Millennial magazine december 2016

Millennial December / January

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LEADER PROFILE Sukoluhle Mafika ▪ Cope with Emotional Stress ▪ The Personal Budget ▪ Italian Interior Design ▪ The 4th Industrial Revolution ▪ The Millennial Man: His Hair & His Beard ▪ Summer Spritzers ▪ Christmas Gammon Easy Peasy

▪ ‘How to’ Body Makeover

Engineering Maverick: Livingstone Mashele

Artist: Louise Parker African Women Collection Original Paintings: starting from R 3500 Prints: A5 R 150; A4 R 300; A3 R 600;

Contents - Vicky Nish - By Shaka Felistus Senwamadi - By Susan Davids - By Susan Davids - By Addi Lang, Cancer Warrior - Setshwano Ngope - By Justin Cohen - By Shaka Felistus Senwamadi - Managing Director and Owner, Livingstone Mashele, interviewed by Victoria Nish - By Sharon Jessop - By Sharon Jessop 4

- By French Bistro

- By Ben David - By Ben David - Louise Parker Lesego Nchunga

5

Publishers: Editor: Advertising Sales: Contributors:

Millenia Publishing Victoria Nish Felistus Senwamadi Addi Lang Ben David Justin Cohen Susan Davids Lesego Nchunga Setshwano Ngope

Dear Reader

Louise Parker Nyeleti Maluleka Felistus Senwamadi

In South Africa, we are very grateful to have had a series of delightful thunderstorms bringing much needed rain water to our dry land. I know many people do not appreciate the sound of thunder and lightening, but I delight at the majestic sound of it’s power. I watch with respectful awe, as the dense clouds release its precious liquid to the earth.

Victoria Nish Email: victoria@milleniapublishing.co.za Email: felistus@milleniapublishing.co.za www.milleniapublishing.co.za

As with everything in life, an event can either be experienced positively or negatively. That perspective lies in the polarised power of our minds. Every entrepreneur, leader or remarkable individual I have met and interviewed has had a similar process happen in the deep recesses of their minds and thought patterns. Now whether this talent to think differently is innate or has been developed in childhood or adulthood by a mentor, the result of thinking is the same.

They see the world differently to others. Hence many are misunderstood, mocked and ridiculed by the norm of society. They have all had a pivotal moment where their thinking shifts from the norm of ‘Justification of negative / bad / destructive thought and behaviour’s to a state of: I AM MY OWN MASTER. The creator of my own life and how I experience it. Fear has no place, neither is there a home for pessimism.

I have long been in search of this treasured thought pattern. I have journeyed tirelessly to change my thinking and shift my creative process, and am proud to say that I have made great strides forward. The greatest gift you can give yourself is permission to be a creator. To never submit to circumstance and to give yourself the energy and power to build yourself a joyful life.

Key ingredients in these individuals are: Love, Gratitude, Compassion and a constant inward review to grow and be better.

ALL true leaders, true powerful souls have these traits and gracefully aid those on a journey of discovery. So whether the sun is shining or the rain is falling and we hear the power of the thunder, remember there is power and joy in every experience.

Choose it! Have a beautiful and kind Christmas.

6

‘A woman who can master marginal consistency builds absolute greatness, trial after trial, day after day.’ Millenia Publishing

This month Millennial Woman

what has not only kept her afloat

It seems the sky can only be the

celebrates a Botswana grown

and sailing, but her standards have

limit for Ms. Mafika!

beauty with a sharp intellect who

made her attractive to foreign

has not only managed to break the

investors such as the likes of Lebo

Over

glass ceiling in a male centric

Gunguluza of Dragon’s Den. This

Millennial Woman,

industry in Botswana, but still

has resulted in a great partnership

Mafika expressed her seemingly

continues

into

between the two entrepreneurial

natural gift of business acumen

neighbouring markets. Sukoluhle

minds that will see Rosewell

which was backed up by a passion

Mafika, founder and Managing

Chauffeurs emerged in the South

for business. Since her return from

Director of Rosewell Chauffeurs,

African market under Gem Driven-

England in 2011 where she had

has succeeded in the private luxury

a high-end private luxury car

graduated in a Masters in Human

car transportation business since its

transportation service that also

Geography and continued to work

inception at the end of 2012. Her

comes with private security and

in the field for another two years,

clearly defined niche as well as

protection services similar to those

she has slowly but progressively

extraordinary but uncompromising

provided by Rosewell Chauffeurs.

grown a responsive market for her

to

soar

high

standards in her line of business are 8

a

conversation

transportation services.

with

Sukoluhle

they say is history; Rosewell

Collaboration and synergies are my key delivery secret Upon her return, Suku (as she is

Chauffeurs was now in business

Suku: The business was started

and 2013 marked the beginning

with rental cars (fully insured and

of growth and prosperity for the

to ensure continual availability).

young and ambitious Sukoluhle

I did a lot of market research

Mafika.

when putting down my idea which I found was very essential

popularly known) then worked as a Senior GIS Consultant in

Suku on her journey;

in order to understand the line of

Botswana but quickly felt that the

Suku started as one of the drivers

work I was getting myself into

role was not challenging enough

of Rosewell Chauffeurs in order

and the different ways I could

for her. She realised a gap in the

to build precedence of the

operate such a service. From all

market

cab

standard and quality of service

my research I found that most

transportation service after having

that she desired. Ordinarily the

international chauffeurs do not

a “bad and unforgettable cab ride

business started off with a few

use their own cars which takes

with loud music playing and no

resources and was self-financed

away the overall task of car

consideration for her from the

by her savings in its first year, but

maintenance. The first year in

driver as a paying passenger�, she

later got approved funding from

business was very interesting; the

says shaking her head. After

the

Entrepreneurial

market was very responsive

deciding that she had had enough

Development Agency (CEDA) in

though it had started off a bit

of bad transportation services, she

Botswana.

The first year of

unsteady (She says nervously),

naturally merged her technical

business came with consistent

Rosewell Chauffeurs got a lot of

knowledge and experience with

growth despite the expected

media coverage and we also

business

and

hurdles in business. Her main

started some major projects in the

entrepreneurial attributes. She

objective was to set a clear

transport

then decided to conduct research

structure of operation; a safe,

government and the private

and emailed local hotels and

clean

reliable transport

sector- We got our first state visit

resorts to enquire about their need

service- and that formed the

within the first 3 months of the

for transportation services of a

direction to which Rosewell

year! (She says with a smile that

better quality and standard for

steadily moved.

brightens up the room).

for

a

reliable

skills

Citizen

and

industry

for

both

their private and elite clients.

With just one email, Rosewell

Millenia: How did you structure

Chauffeurs got its first 3 clients

your business operations from

in just one day, and the rest as

the beginning?

I am on fire! I get even more fired up when I meet other entrepreneurial women 9

Millenia: How is the current operations structure of the business?

Suku: I have 18 staff members who I believe are the right individuals for Rosewell Chauffeurs. After the coming and going of staff which is to be expected in business, I now have the right team, some whom I started with. We have a standard 8 vehicles, but can have up to 40 based on requirements.

Our

additional

competitive advantage is vehicle protection; we offer either a close protection officer with the vehicle or a security driver with the right skills to protect our clients.

Millenia: How do you manage your staff in such a business?

Suku: I am very straight forward with my expectations so as not to compromise on service. In our business, we cannot afford to compromise service because my clients are very particular with their requirements; one missed car ride can be a missed flight, a missed business meeting and added costs, it is a ripple effect! I always make sure I keep emotions out of work; I have Suku the individual and Suku the Director of a company and that is how I address my staff because Rosewell Chauffeurs is also a household name outside of me.

Millenia: What major difficulties

of clients did not believe I owned

and running operations of a

did you experience in growing

the

business?

Rosewell Chauffeurs (functional

Rosewell Chauffeurs was owned

Suku: Firstly, I would advise

business

by an old white man! (She laughs).

other entrepreneurs to set daily,

issues

or

market

company;

they

thought

weekly, monthly and yearly goals

response issues?

Millenia: How did you navigate

for themselves and their business

differentiation with taxis and oth-

through

major

and then do what is necessary to

er transport providers. At first,

hurdles/breakthroughs

you

achieve them; a good plan marks

the local market found our servic-

experienced?

es overpriced as compared to

Suku:

‘normal’ cab services especially

passionate

The main challenge was of

the

a good path and a great plan even very

more greater the path. Secondly,

Rosewell

it is very important to believe in

because our prices fluctuate de-

Chauffeurs and this has been a key

the product; if you do not believe

pending

ingredient otherwise I would not

in your product, nobody will buy

have has the ability to move

it- you have to sell it with your life

through the difficult experiences.

and believe that your service is

I am also passionate about

great! I personally believe in my

building brand presence and being

company and my staff otherwise

known for good reasons like

I would not be here.

on

personal

preference/use.

But as time went by, the quality and standard of service spoke for itself- Rosewell Chauffeurs offers complete value for money. The other challenge (or rather major task) was fleet maintenance, for example, the cars have to go for a

Passion.

I

about

outstanding

am

service.

Collaboration and synergies are

Millenia: What are you most

my key delivery secret.

proud of achieving on your journey?

fresh wash before each trip and therefore

it

was

not

easy

identifying a reliable car wash that understood the urgency of speedy service. There were issues such as staff uniforms that I had to make provisions for and of course driver etiquette training which is at the

you

Suku: When I sat to do a resume

attribute to the success of your

for Rosewell Chauffeurs and

business?

looking at the clientele we have

Suku: I believe our key success

had, I thought WOW! It was at

lies in building a well recognised

least 2 pages! And we had

brand which has broken through

affiliation with the right hotels and

country borders and gender gaps.

resorts. It has been an amazing

Millenia:

What

would

journey. Our new partnership with

core of the business and thus a priority (such as how to handle high-end clients, how to speak to them confidently, the need for confidentiality, etc.). Lastly, a lot

Millenia: What would you say is

Lebo Gunguluza under Gem

important

other

Driven is also one of my proudest

entrepreneurs to know in starting

moments, more so that Rosewell

for

Chauffeurs gets to grow beyond the borders of Botswana.

11

resources and focusing my energy on the new high end South African market and a more detailed chauffeur service. The aim is to stand out as a brand, start out in Johannesburg followed by Durban and Cape Town in 2017. We have already started in Johannesburg and have had a good response. We will

also

include

concierge

services because of a wider and open market.

Millenia: What lights a fire inside you?

Suku: I am on fire! I get even more fired up when I meet other Millenia: What have you learnt

entrepreneurial women. I am

to value most in your journey?

constantly seeking opportunities

Suku: I have learnt to value the

for collaboration/ mentorship and

time I spend with family the most;

coaching, so it is always great to

when I am not in work mode but

be in the company of other

just doing me and having peace of

entrepreneurs- that is how I met

mind. When I am with my 22

Lebo Gunguluza.

months old son the Managing Director cape comes off and I am

Millenia: What is your message

just a mommy at home and it is

to everyone with a dream to

such a great feeling! (Glowing as

fulfill?

she speaks).

