Destiny Careers Magazine January Edition by CTC college (Pty) Ltd

JANUARY 2020 R50,00

BE BRAVE

How to join SA’s tech scene What to do if you don’t get into university What you need to know about co-working spaces

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20001

PULENG LENKABULA

ISSUE 01 R50,00

Meet

Hey

Publisher’s

note

It is an incredible feeling to start 2020 on the back of the amazing launches of Destiny and Destiny Man. We are overwhelmed by the wonderful support and reception from you, our reader — for that we thank you. Inspired by our vision as The Bar Group to change the world through compelling content, we enter 2020 with a bold resolve to broaden our share of agency to create impact in all the relevant areas to achieve this goal. This month, the culmination of a deep interrogation of how we can bring content that can inspire and empower millions of people who are job seekers, employed professionals and practitioners within South Africa’s economy, has brought us to another exciting decision — Destiny Careers. I am thrilled, together with the amazing collective of The Bar Group, to introduce to you our new edition to the Destiny family. Destiny Careers is an essential digest, offering compelling content features on career savvy and industry acumen — I’m sure it will be a wonderful addition to your local news stands. May 2020 be a year of new beginnings and great endings for you.

Legend Manqele

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DESTINY CAREERS

A MUST SEE SHELLEY MOKOENA

Professional Interior Designer, Fashion Designer and Visual Content Creator Page 108

Hey

Denim jacket & jeans: Zara. T-shirt: H&M Styled by Karin Orzol. Photographed by Judd van Rensburg

Editor’s note hoping to change the world. But after a few years, that Girl Scout glint in your eye disappears as you realise that you’re not making the world as better a place as you had hoped. But Destiny Careers is destined (see what I did there?) to make a positive impact on its readers lives. So, who are we exactly? We’re the essential careers and industry playbook for those entering South Africa’s workforce (or those struggling to join it); those who have just started working; and those looking to expand their horizons and are itching to do something different – but don’t know how, or where to go.

Once in a while, you’ll meet someone who makes your heart sing and your stomach flip. Something electric happens as soon as you lock eyes: you know immediately that this is your new lover.

We’re here to remind you that the world of work is mutating before our very eyes, but that we don’t need to be afraid of it. If anything, it should we should be excited because we own it. We can dictate what it becomes, because even though we may not see it, we have that power. Here’s hoping this beautiful baby we’ve poured ourselves into becomes something you too fall in love with and can’t get enough of. We, at the Destiny Careers team, certainly have and we are definitely gone girls.

The two of you don’t just gravitate towards each other – you are sucked into a love affair that envelopes every cell in your body and lights up the happiest parts of your brain. All you can think about, talk about and dream about is this new person, the one you didn’t realise you needed until they came into your life. I’ve been going through all of those emotions since we established Destiny Careers. We are the newest addition to The Bar Group’s incredible (and incredibly good-looking) family, which includes our big sister and brother publications, Destiny and Destiny Man. From the moment this project was presented, I stood no chance because it latched onto my heart and wouldn’t let go. I’m a journalist and most journalists go into the profession

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Pearl Boshomane Tsotetsi PS. Shout out to Legend Manqele, Mpho Madzibadela, Nkokheli Lindazwe and Carmen van Wyk for, well, everything.

DESTINY CAREERS

We should be teaching young girls to take up space. Nothing is as important as taking up space in society, and cementing yourself. Zozibini Tunzi, Miss South Africa 2019, Miss Universe 2019

JANUARY 2020 | ISSUE 01 PUBLISHER & CEO: THE BAR GROUP Legend Manqele CEO: DESTINY CAREERS & CTC COLLEGE Mpho Madzibadela CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Carmen van Wyk | carmen@thebar.co.za GENERAL MANAGER Nkokheli Lindazwe EDITOR Pearl Boshomane Tsotetsi I pearl@thebar.co.za CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Unathi Shologu | unathi@thebar.co.za FEATURES WRITER Maki Molapo | maki@thebar.co.za CREATIVE CONSULTANT & DESIGN: KANAKA CREATIVE DIRECTOR Sapho Dlangamandla | sapho@kanaka.co.za ART DIRECTOR & DESIGNER Lerusha Reddy | lerusha@kanaka.co.za CLIENT SERVICE Ntokozo Nxumalo | ntokozo@kanaka.co.za WEB DEVELOPER Mafika Mkhwanazi | mafika@thebar.co.za HEAD OF SOCIAL MEDIA Phumzile Mnisi | phumzile@thebar.co.za MULTIMEDIA DIRECTOR Keso Mogale | keso@thebar.co.za MULTIMEDIA ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Senzo Bhengu | senzo@thebar.co.za BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Zee Ally | zee@thebar.co.za FINANCIAL MANAGER Karabo Mbokota | karabo@thebar.co.za HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER Moyo Sosibo | moyo@thebar.co.za MULTIMEDIA PRODUCTION SUPPLIED BY

Destiny is published by The Bar Group Physical Address | The Bar Group, Bryanston corner office park, 1st floor, building b, 18 Ealing Crescent, cnr Main Road & Bryanston Drive, Bryanston, 2191 Tel |Â +27 (0) 10 443 3748

JANUARY2020

DESTINY CAREERS

awaken

YOUR SPIRIT Enhance your home with the rich scent of Elegant Amber & Oud

Contents

50 14 14

12 hours with Lelowhatsgood

What to do if you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make it into university

DIARY

DIY

How to put together a winning CV

COVER

Meet the woman revolutionising education

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46 MOVING UP

ADVENTURE

Make your gap year count

INVESTIGATION

The rise of academic doping

DESTINY CAREERS

76 118 62

YOU BETTER WORK

Sorry, coffee shops – offices are back in fashion

RANKINGS

The 10 best phones of the past 10 years

Decoding the continent’s opportunities

5 almost-cheap places to visit in 2020

TECH

COINING IT

How to stretch your money a little further

SEXY TIME

Get to know yourself a little better

TRAVEL

118

EXIT INTERVIEW

A peek into Thebe Magugu’s soul

Hey

Contributors Leonard Solms

South African sports starlets who should be on your 2020 radar, page 88 Twitter: @LeonSolms IG: @leonard_solms_sport What is happiness to you? It’s Shabba scoring against Mexico, Lorch scoring against Egypt, Kolisi lifting the Webb Ellis Cup, and the SPAR Proteas making the Netball World Cup semifinals. Nothing has ever given us the country that politicians from all parties promised, but sport has brought us as close as we’ve ever been to having it.

Ayanda Moholi

Have the audacity to win against all odds at work, page 25 IG: @ayandamo Who or what is the greatest love of your life? My nephews. *cue Faith Evans* “I never knew a love like this before…”

Gugu Masuku

Driven to purchase your first car?, page 92 IG: @Gee_realg What’s your greatest fashion disaster? Having my trusted jeans let me down and split at the crotch while I was out in public and far away from home. Maybe also one of my most embarrassing moments.

Nthato Mashishi

The revolutionary you’ve never heard of, page 26 Make it work, page 54 Twitter/ IG: @nthatomashishi What’s your favourite memory? Buying cash my first property in Houghton 17 years ago, and being Tata Mandela’s neighbour. Ooh, timeless.

Nkox Leader

Hello… is this thing on?, page 45 Twitter: @nkoxleader IG: Nkokheli FB: Nkox Leader

Tshegofatso Senne

Who would play you in a movie and why? I would prefer Denzel Washington playing my character in a movie, I think he would do justice to the role because of his attention to detail when in character.

How do you feel about politics? My own politics are rooted in Black feminism and as such I believe that the personal is political. I see politics as a vehicle to enact structural change and our country has a long way to go in that regard. I believe in the power of love and righteous anger to support structurally marginalised communities, both which I am and am not a part of.

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The pleasure is all mine, page 76 Twitter/ IG: @mbongomuffin

DESTINY CAREERS

Hey

Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane

The geologist grounded by writing, page 80 Twitter/ IG: @mr_mokgoroane What would be the title of your biopic and why? House of Lorde. This is to pay homage to the huge impact that Audre Lorde through her work has shaped my life and thinking.

Yolisa Mkele

Didn’t make it into university? Don’t panic, pg 40, A dope view on studying, pg 50 IG: @nun_in_a_brothel How long a piece of string? Answer 1: Well that depends entirely on how securely you intend to fasten someone to a bed post. Answer 2: Well how big is the mummy you are wrapping? Answer 3: Long enough to tie you and bae’s future together.

Mantombi Makhubele

Five reasonably priced places to visit in 2020, page 94 Twitter/ IG: I’m on a social media sabbatical What’s your biggest extravagance? Books.

Vuyolwethu Ndongeni

The baptism of fire that is Joburg, page 22 IG: @vee_ndong

Which person are you at the party? The person you’ll most likely find outside, having a fat chat with a smoker and occasionally walking in to refill my drink.

Papi Mabele

The 10 most useful phones of the past decade, page 82 Twitter/ IG: @papi_mabele Do you feel that you belong in this world and time, and why? Definitely. I belong in the here and now. There’s so much happening, and I want to see where AI takes us.

Zintle Nkohla Sanelisiwe Maliza

Africa’s digital wave, page 64 Decoding tech opportunities on the continent, page 68 Twitter/ IG: @sani_maliza When will you know you’ve made it? When I am living a financially comfortable life, surrounded by people and things I love. Working only on things I’m passionate about.

Make your gap year count, page 46 Twitter: @nkohla_zintle IG: @zintlenkohla What’s your approach to social media? I haven’t really found my feet on Twitter and Instagram yet – but I do have active accounts. But I’d say my social media is pretty clean and quite useful to people who actually read the stuff that I share.

Décor

Decorate

your Digs on a Budget Whether you live at home, at res, at a digs, or in your own place, you want your space to look good. But everything is expensive, especially in this economy. Luckily there’s always a way to jazz up your room/s without spending too much cash. Let’s show you how.

compiled mimi mabaso

Work Panda Pen Holder CottonOn.com R149.99 You’ll need a place to work from, so hopefully you have a desk and chair, even if they are in a tiny corner. We know that writing is so archaic, but it doesn’t hurt to have stationery and a cute place to store it in. This panda pen holder is a playful addition to an otherwise serious space.

Sleep Photographic Insta Palm Duvet Cover Set Mr. Price Home R399.99 You’ll have a lot of long and hectic days, so your space should be a refuge once you enter it. Throwing yourself onto the bed at the end of the day is sometimes necessary, and it’s even better if your duvet cover is jazzy, such as this one, which looks like a holiday.

JANUARY2020

DESTINY CAREERS

Décor

Eat Storage Canister Sheet Street R49.99 Architect Louis Sullivan might have said “form follows function”, but that doesn’t mean functional objects have to be uninteresting and boring. Storage containers and canisters are an easy way to decorate your kitchen – just look at this cute red baby, made for tea lovers.

Shower Diamond Bathmat Sixth Floor on Superbalist R299 Let’s be honest – bathrooms aren’t sexy nor are they interesting. But that doesn’t mean you should abandon them completely when it comes to décor. One easy way to make something practical add aesthetic beauty to the space is through a funky bathmat.

Chill Printed Abstract Wall Art Mr. Price Home R59.99 You may not have money for that Nelson Makamo or Mark Rothko yet, but that doesn’t mean your walls have to be bare. Add a splash of life with small artworks, such as this colourful, 40x40cm abstract piece. Buy a handful of them to beautify your space even more.

Plant Bamboo Palm Stodels R59.95 Who doesn’t love plants? They look beautiful and bring freshness to any space – plus, you can talk to them. Aside from making the air cleaner, plants can also go anywhere: your bedroom, your kitchen and even in your bathroom. Just don’t forget to water them.

*Prices correct at time of going to print

Diary

Zane Ntsi k elelo Meslani ' s creative diary

Lelowhatsgood’s diary reveals the multicoloured layers that are unseen by most of us. words maki molapo

You know how we all have the same 24 hours and yet it sometimes feels like some people have more hours in their day? And how you can’t help but wish to be a fly on whichever wall to gain some insight on how they do it all in just a day? Well, between curating content for brands, managing their social media, featuring on some of the greatest publications’ by-lines, spearheading a Vogue Nights Jozi event, and serving content on his social media – one can’t help but wonder how many hours Zane Ntsikelelo Meslani has in his day. This multi-talented creative is popularly known as Lelowhatsgood, and he let us in on what a typical day looks like for him.

12 HOURS

wi t h Lelowgastgood 14

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“

I’m both a night owl and a morning person because I work during the day and at night. So, my day starts at…

06:00

Alarm goes off and after struggling to get out of bed I must get ready for the day. Never will I ever be caught not looking good or trying to, so…

06:30

Shower. Smelling fresh is important, so some roll-on and cologne does the trick for me. Then I pick out an outfit for my day at the office.

07:30

Leave the house to travel from Roodepoort to Sandton. I’ve been on an intermitted fast, so I’ve been avoiding breakfast for some time. But I would typically have cereal/oats and tea at home. I’d grab a toasted sandwich at the office.

DESTINY CAREERS

Sports

08:30

Gautrain business to Sandton. In terms of what I listen to as far as podcasts go, anything made under LUTCHA is fire. My favourite app is Apple Music. P.S. I urge you to listen to my playlists.

09:00

Get to the office and my day unfolds as the fulltime creative that I am.

09:30 – 16:00

My day consists of being a social media manager. So that means, going to meetings, briefings, writing copy for brands andcooking up new ideas. Everything in between happens as the day progresses, such as replying to emails, sorting out my own diary for my own bookings, creating my content for social media, and more. Side note: the one aspect about admin that I despise the most is trying to remember everything I agreed to. And if I were to have lunch, anything with pasta is always welcome. By this time, I’m leaving the office to attend other things, running errands, meeting with someone for business or going home.

16:30 – 18:00

On a normal day I go back to the West Rand. I would then get home to just chill it out, watch a series, or catch up on work.

Lelowhatsgood Trivia Box This year’s highlight: I’ve played at Boiler Room and I’ll be playing at AfroPunk this year. Favourite DJing equipment between CDJs, 360s, Vinyl and software? CDJs are superior but I would like to go analogue and learn vinyl. First song you played when you started DJing? Oh my, do I even remember? I think it was between Azealia Banks’s 1991 and OKZharp & Manthe Ribane’s Teleported.

The one song that eases the nerves before you hop on stage? Benjamin Jephta Quintet’s One For The Plein, Pt. 1. Your favourite album, artist and song of the year? Tough. Albums would be between FKA Twigs’s MAGDALENE, Lana Del Rey’s Norman F***ing Rockwell!, Willow’s selftitled album and Solange’s When I Get Home. The artist who peaked are Ari Lennox, Muzi and Samthing Soweto. Song of the Year... there are too many to choose from.

If your sound as a DJ was a sandwich, what kind would it be? It would be a Dagwood. You’re a new addition to the crayon box. What colour would you be and why? A rainbow crayon. I guess because I’m a layered individual and it also represents the LGBTQ+ flag. What’s the philosophy you live by? Whatever [energy] you put out in the universe, always comes back.

DIY

Tips to ensure your CV gets you a seat at the table During these tough economic times, plagued by high unemployment rates, getting a job has become extremely competitive. Here’s some advice on how you can set your CV apart from the rest. words palesa buyeye In 2019, South Africa’s unemployment rate rose to a staggering 29.1%, representing 6.73 million unemployed South Africans, according to the World Bank. With a majority of those individuals being unemployed graduates, young people are questioning whether ‘securing the degree’ will lead to ‘securing the bag’ in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s economy. After the unemployment statistics were released last year GCIS Acting Director-General Phumla Williams said government would focus its national agenda on youth unemployment and creating jobs. Yes, this is a song we

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have often heard throughout the years, but hopefully 2020 is the year we will see these opportunities; so here are some tips and pointers for that CV and interview when the time comes. “From the moment you send your CV through it is a test. Remember, I only have an hour to interview you and see who you are, from the moment you send an email I am testing your professionalism; therefore, your CV and cover letter are very important. Stay away from colloquial language,” recruiter at HR Studio, Jody Preger says.

DESTINY CAREERS

DIY

What a CV should have: Full names

Contact information (email and cell phone number)

Academic qualifications - these should be the main focus of your CV as this is what recruiters look at for criteria.

Skills

Professional career history - if you do not have an academic qualification then your work experience would be the next focus for recruiters or HR managers. A short blurb about yourself showcasing your personality and what you want. “For example, if you are a self-taught graphic designer this would the best place to tell us that, [while] listing programmes you are familiar with,” Preger says. Start and end dates

Notable achievements - these may include high school achievements for graduates or entry level jobs, but they need to be relevant to the industry. “I do not care if you were the captain of your netball team if you’re applying for a job in digital marketing. That would be suited for a career in sports or fitness. It is about specifics,” Preger advises.

DIY 18

It is important to make sure there is consistency in your word font, format, spacing and size. Consistency in grammar is also key. When referring to yourself, do not go from using first person to using third person. This is a common error.

Check the spelling and get a professional to read through your CV as grammar and spelling are often deal breakers. • Keep the font simple and readable. • But remember, “if you are applying for a job in a creative industry like graphic design, showcase your creativity and graphic design skills on the CV”, Preger says.

Ensure your LinkedIn is up to date and reflects your chosen career. Your LinkedIn should communicate to a potential employer or mentor.

Social Media. “There was an individual looking for employment and commented on our Facebook post and I unfortunately had to delete his comment and not consider his application because of his Facebook profile. I was shocked,” Preger says. • If your social media is public, try keeping it as clean and as professional as possible. Rather opt to have a private account for personal uses, as future employers investigate your profiles.

Be honest and write the CV yourself. “Often, we interview people and what they say does not match what is written, or they themselves do not even know what is written. Do it yourself,” Preger says.

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10 tips

DESTINY CAREERS

DIY

Although Richard Branson, said: “If someone offers you an opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say yes them, learn how to do it later”, lying on your CV has become a punishable offence, so be careful.

Research the company you are applying to and make sure you are qualified for the position you are applying for.

Make sure your CV has a cover letter no longer than one page. • Keep it short and sweet and ensure that it includes who you are; what it is you currently do; what you are applying for; and how you will be an asset to the company.

Once you have been shortlisted and asked to come in for an interview; be on time; and dress appropriately.

