Post Matric - Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North West 2023

GO DO THAT VOODOO YOU DO SO WELL

Also, you won’t make money, he said. (Ironically, these days mental health is one of the fastestgrowing markets and there aren’t enough shrinks to go around, thanks dad!)

I was fortunate that my parents were able to help financially with my education, but without the confidence and emotional support in me and my dreams, I floundered somewhat. I wasn’t a renegade, fighting for my choices and making my own way in the world, or a superhero like Siya Kolisi (the mag’s inspirational cover story). I compromised.

us that must be identified when the school clock strikes Grade 9 or else we’ll fail at life. In fact, even now, I still dabble in my original dream of becoming a shrink, and who knows, maybe one day I’ll ditch the editing and join you in Psych 101.

Iwanted to become a psychologist. But my dad was dead set against it. He wanted me to study law. Because, hey, it’s always good to have a “legal eagle” in the family, right? In those days, “shrinks” were regarded as taboo – if you went to one, it meant you were crazy; if you were one, it meant you dabbled in some kind of mysterious psychological voodoo.

As things turned out, a er a short stint studying HR at tech – which was, well, meh – and a couple of gap years, and a long career as a professional massage therapist – loved it, but it eventually took its toll on my body – I became an editor. And I’m doing just fine.

Looking around me it seems, for most people, career paths are hardly ever a straight line. There’s no perfect, cookie cutter life for each of

WIN

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HOW TO ENTER:

SMS your name and the name of the school where you got your copy of Post Matric to 082 447 6267.

Example: Sipho Nkosi, Victoria Park High School

Competition Closes: 20 October 2023

In the meantime, we at Post Matric have put together a healthy concoction of self-help tips and tricks that will (hopefully) guide you through asking the hard questions and inspire you to find the right answers for you, at least for now. From plotting which study path to take, to funding and career options and tech advice. And in the end, we give you something to laugh about. So, hang in there, because as they say: You got this!

Olivia Main Editor

Competition Rules: Only one entry per person will be entered in the draw. The draw will be held by 20 October 2023 and the winner contacted by 23 October 2023, on the number they used to send the sms.

EDITOR

Olivia Main olivia@yesmedia.co.za

ART DIRECTOR / DESIGNER

Clare Schenk clare@yesmedia.co.za

CONTRIBUTORS

Simon Borchardt, Gavin Dudley, Tom Eaton, Lisa Schatz

NATIONAL SALES MANAGER

Jan Weiss jan@yesmedia.co.za

ADVERTISING SALES

Joy Voss & Cassia Passetti

TEL 021 447 6467

EMAIL info@yesmedia.co.za

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PUBLISHER Yes! Media

CEO Deon Muller

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COVER IMAGE

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PostMatricis 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.

PostMatricISSN number 2074-4412

6 SOUTH AFRICA’S SUPERHERO

Siya Kolisi, aka rugby’s Captain Fantastic, fought against all odds to li himself out of poverty and start the Kolisi Foundation.

10 NEXT-LEVEL NAVIGATION TIPS

Get help answering the hard questions about the future you.

14 FIND YOUR LAUNCHPAD

Check out the bazillion funding options at your fingertips.

1 COMPETITION

Don’t miss out! Win a Samsung Galaxy A03 Core smartphone.

5 GOTTA HAVE GADGETS

Feast your eyes on trending gadgets to die for.

31 ADVICE

Top tech tips to keep your laptop current but your bank balance healthy.

32 LAST LAUGH

Nobody knows what’s going on ... and five other lessons they don’t teach in school.

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Xiaomi is the second biggest wearable brand in the world. This entry-level tracker has a vibrantly colourful 1.6-inch AMOLED screen with dozens of watch faces to choose from in the app. Health tracking, from steps to heart rate and sleep quality, is well covered and two weeks of battery life is excellent, too. It automatically recognises a handful of activities like walking, running and gyming, but it can be set to track dozens more. R800

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The latest virtual reality gear from PlayStation has caught up with the competition. Inside the mask each eye now gets 2000x2000 pixels using OLED screens, which refresh at 90Hz or better. On the outside it has 6 embedded sensing cameras. Much improved in this version are the two Sense controllers and eyetracking to assist with targeting in games and navigating menus systems. R14000

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PLAYSTATION VR2

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Carli Ann Smith

SOUTH AFRICA’S

SUPERHERO

Siya Kolisi’s nickname

BY SIMON BORCHARDT

Siya Kolisi wrote himself into sporting history when he captained the Springboks to 2019 Rugby World Cup glory in Japan, but he may end up being remembered as much for what he achieved off the field as he did on it.

The 31-year-old’s story is worth retelling again and again, not just to inspire others from impoverished areas but to explain the work he and his wife Rachel are doing through the Kolisi Foundation.

Kolisi was born in Zwide, a township outside Port Elizebeth (now Gqeberha) on 16 June 1991, the last day of apartheid. Fittingly, in 1994, 16 June became Youth Day, which commemorates the 1976 Soweto Uprising.

Siya’s mother Phakama and father Fezakele were 18 and 15 years old respectively when he came into the world. Fezakele had to travel far for work as a painter, so Siya was raised by his paternal grandmother, who he affectionately called ‘Aunty’.

The Kolisi family lived in a small house that had a kitchen, a living room and two bedrooms, along with six or seven other people (sometimes more). As Siya recalled in his best-selling autobiography, Rise, water would seep up through the kitchen floor when it rained, while his bed consisted of a few pillows on the floor, and he had to step over several people when going outside to use the long-drop toilet.

When Siya’s grandmother was working, there was usually enough for him and her to eat, but when she later lost her job and then became too old to work, they often went hungry. Siya got one basic meal a day at Emsengeni Primary, but during school holidays there were times he had to settle for a teaspoon of sugar or drink lots of water to trick his stomach into feeling full.

“Hunger is a huge issue for me because I grew up with it,” Kolisi tells Post Matric. “I could feel my intestines twisting in the middle of the night,

and my grandmother would give me sugar water to help settle them down.”

Having experienced real hunger first-hand, it’s no surprise that food security is one of the Kolisi Foundation’s three strategic focus areas.

“Food is a fundamental right,” he says. “The Foundation has a more holistic approach to fighting hunger. We work with some remarkable people on our sustainable community projects, which empower communities to support themselves.”

Kolisi, aged eight or nine, would earn a bit of money by selling alcohol and vegetables on the street, and he also made bricks to sell. One of those bricks became his ‘car’, as there was no money for toys. When Siya didn’t have shoes for school, he wore his grandmother’s and was teased by class mates for months.

Kolisi also suffered real trauma while growing up in the township. He was in the kitchen with his beloved grandmother when she collapsed and died. And when he was 15, his mother went to sleep and never woke up again.

Siya also witnessed terrible township violence, which included his mother and other women in his family being beaten up by men, his father crying and screaming when he found himself on the receiving end of a fight, and a man with new shoes being stoned to death after a mob incorrectly assumed he’d either stolen them or bought them with gangster money.

Gender-based violence affected Siya the most. As a result, he has been very outspoken about it and used the Kolisi Foundation to help tackle it in South Africa.

“We must realise that gender-based violence is not a women’s issue, it is a man’s issue,” he says. “I constantly emphasise the need for men to start taking a stand against each other in terms of how they treat and conduct themselves towards women in the workplace, at home,

at family gatherings, and in general. I couldn’t make a difference for my mom or my ‘aunty’, but now I have a voice. People will listen to us [sportsmen] when they might not listen to politicians. If we educate our sons, we won’t have to protect our daughters.”

In the absence of his grandmother, a young Kolisi began hanging out with older kids and doing what they did – drinking, smoking weed and sniffing petrol. He was heading down a path that would lead to a life of crime, and perhaps death, too.

It was rugby that saved him. Siya began playing for the club closest to his home, the African Bombers, who were based at the Dan Qeqe Stadium. There he found a father figure in coach Eric Songwiqi.

“Coach Eric helped to develop my rugby skills and instil a high level of discipline that moulded me into the man and leader I am today,” recalls Kolisi, who was selected to play for Eastern Province at an U12 provincial tournament in Mossel Bay.

Unbeknownst to him, it was also an unofficial trial for a bursary at Grey Junior and Grey High schools. When the Grey teacher who had been scouting for talent approached Songwiqi during the tournament to discuss two EP players who had caught his eye, ‘Coach Eric’ insisted the school take Kolisi, too.

‘Captain Fantastic’ is a testament to his incredible journey from township to the top of the rugby world, and how he continues to inspire a nation

“I am very fortunate to earn a living by doing what I love, and doing it with my mates. But I will never be OK until we are all OK, and this is what drives the work our Foundation does”

If rugby saved Siya’s life, the full scholarship –which covered one year at Grey Junior and five years at Grey High – changed it forever. As Kolisi pointed out in his book, while the school was just 15 minutes from Zwide, it may as well have been on a different planet. For the first time, he had a proper bed, socks and, most importantly, enough food to eat.

“I didn’t know where my next meal would come from until I showed up at Grey’s hostel as a recipient of a Vincent Mai bursary. Vincent is a fellow Grey old boy and has invested in hundreds of South African kids through bursaries, without ever meeting most of them. I was one of those kids. Without the opportunity to attend Grey, there is no way I’d be where I am today. Vincent sowed into my life without ever knowing what would come from it, and I couldn’t be more grateful.”

