Made In China

This a label I am sure we all have come across before, whether it be on a electronic device or a piece of clothing or a pair of shoes for that matter. China over the years has become one of the leading manufactures surpassing Japan so much that it has become one of the leading economies. However we can say that this is contributed by this countries large population and huge labour force, also not forgetting its 'lax' labour laws. China is part of the BRICS setup a joint coalition of five countries, the acronym BRICS stands for (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). 

On the other hand, trade agreements between South Africa and China have left many South Africans jobless and unemployed. This is evident in the Eastern Cape whereby in the 1990's factories like Da Gama - a clothing textile factory used to provide many with jobs and an income to fend for their families. This was also the case in the Western Cape. However this was not to be the case as South Africa made trade agreements and embargo's that would cripple this country's clothing and textile industry. South Africa has become so dependent on China that it cannot do anything to upset the Chinese government or this will result in a loss of a R200 billion trade agreement between the two countries. Nationally over a 100 000 jobs have been lost between 2002 and 2010 due to cheap Chinese imports which have hem ridged the local market... S.A imports more than 19 billion worth of electronic devices and apparatus yearly from China.  

The recent controversial disallowing of the Dalai Lama to enter South Africa to attend a Nobel Prize l ceremony saw a public outcry whereby many see South Africa as a polecat. This is after the Tibetan spiritual leader was denied access into the country as this would hamper the countries trade agreement with China. 

Made in China, has South Africa become china's puppet or has the world become china's puppet?

PLAN AHEAD

It’s needless to say that given today’s day and age we need to plan ahead and plan for the future. However, this is nothing new.  Recently, I read an issue of the Lifestyle Magazine made by the RCS - a financial accredited micro lender - and came across an article written by Kolosa Vuso. I could not help, but take notes myself after reading this article and felt it necessary to share this with you.

She wrote the following: Saving up for life’s little pleasures or necessities can be very difficult, but well worth the sacrifice when you eventually fly off for that much anticipated honeymoon, or pay – stress – free! – For your child’s education. Here’s how to save for any day, and rainy day. (pg 54 of RCS Lifestyle Magazine – issue 13 of 2012)

In this article, Kolosa Vuso tackles the issue of having children and how you can provide for them in future, financially when they need to go to varsity. She also gives advice on how to start saving up a few Madiba’s (Rands) when having a new born. 

She wrote the following: Raising a baby is not cheap; from the day they are born their needs include baby formula, nappies, toys, childcare, food and things you haven’t even thought of.  Mothers on e-TV’s Great Expectations Forum recommend parenting on a budget while your child is still at infancy stage as it has many rewards.  The forum also suggested buying second hand instead of out of the box. . (pg 54 of RCS Lifestyle Magazine – issue 13 of 2012) Source: https://www.etv.co.za/forum

Others ways of saving up for an education fund include: opening a trust or an educational investment. I found this article very fruitful as it also advises us on how to start putting that little bit of money away on a monthly basis for a better cause in future and get more value for your money.  To get a better financial breakdown visit. www.asisa.co.za/fundisa.  Or source: fin24.com. For more information.

I am sure we all want to retire comfortably and have a plan for our retirement annuity. This article also goes on to discuss this topic clearly:

While saving for a short-term goal can be fruitful exercise, a long term saving plan can be a bit more demanding. Experts say that as few as one in 10 people in South Africa are making adequate provision for retirement. There is a sufficient coverage gap because around a quarter of the formally employed do not belong to a formal retirement plan. . (pg 56 of RCS Lifestyle Magazine – issue 13 of 2012) Source: lifesensefs.co.za

The idea here is to also start young, as this will enable you to save more. You can do this by saving from as little as R145 a month or R1750 per annum because the younger you start, the more time you get in and you will reap the benefits.  The only disadvantage in keeping your money in a policy is your ability to gain access to it, should you really need it.

START TO SOAR OVERCOME YOUR FEAR OF SUCCESS

                                                               

“Many women have the attitude that success is for others. Nonsense! Acknowledge that you’re worthy and deserving of success.”  - Adele Benvie

This piece seeks to inspire and motivate women, especially those in the business field dominated by matriacle culture. I came across the above heading whilst picking up an old issue of the Destiny Magazine and thought this could not be a more fitting title for my blog. I cannot help but agree with the words of Adele Benvie, in general women cannot help but feel lesser about them compared to their male counterparts when it comes to business or being in positions of power.  However this may not always be the case, because if we look throughout history there have been women in powerful positions who also happen to have been listed as influential women. An example of this would be women like; Hillary Clinton, Angela Merkel (The Germany Chancellor) and Michelle Obama just to name a few.  In South Africa we have initiatives such as take a girl child to work day, it is initiatives such as these that we need more of, to help bolster the number of women in Business in South Africa.

Sisters doing it For Themselves

South African entrepreneurial women can look up to women like self-made millionaire Ipeleng Mkhari  and various other influential women like Coni Fergurson, Nhlanhla Nciza and former Miss South Africa Basetsana Khumalo, as these women are living examples that success is possible for women in a male dominant world. The fear of success, Abraham Maslow coined the phrase “a Joanna Complex” writer Fiona Coyne who wrote the book “Who Moved My Ladder” a success guide for women; goes on to describe this as a feeling that women get when they seek, above all a sense of innerfulfilment and that they only achieve this when they realize their potential in its entirety and become all that they can be.

Beautiful Powerful You

Not outer beauty but inner beauty, the mind to create and think up new solutions to problems and entrepreneurial ideas; But to feel this way one must first learn to love themselves. One of America’s song writer and singer Whitney Houston said that learning to love yourself was the greatest love of all. I have to say I agree with this too, because as much as we give love to other people and things we need to do the same for ourselves and invest in ourselves. Remember the key to happiness and success: Dream big, work hard stay focused, and surround yourself with good people.

                       Money is not everything, but everything is Money!!!

                                                          

I’m sure we all have ambitions or had ambitions of being as rich as Warren Buffet or Donald Trump or even having as much money as sheiks, or probably becoming a business magnate like Richard Branson.  Well, growing up my father always used to say to me that ‘MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING, BUT EVERYTHING IS MONEY.’ It wasn’t until later on in life I would come to realize the true meaning of this saying, whether it’s going on a dinner date or just to the movies with friends one can agree that money will certainly be spent. The following piece will go on to try provide solutions to people during these tough economic times and also leave some change in your pockets and get your money’s worth.

IT TAKES MONEY TO MAKE MONEY:

 This can be said to be true, as the more you invest or put in financial support in the hopes of receiving a better return. However this is not always the case but the fact remains that it takes some form of money to get started. I came to realize this while sitting in business class during my schooling days as nothing comes for free, trust me nothing! So a considerable investment can be made in trying to obtain what you desire.

DISCIPLINE:

If there’s one thing that sport has taught me during my junior years, that would have to be discipline. It takes a lot of discipline to save and saving can be one of the hardest things to do especially with all the influences around and adverts always promoting new products.

START THEM YOUNG:

Get your children to learn the importance of saving at a very young age, as you never know what the future holds. The concept of saving at a young age is important as this will allow them to reap the rewards of their patience, they will also learn to appreciate the value of money a bit more and become more financially independent in life. They will also know that they have planned ahead, especially when the cost of living is at an all time high and stagflation has taken place.

Money is not everything but everything is money, as ambitious as we are we should realize that; excuse the cliché “money makes the world go round.” And that even people like your Warren Buffets, Donald Trump all started off by saving, so with that being said people should budget, plan and save money effectively. This should be a principle we teach all try to teach ourselves.