Coffee Shop Conversations

Beverly Magotsi: Single mom, estate agent, moved from Kenya to South Africa

Bev shares her journey as single parent of her two teenage daughters and 11-year-old son, and how she juggles their busy diaries of school, sport (all three children are lifeguards), music (they play piano and saxophone), and social life.
She also talks about the help she receives from people, and how she has experienced the community embracing her with love, care, and help. She carries a strong hope in humanity.
Bev poignantly refers to her grandmother’s influence on her life and how that legacy and that of her mother guide her daily.
She also inspires with words of wisdom for any parent finding themselves suddenly caring for their children by themselves as a single parent, be it mom or dad.
Bev works for We Trade Property, a family-oriented estate agency where she finds their values aligned with hers. She sells properties in the Western Cape’s Southern Suburbs and reaching as far as Paarl.
She can be contacted for any property-related matters:
beverlym@wetradeproperty.co.za
076 916 5613
FaceBook: Beverly Magotsi
Instagram: hsewifey
 
 

Fiona Smith: live-in care worker in England. She was a journalist at The Friend newspaper, Bloemfontein, 20 years guide for French tourists in SA. Currently in Tetbury, Gloucestershire.

Fiona Smith: South African live-in care worker in England. More than a decade’s experience. 
Fiona was born and schooled in the Free State where she learnt to speak French. She then attended Star School of Journalism and worked as a reporter for The Friend newspaper in Bloemfontein. It was the second oldest English newspaper in the country, with Rudyard Kipling being a correspondent for the newspaper for a period of time.
For 20 years she was a tour guide for French tourists to South Africa.
She had always wanted to travel and regales an interesting story of traveling from Thailand to Iceland via France to visit her sister. 
With her many years’ experience as a live-in care worker, she shares the practical realities of the transient life as a live-in care worker, the long hours, it being lonely work, and how she keeps in social contact with fellow carers via Facebook and WhatsApp groups.
She is busy finalizing a Handbook for Live-In Carers, which will be published soon as an eBook. It contains 10 lessons for live-in care, including stories of other care workers’ experiences.
For any South African, regardless of age or gender, considering live-in care work in the UK, you are welcome to make contact with Fiona via Facebook.
Facebook: Fiona Smith

MaxiBlend. Used in ECDs, soup kitchens, schools, retirement homes, logistically challenging environments (firefighting, game ranging), feeding schemes for children. In SA and beyond.

In this episode I speak to sisters and ex-teachers from Strand, Western Cape, about MaxiBlend balanced meals. Used in Early Childhood Development Centres (ECDs), soup kitchens, schools, retirement homes, emergency food aid (eg floods), logistically challenging environments (firefighting and game ranging), and feeding schemes for children. Not just in South Africa, beyond our borders too.
They work in synergy with Outside the Bowl and Kingdom Foods International to provide, amongst others meal replacement shakes in all the flavours kids love. And the three organisations are working on developing more products for adults as well.
With as little as ZAR67 you can make a huge difference in the lives of the vulnerable and destitute. You will be provided with a section 18A certificate for monetary donations. From their website you can order for delivery to an NPO/NGO of your choice.
Listen to their story and find out more on their website – there is MUCH more to these two ladies than just the 25 minutes coffee shop conversation we had! I know you will be enthralled by what they do and their future vision as I am. Helping the vulnerable with a nutritional daily meal is as easy as this.
www.maxiblend.co.za
www.africaotb.org
FB: outsidethebowlafrica
IG: @outsidethebowlfeeding

Harrison Dax Nash: Social worker, charity director, program manager at Maranatha Siyakatala Youth Centre in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and honorary lecturer at the University of Plymouth.

Harrison Dax Nash: Social worker, charity director, program manager at Maranatha Siyakatala Youth Centre in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and honorary lecturer at the University of Plymouth.
Today we are flipping the script of this podcast! I showcase South Africans living in SA and abroad on this podcast, but today the stage belongs to a young man from Plymouth, England, who is doing lifechanging work in South Africa.
Maranatha Siyakatala Youth Centre provides residential care for 34 young people, from the age of 5.
Harrison tells us how a visit to South Africa in 2007 during a “gap” year changed the trajectory of his life. We hear about the various beautiful success stories of residents at Maranatha who proceeded to achieve success in amongst others the hotel industry (chef at No 5 Boutique Hotel by Mantis), the film and video industry, and the horseracing industry (a jockey).
He was awarded a BEM (British Empire Medal) and a BCA (British Citizen Award) by the Royal family for his service in South Africa to the children of Maranatha.
Amongst many talents Harrison also regularly performs his rendition of his favourite singers, Frank Sinatra and Michael Bublé, songs as he is involved with the Gilbert & Sullivan Society and often invited to perform.
To see more of what Harrison and Maranatha Siyakatala are all about, and to consider volunteering or making any donation, you can reach him through the below platforms or via email at harrison@maranathacarechildren.com :
www.maranathayouthcentre.co.za
FB Harrison Dax Nash
FB Maranatha Siyakatala youth centre
FB Maranatha Care Children

