MiWay ThrowBack 2021/22

It’s all about YOU! Wellbeing | Humanness | Culture and Values | Growth | Connection An Extraordinary life is a collection of unforgettable moments.

STYLE Taking off was always DJ YV, something Yvonne had THAT’S MY set her sights on.Yup, Yvonne is all about STAGE NAME. reaching for the stars. As a woman. As a mother. As a sales manager. And ja, especially as a DJ. “ I l-o-v-e music, and I L-O-V-E being a DJ… the only music that makes sense for me right now, the only vibe I’m feeling is Amapiano…yyhhuuuu!! I can’t do kwaito. I don’t like house.” “When I told my father I wanted to become a flight attendant, he asked me: “Do you want to be a waitress for the rest of your life?”. And I was like, “hayi ke” to myself. [laughs] 2 MiStories - Yvonne Radiboke

Sales Manager: Lead Warming Yvonne What our DJ loves most about Radiboke You sound like you’ve got the holidays??? So nothing gets you down, enough energy to get two Yvonne? people through the day? I love Christmas lunch, where we What? Besides kwaito, you mean? You’re right! My old school friends enjoy the food influences from [laughs] Me, I like a challenge, I would say I was quiet. A quiet both parents. never shy away from it. bully, I know!? [laughs] I mean, our team’s Group name On weekends, you’ll find me So on the one hand I’ll be looking is ‘Never, Never Give Up!’. So, we DJ’ing somewhere, no matter how forward to chicken biryani, but on don’t stop pushing! busy or exhausting the week was, the other, I love the walkie-talkies Where did you get this fighting being a DJ actually energises me! spirit? I’m so happy I did that six-month (chicken feet and heads) and Growing up in Bloem, attend- course at Pioneer DJ school here dumplings! ing Oranje Meisies Skool, as the in the CBD, I even graduated, daughter of a black mother who imagine, how lekka!? worked in insurance and a But before I do any of that coloured father who was a me-time music stuff, I’m with my farmer…um, that was probably daughter who loves fashion shows a big part of it! [Jy’t hare op jou – she’s a model, mos! I’m so tande, meisiekind!] proud of her and one day, I hope she becomes Miss Universe. I played with boys after school, marbles, cars, anything the boys did, that’s what I liked. So I was a bit of a tomboy, always in takkies and tracksuits. Oh, and they called me Slender because I was very skinny! And yhhuuu….askies… I was a bully at school [bursts out laughing], eish, I was very very naughty! MiStories - Yvonne Radiboke 3

Yulene Govender 4 MiStories - Yulene Govender

Dealership Team Leader Yulene joined MiWay when If you’re given a formula and the company was a baby, it’s rigid or inflexible, you don’t a nine-month-old baby, to really need to apply yourself, be exact. In many ways, right…? she was also a baby, as she’ll tell But in this company, finding you, “Most of my adult life has alternative ways of doing things is taken shape right here within these not simply appreciated, it’s walls at MiWay”. encouraged and rewarded. “Yip, I moved. Got married. I’ve found that this has stretched My dad wanted to be a doctor but Bought a house. Bought a car. me, expanded my outlook on my ended up becoming a ‘doctor for Had a baby. And almost overnight, role and the business, as a whole. cars’, servicing, and fixing cars for my life changed, all because I I think I surprised myself…who a living. My mother was a teacher moved.” would’ve thought! [laughs] Here I and eventually became a clerk, “A wife, a mother, a homeowner… was thinking my life would be this serving those who are mentally wow! It’s really is a lot, now that one thing that would make me disabled. They were focused, I’m saying it out loud…wow, wow, happy, when in actual fact, it’s not hard-working and that kept me WOW!” something I could have planned or grounded. “My journey into motherhood and seen happening. It meant I spent most weekends my journey into leadership here You sound just about as sweet at the VCR stores. Oh, my at MiWay, it’s done so much to as Mother Theresa…were you goodness, do people even know mature me, and to shape the type always a ‘good little girl’? what VCRs are…? I sound old, of leadership I bring to this role. I was always too scared to do the right…? [No Yulene, we’re not old, I’ve been a support manager for wrong thing, so I tried not to get in we’re seasoned, s’all!] as long as I can remember, and trouble growing up. working with Greta in Client School teachers would often ask Yulene has a Services, then later with Jason, ja, my brother why he couldn’t be beeg-beeeeg my confidence has grown more like me…[laughs] I was very secret…! so much!” quiet, and maybe a little snooty! “My mom would often tell me that [laughs] But I didn’t care. I still Can I say it? Oof, here goes…I I was far too quiet, that I needed don’t. [laughs out loud] can’t swim. [laughs]. I know, I to learn to stand up for myself or know, I’m from Pietermaritzburg, people would walk all over me. I should know how to swim. But I That didn’t quite land, and it didn’t don’t. We spent so much time at quite happen until my journey the dam on weekends, sometimes started at MiWay.” at Albert Falls, other times at Midmar…so I should be a Tell me more about your mermaid, right? [laughs] But no, leadership journey? I’m literally a fish…out the water, I’ll explain it this way…Dealerships loving it from the shore! are a major focus in our business and in my day-to-day…but there’s so much flexibility in how we go about reaching this market segment. MiStories - Yulene Govender 5

Wilmayne Van Der Westhuizen Fourteen years ago, Wilmayne took a leap of faith and followed her former manager to a company called ‘Project Rainbow’ now known as MiWay. What do you do at MiWay? That’s a very good question [laughs]. So, currently I am the New Innovations Project Manager and what that means is that I manage all new ideas and innovations. I investigate the feasibility and if it is a viable idea, it will go to the different development areas. That’s the long and the short of what I do. What changes happened in your life since you joined the company? [Laughs] The biggest would be the arrival of our twins. My husband and I had been married for two years when I joined MiWay. So, he’s also walked this journey with me - if it wasn’t for him, I don’t think I would have been able to accomplish half of what I have (so far). He’s an amazing husband and father, and our greatest adventure has been the twins. What are your goals for 2022? Professionally, it’s to get MiGuard live, that is my big goal at the moment. Then I will be on the lookout for new opportunities and innovations that will benefit our clients. On a personal level, I want to go and do the Namaqualand flower hike in August. It’s not necessarily a goal, but an item on my Bucket List. It’s not that long, it’s about 10km but we are going to do a road trip to the area and that will be one of the things. We did a 42km hike last year in Robertson but our goal this year is not distance but rather experience. We want to hike through the flowers [laughs]. 6 MiStorie - Wilmayne Van Der Westhuizen

New Innovations Project Manager Are you hiking with your family? I am doing it with my girlfriends – the three of us have been friends forever. And we hike over weekends around Gauteng. We’ve done a few three- or four-day hikes which required us to travel. With these hikes you walk 7 to 11 kilometres a day [laughs]. But it’s beautiful, you see so much, that you wouldn’t be able to see if you were driving! In terms of the hikes, have you only done any international hikes? No, we haven’t. We actually started hiking because of lockdown; we couldn’t go to gym or do anything fun with the kids, so we decided to go hiking with our children. We did short trails of about 5km and we [the adults] realised that we enjoyed it but our children not so much [laughs]. So, we decided to continue hiking them, initially we hiked the same trail and later on we tried a different trail every weekend. I am so glad that we started because we see and experience our beautiful country. What else do you do in your downtime? In the last two years I have taken up yoga. I love yoga and spending time with family and friends. So, nothing really exciting [laughs]. MiStorie - Wilmayne Van Der Westhuizen 7

Willie Du Plessis Energetic does not even What does it take to be a good I THINK IT’S begin to describe Willie, salesperson? IMPORTANT over our Teams call he Resilience is important because TO RELAX answers every question if you don’t have a good day, you BECAUSE IT convincingly and with loads of need to write it off and know how GIVES YOU AN energy. to fix it tomorrow. When I started OPPORTUNITY How long have you been with out in sales at Auto & General in TO REFLECT MiWay? 2001, I was taught how to apply ON THE DAY.” Six years, I started working here myself when I want to achieve on the 17 September 2015. targets. I learnt that you need to What’s the longest you have How would you describe put in the extra hours and effort. ever hiked? yourtime at MiWay? If I know that I am behind in bud- [Laughs] When I was in high It was an adjustment at first. get, I also know that I can’t go out school, we went to Namibia and I was at Telesure for 16 years - so for drinks on Saturday with friends we hiked the Fish River Canyon. moving companies was a new or party after hours because I It’s 93km and it’s a five-day hike. challenge. I had to adjust to new must put in that extra effort! I did it with a bunch of friends - people and a new culture that was we were still youngsters but that very different to what I was used I’ve heard that you hike - where was an experience of note. It was to. Business Insurance (BI) was a do you go? an awesome bonding experience year old when I joined, so it was I have several spots around where even though it was hard. fairly new but through all the I live. Not far from us is The Cradle But we went with the mindset challenges of building the of Humankind and the Modderfon- that we are going to hike and business we have learnt a lot tein Nature Reserve. Sometimes sleep. I remember on the third and that’s what made us the we take a drive out to Harties – day, we arrived at a natural hot strong unit that we are today. there are a couple trails out there. spring and we just relaxed and sat around. The fact that almost every single person at MiWay lives the values, creates a sense of belonging. The values are a clear path and guideline for employees to follow. The values are like a checklist that you can wake up to every morning and check yourself against. 8 MiStories - Willie Du Plessis

