Help East Coast Radio's Toy Story with Game

East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game has kicked off, aimed at giving joy with toys to every child in a government hospital, children’s home and crèche in KwaZulu-Natal. Now in its 16th year, the campaign is one of the longest-running annual CSI initiatives in KwaZulu-Natal.

East Coast Radio's General Manager, Boni Mchunu, Game's Elisabeth Ric Hansen, Darren Maule and Kerri Miller at the launch.  Image by Abhi Indrarajan

Speaking at the launch at Atholton Primary School in Umhlanga, which was attended by Sharkie and musicians Gangs of ballet, Chloe Clark and Kyle Deutsch, East Coast Radio’s General Manager, Boni Mchunu, said, “Residents and business across KwaZulu-Natal have always generously supported this initiative as we aim to light up the lives of some of the province’s most destitute children over the end-of-year holidays. Together, we can all work towards building a better society in KZN.”   Mchunu also extended her heartfelt thanks to the stakeholders who make this year’s social outreach programme possible.

Over the next weeks, the campaign will collect new toys for distribution at paediatric wards in state-owned facilities across the province. All Game stores will have collection boxes. Schools and business can request a Toy Story collection box by emailing toystory@ecr.co.za

This year, every cent of the funds donated to the campaign will be channelled into the Game AmaLunchbox project that is aimed at feeding children from disadvantaged backgrounds.  This project was launched in 2008 to curb the detrimental effects of hunger on the educational development of children – hungry children cannot concentrate on schoolwork. The AmaLunchbox project provides disadvantaged schools nationwide with the facilities to allow them to prepare nutritious meals in hygienic conditions.

“Game is proud to have been a Toy Story partner for the past six years, “ says Elisabeth Ric Hansen, Marketing, PR and CSI Manager at Game. “Toy Story is a project that is very close to our CSI projects focusing on the upliftment and enablement of disadvantaged children through the Amalunchbox school feeding program and the Tools to Teach and Tools to Play educational program.” 

Hansen added, “The feeling of knowing that a positive change has been made in the lives of disadvantaged children is priceless. We hope to bring some cheer, smiles and laughter to the lives of the children who benefit from the Toy Story project.”

Last year, residents and corporates across KZN helped make a difference in the lives of the province’s ill and disadvantaged children, by raising more than R1.5 million for East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game and donating more than 101 000 new toys.

Darren Maule and the East Coast Breakfast team broadcast live from Atholton Primary School to officially launch East Coast Radio’s Toy Story with Game. Pupils from the school donated the most number of toys to the campaign last year, compared to any other school in KZN. By 9am, when Darren, Keri Miller and Sky Tshabalala wrapped up the show, Atholton Primary pupils had already filled up four collection boxes with brand new toys!

If your school or business would like a collection box, kindly email toystory@ecr.co.za

Further info, including banking details, available at www.ecr.co.za

This edition by Fred Felton

Twitter @fredfelton  

5 radio stations, 10 million listerners, destination KZN

Last week I was invited to the media launch for East Coast Radio, Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, they have once again joined forces for Connecting Africa – an initiative aimed at driving African, and South African, trade and tourism to KwaZulu-Natal. 

Seen at the launch: Boni Mchunu (ECR), Mxolisi Manyakanyaka (TIKZN), Bongani Mthiyane (Tourism KwaZulu-Natal), Photo by Abhi Indrarajan

Now in its fifth year running, the project sees East Coast Radio hosting four radio stations in Durban, with the aim of helping to scope the economic future of the Zulu Kingdom by promoting the province to potential investors and tourists in the continent. This year, representatives from Afro FM (Ethiopia), Phoenix FM (Zambia) and 99FM (Mozambique) will join East Coast Radio and its sister station, Jacaranda FM (Gauteng) for an unforgettable experience. The stations have a combined listenership of more than 10 million.

