Kaelo Black Beauty (Pty) Ltd, a local designer, manufacturer and distributor of African dolls, children’s clothing and Mahle school bags, has become the latest SMME to be welcomed by the Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA). Kaelo Black Beauty (Pty) Ltd is based in Midrand, Gauteng, and opened their doors for the first time a year ago. According to Meshack Mulaudzi founder and CEO of Kaelo Black Beauty, the main aim of the company is to instill identity and self-love in African children. “As a father of a daughter and a son, I realized how important it was to teach girls that they are beautiful just as they are. They need to be told that “It is OK to be you”, he says. The first doll in their range is Mahle, which is Zulu for beautiful. They also design and manufacture a range of children’s clothing which match those of their vinyl Mahle dolls. The manufacturing of these clothes create much-needed employment to people in the Mayfield (in the East Rand) and Soweto Township, the majority of which are female. Packaging of the finished products take place in Boksburg and Midrand. “We wanted to join SAVA as we want to contribute to sustainable industry practice when manufacturing our products. We also believe that joining SAVA will give us exposure to bigger markets. We can partake in the sharing of knowledge of similar products and learn more about the industry as a whole,” Meshack says. Adri Spangenberg, CEO of SAVA, welcomed Kaelo Black Beauty to the association and said that it was important to support local companies who are competing in a tough market and against cheap imports. “Kaelo is a shining example of a proudly South African company who is meeting a need in the market with a good quality product. Meshack’s products play an important role in teaching children the importance of diversity, the beauty in these differences and about their African culture and heritage from a very young age Not only do they produce stunning products, but they . . .
Mafikizolo lights up the East Rand at Birchwood
Triple SAMA Award-winning group, Mafikizolo, will take to the stage as part of the Birchwood Comes Alive Jazz Evening on 9 November. As if the Afro-pop sensation wasn’t enough, they will also be joined by The Levites, Neo Dube and comedian Tall A$$ Mo on the Birchwood stage in Boksburg. Making headlines for the past two decades and having racked up multiple awards, Mafikizolo is not just your traditional Afro-pop group; this year alone, the group won three South African Music Awards namely for Best Engineered Album, Best Afro-pop Album, and Duo/Group of the Year. And last year, they released their latest album, 20, celebrating their achievements in the music industry. No strangers to the Birchwood stage are The Levites; eight budding musicians aged between 18 and late 20s. Consisting of vocalists, saxophonists, a base guitarist, a lead guitarist, a keyboard player and a drummer, the group has been performing a variety of House, Jazz and Afro-pop for four years. Inspired by Hugh Masekela and Miriam Makeba, they aim to bring a modern-take on the sounds of Africa. Highlighting upcoming talent is at the top of the agenda at the Birchwood Ekurhuleni Comes Alive Jazz Evenings and with this ethos in mind, this month soul and jazz songstress Neo Dube will be opening the evening. After releasing her first album Usengowani, last year, this 21-year-old has big dreams of radio presenting and gaining international acclaim in the coming years. Television personality, comedian and East Rand-local, Tol A$$ MO (also known as Mongezi Mahlangu) will be bringing his well-known style of comedy to the evening’s star-studded line-up. Having become a local reality star with his wife, Mome, in their television series, Mo Love on Vuzu, he has also appeared in a variety of comedy shows, talk shows, prank shows, films and was a contestant on Masterchef SA in 2015. Get your friends and family together for an unmissable Birchwood Comes Alive Jazz Evening on Friday, 9 November. . . .
