Port Elizabeth, February 2016: Watch and share Dreams with TED. This year's TED Conference theme is: Dream, as this stems from the idea of dreams that matter, thus the TED2016 is dedicated to the concept of listening and following dreams, and also the great dreams we are able to achieve. TED Talks are extremely popular since they have become available online in 2006. This year's conference is available as a live stream event organised by TEDxPortElizabeth, and taking place on the 19th February at the Nelson Mandela Bay Science and Technology Centre in Uitenhage. The event is free and open to the general public - tickets are limited to 100 people. TEDx are self organised local events based on the TED Conferences. "Re-launching TEDx in Nelson Mandela Bay is important because it connects us with the world's leading thinkers, scientists, artists and innovators," says Ramon J. Thomas, a TEDFellow since 2007 and the organiser for TEDxPortElizabeth. “Our mission is to continue to expand the foundation laid by TEDxSummerstrand and TEDxNMMU who came before us.” TEDxPortElizabeth are the hosts of the live stream of the TED2016 conference taking place in Vancouver, Canada. The Friday 19 February event commences at 09h00 and is scheduled to end at 16h30 in Nelson Mandela Bay. Book your FREE tickets online here: http://bit.ly/tedxpelive YouTube: https://youtu.be/hVimVzgtD6w CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
South African entrepreneur creates new App to address gap in the market with HelpOut app
Use your location to get a HelpOut service or taxi to your door in minutes Mobile applications like Tinder and Airbnb continue to provide ways for people to use their location anywhere in the world to find, help, and connect with each other. South Africans have mostly piggy-backed on these foreign-created apps, and with great success, but one local entrepreneur, Francois Briers, still found the need for a more localised and wider offering to meet the needs of South African consumers. “Although many social platforms exist to bring people together in a pleasant and popular way, and are supported by specific services like food, transport and lodging, the various home maintenance and repair issues of everyday life cannot be ignored,” says Briers. “Not much has been done in South Africa to connect consumers with the types of businesses that deal with essential, and sometimes, critical situations. So why not use the ever-growing trend of smartphone apps to make this easier,” he says. To fill this void, Francois launched the HelpOut app, an online tool that connects households with registered servicemen like plumbers, electricians, as well as taxi drivers. With a click of a button they will show up at your door. “’Finding the closest service provider, at the right price, used to mean trawling the internet or referencing the Yellow Pages,” says Francois, “not to mention the time wasted waiting for the service provider to arrive.” “Now it's as simple as downloading a free and user-friendly app, that offers an array of the service providers closest to you and getting emergency work done, or a quote, near instantly!” he says. Building on the success of location services used by other apps, the service offers great advantages to the service providers. More important to note, though, is that when the service provider benefits, these benefits extend to the consumer as well. ’During our research phase, servicemen like DSTV and alarm installers told us …
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Roadworks continue in Port Elizabeth
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate February 17, 2016 –ROADWORKS will be taking place throughout this week in Port Elizabeth, within the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality area in the Eastern Cape. The South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) would like to advise motorists of the following disruptions: Stanford undercuts will continue this week. There will be lane closures between the Stanford and William Moffett interchange in a westerly direction, with the double lane merging into a single traffic lane. The construction of concrete lined drains will continue past the Bluewater Bay interchange in an easterly direction. There will be lane closures with a double lane being merged into a single traffic lane. Work is to continue throughout the week. The asphalt overlay works are to continue between John Tallant interchange and Bluewater Bay in a westerly direction. There will be lane closures with the double lanes merged into a single traffic lane. Work will continue throughout the week. The resealing of the road is to continue in both directions at Neptune interchange. Motorists are urged to travel with caution, plan their trips in advance or take alternative routes. Reduced speed limits will also be enforced. Motorists are advised to be observant of all lane closures and warning signs, and exercise extreme caution when travelling through the construction work zones. SANRAL apologizes for any inconvenience caused. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
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Nelson Mandela Bay Leads SA’s Operation Phakisa with Multimillion Rand upgrades to PE Harbour
