Mirror Maze Exhibit

A mirror is an object that reflects an image. Light that bounces off a mirror will show an image of whatever is in front of it, when focused through the lens of the eye or a camera.

Mirrors reverse the direction of the image in an equal yet opposite angle from which the light shines upon it. This allows the viewer to see themselves or objects behind them, or even objects that are at an angle from them but out of their field of view, such as around a corner.

Natural mirrors have existed since prehistoric times, such as the surface of water, but people have been manufacturing mirrors out of a variety of materials for thousands of years, like stone, metals, and glass. In modern mirrors, metals like silver or aluminum are often used due to their high reflectivity, applied as a thin coating on glass because of its natu- rally smooth and very hard surface.

A maze is a path or collection of paths, typically from an entrance to a goal. The word is used to refer both to branching tour puzzles through which the solver must find a route, and to simpler non-branching patterns that lead unambiguously through a convoluted layout to a goal. The pathways and walls in a maze are typically fixed, but puzzles in which the walls and paths can change during the game are also categorised as mazes or tour puzzles

Mirror Maze

The mirror maze itself is a pattern, combining several characteristics of geometric patterns: repetition, symmetry and tessellation using repeated equilateral triangles. These triangles fit together without any gaps or overlaps, creating a tessellation. Mirrored surfaces all around reflect the pattern so that it repeats and appears infinite.

The below has been sent to us by False Bay College via MediaPortal. We have edited the article slightly.

Building Resilient Entrepreneurs with False Bay TVET College

It is becoming evident that entrepreneurship is as essential to reducing economic hardship and unemployment as it is to improve the economy.

False Bay TVET College, through the Centre for Entrepreneurship, Rapid Incubator (CFERI), have developed several student-focused entrepreneurship development activities and interventions to prepare them for entrepreneurship and self-employment. Delivered through strategic partnerships with public and private sectors, the main incubation programme is funded through the Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA).

The result since its establishment 7 years ago, the CFERI has:

• Trained 5763 TVET students.

• Supported 702 SMME Clients (within the geographical footprint of the College Campuses)

• Helped create 110 new SMME’s which resulted in

• 226 new jobs

This concept is used in business development, where those in start-ups are incubated from the initiation stage to a stage where the business can thrive on its own. Business incubators offer business support services such as bespoke business management training, coaching, and mentoring, linking businesses to markets and finance opportunities, and offering equipment and space for businesses to operate until they reach sustainability.

Examples of courses are:

• Furniture and Metal Fabrication Mini Factory - With tools, welding, milling, and turning equipment.

• Maker’s Space - Computers with engineering and general design software, 3D printing, laser cutting and vinyl cutting equipment.

• Coding Lab - Consisting of a 10-seater computer lab for the benefit of entrepreneurs in the ICT, digital, and design Industries.

• Drone Accelerator Facility - Fitted with high-performance 3D printers, milling and electronics for entrepreneurs who venture into the drone operation, maintenance, and manufacturing space.

Changing the mindset: Entrepreneurship and Student Engagement

Students are made aware of the College CFERI services during their orientation, but it’s not enough to entice someone with an idea to bring it to fruition.

The College CFERI was instrumental and a key driver in coordinating and unlocking the partnership with Allan Gray for the Northern & Western Cape Allan Gray & Future Managers 1st Regional TVET Intercollege Entrepreneurship Competition 2022. Based on the success of the first event, the National TVET Intercollege Entrepreneurship Competition will be an annual occurrence.

False Bay TVET College CFERI hosted the inaugural DHET Entrepreneurship Best Practices workshop in 2022.

False Bay TVET College CFERI is proud to be setting the trajectory to SMME development and sustainability for future employers.

The below article has been sent to us by The Dynaste Communication Firm (www.thedtc.co.za). It is a great discussion about why we should seriously consider TVETs as the tertiary education.

We have edited the article slightly.