Sales and Operations Manager Would you ever do that again? Unfortunately not! At my bachelor party I broke my ankle and I had to have it fused. So, a five-day hike is out of the question. I can do a day hike with the kids but maybe if I applied my mind and trained hard I could. Also, my kids are still young they are seven and ten and they can’t walk far yet! They enjoy a 3km hike, anything longer than that is strenuous for them. What do you do to unwind? As I have gotten older, I take the life work-balance quite seriously and I am fortunate at that MiWay is a family orientated company. I love spending time with my family, I love to braai and watch sports. I love spending time with my kids at the pool. MiStories - Willie Du Plessis 9

WSepgaemlienrg Wegeling has the You’ve been with MiWay for When you are not working, what exciting job of almost a decade, what’s kept do you do to unwind? managing a team you here? Do you really want to know? remotely – and he That’s a difficult question…but in [laughs] I am a very loving and enjoys it. His current role at the beginning it was former CEO, social person; my star sign is MiWay is based on one of his René Otto. Sagittarius. I will do anything and strengths - building relationships. everything for you, but don’t cross I used to work with him at my friends or the people that I OUTsurance and his passion love. So that’s me! was inspiring. When I started at OUTsurance I remember I am a homely person, my home is him walking through the call always open to friends and family. centre every morning. He would I enjoy the outdoors. go from Client Services, to Sales and Claims and greet everyone I love to braai, but I don’t like who was not on the phone with people interfering with my braaiing a handshake. process. When I host, I believe in serving people and letting them be He was a big reason I came to the guests. When they host, they MiWay; I remember thinking: can be king or queen of the braai ‘He’s the person I want to work [laughs]. for.’ And it never felt like I was working for him, it felt like I was I also like to make things beautiful. working with him. I have a Diploma in Interior Decorating, so that is also one of my passions. I love art, I love Persian carpets and the loves of my life are my two Boerboels (dogs). 10 MiStories - Wegeling Spamer

National Dealership Manager “I also got engaged to my life partner last May. Kenny and I have been together for 19 years.” Diary of a Globetrotter Kenny and I love travelling. One of our favourite trips was to New York and San Francisco. In 2019, we went to Bali and that was just a different experience because un- like New York there are a lot of many more things to see and places to visit. So, it was a busy holiday but at the same time it was very relaxing. We went to the beach clubs, rented scooters, and went to the temples…ooh, it was a lot of fun! We love travelling and we try to travel every two years. Last year we went to Botswana with friends, and it was an amazing experi- ence. Because as much as we love the ocean, we also love the bush. Botswana was amazing because we were the only people at the two lodges, due to lock- down restrictions. So, we were waited on, hand and foot. In December, I visited Mozambique for the first time ever and that was just fabulous! I want to go on a cruise, but my fiancé says that it won’t be money spent wisely – he thinks we’re going to sit on the ship the whole day [laughs] I am trying to twist his arm [laughs]. Kenny is turning 50 next year, so we are considering going to Portugal and Spain. I am hoping to squeeze in Italy. It’s tradition for us to travel on his birthday. MiStories - Wegeling Spamer 11

Sydwell “In Cape Town, you Komako find someone Sydwell is a Capetonian at But I prefer Cape Town, even driving on heart, shem! He is a clear though a lot of people complain the highway example of the difference about it being ‘slow’, ‘too laidback’ at 80km and between ‘Joburg people’ or ‘too chilled’. its no and ‘Cape Town people’. problem I personally enjoy that vibe. In but here in But let’s not judge the man for not Joburg everything is rushed, and Joburg...!” loving the City of Gold. everyone is in a rush and that spills over to work as well. We are Besides the pace, what else do You moved to Johannesburg in a rush to get things done, which you miss? from Cape Town… isn’t necessarily the best way of I miss the vibe. In Cape Town, you Yes, I have been here for four doing things. find someone driving on the years now. But yes, I lived in Cape highway at 80km and its no Town for about 13 years then So, things may take ‘forever’ in problem but here in MiWay offered me a position and Cape Town, but the quality of the Johannesburg, we will hoot at I moved up to Johannesburg. work is high. them and tell them: ‘Hey! Get out Both cities have their pros and of the way!’ cons. In Johannesburg you must pay to get into a good park, or you must pay to hike. In Cape Town you can just hike Table Mountain or Lions Head for free. So, I have had to change my mindset about going out now. I must consider entrance fees, food, drinks. which all adds up when you have children. 12 MiStories- Sydwell Komako

Lead Digital What do you do to unwind? How many kids do you have? My wife and I also want to explore I don’t need to go out to relax. I have two beautiful kids, the world, so the plan is just once I can open my laptop and watch an 11-year-old girl and a a year to get away - just the two a series or sports. I haven’t really Four-year-old boy. of us. watched anything recently because I have been so busy. Your children are quite young… There are lots of places we’d like But I usually like cooking and Ja, the goal was to start having to visit, but if I had to narrow it lifestyle shows. I watched a series kids quite early so we could enjoy down to two, I would say on Netflix about Japanese cattle our forties and have more Seychelles and Italy. More so Italy farmers and why and how they freedom. My sister-in-law has for the architecture, history, food, produce some of the best beef. three kids, the eldest is 20, the and wine. one after is 19 and the youngest Where Wagyu beef comes is 15 and the good thing about from...? her set-up is when she travels, Yes, that! I don’t know how to they can pretty much take care of pronounce it either [laughs]. themselves and she doesn’t have to worry about details like: If you are wondering just how expensive Wagyu beef is, here Are they bathing? Are they eating? is a comparison. A 300g Wagyu Are they bored? I am hoping that sirloin steak starts at R400 (this by the time my wife and I hit our is at the butchery) compared to forties, our two will be old enough regular 300g sirloin which will to take care of themselves and we cost R80. can go and explore the world. MiStories- Sydwell Komako 13

SMiyaaskiyhea You say you’re doing what you always wanted to do – really? Siyakha tells me he was So ja, it’s working really well for Growing up, I thought of set on pursuing a career me. [laughs again] Every day becoming a psychologist, believe in accounting, even while presents a new set of challenges. it or not. I accept I’m different he was at high school. All In my role, I must be as objective things to different people. So, to his friends and family thought this as possible. some on our team, I may come would be the path he’d follow one across as conservative, while for day. “Law was an out-of-the-blue The buck stops with me, before others, I’m easy-going. decision for me.” As a teenager any claim dispute reaches the Siyakha visited his cousins who Ombudsman. So ja, the psychologist appeal were lawyers, ‘their offices looked was mostly because of the fancy’ and sommer just like that, So, I have to keep my wits about shows I’d seen on TV! [laughs] At the sliding doors, the pristine me, this job keeps me on my toes. some point, while I was at high interiors and ‘the expensive suits’ [Always on your toes, hhmm…?] school, I thought of becoming did it for him. President one day. [laughs out My understanding of the law loud] What can I say? Dreaming How’s that working for you? definitely helps because I need to big, dreaming of being the It’s working, it’s working. [laughs] look at disputes from both sides: President wasn’t a far-fetched I never knew this was the job I from our clients’ perspective, and dream for me. always wanted, till I found myself in the interest of our business. here. I’ve been at MiWay for five years now, and after joining the company as a Junior Disputes Specialist, I was made Legal Disputes Manager. 14 MiStories - Siyakha Masiye

