2022 Achievers’ Results

An ongoing talent shortage is forcing South African organisations to relook at the way they recruit, train, and retain staff.
Research shows that people under 35 are expected to make up 75% of the workforce by 2030. The need to successfully handle a much younger workforce has become ever more important especially as older, more experienced employees exited the workforce during the pandemic.
Having fresh young talent is crucial to the success of a business, setting it apart from competitors. What is not so obvious is that more than a quarter are likely to quit in the first three years of joining an organisation.
Prudence Mabitsela, co-founder and managing director of Dynamic DNA, a 51% black female-owned, B-BBEE level two accredited QSE training and skills development provider, explains this is not just because young graduates lack the skills needed to adequately perform during the early years of transitioning to employment. “Those businesses who want to survive need to know how to reduce attrition amongst this newly trained workforce and it begins by looking within.

“Many organisations today are severely limited when it comes to capacity, experience and resources. This means they are unable to successfully mentor and coach new talent – especially through a learnership process.
“Also, they don’t properly measure their output and performance and this greatly hampers young employees’ transition from learning to earning,” says Prudence. Another major problem is the lack of enthusiasm and commitment from relevant internal departments to absorb and allow fresh new talents to learn and grow.

“This is especially a problem in decentralised businesses where other teams and departments often fail to see the long-term benefits a younger workforce will have on their resources and outcomes,” adds Prudence.

According to Prudence, there are four ways businesses can ensure a smooth transition for young workers in their workplace:

You want to align these to potential learning qualifications and socio and enterprise development initiatives currently available on the market. This will not only give learners the opportunity to secure a qualification that guarantees them a job, but also means the business can develop a strong and skilled pool of talent for the future and benefit from relevant tax rebates and skills spend for their BBBEE compliance imperatives.

“Companies need to take a more proactive approach to their recruitment process,” says Prudence. “It begins from the onset with making a clear set of requirements and a thorough vetting process that only selects those candidates that will fit in with the culture and ethos of the business.”
Once on board, these new talents need to be given clearly defined KPIs and development opportunities which will help foster a sense of belonging and pride and boost confidence and morale.“Graduates need to feel more than just a number or name on a tick box, but a valued resource.”

Companies need to look at the individual components and departmental gaps holistically to see how they can beneficially feed into each other when it comes to allocating experienced and committed mentors to recruits.
“Young workers can become despondent if they do not have regular reviews on their input and performance. This engagement makes all the difference to their outcomes. Feeling acknowledged feeds into their passion to become more and paves their way into the business,” adds Prudence.

Managing staff is an integral part of ensuring the successful completion of their learning journey, ensuring each candidate is well equipped with the knowledge of their role and responsibilities.
“Good management will help dictate how serious an employee is taking their new journey and identify possible further mentorship opportunities, assistance and guidance that may be required,” concludes Prudence.

There is an urgent need for women to follow a career path in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
This is according to Willowmoore High School (Benoni) alumni Zaainaz Hansa.
Now an IT student at the North West University, Zaainaz was part of Vodacom’s #CodeLikeAGirl programme, which the telecoms company introduced in 2017 to tackle the widening gender gap in STEM careers.
She argued that increased participation of women in science-related industries will ensure there’s diversity and more inclusive solutions.
“The jobs of the future will require education and skill development in STEM.
“Sadly, with only 35% of STEM students in higher education globally being women, the gender gap hinders progress.
“Females can bring a unique and valuable dimension to this industry,” she commented.
“Despite companies like Vodacom making tremendous strides toward increasing women’s participation, a gender gap persists, with only 13% of female graduates in the field in South Africa.
“It is critical that as females we don’t stay in the shadows. We must emerge and make our voices heard.
“We must speak up when we feel discriminated against or when we see it. We must not condone it.
“When we speak up, we need to support each other so we don’t become isolated or victimised,” Zaainaz added.
She participated in and won phase one of #CodeLikeAGirl last year and Vodacom subsequently offered to fund her BSc IT degree.
“I’ve been involved with Vodacom as alumni, being afforded the platform to speak at phase two #CodeLikeAGirl 2021 iteration and at the #CodeLikeAGirl 2022 press release in July.
A voracious reader who’s always ready to challenge herself, Zaainaz hopes to inspire the next generation of girls who want to pursue a career in STEM. “STEM, especially coding, can be very empowering. This is no more a luxury but rather a necessity in the current context of our economy where unemployment is high and given the changing dynamics globally due to technology. “Through such skills development, women especially can become more liberated in the workplace and on a personal level,” she concluded.

Zaainaz Hansa is an IT student at North West University.

