Motsamai issue 3

Motsamai 3

DAPHNEY SMITH CHALLENGING SOCIAL BEAUTY

Personal Finance: THE BUDGET • Millennial MAN • Books That Shaped Me • A Language Never Spoken SNOW BOUND: A Journey

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A NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCE

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GENERAL Information: Finance: finance@milleniapublishing.co.za Enquiries: Publisher: Offices: 33WonderboomAvenue, Business and travel seem like constant companions!

Whether long or short one always finds a little extra time for reading. I love travelling but I do get to a point where I just want my old routine and my own bed…not to mention my own food!

Offices arealso in Gaborone, Botswana and asales officein Lesotho.

What I love though without fail is the amount of people I meet on my travels. The rich essence of experiences they share as well as their life’s journeys. I love meeting new people and have no problem striking up a conversation with a perfect stranger.

Between making new friends and developing new business contacts we hope you have a safe and successful experience.

Enjoy this edition of MOTSAMAI. And don’t forget to watch out for our SPECIAL EDITION: Motsamai TRADELINK coming up in October, especially done for the Botswana Global Expo 2017

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Personally, patience has been the most challenging curve ball in my journey. But in my moment of stillness I have learnt a lot about myself and more importantly learnt to appreciate the journey and all it brings, which is surprisingly, not all bad (I even got invited to a talk show☺). But with patience comes faith and a test of faith builds patience and so I have come to learn that it is impossible to survive in business and in life without either one.

…

Welcome to the third issue of Motsamai Magazine!

In our journey with Motsamai we have learnt the very important lesson of patience. Many of us have had to learn this lesson at some point or other in our lives; we have looked forward to jobs coming through, for finances to be restored, business to pick up and in general, worked and looked forward to our lives getting better. We have gone through days, months and sometimes years of closed doors and dark clouds with no silver lining in sight. Through all the working and waiting there are many elements of our character that are challenged, but more often than not we miss the whole point of it all - to build character!

They say patience is a virtue, which pays with dividends and often people ignore the beauty that comes from finding a place of calmness within the storm - a sense of peace that stems from letting go and remaining still. Once you get to this ‘ the lesson becomes clearer and the challenges seem trivial.

Thus this issue of Motsamai was put together with faith, patience and lots of character! The Motsamai team has grown over the last year both in number and in spirit and we look forward to many more character-filled issues with even more informative, inspirational and life-changing features. We intend to grow this publication from issue to issue and continue to extend our readership from beyond Botswana, Lesotho, Swaziland and South Africa to the rest of Africa.

We look forward to having you as part of our journey of growth. From myself and the Motsamai team, welcome to a . Enjoy the read!

With love and light, Shaka Senwamadi

Life for anyone comes with a basket of experiences that we either enjoy or don’t. In our experience of life we learn that certain social behaviours are expected from us in order to be integrated well into society….and for most we learn well. However, our appearance and beauty is one such condition that we don’t always have much control over but it is an element that creates much debate, and the driver of a multi-billion rand industry of beauty and fashion.

The world has called for, and yet won’t admit it, a certain physical appeal. We see it in our media, fashion runways and magazines. What is most evident of this fact is the amount of effort and money spent, by men and women, on themselves to enhance their appearance to feel beautiful enough. Quite honestly, I expect a few people to speak up against what I am saying upon reading this, as almost everyone I meet, pride’s themselves on individuality independence, and a free thinker. But only a handful of those are genuinely authentic.

Take a look at the new Louis Vuitton brand’s promotional campaign in the East. They are not using living human beings as their models. They are using famous character, Lightening, from the gaming franchise Final Fantasy 13, to promote their products. This is enough to make me question where society is going with their image and their expectation of each other. If we ever thought the images of models we saw were not entirely real, this takes it to a whole new level of completely unreal.

I recently met up with Daphney Smith, who is on a mission to help change the way we view ourselves and in particular Albino’s. A tough task considering that seemingly normal looking people can’t even accept themselves. There are a great many myths and superstitious beliefs about Albinism which are not true and even in this day and age those myths still exist.

Albinism is a inherited, caused by an alteration in one or more of the genes that are responsible for directing the eyes and skin to produce or distribute melanin, which is a photo protective pigment that absorbs ultraviolet (UV) light coming from the sun so that the skin is not damaged. Sun exposure normally produces a tan, which is an increase in melanin pigment in the skin. Many people with albinism do not have melanin pigment in their skin, do not tan with exposure to the sun, and as a result . develop Many types of albinism exist, all of which involve lack of pigment in varying degrees. The condition, which is found in all races, is a rare disorder found in 1 in every 1400 people. Although albinism can affect all races, other parts of the world have a much higher rate. An Albino has very poor vision and so from an early age, needs spectacles. Spectacles however, are not a full solution and even in this day and age where technology and science has progressed so extensively there is not much progress in this field. Very few optometrists are able to treat Albinos and often the person must travel to find someone who can help them. Daphney shares of one technological advancement that is available. It is called Bioptics. They are not used for everyday use, only on occasion but are very expensive and are only available in the USA. For more information visit the website www.ocutech.com.

To consider these issues deeply makes one appreciate one’s own functionality. These physical

sensitivities affect their whole life experience. Daphne had to sit right in front of the class for her whole school career so that she could see the board.

Daphney is a 42 year old mother of 2. Married for 10 years already, Daphne comes from a family of 2 brothers and 1 sister, all of whom were Albino. Daphney’s husband is also Albino and so are her two children.

Daphney is a project manager at Grounded Media in Johannesburg, a job she secured through participating in a development programme offered many years ago

by Kagiso TV. She has a BA: Education, Bachelor’s Degree from WITS University and had a strong desire to become a teacher. While she is not necessarily fulfilling that dream in her current job she is living it out through the development programmes she manages on behalf of her client’s CSI projects.

After she finished her studies Daphney worked at the Albinism Society of South Africa voluntarily while she looked for a job as a teacher. It was during this time that she applied to join the development programme that Kagiso TV (now Grounded Media) was offering.

Relating back to her childhood Daphney shares that the biggest challenge was medical support.

They did not have medical aid and so were reliant on clinics for her sunscreen creams. She received this irregularly so there were many times that she was without protection from the harsh African sun.

Despite this, Daphney was tenacious and fearless. She was a diligent student both at school and in her tertiary qualification. Her tertiary experience was quite a positive one. She studied at Wits

and received a lot of support through their disability unit.

However, having qualified she was met with much rejection. She relates how HR departments still function with prejudice against Albino candidates due to special needs that are required when they are hired. These special needs are not extensive. They are things like “larger computer screens’ and ensuring they are not required to drive.

She calls on managers and employers to be inclusive and recognize that Albino’s have talent to offer.

your faith and prayer. ‘God is great,’ she says.

Cultural prejudice is still rife and is fuelled by fear and lack of understanding. KZN is the worst area in SA as far as these myths and fears go. She says that it is believed that their body parts can bring good luck and power and so this leads to many, many murders. It is also believed that if you stand near an Albino it is bad luck, especially if you are pregnant.

Although in more educated societies these myths have been debunked there is still fear and still many who do not understand. The Albinism Society of SA’s mission is to raise awareness and help communities change.

Daphney has a fairly simple life philosophy. Tough times don’t last!

She feels one should talk when you have a problem. Talk to people who care about you and to stay true to

Her greatest experience in life has been giving birth to her children. She explains the act of giving life and creating a functional human being whom you develop into a person is truly remarkable.

Daphney shares how she has watched the media and people in general and she comments as to how fake society has become. She asks ‘where do we find our authenticity?’ “We should live simply and stop making life so complicated.

We are easily influenced by the media and role models; especially those on Social media. We are quick to believe that these fake lives exist and are real and attainable. We then plummet ourselves into depression and negativity and low self-esteem when we cannot replicate it. We then go one step further and perpetuate this behavior by creating our own form of fake.’

“In the Albinism community we are not immune to this and I know we have a lot of really good role models.

But they are all still beautiful and socially acceptable because they beautiful. Albino awareness movers on social media have subscribed to only posting images of beautiful and socially appealing Albino’s. We want real! Accept and appreciate our truth and all of what we offer,” she says.

“We need unconditional positive regard for ALL Albinos; if we only accept those who are beautiful and socially acceptable that is still prejudice!” she exclaims.

Daphney is real, I mean truly real.

We encourage you to find your own “true you”. Find your own authenticity so that you can experience a bit of the peace and joy that Daphney has managed to capture.

Nkau Matete: Metropolitan Legend!

