Tuesday, 30 April 2019

Its raining chocs this #winter! #DoctorChocolate makes its #Mzansi debut



With the tagline “great taste, great fun”, Doctor Chocolate has launched on to the local market.

There are three product offerings: Doctor Chocolate Original, a hazelnut spread in a syringe pack; Doctor Chocolate Magic, a candy-coated praline; and Doctor Chocolate Chess, with milk and white chocolate chess pieces and a foldable chess board.

“Having been in the international market for over seven years – with a presence on three continents – we felt that the time was ripe to bring Doctor Chocolate to South Africa,” says Swiss Diversitas Group director Nicolas Thoenen.

Doctor Chocolate is available in major stores including Checkers and Clicks.

The brand will partner with Nontwenhle Mchunu, South Africa’s first black female chocolatier.

Thoenen says: “It has become an increasingly competitive space, but we are excited. Nontwenhle and I bring some unique dynamics to the brand, from a commercial point of view and as a chocolatier, respectively.”

◆ For more information, visitwww.doctorchocolate.com

Food in #MiCasa? J' Something launches food channel

Mi Casa's J'Something – restaurateur, TV host, author and foodie – has embarked on a new venture with the launch of Methionine's Cooking TV on YouTube.

At the launch of his cooking channel, J'Something took guests back to where it all began with his passion for food, infused with the love of music.

J'Something said: "Five years ago I posted on Instagram a picture of roast chicken and potatoes, that I cooked for my girlfriend now wife and and people were like, 'Oh my god he's a chef, he cooks, he dances' and I'm like 'no I'm not a chef, I'm just a cook. I Google recipes and I try them out'."

But it was the roast chicken post that gave birth to the hashtag "Something's Cooking" and the hashtag blossomed into a brand.

"Something's Cooking is now the name of a cooking channel on YouTube, it's the name of a cooking show that played on Mzansi Magic, the name of the cookbook and it's also on the door of a restaurant... but, in actuality, I'm just a musician and I like cooking. I don't understand how this has happened in the last five years. I'm grateful."

He confirmed his channel would provide a platform for up-and-coming food enthusiasts and chefs. 

"This channel is about the food I love to cook, food my friends love to cook, and hopefully, it inspires you to get stuck into the kitchen."

Now here's a first! Fry Family adds plant based fish style fillets

The Fry Family Food Company has added fish-style fillets to its range of plant-based protein products. They're promoted as a more sustainable and healthier way for consumers to enjoy a product that tastes like fish, has the same texture and can be cooked in the same way.

The tempura batter contains rice, maize and wheat flour, raising agents, salt, dextrose and sunflower oil. The "fish fillet" contains vegetable protein (soya), wheat, thickener, pea flour, flaxseed oil (a source of Omega-3), garlic and flavourings. Coated in a crispy batter, they're a source of protein, contain fibre and are cholesterol-free and non-GMO.

Tammy Fry, of The Fry Family Food Co and director of Meat Free Mondays in South Africa says: "The idea behind creating a fish-style fillet began when my family were at the beach. My youngest son saw fish being caught in the distance. 

"As a young, passionate ocean lover who dreams of becoming a marine biologist and protector of the seas he was deeply saddened at the thought of ocean life being killed, and so asked his grandparents what they could do to help. This sparked the idea to create a product that offered the taste, texture and versatility of a piece of battered fish."

Monday, 29 April 2019

#Trendnation digital #May 2019 edition is out! #magazine #newsletter #brands #MondayMotivation #Spotless #Leonista #DurbanPoison #PressReader #DigitalMagazine #Inspiration #Huawei #Savanna

Trendnation digital May 2019 edition is out!

Linking brands to consumers through through inspiring stories.

IN THIS ISSUE:

Get to know the concept behind South Africa's first dagga beer. * A young lady is shaping the economy through a dish washing liquid * Experience Leonista's energy fueling threesome * Beauty tips, business tips, health tips and more * How a football duo is preparing for life after the game * Know how to make your own chakalaka and how to tweet like a pro

Get your copy now for free on Magzter and Pressreader


Thursday, 18 April 2019

SA brands give "good news" campaign the thumbs up

The official Cape Town launch of SA INC's "spreading the good news campaign" was held at the Citadel in Claremont on April, 12th.

Attended by delegates representing some of South Africa's leading brands, the event was opened by Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) board member and outgoing Woolworths chairman, Simon Susman.

SA INC, a partnership between BLSA, Brand South Africa and Regency Global is changing conversations in South Africa by highlighting and celebrating the country's success and achievements.

The SA INC campaign is the brainchild of filmmaker and executive producer, Shani Kay, who is passionate about activating South Africa's potential. "When we share the positive news from our remarkable country, we will begin realising that there is so much we can be proud of."

Susman concurred and spoke about his personal drive to honour and celebrate the important contribution and opportunity as an elder to "first learn, then earn and finally return wisdom and time to society".

