Go Turquoise for the Elderly Campaign

In the endeavor to demonstrate and recognize the elderly, Northern Cape MEC for Health, Fufe Makatong visited 10 households in Greenpoint area, as part of awareness to protect the rights of elderly. The ‘Go Turquoise for the Elderly Campaign’ ran from 15th May 2018 (International Family Day) to 15 June 2018 (World Elderly Abuse Awareness Day). During the household visits, the ten elderly were showered with gifts from the MEC. The gesture was to thank them for their continued role as caregivers to orphans and children who in their absence would be loitering on the streets. In line with the Older Persons Act, Act 13 of 2006, communities must shoulder the biggest responsibility for the wellness of the elderly in Society. Demonstrating her support for the campaign, MEC Makatong encouraged members of the public to wear a turquoise awareness ribbon or turquoise clothing.

“As the province we can show that we care about and notice the elderly, and that we want to support older people towards a good quality of life in which they are treated with respect and dignity; like anyone else, older people also want to live in peace, safety and health as far as possible.” MEC Makatong said. Among others, the campaign also gives special attention and recognition to the nursing staff and caregivers who attend to thousands of elderly people and afford them the necessary care.

The Northern Cape Province remains with the smallest share of about 1.21 million people (2.1%). According to the Statistics SA report of 2016, about 29.6% of the population is aged younger than 15 years and approximately 4.60 million (8.1%) is 60 years or older. Unfortunately, older people are often seen as soft targets for crime, abuse, exploitation, rape and neglect.

Source: Northern Cape Dept of health comm

Teaching children to love God

By Onalenna Jantjie

AWANA is an acronym which stands for approved workmen are not ashamed. It is part of a global non profit organisation which trains churches to do kids ministry through a set of courses. Upon completion of the course, trainees are expected to go back to their churches and train the rest of their team. Speaking on the  importance of ministering to children, one of AWANA’s missionaries Rebaone Jardine said; “children are not immune to the devil’s attacks. Hence they also need to be rescued.  Consequently, AWANA is on a mission to teach boys and girls about the Lord so that they can love and serve him.  This is done through evangelism and equipping churches and other organisation working with children to teach the word of God.  

Jardine says they recently held a conference in Kuruman where 290 children from eight churches participated.  “We plan on hosting a yearly conference and involving as many churches as possible. Our programme encompasses 3 segments including game time. We believe kids learn when they play and they need  to play as its part of growing up.  Then its council time where we sing, share testimonies and conduct bible lessons. The last one is team time. This is where we form small groups according to ages and do scripture memorisation while building relationships and loving on the kids,“ said Jardine 

Women unite in business

By: Onalenna Jantjie

Editor: Thapelo Molebatsi

Business women in South Africa are in a better position to network with other female entrepreneurs and to attend business workshops which will help broaden their business knowledge thus assisting them to develop their companies.   This can happen through joining Phenomenal woman, a remarkable NPO formed with the objective of empowering female entrepreneurs in South Africa. The organization has branches in the Free State, North West, Western Cape, Eastern Cape Kwa-zulu Natal as well as Lesotho. They recently launched a branch in the Northern Cape Province (kuruman) where various notable males and female speakers were invited to share their business knowledge with female entrepreneurs.  

Phenomenal woman was founded by Thato Mokgothu, owner of RTT construction, Shalom Bonds, shareholder and Director at Tyremart Estoire Free State and Kathu Northern Cape. During her speech, she encouraged women to stick together.  “We as women need to go back to our roots and work together like we have done in the past. I firmly believe that women can work together even in business. If you are skilled, you need to make sure that you up skill other women.  Any woman can come and ask me about my business and how I started.  My hands are always open.  When I get a contract I make sure I subcontract other women because I believe the more you give the more you will receive,” she said.  

She further emphasized the importance of good leadership.  “We should lead in such a way that young girls will be inspired to walk on our footsteps,” she said.   Additionally, Mokgothu cautioned women against business negligence.  “As a woman in construction I always make sure that I visit my sites on a regular basis because when you own a business you need to be well versed about everything in it,” she stated. 

Sharing Thato Mokgothu’s sentiments was Obakeng Morakile from South 32. She is the logistic superintendent and first ever chairperson of women in mining committee at Mamatwan mine. Speaking on how she managed to wear many hats at a young age Morakile said: “I give credit to my father and other women for my success. My father encouraged me to work hard because there aren’t a lot of women in mining. He said I should set the pace for other women who will come after me by delivering in such a way that those women will be trusted to fill in my shoes.”  She also touched on the kind of business support offered to entrepreneurs by South 32. “South 32 recently opened a business support centre in Kuruman which is meant to provide skills, training and information to entrepreneurs. We also have a website called Intsika.  This website helps entrepreneurs to increase their online presence.  They can register on the website and even create a mini website,” she said.  The event ended with women visiting stalls to support other women who had come to promote and sell their products.  

