YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Young people should stop blaming and waiting on the government to create jobs for them. They should be able to think for themselves. “vuk’zenzele”- wake up and do it yourself. South Africa needs more young Entrepreneurs.

The goal of broadcasting the documentary is to bring awareness to the youth. To show them that with the right mind and dedication nothing is impossible. There’s more to life than waiting and blaming the government for not providing jobs for them.

FORGET TRADITION, TAKE THE LEAD

By Yolanda Mabanga

With the evolving times having given more individuality, independence and ambition to women, it has become more acceptable for females to take the first step in any given situation.   It is incredible to witness what women have done in the past to establish their mark in relationships and should be observed as a stepping stone for those that also want to take the lead.

Proposing to a man can be challenging but we are well aware that they can be rather hesitant to progress and could use a push in the right direction.  It is definitely not something to feel conservative about as close to 9 per cent of females have proposed with an 80 per cent positive response from the male.

“It is definitely a thought-provoking process and should be done with perfect timing,” states Wendy Harding, a relationship expert. “You definitely need to know your partner well and have valid knowledge as to whether he is happy with his life at the moment, whether it be professional, social or otherwise.”

Harding fears nothing more than pressuring a man to settle into an aspect of his life that he is not ready for due to other goals or plans that have not been reached as yet. 

“You need to understand that it is highly unlikely for a man to settle down if he himself feels inadequate as an individual in the social hierarchy.  Hence you need to have known your partner for an appropriate amount of time,” she says.

When you do feel that the timing is perfect, doing something different can add light to the already non-traditional task of proposing.  It is not required of you to kneel on one knee.  Besides the fact that it might come across as unflattering, stilettos were not designed to accommodate such stunts.

“Taking him back to the your first date and having a romantic dinner while reminiscing on times shared can open a world of emotions and can assist in your next step,” says Harding.

Just a mention of how you would love to spend the rest of your life with him and feel there is no time like the present can lead the direction of the conversation.

Harding states that when you are finally ready to ask him to marry you, you must do it with sincerity and leave no room for doubt.

“As a woman you have an advantage to not have an engagement ring when popping the question, but if you feel your partner is going to appreciate it and then don’t hold back,” she says.

He as a man is going to respect you for the courage you have to have gone through with it and it portrays you as a woman who definitely knows what she wants.

Harding believes that for some men, this attribute is very attractive and signifies a woman who is willing to take that first step.

“It signifies a woman who is not afraid to express herself and is not ashamed to go the extra mile to get her point across,” she says.

Women need to step away from accustomed traditional routines and learn to act on impulse.  As equal individuals, they also have the right to make decisions of this magnitude.

Harding emphasizes that gone are the days where the man was regarded as the only legible half to take action when it came to important issues.

“Yes, it is going to take several more years for women to gather this concept of equality in all levels but once it is acknowledged, there will be no gaps for who takes the initiative and who doesn’t,”  she states.

SOPHIA SHEDS LIGHT ON HER TRIBULATION: FROM STRUGGLE TO INSPIRATION

By Yolanda Mabanga

Growing up in the squatter camp in Umlazi, Sophia Gumede is a normal matriculant with hopes and dreams of being a respected engineer and desires to make her mom, single parent, and sister proud one day. 

“I didn’t have everything but I was grateful for what I did have,” she says.

Every day after school, her and her friends would take long walks back home from school sharing laughter and jokes.  Regarding herself as a friendly cheerful person, Gumede chose to associate herself with friends of her nature.

“I love my friends and enjoyed their company. I would definitely look forward to walking home from school with them,” she says.

One day her walk from school would be a walk that would change her whole life around and was still in oblivion as to what would occur.

“I arrived home to find the house on fire, I was in shock and tried to run forward to see if my mom was alright but the neighbouring crowds wouldn’t let me.  Instead I was in disbelief and crying my lungs out,” she states.

The fire department, along with the ambulance, soon arrived and was hard at work to prevent further fire outbreaks.

Gumede remembers it to be the longest wait of her life.

 “It was as if time paused for a minute and my life was flashing right in front of me. I would have never imagined a moment so brief could drag out for so long. It was definitely traumatising,” she says.

After a few minutes of the chaos, a form of silence settled in as a fireman slowly approached Gumede to disclose the news to her.

“I remember passing out after he told me that my mom suffocated due to smoke inhalation and unfortunately did not make it.  I couldn’t believe that my sister and I were going to be orphans.  I was almost done with school and this was definitely going to change everything,” she says.

She remembers it being the most difficult moment to sit her younger sister down and break the news to her.

“She cried and cried and cried some more which made me emotional all over again.  My aunt was with us and managed to comfort us though we felt numb to everything and everyone around us,” she says.

As months passed and life moved on, Gumede had to be the responsible older daughter now looking after the younger sister.

“I had to understand that my role had changed in an instant and acknowledge that this little child now looks up to me for comfort and a sanctuary,” she explains.

Although extended family contributed to the rest of their school fees, their attention was limited and Gumede had to look after her younger sister as if she were her own child.

“We did get a place to stay within the squatter camp for the both of us so we had to sustain ourselves the best way we know how.  I now had to get my sister up and take her to school every day, manage matric by myself and at the same time find means of providing as far as clothes and food is concerned.  It was really not easy,” she sobs.

With help from the community, she managed to cope and passed exceptionally well in matric which lead her to receiving a bursary at the Durban University of Technology.

“I believe that everything does happen for a reason and I do know that my mom is still very proud of me, wherever she is,” she says.

Her community and sister have been inspired by the way she has chosen to deal with severe life issues and still remain focused to reaching her desired goals.

“My sister has motivated me so much and I really am proud of her.  She is my hero and I aspire to be like her.  She is almost done with school and still remains smiling and optimistic,” says Gumede’s younger sister, Xoli.

Her sister is certain that in due time she will reap the benefits of her hard work and believes that God will grant her the desires of her heart for remaining faithful and strong after the months.

