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NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2016 • ISSUE 2
ON POINT ADVERTISING SOLUTIONS
INSPIRATIONAL FROM RURAL KID TO MASTER MARINER
SPORT CONGRATULATIONS AZINGA
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Breakthrough for
East London woman “keep focused on your goal”
By Derek Hindman
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ndisiwe Stuurman has worked hard to achieve her goal of qualifying as an environmental scientist. After studying at Fort Hare University, she earned her Master’s Degree in Geography and Environmental Resources in the USA. Continues on page 2
INTERESTING CAREER: Andisiwe Stuurman is a qualified environmental scientist. She believes that life is about focusing on and achieving your goals. Picture supplied
EDITORIAL
Continued from page 1 “I love East London so I was really pleased to find a career related job at Environmental Impact Management Services. I would like to encourage young people to stay focused on their goals no matter what life throws at them. “I had a baby during my second year at university but I refused to let challengers that came with that hold me back. You must push on with your goals when times get difficult.” she said. Andisiwe, who is 26 was born in King William’s Town. After matriculating at Oxford College in East London she obtained her Batchelor of Science Degree at the University of Fort Hare in 2010. The next year she obtained her Honours Degree in Miro Biology. Andisiwe qualified for bursaries from Johnson and Johnson, Eastern Cape Department of Environmental Affairs and NRF. Andisiwe started work at J&J from 2011 until July 2013 as part of her bursary commitment. The job as a product development scientist, was a great opportunity to get practical
experience in the fast consumer goods industry. After finishing at J&J Andisiwe applied for and won, a fully paid for Fulbright Scholarship to do a twoyear Master’s Degree in Geography and Environmental Resources at the Southern Illinois University in the USA. Her crowning academic achievement was to obtain the degree with distinction. “Illinois is a good place. The people are very helpful to international students. I visited New York and Florida which I enjoyed.” Andisiwe’s interesting job covers the following areas. Environmental compliance monitoring, basic impact assessment, and water quality monitoring. “I find protection of water resources the most interesting facet of my work. My hobbies are reading and watching movies and I enjoy doing a bit of road running over 5km to 10km. “I have been blessed. I was recently engaged and we plan to marry soon. I live my life to inspire my younger sisters, my 7-year-old son and others around me,” Andisiwe concluded.
By Derek Hindman
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e are hurtling towards 2017, so let me take this opportunity to wish all people of Amathole a safe and happy holiday. A big thank you to the advertisers for fully supporting this second edition. I will be printing at end of January again. Changing the subject to sporting matters, the South African cricket team have lifted the moral of their citizens by humbling Australia at Test and ODI cricket. Almost overnight Temba Bavuma and Kagiso Radaba have proved that our black players can and will rise to the highest level in the game. Our fully transformed team has broken all records against Australia and looks set for many more big wins against any opponents. By contrast the Australian team have fallen off the wagon completely as several players and backroom staff face the axe, shame! There is always something to write home about when you live in South Africa. When our rugby team is down our cricket guys are up. Just as the national soccer team pulls of a rare credible win the coach starts “throwing stones” at his SAFA bosses. There is never a dull moment. I believe our Springbok rugby fans should take hope from what the SA cricket team has achieved over the last two months. After watching the Currie Cup final between Free State Cheetahs and the Blue Bulls I have no doubt that the Boks will bounce back as well. The final offered a glimpse at our young talent and future looks bright. Regards, Derek Hindman Email: derek.onpoint@gmail.com
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 10 BHISHO To be announced
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ON POINT WITH AMATHOLE PEOPLE
CREATIVE PEOPLE
Confident Care Ask your salon for Long & Lasting Confident Care of your hair Tel: 043 726 3954 Email: info@longandlasting.co.za
ALL SMILES: Phaphama Tshisa left, and Bukeka Makubab were in good spirits on Heritage Day in King William’s Town. As they cheerfully served customers many people complemented them on their traditional outfits they wore to mark the occasion. Picture by Vuyo Ludidi
www.longandlasting.co.za
ON SALE: Shaune Sithole shows off his artwork at the bottom of Old Transkei Road in East London. Many of his pictures feature Table Mountain as a back drop to poor living conditions in some areas near Cape Town. It takes him three days to make one big picture. “I stayed in Cape Town for some time and I was fascinated by the beauty of Table Mountain which contrasts against the harsh township environment. People like my work and sales are likely to pick up in December,” he said. Shaune who is 23 was born in Zimbabwe.
