Kagiso Trust InBrief - December 2013

InBRIEFPeace Liberation Development | Twitter: @Kagiso_trust | www.facebook.com/kagisotrust | www.kagiso.co.za

It always seems impossible until it is done

Issue 12 | December 2013

inside inbrief

12

07THE YEAR 2013

YOUR DREAM IS POSSIBLE

THE GIFT OF EDUCATION14SCAN HERE TO VIEW OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL

Kagiso Trust InBriefDesigned and Published by

STARHERO Custom Publishing011 051 9908

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05 Mandela Legacy

09 How Has KT Helped You?

10 Infi nite Hope

16 Festive Spending

17 A Healthy Better You

20 Walking For A Purpose

22 Down Time

www.kagiso.co.za4 Kagiso Trust InBrief

It is with great sadness that on the 5th December 2013 the world mourned the passing of South Africa’s greatest

son, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela.

No words can adequately express our sincere sadness as Kagiso Trust. His unwavering commitment and sacrifi ce for South Africa’s freedom saw the transformation of the country. Nelson Mandela’s commitment to reconciliation served and continues to serve as an inspiration to the world.

As Kagiso Trust, we celebrate his life and devotion to social justice.

We salute and thank you Madiba for your sacrifi ce to our freedom.

As we refl ect on what we’ve achieved as an organisation, we also commit to honoring and keeping your legacy alive. With our history steeped in our unwavering commitment to building sustainable partnerships for poverty eradication; our personnel and our development, operational and empowerment principles are our greatest assets in successfully contributing to the national agenda for growth and a better life for all.

As we refl ect on our involvement and milestones in empowering poor and marginalised South Africans,

KT continues to seek new ways of enhancing the quality of education, which is the greatest engine to personal development.

We would also like to take this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude to our partners and stakeholders. As Madiba once said, there is no passion to be found in playing small. We could not have accomplished the same level of success alone. We would like to thank you for your gift of friendship as you extended much needed support to our development work in pursuance of alleviating poverty in our disadvantaged communities.

To the KT team, the custodians of the organisation’s values, ethos and mission; we thank you for your tireless work over the course of the year in ensuring that the organisation achieves its mandate. We do not take for granted your contribution. Through your dedication, we look forward to tackling 2014 with the same tenacity and vigour for uplifting the disadvantaged.

Ndlelantle Tata Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela Ahh Dalibhunga.

Nontando MthethwaCorporate Aff airs Manager

Corporate Corporate WordCorporate Affairs

From

www.kagiso.co.za 5Kagiso Trust InBrief



THE YEAR 2013KT EXECS:Kgotso SchoemanKagiso Trust, CEO

Themba MolaKagiso Trust, COO

The year that has just passed has been quite phenomenal in a number of ways and from an internal, partnerships and

programmes point of view for Kagiso Trust (KT/the Trust).

For one, the partnership with Shanduka Foundation and the Free State Department of Education and subsequent formation of the Kagiso Shanduka Trust has been a highlight for this year and has really propelled our vision of building collaborative partnerships and sustainable programmes so as to make a substantial contribution in helping to achieve a society which will off er liberty, justice and freedom from poverty and inequality.

As we forge ahead into the future, one of the things that continues to inspire us, is the decision taken in 1993 by the board and the executives to set up the Kagiso Trust Investments so that the Trust can continue to do the work it does without being dependent on grant funding. Now as Kagiso Tiso Holdings, we celebrate the realisation of our maiden dividend this year.

One of the things that stand out is the exceptional performance of the BNSDP high schools at the 2012 matric exams. The overall performance of the 44 high schools in the programme was 84.1% which was higher than the benchmark of 80%. Four high schools (Khetha Tsebo, Sekgutlong, Mohaladitwe and Beacon) obtained 100% matric pass.

Kagiso Trust fi rmly believes in the positive outcome incentives breed and we welcomed the increased number of schools (20 schools in 2012) that were rewarded with infrastructure because they exceeded the 80% benchmark.

This year the BNSDP rewarded 20 schools (primary and secondary). Primary schools were rewarded with Mathematics Laboratories and Libraries while secondary schools received Libraries, Life and Physical Science Laboratories and Computer Centres.