Suku: Be faithful and have confidence in your product and

12

Millenia: What is your next

focus is key; don’t be lost in the

move?

entrepreneurship world- pick a

Suku: Restructuring Rosewell

product, focus on your brand and

Chauffeurs by cutting down on

do not do too many things at once.

Managing the Hidden Stress of Emotional Labour by Susan David mind), but it is perhaps more

empathize with her and care about

important at work because most of us

solving her problem”) or “surface act”

are there many hours per week, and

(“I’ll be nice here, but deep down I’m

our professional images and livelihoods

really spitting nails”).

depend on it.

Research shows that the tendency to

With the possible exception of Sesame Street’s Oscar the Grouch, very few of us have the luxury of being able to be completely and utterly ourselves all the time at work. The rest of us are called upon to perform what psychologists call “emotional labor” — the effort it

For example, your boss makes a

engage in this latter aspect of emotional

meant-to-be inspiring comment about

labor — surface acting, in which there is

doing more with less, and you smile

a high level of incongruity between what

and nod, but what you’d like to do is

people feel and what they show, either

upend

A

through faking or suppressing their

customer talks down to you about the

emotions — comes with real costs to

poor service she says she received,

the person and the organization. When

and you’re unfailingly polite and

people habitually evoke the stress of

solicitous, even though you resent

surface acting, they’ll be more prone to

being patronized. Or perhaps you

depression and anxiety, decreased job

simply had a poor night’s sleep, yet you

performance, and burnout. This has an

push yourself to remain energetic and

effect on others, too: Leaders who

upbeat because you’ve been told —

surface act at work are more likely to be

more often than you care to count —

abusive to their employees, by belittling

that “great” leaders bring positivity and

them and invading their privacy, for

inspiration to their team. Emotional

example. And job stress can spill over

labor is a near universal part of every

into home life. In one study of hotel

job, and of life; often it’s just called

employees who did a lot of surface

being polite.

acting on the job (“Yes, ma’am, I’d be

the

conference

table.

delighted to bring you a fluffier robe!”)

takes to keep your professional game face on when what you’re doing is not concordant with how you feel. We do this outside the office too (making polite chit-chat in the elevator when you’re feeling tired and surly comes to

However, the extent to which one

their spouses were more likely to see

acts makes a meaningful difference. A

their partners’ work as a source of

person can “deep act” in a way that is

conflict and to wish they would find

still connected with his or her core

another job, in the hopes that their

values and beliefs at work (“Yes, the

relationship would be less strained.

customer is being patronizing, but I

14

work to reduce your emotional labor

your work, it may be a sign that change

and feel better about the way you’re

is in order.

spending your days.

Consider whether you can work with your There are common contexts in which surface acting comes about, including: ● a mismatch between your personality (for example, level of

introversion

or

extroversion) and what is expected from you in your role ● a misalignment of values, when

Connecting to your larger

manager to tweak your job so that it is

purpose — you are learning skills that

more aligned with what is of value to

are critical to your overall career; you’re

you. For example, if, when you visit the

in a dull but stable job right now

satellite offices of your firm, you’re

because your children need health

stimulated by the new people you meet

insurance and being a good parent is

and their different ways of doing things,

important to you — will help you feel

perhaps you could propose a project

more connected to your work.

that could involve more of these kinds

what you’re being asked to do

of visits. The goal is to make your job

doesn’t accord with what you believe in ● a workplace culture in which particular ways of expressing emotion (what psychologists call

“display

rules”)

are

endorsed — or not The ideal, of course, would be to work in a job to which you are so well suited that your actions and feelings are always in perfect harmony, eliminating the need for you to be exhaustingly inauthentic all day. In real life, however, the goal of keeping your surface acting to a minimum and instead engaging in deep acting, where the role is aligned with who you truly are, is a more attainable one. Assuming you find meaning in the work you do and don’t feel you’re in the entirely wrong field,

It’s easy to

more interesting, so that less emotional

fall into a “time to make the donuts”

labor is required. When we typically

mentality,

as

think of stress at work, we focus on

something you “have to” do. And most

time pressures, information overload,

of us don’t have the financial resources

and change as the causes. Yet the

for work to truly be optional. But

emotional labor that you invest in your

allowing yourself to appreciate the

job can be a significant source of

aspects of your job that give you a

demand, and is worth considering and

charge — maybe it’s brainstorming with

managing.

thinking

ofall

work

colleagues or making systems more efficient — elevates yourwork into something you choose to do, rather than something required of you. To be clear, I am not suggesting you “just think positive” or try to rationalize away real concerns. But do become more aware of the subtle traps of language in which work tasks, even ones you might enjoy, are framed as chores. If you can’t find a true “want to” in key components of

Susan David is a founder of the Harvard/McLean Institute of Coaching and is on faculty at Harvard.

She is author of Emotional Agility (Avery, 2016) based on the concept named by HBR as a Management Idea of the Year. An in-demand speaker and advisor, David has worked with the senior leadership of hundreds of major organizations, including the United Nations, Ernst & Young, and the World Economic Forum. For more information, go to www.susandavid.com or @SusanDavid_PhD.

here are some things you can do at

15

3 Ways to Better Understand Your Emotions

By Susan David Dealing effectively with emotions is a key leadership skill. And naming our

Consider these two examples: Neena is

develop greater levels of emotional

emotions — what psychologists call

in a meeting with Jared and the whole

agility, a critical capability that enables us

labeling — is an important first step in

time he has been saying things that make

to interact more successfully with

dealing with them effectively. But it’s

her want to explode. In addition to

ourselves and the world. Yes, Neena

harder than it sounds; many of us

interrupting her at every turn, he’s

may be mad, but what if she is also sad?

struggle to identify what exactly we are

reminded everyone again about that one

Sad that her project failed, and maybe

feeling, and often times the most

project she worked on that failed. She’s

also anxious that that failure is going to

obvious label isn’t actually the most

so angry. Mikhail gets home after a long

haunt her and her career. With Jared

accurate. There are a variety of reasons

day and sighs as he hangs up his coat. His

interrupting her so frequently, that

why this is so difficult:

wife asks if anything’s wrong. “I’m just

anxiety feels increasingly justified. Why

stressed,” he says, pulling out his laptop

didn’t the project work? And what’s

to finish a report.

going to become of her job now? All of

● We’ve been trained to believe that strong emotions should be suppressed.

these emotions feed into her anger, but

● We have certain (sometimes unspoken) organizational

societal rules

Anger and stress are two of the

they are also separate feelings that she

and

emotions we see most in the workplace

should identify and address. And what if

against

— or at least those are the terms we use

what’s behind Mikhail’s stress is the fact

expressing them.

16

for them most frequently. Yet they are

that he’s just not sure he’s in the right

● Or we’ve never learned a

often masks for deeper feelings that we

career? Long days used to be fun — why

language to accurately describe

could and should describe in more

aren’t they any more? He’s surely

our emotions.

nuanced and precise ways, so that we

stressed, but what’s going on under that?

side, having the right vocabulary allows us to to see the real issue at hand–to ones. Being able to say that you are take a messy experience, understand it excited about a new job (not just more clearly, and build a roadmap to “nervous”) or trusting of a colleague address the problem. Here are three (not just “he’s nice”), for example, will ways to get a more accurate and precise help you set your intentions for the role sense of your emotions:

or the relationship in a way that is more likely to lead to success down the road.

These questions open up a world of potential inquiry and answers for Neena and Mikhail. Like them, we need a more

If you’re experiencing a

nuanced vocabulary for emotions, not

strong emotion, take a moment to

just for the sake of being more precise,

consider what to call it. But don’t stop We’re apt to leap to basic descriptors

but because incorrectly diagnosing our

there: once you’ve identified it, try to like “angry” or “stressed” even when

emotions makes us respond incorrectly.

come up with two more words that our feelings are far less extreme. I had a

If we think we need to attend to anger,

describe how you are feeling. You might client Ed (not his real name) who was

we’ll take a different approach than if

be surprised at the breadth of your struggling in his marriage; he frequently

we’re

or

emotions — or that you’ve unearthed a described his wife as “angry” and got

anxiety — or we might not address

deeper emotion buried beneath the angry frequently in return. But as the

them at all. It’s been shown that when

more obvious one. Here’s a vocabulary vocabulary

people don’t acknowledge and address

list of emotion terms; you can find much emotion comes in a variety of flavors.

their emotions, they display lower

more by searching Google for any one of When we talked about other words for

wellbeing and more physical symptoms

these.

handling

disappointment

suggests,

every

his wife’s emotions, Ed saw that there were times that she was perhaps just

of stress, like headaches. There is a high cost to avoiding our feelings. On the flip

chart

It’s equally important to do this with annoyed or impatient. This insight “positive” emotions as well as “negative”

transformed their relationship because

develop insights into what those

emotion, and writing it out—when

he could suddenly see that she wasn’t

feelings meant (or didn’t mean!), using

trying to better understand another

just angry all the time. This meant he

phrases such as “I have learned,” “It

person’s emotions. As we saw with the

could actually respond to her specific

struck me that,” “The reason that,” “I

example of Ed and his wife, we are just

emotion and concern without getting

now realize,” and “I understand.” The

as likely to mislabel someone else’s

angry himself. Similarly, it matters in

process of writing allowed them to gain

emotions as our own, with similarly

your own self-assessment whether you

a new perspective on their emotions

complicating

are angry or just grumpy, mournful or

and to understand them and their

understanding what they are feeling

just dismayed, elated or just pleased. As

implications more clearly.

more precisely, you will be better

you label your emotions, also rate them

consequences.

By

equipped to respond in a constructive

on a scale of 1-10. How deeply are you

Here’s an exercise you can use to

feeling the emotion? How urgent is it,

reflect through writing. You could do

or how strong? Does that make you

this every day, but it’s particularly

Once you understand what you are

choose a different set of words?

useful when you’re going through a

feeling, then you can better address and

tough time or a big transition, or if

learn from those more accurately

James Pennebaker has

you’re feeling emotional turmoil—or if

described

done 40 years of research into the links

you’ve had a difficult experience that

addresses the sadness and regret she

between

you think you haven’t quite processed..

feels in the wake of her failed project

writing

and

emotional

way.

emotions.

If

Neena

processing. His experiments revealed

● Set a timer for 20 minutes

— as well as the anxiety about what it

that

about

● Using either a notebook or

means for her career — that is more

episodes

computer, write about your

productive than trying to figure out

experience a marked increase in their

emotional experiences from

how to deal with her anger at Jared.

physical and mental well-being.

the past week, month, or year.

And if Mikhail can recognize his own

● Don’t worry about making it

career anxiety, he can start to craft a

people

emotionally

who

write

charged

Moreover, in a study of recently laid-off

perfect or readable: go where

plan

workers, he found that those who

your mind takes you.

deliberately — rather than simply

● At the end, you don’t have to

delved into their feelings of humiliation, relationship

save the document; the point

difficulties were three times more likely

is that those thoughts are now

to have been reemployed than those in

out of you and on the page.

anger,

anxiety,

and

control groups. These experiments

You

also revealed that over time those who

approaches—broadening

wrote about their feelings began to

vocabulary, noting the intensity of an

can

also

use

these

three your

to

build

his

future

more

miring himself in more of the same work when he gets home each night.

