It is common knowledge that the Dept of Education had to "adjust" the 2009 Matric results in order to increase the pass rate.
According to Stats SA, the unemployment figures for South Africa have decreased in the first quarter of 2010.
In 2009, there were 208 000 unemployed people in SA.
In 2010, there were only 171 000 people without work.
What they don't tell us is that the FIFA spin-off created about 50 000 jobs which are now going to become redundant. This will raise the number ot unemployed to 221 000, which means an extra 13 000 jobs will have been lost.
A factor to bear in mind are that the figures they quote are based on the 2001 population census.
Another factor that will severely skew their figures is the fact that they use their unemployment figures based on numbers from the UIF. Conservatively, add 10% to the unemployment figure.
Not a pretty picture. For now or the future.
Economists are advising matriculants to study further. That is all fine and well, but for three factors.
One. South Africa has a toilet load of graduates who, if they have a job, are working outside of their field, as they are unable to find employment in their chosen field.
Two. As a nation, we need more technicians, and people with technical skills. Schools have neglected technical subjects, and apprenticeships in technical fields seem to be almost impossible to secure, as most technical colleges have disappeared!
Three. Two thirds of first year students never finish their studies!
School leavers, you need to know that the possibility of not finding work is very real. The South African economy and the South African Education system are ensuring that survival beyond school is a matter of survival.
Surviving a poor economy is not a matter of being stronger than the rest, but about being smarter.
Rather than planning to study further for a job that you will probably not get, plan your own home business.
Parents. Calculate the costs of:
Sending your child to Varsity for 10 months.
Sending your child to Varsity for 4 years.
Maintaining your child, at home, while they are job hunting, for, lets say one year.
And finally, the cost of helping your child start up their own little business.
Every person has at least one skill, talent, or ability that they can utilize to serve another person. This rendering of a service is obviously linked to a financial reward. Just walking dogs twice a day is a service, and will attract a financial gain. This is a business. Now, obviously one will never get rich walking dogs, but, if the dog walker were to recommend a particular collar, leash, or doggie jacket to their existing clients, the chances are good a sale can be made, on which the walker will receive either a commisiion, or the profit.
Parents and pupils, wake up. Work is available, lots of it, but don't expect to find it anywhere except within yourself. Just to give your creative juices a bit of a running start, have a look at this list of small business ideas that can be run from home
Good Luck!
Resources:
http://www.statssa.gov.za/ (PDF Download)
http://www.statssa.gov.za/
http:/www.news24.com/
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Presentation Content
First of all, the things I can talk to you, your school, and your class mates about are actually pretty limited.
I will only speak about topics in which I am, or have been involved. In the past 40 years I have covered a bit of ground.
For the one hour interactive presentations I am able to cover:
Half hour interactive presentations, at a cost of R180, plus R15 per person attending:
A career in:
I will only speak about topics in which I am, or have been involved. In the past 40 years I have covered a bit of ground.
For the one hour interactive presentations I am able to cover:
- The world out there is gonna eat you up!
- Online business, and money making as a career
- Micro business entrepreneurship
Real world affiliate marketing.
Half hour interactive presentations, at a cost of R180, plus R15 per person attending:
A career in:
- Website design
- Retailing
- Fresh Produce
- Panel beating
- Access Control
072 381 4208, or mail me at tnt@1pic4twenty.co.za
Me, at your school.
Just a few quick notes.
I speak in English, and may, from time to time, switch to Afrikaans.
I speak colloquially, so everyone can follow what I have to say. I do know a few big words, but only use them to impress people I don't care much for.
I believe I have a wicked sense of humour. Personally, I don't think I have a sense of humour at all. I can't even remember jokes I heard an hour ago.
In and around East London, my rates for a 1 hour interactive presentation will be R250-00, plus a fee of R25 per person attending. This is immaterial of the Presentation content. If I feel like it, I may just decide to donate some of my fee back to the School, but I do want it first.
Depending on the location of the School, and the budget available will affect other costs, so, If you want me, I need to know what you can afford.
Bear in mind I don't really want to travel... ;)
I wear very casual clothes.
I smoke
I drink on occassion.
I swear.
I'm from the real world. Not from the Ra-Ra Glitzy Ball your School promises to you, or the Great Orb resting on a turtles shell.
I come from where most of middle class South Africa does, and I can tell you about where you're headed.
Damn. I should charge more, but then, I'm a nice guy...
I speak in English, and may, from time to time, switch to Afrikaans.
I speak colloquially, so everyone can follow what I have to say. I do know a few big words, but only use them to impress people I don't care much for.
I believe I have a wicked sense of humour. Personally, I don't think I have a sense of humour at all. I can't even remember jokes I heard an hour ago.
In and around East London, my rates for a 1 hour interactive presentation will be R250-00, plus a fee of R25 per person attending. This is immaterial of the Presentation content. If I feel like it, I may just decide to donate some of my fee back to the School, but I do want it first.
