The African Scholar Magazine by African Scholar Magazine

THE

AFRICAN SCHOLAR

IN SUPPORT OF SOUND ACCOUNTING PRACTICES Kashveera Chanderjith

POWERING YOUR FUTURE POWERING YOUR COMMUNITY Love Life

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE MAJORS Tamuwana chido Mhlanga

ANITA NDERU A Fast Rising Star

AN EPITOME OF SUCCESS Zipho Sikhakhane

VOLUME 05 APR-JUN 2013 R24.99

Experience excellence and persona careers.TMM@za.tenovagroup.com Be part of an inspiring, vibrant and dynamic global industry leader, which offers excellent career and personal growth opportunities internationally to both young and experienced engineering graduates in a range of fields including process, chemical, mechanical, electrical and instrumentation, civil, project management and more. For more information visit us at www.tenovagroup.com or e-mail us and include your summary C.V. to careers.TMM@za.tenovagroup.com

Total technology solutions

Emerald Boulevard, Greenstone Hill, Johannesburg, South Africa Phone +27 11 899 9111 Fax +27 11 899 2032 enquiries.TMM@za.tenovagroup.com www.tenovagroup.com

TENOVA is a worldwide supplier of advanced technologies, products

al growth in a vibrant global company

across the mining value chain

and engineering services for the iron & steel and mining industries

GLOBAL LEADERS START HERE

Acha Leke Has worked at McKinsey since 1999 in both Johannesburg and Lagos. Partner at the Johannesburg Office, Acha holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from Stanford. He was selected as a Global Young Leader in 2009, by The World Economic Forum.

www.mckinsey.co.za

From The EDITOR

ABCDEBEERS. Our support for education

helps unlock South Africa’s human wealth.

t is with great pleasure that we bring you another exciting edition of the African Scholar Magazine. We are very happy to have made it this far, and we promise to bring you many more inspiring and motivational issues. As always, we are dedicated to uncovering learning opportunities for academics and intellectuals across the African continent. Remember, our aim is to inform Africa of twice as many scholarships, bursaries and learning opportunities than before. Please take the time to read through all the articles in the magazine. You can focus on one article, or you can read the whole issue at once. Feel free to come back several times to digest the articles slowly and learn more about today’s diverse thinkers and tomorrow’s successful graduates. Remember, diversity is the source of creativity and strengths from which rich interaction and new opportunities emerge within education and the working environment. It provides us with, among other things, the powerful tools of selfmotivation and knowledge. It is because of these tools that people from all walks of life are creating a new era in the African continent. We are therefore honoured to share the stories of so many committed, hardworking and self-motivated people. Please feel free to contact us anytime if you have questions, or share your thoughts and stories with us. Don’t forget, knowledge is power. It is among your most precious assets. Use it every way you can and make it part of you. Whatever the weather, whatever the time, remember: tomorrow is everything. Anabelle Oosthuizen BA, PgDT, BPhil.

The African Scholar Magazine Inspire. Inform. Impact.

E+I 17829

PUBLISHED BY The African Scholar | Office: +27 11 704 5084 Fax: +27 086 626 1231 | info@africanscholar.co.za | www.africanscholar.co.za Contributors Des Squire I Thandi Mc Cloy I Elizabeth Wangu I Yuven Gounden I Raymond Gerson I Tamuwana Mhlanga I Steven Cohen I Lauren James I Chilalo Mumba Design & Layout Tigital Media Tawanda S. Hojane I +27 11 051 4487 I +27 78 800 4487 Printers Burlington Data Print (Pty) Ltd Project & business development Isaac Ndhlovu I isaacn@africanscholar.co.za Marketing & Sales Andrew Mphande I andrewm@africanscholar.co.za Technology & Digital media Dumi I dumim@africanscholar.co.za Accounts Stacey I staceyr@africanscholar.co.za Print & Distribution Alick I alickc@africanscholar.co.za Partnerships, Events & Expo’s Chilalo I chilalom@africanscholar.co.za

www.debeersgroup.com www.diamondroute.com

African Scholar Magazine® Copyright © 2013 African Scholar Magazine. All rights reserved. Requests to lift material should be made to the editor. While every effort has been made by the publisher to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors, or loss incurred as a result.

AfricanScholarMagazine

@AfricanScholars

The African Scholar Magazine

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

CONTENTS FEATURES 10

GROOMING THE NEXT GENERATION ELIZABETH WANGU

16 20

A FAST RISING STAR ANITA NDERU SOUND ACCOUNTING PRACTICES KASHVEERA CHANDERJITH

AFRICA FASHION WEEK - JOHANNESBURG MERCEDES-BENZ

GRADUATE PROGRAM VWSA

AFRICA FACES A BRIGHT FUTURE STEVEN COHEN

32 34

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES IN ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE MAJORS TAMUWANA CHIDO MHLANGA AN EPITOME OF SUCCESS ZIPHO SIKHAKHANE

38 46

HOPE FOR DISCOURAGED STUDENTS RAYMOND GERSON SAVING STUDENTS FROM STRESS LAUREN JAMES

REGULARS 14

MASTER 3D

50 52

MAKING USE OF A PERSONAL BUSINESS AND LIFE MENTOR DES SQUIRE 5 MYTHS THAT COULD BE HOLDING YOU BACK

LIFESTYLE

22 42

POWERING YOU, POWERING THE COMMUNITY LOVE LIFE SAVOURY CHEESE CAKE

CREAMY CHICKEN AND SUNDRIED TOMATO PASTA

www.africanscholar.co.za

10 20

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Grooming the next generation of LEADERS Words By Elizabeth Wangu

frican Leadership Academy (ALA) is a pan African institution that seeks to transform Africa by identifying, developing and connecting the next generation of African leaders. The Academy brings together the most outstanding young leaders from all 55 African nations for an innovative lifelong program with a unique focus on Entrepreneurial Leadership and African studies. ALA’s long-term vision is an audacious one: to develop, empower, and connect transformative young leaders who will enable lasting peace and prosperity on the African continent. It is our vision that, over the next 50 years, ALA will create a network of over 6,000 leaders working

www.africanscholar.co.za

together to address Africa’s greatest challenges and enabling widespread positive change. ALA identifies the most promising 15-19 year-old leaders on the continent and brings them to our campus in South Africa for an innovative, two-year residential pre-university program that includes the globally recognized Cambridge A level curriculum plus ALA’s unique Entrepreneurial Leadership and African studies curriculum.. . In-class, coursework is further reinforced by projects that are studentdesigned and student-led. Every aspect of ALA student life is built around leadership, entrepreneurship, collaboration, and developing concrete solutions to address real social needs on the African continent.

The Academy is a truly pan-African institution that is focused and dedicated to the spirit of transforming Africa. Our leadership model can be distilled into three essential components: Potential: We comb Africa for youth who have demonstrated leadership potential through their solutions to social problems. An example of such potential is 17-yearold Solomon Nii Martey from Ghana, a current first-year ALA student, who using spare parts from mechanical shops, created a unique automated borehole machine that could pump, purify, store, and distribute water in a village in Ghana. The Ghanaian Ministry of Environment heard of Solomon’s project and worked with him to develop and distribute the model to

other villages in Ghana. Over and above the borehole machine, Solomon has also developed an irrigation plant and an automated drying machine. ALA has so far admitted young leaders from over 40 african countries and the selection process ensures a 50:50 gender balance. Practice: We believe that entrepreneurial leaders are developed through years of practice. Through our Entrepreneurial Leadership curriculum, each ALA student learns and practices leadership by working with a small team of peers to build a business or social enterprise, with a faculty sponsor and a Board that provide mentorship, expertise, and a medium of accountability. By running a for-profit business or a social venture, our future leaders experience hands-on training in leadership and management, preparing them to pursue opportunities on the continent. ALA aims to produce multi-sectorial Entrepreneurial leaders so as to comprehensively address Africa’s problems. ALA’s young leaders are already demonstrating their ability to drive change on a continental scale, launching

projects that have the potential to transform Africa. Since ALA’s inception in 2008, ALA young leaders have launched over 30 non-profit and for profit enterprises across Africa. Additionally, five young ALA young leaders have been recognized at the World Economic Forum for the innovative organizations they have launched in their home countries. An example of one of these studentlaunched organizations is COBURWAS, a social leadership and entreprneurship international youth non profit based in Kyangwali refugee camp in Uganda. Opportunity: Because talent is universal but opportunity is not, ALA aims to bridge this gap by connecting thousands of promising African youth to access opportunities they would not otherwise have been able to access. Young leaders are aided and guided by ALA’s powerful, pan- African network along their path to transformative impact. ALA seeks to connect every young leader with the experiences and mentors they require to achieve their desired impact on the continent. For instance, ALA students and Alumni have access to our newly created Africa Careers Network

web portal that connects ALA students to career and internship opportunities across Africa. ALA students also share their ideas at various global forums such as the Mo Ibrahim Youth Forum, the World Economic Forum, Aspen Ideas Festival, TED, The Economist Africa Summit, and many more. Our leadership development formula is relatively simple: we believe that by identifying young leaders with immense potential, enabling them to practice leadership, and connecting them with transformative opportunities, we can develop and empower the next Nelson Mandela, the next Wangari Maathai, and Africa’s Jonas Salk and Steve Jobs. In addition to grooming the next generation of African leaders, ALA also exists to address many of the challenges that Africa currently faces. ALA seeks to address development challenges in Africa such as: the high youth unemployment, the need for more African top talent, the need for more pan-African networks, and the need to transform traditional educational models and curriculums. High youth unemployment in Africa

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

“

When one analyses africa’s challenges over the last 50 years, the root cause to most of these would arguably be the lack of ethical leadership on the continent.

