With growth comes growing pains and, after installing new security and monitoring software on the MyPR server we realised just how many resources the MyPR site hogs whenever a new press release is published on the site. * In a move to cut down on resources and on the number of individual e-mails being sent out we have installed a daily newsletter solution [Ed: Can I hear cheering in the background?]. The daily e-mail will be sent every morning at around 1:00 am and will contain a short description of each of the day's press releases plus a link to the entire article and images. The MyPR Bonus to you: I recently had the pleasure of presenting a guest lecture to the NMMU Public Relations Honours students on "The Role of Online Media in Communications". You can get a look at my lecture notes by browsing to this page: www.MyPR.co.za/nmmu [The password to see the notes is: AlanStraton]. At the bottom of the lecture notes are links to over 200 Social Media Sites and in excess of 700 South African online media and blogging sites - this is an extremely valuable resource for you and your business. * With over 500 people signed up to receive an e-mail immediately an article was published on MyPR we realised that we were assaulting resources and probably making a few people sweat to keep up with the volume! Sorry for that. …
First LEGO league to grace the Eastern Cape shores
During the month of October, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University’s School of Information and Communication (ICT) and First LEGO league will partner up to the bring First LEGO® league (FLL)in the Eastern Cape . Nine teams from schools around Nelson Mandela Bay will compete for the first prize. The winning team will then go on to compete in Johannesburg for the SA FLL National Championship. Teams who perform well at the SA FLL National Championship may also be invited to participate in the FLL World Festival hosted in St. Louis, Missouri early next year. The international robotics programme is designed to introduce children between the ages 9 and 16 to the fun and excitement of science and technology ,develop children’s abilities to work in teams and furthermore stimulate children’s use of creativity in the problem solving process. Zoliswa Charles from the NMBM Disaster Management Centre will be attending and addressing the audience in support of the theme, ‘Nature’s Fury’ of which the tournament is based on. The event will start at 09h00 on 12 October and will be held at the NMMU Vodacom Indoor Sport's Centre. Entrance is free. More Info link:: http://www.fllsa.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/NMMUSchoolofICT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NMMU.FLL YouTube: Author: Samkelwe Gqomo from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za. No of Images Uploaded: One For high res version/s of these One image/s please contact: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Images: Photographer: Photographer: …
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Shoprite Mall lends helping hand with two Mandela Day Initiatives
In celebration of Mandela Day on 18th July, the Shoprite Mall Centre Management in Port Elizabeth along with their tenants, are giving back 67 minutes to their local community as well as assisting those less fortunate than themselves. Two initiatives are being undertaken on Thursday, one in the Greenacres area and one supporting local street children in Korsten. As the old saying goes, charity begins at home and in this case close to home as the tenants and contractors of the Shoprite Mall will spend 67 minutes of their time cleaning up the area adjacent the taxi rank in Ring Road, Greenacres. Contractors of the mall, including Air-Tek, DMK Enterprize, Khanya Hygiene and Bidvest Magnum, Relay EMS, Wilcote and Werth While Plumbers have donated generously not only of their time but also financially to assist in these worthy causes. Their clean up will take place early in the day, from 09:30 – 10:37, before the team ready themselves for their second Mandela Day project at the ACVV Kamvalethu Drop In Centre, situated in Korsten. Translated the name of Kamvalethu means “Our future” and this is an apt name for a centre that provides not only food and clothing for street children, but sets out to assist them in getting off the streets and securing a brighter future for themselves. Kamvalethu runs daily programmes with the children and this is where the Shoprite Mall team which will include staff from Shoprite, Hungry Lion, OK Furniture, Pep, From the Kitchen, Creative Jewelers, Streetwear, Shoe Styles, Photo Doctor, King Pie, The Matador, Vodacom 4U, Signature Cosmetics, Daks, Wesley’s, 786 Cellular, Capitec, African Bank and Shoprite Mall Centre Management will be able to assist by donating and sharing a meal with the children to celebrate Mandela’s 95th birthday, starting at 13:30. “We are extremely pleased that our tenants and contractors have joined hands to support Mandela Day with us,” commented Marinda Herbst, Property Manager of Shoprite Mall. “We know …
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Colourful Sunday in the Bay
Port Elizabeth's Algoa Bay will be filled with colour and action over the next week as the Algoa Bay Yacht Club completes the year’s sailing calendar with ABYC Week which incorporates the 505 dinghy National Championships. Weather forecasts predict that Sunday will be a “perfect” day for sailors and spectators alike, according to event spokesperson Alan Straton. “Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) Week will see 39 boats on the bay battling it out for honours in three fleets – 505 Dinghy, Fleet 1 (day and sport boats) and Fleet 2 (cruisers),” he says. Good news for spectators is that the course has been designed to ensure that the action happens close to Hobie Beach. Ideal vantage points for the sailing will be off Hobie Beach and Shark Rock Pier, according to race officer Brian Reynolds The 505 and Fleet 1 will both sail around “tight” Olympic courses that bring the boats close inshore of Hobie Beach. The bigger boats in Fleet 2 will sail longer courses and around Bell Buoy. ABYC Week runs from April 27 to May 1. Algoa Bay will be home to the annual 505 National Championships until 2015, when the 505 World Championships will be sailed in Algoa Bay when organisers expect close to 100 boats and an influx of a minimum of 300 overseas visitors to Port Elizabeth for at least 10 days. URL: https://abyc.co.za Twitter: Facebook: YouTube: Author: Ed Richardson from Siyathetha. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za. No of Images Uploaded: One To gain access to One image/s please Like, Tweet or +1 this article: [l2g] Images: 505 Dinghy Sailing in Algoa Bay Photographer: Alan Straton [/l2g] …
