F E B M A R
2 0 1 4
Sieze the day SWITZERLAND
Top 10 Greenest Countries
job search Lessons from ONLINE DATING
HOW TO LIVE: A HAPPIER & MORE CREATIVE LIFE
LOVE SAVING!
THE EARLY SAVER AMOUNTS TO GREAT WEALTH
Month-to-Month Planner
in every issue
THE SACRED CIRCLE:
THE IMPORTANCE OF A CREATIVE COMMUNITY
PRO PRO ACTIVE CARING
PRO CULTURE
PRO fession
PRO PRO LEARN PLANNING
PRO SELF
PRO TRAVEL
Editors
Note
Sometimes you may find that taking the road of opportunity leads you back to where you started... Instead of thinking about the frustration of wasted time and effort, rather reflect on the journey taken, what you’ve learnt and how you and your surroundings have changed. It’s time for you to draw a hypothetical circle around yourself, then another around your close family and friends and so on and in so doing remember to take care of the things that matter most to you. As we follow some of the stories in this issue, we are reminded to consider things that we normally put aside. Take that leap and do something you love to do, don’t let worry or fear keep you from trying something new. You never know that journey might surprise you. Life should be enjoyed and you are allowed to spend some time on yourself and the ones you love. So pack your bags and get on the road to self discovery and enjoyment.
PRO FUSION
TM
Allan Desmet
INSIGHT INSPIRE INVENT
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February | March 2014
Profusion Magazine
DISCLAIMER Profusion is a registered trademark of Profusion Media (PTY) LTD. The material contained in this publication is copyright and belongs to Profusion Media, unless otherwise indicated. No part of this publication may be quoted, photocopied, reproduced, translated or stored by any electronic system without prior written permission of Profusion. While every reasonable precaution is taken to ensure the accuracy and soundness of the contents of this publication, the use of the information contained herein is at the readers' own risk. The information provided in this publication is for general information purposes only and does not constitute legal, psychological, financial or other professional advice, on any subject matter. You are encouraged to obtain professional advice before taking any course of action relating to information, ideas and opinions expressed in this publication. The reader accepts full responsibility and risk of any injury, damage or loss resulting from the use or reliance on information contained in this publication. Profusion, its authors, publishers, employees and/or agents will not bear any responsibility for damages or injury which may result relating to the use of, or inability to use, this publication or the information contained herein. Acceptance of material for publication is not a guarantee that the material will in fact be included in a particular issue since this depends on the space available. Contributions may be edited for clarity, space and/or language. Editorial opinion or comment is, unless otherwise stated, that of the editor and publication thereof does not indicate the agreement of any institution featured in the magazine unless otherwise stated. The appearance of an advertisement in this publication does not necessarily indicate approval by Profusion Media for the product or service advertised.
Special thanks Profusion would like to thank all individuals who wrote to us. Thank you for your contribution.
SHARE YOUR story We would love to hear from you, your story could fill pages in our next issue.
E-mail your WRITE IN to: info@profusionmag.co.za
ContentS February | March 2014
profusionmag.co.za
On the Cover 08 14
26
34
40 44
08
Carpe Diem - Sieze the day Switzerland One of the top 10 greenest countries Job search lessons from online dating How to live a happier and more creative life
44
14
Love saving The sacred circle the importance of a creative community
In this Issue 10 16 20 22 36 48 50
34
Earth Hour Initiatives
40
Polar Bears under threat African traditional wedding Int Mother Language Day
48
Water and the world Bazaruto Islands
10
Honeymoon Destinations
36
4
February | March 2014
Profusion Magazine
Contributors IN EVERY ISSUE
Allan Desmet
06 11 12 18 24 28 29 30 31 38
Socials
42 46 52 53
Read it
Terrific Tales Cliques and crews
54
Quote
Editor
Cliches and Crews Hobby Feature
Writers
Cause of the Month
Attie Botes Danette Swanepoel Eva Sgroi Harry Epskamp Jess Nicolson Lelanie Slater Naseema Khan Natalie Singer Paul Roelofse Ryette Dempsey Venezia Fanner
Delicious Dishes Job Seeking 101 Know your rights Career Insights Month to Month Creative corner Twisted terms Corner of Delight Back in time
Follow Us Facebook Facebook.com/Profusion.co.za DeviantArt Profusion-media.deviantart.com Pinterest Pinterest.com/weareprofusion Web ProfusionMag.co.za Twitter @weareprofusion
Graphics and Layout Rene du Plessis
Photography Allan Desmet Oksana Rall
Profusion South Africa Published by: Profusion Media (Pty) Ltd Tel: +27 11 766-5454 Fax: +27 861 672-5651 E-mail: info@profusionmag.co.za Website: www.profusionmag.co.za Post: Postnet Suite 122, Pvt Bag X1, Profusion MagazineHills, 1716 Florida
Advertising: advertising@profusionmag.co.za Letter to Ed: allandesmet@profusionmag.co.za February | March 2014
5
Socials
By
Venezia Fanner
valentines day gift ideas
Its that time of the year again, the month of love - Valentines Day. If you’re unsure of what to get your significant other this Valentine’s. W e’ve got some great suggestions for you.
FOR HIM
FOR
BOTH
FOR HER
FOR HIM - 1. Johnny walker, Lindt hamper, netflorist (R499.95) | 2. hugo boss hamper, edgars (R645.00) | 3. love print shorts, Woolworths (r89.95) FOR BOTH - 4. red velvet cupcakes (pg 24) | 5. dinner for 2, woolworths (under R200.00) | 6. lindt chocolate heart, makro (r65.00) FOR HER - 7. free2 bu underwear, edgars (r129.95) | 8. red roses, Netflorist (R399.95) | 9. love pendant and chain, Mr price (R29.99)
No rest is worth anything except the rest that is earned
Unknown
PRO ACTIVE 08
Carpe Diem - Sieze the day
10
Earth Hour Initiatives
Midmar Mile
The world’s largest open water swim is back again and registrations are open. Different categories are available More information: enter.midmarmile.co.za
Profusion Magazine 8th - 9th February 2014
February | March 2014
7
PRO ACTIVE FEATURE
CARPE diem
By
Jess Nicolson
seize the day with Candice Titta
I
magine being enslaved to something bad for you… Alcohol, drugs, pornography. Now imagine being addicted to something that is supposed to be good for you, but takes over every thought, every action and eventually the health and wellbeing of your body.
Not a lot of people see the seriousness of having food addiction; but just like drugs and alcohol, this addiction can become so intoxicating that you feel like you can’t get enough. As with any addiction, once the high has left your body, guilt rushes through your veins, leaving you feeling worthless, with the slightest feeling of anticipation for the next hit. Over eating comes with consequences, as does any addiction, and before you know it your health and mind set can spiral out of control leaving you feeling burdened and alone. On meeting Candice Titta, I saw an insecure, humble woman with a smile that could light up an entire room. She had come to see me because she had been going through something that not a lot of people understand. In April last year, Candice took the huge and admirable step and checked herself into rehab for her eating disorder.
While eating had become her safety net, a reward for hard work, the way she saw the gym was quite different. She saw the gym as a punishment for ‘bad’ behaviour. She realised that serious action needed to be taken in order to change her attitude to exercise, so she sought the help of a personal trainer. During our first meeting, Candice decided that all she could commit to was two sessions with me every week. We agreed that a strict programme needed to be followed, consisting of cardio and light resistance training, which would help with weight loss. After our first week of training she had already decided to take it to three. I won’t lie, I was quite astounded as I knew how she felt about the gym, and I hardly expected her to want to push it further.
We had barely finished our first month of training together and Candice decided that she would start training four times a week. This had become a lifestyle for her, something She had become addicted to food, and she needed to do, and nothing was going to it had been going on for five years. get in her way. The exercising and her new With huge support and love from her healthy eating plan worked hand in hand to family and friends, she began the long ensure changes in her body as well as in her mind. She would come to terms with times and difficult journey to recovery. when she knew that temptations were going With her addiction under control and to be an issue (Christmas lunch, for example) her wedding day only ten months and we would chat and discuss ways for her to away, Candice wanted to get herself resist having a relapse. All she had to do was into shape and feeling confident for voice her concerns and let people know that she was worried, and she would feel like she the big day.
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PRO ACTIVE was not alone; because she was not alone, and would never have to feel alone again.
Follow Candice’s progress on our website: http://profusionmag.co.za/category/proactive/
On getting to know Candice a little better I have learned that she works three jobs, and is still able to set aside time in the evenings to come to the gym. She isn’t worried anymore about what others think about her; especially in the gym! And she is incredibly honest about the challenges she faces every single day of her life. She has been training under my guidance for two months now, and has yet to have a relapse. Candice has enjoyed her change of lifestyle, and no longer sees going to the gym as a punishment, but rather as a fulfilling way to end off her stressful days. She describes some of the changes she has seen: “I’m sleeping better, I have regained self-control, and my attitude is positive, not only about my health and body, but about all the aspects of life. During my sessions at the gym I feel like anything is possible, and that has made me love coming here” For any situation in life, there is always a solution. Sometimes extreme courage is required to activate your mind into making those changes, but once you have managed to build up the inner strength, you have the momentum needed to achieve greatness.
