Cape Town, 14 March 2017 – South Africa’s discerning luxury consumers can now shop at 150 luxury boutiques on the streets of Italy via Italist, the world’s largest online shopping portal fully dedicated to selling the world’s luxury brands from Italy’s luxury multi-brand independent fashion retailers. This is according to Italist CEO, Diego Abba, who was in South Africa this week to announce the company’s presence in South Africa. He says that without leaving their homes, both men and women will now be able to shop at some of Italy’s most beautiful stores, which have only ever been accessible to South Africans who actually travel overseas and visit the boutiques on the streets of Italy. “Now luxury lovers can conveniently shop for the broadest selection of luxury clothes, shoes and accessories from over 150 premium multi-brand retailers, via the Italist online marketplace,” he says. “On Italist.com the South African luxury shopper will now have access to a wide selection of exclusive products from some of the world’s top luxury brands such as Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Celine, Givenchy, Gucci, Missoni, to the most current designers such as Off-White, Golden Goose and Mary Katrantzou selected from top luxury multi-brand stores.” Furthermore, Italist provides consumers with access to limited edition offerings that are almost impossible to find anywhere else except for in the physical stores in a few cities in Italy. Through Italist, consumers can also enjoy very competitive prices on their purchases, which are priced the same as they would be when purchasing these goods from luxury boutiques along the streets of Italy, but with a better assortment and at lower prices than the rest of the world. “In creating Italist, we wanted to revolutionise the luxury shopping experience for everyone around the world, where they can conveniently browse and purchase premium goods through this one-stop marketplace,” says Diego Abba, Co-Founder and CEO of Italist. …
FFG Fast Tracks Growth with BEE Deal and New Name, New Brand
Health Care & Employee Benefit specialist company FFG Risk Solutions is changing its name to The People Company, co-inciding with a new BEE deal which will see the Siyakhula Sonke Empowerment Corporation (Pty) Ltd (“SSC”) acquire a 35% shareholding in the Company. The deal with SSC, a diversified level one black-owned, operating, minerals and investment company, together with the company’s existing black employee shareholding of 6.6% has increased the black shareholding in The People Company to 41.6%. “SSC brings a wealth of management expertise and experience to the table as well as a substantial network of businesses and new opportunities for the expansion of our business,” says MD Paul Kempff. “We believe it is a strategic partnership for both companies that will lead to accelerated growth and increased value for all stakeholders.” Kempff continues: “SSC’s plans for future growth aligned very well with ours, and the partnership made business sense for both parties. More importantly, from our first meeting we realised that the two companies shared the same values and business principles and we knew that there would be a good cultural fit.” The new BEE deal presents a great opportunity for FFG to reposition itself under The People Company, which provides consulting services on Health Care and Employee Benefits to small, medium and large corporate employers. “We believe we are now ready to take on some of the bigger Employee Benefits intermediaries in South Africa as we have a compelling value proposition with our focus on education, creating peace of mind and of course a very personal service to employees.” The company’s Health Care department has contracts with 13 medical schemes, various short term insurers, occupational health benefit providers as well as providers of Wellness and Employee Assistance Programmes. The Employee Benefits department has contracts with most of the major retirement fund administrators and group risk insurers in …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Soft and Subtle Green Thai Chicken Curry an Asian Inspired Delight
If you are a lover of green thai curry and are looking to impress your loved ones or that one special person with a great dish that is mild and uncomplicated but full of flavour then this Asian inspired delight from TV personality and well-known chef, Mynhardt Joubert promises to tickle the taste buds. Recipe This delicious recipe calls for roasted sweet potato instead of rice and makes the world of difference in the soft and subtle tastes of this dish. INGREDIENTS: 100ml of canola oil 2 large sweet potatoes cut length wise into chips 1 large tablespoon of green curry paste 2-3 fresh green chilies, deseeded and roughly chopped 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger 3-4 cloves garlic, chopped or crushed 1 teaspoon