WIN A WISE TOUCH TABLET! SA Career Focus and Wise Tablets are giving away 2 x Wise Touch Tablets, here's how you can enter: HEADMASTERS! Tell your students to register! School draw takes place 28 FEB 2013 Registered student draw 1 x lucky student WINS a Wise Touch Tablet REGISTER your school on www.wisetablets.co.za Every 10 x student registrations = 1 x school draw entry YES Competition Rules: Ÿ Each student may only enter once. Ÿ Each school may only enter once. STUDENTS! Did the headmaster from the winning school enter their school? 1 x lucky headmaster WINS a Wise Touch Tablet SIGN UP for a FREE 3 month trial on www.sacareerfocus.co.za Get your school friends to register! WISE TABLETS Wise Tablets is the first South African company to provide a Tablet with over 100 customized South African brands pre-loaded as part of the aptly named, Wise Experience. The Wise Experience also includes a range of the most popular applications for social media, emailing, document & photo editing, watching movies etc. Visit our website www.wisetablets.co.za or call us on 012 6678888 to learn more. SA CAREER FOCUS MAG SA Career Focus magazine showcases jobs in all careers. Workers are personally interviewed so that our readers get direct insights into the key day-to-day work aspects. Subject guidelines, places to study and interesting websites accompany each job. Schools teachers use SA Career Focus as a unique & valuable source to compliment Life Orientation & other subject studies. Visit http://tiny.cc/p7tbjw to see the magazine online. Ÿ There is no limit to the amount of entries a school can gain for the draw. The more entries a school gets, the better the chance of winning! Ÿ The competition runs from 1st October 2012 to 15th February 2013. Ÿ The judge's decision is final and no further correspondence will be entered into. Ÿ Standard terms & conditions apply NO Registered student draw Tel: 012 6678888 Website: www.wisetablets.co.za Email: info@wisetablets.co.za 2 x lucky students WIN a Wise Touch Tablet

Ever wonder why they chose Darling in the Western Cape as the site of South Africa's first wind farm? The location with its rolling Swartland hills and strong winds proved the ideal spot. Four turbines at the wind farm produce around 8.6 gigawatts per hour (GWh) of clean energy per year. By Gina Hartoog With the country's renewable energy target set at 10 000 GWh by 2013, much work still needs to be done in the renewable energy sector to achieve this goal. Green energy guru Frank Spencer, CEO of Emergent Energy in Cape Town, knows how important renewable energy is for our planet. With an MSc in electrical engineering from the University of Cape Town under his belt, Frank found his niche in the green energy sector. He started his own company two years ago. He also has a Bachelor of Philosophy in Sustainable Development from Stellenbosch University. As a renewable energy engineer, Frank is responsible for designing wind farms and solar plants - from small projects for residential homes to large power stations plants. Installation of solar plants may be in rural areas where homes are off the national grid, or in urban areas were owners of businesses, buildings or residential homes are looking to green their energy consumption. One of his most recent projects was the installation of a solar plant at an upmarket bush lodge in Botswana. "They're off the grid and have used diesel engines to produce energy for years," explains Frank. "We've helped them to convert to solar power. Not only is this far more cost effective in the long run, as diesel is expensive to transport to these areas, but it's also a great marketing tool for the business - green energy in Africa." Winds of change While the renewable energy engineer focuses on energy from natural sources - wind, water, the sun or the earth's geothermal energy - the sustainable engineer's portfolio is slightly bigger and incorporates energy efficiency, clean coal technologies and some gases, like liquefied petroleum (LPGas). Within this diverse and growing market there is opportunity for people from all walks of life to find employment - extroverts and introverts alike. Frank says it's important to have a passion for what you do. "It's a good feeling to know that you are helping people - perhaps someone who has never had access to electricity - but also something which is beneficial to our planet," he adds. Renewable Energy Engineer 10 SACF Vol. 7 No. 3 "A person who is good at Mathematics and Physical Sciences at school and interested in its application would be well suited to a career in renewable energy."