“I know my sister is a strong woman and whatever life throws at her now she will certainly have the ability to overcome it.  It is her strong will and drive that rubs off on me and makes me want to make her proud as well,” says Xoli.

Gumede glows when talking about her mom, saying that she was definitely one of a kind and saw light even though things looked negative.

“It was through her perception of life that I was able to encounter such moments with strength. I hope one day, after I get this degree, I will be able to provide sufficiently for my sister, the way I originally planned,” she says with a smile.

HOW TO MANAGE BEING A FULL TIME STUDENT AND AN EMPLOYEE

HOW TO MANAGE BEING A FULL TIME STUDENT AND AN EMPLOYEE

By Rebecca Masina

Being a student and working at the same time may seem stressful and look like an impossible thing to do. It can be a struggle to keep a healthy balance between the time spent on school work and time spent at work. With proper management of time, though, things could work out for the better, even though it is going to be a handful.

Lehlogonolo Dibakwane is an environmental studies student and a student advisor at Tshwane University of Technology. He says it’s tough being a student and an employee at the same time, yet with good time management he can pull through. “The two areas are important and they both need attention and determination. Both need time, patience and consistency,” he added.
He is currently in his final year of studying and paying for his own studies. He has been working since his second year.  “Choosing to study and work full time, you are basically signing yourself up for a few very hectic years,” he said.
David Letswalo works as a data capturer and studies Information Technology at TUT. He shares the most important points to consider managing being a full time student and an employee.

Set your goals

You know you want to work and study so it is vital to put your facts straight and to pull yourself together. Some of your leisure time will need to be put aside. Don’t do things without having reasons for them.

School can be costly. Don’t waste time and money if you don’t have a passion for it. Only learn new skills for your current job if it will make you a markedly better employee, and if possible, put you in line for a promotion or raise. If you are studying towards a degree, have a clear plan as to how that degree is going to help your career aspirations.

Set your expectations

You know going to school at the same time working for many hours per week is going to be tough. Sometimes you will have to pull some late night studying and you know you cannot leave your work responsibilities because you chose to do all this, then you must be able to deal with it. Have some positive thinking. The best solution is to create a written plan of how you expect to spend your time before you start you’re studying and working.

Know what is important and what can’t be missed or left undone, the most important responsibilities. Create a schedule of how much time you will spend on your studies and work. This is vital as it can make your life easier.

Seek help and support

Doing both works may seem like your social life has been taken away but that doesn’t mean it is the end of the world or good life. If you enjoy what you are doing then you are likely to succeed in both areas and not notice that you are actually working hard.

Take it easy and stay positive

Do not rush things. Love and enjoy doing them and you will see how much you can accomplish by the end of the day.

Remember you can do it

You can work hard during the day and still have the ability to focus on your studies at night. It won’t be easy, but the payoff can be wonderful. Remember studying and working full time requires a lot effort and dedication.

 

FALLING PREGNANT AT THE AGE OF 16

FALLING PREGNANT AT THE AGE OF 16

By Rebecca Masina

Not all mothers will be happy to see their children falling pregnant at the age of 16. To them it is a disgrace and it brings shame to the family and it raise questions like “what kind of a mother allows her child to fall pregnant at a young age? Why didn’t she guide her all along?” This questions the parenting skills and methods of the parents, if whether they are able to raise kids or not.

Mmabatho Ramphele fell pregnant at the age of 16. At that age children are expected to be going to school and learning how to make a better life out of themselves.
Ramphele only realized that she was pregnant when she was 5 months pregnant. It was hard for her to tell her family “I wrote a letter to my grandmother and left it on the table, then ran away to my other grandmother,” she said

For Ramphele it was not a good full 9 months of pregnancy. She realized that she has disappointed her parents and her family. The thought of her having to tell her mother was nerve wracking.

“My mother told me to pack my things and go to the guy that made me pregnant. She told me words like “O mosadi wena, setse o tseba le go bula maoto, jwale tsea se eleng sa gago ontswele ka motse” (you are a women now, you even know how to open your legs so get whatever that is yours and get out of my house). Those words where so hurtful to me. She wanted by all means for me to do an abortion. Although Aubrey and his family did not deny the pregnancy but my mother still insisted on me having an abortion. Aubrey and his family paid all the damages that they were supposed to pay as tradition goes. She went to almost all the private doctors and asked Aubrey to pay; he didn’t disagree as he did not want to fight with my family,” she said.

Finally the doctors told her it is too late and risky for her to have an abortion. “I went to school with the pregnancy and still managed to pass my grade nine, yet I still had to bear with my mother and her hurtful words. “I only enjoyed and felt better when Aubrey came to see me, showing a bit of disappointment,” she said.

“I was very disappointed in her, angry at the same time. I even wanted to beat her up so bad. I did not expect her to act in such manner. I expected her to do big, focus on school and enjoying her childhood years,” her mother, Elsie Ramphele said. “Being a mother, especially a teenage mother is not good and it is not child’s play” she added.

Dealing with family and school at the same time can be very much tiring and confusing as many emotions will be running within the house. “I remember my own blood brother cursing my pregnancy saying that he wish the baby can be born with disabilities,” Ramphele said.

Ramphele is currently studying Electrical engineering at Ekurhuleni West Collage, Tembisa Campus. She is doing her second year. The baby is now 4 years old and lives with her and her mother.

Having a child at a young age is not a sin but a learning curve that one can go through. No one is perfect after all. We all have to make certain mistakes in life in order to learn and grow from them. A child is a blessing, it doesn’t matter how and when they came about.

How to be involved in your child's education

Get involved in your child’s education

By Nola Nala

It’s very exciting, one more year and I will be a qualified teacher. I can’t wait to do my part in our country to educate and improve the lives of many students in the coming years. I have been doing research on how to best teach my students and what are some of the ways to ensure the best results. One of the proven ways that has stuck out for me is parental involvement in students’ education. Busisiwe Dube, primary school teacher of 25 years agrees that it is one of the most vital yet lacking tools in our school system especially schools in black communities.

