Mother’s Day: 8 lessons I learned from my mother [Gifs]

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children…What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply." - Elder M. Russell Ballard

My childhood was far from perfect and I was far from being the perfect daughter but through all the challenges there have always been two constants in my life. God and my mother, a wonderful lady by the name of Mmabatho Salaminah Rapakgadi.

My mother has always been a source of strength and love in my life, especially in difficult times. Through all the challenges she has faced she continues to be a loving mother to more than just her children. I have learned so much from my mother, so in celebration of Mother's Day, the 8th of May, I have decided to share 8 big lessons I have learned from my mother.

SPIRITUAL LIFE
#1. Always put God at the centre of everything - you will always have a reason to celebrate

#2. Read your Bible and go to church - you will always be on the right path

RELATIONSHIPS
#3. Always leave room for disappointment in your heart (just in case)

#4. Don’t just date for the sake of dating - there's nothing wrong with waiting for the right man

MARRIAGE
#5. Always treat your husband like a king - take care of him & he will do the same

#6. Compromise! Compromise! Compromise - it works

SELF-BELIEF
#7. Do your best and God will handle the rest - the greatness is within you

#8. You have everything it takes to be the best – believe in yourself

I would like to thank God Almighty for keeping and blessing my mother! Here's to many more years of bliss and motherhood!

Love,
Ofentse

Power Dressing: My Top 5 Work Shoe Styles - Platform & Chunky Heels [4 of 4]

#4. Platform heels

Platform heels are a very sexy type of heel. This shoe style is ideal for evening work functions where you want to shine. These type of shoes can also be greatly paired with jeans on a Friday if your workplace allows it. The heels will make the jeans less casual and elevate the look.

*Platform heels - sexy and powerful

*Platform heels - sexy and powerful

#5. Chunky heels

Chunky heels have a thick heel which makes them more comfortable. These heels come in different forms, from sling back to ankle strap, open toe to closed toe. These sexy shoes also come in different heights.

*Chunky heels - comfortable, cool and stable

*Chunky heels - comfortable, cool and stable

*Image sources: Pinterest

Related Posts:

• Work shoe styles [1 of 4]
• Pointy toe heels and flats [2 of 4]
• Kitten heels  [3 of 4]
• Wedge heels  [3 of 4]

Power Dressing: My Top 5 Work Shoe Styles - Kitten & Wedge Heels [3 of 4]

#2. Kitten heels

 Kitten heels have a short heel thus making them very comfortable and they are ideal for walking around on long, busy days at work. They are also ideal for women who cannot walk properly in heels. However, due to the fact that they are short they can have a ‘granny’ feel to them – this depends on the show style and can also happen when they are paired with certain outfits. Here are my favorites:

*Open toe kitten heels - conservative, comfortable and sophisticated

#3. Wedge heels

Similar to kitten heels, wedge heels can be worn for comfortable and are ideal for working long hours or standing for extended amounts of time.

*Wedge heels - comfortable, improves posture & lengthens legs

*Wedge heels - comfortable, improves posture & lengthens legs

*Image sources: Pinterest

Related Posts:

• Work shoe styles [1 of 4]
• Pointy toe heels and flats [2 of 4]
• Platform heels  [4 of 4]
• Chunky heels  [4 of 4]

Power Dressing: My Top 5 Work Shoe Styles - Pointy Toe Shoes [2 of 4]

#1. Pointy toe heels and flats

Pointy toe shoes are classic and can easily  be worn in a formal or smart casual way. I prefer pointy toe shoes over rounded toe shoes, especially for work. Pointy toe shoes are great for work and can be effortlessly worn with skirts, dresses and pants. They elevate and formalize an outfit. However, I am not a big fan of certain types of pointy toe shoes.

Let's review some of my favorite pointy toe shoes, both heels and flats:

*Pointy heel pumps - classic, sexy and professional

*Pointy flat pumps - smart casual

*Image sources: Pinterest

Related Posts:

• Work shoe styles [1 of 4]
• Kitten heels  [3 of 4]
• Wedge heels  [3 of 4]
• Platform heels  [4 of 4]
• Chunky heels  [4 of 4]

Power Dressing: My Top 5 Work Shoe Styles [1 of 4]

If you work in a corporate environment, you probably know that the way you dress has a huge impact on how you're perceived at your workplace. When you dress for work, ensure that you dress for the position you want. If you want to be a manager, start dressing like one.

In the words of my third year communication management lecturer (KOB 301) back at the University of Pretoria:

“Perception is reality”

This is especially true for young females in the corporate working place. Corporate South Africa can be very unforgiving and trust me you don't want a negative clothing label following you around at work. Labels are the norm in the grapevine, labels such as 'Red dress Bianca' can easily be coined by self-appointed fashion police at your workplace.

One of my pastors at Winners Chapel International always says,

"The way you are dressed determines the way you are addressed."

Investing in your wardrobe is essentially investing yourself and your career. There are many benefits to this, which I will discuss in the next blog post.

Women’s shoes come in different styles and forms from flats, heels, platforms, wedges to stilettos. Shoes are can even make or break an outfit, the right pair of heels can elevate a dull outfit and make it stand out.

Today I will be discussing my top 5 essential work shoe styles to have in your closet.

