SA's top performing companies revealed

Fortress Income Fund became the first property firm to top the list after achieving an average annual compound return of 72,7%.

The awards track the best performing companies on the JSE based on the shareholder returns achieved over a five-year period.

Speaking at the awards ceremony held in Sandton on Tuesday night, Fortress Income Fund CEO Mark Stevens said: “We are honoured to be recognised by our peers in receiving this acknowledgement. It has been a true team effort and everyone at Fortress deserves our thanks for a job well done. Moving forward, it’s business as usual as we strive to continue maximising value and providing our shareholders with great returns.”

Well-respected retail tycoon Christo Wiese was crowned Business Leader of the Year. He was also awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award, becoming the first person to scoop both of the coveted awards in the same year.

Commenting on the accolade, Wiese said that he felt “grateful and humbled at the same time, the reason being that there are so many unsung heroes in our society. On the other hand, one has great appreciation for the contribution made by tens of thousands of one’s colleagues in achieving this highly regarded recognition.”

Past Lifetime Achiever recipients include late former president Nelson Mandela, Bobby Godsell, Richard Maponya, Nthato Motlana, Allan Gray, Raymond Ackerman and Stephen Koseff among others.

Coronation Fund Managers, EOH Holdings, Mondi, Mr Price Group and Naspers were awarded the Royal Companies status, which is bestowed on companies that have placed in the top 20 positions for three consecutive years.

Here is the list of SA’s top 10 performing companies on the JSE:

Fortress Income Fund (72,7%)
Trustco Group Holdings (70,4%)
EOH Holdings (69,3%)
Taste Holdings (53%)
Coronation Fund Managers (51,4%)
Afrimat (49,3%)
Brait SE (48,2%)
Capital & Counties Properties (47,7%)
PSG Group (47,2%)
Onelogix Group (45,5%)
Source: Sunday Times

Pre-order the Galaxy S6 edge+ Now!

Samsung Electronics is excited to announce that pre-orders for the Galaxy S6 edge+, the latest addition to the Galaxy flagship range, are now open. 

The Galaxy S6 edge+ boasts impressive fast charging capabilities for wired and wireless charging, making the wireless charger pad the ultimate accessory for this innovative device.

The revolutionary new device offers an exceptional multimedia experience with its 5.7-inch curved Quad HD Super AMOLED screen. With 4K (UHD) video filming and Live Broadcast, Galaxy S6 edge+ users can instantly live stream full HD video straight from the smartphone through YouTube Live.

Customers can visit www.samsung.com or their network provider’s website to pre-order now. For consumers who are eager to get their hands on the latest technology, but don’t want to wait in a queue, pre-ordering is the perfect solution.

The stunning Galaxy S6 edge+ handset will be available in Namibia from September 2015, with 32GB or 64GB storage options in in Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum*.

Full details and product images are available at www.samsungmobilepress.com.

*May differ depending on network provider.

Engen Refinery successfully completes planned maintenance outage

The Fuels section of the 120 000 barrels-per-day Engen Refinery is up and running, following the completion of a 30–day maintenance outage at an estimated cost of over R150 million.

The planned outage forms part of the facility’s annual scheduled maintenance programme aimed at ensuring that it runs safely and reliably, says Engen Refinery General Manager, Jehan Zaib.

“The refinery’s zero tolerance on overdue statutory equipment and unplanned shutdowns has seen a steady increase in reliability over the past four years. This is necessary to ensure continuous supply of adequate volumes of fuel for the country,” adds Zaib.

Excellent performance

Maintenance Manager, John Naidoo, says Engen Refinery is currently running at 99.8%. “This performance will be maintained by ensuring that all work is done as per the planned outages.”

The outage ended with excellent health, safety and environment (HSE) metrics – there were no fires, health issues, falling object incidents or flogging injuries, as well as a leak-free start-up.

“We conformed to all legal requirements and ensured all our assets complied with routine testing of fitness for service and that all equipment is licensed to operate for its term,” adds Naidoo. “All safeguarding and protection equipment and systems were tested to ensure they function on demand. We also took the opportunity to address routine maintenance or services as recommended by the original equipment manufacturer, for critical equipment.”

During the outage period, 828 vessels were opened, with firm safety risk mitigation strategies in place. To demonstrate the refinery’s commitment to safety, the outage operated with participation from Engen safety officers and watchers, operations management and contractor management.

Furthermore, daily audits and walkabouts were carried out by Engen’s senior leadership, including the GM of the facility, operations and maintenance leadership, contractor leadership and members of Engen’s Safety department.

A great job

Zaib says the refinery is proud of successfully managing impressive timeline, budget and HSE returns, given the increasing scarcity of skilled resources. “This was an area of concern. The same individuals are sought-after main contractors for projects and shutdowns all over the country. To mitigate for that, we increased supervisory and foreman levels to ensure all tasks were adequately managed,” he adds.

Giving back

The refinery created an extra 2 472 extra contractor jobs during this time.

In addition, 70% of contracted personnel were from the Durban South Basin, mostly from Wentworth, the refinery’s immediate neighbour. “Engen is proud to give back to the communities where we do business, most notably the Durban South community where we are located,” says Zaib.

Outside of the maintenance outage, Engen remains firmly committed to maintaining a refinery that operates safely, at optimal efficiency and with the lowest possible environmental impact, says Zaib. “This enables us to continue with our anchoring job of ensuring a secure supply of fuel products for the country, thereby supporting economic activity.”

Real estate in Africa continues to drive growth potential, says Standard Bank

A growing consumer middle-class, powered by rapid urbanisation and shifting demographic trends is driving both property demand and growth opportunities in the real estate industry across the African continent.

“Increasingly, both foreign and local investors are seeing the growth potential of Africa, spurred by rising consumer spending of Africa’s developing middle class”, said Gerhard Zeelie, Head of Real Estate Finance (Rest of Africa) for Standard Bank. “Economic growth and ongoing investments in infrastructure are opening up previously inaccessible markets.”

Some of the key African countries that are realising opportunities for real estate investment include Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique and Zambia. Although lower commodity prices had impacted on growth forecasts for some of these countries, there is still a shortage of quality real estate assets, he said.

However, real estate investments in African markets are not without risk, Mr Zeelie warned. Among which were the impact of unpredictable regulatory changes, complex legal regimes, volatile local currencies, and limitations on investment timeframes and exit strategies.

In particular, regulatory uncertainty precipitated by the ever-shifting policy environment is impacting negatively on investor sentiment, he noted. “It creates a climate of risk aversion, with some investors reluctant to commit themselves to developments with long planning horizons. Instead they hedge their bets by adopting wait-and-see approaches.”

