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

We Interview #Speaker Claire Newton #vocalislekker

Dear Readers Today We Interview Speaker Claire Newton all about PSASA and the
Annual Convention they have coming up.  Let's hear what she has to say:

                                                                     Claire Newton
                                President of the Durban Chapter of PSASA

1.  You are a Speaker, What do you Speak about?

I speak about YOU-Q. You-Q is a concept that I have developed myself and it is about living one’s life to one’s full potential. It is about finding one’s Inner Winner.

You- Q is more than IQ – Intelligence alone is insufficient to find your Inner Winner.
You-Q is more than EQ – Managing your emotions is insufficient to find your Inner Winner.
You-Q is more than SQ – Having spiritual understanding on its own is insufficient to find your Inner Winner.

YOU-Q includes all of these things, but it is alsomore than these things. I talk about the 3 things one needs to focus on in order to develop YOU-Q and find one’s Inner Winner. That is
1.  Get Real - know your values, purpose and vision.
2. Change Your Head Talk -change the negative beliefs you have about yourself and the unhelpful messages you give yourself and
3. Relate – be able to relate well with others(be assertive, know how to handle conflict and have good interpersonal skills).

2.  You are the President of the Durban Branch of PSASA.  What is PSASA, What's that all about?

PSASA stands for Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa. It is a professional association for people involved in the speaking business. Our members are versatile and diverse. They represent all aspects of the speaking business. All make their living, or part of their living, speaking to and/or working with groups as trainers, facilitators, coaches, consultants, adult educators, and keynoters.

The PSASA is committed to building a better future for the professional speaking business in South Africa and internationally. We are linked to the Global Speakers Federation (GSF).

 3.  I understand PSASA is having a convention in April, what will be happening there and what is this #vocalislekker?

Every year the PSASA holds an annual convention hosted by one of its Chapters – Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg or Pretoria. This year it is being held in Durban. The theme is Vocal is Lekker, which is a play on the South African promotional slogan, “Local is Lekker” and emphasises that speaking is just lekker! (For the international readers: Lekker ispronounced to rhyme with Mecca – and means nice / good / great!)

It is a three day convention and it officially stars on Friday 27^th April with lunch and ends on Sunday 29^th April with lunch.

On Friday afternoon we have a special Business Event. We are inviting business men and women to join us to hear three top international speakers give their business keynote.

The three speakers you’ll meet at the Business Event are:

Charles Marcus

This dynamic Canadian speaker’s key note address, “The Business World Is Evolving – Are You?” covers:

• 5 game changers that will set you apart from the crowd
• How to create MAGICAL moments for your customers
• Principles of success

Holger Woeltje

Holger is Germany’s leading expert in electronic time management and will show you how to:

• Survive the daily flood of email

• Find important information when you need it
• Keep track of tasks
• Set your priorities and get important stuff done, as well as
• Achieve big results and
• Gain more time for what matters most to you.

Andreas Buhr

Andreas hails from Germany, which currently has one of the strongest economies in Europe.  He will share with you his “7 Steps to Increase Your Turnover.”  

These three business powerhouses are not often together in the same place at the same time and I encourage you to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to benefit from their shared experience.

Your investment for the afternoon is R1000 per person, including lunch, tea, the threekeynotes and a delegate’s bag of goodies. Given that each of these speakers charge a few thousand dollars / euros, each time they speak, we have it at a bargain price!

There are only 40 seats left for this ground-breaking event, so please book soon!

Saturday and Sunday brings a line-up of speakers including: Mykola Latansky (Russia), Wolfgang Bönisch (Germany), Martin Limbeck (Germany); Richard McCann (UK). Laura Stack (USA). From South Africa, speakers include Francois Muscat, Mark Manley, Bertie Du Plessis, Jurgen Tietz, Dr Petro Janse van Vuuren, Peter Court and Roger Knowles.

This event is open to all PSASA members as well as the public. There is an early booking special offer. For more information, visit the website link:  http://www.psasouthernafrica.co.za/events/index.asp?Type=Cat&CatID=16 or contact Simone simone@psasa.co.za / +27 79 680 2573 for more details and to book your seats.

There will also be books, CD’s and DVD’s on sale throughout the convention, so pop in and be inspired!

4.  Is it true that the Famous Actor Peter Court will be doing a workshop on stagecraft?

Yes, we are very lucky to have Peter Court to facilitate a workshop for us on Friday morning (9-11am). This is a pre con event and it is open to the public. (Seats are limited though, so get in quick!)

The two-hour practical workshop will focus on:

·         Relaxation and breathing – where the voice comes from

·         Vocal development – altering voice for tone and quality

·         Body awareness – development of character and presentation persona

·         Locomotion and motivation – presentation skills and gesture

·         Creating verbal drama – create better presentations and performance

So if you are a speaker, toastmaster, actor, drama teacher or someone who wants to improve your presentation skills, this is the workshop for you.