However, the initial transition was tough for Kolisi, who couldn’t speak a word of English when he arrived at Grey. Fortunately, he made a friend for life in Nicholas Holton. “It was extremely daunting to be at a school with more than 160 years of tradition and an unfamiliar hostel. But Nicholas taught me English – I taught him isiXhosa in return – and I soon settled in

academically at the school and found a sense of belonging there. Nicholas remains one of my oldest friends. He was my best man at my wedding and I named my son after him.”

Playing rugby at Grey was also a completely different experience for Kolisi. “I was used to fields that were sparsely covered in dry, brown grass and thorns,” he says. “So, I was astonished when tackled on the lush, green grass of my new school’s fields!”

It soon became evident that Siya had something special. The loose forward captained Eastern Province at the U16 Grant Khomo Week, and in his Grade 11 and 12 years, he played for the Grey first team, the EP U18 Craven Week team and SA Schools. Such was his impact as a player at Grey High, that its main rugby field was last year renamed as the Kolisi Field.

By Grade 11, Kolisi knew what he wanted to do after school – play professional rugby. In his book, he recounts the conversation he had with his accountancy teacher after asking if he could drop the subject so he could focus on others.

“Accountancy’s a useful skill,” the teacher replied. “You’ll need it in later life.”“Not in the career I’m going to have,” said Siya. “What’s that, then?”

“I’m going to be a Springbok.”

“Siya Kolisi,” the teacher said after a long pause and a hard stare. “You are a very arrogant man.”

However, while Kolisi was never going to be an accountant, he did realise the importance of getting a good education, which is why education and sport development is the third strategic focus area of his Foundation.

“Education provides potential employment and improves one’s access to opportunities,” he says. “I urge all kids to listen to their parents and teachers. Do your homework, stay focused and put in the time and effort to get an education.”

Kolisi got his education, before joining Western Province, the team he most wanted to play for, in Cape Town. He made his senior debut for WP in the 2011 Vodacom Cup and played in the Currie Cup later that year. In 2012, Siya made a successful step-up to Super Rugby with the Stormers, which was followed by Springbok selection in 2013.

“Education provides potential employment and improves one’s access to opportunities”

The day before his 22nd birthday, Kolisi came off the bench as an injury replacement in the fi h minute of the Test against Scotland at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit and went on to earn the Man of the Match award.

Kolisi would make two appearances for the Springboks at the 2015 World Cup in England and while his opportunities at international level were also limited in 2016, the high esteem in which he was held in Cape Town saw him named Stormers captain ahead of the 2017 season.

That coincided with a tumultuous two-year period in South African rugby that saw Rassie Erasmus appointed Springbok head coach in February 2018, and in late May, he announced that Siya Kolisi would be his captain.

In a spine-tingling moment on 9 June 2018, Kolisi became the Springboks’ first black African Test captain when he led them on to the field for their clash against England at Ellis Park in Johannesburg. The match was won 42-39 and, 512 days later, the Boks beat the same opponents in the 2019 World Cup final in Yokohama, 32-12, to li the Webb Ellis Cup for a third time.

The reception Kolisi’s men received during their trophy tour around the country showed just how much it meant to millions of South Africans, black and white.

Siya’s story was far from finished, though. The Covid-19 pandemic sidelined the world champions for 20 months and severely disrupted their preparations for the series against the British & Irish Lions in 2021. But with Kolisi producing his best rugby yet in the green and gold, the Boks won an epic series (played behind closed doors) 2-1 to underline their status as the world’s No 1-ranked team. While they have since slipped to fourth in the rankings, South Africa will travel to France later this year for the 2023 global showpiece quietly confident of defending their World Cup title.

The Boks’ chances of doing so will be significantly boosted if their captain recovers from a knee injury he suffered while playing for the Sharks in April. Kolisi was his usual positive self a er undergoing surgery – ‘the op went well, the hard work starts now,’ he said on social media – and you’d expect him to rise to this latest challenge.

The Kolisi family will start a new chapter in their lives when Siya joins French Top 14 club Racing 92 a er the World Cup, but while South Africa will be out of sight, it certainly won’t be out of mind. “While living in France, Rachel and I will keep working tirelessly on fundraising efforts and establishing new partnerships for the Foundation,” says Siya. “I am very fortunate to earn a living by doing what I love, and doing it with my mates. But I will never be OK until we are all OK, and this is what drives the work our Foundation does.” PM

HIS FAVOURITE QUOTE

“Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair. It is more powerful than governments in breaking down racial barriers. It laughs in the face of all types of discrimination.”

– Nelson Mandela

HIS ADVICE TO YOUNGSTERS

“Keep dreaming and believing until your opportunity comes. Prepare yourself for it and grab it with both hands. Don’t listen to anyone who tells you that you can’t or won’t make it. It’s up to you and you alone. Where you are today doesn’t mean you will not be successful tomorrow. Keep dreaming, and be grateful for and use what you have instead of complaining about what you don’t have.”

HIS FAVOURITE HOBBIES AND ACTIVITIES

“I enjoy eating traditional food, fishing with my son Nick, brushing my daughter Keziah’s hair, date night with my wife Rachel, spending time with my bible and connecting with people. I really love relaxing in my spare time and, most importantly, braaiing!”

THE KOLISI FOUNDATION

The night before the 2019 Rugby World Cup final in Yokohama, Siya and his wife Rachel sat in the lobby of the Springboks’ hotel and conceptualised the Kolisi Foundation. With a vision to change narratives of inequality in South Africa, they settled on three strategic focus areas – food security, genderbased violence, and education and sport development.

The Foundation was officially launched on 4 April 2020, during South Africa’s first Covid-19 lockdown, with the slogan “Remember the one, one by one”.

“Just focus on the one heart, the one person, and the one life that you are changing,” Rachel explains. “By remembering the one, one by one, we will impact the nation.”

The Foundation has achieved a lot over the past three years. Its Siyaphakama Zwide education and sports development project – named a er Siya and his mother Phakama (‘siyaphakama’ means ‘we are rising’ in isiXhosa) – seeks to address challenges facing township youth by creating a tailor-made programme to address physical education,

nutrition, academic education, life skills and youth employment.

The Foundation’s Mandela Day campaign has raised more than R219 000 for Lungisa Haai, also known as ‘Mama Lungi’, who runs five community kitchens in Gugulethu, Summer Greens, Khayelitsha, Dunoon and Joe Slovo. Her kitchens now feed more than 1 000 children and elderly people every day.

The Foundation teamed up with the Saartjie Baartman Centre for Women and Children to tackle gender-based violence. Together, they created a facility that provides a supportive and healing space for mothers and children, who can spend quality time together, while benefiting from counselling, therapy reflection, reading and journaling. The space was named a er a gender-based violence survivor, Nikita Lewis.

There’s also the Kolisi Connect initiative, which brings different organisations together once a month to connect, share and engage with each other.

– For more information, visit https:// kolisifoundation.org

NEXT-LEVEL NAVIGATION TIPS

For the past 12 years (or more), school has been all you know. Lessons, homework, exams, reports, teachers, tests and timetables have been, literally, your life. But the next thing you know, you’ll have matriculated and that will all be a, thankfully, distant memory. The good, yet somewhat overwhelming, news is … the world is your oyster (and there are many pearls to choose from).

The world is a very different place to navigate now compared to when your parents matriculated. Actually, the world is a very different place to navigate even compared to three years ago, when Covid-19 exploded onto the scene. A lingering misconception is that university is the be-all and end-all of success – whatever that may look like for each of you. But that is a fallacy. Should you choose to study further, there are countless courses and qualifications to consider, other than university. Also, learning isn’t just a face-to-face thing anymore – blended learning, distance learning, hybrid learning, contact learning and online learning are all relatively new terms that you have no doubt come across already. Should you choose not to study further, there are numerous other great opportunities waiting for you. So, the question is, where do you even begin?

First things first: Who are you?

Self-exploration, self-knowledge and introspection are vital on this journey. Underpinning this decision phase should be the answer to the following question, “Who am I?” Easier said than done, right?

We humans are complex creatures, so we need to try and gain a holistic view of ourselves.

You can start by asking yourself questions about your school performance, favourite and least favourite subjects, personality, values, interests and aptitude.

Remember, no-one expects you to have it all figured out, so if you need assistance, ask! Sometimes simply chatting to a trusted adult –like a parent, guardian or teacher – can provide clarity and insight. Other times, it may be necessary to make an appointment with an objective professional to undergo psychometric testing to assist you – this can be a lengthy and costly exercise, but it is a worthwhile investment in your future.

And just like when choosing a tertiary institution, it is important to ensure that it is registered with the Council of Higher Education and that its qualifications are verified by the South African Qualifications Authority, when choosing a professional for a career assessment or psychometric testing it is also crucial to ensure that they are registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa.

What next?

Once you have a clearer picture of who you are, your strengths, what you want out of life and where your passion lies, there are various paths to look into:

Redoing selected matric subjects or taking new subjects

I’m sure that most remember how daunting, yet exciting, it is in Grade 9 when you get to select your subjects for the FET Phase (Grade 10-12). For some, career goals change over those three years and by the time they reach matric, their subjects are no longer (or never were) aligned to those goals.

Similarly, sometimes a student’s matric results aren’t quite what they hoped they would be and don’t meet the minimum requirements to apply for a certain course. Whatever the reason may be, there are institutions that allow you to either redo your matric subjects or to take a few completely new subjects in order to better your final matric results.

Tertiary education

Tertiary education is a privilege that not everyone is afforded, and it can be expensive. Don’t forget to research bursaries and student loans! Your subject choices and the marks that you obtain determine which institutions, faculties and courses you can apply for.