Thalabodiba SSMosiouoa Lekota SSTlhorong SSMampoi SS

As Kagiso Trust, we continue with our legacy of growing the organisation from the bottom up,

with communities, government and like-minded institutions.

We continue to be inspired by our late trustee Eric Molobi’s proclamation that the organisation must outlive all of us and as long as this country struggles with the challenges of poverty, inequality, discrimination and lack of empowerment, Kagiso Trust will continue to play an important role in responding to these challenges.

responding to the real challenges facing

communities and building partnerships{

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BNSDP Schools in Provincial Top 10Mathematics


Thalabodiba SSMosiouoa Lekota SSTlhorong SSMampoi SS

Mampoi SSTsebo SSTlhorong SS

Kgola Thutho SSMmathabo SS

BNSDP Schools in Provincial Top 10Mathematics

Physical Science

Accounting

In August 2013 we held the fi rst infrastructure launch (remaining schools will be launched in March 2014). The launch was phenomenal and it was great to host the National Minister of Basic Education Mrs Angie Motshekga.

During her key note address the Minister said: “Government alone cannot address the legacy and infrastructure backlogs we’ve inherited. It is against this backdrop that we seek collaborations and partnerships such as the Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme”.

The BNSDP has always emphasised the importance of schools utilising the infrastructure given to them by the programme.

Kagiso Activ has assisted with the computer training of teachers and the University of the Free State is also playing a strategic role in helping to set up science laboratories in our schools and providing basic training for teachers on how to perform experiments.

Once more we relish in the partnership opportunities aff orded to us and we anticipate the coming year as we make our contributions and interventions in more Free State schools and further increase the Kagiso Trust footprint.

Paballo MakosholoInvestment Exec

The annual fi nancial statements for the Kagiso Charitable Trust (Kagiso Trust) for 2012/2013 fi nancial year refl ect a solid fi nancial performance and good governance in the unqualifi ed audit opinion.

This partnership with Shanduka and the Free State Department of Education is signifi cant for the Trust as it marks, through its own funds and funds from the partnership, over R600 million raised for education in the Free State to date and contributes to growing the positive legacy already established by the Trust.

The Trust continues to look at opportunities that will contribute to the infl ow of cash to fund our development. Our commitment to assist other like-minded NGOs to be sustainable remains unchanged. Looking at our cash and near cash provision, we remain solid and are able to meet our funding obligations and continue our work for the next fi ve years. Overall the Trust has a strong foundation from which it is able to continue its objective of funding development work and eradicating poverty through education and enterprise development.

HOW HAS KAGISO TRUST

HELPED YOU?Name: Nothile JiyaneMatriculated: Mpumelelo Secondary School, Mpumalanga, 2008Graduated: University of Pretoria, Gauteng, BCom Financial Management Sciences, 2012Employment: Finance Intern, Kagiso Trust

PROFILE

Take us through your life as a grade 12 learner: what was going on in your life,

both at home and at school.

I grew up staying with my mother, grandmother, my aunt and her two children. I was raised to be respectful and because my mother was the breadwinner, my grandmother took care of me. I was quite a shy child who enjoyed being indoors and I paid a lot of attention to my academic work. As a result, I was an outstanding pupil and every year I would receive merit certifi cates. When I was in matric my little sister was born, so that was a highlight.

While in high school what did you know about Kagiso Trust, what was their intervention at your school, the general feeling around Kagi-so Trust in your school?

Without internet access, I knew nothing about Kagiso Trust. It was only when I was told about the Eric Molobi Scholarship Programme thatyour matric year, Kagiso Trust had already included your school in its BNSDP programme. I was fi rst introduced to Kagiso Trust. During

Did this not make an impact?

Well, not so much to us as grade 12 learners. We did not have any computers and had to attend Saturday Computer Classes which were hosted by the Kgatelopele Project. While doing my fi rst year in university, however, I heard that Kagiso Trust was providing my high school with a library, computers and other infrastructure.

When you were writing your � nal exams, what challenges did you encounter?

