McKinsey Internship

If you approach problems from a lateral perspective, appreciate the power of creative solutions and are a top-performing student in your third year of study – then you are the type of person we’d like to meet. McKinsey & Company offers you the opportunity to apply for a much sought-after internship – Winter Internship Programme from 2-22 July 2012.

McKinsey Winter Internship Program 2012

Winter Internship Opportunities

The Johannesburg Office is proud to offer a Winter Internship Programme that is open to students currently in their third year of study. Our winter interns are allowed to get a firsthand view of what a career with us can provide.

What is the Winter Internship Program?

The 3 week programme runs from 2 July and 22 July and is designed to give you an insight into life at McKinsey. This is your chance to get a firsthand account of the day-to-day working life of a McKinsey consultant including some of the challenges and pressures presented by an actual engagement (our term for client projects).
Because you will work as an integral part of an engagement team with responsibilities and assignments that may include data analysis or client presentations, integrity and discretion will be expected. Experienced consultants will provide you with ongoing guidance and coaching, which is fundamental to how we work.
This programme offers a real chance to meet and work with our people: from the partner who will oversee your progress, to the consultants who will work shoulder-to-shoulder with you, to the ‘buddy’ who will act as an informal sounding board. Successful completion of the Winter Internship Programme may lead to an offer of a full-time role.

Who is eligible?

Winter positions in Johannesburg are open to undergraduates in their penultimate year of study.

Apply Here: http://bit.ly/zfNHrP

Microsoft Expand Your Business for Women

Microsoft, in association with Business Engage (previously Women in Finance) will be sponsoring a number of qualifying female entrepreneurs to attend a 5-day “Expand Your Business Programme”. This is another one of Microsoft’s commitments to supporting the development of female entrepreneurs and we invite you to provide a motivation to take part in this campaign should your organisation meet the relevant criteria which is as follows:

• You must have a registered businesses (cc, Pty Ltd or partnership)
• Your business must have been in existence for 1 year or more
• Your business must be SARS compliant
• Your business must have a turnover of R250 000 – R5.5million a year
• You must be the majority shareholder in your business
• You must have a desire to grow your businesses

Steps to participating in the programme:

1. Click here to register (Link: https://secure.mseventssa.co.za/WEDPCampaign2012/)
2. Complete all fields in the registration process
3. Provide a written motivation on why you believe your business is ready for growth and why you believe you should be accepted on the programme (deadline 7th March 2012)
4. You must attend a 1-day Action My Business Growth Workshop in the week commencing 26th March 2012. (Only 50 applicants will be accepted)
5. At the Action My Business Growth Workshop the facilitators will determine if you are one of the qualifying candidates who will enter the second phase of the programme
6. If you are one of the qualifying applicants chosen to go into phase 2 you will then attend a 5-day Expand Your Business Programme in the week commencing 16 April.

Action My Business Growth Workshop

This objective is to assist Growth Orientated Women Entrepreneurs (GOWE) to grow their businesses from small-to-medium scale. This is done through the use of participative training techniques to assist the GOWEs to:

1. Understand the challenges and opportunities of having growth as an objective
2. Identify barriers to growth and strategies to overcome these barriers
3. Understand how to plan for and to manage growth
4. Explore their business’ growth potential
5. Develop realistic action plans for growth
6. Identify new opportunities for sustainable growth
7. Explore entrepreneurs tools for developing action plans to expand their businesses and
8. Go for growth!

Expand Your Business Programme (EYB)

The EYB programme is an integrated support package for growth-oriented enterprises (GOEs) that offers 5 days management training, business counseling and linkages for medium businesses that are rapidly growing to assist them realize their growth ambitions.

The objectives of the Expand Your Business (EYB) programme are:

• Strengthen the business fundamentals and functional areas to prepare the business for growth.
• Assist the enterprises to develop and implement their business growth plans through training and non-training interventions.

The training component of the GOWE EYB programme covers 5 key business management areas of:

• Strategic Management
• Marketing Management
• Human Resources Management
• Operations Management and
• Financial Management

The non-training components of the programme include facilitation of business and financial linkages, individual counselling and business networking.

