Empress SA Semi-finalist Esther Ngobeni appeals for votes

By Sibongile Vukela

A 26-year-old from Mabopane, Pretoria will represent Gauteng at the National Express Beauty Pageant South Africa scheduled to take place at the coastal city of  Durban in December. In order for her to win, she requires your votes.

Esther Ngobeni is a public relations officer; she holds a Communication Science Degree obtained from the University of South Africa and is currently pursuing her second qualification in Marketing Management. She is a semi-finalist at EMPRESS SOUTH AFRICA, the world’s first large scale online beauty contest using the platform of MISS EAGLE SOUTH AFRICA.

The beautiful Esther has a giving heart hence she gives back to her community by donating sanitary pads, toiletries and clothes to young women from underprivileged homes. Esther says she didn’t have the belief that one day she would be in a competition of this magnitude and while growing up, she didn’t believe she could become a model due to the fact that she is short. “Empress Pageants doesn’t judge a person according to physical attributes; it focuses on beauty with brains and purpose.”

“Through this pageant, I will be able to reveal my leadership skills, I want other young girls to look up to me. The fact that I was raised by a single parent in Mabopane is humbling, I want to be living proof that your present circumstances don't determine your destination, they merely determine where you start,” says Esther.

She urges people to vote for her so she can get the chance to prove herself, continuously serve her community and possibly the country as a whole and to be an additional role model who will make a difference.

When asked how she would use her title to make a positive difference in her country and community, she said: “I will continue to be  involved in youth programmes, undertake motivational talks at public gatherings and schools, take on additional charity initiatives to make a difference in my community and country as a whole.”

She adds that winning this pageant will further increase the passion she has for giving back to the community and to inspire others.

If she wins, Esther will reign as Empress South Africa 2020. To make that possible she urges people to kindly vote for her by sending an SMS typed ‘Esther Ngobeni’ to 35334, sms cost R3 each. You can vote as often as you like, voting lines close on the 31^st of August 2019.

Her message to young girls who would love to see themselves in her shoes is to go for it as long as you have matric and single. They should not limit themselves due to their physical appearance.

“I believe qualities that one must acquire to be the winner of Empress SA include having the ability to empower other people, to serve and to be a good role model for the younger generation. To have leadership skills and be a people’s person and that describes me.”

She advises those who want to take their brand, organization or company to the next level to submit their applications to the Empress SA Facebook page.

To get to know more about Esther, you can follow her on Instagram: @EstherNgobeni_mesa2019 and Facebook: Esther Ngobeni Empress SA 2019

Making a living speaking: 

Weza Matomane

His childhood

Weza Matomane grew up in a township in the South of Johannesburg known as Sebokeng. He has always believed he is destined for something great and states that he was different from the other kids. Weza claims he was too intelligent and whilst watching tv, he got to improve his command of the English language and accent. At his young age, he would imitate tv characters. 

He went to a multiracial school and as a result of space being unavailable in the English class, he was forced to do everything in Afrikaans which he says wasn’t easy.  “There were racial tensions, in some instances, I was seated next to a white child and our elbows touched, he jumped and rub it as if I would infect him with a disease or something,” he recalls.

Weza’s father lost his job and they faced a rough patch which resulted in them moving from one room to another which wasn’t easy. “It was difficult sharing a small space with my parents and three siblings, I often attended to my homework with candlelight because there was no electricity,” he states.

While his life was taking a strain, his mother was pursuing a Fashion Design qualification which later took them out of poverty. He was 16-years-old at the time and his mom’s boutique was doing well. He advises women not to put their dreams on hold because of their kids and marriage.

High school days

“Growing up, I wanted to be a lot of things so I approached life with an open mind. There was even a time when I wanted to be a professional rugby player,” he states. Weza went from playing in his under 14/C team. He knew his parents couldn't afford to pay for his varsity fees and he discovered that in order to acquire a Sasol bursary, one should perform well academically and in almost everything he felt he was average. Weza then decided to have role models in every aspect he aspired to excel in. He looked for people who were doing well in rugby because he was passionate about it and realized that if he performed well it would increase his chances of attaining a bursary.

