PRESS RELEASES
FROM CLEANER TO MARKETING MANAGER…SYLVESTER MOKGOPE DREAMS OF SUCCESS
Some dreams do come true – and Sylvester Mokgope’s career rise is proof of it.
Starting work as a cleaner, Mokgope (30) dreamt of a better job – he gradually climbed the career ladder and is today marketing manager at Acornhoek Mall owned by New Africa Developments (NAD).
Born and bred in Acornhoek in Mpumalanga, Mokgope grew up playing soccer and had a talent for art. He was however forced to put some of his personal goals on hold when his parents divorced, and he was required to care for his two younger brothers.
Mokgope matriculated at Lethipele Senior Secondary School in 2012, whereafter, he obtained a National Diploma in Policing from HJN Training college in Braamfontein. He also holds a N4 Public Management certificate from Ehlanzeni TVET College.
His first job was as a security guard at Greenstone Mall. He then worked in the kitchen at In2Food and as a facilitator at LoveLife (an NGO) before joining the Acornhoek Mall team as a cleaner.
In 2018, while working as a cleaner at Acornhoek Mall, his bosses at NAD saw the potential in Mogkope and offered him a job as an exhibition coordinator and later he was promoted to the position of marketing coordinator at Dwarsloop Mall.
“Recently, I was promoted to a Marketing Manager at the prestigious Acornhoek Mall, where I am responsible for creating and implementing a strategic plan to attract foot traffic to the mall and promote the tenant offering.”
“I am extremely grateful to New Africa Developments because I can earn a good standard of living from this job and care for my loved ones,” said Mokgope.
Mokgope also handles social media management, tenant interviews on various broadcast media platforms, and coordinates exhibitions at the mall. These exhibitions provide local businesses with an opportunity to sell their products or services at a reduced rental without having to make a long-term commitment to a premises.
“This helps the locals to test the market at the mall to see whether it works for their business. If they succeed, they open a store. Some prefer to work at kiosks for the long term,” he said.
Mokgope added that NAD has given hope to the community of Acornhoek and Bushbuckridge because many of them are employed at Acornhoek Mall. With salaries derived through this employment then ploughed back into the local community, this improves the standard of living for not only those working at the mall but the entire community.
Mokgope is also involved in various CSI campaigns, visiting orphanages and donating essential goods to give back to the community.
His greatest strengths are learning quickly, being humble, transferring skills and knowledge to others, and getting the job done on time.
His message of support for aspiring youth wanting to make a success of their lives, is to do a thorough search of what they want to study or become in life. Graduates should not sit at home waiting for a job that fits their qualifications; they should go out into the work environment and market themselves.
He plans to pursue a marketing diploma course and become a successful businessman.
ENDS
About New Africa Developments
NAD pioneers ground-breaking retail property developments in South Africa. NAD is instrumental in new market exploration, this conduit allows tenant offerings to enter unexplored territory, which give isolated communities instant access to convenience goods. See: https://www.nad.bz/index.html
Issued by:
Lichelle Govender
Meropa Communications
(031) 201 0550 / 082 958 4722
On behalf of:
New Africa Developments
FROM DIGGING IN DUSTBINS, KGATLE IS NOW CLIMBING THE CAREER LADDER
Lordwick Kgatle has not forgotten the days he rummaged through dustbins looking for any waste that he could exchange for money.
Today he is the Operations Manager at Jubilee Crossing in Hammanskraal and has his education to thank for his career success.
Born in Limpopo, he reared in Hammanskraal, located just outside Tshwane in Gauteng, Kgatle used the money he earned from selling waste products, working as a gardener, barber and car wash assistant to finance his studies towards a Business Administration Diploma specialising in Economics from Richfield Graduate Institute of Technology in 2020.
Following an internship at Atterbury Properties, Kgatle was afforded an excellent opportunity to take on the position of Marketing Manager at Acornhoek Mall owned by New Africa Developments (NAD) in Mpumalanga where he spent 18 months.
During his time at Acornhoek Mall Kgatle’s hard work and dedication was evident to the mall owners, and it was decided to promote the 25-year-old to a more senior role of Operations Manager at the brand-new Jubilee Crossing shopping centre in Hammanskraal.
“NAD has helped my career by providing me with the opportunity to develop new skills. I am thankful for the guidance from the company's senior executives.
