Post Matric - Gauteng 2018 by Yes Media

POST MATRIC 2018 | GAUTENG

PUT YOURSELF

ON THE MAP PLUS BE INSPIRED

PLAN YOUR ROUTE

FIND FUNDING

WIN R10 000 IN TRENDY TECH GADGETS

CAREER IDEAS INSIDE Visit www.postmatric.co.za for stacks more!

Study options on oﬀer at the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences www.up.ac.za/ems

Take a step UP A degree from the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) could be the stepping stone to turning your passions into an exciting career. The wide variety of study options on offer are presented by highly qualified lecturers from across the globe who are leading experts in their fields.

Financial Sciences

Management Sciences

€ R

NYSE JSE

Your passions + a world class degree from UP = a bright future For detailed admission requirements, please visit www.up.ac.za/bcom Like the EMS page on Facebook: @upems

Economic Sciences

Public Management and Administration

Financial Sciences

The variety of roles fulfilled by professionals in financial sciences range from solving complex financial problems to managing investments. They are also expected to offer recommendations to help clients make wise financial decisions.

Are you…

Passionate about numbers An innovative problem solver A critical thinker and creative leader

€ R

Management Sciences

External/Internal auditor Tax professional Investment professional Business analyst

There are various management and support services functions that keep an organisation running smoothly on a daily basis. These essential tasks are performed by employees with specialised knowledge that ranges from hiring suitable staﬀ to marketing the company’s goods and services.

Do you…

BCom (Business Management) BCom (Human Resource Management) BCom (Marketing Management) BCom (Supply Chain Management)

Possible careers

Corporate entrepreneur Human resource consultant Industrial psychologist Labour relations consultant

BCom (Econometrics) BCom (Economics)

Economist Lecturer Researcher Trader

QS World Rankings by Subject 2017 #1 in South Africa for Finance and Accounting = Top 4% in the world Top 6% in the world for Economics and Econometrics

Public Management and Administration Are you…

Work well with people Enjoy thinking outside the box Adapt well to change

What you can study

Analytical Curious Mathematically inclined Analyst Broker Consultant Econometrician

BCom (Accounting Sciences) BCom (Financial Sciences) BCom (Investment Management)

Chartered accountant Accountant Financial manager Forensic specialist

Are you…

Possible careers

What you can study

Possible careers

Economic Sciences

Students can pursue postgraduate studies in Tourism Management and in Communication Management

Logistics manager Management consultant Marketing manager Public relations manager Researcher

A career in economics entails uncovering and forecasting economic trends as well as the eﬀects of policy changes on our society and the global economy. This is supported by econometrics, which is the collection, measurement and analysis of economic and social phenomena.

Enthusiastic about policy issues and current aﬀairs A leader who values ethics Good at problemsolving

Public servants who apply public administration and management principles make a signiﬁcant contribution to the quest for excellence in service delivery. They also promote diplomacy by representing and protecting the interests of their country.

Possible careers

Diplomat Manager in a nongovernmental organisation Policy analyst Public manager Researcher Municipal manager

What you can study

BAdmin (Public Management and International Relations)

Additional programme and degrees offered in cooperation with other faculties: BCom (Own choice): The degree does not lead to a specific vocational outcome but offers opportunities to compile your own curricula and determine your own career outcome. BCom (Agribusiness Management), BCom (Informatics), BCom (Law) and BCom (Statistics).

Please note: Mathematics is compulsory for all BCom degrees. Students with either Mathematics or Mathematical literacy can be admitted into BAdmin degrees.

2 | POST MATRIC 2018

FROM THE ED

WELCOME TO THE MATRIX, MATRICS

e are smack bang in the middle of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Basically, technology and robotics are taking over our jobs (and our lives). We use voice recognition and thumb prints as passcodes, we have drones delivering our shopping, and, yes, we may soon be going on holidays to Mars. The Matrix is no longer a thing of the future; it is now. Oh no, have I given away my age?

That movie was far-out sci-ﬁ back then. Now it s just a cult classic ‒ though there has been talk of a reboot. #What sNew, you might be tweeting, or posting or facetiming. The answer is skills, and lots of them. In order to survive in our current matrix, you need big picture thinking: mixing a clear strategy with some perspective on what skills will still be relevant in the future. But leaving school doesn t have to feel like you re going down the rabbit hole. It s not a case of: This is your last chance. After this, there is no

turning back. You take the blue pill ‒ the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill ‒ you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes. Because we ve got you covered. So pull up that comfy bean bag, plug yourself in, and get lost in the matrix of Post Matric. In this edition, Wandile shows you a map to the world, Annie encourages you to dream big while keeping it real, Christina reports on fees falling and how to get in on the act, the Q&A section presents a

series of day-in-the-life-of careers and characters, JS takes you on a trip down memory lane and through the highlights and lowlights of sharing a res room, Taﬁre and Fash investigate how to stay upbeat and sane when stress threatens to leave you in a funk. Okay guys ‒ Post Matric Matrix, Take One, Ready, and Action!

Olivia Main EDITOR: POST MATRIC

POST MATRIC 2018 | 3

4 | POST MATRIC 2018

CONTENTS EDITOR Olivia Main olivia@yesmedia.co.za

CONSULTING EDITOR Samantha Collins sam@yesmedia.co.za

18 #FeesHaveFallen but how can you get in on the act? The best things in life are free: love, sunshine, rain, sunsets. You can now add education to the list. Let us show you how...

CONTRIBUTORS Jo Spies, Christina Kennedy, Gavin Dudley, Annie Oehley, JS Smit

ENTERTAINMENT 3 Competition Don t miss out! Win R10 000 in Incredible Connection vouchers.

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER Jan Weiss jan@yesmedia.co.za

7 Gotta have gadgets Get tech-savvy with the hottest in gear and gadgets trending now.

PROJECT SALES MANAGER Shakier Groenewald shakier@yesmedia.co.za

PUBLISHER Yes! Media CEO Deon Muller

Cover Image: Jo Spies

PRINTED BY Paarl Media, a division of Novus Holdings. Post Matric is published by Yes!Media. All copyright in material appearing in this magazine belongs to Yes! Media and/or the individual contributors. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the editor or Yes! Media. No responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions in the contents of the magazine. Post Matric ISSN number 2074-4412

Science whizz Wandile Mabanga pieces together Africa to educate the youth (and for fun!).

Explore the endless options besides university that could lead you to your A game.

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Ursula Munnik ursula@yesmedia.co.za

TEL 021 447 6467 FAX 021 447 6351 EMAIL info@yesmedia.co.za POSTAL ADDRESS PO Box 44383, Claremont 7735, South Africa WEBSITE www.yesmedia.co.za

8 Blitzing a trail of learning through Africa

14 Dream big, but keep it real

ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER Leo Abrahams leo@yesmedia.co.za

ADVERTISING SALES Aaminah van Oudtshoorn, Mac Nell, Andy Nicholson, Joy Voss

FEATURES

47 Beat the funk

Don t stress, Taﬁre and Fash have got a handle on how diﬀerent students get their groove back.

48 Hey, Roomie Sharing a res room can be the best thing ever or a total nightmare, depending on who you get shacked up with. JS Smit tells all!

CAREER JUNCTION 23 24 25 28 30 31 32 34 38 40 41 42

POST MATRIC 2018 | 5

EWSETA IS PASSIONATE ABOUT

ARTISAN DEVELOPMENT

EWSETA IS PASSIONATE ABOUT

ARTISAN DEVELOPMENT EWSETA is the SETA mandated to respond to two of the countryʼs most critical resources – Energy and Water. With resource challenges being experienced in both these sectors as a result of growing demand, the relevance of EWSETA careers cannot be over-emphasised. The severe lack of technical skills or artisans in the country is one we take very seriously and through a number of projects we are driving the development of artisans in both sectors across the country. Our sector desperately needs qualiﬁed electricians, welders, ﬁtters and turners, plumbers and millwrights (Electromechanicians). If you are a young person at the point of making an informed decision about your future career, deciding on becoming an artisan will be one of the best decisions you make and it all starts with selecting Maths and Science at school. You also have a number of routes you could take to becoming an artisan – here are a few:

Tel: (011) 274 4700 Fax: (011) 484 8953 / (011) 484 1078 info@eseta.org.za

ROUTE 1: APPRENTICESHIP

Through an employer advertisement, you can apply and become an employee (provided you meet the minimum criteria of having a Grade 9 with Maths ROUTE 1: and Science). Through a contract entered into APPRENTICESHIP with EWSETA, the employer can enrol you on an apprenticeship programme combining on-the-job training and modular-based training at a TVET institution which will culminate in a Trade Test.

ROUTE 3: RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) 4: If you are already skilled inROUTE a certain trade but SKILLS PROGRAMMES/ PART QUALIFICATIONS do not have a qualification, you can apply to be assessed (at a cost) through one of EWSETAʼs accredited Service Providers who will assist with your assessment. Through the RPL process, the Service Provider will assess your competencies and gaps in your skills profile and assist you in closing those gaps through specific training.

ENERGY AND WATER SECTOR EDUCATION AND TRAINING AUTHORITY

ROUTE 2: LEARNERSHIP By registering with the Department of Labour at a labour centre you will be eligible for selection by an employer for a Learnership ROUTE 2: combining on-thejob and theoreticalLEARNERSHIP training (usually 2 – 3 years depending on the trade) which will culminate in a Trade Test.

ROUTE 4: SKILLS PROGRAMMES/ PART QUALIFICATIONS ROUTE 3:

PRIOR If you are RECOGNITION employed, you OF could approach your employer to assist in placing you in Skills Programmes, which are short courses and ideally modular or unit standard building blocks towards a full Artisan Qualiﬁcation. Once you have completed a full house of skills programmes/part qualiﬁcations, like the other three routes, it will culminate in a Trade Test.

www.ewseta.org.za

WWW.EWSETA.ORG.ZA

TECH-SAVVY STRAP

GOTTA HAVE TOP GEAR FOR THE DIGITALLY ENABLED LIFESTYLE

DJI MAVIC AIR

JBL PULSE 3 JBL is recognised for it s superior sound quality, including the bass radiators on either end of its portable tube speakers. This one is a complete ﬂoor show, though, with a body that lights up with swirling colours and patterns that change in time to your beats. Patterns are more complex than on previous models and you can now send colours to the speaker using photos and the phone app. 20W, waterproof, 12 hours play (claimed). 223x92x92mm, R4 000

This is the smallest model yet from the world leader in drone tech. Its collapsible design means it literally fits into a jacket pocket but it can film in 4K achieving stable, shakefree footage thanks to its 3-axis camera gimbal. Because piloting is tougher than it looks it has built-in obstacleavoidance sensors and automated flight modes for dramatic, professionallooking shots. 168×83×49 mm folded up, 430g, max speed 68kph, R14 000

PIERRE CARDIN PHANTOM BACKPACK SKULLCANDY INK’D 2 WIRELESS Bluetooth headsets are now the norm, but these Skullies have a plastic collar that creates a simple and effective cable management system and makes them easier to wear. The sound punches above its weight, the buttons are easy to find and use, and it all winds up to fit easily into your jeans pocket

Bluetooth, R500

This ordinary looking backpack is anything but. Its two padded compartments safeguard both your laptop and your tablet, and its water resistant fabric shrugs oﬀ a surprise downpour. For gaming and Instagram-ing on the go there s an external USB port connected to your powerbank in the bag, and there are tamper-proof zippers and secret pockets all round. 300x450x130mm, night glow stripes, R9 00

NOKIA 7 PLUS One of our favourite phones of the year so far this whopping 6-inch, full HD screen feels great in hand thanks to the softtouch enamel paint ﬁnish on the back. There s top-notch camera tech too, including Zeiss lenses and dual rear sensors: a 12MP for low light and a 13MP with 2x zoom. Best of all this stylish, wellspecced handset costs far less than you would expect.

6 screen, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage + MicroSD slot, Android 8, R6 700

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BLITZING A TRAIL OF LEARNING THROUGH

AFRICA WANDILE MABANGAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S INVENTIVE MAP GAME IS ALL ABOUT MAKING GEOGRAPHY, HISTORY AND CULTURE FUN, FUN, FUN! BY CHRISTINA KENNEDY

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INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE

ften, the best entrepreneurial ideas are the simplest ones. So says Wandile Mabanga, a Johannesburg-based science whizz who invented the Map Blitz game that cleverly transforms the African continent into a mind-bending jigsaw puzzle. Wandile (27) is living proof that attitude determines altitude. After graduating with a Master of Science degree (his dissertation was a high-level exploration of quantum gravity) from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2014, he could have settled into a comfortable life as an academic, unpacking the complexities of physics for eager and hungry young minds. Instead, he decided to pursue the road less travelled: to become an entrepreneur. Today, with hindsight, he is grateful that his youthful naiveté led him to use passion as my compass instead of choosing the more conventional route. I had two clear paths, this theoretical physicist-turned-inventor reflects over coffee at one of Sandton s trendy communal workspace hubs. I could continue with physics, which is a tough environment but would be an easy decision. Or I could choose the entrepreneurial path, which would be a harder one. On the one hand, there s the amazing contribution to human society that you can only get from science ‒ but someone else could do it if I didn t. On the entrepreneurship side, given the context in this country, if one of the functions of business is to make a difference, then I could potentially affect people s lives for the better.