is a major development crisis despite Africa’s recent economic resurgence. 70% of Africa is under the age of 35 and youth unemployment is as high as 83% in countries like Uganda and about 50% in South Africa. By 2050, Africa will have a workforce of 1.2 billion – the largest in the world yet the sectors driving our economic growth are largely extractive industries and are not large employers. We need innovative ways to create jobs for this looming workforce, especially since our current economic and education structure does not allow for enough jobs and job creation capacity for the large number of unemployed youth. ALA’s solution to this demographic dividend challenge is Entrepreneurship, which is the core of our flagship curriculum. We believe that by teaching and nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship, students will be able to see needs and create solutions and opportunities to mitigate this crisis of youth unemployment. Our www. anzisha.org platform aims to support the growth of entrepreneurship skills across African youth by leveraging our unique Entrepreneurial Leadership curriculum. In collaboration with the MasterCard Foundation we also run an annual Anzisha prize to recognize and reward young African entrepreneurs between 15-20 years of age. Another challenge that Africa currently faces that ALA seeks to solve is the need for better pan-African networks and the lack of African talent in the workforce. ALA has welcomed students from over 40 African countries – it is a unique pan-African institution in that the two years that a student is at ALA, he/she will meet over 300 young leaders from across the continent.

www.africanscholar.co.za

ALA develops these networks while the students are young and continues to actively keep these young leaders connected even after they graduate from the Academy. In doing so, ALA creates a network of similar minded young ethical leaders across the continent that will remain connected and collaborate throughout their future careers. The lack of key skills and top talent stands out as a key concern for CEO’s in Africa and is stifling expansion within organizations. In fact, 72% of CEO’s complain about the lack of talent as a major barrier to their expansion plans on the continent. ALA prepares our students to be among the most competitive in the workforce and equips them with key 21st century skills that will enable them to be successful in various sectors across the continent. ALA also seeks to address this talent challenge by linking ALA students and graduates, who are a much sought after pool of African talent, to internship and career opportunities with numerous corporations and organizations across the continent through our Africa Careers Network web portal. Furthermore, traditional education models have emphasized rote learning and memorization, while African educational models will need to encourage creativity and out-ofthe box thinking because we need resourcefulness to be able to address the continent’s most pressing social problems. ALA challenges our students to be problem solvers, entrepreneurial, and to see opportunities where others see challenges. By adopting a spirit of critical inquiry and rewarding creative problem solving, ALA is preparing our young leaders with the skills for

jobs that do not yet exist and to be able to solve problems that have not yet arisen. This innovative model of education is more fitting of the African context in the 21st century, as our youth will need to be entrepreneurial to be able to create opportunities and solve challenges in various sectors. ALA aims to develop agents of positive change When one analyses africa’s challenges over the last 50 years, the root cause to most of these would arguably be the lack of ethical leadership on the continent. For decades and still too often, we invest in addressing the symptoms of bad leadership in Africa: we give blankets, food and medicine to those impacted by war, poverty and famine. But these efforts will never stop unless we develop leaders who prevent wars from occurring in the first place, entrepreneurs who create jobs, and scientists who sustainably increase good production and access to healthcare. ALA’s mission is to transform Africa by addressing this leadership void through the development of the next generation of ethical African leaders. We aim to produce over 6000of these much needed transformative young leaders in the next 50 years. In these and in many vital ways, ALA’s model is critical for the continent’s transformation. In addition to our flagship two year program, ALA has a gap year program and two exciting summer (July-August) programs – the Global Scholars Program and the International Youth Leadership Summit – that are open to students from all over the world, aged 15-19. To learn more, visit www.africanleadershipacademy.org

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

JAN-MAR 2013

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Anita Nderu - A Fast Rising Star She lights up faces of many young Kenyan’s. Anita Nderu is a sensational TV star and has big dreams.

Words by Chilalo Mumba

hank you on behalf of the A/S and its readers for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer our questions. Could you tell us more about yourself, your upbringing and younger years? Not a problem, happy to! And totally honored to be doing this, I didn’t even know anyone knew about me outside East Africa. I’m just a young East African girl with ambition for days, a passion for fashion, an animal lover, positivity is my

www.africanscholar.co.za

mantra, I’m like a 5”5 bundle of energy, smiles and endless stories. I was brought up in Eldoret, a city here in Kenya on a farm, that’s how my love for animals came about I guess. I have three siblings, two brothers and one sister. My parents are the greatest pair of human beings! They gave us the best of everything yet taught us to stay grounded, they were and have always been supportive of all our endeavors. Education

is very important to them and they would keep us in school every single day of the term, not even flu got you a day off! They thought public holidays were a flimsy excuse to miss school! I lived a very sheltered life because my parents made sure that our lives revolved more around school than home and it wasn’t until I went to study in Uganda that I got to do a lot of things on my own, find my passions, and decided what I wanted to do when I was older. After Uganda I permanently moved to Nairobi, started university the same year then one part time job after another. Could you tell us a bit about the events that led to you becoming a presenter on Teen Republik? I was signed under a modelling agency back in 2011 that deals with all sorts of castings. Producer extraordinaire Beatrice Gachagwi was looking for a host for a new teen show to be aired weekly on NTV Kenya. I was among 18 to 20 people who were called in, then shortlisted to 10 for the screen test, Two months after the screen test I was called and told I got the part! I did not believe it until I signed the contract! Growing up, did you always think you were destined for a career in television? Not at all, It was a wish at the back of my mind though, I always thought it was a cool job and would have loved to do it, but I never really saw how one gets from here to there (points at TV), I had even settled for doing management as my major cause I’m good at running things and I love business studies. A career in television just came out of nowhere but I love it! It doesn’t even feel like work! Who inspired you? Terrence J, Sizwe Dhlomo and Namteroo Mdee. Everytime I watched them, I’d have my own TV show in front of the mirror later! They are amazing at what they do. The fame that comes with being on a national platform as big as Teen Republik. What keeps you grounded and what has the experience been like? Fame is treated very differently in Kenya, you can actually continue to live a normal private life! People dont pry, they say hello, ask you a question or two, take pictures and they are off. I don’t know how to be honest but I’ve just never let it get to my head, although I am humbled to be where I am, as young as I am, and while I’m here I want to set a good example. The experience has been amazing! I have met people I never thought I would meet, stood on platforms I never thought I would be on, was on CNN recently (yeah just had to throw that in there!), I am on the African Scholar magazine now! Not forgetting the perks that come with being in the media industry! Above all though, it is the positive difference I have made in the lives of amazing youth that I have met! I love mentoring the youth! It has all just been an amazing

experience! A massive blessing from God! Can you describe to us what a typical day for you is like? Lately I would be up around 6.30am-7am get started on an assignment or term paper that is soon to be due, or read through the notes put up on the blackboard, be at work around 10am, leave at 3pm to go about my list of errands, catch the 4.30 bus to university, leave school at 9.20pm, get home around 10.30pm, check online for sales so I can stock up LOLA Kenya(An online store owned by my sister and I), sleep around 11.30pm-midnight, start the routine over the next day. Except exam weeks, those are just hectic days with just 3 hours of sleep each. You are pursuing a degree in Business Management at the American University, what plans do you have after your undergraduate degree? I will still be pursuing my TV career! I would love to work for MTV, Channel O or E! My management degree is what I hope will come in handy when I am applying for a job at an NGO or starting my own, or youth ministry. Whatever I end up doing in the future with that degree I pray is something that makes a positive difference in another human being’s life or animal’s life, especially those suffering on a daily basis, not just meeting targets and making profits! And how do you manage to apportion your time between work and studies? Fortunately the head of our department is very particular about school and has my shoots for the show synchronized carefully with my class. Then again all my classes are in the evening so I basically have all day to work. During exam week I’m given the week off or I shoot very early in the morning. It all just works out somehow. Apart from Teen Republik and your studies what other activities are you involved in? I run an online store with my sister called LOLA Kenya. I have two projects that I am working on that are still in their early stages, one is to do with Animal protection and the other to do with finding a way to help the less fortunate youth make it to school daily without trecking for hours because they cannot afford bus fares. I am a stylist and style everything from TV shows, Music Videos to Photo Shoots. I’m an event organizer occasionally, also very good at executing plans at an Events and PR company called Nairobi VIP run by Grace Makosewe. And lastly a model! Fashion is one of my passions!

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

What inspires and drives you to persevere? Knowing that I am very fortunate to be where I am, puts me in check every day. I love what I do so it doesn’t take much effort to get up every morning! I also pay my own tuition (After I started earning a salary I just thought it would be fair to) so I know it is important to work hard so that no semester comes around and I am unable to meet the payments. Above all I just want to create a future for myself that my parents and siblings will be proud of! Be the kind of role model my sister can look up to! And continue to be an inspiration to everyone who looks up to me! Where would you like to see yourself in ten years? Alive! And presenting E! News with Terrence J or News anchoring at CNN. Running or working for an NGO that protects the rights of animals, not just the endangered ones but even the stray ones on the street with a successful adopt a pet or animal program. Running a youth program that brings bright ideas to life and a game changer in the fashion industry. Yes, I hope my multi tasking skills will still be strong then!

hardworking, kind, caring, values education(she keeps finding different classes to attend every year) she is one of a kind. The hurdles she has crossed and still remains the way she is? There is no one I look up to more! Plus she’s my number one fan! Over the years she topped my list of people I admire no one has kicked her off yet! But my dad is a close second. As a Magazine, our primary focus is the promotion of Higher Education on the continent. What advice can you render to African Scholars, especially young female students on the importance of education, and what part can they play towards developing our continent? We are nothing without education. All the jobs and money in this world will never equal the pride and honor that comes with that degree hanging on your wall! Africa is spilling over with resources, we need innovators! Let us be the change we want to see! Let us use education as our tool for turning Africa into a super power that sustains itself! Let us use education as our tool to eradicate poverty and suffering, create opportunities for others, for it is through giving that

“

We are nothing without education. All the jobs and money in this world will never equal the pride and honor that comes with that degree hanging on your wall!

What’s the most important lesson life has taught you? It has taught me several! Can’t decide which one tops the list! Everything genuinely happens for a reason and how you react to what happens can make or break you! You are your own best friend or your own worst enemy! When more than one person complains about the same thing to you, well it is probably true! And when people hate on you, love them and keep them close so that they can watch you succeed! Nothing hurts them more.

we receive. Use education as your key to a better future for yourself and the family you hope to have in the future. Be an inspiration to all who meet you.

Which living African do you most admire and why? My mother! I have never met a woman like her! She is passionate, positive minded, so charitable, super

Would you recommend our Magazine to anyone else? I definitely would! It is very educative and informative. A must read especially for the youth.

