Afrikan man you are alone, #Luister jy is

"Black man you are alone."
stop asking white liberals to help you get liberated. Liberate yourself first them invite people.

i am watching the #Luister documentary, firstly there is nothing new with what these students are saying, we have been hearing these stories of Maties for as long as i was in high school. We know of the black integration policy that they implemented, that the department of higher education required them to have, they where forced to integrate students of colour into the institution, which they did through offering black bursaries.

Now my problem is not that fact that Stellenbosch is racist, everyone knows that the institution is one of the most racist in the country.  African students have been crying, they have been saying do something for years, but it took a documentary produced by white liberals to get the attention of the world and of the country. That makes no sense to me.

Afrikans need to learn to fight first alone before including others, there is no one who understands their struggles more then themselves. Our history has allows been written for us, our future seems to be written for us, can we write our own work. Can we give ourselves our own voices.

Stellenbosch is a picture of many South African communities where the Afrikan man does not have a voice, until the white man comes and gives them one. I am not racist, but simply i am Afrikan who does not want a white man to speak out on my behalf or to give me a platform in my land to speak to his own.
I admire what is happening in Stellenbosch, but this should have been something led by the  Afrikan students from the get go.

As i had said in the beginning of this piece, there is nothing new here, the difference is that four white producers decided they wanted to help the Afrikan student on campus and give them a voice. I look at heroes of the Pan Afrikan movement, who said " Black man you are on your own"- Steve Biko and Mangaliso Robebet S said that white liberals must fight not with the Afrikan, rather fight for the Afrikan in his own space and community . The reason they said this is because they knew the realities of the black man and no white liberal would know the depth of the reality of the Afrikan man.

Stellenbosch has just opened up the flood gates of the reality of the Afrikan man in a South Afrika that is pro- apartheid in a post apartheid South Afrika. When we are still ruled by a system that was made to oppress and dumb the Afrikan mind into slavery and submissiveness to the one who is the boss, the white.

I love it when the white South Africans says i am not racist, after saying something racist and offensive, because to them racism is saying Kaffir, anything outside of that is normal. But when an Afrikan says they want their land back, they are being racist; i still stand an Afrikan can not be racist.

Can the Afrikan voice belong to the Afrikan man, not a white man, who claims to be helping the black man. #Rohdesmustfall needs to #Rhodesmustdie

last issue for now

As we go to the poles as South Africans, many for the first time, I hope we all go with informed minds and vote for a government that will be for all and that will benefit all South Africans regardless of race, gender or culture. We as South Africans, more so the youth hold the future of our country in hands and in our votes.
This Issue of W.O.T is called “ Making moves”, it is all about young people who have moved out of their comfortable zones and have decided to do something with what they have been given (talent). Woman Of Tomorrow has always stood for young women becoming all they are meant to be. With South Africans choosing their ruling government for 2014, I hope that this will make more young people  want to take charge of their own lives. God has created greatness in all of us and all we need to do is make the move and He will direct or steps.
Woman of Tomorrow is getting bigger, so I had new talent working with me on the issue, on top of the regular contributors. As you grow you need to start making decisions about your life and your enterprise, sometimes things work out and sometimes they don’t, but we need to make space to improve.
 So, i hope that issue will inspire you to be the best you can be and also inspire you in your faith.





Becoming a Personal Brand

I am sure we all have heard celebrities calling themselves a brand, what does it really mean? It simply means they  are a business, their names are trade marked and any one who wants to use their names needs to pay. Many celebrities have built empires from their names alone, like Oprah, Beyoncé and Bonang.
How can you become a brand, how can people invest in you for being you? You need to ask yourself a few questions before walking into any meeting, before stepping out on any stage and before speaking to anyone.
What is my personal brand?
 What do I want people to see in me and hear from me?
What will they take away from meeting me and talking to me?
 What impression do I want to leave in their minds?
Can they identify my personality?
And are they willing to invest in me?
These are all important questions when building your personal brand, when you have the answers to these questions and when people  react according to how you want them to when you are in an interaction with them, then your brand is well established. But if there are still some open holes in some of the questions, you need to work on closing them.
 Big business hardly ever hire individuals with no personal brand, you have to stand for something and your personality needs to visible. Companies are looking for assets and not liabilities. When you know your brand, you are likely to be more confident in yourself and your abilities and that translates well in interviews.
 There a many different type of personal brands, your personal brand may be a happy brand, someone who is always happy and always smiling and laughing. That type of person attracts many people, because people want to be around laughter and happiness, some brands and serious and intellectual. You need to understand who you are for anyone to believe in you and believe you.
So before you step out to the world, step into yourself and find your own brand.
Editor's Column
Perfection
I don't really believe in perfection. There has only been one man on record who was perfect, who was without fault or sin, that was Jesus Christ the Son of God.  As people we can never fully reach the level of perfection that Jesus had, in fact it is impossible. Forgiveness of sin makes you clean and perfect yes, but it does not mean you have never done anything wrong.  The idea that you need to be perfect to be a Christian is a wrong and obscure one. God knows each and everyone of His children and He requires nothing but trust from them. God is not calling perfect people, but He is calling the imperfect, the broken and the ones that seem lost in there paths, minds and in there lives, He honestly does not care what your past is or where you where last night or what you where doing, He just wants you the way you are and He just needs you to trust Him to change you as time goes.

 Beyoncé says in her song "Pretty Hurts" "perfection is the disease of a nation". Perfection is an idea that has lost its meaning in this generation, it's measured against someone’s or something’s else’s flaws, as if that makes you better than the next person. So many people have an idea of the USA as this perfect country a land of opportunity, but people don't realize that even the USA is a country with its own struggles, with its own people in poverty, with its own crime and imperfections. That is one thing I learnt on my trip there, there is no perfect country, every country is a working progress just like people. We are all on a journey of self-discovery and seeking perfection. We are all on a journey that never ends, life is a constant lesson, it is constantly rotating, no one ever really gets to the end, even in death there is life and until the final judgment we will be on this journey.
I know I hate it when someone thinks I’m perfect just because I’m born again, I’m far from it. I'm a Jesus freak that is still on her own journey, with her own battles and imperfection she fighting. I try to show people the type of person I am so when I get angry or annoyed people will not get surprised. They’re no reason for me to act perfect when I know I’m not. But I praise and worship my God with of my heart and pray for Him work on me, He know all or weak points and He works on them with us.
Learn to love yourself and accept yourself, allows God to help you on this journey of life. Perfection is a disease of dying world, don't die with it and do not judge with it.



 On the of 15 March 2014 at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Vertas Residence study centre South Campus. Woman of Tomorrow Africa foundation hosted their first Seminar in the Port Elizabeth. There were thee speakers, each amazing in their own right. There were 40 young women in attendance. Read more..

Woman of Tomorrow Foundation
 Woman of tomorrow is an NGO/online magazine that aims on motivation, inspiring young God fearing female leaders for tomorrow. It connects woman of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Creating a sisterhood bond, where they learn from each others experiences, providing mentorship for young girls all over South Africa and Africa.
We focus on skill development, teaching then business skills and value of education. We teach then about positive attitude and self esteem. Creating a forum where we can talk freely about issues facing you African women and women in general. We believe that women are power and successful and we want our girls to believe that.
The NGO teaches our girls the value of giving, helping out those in need and charity work. Charity is very close to the NGO, we want to help create sustainability in the homes of the poorer percentage  of South African households, by having programs that the NGO help create and monitor.
We also have an online magazine, that is used as a young female lifestyle magazine, that is used to speak to the women of, yesterday, today and tomorrow. We are hoping to have it in print by 2013 December.
http://wotfoundastion.wordpress.com


W.O.T had an interview with new kid on the block, TV and radio presenter Bongiwe Mnikina. She is a young bundle of bliss, motivated and making moves.


