Eco-Logical leaders, innovators and achievers to be celebrated at the Eco-Logic Awards 2017
South Africa’s leading individuals, organisations and communities will once again gather to celebrate the foremost innovations and achievements of the green industry at the annual Eco-Logic Awards ceremony, hosted by Enviropaedia on Wednesday, 14 June 2017 at the CSIR in Tshwane. The key focus of the Awards is to honour and promote the country’s pioneers in sustainability who strive to solve our most pressing and urgent environmental challenges.
The Eco-Logic Awards 2017 gala ceremony will be a bonanza of glamorously green ideas and innovation. Guests can look forward to hearing about the positive strides made in a diverse range of environmental challenges including biodiversity, climate change, energy efficiencies, transport and water to name a few. Radio personality, Africa Melane will be the master of ceremonies. Finalists and winners will be recognised and honoured by environmental thought leaders, celebrities, sponsors, top business executives, government, municipal and community representatives.
David Parry-Davies, editor of The Enviropaedia and driving force behind the Awards says, “We are amazed and delighted by the calibre of entries that we have received for this year’s Awards, and seeing the great strides individuals and corporate South Africa have made in creating a more sustainable future for us all! Yet again, we have received high-quality entries from corporates, municipalities, environment and development organisations, communities, SMMEs, and committed individuals.”
The award ceremony takes place as a highlight of Sustainability Week, which runs from 13 to 15 June 2017. Sustainability Week is one of the key events to look forward to during National Environment Month this June. “We are proud to be a part of such a fantastic event and are excited to use the opportunity to showcase sustainable innovations and practices in South Africa,” says Parry-Davies.
To add to the buzz and show that ‘Going Green’ is a cool, fun, fashionable and financially rewarding thing to do, guests and finalists are invited to dress in ‘Glamorously Green’ outfits, or more boldly as their ‘Alter-Eco-Ego’, displaying how they connect with nature as an Eco-Warrior or Eco-Angel. “The best dressed will receive exciting, glitteringly green prizes including eco-watches, luxury safari holidays and chic eco-fashion garments,” says Parry-Davies.
An independent panel of ecologically knowledgeable judges will evaluate the entries, including: Christy Borman, Editor of Earthworks Magazine; Rob Collins, Group Chief Strategy and Operations Officer of Sun International; Yolan Friedmann, CEO of the Endangered Wildlife Trust; Sanusha Govender, Sustainability Group Manager at Santam; Kevin James, Founder and Head of Strategy at Global Carbon Exchange; Africa Melane, host of the Weekend Breakfast Show on CapeTalk; Charles Moore, an award-winning environmental filmmaker; Zaitoon Rabaney, Executive Director of the Botanical Society of South Africa; Tlou Ramaru, Chief Policy Advisor: Sustainable Development at the Department of Environmental Affairs; Ndivhuho Raphulu, Director at the National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa; Catherine Ritchie, Marketing and Communication Manager at WESSA; and Anthony Stroebel, Group Marketing Director at Pam Golding Properties.
“The level of innovation in the green space continues to delight and inspire us all and we are looking forward to an evening packed with examples of amazing people and organisations doing wonderful things to drive us forward to a flourishing future eco-logical world,” concludes Parry-Davies.
The Eco-Logic Awards 2017 is proudly sponsored and supported by: CHEP, the City of Tshwane, Coca-Cola South Africa, David Green Eyewear, the Department of Environmental Affairs, Mico IT Recycling, National Cleaner Production Centre (NCPC), Eskom, Pam Golding Properties, SANRAL, Santam, Sodastream and Sun International.
For more information on the Eco-Logic Awards 2017, please visit: http://www.eco-logicawards.com. They are also on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/Enviropaedia) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/EcoLogicAwards).
Belgian and SA students compete for best business ideas
“Youth Month” sees students from the University of Cape Town (UCT), a visiting student group from Belgium and fledgling entrepreneurs from the Raymond Ackerman Academy of Entrepreneurial Development (at UCT) competing in a “Pitch Off” on Thursday, 08 June 2017 hosted by Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB) in Parow Industria. The UCT Development Unit for New Enterprise (DUNE) Pitch Off competition, supported by CCPB, aims to provide a safe but competitive space for student entrepreneurs to take the first step towards starting their own business as they pitch their innovative ideas to a panel of judges.