Old Mutual Graduate Accelerated Programme

Go green

Are you a well-rounded achiever wanting to make your mark in a career in financial services? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re serious about investing in talented individuals who are eager to move forward. As a leading provider of investment and savings solutions, Old Mutual is alive with possibilities. Individual talents, creativity, enthusiasm, as well as a hunger for growth are recognised and equally rewarded. Old Mutual is built on a proud heritage, the quality of its people and their passion for making a difference to the future of South Africa. Experience diverse career possibilities, competitive rewards and an opportunity to achieve great things!

omms 05.2012 T3750

www.oldmutual.co.za/gap

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

In support of sound Accounting Practices Words by Yuven Gounden

www.africanscholar.co.za

“

The profession is a very rewarding one even though the road is demanding, do not despair – instead work hard. A CA(SA) after your name is well worth the long journey!”

not despair – instead work hard. A CA(SA) after your name is well worth the long journey! My journey to success has been a very long one, obviously with many upheavals and downfalls, but it has been a very fruitful one at the end. . I also ensured that I studied hard at school, and at university and even when I wrote my professional qualifying examinations. I used to sit in the front of the class or in the front of a lecture room, and still have the habit even in a meeting to sit in the front. My road has been a long one, one fraught with many challenges, but onward we must journey for the wheels of time halt for none. ” says Kashveera. “I have client-facing roles which require extensive interpersonal skills. My clients have been more than understanding, most of them actually amazed and inspired. I have spread deaf awareness through corporate channels as well through a multitude of client interactions and have had the great fortune to break many perceptions including the perception that the deaf are dumb, which they are not, unless they choose to be. My struggle for inclusiveness is far from over, overcoming barriers was part of the journey. There were instances when I was mocked at, or made fun of, because I sounded different, but then I always rose above that, and strived to see goodness in everyone and everything. There were times when I was discriminated against, but that along with being painful gave me the great strength to get up and face my battle head on. There was this constant human rights battle which my father spearheaded for the vast majority of my life: the right to dignity, the right to education and the right to be free and heard,” says an insightful Chanderjith. Kashveera is currently employed at Anglo American, a diversified mining company as part of their business assurance services. In this role, Chanderjith is responsible for dealing with risk, ethics, governance, forensics, and internal audits. The CA(SA) profession has amassed a reputation that is unrivalled worldwide. The only way that this good reputation can be sustained is if competent and credible professionals join its ranks and add to the growing brand. It is clear that a CA(SA) of the stature of Kashveera will do just that!

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

he main tenet behind Yann Martel’s bestseller, Life of Pi, is that one needs adversity in order to enable one to survive. Readers were in awe of how the narrator, young Piscine Molitor Patel, found himself stranded on a boat after a violent storm saw all passengers and crew dead, including his brother and parents. He also had a zebra, a hyena , an Orangutan and a Bengal tiger for company. Whilst journeying to nowhere, his attention was focused on a weird duality: that of surviving on a seemingly merciless ocean and to also avoiding the carnivorous instinct of the majestic tiger when he happened to be the sole survivor. Piscine is adamant that had it not been for the tiger, he would not have survived. A fascinating parallel to Piscine and his life changing experience is reflected in the likes of Kashveera, South Africa’s first deaf Chartered Accountant. Like Piscine, Kashveera refused to let her deafness get in the way of her dreams, ambitions and philosophies. She refused to allow her “disability” to destroy her; instead, her apparent “shortcoming” actually defines her! The tenacity of this youngster grew from a young and tender age and she learnt to be resilient and to not let the odd insult, malicious teasing and the blatant door slamming deter her. Paradoxically, it made her more resolute and went a long way to systematically constructing a self-esteem so tough that it makes titanium seem like play dough. Part of the baking of Kashveera’s clay came from her parents who refused to give up. This added impetus to Kashveera’s development and phenomenal growth. This is indicative of Kashveera’s option of not attending a school for the deaf and not learning sign language! “What is normal?” quips this jovial lass. After enduring sometimes excruciating peer pressure and finding a niche, she achieved five distinctions in her matric year- this at a normal school. A remarkable achievement indeed! She then enrolled to do her Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) with a Deloitte bursary. She graduated within three years, without failing a single subject, and became the first deaf graduate in the history of UKZN. Kashveera then proceeded to do her Honours at UNISA and graduated within one year in 2008. This bright spark also received the Golden Key Award for academic excellence during her first year of study. The next hurdle was to complete her articles for three years at Deloitte Durban, and she passed both her qualifying board examinations on her very first attempt, and then became the first deaf chartered accountant in South Africa [CA(SA)]. Does the profession and deafness seem incongruous? Not for this spirited young lady who has the gift of a very broad vision and the ability to see the proverbial bigger picture. “The profession is a very rewarding one even though the road is demanding, do

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Powering your future Powering your community Volunteering is a great way to empower communities and make a difference, while gaining valuable skills, knowledge and work experience, writes Thandiwe McCloy

s there an issue in society you feel strongly about that makes you want to get up and do something? Do you want to ‘give back’ to your community by making it a cleaner, better place? Are you looking to gain work experience to help you choose the right career or get your foot into a great job? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then volunteering for a cause close to your heart is a good

www.africanscholar.co.za

idea. Volunteering is an expression of wanting to improve another person’s life and make a difference in the world. If you serve your community – be it in a soup kitchen at your church or helping young kids with their homework – not because you get paid, but because you want to, then you are a volunteer. Through volunteering, you gain valuable skills and boost your confidence while working to uplift others. In

short, it gives you the chance to power your own and your community’s future. While volunteer work doesn’t provide financial gain, it offers a range of benefits, such as boosting your sense of self-worth and confidence. loveLife, South Africa’s largest HIV prevention programme for young people, runs its healthy sexuality, positive lifestyle and performing arts programmes through groundBREAKERS and Mpintshis (peer motivators and community mobilisers). loveLife groundBREAKERS have said that among the most important things they gained through participating in the programme are increased self-confidence and the ability to stand up and speak to others about critical issues. Volunteering can also give you work experience to set you on the right career path or help you find employment so you can live a brighter future. You may also meet people who could link you to study and work opportunities. By volunteering, you not only add value to lives and communities, but you also gain a sense of fulfilment in knowing people are living better because of your efforts. If you’re thinking of volunteering, consider what

changes you want to make in the world and what causes you would like to help. You should also look at how much time you have to volunteer, what resources you have to share or donate and the skills you have to offer. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING? • Volunteering promotes personal, economic and social development • Volunteering helps you identify your career goals and options • Volunteering is fun and provides the chance to make new friends • Through volunteering, you could learn about new countries and cultures by meeting people of different backgrounds • Volunteering could improve your self-esteem because you make a positive difference in the world by using your skills, talents and personal qualities • Through volunteering, you may benefit from travel opportunities by contributing to service activities

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013 in other cities, towns and countries • By volunteering, you gain an amazing sense of purpose and belonging through working with others to address societal challenges • Volunteering gives you the chance to improve communities and help others, which feels SO good! It gives you satisfaction, hope, and energy, empowering you in the knowledge that YOU do have the power to make a difference WHAT DO YOUTH HAVE TO SAY ABOUT VOLUNTEERING? Through being a loveLife groundBREAKER, Sbusiso Ntlatleng (27) has been given the wonderful opportunity to volunteer in Germany for six months. “I joined loveLife’s groundBREAKER (gB) Programme in 2008. loveLife gBs implement the organisation’s empowering mix of programmes in schools, youth friendly clinics, community-based organisations and loveLife Y-Centres (youth centres) across South Africa. “I worked as a gB at Lesedi Youth Alive, a communitybased organisation in Rethabiseng township in Bronkhortspruit, an area just outside Pretoria. I first worked as an Mpintshi (volunteer who implements loveLife programmes under the guidance of gBs) and then was promoted to becoming a gB. “I really enjoyed volunteering as a gB because I got to motivate youth and empower them with a range of information, such as the dangers of drug abuse and unplanned pregnancy. I really liked motivating others and sharing my story of how I overcame alcohol abuse and negative friendships to become a better person. “Once my year-long contract was over, I started volunteering at the City of Tshwane, where I still work. My job includes providing sexual health education and being a HIV/Aids counsellor, which involves providing pre and post-test counselling and counselling to ensure that people adhere to their treatment. “I’ve always loved volunteering, so when I heard about the opportunity organised by loveLife and GIZ (a German development agency) to volunteer in Germany, I grabbed the chance. In Germany, I volunteered at an organisation called AIDS Hilfe (AIDS Help), where I do HIV/Aids prevention workshops in schools around Dresden. I’ve learnt new methods of promoting sex education, which I can’t wait to share in South Africa. “In Germany, I really enjoyed the transport system; everything is linked together from the village to the city. Young people go party everywhere and can easily make their way home. I also like how Germans are punctual for work,meetings and workshops. They are a nation at work; everyone works hard and keeps their cities clean. “I would really suggest that you volunteer. It opens

www.africanscholar.co.za

your mind to new things and helps you grow as a person. Today I’m more open minded because it has allowed me to express myself and listen to different views, whilst giving me the chance to travel overseas for the first time. Volunteering has given me the courage to stand infront of thousands of people and share my views. “As a volunteer, I’ve developed my work and networking skills. I’ve empowered myself and two nations.” WHERE CAN I VOLUNTEER? loveLife: If you’re between 12 to 25 years old and live in South Africa, you can volunteer for loveLife through becoming an Mpintshi. As a Mpintshi (volunteer/ friend) you implement loveLife programmes under the mentorship of agroundBREAKER. Once you’ve been an Mpintshi for a year, you can apply to become a groundBREAKER if you are above the age of 18 and have finished school.groundBREAKERS enter into a year-long contract with loveLife and receive a uniform and stipend. A 2007 study conducted by Volunteer and Service Enquiry Southern Africa (VOSESA) found that 90% of graduates of the groundbreaker Programme who were employed, said the programme had strongly influenced their ability to find a job. For more information on the Mpintshi and groundBREAKER Programmes, contact loveLife’s Call Centre on 0800 121 900 or send a Plz Cal Me to 083 323 1023.You can also contact the call centre for sexual health information and telephonic counselling. Visit: www. lovelife.org.za LifeLine: In its effort to promote emotional wellness, LifeLine offers counselling and community dialogues in South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Namibia. These dialogues provide a platform for communities to identify and talk about their most pressing social issues, then find effective ways to dealwith them. Additionally, through its telephonic and face-to-face lay counselling services, LifeLine provides individuals experiencing trauma and distress with much-needed support. If you’re interested in becoming a lay counsellor, LifeLine will take you on a general counselling course. You can then choose to do specialised training in various counselling fields, such as trauma debriefing or HIV counselling. You can also use your time and compassion to start important dialogues in communities. If you have skills in marketing and administration or any other field you think could be valuable, then LifeLine is also open to you volunteering your expertise. For more information on volunteering with LifeLine,

