600 an hour, that's R7200 per year. If anything, the gym is a discount stress-reliever, far cheaper than paying someone to hear you talk.

Another benet: the gym doesn't charge for the hour. If you need ninety minutes to sort out a particularly stressful day, she won't mind and she won't charge you extra. If you want to go a few times a week, or even twice on the same day, that's ne too. In some places, gyms are even open 24 hours, so you can resolve Note: I'm joking. If you're facing serious stress at any time of day. problems, talk to someone and face them, don't just vent at the gym. But, for smaller stresses, the #2 – The Gym Won't Give Advice gym can be one of the best therapists money can At rst, this doesn't seem like a benet. buy.

The reason you pay a therapist is to get advice on your problems, right? But, sometimes it can be. Many times you go looking for advice, you really just want to think. You want an empathetic ear to hear your worries while you think about what to do. I can't say the gym is empathetic (she's pretty unfeeling). But, she doesn't give you advice. So if you want to think a situation over for an hour before coming to a decision, she's patient. #3 – You Won't Get Fat The gym does double-duty. She helps you keep your stresses to a minimum, and she keeps you in shape. That's the kind of package deal you can't get lying on a couch. #4 – Free Drugs (natural, of course) When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins. These chemicals are associated with feeling happy and relieving pain. Your body also releases endorphins during an orgasm and when taking cocaine.

The extra endorphins often result in a “runner's high,” a feeling of well-being after exercise.

#5 – Breathing Exercises Your breathing affects how you feel. Try to stay angry after taking ten, 15-second breaths. Although some therapy may do breathing exercises, the gym is a constant breathing exercise. If you're lifting weights, you exhale as you lift the weight and inhale as you lower it back down. When you're running, you need to keep a constant breathing pace in line with your steps.

Match your breathing with the up and down of a push-up and you're practically meditating. #6 – Focused Distractions Sometimes you just need a distraction.

After a stressful day with work, friends or family, you need to take your mind away from your problems. Unfortunately, sometimes it can be hard to pry your mind away. If you're looking to be distracted, most therapy is denitely out. Talking about your issues isn't a good way to take your mind away from them. But the gym can provide an outlet, forcing you to focus on something else for an hour. #7 – Little Wins to Rebuild Your Condence The gym gives you plenty of opportunities for little victories. Every time you do a little bit more, run a little further or last a few minutes longer, you've won. Those little wins rebuild your condence after a setback. Stewing in your problems is a recipe to trash your self-image. If you can get a few more victories under your belt, you can feel better about yourself.

The gym takes a bit of time to get used to.

If you haven't been in regular sessions for at least a month or two, your time spent with each other might make you feel worse, not better. You need to get comfortable with your level of tness so that frustrations outside the gym don't translate into frustrations because you're out of shape.

The gym gives you plenty of opportunities for little victories.

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Fashion

City meets elegant African

Style

Designer: Make-up Artist: Photographer: Model:

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SineM Designs Sthabile Mzimela Imifanekiso Nomfundo Mkhize uKhozi FM Presenter

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Fashion

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Fashion

Fashion

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Fashion

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Feature

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ON THE RISE dream, pursue, achieve

Nomfanelo Dlomo

Content Producer:The Big Bang 12-3pm Show (Gagasi FM) Girls from small towns are denitely doing it for themselves. For Nomfanelo age ain't nothing but a number to thinking, doing and succeeding. Nomfanelo is a charismatic and energetic 25 year old born in the small town of Estcourt in the midlands of KZN. Keep a eye on this young lady, she is going places.

"AND WE KNOW THAT FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD ALL THINGS WORK TOGETHER FOR GOOD, FOR THOSE WHO ARE CALLED ACCORDING TO HIS PURPOSE." - ROMANS 8:28 22

All growth depends upon activity. There is no development physically or intellectually without effort, and effort means work. - Calvin Coolidge

Jan-Feb ‘17 www.beadsconnect.co.za

T

his is me. I was always an active child, I excelled in athletics and academics. I even had this childhood dream of being the Olympian one day, (lol if I can stop eating so much), right now I love keeping t with road running. I love dancing, good music and spending time with loved ones. I have a Diploma & Btech Degree in Public Relations Management from the Durban University of Technology. I currently work as Content Producer on Gagasi FM for the The Big Bang 12-3pm show.

