Jobe and company

Charlie still could not believe that S’bu would have so much confidence in him that he would make him one of SJC managers. Unsure that he was up to the job and fearing disappointing his boss, he tried to convince him to reconsider and give someone with experience the job but S’bu told him to do his best and ask for help when he needs it. SJC branch is for youth and you are youth, S’bu told him. Charlie vowed to do his best to never let his boss down.

Tsepo was also shocked to find out that S’bu had so much confidence in him. He also vowed never to let him down. Within a three months he had recruited fifteen highly talented sportsman and women and working hard at promoting and selling their brands. He also enjoyed going to disadvantaged communities and promoting sports. He would make a note of places that had no safe sports grounds to be considered in the community uplifting programmes. Soon Jobe Company mostly referred to by many as JC was a part of the community with inspirational stories and the youth aspired to be signed up by it. The company was doing so well that the profit increased dramatically and even funded the whole research division within eight months. S’bu was satisfied with his work and decided to focus on making his marriage with Thandi official as soon as possible. He had been visiting her family constantly, bringing her granny her favourite cashew nuts and fruits. He had thought that maybe once her mom and grandmother were used to him, they would ask for him to do something for them but they never did. He also did not want to offend them by offering to do something for them when they did not ask for it. He had to change his strategy and win the whole village instead. He intentionally chose Thandi’s village for his charity project that year. After personally meeting the community and its leaders, it was decided that what they needed the most was proper road as they had to travel on a bad gravel road after branching off the main road. The community expected JC to make their gravel road smoother and they would have been grateful for that but were very shocked to receive a tar road instead. The road costed JC a lot of money but it accomplished the intended effect. Thandi’s community would not stop talking and praising him for giving them the tarred road and jobs to their youth. When Thandi came for for the holidays, she was shocked to find out what S’bu had done. The people in the village would not stop talking about the handsome, kind, young CEO of JC who came to meet them personally and addressed them in their own language. The following day she went to surprise him at work. It was around 10 o’clock when she got there. S’bu was so happy to see her that he cleared off his whole day to spend it with her. He insisted on showing her around the company. He took her to the newly built research block. Thandi was so impressed with it and could not believe that it was built in such a short period.

“S’busiso Jobe is there anything you can not do?” she asked impressed.

“Do you like it?” he asked a bit tense.

“It’s perfect, it’s even better than the unit at my university!” Thandi exclaimed looking around.

“Great, I was worried that our future head of research unit won’t approve” he said loosening up.

“You already have head of the unit? you are really efficient” Thandi praised him.

“Yes, I’m looking at one of them as we speak” he said smiling.

“Where is he?” Thandi asked coming back to stand next to him trying to see the person S’bu was talking about.

“Here she is” he said pulling her into his arms.

“Are you crazy? she said pushing him away. I will be newly qualified and have no experience. I can’t head any unit” Thandi said dismissively.

“Haven’t you heard that I specialise in hiring inexperienced managers and so far I have not regretted it. You and Mandy are the smartest people I know, I want the two of you to manage this unit and if you turn me down I will tear it down” he threatened.

Thandi was speechless. S’bu had a way of making her do his will.

“It’s decided then, my future research manager” he said pulling her to his arms and kissing her passionately. S’bu was happy that his plan of keeping Thandi by his side was coming together perfectly. Knowing how smart she was, he was always worried that when she completes her studies she might be snatched away by a research unit or university far from him. He had to make the unit more advanced with the latest technology to make it more attractive to her and also make sure that Mandy who was her best friend is on board with the plan. He was so close to making Thandi his, he could see it all clear in his mind. He had another surprise for her and couldn’t stop smiling when thinking about it and how she would react when she found out about it. When he went home that afternoon, Mr J was waiting for him in the study.

“I heard that Thandi was around today. How far are you with making your marriage official?” Mr J asked.

“I’m still working on it dad. Thandi wants to complete her studies first and I think it’s fair” S’bu explained.

“Just remember that the ancestors regard you two as married, you need to follow our traditions and do things the right way” Mr J said.

“I know and I will” S’bu promised.