Related Posts:

• Pointy toe heels and flats [2 of 4]
• Kitten heels  [3 of 4]
• Wedge heels  [3 of 4]
• Platform heels  [4 of 4]
• Chunky heels  [4 of 4]

Try Harder or Walk Away?

“One of the hardest decisions you will ever face in life, is choosing whether to try harder or walk away.” - Anonymous 

This is a decision we have all faced at one point or another - whether in relation to our careers, relationships, friendships or even projects. There are times when we need to try harder then there are times when we just need to let go. Knowing when to do either one is an important ingredient to success.

The key to answering this question lies in self-awareness. Do you know your vision, values, strengths and weaknesses? Having a strong sense of who you are, what you want and what you don't want will go a long way in helping you answer this question each time you need to.

If trying harder means doing something or things that go against your values or morals then it's probably better to walk away. However, it takes you knowing exactly what those values and morals are in order for that to happen. The more self-aware you are the more confident you become! Try it, you will not regret it! What ever you decide, make sure YOU come up on TOP.

Here's to a great start to the week.

Love,

Ofentse

The First Kiss TV Advert: Ad Review

Earlier this year during the Easter holidays the Western Cape Department of Transport and Public Works ran a road safety campaign that involved a very graphic TV commercial, titled 'The First Kiss'.

What's 'The First Kiss Campaign' about?
Western Cape MEC, Donald Grant, said: "Vehicle occupants (drivers and passengers) continue to constitute the majority of all road deaths in the Western Cape. 


Research has shown that increased seatbelt compliance will mean thousands of lives saved, that would have otherwise been lost, in the horrific crashes that plague our road. 

The MEC said: "The 'First Kiss' commercial is adapted from the 'damage' advertisement produced by the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment. This advertisement was credited by the Irish Road Safety Authority as having brought about a 100% increase in backseat seatbelt wearing and 50% increase in front seat wearing rates in Ireland and Northern Ireland.

What's wrong with the advert?

I personally had several issues with this gruesome TV ad, some of which include:

• The ad is very graphic yet it had no warning for sensitive or young viewers and it went on to air during peak times on SABC 1, 2 and 3. 
• The ad starts off on a very innocent and romantic tone then later ambushes the viewer with graphic scenes of blood and death. In instances where a parent is watching 7de Laan or Generations with their young children, this type of advert is not ideal.
• The advert is unnecessarily graphic. It is more gruesome than educational. The insights that informed this ad were lost in this advert. 'The Damage' advert from which this is based has a clear message (wear a seat belt and survive) but 'The First Kiss' advert's message is very distorted. 
• The message of the advert is lost in the gore. The message was supposed to be simple "Wearing a seat belt increases your chances of surviving a car accident". However, what ended up happening was that despite 3 out of 4 of the passengers wearing seat belts - they ALL died! What message does this send? "Use a seat belt but you are going to die anyway" or better yet "Use your seat belt so that you look great at your wake"?
• 'The Damage' advert was effect because of its clear message and this same message needed to prevail in 'The First Kiss' advert.

Before I continue with my rant critique of the advert, perhaps it is worthwhile for you to watch the advert for yourself.

WARNING: Graphic content! Not for sensitive or young viewers 

Traumatised yet? Yep, that's how I felt the first time I also saw that TV ad.

Now back to my critique, apart from the graphic nature of the ad - the other issue I had with the ad is the fact that it deviates from the original insights/research of the original advert (The Damage). 

• 'The Damage' advert by the Northern Ireland Department of the Environment was encouraging passengers and drivers to make sure that EVERYONE wears a seatbelt in a vehicle or risk killing their fellow passengers." 
• This version of the advert makes sense to me because it has a clear message "Wearing your seatbelt increases your chances of surviving a car accident". Those who wore their seat belts survive the crash, in contrast to 'The First Kiss' ad where all the passengers die (despite 3 out of 4 of them wearing seat belts). 

Here's the other advert, watch and judge for yourself:

Recommendation(s):

After reviewing the Western Cape's Safely Home website, which read:

"Not wearing a seatbelt is against the law. It is also extremely dangerous, not just for you, but for other people in the vehicle. Unbuckled passengers become wrecking balls in a collision, and kill and severely injure others, even passengers who have buckled up."

This insight sheds much needed light on why the advert took the direction it did, however there was need to include this insight at the end of the advert in the form of text e.g. Unbuckled passengers can kill and severely injure others, even passengers who have buckled up. Save lives. Wear your seat belt.

So what's your verdict? Did this advert make you want to wear a seat belt?
Please share your views in the comment section!

Love,
Ofentse

2016: What a Year

Welcome to Succi Said

We are 4 months into the year and I must say, 2016 has been very eventful both in South Africa and globally. The year has been murred with unique changes from all angles, from #FeesMustFall to #ZumaMustFall.

On the digital front, we have seen a growing interest in Snapchat and rapid adoption of WhatsApp, Instagram and Uber in South Africa. Despite much resistance, Uber continues to grow globally - this is due in part to their research and development strategy. 

As a Digital Marketer and Academic who thoroughly enjoys blogging, I intend on maintaining a regularly update blog this year. I will be blogging about everything of interest to me, from academic literature, digital marketing, social media, technology to the latest industry updates.

I look forward to your company in this journey, follow me as we explore interesting topics and themes. 

Love,

Ofentse