5 Writing Competitions

Maskew Miller Longman Playwriting Competition

Details at www.mml.co.za/literature-awards


Ethekwini Essay Competition

As part of celebrating 20 years of democracy, the Municipality is running a competition where members of community are encouraged to write a 300-word essay on the topic, “How checking into the library changed my life in the last 20 years”. 

The essay must be written in English and dropped off at any Municipal library or emailed to libraryessay2014@gmail.com ; democracyessay14@gmail.com by no later than 10 March 2014. Entrants to the competition must be 20 years and older. 

Finalists will be invited to present their essays and will need to produce proof of identity. A prize giving ceremony will be held on 19 March 2014 at Don Africana Library where the winner and two runners up will be presented with prizes to the value of R5000.

The top 20 essays will be published in a book commissioned by the Municipality’s Libraries and Heritage Department.

For more information contact the Municipal Spokesperson, Mr Thabo Mofokeng, on 031 311 4820 or 082 731 7456 or e-mailthabo1.mofokeng@durban.gov.za. 


Mondays At Six Short Story Competition

See if you can write a short story of 100 words exactly.  No more, no less.  Any topic.
You can send in a maximum of 7 stories.
You can even come to the Mondays At Six event and read your story out.
The winner gets a gift box of wine.  Selected winners will have their stories published in the Mondays At Six yearly short story book featuring all the winners. 
Please email your story to kwasuka1@mweb.co.za

Deadline is 21 June 2014


Skryf Net Writing Competition

Deadline 30 June 2014.
Entry open to SA primary and home school pupils up to 13 years old.
Two age categories 6 - 9 year olds and 10 - 13 year olds.
Stories should be original and unpublished.  They should not exceed 1000 words.
Entries should be in double spacing. 
Email them to SkryfNetcompetition@gmail.com 
Include your name and contact details and parents or guardians contact details. 
All pages should show title of story and your name.
Story can be on any subject.


Time of the Writer Short Story Competition

This competition is for high school learners.
Can be on any subject.
Can be written in English, Afrikaans or isiZulu.
A max of 5 pages.
Email entry to cca@ukzn.ac.za
Entries can also be delivered to Centre for Creative Arts, UKZN.

Book Review - Lessons From The Boot Of A Car

Every now and again a great book pops up for Entrepreneurs.
This is one of those books.

Lessons From The Boot Of A Car by Reg Lascaris

For those of you who do not know who Reg Lascaris is, he is one of the co-founders
of the famous South African advertising agency TBWA / Hunt / Lascaris
and then went on to even bigger deals.

TBWA / Hunt / Lascaris is of course the great advertising agency that conceived the wonderful BMW Mouse advert which one so many awards.

This book is perfect for any entrepreneur or any person who is thinking of starting an advertising agency.  It is also highly recommended for anyone in the advertising or creative business.  Reg shares his tips on how to develop a pitch and give a successful pitch.  He also shows us how to build a small business into a huge business.

Reg writes in a very easy to understand style and you might just finish this book in a day.  It is so absorbing.

A must read for any entrepreneur or anybody in the advertising world.

Available at all good bookshops.

Review by +Fred Felton

Need some funding for your business?

Funding for Entrepreneurs

The KZN Funding Fair is providing Entrepreneurs with the opportunity to pitch for funding.
So if you are the next Elon Musk give it a go.  You might just get some much needed funding
for your business.

Submit your project here: http://www.kznfundingfair.co.za/submit-project/

Closing Date: March 2

Hirsch's Umhlanga Networking Breakfast 27 Feb 8am.

Some Inspiration For You - Elon Musk 

Article by +Fred Felton

Review of the Samsung Galaxy S4mini

This is a treat.  From the start one is impressed with this.  The packaging is made of 100% post-consumer recycled paper and printed with soy-based inks.  It is 100% recyclable.  Nice move Samsung.