This 17-year-old grade 11 scholar from Victoria High School in Port Elizabeth is making buzz in PE. This Port Elizabeth native grew up in New Brighton in the hands of her grandparents, whom she attributes to helping raise her.

She is young, energetic and a go-getter, “I'm quite a Drama Queen with a Capital "D",” she says. Her favorite class is her drama class, no wonder she has chosen a path in media. She is a musician, playing the saxophone and singing in the school choir, but that is not all this young talent does, she is also a model, signed under a P.E agency. Her modeling has taken a break while she peruses her TV career as a presenter on Bay-TV.

Television has always been a dream of Mnikina. From a young age she saw herself on television, “ I don’t know how or when but I told myself I’m going to be on TV”. In 2013 that became a reality, when Mnikina and three of her friends where invited to be guests on a local PE TV station, Bay-TV, she says that after that appearance, her dream was reaffirmed. She tells me seeing people like Bonang Matheba (a South African, TV and radio personality), makes her hunger for it even more, “ She made her job look so easy and it takes a pro to do that,” she said .

In December 2013, Mnikina and her four friends where invited by Bay-TV to do a screen and chemistry test, for a new show the station was doing, called “Young and Beautiful”, a show for teenage girls, talking about issues affecting teen girls and covering events.
The show's creators and producers loved how the girls worked together and that is how it all started.

Mnikina, would love to study Media and Communications in university, growing her knowledge in Media. She is also involved with Bay-fm. A local PE radio station, where she won a competition out of 500 entries where she won a three months contract with the radio station and a bursary.
Although she enjoys radio, Mnikina’s main focus is television. With Port Elizabeth’s media industry so small, she would love to enter the media field of Cape Town. She says if she had the opportunity, she would leave PE for a bigger industry.
In the future she sees herself still as presenter entertaining, "I'm all about entertaining people" she says. Her parents are supportive, although she is on TV, she says nothing has changed much; she says they have become more strict, teaching her that balance is vital. Her career should not clash with school work.
“You don't have to be liked by everyone at the end of the day you not money!” Mnikina said.



 Do you really know Jesus or.......?

 I know with no doubt that my God lives, I don’t doubt or think twice about it. It hit me, the same way I believe in My God, the same way I know that God is God and there is no other god that is greater then my God. In my belief that only my God is the one true living God, that is how many other religions view their religions, that is how they see their gods and the same way I love my God that is how they love their gods, they feel or know that no winds, storms or pain can remove them from their god or gods. So what would make someone want to believe in my Jesus in my God, what makes Him that special that would make someone believe in Him?
That is a very important question, what sets you and your Jesus apart from the rest of the religions and gods? I was speaking to my friend Simile Mboto, who posed a very striking question, “who is God? How do you tell someone who God is, and makes Him greater or better then their god right now?” She carried on to ask if I would be able to explain God to an atheist. Interesting questions, really as much as I know about my God, how much do I know really, what can I say that can make some leave their gods, which I believe aren’t real, but they believe they are, why Jesus? How would I explain Him?
As Christians we are so complacent in our walk with God, we are ok with knowing God for ourselves and everyone can figure it out themselves. Maybe it’s not that we are complacent, but it may be from our own ignorance. See when Jesus died He died so that we can know the father and know Him to the fullest, no half way or knowing Him the way your pastor knows Him, your pastor can not determine you relationship with God and he/she should never be put in charge of your relationship with God.  People are always looking for a middle man when it come to God, but the idea of Jesus and Christianity has never been religion, which offers you a middle man, but the idea and reason for Jesus, was for a direct and personal line to God.
“Christianity in essence is and
has never been a religion.”
How would I explain Christianity to someone who does not believe in Jesus, someone who already has his/her own ideas about god/s? It is the knowledge of the word; Jesus says in Matthew He is the word. How do you introduce someone you yourself don’t know, someone  you depend on someone else to tell you about.
Christianity is like a friendship, when you get introduced to someone for the first time and you bump into them again and again, you start getting acquainted with them, a relationship starts to form, you start pinging them on facebook or whatsaping them. You start spending time with them and getting to know them, until you get to a point when you start calling them a friend and when you call them friend, you make effort in visiting, calling and attending all their events. How do you get to know your new friend? By talking to them, having a cup of coffee, making time for them and investing in that friendship. When someone asks you about your friend, you confidently tell them who she/he is, how she/he is, you know where they from, their parents and siblings, and if something incorrect or not true is said about them, you stand up for them with confidence and no doubt that your friend would never do what has been said.
This is how we need to be with Jesus, you need to know so much that even an atheist becomes confused in his/he own belief of lack of belief.  Someone who is of a different faith needs to want to know more about this Jesus you talk so freely and confidently about. When they ask you what He has done for you, that should not feel like a trick question, no question should feel like a trick question. Ask God to know Him more, to give the desire to read the world more. The word is Jesus and Jesus is the word. And until you know really know Jesus/the word, you will never be able to stand up for Him or tell someone the truth about Him. That’s  why you find so many people following Pastors so religiously, because they don’t know God., they don’t know the truth about Jesus.
by: Sinazo Mtshengu

issue 8

Education Ambassadors SA

Education is the most important weapon which we can use to change the world – Nelson Mandela

  W.O.T magazine spoke a young woman of tomorrow, making a difference in the South African community through education. W.O.T asked Dmakatso Lukhele questions about herself and her NGO. This young woman has chosen to do something about the ailing South African education system, she rose up and foundered the "Ambassadors For Education" NGO and has worked with a number of people in making sure that her organisation is successful and reaches the youth. The NGO has created a platform for education for young people it has been in touch with.

 1. Who is Dimakatso Lukhele?

Dimakatso Lukhele is the founder of Education Ambassadors SA. A project dedicated to creating education awareness in South Africa.

2. How and Why did you decide to be an ambassador for education?

I grew up in a family where as a woman; you were either destined to be a domestic worker or a stay at home mom. I made a decision at a very young age to never be like that.

Education was so attractive to me, a sexy way for me to breakthrough from what was supposed to be my destiny. Since then, I have never looked back. I was top student in most of my grades up until university level (I’m too dedicated to Education). My life has completely changed and through my education, young kids within my family are inspired to also be educated (funny how one person can change a cycle that doesn’t benefit us).

3. What projects have you been involved in?

We empower youth of South Africa by giving them a platform to showcase their written work on our blog. We have recently been working together with Cape Media Corporation, which assists our writers heavily by publishing their work within their various publications such as Leadership Magazine: http://www.leadershiponline.co.za/articles/TOMORROW-S-LEADERS-9014.html

There’s a myth that a black child doesn’t read, we are busting this myth every day!

