Makoya 29 July 2011

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July 29, 2011 • Year 6, Vol.12

Tel: 015 962 1008

* By Ntsieni Tshisevhe

Constance Nengovhela Deputy Registrar of Seafarers

Whether it chose her or she chose it, Constance Nengovhela’s career is one less talked about, but it is highly interesting.

She is with the Deputy Registrar of Seafarers, a career path less traveled. We caught up with her so she could let us in on what her career is about and how others could follow in her footsteps. * Please tell us about yourself.

I am a proud village lady who was born in 1985 at Elim hospital. I grew up at Ha- Mashau Village where I also spent my school years, from Grade 1 at Mphagane Junior Primary School to Phinimini Primary School.

I commenced my Secondary School education at Vhafamadi Secondary School where I matriculated in 2002.

So I’m basically a pure product of my Village.

I started applying for scholarships at many organizations and after being rejected many times, I was fortunate enough to be awarded a scholarship by the then called “National Ports Authority of South Africa.”

- Continues on page 3

C A R EE R

CORNER

By Lesedi Milanzi

* What do you do?

I’m the Deputy Registrar of Seafarers * How long have you been there?

I commenced work on 11 April 2011 * How did you choose this career path?

My career chose me and I refer to myself as an accidental seafarer. * How did you become a seafarer?

Typical of a village girl, when I completed matric I had no means of funding my tertiary education, however, throughout my childhood I was an above average scholar and I always believed that I was born for greatness and with the faith that I have, I could not let my circumstances define my destiny.

EDITH MUDAU - FROM KUTAMA TO HONG KONG

“Without music life would be a blunder!” John A Logan once said that music is the medicine of the mind, but I, without a great deal of effort, figured that, this “medicine” called music does not manufacture itself!

Music takes hard work, extensive hours, talent, commitment and tons of training to perfect. This is what I learnt from a conversation I had with Edith Mudau, a professional singer/performer who is currently based in Hong-Kong. Edith formerly worked for Disney in a production called “The festival of the lion king”. She started her professional music career in 2002 when she qualified for the Pop-stars top 23, afterwhich she attended Siya-Phezulu workshops. It was

More on page 4!

during this time that she gained exposure, working with music experts, such as Yvonne Chaka-Chaka and Selaelo Selota.

“I always had a passion for singing since from an early age,” she said. I knew that I wanted to sing ever since I can remember, and even though my job entails all genres of music, I am particularly very fond of gospel music, and this is because I grew up in church, so my first singing moments were in church.

In 2003 after completing her matric at Kutama Secondary school in Limpopo, Edith moved to Johannesburg where she worked with Duma Ndlovu, the executive producer of Muvhango, in one of his musical shows called “The journey”. “It was a musical that included singing, acting and dancing, and this was my first time travelling overseas, and I went to Switzerland.” “In 2005 I then auditioned for “The African Mamas”, and this was also an overseas based project where I travelled the whole of Europe.

- Continues on page 2

Edith Mudau perf

orming!

July 29, 2011

MAKOYA 2

By Lesedi Milanzi

CORNER

C A R EE R

EDITH MUDAU - FROM KUTAMA TO HONG KONG - Continues from page 1 I went to Denmark, Amsterdam, Paris and Belgium and in the same year I worked with Chico Twala in his project “Maria Le Maria”. Locally Edith also had appearances on TV programs such as at a popular SABC 2 contemporary African

music show AFRO CAFÉ, where she performed with Selaelo Selota on his new album “Talent cannot flourish in isolation and that is why, during the initial stages of my career I had to attend a lot of intensive courses, training programs and inductions in order to be where I am today.

During my period in this industry, I learnt that without formal training it can * By Humbelani Chantel Ndou

REACH FOR YOUR DREAMS! A step-bystep guide to achieving your goals Believe it or not, it is July already and most of you by now might still be struggling to transform your resolutions into reality. During the first few months of the year we all tend to write long lists of new year’s resolutions, but often, as soon as we return to the daily grind, we abandon our goals and kick back to our habits. For those still struggling to achieve their goals, today’s Makoya comes handy in helping you to achieve the goals you set out to do. We bring to you the tips on how to get moving.

We all know how important it is to set goals. They give us direction and purpose and we get to measure our successes through them.

Let it be your own.

Let your goal be personal to you. You make the goal your own product and nobody else’s. It mustn’t be something instilled in you by peers or family. It should come from the inner you, a goal set by your own will is much more achievable than the one set for you by those close to you.

Make it a promise.