Speaking at the launch at the Cargo Hold, uShaka Marine World, East Coast Radio’s General Manager, Boni Mchunu, said, “Connecting Africa is an exciting, unique project that brings together key stakeholders to amplify future business and tourism opportunities in Africa. The main objective of the project is to create destination KZN awareness in the respective markets while drawing attention to the rich, cultural fabric of our beautiful continent. This project harnesses the power of radio to strategically position KwaZulu-Natal as a premier investment, trade and tourism destination. East Coast Radio is excited to be at the forefront of this initiative.”

The transcontinental team will spend nine days travelling between Durban and the Midlands, immersing themselves in the tourism and trade offerings of the region before sharing their experiences with their listeners back home when they broadcast live on 2 and 3 May 2016.

The launch of a direct flight route by SA Express between Lusaka, Zambia and Durban, Ethiopian Airlines’ offering of direct flights between Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Durban, and SA Airlink’s direct flights between Maputo, Mozambique to Durban, have opened up a whole new world of travel and trade possibilities. Connecting Africa taps into this portal and highlights the extensive travel and trade opportunities available to our neighbours on the continent.

“The main objective for the Trade & Investment KwaZulu-Natal’s involvement in the Connecting Africa 2016 edition is to expand trade linkages between the province of KwaZulu-Natal and other Africa countries, while marketing the province of KwaZulu-Natal as a competitive business destination nationally and internationally, “explains Mxolisi Manyakanyaka, Executive Manager for Corporate Services at Trade& Investment KwaZulu-Natal. “This is in turn will attract foreign and domestic direct investment into the province. This year’s focus is aimed promoting the province of KZN as a trade hub and create easy access to South African and regional market (SADC).”

“Connecting Africa has become an ideal vehicle for KZN to promote tourists attractions and events, and ultimately bring more visitors from these markets into the province,” says Bongani Mthiyane, General Manager of Marketing at Tourism KwaZulu-Natal. “Through Connecting Africa, the province has direct access to over 10 million radio listeners, to reinforce KZN as the holiday destination of choice. Furthermore, through this partnership, KZN will have an opportunity to build industry confidence by engaging directly with tour operators and agents from partner countries to package and sell KZN. KZN will further promote beach experiences and packages particularly to landlocked countries, as well as safari and cruise packages between KZN and Mozambique.”

East Coast Radio presenter, Carol Ofori, who hosted this morning’s media launch, will serve as a tour guide of sorts, as she is accompanying the visitors on their week-long trip in and around the Zulu Kingdom. “No place in South Africa comes close to what KZN has to offer!” she told the visitors this morning.

Connecting Africa is more than a robust initiative to promote inbound tourism and establish trade and investment networks in the continent. It is also a learning exchange programme that encourages the sharing of ideas and ideologies among the continent’s broadcasting peers.

They will be travelling around KZN for 1 week.  You can track where they are using the hashtag #ECRConnectingAfrica or follow them on @ecr9495 on Twitter. 

For more info visit www.ecr.co.za

Chris Brown coming to Durban

Chris Brown is coming back to Durban

Grammy award star and multi-platinum-selling artist, Chris Brown will be here in April.
He will be performing at People's Park, Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday 4 April 2015.

Brown is being brought out by Glen21 Entertainment, Jailbird and Vertex Events in association with Channel O and East Coast Radio.

This concert celebrates the release of his sixth studio album entitled X.

The album sees Chris teaming up with Usher, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj amongst others.

'I want everyone to take a journey with me through X,' says Brown.

You can get tickets at: www.ticketpro.co.za

Chris Brown is just one of many talented artists heading to Durban made possible by East Coast Radio.

More details: www.ecr.co.za


Article by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton

Image - 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.  

Career Advice From ECR's Zaba - Catch Ewok's Show Tonight - Children's Theatre Festival Coming Soon

ECR presenter Zaba tells DUT students to “focus on your passion and work hard!”