The Belgian students will be in Cape Town for the International Week of Entrepreneurial Management which is a collaboration between UCT’s DUNE, the H-Web, the CVO Hooger Insituut Der Kempen and Thomas More University in Belgium.
The participants from the Raymond Ackerman Academy (RAA) are graduates of the six-month entrepreneurship programme and are currently part of the RAA’s year-long Graduate Entrepreneur Support Service where their businesses are incubated. “The course is for young people who are passionate about business and personal development, who have limited opportunities for accessing tertiary education, finding or creating employment,” explains Elli Yiannakaris, Director of the RAA.
Siphelele Magidigidi, a former RAA graduate who is now the Director and Founder of three companies, says, “The RAA taught me how to identify a problem within society and how to build a business model aimed directly at resolving that particular problem.”
South Africa has among the lowest level of entrepreneurial activity in the world. Despite this, small and medium sized enterprises account for 48% of the Gross Domestic Product and over 50% of employment.
“There is no doubt about the great value of developing an entrepreneurial spirit amongst young people. They possess great energy and potential to contribute to economic prosperity, job creation and ultimately to improve the community in which they operate. We are thrilled to partner with the Raymond Ackerman Academy and the Development Unit for New Enterprise on this exciting journey,” says Priscilla Urquhart, Public Affairs and Communications Manager at Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages.
Stuart Hendry, Director of DUNE says, “Enhanced entrepreneurship is crucial for economic development. UCT has a unique opportunity to play an important leadership role in building critical mass for the development of entrepreneurs in South Africa.”
Pol Hauspie, serial entrepreneur and founder of Belgium’s H-Web Foundation will be one of the judges on the panel reviewing the creative ideas presented by the students as well as Letitia De Wet, CEO of Enactus South Africa and Rob Hersov, Serial Entrepreneur and Angel Investor. “It is a great privilege for me to mentor young entrepreneurs from Belgium and South Africa by sharing my experience, knowledge and insights,” concludes Hauspie.
Winning local composers to feature at international choir festival
Two local composers will receive international exposure when the Cape Town Male Voice Choir (CTMVC) and Cenestra Male Choir from Ekurhuleni tour to South America to perform their winning compositions in July this year.
Xander Kritzinger and Andrew-John Bethke stood out as the winners of the Choral Composers competition with their original compositions, titled ‘In die skadus van my siel’ and ‘A prayer for Africa’ respectively. Bethke and Kritzinger won R10 000 and the prestige of an international premiere performance of their work in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay.
The competition was facilitated by the CTMVC and Cenestra with generous sponsorship from the National Lottery. The judging panel consisted of German choral conductor and lecturer, Professor Martin Berger from Stellenbosch University and Conductor of the Rand Afrikaans University Chorale choir, Michael Dingaan, together with the musical directors of both Cenestra and CTMVC.
CTMVC Chairperson Lewis Rabkin says, “The aim of the competition was to unearth talented South African composers and bring back a focus to male choir singing. The competition showcases the ability of South African choral composers, as we are not yet fully tapping into local potential and talent.”
“The grant from the National Lotteries Commission has made it possible for us to coordinate the Composer Competition and to send our two choirs overseas,” says Rabkin. Members of the choirs will be participating in workshops and master classes at the Melodia! South American Music Festival in which they are performing in Argentina and Uruguay.
Cape Town born composer and organist Bethke, was the Director of Music at Grahamstown Cathedral until recently. He has had other work performed overseas to critical acclaim. Speaking about his winning composition, Bethke says, “I wanted to write a piece which attempted to pull together traditional South African musical techniques and languages, rooting the piece strongly in South African traditional culture.” The composition includes techniques such as a call-and-response, parallel harmonisations and descending melodies which Bethke says are characteristic of Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho and Tswana music.
