Janine Hills: Inspirational Woman

This month is women’s month and Eduloan would like to share the inspiring story of Janine Hills, the CEO and Founder of Vuma Reputation Management, a company that specialises in reputation management, crisis communication, media liaison and media training.

Janine has extensive business knowledge, skill and an intricate understanding of reputation management, backed by over 25 years of experience across various industries. She has done work for some large companies such as Southern Sun, Sun International, Vodacom, Kaizer Chiefs, Ster-Kinekor Home Entertainment, Ster-Kinekor Licensing and Primovie (a division of Primedia). Janine has also worked for FNB and was a founding member of ebucks.com, the eCommerce initiative.

We managed to get some time with this influential woman to talk to her about her approach to life:

Q: How did your education shape your future?
A: I didn’t have any formal tertiary education after matric. Everything I’ve learnt I learnt through experience gained at various organisations, by observing, doing extensive research and reading anything I could get my hands on.

Q: Who is your inspiration?
A: I do not have one single inspiration, because I choose to draw inspiration from daily interactions with peers, colleagues and clients, some of which includes Paul Harris (FirstRand Bank owner and former CEO), Alan Knott-Craig (Cell C CEO) and of course my spiritual leader, Shri Mamuadevi. Everyone teaches me bits and I enjoy continually learning from everyone.

Q: What are some of the difficulties that you had to overcome to get to where you are?
A: The biggest challenge for me has been to believe in myself and my personal capabilities. It included realising that you are your own biggest hurdle and that it all comes down to believing in yourself.

Q: You are involved with several projects – how do you find the inspiration to continue contributing to and influencing such a diverse range of projects and people?
A: I believe that one should always treat every single person the same, whether they are a car guard or an executive, everyone deserves to be treated similarly. It is always important to approach everything with a serving mentality. It you are willing to serve, you can touch people’s lives in even the smallest ways.

Q: What advice would you give South African youth?
A: You need to realise that there are no shortcuts. If you want to achieve something, you have to invest the time. Always think about the legacy that you would like to leave behind and how you impact those around you – there is no better time to start than now, even if you are still at school.

“Everything is possible if you do it with honesty, integrity and perseverance. Keep trying and believe in yourself” Janine Hills, CEO of Vuma Reputation Management

Four Careers That Touch Lives

There are a variety of careers that touch our lives daily. If you are also interested in furthering your studies and touching people’s lives, there are a variety of career options that you can consider. Here are four careers that might have touched your life as well as those lives around you.

Doctors and nurses touch one’s life from an early age. Whether you require chronic health care or whether you have to go to the doctor for regular check-ups, those who work in the medical profession care for you and your family on a regular basis.

Did you know: The stereotypes some people hold about being a nurse can come from what they know from history about Florence Nightingale, even though the profession has changed over the years.

There is no doubt the role of a teacher is a demanding and rewarding one. A teacher may teach young children who have just started school, or they may teach much older children in a specific subject. One of the largest tasks for a teacher is to ensure that every pupil develops an interest in what they are being taught. Teachers individually and collectively can not only change the world, but improve it, and in the process find personal and professional renewal.

Did you know: There is more than one path towards becoming a teacher and getting the degree you want? Some people choose to study for a BEd – a Bachelor of Education degree. You can also complete a bachelor degree in a specific subject lasting three to four years, and then follow it up with a post graduate course.

Social work strives to address social problems in the country from a social development and a social justice perspective. Social Workers work with people from all walks of life, focusing on the needs of the most vulnerable. Social Workers work with individuals, groups, families and communities. If you’re looking for a career with meaning, diversity, satisfaction, and an abundance of options, consider social work.  Social workers are people who care about people, who want to make things better, who want to relieve suffering, who want their work to make a difference.

Did you know: Social workers are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, nonprofit agencies, and government offices.

There can be few more rewarding careers to consider than that of a police officer. While no two jobs are ever quite the same from day to day, this is definitely the case when it comes to being a police officer. A South African police officer has many different duties. The main duty is of course to ensure that law and order is upheld at all times. Crime prevention is just as important as locating criminals, solving crimes and upholding the law. All police officers must take an oath of office.

Did you know: A reservist is a member of the community that performs part time (at least sixteen (16) hours per month) policing functions or activities for the South African Police Service on a voluntary basis without being remunerated for such services?

