Interview with Mike Marape
- 1. When did you start working at KBC Health & Safety?
I was working for a courier company contracted by KBC in August 2005 when I was approached by them to take up an inhouse courier role to support the various regions’ needs in this regard.
- 2. How did you go from a driver to a facilitator?
I used to transport some of the facilitators to the venues where they would oversee their various programmes, I would then sit in on these while waiting for them to finish in order to take them back home afterwards. It was while doing this that I developed an interest for facilitating.
- 3. What do you enjoy the most about being a facilitator?
I think the thing I enjoy the most is interacting with the classes and managing the crowd as I enjoy communicating with the contractors and establishing a relationship with them.
- 4. If you could give any advice to newly trained facilitators, what would it be?
If you want to be a successful facilitator a passion for people and a love for the company you work for will always be a good place to start, from there it would be important to have a good understanding of the content and don’t be afraid to ask when you need help.
- 5. How has the facilitating environment changed with the advancements of technology?
When I started in the facilitator role, most of the process was manual and paper-based where now much is conducted through an electronic platform resulting in less paper being used which in turn has a cost-saving factor. With assessments now being digitised, the scores are more credible as there is a reduced human error factor in the marking thereof.
- 6. Has it been a challenge adapting to these changes in technology?
As with anything, there is always a risk of things not working as they should, for example videos not playing when needed and audio issues. Backups are always necessary as things do go wrong, and we live in a country where electricity supply fluctuates and could disrupt the course.
- 7. What has been your most memorable moment within KBC?
A most memorable time for me was back in 2010 when I oversaw BST for the first time during the Soccer World Cup. The whole country was electrified and in high spirits and it was my first time having a greater responsibility and taking charge.
- 8. What contributions has KBC made to you on a personal level?
They have made me the person I am today as they have enabled me to continuously develop myself as I have access to the courses, which includes Firefighting and First Aid so far.
- 9. What are your hobbies outside of work?
I like spending time with my friends and family, and I am a Soccer fanatic.
- 10. What Soccer team do you support and who is favourite player?
Locally I support Mamelodi Sundowns and I enjoy watching Themba Zwane, internationally I support Chelsea and I think Christiaan Pulisic is great to watch.