Vodacom gives free access to education and job search sites

In a bid to help address cost challenges associated with access to education and career websites, Vodacom, through the Vodacom Foundation and its NXT LVL youth brand, has zero rated the charge to some key basic education sites and career portals.

The interventions are an illustration of Vodacom’s core belief that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and mobile technology can be utilised to improve and advance learning, address skills development and help in finding employment. The Vodacom e-School portal, launched in January 2015, and the NXT LVL Careers, are prime examples of how Vodacom is contributing to society.

The Vodacom e-School provides curriculum-aligned content for Grade 4 to 12 learners including daily lessons, videos, assignments in the form of quizzes and personalised progress reports. This is zero-rated, in other words free, for Vodacom customers. Already there are 150 000 learners registered on the portal. The portal can be accessed by visiting www.vodacom.co.za/e-school from your cellphone, tablet or laptop.

Executive Head for Vodacom Foundation, Mthobeli Temfene says: “Many learners in our country often do not have access to learning material such as textbooks, which makes excelling at school more difficult. The same applies to young graduates looking for employment as more and more job placements go online and the costs of data is a barrier.” Tengimfene says: “As an investor in the country and an established partner in addressing social challenges, Vodacom’s goal is to ensure that learners throughout the country have access to some basic tools to help enhance their learning experience and that young graduates similarly get help in searching for jobs.”

As a caring company with a 17 year history of giving back to communities, Vodacom is committed to easing the cost conundrum that young job seekers face. We launched Vodacom NXT LVL Careers in June 2016. The programme is aimed at young job-seekers and enables them to browse for jobs, upload CVs and apply for available positions for free. Access to the careers portal is zero-rated for Vodacom subscribers. NXT LVL Careers can be accessed through the www.vodacom.co.za website then clicking on Services and then on NXT LVL Careers.

Vodacom takes every opportunity with its network to deliver social offerings through its zero-rated offers to customers. We have an open invitation to providers of content aimed at advancing employability in South Africa, and invite interested parties to e-mail us at foundation@vodacom.co.za to apply to have applicable content added to our zero-rated portal.

Kenya's wildebeest migration to be live streamed to the world

WildEarth in partnership with HerdTracker will be live streaming the wildebeest migration via Facebook and YouTube in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve from 20 to 25 September 2016. 

The live broadcasts will be hosted daily on HerdTracker’s Facebook page and WildEarth’s safariLIVE YouTube channel between 16:00 to 23:30 EAT (East Africa Time) and will centre around the wildebeest migration crossing the Nile crocodile-infested Mara River as well as predatory action of lions hunting at night in the Masai Mara.

WildEarth will also be broadcasting live from South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve in South Africa, an excellent Big Five safari destination which shares a border with the Kruger National Park.

Authentic African safari experience

Graham Wallington, CEO of WildEarth hopes to show viewers who tune in to the live broadcasts an authentic African safari experience.

“One of the scenes that is brought to mind when people think of Africa, are the vast expanses of open land and myriads of different herbivorous species streaming across these great plains as they follow the torrential rains, always seeking out the best grazing areas. Of course, this is an absolute feast for the predators who really get their claws stuck in after sunset.”

“After the sun has gone down, we are going to be using infrared lighting and thermal imaging for the very first time during our live safaris, so don’t miss out on a second of the action.”

Encouraging international travellers to visit Kenya

Andre Van Kets, creator of the HerdTracker web-app which tracks the wildebeest migration in real-time and removes the fear that travellers have when planning a migration safari, hopes that by broadcasting the wildebeest migration live, it will encourage more international travellers to make Kenya their chosen holiday destination and to experience this natural phenomenon for themselves.

“The wildebeest migration is one of nature’s greatest spectacles. The river crossings are the main reasons why thousands of travellers flock to the Masai Mara every year. We want to show the world just why they need to witness it for themselves here in Kenya.”

Other live broadcasts of the wildebeest migration

In October 2015, HerdTracker in partnership with Make It Kenya hosted #MaraLive - the world’s first live web broadcast of the great wildebeest migration from the Masai Mara, Kenya via Twitter’s Periscope app.

Motorsports' Mad Mike Heads To South Africa

Drifting star Mad Mike Whiddett will head to South Africa in September.

Mad Mike - Image: Graeme Murray / Red Bull Content Pool

Off the back of appearances in Formula Drift in Canada and the US, Kiwi Drifting

Sensation , ‘Mad’ Mike Whiddett makes his way to South Africa to thrill local fans.

‘Mad’ Mike’ Whiddett has drifted a car up a mountain range in his native New Zealand and powerslid across a frozen lake in Japan and now he’s set to excite South Africa’s drifting enthusiasts, as he heads to our shores in September.

“I’ve heard so much about the South African fans and I can’t wait to get out there. I've seen the local SA drift scene in clips and it looks like a whole lot of fun,” said Whiddett from Japan where he was participating in Formula Drift. “I’m pumped to showcase what the Mazda RX8 is capable of and meet the fans first hand.”

Whiddett’s car, a 2004 MAZDA RX8 dubbed the ‘BADBUL,’ is being shipped directly from his appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

“The BADBUL is our threerotor turbo machine, equipped with the best products on the market. It has just finished wowing the crowds in the UK for Goodwood Festival of Speed where we took home the coveted 'Driver of the Event' award,” Whiddett said. ”High horsepower, killer sound I know it will be well received in South Africa. “

The ‘Mad Mike’ moniker hails from early on in his motorsport career – something he was called whilst participating in a freestyle motocross event. Although he hated being called ‘Mad Mike’ in the beginning and thought it was pretty cheesy, it stuck. He thinks it’s rather cool now.