Understand the questions being asked before answering and practice answering common interview questions; and ask questions at the end if you have any.

for a good CV

DIY

3 things

not to put on your CV 2

1 Your age or identity number might expose you to discrimination as the hiring manager may think youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re either too old or young for the position.

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Personal Information like marital status or religion. Although, these were previously encouraged, they are no longer necessary.

3 Salary information should be discussed after the interview and may send the wrong message if brought up too soon.

DESTINY CAREERS

Sports

3 things

for a good cover letter 1

Always address it to the business you’re applying to, or the person leading the process.

Keep it at one page.

Always outline what you want and your goals for the position. This shows your understanding and desire to join the business. Think, “why do I want to work at this company? Why do I want to go into this industry? Where and how would I want to contribute to the company? What can my personality be described as? How do I adapt to change?” Recruitment Specialist, Doreth Hanekom says.

Opinion

The baptism of fire that is Joburg

Thoughts Vuyolwethu Ndongeni

At 30 years old, it feels like my career is at ground zero. A few years ago, while working in Cape Town, I made the decision to transfer and relocate to Joburg. I might have said it enough times to myself that I began to believe that the move was rationally motivated by career aspirations, but I am now honest enough with myself to say I wanted to be with the man I believed I wanted to spend the rest of my life with, at the time. He was in Joburg and so, that’s where I moved to be with him. I realised as soon as I landed at OR Tambo International that this new city was going to be a challenge when my partner, who was at the airport to receive me, took a moment to mentally work out how we were going to get home with all of my luggage. I nonchalantly suggested we hail a cab. His reaction confirmed my worst fears about moving to Joburg: “That could be more than R500,00”, he replied, astonished at my suggestion. And that’s how I discovered I was going to financially come up short in a strange city. And from that moment on, my stay in Joburg revolved around just not having enough money.

gifts that you can give yourself is time. And that was exactly what I did. I gave myself time to start from scratch, to heal and to deconstruct and reassemble this version of myself that I am still becoming.

I wasn’t making enough money to live the life I had imagined for myself and that’s what I internalised. Everything around me was confirmation that I was struggling.

“

Even though the reality is that hundreds and thousands of South Africans move to Joburg to escape poverty and to chase economic prospects, I did not find gold. Quite frankly, I struggled to the point of silently suffering multiple emotional breakdowns. Something I had done for most of my life, such as using taxis to get around, felt like a new level of struggle because I believed things should have been different for me. I couldn’t comprehend how I could have a Master’s degree and a couple of years’ worth of industry experience and still be where I was. The dream I had for myself felt so far and out of reach. I fell pregnant months after moving to Joburg, my relationship with my partner disintegrated and two months before giving birth I moved out of the flat that we shared. I was determined to make the situation work for the baby who was on the way. I became a single mom in a city that still intimidated me. I was unravelling, mentally and emotionally. I would get home from work way past 1am on most evenings. My breast milk dried up as a result of the long hours away from my baby and that’s where I drew the line. I remember I had one last meltdown one evening and that was when I made up my mind that I was moving back home to Uitenhage, in the Eastern Cape, and I didn’t care about a job. Moving back home was the smartest move I had ever made. I believe it was Oprah Winfrey who said that one of the best

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I took the work of figuring out who I was, and what I wanted to do with my life very seriously. I wanted to be clear with myself and so, I had lists about “what does the woman I want to be look like?” Some lists were so simple that I couldn’t believe that I had never thought about getting to know myself in that way before. Moving back home has felt like having a blank canvas to, basically, make up who I am and want to become, and

Everything around me was confirmation that I was struggling.

then follow through with that. And every day I am presented with scenarios where I have to decide to follow through on who I’ve now decided I am. The irony is that moving back home appeared to have been taking 10 steps backwards in my career at first, but the effort I’ve put in the past two years to develop my character and self-confidence, in creating a clearer vision for my life, feels like it will accelerate and parachute the journey to greater heights. Also, I have forgiven myself for moving to Joburg for a man when I thought I was smarter than that. Vuyolwethu Ndongeni has worked as a sub-editor for publications such as Business Day, and The Herald and Daily Dispatch in the Eastern Cape. She holds a Master’s degree in Media. With more than seven years in the media industry, most of which have been “behind the scenes”, she’s excited to once again experience the simple, yet invaluable pleasure of occupying a byline.

DESTINY CAREERS

Column

Have the audacity to win against all odds at work

Thoughts Ayanda Moholi

I haven’t had an office job in over a year. Sometimes I miss it. The routine. The structure. The watercooler chats. Other times, I think about how grateful I am to not have to deal with other people’s emotions and behaviours, and not having to tiptoe so much around the issue of humility. As an independent worker, I don’t have to be humble. I am the one being looked at for answers. I am the one who is likely to be speaking. But it wasn’t always like this. In the office environment, I often found myself subscribing to the cultural teaching of not speaking unless I am spoken to. And dare I talk back, well, ‘Rest In Peace, Ayanda.’ (But would I really die? Would I be fired?) Does this cultural teaching have a place in a professional environment? Was I, and so many other black women, sabotaging my progression up the ladder and through the rat race? There’s also a tendency to put your foot in it and start offering things you shouldn’t and then, suddenly, adding to your workload. So why would only speaking when a question is posed be such a bad idea? I mean, let the work speak for itself, right? Sometimes. Sometimes you just have to make yourself and your brand within the work environment visible in order for anyone to actually care about asking anything of you to begin with. Waiting to be spoken to becomes incredibly complicated in an environment where competition between colleagues is rife, and if you don’t speak, someone else will do it and take all the credit. The presentation or output you have worked so hard on will be credited to someone else. The horror. It doesn’t help that we could express a great idea in a meeting and have it ignored. But then have someone else say the exact same thing and it be lauded as the greatest idea that mankind has ever come up with. How do we reconcile with such situations? How do we become visible?

We can’t win. But we came to win. So, we will. I guess it boils down to the old ideas that women are meant to be submissive. However, in addition to being subjected to “patriarchal African cultures,” in 2015’s The Colour of Our Future, Joel Netshitenzhe states that black women are “disadvantaged and marginalised in class terms, [as well as] in terms of being black in a racialised society that privileges the white minority.” This is what he calls a “triple oppression.”

It’s like running in a maze and getting to all dead ends. You are in a space where you are the most disadvantaged. You are the most needed (read as needing to work the hardest), but the most voiceless. UCT Vice Chancellor Mamokgethi Phakeng further says that, “since black African women are almost entirely invisible, the possibilities of becoming, and then being, visible are an enormous challenge”. And that can be compounded by the ideals and norms of culture. (It doesn’t help that I’m introverted.) With this in mind, shouldn’t we just be throwing away these cultural values and principles in a professional setting and play strictly by the corporate rulebook? Take credit where it’s not due or insert our opinions in the middle of presentations. It seems to work for other people. Or it could backfire on us, as this is not what is expected of us. We’ll be seen as aggressive, disruptive or surly. We can’t win. But we came to win. So, we will. It’s not all doom and gloom. Society has woken up to the importance of having representation in the boardroom and in leadership. As slow as the progression might be, we have had some exceptional women at the helm who are seen as neither aggressive or disrespectful of any inherent cultural beliefs and teachings, such as Phuthi Mahanyele-Dabengwa of Naspers or Priscillah Mabelane of BP Southern Africa. I have had to find ways to be visible and assertive while keeping within the values, and it could be as simple as not interrupting speakers in the middle of their presentation. That example might purely be a thing of politeness and common courtesy, but it happens so often in meetings and the interrupter comes across as someone who knows what they’re talking about. Although I have the advantage of working as an independent consultant, to no longer have to deal with so many things that could compromise my identity and cultural beliefs among managers and colleagues. I’m not saying that you have to go out on your own in order to have a voice, I’m saying that it helped me. If there’s one thing you can take away from this, you need to be absolutely unapologetic about getting what’s yours by not compromising your cultural beliefs and values. Ayanda Moholi is a freelance digital marketing and technology consultant, having over 8 years of experience in the digital industry. She’s worked on brands such as Nedbank, Woolworths, Nestle and JSE. She recently graduated from UCT’s Graduate Business School with a Postgraduate Diploma in Management. She enjoys reading, listening to podcasts and playing Lego Marvel video games.

How to...

busiGetting down to

What problem will you be solving? The purpose of every business is to solve a problem but there are varying degrees of challenges. There are permanent and temporary problems – solutions to both have different shelf lives. “You need to analyse whether the problem is temporary or permanent to determine the longevity of your business in solving this problem. It also determines the rate at which you scale what you’re about to implement”, Pooe says.

ness 2 Contrary to popular belief, the road to starting a business does not start with a business plan. Here are four challenges entrepreneurs need to tackle before constructing a plan. words maki molapo There are two types of people: those who’ve most likely had an experience that they found to be quite an inconvenience and thought, “why hasn’t someone created this?” and those who say, “I should create this.” The difference between the two is that one is a consumer and the other is either a creator or an innovator. Both have a significant role to play in business. Most people get excited about their ideas and think that they’re going to change the world and all they need is a business plan or they impulsively start one without fully grasping what it takes to run a business. Destiny Careers chats with entrepreneur and Group CEO of Tshimong, a skills development and education business, Thami Pooe about what to consider before you decide to become an entrepreneur.

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What is the solution to the problem?

The solution could be the actual business idea you had in mind. However, the solution needs to be broken down so that it makes business sense. Firstly, consider your value proposition; what value are bringing to a client and/or end-user? Secondly, who are you targeting? “We often hear about ‘target market’ but who exactly does this solution appeal to? This helps you tailor your solution to your target market because sometimes people want to be everything to everyone and, sometimes, you just need to be something for someone,” Pooe says. It’s very important to understand your audience, their needs, desires and values.

DESTINY CAREERS

Can you monetise this solution? Apart from solving a problem, your business needs to generate income to pay for daily operations, salaries, yourself, and still be reinvested into the business for growth purposes. In addition to trying to gauge how financially viable your business is, Pooe says you need to figure out who is going to pay for it. “The money part is, essentially, what we call a business model – what does it look like? Who is your paying customer? What are the revenue generating streams you’re going to use to make money?”

Scaling - how far can you take this business? This deals with expansion and market reach. The only way to determine how scalable your business is, Pooe says, is by asking yourself what the market opportunity is. What is the size of the market that you’ll be serving? “If you understand your market opportunity, you won‘t only be confident as an entrepreneur - because you’ll have a great incentive to push your business - but you’ll be attractive to your investors because they’ll see that not only is the business destined for greatness, but also their returns on their investment will be satisfactory.”

Once you’re able to answer the above questions, then you’re ready to start working on taking your product to market. The purpose of these questions is to establish if starting your business is worth your while to avoid wasting your time and resources. Pooe says, “as and when the need arises, in my opinion, then delve into the serious admin of registering your business, tax certificates and other traditional types of admin, because they only become necessary as your business grows”.

How to...

Sports

PROFESSOR

PULENG LENKABULA Pearl Boshomane Tsotetsi

Jeffrey Rikhotso

Dumi Gwebu

Saadique Ryklief

Nthato Mashishi

The Revolutionary You Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Know About Not one to be limited by the sky, cosmopolitan Professor Puleng LenkaBula firmly believes that liberal ideas of excellence are based individualism, and that we will only succeed through collective and inclusive efforts.

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DESTINY CAREERS

Sports

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

Your politics define how you treat people, how you value them and how you value diversities.

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Feature It is during our cover shoot, probably while someone touches up her lipstick or fixes her shoe, that Professor Puleng LenkaBula casually and sweetly mentions that, during her previous tenure, students called her ‘the smiling assassin’. She giggles softly as she also says that some of her peers in academia refer to her as the ‘smiling rebel’. Why was she the smiling assassin, as some in the Wits SRC called her? “Because my no is a firm no,” she giggles. And smiling is something that the Prof does a lot, as well as giggling. She’s warm and earnest, and is easy to gravitate towards, as everyone on our set does. They’re all gentle around her, respectful, and in awe. We’re surprised at her willingness to try any poses, makeup, styling and hair we suggest for the shoot. Clearly, she’s a bit of a rebel, someone who has no interest in fitting into a box. After all, which academic in a managerial position would be open to putting on green eye shadow and green lipstick? But behind that giggle, that smile, that soft voice, is a woman on many missions, a woman determined to change the country, one university at a time. Professor Puleng LenkaBula is the

Vice Rector of Institutional Change and Student Affairs at the University of the Free State (UFS). She previously served as Dean of Students at Wits University and Unisa. When she left Wits for UFS in 2018, colleagues and students were taken aback: who leaves the number one university (at the time) in Africa for the university ranked number 10 in South Africa? “When I left Wits for the UFS, some of the student leaders came to my office and said, ‘How can you leave Wits – number one in South Africa – for a number 10?’,” she smiles during our chat which took place the week before the photoshoot, at an airy restaurant in an equestrian estate. (She had shown up

in her trademark black – more on that later ¬¬– and red shoes to match her red lips.) “I told them that we have to ensure that all higher education institutions in South Africa are successful in creating avenues for youth and young adults. But also, for established adults who would like to rethink knowledge.” During her tenure at Wits, the Prof taught at the University of Toronto for six months as a visiting professor. “If I could have that opportunity and even more, why would I feel uncomfortable moving from an aspiring top 100 university [Wits] to one that is not? The idea is this developmental commitment that I have. I must be part of building something towards success.”

Feature Rankings aside, UFS hasn’t had the best record when it comes to inclusivity and diversity. The infamous incident of white students making black cleaners unknowingly drink pee immediately comes to mind for many of us, as well as a string of violent racist attacks which have made headlines. Being the Vice Rector of Institutional Change must be a tough job, then. Prof Puleng says the university has been undergoing a difficult process of introspection, but that having a Vice Chancellor (Professor Francis Petersen) that’s “very progressive” has been instrumental in the process of transforming the university. “At UFS we are… asking ourselves: ‘What would it mean if we were to be a caring university? What would be the implications of that? What would it mean to draw from feminist theories of care and justice, to draw from notions of Ubuntu, which is the philosophical grounding for us as Africans?’ “We want a sense of distinction that enables us not to continue the legacies of the past. We recognise that universities such as [ours] were somewhat ensconced in apartheid notions. So, we cannot also pretend that that history is not part of the UFS history.” Referring to the publicised racism at the university, Prof says diplomatically: “We’ve had, in recent times, very violent examples of exclusion, where white students were unkind to cleaners. We also recognise that for us to be accountable as an institution that has some of the best minds in our communities, to see how we can resource through knowledge, advise, give insights, we have to not just be an ivory tower university, where we write and people all over the world know our work but it doesn’t change the plight of those who struggle in our society.” When asked what the response has been to the university’s newfound progressiveness, she picks her words carefully as she answers. While some students are excited by the prospect of a changing institution, others have been skeptical because they’re not sure the ideas will translate into action.

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“Some students are a little bit concerned and not certain because their experiences may have been those of exclusion. And some have a sense of hope, but only if the process is accompanied with resources.” When it comes to getting attention and praise, Wits, the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch et al are highly praised. But UFS hardly features in these contexts. Does Prof think that UFS the underdog? “I wouldn’t say that. I would say there are teaching universities, there are research-led universities, and there are comprehensive universities. A lot of universities are evaluated on rankings. If we just think of them as though they are the same and they perform the same functions, then you will have the underdog and you will have the best… “But there are also universities that are doing fantastic work that may not necessarily be participating in the ranking systems. So, the UFS is one of those universities that is best at undergraduate teaching. We track our students [and] we have the best pass rate in undergraduate studies.” UFS may be her main focus, but the Prof believes our entire university approach needs a rehaul. “I don’t think a university’s business is to train people for employment. I think we should train people for critical thinking and critical knowledge. People should have the ability to transfer knowledge they’ve learnt to create jobs, to be employed and to navigate contradiction. And wherein there are no jobs they could become so creative that they also create jobs for others.” Working as a Dean and now as Vice Rector of Student Affairs, Prof LenkaBula is passionate about teaching the youth as much as she is about learning from them. “The Dean of Students is not a contemporary of students. She represents the best interests for the institution and for the students, and is more the bridge between the two. She’s a meeting point of conversations.”

DESTINY CAREERS

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Feature In her late 40s (she jokingly threatens me about revealing her age), the Prof is mother to “two gorgeous sons” (her firstborn is a rapper based in Canada). She listens to all kinds of music, from obscure French jazzpop to Rihanna and Sho Madjozi. She’s colour-blind and almost her entire wardrobe is black. The colour, she says, is a colour of hope, it symbolises Africa and Africans and that it represents financial solvency (“in the black”). The Prof is not only about decolonising our curriculum (at one point we discuss the absurdity of talking about Africanising education… in Africa) – she’s decolonising a colour associated with negativity and darkness.

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The Prof is a traveller. She loves travelling the continent and loves South Korea (she listens to K-Pop). She travels mostly because of her career, giving talks and lecturing across the globe. At one point she says, with no bitterness, “I’m in demand overseas but back home nobody knows who I am”. In fact, she gives a small smile as she says that.

DESTINY CAREERS

Feature

“

I don’t think a university’s business is to train people for employment. I think we should train people for critical thinking and critical knowledge.

Feature 34

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Feature Professor LenkaBula is adaptable (as her CV shows) – and that can be attributed to her childhood. Her mother and mother’s twin sister left Lesotho for South Africa, where she planned to become a teacher. “But then she had me,” says the Prof. The stigmatisation of a young unmarried woman having a child resulted in Prof being raised by her aunt and uncle, whom she regards as her father. “I’ve grown up in multiple environments. I was raised by parents of love, not of biology.” She had a happy childhood, although she admits she, sometimes, felt like an “insider outsider”, but she stresses that it had nothing to do with the way she was treated growing up. “That metaphor of being an insideroutsider, seems to be what’s always shaped my commitment,” she says. She speaks lovingly of the parents who raised her. “There are some people who do not have positive experiences of being raised by [people] who are not their biological parents. I don’t have that. I had a positive experience. I was loved and I never doubted the commitments of my parents. I was allowed to choose a career that they doubted.” Her first degree was English, Theology and Education, while all her friends were studying Law and Economics. That rebellious spirit has followed her into adulthood and allowed her to craft her own path and stay true to who she is. Does she think there are people in academia who consider her radical? “Ja… I guess!” she laughs. “I’m an engaged scholar. I’m not as active as many activists, but I am an advocate of justice. I am not afraid of being the only one who may stand for something, even sometimes at my own disadvantage, with possibilities of being marginalised. That doesn’t bother me… “Being fired doesn’t scare me, as long as I’m open to doing the right thing and speaking the truth as I understand it. Because sometimes my truth may not be the only truth. I am a bit of a passionate person, to put it mildly, if I believe that justice is not done.”

