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August 26, 2011 • Year 6, Vol.14
Tel: 015 962 1008
* By Ntsieni Tshisevhe
Meet Quality Engineer, Kate Mushi A Woman in a man’s world
* Please tell us about yourself. I am a young ambitious lady born in Mankweng hospital in 22 September 1986. I grew up with my two lovely sisters Mpho and Ditemana, raised by a loving awesome mother Mrs Liza Mushi. In 1993 I started my grade 1 at Makwarela Primary School where I saw some of my good qualities in interacting with other kids. I was a very confident kid who liked taking part in every activity and leading was one of my best attributes. This actually made me have my own group of friends and funny enough I use to be in a group of kids who were competitive, and who were the STARS of the school “academically” as we all know that “birds of a feather flock together”. In 2000 known as the year millennium was the year I started High school at Thohoyandou Technical High. My high school helped a lot in choosing my field of study on my first year 2005 at Cape Peninsula University of Technology. * What do you do at Ford? I am a Quality Engineer at Ford Motor Company. As quality engineers we ensure customer satisfaction with the products that we produce in our company, by providing improvements and standardization to our processes. We are also responsible for implementing containments and corrective actions to rectify the customer problems in cooperation with all other engineers. * How did you choose this career path? In my lower level grades in primary school, I used to say; “I want to be a doctor” but as I grew to higher levels I actually thought of diverting into engineering. That’s when I decided to go to Thohoyandou Technical high School since they offered engineering subjects (Civil, Mechanical & Electrical) in Grade 11-12. We had Physical Science (Physics Chemistry), which was offered to everyone, and while learning the indepth nature of Physical science, I fell in love with Chemistry
and in my first year at varsity I decided to take a course in Chemical Engineering which was even more interesting. We learned more about the extraction of Diamonds (how they are processed, cut and washed) and how coal and other metals are formed through chemical reactions taking place. * Do you know how water is formed and how it is purified? Well I got to learn more and more about the water we use every day, the processes it undergoes and the systems used and the designing of water purification systems. Basically, as chemical engineers we can work at any manufacturing company as process engineers, and still be Chemical Engineers. I once worked as a process engineer student at Nissan SA and Bevcan (Tin manufacturing company) and now I am a Quality Engineer at Ford Motor Company. Interesting huh? * What sort of challenges do you come across and how do you overcome them? As a woman working in an engineering environment where 90% of people and management are men, it was quite a challenge to me in the beginning. Men can be tough people when working with women in terms of convincing them of certain ideas that we initiate as engineering women. They tend to make us feel little, or they actually overanalyze whatever ideas we have before they come to pass. I realized that they just don’t want to admit that we can come up with better ideas as well. To them, men are always the ones who should initiate, but fortunately we are in a generation where women are no longer scared of facing challenges or doing what they love doing. - Continues on p2
Kenneth Muthige - Gautrain Driver * By Ntsieni Tshisevhe
The Gautrain is a state-of-the-art rapid rail network in Gauteng. It was
officially launched on the 2nd of this month. The rail connection comprises of two links, namely a link between Pretoria and Johannesburg and a link between OR Tambo International Airport and
Sandton. This modern train will offer international standards of public transport with high levels of safety, reliability, predictability and comfort. Travelling at maximum speeds of 160
to 180 kilometres per hour it will reach Pretoria from Johannesburg in less than 40 minutes. Limpopo is very well represented by Kenny Muthige, who is a driver of the Gautrain. - Continues on p3
August 26, 2011
MAKOYA 2 * By Ntsieni Tshisevhe
