The Afropolitan Edition 29

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ISSUE 29, 2012

www.afropolitan.co.za • ALTERNATE MONTHLY

C O N T E N T S

in this issue

6

8

41

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editor's note READER'S EXPERIENCE

6

A Women's Place In Africa

FEATURES

8 Africa's Leading Women 16 Thusa A Girl Child 19 Taking Ownership Of The Future

28

46

beauty Heaven Scent

38

Personal Finance

Agreements for Financial Freedom

BUSINESS Women In The Workplace

24 Tshepo Shabangu

46

IN CONVERSATION

Thandi Johnson’s Long Walk To Empowerment

28

AFRO FOOD

48

Fashion 30

Volvo Designed Around You

AFRO-STYLE 35

Make Them Look...

56

2

64

reviews

59 Movie Reviews 61 CD Review 63 Book Review 64 Afro Wheels 66 Gadgets

COLUMN

Do You Know Why Women Menstruate?

SOCIALS

travel 51

AFRO decor Turn Your Bathroom into a Luxury Spa

69

Liberty Restaurant

51

56

36

41

36

48

tsotsi in the boardroom ENTREPRENEUR

In Conversation With KB

35

Sir Richard Branson’s Private Game Reserve

66

70 72

The California Meets The Palace Afropolitan Business Dinner

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72

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e d ' s

note

EDITOR'S NOTE A

s a woman I have always pondered on the importance of taking a month to celebrate and acknowledge women. It’s a practise that seems futile as the lavish banquets that accompany these declarations of “woman’s rights” do very little, if anything at all, to benefit the women who need rights the most.

In an ideal world, a month dedicated to women would be far from a celebration because the reality is many women in Africa have very little to celebrate. Women’s day and month would be a time of serving where initiatives were formed and implemented to educate illiterate women and assist those in abusive situations. Young girls would be made aware of not only their rights but also their responsibilities. This is what women need in Africa. Not another rally or three-course dinner extravaganza!

While we acknowledge that progress has been made to empower women in business and politics, is the progress worth noting? Dr Linda Chipunza shares her research on Page 41 chronicling the impact women are making on the corporate scene.

On page 8 we profile 3 powerful African women, Liberia's president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, AU chairman Nkosazana Dhlamini-Zuma and Malawi president Joyce Banda, and follow their journey to being decision-makers in the continent.

“Thusa A Girl Child” is an organisation formed to deal with the crisis facing many under-privileged girls, the issue of what a girl from a poor family does when she menstruates. Their amazing work has seen many girls get their dignity back through what many may perceive as a small act. Read more about what they are doing in our communities on Page 16.

To the women working tirelessly to make this world a better place, the professional in the boardroom, the mom making the school rounds and the gogo raising her grandchildren, may your efforts be appreciated and remembered long after the festivities of Women’s Day have been forgotten.

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the team editor Brendah Nyakudya

contributors Alyn Adams Dr Linda Chipunza Ntebo Rajuili Damian Murphy Elka Schaimberg Donald Makhafola Mutsa Mkondo Stacey Vee Tendai Maidza Dominique Wolf

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E X P E R I E N C E

BY Mutsa Mkondo

R E A D E R ' S

“We make her paint her face and dance If she won’t be a slave, we say that she don’t love us If she’s real, we say she’s trying to be a man While putting her down, we pretend that she’s above us” John Lennon

Lessons I’ve learnt about

a woman’s place in Africa

A generalised view of Africa is one of a patriarchal society, with the husbands and fathers having authority over women, children and property. The woman is submissive in the economic, political, social and all other spheres of life with little influence over the decision making in issues that are considered significant in their social setting.

of turn or is seen to emasculate her husband is considered to be operating outside of the norm that has been allocated to her position. Traditional, cultural and religious influences are such that the African woman’s place must remain below that of the man to support and influence decisions that are made by the socially accepted head.

In environments where men compete to be captains of industry, people of influence and role models the African woman has found her voice as a result of the bravery of others who stood to challenge what was considered to be the accepted norm. Barriers that existed are continually being broken by women who are showing their strength and worth as professionals, politicians, intellectuals, business leaders and entrepreneurs.

This has not come without its challenges, one of which has always been maintaining the delicate balance hile I understand the between the culturally accepted role and predominantly cultural contexts that have driven this the equally demanding requirements perception, I have learnt that of the professional life. For the working a woman’s place in Africa is far from the woman, the fight to be recognized and accepted as a worthy player in her one dimensional view of the struggling, chosen field has had varied effects on voiceless victim of social circumstance. her perception of her place. She may From our cultural perspective the choose to be more aggressive than the key aspects of a woman’s role has been men themselves, or employ a more that of the caregiver, nurturer and subtle approach but in both instances homemaker. As a wife, the woman remaining focused and firm, ensuring is seen as a partner to support and that she is heard. influence her husband in some of the This role in the workplace has brought decisions he makes. As a mother, the with it varying challenges. There is a woman is key in shaping the value dissonance that arises for the working systems and characters of her children wife and/or mother as she tries to juggle and moulding their outlook on life. the demands of her roles at home and While the traditional views see the woman working more behind the scenes, at work. The two will compete for her time and attention and the woman the woman’s role within the family has developed to the point where she is able who is traditionally expected to be the support at home now finds that she to debate more and have a greater say in family decisions. However, she needs needs assistance and support herself.

The significance of her network in to maintain the image that her place is terms of her husband, partner and/ secondary to that of her husband and or family then comes to the fore. Some still defer to his final authority. When she does voice her opinion, it must be in women have folded under the pressure, a manner that does not challenge him, having to curb their ambitions, while but tactfully presents a point for further others have thrived from their support deliberation. A woman who speaks out structures that have accepted the new

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role. The key lesson for me has been that the unit needs to evolve with the woman, so that she can fully explore her potential and find her place in her area of interest. In Africa, this is still an area of growth as we need to change some of the cultural perceptions in order to allow the evolution of the woman’s place outside of her family circle. The economic benefits of this will be infinite as more players enter the playing field in the development of Africa.

Regardless of her marital status the working woman faces challenges in proving her worth to her male counterparts. Where she is outspoken, she may be considered brash, opinionated and confrontational. If she

The African woman has found her voice as a result of the bravery of others who stood to challenge what was considered to be the accepted norm is quiet, she is not assertive enough and thus passed over for opportunities. If she is a perceptive and strategic thinker, she is calculating and manipulative and if she is involved in support services, she is not bold enough to lead. These challenges show that the environment is not yet totally supportive for the African woman to rise to a position of success with the ease enjoyed by her male counterparts. It’s a tough but not impossible feat. The women who have paved the way and those who continue on this path have shown that with perseverance, assertiveness and faith in your own abilities, you can indeed achieve what you set your heart on.

Yes, Africa is still a man’s continent, but it’s big enough to make room for the woman too. www.afropolitan.co.za

imageS courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK

BY ntebo rajuili & BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

M A I N

F E A T U R E

The history, tapestry, The history, tapestry, diversity and strength of diversity and strength of Africa’s women leaders Africa’s women leaders speaks volumes about speaks volumes about their their resilience resilience and will.and Their will.

Their stories tell stories tell of enduring ofpersonal enduring personal spirit that spirit that overcomes overcomes adversity adversity against all odds against all odds despi te despite their personal their personal and andenvironmental environmental circumstances. circumstances. TheThey y serve serve inspiring as as anan inspiring andand encouraging, yet somewhat somewhat encouraging, yet intimidating, force shining shining intimidating, force aalight younger lightfor for the younger generation follow. generation to to follow.

AFrIcA’S LeAdIng WOMen 8

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F E A T U R E

political duties she is a mother raising four children which she had when she was married to current President Jacob Zuma, from whom she divorced in 1998.

Her task as AU Chairman is unenviable as she takes on responsibility for a continent that is mired in controversy and conflict. From the war in Sudan, the unrests in Nigeria and the yet-to-be-resolved issues in Zimbabwe, she has her work cut out for her. But from the success we have seen in her previous posts, we are more than confident Dlamini-Zuma will make a change and breathe new life and purpose into an organisation that was on verge of redundancy.

Ellen Johnson - Sirleaf

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma In another giant step for African mankind, on 15 July 2012, the African Union (AU) entered a significant chapter in its history, when after a hotly contested race that had previously ended in a deadlock; it elected its first female Chair. It was a significant

10

moment for women the continent over when South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma ousted Gabon’s Jean Ping to become the first woman to head the male dominated pan African body.

Born in KwaZulu-Natal in 1949, Dlamini-Zuma obtained a Bachelors Degree in Science from the University of Natal. She then served as the Minister of Health from 1994 to 1999 in President Nelson Mandela’s government before being appointed to the post of Minister of Home Affairs when President Thabo Mbeki took over office. Her post under the current administration of President Jacob Zuma, saw her serving as Minister of Home Affairs. Under her experienced eye the department underwent a major overhaul with many drastic changes made to improve services. Processes were streamlined and procedures given a much-needed sense of order. An sms notification mechanism was introduced which would notify applicants on the status of their application and turnaround times for passports and Identity Documents were reduced.

With such major success in her career, when it came to a worthy candidate for the post she was a sure winner.

And despite the divisions that became apparent during the election, when Nkosazana was appointed to the top post, the continent and the World celebrated her triumph as a victory for Women’s Leadership.

Dlamini-Zuma is not just a leading force on the continent; along with her

There are currently two sitting female Presidents on the African continent, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf of Liberia and more recently Joyce Banda of Malawi.

While the United States is still to place a woman in the Oval office, Africa boasts a list of powerful woman Presidents and Prime Ministers.

Their leadership journeys, much like Dlamini-Zuma’s, embody resilience, deep political insight and most significantly, a hands-on approach to leadership.

Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s memoir, “This Child Will Be Great” tells a remarkable story of her rise to the Presidency.

Married young at age 17, she survived an abusive marriage and had to balance her liberation struggle with motherhood, raising four young sons. In 2006, at the age of 67, when most people are thinking about retirement, she was sworn in as the President of the Republic of Liberia.

The education, or lack thereof, of the African girl child is a thorny issue in Africa with many families opting to educate the male children instead of the

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image courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK

I

n a continent that is well known for being patriarchal, with the male figurehead being understood as the authority figure, Africa has made major strides in the empowerment of women in the arena of politics. While the United States is still to place a woman in the Oval office, Africa boasts a list of powerful woman Presidents and Prime Ministers who are not just there to pay lip service and have proved their mettle in the work they have and are still doing. To mention a few; Luisa Dias Diogo,(Prime Minister of Mozambique 2004–2010). Maria do Carmo Trovoado Pires de Carlvalho Pires Silveira (Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, 2005–2006), Agathe Uwilingiymana (Prime Minster of Rwanda 1993 – 1994). Joice Mujuru, (Vice President of Zimbabwe December 2004 – Present) and Phumzile Mlambo Ngcuka, (Deputy President of South Africa June 2005 – September 2008).

In this women’s edition we take a closer look at three women we feel are Africa’s Leading Ladies!

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma

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ellen johnson - sirleaf

female. In her inaugural speech in 2006, Johnson-Sirleaf concluded her address by saying. “We shall encourage families to educate all children, particularly the girl child. We will also try to provide economic programmes that enable Liberian women - particularly our market women - to assume their proper place in our economic process”. With the realisation that a girl’s education can fundamentally transform a society she ensured that knowledge was a powerful weapon in her own empowerment.

She received opportunities to study at Harvard and Madison Business College, and gained valuable experience in leading positions at Citibank.

These studies led her to become the Assistant Minister of Finance in President William Tolbert’s Government (1971 – 1980) and then moved to Minister of Finance. In a bloody coup in April

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1980, a 28-year-old General Samuel Kanyon Doe seized power setting Liberia on path of protracted civil war.

General Samuel Doe executed Tolbert’s Cabinet, sparing only Johnson-Sirleaf and three others. Although she accepted a position in Doe’s government, she clashed with his party and also suffered imprisonment under his rule. Later, she formed an alliance with the notorious Charles Taylor when she believed that they shared common goals. It was an alliance that she regretted and in 2006 she publicly apologized for supporting him.

Under her leadership, Liberia is still facing daunting tasks in trying to reconstruct the nation. Her biggest challenge is the impact that the war had on the Liberian people. High levels of illiteracy, unemployment, and unskilled youth and former soldiers remain on

we shALL enCourAge FAmiLies to eduCAte ALL ChiLdren, PArtiCuLArLY the girL ChiLd. we wiLL ALso trY to ProVide eConomiC ProgrAmmes thAt enAbLe LiberiAn women PArtiCuLArLY our mArket women - to Assume their ProPer PLACe in our eConomiC ProCess.

