Monday, May 31, 2010
Quote of the day
'True leadership is seen in delegation. You are a limited resource,you are going to run out of you, there is not enough of yourself to go around, you are not omnipresent or omniscient, you are not ALL knowing, you cannot be at ALL places at the same time, you are not all powerful you going to grow tired, your knees are going to start creaking and you are going to need more rest, that what makes you special and valuable, if diamonds were all over the ground they wouldn't be worth much, what makes something worth much is that it is exquisite and it is hard to find. You are a limited resource a class all by yourself., Thomas Dexter Jakes
WORDS FROM A WISE MAN
In the past few weeks the journey of living a dream has...how do I put this?...round house kicked my butt and elbowed me WWE style. So no, when those in it say it aint for the faint hearted they aren't just trying to talk tough. Thank God for business partners, though I may be taller in stature make no mistake my partner has rhino tough skin. She aint the one to mess with, and with me in the team I'd say WE AINT THE ONES TO MESS WITH. But more often than not the past few weeks had me REALLY wishing I had a mentor, someone whose walked the path and can assure me that this too shall pass. So I came across the words of a very wise man and not sharing them would be a crime. So here it goes.
Words from a wise man
In just a short time, I will have been here one half of a century. I've already started celebrating this benchmark filled with so many memories and memoires. When this milestone birthday came up recently a friend asked me 'what words of wisdom have you garnered? What would you do differently and what would you say to those who feel that they only go around once and feel powerless to correct what may be perceived as less-than-glowing results?' I thought before I answered and said 'there is nothing worse that reaching the end of your life and wondering what would have happened or what should have happened but some how didn't happen'
The sad memories of a lost opportunity have made many people bitter the rest of their lives. Often it is no that fatigue of the olympic competitor that is debilitating as much as it is the feeling that if he had lunged further or pushed harder he may have been holding the golden cup of victory as opposed to the bottled water of defeat.
None of us welcome regret into our lives. We want to live to the fullest spiritually, financially even relationally. Yet we often settle for less that the best life we could live. Lulled into sleep by a sense of apathetical compliance, we accept those limitations that could be transcended.
This is what I'm talking about here. Do you feel like you stuck on a job while wishing you had career? Do you worry from those closest to you feeling as if they cannot get in touch with who you really are? No one knows but you to what extent your public success masks private failure. Do you want more out of this next phase of life that what you have right now? Do you?
I don't know about you but most of us do not want to wonder on aimlessly taking life as it comes. We want to take charge of our destiny and see goals accomplishes, move progressively according to a definite and absolute plan. Yet I must tell you that you can only correct what you are willing to confront.
Now I must admit confrontation isn't something that I enjoy, but if I've learned nothing else, I've learned over the years to say what has to be said and face what has to be faced and let the chips fall where they may. Yet many people choose to live in avoidance and perpetual state of denial rather than to risk hard work and ominent reaction that occurs when we confront issues, weaknesses and inconsistencies in others. What becomes even more risky is what I'm about to ask you.
I'm about to ask you to have the courage to face the dark, sinister silent enemy that may be lurkin inside of you. That's right. What I want to know is do have the courage to confront yourself. For the purpose of healing and not hiding you are going to have a heart to heart on issues that may be stopping you from reaching your goals and living your life to the fullest before the second half of your life cannibalizes all that you did in the first half. I just want to intervene, interject, interrupt with an idea that things could turn out the way you want them if you are willing hear and face your truth, this truth will be unveiled if you have had the nerve to confront your subversive destructive behavious, the perpertual erosion that has jeopardized and limited the growth of a wholesome abundant life for you.
Love Thomas Dexter Jakes
I found great comfort in these words so excuse me as I go have that much needed conversation with the mirror
Salute
Words from a wise man
In just a short time, I will have been here one half of a century. I've already started celebrating this benchmark filled with so many memories and memoires. When this milestone birthday came up recently a friend asked me 'what words of wisdom have you garnered? What would you do differently and what would you say to those who feel that they only go around once and feel powerless to correct what may be perceived as less-than-glowing results?' I thought before I answered and said 'there is nothing worse that reaching the end of your life and wondering what would have happened or what should have happened but some how didn't happen'
The sad memories of a lost opportunity have made many people bitter the rest of their lives. Often it is no that fatigue of the olympic competitor that is debilitating as much as it is the feeling that if he had lunged further or pushed harder he may have been holding the golden cup of victory as opposed to the bottled water of defeat.
None of us welcome regret into our lives. We want to live to the fullest spiritually, financially even relationally. Yet we often settle for less that the best life we could live. Lulled into sleep by a sense of apathetical compliance, we accept those limitations that could be transcended.
This is what I'm talking about here. Do you feel like you stuck on a job while wishing you had career? Do you worry from those closest to you feeling as if they cannot get in touch with who you really are? No one knows but you to what extent your public success masks private failure. Do you want more out of this next phase of life that what you have right now? Do you?
