Review of Hilton Hotel Durban

Recently I had to do some business in Durban, South Africa. I had to attend a conference at the ICC and I was surfing the internet looking for a suitable hotel to stay in.

I came upon this site Timbu.com and I must say I was pleasantly surprised. It gives you a variety of information from hotels to stay in, flights to take, visa information, bus timetables and so much more.  This is where I found out more information on The Hilton Hotel in Durban.

The Hilton Hotel is a wonderful place to stay in from the soft sheets on your bed to the free Wi-Fi.

It even features a lovely swimming pool and a variety of restaurants. Best of all it is right next to the Durban International Conference Centre.

The Workshop Shopping Centre is nearby and the beach is a short stroll away.

The hotel has a fitness centre and they also have a business centre which is perfect for meetings or conference calls.

It’s the perfect hotel for business people.

The staff are friendly and go out of their way to help you out.

Rating: Recommended.

GenerosiTrees to Inspire the Spirit of Generosity this Festive Season

Donate a toy to a child in need under a Cadbury Dairy Milk GenerosiTree

When Cadbury Dairy Milk discovered that there were millions of orphaned and vulnerable children in South Africa – and that the overwhelming majority of them had never known the joy of owning their own toy, book or game, we wanted to make a difference – we enlisted the help of generous South Africans and launched The Little Generosity Shop in May 2019.

So amazing was the response - with more than 90 000 compassionate donations pouring in - that we’ve decided to try make the festive season a little brighter for even more of these incredibly deserving children, with Cadbury Dairy Milk GenerosiTrees.

The items collected by The Little Generosity Shop were donated to various beneficiaries, including the SOS Children's Village (SOS CV), an independent, non-governmental organization that offers family-like care for children and young people who have lost or are at risk of losing parental care. As a childcare and development organization, SOS CV also advocates for the rights of South Africa's most marginalised children. 

From 12 November, the GenerosiTree activations will be travelling the country and giving South Africans the opportunity to show that there’s ‘a glass and a half in everyone’ by giving them the chance to donate the items that were once precious to them; teddies to tricycles and books to board games; to this incredibly noble cause.

The GenerosiTree activations will be at Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Durban (12 – 18 November); Tyger Valley Shopping Centre in Cape Town (26 November – 2 December) and Mall of Africa in Johannesburg (10 – 16 December) and will be rewarding Generosity with Cadbury Dairy Milk slab. There’s also an opportunity to make donations or purchase in-store and online at select Toys R Us stores, with a ‘glass & a half’ reward for their open-heartedness.

How the Cadbury Dairy Milk GenerosiTrees activations work:

Check in at the entrance to the GenerosiTree activation and log your pre-loved toy, book or game for wrapping. One toy, book or game will be exchanged for a Cadbury Dairy Milk slab and up to five slabs for five or more donated items. You can then add even more Generosity by visiting the messaging station, where you can write a message on a tag and attach it to your donation - each child who receives a toy will also get one of these personal and heart-felt messages.

From there, a visit to the Reindeer Room or Santa’s Workshop offers great photo opportunities that you can download and share to help spread the spirit of Generosity, online. Each room offers a unique and immersive experience – the Reindeer Room is decorated with a night sky, lit up with twinkling stars, while you can take pictures with Santa himself in the hustle and bustle of Santa’s Workshop.

Toys R Us Donations:

Consumers who would love to share their spirit of Generosity, but who can’t make it to the three malls which will be home to the GenerosiTrees, can also visit select Toys R Us stores or simply go to the Toys R Us website – to make a donation.

For donations at select Toys R Us stores, simply drop off your pre-loved toy – or something new from the Toys R Us selection if you prefer – in the marked collection bin and claim a Cadbury Dairy Milk slab in return.

If you’d like to make an online donation, visit www.toysrus.co.za and select an item from the Toys R Us catalogue. At checkout, select the option for ‘Cadbury Dairy Milk GenerosiTrees Donation’ and the donated item will be channelled to the Cadbury team to add to the collection. Once the checkout process is complete, you’ll receive a voucher to go claim your Cadbury Dairy Milk slab at a Toys R Us store.

