The Living Years

Time lost ....time never regained - the saying goes. Mike Rutherford and the Mechanics (the US Music Band)say that every generation blames the one before. And that how beffiting it could have been that they could have been given a chance to show their gratitute to their mentors .....be it the parents or those who had been influential in their lives.... who unfortunately had passed on. The chance to say whatever they had to say had slipped by and they have only stinging memories to console themselves with...
Eversince I learned of the passing of Jean Powers this song [the living years] had been rechoceting through my consciousness. Jean had been such a person. Gone too soon. A Mother Theresa reicarnated.Yes, the world has become much poorer whith the passing of Jean. And I believe that that the World of Work would never been the same without her ( Much respect to Lesley and Roy) .... and others who made the programme for what it was.
I believe the same goes for fellow WOWERS who had the previledge of meeting the person of the calibre of Jean Powers. I believe that the spirit that Jean ecompassed will continually live whithin us who had the blessing of having met her......
PEACE....Themba.

Zuma' s dogs set free

The Zuma cohort had won round two as Jugde Nicholson dismissed the corruption charges against him on technical grounds. The mob had probably downed a number of Johnnie Walker Blues in celebration of that victory.Every possibe hiccup had been "eliminated". The airhead, Julius Malema was heared yesterday bellowing and baying for blood of certain individuals. Yes, South Africa, brace yourself to the leadership that is made up of a cabal that will resort to anything to achieve its objectives, even if if undermining(or threatening)the legitimate institutions of the state. Yes, brace yourself to be ruled by the likes of Fikile Mbalula and Julius Malema with a morally inept leader at the helm....

Brutus, in taking a decision to conspire and, eventually, in killing his best friend Julius Ceasar had this to say about him...."it must be by his death, and for my part i know no personal cause to spurn at him....He would be crowned : How that might change his nature , that's the question? It is the bright day that brings forth the adder. Crown him and therefore put a sting in him" In here Brutus talks about how crowing Julius Ceasar an emperor will corrupt him and make him a puff adder with a sting to match.Fast - foward that to 2008 South Africa and you have a similar situation. Blade Nzimande, Malema, Vavi and others - a dangerous combination .....Yep, brace yourself good citizens of this intriguing nation.

Welcome Team 2008!

Well, where does one start on an issue like this? Anyway welcome to the World of Work team 2008. What I can promise you guys is that the programme is fun -packed and engaging, which leaves one drained at the end of the day. But it will be one of those programmes that you'll pat yourself on the back that you chose to join. In one way or the other the programme is gonna be useful to you guys.
As you are in ground zero in terms of carreer prospects I will advise you guys to let loose and let the the normal proceses of events takes you where you needed to be. Be yourself and know when you are not up for the task. I know it helps....Did I say that? ....oh wow ....I am starting to sound like a guru!
Everyone have a lovely day....cheers

When chickens come home to roost

In less than three months' time it will be christmas and we will be losing our heads with all the fun and boozing that goes along with it. The ANC conference is approaching quickly and blood is starting to smell in the air. Earlier on, there was an expose` on Dr. "Do Little", Manto Tshabalala Msimang- The National Minister of Health. Due to the sterling work of the Sunday Times we now know the she has a tendecy to be kleptomaniac and she takes her cognac with relative ease. No wonder we had been a laughing stock of Nations when coming to the HIV pandemic . The minister had not been soberly considering the consequences of her talk about beetroot and all those cynical concotions for she had been, at most, drunk.

On the other front Cosatu had come out in the open that it is going to support the embattled JZ (Zuma) in the upcoming ANC conference. I am waiting with bated breath . In the first month of his presidency South Africa will go down ten points on business ethics barometer and the women's rights advocacy groups will have an uphill battle when cultural conservatives like JZ and company takes centre stage for take old-fashioned views on women. What is also of importance is that deputy health minister who had seen unceremonious exit from the cabinet and the NPA boss who was suspended over this past long weekend. Do I see a common threat running through all this developments. Hugh!! It's tense, frightening and yet enjoyable. Watch the space...

THE JOHANNESBURG STOCK EXCHANGE AT YOUR SERVICE

A visit to the JSE (Johannesburg Stock Exchange) is the one I wish every individual in the WOW 2007 never to forget, especially the money making opportunities that are there. It is the place where dreams are made and broken. I personally will not like the thought of enjoying the fruits of my labour when I am all grey-haired, and tired to the bone due to long years of hard labour. Times have changed and you no longer have to wait for pension funds or retirements packages to have any substantial financial resources.

With the JSE you can make money right now and really grow your profile. Investment is the buzzword of the 21century. Investments options available on the JSE are the Exchange Traded Fund, the Bond market, Agricultural Derivatives, Money markets, etc. What is interesting is the fast way in which individuals can create wealth in a very short time unless, of course, they are willing to take investment risks. So jump into the bandwagon of the fast paced money markets!

Today's insight

"And what is the most valuable thing in life? It is, quite simply, the association of a perfect human being."Bhakti Siddhartha, The Most Valuable Gift

MY 30 MINUTES AT "THE BUSINESS PLACE"

Today I finally made it to the lion’s den called the interview. I arrived almost at the same time with Maxwell, who seemed well prepared for the gruelling questions that awaited us. Adam arrived a few minutes later after Maxwell went in for his turn to be put on the spot. While we waited for our turn, Adam and I were given a task to write up a newspaper advert and a formal email for the impeding seminar on Small and Micro Business development. It was actually fun to be doing that though it was also quite obvious that they were looking for something specific to work with.

Tracy, that’s that lady who was interviewing us, was quite cordial and friendly. She actually made the interview an informal affair. For me it felt as if it was an informal talk that needed to understand my interests. The place was itself abuzz with young entrepreneurs brainstorming ideas. I was later to learn that the place actually cater for a wide range of entrepreneurs, not only the youth. Finally, I must say, I don’t know what to expect. I guess I just have to let fate decides.

See ya! Themba.