Instead of calling it a goal, call it a promise you made and desire to keep.

A goal is what you strive to transform into reality, whereas a promise is what you intend to keep. You do all it takes to keep a promise and you attempt a goal.

Substituting a goal by a promise creates a total different mindset about that which you set to achieve. Remember, promises are made to be kept.

Define your promise.

Make a clear identification of the promise you made. It is hard to keep a promise not clearly defined to you. A quote goes like this; “to generalise is to be an idiot”, so be specific on what you want and how you want it to be. If it’s a phone, be sure to know which one it is you want.

The more specific you are the more clearly you will be able to see it in your mind’s eye. Visualize your goal.

Clarity is key, the last thing you need is murkiness, be clear on what you want.

Question yourself.

Why do you need to achieve this goal?

Look for a personal motivator that will keep you focused. Questions help you to get what you want out of the goals you set. It keeps you striving for your goal.

Have a plan.

You need a promise-plan on how to transform your goal into reality.

Keep checking in. Review the plan you have outlined on a regular basis.

Reviews help you know where you are heading and it gives you a sense of accomplishment if you have achieved any of the goals on your list.

Believe you can.

Tell yourself that you will succeed. One of the reasons people fail to achieve what they’ve set for themselves is that they never believed they could do it in the very first place. Affirmations are a powerful tool to use.

Lastly, just don’t give up...dream big and aim for the stars.

be a bit difficult to have a sustainable long term career.

My advice to those who would like to be professional musicians is that even though taking shortcuts may work for you, it is always advisable to take a rather longer but sustainable route, and if you go to a tertiary institution or music schools to study, that’s a bonus! It’s important to acquire as much knowledge as one can in this field. “My career in Music is not an isolated entity and involves a lot of performances, acting and dancing, because Music is not just about going to a stage and intoning a song, there is a lot of things involved in putting a show together, such as management and a lot of organization that goes on behind the scenes,” added Edith.

“I feel there is not enough awareness on music as a career, especially for youth from Limpopo. The only break that one can get is to come to Johannesburg, and sometimes due to constraints of poverty it is not always possible to do so. Those that have a passion for music end up with their dreams being shattered. If we can have more education in music by people who know and understand the art of music, that will be gratuity.

While she said this, I thought to myself, “Why do we only have sciences and commerces in our schools and not have music offered as one of the

subjects, because not everyone finds the idea of sitting in the lab or looking at numbers all day, fun and fascinating.

“Music must come from within, it must be your passion and most of the time, the mistake that people make is resorting to music after their “other plans” have failed, but it shouldn’t be like that, like any other careers it must be treated with respect,” she said. I was inspired by the conversation I had with Edith, but when she started asking me which year was last year, I realised this whole “6 hour” time-difference between South Africa, (where I am) and Hong Kong, (where she is) had taken its toll.

I knew it was my queue to leave, coz under normal circumstances, no one wants to be interviewed at 10pm after a long day at work. I was however, tempted to sing her a lullaby with my alto-rized soprano-tone-of-voice, but then I thought “Maybe not,” (Just to avoid traumatizing her and causing her any psychological disturbances).

Edith, Let us offer our gratitude to you, for your time, irrespective of the time-difference issues, we feel highly honoured and we wish you all the best with your career and enjoy your stay in Hong Kong.

Music Bursaries for 2012

Music Bursaries for 2012

• Ellie Marx Memorial scholarship (15 October 2011) Executive officer, SA society of music teachers, PO.Box 20573, Noordburg, 2522, www.sasmt-savmo.org • Gladwell Music scholarship (30 September 2011) Executive officer, SA society of music teachers, PO.Box 20573, Noordburg, 2522, www.sasmt-savmo.org • Premedia foundation bursary scheme www.premedia.co.za/ info@premedia.co.za/ 0115063000 • The law student scholarship trust fund (30 September 2011) Po.Box 604, Windhoek, Namibia • Legalwise bursary scheme (29 October 2011) www.legalwise.co.za, legal wise bursary committee, PO.Box 1524, Florida 1709/0116704500

Everyone can be a journalist with Makoya!

