Volume 1, Issue 6 November Edition
This month features:
Woman of influence focus: Magauta Mphahlele
Samuel L company conference info
War RnA protest info
Redeemed to release ladies seminar info
Woman of the month
We are proud to announce our 2nd annual Christmas party at sejikong sa Lerato. We have worked with this orphanage for 3 years and have formed a loving relationship with the children and the wonderful caretaker Mrs Mathabatha. The aim of the Christmas party is to form relationships with the orphanage we work with, in doing so we are able to find out where they need help and how we can play a role in uplifting the community. Secondly to create a day of fun, laughter and imparting to the children. The details of the Christmas party are as follows; Date : 06 December 2014 Time : 11 am to 4pm Place : Sejikong sa lerato( Ga Mphahlele) Please contact Meladi Montjane 0790653603 or olatelo Mathoko 0724213344 Please note that there is a transport fee of R70 required. Feel free to pledge and donate toys, food, clothes, and whatever else you can for these children even if you won’t be able to come. You can contact Meladi Montjane or Molatelo Mathoko for collection of the donations and any information. We will be posting more info on our social Media pages.
Happy Movember!
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Woman of Influence Focus: Magauta Mphahlele
This month we had the priviledge of interviewing an amazing lady who is making waves in the corporate world. After seeing a feature on Destiny Magazine, immediately captivated. Magauta Mphahlele is
passionate about consumer protection, debt relief and access to redress for consumers. Her extensive experience in credit and general consumer protection spans more than 15 years and her expertise relates to policy and legislative development, institutional design and management, stakeholder engagement, Caption describing picture or graphic. adjudication, mediation, corporate governance and advocacy.
She is currently the Chairperson of the Consumer Goods & Services Ombudsman, a Mediator at the Gauteng Rental Tribunal, a member of the Financial Services Board Legislative Committee as well as the CEO of the
National Debt Mediation Association (NDMA) which is an independent section 21 nonprofit company that provides debt relief solutions, consumer credit information & education directly to individuals or through employers. She is a respected and widely consulted commentator, policy advisor and speaker on all matters related to credit, consumer protection and over indebtedness. She holds a BA in Psychology and Applied
Linguistics, an Honours Degree in Applied Linguistics, and a Postgraduate Diploma in English Education, from Wits University. She also completed courses on regulation offered by the International Development
Law Organisation and London School of Economics. She has also completed a certificate in Debt Counseling. She started her career as a Junior Lecturer in the Department of Applied Linguistics at Wits University before moving to the Department of Trade and Industry where she held the positions of Assistant Director, Director and later Project Manager for the
Consumer Law Reform project. As Consumer Law Reform Project Manager she was instrumental in driving the development and enactment of the National Credit Act and Consumer Protection
Caption picture as or graphic. Act. Shedescribing then served one of the first members of the National
Consumer Tribunal where she assisted with the establishment of the institution and also adjudicated on cases referred by the
National Credit Regulator. In pursuit of her passion Magauta has served as a member of the dti Consumer Affairs Committee, the
Gauteng Consumer Court, NDMA Joint Debt Review Stakeholders Forum; Credit Industry Steering Committee; Estate Agent Affairs Board; and Credit Ombudsman.
CEO of NDMA, Magauta Mphahlele
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With all these accolades, Magauta remains a focused and inspirational figure for women in South Africa. We got an opportunity to interview her recently.