Most people perceive me to be serious and nd me intimidating, but I'm very funny and crazy and I love dancing.

I am driven by...My love of life, my appreciation for life and faith in God. I'm optimistic towards the future and all the possibilities which lie ahead. My mother always encouraged me to never accept defeat as reality, it's just a distraction that can be overcome. I also believe the people around me are my greatest motivation. These are the people who believe in me, who give me tough love and pray for me. I draw a lot of strength from people's journeys, it's made me walk through life with great gratitude for being alive and being able to pursue my dreams.

My career journey The beginning Its a weird story, I accidently fell into the Public Relations eld.

My intention was to pursue a qualication in bio-medical technology however my mathematics results were not good, so I went door-to-door applying for space and luckily they had an opening in the PR Dept of DUT. I started my Diploma studies and soon realised that this is exactly where I needed to be, it suited my character and future ambitions. I then commenced my career in 2012 as an intern again within a Durban PR agency, I quickly moved from an intern position to an account manager position. In the duration of the four years working experience, I have handled major accounts in various industries including, hospitality, gaming and entertainment and tourism.

The growth End of 2014, while working for another Durban PR agency, I felt a need to nally pursue my Btech qualication on a full time basis. In the beginning of 2015 I resigned from my job to focus on my one year of full-time studying, it was not an easy decision, but I look back now and feel proud to have made it. In the same year, I had time to pursue other opportunities like consulting my PR services to clients; I was just trying to get a feel of entrepreneurship which I had been considering for a long time.

I was approached to assist in organising a women empowerment event called 'Women With A Bang', we worked on it and it was a great success. Later in that year I also worked as a publicist for the 'We Can Arts Festival' and I thoroughly enjoyed working with people with disabilities.

Now, In 2016, I briey lectured Public Relations modules at Rosebank College in Durban. This was a very humbling experience where I got to be on the other side yet also have to understand the students. Now, I've recently been appointed as the content producer for The Big Bang 12-3pm show on Gagasi FM. When I was alerted about the opportunity, I had my reservations considering I had no experience on radio but I knew that great careers were made on taking risks and challenging yourself. I applied and was screened through two interview processes; in all of them I was able to convince them that I could be trusted with the task at hand. The show had just started a new season and I would be managing all content for the presenters, Kini Shandu & Clarissa.

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I am kept going by... My faith in God, the support from my family and the ordinary person out there. All these aspects keeps me pushing, my faith reminds me that I’m not alone, my family support me with love and resources and I draw a lot of strength from people's journey's, it's made me walk through life with great gratitude for being alive and being able to pursue my dreams.

The journey has...Been really amazing, I've experienced growth both in my personal life and career. I've met people who have deposited knowledge and wisdom that I could have never learnt at school. I have a network of people who trust in my abilities and that I can call on for anything, that is the beauty of the journey. I honestly wouldn't change anything that I have been through or experienced so far. Public Relations is one of those elds that allows you to be exible, creative and just strength your capabilities far and wide, I wouldn't expect any PR graduate to not be able to identify a space or opportunity where they can ourish.

In 3 words I am....Beautiful, Awesome & Ambitious In my job...I feel like I'm on the driving seat of delivering what is trending in youth culture. It is taking me out of my circle and allowing me to engage with people at ground level, seeking those inspirational, unusual and trending stories. I've also realised that we have a great responsibility more than just playing music, the youth are also looking at us as individual to see what we have to offer them. My job with Big Bang is to manage the show content and structure. I will book guests for interviews, schedule music for certain features and just ensure the show is owing accordingly. I have a close working relationship with the presenters so that we understand each others expectations of what will be going on on-air Listeners can look forward to... A ball of energy from Kini & Clarissa. The latest infotainment, music, comedy and lifestyle interviews. The show will be out and about leading in the latest trends and youth culture, it will also go out to meet listeners through OBs, live crossings, youtube videos, facebook and twitter engagement. We are changing the face of the lunchtime hour.

My advice to young ambitious women is that...Women should not be afraid to get into any workplace or industries and show initiative, use their creativity to nd solutions and prove themselves as valuable team members. I believe women were created with the ability to provide solutions to any problem. I remember this saying Bonang Matheba once posted on her blog, it read, “Starve your distractions and feed your focus”. I believe this. It's important as young women growing up and pursuing our ambitions to keep our eye on the prize, forget the noise and the opinions. There were so many times when I could have given up on my education or work but I pushed forward and kept the faith, now I reap the rewards daily. So long as you remember why you started the journey, nothing or noone can stop you.