4. What is Education Ambassadors, what does it do and who do they help?

When I first started the project, I wanted it to merely create Education awareness in SA but I soon realized that the problem goes way deeper. Most of the target youth (mostly black) did not have enough access to educational information. That’s when I decided to post and share with them across all our platforms (Facebook and Twitter) career opportunities from companies hiring i.e. looking for interns, graduates, or offering bursaries.

As a fan on our platforms, you get the opportunity to apply and are notified when both private and government departments have vacancies available. We verify all posts on our platforms to confirm and double check whether they are legit or not. If you are able to see it on our wall, apply and get your dream job!

We have helped numerous youth who are now working and making us proud. We do this every day because we want to make a difference, we do not expect any form of payment from youth we have helped after getting employed or receiving their bursary. We are rewarded every time one of our mission and vision points are reached!

See testimonies from previous students we have helped here:

·         https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=597964870225446&set=pb.428818640473404.-2207520000.1383209953.&type=3&theater

·         https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=598358730186060&set=pb.428818640473404.-2207520000.1383209953.&type=3&theater

·         https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=618370214851578&set=pb.428818640473404.-2207520000.1383209947.&type=3&theater

·         https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=597970896891510&set=pb.428818640473404.-2207520000.1383209953.&type=3&theater

·         https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=590443237644276&set=pb.428818640473404.-2207520000.1383209984.&type=3&theater

5. Who else is involved in the project?

I am currently working closely with a gentleman called Nkululeko Lehlohonolo Mosethe. An incredible being, absolutely brilliant! Since he joined the initiative, we have grown extensively. I appreciate him.

  

6. What are you hoping to achieve through this organisation?

Youth who are:

·         Opinionated.

·         Influential.

·         Educated.

·         Involved.

·         Entrepreneurs.

·         And most importantly, employed.

7. What do you stand for as an individual and education activist?

Equality and a better and improved life for all.

8.  looking at Africa's Education levels, what do you think needs to be done, to secure the future of education on the continent?

Nelson Mandela once said: “It is through education that a peasant’s daughter can become a doctor, a mine worker’s son can become the head of the mine.” SA needs to prioritise every learner’s educational journey.  No system is perfect but I believe we can learn very valuable lessons from how the private schools are run. The first question we have to ask is “why is it that they can obtain matric pass rates of 95% every year”?  Yes they pay good money. But I believe the government is also paying good money to run the current education system.

Perhaps how we use the money is part of the problem. We simply throw money at our problems thinking they will be solved. As a country we have one of the biggest social expenditure budgets globally. Pumping all this money is great as it shows we do care. But when that money is thrown in the hands of a few corrupt individuals who enrich themselves, then the cause becomes futile.

As citizens of this country, we need to develop a national pride and consciousness because great countries solve their problems TOGETHER. It’s not up to politicians, business organisations, unionists, and church leaders etc. to fix our education system. It is up to all of us, and we should all play our role in doing our part.

9. Do you consider yourself a leader and why? 

Not at all. Perhaps the term leader does not come close to how I even see myself. I’m a mover! I shake, I make beats and I follow my own sound. Am I leader? I could be even better! I’m a woman eager to make a difference! Ambitious and not afraid to dream a little bigger. If anything, those who view me as a leader need to know this about me; I am not afraid to make mistakes! I always, always leave room for disappointment because I am aware that not everything we would like to achieve can go ahead as planned. But that doesn’t mean it won’t happen. It’s a 50/50 chance that you must be willing to take in order to succeed.

10. How has Education shaped you?

I am smarter, able to stand up for myself. I have incredible experience in my field (Public Relations Management and Digital Marketing). Through education, I am offered amazing opportunities on a daily basis. I guess it’s safe to say “Viva Education” J

11. Who inspires you and why?

All women holding it down by creating a better future for either themselves or everyone else.

12. Where do you see your organisation and yourself 10 years from now?

In ten years’ time, I want to see us collaborating and working together with the government and the private sector to make a difference in the lives of many SA youth (black, white or green). I would like to see the organisation as a 1^st space for all youth to seek help and get their dream career. Educated youth produce a wealthy economy. This project will benefit SA economy heavily.

13. who can get involved and how?

Anyone with a passion for education and eager to make a real difference in people’s lives! Visit our social media platforms and blogs to see what we do and if it interests you, see contact details below:

Contact us

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EducationAmbassadorsSA

Twitter: www.twitter.com/Edu_Ambassadors

Blog: http://educationambassadors.wordpress.com/about 

Email: ambassadorsedu@gmail.com

Remember: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” – Nelson Mandela.

Thank you

Perhaps Dimakasto does not see herself as a leader, but W.O.T definitely sees her as one, we see great things in the stars for this young woman. Education shapes a nation and with more young women like Dmakatso we are sure moving in the right direction as a nation. 

 Naz In The USA 

This issue is all about starting 2014 on a high note, living life to the fullest and taking chances. I'm known for being spontaneous, I love life and the adrenaline of it. 2013 I decided to take part in a program in Louisville Kentucky USA. I studied for a five months at Ballermine University and decided to explore the USA, just a little. 

This issue is all about starting 2014 on a high note, living life to the fullest and taking chances. I'm known for being spontaneous, I love life and the adrenaline of it. 2013 I decided to take part in a program in Louisville Kentucky USA. I studied for five months at Ballermine University and decided to see a little bit of the USA. 

 I've always wanted to go to the United States, but always worried about money and how I would get there. I got tired of thinking about it and decided to just do it, and anything having to do with finances would sort its self out, and it did.

The experience was amazing; I did not really know what to expect so I planned nothing, but to study. Study and learn as much as I could about American media. But meeting people from all over the world and people from totally different cultures made me want to explore the country more. I went with no travel budget, but I squeezed my cash and was able to see a few places, Chicago, Elgin, Nashville, Lexington, Atlanta and travelled around Indiana and Kentucky with friends and my roommate and her sister. 

 I decided if I wanted to see the USA, I needed extra cash, so I applied for a student job and with that extra cash I did a little bit more traveling. This trip has been one of the best experiences of my life it has ignited a fire in me to do more, to explore more of my world and just to travel South Africa and Africa. 

 I met so many wonderful people and created great bonds. I feel like i learnt so much about Europe without even traveling to it. I made friends with an Italian whose personality reminded me of a Xhosa girl, out spoken and direct, a French girl who is nothing like your stereotypical French person, an Austrian, I know nothing a Austria except that the Sound Of Music was filmed there, so it was amazing just to learn about the culture and people, I got to make my first Asian friend from Hong Kong, who was in one of my classes and who loved fashion and media, to a German girl, also not your typical German, Germans are known for being on time, not Laura. I made many great American friends and got to meet so many other people from around the world. My roommate and her sister become my sisters and shared their family with me.  

 My favorite city I visited was Atlanta, it was everything I imagined it to be, it was one of those cities I could envision myself moving too, for a year or two. The people where so friendly, you could just feel the media atmosphere. And I got to see the famous Piedmont Park and Olympic Park and got to see Underground Atlanta and the Coke a Cola world and CNN, we walked all over and saw so much. 

 My favorite thing about the USA was the shopping, the clothes are so much cheaper then in SA and there are so many thrift shops it was amazing.

 Food was an adjustment, almost everything was processed, my body took time getting used to the food. American food was not really my kind of food, I missed South African food. Funny thing is that the food in the USA is far more expensive then in SA.