APPSolve continues to unshackle young talented boxer
30 October 2018 – PRETORIA – APPSolve is proud to continue its support of young local talent with its sponsorship of Paul Kamanga, a 24-year-old DRC born professional boxer, based in the south of Johannesburg. Paul is a former WBA Pan African champion in both the Welterweight and Junior Welterweight divisions, and a former WBC international champion. APPSolve’s sponsorship is key in his preparations for his next international match scheduled towards the end of 2018. Mr Kamanga commented, “I come from a very poor family, growing up in a back room with 8 siblings and 2 parents with barely any food for us to eat daily. The only clothes we had would be the old clothes that were donated to us by other people.” He continues, “Growing up I have always loved fighting. I would fight a lot in the street and one day I was badly injured in a fight. Initially I decided to start boxing to avenge those who hit me. However, overtime, boxing changed me in that it taught me discipline and it showed me a way out of my challenging circumstances. I perceived it as a gift from God that I use this talent to better my life and the life of my family. I established my amateur boxing career here in South Africa and then went on to become a professional boxer. This has taken me to Russia and the UK where I have both trained and fought. I now have my sights set on the US and Canada.” Paul has a clear vision for the future, “My goal now is to become No 1 in the world which will allow me make enough money to start a business that will help my family live a better life. My family and their well-being is my primary motivation to strive and be successful. They are the reason that keeps me going”. In additional to his hectic training schedule, Paul is also a motivational speaker focusing on bullying in schools. He started his own charity in 2016 called “Lets clean the South” which encourages street kids that beg at the side of the road to join the community to clean the area. In return he pays . . .
Rebrand redefines direction for Ozone Information Technology Distribution
Strategic focus on superlative IT solutions refines brand name and brand direction Johannesburg, South Africa, October 2018: Ozone Information Technology Distribution, leading South African channel partner and IT solutions distributor, has changed its name from Ozone Information Technology Solutions. The change in name accompanies a shift in strategic focus as the brand adopts a title more suited to its growth plans and future. “We changed our name from Information Technology Solutions to Information Technology Distribution as it more accurately reflected our offering and how we work with our partners and clients,” says Henk Olivier, MD, Ozone Information Technology Solutions. “We are becoming known as the reliable distribution hub of superlative IT solutions so it made sense to adjust the name to suit our role.” Ozone Information Technology Distribution was established in 2009 as a premier distribution hub for leading IT products in South Africa. The company provides support, training and in-depth knowledge and understanding of IT solutions in the local market and has garnered a reputation for providing world-class solutions to its clients. Today, the company offers a range of security and as-a-Service solutions from globally recognised brands. Each product and offering ideally placed to support the small to medium enterprise (SME) in streamlining operations, improving security and enhancing communications. “Our new name is more closely aligned to our vision and how we plan to grow our business and our client relationships going forward,” concludes Olivier.” To find out more about Ozone Information Technology Distribution and how it can work with your business to create intelligent technology, visit www.ozone.co.za, call +27 10 591 5588, or email info@ozone.co.za. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. . . .
HR Company Solutions proudly presents Madelein Smit as participant on Season 2 of the popular “How Do I Look? South Africa” on E!
HR Company Solutions proudly presents Madelein Smit as participant on Season 2 of the popular “How Do I Look? South Africa” on E! JOHANNESBURG, 29 OCTOBER 2018 – HR Company Solutions, one of the fastest growing human resource companies in South Africa and with a focus on Premium Placement Service, is proud to announce that one of it’s founding members and directors, Madelein Smit, will be participating in the second season of the popular show “How Do I Look? South Africa” Season 2. Following the success of the first season, each episode of How Do I Look? South Africa Season Two will delve deeper into the personal journeys of the participants hailing from all walks of life. Roxy Burger will once again host the show, which takes the participants on a personal journey to transform their styles and lives. Madelein Smit commented, “As an HR Professional, I engage with a diverse amount of people, who are all on different paths during their life and career. I have always been a bubbly and outgoing person myself and I thought I looked amazing but the opportunity of being on this show has given me extraordinary confidence and really left an impression on me. As a Mom and business owner, I always felt rushed to be at every event, to run my business smoothly and to stand out as the person who has it all under control. I often felt like I didn’t make time for myself or acknowledge how important it was for me to take the time to accentuate my figure stylishly, to wear a hair style that suits me and put some pretty make up on that would make me feel more beautiful and truly show the world how I felt on the inside through my appearance. I feel more empowered in the way that I dress and in how I project myself outwardly and I feel that I deserve the extra time for myself too. I enjoy speaking to the younger generation about dressing to make an impression, especially for interviews and it has been incredible to get involved with ‘How do I look, South Africa’ because . . .