“

Volunteering can also give you work experience to set you on the right career path or help you find employment so you can live a brighter future. You may also meet people who could link you to study and work opportunities. By volunteering, you not only add value to lives and communities, but you also gain a sense of fulfilment in knowing people are living better because of your efforts.”

contact: (011) 715-2000.Visit: www.lifeline.org.za. If you live outside South Africa, click on Our Footprint to get contact details of lifeline offices in other Southern African countries. National Youth Service (NYS) of Namibia: NYS offers opportunities for youth and citizens in general to volunteer. Youth (those between 16 to 35 years old) can volunteerin projects contributing towards realising national plans such as the National Development Plans, Vision 2030 and UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Focus areas include health related programmes, environmental education and conservation, community projects focussing on HIV/Aids and orphaned and vulnerable members of society among many other initiatives. For more information on volunteering for the NYS in Namibia, contact: (+264) 61 415500 or info@nys. com.na Visit: www.nys.com.na Voluntary Service Overseas Jitolee (Kenya) If you live in Kenya, you can get in touch with Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) Jitolee which offers various volunteering opportunities. They run a National Youth Volunteering Scheme with the Ministry of Youth Affairs in Kenya. The programme gives youth

PRAC

TICE

between 18 to 35 years old the chance to volunteer in their communities in structured placements over three months. These volunteer placements focus on addressing development challenges in their communities. VSO Jitolee also runs the International Citizen Service (ICS) programme in Kenya. This is the largest UK youth volunteering programme that involves young people - aged between 18 to 25 - from the UK and Kenya volunteering in communities in Kenya and other developing nations. For more information on volunteering for VSO Jitolee, contact: Carol Kiangura, the National Volunteering Programme Officer at: carol.kiangura@ vsoint.org Visit: www.vsojitolee.org Wherever you are, remember that you could volunteer in a range of activities, from supporting community health workers to provide health education to assisting kids with their homework or organising your school to donate books, clothes and toys to orphans and vulnerable children. Ask around to find places where you can volunteer or you could even start your own volunteer project.

USE CONDOMS • 34 million people live with HIV worldwide – don’t join them! • HIV can be transmitted through unprotected vaginal, anal and oral sex with an infected person. • An STI (sexually transmitted infection) is a germ virus, bacteria or parasite that cause illness without

SAFE SEX

showing symptoms. Some people may not even know they are infected! • STD’s are infections that show symptoms and cause health problems. • A woman is four times more likely to contract a STI/STD than she is to fall pregnant

Buy your condoms safely & discreetly online @

www.fannyhill.co.za Use “studentcondoms” as a coupon code when checking out to qualify for 10% off all condoms! OFFER VALID UNTIL 31 JULY 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Africa Fashion Week Joburg

frican Fashion International (AFI), in partnership with Mercedes-Benz, hosted the exiting premiere of the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg (MBFWJ) at Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown Cultural Precinct. It reinforced Johannesburg as a world-class African city that serves as the global market’s gateway into the continent. In attracting and growing young talented designers, AFI seeks to further echo fashion as big business with a host of potential in South Africa through various business and development initiatives located in Newtown. By taking MBFWJ 2013 to Newtown – a modern, aspirational capital of art, fashion and design – AFI’s aim is to support the city’s young and aspirational entrepreneurs. The event always helps AFI engage with these young up-and-comers by facilitating a skills exchange using AFI properties, specifically

www.africanscholar.co.za

the AFI FastrackTM, The Next Generation initiatives, and the Africa Fashion Trade Expo. Moreover, having held this prestigious event in Newton saw a flood of urban trendsetters into the area, promoting it as a secure, attractive and commercially viable place to network. In 2013 AFI plans to concentrate on growing fashion as big business in South Africa. To do so, it plans to start at a grassroots level. Two of these initiatives include: • AFI Fastrack™ - The national graduate fashion platform offered by AFI which offers emerging young designers the chance to gain exposure with fashion week through seminars, workshops and career advice. • AFI The Next Generation – A platform which offers graduates from the AFI Fastrack™ programme an

opportunity to elevate their fashion businesses through continued growth opportunities like the recent mentoring programme. In the name of boosting South Africa’s fashion industry and grooming the generation that will guard and guide it, AFI offers its designers the opportunity to showcase their talent in a retail environment with further development initiatives in the form of continuous communication and seminars: • AFI Showroom – a retail opportunity offered to designers where consumers can engage with the designers and enjoy a unique shopping experience. • Africa Fashion Trade Expo – a retail opportunity offered to designers from across Africa to interact with a local South African and the global market. This helps designers

present their brands to buyers and the media. • Seminars – AFI hosts numerous fashion and business related seminars that help ensure the continued growth and development of the local industry. AFI Executive Chairperson, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe said, “My heart-felt belief, underpinned by research and market understanding, is that Africa holds the promise of a positive future for the production and consumption of luxury goods and fashion. Also, Johannesburg is more than Africa’s leading international business and networking hub, it is a world-class fashion and shopping destination and cultural centre.” South Africa and the continent as a whole can offer new and exciting development to the international market. It all begins with the 2013 AFI Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Joburg and the development programmes which follow.

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

GRADUATE PROGRAMME What is the best reason you can list to inspire another graduate to join this organisation?

Kirston Adriaan

oining VWSA is a great development opportunity for any young professional. This has been particularly important to me in the early stages of my career as working for a globally competitive company and market leader like VWSA, provides the ideal platform. VWSA is always striving to improve both its products and people, and this ensures that there is no shortage of new challenges

Pumza Mboniswa

he VWSA Graduate Trainee Programme offers solid career development in all aspects of business. The programme, developed both my personal and leadership skills. VWSA is a company that prides itself on people development and offers graduates training through world-class processes and technological infrastructure.

www.africanscholar.co.za

This programme provides the opportunity to gain extensive practical onthe-job training. I got the opportunity to be part of the day-to-day running of the business as well as world-class technological processes. The training on these strategic projects built my confidence as a young professional and allowed me to be groomed into a respected engineer amongst my peers.

and opportunities to grow. The fact that graduates are afforded the opportunity to visit Volkswagen plants around the world also provides perspective into what it means to be a â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;global playerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;. I feel that this overseas exposure is a key development drive for young aspiring professionals. For these reasons, I would encourage any scholar or graduate to do their utmost to join VWSA.

Volkswagen Group South Africa The best fit personality • Detail oriented • Decision maker • Organised • Effective • Enthusiastic Areas of study • Social Sciences • Engineering • Economics and Management • Communications • IT • Other: Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Sales and Marketing Automotive Manufacturing OUR BUSINESS VWSA manufactures Volkswagen vehicles for local and international markets. It also markets and sells Volkswagen’s, Audi’s and Commercial Vehicles within South Africa.

OUR CULTURE People-centric + engaging + high energy + results-orientated + learning culture WHAT YOU WILL LEARN • You will receive sound training and development opportunities, with distinct career paths. •You will be exposed to global best practice and leading technology. •Through project related work you’ll be exposed to numerous facets of the business. YOUR GROWTH • You’ll receive mentoring and coaching, serving as a solid foundation for making the transition from graduate to employee. • Our Competence Assessment process will assist you with managing your individual career objectives.

• We provide on-going, inhouse, external and job-specific development/training. BENEFITS Subsidised lease car; laptop; gym or gym subsidy; extended maternity leave; study leave; study (financial) support; medical aid; provident fund, 13th cheque, performance bonus; comprehensive 24hr wellness support.

Graduate Recruitment contact: Gerald Pietersen | piete02@vwsa.co.za | www.vw.co.za/about/ careers Graduate programme deadline / timelines: 1 June - 15 August

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Africa faces a

Bright Future B

ut, warns Steven Cohen, managing director of Sage Pastel, South Africa cannot rest on its laurels To me, one of the key advantages of technology is its ability to transcend borders. I’m talking about all borders – local, national, continental… especially continental. I’ve been reading the MasterCard African Cities Growth Index, a study undertaken by Professor George Angelopulo of the University of South Africa (UNISA) for MasterCard. It analysed 19 cities across sub-Saharan Africa and ranked them according to their growth potential between 2012 and 2017. His findings show that we’re in for a major growth explosion in Africa – if we have the right

www.africanscholar.co.za

technology in place. I’ve been thinking a lot about Professor Angelopulo’s conclusion that one of Africa’s key economic and social challenges is how our cities attract significant inward investment. He says we need to be globally competitive. We can’t do that without technology. He says we need to serve as magnets for investment and growth and become hot-spots of innovation. At the risk of being repetitive, neither is possible without technology. He rates as most important our ability to develop attractive and thriving business environments. This is simply not possible without… okay, you get the picture: it is my firm belief that technology will lead Africa into prosperity.