Depending on the location of the School, and the budget available will affect other costs, so, If you want me, I need to know what you can afford.
Bear in mind I don't really want to travel... ;)
I wear very casual clothes.
I smoke
I drink on occassion.
I swear.
I'm from the real world. Not from the Ra-Ra Glitzy Ball your School promises to you, or the Great Orb resting on a turtles shell.
I come from where most of middle class South Africa does, and I can tell you about where you're headed.
Damn. I should charge more, but then, I'm a nice guy...
Are you ready for the real world!
I have just decided to become a motivational speaker!
I have lived in 4 cities in South Africa.
I have adult children.
I have been involved in business management all my life.
My first attempt as an entrepreneur was at 10 years old, selling semi-precious stones.
My first bicycle I bought with my savings from packing bread at a local shop.
I'm not rich. In fact, I'm pretty well broke most of the time.
I don't have a car, or designer clothing. But I am happy!
Being an adult is not about what you do with your choices, although it does help, but rather about being aware of the choices and challenges that will be coming your way. I wasn't as prepared as I should have been, and made a few lousy choices, but, that has not stopped me from moving on. It has not stopped me from learning.
My current life-style, and you can hear about it if you hire me, is my choice. it is not what it could have been, if it were what it could have been, I wouldn't be happy.
So, to prepare yourself for the big bad world, give me a shout. Having me talk to your school won't cost a fortune, 'cos I'm a nice guy.
If you're not into motivational speaking, I can talk to you about any of a number of other topics.
Just ask.
I have lived in 4 cities in South Africa.
I have adult children.
I have been involved in business management all my life.
My first attempt as an entrepreneur was at 10 years old, selling semi-precious stones.
My first bicycle I bought with my savings from packing bread at a local shop.
I'm not rich. In fact, I'm pretty well broke most of the time.
I don't have a car, or designer clothing. But I am happy!
Being an adult is not about what you do with your choices, although it does help, but rather about being aware of the choices and challenges that will be coming your way. I wasn't as prepared as I should have been, and made a few lousy choices, but, that has not stopped me from moving on. It has not stopped me from learning.
My current life-style, and you can hear about it if you hire me, is my choice. it is not what it could have been, if it were what it could have been, I wouldn't be happy.
So, to prepare yourself for the big bad world, give me a shout. Having me talk to your school won't cost a fortune, 'cos I'm a nice guy.
072 381 4208, or mail me at tnt@1pic4twenty.co.za
If you're not into motivational speaking, I can talk to you about any of a number of other topics.
Just ask.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Search Engine Bait, a.k.a. Crap Content!
A few days ago I was browsing through the 'Most Popular' articles on My Scoop, a blog aggregating service.
I spotted an article about search Evaluating a Search Engine optimisation Specialist, and being in the field decided to check it out.
Landing on the article, and reading ( well, trying to anyway),my reaction was something like: WTF!
My question: How the hell can any reasonable English speaking person allow crap like that on their website? I won't publish the name of the article here, but it is available if you ask me for it.
The article was written in extremely poor english, either by a person with a very poor grasp of the language, or it was thrown into a third world article spinner, and the 17th regurgitated version was eventually used.
No, it was actually an article that came from an article directory, copied and pasted.
Any SEO specialist, especially someone who is TRYING to convince you of their credentials MUST know about the duplicate content penalties. It is my opinion that this absolute sh1t was plastered onto the website merely to attract visitors, and once the visitors had arrived, to so disgust them, that they leave the site via a Google ad.
Way to go dude! You don't have friends to click your ads, so you use other shady techniques to create traffic and an income.
This is the first time I have been back to My Scoop since seeing the article in question on the 28th June.
From this, I feel that perhaps My Scoop should introduce a flagging system, to eliminate this sort of crap. To build a reputation is tough. To lose it is easy. Keep the crap out, and My Scoop will be better for it.
The second thing I take away from this episode is that I won't be bookmarking the marketing articles website, but io will remember the name.
I spotted an article about search Evaluating a Search Engine optimisation Specialist, and being in the field decided to check it out.
Landing on the article, and reading ( well, trying to anyway),my reaction was something like: WTF!
My question: How the hell can any reasonable English speaking person allow crap like that on their website? I won't publish the name of the article here, but it is available if you ask me for it.
The article was written in extremely poor english, either by a person with a very poor grasp of the language, or it was thrown into a third world article spinner, and the 17th regurgitated version was eventually used.
No, it was actually an article that came from an article directory, copied and pasted.
Any SEO specialist, especially someone who is TRYING to convince you of their credentials MUST know about the duplicate content penalties. It is my opinion that this absolute sh1t was plastered onto the website merely to attract visitors, and once the visitors had arrived, to so disgust them, that they leave the site via a Google ad.
Way to go dude! You don't have friends to click your ads, so you use other shady techniques to create traffic and an income.