Nkau Matete, CEO of Metropolitan Lesotho, was interviewed by Itumeleng Maliba. Having been with Metropolitan since inception Ntate Matete has achieved many remarkable milestones on his journey.

Well, I’m a village boy who was born and bred in the district of Mafeteng in a village called Mathebe. Back then, we did not have any pre-schools hence I went straight to do my primary schooling in my village at Mathebe Primary School. In 1980 I came to Maseru for my high school education. I did my seconday school (form 1 to form 3) at Life High School then went to finalize my high school (form 4 to form 5) at Lesotho High Scool.

I was fortunate during my high school to be one of the first ‘days scholars’ prefect

because it was usually a privilege afforded to students on a boarding basis. I was taught by my school principal Mr Zidzamba at the time, and this was when I started realising the leardership persona within me. Also, during this time I used to sing in a school choir, and I believe that choral music palyed a vital role in creating the discipline that took me through my subsequent years.

I did my university studies at the National University of Lesotho (NUL). I was raised by my grandmother and by any standards, I grew up poor. I enjoyed our government varsity sponsorship ‘Manpower’ and if it

was not for this great initiative, I don’t believe I would have ever been able to see a university door, and for this I remain forever indebted to the government of Lesotho. I have made it my personal life mission therefore to help others; I school children on my own personal accord, I also give awards to students to encourage them to work hard. I give awards to 3rd year best perfoming students at NUL within the fields of Bio-Chemistry and AgricEconomic. At Metropolitan I have instilled the passion within the organisation to focus on helping others within our corporate fratenity as well.

encounters occur, especially because some of these individuals would be managers.

Honestly; me being a CEO of Metropolitan happened because I DARED! I had been working for the company before as the Chief Finance Officer. Later on when the position was availed for a CEO at Metropolitan, I decided to grab on it and thought “why not?” this was a great platform for me to show case what I can do. When I got the position, I decided to put together my own team by selling them my vision and we, in turn, presented the vision to the stakeholders.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working for Metropolitan because of its size as an organisation. It has an untapped potential.

As much as the shareholders are getting their returns, the company still needs to do more in playing a meaningful role within the society. What we live by is this: “we make financial wellness a reality for Basotho”. Since we are alsmost as old as Lesotho when it gained independence in 1966, we continue to ask ourselves and look back as Lesotho so often does a country, what has our contibution been since our existance for Basotho? By this token Metropolitan has moved beyond the wellness of its clients to changing the lives of the community through our Corporate Social Invetments (CSI). I have definitely enjoyed being a part of this journey.

Tuning Metropolitan around: The journey to change how people feel about Metropolitan by changing our brand and service. This needed a strong team, and fortunately, this is excaclty what I have.

The Talent that Metropolitan has developed: I like to employ young people who have a hunger and fire within them. What they normally need is a platform and a good push.

I also like to promote people from within the organisation as far as possible. This ensures succession planning while at the same time giving people possibilities by letting them know that where they start is not where they end.

When I have to part with people due to defrauding and poor performance. My wish is for everybody to grow and it saddens me when these

Incidences where employees would defraud the company and us not being able to pick it up. There have been numerous attempts where substantial amounts have been embezzled by ‘trust-worthy employees’.

It has been an amazing journey. I have enjoyed myself and the experiences. I have influenced leaders, met amazing young talent. I have immensely loved the contribution that Metropolitan has done in the society. We have built three (3) modern classrooms in my old home school, Mathebe Primary in Mafeteng.

Our projects have been biased towards our stakeholders. For instance the teachers for the education they provide in schools, the police force, and the civil servants. These people tell real stories, testimonies from people who tell us how far they have come with Metropolitan. A moment of reflection; I remember some die-hard Metropolitan clients actually competing on the number of policies each had. The more policies the more pride.

For me, this is very humbling.

Metropolitan was born in 1967 in Lesotho. It was then called the ‘Homes Trust’, handling funeral and savings policies. It was a branch from a mother company in South Africa. Lesotho Funeral Services, one of the country’s biggest funeral undertakers to date used to manage the funeral division, but the operations were purely originated in South Africa. Homes Trust then changed names to Metropolitan but still as a non local brand.

In 2003, the Central Bank of Lesotho as the governing body decided that Metropolitan must register as a Lesotho based company. Then came the birth of Metropolitan Lesotho. It became an independent company and completely separated from RSA. All policies that were under RSA with Lesotho residences were shifted and were managed locally. Metropolitan Lesotho started operations with assets at M800 million. The company has since been able to grow these assets to just under M4 billion (M3.8 million) to current.

The company was predominantly serving the retail market or offering individual products and was not strong on servicing the corporate market. Retail is currently

generating about M500 million in annual income. The corporate book stayed under RSA management for a while but in 2007, the corporate funds were moved to Lesotho to start what is now called the Employee Benefits (EB) division. It was formed with only three (3) employees but currently the head count has increased to eighteen (18). They were at M15 million in annual income, and the book has increased to M200 million in annual income.

In 2012, Metropolitan Lesotho introduced their first subsidiary Metropolitan Health, taking care of medical aid facilities at it is currently sitting at about M64 million per annum in income.

Like I said, we see ourselves as financial wellness partners; therefore we need to live up to these standards: Easy to get a hold of Easy to deal with Give clients value for money There was a perception in the market that Metropolitan is old and we undertook a study through the young people to get feedback. This came out to be true, hence we are trying hard to re-brand.

If I could give both please, - Passionate -I put passion in everything I do

I put Passion into everything I do!

- Caring -we walk with our clients every step of the way.

To stay on top of our game. Just stay on top and never be complacent

This slogan summarizes it all. It shows that there is strength in numbers. You can achieve more with people; take everybody else with you to succeed.

All of Metropolitan’s achievements and contributions that the company is doing in the community. Metropolitan is a responsible corporate organization in every sense

of the word. It looks around and gives back within the community. Examples from the top of my head are when we refurbished the Maseru Club and the Lesotho High School facilities which are used by a great number of people from all walks.

-Metropolitan aspires for excellence, team work, Integrity and embracing diversity. A diverse culture for instance; we have a nice mix of males and females within the executive management team.

: Part of a big group of MMI Holdings (merger by Metropolitan and Momentum) with twelve (12) African counties. Lesotho punches above expectations for a small country. We are second to Namibia and we continue pushing even greater. We have produced champions, for example; we have formal awards for top performers with trips to overseas and we have managed to keep our outstanding performance.

Metropolitan is here today and it will be here tomorrow. It will always be there. It is after all, a company that is committed to Basotho and it will keep growing.

Keep supporting the Metropolitan brand and Metropolitan will endeavor their best to take care of their clients’ investments and grow their wealth.

: I am very patriotic about this country, but truth be told our political leadership has led us down. We have very few successes in the political space to speak of.

One of those few to mention which is by no means little is that we have been able to transfer power from one civilian government to another three times, the most recent being June 16. Sadly we have very little to show for that. I am hopeful that the recent change will move us forward and the stability will return and allow business sector to flourish and great jobs.

CALLING FOR GROWTH GABORONE’S REAL CBD Despite what any brochure might tell you, Botswana’s economy is largely driven by banks and Government in various forms or fashions. Think about your parents (if they have been employed in Botswana) and consider just what a huge part of their careers they have spent at these respective entities.

This brings me to the conundrum that has been clanking around in my head for some time now, where is Gaborone’s real CBD? By definition a Central Business District is a city’s commercial centre. It contains the main shops, offices and financial institutions of the urban area. It is usually the most accessible part of the city. See the irony?

Granted it’s our city’s financial district however how many actual business transactions are conducted there by two distinct parties every day?

Commercial banks consider you swiping your card at a filling station a transaction; however I on the other hand, do not. For me the transaction lies between you and said filling station. Semantics aside if large monolithic corporations and state offices dominate the real estate in Gaborone’s CBD, then where are the small-to-medium entrepreneurs supposed to garnish support and indeed credibility?

Enter Mogoditshane, an obscure light industrial and commercial village

located in Gaborone’s far and wild west. Not dissimilar to Tlokweng on the opposite end of the city, however these two locations are perceived entirely differently in the eyes of the locals. The property values of these tribal areas are historically lower than the rest of the city, particularly Mogoditshane or “Mogadishu” as it’s affectionately come to be known.

These villages have since been incorporated albeit informally into Gaborone’s greater metropolitan and are somewhat viewed as old or outdated business districts where yuppies are few and far between.

