Consumers expected to spend 25% more this festive season

FNB Credit Card CEO Chris Labuschagne says consumers racked up a total of R6,7 billion on their credit cards over the December festive season last year, a whopping 22% more than they spent during the rest of the year.

Because it's the time of year that people tend to let their hair down, spending on entertainment – which includes eating out and buying alcohol, tickets for the theatre and sporting events – rose 52% from R447 million to R681 million.

Spending on luxury goods such as toys, clothing, electronics and jewellery increased from R241 million to R365 million in December.

The third biggest thing consumers tend to spend money on are items for their homes. This includes goods such as furniture, hardware and garden-related items, which rose to R404 million from R281,2 million as consumers capitalise on the break to make home improvements.

"We looked at our entire database and took into account the average spend from January to November last year and the relative increase seen in December 2015 to give an indication of how much more customers may expect to spend over this festive season," Labuschagne said.

According to FNB's credit card data, the average consumer spent R6 650 on their credit card during the year, with spending increasing to R8 100 in December last year.

"Our customers spent on average R350 per month on items for their homes during the year and this went up to R485 in December 2015," he said.

Spending on petrol also increases around this time of year – despite the fact that most people take time off from work, families tend to travel to holiday destinations by car – with petrol costs rising by 12%.

Health and beauty sales, and grocery bills increased by 42% and 40% respectively to R225,7 billion and R1,2 billion.

The only category to see a significant decrease was flights, which declined by a quarter to R220 million compared to R292 million spent during the rest of the year.

While consumers should spend within their means, here are a few tips from Bruce Fleming, the Financial Planning Institute's 2016 financial planner of the year, to help you control your spending this festive season:

Compare prices and settle only for the best price, ignoring brand names.
Before you do your Christmas shopping decide on a budget and more importantly, stick to it.
Make a list of everything you need to buy. If it's not on the list, don't buy it.
If you're lucky enough to receive a bonus, make sure you save some money for a rainy day and consider putting some money towards your bond or car repayments. The extra cash injection could help you pay off debt sooner.

Actress Sonia Sedibe celebrates her 40th birthday in style #Skyyvodka

What would you say if we told you that Sonia Sedibe is 40?! Well, believe it because the beautiful and talented actress celebrated her 40th birthday on Saturday at an elegantly decorated venue surrounded by close friends and her PR team.

The fact that Sonia is 40 still hasn't sunk in, she looks so young and way too gorgeous to be 40. If being 40 looks this good, then our fear of growing old is no more.

Sonia was born on the 11th of December, but she celebrated her milestone on the 10th of December with a touch of royalty.

#Total South Africa fuels children with smiles this festive season

It's that time of the year again where family and friends shower each other with festive and Christmas gifts in celebration of the year that has been. But unfortunately not everybody has the pleasure and joy to enjoy Christmas because of the circumstances they find themselves in.

Statistics show that 40% of South Africa's population is under the age of 18 and a quarter of these children do not live with either of their parents. 21 000 are in institutions, 122 000 live in child-headed households, 500 000 are in foster care and over 1.5 million are double orphans.

Total South Africa is playing its part this festive season by donating to Menzi Children's Home in Tsakane, a home to neglected children with disabilities, children with chronic illnesses, and abused children. Total donated toys to the kids, kitchen appliances and grocery vouchers as well as a R30 000.00 cheque to the home. The donation was made possible by the generous contributions of the Total South Africa staff members with the aim of tackling poverty, hunger and social exclusion, and other related socio-economic anomalies.

"At this time of goodwill and sharing, as Total South Africa, we understand that children are the most important group in our society, as a result, we have chosen 3 children's homes that we are donating to and hosting Christmas parties for," says Nyameka Makonya, Sustainable Development Manager at Total South Africa.

Total also hosted Christmas parties at 2 day-care centres, based in Alexandra Township and Diepsloot and these are through a partnership with Afrika Tikkun, an NGO that develops young people from cradle to career.

Absolut attains premium vodka status

South Africa is not a big spirits market by global standards but the spirits category is growing exponentially as more consumers aspire to drinking leading whiskey, vodka, gin and tequila brands.   Pernod Ricard South Africa, providers of premium spirits brands like Jameson, Chivas Regal, Olmeca and Beefeater are heading this charge and, per the Aztec Market read, Absolut is the latest success story in their stable – with Absolut Blue becoming the leading vodka premium brand in value and volume in the last 6 Months (April – Sept 2016).

South Africa (the 13th largest alcohol volume country in 2015 out of 277), that figure is 18% with beer dominating (55% of volume) and wine also accounting for 18% of volume (ABV).  This picture is changing however, with the spirits category is showing the biggest improvement in rankings against competitor categories (beer, wine, cider and mixed drinks) in South Africa over the past 10 years (IWSR 2015).

Within this flourishing spirits sector, Pernod Ricard South Africa is a smaller player, but a company to watch, having made significant strides in growth and share gain over the past three years.

Key brands that have helped Pernod Ricard deliver its results include Jameson as the leading super premium whiskey in South Africa while Ballantine's has leading growth locally in premium whiskey. Absolut (including Absolut Blue, Absolut 100, Absolut Flavours and Absolut Elyx) is growing at 63% and had the largest share gain in the vodka category over the last year, in volume and value.

Since its launch in 1979, the Absolut Vodka bottle has stood out for its shape and even inspired Andy Warhol's artwork.  The iconic Absolut bottle shape adverts, the longest running campaign in history, were developed by a South African, Geoff Hayes.