Dance of the Butterfly … cancer awareness The story that affects us all,

For those of you who are not familiar

because of her background in the

CANCER knows no boundaries, no

with The Forever Changed Global

performing arts, to be sure that

matter how rich or famous, no

Awareness Campaign, it is all about

audiences

matter how thin or fat, no matter

CHOICES. Choices of how you live

More than that it is about you as the

how healthy or not, no matter what

your life, and a reminder of what

audience

age, no matter what race or gender.

options there are for all of us.

empowered,

are

ENTERTAINED.

not

ONLY

being

educated,

and

entertained, but about YOU as the PINKtober saw the launch of the

Addi has aptly named her new

public supporting brave cancer

“Live Life Deliberately” Corporate

chapter “Dance Of The Butterfly”

warriors who are fighting for their

Wellness Workshops, Addi Lang

which is in support of the Forever

lives, as proceeds from each event are

says she is honoured to be working

Changed

Awareness

donated directly to warriors. All

with MediaCom South Africa, which

Campaign which runs 365 (days each

warriors understand just how difficult

will enhance her efforts, not only to

year)..These events have been hosted

it is to walk this journey, not only

spread the campaign message with

by ambassadors worldwide, (with the

physically and emotionally, but as

ambassadors, but to further assist

launch in Hollywood in March 2016),

Addi knows only too well, financially.

battle weary warriors and honour

already seen in Johannesburg, Durban

fallen

and Cape Town, with the next event

Celebrity Ambassadors involved in

in Israel on 5th December 2016.

the spread of the global campaign

warriors.

This

campaign

launched in October 2014 at a well

Global

include Aly Cook in New Zealand,

attended press conference and is going from strength to strength. Other

The background into the (IP)

Nate Butler in Atlanta, Blaze

lifestyle partners include Jetline

Intellectual Property of the “Dance of

Johnson, from “The Voice,” USA,

Sandown, 4AKID and AfoodAffair.

The Butterfly Events”, firstly this is

(thanks

the only official public event, which

Management South Africa) South

Lang, (who is not only a family

is licensed to screen The Forever

African

member, friend, or colleague, to so

Changed Documentary around the

Emmanuel Castis, including Sean

many of us in the film industry and

world, and is produced and directed

Michael Cameron, Renos Nicos

performing world), is the founder of

by The African Motion Picture

Spanoudes and TV and Radio

Company. Secondly, it is Addi’s

Producer/Presenter Paulinah Somo.

the

Forever

Changed

Global

Awareness Campaign, and is also the

intention

executive producer of The Forever

EDUCATE the audiences, also

Changed Documentary.

to

EMPOWER

to

Just

Award

You

Winning

Model

Actor

and

19

As Addi was diagnosed in a late

person interviewed was welcome

blood sweat and tears that have

stage, and as the brave cancer

to share their thoughts and views

gone into this campaign which is

warrior that she is, she has

by explaining and sharing their

spreading the butterfly effect. A

chosen to live her life deliberately

own treatment choices, but ALL

very

and to inspire others. To date

signed a disclaimer that they may

message which is to rattle all of

Addi

and

NOT say that there is a cure for

you to your core that will remind

maintained her campaign over

cancer or that their method of

you to avoid apathy and live life

the past 850 days. Despite her

treatment is a cure for anyone,

deliberately.

own unfortunate circumstances of

other than what they have done

medical negligence and of not

for themselves and the research

having adequate medical aid and

that they have done. My reason

no

she

for this was and still is…to honour

2.

surgery

and

and respect the many fallen

3. and simply.. “your life, your

and

was

warriors who have been family

the

and friends to me, who fought so

riveting documentary. Addi wears

bravely, that have died of cancer,

chemotherapy,radiation,

THIS pink ribbon proudly as her

and to their grieving families.

or oncology in general.

valued contribution to society

Fellow warrior, that you have

5. I AM for every warrior, who

which she sees as a roadmap for

seen, 36 year old, lead in TV

have earned their right to

health enthusiasts, care givers

Series “Black Sails”, well known

CHOOSE how they want

and warriors. This roadmap is

international actor Jannes Eiselen

to LIVE their lives.

something that she believes had

is

SHE been enlightened to years

documentary,

has

self

insurance

underwent chemotherapy determined

to

funded

cover,

complete

the

2nd

clear

global

warning

1. NO sugar coating, the truth 365. know YOUR health rights.

CHOICE”.

4.

I am NOT for or against

this

6. I AM for every warrior, who

very

have earned their right to

ago, would have changed the

determined and so positive, to

CHOOSE their treatment

course of her life and the choices

have just gained his angel

options

that she made at the time of her

wings…Rest In Peace friend..,

formed decisions.

diagnosis. Addi has chosen not to

with 41 year old Sebastian Bono

undergo any further tests or

speaking about the physiological

quantity,

treatment and to live her life as

battle, who was the first to gain

treatment options avail-

colourfully,

his angel wings...Rest In Peace

able.

naturally

and

holistically as possible.

warrior all

in so

friend...,whom I am certain are

7.

8.

by

making

in-

A question of quality VS including

ALL

Conventional OR holistic

both smiling and watching over us

treatment?... a very per-

About the Forever Changed

today. It has indeed been a very

sonal decision.

Documentary Addi says

interesting journey… I am forever

“At the start of the filming of this

grateful to have gained such a

documentary which was in July

large following of like minded

2015, I highlighted that each

butterflies who understand the

20

As many of you know, I believe we are all butterflies having a human experience, and just like the

tattoo

on

Jannes

arm

said…”This Too Shall Pass”... My family and Davidka, my beloved better half, my rock...thank you for helping me to see the funny side of life and for bearing witness to my life”. Let THIS campaign be YOUR pink ribbon and wear it proudly all

From Left to right: Addi Lang, David Solomon, Michelle

year round. I am forever grateful,

Wood, and Reno Nicos Spanoudes

forever blessed and remain forever changed and send love, light and butterfly blessings”.

Contact Details: Corporate Wellness Workshops & Public Events contact: Belinde Davidson (National Campaign Director) on 082 465 8908 or email belinded@imaginet.co.za and see www.foreverchanged.co.za

21

Personal Finance Simplified © THE PERSONAL BUDGET

By Setshwano Ngope

MérlotWEALTH™

The cornerstone of any good fi-

sets the parameter for you, as

nancial plan is a budget, you

you need to be living within this

cannot begin the process of fi-

income if you are to live com-

nancial planning without it – you

fortably. Once you’ve written it

would be starting in the wrong

down, interrogate it – is this

place.

how much your time is worth? Is this what you are happy to be

The Power of Knowing

earning, in relation to the life-

A budget is simply a plan, a

style that you desire? If not, the

guide, a script that details the

onus is on you to devise means

coming ins and going outs of

to increase your income, legally.

™ without: Rent/mortgage (basic shelter, the roof over your head), food (what you need to nourish yourself and your family, minus the bacon, olives and feta cheese), electricity (minus the wifi), water, medical aid, insurance premiums. These are your basic basic needs. If you have a young family, your

your money. It is a means for you to direct where you want

Besides stipulating your in-

your money to go. At the very

come, the core purpose of your

top of the budget, is your in-

budget is to shine a bright spot-

come, how much you earn – be

light on you expenses. Start list-

it a salary, business income,

ing your needs – the basic things

rental income or any other in-

that you need to live, the ones

come. Your total income is what

that you absolutely cannot live

maid/helper’s salary might qualify as a basic need, as well as school fees for the kids (which you absolutely must break down to a monthly amount, to avoid having to borrow a lump sum to pay them every term).

23

centage is it of your income? Is it

Spend a moment to reflect on what your life would be like if all

You Now know, Now What?

more than 40% of your income?

you spent on was only your basic

The point of budgeting is to face

If so, what can you do to reduce

needs – how much would you

the truth about where your mon-

it? You don’t want to be carrying

save? How much could you af-

ey goes, so that you may redirect

more debt than you can handle,

ford to invest in your future as a

it if need be. EVERY WOMAN

because as much as loans can

result?

NEEDS TO KNOW HOW MUCH

help you to achieve some of your

To complete the process, factor

IT COSTS THEM TO LIVE ON A

personal financial goals, the

in all your other expenses; cloth-

MONTHLY BASIS! Every woman

money that you put towards pay-

ing, entertainment, wifi @home,

needs to know exactly how much

ing them off is money that could

repayments on loans ( credit

debt they are carrying, so that

be going in your pocket. The ba-

cards, personal loans..). Add all

they can take appropriate action,

sic principle about debt is that

this up, and you will get to a very

because the ultimate goal is fi-

you must carry only the bare

important figure –what it costs

nancial security, and you budget

minimum (ideally your home and

you to live on a monthly basis!

is the means to that end.

car loan is all the debt you should be carrying, if you can you may

Once you know this figure, once you know WHERE your income

Now that you can see the truth

even want to be without the car

goes every month, you are in a

about your money (your in-

loan). Depending on the debt

powerful position to take ac-

come), and where it goes (your

load that you carry, you may

tion…

expenses), now you must look at

need to restructure, consolidate

all your debts. How much are you

or just keep on the track that you

The questions to reflect on will

spending every month to service

are on (if you are on a good

be many…are my expenses rea-

your loans? What interest rate

track). But the important thing is

sonable for the income that I

are you paying on each of your

that only your budget will reveal

earn? Am I spending too much on

loans? Why do you even still have

the truth about where you are.

rent? Could I scale down? Am I

the loans that you have? Do you

carrying too much debt? If so,

even still remember what you did

what can I do about it? How

with the money? Did you put it in

much of my debt can I pay off to

things that are now making you

free up some cash for invest-

money? What is the total amount

ments? Am I investing enough

that you are spending on your

for my future?

loans every month? What per-

24

Having constructed your budget with as much honesty as possible, you would have paved the way to your financial security.

Depending on your financial sit-

income – you don’t want this ra-

This article was written by Ms

uation, you may want to consult

tio to exceed 40%), and your

Setshwano Sharey Ngope. She is

a wealth manager to help you to

savings ratio (the percentage of

the MD of MerlotWEALTH™ –

navigate your financial situation.

your income that you channel

an independent pan-African ad-

But having constructed your

towards savings – you want this

visory practice that specializes in

budget with as much honesty as

to be as high as possible).

financial advisory and wealth management. Ms Ngope is also

possible, you would have paved the way to your financial securi-

When all is said and done, you

the founder of the Botswana Fi-

ty. Having done your budget,

cannot begin to plan your fi-

nancial Literacy Excellence Cent-

you will be able to calculate a

nances with a budget. You can

er (BFLEC) – a personal finance

number of ratios that will reveal

do it every month, every quarter

foundation that conducts re-

your true financial health – your

or every year, depending on

search, does policy advocacy and

debt service ratio (how much

what suits you and your family.

designs financial literacy programs for the youth and women.

debt you carry relative to your

MérlotWEALTH™

™ 25

th 4

Welcome to the Industrial Revolution!

