Makoya 4 November 2011

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It’s Fresh It’s Real It’s www.zoutnet.co.za/makoya Tel: 015 962 1008 4 November 2011 • Year 6, Vol.18 Quitting is not part of Lugisani Mulaudzi’s vocabulary. “My motto is: do the best you possibly can,” says the 24-year-old Data analyst who was born and bred in the dusty village of Ha- Mutsha. Today, Martha and Samson Mulaudzi both pride themselves in Lugisani, who is an analyst at First National Bank. He goes on to admit that growing up was not that simple since both of his parents were self- employed and had to sell fruits and vegetables in order to provide a better education for their five children. “I started my primary school at Ha-Mutsha, and went on to Nndamuleleni secondary school, just another school in the disadvantaged village of Ha-Mutsha. When I was doing my grade 11, I was one of the top ten best performing students in the school. I was always hitting either the 1st or the 2nd position in class. I pulled up my socks and managed to carry the 1st position up until my matric. All this dedication and achievement helped me to obtain a Bursary from the Makhado Municipality to go and study Computer Science at the University Of Pretoria. Well… As they say the rest is history.” * What does your day to day job entail? I work under the Strategic Credit and Analytical Business Unit, in the Direct Analytical Solutions Department, and on a daily basis I am involved with FNB’s various product houses that focuses on personal banking using SAS programming to extract enormous amounts of FNB data to find the most suitable customer or target market for a particular product. I also do different types of analysis for various product houses so that they can have a closer view of the customer and the product, to understand the problems customers experience, what products they need and also measure the success of campaigns. * What motivated you to become a Data Analyst? I don’t think curiosity ever killed the cat. I entered into this sector because I love challenges and necessary experimenting, and hence Computer Science gave me the path to become an analyst. Thinking analytically and making 1+1=11 gets me to delight in this career path. * What is the salary range for Data analysts? The salary will range from company to company but one should look at the salary ranging between R180 000 - R300 000 per annum, but with experience it can also go up to R500 000 p.a. * What are the subject requirements to qualify one to study Data analysis? Having a better understanding of numbers would be an added advantage, but an IT Degree with mathematical and statistical subjects does qualify one to become a Data analyst. * Besides banks, in which other working sector would a Data analyst seek employment? Everywhere… Mining, Government, FMCG sectors, you name it. No successful organisation can function without a Data analyst; otherwise they would never have any figures to report on about. Most companies can either give Data analysis another title other than Data analyst, such as Business Intelligence Analyst * What’s the proudest moment of your career? Becoming Knowledge expert for FNB Home Loans. * What’s your most treasured possession? In my life and material wise it would be my BMW (always loved that babe from childhood). * What message would you love to send out to those who wish to follow the same career path? Think analytically, develop a love for numbers and always make every effort to stay on the top. Youth in Business - By Humbelani Chantel Ndou Livhuwani Masakona of SABC 2 news, recently became married to Tshinanne Mutshatshe. The wedding was an all class affair with nothing spared. It was held at the popular Porche Villa in Muledane just outside Thohoyandou. Makoya wishes the couple well for their future together!

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Makoya, the real thing! The must have, must read publication bringing the youth of Limpopo real stories, photos, entertainment news, career advice and much more!

Transcript of Makoya 4 November 2011

Page 1: Makoya 4 November 2011

It’s FreshIt’s RealIt’s www.zoutnet.co.za/makoya

Tel: 015 962 10084 November 2011 • Year 6, Vol.18

Quitting is not part of Lugisani Mulaudzi’s vocabulary. “My motto is: do the best you possibly can,” says the 24-year-old Data analyst who was born and bred in the dusty village of Ha- Mutsha. Today, Martha and Samson Mulaudzi both pride themselves in Lugisani, who is an analyst at First National Bank. He goes on to admit that growing up was not that simple since both of his parents were self- employed and had to sell fruits and vegetables in order to provide a better education for their five children.

