List your top 200 achievements

Caption: I have unlocked a certain amount of achievements thus far, and would like to unlock more in the future.
Source: xboxconsole.blogspot.com


We all have approximately 200 achievements, if not more, which could be discussed; however I would like to list my achievements through life thus far:

1. Being born into a world full of challenges.
2. Learning how to walk and speak.
3. Being raised up to care for those around me.
4. Going to Pre-school and becoming the top student.
5. Reading my first books (if I recall they were named “Kathy and Mark”).
6. Moved up to Primary School, which was fantastic.
7. Became the Captain of the Primary School’s Cricket team.
8. Winning our first inter schools cricket competition.
9. At the Age of 14, my passion for cars developed.
10. At this stage, I was fixated on anything related to cars and speed.
11. I met Sarel van der Merwe, one of South Africa’s top racing drivers.
12. Meeting friends with the same passion.
13. Learning to ride a bicycle.
14. Learning how to build people’s confidence (Sports wise).
15. Excelling at Primary School, in where I was the third student to achieve the Silver Merit award.
16. Using rollerblades for the first time which left me with a number of injuries.
17. Learning how to swim.
18. Going for the first flight in an aircraft.
19. Learning how to drive a go-kart (Which was a nightmare).
20. Moving to High School and making new friends.
21. Receiving a tough load of work on my first day, which assisted in building my time management skills.
22. Becoming confident enough to participate in classes.
23. Overcoming stressful situations.
24. In Grade 9, I was offered an opportunity to participate in a small business development project called Junior Achievement; we started a small business under their supervision, in where we made profit of R1000.
25. Becoming a Sales Manager for the Junior Achievements programme.
26. Learning how to write and structure work correctly.
27. Breaking my shoulder during a rugby match and having my first operation.
28. Learning how to take photographs.
29. Attending The Paragon Generation, were I was taught a number of skills.
30. Becoming creative and building cars out of cereal boxes.
31. Learning how to build cars, buying model cars and building them.
32. Learning how to speak Xhosa, but reflecting on it now, it would be impossible as I remember nothing.
33. Travelling around the world.
34. Learning about other cultures.
35. Travelling by myself, which was a nightmare (long story).
36. Becoming part of my High Schools Hiking group, in where we hiked up Table Mountain.
37. Having my first experience in the Cable Car.
38. Joining the Squash Club at the High School.
39. Completing High School and obtaining my senior certificate.
40. Getting my first job at a Pizza shop in Grassy Park, in where I worked my way up the ranks.
41. Became a manager at the Pizzeria and Video Shop.
42. I met a number of people, and this was where I met a racing driver which further built my passion for motorsport.
43. While working I enrolled in an Islamic Course, in where I got to learn a bit more about my religion.
44. Buying my first cellphone (With my own money).
45. Participating in the Two Oceans Marathon and completing it in 5 hours at my first attempt.
46. Following this, I then participated in my first Cycle Tour, in where I tore my quadriceps.
47. Buying my first subscription of Speed and Sound Magazine.
48. Deciding on what I want in life, I followed my instinct and I completed a short course in Management Practice at Cape Peninsula University of Technology in 2008.
49. I began writing my first article which was published.
50. Getting my driver’s license in South Africa.
51. Finding out about careers and possible courses that I would like to study.
52. Which steered me into the direction of Public Relations Management that was being offered at Cape Peninsula University of Technology.
53. Building key relationships with stakeholders within the Motorsport fraternity.
54. Becoming independent and buying my own computer.
55. Buying my own Blackberry.
56. Passing my Public Relations National Diploma (soon to complete my BTech).
57. Becoming the Project Manager of the Champions of Engineering project.
58. Meeting new friends and colleagues within the industry of my choice.
59. Becoming more involved in the motorsport fraternity.
60. Building my name as a Photographer/Public Relations Manager.

The remaining 140 achievements, I would leave for the other half of my life!

What motivates me?

Caption: Motivation can ensure that you succeed in life.
Source: theperfect-measure.blogspot.com

According to Anon, A need is something, “to be in want of”. Needs that indeed became motivators to people are: wages or salaries but also that of self-development, self-actualisation or sense of achievement. I am motivated when needs being satisfied.

There are various other motivators, but I’m motivated by anything related to cars, motorsport, working on or with cars, because I believe that if you don’t have a passion for something then the outcome would be negatively influenced or impacted quality wise. I also believe that trying to make something out of nothing could possibly become another personal motivator to me, as I’m driven by my passion to create perfection.

My suggestion to you the reader is to find the elements of that which actually motivates YOU! This would be vital as you would then be able to tailor any message or complete any task according to that which motivates you to achieve in life. You have read about what motivates. What motivates you or ensures that you achieve excellence?

What does YOUR reputation mean to YOU????

