GET TO KNOW YOUR COLLEAGUES
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
VACANCIES
MERCHANT CAPITAL VALUES
Q3 AWARD WINNERS
A WORD FROM OUR A-TEAM PLAYER OF Q3
DEPARTEMENT SPOTLIGHT
EASTER
WELLNESS CORNER
TECH CORNER
INTERESTING READ: OPTICAL ILLUSIONS
JUST FOR FUN
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Demaine Ardendorff Head of Retentions
I am a seasoned leader with experience in business strategy, sales, and customer service. I am passionate about digital innovation and data analytics and enjoy driving business growth.
I love outdoor activities, cooking, going to the gun range, and volunteering in various community initiatives and church programs.
In my downtime, I enjoy spending time with my wife and two kids and video gaming with the boys.
I value faith, family, and a positive attitude.
Jacomime Kielblock HR Manager
I relocated from Cape Town to the northern part of the country with my family in 2022. I have two energetic boys, aged 2 and 4, and a cat named Yuki—ironically named for happiness, despite being the most anxious cat around!
I’ve spent my entire career in HR, primarily as a consultant, and studied HR at Stellenbosch University. After six years running my own consultancy, I’m excited to focus my expertise within Merchant Capital.
On weekends, you’ll find me on the tennis court or next to a braai. I’m naturally on the quiet side, but always up for a great conversation.
Nocebo Mazibuko Junior Underwriter
I am originally from a small town called Ladysmith, in KZN, and moved to Johannesburg to pursue my accounting degree that I’ve recently obtained from the University of Johannesburg.
My hobbies and interests include spending time with family and close friends as well as assisting with the running of an NPO where we go on hikes and prep meals for underprivileged communities.
Manelisi Mthiyane - 01 May
Robin Kley - 06 May
Leandri Boshoff -06 May
Noxolo Nhlapho - 16 May
Yarusha Govender - 18 May
David Reynders - 22 May
Tinotenda Keche - 30 May
Kydisha Rambali - 09 June
Nonhlanhla Miya - 11 June
Alichia Abbott - 20 June
Nicole Wegerle - 01 July
Thando Sikhosaba - 01 July
Shaun Dzenga - 07 July
Robyn Erasmus - 19 July
Desmond Govender - 19 July
Sihle Koya - 21 July
Marole Mathabatha - 30 July
If you know of any highly talented people who would like to be a part of the A-Team, please forward their CV’s to HR for future potential vacancies!
You’ve
seen the artwork on
our wall, but do you know what our values really represent?
• We do everything to the best of our ability
• We bring our “A” game
• We take pride in what we do
• We recognise and appreciate the excellence in others
• We are meticulous and precise in what we do
• We get things done, and on time
• We can be trusted and relied upon
• We think out of the box
• We challenge the status quo and continuously look for ways to improve
• We are willing to take calculated risks and take ownership for our decisions and actions
• We try find solutions that work for everyone
• We work toward bringing the team together
• We bring positive energy and enjoy making others feel good
• We are respectful to others and pay attention to the needs of others
• We are patient and control our emotions
• We respect the views of others and see things from another perspective
Congratulations to our Q3 Award Winners!
This achievement highlights your dedication and how you embody the Merchant Capital values. Well deserved!
A TEAM PLAYER OF THE QUARTER
Sashlyn Govindasamy
ACCOUNT MANAGER OF THE QUARTER
Nadine Botha
Sales Executive of the QuarteR Manelisi Mthiyane
UNDERWRITER of the QuarteR
Lethokuhle Mathebula
1. What inspires and motivates you each day?
I’m part of a great team with a brilliant manager and that just makes it a lot easier to show up inspired and motivated every day.
I also like seeing how what I’m doing today builds into something bigger over time and the value that my efforts add to MC.
Improving my skills, figuring out solutions and resolving issues relating to tickets, or just becoming a bit better than I was yesterday, that really keeps me going.
I’m also motivated by the fact that I want to understand things deeply, not just surface level — it pushes me to keep learning and not get comfortable (and it takes me down many rabbit holes, but a lot of the time it’s worth it and it certainly isn’t boring.)
2. What advice will you give somebody who is striving to progress in their career?
I’d say: don’t be afraid to take a chance on yourself, and remember that our brains crave familiarity, and anything new, including good stuff like pursuing a new role or a job, making moves in that direction, is always going to feel unsafe and uncomfortable at first, but you’ve got to take a chance if you want to make progress.
3. What personal characteristics do you believe have contributed toward your success?
I’d say my persistence for sure. If I don’t get something right away, I’ll keep chipping away at it until I do. I’m also naturally curious, so I like to go beyond what’s just required and understand the “why” behind things.