You can contact your local college or university for more information on furthering your studies. The South African Police Service has more information on becoming a police officer. By deciding to further your studies in one of these fields are demanding, yet extremely rewarding. We would like to thank those who touch our lives and hope that they inspire more South Africans to walk in their shoes.

Eduloan recognises the need for access to more affordable financial assistance for public sector employees (like nurses, policemen etc). Eduloan enjoys a long-standing relationship with government, offering all government employees easier credit approval processes and automatic salary deductions. This special arrangement smooth’s the way ahead for your career path.

At Eduloan, we have several teachers, policemen and nurses as clients and respect the contribution that these people make to our society. If you are a government employee, you can talk to us about how we can unlock your potential.  We are also on hand to discuss how we can assist with education loans for your children and family members too.

Five Influential Women In Education

This month we celebrate women. What better way to celebrate women, than to honour five influential women in education.

Santie Botha kicked off her career in 1987 as a marketing graduate and worked for Unilever in a variety of marketing and sales roles both in South Africa and abroad. After navigating her way up the corporate ladder, Santie became the Commercial Sales Director of van den Berg Food service, in the UK, before returning to South Africa in 1996.   

On her return, she joined the Absa Group as Marketing Director and was later appointed Group Executive Director in 1998. Santie was also a member of the executive committee of the Absa Group, a board member of Absa Bank and a member of the MasterCard AMEA Board (Africa, Middle East, Asia).

In 2003 the mobile industry benefited from Santie’s service when she joined the MTN group as Executive Director: Marketing. In addition she became a member of the MTN Group Executive Committee as well as onboard director of MTN South Africa, MTN Cameroon & MTN Yemen.  

Santie is now known as the youngest chancellor at any South African university – she joined the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University in 2010.

“People with relevant and cutting-edge knowledge and a competitive spirit, create a sustainable future through science, technology and innovation.” Santie Botha, Inaugural address, 2011

MalalaYousafzai made international news after she was shot in the head by the Taliban for campaigning for girls' education. A 16 year-old student from Swat, Pakistan, Malala is studying in 8th class. In 2009, Malala wrote a diary for BBC under the pseudonym, "GulMakai".In her diary, she wrote about the critical situation in Swat at that time. A little later, she became well-known for everything she has done for children rights in Swat, Pakistan. Nominated for a children’s award by an international organization in 2011, Malala became known as a brave girl and has the ability to speak out the truth. She fought for children's education in her region when the militants were fighting against the Pakistan Army in Swat, banning girls' from attending school.

On 8th October 2012 Malala was attacked in Swat when she was going home from school. She continues to be a voice for the rights to education. Malala is now living and studying in the United Kingdom, and she has started going to school.

“In many parts of the world, especially Pakistan and Afghanistan, terrorism, war and conflict stop children to go to their schools. We are really tired of these wars. Women and children are suffering,” MalalaYousafzai, United Nations address, 2013

Wendy Ngoma is a senior lecturer at the Wits Business School (WBS) and the current Director and Head of School. Before joining the WBS she worked at the Wits Graduate School of Public and Development for more than ten years. Over the years, Wendy taught in various Graduate, Executive and Certificate Programmes and served in various university management portfolios. She is a specialist in the fields of Organisational Behavior, Human Resource Management and Change Management teaching thought leadership and management expertise that is deeply relevant to both Africa and the international world of business.

“At WBS, we are doing our bit to create leaders who will take this continent further through innovation, creativity and entrepreneurship. We are set to be the platform to launch South Africa's aspirations for alternative thinking on markets, economies and new enterprises. The global financial markets continually call for new ideas and wisdom that will bring stability and equilibrium.” Wendy Ngoma, Director’s Outlook, 33.

Prof Shirley Zinn started her career as a school teacher, teaching English. She then moved to the University of the Western Cape where she lectured in Teacher Education. Zinn holds a doctorate in education from Harvard, as well as degrees and diplomas in education and psychology. She is also an extraordinary professor in HR management at the University of Pretoria. She has received many prestigious awards, including a Topco media award for Top Woman in Business and Government and Top Executive in Corporate South Africa. 

“I had a vision that I was not going to be poor in the township for the rest of my life and that I was not going to be a victim of a society of teenage pregnancy, drug and alcohol abuse. How I was going to find my way out of that I was not sure but I did know that education was going to play a big role in it. I also realised that I had to work exceptionally hard to achieve my goals.” Prof Shirley Zinn, Interview, 2012

Prof Mary Metcalfe holds a Master’s degree in Education. She has served on several government positions between 1994 – 2004 including Provincial MEC of Education in Gauteng, after which she joined the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) as Head of the School of Education from 2004 to 2009.

