Launch of SA Bloggers

Last week I was invited to the launch of SA Bloggers.

This was the brainchild of Sandile Nene (@SandyNeneSA)

Sandile told us how he started blogging and then moved on to start
SA Bloggers.  A wonderful network of bloggers that aims to promote
other bloggers and all they do.  He also promised future events where they
would have workshops and much more.

There were some big names in digital media and social media and some
familiar bloggers at this event.

Cath Jenkin (@cathjenkin) provided much information and gave us some insight
into Sandile and SA Bloggers.

The event was held at a new venue in Florida Road, The Xef (@TheXeF)

The food was delicious, I especially enjoyed the pizza's and of course the drinks.

There were wonderful prizes and giveaways and of course a great goodie bag.

If you would like to join SA Bloggers you can find them here:
Twitter - @SABloggers
Facebook - SA Bloggers
Website - http://weblogforlove.com/

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Business Tips from Experts at ICSME

Last week I was invited to WASME ICSME 2013.
This was the International Conference on Small and Medium Enterprise (ICSME)

They had some wonderful speakers.

                                         One of the Speakers Ashish Thakkar

Ashish Thakkar the CEO of Mara Group and a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader gave us the following business advice:

• Everything our company does has to be Pan-African
• It must be game-changing
• Just be yourself
• Have your own core values

I asked him how does he close sales?  'Offer something unique.  Be persistent.  You have to under promise and over sell.  Keep at it.  You must not give up.'  

I asked him to give us some networking tips? 'Have no shame but be respectful.  Go up to people. Remember your 30 second elevator speech.  Have no ego.  Keep at it!' 

Even he has had financing turned down.  He likes to write monthly reports on what his company has achieved. 

The Mayor of Ethekwini reminded us that the Business Fair enables business to showcase their products and expand their customer base.

Mr Sisa Ntshana from Absa asked 'Do we have a conducive environment for smme's?' 

His advice:  'The more informed you are the better decisions you can make.'  

He also told us that 'Africa is the second fastest growing bloc behind Asia.'  

Mr Akash Singh reminded us to 'Stay motivated.'  

Mr Rohit Shukla from the USA gave us the following business insight:

'What do you have?

'What can you build?'

'Global networks are vital.' 

'South Africans spend more on clothing and jewelry than they do on education.'

'If you don't know who your customers are how can you reach them?' 

'What are your competitive strengths?'

'Who is doing what and how?' 

All in all this was a fascinating conference which gave deeper insight into the minds 

of business people.

More useful info about the conference here: http://www.wasmeicsme2013.org

Article and Photo by  +Fred Felton 

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Thousands tweet their feet

Business people and learners across KwaZulu-Natal have liberated their toes by slipping on their flip-flops today in celebration of Flip-Flop Friday. The initiative by East Coast Radio and Tourism KZN is an opportunity for the people of the province to show the rest of South Africa why they love the KZN East Coast. Flip-Flop Friday was started by East Coast Radio two years ago as a celebration of provincial pride in Heritage Month.

The station’s Marketing Manager Renee Burton says “We asked our listeners to tweet their feet and the response has been fantastic. The hashtag ‘flipflopfriday’ was trending nationally before 7.30 this morning. We saw people at work, people at home, people stuck in traffic and even school children sending in their pics.”

(The learners at Chelsea Preparatory and DJ Deon Govender show off their flip-flops - Image courtesy 988 Media.) 

As part of the festivities East Coast Radio sent teams to bust schools and businesses to see whose toes were on show. Learners at Chelsea Preparatory and Northlands Primary in Durban North were delighted when flash mobs interrupted their respective assemblies. The station has even taken Flip-Flop Friday to the Drakensberg. Presenter Makhosi Khoza broadcast his show from the berg.  

(Source - East Coast Radio) 

Tweet your feet this Flip-flop Friday

Flip-Flop Friday, on 20 September, is your chance to air your toes and celebrate Funsunzi living at its best. East Coast Radio and Tourism KZN are encouraging everyone in KwaZulu-Natal, from school children to business people, to slip on their flip-flops no matter the rest of their outfit. If you ever wanted an excuse to ditch those high heels or formal work shoes, this is it.

The station’s Marketing Manager Renee Burton says “Flip-Flop Friday started two years ago and is a great way for the people of the province to show the rest of South Africa why they love the KZN East Coast.”

Aside from being a celebration of provincial pride there are also prizes up for grabs. Upload your pics via Twitter #flipflopfriday and you could win a weekend away in our beautiful province.  East Coast Radio will also be sending teams to bust schools and businesses across KZN on Flip-Flop Friday, so make sure your toes are on show.

(Source - East Coast Radio) 

Book Launches and Events Around Durban

News of A Book Launch

Thursday 19 September 2013
RSVP books@ukzn.ac.za

(Source - UKZN Press)

Knorr & Hirsch's Cooking Demo

(Source - Hirsch's)

Art Invite

(Source - Artisan Gallery)

Theatre

Witness Hilton Arts Festival turns 21!