dried fine coriander 1/2 teaspoon of dried fine cumin 2 handfuls of fresh coriander leaves, roughly chopped 1 cup of chicken stock 4 chicken breasts 1 teaspoon of sugar 1 tin of coconut milk 100g tender stem broccoli 100g mange tout One tablespoon of fish sauce Juice and rind of one lime Fresh basil and coriander Handful of sprouts METHOD Place the sweet potatoes on a roasting tray and toss with 50ml of canola oil and season with salt and pepper bake until golden brown for about 25 to 30 minutes. In a food processor add the curry paste, chillies, ginger, garlic, dried coriander, cumin and a dash of chicken stock. Blend until a paste has formed. Add 50ml of the oil to a pan or wok and quick fry the paste. Add the chicken and sugar and caramelise together. Add the rest of the chicken stock, coconut milk and heat through. Add the mangetout and broccoli with the fish sauce, lime juice and rind and cook until it starts to bubble then remove from the heat. Serve in large soup bowl with sweet potato chips and garnish with fresh basil and coriander and sprouts. For a Perfect Pairing Joubert says that he finds pairing wine with Asian food and flavours one of the easier pairings to do. Some wines like barrel fermented chenins, oaked …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
KWV Wines Ranked Highest SA Brand in ‘World’s Most Admired Wine Brands’
KWV has been named as the Highest Ranked South African Wine Brand in Drinks International’s World’s Top 50 Most Admired Wine Brands. This is the fifth successive year that KWV has topped the charts in the prestigious Drinks annual awards and is one of only two South African brands to feature in the top fifty this year. “Being ranked the highest South African brand is a true honour and especially meaningful considering the admiration poll involved over 200 of the world’s top masters of wine who based their scores on quality and brand appeal,” says De Bruyn Steenkamp, Global Sales & Marketing Director for KWV. “This accolade gives us great recognition and we are glad that our ruthless focus on developing the KWV brand as a stamp of quality and heritage and innovation, continues to be recognised globally.” “Not only do we have retail brands such as our award winning KWV Classic Collection, we also produce a boutique wine range in KWV The Mentors using boutique wine making methods,” he explains. “The Mentors range is the pinnacle of our KWV portfolio and is arguably the most awarded wine range from South Africa, and the ethos of the brand is to honour the diversity of terroir that our beautiful country has to offer.” “We also have endorsed ranges in the Guardian Collection, Cathedral Cellar and Heritage Abraham Perold,” he explains. He continues: “To further maintain our position of the proudly pioneering South African wine brand image we will place a huge focus over the next financial year in ‘step changing’ our market share within the South African domestic market. Our brand has very strong latent equity and it is our hope to bolster our distribution and activate our brand at the point of purchase in order to translate brand equity into sales.” In the Global markets KWV is constantly expanding and focusing efforts behind its young direct businesses in Russia and the USA respectively and De Bruyn says they are excited with the growth …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
The Future Looks Bright for the Blind in South Africa
Blind Institute Renamed Kaleidoscope and Refocus’ as Commercially Viable Entity Cape Town, 7th April, 2016 – The Institute for the Blind (IFB) has changed its name to Kaleidoscope, marking the Institute’s 135-year history and its new focus as a commercially viable entity. It is the first time the Institute, which is the only organisation that has been catering for the all-inclusive needs of visually impaired persons in South Africa since 1881, has changed its name in its 135-year history. “As Kaleidoscope SA’s pay off line ‘Let the blind lead’ emphasizes, the new name change places the focus on visually impaired persons as complete citizens in the community capable of taking the lead in society,” says global adventurer and motivational speaker Hein Wagner, who is Kaleidoscope’s brand ambassador. He continues: “We have chosen the brand name Kaleidoscope to symbolize the unity of purpose for people of varying needs and through the vibrancy of this brand we are united in a Kaleidoscope of colours to spread joy and happiness in Worcester, South Africa and internationally.” Freddie Botha, Kaleidoscope Executive Head comments: “Blind people in the modern world are often unseen, invisible to a sighted society, and we want to change that because the blind have such unlimited potential and so much to offer to the world. Human awareness can be likened to a Kaleidoscope, and we know that with a simple twist of perception so much can be revealed. This is what has led us to the new name for the refreshed, revived Institute for the Blind.” The Institute presently receives only 15% of government aid and is therefore solely responsible for the generation of 85% of the total operational expenses. “It is therefore important that we should strive to become more self- sustainable to ensure a future for our persons who are visually impaired,” Wagner explains. He says that the Institute is setting up sustainable partnerships with local and international business …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
