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FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017 • ISSUE 3
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From Vision to Reality
Helpful Hints
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Mdantsane matric student excels SUPER EFFORT: Wongalethu High School matric student Athini Mqolora will leaving for University of Cape Town soon where she will study medicine. Athini passed matric with six distinctions. Picture by Taurai Murombedzi. See story page 2.
Six distinctions for
Mdantsane student Continued from page 1 By Derek Hindman
W
hile doing Grade 10 at Wongaletu High School in Mdantsane Athini Mqolora decided that she wanted to become a doctor. Her dream started to come true when she obtained six distinction in matric last year. “I believe that nothing comes on a silver platter in life but that anything is possible if you work hard. I must confess I did work very hard for these results,” Athini said. Early in February Athini will leave for Cape Town to study medicine at UCT. She already has a bigger goal which is specialise in oncology (study of cancer in children) after becoming a doctor. She will study for at least the next ten years to achieve her aim. Athini wrote seven subjects in matric including maths and science.
She just missed a distinction in Xhoza with 78 percent. “A big thanked the all my teachers at school and especially my principal Miss Mamatu for going the extra mile to help me do so well. “I took extra maths and science lessons at the Maths Centre in East London and at Engen Maths and Science Centre and this really helped me because I managed to get distinctions in both subjects and 94 percent for science. Thanks to the people there too. I do not think I would have made it without them,” she said. At Wongaletu High there was no science teacher when Athini wrote Grade 10, so she had plenty of catching up to do. She was part of the school debating team but other than that Athini concentrated on her studies.
EDITORIAL
H
i to all. It may be bit late to wish you happy you New Year as January has already come and gone, so may your February be better than your January. I am sure readers would join me in congratulating Athini Mqolora (see front page story) for passing matric with six distinctions. You can send congratulations on our new Facebook page, On point with Amathole People, if you like. We will run a Helpful Hints article each month which will be written by a specialist. My thanks to investment advisor Logan Packery who has done the first article for this edition. I have known Logan for many years and I can vouch that he has served the East London community with integrity for more than 40 years. A big thank you as always to the advertisers. The new Facebook site should give your adverts more exposure as the editions will be posted on the site. I am hoping that the activity on the Facebook site will give business people a good reason to consider using this medium to advertise. Regards Derek Hindman
On Point With Amathole People
DESIGN: Workshop12: 043 735 2059
THE CHAMPIONS: Police Rugby Club President Mike Campbell left, first team captain Bonga Mntunjani, vice-captain Lonwabo Ntlama and club rugby administrator Wernich Erasmus, show off the Border Super League Trophy that the first team won last year, at the club’s annual prize giving event which was held in late December. Players that were recognised at the prize giving were: Player of The Year Award: Won by Odwa Rasmeni (flyhalf / fullback) Most Valuable Player: Won by captain Bonga Mntunjani. (no. 8 / flank) Best goal kicker: Skangele Mateza. (scrumhalf) Most tries by a player: Vice-captain Lonwabo Ntlama who scored 22 tries playing on the wing. Most improved player: Sikho Sodlula (hooker)
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Magazines can be collected at the following sites. EAST LONDON: 1.Spar @ Beach Road Nahoon 2. Spar @ Vincent 3. Spar @ Main Road Amalinda 4. Pick n Pay @ Settlers Way Greenfields 5. Pick n Pay @ Hemmingways Centre 6. Balfour Centre in Vincent EAST COAST RESORTS: 7. Spar @ Crossways Centre KING WILLIAM’S TOWN: 8. Spar @ Sutton Square MDANTSANE: 9. Pick n Pay @ Mdantsane City Mall BHISHO To be announced
ON POINT WITH AMATHOLE PEOPLE
n o i s i v From to reality
V
isions Becoming is a brain child business of Mdantsane born friends Zandile Sishuba and Zikhona Voyi. Their dream of starting a unique African style clothing and apparel business began when they started producing clothing designs from their separate homes. Their venture grew steadily and they rented a garage to work from. In 2007 they registered their business. Today Succumb General Trading affectionately known as Visions Becoming is a manufacturing concern that sells handmade kiddies ranges, adult wear, fashion accessories home décor, kitchen range and corporate gifts. The ranges have a unique African design. The business moved to Shop no.6, Devereux Centre Devereux Avenue, in East London in October last year. Zikhona and Zandile have managed to secure some standing orders from Cape Town and Johannesburg. The new shop is a popular stop for locals who are looking for “that something different” as a gift. Visiting overseas tourists are also finding their way into the shop in growing numbers attracted by the colourful unique African designs,. “This is the first time we have retail space to show are goods from. Our manufacturing process also takes place on the same site where we employ four people.