Hilton College: 12 - 15 September 2013

KZN’s foremost and respected arts festivals: the annual Witness Hilton Arts Festival turns 21 this year and takes place on the beautiful grounds of the Hilton College from 12 - 15 September 2013.

The annual Witness Hilton Arts Festival is broadly considered to be KZN’s premier arts and culture festival and one of the top festivals in the country which consistently produces an unmatched programme of cutting-edge drama, comedy, music and music revue, as well as an impressive array of arts and crafts; master-classes and Mindscapes lectures appealing to all who visit the festival each year.

To make sure that the 21^st Witness Hilton Arts Festival gets off to a rollicking start and ends with a bang this weekend, the organisers are offering half-price tickets for two shows on Friday and two shows on Sunday.

Theatre patrons who buy tickets at the festival Ticket Office on the relevant day, can enjoy half price tickets for An Unromantic Comedy (6pm) a funny, painful and poignant look at contemporary relationships and Vigil (8.30pm) Morris Panych’s award winning black comedy, on Friday evening, and for The List (10am) the award-winning play by Canadian playwright Jennifer Tremblay and Pirates of Penzance (6.30pm) a witty theatrical masterpiece which takes satire and comedy to the extreme on Sunday.

The half price offer is for door-sales on the day, on-site only – and does not apply to pre-booked tickets. Half price tickets are subject to availability.

All enquiries on 033 383 0126 /7 or theatre@hiltoncollege.com. Booking is open. Detailed information on www.hiltonfestival.co.za;  selected SPAR and SuperSPAR stores in KZN as well as selected theatres; art galleries; coffee shops and book stores; or like the Facebook page ~ Witness Hilton Arts Festival or follow the festival on Twitter ~ @HiltonFest.

Shirley Valentine

Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre:11 - 22 September

Hexagon Theatre, Pietermaritzburg: 3 – 5 October

The third Durban production of the year for Durban’s greatest theatrical export, KickstArt,  presents a revival of their multi award-winning production of Shirley Valentine by Willy Russell, at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre in Durban from 11-22 September, and at the Hexagon Theatre in Pietermaritzburg from 3 – 5 October, starring Lisa Bobbert.

Come on a liberating adventure with Shirley Valentine, everybody’s favourite housewife. Lisa Bobbert reprises her 2008 role as the bored housewife who flees the nest.

Booking for all KickstArt productions is through Computicket, and booking is now open. For block bookings of 10 or more, or sold performances, please contact Ailsa Windsor of Going Places: 0832502690 or editor.goingplacessa@gmail.com.

(Source - Publicity Matters)

Call For Durban Poets

Poetry Africa - International Poetry Festival looking for four of Durban’s brightest undiscovered poets.

Durban’s creative and undiscovered poets are invited to take part in the Prelude Poets programme as part of the 17th Poetry Africa International Festival.

The call is made by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal), with principal funding from the City of Durban and the Department of Arts and Culture.

The 17th Poetry Africa, International Poetry Festival is looking for four of Durban’s brightest undiscovered poets to take part in Poetry Africa Prelude Poet programme. The programme gives the city’s creative and original poets the opportunity to showcase their hidden talents to audiences at the country’s premier poetry festival.

Participants will be required to audition original works with a five minute limit. Auditions are to take place at The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal Howard College Campus) on 13 September 2013. Auditions and will be assigned on a first-come-first-serve basis. To book an audition time, please send an email with your name and contact details with the Poetry Africa Prelude Auditions in the subject title to paprelude2013@gmail.com

For more details about this year’s Poetry Africa, visit www.cca.ukzn.ac.za or call 031 260 2506.

(Source - Poetry Africa) 

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East Coast Radio Durban Day a massive success

East Coasters turned out in their numbers to revel in the festivity of East Coast Radio Durban Day, presented by Durban Tourism, on Sunday. Close to 14 000 concert goers of all ages jammed along 

to eight of South Africa’s top acts at People’s Park at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The almost 14 000 strong crowd at East Coast Radio Durban Day

East Coast Radio Marketing Manager Renee Burton says, “We’re thrilled with the response to this Funsunzi family day out. The strong winds earlier in the day delayed the start of the event somewhat, due to safety reasons. But concert goers and the performers were very understanding.”

Although East Coast Radio Durban Day brings some of the country’s hottest acts to KwaZulu-Natal it is also an opportunity to showcase up and coming local talent. Through the station’s Be the Band competition The Kickstands had the opportunity to open the day. They were followed by pop sensation Toya Delazy, who brought fans to their feet. Zakes Bantwini also wowed the crowd with songs from his latest album. The ever-popular Mango Groove was fantastically received as was soulful solo artist Lira.

             Lira on stage at East Coast Radio Durban Day 

As the evening fell, Prime Circle, Mi Casa and Goldfish lit up the stage and took the crowd into party mode to end off the fantastic day.

(Source - East Coast Radio) 

Article by +Fred Felton 

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Do you have an iPhone? Like taking pics? You a foodstagrammer? This competition could be for you

A Photography Competition for all the iPhone Lovers out there

For more details visit www.iphoneographysa.com
Track it on twitter:  #iphoneographySA
Tweet @MarcForrest for more details

(Source - Marc Forrest)