Yet, despite these risks, many investors and developers were taking a long-term view to a market’s macro-economic outlook, rather than viewing short-term cyclical shocks in isolation.

However, investing in Africa is by no means a one-size approach, each market has its own specific dynamics and opportunities, he said.

“Investors must remember that the continent is not a single, homogenous jurisdiction. Investors often make the mistake of regarding Africa as a uniform landscape but it’s critical to identify the countries and sectors that offer the best opportunities and match them with their own expertise.”

A key factor to consider is the long term sustainability of generating foreign currency returns in markets which are experiencing increasing commercial and regulatory pressures to move to local currency economies.

Yet, in a number of markets across Africa, demand for high-quality retail, office and residential space continue to outstrip supply, he said.  International and local developers are looking to increase their exposure across markets in Africa, and for opportunities to establish a strong retail foothold in cities where little or no formal retail existed.

“We are seeing the scale of developments growing rapidly, with increasing participation from local developers who are seeing and starting to capitalise on opportunities in this space,” Mr Zeelie said.

Mobile typing is faster and more spacious with Zagg keyboards now in South Africa

Sophisticated, sleek and functional Zagg keyboards for iPads and tablets are now within reach thanks to Gammatek, a leading distributor of branded technology accessories in South Africa.

The company has just introduced the Zagg range of folios and keyboards to its bevy of smart mobile device accessories.

“Zagg keyboards turn iPads and tablets into productive business and networking devices, making it easier and more convenient for people to type, send emails and do their work on the go,” says Zev Cherniak from Gammatek.

Amongst the Zagg products now available in South Africa is the Zagg Folio the iPad Mini and iPad Air 2. The Zagg Folio is a super thin, protective, wireless and Bluetooth enabled keyboard. Its unique hinge holds the screen firmly in place at virtually any angle while spacious keys make it easy to type faster and more accurately. It features a powerful battery that keeps the folio going for up to three months between charging.  The Zagg Folio hinged keyboard cases come in two variations: with and without backlight.

Key features:

·      Multi-angled – The unique hinge offers 135⁰ of viewing angles, just like a laptop.

·      Ultra-thin – At a mere 6.9mm, the folio is one of the thinnest keyboards available.

·      Protective – A leather textured cover protects the iPad and keyboard, and looks good at the same time.

·      Spacious – Designed to deliver up to 30% more typing space than most tablet keyboards, the Zagg Folio offers increased comfort and efficiency.

Another super iPad keyboard solution for people on the move is the Zagg Slim Book Keyboard for iPad Mini and iPad Air 2. The Slim Book is a detachable wireless and Bluetooth enabled keyboard which holds the screen at a range of angles and allows for four different modes: keyboard mode, video mode, book mode and case mode. The Slim Book is powered by one of the world’s most powerful batteries to keep it going for up to two years between charges.

Key features:

·      Multi-angled – The unique hinge offers 135⁰ of viewing angles, just like a laptop.

·      Ultra thin –The Slim Book is easy to carry around with you wherever you go.

·      Bright – Backlit, island-style keys maximise space for faster, more natural typing even in low-light conditions.

For smartphone users and users of small tablets (up to eight inches) there is the Zagg Universal Pocket Keyboard. A clever, foldable wireless, Bluetooth enabled keyboard and stand, the Zagg Universal Pocket can be used with a variety ofmobile devices. It is the easiest on-the-go solution to smartphone typing. Delivering over 85%of the size of a desktop keyboard, the Pocket enables fast, efficient typing and then folds up into a compact, protective, travel-size case that easily fits into pockets and purses. Unlike other folding keyboards, the Pocket folds between lines of keys to preserve comfortable key spacing.

Key features:

·      Natural and spacious – Offers over 85% of the typing space of a desktop keyboard.

·      Portable – Its unique foldable design allows the Pocket keyboard to compress into a simple, compact size so that it can easily slide into pockets and purses.

·      Smart – Magnets keep the Pocket folded neatly and help maintain battery life by automatically turning it off when closed.

·      Convenient – A built-in stand secures smartphones and small tablets at an ideal viewing angle for simple and convenient use anywhere.

These must-have Zagg keyboards are available at leading retail outlets. For information on your nearest stockist please contact Gammatek on 011-201 0800.

Learners to attend summit in Sweden

The Department of Water and Sanitation will on Friday take three learners from Matlhari High School in Limpopo to participate in the World Water Week in Stockholm, Sweden.

The three learners, Camilla Mashele, Nhlonipho Nukeri and Hlengi Makumbila will attend the summit from 23 till 28 August.

The learners will represent South Africa in the World Water Prize competition after winning the South African Youth Water Prize competition earlier this year.

“At a tender Grade 10, the three learners from the rural village of Shikwambana in Limpopo proved to be a force to be reckoned with as they beat the odds and came up with a brilliant scientific project,” the department said.

The project is aimed at water conservation through the reduction of water leaks in households and overflow of water in reservoirs using cell phone services.

The learners will compete against some of the renowned technologically advanced countries like China through the presentation of the project.

The learners have been awarded laptops and bursaries from the Department of Water and Sanitation to study any water related course at a South African university of their choice.

The South African Youth Water Prize Competition is a competition run by the Department of Water and Sanitation aimed at aspiring young water scientists in high schools across the country.

As part of the competition learners are tasked with coming up with innovative technology that will assist the water sector in alleviating water shortages and improve water related service delivery.

– SAnews.gov.za

WesBank embarks on initiative to ensure businesses don’t suffer from load shedding

The crippling effects of ongoing load shedding have been felt in every sector and more businesses are searching for solutions to curb losses.

In an exciting development, WesBank, South Africa’s leading financier of moveable assets has signed an agreement with industry leader Turner Morris to assist local businesses in minimising the impact of electricity load shedding.

The venture will see WesBank offering finance packages for businesses to purchase all stationary prime and standby generators generator in the Turner Morris business line-up.

“It is an unfortunate reality that load shedding is here to stay for the next few years, but we’ve seen that South African businesses are tenacious and want to adapt to challenging conditions in order to remain profitable,” says Gerald Burton, CEO of the WesBank corporate division.

“Here at WesBank we also like to adapt to what the market demands, and have come up with a solution that reduces the immediate financial impact of buying a generator. Our Turner Morris finance packages are suited to all businesses – coffee shops to factories.”

The International Monetary Fund has already forecast that South Africa’s GDP will only grow by 2.1% in 2015, and energy experts have estimated that load shedding can seriously affect the economy. It is estimated that ten hours of stage one load shedding, per month, could cost up to R20 billion, while more severe stages could see that figure climb to as much as R80 billion per month.