What makes Wandile tick? the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation, learning how business can solve problems faced by society. To come up with that elusive brainwave, he went back to basics and rewound to his childhood ‒ to a time of learning through playing, exploration and discovery; a time when a child s natural curiosity is like a hungry beast, constantly needing to be fed. For inspiration, Wandile thought back to his formative years in KwaThema, a township in Springs, east of Johannesburg. Growing up in a large family, he was exposed to a colourful abundance of diﬀerent perspectives. This broadened his horizons and compensated for the fact that the township schools he attended were poorly resourced. Back then, it wasn t about the material things you had or didn t have: From the point of view of a child, your entertainment options are endless, he reminisces. Through that lens, he remembered spending glorious days ﬂying kites, playing marbles and board games, kicking a soccer ball with friends, watching the natural world unfold through National Geographic programmes on TV, being amazed when a

When he’s not thinking or inventing, Wandile Mabanga likes to recharge his batteries (and his brain) with some down time: • “I still play sports, and I like to read, take walks with childhood friends, play chess and soccer.” • “I love travelling, but not to cities – I like to get a true taste of what makes a place different. Travel teaches you empathy. The only continent I haven’t been to is Australasia.” • “My personal ambition is to make an impact on lives in generations to come. I’m still playing around with different ways of impacting on people. • If it changes five minutes of a person’s day, it is worth living for.” • “I believe in the power of simple ideas propelling us forward – it’s all about taking the first step.”

Photos: Jo Spies

HE (OR SHE) WHO DARES, WINS After a stint lecturing physics at the Vaal University of Technology and the African Leadership Academy, Wandile decided to trust his instincts and throw himself with gusto into ﬁnding a solid business concept. He d already had mentorship in the art and science of entrepreneurship, courtesy of

POST MATRIC 2018 | 9

INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE

“IT’S NOT ABOUT SUCCESS AT FIRST, IT’S ABOUT LEARNING.”

primary school teacher brought the wonders of botany to life in the classroom, basically, just being a kid. Reading books wasn t for me, he thinks back with a chuckle. I was always outside. But I was always encouraged to ask questions in our household. Kids are naturally curious, which usually gets discouraged with time. But you learn soft skills by simply playing and negotiating with your friends. The skills you glean through playing, of course, become vital later on in the playground of life. Fast-forward to the present and this notion of learning while playing formed the crux of Wandile s thought processes when brainstorming concepts to bring to commercial life. He decided to create a game. I wanted to encourage people to meet and interact through a game that could be played by anyone, of any age in any environment. A game that juxtaposed cultures; a game that was not conceptual but physical.

GAMIFYING LEARNING In other words, he wanted to gamify learning. He played with a couple of concepts before having a eureka moment after spotting a map of Africa on a wall one day. The result: Map Blitz. It s an amazingly simple and inexpensive concept but one that could, and should, ﬂy. So many people around the world still seem to hold the ignorant view that Africa is a country ‒ one homogenous landmass with one homogenous people and culture.

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INSPIRATIONAL PEOPLE

Similarly, even in South Africa we tend to be insular, instead of regarding ourselves as part of a larger, vibrant and gloriously diverse continent. It would be easy enough to Google a map of Africa to see how many countries there are and how they fit together, but where s the fun in that? Hands-on, experiential and interactive, Map Blitz is a jigsaw puzzle comprising 50 wooden laser-cut pieces ‒ one for each country (give or take a couple of smaller ones and islands) in Africa. You can assemble the puzzle yourself at leisure or turn it into a team challenge or time trial ‒ turn up the pressure and see who can put Africa together the fastest! It s both fun and educational, and could form a springboard for further investigations into the different geographies, histories, cultures, traditions and languages that make up the continent. Just think about what it s like going on holiday to a certain place ‒ you want to learn about the food, the language, the cultural practices and customs, what binds that society. If you look at Kenya for example, you should be able to get an idea of its size and its geological features, and learn some Swahili. Travelling is expensive and not everyone can afford it ‒ but this can be like TV for culture! he says.

PUTTING IN THE HARD YARDS But a workable business idea didn t just spring, fully formed, from Wandile s fertile imagination. A lot of hard work and thought went into bringing it to life.

“I WANTED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO MEET AND INTERACT THROUGH A GAME THAT COULD BE PLAYED BY ANYONE, OF ANY AGE IN ANY ENVIRONMENT.” Even though my project was a simple one ‒ a game ‒ I spent a few months trying to understand it before I could get to a longterm goal. I knew I had to build a prototype, and I tried it out with a few people. Luckily, there were no high overheads or capex [capital expenditure] involved at that stage. He conceptualised and designed the puzzle, enlisting the help of a local printing company. It cost him less than R3 000 to produce the ﬁrst 500 copies, which he went about selling. With a proven track record of sales, he presented the concept to Allan Gray, which accepted him into its accelerator programme, arming him with fresh business insights and ideas. In a market like South Africa, when you introduce something new it takes a while to adapt, says this conﬁdent young entrepreneur, who has largely funded his venture himself, with help from the accelerator. He says entrepreneurship might sound glamorous, but it requires careful thought and consideration. As the world becomes more complex, it s becoming harder to come up with new ideas if you re not an expert. One route is to go and study something and gain work experience.

That way, you have the advantage of a network and credibility and it s easier for the world to trust you with their money. Only quit your job when you have results and have no doubt in your mind that this is something you can stop for. Now, he s looking at getting Map Blitz into schools and retail outlets such as toy stores and supermarkets. He s also targeting corporate gifting, as his puzzles can be easily customised with clients logos, corporate identities and so on. On the social entrepreneurship side, once he builds up enough sales he d like to sponsor Map Blitz games for under-resourced schools that aren t able to aﬀord it. He d also like to craft map puzzles of other continents ‒ he s trying to obtain the rights to one of the more credible projections of the world map, for an accurate representation of countries sizes and proportions ‒ and to incorporate addons such as 3D mountain ranges. So, Wandile must be an expert on Africa by now? He laughs. I can draw any African country. My record for putting my own puzzle together? Two minutes, 50 seconds!

Wandile’s tips for aspiring entrepreneurs • A good entrepreneur is passionate about solving problems for people. • Many entrepreneurs are achievers, but more important than marks is an ability to adapt quickly. • There is no fixed template for being an entrepreneur – you don’t have to be an extrovert to innovate. • Start with a simple business, even if

12 | POST MATRIC 2018

it’s not a new idea – so you can learn and make mistakes. • Try something with a low capital outlay, that allows you the flexibility and freedom to experiment. • Sometimes it’s worth taking risks, but be guided by your instinct and have a good sounding board.

• It’s not about success at first, it’s about learning. • Do your best every day with the benefit of hindsight. • Don’t jump into the ocean if you don’t know how to swim – and if you don’t have something to keep you afloat.

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STRAP

DREAM BIG, BUT KEEP IT REAL

QUIT STRESSING ABOUT WHAT YOUâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;RE GOING TO DO WITH THE REST OF YOUR LIFE AND TAKE ACTION. THERE ARE ENDLESS OPTIONS TO EXPLORE BESIDES UNIVERSITY. BY ANNIE OEHLEY 14 | POST MATRIC 2018

VARSITY ALTERNATIVES

Survival kit for parents (you know they need this!)

t s time to start thinking outside the box when it comes to choosing a career path. The question is no longer What am I going to study at varsity? but How am I going to earn a living? The A game for post school used to be: get a high percentage pass in matric, decide what you want to do (forever), go to university, slip into a job (forever). These days, only a select few get accepted into varsity, a single study course includes a wide focus of subjects, the buzzword of the day is skills and people change careers like they change their hairstyles. It all sounds a bit gloomy and overwhelming, but if you take the time to ﬁgure out the answers to the following personal questions and explore the many options available below, there s no reason that A game can t be well within your reach.

Shutterstock.com

#METIME Whether you re one of those people who ve always known they ve wanted to be an astronaut, or the other, who are still waiting for a sign, it s important to understand a few things about yourself before you take the leap. Grab your notebook (digital or paper), take down your answers to the following questions, and then share them with a few people you trust to help you decide ‒ not make the decision for you! Q1: What are my interests? From gaming to socialising to looking at slides under a microscope ‒ anything goes. Q2: What are my skills? It s all about what you re naturally good at: cooking, kicking a ball, playing an instrument... you get my drift. Q3: What are my options? Try to ﬁnd options that involve your interests and skills. Check out the info below, and Google it! Q4: Do I know what I m getting myself into? Get real-life experience by interning or job shadowing. Q5: Do I need a qualiﬁcation? Maybe you don t. Some jobs are learnt through experience rather than formal studying.

#MYPOSTMATRICOPTIONS A valuable gap year A romantic notion exists of backpacking through Europe on a gap year that includes endless parties and sipping cocktails while working on a yacht. For some this is the ultimate dream and for some parents, a nightmare! So, for the more adventurous out there, a popular trend is to do a TEFL (Teach English to Foreign Learners) course, and then go on a travelling holiday, teaching in countries like Argentina and Japan. You could also sail oﬀ into the sunset on a yacht or cruiseliner by taking a course on working as a deckhand, crew member or steward/ess. Another option is a work-stay swop, which involves swopping free short-term accommodation in exchange for work while travelling ‒ usually helping families with duties like child care, gardening or work in a family business.

A GAP YEAR IS AN IDEAL OPPORTUNITY TO GAIN EXPERIENCE IN THE REALITY OF THE ADULT WORLD. A gap year can also be used to gain valuable experience to launch your career. One of my clients, who is passionate about horses, worked on a stud farm (receiving minimal wages and accommodation) and succeeded in getting an outstanding recommendation that opened doors to start her studies at the prestigious Newmarket National Stud in the UK. She is now working as an Equine Midwife at one of the best racehorse stud farms in South Africa.

• Ensure that your teenagers take ownership of their future – they need to do the research and make the decisions – not you! • Talk about options. Discuss different occupations, job shadow ideas and study opportunities. • Use your network. Others are usually very willing to share information and help along the way. • Take your teenagers to university and college open days. • Visit career expos. • Seek neutral advice. Perhaps a school counsellor, or psychometric assessments with a career guidance counsellor. • They want your help! Research has shown that teenagers value the input of their parents the most.

SOME USEFUL WEBSITES • Study information postmatric.co.za • Job descriptions onetonline.org • Learnerships serviceseta.org.za/index.php/ learners/internships • TVET Colleges studentroom.co.za/list-of-publictvet-colleges-in-south-africa • Gap year ideas educonnect.co.za/five-gap-yearideas-inspire-you • Overseas study globaleducation.co.za

MY OPTIONS IN A NUTSHELL • • • • • • • • •

Join the world of the employed Start as an entrepreneur Volunteer as an intern Complete a short course Apply for a learnership Choose a trade apprenticeship Become a student Take a gap year Work and travel abroad

POST MATRIC 2018 | 15

VARSITY ALTERNATIVES Any way you do it, a gap year is an ideal opportunity to gain experience in the reality of the adult world, earning money towards your studies or job shadowing to try out careers you re interested in. Then, there is always the option of using the time to rewrite matric subjects where your marks weren t quite up to scratch.

MANY NEW AND EXCITING SHORT COURSES EXIST TO EQUIP YOU WITH NEEDED AND RELEVANT SKILLS FOR THE CURRENT JOB MARKET. Jump into the job market I bet not many of you are thinking of doing this! It may be difficult to find employment straight after school as work experience is usually called for. But although job hunting after matric is tough, many companies do offer opportunities for school-leavers. Think of the first few months out of school as a learning curve ‒ offer to work for companies for free, gaining valuable knowledge and skills you can add onto your CV. Charity organisations welcome volunteers and many companies leap at the opportunity to have extra hands available. I know of many instances of young people being offered permanent positions in the company where they chose to volunteer. Search the online job seeking websites like careers24.com, indeed.co.za, jobs.co.za and careerjunction.co.za regularly and

register your application wherever you can ‒ it can t hurt. If you re the entrepreneurial type, start your business small and grow it as opportunities arise. Make sure you seek advice from experienced business people along the way. Gain competitive skills Did you know that South Africa publishes an annual National Scarce Skills List (found at labour.gov.za)? Occupations in these fields could ensure a successful career future for you. The path to a successful career doesn t necessarily start with a degree or diploma. Many new and exciting short courses exist to equip you with needed and relevant skills for the current job market. The most obvious of these is a computer course, and it s a good idea to learn how to increase your typing speed ‒ typingmaster.com has a free online course. Getting a first aid or au pair skills certificate also opens up an excellent potential source of part-time income for students living both locally and abroad. Internships and learnerships are exciting opportunities to gain the experience you need and even study new and interesting jobs. A learnership is a structured learning programme that includes theoretical and practical workplace experiential learning over a period of at least 12 months, leading to a qualification registered on the NQF (National Qualifications Forum). Learnerships are funded for both employed and unemployed learners through SETAs (Sector Educational and Training Authorities). There are 23 SETAs in South Africa ‒ for example, one deals with the banking industry and another with the food and beverage industry ‒ and one of their roles is to provide skills and training, which is vitally needed in various fields. Have a look at the list of SETA contacts provided to research this opportunity further.

ANNIE OEHLEY Industrial Psychologist Career Guidance Counselling Tel: 021 715 7309 Cell: 072 124 6944 Website: www.careerguidancecapetown.co.za Like my Facebook page, Career Guidance Cape Town, to receive regular articles and info on career decisionmaking, and university and college open days.