In his senior high school years, Weza played craven week rugby as the provincial elite, an annual rugby union tournament organized for schoolboys in SA. He played with people who went on to play for the Springboks and he got to appear on SuperSport. At the end of his matric year, he was awarded a gold medal from the Department of Basic Education and believes that it was possible through role modeling. 

Life in varsity

He acquired a chemical engineering bursary because it seemed comfortable and secure in terms of finances even though it wasn’t something, he was passionate about. He pursued it at the University of Pretoria. However, due to the financial crisis, he dropped out in his third year.

The birth of his career as a voice-over artist

“I would be telling a lie if I said I was inspired by someone to become a voice-over artist because I was clueless about,” says Weza. When he was watching tv, he would imitate how the characters spoke because he found it interesting.

A friend requested him to DJ for her when he was 17 years old and he took the mic and imitated the people he watched on tv and they loved it. Fortunately, he was discovered by a guy who worked at Sun International. Weza was later called to audition for the MC gig which he didn’t get because of he was underage.

To cut the story short, two years later an agency called him to work at Sun International and that was the birth of his career as a voice-over artist. He started focusing on voice-over business and he acquired gig after gig.

On his career

Do you know the Shoprite checkers ad? Well, I thought the voice behind it was of a white guy but I was wrong because that’s Weza. When asked if he attends any voice training, he said he didn't. However, he advises those who would like to follow in his footsteps to get training because it personally took a long time to get big gigs because according to clients, he always lacked something.

He now trains people on how to become voice-over artists, the workshop consists of all of the tips he received from the gigs he didn’t get. He says that his students are doing well. If you want to be part of his workshop, you can find more information on his website: www.wezathatguy.com.

The rise of his career

 “Today I do not have to audition, I simply get a call and a script then I get paid,” he says. Weza did the voice-over of the South African Music Awards (SAMAs), which is great because he has always been a huge fan of the event. A few gigs he is proud to have scored include BBC Earth, BBC Lifestyle, Cartoon Network as well as voice-overs for movies he grew up watching. He also did the voice-overs for SAfm, the Dial Direct tv adverts and many more.

The 27-year-old is currently working on a lot of projects including his company where they get people into the industry. He has a nonprofit organisation called Live unplugged where they host seminars. On top of that, he is pursuing a marketing degree because knowledge is key.

According to Weza, you don’t require a billboard voice to be a voice artist, you simply have to have a language and accent then you will excel. “You can pursue radio drama, character voices and there is always a need for someone with an ordinary voice. However, the more versatile you are, the more gigs you will score,” he states.

During this interview, I realized that Weza is religious, he kept on quoting bible scriptures. When asked about what he does for fun, he laughs and says his life is fun, however, to relax he plays video games.

Photo: Facebook

Meet the founder of The Lazy Makoti, Mogau Seshoene

by Sibongile Vukela

A lot of young people spend their time trying to look good and having fun all in the name of YOLO (You Only Live Once). The sad truth is that most young people are lazy and can’t cook. However, not Mogau Seshoene, she made a brave career spin and left the safety of the corporate world to follow her entrepreneurial dream. In 2014, she launched a company, The Lazy Makoti, an informative one-on-one cooking course for the modern Afropolitan. She also sells branded kitchen accessories including aprons, chopping boards, and wooden spoon sets.

The 29-year-old dedicates her time to providing comprehensive cooking lessons to young professionals who would like to improve their skills in the kitchen.

Mogau said her inspiration which resulted in establishing the company came about when a friend required lessons for cooking South African cuisine and she struggled finding a place to help her out, the only available places offered lessons on French, Italian and other cuisines. 

After a couple of lessons with her friend, Mogau realized there was a gap in the market as a result of word getting out there and more people requesting cooking lessons. She then decided to quit her fulltime job in the finance sector and registered The Lazy Makoti as a business and source of livelihood.