It costs R500.00/ pp. but if you book for 3 then the 4^th comes free!

You can book through the PSASA Administrator – Simone on: simone@psasouthernafrica.co.za / +27 79 680 2573

5.  What advice do you have for speakers?

1)      Join the PSASA!

2)      Attend the conventions!

I can honestly say that my speaking career is where it is today because of the PSASA.

Attending the meetings, being exposed to other excellent speakers and discussing business ideas has really given me focus.  I have also made some great friends through the PSASA.

Attending the conventions is nothing short of inspirational. They are the best investment I could have made into my speaking career. I came away, excited, inspired, motivated. You will too.

6.  Do you prefer the Beach or the Forest?  

To be honest I really love both.

When I was working on Super yachts in the Mediterranean, I was surrounded by water or jetties all of the time and I really missed the grass and the trees. At any opportunity I could get, I would go walking barefoot on the grass and look for trees to sit under, just to listen to the sound of the leaves blowing in the breeze. There is a tiny forest in Antibes (South of France)and I was so excited when I discovered it. I used to walk there a lot.

As for the beach…I am a Durban girl! I couldn’t ever live too far from a beach as I would miss it too much. In Durban we are really blessed – we have some of the best beaches in the world!

7.  How does one book for this PSASA convention?

You can book through the PSASA Administrator – Simone on: simone@psasouthernafrica.co.za / +27 79 680 2573

Don’t hesitate, just do it!


Sounds like the place to be!


Useful Links:


PSASA -  www.psasouthernafrica.co.za

Find them on Facebook -  http://www.facebook.com/psasouthernafrica

Follow them on Twitter - @psasouthafrica

An Adventure Boot Camp Like No Other

Greetings Dear Readers.

Last week @UmhlangaLife was invited to attend An Adventure Boot Camp which is held at the
wonderful Chris Saunders Park near Gateway.  What a wonderful setting.
We met the wonderful owner of the Umhlanga Franchise Tshepi.  What a positive role model for entrepreneurs.

                     Tshepi Tshabalala - Adventure Boot Camp For Women

Make no mistake about it.  You really get a workout at this Camp.  Located in the beautiful
Chris Saunders Park, a wonderful setting to get some good exercise.

                                                Working out at Chris Saunders Park

I attended the 8am class and they really are a friendly group.  Some people have done over
30 Camps.  You really get a good workout.  The Chris Saunders Park is such
a refreshing place to work out.

Tshepi has a passion for fitness so when the opportunity came she grabbed it and
opened a branch.

The workout consists of Skipping, Jogging around the park, stretching and twisting your body
in many different positions.  You also jog up stairs as well.  Tshepi also puts you through
Crunches in various positions.  If you want to get fit and have fun this is the place to be.

                                           Working out in a wonderful environment

Tshepi certainly puts you through your paces and you will find yourself doing lots of skipping.
The workout is for 1 hour and they have various classes.  So book the class that works
best for your time schedule.
The workout is based on circuit training which really helps you get fit.
The perfect thing to do with your friends.

                                                        Skipping into good shape

Tshepi also puts them through a good run around the park which is then timed at the next
workout to see how well you do.

                                            Tshepi & Vicky

One of the participants Vicky told me that she loves it.  She joined last year and is now addicted.
She is on her 3rd Camp now.


The trainer Tshepi is certainly a interesting person.  She was born in Vosloorus.
Raised by her single Mum.  She has studied Sports Management and done an Aerobics Course.
She has taught at many Virgin Actives both as a Lifestyle Consultant and Personal Trainer.
Tshepi even worked on a Cruise Ship and at Unilever helping with their Wellness Campaign.
She is now freelance and still gives classes at Virgin Active.

I asked her what advice she has for Female Entrepreneurs?

'Grab any opportunity that presents itself, always seek opportunities.  Don't let
opportunities go by.'

Where does she see herself in 10 years?

' My own gym in a township, doing Sports Development for girls.'

Tshepi loves to go to the Movies for fun.

What fitness tips does she have for the ladies?

'Always pull the navel into the spine.'

Tshepi tells me that Adventure Boot Camp is very easy to sign up for.
Just go online and select the Camp nearest you.
There are 72 Camps around South Africa.

Useful Links.

Website:  http://www.adventurebootcamp.co.za/

Find them on Facebook  -  http://www.facebook.com/AdventureBootCampSA

Follow them on Twitter - @ABCbootcamper

You can also find Tshepi on Facebook - Tshepi Tshabalala

Review Of The Kholwa Brothers Show and DALRO Masterclass and events coming up

                                                          Pic of The Week - The Kholwa Brothers
                                                                Photography by @fredfelton

This week I attended the performance of The Kholwa Brothers at @mondastclement and what
a show it was.  They performed to a packed house at St Clements Coffee Shop in Musgrave Road.
They are an acapella group and if you love the music type you will love them.  Each song was
greeted with applause and some people even joined in with them.  One of the best music
shows I have seen in recent times.