Remember that there are people everywhere who are willing to help and motivate you, but the first and most necessary step is for you to look at yourself and take action. Don’t go through your life with a weight on your shoulders, you will be surprised how much power you gain from just simply asking for help. There is no time like the present, start today and make the change. For further information visit Akeso Clinic on www.akeso.co.za
Profusion Magazine
February | March 2014
9
PRO ACTIVE
Be brilliant this By
Venezia Fanner
29 MARCH 2014, 8.30pm Together we can make a difference
wwf.org.uk/earthhour
E
arth Hour is an annual worldwide event held by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The aim of Earth Hour is to encourage households and businesses worldwide to turn off non-essential lights for one whole hour to raise awareness about climate change.
7:30 pm local time. A staggering 2.2 million residents took part in the first ever Earth Hour by turning off all non-essential lights. The rest of the world soon followed Sydney’s lead and participated in 2008.
The initial idea of households and businesses turning off all non-essential lights for an hour once a year was developed in 2006 by WWF Australia and advertising agency Leo Burnett Sydney.
After the success of the first Earth Hour in Sydney, San Francisco held their own lights out event. Which was also a huge success. 35 countries worldwide participated in Earth Hour 2008. Famous landmarks all around the globe switched off their non-essential lights for Earth Hour 2008 including Sydney’s Opera House in Australia, the Empire State Building in New York, the Willis Tower in Chicago, the National Monument in Indonesia, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, the Bank of America in Atlanta, the Space Needle in
The event was originally going to be called "The Big Flick". Fairfax Media and Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore agreed to back the event after WWF Australia presented their concept to them. The first ever Earth Hour was held on the 31st of March 2007 at 10
February | March 2014
#bebrilliant
Profusion Magazine
Seattle, Table Mountain in Cape Town, the Colosseum in Rome, the Azrieli Centre in Israel, the Royal Castle in Sweden, the CN Tower in Canada, and many, many others. EarthHour.org received more than 6.7 million visits in the week leading up to Earth Hour 2008. According to an international online survey - 36 million people took part in Earth Hour 2008 worldwide. Now that you know a bit more about Earth Hour, here's how you can make a difference in Earth Hour 2014 - 29th March from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm. Firstly, you can get involved and follow the whole event through social media. Website: www.earthhour.org Twitter: @earthhour Facebook: www.facebook.com/earthhour Instagram: @earthhourofficial Tumblr: earthhour.tumblr.com/ YouTube: www.youtube.com/earthhour Flickr: www.flickr.com/earthhour_global Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/earthhour Google +: plus.google.com/+EarthHour Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/company/earthhour-global
Secondly, here are some things you can do to prepare for Earth Hour:
#3 - Fix Drafts Drafty doors and windows cause your heating and cooling bills to go up. So try your best to cover or repair any drafts in your home before Earth Hour. You can also keep your bills down by investing in thermal window coverings. #4 - Turn Down The Heat If you happen to use heating turn it down slightly to save energy for Earth Hour. #5 - Unplug Appliances Unplug all plugs and adapters. #6 - Unplug Clocks and Electronics You can also unplug all of your electronics during Earth Hour. #7 - Shut Off Your Computer Even idle computers consume energy, so during Earth Hour try to shut down all computers in your home or business where possible. Let's make Earth Hour 2014 the most successful one yet. If we all come together and do our part - we can and will make a difference. Tell your friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and fellow classmates as much as you can about this great annual event. Happy Earth Hour 2014! Source: www..squidoo.com/earth-hour-activities
#1 - Fill Up Your Freezer An empty freezer uses up more energy than a full one. So to conserve energy you can fill empty bottles or milk jugs with 2/3rds of water and put them in the freezer to fill up space. #2 - Invite Some Friends Over Spread awareness for Earth Hour by inviting your friends and neighbors over for some Earth Hour activities.
Profusion Magazine
February | March 2014
11
IN EVERY ISSUE
By Allan Desmet
the warrior Hobby Feature
“I am a warrior in heart and soul. Being brave is what I do.”
I
t is midday Saturday the 01st February 2014 at Heia Safari Ranch, Muldersfrift. I met up with the Dev 9 sponsored team also known as ‘Wet and Wild’ – Alyssa da Cruz (Aly), Jean du Plessis, Sharde Haywood, Yolanda Pelser and both Kelly’s (Kelly Laing and Kelly Shuttleworth), who were there with one goal in mind – to run THE WARRIOR and finish.
people. Their philosophy on The Warrior is that although it’s tough, you just need to apply your mind and DO IT!.
Random thoughts on what lies ahead:
Jean loves mud, challenges. “We are not planning on making time but rather plan on finishing well with the team. I did ‘black ops’ before and am supporting my team today The warrior is a team race that caters for all over the finish line. Both Kelly’s got invited types of people, from the extremely fit to the by Sharde and were excited about completing normal, everyday person. With around 7000 the course. Kelly Laing confesses: “We did the entrants on this day alone, the competition warrior once before, managing to get through was fierce and atmosphere electric. Most unscathed. The rookie was good and now we participants recommend a gruelling session are doing the commando today, don’t know at the gym before attempting THE WARRIOR what to expect on the new course but quietly as you’ll soon discover what you’re up against confident.” and ultimately complete the circuit you signed up for. After the race: Known for its many challenging obstacles; the distances range from 5 – 20 kilometres. Two of the current Dev 9 team had enjoyed running the Rookie (5 kilometres) previously and were inspired to run the 10-12 kilometre course known as the Commando. Obstacles one can encounter within the Warrior courses include 6 metre inclines into water, barbed wire, 7 metres up spider nets and swimming. Though obstacle courses vary in difficulty, one thing is certain and that is that you can expect to get muddy. The team’s primary reason for entering is to keep fit and have fun but also to meet new 12
February | March 2014
Aly: “The race was amazing! We really had fun and I was supported by a great team!” Challenges: Tower of Rage & Monkey Bars Favourites: The muddy obstacles
Sharde’s experience: “We had fun, the dev9 team came through the finish line and was amazing. We had just completed the challenges put in front of us and made it(WE ARE WARRIORS).” If you enjoy challenging yourself both mentally and physically, then you should definitely give THE WARRIOR a go. You never know – this might just be the one that pushes you on to your next horizon. More information at: http:// www.warrior.co.za
Profusion Magazine
Remember, you’re the one who can fill the world with sunshine
Snow White
PRO CARING
14
Switzerland
16
Polar Bears under threat
17
Cause of the month
Earth Hour We can change the world, one light switch at a time. Go dark this earth hour Venue: Around the World More information: www.earthhour.org
29 March 2014 20h30
PRO CARING FEATURE
SERIES
By Venezia Fanner
Top 10 Greenest Countries:
Switzerland
I
n times like these where humanity has taken too much of a toll on the environment, being green has started to become a must.
A country who can proudly say they are green is Switzerland. They’ve been an ecofriendly country for decades. At the moment Switzerland is the 2nd greenest country on the planet. According to Forbes Magazine, “researchers at Yale and Columbia ranked countries’ environmental performance based on 25 metrics, including water and air quality, habitat protection and the impact of the environment on the health of the population” using the Environmental Performance Index (EPI). Switzerland has an overall EPI score of 95.5 out of 100 because they have developed technologies that aim to find new ways of taking advantage of what the environment has to offer, but at the same time respecting it.
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February | March 2014
In most towns in Switzerland, citizens pay a fee for disposing trash. Garbage in Switzerland is only collected if it has a paid sticker on the bags. Recycling however, is free. All garbage is then incinerated by modern incinerators which produce minimal air pollution. Not only that, but the incinerator machines actually provide energy for homes. So not only is Switzerland a really eco-friendly country with no landfills, they’ve also found a way to use their trash to improve the environment. Switzerland is also known to have some of the cleanest water in the world. It is said that drinking water from taps in Switzerland is just as good as drinking purified bottled mineral water and 500 times cheaper. Lots of Swiss hotels are also on board to be as eco-friendly as they can. For example, one hotel in Switzerland called “Badrutt’s Palace” offers discounts to customers who drive hybrids. Pretty neat?
Profusion Magazine
Many hotels in Switzerland also have heating systems which draw their power from nearby lakes which has reduced their carbon output by a staggering 80%. Whitepod Resort is another really great example of how the Swiss are super green. It’s a village of luxury dome shaped tents/ pods situated in the Swiss Alps. They were specifically designed to blend with the environment. The pods minimize the consumption of water and electricity. They also reduce waste production to limit their impact on the environment. Switzerland is also responsible for a foundation called Green Cross Switzerland. This foundation was established in 1994. Here’s what Green Cross Switzerland’s official website has to say about themselves:
PRO CARING
work is the granting of UN Status Category 1. Official Green Cross representatives may attend sessions at the UN headquarters in New York as well as at the UN agencies in Vienna and Geneva.