KFC in Kentucky USA tastes the same as the KFC in SA, that was the only familiar taste, but their KFC store has far less products and cost more, that very surprising to see, that SA KFC looked much better then the American KFC. 

 My roommate was an amazing person, I felt like I had my own American family, I went to her house for Thanksgiving and I went camping with her family and I felt like I was with my own family.  

The USA was a great experience, but I still think SA is the place to be; we have the best of all worlds right here in the Mother Land.  

Live life 

The most difficult thing to do for many young people is to really live life to its fullest. It is easy to make excuses and give reason as to why you can not do certain things. Finances have always supposedly been the biggest factor that stands in the way of truly living life to the fullest. 

But what is truly living life, is spending money on trips, or spending thousands of rands on hotels  and dinging? No! living is about exploring yourself, your surrounding, sometimes  you don't even spend a cent. Recently my friends and i decided to take a little detour on our normal walking route, every morning and afternoon we take a walk as part of daily exercise. We live in town with some of the most beautiful mountains and we have amazing hiking and bike trails, we've always seen people biking and driving on make route that has the mountain directly behind it and we decided that we would walk that route and it was amazing, we spent nothing and recovered one the most amazing trails in our small town, because we chose to do different and take route that seemed scary, but thats what living is about taking risks and exploring what is there. 

I remember in my first year of University i had a friend tell me that she has never been to the beach in the two years she was in Port Elizabeth and she was telling me how boring her life was. I thought to myself, no wonder her life was boring, if she could not take time to walk 15 minutes to the beach, how would she go out and have fun. In order to live and feel like you living, you need to make a move and do something exciting. 

Life is about taking a chance, go out with friends, make new friends, open your mind to the world around you. I think sometimes when you come from a certain religion you find it difficult to be friends with people from other religions. If you Christian sometimes you don't want to open your mind to being friends with someone who is Muslim, Islamic or Jewish, because you feel like your religion is greater or better and vice verser with Muslim, Islam or Jewish people. One thing I've learnt from life is that no one is better then the other and we all have something to learn from each other. Life is about learning and growing from experiences. You being friends with someone of a different faith or culture does not mean you will convert, it means you full of love and life and you share it with others.       

Sitting a dreaming about what you would like to do and want to do, will not help you do it. You need to dream it and do it. Find ways of doing it. My friend told me about her friends, who are students and are broke, but they wanted to go  Namibia, but the did not look at their what they did not have, but rather looked and what they had and what they wanted, they saved up their allowances, drove down to Namibia and packed tents and tinned food, camped on the beach in Namibia and had the time of their lives. If you make excuses you will never truly live. 

      