She joined the Development Bank of Southern Africa in 2011 as lead sector specialist for: Social Infrastructure. She is a visiting fellow on the Soweto campus of the University of Johannesburg, and a visiting adjunct Professor at Wits.

“We want to start immediately getting teachers teaching and students learning. We want to see in every area reconstruction and development conferences in education taking place to plan for the immediate rehabilitation of schools and setting up of parent-teacher-student associations. In this way, people will come together.” Mary Metcalfe, Interview, 1994.

Year Of The Artisan &Skills-Based Education: How To Become A Chef

This year has been declared the “Year of the Artisan and Skills-Based Education” by government, to promote the diplomas and courses offered by Further Education and Training (FET) colleges in South Africa. This month we will be looking at what it means to become a chef and what you will have to study to qualify as one.

A chef is responsible for a variety of activities in and around running a kitchen. A chef can be in charge of a kitchen at a restaurant, hotel, school, hospital, old age home, university or even at a resort or a cruise ship. Their responsibilities extends to kitchen staff, the menu, ordering of supplies as well as the preparation of the food.

If you:

•     Are willing to work long and unusual hours
•     Are extremely passionate about food
•     Have a good sense of taste
•     Are able to work under extreme stress
•     Can work well in a team

… you could be well on your way to becoming a chef.

There are various types of chefs. Your ‘chef status’ can be determined by your skills as well as your experience:

Commis Chef – prepares food and learns basic cooking skills

Chef de Partie (Junior Chef) – would usually be in charge of one aspect of the kitchen. A Junior Chef might be responsible for sauces or vegetables for example.

Demi Chef (Line Chef) – a Line Chef’s responsibilities can include meal preparation and even budgeting

Sous Chef (Second Chef) – this type of chef is second in command in the kitchen

Executive Chef (Head Chef) – is in charge of the kitchen and will have to manage the entire kitchen staff, plan menus, work out budgets and pricing and would be involved with the business side of things as well.

There are various FET and private colleges that offer courses in the culinary arts. You can visit the South African Chef’s Association’s website to view a list of training providers.

You can contact Eduloan as soon as you have decided which school or training college you would like to study at and one of our consultants will be able to give you all the information you require to get the financial assistance to realise your dream of becoming a chef. For more information or to speak to one of our Eduloan consultants, visit our website www.eduloan.co.za.

Not Just A Student Number: I am the youth of tomorrow

Eduloan is celebrating the individuality of South African students and scholars, recognising the potential in every person. We consider every student’s needs when we put together their student loan package, taking your dreams and ambitions into consideration and working out a payment schedule that will suit you and your pocket!

That’s why we’re asked YOU to give a voice to students all over Southern Africa. Mofokeng Mojalefa 
participate in our Not Just a Student Number initiative and is this months winner.

Read it here:

It is said that varsity or higher education is a privilege not a right, so if you find yourself at varsity embrace every moment! Make every day as memorable as possible, for you’ll never know what tomorrow may bring.

I take a stand today, as a 2nd year student at the North West University Vaal Triangle Campus. I am not here just as a student with an 8 digit student number, but here to make a change, not only in my own life but in the community too. I’m currently doing my Bachelors’ of Education degree and receiving experience on becoming the best educator I can be! I want to give back to the community and all the B.Ed students by going to different organisations and helping out where needed.

This has made me a student that is highly productive, not just a student number. Apart from my course, I’m also part of the student’s campus newspaper and the administrative officer of the Ubuntu homo association. This is a campus society at the Vaal Triangle campus, aimed at highlighting homosexual rights and promoting healthy living for our fellow gay and lesbian pupils. As a result of this opportunity, I vow to myself that I’m not going to leave here with just a student number but I will leave a legacy behind.

I salute Eduloan because without that green Eduxtras card, which allow us to purchase food and books, all this wouldn't be so easy.


I Mofokeng Mojalefa am ‘not just a student number’.

Getting Ready For Exams – 10 Things You Should Keep In Mind

With the looming exam season, we thought we would give you a couple of tips that you can keep in mind ahead of the upcoming exam period.

#1 – Make a study schedule

Compile a realistic study schedule. Not everyone works and studies at the same pace, keep this in mind and don’t always measure your schedule to your friends’. If you allocate too much time you might end up procrastinating and too little time can add even more pressure during exam time.