Meet Quality Engineer, Kate Mushi A Woman in a man’s world belt, and from there I would like to proceed to a master black belt just to understand every strategy of making a business great - higher quality, less cost and a product * What sort of challenges do you come across and that sells. This will as well make me pursue my dream of how do you overcome them? being a Quality Director in one of the biggest companies As a woman working in an engineering environment or owing a company of my own, since I will be having where 90% of people and management are men, it skills and knowledge acquired along the way. was quite a challenge to me in the beginning. Men * For someone who is interested in following in your can be tough people when working with women in foot steps, what should they study and what are the terms of convincing them of certain ideas that we requirements for admission? initiate as engineering women. They tend to make us Maths & Science with at least D or E higher grade feel little, or they actually overanalyze whatever ideas symbols can get you into Engineering (Mechanical, we have before they come to pass. I realized that Industrial, Chemical and Civil). they just don’t want to admit that we can come up * What’s your message to the youth? with better ideas as well. To them, men are always Hey buddies, this is a chance where you must show the ones who should initiate, but fortunately we are your God-given talent. Whatever dream you have, let it in a generation where women are no longer scared manifest through your life, by giving out the best of your of facing challenges or doing what they love doing. ability, It doesn’t matter how many say it cannot be done * Where would you like to see yourself in the or how many people have tried it before, you are who years to come? you decide to be, and remember… if you want it and you In years to come, I see myself owning a fashion dream about it, there is nothing to stop you! So lets all label called (Deecate)which is still in the pipeline go make our dreams a reality because dreams and hard and that will be worn all over the world…mark my work gives us courage to succeed. The quote that keeps words,” I got passion for fashion as well”. With me going when things become hard is; “NO MATTER regards to my field of study “Engineering”, I’m HOW LONG THE NIGHT, THE DAY IS YET TO COME.” Keep basically on a way forward to achieving a black believing in yourself! - Continues from p1
* By Humbelani Chantel Ndou
An anonymous man once said; “Happy are those who dream dreams and are willing to pay the price to make them come true”. We all have dreams but at the end of the day, very few of us make them
And the winner is... Congratulations to our book winners: * HAZEL GWELE AND * NALEDZANI MUDAU
Makoya will contact you soon!
come true. What stops so many of us from realising our true potential is the fear we have, most would not dare to take the first step to seeking their passion or what they desire to do because they are afraid of failing. When life throws you the opportunity of a lifetime, never let fear or shyness stop you from reaching for the stars. Let your dreams be bigger than the little fears you have. Advancing confidently in the direction of our dreams is what channels us to be great achievers who believe that we can make it, even when standing on shaky ground. Magic won’t make dreams come true, for the best way to make them a reality is to wake up to face the world with bravery. Life is about you deciding where you want to go and what you want to do without you dwelling on your past failures. A positive mindset is what makes it all possible. Mark 9:23 reads; “If you
can believe, all things are possible to those who believe”. It all begins with pulling those ideas you have out of the fantasy pile and really believing in them. Visualizing your dreams prepares you to achieve them, what you think about the most is that which you create for yourself. We are all equipped with the ability to improve our lives and live our dreams, but we fail to do so because we expect to succeed with no effort from our side - no success comes overnight. The more we procrastinate our actions, the more likely we are to fail to achieve our dreams. One way or another we all fail and fall but the lesson is to pick ourselves up and refocus. It may take much longer to get back on track, but patience makes us unstoppable at the end of the day. Take the first step and you will be inspired to take it further. Move out of that comfort zone and walk the talk. Arise and shine.
Small jobs marketplace SKILLS ON OFFER: 1. Singo Lufuno frm Tsianda I hv grd 12 compter literacy,security edc,cashier course,stock control,mechandizer,stock taking,3yrs exp of cleaning. 072 229 3722. 2. Mudau Teena,from Shayandima, grade 12, N4 certificate in human resource management,currently busy with N5. 073 415 0161. 3. I,m Slyvia Sivhaga I live at Vleifontein, skilss cartaring, cleaning, computer diplomar, and securrity officer grade E,D,C. 071 118 8658. 4. I,m Arthur Mukuvhi I live at Nzhelele ha. Mandiwana I have a grade 11 and am busy with grade 12 supplementary, and compter diploma and a code. 076 788 9194. 5. Nkhumeleni Dakalo Victoria frm Tshidzini. I have grade 12 @ N6 human resources management. 079 186 3863. 6. I’m Mulaudzi Paul 4rm Vuwani Tshitungulwane, I’m looking 4 a job, I hav grade 12 with p.Science and coputer literacy. 082 0877 183. 7. Tshidumo a Eunice, 4rm Vyeboom (Masia), I have grd 12, computer diploma, code 10 drivers licence, N6 certificate in marketing management. 071 094 5447. 8. Im Jeanette Rasifudi frm Tshikweta (Sibasa), I hv grd 12, computer diploma,l2,l3,l4 in electrical infrastructure construction,N4,N5 in electric. 076 139 2912.