SA property market will weather economic headwinds – BetterLife’s Shaun Rademeyer Weighs-in
The SA residential housing market will continue to remain attractive to investors, despite the challenges posed by a toughening and uncertain economic environment. This is the upbeat sentiment expressed by Shaun Rademeyer, CEO of Betterlife, SA’s largest mortgage originator, who points out a number of encouraging factors at variance with other current industry perspective. “Despite a number of bleak predictions for both the economy and the residential property market for the year ahead and the somewhat unconvincing plans set out by Zuma in his recent SONA address, savvy investors can look to capitalise on the very real opportunities that current market conditions present,” says Rademeyer, who states that it is often in a challenging business environment, or when stock markets are under threat, that residential property demand flourishes. Both in buoyant times and through recessions, property investment has proven a sound decision for homebuyers and investors he comments. “In fact, as a catalyst for wealth creation, it’s still hard to beat!” The key, he states, as with almost any investment, is still to exercise patience and a long-term view. The fact remains that the country’s housing shortage will continue into 2016 he says, with demand, particularly in the larger metropolitan areas, still far outstripping supply. “Ultimately, there are still more buyers in the market than sellers,” he says, “and what 2016 may well introduce, is a shift from the strong sellers market we’ve experienced in past years to a more balanced market. Whilst the pace of growth is likely to slow, and remain in single digit territory, the fact is it will still grow! “In 2015 it was still a fairly aggressive market, where decisions needed to be made quickly, but with the market tipped to ‘take a breather’ in 2016 this should put less pressure on purchase decision-making and give buyers increased confidence in the property process.” Whilst economists continue to advise South …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Initiative Launches to Reduce Tuberculosis (TB) Germ Transmissions
‘Haybo Wena Campaign To Kick-Off TB Awareness Month’ Cape Town, 25th February, 2016 – With TB Awareness Month kicking off on Tuesday 1st of March, the Haybo Wena! (Hey You!) Use Your Elbow, initiative launches aimed at driving education in South African on the prevention of airborne TB germ transmissions by using your elbow when you cough. TB remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide and is second only to HIV/AIDS as the greatest killer with South Africa reporting one of the highest infection rates in the world. It is spread by breathing in air-borne bacteria from people with active infectious TB disease and is preventable. The Haybo Wena campaign is a project realized by Good Business and Saatchi & Saatchi SA with the support of a grant to Good Business from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. These three organisations care greatly about the health and wellbeing of the South African public. “We needed to find a way to engage the public in a fun and light-hearted way in order to encourage them to call out others when they see someone coughing to use their elbow rather than their hands,” this according to Michael Joubert, Chairman of South African Family Health Association (The largest health NGO in SA). Joubert explains: “Haybo Wena! (Hey You!) Use Your Elbow! is the phrase we have adopted for the initiative, TB is preventable and by getting people to change their behavior with a simple action like using their elbow opposed to their hand will assist in curbing the spread of this deadly disease and ultimately empower the public to speak out.” “TB germs can survive for up to 24-hours on hard surfaces and are spread through the air when someone who is sick with TB coughs or sneezes,” he adds. “With South Africans commuting in confined spaces and living in cramped housing facilities the disease is rife and a change in behavior through education and empowerment is key to breaking the cycle.” “The campaign is lead by traditional …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Pay Tribute to the World’s Favourite Original Cocktail – It’s International Margarita Day!
