GET TO KNOW YOUR COLLEAGUES
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
A-TEAM PLAYER OF THE QUARTER
Q4 AWARD WINNERS
INTELLIGENT ICT AWARDS 2024
DEPARTMENTAL TEAMBUILDING
VACANCIES
WELLNESS CORNER
TECH CORNER
NELSON MANDELA DAY
JUST FOR FUN p. 16 p. 12 p. 10
FY24 AWARD WINNERS p. 3 p. 6 p. 7 p. 8 p. 9 p. 12 p. 13 p. 17 p. 18
Senior Account Manager
I enjoy offering a helping hand whenever I can (I was awarded my service colours in high school).
At one stage in my life I was studying to become a chef, however my true passion lies in baking.
I love the game of golf and I find it the most challenging sport as it tests your patience, skills and creativity.
Family means everything to me, and I am always keen for outdoor activities.
Credit Manager
I currently reside in Centurion, grew up in Hartbeespoort.
I am married, no kids but I have a Dog, a Boston Terrier name Cooper.
Over weekends I spend most time with friends and family, go golfing and try to work in a cold beer as much as possible.
Tjenare! This is basically as close as you get in Swedish to saying “Howsit” I’ve spent the last 2 years of my life working for Volvo in Sweden as a software engineer, before that I worked at a really really cool FinTech company on a project called “BizFlex” – I mean, that’s a crazy coincidence right?
I love watching and suffering to Manchester United, going on walks/ hikes and just chilling with friends and family when possible. I also enjoy playing video games. I think of myself as an avid beer drinker –so if ever in the mood for a cold one, I’m your guy!
My name is Luyanda Dlungwana. I’m from Pretoria and the eldest child of 2 children.
I have practical experience in accounting and hold an honours degree in Internal Auditing, and I’m looking forward to growing my expertise in risk and compliance.
I’m a lover of nature and all things wellness related. Outside of work, I enjoy working out, journaling and spending time with friends and family.
I’m excited to join the team and look forward to working with everyone
Born and raised in Durban, KZN, and deeply rooted in the Zulu culture, Bongeka Sosibo brings a blend of creativity and introspection to her work. As an aspiring author, she finds solace in writing, using it as a means to process her thoughts and ideas. Though naturally introverted, she thrives in deep, meaningful conversations and values genuine connections.
A proud tomboy, Bongeka can discuss sports with enthusiasm for hours but is equally passionate about fashion and interior design. She finds inspiration in nature, which serves as a reminder of the world’s vast beauty and the importance of living a life beyond oneself.
I’m Alichia Abbott, and I’m thrilled to join the Merchant Capital crew as a new Credit Risk Analyst.
I’ve dedicated my career to working with large quantities of data, analyzing & determining financial numbers, and mitigating financial risks, most recently at King Price Insurance and Jean Edwards Consulting.
When I’m not glued to my laptop, you might find me debating whether to risk a second cup of office coffee—because some risks are just worth it! Looking forward to contributing my quantitative & analytical skills and passion for risk management to the team.
Sashlyn Govindsamy - 01 Aug
Kiara Rakee - 03 Aug
Andre Pietersen - 03 Aug
Yolanda Mabala - 13 Aug
Chantal Sham - 23 Aug
Dov Girnun - 28 Aug
Valentine Nyamakupe - 28 Aug
Mohammed Hassim - 05 Sept
Saajid Carrim - 07 Sept
Kayode Oyetade - 16 Sept
Shernay Seale - 18 Sept
Nicole Swart - 19 Sept
Nolwandle Fodo - 29Sept
Sylvester Mashaba - 05 Oct
Janet Kgomo - 11 Oct
Thato Pooe - 22 Oct
Thamsanqa Masondo - 27 Oct
Jared Houston-McMillan - 29 Oct
1. What inspires and motivates you each day?
I want to be a great software developer
2. What advice will you give somebody who is striving to progress in their career?
Anyone can write code that a computer can understand, not everyone can write code that another person can understand.
3. What personal characteristics do you believe have contributed toward your success?
The best way to learn is to just start building.
4. How do you foster a positive and productive mindset within yourself and your team?
Psychological safety is important
5. Are there any books, podcasts, or other resources that have had a significant impact on your personal and professional growth?
• Gang of four design patterns
• Separation of Concerns
6. Do you have any habits or routines that you follow daily that you believe contribute to your high performance?
I learn other languages and reference a lot of open-source projects on github.
Konrad Beck
Sales Executive of the Quarte
Manelisi Mthiyane
Underwriter of the Quarter
Lethokuhle Mathebula
Account Manager of the Year
Saajid Carrim
Sales Executive of the Year
Nicholas Oehley
Underwriter of the Year
Lethokuhle Mathebula
Merchant Capital won Intelligent Banking and Finance Implementation
CONGRATULATIONS TO DAVID REYNDERS FOR WINNING THE INTELLIGENT ICT AWARD (UNDER THE LEADERSHIP CATEGORY) FOR CIO OF THE YEAR!
Well done to the Finance team who took part in the Gerald Fox Memorial Race!
We are on the hunt for some A-Team Sales Execs (Sales), and Account Managers (Retentions)!
We are looking for people who have a sales background and who will thrive in a high achievement culture, feel excited to work things out, and recover quickly when they don’t. We are looking for those who will put in consistent effort to achieve their targets, and who want to work with small to medium business owners to help them grow.