“I started my primary school at Ha-Mutsha, and went on to Nndamuleleni secondary school, just another school in the disadvantaged village of Ha-Mutsha. When I was doing my grade 11, I was one of the top ten best performing students in the school. I was always hitting either the 1st or the 2nd position in class.

I pulled up my socks and managed to carry the 1st position up until my matric. All this dedication and achievement helped me to obtain a Bursary from the Makhado Municipality to go and study Computer Science at the University Of Pretoria. Well… As they say the rest is history.”* What does your day to day job entail?

I work under the Strategic Credit and Analytical Business Unit, in the Direct Analytical Solutions Department, and on a daily basis I am involved with FNB’s various product houses that focuses on personal banking using SAS programming to extract enormous amounts of FNB data to find the most suitable customer or target market for a particular product.

I also do different types of analysis for various product houses so that they can have a closer view of the customer and the product, to understand the problems customers experience, what products they need and also measure the success of campaigns. * What motivated you to become a Data Analyst?

I don’t think curiosity ever killed the cat. I entered into this sector because I love challenges and necessary experimenting, and hence Computer Science gave me the path to become an analyst. Thinking analytically and making 1+1=11 gets me to delight in this career path.* What is the salary range for Data analysts?

The salary will range from company to company but one should look at the salary ranging between R180 000 - R300 000 per annum, but with experience it can also go up to R500 000 p.a.* What are the subject requirements to qualify one to study Data analysis?

Having a better understanding of numbers would be an added advantage, but an IT Degree with mathematical and statistical subjects does qualify one to become a Data analyst.* Besides banks, in which other working sector would a Data analyst seek employment?

Everywhere… Mining, Government, FMCG sectors, you name it. No successful organisation can function without a Data analyst; otherwise they would never

have any figures to report on about. Most companies can either give Data analysis another title other than Data analyst, such as Business Intelligence Analyst * What’s the proudest moment of your career?

Becoming Knowledge expert for FNB Home Loans.* What’s your most treasured possession?

In my life and material wise it would be my BMW (always loved that babe from childhood).* What message would you love to send out to those who wish to follow the same career path?

Think analytically, develop a love for numbers and always make every effort to stay on the top.

Youth in Business - By Humbelani Chantel Ndou

Livhuwani Masakona of SABC 2 news, recently became married to Tshinanne Mutshatshe. The wedding was an all class affair with nothing spared. It was held at the popular Porche Villa in Muledane just outside Thohoyandou. Makoya wishes the couple well for their future together!

Page 2: Makoya 4 November 2011

MAKOYA 2 4 November 2011

Congratulations to our winners of our sms CD give-away, they are:

Congratulations

* Netshivhongweni N.S* Jane mamphiri * Verah Muebi

With exams underway we just wanted to wish everyone writing their exams all of the best! It doesn’t matter which grade you are in (grade 1 to grade 12), every exam is important and they all work towards building your future for the better. My teacher once told me that success doesn’t come over night, but with hard work, commitment and a positive attitude everything is possible.

The success of our country is dependent on the amount of hard work you put into your academics,

irrespective of which grade you will be writing for. There are so many opportunities awaiting your good results out there, and don’t be discouraged by how many tests or assignments you failed during the year, that’s all in the past, and this is your chance to prove to yourself that you can do this. Things like Mxit, Facebook, Twitter, Whatts-up etc will be there even after the exam, so it is not worth sacrificing your only chance for a better life with something that will always be there!

* By Lesedi Milanzi

“Beyond just passing the test, may you also find the passion to go through the test. Success lies in the reason why you did what you did to get what

you’ve got, more than what you’ve got at the end of the day. As you prepare for the exams, take a moment to remind yourself which harbour you are headed to, and you will be sure find inspiration in knowing your destiny, fulfilment in working hard to reach your destiny, and moreover you will catch the right wind

to take you where you are headed to. It’s been better said by one of Africa’s sons: “to live is to choose, but to choose well, you must know who you are and what you stand for, where you want to go and why you want to go there…” - Kofi Annan (Lufuno Maliaga)

“I would like to unconditionally wish all matriculants good luck in their final exams. Matric is a very critical stage of education. Do not let your poor background determine your future. Everyone has the ability to pass, but you need put more efforts and stay focused just for these few days.