GOOD FRIENDS: Zandile Sishuba left, and Zikhona Voyi have seen their apparel busineses in Vincent East London grow from humble beginnings. Picture by Derek Hindman
The partners have won several awards in recent years. In 2009 they won the Emerging Entrepreneur in the Business Women’s Awards (BWA) and were finalists in the Young Entrepreneurs Networking (YEN) Awards in the same year. Last year they were showcased amongst top S.A designers Davis Tlale and Thula Sindi at the Buyelekhaya Fashion Show and they emerged among the top three winners. Contact details: Zandi 073 479 4778 | Zoe 072 182 0918 Facebook: Visions Becoming Fashion: Instagram: visions_becoming Twitter -@VisionsBecoming: Website: www.visionsbecoming.co.za Address: Shop no.6 Devereux Centre, Devereux Avenue, Vincent
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FEBRUARY | MARCH 2017
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Image: babytribu.com
Get your baby
floating
EL swimming teacher offers tips By Derek Hindman
E
very year too many young children and babies drown in swimming pools or dams simply because they are not “water safe.” By simply teaching a young child or baby to float, many potential drownings can be prevented. Once floating is mastered proper swimming lessons can begin. The next important goal is to teach young children to swim to the side of the pool if they fall in. I asked Samantha Rawlins who is the owner of AQUATOTS East London a few questions. Samantha is a teacher who specialises in introducing babies to water and teaching young children to swim. QUESTION: What is AQUATOTS? ANSWER: “Essentially we start off
by teaching young babies between 6 months and 3 years old to flip over and float on their back or spin around and return to the wall, depending on the age appropriate activity. We encourage mom or dad to climb into the pool and play an active part in making baby feel comfortable and safe in water. We teach parents to teach their children. QUESTION: At what ages, can babies come for lessons? ANSWER: Parents can start to make their new born baby feel comfortable in water at bath time. We offer advice and lessons on how to make bath time fun time. This process can start at home a few days after birth. A baby’s immune system is only fully developed after six months because of every day germs that occur in pools. We can safely introduce babies to the swimming
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pool when they are 6 months old. In fact, the earlier we get started with lessons at this point the better. We find the older the child starts learning to swim the longer it takes. QUESTION: Should lessons take place in groups? ANSWER: Learning in a group of three to five babies with one parent in the water with each child always delivers best results. Learning in a group is fun and is always encouraged. Either mom or dad is encouraged to be part of the learning experience. QUESTION: How long are courses/ lessons for babies? ANSWER: Our courses are six weeks long with two 30 minute lessons a week. If you would like to find out more about AQUATOTS contact Samantha on E mail: aquatots@border.co.za
ON POINT WITH AMATHOLE PEOPLE
Helpful Hints Corner Developing a sound financial plan On Point With Amathole will run this Helpful Hints Corner in each edition. A reputable expert in each field will be selected to offer insights on various subjects affecting everyday life each month. Logan Packery has kindly agreed to offer sound financial advice in three articles. His first article focuses on starting a savings plan. In future editions Logan, will touch on life insurance and retirement planning. LONG SERVICE: East London based financial advisor and life assurance broker Logan Packery started out in the insurance industry in 1972. He joined the Metropolitan Life office in East London where he was a sales representative for three years before he was promoted to Life Sales Manager, a position he held for a further 12 years. In 1988 he became an investment advisor and life insurance broker trading as Logan Packery & Associate Insurance and Investment Brokers. Logan has served the people of East London for more than 40 years.
By Logan Packery
M
y article is aimed at young people under 25 who have been working for a while but who may have not have started developing an investment strategy. The first step is to find an insurance, investment broker who can help you build your unique investment portfolio over time. This person must be a suitably qualified, accredited and licenced to deal with brand name companies like Old Mutual, Sanlam or Liberty. Life etc. An investment strategy is built up over time to cater for savings/investment, life and disability cover, retirement planning and medical cover and more. It is essential to first start saving money as emer-
gency funds and for a deposit on a car, house etc. Make saving money a habit and build it into your monthly budget, if possible from the day you earn your first pay cheque. This start is the cornerstone of any long-term investment plan. Emergency funds should always be accessible and there are different types of plans for saving. A reputable financial advisor will always start by doing an investment risk profile on you as an investor so that the products that best serve your needs can be employed. Remember that wealth is accumulated over time. The sooner you start saving the better. Logan Packery: Tel: 043 721 2514 Cell: 071 361 3085. Email: logans@telkomsa.net
BOOT CAMP
HARD AT WORK: Some folk started off the New Year by getting back to their vigorous training programme. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at 5am about 30 fitness fanatics complete a 45-minute-high intensity exercise programme under the guidance of Boot Camp trainer Marc Robertson. Fitness training takes place at Selborne Primary School. Late afternoon classes start at 5.15pm on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. “I train about three times a week to keep in shape. Exercising in a group is fun and motivating,” Cathryn Gunn said. Lawrence Human said that he does the programme to lose weight. “I have lost 20kg since July.” he said. If you are interested in taking part contact Marc on 083 660 2728.