In terms of studying I was confi dent. I worried about fi nances to further my education because I knew that it would be diffi cult for my family to aff ord it. So I told myself that I just need to study hard and do really well in order to get a schol-arship. My mother, though, gave me hope and helped me to write my fi nal without too much stress. She said, “I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure you study next year”.

How did you � nd out and end up applying for the Eric Molobi Scholarship Programme?

Our Life Orientation teachers selected a number of outstanding learners, of which I was also part, and they gave us the forms to fi ll out.

Relay the story of how it was when you heard the good news that you were going to be part of the programme?

I had applied to the University of Pretoria and was accepted. I received a call from Kagiso Trust saying that I was to attend an interview for the Eric Molobi Scholarship Programme. My moth-er accompanied me to the interview. The Pro-gramme was explained and how it would cater for everything I needed while at university, in-cluding food, textbooks and a monthly stipend. We were so happy; it was a dream come true. I no longer needed to worry about the payment of tertiary fees.

What were the di� erences from the environ-ment you came from to life as a student?

There were so many activities that were compul-sory for fi rst year students. Luckily for me there was a family friend who was also studying at the university at the time and she helped me adjust to tertiary life.

How was tertiary life?

Tertiary life was challenging. In Mpumalanga we were taught English and Mathematics in isiNde-bele and in university it was English all the way. So the communication aspect was quite a chal-lenge but I managed.

And graduation?

Graduation… (Nothile pauses, her eyes sparkle with tears. She apologises and attempts to com-pose herself ) Graduation day… I wish my mom was there with me. All the support was there from my family; my aunts and uncles contributed for the occasion. It was exciting, you know, you have achieved what you have always wanted (Another pause). As I said, I wish my mom was there; we were looking forward to the day together and we actually had plans.

What plans did you have on what you’d do following graduation and what actually happened?

During our matric dance there was a spokesper-son who told us that we’ll be the ones who will put cheese on the table at home. I realised that I will be that change in my family. I had plans to work once I graduated and before graduation I received assistance from a student advisor from REAP (EMSP student support service provider). She assisted with the writing of my CV and cover letter and they were sent to Kagiso Trust. I then got the news that I had received the Finance In-tern position.

www.kagiso.co.za 9Kagiso Trust InBriefwww.kagiso.co.zawww.kagiso.co.zawww.kagiso.co.zawww.kagiso.co.za


Infi nite HopeTh e only constant is change, so the saying goes. And so much has changed since our country’s liberation and the times of Steve Biko, Chris Hani, Beyers Naudé and many others. Revisiting the lives and struggle of these great men and seeing the current state of our nation, it is clear that the times we are living in and the result of democracy is not without its challenges.

Finite disappointments but infi nite hope: this was the theme for the third Beyers Naudé Memorial Lecture held at the Nelson Mandela

Metropolitan University (NMMU) in Port Elizabeth. The lecture was presented by Father Peter-John Pearson, priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cape Town. As Father Pearson addressed the audience, he exposed the contradictory society we live in and the power which hope yields, as Beyers Naudé’s life demonstrated.

Father Peter-John’s address carried with it a number of relevant points which he tied up with the nature and spirit of Beyers Naudé. He mentioned the importance of “raging against the normality of inequality”.

He took us back to the apartheid regime where one could easily fi nd many black and white South Africans who had come to accept inequality as a norm – regardless of whether they perceived it to be right or wrong. Father Peter-John highlighted Beyers Naudé as one of those individuals who “possessed an anger at the way things were and had the courage to change them”. How relevant and necessary this state of mind is, even today. During apartheid racial inequality ruled and post-apartheid, we are confronted with other forms of inequality.

One of Kagiso Trust’s primary mandates is the alleviation of poverty through education and as we are aware, quality education costs. Because of the prominent economic inequality in our country, there are thousands upon thousands of children who need for society to take up the struggle

and possess the courage to change how things are. Father Peter-John, speaking passionately in a poetic voice which appealed to much of the audience, majority of which were youth, felt strongly about the “redistribution of wealth and empowering of the youth”. Approving applause followed.