Original Source for announcement: http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2e60d4844f9d6e7d12f669abb&id=7e764058a9

One Beat

OneBeatSM is an international music exchange that celebrates musical collaboration and social engagement through innovative people-to-people diplomacy. In the fall of 2012, 30 musicians from around the world will come together in the U.S. for four weeks to collaboratively write, produce, and perform original music, and develop ways that music can make a positive impact on our local and global communities.

OneBeat is open to musicians ages 19-35, who demonstrate both an advanced proficiency in their musical work, an interest in cross-genre collaboration, and experience with or interest in developing strategies to use music as a way to improve their communities. One BeatSM is an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by Bang on a Can’s Found Sound Nation. OneBeat builds on Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton’s vision of “smart power” diplomacy. It embraces the use of a full range of diplomatic tools, including music, to bring people, especially youth, together for greater understanding.

Go to http://1beat.org/ to apply.

Fulbright Scholarship

The Fulbright South Africa Post-Graduate Studies Program will be accepting applications for the 2013-14 U.S. academic year until April 20, 2012. This program provides South Africans the opportunity to pursue Master’s or Ph.D. degrees at U.S. academic institutions. South African Ph.D. students can also use this program for a one-year nondegree program to conduct research and/or take courses at a U.S. academic institution. The program is open to South African residents and permanent residents who have a four year Bachelor degree or Honours degree for the Master’s program or a Master’s degree for the Doctoral program. The study grants are competitive and awarded for a period of two years. For more information, please contact Mareka Chabedi at ChabediMM@state.gov or visit our website at http://southafrica.usembassy.gov/postgraduate.html

Alumni Golf Day

Alumnus Vincent Kekana (Tsogo 1988) is organizing a game of golf for Alumni. Message: Greetings! A game of golf is planned for March against another school Alumni. Inviting Tsogo Alumni who play golf so that we can form a team of golfers against this other school alumni. Any Tsogo alumni who plays golf and is interersted can contact Vincent Kekana (Tsogo 1988) at  vincent@risimatigroup.com. This is a great networking opportunity and should be fun.

Overview

Goldman Sachs launched the 10,000 Women programme in March 2008. It is a $100 million, five-year campaign to foster greater shared economic growth by providing 10,000 underserved women around the world with a business and management education. The programme is founded on research conducted by Goldman Sachs, the World Bank, and others which suggests that this kind of investment can have a significant impact on GDP growth.  Research also suggests that such an investment in women can have a significant multiplier effect that leads not only to increased revenues and more employees for businesses, but also healthier, better-educated families, and ultimately more prosperous communities. 10,000 Women is coordinated in local markets by a network of more than 80 academic and NGO partners. More than thirty of the world’s leading business schools are participating in 10,000 Women, including seven of the top ten.

In South Africa, 10,000 Women is managed and delivered by the Gordon Institute of Business Science. By the end of 2013, the school will provide 300 underserved female entrepreneurs with a business and management training delivered by leading faculty and industry specialists. This will be supported by mentorship, networking events, community dialogues and business advisory that will enable the women to grow their businesses.

Applications are now open for the first cohort of fifty women who will begin the programme in March 2012. Classroom sessions will take place at the GIBS Inner City Campus.

Click here to download the application form
Click here to download brochure

Go to original website: http://www.gibs.co.za/default.aspx?pid=2232&stepid=1&oid=401847

Apply Now

Women scientists who are nationals or permanent residents of any country in Sub-Saharan Africa have until 28 February 2012 to apply for the 2012 L’ORÉAL/UNESCO Regional fellowships For Women in Science in Sub-Saharan Africa. The aim of the fellowship is to assist women scientists to achieve a PhD degree in all fields of science. Ten fellowships to the value of US$20,000 will be awarded. The age limit for the applicants is 40 years.