Why are some of these old districts seemingly in decline? This could be attributed to a myriad of factors, mainly a lack of investment in the

area that led to the dereliction of some buildings and a general decline in the quality of shopping atmosphere. Additionally, they suffered from crowding and an overall image of being crime ridden.

The only place in the whole city of Gaborone that has a stretch of road with six lanes happens to be in Mogoditshane (Molepolole Road).

Although it is our unofficial motor city where an abundance of traffic congestion emanates, surely other parts of the city deserve similar or better infrastructure.

There are now bank branches opening up in shopping complexes along this same six-lane strip, however, the point I’m attempting to put across is that

the real commercial district of Gaborone is Mogoditshane. The sheer amount of businesses of all sizes and the considerable revenue generated by them is frankly remarkable. The growth rate over the last decade both in the formal and informal sectors has been phenomenal. The resultant outcome of urbanisation in this area and the influx of thousands of foreign nationals that have made homes and lives in the belly of Mogadishu have definitely aided in compounding this growth .

Conversely, this current generation of Batswana are seeking to change the

status quo regarding banks and state owned organisations. These new-age Batswana are venturing into diverse entrepreneurial endeavours ranging from consultative, theological to This ever-increasing group of qualified and unemployed young Batswana are a privileged band of banking or governmental misfits that hold the potential to increase and diversify our vibrant and young economy.

Needless to say, Mogoditshane, if afforded sufficient respect and investment could completely turn around its public relations and contribute vast amounts of income and culture to an already bustling and thriving city.

The Importance of a

By Thabo Moipolai

Most of us desire a financial future that is safe and secure and thus we spend a good amount of time to plan our finances. To deal with problems like paying the daily bills, mortgages, paying kids’ education fees, investments; to name a few can be overwhelming, thereby resulting in a lot of stress. If you are very serious about your future plans and wish to work towards attaining your objectives, then without any doubt it is worth investing your effort and time in hiring a professional and experienced financial advisor. After all, a good Advisor will assist you in being well prepared and setting an all-inclusive financial plan.

Strong financial planning means absolute peace of mind. An expert financial advisor will assist you in arranging your personal finances in a manner that works best for you.

Today there is no dearth in the accessibility of financial advisors all across the world, but unfortunately not all are up to the mark. Either they will not complete the task on time or make fake promises. So selection of an ideal person who is certified and licensed to look

after your personal finances is a crucial decision to make. The fact is you will entrust the task to an advisor to manage your hard earned cash with the hope of making use of their financial expertise. Thus, the Advisor must be capable of helping you get solutions and reaching your financial objectives via preparing an effective plan and discover the most appropriate investment plan.

The fact is you are driven in seeking the guidance of a financial advisor in getting serviced with integrity and professional caliber.

Should you desire to secure an investment that is backed with an ideal investment planning

A professional financial advisor will offer the following set of duties and responsibilities; Will help you in making the most appropriate investment choices resting on a thorough review of your financial circumstances

A professional financial advisor will inform you about the most recent amends and developments taking place within the financial world, thereby visualizing you on your possible impacts on your investments Will support you in paperwork and documentation related to your investments

Will guide you to remain committed and steadfast to your financial strategies A good and reliable financial advisor will not be carried away by pessimism or excessive euphoria with regards to any official offer Will monitor your portfolio and also review the same on a frequent basis and also manage to keep it seamless

Although you may possess the capacity of investing. It is notable that you may not have much of an idea as to which financial plan will be more suitable/profitable. During such state of affairs, you have to be clear regarding a couple of things prior to beginning your search. These include; Dependent on whether you possess adequate investment capacity

In case you have little or no understanding when it comes to the financial market as well as its products, and at the same time are clueless where and how to invest Despite having the capacity to make your respective investment decisions, it is indeed crucial for you in choosing someone who is adept on drawing up an ideal financial plan which is in perfect sync with both your goals and financial capacity When you need a financial expert to carry out paperwork and financial documentation more professionally and accurately.

Last but not the least, you will require consulting a financial advisor during the launch of a novel financial plan or you require someone to help save you against paying hefty taxes

The good news is you have a couple of choices with regards to financial advisors. Some of these include; ●

●

●

- such advisors will be the right fit if you desire delegating the responsibility of investment planning, have huge savings which you are not comfortable to handle alone, require more attention on strategies and goals or need a personal bonding with the team which will help in overseeing your investments - hiring their services will be the right choice if you need help in low cost investing, investing long term, as well as require guidance with other forms of financial decisions.

- you should hire their services if you wish to invest and need professional help yet are not ready for high minimums which the majority of the traditional advisors charge. Primarily they are online and will generally work with you via video chat, text, email or phone. Besides, they are also the right pick if you wish to create a universal view of your finances and indeed are confident that you will be at ease with your communication being primarily mobile and online

● A professional financial advisor certainly will be proactive as well as reach out with bad or good news, ideas and strategies. ● They are the difference often amid your financial success as well as failure. ● They will cut down your financial stress, thereby making the load lighter, which in turn will help in simplifying your financial choices and sharpening the focus exclusively on your long term and short term goals ● They will make you smart, along with assisting you on concentrating on the facts instead of the sales pitch ● A good financial advisor will offer you the needed knowledge and expertise which you may not possess. They will take some time out, sit with you one-on-one and explain you in details as to how they can impact when it comes to your investment portfolios.

Such discussions will indeed be a savior as it will guide you to prevent adopting unnecessary perils and focusing on your future goals. ● Besides, they will work both with your CPA and estate planning attorney to avoid indulging in unnecessary risks, reduce taxes and safeguard things which you have worked really hard in accumulating. ● Right from budgeting, saving, investing, retirement planning, insurance needs and much

more; the financial planning via a professional financial advisor will help in bringing every piece of the financial life together. ● Owing to their years of training, experience and the right tools; they can assess your needs quickly and provide advice which reflects the finest practices with regards to the current financial industry along with being ideal for your specific needs. ● They can explain how inflation, savings rate, taxes and investment returns is likely to affect your financial planning. In fact, over your lifetime the right financial planning will appear as a course correction series. ● They will help in distilling the diverse information via the filter of their experience for presenting you with an advice which is relevant, actionable, saves you time along with making you profit or good returns in the future.

Like the majority, you too have dreams and hopes as well as life goals equally for yourself and the family. And this may include purchasing a business or a home, saving for your children’s education, reducing taxes, going on a dream vacation and above all retiring comfortably. The right financial planning under the hands of a professional will work wonders in managing your finances wisely that will ultimately help you in attaining your goals and dreams and simultaneously help you in negotiating the financial barriers which inevitably crop up in every phase of life.

It is after all, your responsibility to manage your personal finances. But

relax, you no longer require doing it alone. Joining hands with a certified and qualified financial advisor can assist you in making an informed decision that indeed makes a major part of the financial resources.

Always remember a genuine advisor can assist you in addressing assorted financial needs and not merely taxes, insurance or investments. To work with them will be a personal affair, and along with competency a renowned advisor will also have trust, commitment and integrity to high professional standards and ethical behaviour. Always hire an

expert who will certainly put your interests and needs first. The truth is in a critical endeavor such as to manage investments the help of competent professional advisors for handling the situation will be a prudent choice. In this way, nothing can act as a barrier to help you accomplish your financial goals. The best part is a good financial advisor will happily welcome all your queries and try to resolve the same.

The bottom line is, although at present you may fail to realize the significance of taking the help of a financial advisor; but years ahead do not regret on your negligence.

Personal Finance Simplified © THE PERSONAL BUDGET

The cornerstone of any good financial plan is a budget, you cannot begin the process of financial planning without it – you would be starting in the wrong place.

carrying too much debt? If so, what can I do about it? How much of my debt can I pay off to free up some cash for investments? Am I investing enough for my future?

A budget is simply a plan, a guide, a script that details the coming ins and going outs of your money. It is a means for you to direct where you want your money to go. At the very top of the budget, is your income, how much you earn – be it a salary, business income, rental income or any other income. Your total income is what sets the parameter for you, as you need to be living within this income if you are to live comfortably. Once you’ve written it down, interrogate it – is this how much your time is worth? Is this what you are happy to be earning, in relation to the lifestyle that you desire? If not, the onus is on you to devise means to increase your income, legally.

The point of budgeting is to face the truth about where your money goes, so that you may redirect it if need be. EVERY WOMAN NEEDS TO KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS THEM TO LIVE ON A MONTHLY BASIS! Every woman needs to know exactly how much debt they are carrying, so that they can take appropriate action, because the ultimate goal is financial security, and you budget is the means to that end.

