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Retha Blignault CAP® - BASIL READ

“Upon completion of my CPS I was very proud of myself until I passed CAP in the same year.  Honestly I did not think I would pass.  Now I have proved to myself that I can do anything I put my mind to and can broaden my horizons.  I am looking forward to sharing this great life changing qualification with others and hope they too can experience what I have experienced.  I am ready to take on more responsibilities and add value to my work team at Basil Read.  We all are living in exciting times and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”

Leandra Petzer CPS® - BASIL READ

Since I started working in 1990 I made it my life-goal to learn as much as possible, about as many things as I could within the office environment – kind of like a Gill-of-all-trades!  With my background in Payroll, HR, IT and now tendering for a Construction Company, I found it difficult to apply myself to one specific career path. 

Enrolling for the CPS certification programme was the first step I took towards “Taking Charge” of my future.  2008 was on a personal and professional level one of the most challenging and daunting years of my life.  Studying for the exams was almost impossible with the incredible workload we had in our department and I recall preparing myself psychologically to re-write if I failed.

I learnt that I am worth more than I give myself credit for.  Being assertive, respecting yourself and believing in your abilities is not something someone else can teach or do for you.  After achieving my CSP certification, the sky is the limit.  In 2009 I plan to get my CAP Certification & 2010 (while everyone’s watching the soccer) I will enrol for a University Degree.

Renzke Le Roux CPS® - VAN SCHAIK BOOKSTORE

“I am the Personal Assistant to the MD of Van Schaik Bookstore. Before joining Van Schaik in 2005 my career took me from the Banking industry, to Technikon SA and finally to a Labour Law firm in Cape Town, mostly working for senior management.

I wrote my matric in Alberton in 1985 and started my career as an office professional shortly thereafter. I attended different courses over the next 22 years in the secretarial profession and obtained my CPS qualification during November 2008. I am happily married and live in Durbanville, Cape Town.

During the PA Summit in 2007 I learnt more about the CPS programme and after speaking to other candidates, decided to join the programme as well.

It did take commitment from my side as I did not have the luxury of putting my life on hold to complete my studies and had to constantly prioritise and decide what was really important.

I also realised that having spare time and moments to study, was a privilege and I tried to use each and every moment to the best of my ability. I was doing my best, and if I did not pass, at least I would know that I gave it my all.

Through this study material I gained a better understanding of the office environment and important factors that need to be taken into account. This is a wonderful formal recognition of the education and training experience that I have gained over the years.

I thank my Heavenly Father, husband, family, friends and colleagues for their support in helping me to achieve this.

I would also like to share a special quote with you and trust that it will inspire and motivate you as well.

“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem probable, and then when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable.” Christopher Reeve””

Frieda Olivier CAP® - STAFF at a CLICK

My name is Frieda Olivier.  I have been a secretary / PA for almost 29 years.  I matriculated in 1974 and the next year started to study for a HED diploma at the University of Pretoria.  After  completion of the course I did not apply for any teachers position as I knew this was not what I wanted to do.  My career as a secretary started in 1980 at the Computer Centre of the University of Stellenbosch. 

Over the years, I embarked on numerous training courses through various training institutions, but still did not have a formal qualification as a secretary.  Being passionate about my profession as a PA  and the fact that I  felt that I am busy stagnating, I decided it was time to get that formal qualification.  I started searching the Net for courses and by pure co-incidence I logged onto the IAAP’s website.  

I enrolled for CAP through ICAP during February 2008.  I was totally overwhelmed when I received my books and saw how much work was ahead of me. I had decided to do the exams in November 2008 and I thought that I had bitten off more than I could chew. 

I woke up at 3 o’clock in the mornings and studied.  Our church starts at 10 o’clock on Sundays at 9 it is Sunday School.  I used this hour fruitfully by studying in the car while waiting for my son before we could enter the church.  The pre-exam workshop is absolutely a must, it helped me a lot to focus more on what I did not understand.

When I got home after writing the first exams I was drained and de-motivated, because it was not easy.  I revised  the three modules for the next days exam and what a breeze that exams were.    I was so glad that the exams were over and I could resume a more normal life, but for the waiting of the results.

When I received the phone call from Dawn on the 23rd of December to tell me I have passed and am now CAP certified, I couldn’t believe it.  But, WOW I did it first time – what a feeling! At work everybody was so happy for me.

I am now inspired to do more and already  applied  with New Horizons Computer Learning  Centre in Cape Town to do their self -study online  course to become a Microsoft Office Specialist and write the exams to become certified.

Joanne Vollmer CAP® - LIBERTY PROPERTIES

I have worked as a secretary at Liberty Properties (a division of Liberty Group Ltd) since 1997.  In 2002 I took up the position of executive secretary to the Financial Director.  At that stage I had no formal qualification behind my name and thought I should rectify that.  I searched on the internet and came across CPS.  I jumped in head-first. 

I achieved my CPS in November 2003.  My boss retired in 2006 and I continued to work for the new Financial Director.  In 2008 I mentioned to him that my certification was due to expire in November, he advised me that I had to recertify at all costs……, hence the reason I applied for CAP.  I wrote CAP in November and passed. 

Vanessa Start CPS® EDWAFIN

I chose to do this course, because I saw it as an amazing, worthwhile opportunity. It has international accreditation. I am proud to say that I passed my exams and am now a Certified Professional Secretary.

Thanks to all involved and those who are thinking of doing this course go for it, there is a lot of learning but it’s worth it.