Let us know what’s happening in your area. 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 PO Box 1680, Louis Trichardt, 0920 Madar Centre, shop no 5, next to Post Office, Thohoyandou

July 29, 2011

MAKOYA 3 in the years to come? * Of all the countries that you have * By Ntsieni Tshisevhe I see myself as the traveled in, which one has been your Registrar of Seafarers favorite? when the opportunity It has to be the Fiji Islands, which is avails itself and well as located in the southwest Pacific Ocean. being a Captain with Fiji is the most beautiful island I have my Class 1 Certificate been to and it was also interesting to of Competency. see how the Fijians lives are compared (Class 1 is the to South Africans. In my opinion it highest certificate of appears as if life in Fiji is at least 10 competency in the years behind when I compare it with life - Continues from page 1 had I been Sea-going Maritime in South Africa. in any other industry) * What’s your message to the youth?

The scholarship covered my tuition, industry.

I would like to Young people must believe in residence, transport fees and I was * As a be more themselves and believe that anything is also given a monthly allowance. It was Navigating involved possible in life. because of this scholarship that I found Officer Constance Nengovhela in Maritime - Deck Officer with more They must also strive to live a life with myself studying at the Cape Peninsula I love using azimuth ring to determine the vessel’s motivational a purpose and be the best people they University of Technology and I have the perks position by taking a bearing of a lighthouse from talks, possibly can be. Never let their current never looked back since my days as a which come the navigation bridge especially circumstances define their destiny. student. It was also during this time that with being an in our * How can people get hold of you?

I saw that by believing in myself I could officer, such as villages where many times all seems to I can be contacted via e-mail on achieve anything I wanted in life! For a traveling the world for free and earning be beyond the reach of the youth there. constancenengovhela@gmail.com start, I could hardly speak any English enough to live a good life. There is a and was not familiar with the marine saying that goes; “once a seafarer * For someone who is interested in following in your footsteps what should terminology, but through hard work and always a seafarer!” Being and working they study and what are the requirement for admission? perseverance I was amongst the top on a vessel (ship) for me has been such It’s important for young people to choose Mathematics, Physical Science and students by the end of the term. In that a privilege and an adventure.

English while still in High School. Upon completing Grade 12 they can enroll for year, and by the time I had completed * As a Deputy Registrar of Seafarers a Diploma in Maritime Studies which is offered in these institutions: my diploma, I had a few certificates of I love the fact that I am able to make • Durban University of Technology excellence and I am proud to say that I a difference in other peoples’ lives Tel: 031 373 2144 / Fax: 031 373 2137 / www.dut.ac.za have become so articulate it’s hard to through the projects that I am involved Head of Department: Captain C. Johnson believe that I was once that shy village in, particularly through training and • Cape Peninsula University of Technology girl. encouraging young people to be the best Tel: 021 440 5752 / Fax: 021 440 5759 * What sort of challenges do you come beings they can be. I also love to be E-mail: maritime@cput.ac.za / www.cput.ac.za across and how do you overcome there for my fellow seafarers who may For those who are more fascinated by mechanics, they can study for a them? find themselves in need of any kind of Diploma in Marine Engineering which is also offered at the above mentioned During my sailing days, the challenges assistance whilst they are far away from institutions.This diploma in Maritime Studies/ Marine Engineering is arguably varied from psychological to safety and shore. the highest paying diploma with a starting salary of a minimum of R15000 security and at times there was very * Take us through your typical day at and this increases as one moves up the ranks to even R100 000 per month little I could do to make the situation work. depending on the company. Usually as a seafarer the salary is paid in foreign better for myself.

As a Seafarer (Navigating Officer) currencies and that on its own is a benefit.

The biggest challenge has been when when I am at sea. sailing with other foreign nationalities.

When on the ships I report for duty at NB: the Diploma in Maritime Studies consists of four semesters, upon At times they tend to look down on 07:45 for 08:00. completing semesters 1 and 2, the cadet commences with sea-time and a young female officer and they also 0800-1200 this is a morning watch after completing a minimum of 12 months sea-time, a cadet does an oral question one’s competency level, and at and I am on the bridge. examination which is conducted by SAMSA and if competent, a Certificate times I had to stand up for myself and Duties if at sea will include navigating of Competency is issued and this allows the now officer to serve onboard show them that I am just as competent the ship from point A to point B, taking Merchant ships as an officer. One does not necessarily have to have a Diploma as they are, and that my gender has into consideration all the external to qualify as an officer, however to move up the ranks a Diploma is required. nothing to do with my intellectual ability. factors such as traffic around own ship, The salaries stipulated above are based on Competency levels.