Kritzinger started his musical career singing in the Drakensburg Boys Choir and is now a music teacher and choir master for Stellenbosch High Choir and the Viva Cantare Community Choir. Speaking about his work, ‘In die skadus van my siel’ (Afrikaans for ‘In the shadows of my soul’) he says, “I wrote it at my beach house at the coast while listening to the ocean roaring. The house always brings fond memories and while being there one often tends to think about people who are no longer with us. They still dwell in the shadows of our souls, even after time. I did not expect that the composition would win a prize, but am delighted and honoured that the piece will be performed.”
On their tour to South America, the two choirs of 80 men singing in four part harmony will showcase the best of the South African choral tradition, performing an eclectic blend of sacred, classical and jazz works in a number of South African languages as well as French, Italian, Hebrew, Spanish and Latin.
The CTMVC will present a preview of their tour programme at a gala farewell concert at Hugo Lambrecht’s Auditorium in Parow, Cape Town on 24 June 2017. Proceeds from this concert will go to Non-Profit Organisation, Link2Grow which seeks to empower women in Cape Town by linking those who have needs to those with resources.
Winners of other prizes
Director of the Access Music Project in Grahamstown, Gareth Walwyn won the prize for best arrangement and Conrad Asman won a special award for being technically sound. Theriso Tsambo and Keboletse Molokwane won scholarships to the value of R5000 for their great potential in composition style.
For more information about CTMVC, contact info@ctmvc.org.za or visit http://ctmvc.org.za/index-2.html. Join CTMVC Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/CTMVC/.
You Only Live Once (YOLO): Raising awareness of HIV/AIDS amongst young people in Reiger Park
[CAPTION] Novus Holdings’ Future Foundations initiative aims to give ‘a hand up, not a hand-out’ to its beneficiaries by empowering them to grow independently, specifically through education and skills development. With this in mind, Paarl Coldset Johannesburg, which forms part of the Coldset printing division of Novus Holdings, has invested R 70 000 in the Community Crisis Centre in Reiger Park, Gauteng. This investment will contribute towards the You Only Live Once (YOLO) project, which aims to thoroughly educate young people, aged 15-24 years old, about HIV/AIDS and how to avoid risky sexual behaviour.
“The YOLO project is not just about doing talks at schools. The project aims to reach 126 individuals by building relationships with them over a period of time, ensuring that they really understand how HIV/AIDS spreads, how they can prevent being infected and how they can help raise awareness amongst their friends too. We are honoured to be a part of this initiative,” says Johnathan Rose, General Manager at Paarl Coldset Johannesburg.
For more information about Novus Holdings social investment projects visit Futurefoundations.co.za.
For more information about the Community Crisis Centre, visit http://www.crisiscentrerp.co.za/ or call 072 127 9090 / 083 739 3507.
Novus Holdings continues partnership with Department of Basic Education to equip learners
Novus Holdings has been awarded a workbook printing contract from the Department of Basic Education (DBE) for a three-year period (2018, 2019 and 2020). This public-private partnership (PPP) will build on the success of the previous workbook project which together with Lebone Litho, Novus Holdings and DSV, delivered over 60 million workbooks on an annual basis to in excess of 26,000 schools countrywide.
“With a first time delivery success rate of over 99,99% to schools, we are encouraged that the partnership with the DBE allows us to help continue making a difference by providing learners with much needed material for their academic journey. As education is the backbone of any society, we are indeed privileged to be part of such an important project,” says Keith Vroon, Chief Executive Officer at Novus Holdings.
The project will aim to provide learners with workbooks that cover literacy, numeracy and life skills in all eleven official languages. It will also assist teachers in creating a stimulating learning experience for learners, providing a platform for equal education across all schools in South Africa.
The workbooks will be printed by Paarl Media, the printing division of Novus Holdings in partnership with Lebone Litho and distributed by DSV.
Learners and teachers are not the only ones that have previously benefited from the workbook project. Over 5,600 people had been employed with a further 2,600 new job opportunities created during the course of the first workbook project.
“The project has proved to be an efficient and structured platform that delivers. It is well-received by schools as learners, teachers and principals are assured of on-time delivery. Together with Lebone and DSV, we are confident that our partnership with the DBE will be just as successful going forward,” concludes Vroon.