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Tobela Gqabu at the controls of a ship simulator. Picture supplied
From rural kid to
Master Mariner Turning aspiration into reality
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hen Tobela Gqabu, applied for a bursary to study at the Lawhill Maritime Centre in Cape Town in 1999, the 16-year-old had never seen a ship. Thirteen years later Tobela became the first Lawhill Centre graduate to become an internationally-qualified Master Mariner. Brian Ingpen who is in charge at the Lawhill Centre had this say. “Tobela showed a strong determination and commitment to succeed. He has achieved his Master's Ticket just 10 years after matriculating. He is a rising talent in the maritime industry.” The fact that Tobela grew up in rural Eastern Cape, near Engcobo makes his achievement even more surprising. After many years at sea Tobela is currently working ashore for SAMSA (South African Maritime Safety Authority) at the Port of East London as Principal Officer. His current posi-
tion involves international travel on maritime safety matters. "I have aspired to command a ship for many years so now that I have my Master's Ticket, it's important that I turn that aspiration into reality," he said. After finishing at junior secondary school his grandmother convinced Tobela to take an aptitude test to join the programme at Lawhill Maritime Centre where he planned to finish his schooling. He earned one of just 3 bursaries for his first year of study. “I am not too sure who paid for the next two years of my studies as the donor wished to remain anonymous. “I am especially grateful to my grandmother for always supporting me and to the generous donor,” he said. In 2004 Tobela secured his first job at Unicorn Shipping as a deck cadet on a product
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tanker ship. Since then he has risen through all the ranks at sea. In August while in Japan, Tobela visited the memorial site where the nuclear bomb was dropped on Hiroshima during World War II. “This was a very emotional visit for me,” he said. Back at his land job he was involved in the detaining of three illegal Chinese fishing vessels earlier this year, under vessel safety regulations. “Dealing with such a complex legal matter was a test for me but I think I coped well under a fair amount of pressure. “I have been supported so I have a lot to give back to society. I believe that it is your ATTITUDE that determines your ALTITUDE”. All those interested in a maritime career should check out the following websites. www.lawhill.org and www.samsa.org.za
ON POINT WITH AMATHOLE PEOPLE
young golfers surge ahead DREAM TEAM: Border provincial golfers Siviwe Duma, Zethu Myeki, Lwazi Gqira, Millie Zim and Yolanda Duma are top notch border amateur golfers who have proved they can take on the best. Picture and story by Vuyo Ludidi
B
order amateur golf is headed for bigger things. Seasoned campaigner Millie Zim and five young team members, made history when the Border women’s golf team retained their A Section status in October. This was the first time that Border women’s team qualified to play in the A Section at the annual Inter Provincial Tournament. Several players have come through the ranks as junior development golfers where Millie is manager at Border South African Golf Development Board. “Our goal was to retain our status in the A Section. We have made history by doing this. This really is a huge achievement as bigger provinces are better resourced,” Millie said. Border team manager and coach Michelle de Vries said that its tough in the A section but that the players have proved emphatically that they deserve to be competing at the highest level of amateur golf. By retaining status Siviwe Duma, Zethu Myeki, Yolanda Duma, Demi Flanagan, Hermien Jones and Millie Zim have laid the foundation at the pinnacle of SA women’s golf for others to follow. Sisters Siviwe 28 and Yolanda Duma 26 and Zethu Myeki 22, have been trail blazers for junior and now senior women’s golf for many years. Siviwe and Yolanda will turn professional next year. They are aiming to play in 10 SA women’s provincial events around the country between January and March. Zethu has already made a name for herself as one of the top amateur women golfers in South Africa. “I am not turning pro yet. I want more experience at top level,” Zetu said.
NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016
Lwazi Gqira 23 who lives in Duncan Village has proved his ability against top provincial golfers from around South Africa. He has been a regular member of the Border men’s team for a few years. He is currently playing off a +1 handicap. “I am doing a welding course just so that I have another skill. Even if I do not turn professional I will keep playing golf because I love the game,” Lwazi said.
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s n o i t a l u t a r Cong
Azinga Young man beats the odds
FROM HUMBLE BEGINNINGS: Boxing trainer “Chief” Mzamo Njekanye centre, with SA champion Azinga Fuzile at the Duncan Village Boxing Academy. The junior club members are pleased to have the new SA featherweight title holder on hand to offer advice. Picture and story by Derek Hindman
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zinga Fuzile’s shock win in October over Macbute Sinyabi has caught the attention of People of Amathole. Against all odds his win was comprehensive. Some boxing pundits say the vastly experienced Sinyabi might only have won two of the 12 rounds. Not too many fight fans believed the new professional boxer on the “block” could handle Sinyabi. This achievement makes Azinga the first On Point with Amathole People Sports Star. Azinga who is just 20 years old is now the new SA featherweight boxing champion, this after just five professional fights. Fight fans can look forward to seeing Azinga back in action on Friday 9 December when he will fight for the WBC World Junior Title in East London.
Azinga was born in Duncan Village. He started boxing at age 10 at the DV Boxing Academy under trainer “Chief” Mzamo Njekanye said. “This fighter has always been with me. He has just beaten a well-recognised fighter in Macbute. Our next steps will be towards winning a world title,” Azinga’s mentor said. As an amateur fighter Azinga won both the SA and Eastern Cape amateur titles. At the All African Games, in 2004 he was the only South African boxer to claim an All African boxing title and gold medal. The young boxer who is in Grade 11 has set himself the goal of passing matric next year. Azinga attributed his success to hard work in the gym and the believe that his trainer and fellow club members have shown in him.
CLUB CHAMPION: Entertainers Rugby Club player Mihlali Mampangashe was recognised as Player of The Season at the club’s awards ceremony recently. Mihlali received his award from Mr Sandi (Department of Sport Recreation Arts & Culture) .and Mr Zxesha who is a former Border Rugby Union and Keiskammahoek Rugby Sub Union President. Mihlali who plays fly half was the club’s highest points scorer for the season with 72 points in all competitions. A badly fractured collar bone injury kept him off the field but he bounced back strongly as the season ended. Entertainers Rugby Club competes in the Sunday League under Keiskammahoek Rugby Sub Union. The club finished the season in 4th position in the league. Picture supplied.
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ON POINT WITH AMATHOLE PEOPLE
KEEP GOING IN TOUGH TIMES
TOAST AND DELI TEAM: Geraldine Viviers has recovered from a spinal injury that left her bed ridden for six months. In spite of her injury in 2011 Geraldine took the gap and ploughed one third of her pension into starting the restaurant at the Emporium Centre opposite Selborne Primary School. “Next year I plan to upgrade Toast and Deli and my dream is to start a bed a breakfast. In 2014 Geraldine won the Business Women’s Association Emerging Entrepreneur Award.
GREAT RIVALRY: During 2016 Dale College and Selborne resumed their 150 year old rivalry on the rugby field. In picture Selborne player Darren Lemmer ran into a solid Dale defence in King William's Town in April. Dale won this match but Selborne bounce back to win the second fixture played in East London in August. Honours even for 2016. Picture by Alan Parsons
NOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2016
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