This is the first time I have been back to My Scoop since seeing the article in question on the 28th June.
From this, I feel that perhaps My Scoop should introduce a flagging system, to eliminate this sort of crap. To build a reputation is tough. To lose it is easy. Keep the crap out, and My Scoop will be better for it.
The second thing I take away from this episode is that I won't be bookmarking the marketing articles website, but io will remember the name.
It was sun, it was sea, but sadly, still school for me...
School SUCKED! I wanted as little to do with it as possible.
Early in 1975 I bought a Dabchick hull from John Kriel, and then slowly but surely went about turning it into a real live sailing dinghy. Owning my own dinghy had been a long time dream, well, since 1972, at any rate.
With loads of help from my dad, and tons of impatience, by October, the 5th to be exact, I launched my Dabchick, Nkululeko.
Against all academic odds I managed to pass Standard 8 at Bosmansdam High, the only High school serving the Bothasig area, but that was irrelevant, The end of year vacation was for sailing, sailing, sailing. We went to Silversands out at Robertson for 2 weeks, and took my parents' dinghy with, a little thing called a Tack. Not in the same performance league as the Dabchick, but good enough for the narrow river.
It wasn't practical to take a radio out on the boat, but sound carries well over water, so, turn radio on, and turn volume up!
The music of 1975, as relayed to the music lovers in the Springbok Radio reception area, featured
You ain't seen nothin yet, by Bachman Turner Overdrive coming in as 1975's Top Hit, with The Sweet's Fox in the Run coming in as runner-up, and Love Hurts from Nazareth was the final podium filler.
They may have been the Top 3 Hits of 1975, but LADY from Styx, and Don't you Know, by the incredible Della Reese will always be with us!
Of course my two favourite songs of all time were released in 1975. Need I mention the song of millenium? Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody? And of course Sailing by Rod Stewart.
I recall sailing at Silverstrand, late one Friday evening. It was calm, it was awesome! I don't remember the dj presenting the show, but I do remember his playing Sailing.
Oops. Before I forget the international Top Hit, have you heard of Love Will Keep Us Together, by Captain and Tennille? That was in '75!
Closing off the International hits for 1975, K.C. and The Sunshine Band with That's The Way I Like It were number 1 on the 28th december 1975, with 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon somewhere there, and then, Sailing, at number 9!
Barbados, Typically Tropical,
the 9th most popular song in 1975 in South Africa
Early in 1975 I bought a Dabchick hull from John Kriel, and then slowly but surely went about turning it into a real live sailing dinghy. Owning my own dinghy had been a long time dream, well, since 1972, at any rate.
With loads of help from my dad, and tons of impatience, by October, the 5th to be exact, I launched my Dabchick, Nkululeko.
Against all academic odds I managed to pass Standard 8 at Bosmansdam High, the only High school serving the Bothasig area, but that was irrelevant, The end of year vacation was for sailing, sailing, sailing. We went to Silversands out at Robertson for 2 weeks, and took my parents' dinghy with, a little thing called a Tack. Not in the same performance league as the Dabchick, but good enough for the narrow river.
It wasn't practical to take a radio out on the boat, but sound carries well over water, so, turn radio on, and turn volume up!
The music of 1975, as relayed to the music lovers in the Springbok Radio reception area, featured
You ain't seen nothin yet, by Bachman Turner Overdrive coming in as 1975's Top Hit, with The Sweet's Fox in the Run coming in as runner-up, and Love Hurts from Nazareth was the final podium filler.
They may have been the Top 3 Hits of 1975, but LADY from Styx, and Don't you Know, by the incredible Della Reese will always be with us!
Of course my two favourite songs of all time were released in 1975. Need I mention the song of millenium? Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody? And of course Sailing by Rod Stewart.
I recall sailing at Silverstrand, late one Friday evening. It was calm, it was awesome! I don't remember the dj presenting the show, but I do remember his playing Sailing.
Oops. Before I forget the international Top Hit, have you heard of Love Will Keep Us Together, by Captain and Tennille? That was in '75!
Closing off the International hits for 1975, K.C. and The Sunshine Band with That's The Way I Like It were number 1 on the 28th december 1975, with 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover by Paul Simon somewhere there, and then, Sailing, at number 9!
Barbados, Typically Tropical,
the 9th most popular song in 1975 in South Africa
Ladies and gentlemen
this is Captain Tobias Willcock
Welcoming you aboard Coconut Airways Flight 372 to
Bridgetown Barbados.
We will be flying at a height of 32.000 feet
and at an air speed of approximately
600 miles per hour.
Refreshments will be served after take-off.
Kindly fasten you safety belts and refrain
From smoking until the aircraft is airborne.
Woh
I'm going to Barbados
woh
backa to the palm trees.
Woh
I'm going to see my girl friend
Woh
in the sunny Caribean sea.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)