When Belgian tourist Michèle Simonis realised she had forgotten her handbag at the Engen 1 Stop in Mossel Bay, the family was already 200km away and believed they would never see it again. But they soon discovered that South African hospitality runs deep, and that Engen staff would go the distance necessary to reunite bag and owner, even if the family had already departed the country for home. Getting the bag back to Belgium was a joint effort; it was discovered by Engen staffers Lynette Josephs, Hazel Matiso and Monique Floors, who then alerted Engen 1 Stop Mossel Bay director, Dirk van Niekerk. From there, the bag was delivered to the son of the owner of a George guesthouse, who was set to return home to Germany, from where it was couriered to Simonis in Belgium. Her husband Luc Theunissen was astounded: “South African people are really incredible.” In his first letter to Van Niekerk, Theunissen expressed concern about whether the bag still contained a pair of glasses, his wife’s keys and a USB stick containing pictures of the couple and their daughter’s on holiday in Oudtshoorn. Van Niekerk responded: “Looks like everything is still in the handbag – even the money!” “I am extremely proud of our staff. They turned a situation that could have left a bad taste in the mouths of foreign visitors into a total triumph,” commented Van Niekerk. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. . . .
SITA Invests in 7th School Computer Lab at Academia Primary School in Khayelitsha
SITA invests in 7th school computer Lab at Academia Primary School in Khayelitsha - Khayelitsha, Cape Town - on the 28th of September 2018, the SITA South Africa team joined the learners and teachers at Academia Primary School in Khayelitsha, Cape Town to celebrate the opening of their new SITA ICT Lab. The Academia Primary ICT Lab is the seventh school Lab funded by SITA, the worlds leading air transport IT and communications specialist, and the first time they have invested in an ICT Lab in a primary school and in the Western Cape of South Africa. Khayelitsha is one of the poorest areas of Cape Town with 70% of the residents living in shacks and 40% being under the age of 19. Academia Primary educates 557 primary school children and attains a strong pass rate making it an appealing school within this impoverished community. For this reason SITA chose to build the 7th SITA ICT Lab here with the help of Melisizwe consulting- Computer Lab Project Managers. The state of the art ICT Lab with 40 new PC’s, a smart board and academic software was revealed to staff, learners and Cape district of education delegates alongside sponsors SAA and SITA. Suren Naidoo, Senior Manager Customer Services at SITA, addressed the gathering highlighting the importance of investing in the education of the youth to provide access to critical IT skills much needed to develop the economy of South Africa. Suren noted he hoped to see some of the learners attending the ceremony working in the aerospace sector one day. Bruce Croza, head of IT at SAA, a longtime partner and customer of SITA encouraged the learners to bring their passion and innovation to their use of the new ICT Lab as this Lab is only the start of the technological journey for these young children. Tech education will be vital to enabling the kids of Khayelitsha, and their community, to rise above their circumstances and embrace the fourth industrial revolution with confidence. Around the world, nearly . . .
Final Day Of The Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS – All The Results.
Final Day Of The Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS – All The Results. Event: Billabong Junior Series Status: WSL JQS 1,000 rated events for U18 Boys & Girls, SAST events for U16 & U14 Boys & Girls, and U12 Boys & Girls. Venue: Seal Point, Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape Dates: September 28 – 30. Seal Point, Cape St Francis – Breezy onshore conditions and a slight surge in swell greeted competitors on the final day of competition at the Billabong Junior Series Finale, and the first heat of the day – the U12 Girls Final was sent straight out. Gabi Herbst was the surfer of the morning with a few incredible rides in the mixed up conditions, including an 8.0 ride for the title. Sarah Scott was the runner up. Kai Hall was the champion in the U12 Boys final, banking one huge score for two critical turns on a big set wave for a score of 9.33 and an unassailable lead, closely followed by Joel Fowles who surfed impressively on his backhand. The U14 Girls division was a slow heat, with low scores and at the end of the heat it was Aimee Du Preez who emerged as the winner, with Olivia Winter in second place. Luke Thompson caught 11 waves in his Final heat to defeat James Ribbink in what was an exciting and fast U14 Boys heat. Thompson’s strategy of hard and fast surfing, catch anything that moves proved to be the winning formula, with Ribbink Daniel Emslie and Brad Scott filling up the minor slots. As the tide dropped out and the onshore waves continued to pour through relentlessly, the U16 Girls headed out for their final, and it was an action-packed exchange, with three of the girls on their backhand and one on her forehand. Zoe Steyn emerged victorious with a safe win against her counterparts, with Kayla Nogueira, Ceara Knight and Caroline Brown in second, third and fourth respectively. The U16 Boys was another final dogged by few sets and low scores, with Tide-Lee Ireland snagging the win from York Van Jaarsveldt with a . . .