My future goals are... Growing in my role as the producer and learn as much as I can about broadcast media. I also want to pursue more entrepreneurship opportunities like opening my own Public Relations Agency, investing in property and be more involved in youth development initiatives.

These are the words I live by "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28

Jan-Feb ‘17 www.beadsconnect.co.za

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Finance

The Confusion of

by Nqobile Nene

BLACK

TAX

25

Jan-Feb ‘17 www.beadsconnect.co.za

O “nce upon a time, long long time ago a father had 5 daughters and one son. When they were ready to attend school, the father decided that it was no use sending girls to school because he was not going to benet anything after they have left with their education and gotten married. The End”

This is a familiar scenario in the African culture, our grandmothers can tell us all about it. This is probably one of the reasons some black people have such low regard for education.

However now the table have shifted a bit. Now the mother sends the girl child to school so she can benet from her, married or not. Here is the thing, mother is probably not earning enough because she had to leave school early, or didn't even go to school because she had to take care of her siblings while parents went to work as a domestic worker. The only investment she could make was making sure her child did not end up like her. She made sure that with the little money she earned she did everything to make sure her daughter is educated and successful. So the daughter graduates, gets a great job. Now what?

Ntando Khanyile* (22) always has his mother, older sister and four nieces and nephews in the back of his mind. And he is likely in the back of theirs, as they wait for her monthly contribution to their basic necessities. This type of giving is now known as Black Tax. The phrase “black tax” is the fairly recent and well-intentioned shorthand used to articulate the nancial responsibility of providing for extended family.

“My mother was a domestic worker and tried to put my sister through nursing school, but that did not work out and my sister had to settle into a job due to lack of funds,” she says. For this third-year BCom law student who also holds down a job, more than half her salary goes back home every month.

“So what usually happens is when I get paid, I will get my sister to buy whatever groceries are needed in the house. And I will give them money for electricity, give them the money to pay for their burial societies. I basically ll in the gaps of whatever they want, and give my mother money as well. Khanyile says at times she feels stuck in a vicious cycle of poverty that will never end, unless she wins the lottery. “I think that my kids will probably have to provide for me when I'm old.”

Finance

Individuals, ranging in age from their early 20s to their 50s, are often stuck in the middle of supporting two generations nancially and are therefore unable to save adequately for their own needs and retirement.

“They risk sentencing their offspring to being the next sandwich generation due to their inability to save for retirement,” Mwandiambira says. Gerald Mwandiambira, the acting chief executive of the South African Savings Institute, prefers to refer to the “sandwich generation” rather than “black tax” because the former term tends to be more inclusive of other races.

“Black Tax” has been regarded as one of the worst nancial obligations to the youth. The truth is this tax is not going anywhere. No child is going to watch his or her mother starve. Children are going to pay a bit extra on their medical aid just so they can cover their parents. When you go home you are going to go by the shop and pick up “a few things”. Black people – especially – have always been people to take care of each other, that is the reason we know and sometimes stay with our grandmothers, our aunts and our uncles and our cousins. Extended families are part of our family.

I think, the best thing is not to neglect and watch suffer but teach and make the family understand that if we all pull our weights, we can all benet. So let's use less electricity so I don't have to pay a higher bill. Let's eat those leftovers tomorrow morning so they won't be bread needed. Before you ask me for money have you exhausted every possibilities? All of this requires communication from the payer. Communicate your concerns, nothing is as painful as buying something today and nding it on the oor tomorrow and have to keep quite because you don't want people to feel you have a “big mouth”. They won't know what hurts you especially if they are receiving and taken care of at your expense. Don't sacrice yourself. You can't be everything to everybody. Sometimes you just have to say no. But remember you too were once on the receiving end, someone worked for you to get what you have now.

26 August Jan-Feb2016 ‘17 www.beadsconnect.co.za

24

Business

busting

the

10 biggest

small

business

Myths

by Barry Moltz

Unfortunately, small business owners believe a lot of myths about how to run their companies. These are things they assume to be true, but when put into practice, simply don't work. Here are the top ten business myths, and the truth about each of them.

1.

The customer is always right. If the customer was always right, every company would be out of business! Running a business at the whim of the customer will never lead to a protable company. However, since the customer is always the customer, it is important to see things from their point of view, listen and empathize. The next step is to rmly set their expectations from the start so they will be satised at the end.

