More Than R1.6 million raised during Toy Story Corporate Challenge

KZN pledged R1.6 million for underprivileged children.

On Friday the Pavilion Shopping Centre saw a record amount being raised during the ECR Toy Story with Game.  The corporate challenge raised over R1.6 million.

(Darren Maule agreed to dye his hair blonde - R545 000 was raised during his show)

(Chad le Clos with Jane Linley-Thomas)

(Damon Beard starts the celebrations)

There were many more celebrities at the event including Gangs of Ballet, Mandoza and even the eThekwini Mayor who pledged R1000  from his own pocket.


To find out how you can help out visit www.ecr.co.za


Article by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton
Images - Supplied

Give joy, give a toy

Give joy, give a toy – East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game begins

(Odwa Ndungane (Sharks player) Zaba (ECR Presenter) Francois Kleynhans (Sharks Player) and Sharkie at the launch of East Coast Radio's Toy Story with Game.)  

There’s nothing more heartfelt than a smile that creeps across a child’s face. Few things can compare to the gurgle of excitement and squeal of delight when little fingers touch a new toy for the first time. East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game initiative has begun, aimed at giving a new toy to every child in government hospitals, state orphanages and crèches, and children’s homes that rely on government funding. For many of these little ones, these are the first new toys they would own.

Funds donated to the campaign will go towards buying food parcels for child-headed households in KwaZulu-Natal, to help see the children through the December holidays until school re-opens.  For many of these children, a school-sponsored meal is the only guaranteed meal of their day. The food parcels will help them make sure they don’t go hungry during the long end-of-year school break. Each food parcel is valued at R350 and contains items that can feed a family of four to six for around five weeks.

Last year, East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game initiative touched enough hearts in KZN to inspire the donation of 43 000 new toys and R1.4 million in cash. 100% of these contributions went towards helping ill and underprivileged children across our province. The toys helped lift spirits and warm little hearts while the money bought 4100 food parcels for child headed households.

Speaking at the launch of the initiative at East Coast Radio this morning (1 October 2014), the station’s general manager, Trish Taylor, says: “Toy Story is a deeply meaningful project for East Coast Radio. With the help of our listeners and key partners, we are able to help the poorest of the poor in our community and make a real difference in their lives. East Coast Radio and Game – our key sponsor, is committed to building a better society for KZN.”

Trish also extended East Coast Radio’s heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the stakeholders who make this key social outreach programme possible: the main sponsor, Game; the official couriers of the campaign, Dawn Wing; Round Table; Rotary and the Department of Health for allowing us to take toys and food parcels to outlying areas of KZN on its Air Mercy Services.

Now in its 14^th year, the initiative is once again calling on the people of KZN to help make a difference; to warm little hearts and help lift spirits – to give joy, give a toy. ECR presenter Zaba, who hosted the launch, described how her first toy, a doll named Sibongile, lit up her life, and was her friend, companion and confidant. To this day, Sibongile still has a space in Zaba’s room. “Giving a new toy to a child who is sick in hospital and who has possibly never owned anything new in his/her life, is a great way  to let them know that somebody still cares about them,” says Zaba.

East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game campaign wraps up on 17 December 2014. As has been the tradition over the past years, the campaign will move to Newcastle on 24 October 2014, for a live outside broadcast, giving residents and businesses in Northern KZN the chance to physically donate toys or make donations. The campaign’s Corporate Day Challenge moves to The Pavilion this year. From 6am to 6pm on 21 November 2014, celebrities and personalities will team up with East Coast Radio presenters, to man the telephones as the people of KZN pledge towards the campaign. Last year, the generous residents of our province helped raise more than R1 million during the East Coast Radio Toy Story with Game Corporate Day Challenge.

Game’s Marketing Manager, Elisabeth Ric-Hansen, says “Game is delighted to be part of the East Coast Radio Toy Story campaign for our fourth year running. During this time, we have helped made it possible for 133 000 children across KZN to receive a new toy – and indeed give them joy for Christmas. Game would like to thank East Coast Radio for a successful 4 year partnership as well as our Game team across stores and in the offices in KZN. We hope this year will be the biggest year of giving toys for joy across KZN.”

