Introduce yourself to the network

[Lynda Smith]

Any community will only be as strong as the members and their participation on the site.
Use this space to introduce yourself so that like minded people can connect and start to build relationships, collaborate and move along the continuum of change.

[Lynda Smith]

My name is Lynda and I am the administrator of this network. My vision is that this network can be a catalyst to help us connect and collaborate. My passion is to build a base of Baby Boomers, to research the trends that affect us and help find solutions, opportunities and to build relationships with like minded people.
I have two grown children who both live globally. I am a grandmother. I love marketing, people and business. I am a social entrepreneur. I am a Christian and live my life with these principles as my guiding light.

[Andre Besselaar]

Hi! Here is my 15 second sales pitch!

Hi, I am Andre Besselaar and I am a Business Catalyst in Geneva, Switzerland specializing in brining people together in functional groups in virtual space from all over the world and project manage them to work together by building relationships,managing techniques,mentoring, creative problem solving, consultation and using leadership skills to attain the goals of any organization in solving job related problems creatively at low cost and building complete turnkey solutions for rapid and effective implementation.

[Peter Peiser]

Hi, my name is Peter and I'm the Admin Handyman.

Our Mission is to ensure you “Gain Victory over Admin” by attending to your business and personal admin tasks giving you the time to focus on your core business. We deliver solutions using an extensive background in administration, communication, and information technology.

I am single. I am a Christian and try to live my life accordingly. "But what happens when we live God's way? He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard--things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely.” - Galatians 5:22-23 (The Message)

[Jan Beeton]

Hello All! I am so happy to be part of this network with all its potential for all sorts of opportunities and interchange! Thank you to Lynda for setting it all up. I run a small business helping other small business people and their businesses to grow. My tag line is Growing people- developing businesses- supporting projects. I am English by birth and have lived and worked in South Africa for 35 years after arriving here on holiday! I believe in the very great potential and strength of South Africa despite all the current bumps and lumps. I have worked in all nine provinces doing amazing work and leading a very rich life to date. Long may it continue! Now in mid-life, I am planning the next phase of my life cycle to be even richer and rewarding than the journey so far. I look forward so much to corresponding with you all and meeting you along the way! Greetings- Jan
www.qed-developmentconsulting.co.za

[Peter van der Schyff]

Hi,
My name is Peter van der Schyff. I'm a freelance PR writer, writing texts in English or translating between English, Afrikaans, German and Dutch/Flemish. Although I live and work from my home in Kempton Park, I do a considerable amount of copywriting for PR consultancies in Belgium and the Netherlands.

I do a fair amount of communication related training for the Public Relations Institute of Southern Africa (PRISA) and several training institutions; mostly writing and speaking related, but also event management, telephone skills, etc.

I love classical music, I paint in oils, I write poetry in Afrikaans and English, I enjoy hiking, walking, singing, debating, and I love life.

[Johan Venter]

Hi Peter, you look like cool guy. I have written some poetry too. In Afr. and Eng. Send me two of yours and I'll do the same. ([e-mail]) Regards. Johan

[Paul VANDEWALLE]

Hi my name is Paul and I am currently living in Shanghai, China. I have been living in Asia for ten years now and work for a large American automotive company as the Regional Medical Director for Asia Pacific. I work primarily in health and wellness and occupational health and most of my work revolves around psycho-social and medical issues related to relocation to foreign countries, and additionally some of these issues directly impacted by the current economic and political situations both in the region and abroad. As I report into HR, some of my work is inter-related and I help out with aspects of change management, cultural/language adaptability, generation differences in the workplace, conflict management, constructive feedback, stress etc. and how these impact our "wellness". One of my passions is exercise and using this, as well as other lifestyle issues that affect productivity as tools to promote overall health and wellness in order to gain personal 'wealth' and improve quality of life and productivity in terms of work-life balance. I have two teenage daughters living in Cape Town, enjoy home decorating, cooking, traveling, reading, music as well as collecting furniture. I am also an ardent marathon runner enjoying runs all over the world whenever I can. I speak, read and write fluent English and Afrikaans, and have survival language skills in Indonesian, Mandarin Chinese, German and Dutch.

[Emil Trautman]

Why is your links to Oorvloed and Clarksons classic car not working?
Emil

[Maree Clarkson]

Hi Emil, didn't know they weren't working, but they seem to be fine now - see Forum "I am Maree" - tks

[Sandra Byrne]

My name is Sandi Byrne and I am a professional, mature woman who is in a new country after 16 years of living in the UK. Well, not a completely new country. I was born in South Africa, grew up in Rhodesia as it was then and went to Cape Town University. But it seems like coming back to a new country. I am having to re-orientate myself and re-introduce myself to the culture, just like I had to when I first went to the UK. We speak the same language, but oh, living there and the cultures are SO different! Why have I returned? 'Look around you', is always my answer, as I sit on my deck overlooking the sea on a perfect, windless, summer evening. The physical beauty of South Africa (especially the Western Cape where I live), the weather, the people, the lifestyle. I sincerely believe this country has more to offer people who are intent on making their own way in the world - no matter what their age - than has the UK, especially.

My only child was born in Johannesburg and now lives in Northumbria, UK where he is studying at University. I am first a mother, then a teacher, an aromatherapist, an estate agent, a television producer, and a sportswoman. And now I am developing two businesses - a School of Massage and other Complementary Disciplines called Positive Health and a Nu Skin MLM marketing business distributing the 'smallest wrinkle iron in the world'.

'The turtle only makes progress when his neck is out'
Rollo May

[Gwen Watkins]

Hi, I am Gwen Watkins an I am a freelance journalist, PR consultant and trainer operating from an office in Rouxville (next door to Sydenham) in Johannesburg.

I have had my own business since September 1988 and have been married to my husband, Peter Brits, since 1989. We are both Anglicans and have two grown up sons but thankfully no grandchildren yet (I am too young to be a granny!) Born in the UK, grew up in Rhodesia and came to South Africa in 1966.

Peter and I are now planning our new careers as guesthouse owners in Botswana – we hope to be set up there within the next few years. Only planning to retire from hard work when I am 60 but I will carry on growing other people’s businesses and dreams forever.

I have mentored successful start-up businesses but nowadays I find that entrepreneurs confuse mentor with worker and expect you to run their business and receive no reward. I have two websites you can view www.freelancers.co.za and www.skywalkers.co.za. I am setting up a blogsite under www.gwenwatkins.co.za but I don’t have the copy ready yet. I also have an email chain for business people where I forward business opportunities, training etc to a select list. If you want to join, just drop me a line. So, that’s me.

[Alan de Kock]

Hi, I am Alan de Kock, also known as Handy Al. I do home and office repairs, specialising in cable clean-up and installation. I also assist with sound equipment in halls, churches, functions and events.I provide safe and low cost solutions.
As a side line I can transfer LP's and tapes to CD.
My other passion is sharing about healthy chocolate which will be in our country soon. See www.coolchoc.com