Legal Disputes Manager Now that you have a family of your own, what do Are there songs your fellow MiWayans wouldn’t your weekends look like? guess you have on your playlist? I play tennis for about three hours every Saturday Yes, top of my list is Marvin Gaye’s Sexual Healing. morning. Unfortunately, it’s not a pastime I get to [laughs so loud I can almost hear him blush!] Don’t enjoy with my wife as often as I’d like. For her, if ask me why, but I love, love, love that song. she manages to hit the ball with her racquet, she’s achieved! [laughs uncontrollably] Other than that, I Then there’s the Isley Brothers and their Caravan of love watching movies and playing Chess. I have a Love. And ‘Your Love’ by Azana. two-year old daughter, who, even if I say so myself, is pretty exceptional. There’s nothing average about her! She can already count to 20. She understands and speaks English and Ndebele. I don’t think that’s normal. So ja, Nonkazimulo is pretty exceptional! [Proudest Dad of the Year Award goes to….?] You sound very chilled, so do you have any pet peeves? I wouldn’t call them peeves, maybe just things that annoy me: 1. Filling out forms…urrrggghhh!!! 2. When people drop the ball and seem a little too ok with it. 3. People who don’t care – mistakes are a part of life, but it becomes a problem when it’s because of sloppiness or negligence...!? Lockdown is done and dusted. Where are you going on holiday? First of all, I’d love to see all of South Africa. Sssshhh, but I haven’t even been to Cape Town yet! I’d love to watch one of the major ATP tournaments, “Ja, like the French Open at Roland Garros or Wimbledon I enjoyed in the UK. sport... But I I’d also love to watch Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. wasn’t exceptional.” I love N’Golo Kante, their central midfielder. He’s got millions in Pounds, so gifted, yet so humble! MiStories - Siyakha Masiye 15

SMikmhpwhaiwnaezi MiWay newbie, Simphiwe Mkhwanazi is a “Everyone in goal-orientated sister. Having recently completed one of her major goals – a Master’s Degree in Lima speaks Strategic Resources - next on her list is to travel Spanish and I across the many countries in Africa. only knew the How are you doing with your 2022 goals? very basics In 2020, I registered for a Master’s Degree in Strategic Human like ‘Ola’ ” Resources, which I have just completed. [Halala Moghel, halala!] I completed my Masters because I felt like my knowledge was too operational and I needed strategic insight. In the next five years I would like to do my PhD, but I will wait until the time is right. I feel like I have been studying for quite a while now and I need to focus on getting work experience. The only thing that I must work on is more travel. I recently went to Cape Town as I’d never been before, and it was an amazing trip! It did wonders for my mental health. So ja, I’ve set myself a goal to travel as much as possible, and this year I want to explore the continent, I want to go everywhere! There are 51 countries to explore but if I had to pick, I would say in the next 12 months, I want to visit Namibia and Egypt. After all these years of studying, I think I deserve to live a little. [More Life’ing, yaaasss!!] 16 MiStories - Simphiwe Mkhwanazi

HR Business Partner Have you ever travelled outside of South Africa before? Yes, my first international trip was to Peru in 2017. I won the trip as a prize for completing the best Honours Research Project. It was also my first time in an airplane [laughs]. The first leg of the trip was a 15-hour flight to Brazil and then a connecting five-hour flight from Brazil to Peru. So that was quite an experience! I had no idea what to expect. How was Peru? [Laughs] It made me appreciate South Africa, but I had fun. The trip involved attending conferences at various universities in Lima, the capital city, which was a good way to get out and meet people. I enjoyed the food, and the weather was very humid. On the downside was the language barrier - it was so hard to find people who speak English. so at some point I got lost and getting back to my hotel was an absolute nightmare because no one could understand me. It took me hours to eventually find my way back. What does your “me-time” look like? I run a mentoring programme, mentoring students from my class on their thesis. I meet with my mentees once a month to discuss challenges they experience. But outside of my mentoring schedule, I really enjoy reading. And I can’t wait to get my hands on Viola Davis’ autobiography which was released last year. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz is my all-time favourite and one that I refer to whenever I am going through a challenging time. It helps to keep me focused and grounded. It also helps me to remember who I am at my core, especially if I’ve done things that are out of character. I recently read Will Smith’s autobiography, I really enjoyed it. It’s a really, really, really good book. MiStories - Simphiwe Mkhwanazi 17

Seitshiro Mokgatlha For someone who says he A team competing with itself? was always in trouble at Does it work? school, with parents being called to the Principal’s We tweak our goals together, we office all the time, this proudly revisit the goals every so often and Maftown guy sounds like he runs keep realigning, reconfiguring and a tight ship. achieving together. “Clients being kept on hold for Look at Manchester United - a 10 minutes is too long, even two big brand in this global industry minutes is a lot! In our team, it’s called ‘the beautiful game’. Every just unacceptable!”. member of the team gets onto the field to show their best skills, to be “On our team, we’re so compet- the best, in whatever position they itive about client retention. I love hold, but it’s still about the team’s being Number One. So does every performance. single person on our team. It brings out the best in us.” Then you look at how Man U produced stars like David Beckham, who was a big brand in his own right, on and off the field. I mean, who secures a big sport sponsorship deal even years after hanging up his boots? A super-star, that’s who! 18 MiStories - Seitshiro Mokgatlha

Retentions Manager Man U hasn’t had a good run in And then that child who was Seitshiro’s recent years, but you still always in trouble went on to…? a-ha moment support them? It took some time before I learned [laughs] Ok ok, I know it hasn’t how to stand up for the right I’ve had time to reflect on my been good but they’re still a great things, at the right time, in the relationship with my father, Attie team as far as I’m concerned. I right way. Mokgatlha who was an editor for feel the same about Kaizer Chiefs, the old Bop national broadcasters. I love them! [Oooh shem, Kaizer Two people I’ve learned from When I was growing up, I always Chips, I say out loud. Ooops!]. here at work are Serapelo, for the felt he was so hard on me. Sure, we brotherhood he’s shown me. watched Man U and Kaizer Chiefs To me, Doctor Khumalo is still the And Goose, for the way in which games together, but he was strict! greatest footballer this country has she deals with and relates to ever produced! I’m not switching people. Now, looking back, I think of the fact my allegiance any time soon… that he bought our family home for But hey man, we were the first Ja neh, that mischievous R290k cash, instead of splurging on African country to host the World Seitshiro has grown up! himself. See, when Bop TV and Ra- Cup in 2010, what a moment, dio Mmabatho shut down, he didn’t right…!? Wow wow wow!! You’re a husband and do what his colleagues did…they father – what’s that journey went out and bought dolphins… Look, my dreams as a child includ- like for you so far? remember those BMWs from back in ed getting rich. [laughs] And play- I got lucky, I married my bestie, the day? Ja, he didn’t buy a dolphin, ing soccer. Well, not quite in that Tsholofelo in 2015 and we share he bought a home for us! I respect order, but ja, soccer and wealth the sweetest most outspoken that so much about my father. He’s went hand in hand, at least as far six-year-old boy, Karabo, who not the man to say “I love you”, so as I was concerned. And if I could has answers for everything! hearing him tell me today that he’s have, I would have…! proud of me, it’s everything to me! But you said you were naughty The only problem is that he loves as a child…? his mother more, just like me I know, I know, I was really because I was a mama’s baby naughty, in the way that most kids also…well, until they have a fight, are naughty, I suppose. and that’s when I score a bit of his time…haha ha ha! Like getting home after the street- lights came on…and that was actually the best time to play ‘skop die bal’ (kick the ball). I was also the class clown, very disruptive, hence the calls to my parents. He was exactly the same!”. I couldn’t imagine it at the time, but I’m so glad she told me that. It meant I didn’t feel too bad, that is, until it was belt-time! [laughs] MiStories - Seitshiro Mokgatlha 19

SGaomveanndthear Samantha Govender says How do you unwind? that since joining MiWay in I love to dance. I am not a profes- 2013, she has exceeded sional dancer [laughs] but I like her career aspirations. to unwind with my kids and the way that we do that is by dancing. What do you do at MiWay? So, sometimes after a long day at I am the Head of Operations for work, I get home, we put on music Sales. Sales has several channels and we just go crazy. It’s a nice that include, inbound, outbound, way for us to connect and release affiliates and dealers and I take whatever tensions we have and care of the operational needs of have fun. these channels. Samantha has a Super-Power! I also like to sew. My mum was a I never in a million years thought seamstress and she worked in a that I would ever be in this po- clothing factory, so I learned the sition. I initially joined MiWay skill from her. I think I am quite ac- because I was attracted to the complished although my daughter brand. It was in the media a lot disagrees because she is study- and the ads were everywhere. It ing Fashion and Design and she also helped that I like the colour doesn’t agree with some of my methods [laughs]. pink – sorry cerise!! [laughs] You are based in Braampark. I sew a lot for my daughter. It’s How different is Braampark to also a chance for us to spend time Kosmosdal? together. When I visited India, I was based in Kosmosdal when I bought beautiful fabric and made I started, so I have experience of a cushions for my house. both offices. Braampark has a very I remember when I was 12, the different vibe, I think, but maybe I first garment I made was for Moth- am bias! [laughs] er’s Day - I found some fabric in We are a big Sales Team so there the house and made a blouse for is a lot of energy. Salespeople are my Mom. But then we finished it energetic, and you can feel that and I wrapped it up and presented energy when you are on the floor. it to her on Mother’s Day; she was Our staff compliment is mostly all teary-eyed. Her words were, young people so that also brings “I didn’t know this was my gift. its own energy. Thank you so much!” 20 MiStories - Samantha Govender

