Thursday, January 22, 2015

Since launching in South Africa Uber has created 2000 jobs



Uber, the innovative app that connects riders with drivers, has enabled the economic empowerment of drivers, passenger safety and service of transport, transforming the way users think about their transportation options in South Africa. Uber has already created over 2,000 jobs across the country since launching in late 2013.

Uber’s lead generation software facilitates a powerful entrepreneurship opportunity. Every month, Uber empowers hundreds of entrepreneurs to become small business owners in South Africa. This contributes significantly to the 50,000+ global entrepreneurs who are empowered monthly on the Uber platform.
Existing transport operators and drivers are also partnering with Uber as a means of growing their business and bringing in the consumer, partner and transparency-related benefits.

“Uber does not own any vehicles nor do we employ any drivers, we are a technology company that connects riders with drivers in their area. What this means is that all cars are privately owned and the drivers work for themselves. Some of our partner-drivers own their own cars, others buy a couple of cars and then employ drivers. Rider choice and driver opportunity is at the core of what Uber does. We are proud to be empowering hundreds of entrepreneurs every month in South Africa,” says Alon Lits, General Manager, Uber Johannesburg and Durban.

Traditionally the metered taxi industry is one where drivers are salaried employees working specified shifts, without much freedom. For partner-drivers, the technology behind Uber changes the way people live and work for the better, allowing for more flexibility in their workday.

Feedback from partner-drivers in South Africa is that they love working on the Uber system because it empowers them to become their own boss, to make more money and to grow their business quickly.

Piko Mzamo, an uberX partner driver in Cape Town, says: “Since I've worked on the Uber system, it has been a great opportunity for everyone – drivers and riders. There's been job creation and additional business opportunities for drivers, and it is safe and reliable for customers. It is also cashless which is safe for the drivers. It is good for the City of Cape Town because customers and drivers feel safe using Uber.”

Siyabonga Nxumalo, a former lifeguard and now an UberBlack driver in Durban, says: “I tried to start up my own business, but it didn’t work out and I was in debt. I joined Uber in December 2013 and have now paid off all my debt, and I can put food on the table. Uber gave me the chance to re-establish myself, it is a life changer. I am a businessman, so I want to get more cars and start to employ other drivers soon. I love the whole Uber experience, especially being able to get my passengers home safely. Uber is the future.”

Kevin Dube, a former dispatch operator from Johannesburg and now an UberBlack driver, says: “I love the Uber system. It does everything for you and is completely cashless, which makes it very easy to focus on providing first class service to my customers. The entrepreneurship part of Uber is really exciting for me. It has allowed me to grow very quickly. I joined Uber in May 2014 and already have two cars, which means I am also creating employment for others.”

Jonathan Harris, an uberX driver based in the Cape Town city centre, says: “I have been in the taxi industry for five years as a driver. Now that I am using Uber as a platform, I have an ongoing work flow. Uber has really changed how I work, it is amazing. I also love that 95% of my customers are local and not tourists. It just shows how much people love Uber here.”

Uber partner-drivers also have the opportunity to benefit from and leverage the various partnerships that Uber has developed.

Anthony le Roux, General Manager, Uber Cape Town, says that Uber is focused on delivering as much value from the platform to partner-drivers as possible, and it will continue to support and empower their partner-drivers through greater economic opportunities.

“Uber is using a variety of corporate relationships to ensure that every opportunity and partnership we have developed is available to our partner-drivers. We want to provide them with as many benefits as we can, so they can grow and succeed in their businesses. These opportunities include better financing options, discounts on vehicle ware items and car washes, to name a few,” says le Roux.

Training and upskilling all partner-drivers are important focus areas for Uber, and paramount to its success.

Each partner-driver is taken through an in-depth three step training process, where they learn how the Uber app and GPS navigation system works, various scenarios they might encounter while on the road, and the importance of putting the customer first and how to provide them with the best service possible. Uber provides partner-drivers with a mobile device pre-loaded with the Uber driver app, GPS navigation and data. Uber also offers them one-on-one training on how to use the device if they have any queries.

Talking on the future of Uber in South Africa, le Roux says, “We are immensely proud of the impact Uber has had in South Africa to date, creating over 2,000 jobs across the country since launching in late 2013. The future, however, is significantly more exciting. Uber is fundamentally changing the way that people are moving around their cities and for the first time, creating a viable, cheaper and more efficient alternative to vehicle ownership. This means more riders, more partner-drivers and loads more jobs. If things continue going the way they are, Uber could easily create another 15,000 jobs across South Africa over the next two years.”