issue 6

This issue we speak to Miss NMMU Chumisa  Ndlazi   One of Port Eliabeth young influencial women, I speak to miss NMMU 2012/2013, we speak about women in empowerment and where woman are in the cooparate leader. We speak about her role as Miss NMMU and what it has meant to her. This young revelutionary woman has redefined the role of Miss NMMU, with her passion for woman empowerment and young women, Chumisa is the definition of an empowered young woman.  1.What does the platform of miss NMMU mean to you and what are doing within it? Being Miss NMMU means being an ambassador for the ladies within the institution. With the title I have delievered various motivational speeches to young women within the institution, worked closely with the SRC with the Sakh'ingomso campaign, worked with the Events Com a bit for Mr. and Miss Freshette and finally, some SRC members and I organized a dinner for women just to inspire them as leaders.   2. As a young woman, what do you think, we as woman are lacking.  I think many women lack the appreciation of their unique identity. This is possibly due to the fact that the world constantly expects us to look and act a certain way to an extent that we conform and we forget to nurture and love our unique identity. Hence I think women suffer from so many insecurities.   3. What is the one quote you live by? 3. Iv come to realize I don't have a quote I live by. I can't possibly live by someone else's words or experiences. However, I believe in hard work, humility and prayer.   4. What is the one thing you would like to change in your community?  I think the Bhisho community lacks vibrancy. I would love to see more happen in terms of developing the youth and nurturing their talents or skills.   5. Do you think that young woman, are getting enough platforms for leadership?  In South Africa, we are getting there but even so, a woman needs to work so hard and even fight just to earn the respect of the men she works with.  In Africa, no. Women are still marginalized in their communities. We are still reduced to being sexual objects, subordinates to man, child bearers etc. We are often defined by societal roles as oppose to our unique identities and capabilities.    6. Do you think there are enough opportunities for the youth of SA as whole and  are our youth getting involved enough in the affairs of the country? The opportunities are there but the stumbling block for many young people is ignorance. We don't know of these opportunities, they are so many we don't even know where to start, we don't know who to talk to and where to go. Its a crazy cycle that we need to escape somehow. Secondly, because of Social Networks which are slowly becoming information hubs I can, to a certain extent say that young people are beginning to engage with one another on matters that affect their country. We are beginning to find our voices. However, our voices are not big enough because our information or our opinions are limited to what we see in these newly formed “information hubs”. We need to read more and w The opportunities are there but the stumbling block for many young people is ignorance. We don't know of these opportunities, they are so many we don't even know where to start, we don't know who to talk to and where to go. Its a crazy cycle that we need to escape somehow. Secondly, because of Social Networks which are slowly becoming information hubs I can, to a certain extent say that young people are beginning to engage with one another on matters that affect their country. We are beginning to find our voices. However, our voices are not big enough because our information or our opinions are limited to what we see in these newly formed “information hubs”. We need to read more and we need to read with a critical mind.  7. As Miss nmmu, what is your take on BEE? 7. Could have been a great economic programme or policy if it was implemented correctly. 9. Where would you like to see women in South Africa in the next ten yours.    Living their dream-whatever that dream may be. 10. When I say Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, what comes into mind?  Most powerful and influential woman in Africa as Chairperson of the AU. 11. Who is the one woman who inspires you?  Michelle Obama- I love how she is not just the presidents wife. She does her own thing and she has her own voice-which many are inspired by. She is a leader. 12. What legacy would you like to leave behind as Miss NMMU 2012 in the NMMU?  I would like to be known as the young woman who redefined the role of Miss NMMU. If I could do that, my mission would be accomplished. 13. Where would you like to see Chumisa in the next 5 years   Hahahaha only God knows where I will be in the next 5 years so I think I'll leave that up to him to decide:) 14. Any words that you would like to say to our young girls, being a young woman leader in NMMU1  Never let your circumstances define you. Do everything in your power to nurture your talent, watch it grow and enjoy the fruits of it need to read with a critical mind.
WOMAN OF STRENGTH What kind of a woman Dares to breathe when the air is dry Who still plants her seeds When years have passed with no rain Who when the day ends Eats her unbuttered brown bread crust like cake She drinks tap water like the best tea she’s sipped What kind of a woman Sleeps with a smile When the sunsets With her heart unburdened by tomorrows worries A woman who cries with a healing laughter Who dances in times of despair Woman who binds her wounds with hope and faith What kind of a woman is this? What kind of a woman Dares to awake in her dreams And live a life impossible to the conditions that be presently She is a beautiful woman A strong yet so delicate being She carries power within She is the fertile ground for seeds She is the woman who carries The new generation and breed She flows the love that many find hard to give Her hand reaches in places not known to exist She is a beautiful woman A woman who ceases the moments of the gifts she gives Of life Of love Of the best there is Of the best she is You are a beautiful woman Your beauty can’t be soul deep For yours passes beyond the soul In your spirit is where it is She is a beautiful woman A spiritual being One who sees beyond the now To where her Canan land is. by: Siphokazi Zele Raising success  Parents need to start looking at ways to make sure their children become all that they can be, it so easy for a parent to say I want my child to be the next Bill Gate or the next big business man in the world, but what re parent doing to make sure that their kids are on the right track and what steps are they taking to insure the future of the children in business are secure. We need to start making sure that our children’s minds are minds of great leaders and business men and women. So how old should we start teaching them the principles of business. From the time a child enters the world parents have ideas of what they would like their children to be or what they would like their children to achieve, to be the best they can be. Children look to their homes to set goals and dream for themselves. I am sure all parents would love to see there children becoming great men and women in business, but how does a parent insure that the child grows up with a business mind. We need to look at the character, find his strengths and work on them, start with television: this is the biggest influence in children’s life in this generation, children spend more time in front of the TV then outside, make sure you get your child interested in show that deal with success, let them watch movies and shows that will make them aware of the world and shows that have men and woman in power, make them understand that they too can be like that.  Let children watch news so they can keep up with what is happening outside in their world, they get to see what people are lacking and what people need, after the news or during the ad breaks ask the child question pertaining to the news and stories, help them think and be able to amylase situations and even come up with solutions, remember never laugh at their answers, because they are kids and that will bring them down. Play games like Monopoly with them that will help them know how to invest and work with money.  Explain each step of the game to them as you play.  Children are the is that they most creative people, more creative then adults , let them explore their interest, help them understand what it is that they really love, do not limit the  interest your children have, they are still young and might not know what they are good in, so letting them explore will bring out more in their creativity.  It is important to try and encourage your children to participate in school programs like sports and charity, so they can learn how to work with other people and see how other people think. Charity will teach them how to be humble, because as much as you are raising a business man/woman, you are still raising men and woman of God.  This were parents who are pushing children to be successful  get wrong, when you let your dream, over shadow your child, do not force your child, but encourage these behaviours, make your child enjoy watching the news with you, and playing all these game. MAKE IT FUN for them, let them enjoy it. And the best time for them to start, is when they are two or three. (published in parable) Star on the rise Naledi Boltina  We chat to a rising star of the Bay, Eastern Cape born Naledi Boltina a triple thread talented young woman, who is hard at work making waves in the Bay. The PE born Singer, Presenter, actor and model is running the shore sof PE media. This rising star is not slowing down for anything or anyone. With her name (Naledi) meaning star, she is leaving up to that name. I asked her a few question about herself and got to know a little more about this Star, I wanted to find out what keeps her so motivated, how she started and who are the people who inspire her. Star on set  Naledi use to sing along to all the records at home, telling me that she was never really aware that she could sing until her late cousin  said she'll take her to Pop Stars. " I was 11 at the time" she laughs. She has always loved music and took up piano, but her piano teacher told her to take something else, that did not stop her from trying out something else in music, that's when she joined the steal drum band, after that she entered her primary school idols, where she did very well. A star was born. Music is in her blood, her mother was a chorister, an English and Music teacher. I wanted to find out more about her career as a Bay TV presenter, she tells me how she had come second in so many competition, so when she was announced as the winner of the Bat TV's presenter search, she say she was so happy. We spoke about some of her highlights as the presenter of the We R Loud music show. "Meeting some of South Africa's best musicians and getting understand them and know them better". Being in the PE where media is not as big as Johannesburg, Durban or Cape Town, she tells me that she was very blessed, opportunities don't always present themselves when you live in a city with such little media opportunities, for her Bay TV has unlocked many doors. Bay TV has three presenter that where discovered on the channel and are now in SABC, Luthando from Live Amp being one of the big names. She says Bay TV is all about preparing and developing the next generation, " for big sharks and sadly that are mainly based in Johannesburg" she says.   