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The Prof says the world of academics “violently” erases black female scholars, and that’s part of the reason she ensures that she quotes them when writing reports and papers. “I started intentionally lifting out the voices of African scholars, because to create models and mentors, we have to see people who look like us. But to be limited only in our vision to our phenotype, would also be to buy into the logics of apartheid and colonial supremacy. At some point we have to ask each other: ‘What’s your politics?’ “Because your politics define how you treat people, how you value them, how you value diversities – whether racial, sexuality, place of origin, ability, or disability? Because you can have the best feminist agitators becoming the best homophobes. So, I ask myself, ‘how do I try to be an ally for the most trampled upon and wounded without losing who I am’?” The conversation rolls on, and the topic of Black Excellence comes up. The Prof smiles and says: “I don’t believe in excellence. It’s a very liberal notion in the sense that liberal ideas are about individuals, as though individuals are not part of the collective. The notion of excellence is the notion of being an exception. I’m more for the notion of success, which can be collective, which can be individual”. “It can be invitational in aiding people to be the best that they feel they have been called to be, or in working hard to realise their potential. Even what they would not have imagined would be their potential. For me, success is thinking beyond the sky that we’ve been told is the limit.”

DESTINY CAREERS

”

I don’t believe in excellence. It’s a very liberal notion in the sense that liberal ideas are about individuals, as though individuals are not part of the collective.

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Advice

Didn’t make it into university?

DON’T PANIC! words yolisa mkele

For most people, the new year is pregnant with possibility. Your peer group is constantly filled with excitement about the prospect of what to expect at their new university – but you awkwardly laugh and avoid the subject. Your secret truth is that you’re not going.

Perhaps it’s for reasons beyond your control or maybe you didn’t get the marks you needed to qualify for the degree you wanted to do. As a result, your whole life feels like it’s been cast adrift on a windless ocean. If you find yourself feeling like this, take a deep breath and read on, we have some tips:

Firstly, breathe...

As cliché as this sounds, it’s not the end of the world. In fact, this may be a blessing in disguise. Speaking to the Sunday Times in 2018, founder of Flux Trends Dion Chang said: “In 2015 I started to question the value of certain degrees. You have a young generation where that young person may be the first person to get a degree and that degree is supposed to open doors, but these days that is often not the case.” It is a common refrain for recent graduates to exit university only to discover that the degree they ploughed hundreds of study hours and tens of thousands of rands into is worth little more than the paper it’s printed on. Across the globe, more and more students are finding themselves saddled with debts that their qualifications are ill-equipped to help them pay off. This is your chance to avoid that fate. Furthermore, in a world where everything is changing, our approach to education is still lagging behind. “Our education system was spawned in the 20th century. We are still teaching children to memorise things rather than gearing our system towards something more knowledge-based,” said Chang. And fortunately, we live in a world where knowledge has never been more accessible. For example: 40

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DESTINY CAREERS

TVET Colleges:

Despite what some may think, Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) colleges are actually a great way to study toward specific careers. For years now the news has been filled with stories about how desperate South Africa is for artisans. Speaking last year at the launch of the Moses Koran’s skills centre, deputy minister of Higher Education Buti Manamela said “artisans are better paid than some of us in suits and ties”. The idea that the only way to make a good living is behind a desk typing out Word documents is as outdated as the concept of a fax machine and as occupational longevity goes, chances are that the world is going to need electricians for a lot longer than it is going to need journalists. Finally, basic economics tells us that people pay more for things that are in short supply and at the point where the country craves artisans, there is a good chance the resulting paycheck will be worth the dirty fingernails.

YouTube:

As we shift toward a more knowledge-based job market, the emphasis is moving away from where you learnt what you know to how well you can apply your knowledge. Thus, if you have the drive, YouTube can serve as much more than a place to watch ASMR videos. The site is bursting with highly useful educational videos that can take you through everything from an idiot’s guide to nuclear physics to a step-by-step guide to mechanical engineering. All it costs is a cup of coffee at McDonalds to get access to the free WiFi.

Short Courses:

As a general rule, universities tend to favour a deep knowledge of a particular field, especially as you head into postgraduate studies. The problem is that we are moving toward a world where it may be better to be a jack of all trades rather than a master of one. Journalists of previous eras, for example, just needed to be nosy and write well. These days, members of that same profession need to be able to write, take photos and video, edit multimedia and more. All of those things can be covered in a variety of courses that cost a fraction of what a Journalism degree does and takes less than half the time to learn. The same applies to a growing number of industries.

Languages:

Whether we like it or not, the world is globalising and shows no signs of slowing down. Despite its best efforts, Google Translate is still trash and being able to facilitate conversations between people who do not speak the same language is set to become a highlyprized asset. Most major universities offer language courses that don’t cost the earth or need you to have straight As. Furthermore there are language schools, like Alliance Française, that offer courses that come with a qualification at the end.

In short, going to university is not the only way to skin an educational cat. Sure, it’s fun and, if you study the right thing, potentially lucrative – but so are a lot of things. We live in a world where people on Instagram and YouTube are making bucketloads of money doing nothing in particular, where the internet can teach you how to be anything you want to be and, most importantly, where anyone with WiFi and a dream can turn their lives into whatever they want it to be and be debt free in the process.

Youth

Galvanising for employment Youth unemployment raises one of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest challenges. Youth Employment Service (YES) aims to be a part of the solution. words reporter

With the perpetual national scourge of youth unemployment in South Africa continuing to rise, YES has come up with a working formula to see that youth are placed in workplaces. The non-profit organisation has created more than 29,000 jobs in 2019 alone and plan to double this figure in 2020. Destiny Careers speak to the CEO of YES, Dr Tashmia Ismail-Saville to hear more about the programmes.

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DESTINY CAREERS

Being a job creation entity in this environment is not easy. Every job counts.

We worked on a policy change for a year and half, which allowed us to reward companies who invest in youth jobs a level one or two on the B-BBEE score card.

You have to look ahead and make a hard argument for businesses to understand the numbers and the costs of not employing people.

DC: When was the programme rolled out? Y4Y: We were able to operationally role out this job creation entity in November 2018 when after many months of negotiations, all the legislation was finalised. We have created over 29,000 brand new jobs across the country and continue to try to get thousands of black youth into one-year work opportunities. Once placed in jobs they are given smart phones with a pre-loaded Yes apps, that gives us the ability to do training, monitoring and evaluation over the year that they are in the job. We build CVs and app linked profiles for them from the data that comes through the phone. We know that just getting a youth into a job changes their prospect dramatically for the next job. It benefits them to gain experience and makes them three times more likely to get a call back and be given permanent employment. DC: How does the organisation work, in a nutshell? Y4Y: It’s about using cooperate resources and money to push salaries into communities which are disadvantaged and to try to get economic participation running in those areas. It’s all about seeding economic pathways into the local economies. We aim to focus on township and rural development in the process, and spread the wealth, to not just urban communities. DC: What are your biggest challenges? Y4Y: We had to work with quite a large number of multi stakeholders to be able to get this legislation change. It took time. Also, we are in a country where business confidence is low, growth is low and economy stagnant. So, trying to create jobs in this kind of environment is extremely difficult. But that makes our 29,000 number powerful because it was created off a zero base.

DC: What has been the secret behind your success? Y4Y: I think you have to really persevere and be very good in not giving up.

But most importantly, make them understand how they can create these jobs with you in a way that is strategically important for their business. From a hard side you have to appeal to people’s senses, that this is not a fair country. We have a lot of issues that lock people out of the economy, and this is one of the key things that we need to resolve. You just have to give people a fair chance and the empathy for understanding what it takes for people to get into the job market. You have to be very clear in both your economic argument and in your country building argument. If you sew those two together, a lot of people will respond. Creating jobs is quite a big commitment, but we do try and make it easy for companies by helping them out with the administration. DC: What types of businesses are you targeting? Y4Y: It’s across all sectors. We have 490 companies that are partners already. The very big numbers of employment come from financial services, through clients like Absa and Nedbank. DC: What type of qualities do you look for in people for job placement? Y4Y: We place across the board, from entry level jobs, of people in restaurants, game parks, recycling and all the way through to sophisticated actuarial jobs. If the company is willing to pay a salary and put a youth into a job, we will make that happen. It doesn’t matter where or what type of job it is. DC: Do you look into sensible working hours and fair salaries when placing people? Y4Y: There is no such thing as a fair salary. As long as the company conforms to labour laws around a minimum wage of R20 an hour and there is a fixed labour contract in place for that one year, we are satisfied. There is no salary bracket. As I mentioned, we have young people working in all sorts of jobs. Some of our highest paid youth earn up to R55,000 a month.

DC: How do people get involved in the program? Y4Y: We know that there are a lot of agencies in the country that specialise in youth databases. It’s not difficult to get youth into a database. The difficulty in our country is finding the jobs to put the youth into. So we spend a lot of time focusing our attention on getting companies and individuals to invest in infrastructure and programmes that create new jobs. The benefit for companies is that they are then able to take advantage of potentially levelling up on the B-BBEE scorecard – more than 60 already have. We then bring in partners who have databases of youth and training programmes. We are also building a hub infrastructure in townships and low income communities and close to job opportunities like the Kruger National Park. We bring lots of technology and programmes into the community and that is the second way which we are creating jobs for small businesses. DC: What are your future plans? Y4Y: Our future plans are to build more jobs. We want to create 500,000 jobs in five years’ time. In the first year of policy change we had to iron out a lot of wrinkles. So, it was difficult to set targets, but I think now given our numbers we want to at least get 70,000 jobs in 2020. DC: Message to businesses? Y4Y: Corporate SA needs to invest in youth employment if they want this country to work. We have left more than half of the people behind without jobs, it’s very difficult to have growth in the country. We appeal to companies to join and create these jobs because its only through collaboration with the private sector that we will be able to get jobs for the youth. Doing so will help drive this national unemployment scourge away.

Youth

DC: Where did the idea of the organisation start? Y4Y: This is a non-profit organisation. We were formed out of a collaboration between business, government and labour, to come up a plan to build economic pathways for black youth.

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Opinion

Hello… is this thing on?

Thoughts Nkox Leader

I often joke about how radio and soccer are synonymous. However, the more I think about it, the more this analogy makes sense. For starters, similarly to soccer players, the radio jocks are independent contractors who are uniquely contracted depending on talent, skill and experience. Secondly, soccer teams are somewhat fan orientated; the bigger the fan-base, as a result of winning, the more likely the team is to gain various sponsors. Similarly, a radio station that wins the listenership battle is also more likely to gain advertisers (not always the case, though). The third and final nailing to my analogy coffin, is that just like radio jocks, soccer players fight for their spot in the line-ups and dethroning each other is part and parcel of the game. In my humble opinion, a radio station ought to have three fundamental approaches towards recruitments and succession. Each commercial or Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) station needs to have a healthy training base. This can be in the form of campus or community radio stations that produce on-air talent for the commercial station. Through this process they would get slots within the radio station that are focused on cultivating up and coming on-air talent (i.e. graveyard slots). Again, to draw a parallel to a soccer team, this is the development side of the team. Like a soccer team, there are certain positions within a commercial or PBS station you can’t compromise on: these positions require seasoned talent. Apart from the graduating talent (development), there are positions where the station needs to headhunt for, in order to compete at an industry competitive level. The headhunting will be highly informed by the station’s vision, of course. Under normal circumstances, you find the positions are aligned to prime time shows such as the breakfast and the afternoon drive. It is always wonderful when one of those prime time slots is occupied by an internal graduate, which would, symbolically, show growth prospects within the station. A succession plan always makes for a smooth transition into positions, especially prime time slots. A station like YFM executes its succession plan very well. At Y, one can tell who is going to take over the prime time slots by just looking at the stand-in jocks. YFM has a system where they utilise the ‘next-in-line’ as the official stand-in when the prime-time jock can’t do the show. This not only mentally prepares the ‘next-in-line’ but it also prepares the listener for the upcoming change. Most PBS stations poach at Y, thus every April (contract season) the station has to somewhat prepare for change or expect change (whether it happens or not). Now, with the diluted nature of South African radio currently, it would be naive to think that most radio stations have a recruitment and succession strategy. This is reflected by the appointments made by the top stations, such as Metro FM appointing influencers, with no radio background, as presenters. This sets a very dangerous precedence because stations like Metro FM are somewhat tastemakers in the radio industry because of how big their reach is. Thus my blanket approach towards the influence a station like Metro FM would have on other radio stations.

Metro FM’s recruitment strategy, or lack thereof, was exposed in the highly publicised departure of DJ Fresh from the station. For weeks the station was directionless, leaving listeners wondering who was going to take over the reins. During this period, they had various jocks standing-in to see if they fit the mould and, eventually, they decided to use Mo Flava as the official replacement, leaving a gap on the drive-time slot he was doing. The station management then appoints the Kings of the Weekend (Sphe and Naves) to do the drive, a decision that further solidifies my suspicion and assumption that the station has no succession, nor recruitment, plan. Allow me to interrogate this decision a bit... What message does this decision send to senior jocks like Thomas Msengana, Mo G and Marian Nyako-Lartey? It says there’s no growth prospects for them internally anymore, furthermore they are not good enough to do the drive show, thus they should look elsewhere if they still have growth ambitions. Secondly, it speaks to the reactionary approach of management that exists at Metro. In simple terms, DJ Fresh leaving Metro, for whatever reason, was never a thought in the minds of the Metro FM management. Sadly, this reactionary management culture has characterised the SABC as a whole in recent years. Being proactive is foreign at the SABC. I remember a time, not so long ago, where Tbo Touch graduated from hosting a hip-hop show over the weekend, to hosting the biggest drive time show in the history of Metro FM. I also remember a time where brunch time host, Thando Thabethe graduated to host the drive time show on 5FM, and killing it. The point here is that development and growth within the South African radio sector is possible provided there’s a strong will at the top for it to happen. Nkox is an experienced radio jock with a demonstrated history of working in the media broadcasting space as both a broadcaster and broadcasting training coach. He has trained radio jocks for community radio stations such as Kovsie FM, Motheo FM and CUT FM. He is a strong business development professional with a Bachelor of Arts degree focused in Political Transformation and Governance from University of the Free State. Having previously co-founded an online pop-culture publication called “Central Vibe” which was accompanied by a lifestyle entertainment show on YouTube. Nkox is always diversifying his interests and skills within the media space.

MAKE YOUR GAP YEAR

Taking the year off can present plenty of opportunities to upskill yourself words zintle nkohla

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DESTINY CAREERS

Advice Planning for the future probably tops the list of most adults’ frustrations. You are almost at the end of your high school or university, and you are still up in the air about your next step – your parents, friends and community are on your neck to decide already. And maybe you’re thinking, “I need a gap year”. A lot of people have a perception that gap years are a waste of time and the reason is that they don’t have enough information about how one could make their gap year count. With the right mindset and clear goals, you could make your gap year count. According to Stats SA, during the first quarter of 2019, 55.2% of youth between the ages of 15-24 were unemployed, and 31% of which were graduates. That is about an 11.4% increase since the fourth quarter of 2018 which was 19.5%. One of the reasons why youth is unable to contribute towards South Africa’s economy is because they are undecided about their future. Lwandile Zonke, who has a degree in Accounting, decided to take a gap year after his graduation. Zonke thought this was the best decision to secure a better future for himself. He has made the most of his gap year – he’s inspired youth in high schools and tutored some pupils. Zonke is also an aspiring business maverick. During his studies Zonke realised that he didn’t enjoy Accounting as much as he thought he previously had. However, he decided to finish his degree because he believes that one should always finish what they start. During his gap year, Zonke put his focus on networking and making a name for himself in entrepreneurship and committed himself in doing volunteering work. He also attended business training session by the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA). He is now confident and comfortable about his public speaking skills. “A gap year is not a waste of time if you know what you will do and make out of it,” Zonke says. “It should be a year to plan thoroughly for your way forward, be it your studies or any other interest that you may have. A gap year is very good for one’s introspection and thorough planning. We end up doing things we don’t like because we are racing with others. Life is not a race and we all have our

different paths to success, and I think we should all embrace that and respect other people’s choices.” Tiyiselani Mukhari who is founder CEO of Rich Learning Programme says that young people should be aware of who they associate themselves with and try as much as possible to make decisions that will impact their future positively. “Taking a gap year should, ultimately, be utilized for selfintrospection purposes and clearly defining one’s short and long-term goals. This should be accompanied by invested time in continuous planning and taking part in activities such as; learning a new skill or trying out a new business idea; spending as much time with family and loved ones; turning your hobbies into income generating activities, reading, saving, planning and networking.” The world is brimming with endless opportunities and plenty people who’ve established themselves in respective industries.

“

A gap year is not a waste of time if you know what you will do and make out of it.

Generally, people see gap years as a waste of time because they don’t layout concise plans before commencing with their decision. You should set your goals and outline what you want to achieve at the end of the year. Aim to create a feeling that when you look back at your decisions you don’t regret anything at all. Work towards self-fulfilment.