Head of Operations: Sales “We went crazy shopping... When did you go to India? and returned to SA with In 2018 I went to Mumbai, three 20kg bags...!” Delhi, and Jaipur. It was one of the best trips I have been on. I just wanted to experience the culture and food. I travelled with eighteen of my cousins and shopped for a wedding. We went crazy with the shopping... and arrived in SA with three 20kg bags and I had only travelled with one! [laughs] Where’s your next holiday? I am planning to go to Switzerland in June or July because I have two friends who are based there. The three of us have been friends since we were eight years old, so it will be a great reunion. I am really looking forward to that! MiStories - Samantha Govender 21

Sahann What makes every day an Extraordinary one for you? Van Der Vyver I enjoy the culture of account- ability, especially in my role. We have the privilege of providing the business with information that they may can act on. I also enjoy the energy, without it I don’t believe we would have the drive to do what we do. During lockdown people would say: ‘Your camera is always on and your hair is always done!’ And my response is, ‘I wake up in the morning and I need to get ready. If I don’t get my- self ready, how can I be ready to work?’ So, people sitting in their gowns till 10am, are they ready? So, during hard lockdown, where you showered and dressed for work every day? [Laughs] Yes, everyday! Sahann Van Der Vyver is What do you enjoy about You mentioned you’re just back proud that he learnt his your job? from a four-day hike in the IT skills through work I enjoy the change, no two days Drakensberg…tell me more? experience. Seven years are ever the same. Seven years I am part of a men’s movement into his journey at MiWay and he later and I still wake up in the called the 4TH Musketeer. still gets excited about his job. morning wondering, ‘What is going We took 160 men on the Xtreme Outside of work Sahann is on a to happen today?’ ‘What’s the Character Challenge – it’s a hike mission to change the hearts of question going to be?’ The ques- in the Drakensberg where they men and in turn, change their tions, or rather the information, can focus on their role as leaders, legacies. required by business changes fathers and husbands. We do not What do you do at MiWay? daily because of what’s happening allow any tech in order to help I look after Management Informa- in the world. them focus on their goals. It gets tion Services (MIS) which involves tough at times, but that changes reporting, numbers and stats. A few weeks ago, we didn’t have on the fourth day. I also manage the CIC, Collections the KZN floods, so there were no and Banking teams. questions related to that. Now that The Challenge is designed for men In a nutshell my teams and I the floods happened, there are to get back to their relationship analyse data and then present it to a lot of questions, and my team with God and refocus their lives business so that they can use it. and I need to be able to provide and their purpose. The problem the answers. So, it’s challenging with our lives these days is that working in a space where things we want to know where we are change so quickly but I have a going – we want to have control great team. I am very fortunate to and decide the direction of our work with some solid people. lives. 22 MiStories- Sahann Van Der Vyver

Operational Intelligence Manager “Just a disclaimer, I am a terrible golfer [laughs]. I used to get mad that I was not very good at it, but I didn’t put in the effort” By taking them out of their comfort What are your interests outside zones and putting them through of work? this challenge, our aim is to make I spend time with my wife and son. them recognise their vulnerability I used to do mountain biking but and bring them closer to God. By then I became a father and my the time the hike has ended we priorities changed. have changed lives. We believe that if you change a Besides that, I also play golf... I man’s heart, you change the am a terrible golfer... I can’t really legacy that he is leaving behind get angry if I am not putting in and in turn you change a the time, right? Two years ago, I generation. started playing again but I play just to relax. We have been running the I don’t care about my score or the programme for seven years and game – I focus on being around have worked with over 3 000 men. friends and colleagues and We run the programme twice a having a good time. That attitude year. has changed my golf game – I am I was even a part of the team still bad [laughs] but I am enjoying that launched the programme in it! Russia. MiStories- Sahann Van Der Vyver 23

GPaummeblia You may not know it 8 March is International Any women that you know when you first meet her, Women’s Day, which women professionally or personally but Pamela says she is do you admire and why? that you admire? actually shy. Considering I would most probably say the late In my family it’s definitely my how chatty she was during this Winnie Madikizela-Mandela be- grandmother. I look up to her and conversation I am also surprised. cause of everything that she lived I admire her a lot, she’s played a She describes herself as an through and survived. I admire her very important role in my life. She introvert who prefers a small group resilience, her strength, and her raised me and shaped me into the of people – family and colleagues heart. woman that I am. – around her. So, what does this self-confessed workaholic do to Despite what happened to her she I always tell my husband and son unwind? And who are the women never stopped being vulnerable. that the most important lesson she that inspire her? I relate to her forgiving nature and taught me is to share. What keeps you up at night? generosity. No matter how little you have, My son! He is eight years old, but you must always share. he is a very light sleeper and so in I also admire how she got women the middle of the night he wakes to fight for what was right and her I love her so much. I am what I am up and screams my name to get ‘never give up’ spirit, those are the today because of her. I could wite some attention. We hardly sleep things that stand out about her. a book about her. because I want to make sure he is okay and he’s sleeping well, so I We go through a lot as women, My 80-year-old check on him throughout the night. especially in South Africa but grandmother He absolutely loves the attention. women like her inspire us fight for plays soccer! Some nights he just wants to sit women who don’t have a voice or up and chat and I am like: ‘I have a platform. She and her friends from church to work in the morning’. play soccer to keep themselves fit and healthy! How would your team describe you? We are lucky that she is so healthy, That I’m a true example of a she doesn’t get sick very often. leader and an inspiration to She exercises regularly, she’d keep moving forward no matter rather walk to the shop than catch the barriers. I’m funny, outspo- a taxi [laughs]. ken and very loving. 24 MiStories - Pamela Gumbi

MiWay Blink Support Team Leader What do you do to unwind when you are not at MiWay? I spend time with family, I LOVE cooking! I enjoy a braai with family or my colleagues. I don’t really have friends, so I consider my team members my friends. When I am not working, I hang out with my husband and my son. I enjoy exploring new recipes, if I wake up and feel like some- thing then I make it. But what I really enjoy making is smoothies, I am a smoothie fanatic! I put in anything and everything - from naartjies, cucumber, to lettuce - into the blender and what ever comes out I enjoy it. I am always surprised at the taste that’s why I love playing around with different ingredients. What else do you do to relax? I listen to music and because I am full of love and a loving person, I love romantic music. If I am feeling down, it helps pick me up. So, I listen to Atlantic Star, Teddy Pend- ergrass, and Tevin Campbell, those are the musicians that I love. I love music that puts me in the mood to cook and relax. Whenever I need to just chill-out, I reach for my phone and listen to those jams. MiStories - Pamela Gumbi 25