Quick facts Salary Starting after qualification R15 000 to R20 000 per month. With 6+ years' experience - R30 000 upwards Qualifications BSc Engineering (4 years); MSc in renewable/sustainable energy (1 year) Working hours Office hours, overtime and travel Places of employment Renewable energy consultancies; manufacturers of renewable energy components, green building companies Turning the tide Climate change, a root cause of global warming, affects everyone and the renewable engineer has an important role to play in providing renewable alternatives to coal for energy. "It's a developing market," Frank says. "And already quite competitive in South Africa, but we are still in the early stages and almost certainly going to grow in the next few years." Frank encourages those interested in renewable energy to do more research on the subject and try to visit solar, wind or hydro plants to look more closely at what is being achieved in the sector. Your place in the sun Frank and his team recently designed a small hydro plant for a farm in Stellenbosch. Spring water from the mountain flows down a pipe to a dam and a small-micro hydro turbine, installed at the dam, generates around 500W of power continuously! Projects like these are pretty new in South Africa and Frank says that it's great to be a part of this new frontier. "While many of these concepts have been done internationally, they are very new to South Africa and an important part of our future," he says. "Government is serious about moving away from coal-based power and renewable energy has a significant role to play. A person who is good at Mathematics and Physical Sciences at school and interested in its application would be wellsuited to a career in renewable energy. n Civil engineer, electrical engineer, electrician, electronics engineer, mechanical engineer, sound engineer Similar Careers Subject guidelines Mathematics Physical Sciences Information Technology Technical Drawing Mechanical Technology Contact your training institute for more specific information Places to study UNIVERSITY OF STELLENBOSCH Tel: 021 808 9111 BEng Electrical & Electronic Engineering + Postgraduate course in: Renewable & Sustainable Energy 5 years full-time study www.sun.ac.za UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND Tel: 011 717 7237 BSc Electrical Engineering 4 years full-time study www.wits.ac.za UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: 011 559 2911 NDip Electrical Engineering 3 years full-time study www.uj.ac.za UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN Tel: 021 650 2699 BSc Electrical Engineering 4 years full-time study www.uct.ac.za UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL Tel: 031 260 2525 BSc Eng: Electrical Engineering 4 years full-time study www.ukzn.ac.za SUSTAINABILITY INSTITUTE Tel: 021 881 3196 Postgraduate Diploma Sustainable Development specialising in: Renewable Energy Systems 1 year full-time study www.sustainabilityinstitute.net Interesting websites Emergent Energy http://emergy.co.za Alternative Energy Engineers www.alternativeenergyengineers.co.za Renewable Energy Engineering www.renewableenergyengineering.com SACF Vol. 7 No. 3 11 * Conservation *

You don't have to be a "bunny hugger" to be passionate about our environment. If you're interested in telling stories about our planet, wildlife or the effect us humans have on the world we live in, you may just be the right person for a career in environmental journalism. Environmental Journalist Rehana Dada is just that and has worked in print, radio and television media. She describes herself as being passionate about science, nature and human rights. Rehana has been extremely fortunate to travel for work - around South Africa and various countries aboard. "My latest projects have been anything from microbes that lived 3.5 billion years ago to the last remaining endemic species on an island decimated by goats, rats and cats!" she says. Starting out After high school, Rehana took a gap year to work as a volunteer at various organisations where she could get training to become an environmental educator. She was always involved in environmental issues and campaigns as a youngster and was keen to continue after high school. After working at the Pretoria Zoo for a time, she got the opportunity to do some research for a TV story and found her niche in broadcast media. Later, Rehana started her own TV production company and began to regularly submit segments to SABC's popular environmental programme 50/50 - something she continued to do for the next 10 years! Rehana, a keen writer too, was soon pitching story ideas to magazines and newspapers. 12 SACF Vol. 7 No. 3 Making the cut By Gina Hartoog "While there are challenges, journalism as a career is an opportunity to meet new people and keep learning throughout your life." Journalists need a nose for a good story. Following up on leads and creating your own 'work' is important for the environmental journalist. You must have a keen curiosity for the world and a passion for storytelling. "You should also be comfortable working with people," says Rehana. "Be interested and open in listening to their stories and able to interpret them." When dealing with difficult subjects (which often rise with environmental issues and how people view them), you have to be fearless and willing to ask those tough questions! © Gareth Weeks