Naledi is inspired by a few giants in the South African media industry, Basetsana ,Bonang, she says that these women who always strives for the best, they looked for opportunities not just in front of the camera, but behind as well, they saw gaps and took them on. Naledi tells me how Bonangs drive inspires her" Bonang always says she is not content with where she is,  which goes to show that she still wants to achieve more", Naledi explains. So I wanted to know if she had to choose between music and television, which would she choose?  She has times where she prefers one over the other, but she does not see herself really choosing one over the other, she says they work  hand in hand. Going back t her music.The music she sings is soulful music/afro soul and when she says soul she means it in terms of what inspires her soul at the time be it RnB, gospel or jazz, she clarifies. What is Naledi working on at the moment and what can we expect from the rising star, she tells me,"I had a performance  with thabisa from season 1 of I want to sing gospel.  I have been approached by many more projects which I will spill when the time is right.  Naledi is now under the management of China csuns production so watch the space", So we have been warned to watch this space and South Africa is watching as this rising star is rising even higher. But that is not all that she does, she is a beauty queen and model. Are there breaks on this fast rising star of the Bay? I hope not because there is much more we want to see from the Star. Naledi interviewing Euphonic on her show  Profile: Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma African Union chief describes herself as a "visionary leader with incredible passion" for the African continent. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma is a veteran South African politician and the first woman to lead the commission of the African Union. The former wife of South African President Jacob Zuma was elected to head the commission, the AU's executive arm, in July 2012, replacing Jean Ping - Gabon's former long-serving foreign minister - who led the AU since 2008. But Dlamini-Zuma's election to office was not easy. Voters from francophone countries - former colonies of France - wanted Jean Ping to continue in the job while Anglophone states rooted for Dlamini-Zuma, leading to a stalemate. She eventually won the election after three rounds of voting, securing 37 votes or 60 percent of the vote. In order to win, candidates are required to secure a two-thirds majority. 'Midwife to peace' Dlamini-Zuma was born in January 1949 and is the eldest of eight children. She has described herself as a "visionary leader with incredible passion for the African continent and its developmental ambitions". She has worked closely with AU's predecessor, the Organisation for the African Unity (OAU), and participated in a number of OAU delegations as a "midwife to peace, stability, development and prosperity to the African continent". Dlamini-Zuma has also led a number of peace and security initiatives to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC); the Union of the Comoros and the Kingdom of Lesotho. As she pursued her studies in the early 1970s, Dlamini-Zuma became an active underground member of the African National Congress (ANC) which had been banned for fighting the apartheid government. At the same time, she was also a member of the South African Students Organisation and was elected as its deputy president in 1976. 'Strategic vision' Dlamini-Zuma read Zoology and Botany at the University of Zululand, in South Africa, graduating in 1971 with a bachelor's degree in science. But her involvement with the ANC forced her into exile in the United Kingdom before she completed her medical degree. She resumed and completed her studies at the University of Bristol, earning a degree in medicine. She also holds a diploma in tropical child health from Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. Dlamini-Zuma has held senior positions in the South African government, serving as health minister for five years and as foreign minister for 10 years. When she was elected head of the AU commission she was serving as home affairs minister. Her work to help improve lives on the African continent has earned her recognition and she was amongst others elected President of the UN World Conference against Racism (WCAR) in 2001. Dlamini-Zuma has also worked as chairperson of the AU Ministers' Council (during South Africa's tenure as Chair of the AU) and has been president of the Minister's Council for the recently held UN World Summit on Sustainable Development. She says issues that inform her strategic vision for the commission include consolidating the institution of the AU as a formidable, premier, Pan-African institution. Source: Agencies  and Aljezeera Woman of Tomorrow Lunch Woman of tomorrow hosted a small lunch for 20 young women in Matatiele. The lunch was filled with young inspirational women, who are full of ideas and life. The purpose of  lunch was to introduce the WOT foundation and Online magazine, to get young women together and talking, to show them what WOT is about. Woman Of Tomorrow is about leadership and motivation, getting young female leaders interested in business, leadership, education, charity, community and God. The lunch was a great success, with 20 young women who were part of the guest list  who were interacting and getting to know each other. Guests were from four different home towns and where students from seven different universities  and higher learning institution. A young woman who stood out was Phelisa Siboyana, a young God fearing  woman, a true inspiration to many of the young women who set at that table. The guest speaker was a Miliswa who is the manager of the ABSA branch in Matatiele, a woman on the rise, with a successful career and house hold, she was the perfect person to speak to the young ladies at the lunch.  There was great food, great drinks and great company. Woman of tomorrow will be hosting lunches, teas and leadership conferences , the lunch was just the start ( to be on W.O.T data base please email wotmagsa@gmail.com with your details, name, cell number, email and city) . Miss NMMU 2013 said in one of her social network posts, " i wish woman would encourage each other instead of bringing each other down", this is one of our aims as W.O.T.  W.O.T was first foundered as a club to unite girls and build a sisterhood bond among them, this was the original vision of the the W.O.T, now we are creating a movement of young female who are ready to take on lead positions in their societies and in their country.  There are greater days ahead of the the WOT movement. Inspiring, motivating and building God fearing female leaders for tomorrow.  Photo gallery Zimasa Hene  Bops Nakin, Yamkelani Mzimkhulu and Olwethu Dekeda   The ladies having lunch  Sibahle Gcwabe and Simile Mboto  10 ways to get closer to God in 2013 and find spiritual Healing. Firstly I would like to say Happy new year to everyone. I trust that this year will be great to all of us. I pray that it may be filled with God's rich blessings and love. I feel very excited to write about this topic as this is a journey God is also taking me through. It gives me great pleasure to be able to share what God has revealed to me. This journey began when I started reading a book titled 'Good Morning Holy Spirit' by Benny Hinns. The first and most important way to getting closer to God is having a fellowship with His Holy Spirit. Most Christians tend to be oblivious to the Holy Spirit yet He is the most important person in our lives. Even before creation began the Bible says He hovered the earth. He is mentioned in almost every verse in the bible and beyond salvation, beyond being baptized in water, beyond being filled with the Holy Spirit, the most important thing is a personal relationship with Him. The Spirit teaches us everything that is pleasing to God for He knows the will of God. We also need to talk to God through the Holy Spirit. Address Him as a person, as a friend. In John 14:16-17 Jesus says that the Father will give us another Counselor, the Spirit of truth. The world may not accept Him because they do not see Him, but we should know Him for He lives in all of us. Do not grieve the Spirit of God. Do not hurt Him. Spend more time with God. As much as He is always there for us, He does not stay where is not wanted and appreciated. We need to learn to confide and tell our problems not to people but God. In Isaiah 43 God shows how much He cares for us and He would do anything for us because He loves us. Proverbs 3:6 says we must acknowledge God in everything to make our ways straight. God knows us better than anyone, He chose us and formed us in our mother's wombs. We need to seek first the Kingdom of God and everything shall be added unto us. God knows our hearts, He knows our intentions and He also knows the desires of our hearts. We need to pray to God, humble ourselves, plead with God and listen to Him because He does speak to us. Together with prayer we need to read and do His word. His word is the lamp unto our feet. We need to hide it in our hearts and carry it with us where ever we go so when the devil attacks we ready as we will be dressed in the full amour of God. We need to learn to trust God and have faith in Him. It is written in Isaiah 40:31 that if we trust God we shall mount up with wings as eagles. Without faith we cannot please God therefore love, have hope and faith this year. The greatest of all is love and never forget that our God is not a God of disappointments. Learn to fear God for the beginning of wisdom is to fear God. And remember that even when people can't see you God sees you so fear not the people but fear God. Don't be afraid to ask God because He promises that everything asked in His name shall be given to you. Phillipians 4: 6 assures us to present our requests to God. Lastly Phillipians 4:8 says what ever true, noble and praiseworthy let us think about those things. This year let us approach God throne with confidence. Walk with triumph, be the Kings that we are as heirs of heaven and live to give Glory to He who deserves it. The above has bought spiritual healing in my life. I hope God will do the same for you by. simile mboto  Lerato Tipha : Matters of the spirit. Womens Identity is in Christ….. and him alone. I recently read an article by a Dr Cindy Trimm. In the article she said a profound statement that got me thinking. She said that “When woman begin to understand who they are in Christ, there will be stability and order in the world. In order for woman to succeed in an ever-changing world, it’s imperative they know their identity in Christ.. Identity, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary, is the fact of being who or what a person or thing is. Like the physical