A surge in the number of internet users on the continent means greater efficiency for small and medium enterprises. Accra (Ghana), Lusaka (Zambia) and Luanda (Angola) have been identified as the sub-Saharan African cities with the highest growth potential over the next five years, according to the same Growth Index. Johannesburg, as the economic capital of South Africa, is already an economic powerhouse. It is precisely the city’s relative maturity – our middle class has been growing since 1994 – that gives us lower growth expectations in the index. Fair enough. But I don’t believe that South Africa cannot rest on its laurels. Think about this. Sub-Saharan Africa has a virtually non-existent

The rapid online adoption that we are already seeing is testament to the go-getter spirit of truly successful people. This is such an exciting time to be in Africa and technology gives you all the tools you need to spread your own business across the continent.”

telecommunications infrastructure and this has made it easy for them to jump straight to newer technologies like Wi-Fi, broadband and mobile phones. The same is true of cloud computing. Nations that are cutting their teeth on mobile technologies are not afraid of what those technologies offer them. They’re not stuck in a method they’ve been using forever. On the contrary, they’re embracing the new technologies and taking full advantage of the benefits they offer. Our own research conducted in conjunction with KPMG in Kenya, the Kenyan Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey, found that 76% of businesses are ready and willing to use software that would enable them to transact over the internet. This is more than 20% higher than the proportion who said they were willing to use internetbased (cloud) software in a survey we conducted amongst accountants in South Africa a year ago. Maybe that number has increased. If we are to remain one of Africa’s economic powerhouses, it will have to. It all starts with internet usage. I travel to other African countries regularly and the most dramatic rise I’ve seen in internet usage has been in Kenya. This puts Kenya second only to Nigeria in number of internet users. In East Africa, Uganda is not far behind with growth of over 9%. There’s another area where South Africa needs to be aware of what its neighbours are the doing: the survey highlights Kenya and Uganda as the biggest African users of social networking for business. Going back to our Kenyan Top 100 Mid-Sized Companies Survey,

95% of Kenyan businesses use computers and internet infrastructure for daily transactions and business management. This high internet adoption in Kenya will be a big shaper of how businesses operate in the future and will set the trend for the rest of Africa. As managing director of South Africa’s leading provider of accounting and business software I have experienced the connectivity boom first hand. I’m so aware of the fundamental transformation that the entire African continent is going through. This is a population of over 1 billion people. A high proportion of them will look to technology to assist them in their work and in their daily lives. Technology coupled with a skill such as accounting is, as you already know, a winning combination. Throughout Africa, mobile service providers are taking advantage of the infrastructure gap and a high rural demography. For rural dwellers, the only means to access the internet is through cell phones and mobile operators are vying to corner the market. As ever, increasing competition will lead to a decrease in prices. Already 27% of rural South Africans and 39% of urban users are now browsing the internet with their cell phones; this is according to a Mobility 2011 research project conducted by World Wide Worx. At least six million South Africans now have internet access on their phones. Across Africa broadband usage is also expected to grow rapidly with the advent of Seacom, a submarine fibre optic cable bringing high quality, affordable wholesale broadband

capacity to the continent. Africa as a whole has recently seen the largest drop in ICT prices, with fixed broadband prices falling by over 55% and mobile cellular prices by 25%. Simply put, as availability increases, prices will drop even further and the opportunity for business owners, and especially entrepreneurs, to simultaneously cut costs and extend their reach is huge. Low connectivity rates increase the potential for businesses to benefit from the increase in speed, accessibility, mobility, convenience and effectiveness of the internet. This means that using online business tools for customer relationship management (CRM), business intelligence (BI) and enterprise resource planning (ERP) will gain popularity, following hot on the heels of our accounting management software. The rapid online adoption that we are already seeing is testament to the go-getter spirit of truly successful people. This is such an exciting time to be in Africa and technology gives you all the tools you need to spread your own business across the continent. What are you waiting for? Go get ‘em! About Steven Cohen Steven Cohen is the managing director of Sage Pastel. Steven is a chartered accountant and this background, supported by his entrepreneurial vigour and dynamic approach to managing a business has built Sage Pastel Accounting into South Africa’s leading developer of accounting and business management software for the SME market. www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

“

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Career opportunities Accounting & Finance Majors

he desire to be good stewards drives the passion of financial students. The need to adequately account for the resources entrusted to us, requires mathematical aptitude and the ability to analyze, compare, and interpret facts and figures quickly. As a financial student there is a need to pay attention to detail and ability to communicate clearly to clients, services providers and your superiors. The finance profession has been evolving with time and has been intertwined with the changes in technology. Most accountants rely on sophisticated accounting softwareâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and the financial industry also operates on sophisticated trading platforms. With these technological enhancements how do accountants and financial analyst remain relevant? I recall when I was at University a decade ago; the hot topic was that companies will not need accountants because there are so many accounting packages that can do the accounting for the company. Our careers looked doomed and people envisaged a situation where machines replaced humans. However a decade later there is still a high demand of Accountants. The profession has evolved to the level that accountants do not necessarily have to do the number crunching, the debits or the credits, but are now required to make strategic decision from the numbers produced by the accounting packages. There is also an old saying that â&#x20AC;&#x153;garbage in garbage outâ&#x20AC;?, if a non-financial person is responsible for inputting financial data, most likely the financial data will have errors and the output from the accounting package will be of little value to the management of organization. For a progressing accounting and finance career it is very important to keep up with the ever changing industry standards and technological applications. One of the most basic application used in the finance industry is Microsoft excel. It is very important that every accounting and finance student has advanced understanding of how to use excel.

www.africanscholar.co.za

Tamuwana Chido Mhlanga CA (Z), CFA

What can you do with a degree in accounting? The accounting field has a high degree of mobility potential because accounting standards are universal. Most countries use the International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”) as the reporting framework with the exception of the United States which uses US Generally Accepted Accounting Standards (“US GAAP”) as the reporting framework. However there are no significant differences between these reporting frameworks and there are continuously projects being worked on to converge these reporting frameworks. The career advancement of an accounting student depends on continued education and certification. Accountants can specialize in different businesses or fields, or according to particular accounting functions. In general the following opportunities are available for accounting graduates – 1. Auditors and Internal auditors 2. Management accountants 3. Government accountants After your accounting degree the journey does not end there. It is just the beginning of a rewarding career. Most accountants when they graduate, there is a high desire to become a chartered accountant. There are various accounting bodies that can help you fulfill your dream. i.e. ACCA, SAICA, ICAZ, CIMA etc. In Southern Africa the most sort after designation is offered by SAICA and on a global perspective ACCA is also worthwhile. TOPP versus TIPP The main focus of a Training Inside Public Practice (TIPP) Programme is primarily on auditing. It prepares the trainee for a career as an Auditor while the Training Outside Public Practice (TOPP) Programme route focuses on engendering broader financial management and audit skills and gears the trainee accountant towards a career in the corporate world. Therefore when accountants graduate it will be a crucial decision time on what route you want to take.

“

My career path shows clearly that the accounting and finance qualification are as portable as designations are universal and it’s easy to move from one jurisdiction to another.”

What can you do with a degree in finance? A graduate with a degree in finance has a lot of choices. Just like accounting degree there the need to obtain professional certification such as CFA, FRM etc. Finance majors can go into personal financial planning, corporate finance, public finance, investment banking, banking, or insurance. Potential employers for finance majors include: brokerage firms, insurance firms, hospitals, commercial banks, credit unions, savings banks, mortgage banks, investment banking firms, financial services firms. What did I do with my accounting degree? I graduated with a cum laude Bachelor of Business Administration majoring in Accounting at Solusi University and decided to go into public practice. I joined Ernst & Young (Zimbabwe) as an article student to do TIPP and pursued a career in public accounting. I studied Certificate in Theory Accounting (“CTA”) with Institute of Chartered Accountants in Zimbabwe in conjunction with University of South Africa (“UNISA”). I was the top student for the CTA exams in Zimbabwe during the year I sat for the CTA exams. I studied a post graduate diploma in Auditing with University of Cape Town concurrently with writing the board exams to qualify as a chartered accountant. I passed all the board exams on first attempt and I was admitted as a member of ICAZ in 2005. After qualifying I left Ernst and Young and joined KPMG Cayman Islands, where I pursued a career in Risk Advisory, specializing in Accounting Advisory Services. I joined as a senior accountant and progressed to my current position of Senior Manager in Accounting Advisory. My responsibilities include financial reporting for some of the biggest Alternative Investment in terms of Assets Under Management in the world. While working in the Risk Advisory department I decided to study for the Chartered Financial Analyst exams. I have recently completed all the exams for the CFA designation and I am charter holder for the CFA designation. My career path shows clearly that the accounting and finance qualification are as portable as designations are universal and it’s easy to move from one jurisdiction to another. I have also learnt that to stay on top of the game you need to have professional qualifications. About Tamuwana Chido Mhlanga Tamuwana Chido Mhlanga CA (Z), CFA is a Senior Manager in Risk Advisory Services at KPMG Cayman Islands.

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

It is a worthwhile investment to spend so much time to understand the formulas and the macros in excel. If you want to be successful in your career path I would advise each financial student to spend at least an hour every day in excel. That investment in time you put will be reward in the future. I have realized that in most situations the financial reports produced by accounting and finance programs are later extrapolated into excel for further analyses. With almost more than 100,000 accounting and finance professionals in Africa, how do you distinguish yourself from the rest? The competition of high end accounting and finance jobs is stiff, the industry requires high quality professionals. There is high importance to obtain post graduate certification to remain relevant in the accounting and finance space.

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Zipho Sikhakhane An epitome of success

Challenged but not deterred by adversities, the young, dynamic, courageous, and successful Zipho Sikhakhane is a reflection of what young Africans can achieve when one aspires to be the best at what they do.