It is common for children to get excited about signing up for new extracurricular activities at the start of every new year or term. Your child can do everything from horseback riding to martial arts, music lessons, and dance. Let’s face it, however, these activities are expensive.
Extracurricular activities help kids build confidence, self-esteem, and have fun, as any parent will tell you. Additionally, they can provide after-school care. This is why many parents spend a lot of money on their children’s extracurricular activities.
A study from Oxford Home Schooling found 77% of parents admitted they feel immense pressure to find extra weekly cash for activities, sports, tuition and clubs. According to the data, six in 10 (58%) parents feel they have to find the money because their children love their chosen activities, while 35% said they want to give their offspring every possible chance in life.

Which is why it pays to remember, extra curricular activities are just that extras, not necessities, so here’s how to cope as costs go up.

1. Be open with your children
   No one wants to restrict their child’s activities, but with the rising cost of living, we often have to make practical decisions. If cutting back on extracurricular activities is one of them, it helps to keep your kids in the loop.
   Firstly talk to your child in an age-appropriate way about what’s happening this year with their activities. It’s always better to be honest and open about what’s happening, rather than leaving it until the last minute to tell kids they can’t take part. Talking about it teaches kids some good financial lessons about managing money. As ever, keep your discussions simple and age-appropriate – and be sure to ask if your child has any questions, so you can manage any anxieties they may have.
   Talk to them about:
   • How you have to prioritise your budget. Instead of saying, “We can’t afford it” – which could lead to some kids imagining you have no money – say, “We have to use the money for other things such as X and Y.”
   • Discuss needs versus wants and how money has to be managed in a household. Be sure to emphasise how you’re all in this together and though you understand they want to do X, you have to pay for other things right now.
   • Talk to them about how they can help by saving, earning, budgeting and making decisions about their spending. Perhaps they want to set up a savings goal for a particular class, or use their pocket money to pay towards sports equipment or a musical instrument.
   
   2. Give them a choice
   It can also help to give kids a choice of which activities to do. If you’re limited by price, availability or location, opt for an either / or option. For example: swimming or football, ballet or drama. Look for clubs that do early bird or sibling discounts or deals when you pay in advance, and prioritise those that don’t tie you into long-term contracts in case your circumstances change. All of these options can save you between 5 and 15%.
   If you can only afford one activity, then take time to explain which is the better option. For example, swimming is a must for the holidays, a life skill, and one activity that opens up other activities such as water parks and various water sports.
   
   3. Find cheaper alternatives
   Not all extracurriculars cost the same when it comes to kids’ activities and clubs. So if you want to cut back, why not try to find a cheaper option. Ask on local Facebook groups, look in your local library and enlist the help of other parents in your area to find classes that fit your budget.
   For example the following are lower in cost:
   • Group lessons over private one-to-one lessons.
   • If your child is learning to play a musical instrument, rent the instrument, rather than buy, especially if you think your child may lose interest.4. Be smart about extracurricular equipment
   From martial arts uniforms, to ballet shoes, tennis racquets and guitars, there is always a parent who has barely used accessories and equipment that they will quite happily pass on. Don’t be afraid to ask on your local WhatsApp groups, and look on local Facebook groups.
   *Source: GoHenry and Pexels.

It’s that time of year when some matriculants are anxiously awaiting the results of their exams and starting to consider whether to further their education and get a technical or academic qualification.
Getting a qualification is a big commitment, both financially and the time and effort you’ll need to invest to get your degree or diploma.
According to a Careers Portal story on the high drop-out rates at South African universities, over half of the students who apply for university do not complete the first year. This high drop-out rate is not only due to poor academic performance but also because many students run out of money.
Education is among the top reasons people give when applying for loans with specialist loan provider.
Monita Zeterberg, communications manager at DirectAxis, says there are some important questions to consider before you decide to enrol for any post-matric qualification.
Unfortunately, many of these are financial and even with government funding for some students, affordability will remain a problem for many.
Starting a course if you can’t afford to complete it, makes it much less likely you’ll ever go back and get the qualification.
Whether you’re able to obtain a loan or bursary, there are still some important questions to consider.

1. Can you afford the university or college you want to attend?
You may have your sights set on a particular institution, but it’s worth doing some research. According to the BusinessTech website, first year university fees are on average R62 000, but this can vary considerably depending on the university and the course.
It’s sensible to research all the options that are available before deciding which is the most suitable. You can find a list of accredited institutions on the website of the South African Qualifications Authority and follow the Qualifications and Part Qualification link. Bear in mind that the most expensive may not always be the best option for you.