Mogau was born in a township called Turfloop in Mankweng, Limpopo. She studied towards a BCom Consumer Science and Retail Management degree at the University of Pretoria. She has received a lot of print coverage in publications including Sowetan, The Times, Woolies, Taste Mag, Drum, Move, The Star and others. She has also been interviewed on radio stations including but not limited to 5 FM, Metro FM, Radio2000, Y FM, Power FM, and SA FM. Her unique business has seen her make appearances in television shows including Tonight with Bruce Whitefield, CNBC Africa, Shift, and Sunday Live. Judging by her social media following, she has a massive customer base and support. Mogau’s love for entrepreneurship, empowering women and creativity in the kitchen has been nurtured over a long time.

Mogau’s future plans and aspirations include producing a cookbook documenting the South African food story. She would like to launch the next phase of The Lazy Makoti which will provide an opportunity for women in rural and township, South Africa, to host cooking lessons. Mogau also believes this would create an authentic cultural experience for the consumer as they learn about local food whilst also providing an income for local women. “I would also like to have The Lazy Makoti merchandise line in a major retail outlet in the country and eventually around the world,” she states.

Being in control of her own time and talents gives her the most satisfaction as an entrepreneur while she also aspires to build a legacy for the next generation. “As a girl from a South African township, I believe my success is not simply my own. I have the chance to make my family proud and have every person from a township believe this is possible,” she says.

The biggest piece of advice she can give to women with an interest in establishing a business is that they should get started - ASAP. “With the little knowledge, experience or capital you have, get started, request for assistance. There are various mentorship programmes, look them up and make use of them. Surround yourself with like-minded women who can provide a nurturing support system, because tough times will come and you will need to be able to draw strength from sisters,” she emphasizes.

The young Dr. Nhlakanipho Mahagane takes us through his journey to success

“I wasn’t driven by money to study medicine, I want to save lives.”

D

uring the early days when he started schooling at the age of six, when asked by his teacher what he wants to become when he grows up, he stated he wanted to become a doctor. He says for the mere fact that his name Nhlakanipho means wisdom, he felt he had to work hard in order to live up to it, hence his reason for becoming an academically oriented person.

He has always been competitive, in 2003 while in grade 3, he represented his district in Maths Numeracy. “I was competing with kids from multi-racial schools and that’s when I realized we were left behind, from then I started reading a lot to improve my English and knowledge,” he says. The book that motivated him the most when he was young is ‘The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens’ by Sean Covey.

The 24-year-old doctor hails from Soshanguve Block Y and is the fourth child in a family of six children. He believes he owes his success to his parents who instilled in him the discipline to make education his first priority. “My dad always wanted us to be the best because he didn’t get the chance to go to school. My mom was our pillar, she did everything possible to raise us hence my siblings and I are successful today,” says Dr Mahagane.

Now serving at Jubilee Hospital in Hamanskraal as an intern doctor, amongst some of the things Dr. Mahagane likes about his career is assisting a mother to bring a child to the world. “For the first time assisting in a surgical procedure, I couldn’t sleep at night because of the excitement and that’s when I knew that it is my calling,” he says with a smile.

When asked who or what inspired him to become a doctor, he said his dad drew that idea in his mind. He also states that on TV doctors seemed like respectable people because they save lives and that was it, he was quite clueless about the healthcare sector. “I’m not money driven, I don’t want to be the richest man out there, I just want to do good and save lives. I don’t want to be mediocre, just like Beyoncé I want people to know that I was here,” he states.

Just like most teenagers, when Dr Mahagane was in secondary school, he was involved in the wrong crowd, fortunately, he didn’t lose it all as he was the white sheep of the group. “I mixed up with friends that smoked and gambled but I didn’t do those things because I knew my dad would whip me if I participated. I was the one who assisted them with assignments and homework instead so I would benefit with street credibility and I received protection,” he says giggling.

In grade 8 one of his teachers saw leadership capabilities in him, which Dr Mahagane believes he received from his father who is a community leader. The teacher then advised him to become part of the representative council of learners (RCL) where he wasn’t successful in his first attempt. However, with a never say die attitude, he ran again the following year where he became RCL president. He also became president in high school, a member of the district RCL executive committee. In university he was a class rep from first to forth year, secretary-general of the student representative council (SRC), head mentor and also part of the first-year welcoming team.