Under the hood

·         HSDPA 21.1 / HSUPA 5.76

·         Screen is 108.5mm Super AMOLED

·         Runs on Dual Krait 1.7 GHz Processor

·         1.5 GB RAM Memory

·         8MP AF Camera and 1.9MP Front Camera

·         GPS

·         1,900 mAH Battery

·         Wi-Fi

·         Runs on the Android System

·         Bluetooth

Review

Although this phone is big in the hand it is surprisingly light to hold.  Quick start up time to begin with. 

Phone Contacts

·         Easy to set up and can be integrated with existing accounts

·         Also features a nice search function

·         Includes a Groups feature and Favourites section

Messaging

·         Simple to understand design

·         Features predictive text with a few options for quicker typing

Camera

·         Nice features on the camera which include face detection

·         You can also tag your friends in those awkward pictures

·         Also includes video for those precious moments

Other Features

·        Samsung Apps and of course the Play Store for loads of apps

Clock

·         Features plenty of cities for you to customise your time

·         Has a handy alarm for those important meetings

S Planner

·         Allows you to plan your day, also has useful list and task integration

Also included

·         Calculator

·         Voice Recorder

·         Files Folder

·         ChatON

·         Samsung Link

·         WatchON

·         Samsung Hub

·         Music

·         S Voice

·         Translator

·         S Memo

·         Group Play

·         Google – Of course

·         Google +

·         Messenger

·         Hangouts

·         Chrome

·         Play Books

·         Play Magazines

·         YouTube

·         Play Music

·         Maps, Navigation and Local

·         Dropbox, Flipboard

·         Story Album

·         Even has a FM Radio

What I like about it

·        I love the customisable home screen which means you can set it if you are more interested in your schedule or if you prefer to see the weather or something else.

·         Has a handy data usage tool so you can see how much MBs you have used

·         Screen Mirroring – you can share your device’s screen with another device

·         Driving Mode – Incoming calls and new notifications will be read out automatically

·         Safety Assistance – in an emergency, emergency messages will be sent out

·         Battery Indicator – shows you what is using how much battery

·         Storage Indicator – so you can see which apps are clogging up your storage

·         Also features Flight Mode

Final Verdict

A really nice phone.  Samsung has done well here to offer a phone that has almost as much bang as the Samsung S4.  Loads of apps, widgets and features to keep you busy till the next models come out. 

Rating 4/5

You can find out more on their website: www.samsung.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SamsungMobileSA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SamsungMobileSA

Review by +Fred Felton 

Photography Event, Book Launch and Jobs In Social Media

Free Photography Event

Mondays At Six Is Coming

Jobs In Social Media Around Durban

StirSocial Is Looking For A Graphic Designer

Email CV & Portfolio to create@stirsocial.co.za  

DigitLab is looking for a copywriter

All the deets here: http://www.digitlab.co.za/2014/02/digitlab-hiring-copywriter-position/

This edition by +Fred Felton 

Warning: Ginger taking part in Dusi Canoe Marathon

Radio jock to tackle South Africa’s ultimate canoe challenge for Hansa Pilsener

South African radio’s most famous redhead, Sias du Plessis, will hit the water as he tackles his third Dusi Canoe Marathon in February.

The 5fm sports presenter will work up a thirst during the event, where he is paddling in the colours of one of South Africa’s favourite beers, Hansa Pilsener.

The beer with the kiss of the Saaz hop has been sponsoring canoeing for more than two decades. “We originally chose it because the sport was aligned to our brand, being refreshingly different,” said Hansa Pilsener Marketing Manager Refilwe Maluleke.  “Twenty years later, it still has relevance to Hansa - the kinds of people who do canoeing are people who dream about chasing a goal. Completing an event such as the Dusi or the Fish River Canoe Marathon is a dream come true for many canoeists and we are proud to help bring this to life.”

The event will see Du Plessis and his partner, Deon Bruss, complete about 40km of paddling for each of the three days, starting on February 13 in Camps Drift, Pietermaritzburg and travelling through the Valley of 1000 Hills and Inanda Dam, finishing at Blue Lagoon in Du Plessis’ hometown of Durban.