“This festive season, Cadbury Dairy Milk GenerosiTrees will see the donations shared with other deserving charitable organisations which support the millions of children who are growing up without the support of a traditional family, across the country,” says Lara Sidersky, Mondelez SA Category Lead for Chocolate. “Giving is on everyone’s minds during the festive season and we want to remind people that Generosity is driven by selflessly wanting to make an impact on someone else’s day, rather than simply giving for giving’s sake”.

For details of the GenerosiTrees donation points and the Toys R Us partnership go to https://www.cadbury.co.za/festiveseason and follow @CadburyDairyMilkSA on Facebook or @Cadbury_SA on Twitter as well as Instagram and #GlassAndAHalf #Generositrees.

Toys R Us are on @ToysRUs.SouthAfrica on Facebook or @toysrus_za on Instagram and Twitter.

T&C’s apply.

Project Performer - Soaring to Great Heights

Saturday 28th September 2019 was a life-changing moment  for a number of aspiring and talented performing artists.

The Project Performer Showcase was the culmination of  weeks of hard work,  dedication and an absolute love for the stage.

Probably the most astounding facet of the entire showcase was the level of singing, dancing and acting  talent held within the

boundaries of South Africa. There are a phenomenal  number of performing artists in South Africa who have the  X-factor

that will take them to the top and you can rest-assured that  many of them were present on the stage at the showcase.

Project Performer has goals of its own. Keeping South African  talent in its rightful place, South Africa.

Auditions for the 2020 Project Performer are already well under way.

If you have a dream, now is the time to grab hold of it and run.

Visit www.projectperformer.co.za to download your application form.

Now is your time to shine! Article by Lisa Luiz

40th Durban International Film Festival Award Winners 2019

The 40th Durban International Film Festival announced its winners recently at its awards ceremony at the Elangeni Hotel in Durban, South Africa.

Features jury member Ziyanda Macingwane with Back of the Moon Associate Producer, Kutlwano Ditsele; actress Moneoa Moshesh; Director, Angus Gibson; 

Producer, Desiree Markgraff;Lebogang Tsipa as they accept their award for the Best South African Feature Film at the 40th Durban International Film Festival (Image: Supplied) 

A total of 19 awards were given out at the ceremony:

Best Amnesty International Durban Human Rights Award at DIFF 2019: For Sama directed Edward Watts and Waad al-Kateab

Artistic Bravery: Letters Of Hope directed by Vusi Africa

Best Cinematography: Divine Love directed by Gabriel Mascaro

Best Editing: Cronofobia directed by Francesco Rizzi

Best Screenplay: Les Misérables directed by Ladj Ly

Best Short Film: Acid directed by Just Philippot

Best African Short Film: Brotherhood directed by Meryam Joobeur. The film also received a cash prize of R20, 000 sponsored by the Gauteng Film Commission.

Best South African Short Film: Miracle directed by Bongi Ndaba. The film received a cash prize of R20,000 from the Gauteng Film Commission.

Best Actor: Bongile Mantsai for Knuckle City directed by Jahmil X T Qubeka

Best Actress: Nisrin Erradi for Adam directed by Maryam Touzani

Best Documentary: For Sama directed Edward Watts and Waad al-Kateab. The film received a cash prize of R25, 000.

Best South African Documentary: Buddha in Africa directed by Nicole Schafer The award is accompanied by a cash prize of R25,000.

Best Direction: Divine Love directed by Gabriel Mascaro

Best South African Feature Film: Back of the Moon directed by Angus Gibson                                                            

Best Feature Film: Les Misérables directed by Ladj Ly. The award is accompanied by a cash prize of R50 000.                                                                                                                                                                                

DIFF Legacy Award: Peter Rorvik                                                                                                                                 

DIFF Legacy Award: Roz Sarkin and Moosa Moosa                                                                                                                                                    DIFF Legacy Award: Julie Frederikse and Madoda Ncayiyana                                                                                      

DIFF is included as a Documentary Feature Qualifying Festival by the Academy of Motion Picture, Arts and Sciences. This means that both the winners of the Best Documentary For Sama and

Best SA Documentary Buddha in Africa, automatically qualify for consideration for an Oscar nomination.