I don't know about you but most of us do not want to wonder on aimlessly taking life as it comes. We want to take charge of our destiny and see goals accomplishes, move progressively according to a definite and absolute plan. Yet I must tell you that you can only correct what you are willing to confront.
Now I must admit confrontation isn't something that I enjoy, but if I've learned nothing else, I've learned over the years to say what has to be said and face what has to be faced and let the chips fall where they may. Yet many people choose to live in avoidance and perpetual state of denial rather than to risk hard work and ominent reaction that occurs when we confront issues, weaknesses and inconsistencies in others. What becomes even more risky is what I'm about to ask you.
I'm about to ask you to have the courage to face the dark, sinister silent enemy that may be lurkin inside of you. That's right. What I want to know is do have the courage to confront yourself. For the purpose of healing and not hiding you are going to have a heart to heart on issues that may be stopping you from reaching your goals and living your life to the fullest before the second half of your life cannibalizes all that you did in the first half. I just want to intervene, interject, interrupt with an idea that things could turn out the way you want them if you are willing hear and face your truth, this truth will be unveiled if you have had the nerve to confront your subversive destructive behavious, the perpertual erosion that has jeopardized and limited the growth of a wholesome abundant life for you.
Love Thomas Dexter Jakes
I found great comfort in these words so excuse me as I go have that much needed conversation with the mirror
Salute
Sunday, May 9, 2010
NIZI LIBELE UKBA NIZALA NGOBANI.
NIZILIBELE UK'PA NIZALWA NGOBANI
Living in a 3rd world country means that there is an inclination to aspire to EVERYTHING projected by the 1st world. We blindly gulp whatever they throw our way. So our personalities though gifted think popularity is some sort of currency. Chasing and emulating the Diddy lifestyle with not even a fraction of his pocket, oblivious to the fact that the African context is far different. So hungry are we for a piece of the American pie they allow Nike to give them free clothes without the endorsement deal, because even Nike knows that in your chase of the American Dream you have forgotten your worth, inevitably they keep riding us from behind. Like someone said 'some of you guys love JayZ so much that if he had to be in a prison cell with you and he raped you, you wouldn't report it'.
The apartheid regime believed so much in what they were about that even in the midst of international isolation. They stood their ground and started their own Sanlams and Sasols yet with all the freedom we have we are forever willing to sell our birth right to the Barclays of this world.
One of my absolute prides as a young woman of African descent is the loins from which I come. The resilient strength, selflessness of bo Gog' Lilian Ngoyi who was the prominent leader of the militant women's campaigns, both in the urban areas and in the rural backyards of our country. Bo Mam' Thandi Modise, tortured while heavily pregnant that her water broke yet she stood and pursued a freedom she hoped for. Bo Helen Joseph who was a Brit married to a South African yet inherited the hope to freedom as if she was a daughter of the soil, Dorothy Nyembe, Sophie du Bruyn, and Rahima Moosa who is one of the women who spear headed the 1956 historic march in which more than 20.000 women of all races participated on the 9th of August, to protest against the pass laws for women .
These were our grandmothers, who gave birth to even stronger daughters with bold courage bo Mam' Gloria Serobe a founding member and CEO of Wiphold, Mam' Daphne Nkosi CEO of Kgalagadi one of the biggest Manganese mining companies in the country. Bo Bridgette Radebe founder of Mmakau Mining. Mam Zanele Mbeki founding member of Women's Business Development.
In the days of our youth there is always wool over our eyes in how we define success for our parents it was shoes from Spitz and for this generation its German wheels.
But the student always supersedes the master and if this lineage of phenomenal women is anything to go by then you and I have our work cut up for us.
So may we give room for our 8year old to learn the Freedom Charter before gyrate to Rihannas Rude Boy. So the next time they sit through MTV reality TV marathon they may know that you are of a different fabric, that though our stories are similar, ours is in no way identical to the african american story.
Or in the midst of your Louis Viutton Bad, Jimmy Choos, somewhere in between the champagne popping and cigar smoking may we make a mental note that one day our generation is going to rule our population. As great at these women are they can in noway gives us our dreams nor can they fulfil them for us. Their stories can only help us courage in reaching for our dreams.
To all my peers who have been blessed with the gift of motherhood.
Happy Belated Mothers :-)
Living in a 3rd world country means that there is an inclination to aspire to EVERYTHING projected by the 1st world. We blindly gulp whatever they throw our way. So our personalities though gifted think popularity is some sort of currency. Chasing and emulating the Diddy lifestyle with not even a fraction of his pocket, oblivious to the fact that the African context is far different. So hungry are we for a piece of the American pie they allow Nike to give them free clothes without the endorsement deal, because even Nike knows that in your chase of the American Dream you have forgotten your worth, inevitably they keep riding us from behind. Like someone said 'some of you guys love JayZ so much that if he had to be in a prison cell with you and he raped you, you wouldn't report it'.
