Cassper Nyovest breaks another first as he delivers business lecture

Cassper Nyovest is one person who has not let his past define his future and used his career to break records and stereotypes in the hip-hop industry.

He is not only a rapper, Cassper is also a businessman having successfully launched several successful businesses under his name.

Having always preached the importance of growing himself as a brand, Cassper continues to develop his brand using innovative ways.

Taking to social media Cassper told followers that Thursday was a "special day" for him.

It's not every day a hip-hop artist is invited to speak at Africa's number one Business school, so indeed Cassper was right – it was a special day.

Cassper gave a talk at Gordons Institute of Business Science – Africa where he dropped some serious knowledge to an MBA class.

During his guest lecture, Cassper talked about " Building businesses that can survive and thrive in a #VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous) business environment, encompassing innovation, entrepreneurship, leadership and brand management as sub-themes."

According to the rapper, his story was presented as a case study by a group of MBA students who are led by Refiloe Ramogase. He went on to praise the "brave effort" by the group to  "decolonize the typical business school curriculum".

Gigi Lamayne on the hunt for a stylist

It seems that Gigi Lamayne has used the backlash she received from Twitter as inspiration for her latest move.

Gigi Lamayne caused a stir on Twitter after she shared a snap of herself lying on the floor surrounded by money from her latest music video feature.

Social media users were quick to react to Gigi's picture, pointing out that the floor she was lying on looked dirty.

Well, Gigi decided not to let insults and body shaming over her dress sense get to her but instead used the opportunity to find a stylist.

"Yo Twitter, so I've decided to get a stylist ??. Please submit portfolios to info.gigilamayne@gmail.com. The team will select five of their best and they will get to style me for a day. ??YOU will choose your fave look by voting and the rest is history! Thank you Twirra ???????? (sic)"

The move was praised by her followers who commended Gigi for taking their "advice" instead of catching feelings.

Fans will be the ones to decide which stylist out of the lucky five would be joining Gigi's team and the entries are already pouring in.

#Panasonic celebrates centenary in style

Panasonic kicked off their centenary year with a bang at CES 2018, held in Las Vegas. Panasonic proved to have their finger on the pulse of technological advancement by announcing their investment in a diversity of domains, including electric cars, voice assistant integrations and developments in the much-loved lifestyle appliances that have made Panasonic a household name. Hidetoshi Kaneko, Panasonic South Africa's Managing Director, believes that these investments align with Panasonic's quest to make daily life a better experience for people across the globe. "We are proud to expand our repertoire to include next-generation technology to create a better life and a better world for our consumers", comments Kaneko. Home entertainment's vision for 2018 is to bring Hollywood to your home. Panasonic will be rolling out some impressive 4K OLED TVs - the FZ950 and FZ800 series - featuring the HCX video processor and supporting HDR10+ dynamic metadata technology, as well as four new Ultra HD Blu-ray players to maximise the leisure of any living room. Panasonic's high-end audio line, Technics, has unveiled the specs for its most premium turntable ever, which is bound to please vinyl lovers both young and old. Panasonic announced a partnership with Amazon that will bring Alexa to in-car infotainment systems. As your on-board driving assistant, Alexa will make any journey a pleasure by sharing driving distances, calendar appointments and pointing you in the direction of the nearest electric vehicle charging station. Continuing in this vane, Panasonic will also partner with Tesla to build better batteries for electric vehicles. The company also boasts a new line of 4K camcorders with new sensors and lenses - HC-WXF1, HC-VX1K and the HCV-800K, which is a full HD camcorder - and the sequel to the highly-regarded GH5 camera, the Lumix GH5S, which promises increased low light sensitivity. CES 2018 was the perfect introduction to Panasonic's future vision which will pave the way for the next 100 years and promises to be just the beginning for the appliance giant in the realm of technology and innovation.

#AKA's Star Signs tops #iTunes

In less than 24 hours since it's release, AKA announced that his new track, Star Signs, is number one on iTunes.

Supa Mega surprised fans when he released the single, which features Stogie T, a bit earlier than scheduled. The rapper had initially said that the single would drop on his birthday, this coming Friday. But decided to give his fans an early present and surprised them with the killer track. 

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, AKA announced that Star Signs had already topped the charts. 

"Thank You for your continued support. I don't take it for granted. ANOTHER #1 record across all genres," he wrote. 

Congratulations, Supa Mega!

Children's smart watches are safe, fun and educational

The growing selection of affordable smartwatches designed specifically for children has opened new options for parents who are shopping for wearables for younger kids. Wearables give parents peace of mind by helping them track a child's location and allowing them to stay in touch via text and phone calls.