You can help by donating a new toy or making a cash donation at selected Game stores or at East Coast Radio’s HQ in Umhlanga. Cash donations can also be made online at www.ecr.co.za.  

News on ECR Toy Story and Arts News and Jobs

ECR Toy Story

You can donate a toy or make a cash donation at any Game store.
More details here:  http://www.ecr.co.za/calendar/event/toy-story-2013-be-someones-hero/

(Source - ECR)

Pansa News

Auditions

“THE BLUE MONDAY PLATFORM!!!”

11 November 2013

Do you want to showcase your talent to many eyes that might help boost your career in the arts? Well, the Performing Arts Network of South Africa (PANSA) brings you, 'The Blue Monday Platform'!

The Blue Monday Platform is, is an evening that gives performance artists an opportunity to showcase and demonstrate their craft and ability to key Performance Professionals that are active in the local performance industry and abroad.

All skilled and talented performers that want to break into the professional arena are welcome to audition in the following categories:

•             Writing

•             Directing

•             Acting

•             Singing/ Rapping

•             Dancing (All Genres)

•             Poetry

The blue Monday platform not only allows you to showcase your talent but gives you an opportunity to meet and network with other artists in the industry.

The Blue Monday platform is an exciting, eventful evening for the whole family, so bring your friends and support.

Date: 11 November 2013

Time: 6pm

Venue: Catalina Theatre. (Above Zacks restaurant at Wilson’s wharf)

If you're interested in participating, contact Mthokozisi Zulu at:

nkazi.zulu@gmail.com

kzn@pansa.org.za

031 201 4750

Poetry

The Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) presents:

17th Poetry Africa
International Poetry Festival

14 - 18 October 2013 - Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre: 7pm

19 October 2013 - Bat Centre: 7pm

The 17th Poetry Africa – International Poetry Festival presented in partnership with the City of Durban and the KZN Department of Arts and Culture is proud to announce the festival line-up, which promises to be an exhilarating showcase of diverse voices and sounds. Organised by the Centre for Creative Arts (University of KwaZulu-Natal) to take place from 14-19 October, this festival is a critical platform for self-expression that offers a space for cultural exchange in the city of Durban.

The festival's line-up features a ground-breaking poetry project – a 12 track recorded album entitled Insurrections – featuring poets and ethnomusicologists from India and South Africa. The project sees the rich sounds of the Indian music. The ensemble will perform on Thursday, 17 October.

Keeping with the musical theme of this year's edition, the festival will feature five poets who also work as recording musicians, and spoken word poets from Africa and abroad including four poets from the Irish poetry collective O'Bheal will present their work at the festival. This contingent consists of Paul Casey, Afric McGinchey, Billy Ramsel and American-born Raven. Completing the international line-up will be Ian Kamau (Canada), Barnabe Laye (Benin) and Raphael d'Abdon (Italy/ South Africa).

Careers in the Arts

Umsindo theatre projects from Umlazi is looking for a coordinator/manager.

Call for a coordinator/manager to work together with the artistic directors, Siso and Goso Shabalala. Umsindo Theatre projects from Umlazi is looking for someone who can work one day a week.

– He or she must have coordinating skills.

– He or she must have accounting skills in finances.

– He or she must be able to make a planning and make sure everyone knows about it and is

   where he or she is supposed to be.

– He or she should be able to write, with the input of the artistic directors  a funding proposal.

-  Good writing and speaking skills in English.

– Would be nice if one comes from Umlazi.

– No specific artistic skills needed.

– Most networking is done by the artistic directors, but it would be nice if the coordinator      understands the local politics.

– Having a driving license is always a plus!

Umsindo's mission is  a unique community arts centre, for the people, by the people from Umlazi, run in a professional way. We run after school activities in different disciplines. We make and present shows with the best talents from Umlazi to create confronting, entertaining theatre that is authentic, hilarious, raw and in a funny way disturbing.