Parent involvement has been proven to improve grades, increase children’s self-confidence and produce better behaved children at school. Dube warns that if a parent is not a part of their child’s education, the child knows he/she can get away with anything.

But there is hope! Parents can start doing things now to be more involved in their child’s educational career. Here are some tips:

1.  

  Ask them how their day was: Dube encourages that as parents you should be interested in how your child spent their day parents shouldn’t just leave it at “It was fine.” Ask them for the high and low lights of the day. “Children love talking about teachers” she adds. So ask them who were the best and worst teachers for the day and ask them to validate their responses. Use his/her answers to judge in what areas your child is struggling and excelling and you’ll know where to help. This exercise sheds light on your child’s interaction with the teachers and again, you can judge whether you should be concerned or excited.

2.    

Check your child’s books: Over and above asking how the day was, check your child’s books. “Gone are the days when we all believe children don’t lie” jokes Dube. You need to ensure that you check for yourself to corroborate what your child has said and ensure consistency.

3.    

Establish supportive household routines: According to Better Homes and Gardens this remains crucial throughout your child's school years. After school monitor tv time, set aside reading time, maintain strict bedtimes and ensure a healthy diet. Such little things keep your child in check and ensures consistency.

4.    

Create a positive relationship with the class teacher: Or your child’s favourite teacher.  Dube says that it allows the child to trust both the parents and the teacher. It makes the child understand that both parties have his/her best interests at heart and that school isn’t just a place to be babysat. Also the teacher will always keep you in the loop with all the important details involving your child.

5.    

Make it your business to know what your child is learning: Dube states, “Many parents complain that they don’t understand the new education system.” So her solution is that parents should make it their business to go down to the school and find out how things are done. Teachers can put subject matter into context for parents so they can better understand what the children are being taught. Making helping with homework easier.

There are so many more things that parents can do to show support of their child’s education. If parent’s just put in a little effort throughout the school years, there will be and improvement that not only benefits the child but also the parents.

HOW TO STAY HEALTHY THIS SUMMER

By Angela Osita

Summer is identified as the hottest season of the year. People feel healthier and happier during summer than they do in winter.

Have you been aspiring to get in shape and stay fit all year long?  Summer is the best season for that. Most people need to look sexier in summer, the best season for vacations and picnics, recreational activities. People want to have fun in the sun and enjoy summer, but they forget that “scorching summer sun is not as kind on the skin as the winter rays are” says Lata Srinivasan in her article staying healthy in summer. “Extreme hot weather can pose a dangerous threat to people’s health, it can lead to brain damage, organ failure or even death” added getreadyforflue.blogsport.com. Staying healthy in this sizzling weather is possible by strictly following four steps, you are sure to maintain your heath.

1. Eat raw and wild food - summer comes along with several fruits and vegetables, it is a great time to utilize them. Raw foods are much better than cooked food because they contain important nutrients that help you stay healthy. “Cooked food tends to add chemicals into the body that were not there. The perfect season to introduce more raw food in your diet is summer” says Dr. Adele Van Den Berg, a dietician at netcare waterfall city hospital. He added that raw salads and smoothies will help maintain good health all through the summer. There are food as well that grow by themselves in the wild which are full of nutrients such as berries.  Sheryl walters in her article, 5 ways to stay healthy in summer added that “berries are great for health and can give great nutrient and antioxidants”.

2. Protect your skin – according to probioticsmart.com, spending hours in the sun puts the skin at a risk of cancer and other unpleasant skin conditions. It can cause early aging of skin and undesirable sun sports. Sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect your skin in a scorching summer sun. Umbrellas can also be used to protect the skin from the hot sun. Shades (sun glasses) can be used as well to prevent the burning sun from hitting directly to your eyes in summer.

3. Drinking water – staying hydrated during summer is vital says Walter because people sweat more often in the sizzling summer.  She added that heat stroke can lead to Dehydration. Drinking water helps you feel well and stay vibrant, same way as a wilting plant comes to life when it gets watered, that’s how important water is for human in summer. Although sunlight provides vitamin D but you only need 10minutes of sun.

4. Exercise – summer is the best season to put you in shape. Exercising does not just make feel good and confident about yourself but helps you stay healthy. Use the weather to your advantage and spend some time outside. According to probioticsmart.com, there are many physical activities that can be done outside at this time of the season (running/jogging/walking, biking, swimming etc.). All these can help improve your mood this summer. Spark

By following these four steps, you can get in shape, less sick and feel more energized all summer long, but it all comes down to personal motivation. You need to be willing to, and strive for a better healthy. It is advisable to be diligent at this season to maintain a healthy summer.

AN AMAZING CURE TO POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME

By Angela Osita

At the age of eighteen, there was no sign of menstruation, she was worried. “What is happening to me? Am I really a woman?” Oncele Biba, a 2nd year Graphic Design student at Midrand Graduate Institute kept asking herself but no sensible answers was coming. She was then about to write her matric at Kinshasa commercial secondary school Congo. Amazed that her menstruation cycle was contrary to what she read about female reproductive system in Biology and what her mother Florence Biba thought her about what happens to a woman’s system every month.

Biba couldn’t live anymore with her mother’s frequent opinion that “it happens in some women, there is no need to worry” she goes berserk each time her mother sounds that way, because it seemed to her that her mother had no idea what she was feeling.  According to her, she felt as if something was missing, listening to her friends talk about buying sanitary towels every month made it worse. Biba visited Kinshasa general hospital Congo. The doctor suggested that it was early to worry, unless she was ready to get pregnant.