Besides stipulating your income, the core purpose of your budget is to shine a bright spotlight on you expenses. Start listing your needs – the basic things that you need to live, the ones that you absolutely cannot live 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 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).

Spend a moment to reflect on what your life would be like if all you spent on was only your basic needs – how much would you save? How much could you afford to invest in your future as a result?

To complete the process, factor in all your other expenses; clothing, entertainment, wifi @home, repayments on loans ( credit cards, personal loans..). Add all this up, and you will get to a very important figure –what it costs you to live on a monthly basis! Once you know this figure, once you know WHERE your income goes every month, you are in a powerful position to take action…

The questions to reflect on will be many…are my expenses reasonable for the income that I earn? Am I spending too much on rent? Could I scale down? Am I

Now that you can see the truth about your money (your income), and where it goes (your expenses), now you must look at all your debts. How much are you spending every month to service your loans? What interest rate are you paying on each of your loans? Why do you even still have the loans that you have? Do you even still remember what you did with the money?

Did you put it in things that are now making you money? What is the total amount that you are spending on your loans every month? What percentage is it of your income? Is it more than 40% of your income? If so, what can you do to reduce it? You don’t want to be carrying more debt than you can handle, because as much as loans can help you to achieve some of your personal financial goals, the money that you put towards paying them off is money that could be going in your pocket. The basic principle about debt is that you must carry only the bare minimum (ideally your home and car loan is all the debt you should be carrying, if you can you may even want to be without the car loan). Depending on the debt load that you carry, you may need to restructure, consolidate or just keep on the track that you are on (if you are on a good track). But the important thing is that only your budget will reveal the truth about where you are.

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

Depending on your financial situation, you may want to consult a wealth manager to help you to navigate your financial situation. But having constructed your budget with as much honesty as possible, you would have paved the way to your financial security. Having done your budget, you will be able to calculate a number of ratios that will reveal your true financial health – your debt service ratio (how much debt you carry relative to your income – you don’t want this ratio to exceed 40%), and your savings ratio (the percentage of your income that you channel towards savings – you want this to be as high as possible).

When all is said and done, you cannot begin to plan your finances with a budget. You can do it every month, every quarter or every year, depending on what suits you and your family.

MérlotWEALTH™

™

May 2017 saw the Lesotho Highlands Development Authority, embark on a campaign to share information about Phase II of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project with contractors and suppliers who may be interested in securing business opportunities.

The authority arranged one-day information sharing sessions that were held in venues in Lesotho and South Africa. With the imminent advertisement of Phase II related construction tenders, the Project’s Authorities saw it prudent to hold these sessions, following the successful roll out of the same for consulting firms in 2014. The sessions precede the advertisement of tenders, and thereby prepare interested parties for the bidding process.

In accordance with Article 10 of the Phase II Agreement, Consultants and Contractors registered in Lesotho and South Africa shall equally share the value of all advance infrastructure works. The governments of Lesotho and South Africa are committed to the objective that consultants and contractors registered in Lesotho and in South Africa should share the value of all infrastructure works on an equal monetary basis, taking into account, amongst other things, their shareholding and operational experience.

The overall objective of rolling out the roadshows was to mainly sensitize potential contractors to fully maximise on opportunities and benefits to be presented by the upcoming construction of the advance infrastructure works, main works (Polihali Dam & Tunnel) and future Hydropower related works.

Furthermore, it was to share the general tender rules with the prospective bidders so that they know what to anticipate.

Three fora were planned for the months of May and June, with the first held at the Avani Maseru Hotel, in Maseru on the 29th May 2017, followed by two; at the Wanderers Club, Johannesburg and the Garden Court Marine Parade, Durban on the 12th and the 26th June 2017 respectively. The roadshows were well subscribed with a turnout of more than 600 participants for Maseru, 500 for Johannesburg and more than 200 for Durban.

The information sharing sessions focused on amongst others; the scope of work under Phase II, the Project schedule, critical procurement rules and regulations, and the unpacking of the procurement framework. The latter covered, inter alia, contract packaging that will be designed to maximize participation of Lesotho and RSA contractors (especially Black-owned entities), the evaluation criteria that include quality evaluation, price evaluation and preference scoring, and how the LHDA will actually implement the procurement and evaluation guidelines.

The LHDA also shared with the participants the lessons learnt under Phase I in the Procurement Process and administration of contracts. The LHDA highlighted some of the typical shortcomings that the SMMEs and other contractors exhibited in the tendering process and also during the actual execution of the works. Based on these lessons and experiences the LHDA underscored the paramount need for contractors to familiarise themselves with the contractual obligations and adhere to the Instructions To Tenderers (ITT) and to the terms in the signed contracts.

The positive response from the industry signals a welcome move towards realising the objective of creating a networking platform for contractors and suppliers and furthering opportunities for formation of Joint Ventures, which would ensure creation of capacity for competitive bidding.

The successful conclusion of the roadshows, has since ignited an interest in Industry players to be listed on the LHDA Online Suppliers Database, an additional networking platform where contractors and other suppliers can register and list their services. The online database is a vital information resource aimed at creating the necessary pool of skill and expertise, and a one-stop avenue for local, regional and international suppliers.

Interested construction companies and suppliers are urged to visit the LHDA website for a step-by-step self-registration guide under the link; http://www.lhda.org.ls/phase2/tenderbulletin/register

UNLOCKING Potential in Lesotho through NEW TECHNOLOGIES In the streets of the capital city of Maseru and in most towns, in the Kingdom of Lesotho, it is easy to spot almost all people with a mobile handset or talking with one. Mobile telephones are everywhere in Lesotho even in the remote, mountainous and rural corners of the country. For a country estimated to have 2 million inhabitants, there are over 2.3 million mobile subscribers.

The feat in the growth of telecommunications seemed impossible 17 years ago in the year 2000, when the Government of Lesotho established the national regulatory authority, Lesotho Communications Authority, amongst many public policies of the time.

Through the Lesotho Telecommunications Policy of 1999, Lesotho adopted three pronged policy for unlocking the economy of Lesotho using information and communications technologies. This

policy was informed by the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology which was adopted in Maseru, Lesotho, on the 24th August 1996. The SADC protocol recognized that “effective transport, communications, and meteorology systems are prerequisites for economic growth and improved quality of life – the primary goals of SADC. The Protocol was about all aspects of transport, communications, and meteorology throughout Southern Africa and its intent was to establish systems for these sectors so that they could function efficiently and productively, thereby promoting economic and social development.

Through the Protocol, Member States agreed to strategic goals and policies for an integrated network of transport, communications, and meteorology, with specific funding sources,

The Lesotho Telecommunications policy of 1999 provided for the following: ● Establishment of an independent regulatory authority, the Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA), to be in control of all operations and service pertaining to communications services; ● Introduction of competition in the sector by attracting more service providers and introduction of new services; and

● Expansion of network penetration and improvement of quality of service.

The policy also set out the basis for privatisation of the incumbent telecommunications company, Lesotho Telecommunications Corporation (LTC), and liberalisation of the telecommunications sector.

Subsequent to that, Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) was established in 2000 through an Act of Parliament. The Act gave LCA the mandate to regulate the sector and licence the service providers, a role that was, until then, played by LTC, which acted as a regulator as well as a service provider. The Act was amended in 2001 to include broadcasting as one other area for regulation by the Authority. The Act was further amended in 2006 and

2007 to change the founding name from the then Lesotho Telecommunications Authority (LTA) to Lesotho Communications Authority (LCA) in order to extend its regulatory mandate over the entire communications sector, including postal and courier services.

Following further liberalisation of the sector in 2007 and convergence of communication services, a new Communications Policy was adopted in 2008. To support this policy, a new Communications Act No. 4 of 2012 was promulgated, repealing the LTA Act of 2000 and its related amendments.

Rollback 17 years later. Lesotho has two major network operators, Econet Telecom Lesotho and Vodacom Lesotho with combined phone subscribers of over 2.5 million. There are twenty-two licensed radio stations and four (4) television stations and nine postal and courier operators.

There are several communications retail service providers which do not need licensing from LCA and all these entities provide essential service to consumers, provide smallmedium enterprises businesses and provide employment in the sector.

More importantly, the sector offers the services which eases the processes of conducting business.

Lesotho is now a full participant in the digital economy. Progressively some government services are provided through e-government platforms such as civil registration.