However, Father Peter-John warned against “hope being a purely utopian idea”. As could be seen in the life of Beyers Naudé, his hope was one that led him to act against the injustices of his time. Oom Bey, as Beyers Naudé was fondly called, did not merely sit back and hope that apartheid would end, he had hope that through doing whatever he could, he would be making a change and ultimately, apartheid would end.

Beyers Naudé sought hope during a time where there was only darkness and this hope saw him overcome his obstacles through actions. Father Peter-John took on a motivational role as he encouraged the attendees to allow hope to propel them to action against injustices.

A reality is that should one take a stance against the ‘system’, it is not easy and one faces condemnation. Fear often drives away the intent to act and it is then, Father Peter-John stated, that “we need to be confi dent in our own instincts”. Having courage and trusting in our instincts allows us to act without fear, or to be more precise, act in spite of our fears. And this all starts with hope.

Following Father Peter-John ‘s address, learners, students and lecturers received an opportunity to engage with the father.

Questions and commenting included the diminishing role and activism of the church, negotiating economic liberation, and language (not race) creating a divide in society.

In his vote of thanks, Kagiso Trust Chairperson Dean Zwo Nevhutalu urged the audience to “listen to the prophets of today” as his generation had listened to their prophets. Their prophets came in the form of the struggle/liberation heroes (well-known and otherwise).

Our prophets, in whichever form they come, are those who have hope, courage and ultimately act against the injustices prevalent in our society. And so in remembering Beyers Naudé, we were encouraged by his “infi nite hope” despite “fi nite disappointments”.

About the Beyers Naudé Memorial Lecture Series

A Kagiso Trust initiative, the Beyers Naudé Memorial Lectures are a series of lectures held over a period of three years at a tertiary institution. 2013 is the fi rst year at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU). The purpose of the lectures is to keep Beyers Naudé’s legacy alive and to remember the values that are integral to making South Africa a country we are proud

to be a part of.

The inaugural series of the Beyers Naudé Memorial Lecture were held in partnership with the University of Pretoria, followed by the University of Stellenbosch and thereafter the University of the Free State.

Kagiso Trust Chairperson, Dean Zwo Nevhutalu with NMMU SRC president and deputy president


NELISIWE MAKHUBU

Studying Electrical Engineering at the Central University of Technology (CUT)

Nelisiwe’s roots are in Qwaqwa in the Free State where she lived with her mother and two brothers. Her mother, who is the breadwinner, works as a

domestic worker barely earning enough to cover household expenses.

Having performed well in the theoretical part of her studies, Nelisiwe needs only to receive in-service training to enable her to graduate.

Take that Bold Step and help Nelisiwe and other EMSP students graduate by providing them with a chance to use their acquired skills.

– Sello Semenya, Managing Director of SFC Engineers (Pty) Ltd, a company that has been supporting the EMSP for the past seven years.

“We must invest in our own in order to grow our country”


YOUR DREAM IS POSSIBLEThe Resilience Network Programme Certificate Ceremony

Sneaking into the lecture hall where 37 learners, clad in graduation gowns, are rehearsing their presentations and the Resilience

acronym, goose bumps run through my body. “I am Resilient, I am Enthusiastic, I am Self-Confident, I am Inspired, I am Loving, I am Innovative, I am Encouraged, I Network, I am Creative, I am an Enigma!” Their voices chanting in unison reverberate off the walls.

These young people constitute of outstanding learners from ten of the Beyers Naudé Schools Development Programme (BNSDP) schools in the Thabo Mafutsanyana district in the Free State. On this Saturday, 9 November 2013, the learners are gathered at the University of the Free State for their ‘graduation’ in recognition of the work they put in the programme since February of this year.

The Resilience Network Programme is targeted at grooming learners to be youth leaders and social entrepreneurs, and most importantly, to be resilient. Having completed its first phase, gaining self-

confident and learning how to be leaders, the day had finally come where they would showcase the skills they had learnt in front of a hall full of parents, teachers, their mentors, fellow learners and representatives from the Resilience Network and Kagiso Trust.