The apartheid regime believed so much in what they were about that even in the midst of international isolation. They stood their ground and started their own Sanlams and Sasols yet with all the freedom we have we are forever willing to sell our birth right to the Barclays of this world.
One of my absolute prides as a young woman of African descent is the loins from which I come. The resilient strength, selflessness of bo Gog' Lilian Ngoyi who was the prominent leader of the militant women's campaigns, both in the urban areas and in the rural backyards of our country. Bo Mam' Thandi Modise, tortured while heavily pregnant that her water broke yet she stood and pursued a freedom she hoped for. Bo Helen Joseph who was a Brit married to a South African yet inherited the hope to freedom as if she was a daughter of the soil, Dorothy Nyembe, Sophie du Bruyn, and Rahima Moosa who is one of the women who spear headed the 1956 historic march in which more than 20.000 women of all races participated on the 9th of August, to protest against the pass laws for women .
These were our grandmothers, who gave birth to even stronger daughters with bold courage bo Mam' Gloria Serobe a founding member and CEO of Wiphold, Mam' Daphne Nkosi CEO of Kgalagadi one of the biggest Manganese mining companies in the country. Bo Bridgette Radebe founder of Mmakau Mining. Mam Zanele Mbeki founding member of Women's Business Development.
In the days of our youth there is always wool over our eyes in how we define success for our parents it was shoes from Spitz and for this generation its German wheels.
But the student always supersedes the master and if this lineage of phenomenal women is anything to go by then you and I have our work cut up for us.
So may we give room for our 8year old to learn the Freedom Charter before gyrate to Rihannas Rude Boy. So the next time they sit through MTV reality TV marathon they may know that you are of a different fabric, that though our stories are similar, ours is in no way identical to the african american story.
Or in the midst of your Louis Viutton Bad, Jimmy Choos, somewhere in between the champagne popping and cigar smoking may we make a mental note that one day our generation is going to rule our population. As great at these women are they can in noway gives us our dreams nor can they fulfil them for us. Their stories can only help us courage in reaching for our dreams.
To all my peers who have been blessed with the gift of motherhood.
Happy Belated Mothers :-)
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Gone Too Soon
GONE TOO SOON.
My introduction to Tupac Shakur was that of an angry potty mouth rapper. But it wasn't until my late teens that a friend introduced me to the life and heart of Tupac Shakur through written material and archives of interview footage. The curtains were raised and a bold dreamer, prolific writer, intellect, longing heart, tortured soul, social misfit and believer was unveiled. A natural born creative Pac studies, jazz, poetry, drama and ballet at the Baltimore School of the art. Just 25years old he is definitely gone too soon. I took some of my favourite quotes and poems from him and put it together in such a way that it reads as a letter from him.
Dear Dreamer
"I didn't get the power from guns. I got the power from books and thinking and strategizing. Its hard cause sometimes when I'm alone I cry, cause I'm alone. The tears I cry are bitter and warm. They flow with life but take no form. I cry because my heart is torn. I find it difficult to carry on. If I had an ear to confide in, I would cry among my treasured friends, but who do you know that stops that long to help another carry on. The world moves fast and it would rather pass by than stop to see what makes one cry. So in the event of my demise when my heart can beat no more. I hope I die for a principle or belief that I had lived for. I will die before my time because I feel the shadow's depth. So much I wanted to accomplish before I reached my death. I have come to grips with the possibility and wiped the tears from my eyes. I loved all who were positive in the event of my demise. I tried to be true, I set goals, took control, drank out of my own bottle. I made mistakes but learn from every one. And when its all said and done I bet this brother will be a better one. If I upset you don't stress. Never forget that God isn't finished with me yet.
You gotta think beyond yourself for if we are all saying that rap music is an art form then we gotta be more responsible for our lyrics. If you see everyone dying because of what you're saying. It don't matter that you didn't make them die. It just matters that you didn't save them. The world didn't make it easy for me. It won't be easy on you either. Don't blame me, I was given the world. I didn't make it.
To all the seeds that follow me. Protect your essence. Born with less but you are still precious. During your life never stop dreaming. No one can take away your dreams. We wouldn't ask why a rose that grew from the concrete for having damaged petals, instead we would all celebrate its tenacity, we would all love its will to reach the sun. Well we are roses, this is the concrete and these are my damaged petals.
Always remember reality is wrong. Dreams are for real.
Never surrender.
TuPac
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
BLACK AMBITION
BLACK AMBITION.
What do you get when you put together a photographer and a cinematographer, give them a subjects matter and let then interpret it separately?... you get BLACK AMBITION.