Quick facts Salary Starting from R6 000 to R9 000; self-employed - depends on workload/hours Qualifications BA Journalism; NDip Journalism; Certificate courses in Journalism/Media/TV Production/Radio (1 to 2 year courses). A qualification in Conservation, Biology or Geology would be beneficial - but not essential. Working hours Regular office hours (magazines/TV); shifts (newspapers/radio); flexible hours (self- employed) Places of employment Magazines, newspapers, TV production companies, self-employment (freelance) While there are challenges - pressure to be creative, deadlines, finding new story ideas and budget restraints in all mediums - journalism as a career is an opportunity to meet new people and keep learning throughout your life. Budgets are small and there aren't always opportunities for travel - but you may be just as lucky as Rehana! She's recently returned from Brazil where she attended Rio+20, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Out in the field Journalists need to be good organisers - scheduling interviews, setting up shoots, booking the crew and writing scripts. After shooting, you may be involved in the editing process of your segment or documentary, or if you're writing in print media, you'll need to compile your article. One thing Rehana especially enjoys about her profession is that she gets to work closely with wildlife. She's been in some crazy situations too! "We went along with some rangers for a story on TB in lions and they darted an alpha male," she recalls. "While he was still coming around from the anaesthetic, two young challengers arrived to take him on, something they had been trying to do for quite a while! It was a few nervous moments for everyone!" Write your own story Rehana believes that doing what you love is important as you'll be working for a long time! "You really need to do something that makes you happy," she notes. "Not what other people want you to do. It's also perfectly fine to follow a career path for a while, and then decide to make a change later on. Don't ever be afraid to try something new if you feel you haven't yet found your passion." n " n Author, book critic, copywriter, court reporter, editor, photographer, press photographer, photojournalist, proofreader, publisher, radio and TV announcer, radio producer, script writer, television presenter, writer Similar Careers Subject guidelines No compulsory subjects, but it depends on which field of journalism you would like to specialise in. History and languages are beneficial. Contact your university for more specific information Places to study UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG Tel: 011 559 4555 BA Journalism 3 years full-time study www.uj.ac.za UNIVERSITY OF THE WITWATERSRAND Tel: 011 717 1000 BA Journalism 3 years full-time study www.wits.ac.za RHODES UNIVERSITY Tel: 046 603 8111 BJourn: Major Environmental Science 4 years full-time study www.ru.ac.za NORTH-WEST UNIVERSITY Tel: 018 299 1111 BA Communication 3 years full-time study www.nwu.ac.za NELSON MANDELA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY Tel: 014 504 2514 NDip Journalism 3 years full-time study www.nmmu.ac.za UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE Tel: 051 401 9111 BA Communication: Media studies & Journalism 3 years full-time study www.ufs.ac.za Interesting websites 50/50 www.sabc2.co.za/show/5050 Society of Environmental Journalists www.sej.org Earth Journalism Network http://earthjournalism.net SACF Vol. 7 No. 3 13 * Conservation *

Are you studying veterinary medicine, marine biology or wildlife management? Why not supplement your practical knowledge with a stint as a wildlife volunteer? You might not be compensated for your time, but the work you do in the field is invaluable both for job experience and for practical application of your studies. Volunteers need to be dedicated to their work. Centres often rely on the service of volunteers to assist them with the smooth running of operations. Commitment, patience and a willingness to work hard are important qualities for volunteers to have. Working as a volunteer This will depend on the organisation you are offering your services to. Let's take a look at three different types of wildlife volunteer work. SANCCOB You'll need to be 18 years old or older to volunteer at the Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (SANCCOB) in Cape Town. Younger learners can participate in SANCCOB's Career Week, which aims to introduce learners to a variety of marine careers. Volunteers at SANCCOB assist with the day-to-day tasks