The Turner Morris standby generators are available to meet the power demands of a wide range of businesses (vets, hairdressers, motor dealerships, cinemas, fisheries and other commercial industries that manufacture goods and services). The business generators are designed to be installed permanently on-site, and have fuel tanks that will provide a stable power supply for up to eight hours. They are equipped with world-class engines from either Perkins or Cummins and are recognised as reliable assets for any business. Additionally, they are backed up by full support throughout South Africa and the rest of Africa.

WesBank offers finance for all business generators stocked by Turner Morris, with models that have outputs ranging from 12.5kVA to 2 000kVA. The generator finance deals for the selected models are structured over 60 months, and at an indicative interest rate of 12%. Instalments, including all associated fees, are R3 075 per month for the 22kVA model; R4 345 per month for the 66kVA model; and R5 510 per month for the 110kVA model. However, terms and conditions do apply. Turner Morris offers installation of all its generators, which will activate a one-year/2 000 hour warranty. Installation also includes an automatic mains failure panel and an automatic transfer switch, to ensure seamless operation when grid power is lost.

BankservAfrica Economic Transaction Index (BETI) shows growth

The BankservAfrica Economic Transaction Index (BETI) showed growth of 2.4% on the past year, surface evidence that economic activity is fairly stable. However, the growth is off a low base, following the impact of the strike season in July last year, which hit the South African economy hard. “The headline BETI number therefore hides a decline in economic activity in July 2015 as both quarter-on-quarter and month-on-month activity decline,” said Mike Schüssler, Chief Economist at Economists dotcoza. “The decline however is just not as much as July 2014, making the annual increase the largest in two years.”

The BETI remains extremely volatile, with three of the last six months indicating declines and the others showing increases.

The harsh reality of lower commodity prices and power shortages indicate a declining start to the second half of the year for the South African economy, Schüssler added.

“The economy is on something of a wild rollercoaster ride, and there is no hiding the fact that activity is fluctuating with the short term up-and-down nature showing a clear lack of real direction.”

As a co-incident indicator, the BETI has a close relationship with Gross Domestic Product which indicates that while quarterly growth in the economy should be weak, the annual change should still be around 2%.

Most of that growth however was in the fourth quarter of 2014 which, impact aside, had a 4% annualised change. Activity measured by economic transactions via South Africa’s payments operator BankservAfrica has been very volatile over the last two years, indicating uninspiring economic performance.

“All this mercurial activity indicates that the only stable trend is very weak growth. The increasing risk from lower commodity prices and infrastructure constraints indicates a higher likelihood of even weaker growth or indeed decline,” says Schüssler.

“Economic activity changes with no clear trend make for risk reduction decisions. But this in itself can lead to even lower growth in the economy. Other economic indicators also paint a mixed picture with the PMI indicating slow growth compared to declining vehicle sales.”

The actual number of transactions via the BankservAfrica system - as measured by the BETI - shows a 2.1% increase over the year to R86.3 million. The average value per transaction grew at 5.4% in nominal terms to R8 433 per transaction.

The standardised value of the BETI transaction increased by 7.5% on a year ago to R693.45 billion for July 2015, while the standardised transaction value in June 2015 totalled R709.6 billion, indicating the volatile nature of economic activity within South Africa at present.

The BETI may seem stronger but the headline growth is effectively built on quick sand, Schüssler added.

Umlilo set to add fire to screens

The much-anticipated and sizzling Umlilo is back on the small screen for a second season on Monday, 10 August at 9PM.
 
Umlilo offers both a heart-stopping mystery, and a deep emotionally charged family drama. The series follows the Simelanes, a moderately affluent Johannesburg family headed by the dynamic patriarch Mnqobi  Simelane (Hamilton Dhlamini), a self-made businessman  in his 40s , who is in a polygamous relationship.
 
In the season one finale episode, Dumile (Nokuthula Ledwaba) and Spikiri (Daniel Hadebe) finally discovered that Khwezi (Nomzamo Mbatha) is not who she says she is. Dumile tried to stop the wedding between her husband, Mnqobi (Hamilton Dhlamini) and Khwezi with the evidence she dug up, only to discover that Khwezi found incriminating evidence against her: A sonar scan of the baby Dumile once carried. Dumile therefore had no choice, but to allow and ‘bless’ the marriage of her husband and his nyantsi.
 
In Season 2, Khwezi joins the other two wives and Mnqobi’s daughters, Andile (Omuhle Gela) and Phindile (Fezeka Katise) in their new house. Just when Khwezi thought she’s finally silenced her number one threat, the drama continues. Mnqobi’s first wife, Celebsile becomes  suspicious and Khwezi, and her uncle (Welcome Masoja) realize they have a new threat on their radar, especially after their plan to murder Dumile fails. Khwezi is determined to keep her past buried, while she continues her plans to destroy the Simelane clan.
 
“Season One was a humbling hit; we received an overwhelming response from our viewers. Season 2 promises even more sizzle. The production team has turned on the heat with a bigger and broader entertaining plot to keep viewers glued to their screens,” says Monde Twala, e.tv’s Managing Director.  
 
The verdict is still out on whether Khwezi will be successful in her quest for revenge on Mnqobi Simelane. 
 
Don’t miss Umlilo, every Monday at 9PM on e.tv. 

New dairy alternative launches in SA

Almond Breeze, a great tasting and all-natural alternative to milk made from almonds, gives the market a shake up this month as it launches in South Africa. With great health benefits, Almond Breeze is a low-calorie, lactose-free alternative to dairy and can be used in cereals, smoothies, coffee, in baking or simply enjoy a delicious glass on its own.

Available in two varieties, Original and Unsweetened, Almond Breeze is a great alternative for people looking to live a healthier lifestyle. It is also suitable for people with dairy allergies or those following a vegan diet. As almond milk contains no cholesterol, it is also recommended for people suffering from heart disease or high cholesterol and the unsweetened variety has a low glycaemic index (GI) with no added sugar, making it a suitable option for health conscious consumers.

“Almond Breeze has been the leading almond milk in the United States for over a decade, offering a high quality and healthy alternative to milk,” says Brendan Binder, Global Director of Almond Breeze. “Over the past few years we have successfully launched in a number of markets around the world and we are excited to launch in South Africa, addressing the increasing demand for an alternative to dairy in the country.”

Almond Breeze combines the superfood health benefits of almonds with a delicious taste. It is packed with calcium as well as vitamin D and E to support strong bones and healthy skin, making it easier to manage a healthy lifestyle. Almond Breeze is proudly produced and distributed locally by Good Hope International Beverages and is GMO free, with no additives, MSG or preservatives.

“People are definitely paying more attention to their health, and whatever the reason you are looking for an alternative to dairy, Almond Breeze promises great taste with great health benefits,” adds Binder.