Reasons why school leavers should consider going to TVET colleges

Recognizing the shortfall of specialized skills in South Africa, the government created “Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)” Colleges. These institutions aim at making accredited vocational training more accessible. The knowledge about TVETs could be better when compared to that of other educational institutions.

This oversight, says Vimala Ariyan, the CEO of Star Schools, is robbing young people of the opportunity to use technical education as a launch pad into their future.

“TVET institutions are excellent places to study and develop vocational or occupational skills such as those required in Building and Construction, Hospitality, Culinary, Tourism, Information Technology and many more occupations that respond to our fast-changing skills-demand across sec- tors. As a result, these programmes will encourage self-learning, independence and provide learners with employment opportunities” says Vimala Ariyan.

Here are some more reasons why TVET can be an option for you:

Increased job opportunities

Most employers require qualifications for certain roles at their company. As many industry practices continue to evolve, attending TVET Colleges will provide one with the opportunity to keep one’s skills current while also learning something new.

Furthermore, TVET colleges offer a wide variety of qualifications and courses in the most in-demand skill sectors, amplifying the opportunities available to students.

Courses are externally and independently quality assured

Students who study at a TVET College can be assured their qualifications are accredited and recognised by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). Courses are also moderated, and quality assured by the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs).

Hands on experience

Experience is something most employers want from their prospective employees, however, as a new job seeker this is often lacking. TVET colleges offer hands-on practical experience in the workplace as part of the programme.

Says Vimala: “Attending A TVET College is so much more than just getting a qualification and finding a job. There has been an increase in the number of TVET graduates being hired by businesses in recent years. Learners must take advantage of the opportunities provided by TVET colleges to pursue a vocational career and position themselves in the labour market”

Cars by non-car makers

Maybe we all would like to be car owners one day. The dream of driving around in something shiny and dramatic and fashionable.

There are indeed choices: Ford, Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes and the list goes on.

But maybe we could also look at other car manufactuers – the non-car manufacturers? Yes, like Samsung, LG, Google, Bosch and so on. We may be surprised, but yes, there are other players.

I found something very funny here.

There is one I really like: the LG car! Imagine you buy the fridge and the cellphone and a car from the same company? Sounds weird, but …

I cannot find a lot of info on the thing, but there are a few videos of what it can do.

First of all, it is ‘life-size’. You can stand inside it without bumping the head on the roof. It gets better: it will assign a seat for you. You may take off your jacket and get comfy. If so, it will roll out a compartment where you can hang the jacket!

Fancy a cool drink? There is a little fridge for you. What about watching the movie? Your personal screen! Speakers directed at you only.

There must be a motor somewhere. But hey, it looks like it can drive in any direction. Is there a need for a steering wheel? Not really. It is self-driving anyway.

It was displayed at the CES car show in 2020. And LG is busy doing more in this field.

Google got into it as well. The cutest ‘car’ of them all: The Waymo Google Firefly.

Wiki: In fall 2015, Google provided “the world’s first fully driverless ride on public roads” to a legally blind friend of principal engineer Nathaniel Fairfield. The ride was taken by Steve Mahan, former CEO of the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center, in Austin, Texas.

It was the first entirely driverless drive on a public road. It was not accompanied by a test driver or police escort.

The car had no steering wheel or floor pedals. By the end of 2015, Project Chauffeur had driven more than a million self-driven miles.

Let us look at it (my opinion). What if we buy the car platform from somewhere. It is of course electric so we just need the wheels and the mechanical parts.

The wheels should be spheres so it can drive in any direction, even side-ways.

But now we get to the interesting bit: What will set it apart from a traditional car? Not the amount of horsepower or acceleration. As a matter of fact, as it is electric it is probably faster than normal cars anyway.

Seats and comfort? Not really, because who says that it must be two seats in ‘front’ and two seats in the ‘back’? if there is no real ‘front’ or back’? the cabin could easily be round and we sit around a round table in a circle? And the ability to turn our seat around so we can look out and see the nice weather as we drive somewhere?