For more information about the workbook project and Novus Holdings’ commitment to social responsibility, visit the Group’s website.
Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages new hydration partners for the Slave Route Challenge
Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB) is pleased to announce its association with one of Cape Town’s most historically significant athletics races, the Slave Route Challenge 2017. The iconic race which takes athletes past noteworthy historic sites in and around Cape Town, is now partnered with an iconic beverage brand that will keep runners and walkers hydrated along the Half Marathon, 10 km and 5 km routes. All refreshment stations will be well stocked with Coca-Cola and water, ensuring that athletes remain comfortable and hydrated, able to compete at peak performance levels throughout the Challenge.
“We are thrilled to provide our world class brand and unmatchable logistical support to the runners and walkers of the Slave Route Challenge,” says Priscilla Urquhart, Public Affairs and Communications Manager at CCPB. “We have a long history of keeping athletes well hydrated on many of Cape Town’s top road races and it is an honour to be associated with such a significant and historic race that seeks to raise awareness of our city’s rich heritage,” concludes Urquhart.
Farouk Meyer, Slave Route Challenge Race Director says, “There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to prepare for the race, and a key part is ensuring that the logistics are well planned and executed to ensure we keep the runners fully hydrated during and after the event. Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages, as a Partner, brings years of Special Event’s experience to the Slave Route Challenge.”
For more information about Coca-Cola Peninsula Beverages (CCPB), visit http://www.peninsulabeverage.co.za/ or contact 021 936 5500.
Fun for youth at Mustadafin Foundation’s ECD Sports Day
Over 500 children from Mustadafin Foundation’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres took part in fun sporting activities on Wednesday, 29 March 2017 as part of the non-profit organisation’s annual sports day. The Foundation’s ECD centres, together with external ECD centres, battled it out at the Mandela Park Stadium.
In a last effort to enjoy the warm weather, children aged between two and six years old took to the field and demonstrated their love for different sporting events; displaying their healthy sportsmanship. The air was filled with song and dance as the youngsters competed in a sack race, potato race, scooter race and relays.
“It is fantastic to see the joy in all of the children’s faces from a day of being active outside. Most of the children come from disadvantaged areas in the Cape Town area and we want to instil healthy, sustainable activities in their lives so that they can thrive. The children thoroughly enjoyed watching their teachers and parents taking part in the adult race, where teacher Soraya Twalingca took first place,” says Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, Director at Mustadafin Foundation.
Mustadafin Foundation kept the promising future athletes nourished and refreshed with healthy snacks, juice and water.
The overall winners for the day were Sandanezwe Educare as well as Mustadafin Educare 1 and 2.
If you would like to be part of Mustadafin Foundation’s educational programmes, please contact them on 021-633-0010.
For more information on Mustadafin Foundation, visit www.mustadafin.org.za.
Pursue a career in peace building through Rotary International
Are you Rotary International’s next Peace Fellowship representative? Keen to pursue a career in peace building and the opportunity to study abroad? Through Rotary International’s Peace Fellowship you may just have the opportunity to do both. Apply before the end of May 2017 to stand a chance of being selected to participate in the program.
Each year, Rotary selects up to 100 individuals from around the globe to receive fully funded academic fellowships at one of their international peace centres. These fellowships cover tuition fees, room and board, round-trip transportation, and all internship and field-study expenses.
Rotary Peace Centres have trained more than 900 people in this way, many of whom go on to become leaders in government, international institutions or non-profit organisations. The Peace Fellowships provide fully funded training at prestigious universities in Australia, Japan, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The deadline for applications is on 31 May 2017, interviews with short-listed candidates will take place during the first two weeks of June 2017.
“There are two types of peace fellowships available,” says Mike Walwyn, Rotarian from the Rotary Club of Newlands. “There is a Master’s Degree Program, intended for those candidates who are still developing into their peace building or conflict resolution careers.
“Applicants should familiarise themselves with the qualifications required, as shown in the Rotary International website, but the basic minimum requirement is an undergraduate degree plus at least three years’ experience working in this field.