How does the small jobs marketplace work?
For only R2, simply sms the words MAKOYA JOBS, your name, where you live and what skill or need you have to 34995. One last point of note: this is not a vacancy page for established business. We will assist these businesses with a proper vacancy advert if you want, but this initiative is rather an attempt to help those who are unemployed, but who do still have skills of some sort or another that they can use.
Makoya 99 we tell it like it is!
Ri vha vhudza zwo tou ralo! (Bangakupalula) POEM GIVE THEM HOPE (ORPHANS) For as little as you can Let your heart do give care Those poor little kids didn’t choose Eish! What they go through is painful Give them hope to strive Look at their poor faces Those innocent little babies Is it necessary for us to ignore Or we just have to offer them a little A real emotional situation indeed What wrong did they do How far will they reach alone The parental love they need Oh poor kids, it’s really a shame Give them hope to live They get no “good morning” in Sunrise Nor “good night” when night comes Joy is something they never come across Give them hope for the future - By Muthelo Pfunzo
E-mail, post or deliver your masterpieces (photo’s, articles, etc) to us. Fax: 015 516 2303. Mark clearly “for attention Makoya” e-mail: • pieter@zoutnet.co.za
August 26, 2011
MAKOYA 3
* By Ntsieni Tshisevhe
Kenneth Muthige - Gautrain Driver
- Continues from p1
Operating Company-Gautrain since January 2011. * Please tell us about yourself. * Where did you work previously and I am a village boy, born on 3 how has the career change been for September 1981 at Tshivhilidulu you? Village. I attended primary school I worked as a teller for the Post office at Tshivhilidulu primary school from in Polokwane and Thohoyandou and 1987 until 1993, and my high school later branch manager at Mashau post at Vhusendeka secondary where I office. It was not in my plans to make completed my matric in 1999. I then such a big career change from retail to registered for my B.com in Economics railway, but I am enjoying myself and with UNISA and I am only left with a learning the trade so quickly. couple of modules to graduate. I am * How did you become a Gautrain also a proud father. driver? * How did you choose this career path? I had registered my CV on career I have always admired the Rail junction and got a notification that industry and I was influenced more by Gautrain were looking for drivers with my uncle who was also a train driver at matric and mathematics. I applied Metro Rail back in the days, so he also and was phoned the following day, encouraged me to consider a career in asking that I should come and write the rail industry and now I am enjoying the numerical tests. This was followed every moment of it. by the psychometric test, medicals * How long have you been at Gautrain? and a formal interview and I was I have been working for Bombela recommended, and as they say the rest
is history. * What sort of challenges do you come across and how do you overcome them? I only had to adjust myself to the working environment and the working of shifts. You sometimes report to work at 03h49 in the morning and sometimes night shifts. Working on weekends and public holidays a bit of a challenge, but other than that there are no real challenges. * What do you love about your job? This is such a huge project and being part of it is more than satisfactory. I get to meet new faces every day. I also love the flexibility of the working hours. * Take us through your typical day at work from the time you wake up. I wake up at 02h30 in the morning, always start my day with a shower, brush my teeth, prepare my uniform, drive about 20 minutes to Midrand where I am reporting for duty at
04h15, sign on the biometric and take my driving sheet and a radio for communication, and then I leave the depot with my train to Sandton. I drive about 9 trips between Sandton and OR Tambo airport. I have my breakfast at the airport around 09h15. I then drive my remaining two trips and thereafter drive the train to Hatfield before heading to Midrand depot for my knock-off time at 13h15. I then check my shift for the following day before driving back home where I am going to sleep and get ready for the new day. Since I work from 03h49 in the morning it’s important to give my body a rest. * Where would you like to see yourself in the years to come? Bombela operating company has been so good to me that I want to grow within the company. There are positions like Route Supervisors, Traffic managers and Operation managers that one can also consider. * How fast can the Gautrain go? 160 km/h and there is absolutely no traffic fine.....LOL * For someone who is interested in following in your footsteps, what should they study and what are the requirements for admission? To become a train driver you need matric with mathematics and a drivers licence to qualify, but you are required to complete the training and assessments to be awarded the train drivers certificate, and you must pass the practical driving test to be recommended as a qualified train driver. * What’s your message to the youth? As youth we need to realise that we are the future pioneers of this world. They should stay away from drugs and alcohol and equip themselves with education. Let us all unite and fight the AIDS pandemic by practicing safe sex and abstinence. If we can beat that... THE SKY IS THE LIMIT.