Almond Breeze Original and Unsweetened are available in a 1L Tetra Pak and will retail in leading supermarkets around the country for a recommended selling price of R34,95.

Find out more about Almond Breeze on www.almondbreeze.co.za, @AlmondBreezeSA and facebook/AlmondBreezeSouthAfrica.

Khanyi Mbau finds happiness in four letter film

The film titled ‘Happiness is a Four-Letter Word’ and directed by Thabang Moleya, tells a story of glamorous housewife Zaza (Khanyi Mbau), perfectionist lawyer Nandi (Mmabatho Montsho) and trendy art gallery owner Princess (Renate Stuurman) who seem to be living the new South African dream: money, success, and loving partners.

The three friends juggle life’s surprising changes as they come to learn that “happiness doesn’t come with a manual.” The three will have to find out what truly makes each of them happy and then fight to get it in their unique way.

The film is being produced with part funding from the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) and forms part of a slate of films that aim to develop key areas of black talent in the film industry. The NFVF programme has had great success with the release of Hard to Get, which garnered various awards.

At the helm of the production team are Hard to Get producers Junaid Ahmed and Helena Spring, and first time feature film producer Bongiwe Selane who says “I’m excited to be producing my first feature film with two formidable producers, whom I consider doyens in the industry.

I was a fan of Happiness is a Four-Letter Word when it was first published and immediately knew that it is the kind of story that lends itself to screen adaptation.” Junaid Ahmed adds “It’s important for us to grow black excellence in the film industry.

The fact that Happiness is a story about ambitious black women is an added and much-welcomed layer. Helena Spring added: “It’s wonderful for me to watch the great achievements in the South African film industry and to be part of showcasing black talent in full colour.”

While Busisiwe Ntilintili adapted the novel into a screenplay, Cynthia Nozizwe Jele, who is currently busy with her second novel, kept a strong hand on the adaptation and has been integral in the film production.

An excited and humble Nozizwe says, “I’m thrilled about the film. The novel received tremendous support and still gets attention. I’m also excited about the developing trend of local books being turned into films and television dramas. The content and depth of South African writers is relevant and of a high calibre. I wish the cast and production team all the best, and I can’t wait to see the final product.”

The director Thabang Moleya whose accolades include Vuka Awards, SAFTA Awards, and an Emmy Nomination leads a stellar cast including Mmabatho Montsho as Nandi, Khanyi Mbau as Zaza, and Renate Stuurman as Princess.

Happiness is a Four-Letter Word will elevate the state of South African cinema, and raise the volume on the stunted representation of black females in film both behind and in front of camera.

ASUS expands its ultrabook range

ASUS has expanded its ultrabook range by adding the new ZenBook computer to the Mzansi line-up. The new ASUS ZenBook is available at Dion Wired for a recommended retail price of R11 999.

The thin, light and powerful ASUS ZenBook is just 12.3mm thick and weighs in at just 1.2kg.

The subtle wedge design and elegantly tapered smooth diamond-cut edges emphasise the sleek ultra-thin chassis. A full size ergonomic keyboard and a large responsive touchpad make engaging with the device an efficient and rewarding experience.

When it comes to visual display, the ZenBook features two 13.3 inch in-plane switching options for wide viewing angles, including a matte Full HD (1920×1080) that offers bright, crystal clear images, and an optional QHD+ (3200×1800) multi-touch display for an extremely sharp display.

Simply put, QHD+ offers four times the resolution of standard HD displays for an extraordinary pixel density of 275ppi for vivid and life-like images and video.

This latest crop of ZenBook Ultrabooks maintains the device’s reputation for exceptional sound, with its ASUS SonicMaster audio with ICEpower technology from Bang & Olufsen producing deep base, rich mid tones, and crystal-clear highs.

What’s more, the easy-to-use AudioWizard software has five pre-sets optimised for different audio sources for maximum listening pleasure.

Available in two colours – Obsidian Stone and Ceramic Alloy, the ZenBook has scooped design awards worldwide, including the 2014 Good Design Award from the Japan Institute of Design Promotion, the 2015 iF Design Award, and it was included on the 2014 Good Design Best 100 list.

ASUS’ signature spun-metal finish with its unique concentric circle design that echoes the spirit of Zen add even more to its understated beauty and harmonious blend of power and style.

The ZenBook UX305 is powered by the remarkably power-efficient Intel Core M processor, and combined with 8GB of RAM and an ultra-fast 256GB SSD, the notebook delivers impressive all round performance.

The SATA 6.0Gb/s SSSD is up to six times faster than a traditional hard disk drive tears through file-intensive productivity tasks with ease – while the device’s lithium-polymer batter and power-efficient components offer a stellar 10 hour battery life.

The advanced ASUS thermal management design removes the need for cooling fans, meaning that the Ultrabook is fast, cool (in the most literal sense), and completely silent.

This also means that the palm-rest area remains below body temperature for maximum comfort, which is brought to you by ASUS, through its ICECool technology.

Hisense produces and launches OLED TV in South Africa

Hisense has confirmed that its new OLED TV produced in South Africa will be officially launched this August in Cape Town.

The new Hisense OLED TV produces better picture quality and colour through ULED 2.0 technology. It will retail at R30 000.

Hisense’s ULED 2.0 technology offers high dynamic range with enhanced 3D dimming and peak brightness of 550 nits.

Furthermore, the company’s independently developed module technology enables its ULED televisions to offer better colour effects, added to a wider colour gamut (100% NTSC) and quantum dots technology that allows for richer and more vibrant picture clarity.

Another feature of Hisense’s ULED televisions worth bearing in mind is its ultra dimming technology.

The presence of hundreds of LED bulbs, which are then divided into 144 independent units, with each unit capable of being set to anywhere between 100% black and 100% white, enable these televisions to render more detail in its image.

Where ULED scores over OLED by a more significant margin is in energy consumption, requiring 200 W in comparison to OLED’s more power hungry 230 W. Additionally, Hisense’s ULED televisions also boast a much quicker response time of 3-4 milliseconds (half of LED’s 6-8 milliseconds).

Along with this, Hisense’s backlight scanner helps it eliminate picture flutter more efficiently, making for a clearer as well as a smoother viewing experience.

Montecasino to host the NBA Africa game viewing party

Montecasino will be hosting the NBA Africa Game 2015 live viewing party on 01 August. The fan zone will be presented by Ford.

Open to fans of all ages, the fan zone will feature spectator games on a half-court, music, prizes and more.  Commentary of NBA Africa Game 2015 will be presented live at the fan zone.

Hosted by a 947 DJ, the event will also feature an NBA Fan Patrol that will provide entertainment, including acrobatic dunk performances.