Remember, your future is in your hands. Vhumatshelo hanu vhu zwandani zwanu. The spotlight is on you and I hope you will make us proud!” - Tshidino Ndou Wa Tshakhuma

“You are the driver of your own life. No matter how hopeless your future looks, never form part

of destroying it by giving up and not doing your best in your exams.” - Glo Mubrazilia

“Most people don’t know that I passed my matric with what was then called an ‘F’ symbol. Parents were disappointed; and I was compared to others that got University exemptions.

But I knew my destiny. Now I’m one of the best journalists produced from the outskirts of Venda, Limpopo. You can do it, if you put your heart and mind to it. Good luck Matrics 2011 and everyone writing their exams.” - Ndaedzo Neville Nethonzhe-reporter for KayaFM radio.

1. I am Malima Lucky (bushy) frm Ha-Sinthumule (Magau Village) I hav grd 11. Computer.Customer.Picture maker.Poetry.Cleaning.Ubuntu.Peace & self rel. 079 820 4825

2. Matamba Sharon,Lambani,I hv Grade 12,Computer adv diploma,Police and Traffic law Diploma,Start-Up One Course business Cert,Cleaning Cert. 079 488 1481.

3. Nobela Rhulani C 4rm Boxahuku, I hv Grade 12, Code 10 driver’s licence, Computer adv diploma, Police and Traffic law Diploma. 079 411 7262.

4. Mulovhedzi khathutshelo prudence ID 8809071182089 I hav grd 12 Matr ic,Security grd E,D,C & Retail.Cel no 076 487 6074.

5. I’m Sithole BC from Nzhelele.I have grade12,Civil Engineering N4.082 676 4318.

6. MBEDZI VULEDZANI V, 4rm TSHIKOTA I hv gr 12,code 10(C1) Licence ,introduction of fire fighter and exprience on retai contact no:084 309 8822.

7. xiphemu @ chavani cert in comp literacy n cert in banking 072 130 4442.

8. ,Trevor at Phaphazela,I have grade 12 and Driver’s licence. 078 291 0216.

9. .i,m ndhlovu lovey 4rm merwe .i hv grd 12,computer certificate,finantial management,costomer care,first aid,business management 076 794 7569.

10. I’m Cyril Sinthumule 4rm Saselamani,i hv grd 12,Marketing & Management, Call Centre cert,Adv Computer Diploma,code 10 drivers lic.@ 083 216 2294

For only R2, simply sms the words MAKOYA JOBS, your name, where you live and what skill or need you have to 34995.

How does the small jobs marketplace work?

One last point of note: this is not a vacancy page for established business. We will assist these businesses with a proper vacancy advert if you want, but this initiative is rather an attempt to help those who are unemployed, but who do still have skills of some sort or another that they can use.

Small jobs marketplaceSKILLS ON OFFER:

From all of us we wish you

wisdom and strength to make

yourself proud and remember

that THIS IS ALL ABOUT YOU AND

WHERE YOU WANT TO SEE YOURSELF IN

FUTURE.

You can be happy when there are no reasons for you to be happy. You can choose to be happy when all things surrounding you want you to be unhappy

There is no reason why you should not be happy when the One who created you wants you to be happy at all times. You can choose to be happy when people want you to be sad or unhappy.

Here are reasons why you cannot afford not to be happy:• He(God)whocreated

you, created you in a way that you can choose to be happy (power to choose).

• Youdonotneedpermission from someone else to be happy, it is upon your choice.

• Youcannotblamesomeone else of your unhappiness.

• Youdon’tneedtobein positive mood to be happy.

Why you should always choose to be happy? Here are reasons why:• Becauseyoudon’thave

right to hold all things that can make you unhappy, all they must go to Christ.

• YouarecreatedinGod’slikeness and God is always happy.