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iMage courtesY of sHutterstock

the fringes of society. In a presentation to Chatham house in London in 2011, Johnson-Sirleaf highlighted that in 1979 Liberia’s economy started to decline and that by 1989 it was in free fall. Between 1989 and 1995 the country’s GDP fell by 90 percent, one of the fastest drops in history. By 2005 Government revenue had fallen to less than $80 million a year.

Her vision, her dream, is for Liberia to become a middle-income country by 2030. While her detractors are many, her ability to take bold decisions has already started to transform Liberia and set it on a growth path. The country’s economy recorded its eighth consecutive year of post-war growth in 2011, expanding by an estimated 6.9% in the year. For her efforts, she was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize (with Leyman Gbowee and Tawakkful Karman) and her citation read, “We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society”. Although she is praised for her contribution towards women’s empowerment, history will remember her as a global game changer.

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F E A T U R E

Joyce Banda

Joyce Banda Banda shares an interesting parallel with Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf. Married at 22, she gave birth to three children before she was encouraged to leave an abusive marriage. At the time Joyce had to step outside her social barriers and courageously leave her marriage in a society where divorce was frowned upon.

Ellen and Joyce’s stories are truly a tribute to millions of women triumphing over violent relationships and the hope of rising to great success, despite testing circumstances. More recently her challenges include the fact that she almost didn’t become president. After her predecessor President Bingu wa Mutharika’s died of a heart attack, his allies tried to stop her appointment into the Presidential office even though she was deputy President. She made a call to the head of the army and with his support she was sworn into office on the 7 April 2012.

But her socially conscious political awareness came way before she became President. With women’s rights being one of her key imperatives, in 1997 she launched the Joyce Banda Foundation using prize money from the “Africa Award for Leadership for the Sustainable End of Hunger”, which she jointly won with Mr. Joaquin Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique. This NGO was started with an aim to support children and orphans through education and also develop a microfinance network for thousands of women in rural areas.

Banda states she learnt important lessons after spending 10 years in

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a physically and mentally abusive relationship, which helped to deepen her passion for empowering girls and women.

From her appointment Joyce Banda’s radical outlook has caught the worlds attention and placed her as a leader with the well-being of her country in mind. In her early days in the Presidential Office, Joyce took bold and unconventional decisions. She announced the sale or possible leasing of the Presidential Jet, as well as the 60 limousines for cabinet ministers and top government officials.

It became a talking point in a continent where African leaders are renowned for their extravagance.

Joyce’s decision has been highly praised because Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world. The country’s economic growth rate slowed to 5.8% in 2011 from 6.7% in 2010. Economic growth was hurt by a cut in donor funding, shortages of foreign exchange and essential commodities such as fuel and a slowdown in manufacturing. Aggravating the situation was the expulsion, by Bingu wa Mutharika, of the British High Commissioner whose country, Britain, had been Malawi’s biggest bi-lateral aid donor. Fergus Cochrane-Dyet, was expelled after the leak of a cable in which he described Mutharika as “increasingly authoritarian and autocratic”. Since becoming President, Banda has placed economic growth at the top of the agenda and also worked hard to regain the donor funds. The fruits of her labour were apparent when Britain’s international development committee urged the government to reinstate general budget support for Malawi.

We cannot achieve democracy and lasting peace in the world unless women obtain the same opportunities as men to influence developments at all levels of society.

Over and above that she has pledged to lift the ban on homosexuality, where most African countries still see it as a crime and will keep the rights of women centre of her policies. It’s still early days for African’s second female President and she reflects that she has numerous challenges to tackle in leading Malawi into the future. Her early decisions in transforming the country are encouraging but the next few years will be critical and telling. Asked about her new role Banda mused “You ask how I feel to be the first female president in southern Africa? It’s heavy for me. Heavy in the sense that I feel I’m carrying this heavy load on behalf of all women. If I fail, I will have failed all the women of the region. But for me to succeed, they all must rally around.”

Though African states have battled complex problems since independence, through the decades there have been influential women who have risen above the challenges, often balancing tough social demands, and shown astute leadership skills. And when you look at the calibre of women we have in power, African can be proud of the women it has raised and the progress it has made in empowering women.

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image courtesy of GOOGLE IMAGES

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BY DONALD MAKHAFOLA

C O R P O R A T E

R E S P O N S I B I L I T Y

A girl child growing up in a developing country is faced with many harsh challenges; she could fall through the cracks of poor nutrition, lack of education, prostitution and vulnerability to early pregnancy or Sexual Transmitted Diseases such as HIV/Aids. These series of potential pitfalls could keep her trapped in poverty and that is the reason we have to invest our time, energy and money in taking care of young girls to bring about social and economic empowerment in their lives.

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THUSA

A

Thabo Shole-Mashao, founder and chairperson of Thusa A Girl Child

Dignity packs

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study shows that young girls from poor families miss at least five days of school every month because they don’t have the luxury of sanitary pads when menstruating. During this period, the girls find themselves helpless and desperate.

Old strips of clothing, socks, cotton wool, tissue paper, pages torn from schoolbooks and pieces of sponge torn from mattresses are used as sanitary towels. In the most rural of areas, even cow dung is an option.

Thabo Shole-Mashao, founder and chairperson of Thusa A Girl Child says this natural ordeal is a saddening situation for girls coming from poor families and can lead to infection and low self-esteem.

Thusa A Girl Child (Thusa is the Tswana/Sotho/Pedi and Venda word for Help) is an initiative developed by the Pfuna Project to give support to girls from resource-poor communities and help them reclaim a measure of dignity that poverty too often conspires to deny them.

Shole-Mashoa, a Political Editor at Kaya FM says the concept was born when he was in the United States for academic purposes and met an African-American lady who spoke to him about how young girls in her less privileged American community were faced with the challenge of female sanitation.

This got him thinking that if this was a challenge for menstruating black Americans who were in a slightly better economic situation than South Africans, then the challenge would be prevalent for girls from poor communities in rural and township schools.

“I wanted to do something and the only way to do it was to start an effective and sustainable structure that would address these challenges in longevity. On my return, I banded together with a few friends and we set up this structure.”

Thusa A Girl Child sources donations from government, corporate and individual sponsors to buy sanitary pads which are distributed at schools in under privileged communities.

"It’s a fact that the most vulnerable person in our society is a young black girl.

During her menstrual period she might feel it’s a curse to be a poor young girl - we just want her to know that she’s not alone during her ordeal; we’re there to help and give back her dignity", says Shole-Mashao.

During distribution, Shole-Mashao says they give each girl a box valued at R19 which contains 20 sanitary pads. They

also give the girls a health talk through what they call ‘Just Us’ sessions where a health practitioner gives them one-on-one sessions on sex, reproductive issues and also teaches them about personal hygiene.

While their intervention has been highly welcomed as a relief by teachers, learners, government and corporate companies; funding and sponsorship remains a big challenge for the Thusa A Girl initiative which aims to reach more than two-million impoverished girls across the country.

In addition to this, Shole-Mashao says they have raised bursary funds to take the five best performing matric learners to university next year. His vision is to build an exclusive tertiary institution for girls through funding so girls can also enjoy the fruit of democracy as the gender disparity in South Africa is “too scary” and needs to change to be biased to women.

In her State of the Province Address, Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane pledged to support girls through bursary sponsorship and to donate 44 000 sanitary pads to the Thusa A Girl Child project.

“We will sustain the strong performance of girl learners in our schools and this year, as alluded to earlier, we provided bursaries to 1 200 top-performing girl learners from no-fee schools to pursue their studies at tertiary level. Over the past year we have provided Dignity Packs to 66 000 girl learners, exceeding our target by 6 000. We aim to increase our reach further in 2012 through Thusa A Girl Child Dignity Pack - a partnership with the private sector and Kaya FM to encourage Gauteng residents to support girls in need,” she said.

Mokonyane emphasised that the focus must be to empower women and educate them about their reproductive health, including the prevention of teenage pregnancy and effective family planning.

“We will also continue with our project to mentor hundreds of young women to make a success of their lives.”

A simple thing such as sanitary pads is a way to enable a girl child to advance her education, which in turn will empower her to lift her family and community out of poverty.

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imageS COURTESY OF gallo images & thabo shole-mashao

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FEATURE

Michelle obama at regina Mundi church, soweto

OF THE

FUTUre

Recently, President Jacob zuma caused waves when he appointed Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega to the post of Commissioner of Police. Regardless of whom he appointed, the news would have caused a stir because of the scandal in the police service at the time, but the real news was that a woman had been appointed to the position. In this issue we explore the dynamics that come into play when women step into positions of power.

www.afropolitan.co.za

WOMEn In LEADERSHIP In June 2011, Michelle Obama toured South Africa and in an address at the Regina Mundi Church in Soweto, the First Lady called on women to lead. For most, leadership conjures up images of Chief Executive Officers, presidents and it’s most often associated with some form of masculine authority.

The age old belief that men are more naturally equipped to take on positions of leadership is one which society has accepted since time immemorial. Society seems to discount the many women who have proved that women are as capable as men at leading families, communities, armies and countries; and instead attempts to pigeon-hole them into roles of home-maker, sexual object and subservient followers of their male counterparts. Not to minimise

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iMage courtesY of us Media agencY

TAKInG OWnERSHIP

F E A T U R E

the importance of women being homemakers, care-givers or liberated sexual beings, it’s time society, and women in particular, realise that we can be all these things and so much more. Being a successful woman does not mean that you have to discard your natural feminine inclinations or abandon the very things that make you a woman, such as being emotional and tender hearted. The very essence of being a woman is to be a life-giver, a carer, and a nurturer. Why should women be required to silence this part of themselves in order to fit in and get ahead in a world which so desperately needs these very qualities?

For centuries women have accepted the definitions of femininity that have been dictated to them and while some brave women have rejected these ideas and chosen to forge their own paths, women have yet to carve out their own identities in society. Many women have opted in some cases to be second rate men rather than first rate women in order to fulfil their potential and follow their callings. They deny their femininity and take on a form of masculinity in order to get ahead in a man’s world. These women are to be applauded for their bravery, but beyond attaining a form of equality with men, they should also be striving to create a world in which women can fully define femininity for themselves.

Women vs. women While women like the idea of casting men in the role of villain in the fight for equality yelling out that “men must give us our rights”, more often than not,

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South African’s 2012 is a doctor who chose to specialise in HIV when she saw the effects of this illness. She now uses social media to educate people about the disease, answering anonymous questions for people who would otherwise be too embarrassed to ask their health workers.

This simple innovation is making a difference in the lives of many. In the same vein, a young lady, on a whim paid for the meagre groceries of a lady

Many women have opted in some cases to be second rate men rather than first rate women in order to fulfil their potential and follow their callings.

dressed in a domestic worker’s uniform, who was in front of her in the queue at the supermarket. The lady waited for her as she paid for her own groceries and as they walked out, thanked her and told her how the groceries were her own gesture of goodwill for a less privileged neighbour. As ordinary women, with no pomp and fanfare as we do our good deeds, we can make a difference, albeit a small one, in the lives of others using the resources we have available.

From great warrior women like, Amina of Zaria who was renowned for her military prowess to Joyce Banda, sacrificing the luxuries that came with political office for the good of her people, women have shown that they can be great political leaders.

From the ordinary women who saw past differences and marched as one, So often, the world thinks that the truly great moral victories have been and will to the Union buildings in 1956, to those nameless women who gathered outside be won by those with power and titles, the court in Limpopo to show support whom society has bestowed honour for Ina Bonnette in the Modimolle and glory upon. But as Mrs Obama in Monster case, women have shown her speech at Regina Mundi Church stated: “…while today’s challenges might themselves to be capable of unity and great strength which can change not always inspire the lofty rhetoric or the high drama of struggles past, the a nation. injustices at hand are no less glaring, the From the HIV doctor to the girl in the human suffering no less acute”. In our queue at the grocery store, ordinary day-to-day lives, most of us encounter women have shown themselves to be situations which we, as ordinary women, compassionate beings that can make a have the power to change. Some causes difference using the resources they have are bigger than others, but no cause at their disposal. should be too small for us as women to It’s time women saw themselves as get involved with if it’s something our any and all of these women and begin to consciences lead us to. Dr Sindi van Zyl, express this potential to make the world featured in Mail & Guardian’s 200 young the place it should be.

