My name is Maretha Spies and I am a third year education student at the University of Johannesburg. I am not a youngster like the rest of my classmates: I am 36 years old. This would suggest that this is not the first career that I am preparing for. I am a qualified chef, and acquired my first tertiary qualification at the Culinary Art Institute of Africa. I quickly decided that the kitchen is too hot for me and that I feel more comfortable in management. In management positions, I soon discovered that my favourite part of the job is training waiters and kitchen staff: TEACHING! I major in English Further Education and Training Phase and minor in History. I am enthusiastic about making a difference in the lives of children: The future of South African!