From cleaning toilets to living her dream

Paula Abdul cleaned toilets to get her big dancing break.

The 'Straight Up' hitmaker dreamed of becoming a dancer but couldn't afford classes and offered to clean the studio and the bathrooms to pay for a place.

She recalled: "A couple of days a week, we'd stop at a dance studio where my girlfriends took ballet classes and I'd do my homework and watch from the sidelines but the whole time I'd be moving my foot to the beat along with them."

"One day, the dance teacher asked me if I wanted to join the class and I whispered to her and said my family can't afford classes and she asked me, 'What are you going to do about it?' And I said, 'If I clean the floor and the windows and the bathrooms, will you let me take dance class?'

"And I learned there is always a solution to keep us in line with our passion. Gratefully, I cleaned the bathrooms, cleaned the studio and I started my very first dance class and my world would never be the same again."

And the 54-year-old singer-songwriter and television personality quickly moved through the ranks and was soon dancing in an adult class.

Speaking to the attendees gathered at WE Day – which was held at The SSE Arena in Wembley, London on Wednesday (22.03.17) – she added: "At just eight-years-old, I was moved into an advanced dance class with adults and I felt such a wonderful sense of accomplishment."

"But there was one lesson where the dance teacher asked me to come to the centre of the floor and demonstrate a dance combination and when it finished, I beamed with pride, only to hear my teacher say, 'Look class, look at Paula with her short squatty arms and legs ...' and then I heard some of the dancers laughing and giggling.

"I felt very ashamed for the very first time so I ran to the washroom and cried with embarrassment. But I didn't hear my dance teacher finish the sentence by saying, 'But you see Paula still executed the moves as beautifully as ever ... she still outdanced all of you.'"

Bang Showbiz

DJ Cleo and Brickz to appear on Real Goboza this Saturday #RGB

Who still remembers how dangerous this duo was in their time? Every track they produced was bound to be a hit jam. Fasttrack to ten year later, Brickz and DJ Cleo have decided to bury the hatchet and make some crazy hit tracks.

After not working together for 10 years, the inseparable hit makers are back together. They had a fall-out in recent years, which caused a huge rift between the two artists. They completely stopped working together and cut all communication with each other for almost 10 years.

They have now put aside their differences, and got together to create a new track called AMAFLUIT. The duo makes their first joint appearance on RGB on 1 April.

#Savanna Loco goes 500ml bigger for the ultimate #LiveLifeLoco * @SavannaCider

Add a leeedle crazy and say olé to the new 500ml Savanna Loco! Following the successful launch of the first spirit-flavoured cider in South Africa, this bold beverage now boasts a bigger size.

"Savanna Loco has proven to attract new consumers to the portfolio and play in high-energy occasions. The growth trends in the current Savanna Dry 500ml has further indicated an opportunity for Savanna Loco 500ml to accelerate the momentum and excite consumers with new news in high energy occasions," says Lucindi Branfield, Savanna Marketing Manager.

Does that mean there's more of it to love? Sí, we're talking 51% bigger and muy bueno! You can expect the same refreshingly smooth, dry taste that leaves you wanting more.

The added tequila twist combined with Savanna Dry mixes so well, you won't be able to resist! Hold on to your sombrero … Savanna Loco is set to get you moving at a series of #LiveLifeLoco events happening this year.

Get ready to take in the refreshing taste inspired by the flavours of Mexico. The new 500ml Savanna Loco is now available nationwide in cases of twelve at R194.95, 6 packs at R105 and R18 per unit.

Here are South Africa's new cabinet ministers #CabinetReshuffle

After weeks of speculation, there have been 20 changes to cabinet.

Nine ministers have been axed along with six deputies, while others have moved to new portfolios.

Here are some of the changes.

Finance Minister: Malusi Gigaba

Gigaba served as Home Affairs Minister since May 2014. He previously held the post of Public Enterprises Minister in 2010.

Police Minister: Fikile Mbalula

Mbalula served as Sports Minister since May 2014.

Public Works: Nathi Nhleko

Nhleko served as the Minister of Police.

Sports and Recreation: Thulas Nxesi

Nxesi served as the Minister of Public Works and previously served as Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Land Reform.

Public Service and Administration: Faith Muthambi

Muthambi served as Communications Minister.

Tourism: Tokozile Xasa

Xasa served as Deputy Minister of Tourism.

Home Affairs: Hlengiwe Mkhize

Mkhize served as Deputy Minister of Telecommunications and Postal Services from 2014.

Energy Minister: Mmamoloko Kubayi

Kubayi served as a Regional Executive Member of the ANCYL in the Greater Johannesburg region.

Transport Minister: Joe Maswanganyi

Maswanganyi is a member of Parliament and former MEC of Sports, Arts and Culture in Limpopo.