We’re just ordinary Women

www.afropolitan.co.za

imageS courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK

Mangwashi Victoria Phiyega

women are their own worst enemies.

Whether or not men are the oppressors of women, a unity of purpose, cause and recognition of the interdependence of women is vital to women attaining the freedom and rights they are worthy of.

As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed”. But for as long as women continue to be the greatest enemies of other women and show no unity in their desire, they will not be able to demand freedom with one voice. General Phiyega, in her keynote address at the launch of the Mail & Guardian’s Book of Women 2011, noted, “Our failure and real danger is our inability to recognise and celebrate ourselves. We need to celebrate each other… along the way of our self-development, we will find other women with the same quest, and when you do find these, walk together, for in that companionship you will learn much more from each other.”

This unity of purpose and the ability to recognise the strength women have in their diversity will take women from the background of society, to being the force for change and good that society needs.

On 9 August 1956, women from various tribes and races marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest Pass Laws in Apartheid South Africa. These women came together, as women, not as black women or women of Asian or European descent, but simply as women who had a single cause. This march has become a symbol of the strength and courage of South African women, a reminder that when united in purpose, they could change not only their society, but also a nation.

The IDC is the biggest supporter of tenders awarded in the

Over the next five years, the IDC will make available R25 billion

Department of Energy’s Renewable Energy Independent Power

to fund projects related to green industries.

Producers (REIPP) programme.

The IDC is identifying and providing funding for many projects In the first round of REIPP tenders, the IDC participated in twelve

that will contribute to building South Africa’s industrial capacity

successful bids, and seven more in the second round. The green

and creating jobs. Visit www.idc.co.za to find out more.

energy bids include wind power, concentrated solar power, photovoltaic and small hydro projects.

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The power behind renewable energy

Telephone: 086 069 3888 Email: callcentre@idc.co.za To apply online for funding of R1 million or more go to www.idc.co.za

TBWA\HUNT\LASCARIS 127096

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.

Time is what you make it.

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.

tsotsi

in

the

boar d room

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

Mamelodi raised, partner at Spoor and Fisher, and President of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law (SAIIP), Tshepo Shabangu is a remarkable force to be reckoned with.

From completing a four-year Masters course for foreign students at the University of Bonn in two years, to being re-elected to the position of President of SAIIP for a second term - she has proven herself to be one of South Africa’s leading ladies in the corporate world!

Tell us about your background.

TSHEPO SHABANGU

When I was 11 years old I was chosen to take part in a German language course at the German School (subsidised by the German Government) in Willows, Pretoria. I showed aptitude for the German language and finished the four year course. I then attended the Maxstibbe Private School, which was run by Germans, and took German as a language. Another opportunity

SPOOR & FISHER 127105

presented itself when I was finishing my Law Degree to study for an LLM in Comparative Company Law in Germany. As I was over 21, I grabbed the opportunity. Prior to being allowed to study at the University of Bonn, I had to pass a German language proficiency exam at university level. It’s one thing to read, write and speak a foreign language in every day speech, but it’s another thing to be required to write and speak

Time is what you make it.

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.

When it comes to women representation in the law sector, do you feel progress has been made in the last five years?

Of the approximate reported 20 551 qualified practising attorneys in 2011, there were only 6 934 women and just under 500 Intellectual Property (IP) attorneys. It’s therefore apparent that the number of practising female attorneys is relatively low compared to male attorneys and that there is generally a shortage of IP attorneys.

But there has been an emerging trend over the last few years, which shows a healthy dose of female professionals in the IP system, waiting to qualify or moving through the ranks. In fact there are more female trademark practitioners than males, whereas the same cannot be said about female patent attorneys who are substantially less than their male counter parts.

You have always been driven from an early age, (you decided to study German at age 11); who were your influences in life that gave you your drive to succeed?

Despite German being a third language, I completed my language course at the German school as well as what was supposed to be a four-year Masters course for foreign students at the University of Bonn in two years. I believe success comes when people’s boundaries

are pushed, boundaries people set for themselves and boundaries set for them by others. I was told that as German was not my native tongue; I would not be able to complete the course in less than four years. I decided to ignore the limitations put by others and ran my race thus finishing the course in two years.

Questions anyone in a leadership role can ask himself or herself: “What kind of a legacy am I leaving behind?

Have I left the organisation that I am leading in a better state than I found it?

You have made history by becoming the first black person to be elected as President of the South African Institute of Intellectual Property Law and the only person to be re-elected to that position.

What do you think got you the vote of confidence to get a second term?

I believe that as a leader, your measure lies in what you do for those you serve and for the community as a whole.

Perhaps I measured up to the adage which says, “The one whom people put

in charge of much, they will demand more than usual of him/her’. I worked very hard for the benefit of members and to be worthy of their trust. The strides, which were achieved during my tenure, were part of a concerted team effort as no one can make it alone. I think one of the important questions anyone in a leadership role can ask himself or herself: “What kind of a legacy am I leaving behind? Have I left the organisation that I am leading in a better state than I found it? Were people’s lives affected for the better because of my leadership?

Intellectual Property Law is something that is still a mystery to many South Africans – do you feel enough is being done to educate the people about their Intellectual Property rights?

The SAIIPL is educating its members and the public on IP rights, but there is still a lot that needs to be done. There are many people out there who still don’t realise you can choose IP as a career. I think that the exposure and education about IP rights should begin in high schools, perhaps in Grade 11 and 12, so that the students can at least think about embarking on a career in IP. IP wasn’t given as a subject when I was at varsity so I think that if people are made aware of it, earlier rather than later, more people will take an interest in finding out about IP laws and perhaps choosing this area of law as a vocation.

What needs to be done in order for your Institute to get to a stage where they are working hand in hand with government?

We need to constantly work at fostering our relationship with government, offer

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.

imageS courtesy of tshepo shabangu

that language in legal terms. I was required to study and pass German Civil Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Company Law and Commercial Law before I was allowed to write my thesis but I subsequently obtained my degree Magna Cum Laude.

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tsotsi

in

Any woman who trades her femininity for the imagined rewards of being masculine trades away the true delights of her birthright.

Time is what you make it.

our expertise in IP matters and cooperate on issues of mutual interest.

Government does recognise to an extent the importance of IP and its impact on the economy; if we work together we can educate businesses, Small and Medium Enterprises and ordinary laymen about the importance of protecting their IP and its value.

Many women are choosing to be career women and mothers at the same time, how do you manage to successfully strike the balance, being such a powerful figure and a mother of twins?

I don’t always feel that I am striking a balance, but I can say that I wouldn’t be able to manage ten-yearold and five-year-old twins without my husband’s involvement and support. I try to run my relationship with my family like a business and have key performance indicators for my role as mom and a wife. I diarise parent / teacher meetings as well as my children’s school functions that I need to attend. If I need to work at home, I do so after our family worship, homework and when the kids are in bed and my husband and I have discussed our experiences for the day.

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.

the

boar d room

family, relatives and friends, if possible.

Of course you must be available to do the same for them when necessary. I actively encourage the family unit. I think even if people are working late hours at home, they should always find a way to spend time with their families. For instance if you have to take work home, gather the family into one room, even if they are all engaged in their own activities such as reading. This leaves an open channel for communication and sharing.

What advice would you offer young women who are looking to make as huge a mark in their respective industries as you have done?

As I mentioned before, it’s about setting goals and pushing boundaries. Young people must realise that they are making a name for themselves and building track records so they must not be known or seen as “NO” persons by their respective bosses. They must be prepared to take assignments given to them, even if they are not glamorous for the sake of their development. In my experience, if you are faithful in fulfilling the smaller tasks, you will likely obtain the bigger assignments. It’s also important to get a mentor, but you must be prepared to be a good mentee and do your share. Take responsibility for your development and progression.

It’s women’s month in August – what does that mean to you, if anything?

In my opinion the role of women should not only be highlighted during a specific month or day. Women need to be celebrated every day because of the huge contribution they make in society as a whole. Women bring the so-called soft skills, which are important in business today. Somebody once said, “Any woman who trades her femininity for the imagined rewards of being masculine trades away the true delights of her birth right”. I fully agree with this statement.

The best advice I received was, “Be yourself, don’t try to act like one of the guys and chart your own course”.

What advice would you offer women struggling to handle the duties of work and home?

Do you feel enough is being done to highlight the plight of women in South Africa and Africa as a whole?

Don’t try to be a super-woman. Do what you can to the best of your abilities and delegate what you can’t get to. Where possible, delegate your housework to a housekeeper and delegate certain errands to your

No, lots of work still needs to be done in this regard. From my side, I mentor a number of women and avail myself to assist them when needed. If I unable to help, I use my extended networks to offer the assistance required.

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BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

I N

C O N V E R S A T I O N

In Conversation With…

KB

Keabetswe Motsilanyane

Keabetswe Motsilanyane

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www.afropolitan.co.za

How has your career developed since you released your first album Beautiful Vibrations in 2002?

“Run Free: The Evolution” has 14 tracks including a remix and a cover. It features prominent artists such as South African rapper Tuks Senganga, Seabelo Mangena and Mabhande. Africa’s most Since the launch of Beautiful Vibrations celebrated guitarist Nigerian born Kunle I have created five additional albums. Six Ayo produces one song on the album. I albums over 10 years is a lot of material. love the fact that when I worked on the That process has allowed me to not only album I was not restricted in any way. I grow musically but also as an individual. was totally free to explore as much as I More than talent and passion, I now have wanted and I am absolutely happy with experience, and a strong understanding the end product. I love it! of the workings of creativity and the business of entertainment. The evolution How has the album been therefore is continuous. received by your listeners?

I have had great feedback from those How has being a mother that have heard the music. I do believe changed your perspective on life it could have had a lot more support and and the meaning of success? exposure to get it out there; nonetheless Being a mother has been such an I look forward to performing the new amazing experience! It has forced me to songs. There is no doubt in my mind the choose, plan and become more focused music will be well received. because as a parent one no longer has Congratulations on being the luxury to be too unsystematic with selected to be a Volvo their plans. It has also shown me my ambassador. What does this own strengths that I wouldn’t have otherwise come to understand if I hadn’t appointment mean to you? been in this situation.

I’m really flattered that Volvo approached me out of a whole pool of What do you love most about really awesome personalities. I’m excited being a mom? to endorse such a trusted and respected Being able to love and be brand and totally enjoy driving the Volvo loved unconditionally.

S60 and sharing the experience with my fans.

Everybody knows something, but nobody knows everything. Just “live your life.”

As a woman what challenges have you faced in your career and in dealing with the music industry?

I’d say I have experienced the same challenges that many other fellow artists starting out in the industry face, which is realising that one has to make a concerted effort to learn about the industry to be able to strive sooner for independence rather than later. In doing so, we can own our craft and exploit it for our own benefit.

You are currently promoting your latest album “Run Free: The Evolution” - can you tell us a bit more about it?

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How do you successfully balance being an actress, businesswoman, singer and a mother?

With a lot of support from the man in my life, my boy, my family and the team working to make the brand “kb’lous”, I wouldn’t cope if it weren’t for them.

I really am grateful and I love them to bits.

Your childhood friends affectionately call you “Piki” where does that name stem from? <laughs> Wouldn’t you like to know!

Being women’s month, in your opinion, is enough being done to further the cause of women in South Africa?

There is always more that can be done for women in different parts of our society, but the responsibility to make a major difference for women rests with us as women. We can start by changing the way we relate and interact with each other. We are extremely organized, powerful and purposeful when we come together to do something. We need to tap into this strength, adjust our attitude towards each other, and look out for one another. When that happens, I dare anyone or anything to stand in front of that group of women!

What’s in the future for you career-wise?

Continuing to push boundaries, stretching my training and creativity, daring to be different and hopefully through this, continue to create, nurture, inspire, grow, love and be absolutely “kb’lous”.

You still describe yourself as a “proud village girl”, how have you managed to not be drawn in by fame?

Growing up our parents taught us to be ourselves regardless of what happens around us. That became second nature to me and as such I am not able to be anything else. Also fame is, by definition, an external phenomenon that is given by the public; it should therefore not define who I am. I trust that the scores

imageS COURTESY OF david bloch company

What is the one lesson you would share with your son?

of people that know, admire and look up to me do so because of the person that I am. I am Keabetswe.