Words by Chilalo Mumba

ho is Zipho Sikhakhane in a nutshell? I am a young woman who is passionate about the future of the African continent. I believe Africa is a place with a lot of potential for growth and the discovery of talent. I am originally from a township called Madadeni in South Africa and I am

www.africanscholar.co.za

currently living in the United States, completing my MBA at Stanford Graduate Business School in California. Briefly describe your background and upbringing. I was born in Madadeni, a township in the north of Kwazulu Natal. I completed all my school education

there and finished high school in 2004. I was raised by my mother, who was a nurse, and I had 3 siblings. You never had an easy upbringing like some of your peers. What kept you inspired and how did you overcome challenges that came your way? I dream big. I chose not allowing my impoverished background to define where my future was headed. This meant challenging myself constantly to have dreams that were much greater than what those around me believed was possible. I was fortunate enough to realise in early childhood that education is the gateway to achieving my dreams and thus always put my education first. I also had a strong role model as a mother. She believed in sacrificing all things to ensure that we received the best education she could afford. You were fortunate to be a recipient of the Gallagher scholarship and pursued your undergraduate degree at University of Cape Town. How did that make you feel and how was your experience at UCT? The Gallagher Foundation Scholarship was created by United States based donors who were passionate about providing financial support to individuals who will emerge as future leaders in their countries. I was truly honoured to have been selected for the scholarship because it opened the door for me to obtain a university education that would not have been possible otherwise. This scholarship meant that someone out there believed in my dreams too and was willing to provide me the necessary financial support to help me get there. The University of Cape Town was a great institution. It was initially challenging for me to transition to because I could not use basic things like computers for typing assignments or using email accounts. It was also the first time I was in a multiracial classroom environment. I learned about diversity and

â&#x20AC;&#x153;

new career paths that I never knew existed. After your undergraduate degree you joined McKinsey & Company. They are known to have a rigorous recruitment process. Describe your interview process with them and how was your reaction when they offered you a job? McKinsey is one of the leading management consulting firms in the world. As such, the application process was quite competitive, but also a learning experience because they give you a lot of coaching during the application process and preparation materials for each stage of the application process. The interviews were focused on case studies and personal experience examples. The interviewers were good at making the interview feel more like a collaborative discussion, rather than an interview. I was quite excited about the news of a job

The African continent is taking a turn for the better, with economies experiencing high growth levels due to economic development and the creation of new industries. All this is creating a demand for well educated, African-born leaders who understand our cultures, languages and norms. At the moment, these leaders are scarce, even more so for women and their representation.â&#x20AC;? www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

offer, which I received just after I had completed my internship at the Johannesburg office. What was your experience like at McKinsey & Company? McKinsey was a great learning opportunity for me. The firm is heavily focused on personal development and challenging everyone to improve on themselves as leaders. I also liked the non-hierarchical approach to problem-solving because it allowed for collaborative brainstorming. I managed to get exposure to various industries and also working in different countries. I got a good understanding of management challenges and the international best practice approaches to solving them. McKinsey & Company recruits exceptional individuals with outstanding capabilities. How does it make you feel to be associated with one of the best consulting firms in the world? McKinsey has a well respected brand globally. It has opened many doors for me thanks to the highly impressive individuals I worked with and access to the global alumni network. There is a certain level of professional respect that you receive when you have McKinsey on your Resume.

What are some of the adversities you have faced in the corporate world? One of the drawbacks of being on a fast paced career path has been that I found myself being the youngest person in most of the businesses where I worked. I have been sitting in meetings with senior executives since I was 21 years old. This makes first impressions difficult since I must always prove that I possess the necessary skill-set for the roles that I had. On top of this, I had to get used to being the minority in the room since there are not many black females in these environments, especially in South Africa where the country is still addressing some of the inequalities of the past. Being part of McKinsey & Company and other achievements you have garnered isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t cause of luck; you surely deserve all you have achieved because of hard work. What words of advice can you readerrender to young women aspiring to be like you? I believe you need to identify your passion and be committed to working against all odds to achieve it. I have always been passionate about the world of business and motivating others to achieve their dreams. This shows itself in everything I do. When you furiously believe in your dreams and dare to try and make them a reality, it makes it very easy for others to support you on your path. You are currently pursuing your MBA at the prestigious Stanford University. What has been your experience so far? The Stanford Graduate Business School is among the toughest MBA programmes to get accepted in. Each of the 398 classmates selected, have had amazing life experiences and the faculty are truly world class. I am learning a lot each day and am looking forward to taking this knowledge back to Africa. Also, California is a beautiful place! How do you intend to use your MBA to help develop South Africa and the continent at large? The MBA has given me a global perspective on some of the challenges facing businesses and governments in both developing and developed markets. I am quite excited to share this world class knowledge with business stakeholders and aspiring youth in Africa. I am also using the MBA to help me understand which are the right African based markets for me to invest my skills and expertise in, to achieve the biggest impact on growth and development.

www.africanscholar.co.za

You have been featured in a book “Sushi and Tapas”, with other women around the globe to share life stories. Congratulations! Give us a snippet of the book. Sushi and Tapas is a collection of inspirational life stories from women around the world. I summarised my life story into a piece called, “The Tea Lady in The Boardroom.” It touches on how I dealt with gender, race, and cultural diversity in the workplace. The book also features a poem I wrote on women empowerment. The book has been off to a good start and we have had book launches around the globe. I attended the launches hosted in South Africa and Singapore, both of which were a great opportunity to give advice to my readers and also learn from their experiences in life. Writing is one of my side passions so I am currently working on a number of writing projects in my spare time. What inspires and drives you to persevere? I am inspired by a number of mentors who have achieved amazing things with their careers and have been supporting me in my career path, the same way they were supported by other leaders when they were in the early stages of their careers. I also believe you get from life what you put into it and hence I know that hard work almost always pays off. What are your aspirations and where do you see yourself in the next 10 years? I aspire to become an influential leader for change in Africa. To me that means becoming an individual who can effectively lead management teams and businesses towards achieving growth and the development of communities. I also enjoy motivating people and encouraging them to dream. Hopefully in 10 years I would have written a number of books, and speaking at seminars designed to help others identify and realise their dreams. What’s the most important lesson life has taught you? The biggest lesson for me has been that hard work pays off. I often look back at my life right now and it is truly amazing how even little things that seemed insignificant a long time ago, are truly paying off in high volumes today. A good example was that I always challenged myself to make sure I took my classes seriously during my undergraduate university days. This paid off because I am now using Stanford as an opportunity to build on the knowledge I garnered many years ago. Which living African do you most admire and why? My mother stands out for me as someone I have admired the most throughout the course of my life. She committed all she had to ensuring that we could all get the best education available in our community. She taught us that education needs to be prioritised beyond everything else; this is despite

her having not had the opportunity to attend a university in her youth. She also taught me values such as humility, respect for others and perseverance – principles that have helped me become who I am today. She helped me carve the foundation of my path into the world of business because she encouraged me to work on all sorts of small entrepreneurial ventures from early childhood. What’s your favourite quote on Education? There is an old African adage that goes, “It is better to walk than to curse the road.” There were many opportunities in my education where I could have chosen to give up because it was difficult to move forward. For example, I attended schools where academic resources were substandard and the environment was filled with crime and violence. Despite this, I chose to challenge myself to keep moving forward because it was the only way to break through. No value will come from waiting for the government or others to fix the challenges in my path. African Scholar strives to promote higher education and career opportunities on the continent. What advice can you render to African Scholars especially young female students on the importance of education and, what part can they play towards developing our continent? The African continent is taking a turn for the better, with economies experiencing high growth levels due to economic development and the creation of new industries. All this is creating a demand for well educated, African-born leaders who understand our cultures, languages and norms. At the moment, these leaders are scarce, even more so for women and their representation. This should encourage young leaders to obtain the necessary education in order to meet this demand. There are students with brilliant minds right now who are in a similar position you were in and think they have hit a dead end. What are your words of encouragement to them and how can society help groom these individuals into becoming exceptional future leaders? I would encourage others to just keep trying and not give up. Failure only comes when you stop trying to move forward. It is important for the youth not to focus on the difficulties from today’s circumstances, but rather on the hope of a better life. Society has a role to play in supporting the youth on this. It really does take a village to raise a child and I would encourage neighbours, relatives and elders in the society to continue demonstrating the spirit of “Ubuntu” (togetherness) that has led to the prosperity of many communities in Africa. After all, by helping one child get a chance at an education, you could be helping a potential future president in taking the first steps towards becoming a leader.

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Hope for Discouraged Students

o you think that teachers or other students see you as dumb and a failure? What others say or think about you is not as important as how you feel about yourself. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t let others define or label you. Find your own limits and discover from experience what you are capable of accomplishing. Discover your own abilities. There are many different types of intelligence. Everyone has their own special talents and types of intelligence. For

www.africanscholar.co.za

example, some have a gift for music, teaching, counseling, writing, sports, comedy, etc. These require different types of intelligence. Also, your intelligence is not fixed at birth. You can continue to increase your intelligence throughout your life in spite of obstacles. Read the biographies of great men and women and you will see that many of them were once labeled by others as unintelligent or mediocre. Winston Churchill failed the sixth grade and he had teachers who thought that he was

Raymond Gerson

not smart. Helen Keller was born deaf and blind. She was unable to speak until she was taught to do so by Anne Sullivan. Most people had no faith in her ability to accomplish anything of importance. As an adult, Helen Keller gave inspirational talks to audiences all over the world. It is not the hand that we are dealt that determines whether we win the game, but it is how we play the game that counts. Helen Keller was born with a difficult hand but came out a winner. Some people are born with a good hand and lose the game by wasting their lives. There are many other examples of intelligent people who were considered unintelligent by others. Albert Einstein and Thomas Edison's parents were told when their children were in elementary school that they were not very smart. Abraham Lincoln was demoted from being an officer in the military to the rank of private because he was considered incompetent. Even though some people considered Churchill, Keller, Einstein, Edison, and Lincoln to be unintelligent, they proved to be intelligent and made important contributions to others. It is difficult to predict what others will accomplish in their lives. Who can predict what you are capable of achieving if you work hard in school and are determined to succeed? Success in school depends more on skill and will than it does on a high IQ. Good study skills, combined with the motivation to succeed, can take you a long way in school and life. Will or motivation must come mostly from within you. Study skills can be developed and courses are usually offered at community colleges and universities. Many of these courses contain success strategies which can be used to achieve your goals not

only in school, but in your life, and they are also available to high school students through college early start programs. I could have used courses such as these when I was in school to build self-confidence and to learn how to study. In middle school and during my early years of high school I experienced self-doubts, insecurity, and a lack of self-confidence. Like you, I also felt discouraged. When I compared myself to others they seemed smarter, more popular, and superior in many ways. I had no goals and I did not understand how my classes were relevant to my life and future. Needless to say, my grades were poor to average. IQ tests indicated that I was of average intelligence and this is how I perceived myself. My parents were concerned about my poor performance in school and they spoke to a high school counselor about me. He told them not to encourage me to go to college. He said that I was not capable of succeeding in college and that I would probably perform at a below average level at anything I did throughout my life. Fortunately, my parents did not tell me this story at that time which I probably would have used as an excuse to quit school. I did not find out what this counselor said about me until I graduated with a master's degree and an A average. I thought about quitting school many times when I was a teenager. I am so thankful that I continued my education in spite of obstacles and periods of discouragement. Over time and through my life experience, I discovered that I had talents and I began to develop my strengths. I discovered that I was capable of making a positive contribution to others through inspirational writing, public speaking, coaching, counseling, and teaching. I love my work and it gives me much joy and a deep sense of purpose. Do not give up on yourself. You were born for a purpose. Search within yourself and discover your own special abilities and how you want to use them to make a positive difference.