4. How do you foster a positive and productive mindset within yourself and your team?
It might seem a bit cliché, but I believe having a ‘’can do’’ attitude and enthusiasm goes a long way in uplifting your approach and mindset, and it invariably rubs off on others in your team
5. Are there any books, podcasts, or other resources that have had a significant impact on your personal and professional growth?
Not really, however, I do watch a lot of Huberman Lab podcasts and follow an account on Instagram called emonthebrain. Both creators are neuroscientists, and they offer really powerful, research-backed advice regarding the brain, and I’ve altered my some of my lifestyle choices based on their advice in order to cultivate a growth mindset and avoid behaviours which lead to dopamine depletion.
6. Do you have any habits or routines that you follow daily that you believe contribute to your high performance?
I think some of the simpler things that have made a perceptible difference in my motivation, mood and performance have been quitting mindless scrolling on social media before bed, and just after waking up in the morning, and taking a walk every day.
If the first thing you do when you get up is scroll on social media, you’re definitely depleting your levels of dopamine which will affect your motivation throughout the day. Walking is just cool, lots of physical and mental health benefits with minimal effort.
Ivanah Nel Financial Accountant
How long have you been working at Merchant Capital?
I started at MC in July 2023, so it has almost been 2 years.
What does your job entail, and what does a regular day at Merchant Capital look like for you?
Daily tasks include releasing disbursements, capturing suppliers, managing bank balances, and dealing with any queries or requests that Finance receives, I also make sure that all suppliers are paid weekly, and payroll and management accounts for AES and CP get done on a timely monthly basis.
What excites you about your role?
I enjoy finishing tasks on time and I really like the team I work with.
Which company value most resonates with you, and why?
Safe hands – working with company money is a very big responsibility and it’s something I take very seriously.
WENDY COWPER Financial Accountant
How long have you been working at Merchant Capital?
3 years with the first 8 months part time/ consulting (Dan lured me with easy working hours, 3 days a week from 9 to 4).
What does your job entail, and what does a regular day at Merchant Capital look like for you?
My days are filled with multitasking (fyi, we don’t just do disbursements and pay suppliers). The Finance Team runs the full accounting function for 5 companies. I do lots of spreadsheets and lots of journals. Month end is a big focus – making sure that we have all the information in Xero (our accounting system) and that we have reconciled it so that we can deliver reports to shareholders and funders.
What excites you about your role?
Evolving the systems and procedures as the business grows, being challenged often, and our amazing team.
Which company value most resonates with you, and why?
Definitely Safe Hands. Finance is all about making sure that the numbers inform good business decisions - processes must be efficient, so that the numbers are meaningful.
Joy Mathabatha Junior Accountant
How long have you been working at Merchant Capital?
2 years and 2 months.
What does your job entail, and what does a regular day at Merchant Capital look like for you?
Balancing and reconciling a whole lot of things.
What excites you about your role?
I like that I’m constantly learning and growing.
Which company value most resonates with you, and why?
Considerate – because whatever I do, I always take my team into consideration. I always aim to positively contribute to our collaborative environment.
CHARL van staden Head of Finance
How long have you been working at Merchant Capital? Just over 2 years.
What does your job entail, and what does a regular day at Merchant Capital look like for you?
Doing huge complex excel models with extreme accuracy in record time for Dan.
What excites you about your role? When my reconciliation balances to zero.
Which company value most resonates with you, and why? Safe Hands.
The Easter Bunny paid us a visit ….. and surprised us with an Easter egg hunt on the campus!
1.
7. 9. 11. 2. 4. 6. 8. 10.
3. 5.
Know Thyself
Schedule your most crucial tasks during times when you’re at peak productivity.
Ditch the Smartphone
Put your smartphone out of sight and out of mind during work hours.
Reimagine Your Inbox
Schedule certain times of the day when you will check your email and stick to it.
Meditate
Just a few minutes of mindfulness can lead to better business decisions.
Create Innovation Time
Set aside time to work on something that will move the needle.
Get Ergonomic
Upgrade your work station with sit-stand options, chairs that move with you, desks that recline
Skip Facebook
If you’re checking your news feed, you’re losing time when you could be productive.
Forget Multitasking
When you have to get something done, just focus on the task at hand for best results
Change Your Scenery
Stare out your window, look at some nature or go for a walk outside.
Ask for Help & Delegate
If you’re overwhelmed with tasks or underwhelmed by tedious work, ask for help.
Be Agile
Break tasks into smaller items that can be worked on and completed with one week.
Are your ChatGPT prompts falling flat? You’re not alone. Many users miss out on the full power of AI by not structuring their prompts effectively. Luckily, a few simple tweaks can drastically improve the quality of your results.
