Interview with @MelanieMinnaar the lady behind Twitter Blanket Drive #TBDZA

This week we interview @MelanieMinnaar the driving force behind Twitter Blanket Drive #TBDZA

                                              Follow Her On Twitter @MelanieMinnaar

Where were we born?

I WAS BORN IN EAST LONDON, EASTERN CAPE PROVINCE, SOUTH AFRICA – PROUDLY A BORDER GIRL :-) AND I MISS THE COAST A GREAT DEAL


Where do you work?  What does your company do?


I AM THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HALO, A DYNAMIC AND YOUNG-SPIRITED INTEGRATED BRAND COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY, BASED IN THE SANDTON CBD IN THE GAUTENG PROVINCE.  THE AGENCY IS AMBITIOUS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, COMMITTED TO FULFILLING OUR COLLECTIVE VISION OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A NEW AGE AGENCY.


Tell us about a day in the life of Melanie Minnaar?


I WAKE UP (NOT VOLUNTARILY) AT ABOUT 5AM SANDWICHED BETWEEN MY 2 STIRRING CHILDREN AND OUR CAT. I IMMEDIATELY CHECK MY BBM'S, WHATS APP AND SMS'S ON MY BLACKBERRY – THEN I CHECK MY SMS'S ON MY NOKIA – THEN I CHECK ALL EMAILS AND SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNTS ON MY IPAD. MY HUSBAND DELIVERS A MUG OF GOOD COFFEE TO THE BEDROOM AT ABOUT 6AM AS HE KNOWS THAT NO GOOD WILL COME OF MY DAY UNTIL I'VE GOT COFFEE IN MY BLOODSTREAM. AFTER COFFEE I HEAD TO THE KITCHEN TO PREPARE BREAKFAST FOR THE KIDS.  THE NANNY JOINS US JUST IN TIME TO GET THE CHILDREN READY AND DRESSED FOR SCHOOL. WITH MY ESCAPE PLAN HATCHED I RETREAT TO MY BEDROOM AND CONTINUE WORKING ON A DOCUMENT/PRESENTATION/PROPOSAL THAT WAS NOT COMPLETED THE NIGHT BEFORE. ONCE MY HUBBY LEAVES FOR THE SCHOOL RUN I HEAD FOR MY RUN/WALK FOR LIFE SESSION. AFTER A GOOD WORKOUT I HEAD HOME TO GET CLEANED UP AND POLISHED FOR MY WORK DAY AHEAD. 

MY WORK DAY VARIES FROM DAY TO DAY WHICH I LIKE; USUALLY SOME MEETINGS, PRESENTATIONS, PREPARATION OF CLIENT PROPOSALS, HARASSING OF THE CREATIVE TEAM, DRIVING THE ADMIN TEAM NUTS – ALL PAR FOR THE COURSE…

I GET HOME BETWEEN 5PM-6PM IN TIME TO HAVE DINNER WITH THE FAMILY. THE EARLY EVENING IS SPENT REVISING SCHOOL HOMEWORK AND ALSO BUILDING PUZZLES, DRAWING OR PLAYING A GAME WITH THE KIDS BEFORE THEIR BEDTIME AT 7PM. 

IN BETWEEN, I DRINK A LOT OF COFFEE AND TWEET A LOT…

You started Twitter Blanket Drive #TBDZA how did that all start and what's it all about?

IT'S SIMPLY A BUNCH OF LIKE-MINDED INDIVIDUALS COMING TOGETHER TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS FORMED AND BUILT ON TWITTER.

#TBDZA IS NOT AN ORGANISATION, NOR IS IT A FUNDRAISING PROJECT, IT IS A "MOVEMENT" (AS IT WAS FIRST DESCRIBED BY BARRY BRAMLEY) THAT MOBILISES PEOPLE TO DO SOMETHING – WHATEVER THEY CAN – WHERE THEY ARE – RIGHT NOW.

THE HISTORY OF THE PROJECT IS ON THE WEBSITE SO I'M NOT GOING TO REPEAT IT ALL HERE :-) WWW.TWITTERBLANKETDRIVE.CO.ZA

What date is #TBDZA and what time do all these events begin?

ALL EVENTS TAKE PLACE ON THE SAME DAY, 26 MAY 2012 AT 6PM.  SOME EVENTS WILL HAVE ACTIVITIES EARLIER IN THE DAY BUT THE CRITICAL TIME IS 6-8PM WHEN THE VIRTUAL COLLECTIVE OF TWEEPS AT ALL #TBDZA EVENTS COME ONLINE FOR THE LARGEST TWEETUP FOR GOOD (THAT'S OFFICIAL – I'VE CHECKED THAT NO RECORD OFFICIAL EXISTS WITH GUINESS WORLD RECORDS)

How can all the Tweeps on Twitter help?

THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR EVERYONE TO GET INVOLVED IN #TBDZA:

1.  TWEET YOUR SUPPORT AND SPREAD AWARENESS OF THE EVENT

2.  RT NEWS OF OTHER EVENTS AND SUPPORT THEM TOO

3.  HOST AN EVENT IN YOUR AREA

4.  ATTEND AN EVENT IN YOUR AREA

5.  DONATE A BLANKET AT ANY DROPOFF POINT BEFORE 25 MAY IF YOU CAN'T MAKE IT TO ANY EVENT

6.  GET YOUR COMPANY INVOLVED WITH A STAFF BLANKET DRIVE OR BULK BLANKET DONATION

7.  ASSIST WITH AN EVENT BY SUPPLYING EQUIPMENT SUCH AS A/V SCREENS, CATERING, PHOTOGRAPHY, MUSIC, HELP WITH REGISTRATION, HELP WITH COUNTING BLANKETS

8.  VOLUNTEER TO DO A MORE FORMAL HANDOVER OF BLANKETS TO CHARITIES BY ARRANGING A GROUP TO ATTEND THE HANDOVER, PHOTOGRAPHER, ETC

9.  WE ARE DESPERATELY LOOKING FOR A SPONSOR OF PACKING BOXES FOR DROP OFF POINTS, AND THE PRINTING OF THE LABELS FOR THE BOXES

10.  TURN YOUR OWN EVENT INTO A FEEDER EVENT FOR #TBDZA 

ETC, ETC, ETC…

Your favourite motivational quote?

I HAVE SO MANY… IT IS DIFFICULT TO CHOOSE JUST ONE… PERHAPS:

"JUST PUT ON YOUR BIG GIRL PANTIES AND GO GET IT DONE" :-)

What book are you currently reading?

"WHY YOUR WORLD IS ABOUT TO GET A WHOLE LOT SMALLER – OIL AND THE END OF GLOBALISATION" - JEFF RUBIN, VIRGIN BOOKS

Favourite Holiday Destination? 

IF I TRAVEL ALONE IT WOULD HAVE TO BE NEW YORK.

FOR FAMILY HOLIDAYS THE BEST PLACE IS MPUMALANGA, SOUTH AFRICA – ANYWHERE AROUND KAAPSEHOOP OR HAZYVIEW. WE LOVE THE DINOSAUR PARK NEAR THE SUDWALA CAVES, AND OUR FAVOURITE 'CHILL' DESTINATION IS THE KAAPSEHOOP RIDING CAMP WITH ACCOMMODATION WHICH MY KIDS LOVE BECAUSE IT'S FULL OF REAL COWBOYS!  THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO MPUMALANGA THAN KNP :-) - WE NEED TO EXPLORE OUR OWN COUNTRY MORE.

Well she certainly is a very interesting person and you can see why she is in charge of this wonderful event.

Here are some useful images you can download and put on your website or blog or facebook page to create awareness of this wonderful event.

This year #FollowSA is partnering with #TBDZA and follow the tweets to see all they and @Jodenecoza are doing.

Some useful links for Twitter Blanket Drive

Please use the hashtag #TBDZA when you tweet about it.

Join their Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/TBDZA

In Durban North @Livingstons_DBN will be hosting a event on 6th May at 4pm.  Bring a Blanket.  Meet some Tweeps.   They will also have an event on 26th May.

If you are in the area pop by -  http://www.facebook.com/events/226985800740157/

You can also find the invite on Twitter -  http://tweetvite.com/event/tbdzafollowsadurban

There will also be an event at Olive and Oil Hillcrest 6th May 4pm.  Tweet @MsBehavinB for details 

We are also pleased to say that Spiga D'Oro in Floriday Road is also a official drop off point as from Sunday.
They will be having a chilled event from 5 - 7 pm and a big event on the 26th.
So pop by on Sunday have a drink and drop off some blankets.
You can find Spiga on Twitter at @spiga_durban
You can also follow them on Facebook -
 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Spiga-dOro-Florida-Road/110321135661734


If you can't make these events you can drop by anytime in May at Livingstons Durban
or Spiga D'Oro in Florida Road to drop off a blanket.

We would also like to thank Fiona Jane Photography for helping out with the Photography at these events.
You can follow her on Twitter - @FionaJanePhotos
Join her Facebook Page - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fiona-Jane-Photography/310784055645291

When you come to the event please tweet as much as you can using the hashtag #TBDZA

Check in using Foursquare and above all have fun.

Nibs van der Spuy and Gareth Gale coming to St Clements

Some great music lined up for Durban.

Nibs van der Spuy and Gareth Gale

At St Clements

191 Musgrave Road, Durban

Thursday26 April, R50pp

Bookings essential 031 2022511

Nibs will be playing a duet with drummer/percussionist and friend Gareth Gale on Thursday 26^th April at St Clements in Musgrave Road. Remember that Friday 27th is a public holiday so come join us for some good food and great music in one of Durbans most picturesque settings. This is not to be missed to see one of South Africa’s internationally acclaimed treasures in a wonderful organic setting. Early bookings advised.