About Raymond Gerson Raymond Gerson is an adjunct professor of college and career readiness/success courses for Austin Community College. He is the author of two textbooks being used in high schools and colleges to teach students how to achieve college, career and life success. The books are Achieve College Success: Learn How in 20 Hours or Less and Achieve Career Success: Discover and Get the Job You Want. Professor Gerson also trains educators how to use the books to teach success strategies to their students.

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

OUR YOUTH. OUR FUTURE

CAREER GUIDANCE The Most Important Decision Of Your Life Are you struggling to make a decision on what to do after school? Whether you want to study further? What subject or course? Where to find the money for it? Or how to start looking for a job? Or do you want to start your own business? These decisions are some of the most important ones that you are going to make in your life. It will have a long lasting influence on your life, your future work and your self esteem. At the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) we know that many young people in South Africa struggle to access reliable and up-to-date information upon which to make informed choices about their lives and their futures. If you are one of them, help is at hand. The NYDA can assist you in making your choices: in the Youth Advisory Centres across South Africa, we have experienced Career Guidance practitioners who can sit with you and advise you on your choices, based on a sound assessment of your interests, your personality and your competencies. They can help in choosing your subjects, applying for studies, or for a loan or bursary. Or teach you how to prepare for your first interview. Or offer help in writing a business plan. Just use the voucher below. Whether you are in school or out of school, skilled or unskilled, employed or unemployed, the NYDA will be able to provide your with appropriate guidance. You have to be between 14 and 35 though. For more information, visit our website www.nyda.gov.za or call our call centre on 08600 YOUTH (96884). For addresses of the Youth Advisory Centres, check reverse. TEAR ON THE LINE >>

<< TEAR ON THE LINE

Career Guidance Voucher For a free Career Guidance session at one of the NYDA Youth Advisory Centres. Please take this voucher with you and show upon request.

Want to join a firm that is making waves in the financial industry?

SizwentsalubaGobodo is the fifth largest audit firm and the largest black auditing firm in South Africa. We value talent & always look for ambitious, intelligent & innovative graduates to join our dynamic team. Our commitment to our vision â&#x20AC;&#x153;To be the leading assurance and advisory partner of choiceâ&#x20AC;? can only be achieved by dedicating our resources to creating world class Chartered Accountants. Give us an opportunity to nurture your talent through the extensive graduate programmes we offer.

Enhance your skills by joining one of these disciplines;

Assurance (External audit), Internal Auditing, IT Audit, Forensics, and Tax. We are currently recruiting graduates for our Assurance and IT programmes.

Bursaries

We offer bursaries to B Comm. (Accounting) students at various levels of study. Bursaries are offered to financially deserving students on merit.

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Savoury Cheese CAKE Cheese Cake Crust Ingredients 1/3 cup powdered sugar 4 Tablespoons butter or margarine 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs Directions for cheese cake crust 1. Melt butter and add to graham cracker crumbs and powdered sugar. Line the bottom of a spring form pan to form bottom and sides of crust. Cheese Cake Filling and Topping Ingredients: 3 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla 1/4 cup heavy cream 4 eggs 1 pint sour cream mixed with 1 Tablespoon sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla

www.africanscholar.co.za

Directions for cheese cake filling: 1. Mix cream cheese, sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. 2. Pour mixture into springform pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for approximately 50 minutes. Do not turn off the oven. 3. Remove the cheesecake and spread the sour cream mixture on top. Return to the oven for another 5 minutes. 4. Cool in pan for 5 minutes. Run a knife around the edge to loosen. Remove side of springform pan and refrigerate.

Creamy Chicken & Sundried Tomato PASTA Combine chicken, garlic, mushrooms and cream for a pasta dish that will have them coming back for seconds! Serves: 4 | Preparation Time: 5 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes Ingredients 2 Chicken breasts, whole 1 pinch Robertsons Salt and Pepper to taste 250 gram Bowtie pasta 2 tablespoon Stork Margarine 1 teaspoon Garlic paste 8 Marinated sun-dried tomatoes 250 gram Mushrooms, sliced 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 KNORR Creamy Mushroom Sauce 250 millilitre water Âź cup Cream

1 Tub smooth cottage cheese 1 cup Grated mozzarella cheese Instructions Season the chicken with salt and pepper and grill the breasts on a griddle pan. Cut into strips and set aside. Cook pasta until al dente. In a pan melt margarine and lightly fry garlic. Add tomatoes and mushrooms, lightly fry. Prepare KNORR Creamy Mushroom Sauce following packet instructions, then add the cream. Add this to the sundried tomatoes and mushrooms. Add the cooked pasta and toss through. Spoon into a baking dish. Spread with cottage cheese and top with mozzarella. Place under the grill until golden brown.

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Realise your dream - study in Australia... Study at Griffith University in beautiful Queensland, Australia! Ranked in the top 4% of universities worldwide (Times HES-QS World Ranking) Griffith University’s global perspective is preparing graduates for workplaces of the future. Areas of study include: • Business (Accounting, Banking, Finance, Marketing, International, Tourism and Hotel Management) • Film, Television and Photography, Graphic, Interior and 3D Design • Health (Dentistry and Oral Health, Medicine, Nursing and Public Health, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy and Exercise Science) • Law, Criminology and Criminal Justice • Music and Music Technology • Environmental Science • Visual and Creative Arts • Engineering • Education

Why consider Griffith University:

For more information please contact: Griffith University, International Office Email: international@griffith.edu.au Phone: +61 (0)7 3735 6425

www.griffith.edu.au/international

CRICOS Provider Number: 00233E

• Number one Australian University destination for students from 28 countries. • With over 300 degrees across 5 campuses, Griffith University provides an extensive range of specialised study options that allow you to focus on achieving your own career goals. • Competitive tuition fees and living expenses.

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Saving Students From

STRESS Words by Lauren James

ur students are drowning. They are no longer students. Rather, they are test taking robots. Learn this. Memorize that. Sit up straight. Do your homework. Pass the test. Do not fail. Elementary students are put under more stress than ever with the world becoming as competitive as it is. Not only are these students having to compete with one another, they are expected

www.africanscholar.co.za

“

“Don’t try to fix the students, fix ourselves first. The good teacher makes the poor student good and the good student surperior. When our students fail, we, as teacher, too, have failed”

to compete on a global level. This article addresses the kinds of stress students are having to deal with, the pressures on teachers to teach to a test, and ways to handle these types of pressures. This article also addresses ways to help these teachers and students cope with the mental block brought on by pressure and stress.

Keywords: pressure on students, stress, test taking, mental block “Don’t try to fix the students, fix ourselves first. The good teacher makes the poor student good and the good student surperior. When our students fail, we, as teacher, too, have failed. “ -Marva Collins

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

“

Children may perform better in school and feel more confident about themselves if they are told that failure is a normal part of learning, rather than being pressured to succeed at all costs, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.” - “Reducing academic pressure,” March

Today’s school experience can be summed up in a solo word: pressure. Pressure is placed on the school board to make sure it hires the right teachers and that they are implementing the curriculum in the best way. Pressure is placed on the teachers to teach the students all of the necessary knowledge to pass state and national tests. However, through research, it has been found that the most pressure is placed on the students themselves. In today’s times, our children are not only having to compete against one another, but now, they are having to compete on a global scale. Students are put under an immense amount of pressure, which leads to unnecessary stress. Now that teachers are having to “teach to the test” and compete with the rest of the country and world, we are losing the creativity and the curiosity in the classroom. More and more classrooms have gone to a lecture based lesson plan. Teachers feel the need to force a ton of information down the student’s throats in order for them to succeed and pass the required tests. It can be difficult to see how we got to this point. However, based on research and data, this isn’t working. Sure, we have a few kids that get it and move on, but so many students are left behind when participating on this fast track to learning. We have to remember these are just children. In a sense, we are ruining their childhood. Children just want to experience and play. Where is that in the classroom? Where are the hands-on activities? Where are the fun art projects and songs to help them learn? Why is everything so structured around lecture and worksheets? These are some of the questions that helped to stem research in this particular area. A handful of parents with students in Kindergarten or first grade were asked some of these same questions. Each one of them stated concern for their child saying, “I just don’t know how he will learn all of this material”, or “We never had this large of a workload when we were in school and we turned out just fine”. Are these parents right? Are we pushing something on these kids that isn’t even necessary? The biggest concern is that these students are growing up loathing learning. So many children hate going to school. Countless amounts of students attend school with anxiety. It is unbelievably sad. School should be a place the children can’t wait to go to. They should have a love of learning. So, where did we go wrong? Once America was required to compete globally, in education as well as with jobs, we began on a very fast and forceful track. In a sense, we have all become robots.

www.africanscholar.co.za

The government tells schools what to teach and how to teach it. The teachers tell students what to know as well as all the answers. By doing this, the teachers, as well as the students, lose their chance at creativity. The curriculum is so structured, that there is no time for “fun”. By giving the students all the answers, we are destroying the things that are most important in their childhood; imagination and curiosity. Students are not prepared mentally to take on such a heavy workload at such a young age. This is where their stress levels kick in. They are being pressured to succeed by their parents, their teachers, and even their classmates. Stress has been a proven mental block. The more stress a child endures, the less likely they are going to be successful in school. According to Science Daily Journal, “Children may perform better in school and feel more confident about themselves if they are told that failure is a normal part of learning, rather than being pressured to succeed at all costs, according to new research published by the American Psychological Association.” (“Reducing academic pressure,” March). Isn’t that what we, as teachers and parents, should want for our kids? We should want them to succeed. If this is the case, then why aren’t we changing our ways? Our students only know what we tell and show them. It is our job as adults and educators to change our approaches to learning. With the school board, government, and world putting so much pressure on teachers to succeed, how can alleviate that pressure on our students? According to livestrong.com, “Children and adults experience stress, which is the body’s reaction to experiences throughout the day. Stress-reducing activities in the classroom teach children how to effectively deal with stress, which may stem from home, school or social situations. Teaching kids to handle stress helps them avoid destructive behaviors. You also create a more upbeat atmosphere in the classroom when the students feel more relaxed.” (Frost, June). Again, more proof that relieving student’s stress starts with the teacher. As teachers, we may not be able to change the curriculum, but we can change how it is taught. This starts with productive planning. We need to know our students and understand what they need. According to the Unites States Department of Education website, there are five things all students need; “music, scensory tables, physical activity, drawing or writing, and visualization.” Although these things may not be listed verbatim in today’s curriculum, it is crucial to implement these things into every classroom setting. All of these enhance the children’s creativity, while still learning, and the physical activity gives them a break from the mainstream classroom setting. It also allows students to release energy and gets blood flow back into the brain. As stated before, all of these things can be attainable in every classroom as long as the teacher properly plans. Productive and proper planning is the most vital part of teaching. Educators need to learn relieving our students from stress is vital. Learning needs to return to being just that; learning.