If you know of driven, business-minded professionals with a passion for working with clients, structuring solutions, exceeding targets, and building lasting relationships, then forward their CV to: chantal.sham@merchantcapital.co.za
I’m sure many of you who watch Netflix have come across the documentary “Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones” on the platform. This documentary is inspired by the Blue Zones Diet, a diet inspired by the lifestyles and eating habits observed in regions of the world where people tend to live the longest, healthiest lives. These regions, known as Blue Zones, include places like Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece; and Loma Linda, California.
The Blue Zones Diet emphasizes whole, plant-based foods while limiting processed foods, added sugars, and unhealthy fats.
Here’s a breakdown of its key principles and benefits:
Plant-Based Diet: The Blue Zones Diet is primarily plant-based, focusing on fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, and whole grains. These foods are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, which support overall health and longevity.
Moderate Protein Intake: While the diet is predominantly plant-based, it also includes moderate amounts of protein from sources like beans, lentils, tofu, fish, and occasionally lean meats. Protein is essential for muscle maintenance, repair, and overall bodily functions.
Healthy Fats: The Blue Zones Diet includes healthy fats from sources like nuts, seeds, olive oil, and fatty fish. These fats provide essential fatty acids and help reduce inflammation, support heart health, and improve cognitive function.
Limited Animal Products: While not strictly vegetarian or vegan, the Blue Zones Diet emphasizes limited consumption of animal products, particularly red meat and processed meats. Instead, it encourages the consumption of leaner sources of protein, such as fish and poultry, in smaller portions and less frequently.
Minimization of Processed Foods: Processed foods, including sugary snacks, refined grains, and packaged convenience foods, are limited in the Blue Zones Diet. These foods are often high in added sugars, unhealthy fats, and artificial additives, which can contribute to chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.
Social Eating and Meal Rituals: In addition to food choices, the Blue Zones Diet emphasizes the social aspect of eating and the importance of enjoying meals with family and friends. Sharing meals and engaging in mealtime rituals can enhance social connections, reduce stress, and promote overall well-being.
Physical Activity: While not directly a part of the diet, regular physical activity is a key component of the Blue Zones lifestyle. Incorporating daily movement, whether through structured exercise or activities like walking, gardening, or dancing, supports cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and mental well-being.
Longevity: The Blue Zones Diet is associated with increased life expectancy and a lower risk of age-related chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
Improved Heart Health: The emphasis on plant-based foods, healthy fats, and limited animal products can help lower cholesterol levels, reduce blood pressure, and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Weight Management: The high fiber content of plant-based foods and the avoidance of processed foods can support healthy weight management by promoting feelings of fullness, stabilizing blood sugar levels, and reducing calorie intake.
Enhanced Cognitive Function: The nutrient-rich foods included in the Blue Zones Diet, particularly those high in antioxidants and healthy fats, may help protect against cognitive decline and improve brain health as people age.
Better Digestive Health: The abundance of fiber from fruits, vegetables, and whole grains supports digestive health by promoting regularity, preventing constipation, and maintaining a healthy gut microbiome.
Overall, the Blue Zones Diet offers a sustainable approach to eating that promotes longevity, vitality, and overall well-being by emphasizing whole, plant-based foods, moderation, and social connections.
By Konrad Beck
I was looking at buying a house recently and, instead of doing the usual thing and going on Property24, I decided to phone an estate agent. Naturally, I was asked what sort of house I was looking for. I replied saying a 2-bedroom house, which would be about 1 to 4 million rand.
Well, 4 million is a lot more than 1 million, so I tried to give more details and perhaps get a better estimate.
A 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom house. That would cost about 1 to 3 million.
How about a 2-bedroom, 1-bathroom house with a double garage and garden in Midrand? About 1 to 1.5 million.
Okay, makes sense. My initial requirement was too broad to get an accurate price; more information was required. As it turns out, this is exactly how AI works: it takes features and tries to make a prediction.
Large Language Models like ChatGPT use a lot more features, and instead of trying to predict a price, they try to predict the next word.
The thing is, Machine Learning has been around since the 1950s, and we’ve been using it for a while in spam filters and recommendation systems like Netflix suggesting movies to us or Facebook knowing which ads to show us. So why was ChatGPT-3 such a big deal?
Data—lots and lots of data—and with more data comes more computing power and better ways to process it.
ChatGPT-3 used 175 billion parameters, costing over $4 million to train. GPT-4, on the other hand, used 1.76 trillion parameters and cost over $100 million to train.
SO, WHAT'S NEXT?
Currently, AI can only do one thing, but it can do that one thing really well.
The question is whether AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) will ever be possible. Will AI ever be good at doing everything really well?
Thank you to all the wonderful staff who contributed towards the Kids Haven donation drive.
what did the ocean say to the beach?
nothing, it just waved.
Did you know the longest breath held underwater is 24:03 minutes?
In 2016, professional freediver Aleix Segura Vendrell set this world record in a breathtaking attempt (literally).
What word in the English language does the following: The first two letters signify a male, the first three letters signify a female, the first four letters signify a great person, while the entire word signifies a great woman.
What is the word?
On 31 July 1879, the first cable connection between South Africa and Europe, via Aden, was launched. It was laid by the British electrical engineer Charles Tilston Bright as part of his project to link the British Empire with growing telecommunications technologies.
how many triangles are there?
ANSWER FROM PREVIOUS EDITION: SCOTT PILGRAM VS THE WORLD