In South Africa we have many tertiary institutions to choose from – both public and private. Jobs within the career field that you are interested in may require a Certificate, Diploma or Degree – do your research to ensure that you know which qualification will be best suited for your chosen path.

Gap year

Typically, a gap year is the time taken between completing school and beginning tertiary education. If utilised correctly, a gap year can contribute significantly to your personal development. While there is no set format for a gap year, it needs to be constructive, intentional and have clear objectives.

There are various ways to fill your gap year both locally or abroad, depending on your reason and aim of taking one, for example: travelling, job shadowing, au pairing, working overseas at summer camps, volunteering, stewarding on yachts, working on cruise ships, dog walking and upskilling yourself by doing short courses.

From a gap year to a uni degree, it’s your time to take on the world… and slay!

The working world

For some matriculants, the next step is entering the working world in order to earn money. The dream would be to get a job in a field that you are interested in, while also allowing room for growth. In reality, those opportunities are few and far between.

While on the job hunt, it may be worth looking around for any potential learnerships or apprenticeships that may be of interest to you. If you’re unable to find a job in a field that interests you, consider it as an opportunity to not only save up for courses in a field you may wish to build a career in, but also to learn transferable skills (skills you’ll learn on the job that can be applied in various settings) and grow as a person by improving your interpersonal skills and personal development.

Ships ahoy!

Whatever your future holds, whether it’s what you’ve always imagined life a er matriculating to be or not, the only person who can control what you learn from your experience, is you. Make informed choices by asking for help where needed, gaining insight into your own unique strengths, and remembering that you are the captain of your own ship.

QUICK GUIDE TO MATRIC PASSES

HIGHER CERTIFICATE PASS

What: Allows you to apply for higher certificate courses

Where: TVET colleges or private colleges

DIPLOMA PASS

What: Allows you to apply for higher certificate and diploma courses

Where: TVET colleges, private colleges, universities of technology and some academic universities

BACHELOR’S DEGREE PASS

What: Any type of tertiary qualification – including a bachelor’s degree (subject choice and result dependent)

Where: TVET colleges, private colleges, universities of technology and academic universities

KEY TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOW

✪ Apprenticeship: An arrangement in which someone learns an art, trade or job by receiving on-the-job training from someone more experienced. It is sometimes accompanied by theoretical studies.

✪ Aptitude test: A standardised test designed to determine a person’s ability to learn or profit from an educational experience or the likelihood of a person’s success in a given occupation or course of study, therefore giving us an indication of future potentialities.

✪ Career assessment: A tool that assesses various domains (for example Aptitude, Personality, Interests and Values) for individuals who may be wanting to gain further insight on themselves while deciding on a study or career path.

✪ Hybrid learning: Courses taught both online and in person, giving you more flexibility.

✪ Internship: A student or trainee that works in an organisation in order to gain experience or meet the requirements of certain qualifications.

✪ Learnership: A structured training programme incorporating both practical and theoretical components while gaining work experience.

LISA SCHATZ

HPCSA Registered Counsellor & Psychometrist who has a special interest in working with adolescents and young adults. Based in Cape Town but services are also offered online allowing her to work with people across South Africa.

W: www.lisaschatz.co.za

E: info@lisaschatz.co.za

C: 072 122 9016

✪ Psychometric assessment/test: A broad term incorporating various assessment measures that assess an individual’s various attributes across different domains.

✪ Transferable skills: Abilities, qualities and skills that can be utilised in various settings, contexts, industries and roles.

FIND YOUR LAUNCHPAD

Here are some new online funding platforms worth checking out

The world is moving online more and more and the good news is that funding institutions are too. An exciting new development is a host of private non-profit organisations making it easier for students to apply for funding online. With well-designed website interfaces, these organisations are streamlining the funding process and making sure the learners who need funding the most, get it.

The competition to offer the best funding options – and match deserving students with suitable funding packages – bodes well for the future. But, as with most things on the internet, there are good options and bad ones. Below are two websites worth a visit, plus the latest on the National Student Financial Aid Scheme.

FEENIX (feenix.org)

Feenix was launched in June 2017 as a response to the #FeesMustFall movement that spread across campuses in South Africa during 2015 and 2016. This movement highlighted the extremely high cost of tertiary education and the impact financial stress has on student success rates. Feenix is a non-profit organisation with an intuitive online platform that connects students with both corporate and individual donors and mentors, simplifying the arduous process of seeking and applying for funding.

The organisation’s philosophy is built around the belief that academic achievement should not be part of an onboarding criteria as they believe that anxiety over funding is a contributor to students' academic performance.

With Feenix you can:

✔ Fundraise for current and/or historical debt (amount that reflects on your university fee statement)

✔ Receive donations from your community safely

✔ Connect with business communities for opportunities in finding and/or future employment

✔ Find a debt-free solution, meaning you do not need to pay back any funds raised via Feenix.

What do you need to qualify:

➊ A valid South African identity document or Refugee/Asylum seeker permit

➋ Be a student registered at a South African public university

➌ Have a combined household income below R600 000 per year.

To create your profile on the feenix.org platform, you need to upload the following documents:

➜ An official fee statement not older than 30 days and on the official university letterhead

➜ A certified ID copy not older than 6 months (if it's a smart card, please make sure both sides of the card are on the certified copy)

➜ A clear, recent, and appropriate profile picture

➜ Your aspirational story/biography and/or YouTube video.

ISFAP (isfap.org.za)

The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) was established to assist poor and “missing” middle-income university students in

selected fields of study to afford the university fees by means of providing financial aid. The programme aims to fast-track South Africa’s skills production for the 21st century by funding the higher education costs of mainly students studying towards a career in Occupations of High Demand (OHDs). These occupations have been identified as critical to South Africa’s economic development by the Human Resources Development Council (HRDC) and include Actuaries, Accountants, Engineers, Medical Doctors, Pharmacists and Prosthetists.

ISFAP aims to:

✔ Reduce the high dropout rate of poor and working-class students in the higher education and training sector

✔ Improve the employability of funded graduates

✔ Improve the country’s skills profile, especially in occupations of high demand

✔ Improve the partnership between government, the private sector/business and higher education institutions in supporting poor and “missing middle” students.

How are the students selected?

➊ A household means test is done for all applying students

➋ Academic criteria

➌ A National Benchmarking Test for some institutions (academic and behavioural strength)

➍ Matric results

➎ Funder constraints (that meet individual funder objectives), which will be applied to students applying

➏ Successful applicants will receive a funding package that includes tuition, accommodation, study material, a monthly stipend and meals as well as student support and an on-campus ISFAP programme manager.

To qualify you need:

➜ Academic achievement and acceptance into the ISFAP partner university of your choice for the relevant degree proramme

➜ A certified copy of your ID

➜ A certified copy of your latest academic results (Grade 11 or Matric)

➜ Signed consent form (applicant and household contributors) certified by Commissioner of Oaths.

➍ Travel expenses: NSFAS provides a travel allowance to help cover the cost of travel to and from campus.

For university students

➊ Accommodation: As per the actual costs charged by the university (costs for private accommodation must not exceed costs for university residence)

➋ Transport (up to 40km from the institution) R7 500 per annum

➌ Living allowance R15 000 per annum

➍ Book allowances R5 200 per annum

➎ Incidental/personal care allowance of R2 900 per annum for students in catered residences.

TVET College NSFAS allowance 2023-2024

➊ Accommodation in an urban area is R24 000 per annum

from 28 September 2023 to 31 January 2024. The application process is very easy, simple and accurate. When you are applying online, you will be prompted when information is missing or incorrect, helping you to ensure that you add all the important information when submitting your online application form.

Here's how to apply for NSFAS online in 2023-2024:

➊ Go to NSFAS website: www.nsfas.org.za apply 2024

➋ Click on the “myNSFAS” tab at the top right menu of the page

➌ Login with your ID number and password to start your application

➍ If you don’t have an ID number, create a “myNSFAS account“

➎ You will be generated a Student ID Number that will help you to apply

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a bursary scheme funded by the Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation for those who do not have the financial means to fund their studies and cannot access bank funding, study loans or bursaries. Take note: The new physical address for the NSFAS Student Centre is 4 Christiaan Barnard Street, Cape Town City Centre.

To apply for NSFAS, you must meet the following criteria:

✔ All SASSA grant recipients must have email and cell phone number

✔ Be a South African citizen with a valid ID number

✔ Be a first-time entering university or TVET college student

✔ Household income must not exceed R350 000 per annum

✔ Must meet the academic requirements for admission to a university or TVET college

✔ For persons living with disabilities, household income should not exceed R600 000 per annum.

What does a NSFAS bursary cover?

For 2024-2025, the bursary covers the cost of tuition, and some additional expenses related to your studies, which include:

➊ Accommodation: NSFAS covers the cost of on-campus or off-campus student housing.

➋ Textbooks and study materials: NSFAS can provide you with a study allowance to purchase the required textbooks and materials for your course.

➌ Meals: The NSFAS provides a meal allowance to help cover the cost of food while you are studying.

➋ Accommodation in a peri-urban area is R18 900 per annum

➌ Accommodation in a rural area is R15 750 per annum

➍ Transport (up to 40km from the institution) R7 350 per annum

➎ Transport R7 000 per annum

➏ Incidental/personal care allowance R2 900 per annum.

TVET College students who are moving to a university may be eligible to apply for the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) funding in 2024. Requirements for NSFAS funding depend on a number of factors, which includes the student’s financial needs, academic performance, and other criteria set by NSFAS.