Engaged Entrepreneurs in Jozi
The Johannesburg leg and last workshop of the ninth annual ENGEN Pitch & Polish programme was held on Saturday, 13 October, and was attended by very engaged and enthusiastic group of entrepreneurs. Since inception, this national entrepreneurial workshop and competition – hosted in partnership with Engen Petroleum Ltd, Nedbank, Raizcorp and Caxton Local Media – has helped over 11 000 entrepreneurs improve the way they pitch their businesses to potential investors. Following the opening talk by Justin Cohen (best-selling author and international speaker) during which he discussed the truth about motivation and the value of delivering a polished pitch, Allon Raiz (founder of Raizcorp) proclaimed that it was inspirational to see so many entrepreneurs. “My entrepreneurship journey started as a ‘one-man band’ and I, too, had to pitch constantly. The mission of ENGEN Pitch & Polish is to give you the best chance when the opportunity arises. It is your job to convince an investor to spend money on you, your product or service and that they will get a return. We need each and every one of you to grow this country, so learn and perfect your pitch and then go on and employ people and make the change.” Through the pitch of Thami Biyela, who has a software-development business, the delegates saw the value of being clear and concise when describing the core business. Bringing in an emotive aspect is effective in capturing the attention of a potential investor; however, the numbers must also be sound. Sipho Mampe, who came in third place with his lab equipment manufacturing company, learned that being authentic was powerful and that it instantly made his pitch clearer. He delivered a detailed breakdown of the funding required and, based on the feedback, now understands that he must understand the profitability of each product line. Coming in second place, Thuso Motau, who manufactures household detergents, learned that it will add credibility to her pitch to . . .
Cutting edge navigation technologies enable treatment of most complex heart rhythm disorders
Cutting edge computerised remote navigation technologies are enabling individuals with even the most complex of heart rhythm disorders to be treated safely and effectively at the Netcare Sunninghill Hospital Cardiac Centre in Johannesburg. “At the hospital we are performing minimally invasive procedures to correct heart rhythm disorders which would previously have been impossible to treat thanks to technologies such as the Stereotaxis Niobe Remote Magnetic Navigation [RMN] system,” says Dr Anthony Stanley, an interventional cardiologist and heart rhythm specialist, or electrophysiologist, who practises at the hospital with fellow cardiologist and heart rhythm specialist, Dr Andrew Thornton. “The RMN system, the only equipment of its kind in South Africa, is providing the interventional cardiologists at the hospital with the means to perform the most intricate procedures to correct complex heart rhythm disorders that would otherwise have been untreatable,” he adds. According to Jacques du Plessis, managing director of the Netcare hospital division, the electrophysiology laboratory at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital “Is one of the best-equipped facilities of its kind in the country, offering patients a comprehensive heart rhythm disorder, or arrhythmia, service”. Dr Stanley, an experienced interventional cardiologist who has been practising at Netcare Sunninghill Hospital’s well-known cardiac centre for 15 years, explains that the RMN system is a computerised magnetically-controlled navigation system that is used to remotely guide tiny surgical tools in minimally invasive heart rhythm disorder surgery. “The technology utilises two permanent magnets mounted on pivoting arms that are enclosed within a stationary housing, with one magnet on either side of the patient table. These create a magnetic field that interacts with a tiny magnet in the tip of a catheter allowing finer navigation within the heart and arteries, and enabling us to control the . . .