Whiddett will be in South Africa to appear at two events – Wheels of Fury on the 17th of September at Grand West in Cape Town and then the SupaDrift Series at Carnival City on the 24^th of September.

He’ll also be filming an episode of his reality series ‘My Mad Mike Life’ while in the country.

It’s a maiden trip to Africa for Whiddett. “I’m stoked to head over to get amongst the local drivers and drive scene,” he said. “For me this trip is an exploration of both South Africa and its culture as much as it’s a motorsports trip.”

For more info head to: www.redbull.co.za/madmike

2016 Entrepreneur of the Year Competition

SA's leading entrepreneural competition now open for entries

By Pamela Sibiya

One of the biggest financial services group in South Africa, Sanlam and BUSINESS/PARTNERS is proud to announce the launch of the 2016 Entrepreneur of the Year competition.

Now in its 28th year, this renowned competition pays homage to courageous South African entrepreneurs who dedicate themselves to their businesses' growth. It is also in honour of the huge contribution by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to the South African economy.

This years' criteria is no different as it also seeks to recognise the importance of the contribution to job creation by SMEs by acknowledging them through recognition and promotion of their excellence.

Entrepreneurs who believe that they have succeeded against the odds, persevered through storms and have shown massive innovation and agility are some of the qualities that the judges are looking for.

There are also a number of quantative competition measures, such as turnover growth, profitability, owners' equity growth, positive cash flows and job creation that play a part in the competition's judging process.

There are five categories that the entrepreneurs can choose to apply to, namely, Emerging Entrepreneur, Small Business Entrepreneur, Medium Business Entrepreneur, Job Creator of the Year and Innovator of the Year.

Interested entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply before the 16th of June, by downloading an online entry form found on the Entrepreneur Of the Year website, www.eoy.co.za.

They can also interact with fellow entrepreneurs and entrants on the competitions' social media platforms, @EOY_SA on Twitter and EOY SA on Facebook.

An Elegant Gala Fund Raiser With Horse Power!

Jets & Jewels will be the theme for Friday, June 3rd, in Hanger 8 at Virginia Airport, when two local NPO organisations, the Nicholas Rey Foundation and Rescuetech will be joining forces to host an extravagant gala fundraiser brought to you by the Gold Circle Champion Season.

These two NPO organisations have partnered to provide critical emergency care and long term medical assistance to the general public and in particular victims of equestrian related incidents.

The Nicholas Rey Foundation was formed by Ricky Smit, a friend of Nicholas Rey, a victim of an unfortunate freak accident playing polo in June 2004 which left him with a severe brainstem injury, from which he is unable to move or speak. Rey is the Patron of the foundation and still remains an avid admirer of the horse, despite his injury.

Smit who has experienced a horse‐riding accident of her own, is aware of how fortunate she was not to have been severely injured and was inspired to make a difference, especially once she realised the medical costs incurred by the Rey family. Although the Rey family came from a financially secure background and could afford to pay for the on‐going medical treatment and rehabilitation of Nicolas’s treatment, there were many other victims who could not which was the basis for the establishment of the foundation. “Since its inception we’ve been able to help different people who have been injured in horse related accidents,” she said.

Now in its tenth year, the foundation has lent its help by importing medical devices, paying for physiotherapy rehabilitation sessions and more.

Smit who is undertaking flight training is also the Marketing Manager at the King Shaka Aviation Centre (KSAC) has still maintained her passion to help those in need and therefore, being based at Virginia Airport, has joined forces between her NPO organisation and the voluntary emergency search and rescue service, Rescuetech.

The vision of Rescuetech is to provide a voluntary, emergency rescue support service, additional to all existing ambulance, rescue, and safety services. Rescuetech is committed to both human and animal rescues. Since response‐time in emergencies is critical and high angle rescue services scarce, its mission is to react in the shortest possible time, to either conduct the rescue/medivac and or to assist in the rescue/medivac, and to help stabilise victims of medical and trauma emergencies.

They specialise in high angle rope rescues and works in conjunction with the SAPS, the SAAF and other emergency services. They operate to the highest technical standards according to their own detailed SOP and conduct regular training practices. Due to the nature of the various activities, the unit requires specialist equipment designed and manufactured to the highest standards. A great deal of the operating cost goes toward the maintenance and resupply of this equipment. At present although they receive some sponsorship there is still a financial shortfall which Rescuetech members are supporting from their own pockets.

To support these two well deserving NPO organisations, get dressed up in your elegant finery and purchase your ticket for just R400 per person at a table of ten and enjoy this unique fine dining experience in Hanger 8 at Virginia Airport.

The evening, which starts at 6pm for 6.30pm will have South African singer and songwriter, Dennis East, provide the entertainment, and you will have the opportunity to mingle with local movers and shakers with television and sporting personalities in attendance. The highlight of the evening will be an auction featuring items ranging from jewellery to art and will culminate in the racing career of a horse which is up for grabs.

Show some “horse power” with your generosity for these two volunteer organisations and be a part of giving back to those who volunteer by lending their helping hand to our loved ones. Call Ricky Smit now on 083 231 6458 or

email her at rickysmit@mweb.co.za.

For more info go to www.rescuetech.co.za