The features jury were Emrah Kilic (Turkey), Diarah N'Daw-Spech (USA), Laurence Boyce (UK), Diana Keam (South Africa) and Mohammed Siam (Egypt). In the documentary jury were Patricia Van Heerden (SA), Florian Weghorn (Germany), Tracy Clayton (UK/SA), Rehad Desai (SA) and Ziyanda Macingwane (SA). The short film jurors were Jaime E. Manrique (Colombia), Silas Miami, (Kenya), Jacintha De-Nobrega (SA), CJ Obasi (Nigeria) and Mpho Ramathuthu (SA).

What did Youth Day mean to You?

Well Youth Day has come and gone and we asked some young people what Youth Day meant to them.

This is what they had to say:

This article was written by one of our interns - Andiswa Mkhize

Jozi Hosts The Ultimate Workout Party

Women’s Health Fit Night Out, in proud association with Shield marked its third return to Gauteng’s top entertainment destination, Montecasino.

The country’s much anticipated all‐female workout party welcomed a crowd of over 3000 fitness enthusiasts, all geared up for a jampacked day presented by some of South Africa’s most sought‐after trainers.

Among these trainers was Shield’s very own #FitSquad, Mapule Ndhlovu aka Queenfitnass (Instagram: @queenfitnass) and Nkateko “Takkies” Maswanganye (Instagram: @takkies7), who kick‐started the day by showcasing some of their signature #ShieldReady moves in an exclusive masterclass which gave fans the opportunity to engage with each of the ladies in a fun and authentic way which encourages South African women to lead healthy and balanced lifestyles.

Fans were also able to spend some time engaging with the Shield product, taking selfies and getting to know their favourite #ShieldReady ambassadors through fun, interactive activities.

Women’s Health and Shield are excited to see what 2019 has in store for Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg and are looking forward to making it even bigger and better.

For more info and to stay up to date with all the latest Shield info, follow Shield South Africa on Instagram @shieldza, Twitter @Shield_ZA and Facebook @ShieldZA

Bursary Opportunities For 2018

Ethekwini Municipality is offering bursary opportunities to South African citizens interested in pursuing full time studies in public South African Universities in the following fields:

BSC / BEng Civil Engineering
BSC / BEng Electrical Engineering
BSC / BEng Electronics
BSC / BEng Chemical Engineering
BSC / BEng Mechanical Engineering
BArchictecture
BSC Quantity Surveying
BSC Applied Chemistry

Criteria:
Based on academic merit.
Applicants expected to study at a SA Higher Education institution.
Bursary is for study programmes not less than 3 years in duration.

Bursary covers Tuition, Accommodation, Book Allowance, Meal Allowance and a once off computer allowance (subject to compliance with agreement).

Bursary forms available from:
Ethekwini Municipal Academy, 11th Floor, Shell House, 221 Anton Lembede Street, Durban.

Certified copies of following must accompany delivered application:
SA ID.
Most recent academic record or Matric second and third term results.
Proof of acceptance from University.

Completed application forms to be submitted to:

eThekwini Municpal Academy, 11th Floor, Shell House, 221 Anton Lembede Street, Durban or on eThekwini Municipality Website (e-careers)

Closing date for applications: 17 November 2017 at 12 Midday.

Enquiries 031-311-3192

Opportunity for Students to take part in Loeries

NEW FACEBOOK CATEGORY FOR LOERIES

STUDENT AWARDS

The Facebook Challenge focuses on the use of mobile media to

promote a socially relevant cause.