The sold-out NBA Africa Game 2015 will feature a Team Africa vs. Team World format and will be played in support of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Africa, SOS Children’s Villages Association of South Africa and the Nelson Mandela Foundation.  The game will air live in the U.S. on ESPN at 9:00 a.m. ET and in Africa on SuperSport at 3:00 p.m. CAT.

Team Africa, comprised of players born in Africa. Team World, comprised of players from the rest of the world.

Tickets are available at itickets.co.za/events/347895.html.

Call For Nominations For Sanparks Environmental Journalist Awards

Entries for the South African National Parks (SANParks) Environmental journalists of the year are open. This according to SANParks: Head of Communications, Paul Daphne, who said the Environmental Media Contribution to Conservation award category of the Kudu Awards – is presented to conservation/environmental journalists/media entities that have been considered to have conducted their reporting in a socially responsible manner and have also given extensive and balanced reporting on conservation related matters.
According to Daphne the Environmental Media Contribution to Conservation Award category forms part of the annual SANParks Kudu Awards – designed to recognize external stakeholders for their contributions and efforts in making South African National Parks the custodian of choice for the national parks system in South Africa.

He said the event, now in its 10th year, has seen good interest from members of the public in the last few years and last year saw a massive contribution of R200 000 for the prizes from First National Bank (FNB) and Total SA. “This shows that there is a lot of passion for our parks from our patrons and all have a need to be recognised as the best in conservation of our biodiversity.”

We hereby invite all members of media institutions to submit their nominations for Environmental Journalist of the Year for the Kudu Award by 31 July 2015.

The awards winners will be announced at a gala function to be held in Gauteng later in the year. For more information go to http://www.sanparks.org/about/events/kudu_awards/default.php or contact Itshekeng Mokone on telephone (012) 426 5058 / e-mail: itshekeng.mokone@sanparks.org or Christinah Njotini on (012) 426 5020 / email: christinah.njotini@sanparks.org

Idols SA Is Back!

Following last season's massive success – with a record-breaking 24 million votes being cast – Idols SA returns to M-Net and Mzansi Magic this week Sunday at 17:00. This season all the episodes will be two hours long, and the producers hit the refresh button by adding a fourth member to the judging panel.  Flamboyant entertainer Somizi Mhlongo  joins Randall Abrahams, Unathi Msengana and Gareth Cliff in the search for South Africa's next singing sensation.

"By now, we all know what to expect from our esteemed judges:  Randall will be his nit-picking, brutally honest self; Gareth will fire off witty remarks; and Unathi is bound to shed some tears. So the big question now is how Somizi will perform his judging duties," says M-Net's Head of Publicity, Lani Lombard. "Prepare yourself for the highest level of energy, Somizi's trademark pizazz and all kinds of spontaneous moves. But he will also impress with his practical music knowledge and deep insight into the world of showbiz."

In the first episode we'll see how Somizi made his first appearance at the State Theatre in Pretoria, where the countrywide auditions for Idols SA Season 11 kicked off this year. While the two hour long show on M-Net  and Mzansi Magic  will feature some of the best – and worst – singers who eagerly awaited the judges' comments, all the auditions will once again be played on the Idols SA Extra channel, channel 199 on DStv, from the time the show's end credits roll.

Next week Sunday the auditions will move to the GrandWest Casino and World of Entertainment in Cape Town and the following two episodes will feature the good, bad – and ugly – at The Playhouse Theatre in Durban and Carnival City on the East Rand. The lucky few who receive a precious Golden Ticket will then face the music again at Idols SA's gruelling Theatre Week before the Top 16 will sing for the voting public.

Among the slate of performers in the first episode is a former drama student who entered the competition as his female alter-ego; the handsome son of a famous South African musician; a singer-songwriter who busks to make a living; a young man who supports his entire family; and a n ecstatic Idols fan who has a big crush on presenter ProVerb.

But can they sing? And, will they go home with a coveted Golden Ticket?

You'll find out if you watch Idols SA in HD on M-Net, channel 101 on DStv or on Mzansi Magic, channel 161 on DStv on Sundays at 17:00, from Sunday, 12 July. Or tune into the Idols Extra channel, channel 199 on DStv.

For the latest information on Idols SA visit the official Idols X website at www.mnet.co.za/idolssa,  follow Idols SA on Twitter @IdolsSA or like the official Idols Facebook page at “Idols South Africa”.

How To Minimize The Impact Of Losing Your Home

For most people, owning a home is seen as a major achievement; it may represent years of hard work and sacrifice. There is no doubt that property ownership forms part of a solid investment portfolio and it is for all these reasons that losing a home can be devastating, not only financially, but emotionally too.

Every property that is repossessed is already one property to many.  However many home owners end up in a situation where they can no longer keep their mortgage payments due to their financial position.  It is advisable that prior to purchasing a home, one conducts research and constructs a budget that caters for unforeseen expenses that may place the repayment ability at risk.

Many property owners who cannot meet their bond repayments make the common mistake of not contacting their banks, and sometimes choose to ignore telephone calls, letters and emails. Steven Barker, Head of Home Loans at Standard Bank, says, “If you know that you are not able to make the payments, you should immediately contact your bank.

“It is in the bank’s interest to assist you to find a solution that is acceptable to both parties. No bank wants to repossess a home; if it is at all possible they will try to accommodate a financially stressed homeowner, as long as there is a viable solution and obligations are met. Many consumers tend to believe that if their house is repossessed, their financial worries will be over. However, there are some major risks associated with this course of action.”

When your home is repossessed, the bank is forced to cancel the home loan agreement and institute legal action against you. Once a judgement is obtained through the courts, the property is attached by the sheriff and sold at an auction as a ‘sale in execution’.

Standard Bank does not seek to make profits out of a sale in execution,” says Mr Barker. They credit the ex-owner if there is a surplus from the sale, after deducting costs. If the proceeds of the sale are not sufficient to cover the outstanding loan balance, then the client still has an obligation to repay that outstanding amount to the bank.”

Tips to prevent repossession

Examine your budget carefully and cut debt levels
Sometimes giving your budget a makeover can free up enough cash to keep your payments on track. This process will require you to make changes to your lifestyle; limit eating out, cell phone use and suspend subscriptions. Remind yourself that the cutbacks are short-term and that keeping your home is of utmost importance.

Sell the property before you fall into arrears
Waiting in the hope that your luck will turn could make matters worse. If you don’t want to sell your home, you may need to sell something else. Look around your house and see what assets you can sell to boost your funds.

3.       Ask the bank to extend your mortgage payback period to 30 years

This will give you more cash in hand, but you will pay more interest. You could always change the mortgage repayment period back to 20 years once your situation has improved.

