I worked from home today, I had quite alot to get done...
The Ratanda intakes have been selected and i recieved the list of names from Mondli (Anglo-Zimele) so that i could edit and re-write the profiles on the selected intakes, their pictures need to be tagged with out logo and the profiles much be updated to the web..
There was a problem in the complex i stay in, somehow the water was cut off for most of the day.. Tragic! i had to go to a friend up the road just to brush my teeth!!
Now that i've passed the learners exam, i have to come up with a 'plan of action' in a way... i'll have to figure out how i'm going to go about the new tasks of my job, such as finding the previous intakes and getting feedback on the project and things like that..It's really not as easy as it sounds, these guys can be extremely difficult to find, ask Hanolet!!
I have until Tomorrows meeting to decide how i''m going to operate..
On that note...
Friday, April 30, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday 28 April 2010
Hey there!
I hope everyone had a relaxing Freedom Day…
Back at work today and I was in Springs at the Lepharo offices,
Some new work is going on there; the blocks are getting ‘revamped’
with the floors being painted and cemented, also during the meeting
today, the incubates were introduced to Dr. Keith Campbell, who has temporarily come on board to try add value to the guys working with iron-casting, if all
goes well, Kieth will continue to stay and help the guys throughout the project,
firstly by making sure the machinery is commissioned and the guys know how to operate it perfectly.
Lana was in Springs today too, bringing the ‘rough’ logos for the
FineKast group at Lepharo, the logos were great, the guys’ reactions were average,
But they were keen to discuss some ideas amongst themselves and get back to Lana next week.
On Monday I wrote my Learners Licence exam, I passed ( I so knew I would!)
And have since been trying to get a bike from Honda, I’m just waiting for an e-mail
quotation and hopefully they get the stock by Monday! Can’t wait to be mobile!
On that note...
Friday, April 23, 2010
Friday 23 April 2010
What has quickly become a long week is finally over, as the year progresses I find that the days seem shorter, not because of winter approaching, just that the time doesn’t seem to last as long! Things that I think I’ve got forever to deal with suddenly have deadlines looming just behind them! For instance, I write on Monday. That’s less than three whole days away. I’ve got some last minute cramming to do this weekend!
Today in Springs I sat in on a meeting between Bontle Shole, the manager for the small business enterprise development centre, a part of the ABSA small business development project.
The discussion was mainly about financing for sartup businesses,
Based on their affordability, concept, knowledge and skill.
The figures mentioned where roughly up to R350 000 for ‘starting up’ businesses
And up to 3 million for established businesses.
Non financial support,such as workshops, was also discussed.
Bontle made it clear that having a viable idea and approaching the bank for finance is where it starts, within parameters. Some basic business skill is required, with at least two years experience in your own business.
I think that the incubatees from Lepharo would do well with something like this, but I also think that they definitely need more experience first…
Well, it’s raining, let’s hope it doesn’t stay all weekend! I’ve got some studying to do…
On that note…
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
Wednesday 21 April 2010
Alot happened today.
Firstly, Myself and Lana drove through to meet with Gordon Froud at his personal studio, what i only found out a little later was- his personal studio is in Hillbrow. Deep in Hillbrow. Stress.
I was sure we were lost, in the middle of this ghetto-like area, surrounded by generally unhappy looking people. . . I can honestly say that i'd feel safer in the heart of the Ratanda location than anywhere in Hillbrow!
I've heard stories from people who lived there around twenty or so years ago, how great it was, what good memories! Well, it's definately changed. I don't mind going back, if it's completely necessary, but i wouldn't travel on a bike. Not a chance. I'd feel safer locked inside something, like a tank perhaps.
On the other hand, Gordon has a stunning studio space there, the most awesome studio i've ever been in! His artworks are something else altogether, if you've never seen any of his work before, do yourself a favour!
The point of us meeting him was basically so that he and Lana could discuss various packaging costs and ideas, regarding the makarapas. They seemed to have narrowed it down to a few ideas, i should have been paying closer attention, but was completely absorbed by some of the crazy art... My bad...
That meeting went well, and as soon as possible we left Hillbrow.
Lana and i then went through to Hanolet in Centurion, Myself and Hanolet were meeting with a guy i know called Winston, who owns a nightclub there.