Excellent Surf For Day 2 of the Billabong Junior Series presented by BOS
Event: Billabong Junior Series Status: WSL JQS 1,000 rated events for U18 Boys & Girls, SAST events for U16 & U14 Boys & Girls, and U12 Boys & Girls. Venue: Seal Point, Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape Dates: September 28 – 30. Seal Point, Cape St Francis – Excellent three-foot waves with offshore conditons greeted the surfers on day 2 of the Billabong Junior Series Finale pres. by BOS, and the Pro Junior divisions were sent straight out in the early morning light. It was high action from the get-go, and Bryce Du Preez and Calvin Goor were the Men’s standouts along with Ceara Knight and Zoe Steyn in the Women’s division. Steyn was awarded a 9,33 out of a possible 10 points for her best ride, in which she executed a series of radical turns along the inside, ending up on the rocks. “I just saw such a good section on that wave and managed to hook it all the way past the rocks,” said Steyn. “There wasn’t priority at that stage so I had to hussle a bit to get that wave.” In the U14 Boys James Ribbink dominated his heat and although it was a bit wave-starved he banked two good scores for the heat win. “There weren’t too many waves out there in that heat, so I got an insider just to quickly open up my score,” said Ribbink. “Then I saw another decent looking wave and paddled further out and got it. I managed a couple of carves on it and so had two decent scores quite early on in the heat.” Ribbink advanced along with Connor Slijpen. Other surfers who shone in this division were Christian Venter, an on-form Daniel Emslie, and Brad Scott. Ribbink went on to win his semifinal and will compete in the U14 Final tomorrow. In the highly competitive U16 Boys division Mitch Du Preez and York Van Jaarsveldt advanced to the Final, leaving Aya Gericke and Josh Daniel in their wake. The second Semifinal in this division was a close affair, with Tide-Lee Ireland winning ahead of Reilly Mare. Sam Bennie and Nathan Perris were both eliminated in the . . .
Do.Fail.Learn.Repeat – Advice From A Seasoned Entrepreneur
Cape Town, South Africa (September 2018) - Nic Haralambous - entrepreneur, author, speaker and stylish sock icon - has done it again. The businessman behind startups such as Motribe, ForeFront Africa and the popular fashion brand Nic Harry, has released his debut book, Do.Fail.Learn.Repeat. and it is exactly what you need to read if you are looking for an honest, open look at the life of an entrepreneur. From the age of 16, Nic has been exercising his entrepreneurial skills. Starting with building web-based products and moving on to creating full-sized companies in the tech world. He has built businesses from the ground up and seen many of them succeed, but he’s also seen a number of them fail. After graduating from Rhodes University, Nic tried to make his way up the corporate ladder but soon found that working on his own passions and interests was what he really wanted to be doing. So, that’s what he pursued. Founding multiple startups until he found his current brainchild, Nic Harry. The funky sock brand has taken South African men’s fashion by storm, and recently added a range of underwear and T-shirts as well. All products are made with soft bamboo fibres, allowing for comfort, style and variety for guys who want variety in their wardrobes. Now, Nic has written and released a business biography, in which he outlines his business successes and failures, as well as the lessons he learnt along the way. In the book, he gives an accurate and truthful account of how he got to where he is today. He opens up about failing and shares how he got back up after each failed attempt. The book came out in July 2018 and has hit all major bookstore shelves. It is also available on his website. Online buyers will receive a signed copy and can add a pair of Nic Harry socks, that match the book’s cover, to their carts as well. Nic is also available to be booked for talks, where he shares his experience and knowledge with like-minded . . .