Nazeema Titus Nazeema Titus is a woman What else do we not know about of many talents – one you? of them is cooking. Her I spend a lot of my time in the signature dishes could kitchen - cooking and baking. win her a Master Chef title! Learn Twice a week, I host my entire about her journey at MiWay from family and we have dinner Sales Consultant to General together. So, I am constantly Manager: Sales Support, her looking for new dishes to spice passions and her travel plans for things up a bit. I have recently the future. started reading quite a bit. I am interested in books that deal with What’s your journey at MiWay spirituality, which will help me been like? on my spiritual journey. I started I started my journey at MiWay as reading after my pilgrimage (Hajj) a Sales Consultant and then later to Saudi Arabia in 2018, with my moved to Quality Assurance. husband. It is a very important journey and one of the five pil- I resigned from MiWay for an lars of Islam. We saved for years opportunity to work in the and years for the trip. We spent a Learning and Development month in Saudi Arabia and my life department at Standard Bank. took quite a turn from a spiritual However, I happily returned to point of view. MiWay in 2017 where I was given the opportunity to oversee the So, you enjoy cooking, what are Sales HR and Learning and some of your signature dishes? Development teams. Ooooh [laughs], I have three dishes that I really enjoy cooking When you’re not working, how and that my family ask for all the are you recharging? time. I am a mom of four [laughs] but and I have two daughters in-laws, The first one is Akni, it’s a Middle so I consider myself a mom of Eastern dish that is a mix of meat, six. I have a 19-month-old grand- potatoes, rice, and spices – almost daughter and she is the light of like Briyani. My children absolutely my life. I spend most of my free love my mayonnaise-chicken and time with her. I always thought the sweet rice... It is delicious and the love that I have for my children kids really love it! was beyond amazing. But my granddaughter has proven that The other dish, which my she I can still love so much more! husband enjoys and has become [Laughs] My children should never a ‘must’ every Friday, is my mutton hear this. curry with roti. He’s been eating it for 25-years and he still can’t get How old are your children? enough of it [laughs]. My eldest sons are 24 and 22 respectively, they are both married. I have a 15-year-old daughter and a 12-year-old son – he is the baby. 26 MiStories- Nazeema Titus

General Manager: Sales Support Any bucket-list travel Do you have any pearls of destinations? wisdom to share with your MiWay family? Laughs] My husband is fanatical about Turkey. It’s all he ever speaks about. So hopefully, God willing, we will be able to go one My favourite bit of advice is: day. I would also like to go on another Hajj to Saudi Arabia. ‘Never leave anything unsaid.’ [Laughs] And I know this is going to sound so boring but I long to go to Cape Town. I am originally from Cape Town and I am at the point in my life where I want to go there more often. I want to visit some of my family. Cape Town is where my heart is. “Cape Town is where my heart is.” MiStories- Nazeema Titus 27

Nato Thobejane While Nato joined the bottom as if it was all new. ‘adjustment’ and striking a balance MiWay in 2008, she To me, MiWay is that family, where in the workplace, so much easier. left in 2015 to pursue you know you can always ‘go back a nursing degree, a home’, regardless of where you What was your childhood like? lifelong passion that stems from find yourself or how long you’ve I grew up in Pimville, Soweto her deep desire to help and to heal been gone. You can always go and I was that middle child who others. Her family’s work-roots home. always spent a lot of time with are in hospitality, “so service, I my grandparents, my brother, suppose, is in my blood”. But What’s your team’s secret and my uncles too. In our home, I since the Department of Health weapon? was surrounded by men, and it’s changed the syllabus, it had Vulnerability, it’s something I shaped the many solid healthy an impact on Nato’s nursing encourage within my team. When friendships I enjoy today with my aspirations, and she found the walls are down, it becomes male friends. herself in a stalemate situation. easier to be transparent and accountable. Don’t laugh but I loved peaches, About a year later, Nato knocked loved climbing trees and if you on MiWay’s door again, applying I also believe that a family that saw me back then, you’d find me for the same position she had left. eats together, stays together. And swinging upside-down in trees, While this is not quite the story it’s something I do as often as I every chance I got! I was a sickly of the prodigal child, Nato was can, buying lunch that we can child so my grandfather would call welcomed back, filling the same share as a team. You can’t get me ‘maer pens’ (‘skinny post she had previously left, but mad or stay mad when you’re stomach’ in Afrikaans). And I’d filling it in a new way. eating, right…? often find myself passing out if I got too excited or too angry. Was that a bit strange, coming What is something MiWayans [laughs] back to MiWay? might not know about you? There’s never been a dull moment I’ve heeded my calling as a Oh, and my favourite cartoon in my career! And at every turn, Sangoma. For me, it’s been a character was She-Ra, Princess I’ve been true to who I am, true process of connecting the dots of Power! As a young girl, I loved to what it is that keeps my heart between my desire to help and this portrayal of a woman who was beating. Although I returned to heal, and the journey I’ve been always saving the day. the same post, I approached on throughout my life. Opening my ‘second time around’ by up to Greta and Serapelo about committing to learning again. this part of my life has made my In a sense, starting all over from 28 MiStories - Nato Thobejane

Client Retention Services Manager What is the soundtrack of your life? ‘Via Orlando’, yes! Although I can’t dance to save my life, this is it. We’d find ourselves driving via Orlando, visiting family who had a home close to Mam Winnie’s home. Ooh, I love this song! Whose words have changed your life? My dad. Almost every day he’d remind me that I was a good person, and “Don’t let anyone ever change that”. And then there’s the music too. There are some songs that connect me to special moments and memories in my life. It’s a great escape but it’s healing too. Like Tshepo Tshola’s music. Or Benjamin Dube’s. Do you have any pearls of What do you love about South wisdom to share with your Africa? MiWay family? Firstly I love how we embrace Lead from the front – let your and celebrate different cultures. team know you’re with them, that you’ve got them. Here at MiWay, on Heritage Day, man dressed in traditional Zulu And be brave. Don’t let fear attire, I love it! cripple you. Secondly, the step-dance vibe at Learn to trust the process. weddings - I’m no good at it, two left feet and all, but I try.Nato, I feel you, I feel you!] Thirdly, our food! For me, any- thing meaty is great. But skop (‘skaap kop’) is my favourite. I especially love the ears, they’re so chewy. And lastly, our music and our people. MiStories - Nato Thobejane 29

Natalie Except on the netball team! [laughs] I couldn’t make trouble Lynch with anyone, we needed each Speaking with a distinctive It’s also fast-paced. And what other on the team mos, so I brei that reminds me of about the fact that you get four couldn’t take chances. the quaint farm-towns seasons in one day!?” just outside Cape Town, Besides being a bully, you must Natalie tells me she got her brei, Were you head-strong as a have some happy childhood that ‘throaty r’ pronunciation in child? memories? Bloem, where she grew up. Oh my goodness, yes! I was very My mom used to give me money [Aaaw Nats, this is so nostalgic for troublesome. My parents struggled to throw into the collection bag me, I love it!] with me because I was so when I went to Sunday School. opinionated, and vocal about what She wouldn’t trade Bloem for I believed in, what I thought about It was my pride and joy to hide Joburg, she says, and without any things. that money in my white ankle prompts from me, she proceeds socks…you know those ones that to list the many reasons: “Ooh At school, I was an extrovert, so look like they’ve been no, the traffic every day. And loud and to top it all, I was a bully crocheted…with the frills at the everything is so far apart. Then too, verbally and physically, yoh! top? there’s the price of petrol which If I think about it now, I almost doesn’t last. It makes Joburg an can’t believe I was such a big I have to ask, were you not expensive place to live. bully, with anyone and everyone. afraid of stealing the Lord’s [laughs] money? What about that bolt of lightning that could strike you down? Oh no, I was a child, I didn’t have time to think about the Lord in those moments, all I thought of was the pocket money and the lekka lunch I was going to have at school the next day! [Stop, stop….my stomach….hahaha haha ha ha!!!] Any plans with Som-Gaga any time soon…? Haha haha ha ha…no, that was just a once-off! I’m not planning to buy any more bottles of water for R40 ever again. And I’m not buying those expensive sneak- ers…oe he-eh! 30 MiStories - Natalie Lynch

Lead Warming Manager How did your mother handle Seriously, here’s something about this boisterous, strong-willed me and my team that maybe the little girl…? Joburg office won’t know. My mother knew just how to handle me. And today, we have Whenever a new person joins us, the best relationship, we’re my entire team insists on pics so practically joined at the hip, I go we can scrutinise, and give the nowhere without her. new person a nickname, based on what we see. If the one pic isn’t Nearly losing my mother to COVID clear and doesn’t give us enough last year, in fact, on Mother’s Day, to ‘work with’, we insist on more it broke me! It was the hardest pics. thing not being able to see her while she was in hospital, in ICU. By the time it’s that person’s first We were so lucky to have made day on the job, the nickname friends with one of the nurses, has been assigned and it sticks! who would do video calls, just so [laughs] So Phumzile is called we could talk to her, so she could Mama Jackie…don’t ask! [laughs see us, and not feel alone. But again] she’s alive today, and it’s nothing short of grace, nothing short of a Ishmael is called Raditetu (I don’t miracle! know how to spell it, but it’s be- cause of his long beard)…hahaha And now you’re a mother ha ha!! Then there’s Kayden who as well…? used to work here, we called her I have two daughters. One as Dikeledi because she was always academically-focused and diligent in tears…hayi no man, we’re bad as I’ve always been, the other as huh!? [laughs out loud] troublesome as I was, growing up. [laughs] So I’ve got a bit of both Bottom-line is our team works so sides of me in them. I can’t lie, it’s well because we laugh so much not easy raising girls, they give me when we’re together. Much as I grey hairs, but I’m so blessed to miss them when any one of them have them in my life. They are the isn’t in the office, I know they miss reason I don’t give up, why I keep me too! pushing myself to grow more, learn more. Ok, so what’s your nickname? [bursts out laughing] They call me Did you know…? Ma-gouta because my mouth is full of gold. No, it’s not my savings “I used to be an ace for my girls’ inheritance, I’ve got netballer and sprinter!” all this gold because caps cost too much! I didn’t mean to have this golden smile after all this time! [Nats stop...my stomach hurts! Haha ha haha ha!!!] MiStories - Natalie Lynch 31