Winston wanted us to get in on an idea he has had about bringing a craft market to the central Centurion area. It was a terrible meeting. He wants to open this market a.s.a.p, and we didn't feel that he'd done much (if any) research on the subject, don't get me wrong, he'd somehow worked out the money he could be making and was full of ideas, but we'd have to be the ones marketing and promoting this whole thing, with very little gain. It just didn't sit well with us, and with a time frame of one month..!?
So, with that done, we managed to say that we'd only really be able to 'come to the party' from early next year, if ever, and wouldn't commit to anything just yet. Not too happy, the meeting was over and he left... Sorry guy, business is business.
Well, tomorrow i'm going with Cherese, not too sure where exactly... but it involves interviews and such.. I can''t wait to have my own transport! The test is in 5 days, and counting. . .
On that note...
Firstly, Myself and Lana drove through to meet with Gordon Froud at his personal studio, what i only found out a little later was- his personal studio is in Hillbrow. Deep in Hillbrow. Stress.
I was sure we were lost, in the middle of this ghetto-like area, surrounded by generally unhappy looking people. . . I can honestly say that i'd feel safer in the heart of the Ratanda location than anywhere in Hillbrow!
I've heard stories from people who lived there around twenty or so years ago, how great it was, what good memories! Well, it's definately changed. I don't mind going back, if it's completely necessary, but i wouldn't travel on a bike. Not a chance. I'd feel safer locked inside something, like a tank perhaps.
On the other hand, Gordon has a stunning studio space there, the most awesome studio i've ever been in! His artworks are something else altogether, if you've never seen any of his work before, do yourself a favour!
The point of us meeting him was basically so that he and Lana could discuss various packaging costs and ideas, regarding the makarapas. They seemed to have narrowed it down to a few ideas, i should have been paying closer attention, but was completely absorbed by some of the crazy art... My bad...
That meeting went well, and as soon as possible we left Hillbrow.
Lana and i then went through to Hanolet in Centurion, Myself and Hanolet were meeting with a guy i know called Winston, who owns a nightclub there.
Winston wanted us to get in on an idea he has had about bringing a craft market to the central Centurion area. It was a terrible meeting. He wants to open this market a.s.a.p, and we didn't feel that he'd done much (if any) research on the subject, don't get me wrong, he'd somehow worked out the money he could be making and was full of ideas, but we'd have to be the ones marketing and promoting this whole thing, with very little gain. It just didn't sit well with us, and with a time frame of one month..!?
So, with that done, we managed to say that we'd only really be able to 'come to the party' from early next year, if ever, and wouldn't commit to anything just yet. Not too happy, the meeting was over and he left... Sorry guy, business is business.
Well, tomorrow i'm going with Cherese, not too sure where exactly... but it involves interviews and such.. I can''t wait to have my own transport! The test is in 5 days, and counting. . .
On that note...
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Tuesday 20 April 2010
Today i was supposed to go with Lana (Neosho119) to see Gordon Froud ( Gordart Gallery)
but the meeting was moved to tomorrow.
So, i spent the day at my office ( home... ) which actually wasn't as cool as i though at first...
Today being the 20th, i realised i write my Learners licence exam in only six days...panic...!
Although i am confident i know my stuff, i can't help getting a little nervous and all the studying seems so insufficient...But, what can you do!?
I managed to get what i needed done, which wan't too much, so i had some time to browse the Neosho site and make sure all was ok, the new profiles are up, though there's one i still have to get, Lee from Lepharo...
Well, tomorrow should be fun, I'm going with Lana to Rosebank to meet Gordon, and going to meet with an old friend in Centurion to talk about a really cool idea he's had...More oon that tomorrow..
On that note...
but the meeting was moved to tomorrow.
So, i spent the day at my office ( home... ) which actually wasn't as cool as i though at first...
Today being the 20th, i realised i write my Learners licence exam in only six days...panic...!
Although i am confident i know my stuff, i can't help getting a little nervous and all the studying seems so insufficient...But, what can you do!?
I managed to get what i needed done, which wan't too much, so i had some time to browse the Neosho site and make sure all was ok, the new profiles are up, though there's one i still have to get, Lee from Lepharo...
Well, tomorrow should be fun, I'm going with Lana to Rosebank to meet Gordon, and going to meet with an old friend in Centurion to talk about a really cool idea he's had...More oon that tomorrow..
On that note...
Monday 19 April 2010
Happy Monday to everyone!!
Hope your weekend was as relaxing, fun and enjoyable as mine was!