In addition, Green Cross has received adviser status in the Council of Europe. Official Green Cross representatives may attend meetings and thus have the possibility of influencing decisions in the Council of Europe. Green Cross Switzerland has a turnover of several million Swiss francs annually. The efficient use of every single donated franc is guaranteed. The greatest share is directly given to the people and projects on site. Only a small sum is used for administrational purposes. You will find more exact details in our Financial Report which is published annually.
”
Needless to say, Switzerland is a great example of how being green is achievable. Green Cross Switzerland’s work is If we all do our part – the planet could still characterised by fast, direct, and effective help to self-help on site. Support is provided be around for our children, and our children’s in a pragmatic manner, based on scientifically children.
“
sound approaches, and involving all participants in designing and implementing a solution. A team of eight full and part-time employees is currently working for Green Cross Switzerland.
Green Cross Switzerland’s projects are monitored by the Board of Trustees with regard to factual and cost objectives. Great importance is attached to education, mediation and scientific arguments in the search for solutions. Aiming at global prevention of ecological risks, such as the destruction of chemical weapons and disasters like Chernobyl, the organisation also closely collaborates with the Green Cross Parliamentary Group.
IN our NEXT ISSUE
Austria
Green Cross Switzerland is recognised for its professional work. E.g. the Russian chemical troops signed a «Memorandum of Understanding» on March 17, 1997. A further sign of the quality and importance of our
Profusion Magazine
February | March 2014
15
PRO CARING
By Ryette Dempsey
Polar Bears under threat! IMG SRC: http://highersummits.com/files/2012/10/polarbear1.jpg
International Polar bear day takes place every year on 27 February each year.
D
edicated to our fierce and furry friends, this day mainly encourages participants to try and live a greener life by reducing their carbon footprint. Floods, droughts and heat waves are all a result of climate change, brought on by global warming and polar bears are merely one of the many distressed species experiencing its effects. As the effects of global warming become increasingly 16
February | March 2014
evident in our everyday lives, we are advised to look at the consequences of our actions, not only on humans, but all living organisms we share this planet with. Polar bears are large bears with strong legs and large feet with some webbing between their toes to assist with walking on ice and swimming. The wide paws prevent sea ice from breaking by distributing the bear’s weight while walking. Interestingly
they are classified as marine mammals as they spend a large quantity of their lives in the water or on sea ice. As a result of continual and potential loss of their sea ice habitat due to climate change, polar bears were listed as a threatened species in the U.S., under the Endangered Species Act in May 2008 Polar bears practically live on sea ice, which is now diminishing at an alarming
Profusion Magazine
rate. The floating pieces of sea ice that are left, are moving further apart and away from shore, thus making swimming conditions more dangerous.
will result in a serious plunge in body condition and lower cub survival rates.
Sea. This was contributed to pieces of ice migrating further from shore and squallier ocean conditions.
With the decrease in food supply scientists have been observed a new anomaly.
There have numerous accounts of polar bears drowning of exhaustion trying to find another piece of ice to rest on. A female polar bear reportedly swam for nine consecutive days across the Beaufort Sea before finding a piece of ice to rest on. This ordeal cost her 22% of her body weight as well as her cub.
Not only do they use sea ice to rest on, they have also come to rely on the ice to catch seals, their most frequent prey. As the polar ice cap continues to melt, it is estimated that seal populations will also take a gigantic knock. This means that more polar bears will stay hungry for longer, which
If greenhouse gas levels do not drop in the near future, not only polar bears but countless As polar bears face the other species will go extinct. elements, famished by the Scientists believe that there is longer intervals between still time to save polar bears successful hunts, there has and other species. The only been a dramatic increase way this is possible is if we act in cannibalism. Though it now to dramatically decrease is widely known that polar greenhouse gas emissions. bears will kill for dominance or to breed with a female, We have destroyed too much predation as a result of for action to put an immediate starvation has never before stop to the catastrophe been observed. This worrying called Global Warming. It behavior is cause for great will take years to lessen the concern as populations are accumulation of greenhouse gases already encased in the already decreasing. atmosphere. But if we don’t At the rate that climate change take action now, who knows is melting the ice, projections what catastrophes lay ahead. have been made that by 2050 two thirds of polar bears will Starting today will not only have disappeared. In 2004 save species like the polar scientists found 4 drowned bear, but all life on this planet polar bears in the Beaufort we call home.
IMG SRC: http://www.mrwallpaper.com/wallpapers/polar-bear-hd.jpg
PRO CARING
W
Over
1 MILLION
ith increasing importance being placed on technology, there are a few essentials that have fallen by the wayside. Social media and electronic communications are paramount and the significance of film and television is elevated, reading and subsequently the appreciation of books has become less essential. The importance placed on the development of the imagination as well as the skillset that accompanies reading is being seriously undermined. Luckily there is an organisation aimed at changing this. Biblionef SA is the only organisation of its kind on the African continent. It is a non-profit organisation, dedicated to revealing the magical experience of reading a book to younger generations. South African children in over 16 000 public schools do not have access to libraries. They grow up in households where parents cannot afford to buy books. Bibionef’s mission is to give these children access to relevant and appropriate South African storybooks through donations. Their ultimate goal is to instil a love of reading in these children to try and prevent a generation being deprived and hence devoid thereof. Their vision according to their website is to
Books
“create lifelong readers who are good citizens, who can read and think for themselves, resulting in a society where everyone is literate; has access to education and finds reading both a great pleasure and necessity.” In conjunction with their mission to provide underprivileged children with new books in their native language, Biblionef has donated 1 million books to 6148 schools and children’s organisations across all nine South African provinces and in all 11 languages. This reached more than 3 million children over a period of 14 years. Now, they are taking it a step further by donating the next 1 million books by the end of 2016.
CAUSE of the Month By Ryette Dempsey
provides appropriate and engaging reading material for children who would otherwise not have had this opportunity. Biblionef is now calling on South African citizens to do their part in this important project. The 1 million books campaign is one that should be supported by all. Through the click of a button you can make a donation of one book that can change the life of a child. It costs R60 to donate one book, which can help raise a generation of South Africans who will be able to make imaginative, educated and informed decisions.
By addressing the importance of reading as a basis of knowledge and education that is essential to a child’s future, Biblioinef IMG SRC: http://biblionefsa.org.za/
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Profusion Magazine
PRO CULTURE There are a hundred languages around the world but a smile speaks them all
Unknown
Human Rights Day
20
African Traditional Wedding
22
Int Mother Language Day
24
Delicious Dishes
Launched on the 21st March 1966, which was more than 30 years after the Sharpeville Massacre, this day gives all South Africans the opportunity to reflect on our growth as a country, encouraging us as a community to uphold and promote the spirit of Togetherness (Ubuntu)
21st March 2014
PRO CULTURE FEATURE
AFRICAN
Traditional
By Eva Sgroi
Wedding
A symbolically rich ceremony of the binding of two families and two people
IMG SRC: http://www.brideofcolour.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Binta-African-Inspred-Wedding-Invitation.jpg
S
outh Africa is one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world, making it easy to remain oblivious to the customs and traditions of the people that surround us on a daily basis. It is important to acquaint oneself with a general understanding of the multifaceted dimensions of society’s domesticities to enhance the experience of neighbourly love and learn what acceptance truly is. Even though these age-old traditions seem to be fading away, they serve as excellent examples of the importance of family and the sacred bond between husband and wife, values that we can continue to preserve in our own lives. Upon attending a traditional wedding I was completely blown away by the 20
February | March 2014
atmosphere of love, and joy, music and dance that was far removed from the westernised wedding. People came in with a sense of pride and a spirit of unity ready to celebrate the merging of two people, two families and two different cultures. Every moment, every detail, every facial expression and hand gesture possesses a captivating illustration of what humanity should be like. An experience that alters the perception of the heart of people and profundity of life with beauty in every aspect of it, from the guests who seem to find as much joy in the occasion as the bride and bridegroom to the elaborately decorative traditional attire of the musicians. Love and unity can be attributed as the central element in such a wedding with it being poured out in the making of the food, which is prepared by loving and passionate hands and in
the poetic words that close friends share with the newly wedded couple. An openness and sincerity that can never be duplicated is the essence of an African traditional wedding. Although the well-known expression of ‘African Time’ was very present, with the proceedings of the ceremony being delayed by two hours, once it finally began the two families spontaneously, with a vigorous introduction from the musicians, stood up and danced around their tables singing “The hour has come” pointing at their watches “the hour has come for our families to be united”. As the bride and bridegroom had come from two different ‘tribes’ the different customs and traditional colours were combined together, ultimately ending with the bride taking on the culture of her husband.
Profusion Magazine
There are several different approaches to the African traditional wedding amongst the South African tribes, although there are set principles which are applied consistently by all of them. One such principle is ‘Lobolo’ or ‘Labola’. Labola is a dowry, which must be agreed upon by both families and paid to the bride’s family to ensure them that he can take care of their daughter once they are married. Traditionally Labola was paid with livestock or cattle but now it is a transaction made with cash and can vary depending on the value of the woman, which is determined by the woman’s education and prestige.
lastly the entire process is completed when the bride has her first child. In the Sepedi culture the Labola negotiation differs in that the bride’s family is allowed to ask for anything they may want in this transaction not only money and cattle but household items, food or drink. Other customs include the bride dressing in traditional attire which is typically a dress made from cow’s hide is called Dintepa.