Check them out on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kholwa-Brothers/132134783489308

Mondays At St Clements Definitely seems to be the place to go on a Monday night.
Some fantastic events every Monday at 7pm.

Check them out on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/St-Clements-Mondays-At-Seven/182888458395852



A Masterclass That Might Interest You

The DALRO Musical Theatre Master Class is presented by the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) as an extension of the Trust’s Building Blocks Programme. The programme is aimed at capacity building and sustainability of the arts in South Africa. The Master Class is hosted by UJ Arts & Culture at the University of Johannesburg and will be presented in the studios of the UJ Arts Centre on the Kingsway Campus in Auckland Park.

The aim of the class is to equip participants with information, knowledge and tools to successfully put together a musical from beginning to end with good productionvalues, even on a tight budget. The curriculum aims to bring participants a holisticview of the entire production process, from selection of a musical to the night the curtain goes up. The Master Class will be presented by musical theatre experts, Anton Luitingh and Duane Alexander.

Anton Luitingh is currently the resident director on the South African production of ‘THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA’. He has been involved in many facets of theentertainment industry, working as an actor, singer, songwriter, director, musicaldirector, musician and voice artist. He obtained his B.Dram (Hons.) Cum Laude degree in Drama at the University of Stellenbosch, where he garnered several awards. Shortly after graduation he received a nomination for a Fleur du Cap Award in the category ‘Most Promising Newcomer’ to the theatre industry. Since, Anton starred in many mainstream musicals both locally and internationally, amongst others, ‘THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW’, ‘GREASE’, ‘CATS’, ‘JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT’, ‘SHOWBOAT’, ‘JESUS CHRIST
SUPERSTAR’, ‘RENT’, ‘EVITA’ and ‘CHICAGO’.

Anton has recently been seen playing the role of the Beast in Disney’s smash hit Broadway 
musical ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’ for which he received a Fleur du Cap nomination for Best Performance in a musical. Anton is the co-writer, performer and musical director for the three-time Vita and Fleur du Cap Award nominated shows ‘OFFBEAT BROADWAY’ and ‘OFFBEAT BROADWAY 2,3 & 4', which have toured extensively around the country as well as internationally. He is a co-founder of ‘The Musical Theatre Workshop’ (MTW) which offers scholars, students and upcoming professionals a platform that provides them with practical training in the field of
musical theatre.

Duane Alexander graduated from the Waterfront Theatre School in Cape Town, and went on to perform in the original South African production of ‘CATS’, which toured internationally for almost 3 years. He further performed in local and international productions of ‘JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT’, ‘THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE’, ‘JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR’, ‘RENT’ as Mark Cohen, ‘CHICAGO’, ‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’, ‘HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL’ to mention a few. He also has extensive experience as Dance Captain and Choreographer, having worked on most of these shows in this capacity. He was the Resident Director on the hugely successful 2010 production of ‘CATS’ and was the Resident Choreographer of the 2010 International Tour of ‘GREASE’. Duane also
works as a lecturer at The Cape Academy of Performing Arts and does frequent freelance work on Corporate Functions, Film and Television productions. He is cofounder of ‘the ‘Musical Theatre Workshop’ offering young, talented, and passionate individuals an opportunity to develop skills and develop their talent.

Eligible candidates are invited to apply to attend the Master Class at no fee. Please find more information on how to submit an application under the MEDIA section of the ACT website: www.act.org.za

Successful applicants will be required to arrange and cover the costs of their transport to and from the class. 

The closing date for applications is 30 March 2012.

Source:  Pansa



Are you ready to walk?

Walking (r)Evolution set to take KZN by storm

What started out as a relatively small fun walk has ‘evolved’ to become a massive family event on KwaZulu-Natal’s calendar. The Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk is nothing short of a ‘Walking (r)Evolution’ and on 20 May 2012 the people of KwaZulu-Natal will again take up the challenge.

The event’s first few baby steps were taken back in 2004 when just 1800 people participated. Last year more than ten times that number took part - a whopping 19 200 walkers embraced the day! This year, Discovery and East Coast Radio are hoping to top that number. While the distances that walkers can chose from will remain same - 5km, 10km, 15km or 20km – the route (with a new finish venue) promises to be exciting.

The Discovery East Coast Radio Big Walk has not only ‘evolved’ to become a major highlight on the province’s events calendar, but it has been the catalyst for many personal stories of transformation. Very often the listeners who are worried about being fit enough to take part have an amazing time and surprise themselves. Many of these people go on to take up walking as a full time form of exercise and so their own ‘Walking (r)Evolution’ begins.

Entries open on 1 April 2012, be sure to get your family and friends together. This is one ‘revolution’ you don’t want to miss out on! Listen out to East Coast Radio and watch press for more details.

Source:  East Coast Radio