In every school and grade, he was in, he collected high performer certificates and trophies while also leaving a mark. When he was in secondary school, he established a magazine which got him into trouble. “In the gossip column, I wrote an article about guys who went to the mountain/initiation school to reclaim their manhood and I was threatened, for that moment my life was a nightmare,” he recalls. He participated in the eco-green competitions where the school won gardening equipment and dustbins, in high school he formed a science club.

There were days when he would go to school without lunch money, that’s when they initiated betting games with his friends, they would bet 50 cents each and the person with the highest marks would win. Nhlakanipho made sure he won every bet so he wouldn’t go hungry.

He did the same in varsity, he took on every odd student job he came across to generate income. “The was a time when I was a campus taxi driver, I drove students to malls and I got paid well,” he states. He adds that young people in varsity must live a lifestyle they can afford and not forget why they came to varsity. “Academics can be difficult but they don’t take your entire life, working on the side might be a good distraction so you do not stress about academics, however, don’t compromise your studies,” he states.

Even though he passed matric with five distinctions, Dr. Mahagane’s application to study medicine at the University of Pretoria was rejected due to his grade 11 results. He was accepted at Stellenbosch University where he mentions that the main challenge was the language barrier. “That was a different world for me, mind you in high school my English teacher was Zulu so we hardly spoke English and I wasn’t familiar with Afrikaans. It was a first time for everything, from being away from home to the cultural shift, however, as time went by, I grew in it,” he states. In the same year he was diagnosed with an eye problem.

To balance academics and his social life, he claims to have done almost everything any normal student does.

For a lot of us, medicine is a scary career, even Dr. Mahagane had his episodes. “When we did anatomy for the first time using a dead body, I couldn’t sleep at night, I was so scared to a point where I saw the guy’s face in my dreams,” he says. He also adds that he believed his spirit was with him but he eventually got used to it.

In his last year of studies, his academics gave him a lot of pressure to the point where he reached rock bottom and almost gave up on his studies. However, his friends reminded him of how much his parents look up to him and he regained the power to pick himself up. “Amongst other things that picked me up when I was at my lowest are Mlindo the Vocalist’s songs Imoto and Egoli, I would advise young people to listen to the lyrics attentively,” he states.

According to the new doctor, the greatest attribute in order for one to become a doctor is to be academically strong, be willing to sacrifice so much so that they can enjoy later and they must be people orientated. “If you want to be a millionaire don’t come to medicine because you will be horrible at it,” he states.

Dr. Mahagane does not only save lives but also kicks the ball. “I love playing soccer and I like watching it.” For fun, he likes playing with gadgets.

His future endeavors include going back to school and undertaking a specialization. He would like to make a change in the health system because he believes that people who are in public hospitals don’t get the same treatment as those in private hospitals. He believes that people should be treated the same not according to their social status.

Lastly, he advises young people to work hard, be willing to sweat and spend sleepless nights and stop looking for instant success.

Young trailblazer making waves in corporate circles

Zesimdumise Ndwandwe Nxumalo, popularly known as Ze in corporate circles is a rising star making a name for himself in the country’s biggest boardrooms. He is the owner of an investment company, Zig Holdings. Companies Ze has consulted Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) listed companies such as Blue Label Telecoms and EOH. He has found himself on the board of Richmark Holdings. He has also been involved in advisory work on some of Cell C’s biggest campaigns.

The 26-year-old entrepreneur was born in northern Johannesburg and spent most of his life in Durban. He has managed to squeeze us into his very tight schedule where he unpacked the secret behind his success.

Why did you decide to go to the transport route?

In 2014 I stopped swimming so I could focus on my studies, 3 months later I got bored so I decided it would be a good idea to create a revenue stream to supplement the little pocket money I was receiving from home. An opportunity I deemed fit while I was studying was ridesharing platform, Uber after a friend had introduced it to me. He informed me about getting a car and placing it on the platform where a driver could get requests from passengers and all I need to do was manage the driver and source a car. I couldn’t let this pass me by because upon realizing it would teach me to be a manager as I was expected to manage a car, driver, and passengers. It was a great start.