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F A S h I O N KB steps out in style of the Vovlo XC60

V O LV O D E S I G N E D A R O U N D YO U

in an ode to all things fashionable and edgy, the afropolitan Magazine partnered with three renowned brands, namely Volvo, Gert-Johan Coetzee and KB to bring you a fashion spread that celebrates high-end fashion, an invincible diva and a Volvo thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s designed around you!

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www.afropolitan.co.za

No shopping trip would be complete without the spacious boot of the XC60 www.afropolitan.co.za

31

F A S H I O N

The Volvo S60, a perfect companion to any great performer

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www.afropolitan.co.za

CREDITS Model:

KB

Fashion:

Gert-Johan Coetzee

Photographer: Rinus Viljoen TGF Photography

086 111 3972

www.tgf.co.za

Stylist & Props: Tammy Hoffmann Dollhouse

Makeup Artist: Diana Maphapho VEHICLES:

Volvo XC60 & S60 Courtesy of Volvo

A woman's needs are many and the Volvo S60 fits the bill. www.afropolitan.co.za

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A F R O - S T Y L E

S

omebody once said, “You never know who you are going to bump into, so dress accordingly.” One of the only times I disregarded this, was the evening I found myself face to face with Bono – the lead singer of U2… It was definitely the last!

As a woman how often do you lie awake wondering what on earth to

LOOK...

wear for an important pitch the next day? Do you remember the times you stood nearly naked for almost an hour hoping that something would jump out and grab your attention, because inspiration for an outfit (probably for something as banal as shopping) simply eluded you. A woman’s wardrobe is the recipient of much profanity and fury but can

give so much joy and delight on a good occasion.

Secretly, every woman dreams of having a beautiful relationship with their wardrobe. The question would be how ones wardrobe can work for you without being obsessive compulsive, anal about tidiness or wealthy enough to have someone constantly fold and refold clothes.

How to have a wardrobe that covers all seasons Skilfully packed and organized, your wardrobe can be versatile enough to take you effortlessly from summer to winter or from daytime work-wear to elegant evening wear in an instant! It’s all about layering, delayering and accessorizing. Layering is understanding how good fabrics go together. It does not mean a polo neck, plus a cardigan, plus a gilet, plus a duffel coat… that will only make you look and feel like a pyramid!

Most importantly, the secret is being able to really see your clothes at a glance in your wardrobe and know how items work together, compliment your body shape and make you feel confident. If in doubt, keep it simple, keep the colour palettes of your dress, shirt, trousers or suit neutral and add a dash of colour with a scarf, necklace or great heels.

This keeps the look elegant, sophisticated and adaptable.

A few basic guidelines: 1. Never keep items of clothing in your wardrobe that last fitted seven years ago or before you lost and gained weight several times over! Sentimentality has no place in a working wardrobe.

2. There is no such thing as power-dressing! In fact it’s embarrassing that women feel that they have to wear a suit to compete professionally with men. Embracing your femininity, knowing what suits your body and being confident and professional in your attitude will surpass a butch ill-fitting suit any day.

3. Being firmly loyal to your heritage and embracing it in your attire is admirable and an integral part of many women’s lives. Invites to gala events may stipulate traditional wear of black tie, but neither form of fancy dress is suitable for the boardroom. If you like reflecting your heritage in your office wear, bear in mind that less is more. You don’t see a Scottish CEO wearing a kilt or an Indian MD donning a sari in board meetings, so for a professional look keep your traditional accents to scarves, beaded necklaces or colour-blocked ethnic prints.

4. Finally, there are a few basics every woman should have in her wardrobe: • A pair of jeans that can be worn casually or dressed up.

• A black tailored blazer.

• A crisp white collared shirt – if there’s even a hint of grey it needs to be tossed away!

• One hell of a pair of black heels.

• Two or three sets of beautiful underwear.

• A little black dress (you have heard that a million times, but it’s true).

• A good pair of sneakers and a couple of pairs of pumps.

• And you can never have enough good-quality white, grey, cream and black vests and long-sleeve T-shirts.

Spoil yourself this women’s month and re-work your wardrobe. It will be the gift that keeps on giving!

www.afropolitan.co.za

imageS courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK

BY DOMINIQUE WOLF

MAKE THEM

Dominique Wolf is a lifestyle specialist whose company “Made You Look” specialises in wardrobe intervention, wardrobe aesthetics, reinvention of existing core items, styling and co-ordinating advice and personal shopping.

Telephone: 083 448 2321 Email: Dominique@myl-stylists.co.za

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BY staceY Vee

B E A U T Y

DKnY [HEARTS] THE WORLD COLLECTIOn

RALPH LAuREn BIG POnY COLLECTIOn FOR WOMEn

R620 for 50ml

Experience the streets of New York, Paris and London with DKNY’s new Be Delicious range.

The Big Apple has a crisp green apple note, Paris has a wink of vanilla and London has a heart of English roses..

R749 for 100ml

This collection of four colourful fragrances embody the four attributes of the modern woman’s femininity: sporty (blue bottle), sensual (pink bottle), free-spirited (yellow bottle), and stylish (purple bottle).

HeAVen ScenT MEOW! BY KATY PERRY

AuRA BY SWAROVSKI

With a backdrop of creamy vanilla, musk, and amber KP’s second fragrance will wrap you in a blanket of warm, comforting tones, much like her angelic voice.

You won’t find a prettier perfume bottle than those created by crystal kings Swarovski. Aura has a triad of amber, benzoin, and white musk at its heart with a fruity lychee note.

R365 for 30ml, R465 for 50 ml

AnGEL AnD ALIEn AQuA CHIC R675 each for 50ml

Thierry Mugler refreshes these two well-known fragrances with lighter notes, using elegant floral waters and a revolutionary new process in perfumery. (On shelf in September)

WIn! We’re giving away to 12 lucky Afropolitan readers a bottle of DKNY Golden Be Delicious with orange flower water, vanilla orchid, lily and teakwood. Valued at R945 each, it’s a scent for the modern day Eve. To win simply log onto www.afropolitan.co.za

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JEAnnE En PROVEnCE FLAnERIE DAnS LE VERGER POMME ET POIRE R149 for 60ml, R229 for 120ml

Let your senses be transported to the French countryside in summer, with this alluring combination of fresh apples and pears.

www.afropolitan.co.za

Prices MaY VarY. iMages are courtesY of sHutterstock, Manufacturers and distriButors.

R770 for 50ml

GuERLAIn SHALIMAR

R605 for 40ml, R750 for 60 ml and R1 070 for 100 ml

Meaning “Temple of Love” in Sanskrit, Shalimar was first created in 1925 and inspired by the love story behind the building of the Taj Mahal. This heady scent is perfect for a hot night out.

• When you’re styling your hair, finish your “do” with a spritz of perfume. Hair holds fragrance longer than skin. Save this trick for a special occasion, though, as the alcohol found in some fragrances can dry out your hair.

• Layer your signature scent. Many fragrances, like Clarins’ new Eau des Jardins, are available in a shower gel (R275 for 150 ml), body cream (R410 for 200 ml) and treatment fragrance (R450 for 100 ml).

• Spritz your fragrance on your pulse points like your neck and cleavage, behind your ears and knees, on your wrists, your lower back, and even in between your toes!

• Perfume has more staying power when your skin is moisturised. Apply a little Vaseline to your skin before you spray your scent; it will hold it for much longer.

• Never apply a fragrance to your wrists and then rub them together to ‘release’ the scent. This actually alters the chemical structure of the perfume, altering its smell.

• Keep your perfume away from damaging sunlight and in a cool area; preferably in the box it came in.

HILFIGER WOMAn PEACH BLOSSOM R390 for 30ml, R585 for 50ml

The name says it all! A chic floriental fragrance from the master of feminine Americana. We love the pretty bows that the Tommy scents come with.

SOMETHInG FOR HIM JEANNE ARThES COLONIAL CLUB FOR MEN

YSL L’hOMME LIBRE

PERFUME CALLIGRAPhY BY ARAMIS

R140 FOR 100ML

R985 FOR 100ML

R1 150 FOR 100ML

Capturing the spirit of a true gentleman; with top notes of mint and lemon, followed by a splash of tropical jasmine, anchored by cedar and patchouli.

www.afropolitan.co.za

A sweet and seductive scent for the urban man; with a lashings of bergamot, pink pepper, patchouli.

Two ancient arts - calligraphy and perfumery – come together in this unisex scent. A mystical brew of cardamom, lemon, cinnamon, heart of balms, myrrh, golden saffron, patchouli and heated amber.

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Prices MaY VarY. iMages are courtesY of sHutterstock, Manufacturers and distriButors.

6 TIPS TO MAKE YOuR FRAGRAnCE LAST LOnGER

F I N A N C E

BY Craig Gradidge

P E R S O N A L

A

t the birthday party of a successful businessman one of his family members giving a speech looked at him and reminded him not to forget the four agreements, which they both went on to recite. I was intrigued by this because the agreements they recited resonated somewhat with me. I was to later learn that the agreements referred to were from a book with the same title.

I later came across Don Miguel Ruiz’s book – The Four Agreements, A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom – and read it with great interest.

The four agreements that he suggests one needs to have with themselves to achieve personal freedom are: 1. Be impeccable with your word 2. Do not make assumptions 3. Do not take things personally 4. Always do your best I would like to propose four agreements that one needs to have with themselves in order to achieve Financial Freedom:

Agreements for

Financial Freedom The humble budget remains the cornerstone of long term financial well being for individuals, companies and countries. While (successful) companies and most countries throw expensive resources at ensuring that they run solid budgets, individuals largely ignore the importance of budgeting in managing their personal financial affairs. A budget is simply a record of one’s income and one’s expenses. The value of the budget lies in drawing up the budget, thinking about one’s expenditure and ensuring that one is living within their means.

A recent Barclays Wealth Report found that the majority of the very rich run a budget, they understand the value of the process.

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image courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK

Manage your finances with a budget

Have a plan “A goal without a plan is just a wish.”

Author unknown People often talk about what they want to achieve, but give very little thought as to how they plan to go about reaching these goals. A financial plan entails objectives (retirement, education, wealth creation, and risk management), identifying gaps, alternatives to address those gaps, an implementation strategy, and regular review.

It’s suggested that one engages the services of a professional financial adviser. A professional financial adviser is very different to an insurance salesman or a broker. Such an adviser has a clear value proposition for their clients – advice. Salesmen and brokers offer their clients products. The end of the advice process may include the recommendation of an appropriate product, but it does not always have to.

Professional advisers typically carry the internationally accredited CFP® designation. This stands for Certified Financial Planner, and provides the

client with the comfort that this person has suitable training and experience.

They abide by a code of ethics and are required to obtain continuous professional development points over a period, ensuring that their advice remains relevant and up to date.

Be an investor not a saver There is an important difference between saving and investing. Saving is setting money aside for future use.

This money usually builds up in a bank account, and when the saver needs their money they withdraw it. There is usually little return generated by savings, even over the long term. Investing is essentially putting your money to work, and getting your money to make money.

Typically one invests in shares, property, and offshore assets, but one saves in a bank account or a retail savings bond.

Long term results show that while investing entails some risk, it generates significant outperformance over savings.

Gradidge-Mahura Investments (GMI) was founded in June 2008 with a vision of bringing sophisticated financial planning services to discerning individuals and SMMEs. Our service offering for individuals includes investment planning, retirement planning, estate planning, risk management (life, dread disease, disability, retrenchment, short term insurance and medical aid), and tax planning.

Our process is based on extensive analysis and a deep understanding of the client, with solutions only proposed in the third or fourth consultation. We offer a higher level of service which includes regular interaction, education and a minimum of an annual review consultation.

Aim to educate yourself on financial matters It’s amazing how many hours people will work to earn their money, but then completely outsource the management of their money to another party. The aim of being educated about financial matters is not so that you can do it yourself. It takes years for a financial adviser to become skilled enough to do this for clients, so it’s unreasonable to expect that one can maintain a full time profession or job, and properly manage their own finances. I suggest getting into the habit of reading the weekly financial publications, the business pages, and attending seminars from time to time.

And ask questions for clarity.

Achieving financial security for oneself and one’s family need not be a daunting prospect. By keeping the four agreements for financial freedom, one will be able to achieve this on a sustainable basis.

Our service offering for SMMEs includes Employee Benefit schemes (pension and provident funds, medical aid, group risk benefits), business assurance agreements, corporate risk management (Professional Indemnity, Fidelity, Key Man insurance, short term insurance), and cash management. Corporate clients benefit in terms of Preferential Procurement points as we are a BBBEE Level 3 rated organisation.

