20141118texas funding proposal (3)
TRANSCRIPT
NONDUMISO MBAMBO Funding Proposal for the Texas Legislative
Internship Program (TLIP) 2015
United States
1
1.INTRODUCTION
2
Brief Profile My name is Nondumiso Mbambo. I am a former Rhodes University graduate working in the investment industry. Earlier this year I was
presented with an opportunity to advance my career and develop my legal skills by participating in the Texas Legislative Internship Program
for 5 months in Texas. The program commences again in 2015. I had an opportunity to meet Senator Rodney Ellis during his visit to South
Africa for trade missions, and he confirmed my participation by sending me a conditional acceptance letter. I look forward to exploring this
opportunity presented to me in 2015.
As with most opportunities there are financial expectations, which I am unable to meet on my own. I require financial assistance to be able to
participate in this program. I am looking for various persons who would be willing to sponsor me. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and
your contribution will go a long way.
Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP) The Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP) began in 1990 and is sponsored by Texas State Senator, Rodney Ellis. He created the
program to provide law undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to serve as interns in the Texas legislature, various state
agencies, and local government and to show them the value of public service. To date, over 600 young people have had the opportunity to
experience and learn about the Texan government, including eleven TLIP interns from South Africa. He feels a strong kinship with South
Africa and since 1999, has been recruiting talented young people from the country to participate in TLIP.
2.TEXAS LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM (TLIP), 2015
3
The Program The Texas Legislative Internship Program (TLIP), which was begun in 1990, is sponsored by Texas State Senator Rodney Ellis. TLIP is
administered by the Mickey Leland Center on World Hunger and Peace at Texas Southern University. The program provides
opportunities for undergraduates, graduates, and law students to serve as interns in the Texas Legislature, state agencies, local and
federal government, and Non-Profit Organizations. Since TLIP's inception, it has become the largest legislative internship program in
the state, giving over 600 young people the opportunity to make a difference in Texan politics and public policy. Three former TLIP
participants are currently members of the Texas House of Representatives.
Responsibilities The interns are assigned to work in the offices of ranking members of the Texas legislative; offices of the Governor, Lieutenant
Governor, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, Houston City Council, and the United States Congress. Between legislative
sessions, interns have an opportunity to serve in the offices of elected and appointed officials at the municipal and county levels, such
as the Harris County Judge and the Mayor of Houston. The legal intern position requires the ability to perform and manage a number of
diverse activities, including writing a variety of documents, analyzing proposals, performing research, and meeting with stakeholders.
Good judgment, independent thinking, a high degree of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and professionalism are critical to the successful
management of an interns’ responsibilities.
Interns are involved in all facets of the governmental process. Senator Rodney Ellis serves as advisor to the interns, while his office
assists in coordinating on-site activities. Interns are exposed to the legislative process of both chambers of the Texas Legislature. They
view county and municipal government from the ground up. Their experiences often serve as the springboard for selecting public
service careers. Many TLIP interns continue to work in the public service at the federal, state, and local levels of government.
Program Details The Spring 2015 session will be from January 13 – June 1, 2015, with several days of orientation. For the Spring 2015 session, interns
will receive a stipend in the amount of $7500 for the duration of the internship. The Interns are responsible for their own housing,
transportation and other expenses.
4
South African TLIP Interns over the Years
To date, over 600 young people have had the opportunity to experience and learn about the Texan government, including eleven TLIP
interns from South Africa.
1. Vanessa Dobble: (LLM in Shipping Law from the University of Cape Town), TLIP Class of 2014
2. Musa Shezi: CEO of H&H Civils, an engineering firm. http://www.hhcivils.co.za/, TLIP Class of 1999
3. Wandile Phakathi : Senior Associate at Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs, SA”s Largest law firm, http://www.ensafrica.com/, TLIP
Class of 2004
4. Xoli Moloi: Producer at Etv. http://www.etv.co.za/, TLIP Class of 2005
5. Ephraim Malesela Ngoasheng : Senior Legal Advisor at Stats SA. http://beta2.statssa.gov.za/, TLIP Class of 2005
6. Jenean Pretorius: Senior Institutional Researcher at University of Witwatersrand. http://www.wits.ac.za/, TLIP Class of 2006
7. Tumi Wallace: His mother, Ms. Keitumetse Mattews, is South African Ambassador to Portugal. TLIP Class of 2011
Please find the link below for the program should you want to find out more:
http://www.rodneyellis.com/tlip/
Please find the link below to learn more about Senator Rodney Ellis and his accomplishments during his term of office:
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/members/dist13/dist13.htm
You can also find a video of the South African interns from the class of 2005 here:
http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/Senate/Members/Dist13/tlip/about.htm.