2.

Build it, and they will come. This is not the Field of Dreams! Just because a founder builds it does not mean customers will line up to buy it. The corollary to this myth is that customers will always buy the best product. Success in business is really about building the best distribution and marketing for the product. This is where so many business owners forget to focus.

3.

Sales is the most important number. Nonsense! In measuring nancial performance, sales are vanity, cash ow is sanity. It makes no sense to grow the sales of a company if they keep losing money over a period of time. Is there less money at the end of the month than at the beginning? Fail! Successful small business owners focus on cash ow and know how to read their cash ow statement.

4.

Team work is about building consensus. While the success of the company does depend on building a great team, let's not get confused. Steve Jobs always said that consensus is not the same thing as collaboration. The leader sets the direction and the team needs to be able to effectively work together to accomplish that objective.

5.

The nancial numbers can be outsourced. No they can't! Financial statements are the company's score card. If an owner does not know where they have been, how can they know where they are going? Prot and loss, balance sheets and cash ow statements need to be reviewed and understood every month.

6.

Customers only care about low prices. Some of the best companies in the country deliver low price and great customer service. Since most things are a commodity, small business owners will not be successful competing on price. They need to focus on the value their solution brings to solving the pain of the customer.

7.

Under-promise and over-deliver. The myth is that if a company sets the expectations of the customer low, and then subsequently exceeds them, their satisfaction goes up. The truth is that if the expectations are set too low, the company will never have the opportunity to get or retain that customer.

8.

Success is about making money. Sure, it's one of the ways to keep score, but if the small business owner focuses on only getting rich, then he will never achieve it. Build value and cash ow from the company, and the nancial rewards will always come.

9.

Spend money to make money. The truth is that too much money can actually make the business owner stupid!

Throwing a lot of money at a problem is proven to be wasteful and not an answer to any solution. Spend money carefully and measure each investment's results.

10.

Be active on all social networks. The truth is that social media can be a worldwide waste of time. The small business owner should nd out where his customers' and prospects' conversations are happening. Then, focus consistently on that social media tool to become part of that conversation.

27 September2016 www.beadsconnect.co.za

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26

Break Habits to

when you hit 30

by Hilary White

When you're in your 20s, you pretty much have a "get out of jail free" card. It's somewhat implied that those years are there for making mistakes, learning from them, and bridging the gap between pre-adulthood and adulthood. So, when you "forget" to wash your sheets for ve months or spend your whole paycheck on a pair of shoes, no one can really give you a hard time. But at some point, we all must brush the dust off our younger ways and embrace that we are, after all, real adults. Here are some things to quit doing when 30 rolls around:

29

1. Facebook stalking, particularly your ex.

2. Seeking approval from other people.

3. Sleeping away your entire weekend instead of doing something fun or productive.

4. Weeknight binge drinking (or binge drinking in general). Those hangovers get worse with each passing year.

5. Building up debt on your credit card. Now is the time to pay it back, not make it worse!

6. Hitting up Mom or Dad for money.

7. Keeping bad friends around out of convenience or because you're too lazy to cut them out. Send them packing!

8. Buying anything and everything you want when you're shopping.

9. Sneaking a smoke.

10. Buying new underwear instead of doing laundry.

11. Advertising drunk nights on social media.

12. Skipping beauty routines. Start moisturizing ASAP! 13. Pulling all-nighters.

14. Making excuses not to do your workout.

15. Eating fast food.

16. Hanging unframed pictures or posters on your walls.

17. Spending most of your money on alcohol or eating out.

18. Waiting for someone to do something for you so that you don't have to.

19. Only cleaning the toilet or tub when it literally can't wait another minute.

20. Giving up when things get hard.

21. Waiting to take out the trash and recycling until guests are coming over.

22. Holding on to old grudges.

23. Washing your bath towel and sheets once every few months or just when you have company coming.

24. Neglecting family time.

25. Not taking responsibility for things.

26. Flossing only once a year before your trip to the dentist, and then right after, when the dentist guilt-trips you into it.

27. Unhealthy dieting or buying in to quick-x weight-loss plans.

28. Texting while driving.

29. Not saving money.

30. Participating in drama.

31. Not staying up-to-date on current events.

Jan-Feb ‘17 www.beadsconnect.co.za

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