• Youdon’tneedtobeunhappy because you need something, because the lord is your Shepherd and as a result you shall

lack nothing.• Whenyouareunhappy,

you cannot see goodness and the blessings of your creator(God)

• youcan’tbeunhappybecause you failed in something, because your creator said; “all things are possible with me!”

• Allsins,debtsandworries are paid in full on the cross by Jesus Christ.

Why God wants you to be happy, here are reasons:• Whenyouarehappy,you

can see the goodness of God.

• Youcanbeabletoassistand offer help.

• YoucanabletopraiseHim and be thankful.

• Youcanrecognisethatyou are a champion and more than a conqueror.

• Andyoucanproclaimthat He (God) is your Shepherd and you are his sheep and He shall lead you to green pastures.

If you have noticed, the mistakes that people sometimes make in doing something, are not because they were not good or capable of doing them, but it might be because they were unhappy while doing them! When you are unhappy, your spirit comes down and your thinking capacity declines. Happy people always do, even on the things that they are not highly capable of.What have you chosen?As for me and my family, we have chosen to be happy.

99Ri vha vhudza zwo tou ralo! (Bangakupalula)

we tell it like it is!

God wants you to be happy

* By Tshidaho “Gentle Man” Mulondo

Makoya will contact you shortly to arange that you receive you prize.

Page 3: Makoya 4 November 2011

MAKOYA 34 November 2011

* By Kenneth Thomas Mathiye

POEM

Ri vha vhudza zwo tou ralo! (Bangakupalula)

we tell it like it is!99TATA MADIBA AN ICONYour love is for allYou are colour blindThough you were persecutedYou chose to forgive and forgetAsking everyone to do the same

On release:-A lot thought you would retaliatecalling an eye for an eyeInstead; you preached love and peace,You wanted unity and harmony

Not only for South Africa but, for the whole world in general, soon the Rainbow Nation wasformed and all the people of acolour are dwelling here in South Africa,We owe it all to you Tata Madiba.

You used knowledgeThe greatest of wisdom and,it turned to be power, like an architect, you set up the foundations, foundations of a new South Africa

- By Buti Magwaza

E-mail, post or deliver your masterpieces

(photo’s, articles, etc) to us.

Fax: 015 516 2303. Mark clearly

“for attention Makoya” e-mail: • [email protected]

The story of Joseph in the bible is one of the most interesting stories that I have ever read. (Genesis 37-50)

Joseph, like any other young person had a dream. In Genesis 37 Joseph had dreams. This was the start of an interesting journey in his life. The question I want to ask young people today is: Do you have a dream(s). If not, then you are in danger of having nothing to live for. Dreaming gives meaning and direction to life. A dream makes this journey called life very interesting and enjoyable.

Joseph told his family about his dreams and his brothers were not happy about what they heard. This teaches us that not everybody is going to support you in your life. There are those who will be happy to know that you are on the way to becoming somebody and there are those who will be angry, because they want to see you being a nobody. This should not border you at all. The God who created you is happy to see you on the way of becoming what He created you for. (Read Jeremiah 1 vs 1-5. Emphasis on vs 5).

You are created for a purpose and your dream will lead you to fulfil that purpose.

As a result of their anger, Joseph’s brothers sold him to foreigners. (Genesis 37).

Despite this horrible experience, Joseph did not lose focus of his dream. Bad things will happen to you in this world of sin, but never lose focus of your dream. It is easy to lose hope if you don’t have anything to live for.

In Egypt, Joseph continued to work for his master, Potiphar, without complaining. Young person, if you want to succeed in life, continue working even when you don’t feel like working. Joseph ended up in jail for a sin he did not commit, but even in jail, he continued to do good to others. By the way, Joseph ran away from committing sin. Young people today dive into sin and end up in the wrong places. Please learn from Joseph and run away from sin. Doing well for others is not an option if you want to succeed in life, but a pre-requisite.

Those that Joseph helped in jail remembered him when they were free.

Because of his perseverance and high work ethics, Joseph was appointed to a higher position in Egypt. Don’t worry when you see others succeeding before you, your appointed time will come, hang on there. In Genesis chapter 45 we see Joseph’s dreams coming true.