The company has built up a client base of over 350 retail clients and 15 corporate clients from around the country and has grown to a staff compliment of eight professionals.

THE FOUNDERS Craig Gradidge, CFP®: BCom (Wits); BCom Honours (UNISA); MBA (UCT); Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning (UFS).

Kagisho Mahura, CFP®: B.Bus.Sc (UCT); MBA (Stell); Post-Graduate Diploma in Financial Planning (UFS).

Both have 16 years industry experience at an operational, management and executive level.

Contact Details Tel: 011 448 5113 Email: info@gminvestments.co.za

women in tHe workPLACe The democratic constitution of South Africa recognises, as indeed do many others on the continent, the importance and value of diversity in the workplace. In post Apartheid South Africa for example, successive governments have introduced a number of initiatives and campaigns, as well as legislation to ensure equal and fair access to work and employment practices at the workplace.

iMage courtesY of sHutterstock

BY dr linda cHiPunZa

B U S I N E S S

Experience Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Business - First

B U S I N E S S quantify the value women leaders bring to the table and how they contribute to a company‘s bottom-line, ultimately impacting company performance and profitability. In the absence of such research results, a look at female owned companies and Non-Governmental Organisations, or where women hold the reigns has shown that women can hold their own when they use their own internal resources and strengths.

Though there is insufficient research on these purported work behavioural differences for South Africa, research elsewhere has shown that where organisational workplace cultures do not encourage or nurture organisational cultures compatible with the psychic needs of all the organisation’s members, this may have effects on the way people work with and relate to one another. Pressure on individual members to conform to the common view as expressed by those in the majority, in this instance males, may mean that minority ideas, often coming from the minority group may be suppressed. Cultural diversity can also lead to misjudgements of ability and so contribute to misconceptions resulting in a poor appreciation of the other. The value that women bring to the workplace is after all being evaluated for the most part against a male framework upon which society draws its standards.

African societies, one might venture to add, have traditionally been marked by social inequalities between women and men, rigid gender roles and weak sanctions against transgressors. Society not only shapes the behaviour of males and females through socialisation influences, it also evaluates the resultant and particularly in leadership roles behaviour with the result that it then include the ability to think in relational defines male behaviour as the norm and connected terms, the ability to respond positively and with empathy, being more evaluates female behaviour against that male standard. This places women at a concerned with solidarity and sharing disadvantage and may be responsible for of power, being able to solicit support the poor perception that views women’s and having a strong belief in the power contribution to the economy as being of groups and the collective. Women less than that by men. The sharp break have also shown a willingness to work with traditional values is also bound to more imaginatively around rules and a impact on organisations and conceivably determination to turn challenges into causes problems. opportunities. These characteristics Given that the structure and nature appear to give women a competitive of most of today’s organisations and the advantage over men in some instances, attitudes found within them are in many in achieving results in leadership as respects inimical to the gender balance well as support roles. Research studies and equity within the society in which have also attempted to measure and

and women continues to increase and currently all things being equal, women earn 34 % less than their male counterparts.

Despite the constraints that women may face in the workplace, the contribution that they make in that space cannot be underestimated.

Research has shown that women leaders and workers alike contribute considerably to the GDP of the economy, bar the concept that female leadership is often referred to as “soft power” and women are seen as taking on an identity that is not in keeping with the expectations of the workplace possibly due to gender-role socialisation processes. Characteristics generally attributed to women in the workplace,

reseArCh hAs shown thAt women LeAders And workers ALike Contribute ConsiderAbLY to the gdP oF the eConomY, bAr the ConCePt thAt FemALe LeAdershiP is oFten reFerred to As “soFt Power”

iMage courtesY of sHutterstock

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arious Employment Equity Acts and protocols have also been promulgated throughout the developing world and have become the primary weapons used by most governments to drive gender equality. These policies have however, remained better documented than implemented as gender and racial discrimination remains an issue.

Where women have been absorbed into the workplace in large numbers, access to jobs that are critical and core to the running of most organisations is still limited for them and there is evidence suggesting that women are comparatively over represented in the lower tiers of employment. The lack of traction experienced around these initiatives and Acts points to the fact that entities cannot achieve equity as long as it remains largely a compliance requirement.

Recent studies have shown that 50.9% of the South African population consists of women. Furthermore, 87% of females have been recorded as literate, suggesting that a good proportion of women have the opportunity to attend school and possibly attain some form of tertiary education, which should enable them to enter the job market at a higher level. As women worldwide are being exposed to better educational opportunities, consequently, the role of women in the workplace should change dramatically resulting in more women participating meaningfully at all levels in the workplace. Reality though is that while women are well represented in elementary level positions, occupying lower skilled and lower paid jobs in the economy, figures published in the Mail & Guardian (Dec 23, 2011- Jan 05, 2012) on “The Women in Leadership census 2011,” show a marked decline in the number of women in the country serving as Directors, Chairpersons and Chief Executive Officers. In government women constitute 35 % of Senior Management Services, whilst in Public Sector Companies; only 12% of women are in senior and top management. Furthermore, women are under-represented in management and leadership positions at junior and middle management positions. The results of the survey also show how the income differential between men

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B U S I N E S S

Pressure on individual members to conform to the common view as expressed by those in the majority, in this instance males, may mean that minority ideas, often coming from the minority group may be suppressed. putting forward their ways of thinking, their interactional modes and the way in which they operate as the norm.

Women also need to consciously support one another and learn to network amongst themselves if their voice and contribution is to be recognised as authentic. This could be further aided by the introduction of robust women’s forums within the workplace where women of all ages and coming from the different strata within organisations can learn from their more experienced and seasoned counterparts.

Last but not least, there is a great need to introduce more formalised coaching and mentoring programmes for women as they enter the corporate world and as they climb the corporate ladder.

image courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK

they are situated, this calls for a serious reappraisal of, and where advisable, significant changes in the social fabric of most organisations. This could be done through a deliberate change in the Language of Leadership where current leaders and managers begin to engage their workforce in a different way by using conversations that change the way women are perceived in the workplace.

This would create an opportunity to learn and experience social cohesion - a key leadership skill for the 21st Century.

In order to remedy the situation where women’s contribution to the economy is constantly being undervalued, a number of interventions need to be put in place.

Firstly, there is a need to re-examine the development of both form and content of business skills programmes on most business faculties from a training perspective. Secondly Master of Business Administration studies could in particular be enriched further by the inclusion of aspects of gender on their programmes and so would the prescribed texts for similar programmes such as Women in Leadership and Women in Management Programmes that have become standard bridging courses for women entering middle and senior management positions in many corporate companies today. Thirdly, communication studies in general and in particular, cross-gender interactions could be enriched to include aspects of workplace behaviour and applied competence which could be used to enhance the work behaviours of women.

Men working with or alongside women also need to acquire an understanding of the way in which women work and express themselves. In instances where these strategies have been employed, considerable success has been recorded with women leaders being accelerated and more junior staff gaining in confidence.

More importantly, greater focus could be placed on development programmes at induction training for women, during on-the-job training and the many human development initiatives that form part of development initiatives in many companies.

Women also need to claim their legitimacy in the workplace by branding themselves and unapologetically

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E N T R E P R E N E U R

F E A T U R E

Q&A

Thandi Johnson’s

BY Donald Makhafola

long walk to empowerment Professional nurse, successful entrepreneur and winner of the Regional Business Achievement Award in the Soweto Entrepreneur Category, Thandi Johnson, has walked the long road to opening her store TWJ with passion and determination.

She describes the journey of starting her own business as roses filled with thorns.

Can you give us some background on your career path to date?

My first job was at a retailer where I was a shop assistant, but at that time I was also studying to be nurse at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. When I completed my studies in 1984 I got the opportunity to work in Saudi Arabia and took it. I came back home in 1990 after my father died and never went back. My first professional job in South Africa was at Morningside Clinic where I worked for six months as a Clinical Manager and later joined Cardinal Health where I worked for four years and gained a lot of corporate experiences during my time there.

Tell us more about your current business and the services/ products you provide?

TWJ Events Supplies provides catering supplies and equipment for adult and children’s parties, bridal (African and Western) showers and baby showers.

We do mass catering, bakery and décor supplies, as well as accessories and crafts for school projects; TWJ really does cover all bases.

Thandi Johnson

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I’m from a family which has a business background, my parents owned shops in Soweto and I grew up seeing my parents come back home in the evening and arguing over cash shortfalls. I knew then that was not how I wanted to live my life. But in 2007 after I resigned and decided to be a stay-home mom for eight months, we ran out of cash and we were financially struggling. The idea to open a shop caught my attention and while it was not something I wanted to do the circumstances dictated and I found myself doing it and I now love it.

For many self-starters funding is a major hindrance - how did you manage to get around it?

Getting finance and working capital has always been a challenge. I started my business with my pension money but had to borrow money from family and friends to sustain the business because banks wouldn’t lend me the money as they felt I didn’t qualify. The bigger you expand the more working capital you need and that comes with a huge cost, so money is always a challenge. While today our financial outlook is positive, surprisingly, banks still turn down our loan applications. This is the reason most businesses shut down within two to three years after being established.

It’s the growing stage and they need more capital to meet the standard and comply with the labour legislations, but without support all of these elements put pressure on the operations and sustainability of a business.

You are part of a company called Transvelop, can you tell us a bit more about that partnership?

Transvelop is a company that has been sponsored to train and mentor small entrepreneurs, it helped me in terms of business skills and leadership.

You are almost in your fourth year of operation, how has your business developed over the years?

Who has been a huge support over the years?

My son is my inspiration and he’s the reason I started this business, because if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have resigned, this means I would still be working for somebody else. My customers also inspire me because there are things I promised to provide them and it gives me pleasure to serve their needs.

How do you cope or balance between being a mother, wife and businesswoman?

When talking about running a business and taking care of a family, balance does not exist, that is a myth because the imbalance is huge. This is a huge challenge for us and has a negative impact on the family. At least my husband, who runs the business with me, and I have made it a policy that we have to share a lunch together every day and use that as an opportunity to talk about family matters.

As a businesswoman what can you say motivates you?

Success pushes me, it drives me to work harder because it tells me that I’m doing something right, something that is relevant, something people need.

What sets your business apart from the others?

I was born in Soweto and I understand the culture and the needs of the community here. So TWJ provides something which is not available in Soweto, I bring freshness that didn’t exist before and there’s a huge demand.

Our model is different to others; it serves the needs of the entire family, from children to adults. We’re specialised suppliers and accessible to everyone because we’re located in the mall.

What advice can you give to those who are either wanting to start up or experiencing difficulties keeping their company afloat?

Prioritise school and I’m not talking about formal school or education.

They must get at least basic training in business management and leadership which is imperative for every aspiring entrepreneur to succeed.

The business has grown. We started operating from a shack in Dlamini before we got a smaller space at Maponya What has been the most Mall and today we have two retail shops in the mall. Our customers include walk- memorable event for you over the years? in consumers, tourists visiting Soweto, businesses such as restaurants (for take My memorable experience is very away supplies), caterers and bakers, and painful - municipal officials demolished my business premises in Dlamini where even large corporates like Pick n Pay.

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I was operating from before I moved to Maponya Mall. I had all the legal permits needed to operate the business, but when they came they assumed that like everyone there, I didn’t have legal papers and they failed to check that with me before demolishing my structure.

Do you think entrepreneurs are given enough support (financially and otherwise) from private sector and government?

It would seem government is doing something about small businesses but the unfortunate part is that what they’re doing is not relevant to entrepreneurs and becomes a wasteful expenditure of tax payer’s money. Government should engage and listen to what entrepreneurs want so that they can implement programmes that will be responsive to their challenges.

You say starting your own business is roses filled with thorns, why do you say that?

Roses are beautiful but one must not be deceived that they don’t have thorns and so they must be handled with care. Thorns are challenges and the success of a business comes with a set of challenges that if met will create something beautiful.

What would be one thing you need that would help your business grow?

I need sufficient working capital to grow, like I said the more you expand the more money you need.

You were invited to speak at recent international conference on small business development hosted by the University of Johannesburg’s Centre for Small Business Development, where President Jacob Zuma was the main speaker, and you were also mentioned on Talk Radio 702 as a successful small entrepreneur, what does all of these mean to you?

It was great feeling and humbling when you see yourself struggling but other people find inspiration in what you do.

What are your plans for the next five years?

My vision is to expand beyond Soweto and to find our own space or premises because operating from a mall has limitations, for example our goal is to have a full playground for children but it will be impossible to have that while we’re located in the mall.