2. Other than tuition fees, what other costs do you need to consider?
Remember that in addition to the course fees you’ll have to pay application and registration fees. Some bursaries and funders do not pay these costs.
You will also have to pay for books, other course material, stationery and possibly a laptop or other device. Most reputable institutions will provide information on what you’ll require, where to get it and what it will cost. If you can, it’s also worth speaking to past students to confirm this information and find out if you can buy second-hand books or other equipment you’ll need.
If the institution is far from home you’ll have to budget for food, accommodation and possibly even data or Wi-Fi connectivity. If you’re staying at home, you may be lucky enough to not have to worry about rent, food or data, but may need to pay for transport to and from campus.

1. Are you getting value for money?
   There’s more to tertiary institutions than just academic life, particularly if you’re planning to spend three or more years of your life earning a qualification. If you can, visit the campus beforehand to get a feel for it and to check out the facilities.
   Ask about student support such as tutoring, guidance or career counselling.
   You won’t spend all your time studying, so also consider what non-academic activities and facilities are provided. Find out what sports are offered and if there are other clubs and societies that interest you.
   “Education can bring great rewards but registering for a tertiary qualification is a big financial commitment,” said Monita.
   “That’s why you should think carefully about what you want to do and how the qualification will help you achieve this, before deciding on the best course and institution.”
   * Source: DirectAxis and Pexels.

As many fresh-faced matrics kick-off their final school year, many are already contemplating the next step.
Will they be able to attend university? Will their Grade 11 and 12 grades meet the criteria? Could I qualify for a bursary? What course should I enroll in?
There are a plethora of decisions that need to be made before penning the first of your study notes.
Marcu Retief, a third year student at North-West University (NWU) and the former deputy head boy of School of Achievement, faced these and many more questions as the emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic threatened to derail his future plans.
Through hard work and dedication, Marcu was accepted at NWU, qualifying for a full bursary through the Gauteng City Regional Academy to study Baccalaureus Educationis in senior, further education and training phase Mechanical Technology education.
“I decided to apply to NWU because an older school friend could not stop talking about the vibrant student life in Potchefstroom,” he said.
“While doing further research regarding the boarding options on campus, I was drawn to Ratau Lebone, which is one of the oldest and most celebrated male hostels on campus.
“It has is entrenched in rich traditions, boasting unsurpassed academic and sporting achievements.”
Recently elected as one of 10 members of the house committee, by 186 fellow residents, Marcu will oversee the university’s Jool and maintenance portfolio.
“This means that my team and I will be responsible for designing and building our house’s 2023 Jool float while ensuring that the hostel remains in tip-top condition in terms of routine and emergency maintenance,” Marcu explained.
“Being an active role player in the hostel means that I am actively working towards maintaining the positive image of our home away from home.”
Overwhelmed
Thinking back on his arrival on campus in 2021, Marcu admits that he felt overwhelmed and lost as he saw his family leave.
“Suddenly, I was alone to make my own decisions in a world of freedom, yet I was a small fish in a big ocean,” he said.
“Living on campus, I had to dig deep, hold on to my values and become independent. Fortunately, the house seniors, or dads as we refer to them, offered valuable advice and supported first-year students every step of the way. Their guidance and mentorship was invaluable.”
His first year was still one of great adaption with classes taking place virtually. A number of campus activities were suspended due to lockdown regulations.
Remaining dedicated, Marcu meticulously drew up schedules to ensure that he logged on for virtual lectures, submitted assignments on time while allowing adequate time for study and exam preparation.
“Balance is key. Yes, you do want to go out and enjoy time with friends, but these times are more pleasurable if you know your academics are up to date,” he said.
“True friends and house brothers will motivate you and respect your choices to skip out on social events to complete your work.”
Lessons
Speaking of the most valuable lessons he has learnt since residing at NWU, Marcu says appreciating his parents’ trust was first and foremost.
“My parents supported my decision to come to Potch and my dad did everything in his power to assist me in securing my place and bursary.
“I do not want to break their trust by fooling around and not focusing on my studies,” he said.
“I want to be a student and house committee member that other first year students can look up to. I am a representation of my upbringing. I am proud of the values that have been instilled in me.”
Must-haves
Despite the long list of items needed to settle into on-campus living, Marcu says that there are three items no student should ever be without.
“My phone is obvious, as it keeps me in contact with my family and friends. However, I do not let my tablet out of my sight as all my books and modules are digitally stored on it. It beats having to lug mountains of books from lecture to lecture,” he said.
“Lastly, my student card as it grants me access to mostly every nook and cranny of the campus, from the gym to the library.
“It even secures discounts at certain outlets in town. As a student budgeting is vital and every discount makes the budget stretch just a little further.”