3. PERSONAL PROFILE
Background
My name is Nondumiso Mbambo. I am a young professional,
working in the investment industry as a legal intern. I am currently
employed at Peotona Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd (“Peotona”) in
Rivonia, Sandton. I am a Rhodes University graduate.
At the beginning of 2014, I was approached by Ms Wandile Phakathi
(senior associate at Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs, and previous
intern to the Senator’s office) with an opportunity to participate in the
annual Texas Legislative Internship Program. I displayed a keen
interest and was invited to meet Senator Rodney Ellis during his visit
to South Africa for trade missions.
The Senator offered me a position to start my internship in March
2014. Due to a lack of financial assistance at the time, I was required
to decline the opportunity. Through my discussions with the Senator,
he advised me to rather look for funding for 2015 and further
confirmed his offer to me by providing me with a conditional
acceptance letter.
I am grateful for the opportunity and I believe that opportunities like
these should be explored during their lifetime. I am doing my best to
secure funding to attend the program next year.
Only 11 South Africans have had this opportunity presented to them
to date, I feel honoured and privilege to fall in such a minority group
in the country.
5
6
Personal Details Name: Nondumiso
Surname: Mbambo
Contact Number: 011 259 4024
Mobile Number : 082 718 1644
Email: [email protected] (personal)
[email protected] (work)
Residential Address: 42 Harley Street
Ferndale
2194
Date of Birth: 28 August 1989
Educational Qualifications
Name of Institution: Rhodes University, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape
Degree: Bachelor of Social Science (2010)
Name of Institution: Rhodes University, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape
Degree: Bachelor of Laws (2012)
Career Ambitions I am currently working for Peotona Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd ( “Peotona”). Peotona is a small to medium size company which has
positioned itself in the investment industry. Due to the size of Peotona and the scope of my duties, I have not necessarily specialized
in one specific area, but have been exposed to various legal and financial protocols at different stages in deals. My daily tasks could
consist of assessing new business development. I would assess a new business by primarily focusing on legal and reputational risk,
conducting market research and how the business is positioned in the economy, taking into cognisance government policy. I would
then compile all the research in a formal recommendation to the board on whether the business is worth investing in. I review board
packs from our investee companies and provide comments on issues that should be addressed at the board meetings. I draft legal
agreements, and have to keep abreast of the law and current affairs, especially on developments that affect our investee companies
and new business opportunities. I also review agreements and form part of a team that has oversight over the refinance of some of our
shareholding. I attend meeting with development finance institutions and investments banks, help with managing compliance and
governance, and advise on BBBEE matters. I am grateful for the challenging opportunity so early in my career, but I still aspire to do
my law articles and qualify as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa on my return to South Africa after completing TLIP.
I am a dynamic individual, passionate about politics, law, economics and humanitarian values. I refuse to be defined through the
lenses of my career as I believe I am versatile and have numerous interests. My ambitions are bigger and supercede my career. My
aim is to do things differently and reconstruct my career by following the route that is unfamiliar, which is why I doing an internship
before my law articles. Most people take the safe traditional routes in establishing their careers, I hope to fuse my interest in labour
and corporate law, politics and people into one. I am certain that I will have a meaningful contribution to make to the country in both
the public and private sector in the near future.
4. ASSOCIATED COSTS
Breakdown of Costs
Current Rand to Dollar : R11. 53 ( 11 December 2014, subject to change)
• Flights
South Africa - Washington DC - Round Trip SECURED SPONSOR
Washington DC - Austin Texas - Round Trip (+/- $236) R 2 721
• Living Expenses for January
This amount is until I receive my first Stipend ($1400) R16 142
• Visa Security Money ( Proof of Financial Support)
I will have to show proof of financial support, a total of $10,000;
I will receive proof of $7,500 with my TLIP acceptance letter,
so I just have to show at least $2,500.
PLEASE SEE SLIDE 8 FOR PROOF R 28 825 * Please note this amount is refundable
• Visa Application Fee $200 SECURED SPONSOR
• Rental Application $75 SECURED SPONSOR
• Total Cost R 47 688
*Flight costs are subject to change, they based on current prices.