Inspiration

From The Classroom

View the local film industry through the lens of those who tore down barriers to entry words monyane tekateka

When we think of the film and television industry our thoughts often turn to glitz, glamour, and fame. We think of our favourite movies and some of the most beautiful people in our country and the world, we think of the greatest rags-to-riches stories. We often first think of the end product, in an industry of careers and behind the scenes practitioners that, in reality, are a large amount of people who pull together to make a beautiful end product, be it a film, advert or miniseries and, more than that, we forget that it has the potential to be really big business. According to a PricewaterhouseCoopers report titled Entertainment and Media Outlook 2018-2022, the South African 48

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television market will be worth close to R40.8 billion a year by 2022, with the film sector forecasted to reach R2.1 billion in the same year. This indicates that some industry practitioners are, indeed, making money in South Africa. However, as large as these numbers may seem, the industry itself is heavily localized in Gauteng, with the Western Cape coming in at a distant second. The majority of the country, however, is not as fortunate, leaving many creatives in other provinces feeling like they donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t have the tools to further develop themselves and their respective localities. Well established production company The BarLeader TV teamed up with free state broadcaster Nkokeli Lindazwe to create an educational live and interactive platform, in a panel discussion style titled The Classroom. The first session was for the film and television industry and was held at

the Bloemfontein Civic Theatre. The Freestate was purposefully picked to reach an audience that would not traditionally have access to the industry. On stage were industry practitioners who are developing the field. Legend Manqele, the founder of production company The BarLeader TV, which has numerous shows under its belt, like Being Bonang and Living The Dream With Somizi. Manqele was joined by Kutlwano Ditsele founder of production company Seriti Films which is an evergrowing player in the television and advert space. Finally, completing the panel was director Tebogo Malope, who is the owner of Star Films. He directed the first-ever Netflix African original Queen Sono. The initial lesson of the classroom boiled down to, how does one get into the industry? By its very nature, the film and television industry is not like other DESTINY CAREERS

traditional industries because it does not have clear career paths. Each panellist conveyed their own story about how they entered the industry, with Ditsele being the only one who was to complete his studies before starting in the field. The common thread between the three was an insatiable curiosity and passion that led to them finding their way to sets they were not supposed to be on. Legend recalled that he had no idea of where to start but ended up as part of a studio audience for YoTV, to learn and, perhaps, get even close to the action. It is this very curiosity that gave him the courage to speak to people on set and ask for a job doing anything available. Another lesson was around whether or not it is realistic to believe that an individual can make it into the industry and, indeed, get work if they come from a place with a less established industry?

The panel cautioned the audience, saying that industry localisation is not unique to South Africa. They said this is how the sector takes shape, pointing out Los Angeles in the United States, is an engine for its industry. They also said the growth of the industry depends on political will. The political will of provinces to create an atmosphere that is friendly to the sector would enable production companies in Johannesburg to work in and around provinces that arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t as well equipped. KwaZulu-Natal was mentioned as an example of a growing film and TV sector, largely due to the provincial governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s intentional investment and collaboration with the sector, thus leading to more productions being filmed in the province. The biggest question that inevitably came from those in attendance was now that The Classroom had taken place, how could people proceed and continue to engage with the panel? A decision was made to continue to

develop #TheClassroom and take it to as many people as possible. The professionals on stage agreed to set up a flowing shadow programme, alongside stake holders, CTC College and The BarLeader TV, for willing creatives.

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An insatiable curiosity and passion will lead you to sets you are not supposed to be on.

Investigation

A DOPE VIEW ON South African campuses are crawling with drugged up students. Here’s why they need a fix to often fix what isn’t broken in the first place. words yolisa mkele

Thirty-two years ago, in Rome’s Stadio Olimpico, Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson shocked the world. Running against the Usain Bolt of his time, Carl Lewis, Johnson not only managed to leave Lewis choking on his dust, but did so in record time. For a moment in time, the Jamaican-born underdog was the fastest human being to have ever lived. As is the way with all good dramas though, the plot was just about to thicken. With Lewis and others complaining like people at a customer service centre, Johnson was soon found guilty of doping. His defence was that everyone else was doing it and if he wanted to be competitive and do well in his chosen profession, doping made perfect sense. For students trying to get through their exams, Johnson’s argument is almost mundanely logical. “Academic doping is very common among students. I’d say probably two thirds of students do it,” says Nonhlanhla Sithole*, a third year student at UCT. Coined a couple of years ago, the term “academic doping” refers to the practice of taking various drugs, usually those designated to treat 50

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ADHD and other attention disorders, to help boost concentration for studying and secure those good marks that parents and future employers seem so obsessed with. According to an article that appeared in the Daily Beast, 35% of US university students take stimulants to help them study. Speaking in the Netflix documentary Take Your Pills, Dr Wendy Brown, Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley said: “At the simplest level, the norms driving the use of performance enhancing drugs are those that simply tell us, ‘your task is to concentrate, to perform at the highest capacity that you possibly can, and to do it for as long as it takes’.” This applies as much to accountants and newspaper editors as it does to

pupils trying to ace their final matric geography exam, or getting good marks in varsity. In fact, it is this unquenchable societal thirst for excellence, that first brought Sithole into contact with Concerta. “I think I started using it for matric finals. I mean let’s be honest, studying sucks and I’m really bad at it but you obviously need good marks for finals and stuff, so I started using it then so I could study longer,” Sithole says. While not as famous as its other peers, Adderall and Ritalin, Concerta is a stimulant used to treat ADHD that helps you concentrate, control behaviour issues, stay focused and, generally, become the type of student DESTINY CAREERS

Investigation your parents always lied about being — the one who sits for hours at their bedside table. According to Sithole and other students, it is super easy to get your hands on. “It’s pretty easy to find on campus. Everyone knows someone who can get you some Ritalin or Concerta,” says Jennifer Sibanda*, a student at the WITS Medical Faculty. As is common with drugs, study enchancers work by fiddling your dopamine supply. In a 2015 video from the American Chemical Society’s series, Reactions, neuroscientist Dr Ryan Davidson said: “People with ADHD tend to have lower levels of dopamine, the key chemical in the brain’s reward

centre. This lack of dopamine means that people are constantly seeking stimulation. Amphetamine [the key ingredient in drugs like Adderall] stimulate the release of dopamine and other neurological transmitters in the brain so that minor distractions don’t cause you to lose focus.” If you are wondering why the word amphetamine sounds familiar, that is because it is one chemical bond away from being Methamphetamine AKA Tik. Drugs like Concerta and Ritalin are mainly comprised of a chemical called Methylphenidate, which functionally works the same as amphetamine but milder.

In fact, amphetamine can be so effective at boosting focus and warding off sleep that during World War II the Nazis used the stuff to stun Allied forces and push them all the way to the French coast, seemingly marching for days on end without rest. It allowed them to march further

Academic doping is very common among students. I’d say probably two thirds of students do it.

Investigation

for longer and negated the usual cognitive effects of sleep deprivation. Sans the murder and racism, students who take performance enhancers are essentially looking for a similar benefits package. And it turns out it’s pretty easy to find.

Michael Jackson, a spot of Adderall will leave you thinking that you’re a genius, when really, you’re just the same Sibusiso who secretly enjoys flat earth videos and spelling “boobless” on his calculator.

According to both Sibanda and Sithole, a lot of the supply comes from students who have prescriptions for ADHD meds and then just sell them to their fellow students.

This is not to say Ritalin, Adderall or Concerta are entirely useless. Ask your crush about how useful confidence can be. That said, it will not add anything to your brain. Unlike sports doping, academic doping doesn’t make you better, it just makes you feel that way, and that is not a small thing.

“It’s kinda pricey. It’s like R200 for four. If I’m trying to study for a course I’m struggling with, or a bunch of courses, then I’d get five,” Sithole says. On the surface of things, taking something like Concerta is all upside. Your brain runs like a German stereotype. Everything clears up, you study well, your marks go up and you basically become a more efficient human but… of course, there is a ‘but.’ As with all performance enhancers, it’s all fun and games until you use too much. Outside of helping with ADHD, Concerta can be prescribed to help deal with narcolepsy, a sleeping disorder. “To be honest it’s kind of dangerous. You’ve got to take it really early in the morning otherwise you’re not going to sleep,” says Sithole before detailing how she once took Concerta at 9am and found herself unable to sleep at 2am the next morning. Some of the side effects of these study drugs include: appetite loss, insomnia, restlessness, irritability and possibly, psychosis. Medical professionals also suggest using it cautiously for people with bipolar disorder. Now for the even bigger ‘but.’ It turns out studying stimulants may be as good at making you smarter as Borstol is at curing everything. In a small study, published in Psychology Today in 2018, a group of university students who did not meet the criteria for ADHD were given a variety of cognitive tests to perform under the influence of Adderall and then under the influence of a placebo. It turned out that there was no real difference in their scores, save how they felt about them. So basically, in much the same way that drinking half a bottle of gin will have you thinking that you’re a better dancer than

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Whether for sports or academics, doping happens in competitive environments where the defining mantra is “better”. We live in an academic world that wants more from us. Despite Instagram captions to the contrary, the spectre of perfection stalks our lives. You need great marks in matric so that you can get into a good university. From there, you need to graduate cum laude and get a postgraduate degree so that you can get a high paying job that you’re also super passionate about. Upon seeing how awesome you are at your job and how much you love it, you’ll meet this amazing person and have a beautiful family. Oh, and all of that needs to be done by the time you are 35. Given those types of pressures, it is no wonder that students are popping pills to get by. The question is, “at what cost?” More people in and below their 30s are suffering from burnout, depression and anxiety than ever before, all so that we can scramble over one another to grab a slice of a pie that we may not even want. All we know is that we have to get it. We’ll do whatever it takes. Even if it means risking psychosis. To paraphrase Future, “it’s better crying tears in the back of a Maybach”. *Not their real names

DESTINY CAREERS

I still have errors. In everything I do there is still so much to learn. Nasty C

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Make it work

Forget following the road less travelled â&#x20AC;&#x201C; meet the people who chose to follow their hearts. Unathi Shologu & Tshegofatso Senne Judd van Rensburg

Nthato Mashishi

Karin Orzol

Saadique Ryklief

Motse Molatela

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Betting on yourself is the best bet.

Furniture designer

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Pants, shirt & jacket by H&M; Belt by Trenery Chair by: WoodenSteel

DESTINY CAREERS

Profile The words of poet Langston Hughes, “a dream deferred is a dream denied”, truly encapsulate the course of Motse Molatela’s journey towards establishing himself as a force in the creative space. Molatela pursued his passion all the way to the edge of homelessness, even when all the signs were pointing him towards a different direction. Molatela, who quit his job in a what most would define as the peak of one’s career, has since built his dream with his bare hands. The owner of WoodenSteel is now working towards “buying time and freedom”, to make space for the next phase of his artistic pursuits. He recalls a time when he didn’t have privilege of doing so. “You get into a job that will earn you a salary, but after a while you figure out that your passions and ambitions are not being fulfilled. “Advertising has a cut-off date, only a few get to make it to the top. There aren’t enough spots. It’s all about time, place and luck. If you find yourself in the right agency, at the right time — you get picked up by the right people who will groom you and, ultimately, you will end up at the right places.” He says, for some, it doesn’t matter how talented they are. If all those fortuitous elements don’t come together, then they will be sentenced to the kind of restless that comes with not being fully seen or heard. “Sometimes you’ve got talent, but the environment is not right. I didn’t want to wait till I was 40 years old to feel like I had finally arrived. So, I pursued something that would be an outlet to drive me into the future.” He walked away from advertising in 2015, after 10 years in the industry. “Betting on yourself is the best bet. I wasn’t happy in industry and the culture around awards. Advertising is like a p*ssing contest filled with egos. And sometimes all you want to do is create beautiful work and get fulfilment from that.

“I jumped ship and as soon as I did that, suddenly there were positions for creative directors and jobs that were paying the salary I had always wanted.” Unmoved by invitations to return, he stayed true to himself. “For me that was a test to see, ‘how much do you believe in yourself? If you leave and suddenly all these good things start happening, will you take them? If you do that, then you’re bailing out on yourself. You’re going back because it’s comfortable.’ So sometimes, just have to bare the discomforts of life because you believe in yourself.” The triumph that came with leaving and turning down lucrative salaries was soon eclipsed by, what he describes as, the lowest point in his life. “My mom had to pay my rent. In the first three months there were no clients. Okay, you can survive the first month. In the second month, you are panicking and considering going back. In the third month I was like, ‘if nothing happens now you need to make a plan’. That’s when I called home, to tell them it wasn’t working out, ‘I’m not getting clients, I don’t know what to do’.” It is often said that good things come in threes. On the third month of being unemployed his fortunes changes. “That’s when I finally got one of my first clients, and that client pushed my for two years. At the same time, I was trying to put money away. I was designing and building prototypes.” Motse’s furniture combines distinct elements of African culture with materials like steel and wood, which has proven to be a winning formula as he is now a household name - literally -. “The first two chairs were the most fulfilling, and one of them was the Basotho chair. It was amazing. Then sometime this year I saw people replicating it. I wasn’t mad because it means I’ve done something right. Sometimes it takes that one little spark for you to inspire someone else.” Happy to share more of himself with others, Motse is now working towards his own gallery. He has started displaying some of his work in his shop. words unathi shologu

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Nompumelelo: Dress by Hannah Levery R1,900; Necklace by Mareth Colleen, R4,900

Nompumelelo & Khayakazi Ngqula

Filmmakers

Left to right: Nompumelelo & Khayakazi Ngqula

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DESTINY CAREERS

Profile Khayakazi: Dress by Isabel de Villiers, R1,250

Peter Jackson, Lord of the Rings trilogy director, once said: “The most honest form of filmmaking is to make a film for yourself.” If so, then the South Africa has plenty of stories to look forward to as the country is a cornucopia of joy, sorrow, spirituality, violence, sex, rebirth, corruption, beauty, ugliness, mysticism and many other things, as people continue to work towards some kind an equilibrium. No doubt, many of those stories have previously fallen into the deepest and darkest crevasses, never to be told or seen by anyone because the local film industry of yesteryear severely lacked diversity. However, this is no longer the case. Owners of Pixel Perfect Productions, sisters Nompumelelo and Khayakazi Ngqula, who are 18 months apart, are truly the ones to watch as they reclaim their own stories.

Nompumelelo Ngqula Filled with the existential dread of working in an environment that completely depleted her, Nompumelelo quit her advertising job with no certainty that she would get another one. “I hated advertising. It was a soul-destroying space for me. It’s like a labour mill for young black creatives. You end up giving the best of yourself and the best of your creative years and you don’t get much back,” she says. “Yes, they may get awards and that’s great. But they aren’t reaping the rewards for themselves, which are the financial rewards. And isn’t that why I’m working? It felt like a dead-end. “Young black creatives are there to make things seem authentic. To make things resonate with the black audience, but at the end of the day, they are not the face of that world,” Nompumelelo says. While recuperating from the corporate rat-race, she was invited by Khayakazi to join her in her production company and the sisters have since been writing their own destinies, with a few rough drafts along the way. “Kazi (Khayakazi) takes care of the logistics and the business. I take care of the creative side. I do stories with her and other people we work with. We’ve really focused

on creating a space for young female creatives. Whether you are a director or a DOP (director of photography), you are a part of this tribe. It’s a tribe that’s changing the face of storytelling in South Africa. “The stories mean more, when you watch a show that has been conceived, originated and though out by young black people — there are certain textures and nuances you won’t get elsewhere,” Nompumelelo says. Their production company is responsible for bringing hit series iThemba to TV screens, in a primetime slot — starring industry behemoths like Vatiswa Ndara and Brenda Ngxoli. “Our thoughts are about making our shows a more global product. Obviously, you have to work within the boundaries of what your broadcaster wants and who their audience is and what they want to say. We always aim to make shows that resonate with people and they can feel yes like, ‘yes, this was made for me. Not made by John, for me but made by someone like me, for me’.” However, along the way there have been moments where Nompumelelo has felt completely defeated. She offers an anecdote about a period in her life where Murphy’s Law was the order of every single day. The unfortunate events on their sets and to cast members kept escalating until she was ready to end the scene on her career. Somehow, she managed to push herself harder and pick up the pieces.

Yes, things can be terrible and they’re allowed to be, because it’s the only way we’re going to learn. If it’s easy, then it’s not worth doing.

Profile “Yes, things can be terrible and they’re allowed to be, because it’s the only way we’re going to learn. If it’s easy, then it’s not worth doing. But that doesn’t apply to relationships: bekezela (persevere) at work, do not do it in a relationship,” she laughs. More is brewing behind the scenes, however, as the South African film industry comes to a head around the fair compensation of actors. “The way that the South African TV industry is structured, there’s not much that producers can do to make those kinds of changes. We want to work in a way that people don’t feel exploited, don’t feel like they are being taken advantage of. And, of course, there are people in the industry who do [illtreat actors].” “We also need to remember the limitation of our industry. It is the way it is because it’s designed that way. The apartheid government created monopolies in each sector. So, for electricity, Eskom was it. For TV, there was SABC and that was it. For airlines, it was SAA and that was it. They created markets that were incredibly difficult to penetrate, and they did so by using anti-competition structures.” All is not lost though, because the consumption of TV has changed dramatically in the last decade and it is already disrupting the local market. “The more other players, like Netflix, Hulu and other streaming services come into this market and use our producers and actors, the more we’ll see people getting their money’s worth. Then local competitors will be forced to conform.” words unathi shologu

JANUARY2020

If you don’t crave to be on set every day, and don‘t have stories you’re dying to tell, this is not the space for you. It’s only going to get tough. DESTINY CAREERS

Profile

Khayakazi Ngqula Is it possible to tell, without a shred of doubt, if someone is innately born with a certain characteristic? In Khayakazi’s case it would be safe to say she’s always loved the television industry. How do I know this? While she was grade two and Mpumi (Nompumelelo) was in grade three, Pedro The Music Man was running auditions at their school. The excited girls ran to their parents with consent forms in hand, to ask for permission to audition. Despite doing their best to plead that they be allowed, the final answer was a “no.” A very disappointed but determined Khayakazi signed both forms and the school was none the wiser. Khayakazi went first and the panel loved her, she then coached Mpumi and they loved her too. The girls were in very big trouble when the congratulatory calls came in, but eventually their parents allowed them to be part of the cast. Having grown up in Johannesburg, they moved to KwaZuluNatal for high school and post matric she worked as a producer for various TV shows, including one that profiled iconic South Africans, where she met the likes of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Richard Maponya and Wendy Luhabe. She remembers her interview with “mam’ uWinnie” vividly, and how it would change the course of her life. During filming, while Mam’ Winnie was being interviewed by one of the show’s producers, Mam’ Winnie stopped one of the producers from asking her a question and said, referring to Khayakazi: “‘Why can’t my grandchild ask it? Why can’t we tell our own stories?’” “She gave me a different kind of confidence, because after that I didn’t have to have anybody (senior producers) else during the interviews. That opened by career in such a big way. That’s when realised that the space I worked in was amazing. It was remarkable to speak to people who love this country so much,” Khayakazi says. However, she resigned from the job because of pressure to get a qualification. She went to the New York Film Academy and during her time there, she observed that actors and producers owned rights to their work — something she had not previously witnessed locally. This was a gap in the market and she sought fill it with her company Pixel Perfect Productions, where she handles operations and Nompumelelo does the creative work. The beginning was gruelling but they were eventually given an opportunity by popular local channel Mzansi Magic and would go on to shoot 15 films for them.