In partnership with Facebook, Loeries Africa Middle East has introduced a

new category within the Student Awards. The Facebook Challenge calls on

students to create powerful mobile video content on behalf of The Nelson

Mandela Foundation – the custodian of Madiba’s brand, memory, and

legacy of social activism. The winning entry will be flighted on Facebook

and Instagram as well as receive a special prize.

As part of the Loeries' and Facebook’s commitment to grow and promote

young, diverse creative talent in our region, Facebook will not only cover

the cost of all entries in this category, but has also created an elearning

programme assisting students to understand the best practices around

creating winning mobile campaigns.

“The Facebook Challenge focuses on promoting a socially relevant cause

through the application of mobile media and we are delighted to be

teaming up with the Nelson Mandela Foundation as they prepare for the

Mandela 2018 Centenary Programme,” says Nunu Ntshingila, Regional

Director Facebook Africa. “Our vision is to create powerful mobile video

content that will inspire all of us to find the Madiba in ourselves and to

‘#BeTheLegacy’. Its message should help to push back against all forms

of social injustice in line with Madiba’s courageous legacy.”

Full details on the Facebook Challenge, as well as access to Facebook’s elearning

programmes can be found within the Student Category at

loeries.com.

Entries must be submitted by the Extended Deadline of 31 May 2017.

Loeries Creative Week Durban takes place from Monday, 14 August to

Monday, 21 August 2017.

Sibaya invites golfers to play for good

Sibaya Casino and Entertainment Kingdom calls on keen golfers to enter the Els For Autism Golf Day taking place at Zimbali Country Club on 11 May 2017. 

The event, of which Sibaya is a proud sponsor, is part of a national tournament which culminates with the Grand Finale at High Gate in Dullstroom in 15,16 November. The winners at the Grand Finale will qualify to play in the Pro-Am at the SA Open in January 2018.

According to Sibaya’s PR and Promotions Manager, there are still four balls available for the Els For Autism Golf Day.

“We encourage golfers to be part of the event which offers a great day of golf on one of KwaZulu-Natal’s most spectacular courses, some healthy competition and the chance to contribute a meaningful cause.”

All proceeds raised through the Els For Autism Golf Day at Zimbali Country Club will be donated to the Els for Autism Foundation which was established in 2009 by golf legend Ernie and Liezl Els to focus on the issue of autism.  The Els’ son Ben is profoundly impacted by the disorder and for the last eight years the world class pro golfer and his wife have devoted their efforts on raising awareness and funds for a catalytic philanthropic project – The Ernie Els Centre for Autism.  The Ernie Els Centre for Autism provides lower-resourced families of children on the autism spectrum with free comprehensive training on how to use best practices in education and autism treatment to teach their child via a multi-faceted e-learning solution.

The golf day will start at 11h45 and follow a Betterball Stableford format. The cost per four ball is R4 000. This includes a direct charitable contribution to the centre, greenfees, plus an Ernie Els gift bag including a bottle of Ernie Els Wine, Ernie Els Design golf cap, pin, halfway house, buffet dinner, prize-giving and an opportunity to participate for some exclusive Ernie Els auction items. Carts will be for participants’ own account.

For more information visit www.suninternational.com or follow Sibaya on www.facebook.com/yoursibaya or on Twitter @SibayaCasino

Opportunity for Writers

The Imbewu Trust’s 2017 SCrIBE Scriptwriting Competition now open.

Prizes include:

·         Having a script produced for a professional run at a Cape Town theatre

·         Mentorship programmes

·         Engaging in feedback sessions with audience members at staged readings of the script by professional actors and a director.

Ts and Cs:

·         Scripts must not have been previously produced nor have existing future runs or plans to be produced

·         Scripts should be in English

·         No longer than 40 pages or 80 minutes long and with a maximum of 5 cast members

·         Entrants must be over 18 years old

·         The Imbewu Trust and judges are looking for original content of outstanding quality that explores the diverse range of South African stories.

Closing date for entries is 31 July

Info and the entry form are available at www.imbewuarts.com

To receive an entry form email imbewusa@gmail.com

Article by Fred Felton | Twitter @fredfelton