How did you manage to get funding?

I did not have funding to source a car so I went to a car dealership where I made them a proposal that if they give me a car I can make money for both of us. They agreed and we went 50/50 and it went well. After some time, I got practical business experience and realized I had what it takes to make it in the business world so I requested my dad to get a car on my behalf, which he agreed to so we went from one car to four. Funding is a huge challenge that needs to be addressed for young entrepreneurs.

Where did you get your business acumen?

Whilst I was in boarding school, I used to purchase and resell KFC to the boys who’d actually buy because it was a luxury back then in our setup. My father taught me from an early age that there is nothing for free and I recall that when I asked for pocket money for the movies he would actually make me work for it. He taught me the skill of doing business from a young age.

Do you believe that entrepreneurship is something you are born with is a process that you have to learn?

Nobody is born a star, entrepreneurs are created through mentorship and the skill comes from education, hard work, resilience, determination, and ambition. My discipline and hard work came from an early age and it is all thanks to my strict parents for that, who also come from a swimming background and ensured I had a very tight schedule that I had to follow.

Did you come across any challenges on your entrepreneurship journey?

It was fun when I started out but I encountered challenges when I tried to expand. I made mistakes and if you regard those mistakes as lessons then you can forge forward during the hard times. Entrepreneurship and not depending on a set salary is hard but it can be done.

What is the one lesson you can take away from hardship?

Throughout hardship, you must never give up.

What has been your highlight in your entrepreneurship journey?

You should celebrate as many stepping stones as possible, you need to be proud of each and every achievement, and I’m saying by throwing a party. You need to only look back and acknowledge your journey and what you have overcome. My highlight is the appointment to Richmark Holdings’ board at such a tender age, I am actually the youngest director.

How did you manage to build a name for yourself?

I introduced something directors and shareholders from other companies have never witnessed before. I believe the world is ever-changing, technological advancements and social media have social relevance in the industry so I can balance my professional skills with a social element. People often focus on the corporate side of things but never take it to social implications. I come to these companies to focus on the social relevance.

What advice can you give to the up and coming entrepreneurs?   

Never give up, always try to better yourself, they must be willing to learn and be mentored because there’s nothing as depressing as an individual unwilling to take advice. I encourage them to take lots of advice and put that into practice.When you’ve got business ideas, approach government, private institutions and SETAS funding small businesses. Seek advice from entrepreneurs running businesses similar to yours and learn to market yourself.

How do you balance work and social life?

It's all about getting your priorities right and knowing where you want to be in 10 years. I had to cut down on a lot of social aspects in my life, I can’t go out and party a lot. People need to learn how to get out of a 9 to 5 mentality, especially if you aspire to be an entrepreneur. You need 6 hours sleep and the rest equaling 18 hours, you need to better yourself. Go to work, after work read a lot, perform research and attend courses and conferences. Make use of online publications to empower yourself.

Which books would you recommend?

33 strategies of war and The 44 lessons of power by Robert Green

I urge young people to read more biographies so they can understand how others have made it.

Has being young ever come as a disadvantage for you?

Definitely, people tend to undermine you when you are very young and therefore you need to go the extra mile to prove yourself. I believe young people need to be presentable in order to be taken seriously by their business partners or potential sponsors. Professionalism is key and people need to be careful with their approach, they shouldn’t use slang and men should wear suits.

To what do you owe your success?

I owe it to a number of factors, certain events and people who have been in my life. I was groomed to be a better person. I owe it all to God for being with me through the hard times. I also owe it to the company I keep. However, do not undermine people or make them feel like you are better than them, you need need to surround yourself with successful people.

Young people need to be wary of people they hang around with.

Joburg women manufacture reusable pads & encourage the switch from disposal pads

It is unfortunate that a girl child will miss school or drop out as a result of her menstrual cycle. Palesa Pads, a social enterprise operating out of Germiston was founded in the year 2017 with the sole purpose of assisting young girls who often missed school. They manufacture and supply females in South Africa and Namibia with reusable sanitary pads with the aim of keeping young women in school.