Government has also embarked on a project to rapidly develop egovernment services. The objective of the Lesotho eGovernment Infrastructure project is the enhancement of good governance by the deployment of a modern and secure e-government broadband infrastructure. The project focuses on the utilization of ICT on governance frameworks that underpin the effectiveness of public sector institutions. The project further aims to develop institutions and processes that allow inclusive private sector participation and citizens to benefits from the use of new technologies.

The private sector now offer their services on digital platforms more

than ever before and Lesotho is comparable with many countries in areas such as financial service, education, tourism and health. Over half of the population of Lesotho now use mobile money services, popularly now as EcoCash and Mpesa, to transact variety of services such as paying school fees, insurances, utilities and remittances. M-health is also catching up especially in remote health centres where health issues are referred to specialist doctors.

Competitive and open communications markets have created opportunities in countries that previously lagged behind.

Competitively priced and technologically varied service offerings have allowed businesses to compete and thrive globally. This is no different in Lesotho. Competition in variety of services and products has seen the growth of the sector and improvement in the quality of services being offered to communications consumers.

However, there are still market gaps on providing widespread high speed broadband services at affordable prices and connectivity to remote areas. LCA through the Universal Service Fund (USF), is working together with network operators to extend services to remote, unserved and underserved areas of Lesotho.

To-date, the USF has developed 48 projects throughout the country which provide mobile phone services to over 80,000 inhabitants. These are the people who for the first time in the lives used phone services.

Since the establishment of LCA and introduction of regulation in the communications sector in Lesotho, the following benefits have been gained: core telecommunications services – broadband, landlines and mobile – have fallen to levels which compare well with anywhere in the world; variety of communication services have been introduced into the market including new radio and television stations, as well as variety of retail services.

For more information: www.lca.org.ls.

SNOW BOUND A Journey

by Emma Parker After my closest friends discovered that I had never seen snow – hardly uncommon for a twenty year old South African – we decided to plan a snow filled holiday in Lesotho.

However, the cold has always been one of my enemies, and whilst preparing for the weather I knew I would face on this trip, I found myself standing in front of my mirror draped in every jacket I own. This was not ideal. I was definitely working up a nice sweat, but movement was near impossible.

Not being properly kitted out would surely have turned this trip into a disaster, but luckily, I knew a few gear enthusiasts in the gear shop at CityROCK Johannesburg.

A ski jacket was my highest priority. Chatting with the shop team I was showed a few options available for keeping both warm and dry. First of which was The North Face Evolve Triclimate 3-in-1 Jacket. The jacket is a fleece interconnected through zippers to a waterproof outer shell – this would mean that I could use either parts separately or all together. This seemed like a viable option but for all the tumbling around that I’d be doing, I was guaranteed to be getting snow under the jacket. As a first time skier, I was promised no shortage of falling about; I was not about to let snow ride up… anywhere! The North Face Descendit Jacket was my jacket of choice because of the insulated and waterproof fabric that made up the jacket – I also knew that I’d be able to use it for those frosty Joburg mornings. My torso felt very dry and free of snow, thanks to the Descendit’s practical, rubberised snow skirt. That, paired with my North Face Glacier Fleece, worked like a dream, especially since I made contact with the snow more times than I would like to admit.

Top sorted, now my legs. The shop team showed me the range of prAna and The North Face pants that I would be able to use for a standard hike or just for casual wearing but unfortunately these are not very waterproof. Not willing to let the cold soak in, I went with The North Face Chavanne Ski Pants. I can happily say that they were completely waterproof, and unexpectedly comfortable. The pants fitted well with the jacket under the skirt and kept the snow out.

In addition to the waterproof and insulated outer layers; I was advised to get a pair of base layers. This would mean that when I was sweating profusely on the slopes the First Ascent Quik-Wic technology would keep the sweat away from me so I did not get cold.

For the duration of our stay we occupied a small farm house in the small town of Fouriesburg in the Free State. We then would drive through to the border so that we could make the two hour drive to Afriski. The hairpin bends through the rural Lesotho countryside made for a picturesque drive. After stopping at a frozen waterfall and taking countless photographs we eventually reached the resort.

The constant trek up the snowy incline proved to be quite tiresome. I definitely could have done some fitness prep. Whilst getting kitted out I couldn’t help but admire the fantastic training facility that CityROCK was. CityROCK is marketed as an adult rock climbing facility yet still offer daily yoga classes and a fully equipped gym training facility. A few visits to the facility and I would have certainly been able to haul myself up the hill with a lot more ease.

With all the exploring we did, it was an adventure to remember, but making snow angels was one of the best moments. It was amongst the silliest things I have done over the years, but I am pretty impressed with how my gear handled it.

City ROCK

GILAN GORK

Gilan has presented for Fortune500 companies in 20 countries across Europe, Africa, Asia and America, and is the author of the bestselling book Persuasion Games. With two decades' experience as a professional mentalist, Gilan creates unique learning experiences that help people unleash their influence. He teaches how to apply a working knowledge of influence and persuasion to real-life practical situations, to be able to lead, sell, negotiate, market and inspire on a new level.

A Language Never Spoken!

It may sound like an absurd question, but it really isn’t. In fact, I mention this question at the start of every session I give on the subject. Over the past twenty years, I must have asked this question to literally thousands of students in dozens of different countries.

Here’s the answer: paint is only useful when it’s to something. For me, the same is true of body language and the study of non-verbal communication. I never teach these subjects in isolation. What I teach is how to a working knowledge of body language to real-life practical situations, especially to do with selling, negotiation, leadership, and so on.

This is a crucial distinction. Anyone can flick through a book on body language. What’s far more useful is knowing how to the principles of non-verbal communication to real life.

This is what I emphasise in my talks to sales professionals, executives and VIP guests all around the world.

To see what I mean, consider this example.

You are pitching for a substantial, high-level contract. You have submitted your bid and are now meeting the client. He says, “Your bid was certainly competitive. However, the fact is that another company has submitted a comparable bid that’s significantly lower. If you could match their bid, or get close to it, we’d be happy to award you the contract.”

There are two possibilities here. The client may be telling the truth, in which case you’ll have to see if you can modify your bid — which could mean significantly reducing your price and your profit margin. Alternatively, this rival bid could be imaginary. The client might just be bluffing in an attempt to save some money.

Although I’ve simplified the details, this scenario is drawn from real life. As it happens, the salesman in this case was one of my former students. Here’s the crucial part: he was 90% sure the client was bluffing, so he felt no need to lower his asking price (I’ll tell you how he knew in just a moment.) He stuck to his guns and was able to close the deal having to trim his margin.

This is just one example of how a working knowledge of body language, and how to it to real-life situations, can be tremendously useful. It’s why many leading professionals in direct sales, network marketing and multi-level marketing are studying this subject in such depth. When you’re selling, you want to know as much as you can about what your customer is thinking and feeling — and knowing how to read subtle non-verbal signals can make all the difference.

One of the great joys of studying body language is the subtlety involved. For example, it’s rarely possible to make deductions based on a single action or gesture viewed in isolation. Context almost always matters, and we generally look for a coherent of signals rather than

Let’s get back to the story of the client bluffing about a fictitious ‘rival’ bid. In this case, the salesman based his deduction on a pattern of ‘tells’ (involuntary revelations) that suggested an attempt to deceive.

There were actually several signals involved, but the most significant one was this: the client had started to blink much more rapidly than usual he mentioned the (imagijust nary) rival bid. In most contexts, when corroborated by other indicators, this increased frequency of blinking (compared to an established base rate) is a fairly clear sign that someone isn’t being entirely honest.

and said, “It’s always a pleasure to meet someone with musical talent.

Tell me, what sort of guitar do you play?”

Here’s a neat example of good observation skills in action. A student of mine works for a major telecommunications company. She was once pitching to a buyer from a multi-national retail chain. She had been warned that this particular buyer was rather ‘cold’ towards sales people and that it was difficult to build rapport with him. My student walked confidently into the meeting, shook hands

You may have seen some of my ‘mindreading’ demonstrations on national television. To be honest, and without giving too much away, I don’t think it’s possible to actually read some. However, micro-expresone’s sions and other barely perceptible clues often give away what someone is thinking.

The buyer was clearly startled, but also pleasantly intrigued. “How did you know I play the guitar?” he asked. The meeting was off to a flying start and my student had established good rapport within seconds.

I’ll let you in on the secret. My student noticed that the buyer had long nails on his right hand and short nails on his left hand — an almost certain sign that someone plays classical guitar!