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Little ladies get their own race
Future participants in the SPAR Women’s Challenge can start their training early following the introduction of the SPAR Little Ladies’ Race in Port Elizabeth on May 1. The 2km fun run, which takes place from Pollok Beach in the Summerstrand area, will be open to all girls aged eight years and younger. Participants may be accompanied by an adult woman but no boys or men will be allowed. “This road running festival is strictly for ladies of all shapes and sizes,” said SPAR Eastern Cape marketing manager Abri Swart. “It’s a fun and healthy way to say thank you to our loyal shoppers and give back to our community.” According to Swart, the SPAR Little Ladies’ Race was the ideal way to broaden the participation base of the event and introduce future customers to the family oriented retail brand. “It’s a very special addition to the Women’s Challenge, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.” He said the fun run would take place on the first day of late registration for the 5km and 10km senior events. “This means that moms, aunts and grans can register, collect their t-shirts and support their little ladies all on the same day. “The girls may run unaccompanied as there will be female marshals along the course to ensure everyone’s safety.” The Little Ladies’ Race follows a circular route from the registration tent on the grassed area, past the old Something Good roadhouse and along the seaside pedestrian walkway before returning along the landside footpath. Swart said all participants, but not their adult companions, would receive special finishers’ medals and be in line for lucky draw prizes. He said organisers anticipated between 500 and 1 000 participants in the inaugural race. Entrants may register at the following sports shops: Brian Bands, The Footballer, Sportsman’s Warehouse and Action Sports. They can also register from 8.30am on the morning of the race. According to Athletics South Africa rules, only girls nine years …
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Knysna Yacht Club sailing pair triumphant at Boardwalk Hobie 16 Nationals
In the recent Boardwalk Hobie 16 Sailing championships held from 21 to 24 March 2013 in Port Elizabeth, a total of 8 races were sailed over three days (Saturday was blown out). Conditions were mostly below 12 knots with flat seas and the wind from the East, South and West to make for an interesting and complete regatta under the hand of bridge officer, Doug Allison. On the first day of sailing sailors were greeted with a perfectly sunny and calm day and were eventually called out in the early afternoon by Race Officer Doug Allison who, in the light South-Easterly of 6 to 8 knots, set a Windward Leeward (Sausage shape) course with the start in line with Shark Rock Pier, the top mark in line with Admiralty Way and the bottom marks in line with Humewood beach - a perfect spectators course which presented the Hobies with the choice of staying inshore and sailing close to Bird Rock on their way up to the first rounding mark. First around the top mark was the Plettenberg Bay duo of Blaine and Roxanne Dodds, eager to stamp their authority on the regatta and avenge their 2nd place of 2012, they were followed by local husband and wife sailors Andrew and Angela Ward who have been training and dieting up a storm in preparation for these nationals. From the top mark a downwind leg saw many of the boats opt to hug the shoreline looking for a land breeze before taking the outermost gate buoy on the bottom gate mark before the long march back up the beat for the top mark. Most Hobies opted to hug the shore line and dodge Bird Rock on the return back up to the top. An increasing wind velocity and wind shift greeted the back markers as the predicted increase in wind velocity and shift made it's appearance. Most of the back markers completed the last leg to the finish on a reach. With the wind increasing to 28 knots some Hobies were seen to capsize and the rescue boats stood by. After one race on Day one the top three finishers were: 1. Blaine and Roxanne Dodds 2. …
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Casual Day’s top performers announced
PORT ELIZABETH, EASTERN PROVINCE. 28 January, 2013. The top performers in the Eastern Cape in the 2012 Casual Day fundraising campaign were announced earlier this week at a roadshow function in Port Elizabeth. The Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Nelson Mandela Bay, was named the top performing participating NGO in the region – and in the top ten in the country. Mr Brian Bezuidenhout, the organisation’s executive director who was there to receive the accolade, thanked his team for their hard work. Buli G Ngomane, General Manager, Corporate Affairs at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, did the honours and treated the audience to a moving song during the proceedings. This was one of a series of functions to thank participants and get people excited about the theme and plans for 2013. Last year’s theme was ‘Get on Board’, and judging by the attendance of 120 people, the Eastern Province certainly did that, dressing up on 7 September - as sailors, pirates, mermaids, captains, sea creatures of all descriptions. They supported Casual Day by not only wearing strange outfits, but by also wearing the official Casual Day sticker. Casual Day is the flagship project of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities (NCPPDSA), an NPO mandated to improve education, inclusivity, accessibility and social conditions for persons with disabilities. APD Nelson Mandela Bay was among the many energetic and dedicated organisations whose volunteers have raised over R170 million over the past 18 years for Casual Day and its beneficiaries. The 2012 campaign has broken all previous records, breaking the R22 million barrier. Mr Jakkie Pieters, Chairman of the Association for Persons with Disabilities (APD), Eastern Cape, thanked outgoing Casual Day sponsor Absa. At the same time he announced that Edcon, leading southern African clothing, footwear and textiles retailing group, has come on board as the main financial sponsor of Casual Day. Edcon has …