One of the most powerful ways to start is by assigning ChatGPT a role. Whether you need a writing coach, code reviewer, GitHub Actions expert, or even a copywriter, defining a role sets the stage for more relevant and targeted responses.
Instead of asking for everything in one go, break your request into a sequence. Start with a big-picture prompt like “Create a guide to AI,” then follow up with “Now create 5 subtopics,” and build from there. By chaining prompts, you guide ChatGPT toward refined, layered output that evolves with each step.
• For complex tasks, invite questions for clarity
• Ask it to “be concise” or “use bullet points.”
• Set the tone—professional, informal, or even funny
• Ask leading questions
• Share confidential information
A high-impact prompt includes five key ingredients:
• Role: “You are a Software Developer.”
• Result: “Create 5 email subjects.”
• Context: “The email is about a UX issue.”
• Intent: “To get feedback on a YouTube video.”
• Constraint: “Subject line < 50 characters.”
By framing your prompts with intention and clarity, you turn ChatGPT from a simple chatbot into a powerful creative partner.
So next time your prompts stink, don’t blame the bot—level up your instructions.
Can you spot the faces in this artwork?
Have you ever stared at an image and found it shifting before your eyes, leaving you questioning what you’re actually seeing? Optical illusions have fascinated us for centuries, and they offer a fascinating glimpse into the complex relationship between our brains and the reality we experience.
But what exactly is happening when we see things that aren’t really there?
At their core, optical illusions are visual tricks that deceive our brains into interpreting an image in a way that doesn’t match reality. Our brains are designed to make quick, subconscious assumptions to help us navigate the world efficiently. But sometimes, these shortcuts lead us astray. In the world of optical illusions, our visual system is fooled by elements such as color, contrast, light, and perspective, creating a perception that doesn’t match the physical world.
The brain processes visual information in a matter of milliseconds. However, in order to make sense of the world quickly, it relies on “mental shortcuts” called heuristics.
These heuristics can often lead to mis-perceptions. For example, when you see a shadow, your brain assumes that it must be a result of something in threedimensional space, even though it may not be. This ability to infer depth or distance helps us in daily life but can lead to our perceptions being skewed when presented with illusions.
A famous example is the Müller-Lyer Illusion, where two lines of equal length appear to be different because of the arrows at each end. One line has inward-pointing arrows and the other outward-pointing.
Despite both lines being the same length, the one with the outward arrows seems longer. This illusion occurs because our brain interprets the arrows as suggesting depth or perspective, making one line seem farther away and the other appear closer.
What about when motion appears in static images? Take the “Rotating Snakes” illusion as an example. In this image, static circles appear to move as though they’re rotating. In reality, the circles are not moving at all, but our brains perceive them as in motion due to the arrangement of colors and shapes, which trigger slight shifts in visual processing areas of the brain.
This illusion plays on the brain’s expectation of movement, filling in the gaps when there is none.
It’s an example of how our brains are constantly “filling in” sensory information to create a continuous experience, even when some of that information is missing or misleading.
For something a bit more mindbending, look at the Ames Room. This is a specially designed room where two people of equal size appear dramatically different in height when placed at opposite corners.
The room is built with a distorted shape, and the trick lies in how our brains interpret the geometry of the space. Despite the room’s obvious distortion, our brains assume it is a normal rectangular room, which results in the strange perception of size.
This illusion shows how our brains rely heavily on cues like perspective and size constancy. We’ve been conditioned to expect certain patterns in the environment, such as parallel lines and symmetrical spaces. When those expectations are disrupted, our brains struggle to make sense of it and, in turn, deceive us.
So, why should we care about optical illusions? They give us insight into how our brains work behind the scenes. They remind us that perception isn’t an exact representation of the world; it’s a constructed reality shaped by our senses, memories, and cognitive shortcuts.
Understanding optical illusions can help us appreciate the incredible complexity of the brain, as well as the potential for mis-perception in our daily lives.
As we continue to explore these fascinating illusions, we gain a better understanding of the human mind and how it influences the way we experience reality. It’s a humbling reminder that what we see isn’t always the whole truth—and that sometimes, our brains may be telling us a story that’s more fantastical than factual.
Next time you see an optical illusion, take a moment to appreciate how much your brain is working to make sense of the world around you—and perhaps, how it sometimes gets things delightfully wrong.
Kid: I’ll call you later
dad: no, call me dad
Football teams wearing red kits play better.
The colour of your clothes can affect how you’re perceived by others and change how you feel.
A review of football matches in the last 55 years, for example, showed that teams wearing a red kit consistently played better in home matches than teams in any other colour.
Find the missing number
Can You Solve This MindBoggling Sequence Puzzle In 9 Seconds?
If so, you May be a genius!