I got in touch with a friend of mine that I haven’t seen in about 5 years!!
He has recently returned from
The picture I posted last Friday was actually a close up of a ceiling fan, wonder if anyone got it….
Today was a pretty basic day, I was in Springs at the Lepharo offices, I wanted to get the profile of a guy named Lee, but he wasn’t there…so... I ended up going about to the different groups in the project with Lana Botha (our new Graphic Designer)
She is busy creating their business logos... Some of the groups have really decent, original ideas; others have next to no idea at all… Lana took down the info that she needed, from the groups that had any information to give, while others made arrangements to speak with her next week rather…Lana has been working with us for about a week now, and her plate is already filling up with work. She seems to be enjoying it so far…
My camera is sitting at home charging, so no pictures to upload today.. Tomorrow will be different!
On that note…
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Friday 16 April 2010
Had a later start today, well, i left home later...
I went with Sharon and Jenny to drop off the 1200 Vuvuzelas that we recently added Ekhuruleni stickers to, Once that was done we headed out to Rosebank!
We were meeting Hanolet and Gordon Froud ( Owner of Gordart Gallery and a part-time lecturer from UJ. ) We were meeting to discuss our plans for future events and the use of Gordons' Gallery for our own exhibition, we decided not to go with the exhibition right now, it's heading fast into winter and the timing just seems off...
We are, however, working hard towards next years Design Indaba in Cape Town.. Hopefully everything goes smoothly!!
There are some really cool things happening, just need to stay positve and hang on!
It's Friday alreaI forgot to charge my camera before leaving this morning so wasn't able to get any pictures, but i'll leave you with this to puzzle over...
Enjoy the weekend!
Enjoy the weekend! Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Tuesday 13 April 2010
Today was an early start, Myself and Cherese ( new member of Neosho119) left to Sharpeville and were on the road just before six, we only had to be there at eight, but expected some traffic and delays. We were wrong.
We arrived in Sharpeville ( It was Chereses' first time and i think she loved it as much as i do!) with an hour and half to kill. Can you believe that there is not one coffee shop in that entire area!? Trust me, we looked. Eventually we found one outside Sharpeville and got our energy up, the only reason we had to be there was to make sure all of the intakes arrived and that the programme started without any trouble! Easy as pie. Unfortunately only one entrepreneur couldn't make it as she is ill, the only other absentee was a lady who attended a funeral, but apparently she arrived later on in the day.. Our next stop was in Ratanda, our mission was to take the details of about eleven new entrepreneurs for the second intake, again we were early! Amazing.. it doesn't happen all that often! So, Ratanda, also lacking in coffee shops ( Someone should seriosly open one already!) we took a drive through Heidelberg in search of more coffee! We killed Half an hour and headed back to the Ratanda Taxi rank, still ahead of schedule! Only seven of the eleven showed up, and of that seven none were on time, we waited half an hour for the first to pitch up..Next time we'll just stick to being late. The interviews went well, the guys that showed up really have potential! Fashion designers to aspiring agricultural designers! Diverse bunch! We had alot of fun out in the townships today, everyone seemed to be in a great mood which made our job so much more enjoyable! On our way out we spotted two kids attempting to draw money from an ATM with what appeared to be a cardboard cutout... Wishfull thinking!? Tomorrow i get to go to the office and place stickers on over one thousand Vuvuzelas... I can't wait. Sarcasm intended.. =)
On that note...
Until tomorrow!
Monday, April 12, 2010
Monday 12 April 2010
Monday morning, no matter how you see it i'm convinced that there are just far too many Mondays in a year. Even the name, Monday, strikes fear into the very core of my being.
But that aside...
Today was pretty uneventful as things go, I went to Springs with Sharon to update the profiles of the inncubatees from the Lepharo project ( Check out http://www.neosho119.com/ )
They seem to be a little more relaxed about the situation there, now realising that it's pretty much all on them to succeed, we just there to give some guidance and assist with any problems they have... but we are not there to baby them...It's finally sinking in.
Speaking to them today, though, i felt intense sympathy for them all, The project gives them a monthly salary of R500 or so, this covers their transport, food, and any other expense that they have! Thats nothing! Could you do that? Some of them have children and families to support, it's bordering on tragic!
And here i am complaining about the fact that I dislike Mondays on principle.. These guys are struggling to get work on a Monday! Puts your problems into perspective, no?
On that note.....
Until tomorrow!
But that aside...