It has to be self-driving and that means there is no need for pedals or steering wheel or such boring things. As a matter of fact, why would there even be a dash board with all kinds of dials and things?

We get closer to the real break-through now. If it is not the mechanical parts or the ‘motor’ or the badge that is important, then what is important? The answer is easy: software.

Self-driving is software. Start and stop and avoiding potholes are all software dependent. Finding the best route (google maps?) is software. Show a movie while we are ‘driving’ (or being driven) is software.

Make a phone call? Software. Have a pepsi from the mini-bar and let the ‘car’ tell you to stock up again? Software.

Find something that will distinguish the ‘car’ from a traditional BMW and we will say software. There it is.

So for designing and building the ‘car’ of the future, we need to turn to software companies and just buy the mechanical pieces from the mechanical experts (BMW, VW etc.).

And who are the software companies out there? Google, Samsung, LG and Facebook spring to mind, but we also need to include the gaming software companies. They know about controls.

Of course it needs to be ‘connected’ and that is into 5G networks – for now. But the near future is 10G and the goal which is in reach is 400G networks.

… all tied to the ‘cloud’ and that is where your ‘car’ is a component.

Welcome to your new car, operated via your cell phone!

What is NSFAS?

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government entity under the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET)

What does NSFAS do?

Supports access to and success in, higher education and training for students from poor and working-class families who would otherwise not be able to afford the cost of studies at a public university or Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college.

•Provides financial aid to eligible students who are studying or plan to study at any of the 50 TVET colleges or the 26 public universities in South Africa

•Identifies students who qualify for the bursary

•Provides bursaries to students

Who qualifies for NSFAS funding?

• All South African citizens

• All SASSA grant recipients

• Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum

• Persons with disabilities with a combined household income of not more than R600 000 per annum

• Students who started studying at a university before 2018 and whose household income is not more than R122 000 per annum

What does the NSFAS bursary cover?

• Registration

• Tuition

• Book allowance

• Accommodation allowance

• Transport allowance

• Food allowance

• Personal care allowance

Does the NSFAS bursary offer any additional support for students with disabilities?

Yes, NSFAS further supports funded students with disabilities through an additional allowance that covers:

• Medical assessments

• Assistive devices

• Human support to cover for the cost of a caregiver, guide dog, scribe or tutor.

How, where and when can one apply for NSFAS?

The 2021 application season will be communicated through media, social media and the NSFAS website www.nsfas.org.za.

Applications are submitted online through the NSFAS website: www.nsfas.org.za

To apply for NSFAS funding students must have a registered myNSFAS account

If you plan to study in 2021 and require support from NSFAS, you may open your myNSFAS account now to keep updated with the latest funding information.

Connect with us using the following channels:

National Student Financial Aid Scheme myNSFAS myNSFAS

NSFAS Connect: www.nsfas.org.za and log into your myNSFAS account

NSFAS Connect gives you access to quick facts and frequently asked questions. Applicants and students can also submit and track a query for further assistance.

Super bowl – the money and hype

We have written about what Super Bowl is. No need to go into great detail, but let us just recap. Wiki says: “The Super Bowl is the annual final playoff game of the National Football League (NFL) to determine the league champion. It has served as the final game of every NFL season since 1966.” Sort of the soccer world cup in American football.

Viewers: “The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched annual sporting events in the world, with viewership overwhelmingly domestic. The only other annual event that gathers more viewers is the UEFA Champions League final. More than 100 million people from the United States alone are tuned into the Super Bowl at any given moment.” That is a lot of people and that should mean money?

The Super Bowl provides an extremely strong lead-in to programming following it on the same channel, the effects of which can last for several hours. Because of this strong coattail effect, the network that airs the Super Bowl typically takes advantage of the large audience to air an episode of a hit series or to premiere the pilot of a promising new one in the lead-out slot, which immediately follows the Super Bowl and post-game coverage

Early Super Bowls featured a halftime show consisting of marching bands from local colleges or high schools; but as the popularity of the game increased, a trend where popular singers and musicians performed during its pre-game ceremonies and the halftime show, or simply sang the national anthem of the United States, “America the Beautiful” or “Lift Every Voice And Sing” emerged. Unlike regular season or playoff games, thirty minutes are allocated for the Super Bowl halftime

“Super Bowl commercials have become a cultural phenomenon of their own alongside the game itself, as many viewers only watch the game to see the commercials.