identity described by an ID card, we also have spiritual identities. They depict who we are and what we possess our associations in the spiritual realm. In the book of Genesis 1vs26: God says that Let us make men in the image and likeness of God. So already there we see exactly that we are man (meaning make and female) are made in the image and likeness of God, which gives us an imprint that we have Gods DNA.The success to any structure is its foundation, if the foundation is strong and concrete that structure will stand and not crumble not matter what may try to topple it. The same principal can be applied for us as spiritual beings, the foundation for success knowing who we are in Christ.This understanding comes through learning what God says about us in His Word and then getting our mind and mouth in aligned with it. Many a times we focus so much on our weakness, that we forget that success in all areas of  our lives, can only come when  begin to think and speak the things that God says about us. In a competitive society with so much pressure placed to play multiple roles, woman find themselves constantly having to try and prove themselves,  that they are as good if not better than men. The best way to go about is to fill their lives with possessions or habits to affirm them, but in the end only to find no peace or fulfilment, for that only comes from Christ.Through the knowledge of the Word, you will begin to understand your self-worth is not in what you do, it's in what Jesus did. As a Christian, my  who-or who I am-is not based on my behaviour or what I do; my identity is in Christ. When you understand this you will realise that there is nothing that you and I can do to work our way into right relationship with God. There are fundamental things that all woman need to know about who they are in Christ 1)             When we are born again, God looks at us and sees the righteousness of Christ, not everything we've done wrong. 2)            He is not waiting for us to have a perfect performance before He answers our prayers. All He wants is for us to love Him with our whole heart and desire to do His will. I came to the realization that if God was willing to accept us as I was, then I needed to accept myself too. In Jeremiah 1:5 God says, Before I formed you in the womb I knew and approved of you. If God approves of us, knowing all the wrong we will ever do, then you and I have no right to disapprove of ourselves.Even when we make mistakes, Jesus understands our weaknesses. Hebrews 4:15 says He was tempted in every respect as we are, yet without sinning. Jesus left His throne in heaven and was born a man of flesh and blood just like we are. So He knows what we're up against. If we do something wrong, all we need to do is ask Him to forgive us and wash away our sin with His blood.As woman we must understand that there is great power in understanding Gods love for us. Knowing that he loves us as we are, makes us realise that we can do nothing to please him and nothing can separate us from his love. God loves us not because of what we have done but because of who He is. It’s his nature to love. When we grab a hold  of this truth, live by it every day and meditate on the word, then we will find inner fulfilment in Christ, which ultimate radiates externally. 3)             You Can Do All Things Through Christ! I have come to the conclusion that we cannot place our confidence in anything else but Christ alone. Philippians 3:3 says, For we exult and glory and pride ourselves in Jesus Christ, and put no confidence or dependence on in  the flesh and on outward privileges and physical advantages and external appearances. God doesn't want us to trust or have our value in our physical appearance, talents, education, job, children, friends, religion or anything else. He wants us to find our worth and place our confidence in Christ alone. Apart from Him, we can do nothing (John 15:5). But [we] can do all things through Christ which strengthenes  us (Philippians 4:13) So what do we have to do now that we understand who we are in Christ Line Up Your Mind and Mouth with the Master I believe what God wants more than anything is for us to get our minds and mouths in agreement with His Word. This is very important to developing the confidence in Christ that we need to succeed. Psalm 119:11 says, “Your word have I laid up in my heart, that I might not sin against You. And Jesus said, …out of the abundance  of the heart  mouth speaks (Luke 6:45).  “Satan is always busy trying to keep us out of God's Word. He wants us to think and talk about all our faults, failures and weaknesses. He wants us to go around from daylight till dark saying how awful we are. Why? Because he knows we believe what we think and say about ourselves more than what anybody else says about us.Realize that if we accept the condemning thoughts of the enemy, we cannot walk in the confidence of who we are in Christ. We cannot have confidence and condemnation at the same time. First John 3:21,22 says, … if our hearts do not accuse us [if they do not make us feel guilty and condemn us], we have confidence (complete assurance and boldness) before God, and we receive from Him whatever we ask…. God doesn't want us to trust or have our value in our physical appearance, talents, education, job, children, friends, religion or anything else. He wants us to find our worth and place our confidence in Christ alone. Apart from Him, we can do nothing,(John 15:5). But [we] can do all things through Christ which strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Today I want to encourage you to accept yourself in spite of your weaknesses-God does. Make the decision to get your mind and your mouth in line with His Word. Start proclaiming the positive promises of Scripture over your life, and you'll discover that His grace to succeed is all you need! HEALTH AND BEAUTY  Vegetable diet   Why is it important to include vegetables in your diet and what are the benefits of having them included in your daily diet? We all know that it is important to eat vegetable, we are told every where from the doctors offices to television. We are constantly bombarded with the impotence of including them in our daily diet, but what is the real importance  and benefits of eating them and what do they do for your body? Well in this article we will look at all these benefits and discuss the different categories of vegetables and the nutrition values and in each category I will give you different examples of these vegetables.  The recommended serving of vegetable is 5- 13 the average person gets 3 servings of vegetable, which is not very good for a persons body and health. Vegetable help in fighting off diseases and fighting certain types of cancers  also reducing heart problems and risks of high blood pressure.  Vegetable also help in maintain healthy looking bodies. Vegetables are low in fat and contain vitamins and nutrients , like Vitamins A, E, C, folic acid, potassium,  fibre and is very rich in anti-oxides.  Eating vegetable reduces risks of diabetes, kidney stones and can prevent bone loss, it gives energy to the body and also boots the immune system. Vegetable are very importance in the body, for maintaining a healthy life style and also just for balancing your body.  Vegetable can be characterised in three categories: Green Leafy vegetable – these are rich in calcium, iron, Vitamin C, folic acid and fibre.  These vegetable need to be included in your meal every day, you can not go a day with out including them. They form an important part of your daily diet. This vegetable fight of diseases, like colds and flues, also maintaining a strong immune system. These include spinach, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli and lattice, and green beans. Roots and tubers - these are rich in carbohydrates and are a great energy source, they also have Vitamin C. You can substitute the fatty carbs/starchy meals, like white rice, white flour bread, with these vegetables; beetroot, onion, potatoes and sweet potatoes, carrots, radishes and turnips.  Rather use sweet potatoes the normal potatoes, as they have fewer carbohydrates. Other vegetables - these are the ones that do not fall under any of these two categories mentioned above. These also have some nutrients that are similar to those mentioned above, these vegetable are tomatoes, cucumbers, broad beans, figs and jackfruit.  They are also good for fighting off diseases.  When writing your grocery list you need to make sure you put in vegetables. It is important when buying vegetables, you buy the freshest vegetables. The fresher they are the more nutrients they contain. Rather use fresh vegetable then buying frozen vegetables, because the frozen vegetables have lost some of their nutritional values.  Make sure when you prepare your vegetables you, wash them by putting them under a running tap and use a clean cutting board. The best way to prepare them is by steaming them, this helps keep all the nutrients locked in. As important as it is to eat vegetables, it is also very important that you do not only eat vegetable in your diet, because to much of anything can be dangerous. The body is the temple of God and it is important that we keep it clean and healthy. So make sure that you get in the recommended amount of servings in your diet. by Sinazo Mtshengu (published in Parable Magazine) Hearty Vegetable Lasagna Original recipe makes 12 servings Change Servings 1 (16 ounce) package lasagna noodles 1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced 3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper 3/4 cup chopped onion 3 cloves garlic, minced 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 (26 ounce) jars pasta sauce 1 teaspoon dried basil 1 (15 ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 2 eggs 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese Directions Cook the lasagna noodles in a large pot of boiling water for 10 minutes, or until al dente. Rinse with cold water, and drain. In a large saucepan, cook and stir mushrooms, green peppers, onion, and garlic in oil. Stir in pasta sauce and basil; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes. Mix together ricotta, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, and eggs. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spread 1 cup tomato sauce into the bottom of a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Layer 1/2 each, lasagna noodles, ricotta mix, sauce, and Parmesan cheese. Repeat layering, and top with remaining 2 cups mozzarella cheese. Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. recipe from:  http://allrecipes.com Be Your Own Cheerleader 12 Ways to Build a Support System--and Be Your Own! -- By Erin Whitehead, Health and Fitness Writer http://www.sparkpeople.com/resource/motivation_articles.asp?id=1645   It can be tough to stay motivated when it comes to weight-loss and fitness goals. Why else do so many people make the same New Year's resolutions year after year? If motivation flits in and out of your life, don't worry—there are ways to make it a constant companion rather than a fickle friend. One of those ways is to have a solid network of friends and family that knows about your goals and supports you in all that you want to accomplish. But what if your network is in another state, on another coast, or even in another country? Or what if your loved ones just aren't supportive as you'd like them to be? The good news is that with a little know-how, you can put together a support system that will work for you—or become your own cheerleader! 