As God may have it, on the 13 of July 2007, Biba was in class, she felt something wet in her underwear, rushing to the toilet, behold, it was her menstruation. She couldn’t believe it, she was ecstatic, for the first time, Biba bought sanitary towel. Unfortunately, the menstruation came for 2days and stopped, that was not normal but that gave her hope that all might still be well. Biba was then 21, graduated from high school but the menstruation never came again and she doesn’t ovulate. This time, she was not the only one worried, her mother was more worried. They decided to seek serious medical attention. Biba was taken to a private hospital, after several questions from the gynecologist (Dr. Jim Martins), she was asked to take an ultra sound.

The result indicated that Biba was diagnosed with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS). Betterhealth.com explained it as “poly (many), cystic (small collections of fluid). When the eggs in the ovaries do not develop to maturity, many small "follicles" (small fluid-filled sacs containing immature eggs) develop and can be seen on ultrasound underneath the surface of the ovaries”. Betterhealth.com also added that women with PCOS have either increased circulating amounts of or increased responsiveness to male hormones like testosterone. Biba was placed on contraceptive pills called Yaz to correct the menstruation cycle and also reduce male hormone level.

“Women with PCOS have ovulatory dysfunction or absent ovulation. If the egg is not released from the ovary each month in a regular fashion, and when ovulation manifests itself by infrequent or irregular menstrual cycles, this can apparently lead to infertility” said Dr. Dimitrios Roussot, a gynecologist at Netcare waterfall hospital. PCOS affects 1 in 15 women he added.

Infertility was what Biba feared most. “I was always scared that I might never be able to have my own baby” she said. Martins assured her that taking the contraceptives pills will help with the correction of the cycle but must be balanced it with healthy food (fruits and vegetable) and regular exercise. Biba was disturbed about her situation.

“She was always depressed” says Nanou Biba, a younger sister to Biba. No one knew her problem because she never spoke to anyone.  “My sister never confided in us, even mom couldn’t” she added. Gatho Sukula, Biba’s cousin, said he tried talking to her but she refused to open up, she requested to be left alone.

According to Biba, she was determined to carry the cross alone. She is a devoted Christian and while taking the contraceptives, she believed that the God she served is a healing God and he will heal her someday. She added that she did not want to speak to people who had no solution to her problem. Her faith was overwhelming. “I spoke to the one who has solution to all problems” she says.

She continued to pray while taking her medication, eating a balanced diet and engaging in the necessary exercises. She was visiting her gynecologist every month to get the contraceptives pills. The pills made her menstruate every month but according to Roussort, that is not a real menstruation. The cycle can be corrected after several months of taking the pills and the pill has to be stopped. Biba had taken the birth control pills for eight months.

While taking the pills, she experienced a gain in her weight, but according to her, she was told by her gynecologist that it was not a problem. At the eight months, Biba decided to discontinue with the pills. The next month, on the 21st of May 2008, Biba had her first normal menstruation. She didn’t believe, until it happened again the following month and that was how Biba was complete free from polycystic ovarian syndrome.

“I feel like a woman” she said. Biba believes, her dedication and faith in God corrected her menstruation cycle and encouraged women going through the same problem to stay strong and never stop believing in God

Jesus helped me forgive

Jesus let me forgive

By Nola Nala

Rape. According to the Law Reform Commission, it is estimated that there are 1.7 million rapes a year in South Africa with only 54,000 cases being reported. In broad perspective, if someone is raped they are just part of a statistic, another number to add to the list. The problem is that when it happens, it is not broad, it is personal and devastating. What do you do when you are violated? What do you do when it’s someone you know and trusted? How do you forgive when those you love turn on you? This is Ashley Mnguni’s story:

Ashley, 20, was only nine years old when her father had decided to relocate to England, leaving her mom with Ashley and her two younger brothers. This wasn’t so bad until just two years later her mom decided to follow her dad and leave the three children in the care of the one of the dad’s younger brothers, an uncle.

Ashley recalls still living in her family home. “My uncle had to quit his job and moved in with us, I was the only girl in a house full of guys.” Life was good and it didn’t faze Ashley that her parents were gone, as she had family support and more especially another one of her dad’s brothers who had step in her father’s role. They had a very close relationship as she would often visit him with her half-sister, Mbali. Ashley’s childhood was untainted by life so far, that is why the betrayal hurt all that more.

Ashley’s uncle had come over one late Tuesday to ask if Ashley would visit him the next day after school at his Yeoville flat. This seemed like a normal request except this time he only wanted Ashley and not Mbali. So with no reason for suspicion Ashley’s guardian uncle agreed and she herself was excited.

She arrived after school to an empty flat and had to wait a few hours before he returned home at around 6pm. There was not much to do so Ashley suggested that they go see a movie, which they did. When they arrived home from the movie house, Ashley took a bath before bed. “I had realised that I left my pyjamas, so I put on my tracksuit pants.” Her uncle suggested that she wear his boxers instead as she had always done in the past visits with her sister. Without a beat, Ashley had changed and it was time for bed. Ashley slept on the bed while her uncle slept on the couch, as was routine. She had had a good day and she never imagined she would experience what she did that night.

She awoke in the middle of the night to find the boxers she had slept wearing, all the way down by her feet. More gruesome than that was that “He was on top of me. I tried screaming but he covered my mouth and then he raped me.” She adds, “I don’t think I have ever felt fear like that ever in my life. I thought I was going to die.”

After the ordeal he spoke to her and told her she was a good girl, but Ashley could not stop crying and didn’t go back to sleep the rest of the night.

The next morning Ashley woke up and got ready for school. “When I went to take a bath, there was blood everywhere” she recalls. She washed up and he offered to drive her to school. When dropping her off, he handed her R100 but she didn’t take his money. “I felt like I was dead. I hated my uncle. I could never forgive him for what he did to me.”

Being a naturally reserved person she spent the next few weeks locked up in her room crying. She talks about how she felt like it was the end of her life. “My innocence was taken away. Everything that made me happy was gone.” At home she was always grumpy and was mean to her brothers due to all of the anger inside her. “There were times were I felt I had attracted this to myself” she confesses.