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So, you ve decided to study There are a wide variety of study options, from going to a university or TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) college to distance learning. Keep in mind that admission requirements for universities are quite demanding, so make sure you fully understand what is expected. Varsity studies often lead down specific paths: professional occupations like being a lawyer, doctor or architect. A wider range of degrees and diplomas are available at Universities of Technology, which lead to titles like paramedic, graphic designer, chef, film producer. Occupationally-related diplomas and certificates are offered at TVET colleges ‒ they don t require a bachelor s matric pass. The 50 colleges around South Africa have more than 250 campuses and study costs are very reasonable. The wide range of qualifications offered include art and design, beauty therapy, building and civil engineering, business studies, education and training, hospitality, information technology, travel and tourism. In fact, it is now possible to complete your matric in the form of an NCV (National Certificate Vocational) at one of these colleges, allowing you to leave matric with subjects in these areas, rather than traditional academic subjects such as history, biology and geography. Then there are some who prefer the earn while you learn option, which allows you to complete your degree or diploma either on a part-time evening basis or to study by correspondence (distance learning). Well known distance learning facilities include UNISA, Damelin, INTEC College, and even Wits University. The future is electric After 12 or more years of school, your future as a young, free, independent adult is here, finally! Daunting though it may be to be faced with so many important decisions to make and a mind-boggling number of options, it s also reassuring that these days failure is seen as a useful learning curve and it s acceptable to change career direction if you realise down the road that you re not as keen as you thought you were. So, go ahead and dream big, but keep it real. You are responsible for your life. Doing your best in this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment. ‒ Oprah Winfrey

STRAP

#FEES HAVE FALLEN BUT HOW CAN YOU GET IN ON THE ACT?

he good news? You re within striking distance of ﬁnishing school after 12 years of hard slog. The even better news? There s an excellent chance that you may be able to attend university or college and study towards the career of your dreams for free! South African school-leavers now have the chance to beneﬁt from free higher education, after the government announced that it would be scrapping fees for new students who comply with certain criteria from 2018 onwards.

18 | POST MATRIC 2018

The Department of Higher Education and Training s Bursary Scheme is music to the ears of would-be students whose families earn less than R350 000 per year, because sending a child to university can become a crippling ﬁnancial burden for any household. Most South African students who drop out of their studies do so because of a lack of ﬁnances. This severely limits their prospects of earning a decent living, in a country where more than a quarter of adults of working age are unemployed. But if you are from a disadvantaged or working-class family ‒ or if you excel in

academics, culture or sport ‒ you re well within close range of getting your studies paid for. The most important thing is to take control of your destiny to ensure that you graduate with that prized scroll, and start blazing your trail into the 21stcentury workplace. Here are some tips on what bursaries, scholarships and loans you may be eligible for. The moment to shine is now ‒ seize it with both hands!

f11photo / Shutterstock.com

A WHOLE NEW WORLD AWAITS IF YOU KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING YOUR STUDIES FUNDED, SETTING YOU ON THE PATH TO CLINCHING THAT DEGREE, DIPLOMA OR CERTIFICATE.

FUEL YOUR FUND FREE TERTIARY EDUCATION: THE FACTS Who will be funded? • You ll be funded if you are a first- or second-year student who has been accepted to study at one of South Africa s 26 public universities or at one of the country s 200-plus technical vocational education and training (TVET) colleges, and if you come from a household with a combined annual income of less than R350 000 per year. • Previously, the income threshold for deserving students to access study loans through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) was R122 000 per year. • This benefit has now been extended to include students from working-class families ‒ and instead of receiving loans that they have to pay back, eligible students are now given bursaries that do not need to be repaid. • For families earning less than R650 000 per household, there was no fee increase in 2018 and the government gave universities a subsidy to cover the shortfall. What will be covered? • Qualifying students will have their tuition and registration fees at a public tertiary institution covered by the Department of Higher Education and Training s Bursary Scheme. • Accommodation (and/or transport), as well as study materials and meals will also be subsidised for students who qualify, but this will be capped at a certain amount. • The bursary scheme started with first- year students in 2018 and will be phased in over five years. In 2019, first-year and second-year students will be eligible for free education. • Students who have received NSFAS loans in the past, and who are currently enrolled at a South African university, will have their loans converted into grants. How do I apply for free funding? • First, apply to your university or college of choice to secure your place. • You will still have to meet the academic requirements or criteria for a particular public university or TVET college. • Each university will still set its own fees for its various programmes of study, which will be covered by the government bursary if you qualify. • Once you have been offered a place, apply for your university or college bursary through NSFAS.

• NSFAS reserves the right to verify your household income, to ensure that you are eligible for free tertiary education. • If your funding application is okayed, NSFAS will pay your fees directly to the institution where you are enrolled. • If you fail to secure a place in an institution, register on the Department of Higher Education s Central Applications Clearing House (CACH) system once you ve received your matric results. This online application portal will then share your information with all the universities, colleges, private institutions and SETAs that still have space available. For more info, contact: National Student Financial Aid Scheme on 086 006 7327, info@nsfas.org.za or www.nsfas.org.za Career Centre on 086 999 0123 or www.careerhelp.org.za Department of Higher Education and Training on 0800 087 2222 or www.dhet.gov.za Central Application Clearing House on 0800 356 635 or https://cach.dhet.gov.za National Career Advice Portal on http://ncap.careerhelp.org.za/ For lists of bursaries available, check out www.bursaries-southafrica.co.za or www.zabursaries.co.za

TYPES OF FUNDING: QUICK AND DIRTY DEFINITIONS Bursary A bursary is funding from an academic institution, company or government entity that enables you to start or continue with your tertiary education studies. A bursary is awarded based on an excellent academic record and/or proven financial need. It usually covers registration and tuition fees, and often includes accommodation and meals, as well as textbooks and stationery. To keep receiving the bursary, you will need to maintain a certain level of academic performance while studying. In some cases, this might mean simply passing. In others, you may have to maintain an average of 60% or more. Some bursaries give preference to previously disadvantaged groups. Pros: The government bursaries that are now being awarded to financially needy students do not come with any strings attached. And if you receive a private-sector bursary that you have to work back , it means you re guaranteed a job after graduating. Cons: Certain bursaries are only offered for the second year of study onwards. Also, some students might resist the idea of being tied down to work back the study grant or complete some sort of training after graduating. Plus, if you happen

Tips for funding success • If you have to apply for a bursary or loan – either because you don’t quaify for the Department of Higher Education and Training’s Bursary Scheme or you’re applying to a private institution – make sure you get in early with your funding applications and don’t wait till the last minute. • Attend the open days of universities and colleges, and gather information on all the funding options. Speak to your career guidance counsellor at school for tips. • Find out what the scarce and critical skills that are currently in demand in the marketplace. You will have a better chance of getting a bursary if you study in a field where there is a shortage of, or a demand for, workers. • Find out what the minimum admission requirements are for the degree, diploma or certificate course you want to follow. Try to exceed those requirements to improve your chances of being accepted. Popular courses are usually oversubscribed and you could be denied a place, even if you meet the basic criteria. • Here’s food for thought: only one in eight matrics who apply to universities will be accepted. Many universities don’t think a matric certificate holds much value and you may have to write an entrance test before being considered for some courses. • Compile a professional-looking CV or résumé, listing your work experience, interests and achievements – it may help you with scholarship applications in particular.

POST MATRIC 2018 | 19

FUEL YOUR FUND to fail some of your modules, you may have to repay the bursary or risk having it withdrawn. Scholarship A scholarship is similar to a bursary in that it is money for tertiary education that doesn t need to be repaid. But it is based more on merit ‒ such as artistic, academic or sporting ability ‒ than on ﬁnancial need. Scholarships can also be awarded by universities, government institutions, companies or nonproﬁt organisations. Pros: A scholarship doesn t need to be repaid ‒ think of it as your reward for working hard, or having a special talent or ability! Cons: There s no such thing as a free lunch, and scholarships are often awarded as an investment in the student rather than a gift. Sometimes there are strings attached ‒ you will have to pursue a certain career, or provide voluntary mentoring or coaching. Many scholarships require you to maintain a certain minimum level of academic performance. Skills Development Fund If you re already working, why not try to get your employer to pay for your studies? Companies having an annual payroll of more than R500 000 have to pay the South African Revenue Service a skills development levy (1% of their total monthly salary bill) to develop and improve their employees skills. Companies can claim back a portion of the levy to train their own employees

IF YOU’RE ALREADY WORKING, WHY NOT TRY TO GET YOUR EMPLOYER TO PAY FOR YOUR STUDIES? through the relevant Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA). Pros: You can get your study costs covered by your boss ‒ as long as it is related to your job. That means you can learn for free! Cons: Read the ﬁne print carefully when enrolling for studies paid for by your company ‒ you may be tied to your ﬁrm for a certain period afterwards, to work back your training costs.

WHERE TO START? Tertiary institutions • Apply for a bursary at the university or college where you intend to study. Visit, email or phone their financial aid office well in advance to find out more. • Many of these bursaries are only available to South African citizens. • Once you are enrolled at university, you may also qualify for an academic merit award based on your results during your first year of study. • Some universities also offer partial bursaries for art, cultural, sporting or leadership achievements at school. Companies • Many companies ‒ especially those in the scarce and critical skills sectors, such as

mining and engineering ‒ award contract bursaries for studies in a particular ﬁeld. You will have to pass your subjects (or risk having to repay the grant), and sometimes you ll have to work for the company for a few years after you graduate. • Companies that award bursaries include: Spoornet, Transnet, Sasol, Absa, Anglo American, Gold Fields, Anglo Platinum, Eskom, Sasol, Iscor, De Beers, Edgars, SA Breweries, Harmony, Mintek, AECI, Engen, Group 5, Murray & Roberts, PPC, the SA Institute of Race Relations, the SA Weather Service, Vodacom and Old Mutual. • Fundi (previously known as Eduloan) is a private credit provider that gives study loans to students whose parents are permanently employed. Visit www.fundi.co.za Government institutions • Approach your local municipality, or the provincial or national government department relevant to your studies. • The Funza Lushaka bursary scheme, for example, is open to teaching students who intend working at a government school. Visit www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za/ for more details.

Bank loan • The four major banks offer loans to students to cover tuition fees, accommodation and other expenses. Once you have been accepted and have registered to study for a course, the bank will pay the amount directly to that institution and, if necessary, the residence. If you have applied for extra funding for textbooks and so on, that amount will be paid directly to you. • If you are not working or if you earn less than R5 000 a month, someone (like a parent) will have to sign surety for you. This means that

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if you default on your loan repayments after graduating, that person is liable for your debt. Pros: Investing in your chosen career path will ultimately pay off handsomely. Plus, you can apply for a bank loan to study at any university, public or private college accredited by the South African Qualifications Authority. Cons: While you’re studying, the person who has signed surety for you has to service the monthly interest on the loan. And once you’ve finished your studies, you have to start paying back a

capital amount that could run into hundreds of thousands of rands. Plus, if you don’t complete your degree, you have to repay the full loan amount – immediately. Contact the big four banks: • Standard Bank: 0860 123 000, www.standardbank.co.za • First National Bank: 0860 100 762, www.fnb.co.za • ABSA: 0860 100 372, www.absa.co.za • Nedbank: 0860 555 111, www.nedbank.co.za

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Be smart, choose to be an accountant 2019 intake will be open for the following qualiﬁcations:

Certificates • Higher Certificate in Accounting Sciences (Classes offered at selected TVET Colleges) • Advanced Certificate in Accounting Sciences Diplomas • Diploma in Accounting Sciences • Advanced Diploma in Accounting Sciences Bachelor Degrees • Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Financial Accounting • Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Internal Auditing • Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Management Accounting • Bachelor of Accounting Sciences in Taxation

Where applicable our qualiﬁcations are endorsed by: SAICA, SAIPA, CIMA and IIA

Good news! Our Higher Certiﬁcate in Accounting Sciences DOES NOT require mathematics for admission Visit our website www.unisa.ac.za/cas for more information on our qualiﬁcations and admission requirements. Apply online at www.unisa.ac.za/apply

Deﬁne tomorrow.

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CAREER JUNCTION GET A GLIMPSE INTO YOUR FUTURE CHECK OUT OUR Q&A SECTION FOR THAT FLASH OF INSPIRATION

Visit our website and Facebook page for stacks of career ideas www.facebook.co.za/postmatric

www.postmatric.co.za

COUNTING ON SOLUTIONS Mape Modiba

SAP SENIOR INDUSTRY ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE SAP SOUTH AFRICA

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME AN ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE? I chose this profession based on the fact that information technology is innovative and always changing. It changes your point of view from a purely human perspective to more of a customer perspective. I am always learning new things, meeting new partners and customers and, through travel, I get exposed to new cultures and requirements.

WHAT IS YOUR TRAINING, AND WHERE DID YOU DO IT? I studied a BCom (Informatics/ Information Systems) at University of Pretoria, and did an SAP Human

Resources Management and Payroll Certiﬁcation with SAP South Africa, SuccessFactors Training in Germany and Spain, and did Clicksoftware Training in Portugal.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK OR TRAITS YOU SHOULD HAVE (OR NOT HAVE)? Yes, you must have the skills to manage different personalities and cultures because you deal with customers from different industries and backgrounds. Conflict resolution skills are also important ‒ there will always be conflict situations to manage. Passion, leadership and always being willing to help and assist are good traits to have in this industry.

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? No, not all the time, because it s through mistakes and experience that we learn the best.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB A typical day involves customer meetings, internal meetings, dealing with escalations with a customer and attending events or user groups.