Caption: As the image states, your reputation is truly your worth so look after it!
Source: blog.bufferapp.com

According to Anon, Reputation is, “what people think and say the character of a person or thing is; character in the opinion of others; name; repute.” When one has a reputation it would mean a lot to them, it would be as if they have achieved something.

Your reputation could be showed to anyone to prove you’re ‘WORTH’. According to Stan, ‘A good reputation would act as a great confidence booster, and it could be used to show friends what you actually do.

Your reputation is based on the image that society has about a person and thus the image is so important that it could assist an individual to receive an excellent job opportunity or at least they would become more reliable and trusted in order to carry out certain jobs or business functions etc.

I certainly believe that you should value your reputation, as it could make or break you. Whether or not, you are living a perfect life or are building a life for yourself. One suggestion that I have for you is to manage the way people see you online. Try and act professionally because believe it or not your future employees would look at your social media activities, capabilities and what you actually do. They would also look at your pictures and uploads etc. Therefore, act responsibly and regulate anything you then upload on these pages (online). Good luck!!!!!

The 10 most unexpected consequences of being online

Caption: Are you truly not addicted to being online?
Source: rowenakellies.wordpress.com

Below you would find 10 of the most unexpected consequences of being online:

1. Making friends with total strangers.
2. Having the ability to get information at the click of a button, whether it is
useful or not.
3. Downloading viruses that could damage your computer or even make it crash.
4. Susceptible to being hacked.
5. When offline, you would not be contactable.
6. Being stalked or stalking others.
7. Meeting old acquaintances and colleagues that you would necessarily want to be in contact with.
8. The level of production in businesses dropping due to employees being able to access online content.
9. Constantly receiving SPAM after clicking on a webpage, as if you signed up for something.
10. The worst of all being addicted to being online. Twitter and Facebook is very addictive, as you would constantly want to be ONLINE to check what others are doing etc.

It never rains but it pours!

Caption: The rain symbolises the problems we as South Africans are facingon a regular basis.
Source: dianasneighborhood.com

This is a phrase that you’d often hear in and around Cape Town. According to Phrases.org, the meaning of the phrase is: “When troubles come, they come together”. For example, in our daily lives with constant prices increases such as: Electricity, Train fares, Water, and Petrol increases, our lives are basically surrounded by payments. These increases would then lead to higher prices, and many South Africans earn just enough to put food on their tables, but at the rate of these increases are hitting consumers. We would soon not be able afford anything. It’s a scary thought but it could happen, if not controlled or stopped in its tracks.

Poverty is starring us in the face, and we need to act swiftly but without help from our government as well, we might not be able to solve it. Many Non-Governmental Organisations in South Africa are trying to alleviate this problem, by helping where they can. Namely: Gift of the Givers, who are constantly assisting those misfortunate folk, in South Africa and abroad. This would help with the growth rate of our nation and change its conditions into positive ones, so that any and every South African can feel proud to be part of this great nation.

What do you suggest we do to solve these problems?

Information obtained from: www.phrases.org/uk/meanings/205100.html

The 3rd Rock from the Sun

Caption: The planet that we call home!
Source:blogs.agu.org

We live on the 3rd rock from the sun named Earth, which as the Mayans have predicated will kill every living being. The 2012 phenomenon discussed on a variety of platforms, cataclysmic or transformative events which will occur on 21 December 2012. Which means this would be the last day of life on earth, a really scary thought for many. Well for me it’s depressing because my birthday is on the 22nd of December, really sad!


Caption: A sad but true reality!
Source:asteroidapophis.com

Some scholars suggest that the 2012 date would mark the end of the world or a similar catastrophe and scenarios suggested that the end of the world would include the arrival of the next solar maximum, or Earths collision with an object such as a black hole, or possibly an asteroid, as seen in a movie ‘Armageddon’.

Many scholars from various disciplines have dismissed the ideas of such cataclysmic events occurring in 2012. But a variety of scholars believe that this would not take place, but I’d say let’s wait and see! What is your opinion on this matter?

The elephant in the room

Caption: These gorgeous animals need protection.
Source:julesstones.blogspot.com

As South Africans, we usually are subjected to weird views that tourists have of our country. For example, when we are asked about living with lions and elephants in our backyards or rooms, as well as Lions as our pets just for fun we reply ‘Yes’. I know for a fact that I am extremely guilty of this, as I love a bit of fun but, I have always wondered where they got this notion from, and I’m not surprised. I actually added to the perception of animals running around our neighbourhoods.