Conclusion: If you want to succeed in this life, know your creator. He who created you knows better why you were created. Have dreams which are in line with your purpose and live every day for that dream. A dream helps to keep you focused and gives you the direction of where you are going. Dream big, because dreams do come true.

Dear readers. Kenneth is available to the youth, to address them at school, churches or in communities. You can contact him at the details below: - Kenneth Thomas Mathye, Live WorK Facilitator (Instructor). Northen Region, Polokwane Office.Telephone: 015 299 0680. Mobile: 072 299 2819 Fax to email: 086 537 4536. Email: [email protected].

Dreams do come true ...

The English have a saying that says, “An empty vessel makes the most noise,” which means that an empty drum sounds louder than a filled one. Mashudu Ndadza is exactly the opposite of that empty drum. He might not sound louder in words of self-praise, but his works open up the way before him as they lead him to houses of more and more people in towns and villages.

The Vhembe F.E.T College should be proude to have produced one of the most dedicated electricians in the land.

“In 2007 I went to Vhembe East Campus to do a course in Electronics,” he tells us in a quiet tone of voice. “I have to confess now, though, that I was never one of those who went to college just to get a qualification. Hear me out, please, when I say I am not trying to sound holier than other people. I had a strong love for repairing radios, TV’s, DVD’s and the lot, long before I could even think of going to college.”

Like many other young kids who got into doing things which their peers were never into, Mashudu was labelled a lazy

boy who surrounded himself with bits of machines all the time when he should have been doing something better. His love of repairing grew all the more when he had reached Grade 9.

“Some said I was only wasting my

precious time,” he says with a twinge of slight pain as he thinks back. “They claimed that all the people who did what I was trying to here in the village were as poor as the church rat. Others said I was still too young to get myself surrounded by Radio and TV debris like a crazy person.”

Mashudu knew what he was doing, however, and in 2008, he was certified by the Companies and Intellectual Properties Registration Office (CIPRO) as the proprietor for Youngsters

Electronic Services, the business he conceptualised and started in Louis Trichardt.

“I had worked at someone else’s business before doing the same job I am doing here as you see me today,” he resumes; “but I knew what I wanted in life. It’s no wonder that I’ve got a business of my own today.”

His business has been operating actively from the year 2009. There have also been challenges he has to face and tackle along the way.

“I had to pay the rent every month, there were electricity monies to be made due as well,” he outlines some of the challenges. “These are challenges I am still facing even today. It all needs one to work hard and find more customers so that you are able to remain with something after you’ve paid for all those other things, you see.”

He states that the biggest challenge is that of misunderstanding that arises between him and the client. No matter how the situation might be calling for it, the client gets furious when they are informed that their TV or DVD machine could no longer allow any fixing to work again. Just like a write-off vehicle, it is not worth spending money on it; you’ve got to buy a new one.

“They get disappointed with me,”

he says. “They lose all hope. They no longer place some confidence in me like they had used to do before. People fail to understand that everything dies. Patients die also, not that they don’t want to live. This is how life is, it’s not a funny thing I understand.”

During his time at East Campus of the Vhembe F.E.T College, Mashudu did experience a traumatic moment when he had noticed that some of his fellow students seemed to pursue certificates in place of striving for greater practical knowledge.

“They could get hundred percent with ease in the class,” he says, sounding somehow sad. “But they always got zero at the practical workshop. I felt sorry for them because they were placing their future at stake. You need to know the work, how to use your hands to repair this or hold that.”

To refresh his mind and body after a busy day at work, he goes to gymnasium each evening. He watches DSTV music channels and movies on Sundays mornings, when he has no job to do.

Mashudu closes the interview by a line of words that sounds deeply philosophical. “I know what I am and what I am for,” he says firmly.

He can be contacted at 078 885 0765.

Youth in Business - By Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho

Mashudu NdadzaMr Fix-It Wh Fixes It

9999Ri vha vhudza zwo tou ralo! (Bangakupalula)

we tell it like it is!