The solutions that I sell make changes in a positive way WHAT DO YOU LIKE? The solutions that I sell make changes in a positive way to citizens within my country. I love dealing with diﬀerent customers and cultures.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? When customers are unhappy or I am not able to accommodate the expectations of the customer. At times, the hours can be long.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT TO DATE? Closing the biggest SuccessFactors deal in Africa and being the Rookie of the Year at SAP in 2013.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? To be able to share all my experiences with my customers and any youngsters who come after me; to impart my knowledge.

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER? Work hard, be focused and always be willing to learn.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Awesome! Amazing! Life Changing!

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PERMANENT STICKER MAKER Sven Orton

TATTOO ARTIST

WILDFIRE TATTOOS, CANAL WALK

WHY THIS PROFESSION? I chose this profession to have the freedom to deﬁne myself and grow in an environment that has no glass ceilings. It is a platform through which to be creative and to challenge yourself to be better on a daily basis. This is a career that becomes a lifestyle and allows you to measure your growth throughout.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I had the privilege of completing a formal apprenticeship at a studio called Freestylers Tattoo Lounge on Blaauwberg Beachfront in 2008, under talented national and

international artists. The training mainly consists of you being able to learn from other artists sharing their insider tips and tricks with you. It can be beneﬁcial to have prior artistic experience. There are many kinds of artistic training that can ultimately lead down the road of tattooing.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED? Yes, someone who is versatile and able to adapt to any situation. It is a practice as old as mankind ‒ adorning our bodies since way back when Eskimos threaded sharpened bone that was dipped in colour dyes through their skin to make permanent patterns. Basically what I am saying is: anyone can tattoo.

IS EXPERIENCE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? They go hand in hand ‒ you need formal training to operate the tattooing machine and experience helps produce beautiful art.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK Every day involves the privilege of drawing on skin while listening to good music. From meeting peacemakers and athletes to models and dancers, spending my days on skin has its beneﬁts. No two days are the same; there is never a dull moment.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? I like being able to translate ideas into magniﬁcent works of art on the body and being surrounded by amazing people and great vibes. I get satisfaction from knowing people wear my tattoos with pride.

ANY ASPECTS YOU DISLIKE? It s the service industry, so you have to work on public holidays! Traditionally it is a commission only-based job, where you have to determine your salary bar.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? Working at Wildﬁre Tattoos has been a great achievement. I have also travelled the country building up a strong portfolio.

FUTURE GOALS? I d like to attend conventions and work internationally.

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Work hard, with determination and tenacity, but also remember to stay gold and be grounded. And just have fun while you re at it.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Permanent sticker maker.

THE GOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Petra Bierberg

JEWELLERY DESIGNER PETRA JEWELLERY DESIGN

WHY DID CHOOSE TO FOLLOW THE PATH OF JEWELLERY DESIGN? I always wanted to do something creative and varied, as well as to have the possibility of ﬂexible working hours or doing my work from home.

attendant and main designer in a jewellery shop located at the V&A Waterfront for four years, where I gained a huge amount of experience in selling jewellery and how to consult with clients. I also completed a basic Diamond Grading Course before I started my own business in 2005.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO?

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY OR CERTAIN TRAITS NECESSARY IN YOUR LINE OF WORK?

I studied Jewellery Design and Manufacture at Cape Technikon (now Cape Peninsula University of Technology) and then worked as a goldsmith for four years building my manufacturing skills. Thereafter, I worked as a sales

A creative and artistic type of person with good communication and listening skills ‒ if you are creating bespoke jewellery for people you really need to be able to interpret their ideas into an actual piece of jewellery. If you are

24 | POST MATRIC 2018

an artist jeweller who produces a range of jewellery you need to be disciplined and able to motivate yourself as the freedom to create can easily lead to procrastination.

EXPERIENCE VS FORMAL TRAINING? Formal training, be it in the form of a jewellery course and/or an apprenticeship, is an important grounding where you can gain necessary skills. Thereafter it is experience that makes the biggest diﬀerence ‒ learning from your mistakes, mentors, and people who are more experienced.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB There is no routine and tasks get done on demand, like working out quotations, answering client s email requests, sourcing diamonds and gemstones from suppliers, design consultations with clients and coordinating manufacture.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? Sharing in the client s excitement! Jewellery serves no purpose other than to make people happy ‒ those who give it and those who receive it. I enjoy being my own boss and personally rendering the kind of service to my clients that I would like to receive.

WHICH ASPECTS DON’T YOU LIKE? Admin, and working out quotations when it is obvious the client is hunting for prices.

ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNG DESIGNERS? Keep in mind that jewellery is a luxury and not high in demand when times are tough. It is not an easy profession, and understand that the competition is ﬁerce.

CAREER IDEAS

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

TAPPING INTO

THE SOLE

Zolani Monica Mahola

Rajesh G. Jaga

PERFORMING ARTIST FRESHLYGROUND LEAD VOCALIST

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A PERFORMING ARTIST? It was an accident really, it certainly wasn t planned. I suppose it chose me.

WHAT KIND OF TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO, AND WHERE? I studied three years of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre and Performance at the University of Cape Town.

You have to be willing to fail, but believe that you will succeed. And you can’t be shy! IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK, OR CERTAIN TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE (OR NOT HAVE)?

minute sound check. Thereafter, we drove to the hotel, had a quick shower and then went back to the venue to play an eighty-minute set, closely followed by a late dinner and a game of bowls at the alley around the corner. Our ﬁrst American Tour!

It is a family business that has been passed down from generation to generation. In this way we can continue to grow our legacy of a successful business in repairs, alterations and adjustment of all leather goods.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO, AND WHERE?

The randomness of it. The fact that we get to see a whole lot of diﬀerent places and experience diﬀerent cultures. It feels like I m expanding my mind.

I did on-the-job training as an apprentice in our Rocksole workshop. I was taught by my grandfather, Kay Jaga, and by my dad, GK Jaga.

WHAT ASPECTS OF BEING A SINGER/ACTRESS ARE YOU LEAST KEEN ON?

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL DAY WORKING AS A COBBLER

People s expectations are diﬃcult to live up to. Being seen as a celebrity rather than a girl who sings and acts is dehumanising, at times.

A typical day would involve tending to walk-in customers needing special ﬁttings; prep work for all the departments on the workshop ﬂoor; overseeing quality control of products and services; and, of course, admin.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?

You have to be willing to fail, but believe that you will succeed. And you can t be shy!

HOW DOES EXPERIENCE WEIGH UP WITH FORMAL TRAINING?

WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

It is highly advisable to get as much experience as you possibly can, even if it means working unpaid in the very beginning. Learning by doing really is the best kind of training.

One day I would like to teach English and drama to yougsters. I would also like to act again sometime in the future.

We don t really have typical days... but I will describe what we got up to yesterday. We left New York City at 11am, drove for four hours to Northampton, Massachusetts, arriving in time for a forty-ﬁve

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION?

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

Singing on the same stage as Stevie Wonder at the Radio City Music Hall in New York has to be the biggest highlight for me. He is my idol.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY IN THE LIFE OF A PERFORMING ARTIST

COBBLER ROCKSOLE SHOE & BAG REPAIRS CC

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER? Believe in yourself, be humble and graceful.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO? I really enjoy engaging with and serving our customers, and seeing them walk away happy with our work (or wearing it). I ve had the fortunate opportunity to learn unique trade skills and work with high quality machinery. Also, we have a strong sense of teamwork here at Rocksole, a real feeling of everyone being part of one big family, and that creates more meaningful around it all.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Nothing!

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? It takes time to train people to produce the level of skill in their work that reﬂects the quality we aim for. It also takes time to build a connection between the diﬀerent

people within the team, so that the process runs more smoothly and eﬃciently. Stock control has been another hurdle we ve had to get over.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? Winning the runner-up position at the Small Business Awards, hosted by Primedia and Cape Talk Radio.

ANY FUTURE GOALS? We would like to develop an online website service oﬀering the collection, repair and delivery of customer items.

Be consistent in the quality of the work you produce IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Yes, deﬁnitely, experience adds huge value to the initial training that you do and allows you to learn how to work faster and more eﬀectively.

IS THERE A PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? On the workshop ﬂoor, skills and teamwork are very important. When it comes to front of shop, it s knowing how to engage with the customers that takes priority.

ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Find a reputable training programme or apprenticeship. Learn how to communicate and work as part of a team. Manage your expectations around customer requirements. And be consistent in the quality of the work you produce. POST MATRIC 2018 | 25

STRAP

26 | POST MATRIC 2018

CAREERSTRAP IDEAS

THE LIGHT FANTASTIC Amon Mtsweni

E&I ENGINEER (ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTATION) GROUP FIVE CONSTRUCTION LIMITED

I also enjoy the travel aspect. It allows me the opportunity not only to see the world but also to engage with it.

WHICH ASPECTS DON’T YOU LIKE? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? Electricity has always amazed me ‒ I often wondered how something so invisible , which has the potential to bring about harm, manages to bring such positive change in people s lives. But there is so much more to this ﬁeld than just the lights you have in your house and see on the street. I remember my mother buying me electric toy cars as a child. I would break them open to see what they looked like inside. I would stare at the electronics in great wonder, as if I knew what I was looking at. It was clear to me that I would somehow be part of this great industry one day.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I hold a National Diploma in Electrical Infrastructure Constructional Engineering, which I acquired in the USA (California), a National Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Tshwane South College and I did a two-year Project Management Programme, NQF level 6, which is equivalent to a National Diploma.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? You need to enjoy working with people ‒ we often deal with a large number of diverse people. The work also entails a lot of travelling, in Africa and Europe, so it would help if you are someone that enjoys learning about other people s cultures.

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? I think that one cannot exist without the other: formal training is like a car travelling in a dark place with beam lights on whereas experience is travelling the same route with bright lights on.

Although I held two formal qualiﬁcations before I started my career, I realised when I got to the ﬁeld how little I knew with regards to what was expected of me, and this is not because formal training was not good enough or irrelevant but because those are things that formal training does not cover. Here, I feel the need to stress that without formal training, which gave me the opportunity to learn how to think, I would not have mastered these questions: • What does your organisation do? • How does your organisation generate income? • How does your role contribute in making sure that your organisation continues generating an income? At the same time, I am able to answer these questions today because of experience. It is through experience that I have learned and understood the importance of the above questions. Experience enhances formal training.

highlight to me activities that are on the critical path, meaning items that could jeopardise/compromise us meeting the deadline, and I would have to come up with risk mitigation plans, i.e. what we would need to do to assure that we get back to the original plan. I would also have to liaise with my QS (quantity surveyor) to look carefully at and interrogate our measurements and ﬁgures to make sure they align with the invoices we have to submit to our client for payment, and that we are still within budget.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB

It would be the same for the quality controller. They would also have to prove to me how many quality checks have been signed by the client, which is an indication of whether the client is happy with our work or not. The above happens inbetween meetings and site walks, which I have to do on a daily basis.

I work in a project environment and with that comes a lot of pressure, so planning is one of the most critical aspects of my job. We always have to meet deadlines ‒ tight deadlines, that is. My typical day at work would be to ensure that we are still in line with completing our projects on time, within cost and not compromising the quality of the product by making sure that the: • Material required to do the job is available • Supervisors and foremen are planning work for the artisans and monitoring their speeds according to industry norms • Quality controllers are signing oﬀ work done with the client. I would have to sit with the planner to look at where we are in terms of progress, he would then

There is so much more to this ﬁeld than just the lights you have in your house and see on the street

WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO? The fact that it s not routine, and that we work with various sectors such as: • Mining • Power generation • Process plants • Petrochemical. The variety of sector exposure is very beneﬁcial to my development in terms of career and personal growth.

I am not very enthusiastic about the HR/IR part of my job, which requires me to discipline employees and intervene when there are diﬀerences. And also, people constantly knocking on my door to ask for increases/raises!

THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? For seven of the eight years that I ve been with the company, I have been promoted each year, which motivates me to do better, and this I believe is because of the drive, energy and zest I bring to my job. I am also the ﬁrst, youngest African electrical engineer in my department to be promoted to electrical project manager within our organisation.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? With regards to my career, I would love to go as far as being a project director. My personal aspiration is to spend more time with my family; be at home more rather than being away on business so much.

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Confucius said Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life . Look for something that compliments your personality; don t just go after money because you will soon learn that money isn t everything. Go to school, have the drive, keep the passion alive, surround yourself with positive vibes/ people and just keep your eyes on the prize. Remember, success is an eventuality as long as you keep on trying. Sometimes you will fall and sometimes you will fail, but you have to get up, keep your chin up and soldier on. Do not lose the drive...

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Awesome, fun and challenging. POST MATRIC 2018 | 27

CAREER IDEAS

NUMBERS WHIZZ Manenzhe Manenzhe

SENIOR FINANCE MANAGER SOUTH AFRICAN REVENUE SERVICES

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ACCOUNTING? I ve always believed that numbers tell a story, and have always been fascinated with predicting a company s direction and future by merely looking at numbers; that in itself demonstrates the noble art of strategic intuition and insight. This profession to me is the most ﬂexible since as an accountant, one can work in any organisation.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I did my training at KPMG Inc, where I started as a tax consultant in 1998. I then did three years of articles. Upon completing my

articles I became a management consultant, until I ldecided to leave the organisation in 2004. I also completed the ACCA professional qualiﬁcation, so I am a proud member of ACCA.