“Being a Durban boy, I have followed this incredible race since I can remember. As a youngster I would watch the legends of Dusi - Graeme Pope-Ellis and his peers - finishing at Blue Lagoon and always knew that one day I would get a Dusi under my belt,” Du Plessis said. “I am not looking forward to the heat - being ginger, I am not a fan, but I am looking forward to chatting to the rest of the paddlers on the river and now that I know what to expect, being part of the event again is going to be fantastic.”

With duties as a radio sports presenter and father, the 33-year-old has had limited time to train for the race, billed as “the ultimate canoe challenge” but said he prepares as best as he can by doing CrossFit and boxing.

“My biggest problem is getting time on the water, so my paddling often leaves a lot to be desired,” he said.  “Luckily the legend that is my partner, Deon Bruss, helps me down the river and through the tough patches like Inanda Dam and the stretch into Blue Lagoon.”

When he does get out on the water, Du Plessis trains on the Vaal River near his home in Vereeniging and takes his cues from the more experienced Bruss, with whom he has won the Celebrity Challenge in the last two Dusis.

Last year, the duo beat fellow 5fm DJ Unathi Msengana, who paddled with world-champion surf skier, Oscar Chalupsky, by 11 minutes.

“This year is about creating awareness around the residents living along the Dusi and helping to uplift their lives. It is also probably going to be my last one, so I will definitely be out to enjoy every moment and ending every day with an icy cold Hansa.”

And while Valentine’s Day falls during the race, Du Plessis still has plans to spoil his wife Natalie. “I need to make up for missing the last two Valentine’s as well, thanks to the Dusi. I have planned a weekend away, told her to pack and organise granny to watch our son. It is going to be a nice surprise when we arrive at our hotel in the Cape for a little us time.”

Find out about the Dusi here:  http://dusi.co.za/

Tweet your support to Sias here: https://twitter.com/siasduplessis

We wish this Durban born ginger all the best.

Story Time, Artists Need Your Help, MBA Scholarship and Show News

Short Story Time with Andrew Verster

BONGANI

Bessie Venter, third wife of Bongani Smit of Spaarwater, Gauteng, says “we girls have decided that enough is enough. I am going to be the mother of his ninth child. It has got to stop.”

“Yes, imagine when they all have to go to school. Where will we get the money?,” Rose Ndlovu, wife two, says.. “I am a house-help and they pay me peanuts.”

“And who knows what he's doing on the side,”Alicia Khumalo, whom he married a year go, says.

Bongani himself refused to be drawn when interviewed by “The Mouthpiece.”

“There is something very animal about him,” Maureen Jacobs, The Mouthpiece reporter said, “He's no fairy.”

“We are taking bets on what the child will be called, Ingrid, Inez, Isabel, Ian, Izak, Ignatius...?”

“Whatever,” Bessie says, “The alphabet stops here.”

Andrew Verster is a world famous artist and writer.

Email  ANDREWVERSTER784@GMAIL.COM

Artists Need Your Help

Umcebo Design is making various large art-works and needs recycled materials.  They are looking for:

1. Empty 2l ice cream containers.
2. Old / dud CD’s.
3. Any leftover wire (any thickness).
4. Second hand cutters, players (any wirework tool).
5. Broken costume jewellery.

If you have any to donate – please contact Robin Opperman or Jackie Sewpersad. Their studio is in Glenwood, opposite the KZNSA Gallery – they would love it if you could pop them by the studio - they are 171 Bulwer Road.

Robin Opperman. Director - Umcebo Design - www.umcebodesign.co.za / Cell: 083 7933408 / Email: robin@umcebodesign.co.za / Facebook: Umcebo Design | Umcebo Trust.