1. Can you tell us a bit more about yourself (where you grew up, your childhood memories and the type of vision you had for yourself whilst growing up? I was born in Koster. A small dorpie in the North West Province. My mother had to go and work in Joburg and as a result I spent most of my early years with my grandmother. My grandmother always referred to me as “Lion” and she always said I would be as strong and fearless as a lion. She backed this up with instilling a strong work ethic and independence in me. She was a perfectionist and she insisted on us doing everything perfectly which could be anything from sweeping the floor to making a cup of tea. Because of her I developed a hunger for success and a better life outside of Koster. She was not a church goer but she had the most unwavering faith in God coupled with a will to always do good. 2. What type of challenges have you had to face that have ultimately shaped you into the woman that you are today? Because of the way I was raised I never see challenges but opportunities to learn and grow. Each and every negative thing that has happened in my life has had a positive outcome because I have an open mind and ability to focus on the positive, take the lesson and implement it. My career has been quite smooth in the sense that I have never described myself as disadvantaged, black or female. So in instances where there has been discrimination or undermining I have taken it upon myself to positively engage with the perpetrators and get them on my side. I don’t fight, I outperform or perform above expectations to earn trust. I have always understood that I need to prove myself and gain peoples trust. I also always make sure that every person who encounters me will remember me for my hard work, warmth and commitment. My faith and always applying Godly principles in everything that I do allow me to always smile and sail through any challenge placed before me. 3. You hold an influential position and there are some challenges that come with that especially as a woman. Can you briefly outline those? I have an uncanny ability to understand people and why they behave in a particular way. I take nothing personally and that is why it is difficult to offend me or make me feel uncomfortable in a situation. I am able to take people along with me based on a jointly agreed vision and values and as a result people easily accept my leadership. Even if they don’t I can comfortably exist or work with a person who has different views from mine. I actually prefer to lead a team of people who hold different views and approaches as long as we put the well-being of the organisation first. Because of speaking my mind I have attracted external criticism but this I also see as positive and I have grown from some of the criticism but I also accept that one cannot please everyone. I fully embrace people who do not agree with me.
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4. What does a day in the life of Magauta look like?
Between the NDMA, CGSO chairperson, mediator at the Gauteng Rental Tribunal and other committee work and speaking engagements, my day is quite busy. But one thing that I always do is to take my sixteen year old to school as this is our most precious time together. After this it is a quick dash to the office to respond to emails, then to the Tribunal or other meetings, then back to the office to catch up with the team and make sure any loose ends for the day are tied up. If I have board or committee meetings then I go through the meeting packs to make sure I am well prepared to effectively participate in the deliberations. I also have to draft a lot of business proposals as we work mainly with employers who want to assist their employees to improve their financial and credit wellness. At 5 pm without fail I pick up my son then we head home where I prepare dinner and watch my favourite program or read business newspapers or articles. 5. Outside of work, what do you like to do for fun and to get your mind off things? I have a group of friends that I met at University and we have a monthly stokvel. It is the place where we share, laugh and cry together. We also celebrate and support each other. I love cooking and spending time at home with my boys and that is what I enjoy most in addition to travelling around our beautiful countr 6. What advice can you give to women wanting to venture into influential positions in corporate sectors?
Qualifications are important but the right attitude and work ethic is even more important. It is also important to stick to an area that you have a passion for and build your knowledge and reputation as an expert in that area over time. Maintaining a teachable spirit and having a “can do” mentality will take one far. Manage your professional and personal reputation by avoiding people, events and places that can tarnish your integrity and trust in the market and most of all nourish your spirituality. Magauta was generous enough to offer us tips On how to maintain healthy debt/credit lifestyles which follow on the next page. We wish you all the best with your future endeavours and we look forward to a fruitful partnership with you. We support you all the way brilliant woman.
“As a current or future professional one’s credit record is an asset as one can be denied board membership, management position or even funding for business if one’s credit record is not clean. If possible on should avoid credit except for things like a car, house, education and starting a business. From an early age young women should learn financial discipline, believe in themselves and not bow to pressure to impress through material things. Saving and buying on cash should be priority and credit should be used sparingly.