(Students like Nonjabulo Shabalala asked Zaba for career advice - Image supplied) 

 “Passion is everything. When you pick a career, make sure it’s something you love!”  That’s part of the advice East Coast Radio presenter Zaba served up to students at the Durban University of Technology this morning (Thursday, 18 September 2014). “Don't worry about the money,” she told the scores of students who gathered to watch her in action. “Just focus on your passion and work hard at it. Everything else will fall into place.”

Zaba broadcast her 9am to 12pm show live from the DUT sports centre at the Steve Biko campus, getting to know students, giving them career advice, sharing fashion tips and of course posing for selfies.

“The two mottos I live by are: ‘Change comes in a little box called patience’ and ‘To get something you've never had, you've got to do something you have never done.’ So remember that everything changes but be patient. And when you go out there to get what you want from this world, take a few risks. They're very rewarding.”

While Zaba was live onair, DUT students got the chance to meet and interact with some of people who work “behind the scenes” at East Coast Radio, getting hands-on advice on technical and production issues.

ECR All Stars (made up of ECR staff members, including  Sirshin Moodliar and Jason McCall from the 9pm to midnight show, Trending Tonight) were brave (or foolish) enough to take on the DUT Basketball Team in a friendly match. Needless to say, DUT won 88-42, but everyone had loads of fun!

Ewok performs tonight for 1 Night Only

If you enjoy Poetry then this one is for you. 

Where: Seabrooke's Theatre, Durban,

Time: 7h30pm

Date: 25 September 2014

The Durban Children's Theatre Festival

6 - 11  October

Catalina Theatre

Bookings: Computicket 

This Edition by +Fred Felton 

The Script Coming To Durban - A Meal Special Out Of This World - Bawdy Tales

Irish band, The Script, to perform in Durban!

(The Script Coming To Durban 1 Night Only - Image Supplied) 

Durban, get ready for yet another top international music act! Irish smash hit pop/rock band, The Script, will be heading to Durban next year for a once-off performance brought to you by East Coast Radio and MNET.

The Script will be wowing fans for one night only, at the ICC Durban Arena on 6 February 2015.

The guys from The Script have sold over 20 million albums worldwide since they burst onto the music scene in 2001! What’s more, all three of their albums went multi-platinum throughout the world.

Hall Of Fame, the lead single from their last album #3, globally topped charts with fans snapping up over 5 million copies. The video has notched up more than 133 million Youtube views.

Lead singer, Danny O'Donoghue, has promised KZN fans all their mega-hits including, The Man Who Can’t Be Moved, Breakeven (Falling To Pieces) and For The First Time. He says they will also be sharing music from their new album No Sound Without Silence.

The Script’s music has been featured in popular TV programmes like 90210, Ghost Whisperer, The Hills, and The Vampire Diaries.  

They will be supported by five-time SAMA-nominated and MTV MAMA award-winning Durban band, Gangs of Ballet.

The Script’s last SA tour was a complete sell-out so to avoid a serious case of FOMO, make sure you get your hands on your tickets early.

Tickets are R295 – R520. They go on sale on Monday, 15 September 2014 at 9am from Computicket.

Brought to you by East Coast Radio and M-Net. Another Big Concerts Experience.

A Meal Special Out Of This World

Bawdy Tales - A Reworking of 'The Cantebury Tales' 

One night only at St Clements tonight 6pm.  Join Pieter Scholtz, Margaret Logan, Rick Andrew, 

Fred Felton and Jane Ross for a wonderful evening of laughter. 

Table Bookings: 031-202-2511

Into The Light 7 September Umhlanga Rocks - Umbilo Resident Wins Big - Film Editor Job

Join the 'Into The Light' Suicide Awareness and Remembrance Walk 7 September 2014.

Venue: Durban View Park, Marine Drive, Umhlanga.
Time: 8h30am for 9am

Umbilo Resident Kim Hall walked away with R125 000 worth of prizes.

(Natarah Nadesan, Kim Hall and Darren Maule)

She walks away with loads of prizes including a fridge, playstation, TV, digital camera and much much more.

This was all part of the SA Home Loans Secret Stash competition on East Coast Radio.