The material I teach on body language is based on over of practical study and experience. In this time, I’ve developed a highly systematic approach to both reading and influencing people. This isn’t just because I think influence is a fascito develop this nating subject. I knowledge to survive professionally!

For example, I present my persuasion and influence seminars to companies all over the world. This involves knowing not just how to read subconscious from signals but also how these one culture to another. These variations can be highly significant. A gesture that is seen as ‘aggressive’ in one country can mean ‘peace’ in another.

Sharpening your observational skills, and developing your body language expertise, enables you to build rapport with just about anyone. It’s also a good way to develop greater command and presence in any meeting. want to Ask yourself why you learn these subtle yet effective techniques?

Bringing up Great Children

Less screen time more play…

By Nelly Ndimande

When I was a child there were so many outdoor activities for me to take part in. I have to note here that I am not that old, I am still in my twenties- the better part thereof, but twenties nonetheless. It is amazing how things have changed in the last 20 years. In fact, I distinctly remember when as a child, my mother and every grown up around me would chase me out of the house so that they could get on with the cleaning and other household chores without me and my siblings being in the way.

My favourite outdoor activities included playing Hopscotch, Jump-Rope, Double Dutch, Broken Telephone, Musical Chairs and generally exploring my neighbourhood. On days when I wasn’t outside, I made up all sorts of games with my toys. I had plenty of toys; big ones, small ones; girl toys and boy toys. I was entertained.

Every day was a colossal adventure with new places to explore, new friends to make and an endless amount of fun to be had. The more I discovered, the more I wanted to learn. I learned a lot when I was playing.

Fast forward to 2017 and technology is everywhere we look. News spreads in real time.

These days you have to think twice before you do a silly thing in public, because people are ever ready to capture those embarrassing moments and quickly upload them onto social media at the click of a button. We are inundated with technological options - whether you’re watching reality television, playing video games, or whether you’re on your tablet, iPad or your latest Smartphone.

The reality is that technology has arrived. It is bigger, better, faster than ever before and it is a huge part of our daily lives. Unfortunately, children are exposed to the same pressures regarding technology. We haven’t experienced the outcome and impact of technology on the younger generation. We need to understand how advances in technology affect our children’s development in comparison to development based on how we used to play, before technology became an all-consuming extra limb in our lives. Will our children be better developed than we are or are we making a mistake by giving them free reign on technology?

It is a well-known point that free play and toys open up a whole world of learning opportunities for our kids. Playing with toys equips children with skills that foster their development beyond imaginary battles between the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and their enemies or playing house with the yummy smelling Num Noms. Toys help kids develop fine motor skills and think creatively along with much other valuable dexterity. The more children engage in free play and play with toys the more equipped they become for progression to other stages of their lives.

There are many advantages to advances in technology including easier access to information and quicker communication that it is almost a misnomer to mention its deficits; however it is almost impossible for there not to be disadvantages when we are looking at level of access that our children have to various gadgets.

One of the biggest parenting trends for 2017 and 2018 is to limit screen time for children. Kids are watching way too much stuff on screen, whether it’s YouTube videos or video games that are easily accessible from your App Store. This is an alarming precedent which has spread to the point that it is causing harm in children, including lack of muscle tone, childhood obesity and lack of social skills. I am sure you have seen a child with a cellphone or tablet in his hand and they cannot pay attention to what is happening in their immediate surroundings.

These are some of the reasons why as parents we need to encourage our children to spend time outside in the garden, have fun playing with toys and communicating with their families and friends without being distracted by tablets, laptops and cellphones.

Children learn a number of skills they will need and use as adults as they play. When children use toys such as Poppit – where they create things using clay and moulds - , they are able to build and make and refine their fine motor skills while doing so. They also learn about different colours and using different colours.

Once the building project is complete, this stirs up feelings of achievement. “I win! I’m good at that!” In the same way that adults feel a sense of accomplishment when they’ve seen a project through from planning to completion phase, children feel the same way after building their Poppit kingdom from scratch; these feelings build and reinforce self-esteem and self-confidence in a child.

Playing with dolls like Baba Tasha and Baby Born encourages role play where kids are able to pretend to be mom and dad for a while and change a nappy, feed the baby, put it to sleep and so on. Role play has the ability to lengthen attention span through making up games and stories with multiple storylines, characters and endings. This enables children to develop better judgement, reasoning and problem solving skills.

When playing with friends or siblings these skills can go even further to include taking turns, working together in a team, listening to each other, playing fair and helping each other.

According to Chiquita Patrizi, spokesperson for Prima Toys, the benefits of play when it comes to developing certain skills, are endless. “Play encourages and fosters many invaluable skills that we as human beings use our whole lives. Beyond the development of social skills, play allows children to make sense of the world around them. To make sense of situations and learn coping skills. As much as technology plays a role in our lives, the demand for toys is still high. Children still want to play,” she says.

Creativity is not an innate ability that is exclusive to certain people. Creativity can be taught and practiced just like any other skill. Research shows that creativity is essential for the development of scientific, mathematic, social and emotional intelligence in children. Creativity allows people to be better a solving problems and adapting to change. When our children are role playing with their latest toys or in free play, they use their imaginations to create and act out different stories.

Children can play dress up, they can save the world from the bad guys or they can pretend to be mom at work or driving them to school, the possibilities are endless. What matters here is that as parents we need to understand the importance of play for early childhood development and we need to schedule this time for our children.

Toys have been there for as long as anyone can remember, but they are more than simply special occasion gifts that offer a temporary distraction for our children, or objects that entertain our offspring while we busy ourselves with other grown up duties. They are necessary for our children’s development.

Research shows that sales of traditional toys and games in the UK grew 5% in 2015 to £2.93bn. This looks like a step in the right direction. Hopefully in the next few years this number will grow as we try to teach our kids to be more active and limit time spent staring at a screen.

According to Dr Bob Myers, a licensed child and adolescent psychologist, play strengthens and refines small and large motor skills, and it builds stamina and strength. Sensory learning develops mostly through play. Play is significant to physical development in that without it the body could not grow and develop normally. He goes on to add that children explore, learn and make sense out of their environment by playing.

Parents and educators alike can support this learning activity by ensuring age-appropriate toys, materials, and environments are available to children.

Play enables children to know things about the world and to discover information essential to learning. Through play, children learn basic concepts such as colours, counting, how to build things, and how to solve problems. Thinking and reasoning skills are at work every time a child engages in some type of play. Children learn to relate to one another, negotiate roles, share, and obey rules through play. They also learn how to belong to a group and how to be part of a team. A child obtains and retains friends through play.

The next time you consider making a big purchase for your child, remember that toys play a big part in advancing your child’s development beyond what they are learning at school or on the latest video game. Think about the stage of growth they are in and match your toy selection to the skills you would like them to practice and learn. Yes, they all want the latest cell phone or tablet, but as parents we shouldn’t allow ourselves to succumb to these demands, but to rather focus on what is best for our children’s development in the long term.

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.

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.

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

It is no secret that most Italians have an inherent eye for good design, and Italians love for home is second to none.

Take these two and combine them, and what you get is the essence of Italian interior design. If you are looking for a way to meet all that you require from your home and make it the cynosure of all eyes at the same time, look no further than interior design from Italy.

History of Interior Design in Italy

The history of Italian interior design is pretty long and elaborate, interior designing was a hobby of the Italian nobility from the Roman times. Not only did the Romans create architectural marvels, they designed the interiors of their structures for maximum comfort, functionality and aesthetic appeal. With the centuries, the Roman villas with their ornate architectural details gave way to relatively simple structures, built for durability.

But as is apparent in the distinguished Tuscan villas and the luminous Mediterranean beach houses standing till this day and inspiring a million other homes, Italians did not sacrifice the beauty of a building for its long life.

Modern Italian interior design in its stark lines might be somewhat different from the houses of the 18th and 19th

centuries, but it has a few things in common with its historical counterpart.

The love of open, well-lighted, airy spaces, for one. Most Italian interior designers today, whether fans of classic designs or followers of edgy chic, design living spaces with lots of light and air in mind.

And the second rule they adhere to to try and bring as much of the exterior into the interior of the house as possible. This could be in the form of big glass windows that open into the garden, or floating ceilings.

Italian Interior Design

A few things changed,however.

have

radically

The first is the interior designer's preoccupation with clever and aesthetic space utilization. Some urban homes in Italy tend to be small, and interior designers try their best to allocate space, doors, and windows to give as much a semblance of open space as possible. The tricks designers use to enhance space include the strategic placement of furniture and lighting. Italian designers tend to excel in both of these areas.

