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/

When did you start and finish at Tsogo?

Portia Victoria Mogosetsi (Tsogo 2003)

I started in 2001 with Grade 10 and finished Grade 12 in 2003

Where did you do your primary schooling?

Molapo Primary School, in Ga-Rankuwa, Zone 2

What further education institutions did you attend?

I studied BA in Journalism at UJ, Kingsway Campus, and I’m currently studying film at Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking, in Milpark.

What do you currently do?

I’m currently studying film and doing my film learnership at Magic Factory. I’m fascinated by the art of film and the entire process of taking a concept and developing it into a motion picture. This is something I’ve always wanted to do. Visual elements of motion picture have universal power of communication and they keep on evolving; and I want to take part in that evolution.

@Graduation

I’m also a member of the Clearwater Lions Club, a non-profit organisation that serves disadvantaged communities around the world. The club has national and international branches with a network of about 1.3 million men and women in 205 countries who work together to answer the needs that challenge communities all over the world. The objectives of the Club are to encourage service-minded people to serve their community without personal reward, to encourage efficiency as well as to promote high ethical standards in commerce, industry, professions, public world, and private endeavors. Every month our Gauteng branch holds fundraising events to help those who are in greater need.

What are your tips for those trying to get into the film industry

Getting a job in the film industry can be challenging. Many employers and employees rely on reputation and networking as part of their communication.

After I finished my Journalism degree I knew that I wanted to pursue television and film, so I thought of going back to school to study film. During that time an opportunity arose in 2010 where Siyayinqoba Beat It was looking for Gauteng Community Journalists for their TV programme. I applied for the position and I was chosen to be one of their Gauteng Journalists. In 2011 I then enrolled to study film at Big Fish School of Digital Filmmaking. I felt that going to school was necessary for me as I wanted to expand my knowledge of film.

I have worked on a number of Mnetproductions as an intern and I realised that once I am on set everyone expects me to act as a professional; high quality work is always expected. I constantly strive to be the best at what I do because I have to convince my employer that it is not only worth it to keep me for that particular job but also to hire me for the next one.

@Work

The film industry in South Africa is very small so everybody knows each other. It’s always important not to burn bridges behind you in case you want to return back to the people you once worked with. Maintaining good relations and having a positive attitude is very vital. Moreover, it’s not just whom you know and what you know that only matter, but also what you have done lately. Like they always say, “you are as good as your last job”; credibility is a big deal. So it’s important to always position yourself well for the next job while you are maintaining your current job.

Again, in this industry people are always adjusting their schedules because working hours can get overwhelming. You never know when you will be home because you can only go home when the project is done for the day. So if you want a nine-to-five kind of job, this industry may not be for you. Flexibility and passion for the job are required.

Not everyone who is working in the TV and film industry went to school for it. Some of the people in fact learn the job while they are in the job. You have to be willing to learn and show the ability that you can do the job. If you are interested in working in this industry, you can start by making contacts with the local production companies. Contact local films and see if they can’t let you volunteer on their productions. Internships are also the best way to get started. You have to be willing to learn and grow within the industry, even if it means that you have to also make coffee, sweep floor and be a runner while you are at it. It’s better to start at the bottom and build your way up so that when you are at the top you are well rounded and you understand what goes at all levels. That’s how many great producers and directors started out anyway.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by life itself. Waking up in the morning is another opportunity to be better than yesterday; there’s always room for growth and improvement. I’m also inspired by people who come from difficult backgrounds but never allow their circumstances to hold them back from going after their goals. Again, I love story telling and reading motivational books; I find my inspiration from sharing in others’ experiences.

Message to Alumni

Be the best at what you do. It’s one thing to have a job, but it’s another thing to have a job and do it with excellence. Most importantly, as you pursue your personal and career goals, don’t get so caught up so much that you miss your purpose in life. Your life is bigger than your career.

Message to current Students

High school is a crucial part of career decision-making. This can be a confusing and an overwhelming stage for some, especially when you don’t know what you want to do or study after high school. For those who aren’t so sure about what to study, taking a gap year isn’t a bad decision at all. It can allow you time to find your field of interest. Some of the things that could help guide you in making that career choice is knowing your gifts, abilities, interests and what is closest to your heart. For those who already know what they want to do after high school, go for it. There is nothing as fulfilling as doing something that you really love.

Again, never let anybody tell you that you can’t do it. In life there’ll always be those people who will try to make you feel like you are inadequate or that your goals are too big to be attained, but don’t believe that. I’ve always believed that the greatest gift you can ever give to yourself is to believe in yourself when no-one else believes in you. Do not surrender to the opinions and expectations of others. If your background wasn’t good, don’t despair. Sometimes our success comes from our deepest hurts, which allows others to also find healing in our very wounds. Find a mentor who will help you channel your goals and continue to grow.

Fondest memory/memories of Tsogo High School?

I have so many great memories of Tsogo. The one that stands out the most however, is that of my grade 10 English teacher, Sister Geraldine. I was fond of her and I used to look forward to her class. She was funny without intending to be, which made class more interesting and fun. I also loved going to the school masses; the amazing sound of the marimba is still resonant in my ears.