(Source - East Coast Radio - Image - Supplied)

Junior Film Editor Needed 

A passionate aspiring editor, straight from school who is looking to get their foot in the door in television post production. The position is as Media Manager (ultimately junior editor)on a popular reality tv show for Mzansi Magic. Needed immediately.

Requirements:
Efficient in Final Cut Pro 7
Editing skills (If you can please provide a link or a copy of something you’ve edited).
Own car
Must be available on some weekends
Good management skills
Must be organised and able to supervise self.
Must understand some Zulu

Pecil Production company is a great place for growth and could lead to bigger opportunities in post production. It is a full time position for someone who can commit themselves to their career in television.

Please email CVs and links to showreel to ayanda@pecilpro.com asap as we need to fill this position fast. If you do not have a car, please don’t apply. Do not reply if you don’t meet other requirements also. Thank you.
Tel: 011 477 3367

(Source - Pecil Production Company)


This edition by +Fred Felton

Congratulations To The Traffic Guy - 30 Years Of Radio and Happy Birthday!

'It's been an amazing adventure from day 1', says ECR's Traffic Guy as he celebrates 30 years on air.

(Johan Von Bargen - JVB - The Traffic Guy - Image Supplied)

It's also his birthday today so he has more reason to celebrate.

His first traffic report was in 1984 for the then Radio Port Natal (which went on to become East Coast Radio).  At that time he was a traffic officer with the Durban City Police.

Fast forward 30 years and JVB is one of the most recognisable voices on the radio.  More than 1.6 million people tune in to hear his traffic report so that they can safely navigate traffic to get to work/school/home.

Johann Von Bargen is also a wealth of information and full of anecdotes.  He also has a huge female following.


(Source - East Coast Radio)

Look out for Darren Maule and the Breakfast Team in Your Town

East Coast Breakfast with Darren Maule will be in YOUR town soon!

Darren's looking for your local hidden gem, your best hole-in-the-wall, best sundowner spot, biggest tourist attraction, your curious local myth, the oldest person in your town... or whatever makes your town special. He just wants to hear from you!

SMS Darren your info on 33116 and then listen to East Coast Breakfast between 7.30am and 8.30am, from the 18th July and stand a chance of winning an awesome prize.

The Breakfast Team: (L-R) Natarah Nadesan, Darren Maule, Gabriel Sithole and Johann Von Bargen (The Traffic Guy) 

Hold onto your hearts Umlazi, Port Shepstone, Nottingham Road, Newcastle, Maritzburg, Richards Bay, Eshowe and Durban – Darren Maule and the East Coast Breakfast team are heading your way to spread some serious love and loads of fun!

Darren, Natarah Nadesan, Gabriel Sithole and producer (Gorgeous) George Thorne are lacing up their adventure boots as they go on a province-wide quest to meet loyal listeners, make some new friends and learn more about our magnificent province.

What’s your local hidden gem, Newcastle? Share your best hole in the wall, Port Shepstone! Any local legends in Umlazi? We’d love to meet your most colourful resident, Richards Bay! What’s your biggest tourist attraction, Maritzburg? How about you Eshowe? What do you have to offer that the rest of KZN can’t? These are the stories Darren and the East Coast Breakfast team would like to share with the rest of KZN when they broadcast live from each area from 6am to 9am.

Travelling in a you-can’t-miss-it customised tour bus, Darren will be accompanied by a 25-strong team, including the East Coast Radio TV crew and the official tour photographer.

The dates and venues for the live 6am to 9am broadcasts are as follows:

18 July 2014 – launch at Umlazi Mega City

21 July 2014 – Port Shepstone, near the Lighthouse

22 July 2014 – Nottingham Road, at Rawdon’s Hotel

23 July 2014 – Newcastle, at the Village Walk Shopping Centre

24 July 2014 – Pietermaritzburg, at the City Hall

25 July 2014 – Richards Bay, at Porky’s Restaurant, Waterfront

28 July 2014 – Eshowe, at the Fort Nongqayi Museum

29 July 2014 – Durban, Florida Road

Come meet Darren and the team. Find out how tall he really is; hear one of his legendary stories first-hand and if you can get him to stop talking for a few seconds, you can ask him anything you want!