Page 4: Makoya 4 November 2011

MAKOYA 4 4 November 2011

The town is lit up with the early mid-Spring sun. Spiritual sounds permeate the streets and passages where pedestrians are walking to and fro in their respective business of daily life. Some of them stride out of their way to come over to the front side of the hypermarket from where one of the young emerging singers is performing songs from his latest album as part of a promotion.

The energetic singer belts out a song in which the lyrics ‘A thi nga vhueli murahu’ are sung repeatedly in a fashion that mirrors that of the highly regarded music maestro Oliseng Shuping. Three male dancers have joined him on stage and the dance moves they do are those from the ZCC Mkhukhu influence.

Rendani Eddie Ndou was born some twenty six years ago in the village of Siambe in the neighbourhood of Sibasa. He attended the Tshiungani Primary School for his elementary education and went on to complete Grade 12 at Azwifarwi Secondary School in 2004.

He maintains that his love for and of music is a treasure that he has lived with ever since the age of eight in the Zion Christian Church (ZCC), where he was also given an opportunity to lead the church’s male singing group traditionally known as Mkhukhu, in the culture of the church.

“I honed my singing skills just being unaware of the Mkhukhu,” he says. “I say unaware because all I was doing was mainly concentrating on the spiritual

side of the music. People sing Psalms for the sheer purpose of praying, praising, worshiping and gaining some peace of mind.

That’s exactly what I was doing; it’s all I can say now.”

Ndou’s mother, Salphina Mugadi, had instilled a sense of responsibility in her son’s head and now she is the happiest mother in the world when she witnesses the successes of her son. “She’s a strong woman in that she understands the needs of her kids,” he says of his lovely mother. “She never puts any thing down our throats. She allows us to be the individuals we are, and all the same we respect her fully.”

He cites some individuals who motivated him during the initial days in his musical career. These are the Netshilavulu family at Siambe, his mother-in-law and the selfless musician and producer Mtendas.

“In this world you need to surround yourself with people who understand you for who and what you are, or else you are going to worry forever and say ‘zwanga a zwi na munwe’ (I am in for painful circumstances),” says the singing sensation who has recorded and released at least two albums to date.

In the musical side, he gets inspiration from established artists ranging from the late Oliseng Shuping, Kenny to Mojeramane. All the three are musicians who use their voices enchantingly. The fusion of their voices with dance moves, and sometimes instruments, leave fans eating out of their palms and getting a

sense that only what is good will come from these artists, Ndou says.

Ndou did record the songs and release the albums for the purpose of seeing himself through tertiary level.

“I needed funds for my education,” he says. “I am in my third year, doing a BA in Economics in the University of Venda. I love Economics and I believe that if our country reaches a stage where we are well equipped with people who are knowledgeable in economics, no other states or countries will dare play a fool’s game with our brains.”

So far Ndou has released two albums in CD form, A Thi Nga Vhueli Murahu in 2008, and Ezulwini in 2010.

“People who see me perform go for my DVD as well,” he says. “Maybe there’s something they see in my singing when I am on stage in person, and this something makes them want to have with them a part of me in the form of my DVD.”

He adds that the challenges he encountered while first trying to record his first album was to enter the studios and get out without having achieved any developments in the project, only

because he was not yet used to the studio atmosphere. The experience taught him to hold onto the philosophy of ‘practice makes perfect’.

“As artists we work hard to see that our fans get the best in our work,” he affirms. “We sweat for the music we produce. When you need our music, please contact us, the owners of the music and not anyone else. They will only give you pirated copies and I for one think there’s no dignity in playing pirated copies on your music system.”

Ndou is keen to help aspirant artists. “I am not yet that famous and professionally advanced myself, but I think that I now know a thing or two with regard to the logistics of the music industry. Aspirant singers and musicians who would like to record their music could contact us at 072 377 0436 or 084 545 0406. Likewise, those who want my music could do so at those numbers.”

