Office Politics

Yeah! I can almost see people's faces in anticipation of what this post will cover - fear not, I will be kind.

Universities and technical institutions all around the country will soon hold their graduation ceremonies to cap and give a warm send-off to the students whose hard-work and dedication will forever be remembered.

This brings about new and fresh challenges; exciting challenges I might add. The first of the lot is finding yourself a job. That is the craziest moment in life, especially nowadays when some fat guy in some fancy 15th floor office will always stretch his neck out of the window and shout "South Africa lacks skill" (Raising questions about the curriculum at varsity - I mean, for all these years in which we have produced graduates, you mean none have the reuired skill?). This period is crazy because many get frustrated by the calls for people with experience; again, leaving the question of where should the freshly-graduated get that experience if they are not hired right there and then.

This drags on and on until one is almost at a point of giving up. But I guess it is how it is.

For some finding a job does not prove to be a dilemma but keeping that job becomes a toughest of jobs. I will pounce on those whom I liken to the wind: they travel whichever way the wind blows. They lack principle. In the Black Townships of Mzansi we say "Bathenga iSkelem". You'd find this fresh graduate into his new job post. Those who have been there long before him will always want to "give him some advice" relating to the staff, management and the processes. This is not always good advice.

They will tell you that a certain member of the staff or management is a certain type of a person. Some will say with scorn and long-held grudges and others out of good heart but it is truly difficult to for a newcomer to deal with all of this. But the one and best way is to STAY AWAY from such politics.

I have seen people develop bad blood towards other people for no reason at all, except because one staff member bad-mouthed another, so without knowing all facts and truths, the rookie exhibits that attitude too. This will render most people unemployable because nobody wants to work with someone without principle and honour.

So, without further wasting of time, I shall end here!