(Source - Publicity Matters) 

Edinburgh Business School offers a scholarship to study for a MBA

“Edinburgh Business School has been active in Africa for over 20 years and to celebrate this long standing relationship, we established The Africa Scholarship Programme in 2010. We are very proud to recognise and celebrate all of our graduates today. They emerge equipped with skills that will enhance not only their own lives but also the wider communities around them. All of the people we are recognising at today’s event have worked hard to secure their MBA’s and will no doubt go on to achieve great things”.

Graduating student Simon Peter Kavuma from Uganda comments on the opportunity and the impact the MBA and The African Scholarship Programme has had on his life:

“Receiving the scholarship was a life changing event, and it’s difficult to see how I would have studied for the MBA without it. My MBA studies have led to career progression and possibilities that would have been impossible without it”.

Recently appointed Deputy Chief Finance Office at Citbank Uganda, Simon believes that the MBA was an important factor in securing the new position.

Graça Machel, leading educationalist and wife of the late Nelson Mandela, comments on the scholarship programme:

“Scholarship programmes offer a wonderful opportunity for students from all over Africa to learn, gain and share invaluable technical, managerial and leadership skills, as well as obtain recognised qualifications. These skills are vital in our future leaders. I hope that as the Edinburgh Business School scholars graduate, they will continue to develop leadership which promote the conditions for the full exercise of citizen’s rights
including equity and dignity for all”.

In order to apply for a place on the MBA programme, students must be a national or resident in a sub-Saharan African country, have a university degree and at least two years of full time work experience. You can find out more here www.ebsglobal.net/africa

For further details and guidance on how to apply to The African Scholarship Programme please visit www.canoncollins.org.uk/edinburghmba.html

(Source - Ideate) 

Catch A Show This Weekend

(Source - #7DeadlySins) 

Edition by +Fred Felton 

Celebrate Valentine's at uShaka

Gearing up to the 10^th year with Valentines celebrations at uShaka in February and taking love to new depths!!

(Camilla Floros with Matt Needham) 

We’ve paddled, flapped, slithered and slid into our tenth year. Celebrate 10 years of seaside fun with the staff, finned, feathered and funky residents of uShaka Marine World, Africa’s largest marine theme park.  For us, a 10^th birthday is far more than a one day celebration. We’ll be splashing out with fantastic specials and cool events from now until the end of April.

With February being the “love month”, we will be getting into the vibe with our new campaign “I Love uShaka” to celebrate all things warm and fuzzy over the Valentine’s period.

Falling on a Friday, this Valentine’s Day will be extended for an entire weekend – running from Friday, February 14^th until Sunday, February 16^th - with so much to do, see and win.

For those with a love for fabulous food, then treat your tummy to a yummy meal at the Cargo Hold, who have lovingly created two special menus for you to enjoy with that special someone this Valentine’s weekend at a cost of R325 pp for the standard menu or R695 for the cupid’s admiral platter for two that includes live entertainment or visit any one of our many superb restaurants in the Village walk, including Piatto Mediterranean Kitchen, Centre Court, Moyo, Panarotti’s, Ocean Basket, Café Java, Silverspear Spur and many more – you’re spoilt for choice!  

If locking lips with your someone special is number one on your list this Valentine’s Day then visit our kissing couch in the Village Walk where couples can snuggle up and have their pictures taken free, which will be uploaded to our uShaka Marine World Facebook page. Tag yourself in your image and stand a chance to win a R1000 Cargo Hold voucher as well as other fantastic prizes.  

Then if you’re game - share our theme this year by bringing an umbrella and joining in the Salsa dancing in the Village Walk, with qualified teachers to show you how to move to the sultry groove!

That’s not all; on Valentine’s night look out for our sexy characters handing out chocolates to make your day extra sweet.

Now, we will be going even further by hosting a super awesome deal for 10 days! The fun begins on Friday the 14^thand ends on Sunday, February 23^rd  - if you buy a combo ticket at R185 your “1 & only” only pays R10! So treat your special someone to a great day out without breaking the bank!