Make no mistake this is a revolution

The top three companies produced

that will change the way we live and

about the same revenue as Detroit in

work. You can see the beginnings in

1990.

that

little

device

in

your

pocket: ubiquitous, mobile supercomputing. You can see it in artificially-intelligent robots, self-driving cars, neuro-technological brain enI usually don't talk much about the future. That's because there are two kinds of futurists, those who don't know and those who know they don't know! But finally I can see that something extraordinary is happening today which is providing a clearer

hancements, genetic editing, and a reality TV talk show host with an extreme comb-over who is now leader of the free word. The evidence of

three in Detroit employed 1.2 million people, the top three in Silicon Valley employed just 137 000 – 10 times fewer! Automation and digitalization have radically reduced the need for labor and will continue to do so.

dramatic change is all around us.

And it’s happening at exponential speed.

The winning companies

picture of tomorrow. If we don't face

It’s become a platitude of corporate

up to it, we are going to get left be-

speak but no word better describes The decline of labor

hind.

To understand how this affects work, We

are

on

the

brink

of

the

look at how it already has. In 1990 Detroit was the planet’s economic

4th industrial revolution, what founder and chairman of the World Economic Forum, Klaus Schwab calls nothing less than the transformation of humankind.

26

But here’s the kicker - while the top

juggernaut, producing more cars than anywhere else. The top three companies had revenues of around $250 billion. In 2014, Silicon Valley was the new economic power house.

the

corporate

zeitgeist

than disruption. Established industries are being shaken up by nimble startups who are quicker to respond to changing currents. It’s easier to turn a speed boat than the Titanic.

But even that speed boat may not stay afloat. In the 1920’s the average lifespan of an S&P 500 company

was 67 years. Today it’s just 15.

No wonder Kurzweil and others be-

would have a tower that would go to the moon. Fold it 103 times and it

The list of winners has become a

lieve at the current rate of progress

chorus, speakers chant at corporate

in 2025 computers will become

conferences. Airbnb, the biggest

more powerful than humans, and

accommodation

that

within a couple of decades after, we

owns no property, Facebook, the

could crack aging and death. Sound

world’s most popular media compa-

like a crackpot theory? It was on the

ny that produces none of it’s con-

cover of a Time Magazine article:

Combine all that power with internet

tent, and of course Uber, the

“2045: The year that man becomes

enabled crowd sourcing - that’s the

biggest taxi company that owns no

immortal.” Just think about it. All you

ability to leverage the resources of

taxis.

need to do is eat healthily and exer-

almost anyone on the planet with a

cise till 2045 and you could live

computer connection - and you see

forever!” Okay, I wouldn’t bet on it,

why in just five years Uber became

but why does progress continue to

more

accelerate at such an unbelievable

Airlines. “Give me a lever long

speed?

enough and I’ll move the world,”

company

If you pity all those taxi companies that Uber put out of business, spare a thought for all the Uber drivers who will lose their jobs to self-driv-

decade. And it’s not just Uber drivers. According to Klaus Schwab, within the next ten years, 30% of all corporate audits will be performed by computers.

That’s

exponential

growth

and

that’s what’s happening to computing power as we speak.

valuable

than

Delta

said Archamedes. That lever is the

ing cars. Change that used to take a generation now takes less than a

would be as thick as the universe!

Our new super powers

internet. Uber doesn’t pay for all those cars. Facebook certainly

To understand progress today, you

doesn’t pay us for our latest status

need to understand Moore’s Law –

update, but we’re building their

the doubling of computing power

business. No wonder that the com-

every 18 months. Gordon Moore

panies at the heart of this tech

made that observation in 1965

boom are growing the fastest.

when he realized that the number of The end of death We don’t realize how fast the world is changing because it’s happening all around us. Just like the earth.

We don’t feel it spinning at 1600

transistors per square inch of integrated circuit had doubled every

Just last week the CEO of one of

year. That’s not quite true any more

South Africa’s top four banks told

but data density has continued to

me that his biggest fear isn’t anoth-

double.

er bank, its Apple, Google, Amazon and Twitter who all have, or are

km/hr, because we’re moving with

starting to offer payment services.

it. So how fast is change happen-

Now in the early year’s of Moore’s

ing? Where companies generally

observation doubling might not

grew at a linear rate, according to

have meant very much but every

computer scientist, Ray Kurzeil, to-

year it means a whole lot more. To

day they can grow exponentially.

see what continual doubling leads

What’s the difference? Take 30

to, fold a piece of paper in half. Not

steps linearly you get to 30, take 30

so impressive. But if you could fold

steps exponentially and you get to a

a piece of paper 42 times how far do

billion!

you think it would stretch? You

Adversity is the way life educates us.

27

VUCA

Not at all. There is much we can do.

fittest will survive. Actually he

With accelerating computing power

In Norway, they have a saying:

said:

and interconnection, it become even

“There is no such thing as bad

harder to say what is going to hap-

weather, only bad clothing.” Perhaps

pen next. Who knows exactly what

it is not a coincidence that Norway is

I say those who lead change will

increasingly connected human intel-

ranked as the best place in the world

do more than survive, those are

ligence working with even greater

to live. With an attitude like that even

the ones who will thrive. I don’t

artificial intelligence will create? Elon

living in sub zero temperatures won’t

know why change has become

Musk and Stephen Hawking believe

stop your success.

that computers could take over and decide that the world would be better without human intelligence. I’m more optimistic that we won’t be murdered by a Frankenstein creation.

those

who

are

most

responsive to change will survive.

such a swear word, if tomorrow always looked like yesterday, life

The solution? Wake up to reality. In Zulu, Vuca – spelled Vuka - means “Wake Up”. Here is how to wake up

would bore us to tears. There is no certainty, just adventure!

and deal with it.

Complexity

What ever happens in the end, man-

Volatility

agement theorists like to describe the new world we live in as VUCA – volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. The term was created by the US Army War College to describe the world that emerged at the end of the Cold War but it is even better suited to the world we live in today.

The joke is we need a one handed economist because economists generally tell us on the one hand the economy could rise and on the other it could fall. We need to prepare for either. Resilience is more important than prescience. Make sure you have a rainy day fund. Don’t be fooled by job security. Be the best that you can be and there will always

You only have to look at the rand to

be a place for you. When tough

see volatility, the state of our politics

times come, as they will, embrace

to see uncertainty. Try sell a product

them as an opportunity to learn and

in a world of TV, print, billboards,

grow. Adversity is the way life edu-

Facebook marketing, Google Ad-

cates us.

words, Twitter …. and complexity will become your constant companion. As for ambiguity, just look at the

Uncertainty

various explanations for our stagnat-

You’ve heard it before - change is

ing growth.

inevitable – except from a vending machine! What isn’t inevitable is

Does that mean all we can do is

our response. It’s widely thought

throw our hands in the air and accept

that that Charles Darwin said the

that the winds will blow as they may?

28

There are multiple variables. We need to experiment with different options and be ready to fail. As they say in Silicon Valley, Fail fast and fail often. Actually there is no failure – only feedback! Besides, as Bill Gates says: “Success is a lousy teacher, it seduces smart people into thinking they can’t lose.” If you do lose, as the the Dalai Lama says: “Don’t lose the lesson!”

Forget about predicting the next storm rather build a better ship!

In an ambiguous world, value is not in knowing the truth but in the depth and richness of your perspective. It is rarely one person who can offer this. The wisest person in the room, is the room. Don’t just use your brain, use all the brains you can borrow. The most intelligent people are the most socially intelligent.

They are the ones who are able to leverage the intelligence of their network.

If you’re concerned about VUCA’s tempestuous currents, forget about predicting the next storm rather build a better ship!

This article is based on Justin Cohen’s new presentation Future Fit: Success in the 4th industrial revolution. Justin is a best selling author and international speaker. For more information

go

to www.justinpresents.com

29

It is universally known that diamonds are a woman’s best friend; well shoes are a close second. Every woman’s closet is filled with many of these ‘dear friends’ but more often than not we find that the decision to buy a pair of shoes is not as simple as it seems. Many women particularly in the workplace find themselves with shoes that are either challenging to walk in (due to shape and/or height) or cannot be kept on for the duration of the full work day, resulting in them walking barefoot in a professional setting or opting to constantly change their shoes to flats in order to manoeuvre around. This practice is not only common but largely accepted across various professional arenas, which suggests that buying the right shoes has become an integral subject for women across all ranks and class.

Though not apparent, shoes form a significant part of a woman’s overall presentation, so having a comfortable and convenient pair of shoes is very much advisable.

Listed below is what Millennial Magazine terms the ‘Four Cs’ of buying the perfect shoe.

their owner. Thus it is important for women to select shoes that are a good representation of who they are. This means carefully and meticulously paying attention to shape, height, design and other elements that build the charisma of the shoe in order to manage others’ impression of you.

In buying shoes, most women opt for image over comfort. This is often a direct result of not-sogood marketing strategies that suggest that women’s shoes need to be a certain look/make/fashion for them to be considered influential. This notion has left a lot of women across the world stuck in a rut of feeling that they need to wear a certain type of shoe that is acceptable and thus ignoring their own comfort.

Having a comfortable pair of shoes avoids plenty distractions

With today’s busy working

This aspect of shoe selection is a

environment

with

given but often ignored by many

dynamic social scenery with many

women. Colour in itself can send

additional leisure activities, it has

out several diverse signals if used

become increasingly important to

incorrectly. The same applies for

ensure that one has a pair of shoes

shoes; some colours may be

that is versatile and adaptable to

appropriate for the workplace but

changing settings. A business

not suitable for a work function

meeting followed by a catch up

and vice versa. This also includes

session with friends does not need

elements such as glossiness,

to be a train wreck; a good shoe

prints, metallic edges, etc. The

should allow the flexibility of

usual focus for many women is

multipurpose

having shoes that match the

coupled

use.

Resourcefulness of a shoe is

overall

essential.

necessary focus on choosing a

outfit

without

the

from not being able to walk

desirable colour. A good colour

properly, pain or not being stable

shoe can give you the perfect

on their feet. It is worthy to note

combination of confidence and

that a lot of a woman’s presence

You can tell a lot about a woman’s

is in her stature and so if you are

character from the character of her

uncomfortable,

cannot

shoes. Contrary to popular belief,

present a strong and confident

shoes have a persona of their own

stance.

which outlines the personality of

you

class.

A good colour shoe can give you the perfect combination of confidence and class.

31

Engineering Maverick!

Livingstone Mashele Livingstone Mashele was born in

His industry of choice is an

He values his education and has

a small village in Burgersfort,

unforgiving one. The Engineering

ensured that he is well equipped to

Tzaneen, Limpopo. He was raised

field is not a field you choose to

do his expert work. He studied A

with a passion for education and a

build a career in if you just want to

Bachelor of Technology in civil

zest for life. He is now 34 years old

get by. By the same thought it is

Engineering at the Vaal University

and is married with 3 children, two

certainly not an industry you build

of Technology. Currently he is

girls and one boy. Livingstone’s

an entrepreneurship bug in if you

completing his MBA at Henley

sport of choice is Soccer, but,

do not have the capacity to handle

Business School. “It is my dream

having met this incredible man just

the

pressure,

to grow Hoxana Holdings and the

over a year ago and I know how he

exceptionally high standards with

Civil Engineering Background/

manages his business and life, I

no margin for error. Having

experience

can certainly say that he can handle

mentioned all of these elements

Technical aspect of the business,

anything that life throws at him.

you must be getting a sense of the

so I needed to understand the HR,

He has certainly seen his fair share

man and his character.