Adventurous hills of Gamohana

One of Olebogeng Mocumi’s goals was to visit Gamohana Hills. So when his uncle who is a nature conservationist and the founder of Epic hikes relocated back to Kuruman, he began working with him.

Why did you decide to visit Gamohana hills?
I have always heard stories about Gamohana hills so I wanted to experience the hills and not only rely on stories. 


What is the easiest route to the hill? 
I always take a taxi to seven miles/hotazel t-junction to   meet up with the rest of the team.  From there we walk to the hill and start climbing.  


How was the experience? 
The experience was fun and educational.  The white cross that we always see up there is actually stones painted with white paint.

What did you learn about Gamohana Hills that you didn’t know before?  

Various religious groups use it to perform their rituals

For more information contact Mocumi on:  060 405 0282

A notable fiction writer from Utlwanang village

By:  Onalenna Jantjie

Editor:  Thapelo Molebatsi

How would you describe yourself?

 I'm an avid reader and writer who has the permanent misfortune of loving Orlando Pirates FC and Arsenal FC. I have a special fondness for chess, road running, and deep house music. 

Give us a glimpse into your background?

 I was born, and grew up, in a small North West township called Utlwanang near Christiana. If I meet you and I greet you with a smile, it is because I come from Utlwanang. I owe that township everything. I see myself as a happily married African man who loves the company of his family, friends, music and books. I currently stay in Witbank, Mpumalanga.

When did you fall in love with literature? And how did that come about?

I suspect my love for literature started many years back, in my early teens, I think. Back then we'd be seen reading and enjoying novels by James Hadley Chase and Sydney Sheldon. These two authors showed me that reading can be both engaging and entertaining. 

Is it possible to make a decent living from writing books?

Is it? I have many author friends and none of them are rich because of it. To make a living out of writing books requires a combination of things. One of those is proper marketing - a form of marketing that on the one hand engineers a readership, and on the other identifies a readership, and then getting these publics to actually buy the books. I do not mention creating entertaining yet empowering fiction because I think it's a given. Luck, also. Lots of it because frankly, there are a lot of books out there which do not deserve the commercial success they enjoy. 

Upon discovering your creative writing talent, what did you do to nurture/harness it?

Upon discovering my creative talent I did what every writer should do, and that is to read as widely as possible. This, reading widely, is a tool without which great writing is impossible.

How would you describe your writing style?

Because I'm a fiction writer, I'd describe my writing style as mainly evocative and colourful, a style that seeks to depend on the imagination of the reader to complete the story. This approach to writing seeks to connect the reader and the story in a way that is gripping. 

Did you attend a creative writing course?

I have a Master's Degree in Creative Writing. I did it with Rhodes University. I graduated in 2016.

Tell us about the journey to becoming a published writer.  What were some of the challenges?

I didn't struggle much to get published. As I recall I only had my first manuscript sent to two publishers, and one of them saw potential and helped me through the process of fine-tuning it. I'm not saying it is easy to get published.

 I am saying invest time and some real, fresh creativity in your work and the right people will take interest.

How many Novels have you published thus far?

I have written and published five books thus far. 

Do you write in Setswana or English? Why did you choose that particular language?

I write in both Setswana and English. I write in Setswana because who else will write in my own language? What will Batswana read if there's no work to read in Setswana? I write in English because, well, I can. For me it's satisfying that I am able to create work in more than one language. Quite satisfying.  

Where do you draw the inspiration for your storylines

  I draw inspiration from everywhere, from everything. I write about life because life is my inspiration.

 Who is your favorite author? What do you like about his/her work?

 I love works by many authors, but José Saramago is up there. Why? Because his work frightens the hell out of me! Read his Blindness to see where I come from.

 If people want to buy your books where can they find them?

www.my africanbuy.com

or send me an e-mail at: maruping.phepheng@gmail.com Twitter- @MP_Author

Tutoring pure Maths and Science

By:  Onalenna Jantjie

Editor: Thapelo Molebatsi

Why did you start this kind of business?

When I arrived in Kuruman I noticed that there was a gap in the market for tutoring pure Maths, Physics, English and geography. So I registered a business and employed people who would facilitate those classes to students struggling with any of those subjects. We tutor Grade 8- grade 12 learners. And we have specifically selected mathematics and science because we know these are the key subjects needed by students who want to find worthwhile careers in the future.