Wahooz on the promenade will also be booming this month with a number of acts performing for the crowds. Catch rock bands such as : Too Close on 8^th, Zaffa on 15^th & 22^nd, Reggae band, The Meditators every Sunday as well as the annual Bob Marley Earth Day musical festival and fair on 9^th!

Plus, if you need to do some last minute Valentine’s shopping, uShaka’s retail outlets in the Village Walk will have all you need to spoil your other half.

There is so much on offer here at uShaka Marine World so share in the love this month and make your date with us at uShaka!

For more information contact 031 328 8000.

(Source - uShaka) 

We Review The Blackberry Q10

Review of Blackberry Q10

Let’s begin with the great packaging which includes instructions and a charger which doubles as a USB connector, nice touch that.

The phone has a bigger screen than the Curve and features a touch screen and a keyboard.

It features the Blackberry Hub which enables you to swipe and check for important messages or notifications from time to time.

How the touch screen works:

To get rid of a app just swipe up and the app is minimized and you can then get rid of it.

Phone Features:

Contacts

You can import contacts from your various accounts including your social media accounts or your email, calendar and contacts.

You can load images and details for contacts right down to BBM Pins and their social accounts and include custom ring tones and notifications for each contact.

Calendar

It features a standard calendar and you can also add the Location and Participants and any notes for the meeting.

Documents To Go

Features apps for doc files, xls or powerpoint files.

Camera

Features: 8MP, Flash, Auto & Ratio settings and a Video Camera.

It does however feature one amazing little advance.

Blackberry Time Shift Mode lets you take a picture and then you can go back or forward in time to choose the best image.  It works by sliding your finger left or right on the screen and it is quite remarkable to view.

Images or Videos can be stored in the Pictures or Videos section.

Blackberry has also included Story Maker on this phone which lets you make short movies on the phone.  You can edit them on the phone.

Social Media Networks

The phone comes with Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Foursquare.

Mapping

The phone comes with Blackberry Maps so you can find various locations and you can also see traffic conditions as well.  You can also share your locations with others.

Browser

The browser is pretty fast and you can search with ease for pages.  Bookmarks are easy to add.  The browser also comes equipped with a Reader if you want to read a page later.  You can also share pages with ease. 

YouTube

The phone also comes equipped with YouTube and one can watch with ease.

Remember

The phone also has a nifty little function called Remember.  You can add items to remember with notes or even tasks.  You can also add images, sounds and attachments,

The phone also has Evernote for all your note taking needs.

It also features a handy Weather App from AccuWeather which gives you temperature, sunrise, sunset, windspeed and weekly forecasts.  You can also add Cities and also share weather data.  It also features Radar Maps.

Clock

The clock allows you to add multiple cities and features an alarm and stopwatch and timer.  It also allows for multiple alarms as well for people who need reminders from time to time. 

Other Nifty Tools:

·         Calculator

·         File manager

·         Compass

·         Box

·         Dropbox

·         Adobe Reader

·         Voice Recorder

·         Smart Tags for barcodes, NFC, QR Codes and your own tags

·         Search

·         Tutorials

Handy Settings Include:

·         Wi-Fi

·         Bluetooth

·         NFC

·         Mobile Hotspot

·         VPN

·         Internet Tethering

·         Flight Mode

·         Blackberry Protect

Under the hood:

Software: Blackberry 10.2.0.424

Total Storage: 16GB

Total Memory: 2GB

Device Monitor shows you device usage stats and which apps are using memory

For all the handy options on the touch screen remember to either swipe up from the bottom of the screen or swipe down from the top of the screen.

345 Hours standby time (3G)

13.5 Hours talk time (3G)

4G LTE Ready

Final Opinion

This phone certainly is something new from Blackberry and features a fresh insight into how a phone should be designed. Certainly worth looking at if you are looking for something new.

(Picture and Video Courtesy of Blackberry) 

Useful links for Blackberry:

Web: http://za.blackberry.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackBerryZA

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BlackBerry_ZA

Review by +Fred Felton