To sign up as a partner, please visit: 

Social Media:
Twitter: @uber_joburg | @uber_durban | @uber_ct
Facebook: /UberRSA



Monday, January 19, 2015

You Get An Audition - You Get An Audition - Everyone Gets An Audition


There are so many auditions around the country

































Auditions for KickstArt’s "Shrek, the musical"
Durban’s KickstArt Theatre Company, will be holding open auditions for the forthcoming South African premiere of the hit Broadway musical, "Shrek", due to run in May/June at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre later this year.
KickstArt invites all performers over 18 years of age with strong singing and dancing ability to come to the audition and try out for the large featured ensemble. Director, Steven Stead, indicates that his team is looking for 5 men and 6 women to play a variety of cameo character parts including, the Three Little Pigs, the Fairy Godmother, a Witch, Peter Pan, Ugly Duckling and a cross-dressing wolf.
Interested artists should be able to sing to a very high level, with strong Broadway-style “belt” ranges, and also be good dancers, able to pick up a variety of choreographic styles easily.
Auditions will be held at The Playhouse Theatre’s Mayville Studios on Saturday 24 January. Registration commences at 10am, with a dance audition at 10.30am. All those who make it through the dance audition will then be asked to sing individually for the production team. Please prepare an uptempo Broadway or musical theatre song (NOT a pop song!) that shows off range and character. Bring sheet music or a backing track on cd. Also, wear appropriate clothing and footwear for dancing. Nor slops or sandals!
Rehearsals will be held between 18 April and 15 May, 2.30pm-8pm Mon-Friday, and 10am-5pm Saturday. Performances are scheduled 7pm nightly, with 2.30pm shows on Saturday and Sunday and during the school holidays.
In Addition:
KickstArt is also looking for two 10-12 year old girls, and two 14-16 year old girls to play the Young and Teenage Princess Fiona. These girls need to have strong singing voices, and be capable of singing confidently in harmony. They also need to be fair skinned, since they need to resemble Jessica Sole, the actress playing the Adult Fiona.
Interested girls should arrive at Mayville Studios at 2.30pm and put their names on a register. They will be asked to sing a prepared song, preferably from a musical that shows off the belting range. No dancing is required.
For further information, please email kickstart@letni.co.za.


This edition by Fred Felton
twitter @fredfelton 






Thursday, January 15, 2015

Cotton On KIDS Global Circus Day Saturday 17 January 2015



As most of us wave goodbye to summer holidays, South Africa’s youngest can continue celebrating the fun and frivolity of summer as they trapeze straight out of Christmas and into an exciting, new circus-inspired season at Cotton On KIDS. To celebrate the new collection, select Cotton On KIDS stores around the globe will come alive on January 17 with magicians, jugglers, face painting, balloon twisting and other circus-inspired activities, which are sure to get the kids excited.

Dates and Venues across South Africa 

Gateway Cotton On KIDS:
11am-12:30pm face painting
12pm-1:30 magician

Activity times at V&A Waterfront Cotton On KIDS:
11am-12:30pm face painting
12pm-1:30pm balloon twisting

Sandton/Eastgate Cotton On KIDS:
11am-12:30pm face painting
12pm-1:30pm balloon twisting


Image Supplied.

This edition by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton

Wednesday, January 14, 2015

Auditions for Buskers - Cape Town





The City of Cape Town’s Arts and Culture Department under the Tourism, Events and Economic
Development Directorate, is in the process of drafting a Public Art Management Framework (PAMF).  
The purpose of this PAMF is to detail the standard operating procedures relating to all public art matters within the City of Cape Town’s jurisdiction.
The PAMF is to provide the structure and scope for placing, maintaining, managing and removing works of art in public spaces within the City.