Upon entering the hall where everyone awaited them, the learners proudly bellowed the Resilience acronym and, not surprisingly, this was followed by a resounding round of applause from the audience. Khaya Magopeni of the Resilience Network was programme director and ensured that although the programme started twenty minutes late, the learners were not deprived of sufficient time for their presentations. After all, this was their day.

The learners, in groups of four or five, presented the meanings of the words which make up the Resilience acronym.

And the way they elaborated on words such as Enigma and being able to see how this meant that they are a work in progress revealed that these learners’ minds are open

to possibilities which many of their peers only dare dream could exist. Parents were also given the platform to voice their thoughts on how the Resilience Network Programme has affected their children and the message that rang throughout was that their children were “so disciplined”, “more respectful”, “have more confident” and “I didn’t know s/he spoke English so well”.

Following their presentations, the learners even explained to the audience why they were speaking and presenting in English “When I speak English, you are all able to understand me whereas where I to speak another language, let’s say isiXhosa, not everyone here would be able to understand”.

And confident these young people were; the way they engaged with the audience made everyone feel relaxed and laughter often filled the hall.

As the learners were awarded their certificates, R Kelly’s The World’s Greatest played in the background - how fitting.


In becoming a leader, the learners learnt that academic excellence is not enough; thus the Resilience acronym proclaiming that they are self-confident, loving, innovative and the other qualities that are essential to leading effectively. Kagiso Trust Chief Executive Officer, Kgotso Schoeman, addressed the mentors and mentees expressing his pride in how far they have come and guaranteed that this was not the end of the road.

“It has just started”, he declared. “Next year we expect all of you to run these resilience projects in your own schools and

communities”.

He also stressed that the programme is about creating character in the learners: “isimilo”. The lessons of Ubuntu and ploughing back to one’s community are part of the programme, thus the emphasis on Network. Professor Lulu Tshiwula, who conceptualised the Resilience Network Programme, explained to parents that their children are often overlooked because they do well at school.

“Schools and government focus on the underperformers, no-one takes the time to encourage these outstanding performers and ensure that they continue to perform”.

She said that the Resilience Network Programme recognised the learners work and in creating this network, the learners would have other people to turn to when they needed encouragement or simply felt alone.

Following the ceremony and the entertainment provided in the form of fellow learners gum boot dancing and sharing traditional Sotho dancing, the learners excitedly hugged each other, took photos of each other and chatted away in high octaves.

As I took the learners’ group photo, the moment seemed surreal: here these children were in front me, their certificates either clutched to their chests or waved in the air, bright and beautiful smiles on their faces. Here they were these grade 10s, filled with so much hope and anticipation for the future and they knew, as we all did, that their dreams are possible.

www.kagiso.co.za14 Kagiso Trust InBrief www.kagiso.co.zawww.kagiso.co.za


There comes a moment in all our lives where we are forced to take a good look at ourselves, refl ect and, hopefully, progress. Such moments, as much as we may dread them,

are necessary and can even be beautiful. It is important, however, that during these precious moments we do not fall victim to emotions of guilt and self-pity.

Giving is one of the best things human beings can do to show that they care. Whether one gives attention, gives love, gives money, gives food, gives friendship or something as simple as a smile. Giving is not just a one-way street: yes, the recipient feels good but the giver is also left feeling all warm and fuzzy inside. At least that’s the case when the giver is earnest in the giving. The beauty of giving lies primarily in that the giver plays a role in making someone else’s life better; no matter how big or small the eff ect, it is signifi cant.

Working at Kagiso Trust I have had the opportunity to be both the giver and the recipient. And having experienced both sides of the coin, I was forced to encounter that moment where I take a good look at myself, refl ect and, hopefully, progress.

I have had the opportunity to give: give my services to the organisation, give a greeting smile to my colleagues and give a monthly contribution to the Bold Step Campaign. The latter, is the seed that has birthed this self-refl ective piece. The Bold Step Campaign was launched last year during June, otherwise known as Youth

Month. The whole idea behind Bold Step is to raise funds, awareness and in-service training opportunities for the Eric Molobi Scholarship Programme (EMSP).

