We should just remember to keep getting up … How many times have you tried something and failed? How many times have you been rejected? But Oliver Goldsmith said: “Success consists of getting up just one more time than you fall.” At the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba,…
There has never been a substitute for hard work for Seelan Gobalsamy. From the CA(SA) qualification which he acquired in his early twenties to his role as CEO of STANLIB, he has been driven by the desire to make a difference – first in his own life and now in that of others. Monique Verduyn…
To enter a trainee contract as a prospective CA(SA) is rigorous and not for the faint-hearted. It has taken long hours, mental anguish and tears to get this far! To ride on a mountain bike from Cairo to Cape Town will take blood, sweat and tears. Some will even say it is madness. What do…
Everyone starts out as ordinary. They do the things everyone else seems to do. Then, at some point, they decide that’s not enough. Extraordinary people want more, they want to change their destiny, or maybe even want to change someone else’s life. Then they start doing things a little (or a lot) differently. Their decision…
Proudly South African After reading or hearing the daily news, I’m sure the majority of us experience some of the same mixed emotions: Disgust and anger about the rising crime rates, the increase of brutal killings and the apathetic attitudes of criminals when “embarking” on their reckless mall or house robberies. Then we wonder if…
Karl Kumbier heads up South Africa’s only niche bank that specialises in financial products and services for entrepreneurs. Now on a mission to double the bank’s market share, he wants the brand to better represent what its clients need from a business bank. Monique Verduyn spoke to him Karl Kumbier, CEO of Mercantile Bank, is…
Make an impact Look at the lives of those who you admire … You probably think that they never encountered failure or hardship. Everything just seems perfect. But, if you look a little bit deeper, read their stories or even (if you’re lucky) talk to them, you hear how they stumbled, struggled, fell, got burned…
Enough is enough Last year social media networks were swamped when a US court found a teenager not guilty after he was driving under the influence and caused the death of four people. The judge accepted his defence: that he suffered from “affluenza” (his affluent parents hadn’t taught him to accept responsibility for his deeds).…
It is always inspiring to read about those who have gone beyond themselves to make a difference in the lives of people around them. Their aim is transformation and with a great desire for equality and education for everyone, they strive to make the world a better place. More often than not the road is…
As women’s month is celebrated this August we feature 14 inspirational women on our front cover. Every one in her own way paves the way for transformation in our country. They desire equality and education for everyone and strive to make the world a better place. While roles are indeed changing and more women are…