Did you know that a woman use will use up to 16,800 disposable pads and tampons during her lifetime? So, what happens after using them and how much does she spend on buying them?

The answer is that disposable menstrual products are created using unwanted waste and profit at the expense of women’s health and the environment. Studies suggest that the chemical used in Ultra Napkins can convert liquid into gel and that can cause cancer in the bladder and uterus. “Having identified the disadvantages associated with dispensary pads, I was unhappy and decided to make my own sanitary towels,” says Shérie de Wet, founder and CEO of Palesa Pads. They have four different sizes and they are waterproof. Similar to dispensary pads, their reusable pads have wings and come with instructions.

Shérie claims it is highly recommended for women to utilize pads made out of cotton. Some of the advantages of using Palesa Pads include the elimination of unpleasant odour, they last up to five years and not only do they save you lots of money but they contribute towards environmental sustainability.

Numeral females without the means or access to menstrual products substitute this with rags in the foam of mattress fabric and toilet paper, which poses a great risk to their health. “With Palesa Pads, women can avoid embarrassing situations such as leaks or infections,” says Omphemetse, the company’s business development director.

Shérie has sacrificed her home as they make use of her garage as a manufacturing factory. They are assisting in creating employment opportunities in South Africa and they currently have 8 employees working in the business. Palesa Pads’ management team does not only sell sanitary towels but they go to schools where they present on personal hygiene associated with pads.

Palesa Pads can be worn up to 12 hours and offer great comfort, every pack consists of four pads, a set of instructions and a plastic bag to keep used pads before washing. If you are interested in purchasing Palesa Pads, you can order via WhatsApp using the number 066 006 6359 or send them an email at info@palesapads.com

Sibusiso Khwinana’s memorial service: mourners pay tribute to Matwetwe star
“Do not sleep when you are tired, sleep when you are done”

The community of Soshanguve, as well as acquaintances and fans, came in their numbers to support the family and celebrate the life of a young man who moved from Soshanguve to the international stage, Sibusiso Khwinana. He was murdered outside Sterland Cinema in Pretoria during an altercation over his cellphone on Friday, 1 March. It was reported that the 25-year-old from Block M Soshanguve, died on the spot. His emotional memorial service was held on Thursday, 7 March at AFM Hilltop Restoration Center.

Sibusiso played Lefa in the local movie Matwetwe: The Lizard which was recently directed by Kagiso Lediga and co-produced by Black Coffee.

At his memorial service, friends and family remembered him as a person who was ambitious, humble and not talkative but would let his work do the talking, and as a foodie. They said he was passionate about theatre and also lived his life with passion, determination, and focus to achieve his dreams.

Before the memorial service, Gauteng Premier, David Makhura conveyed his condolences to the Khwinana family and mentioned that three murder suspects had been identified. “Our province has been robbed a great talent who was a true inspiration to the youth of Soshanguve. We are coming for his killers and we plead with those who have information on their whereabouts to come forward with information so we can put them behind bars,” he said.

At the memorial service, MEC for Community Safety, Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane confirmed that they had identified the murderers, however, arrests had not been made as yet. She believes there are people harboring these killers but she promised the family they would leave no stone unturned as they bring justice for Sibusiso.

Khalo Khwinana, the family spokesperson also pleaded with his cousin’s killers to turn themselves into the police so the family could find closure. She stated that Sibusiso often told them to watch the space because he was working on his legacy. They didn’t expect he would be brutally taken away from them so fast.

In his tribute, Lediga mentioned that he was honoured to have worked with Sibusiso. He said due to his talent, if he was given the chance to forget the Saftas, we would have seen him at the Oscars and Emmys. Lediga also stated that he’s happy that he got to meet Khwinana and was part of his dream coming together somehow.

One of Sibusiso’s friends mentioned that the late actor was always a fan of Black Coffee. He said his friend spent hours listening to his music not knowing that he would one day work with him.

During the service, the Matwetwe cast, as well as other attendees, sang Sibusiso’s favorite songs including As’phelelanga by Vusi Nova.

Khwinana was laid to rest on March 9 after a funeral service at AFM Hilltop Restoration Centre in Soshanguve Block K.