Many Super Bowl advertisements have become well known because of their cinematographic quality, unpredictability, surreal humor, and use of special effects. The use of celebrity cameos has also been common in Super Bowl ads.

As such, advertisers have typically used commercials during the Super Bowl as a means of building awareness for their products and services among this wide audience, while also trying to generate buzz around the ads themselves so they may receive additional exposure, such as becoming a viral video.

Money! and a lot of it

The prominence of airing a commercial during the Super Bowl has carried an increasingly high price. The average cost of a 30-second commercial during the Super Bowl increased from $37,500 at Super Bowl I to around $2.2 million at Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000. By Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, the cost had doubled to around $4.5 million, and by Super Bowl LVI in 2022, the cost had reached up to $7 million for a 30-second slot.

The advertising revenue for 2022 was (estimate!) some $545 million. That is nearly R10 billion!

Merchandising is probably some $1,6 billion.

From here: (https//www.thestreet.com/lifestyle/sports/super-bowl-revenue) Every year Fox, CBS (VIAB) - Get Free Report and NBC collectively pay the NFL $3 billion for the rights to broadcast the league’s games. This deal includes the rotating right for one of these three networks to host the Super Bowl. In 2022, NBC (CMCSA) - Get Free Report broadcast the game. Fox has the rights this year.

The NFL in 2021 signed an 11-year media rights deal for about $110 billion with CBS, NBC, Fox (NWSA) - Get Free Report, ESPN, Amazon (AMZN) - Get Free Report, which will begin in 2023, according to a New York Times report”

This is insane money!

Because of the overall buzz surrounding [the commercial], commercials aired during the Super Bowl receive additional airplay and exposure outside of the game as well, such as during newscasts and morning shows.

Since 2000, CBS has aired an annual television special prior to the game, Super Bowl’s Greatest Commercials, which showcases notable Super Bowl ads from prior games. In recent years, the network has allowed viewers to vote for their favorite Super Bowl ads to be featured during the special.

Voting for your favourite commercial? really?

The NFL does not pay the halftime show performers an appearance fee, though it covers all expenses for the performers and their entourage of band members management, technical crew, security personnel, family, and friends.

It is a distinct honour to perform and it enhances the performers reputation. But be aware: there is a lot of controversy on this as well. Who is performing? What is the theme? Do they behave? (Timberlake didn’t, Stones didn’t and so on).

It is all very USA and very patriotic. And of course very politically now.

Balloons - for fun and spying

Balloons! It conjures up images of ‘happy birthday’ and other occasions. However, what we have seen recently are a bit more than that. Now suddenly we are exposed to balloons which can fly to the edge of space and even being maneuverable. And these things are huge!

I found something here and of course from Wiki.

Balloon technology has been around for thousands of years. Filling a bag with a gas that is (in essence) lighter than air is no big science.

The ‘real deal’ probably came about in 1783 with the Montgolfier brothers. Here we see the first flight with people onboard. All powered by a balloon where the air inside got heated with some sort of fire.

If we look at modern-day balloons for leisure, they have all kind of shapes, but the common denominator seems to be a ‘fire’ (gas tank!) producing hot air inside the shroud.

The shroud is typically nylon and the innards contain ‘strips’ holding the wicker basket. All in all, not too different from 1784.

Let us turn to the hot items: heigh-altitude balloons.

First of all, these balloons fly far above any commercial airliner. Typically above 20 km (humans cannot survive altitudes above 20 km without pressure suits) and 100 km (where astrodynamics takes over from aerodynamics). This is all defined as ‘near-space’.