PRO CULTURE as the groom’s family takes a cow’s bile and splits it to the bride to ensure that she now belongs to the groom’s family.
The bride is required to make her way to the river to collect enough water and wood for the ceremony. Once she has completed this task she is ready to walk to her husbandto-be, but as she walks her grandmother sweeps the floor in front of her to “clear her way”. In the Xhosa culture labola is never really paid up, traditionally the fee was 8 heads of cattle, but varied according to the bride’s desirability, education and the status of her family. Now negotiations are based more upon maintaining the family union and must be constantly renewed by visiting one’s inlaws.
Labola consists of the negotiations made between the two families before the traditional wedding can take place. Amongst the cultures there are different proceedings of Labola which may differ, in South Africa there are several tribes; Ndebele, Sepedi, Xhosa, Zulu, Venda, Tsonga and Northern Sotho the majority being Zulu, Xhosa, Sepedi and Ndebele. Each has their own distinct traditions, the Ndebele wedding consists of three stages and may take The Zulu wedding being the most elaborate and several years to complete. symbolically expressive Firstly Labola negotiations weddings of all requires for are dealt with, proceeding both the bridge and groom a period of sequestration of to wear traditional attire the bride in which time she throughout the ceremony and is taught by women in the is sealed with the ultimate family to be a good wife and binding of the two families
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PRO CULTURE
By Writer TBC
IMG SRC: http://sourcemagazine.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/languages-e1350036618218.jpg
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PRO CULTURE
H
ello, nî hâo, goedendag, salut, shalom, ciào, olá, privet! This is just saying hi in eight different languages, and it is already quite a challenge. International Mother Language day is held annually worldwide on the 21st February. Dubbed a recognised day by UNESCO on the 17th November 1999, it is a day that takes all the diverse languages of the world into account, which is currently estimated to more than 6500, each with its own vocabulary, unique pronunciation and set of rules. The most spoken language is considered to be Mandarin, with approximately 1,917 billion speakers across the world. The second most spoken is Spanish with 406 000 000 speakers and English comes in third places with a mere 335 000 000 speakers. New research suggests that Tamil is the oldest language in the world and is still spoken in the sub-continent of India, however the first recorded written language is Sumerian of which traces have been found as far back as 2900 BC. International Mother language day serves to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
Language is one of the most powerful factors that helps to develop and preserve our heritage, so let us celebrate it together or celebrar or viert… IMG SRCS: http://vietnamcharm.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/ao-ba-ba. jpg | http://african-attire.qtelltrader.com/images/dd2.jpg | http://2. bp.blogspot.com/-TCe_DorxT6Q/T3FjO-p-HBI/AAAAAAAAeNY/ C9oBz-XDyks/s1600/0o00+020911+7885.JPG | http://img0. etsystatic.com/016/0/5228257/il_570xN.409940974_bcnq.jpg | http://image.shutterstock.com/display_pic_with_ logo/57715/57715,1276701210,10/stock-photo-womantraditional-spanish-flamenco-dancer-dancing-in-a-red-dresswith-a-white-fan-55332766.jpg | http://hinduonline. co/HinduCulture/images/silk-saree.jpg | http:// upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/ TraditionalChineseWeddingDress.jpg
Profusion Magazine
February | March 2014
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IN EVERY ISSUE
Show your
Delicious Dishes
with
red velvet This february, spread the love with delectible and delicious red velvet cup cakes/ cake.
By Naseema Khan
Ingredients: -
2 1 1 1 2
cups Cake flour tspn bicarbonate of soda tspn of baking powder tspn of salt Tbspn of cocoa powder
Method:
1
Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Bake in the middle rack for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
2
Grease and line pans for baking (lining with grease baking paper if round baking pan is used or if cupcakes pans are used- Use spray and cook.)
Sift together and set aside. - 2 cups sugar - 1 cup of oil Whisk together. - 2 eggs - 1 cup buttermilk - 2 tspn of vanilla essence - 1.5 bottles red food coloring Add this to the whisked sugar and oil. - 1 tspn of white vinegar - 1/4 cup of black hot coffee Add this to the rest of the whisked ingredients.
Fold in the sifted dry ingredients, A little at time, mixing well. 24
February | March 2014
3 4
Pour the thick batter evenly into pan, about 他 full. Let it cool and then loosen the cake from the pan.
5
Remove and let cakes cool.
6
When completely cool -Frost the cake with Cream Cheese Frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting - 1 x 8oz Philadelphia Cream cheese (room temp) -
1 x tub of Mascarpone Cheese 1 x 250ml Double thick fresh cream 125g butter 2 cups icing sugar
Whisk together and frost cake. Use edible pearls or strawberries as cake toppings
Profusion Magazine
No rest is worth anything except the rest that is earned.
Unknown
PRO fession
26
Lessons from online dating
28
Job Seeking 101
29
Know your rights
30
Career Insights
Opportunities Overseas Workshop
An opportunity to engage with international employers within diverse industries. More information: Http://www.workingin-events.com
22nd - 23rd February 2014 Profusion Magazine
February | March 2014
25
PRO FESSION FEATURE
JOB SEARCH
LESSONS FROM online dating
By Natalie Singer APSO COO
FIND YOUR MATCH!
Standing out from the crowd is important n today’s online world individuals are when you’re just one in an array of options using the Internet to search for just so consider how you’d best describe yourself, about anything…second hand goods, jobs your strengths and what you’re looking for. An and even love! In thinking about how we “elevator pitch” is the 30-second introduction present ourselves in cyberspace and my own you’d give to a stranger if you were on a short experiences (ultimately successful) in finding lift ride with them. love on the Net, I got to thinking about the similarities between typical Internet job Being creative is always a great option but ask someone you trust to give it a listen and search and online dating. provide honest feedback to be sure that you’ve not coloured too far outside the lines or could Lesson #1: First impressions are everything! potentially give the wrong impression. You only get one chance to make a good impression and how you choose to present Lesson #3: Honesty is the only policy yourself in your profile will directly determine the level of interest you’ll receive. The same No one is perfect but there’s a difference goes for your CV (see Top 12 CV errors that between focusing on your strengths and drive recruiters crazy) so take some time to attributes and creating a false impression, even if it seems to be an innocent “white lie”. consider carefully how you sell yourself. Remember that the ultimate goal, whether seeking a new job or a love interest, is to meet one another to determine if there’s a Lesson #2: Choose your words carefully
I
26
February | March 2014
Profusion Magazine
PRO fession match. In both scenarios you’ll quickly be found out if you’ve sold yourself as something you’re not. In the end it is always better to be yourself and to find “your fit” than to have the stress of trying to keep from being found out.
Lesson #4: Appearance matters!
eventually. If you’re considering various jobs remember to be as open as possible during the process so that you maintain the respect of the people you’re dealing with and as soon as you know that you want to commit, let the others know so everyone can move forward.
As much as we’d like to believe that we choose people for their personalities, there’s no denying that appearance has a definite impact on someone’s first impression. Ensure that you’ve taken extra care with your personal hygiene and appearance, choosing an outfit that best matches the role you’re being considered for and that flatters your shape and reflects your personality.
Lesson #8: e-Matching relies on key words
Lesson #5: Communication is key
Lesson #9: What does “Google” say?
The ability to communicate is critical in business and relationships. Remember that 80% of communication is non-verbal so being aware of your body language is important when meeting someone for the first time. Maintain eye contact and avoid any fidgeting if you want to create a confident first impression.
When last did you “Google” yourself? Just as a potential partner will likely try to check you out, a potential employer probably will too. You wouldn’t want your drunken Friday night pictures to put them off before they’ve had the chance to get to you know you, so check the privacy settings on your social media accounts and limit access to protect your privacy and lessen the risk.
Lesson #6: Keep safe Just as you should always meet a stranger in a public place, think carefully about where and when you arrange to meet a recruiter or potential employer. Never accept a lift or meet at a time or place that makes you uncomfortable. Why not take someone along with you?
Lesson #7: Juggling inevitably leads to dropping the ball(s)
In all online matching – job and dating – algorithms utilise key words to determine the likelihood of success. Assess your CV to ensure that key words associated with your chosen profession are included to increase the chances that you are found by potential employers or recruiters doing online search.
Lesson #10: Know what you want but keep an open mind Having a clear idea in mind of your perfect match will help narrow your search but don’t be closed to opportunity as my own experience proves that sometimes “your perfect fit” doesn’t come in the package you imagined.
Being in demand is highly flattering and it’s tempting to juggle multiple interested parties. Of course you should consider all your options but realise that juggling is tiring and likely to lead to you dropping all of the balls
Profusion Magazine
February | March 2014
27
IN EVERY ISSUE
Job Seeking 101
TOP 12 CV Errors that drive Recruiters crazy Make a great first impression
R
ecruiters go through literally hundreds of CVs each week and there are some things that really make them crazy! If you consider that you have, on average, just under a minute to grab their attention, you’d best make sure your CV doesn’t include any of the following errors:
read, enough said.