7
SHOULD YOU WISH TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS ME ATTENDING THE PROGRAM. PLEASE
KINDLY DONATE TO THE FOLLOWING ACCOUNT:
Name: Dream Launch Season
Account Number: 62499536210
Branch Code: 254005
Bank: FNB
My aim is to get 480 people who I can convince to donate R100 each or more towards my travel
and I will be able to meet all the costs. Thank you for your consideration.
5.SUPPORTING PROOF FOR NEED OF VISA SECURITY MONEY (FINANCIAL SUPPORT)
8 *Kindly note that Ms Tina Tran no longer works for the Senator’s office, Mr Jeremy Brown has since taken over her position. His details :
[email protected] or (713) 236 0306.
*Please note that the above email contains requirements that I had to meet in March 2014 to attend. I have been informed that they haven't
changed for 2015
6. MOTIVATION
I believe that I have a lot to contribute towards the landscape of the country. I am passionate about woman empowerment, entrepreneurship
and contributing to a greater society; it is no surprise that my first legal job is in a female owned investment company. I have used my work
environment not only as a place to develop legal skills but to learn lessons beyond my specific career path. I am an eager learner, who
surrounds herself with people who can provide me with guidance and knowledge. I have an interest to serve people and the community,
and I believe that I can use my political interests, legal knowledge and skills to serve.
The challenges that I was confronted with in securing financial assistance and meeting VISA requirements have encouraged me to research
and find ways in order for more South African’s to go abroad. I believe that young professionals should be given the opportunity to be
exposed to different work environments outside their country, and develop their skills so that they can make a more meaningful contribution
to their country by using their skills and qualifications. I am certain that through exposure, people are able to expand on their dreams. I
believe people cannot dream for something that they have not seen or that seems unattainable. I hope to establish a trust fund that will
assist in looking for work exchange opportunities for South African’s abroad and further assist with funding.
Next year the Texas Legislature will be in session, which is the period of time in which a legislature, in both parliamentary and presidential
systems, is convened for the purpose of lawmaking. I will have an opportunity to witness and participate in the process. Senator Rodney
Ellis has been the lead author of 298 bills which have become law, including landmark legislation to cut sales and business taxes, creating
an innovative new College Scholarship, enact a judicial campaign reform and increase access to healthcare for needy families. The amount
of knowledge and experience I will gain is beyond comprehension. Texas is one of the states that still has the death penalty as part of its
law; I will also have an opportunity to understand how South African Law has developed since the adoption of the Constitution relative to
other countries. It is crucial for South Africa to develop young legal minds that are mindful of political and economical influences to the law.
Our country needs better legal advisors, better policy drafters and effective implementation of these policies. Our government needs better
crisis management task teams. What is happening in the public sector affects the efficiency of the private sector. I believe that this
opportunity to go to Texas will expose me to a different system of the workings of the law, politics and economics. It will enhance my
understanding of myself as well as the contribution I can make through my job in South Africa.
The Marikana massacre is a perfect example that shows the interlink between the politics of the country, labour laws and how these affect
our economy. The unemployment rate in South Africa is another indication that we need to enhance entrepreneurship and we can only do
that through better legislation and implementation. I hope to add to the public sector by facilitating better relations between government and
corporate South Africa. I hope to be a social entrepreneur and further advocate for more active citizenship in our country.
This is an exciting opportunity for me; I hope that you realise how much potential I have to change the landscape of this country. I can
accomplish anything I put my mind on.
9
7. CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE LETTER
10
8. ACCEPTANCE LETTER
11
1.Work Principal Karabo Thekiso
Legal Advisor
Peotona Group Holdings (Pty) Ltd
Tel: 011 259 4139
Mobile Number : 072 771 4109
Email: [email protected]
2.Career Mentor Siphesihle Linda Nyoka
Legal and Risk Manager
Royal Mnandi
Tel: 012 001 7160
Mobile Number: 076 511 1349
Email: [email protected]
9. REFERENCES
3.Former Intern in Texas ( TLIP Class 2004) Wandile Phakathi (Ndabambi)
Senior Associate
Edward Nathan Sonnenbergs
Tel: 011 302 3058
Mobile Number: 082 708 0084
Email: [email protected]
4.Family Member Ayanda Ndimande
Regional Manager
Old Mutual Finance
Work Mobile: 072 080 0611
Mobile: 082 808 5568
Email: [email protected]
12