Boardwalk staff members showed enthusiastic support for national Casual Day, held on Friday, September 02, 2010. The fundraising project benefits persons with disabilities throughout South Africa.
The Casual Day Mascot, together with members of the Disabled People’s Association paid a visit to The Boardwalk and congratulated staff members on some of their outrageous outfits!

The Boardwalk will continue to support this project, and we look forward to seeing what outfits everyone will be wearing again next year,” says marketing manager, Tanuja Gangabishun.

Media Release for the Boardwalk by Siyathetha Communications
Boardwalk: Tanuja Gangabishun: 041 507 7777
Siyathetha: Ed Richardson: 041 582 3750

The Edge Mountain Retreat in Hogsback

Tourism products in the region are starting to wake up to the fact that a major overhaul of Eastern Cape tourism marketing strategies needs to take place. “Not only does the marketing message need to change, the province needs to step up to the plate to ensure consistency between the message and the availability of infrastructure,” says Ectour chairperson Anleen Louw. Ectour is the private sector group marketing organisation for the Eastern Cape. Ectour members agree.

A family of elephants at Addo Elephant Park

“We do our part in promoting our product in the printed media, attending tourism shows and writing articles for various websites,” says Annabelle Hobson, owner of the Angler and Antelope Guesthouse near Somerset East. “What is needed is more widespread marketing on a regional and national level. Tour operators have told us that the Great Karoo area doesn’t even feature in South African tourism guides.”

Further up the Eastern Cape coastline towards the more rural Wild Coast, tourism products are highly frustrated by the lack of infrastructure in the area. “Many tourists don’t come to the Wild Coast as the roads have deteriorated so badly,” says Ed Rathbone, owner of Areena Riverside Resort situated near East London. “We can do our best to offer a unique venue with friendly staff and an in-house adventure village, but if tourists can’t get here, then what’s the point?” Vanessa Fisher of Mazeppa Bay Hotel agrees.

“We are the only establishment in our immediate area, providing employment to the locals. There is also a spin-off from tourism into the community as we encourage guests to support the various local trades such as fishing and beading. However, there is a complete lack of roads and other infrastructure in our area which makes it very difficult to attract tourism here.”

“Biodiversity, ecotourism and adventure tourism are all things that the Wild Coast area can capitalize on,” says assistant manager of Mbotyi River Lodge, Tuffy Kirsten. “We offer an exquisite, biologically diverse and adventure-filled location. All we’re missing is a more cohesive infrastructure. Tourists have to travel through filthy towns on dilapidated roads to reach their destination.”

A dire need for tourism and service-oriented skills within local governments has also been identified. “Finding the correct people for the tourism posts in local government will go a long way to helping tourism in the area,” says owner of Morgan Bay Hotel, Richard Warren-Smith. “It’s difficult to market the Wild Coast as we are not a city destination. We’re ‘out-of-the-way’ and we need to come up with a unique strategy to capitalize on the area’s rare selling points.”
Further down the coastline towards Port Alfred, the area has been branded as the Sunshine Coast.

A rural village on the Wild Coast

“Our town is situated almost exactly half way between PE and East London,” says manager of the Royal Guest House in Port Alfred. “It can be marketed as an ideal meeting point for business conferences in the Eastern Cape. We’re trying to find a new strategy to encourage visitors because casual tourists have altered their spending habits due to the recession. We also try to offer our guests more than a bed for the night. We assist them with an itinerary so that they can experience all of the fantastic activities that the area has to offer such as fishing charters, horse riding, golf etc…”

The need for municipal buy-in, and integration between tourism entities and government continues further inland. “We notice that there is a lot of wasteful spending of limited funding due to lack of communication between tourism entities,” says CEO of Stormsriver Adventures, Ashley Wentworth. “We have seen a drop off in British visitors and Germans, so we need to look at further exploiting the domestic market by creating more awareness of the affordable products on offer.

The Eastern Cape Province also has an extremely rich and diverse history which is another potential tourism draw-card. “This is after all, the birthplace of Madiba!” says Chantelle Cook, owner of The Dunes Country House in St Francis Bay. “A ‘follow in his footsteps’ historical trail could really be amazing.” Cook points out the need for all tourism products to work together towards promoting the area. “Before I can sell The Dunes Country House, I need to sell St Francis Bay. Before I can do that, I need to sell the Eastern Cape as a viable tourism destination. If all products and organisations worked together to encourage tourism to the area, we would all see a huge benefit from it.”
One of the biggest selling points of the Eastern Cape is its rural, unspoiled natural environment. “This is something that we naturally have that doesn’t cost money to create,” says Hester Steynberg of Ganora Guest Farm. “People need to know that they can come to our province to take a break from the hectic city lifestyle. We’re slowly becoming known for our friendliness and great hospitality, we just need to ensure this message continues to grow.”