 

Smartwatches for children offer a more streamlined set of features, a simpler interface and bolder, funkier designs than the high-end options for adults. For example, TCL— parent company for Alcatel—is entering the South African market with TCL-branded smartwatches designed for kids. TCL's Movetime Family Watch includes uncomplicated voice, messaging and tracking functionality.

 

Says Ernst Wittmann, Global Account Director MEA & Country Manager – Southern Africa, at Alcatel: "Many parents are uncomfortable with the idea of giving younger children smartphones, yet would value a way to contact them as well as track their whereabouts. A smartwatch can be a great alternative—affordable, fun and easy to use. A lot of children love the idea of wearing a watch just like mom and dad."

 

Parents can pre-program contacts on the device so that children can see immediately who is phoning them as well as call people on their contact list. The GPS functionality allows parents to track the child's location. It uses a dedicated cloud service to ensure that location information is always as accurate, quick and useful as possible. Parents can also use a feature called geo-fencing to configure "safe zones" such as their street or school and receive alerts when the child moves out of these zones.

 

Says Wittmann: "One advantage of a smartwatch is that children are less likely to lose them or drop and break them than a mobile phone since the device is worn on their wrist. It's also an interesting way to learn to tell the time." Wittmann suggests that parents keep the following in mind when shopping for a smartwatch for a child:

 

Durability: Children's smartwatches need to be able to take a beating in the rough-and-tumble of day-to-day life. Look for one certified to a standard such as IP67, which shows that it offers protection against dust damage, spillages and falls.

 

Security and privacy: A high-quality smartwatch will be built on the latest security standards and technologies to protect the child's data and privacy. TCL follows international industry and national government standards that lay out rigorous requirements for information security in the design of TCL MoveTimesmartwatches.

 

It also subscribes to catalogues and databases of publicly known security vulnerabilities and exposures, so that it stays one step ahead of the cyber-criminals. In line with stringent EU data privacy laws, TCL manages data in the secure Amazon cloud, retains it for no more than six months, and does not sell personally identifiable information to third parties.

 

Battery life: A good smartwatch should offer a powerful, long-lasting battery combined with an interface that draws barely any battery so it can be a constant companion for the child.

 

Look and feel: Find something bold, bright and stylish, so the child will love wearing the watch as much as you love knowing they're safe.

 

Functionality: Look for cool features that make life easier for you and your child. For example, easily distracted children might benefit from a calendar function to remind them to do their chores at a certain time.

 

Zimbabwe raised teen is the talk of #TheVoice UK on #ITV

Sixteen-year old Donel Mangena, who was raised in Zimbabwe, has become the talk of fans of The Voice UK.
 
The teen wowed UK and South African viewers and scored a standing ovation after his jaw-dropping rendition of Major Lazer and Justin Bieber's Cold Water in the blind audition round at the start of the series, singing parts of the song in his native isiNdebele.
 
Mangena, who now lives in Southampton, barely made it through half his song before all four coaches pressed their buzzers and turned their chairs for the young singer. Mangena's 77-year-old grandmother Nita, who looked after him in Bulawayo in his younger years, could barely contain her excitement and ran onto the stage, stealing the show with her own dance moves.
 
The four coaches - Sir Tom Jones,will.i.am, Jennifer Hudson and Olly Murs, then proceeded to battle over who gets to train the young talent, with will.i.am finally managing to persuade the teen to join his team after both he and Hudson compared their careers and awards in order to impress.
 
Viewers flocked to Twitter to hail Mangena, praising him for his electrifying blind audition with one fan claiming: "Here is the winner of The Voice UK 2018. Everyone can go home now. It's all over."
 
And it seems bookies are willing to get behind the singer too, offering solid odds for Mangena to scoop a record deal.
 
"Donel stole the show on the return of The Voice and has attracted a flurry of bets to win the series where he is sure to be in the mix come the live shows," said a leading UK bookmaker.
 
Mangena told The Voice UK producers that his dad is his inspiration and that the father-and-son duo have a studio at their house. Mangena's father is Bulawayo-born musician and composer Nkosana Mangena who is also known as Mangesto.
 
A new episode of The Voice UK premieres every Sunday on ITV Choice (DStv 123) at 18:00 with catch-up opportunities the next day at 20:00 as well as at 16:00 on Sundays before the new show.
 
The show broadcasts in South Africa within 24-hours of the UK making it as up-to-date and relevant as possible.

 

#EFF mourns Bra Hugh Masekela

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said they were absolutely devastated by the news of the legendary Hugh Masekela's death on Tuesday.

Masekela's signature music left an indelible mark wherever he went, whether that be on the African continent or in Europe. He will always be remembered for the contribution that he made to the South African arts.