The PAMF will achieve this by guiding the criteria and informing the assessment of all public art commissioned by the Council, or acquired by purchase, gift, bequest, donation or transfer.
What is busking and how is busking defined in the Public Art Management Framework?
• Busking is the practice of performing in public or publically accessible spaces.
• Artists engaging in this particular form of public art may be referred to as buskers, street performers, street musicians or troubadours.
• Performances may include but are not limited to:  acrobatics, clowning, comedy, contortions, dance, signing, fire skills, mime, living statue, music performance, puppeteering, snake charming, storytelling, reciting poetry or prose, sketching, painting and street theatre.
Purpose:
• This is a pilot project that will inform busking/street performance section of the PAMF.
Output:
• A carefully programmed / curated busking project for the CBD from January to March 2015.
Desired Outcomes
• To have explored the possibility of aligning busking / street performances with strategic events.
• To have developed a standard operating procedure to monitor (but not over regulate) performance artists while creating an enabling environment for their performances.
• To have developed an enabling facilitation process but regulated environment for street performers / buskers / performances in public spaces.

Call for artists
The Arts and Culture Department has initiated a pilot busking project in recognition of performing artists as an important element of developing process.  We invite artists who are interested in being part of this project to present a sample (max 3-5min) of their performance/art on 14
January 2015 between 09h00 and 12h00 at the Mayors Chambers, 2nd Floor, City Hall.
Selected artists will follow a detailed three month pilot busking programme and host performances at
selected busking areas around the CBD commencing 19 January 2015.
Artists will be able to utilise public spaces to celebrate our living heritage and work with the city to develop Cape Town as the most vibrant city in the
For more information contact:
Email:  busking@afriworld.co.za or Cell:  060 628 9648





Applauz Arts Initiative is giving away 5 double tickets to PANSA members in the Western Cape to a preview night of 'Celebrating Adam Small'.
Adam Small is one of South Africa's most recognised living poets, and a resident of Cape Town.
In recognition of his vast contribution to the cultural reservoir of Cape Town's Creative sector, the City of Cape Town bestowed on him the acknowledgement of Civic Honours.
Now Applauz Arts Initiative, an NGO and recognised contributor to the cultural activities of the City of Cape Town and South Africa, has designed a program of entertainment to celebrate the life of Adam Small. The program will include a perfomance of extracts from his plays, followed by a 90 minute jazz musical performance of his poetry. The music is composed by luminaries of the South African music industry; Camillo Lombard, Kurt Egelhof and Emile Jansen.

Performance 1.
Title: Adam Small The Man
Extracts from his plays with poetry
When: 14 January 2015
Where: Artscape Arena Theatre
Time: 18:30
Duration : 80 min

and

Performance 2 World Premier.
Tittle: Adam Small BeJazzed
When: 14 January 2015
Where: Artscape Arena
Time: 20:30
Duration: 90 min

Please indicate which performance you wish to attend or both.
RSVP Natalia Da Rocha at: applauz.arts.initiative@gmail.com
Purchase a ticket for a performance of Celebrating Adam Small BeJazzed on the same date and pay R120 for both shows. Block Bookings of 10 or more: 10% discount on all prices Scholars (5 to 18 years): 0% discount on all prices - See more at:http://www.artscape.co.za/show/celebrating-adam-small-the-man/973/#sthash.bs1cJ4bZ.dpuf
Dates: 15-17, 20-24, 27-31 January 2015
Cost:
The Man, R60
BeJazzedm, R100




This edition by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton 




Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Auditions Big Brother Mzansi Countrywide



Auditions for Big Brother Mzansi are coming soon.

You have to be over 21 years old to audition and a citizen / legal in South Africa.

Dates: 31 January and 1 February 2015 for all auditions countrywide.
Time: 8am - 3pm on both days
Venues
Durban - BAT Centre
Cape Town - Cape Town Lodge - 101 Buitengracht St
Johannesburg - The Pyramid Venue - Eloff St
Bring your ID.

You can audition on your own or with a partner eg brother, sister, mates, couple etc.



Monday, January 12, 2015

Free Masterclass Theatre For Kids - News On Frontier Advisory Event For South Africa


There is a free masterclass in theatre for kids at Musho Theatre Festival

The focus will be on theatre for schools and working with young people.
Sibo Masondo the talented Mime artist will be performing extracts from Eenie Meanie Greenie Grow.  This is an eco comedy devised by Gisele Turner.

Gisele will also talk about creating theatre for young people.
Yvette Hardie from Assitej South Africa will also provide input on working with schools
and with the Department of Basic Education.

Bookings essential: 031-201-4750
Date: 19 Jan
Time: 10am - 12pm
Venue: Catalina Theatre, Wilson's Wharf, Durban.