“Our biggest thing was that we wanted to shoot film at the quality of a series. We didn’t make any money from [the films], but it was enough to make Mzansi confident that, ‘we can give them a series’.” “We spent a lot of money making sure we shot with the best cameras, best crews and a lot of the cast that we use now on our series iThemba, we worked with before, on our movies.” She couldn’t but feel that she was being prejudiced against when her career plateaued despite her best efforts. “It was in year three of the company. I was like, ‘Are we always going to do bioscopes or inserts?’ We had an international format, which is a favourite on air. It was so hard to get people to support the show. It didn’t matter what we did, or how hard we tried. We had the biggest producers in the continent, but no support at all. I felt like my age was working against me. We also pitched for a drama for two-and-a-half years. There are many noes and a few yeses.” Some of those rejections were so difficult that she didn’t want to get out of bed. “If you don’t crave to be on set every day, and don‘t have stories you’re dying to tell, this is not the space for you. It’s only going to get tough,” Khayakazi advises. iThemba has made an undeniable mark on the local industry. “We wanted to create something where women save themselves and empower each other… most of our households are headed by women. We wanted to give people hope, because we are in such tough situations, no matter the income. The reality is a lot of women survive because other woman are looking out for them.” However, challenges seem to be reverberating throughout the local film industry as some are seen to be benefiting far more than others. “No budgets have moved in the last four years, which is very scary. Actors are remembering a time where, if you shot a 13-episode series, you would shoot for 13 weeks. It has changed. Now we shoot 13 episodes in five weeks. And the thing is that, everybody knows that these shows are sold all over the world, but producers don’t benefit from that. We are starting to have open and honest conversations. Actors are frustrated. You want to see where your work is going and you want to be a part of that.” “The industry is designed to benefit broadcasters only. Producers are also employed to do a certain job, and are given certain parameters and certain budgets and we have to work around that. I support protesting — we’re not going to see changes until more people start standing up.” words unathi shologu

Profile

Pearl Pillay

Activist

Dress, UJ @ Convoy, R1,199

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DESTINY CAREERS

Profile Pearl Pillay has been an activist all her life. Having grown up in Chatsworth, and Indian township in the south of Durban, she began her activist career as a volunteer at the local youth centre when she was 14. The centre ran a variety of youth programmes that included environmental work, reading programmes and chess clubs.

Pillay’s own work within the company has highlighted the importance of community development, gender equity and environmental sustainability. Two of the company’s most impactful programmes include Public Achievement, in which communities are trained on citizen participation, project management and given a budget to design and implement an initiative addressing a community issue. The second is the Young Feminist Roundtable which brings together gender and environmental activists around the country, so far focusing on access to water, land and ocean conservation.

Years later she made the move to Johannesburg to study politics at the University of the Witwatersrand, where she continued her advocacy on campus. As part of various groups, she protested in support of Palestine, poor students and workers at the university.

With all this under her belt, Pillay is just getting started. She will be pursuing her PhD in the next few years, this time to focus on women’s roles in social movements.

“If you feel passionate enough about something then you throw yourself into it,” Pillay shared with Destiny Careers. Her Master’s in Politics did exactly that, focusing on the National Development Plan. Pillay’s research, held in Tembisa, analysed how inclusive processes of development were of young people and consequently, what gets in the way of young people getting more involved. Young people have always been the focal point of Pillay’s work and this continued as she joined Youth Lab, a Johannesburg think-tank, as an intern during her university days. She is now the Managing Director. Youth Lab’s main purpose is to solidify the positioning of young people as experts in issues that affect them. The company creates spaces for young people to engage on matters most important to them. Youth Lab works to provide various platforms and spaces for young people and decision-makers to engage in conversations, equipping young people with skills and building their capacity within development, as well as informing via innovative research and communications.

“My hypothesis is that women are more intentional in the way they organise,” Pillay says. She aims to understand the history and contexts of women organising and how different institutions like church, communities, universities and the state respond and often repress these movements. She’s committed to understanding the important role of women and what that means for democracy and understanding our places in our countries. Pillay may be 28, but as a managing director, activist and informal mentor in the civic space, she is deeply invested in all young people having a seat at the table, regardless of where they come from, their class or identity — every citizen has a right to have an opinion and a place in the development of their country. words tshegofatso senne

If you feel passionate enough about something then you throw yourself into it.

Guide

Co-working, the new face of work Office spaces on a budget. words palesa buyeye

Freelancing, an entrepreneur, self-employed, fun-employed or running a start-up? Wherever you’re at, your own desk, WiFi connection, coffee and an office is a necessity. We all know too well the distractions that come with working from home and the difficulty in finding a quiet coffee shop with reliable connection. The unstable payment schedule of being a free agent raises questions of feasibility for those needing to rent out an office space. The solution to this entrepreneurial dilemma has emerged in the creation of co-working spaces. According to Bizcommunity, “there are currently over 100 coworking spaces located in South Africa with that number set to double in 2022”. The idea of you or your team being able to walk into a space, work and leave, is one of the most convenient ideas today

“a creative space for collaboration, work and freelancers that want a space to work, come together, share ideas and build a community,” says Paul Keursten, CEO and co-founder of Workshop 17. “In this insecure economy where people do not want to commit, they have a choice.” Founder of Mashstartup Mashudu Modau describes it as, “more than just WiFi and a desk”, having run most of his work and events from there. “Sometimes I even just need a space to work for a day and it’s my saving grace… Costs are often an entrepreneur’s biggest issue, so it is great if you need an office space and the cost of putting one together falling onto someone else.”

Although co-working spaces are said to be the future, they may not be for everyone. Below we have compiled a list of advantages and disadvantages of co-working:

Advantages • Affordable access to WiFi, a desk, and office space for yourself and workers. • Affordable space to host events and meetings. • Short term contract, including daily ‘walk in, walk out.’ • Costs of setting up an office space fall onto someone else. • A space for collaboration, finding incubation and clientele. • Opportunity to build a community, as freelancing can be an isolating experience. • Multiple found in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, great for remote working. • Amenities such as meeting rooms and free coffee — “there are so many emerging, each co-working space is trying their hardest to get our attention, so the amenities are great,” Keursten says. • Opportunity for incubation and funding in spaces like J&B Hive and Tshimologong Precinct.

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Disadvantages • Open plan, so privacy is limited. • High security issues (Something Keursten is working on for Workshop 17). • Mostly found in economic hubs like Johannesburg, Cape Town and limited in Durban and Port Elizabeth. • Long-term rental might not be feasible for a company looking to grow.

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Workshop 17 Sandton, Maboneng and Rosebank workshop17.co.za Flexible Workspace, Montecasino and Sandton, Johan Avenue flexibleworkspace.co.za Tshimogolong Precint, Braamfontein tshimologong.joburg/ JoziHub, Milpark jozihub.org/ Vanquish Boutique Workspace, Randburg vanquishworkspace.business.site/ Impact Hub Joburg, Rosebank johannesburg.impacthub.net/ The Office Hub, Parkhurst theofficehub.co.za/

Co-working spaces in Cape Town Cape Town Office, Roeland St, Gardens capetownoffice.com/ Glee At Work, Green Point gleeatwork.co.za/ Akro Capital Co-Working Space, Central Cape Town akro.co.za/ The Bureaux, Sea Point and Woodstock thebureaux.co.za/ Seedspace, Cape Town CBD seedspace.co/en/cities/ southafricacapetown/

Co-working spaces in Durban Hacienda, Florida Road hacienda.durban/ Regus, Kingsmead regus.co.za/ The Sett, Umhlanga thesett.co.za/ The office 97, Berea theoffice97.co.za/

Co-working spaces in Port Elizabeth NMBM Wellness Centre, Heugh Rd nelsonmandelabay.gov.za/ Regus, Harbour View www.regus.co.za/

Sports

Co-working spaces in Johannesburg

Tech

tech opportunities on the continent The local tech scene has piqued the interest of major investors, and the best part is that there many free avenues to acquire the skills they are looking for, or to creator your own enterprise. words sanelisiwe maliza

From SweepSouth, Yoco to Pineapple, the South African tech scene is going through an exciting time. In the past three years, we have seen a growing number of compelling tech companies that have garnered the attention and funding of some of the biggest venture capitalists in the world. It is clear, there has never been a better time to get into the tech scene in South Africa. As an industry still in its infancy, we are yet to create an environment similar to the Silicon Valley ecosystem; and breaking into the industry can be difficult. Destiny Careers spoke to Okyere-Dede, a medical doctor who traded in the stethoscope to build a number of tech companies, including Memo Health and Dekode, an app on how to make it in tech.

By spending long hours on YouTube learning and testing, he was able to kickstart a career that is far removed from doctors’ rooms and ERs, which he had initially intended on frequenting.

“When I got into tech, it was out of frustration. For most people who get into tech, it is out of frustration. I had an idea and wanted to create something, and I did not have the skill, so I ended up on YouTube learning how to build what I want.”

While a platform like YouTube was not created for educational purposes, it remains one of the most impactful, free usergenerated online, edu-tech platforms in the world. On the platform, you can learn various coding languages and development skills such as UX design, as well as artificial intelligence, among others.

What started as an interest into how to build a website has grown into a web development business which creates websites and apps for a range of organisations.

“I am a big believer Okyere-Dede says acquired most of knowledge from platform.

in YouTube,” as he has his coding the video

Other than YouTube, the owner of the platform Google has formalised the learning

experience by creating developers’ certificates. Their training ranges from mobile web specialist, associate android developer, to data engineers. The courses are internationally recognised, and if you get great results, you might even land yourself a job at one of the biggest tech companies in the world. Online training programmes like Google Developers Certificate and popular online platform Code Academy, are a direct response to the demands of a rapidly changing industry and the need to swiftly develop people in a space which is in dire need of new and fresh talent. As a result, tech education bends the rules set by formal education with courses that last a few months instead of three to four years.

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Locally, we have seen a boom in organisations that offer free training, such as Geekulcha and WeThinkCode, that teach coding, web development and several other tech related skills. The industry offers an array of other opportunities that could enhance more than just technical skills, says Vuyo Dubese who is an Associate for Impact Acceleration at investment and advisory firm Impact Amplifier. “There are also softer skills that are needed to make it in the industry. Something that I also appreciate about these programmes is the opportunity to network and travel through some of their partnerships and challenges like hackathons. These open up a whole new world for technology and innovation enthusiasts,” Dubese says. Unlike other industries that have a hardline rule on degrees and qualifications to get a job, tech has been very lax about formal qualifications or certificates. After all, the most successful social media platform, with over 1 billion users, is run by a college dropout. Tech prioritises skills such as critical thinking and problem solving, instead of formal degrees. This simple approach has the potential to completely transform South Africa and play an impactful role in driving job creation and developing tech talent quickly. Dubese is of the view that more can be done about representation in the industry. “The industry is not diverse, and the word shouldn’t be misconstrued with inclusion. It’s not just about having more black people, youth and women involved, but also [including] the LGBTQIA+ and disabled communities; to mention a few. The decision makers who are responsible and in charge of policies, funds and venture capital, are to be engaged and held accountable

“

for these spaces and opportunities created.” Even though coding has been punted as the must-have-skill of the past decade, there are other ways to break into the industry. Creative and business roles, from UX designer to sales person, are all essential roles in a tech ecosystem. “As a designer [who designs the look and feel of the website or app], you can have more influence in a tech company than a coder. As the person who designs platform, you get to dictate how the app or website looks”, Okyere-Dede says. Each year, more and more job roles and position are being created with every new development in the industry. “In 2020, we will see a lot of global tech trends filter down into the country, so there will be a big focus in artificial intelligence and blockchain,” he adds. With that, it means that there is a new demand for these skills in the market. Despite the focus on international trends, Okyere-Dede believes that there are many gaps in the industry that are yet to be fulfilled, particularly in the health and edu-tech space. At the heart of tech is the need to fix a problem or find more efficient methods to run systems, and health and education seem ready for innovation.

“The approach that many local tech companies have taken is to replicate international platforms. I think what we will see more of in the coming years is more SA relevant platforms which solve South African issues,” he adds. He predicts that over the next year, we will see a tonne of health tech platforms, including a virtual doctors’ room, a fintech platform to finance gap cover or microloans for healthcare. In education, he hopes to see a microlearning platform which focuses on teaching skills which can be commercialised. Dubese foresees some much-needed reprieve for the consumer’s pocket this year. “The uptake of digital banks, and introduction of newer players like Bank Zero and Discovery Bank – 2020 will be the year of customer centricity when it comes to financial services. “With the rollout of digital spectrum in 2020, we could see an introduction of lower data costs, and the uptake of 5G, as introduced by Rain.” Perhaps, data may fall after all.

For most people who get into tech, it is out of frustration.

Where to learn a tech skill Geekulcha The focus for Geekulcha is to empower young geeks through ICT skills development and training while giving them a taste of what awaits them in the big world through industry exposure. To learn more visit: geekulcha.com/about

WeThinkCode WeThinkCode is a non-profit organisation, that seeks to unlock youth potential by closing the digital skills gap in Africa. They work within an eco-system of public and private partners to source and train world-class African digital talent. To learn more visit: wethinkcode.co.za

Explore Data Science Academy Explore Data Science Academy is a paid-for nextgeneration learning institution. They offer short to long term courses in Machine Learning, Data Science, Data Analytics and Data Engineering. To learn more visit: explore-datascience.net

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DESTINY CAREERS

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Tech

Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s digital wave

In line with the rest of the globe, African tech developers are raising the brows of generous investors while they solve social challenges in their respective countries. words sanelisiwe maliza

Looking at the data, you could argue that Africa is going through a tech revolution. For the first time, in 2019 the venture capital funding raised by tech startups operating in Africa surpassed R15 billion. Tech startup tracking platform, Crunchbase now lists over 7,800 startups from the continent. According to a 2018 WeeTracker report, the number of startups being funded more than doubled and startups on the continent are increasingly becoming recipients of big ticket funding rounds of over R60 million.

Ghana

From financial technology, blockchain to edutech, there are new companies blossoming from every corner of the continent. We take a look at the growing African tech scene and the key players in various countries.

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DESTINY CAREERS

Kenya The success of M-Pesa sparked the fire for the Kenyan tech scene, showing opportunity in the East African country. Twelve years later, the Kenyan tech scene is worth $1 billion. While M-Pesa attracted a lot of international tech companies like IBM and Microsoft, there have been a lot of small local startups that are innovating and creating tech that solves Kenyan challenges. One such is, AB3D a company that recycles electronic waste into affordable 3D printers that create artificial limbs, while Myfugo is a company that is improving the productivity and profitability of dairy farmers in East Africa through digitisation.

Nigeria From AI, machine learning to gaming, the Nigerian tech scene is going through its golden era, with a boom in startups and successful tech brands. Gamsole is one such startup. The Nigerian-born mobile game production company founded by Abiola Olaniran has been downloaded 10 million times. Challenges, like electricity shortage, have not stopped developers in Nigeria from creating compelling tech products. In the 3-4 hours per day when they have electricity, Moses Olafenwa and John Olafenwa have created an artificial intelligence company called DeepQuest AI. The two brothers, who are self-taught developers, launched an AI product that rivals some of the best international platforms, and at times, outperforming them in identifying objects and people. The product can be used in a number of different ways, including identifying a fight breaking out, to picking up in real-time when a fire starts.

Ghana Ghana is gaining more prominence in the tech scene, with companies like Farmerline and Jetstream Africa, which have both improved processes in their respective industries. While Farmerlineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s technology is powering over 200,000 farmers across 13 countries with knowledge and resources for growth, Jetstream has made intercontinental trade easier for Ghanaians.

Egypt Approximately 60% of Egyptâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population is under the age of 30 and internet penetration is skyrocketing past 40%. The combination of the two dynamics have resulted in Egypt being one of the fastest growing startup scenes in the world.

One rising star from the country is Instabug, which offers services for mobile app developers to assist in the testing of their applications via an app feedback mechanism. The company has found favour in the Mecca of tech, Silicon Valley, where they garnered venture capital funding of $2.1m over 4 rounds. Nafham is looking to improve educational access in the country. Through the free online educational video platform linked to the mandated public curriculum they reach over 200,000 people every month and have two million page views per month and have seen a 70% growth rate.

Rwanda Because the country has positioned itself as one of the best countries to work, on the continent, the Rwandan tech ecosystem has attracted a number of foreign companies which are operating in the country. Some of the more popular companies are mobile handset company Mara and ridehailing app SafeMotos, both owned by foreign companies or exports. While overshadowed by the foreign owned companies, Rwandans are also developing interesting tech. Competing at Seedstars Kigali in 2018, companies like Hatch Plus vied for the number one spot. They developed a solar-powered smart egg incubator that incubates and hatches up to 30,000 eggs into chickens, at a time. While JALI Finance developed innovative financial products for individuals and enterprises that were previously considered as non-bankable.

Uganda Fintech apps remain the most popular on the continent. Financial inclusion remains one of the most important challenges the continent experiences, it also happens to be one of the most lucrative. As such, it has been one of the most funded. In Uganda, it is no different, one of the most successful tech companies is Ensibuuko. It is a micro finance fintech startup founded by Gerald Otim and David Opio. The startup has over $500m in equity and has become a leading name in micro banking. Fundi Bots is creating the next generation of tech developers. The programme teaches children how to build robots and provides hands-on vocational skills and career development. To date, the organisation has reached over 10,000 children.

While the growing tech scene is inspiring, startups are still struggling with a number of issues on the continent including the lack of government support and infrastructure challenges. Rural areas on the continent still see very little of the tech action. Trends show that the majority of tech development is happening in the metropolitan cities, and not enough is being done to incorporate and support rural areas (beyond a few micro finance and financial inclusion initiatives). With sparse tech development in rural areas and smaller towns, we run the risk of, not only, widening the digital divide but also deepening the economic divide.