The 22nd of February is International Margarita Day, the perfect day to pay tribute to this cocktail. Legend has it that over 220 years ago the earth erupted with the agave plant and a hero named Jose Cuervo started making history. When prohibition left everyone dry he crossed the borders to quench their thirsts and then he met the beauty Margarita in a bar and the world’s most famous cocktail was born. Loved and consumed by millions, around the world from haciendas of sun-drenched Mexico to the best clubs and bars, people honour this sacred tequila; triple sec and lime drink on a specific day dedicated to the celebration of its existence. After all it’s the most famous cocktail to ever come out of Mexico. A bit of history: Although steeped in urban myth, the exact time and individual responsible for its existence is often debated. What is known is that the original Margarita was always made with Jose Cuervo tequila, the world’s favourite tequila since 1975. Some accounts of its creation date as far back as the 1930’s where bartenders from Mexico and the surrounding regions staked claim to its invention. However, during the 1940’s Jose Cuervo was responsible for advertising campaigns with the slogan, ‘Margarita, it’s more than just a girls name,’ and according to Jose Cuervo records it was invented in 1938 by a bartender in honour of a Mexican showgirl named Rita de la Rosa. Whatever its origins from the cantinas of old Mexico or the American West, it is a classic and one of the finest ways to enjoy Jose Cuervo tequila. Make your own To honour this cocktail’s history it is best to drink it in its classic way, served with salt on the rim of the glass, shaken with ice on the rocks. Award-winning bartender, tequila aficionado and official ambassador for Jose Cuervo Tradicional, Siavash ‘Marshall’ Behaein provides the perfect cocktail recipe to honour this tradition: Classic Margarita with Agave Syrup Twist You’ll need tequila, Cointreau (triple sec), …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Breaking the Cycle of Violence in the Cape Flats
Community Action for a Safer Environment (CASE) Launches Powerful Campaign Community Action for a Safer Environment (CASE) with Saatchi & Saatchi South Africa have launched a powerfully emotive television commercial aimed at getting people to take action against breaking the cycle of violence for children living in the Cape Flats. Started in 2001, CASE is a charity organisation, which counsels people affected by violence and empowers them to play a part in healing their communities, and assists children being raised in violent environments from becoming violent adults. It is run by volunteers of all ages from the community of Hanover Park and has become an effective catalyst for transformation in the area. According to crime statistics, every month about 100 people are shot dead in the Western Cape with 18% being gang-related and over the past decade murder rates have more than doubled in the area of the Cape Flats. Hanover Park is especially rife with violent crimes. By some estimates, more than 40% of men report having being physically violent towards a partner, and about 50% of women report having being victims of domestic violence. “For the children of the Cape flats area, violence is a daily reality and with this commercial we are hoping to break the cycle and not let it shape their future,” says Creative Director at Saatchi & Saatchi, Mimi Cooper. “Many South Africans have ‘charity fatigue’ and many don’t even realise what a big issue gang and domestic violence is so we needed to develop a TVC that would raise awareness of the organisation and also get people to donate through a highly powerful message.” “We essentially needed to put the viewer in the shoes of those affected, the children,” she explains. “Most people are concerned with their children watching violence on TV, but for people in the Cape Flats, violence is real.” The commercial features a little boy watching TV, you hear violent sounds which you assume are coming from …
Track Your Press Release HERE:
Celebrate International Rosé Day with the Perfect Pink Pairing
International Rosé Day gives you the perfect excuse to celebrate spring a little early with your besties, alfresco style, on 14th August with a Rosé inspired perfect pink pairing. Try this recipe perfected by TV personality and well-known chef, Mynhardt Joubert, with a glass or two of KWV Classic Collection Shiraz Rosé, a bright, salmon-pink wine that shows upfront fruit aromas of strawberries, rose petals and candy floss, with hints of violets, Turkish delight and raspberries. KWV Classic Collection Shiraz Rosé Inspired Carpaccio and Beetroot salad This easy-to-prepare salad is a combination of fresh produce, carpaccio of your choice and wonderful seasonal colours easily available off the shelves this time of the year. We add a quick home made mayonnaise recipe with the basics of the salad listed below, keeping in mind that you can add whatever suits you and your budget. Adapt the size of the salad to the amount of people dining. Ingredients: Carpaccio (we used ostrich carpaccio) One head of Romanesco Broccoli blanched in boiling water for one minute then chilled in an ice bath Fresh cherries Sliced fresh strawberries Baby beetroot, cooked, cleaned and halved Baby salad leaves Fresh rose petals Cucumber ribbons shaved with vegetable peeler and rolled Fresh lemon Olive oil Salt and pepper Beetroot mayonaisse Beetroot Mayonnaise Recipe This is a quick and easy foolproof recipe for home made mayonnaise. You can adjust the quantity keeping in mind that the ratio is one egg to 250ml of oil. Ingredients: Two large fresh eggs at room temperature One tablespoon of wholegrain mustard Juice of one lemon Salt and pepper 500ml of canola oil two small cooked beetroots Method: Combine the eggs, mustard, lemon, salt and pepper in a blender and blend really well on high speed for one minute. Start adding the oil in a steady stream. The liquid will start thickening instantly. As soon as all the oil is in …