What are the required documents?

➜ Applicant should have a copy of student ID / birth certificate

➜ Must have a copy of parent/s or guardian/ spouse ID

➜ Smart card: both sides of the card required

➜ Provide proof of income (if applicable)

➜ Persons living with a disability must have a Disability Annexure A form

➜ Applicant who is recognised as a vulnerable child by the Department of Social Development must provide a completed Vulnerable Child Declaration form completed by a social worker

➜ If you have no family member details and or abridged birth certificate, you must complete the Declaration: Non-SASSA.

How to apply for NSFAS online

The NSFAS Online Application portal for the 2023-2024 academic year will be active

➏ Click on the “APPLY” tab and complete the sections on the screen

➐ Upload the required supporting documents where applicable

➑ Then, click on the “Submit” button to submit your application for evaluation.

If you don’t have a digital device or have access to the internet, don’t worry, just go to your nearest National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) or Thusong Centre to apply by following the same steps above.

CAREER JUNCTION

A SNEAK PEEK INTO YOUR FUTURE

Check out our Q&A section for that flash of inspiration.

Neil Tuck PERFORMANCE CONSULTANT / CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST Private Practice at Sports Science Institute of South Africa

A STRONG FOUNDATION

WHAT DOES YOUR PROFESSION INVOLVE?

My function starts right at the beginning of the job and carries through to the end. It involves everything, from ensuring straight foundations, to setting out and working the levels to a certain height according to the plans. It’s about overseeing colleagues, managing subcontractors, working on roof heights, and other stuff, right down to the finishes – details like tiles and cupboards.

HOW DID YOU GET TO BECOME A CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN?

My father was a bricklayer and from

when I was about nine years old I would spend school holidays on-site earning pocket money as a labourer. I didn’t like the effect the years of hard gra had on my father – he suffered from back problems from all the physical work. He urged me not to follow in his footsteps, so once school was over I fell into tiling, which I did for a few years. While I was tiling, I witnessed countless struggles taking place between clients and builders. I noticed the lack of attention to detail, the faults and poor workmanship. A few years later I was offered a position as foreman.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU HAVE TO DO?

On-the-job training. Everything I know is thanks to experience.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD FOREMAN? ANY TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE (OR NOT HAVE)?

You have to be strong, hard but not too hard. It’s about balance, about not being overpowered. I’m a so person by nature and am a different person at work to who I am at home. The labourers need to know who’s boss. You definitely need to be a good communicator.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION

Every day something goes wrong and I feel responsible! Mistakes mean cost implications. You need to be constantly on the ball. The daily routine depends on the job and the stage it’s at. My work involves all aspects of the job.

WHAT PARTS OF YOUR JOB DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?

I love my work, there’s nothing I don’t like. I love being outside,

not sitting in an office and working in all sorts of different places. I’m happy working for someone else too, I prefer it to always having to look for more work and struggling to meet payments. As long as I can put food on the table for my family and take the kids to the doctor, I’m happy. I believe money is evil, it changes personalities.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION?

Winter when it’s cold and wet is particularly challenging.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR THOSE STARTING OUT IN YOUR PROFESSION?

The same advice my father gave me: don’t do hard labour. Choose a trade and become good at it. Be humble, work hard, be prepared to learn and to take direction from others.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Challenging • Outdoors • Rewarding

Shamiel Kaff r

CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN Katull Projects

Pinky Mgobhozi RECRUITER Fempower Personnel

A MATCH MADE IN HEAVEN

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION?

Every day, I engage with different candidates, and some of them leave a lasting impact on me. It is truly heartwarming when, even a er two years of placing a candidate, they reach out to express their gratitude for the positive changes my assistance has brought to their lives. Being part of such transformative experiences brings me immense satisfaction.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO?

I am currently enrolled in the CAPES Wits Business Management Programme, which provides

comprehensive knowledge on recruitment and administrative processes related to employment.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AS A RECRUITER

I start the day by reviewing the responses to the job advertisements I am currently handling. I carefully prepare the CVs that I screened the previous day, ensuring they are ready to be sent out to potential employers. I conduct telephonic and face-to-face interviews with candidates, assessing their suitability for the positions. I refer the CVs of qualified candidates to the respective employers.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION?

I wanted to make a difference in the world. I’m a strong believer in the power of education to change lives. I love sharing knowledge with others, and seeing people make progress through learning.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO?

I completed a PhD in Mathematics Education, an MSc and a BEd Hons at Wits University; an Advanced Diploma in Computer Systems Management (ADSM) at Aptech Computer Education; a BScEd, majoring in Mathematics and

Chemistry at Makerere University. I also did short courses: Leadership Toolkit for Mangers at Vanderbilt University; Foundations and Applications of Everyday leadership at University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

The day starts off with a focused hour of reading, reflection and journaling, followed by reviewing my ‘to-do list’ and my ‘not-to-do list’. I then have meetings set up for: stakeholder engagements; relationship building; collaboration on strategic projects; policy and

I also dedicate time to sourcing candidates for the job openings that have not been covered yet.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST?

The aspect I find most enjoyable is when my candidates receive interview invitations. Witnessing the positive outcome of my efforts and knowing that I have successfully matched candidates with potential employment opportunities is hugely rewarding.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE?

It can be quite frustrating when there are delays in finding suitable candidates – I feel that the day has been wasted. Promptly sourcing CVs is essential for ensuring a smooth and efficient recruitment process, and when obstacles hinder this process, it can be disheartening.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?

One of the most significant milestones in my career was when I had the opportunity to work with my first government account a few years ago. Despite it being a fixed-term contract, I successfully placed numerous

system reviews; and thought leadership discussions.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST?

Making a positive impact on people’s lives by providing products and services that give them opportunities to progress through learning.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE?

Not completing what I start. I always strive to complete what I start, no matter the challenges.

ANY HURDLES YOU’VE HAD?

Growing up, I faced many distractions, especially by friends who didn’t have the same dream I had for the future, and so, ignored me for choosing schoolwork over going out with them. Another hurdle has been doing what I have to do, no matter how I feel about it. Constantly pushing myself beyond perceived limits and doing what is hard and most uncomfortable. Over time, I’ve learnt to work according to my standards and not my moods. I’ve also learnt to draw lessons from my failures.

candidates within that organisation. It was truly a remarkable year for me, filled with professional growth and accomplishment.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

I would like to further my studies within HR. And continue to “bite the bullet” and learn more.

ARE THERE CERTAIN TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE TO DO THIS WORK?

Traits that are highly beneficial in this line of work include being hardworking, driven, having excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to multitask, and openness to criticism.

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

My advice would be to approach this career with a calm mindset and not perceive every office interaction as a threat. Understand that colleagues are there to support your professional growth.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Challenging. Rewarding. Dynamic.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT?

Extensive research in education that enabled me to create a framework for analysing the role of the teacher in developing learners’ mathematics discourse and understanding. Working with a team of experts to develop products and services to improve learning outcomes.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

My goals are to continue to research and contribute to education policy and any current debates in the field, with a focus on digital education; share my knowledge extensively through various forums; collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the education sector to develop products and services that are aligned to current trends and the needs of learners; inspire and mentor young people who want to build a career in education and leadership.

ARE THERE CERTAIN TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE TO DO THIS WORK?

This work requires someone with integrity, passion, leadership skills, empathy, resilience, creativity, adaptability, listening skills and patience.

Dr Benade e Aineamani

EXECUTIVE: PRODUCT AND SERVICES Maskew Miller Learning

ALL SYSTEMS GO

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A SENIOR TECHNICIAN?

I chose this career because I’ve always had a deep interest in how various systems operate. I wanted to get involved and learn more about how the systems work.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO AND WHERE DID YOU STUDY?

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to complete an apprenticeship at Sasol – an integrated energy and chemical company. I have also done various analyser instrument-related courses over the years.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB AS A SENIOR TECHNICIAN

The main task of this job is gathering information for the projects that are happening at the time. On a day-to-day basis, this includes going through a thorough process of fault finding, offering in-depth technical support and executing the projects efficiently and on time.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I really enjoy the problem-solving aspect of the work I do. It’s also very satisfying when you get to the

GET WITH IT, BREW!

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A BREWER?

I started as a project manager for Mitchells Brewery in Knysna and quickly became assistant brewer when I realised how awesome brewing beer is.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO?

I studied a BSc Polymer Science at Stellenbosch. When we started Urban Brewing Co, I managed to retain a brewmaster, Jörg Finkeldey, arguably one of the best brewmasters in Africa. His main role was to mentor me into becoming a brewer.

DESCRIBE A DAY ON THE JOB

Up early, start brewing at 04h00. It’s the best time as there are no calls, emails or WhatsApps to bother you. It’s just you, the beer and music! Some manual labour is involved in carrying full bags of raw material, valves are manually opened and closed, and there is a lot of cleaning! I’ll generally finish brewing around 16h00.

THINGS YOU ENJOY ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I also run the business – bartending, managing, sales and production –but brewing is definitely the best part.

end of a difficult project, and it’s been a great success.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I’d say doing overtime work is the part of my job I like the least.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME DURING YOUR WORKING YEARS?

It was quite a big challenge having to learn a whole new field of technology – it was like learning a new language. It has also been very challenging meeting and dealing with all the different multinationals in the workplace.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? The highlight for me as a technician is having been involved in developing and building a new refinery.

IN YOUR LINE OF WORK IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING?