Gymkhana grid returns to South Africa for 2018
Gymkhana GRiD World Finals to be held in South Africa on 1st December 2018 Celebrating Gymkhana GRiD’s seventh year of competition Totally unique competition format as GRiD returns to Carnival City, Johannesburg, for the second time, after the inaugural event in 2017 50 international drivers go head to head in two classes, set to burn rubber on a custom designed track layout One of Motorsport’s most unique competitions – attracting a full grid of elite international drivers is set to hold its world final in South Africa this year. That’s right; Gymkhana GRiD is back, and returning to Carnival City Johannesburg, at the end of the 2018 competition season. This not only means a one-of a kind racing spectacle will be going live on December 1st, but also, for all except two drivers, there’s a chance for redemption and a second shot at the coveted GRiD podium. For the series seventh year of tyre slaying, GRiD returns to the vast Carnival City Resort complex, with a faster, and more technical track layout – offering a fresh set of challenges to test man and machine to the absolute edge of their performance. Last year the Savannah of shred and a Braai of burnouts witnessed reigning FIA World Rallycross Champion Johan Kristoffersson (All-Wheel Drive) and four-time Gymkhana GRiD rear-wheel drive class champion Luke Woodham steal the show in the final battles, leaving the rest of the field in their dust. Now the scene is set for a sequel of epic proportions. Luke Woodham explains: “It gets harder and harder every year. There are some big names coming over to South Africa, and I want to put up a good fight for the title again. Certainly I never expected to win it two times in a row, let alone three or four times in succession. But by all means I’m coming back in better shape than before – faster, and stronger. There’s a lot of pressure for sure – most of which I put on myself, but mainly I’m just excited now to get there and drive at GRiD again. It’s the . . .
Champions Decided at Billabong Junior Series pres. by BOS in Cape St Francis this Weekend
Champions Decided at Billabong Junior Series in Cape St Francis this Weekend Event: Billabong Junior Series Status: WSL JQS 1,000 rated events for U18 Boys & Girls, SAST events for U16 & U14 Boys & Girls, and U12 Boys & Girls. Venue: Seal Point, Cape St Francis, Eastern Cape Dates: September 28 – 30. Seal Point, Cape St Francis – The best junior surfers in the country are arriving in Seal Point for the final event in the 2018 Billabong Junior Series. The surf forecast for the contest has signs that it might be an epic weekend of surfing at the ever-consistent Seal Point, with plenty of swell around for the competitors to display their top surfing skills to the judges. This event is possibly one of the most crucial junior surfing tournaments of the year, with much at stake for the competitors. Firstly there are the stand-alone event results, with surfers wanting to win this contest for points and prize money. Leading on from this, there are the Billabong Junior Series winners. Two event results count for these winners – from both the Billabong Junior Series Ballito and Seal Point events. This event will also crown the World Surf League (WSL) Africa Junior champions, which will also lead on to the qualification for the WSL World Junior Championships, including the top four men and top two women surfers who will compete in the World Junior Championships in Taiwan in December 2018. It promises to be an action-packed and dramatic weekend of surfing. The WSL Africa Men’s Junior Tour is currently being led by Luke Slijpen, with Eli Beukes and Max Elkington hot on his heels, and Dillon Hendricks and Bryce Du Preez not far behind. Slijpen has had an excellent competitive year and has a healthy lead in this division, with Beukes more than one thousand points behind him. In the WSL Africa Women’s Junior Tour rankings, Kai Woolf is out in front with a comfortable lead over second ranked Zoe Steyn, with Sophie Bell in third place going in . . .
The Real Power Behind Successful Addiction Treatment
Recovery Direct is one of the most exclusive psychological and addiction treatment centres in South Africa. Nestling in a quiet Constantia road, flanked by rolling vineyards, ancient oaks and the breath-taking grandeur of the Constantiaberg mountains, the centre offers a perfect and tranquil environment for recovery. Stunning multi-functional suites, each decked out in Victorian colonial style with en-suite bathrooms, balconies and panoramic views, offer outstanding accommodation for guests who want an upmarket and comfortable rehab experience. Recovery Direct was founded by Vaughan Pankhurst, who recognised the need for a novel approach to addiction treatment after he had successfully completed his own nine-year own journey into long-term recovery. Vaughan realised early on that trauma lies at the heart of addiction, and his centre is unique in that it consciously addresses the underlying traumatic issues on which addiction feeds. As such, it challenges the stigmas surrounding addiction and substance use by focusing its treatment approach around the belief that the effects of trauma lead people to become addicts. This approach contrasts with other rehabilitation centres in that Recovery Direct does not follow a 12-step programme in its treatment methodology. This non-punitive approach is intentional – it enables the centre and its healthcare workers to focus on resolving clients ‘problems by addressing the trauma and pain that drove them to addiction. It also carefully dismantles the destructive forces driving their addictions. Patients are required to see their counsellors every day, as opposed to once or twice a week. This regularity fast-tracks the healing process and enables recovery goals to be achieved sooner. The centre is eco-friendly and environmentally conscious – electricity is produced by energy-efficient solar panels, and water is provided by a natural spring. The exclusive rehab treats a wide spectrum of conditions, from alcoholism, . . .