Applications can be made on the online application platform beginning January 1st. In the meantime, you can access the information required for the application at: www.ansti.org All questions should be addressed via email to: unesco-loreal@ansti.org or via mail to The Coordinator, ANSTI-UNESCO, UNESCO Nairobi Office, P.O Box 30592, 00100, Nairobi, Kenya.

More Information: http://www.ansti.org/index.php/women-in-science-in-sub-saharan-africa

PDF of Call for Applications: http://bit.ly/lorealcall

CREAM OF THE CROP: The province’s top 20 matric pupils are congratulated by MEC Raymond Elisha. Picture: THABO RANTLHA Source: The New Age ONline

Excerpt:

Other top achievers were Dikeledi Ntshabele from Tsogo Secondary and Thato Pule from Sol Plaatje Secondary, who both registered 100% in accounting. Rinemare van Schoor from Potchefstroom Gimnasium recorded 98.3% and Obakeng Mataboge from Mothotlung High attained 99.3% in physical science.

Link to story: http://bit.ly/yO8iir

Background (1960 – 1989)

Africa (Source: http://familypedia.wikia.com/wiki/Africa)

The African continent has been stuck in a period of economic stagnation and decay since the late 1960′s and 1970′s. As the winds of political change started sweeping through much of Africa during this period, political and liberation priorities overtook most other priorities – including sustaining economic development. The beginning of this period of political freedom for Africa coincided with a protracted but near-silent ideological war in the northern hemisphere – the Cold War!

Africa being a large provider of resources to the world became a playground for this ‘silent’ war. Many African political leaders simply became pawns of either the capitalist West or Soviet-linked powers. The priority on economic development unfortunately took a back-seat between the late 1960′s (as most of Africa started gaining independence) and a very notable year – 1989!

AFRICA since 1989:

This investment story in Africa arguably begins as the Cold War ends in 1989 – as the Iron Curtain falls ! It comes along positive developments in the end of civil wars and the beginning of the end for most military dictatorships, and notably the beginning of the end of apartheid in South Africa. The fall of apartheid brought about the ending of civil wars in the neighboring countries of Mozambique and Angola.

Since 1990 the African continent has been engaged in a process of economic rehabilitation which I expect will one day be told like the emergence of the Asian Tigers or China in its earlier decades of economic growth.

A little over two decades hence, I write about a frontier investment story that is showing the most positive signs of future growth. This growth story involves a billion people (growing faster than most parts of the world), an increasing youth population and workforce and the continued entrenchment of democracy in Africa.

(1) Population growth, which was once inhibited by war, famine and disease now outpaces most parts of the world,

(2) the Youth population continues to rise and gain a stronger voice ( as we’ve seen during this so-termed ‘Arab Spring’ in North Africa).

(3) the end of dictatorships has brought about a slow but progressive move into democracy. Even the most hardened of dictators is today either reforming or being ‘over-thrown’ by his own people – with recent examples in Tunisia, Egypt and Lybia. In the West African state of Cote d’Ivoire we saw the correction of a political situation that might have prevailed in pre-1989 Africa where ‘leaders’ refused to accept the will of the people!

(4) Democratisation emerges strongly: Ghana remains the shinning light in free and fair elections and democracy but much still needs to be done to improve their political environment. In 2011, Nigeria elected President Jonathan in what most consider to be the most democratic election since the end of the military dictatorships.

SO THE POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT IS IMPROVING….. WHAT OF ECONOMIC INDICATORS? Where should you be looking to invest in Africa?

Given all that’s happening and the positive changes, I highlight the 6 key areas we think investors should look at in making investment decisions:

1. Consumer and Retail
2. Financial Services
3. Telecommunications (esp. around increasing Data Penetration and ‘mobile’ banking)
4. Mining and resources
5. Power and electricity generation
6. Social entrepreneurship – incl. Education, health and social development

SO HOW DO YOU ACCESS THESE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES?