Sue Diepeveen. Owner of The Drama Factory. From humble beginnings, growing organically into an intimate performing arts theatre staging live high-quality productions - drama, comedy, music, magic, etc

Sue Diepeveen. Owner of The Drama Factory, an intimate performing arts theatre bringing the Helderberg area live high-quality productions, including drama, comedy, music, magic, and much more.
Sue started her career as an actress, she later had her own drama studio in Somerset West, teaching drama at various schools.
Listen to this beautiful story of the humble beginnings of the first music show in 2016 with Grace Newton and her dad, Eric, with no lights (Grace brought four lamps from home to use on stage), plastic chairs and wine.
The Drama Factory grew organically from the need for a space to work from to a theatre where a diverse range of multiple award-winning productions are staged.
To name but a few artists and productions: Marc Lottering, Rob van Vuuren, Erica Marais (nominated for multiple awards for her performance in The Unlikely Secret Agent), Pieter Dirk-Uys, Ira Blankenberg, playwright Mike van Graan, James Stewart and John Ellis, Marion Holm, Margit Meyer-Rödenbeck, Amanda Strydom, Liz Meiring, and Andre The Hilarious Hypnotist.
Sue is indeed “delightfully proud” of her staff and what The Drama Factory now represents with shows that had their maiden runs at The Drama Factory progressing to stages such as The National Arts Festival, Baxter Theatre, ArtsCape, and Woordfees, with amongst others multiple Fleur du Cap, Naledi, and Standard Bank Ovation awards.
For details of forthcoming shows, go to
www.dramafactory.co.za
FB: The Drama Factory
Instagram: thedramafactory
Email: info@thedramafactory.co.za

Dr Andri Nel-Rasmussen: Dean of Academics for Vanke Meisha Academy in Shenzhen, China. Born, raised, educated, and started her career in South Africa.

Dr Andri Nel-Rasmussen: Dean of Academics for Vanke (pronounced Whank-huh) Meisha Academy in Shenzhen, China, for students from Grade 9 to 12. Born, raised, educated, and started her teaching and teacher training career in South Africa.
 
Dr Nel-Rasmussen became a teacher “by accident” through a bursary offer, which meant she could have a day off school (which was much more enticing than an interview for a bursary!) She didn’t know what she wanted to do after school as she had so many interests. She knew she loved geography, though!
 
She completed her Bachelors in Education, with library science and geography as majors, at the erstwhile Rand Afrikaans University (RAU). Her first job, at the age of 21, was as lecturer at Vista University in the teaching and learning department, doing teacher training. She was able to study further for her Honours and then her Masters degree through RAU.
 
During 1995 she attended 27 interviews and couldn’t find a job in South Africa, the newly qualified teachers from the then teachers’ colleges being better prepared for teaching than her with university qualifications.
At the age of 26 she had not had any experience in teaching and then started teaching at a Montessori school in Knysna, which she did for 10 years.
The topic for her PhD dissertation was to design a curriculum which would match the Montessori philosophy and curriculum to the Government curriculum, and how two different modalities can match in middle school. She found a professor in Port Elizabeth at the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU - now Nelson Mandela University) who was her supervisor. The PhD journey was challenging, yet her supervisor was very supportive and encouraged her, when she felt overwhelmed and not “clever enough” to carry on, to merely focus on the next chapter. She also shares fond memories of a social science presentation at Cambridge University with her supervision.
As Andri and her husband love to travel, they decided to expand their experience outside of Knysna and they went to Thailand as English teachers. They initially planned to spend a month in Thailand in 2012 and then travel further. The rest, as they say, is history! She enjoyed the international Thai school, where she was tasked to establish and head the international department, which followed a UK curriculum, with the mix of cultures being 1/3 Thai, 1/3 Thai mixed with European, Australian, and British foreigners, and 1/3 Chinese. She enjoyed the mix of cultures. Cultural identity and belonging to a culture are very important for her. She enjoys the process of “who are we, where do we belong, how can we communicate better and be better humans when we work with each other.” This she also encountered when lecturing at Vista University during South Africa’s years of transition after apartheid.
Andri then accepted a position at Vanke Meisha Academy in Shenzhen, China. During the first part of 2020 she worked online (from South Africa) during the COVID pandemic time, whereafter her and her husband moved to China in 2021. She is the Academic Dean, overseeing the UK track, with 650 children in the high school. It is a school for Chinese students planning to go abroad.
Andri works with the teachers at Vanke Meisha Academy, focusing on what is good teaching, looking at the big picture, how do teachers help students who come in from the traditional education system and they then transition to education where the student is at the centre, teaching them to be self-driven, to know themselves as a learner, and then to be successful when they leave the school and go abroad to be Chinese citizens and good ambassadors for their country. Her program is focused on academia, while there are other programs that focus on art and sport, headed by other principals.
Andri shares a word of advice and profound wisdom with South African parents when she says that, in selecting a school for your child, decide on a school whose philosophy matches your child. She ends the podcast with very practical and wise advice. Keep listening!
https://www.vankemeisha.com/

Anja: singer, songwriter, multi-talented fresh new face and voice on the South African music scene.