WHAT VALUES DOES AN ACCOUNTANT REQUIRE? Integrity and objectivity are amongst the necessary values, both in and out of the oﬃce.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING Experience is equally important as formal training since it gives you a sense of the real world. Experience also provides an indepth understanding of how diﬀerent work strategies are implemented in achieving the organisation s objectives.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY I start every day with a reﬂection of the day before, and end every day with preparation for the next. For me what matters most is to keep my team ﬁred up to achieve all the tasks ahead of us. My main focus is to ensure that 80% of what we do in a day is directly contributing towards achieving all the organisation s strategic objectives, with 20% routine work.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY? When I see another school or house or hospital built for the poor, or another tar road laid, then I know I ve played a part in ensuring that happened as part of my responsibility in administering South Africa s taxes.

WHICH ASPECTS ARE YOU LEAST KEEN ON? I am not a fan of routine work and am easily bored when doing the same thing over and over. Luckily, routine work is at a minimum.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST CAREER HIGHLIGHT AS OF THIS DAY? Having worked for organisations in both the private and public sector, I have been exposed to many industries. The most exciting thing is the strategic role that ﬁnance plays in all these organisations to ensure that the company achieves its vision. I ve found it fascinating to put to test several strategies across companies during the economic meltdown, from cost savings to learning six sigma methodologies.

ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNGSTERS STARTING OUT AS ACCOUNTANTS? Being an accountant starts as a dream, but it takes hard work and determination to make it come true. If you really want to be an accountant, you need to start by believing in yourself. Then, if you have the right discipline, nothing will stop you.

THE QUEEN BEE Marlene Pillay

ACCOUNTANT & BUREAU MANAGER

CNN, JOHANNESBURG BUREAU

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO?

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? My favourite subjects in school were Mathematics, Accountancy and Biology. We tend to excel at the things we enjoy doing so I kind of knew that I would be crunching ﬁgures for a living. Either that or living out my parents dream of me becoming a nurse!

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I completed Practical Accounting and Accounting I & II at Damelin. I have also completed various accounting-related refresher courses since.

28 | POST MATRIC 2018

My primary task is that of being the accountant, and all related ﬁnancial responsibilities. I must make sure all suppliers are paid timeously. I m always on the lookout for competitive pricing for services. The second half of my job title means that the entire admin responsibility falls under my portfolio: anything from arranging a driver, to following up on travel arrangements with the travel agent to arranging visas at very short notice.

FAVOURITE PARTS... I will NEVER be bored. I enjoy the fact that I have no idea what my day will be like and that I must always be prepared.

ANYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE?

EXPERIENCE OR TRAINING?

I often find myself in a situation where I am unable to finalise a job because I need third party input. This becomes really frustrating for me, but like everything else, I find ways to work around it.

Experience is deﬁnitely more important than formal training. No amount of training can ever teach you about handling stress, having patience when you feel like you don t have any, and being tolerant under tense conditions. I have learnt a great deal from our Bureau Chief, who has been in the industry for over 25 years.

WHAT IS YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT? I have to mention the bureau s month-long coverage of the 2010 Soccer World Cup as an event all of us will remember. It was really hard work for everybody concerned, the logistics proved to be a total nightmare. But the coverage was brilliant.

YOUR FUTURE GOALS? To complete my BCom Degree. Also our bureau is growing at a very healthy pace and a growing oﬃce comes with the obvious growth in admin. I am working on streamlining processes to ensure smooth operation.

WHAT DEFINES A ‘GOOD’ ACCOUNTANT? You must be very ﬂexible. Also, irrespective of what position you hold in an oﬃce, all levels of respect are very important. There are some situations that require me to play very hard ball.

ADVICE FOR NEWCOMERS? Be prepared for hard work. You have got to accept that you win some and you lose some, but you must never lose sight of what your purpose is. Always do your best.

STRAP

POST MATRIC 2018 | 29

CAREER IDEAS

THE PERFECT SMILE Chris Pistorius

DENTIST PRIVATE PRACTICE

WHY DENTISTRY? I did an aptitude test, which showed that I should study to be a dentist or electrical engineer. I have a big love for people and that pushed me to choose dentistry between the two.

WHAT DID YOU STUDY? I studied dentistry at Stellenbosch Dental Faculty. It is a ﬁve and a half year degree, so you really have to want to do it.

are usually a few surprise visits, and sometimes an emergency. I also spend a lot of time making people feel comfortable and getting around their anxiety.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? I enjoy engaging with my clients and helping them. These days we don t just check your teeth and do ﬁllings ‒ huge advances in the materials we use and technology we have access to make it possible to create the most beautiful smile in a single visit.

huge expense of setting up a private practice left me with a lot of debt. I am (14 years later) only now paying oﬀ the last of it.

half years of studying, you are only half way there. It took me a further ﬁve years to really be comfortable in my practice.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT FOR YOU?

IS THERE A PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK?

Having my own business and watching it grow over the years. And it s still going strong.

You have to be a people person, with lots of empathy and patience. It also takes a lot of business skill to run a private practice successfully. You have to be willing to commit a large amount of time and energy (and weekends) to studying and working, if you want to be a really great dentist.

It is possible to create the most beautiful smile in a single visit WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS? I aim to change the way people perceive dentistry ‒ one patient at a time.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY My days have a pretty routine setup. My appointment book is mostly full, so I always know who and what is coming next. But there

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS TRAINING?

I could only study with the help of a student loan. So that, plus the

Yes, deﬁnitely, and maybe even more important. After ﬁve and a

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Start out by working with/for another dentist; gather as much hands-on knowledge about dentistry and running a business as you can.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Challenging, (but) big rewards.

FOR YOUR EYES ONLY Thabo Nabe

DISPENSING OPTICIAN BAUER OPTOMETRIST

WHY OPTOMETRY? I think the profession chose me as it wasn t my intention to study optical dispensing. I wanted to do mechanical engineering but was a bit too late for registration. I thought that I should just do dispensing to keep me busy until something opened up in the engineering department. As I got involved with it, I realised I liked it and never looked back.

WHERE DID YOU TRAIN? I completed two years at the Cape Technikon (CPUT) and one year of in-service training, which I did at an optometric practice.

30 | POST MATRIC 2018

WHAT TYPE OF TRAITS OR PERSONALITY IS REQUIRED TO DO THIS WORK? You have to possess great interpersonal skills because you deal with people on a daily basis.

HOW DOES EXPERIENCE COMPARE TO TRAINING? Experience is very important, because all the theory that we do can never prepare us enough for the day-to-day things that go down in an optometric practice!

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AT THE PRACTICE Every day is different, but mostly it starts off with making contact with the different suppliers and

checking on when we can expect our orders to arrive. Then it s onto carefully checking the spectacle prescriptions that come in and aligning the glasses. Inbetween that it s obviously helping with customers as they come into the practice for treatment.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT BEING A DISPENSING OPTICIAN? The people... I love dealing with diﬀerent people on a daily basis. Yes, you get some diﬃcult clients, but in general the customers are great to chat to.

WHICH ASPECTS ARE YOU LEAST ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT? The constant struggle with suppliers to get things in on time. They just don t seem to get that we care about our clients and want to get their glasses to them as speedily as possible.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? The opportunity to work on the Phelophepa Health Care Train as their dispensing optician for two years. We were providing primary health care to rural South Africa; it was very fulﬁlling.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? I would deﬁnitely like to open my own practice and provide services to the people who require them the most.

ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE STARTING OUT? I would tell them that they must keep at it. The world of optical dispensing is a very exciting one with many opportunities available to those who pursue it, largely because of the fact that it is not a very well-known career choice in this country.

ABSOLUTE

CLARITY Veena Naran

AUDIOLOGIST DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, NEW SOMERSET HOSPITAL

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? I chose to become an audiologist because I wanted to help people and make a diﬀerence not only in their lives, but their quality of life.

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO? I assess and diagnose patients with hearing loss. I also provide rehabilitation of hearing loss with counselling and hearing aids. As an audiologist a big part of the work I do is improve the communication in patients lives by assisting them with hearing better. Hearing screening and detection of hearing loss in newborn babies is also part of the work I do.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO, AND WHERE? I obtained a BSc in Audiology with honours at the University of Cape Town. The degree took four years.

DESCRIBE A DAY AT WORK I perform diagnostic audiological assessments of various age groups of people. If they are hearing aid candidates I provide them with counselling and take earmould impressions for hearing aids. I also see patients for their hearing aid ﬁttings and follow-ups. I am the only person in the department and therefore have administrative duties to fulﬁll as well. We are currently awaiting our newborn hearing screening machine. Once that comes I will run a newborn hearing screening programme.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? I love working with people. The best thing about my job is doing hearing aid ﬁttings and seeing a patient s face light up when they receive their hearing aid, the ﬁrst moments when they hear better than before. That s when I know I have made a huge impact on someones life and have improved their communication.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? The admin and battles to procure goods can be very challenging at times.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? Starting an outreach programme in the West Coast. I love being able to make my services more accessible to our patients.

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS TRAINING? Deﬁnitely! Experience assists you in being better in the assessment and rehabilitation process.

The best thing is seeing a patient’s face light up when they receive their hearing aid ARE THERE TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE? Yes! Being in this profession one needs to be able to have patience in order to work with the hearing impaired population. Also working with children and the elderly requires a bit of a sense of humour too. Being a sociable people person helps; patients need to feel that you are trustworthy and approachable.

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT? If you are passionate about helping people and enjoy technical work too, then this may be the career for you. Always remember that the patient deserves to be treated with the utmost respect! Patience, patience and more patience.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Meaningful, rewarding and technical. POST MATRIC 2018 | 31

CAREER IDEAS

WORKING THE GIFT OF THE GAB Moeti Tsiki – Mo Flava

MORNING DRIVE-TIME DJ & TV PERSONALITY YFM

IS THERE A PERSONALITY MOST SUITED? WHY THIS PROFESSION? I ve been listening to radio from a young age and over the years my interest grew stronger. I did some research and found out that I could study a radio-related course and hopefully get a job in the industry. I ve always had a keen interest in world aﬀairs and daily news, and I happen to be quite outspoken. The aforementioned factors gave me enough clout and inspiration to pursue a career in radio.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO, AND WHERE? I did a Diploma in Media Practices, majoring in Journalism, at Boston Media House.

You need to be inquisitive and always eager to find out about happening stuff . You need to enjoy talking to people, have an interest in current and world affairs, and have a firm grasp of the society that surrounds you.

EXPERIENCE VS FORMAL TRAINING? Sure, experience is important, but training gives you the competitive edge over other people who may be gunning for the same position. Education gives you a solid knowledge base that helps you become more eﬃcient. Boston gave me both the theory and the practical knowledge to get ahead in the industry.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

HIGHLIGHTS TO DATE?

Wake up at 4am and get to YFM at 5am; start the radio show at 6am; do a voice-over at 11am; klap a few meetings during the day; get home at 8pm-ish and hopefully squeeze some TV in before bed.

Getting to host a breakfast show on the biggest youth station in the country. Its been an awesome four-year run.

WHAT IS THE BEST PART OF BEING A DJ?

To eventually work for a national radio station, to host more TV shows, and to own a multimedia company focusing on audio-visual and marketing communications.

The fact that I can make some kind of diﬀerence in people s lives using my platform.

YOUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

You need to be inquisitive and always eager to ﬁnd out a out ‘happening stuff’

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER?

AND THE WORST PART?

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

The politics of the industry... but I just choose to ignore that aspect.

Exhilarating, exciting and rewarding.

Establish whether or not the career you want to get into will make you happy. If you see it as just a job, then don t do it. Rather get into a career path that interests you all day, every day.

SUPPORTING ROLE Yeukai Chideya

SOCIAL WORKER / PROJECT LEADER VICTIM EMPOWERMENT FOR CHILDREN PROJECT

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SOCIAL WORK AS YOUR CAREER PATH? I have always had a passion for helping people overcome their emotional and psychological challenges, and also to assist those who come from a disadvantaged background to acquire the various skills they lack.

I studied at UCT, where I graduated with a Bachelor of Social Science in Social Work in 2006 and then completed my Honours in 2007. I graduated with a Master s of Social Science in Clinical Social Work, in 2010. I also did a number of internships as part of my study requirements.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY EXPLAIN WHAT YOU DO I am a Clinical Social Worker at the Trauma Centre for Survivors of Violence and Torture. We work closely with people who have experienced severe trauma such as torture and sexual violence.

32 | POST MATRIC 2018

I see individual clients for counselling and also do group/ family counselling. I work in schools with learners, their parents and teachers. At times I facilitate workshops and meet with stakeholders in the community.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY?

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING?

I enjoy building relationships with my clients and witnessing their growth and development.

Both are equally important, as a lack in one may result in a poor or ineﬀective intervention.

ANY DISLIKES?

WHAT TRAITS SHOULD YOU HAVE TO BE A ‘GOOD’ SOCIAL WORKER?

Not being able to help everyone because there are limits to what you can do to help a client.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Sometimes I become very overwhelmed by the challenges my clients face. I ve had to learn to separate work from my personal life by putting boundaries in place ‒ my work can be draining.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT SO FAR? Taking a group of clients from a disadvantaged background for a leadership camp at a resort; seeing how much they appreciated the experience and the impact the workshops had on them.

You should at least enjoy working with people. You must be versatile, have a passion to help others, be emotionally stable and, most importantly, be a good listener.

ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Being a social worker can be quite stressful and emotionally draining, so you need to prioritise self care; to look after your well-being. You have to take good care of yourself in order for you to be able to help your clients eﬀectively. Live a healthy lifestyle!