5. Long CVs Your CV should be concise (3 – 5 pages depending on career history) whilst still providing the relevant info. Don’t include things like school subjects, hobbies, company addresses etc.
10. Resumes not sent as a Word attachment If we can’t open it, we won’t open it.
11.No easy to follow sequence Your CV should be set out in reverse chronological order; what you’re doing now is more important than what you did in the past!
1. Spelling & Grammatical Errors
6. Long paragraphs
With Spell Check available on all PCs it is not acceptable for your CV to contain these simple mistakes.
List your information in bullet points – it’s just so much 12. Burying or not including easier to read! job-relevant information
2. Wrong/No Contact Information How is a recruiter supposed to get hold of you?
3. Missing dates
7. Candidates, who apply to Make sure that all information positions they aren’t qualified is clearly presented. If the for position calls for a particular Read the advert, if you don’t have what it takes, don’t apply.
skill, for example fluency in German, ensure that your language proficiency is listed in a prominent position.
This is a ‘red flag’ to recruiters 8. Lying or misleading info who worry about job-hopping. Always include the start and Don’t be tempted to inflate your title, responsibilities, end dates of all jobs. education or accomplishments 4. Poor formatting – you will be caught out! Your CV should be easy to read and to print. Get rid of all fancy fonts, colours, images, borders and shading – recruiters hate having to reformat just to print! Choose a clear font to make it easy to 28
February | March 2014
Recruiters don’t have time to play Sherlock Holmes to determine your skill set, work experience or how to get hold of you. Make it easy for them to call you in for an interview by creating a great 9. Meaningless introductions first impression with your CV.
& objectives
This sort of information will be gained during an interview, don’t waste time and space on this waffle.
Federation of African Professional Staffing Organisations (APSO) Profusion Magazine
3
IN EVERY ISSUE
golden rules for protecting your personal information when seeking Employment
I
n November of last year the Protection of Personal Information Bill was signed into law by the President. This legislation is aimed at protecting an individual’s personal information. Although there are several laws about protecting information, individuals must be aware of their rights and be more vigilant about how and to whom they disclose their personal information. This equally applies to individuals in the process of job hunting or making a change in career. This article seeks to give some guidance to job seekers on steps that can be taken to avoid having their personal information distributed to unauthorised parties. The following are the three golden rules of protecting your personal information when seeking employment. This should however not be seen as an exhaustive list or a replacement for vigilance, common sense and good judgment.
1. Limit the amount of personal information contained in your CV Your full names, date of birth and residential area where
Profusion Magazine
Know your rights
you live should be enough. If a prospective employer or reputable recruiter wishes to conduct verification checks you can provide the additional required information after being informed of: • What additional information is required; • The intended use of this information, i.e. credit check etc; • Who will have access to this information; • What will happen with this information afterwards? Will it be destroyed and when? It is important to note that the personal information may only be used for a specific intended purpose, with consent of the individual, and may not be distributed or made available to third parties without consent from the individual.
2. Be aware of phishing fraud
Only make use of reputable and trusted Career Portals. Do not send personal information to anybody without having confirmed who the recipient is. There are a lot of phishing scams going around where job
seekers are required to send a copy of their ID, proof of address and a current payslip to a “086…” fax number or generic “free” email address under the auspices of applying for a position. This should never be done as this information could be used for identity theft.
3. Always know who will view your personal information Before a recruiter may send a CV to a client (prospective employer) they are required to get the individual’s express permission to do this. By implication this means that the prospective employer must be made known to the individual and may not remain an undisclosed third party. You are entitled to know where your information will be sent. Be vigilant! Be inquisitive! Ask questions and stay away from vague job adverts. You have the right to know!
Attie Botes Federation of African Professional Staffing Organisations (APSO)
February | March 2014
29
IN EVERY ISSUE
Career Insights
Fancy a career
in Events?
By Harry Epskamp Dumela Conference Solutions
D
only will you not make a good event planner, but you won’t be happy either.
Most great event planners possess most, if not all, of the following traits and are:
- Extremely Organized: Do you make “To Do Lists” and follow them religiously? - A Multi-tasker: Your mind must be able to “switch gears” at any given time. - Great at Time Management: You need to understand, create, and stick to time lines and deadlines. - A Problem Solver: Things don’t occasionally go wrong; rather, occasionally a few things go right! Then you will LOVE working in the world Creative: Are you able to continually “wow” of events, meetings, and incentive trips! your clients? Basically, an event planner is a person who - A “People Person”: it’s all about your relationships with people and working organizes, pre-plans, and coordinates all the together to reach a common goal - a great countless elements that are required for an event. event, and then manages all of the elements - Customer Service Oriented: you need to on-site at the actual event. have a never ended sense of customer service. It’s important to realize that while the perception of event planning is often that - Eloquent at Speaking and Writing: You must be able to convey your ideas, thoughts, and of a glamorous, exciting job, in reality most opinions in a clear and concise manner. of your time is spent behind the scenes in preparation of the event. It’s called “event - A Good Budgeter: It’s all about getting the most bang for the client’s buck; you must be planning” for a reason; a small percentage of performing Money Magic at all times. your time is spent at the event, and most of it is in the planning! These are just a few of the personality If you are considering pursuing a career in traits that are important to have if you are event planning, you are probably asking considering pursuing a career as an event yourself, “Do I have what it takes? Is event planner. These are not traits that can be taught, and they matter much more than your planning really right for me?” past experience as a planner. o you dream of creating a career that is fun, dynamic, and always exhilarating? Do you envision escaping the every-day mundane boredom of an ordinary job and instead, working on events where no two days are ever the same? Do you see yourself using your creative side to design amazing events that will be talked about for years to come?
When deciding if event planning is for you, it is imperative that you are honest with yourself about your personality traits, habits, interests, and abilities. These are things you just can’t fake your way through. Either you have them, or you don’t and if you don’t, not
If most (or all) of these points fit you to a “T”, then Events Planning is for you!
DUMELA
ConferencE SolutionS
Monday
24
17 Random
16
23
10
09
acts of Kindness Day
03
02
Grapefruit Month Black History Month - US
Monthly Obeservations
Sunday
25
26
19
18
Thursday
Polar Bear Day
27 Int
your Pet Day
20 Indulge
13
12
11 Abraham Lincoln Birthday
06
Wrld Cancer Day
Wednesday
05
04
Tuesday
28
Mother Language Day
21 Int
Day
14 Valentines
07
Friday
22
15
08
01
Wrld Thinking Day
Saturday
FEBRUARY 2014
Sunday
Monday
Monthly Obeservations
Tuesday
04
05
Wednesday
06
Thursday
Friday
Int Womens Day
Saturday
08
01
MARCH 2014
07
15
14
22
13
21 Human Rights Day SA
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12
28
11
27
19
26
18
25
20 Int Day of Happiness
Michaelangelo Birthday
Womans History Month Crafts Month Red Cross Month - US Social Workers Month Nutrition Month
10
03
09
02
16
Day (24)
24 | Wrld 31 TB
17 St Patricks Day
(23)
23 | Earth 30 Hour
PRO LEARN
The mind that is open to new ideas never retains its original size
Albert Einstein
34
How to live a happier life
36
Water and the world
Design Indaba Expo
Are you a designer? Do you own a creative business, if yes, this one is for you. All designs under one roof. More information at: http://www.designindaba.com
28th February - 01st March 2014
PRO LEARN FEATURE
By Lelanie Slater
How to live a happier & more creative life:
in five steps
M
any of us experience feelings of melancholy and discontent, some more regularly than others. These feelings could manifest as a vague feeling of worry, deep in the pit of your stomach, others experience it as butterflies swirling along the intestinal track. Others still feel as though they have been yoked to a boulder. Yet the end result for all people is the same - a lack of motivation and productiveness. We feel like there is something lacking in our lives and very often we cannot remember the last time there was a spontaneous burst of laughter. We have lost the joy and dreams of our youth. Our adult lives and responsibilities have made us cynical and serious.
Living a happier and more fulfilled life is easier than you think. Here are five easy steps to a happier you: 1. Journaling. Stream of consciousness writing or journaling every morning is a sure fire way to rejuvenate your life. Put some time aside every morning for this task. Writing three pages of longhand writing (typing is cheating), helps your brain to process all the mundane information that floods our stream of consciousness every day. 34
February | March 2014
We are bombarded with so much unnecessary information. Add to that your own to do list plus all your daily worries and concerns, and it amounts to quite a toll on your mental faculties. Worrying and planning does not leave much time for happy thoughts and creative ideas. Writing your three pages each
Profusion Magazine
PRO LEARN morning will help you to get all the mundane concerns and tasks down and out of the way.
It works like a pool filter, sucking all the debris off the surface. Leaving a clear pool of consciousness where new ideas can sprout. Let your hand lead you. Write what comes up. Do not judge or edit.
best intentions they do not know the inner workings of your heart and only you know what is best for your creative future and happiness.