These balloons are typically made of very thin polyethylene. It is basically cling-wrap and is about a tenth of a millimeter thick.

Why do we use balloons? And what are they used for?

It is CHEAP! And they can carry a decent payload after all.

They are used as weather balloons, research of stratosphere, near-space ‘weather’ and a lot of other things.

… and for spying! It is a cheap way of gaining info, being it pics, telemetry, weather and all kind of things.

We may wonder how to maneuver a balloon? Doesn’t it just fly around with the wind? That is exactly the thing!

Wind may have all kind of different directions based on the altitude. Changing altitude may catch the wind blowing in the direction we want to go.

On top of: they fly so slowly so the defense radars do not pick them up.

Those radars are calibrated to ignore slow-moving things and focus on fast jets.

Who has been doing some trips to very high altitude? The two latest ones are Baumgartner and Alan Eustace.

Remember Baumgartner? He flew up to 38,969 km and jumped. He reached terminal velocity before releasing the parachute. This was the first of the ‘dare-devils’.

Alan Eustace is a retired vice-president of Google (believe it or not) and got up to 41,42 km before jumping.

Where Baumgartner was in a capsule, Eustace hang suspended underneath the balloon.

Of course they were in some space suits. Temperature would be about minus 90 degrees (or less!).

Let us make an educated guess! If Branson wants to fly ‘space tourists’ up to 40 km+ we could maybe use a balloon for that? More people, more time in ‘near-space’, cheaper and so on.

And lo and behold! Some companies are doing exactly that.

Zero 2 Infinity (remember Toy

Story?) is such a company. It is still in the planning phase, but the aim is to carry up to 4 passengers and 2 pilots to an altitude as high as 36 km. The vehicle would take some 2 hours to reach maximum altitude, and then stay there for up to 2 hours, with a final descent by steerable parachute after releasing the balloon, using airbags to smooth the landing.

World View Enterprises was founded and incorporated in 2012 by a team of aerospace and life support veterans and designs, manufactures and operates stratospheric balloon flight technology and services for a variety of customers and applications, most notably space tourism and stratospheric observation services.

The flight vehicle will carry eight passengers and two crew on an approximately 6-8 hour flight. The flight experience is intended to give passengers a wide-angle and long-duration view of the curvature of the Earth against the blackness of space.

The pressurized capsule is planned to include a restroom, minibar, and communications capabilities for communicating with family and friends below in real-time. In 2018, tickets were being offered for $75,000 with a $7,500 deposit.

On 4 October 2021, World View announced that commercial flights will begin in 2024 out of Spaceport Grand Canyon.

So, let us see where we go.

Upcoming Big Music Events in South Africa 2023

The Year 2023 has started with a big bang in South Africa and during this month of February we have already got to enjoy the Imagine Dragons Mercury World Tour which took place at the Johannesburg’s FNB stadium on February 4.

Then on the next day another huge iconic singer Sting graced our shores. Sting went from being a front man for a three piece band The Police to an award winning Solo artist. He is loved and known by fans of all ages across the globe and he will be coming to the SunBet Arena in Pretoria as well.

Counting Crows: An international pop band that climbed to popularity in the early 2000s with a lot of hits under their belt will at the GrandWest Arena in Cape Town on April 16,

Last but not least: UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell

This famous reggae music band firmly put reggae music from Europe to the whole world selling millions of number one records and gracing international stages. Ali Campbell, lead singer of this band, is back with the group and ready to rock South Africa. they will be coming to the Durban ICC on June 1.

these are some of the few of many concerts that will be taking place in South Africa these coming months of 2023. Be prepared for a great 2023.

HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR CAREER ChooseSubjectsyour

Knowing yourself and your capabilities

Career Planning

For you to pursue your career choice.

You need to pass your National Senior Certificate!

Careerchoice

The Eastern Cape Department of Education encourages learners to choose suitable career path, by collecting information that will help them pursue their career / field of study.