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ADULT TAG RUGBY NOW PART OF CELL C NMB SEVENS
ADULT TAG RUGBY® TOURNAMENT AT CELL C NMB SEVENS A new addition to the Cell C NMB Sevens in 2012 has been a Tens Rugby event. This sees 10 players (and not 7 or 15) playing in a team in a Tournament. It is a festive occasion and ties in well with the Rugby Biggest party theme. Adult Tag Rugby® is growing extremely quickly in South Africa (now part of the widely acclaimed Corporate Games held in Cape Town annually.) We are extremely proud to have recently become a part of the three Tens events held in South Africa annually. These events are the Jozi Tens, PE Tens and the Cape Town Tens. The Adult Tag Rugby® event takes place on Sunday 9 December on the fields adjacent to the NM Stadium from 10:00 – 13:00. You can enter a team of staff, family or your favourite clients. Entry gets you a ticket to the Cell C Sevens event and a t-shirt. Tag Rugby® is a non-contact form of the game and a tackle is made by removing a ribbon when your opponent has the ball. The game is fast, fun and great for corporate team building. Men and women can play in the same team and don’t worry, there is no kicking, scrums or line outs and beginners can play too… To enter a team of 10 players in the Adult Tag Rugby® event or put your name down to play in a team please contact Gerhard Scholtz gerhard@taggroup.co.za or on 021 683 2269. More Info: Author: Carol Vosloo from Tag Rugby Promotions . Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za. No of Images Uploaded: One To gain access to One image/s please Like, Tweet or +1 this article: [l2g] Images: [/l2g] …
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Interdict halts property transfer
The Property Poser panel helps a reader this week whose elderly parents have had to sell their house due to financial difficulty but have now been served with an interdict halting the transfer process. The reader explains that when their issues started they fell in arrears with the bond payments. Plans were made to pay a portion of the outstanding repayments and the balance was restructured as part of the outstanding bond, which increased the monthly instalment. To avoid landing in this situation again, the decision was made to sell the property. A suitable buyer was found and the transfer process commenced. The conveyancing attorneys eventually contacted the reader to inform her that the transfer had to be put on hold following the discovery of an interdict, which prevented her parents from selling the property. The attorney suggested that they consult with another attorney who could assist in rescinding this interdict, thereby allowing them to proceed with the transfer. Not too long after this conversation, the reader was advised by the same attorney that her parents should approach the bank, as the bondholder, and obtain a letter confirming the removal of the interdict, which could then be sent to the deeds office. Despite following these instructions, the bank advised that the attorney should see to the removal of the interdict. The reader is now quite confused as to what process to follow. She mentions that the bond has still not transferred to the buyer. Her parents have handed the keys over to the estate agent and are worried that if anything were to happen to the property, they would still be liable for the damages. It is difficult to ascertain from the given facts who obtained the interdict says Rian du Toit from DTS Attorneys in Nelson Mandela Bay. "We cannot merely assume that it was the bank, since, as bondholder, they are a preferred creditor upon the sale of the property. Any other creditor would also be able to attach the …
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Big brands bank on Pier 14
A number of big retail brands, including a national bank, have signalled their confidence in the rejuvenated Port Elizabeth central business district by moving into Pier 14 Shopping Centre on Govan Mbeki Avenue in time for the festive season. The most recent addition, the North End branch of Standard Bank, is relocating to Pier 14 and will open for business on December 1. It joins new fast food franchise outlets Debonairs Pizza and Cassie’s, which started trading last month. According to Martin Wragge, CEO of GRITprop Investments, which owns Pier 14 Shopping Centre, the influx of national tenants was in part due to a five-year, R40-million expansion process. "The upgrade has increased footfall and turnover and we now have more than eight million feet passing through our doors annually." Wragge said management was anticipating bumper peak season trading, with retail turnovers expected to top R270 million for the financial year. "We are thrilled that our efforts to increase trading volumes are finally paying off." He said total average trading densities were up by 18.1% and that the trend was expected to continue as management not only attracted new tenants but also "right-sized" the existing tenant base. "Too many of our tenants have been trading in oversized spaces due to historically cheap rentals." Over the past six months, Pier 14 had been engaged in a process of reducing the floor space of existing tenants by between 20 and 50%, said Wragge. "The result is better densities, more affordable rentals and greater profitability for the tenants and centre alike." He said the downsizing process had also opened up new trading spaces for retailers on the ground and first floors, which had been fully occupied for some time. Wragge said this had helped to diversify Pier 14’s tenant mix, which comprised mainly fashion, footwear, music, furniture and appliances, as well as health and beauty stores. "With the recent addition of Cassie’s and …