All the students who end up on the EMSP come from disadvantaged backgrounds and would, in most cases, otherwise not have had the opportunity to further their studies and become self-suffi cient, socially-conscious individuals. Having encountered this challenge of fi nancing my studies, the campaign tugged at my heart strings. I thought back to my varsity days and how it was a struggle to stay focused when I lacked so much in other areas such as being able to buy textbooks and aff ording bus fare to attend my classes.

I almost fell into the self-pity trap. Instead, to my advantage, I counted my blessings: despite the fact that I had not attained my degree (and not all of this can be blamed on lack of resources and fi nance; I lost the will to carry on studying), I was able to get employment in my fi eld of study.

So, when asked to contribute towards the EMSP through the Bold Step Campaign, I didn’t even think twice. I was, and still am, happy to make my monthly contribution and “give the gift of education”.

And yes, giving does feel good. As the receiver, however, many things can stand in the way of making one feel good. Feelings of not being deserving of the gift, being too proud to accept the gift and not wanting to appear like a charity case. I have come to

learn that as much as we enjoy giving, we should also learn to enjoy receiving. There is a fi ne line though because other people lack gratitude, they expect people to give to them, there is that sense of entitlement which takes away the beauty in giving and receiving.

Education is not to be taken lightly; it really is the most powerful tool one can have. Education opens up so many doors and aff ords one to do the things that they want to do. Education can turn around the living conditions of an individual, a family, a community and a country. And I have to admit, education is truly the best gift to give.

Its ripple eff ects far outlast any other gift I can think of. Its infl uence can be felt generations down the line. Even the single act of taking up education teaches one that perseverance, dedication and discipline pave the way to success. When we look at our country’s icons, they were educated men and women. They knew that liberation came not by freeing our bodies, but ultimate freedom was the freeing of our minds.

I thank the likes of Sol Plaatje, Steve Biko, Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Frank Chikane, Khanyi Dhlomo, Mamphele Ramphele, Naledi Pandor, Kgotso Schoeman, Themba Mola, Nontando Mthethwa and many more that have shown me, through their own actions more than anything else, that education is the key that unlocks the door to a world of opportunities.


Contributed by: Mzomhle NyenjanaKagiso Trust Finance Manager

Money Matters: Festive SpendingOne would agree that the mood of the festive season is generally tempting towards spending and there is the illusion that this is the reward after a long year. This celebration is partly necessary but needs to be exercised with caution.

Three easy-to-implement tips:

1. Draft your personal budget. This entails your income less your expenses. This will either result in a surplus (extra money) or deficit (money shortage). The festive sea-son comes and goes. Splurging should only be entertained if there is surplus. It does not help spend-ing on entertainment or luxurious items at the expense of necessi-ties.

2. Avoid bad credit. Let us not for-get that January is around the cor-ner and would be very unfortunate if you have spent all that money

and creditors are calling. Bad credit results in serious repercus-sions i.e. you become a high risk to credit providers. This may pre-clude you from obtaining loans on houses or cars which are deemed responsible credit.

3. Plan and pay ahead. Deposit for school fees, transport costs and buying of school clothes should be done early in December before the festive season to ensure a bal-anced spending on the necessary items.

The last thing you need in January is to seek personal loans or risk

having your children not getting proper education. There should be a process of sav-ing during the year to ensure that there is enough to spend over the festive season. One option is the 13th cheque for companies that don’t make it standard, as it forc-es saving.

We should also remember that prices generally go up in Decem-ber therefore certain Christmas goodies should be bought during the year.


A Healthy Better YouIt’s all about the lifestyle…


Exercise does not play a major role in my life: Everyday usually starts with taking a lift from the seventh floor of my building,

crossing a street to catch a taxi, cross the next street and catch another taxi which drops me off right in front of the gate at work.

At least I take the single flight of stairs leading up to our offices. I spend most of the day at my desk in front of a laptop and occasionally get up to make some coffee. After work the routine remains the same, just in reverse.

Many of us spend so much time doing work but not working out. We get so engrossed in our corporate lives and jobs that we forget to take care of the most important thing: our health. In trying to find out how we can better improve our lifestyles, I had a chat with Paballo Makosholo and Barry Willis.