TRANSNET National Ports Authority’s multimillion rand upgrades to the Port of Port Elizabeth represent the first realisation of government’s Operation Phakisa and a positive step towards a thriving boat building and marine maintenance industry for the city. With the ocean economy a critical driving force of Operation Phakisa, TNPA Senior Project Manager Pieter-Ben van Rhijn said the R186-million upgrades to the port’s lead-in jetties and boat maintenance repair areas had not only created jobs and injected a substantial local spend, but also initiated a long-term boost for the Bay’s economy. “Design and construction of the two-phase project began in January last year and the work will continue until 2017. The first phase – a modernised boat maintenance repair area with a 90-ton boat hoist – is on track for operational commissioning in June 2016. The second – a project that involves the complete refurbishment of the 1200-ton lead-in jetties – will be ready by mid-2017,” said Van Rhijn. “The upgrade will also prove to be a huge asset to the ever growing fishing industry in the region. Once completed, it will provide a dry platform facility for 10 boats at a time for repairs and maintenance as well as a docking bay. “Strategically, the modernisation of the Port of PE’s facilities fits in with the Integrated Port Management System recently launched at all TNPA ports,” Van Rhijn said. “Smarter, cleaner ports that electronically consolidate data for our customers and streamline logistics, port operations and security are all part of our market demand strategy.” Van Rhijn said 80 direct jobs had been created through the project, along with a much greater number of indirect employment opportunities, and that local spend would amount to approximately R80-million by the end of the project. He applauded lead contractor Haw & Inglis and local consulting engineers AfriCoast for their innovative engineering designs and exceptionally smooth running of the …
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Mandela Bay’s Tech Incubator SNII client bags IBM contract
Port Elizabeth, 15 February 2016 – DIGIJIZ, a small business tech start-up within the SEDA Nelson Mandela Bay ICT Incubator (SNII) in Port Elizabeth, has received a massive boost from global technology giant IBM. Access to the IBM Developer Works Premium Package - a web-based technical resource and professional network for IT practitioners - will provide Digijiz with the support needed for its three year strategic plan. IBM will enable the company to develop skills, solve problems, collaborate with global experts and stay ahead of the latest trends. Digijiz is a newly established software development company specialising in cloud solutions and hosting, and offers bespoke software development solutions for desktops, mobile and web platforms. The company also does research in artificial intelligence (AI). Musa Jali, founder and managing director of Digijiz, started the company in March last year with the support of SNII. Jali, explained that the IBM Developers Work Premium Package is a developer membership programme. “The programme provides an all-access pass to powerful tools, resources, and support to enable us to rapidly prototype, develop and deploy successful cloud projects. We especially enjoy working with the tools that analyse big data, artificial intelligence (AI) and the cloud services offered,” said Jali. Jali is also working on a social networking app, and with the IBM package he aims to have the prototype ready before the end of December. Digijiz currently has a web application and website (www.fletz.co.za) to help people find accommodation or find tenants. He also designed and developed the IncuApp, which will be used by SNII to manage their clients’ progress through technology. “I am busy with touch ups on the first phase of the IncuApp. The app will automate some of the processes which are normally done manually. It will also keep track of clients’ progress. Storing clients’ documents on one central database will make it easier …
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Blasting between Middelburg and Carlton Heights in the Eastern Cape
TRAFFIC ADVISORY: Immediate Blasting between Middelburg and Carlton Heights in the Eastern Cape FEBRUARY 15, 2016: The South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify travellers that blasting is scheduled to take place on the N9 Section 7 between Middelburg and Carlton Heights, on Thursday, 18 February at 2pm. At 15km from Middelburg on the Carlton Heights side, the road will be closed for approximately 15 minutes when the blast takes place. Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly, and to use caution when making use of the road. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
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Madibaz star takes it one match at a time
Young NMMU-Madibaz rugby star Jeremy Ward goes into every match as if it were his last. “Someone once told me to leave everything between the four lines and that is what I try to do every time,” the 20-year-old BCom Accounting student said after the opening round of the FNB Varsity Cup. He was one of the players who had put his body on the line in a bruising encounter against UJ. “Every individual gave their very best and really bought into how we want to play as a team. “We can take a lot out of the performance and build towards our next challenge.” The outside centre said his main focus was now to cement his place in the Varsity Cup team and, with time, he would like to play a leading role. “Being young, I feel I can bring a new dimension to the way we play. I would like to set an example that the rest of the team can be proud of.” Further down the line, Ward has his sights set on the Eastern Province Currie Cup team and, beyond that, he would like to play for his country. The former Grey High pupil showed his leadership skills when he led the EP Kings to the U19 Currie Cup title last year. “It was an experience that I will never forget. I feel like being part of that has certainly given me an opportunity to take my rugby career to the next level, starting with the Varsity Cup.” His high-intensity training regime reflects his attitude in the pursuit of his goals. “I’m always looking for areas of my game that I can improve on. If you want to get somewhere, you should not shy away from putting in the extra hours. “Inspiration is about your mindset and with the right mindset anything is possible.” Madibaz head coach David Maidza said Ward showed a maturity and understanding of the game beyond his years. “He is a born leader both by action and by his motivating speeches. “It is clear that he is hungry for success. He has a lot to offer this region and I believe he will go far.” Ward, who said he drew inspiration from the …