This immensely talented young, fresh looking and sounding, authentic, and very versatile singer and songwriter, started “making music” as a 17-year-old, not having had any formal training. She now travels all over South Africa with her shows, no platform or audience is too small. Yet she has also opened a show for Francois van Coke.
Her equally talented mother taught her to play piano. Anja now plays piano, keyboard, guitar, and mandolin. Her mom and sister also sing, but not on stage. With her fresh and unique voice, she can sing various genres. She stays true to herself – she is the same person on and off stage.
Anja started her career about three years ago doing cover songs (her first cover was a Spoegwolf song – a very popular South African band) and she performed covers of amongst others Brandi Carlisle, Ed Sheeran, Juice Newton, Shania Twain, Bruce Springsteen, and Taylor Swift. She focuses on songs that fit her voice, and she is versatile, able to sing a mixture of genres. Recently she translated a few popular songs into Afrikaans to experience interpretative translation of songs. Anja also writes her own songs and, going forward, she will focus on singing her original songs.
Anja has performed at various venues, some of which are Music Kitchen in Port Elizabeth, Koelkamers in Paternoster, Die Boer in Durbanville, Pretoria, Montague, Worcester, and various private functions such as weddings and birthdays.
She is part of a very close-knit family who are involved in her career. Her mom helps with choosing outfits, she recently designed and painted Anja’s studio, and dad does the camerawork for her music video recordings (Anja edits the music videos herself). Dad also takes care of the admin, travel logistics, and bookings. A family that gives new meaning to teamwork!
To listen to Anja’s music, watch her videos, and to see where she will be performing next, go to:
Facebook: ANJAmusiekSA
YouTube ANJA
Linktr.ee/anjamusic
And for bookings contact Frans on 067 736 4069 and  bookings4anja@gmail.com

Sally Brownie – triumph in the face of adversity. From hotel receptionist to the first woman appointed as hotel manager in South Africa in the early 1970’s. Wheelchair bound at the age of 40.

Sally Brownie – triumph in the face of adversity. From hotel receptionist to the first woman appointed as hotel manager in South Africa in the early 1970’s. 
Sally was a piano, tennis, and cricket playing schoolgirl (coached by Bob Hewitt and Eddie Barlow), who started her first job as hotel receptionist, and worked her way up to be being the first woman appointed as hotel manager in South Africa.
After three brain haemorrhages (the first at the age of 32), she was wheelchair bound at the age of 40.
She is now able to only use her right index finger to type, yet she continues to inspire and live a full life at Bridgewater Manor, Somerset West, where she is responsible for the monthly newsletter.
Sally also touches on the misperception of many places purporting to be accessible by wheelchair, yet the challenges disabled people encounter.
She talks highly of the wheelchair friendly amenities at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, where she attended a Cliff Richard show, her being an all-time fan of his music.
And we had a good few laughs in between! A truly remarkable and inspirational story.
Her book, “Run While You Can: My Life and a Wheelchair”, is available at Amazon on Kindle.
sally@saarp.org.za
Amazon.com: Run While You Can: My Life and a Wheelchair eBook : Brownie, Sally: Kindle Store
Facebook: Sally Brownie

Graphic Geckos – Neil Rasmussen – website and graphic designer - set up startups and small businesses online

Graphic Geckos – Neil Rasmussen – website and graphic designer (ex-teacher) getting startups and small businesses set up online and empowered to reach more customers by providing cost effective branding.
Neil is the website and graphic designer and owner of Graphic Geckos. He tells the story of how he decided on the name, the services they provide, and a bit about life in China.
Some of the services they provide are logo and website design, brand setup, brand strategy, build ecommerce sites (online shopping).
https://www.graphicgeckos.com
https://www.facebook.com/graphicgeckosdesignstudio
Instagram: graphicgeckosdesign

Santie Amery. Multi-talented artist. She paints portraits, does book illustrations, and even paints on teabags and does avocado pip sculptures.

Santie Amery. Multi-talented artist. She taught painting and pottery at various schools, including schools for mentally challenged children and adults, having studied art and obtained her teacher’s diploma at Potchefstroom University.
She paints portraits, does book illustrations, and even paints on teabags and does avocado pip sculptures.
Santie also teaches adult artists, imparting her knowledge of many years.
During her time teaching primary school children in Hogsback she created Hoggamajôjôs to encourage their imagination and creativity.
Her future plans are to give online art classes. Her motto: focus on that which enriches you and makes you happy and joyful.
www.santieameryart.co.za
Facebook: Santie Amery Artist
Instagram: santieameryartist
santieamery@gmail.com
YouTube: Santy Amery Art
Santie’s son Cobus’ art is on Instagram: whos_mr_madman