Financial, Strategy, International

extreme

covers

the

Business and Marketing aspect of

of challenges both personally and in business but he rises to the top

Strong, stable and determined is

every time.

Livingstone Mashele of Limpopo.

32

only

the business,� says Mashele.

Mashele started his career working

open for change and remain

for Engineering firms and grew his

alert to new opportunities.

Millenia: How did you finance it?

expertise and knowledge as well

● Learning is ongoing – Strive

Livingstone: From my savings. As

as a base of experience that would

for continuous personal de-

I mentioned earlier I started plan-

stand him in good stead to launch

velopment. Stay motivated by

ning the business in 2010, so

his dream, of owning his own

learning new skills and devel-

monthly I would save some mon-

business. Here are some of the

oping new talents (Especially

ey out of by salary towards estab-

questions

in business no one will teach

lishing of the business.

Millennial

Asked

Mashele about his dreams and goals and how he has managed to handle the challenges in his career.

Millenia: What were your career goals growing up?

Livingstone: Growth in Resourc-

you how to run business). ● Know yourself, believe in yourself and follow the HEART

est challenges starting up?

– Pursue your passion to find

Livingstone: Experience that cli-

fulfillment. Discover ways to

ents required of me was the

combine your interest with

toughest for me being a new en-

career opportunities.

trant and to compete with the

es, Financial Aspect, New Experiences, Stability and start a business

Millenia: Did you ever think that you would own your own business?

Livingstone: Yes it was always my dream to be my own Boss and

Millenia: What were your tough-

well-established firms was always Millenia: When did you decide to

tough.

start your own firm?

Livingstone: In 2010 but it took

Millenia: How did you manage to

me two years of the planning

get through them?

phase and in April 2012 I regis-

Livingstone:

tered it and worked on develop-

tracting to well-established com-

ing the company on a full time

panies and targeting the small

basis.

projects where the bigger firms

lead other to a greener pasture

Through

subcon-

did not have interest.

Mllenia: What gave you the edge

Millenia: During your early career years, what principles guided your choices and performance?

Livingstone: ● .Change is Constant (I believe that the world around me is changing and I need to be

to move out on your own?

Millenia: What are your toughest

Livingstone: I am good Technical-

challenges now?

ly and being humble and passion-

Livingstone:

ate gave me the edge to believe

toughest challenge. Most of our

that I can do it. I also consulted

clients don’t pay on time which is

successful entrepreneurs for guid-

not good for SMEs.

ance.

Cash flow is the

33

Millenia: Do you deal with chal-

them wisely. Some can be a

Livingstone: Yes. My dream is to

lenges the same way now as you

shoulder to cry on but some are

grow the Hoxana brand to be

did then? What has changed?

there to destroy you and criticize

amongst the Top 10 Civil engi-

Livingstone: No. I plan ahead and

you, however keep both charac-

neering firms in SA.

I know my clients better now so I

ters as it will make you stronger.

do proper cash flow planning.

Millenia: Do you consider yourMillenia:

What advice do you

self a millionaire?

Millenia: How do you balance

have for entrepreneurs today?

Livingstone: Yes. The company is

your career and family life de-

Livingstone: The world around

well established now. I have

mands?

you is changing and we need to

enough investments to be in a

Livingstone: In my weekly sched-

be open for change and remain

better position

ule I have the following:

alert to new opportunities. Also,

1. Downtime – where I spend

be humble and respect other peo-

Millenia: What’s next for you?

time with my family and

ple regardless of their level of sta-

Multi-millionaire, Billionaire?

friends.

tus and background because the

Livingstone: Billionaire

2. Get Moving- I spend an hour

world has become a global village

to two hours at the gym. Ex-

i.e you will never know what to-

Millenia: What are the 5 things

cising helps me to recharge.

morrow may bring.

you want to do in your lifetime?

Livingstone:

3. Relaxation – Take a drive to a quiet place and be by myself.

4. Limit time-wasting activities

Millenia: What is your favourite quote?

1. Purchase a well-established franchise

and people – I am a straight

Livingstone: “Live as if you were

2. Grow the Hoxana Brand

talk and I draw boundaries for

to die tomorrow. Learn as if you

2. Build a Community Hall for

my own happiness.

were to live forever.” By Mahat-

the

ma Gandhi

(Where I come from)

5. Start Smart and Build from

Burgersdorp

Village

3. Provide a Bursary at higher

there – I consider my mistake as part of the positive experi-

Millenia: Do you have a favourite

education institution for at

ence

book?

least 3 girls and 2 boys from

Livingstone: Yes. “Good to Great”

the village

Millenia: Do you have a biggest

by James C. Collins

LIFE LESSON? Livingstone: Don’t invest your life too much with friends. Choose 34

4. Assist the local soccer teams with kits and soccer balls to

Millenia: Are your still dreaming of new things to achieve?

motivate the younger ones.

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Spring clean your Fitness and Nutrition Routine By fitness and nutrition expert, Sharon Jessop Chances are that at least once a year; probably in January or September; you vow to commit to an exercise program. If you've had trouble with the follow-through, you're certainly not alone. Yet there are so many compelling reasons to make the commitment again and stick with it. If getting healthy and fit is important to you, and it should be, why not start today, and make healthy eating and exercise part of your life and your family’s lives?

Before we look at how you can “spring” back into action, there are a couple of issues we need to set straight.

36

The Difference between Weight Weight loss focus solely on Loss and Fat Loss reducing your body weight which is often merely you losing water We all want to be “skinny” for and muscle mass. Weight loss is summer, right? You are prepared not always healthy and never to “diet” to achieve your goal, sustainable in the long run. right?

Fat loss on the other hand focuses on reducing your body fat, both the subcutaneous (fat under the skin) and visceral fat (the fat inside the abdominal cavity around the organs); your hydration levels will remain suitably high and your lean Have you ever considered though muscle mass will remain intact. just how much damage you’re doing to your health whilst crash You want to preserve your lean dieting? There is a huge difference muscle mass, as it burns loads of between “weight loss” and “fat loss”.

But a diet is merely something you do temporarily to lose a lot of weight quickly merely to go back to your old bad habits once you’ve achieved your “goal”?

calories and incinerates body fat even while you are sleeping.

Losing fat and gaining muscle can literally turn your body into a fat burning furnace. This is where you want to be at, lean, muscular, fit and healthy – not skinny.

Is there an ideal body fat percentage?

The ideal body fat percentage varies considerably for men and women and also by age. The average healthy adult body fat range is 12 - 20% for men and 20 - 30% for women. Women with more than 32% body fat and men with more than 25% body fat are considered to be overweight and at increased risk of lifestyle diseases.

Can you go too low?

Extremely low body fat can also lead to health problems. A certain amount of body fat is vital for the body to be healthy and function normally.

Body fat percentage measurements calculate total body fat, and this can be split into 2 categories: Fat deposited just under the skin or subcutaneous fat. For the average man 12% of bodyweight is normal and for the average woman 15% of bodyweight. Essential Fat is the amount of fat absolutely necessary for maintenance of life and reproductive functions. For women the amount of essential fat is 13% of bodyweight and for men 3%.

For obvious reasons you want your visceral fat around the organs to be as low as possible.

Practical Tips For Losing FAT and not weight Set S.M.A.R.T. Goals For health and fitness purposes, a S.M.A.R.T. goal is Specific, Measurable, Attainable, and one that you can Reward yourself for as long as you meet it within a certain Time.

Meeting goals is satisfying and it helps build momentum. Just pay close attention to the "attainable" part as an unrealistic goal sets you up to fail. Instead of challenging yourself to exercise every day; rather aim at 2 – 3 days per week and be confident that you are able to do this. You can always increase the frequency as you become more fit. Likewise, rather than saying you want to lose 10 kilograms by next month, rather aim for 500 grams of fat loss per week as this is achievable.

Take More Steps Every Day For years we’ve been urged to take 10,000 steps every day. But we're falling short. A typical woman takes just over 5,000 steps a day, and a man takes around 7,000. To ensure that you get your 10,000 step per day, park further away from the shop or better still walk to the shop. Take the stairs, walk your dogs, they will love for it! Go for weekend walks on the beach or park and involve the entire family.

Pack a picnic and go for hike, just get out there and walk!

Movement Matters Even if weight loss isn’t your goal, you should still aim to increase your daily activities to maintain general health.

In a recent study in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers asked healthy young men to reduce the number of steps they took each day from an average of 6,000 to 1,350 steps per day. Within two weeks their insulin levels rose by nearly 60%, putting them at risk for diabetes, and their abdominal fat increased by 7% even though they hadn’t gained any overall weight.

So what is the moral of the story?

We have to move! Spring is a time for new beginnings, so why not get out there and get active? Find something you love doing and then do it.

Eat In More Often People who eat out tend to eat less healthy food and weigh more than people who eat at home more often. To save money and kilograms, stop eating out (this goes for take-outs as well) and see how much you save on your budget and around your waistline.

Stop using the excuse of no time, just plan and prepare your meals ahead of time. You will be more inclined to eat in moderation if you have thought out healthy meals in advance.

Create your own small portions of snacks and meals. This way you will stay away from the vending machine at work!

Contact Sharon Jessop at sharon@bcasa.co 37

Goodbye to ALL refined; processed and sugary foods Products like white bread, pastas, cookies and cakes cause most people to over secrete the hormone insulin. In short, excess insulin = excess fat.

Try new foods Healthy definitely doesn’t mean boring when it comes to food.

Treat yourself to new cookbooks regularly and experiment with recipes that will make healthy eating an adventure and a pleasure.

Try cooking something new and exciting every week and involve your family (especially your kids) in your healthy cooking, by doing this you will not only spend time with your kids, but they will learn to cook fresh, good and healthy food from a young age.

Drink more water You can easily reduce your daily calorie intake by replacing sugary fizzy drinks, alcohol, fruit juices and even a couple of cups of coffee with water. Even pure fruit juice is loaded with sugar, is calorie dense with limited nutritional value.

The thirst reflex is so weak in dehydrated people that it is often confused with hunger, so by drinking water you will avoid consuming extra calories, plus it will help your body digest food more easily. The best beverage to accompany any meal is water.

All processed and refined foods will add calories but no significant nutrition, so even though you’ve eaten you haven’t fed your body.

Avoid the fast food, and stick to real food.

Get enough sleep Adequate sleep is vital to good health. By skipping sleep, you’re not just making yourself more tired, you’re also increasing your risk of weight gain. When you are tired, you are more likely to reach for quick sources of energy (think sugar and other refined carbs) and to make unhealthy eating decisions.