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IMAGES COURTESY OF DONALD MAKHAFOLA

Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur or did it happen by a chance?

F O O D

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

A F R O

Liberty's beef tataki

Liberty Restaurant

H

Upper East Side Hotel

idden in a cosy alcove in the trendy multifunctional development that is Upper Eastside Hotel and Conference Centre you will find Liberty Restaurant operating under the experienced command of executive Chef Simon Kemp. Well known for his professional creativity, attention to detail and ability to excel under immense pressure, he has turned Liberty Restaurant into the venue to dine at when visiting Woodstock.

Kenyan born Kempâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s international exposure has cultivated in him a love for Asian fare seen in the cuisine offered which is a mixture of fine dining and health conscious food. For dinner our palates were treated to starters of Melting Camembert with baby leaves, chunky croutons, mixed roasted nuts, wild berry compote and Teriyaki Norwegian Salmon, which

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Liberty's tuna chermoula

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Liberty's wild mushroom gnocchi

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Liberty's mushroom bombs

Urban rooftop garden and development

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IMAGES COURTESY OF Liberty Restaurant

were absolutely divine. Main course consisted of Fillet Bordelaise, which had a Dijon and herb rub, Bordelaise jus, crushed sauté potatoes, roast asparagus, tarragon crème fraiche and Cajun blackened line fish with pea crushed new potatoes, tropical salsa and olive and sun dried tomato relish. None of the dishes disappointed.

All herbs used in his dishes were freshly picked from the chef’s personal garden. Using his creativity Kemp has planted, in wooden crates strategically placed on what used to be sun-blasted barren rooftops of the Upper Eastside Hotel, a variety of garden herbs including rocket, lemongrass and parsley. This has ensured a steady supply of fresh herbs for their dishes and reduced their order costs significantly.

The serving staff at the restaurant exude a cheerful confidence in their work and their product, imparting knowledge not only about the perfect wine to accompany a dish but also its history and origin. By the end of the evening we felt like we were in the company of old friends hosting us.

To ensure an all rounded evening, dinner entertainment is provided and we enjoyed our meals listening to the background smooth sounds of Lee Gelderbloem. Her jazz offering was a perfect accompaniment and enhanced the atmosphere in Cape Town’s most artistic hub.

Due to the fact that Upper Eastside Hotel and Conference Centre houses not only corporate personnel in their offices, but also hotel guests and residents living in the apartments, you will find an eclectic mix of people doing life in the development. The ambience at Liberty Restaurant is just an extension of the vibe you will find at the hotel and residential development making for a festive atmosphere.

SEE IT. TO BELIEVE IT.

Tel: (011) 702 9602 (021) 422 3298 www.namibiatourism.com.na

BY BrendaH nYakudYa

T R A V E L

Many resorts claim to have access to the “Big Five” and the ultimate luxury offering but none have perfected it the way ulusaba Private Game Reserve has.

SIR RICHARD BRAnSOn’S

Bush dinner

Bedroom suite at safari lodge

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iMages courtesY of Virgin liMited

PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

travel

O

www.afropolitan.co.za

Cliff Lodge Lounge

Cliff Lodge Suite

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imageS COURTESY OF ????

nce occupied by the Shangaan tribe, Ulusaba (meaning “place of little fear”) was used as a lookout point during battles in the days of old and provided a safe-haven for the tribes. Due to the fact that they were well hidden in the rocks surprise attacks from the enemy were near to impossible, hence the name.

Set on over 33 acres of the most amazing well-preserved land that is occupied by all manner of wildlife, Ulusaba is located in the western sector of the Sabi Sands Game Reserve bordering the Kruger National Park, and nestles in the peace and tranquillity of the unspoilt African bushveld.

Approximately a 1 hour and 20 minute flight by a twin-engine aircraft from O.R. Tambo Airport, Sir Richard Branson’s 5-star Private Game Reserve is the ultimate definition of extravagance in the heart of Mother Nature, ensuring that although you are in the bush, by no means do you have to forego your creature comforts. This is made apparent, as you are welcomed on arrival with a bottle of fabulous bubbly – the perfect way to start a holiday.

Accommodation at Ulusaba comes in the form of three lodges all of which are completely unique in their locale and feel, thus allowing guests to have an option based on their individual preference.

Rock Lodge is built high on the summit of a koppie, standing at an impressive 800 feet above the wilderness, boasting spectacular views of the vast surrounding outdoors. From the lofty heights of Rock Lodge you are enthralled with a backdrop of the Drakensberg Mountains and views of locals loitering at the watering holes and going on their way. The granite rock of the koppies is a main feature in the design yet each room at Rock Lodge has been carefully detailed with the colours of different tribes and regions in Africa.

Lower down is the tree-house style Safari Lodge, set on the banks of the dry Mabrak riverbed. A pleasant twist for guests are the swing bridges guests have to cross between the rooms which give a further sense of adventure as they walk over elephants, bushbuck, lions and other local wildlife idly passing by.

The newest addition to Ulusaba is Cliff Lodge which comprises two luxurious suites perfect for smaller families and groups.

All rooms at Ulusaba have their own private deck affording all their muchneeded privacy and intimacy with strategically placed plunge pools and bathtubs where guests can lie and soak while watching a different kind of world go by.

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS

T R A V E L

Simbavati River Lodge is an intimate and friendly camp built on the banks of the Nhlaralumi River in the heart of the world famous Timbavati Private Nature Reserve near the Kruger National Park. Shaded by age old Jackalberry and Leadwood trees, Simbavati offers contemporary design and luxury accommodation in tented rooms or thatched chalets. The focus of the lodge is the excellent big-5 game viewing, breathtaking views, friendly and knowledgeable staff — a place where guests are made to feel comfortable and relaxed from the moment they arrive.

Special Afropolitan rates per night until end of 2012

Rates include: • Big 5 Safari accommodation, breakfast, light lunch and dinner, tea and coffee, 2 daily open vehicle game drives (dawn and dusk in open Land Rovers)

Rates exclude: • Flights • Transfers to/from local airports/other lodges (transfers are available at an extra fee) • Timbavati conservation levy of R160.00 per person (subject to change) • Timbavati vehicle entrance fee of R120.00 (subject to change) • Drinks at the lodge • Items from the curio shop • Gratuities for safari guides and lodge staff

For enquiries or to make a booking please email afrotravel@highline.co.za or phone (012) 667 3656.

Elephant herd at Ulusaba

A sojourn at Ulusaba is ideal for weary souls in dire need of rest and relaxation in the peaceful uncomplicated setting of the African bush. Apart from the game drives, which are held by experienced trackers and game rangers, a plethora of activities are offered to keep adults and children entertained throughout their stay. For the more active among us a tennis court is available day and night with floodlights and a fully stocked bar to replenish liquid levels between serves.

A fully equipped gym is also on site for use any time of the day.

For those wanting to forget their troubles and get some pampering, the Aroma Boma Beauty Treatment Centres have the most gorgeous treatments, made with you in mind, which can be enjoyed in the serene spa or in the comfort and privacy of your own room while surveying nature at its best.

The fun doesn’t end there! For the wine connoisseur Safari Lodge offers wine tasting evenings, complemented with an outdoor dining experience for parties of up to six. An opportunity to “nose” and “swirl” around some of the best wine South Africa has to offer.

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After dinner the Observatory tucked away in the bush offers stargazing facilities where guests can take time out to appreciate the constellations and their stars. A 15 minute walk from Safari Lodge will take you to the Treehouse Lodge, along swing bridges and an elevated walkway; a great place to get up close and personal with the animals that come to bathe and cool down in the nearby dam. You could say at Ulusaba, the game comes to you!

As part of their social responsibility programme Pride ‘n Purpose, cultural, wildlife or scenic tours including helicopter trips and a tour of the local community (at an extra cost) are available, the proceeds of which go towards empowering surrounding communities with sustainable development initiatives and the provision of basic needs, such as access to food, water and health services.

Head down to Ulusaba, a haven so alluring it can be visited any time of the year. In summer the days are glorious and nights pleasantly warm. In winter days are moderately warm and sunny with nights so cool and crisp it’s the perfect getaway all year round!

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imageS COURTESY OF ULUSABA PRIVATE GAME RESERVE

Luxury Safari Tent (Per Person Sharing) R2,370.00 (1 - 30 Sept) R2,490.00 (1 Oct - 31 Dec) Luxury Safari Tent (Single) R3,160.00 (1 - 30 Sept) R3,315.00 (1 Oct - 31 Dec) Family Chalet (Per Person Sharing) R2,370.00 (1 - 30 Sept) R2,490.00 (1 Oct - 31 Dec) Family Chalet (PP 3rd/4th person) R1,775.00 (1 - 30 Sept) R1,860.00 (1 Oct - 31 Dec)

AFRO DECOR

Turn Your Bathroom into

a Luxury Spa

When you think about the amount of time you spend in your bathroom, it makes perfect sense for it to be a regular refuge in which to relax and recharge. Your master bathroom can easily be transformed into the most luxurious space in your home. Afropolitan offers FIVE great ideas to create a haven of tranquillity, without breaking the bank!

Sound & Lighting A clever lighting design can immediately create a calming atmosphere, making it easy to unwind. But if you’re not starting your bathroom from scratch, simply connecting a dimmer switch to your existing lighting system will have the same affect (and save energy too!).

Installing small wall-mounted speakers, or introducing a CD player or portable iPod will allow soothing sounds to envelope the room. Soak up the sound while you soak in the bath – pure bliss! www.soundimports.co.za www.lightingwarehouse.co.za

Add the Extras Stock up on your favourite soaking treatments like aromatherapy oils, eye masks, sea salt scrubs, body masks, a neck pillow, bubble bath and scented candles. And don’t forget the post-bath luxuries like body lotions, foot creams and a soft fluffy bath robe.

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Images courtesy of ShutterstocK

BY ELKA SCHAIMBERG

D E C O R

Underfloor Heating A tiled bathroom during cold winter months can make it feel like an igloo. A wonderful and worthwhile indulgence is the installation of underfloor heating.

The advantage of heating the room from the ground up means that it will warm the whole bathroom. Why not add that extra touch of luxury with a few heated towel rails? This extra feature is an amazing way to warm and fluff up towels and bath robes.

Images courtesy of GROHE

www.homecomfort.co.za www.bathroombutler.co.za

Luxurious Fittings A simple bathing experience can be completely enriched with attention to quality fittings and faucets, enhanced by top-notch technology.

A new bathroom favourite is the Rainshower Icon Collection from GROHE. The halo-shaped shower head is a new design concept offering the best in bathroom style, not to mention a superior shower experience!

Choose products with the latest innovations such as temperature control, aerated water and pulsating massage heads. These essential items, if chosen correctly, can make all the difference.

WIN one of 5 Shower Heads from the Rainshower Range â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the latest bathroom collection from GROHE!

www.grohe.com

To win simply log onto www.afropolitan.co.za.

WIN!

Clean-Lined and Clutter-free Create a space of serenity by storing bathroom products in closed vanities.

Use beautiful wicker baskets to create extra storage space. Shampoos, conditioners, shower gel, toothbrushes and toothpaste can all be easily accessed

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without looking messy. A great idea is to make use of unified soap dispensers that compliment your dĂŠcor theme, eliminating bright and busy product packaging and contributing to a practical space.

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R E V I E W S

FOR ThE COUCh POTATOES... oteLo burning DIRECTOR: SARA BLECHER STARRInG: JAFTA MAMABOLO, TSHEPAnG MOHLOMI AnD THOMAS GuMEDE

very opposite of their township life, which was fuelled by violent political conflict. They previously feared the ocean, but now “flying on water” comes to represent freedom, and they embrace it wholeheartedly.

Filmed in Zulu with English subtitles, this emotional coming of age story encourages the unimaginable potential for change.

Understanding the concept of freedom from a child’s perspective makes Otelo Burning all the more powerful.

Otelo Burning is based on a true story of a group of township kids who discover the joy of surfing.

Set in Durban in 1989, 16-year-old Otelo Buthelezi (Jafta Mamabolo), his younger brother Ntwe (Tshepang Mohlomi) and best friend New Year (Thomas Gumede) are all invited to a beach-house where their new friend Mandla Modise’s (Sihle Xaba) mother works as a domestic worker.

Mandla, who loves to surf, opens up a whole new world to the boys as they begin to experience the

mArLeY DIRECTOR: KEVIn MACDOnALD STARRInG: BOB MARLEY, zIGGY MARLEY AnD JIMMY CLIFF

This impressive portrait by Kevin Macdonald explores the life of musician, revolutionary, philosopher and legend, Bob Marley - an outsider who found a symbolic home in Africa by embracing Rastafarianism.

