In this issue, we bring you opinions, articles and an update on news and events.

In this last issue of the year, we look at how South Africans are embracing social media as a core pillar of their online activity in South Africans Embrace Social Media. In Mapping Senegal's Youth we look at a new report that explores the needs and aspirations of the young people of Senegal.

In our Careers section, Vera Ng’oma spells out how to create the right team to help you move forward in Create a Personal Board .

Our careers coach offers advice on successful negotiation in Ask the Career Coach – 'How Do I Negotiate a Sabbatical?'

The official launch of a new book celebrating Black role models – ‘Everyday Heroes – Learning from the Careers of Successful Black Professionals - provided for an evening of lively debate, straight talking and inspired presentations. We share the highlights in ‘Everyday Heroes’ Book Launch

In Extending a Lifeline we look at how the X-Mas Hot Plate event is set to make a difference to street children in Accra this Christmas. In Southern Africa ICT for Education Summit we report on a forthcoming Summit in Zimbabwe that aims to promote ICT for education in Africa and establish partnerships and procurement between the ministries of education and the private sector.

Our guest interviewee in this month's 5 Minute Interview is Adwoa Agyemang who shares some of the lessons she has learned along the way.

December sees an extensive line-up of events in the UK and overseas and our Events listing gives you details of what's on this month and some un-missable Dates for your Diary.

ReConnect Africa acts as a Media Partners for numerous events in Africa and around the world. Visit our Media Partnerships web page so you can keep abreast of upcoming events that we are promoting.

Keep up to date with events across Africa with constant breaking news from Africa through Thomson Reuters on the ReConnect Africa website. Catch up on news from the UK and around the world in bite sized chunks with our News Round feature.

Share your comments about our articles or write into our Letters page and let us know what you think about ReConnect Africa.

We visit the ReConnect Africa Library and give you another chance to read Busting the Black Hair Myths- 5 Myths about Natural Afro Hair. on why if you give people what they want first, they are likely to accept anything else you want them to have.

Finally, check out this month's Editorial - 5 Lessons for Life, Not Just for Christmas – and let me know what you think.

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Keep up with the latest from South Africa on our dedicated portal, ReConnect South Africa, where we bring you features, articles, news feeds and highlight some of the key events taking place in and about South Africa.

ReConnect Africa.com brings you a wealth of information from jobs on the ReConnect Jobs website to our listings and features.

Revisit previous issues and browse through the hundreds of articles in the ReConnect Library.

Whether you need to write a great CV, make the right impact at interview or need help with your plans to find a job in Africa, our range of careers services are tailor made for your needs.

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Enjoy this issue and the new website and please write in to me and share your comments!