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Madibaz coach plays cards close to his chest
FNB NMMU-Madibaz head coach David Maidza is playing his cards close to his chest in the lead-up to their second-round FNB Varsity Cup clash against Maties on Monday night. The team suffered an agonising opening round defeat to UJ in a rain-marred match that could have gone either way until the dying moments. "I felt that the conditions on the day did not really allow us to play our game fully," said Maidza. "We analysed the match on video and identified certain areas that needed work and there was good response from the boys this week. "I was happy after the review to see them realising the areas that we could have taken advantage of and knowing that we did create opportunities for ourselves." Maidza said this was a positive to take forward in the competition and especially on Monday. "We need to work for our first win - especially in front of our fans. "We owe it to them and ourselves to improve on the areas that were lacking last week and everyone is really excited going into the Maties game." The visitors were 26-16 winners a year ago. Maidza said Maties had appointed a new, astute coach in Hawies Fourie and that their systems and style of play would have changed under his leadership. "So we will do our homework and find the game plan best suited for Monday." Team discussions centred on the fact that there were six games remaining and they wanted to make each one count, said Maidza. "Starting with Maties, we want to put on a good show. We need to maximise home advantage so that we can come away with a win." He refrained from commenting on any strategic changes to the team and their match plan. The fact that the match would be televised did not play a factor in the team's approach, he said. "We do not take into account whether we are on TV or not. Our focus is on us and how we improve with every match. "That is what we want to analyse at the end of each match and ultimately at the end of the competition." Team: 15 …
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Blasting on the R72 between Port Alfred and Fish River
February 12, 2016: The South African National Roads Agency Ltd (SANRAL) would like to notify motorists of travel delays on the R72 between Port Alfred and Fish River due to blasting taking place at the Shaw Park quarry. The blasting will take place on Wednesday, 17 February 2016 at 3pm. The Shaw Park quarry is situated next to the R72, near the intersection of the R72 with a gravel road leading to Shaw Park. The road will be temporarily closed and motorists can expect a delay of approximately 30 minutes. Motorists are requested to plan their trips accordingly, to be cautious when making use of the road and to comply with the directions of safety personnel. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …
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Speedy start to the year for Seddon
Cayla Seddon, Madibaz's newest athletics recruit, started the year in the same way she finished it – running fast! The national junior champion in the 100m hurdles and 200m sprint caught the eye at the EP League Track & Field meeting that was hosted by the university last weekend. Running into a slight headwind, the 18-year-old Seddon set times of 12.23 and 14.37 in the 100m sprint and 100m hurdles items respectively. She topped these off with a workmanlike 24.82 in the 200m, just 0.04 shy of her season's best set in December. The first-year sports management student said her initial objective for the meeting was to target season's bests, but that the conditions had not played along. "The wind was quite blustery and from the front, so I'm extremely happy with my times." According to the speedster – who said she wanted to pursue a career involving something that she was passionate about – training had been quite demanding. "We're at it six days a week and we're alternating between power, speed and endurance workouts while concentrating on technique." Her programme also includes regular gym sessions. She said she planned on peaking twice this year. "First I need to be in top shape for the USSA championships in April. "Then, if I have qualified, I'll take a week's break and build towards the junior worlds in Poland in July. That's the goal at the moment." Madibaz athletics manager Nellis Bothma was full of praise after the meeting. "Her speciality is the 100m hurdles and that is all about technique. I think she's on target to qualify for the worlds." While Seddon's long-term goal is to impress the national selectors, her immediate aim is the Eastern Province Championships on February 26 and 27. After that, she will travel to Stellenbosch for the first Varsity Athletics meeting on March 4 before jetting off to the USSA Track & Field National Championships in Polokwane. CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. …