Secondly, the average Italian home is now a self-contained modular affair, and this calls for creative solutions to spatial and aesthetic issues. Italian interior designers have responded with bold, individualistic, intelligent and often quirky suggestions to make the home an interesting living area.

Thirdly, modern kitchens have evolved into living spaces, where people entertain guests or spend their spare time, and this has also affected interior design. Kitchens are now more open, and the ventilation

from the living room and other areas has improved.

Italian Interior Design Last, but not the least, designers also have to keep in mind that most Italians now prefer the clean, uncluttered look. This has brought a lot of concealed storage solutions into the realm of Italian interior design. Another feature is the use of furniture for dual purposes: a sofa by day often converts into a bed by night.

But along with the challenges, Italian interior designers have a great asset. They can draw upon a sizeable pool of traditional artisans who can help customize a house to the specific beauty and functionality requirements of a homeowner.

In order to help readers understand Italian interior design in depth and detail, Life in Italy brings together a collection of articles that address many aspects of interior design in Italy.

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

is the first consideration when looking at Tuscan style. The basic color palette comes from the landscape and agriculture. The main colors used in are earthy tones as well as like which call to mind bright sunny days under clear skies.

These colors reflect the beauty of the countryside. In many or are muted instances these colors are made to 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 are hand plastered and have a look and touched. 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.

In the interior of you will find exquisite masonry in the form of marble floors and countertops in kitchens and baths. Stone work also accentuates fireplaces and foyers bringing the earthy feeling indoors. is simple and 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. 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 . Why not invite a touch of Tuscany into your home?

Bring some of italy into your home through Diva Luce Lighting and Diva Cucini’s Italian Kitchens and bedrooms collection. Call Brett Nish 072 263 4009 or email him sales@divagrroup.co.za

Tuscan Style

His Hair and His Beard

By Ben David Gone are the days when taking care of yourself as a man and staying clean and well groomed made you feel like less of a man or feel guilty of being too particular about how you look and feel.

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

The word has found life in the modern day man, for grooming and fashion has become a pivotal aspect in how you present yourself to the world. It also plays an important role on how the world perceives you.

The metaphor, “Don’t judge a book by its cover” usually goes without saying but realistically in today’s world it is almost exactly the opposite. In today’s world, “first impressions last” is fast taking over the former metaphor. Apart from how other people look at you and

I am always amused at my peers who are losing hair and still want to hold on to the little hair that is left before they go for the inevitable bald look. As much as the bald look is a cover-up for men that are losing hair, it is a very clean and professional look that has become acceptable even in the highest offices. Some men who have a full head of hair still go for the bald look because it is now one of the most preferred look for men, thanks to

Hollywood stars that are proudly rocking this look.

For men that decide to go bald, there are factors that you really need to consider to keep your scalp safe and healthy. Firstly, you must be aware that whether it is hot or cold your scalp is exposed to the harmful Ultra Violet (UV) rays from the sun. This exposure to UV rays poses a threat of developing skin cancer and accelerated aging of the scalp and facial skin and so for men that spend a lot of time outdoors, it is very important to consider investing in a moisturizing crème with a sun protection factor of 20SPF or above. These creams have Ultra Violet

But for those who might be forced to go bald because they are going to lose the hair for hereditary or any other reasons, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

This is because if you diagnose hair loss at an early stage, there are new products that have been designed to significantly stunt the loss of hair and resuscitate the follicles that are weak and dormant. These products contain activating ingredients that rejuvenate your hair follicles, increasing the blood circulation on the scalp, and creating an environment for optimum growth of hair. A healthy scalp is a ground for healthy hair.

Many professional hair products manufactures have a line of products dedicated for hair loss these days. Even so, there are lots of products on the market that are not authentic yet they claim to restore hair. Always seek professional advice and opinion from your stylist or appoint with a recommended trichologist in your area for a proper and informed hair and scalp analysis. This analysis will determine the appropriate course of action and highlight what products to invest in.

For Caucasian men, there is a new product called Hair Fibre that can be sprinkled on the thinning areas to give a fuller and healthier effect. This is a temporary solution that has to be used every day, but the above solution for seeking professional help also applies to stop the progression of the thinning hair.

The irony is that though it seems that men are losing hair where they want it, it starts sprouting in areas we do not want like the nose, ears, and eyebrows. This means a grooming plan is necessary because these hairs can be very unsightly and can give away your age at one glance. Waxing them gives a better lasting solution whilst using the nose trimmer needs more frequency. Many barbers have increased their offerings and are now including all of these services because the modern man demands them.

Even though the beard vogue has taken over, proper trimming and grooming is also very important. Beard oils, beard softeners and beard combs and brushes are now available to help you manage the unruly stubble.

Getting a professional to manage your beard can help to keep your beard looking neat and professional. There are so many ways that your beard can be shaped and trimmed but it is difficult to do it yourself. Of course a clean shave is straight forward but if you intend to keep a full set of manicured beard you definitely need intervention of a pro.

IN HER SHOES It is universally known that diamonds are a woman’s are a close second. Every best friend; well 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 I term the ‘ of buying the perfect shoe.

In buying shoes, most women opt for image over comfort. This is often a direct result of not-so-good 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 from not being able to walk properly, pain or not being stable on their feet. It is worthy to note that a lot of a woman’s presence is in her stature and so if you are uncomfortable, you cannot present a strong and confident stance.

With today’s busy working environment coupled with dynamic social scenery with many additional leisure activities, it has become increasingly important to ensure that one has a pair of shoes that is versatile and adaptable to changing settings. A business meeting followed by a catch up session with friends does not need to be a train wreck; a good shoe should allow the flexibility of multipurpose use.

Resourcefulness of a shoe is essential.

You can tell a lot about a woman’s character from the character of her shoes. Contrary to popular belief, shoes have a persona of their own which outlines the personality of

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.

This aspect of shoe selection is a given but often ignored by many women. Colour in itself can send out several diverse signals if used incorrectly. The same applies for shoes; some colours may be appropriate for the workplace but not suitable for a work function and vice versa. This also includes elements such as glossiness, prints, metallic edges, etc. The usual focus for many women is having shoes that match the overall outfit without the necessary focus on choosing a desirable colour. A good colour shoe can give you the perfect combination of confidence and class.

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

Designing promotional material is a lot of fun for me. Whether I am doing the designing or I am just managing the creative process it doesn't matter. I love the lateral thinking and I love the experimentation of colours and objects and evaluating their meaning. It feeds my energy levels more than ice-cream…

However, it becomes a job when I am creating material with poorly designed logos. Unfortunately SME's are forced to take what they get from small, cheap companies who profess to know what they are doing in the marketing field or they are so excited about developing the logo that they want to do it themselves. I understand… I really do. Creating your own logo and seeing it on your letterhead and business card can give you a great feeling of accomplishment. But may I remind you that your logo is not all about you! It's about your business. Please don't feel offended here.

My purpose is to help you make better decisions for the welfare of your business and at the end of the day, the healthy growth of your brand and company. Ready to be edified? Here we go: Choosing colours for your logo is a science nd not guess work or an opportunity to use your favourite colours. Colour combinations elicit different psychological responses in people and you need be sure that your choice adds value to your company not retracts from it. I will write a blog about colours shortly but for the moment you need to know that you need your main colour and your need accent colours and they must be chosen and set and not changed based on your mood for he day. These colours will be the platform for all colour applications throughout your brand

material, website and anything else that presents your brand to the public.

Your logo needs to give the viewer an immediate clear sense of who you are. Keep it uncluttered and the term less is more, is very relevant here. Don't fall into the trap of too much detail and don't fall into the trap of trying to be too abstract either. Some logo's are basic shapes and in some circumstances that makes sense but in others it has no relevance to the company's purpose.

Your logo needs to be easily recalled once someone has seen it. It needs to leave an impression. A glance is typically all your logo is going to get from most people.

Don't settle for a mass produced 'me too' logo. This is the heart of your brand and will be the root from which all other creative work stems from here on. Why cripple your self at the get go? A me too logo shouts: We are like everyone else! Really? Is this your message?

Innovation is the key force behind leading companies and the driver behind successful entrepreneurs. If you have an innovative company with much to offer then bring that into the creation of your logo.

The look and feel of the logo should be modern but not so modern that it'll feel out of date in a few years. The best logo's hold well over time. Ok, so maybe you're not the current Coca-Cola or Pepsi. Well if you think you'll never be as brilliant as them then you won't. If you think you will then you will. The minute you set limitations on yourself, you immediately create your own barrier to success and you limit your ability to set a trend. All logo's need to have a bit of cosmetic surgery every so often but if you have a great logo your tweaks will be minimal and your logo will have a life of its own.