Being subjected to conversations with tourists, we regularly entertain this chit chat, but I believe that we should rather tell the truth and explain it as it is. Many tourists are concerned about poaching in South Africa, because these precious animals are being killed senselessly. This then brings me to a question that I received from a tourist, in where they asked me, ‘About the dehorning of elephants in South Africa’ and me trying to be funny about it, I replied Yes, South Africa does indeed has a problem with poaching, but most of it is solved by Elephants, Lions, Rhino’s and other wildlife living with us in our own backyards.

A few of my colleagues were really interested in South Africa, and made the journey to South Africa, in where they attend the 2010 FIFA World Cup. They were astonished by the fact that there isn’t any wildlife roaming the streets. Apart from their experiences, my elephant stories continue to roam around, in my room and my over active mind, for the next victim.


Caption: Save these animals, because in the not to distant future they might not be here anymore.
Source: shutterstock.com

Let’s get together and save our wildlife, our Rhino and Elephants are being poached and killed, and yet we say, ‘Our Government will do something!’ If we, do not work together no-one will. Start today, make a change and save your wildlife!

Where does your passion lie?

Caption: We all have the passion to achieve excellence, and enjoy the read.
Source: danielfwilliams.blogspot.com

As the title suggests, doing that which you are passionate about, could really improve not only the way you perceive things but the way you look at others and the world around you. I found my passion years ago, which is motorsport together with anything related to cars. You might think, typical guy. Well, we all love certain things or we have different tastes, we are all different, with different opinions, thoughts, interpretations and understandings.

If you haven’t found your passion as yet, then I’d advise you to sit down or take some time out of your busy schedule and write down a few ideas, as to where you see yourself in the next few years.


Caption: Choosing your destiny could be hard, but choose wisely.
Source:hapaeco.blogspot.com

Think about your future, do you enjoy engaging with people or would you like to sit behind a computer for 7 hours of your working day, I surely enjoy working with people (engaging them), as well as working via a computer. But find your passion or you’ll most definitely be sorry in the come years.

A simple exercise that you could do, use an A4 Sheet of paper fold it in half or draw a line dividing the page in half. On the first section write the following word on the left hand side of the page (Strengths), followed by this on the opposite write (Weaknesses). The next step would be, being honest with yourself.

You should then write, the elements that you personally feel are your weaknesses or strengths and from that you’d be able to decipher exactly, where your passion lies.

If you are able to find your passion, then you’ll definitely reach and attain your desired goals in the not to distant future.

Every day is a good day.

Caption: Try to make every day, a good day!
Source: fitsanity.com

If every day is not a good day, there could either be problems or reasons as to why they aren’t good. I personally wish that I could live in an era, where any and every day would be wonderful, don’t you think! Reflect on this, in relation to communication and the overall life fulfilment of both adults and children.

In those days, our lives will be much better, in that we would be closely linked and willing to assist others. For example, if a needy person knocks at your door and asks you for something to eat, our quickest responses are ‘Sorry Not Today’.


Caption: A very little can go, very far!
Source:vaughnenergy.com

If we help, where help is needed the future would be great. We would not only help mankind progress but we’d help build a nation. We all live in the comfort of 4 or more walls but others out there do not have this comfort, they live on our streets. When they do approach us for help we shrug them off and in the back of our mind we think, find a job you a nuisance person. I’m very guilty of this and I do admit, I have done this in the past but I no longer will follow this practice. If I can help, in any way I definitely would.

Do you part and make the homeless feel as if every day is a good day. Try this out and tell me what you think?

Dreams can become a reality

Caption: As the statement says, dreams can come true.
Source: dragonwritingprompts.blogsome.com

Way back when, we all had dreams and aspirations but as a child back then, I had many dreams as a result of an overactive imagination. I first wanted to be a bus driver because I thought it was pretty awesome, but I’m so glad I never followed that career choice (Whew!). Dreams can become a reality, if you put your mind to it and apply yourself.

At Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), Open Day hosted from 17-19 May 2012, a blind pupil approached the Champions of Engineering stall, in where he was able touch and feel the racing vehicle, which brought Goosebumps too many observing this sight. His dream is to build a racing car or to be part of this project. His dreams could lead him to becoming the next greatest Mechanical Engineer in South Africa. It would be all lead to the decisions he makes in the future, which would affect the outcomes thereof.


Caption: A blind student feeling something that he has been dreaming and longing to build or be part of.
Source: Pictures taken by Niven Maree and Camera supplied by Junaid Samodien

Following your dreams and doing that which you truly love, as well as holding that passion, would help you attain these goals, dreams or aspirations. I have been there and I’m consistently reminding myself, that my dream is to be a Public Relations officer or manager at a Formula 1 team, many men have this dream but mine is to be the first South African Public Relations Manager for a Formula 1 team, but I feel with hard work and applying myself, I would be able to attain this dream soon enough.

Dreams are achievable, so start thinking positive, hold your head up high and you’ll see that in the not too distant future, this dream will be a reality!