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS A rewarding experience.

POST MATRIC 2018 | 33

CAREER IDEAS

STAY CALM AND KEEP PLANNING Princess Yende

QUANTITY SURVEYOR JS & ASSOCIATES QUANTITY SURVEYORS

and so on, as well as managing the project and making sure that everything is within budget.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB?

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? I always had an interest in architectural structures.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? Most quantity surveying ﬁrms use a software programme called WinQS. WinQS enables quantity surveyors to input measurements and compile a bill of quantities ‒ a document in which materials, parts and labour, as well as their costs, are itemised. When I started working with JS & Associates, I was sent on a WinQS course to familiarise myself with the workings of the programme.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? In the construction ﬁeld, teamwork is essential to bring a project to fruition. One must be able to work with many diﬀerent personalities.

IS EXPERIENCE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? While I believe that experience is important in order to function in the work place, formal training is also important in this industry.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB A typical day consists of interacting with architects to obtain the correct speciﬁcations

I like the challenge of managing a project. Every project is unique and comes with diﬀerent challenges, so one learns new things every day.

WHICH ASPECTS ARE YOU LEAST ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT? It is diﬃcult to draw up a budget when not enough information is supplied. One is forced to make assumptions about things that could be needed for the project.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? Learning to draw up a schedule can save your life. Mistakes do happen sometimes, but you can always learn from them.

WHAT ARE YOUR MOST IMPORTANT GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? In the very near future I will be registering with the South African Council of Quantity Surveyors and will, thereby, attain the status of Professional Quantity Surveyor.

Never give up! Move mountains and replace them with buildings ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN THE FIELD OF QUANTITY SURVEYING? Hard work is key. Never give up! Move mountains and replace them with buildings.

DESCRIBE YOUR WORK IN THREE WORDS Budget, Communication and Claims.

ILLUSTRATING SANCTUARIES Tony Kiley

ARCHITECT SELF-EMPLOYED

Everything needs to be explained to the builder: stairs, windows, lighting, etc. must be illustrated. I visit the sites once a week.

FUTURE GOALS? I never want to have to work for anyone ever again. I would like to build a public building, rather than mostly doing residential houses.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY? WHAT TRAINING DID DO?

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ARCHITECTURE? I went to a friend s party as an impressionable 17-year-old, and got chatting to an older bloke who was in second-year at the UCT School of Architecture. He wanted to know what I planned to study. I explained in some detail what interested me and that I thought I wanted to be a civil engineer. Having listened quite carefully to me, he said, You don t want to be an engineer, you want to be an architect. I didn t question his advice any further; I began my studies for the BArch degree a few years later.

34 | POST MATRIC 2018

I studied for seven years at UCT, which included working in Cape Town for six months in the fourth year of my studies, and then travelling to the UK and Europe for a further six-month stint.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL WORK DAY My time is split between admin, drawing and visiting buildings. Admin involves dealing with Local Authorities, recording minutes of meetings, writing speciﬁcations, and general items like sending fee accounts (the best part). Drawing involves sitting down at my drawing board to sketch plans and elevations, which in my case, being old school , is all done by hand.

I enjoy conceptualising, designing and visiting sites. A bit of good detailing is also fun.

ANYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE? Fighting with Local Authorities and clients who have ﬁxed ideas I know are really bad and won t result in a good building.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? Maintaining stamina and enthusiasm to see out years on one project. One needs to stay focused to achieve a good result.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT? Going on my own in 2000. Saying au revoir to the corporate world.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING? Experience is way more important. I learned most of what I know after my degree ‒ especially about craft and construction itself.

IS THERE A PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? An ability to conceptualise, to draw (by hand) and a good dose of the psychologist in you to both win arguments and solve human relations issues. Charm also goes a long way.

ANY ADVICE? Know that you will be in it for the long haul and deﬁnitely visit building sites and architectural studios for a good few days to get a feel for the trade.

CAREER Q&Aâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S

POST MATRIC 2018 | 35

CAREER IDEAS

ANCHORS AWAY Abdul Qader Hendricks

NAVIGATION CADET OFFICER SEASPAN SHIP MANAGEMENT

WHY NAVIGATION? From a young age I had a love for aviation and US Navy ﬁghter jets and aircraft carriers. Back then I wanted to pursue a career in aviation or navigation, speciﬁcally on an aircraft carrier. I learnt more about these career paths through my own research, and ultimately decided to enroll myself at a school where I would do two extra subjects to do with the maritime industry as a Grade 10 learner.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? I had the advantage of obtaining a bursary from Transnet National Ports Authority to attend school

at Simon s Town High, where I did two extra subjects (Nautical Science and Maritime Economics), which included practical training and training voyages on ships. After I matriculated, I completed one year of my National Diploma in Maritime Studies at CPUT. The second year is required in order to graduate and to become a Chief Navigating Officer or Master Mariner. After first-year, I joined a company to complete my practical sea experience (minimum 12 months). I am currently busy doing my practical at a Canadian-based company called Seaspan Ship Management, and will then write the Deck Officer of the Watch unlimited examination, which will enable me to sail as a Third Navigating Officer onboard ships

trading worldwide. I have also completed various STCW courses and other training at Samtra during the past year or so.

WHAT PERSONALITY IS BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? It s deﬁnitely not for the fainthearted! You should be a strongwilled person who knows what responsibility means, is able to make important decisions and can remain calm under pressure.

shift consisting of eight hours per day. As a Third Navigating Officer, I would be in charge of watches (08:00‒12:00, and 20:00‒ midnight). Other additional responsibilities include the maintenance of life-saving and fire-fighting equipment.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST? Ilove travelling around the world visiting major cities and meeting people from diverse cultures.

P m d

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING?

YOUR DISLIKES?

I believe that experience is one of the most important aspects. Most of your knowledge is gained during your practical time at sea and what you learn practically tends to stay in your memory.

Spending time away from home.

P t

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

As a Navigating Oﬃcer, your primary duties are to keep navigational watches. The watches are divided between Chief, Second and Third Navigating oﬃcers, each

To further my navigation career and to obtain my Class 1 unlimited license (Master Mariner). I would love to work ashore as a Ship Surveyor or Marine Harbour Pilot.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS? The adrenaline rush that I get when navigating the world s oceans in traﬃc-congested waters.

MAKING BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE MORE BEAUTIFUL Natalie Cornelius

BEAUTY THERAPIST SOOTHE BODY & SKINCARE STUDIO

WHAT TRAITS SHOULD A BEAUTICIAN HAVE? WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? As far back as I can remember, I wanted to be a beauty therapist. Knowing that my qualiﬁcations allow me to work anywhere in the world was a deciding factor, as was the fact that it s a business you can potentially run from home.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERTAKE? I studied at Cape Town Academy after completing matric. I did a National Diploma in Health and Beauty Therapy and also an international ITEC Diploma in Physiatrics and Aesthetician.

38 | POST MATRIC 2018

They should be a patient person, good at listening; someone who enjoys interacting with people.

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Formal training is very important when starting out, but practise makes perfect. When it comes to starting your own business, experience is essential. It takes time to build good relationships with clients, and knowledge about what s happening in the industry comes from having long-standing relationships with suppliers.

D W I y

DESCRIBE HOW A TYPICAL DAY AS A BEAUTICIAN UNFOLDS My working day starts at about 9am and I see between six and 12 clients a day. It s tricky juggling treatments and managing the business ‒ throw in two kids and you have a rollercoaster ride. I do enjoy the ride though, every time.

Look after your clients and they’ll stay with you for a long time

WHAT ASPECTS ARE YOU LEAST KEEN ON? Clients can be very demanding, sometimes even unreasonable. I try my best to keep all my clients happy, but there s always one!

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER? If I can add a date, it would be 15 November 2008: the day my salon opened its doors.

SHARE SOME FUTURE GOALS I would like to expand my salon, employ more therapists and oﬀer a wider range of treatments. I also want to open a spa in the Karoo.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST ABOUT IT?

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT?

I really love the fact that every day is diﬀerent and you never know who you might meet. Seeing clients leave my salon happy is very rewarding.

Work hard and build up your experience; look after your clients and they ll stay with you for a long time; work in at least two salons before starting your own business.

L M l �

CAREER Q&A’S

Do you have Matric? Would you like to work in the healthcare industry? If you do not faint, feel sick or freak out at the site of blood then Phlebotomy is the perfect job for you. Phlebotomy Technicians provide a valuable contribution to the healthcare industry. They are medical professionals whose primary function is to safely draw blood from patients in hospitals, diagnostic laboratories, and blood donor centres. Phlebotomists who work in diagnostic laboratories are usually based in hospitals or clinics where they collect blood and other specimens for diagnostic purposes. Lancet Laboratories offers a two year Learnership programme for matriculants who have English, Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy, Life Science or Biology as matric subjects. Successful learners who complete the Learnership will be able to register with the Health Professions �ouncil of South �frica as Medical Technicians � Phlebotomy. Go to www.lancet.co.za for more information.

ANALYSING THE FUTURE Michelle Khusu

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

WHAT IS THE BEST PART?

SQL and Excel skills are also very important, and for those who haven t done much of that at school, there are plenty of cheap and free online courses. One that I recently did was Data Warehousing for Business Intelligence with Coursera.

A typical day includes creating data analysis for diﬀerent departments. For example: creating a dashboard for marketing that shows who our clients are in terms of age, how much they spend on our products and where they live. This would then help marketing in their strategies and plans for which speciﬁc client segments to target and when.

Job recognition and satisfaction. You get different challenges each day and you never know what request or project you re going to be working on. You also get exposed to many other fields such as finance and IT development. This gives you what is called domain knowledge, which means you know the ins and outs of the business.

IS THERE A PERSONALITY BEST SUITED FOR WORKING IN ANALYTICS?

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PART OF YOUR JOB

Interpersonal skills are very useful to have because you work with a lot of different people from different backgrounds. Analytics provides a huge amount of stats and information to many of the departments within the organisation. How you interact with people will have an effect on your desired results for your work.

Trying to understand and meet everyone s needs! We strive to get to a point where each department can have their own dashboard (automated report with all relevant stats) and access data without asking us or waiting on BI to get the data for them. All we would need to do is to make sure that the data is always refreshed.

BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE ANALYST

WHY THIS PROFESSION? Analytics gives me the opportunity to work with many departments and people within the business/company, including the IT technical people. This then gives me the opportunity to network and also to get to know the ins and outs of the company. Analytics allows you to see how a company is doing, how it can get better, and where it is going wrong and even wasting money.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO, AND WHERE? I studied a BCom at the University of the Western Cape. Maths is essential for this type of career.

ADVICE FOR NEWCOMERS? Learn a programming language or learn SQL for database navigation ‒ it makes life so much easier. Even if you re studying towards another career, always have a few technical skills up your sleeve because the workplace is never what you expect it to be and you never just do one thing. Having these skills, on top of your soft skills, will help you grasp the work more quickly, and you will also be a greater asset to any company.

NEXT-GENERATION ENGINEERING Juarez Amaral Filho, DSc

ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER

CENTRE FOR BIOPROCESS ENGINEERING RESEARCH (CEBER), DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING, UCT

WHY THIS PROFESSION? Actually, I am still building my professional career as a researcher. After I got my Environmental Engineering degree back in Brazil, I worked for a couple of years in the metalwork industry. However, I had much more rewarding experiences as a lab assistant during my undergraduate years, which drew me back into the research ﬁeld. And still there!

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO, AND WHERE? I spent 17 months on an MSc degree and then four years as a PhD candidate to become a Doctor

40 | POST MATRIC 2018

of Mineral and Environmental Technology. Both my MSc and PhD certiﬁcates are from the Postgraduate Programme in Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY? Most of the aspects of researching in academia are great. The opportunity to learn new things every day with a diverse group of students, colleagues and highlevel professors is priceless.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Not having a set daily routine can be tricky sometimes. And you probably have to give up a couple of weekends over the year to meet some last minute deadline.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK

DIFFICULTIES YOU’VE HAD?

I don t have a daily routine. I often meet up with supervisors and students and conduct lab work through planned experiments. I also do literature research/ surveying and experimental planning, and I spend a considerable amount of my time writing projects for funding as well as papers for conferences and peer-review journals.

Giving up my career in the industry to become a researcher ‒ there is less money in academia, which makes it hard to get your family to support your decision. Also, leaving my home country to try working on my career abroad has been emotionally challenging. And adapting to a new language and a diﬀerent culture requires a lot of extra eﬀort.

WHAT ARE YOUR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS FOR THE FUTURE? To keep on researching for innovative solutions to assist the mining sector in addressing the environmental and social issues related to their operations; to help the next generation of engineers see the big picture in terms of sustainable development. They can then help future companies/ industries conduct their activities according to circular economy and resources conservation principles.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER? Be patient, persistent and resilient!

DESCRIBE THE WORK THAT YOU DO AS AN ENGINEER IN THREE WORDS Research, Technology and Innovation.

CAREER IDEAS

THINKING

CURIOUS ABOUT

COMPUTERS

OUT THE BOX

Keith Makan

Stephanie Loy

SOFTWARE INFORMATION SECURITY CONSULTANT IOACTIVE, INC.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? As a child, I took to my parents computer with my full curiosity, playing games. When I grew older I started wondering about how they become programmed and how this programming works. Later, I realised there was a way to not only build programmes but break them and make them do things they are not supposed to! At university I began to explore the many ﬂaws and strengths in algorithms even more deeply and started training myself in cybersecurity.