Yes, definitely. You learn a lot through experience that you can’t learn from formal training.

It’s a beautiful mix between science and art. I enjoy the recipe creation and experimentation the most.

ANY HURDLES YOU’VE HAD?

Recently, Covid. The lockdowns were really tough. We have been super lucky to survive and come out stronger when, sadly, other breweries have had to shut their doors.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT?

Receiving compliments daily from customers who just love our beer! Especially when they don’t know what cra beer is and a door is opened into a world of new flavours they didn’t realise were possible for beer. Also, winning best Weissbier in Africa is an achievement we are really proud of.

FUTURE GOALS?

Test new beer styles, grow our production and hopefully expand our team.

EXPERIENCE VS FORMAL TRAINING?

With cra brewing, experience is equally important, as it’s a hand-on process. You can learn a lot from

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK, OR CERTAIN TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE (OR NOT HAVE)?

The most important personality trait is that you need to be extremely patient. You also have to have good attention to detail and the ability focus on one thing for a long time.

“You need to be extremely patient”

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

My advice for young people who want to be a technician is to get a good education in maths and physics.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Execute projects successfully.

homebrewing and internet research. With the big commercial breweries, you would need formal education/ training, as it’s a lot more science based – they take the ‘art’ out of it.

WHAT TRAITS DO YOU NEED?

You must be able to work hard and smart. It’s a hands-on process but you also need to spend time researching new and old beer styles. The best brewers are the ones who are a bit OCD! To make an awardwinning beer you have to hit every mark and then some.

ADVICE FOR NEWBIES?

There is a lot of information pertaining to cra /homebrewing online. Research and learn. Start by brewing from home with your mom’s pots – you’ll probably make a lot of bad beer at the start, but that’s how you learn to make good beer. There are local homebrewing clubs you can join, including at UCT and Stellies. Offer your time at your local breweries; ask to start cleaning their equipment and grow from there

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

In one, Tasty!

Geof ey Roeloffze

FOUNDER & HEAD BREWER Urban Brewing Company

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HIGHER EDUCATION

Which regulatory bodies are involved in Higher Education?

The Higher Education sector is governed by the Department of Higher Education and Training, the Council on Higher Education and the South African Qualifications Authority.

What information do I need to look out for before applying for admission?

It is important to confirm that the institution is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training. Furthermore, the qualification offered to the public must be registered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), accredited by the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and registered on the NQF by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

How do I verify if an institution is registered and allowed to offer qualifications?

Institutions are required to place the required registration and accreditation information on their website. The public is, however, encouraged to visit the following websites to verify the registration status of an institution and the qualifications on offer:

Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET): https://www.dhet.gov.za/

South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA): https://www.saqa.org.za/

What is the difference between a university and a Private Higher Education Institution?

The Higher Education sector consists of two types of Higher Education

Institutions, namely Public and Private. Public Higher Education Institutions are known as universities in South Africa. A Private Higher Education Institution is, for example, SANTS Private Higher Education Institution. Both types must comply with legislation and regulations as laid down by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), the Council on Higher Education (CHE) and the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

Is there a difference between a qualification being offered at a university and a private higher education institution?

No, in essence, qualifications offered by universities and private higher education institutions are governed by the same regulatory bodies and adhere to the same minimum criteria.

What is the difference between contact and distance education?

The main difference between contact and distance education is that a student enrolled in a contact mode will be required to attend class at specified premises, and time slots, with a lecturer presenting content. Distance education allows a student to study remotely and independently, away from the institution. As a distance education student, you might be located not only in another province but also in a remote part of South Africa. For the most part, the student will be studying on their own and engaging in autonomous learning and making decisions about their pace of learning, which will determine how they proceed with their studies. This allows a student to work and study at the same time.

Rudi Hess

SPRAY PAINTER & PANEL BEATER XPRRESS BODYWORKS

HIT THAT PERFECT BEAT

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION?

Growing up, I always loved the motor industry and I figured if this drove me then why not get a qualification in what I was good at.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO AND WHERE?

I received my trade certification in spray painting and panel beating at Westlake College, where I got my qualification.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB

Pushing production and keeping the clients happy. Some days are

more stressful than others, but it’s what keeps me motivated.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

My favorite part of this job is seeing the end results a er a job is completed as well as knowing that the customer is satisfied and as happy as what I am.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD?

I believe that what you put in is what you get out and one main hurdle I have had to overcome is getting the work we do up to standard.

WHAT’S BEEN THE BIGGEST HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE?

Owning my own business!

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

From here on forward I would like to create a bigger working environment, so that we will be able to employ more people as well as allow the business to grow even bigger.

IN YOUR LINE OF WORK, IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING?

Yes, definitely, experience is very important. Panel beating is a hands-on job, so practical training is crucial.

and looking forward to an end result of the repair and restoration. Having customer etiquette is very important and also taking action, using your own initiative.

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

Firstly, love what you do. Do not allow yourself to be in a position that you do not want to be in, especially if it’s not what you want. Put in everything that you have to give. Nothing is easy; you need to make the most of it, so you can get the best out of it.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Passionate, detailed and challenging.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

The job can be very demanding, stressful and tiring.

THINKING OUT THE BOX

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 advertisements running on the ‘kassie’ (TV) were boring and dull and someone had to do something about it. As a teen, I heard a very 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.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK?

You have to have a love for cars

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 self-starter. It’s a visually stimulating environment, so if you don’t enjoy having fun while working hard, then this isn’t for you.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING?

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.

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 copy-writer 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.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY?

It’s thought-provoking, visually stimulating and I like making people happy.

ANYTHING YOU DON’T LIKE?

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.

ANY

ADVICE FOR YOUNG DESIGNERS?

Bite the bullet. Have fun. Be humble, there’s no place for big egos, they just get in the way of having fun.

“Panel beating is a hands-on job, so practical training is crucial”

Stephanie L ART DIRECTOR / VISUAL COMMUNICATOR

Ald man Felicity

Anne P chase

SPEAKING TO THE MASSES

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE A SPEAKER?

I like standing up for people who feel they are not being heard. I was approached to stand as a public representative (councillor) in 1995 on the Fish Hoek Municipality. The job grew from there. I have now served the public as a councillor for 28 years and community organisations for 10 years before that.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO AND WHERE?

I studied with UNISA for a BCom, and then started reading law, for a further two years. I have also done extensive courses in municipal law

and legislation that supports the local government sector, from finance, environment and planning to being involved with economic development, tourism, urban mobility, and events management and conflict resolution.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

I start at 7:45am at the local office in Fish Hoek, where I get updated on issues that have been referred to my office. Then I head to Cape Town and settle into the meetings scheduled for the day, either with the chief whip or councillors around various issues they have with their wards or committees. Once every

Nich as S Ch co

CAREER GOALS

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION?

I have a passion for serving people, and for established rules and regulations.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AS AN HR PRACTITIONER

It’s almost always hectic, meeting with different managers for different departmental issues. I have planned and unplanned meetings, consulting with employees about various problems. I also do policy research and formulate our policies and departmental procedures.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO?

I started my formal education at UNISA, completing a one-year HR certification. I then completed a BA Degree and the Postgraduate Executive Leadership Development Programme in 2010 with the University of Pretoria, a er which I did a Postgraduate Diploma in Labour Law. I have also done a lot of formal in-house training with my previous employers.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I enjoy providing solutions to different

two weeks we have a meeting with the mayor and his executive. I also meet with officials and the public on various matters and attend public events. I chair the full council meetings monthly and oversee the Junior City Council. I deal with appeals against council decisions and councillor discipline. The meetings can continue until about 9-10pm.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I enjoy helping people resolve issues they have with council and trying to improve service delivery for residents in their subcouncils. I also enjoy improving people’s lives by assisting to develop policies for this purpose. Travelling extensively to represent Cape Town at various events has also been exciting.

ANY DISLIKES?

The anguish of residents a er a fire in a township or the inability to fix things when they are jobless and hungry, like we experienced during lockdown. I don’t like people who think their ego is more important than anything else.

challenges, managing to resolve the dispute that is affecting departmental operation. I like putting a smile on the face of my clients, whether individual or collective/group.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT THE WORK YOU DO?

I dislike working within a confined time, where you are required to be at the office from a particular time and then leave at a set time. Every day is not the same – some days you feel really exhausted physically and emotionally and need to rest.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?

Over-expectation from our staff members and our potential candidates, where they believe their needs can just be met within a short time or can be absorbed.

ARE THERE CERTAIN PERSONALITY TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE TO BE AN HR PRACTITIONER?

You need to be disciplined, respect people (junior and senior), and have good listening skills.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT?

Winning every election since 1996 and being elected deputy mayor of South Peninsula Municipality. But the speaker position is the biggest highlight to date.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING?

You need a formal education. You need to be able to read complex documents and apply your mind to options for a recommendation. You need an understanding of the relevant legislation, however, life experience in the workplace with some level of responsibility or business experience can also be helpful.

BEST PERSONALITY FOR THE JOB?

The job of a public servant requires servant leadership, which means a genuine care for the community and their needs, a selflessness that puts others first. You need to be able to communicate well and have a thick skin, as when things don’t go well, you get the blame. And you need to be ethical, accountable, reliable, and committed to the cause.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE?

Occupying critical positions with different employers and being trusted with such vital and sensitive information of the organisation. Also, managing to provide sustainable solutions and creating a conducive working environment.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

My goal is to run my own organisation, which would help in fighting poverty and the high rate of unemployment by assisting young people who are still trying to get work experience to further their career goals.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING OUT?