Areas of investment are so vast that one can invest in various forms. Here I have to stress that your ‘investment’ in Africa does not necessarily have to be in monetary terms. This is how i think you should invest in Africa:

(a) Money and/or financial resources,
(b) Time,
(c) Knowledge,
(d) Career,
(e) Leisure

(a) Money or Financial resources

This is the most straight-forward and perhaps the expected way to get access to economic opportunities in Africa. The media often sell us the idea of exploiting Africa’s resources with large financial benefits for the investor. I have to say that although this is an important part of investing directly in Africa, it is still a limiting factor to actually realizing the potential of Africa and its people.

(b) Time

Mandela Day (http://www.mandeladay.com/)

The second line of investment is your Time! Invest your time in thinking and acting for Africa. Invest you time in assisting fellow Africans in building our continent. We tend to underestimate the value of ‘time’ so start with dedicating your time to July 18th – Mandela Day and help your communities, as an example. Invest your time in helping and uplifting the communities you come from and many others that desperately need your help and ability.

(c) Knowledge

Invest your technical and ‘softer’ knowledge and learn more about the countries and people of Africa. As we all know “knowledge is a valuable currency’ – so do what you can to build your knowledge of Africa’s history, present and possible future scenarios. Once you know, you know! It’s a bit like emptying your purse into your head! So know Africa and it’s people well and this will pay huge dividends in future.

(d) Career

If you ever get an opportunity to work elsewhere on the continent – take it with open arms! When you get there, embrace it with open arms even-though your environment might be tougher and unfamiliar. Investing your career in Africa means we need to see you young black South African engineers, doctors and physicians, accountants, architects, bankers, etc. finding jobs in other parts of Africa. In addition we should be open to welcoming fellow Africans to take up skilled positions in South Africa. We need their help and should stop thinking our brothers and sisters don’t have a place in our country – remember after-all that the United States and much of North America was built by emigrants!

(e) Leisure

Thabo Ncalo (Tsogo 1997)

When you choose to travel, make African destinations one of your top choices. Travel the continent in your own time – get in your car and drive to Swaziland, Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, etc. Fly further north to other African destinations – go and see the pyramids of Giza instead of going to London or New York. We need to improve intra-Africa travel. Visit your neighbours. Go and have tea in Morocco if you get the opportunity, a warm Tusker beer in Kenya… and a 2M or Laurentina on the beach in Mozambique. These are the travels you’ll probably find quite memorable and eye-opening!

Investing in Africa is not just about money and financial rewards! It’s about knowing and embracing the cities, town and villages of Africa. It’s about embracing the people of Africa in their shapes, form and mannerisms. So let’s build our continent together and share our resources – remembering that the borders of today’s Africa were never our invention!

By Thabo Ncalo (Tsogo 1997)
02 October 2011

NPC JAM 2011

Objective of the NPC Jam:

The NPC Jam is one of the important instruments that will assist us to engage with the people of SA. In particular, we are reaching out to our youth, NGOs, community based organisations, associations, government officials and academics in a national dialogue about the challenges facing South Africa, vision 2030 as well as plans to reach that vision.

What is a Jam?:

A Jam – an award-winning IBM solution – is a collaborative, on-line brainstorming event designed to bring massive audiences together to discuss ideas surrounding important social, economic and business challenges. The National Planning Commission (NPC) — together with IBM — is hosting the NPC Jam from noon on Wednesday 28 September 2011 until noon on Saturday 1 October 2011 (72 hours).

What will be discussed during the Jam?

The Jam platform makes provision for discussion of various topics in a maximum of ten parallel discussion forums. It is proposed that topics related broadly to the 9 challenges and the vision for 2030 form the basis for the discussion. The proposed topics for discussion forums are:

1. Citizenry, Cohesion, Inclusion and Redress
2. Jobs
3. The Economy
4. Crime and Corruption
5. Public Service Performance
6. Education and training
7. Health and wellness
8. Infrastructure
9. Human Settlements and Spatial Patterns
10. Vision 2030

Register – How to participate in the Jam

Participation in the Jam is open to registered participants only. Registration will be launched officially on 25 August 2011. To register, please click here.

Registration: https://www.collaborationjam.com/minijam3/npcjam/registration/