Viewers can feast on electrifying concert recordings and rare, previously unseen interview footage. Made with the support of the Marley family, the credible accolades come from the people that knew him best. Among them are Bob’s Cuban-born wife Rita, Bob and Rita’s three children (Cedella, Ziggy and Stephen); and his long-time girlfriend, Cindy Breakspear.

the LAdY

DIRECTOR: LuC BESSOn STARRInG: MICHELLE YEOH, DAVID THEWLIS AnD JOnATHAn RAGGETT

A love story set against a background of political turmoil, this FrenchEnglish co-production tells the true story of pro-democracy activist and Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Aung San Suu Kyi (Michelle Yeoh) and her husband, Michael Aris (David Thewlis).

As the daughter of Aung San, founder of independent Burma, Suu has a place in her nation’s heart and when she returns home to care for her ailing mother, she gets involved in the pro-democracy movement. The film centres on Suu Kyi’s emotional journey and explores her position

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The documentary also includes footage of Haile Selassie’s visit to Jamaica in 1966 as well as Marley’s gig at the Zimbabwean independence rally that both Robert Mugabe and Prince Charles attended.

Fans and followers will uncover some surprising revelations in this honest depiction - it’s a truly enjoyable journey tied together by the music, of course!

at the core of Burma’s democracy movement. A house arrest over 21 years prevents her from seeing her sons and husband. But, despite distance, long separations, and a dangerously hostile regime, their love endures.

Excellent performances by David Thewlis and Michelle Yeoh barely do justice to the amazing life and democratic crusade of Aung San Suu Kyi, and even though the political cause is worthy and inspiring, it’s the personal story that makes the film worth watching.

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iMages courtesY of ster-kinekor & nuMetro

BY elka scHaiMBerg

M O V I E

R E V I E W S

BEAT BOX

MOREIRA CHONGUICA

O

riginally from Mozambique, ethnomusicologist (the study of human music-making activities all over the world), saxophonist, songwriter and producer Moreira Chonguica is a celebrated Cape Town based musician. Together with his band “The Moreira Project”, made up of five young Cape Town jazz musicians, he has established an impressive list of credits to his name.

Moreira’s debut album, ‘The Moreira Project Volume I’ was released in December 2006. Not only was it well received on the music scene, it firmly established him as an artist. Featured on the album was legendary jazz maestro Najee and it won Moreira a South African Music Award for Best Producer in 2007.

His second album “The Moreira Project Volume 2”, released in 2008, laid rest to any doubts as to the extent of his talent and saw him scoop two SAMA’s for “Best Contemporary Jazz” and “Best Album Packaging” at the 15th Annual MTN South Africa Music Awards in May 2009.

His latest offering Khanimambo features artists such as Aly Faque, Elvira Viegas, Julia Mwitu and Zena Bacar, and is a wonderful testament to the art of African Jazz. His diversity shows in tracks such as Tetego, Ulimwengu and Kano, songs that range from playful jazzy tunes to poignant melodies. While all tracks display a distinct style, they all still manage to stay in keeping with the consistent soothing sounds of the CD. Surprising additions to the CD are the interludes before every song serving as small yet pleasant introduction before the next musical offering.

Complementing the intricate instruments laid down are strong, piercing vocals making this project a most suitable companion when going on a long drive or just as easy listening sounds to wind down the weekend.

Images courtesy of MORESTAR ENTERTAINMENT

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

C D

A man with a heart for the community and education in particular, Moreira donated R10 000 to start a campaign to renovate the Mozambique Escola Nacional De Música (National School of Music), which he attended. In Cape Town he teaches saxophone and life skills to young aspiring musicians on a regular basis and it doesn’t stop there! On an ad-hoc basis, Moreira also tutors young aspiring saxophonists free of charge!

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R E V I E W

The Youngsters

O

ne of the culture crises that plague the country today is that our youth, particularly those in black communities, have not embraced the culture of reading. The excitement that comes from opening a book, delving into the plot and getting attached to the characters is a fast fading fad with very few young children buying books or making use of libraries.

It was with this in mind that Picador partnered with popular young South Africans, namely Anele Mdoda, Khaya Dlanga, Shaka Sisulu, Nik Rabinowitz and Gillian Breslin, and Danny K, giving them a mandate to write a series of easy-to-read booklets giving their opinion on what it’s like being a young person in South Africa.

Edited by author Many Weiner these books are a step in the right direction, drawing young people in and keeping them entertained.

Khaya Dlanga In My Arrogant Opinion Khaya is without any question one of South Africa’s well-known blogger and social media experts. An advertising guy by day Khaya uses intellectual humour to discuss thorny issues such as race, sex and gender.

“This book isn’t about anything in particular. I am a conversationalist. I write like people talk. No fancy language; nor do I show how smart I am.”

Nik Rabinowitz & Gillian Breslin South Africa. A Long Walk to a Free Ride Co-writers comedian Nik and Gillian have worked together for four years and in this book they give a fast paced and hilarious guide to surviving the somewhat crazy social and political landscape of South Africa. Nik also shares his experiences as a comedian and what drives him.

“This book is a performanceenhancing drug… Read it twice and the mysteries of the universe will be revealed.”

Anele Mdoda It Feels Wrong to Laugh, but…

Anele shares lessons learnt on her way to becoming a well-known and loved radio personality. She also gives personal insight on her late mother, the everpresent debate on weaves and being comfortable enough to “own your size”.

“I am not my gap, but I own it. I am not my size, but I own it and you can’t use what you see as a negative against me. I own me and proudly so.”

Danny K Take It From Me Singer, songwriter and producer Danny K is one of South Africa’s most loved celebrities. His long walk to fame is spelt out in this book as he tries to inspire young people wanting to follow his path in the industry. Speaking about rejection, collaborating with Mandoza as well as the good, the bad and the ugly of the music business, Danny opens his heart in “Take It From Me.” “They say there’s no business like show business. And that’s not because of the fame, or the money. It’s because of just how hard it can be.” www.afropolitan.co.za

Shaka Sisulu Becoming A member of the “Struggle Royalty”, (grandson of Walter and Albertina Sisulu), Shaka has made a name for himself in society as the founding member of Cheesekids, a volunteer organisation that takes on social ills with an aim to better the lives of underprivileged South Africans. In his book Shaka discusses legacy, heritage and even shares his thoughts on BEE. “There is a poetic justice to life because we are the sum of our experiences.”

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imageS courtesy of PICADOR

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

B O O K

A F R O

W H E E L S

Subaru XV

BY @carandgameguru

Definitely Different

W

e have argued year on year that Subaru produce fantastic cars. The biggest problem with the brand is that they don’t get enough bums in seats and give driver’s a chance to experience what their cars are all about. Subaru has always been a manufacturer that has built and designed their cars with the drive in mind. Where most other manufacturers focus on the driver, Subaru are keen to deliver the best drive possible and hope that is enough to keep the driver happy. And happy the drivers are! Around 90 % of all Subarus sold in the last 10 years are still on the road.

When we were offered the chance to get behind the new Subaru XV, we jumped at the opportunity with both feet.

When Subaru South Africa delivered the new XV to our offices, we couldn’t help but notice how very different the car looks to anything else on the road. It looks like an SUV, mixed with a crossover that has a bit of the wild side thrown in and other road users notice that. It has audacious lines, out-there wheels and the burnt orange colour of the test vehicle we had for the week just added to the allure. On first impression, we were very happy. Walking around the XV and trying to take it all in, you can see that there is Subaru breeding all over the car, but at the same time, you notice instantly that the designers have tried to 64

Subaru XV

create something that is not too Subaru, which in turn has opened their vehicles up to a whole new market.

On getting into the driver’s seat, the orange stitching on black leather seats carries the funky look from the outside in and once inside the cabin, the beast is left behind, and the driver becomes the centre of attention. All around you are creature comforts like a touch screen radio/DVD player that has USB and iPod connectivity, a great sound system and even a reverse camera. The multifunction steering wheel means that all you need is at your fingertips and the Bluetooth connectivity allows you to stay in touch with the world without losing your focus on the road.

On the road is where the XV really differs to any Subaru we have ever driven in the past. This drive is a complete flip on what you would term a ‘Subaru Drive’, and is slightly more toned down and less off the walls. It’s not as raw and way more controlled, and although a step in a new direction for the brand, this change is not a bad thing.

This is a more user friendly, easy to drive car that is perfect for the family, day to day driving and those people who love to get away. The two-litre engine is nippy and fuel efficient, giving you the perfect amount of power when you need it, without throwing you around when you hammer the throttle down. It has the

famous Subaru Constant Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive which permanently uses all four wheels to propel the car forward, meaning regardless of the conditions under tyre, you are always in control of the XV on or off-road. The six-speed manual gearbox delivers 110 kW of power and has a top speed of 187 km/h.

Overall the XV is distinctly different, and maybe just what Subaru needs. It’s fun and easy to drive, it’s safe and has all the elements needed to make it a success and at only R329 000 for the model we drove, it’s well worth a test drive.

Subaru used to say drive one and you’ll understand, the XV is worth driving.

Touch screen technology

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Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet

A Top on Top Off Beauty

A

Renault Megane Coupe-Cabriolet

has a good fuel economy, roughly in the region of 7.5 litres per 100 km driven, and in today’s world of rising petrol prices and the continued pressure on the environment, the 169 g/km of carbon emissions is really good too. There really is nothing in the world more fun than

Honda Accord Diesel

Better Than The Best

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e would like to partially retract our statement from Afropolitan 25 about all Honda Accord owners being geniuses. Although they are still www.afropolitan.co.za

Honda Accord

incredibly smart, choosing to buy the fantastic Accord, true genius lies with those who have picked and purchased the Accord diesel. It’s like having all the perfect Accord design and gadgetry, with

owning and driving a good cabriolet.

The Megane Cabriolet is a fantastic example of good styling and good fun in an affordable package. At R359 900.00 this turbo charged topless beauty with a panoramic hard top roof is a summer toy you can’t do without.

great fuel economy and fantastic overall performance. As nearly everything in the diesel version is the same as the petrol one, we don’t have to go into too much detail with regards to what you get, but this version of Accord is nearly perfect. Diesel cars are supposed to be sluggish around town and as loud as a farm tractor, but we found both of those statements to be very false with regard to the Accord. The six-speed manual version we had was both zippy off the line, reaching 100 km/h in a nudge over eight seconds and fast at the top end with a maximum speed of 220 km/h. The 2.2-litre engine delivered a respectable 132 kW of power, but the 380 Nm of torque made the grunt of the engine very noticeable on the open road. The interior is luxurious and far better than other cars in this class, with executive finishings throughout. The boot space is gargantuan, yet doesn’t encroach on the cabin space and for a car of this size it feels like a city hatch when driving around town. Not every car is perfect and we thought the R407 900.00 price tag was maybe a little steep, but when you weigh the investment up against the return, this car is as near to the perfect package as they come.

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imageS courtesy of Manufacturers

ugust is the time of the year when the bitterness of winter is over and you begin to consider a new wardrobe for spring and summer. When it comes to fashion accessories for your garage, nothing says sun and fun like a good cabriolet.

We recently had the exciting task of reviewing the new Megane Cabriolet for our women’s edition. Since having the Megane Cup and Fluence, we are Renault converts and the cabriolet is another stellar offering in the Renault stable. Although it sells itself as a four seater hard top convertible, the only way you would be able to squeeze an adult, or two into the back would be with a great deal of creativity. The boot, even with the roof down is big enough for shopping, but it really is a car for fun rather than practicality. And boy, what fun we had behind the wheel of this French beauty.

The engine delivered a decent amount of push and pull for a car that would be as comfortable on the runway as it is on the tarmac. The 1.4-litre GT line engine has a six-speed gearbox that delivers 96 kW of power and 190 Nm of torque. It can get from 0 to 100 km/h in a shade over 10 seconds and will top out at around 200 km/h. The Coupe Cabriolet

BY STACEY VEE

G A D G E T S

Top 10 Gadgets for Your Handbag Always on the move? Splash out on the hottest in mobile tech!