Richard Kyle, founder of Regency Global, proclaimed that what had started as an inspirational campaign was fast becoming a movement for change.

To join the conversation and help share the good news about South Africa, visit https://regency.global/sa-inc

SA INC is a 20 part TV series and multimedia campaign documenting the stories of innovative, inclusive, purpose driven businesses in South Africa.

Tuesday, 16 April 2019

Celeb chef Siba Mtongana carves her mark in tough US industry

Mdantsane born-and-bred celebrity chef Siba Mtongana scoops silver world medal at the 2019 New York Festival's TV and Film Awards

The Eastern Cape's very own Siba Mtongana has scooped yet another prestigious international award for her hit Food Network cooking show, Siba's Table: Sibalicious!

The Mdantsane-born and bred celebrity chef walked away with a silver world medal in Las Vegas at the 2019 New York Festival's TV and Film Awards and is ecstatic over her show's continued success.

"We are so excited and really honoured by this award, especially understanding how highly competitive the US market is," said Mtongana, 34.

"It takes an A team to put together a show like Siba's

Table from production company, crew members and support from Food Network to put together this amazing show."

Making its debut in South Africa in 2013, Siba's Table has since aired throughout Africa, Europe, Middle East the United Kingdom and the US.

Siba's Table was previously awarded four times in the US alone, taking home a myriad of international accolades since 2015, including two silver screen awards and two US film and television awards.

In 2017 Mtongana also received the award for the best international food show for Siba's Table in the film and TV category, gourmand world cookbook awards in China.

Mtongana said: "From a young age I've always known that I was going to be great and known one day. It was a strong feeling from inside but I never knew how and when, but I guess this has been a manifestation of destiny and purpose that God had for my life.

"It is truly humbling and something I'm always grateful to Him about. However, it comes with great responsibility as there are many people who look up to you."

Obtaining a degree in food and consumer sciences from the Cape Technikon after matriculating, Mtongana said that she always thought she was going to be a lawyer, but she was grateful that her parents allowed her to follow her heart.

"My mother made me fall in love with cooking.

"She was my first teacher in the kitchen and it was my time with her and her freestyle cooking that intrigued me," she said.

"My parents were against me following a career in food at first, but they have seen the results of that choice and have always been so supportive and happy for me and what I have achieved."

Well known for her original recipes and modern twists to traditional family meals, Mtongana strives to celebrate her roots while adding a global twist to her food. She said travelling was her biggest source of inspiration.

"It opens up one's mind to a whole new world but at the same time makes you appreciate what you have. Wherever I travel I make sure to try new dishes from that part of the world, but I always give my work a Sibalicious local flair," said Mtongana whose Mfino fritters with soy mayo and salmon are among her top favourite creations.

"To me it's not a job or career, but a calling, as I know what I'm doing goes beyond teaching people about food. The food is a vehicle, but I get to inspire people in many ways whether it's about being a woman of significance, an entrepreneur, a pioneer, a game-changer, wife, mother or someone courageous enough to break through boundaries that were hard to break."

What's the 5G noise all about and how will you benefit?

What will 5G really mean for you?

By Ernst Wittmann, Global Account Director MEA & Country Manager – Southern Africa, at TCL

Over the past few months, we have seen a storm of hype about 5G, the next evolution in mobile network technology. Handset manufacturers are starting to come to market with 5G-ready smartphones, while many mobile network operators worldwide looking to deploy 5G networks in 2019 and 2020.  KT in Korea, Rain in South Africa and Swisscom in Switzerland are examples of operators that have already launched commercial 5G services.

So what's all the fuss about? Let's start with speed. The companies that make network equipment for the operators estimate that 5G could initially deliver connections that are 10 to 20 times faster than 4G in a real-world setting (as opposed to some of the theoretical numbers that get thrown about).  These speeds could increase in the years to come as operators deploy standalone 5G networks running at higher frequencies.

This boost in speed will be welcome for mobile consumers who want to make use of applications such as ultrahigh definition video streaming and conferencing, virtual reality, and streaming of online games through services such as Google's upcoming Stadia. It could also help to turn 5G into a serious alternative to fibre in selected areas where it is too difficult or expensive to roll out fixed-line infrastructure.

But it will not be a quick fix for rural networks because its transfer distance is shorter than 4G or 3G. While 5G will boost speeds, it does require multiple towers to be close together to perform to its potential. That means that urban South Africans will be the ones who benefit from it most, at least when it is initially launched.

Less lag and delay

5G will also deliver a significant improvement in network latency—the delay between the time it takes for a packet of data to travel between network points. Lower latency will improve your experience with services such as VOIP calls (less jitter, echoing and delays), online gaming (less of 'lag' between pushing a button and seeing a response on screen) and video (less glitching and jerkiness).