MLibnodnogkouhle Lindokuhle Mbongo is a What did you study at self-confessed sports university or college? fanatic. He is passionate I studied Sports Management and about football, running, Body Conditioning at the University cycling and MiWay. of Johannesburg. Before joining What do you do at MiWay? MiWay I was a teacher. I was a I am a Client Services Manager. teacher at Mulbarton Primary School I have been in the role for six years. in the South of Johannesburg. I actually have an interesting story I taught Physical Education to tell you about my career journey and Life Orientation and at MiWay. generally managed the sports curricu- lum at the school. I started at MiWay as an intern in the Data Capturing department in October 2010. My growth was very rapid, because within four months I was promoted to an Inbound Agent in Client Care. I was in that role for two years before I was promoted again to a Super User, which in Client Services terms, is a Junior Manager. From there, I was promoted to Client Services Inbound Team Leader and I did that for two years. Then Serapelo [currently Head of Client Services] got promoted to Head of Training and I took over his position as the Client Services Manager. I am very lucky to have worked in almost all the Client Services divisions before becoming a manager. 32 MiStories - Lindokuhle Mbongo

Client Services Manager So, you So who is Lindokuhle…? You said you also enjoy cycling; went I am from Glenvista in the South of do you participate in races? from ed- Johannesburg, that’s where I grew up ucation and completed my studies. Yes, I do. I have done three 94.7 to insur- I am a sports fanatic; I love Cycle Challenges and participat- ance, ex- football and cycling. I am a die-hard ed in other races. At my parents’ plain that Kaizer Chiefs and Man United fan. house, there is a cabinet filled with journey? You are a long-suffering fan? all my medals for both cycling and My If you don’t follow football, heads up, parents both Man United and Kaizer Chiefs football. own a taxi have not been doing well for a long business, time. Cycling is such a beautiful sport. and for a year [Laughs] When I was younger, I used When I am on a bike, I get to and half I was a to play football at a semi-professional taxi driver. During level. I had aspirations of becoming see places, I wouldn’t ordinarily that time, I decided I a professional football player. I went experience if I was running or wanted something else as far as playing for the South African for my life and so I moved under-17 team but due to politics in walking. I am also a runner and I to teaching. Being a teacher that space, I lost interest in pursuing recently participated in the MiWay had its own obstacles and my dream. Now I only play socially. challenges so that’s when Wally Hayward Marathon. I ran I took a leap into corporate. the 10km in under an hour and I I came knocking at MiWay’s door and they took me in with hardly trained for the race. open arms. I was ready to start from the bottom and Do you work out regularly? work my way up and that I do workout regularly and I used mindset worked for me. I am glad I took the to go to gym too, but because risk and took the of COVID, I developed a phobia opportunity at Mi- for the gym, so I haven’t been in Way. a while. But I am generally active because I am conscious of my weight and of getting a beer belly [laughs]. Who are your favourite sportsmen? Currently it’s Christiano Ronaldo. I love him, what an athlete! If I look back to the past, I used to enjoy watching Zinedine Zidane. Locally, I ad- mire Doctor Khumalo and Lucas Radebe, they are my heroes. MiStories - Lindokuhle Mbongo 33

Lerlynn Latief “I also recentl horses and I a Lerlynn Latief, General start horse rid Manager: Media believes in the law of attraction I started at MiWay on 1 April 2020 and that despite life’s as the Media Manager, smack challenges, you should always bang in the middle of lock down, choose happiness. She practices which was interesting to say the this belief everyday through least. Now, over two years later, meditation and long hot baths. I’m the General Manager: Media. [Wow, you go girl! Womandla!] Tell us about your career journey and how you landed What’s your team’s secret up at MiWay. weapon? Media is in my blood - I started There are only two of us in the working in the industry many Media team and my colleague moons ago, I won’t say when Njabulo Nkosi and I and both have [laughs]! The first company I vastly different skill sets. I’d say worked for was Nielsen’s a that’s our secret weapon, though research company, where my we are different we complement passion for research and interest each other in every way. From in the ever-evolving consumer was our skill sets, to our personalities, born. My next role was at DStv to our age difference – it all just Media Sales where I spent 18 works. amazing years. How do you keep yourself I joined as the PA to the CEO, five motivated every day? years later I was Head of the I meditate and ensure that I’m Market Intelligence team and by centred and focused on what truly the time I left I was General matters. I started meditating a Manager for Business Strategy year ago and I now meditate daily. and Intelligence and Market After a meditation session, I’m in Strategy and Intelligence. my happy place and can take on anything. My favourite evening I had an amazing career at DStv routine includes a hot bubble bath and was blessed with many with essential oils, incense, and opportunities which allowed me candles. I can spend three hours to travel and see over 20 countries in the bath, literally soaking off the around the world. day. After that, I moved to Mediamark What is the soundtrack of as Head of Media and Market your life? Intelligence, with a focus on radio, The song, Adventure of a digital and some tv - so I got to Lifetime by Coldplay. spread my wings and expand my knowledgebase and skillset across multiple media platforms. 34 MiStories - Lerlynn Latief

General Manager: Media ly discovered am about to ding lessons.” What have been the biggest What do you do in your down- milestones in your life so far? time? How do you relax? I feel like my life has been one big I think I am pretty boring. I spend milestone [laughs]. Honestly, I look my down time with my family and back and I am in awe of what I that’s what feeds my soul. Outside have managed to accomplish with of that, I love being in nature. nothing but passion and I enjoy taking long walks. determination. I grew up in Eldorado Park, lost my mom at My goal when I am not working 15 and did not have the privilege is to live my best life as much as of obtaining a tertiary education. possible [laughs]. Today, I am a mom of three and an ouma, I have travelled around What are the three things you the world and I have an incred- can’t leave home without? ible career. I am a multi-media Perfume, my reading glasses – I expert, a data analyst, researcher, am no use to anyone without them strategic thinker and a leader. My [laughs] and my favourite pair of key focus now, is on my personal boots. [I relate to the boots Lerls, development, spiritual growth and I can wear them whatever the becoming a better version season.] of myself. MiStories - Lerlynn Latief 35

Lerato Thinane Lerato embraces her You mentioned growing up unofficial role as the ‘in the dusty streets of Phiri’ – ‘in-house Ask Agnes’ what was your childhood like? to her colleagues, and [me asking myself why township the official ‘helpline’ to MiWay’s streets are always referred to as clients in distress. As manager dusty? Suburbs must be of MiWay’s MiHelp department, dust-free…hhhmm?] her team seldom gets to enjoy holidays. Being on call 24 hours In our close-knit family of four, I a day and working 12-hour shifts, am the eldest and I attended a Lerato says, people take strain, Catholic High School. I grew up regardless of how physically or loving church and since I was emotionally strong they may be. nine years old, I attended a youth group every Thursday. I was When there are so many people part of the choir as an alto inside and outside the business singer [me too Lerato, me who look to you for help, what too!]. I was very reserved makes you love your job the way as a young girl, but the you do? choir helped me become The biggest reward for me is more comfortable in hearing a smile and a grateful social settings. Ja, choir heart on the other side of the line, and dance cracked my thanking me for making a bad shell right open! I can situation better. My Psychology cha-cha, do the tango, in degree not only helps me fact, any ballroom dance, understand others, but it also you name it, I can do it! helps me understand how I can bring myself, my heart, my life experiences to the sometimes-tricky situations we need to fix for our clients. i“ssIusopuneperppooofwsmeeyrdsas!”neccreet 36 MiStories - Lerato Thinane