Speak to your accountant or financial advisor
They may be able to give you financial advice on how to use investments to tide you over. While not ideal, cashing in an investment may be a viable solution. Financial advisors have experience with individuals in financial stress and may be able to suggest some feasible solutions.

“Remember, the bank will do everything in their ability to assist you to keep your home,” says Mr Barker. “The key to an amicable solution is regular and open communication.”

Get Shopping Online, Sports And News For Free

Last month, Cell C announced it had partnered with Facebook’s Internet.org to launch the free service for South African customers on the mobile network at the beginning of this month, bringing with it free access to Facebook and a host of other content.

So, how exactly does internet.org work and what are its benefits? Read on and we’ll take you through it.

Internet.org is free for all Cell C contract customers, while those on prepaid must keep their line active by recharging at least once every 30 days to keep accessing the service.

Before getting into all the details, an important factor we picked up when we first tried internet.org out is that it’s won’t work when connected to WiFi, even if you are a Cell C customer. Upon further testing, we saw that if you switch to your mobile connection, visit the site on your browser (it should definitely let you in by now) and switch back to WiFi, you should be able to carry on from there.

On the internet.org home page, you’ll see a list of all the free services available. We’ve summarised description of what you can do on them:

Facebook


The main service that’s punted on Internet.org is Facebook. Here you can post and view and status updates, comments, see their News Feed, timeline and profiles of other users and use Facebook Messenger for text chat. Standard data rates will apply for all other Facebook-related activities such as posting and viewing videos and voice calling on Messenger.

It doesn’t look as sophisticated as the Facebook app, but you shouldn’t have any hassles with navigating it.

Information Channels

Bing, Cell C, wikiHow and Wikipedia


You can use the Bing search engine to look up information and images. Visit the Cell C mobisite, look up a bunch of “how tos” on wikiHow and browse the Wikipedia online encyclopaedia.

Education Channels

BeSmart, LoveWords, FunDza, Scholars4Dev, Wattpad, WorldReader and D-Siders


BeSmart helps with tips, quizzes, games and information on a number of topics from job interviews, history, news, English grammar maths and science.

LoveWors is for all the wordsmiths who enjoy reading and writing poetry and short stories and polishing their English skills through quizzes and tests.

FunDza contains themed stories, essays and poems written by ordinary young people on the portal. If you fancy yourself a future author, you can also submit your own stories to be published on FunDza.

Scholars4Dev helps South African youth find scholarships to study at certain tertiary institutions abroad.

Wattpad and WorldReader are other story and book reading apps you can use to read stories upcoming authors. You can also save a book for offline reading and comment and rate it once you’re done.

D-Siders is a life orientation-esque daily mobile soapie design to teach youth about pressings social issues. Users can also discuss some of the topics addressed in each episode.

Women Channels

Intel She Will Connect, Girl Effect, iLearn


Intel She Will Connect educates girls and women about how they can get connected to and use the internet and what the benefits of being connected are.

Girl Effect is a movement aimed at reaching out to girls in Africa and offering them life tips and advice and giving them a platform to share about their life stories, struggles and triumphs.

iLearn is a financial education platform that seeks to teach women about handling their money, starting their own company and offers inspirational stories from other women who have become successful entrepreneurs.

Health Channels

Health24, BabyCentre and MAMA, HIV360 and Facts for Life


Health24 is 24.com’s general health information portal where you can read up on the latest health news.

BabyCentre and MAMA – which was developed in South Africa – helps expectant mothers and moms with a baby from 0 to 12 months learn all they need to know about pregnancy, taking care of yourself and your baby and a baby’s milestones. Moms can also connect with each other and exchange advice and tips.

HIV360 teaches users all about HIV or AIDS, how to prevent either one and how to live positively with it.

Facts for Life helps mothers  take care of their unborn baby, newborn, infant or toddlers by provding them with health information on a range of illnesses common among children.

Marketplace

Gumtree and OLX


Get access to two of South Africa’s biggest online classifieds where you can buy or sell anything from electronics, cars, appliances and property for rent or sale.

News Channels

BBC News, News24 and SuperSport


Read up on international, continental and local news stories from the BBC, News24 and Supersport.

Finance and jobs Channels

Careers24, SmartBusiness and Money Matters

Careers24 allows you to browse available job posts and upload your CV to apply for them.

For those who prefer being their own boss, SmartBusiness will give you information and advice on how to go about doing so, while Money Matters will teach consumers how to budget and handle their money well.

- Htxt

Walk Of Stars To Be Launched In Rosebank

A walk of fame styled installation is set to launch in Rosebank CBD. The attraction will mimic the iconic ‘Hollywood Walk of Fame’, and pay tribute to South African greats in various disciplines.

The Walk’s home, approved by the Lower Rosebank Management District, is a permanent honour dedicated to former president Nelson Mandela and other South African and African greats.

Spots on ‘The Walk’ will be awarded to those who have excelled in radio, music, sport, film, television, performing arts and more.

Those honoured on ‘The Walk’ will be individuals “who have rendered unparalleled service to their fellow citizens by enduring and making selfless contributions to charitable causes and by their altruistic deeds achieved exalted recognition,” according to a statement released by the NGO.

According to “The Walk of Stars” Executive Producer, Phineas Tichana, “the Walk is set to be a huge resource for Rosebank and mega marketing tool for Johannesburg to promote tangible heritage as an open air museum, enhance the business, cultural, and civic well-being of South African and African achievement. More so, it directly speaks to the ‘We are Africa’ campaign at this time. It’s the best thing set to ever happen in the Rosebank precinct.”

Included in the long list of inaugural inductees are Ladysmith Black Mambazo, TV Host and former Miss South Africa, Rolene Strauss.

Also on the list is Francois Pienaar, a retired South African rugby union player and key political figures like Andrew Mlangeni, Ahmed Kathrada, and George Bizos.

SABC African EduWeek Winners Announced

Educational and corporate technology solutions, Edit Microsystems, was named the best ICT in education supplier of year at the inaugural SABC Education African EduWeek awards held last night at the Gallagher Convention Centre.

The awards showcased the most innovative projects, organisations, companies, teachers and professionals in education who have been responsible for pioneering new frontiers, inspiring others and for achieving growth in education in Africa.

“We are incredibly surprised but absolutely thrilled with this award,” said Pieter Labuschagne, MD of Edit Microsystems. “We consistently thrive to be innovative and creative. This award goes to show that we have been recognised for our continued efforts.”