Today was pretty uneventful as things go, I went to Springs with Sharon to update the profiles of the inncubatees from the Lepharo project ( Check out http://www.neosho119.com/ )
They seem to be a little more relaxed about the situation there, now realising that it's pretty much all on them to succeed, we just there to give some guidance and assist with any problems they have... but we are not there to baby them...It's finally sinking in.
Speaking to them today, though, i felt intense sympathy for them all, The project gives them a monthly salary of R500 or so, this covers their transport, food, and any other expense that they have! Thats nothing! Could you do that? Some of them have children and families to support, it's bordering on tragic!
And here i am complaining about the fact that I dislike Mondays on principle.. These guys are struggling to get work on a Monday! Puts your problems into perspective, no?
On that note.....
Until tomorrow!
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Thursday 8 April 2010
Hey everyone!
What a hectic, long day!! totally bushed!
I went with Hanolet and Cherise into Ratanda this morning, but first we stopped off at the last garage before Heidelberg to bu coffee....No coffee!!! How is that possible?? A coffee shop without coffee is...well, pointless! We settled for Red Bull, thanks to Mondli!
We all headed together to Ratanda where we began the interviewing of around 40 people for the Vuka courses.
After about the eighth person the lack of coffee was starting to show.
We somehow managed to make it through the 5 or so hours of interviews, some people are really really hard to speak to!
I'm not sure if it's nerves or something else, but in the hall where we hold these interviews you can barely hear yourself think above the noise, but when the interviewee sits down...not a peep!
Gets frustrating. We managed to secure our target of 30 individuals for our next intake, we had to judge the businesses and people harshly as we have to keep the standards high..After the mentally exhausting day i feel pretty happy with the guys and girls we selected!
Despite what some people think (especially after the Terre'Blanche scene) the locations we visit still greet us with a smile! no weirdness or danger... Some of Maccauvleis' facilitators are scared to now teach in Ratanda.. I hope they get over this soon....
What a hectic, long day!! totally bushed!
I went with Hanolet and Cherise into Ratanda this morning, but first we stopped off at the last garage before Heidelberg to bu coffee....No coffee!!! How is that possible?? A coffee shop without coffee is...well, pointless! We settled for Red Bull, thanks to Mondli!
We all headed together to Ratanda where we began the interviewing of around 40 people for the Vuka courses.
After about the eighth person the lack of coffee was starting to show.
We somehow managed to make it through the 5 or so hours of interviews, some people are really really hard to speak to!
I'm not sure if it's nerves or something else, but in the hall where we hold these interviews you can barely hear yourself think above the noise, but when the interviewee sits down...not a peep!
Gets frustrating. We managed to secure our target of 30 individuals for our next intake, we had to judge the businesses and people harshly as we have to keep the standards high..After the mentally exhausting day i feel pretty happy with the guys and girls we selected!
Despite what some people think (especially after the Terre'Blanche scene) the locations we visit still greet us with a smile! no weirdness or danger... Some of Maccauvleis' facilitators are scared to now teach in Ratanda.. I hope they get over this soon....
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Wednesday 7 April 2010
The search is on for my wheels!!
With 19 days left until i write my exam (i'm over-confident that i'll pass) i have been searching for a bike, so that when i pass i'll have a better idea of what it is i'm looking for!
I've seen alot of beautiful bikes, but it's the Honda cbx that has caught my eye, it's just gorgeous!! And fuel efficient! What more could you ask for??
No doubt i'l still be undecided right up until 'D-day' though.
I was in Springs this morning, which has become a bit of a depressing place, we've managed to get everything into swing, but the incubatees there just don't seem to have the necessary drive!!
We've tried inspiring them with 'power of positive thinking' and mind-power books, but they don't even seem keen to humour us! So, like i said...depressing.
On the upside ( i'll always manage to find it i hope) there are a few of the entrepreneurs that really are giving us a chance and trying to be as co-operative as possible...Yay to the bright side!
After spending some time at Springs and listening to all the new problems popping up, we headed through to Centurion to meet with Hanolet and her new 'assistant' Cherise.
Cherise will be learning from Hanolet and eventually taking over from her, allowing Hanolet to concentrate on other aspects of the business.
Yip, thats two new additions to the team, and i'm feeling greatly outnumbered.