Significant Achievements

In 2009, after completing my degree in Journalism, I was honoured by the Golden Key International Honour Society for being one of the top 15% students with an overall academic excellence at the University of Johannesburg.

Connect with Me

I am on these services:

• I am on Facebook: Profile
• I’m also on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Portia_Possh

Other Web Profiles: In 2010 I worked as a Community Journalist for Siyayinqoba Beat, an HIV/AIDS educational programme that airs on SABC 1 and other Community television stations. My profile can be viewed on http://www.cmt.org.za/siyayinqoba/community-journalists/

More Alumni Profiles

• Alumni Profile: Botlhale Mabatshidi Nong (Tsogo 1986)
• Alumni Profile: Boingotlo Joan Legalamitlwa (Tsogo 1997)
• Alumni Profile: Kgomotso Sekhute (Tsogo 1986)
• Alumni Profile: Keratilwe Rakobelwa (Tsogo 2004)
• Alumni Profile: Portia Victoria Mogosetsi (Tsogo 2003)
• Alumni Profile: Amos Diale (Tsogo 1989)
• Alumni Profile: Gabisile Simelane (Tsogo 1996)
• Alumni Profile: Thabo Ncalo (Tsogo 1997)
• Alumni Profile: Tshepo Kgobe (Tsogo 1991)
• Alumni Profile: Keamogetsoe Maroo (Tsogo 2002)

Want to nominate an alumnus to be profiled? Fill in the form here.

If you have an alumnus you would like to nominate please email us at tsogoalum@gmail.com or go to the Nomination Page.

Gabisile Similane (Tsogo 1996)

Connect with Gabisile

She is on these services:

-Facebook
-Twitter

More Alumni Profiles

• Alumni Profile: Tshepo Kgobe (Tsogo 1991)
• Alumni Profile: Caroline Motloba (Tsogo 1996)
• Alumni Profile: Boingotlo Joan Legalamitlwa (Tsogo 1997)
• Alumni Profile: Amos Diale (Tsogo 1989)
• Alumni Profile: Noosie Petlele (Tsogo 1978)
• Alumni Profile: Kenny Mokoka (Tsogo 1987)
• Alumni Profile: Thurston Sebotsane (Tsogo 1991)
• Alumni Profile: Vukosi Marivate (Tsogo 2003)
• Alumni Profile: Keratilwe Rakobelwa (Tsogo 2004)
• Alumni Profile: Portia Victoria Mogosetsi (Tsogo 2003)

Want to nominate an alumnus to be profiled? Fill in the form here.

If you have an alumnus you would like to nominate please email us at tsogoalum@gmail.com or go to the Nomination Page.

Thutong Educational Portal

Below is information for Matric students. Resources are mostly composed of study material to prepare for the upcoming exams. The earlier you start the better. The material shown is not representative of all resources. The list will be extended as time goes on and more learners refer us to more materials. Good luck studying.

Thutong

Thutong is the South African Department of Education’s National Education portal. It has a number of links to resources to assist grade 11 and grade 12 (Matric) students.

Matric Revision

• Thutong Matric Study Portal (Has links to a lot of other material)
• Mindset Past Exam Resource
• Department of Education 2010 Exams and Memoranda

Further Education guide

• Ace Matric Guide to tertiary( Universities, Universities of Technology and FET colleges)

Learning Channel

Learning Channel

Learning channel has a study skill page that has links to other resources and tips on how to study.

• Learning Channel Study Skills

Sunday Times Sowetan Matric Q&A 2011

We have reformatted the Matric 2011 Sunday Times Q&A. We have reduced it to smaller sections that can be downloaded easier. The original file was 36 MB in size. The smaller sections are a maximum of 3 MB. We also include a link to the original. Downloads are after the introduction.

Introduction

Excerpt from the Q&A Introduction (657 KB)

Dear parents, educators and, most especially, our 2011 Matric learners

It gives us great pleasure to introduce the 2011 Matric Q&A. This guide will give learners a final chance to check their exam readiness and a further opportunity to prepare for the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations that begin in October 2011.

The Matric Q&A has been specially developed by school teachers to help learners to prepare for the examinations. Work through all the relevant sections. Once
you have completed the papers, check your answers in the memoranda provided. Go through the questions you did not answer correctly. Remember the main thing is to learn how to answer questions. Read the questions carefully and determine what information is given and what you need to find out. If you can do this, you will be able to answer not only the exercise in the guide but other questions as well.

Downloads

• Mathematics (2.5 MB)
• Math Literacy (3 MB)
• Physical Science (1.6 MB)
• Life Science (3 MB)
• English (1.8 MB)
• Accounting (2 MB)
• Original File (36 MB)

Disclaimer: No malice or harm is/was intended in reducing the size of the Matric Q&A. This was intended as way to address the fact that internet in South Africa is not easily accessible and when it is the cost of  bandwidth is high and speeds are generally slow.