Here’s a list of the rest of the winners:

Supplier of the Year 2015, Basic Education: One On One Community Based Programmes, South Africa
Supplier of the Year 2015, Higher Education: TSiBA Education NPC, South Africa
Supplier of the Year 2015, Early Childhood Development: Clamber Club, South Africa
Supplier of the Year 2015, Special Needs: Sensory Solutions, South Africa
Supplier of the Year 2015, Innovation Product Award: The Reach Trust, Department of Basic Education and UNICEF
Stars in Education Award: Lesiba Kwenaite, Teacher, Pirwana Secondary School, Limpopo
NGO of the Year 2015: Knysna Education Trust, South Africa
Future Stars Award: Mapule Mofokeng, Student, CTI Randburg Campus.
Environment Award 2015: Collect-a-Can, South Africa
Community project of the Year: SpellAfrica Initiative, Nigeria
SABC Education African EduWeek wraps up today.

10 Point Reform Plan For Unemployment Crisis

The SA Institute of Race Relations (IRR) published a 10-point plan on Wednesday to tackle South Africa’s mounting unemployment crisis.

The IRR said that South Africa’s very high unemployment, which had risen from 3.67 million in 1994 to 8.74 million this year, necessitated a series of radical steps.

“Job security for some has been achieved at the price of unemployment for others who might have benefited from a more adaptable and flexible regulatory environment,” the IRR said in a statement.

“Joblessness on the scale currently prevalent in South Africa represents a colossal loss in economic output.”

The IRR added that its proposals were designed to “curtail violence, replace coercion with democracy, lower barriers to market entry, and remove obstacles to the engagement of workers”.

Unskilled people without education or capital had nothing to sell but their labour and all the artificial restrictions – such as minimum wages – preventing them from exploiting their only asset should be removed, in the IRR’s view.

Dr Anthea Jeffery, head of policy research at the IRR, explained ten labour market reform points of the suggested IRR plan to Fin24:

End strike-related violence

Very often strikes go on longer than they otherwise would have, explained Jeffery. This is due to intimidation or an incitement to violence or even attacks on non-strikers as important factors.

“Yet we are not aware of any successful prosecutions in this regard,” said Jeffery. “We, therefore, want those responsible for attacks or incitements to be prosecuted privately with help civil society if government does not.”

The IRR also wants to see that as soon as a strike turns violent, it loses its protected status so that workers can be dismissed.

“That would be a very important incentive to trade unions to make sure strikes are not marred by violence. We believe unions should be held liable. It would just make it that much easier to bring civil action against unions,” said Jeffery.

Require secret pre-strike ballots

This proposal was recently dropped from proposed labour relations legislation, according to Jeffery.

“We know there is intimidation, so let’s make sure from the start and before a strike begins that there is real support for it. Let a two-third majority enable a strike to enjoy protected status,” said Jeffery.

Protect property during strikes and pickets

The IRR wants unions to ensure what they do does not result in damage to property.

“We argue that there is a Constitutional Court judgment which provides for unions to be sued for damage during a strike. It should not only be compensatory, but also punitive in order to create an incentive for unions to make sure that when they call a strike it does not lead to violence,” she explained.

Limit the scope of protected strikes and pickets

Jeffery explained that the Labour Relations Act protects secondary strikes, while the IRR is of the view that protection should only apply between workers and their employer.

If, for example, there is a strike at a particular company, workers from another company should not be allowed to picket.

“We say only those workers at that particular work place should be allowed to go on a strike and only at that company’s premises,” said Jeffery.

The IRR would also like to see an end to protection for so-called general socio-economic strikes.

“Strikes in SA have reached levels much higher than rest of world, so we want to take away this right to socio economic strikes. It makes our labour market much more off-putting to investors and prevents more jobs from being created,” she said.

End the closed shop and make unions collect their own subscriptions

The IRR would like to see and end to companies deducting union membership fees from wages.

“Rather let unions persuade people to pay their subscriptions and make it directly payable to unions. This would improve the accountability of unions to their members,” said Jeffery.

Furthermore, under the Labour Relations Act a union is allowed to demand that all those employed at a certain company must belong to it and that a non-union member can’t get a job.

“Employers should be able to employ regardless if someone is a union member,” said Jeffery.

Stop extending bargaining council agreements to non-parties

Under the LRA it is possible for employers and unions to enter into a Bargaining Council agreement which not only applies to those organisations, but to all in that industry. It favours big employers at the expense of smaller ones and make them uncompetitive, explained Jeffery.

Give people back their right to work

“In essence, people who are poorly skilled and lack capital really can only exploit their ability to work, but in many cases they cannot because of bargaining council agreements,” said Jeffery.

This makes it difficult for companies to take on more staff, for instance, workers who would otherwise have no work at all.

“Not only Bargaining Council wage agreements, but also minimum wages impact job creation as it makes it impossible for people who would like to work to get a job at all. Our wages are often too high, especially at entry level, for inexperienced workers who are not productive,” said Jeffery.

“We must get out of that situation if we want to stop locking people out of the labour market.”

Allow dismissals and retrenchments to be governed by employment contracts

The LRA is very onerous regarding dismissals, said Jeffery.

The CCMA had 667 cases every working day in 2013, for instance and it makes it very time consuming for managers.

“Especially for small firms where we have to look for job creation we say remove these restrictions. We say let employers and employees agree about notice and put it in the contract,” said Jeffery.

“It is always risky to employ people, to know if there will be future demand due to economic changes and if a person will be able to do the work.”

SA has 26% unemployment and in Brazil it is 6%. In Jeffery’s view it is because it is there easier to fire someone, but then also easier to hire someone.

Remove new restrictions on temporary labour

Jeffery said temporary employment has been growing in SA because of various restrictions.

“There is often a need for more flexibility and changing conditions, yet, our laws are not allowing it,” she said.

“Our current laws harm rather than help the youth and new entrants to labour market. We say those restrictions should go and Government should welcome private placement agencies, as they help with employment.”

Stop fighting the private sector

Jeffery said there seems often to be hostility to the private sector in the ranks of senior ministers, especially those in the Communist Party with ideological hostility to free market.

“We see increasing regulatory constraints on businesses. We need to end that hostility if we were to see the private sector thrive and offer more jobs to millions of unemployed,” she said.

The IRR has presented its proposal to a number of Government departments and wants to show why it is important not just to keep on going the current way.

“We need to look at change. Our wages are too high, our dismissal costs are too high and we need to start acting on this recognition,” she said.

Fin24

What To Consider When Applying For A Loan

Few people can get through life without the need to access credit. Used wisely, it can build your wealth and enhance your lifestyle. The process of applying for a loan is relatively easy, but you have to ensure that you have all the elements in place to qualify.