Through a curious housekeeper, Ashley’s journal was discovered. The journal details lead to her uncle’s arrest. The court case began but in the process she lost her dad’s family that had raised her. She reveals “they just turned their backs on me and my brothers.” The worse part being that her parents separated in England and she and her brothers were forced to leave their childhood home and move in with her mom’s brother and his family.

Even worse, through bribery on her father’s side, the case was never resolved and her uncle is a free man.

Even with all this, Ashley has found peace and forgiveness through Jesus. “I still have the memories, but it feels like it never happened.” This experience has toughened her as she was always a generally sweet person. What I thank God for is that “Now I can smile again.”

You can't put a good man down

By: Sakhile Ndlazi

Most people don’t fully comprehend the drastic intensity of people living with disability. The biggest barriers that people with disabilities face, and the hardest barriers to remove, are other people’s negative attitudes and erroneous images of them. Mduduzi Sibiya knows about this far too well.

Ever since he was young, Sibiya had a talent for mechanical work. After matriculating from Mamelodi High, Sibiya soon found work at a local car company, as an auto mechanic. He quickly mastered the trade and excelled in his job.

 The stars seemed to be aligned for this ambitious young man. He was making a living out something he genuinely enjoys and was very good at it.

On the 25^th of August, 2009, Sibiya reported to work as per usual. For the past week he had been working on a car that needed much repair. Always up for a challenge, he worked relentlessly on the car. While he was working on the car, an engine hoist stand that was loosely tied, weighing approximately 200kg, suddenly fell on him, landing directly on his lower back. Although surprisingly he was not in a lot of pain, he knew that something was very wrong, as he lost feeling in his legs.

At the hospital, doctors confirmed Sibiya's initial fears; he had suffered a total spinal injury and would be confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life. His first thought after receiving the bad news was; will he still be able to work and provide for his family. This accident caused depression not just in him but his whole family."You never think this could ever happen to you, in a split second your life changes. You find out who you are, and what you are made of,” he said.

After finally returning home, from a two month stay at Mamelodi Day hospital, reality struck. He had to learn to adjust his sails to his new life, which made him very depressed. The depression was further aggravated by people’s reactions towards him. Sibiya could not handle the reactions, thus he live in isolation, avoiding people awkward reactions.

 A week after returning from hospital, his family tried by all means to get him to walk again. Being a very superstitious family, from the township, his family blamed the accident on witch crafting. He was continuously taken back and forth to traditional healers, in a desperate attempt to get him walking again. To their detriment, the traditional healers could not cure him of the supposed bad spell.  Sibiya’s family was so conservative, that they disapproved of him using a wheel chair, and opted to carry him on their backs rather. They were convinced that the bad spell would gradually disappear and that he would walk again. But his close friend, Sphiwe Thabethe, warned his family about the consequences of not using a wheel chair. After much convincing, they finally gave in and he was back to using a wheel chair.

But his problems were not entirely over. People in his community starred gossiping about him immensely. He had to challenge the stereotypes and stigma in his community that, although improving, is still not quite accepting of people with disabilities. If that wasn’t enough some people felt too much pity for him, and started being extra nice to him, which didn’t particularly sit well with him. He felt worthless and victimised. His then girlfriend also felt overwhelmed by the whole situation, and decided to give him space, by ending their relationship. “When it rains, it pours,” he says. It was a very dark period in Sibiya’s life.

Fortunately his resilience and his will to live, coupled with a good support system and faith, gave him courage to carry on. In the mist of all the depression, the pain and the loss, he came up with an idea that would help his family and himself. It would even make him feel that he was helping others deal with their injury. Sibiya developed a love for sewing, after attempting to sew a cushion for his wheel chair. He was immobile and stagnant to carry on with car mechanics. Sibiya felt overwhelmed at work. "I wasn't able to keep up with my colleagues so I permanently retired” he said. He then mastered the art of sewing, and became an exceptional tailor. He now operates a successful tailoring business, from the comfort of his home. He saw an instant opportunity and managed to rise above the hardships he faced.

Although very confident, Sibiya admits he still gets depressed. “I get depressed just like everybody else; people still think it’s because of my disability. I’m over it now, I’ve made peace with it.” he says wittingly. He is moving forward with his life. His company is doing very well and he is even thinking of tying the knot next year. “You can live through anything, if only you believe," he says.  

Four essential deeds to do after a workout

By: Sakhile Ndlazi

Pumping iron is only part of the muscle-building formula. “Recovery is just as important,” says strength and conditioning coach Dion Louw. That’s because weight lifting creates tears in your muscle and hitting the gym again too hard too soon can undermine the repair process. “Your body needs at least one day of rest between workouts,” says Louw. Below are four essential steps to do post workout.

·          Feed your muscles

Lifting weights makes your metabolism race as your body works to replenish energy and repair muscle tissue. “If you don’t take in enough kilojoules and protein, you won’t have the resource to recover,” says Louw. He recommends consuming an additional 1500kj to 2000kj on workout days, and skewing those towards protein, the building blocks of muscle. “Shoot for one gram per kilo of body weight,” say Louw. Protein shakes don’t come cheap, but the great thing about it is that it carries all the vital nutrients needed to replenish your body. If it works out expensive you can always make your own home made shakes. This includes 4 eggs, half a liter of milk or yogurt and a cup of oats. Mix them all up, preferably with a blender, allow to cool down in the fridge for 30 minutes to an hour.

·         Get a massage

Here’s why you need a regular massage, or at least a foam roller. “Both can help break the scar tissue that’s a natural consequence of lifting, say Louw. That not only speeds up the repair process and reduces soreness but also improves ranges of motion. “Spend five minutes using a foam roller on your quads, hams, hips and lower back before a workout and before bed,” says Louw. Also try visiting a massage therapist twice a month. If a therapist is too expensive then get someone who at least has an idea about massaging. 