Our vision is: to establish within five years an Arts Centre in Umlazi, with its own building and staff.  An art center with accredited training programs for individuals and schools.

For those who want to apply please send your letter and CV  before Monday 21th of October to Umsindo: umsindotp@gmail.com

The payment is according to the income of the projects.

Business/ Ops Manager, Artist Proof Studio

Reporting to the Board, the successful candidate should have a relevant degree, minimum of 5 years business management experience.

Managing a business unit for profit as well as an understanding of the arts and culture sector, CSI, and corporate funding. Accountable and responsible for the following job expectations:

* Manage the business of Artist Proof Studio, creating a motivating and enabling environment.

* Develop, implement and measure and drive the business through a business directed performance management system for the APS Business Units and Unit Managers.

* Develop business opportunities, creating business, public and private sector partnerships and managing fund raising, grants and donors.

* Co-ordinate, direct the strategic plan of Artist Proof Studio ensuring effective and efficient implementation.

* Comply with all corporate governance, HR legislation and sector legislation requirements.

To apply for the above position, please forward a relevant CV in MS Word format – to Artist Proof Studio at admin@artistproofstudio.co.za. Enquiries may be made by telephoning Thembe on 011 492 1278 Please do not send any certificates, diplomas or testimonials. We thank all applicants for their interest. Communication will be with short-listed applicants only.

PR & Marketing Officer position, MADE

MADE wishes to engage a creative and dynamic individual to develop, manage and implement MADE’s marketing and publicity strategies.

The individual will be vital in creating and maintaining the positive image of the organisation, building its reputation with the public. The candidate must be well versed in social media, media relations and local government.

Key roles of the Marketing and Publicity Officer will be to:
- Effectively promote the organisation and its activities to ensure maximum exposure to a wide range of the communities.
- Identify, develop and maintain positive relations with the public, media, funders, local arts groups and individuals, to secure the organisations operational and financial sustainability and development.

Main duties and responsibility:
- Using a range of marketing and publicity tools to maximise income, by increasing audience attendance at a range of activities and events, both at the organisation and across the communities as part of outreach and in-house initiatives.
- In conjunction with the Chief Executive Officer, developing, presenting, implementing and reviewing the organisations audience development, marketing and publicity action plan as part of the organisation’s overall business plan.
- Developing positive working relationships with printed and broadcast media to promote the organisation and its activities through the management and production of press releases and briefings, editorials, brochures, listing, social media and advertising campaigns.
- Management of press and publicity
- Identifying and implementing ways to increase awareness of the organisation and to promote activities and events locally, nationally and internationally.
- Research funding opportunities with various donors for projects and work of the organisation, and assisting with the preparation of applications to secure funding, and create sponsorship packages.
- Develop fundraising activities
- Develop our profile locally, nationally and internationally through devising appropriate marketing campaigns.
- Managing and updating the organisation’s digital communication including the website, e-newsletter and social media
- Preparing reports for the organisation for sponsors, external funders and others on the success of various initiatives, activities and events.
- Developing good working relations with artists, art groups and organisations, funders
- Representing the organisation at external meetings as required

Specification:
Matric/Grade 12 plus a 3 year tertiary qualification or a relevant certification accredited by SAQA as applicable.
2 – 3 years relevant experience
Excellent communication skills both oral and written
Ability to work independently and in a team
Ability to work well under pressure
Ability to think creatively and willing to work after hours
Working knowledge of MS Office

Position conditions:
The position is a Fixed-term employment contract.
Salary is negotiable
Successful candidate must have own transport

Applications:
Please reply with a concise CV, letter of motivation and 3 references to info@mzansiartsdevelopment.org with PR & Marketing Officer position in the subject line. Alternatively please fax to 086 241 6974.
Any queries should be directed to Mamello Hadebe at info@mzansiartsdevelopment.org or 086 241 6974.

Closing date: 31 October 2013.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

The successful candidate must be available immediately

Art Therapy Centre employment opportunity

The Art Therapy Centre is looking for an Operations/Programme Manager

The challenge to institutionalise an NPO in the psychosocial health sector with policies, efficient and effective systems and procedures to support multiple projects and ensure its sustainability into the future.