MiHelp Manager Who has had the biggest Is there a book you’ve read And the song that you remember influence on your life? that changed your life? most from your childhood? My mother. If I could be half the ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho. Brenda Fassie’s ‘Too late for woman she is, I’d have achieved I read that when I was much Mama’…yhhuuuu, the passion, a whole lot! She and my father did younger and I learned the the emotion of that song, I can such a great job of modelling what importance of listening to what’s in hear it even now [starts singing a loving family could be. your heart, pursuing your dreams. the chorus out loud]. A couple of sentiments I really appreciated back then, and still do, is that what you put out in the Universe, is what you’ll get back. And that it’s important to let go of the fear that you’re not good enough. MiStories - Lerato Thinane 37

Kevin Sookoo Women have had a huge influence on your “I’d love to have dinner with life? I subscribe to old-school Ridley Scott, to hear what values. So, for me, respect for women is of paramount inspires him, what drives him importance. My mother was the first woman in my life, always and how he goes about strong, always full of love. And I have so much respect for the way choosing his projects. I mean, she raised me, taught me. he still does the old-school ‘Adopting’ women as mentors – including Nomsa storyboarding for his movies… Chabeli and Nthabiseng Moloi - I suppose, in some what a man!” ways, has come very naturally. For the lesser movie buffs amongst us, Ridley Scott is For me, family is the creative genius behind everything and when we unforgettable big screen were growing up, ev- magic including the very first erything was an occasion installation of Alien in 1979, for family to get together. as well as Thelma & Louise, I’d rock up there, smelling of Gladiator and The Martian. What Brut, of course! You remember is very clear, just minutes into our Brut, right…? [almost can’t stop chat that design is Kevin’s big laughing] passion, in fact so big that he feels his role as Design Manager at MiWay doesn’t feel like a job at all. What were the paths that “I remember exactly led you to MiWay? how I felt when I first I did a 12-month course in listened to this singer Interior Design. I also studied with a ‘Jerry Curl’, Graphic Design, Art Direction, whose look alone, Animation and dabbled in intrigued me.” film-making too! Over the years, my eye became more and more trained during my time at some of the country’s top advertising agencies, including Ogilvy, Jupiter Drawing Room, TBWA Hunt Lascaris and Metropolitan Republic. The industry is tough and demanding, but if you’re in the right space, with the right people, you’ll grow. You’ll learn. 38 MiStories - Kevin Sookoo

Design Manager But sjoe! I’d love to own a classic bike, or a 1967 Ford Mustang GT 500, with Paul Rogers - Bad Com- pany blaring from the stereo. The first car in my mother’s family was a Hilux, what they used to call a ‘Stout’, with 10 children squeezed in tightly. We were excited about every trip in ‘Rolling Stones’ (the name of the family Hilux). You’re stuck on an island, what can’t you live without? 1. My wife 2. My kids 3. My Michael Jackson music collection 4. And my Signature knife set 5. Oh, and I’ve started loving these pashmina-type scarves – it’s a signature look of sorts. So, I’d take one or two with me. [laughs] MiStories - Kevin Sookoo 39

Kavisha Parbhoo If you believed Kavisha’s Hmmm…nature? description of herself, you’d So you’rea hiker? think she’s a wallflower but this I would say that I am an explorer, girl is on fire. An avid traveller so I hike, and l love the ocean. and adventurer - she has travelled I don’t do too much hiking in to 31 countries. At MiWay she Joburg though. I like hiking in works in telematics (read the places like the Drakensberg and article to find out what it is) and Cape Town – for the views. is passionate about customer My other favourite place is the behaviour and creating products beach. I recently learnt how to that enhance our customers’ surf, which has been on my experience. Bucket List for ages. I learnt how What do you do at MiWay? to surf in Sri Lanka, which I think My email signature says the is the best place to learn because Product Lead for Telematics and the water is warm – body Rewards, but my job description temperature - and the surf is great! has evolved since I started at MiWay 18-months ago. I do pretty much everything [laughs] related to the products or projects related to this title. So, let’s start with what is telematics? I didn’t even know what that word meant when I accepted the job, I had to Google it. Why did you choose MiWay? My first impression of MiWay was that it seemed like a really cool brand. And then I met the team in my first interview, and I fell in love with them. After being here for 18-months I see that the team is a representation of who MiWay is. I see them as the heart of the MiWay I love. 40 MiStories - Kavisha Parbhoo

Telematics and Rewards Development When where you in Sri Lanka? A month ago, I travelled to Sri Lanka with my parents. We hadn’t travelled since lockdown, so it felt really good to be out in the world again and so we spent 10 days in Sri Lanka. We went from beach, to village, to jungle, to the tea plantations in the mountains. Their capital city doesn’t feel third world at all. We felt like we were in Europe because of the quality of the roads, the malls and the fact that we could walk freely in the street. But the best thing about Sri Lanka is the people. My family and I love immersing ourselves in other cultures. Our favourite thing to do when we travel is to go to the grocery stores and use public transport. I know that’s bizarre, but we love seeing what other grocery stores have to offer and we love experiencing public transport. Tell us more about the surfing? I was apprehensive about it because I didn’t have a partner to do it with, but I went up to the instructor on the beach and signed up. He charged me the equivalent of R100 per hour. We spent about 10 minutes on the beach working on the technique. I had to learn how to push up (from lying down on my stomach) into a standing position at an angle. And then he was like, ‘Let’s go into the water!’ and so we went into the water, and after some apprehension we started surfing. I fell more times than I stood [laughs] and I got water up my nose, but it was really soooo much fun. MiStories - Kavisha Parbhoo 41

John Wessels Ican barely get the word So, you’ve always been a Who was John Wessels ‘actuarial’ out my mouth without ‘Numbers Guy’? growing up? twisting my tongue, then he [laughs] Yes. By the time I got to Math wasn’t all I was interested starts talking about his other Grade 11 or 12, I knew I’d pursue in at school. [laughs] I enjoyed high-risk activities that has me a career path that would give me sports too, playing rugby, cricket weak in the knees. Literally! John scope to enjoy numbers, and and I ran the 800m race in our tells me there’s an Airbnb he enjoy math even more. And yes, athletics team. At 5 years old, I enjoys visiting in Magaliesburg I pursued a degree in Actuarial was quiet and introverted. But I because he lives for the outdoors. Science at the University of Free loved playing chess. At 10, I was He has a Point A to Point B State. While some of my peers the same child. I still loved playing resolve which comes naturally for didn’t enjoy the Financial Math chess! During high school, I made John, who, as a young boy, loved modules, it was something I really a few friends, but by the time I numbers and “really really enjoyed dug into. That and Statistics. got to university, I met people mathematics”. And Economics. who enjoyed the same things and who didn’t find my ‘strange likes’, strange at all. By the way, to this day, I still enjoy chess! Everyone has hidden superpowers – what are yours? I play guitar and drums. Surprise, surprise, I enjoy a bit of sokkie every now and then! My favourite songs, beside ‘Sum- mer of 69’ have to be Loslappie and Kaptein. I cook a mean mushroom risotto – ask my vegetarian girlfriend, it’s her favourite meal from my cooking repertoire. 42 MiStories - John Wessels

Actuarial Data & Science Manager So, you enjoy cooking? Who Weekends – would be your Top 3 Dinner WThaeyWessels Guests you’d invite over? Well, I’d have to impress right, so I enjoy adventure races, hiking I’m not inviting Gordon Ramsay, and when I get the chance, he’d destroy my confidence! one of the long cycling trails in [laughs] Modderfontein. I’d love to do the Otter Trail one day. The author of Nudge, Richard Thaler, I’d invite him. He’s an But in ‘quiet moments’ I enjoy expert on Behavioural Econom- listening to music, mostly Indie ics and he understand the little musicians like Lucy Dacus, ‘nudges’ that influence people’s Reuben & The Dark, Edward buying or spending behaviour. Sharp & The Magnetic Zeros. [Who are these people, John? Then, I’d invite Bill Gates or Urgh, must be an Warren Buffett. They are both age-thing!] humanitarians. Both so accomplished yet so humble. The last person I’d invite is Rassie Erasmus, World Cup winning Springbok coach. He had a plan that many doubted but he stuck to his guns and no-one can argue with the results. We won! MiStories - John Wessels 43