You might find your loved ones resisting your newfound approach. As you become happier, 2. Walking. lighter and more open to new things they might become more suspicious and critical A 30-minute walk each day is not only good of your new behaviour, not understanding for your health but also for your mind. The what is happening, they tend to be scared repetitive rhythm of walking helps the mind and critical. Try to surround yourself with to reach a deeper level of thought and like-minded people. Join a creative course or consciousness. The repetitive action occupies confide in a dear friend. You will need support the left hemisphere of the brain, the logical during this transformative time. side. Leaving the creative right hemisphere to be inspired by the influx of new images, sights and sounds. The walk will help you to 5. Me time. clear your head, work through conundrums and come up with creative solutions to your Set aside at least one hour each week just problems. for you. Approach this hour like a date with yourself. Think of a special activity that you could do. Do not pollute this hour by bringing 3. Free time. others along. It is your time. Do something that you enjoy, something that will stimulate We are quick to bemoan our busy schedule. your creativity and inspire you. A common complaint is that we do not have time for new or creative outlets. Yet so many Working with these tools are sure of us binge on television. We spend hours to add a new dimension to your each night in front of the TV, not talking to life. Make a commitment to your our families. Select one or two shows that you creative recovery and be patient. want to watch and only turn the TV on for At all times be kind to yourself. those. It is easy to get sucked into watching Remember, what you are doing is a show that you have no interest in simply hard; you are asking yourself to because the TV is on. Suddenly your evenings change. Above all, remember to are a vast expanse of time lying in front of be true to yourself and to always you like fertile land. Just think of all the things follow your heart. you can do with this newfound time.
Interested in joining a creative cluster?
4. Like minded people. Friends and family can often be a great contributor to our unhappiness. Despite their
Profusion Magazine
‘Of Beauty and Love’ facilitates creative workshops and courses. Email: info@ofbeautyandlove.co.za for more information.
February | March 2014
35
PRO LEARN
WATER &
THE WORLD
By Ryette Dempsey
W
ater is undoubtedly one of the most important substances on earth. Without it, there would be no life. It is also one of the life essentials we often take for granted. With expanding populations and the severe decrease of resources, we have to start thinking about the survival of future generations, because if we continue on this path there will be nothing left but barren earth.
annual water supply of less than 500 cubic meters per person. (This is an equivalent of 500 000 litres of water.) With the current climate change situation almost half the world’s population will be living in areas of high water stress by 2030. This will affect between 75 and 250 million people in Africa. Scarcity is usually evaluated by looking at the amount of water available to certain populations.
Problems with water scarcity and purification are already posing a According to hydrologists, an area experiences threat. water stress when annual water supplies drop An estimated 700 million people suffer as a result of water scarcity. Hydrologists have predicted that by 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in regions with absolute water scarcity. This means that there will be an
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February | March 2014
below 1700m3 per person. This occurs when the collective demand of all users in an area, become greater than the water supply or when the quality of the water decreases as a result. These equations take into account the demand of the environment combined
Profusion Magazine
with that of the consumer. There are many factors that influence the availability of water supplies, the exploitation by users for example or the decrease in water production as a result of climate change.
washing machine for full loads only. When washing dishes by hand, don’t leave water running for rinsing. Water your lawn only when it needs it and preferably early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
With the serious decrease in availability, the purification of previously unusable resources is becoming increasingly essential. This puts excess strain on purification methods that are available to us.
Saving water at home doesn’t require additional cost expenditures even though there are various water saving systems that can be installed. Water conservation at home is one of the easiest measures to put in place and educating kids from an early age will help instill this important practice in future generations.
The water purification system that is used today requires six basic steps. The first step is called coagulation. This involves a process where coagulants like lime and alum are added to the water, which causes the particulates to clump together. Next, the water is shaken into larger clusters called flocs. The sedimentation process requires that the water stand for 24 hours. This allows the clumps that are formed to settle to the bottom. Ultimately the water is filtered, disinfected and aerated. Aeration removes certain contaminants, like radon for example. Very often water undergoes a secondary disinfecting process by chlorine to ensure absolute purification.
The importance of water is relevant to all walks of life. Seeing as water makes up more than two thirds of our body mass, it is essential to our survival. Without the consumption of water we would die in a few days. The human brain is made up of 95% water, blood 82% and lungs 90%. Even a miniscule 2% deficiency and our bodies show signs of light dehydration.
Water is needed for most bodily functions. It aids in keeping the bloodstream liquid enough to flow through the blood vessels as well as regulate the body temperature through sweating. We get a lot of our daily water With clean sources of water practically intake through food but the rest has to come evaporating, purification and conservation is from liquids. now more fundamental than ever. Luckily with a little bit of consideration, saving water around If water intake is halted and dehydration sets the house is easy enough. Small changes in in, all organs in the body slowly start shutting your lifestyle could make a difference. down. The body cannot remove waste products and in severe cases this will lead to death. Shortening your daily shower is a good place to start. Rinse your razor in the sink instead There are few other resources that are so of under a running tap. Frequently check your very essential to our everyday health and pipes and faucets for leaks. survival as water. It is recommended that an adult should drink 8 glasses of water a day Turn off the water after you wet your to remain in good health. The key is to keep toothbrush. Keep a bottle of drinking water hydrating throughout the day, everyday and in the fridge instead of letting the faucet run to never take water for granted. until it gets cold. Use your dishwasher and
Profusion Magazine
February | March 2014
37
IN EVERY ISSUE
This section highlights the many talented individuals on our Social media platforms and to pay tribute to some of the most active members on our groups: www.profusion-media.deviantart.com
CREATIVE
corner
www.Facebook.com/Profusion.co.za
JXSnyder - DeviantArt JXSnyder was our most active member throughout the months of December and January. We love this artists skill in photo editing. Congratulations and thank you for your beautiful Art.
More information on this Artist: http://jxsnyder.deviantart.com/
TWISTED terms AGASTOPIA | ag - ast - OPEE- a Agastopia is the act of admiring a particular part of someone’s body. As the word implies, focus on what your secret admirer or partner loves and admires about you and let them know or remind them of why you love them. 38
February | March 2014
Profusion Magazine
PRO PLANNING
Some times good things fall apart so that better things can fall together.
Marilyn Monroe
40 Love Saving 42 Read It
Secret to Success 1 Day Workshop - Durban
If you need to rethink avenues in your business and need to discover fresh ideas or a different perspective, be sure to visit the below website. More information on: http://www.entrepreneurs.co.za/thesecret
Profusion Magazine 08th February 2014 09H00 AMFebruary | March 2014
39
PRO PLANNING FEATURE
Love saving
By Paul Roelofse CFP® Consumer Advocate for the Financial Planning Institute of South Africa (FPI)
The early saver amounts to great wealth
Love to Save!! Saving is all about attitude. Even if you start with a small amount, the fact that you are saving something will provide you with a better sense of worth than not saving at all. There are no ‘get rich quick’ ways to create wealth. The fact of the matter is that wealth is created by saving as much as possible over the longest period of time using the magic of compound interest.! !
Compound Interest! ! Let’s introduce you to the most powerful phenomenon in the financial world. Albert Einstein called it the “8th Wonder of the World”. Little wonder as this phenomenon is the only way to create wealth over time.! !
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February | March 2014
Basically, compounding is achieved when the return you receive in a period is reinvested back to your investment over time. The effect of the reinvestment is gaining a growth on your returns. Lets take a closer look through some examples.! !
Example: If you invest R500 for a year and receive a return of 10%, your investment will be R550.! Leaving the growth of R50 in your investment and receiving a return of 10% for the next year will result in 10% growth on R550. This means that your investment will then be R605 after 2 years. If you maintained this over a long period of time then the results are astounding or even somewhat magical.! ! Here is an example of R500 per month saved over 10 years at an interest rate of 10%.!
See how quickly your investment grows over time.!
Profusion Magazine
PRO PLANNING
We can begin to see that achieving our financial goals and objectives is possible with the help of compound interest. We will need discipline to maintain our course and patience realising that the results will need time. The highest returns over the longest period of time will improve your savings. So get started sooner than later and save as much as you can.
IMG SRC: http://bestfinancenetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/money_saving_ideas.jpg
Profusion Magazine
February | March 2014
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Read It
IN EVERY ISSUE
Book Review
FINANCIAL SURVIVAL by D S Pegues
F
inancial Survival in uncertain times by Deborah Smith Pegues
We all deal with it, fear it, love it and dream about having it. Yes the word ‘money’ is so frightening to those who don’t have it and ultimate bliss to those who do. Yet there is so much more in between having it and not. We often forget that money is a tool and a key to unlock many doors in one’s life. Deborah takes you through a series of personal experiences within business and her personal world, to give great insight into how exactly one could manage finances successfully. The book gives great insight into areas we don’t often think about that affects our budget and uses clear and understandable dialogue that even the most challenged saver can follow. Some of the book’s focuses include: • Prioritize Your Spending • Master your debt • Secure your future • Maintain a peace of mind Your financial future is as secure as the time you spend in understanding it and this book is a great way to get you started on the road to financial independence. Reviewed By: A Desmet
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February | March 2014
Never Say Diet by C Hobbs
I
n Chantel’s book titled ‘Never Say diet”, she talks about what it takes to lose 200 pounds, how she did it and what kep her going through the tough times. The book includes an extensive breakdown of exercise routines, self affirmations, meal planners as well as before and after picutres that take you on Chantel’s personal journey and battle to self discovery through healthy living and exercise. Chantel tells of hitting rock bottom and how she climbed out of the emotional and physical ditch she had initially put herself in. If you ever wanted a reason to feel better about yourself by changing your lifestyle for the better, then this book is for you.