The key responsibility would be the rollout of the business and implementation plan for 12 identified projects to increase access to creative arts and community art counselling within disadvantaged communities in terms of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.

In this regard you would have to do the following:

1. Project management

2. Develop and implement an organizational infrastructure which would support and sustain the existing and new projects into the future through the implementation of automated and manual systems, processes and procedures.

3. Performance management of the projects in terms of the NLDTF guidelines

4. Manage the NLDTF money in terms of the budget allocation and current and future funding reserves

5. Prepare and submit reports - monthly, in terms of the NLDTF guidelines and to the Board as and when requested

6. Develop and implement policies such as on Volunteerism, Interns and Facilitators.

7. Stakeholder and relationship management which is as diverse as corporates, donors and funders, rural and urban communities, trauma victims, children

8. Communication with all stakeholders

9. Fundraising, proposal submissions

NOTE: This is a one year fixed term contract.

To apply for the above position, please forward a relevant CV in MS Word format – to pinpoint one human resources via e-mail or fax to: response5@pinpointone.co.za or fax: 086 403 2154.

Enquiries may be made by telephoning Clive H Viveiros on 011 325 5101.

Please do not send any certificates, diplomas or testimonials.

We thank all applicants for their interest.

Communication will be with short-listed applicants only.

THEATRE

The Glitter Girls

Rhumbelow Pmb: 20 Oct

Rhumbelow Dbn: 25 – 27 Oct; 1 – 3 Nov

The Glitter Girls: Reunion of ’89  Lisa Bobbert, Liesl Coppin and Marion Loudon. The Berlin Wall... Spandex... Dallas... 1989 was a special year. But now these three girls have to go back! Back to neon, back to big hair and back to Skolliesville High!

24 years later, Skolliesville High is finally having their 20 year reunion (on account of Tina Davis nee Davies having misplaced 2002 - 2005). And that means the Glitter Girls are going to relive their greatest triumphs and heartbreaks at the reunion of the century! All the hits, all the boys (and a few crazy characters you'll never forget), all from the past... And where they are today!

(Source - Pansa)

Article by +Fred Felton 

Be part of Toy Story 2012 with @ecr9495

Be part of Toy Story 2012!

Lee-ann Tours, Naveen Singh, Gerald Sieberhagen, Peter G and Bernie Joshua at the media

launch for Toy Story 2012.  

(Picture courtesy - Fiona Jane Photography) 

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by just how much despair there is around you everyday? Well, East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game is an opportunity for you to do your small part in the bigger picture of spreading cheer to those who desperately need it. It is a chance to reach out to children in government hospitals, crèches, orphanages and child-headed households around the province by donating new toys or cash, which goes towards food parcels.

Last year 50 000 new toys were handed out to excited little ones in need. R1.6-million was also received in cash donations, which helped to feed more 23 000 people for a period of 4-6 weeks. This year with the generosity of the people of KwaZulu-Natal East Coast Radio and Game are hoping to reach out to just as many people. The station’s General Manager Trish Taylor says, “Toy Story continues to touch the lives of tens of thousands of children, many of whom would otherwise never know the joy of a brand new toy. The food parcels are also a life-line to thousands of child-headed households each December.” 

Game’s Marketing Director Richard Millson says, “With toys being such a key gift item over the festive season, this project is a perfect fit to remind Game customers to give something back to someone in need. Collection boxes are placed in all our KZN stores, where customers can conveniently donate toys for Toy Story.”

The initiative would not be possible without Rotary’s team of volunteers who help to sort and distribute the toys collected. Berco Express facilitates the collections from Game stores and companies that get involved, while UTi assists with school collections. Red Cross Air Mercy Services play an integral role in transporting toys to outer lying areas of the province.

Whether you decide to make an online cash donation towards a food parcel, donate a toy in store or get your company or child’s school involved ‘Be part of Toy Story’.

(Source - East Coast Radio)