I have access to the deepest realities of how software works HOW DID YOU TRAIN?

I studied computer science, but for security and computer hacking in general there is no speciﬁc background required.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY Clients and research decide how my days go. I could be flying to another country for a security test, security conference talk or to do training. When I m not travelling, I m either meeting with clients to discuss results of tests and make sure they understand how to fix and prevent the flaws we discover, or testing and doing research on how to uncover new vulnerabilities and better ways to detect and prevent old ones.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? I have access to the deepest realities of how software works and, more interestingly, how computers become accessible and how they aﬀect people s lives. I also get to test software inside a variety of interesting businesses.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Working with people who are not equally as passionate about software and understanding it.

THE HIGHLIGHT? I would be tempted to say when I discovered a bug in some software and it was really dangerous. But honestly, the best moments have been discussing my deepest theories on the future of software and computation with other hackers and thinkers.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS? Perhaps one day publish some papers in a computer science journal, write my own operating system and contribute to the Linux kernel!

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING? There s no such thing as formal training for hacking. All of the training is practical, even learning the theory.

WHAT PERSONALITY IS BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? The more personalities involved in security, the better we can understand and communicate with the personalities that depend on our work. I think that good information security work requires nothing of the people who do it except patience, passion and curiosity.

ANY ADVICE? Your curiosity is your greatest asset in this ﬁeld: be as vulnerable to your own curiosity as you can. Analyse and investigate everything. Also, remember that everything succumbs to the principles of language in computers ‒ they are both profoundly empowered and deeply ﬂawed because of it.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Be very curious!

ART DIRECTOR/VISUAL COMMUNICATOR

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? From a young age, I was primed for a BSC (Behind Shop Counter), but being surrounded by labels of various products, I was a lot more interested in the pretty colours than in the proﬁt margins. I also thought the ads running on the kassie (telly) were boring and dull and someone had to do something about it. As a teen, I heard a glamorous sounding phrase, graphic design . Even though I had no formal art training, I took the plunge. Fortunately for me, I successfully completed the course (cum laude) and haven t regretted this stimulating career choice.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO, AND WHERE? I graduated from NMMU, specialising in theory and practical tuition. The course is divided into undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The ﬁrst three years is basic training and on successful completion, you extend it to a fourth year, graduating with a BTech degree. To qualify for the postgraduate programme, it is vital to have a minimum of two years work experience.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY Most times I work on projectbased jobs, each day is different depending on what stage I m at. At the beginning it s researching target audiences, what colour and type of fonts might suit them, what the competitors are doing, and meeting with the printers to discuss final shape of the artwork. In the middle of a project I ll be setting up shoots or sourcing images. If I m working with a copywriter or editor I ll find myself discussing headlines or new names for new products. At the end of the project, it s putting all these elements together and setting it up to present to client. Once approved, it s final tweaking.

There’s no place for big egos, they just get in the way of having fun WHAT DO YOU ENJOY? It s thought-provoking, visually stimulating and I like making people happy.

DESCRIBE A GOOD DESIGNER They must enjoy problem-solving and making things (tangible objects or experiences) better. They must have the stamina to work hard, and love colour, shapes and numbers. It helps if you re decisive, organised and a selfstarter. It s a visually stimulating environment, so if you don t enjoy having fun while working hard, then this isn t for you.

ANYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE?

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING?

ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNG DESIGNERS?

Experience is important because you put what you ve learnt in theory to practice. The more you do something, the faster you think of solutions.

Deadlines, extended deadlines and unreasonable times set for the deadlines.

WHAT’S BEEN A CAREER HIGHLIGHT? Having worked with great teams on the country s top magazines and commercial brands, and now being my own boss as a freelancer.

Bite the bullet. Have fun. Be humble, there s no place for big egos, they just get in the way of having fun. POST MATRIC 2018 | 41

LET’S GET THIS STRAIGHT Anthea Swift

ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FACILITATOR/ TEAM COACH/BUSINESS MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT SELF-EMPLOYED @HUMANWORKS

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? I think I feel into it, in a way. But I absolutely love what I do and feel really privileged to do work that I love, that I believe makes a diﬀerence and that gives me the freedom and autonomy that I need.

YOU HAVE AN UNUSUAL CAREER. WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO? I (mostly) facilitate leadership teams and teach them to engage in a more psychologically healthy way so that they have more challenging and straight or direct conversations the ﬁrst time round, therefore, using their time more

efficiently and saving money for their organisations, and ensuring that their staff is happier and functioning more efficiently.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO, AND WHERE? I originally completed an Honours degree in Occupational Therapy at the University of Cape Town, but I have attended many, many short courses since then. And the work I do now is very diﬀerent from the Occupational Therapy I was originally trained to do.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY No day is typical. I work for different clients in different cities, and do different things every day. This is one of the things I really love about my work ‒ the variety.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY? The variety, and that I do think that I make a positive diﬀerence to the people I work with ‒ both in their personal and in their professional lives. And I believe that if more people could learn to manage themselves in a healthier way (and learn healthier ways of dealing with conﬂict), the world would be a better, happier place.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Travelling between CT and JHB is not glamorous.

ANY HURDLES YOU’VE HAD TO OVERCOME? Learning to trust myself, and learning to manage the anxiety of not being salaried. When I go on holiday or get sick, I don t earn. I ve had to learn to see my income annually and not monthly.

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Absolutely!

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? It probably helps to be an extrovert as I get energy from working with people and need less time on my own.

Find what really makes sense to you WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Be willing to learn from as many people as you can. And then ﬁnd what really makes sense to you, and what you believe in.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS? To continue to do what I do for as long as I can.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Meaningful, Exciting, Challenging

CORPORATE STORYTELLING Kershnee Govender

CORPORATE AFFAIRS DIRECTOR M-NET

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE CORPORATE AFFAIRS? From a very young age, I ve had a strong passion for storytelling and the written word. That, coupled with my penchant for engaging with people, made choosing a career in corporate aﬀairs an easy decision.

WHERE DID YOU TRAIN TO BECOME A DIRECTOR? I have a BA (Hons) Degree in Organisational Communication from the University of South Africa. I am also an accredited Chartered Public Relations Practitioner with PRISA.

42 | POST MATRIC 2018

WHAT TYPE OF PERSONALITY IS BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? Corporate aﬀairs work is fastpaced and highly pressurised, and no two days are ever the same. If you really want to succeed in this industry, it s about the hunger to learn, the willingness to get your hands dirty, possessing curiosity and passion, and always testing that what you do is aligned to the organisation s strategic goals.

EXPERIENCE VERSUS FORMAL TRAINING? Formal training is important because it gives you the foundation of what the career is about and the theory aids

understanding of how things come together. Having said that, the experience is what catapults one to the next level. I mean, if we look at M-Net alone, my time here has allowed me to learn so much about the broadcasting industry. The knowledge and experience I ve gained from past positions has assisted in my growing and positioning the M-Net brand.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK I oversee the following functions: corporate marketing, corporate communication, corporate social investment and corporate events. By managing these disciplines, the M-Net corporate brand is positioned through sponsorship and advertising opportunities, socio-economic development programmes, corporate communication messaging to all stakeholders, and relationshipbuilding eﬀorts via eventing.

ANY HIGHLIGHTS IN YOUR CAREER TO SHARE? As a firebrand of youth development and transformation, I was behind the launch of the M-Net Magic in Motion initiative, with one of the initiatives being the M-Net Magic in Motion Academy. The academy offers high-achieving graduate students from disadvantaged backgrounds an opportunity to fast track their experience in the industry to secure gainful employment. The campaign has seen stakeholders from all corners of the industry rallying behind it and lending their support to the initiative, which is just growing in leaps and bounds! However, what is most rewarding for us as a team is observing the tangible difference we are making to 12 of the country s best film and television students.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS Professional, creative and strategic.

CAREERSTRAP IDEAS

TAKING THE WORLD BY STORM Ayanda-Allie Paine

CEO/FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

SHEKINAH MEDIA / BUKHO BAMI YOUTH CENTRE

WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? WHY THIS PROFESSION? I have always been passionate about people. After high school, I figured that because I was quite talkative, creative and inquisitive, broadcasting would be a natural fit. I was right. As I travelled around SA as a media professional, the joys and pains of many in this country became more evident. This led me to community development, and trying to do my part in making a difference.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO? I didn t undergo any formal media skills development training. As a development practitioner, I learnt through closely observing others and volunteering.

I love the many opportunities it gives me to care, communicate and create. I get to interact with diﬀerent people (Shekinah Media s clients as well as Bukho Bami s partners or beneﬁciaries), listen to their needs and help develop solutions to their concerns.

WHAT’S BEEN THE GREATEST HIGHLIGHT IN YOUR CAREER SO FAR? No moment beats the look of pride on my children s faces when they attend work events and see their ordinary mom leading a team who do extraordinary things. I hope it teaches them that they too can do and be anything humanly possible.

ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT? It s not easy to make it in the media or development industry. I had been in media for over a decade before I started Shekinah Media and Bukho Bami. I did all the jobs that most people didn t want to do. Be humble but assertive and never loose heart. Work hard at what you have to do, so one day you can do what you want to do.

WHY STUDY AT UNISA’S COLLEGE OF HUMAN SCIENCES? As a young mother, wife and career woman, I didn t have the luxury of studying full time. Studying at Unisa s College of Human Sciences allowed me to work and study simultaneously, so I ended up gaining both theoretical and practical know-how.

HOW HAS UNISA PREPARED YOU FOR YOUR CURRENT CAREER? Distance learning is very diﬃcult:

it takes discipline, commitment and sacriﬁce. These qualities have stood me in good stead in my career. As an entrepreneur, you have to be a self-starter and a hard-worker, but you can t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. Unisa s staﬀ have always been on hand to provide me with support and assistance.

WHAT ROLE DO YOU BELIEVE UNISA CAN PLAY IN EDUCATING PEOPLE IN SOUTH AFRICA AND BEYOND? A university like Unisa is imperative to Africa s development agenda. Most importantly, Unisa is very aﬀordable. Secondly, Unisa is highly accessible; it allows people to study wherever they are in the world, and whatever they are interested in. Lastly, Unisa is redemptive, as it allows people who usually wouldn t have the option of tertiary education due to personal circumstances a chance by allowing them to work and study at the same time.

THINKING CRITICALLY

Unisa s College of Human Sciences (CHS) oﬀers high-quality general academic and career-focused distance education tuition in the arts, humanities, social sciences, religion and theology. Our vision, aligned to that of the university, is to become the African college of excellence in the social and human sciences by making a continuous and positive contribution in the service of humanity. We chatted to Associate Professor of Psychology and current acting Head of Research and Graduate Studies Professor Puleng Segalo (PS), Chair of and lecturer in the Department of

Anthropology and Archaeology Dr Ingrid Marais (IM), and lecturer in the Department of Religious Studies and Arabic Denzil Chetty (DC) about why you should study with this Unisa College:

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR PROFESSION? PS: I have always been fascinated by human relations and how people make meaning of their lives. This is intricately linked to constantly seeking knowledge, where the connection with research comes in. IM: I fell in love with anthropology when I walked into my ﬁrst class at university. I wanted to understand

other people ‒ but in the process understood myself better. DC: I grew up in a racially segregated community; economic status was pre-determined and the future already deﬁned. I chose religious studies as I believed it contained the elements of social transformation.

HOW IS THE CHS RESPONDING TO THE CALL TO DECOLONISE CURRICULA IN SA ACROSS EDUCATION PLATFORMS? PS: The College has been at the forefront, ﬁrmly supporting programmes geared towards creating an environment for multiple world views. IM: We have been proactive with the decoloniality summer school. We have deliberately started thinking not only about content

but also how we teach, and acknowledge the lived experiences of our students. DC: The call by the College to engage with issues of decolonisation and Africanisation serves to reposition knowledge produced in Africa.

WHY WOULD YOU CHOOSE TO STUDY AT UNISA’S CHS? PS: I would have access to multiple platforms of engagement both online and in person. IM: You can choose a programme that really suits you. The biggest strength is the diversity of students we have ‒ we learn through and with others. DC: You will not only engage with a contextually relevant curriculum, but also with historical prejudices that have deﬁned the human sciences for centuries.

POST MATRIC 2018 | 43

CAREER IDEAS

VARIETY IS THE SPICE Gugu Moetanalo

COMPANY SECRETARY FASSET

Relations (Damelin), and I am currently completing a CSSA qualiﬁcation part-time.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION? I didn t really choose it, it was more like I fell into it! I started my career working in the area of general administration within various sectors. I have held various positions and, more recently, company secretary. It think it appealed to me because the Cosec environment is a new and exciting ﬁeld.

WHERE DID YOU DO YOUR TRAINING? I hold an Advanced Diploma in Management through the South African Institute of Management (SAIM), a Diploma in Public

WHAT PERSONALITY IS BEST SUITED THIS WORK? Company secretaries must have a strong personality. They need to have a good eye for detail. They need to be organised, structured in their approach and able to work under pressure. Good time management skills are also absolutely imperative.

IS EXPERIENCE JUST AS IMPORTANT AS TRAINING? The role of Company Secretary within a Seta environment is slightly diﬀerent to the same role within a large corporate. An indepth knowledge of Seta-speciﬁc

legislation and regulations is required. This is acquired on the job rather than through formal training. A sound knowledge and understanding of corporate governance is also needed. While important, formal training only takes you so far; hands-on experience is highly critical, as implementation is the tricky part .