The next page has some useful tips”
Do a needs assessment and draw up a budget
Consider very carefully whether you need that item or whether you can save for it and buy cash. Make sure you know
what’s coming in and what’s going out of your account each month and draw up a budget. As boring as this sounds, this is
one of the best ways to see if you can afford that expensive Christmas gift or how long it will take you to save for it. It’s also a good way to cut back on waste and unnecessary spending to see if you really need that loan after all. Make sure your budget includes saving for emergencies and future interest rate, electricity, transport and other increases. Don’t rely on overtime to calculate your affordability
When you apply for a loan, be honest and realistic about how much you earn and can afford to repay over time – don’t be tempted to include other forms of income such as overtime if they are not consistent over time. Do you really want to be
chained to your job? What if you are retrenched or productivity is low or reduced? Consider extra streams of income like
bonuses and overtime pay as a way to save for special purchases or boost your debt repayments so that you can pay off your loans faster. Ask the NDMA for help in doing a proper affordability assessment Type and Length of loan repayment
The type of loan you take out will determine how much interest you will pay. An unsecured personal of R40 000 with an
instalment of R1700 at an interest of 30.5% to be paid over 48 months can end up costing you just over R82 000. We always advise consumers to compare types of loans, interest and other fees to be charged and not only look at the monthly instalment. Avoid borrowing from anyone who asks for your bank card, ID document and pension card as security as this is illegal.
Check your credit bureau report regularly
If you don’t make regular repayments on your loan, it could affect your credit bureau report. Lenders use this if you apply
for another loan and companies check this when you seek employment or want to rent a property. Under the National Credit Act (NCA), a credit bureau must provide you with one free copy of your credit report each year. You can access additional copies for a small fee.
Keep up to date with repayments and seek help early if struggling
It is important to keep up to date with repayments and seek help early if struggling to keep up. A common problem is that individuals leave things until it is late and the credit provider has obtained a judgment or handed them over for debt
collection. This has serious implications for future access to credit and one’s credit record and payment profile. There are several options available to provide short or long term cash flow relief and prevent legal action. Cover yourself
If you buy an item on credit, you will still be liable to pay for that item, even if it is damaged, lost or stolen before the term of
the loan is up. If it’s expensive, this means you will paying off something you don’t actually have. Shop around for the best quotes on insurance, especially for gadgets such as smart phones and tablets so you can replace it if necessary. It is also important to take out credit life insurance in case of retrenchment. Make sure you are not charged exorbitant amounts for
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Samuel L Company Presents:
I am who I am 3rd annual conference Samuel L Company will be hosting their 3rd annual conference on the 22nd November. This promises to be a day to remember! We have had the privilege of working with Samuel L company on a couple of small projects and we are proud of the impact and influence they have had on us and how they have contributed to the Kingdom of God by ministering to the city of Polokwane. We recently caught up with the committee behind this conference during their preparation stages for a quick interview. 1.
What are you hoping to accomplish through this conference? Can you also outline the program?
2.
What can women expect from it?
3.
Who have you collaborated with in this conference?
Empower women spiritually, emotionally, financially. When you empower a woman, you empower a Whole community. We will provide a place where women can also network and business women showcase and sell their merchandise. Morning session- spiritual upliftment session, finger food lunch, last session- business and financial session. Networking and shopping. Upliftment and empowerment in the Word of God, financial and business education and networking. A morning of shopping of goods otherwise not found in malls. We got a few goodies for our ladies from nedbank, cum bucks, royal wardrobe, puseletso mobile spa Directions: From Savannah mall, take McDonald street towards Florapark at the first 4 way stop, Bekker street turn right. Proceed with Bekker street until you reach the destination.
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The day Polokwane will stand still: Silent Protest against sexual abuse
On the 28th of November, Polokwane will be silent. The city will be standing in the gap for victims of sexual abuse. This will be the first time something of this nature takes place in our beloved city and we would like to take this opportunity to thank Sandra Maphoto for giving birth to this idea. This will empower and release a lot of women in bondage and give them an opportunity to speak up. This promises to be an event packed with significance, and may God truly be golorified The program will be as follows; 08h30
Arrivals and T-shirts distribution
09h30
Prayer and Silencing
10h00
Announcements
10h15
Walk to Office of the Premier
11h15
Lie-down at Office of the Premier for
10 minutes 11h35
Walk continues to Jack Botes hall
12h00
Silent dance to the WARSP
soundtrack 12h30
National Anthem
12h35
Message by War_RNA and Shield
leader 12h45
Message by Polokwane Municipality
13h00
Message by the Department of Social
Development 13h15
Lunch
14h00
Message by the South African Police
Services 14h10
Message by Guest Organisation
(Premier) PLEDGE
PLEDGE PLEDGE
14H50
Closing remarks and prayer
15h00
End of Program
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Redeemed to release presents: She speaks Ladies Seminar One of our new members, Refilwe Sambo is hosting a ladies seminar on the 13th of December. This promises to be a day packed with powerful tools to live a life of influence as a woman and reach your full potential. Refilwe Sambo is the founder of a ministry called redeemed to release, an equipping ministry for young people based in Polokwane. We are privileged to have had an invitation to this event. Lebogang Tisane, our chairperson will also speak at this event.
