Port Elizabeth to Gqeberha

 

What’s in a name?

By Bianca Louw

Apr 16, 2021.

 

Port Elizabeth which is also known as “The Friendly City” or “The Windy City” was previously known as Algoa Bay and renamed as Port Elizabeth by Sir Rufane Donkin in memory of his wife Elizabeth Frances. The city was recently renamed to Gqeberha. Why Gqeberha? The name change issue has been dragging on for nearly two years. Boy Lamani of KwaMagxaki, is the man behind the new name for Port Elizabeth. Gqeberha is the isiXhosa name for Walmer Township, which is the first and oldest township in Port Elizabeth.

The Nelson Mandela Sculpture at the Donkin Reserve in Gqeberha

These names are not plucked out of thin air, they carry history with them and if the public can take the time to read up on it, they will realize how relevant these name changes are in our country. “Name change is important as it helps to restore the culture of the country. When you look at other countries, they embrace their language and culture fully” says Andrew Mabuso a local resident.  

Geographical name changing costs millions and that money could have been used to fix the cities internal problems. The justification is reparation in our country, undoing the wrongs of apartheid which we as a nation have grown accustomed to and shrugged under the rug. “Where does government get the money for these name changes?” asks Raquel Bloem, a grade 12 student. Raquel feels that the different culture groups in Port Elizabeth will have their own complaints against the name change. If government can afford to make these name changes, Port Elizabeth residents feel that there should be enough funds allocated for more important issues. Local teacher Priscilla Nkawu expresses that these name changes are just wasting government funds. “Public servants will not get salary raises for the coming two years but money was wasted on name changes” says Priscilla.

“The name change caused a lot of discomfort for many because many citizens cannot even begin to pronounce Gqeberha” says Anecia Rossouw, a student in the area. Imagine how powerful our amazing country would be if government money were not looted. The issue of Port Elizabeth’s name change presents our ignorance or lack of knowledge of our town democracy. 

The mere fact that the name change was not bestowed on us but voted into existence, communicates a desperate need for democratic processes of our country as it affects each and everyone of us” expresses Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth resident Johan Kriege. There have been mixed emotions around Port Elizabeth since the name change. Lazola has been a resident of Port Elizabeth for over 30 years, doing odd jobs to survive. He is very happy with the name change and is willing to go to the library or museum just to educate himself on the meaning and origin of Gqeberha. “Government should work together with communities when they want to implement changes and that would help to avoid any conflict” says Faezz Salie.

If people can dance to and pronounce “Gqom” music, they should have no problem pronouncing Gqeberha.

Heard of the Knysna Oyster Festival? - We also have Auditions, Jobs, Disney scores big and Business and Book Fairs

Heard about The Knysna Oyster Festival?


Happens 4 - 13 July

Plenty of Big 5 Events for Athletes and Fitness Fanatics.

More details here:

http://www.oysterfestival.co.za/the-big-5-sports-challenge/



SA's Got Talent Auditions

Johannesburg Auditions

7 – 8 June 2014

The Focus Rooms

Cnr Kikuyu and Leeuwkop StreetsSunninghill

Do you think you have what it takes to win SA’s Got Talent???

If you have any queries, please send us an email to

bahle@rapidblue.com/ naledi@rapidblue.com or call us on 011 348 140

Any act, any age, all welcome!!!!

Auditions for Performing Arts Scholarships in Bloemfontein

Aspiring performing artists are reminded that the deadline for participation in the sixth annual ACT | DALRO | Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarships Awards is fast approaching.

These substantial scholarships are awarded to enable ambitious youngsters keen to pursue a performing arts course at any accredited South African tertiary institution. Through an annual country-wide competition; participants are assessed on their acting, dancing and singing potential; with the process culminating in a final showcase before an independent panel of industry judges. Auditions are also held to choose a dynamic youngster to emcee the event.

Participants are invited to register to audition in six cities, as follows:

Saturday, 28 June: Durban, hosted by the Stable Theatre
Monday, 30 June: Cape Town, hosted by The Stage Performing Arts School and Theatre in Bellville
Wednesday, 2 July: Port Elizabeth, hosted by the PE Opera House
Tuesday, 15 July: Johannesburg, hosted by UJ Arts Centre
Wednesday, 16 July: Johannesburg, hosted by UJ Arts Centre
Saturday, 19 July: Nelspruit, hosted by Church Unlimited (R40 Baberton Rd.)
Saturday, 26 July: Bloemfontein, hosted by the Scaena Theatre at the University of the Free State

The closing date for registrations is Saturday 31 May, 2014. Eligible candidates who would like more information, or to register, can visit www.act.org.za.

Auditions for the MC of the event will take place at the same time – interested participants should email  rahiem@act.org.za, who will confirm timeslots and provide the preparation material.

Opportunities

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

The Walt Disney Company Africa is proud to share the news that its television channels, Disney Channel (DStv, Channel 303) and Disney XD (DStv, Channel 304), as well as its iconic characters have received the thumbs up from South Africa’s youth at the 2014 Sunday Times Generation Next Awards announced last night, Thursday 29 May.

The awards, in their tenth instalment, revealed the winners from the 2014 Sunday Times Generation Next Brand Survey that gauge’s what the South African Youth, aged between 8 and 23 years, deem to be cool. The results of the survey, conducted by Hdi Youth Marketeers, showed that the youth of the country think that Disney is cool in four categories.

Coolest Channels:

For the first time, Disney XD (DStv, Channel 304) landed in the number 1 position as the Coolest Kids TV Channel/Block with the channel ranking tops with kids and teens aged 8-23 years of age. Coming in a close second is Disney Channel (DStv, Channel 303) which is about to celebrate its 8^th birthday in South Africa.