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AS A COMPANY SECRETARY There is no such thing as a typical day on the job. Every day is diﬀerent. A lot depends on the time of year. The demands and requirements are very speciﬁc in terms of the year-end audits, the quarterly reporting to governing structures, board meetings, committee meetings and the need to periodically review policies to ensure that they are aligned to legislative changes in the environment. However, certain aspects of the job remain constant: deadlines have to be met,

information must be produced timeously, board and committee packs and minutes must be produced on time, and all deliverables in terms of the board, committees, service providers and stakeholders must be monitored and delivered upon as agreed.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT YOUR LINE OF WORK? I enjoy the fact that my days are unpredictable. This ensures that my job is never boring.

ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT? Anyone considering a career as a company secretary must be willing to be desk-bound; they must also be willing to work very hard and keep long hours when necessary. It s important for you to be extremely organised, have very strong administrative skills, and good problem solving and people skills to succeed in this profession.

SUPPORTING ROLE Susan Mann

WRITER

SELF-EMPLOYED

I grew up in a house full of books. My mother was a librarian. I ve loved writing since I learned to read. I also really value the freedom that working from home aﬀords a freelancer.

from a newspaper editor who lived next door. He told me that if I really wanted to write I should not study journalism, but something that interested me. I should ﬁnd out what s going on out there, try out diﬀerent ways of thinking. He believed you could not be taught how to write, but you could be encouraged to think. I think he was right.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO AND WHERE?

DESCRIBE YOUR TYPICAL WORK DAY

I studied languages at the University of Natal. A little later I did an English Honours degree through UNISA. And some time later I did an MA in Creative Writing at the University of Cape Town. But the best advice I received was

There is no typical day, that s the best part. If you have a deadline you can work well into the night to meet it. But if you don t, well... you can head oﬀ to the beach, or canvas for more work, or write a novel. I love the ﬂexibility.

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE A CAREER AS A WRITER?

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WHAT DO YOU ENJOY? The ﬂexibility. The creativity. Even though not all my writing work is creative. I once had to edit legal statutes.

WHAT DON’T YOU ENJOY? I don t like not having the luxury of a reliable paycheck at the end of each month.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK OR TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE? I think it helps to be a person who listens. Not only to what the world is saying, but to what it s not saying too. It s important to be able to listen to your own voice, not only other opinions, to the rhythms of your own sentences. Keeping a journal helps.

Getting rid of those critical voices that say you cannot make money as a writer.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER?

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? Having my two novels published, and the ripple eﬀects of that.

Decide what making it as a freelance writer means to you. Then ﬁnd a way to give yourself two years to get there. Keep notes on the journey.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

To write more ﬁction.

Liberating • Satisfying • Creative

PLAY THE

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Luzuko Mrwebo

GRADUATE STOCKBROKER TRAINEE LEGAE SECURITIES

HOW DID YOU END UP BEING A STOCKBROKER? After spending the whole of 2010 without a job, I decided to apply for the Financial Markets Honours programme at the University of Fort Hare ‒ a programme that is sponsored by BANKSETA. I was highly intrigued by how the stock market functions. I was then fortunate enough to be oﬀered employment at Legae Securities.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO? The Bachelor of Commerce Honours Financial Markets programme included four of the crucial industries of the ﬁnancial system: Equity Markets, Bond Markets, Derivatives Markets and Foreign Exchange Markets. BANKSETA fully sponsored my Financial Markets Honours.

IS THERE A PERSONALITY BEST SUITED? Yes, of course! The type of work I do requires someone who is honest and trustworthy, dedicated and focused. Most importantly you have to be able to establish and maintain long-term relationships with clients.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING? Experience plays a pivotal role. Of course, training builds one s mental capacity, but experience exposes one to real life situations, and how to deal with them.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AS A STOCKBROKER My day starts oﬀ with reading current news to prepare for the morning meeting. We discuss the previous trading day, and how we think the South African stock market will perform. Every day I ensure that my trading system and other systems are up and running before the market opens at 9am. I then receive and execute buy or sell orders on the system

for clients ‒ I communicate with clients to provide advice, resolve any queries they may have, and update them on their holdings.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE THE MOST OVERALL ABOUT YOUR WORK? The various challenges that come with the job are what fascinate me the most. You are required to be quick and consistently accurate. Every day is diﬀerent from the previous day.

Every day I ensure that my trading system and other systems are up and running before the market opens at 9am WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE? Dealing with diﬃcult clients that do not understand that we are required to follow procedures.

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CHOOSE A CAREER PATH THAT PUTS YOU IN CHARGE OF YOUR FUTURE

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT TO DATE? Purchasing shares for a client worth R14 million.

YOUR FUTURE GOALS? I want to obtain a PhD, CFA Level 3 and Stockbroking Licence, open a consulting company, be a lecturer at the University of Fort Hare in the BANKSETA Financial Markets Honours programme, and be a motivational speaker, playing a role in South Africa s youth development initiative.

ADVICE FOR NEWCOMERS? Work hard, be willing to learn, avoid arguments, don t compromise your values, be humble and don t undermine other people s views.

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Together, let’s create a career you can count on. You’re young and have the world at your feet. You want a career that counts and one that you can count on to bring you challenge, opportunity, advancement and reward. Many career options await you in the dynamic finance and accounting sector - the heartbeat of the South African economy, and home to thousands of influential and inspirational leaders and entrepreneurs, and the decision-makers of tomorrow’s economy. Your boarding pass to this exciting world is good performance in pure Maths, Accounting and Science; skills that are in high demand in our sector. Visit www.fassetcareers.co.za for information and guidance to make the right career choice. facebook.com/fasset.org • 086 101 0001 • fassetcallcentre@fasset.org.za

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SOUND ADVICE

BEAT THE FUNK THE SKIT MAKERS TAFIRE AND FASH CHECK IN WITH FELLOW STUDENTS ABOUT WHAT KEEPS THEM SANE AND UPBEAT WHEN STRESS GETS THEM DOWN. #DEPRESSEDBUTNOTDEFEATED

NKANYISO SHABALALA I keep positive by reading a lot of positive books. I also listen to music and talk to people ‒ I open up. As an introvert, it is very hard to open up to people, so I m glad I m an extrovert. I open up easily and often ﬁnd that others are going through the same things as me.

BONGANI DYWILI Music is my sanity! I listen to a lot of music. When it really gets tough, I take a nap or chill with my boys. They somehow always have encouraging words to share.

OTHUSITSE MAHLANGU Depression for students is usually school, school and more school! I try to avoid being stressed about school. I study to the best of my ability. Other students marks are none of my business. My advice: focus on yourself; it isn t a competition. If things get tough for me, I chill with my best friend Jeﬀ. Being myself also contributes a lot to me staying positive.

PHENYO MOKATE I draw a lot of inspiration from listening to music. When I really feel down I call my close friends to come over. Being with my boys makes me happy; we talk a whole lot of nothing and laugh til we forget we were ever sad.

QINISO MNDEBELE Honestly, my way of staying positive and sane is by being with my boys. I also tend to go out from time to time to let loose and have some fun.

SPHIWE MASHIANE The word of God is my sanity, so I go to church a lot. I use The Bible as my way of making it through the tough times. I also do outreach projects, which makes me feel selﬂess.

TUMELO MOTAUNG I go to the library and read a lot of inspiring books. I also watch documentaries on maths and science to focus on something a bit more complicated than my problems.

SIYABONGA SHAKUR PHAKATI I am very fortunate as I have not been a victim of depression. I believe it is due to me doing what I love and what I enjoy, every day.

ANELE CHILIZA I never stress. Stress is not part of my vocab, not part of my being and lives nowhere in my mind. I also listen to music and I go out. The youth needs to loosen up. Pleeease!

SENAMILE DHLAMINI Honestly, I am a mama s baby, so when things go wrong, I call my parents. I also enjoy comfort food but I keep it safe, though doughnuts are my thing...

CYNTHIA LEBELO I always remind myself that things could be worse. I remind myself of all the things I have that others don t. I remind myself that things are meant to be and that I will be laughing about them later. The mind is a very powerful tool and constantly channelling it towards positive things makes it easier to remain positive.

AMANDA MTSHALI I keep up to date with myself, my needs and wants. I go to the church fellowship with others and get inspiration from the word of God. I also listen to music ‒ it is a great escape plan, and I try to keep communicating with my friends. They are God-sent sisters that are specially placed on this earth to keep me sane.

PAMELA KHUMALO To be energetic is everything. When I start feeling like something is bothering me, I tend to surround myself with positive energy ‒ be it people, music, books ‒ everything that is positive.

PAULETTE MASELWA I remain depressed but not defeated. And I love ice-cream!

ZIBUYILE MAVUSO I come from a family that prays when things get tough: God is the answer. I m not saying prayer takes my problems away, but it makes the process smoother. Prayer works best when you pray even when the heart and mind doesn t feel like it.

LIHLE THOMO I am a child of God, so I believe that prayer is the key to being free. We face so many challenges at a young age, especially in the black community. Depression to our parents is a white thing , but we all know that s not true. How about we start defeating it!

Like and Follow Twitter @Defeatdepressed Instagram @Defeatdepressed Facebook Depressed but not Defeated Campaign POST MATRIC 2018 | 47

48 | POST MATRIC 2018

HEY, ROOMIE JS SMIT RECOUNTS THE HIGHLIGHTS AND LOWLIGHTS OF SHARING A RES ROOM. disproportionate to my age. Instead of a tog bag, I had books and instead of slaps on the shoulder I preferred saying hello under my breath, or not saying hello at all. Despite our diﬀerences, Ferdinand and I tried to build our relationship around the fact that we were both from the Eastern Cape, but that soon faded when he noticed I liked to have an afternoon nap while he went out to practice rugby ‒ something that didn t happen in the Eastern Cape he was from. As the year progressed, we grew further and further apart until we found ourselves at opposite ends of the hallway sharing rooms with people that had similar interests. Having chosen my new roomie (after lengthy talks with the seniors) we became close friends. You could say he was the brother I never had. My new roomie and I played classical music and studied well into the night. Our room was tidy; our door closed whenever

the jocks made their way to the rugby field. Sadly, our domestic bliss came to an end when my studies required me to switch campuses. I said goodbye to my friend, who was moving up in the world having secured a lease for a bachelor flat, and set off to the new campus. Once again, I lugged my suitcase up the stairs of a new res and headed down the hallway, terrified at what was waiting for me behind the door. I remember thinking: How bad could it be? I ve grown substantially since my first year, both physically and emotionally, and was surely equipped for anything my new roommate could throw at me. I knocked and stood back as the door swung open to reveal a man with a smiling face. Hello! he cried and motioned for me to come inside. Great start, I thought, and took heart when I noticed the room devoid of tog bag or rugby jersey or socks hanging from the windowsill.

I put down my bags on the empty bed and sat down for a chat with my new roomie. We knew some of the same people we liked at my previous campus, and others we didn t like. He pointed to a microwave oven and said I could use it whenever I liked. I grew more confident by the minute. Could it be that by some fluke the universe had arranged for me to share a room on the new campus with someone I actually got along with? Was I really so lucky as to find the equivalent of a soul mate twice in a row? After some more chit-chat, I told my roomie I had to head down to fetch another bag, got up and left the room, making sure to close the door behind me. A couple of paces down the hall I heard the unmistakable sound of a nylonstring guitar coming from the room. My roomie had the first few notes of My Bonnie lies over the Ocean down pat. The rest of it, not quite.

Campus

Shutterstock.com

hey say you don t choose your family. I experienced that differently. There have been times when I felt I did choose my family but not in the way, say, you d choose a teddy bear in a gift shop, or point to a toffee apple at the carnival and say, Ooh, that one. My experience has been more one of standing in front of a police line-up of suspects (behind a one-way mirror of course) saying, Yep, numbers one through five, constable. Responsible for making life more difficult than it should have been. Take them away. Now, what they don t tell you is that after you leave your family to go to varsity or college, you will find yourself in another living situation where the creature sleeping across from you has been chosen at random, presumably from a hat, to be your constant companion for the foreseeable future. The first roommate I had, let s call him Ferdinand, was a keen sportsman (a jock I believe is the official term) very much into rugby and various other contact sports such as slapping me on the shoulder just to say hi. He enjoyed having the curtains drawn during the day and drying his rugby socks in full view of us both and whoever walked into the room. He didn t strike me as a reader or someone who enjoyed Bach. I was a free spirit at the time with a great affinity for natural light and an emphasis on personal hygiene

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# campuskey STELLENBOSCH

6/14/18 5:37 PM

POST MATRIC 2018 | 49

ARE YOU YOU OF ARE ORANGE CARPET CARPET ORANGE CALIBRE? CALIBRE? Orange Carpet benefits are reserved Orange benefits reserved for topCarpet matriculants in are South Africa.

for top matriculants in South Africa.

• Academic and sport merit bursaries • Guaranteed accommodation in a UJ residence • Free career Waiving of• certain fees • accommodation Book vouchers and offers • Academic andcounselling sport merit• bursaries Guaranteed inspecial a UJ residence It makes the UJ experience even better. • Free career counselling • Waiving of certain fees • Book vouchers and special offers

It makes the UJ experience even better.

Go to future.uj.mobi to sign up and see if you qualify for Orange Carpet benefits.

Go to future.uj.mobi to sign up and see Ts and Cs Apply. if you qualify for Orange Carpet benefits. Ts and Cs Apply.