Aim for 6 – 8 hours of sleep per night. During the sleeping process our brains and bodies repair and recuperate themselves for optimum performance the next day. By constantly depriving yourself of sleep, you don’t just run the risk of weight gain and being over tired, but you also compromise your immune system, and if you’re not eating healthy and not exercising, you’re more than tripling your chances of becoming ill and setting yourself up for preventable lifestyle diseases.

The best type of exercise for busy women is anything you can do with your family and / or your friends. Hikes and bicycle rides with the family, walks with the kids and dogs, playing beach volleyball with your kids on the beach or soccer in the garden or using your toddler as a “weight” to squat with, the key is to be innovative and creative. Not only will you get exercise, but you will also instill healthy active lifestyle habits in your entire family.

The moral of the story is that there are no quick fixes for optimum health, wellness and fitness, but the good news is that every little bit you do definitely helps!

BODY WEIGHT WORKOUT: Rest as required but keep your rest breaks short.

• • • • • • • • •

150 Jumping Jacks 15 Burpees 15 Push-ups 50 Box Jumps onto a bench or step 50 Military Sit-ups 50 Squats 50 Jump Lunges 6 x 25m Bear Crawls 10 x 20m Shuttle Sprint

Practical Exercise Ideas For The Modern Busy Woman You are busy, we realise that. You work, run a household, fetch and

38

carry kids, cook nutritious meals and have to spend time with your family, feed the dogs… The list goes on and on!

COOL DOWN by walking for 2 minutes, then stretch

Low-Carb Avocado and Coconut Bread Ingredients • 1 large avocado, peeled and puréed until smooth • 3 eggs • 1 cup natural yoghurt • 1/4 cup maple syrup or agave syrup • 1 cup coconut flour, sifted • 1/2 cup desiccated coconut • 1/2 tsp concentrated natural vanilla extract • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda Method • Preheat your oven to 180° Celsius.

• Grease and line a small loaf tin (approximately 16 x 6 cm) • Whisk the avo purée, eggs, yoghurt and syrup together.

• In a separate bowl, combine the coconut flour, desiccated coconut, and bicarbonate of soda.

• Stir the liquid into the coconut mixture and stir in the vanilla extract.

• Spoon into your prepared pan.

• Bake for 35 minutes.

• Cover with foil and bake for another 20 - 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean.

• Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before flipping onto a cooling tray.

• Leave to cool before cutting into thick slices.

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7 Day low-carb ▪ ▪

This menu consists of a low-carb eating plan to kick start your weight loss and fitness.

You can repeat this menu for as many weeks as you want! Change it up; enjoy your food and experiment, this is merely to give you an idea of what to eat.

ALL sugar free condiments and spices are allowed as well as any fresh herbs. NO SAUCES!!! (Unless you make your own from scratch with NO added sugar and carbs.)

No fruit other than berries allowed (in moderate quantities).

All meals is for ONE person, double up (or triple or quadruple it) for more than one.

Drink a MINIMUM of 8 x 250ml glasses of water EVERY DAY. 1 Cup = a 250ml cup.

Tea & coffee is allowed – NO SUGAR OR ARTIFICIAL SWEETENER (except Xylitol).

NO processed foods.

NO alcohol.

Absolutely NO refined carbs and sugars such as crisps, cakes, rusks, bread, rice, pasta, etc. allowed.

All food MUST be prepared fresh, from scratch.

NO snacking between meals, your hormones are much happier if you don’t snack at all.

▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪ ▪

DAY: !

▪

▪

▪

Breakfast: 2 Egg Omelet with one cup of chopped baby spinach, tomato, spring onion & olives, fried in butter or coconut oil.

Lunch: 1 Cup of double cream Greek yogurt with ½ cup of blueberries and a handful of whole almonds.

Dinner: 2 x Hamburger patties (NO BUN), served with 1 cup of broccoli and 1 cup of baby marrows and sauce made from onion, tomato & mushrooms (you may add 2 tablespoons of cream if you like).

DAY: 2 ▪ ▪

▪

DAY: 4

DAY: 3 ▪

▪

▪

Breakfast: Egg Fu Yung with vegetables – use 2 eggs with a cup of frozen mixed veg.

Lunch: Tuna salad with olive oil. 1 Tin of Tuna (in brine); 2 cups of salad made from various lettuce, onion, tomato, cucumber, avo, peppers – drizzle with 2 table spoons of olive oil.

Dinner: 1 x BIG Grilled chicken breast with 1 cup butternut & 1 cup broccoli.

Breakfast: 2 Rashers of Bacon and 2 eggs (scrambled or fried).

Lunch: Leftover burger (1 patty) and veggies from the night before.

Dinner: Hake (or any other fish) fried in butter (1 piece if big; 2 if small) with 1 cup pumpkin and 1 cup cauliflower (You may grate a little bit of cheese on your cauliflower if you like).

▪

▪

▪

Breakfast: 2 Egg Omelet with one cup of chopped baby spinach, tomato, spring onion & olives, fried in butter or coconut oil.

Lunch 1pm: Smoothie made from 250ml coconut milk, 1 cup of any berries, 1 table spoon of almonds and 2 x table spoons of protein powder.

Dinner 6/7pm: 200g Steak and 2 cups of salad made from various lettuce, onion, tomato, cucumber, avo, peppers – drizzle with 2 table spoons of olive oil.

Eating Plan DAY: 6

DAY: 5 ▪ ▪

▪

Breakfast: 2 Rashers of Bacon and 2 eggs (scrambled or fried).

Lunch: 1 Big chicken breast chopped up with 2 cups of salad made from various lettuce, onion, tomato, cucumber, avo, peppers – drizzle with 2 table spoons of olive oil.

Dinner: 1 Big pork chop with ½ cup carrots and 2 cups of creamed spinach (par boil spinach and add ½ cup of cream).

DAY: 7 ▪ ▪

▪

Breakfast: 2 Rashers of Bacon and 2 eggs (scrambled or fried).

Lunch: Tuna salad with olive oil. 1 Tin of Tuna (in brine); 2 cups of salad made from various lettuce, onion, tomato, cucumber, avo, peppers – drizzle with 2 table spoons of olive oil.

Dinner: 4 – 6 Grilled chicken wings with 2 cups of raw baby spinach salad on the side (Same as other salads, just use baby spinach in place of lettuce).

▪

▪

▪

Breakfast: 2 Egg Omelet with one cup of chopped baby spinach, tomato, spring onion & olives, fried in butter or coconut oil.

Lunch: 250ml double cream Greek yogurt with ½ cup berries, 2 table spoons of coconut flakes and a handful of walnuts.

Dinner: 3 x Big meatballs with 1 cup fresh asparagus (boil for 3 minutes and drizzle with lemon butter) and 1 cup cauliflower with a bit of grated cheese.

Next issue we talk about over indulgence, exercise cheats and exercise myth debunked.

See you soon!

Sharon

Summer Spritzers 2 L Sprite 1 L Fruit Juice ( we recommend pineapple, or apple or strawberry or granadilla juice) Generous handful of Fresh Mint - crushed or bruised Ice to cool Should you want your Spritzer less sweet please substitute 1 L of Sprite with 1 L of Sparkling water. For no sugar either replace Sprite with Sugar free Sprite or use only Sparkling water.

Add your spite to your jug 2 parts Add juice 1 part Add a sprinkle of bruised mint and ice cubes. Refrigerate or enjoy immediately.

Strawberry Spritzer

Granadilla Spritzer

Pineapple Spritzer

Apple Spritzer

Beet & Berry

Smoothie 1 cup plant milk of choice or water* 1 frozen banana 1 small beet, washed, peeled, and cut into sixths** 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries optional add-in: 1 tablespoon hemp seeds

Add all ingredients to a blender, and blend for 2-3 minutes or until smooth.

This one can be a bit tricky to get moving in your blender, especially if you're using all frozen fruit. If you have a "pulse mode" on your blender, I recommend using that to get it started.

Then, blend consistently until smooth.

*I use almond milk **If you don't have a high-powered blender, I recommend grating the beet before blending.

43

Spicy Lamb Chops

…With white beans

INGREDIENTS ● ● ● ● ●

2 large buttons fresh mushrooms, sliced 2 tbsp crushed dried French Forest mushrooms 2 tsp crushed garlic 1 tbsp butter and 1 tbsp vegetable oil 4 cherry tomatoes, halved

● ● ● ● ●

4 serving spoons of cooked white beans 2 tsp mixed Arabic spices ½ cup Boliling water 6 pieces spiced lamb loin Chops Salt and pepper for seasoning

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees celcius Saute’ fresh and dried mushrooms in oil and butter, add the garlic and stir for 1minute, medium heat.

Add the beans and the cherry tomatoes, then the Arabic spices. Stir and cook for 45 seconds, or until the spice is cooked. Add the water and cover to cook on low heat for 2 minutes.

Season with salt and ground pepper. Set aside Start your lamb chops, sear in a hot pan until brown on both sides, then oven bake to your preferred cuisson.

Serving Place the bean cassoulet first on a warm plate, arrange the lamb chops on top, then sprinkle some fresh chillie on the meat. Garnish with coriander.

Easy Peasy Christmas Gammon INGREDIENTS: 1,5 kg Gammon 500 g treacle sugar

METHOD:

1 tin pineapple rings 1 tub cherries Handful of cloves Toothpicks for securing the pineapples and cherries. Tin foil to wrap the gammon in.

Boil the smoked gammon in water for about an hour to an hour and a half.

This is to remove excess salt from the meat.. Remove the skin from the fat portion of the meat.

Slice the fat in diagonal patterns and place a whole clove on each diamond pattern. Place the meat on enough tin foil that it will wrap around the whole piece of roast.

Place pineapple rings all over the top of the gammon, securing them with a toothpick. I break my toothpicks in half and use one per ring.

Serve with hot root vegetables or salads. We love it with potato salad or roast potatoes.

The meat is delicious hot or cold.

WARNING: can be addictive

Then place cherries in the centre of each pineapple ring - securing with a toothpick.

Pour half the packet of treacle sugar over the gammon. Then pour the pineapple juice over the gammon. Pour the remaining sugar over the gammon and pat into the crevices of the creation.

Baked in the oven on 180 degree F for about 2 hours.

Open up the tin foil and spoon juice over the top of the meat. Allow to roast openly for about another half an hour.

45

Write Your Story PART 2 Now

for decades to achieve, or

conflict to come to a head.

that you know what content you

any other number of things.

The

want

Look to your favorite books

competition has arrived, a

autobiography, think about how you

and

showdown happens with

want to structure your book. Like

examples of conflicts.

to

include

in

your

movies

for

more

any great book, your autobiography

of

the

big

your worst enemy, your gambling habit gets the

needs a great plot. Work with the

● Build tension and suspense.

better of you and you lose

material you have to craft an

Structure the narrative so

all your money - you get the

interesting story that builds toward

that you have a series of

picture.

a climax and ultimately resolves.

stories leading up to the

Create a narrative arc by organizing

climax of the conflict. If you

● End with a resolution. Most

and

written

central conflict is trying to

autobiographies have happy

memories and anecdotes so that

reach the goal of competing

endings,

they flow together logically.

in the Olympics for skiing,

person writing the story

lead up to it with stories of

lived to tell the tale - and

● What's your central conflict?

small successes and plenty

hopefully get it published.

