Thursday, June 9, 2016

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.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

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

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Need a mid-year break?




The Easter holidays came very early this year so if you’re heading towards the middle of the year feeling ragged already then it’s no wonder! The push to midyear is stressful enough but what lies on the other side of the midyear bump is even more intense.



Stress levels start to spike, road rage incidents are on the increase, managers who were previously understanding and supportive are becoming impatient and shorttempered and you’re not feeling yourself either. Your family life starts to suffer, the flu bug gets hold of you and you’re not quite sure you’re going to make it. All very good reasons you should be planning a midyear break. It doesn’t have to be a long break. A quick getaway to reset your equilibrium and your family’s is really all you need.
WorldVentures has some ideas on how you can relax on one of their DreamTrip holidays – hassle free as they do all the work for you because there really isn’t any point in planning a holiday when it’s as stressful as getting through a day’s work.

Rest with the beasts of Africa:
On this DreamTrip to Zimbabwe, you’ll be staying in Antelope Park, an area dedicated to the conservation of African lions. Walk alongside these majestic big cats through the Zimbabwe bush, then watch from close by as the pride rushes toward a pile of meat, their deep roars rumbling and vibrating the ground as they feast.
https://www.dreamtrips.com/trips/1605zw1380/gwerumidlandszimbabwe

Doing it Island Style:
Island hopping in the Seychelles aboard a 21cabin motor yacht Pegasus. Winter blues can really get the better of you when it gets cold in South Africa, why not pop across to the beautiful tropical islands in the warm Indian ocean to revive yourself.
https://www.dreamtrips.com/trips/1607sc9598/maheseychelles

This will float your Boat:
Head out on a sightseeing river safari aboard a pontoon boat and see a variety of indigenous wildlife, including waterloving birds, hippos, elephants and more. Discover even more of Zimbabwe’s flora and fauna – including lions, leopards and buffalo – on a game drive around the Zambezi River. Meet and interact with the Wild Horizons elephants, gentle giants known for their friendly demeanor. Visit the Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust and learn more about the organization dedicated to raising awareness of sustainable natural resources and environmental conservation.
https://www.dreamtrips.com/trips/1607zw8303/victoriafallszimbabwe

Switch off to the sights and sounds of Zim:
This DreamTrip to Zimbabwe is a oneofakind adventure filled with possibility. The excursions available to travellers include a game drive, cultural village tour and sundowner cruise to experience the lakeside sunset.
https://www.dreamtrips.com/trips/1607zw3107/karibadistrictzimbabwe

Assault your senses with the Serene:
This DreamTrip to Namibia takes you on one thrilling ride after another, beginning with a dolphin and seal cruise aboard a spacious catamaran. Sip sundowner cocktails on a leisurely nature drive to one of the most picturesque points on Sossusvlei Lodge’s private reserve. Take in stunning sights at Sesriem Canyon and explore Deadvlei and Sossusvlei, salt and clay pans surrounded by vibrant red dunes. Many of these dunes reach heights of more than 250 meters, reflecting the golden light of the sun as it rises over the vlei.
https://www.dreamtrips.com/trips/1607na2124/swakopmunderongonamibia




Prefer to stay local? Here are two amazing destinations you might be interested in:
Shop till you drop and take in some SA culture in Cape Town:
Three days and two nights in beautiful Cape Town at a four star hotel including a tour of the V&A Waterfront and Table Mountain for R4800 including breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Bask in the beauty of the Berg:
Cathedral Peak hotel invites you to stay for three days and two nights and experience some of the most tranquil and beautiful scenery that South Africa has to offer. Guided hikes and meals included included in the price of R3200.

What’s stopping you?
For more information, please visit http://www.worldventures.com/

Thursday, April 21, 2016

Guitar virtuoso Albert Frost hits the road with a new album




Over the coming weeks, music lovers will be treated to live performances by Albert Frost, South Africa’s pre-eminent guitarist whose unique, genre crossing style has earned him much respect and adoration among audiences and peers for more than two decades.


Albert Frost - Photo by Riehan Bakkes


Frost will be touring the country for the launch of his much anticipated third solo album, The Wake Up, which explores various musical avenues and melds stylistic elements of the blues, rock, psychedelic and African genres to create something he says will surprise and excite his fans.   

On The Wake Up, Frost worked instrumentally with acclaimed bassist Schalk Joubert and celebrated drummer Jonno Sweetman, who will accompany him on stage during the tour.  

In his performances, Frost promises “diverse material, mostly new, showcased in electric and acoustic set-ups, each with a certain energy”. He adds: “The Wake Up is all about bringing something fresh to the show as well as incorporating the concept throughout the performance.”  

Although The Wake Up’s sound is a departure from Frost’s blues roots, having played with legendary South African band The Blues Broers for 21 years, he plans on incorporating some older songs into his tour shows. “There will be one or two tracks from Devils and Gods (his first studio recorded solo album) as well as a blues track or two,” he says.

Frost is excited ahead of the tour, saying: “My sound is changing with this album so I hope people like it as much as I do.

The Wake Up is available to purchase at live gigs and to download on iTunes, Google Play, Deezer and Spotify.


Tour Information

·         Cape Town: 21, 22 April, The Fugard Theatre.  Bookings:  Computicket
·         Bloemfontein: 25 April, The Vulture Club.  Bookings: www.vulture-aasvoelclub.com
·         Pretoria: 26 April, Atterbury Theatre.  Bookings:  Computicket
·         Johannesburg: 27 April, The Good Luck Bar.  Bookings: Facebook – The Good Luck Bar
·         Durban: 28 April, The Barnyard Theatre Gateway.  Bookings: gateway@barnyardtheatre.co.za
·         Durban:  29 April, The Chairman.  Bookings:  078 387 1408
·         Howick (KZN): 30 April, Caversham Mill.  Bookings:   033 234 4524  / 072 125 3392
·         Prince Albert (Western Cape): 1 May, The Showroom Theatre.  Bookings:  023 541 1563

Facebook: www.facebook.com/albert.frost.music
Twitter:  @alfrost    

 #albertfrostTheWakeUp