But the real game-changing potential lies in how the enhanced speed and latency of 5G could enable new services—including some that we have not yet envisioned. The networking standard will be the foundation in top of which organisations, cities and governments will build truly intelligent networks of cars, robots, drones, wearable computers, sensors and more.

These devices will be able to communicate and react in real time, bringing the full potential of the Internet of Things to life. For example, 5G will help  autonomous (self-driving cars) vehicles to communicate with each other, read live map and traffic data, and use video vision to safely navigate the roads. That all lies a few years in the future.

A long road ahead

When it comes to South Africa, widespread commercial availability of 5G may be some way off. Most of the larger network operators have piloted 5G, but are appealing to the regulator, ICASA, for network spectrum so that they can deploy it more widely.  It seems likely that the evolution to 5G will be a gradual one, as was the transition to LTE/4G and 3G before it.

We'll see 5G networks appearing in the major cities, at first, followed by wider national rollouts. Initially, the technology may make a difference only to  early adopters who are already trying out 4K video streaming and virtual reality. But in less than five years from now, 5G will become ubiquitous and many of us will take its speed and the applications it enables for granted. 

Its dry and you can't get drunk. Introducing the new #Savanna Lemon

Savanna has just launched a nonalcoholic version, Savanna Lemon. It has the crisp taste of Savanna Cider without the alcohol. Its tangy lemon zing is the perfect option for any time or occasion and it's available at leading retailers across SA.

The non-alcoholic cider is sparkling and dry apple, with a lemon zing. Alcohol content is less than 0.3%, available in 330ml bottles.

Monday, 15 April 2019

Gigi Lamayne's #GigiGangShow officially marks the end of #summer

Best known for her smart and witty rhymes, South African rapper Gigi LaMayne recently announced her upcoming concert on social media, the GIGI GANG SHOW focused on celebrating the best in the game – her own peers.

Set to take place on, Saturday 04th May at the popular Elkah Stadium Cricket Opal in Soweto, the show / music festival promises to be the ultimate summer celebration for all and will include various forms of entertainment for kids and adults alike.

The star-studded line-up includes female heavy hitter Nadia Nakai, Moozlie, Rouge, Nokwazi, Fifi Cooper, Mpumi and Gigi LaMayneherself.

Award winning hiphop royalty Kwesta and Khuli Chana will also headline alongside Reason, Bigstar, Manu Worldwide and many others. Some of the DJ's included are Sabby, Clock, Zan D and Citi Lytes. Entertainment industry giant Khanyi Mbau and comedian powerhouse Celeste Ntuli will serve as MC / hosts for the day.

Adding 'concert organizer' to her already long profile of skills, Gigi LaMayne stated this morning 'What better way to celebrate the end of another amazing year of life, than by celebrating it though music with our own talents. I have been planning to do this show for ages and super amped with it all finally coming together. With all the support from my peers, my family and more importantly the community, we hope to make this an annual family show for everyone to experience and enjoy in a safe space".

As we draw to the end of summer, this is the final summer celebration filled with dance and entertainment for all ages. The festival will offer a place where friends get together to usher in new season through the sounds of laughter and music. In addition to all the adult activities, a demarcated kids zone will be fully set up with rides and slides, a food court and a kids stage featuring the young youngsensation Valdo. The kids stage to be hosted by the super talented local teens Berveley Marshall and Miz Young Showbiz.

Patrons are invited to bring their camp chairs / picnic blankets and come share in the celebrations.

Limited tickets are now available at Computicket.

LIMITED TICKET WILL BE SOLD AT VENUE. SADLY NO COOLER BOXES ALLOWED

THE DETAILS:

VENUE        Eklah Staduim Cricket Oval (Soweto)

TIME          12pm – 5pm (kids) 

12pm – 02am (adults)

DATE Saturday, 27th April

TICKETS     R60 Kids / R80 (Pre-sold) || R100 (General) || R500 VIP

AGE           All ages are welcome / Kids to be accompanied by their parents at all times

It's a day of loads fun and good times. Let's turn up and make it memorable. See you there!

IEC should consider binary voting #Elections2019

With the national elections just a month away, a great variety of opinions have been expressed in the media by numerous experts on many aspects relating to the elections.

One of the topics was the fact that many people don't register to vote or turn out to vote on election day, particularly among the youth.

We also know of many examples where a political party has found itself in power not necessarily because most of the people voted for it, but because voters did not know who to vote for or simply did not vote at all.

This happens when voters do not like any of the political parties on the ballot paper, or none of the parties meet their requirements and criteria, or the voters feel that the political system has let them down, or that their vote won't make a difference.

Well, one way of changing this lack of support from the electorate is to introduce binary voting.

Binary voting gives each voter an option of either voting for a particular party in the form of a "yes" or positive vote, or voting against a party in the form of a "no" or negative vote.

This way, voters have the option of demonstrating clearly who they do want to govern or who they do not want to govern.