of saving seabirds. New volunteers generally start by assisting with the cleaning of the bird enclosures and preparing food for a variety of seabird species of all ages. As volunteers develop more skills they will start to handle seabirds and learn more specialised skills required for their rehabilitation. Volunteers are assigned a supervisor who assists them with questions and provides support. There are two shifts per day that volunteers can sign up for, however, the organisation is crisis-driven and volunteers may be asked to work longer hours when needs arise. To sign up, complete SANCCOB's volunteer application and indemnity forms found on the website at: www.sanccob.co.za 14 SACF Vol. 7 No. 3 FreeMe Volunteers handle almost all of the work at FreeMe Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre in Paulshof, Gauteng where they feed, clean and nurse animal patients in the clinic and birdcages. There are all kinds of volunteer tasks available at FreeMe for anyone with willing hands - from handyman work to building new cages. Volunteers must be over the age of 18 years. Complete a volunteer application form (available online or from the reception). You will be contacted when the centre holds its next orientation morning. This is a full Saturday morning of learning about the history, ethics and operations at FreeMe. It also includes initial training for shift duties. Volunteers must be prepared to work shifts. For more info, log on to: www.freemewildlife.org.za The Johannesburg Zoo By Gina Hartoog Wildlife Volunteer The Johannesburg Zoo accepts volunteers over the age of 18 years, but also has two youth clubs for younger learners - the Honey Badger Club and the Be Mad Club. Volunteer jobs depend on which section of the zoo you work in. The majority of tasks are around cleaning enclosures and general maintenance. If you work in the Bird Section, you may be able to assist with walking the critically endangered Wattle Crane. Volunteers also help zoo staff on events days where they educate the public. Volunteers can also become tour guides after taking a five-day tour guide induction course. The zoo prefers volunteers to assist in the mornings when a majority of work in the zoo happens. If you are interested in volunteering at the Jo'burg Zoo, please e-mail Louise on education@jhbzoo.org.za with a brief description of yourself, availability to volunteer and current studies. Once a keeper has accepted you into their section, you will receive an application form to complete and submit. n They said... "Volunteering at Jo'burg Zoo gives me practical experience that perfectly complements the theory I am taught at university. It makes my studies more relevant and lets me contribute to a field in which I hope to pursue as a career." Anthony Schultz - University of Cape Town "I have grown and developed as a person during my time at the centre and am confident in my ability to rehabilitate animals in the future." Lucy Burge, Plymouth University, United Kingdom, on volunteering at SANCCOB "Volunteering at FreeMe has been incredible. Animals are my true love and here I have a platform to help them and to learn as much as I can about them and their welfare. All the knowledge and experience I gain is beneficial to my career and increases the amount of good I can do for our world and its animals. Change is possible, if we all do our bit!" Agatha Pretorius, an animal rights activist and shelter volunteer Part-time

Have you considered the number of career options within the Finance and Accounting sector? From the exciting, edge-of-yourseat world of stockbroking to the highly valued practice of financial planning, the Finance, Accounting, Management Consulting and other Financial Services (Fasset) Sector has a career for every aspiring number cruncher. Just some of BIG GE ST You might have what it takes to be an iStore employee... iStore students wanted What can we offer you? Interested? Core Group, the representative for Apple in South Africa, are looking for dynamic, energetic and passionate students to employ on a part-time basis in our Apple Premium Reseller locations (shifts will include weekends). Working at iStore will offer you the unique opportunity of working with the world's biggest (and coolest) brand while getting hands-on practical experience. the many careers in the finance and accounting sector include accountancy, bookkeeping, debt collecting, tax practitioning and accounting technicians. There are so many opportunities available in the fields of finance and accounting that the possibilities are truly endless. 10429-3 SA Career Jul.indd 1 2012/07/23 2:20 BLACKMOON 10429-3 If you have excellent communication skills, are a passionate people person and you would like to be part of this dynamic brand, please email your CV to melanie.taljaard@ core.co.za