How much do you charge for the classes?

We charge R95 per hour per subject

One would imagine that as a Durbanite you would have opted to start your business in Durban. Why Kuruman?

Kuruman is a small town with limitless opportunities. I identified a gap in the market and decided to grab it

What are some of the challenges you have encountered in your business?

As a small business owner, I have learned that success won’t happen overnight. So patience is vital.

What are your future plans?

I’d like to see my business expanding into the rural areas.

What advice would you offer young aspiring entrepreneurs?

Expose yourself to opportunities. Kuruman has limitless opportunities.

Who is your role model?

My late mother. There was no bridge too far for her

Where are your offices?

58 Main Street Kuruman, Office 104

 For more information contact Andrew Keswa on:064 294 5788

A prominent business woman from the rural areas

Mme Sylvia Leabile is a rare breed hailing from Bendell village in the Northern Cape Province. She is a powerful business woman who never allowed her circumstances to dictate her future. She lives a life upholding values of  love, forgiveness, letting go of past experiences without resentment, confronting what needs to be confronted, embracing new things, giving people the benefit of doubt, forgiving wholeheartedly, protecting what she believes in at all cost and understanding that people can support and at the same time hurt you.  She is a survivor- hard-nut to crack. She is always in charge with a will do it if you won’t do it attitude. She is a perfectionist of some sort, even though very empowering. She does not take “No” for an answer.  

As a workaholic, she sometimes thinks that everyone must be a hard worker like her, only to find that it is not always the case and she becomes disappointed. She usually makes all kinds of outrageous statements that would get everybody worked up. Some people get upset with the messenger and not paying attention to the message. She has an “uncompromising approach” and “in your face” style which is very often misunderstood. She is the Chairperson of “PAW” Phenomenal African Woman - South Africa and Chairperson of Hebzibah Cooperative Bank situated at the North West Province. Sylvia is also a founder of Sylvia Leabile Foundation which focuses on Women, Youth and Community Development and Empowerment. 

She is a Director & Shareholder at Tsela Tshweu Pty) Ltd which focuses on building value in the investee companies, by providing Resources, Organizational Development Support, Strategic Business Development and highly skilled and talented management teams in the continent.  

She also runs Sharufa holdings, a company that focuses on mining and construction.   

My Guiding principles in relation to Courage as opposed to Fear   The greatest fear in the world is of the opinions of others. The moment you are unafraid of the crowd you are no longer a sheep, you become a lion. A great roar arises in your heart, “the roar of freedom.”    Also, when you are a person who wants to impact others and make a lasting change in the lives of people, you cannot afford to live in fear.   You can either be a person who is a coward, afraid, ready to submit, surrender, a person who has no dignity, no respect for his/her own being—or you can be fearless.  But then you are going to be a rebel, you cannot avoid that. Either you can be a man of faith or you are going to be a rebellious spirit.  

Leadership  
In 1999, she was nominated the "Best Young Women Entrepreneur" at the National Association for Women in Business (NAWBO) awards. She is a Motivational speaker, facilitator for Enterprise Development and Capacity Building.  

She is an architect of Youth and Women Empowerment and Development initiatives. Sylvia believes that each challenge is a lesson for her and about her.  When you are challenged there is a greater power firmly holding you. You can't live your life planning how to escape hurt and disappointment but you can choose how to look at life. 

 Her promise is to bring joy, love, peace and happiness for the people around her and she does that so well.   She can be best described as a “Self- Appointed Leader” and has a firm belief that when you depend on others to appoint you - you automatically give them power to disappoint you too.  

Leabile  has served in a lot of Boards and Organisations including but not limited to the following:

      ·         National Board member for SABCOHA (2012-2014); 

·         Deputy Chairperson Human Resource and Skills Development Trust for John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, in the Northern Cape (2000-2002); 

·         Director & Shareholder of SSIS Pipeline Services (Water Bulk line condition assessment & leak detection) 2005 - 2016 

·         Board Member Access Chapter 2 – Current

Chairperson PAW SA (Phenomenal African Women) an affiliate of Pan African Union (Current)  

·         Chairperson/Co-founder of Hebzibah Women Corporative Bank (Current)  

·         Author:  Oh what a life! An inspirational, motivational book. 

Such a calibre of a leader is rare to find. It is amazing that in all these, she is a family woman and a great mother of two. She just recently launched a personal website:  “Passion to Empower” focusing on women entrepreneurs, women in business & youth development.