What's the biggest obstacle

of failures. You want your

Even if your ending isn't

life presented that took

readers to ask, will she

cheerful, it should be deeply

years to overcome or come

make it? Can he do it?

satisfying. You somehow

to terms with? Maybe it's an

What's going to happen

accomplished your goal or

illness you were diagnosed

next?

won the day. Even if you

filling

out

your

with at an early age, a

46

day

because

the

lost, you came to terms

relationship wrought with

● Have a climax. You'll get to

turmoil, a series of career

the point in your story

setbacks, a goal you worked

when it's time for the

with it and gained wisdom.

childhood sprinkled in for chapter" or "opened a new chapter" in life, and its even more applicable

comic relief.

You could a straightforward chronology of your life, beginning

when discussing an autobiography.

with your birth and ending in the

You're Chapter breaks allow you to skip

the

chronicling your life lessons, but forward 10 years, go back in time, or

chronology can make the story more

what have you learned from them? start describing a new theme

interesting.

Relay

present,

but

mixing

up

your

intentions,

desires, without jarring the reader too much.

feelings of loss, feelings of joy, the Consider ending chapters on a â—? You could frame the entire autobiography

with

wisdom you've gained, and other poignant or suspenseful note, so inner thoughts from time to time people can't wait to start the next

reflections from the present,

throughout the book. Taking a step one.

telling your story through a

back from the action of the story to The beginnings of chapters are a

series of flashbacks.

reflect on what it all means is a good good place to take a bird's eye view

â—? You could begin the story with a poignant moment

way

to

add

depth

to

your of your past, describe the setting of a place, and set the tone for what's

autobiography.

to come.

from your childhood, go backward to tell the story of move

Chapters are useful

forward to your college

because they allow you to move on

years, and launch into the

from discussing certain life periods

story of your career, with

or events. There's a reason we have

anecdotes

the expression that we've "closed a

your

heritage,

from

your

47

Artist: Louise Parker African Women Collection Original Paintings: starting from R 3500 Prints: A5 R 150; A4 R 300; A3 R 600;

Italian Interior Design It is no secret that most Italians Romans

create

have an inherent eye for good marvels,

they

architectural

Modern Italian interior design in

the

its stark lines might be somewhat

design, and Italians love for home interiors of their structures for

different from the houses of the

is second to none. Take these two

maximum comfort, functionality

18th and 19th centuries, but it has

and combine them, and what you

and aesthetic appeal. With the

a few things in common with its

designed

get is the essence of Italian interior centuries, the Roman villas with

historical counterpart.

design. If you are looking for a their ornate architectural details

The love of open, well-lighted,

way to meet all that you require gave way to relatively simple

airy spaces, for one. Most Italian

from your home and make it the structures, built for durability.

interior designers today, whether

cynosure of all eyes at the same

fans of classic designs or followers

time, look no further than interior

of edgy chic, design living spaces

design from Italy.

But

as

is

apparent

in

the

with lots of light and air in mind.

distinguished Tuscan villas and the luminous Mediterranean beach

And the second rule they adhere to

houses standing till this day and

to try and bring as much of the

inspiring a million other homes,

exterior into the interior of the

The history of Italian interior Italians did not sacrifice the beauty

house as possible. This could be in

design is pretty long and elaborate, of a building for its long life.

the form of big glass windows that

interior designing was a hobby of

open into the garden, or floating

the Italian nobility from the Modern Italian Interior Design

ceilings.

History of Interior Design in Italy

Interior Designing in Italy

Roman times. Not only did the 50

A few things have radically

bold, individualistic, intelligent

the use of furniture for dual

changed,however.

and often quirky suggestions to

purposes: a sofa by day often

make the home an interesting

converts into a bed by night.

living area.

But along with the challenges,

The first is the interior designer's

Italian interior designers have a

preoccupation with clever and aesthetic space utilization. Some

Thirdly, modern kitchens have

great asset. They can draw upon a

urban homes in Italy tend to be

evolved into living spaces, where

sizeable pool of traditional

small, and interior designers try

people entertain guests or spend

artisans who can help customize a

their best to allocate space, doors,

their spare time, and this has also

house to the specific beauty and

and windows to give as much a

affected interior design. Kitchens

functionality requirements of a

semblance of open space as

are now more open, and the

homeowner.

possible. The tricks designers use

ventilation from the living room

to enhance space include the

and other areas has improved.

In order to help readers understand Italian interior design

strategic placement of furniture and lighting. Italian designers tend

Italian Interior Design

in depth and detail, Life in Italy

to excel in both of these areas.

Last, but not the least, designers

brings together a collection of

Secondly, the average Italian

also have to keep in mind that

articles that address many aspects

home is now a self-contained

most Italians now prefer the

of interior design in Italy.

modular affair, and this calls for

clean, uncluttered look. This has

creative solutions to spatial and

brought a lot of concealed storage

aesthetic issues. Italian interior

solutions into the realm of Italian

designers have responded with

interior design. Another feature is 51

The Tuscan region along the Mediterranean coast of Italy has become synonymous with style because of its wonderful colors and textures. If you are looking to bring a touch of the Tuscan countryside into your home try following these simple guidelines.

Tuscan Villas in Italy Color is the first consideration when looking at Tuscan style. The basic color palette comes from the landscape and agriculture. The main colors used in Tuscan decorating are earthy tones like terracotta, olive green, deep browns as well as blues and gold which call to mind bright sunny days under clear skies.

These colors reflect the beauty of the countryside. In many instances these colors are made to look weathered or are muted in some way to create an atmosphere of timeless beauty, like the feeling of comfort and familiarity that an old Tuscan villa might evoke. Instead of the brightest pinks, you will often see subtle apricot. Instead of electric blues, it will be the soft blues of the Mediterranean and the muted purples of springtime lavender.

Most often these colors are combined with textures that beg to be touched. Walls in Tuscany are hand plastered and have a look and feel that is unique to this part of the world.

Many artisans are reviving these classic plaster techniques , but for those on a tighter budget, this effect can be achieved through various faux finishing techniques.

52

Italian Home Decor

Bring some of italy into your home through

In the interior of Tuscan villas you will find exquisite masonry

Diva Luce Lighting and Diva Cucini’s Italian

in the form of marble floors and countertops in kitchens and

Kitchens and bedrooms collection. Call Brett

baths. Stone work also accentuates fireplaces and foyers

Nish

bringing the earthy feeling indoors. Tuscan decor is simple and

sales@divagrroup.co.za

072

263

4009

or

email

him

functional. Kitchen counters may be lined with an array of the most used herbs. Furniture is often of a classic wood and leather design, and tables may also have tile or stone tops further adding to the strong connection to the land.

Outdoors the patio is the heart of the home. Wrought iron patio benches and chairs along with tile topped tables are surrounded by unpolished metal urns and terracotta pots brimming with greenery. Plants, such as one or more of the varieties of Tuscan roses; geraniums; and hydrangea are all native to the Mediterranean micro-climates and will give the patio an authentic feel. Climbing vines such as clematis and jasmine add a lush look and feel to stairs when they are trained up railings.

Potted herbs like sweet basil, lavender, and rosemary will not only look beautiful but they add fragrance and function as well.

Potted lemon trees also lend a bit of shade and a wisp of fragrance to the patio atmosphere, and as you extend out in to the yard, other fruit and olive trees can often be found. These trees are not only beautiful but they also provide a bounty for the Tuscan table.

Tuscany is a region that is deeply connected to the land. This can be seen in its earthy colors and textures and its strong, simple decor. The beauty of the land travels all the way from the rolling countryside into the patios and homes of the Tuscan people.

Why not invite a touch of Tuscany into your home?

53

“With the right products you can do amazing transformations with your hair.�

54

Ben Davids

Hair Makeover by Ben A photo story

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and

The Millennial MAN: His Hair and His Beard

By Ben David impressions last” is fast taking

thanks to Hollywood stars that are

over the former metaphor. Apart

proudly rocking this look.

from how other people look at you and perceive you, grooming is

For men that decide to go bald,

Gone are the days when taking

personal and it improves your

there are factors that you really

care of yourself as a man and

confidence levels, giving you

need to consider to keep your scalp

staying clean and well groomed

feeling of well-being and elevated

safe and healthy. Firstly, you must

made you feel like less of a man

pleasantness around other people.

be aware that whether it is hot or

or feel guilty of being too

cold your scalp is exposed to the

particular about how you look and

His Hair

harmful Ultra Violet (UV) rays

feel.

I am always amused at my peers

from the sun. This exposure to UV

who are losing hair and still want

rays poses a threat of developing

The word metrosexual has found

to hold on to the little hair that is

skin cancer and accelerated aging

life in the modern day man, for

left before they go for the

of the scalp and facial skin and so

grooming and fashion has become

inevitable bald look. As much as

for men that spend a lot of time

a pivotal aspect in how you present

the bald look is a cover-up for men

outdoors, it is very important to

yourself to the world. It also plays

that are losing hair, it is a very

consider

an important role on how the

clean and professional look that

moisturizing crème with a sun

world

The

has become acceptable even in the

protection factor of 20SPF or

metaphor, “Don’t judge a book by

highest offices. Some men who

above. These creams have Ultra

its cover” usually goes without

have a full head of hair still go for

Violet filters that protect and

saying but realistically in today’s

the bald look because it is now one

moisturise your skin from these

world it is almost exactly the

of the most preferred look for men,

harmful rays.

perceives

you.

investing

in

a

opposite. In today’s world, “first 60

Grooming is personal and it improves your confidence levels, giving you feeling of well-being and elevated pleasantness around other people.

But for those who might be forced

For Caucasian men, there is a new

available to help you manage the

to go bald because they are going

product called Hair Fibre that can

unruly

to lose the hair for hereditary or

be sprinkled on the thinning areas

professional to manage your beard

any other reasons, there is light at

to give a fuller and healthier effect.

can help to keep your beard

the end of the tunnel. This is

This is a temporary solution that

looking neat and professional.

because if you diagnose hair loss

has to be used every day, but the

There are so many ways that your

at an early stage, there are new

above

seeking

beard can be shaped and trimmed

products that have been designed

professional help also applies to

but it is difficult to do it yourself.

to significantly stunt the loss of

stop the progression of the thinning

Of course a clean shave is straight

hair and resuscitate the follicles

hair.

forward but if you intend to keep

solution

for

stubble.