By Gina Hartoog Netball In June this year netball players from Durham University in the United Kingdom set a new Guinness World Record for the longest netball match ever played. The 22member team took to the court for 72 hours, adding 10 hours to the previous record of 61 hours held by a team in Canada. Team members played in three hour shifts, with half hour breaks between them. The final score was 3560-3414. Regular netball matches last an hour and consist of four 15 minute quarters. There's also a five minute half-time. It's a fast-paced game full of high energy and movement. Players need to be fit and agile. Netball in South Africa Earlier this year the SPAR Proteas Netball team headed to Jamaica for a three match test series against the Jamaican Sunshine Girls. Although the Proteas lost the series, they beat Jamaica 56-49 in the third test. This was a significant victory for the team and the first for South Africa against that country in 45 years! In July, the Proteas also took on Northern Island in Cape Town and won all three test matches! Netball South Africa is the sport's governing body in South Africa. They comply with the National Sport and Recreational Plan to ensure that netball is played in all municipal demarcations in the country. They currently operate in 47 regions and hope to expand this to 52 by next year. Although learners do play at school level, they also have the option of playing at clubs. Mimi Mthethwa, President of Netball South Africa, explains that each region has its own tournament programmes which are played in that region. Take the Quiz Fancy yourself a slam-dunk at netball? Let's test that grey matter! Answer true or false. 1. Two teams of seven players each take the court at the start of a match. 2. The aim of the game is to score as many goals possible in the prescribed time. 3. A player does not need to wear a bib/dress showing her position on the court. 4. Netball players may not dribble the ball. 5. Goal Shooter and Goal Defence are the only two positions allowed in the semi-circle to shoot at goal. 1. T; 2. T; 3. F, all players wear bibs/dresses identifying their court position; 4. T; 5. F, Goal Shooter and Goal Attack. 16 SACF Vol. 7 No. 3 Players are selected to represent their region in inter-regional tournaments. A provincial team is selected at these tournaments. Selection for the national team takes place at the SPAR National Championships and other competitions where top clubs and players participate. Netball Basketball's little sister... about a year after basketball was established, they tweaked the sport a little to include women. This was first known as women's basketball, but the rules were later modified... and the sport of netball was born. Rules were only standardised in 1960. To play, you'll need a court and a ball. Netball balls are manufactured from leather or rubber. They're actually a combo basketball/soccer ball. A netball ball weighs between 400g and 450g and measures between 69cm and 71cm in circumference. A netball court is 30.5m long and 15.25m wide. The court is divided into thirds. Two semi-circles are found at both ends. These semi-circles house the goal posts. The height of the post is 3.05m for adults. Not only for the girls... although the International Federation of Netball Associations (IFNA) only recognises the women's sport, this hasn't stopped the guys from getting in on the court action. The sport became very popular amongst the blokes in Australia in the early 1980s. The first men's championship tournament was held in 1985. Mixed leagues are now very popular in Australia and New Zealand. Canada, Kenya and Fiji all have men's national netball teams. South Africa's vice-captain Zanele Mdodana in action on the court. © Reg Caldecott © Reg Caldecott © Duif du Toit/Gallo Images

© Duif du Toit/Gallo Images © Reg Caldecott Meet Zanele Zanele Mdodana is the vice-captain of the SPAR Proteas Netball team and a sports manager at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. She's played netball in many different counties around the globe - from Jamaica to Malawi and is passionate about representing South Africa on the court. When Zanele isn't playing netball, you may catch her dancing, playing tennis or writing. How old were you when you started playing netball? Zanele: I was 11 years old when I started playing netball. I don't remember my first win but I do remember my first loss. We lost to Walmer- Wes: 8-4. I was the Goal Attack (GA) and missed most of the shots. After that I told my coach, "I don't ever want to play netball again!" What does it mean to be a sports role model in South Africa today? Zanele: It's an honour but it means you have to walk the talk - lead by example in deed and word. Can you share one of your most meaningful victories with us? Zanele: This would have to be when the U21 South African side beat England or the SPAR Proteas beat Malawi in Singapore at the World Championships in 2011. Also, when the SPAR Proteas beat Jamaica in one test of a three test series earlier this year. What is your favourite position on the court? Should netball players be versatile in the positions