Soon he will be promoting his music across the province in places like Phalaborwa and Polokwane. His third album comes out end of December this year.

In 1993 the youngster Tendani Manena of Mamvuka Jazz Location sold a building plan at an unbelievable amount of money considering his age. He was only in Standard Six and the person to whom he sold the plan believed in the architectural work delivered by Tendani, and that was surely a sign of good things to come, for today he owns a fully registered business enterprise.

The name of his business has been elongated to highlight in a nutshell the type of services he provides. Double T Shine Home of Plans’ offices are at Shop no.11, Songozwi, between Feminique Boutique and Link Pharmacy in Louis Tricahrdt.

“It felt really great selling my first plan at a very young age,” he says, and there is this sense of deepened dignity about him as he speaks. “I was only on STD 6 and the plan sold at R750 00.”

Tendani takes us back to the days when he would go near the builders of houses in the village. He was not only fascinated by the developing house structure as such, but he always stared at the huge spreadsheet on which the actual plan was drawn. After that he would go home and try to do drafts of his own, with moderations and modifications as his

creativity allowed.

“Nobody taught me how to draw plans,” he states. “If a person comes forward today and claims to have taught me drawing, I would expose that human being as a liar straightway.”

He says that his determination had moved him on to do all the best in this journey to become one of the most well-established architects this country has ever had.“It was only when I was on STD 8 that my teacher gave me a direct motivation,” he says, remembering the days gone by. “I felt encouraged, and it made me take my work more serious, not that I wasn’t serious before.”

His family, like many other families, just looked at him draw his things and said that the boy was only having fun in using pencils and papers. They hardly saw anything beyond the childhood fascination.

“If something is your gift, it is your gift,” he tells us. “My late father used to say words of wisdom to me and those words have stayed with me from as far I can remember. ‘When you need something,’ he said, ‘you must follow your heart even though it’s harder and not easier. But you must follow your heart until you get what you want.”

Surely Manena has been following his heart ever since. In 2001 he opened up an office in the

town. He had realised that operating from home had a setback in some areas. Some people couldn’t have confidence in seeking the services of someone who draws plans from a dingy hut, since they had always associated the local knowledge and talent with ill service and inferiority.

“Again, for me to have an office was to find myself offering my people services that they thought only white people could offer,” he continues to answer the

interview questions as he works on two plan projects that he has to take to the printers, and thereafter deliver to clients

in a jiffy. Asked as to how long it does take him to complete a plan project of an approximated eleven roomed house, he states at ease that it is usually the work of a day. In fact, he seems to correct himself, only a few hours of deep concentration and dedication.

“I love my work,” he says profusely. “I love what I do. I love my work with my whole heart. No fatigue or tiredness. I feel always at home when I sit at my desk with my tools before my sharp eyes.”

He further confesses that working with people is a difficult challenge indeed. “It’s quite tiresome,” he says. “For some people it takes many hours to understand, for others even months and months. An architect is someone who should be strong and longsuffering. You need to find strategies to deal with arising challenges without chasing your customers away from you.” In this industry, travelling is another challenge. A whole night out, even a week. You might need to travel to Durban to survey a huge building that the client feels requires a modernised renovation and alteration. “I’ve got an understanding wife,” he says. “She motivates me strongly. Sometimes I do work in the night right in my house and she sits around with me. Just her presence makes me feel like she’s a partner even in my job.”

The architect did take a course in Technical Drawing from Techniven, which was followed by an AutoCad programme that he chose to do through Intec College.

“The industry I am in is a good one, only if you are passionate about it,” he says. “I wouldn’t lie to you. This is exactly what you need to know if you would like to work professionally one of these days. Like I’ve said already, I repeat: you need to be strong and patient. And everything will be fine.”

“We operate Monday to Friday between 8am-4pm,” he says. “Bookings could be done on Saturdays and Sundays via the phone. My contacts are 076 183 7213 and 084 494 4227, and the email is [email protected].”

* By Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho

Tendani Manena - An Architect of our Time* By Tshifhiwa Given Mukwevho