Opinion

Why structural economic change must happen now

Thoughts Tshepo Moloi

The National Development Plan, considered as the blueprint for South Africa’s socio-economy, envisages an economic growth rate of 5%, by the year 2030. In essence, this is the economic growth rate required for the government to effectively create sustainable jobs, eradicate the wide-spread poverty and transform society.

However, South Africa continues to face massive challenges, especially concerning achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth. Most economists forecast GDP growth for 2020 to be 1.4%, which is, unfortunately, nowhere close to the country’s potential economic growth rate of 3%. Amidst low economic growth rates, the South African economy is confronted with a significantly higher unemployment rate (29.1%), rising sovereign debt levels (71.3% of GDP over the medium term) and a R97.9 billion shortfall in tax revenue for the full year 2019/20. To address some of these challenges, government’s decisive structural reform agenda should include; the design of fiscal measures to enforce adherence to strict spending limits; development of economic interventions to boost the economic growth; and reforms of public enterprises that focus on stronger governance and expenditure efficiency is indispensable in this regard. Below are some of the structural reforms and interventions that I believe can boost job creation and economic growth: 1.

Sound integrated economic growth policy: The government needs to craft a renewed integrated economic growth policy framework to address policy uncertainty. The framework should outline the growth path and issue an economic growth mandate to all government departments, state-owned entities, and private businesses. Capacitation and support of small medium micro enterprises (SMME’s): Through a) access to adequate and patient capital, b) infrastructure development that gives entrepreneurs access to foreign markets and c) co-ordinated business capacity building programmes. Furthermore, SMME’s that conduct business with the

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government must be paid within 20 working days to boost their cash flow. This must be a policy stringently enforced and monitored by the national treasury. 3.

Budget reform: Resource allocation at the national government level must be guided by a technical process, inclusive of needs and impact assessments (i.e. both social and economic impact), and sound business cases to avoid inefficiencies in government spending.

Social compacting: Key performance agreements should be established via the National Economic Development and Labour Council (NEDLAC), where government, labour, and private business set clear targets about employment, infrastructure development, investment, policy implementation, government spending, and new sector developments.

Township and rural economy development: The development of rural and township economies is essential for economic inclusion and poverty reduction (i.e. government must unlock the potential of local SMMEs, cooperatives and enterprises through special economic zones).

Investing in the knowledge economy: There is an urgent need to expand the state’s research capacity to drive the knowledge economy through formalised partnerships with private companies, universities, and research institutions.

Efficiencies in service delivery: Introduce a shared services model across government to exploit economies of scales and to ensure efficiencies in government spending. Furthermore, a review of all government programmes needs to be conducted, to shut down non-performing programmes.

Closing the gender-gap: Deliberate empowerment of women through genderbased budgeting and legislated women representation in all leadership structures; both in business and government.

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Opinion 9.

Financial inclusion: Including the informal sector into the mainstream economy through technology, capacity building and infrastructure development (i.e. access to capital, POS systems, banking services as well as storage and trade facilities). Moreover, using its Prudential Authority, the state needs to enhance and promote competitiveness by issuing more licenses in monopolistic industries like telecommunications, energy, banking, insurance, and the stock exchange. There is also scope for the establishment of a state bank that will provide previously disadvantaged groups access to assets at an affordable rate (for example, business loans, property, investment instruments).

10. Youth employment and empowerment: Given the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s massive youth and structural unemployment, legislation which requires businesses to reduce the high barriers to entry for entry-level jobs must be introduced (i.e. years of experience).

11.

Strengthening regional trade and integration: A study by the OECD highlights that intra-regional trade in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is only 10% of total trade, compared to about 25% in the ASEAN region, or 40% in the European Union. Therefore, there is an urgent need to improve the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s export capacity and competitiveness, particularly in the tertiary sector through a renewed focus on value addition in sectors such as mining and manufacturing.

The successful implementation of these reforms is highly dependent on a strong, meritorious and entrepreneurial state that is willing to work in collaboration with all sectors of society. Tshepo Moloi is an Economist with work experience from the National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank. He holds a Masters of Commerce degree in Economics from the University of the Free State as well as a Masters in Public Administration and International Development from the University of York (United Kingdom). His areas of specialization include public finance, financial inclusion and macroeconomic policy analysis. Tshepoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s research work has been published in renowned local and international journals such the South African Journal for Economics as well as the Public Library of Science (PLOS).

Advice

money even when it refuses Ways to make money go further as a first-year student and as a first-time employee. words maki molapo

There is a certain euphoria about transitioning from high school to university and from university to the workplace. Whenever you hear stories about university or receive advice from those whoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve travelled down that route, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually about remembering why youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re there, exploring and having fun, honouring deadlines, being aware of your mental health, and so on. The same goes for starting out in the workplace. Emphasis is placed on having good rapport with your colleagues, the joys of being independent and having the freedom to do as you wish; hell, just having a job is held at high regard. However, in both these instances, not much is said about how to manage your finances. 72

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DESTINY CAREERS

The first and most important rule – you are not home, so things are going to be different. Because you are still getting financial support from your parents, it’s crucial that you understand your family’s financial standing; there are certain things that your peers might be able to afford that you won’t, and vice versa. Therefore, it’s important to have a fixed budget. Takeaways are a waste of money; quick maths, you buy a meal that costs about R50 just for lunch whereas you could get a vegetable combo for the same amount. Longterm satisfaction over temporary satisfaction. If you’re used to popular quality brands, you might have to buy no-name brands. They’re not all that bad but you’ll soon learn your negotiables and non-negotiables. Don’t fret, it’s just for a few years.

Understand the conditions of your bursary or student loan – what does it pay for? Based on its conditions, will you need extra cash from home or not? For example, your pass rate has to be at a certain level, otherwise you pay a fraction of the sponsorship; the sponsor gives you a lump sum of the money you need, which means you have to spread it out evenly for the year so that it covers your needs. Find a part-time job or join a student organisation – but pace yourself. It’s advisable that you only do this once you’ve understood the scope of your work because you don’t want to burnout. Some student organisations give incentives for your work/time, so choose one that you like. These also help you grasp university culture much quicker and also play a significant role in teaching you important life skills which will come in handy at a later stage. If you can’t join a student organisation, try waitressing, retail, promotions (social media or field), or working at the library. These are flexible jobs that give you time for your academics while you secure the bag.

Independence is liberating but it is extremely challenging and requires a great deal of responsibility. It’s a sink or swim situation because, if you’re unlucky, no one is going to save you. Here are a few healthy tips on how to be financially savvy:

Have a budget – it’s cliché but it’s true. You’ve moved out of your parent’s house, you need to know how much you will be paying for food (this excludes take-aways because taking a lunch box is more cost effective), transport, emergencies and reserve a little for a pair of shoes – you still need to look good. Financial planner at My Advizar – an authorised financial service provider under the FAIS Act - Khotso Ramphele, says when it comes to budgeting you should follow the 50, 20, 30 rule. “Stick to a standard of 50% which is for your needs such as living expenses; 30% is for the nice life outings, shopping and other wants and 20% is split into fractions of 15% for retirement and 5% for savings”, Ramphele says.

Save! Save! Save! Clichés are what they are because they are true. You don’t have to save a chunk of your money. Start with the littlest you can afford and add more when you can. According to Ramphele, “one of the things people aren’t taught is about emergency funds. It will help build six months-worth of emergency expenses fund. You sacrifice certain wants from the 30% and save some from your 5%”. He says this can also be done in the form of debit orders. Another aspect that’s underrated is joining a stokvel. Don’t focus only on money stokvels. There are also stokvels that include (but are not limited to) groceries, emergencies and furniture. Also, find out what saving options your bank has, those also help.

Lastly, investments are a great way of saving and making money. Ramphele advises that as someone who has recently started working, it’s important to establish whether you are earning your salary on a clean slate or if you have debt. He adds that you should also understand your salary, as well as the packages that the company you work for offers, before looking into external investments. Ramphele says, “the first thing you want to do is insure your income against disability, against severe illness and other unforeseen life experiences”. He says these are forms of investments too, because they take care of you if there is no more work. He also adds that with retirement and saving packages, it’s all about finding a vehicle that best accommodates you and your needs. Do some research (especially the terms and conditions) and compare what different companies have to offer to make an informed choice. Pace yourself and be patient. Some months will be better than others but try to be as disciplined as you can – no excuses.

Advice

The truth is, people are uncomfortable discussing money and secondly, people only take financial tips from people who look like they know all there is to know about money – which is often a misconception. Money is simple, take care of it and it will take care of you. As soon as you get to university, before the academic commitments and the partying, there are a few things you need to sort out in order to lay a solid foundation:

Environment

Changes to make for climate change Perhaps taking it back to the basics is what we need to do to prevent the earth from further sinking in the muck we have created words maki molapo Whenever the conversation about climate change takes place, we are always told about how our hazardous habits are destroying the earth. We have unhealthy practices that have a huge and life-threatening impact on the earth. As a result, entire species of animals are being wiped out, there are extreme weather events, increased temperatures, ice melts, rising sea levels, lack of food security and so much more. Because we created this mess, we figured we need to make some changes. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s how:

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DESTINY CAREERS

Use shopping bags

Instead of spending 60 cents, or more, on a plastic bag, rather spend about R50 on a reusable shopping bag. It might sound ridiculous, but have you thought about how much you spend on plastics whenever you shop?

Go digital

Opt for a soft copy of documents, which makes it easier to archive important things like bank statements, academic transcripts and receipts.

Save water

Learn to not flush the toilet at night after peeing - you’ll do it in the morning. Use a cup when you brush your teeth instead of letting the tap run; spend less time in the shower – save the singing for when you apply lotion; make sure that water in the bath tub or plastic basin covers your feet but doesn’t exceed your ankles; don’t pre-rinse dishes; use a bowl to rinse all your vegetables.

Plant something

Apart from the oxygen trees generate, they also clean the air, are great for sunny days and they, apparently, increase the value of your property. Some trees, also, have medicinal benefits.

Recycle at home

Have a refuse bag that’s intended for recyclable material. For example, glass takes longer to recycle so you can have a bag that’s strictly for glass containers that aren’t reusable.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

Try cutting down on items you throw away. Use products you can refill. Also find innovative ways of reusing containers. Ice cream tubs can be used to store leftovers, and mayonnaise bottles can be used for pot plants.

Use energy-saving lightbulbs

Not only are they cheaper, they also help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Don’t forget to switch off the lights in rooms that aren’t occupied.

Recycle your clothes

Charities and thrifting are an excellent way of doing this. So, instead of throwing your clothes away, you can give them away. What other people do is reuse their clothes for domestic purposes. Shirts can be cut and used as dusters.

Don’t waste food

Use vegetable/fruit peels as compost for your garden. If you happen to slaughter an animal, make use of the whole animal, just as we’ve always done in African cultures.

Do not litter

The waste clogs up water drains and most of it lands in the ocean, killing sea life. It’s also just messy and gross.

THE

Sex

PLEASURE is all mine.

The pursuit of pleasure (beyond sex) opens up a world of possibility to indulge in and share with others words tshegofatso senne

We live in an incredibly sexual society. There’s a reason “sex sells” is a well-known phrase. Everything from music, movies and media in general, influences the amount of sexual content that we consume. Sexuality can be a positive and important part of our lives, and with sexual messages being in every medium we consume it can become difficult to think about how much of it bleeds into our lives and affects the way we express ourselves sexually. How do we begin to look inward in understanding what it is we actually want for our own pleasure, especially in our 20s? How do we separate what we see in porn and what happens in 76

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our own spaces? How do we make sure that the sex we’re having is for our own pleasure and not just a simple performance based on societal expectations, regardless of which gender you are? My answer to many of these questions, and how I start sexual pleasure workshops is by asking a lot more questions. And these start with you, before you involve others. It’s about understanding what pleasure means

to you, what it is that you like and then working from that place to include others in your own pleasure. Getting to a place where you love your sexual experiences is a journey, not a location, so it’s important to be patient with yourself. Even the most experienced aren’t completely happy, and why would they be? There’s always something more exciting to be discovered.

DESTINY CAREERS

Sex

What sort of pleasure are you looking for? Sexual pleasure, intimacy, touching, kissing or platonic pleasure? How vulnerable are you willing to get, with yourself and others? Are you willing to admit that it’s okay to not know what you’re doing sometimes? What pleasures can you give yourself? What pleasures do you enjoy sharing with others? Are you enjoying the experience, rather than the performance of sex? Do you even want to be having sex at all? You could explore these questions by watching porn, reading erotica or listening to erotic podcasts. Do something new; engage in something you haven’t before; look for a different sense to engage. Wear something you find sexy and do something you enjoy. Whether it’s lacy lingerie, a night in of exfoliating and moisturising yourself in the mirror, going dancing with friends or being at home in your birthday suit; you should explore what makes your body feel good, even without being sexual. The unlocking of my sexual pleasures blossomed as I explored selfpleasure. Often, the best orgasms I had were the ones I gave myself, and as I explored alone, I was able to bring this into my sex life. Being able to speak about what brought me pleasure and what I wanted, with confidence, was the gateway to my sexual breadth. Dr Nicole Prause, of sexual biotechnology company Liberos, has said, “sexual breadth is strongly related to sexual satisfaction”. These are the ways we explore and broaden our sexual behaviours and, in the long run, improve our sex lives. Going slow and honouring the process of exploring allows us to be patient and gentle with our learning. Again: pleasure is a journey, not a destination. Self-pleasure led me to get increasingly curious about what else could make me feel good. Make a list of some of sexual fantasies — a sex bucket list. It doesn’t have to be extreme, it can start off as simple as asking a partner for oral sex more often, setting masturbation dates with yourself, or including a toy in sexual interactions. Be more intentional with the way you engage in sex and think about how to care for yourself during sexual interactions. Once you start, the ‘big ticket items’ may start rolling in a bit more naturally. Maybe you’ve always wanted to go to a sex party, engage in BDSM, or have sex with multiple partners at once. The goal isn’t to simply list the wildest sexual activities you can think of, but rather to engage in different forms of pleasure that interest you. The goal is always your own pleasure, expanding it and sharing that with others. Author of Pleasure Activism: The Politics of Feeling Good, Adrienne Maree Brown, has said: “Pleasure is the point. Feeling good is not frivolous, it is freedom.” Being intentional in the act of making yourself feel good can never be considered a bad thing. When it is between actively consenting adults, sexual pleasure can only be a good thing. “The definition of pleasure, as I see it, is about happiness, joy, contentment and satisfaction,” Brown said. This radical way of thinking about our pleasure can allow us to work through the guilt and shame that may be present from years of being told our pleasure is not a priority. We can only begin to live a life of pleasure once we are conscious about making it our own priority. While I risk sounding dramatic; in a world that is filled with much violence, pain and discomfort, investing in our pleasure is a revolutionary act.

“

Make a list of some of sexual fantasies — a sex bucket (list).

Health

Breaking down mental health in university

Although more students are seeking help, many still suffer in silence despite the free help offered by institutions words palesa buyeye

On 13 May 2016 I was given an extended leave of absence from Rhodes University because I was depressed, although it was my decision. I was advised by the manager of Student Wellness that I needed to take a break and seek professional help for what I was going through. Anxiety and depression was something I had struggled with for as long as I could remember, especially in high school, but it was something I had never truly dealt with and going to a university far away from home felt like the solution to all my problems. Like most young people I believed I could become a new person and it would be the best years of my life. Although that was true, I realised it came with its own issues. Speaking to one of the Counselling Psychologists at the Rhodes University’s Wellness Centre I ask: “What are some of the mental health challenges young people face in university?” “Career confusion, pressure to perform academically, relationship issues, financial issues, time management problems and poor study skills, may all often lead to anxiety,” says Kwanele Thusi. “Sometimes depression comes as an umbrella, there are also issues like HIV and Aids and gender-based violence.” Although I knew I wanted to be in the arts and media space, I was studying Law because it was something my family wanted and what my part scholarship would pay for. Although I had pre-existing issues to deal with like childhood trauma, being in a space like university that required discipline, commitment and hard work was taxing because I was not even studying something I was passionate about. 78

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“Young people think freedom is easy and now they discover that it is actually difficult to manage. You need to know what you want to do with that freedom, how you want to spend it and who you want to spend it with,” says Clinical Psychologist and part time counsellor at the University of Pretoria, Nthabiseng Ramothwala. “Although they are here to study that often comes right at the bottom because of challenges like relationships, facing sexuality, and trying to find yourself. “University is a very big place with millions of people you are sharing a space with and friendships are often a big issue — it’s a point where young people understand who they are and where they come from, and you discover things about yourself. I had a student who came from Limpopo whose parents owned DESTINY CAREERS

Ramothwala explains that finding your identity in a new environment as a young person is often coupled with pressures of popularity, how you dress, academic results and which parties you get invited to. When one struggles to find that, they become depressed. Making friends was something I hardly struggled with but moments of loneliness in my res room were often present.

“It’s important for young people to find allies, there should be at least one person within their community that will understand what he or she is going through.” Although students still drop out due to depression, Rhodes University has tried to increase its student support services and that has helped reduce the dropout rate says Thusi. “There is a student counselling, health care center and career center which are comprised of relevant professionals like nurses and psychologist to talk to the needs of students. But, awareness of the services available should be raised and preventative approaches to common problems should be executed.” The campus Wellness Center had assisted me in notifying my family that there was something wrong. I was missing class, sleeping all day and was losing a sense of purpose. I remember some of my friends feeling like they did not have the same experience, they felt counsellors were not helpful. This thinking often leads to young people not seeking help.

Like most young people I believed I could become a new person and it would be the best years of my life. “Working in a counselling center at the University of Pretoria we are kept busy from the minute we walk in until the end of the day and that already is not enough to meet the whole population of students who need help,” Ramothwala says. Ramothwala advices campuses to be more proactive in getting help to students. However, students in need should join spaces like peer group counselling which often creates a more comfortable space for sharing and conversing on variety of issues. “When students find themselves in dark spaces and feel like there is no future it’s important for them to shift their perspective. Often when you’re looking at a window you see darkness but if you shift you can see a ray of light and that might not completely fix what is happening, but it could save the individual from suicide.” Ramothwala also emphasises the importance of not taking on other people’s baggage like the divorce of parents, or the challenges back home, as that often adds stress to a situation that’s out of the student’s control.

Although many students from Rhodes University battle with depression and anxiety, which create a sense of toxic comfort, everyone is dealing with their own issues and that makes it a very isolating place.