they play? Zanele: My favourite position is GA. I have played it for many years, but I have played all positions on the court, except for Goal Keeper (GK). A netball player has to be versatile but it's important that you specialise in a position. If you're a versatile player, it gives the coach more options when doing team selection or line-up. People often say that sport teaches them about themselves or about life in general. Has netball taught you anything special? Zanele: That is true. Netball has taught me things that no other activity could possibly teach me: self-discipline, commitment, teamwork, pushing myself beyond the limit and most importantly, it has taught me that nothing is impossible! n SPAR Proteas line-up against Jamaica at the World Netball Championships 2011 Singapore. A jubilant SPAR Proteas team after winning the SPAR Challenge - a three test series against Northern Ireland in Cape Town. n Know the lingo GS - Goal Shooter GA - Goal Attack WA - Wing Attack C - Centre WD - Wing Defence GD - Goal Defence GK - Goal Keeper Additional information: Netball South Africa SACF Vol. 7 No. 3 17 © Reg Caldecott Sport

Weird Job You do WHAT? By Jeanne du Plessis There's a reason why game reserves, zoos and animal sanctuaries are so popular - people love looking at wild animals. Even better is the experience of actually touching and interacting with them. I've spent many happy hours at animal sanctuaries playing with lion cubs, holding baby crocodiles and snakes, riding an elephant, stroking a cheetah and feeling its rumbling purr. As much as I love all creatures great and small (sorry spiders, not you), living with a wolf pack may be a little too interactive for me! The Wolf Man W hile the fictional Mowgli lived quite happily with wolves in The Jungle Book, this isn't something most people would want to attempt in real life. Shaun Ellis, aka Wolf Man, isn't most people though. In a tale that really is stranger than fiction, Shaun lived with a pack of wolves in the wild. As a boy Shaun loved nature and animals, and always wanted to work with animals in some way. In his twenties, he volunteered at a wolf research centre and learnt a lot about wolf behaviour. He wanted to get even closer, so he abandoned all human contact, the comforts of modern living, home-cooked food and personal hygiene to set off into the wild. I want to live like animals... So goes The Animal Song by Savage Garden. I've always had my doubts about this song and its reference to animals living "careless and free". We tend to romanticise the natural world, but if you've ever watched a wildlife documentary or seen lions munching on a carcass at the game reserve, you'll know that it's pretty darn rough out there. Sure the concrete jungle has its dangers, but at least we get indoor plumbing and don't have to catch our own supper, or even worse, worry about becoming another creature's supper. Shaun stuck it out in the wild for several months before he crossed paths with a wolf, and it took several more months before he got to know a pack. Little by little he built up their trust until eventually he was sleeping alongside them. They even started to bring him food (try teaching your dog that trick!). He lived with the pack for over a year, sleeping on the ground, drinking from streams and eating raw deer. Eeuw... Wolf Behaviourist 18 SACF Vol. 7 No. 3 An expert in wolf and woof behaviour Shaun has re-joined humanity, but his life still revolves around wolves. He's currently a wolf behaviourist at the Wolf Centre where he and his team study wolves and raise awareness about wildlife and nature conservation. Additionally, they offer dog psychology and training courses to improve people's relationships with their dogs; wolves and dogs have a very similar genetic make-up, and there's overlap in their behaviour as well. Before you bound off into the sunset... Living or working with wolves sounds amazing (except the raw deer part), but be warned: wild animals are, well, wild. There are many cautionary tales about people who tried and failed to befriend wild animals. There's Timothy Treadwell, known as Grizzly Man, who attempted to bond with bears. Result: eaten by bears. Locally, there was the man with a pet hippo that he rode around on. Result: death by hippo. Another story that made headlines is that of the American graduate who ventured into a restricted zone while studying chimp behaviour at a Jo'burg chimp sanctuary. Result: he's minus an ear, several fingers and toes, and a testicle. Attempting to cosy up with a wild animal without expert guidance is a bad idea, and could harm both you and the animal. If you'd like to try working hands-on with wild animals, volunteer programmes are the perfect opportunity to do so. Check out our Gap Year article on the wildlife sanctuary for more info! n "Shaun lived with a wolf pack for over a year, sleeping on the ground, drinking from streams and eating raw deer." © Simon Frazier, courtesy of The Wolf Centre