Benefits of employee training and skills development
When a new business is experiencing growth, there comes a time where every business owner has to consider investing in the further education and training of their staff. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. When you see your revenues beginning to stagnate, the first thing you need to do is analyze where you can optimize your current systems and more often than not, your employees are where the biggest improvements can be made. There is a variety of reasons for this, most commonly, as you begin to grow, new responsibilities are placed on your staff, as well as the need for more advanced operations and systems to be put in place. There may also be an increase in workload which can add additional stress to the work environment. If not addressed correctly, this can lead to an array of unnecessary challenges for your business. Such as projects not getting completed on time and costly mistakes that could have been avoided had your employees known the correct actions to take or had the right risk management procedures in place. The best way to prevent this from happening is by investing into the further education of your employees. Not only is it extremely beneficial from an ROI perspective, but corporate training also has significant tax benefits for businesses in South Africa. It has been proven time and again that sending your staff for specialized training can be the single biggest return on investment that you can make in your business. By utilizing a corporate training company, you can help them to become more effective, more productive and also teach your staff to look at specific challenges from a new perspective. Instead of losing valuable employees, you can rather help them to develop their skills and learn as your business grows. Here are some of the following courses which can help your employees become better: Conflict management and negotiation skills: Learning how to deal with conflict is not only important in the . . .
Embassy of Japan Lights Up the Orlando Children’s Home in Soweto
Embassy of Japan Lights Up the Orlando Children’s Home in Soweto On the 20th of October 2018 the Embassy of Japan in South Africa officially handed over a Youth Development Centre, equipped with a high-efficiency solar power system, to the Orlando Children’s Home. The centre will make it possible for children to enjoy various indoor activities, including Karate, Judo, basketball, singing and dancing, to contribute towards the healthy development of the youth. The event was attended by dignitaries including Yasushi Naito, Counsellor of the Consul of Japan in Cape Town, Mrs Zanele Mbeki, former First Lady and founder of Women’s Development Bank, as well as Reverend Frank Chikane, Mr Max Sisulu, Mrs Elinor Sisulu, Mr Murphy Morobe, Mr Pasty Malefo, Ms Mampho Brescia andMs Lalla Hirayama. The project was funded by the Embassy of Japan’s Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Project (GGP) and amounts to R4.4m. The development centre has an advanced solar power system that can produce 100% of the electricity needed for the building and reduce environmental burden. In this public and private collaboration project, a Japanese company, Kawaguchi Energy Natural Solutions, provided the required technology. The installed solar panels on the roof are one of the lightest in the world, flexible, efficient and is protected against hail. “Orlando Children’s Home is a place of hope and goodwill. It is encouraging to know that some of the graduates of Orlando Children’s Home have become successful businessmen and social workers who continue to give back to their community. We are honoured to be a part of programmes that inspire children to reach out towards their greatest dreams and aspirations,” says Yasushi Naito. Mr Naito is the longest-serving Japanese diplomat in South Africa. He has been in this position for 19 years intermittently since 1987. He also started the initial interaction with Orlando Children’s Home, 30 years ago. The Orlando Children’s . . .
Engen’s service excellence acknowledged with award
Engen has achieved the highest service score in the Petroleum Station category of South Africa's premier service excellence benchmark, the Ask Afrika Orange Index Awards. The Ask Afrika Orange Index Awards took place at The Venue in Melrose Arch, Johannesburg earlier this month. Seelan Naidoo, Engen General Manager: Retail says the company appreciates the vote of confidence that the award represents. “The Ask Afrika Orange Index Award is as a result of the hard work that the Engen team has contributed in delivering an unparalleled service experience to all our customers,” comments Naidoo. Service is a moving target and Engen understands that customer expectations are always changing. “What our customers want today will be different from what they might expect tomorrow,” adds Naidoo. “The challenge for Engen is to always remain on our toes, and to stay relevant in meeting the dynamic needs of our customers.” While Engen continues to have the largest service station footprint in South Africa, it has been the company’s constant innovation and focus on exceptional customer service that continues to place it ahead of the pack in brand recognition and loyalty across all audiences. The Orange Index Awards are South Africa's longest running service awards. Run by the Ask Afrika Market Research company, the awards are the benchmark of service excellence in the country, tracking people's experiences of service delivery, as well as changing trends and expectations. Over 30 industries and 165 companies form part of the survey and are ranked based on 10 most relevant service benchmarks according to the customer experience. The study uses a robust sample of 15 000 participants, and benchmarks how consumers expect to be treated, and provides insights for brands to influence the consumer experience. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. . . .
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