When I started out as a cadet, I was movements of other ships in the vicinity, The other advantage is that our qualifications are recognized globally so treated very badly, but I just could not the weather, and also keeping an eye on graduates can work anywhere in the world. give up, knowing very well that the other crew members working on deck. opportunity I had could change my life 1200-1300 I would take my lunch for the better and because I also knew break. that at home there was nothing I could 1300-1600 I am on deck maintaining go back to, I had to just be stronger Fire- Fighting (Fire hoses, Fire SKILLS ON OFFER: when things got terrible. extinguishers, Fire Pumps) and Life Khakhu Vhudzanani, 4rom Louis Trichard (Makhado), grd 12 certificate, computer Being a sailor is not for the faintSaving Appliances (Life Boat, Rescue diploma, civil engineering n2-n3-n4-n5-n6. 076 742 5118 hearted as months are spent away from Boat, Life rafts, Life Jacket, Life Buoys) Phiri Thembi Village; gogogo skills; grade 12. Kgn security training grade edc.

072 995 0970 loved ones, with very little contact with 1600-1900 Off duty the outside world, and this tends to take 2000-2400 Evening watch, duties are Busisiwe Maina Phiri Village: gogogo skills: grade 12,n4 hrm. 071 584 0381. a toll on other sailors. From a safety the same as in the morning watch.

Rudzani Zwiitavhathu 4rm M aungani. I have grade 12 certificate and code 10 drivers licence with pdp. 083 751 7804. point of view, currently the biggest * As a Deputy Registrar of Seafarers concern is the Somali pirates hijacking My day starts at 08:00 in the Precious Ngobeni from Makwarela. Have matric an 2 years diploma in business management. Looking for any post available. 071 077 2948. vessels on a daily basis and putting morning.

Joseph denhere im loking fr a job im a driver code 14 class2 thank u im in Polokwane. the lives of seafarers at a risk. When at Depending on the day, I am 078 516 0995. sea there is no weekend off, a ship is a issuing Small Vessels Certificates of Makhura Anza, 4rm Duthuni, I have grade 12, code 10 drivers licence, SAMTRAC, 24 hour operation platform and work is Competence and Seaman’s Record Diploma in safety management. 079 896 4354. ongoing from the time of signing on until Books the whole day, with meetings Gonese violet 4rm Vuwani Limpopo .hve grade 11 n a National certificate in Agriculture. signing off, and this can be exhausting in between. I am also responsible ZIMBABWEAN. 078 091 1317. at times, depending on the operation. for the welfare of all South African Monyai Thiathu,Ha-mashau Thenga, grd 12 certificate, n6 civil engineering@n3-n4-n5 As a Deputy Registrar, the Seafarers and those from all corners certificates busy with n6 for mechanical engineering. 079 450 8314. environment is very much corporate, of the globe, and when they are faced Rudzani Muvhali 4rom Musina i have grade 12 certificate and code 1o drivers licence. and so far I have not really found myself with challenges, I am their first point of 079 766 2562. faced with any challenges - perhaps it contact.

Lavhelani happy from vuwani grade 12 certificate code 8 licence computer literacy n4 could be because of the years I spent I also liaise with other global hospitality catering and services theory and pratica. 079 150 3251. on ships that now what other people Maritime Administrations on Seafarer Nfishana nyadzani, 4rm, madombidzha zone2, grd12 certificate, computer may see as a mountain, which to me qualifications related issues, and on diploma,code 10 driver’s licence 078 734 7941. appears as a hill. There is no doubt that a daily basis I receive enquires on Ramahuma Mmakoma Gloria from Ha-mulima,i have Grade 12,N6 certificate in Civil the time I spent at sea shaped me into Certificates that we have issued to Engineering,Drivers licence Code10 (C1).071 083 3884. being the strong, confident, responsible seafarers who are on ships globally.

Malwandla M Nkuna, from Bungeni, grade 12, building and civil engineering n2,n3,n4,n5,n6,code 10 drivers licence.076 848 5211. and reliable woman that I have become, I am also involved on the Cadet Xiphemu Makhubele,Chavani, grd 12, certificate in computer literacy and certificate in and for that I will always be grateful to Training Scheme, where we find berths banking 072 130 4442. all those who believed in me enough to for our cadets with various companies.

Lavhengwa Cynthia, 4rm Mutale, grd 12, computer literacy, BAA Emergency certificate, give me the opportunities that I have I am supposed to knock off at 16:30, code 10 drivers licence wth PDP. 072 435 7956. had in my life. but for me this is dependent on the * What do you love about your job? amount of work I have and the level that 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 The best part about being in the I am at work is no longer dependent on need you have to 34995. maritime industry is that it brought me time, due to the joy and fulfillment that I One last point of note: this is not a vacancy page for established business. We will assist these businesses with out of my shell, it helped me learn more get when I am doing it. 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. about myself than I possibly could have, * Where would you like to see yourself

Constance

Nengovhela

Small jobs marketplace

July 29, 2011

MAKOYA 4 * By Humbelani Chantel Ndou

In today’s issue we bring to you the elegant lady behind the sweet voice!