Absolut's turn-around from the 'less cool' icon of a former era to a top performing vodka brand in South Africa is a compelling success story.  According to Melanie Campbell, Head of Marketing - White Spirits & Rum at Pernod Ricard South Africa, "Absolut set out two years ago to reclaim premium vodka leadership over the medium to five year term.  In less than 24 months, we achieved this with Absolut Blue by exceeding volumes and value versus our major competitor."

Sketchy Bongo hits studio with #Idols winner Noma

Sketchy Bongo hit the studio once again and this time, it wasn't with Shekinah, but 2016 Idols winner Noma Khumalo instead

He had some help with the production of their new music from Kyle Deutsch, so it's safe to say their new sound is definitely something to look out for.

Image: Sketchy Bongo Instagram

No matter your lifestyle, #PocketShot has you covered

Pocket Shot is an innovative concept that provides the consumer with "grab and go" convenient and user-friendly package for alcoholic beverages. Each Pocket Shot is packaged with a distinctive shape to resemble a miniature bottle complete with
bottleneck for easy pouring.

Each Pocket Shot comes in a 50 ml single serve flexible stand-up pouch containing 80 proof varietals including:

- Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey Aged Four Years
- Imported Caribbean Gold Rum
- Premium, Triple Distilled Vodka
- Brandy
- Especial Gold Tequila Imported from Mexico
- Cherry Vodka
- Honey Cinnamon Canadian Whiskey

Pocket Shot developer Jarrold Bachmann devised the idea for the product after seeing the workers at his farm in South Africa buy simple, crude 25 ml plastic sachets of alcohol to celebrate payday. As an avid outdoorsman, Bachmann saw the opportunity to
develop a product to fit his lifestyle and extend across all demographics from the older golfer to the Extreme Sport generation.

No matter what your hobby or passion, Pocket Shot can go with you!

The Ranaka's set to spice up your viewing

The modern world has left African families in a state of flux. The young generation juggle careers, parenthood, relationships, media noise and future uncertainty while the older folk try and impose longstanding, at times obsolete traditions on them.

Mzansi Magic's new reality series, The Ranakas, takes a candid look at how an authentic local family deals with the stresses of 21st century living, within an African context.

Hailed as "a glimpse into the every day lives of an authentic African family", The Ranakas is a spin-off of the highly successful Vuzu Amp reality show Dineo's Diary, starring Dineo Ranaka in which viewers caught glimpses of this very animated household.

"It's been an incredible experience working on this production with my amazing, dynamic family. The Ranakas wear their hearts on their sleeves," said Dineo, who is now an executive producer. The show is on from January 12 at 8pm on Mzansi Magic (DStv channel 161).

South Africa improves performance in Annual National Brand Index

Brand South Africa today welcomed South Africa's improved performance in the annual Nation Brand Index.  South Africa now stands at 35 of the 50 nations assessed.  This is an improvement of three places from the 2015 Nation Brand Index.

Speaking about the results, Brand South Africa's CEO Dr Kingsley Makhubela said, "South Africa's improved performance can be attributed to improved perceptions of our governance, immigration and investment, and people.  This speaks directly to the work we are doing as a country in implementing the National Development Plan and programmes like Invest South Africa."

"In addition, our Nation Brand continues to be admired for our unspoiled natural beauty, with 13 nations ranking South Africa in the top 25 countries being assessed.  Moreover, we are recognised internationally for our efforts to preserve the environment.  In this regard, South Africa moved up 6 places to stand at 29th of 50 nations.  This resonates with the brand of the country as a good international citizen."

"Our sporting prowess continues to impact positively on perceptions about the country."            

"Furthermore, an increased desire of global citizens to live and work in South Africa, concern for equality in society, and academic reputation help drive the larger than average gains for South Africa's Immigration and Investment reputation this year."

"As we conclude 2016, we can take pride in the strides our Nation Brand has made in its performance in this and the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Index.  In both indices, we have seen South Africa build on improvements from previous years.  We can say with confidence that our country is going in the right direction as a globally competitive Nation Brand," concluded Dr Makhubela.

French musician pays tribute to mama Miriam Makeba

MAMA Africa Miriam Makeba's beat is going global again, thanks to a young French singer. Musician Jain has released a music video titled.

The video, released last week, has attracted more than 750 000 views on YouTube. Makeba, a singer and civil rights activist best known for the song played a key role in popularising African music internationally.

In a post on Facebook, Jain wrote: "Miriam Makeba's songs have always followed me through the countries where I lived. By her strength and her voice, she became for me a symbol. It is a symbolic clip, where South Africa is put forward, where art and rhythm are mixed, and where cultures are in harmony. Greg and Lio, the two directors, knew perfectly how to capture this.

"It is also a personal meeting with South African artists around the music. Viva Mama Africa!

Simphiwe Dana makes history #WomanOfTheYear

Renowned Xhosa singer and songwriter Simphiwe Dana has just been named in one of the most coveted lists in the world. She has been named the 2016 Woman of the Year by the internationally acclaimed magazine, New African Woman.

"Apart from being a phenomenal artist, Simphiwe uses her public platform to address socio-political ills and renders a voice to the voiceless. When a South African university protest demanding free education turned violent in the face of police resistance, she joined their cause without any hesitation and spoke out," wrote the internationally acclaimed magazine.

Dana joins the likes of the inimitable Esther Mahlangu, the unstoppable Lupita Nyong'o and the triumphant Caster Semenya among other notable Africans who are making a big difference in the world and leaving an indelible mark.