Natarah from A-Far-A keeps Darren in check as the voice of reason on the show. Find out how she does it. And does Good Guy Gabe live up to his nickname? Now’s your chance to find out!

Eight stops. Infinite fun. The East Coast Radio Breakfast Tour! They can’t wait to meet you! 

The East Coast Radio House and Garden Show 2014 Is On The Way and Dance Auditions Today and Loads More Event

Details on the East Coast Radio House and Garden Show 2014

East Coast Radio Presenter Jane Linley-Thomas getting ready for the show.

PANSA KWAZULU NATAL

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The Performing Arts Network of South Africa – KwaZulu Natal

Invites all members and other interested parties to its

Annual General Meeting

Date:

Monday 17 June 2014

Venue:

Catalina Theatre

Time:

17:30pm to 19:30pm

For more information kindly contact PANSA-KZN Regional Coordinator Nelisa Mzimela on Office Telephone: 031-201 4750 or via E-mail:kzn@pansa.org.za

Siwela Sonke Dance Trainee Programme

Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre (SSDT) is a professional award-winning dance theatre company based in Durban. Since its inception in 1994, SSDT has become one of the leading dance companies in South Africa, producing and touring work nationally and internationally.

The Siwela Sonke Dance Trainee Programme is a rigorous, season-long training programme. SSDT seeks 10 talented dancers to be available weekdays, 9:00 – 17:00. The trainees will form part of the SSDT Company in a trainee capacity and will have opportunities for performance throughout the 2014 / 2015 season. A stipend will be offered to successful candidates for the duration of their tenure as SSDT trainees. The Siwela Sonke Dance Trainee Programme is made possible through a grant from the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF).

Auditions will take place on 29 May 2014 (8:00 – 17:00)

at Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre
Salbany 1st Floor
50 Albany Grove
Central Durban

Candidates should arrive early and be available for call-backs on 30 May 2014.

Siwela Sonke Dance Theatre operates on principles of non-racialism and equal opportunity. While every effort is made to create redress, the company strives for excellence and diversity. In this instance this audition is open to everyone, regardless of race or gender.

For more information please contact Elroy Bell at elroybell@gmail.com / www.siwelasonke.co.za or call 031 307 668

GIPCA Administrative Assistant
The Gordon Institute for Performing and Creative Arts (GIPCA) invites applications for an exciting 6 month contract as Administrative Assistant, commencing 01 July 2014 or as soon as possible thereafter. The main purpose of this position is to assist the GIPCA Director in ensuring the smooth running of GIPCA initiatives.

Full details are available at: http://www.gipca.uct.ac.za/employment-opportunity-gipca-administrative-assistant/
Closing date: 5 June 2014

Surf Carnival Coming Up

Pictured is Hugh Thompson from Natural Curve Surfboards, one of the product sponsors of the 2014 Durban Surf Carnival presented by Jeep Apparel which is free to the public and takes place from June 6-8 at New Pier Beach on Durban’s Golden Mile. Thompson will be designing a retro single fin board featuring “shark deterrent” designs for the winner of the Forgotten Soul Retro discipline as well as sponsoring a prize to a “stand out” surfer within the Longboard category!

The surf carnival, is free to the public to watch, and not only can you catch all the surf action, there is also a free to enter SNAP SHOT Photographic Competition that you can enter as well as a free Surfing clinic, so don’t miss out!
All entries close for participants on Saturday, May 31st. For enquiries call Paul Godwin 0835601185 or emailmw.nerve@mweb.co.za . For press release and information on the event you can visit the event bloghttp://durbansurfcarnival.blogspot.com 

Date: 21 June 2014

Time 9am

Venue: Chantecler Hotel, Botha's Hill

For bookings email ginny.sawc@gmail.com 

This edition by +Fred Felton