The Breakfast Stack gears up for Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk!

With only a few days left to enter the Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk, the station’s on-air personalities have been limbering up for the event. Walkers have until the end of this month to enter the event which takes place on Sunday 20 May.

Full of fun and games some members of the Breakfast Stack team recently went to check out the new finish venue the People’s Park at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. DJ Darren Maule, together with Samson Oduntan, Newswatch’s Natarah Nadesen and producers George Thorne and Wez Cruickshanks, took up the mission. Not only did their imaginations run wild about just how exciting the event day will be, they were also inspired to strike a few poses while there. 

The Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk has become a massive highlight on KwaZulu-Natal’s event’s calendar. All routes, 5km, 10km, 15km and 20km will finish at People’s Park at the Moses Mabhida Stadium. Walkers can expect a festive family vibe at the finish, with entertainers on stage, loads of giveaways and food vendors for hungry walkers. Entertainment will range from popular bands, to East Coast Radio jocks and other local celebs.

There will also be a hospitality area. This offers companies an exclusive space and prime positioning, within the new finish area at the Peoples’ Park at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Whether you are looking to reward your staff, entertain clients or do a little team building, the Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk hospitality area is the ideal opportunity to build important and strategic relationships – while you have fun, of course.

Remember there is not much time left to join the ‘Walking (r)Evolution’. Visit  www.ecr.co.za or enter in store at one of 19 Totalsports stores in KZN.

@arthur2point0 is giving a talk on Entrepreneurship and @ecr9495 wins at @MtnRadioAwards

Greetings Dear Readers.

This week we have news of a wonderful talk on Entrepreneurship coming up in Durban
with Arthur C. Van Wyk.  It really is worth attending as you will learn a great deal from a
master at entrepreneurship.

You can find more details here -  http://www.facebook.com/events/320001644722420/
You can follow Arthur on Twitter here - @arthur2point0

East Coast Radio’s Toy Story campaign wins best ‘Community Project’

A campaign that encourages the people of KwaZulu-Natal to generously give toys and cash to those less fortunate each festive season has been hailed at a national level. East Coast Radio’s Toy Story was named the best Community Project at the MTN Radio Awards 2012 this weekend.

The station is overjoyed and humbled by this recent announcement. East Coast Radio General Manager Trish Taylor says, “The smiles on the faces of the thousands of little recipients in government hospitals, crèches, orphanages and child-headed households are always such amazing reward for those who are involved in this corporate social investment initiative. MTN’s Radio Award of the project adds to our sense of pride in the campaign!” She says, “Our staffers, especially our CSI project manager, Anusha Timul and the major sponsor for Toy Story 2011 – Game – did a fabulous job this year. We’d also like to thank our listeners for their involvement. Each year the people of KwaZulu-Natal show that we’re a province filled with warm-hearted individuals and corporates!”

As part of Toy Story, between October and December last year, 50 000 toys and more than 4600 food parcels were handed out to children in government hospitals, crèches, orphanages and child-headed households. 

East Coast Radio is also very proud of the six other nominations received for the MTN Radio Awards 2012. They were across a wide range of categories including; Afternoon Drive Presenter, Afternoon Drive Show, News and Actuality Producer, News Bulletin Reader, Promotion/Stunt/Event and Programme Innovation.

(Source:  East Coast Radio)

Review of the Show Out Of Bounds starring Rajesh Gopie

We present a Review of the Show Out Of Bounds Starring Rajesh Gopie.

                                                 @OutOfBoundsSA

Last night I was invited to the show Out Of Bounds at the delightful iZulu Theatre at Sibaya
Casino.

What a delightful venue and I joined some great friends like Themi Venturas and James P Parker
and Illa Thompson to watch the show.

Rajesh Gopie the man who brought us The Coolie Odyssey is back with his one hander
Out Of Bounds.

He has performed it before and this is the first time I have seen it.

He takes you on a wonderful journey of a Indian family and how they move about Durban
from their homes to forced removals into flats and the wonderful characters they meet along
the way.

Rajesh is simply brilliant as he plays well over 20 characters some dark some light, some funny some
scary.

There are some wonderful scenes in it.  I shall not spoil it for you, you really have to go see it yourself.

A note for actors, if you want to learn how to play different characters take yourself off to the show
to see how a master actor does this.

Well worth a visit

Rating 5/5

Showtimes

Thurs 12 April - 8pm (R120)
Fri 13 April - 8pm (R120)
Sat 14 April - 7pm (R120)
Sat 14 April - 9h15pm (R120)
Sun 15 April - 3pm (R120)
Sun 15 April - 6pm final (R120)

Bookings at Computicket or At The iZulu Box Office

Check them out on Twitter - @OutOfBoundsSA
Join Their Facebook Page - Out Of Bounds