Coolest Characters:

Phineas and Ferb, the award-winning animated series on Disney XD and Disney Channel, about two inventing brothers who spend their endless Summer holidays experiencing the biggest adventures, was voted the Coolest Cartoon Show overall for a second year in a row.

The genius brothers also rank as the second Coolest Animated Brand/Entertainment Character across all demographics, but retained the number 1 spot in this category amongst kids 8-13 years of age. Remembering that ‘it all started with a mouse’, this year’s rankings saw Mickey Mouse enter at the number 9 spot in the same category.

The Coolest of the Cool:

Finally, Disney Channel and Disney XD landed in second and third places respectively in the overall Coolest TV ChannelCategory across all demographics. Breaking down the numbers: the channels ranked first (Disney Channel) and second (Disney XD) with kids 8-13 years of age.

‘We are delighted to receive this great nod of approval from South African kids’, says Christine Service, Senior Vice President and Country Manager for The Walt Disney Company Africa. ‘We look forward to sharing our upcoming slate of exciting content that we’re sure will continue to entertain and inspire fans over the coming months.’

More to come!

With Disney Channel (DStv, Channel 303), Disney XD (DStv, Channel 304) and Disney Junior (DStv, Channel 309) capturing the imaginations of the coolest kids around, the pace is set to continue with awesome live action and animated programming coming for the rest of 2014.

Highlights include:

-          The premiere of the hotly anticipated DCOM (Disney Channel Original Movie) Cloud 9 on Disney Channel, Friday 27 June at 5pm

-          The continuation of the saga in a galaxy far, far away with Star Wars Rebels this Spring on Disney XD

-          The premiere of the second season of Sofia the First on Disney Junior, also this Spring.

The Walt Disney Company Africa has three channels on the Multichoice DStv platform which operates across the continent, making it the number 1 kids multiplex: Disney Channel, Disney Junior and Disney XD.

The Durban Business Fair is coming

EThekwini Municipality is gearing up for the 16th Durban Business Fair which will be held at Durban Exhibition Centre on 19 - 21 September. Registration is now open for exhibitors and will close on the 30 June 2014. 

The Fair which attracts more than 600 exhibitors from all over the country, will return with an impressive lineup of exhibitors, new innovations and will feature new programmes that are aimed at adding value to small and medium entrepreneurs. 

The Durban Business Fair has grown to be one of the most important events in the calendar of Durban with over 11000 visitors. The Fair provides a platform for SMMEs and big businesses to showcase, market products and services whilst creating business linkages and networking platforms through a variety of innovative activities. 

Mayor Cllr James Nxumalo said that the Durban Business Fair plays a major role in the economic growth and development of the City’s economy. “With this year’s theme: Connecting Business Fair globally, the Municipality has earmarked major projects working in partnerships with the private sector. This will see small businesses in particular benefiting through business opportunities,” says Nxumalo.

He added that some of these major projects include new infrastructure investments to support development in the north, particularly around the Dube Trade Port Special Economic Zone and along the N3 corridor, the new dig-out port and many more.

The successfully hosting of regional business fairs in three regions of the Municipality, affirmed the importance of creating enabling participatory environments for small businesses, large corporate and government departments. 

Head of Business Support, Tourism and Markets Unit, Philip Sithole, says that the importance of SMMEs and their contribution to economic growth has long been recognised and now enjoys a newly established Ministry headed by the Minister Lindiwe Zulu. Sithole says the Municipality has invested over R150 million towards the development of small medium business through the Durban Business Fair programme. 

Sithole says that the Durban Business Fair is the perfect programme for every SMMEs as it creates an enabling platform for them to expand and be more creative and innovative, to gain and enhance their business.

For bookings and registration contact:

Ikhono Communications on 031 266 9937/8 or email: info@ikhono.co.za or follow us on Twitter:@DBNBusinessFair or find us on Facebook: Durban Business Fair www:dbnbusinessfair.com

All book lovers save the dates 13 - 15 June at Cape Town International Convention Centre.

The SA Book Fair is in town.  Loads of writers and new books and workshops.

All the details: 

http://www.thebereed.co.za/southafricanbookfair/programme

Want to learn how to write a Biography? #writers

This will interest you if you are a Writer in PE, South Africa.

National Book Week will be celebrated from 5th – 10th September!

To celebrate this, ANFASA will be hosting a "How to write a biography or memoir" workshop in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth. The workshop will be run by Sindiwe Magona and Elinor Sisulu. For more information or to book please email: admin@anfasa.org.za or call 011 712 8008. 

Date: 8th September 2012
Cost: R50
Time: 10:00 - 13:00

(Source - Maskew Miller Longman Facebook Page)  

Top Billing Auditions #capetown #durban #jozi and more

Just heard that Top Billing will be holding auditions for presenters countrywide.

Contestants have to bring a completed entry form, a copy of their ID and a photo.
They also have to prepare a presenters link or introduction to a TV segment.

Audition Times and Venues

13 - 14 May, 9am - 17h00
Bloemfontein, Protea Hotel, Willow Lake

18 - 19 May, 9am - 17h00
Durban, Protea Hotel, Umhlanga Ridge

24 - 25 May, 9am - 17h00
Port Elizabeth, Venue to be confirmed

28 May, 9am - 17h00
Polokwane, Venue to be confirmed

1 - 3 June, 9am - 17h00
Cape Town, Protea Hotel Fire & Ice

8 - 11 June, 9am - 17h00
Johannesburg, Venue to be confirmed

Source:  Channel24