can save a life * By Ntsieni Tshisevhe
Information can save a life. A lost child, an unconscious motorcycle driver, or a confused elderly person might be in serious danger. During an emergency, a two way communication line established between the helping hand and the person in distress, can make the difference between life and death. Ident-E-Kit’s solution is a comfortable, durable and inexpensive medical band, with the purpose of establishing communication and sharing information. Ident-E-Kit Child Security Wristbands are a stylish innovative child or disabled person safety solution designed specifically for families. This wristband, with a unique code, will be worn by your child or dependant and is made of high quality silicone, designed for everyday use. Each wristband is printed with a unique 6 digit code, to identify your child or dependant if he or she gets lost. Included on the wristband is a basic instruction to the person, security or police officer of what to do in case of an emergency. This will advise them to send an SMS via a mobile
phone to a short SMS code or to visit our website. Crucial information about your child, including the guardian’s contact details will be sent to you via SMS. A full identikit as well as medical information can be viewed online. Small children or people suffering from Alzheimer’s find it difficult to communicate with strangers, or are sometimes not able to talk coherently for themselves. This creates a problem when someone finds a lost child and wants to contact the parents to reunite them. This can be a major issue, especially if the child is disabled. The wristband is ideal for your child or loved one to wear on journeys, holidays, shopping trips, or to large events where there are lots of people and an increased danger for a small child to get lost. Ident-E-Kit provides instant communication between a lost child and their parents if they ever get separated on a family or school outing. In times of panic Ident-E-Kit relieves stress because it is so easy for the finder to implement. It is also incredibly comfortable to wear, so the child will be less likely to lose it.
Ident-E-Kit provides a simple direct communication route back to you when an emergency occurs. Ident-EKit wristbands protect both the child and parents by reporting SMS alerts when a search of the unique ID code has been done by a person. Because of the RICA laws in South Africa, all cell phone numbers need to be registered with an ID and a proof of residence. Our website saves and keep track of all cell phone numbers that access or use our website. Also, with SMS messages, it is impossible to use the “hidden caller” option available on all cell phones. How it works! For more information on how Ident-Ekit works, or on how you can obtain it, contact the sales and marketing agent in the province on 081 329 5992, or visit their website at www.identi-e-kit.co.za
August 29, 2011
MAKOYA 4
* By Ntsieni Tshisevhe
At the tender age of just 19 years, Ernort Dzaga’s soccer career is shaping up exactly in the way that many young soccer aspirants dream of. He is part of the Black Leopards squad that will be playing in the PSL in the
coming season. His first passion for the ball was sparked as early as his primary school days, when he was playing in the dusty field of Makwarela primary school. It grew so much on him, that by the time he was
* By Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho
at Mphaphuli high school, he had started playing for Miluwani Happy boys. Little did he know that his dedication to the sport, coupled with natural talent would set him up as one of the most sought after players in the province. JM Academy and Maniini All Blacks are amongst the teams that secured his services before he was signed by Lidoda Duvha. They first tested his skills in the developmental side but quickly realized that he is well-prepared for the main squad. He is the youngest player in the team and possibly could be the youngest in the coming PSL season. When Makoya met up with the centre back star, he was just about to leave for a preseason game in Bloemfontein. For your reading pleasure, this is how the interview went. * How have you managed to associate yourself with the right teams at the right time? It has been a matter of doing research about the team, on its potential to grow myself as a player. Unlike other players I never rushed to signing for a team just because they paid better. I believed that I had to put my soccer career first and with that focus, money would eventually come. * You are the youngest player in the Black Leopards camp, and possibly in the PSL, how does that make you feel? It’s exciting and challenging at the same time. It also puts me in a position to find myself playing for the under 23 national team, and eventually Bafana Bafana.