Jay Padayachee “My first for BMW. for me, I d car home He’s been married for 21 See me, I believe that from dis- What are your long-term plans years and met René Otto ruption often comes the greatest or goals? 20 years ago. It was a ideas. I’d love to visit the Murugan journey of extraordinary I mean, I have three sons temples in Madras (Chennai, India) growth for him, as a father and - 30 years old, 19 years old and one day. husband, and as an insurance the youngest is three! Imagine, a industry professional. laat-lammetjie (child born in one’s I wouldn’t mind meeting Graeme later years) who’s only three years Pollock, not only because he’s a Jay recalls that around six months old!? And he’s disrupted our family left-hander like me, but he was after joining MiWay, they found dynamic in the most beautiful way. also one of South Africa’s finest that the only sales happening were Every weekend, you’ll find me cricketers. based on Inbound, the business pottering about the house with this plan was clearly not working. And renovation or that…we recently I’d also love to retire in Mauritius, the company needed to pivot. relocated from Bloem back to and enjoy my very own restaurant Joburg and our home needs to on the beach! Would you say you’re a accommodate the playtime needs Go-To Guy? of a toddler, both indoors and Of course, I still want to do my You could say that. outdoors. Who would’ve thought PhD, become a professor…my I’d be tackling home renovation love of teaching, and all. If not a My sons will tell you, as much projects at this age or stage in my Professor, I’d love to be the CEO as my team will too, one of my life…? But I’m doing it. And loving of MiWay someday! superpowers is that I’m always it so much. able to talk and action solutions to just about any problem. 44 MiStories - Jay Padayachee

Sales: GM & Key Individual job was as a driver Snapshot: . But eish, no perks Jay as a didn’t ever take the Father e!” To live, laugh and love. It’s the mantra I live by. There’s no handbook for parenting, so it’s important not to take yourself too seriously. Or to take the children’s ups and downs too seriously either. Looking back, I can say parenting gets a bit easier, after every child you have, because you learn from the first so it’s a bit lighter, less stressful with the second. You learn from the second, so it’s not as overwhelming with the third. That’s certainly been the case for me. Oh, and as the third out of four children, one would imagine there’d be that third child syndrome…but not for me! I was my mother’s favourite! [bursts out laughing] In fact, anywhere you’d bump into my mother, at the shops, at home or even at family gatherings, she’d constantly be heard telling all and sundry: “Jay is my favourite child…”. [laughs again] I love my mother, but that’s something I learned not to do with my kids. It keeps me out of trouble! MiStories - Jay Padayachee 45

Helen Yao Tell me about your childhood, Have you been back to Taiwan where did you grow up? since moving to South Africa? Helen Yao, Actuarial I grew up in Taiwan and when Yes, we still have relatives – aunts, Manager: Claims I was 10-years old, my family uncles, and grandparents – living and Fraud is a self- moved to South Africa. My father there, so I visit every two years. proclaimed foodie, had come to South Africa a year It’s important for me not to lose who enjoys cuisine from all over before for work, while we – my my connection with them and my the world – especially steak from mother, and two sisters and I - Taiwanese heritage. South Africa. stayed in Taiwan. My mother was determined to keep us all When it comes to Taiwanese together, so she made the cuisine, what are the specialities decision to move us here to join that you would recommend? my dad. We relocated to a small Wow, there is a lot [laughs] but I holding near Krugersdorp, and it would recommend trying pineapple was a big culture shock. Taiwan is cake. We usually eat it during the full of high-rise buildings, most of Moon Festival. I am a foodie and which are apartments. I had never I could literally take hours of your really seen wide open spaces and time giving you lists of things to try strangely enough the sky felt like but off the top of my head, I’d say it was closer to me because the pineapple cake. [Hmmm, I want infrastructure in South Africa is that list Helen, rumour has it that generally flat. Taiwanese Fried Chicken is really good!] The hardest part though was I became learning a new language. I didn’t fluent in speak any English, I only knew English basic phrases like ‘hello’, ‘how within are you?’, ‘goodbye’ and ‘thank six months!” you’. My parents enrolled us in an English speaking school in Honey- dew. My mother insisted that my sisters and I should not hang out with each other during break-time, so we could mingle with other kids and learn to speak English faster. 46 MiStories - Helen Yao

Actuarial Manager: Claims and Fraud Helen’s Movie If you were stuck on an island Reviews – what three things would you take with you? [Laughs]. I love the Avengers. Firstly, a decent First Aid Kit with I would love to sit down and talk an emergency blanket and insect to all the full Avengers team. repellent because I’m afraid of Individually they are very bugs. powerful but when they collabo- rate, they are unstoppable. Don’t I would also take an owl to be my ask me who my favourite Avenger night guard and companion – they is because I don’t have one. apparently also eat snakes which will come in handy. Another team I love are the char- acters of the Japanese anime, My last item would be an One Piece. They are pirates who encyclopaedia. I would use it look are in search of treasure and I en- up things to eat and remedies in joy the series because it empha- case I get sick and in the worst sises teamwork. I tend to watch case scenario if I run out stuff to anime that is centred around build a fire then I’d use it. teamwork, I like seeing how teams combine their strengths to combat uncertainty and failure. MiStories - Helen Yao 47

Gugu Msindo This was Gugu’s response A teenager in MiWayan terms, a deeper understanding of the to my MS Teams invite, Gugu says she’s part of the business objectives. to have a chat so I could furniture, having joined the Who was Gugu as a child? find out what rocks company in 2008. I’m the firstborn of three her world, inside and outside What I particularly love about children. And as a child, I was a the hallways and doorways at MiWay is that while most corpo- bookworm, I loved reading! I still MiWay. rates tend to focus their goodwill do, mostly John Grisham’s crime Over the years, I’ve noted that on external markets, such as cli- thrillers. See, I always enjoyed when conducting an interview, ents, MiWay actually cares about figuring things out, analysing the most people describe them- their employees first. For me, the characters, understanding the selves as the person they would pause area tells me that MiWay plot, especially the plot twists! like to be, or how they would like understands the need to ‘chill I also had a strict mother who to be perceived. [Note to self out’ even during the day, and to made sure I understood what is + Note to Gugu: Boring people stay connected to each other. meant by the expression ‘it takes don’t get excited about Those coffee chats, for me, are a village to raise a child’ [laughs]) anything!] what made a typical day in the This wasn’t always easy because But really, ‘boring’ could not be office a good one! your neighbours, your aunts further from the truth, when it and uncles could reprimand comes to describing Gugu. What advice would you give you, even when you were not Her animated responses and the a young person interested quite doing anything wrong, you chuckles that dotted our conver- in Risk & Compliance as a know!? So I did what I needed to sation made it feel like we were career? do, I towed the line! [laughs] old friends, catching up after a You need to be an analytical long time. thinker. You also need to be so open-minded that you assume you know nothing, then deep- dive, immerse yourself within the business so that you develop 48 MiStories - Gugu Msindo

Risk & Compliance Manager Who has had the biggest influ- If you could invite three famous ence on your life, and why? guests to dinner, who would Without a doubt, my aunt. She’s they be? hardworking and she had a way I’m a huge tennis fan [Surprise, of pursuing what she had set her surprise!, she exclaims] so it would heart on, relentlessly, tirelessly. have to be Roger Federer and Serena Williams as my first two. I learned from her that hard work Oh, and my final guest would have pays off, and that if you’re willing to be Angelina Jolie – I admire the to give of yourself, you will be way she’s living her life, doing her rewarded. humanitarian work while balancing her role as a mother too! By the way, she works at an SOS Children’s Village, and in many Do you have a favourite song WwietehkGenugdus ways, her doing things for others, that’s always on ‘repeat’? inspired me as a child, and even Yes, the old gospel song, “Great is My kids, my kids, my kids! today, still challenges me to be my Thy Faithfulness” gets me through. best, and to give of my best. Every time I listen to it, I’m remind- ed that I’ll get through tough times, and that I always have something to celebrate, in good times and in bad. On weekends, I do as much as I can with my kids, to alleviate the working-mommy-guilt. We love being outdoors, even if it means gardening, something I’ve really gotten into recently. Oh, and does shopping count as something I really enjoy? [laughs almost uncontrollably] I can spend hours and hours walking through stores, even if I’m just window-shopping. It’s my ‘happy space’. “I am a [You were almost my bestie Gugu, boring were it not for that window part of shopping!] individual, brace yourself!” MiStories - Gugu Msindo 49

Geoffrey Clark You know the saying: “Never judge a book by its cover,” in the case of Geoffrey Clark, Actuarial Manager: Optimisation and CS you could say, “Never judge an Actuary by his career choice.” This former actor also dabbled in farming before settling on a career as an Actuary. Did you set yourself any personal goals at the beginning of the year? [Laughs] My second son was born at the end of January and his brother is barely two, so at this point we are just surviving and trying to steady the ship. 50 MiStories - Geoffrey Clark