As an intermediate step till the forum is up and running, this blog is used for our introductions.
To protect your privacy no names are used. Only A, B, C etc. The names will be provide by email.
Braam
Braam
Abraham Wynand Pieters or in short Braam. B301 and B324 will be my last modules to a degree with the OU.
Working for Outotec SSA for the last decade with mineral processing equipment, staring as the Service Engineer traveling to site in Africa; managing key account to my most resend position heading up a sales team to supply our customers with spare part to maintain their investments.
Endeavours with Outotec gave my opportunity to travel mainly in Africa with a couple of trips to Europe and our head office in Finland.
Married with three daughter, so most of my free time will be spend with the family. My study will happen mostly late at night or in-between client visits.
I enjoy outdoor life, quad biking with the kids and golf if time allows.
Gideon
I live in Windhoek. I am a police man, completing my Hon. Business studies. B301 is my last module,
Lee
My name is Leevan Naicker, Lee for short. I live in Cape Town. I am married with two kids aged 6 years and 3 years old. I work for a company called Paarl Media Cape as a Mechanical technician. The company is in the printing industry and is responsible for printing of newspaper, magazines, school books, phone books and labels. My hobbies are fishing but and spending time with my family. This is the last subject for Honours and from what I hear this is the most difficult module, so I am rather nervous. However I am looking forward and determined to complete this degree.
I was born and raised in still live in Kimberley in the Northern Cape. I work for the same global mining company since leaving school in 1986. I have worked my way up the ranks and currently I am the Production Standards Manager.
The Teams responsibilities are to provide quality assurance to all the production departments and ensure they deliver to the global production standards. We are also responsible for Business Improvement in the organisation; so yes I have a very interesting job and no two days are the same. I’m also constantly learning something new.
Yes it is a rather looong stretch before hitting the books again and you can bet that it hasn’t been a breeze. It is some serious adjustment that has to take place.
I love reading although I have rationed myself since I’ve been busy with my studies as I will forget to study and rather read if given half a chance.
I also enjoy watching sport and had a ball channel hopping during the Olympics.
I think I’m rather good at using new technology, and the folks in the office think I’m a guru with a computer; however I know I have loads to learn. I’m self-taught but I don’t mind asking Google if I need assistance J
I really enjoy listening to music and often find myself with an earworm on constant playback on my Cranial Jukebox. I have a good laugh when I can pass this earworm on to a London colleague by simply mentioning the song in an e-mail. Rest assured he does the same to me.
Born and grew up in the middle of nowhere in Vanwyksvlei, North Western Cape. Then studied science to be a geologist at the University of Stellenbosch. A decade in mining IT, several years in business development in Vietnam, Mozambique, Peru, USA, Kazakhstan and Australia. Later managed innovation for Kumba Resources.
MBA and BBA lecturer on strategy and innovation (Unisa, Milpark and now IMM) since 2002. Guided many companies and academic institutions in strategy development including SABC Radio with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
As public speaker addressed many groups including several graduation ceremonies. Session leader for the Governor General of Canada, Her Excellency Michaélle Jean, during her visit to South Africa.
For ten years part-time constable in the South African Police Service. Has the highest qualification from Toastmasters International majoring in Storytelling and Humour. A several times Toastmasters’ Southern African semi-finalist in Prepared English, Humorous Speaking and Afrikaanse Skouspel.
Studied post graduate in group behaviour psychology at Unisa. Mentor for new ventures at Stellenbosch’s Innovation Lab.
Cofounder of Personera.com, winning the 2009 Microsoft Enablis award in the media category and the minister of science and technology’s award for systems design.
Short, middle aged and ugliesh and looking like the twin brother of Mr Bean! As a Jack of all Trades being a lecturer, company director and innovator while writing science fiction, horror and steaming love stories.