Khiphi
On a warm winter morning Makoya visited Khiphi Natural Beauty, a salon operating within Rendani Internet Café, shop No.8 at The Plaza complex in Louis Trichardt. Gents and ladies stride in and out of the salon, heads wearing enviable dreadlocks woven out of the natural hair as such. This is the place where Nkhiphitheni “Khiphi” Nkhumeleni runs the hairdressing salon already mentioned above. He specialises in twisting the hair strands into dreadlocks and arranging such stylistically. “I’ve been operating in this place since some three years ago,” he tells in his serious tone of a voice. “I obtained a qualification in hairdressing from Grace Hair Salon in Thohoyandou. I reaped good skills in that centre, thanks God.” But coming from Thohoyandou to Louis Trichardt, and leaving his early clientele behind, was not an easy decision to make. He felt that he had to change towns in order to make it in the hairdressing world, hence Louis Trichardt became his destination. Some skeptics discouraged him from doing exactly that, but he was steered to succeed in spite of the challenges. “It’s never easy to open up a business, especially in a new town where you know no one,” he says seriously. “Determination drives one to do greater things!” It’s true: his determination could be seen in how he operates his salon. The room is neat and he does not slack from telling his
* Does it put some sort of pressure on you? Not at all, in fact it puts me on a great platform to perfectly grow my career profile. * When you look back, what has been the highlight of your soccer career? It has to be while playing for the Limpopo provincial squad at the Coca-cola Football tournament in 2006, and when playing for JM Academy at the MTN cup. * What’s the biggest challenge that comes with being a soccer star? Not being with family for long periods of time due to traveling, is a challenge and is hard to get used to. * Since soccer is a very short career, even shorter when injured, are you studying? Oh yes, I’m just about to enroll for a Business Management course so that I have something to fall back on when I can no longer play soccer. * Do you think you’ll still be this grounded now that you have reached the mainstream soccer platform in the country? Definitely, I’m fortunate to have older players who give me advice on how to handle myself on and off the field. I’ll still hang around with the same friends I have now; besides, I’m way too focused on soccer to lose focus. * What can you say to aspirant soccer stars? With patience, you will one day be a recognized soccer star, just don’t rush it. Believe that you can make it, never mind the conditions you play under.
is revolutionizing the hairdressing industry
colleagues to mind their duty appropriately. “I worked at four salons previously in Thohoyandou, it’s also where I gained practical skills in how to manage one’s business,” he states. “Today I feel I am a man. I could sense the loveliness of life and living. Should I brag by saying that I’ve built a classy house and have got a roadworthy car? No, that’s not for me! For everything I thank God and appreciate the moral support from my family, people who believed that I could make it.” Two persons now run their hairdressing businesses after acquiring skills and knowledge from Khiphi Natural Beauty salon. That gesture alone, true enough, has had the hairdresser conceptualising to opening up a hairdressing school. Asked if there was someone special in his life, he answered that he is never comfortable in answering the question. Khiphi has employed at least four permanent pairs of hands, who use their skillful fingers to do a miracle on the client’s head. One of the employees, Marcia Malange, had this to say: “Khiphi is an easy-going somebody. He’s more than an employee to us, and he’s always been open to us all.” “Had it not been for my passion for hairdressing, perhaps I would have turned out another isibotho (thoughtless drunkard),” he paints this dreadful picture. “This thing of hairdressing has been in me since the days of my primary school.” At twenty seven years of age he has achieved so much and is still aiming for more. Hats off to Khiphi and the company, sure! Khiphi can be contacted at 078 693 5411.