Reviewed By: R du Plessis
Profusion Magazine
PRO SELF
44
The Sacred Circle
46
Corner of Delight
Life isnt about how to survive the storm, it is about learning how to dance in the rain
Taylor Swift
Hobby - X Lots of ideas and fun for the whole family to enjoy. Be sure to visit SA’s # 1 hobby and craft expo. More on http://www.hobby-x.co.za Venue: Coca Cola Dome, Northgate, Gauteng
Profusion Magazine 6th - 9th March 2014
February | March 2014
43
PRO SELF
The sacred Circle
The importance of a creative community
By Danette Swanepoel
Community – a word understood by many as the cohesiveness amongst a group of people.
E
veryone understands that it is important for communities to have the necessary services and infrastructures to function properly, but it has been found that the inclusion of arts and cultural aspects have a positive impact on community harmony and wellbeing and it is demonstrated so effectively by George Bernard Shaw who said “Without art, 44
February | March 2014
the crudeness of reality can make the world unbearable.” Therefore the term creative community arose. In South Africa we use the term Ubuntu which loosely translates to humanity to others, but also means “I am who I am, because of who we all are.” It is a concept of taking care of one another and of having
identity by contributing to the identity of the group. It is easy then to understand that communities should not only be able to take care of each other and solve problems together, but they should also inspire and support all who form part thereof. Being involved in programs such as community theatres or art projects has been found to have an immense positive
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impact on an individual.
exposure to different forms of artistic expression. This is one When referring to arts in big selling point for creating a the concept of creative creative community, especially communities it includes in South Africa’s economic all forms of creative and environment. It enables interpretive expression such individuals from all walks of as youth art fares, exhibitions, life to be exposed to these concerts and festivals, which learning and empowerment are open and accessible to opportunities, and in a the entire community. multi-cultural and creative society such as ours, it also A study was done by the means that by establishing University of Western Sydney a creative community we who found that participation initiate and encourage the in arts and cultural activities transfer of cultural knowledge had a profound positive effect derived from a rich African on eight different areas. heritage and culture specific These areas are: skills from different races - Improved cognitive skills and backgrounds. From the and educational attainment previously mentioned list it is - Self esteem possible to see that the concept - Community pride of a creative community not - Improved Mood only has significant benefits - Social cohesion for the individual but also for - Crime prevention the community at large. - Positive impact on health - Social behavior Individuals partaking in creative community programs Numerous studies have been are happier, more confident, done on the correlation self-assured, healthier, feel between arts exposure and connected to their peers, form business success in later life a sense of worth and are more and there have been critics aware of the impact they have who attribute these successes on others, the environment to individuals who have been and their community. exposed to arts and culture from a very young age. It also When individuals in the assumed that these children community function were all from rich families and well they contribute a attended exclusive, highly variety of learned skills advanced schools. to the workforce. These More recent research by the National Endowment of Arts in the U.S. suggests that it is not necessarily the intensity that improved these individuals but more a focus on frequent
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skills include creative problem solving and the identification of previously unexplored e m p l o y m e n t opportunities.
This can coupled with a decrease in criminality and in can lead to a more profitable and financially stable community. Creative communities are also a means of public dialogue, promoting community activism and fostering leadership development. Creative communities have achieved such great successes that have caused various regional and national governments to found organizations with the specific goals of helping to initiate the process of becoming a creative community. They make this possible not only by sometimes providing funding but also by providing necessary skills and advise on how to make these community projects viable. One such organisation is the Auckland Council for Creative Communities in New Zealand. If you are interested in learning more about the impact of creative communities or want to know how you can start an initiative to help along community development, it is recommended that you read “Creativity to Community: Arts Nonprofit Success One Coffee at a Time by Matthew Hinsley. It serves as a practical guide and tool for individuals who are aware of the value of arts for communities and want to start applying their knowledge to the development of their own community.
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IN EVERY ISSUE
Corner of Delight
The hills are alive... in the heart of Greyton by Lelanie Slater
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http://www.greytonaccommodation.com/images/greyton-accommodation.jpg
reyton is arguably one of the most beautiful parts of the Western-Cape. Hidden in the foothills of the Sonderend mountain range, this town is only 1.5hours from Cape Town in the tranquil Overberg. This historic town boasts ancient oaks, historic buildings and scenic views of the loaming mountains. During the cold and misty winter months you will be forgiven for mistaking it for a Scottish village. Roaring fires welcome you and hearty home-cooked meals warm your soul. Summer boasts spectacular weather and it is the perfect spot for lounging next to an old dam, hiking the surrounding mountains or exploring the beaten tracks. Regardless of the season, this tiny town is best explored on foot or by bicycle. And rhe area is known for it’s scenic hiking trails and challenging mountain biking trails. The town has many hospitable B&B’s, the most famous being the Greyton lodge. The lodge is the former town jail. Old sells are now suites, renovated by the family. Now the lodge is an ode to contemporary design. The main building boats a contemporary lounge, bar and rec room. Yet the true history is still evident in the structure of the building a perfect marriage of heritage & style.
This heritage site has been renovated with a delicate touch and the facade has been left untouched. It belies the true nature of this wonderful B & B. For those seeking more privacy or hoping to stay longer, there are homes in the village for rent. This year Greyton also plays host to the Absa Cape Epic. During 26-28 March, the town will be transformed into a mountain biking colony as a stop over on this challenging stage race.
Must see & do:
- Meander around town popping in to all the quirky stores and quint eateries. - Be sure to sample the Von Gesau Chocolate. Made by Greyton’s very own Willy Wonka, Richard von Gesau. - During December you could consider a day trip to Hermanus for some whale-watching. For more information, check out the Greyton tourism site at at http://www.greytontourism. com. To read up about the Cape epic, check out www.ggmtb.co.za.
Greyton Lodge information:
http://greytonlodge.co.za info@greytonlodge.co.za
+27 28 254 9800 52
Main Str Greyton Overberg Western-Cape South Africa 46
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IMG SRCL http://hdwallpappers.com/bazaruto-mozambique-wallpaper/
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Bazaruto Islands
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Honeymoon Destinations
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Back in Time
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Terrific Tales
53 Cliques and crews
Then give to the world the best you have and the best will come back to you
Madelein Bridges
Travel Expo
Be sure to check out the travel expo, where there will be over 80 exhibitors and R250 000 worth of prizes to be won, it is not to be missed. Register at: http://www.travelexpo.co.za/ travel-expo Venue: Coca Cola Dome Northgate, Gauteng
Profusion Magazine 8th - 9th February 2014
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PRO TRAVEL FEATURE
Bazaruto Islands By Eva Sgroi
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he Bazaruto Archipelago is a group of six islands in Mozambique, near the mainland city of Vilankulo. These islands comprise of Bazaruto, Benguerra, Magaruque, Banque, Santa Carolina (also known as Paradise Island) and Shell. Bazaruto and Benguerra are the largest of the six Islands. The ecologically well preserved and pristine appearance of the archipelagos is mainly due to the isolation of the area for millennia. They are thought to have previously been a peninsula that separated from the mainland during the last 10,000 years. This isolation is notably one of the islands’ most defining influences that have helped to preserve its ecosystems - deeming it unspoiled territory.
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The Islands’ are host to several endemic species of reptiles and amphibians, as well as important aggregations of Palaearctic migrant water birds. Its ocean is home to a wide variety of reef fish, humpback whales, marine turtles and spinner as well as humpback and bottlenose dolphins, marlins, barracudas and the largest and only remaining population of dugongs (cow fish) in the Western Indian Ocean. Popular for its varied coral reefs and unharmed marine life the main tourist attraction is snorkelling and scuba diving alongside the very wild and rustic mystical and magical qualities of the African Paradise which add to the unforgettable experience.
The Islands have a lush tropical climate with perfect temperatures for forestry and fauna to thrive. These include: sand dunes, forest, savannah and inland lakes which are home to flamingos and crocodiles, and wetlands. The Bazaruto Archipelagos was officially inaugurated as a National Park in 1971, it was created to protect the dugong and marine turtles, and their habitats. It is considered to be a conservation paradise with very little human activity present to be considered as a threat to its natural fauna and flora and is recognised by the WWF as a Gift to the Earth.