Communications: Ayanda Dlodlo

Dlodlo served as the Deputy Minister for the Public Service and Administration .

Introducing #Klipdrift's new ready to drink beverage - #KlipdriftNgqo

Award winning brandy distillery Klipdrift has introduced a new ready-to-drink beverage designed to satisfy South Africa's thirst for refreshment and flavour.

Klipdrift Ngqo has been created by the master brandy blenders at Klipdrift who used their expertise to balance the smooth boldness of brandy with enticing fruity notes of citrus, apple and a hint of ginger. Available in thirst quenching 440ml cans, Klipdrift Ngqo is gold in colour, with an invigorating fizz and a slightly creamy head when poured.

Ngqo is a Zulu word that means "hits the spot" or "an exact fit" explained Klipdrift Marketing Manager Genius Mnywabe.

"The inspiration for Klipdrift Ngqo comes from the spirit of friendship and conviviality that we find all over our country. While pronouncing the Ngqo click might be a tongue-twister for some, Klipdrift Ngqo is guaranteed to be a palate pleaser for those who do not want to be restricted to one set of flavour profiles. It's a delightful fusion of flavours and refreshment that will appeal to those who enjoy wine, beer or brandy."

Klipdrift Ngqo is best enjoyed served ice-cold in the company of good friends and great times. Klipdrift Ngqo will be on the shelves of all leading liquor stores from March.

#Capitec bank gains 1.3 million new customers

The rise and rise of the country's third largest bank continues with the bank posting an 18% increase in profits which rose from R3,2 billion to R3,8 billion for the year ending February, the bank announced on Tuesday.

Capitec CEO Gerrie Fourie attributed the growth to the bank's sustained strategy of keeping its banking model simple and providing services at an affordable price.

"This resonates with most South Africans and is what sets us apart, especially in the current tough economic climate, giving clients a sense of value and allowing them to feel in control of their money," he said.

"Through strong marketing communications, a focus on client service and positive word of mouth, the Capitec brand has grown in stature, with South Africans from all walks of life accepting Capitec as their first choice bank."

Fourie's sentiment was earlier this year backed up by data compiled by consumer research group Nielsen, that found that the bank was the preferred and most-used primary bank among South African consumers.

Building on this, data from the SA Customer Satisfaction Index released at the beginning of the month revealed that Capitec – for a fifth consecutive year – is the bank that South Africans are most satisfied with.

The bank declared a final gross dividend of R8 per ordinary share, bringing the total dividend for the year to R12,50 per share.

Two areas Capitec has always been criticised over is low accessibility to branches and ATMs in more affluent suburbs and accessibility to credit cards, but these are areas Fourie says the bank has worked at addressing, opening 76 new branches.

#Samsung launches Galaxy S8

Samsung Electronics unveiled its Galaxy S8 flagship smartphone as it battles to regain the market leadership it lost to Apple after the embarrassing withdrawal of the fire-prone Note 7s.

Boasting some of the largest wrap-around screens ever made, the long-awaited S8 is the South Korean technology company's first new premium phone since its September recall of all Galaxy Note 7 smartphones equipped with fire-prone batteries. Samsung halted their sales in 10 markets, and the phones were banned from aircraft in the United States, denting a revival of the firm's mobile business.

Two versions of the Galaxy S8, code-named Dream internally, were launched at a media event in New York on Wednesday, with 6.2-inch (15.75 cm) and 5.8-inch curved screens - the largest to date for Samsung's premium smartphones. They will go on sale on April 21.

The S8 features Samsung's new artificial intelligence service, Bixby, with functions including a voice-commanded assistant system similar to Apple's Siri. There is also a new facial recognition application that lets users unlock their phones by looking at them.

Samsung is hoping the design update and the new features, focused on making life easier for consumers, will be enough to revive sales in a year Apple is expected to introduce major changes to its iPhones, including the very curved screens that have become staples of the Galaxy brand.

The wines of #Tokara * @Tokara_

Tokara is one of the new and shining stars on the South African wine scene. It is owned by GT Ferreira who had initially purchased the farm for residential purposes.

The winery, on the R310 outside Stellenbosch, is nestled among vineyards and olive groves on the crest of the Helshoogte Pass with sweeping views across False Bay and all the way to Table Mountain.

Tokara prides itself on making wines that are site specific. Even though vineyards were initially planted on the southern slopes of the Simonsberg Mountain at the Stellenbosch property, two other farms, Highlands in the Elgin district and Siberia in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley near Hermanus, were additionally acquired.

In doing so Tokara is able to produce wines which express the distinct characteristics of these three prime wine producing regions.

