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Fruit of our Success - Story by Khanya Sigenu
Hi Auma,

Trust this email finds you well, and that you had a safe journey home from the Eastern Cape. Thank you for gracing us with your presence.

I would like to thank you for the opportunity you have given me to write to you about my success since my inception with the BANKSETA in 2006.

A little background about myself –
I am from Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, went to Queen’s College Boys High in the town and matriculated a College Prefect in 2004. I have had a vision to be a leader even in my youth. I attended the Outward Bound South Africa 5 Day Leadership Course and was found competent in Leadership Skills, Team Effectiveness and Problem Solving.

In my high school career I availed myself to the youth of Queenstown, being elected Speaker of the Lukhanji Junior Council for the year 2003/2004 where I was part of a team that saw the transformation of the Junior Council from the Queenstown Junior Council to the Lukhanji Junior Council to a success.

I served on the Board of the schools’ Interact Club where we served the community, where our vision was to put others before self.

I was awarded ‘The Leon and Stella du Preez Memorial Prize’ awarded to the Matric boy who has best exemplified the following characteristics: a zest for life, commitment and a generosity of spirit towards others.

In 2005, I worked under a recruitment company (Quest) as a teller in Standard Bank in Queenstown. It is during this time that I came across the Letsema II Learnership Intake advertisement. It was being offered for the first time in the Eastern Cape.

After a successful application I had to move to Port Elizabeth where I was to receive my Learnership training. For the learnership, I was placed in First National Bank (FNB) Walmer Branch as a teller and dedicated myself to the workplace and enjoyed the opportunities awarded to me. Not for a moment did I take the opportunity for granted, knowing the number of applicants that came through and only a few were successful..
It was not smooth sailing all the way, considering the fact that the project itself was a first in the province. But I believe it was my attitude, dedication and hard work that steered me to where I am today.

FNB took me on as a full time employee when I graduated from Letsema at the end of January 2007. I immediately joined their FNB CSR Academy (CSR – Customer Service Rep) for which I saw as simply another challenge and an opportunity for growth. Here we received thorough training in this field in a space of 6 months in a combination of both ‘on the job’ and classroom training. I graduated from this Academy in June 2007.
During my time in the learnership (a teller in a branch), having shown leadership values and capabilities, I had also been trained on being Teller Co-ordinator (department supervisor) and when the Co-ordinator was away I would act as a relief. I had also been familiarising myself with the Bank’s systems, products and policies because I wanted to be placed permanently in the bank.

Now having graduated in June, I had to prove myself as a CSR. While doing so I wanted to be the Co-ordinator of that department. I always wanted to be in a position and think like the manager of that department. In that way, I could produce the desired results in my work. So I let that Co-ordinator “use” me in her work so that I could learn.
Also, in this time, I was invited into a Leadership pipeline where my Personal Development Plan was to be exercised so as to retain my talent.

In March 2008, I was appointed as a Co-ordinator in Newton Park Branch Port Elizabeth part of the Leadership pipeline initiative. When I joined this post my line manager afforded me the opportunity to apply for the BANKSETA and Institute of Bankers Junior and Middle Management Development Programme. My application was successful but, the programme had to be postponed. I consistently ‘bugged’ Lizelle Buidenhorst about the programme and then saw it being launched in Port Elizabeth in February 2009.

While the programme was postponed, I enrolled myself for a Short Learning Programme with Varsity College and did a Diploma in Project Management which I completed successfully in June 2009.

In my endeavours to realise my development plan, I was placed in Rink Street Branch Port Elizabeth in March 2009 as a Trainee Personal Relationship Manager (PRM). Today, July 22 2009, I write to you sitting in a new office in North End Branch Port Elizabeth exercising what I have learnt as a PRM and soon, I want this title.

I am now a proud Graduate of the JaMM Development Programme which I completed successfully on the 9th of July 2009 and graduated 2009-07-22.

One might ask what is my Vision and what am I doing right! –
Well I want to be a Leader and be able to leave a legacy wherever I go. Each person must remember that although they are special as individuals, others surrounding them think exactly the same thing, that they are all special as individuals. Smile everyday, the world will smile back, and remember these ten points -
  1. You need to prove yourself.
  2. Stay ahead by keeping yourself informed.
  3. When you work, work! And when you play, play!
  4. Be committed.
  5. Have a Positive Attitude.
  6. Prioritise.
  7. Have a vision or set Goals for yourself – if you don’t know where you going, you’ll never be fulfilled because you won’t know when you have achieved.
  8. Manage your time wisely.
  9. Respect people.
  10. and lastly, ground yourself in your organisation. You do not want new talent to uproot you and blow you away. Soon the money will follow.
BANKSETA has really paved the way for me and has helped me grow personally and for the sector.

Khanya Sigenu
 
 
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