12 Ways to Stay Motivated On Your Own Give yourself a pep talk. Remember Jessica, the self-affirming Internet sensation? Sure, her self-pep talk is silly and cute, but she's wise beyond her years and that positivity is infectious. Channel your inner Jessica and set aside a minute every day to let the positivity flow; write down (or say aloud) everything that you like about yourself and your life, and use that minute to reaffirm why you want to meet your goals. You may feel silly at first, but it's harder to feel unmotivated when you're literally cheering yourself on!   Find some virtual buddies. Technology makes it easier than ever to connect with like-minded people—and it doesn't matter where they live! Online communities (like SparkPeople) can be great resources for support and tips. Chat on message boards about topics from diet and nutrition to exercise and fitness. There's even a SparkPeople message board purely for discussing motivation. SparkTeamsnarrow down the focus even more, so click around and to find a good fit for you and your goals.   Surround yourself with success. It may be said that misery loves company, but it should be that success loves company. Why are weight-loss reality shows so popular? Because viewers can see that other people have overcome obstacles on the way to achieving their goals. Success stories can be great for lifting you up and revving up that motivation when it's lacking, and reading that someone else had the same problem and pushed through can help you push through the hard times, too. SparkPeople's ownsuccess gallery can provide a quick motivational pick-me-up and remind you of the reasons you're taking control of your health and fitness.   Pat yourself on the back. Even if no one else knows about your accomplishments, they shouldn't go unnoticed. Commemorate finishing a marathon by framing your bib or medal, or engrave the date of a huge accomplishment on a piece of jewelry. Not only does it feel good to celebrate the achievement, but it also serves as a visual reminder of your progress, which can help keep you pumped up on those less-than-motivated days.   Challenge yourself. A little competition can be good for you! Join a SparkChallenge for that extra push you need to meet your goals, as well as the support from others who are going after the same goal.   Commit to weekly check-ins. Just because you live alone or with people who don't support your goals, that doesn't mean you're doomed to fail! Unlimited cell phone minutes, email, and web chats can make checking in with a supportive friend or family member a breeze. Set a weekly date with your mom, sister or an uncle with similar goals to help you stay on track.   Get involved. If you're new to an area, it can be hard to make friends and find that support system that makes you feel at home. Join a gym, take healthy cooking classes, or join a local meetup to find like-minded people who share similar goals. You may not click with everyone you meet, but in no time you'll have found a key person or two who can be the foundation for your new support system and will help keep your goals a priority.   Use your pet as a workout partner. Dogs rarely turn down the opportunity to exercise. If you have a dog but have relied on the backyard for potty breaks, start taking a trip around the block with your new workout buddy! Or get out in the backyard with your pooch to play fetch or chase. You'll often find that once you're outside and moving, doing an extra block or two sounds better than another episode of reality TV anyway.   Call on your co-workers. They may not be part of your "inner circle", but if you see them every day, your co-workers can be great motivational support. Make weekly lunch dates (or better yet, walk during your lunch breaks) to check in with co-workers who may be trying to eat better and get or stay fit. You can also give co-workers permission to take away your quarters when they see you heading to the vending machine!   Journal. Writing down your goals, struggles, setbacks and successes can be a great way to support yourself even when no one else will. You can go the pen-and-paper route or take it online in a blog format, or even do a video blog. Sometimes just writing about your struggles and reminding yourself why you're working toward your goals is all you need to get going again.   Pay yourself.Don't do all of that hard work for free! Set up a reward system that works for you. Throw a dollar in a jar each time you work out or meet a healthy eating goal and watch both your health benefits and your money grow! Use that money for a healthy treat after a few months—a massage, a new workout outfit or a gym membership are all awesome splurges.   Reward yourself for meeting weekly goals. If you don't have spare dollars to throw into your workout stash as mentioned above, reward yourself in other ways for meeting weekly goals. If you meet your goal of losing a pound or working out five times, pamper yourself. Whether it's a long bath or a day off from exercise with no guilt, have a reward in mind for meeting your weekly goal and stick with it.   Sharing your goals with others is a sure way to get support. But even if you're in a new city or don't have that support system in place, encouragement from yourself and others is possible! Five questions you need to ask yourself in realizing your gifts. We all have dreams of becoming successful in what ever it may be that we do. Success is very possible, especially when you know, what is that you  good at, but sometimes it is difficult dreaming about success wham you have no idea what you good in, what is your talent and where do you fit in this big world. We all have to be good at something right? But what about those who have no idea what they are good at, when you seem to be good at everything or nothing. this could be a problem, it is either you are good with everything to be great at something. So here are five questions that will help you realize what you good at and put you on your way to success. One: What do I enjoy doing? this is the most obvious question, without this question there is no way of getting to the next question, it is like with cars, there is no way the car will move, if you do not have the key and if you don't put the car in gear one. This question may have many answers, being a person you barley ever have only one answer to this question.  Two: where would I rather spend my time?  because the answer for the first question is not as straight forward and clear as what you would like, you need to look at, the one place you would spend most of your time, where would you rather spend your time, doing what. Out of the things you enjoy, which one takes up most of your time and which one do you not   mind spending all that time on? Three: What would I do for free if i could drop everything to do that one thing? if you could live your current occupation, what would you not mind doing for free. when we start talking about money people usually have thoughts, so if you had to work for no pay but doing what you love what would that thing be? Four:  What do i see myself doing for the rest of my life? You need to thing about this question, for the next 30 years, what would you rather be doing, what don't you mind doing until you retire and even beyond retirement, the one thing that you are the most passionate about? Five:  Does this allow me to be me  Having chosen that one thing, it is important that you think about you, is the talent really you, is it authentic or is it forced, does it stay true to your personality and to the person you are. The is nothing worse the being a person you don't know, because you think that the gift you think if the one need you to be a certain way. Your gift needs to be from inside of you and need to be part of who you are and stay true to your personality. Now you have asked yourself all these questions, you have received different answers and you have come to a final conclusion. you need to take that a run with it, build dreams around it and  make sure that you make the success story that you are caring inside of you, become a reality.		Success  What is success? Well it depends on the persons giving the definition, it might be having money, it might be achieving comfortably, achieving your goals and dreams, it all depends on the standard you set for yourself. Without setting your mind up for success, I believe you will never have success, simply because you will not know how to measure it and comparing yourself to the next person, does not bring contentment to you. What do you want to achieve? Look at your strengths, abilities and passion, set your goals to be as realistic as possible, if you know you cannot sing to save your life and you think you'll be the next beyonce, "advice" redirect that dream (remember we look at our abilities not disabilities). It is important for anyone to have someone to look up to, someone who can motivate you to be the best you possible, whether you know them or not, these are mantors. Where do you see yourself in the next five years? The higher you set your standards the higher you will reach. So what are your standards for the final exams, think about it, write it down and work towards it( remember look at your abilities). Close your ears to every negative person or voice, kick them out of your life, one less hurdle, the closer you are to your success. Have you ever heard of this saying "show me your friends and I'll show you your future". This means the people you hang around have an influence in your future success or failure. Be careful of the voices you surround yourself with. Set your mind to greater heights. Woman of Tomorrow Foundation  Woman of tomorrow is an NGO/online magazine that aims on motivation, inspiring young God fearing female leaders for tomorrow. It connects woman of yesterday, today and tomorrow. Creating a sisterhood bond, where they learn from each others experiences, providing mentorship for young girls all over South Africa and Africa. We focus on skill development, teaching then business skills and value of education. We teach then about positive attitude and self esteem. Creating a forum where we can talk freely about issues facing you African women and women in general. We believe that women are power and successful and we want our girls to believe that. The NGO teaches our girls the value of giving, helping out those in need and charity work. Charity is very close to the NGO, we want to help create sustainability in the homes of the poorer percentage  of South African households, by having programs that the NGO help create and monitor. We also have an online magazine, that is used as a young female lifestyle magazine, that is used to speak to the women of, yesterday, today and tomorrow. We are hoping to have it in print by 2013 December.