Not surprisingly though, we got stuck in heavy traffic about ten minutes from Centurion, it took us half an hour to travel roughly 6KM! The cause of the traffic was an accident that had just occured, there were no tow trucks or police when we drove past, it was the funniest thing i have ever seen!! Only funny because nobody was injured, just an emotional wreck of a woman on the side of the road who had managed to 'slide' her 4x4 right up a solid steel railing, leaving the car balancing,not touching the ground! Fantastic! How she got that right, i'll never know!! But respect to her, not even a scratch on the vehicle...Would make a good womans insurance add i reckon!
Once at Hanolets' we started the meeting, just catching up on what's been happening.
We are planning an exhibition soon, using the Makarapas from the workshop we held and some photographs from myself and Gordan Froud (UJ Lecturer). So, very excited to see how that will come together!!
Tomorrow i'll be Going with Hanolet and the Newbie (yes! no longer me!) Cherise, to Ratanda to start interviewing people for the next Vuka intakes!!
Until later!
With 19 days left until i write my exam (i'm over-confident that i'll pass) i have been searching for a bike, so that when i pass i'll have a better idea of what it is i'm looking for!
I've seen alot of beautiful bikes, but it's the Honda cbx that has caught my eye, it's just gorgeous!! And fuel efficient! What more could you ask for??
No doubt i'l still be undecided right up until 'D-day' though.
I was in Springs this morning, which has become a bit of a depressing place, we've managed to get everything into swing, but the incubatees there just don't seem to have the necessary drive!!
We've tried inspiring them with 'power of positive thinking' and mind-power books, but they don't even seem keen to humour us! So, like i said...depressing.
On the upside ( i'll always manage to find it i hope) there are a few of the entrepreneurs that really are giving us a chance and trying to be as co-operative as possible...Yay to the bright side!
After spending some time at Springs and listening to all the new problems popping up, we headed through to Centurion to meet with Hanolet and her new 'assistant' Cherise.
Cherise will be learning from Hanolet and eventually taking over from her, allowing Hanolet to concentrate on other aspects of the business.
Yip, thats two new additions to the team, and i'm feeling greatly outnumbered.
Not surprisingly though, we got stuck in heavy traffic about ten minutes from Centurion, it took us half an hour to travel roughly 6KM! The cause of the traffic was an accident that had just occured, there were no tow trucks or police when we drove past, it was the funniest thing i have ever seen!! Only funny because nobody was injured, just an emotional wreck of a woman on the side of the road who had managed to 'slide' her 4x4 right up a solid steel railing, leaving the car balancing,not touching the ground! Fantastic! How she got that right, i'll never know!! But respect to her, not even a scratch on the vehicle...Would make a good womans insurance add i reckon!
Once at Hanolets' we started the meeting, just catching up on what's been happening.
We are planning an exhibition soon, using the Makarapas from the workshop we held and some photographs from myself and Gordan Froud (UJ Lecturer). So, very excited to see how that will come together!!
Tomorrow i'll be Going with Hanolet and the Newbie (yes! no longer me!) Cherise, to Ratanda to start interviewing people for the next Vuka intakes!!
Until later!
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Tuesday 6 April 2010
Back to work after a long weekend...
was a great little holiday, feeling refreshed..kind of!
The new addition to the team at Neosho, Lana Botha, has officially been hired...
She starts on Monday next week, it's gonna be interesting to work with her on the websites and see how everything goes!
The weekend past was great, a friend of mine went to Cape Town to visit family, and as is always the case with Cape Town visits..he didn't want to come back, can't blame him! I'm totally a traitor to Jo'burg and surrounding areas...I am 100% for C.T ! Love it there!!
My younger brother stays there still and was supposed to come visit, but guess he couldn't even leave it for a long weekend!!
Just incase anyone didn't feel too bad about work this morning...the weather came to play..first day back at work and raining... though the weekends weather wasn't too great either! I've been keeping myself busy with studying for my learners, second time writing (failed by one mark the first time, nearly died!) and hopefully going to be mobile by the end of the month! I bought myself a new novel this weekend, Angel Time by Anne Rice, the author of the Vampire Chronicles such as Interview with the Vampire and Queen of the Damned..classics!
Once mobile i'll be travelling alot by myself to keep tabs on the intakes and arranging meeting with new intakes, can't wait!
Today, working from the office, i managed to sort through a few things, i've updated the neosho119 site with a new intro for the Vuka Mentorship Programme, check it out!
Otherwise thats all from me today!
Enjoy the rest!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