Remain humble irrespective of whether you are winning or losing. Do not easily trust too much. Keep on reading because this field is dynamic; new developments and law amendments keep on coming.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Challenging, exciting and fulfilling.

SPEAKER City of Cape Town

HR PRACTITIONER Luthuli Museum

Thina Manga

PORTFOLIO MANAGER & INVESTMENT ANALYST

Futuregrowth Asset Management

YOUR MONEY MATTERS

WHY THIS PROFESSION?

I enjoyed maths and accounting during my high school years and had a natural affinity for the commerce subjects. This influenced my subject choices and also guided my thinking when I decided what to study at university. I was also fortunate to have a relative who worked in this industry and had numerous conversations with her about her career and the industry. She is still my mentor to this day.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO TO GET WHERE YOU ARE TODAY?

I completed my Bachelor of Business Science in Finance (Honours) at the

University of Cape Town (UCT), and have also done various training courses throughout the years, while working. This included training on so er skills (e.g. presentation skills) as well as a regulatory exam covering legislation which we are expected to comply with at all times.

WOULD YOU SAY EXPERIENCE IS AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING?

Yes, experience is definitely as fundamental as training in this industry. While having formal training or education is hugely important, on-the-job experience

A GAME OF STRATEGY

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB FUNCTION

I am a marketing strategist and work for a leading media solutions company that represents wellknown radio and online brands in South Africa. One of the important functions I assist with is providing insights – from consumer to business, competitor analysis to current trends, and everything in between – to benefit our stakeholders and our clients.

WHY MARKETING?

The science of marketing, particularly the drivers that influence a consumer’s reaction

to a brand or advertised message, aroused my curiosity. Coca-Cola is a wonderful example of a brand’s longevity and success. Launched in 1886, the brand has touched the hearts of millions through clever advertising campaigns and remains the biggest-selling soft drink in history, as well as the best-known product in the world.

WHERE DID YOU TRAIN?

I completed a marketing degree graduating with honours from the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in Port Elizabeth. After studying, I entered the dynamic and

is extremely beneficial and this is invaluable, especially when trying to come up with solutions to some of the complex problems that we’re o en faced with.

WHICH ASPECTS OF YOUR WORK ARE YOU LEAST ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT?

Due to the competing demands that I have to deal with, it can feel like there aren’t enough hours in a day, at times. Juggling multiple priorities at once is the norm, and this can mean working long hours, which can be quite taxing on a person if it goes on for sustained periods.

WHAT’S BEEN THE GREATEST HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER IN ASSET MANAGEMENT TO DATE?

My greatest highlight was being promoted to portfolio manager earlier this year, because this was recognition of the hard work that I have put in since I first started my career. I’m extremely proud to be one of the few black female portfolio managers in an industry that definitely needs to be more transformed.

exciting world of media, working in radio and top-end glossy magazines.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

There is a lot of variation within the job spec so a typical day involves a fair amount of multitasking ranging from brainstorming ideas for longterm planning, to profiling audience demographics.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST?

The mental stimulation, analytical as well as creative input, and colleagues who believe that teamwork gives us the edge!

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE?

The tight deadlines and long hours that add to the stresses of modernday life.

CAREER HIGHLIGHT?

Being awarded Radmark Employee of the Year, which was an immense honour as my colleagues work to very high standards. I attended

WHAT GOALS

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE YOURSELF ACHIEVING IN THE FUTURE?

In the short to medium term, I want to excel in my new role, and to ensure that I deliver on the promises that we’ve made to our clients, who have entrusted us with managing and growing their money. There’s always room for improvement, so staying on top of my game and continuously learning is of utmost importance to me.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE STARTING A CAREER IN THE FIELD OF ASSET MANAGEMENT?

I believe in the importance of hard work and the impact on one’s life that this can have when coupled with grabbing opportunities that come your way, no matter how far out of your comfort zone they may take you. As the popular saying goes, “Growth begins at the end of your comfort zone”.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Challenging. Rewarding. Ethical

a radio conference in the heart of London as a prize.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING?

Enthusiasm, a positive attitude and a good dose of common sense can certainly make up for a lack of experience or formal training!

WHAT ABILITIES DOES A STRATEGIST REQUIRE?

A strategist should have the ability to plan ahead, be able to pay attention to detail, and possess excellent communication skills. They should also have a love of research and reading, and a peoplecentric approach.

ADVICE FOR NEWCOMERS?

The field of marketing has broad scope with many options and career paths. There is a marketing function within any business, and any industry. Be curious and read as much as you can on various topics. Then you will come across as someone who is informed, interested and insightful.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Challenging • Stressful • Rewarding

Pa icia Saund s MARKETING STRATEGIST Radmark

“The field of marketing has broad scope with many options and career paths”

Jacob Sibiya COPYWRITER Self-employed

FINDING THE WRITE WORDS

WHY COPYWRITING?

A er working in an advertising agency for a while, I looked into working for myself. Although I learnt that it’s tough to make it on one’s own – that I might have to live on potatoes for two months! – I decided to try it. I think my personality is better suited to write by myself sitting at my desk in my office at home working at the times that suit me best. In other words, an open-plan office environment is simply not for me.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO?

I did a postgrad course at the AAA School of Advertising,

which earned me a diploma in copywriting. A erwards, I completed a three-month internship at an advertising agency.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AS A COPYWRITER

I write advertising copy (the words you see on ads and in brochures) for clients all over the world. I get up very early and a er coff ee, I sit down and open the brief I received the previous day. I then spend the next three hours answering the brief and send the work to client. If there is more than one brief, or the brief calls for a lot of work, I work until noon. A er lunch, and more coff ee,

PURRFECT PET PARLOUR

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO FOLLOW THIS PATH?

I chose pet grooming as a career because I am passionate about working with people and animals. I’ve loved animals since I was a child.

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU DO

I not only groom cats and dogs in our parlour, but also rabbits and occasionally guinea pigs!

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO?

I trained with Alison at The Dog’s Whiskers. It’s the most popular dog parlour in Fish Hoek, so the training was top notch.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

The first animal comes in at 8:30am. I wash/brush them and they go into a cage to dry, while I start on the next one. A er an hour, depending on the size, I would finish off the first pet and let the customer know their fur baby is ready for collection. I get an average of six pets coming in per day. The day ends with cleaning up the “office” and equipment, ready for the next day.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING A PET GROOMER?

I love what I do! It brings me so much pleasure when the fur babies

I attend to admin such as sending out invoices and trying to get new clients with email campaigns.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST?

The flexibility. I can work on a Sunday morning and take a Monday morning off. Deciding when I work means I sit down at my computer when I’m most productive. That way I get a LOT of work done super-fast.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE?

Tight deadlines and something called ‘name generation’, which is coming up with a name for a company or product. It sounds easy, but it’s very hard. People are picky about what they call their businesses.

ANY HURDLES YOU’VE HAD?

Getting the first client and keeping them happy was tough, since I had to build a relationship from scratch. But the biggest hurdle is probably something in the present - that gnawing feeling of financial insecurity that never goes away when you work as a freelancer.

walk out of the parlour looking all clean and polished, and their parents are happy with the new look. I find my work therapeutic, if you can call it that.

YOUR LEAST FAVOURITE PART?

When people see a photo on the internet of a pet grooming style and ask if I can replicate it with a different breed. Most people don’t understand that dogs don’t all have the same hair texture. A Poodle’s hairstyle will not look the same on their Yorkie, for example. I have to explain to them that it’s not possible, and some people get disappointed.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD?

Not all customers will be happy with the outcome, even though I have delivered my best. Some pets need short cuts due to their fur being heavily matted or due to skin disease. Styling can only occur a er treatment and regrowth of a healthy coat.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT?

I was recommended by a customer to new clients from England.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

I’d like to venture into the publishing industry, which is no less daunting than working as a freelance writer.

EXPERIENCE VS FORMAL TRAINING?

Experience is way more important, specifically knowing how to deal with people on a professional level. Things like tone of voice over the phone and email. Just basically being polite while at the same time looking out for yourself, by which I mean knowing what you’re worth.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE STARTING OUT?

Believe that the work you produce is of a high quality and will be in demand. Don’t miss deadlines –and never send angry emails.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Exciting, Creative, Inspiring

I felt privileged to apply my skills on a foreign breed, and they were satisfied with the result. I delivered on the challenge with flying colours.

DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS FOR THE FUTURE?

I would love to own and run my own parlour one day.

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING?

Experience is actually even more important than formal training. I’ve been doing this for 15 years now, and still get dogs that test my experience and skills.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK OR TRAITS ONE MUST HAVE?

It requires a lot of care and patience. You must be an animal lover and a cheerful person. Dogs are very sensitive and can respond to how you are feeling, and sometimes, they will act on it.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Fun, challenging and good-business.

Gl ia Daniels

PET GROOMER

Fourways Veterinary

Benny Moeng

INSTRUMENT MECHANIC Fempower

INSTRUMENTAL WORK

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME AN INSTRUMENT MECHANIC AS YOUR CAREER PATH?

To be honest, the reason I chose to follow this career path is because I got a good job opportunity. It isn’t easy to find work, so decided to take on the job.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO AND WHERE? WAS IT THEORETICAL LEARNING OR HANDS-ON TRAINING?