I realise now that challenges in life will always be there and the important thing is that one needs the tools to be able to face them. I think if I had known this that back in 2016 I would have stayed and finished my degree. I understand, however, that I needed to leave to discover that.

“There are often feelings of neglect because you are not getting the same attention as in high school and you realise you are on your own,” Ramothwala says.

“For some students, a change of environment is wise in order to look at their lives differently, but it is important that they set a plan for that,” Ramothwala says.

“A lot of black families are still looking at depression as laziness, or a fault of the individuals. Although there has been progress made, often when you return home depressed, the first thing your parents think is that you are bewitched, which often causes a challenge for young people who need help from psychologists.”

“For some students I think it is wise for them to stay and try to focus on their studies. People can go through the same things but we all react to it differently because of how our minds have been conditioned, so there is no standard piece of advice.”

Health

a business and when she went to the University of Pretoria she realised her wealth was nothing compared to her class mates.”

Books

The geologist who is grounded by writing Writer Keletso Mopai, tackles mental health, queerness and the undeniable power of the Balobedu Rain Queen, in her short story collection. words letlhogonolo mokgoroane Keletso Mopai hails from Lenyenye, a township located 20km from Tzaneen, Limpopo. The township is well known as a place where Mamphela Ramphele was banished by the apartheid regime from 1977–1984. It is also the place where people speak Khelobedu which is not an official South African language, although it is spoken by over two million people. For Mopai, Khelobedu is more than a dialect – it’s a language, it’s a culture and a home. In an essay titled Can You Please Say Something in Khelobedu?, Mopai reflects on the history and erasure of her home language.

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Mopai, who studied geology, is a storyteller and the author of the short story collection titled If You Keep Digging. Her works, both fiction and nonfiction, are published in highly regarded publications such as Catapult magazine, The Johannesburg Review of Books, and Brittle Paper, among others. Her short story, Monkey was shortlisted for the 2019 Brittle Paper Awards. Mopai sits down with co-founder of The Cheeky Natives, Letlhogonolo Mokgoroane, to talk about her debut collection of short stories.

DESTINY CAREERS

LM: Some of your stories feature mental health - why was it important for you to include mental health in your collection? KM: As a storyteller, I’m intrigued by how the human brain is so powerful and yet, very vulnerable. Growing up in a township I’ve witnessed mental illness at a very close range and I’ve always been curious. The only way I can understand and shine a light on such issues is through writing about them. LM: One of my favourite things about your book is the queerness of it all – what drew you to include queerness in this collection? KM: Besides, that queer stories make interesting stories, I’m a queer storyteller and I’ve seen how limited stories on sexuality, and so the choice to write about queer narratives that include queer love, as well as queer struggles, is something that came to me naturally. LM: In Blood of Filth, you tell stories about violence against queer womxn, in particular, by people close to the victims. What were you conveying in your stories about the nature of violence? KM: Blood of Filth is a story I’ve always wanted to write, and I just didn’t know how to go about it. I remember in high school I was told about a girl near my school who was gang raped, and I can recall how emotionally affected I was by that story. Another reason I wrote that story was the need to know how families and friends of rapists, or criminals, react when they learn about the things people they love, and grew up with, do to others. I mean, we’ve seen it countless times how people close to perpetrators perpetuate their behaviour by doing nothing, or by defending them. I think those are the two main reasons why I wrote that story. LM: Your stories are also preoccupied with location – why is that important to you? KM: To see characters truthfully, one needs to give them a place and they can be associated with everything linked to that place. It eases the difficulty of writing a story when you can see where the character lives - at least for me

- I flow well when I know where that character is from. So, it’s also important to write about a place you know and have been to, so to give a true representation. And that’s why almost half of the stories are set in Limpopo, because it’s a place I know and love so much. LM: Location is connected closely to language and to migration, are themes that recur often in the stories. Why is language important to you? KM: We live in such a diverse country and the most fun thing about using vernacular in stories is that you get to see a character for who they are, because of the language they speak. In one of the stories titled Fourteen, for example, we follow a miner working in a coal mine in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga. Now, for a character like that to sound the part, they need to have Zulu/Swati dialogues for a reader to visualise them. If that character was written only in English, I don’t think it would have been believable, because miners that I’ve interacted with when I worked at a coal mine in Mpumalanga, spoke Zulu or Swati all the time, and some did not even know English. So again, from a storytelling point of view, it’s my duty as a writer to make my characters authentic and believable, if not – what’s the point? LM: Location also connects us with spirituality, tell us about the influence of writing about the Storm God in Becoming a God? KM: Becoming a God was hugely inspired by the Rain Queen of Balobedu. Growing up in Tzaneen, which is close to Balobedu, I’d heard great things about that queenship and I was inspired as a woman, and as a writer who wants to tell stories about her own people. How powerful would it be for a woman, a queer woman in particular, to cause a storm? Besides the abuse and traditional customs highlighted in the story, I wanted to show how power in an African family can exist, however mythical or real. LM: This is an unfair question, but do you have a favourite story in the collection? If so, why? KM: It’s like picking a favourite child, but even though parents lie all the time that they don’t have favourites, I have mine; In Papa’s Name, which is the third story in the collection. I felt such sincere joy when writing that story. It’s a special story to me because it is set in Lenyenye, where I grew up, and everything was laid right in front of me when I was writing it and I was laughing the entire time. Another reason I admire that story is because it was the first story I wrote that gave me confidence as a storyteller. It got listed for major African prize for

emerging writers, the Writivism Short Story Prize. Without that pat on the back, I don’t think I would have fiercely written such amazing stories in a short period of time - it gave me so much energy and ideas. A lot of the stories in the collection are very strong and I’ve seen how readers pick different favourites from the book every time, so it would be unfair for me to list more favourites, which I have. They are all stories I needed to write and I’m proud of all of them. LM: You tell one of the stories from the perspective of a white Afrikaner boy, and you tell it so intimately like you know him. What was the inspiration behind it? KM: Whuu! Monkeys is a very special story, besides being set in Limpopo as well, I enjoyed the challenge of writing through an Afrikaner’s eye, a young male character even more. The story was written out of curiosity. After the success of In Papa’s Name, I was intrigued by the ending of the story. The four black boys in the book are walking around in their neighborhood and they come across a flashy car and, out of the blue, two white boys in the back seat open the car windows and throw bananas at the four boys. That scene was so intense - at least for me - and I needed to find out why the white boys did that. Because they were kids, we couldn’t just assume that they were being racist. And so, came the character of Nicolas, who is white and lives on a farm with his family and has a best friend named Kevin, and an abusive father. The rest of the story basically tells itself. And I knew the responsibilities of seeing Nicolas vividly so that my readers would believe that, I, a Black woman, wrote a story about a white boy and all they could see was that boy, and his white family and friends. LM: What do you hope people take from your book? KM: I always say I want empathy. The characters in If You Keep Digging were created from a place of rage and concern for my country and all its issues. People should receive the stories for what they are and make their own interpretations. LM: What is next for you? KM: I want to study an MFA (Master of Fine Arts) in Creative Writing, and I’ve been accepted to study in the UK this year. I want to write more books and tell life changing stories.

Books

LM: The title of your book is If You Keep Digging. What inspired it? KM: I’ve been getting different views about what the title could be about, and although all of them are valid, for me, when I came up with it, I was looking at the different and yet, similar characters in my book. The characters are often trapped in uncontrollable circumstances, often marginalised and ignored, so I wanted to “dig them up” and bring them to the surface so that people, or readers, could actually see and hear them.

Most Useful Phones of The Past Decade A timeline of phones that answered the call for innovation in the last decade words papi mabele

In 2004, Android and iOS didn’t exist, Nokia was at the pinnacle of its domination on the industry and the 3G network revolution had only just begun. In the past ten years we’ve witnessed the birth of the truly modern smartphone, with features that seemed like flights of fancy at the time. Fast forward to today, every phone worth its salt can play videos; help you escape to a virtual world that’s curated by you; has an advanced array of communication technologies; advanced levels of artificial intelligence and, really, is

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more like a powerful little computer in the palm of your hand. The next generation of smartphones will bring similarly advanced technologies and capabilities – higher network speeds, even greater resolution displays and flexible screens, besides new applications and software that we can only dream of. As we enter a new decade, we take a quick look at some of the smartphones which defined the last decade. These aren’t necessarily the best mobiles, but ones that made an impact in one way or another.

DESTINY CAREERS

Tech

2009

Apple iPhone 3GS The first iPhone to feature in the top ten is the iPhone 3GS – the faster version of the iPhone 3G. Visually they’re the same phone and all iPhone 3GS accessories also work with the iPhone 3G – the only real differences were to the internals of the phone. The 3GS has a faster processor and an improved camera. Should we mention the gorgeous highresolution display and humongous catalogue of apps? The only possible drawback we could think of was the 3.5-inch screen (it’s actually not a real drawback but imagine all those beautiful games running on a 4” display).

2010 Nokia N8

Back when it was released, the Nokia N8 was the first smartphone in the world to provide 5-band 3G support so that you can connect to 3G data networks around the world. The N8 was also the first Symbian^3 powered device. While the user interface doesn’t look much different than what we saw in S60 and Maemo, it does have improvements that appealed to Nokia and Symbian fans around the world and even helped bring in some new fans. Specifications include 5-band 3G data support, anodised aluminum casing in five colours, 3.5 inch 640x360 pixels resolution OLED display, 720p video recording capability, 12 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss optics, internal 16GB memory with support for microSD expansion cards, HDMI port, USB , FM transmitter, 680 MHz processor, and USB Onthe-Go so you can plug in USB devices to use them without a PC.

2011

BlackBerry Torch

In an era when touchscreens over 4 inches were quickly becoming the norm, the 3.2-inch Torch 9810 slider looked almost prehistoric. On one hand, it combines the best of both worlds — a touch display and the tried and true BlackBerry keyboard. The BlackBerry Torch 2 morphs into a competitive product that featured a 1.2GHz Qualcomm processor, a 3.2-inch 640 x 480-pixel capacitive display, 8GB of built-in storage, 512MB of RAM, NFC and more.

Tech

2012

Samsung Galaxy Note II For the follow-up to the Galaxy Note, Samsung, for the most part, amended nearly every imperfection the original handset had. Jelly Bean right out the box, monstrous quadcore processing, and a bigger 5.5-inch screen that delivers amazing viewing angles, are just some of the Galaxy Note II’s notable features. The other half came from some of the phone’s tablet-esque features such as the Popup Video option and its refined S-Pen technology, which conveyed near-accurate precision and allowed users to scroll through web pages by pointing the accessory millimeters away from the screen.

2013

Apple iPhone 5 To some the iPhone 5 was nothing more than a series of nips and tucks to the iPhone 4S, but to us, it was a refinement that addressed nearly every major issue people had with Apple’s smartphone. The Retina Display was made taller, the body thinned, it received a new, faster processor and it was made lighter. It may not be the craziest spec sheet out of all the smartphones, but when it comes to all-around user experience, the iPhone is still the best of the bunch. The 5 million people who bought one during the first weekend of its release can attest to that.

2014

Samsung Galaxy S5 Alongside iterative upgrades like an improved processor, larger (5.1-inch, 1080p) display and a slightly tweaked appearance (aimed at making it look less plasticky and cheap), the company also included more bespoke features like a heart rate monitor and a wealth of camera options. It was also one of 2014’s best water-resistant and dust-proof phones, going primarily up against Sony’s line-up.

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DESTINY CAREERS

Tech

2015

HTC One (M8)

Easily one of the most beautiful Android smartphones of the year, the HTC One M9 is a minor improvement over HTC’s previous Android phones. It has the same attractive aluminum design, an improved camera, and a faster processor. The M8’s front-facing Boomsound speakers offer the clearest speakerphone experience of any smartphone on the market, for one very simple reason: they actually aim the sound at your face, not away. There’s also 30 hours of standby on your last 10 percent of battery thanks to its Extreme Power Saving Mode.

2016

Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Back when it was released, the Galaxy S7 was the smartphone Samsung would much rather have you talk about as opposed to the explosive Note 7 released in the same year. With the S7, Samsung reintroduced waterproofing and expandable storage, which pleased many Android users. Most importantly, Samsung pulled in these features without having to compromise the great design and build quality that it introduced the year before that. Oh yeah—and then there’s that incredible OLED display, which you must see in person to truly appreciate.

Tech

2017

Huawei Mate 10 Pro The 6-inch screened Mate 10 Pro arrived with claims of strong AI capabilities and boasts from the Chinese company that its processing power was way more than the iPhone X. It’s certainly a proficient, fast and powerful handset with a slick design and impressive camera – helped along by those AI smarts which automatically adjust settings when the snapper recognises what you’re photographing. The Mate 10 Pro ticks all our productivity boxes: OLED screen that covers almost all the phone, water resistance, dual-lens camera, fast-charging battery (from nothing flat to 20% in 10 minutes) and so on.

2018

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is an under-appreciated powerhouse, with industry-top specs, a huge battery and, yes, a headphone jack. Our favourite feature on it is the X20 LTE modem, which provides download speeds up to 1.2 gigabits per second. Real-world users won’t hit those numbers yet, but the speed bump is still noticeable with the right carrier, which means faster productivity. Another function unique to Samsung phones is that you can plug it straight into an external monitor and use it like a scaled-down computer. It’s a functionality we are yet to see many companies adopt.

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DESTINY CAREERS

Tech

2019

Huawei P30 Pro / Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max With the P30 Pro, Huawei has built the best camera phone. Coincidentally, it’s a great smartphone too, with plenty of power both with regard to its processor and a battery that simply runs for days on end. Since last year’s P20 Pro, the company has tempered the overzealous AI photo tweaking, and ensured that shots in automatic mode typically don’t need the help in the first place. Regardless of mode choice, recorded video is often blurry, with a little too much image smoothing and not enough detail. With 5x optical zoom, and a 10x hybrid zoom that’s incredibly capable, it has, so far, the best smartphone camera of 2019. Apart from a bigger screen and better battery life, the iPhone 11 Pro Max offers a trio of solid cameras and top-of-the-line performance (though you might not notice the difference much if you’re coming from a recent iPhone). iOS 13 packs plenty of handy new features too, though it doesn’t do anything new to take advantage of the Pro Max’s big, 6.5inch screen. All told, the iPhone 11 Pro Max was well worth the upgrade if you needed a big phone.

Sport

South African sports starlets who should be on your 2020 radar South African sport is making leaps on the global stage. These are the next generation sport stars who have not missed their marks. words leonard solms Last year was a rollercoaster sporting year for South Africa, which culminated in one of its proudest moments to date, as Siya Kolisi lifted the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan. This year promises plenty of excitement and new heroes. Destiny Careers spoke to three budding South African sports stars who we think you need to know about in the new year.

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DESTINY CAREERS

Sports

Sazi

Sandi Stellenbosch University and Western Province prop Sazi Sandi, 21, has been on the road to greatness for some time. Having played for (and even briefly captained) the Junior Springboks in 2018, Sandi has played the waiting game since. This could be the year in which he finally makes his breakthrough. Tighthead props tend to be late bloomers, but Sandi was the standout player in the St Andrew’s College (SAC) 1st XV, which he captained in 2016. The strength and conditioning coach for that team, Laurence Christie, is among the mentors Sandi counts as most crucial to his development, along with his own rugby-mad family. He made the Eastern Province Country Districts Craven Week side and later SA Schools. Then, he represented the Junior Boks at the 2018 World Rugby U20 Championship. Sandi is an imposing figure who would best be avoided in just about any physical altercation. Intriguingly, though, he tells Destiny Careers that losing weight in his teens was crucial to his development as a player.

“In Grades 8 and 9, I was a bit chunky and slower,” Sandi recalls. “I did work hard. I’d say I lost a bit of weight from Grades 9 to 10, which allowed me to be a bit faster. “In Grade 10, when I got picked for Grant Khomo [Week], it gave me a huge confidence boost… I had a good camp. When I played well, it helped my confidence and my game a lot. After that, I kind of had the inkling that I could do this thing. “I just started aiming for more goals. After Grant Khomo [Week], it was the next goal — Craven Week. After Craven Week: ‘What’s the next goal’?” The Stormers are under new leadership in John Dobson, who took over from Robbie Fleck ahead of the coming season. Sandi’s immediate goal is to catch his coach’s eye, but he knows there are no guarantees and he can only focus on what is under his control. “Hopefully, I get a senior debut, but I think the thing I’m looking forward to more is just improving in my profession,” Sandi says. Sandi idolises “skilful” front row players, such as recently retired Springbok, Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, and New Zealand hooker, Dane Coles. He, himself, is a player with an impressive skillset and anybody who has watched him play can attest to the fact that he leaves his heart on the field.

Sports

Babalwa

Latsha Springbok Women prop Babalwa ‘Beast’ Latsha has already had an exceptionally successful career. Nevertheless, all indications are that the best is yet to come. This could be the year in which it all comes together for a pioneering player in South African women’s rugby. The 25-year-oldhas enjoyed a meteoric rise since her first run out on a rugby field at the SA Rugby Legends Association’s 2014 VUKA programme. Her exceptional performances for the University of the Western Cape (UWC) put her on the national radar, and she has not looked back since. In 2019 Latsha captained the Springbok Women in 2021 World Cup qualification. In addition, she has been linked with a move to English giants Saracens. “We were meant to have concluded negotiations by now,” Latsha tells Destiny Careers in a later November interview at Khayelitsha Stadium — where her rugby journey began. “They are keen on having me that side, and so am I. There are a few minor issues that are getting in the way, which we are on the way to sorting out, so that’s still on the cards.” Finishing the final year of an LLB degree at UWC in 2019 was quite a feat for a woman with a tough background. Doing so 90

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while juggling her studies with international rugby was even more commendable. In 2019 Latsha was a deserving recipient of the Chester WilliamsSportsperson of the Year award at UWC. It was a bittersweet milestone, as the legendary former Springbok winger and UWC coach tragically passed on in September. “Chester was a great man and a great lover of the sport,” Latsha says. “His legacy was one which magnified the fact that it didn’t really matter where you came from or how you looked — whether you were black or whatever, you could still achieve the best that you can. “For me to receive such an award; I felt really honoured that someone out there recognises the type of work that I do.” Once her time in the game is up, Latsha’s ultimate goal is to use her legal expertise to start an agency facilitating the process for women seeking to play professional rugby. “I think that in the near future, it’s not impossible; it could happen. I’d like to facilitate that growth and have more and more professional [women] players — in fact, professionalise our whole rugby system in our country.” If the prop has it her way on the field of play, however, her best years still lie ahead. DESTINY CAREERS

Sports

Khanyisa

Chawane In October last year, SPAR Proteas’ 23-year-old centre-court player followed in the footsteps of the iconic Karla Pretorius. By securing a move to Bath, the most successful team in the history of the UK’s Netball Superleague, Khanyisa Chawane capped off a frantically busy year. Chawane starred for the Proteas at July’s World Cup in Liverpool. South Africa went all the way to the semi-finals, where they were edged 55-53 by Australia, one of world netball’s most feared outfits. The World Cup represented a tremendous triumph for South African netball, particularly given that the country does not have a professional league. For Chawane, there was added significance given the personal obstacles she had overcome. Her mother passed away when she was just 14 — shortly before Chawane realised she had the potential to go far in netball. “She was really supportive at a young age before she passed on and came to my netball… When she passed on, I missed out on that aspect,” Chawane tells Destiny Careers. “If I achieve something great, I know that the effort she put in in the time that she was still here didn’t go to waste.”