Redeemed to release competition
Redeemed to release is giving away a free tickets to their ladies seminar event and a free make up hamper to the woman who can invite the most people to the event. Please like their page to get details about the competition. Good luck! Please follow this link https://www.facebook.com/pages/Redeemed-2-Release/221753891248320
She Speaks ladies Seminar.
Redeemed 2 Release
Dear : WOMEN FOR JESUS 1 Peter 3:6 (NKJV) As Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror. Redeemed to Release would like to invite you to its She Speaks Ladies Seminar for all women and gentle ladies. Topics to be covered:
Remaining pure as a service to the Lord. Waiting on your Boaz. The importance of being a Proverbs 31 woman. Overcoming challenges that women face. Trusting in God even when no one believes in you and nothing makes sense. There will be a Question and Answers session too.
Keynote Addresses: Mrs Tlou Manyathela (Mrs SA 2013 Finalist). Mrs Granny Ramachela (AKA Granny Meletse). Pastor Tebogo Maloba (Ms) Venue: Seshego FET College (Behind Seshego Plaza, next to the Seshego Police Station) Time 10:30 Date: 13 December 2014 Registration fee: R25 For more information: Facebook for updates on Redeemed 2 Release Twitter @R_2_rministry Contact Phomelelo on 076 695 9829 or Refilwe on 076 319 5178 There will be Entertainment and R
efreshments will served.
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November woman of the month: Ruth Her story is set in a period where people did whatever they pleased and pursuing God was more than what one did on the outside. She and her sister-in-law had just lost their husbands after 10 years of marriage, their mother-in-law Naomi was left without a husband and children. She arose one morning and decided she would return home. After preparing for the journey she and her daughters set out on this journey that lay before them but on the way Naomi stopped suddenly and asked her daughters-in-law to return to Moab as she had nothing more to offer them. There was resistance at first but eventually Oprah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye and returned to Moab whilst Ruth clung tightly to her mother-in –law and refused to let go. Without any hesitation she said: ’don’t ask me to leave you and turn back. Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you live I will live. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. Wherever you die I will die and there I will be buried. May the Lord punish me severely if I allow anything but death to separate us’. Though the story continues and she goes with Naomi to Bethlehem I realized Ruth surrendered her all to pursue God. She decided that day that even though she had lost all that was dear to her there was something about the God Naomi prayed to that caused her to want Him to be her God as well. As we look at her life may we really just ask God what it means to fully surrender? What does pursuing Him entail and that as He reveals in love where we have not fully surrendered may we find our hearts, minds and ways at a point where they are changed for His glory, at a point where we can say Lord have Your Way I surrender cause I want to know You more.
For more info please contact: Vision bearer Lebogang Tisane 0713569928 Logistics Shirley Malope 0760278395 Love in Action Molatelo Mathoko 0724213344
Meladi Montjane 0790653603 Unashamed Lerato Masenya 0797845086 Mabothaka a morena Maphuti Mashamaite 0817571489 Secretary Phethego Kgatla 0766543160 Public relations Mahlatse Tloubatla 0721265311
Phethego Kgatla Shirley Malope Jessica Kubayi Thato Pootona Kholofelo MabelebelePrisca Mhlongo Gundo Ndou Kgomotlokwa Kganyago Sandra Maphoto Dineo Mahlangu Magauta Mphahlele
Happy Birthday November butterflies