Getting

a

a full set of manicured beard you

that are weak and dormant. These activating

The irony is that though it seems

definitely need intervention of a

ingredients that rejuvenate your

that men are losing hair where they

pro.

hair follicles, increasing the blood

want it, it starts sprouting in areas

circulation on the scalp, and

we do not want like the nose, ears,

creating

and eyebrows. This means a

products

contain

an

environment

for

optimum growth of hair. A healthy

grooming

scalp is a ground for healthy hair.

because these hairs can be very

Many professional hair products

unsightly and can give away your

manufactures have a line of

age at one glance. Waxing them

products dedicated for hair loss

gives a better lasting solution

these days. Even so, there are lots

whilst using the nose trimmer

of products on the market that are

needs more frequency. Many

not authentic yet they claim to

barbers

restore hair. Always seek

offerings and are now including all

professional advice and opinion

of these services because the

from your stylist or appoint with a

modern man demands them.

plan

have

is

necessary

increased

their

recommended trichologist in your area for a proper and informed hair

His Beard

and scalp analysis. This analysis will determine the appropriate

Even though the beard vogue has

course of action and highlight what

taken over, proper trimming and

products to invest in.

grooming is also very important.

Beard oils, beard softeners and beard combs and brushes are now 61

Master of the Universe Why would anyone leave a job where they were a ‘Master of the Universe’ to become an Educator?

Well, it was at the end of 2015 when I made the decision to quit a fairy lucrative job working as a Fixed Income Specialist and Structurer at one of the biggest financial services firms in the country, to become a professor at the national University. I left my high steady six figure annual income, my consistent six figure annual performance bonus, sacrificed my stock options in the company and even gave up my corporate contract phone.

Why? Let me outline the reasons for you. Firstly I had been in the financial services sector for almost 10 years.

I started off as Junior Middle Office Trainee at the Central Bank and moved to becoming a Junior Trader but I got my ‘big break’ when one of the local big banks asked for me to join them. I was to work as a Fixed Income Trader taking care of the Botswana and Zambia market. The money was great, the travelling was extensive and the work was exciting. After a few years, I took my experience to a Pension Fund Manager and embarked on an ambitious journey that allowed me to do work I had never imagined, not to mention the money and perks continued to roll in each year. I was (and still am) fairly young though and there came a point where I evaluated my industry and realised that it is very small and the ceiling very low. Most of my peers and superiors were fairly young as well so the possibilities of upward mobility were very limited. In fact quite a few of my peers left Pension Fund Management with its minimal pressure and excellent pay to move to banking and in some cases accounting for the sake of broadening horizons.

62

Stop dreaming

always going to be one bad year

negotiations progressed, I would

away from being out of a job and

watch as other players pulled out

this did not sit well with me. The

calculators to work out their

realisation

of

seven (sometimes eight) figure

without

profit margins that they would

employment and stability was

make from the deal we were

overwhelming.

working on. I on the other hand

of

unexpectedly

Start doing

my stint at the financial services company, the company went through a lot of changes. Some events in the market put the company on a collision course with the Board which resulted in employees

risk

being

would wonder when the 20th day

Secondly in the last 18 months of

the

the

facing

restructuring and retrenchments.

I did not become a direct victim of this exercise but I was certainly an indirect one. Anyone who has been through such an exercise will tell you that everyone involved is left scarred.

As the restructuring happened, I noticed that many companies were going through the same exercise across the economy as a whole and suddenly realised that the corporate existence though seemingly stable, offered no job security at all. We were all

For the third and most important

of the month would come around

reason- In my last job I did a lot

so that I get my steady monthly

of work in structuring large deals

pay check. This did not seem

with different corporate's in the

justified so I made a decision that

market. These deals ranged from

in future, I would only work

large loans, sales and in some

where I have considerable equity

instances share buy-backs. I

in a business so my efforts

constantly

business

correlate with my compensation.

meetings with big players in the

The entrepreneurship fire had

country and enabled them to

been burning within me for a few

chase their dreams of world

years and I decided it was time to

domination while I silently

pursue it aggressively.

sat

in

observed from the ‘comfort’ of employment. My colleagues and

The combination of these 3

I were continually the only

reasons made my decision a lot

people on salaries around the

easier when the opportunity to

table, with everyone else owning

teach came along. I had always

the companies they represented.

been a teacher. I remember after

My skills were essential to

high school I assisted at one of

making these deals happen but

the primary schools in my home

my compensation was fixed and

town. I had always loved training

I

a

and mentoring and had offered

performance bonus. As we sat in

the University once before that I

these

host one class or a few sessions.

had

no

guarantee

meetings

and

of

the

63

Education

has

always

been

something I treasure so when the opportunity to stand in front of the next

generation

of

business

leaders and entrepreneurs came up, I jumped at it without looking back.

The decision to teach meant that my workload would dramatically decrease but so would my income which was the most difficult part of the decision, but with some creative compromises the decision became workable. The also meant that I would be doing what I love (teaching) whilst having sufficient amount of time to work on my destiny and on a sustainable business. The opportunities which existed were abundant and only needed me to focus harder on them, and so my new life allowed for it; it allowed me to jump the corporate ship without shocking my system too much.

It has been close to a year since I left the corporate arena and am very happy with my new life. I now wish I had known this earlier.

As I sit here on my couch at home writing this story at 8.38am on a Tuesday, knowing that I have a class at 4pm, I could not be more 64

contented. I no longer have to run

sustainable future for themselves

with the morning rush and have

and their kin. This has not been the

flexible hours of when I need to

case in Botswana, nor has it been

be in school. I enjoy standing in

the norm. I believe this is largely

front of my students and imparting

because our current generation of

ten years of varying industry

decision makers were presented

knowledge and hope that out of

with bounteous opportunities and

the hundred or so students sitting

did not have to forage hard for

in front of me, I can affect one life.

themselves. Even so, this practice

For now, that’s compensation

of only finding security in

enough for me.

customary employment and not seeking to branch out into the

I have come to realised though

unknown is slowly changing.

that in other markets, such as in

There is now hope that more

South Africa, it is perfectly

professionals can take the work

acceptable and probably expected

ethic and skills they have learnt

that professionals should work a

and

certain number of years in big

entrepreneurial ventures that will

firms, learn the tricks of the trade

greatly benefit the growth of our

and eventually leave the roost and

economy and that the chance of

fly out on their own to open a

sustainability for these businesses

small boutique firm that allows

would be much higher. This is the

them to self-actualise and use their

dream I have for my country.

transfer

them

to

skills to make a better and more

65

The Old Lady original piece R 1500 Or buy this art piece in print. Prices exclude postage. Postage priced on location A5: R 150 A4: R 300 Contact Louise Parker at lo_parker@hotmail.com

Readers Story: Just Be!

By Lesego Nchunga

At 26 years of age, I was the youngest woman partner of a law firm in Botswana. I am of the Basubiya tribe, from Kavimba in the Chobe District in the North East of Botswana. My mother is a Mokalaka, from Nswazwi. My parents settled in Gaborone many years ago, for economic purposes, and decided to raise us, my 2 sisters and I, in the capital.

I was raised by two very uncompromising and strict parents, who instilled in me the values of smart work, and perseverance. My mother taught me to be a critical thinker; she guided my steps as a young woman, ensuring that each mistake made, I took in my stride, learnt from, and grew out of. My father, the lighter of the pair, ensured that throughout this journey, I found humour, music and poetry in it. Together, they taught me to serve others. This grand architectural plan culminated in me becoming an artist, a civil society/human rights attorney, a conservationist, a newly self-proclaimed explorer, a feminist and a relational being.

It was not so long ago that I found myself in an airport in AddisAbaba Ethiopia, in September 2016 en route to London, reconsidering myself as a person, my whole being. What triggered this assessment of the self? It was Bongani Madondo, to whom I had been introduced by a friend a few months earlier when I joined a group of 15 men in crossing the Okavango Delta (the world’s 1000th heritage cite) by mokoro (dugout canoe), travelling for 6-7 hours each day, and building camp in uninhabited small islands, surrounded by hippo and crocodile infested water. For the first time in a long time, I had the opportunity to sit, reflect and make decisions about my life.

One such decision, was that I would read “I Am Not Your Weekend Special: The Life + Style & Politics of Brenda Fassie” edited by the controversial Madondo.

The book explores the complexities of a radical black feminist who stood out in a world that teaches us the importance of collective participation in human life, and thereby the need to be the same. To fit into a certain standard, set by a society we have never actually experienced, or seen, but aspire to; and boxes not meant for human existence, anyway. I have always been raised as a vital part of a collective but a part of a collective, nonetheless. Brenda,

Madondo says, taught him oneness. She annihilated barriers.

Did away with them completely!

Ransacked a society that had ideas of how women – black women – in a world led by white supremacists should conduct herself; Coy. Quiet. Subservient.

Less.

I am no rock-star. And I don’t need to be. I like to think of myself, sometimes, as havoc in the space I do occupy. But on many occasions, in my human walk, I have been confronted with questions similarly casting doubt on the “who” I had imagined I had well crafted myself to being.

I have been ostracized for advocating for the rights of minorities, particularly, persons ostracized on the basis of either sexual orientation or gender identity and expression. My mother though, has always said, even if you are the only person who believes in something, stand by it. It’s the thing that will make you happy. Robert Frost calls it the road less travelled by.

Madondo calls it ‘singularity’. He says, “There might be striking similarities and shared experiences that bind us deeper than blood, (but) at an individual level, people quite simply are not the same.

I am no rock-star. And I don’t need to be. I like to think of myself, sometimes, as havoc in the space I do occupy 69

I grew up with a mixture of internal complex struggles. I was unable to fit in. I was never enough of a potential lawyer, at law school. In the same breath, I was never enough of an artist, in the performance circles. I tried to be one without the other, at various times, and each time, I fell apart completely. Until I realized that even my colleagues who were law students and nothing else, still felt insufficient. Even my artist friends wanted more. We all wanted more.

For months on end in the beginning of 2016, I wanted to “be a better person.” I had spent 4 years shedding people I had not, until then, imagined myself

without. My anxiety was at its peak. The depression was at its worst. It honestly felt like my world was coming undone because I could not make other people happy. But I was not happy trying to make other people happy. I was frustrated. I knew that everything I could do would never be enough. Then I realized it is not my duty to make other people happy. My responsibility is to be myself. I like to say, ‘as self as I can get’. That’s how self one must be. With time I realized that there is no manual or rules one can follow in being the truest version of themselves. That is what I have learnt. Our paths are distinctive, unique and unparalleled. There is nobody

else, anywhere else who could be a better version of you, or me.

Why am I sharing this?! Well, because we think the heros, and most successful or influential individuals are flawless. That is the standard the media has set, and what we have accepted as norm.

I am, at the core of myself, human. The changes we make begin in how we perceive ourselves. Only then can we influence anybody beyond ourselves. These are not wise words. They are a reflection.

Something to encourage you to look in a mirror. That is who you are. Embrace it and just BE!

Viwe 1 Buy this print A5: R 150 A4: R 300 Contact: Louise Parker Email: lo_parker@hotmail.com Price excludes postage. Postage quoted on request

Viwe 2 Buy this print A5: R 150 A4: R 300 Contact: Louise Parker Email: lo_parker@hotmail.com Price excludes postage. Postage quoted on request

The greatest gift you can give yourself is permission to be a creator. To never submit to circumstance and to give yourself the energy and power to build yourself a joyful life!

Victoria Nish, Millenia Publishing