“When you apply for a loan, the bank assesses your credit worthiness by doing a number of checks,” says Theunis Kruger, Head of Unsecured Lending at Standard Bank. “The bank doesn’t only look at how much you earn; your spending habits and behaviour have a big impact on your credit profile, too.”



When looking at a customer’s ability to repay, banks don’t only look at your nett take home pay, they also consider your expenses, employment, and your ability to repay the loan, taking into account the repayments on other debt you might have as well as your living expenses.



Another important aspect of credit approval is your credit profile. There are a number of credit bureaus in South Africa that keep records of your credit profile and develop your credit score. Banks, insurance companies, retailers, estate agents and employers subscribe to their services. They not only request information on clients, but also provide information on your credit behaviour, meaning that every loan or credit agreement you have is monitored. If you pay your bills regularly, you will have a good credit profile. If you miss or are late with payments, this will reflect negatively.



It is advisable to review the accuracy of your credit report before you apply for credit. You are entitled to one free report from the credit bureaus each year.



“If you have an adverse report for unpaid debts, or if it is inaccurate, it’s important that you resolve any issues and have the report updated as soon as possible,” says Mr Kruger.  “If you have a judgement where the creditor has gone to court and issued a court order, a specialist attorney can assist you to get the judgement revoked. Once you know your credit profile is accurate, you can apply for a loan, just make sure to double check that all the information you give the bank is correct, or you could run into financial difficulties in the future, specifically if you took out a loan you could not afford.



The final step to securing a loan is proving that you have all the relevant documents to back up your claims. Your bank needs to understand what you own, what you owe as well as what you earn and spend. They will ask you for the following, depending on the type of loan you apply for:



1.      Most recent payslip

2.      Three months’ bank statement if you are not a customer of the bank or financial institution

3.      Identity document

4.      Proof of residence



Mr Kruger suggests the following tips to build a good credit record and keep the payments affordable:



If you have accounts that are paid but still open, close them. The bank will see them as a line of credit.
Examine the purpose of the loan carefully. Using a loan for studying is a good reason as it would improve your future earnings potential.  Similarly using a loan to fund home improvements will increase the value of the house.  Using a loan to pay for groceries however, is not a good idea as the debt repayment will last long after the groceries have been consumed.
Always pay bills on time. Even late payments are recorded at the credit bureau.
Make sure your details are up to date at the bureau.
Protect yourself against identity fraud. Get a copy of your report each year to ensure that someone is not using your details to get credit.


If you are declined for a loan, ask the consultant why.  This will enable you to identify what you need to change to qualify for credit in future.



“Banks have to comply with the National Credit Regulator (NCR) rules of responsible lending; if you get a loan that you can’t afford to repay, it may result in you being over-indebted. If you manage your debt responsibly, you will always have access to credit when you need it the most,” concludes Mr Kruger.

Knorr And J'Something Set To Heat Up Kitchen

Knorr, along with the new ‘celebrity chef’ on the block, J’Something, is teaming up with some of SA’s supermoms and celebrities to look at some of the common situations that women are faced with in the kitchen on a day to day basis.



Balancing busy lives including work, children and other responsibilities means solving that age-old question on a daily basis- what’s for dinner?



Knorr and J’Something are here to answer this question with a weekly show, Knorr whatsfordinner? with J’Something launching on Saturday, July 11th at 7pm on SABC3.



Knorr is continually striving to make simple home-cooking an integral part of every South African family. Now, Knorr, J’Something and a range of top South African celebrities will bring these simple and delicious recipes to busy Moms (and Dads!) across South Africa with a weekly TV show – Knorr whatsfordinner? with J’Something.



The show will play host to a number of SA celebs including Sophie Ndaba who will join J’Something to kick off the series, and Leanne Dlamini to name a few.



Whatsfordinner? is South Africa’s biggest brand on Facebook – with a whopping 9,595,000 likes, over 700,000 from South Africa alone, and with over 1.5million views on the www.whatsfordinner.co.za  – visiting these sites has become a daily routine for thousands of people across the country.



With simple, nutritious and inspiring recipes, what’s for dinner is no longer a difficult question to answer. Knorr, The smart way to great taste every day!



If you’re always wondering what to make for dinner, then tune into SABC3 for Knorr whatsfordinner? with J’Something every Saturday at 7pm and let J’Something answer your question.



For updates on the Knorr whatsfordinner? with J’Something TV progamme  www.facebook.com/whatsfordinner or www.whatsfordinner.co.za

Charity Influencing Children's Lives Through Education

Pinelands resident Alison Smith packed her bags and headed to the United States in the year 2000 for what she thought would be a routine position at a summer camp. Her adventure abroad would soon turn into a passion for uplifting the impoverished communities of Cape Town for years to come.

Smith left her life abroad and came to Cape Town in 2005 where she founded Camp Sonshine Africa, a sister organisation to the Maryland charity she had grown to love.

Based in the impoverished community of Garden Village in Maitland, Smith’s charity aims to change Africa one child at a time through a daily after-school program for primary school aged children. The program also boasts a scholarship fund which supports disadvantaged children who cannot afford the school fees at government-run schools.

“My favourite part of what we do is our scholarship program,” Smith told SA Breaking News. “I was fortunate enough to be given a quality education, which at the time I did not realise how important this was, but now, looking back I appreciate it so much.”

“Without an education you are powerless in this world. With a good education, these children are able to break the cycle of unemployment and poverty in their lives and that of their families.”

The organisation also supports families by providing transport, helping with homework, food parcels, fixing up homes and assistance obtaining children’s birth certificates.

Smith said the scholarship programme has made a noticeable difference to the lives of the NPO’s beneficiaries.

“Next year, Chelsea, our very first scholarship kid will be in Matric at Pinelands High School. She will be the first one in her family to get a matric. That is very exciting!”

“Sade, one of our scholarship kids at Pinelands North Primary is in grade 7 and is a prefect at her school! Sade is being raised by her granny as her parents walked out on her when she was very young. She works incredibly hard and is extremely self-sufficient in all that she does,” Smith added.


Smith’s journey is not without its challenges. According to the social entrepreneur, the organisation’s beneficiaries are in desperate need of a place to call their own.

“We are now working out of one of the local churches in the community. They have a tiny wendy house on their grounds that they allow us to use during the week (sic),” she said.

“Unfortunately the size of this severely limits what we are able to do and the number of children who are able to be involved, especially during the winter months.”

Smith has launched a desperate plea for businesses, individuals or organisations that are in a position to assist the charity to do its work. Her hope is that her recent nomination for the Business Women’s Association’s Regional Business Achievers Award will launch her organisation to new heights.

“I saw a need and it was just something that I could not ignore. I believe that God has given me gifts and abilities to meet the needs of this community and I simply could not walk away from this. It is what I was created to do,” she said.