“My work has benefited my life by increasing my standard of living, upgrading my soft and technical skills, bringing a sense of stability and creating other opportunities,” he said.
Kgatle’s typical day is to supervise and manage the shopping centre operations, CSI campaigns, property management, tenant management, customer service and events.
What he finds most gratifying about his job is that there is room for growth, and he is continually able to learn something new about the real estate management industry.
“My greatest strengths are motivation, perseverance and hard work. The lessons learned in my life and career are to never give up when one is tired and to keep pushing oneself to succeed,” Kgatle said.
His long-term goal is to grow within his position and become a national operations manager and ultimately study towards a doctorate in operations management.
Kgatle maintains that education is the key to success and that learning does not stop. He believes it is important to empower people with leadership skills, as this will help achieve local economic growth.
In his leisure time, he enjoys reading, worshipping and watching rugby.
Kgatle is overjoyed to be expecting a baby in the next couple of months, and through his achievements in the workplace, he is very proud of the fact that he will be able to provide his child with opportunities which were not necessarily available to himself.
ENDS
About New Africa Developments
NAD pioneers ground-breaking retail property developments in South Africa. NAD is instrumental in new market exploration, this conduit allows tenant offerings to enter unexplored territory, which give isolated communities instant access to convenience goods. See: https://www.nad.bz/index.html
Issued by:
Lichelle Govender
Meropa Communications
(031) 201 0550 / 082 958 4722
On behalf of:
New Africa Developments
EASTER CELEBRATIONS FOR ALL HOLIDAYMAKERS AT ACORNHOEK MALL
Families are expected to converge on Acornhoek Mall in Mpumalanga to enjoy quality time with their kids for the Easter long weekend from 7-9 April from 10 am to 4 pm daily.
Robin Houghton, Director of the mall owners New Africa Developments, said: “The Easter long weekend is a wonderful time to celebrate with family and create lifelong memories. “What better way to enjoy and have fun than gathering with the whole family at Acornhoek Mall which will have a children’s activity area set up in the promotions court?
“A variety of Easter-themed games will be played daily where young shoppers may hop-in to test their skills against their fellow ‘bunnies’ to win prizes such as sweet treats, marshmallow eggs and novelty toys,” he said. A total of 1200 easter eggs will be handed out to shoppers during this time.
Houghton added that holidaymakers and local residents will not want to miss out on all the fun and great activities arranged for the kids.
ENDS
About New Africa Developments
NAD pioneers ground-breaking retail property developments in South Africa. NAD is instrumental in new market exploration, this conduit allows tenant offerings to enter unexplored territory, which give isolated communities instant access to convenience goods. See: https://www.nad.bz/index.html
Issued by:
Lichelle Govender
Meropa Communications
(031) 201 0550 / 082 958 4722
On behalf of:
New Africa Developments
KIDS CAN EXPLORE A “GO WILD” NEON JUNGLE THEME THIS EASTER AT MAMS MALL
As the Easter long weekend approaches, many families will be planning short vacations across South Africa to get away and spend quality time with each other.
If you are in the vicinity of Mams Mall in Mamelodi East, Pretoria, why not take the kids to the “Go Wild” Easter-themed setup between 24 March and 12 April. Mams Mall will have chairs and tables for the little children, and all sorts of arts and crafts to keep them busy.
Other daily activities on site will include tribal face dotting, a drum café, giant colouring boards, and crazy accessories to take wild photos with the family. Kids will get to enjoy colouring, getting their hands dirty with egg painting, glitter and face painting in the play area. Each child will take home Easter eggs and sweet treats.
Robin Houghton, Director of the mall co-owners New Africa Developments, said, “This is one of the best times of the year for the entire family to have fun and enjoy quality time together. “What better way to treat your kids than with all the exciting activities to enjoy and make new friends at Mams Mall.”
Houghton added that parents will be able to sign-in kids at the registration desk to ensure their safety.
ENDS
About New Africa Developments
NAD pioneers ground-breaking retail property developments in South Africa. NAD is instrumental in new market exploration, this conduit allows tenant offerings to enter unexplored territory, which give isolated communities instant access to convenience goods. See: https://www.nad.bz/index.html
Issued by:
Lichelle Govender
Meropa Communications
(031) 201 0550 / 082 958 4722
On behalf of:
New Africa Developments
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