However, it is the contribution that he made to the struggle against apartheid which will always inspire South Africans most.

Spokesman for the EFF, Mbuyiseni Ndlozi, said South Africa was indebted to him and others from his generation.

"In his late works, Hugh Masekela left a legendary musical 'Song of Migration' in which he tells the story of migration through song. In what is also biographical, Masekela's musical narrated how apartheid colonial capitalism disrupted lives and families, displacing them through wars, land dispossession, hunger and industry," said Ndlozi.

"The songs of migration are therefore the sounds through which our people in Southern Africa navigated these colonial disruptions.

"At the centre of this project is the land, the reality of the dispossession of African people from their means of subsistence. The imagery of the Coal Train in his song Stimela must be located precisely in this colonial condition. The story of industrial colonialism rests on this powerful image of the Coal Train which Masekela brilliantly communicated through song," added Ndlozi.

"However, even at his last breath, our people remain foreigners in the land of their birth, subject still to the colonial condition of the Coal Train. With his trumpet, he blew wind sounds of persuasion in Songs of Migration, which we must cherish as a testament of the landless till the day our land is returned to its rightful owners."

#Nespresso ups the summer game

Nespresso is serving up something special to cool you down this summer.
 

Nespresso has launched two Limited Edition coffees -Intenso on Ice and Leggero on Ice - that have been specially crafted to enjoy as an Iced Coffee. What better way to enjoy a moment of perfect refreshment during the warm summer months?
 

Nespresso has created delicious summer iced coffee recipes that are guaranteed to give you that sip of summer and make your coffee ritual easy, convenient and all the more special. It couldn't be easier to have your Nespresso moment on ice, wherever you are, whatever you are doing!

Rabada hopes for great #Proteas partnership with Lungi Ngidi

South Africa fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is confident he and fellow paceman Lungi Ngidi can form a "great partnership" for the Proteas over the next few years.

The 21-year-old Ngidi made a terrific start to his Test career as he grabbed nine wickets in the second Test against India in Centurion, including figures of 6-39 in the second innings to bowl the home side to a series victory.

Ngidi was only playing because of an injury to veteran Dale Steyn, but certainly demonstrated that the Proteas pace bowling stocks are well stacked as the careers of Steyn, 34, Vernon Philander, 32, and Morne Morkel, 33, start winding down.

The 22-year-old Rabada has already taken 114 wickets in 25 Tests and became the number-one ranked bowler in Test cricket before the Centurion Test – although he has since dropped to number two behind England veteran James Anderson.

Rabada said of Ngidi: "We played together in under-19. We even toured India, but he got injured unfortunately and his trip was cut short.

"But we played together at school and have a history. So, it's just nice to play with your friend from when you were a teenager.

"Long may it continue, and we can form a great partnership."

Even though the Proteas have already wrapped up the three-match Test series against India with a game to spare, Rabada says the Proteas are determined to finish the series on a high ahead of the third Test starting at the Wanderers on Wednesday.

Rabada plays his domestic cricket at the Johannesburg venue and said the surface should be a good one but the bowlers can expect to get some movement.

The pacer continued: "Wanderers is a good wicket. It's normally a moving wicket. There's always a result at the Wanderers. You're sort of never really 'in' on that pitch.

"At the moment we want to focus on what we have to do now, that is to beat India. Every game you go into, you want to win. So, we want to get a whitewash.

"Playing against the Indians is extremely challenging. They are known for their great batsmen and they've got really good bowlers as well.

"So they are very competitive, they're throwing everything they have at us, and their batsmen want to make a statement.

"They've made a statement everywhere else in the world, and they wanted to come here and really beat us. So things are going to get a bit messy out there."

Property boom expected after repo rate announcement

The property industry is hugely excited by the outcome of the South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, which resolved that the repurchase rate would remain unchanged at 6.75 percent.

The announcement was made by the Governor of the South African Reserve Bank on Thursday. The decision signifies stability, and even growth, which is a positive development for the property industry as it looks ahead to 2018.

Some have even advocated for an interests rates cut in the near future.

"It was a stable start to the New Year with the Reserve Bank announcing no change in the repo rate at the conclusion of its Monetary Policy Committee meeting, as forecast by various market commentators," said Chief Executive of Pam Golding Properties Andrew Golding.

Golding is confident that the conversation about an interest rate cut will resurface in the foreseeable future, depending on the political climate in the coming weeks and months.

"Given the current scenario with the National Budget pending in February and potential, further risk to our country's credit rating, this outcome was not surprising, although it is hoped that lower inflation and a less volatile political environment will facilitate a move towards a rate cut in the near future," added Golding.