I trained at the Sasol academy in the field of instrumentation. I did a learnership, which requires on-thejob learning supported by structured or institutional learning.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB AS AN INSTRUMENT MECHANIC

Each day follows the same procedure. Most of my time is spent analysing the various machines.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I really enjoy the fault finding aspect of my job. It’s like being a detective, but of machines.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

I think the worst part of my job for me is getting into arguments. Sometimes when people have

Neil Tuck

PERFORMANCE CONSULTANT / CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST

Private Practice at Sports Science Institute of South Africa

OPTIMISE YOUR MIND

WHY THIS PROFESSION?

From a young age, I was fascinated by the complexity of human behaviour and passionate about helping people – those with mental health challenges and those just wishing to improve their overall mental and emotional wellbeing.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO AND WHERE?

I studied at the University of Johannesburg (UJ). I completed my undergraduate studies in communication studies and journalism, with psychology as a third major. I then did my

honours in psychology, a er which I completed the clinical psychology master’s programme, including a one-year internship. I then registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa as a clinical psychologist.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

My day could include individual psychotherapy consultations; meeting with corporate clients to discuss their training and development needs and to prepare proposals on how best to meet those needs; consulting with individual sportspeople to assist in

different opinions about what the problem is and how to fix it, it makes it difficult.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME OVER THE TIME YOU’VE BEEN WORKING?

I’ve had to overcome the stress of dealing with difficult people who don’t know how to communicate and resolve issues.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER AS AN INSTRUMENT MECHANIC TO DATE?

Following this career path has led to some very good job opportunities. Instrument artisans are scarce in South Africa, so the skills I’ve learnt are in high demand in the workplace.

DO YOU HAVE ANY GOALS FOR YOUR FUTURE IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT?

My goal is always to excel on the job I’m currently doing – I want to be the best I can be. I also want to learn all the tricks of the trade, so I can become an invaluable member of my team.

optimising their “mental fitness” in order to compete successfully; designing and facilitating workshops or other training input relating to individual and team performance.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST?

My work is my passion. I feel privileged to work with people from all walks of life; from young people trying to find their way in the world, to people who are needing guidance and support in dealing with particular mental health challenges and optimising performance and collaboration.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE?

Many people who desperately need the services of someone like me, do not have the resources to access professional help.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?

I had to self-fund my studies, which required me to do several jobs while studying. Although this was challenging at times, I have no regrets and believe it made me appreciative of what I was able to achieve.

IN YOUR LINE OF WORK IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING?

Yes, absolutely. Learning while gaining experience makes you much more employable.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK, OR CERTAIN TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE (OR NOT HAVE)?

Yes, when you work in a team with people, you need to be professional and know how to communicate.

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

I would advise them to learn how to be patient – it really pays.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Measure, control, process

ANY HIGHLIGHTS?

I have two: The moment I learnt that I’d made the final selection into the clinical master’s programme (they only select a small percentage of students). The second is a repeated highlight: whenever I get feedback that someone has found positive benefit from my involvement with them.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

To more effectively use technology to package and disseminate the expertise and experience I’ve gained over the years – to reach a much wider audience than is possible with traditional face-to-face engagement.

IS ANY PERSONALITY BEST SUITED?

No, but you do need to be authentic and empathic. You can have all the academic knowledge in the world, but it needs to be underpinned by genuine empathy and unconditional positive regard. You also need to be reasonably resilient – this work is emotionally demanding, as much as it is rewarding – and flexible, open and receptive to ongoing learning and self-development.

“Instrument artisans are scarce in South Africa, so the skills I’ve learnt are in high demand in the workplace”

ARCHITECTURAL TECHNOLOGIST Self-Employed

THE DESIGN SPACE

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION?

I was always drawn to detail. In an art composition I would take hours to draw the pattern in the backdrop fabric and the rest would be almost irrelevant. My parents introduced me to an architect when I was 16 and from there my school subjects were steered towards a career in architecture.

PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS THAT YOU DO

We document and resolve structures in the built environment. Basically, we are given a design/ concept for a building and with the

help of a structural engineer make the building stand up.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO?

I le Zimbabwe at 18 with a couple of A Levels behind me and did a three year Diploma in Architectural Technology at Cape Tech. The course took me six years in the end, as I worked while I studied to support myself through the course.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

A typical day would be spent behind the computer drawing. It’s not a glamourous job but I find the challenge of resolving how a building

Sh Okanga

ZOOLOGY PHD STUDENT

Percy Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology, UCT

CREATURE COMFORTS

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE ZOOLOGY?

Animals are my passion: big, small, wild and domestic. Africa is home to some of the greatest diversities and spectacles of animal life in the world. I love the outdoors and this profession gives me the opportunity to work with what I love and have a passion for, and to help preserve one aspect of Africa’s rich heritage.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO?

I completed an undergraduate degree at King’s College, London

and, soon a er, a master’s degree at the University of Nairobi. A er that I worked in Kenya for four years as the Wildlife Officer at a local wildlife park. I am currently doing my PhD at the Percy Fitzpatrick Institute of African Ornithology, a Centre of Excellence at UCT.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO ZOOLOGY?

Working outdoors can be challenging at times, so it helps to have an appreciation for the outdoors beforehand. Persistence and focus are important, so a selfmotivated character will do well.

will become a space where people live, work, play, etc, very interesting.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I love drawing! My people skills aren’t great, so I prefer being in the background drawing.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE?

I sometimes feel a bit isolated; I work mostly on my own. When starting out I would recommend working in an office with other people and also getting involved on site.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD?

Creating my own business was a big leap for me and it continues to be a challenge.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?

Running and documenting a multistorey commercial building. I learnt so much from the team of engineers, contractors and so on that the experience was invaluable to my career.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

Bigger and more challenging projects.

HOW DOES EXPERIENCE WEIGH UP WITH FORMAL TRAINING?

Although formal training has substantial benefits, I believe experience can sometimes be even better. When it comes to nature, some things can only be learnt through direct experience.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY AT WORK

In the office, I am mainly occupied with looking down the microscope, trying to identify various things from my field data. In the field, it’s an early start at dawn or before – my research involves counting, catching (and release) of birds, so we do this for most of the day.

YOUR FAVOURITE PARTS OF THE JOB?

I’m always learning. There is always an opportunity to discover new things about the natural world, both in the field and in the lab.

WHICH ASPECTS AREN’T YOU TOO KEEN ON?

Getting up at 4am on a cold winter’s day to go out into the field

EXPERIENCE VS FORMAL TRAINING?

You have to have a good base of knowledge before starting in the industry, but experience is vital. I worked in architecture and interior design while I was studying and they both helped me get ahead in the job market. The tech course’s second year is a practical year, where you work in an architectural office. That’s so important, not just for experience but also to get an idea of what you are aiming towards.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK?

You need to have great attention to detail, patience for when that detail changes and a practical/logical way of thinking.

ANY ADVICE FOR SOMEONE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER?

Work hard at college: the course isn’t easy, but if you are consistent you will succeed. In the work environment, remember a building project is a team effort, listen and learn from those around you.

YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Challenging, interesting and rewarding.

– this can be challenging, no matter how much you love your job!

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER?

During my time as a wildlife officer, I organised teams to conduct wildlife translocations – moving animals from one place to another. These operations are o en risky and involve intense planning and practise, so it is always satisfying when they go well. My personal highlight came when we successfully managed to move two hippos into an enclosure we had specially designed for them. Seeing them thrive and get to know each other in the enclosure was very gratifying. Meeting David Attenborough recently was wonderful.

ANY ADVICE FOR NEWCOMERS TO THE FIELD?

Follow your passion. To enjoy it, you need to love it.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Surprising • Innovative • Challenging

F hana Bh at SPECIALIST ANAESTHETIST Private Practice

AN INJECTION OF LIFE

WHY

THIS PROFESSION?

I chose to study medicine, but never really enjoyed it until I started specialising in anaesthesia. I love that it combines analytical and problem-solving skills, applied to the mystery that is the human body, with interaction with people who are sick and in pain and alleviating that for them.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU DO?

I completed a six-year Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree at UCT, followed by a one-year internship at Groote Schuur Hospital and one year of community service. I then worked for two years in

mainly paediatrics and emergency medicine. I accepted a post as a medical officer in the Department of Anaesthesia at Groote Schuur. A year later, I was offered a registrar position and completed four years of training for my specialist degree.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY

Arrive at work about 30mins before a theatre list is scheduled to start. Check the theatre, anaesthetic machine and prepare the medications. Take a history from and examine any patients who are due to be operated on. Decide if the patients are well enough to be operated on and how I will

Sam W en SURF INSTRUCTOR Stoked Surf School

STOKING THE ROOKIES

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A SURF INSTRUCTOR?

I have an understanding and deep passion for the ocean. And I thought it was a good way to make money before I set off on my travels.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO AND WHERE?

I did the ISA Level 1 Surf Instructors Course in Muizenberg, Cape Town.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB

The day starts with packing the equipment needed for the day with my coworker. We then pick

up clients who have booked a session or meet them at the beach. We start the training by going through some water awareness and surfing techniques before going into the surf, where we help them put these techniques to use. Once the lesson is finished, we drop off the clients and then go back to the office to unpack and clean all the equipment we used that day.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

It’s so rewarding to watch clients learn and improve as the training

administer the optimal anaesthetic for the patient and surgical conditions. Some days I stay at the same hospital; on others I travel between hospitals.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST?

If I successfully allay my patients’ fears prior to their procedure, and they have no memory of the surgery and are pain free a erwards, then I know I’ve done my job properly. Walking into the waiting area and seeing my patient recognise me and smile makes it worthwhile.