As the largest supplier of water, rain creates significant impact through the opportunity for growth that it brings to many diverse areas. At Nampak, Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest packaging supplier, we work on the same principle when it comes to our people. By making a significant commitment to investing in opportunities for our diverse range of employees to grow, Nampak offers unparalleled career development

across

Africa.

From

production to finance, and everything in between, we provide a platform for growth and the opportunity to make a real impact in your career.

www.nampak.com

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

JUL-SEP 2012

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

Making use of a Personal Business

AND LIFE MENTOR Words by Des Squire

have written articles for Skills Portal over the past two years resulting in many enquiries from individuals seeking advice or solutions to both business and personal problems. This has prompted me to offer a service that may be of interest and benefit to you or your employees. Invariably I try to get people to realise that managing personal talents is something we often forget about. We depend on others to guide and lead us and show us how things should be done. Often we forget we have the ability to do things for ourselves and merely need to check with others from time to time to ensure we are on the right track. None of us know what the future holds in store. What we are doing today will potentially be very different in the future. What is important is to remember, there is no need to be alone. Personal experience Progress in your career and dealing with personal problems or issues may require the assistance of

www.africanscholar.co.za

others. After I was retrenched at the age of 53 I came to realise I was responsible for my own future. The mistake I made was I tried to go it alone. I was too proud to seek help or to ask for assistance from others. By the same token others did not offer to help or assist in my time of need. I soon found out who my real friend were. Reflecting on the past I have come to realise I should have sought the assistance of others. I lost self confidence, self respect and self belief. I had to liquidate my pension and insurance policies just to survive, pay the bills, educate my 2 sons and clear some of my debts. For some unknown reason I felt ashamed of myself. I felt I was to blame and guilty of something. At one stage I considered ending it all. Many of you may be faced with a variety of personal, financial, career or business related problems. Many of you do not know where to turn for advice and assistance. This is where I feel I can assist â&#x20AC;&#x201C; as your â&#x20AC;&#x153;Personal Business and Life Mentorâ&#x20AC;?

“

Having a Personal Business and Life Mentor will allow you to discuss your problems and other issues with an unbiased outsider. This will give you access to a “sounding board”, to professional advice, to personal skills and experiences and will assist you to grow in the process. It is a one to one personal and confidential relationship.”

What is a “Personal Business and Life Mentor”? If you consider your personal, business or career needs and aspirations I am sure you will admit there are many areas in business and life where you sometimes feel it would be nice to have someone to turn to for advice and assistance. You should be able to talk to your manager, supervisor, family or friends but this is not always the case. These people may be inexperienced, incapable or unwilling to assist. Having a Personal Business and Life Mentor will allow you to discuss your problems and other issues with an unbiased outsider. This will give you access to a “sounding board”, to professional advice, to personal skills and experiences and will assist you to grow in the process. It is a one to one personal and confidential relationship If you are serious about your career and life in general, if you are worried about the future perhaps the answer is to invest in yourself and engage the services of a Personal Business and Life Mentor. What are the benefits of a PBLM? • Increased skills and knowledge • A personal support system to assess success and failure • Personal empowerment • Assistance in arriving at decisions and solving problems • Individual - one on one - mentoring and coaching • A personal “sounding board”

• Increased opportunities for career and life progression • Increased understand of self • A means of solving many of life problems • A powerful learning tool for acquiring new competencies • Professional development and self confidence • Increased recognition and personal satisfaction How will having your personal PBLM work? The service will be conducted by e-mail contact and if required supported by telephonic discussion. There will be an initial registration fee involved which will give you access to 8 sessions at no additional cost. You may seek advice on any issues of concern, whether business or personal. You will be entitled to advice, opinions, supporting articles or other supporting material at no additional cost. If I personally cannot assist you I will advise you on the correct course of action. One of the biggest advantages is you will have access to unbiased opinion and independent, personalised advice Contact me for further information or if you wish to register © Des Squire (Managing Member) AMSI and ASSOCIATES cc Cell 0828009057 des@amsiandassociates.co.za

www.africanscholar.co.za

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

5 career myths that could be holding you BACK

ould inaccurate assumptions about the world of work be holding you back? We debunk five of the most common career myths and show you how to counteract them.

Myth 1: There is one perfect job for you out there, and you better hope you find it. Reality: This is one of the most common career myths out there, and people keep falling for it. "There are many perfect jobs for you, it just depends on where you are in life," says Matthew Walden, senior vice president at Infinity Consulting in New York. You may think you've found the perfect job, but anything can change -- demand for your product or service drops, people get laid off, your boss jumps to another company, you lose interest in what you're doing. "People get complacent," Walden says. "You have to be constantly looking." Your career will likely be a continuum of learning, changing interests, and changing circumstances, not a goal to be reached, so stay alert to opportunities that might come when you don't expect them. Myth 2: Once you're settled in a career path, you're stuck. Reality: "You're never stuck," Walden says. "You need to look at what you're willing to do to get unstuck." While there can be financial constraints that may keep you from switching careers quickly, Walden says taking classes or being willing to make less money for some time to get on the career path you want shouldn't hold you back. Many people go to college, major in a line of study, work for a few years in that area and then find it doesn't suit them at all. Walden says it's worth the time to make the change. "If you're a good candidate, smart, and

www.africanscholar.co.za

presentable, you need to take those steps now to get yourself on the path you want." Myth 3: You should choose your job based on the skills you have. Reality: Choosing a job because of what you can already do will likely leave you unfulfilled. Instead, find a career path that will position you for training, learning new things, and advancement. Myth 4: Do what you love, and the money will follow. Reality: This does happen, but rarely, and it takes a lot of lean times and good luck. Don't talk yourself out of your dreams, but be realistic about the prospects of the career you want to follow. A better bet is to find ways to combine what you love with your work, or to identify a career that allows you the means to follow your passion in your free time. Myth 5: If you want to make a lot of money, get your MBA. Reality: If money is all you're looking for, there are plenty of jobs out there that don't require an MBA. And an MBA is not a guarantee that the money will start rolling in. But choosing a career only by how much money it can set yourself up for disappointment in your work life, experts say. It's better to find a balance among what you like to do, what you can do and the level of income you want to earn. Being aware of the career myths that can hold you back will help you avoid falling for them. Being realistic about your career path and what you want from it will help set you up for success throughout your working life.

THE AFRICAN SCHOLAR

APR-JUN 2013

STUDY IN AUSTRALIA FIRST INTERNATIONALLy FOCUSED RESEARCH INTENSIVE STUDENT–CENTRED TEACHING INSTITUTION IN AUSTRALIA

The University of Sydney is one of Australia’s largest and most prestigious universities. Established in 1850, it is Australia’s first university, and a member of the ‘Group of Eight’, Australia’s premier research intensive universities. It is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world and amongst the top four in Australia. Our 49,000+ students (including almost 11,000 international students representing 130 nationalities), enjoy an academic experience of the highest quality. We offer the most comprehensive range of degrees, majors and individual subject choices of any university in Australia, taught in 16 Faculties across eight campuses. Areas of study include Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources, Architecture, Design and Urban Planning, Arts and Social Sciences, Business, Dentistry, Education and Social Work, Engineering and Information Technologies, Health Sciences, Law, Medicine, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy, Science, Veterinary Science and Visual Arts.

Our academic and teaching resources include Australia’s largest university library, and state-of-the-art technical, computing and research facilities. Our faculty is a mix of local and internationally recruited academics with extensive teaching, business and industry expertise. They bring years of knowledge gained from research in their respective fields into the classroom, providing students with a stimulating academic environment. Our sporting amenities, clubs and societies are second to none. Our student support services have been rated as the best at any Australian university. We are committed to maximising the potential of everyone in the global community we serve, seeking to develop curious minds that embrace challenge and change. We help seek knowledge and devise solutions. Over the past 160 years, we have maintained a proud tradition of excellence in education, and are relentless in our efforts to provide a fertile environment where the brightest minds flourish. www.sydney.edu.au - io.info@sydney.edu.au

CRICOS 00026A

WHY STUDY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY?

THE FUTURE IS IN

MY HANDS OUR MAGAZINE

African Scholar magazine is a quarterly journal aimed at highlighting course offerings at higher institutions of learning and career opportunities across the continent. Our readership ranges from matriculants to postgraduate students. Our aim is to educate, inspire, inform and entertain African scholars through the diverse content we publish

BUSINESS PARTNERS

Our clients have come to appreciate our space as a great platform for a plethora of solutions affecting their strategic business outcomes. Media solutions ranging across from funding opportunities, talent acquisition, and product awareness campaigns. Partnering with African Scholar Magazine will undoubtedly enhance your brand Image on the African continent, thus adding value to your organization. HTTP://WWW.AFRICANSCHOLAR.CO.ZA Phone: +27-11-794-4141 Email: info@africanscholar.co.za

AFRICAN SCHOLAR MAGAZINE

Work from anywhere, anytime!

Helping start-up and small businesses stay on the move. Sage Pastel Online offers you great online business management solutions such as: 路 Simple and secure online accounting for SMEs. 路 Online payroll software for start-up and small businesses. 路 An online personal financial management tool. 路 An online marketing solution.

online

www.sagepastelonline.com

online