Paballo is the Investments and Finance Executive at Kagiso Trust and anyone who has known him for more than two years will tell you that he has undergone quite the transformation. From ‘slender’ to ‘stud’, the change can be contributed to Paballo’s diet and exercise.

“My weekdays start at 4am, by 5am I am at the gym and I usually get home around 6am” shares Paballo. “On Sunday mornings I go to the gym and play soccer in the afternoon. The soccer helps with my cardio. I’m not the running or jogging type so it’s

important to find a sport or form of exercise that one enjoys and soccer does that for me.” And to top all of that, he also attends Bodytec for a 20-minute workout once a week.

You may be wondering what this Bodytec is… so did I. A week later I am at Bodytec strapped up and fighting against the powerful force pressing my body in all directions and working out muscles I never knew I had. “Unlike conventional exercise, the EMS is able to go straight to your muscles and even the ones that you’re normally not aware of”, Barry Willis owner of Bodytec Rosebank explains.

The EMS to which he refers is electro muscular stimulation. So this is Bodytec, I think as I breathe heavily, sweat already sprinkled on my brow after only five minutes of the workout.

Wearing just tights and a top provided by Bodytec, Barry informs me that there needs to be no barrier prohibiting the EMS from reaching my muscles and weird as it is, I watch as he sprays water onto the vest, the arm and leg straps and the bum belt.

“The water acts as a conductor so that the electricity can travel to your muscles”, says Barry. I nod in understanding; as long as I don’t get electrocuted, I think. And electrocuted I wasn’t, instead I get more than I bargained for. The tingling which initially made me laugh turns into tiny fast vibrations

which extend all the way to my fingertips. Barry tells me to tense my muscles and fight the force that is going through my body.

He takes me through some exercises while the EMS does its thing. A simple stretch of the leg takes so much energy – it is truly a workout.

Having grasped what Bodytec is all about, it makes sense why anyone would opt for the 20-minute workout, once a week. Many people who are in the corporate really don’t have time for gym.

“Things that matter get

done.” Paballo continues, “The key is to make good health a priority and incorporate it into your daily routine. This could mean that you start your day slightly early or end it slightly late. For the time-strapped individual, a walk during lunch would also help. Good health would have to be part of your lifestyle.”

Sacrificing a mere 20 minutes from one’s schedule is not too much to ask for; especially when the result are equivalent to three 90-minute workouts a week with weights.

Paballo (top right) stretching before a game of soccer


Diet plays a major role in maintaining a healthy lifestyle: “without being accompanied by a healthy diet, the exercise won’t be of much help” warns Paballo.

Eating unhealthy foods combats exercise and so it is important to keep that balance. Known for being somewhat of an authoritarian, it is no wonder Paballo remarks that unhealthy eating habits are a result of lack of discipline. “For me, food should be taken for medicinal reasons and physical health.”

The benefits of healthy living, however, are well worth the pain:

> Decreased stress levels> Decreased chances of contracting common ailments

> Decreased risk of future health problems such as high-blood, diabetes, obesity, etc.

> Increased energy and alertness > And increased physical attractiveness (I may have made that one up but it’s true)

For more information on Bodytec visit www.bodytec.co.za

Paballo recommends sorbet as a healthy summer

Bodytec Rosebank owner Barry Willis


The abuse of our women and children has reached alarming proportions not only in this country but worldwide. In fact we have now got to

the point where we have become so hardened, that each shocking story, while it riles you up as you read the headlines, fades again once you fall back into your normal routine.

What does it take for us as a society to stand up against the horror of abuse? To impose the harshest penalties on the perpetrators? Why don’t communities get more involved and report abuse as and when it happens without fear of reprisal? Why don’t authorities act immediately and with sensitivity to assist those most in need?

The scourge of rape cannot be justified. No means no! We owe it to our children to protect them at all costs. A man that raises his hand to a woman is not a

real man! There are various initiatives that are launched during the year to bring about awareness of abuse in our society. The “16 days of activism against gender based violence” is a national campaign that runs from 25 November to 10 December. It is gratifying to see local radio station Jacaranda 94.2 FM hosting an annual event to commemorate this very serious topic. Their annual Sisters with Blisters walk is hosted towards the end of November (this year on 23 November).