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Besides its ecology it also comes with a rich history that managed to place Bazaruto Islands on the map as a luxury tourist destination. Within close proximity of the largest of the six Islands (Bazaruto Island) which expands for about 40km, is Santa Carolina also known as Paradise Island. This particular Island is 3km from one point to the next and is considered to be the Gem of the archipelagos because of its immaculate coral reefs, bleached white sand and crystal clear turquoise water. Due to the country’s civil war, most of Mozambique’s tourist infrastructure was abandoned, in particular a luxury hotel founded by flamboyant tradesman Jochim Alves. The Hotel Santa Carolina, was built in 1962 and was popular amongst wealthy Rhodesians, South Africans, and American celebrities such as Bob Dylan, Elton John and Marilyn Monroe.
similarly desolate, except for a possible few locals who inhabit the island and live off of its produce, although Bazaruto Island is booming with development while still remaining within the limitations of a national park, it boasts exclusive luxury In 1973 whilst the country resorts with private beach was in the midst of Civil areas that provide a serene war Jochim Alves decided atmosphere of isolation and to abandon the property privacy needed for those leaving it in the hands of the seeking rest and a truly employees who remained on remote experience of nature. the Island with nothing left but possibly the resounding Providing facilities that enable notes played on the ivory one to experience the serenity keys by Bob Dylan dangling in of nature while dining on the the air. It is now a beautifully beach at twilight with a clear preserved historical site that view of vast clear night skies tells a story of charm and and warm shallow waters it embodies the essence of excitement once savoured. deepest darkest Africa. Most of the Islands are Be it a need to escape the
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superficiality of city life or a chance to embrace nature at its purest the Bazaruto Archipelagos welcomes those with a passion for mother acts as a retreat in the depths of nature, so well preserved that allows us to appreciate the Earth in which we live.
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PRO TRAVEL
Honeymoon
Destinations By Danette Swanepoel
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h finally you have been waiting for this day for a long time and now it has finally arrived. Many newlyweds will know the feeling, but we are not talking about the wedding we are talking about the honeymoon! It is believed that the idea of a newlywed couple taking a holiday together originated in 19th Century Great Britain.
It was popular during this era for newlyweds of a privileged social class would take what was referred to as a “bridal tour� to visit their relatives who were not able to attend the wedding ceremony. It was also believed that this is the perfect time for the couple to spend a lot of time together as the first month of the marriage is the sweetest. These days
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the honeymoon is seen as a way for the newlywed couple to share some time together privately which helps to establish a loving bond in the relationship. When picking a honeymoon destination it is easy to feel like a kid in a candy store with the variety that is on offer. One has to take into account things like what season it will be and
also what the costs involved are going to be, but other than that there is no limit to where you can go. For the romantics and wine lovers a visit to the Cape Winelands and areas such as Franschoek and Paarl is a good option. With
majestic
views
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and
glorious vineyards it is seen as one of the most romantic South African honeymoon destinations With a wide variety of hotels and guesthouses to choose from there is something to suit every personality. One prime example is Mountain Shadows Country Manor which is a Cape Dutch style guesthouse that is situated on a working wine and olive farm. If you are looking to go more internationally with this kind of experience why not consider a trip to Bordeaux in the south of France. Here you can visit any of more than 362 historical building and taste some of the best wine in the world. On your way back you might even pop in to the city of love itself, Paris! If pristine beaches and picturesque sunsets are more what you are looking for why not consider a trip to Mozambique. With white beaches and a rich marine life it might feel as if you’ve woken up in Hawaii but Mozambique has a charm all it’s own and is a country rich with African culture. The Azura Lodge on Benguerra Island is a peaceful and beautiful getaway to consider.
a variety of watersports to choose from this is a must for any sunlover’s. The Anantara Phuket Villas is luxurious and has a rich cultural flair about it. Be sure to book these a long time in advance as they are very popular. Another gorgeous beach destination is one of my favourites Greece. Mykonos and especially Santorini are well known for their soft sandy strips of beach, their crystal blue waters and the typical greek architecture of the surroundings. There are many hotels and resorts in the area that cater especially for newlyweds and strive to pamper with various spa treatments, picnics in secluded hideaways and indulgent dinners on the beach.
What about something different? What about a skiing honeymoon…even if you don’t want to take a tumble in the snow there are still tranquil and beautiful destinations where you can relax and cozy up to each other in front of the fireplace. Whistler in Canada is quiet and peaceful and the snowcapped peaks of the coast mountain range lend it a mystical and magical flair. Here you can take to the skiAnother great beach slopes, go on mountain biking destination is Phuket in trails or just take in stunning Thailand. Patang beach on vistas from your cabin, you the island of Phuket has been might even spot a black bear. rated Thailand’s most beautiful and most popular beach. With The Nita Lake lodge is built glorious beaches, a diverse right on the Whistler lake and and thriving marine life and was rated one of the top 25
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ski lodges in Canada and the US, so why not pop in for a visit.
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Then there are also those individuals who would prefer more of a safari and big five adventure on their honeymoon and we are on the perfect continent for that. A visit to the Kruger National Park might meet these expectations but why not go all out and book into the Londolozi Lodge. This lodge is luxurious but also true to the environment that surrounds it. Nestled in the middle of the Kruger National Park this lodge has been established in 1926 and will give you an African experience not to be missed. Here experienced trackers can take you on a romantic game drive where you can spot all members of the big five and many more. With fine dining restaurants and quiet secluded villas this is the perfect African honeymoon. The aforementioned ideas and destinations are not the only on offer. There is a range of affordable cruises such as the MSC cruise to the Portuguese Islands which is spectacular as well. The list of destinations is endless. Take the time and plan exactly what you want to do, it is a very worthwhile investment in your relationship. Dream big and most of all just enjoy each other!
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Back in time did. Instead they used chocolates for only sweets and desserts. In the 19th Century a man by the name of John Cadbury developed an emulsification process to make solid chocolate. By doing so he created the modern chocolate bar.
history of
CHOCOLATE by Venezia Fanner
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John Cadbury was proprietor of a small chocolate business in Birmingham, England that later became part of Cadbury plc - one of the world's largest chocolate producers up to date. However, for hundreds of years the process of making chocolate never changed. Many changes occured when the Industrial Revolution started, bringing about the great sweet candy we know today to life. Mechanical Mills that squeezed out cocoa butter were created in the 18th Century, which in turn helped create hard, durable chocolate.
hat's best served with a chick flick and a side dish of tissues? Chocolate! Now we all (or most of us at least) love It took the arrival of the Industrial Revolution chocolate but how much do you know about to put the Mechanical Mills to bigger and better use. Shortly after the Industrial Revolution it? cooled down, companies started to advertise Chocolate originates from Mesoamerica this new invention to sell many of the - a region and cultural area in the chocolate treats we see on our shelves today. As soon as new machines were manufactured Americas. people began experiencing and consuming You might have heard, chocolate played a big the wonder that is chocolate worldwide. role in the Mayan and Aztec royal and religious events. Priests presented cocoa beans as offerings to the Gods. They also used to only serve cocoa beverages at sacred ceremonies.
Chocolate was also used as medicine. By the time it made its way to Europe, the Europeans sweetened it with refined sugar and milk. However the people of Mesoamerica didn't add any of these ingridients in their chocolate. Europeans didn't integrate it into their everyday diets as the people of Mesoamerica 52
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Besides the fact that cocoa is originally from the Americas, two-thirds of the world's cocoa is grown in Western Africa today. Cote d'lvoire AKA the Ivory Coast produces almost half of the cocoa. Let's get to why chocolate is called chocolate. The origins of the word "chocolate" is thought to come from the Classical Nahuatl word "xocolatl" - meaning "bitter water". So not only does it taste amazing, it has a pretty rich history as well.
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IN EVERY ISSUE
Terrific Tales Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others, including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all constructed boats and left. Except for Love.
Sadness was close by so Love asked, “Sadness, let me go with you.” “Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!” Sadness woefully replied.
Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy Love was the only one who stayed. Love wanted to hold that she did not even hear when Love called her. out until the last possible moment. Suddenly, there was a voice, “Come, Love, I will take When the island had almost sunk, Love decided to ask you.” It was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love for help. even forgot to ask the elder where they were going. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went her own Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love way. Realizing how much was owed the elder, Love said, “Richness, can you take me with you?” asked Knowledge, another elder, “Who Helped me?” Richness answered, “No, I can’t. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you.” Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel. “Vanity, please help me!” “I can’t help you, Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat,” Vanity answered.
“It was Time,” Knowledge answered. “Time?” asked Love. “But why did Time help me?” Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, “Because only Time is capable of understanding how valuable Love is.”
http://theocgproject.com/2012/07/21/a-fable-of-love-and-time-author-unknown/
Cliques & Crews
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f you are passionate about and like meeting and interacting with new people who love food as much as you do, then the Sa culinary club is a great place to experience.
Frequently hosting cooking and baking demonstrations, this club always has something new on the menu when entertaining guests. You don’t have to be a chef or even a great cook to attend, all you need is a appetite for the culinary arts. More professional cooking enthusiast will also gain much from the experience as there is always a chef or company taking you into the world of indulgence. It is bound to test your skills and entice your taste buds. There is a monthly newsletter that keeps enthusiasts and members informed of upcoming events. Meetings generally occur on Saturdays and everyone is welcome. For more information go to http://www.saculinaryclub.co.za/
Your world of cooking awaits. Profusion Magazine
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Quote
If it were not for hopes, the heart would break - Thomas fuller (1608-1661)
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In our next issue:
Austria getting your winter wardrobe ready health and safety at home understanding easter