She presents ‘Denzhe’ which is a kiddies show on Phalaphala FM during weekdays.

Jennifer Takalani Muthige, also known as Lady J was born on the 16th of November 1984 and hails from Nzhelele Ha- Mapila. She matriculated at Patrick Ramaano high school back in 2001. * On your road to fame…

It was in December 2000 when the station ( Phalaphala fm) was celebrating children’s day. As I used to listen to the station every time, I overheard that the station would be at the then called “Louis Trichardt showground”. I then decided to go there and be part of the celebration. We were each called to send dedications to our friends, and as I went there, the crew liked my voice

and I was called to the OB (outside broadcasting) van and that’s where I started to go on air where listeners were phoning in dreaming about the scores of the two teams that were to play on that day. I enjoyed every moment and little did I know that I was paving my road to fame. I started to present the kiddies show in April 2001 and I am now both the producer and presenter of the programme. I have also presented other programmes in the station. * What has been your biggest challenge and your biggest reward?

My biggest challenge was being in the lime light at a very young age and had to control and be myself without getting carried away by fame. That is why I didn’t lose focus in life, and the reward...” ohh my!” When I was 21 years old I was nominated “The best employee of the year 2007” and that challenged me to work harder and made me realize that no matter where you are in life and whatever you do, anything is possible if you stay focused and work hard.

The award made me realize that doing the best at this moment puts one in the best place for the next moment.

MAKOYA ALBUM Oh, it’s Talifhani Ragwala

* By Rhulani Baloyi

RHULANI RONELDA BALOYI Defying the rules!

Till this day, visually impaired people have been hidding away from the face of the community for fear of victimisation.

For that reason many do not have a career because they never went to school, and they could not bear the pain of being looked down upon, or being humilated and laughed at, as if it was a stupid choice they had made. This is not the case for Rhulani Ronelda Baloyi, howerver. * Her life She was born in the small rural village of Elim, near Louis Trichardt in Limpopo. Rhulani is the first born child of six, and she has two brothers and three sisters. At the age of four she had to leave her family for boarding school in the same province. Althought her grandmother disapproved of her leaving, she did, and made it by working hard and making independent decisions which have helped her complete her matric in 1990 at Siloe, a school for the blind in limpopo. At school she liked English and History, and enjoyed asking questions, and interacting with her teachers. She did not stop there, and she completed her Bachelor of Arts degree at Wits University.

After completing her BA and Higher Educational Diploma she changed her focus and become a jounalist. She joined the SABC Radio News in 1996 where she worked as a general reporter initially, but found her speciality in crime and court reporting.

As a journalist with challenges, she had her share of victimisation when in 2001 she became a victim of crime herself. She and a colleague were mugged at gunpoint while out covering an assignment. The robbers snatched their cellphones as they were busy filing through a story to the newsroom. It did not dampen her’s spirits, however.

Rhulani was the talk show presenter

Photo curtesy of the South African TV Authority

of SAFM’s Intune, which broadcasts live every Saturday. She was the first presenter of the show, from October 2004 to early 2008. Intune is a youth programme which includes Takalani Sesame and Soul Buddyz, among many others. * Her inspiration “My late grandfather was my greatest inspiration. He was wise, his actions and words guided me to my success.

He held my hand from childhood until his death eight years ago.”

Rhulani is not immune from dark moments, her lowest phase of her life was also when she lost her mother.

“My lowest moment in life was when my mum passed away five-years ago. Just as I was appreciating having her around, she left us.” * Her challenges As human beings we are faced with challenges every day, and it is no exception for Rhulani, being a visually impaired woman. She shares her difficulties. “When you talk to people on the phone, and meet them later, they say “we did not expect to meet a blind person.” Others will say “Why didn’t you tell us that you are blind?.” * Luisure time She reads a lot in her luisure time and her most interesting book she read was Yesterday I cried by Lanal Vansand.

Her favourite television soapie is Isidingo and her favourite writers is John Gresham and Patricia Cornwell.

Rhulani has travelled to Australia, and the United States to cover the biggest events, and she is co-hosting a TV programme on SABC1 called Shift.See more of Rhulani from Monday to Friday at 13:30.

Courtesy to www.nyimba .co.za