Frontier Forum Presents

Outlook for Africa in 2015


Just some of the speakers.

Topics include: Investing in Africa and Strategies and Scenarios for Africa

Date: 15 Jan 2015
Venue: IDC
Time: 9am - 4pm
For more info email frontierforum@frontieradvisory.com or call 011-447-8038


This edition by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton








Thursday, January 8, 2015

Call For Short Film Scripts



Do you have a short film script?

Grant de Sousa (Director from Embassy Productions) and Tyrone Rubin (from Picturescope Films), are looking for a short film script of between 8 and 15 minutes that is of world class standard. It should be realistically achievable. It can be artistic but the priority is an exceptional story. It can be any genre, i.e. comedy, epic or heart warming, etc. as long is it plays off in the real world and appeals to a broad target audience. Characters should be three-dimensional and the dialogue excellent.

The aim is to use the short film as part of my film-making portfolio and I will buy the script, which is chosen to be produced, from the writer and give writing credit to the writer. Please send a Non-Disclosure Agreement before you send them your script, synopsis or concept.


Writers may contact:
Grant: grantdesousa@gmail.com / 084 503 4839 (http://www.grantdesousa.com)
Tyrone: tyrone@picturescope.com / 082 876 4977 (www.picturescope.com)


(Source - Durban Filmmakers Guild) 


Wednesday, January 7, 2015

AfricaAsOne Keeps Moving and find out about the Virgin Mobile Competition For Musicians



AfricaAsOne Keeps On Moving

The AfricaAsOne team has set out on a grand and ambitious journey to pass a single rugby ball from hand to hand through 45 countries, over 45 weeks, starting in Cape Town and ending in London for the 2015 Rugby World Cup. 

To date, they have travelled through many countries and were recently seen in Kenya. 

Here is their latest video, showing the experience of Kenya

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIaozHutD8c

You can also check out their site by going here: http://africaasone.com/ or watch their promo video here: http://goo.gl/zVkN3z

Where will that rugby ball end up next?

#AfricaAsOne


Virgin Mobile's new Share The Beauty Of Voice Competition



Virgin Mobile is celebrating the beauty of voice by launching an exciting new competition - Share the Beauty of Voice – which gives one lucky local talent the opportunity to star in their own professionally produced music video as well as a mentoring opportunity with an industry expert and  a brand new smartphone with a two-year airtime contract from Virgin Mobile.  All genres of music welcome -  this may be the ideal opportunity to kick start a musical career in the new year.

The competition launched with a personally recorded message from Sir Richard Branson http://youtu.be/aGskVNR4ORM

Links to more details and the entry Facebook App can be found at: Competition info page:  http://buzz.mw/bgrud_l & Facebook app:http://buzz.mw/bgr70_l


Running between 15 December 2014 and the 28 February 2015, the ultimate Virgin Mobile Share the Beauty of Voice winner will receive a professionally produced music video – just the thing to kick start a musical career. In addition the winner will also receive a mentoring opportunity with an industry expert as well as a brand new smartphone with a two-year airtime contract from Virgin Mobile.

To enter simply record a clip featuring an individual or band performing a favourite song. Upload this clip via the Virgin Mobile Facebook App or drop off entries at any Virgin Mobile store countrywide. For a full list of Virgin Mobile stores in South Africa visitwww.virginmobile.co.za.

The winner will be selected by a panel of judges, including the music experts at YFM, and announced in March 2015. Follow all the action and the entries as the competition hot’s up by visiting the Virgin Mobile website, following Virgin Mobile on Twitter andFacebook or download the Facebook App for more details.

The music industry is where it all started for Virgin.  Not only does the Share the Beauty of Voice competition tap into these prestigious roots it also highlights the joy and impact voice offers in staying connected to our community, especially family and friends. There are things that you just can’t say with text and with the rise in text and social media platforms people have forgotten the power and effect created by engaging in a real conversation. Virgin Mobile’s Beauty of Voice campaign promotes the idea that with Virgin Mobile’s new V2V proposition, free on-net Virgin to Virgin calls, for all new contract, top-up and prepaid customers, you can once again talk as often as you’d like at no extra cost. Anyone signing a new contract in the promotional period can enjoy the benefits of free Virgin to Virgin calls for the duration of their contract. For more details visit http://tinyurl.com/pvxlsxt

#beautyofvoice 


This edition by Fred Felton
Twitter @fredfelton