The cool air and low temperatures contribute to the excellent quality of Tokara wines. All viticulture procedures at Tokara strive to create a balance between the vegetative and reproductive qualities of the vine, which is beneficial to both the environment and the quality of the estate's final products

THE WINES

Tokara Sauvignon Blanc 2010 Western Cape, South Africa

This is a mixture of Stellenbosch, Elgin and Hemel en Aarde fruit. Fresh, focused and bright with good acidity and nice pure citrus fruit. 89/100

Tokara Walker Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011 South Africa

Nice precision here with pure fruit and some nice mineral characters. Stylish with nice lemony fruit. 90/100

Tokara Elgin Sauvignon Blanc 2010 South Africa

Green herbal nose with some whisky notes. The palate is intense and bold with green herbal fruit. Very lively and intense. 88/100

Tokara Director's Reserve White 2010 Stellenbosch, South Africa

Sauvignon and Semillon, barrel fermented. First vintage 2004, and first with Semillon in the blend was 2006. Powerful and intense with some tropical fruit, pear and citrus characters. Lovely grapefruit notes, too. Bold and delicious. 93/100

Tokara Chardonnay 2011 Western Cape, South Africa

From Stellenbosch, Elgin and Hemel en Aarde. Fresh, pure, crisp and fruit driven with good acidity and nice purity. Some white peach, too. Shows precision. 90/100

Tokara Reserve Collection Walker Bay Chardonnay 2009 Stellenbosch, South Africa

Toasty, taut and crisp with nice precision and intensity. The palate is fresh and fruity with some toasty richness and a smooth, creamy texture. Subtle fig and green pepper notes. 92/100

Tokara Stellenbosch Chardonnay 2010 South Africa

Fresh, precise and taut with nice lemony notes and a lively grapefruit character. Powerful, rich but with good acidity. 91/100

Tokara Shiraz 2009 Stellenbosch, South Africa

15.2% alcohol. Mostly from the Tokara property. Ripe, sweet and lush but still well defined with pure, vivid fruit: cherries and plums. Nice purity. 89/100

Tokara Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 Stellenbosch, South Africa

Nice blackberry and blackcurrant fruit with some lushness. Pure, ripe and modern. 90/100

Tokara Reserve Collection Syrah 2010 Stellenbosch, South Africa

This is cofermented with 8% Viognier. Fresh, aromatic and pure with sweet perfume, showing a hint of apricot. The palate shows vivid black cherry fruit with nice density and some tannic structure. Pure, impressive and well defined. 94/100

Tokara Pinotage 2010 Stellenbosch, South Africa

Sweet, pure and vivid with nice definition and some spicy oak. Lovely juicy fruit. Ripe but structured with nice purity. 90/100

February take home salaries decline

South African salaries improved by 5.7% in nominal terms on a year-on-year basis, according to BankservAfrica's Disposable Salary Index (BDSI) for February.

However, salaries in real-terms declined by 0.8%, due to growth being lower than February's rate of inflation of 6.3%, according to Dr Caroline Belrose, Head of Information Services at BankservAfrica.

February registered the ninth consecutive month of salary declines in real-terms. On the positive side, this was the smallest decline in months.

The average real disposable salaries reached R13 980 in February. This is the highest since September 2016 when real seasonally adjusted salaries (see the full explanation in the editor's notes below) reached R14 102.

With 12 out of the last 15 months in the BDSI time series indicating constant take-home pay declines in real terms, this is now taking a toll on retail sales where the same level of declines are being experienced as car and home sales. 

"Consumer spending has been slow over the last year and is likely to remain so in the coming month or two," says Mike Schüssler, Chief Economist at Economists dotcoza.

#Danone Frozen Yoghurt World set for the #RandShow

Snow in Gauteng? Unlikely. In April? Only with Danone! An avalanche of frozen yoghurt fun awaits Rand Show visitors this year.

This year, the Rand Show presents the all-new Danone Frozen Yoghurt World.

A highlight of this wintery playground is the Danone snow-tubing slope, a six-metre-high snow ramp covered in 20 centimetres of real snow where you can grab a snow tube and hang on tight for 30 metres of sliding fun.

Another highlight is the Danone Frozen Yoghurt Bar. Buy a Danone Frozen Yoghurt Popsicle and see how easy it is to make your own popsicles, adding cool, delicious, nutritious fun to any home accasion.

Then head to the snow play area. It's the perfect place for building a snowman, making snow castles or just enjoying the crunch of snow beneath your feet.

Since snow is such a rare sight in Gauteng, where even the winter sky is blue, a few photos are definitely in order. The Danone Frozen Yoghurt World has created a fairytale castle that doubles as a giant doll's house: just right for a quick photo before it's playtime with the castle toys and dolls. You can also climb inside the giant Danone snow globe and be the star of your own winter wonderland.