Flow Communications is a company that prides itself on being reliable, creative, transparent and passionate about its people. We mean it when we say “our people are our most important asset”.
John Kazembe
John Kazembe, Flow’s gardener, is growing things other than the flowers and plants in our Joburg garden – his skills.
Mike Thiel, Flow CEO Tara Turkington’s husband, knew John through his family’s involvement in the Dominican Convent School, where he is the principal, and quickly spotted his potential.
Knowing John was supporting five siblings after his father passed away early in 2009, Mike encouraged Flow to employ John as a gardener at Flow’s Joburg office a few days a week.
With his Flow salary John helps with groceries and his siblings’ school fees.
Like other young men his age John imagined becoming something else when he was growing up, but due to financial constraints he couldn’t. He jokes, “As a child, when you see a helicopter or aeroplane, you want to be a pilot – but realistically, funds are a problem.
So for me designing became the next best thing.”
John has always been good at drawing, and so design has long been a career option for him.
Originally from Zambia, John and his family moved to South Africa in 2005. Upon arriving here he finished his schooling through Jules High School’s Adult Basic Education and Training (ABET) course.
Seeing the potential for personal growth within Flow Communications after starting here, John decided to pursue a course in Information Technology, Web and Graphic Design at Falcon Business Institute.
“I decided to do this course because I love graphic design and Flow also does design jobs, so there is an opportunity for me here.
“Design is about coming up with something that attracts people’s attention. People want to visit websites – beautiful websites – and they need someone to design them. So that’s why I am excited by the prospect of being a designer,” says John
What he loves most about Flow Communications is its people.
“People here are nice and understanding. Since I got here I have not had issues with anyone and whatever I ask for I get help with. I also love the fact that no one monitors me.
I am independent and free to do whatever I want with the garden,” says John.
John’s vision for Flow is that the company expands and is one day listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.
“I will be happy to see Flow-branded cars and Kombi.”
In his spare time John likes surfing the internet, playing basketball or just unwinding at home reading a book.
John looks forward to finishing his diploma, and in the future would like to see himself in the design field, living a prosperous life.
l really like my profile it’s really wonderful and inspiring.