With Jacaranda 94.2 FM being part of the Kagiso Tiso Holdings family (80% owned by Kagiso Media), it is our privilege to participate in such a worthwhile initiative.

Our philosophy surrounding participation in this event is, “the more the merrier – let’s spread the message that violence has no place

in our society” and we collate teams made up of Kagiso Tiso Holdings, Kagiso Trust, Tiso Foundation, Kagiso Media and Knowledge Factory – to name a few.

As a hugely social event, we dress up for the day in the weirdest and wackiest outfits – the brighter the better. Having participated for the past 6 years in some form or another, I think we have seen it all. Initially the Sisters with Blisters walk was set up with everyone (men and women) meant to wear heels.

From the discomfort experienced during the walk and subsequent blisters, people would be made more aware of the plight that many women and children face on a daily basis. However, the risk of sprained ankles and the need for more participation has seen the implementation of more comfortable wedges, takkies, slops

We Support: Walking for a Purpose

Contributed by: Theresa GriffithsHead: Marketing and Corporate Social Investment at Kagiso Tiso Holdings


In past years, huge downpours and traffic jams have not put a damper on the walker’s spirits. Posing for pictures with men in drag is probably a highlight of the day.

Fishnet stockings and heels look stunning on some men – no really?! Rubbing shoulders on the day with celebrities who support the cause

shows that no-one is immune.Participation in such a great event is a great teambuilding initiative and while we have a great many laughs on the day – the cause is very serious. Funds raised are distributed to various worthy NGOs who do such great work with the victims of abuse. Your entrance fee of R100 goes directly to organisations such as Women and

Men against Child Abuse and Sonke Gender Justice Network.

It is certainly good to know that by association, the Kagiso family is doing something in aid of this most worthy cause, and if it provides a platform to bring us closer together, we are all for it!


Port Elizabeth is known for its unpredictable weather and friendly bunch yet what many people do know is that PE is one of the best places to holiday in: laid-back, chilled, inexpensive and fun. Here are a few places to check out on your visit to PE.

Eat at VOVO

Now a household brand, Vovo Telo offers one of the best café experiences in the country. Freshly baked artisan bread (you can watch as they bake); delectable pas-tries (the pasteis de nata custard pastry is divine); freshly brewed coffee prepared by experienced baristas; and the homey vibe are the order of the day.

When in PE, visit the shop where it all start-ed and enjoy the quaint and quirky suburb of Richmond Hill. Corner of Raleigh and Irvine StreetRichmond Hill041 585 5606

www.vovotelo.co.za


“Delbro Premium is all about sophistica-tion, distinction and style. The merchan-dise includes the most stylish and elegant menswear, shoes and accessories. The focus is going to be on personalized cus-tomer service, attention to detail, and most importantly, providing trendsetting fashion at an affordable price.”

Recommended by PE-based international-ly renowned designer, Laduma Ngxokolo, it’s obvious that if you are looking for style and quality, then this is the place for you to shop, shop, shop.

39 Westbourne RoadCentrahill041 373 2617www.delbropremium.co.za

A stone-throw away from the beach, the Radisson is classy and affords visitors a luxurious and relaxing stay. Whether you want to tan at the swimming pool outside Tabu Bar & Lounge while sipping on a mojito or enjoy a hearty meal with your family and friends at the Tabu Grill. The rooms are spacious and offer a great view of the beach.

Corner of Marine Drive and 9th Avenue Summerstrand 041 509 5000www.radissonblu.com/hotel-portelizabeth

Whatever you do in the Friendly City, don’t go away without having a dip in the ocean… or at least getting your feet wet.

Idyllic beaches include Hobie Beach and Bluewater Bay. You may snorkel, surf or just splash around at Hobie Beach and you may just spot dolphins at the serene Bluewater Bay. The Port Elizabeth Habour also has quite a number of activities (and seafood) for your enjoyment.

Shop at… Delbro Premium

Sleep at… The Radisson Blu Hotel

Enjoy… the Beach



Documents

Kagiso Trust InBrief - December 2013