Acer’s ICONIA TAB A500 From R6 999

Happy Owl Studio Clutch For iPad 2 R899 The Happy Owl Studio Clutch For iPad 2 isn’t just a great accessory for your iPad; it’s the quintessential iPad cover for the woman on the go. The Clutch keeps your iPad safe and accessible in one compartment while still having pockets in another compartment for cash, change, credit cards, business cards, pens, a stylus and a mobile phone. Not to mention another large pocket for your lipgloss, sunglasses, passport and keys. It may be too big to be a gadget for your handbag but it may just become the handbag for your gadgets. www.happyowlstudio.com

Sleek, smart and full of innovative features, the 13.3mm thick ICONIA Tab A500 is a full touch experience in HD! Equipped with the latest, highly intuitive Google Android 3.0 “Honeycomb” operating system, the tablet is designed to maximize content enjoyment by providing rich multimedia gaming and web experience with the added userfriendliness of multi-touch technology.

Tablet features include:• • • • • • •

Dual-core NVIDIA® Tegra ™ 2 10.1” display Built – in HDMI port and 1080p output Multi touch screen Gyro meter control Option of Wi-Fi, 3G or Bluetooth®1 5MP rear facing camera plus HD frontfacing camera

R2 499

Apple iPhone 4S R7 999 for a 16GB model The iPhone is the most recognisable smartphone in the world.

With over 400 000 applications to choose from and thousands of accessories available, you can transform your iPhone into a unique device that reflects your personality. Be completely absorbed by the stunning pictures that you can take with the eight megapixel camera and show them off on the amazing Retina display. Not to forget about the digital assistant ‘Siri’ who responds to speech like a normal person would, ask, “Do I need an umbrella?” and Siri will check the weather and give you an answer. www.apple.com

WOWee One Classic Speaker

Amazon Kindle Touch E-Reader Immerse yourself in a reading experience like no other. The Amazon Kindle Touch is the best E-reader ever produced by the retail giant. It is 8% lighter and 11% smaller than the previous generation, but the Kindle Touch can still hold up to 3 000 books and can last for up to a month between charges. Turning a page is as easy as swiping you finger across the six inch E-ink touch screen and because of the built in 3G you can download a new book anywhere, anytime, in more than one hundred countries worldwide, in under 60 seconds. www.amazon.com

R749

With up to 20-hours of playtime from the internal rechargeable battery the Wowee One Classic Speaker is a great addition to your bag. Using only a standard 3.5 mm headphone cable you can turn any smartphone or MP3 player, even a tablet like the iPad into a portable music powerhouse. The smart hybrid technology combines a standard speaker and their own ‘Gel Audio’ bass driver to turn any surface into sound. This gives the WOWee One exceptional audio quality and brilliant frequency response for a speaker as portable as it is. www.woweeone.com

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Livescribe Echo Smartpen From R1 449 for a 2GB model The Livescribe Echo Smartpen allows you to record the audio of a meeting, a lecture or an interview while you are writing notes with it.

The ingenious part of the Echo Smartpen’s operation lies in the way the Smartpen and the special Livescribe notebooks work together. Using them, you can play the audio from the exact moment you were taking a note just by tapping the pen on the word you wrote down at that time. You can even transfer notes straight to your computer to archive all of your notes. www.livescribe.com

Huawei Mobile WiFi E586 R1 549 Having a 3G connection is the best way to keep connected to the internet while you’re away from home and the office. The Huawei Mobile WiFi E586 allows you to use one SIM card to create a mobile wireless network for up to five devices to connect to.

Connecting laptops, tablets and smartphones is as simple as the push of a button. The Huawei Mobile WiFi E586 has five hours of battery life and can even share files wirelessly from an SD card. www.huaweidevice.com

Google Nexus 7 Android Tablet

Mophie iPhone Juice Pack Reserve R399 It’s 4pm and your iPhone’s battery is slowly fading away. You need to make one more phone call urgently but your charger is nowhere in sight. The Mophie iPhone/iPod Juice Pack Reserve allows you to revitalise your iPhone giving it that extra boost of energy get through the day. The ultra-compact battery pack with an integrated dock connector makes it easier than ever to charge your iPhone by just plugging it right into the bottom where the charger normally goes, it’s good for 700mAh of power which is about half of your iPhone’s maximum battery. www.mophie.com

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Google’s newest gadget has the technology world’s attention firmly at its feet. With a seven inch high definition screen, a lightning fast quad-core processor and the latest Android operating system, called Jelly Bean, the Nexus 7 is set to become the hottest product when it becomes available later this year. Perfect for reading a quick book, browsing the internet or watching a movie, the slim 340 milligram Nexus 7 will easily fit into your bag and with a 10 hour battery life it will last you the whole day. www.google.com

AirStash Wireless Flash Drive R1 999 Sometimes you just need more movies, TV shows, music, documents or pictures than your tablet or smartphone can handle. That’s where the AirStash Wireless Flash Drive comes in handy. Don’t be fooled by its size though, this tiny device is a wireless media server that turns any SD card into extra storage space for your tablet or smartphone. It has a rechargeable battery that can last up to seven hours and even has the ability for different devices to access different files simultaneously. www.airstash.com

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Prices may vary. Images are courtesy of manufacturers and distributors.

Expected to be around R2 500

BLUE FLAME ADV/80425

The Joburg Market.

Open to the man on the street. And woman.

TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THE MARKET

BY ALYN ADAMS

C O L U M N

Do You Know

Why Women

Menstruate?

I f you said “because they deserve to”, perhaps you’d be happier reading another magazine. You’re probably going to hate the rest of this column anyway, and even if you don’t, there’s too much hack comedy in the South African stand-up industry already, without me encouraging hecklers to add to it.

Women menstruate because the human foetus is a greedy parasite with no self-restraint, even to the point of selfharm. That’s not how the biologists put it, of course. I paraphrase a report I read online subjectively for comedic effect. I also don’t want to upset the sensibilities of that 49 % of the population uncomfortable with the truth about “women’s things”. Sorry, chaps, you might want to stop reading now, too. I’m going to be blunt about “down there”. I’ll use grown-up words, if that helps.

The thing is, very few mammals menstruate (it says so on the internet, so it must be true), by that we mean monthly vaginal bleeding as a result of the sloughing the uterine wall. Among them, humans and the elephant shrew are the most notable (and the latter only because it’s fun to say, elephant shrew).

For most mammals, the uterine wall only thickens after the implantation of a fertilised embryo (tautology, I know, but I’m stressing the point that sperm and egg have met, and procreation has gone from “possible” to “probable”).

So most female mammals ovulate and release pheromones to broadcast that fact, but unless they’re mated, no embryo results and the uterine wall doesn’t have to thicken. This is to prevent the implanted embryo sucking

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too many nutrients out of the mother, which it would do, as the placenta burrows into mom’s flesh, even though that would kill both mother and foetus.

If that mammal doesn’t fall pregnant, it has no unnecessary uterine wall to slough, hence no menstruation.

When asked to write about women, I think of my mother.

The mammal who risked her life to bring me and my sisters into the world, while enduring five uncomfortable days a month that she was supposed to be ashamed of, in between.

Human embryos, and presumably elephant shrew’s, apparently implant so fiercely and deeply that the womb wouldn’t have time to respond and thicken, before the implanted embryo would suck the mother dry. Instead, human* womb-linings thicken at ovulation, every month, just in case

fertilisation occurs. If it does, the mother will be prepared against the relentless rapacity of her offspring; if not, she has to endure cramps, bleeding and insufferable advertising. In short, women menstruate because their kids are greedy succubi. Still, at least some of them get to watch their offspring grow up to be doctors and lawyers and rocket scientists; I have no idea what’s in it for the elephant shrew.

Is there any point to knowing this?

Well, if it stops a few billion stupid jokes – or even lowers the percentage of idiot men who can’t buy sanitary towels – then there is. If it prompts a bit of cogitation as well, so much the better.

Me, when I’m asked to “write about women”, I think of my mother. The mammal who risked her life to bring me and my sisters into the world, while enduring five uncomfortable days a month that she was supposed to be ashamed of, in between. There’s a debt you’re never going to repay.

All you can do is pay it forward. I reckon a good start would be to treat every woman with the respect you owe your mother. More “hot-water bottles and cuddles when she’s feeling fragile” (or NOT! If that’s not what she WANTS! Gauge the mood...) and less “I’m SO insecure because even though I have this MASSIVE penis, I can never grow a baby!

Bitch better not get uppity on my ego!”, if you will.

Yeah, some of you probably think I should hand in my man-card. Screw you, dudes; I burnt it years ago. Nobody conscripts me ever again. *And the elephant... oh, you get the idea.

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S O C I A L S

Ferrari Driving Instructors Sergio Pianezzola and Valter Ballestrero with Ferrari South Africa Marketing Manager Verene Petersen

The Palace Of The Lost City's Villa Del Palazzo Restaurant

The California Ferrari California Drive Experience at The Palace of The Lost City

W

hen you own, or at the very least aspire to own, a Ferrari you can’t help but live the legendary brand —in more ways than one. Fast paced, iconic and of course always in pursuit of luxury the Ferrari driver never settles for second best! With this in

mind, it was no surprise when Ferrari South Africa teamed up with Sun International’s Palace of the Lost City for their New Ferrari California Drive Experience held in July 2012.

The event, which saw 10 Ferrari VIP guests invited to the Lost City to not only experience the Ferrari California’s

Sean Press (Contact Media), Valter Ballestrero (Driving Instructor), Jan Ungerer (COO Ferrari South Africa), Sergio Pianezzola (Driving Instructor)

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engine power, which has been boosted by 30 CV to 490 and whose chassis has been lighted by 30 kg, but to do so in the lap of luxury, in the heart of the African Highveld.

“The Palace of the Lost City was a clear choice for us when looking for a venue for our event,” says Ferrari

Two Ferrari Californias Outside The Palace Of The Lost City

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The New Ferrari California

Meets The Palace Sun City grounds, where they could test the vehicle’s road handling ability on a series of sharp twists and turns.

From there they were able to take the Ferrari California onto the open road surrounding Sun City, where they could truly experience the vehicle’s power and speed.

After the drive experience, thrilled guests returned to The Palace where they were treated to a three-course, fine dining experience at the Palace’s superior Villa Del Palazzo — a truly memorable culinary experience.

Besides the drive experience, guests took time out to enjoy other aspects of Sun City including the gambling tables, the vibey Shebeen and the Crocodile Farm — home to some of Africa’s largest, cold-blooded predators.

“Life is too short not to experience the good things in life,” explains Verene Petersen. “It is with great pleasure that we can offer our existing and prospective clients truly memorable life experiences, in wonderful places and behind the wheel of a legendary vehicle.”

The Ferrari California Negotiating The Turns On The Handling Track Sun International's Herliane Portenschlager In A Ferrari California

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Images BY GARETH JACOBS

South Africa Marketing Manager, Verene Petersen.

“Like Ferrari, The Palace is an icon and a destination that offers all the luxury that our clients are accustomed to.”

The event was designed to offer guests the opportunity to drive the new Ferrari California under the guidance of Ferrari International Drive instructors, Sergio Pianezzola and Valter Ballestrero.

Guests were taken in the vehicles from the breathtaking Palace entrance to a specially prepared track within the

S O C I A L S

May 24 saw the launch of The Afropolitan Business Dinners - an informative evening where guest speakers engaged with invitees on issues affecting corporate business. In association with Waterman Pens, Air namibia, namibia Tourism Board and Ayanda Mbanga Communications, our inaugural nhlanhla nyembe Business Dinner, with guest speakers Sisa ntshona (HeadAbsa Enterprise Development), Margie Phiri (GM-Ayanda Mbanga Communications) and Setlakane Molepo (Divisional Executive- national Empowerment Fund) touched on the subject of SMME’s and Whether you’re looking to hire the best-in-breed or set the pace for more business simply looking for a new career opportunity – from executive level to the rarest skill, Ayanda Mbanga damian Murphy & tarryn johnson dinners to come.

Pounce on every opportunity Communications will meet your every aspiration.

lorraine Maya & chantal Mattee

AFROPOLITAn With our 13-year award-winning track record which speaks for itself, and our highly skilled team of recruiters who are constantly on the hunt for top-notch opportunities, we’re currently recruiting for the following disciplines:

BuSInESS DInnER • Engineering

• Executive Management • Information Technology • Finance So as you can see, we too pounce on every opportunity, every challenge and every success. Do you really want to miss out on this catch?

Alternatively, forward your resumé for inclusion in our hotbox to execplacements@jb.amcomms.co.za

Voted the best recruitment advertising agency of the year for 2011.

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Pride Morokane, nontokozo nkosi and friends

setlakane Molepo

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