“The other is a Professional Development Certificate Program, which is intended for those candidates who are already working as peace builders and wish to upskill. This is a three month program which takes place in Bangkok,” explains Walwyn.
For more information about the Rotary Peace Fellowships, contact Mike Walwyn on michaelw@telkomsa.net or visit https://www.rotary.org/myrotary/en/get-involved/exchange-ideas/peace-fellowships. There you will find the online application, which should be submitted in good time.
Find out more about Rotary District 9350 at http://www.rotary9350.co.za/.
From the Mother City to Manchester: Reputation Matters confirms partnership with research & insights specialists LOOKOUT!
South African corporate reputation management solutions company, Reputation Matters is joining forces with LOOKOUT!, an independent research and insights organisation based in Manchester, United Kingdom. As of Wednesday, 01 March 2017, Reputation Matters are able to offer their clients a full research and insights solution, over and above their Repudometer®, Reputation Matters’ scientific research tool. In addition, LOOKOUT! will add Reputation Matters Repudometer® to its portfolio of services.
Founder and Managing Director of Reputation Matters, Regine le Roux, says, “We are excited to have entered into this partnership with LOOKOUT!, our clients will benefit from their extensive research capabilities and team of 30+ researchers, and we are thrilled to be adding value to their portfolio with our acclaimed Repudometer®.”
Eugene Tansey, founder of LOOKOUT! comments, “We are delighted to be launching a South African operation in partnership with Reputation Matters. We look forward to assisting their clients with their research and insight needs and we are also excited to be adding the Repudometer® to our growing list of services. What makes this model unique is that it provides an actual, statistical percentage of what an organisation’s current reputation is and pinpoints the areas that require improvement.”
Reputation Matters is an acclaimed agency based in Cape Town and Johannesburg, which has enjoyed significant growth over the years. The Repudometer® is a scientific, unbiased model which is used to quantify an organisation’s reputation. Ten different dimensions of an organisation, including elements such as leadership, employee morale, strategic partners, value offering and communication management, to name a few are measured.
LOOKOUT! (formerly AccuSearch) rebranded in 2016. The company, based in Manchester, provides research, insights and creative consultancy on markets, industries, stakeholders, competitors, customers and employees to multinational organisations. The LOOKOUT! team of more than 30 researchers, completed projects in America, Asia, Europe and West Africa last year, and is excited to be entering the South African market with Reputation Matters.
For more information on these new services, visit www.reputationmatters.co.za/LOOKOUT or call 011 3173861 (Jhb) or 021 790 0208 (Cpt).
For more information about LOOKOUT! and the market research and strategic insights they offer, visit www.wearelookout.com or call +44 (0) 843 886 5884 (Manchester, UK).
Educational excursions top of mind at Cape Town NGO
Learners from Mustadafin Foundation’s Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centres in Cape Town, enjoyed their first outing for 2017 yesterday (22 February 2017) at Bugz Playpark in Kraaifontein. It was a fun-filled and educational day for the 367 ECD learners, aged between two and six years old, as they learned about all the different animals. The Foundation’s four ECD Centres located in Delft, Khayelitsha (Site B and S-Section) and Manenberg went on the day trip.
“The beautiful summer day was perfect to spend outdoors with the children. Educational activities that allowed the youngsters to learn about different animals such as sheep, rabbits and ducks took place throughout the day. Most importantly, they were taught how to look after the environment,” says Ghairunisa Johnstone-Cassiem, Director at Mustadafin Foundation.
“Most of the children come from disadvantaged areas in the Cape Town region; we endeavour to teach them in a fun environment and run different excursions throughout the year. The outing was our first one for 2017 and the children thoroughly enjoyed the fresh air, while learning about different animals and how to care for them. Breakfast and lunch were provided to keep the children's energy levels high,” concludes Johnstone-Cassiem.
For more information about the Foundation and how you can donate or volunteer, please visit www.mustadafin.org.za or contact 021-633-0010. Mustadafin Foundation is also on Facebook www.facebook.com/MustadafinFoundation.