JBay Winterfest – That’s A Wrap
JBay Winterfest 2018 - MTB, Trail Running and Fishing Finish The Festival! JBay – the final events in the action-packed JBay Winterfest have finished off, which sees the closing of one of the most exciting festivals ever. After the Corona Open JBay Men's and Women's surfing events, the Cold Water Swim Classic, and the Funduro were finished during the early days of the Festival, this weekend saw the culmination of the final events. These events were the JBay Windfarm MTB Classic, the Endurade JBay X Trail Run and the JBay Winterfest Skins Fishing Competition, as well as the final gigs in the hugely popular Corona Sunset Sessions free music shows. JBay Windfarm MTB Classic: The sixth edition of the JBay Wind Farm MTB Classic took place on Saturday 14 July. Riders of all ages and skill levels braved wet and chilly conditions to tackle the finest trails around the Eastern Cape holiday town of Jeffreys Bay. The event, which forms part of the JBay Winterfest, offered three distances a 25km fun ride, 50km marathon and the gruelling 85km ultra marathon. At the sharp end of the ultra marathon, Declan Sidey from Team Mad Macs p/b hazz out of Stellenbosch was the convincing winner. In the women’s race Yolande de Villiers rode a spectacular race to complete her hat trick, finishing sixth overall in the 85km, in a time of 03:59:51. She also collected the R11 000 first prize for her day in the rain, with Anriëtte Schoeman in second and Shauna Esmeyer rounding out the podium. “It was hectic out there,” commented a visibly exhausted De Villiers after the finish. "It was cold and muddy but I still had a lot of fun! The new bits of singletrack and bridges were really awesome,” she said. Full story and results here https://bit.ly/2uHUveX Full gallery here https://bit.ly/2uuKXoj Endurade JBay X Trail Run This three-stage trail run series, with day and night runs, had the biggest entry so far in the history of the event, and was an exciting but grueling . . .
JBay Winterfest: Corona Open JBay Surfing, Swimming, Music and Funduro
JBay Winterfest: Surfing, Swimming, Music and Funduro JBay – The JBay Winterfest 2018 has had a busy few days, with a number of different events going down in and around the contest hub. The Corona Open JBay Women’s event kicked off last week, with excellent surf at Supertubes following on from the men’s event. South African wildcard Bianca Buitendag did well to win her opening round heat and advance directly to the third round. Surprise eliminations from this event were Sally Fitzgibbons from Australia and Courtney Conlogue (USA). With good surf on track for JBay, the event will restart later in the week. For more go tohttp://www.worldsurfleague.com/events/2018/wct/2750/corona-open-j-bay-womens The Cold Water Classic open water swim was a huge success this year, with the most entrants thus far in the event’s six-year history. With an air temperature of 19 C, conditions on land were a stark contrast to the icy water that awaited swimmers from all over South Africa who descended upon Jeffreys Bay to take part in the swim. Only three swimmers entered the costume division of the triple mile, an official Robben Island crossing qualifying swim. Veteran PJ Duffy won the men’s section, while Megan Albertyn won the women’s division. “What an awesome experience! I can't believe I haven't done the Cold Water Classic before - will definitely be back next year,” said Albertyn after her swim. Jeffreys Bay swimmer JC Van Wyk won the double mile while Paige Black won the women’s section of the event. East London swimmer Mbali Vellum in his first cold water swim had to tough it out to complete the double mile. “The water was very very cold but I really wanted to finish the double mile,” said Mbali after his courageous swim. Hannah Counihan from Port Elizabeth won the women’s mile while Peter Michaelides from Knysna won the men’s division. The winners each won a pair of Oakley sunglasses. The triple mile wetsuit division was won by legendary waterman . . .
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