FEBRUARY | MARCH 2017
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The U17’s and U19’s are
champions again
BRAGGING RIGHTS: Some players from the u19 and u17 soccer teams at Greenpoint Secondary School, show off the title trophies they won in 2006. In picture at back from left are Mr R Packery u19 coach, N Mgquba (u17 & u19) player, P Lofazi (u19) player, S Septembe (u17 & u19) player and u17 coach Mr A Jansen. In front left are Z Willie u19 top goal scorer, J Elgin (u17player), L Esbend and G Goliath who played for both u17 & u19 teams last year.
Greenpoint go
big
By Rajen Packery
P
layers from Greenpoint Secondary School which is situated in Buffalo Flats in East London, distinguished themselves on the soccer fields in 2016 once again. Their u19 boys team captured the EL CHISSA Schools District League Title for the 4th consecutive year. They were only beaten once last season. Zukile Willie was Top Goal Scorer for the u19 squad and Bandile Ngangata was named as Player of The Year for his team. The unbeaten u17 team retained the same title for the second year running. Ntsikelelo Mgquba was Top Goal Scorer and Lee Marvin Esbend was named the u17 Player of The Season. Rajen Packery who is convenor of soccer teams at the school also reported that the girls U19 soccer side finished runners up to Hudson Park and the u15 boys also finished high up on their log.
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on soccer
“Our dedication of the soccer teachers Mr Greg van Dyk, Hadley Le Bron and Andre Jansen went the extra mile to prepare our teams for success. Many of our players come from traditionally strong soccer areas like Buffalo Flats, Duncan Village, Gompo and Mdantsane and that helps,” Mr Packery said. Greenpoint Secondary High School u19 and U17 teams represented the East London District in the prestigious KAY Motsepe Cup. Unfortunately, they failed to qualify for the next round of the competition. Zukile Willie, Lee Marvin Esbend, Ntsikelello Mgquba, Gerard Goliath, Savio September, Ronaldo Francis and Bandile Gangata went on to represent the EL Central District teams in their respective age divisions. The Greenpoint Secondary High School prides itself in providing sport as an outlet to disadvantaged communities. The school also offers hockey, cricket, chess and athletics as sport choices.
ON POINT WITH AMATHOLE PEOPLE
Hudson High water polo star GOING PLACES: Hudson Park High School learner Liyabona Mbekele was pleased to hear recently that she has been selected for the SA Schools U17 B water polo team. Picture supplied by Hudson Park High School
By Derek Hindman
H
udson Park High School Water Polo Director, Kyle Kumm was pleased to announce that Liyabona Mbekele will be playing for the SA Schools17 B water polo team in 2017. “We heard the good news last week and we are still waiting for a training programme and fixture list,” Kumm said. It goes without saying that Liyabona made her name by playing for all the Border age group teams since she started at Hudson Park at age 13. At school level Liyabona has been named as girls 1st team captain for 2017. She has already played for the 1st team for two seasons. “I would like to thank all the coaches who have helped me over the years,” she said. The Grade 11 student who is still only 16 yearsold has plenty of scope to reach higher goals. After school, she plans to study medicine and go as far she can with water polo. “I just took to the game at a young age after friends introduced me to water polo,” she said. Liyabona plays centre back which is a key position in water polo. “My assistant coach Dylan Hawks passed the comment that he has never seen a player improve at such a fast rate before. “I look for a player’s awareness of space in the pool and in an ability to turn defence into attack. Liyabona has worked extremely hard on these aspects of her game. She has been a very underrated player until now,” Kumm added. Liyabona also play hockey for the school U16 B team and is a top-notch student. Congratulations must also go to Rebecca Ansell of Stirling High who has made the U17 national team.
FEBRUARY | MARCH 2017
EL scoops big water polo event East London will host the SA Masters
over 45 team who were narrowly
Water Polo Tournament at the Joan
beaten in last year’s final in a penalty
Harrison Complex from 22 March to
shootout.
25 March. Andy Reeves of Border Water
“Reaching the final was a big achievement as Border are a much
Polo said that at least 35 men’s SA
smaller province that Gauteng,
provincial teams and Zimbabwe will
Western Province and KZN.
compete for senior men’s age group national titles. More than 400 players and 3 000
“Border water polo runs a strong beginner’s academy and several young players from Border of all
visitors are expected in East London
races are have made SA junior
for the tournament which will pro-
teams.
vide a boost to the local hospitality industry. National selectors will be on the lookout for new talent. All eyes will be on the Border
This a great opportunity for anybody interested in learning about water polo to see the best players in SA in action and find out more about our youth academy,” Reeves said.
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