·         Get more sleep

Muscle building does not shut down when sleep.” Your body repairs a lot of damage as you sleep, so it’s critical to get as much as you can,” says Louw. If you don’t sleep you can increase muscle loss up by 60%. The reason being ,that your body produces its greatest surge of growth hormone while you are sleeping. Lack of sleep can also make you tired for your next workout, depending on your gym regime. The goal is to get seven to eight hours of rest every night. A power nap during the day can also help for muscle growth. What is also equally important is that your bed provides the right type of support, in order to allow a restful sleep.

·         Cold shower or bath

Tough workouts do not have to result in aching muscles. Soaking yourself in cold water or taking a cold shower immediately after intense exercise can reduce delayed-onset muscle soreness by nearly half. That means a faster return to peak performance and slim chance of missing your next workout. The best way is to fill your bath to the brim and add one trace of ice cubes, and then soak for about 10 – 12 minutes  in order to reduces the inflammation that cause pain in your muscles. An alternative would also dive in a pool and just soak for 30 minutes.

With that being said also make sure that you give it a 100% in your work out sessions, push your body to the maximum and step out of your comfort zone. Great results are bound to show up with maximum effort. Gentlemen it is nearly summertime, so get going already.

 

 

 

 

Huge Belly, Flat Belly…What a Journey!

By: Moleboheng Masilo

 Being pregnant while in school is one of the most difficult things one can experience. This experience is more than one can ever expect, one tries every day to get used to it, but it’s very hard and dreadful. Having to wake-up and still face the same challenge which is hard and also overwhelming because one can’t just think about themselves anymore, but they have to think about the life inside them so in essence woman who go through with the pregnancy live with this situation daily.

Precious Khumalo is a second year accounting student that studies at Midrand Graduate Institute.  She comes from a family of six and her mother is a single parent from the Eastern Cape. Khumalo comes from a poor background, her mother doesn’t work and her aunt is the only breadwinner.  She gave Khumalo the opportunity to study whatever she wanted at MGI so that she can have a good life, but Khumalo fell pregnant in her first year and she didn’t know what to do. She didn’t know how they were going to react. “I thought of terminating the baby because that was the only way to get out of this mess I had got myself into”. She said

The father of the baby was not supportive at all. He did not want anything to do with the baby. He also told Khumalo to get rid of the baby. She says that during the first two months she was so scared and confused and kept asking her friends to lend her money to terminate the baby but her friends refused. She saved money and the day that she went to Marie stopes clinic, they told her that she was too far along so she couldn’t continue with the process because there were possibilities of her dying too. She then saw that the baby was a blessing, even though it was going to be hard for her but she told herself that as the baby grows and she would love her even more.  

 Life seems to be hard each day one wakes up, thoughts run in their minds and the fear keeps arising every day. I tried to forget that I was pregnant, but the baby kept reminding me by kicking and turning and that hit me very hard that’s the moments where I remember that I’m going to be a mother.

The feeling is exciting when it’s just you and the baby but immediately when I had to face the people on campus and my lecturers it was really hard for me because I was scared of how everyone would judge me, challenges due to my school work it just brings the worst out of an individual but I had to try and accept that all will be well. I felt like my life was on hold, the was the only thing on my mind and what I was living for and I had to focus more in class and on the actual studies so I can make a great future for the baby.  

“Disappointing my family was one of the things that I didn’t want to do but I did and don’t feel so good about it. It hurts every second to know that my family had great expectations about me and I let them down with the pregnancy”

Even though it’s embarrassing to step in class and be watched and talked about by my peers, some of the lecturers made it quite easy for me to feel accepted and they understood that I couldn’t come to some of their lectures because of my condition. Some of them encouraged me and that kept me going and I realized that being pregnant isn’t such a bad thing and I can still reach my goals because it’s not the end of the world. The lecturers tried to make it better for me because I now had the motivation and inspiration I needed and at least I knew that they are people who still believe in me. I than told myself that I’m a winner and I can still become what I wanted to be and achieve all the dreams I had for myself, and actually graduate and have my accounting degree.

Being pregnant doesn’t mean that you are abandoning yourself but simply means you taking time away from you to concentrate on the new creation you about to bring to life. “Being, the last born at home and the first one to fall pregnant is a disgrace but yet again we all learn from our mistakes and although I have I disappointed my mother I know that God has a greater plan for me and the baby and even though this was not part of my goals I still believe that everything happens for a reason”     

WAYS TO MAKE A SMOOTH TRANSITION AFTER BEING RETRENTCHED

By: Moleboheng Masilo

 We all see success differently our aspirations are influenced by how we were brought up, the environment we live in, how we see ourselves and the people we live and work alongside with. You never stop having ambitions and goals; they just change as you grow older or if you are in a situation that you can never get yourself out of and retrenchment is one of them.

Ways to become more confident after the ordeal

Joseph Nkosi is a fifty-two year old man that worked for twenty seven years at Nampak Glass Company and he was the longest worker in the company and worked for 27 years. He was retrenched from the company in the year 2009; Nkosi says that being retrenched from the company left him angry, feeling bad, worried and having a lot of mixed feelings. When the management told him that he was one of the people that were going to be retrenched he ended up being ill and because of that he was hospitalized and he was diagnosed with bipolar and depression. Nkosi says that the union and company failed him because when they proceeded  with the process he was in ICU and they never gave him the opportunity to voice out his  concerns as they should do like the procedure states. “This brought so many changes into my life because I ended up being mentally disturbed because I didn’t believe that I was jobless” Nkosi said. There is more to feeling good about yourself if you bring positivity in your life and gaining the confidence you had before can make many other aspects of your life plan seem more achievable. Nkosi concentrated on getting better on his health and went for counselling and spoke with his family for further help to ensure that they were also fine with this change in their lives. Mrs Alina Nkosi said that “I put myself in an understanding position and understood that my husband needed all the support that I could give him.” If you work to build your confidence you become better at withstanding the life’s challenges.