"With the economy expected to strengthen somewhat and interest rate hikes most likely delayed, the outlook for the local housing market is more upbeat this year. Just how much better, will become increasingly apparent in the weeks and months ahead."

Leleti Khumalo to star in latest #etv drama Imbewu

Family secrets and treachery: Imbewu: The Seed is a compelling and ground-breaking new daily drama set to premiere on e.tv in April 2018. The drama series focuses on the ties that bind families through blood and spirit, asking sobering and controversial questions that are relevant to all South African cultures.
 
Starring the iconic Leleti Khumalo, who is also an Executive Producer, Imbewu: The Seed is set in Durban and KwaZulu-Natal, with a storyline that spans from the most-affluent parts of Umlazi and to the humblest street in eNquthu and the township of Chatsworth. A deep and unspoken truth, representing the cultural legacy between two brothers, is at the centre of the series' captivating plot. Showcasing local talent at its best, Imbewu: The Seed will see up-and-coming performers ply their craft alongside legendary actors.

The cross-cultural drama series is produced by Grapevine Productions, a joint venture between Videovision Entertainment, Word Of Mouth Pictures and Luyks Productions. Anant Singh from Videovision Entertainment and Duma Ndlovu from Word Of Mouth Pictures will be at the helm of the production of the show. Singh's international recognition is overwhelming with credits that include the films Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom;the Oscar nominated Yesterday and Sarafina! both of which starred Leleti Khumalo. South African audiences are very familiar with Ndlovu's work. Having produced successful local soapies and drama series, Ndlovu's name has become synonymous with excellence on the small screen.  

E! Entertainment now available in HD on #DStv

As of 18 January 2018, DStv's home of pop culture E! Entertainment will be broadcast in HD.

E! Entertainment, DStv Channel 124 captures the topics that fascinate us all including personalities, trends, music, fashion, tv, movies, nightlife & more. Awards season is back again and, as always, E! has the best spot on the red carpet to bring you all the glitz and glam straight from Hollywood. Be sure to tune in this January to catch all the action in HD!

E! Entertainment Highlights

Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian, 19 January, 20:00

E! megastar Khloe Kardashian continues to empower the brokenhearted with incredible A-list transformations. As the second season of Revenge Body with Khloe Kardashian begins, Khloe turns her attention to helping Ken, who created an alter-ego in order to survive a heartbreaking childhood, and Melody, who wants to build a stronger relationship with her mum despite her mum's critical attitude towards Melody's weight. Then, a Hollywood publicist learns to claim the spotlight for herself and a former model recovers from an accident to take her spot on the runway once again. With revenge story endings worthy of Hollywood itself – it's payback time!

 

Live from The Red Carpet: The Screen Actors Guild Awards, 21 January, 01:00

Live from The Red Carpet: The Grammy Awards, 28 January, 00:30

On 21 January, E! brings you live coverage from the Screen Actors Guild Awards, described as one of the most fun events of awards season. Finally, E! welcomes the biggest music stars on the planet to the red carpet at the 2018 Grammy Awards on 28 January

#FNB enhances USSD card maintenance functionality

FNB customers who actively use cellphone banking will now be able to fully maintain their bank cards without having to walk into a branch.

The bank has enhanced card management functionality on USSD by empowering customers to activate, view and change pin, temporarily block and unblock their cards. Previously, customers could onlyview card details, update limits and cancel their cards.

Ryan Prozesky, CEO of FNB Consumer Core Banking, says the cellphone banking card maintenance updrade is aligned to the banks' broader strategy to migrate customers to digital and electronic banking channels, where most transactions are offered for free, at any time of the day, without having to physically go into a branch.

This service is not only intended for cellphone banking users, but offers all FNB customers more choice as to how they prefer maintaining their cards, whether through ATMs, FNB Banking App, Online Banking, Cellphone Banking or through a branch.

Many lower income earning customers who do not have access to smartphones, data or the internet, often have to spend time and money travelling to a branch, in order to unblock a card when a pin is inserted incorrectly or forgotten. This will no longer be necessary due to the enhanced card maintenance service.

Furthermore, after receiving a new card from the courier, customers are able to activate it immediately and also change the default pin.

As a security measure, only customers with trusted devices will be able to access this service. This means that the customer should have recently performed a financial transaction through cellphone banking and must not have done a SIM swap for at least two weeks.

"Our aim is to improve customer experience and add value by allowing a wider range of card services through cellphone banking, which remains one of the preferred means of banking for some of our customers," concludes Prozesky.

Customer should dial *120*321# on their mobile devices to access cellphone banking.