The Tzaneen-born starlet certainly wasted no time making the most of her talents, becoming a vital member of the University of the Free State (UFS) netball team. However, tragedy struck again in 2016 when a fire consumed all her possessions and endangered her father’s life in their Bushbuckridge family home. “That was actually very traumatic — the fire starting in my room; and spreading; and him not being able to escape from the house in time because of the smoke that filled his lungs. He was in ICU for a few weeks,” Chawane recalls. Eventually, her father recovered, but making it through a testing time took every ounce of strength she had. Life is more stable now off the court for Chawane, and on it, she is set for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. If she feels any fear, she does not show it. “Karla has been there [at Bath] before. I’ve spoken to her and she did say it’s not much of a big town where I will actually get lost or anything like that. It’s a small town with lots of things happening, so I’ll probably enjoy it. I’m looking forward to that,” she says. As the SPAR Proteas old guard passes the baton to a new generation looking to take South African netball to greater heights, Chawane is one of the main players to watch.

Motoring

Driven to purchase your first car? As life escalates to the next phase, big purchases become inevitable. We steer you towards cost effective vehicles that won’t dent your pocket words gugu masuku So, you’ve finally reached that point in your life where you’re tasked with making what is arguably one of the most exciting decisions you’ll have to make as an adult — purchasing your first vehicle. In a world with an array of vehicles to pick from, we understand that this could be a tricky space to navigate as a first timer, which is why we’ve gone ahead and rounded up a list of five gleaming options for your consideration. Each with their own set of attributes to suit a variety of taste buds.

Suzuki Swift Sport The Swift Sport is an unassuming little character — it looks cute but can be a bolt of lightning at the best of times. Offering driving fun and character behind the wheel is what the Swift Sport specialises in, for an asking price of R315,900. It now packs a turbocharger on that 1.0l engine, meaning there’s never a dull moment with the Suzuki. Whether it be through corners (this is when it comes into its own) or with those quick sprints from one traffic light to the next, the driver in you will be satisfied — and so will your inner child.

Datsun Go Here’s an entry level vehicle aiming to tick all the correct boxes. The Go may not be the most aesthetically dazzling of the lot, but it makes an earnest effort to deliver on what’s important. For a starting price of R159,100 you get a 7-inch touch screen, paired with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. If that’s not enough they’ve even thrown in voice recognition to spruce things up. Standard safety equipment is there for your peace of mind, but it’s the availability of an automatic transmission that makes the difference here. Those who spend half their lives stewing in traffic will know its value.

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Motoring

VW Polo Beats There’s Polo and there’s the Polo Beats. The latter is aimed at those seeking a little more than the conventional functionality in a vehicle — you want more than just a Polo from your VW. The Polo Beats is aimed at those with an ear for great sound with a standard 300-watt audio system from Beats by Dre. It doesn’t end there; the unique interior is an eye catcher with a splash of “Velvet Red” across the dash, and is laced with black and white accents. It all comes together to create a visually appealing space.

Renault Kwid If bang for buck is what you’re after, then you’re looking at it (R144,900). The Kwid is polarising on the styling front and this new version stands out even more in the budget corner. Its freshly designed face now has a set of slits for eyes, plugged with daytime running lights. Fuel consumption is frugal at 4.7 l/100 (claimed), making this a great transporter. What makes it an attractive purchase is the free one year comprehensive insurance, which amounts to decent savings. On a less enticing note, the little Renault has a rather poor safety rating, meaning you won’t get much cover on that front.

Audi A1 Sportback Dare to stand apart? Then you’ll probably love Audi’s baby model, the A1. The little Audi has certainly matured in every way, and now carries a striking and futuristic design. What we love about this little hatch, aside from its alluring looks, is its ability to mould itself into being what you like. There’s a selection of ten rousing colours at your disposal, and if that’s not exclusive enough, you can have the roof finished in a contrasting colour, along with a host of exterior styling packages to choose from. These are just some of the perks that come with owning a premium brand starting at R359,900.

Travel

Reasonably Priced Places To Visit In 2020

These destinations are best explored with a group of friends to bring down costs. These countries also offer some cool back packing options online - if thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s your thing. words mantombi makhubele

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Travel

Vietnam

All roads are leading to Vietnam, Hanoi in 2020 with Vietnam Grand Prix coming up in April. There has never been a more exciting time to explore this growing and energetic country. Explore the famous hill-tribe villages on a bike ride in this Indochina gem. Go beach hopping in Phan Rang, enjoy the bustling market mania in Hanoi. Kayak in green waters and interesting rock formations in Lan Ha Bay. Or spend a day by the beachside paradise of Phan Rang swimming, snorkelling and enjoy the diverse street food varieties. According to Lonely Planet, this country is both exotic and compelling, a land of staggering natural beauty and cultural complexities.

Pics supplied by Getty

Travel

Ghana

This West African party capital has now become everyone’s “motherland”. The best New Year’s Eve parties are, no doubt, held Ghana. If you could not get tickets this year for Afrochella, start making your 2020 plans now. Earlier this year, the country launched a 15-year project called The Year of Return, which will include a music festival, an investment conference targeting diaspora Ghanaians, and the Right Of Return initiative, encouraging African-Americans to seek citizenship in Ghana. So, get your dancing shoes ready - it’s going to be lit in Accra for the next 15 years. The only word you need to know for you to be well received is akwaaba, which means welcome. Ghanaians like partying at the beach, especially at the end of the year when the whole world flocks in. You are sure to find a good party at Labadi Beach. Once the festivities have died, you can then explore the rich historical heritage in Accra and other locales like Kumasi, Cape Coast and the Aburi Mountain regions. Pics supplied by Getty

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Travel

Ireland

For a visa-free, stress-free taste of Europe, why not try get lost in the green rolling hills of Ireland. Your first stop should be the Guinness Storehouse brewery to learn how to pour a perfect Guinness, and learn about the history of Irelandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s famous drink. The capital city, Dublin, is packed with activities, especially pubs where you can stop in and listen to live music while you enjoy the abundance of Irish beer. Ireland is home of some hearty and delicious comfort food. You will find stews and fresh breads everywhere because of the conducive weather. The advantage of being surrounded by the ocean means there is plenty of fresh shellfish. For a quick bite on the go, youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll find fish and chips take-away everywhere while exploring ancient castles like the Blarney Castle.

Pics supplied by Getty

Travel Pics supplied by Getty

Madagascar The world’s fourth-largest island boasts lively, sun-kissed beaches. If you venture south, you will find the Avenue of the Baobabs, where around 25 baobab trees reach up to 30 metres high in this warm tropical climate. Located just off the East Coast of Africa, Madagascar is still untouched and not as commercialised as other popular islands, and it is rich in culture.

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A complete holiday in Madagascar should not be the typical beach holiday. There are a wide range of wildlife excursions to be explored for hikers and nature lovers, while the fusion of the African, Arab and Indonesian people comes through in the cuisine and the warm culture of the Malagasy people. Their cuisine is known for being quite flavourful, despite being prepared in a simple manner, without much spice. For an unforgettable night, try out Djembe Disco in Nosy Be’s — One of the favourite nightclubs for locals and tourists alike. DESTINY CAREERS

Travel

Tel Aviv, Israel

The New York Times calls Tel Aviv â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Mediterranean Capital Of Coolâ&#x20AC;?. Enjoy great artisan coffee, a variety of pita breads and shawarmas, through the buzzing vibrant streets of the city.

Pics supplied by Getty

The famous, world-class night life will have you on your feet all night. Thank goodness you can slow down and catch your breath right on the Mediterranean beaches while you recover - just in time for another night of dancing.

Sports

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I canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t stand breakfast. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s just constant eggs. I mean, why? Who decided? Carolyn, character in the TV show Killing Eve

Food

You (u)cook

It might be a good idea to update your New Year’s resolutions by adding kitchen time to the list of things you’ll definitely, certainly, for real this time, be doing this year. Here are some simple and delicious recipes to try, whether you’re a cooking pro or a newbie.

recipes ucook

SEARED SIRLOIN with horseradish crème & walnuts A midweek throwback to the Sunday roast. This wholesome, family-friendly meal is a good way to nourish your body and soul for the rest of the week. Serves: 2 Overall Cooking Time: 40min Active Time: 25min Ingredients:

What you need: Oil Salt & Pepper Tinfoil

320g Beef Sirloin Horseradish Crème 50ml Creamed Horseradish 50ml Créme Fraîche 5g Thyme 2 x Garlic Clove 400g Butternut Chunks 40g Radish 40g Wild Rocket 40g Walnut Halves 20ml Balsamic Vinegar Procedure: 1.

Preheat the oven to 190°C. Ready a roasting tray. Chop the thyme, stalks and all, discarding the thicker woody bits. Peel and grate the garlic. Rinse and finely slice the radish on the round. Cut the butternut chunks into small, equal, bite-sized pieces.

In a bowl, whisk together the garlic with the thyme, seasoning and some oil (enough to lightly coat the butternut). Toss the butternut through the garlic and herb oil, transfer to the roasting tray and spread out evenly. Reserve this bowl for the radish and wild rocket later. Roast the butternut in your hot oven for 30-35 minutes until tender and caramelised. Give the tray a shift at the halfway mark.

Place a heavy-based pan over a high heat. Toast the walnuts for 2-3 minutes, tossing occasionally, until starting to char. On completion, remove from the pan and roughly chop.

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When the butternut has about 15-18 minutes to go, return the pan to a high heat. When hot, add the steak fat-side down. Use tongs to render the fat crispy for 3-5 minutes. Then, cook the steak for 2-4 minutes per side, depending on the thickness and your preference. Remove from the pan and let it rest, for about 3-5 minutes, under a tinfoil cover before slicing.

In the bowl, toss together the sliced radish, wild rocket, balsamic vinegar (to taste), walnuts, seasoning, and a drizzle of olive oil. In another bowl, mix the Horseradish Crème with seasoning to taste.

Plate up the salad and sprinkle the butternut over. Lay the sliced sirloin on the plate. Dollop over the Horseradish Crème. Time to eat, Chef!

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Sports

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Food

TROUT & AVO HUMMUS with crispy chickpeas & dried organic pomegranates Fresh, healthy and packed with omegas! Cajun-spiced trout served with avo hummus, toasted chickpeas, roasted butternut and dried pomegranate seeds (which taste like natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s chocolate). Serves: 2 Overall Cooking Time:: 45min Active Time: 30min Ingredients:

What you need: Oil (cooking, olive & coconut) Salt & Pepper water

2 x Trout 100ml Avo Hummus 400g Butternut Chunks 20ml Cajun Rub 40g Green Leaves - Baby Spinach 480g Chickpeas 40g Dried Organic Pomegranates

Procedure: 1.

Preheat the oven to 200Â°C. Cut the butternut into bite-sized pieces. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Add the butternut and chickpeas to a roasting tray, coat in oil and season. Roast in the hot oven for about 30-35 minutes until the butternut is golden and the chickpeas are crispy. When you have 10 minutes until serving, sprinkle some Cajun Rub and salt over the trout. Place a pan on a medium-high heat with oil. When hot, fry the trout, skinside down, for 2 minutes until golden. Flip and fry for 1 minute, or until cooked to your preference. Remove on completion.

Loosen the avo hummus with 10ml of oil and season to taste. Rinse the green leaves.

Plate up the green leaves, roasted butternut and chickpeas, and Cajun trout. Smear or drizzle the avo hummus over. Sprinkle with the dried pomegranate. Well done, Chef!

Summer Collection geobygeorge.com

Sports

Shelley Mokoena Shelley Mokoena is a qualified professional interior designer, fashion designer and visual content creator. Having obtained a qualification in Interior Decorating at the Design School of Southern Africa, Mokoena went on to complete her BTech Interior design degree at the University of Johannesburg. She also cofounded her fashion brand Prime Obsession, which has showcased its collections at Africa Fashion International (AFI) and has collaborated with brands such as SKIP and Converse. As a visual content creator, she has collaborated with brands such as Calvin Klein, DKNY, Country Road, Net-a-Porter and many more.

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Turtle neck and skirt: Calvin Klein

Sports

Fashion

Jacket: Zara

Earrings: ByCara Lee

Rings: ByCara Lee Shirt: Nanushka

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Sports

Hat: Bought from street vendor Earrings: Made by Shelley

Pants: Judith Atelier Top: Thrifted Earrings: Made by Shelley

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Fashion Sunglasses: Chanel from Sunglass Hut

Shoes: Zara Jeans: Calvin Klein

Necklace: Sadie & Jean

Sports

Sunglasses: Gucci from Sunglass Hut Earrings: Woolwrotyhs Top: Connade

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Sunglasses: Woolworths Shirt: Burgundy Fly Jumpsuit: Zara Belt bag: Polene Paris

Education

Education reimagined

In higher education, chalkboards and wooden desks are on their way out, and online education is becoming the new norm. CTC College is one learning institution that gets it. words unathi shologu

On a global scale, technological advances have empowered people with more options and the agency to choose exactly what they want to consume in entertainment, nutrition, transportation and a multitude of other industries. As a result, there has been a significant shift towards providing consumers with malleable products to suit their unique circumstances. The same applies to education. The traditional chalkboard and wooden desk is becoming a relic right in front of our eyes. Education is no longer just a space to acquire knowledge, it is also grappling with the question: “How do we ensure that we equip our students with skills that are necessary to succeed in jobs of the future?” CTC College principal Mpho Madzibadela firmly believes that the process of learning does not need to be arduous, particularly in the context of South Africa, which is among the most unequal societies in the world. He says that educators should be adaptable in acknowledging the challenges of students. “At CTC College we have a number of programmes and most of them are online. This is to give those who want to hustle during the day a chance to look for opportunities. Some come from poor backgrounds and need that time to work. In the evening they are able to go back to their computers and study. The programmes don’t restrict you to go into classrooms during the day,” Madzibadela says. Madzibadela sees every moment as a learning opportunity. Including the moments that almost broke him as an entrepreneur. He recalls a period in his life where he took a business risk based on good faith - a decision that would leave him financially vulnerable and emotionally bruised. “I took out my last cent, I took out loans and overdraft facilities and credit cards just to get that programme off the ground. When I was supposed to be paid, I wasn’t paid and that really had a serious impact on how I see things,” Madzibadela reflects. “It had a terrible effect on my health and on my confidence and I was emotional for a while. The other implication was that I had to retrench people and you can understand the sentiment of having to say to someone, ‘look, you don’t have a job anymore.’ I had been working with them and they were great at their jobs.” 116

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True to the multiplicity of education and how he views it, Madzibadela says he took that experience as an opportunity to learn. “Our past experiences are our lessons for tomorrow. We need to learn from our mistakes in order for us to grow… You can’t be stagnant and make the same mistakes, and you need to show that you’ve grown.” CTC College has a holistic approach to education as the institution also provides career guidance to ensure that students are empowered with enough knowledge to chart out their future. In doing so, Madzibadela’s approach is to ‘leave no one behind.’ “In as much as the 4IR is here, we are not ready as a country. Secondly, it takes us back to the issues of career guidance. It should be done where it’s needed the most. We’ve already seen the impact of the 4IR in the banking sector. Other sectors are also affected and they don’t know where to go. We need to do career guidance with the older generation as well, so that we are able to introduce them to other sectors of the economy and not necessarily where they were retrenched.” While upskilling adults, we should also be cognisant of tomorrow’s leaders, he says. “Everything is online. We have a motto through our career guidance programme to say that we must go where every child is and, guess what? Whenever we look at where children are, they are on their cellphones,” he laughs. “We need to learn from our past leaders in terms of how they’ve built visions that are sustaining us today. We need to do things in a manner that will enable younger generations to prosper - we must set a foundation for them. And that starts with career guidance - education is the foundation of any capable state, if you want a leader [for tomorrow] you must start now.”Only through collective efforts, that also include those who are in the fringes of society, can we all succeed, he says. DESTINY CAREERS

Sports

Exit

Thebe

Magugu Modelled on French novelist Marcel Proust’s questionnaire, we ask our favourite people questions which could either reveal who they truly are – or shroud them deeper in mystery.

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Sports Describe yourself in two words. Observant and loving What’s your favourite quality in yourself? Empathy What’s your favourite quality in others? Love Your most dominant characteristic? Kindness Your biggest flaw? Overthinking What do you most appreciate in your friends? Their humility On what occasion do you lie? When the truth could hurt someone’s feelings What would lead you to cut someone off? When they do something with malicious intent What’s your favourite possession? My brain

Exit Your idea of happiness? Being left to my own devices

What’s the last thing you do at night? A quick word with God

Your idea of misery? Doing something I don’t believe in

Night owl or morning bird? Night owl

Which word or phrase do you overuse? “Hectic”

If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be? Beyoncé

What is the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? Drink Five Roses tea

Which historical figure do you most identify with? Amy Winehouse

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If you could only listen to only one album for the rest of your life, which would it be? My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy Best advice you’ve ever received? Be yourself – everyone else is taken How would you like to be remembered? As someone who contributed

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