Things to do before it is too late and spending less

We all make plans for the future but sometimes we tend to wait for a long time before doing them. Setting our goals for the future is important, it would be disappointing if you had goals and never achieved them especially when you work hard to make sure that your family has everything they need and you can give them all their basic needs. When you get retrenched you need to think of all the important things you have to do before the money they give you finishes. Nkosi says that he thought of his family first and what they had to have. He said that it is wise to pay of all your debts    but most important is to invest the money. Very few people can claim to have all the money they need so when you are retrenched it is only wise to reduce on your monthly spending on unnecessary things. Budgeting is really important and these are the things that you have to budget for

·         Your fixed monthly outgoings

·         Your regular household bills

·         Food and other living expenses

·         What you spend on entertainment

Opportunities that will help you get over this

When you have been retrenched you finally find that you have time on your hands, and this can feel very strange and unsettling after a long and busy life of working. Nkosi says that one way of filling the time you suddenly have is to develop new interests and volunteering is one of them. Volunteering is not just about helping other people but it’s also about helping yourself. “I volunteer at the nearest NGO called Heart beat where we work with orphans and even though I don’t get paid at the end of the month I must say I am happy because I love and enjoy what I do and it brings great joy in my life and I’m doing it for my society” Nkosi said. You can volunteer in so many places like schools, families, prisons, charities, hospitals and so many other places.

We all have different life plans and we all start from somewhere equally as ambitious and goals vary widely, but the minute you are told that you don’t have a job that sounds very daunting and feels like your life has just ended because you are not sure how you will end up living with so many things happening around us with the recessions but at the end of the day you have to live a happy life and make it happen.

    

A perfect life turned into a night mare

By: Gugu Ndlovu

Life cannot be controlled, and the future is not determined by the past. One small thing can change someone’s life for the better or worst. Life comes with both negative and positive trials, hence one has to find ways to "escape" or confide in something.

Zinhle Mnyeni a 36 year old from Mlazi had the life that all teenagers dream off. Being raised in a Christian family with education as their first goal, she developed a strong personality and beneficial habits. Mnyeni says," I was just a happy child; I got everything I wanted from my parents. They supported me in everything that I did, as long as it was good."

When Mnyeni turned 17 (only in grade 11) she was raped by her uncle. Through that she got pregnant. Due to the fact that she grew up from a Christian environment abortion was never an option. "I was so scared I could not say a word to my family," says Mnyeni. As a child this had big effects on Mnyeni, she could not perform at school the way she did before. Her marks were decreasing and she stopped socialising with her friends around the neighbourhood. Mnyeni states that, "I used to run home from school, and stay in the house the whole time, I though everyone could see right through me."

Mnyeni kept her pregnancy for a period of three months before she shared it with her mother. Hence, she only did that because her mother noticed changes in her body and behaviour and asked her about it.

"Although my aunt and other family members thought of this as an abomination, my parents suggested I keep the pregnancy and continue with school," Mnyeni explains. Mnyeni’s main focus was just to finish her high school and get a certificate in order for her to study further. "I had always wanted to help people, work as a social worker or a motivational speaker," says Mnyeni. Having that dream made her realise that nothing could stop her.

The family, including Mnyeni decided not to report this issue to the police, but disown the uncle in every way possible. The last time the uncle was seen was six months after the incident, when the community members threatened to kill him.

Mnyeni states that closer to the time for her child to be conserved she learnt that he was not going to be normal. "At first I was torn apart, a teenage mom with a sick, rape child! But, my father convinced me that all children are a gift from God, no matter the circumstances," Mnyeni adds.

At the time Siphosenkosi, Mnyeni’s son was born, he was diagnosed is Down syndrome, causing him to go to special schools, because he was different from all the other children.
"I gave him that name because he was a true gift, and he has so much soul and love" Mnyeni adds. Having a child with disabilities does not make this family different, they are just as a normal family, full of love and care for each other.

Although it has always been difficult for Mnyeni and her family to raise Siphosenkosi, with the memories they had about their uncle, the family gave Mnyeni all the support she needed to finish her studies and start a life of her own.

Siphosenkosi was told about his father and the manner in which he was conserved at the age of 10 by his mother. Mnyeni says, "When my son turned 10, he asked me who his was and why he has never came to say hie, tears came down my face and at that time I knew it was time to tell him, everything." Her son, however did not take the news easily, he was very disappointed by the answers his mother gave him.

Mnyeni now works as a motivational speaker in the community and she is a councillor at a local church she is also a teacher at Norkem Park Primary School.

Having a son changed her to view the world as a positive place. She is now married to a wonderful man, with two children. After going through hardships of life, all Mnyeni does thank God for pulling her through everything.

"Don’t let your history hinder you from your destiny! Yes I have been hurt, but now its my time to heal." Mneyi says.
　
　
　

How to get over a breakup

By Gugu Ndlovu

A number of people fall apart when they have to take separate ways with their "loved" one. Many teenagers have committed suicide due to a break up. Loving someone is one of the greatest emotions on earth, yet one tends to leave any space for disappointments. A breakup of any relationship can turn the whole world upside down. Yet many things can be done to help one put themselves together and be wiser on the next relationship.

According to Dr Naidoo, a clinic psychologist in Kempton Park; breakups can be considered as one of the most miserable memories of growing up. No human being is glad to go through such phases, because of the intense emotion that comes with stress as well as heartaches. Hence, one can get through it, it might not be easy though, but it is very possible.

Why does it hurt so much?

"When one is involved in a romantic relationship, they are connected to the other person, hence share similar dreams and hopes for the future. Then when there is conflict, the dreams seem to be shuttered causing the parties to experience profound disappointments, hurt, stress as well as heartache," says Naidoo. This happens because it symbolises a loss.

This becomes a big factor because it changes everything, the things that one had considered to be norm for a certain period of time; everything changes such as one’s routine, as well as the responsibilities that one had in the period of the relationship.