ANY DISLIKES?

Having to decide if a patient is medically fit enough for surgery, especially if the decision could signal the end for them. Also, long working hours; with emergencies it’s difficult to make plans or be at home with my children. In private practice, you’re dependent on surgeons for work. This can be challenging in terms of job security.

ANY HURDLES YOU’VE HAD?

When I started, there were very few people of colour, let alone women, specialising. I also had no experience

progresses, each at their own pace and in their own style.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE?

Not all clients are likable… it’s hard to work closely with a client you don’t see eye to eye with.

WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME?

I’m a bit of an introvert; I like just being me and the ocean. But I’ve had to become a more outgoing person and learn how to manage difficult clients.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE?

I have enjoyed watching people overcome challenges and improve as novice surfers.

in anaesthesia yet, so it was a steep learning curve. Studying and working full time while being a mother to a young child was very challenging.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT?

The whole process of relearning, upskilling and doing anaesthesia for complex vascular cases –successfully – has been very rewarding for me. The highlight was being part of a theatre team that performed a groundbreaking procedure, where patients who would otherwise have died, are now being saved.

EXPERIENCE VS TRAINING?

I think experience is vital. Each anaesthetic is unique, and you learn from every experience, which in turn allows you to deal with situations as they arise. Training doesn’t always prepare you for the unpredictability of patients’ medical conditions or surgical conditions.

WHAT TRAITS DO YOU NEED?

You need to be meticulous, focused, detail-orientated, calm in stressful situations, and empathic and caring.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS?

My dream is to travel to cool surf spots around the world.

IN YOUR LINE OF WORK IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING?

They are both necessary, but I would say experience and a respect for and understanding of the sea are more important than training once you’re out there.

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK, OR CERTAIN TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE (OR NOT HAVE)?

It will help if you’re a more extroverted type of person and enjoy working with people.

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

Work hard and be patient with clients.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Fun… Challenging… Active

“A good way to make money before I set o�f on my travels”

THE FACULTY OF MILITARY SCIENCE

The Faculty of Military Science is:

• A faculty of Stellenbosch University, co-located with the Military Academy, Saldanha

• Satellite campus for uniform members

What is offered?

• University studies leading to a BMil Degree

For Whom?

• Any member of the SANDF who qualifies

When?

• Before the age of 25 while registered for residential undergraduate studies

• Anytime for Telematic Education

How do I apply?

• At your nearest DOD recruitment office

Why should I consider this option?

• To take advantage of a unique education opportunity

• Earn a salary while studying

• Study on a bursary

Activity Focus

• Military continuation training

• Fitness and sport

• Student life

Entry Requirements:

• Apply to the Department of Defence

• Younger than 25 years

• Matriculation Exemption

• Matric results conforming to requirements stipulated by the University of Stellenbosch

• Successful academic evaluation

• Appropriate medical classification

• Selection by Military Academy Selection Board

Undergraduate Programmes

BACHELOR OF MILITARY SCIENCE (BMIL)

• BMil in Human and Organisation Development

• BMil in Organisation and Resource Management

• BMil in Security and Africa Studies

• BMil in Technology

• BMil in Technology and Defence Management

• BMil in Defence Intelligence Studies

• Postgraduate Diploma in Defence Studies

Apply through the Department of Defence

dhracq@gmail.com

(012) 339 5726 - Brig Gen S. | ekalakala

(012) 339 5781 - col M.a.D. Mogotsi

FOR ENQUIRIES: Contact your nearest recruitment office - www.careersportal.co.za/company/department-of-defence or Faculty Officer, Faculty of Military Science: Tel: 022 702 3085

BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO LAPTOP SHOPPING

Gavin Dudley is the editor of Tech Magazine, which focuses on helping non-geeks get more out of their personal electronic gadgets

No matter the size of your budget, here are the key features to look out for in every new laptop.

WEIGHT

The most useful laptop is the one you have with you. Bulky laptops travel a lot less. If you’re expecting to carry your laptop all day, then make sure it weighs less than 2kg. Laptop portability is a central issue, and a few hundred grams either way does make a big difference.

SCREEN

Big screens use much more battery. Small screens of about 12 inches are hard to work on for more than an hour or two, while 17-inch screens make for very bulky laptops. Most people need screens around 15 inches. Many quality laptops now offer OLED

DOCKING

screens, which have richer colours and use less power.

PORTS

Some peripherals still need to be plugged in. Whether it’s a flash drive, a printer or a mouse and keyboard, you need a decent set of ports. At a minimum you will need one traditional USB-A port, and one smaller USB-C port. Shoot for the high-speed USB 3.2 standard on the former, and make sure that the latter doesn’t double as the power plug.

MEMORY

The bare minimum is 4GB of RAM. Apps will run, web pages will load, and videos will play, but slowdowns and delays are inevitable. More realistic is 8GB if you want to work efficiently, jumping between

several apps and opening dozens of browser windows.

STORAGE

A solid state drive (SSD) is now a must-have on any new PC. Unlike traditional laptop hard drives the SSD has no mechanical parts to wear out and malfunction. It’s a bunch of memory chips that work much faster than any hard drive. Laptops with SSD boot up in seconds, run quieter and feel faster.

KEYBOARD

Keyboard feel is a bigger deal than you might imagine. Your typing style will eventually adapt to whatever you’re using, but if you can find your preferred laptop model on display in a shop, then give the keyboard and trackpad a go. Backlit keys are useful for typing in darkened auditoriums.

Get Tech Magazine for more plain-English advice.

TFGMedia.co.za

Working hunched over your tiny screen and keyboard for hours on end will make you less productive and will seriously impact your physical health. Work smart and budget for a full-sized screen, keyboard and mouse. Plug all these into a USB-C hub for one-plug docking convenience.

CAN I GET A CHROMEBOOK?

Chromebooks are laptops using ChromeOS, a lightweight operating system from Google. The biggest limitation is that they require you to be connected to the Internet most of the time. Otherwise, they are considered more affordable and also more secure than Windows and are used in many schools.

SHOPPING GUIDELINES

Entry-level laptop, low price 14-inch screen, 4GB RAM, 2x USB ports, 128GB SSD, max 1.6kg, +/- R7 000

Student laptop, portable and reliable 15-inch screen, 8GB RAM, 2xUSB, 1xUSB-C ports, 256GB SSD, max 1.6kg, +/- R12 000

Smart buy, neat perks

Asus Vivobook Go 15 OLED: 15.6-inch OLED screen, Ryzen 5 CPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD storage, 2xUSB/1xUSB-C/HDMI Out, 360x232x179 mm, 1.63 kg, R14 000

THE LAST 6 LESSONS

Funnyman Tom Eaton shares a few secrets about what they don’t teach you at school

I’ll be honest: I’m pleased that you’re reading this, but it’s also a tiny bit weird.

After all, if you’re one of those superhuman learners, highlighting notes in 16 different colours and lying awake worrying that you might only get 102% for physics, you already know what you’re doing next year because it’s on your spreadsheet where you’ve broken down the next decade into 2-hour intervals. And if you’re not one of those, and are more like me, then next year is still a very long way away and you’re mostly focused on getting through next week.

Another reason I’m surprised that you’re reading this is the fact that your brain is either upsettingly full or upsettingly empty.

If it’s full, it’s full to bursting. You’ve got equations and Afrikaans verbs trickling out of your nostrils,

and the only thing you want to read is what Google says when you ask: “Can the human brain literally explode from reading too much?”

If your brain is empty, perhaps because (like mine) it can’t hold onto information it doesn’t find interesting, well, then you’re probably not in the mood to read this sort of silliness anyway.

But if you are still here, I’m glad, because even though you’ve learned so much, there are a couple of useful things you haven’t been taught.

I’m not saying school has been a waste of time. Far from it. I still remember some very important things I learned at school, like that I can’t do maths, and that Shakespeare would have been much more readable if he’d written in English.

Still, the further away I get from matric the more I wish I’d been

taught some things that weren’t in any curriculum. And so, in the hope that they might help you sail through the next year – or combatcrawl through the next week –here are some of them:

1 2 3

Nobody knows what’s going on. The more confident your peers look, the less they know.

Matric exams are a great way to measure how well you write Matric exams. They are a terrible way of measuring your intelligence, your value as a person, and where you will end up in life. Study hard, play the exam game as well as you can, but understand that the real work of becoming you –the really good stuff – is only just starting.

Next year isn’t forever. Right now you’re under a lot of pressure to choose a path that you’ll follow for the rest of your life, but that’s not how life usually works. Yes, do something that speaks to you, whether studying or finding a job or starting a business, but remember: most people change course. That guy in your class who wants to be a vet? He’s going to get vomited on by a penguin and decide he wants to be an accountant.

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That maths genius who’s planning to be an actuary? She’s going to run a sanctuary for nauseous penguins.

Develop stomach muscles. I’m not joking. You’ll need them more than you’ll ever need algebra or geography. Do 50 crunches a day.

You, your spine and your bank balance will thank me when you’re 50.

Follow people, not just qualifications. Find mentors and role models who do what you want to do, and follow them. Maybe not to their homes, because that’s stalking, but make a conscious effort to be near them at the office or the classroom, and then download their brains. Again, not literally, because that’s probably illegal, but you get what I’m saying.

Finally, make lists. Not only do they keep you focused and calm, but they also make other people think that you are competent. See? You’ve read all the way to the end of this list because you think I know what I’m talking about.

Right. Time to stop reading magazines and start revising. But first, 50 crunches…