#2 – Ensure you have a good study environment

Prepare a good environment for you to use while you study. Ensure you will not be distracted and that you will have everything you need at hand. Avoid areas where your friends or siblings can distract you and if there are too many distractions at home, choose to study in a study room at school, college or university or use your nearest library. You know which environment is best for you!

#3 – Ask for past papers

Using past papers is a good way to get the hang of how teachers or lecturers approach the topics. Ask your teacher, lecturer, librarian, friends or siblings for past papers and ensure that the curriculum has not changed since these exam questions were set. These will also give you a good idea to gauge how much you still have to study or on which sections you might need to spend some more time on.

#4 – Ensure all your admin is up-to-date

Ensure you complete all necessary forms and submit your applications if you are applying for any further studies! We have opened our applications for 2014 study loans to allow you to pay all your administration fees well ahead of the exam season, to ensure that you avoid further stress.

#5 – Set yourself realistic goals

Set yourself daily goals. These will ensure that you feel like you are reaching benchmarks daily, especially if you have a large volume of work to study. When you reach your goals, be sure to reward yourself! Good examples of goals can include:

·         Study chapters 1 – 6 before lunch

·         Complete the mind-map for World War II today

·         Achieve 80% or more on a Mathematics past paper by Thursday

#6 – Give yourself some time off

Make sure you schedule some time off. You might find that taking regular breaks can benefit your concentration, but be realistic. Don’t reward yourself with an hour TV after every 30min of studying. Time off ensure that you have enough rest to function properly when you do study.

#7 – Exercise

The benefits of physical exercise, especially aerobics, have positive effects on the brain function. The increased blood flow will ensure your brain has the blood it requires to function at its best! Besides, getting out will give you a break and ensure you spend some time with family and friends too.

#8 – Use Colour

Don’t be shy to use colour while you study. Although few people have visual memories, colours can help you quickly identify common topics and it can even just make your studies more interesting.

#9 – Manage your stress

Don’t take on more responsibilities when you are in exam-mode. More responsibilities can contribute to more stress. We would also advise that you avoid unnecessary or stressful situations. Focus on the task at hand and take control or manage the stress before it takes control of you!

#10 – Don’t cram

It is never a good idea to leave studying till the last minute. Cramming might mean that you can spend time on other things, but cramming can also mean that it is easier to forget or can also contribute to even more stress.

Good luck for the upcoming exams!

8 Tips For Balancing ‘Self’ And ‘Responsibility’

With all the demands of your daily life, it could be difficult to pay enough attention to yourself as well as your responsibilities. Whether you are at school, college or university, every step of your education can have various demands. Here are some tips to ensure you start managing your time effectively and that you don’t fall under pressure leading to further stress in your life!

Tip #1 – Schedule your time

Schedule your time and make sure that you get to all your responsibilities daily.

Tip #2 – Listen to your body

Your body will tell you if you’re tired or hungry. Don’t ignore the warning signs!  Your body requires rest and food to make sure that it functions properly – which is key especially during exam periods.

Tip #3 – Exercise

Exercise ensures a healthy mind and body. Going for a run could help clear your mind or going to gym might give you added perspective.

Tip #4 – Set goals for yourself

By setting goals, you can guarantee that your schedule works for you and you will have a great sense of achievement. Be sure to set realistic goals!

Tip #5 – Have responsible relationships

Ensure that you engage in relationships that are good for you. Learn to manage your relationships, mainly because it is very easy to be drawn into someone else’s life or problems. Striking a balance in life is key.

Tip #6 – Learn to say no

If you feel uncomfortable or if you know that you will not have enough time to do something or go somewhere, do not commit yourself to doing something that you will not be able to achieve!

Tip #7 – Do something for yourself and for others

Take the time to do something you love or enjoy to make sure that you get into the best headspace! Doing something for others can also be rewarding, so think about doing something for someone else too.

Tip #8 – Reward Yourself

Whether you enjoy some extra time on the soccer field, or one more hour with a novel, reward yourself for maintaining balance.

Why don’t you draw up a schedule and mark your average daily activities on the sheet in different colours. Pay attention to the volume of time that you might allocate to one activity, responsibility or task that might disrupt the balance of “self” and “responsibility”. If you are worried about your time management or if you are finding it difficult to reach a balance, schedule an appointment with your counselor at school, college or university. Ask your parents and friends for help if needed!