"One thing that people seem to forget is that, you are not born with that person, as you were able to meet, you can also depart, making it possible to move on, even though healing might take time," states Naidoo. One aspect that a person should remember is to be patient with one
self.

Talk about it:

People may find it very hard to talk to their friends or family members about breakups, but is it surely part of the healing phase. Isolation always keeps one sad and brings about loneliness. Naidoo includes that, "Talking to people and getting their views about the way you are feeling at that time, makes the situation less difficult to deal with." Hence, people are different; some people find it easier to write on a journal or diaries to keep their stress levels, down. To those people, getting another person’s point of view can just make the feeling worse and they might just take offence.

It’s okay to grieve

According to Nathan Feiles, an online writer for Psych central, grieving is a way of healing, and people heal differently Nonetheless, there is specific phrase that is set for a person to grieve. Hence, the mistake it mostly done by the youth is to mix up grieving and drowning in sorrow and regret. Some people can take up to a month some a year.

Find happiness in other areas

Breaking up can only be dealt with when one truly finds happiness. According to Jeanne Segal, Ph.D, Gina Kemp, M.A, and Melinda Smith, M.A. Spending less time thinking about the negative things can make one more vulnerable than they already are. A person should find positives interests like going out with friends, spending time with family members. Another thing to remember is to pursue fun; new activities always help to discover a side of you that you didn’t know you had.

"A break up does not mean it’s the end of the world. People and break up and move on every day. It hurts! But get your act together and get over him/her," Naidoo adds.

　

　

　

Determined to Succeed

Yuven Govender

For Dion Govender, life wasn’t always about jet setting around the world, or having a big bank balance. Rather, life was a struggle, fraught with racial discrimination, job insecurity, family problems, and a propensity to find himself in trouble. However, with a will made of iron, and a determination to provide a better future for his family, he quickly rose from the dumps of society, to becoming the CEO of a major environmental consulting agency. This, is the story of a self-made man

Dion Parmassivan Gopal Govender was born on the 11^th of November 1967. As a tenacious and strong willed child, born into a loving family as the youngest child among three siblings, he always managed to get his way with his parents, and at times, be the apple of their eyes.  Days used to go by as he learned about life, love and hardships, living on the streets of Chatsworth, Durban. His father, a worker at the local Engen garage, would often guide his youngest son through the realities of life, while his mother made sure he knew what to buy at the local market by through practical demonstration. He recalled being taught how to tell time by his father and said: “My father was a strict but fair man, so whenever he assigned a task to me, like learning how to tell time, he would expect positive results. When I chose to play cricket with my friend on the school ground – which is situated just behind his very own house – and not listen to my father, boy did I get it. He fetched me from the school, took me home, and said that if I couldn’t tell him what time it was, then I wasn’t going back to the cricket field, or see my friends for a long time. Needless to say, I failed that test and didn’t see my friends until I could tell time down to the seconds.” He completed his schooling career at the age of 18, matric year of 1985, and fathered a child the following year.

He made a decision then and there to get out of the slums and move to Johannesburg where he would be afforded a chance to make life better for his daughter and his then future wife.

Johannesburg in the late 1980’s was a volatile place, with racial tensions at their peak the city was one step away from being a war zone. However, the now dangerous and highly feared inner city residential area of Hillbrow was a peaceful melting pot of various different races, creeds and religions. A place in which an already politically forward thinking Dion Govender would fit right in.

For the next 8 years, Mr. Govender would move from job to job due to racial prejudices that prevented him ever moving further in his current position, until he found an entry level job at Siemens, a multinational electronics corporation. He revelled his position in the company and the tasks he was given as it challenged his intellect, allowed him to travel all over the  African continent, and expanded his knowledge on the different cultures he interacted with. He travelled through many war-torn countries in Africa, the DRC being the standout occasion where a child soldier threatened to kill him and his colleagues. But, with a quick wit and understanding of the people behind a gun, he managed to save his colleagues time and time again. He recalled the moment: “I was in the DRC at the time, and my colleagues and me had just managed to bargain our way out of a life-threatening situation, and I remember thinking to myself that ‘I am done, I cannot live like this anymore’ and then made the conscious decision to ensure that I move up the rank of the company to not only ensure future wealth and prosperity for my family, but to ensure that I didn't leave this planet prematurely.”

He accomplished his task, and quickly moved up the ranks in Siemens South Africa, eventually settling in as the cluster CEO for power distribution in South Africa. His ambition and determination, along with a professional attitude towards his work and his clients, were noticed by Siemens headquarters in Germany. He was offered a two year delegation contract in Germany. it was an easy decision to make he says: “The pay was better, we would be living in one of the richest countries in the world, my housing, car and children’s education would be subsidised through allowances. Life would be perfect for us there. It was the culmination of my life’s work at Siemens”.

The relocation would take place on January the 22^nd of 2011. He recalls it as being tough, but necessary, and that it would all work out to benefit them in the end.

The next two years were something out of a dream. The Govender family would be traveling all across Europe at every chance they got (Italy, France, Spain, Norway, the Netherlands), they experienced their first white Christmas and partook in the various Christmas themed markets  the village they lived in offered.

As the contract came to its end, the opportunity arose to extend it. At which point, he declined and instead, opted to focus on leaving his own mark on the world. This is when he chose to work for a small environmental company, Linked, as their CEO.

The family then relocated back to South Africa in January 2013. “We all had reservations about reintegrating into South African society, and our extended family’s plans for our arrival didn't put our nerves at ease [laughs]. But, we found the process to b so simple, that it was like we never left,” he recalls.

He is currently spearheading environmental operations in which his company are involved with the government, and is happier than ever, because now he gets to make his own mark on the world, through his own strategic missions.

This goes to  show that circumstances do not determine success. What in fact determines success is the will to continually better oneself and never settle for second best when the best is on offer to you. Dion Govender is the quintessential self-made man, and the road ahead is brighter than ever for him and his family.