Pako Magabane (Photographer) and Tebogo Malope (Cinematographer) have put in a collaborative effort towards a Photography Book called BLACK AMBITION. "Film and photography are pretty much the same visual art-forms except film is motion" says Tebogo Malope . " We are parallelling how i would compose my frame per subject matter and how Pako would compose his, the interesting thing is though we are both looking at the same thing, we each come out with completely different interpretation". I guess thats the beauty of perspective.
Together with an in-depth write-up about the concept of BLACK AMBITION, the book will also come with public commentary on their thoughts and what they could decipher from the images. This book is a definite must have on your coffee table. Te intricacies of every picture are ones that require an insightful eye yet you don't feel like you are trying to solve a crossword puzzle. If you grew up in the hood, all the pictures will arouse a nostalgic familiarity. Reminding us just how far we've come and how much we still need to do.
The message of BLACK AMBITION is the bravery of ambition. In every picture there is a subtle tone of aspiration to affluence. My favourite is of a man and woman who are clearly "dibotho" drinking Joburg Beer out of a wine glass. Ingeminating that irrespective of where life places you, we ALL have an inherent gift and ability to dream. "YOU CAN DREAM ANYWHERE" says Tebogo Malope.
BLACK AMBITION IS SET TO BE RELEASED END OF JUNE. Will keep you posted n where to get your copy.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
QUOTE OF THE DAY
There is no greater courage than the courage it
takes to believe in a dream. Youve already
started winning when you start believing.Lerato Mabuse
Monday, April 19, 2010
THE AUDACITY OF A DREAM
THE AUDACITY OF A DREAM
Having had a stable 7 year career in human resources working for Telecom SA and later DeBeers. Sibongile Sambo knew there was more to life than just mere stability. So naturally the frustrations of a nine to five propelled her to ask herself a question we've all asked ourselves at one point or another. "What do you REALLY want from life, what are you most passionate about?". After a couple of weeks pondering on this question, the answer that spilled from her heart is one her mind wasn't quite ready for.
FLYING.
Her love for planes is one conceived in her childhood. She grew up near Hoedspruit Air Force Base and her childhood memories are those spent waving at jets as they came in and out of the Air Force Base. While at DeBeers having access to their private jets revived this passion of her youth and gave her the courage to pursue her dream. In 2003 she took advantage of the then newly implemented BEE, resigned from her job and in 2004 founded SRS Aviation LTD the first black female owned aviation company in South Africa.
She submitted her first application to what was to be her first tender to a government contract. In applying for the tender, Sibongile knew she had no technical expertise to flying so she approached an existing aviation company to partner with in pursuit of this tender. Upon being awarded the tender, finance was her biggest obstacle. On her first assignment, she had to lease an aircraft from Russia for the amount of R800 000. Armed with the confidence of having a tender at hand Sibongile approached a couple of banks. To her disbelief doors slammed in her face . Apparently the amount she requested was too large and the collateral's posted too small.
So what do you do when you have the job, the contract and heart to see your dream to fruition, yet still the world tells you NO. Sibongile turned to her village. Her mom who was then a nurse working in the UK and her aunt with whom she was living with. She called her mom in complete desperation affirmed her that she knew very well that she didn't have the money she was about to ask for and that her request is unorthodox (withdrawing every cent out of her pension fund). When her mom agreed She still stood short and for the remaining amount she approached her aunt to do the same and assured she would pay back every cent.
She deposited the R800 000 to the Russian company which was the only company that had the required aircraft. "I remember waiting for days at the airport for the plane to arrive, panicking that after paying so much money and risking peoples lifelong savings the aircraft my not arrive" she said. You can imagine the sigh of relief when the aircraft finally landed. She got the company she had partnered with to do the necessary inspections on the aircraft in preparation for SRS Aviation's first assignment. Because Sibongile had no prior experience in relation to aviation processes. She wasn't quite ready or the news she got after the inspection. Naturally in leasing an aircraft the fee charged does not include fuel, so over and above the R800 000 she already paid, she still needed R300 000 worth of fuel. With the tender papers in hand she approached petroleum companies for a fuel loan. Little did she know that when it comes to air crafts, petroleum companies cant loan fuel. There are dynamics they cant control ie. in flying out of the country they have no insurance that you wont leave with their fuel never to return. With just a few days to the assignment Sibongile approached the aviation company she had partnered with to loan her the R300 000 of which she was prepared to pay back with interest.
When this first trip took place successfully, it laid the foundation for many more contracts for SRS Aviation. Her company grew drastically purely through reinvested profits. In 2005 with just a full year of business SRS Aviation had generated revenues of $5 Million. Today SRS Aviation provides services in VIP charter, cargo charter, tourist charter, game count and capture, fire fighting, medical evaluation, powerline inspection etc.
I dare anyone to try stop Sibongile...That is the audacity of a dream.
SALUTE
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