Ok well here's the thing… some of us are prone to symmetry and some of us aren't. However balance is not just about symmetry. There are laws that govern balance of objects from a psychological point of view and there is nothing worse than a logo that doesn't know which way it wants to go.

A great example is the twitter bird. You may not even realise it but they have used circles and symmetry to create a bird that is both pleasing to the eye and perfectly balanced in terms of its curves making it open and free.

Here in lies the devil of all creativity.

Oh gosh. I have worked with some of the most difficult logos and I have worked with absolutely fabulous logos. Please remember that you will be using your logo for all sorts of things, from your business card and letterhead to flags and banners and corporate clothing and key rings, pens and the list can go on and on.

You will use it in colour and in black and white. You will use it online and in print. Your logo needs to have the versatility to be applied on every platform where it will be displayed.

Don't be scared to create variations and test them on all these applications.

See what your logo looks like when you put it on a pen. Can you even put it on a pen?

Your logo won't necessarily be perfect from the first draft. Be prepared to tweak and change and adjust. Many very experienced, brilliant designers play around a lot before they get the logo right and even then more tweaking is needed.

If you are in tune with your brand and what you know is right for your industry you will understand this and realise that its ok to tweak and tweak. It's possible that you will eventually go back to an original design in one of your first drafts but that tweaking process is so important and you need to give the design team latitude and yourself permission to let the design process play out.

Well there are a lot of different ideas as to which side of the advert you put the logo or which side of the letterhead. If you are unsure then always go with top right for your letterhead and either top left for your advert or bottom right. In your advertising your push button - or sales call to action is generally placed on the bottom right corner as it is the eye's natural follow through line. Unless you're doing work in the Far East.

If your business and your brand is very important to you and you wan to ensure you build a brand that has a powerful life then I suggest you ask a professional to assist you. Take all your ideas to them and let them help you sift through the clutter of indecision.

There is a simple test that professionals take a business owner through to help them assess what is needed. For us it is simple. It is our core business and core expertise.

and I cannot state this clearly enough Brand equity and the value of your logo is not represented on your balance sheet, but it is represented in the buying pattern of your client. If it has no value or has failed to build value then you will always be chasing turnover and markets instead of creating markets.

Esprit Business Services are specialists in marketing, branding and training. We certainly have the expertise and the passion to help you make the best decisions, whether you hire us to create it for you or your hire us to train you.

Your logo is the heart of your brand and is the root from which all other creative work will stem.

Give the world the best version of your company.

Just like the way you dress offers people a presentation of you, your logo does the same for your company.

SHORT STORY

A Near Death Experience This morning when I awoke, the sun in Gaborone, where I have right of abode, was a beautiful red round with admirable splotches of gold. I had not seen anything like it in my several weeks of life, but then again my longevity on earth is a mere drop of water in the Victoria Falls compared to that of the two footed rulers of this world.

For this reason, unlike the few humans I have had the misfortune of encountering –because they all tried to murder me – who never take time off from their busy schedules to appreciate the six-day trouble that God went through for their ungrateful sakes, I oohed and aahed and let myself imaginarily float in the cool breeze from the north of Botswana which enveloped me.

I could have sworn the breeze carried a somewhat energizing stew of water particles from the Okavango Delta, refined dust pellets from the Kgalagadi Desert and sweet fragrances of all the local vegetation you can imagine. All concocted into one perfect chemical composition that wafted into my suburban space.

But just then, an unnecessary sudden flicker of the neon bulb which flooded my feeding ground with light startled me out my reverie. Quickly, I scurried to the far left side of the ceiling and waited.

Seconds later the man swept into the bathroom singing at the top of his voice. His presence did not bother me as it once would have done so I did not dash for cover. I kept my cute, well-rounded pitch-black pupils fixed on him. As always, he vacantly acknowledged me before proceeding to do the usual. Unlike those who had miserably failed to kill me, he had not tried. Ours was a silent agreement, I keep his bathroom free from spiders and mosquitos and he pretends I do not exist.

“I see you in a different light…” he mimicked Chante Moore and Jojo while stepping into the bathtub.

I watched as scintillating beads of water rolled down his masculine frame. We had one thing in common, he and I. We both had tan skin. Mine a little paper-thin. Without wanting to sound vain, mine was possibly a little fairer and paler than his.

Minutes later, he was swathed in steam, though in a sauna he wasn’t. His song was deafened by sweltering sheets of water shooting through the showerhead. He was in a good mood, maybe his girlfriend had spent the night.

From my vantage point I spotted my breakfast scuttling behind the toilet head. I was about to launch for the juicy grey spider when the man reached for the silvery knob and rotated enough to cut off the water supply. He was about to towel himself when he suddenly froze, his eyes transfixed on me.

Ages passed while he stood like a pillar of salt on the smooth white surface of the bathtub. I had this sudden urge to run for my life but I ignored it because his countenance did not make sense, we had an understanding so why did he look like he had seen a monster.

Run, my inner voice warned and I ignored. He sees you in a different way through different eyes and what he sees is not pleasant, the voice pestered, sending chills running down my spine, all the way to the tip of my tail.

If he wanted to kill me or scream he would have done so by now, I reasoned, unless of course his tongue had betrayed him and was stuck to the roof of his mouth.

Just to test him, I took a few steps forward. His eyelids immediately batted as if to erase images of me, then he screamed so wide-mouthed I could see his vocal folds vibrate. But he did not move.

Footsteps came rushing towards the bathroom.

“Baby,” a female voice called out. That was my cue to leave. The nearest hideaway was the very place where my eight-legged breakfast had taken refuge.

“Gosh are you okay?” she enquired as she pushed the door open.

“Yes,” “But the scream, did you see something?”

He hesitated for a while. “Yes, but it’s fine. It ran off,” he said, grabbing a towel.

“Was it a snake?” she persisted, “just tell me, my heart stopped beating when I heard you scream. So what was it?”

“Okay, but promise not to laugh or see me as less a man,” he said avoiding eye contact.

I watched her wrap her arms around his neck and whisper.

“Hey we live in an era where men are allowed to be afraid, where it’s okay for them to cry. I wouldn’t love you any less because of your fears and because you are a little in touch with you feminine side. In actual fact that makes you sensitive and perfect for me.”

“It was a gecko….it’s see-through skin and those red and dark-green veins…. brrr….” he cringed.

“A gecko,” she eyed him with a quizzical brow. When he shook his head in confirmation she could not help but laugh.

“Sorry, I know I promised not to laugh, I imagined something gigantic,” she said amidst laughter, and he joined her.

“So where did it go so fast?”

“Behind the toilet,” “Okay, I will take care of it,” she said, waving him off.

“Please don’t tell anyone about this. It’s still rather embarrassing for a black man to scream like a girl and be paralysed at the sight of a five centimetre gecko,” I heard him say.

“My lips are sealed,” she vowed, then stealthily headed towards my hiding place with an old sneaker in hand.

I knew it was time to escape or die. Quickly I calculated the distance between the toilet and the tiny window above me and made a run for it. I must have miscalculated because I missed a step and somersaulted in space several times before falling into the static toilet water. For a moment there I wasn’t sure if I was swimming or drowning, in case of the later I decided to say my last prayer.

“Hey there little fellow, relax I am not going to kill you,” her angelic voice calmed me down a little but the man’s humongous shoe she held towards me wasn’t very convincing.

Without warning, she scooped me out the toilet and threw me out of the window, shoe and all. It was one bumpy ride and rough lending, a near death experience

A POEM

HE LIES When he opens his mouth he lies He lies even when he tells truth Paltry truths he tells Only to betray one in deepest consequence Deceit is his first, middle and last name, he lies He lies deceiving even the most alert Strength he knows he manipulates Weak thoughts an ingredient to his pot of perversion To the smart elite he whispers doubt, he lies The story of creation is rather silly don’t you think? he presses on To the poor in spirit he preaches riches and prosperity He is an unfair God don’t you think? he presses on

Be vigilant because he lies Pleasure driven societies he has created False prophets he has empowered Sin he has made trendy Your priorities he has reshuffled, he lies He lies when spiritual sense makes no sense On a wind chase he sends you In a desolate pool of confusion you sink But all is not lost he lies He lies you are not alone Heavenly tenants watch over you, call out The devil has long been defeated, he knows

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