In June 2010, thousands of tourists travelled to South Africa to experience the World Cup and billions of viewers watched the games on television. Games held in Port Elizabeth brought exposure to the Eastern Cape, and it is the job of national, local and provincial government as well as tourism entities and tourism products to work together to ensure that this awareness is put to good use. Timing is crucial. We need to act fast to ensure the Eastern Cape makes a lasting impression on potential tourists.

Media Release for Ectour
By: Siyathetha Communications
Contact: Ectour: Anleen Louw: 082 2003489
Siyathetha: Ed Richardson: 041 582 3750/083 656 9757

US student, Ben Tillotson reads to a young learner at the local school

Although operating in an exquisite location, Mbotyi is one of the only established and functional employers in the extremely poor and rural Pondoland area. There is a dire need for primary infrastructure including roads, schools and clinics in order to help boost tourism to the area and break the cycle of poverty. Mbotyi River Lodge has begun implementing a literacy programme through the local schools to help encourage the children in their learning of the English language.

“The local languages here are Xhosa and Zulu,” says Tuffy Kirsten, the Lodge’s assistant manager. “However, the text books, exams and learning material are all in English. The kids need to be exposed to more English literature, and to hear and speak the language in order to fully benefit from their schooling.”

Due to the lack of infrastructure and qualified teachers, classes at the local schools usually include over 50 learners in each class – making it difficult for teachers to give individual attention to learners who are struggling with literacy. A year ago, American student, Ben Tillotson travelled to Mbotyi River Lodge, and identified the need for a literacy programme in the area. “I had volunteered at a literacy programme in Cape Town, and I felt that I could adapt what I’d learned there and implement it in this rural area on the Wild Coast,” says Tillotson. After returning to the US, he initiated a charity drive to raise money for books and dictionaries for the South African children. He arrived back at Mbotyi River Lodge during his summer vacation with some much needed supplies and reading material.

The children at the local school received a generous donation of books for the voluntourism programme

“It has been quite a challenge to get the locals excited about the programme,” says Kirsten. “Ben struggled to get the teachers and villagers on board, but they are really starting to see the benefits of the programme in their kids.”

The literacy programme is entirely voluntary and requires a group of people to visit the school on a weekly basis where they sit and read together with a group of two or three learners.

“Our guests have overwhelmed us with support,” says Kirsten. “They have been so enthusiastic about visiting the school, and they come back from the visit very encouraged. We are now looking at ways of promoting the literacy programme as a type of ‘voluntourism’.”

Ben Tillotson will be leaving the country again at the end of the month, and he hopes that the programme will remain sustainable. He will continue to promote voluntourism in the US and will keep an eye on the progress of the kids from Mbotyi.

“It’s now up to us to carry the flame,” says Kirsten. “We’re so impressed with the impact that its had on the kids in such a short time, that we will do our best to continue to promote the literacy programme to our guests – locally and abroad.”

For more information on the programme and how you can get involved, call Tuffy Kirsten at Mbotyi River Lodge on 039 253 7200.

Media Release for Ectour
By: Siyathetha Communications
Contact: Ectour: Anleen Louw: 082 2003489
Siyathetha: Ed Richardson: 041 582 3750/083 656 9757
Mbotyi River Lodge: Tuffy Kirsten: (0)39 253 7200/7201

Swagger is having a Jagermeister party on the 20th of August.

So put your drinking hats on..
Your dancing shoes..

And get ready to UNLEASH THE BEAST with Jagermeister.

Free shooters during the course of the night.

Dj’s:

DJ JONO
DJ SHANE BARNES

will be ripping it up on the decks !!
We going to have a killer yet again at Swagger

Be there!!

BROERS

Kaartjies R100 pp

Alle sitplekke by tafels met restaurant en kroegfasiliteite Besprekings noodsaaklik 042 2932500. Die broers Snyman se loopbane was al amper vir hulle beplan nog voor hulle gebore is. Wat anders kan drie seuns doen as hul ma in ‘n boeremusiekgroep gespeel en hul pa as musiekonderwyser opgelei is? Christo en Cobus toer die afgelope tien jaar die land vol en kleinboet Nic Stevens is nou ook deel van die Broers.

“Ek het klavierlesse begin neem toe ek ses was,” vertel Christo.

Cobus is twee jaar jonger as ek en sy hande kon nie by die note uitkom nie. Ons pa, Nick, het vir hom ‘n kitaartjie gekoop en hy het nog dieselfde jaar by sy kleuterskool in ‘n konsert opgetree. Ek het begin kitaar speel toe ek tien was.”

Die twee broers was in die Natalse Jeugkoor en het ‘n draai in die lugmag se Kanaries gemaak.
“As musiek eers in jou bloed is. ..” se Christo en laat die sin in die lug hang. “Dis ‘n passie. Om musiek te maak is ‘n voorreg en kunstenaars moet dit nooit vergeet nie. As dit soos werk begin voel, moet jy ophou.”
Hul pa het nooit musiek gegee nie hy was generaal in die polisie -maar hy het sy twee oudste seuns na ‘n David Kramer-konsert geneem wat Christo se lewe verander het.

“Net daar het ek besluit het ek wil ‘n lewe van musiek maak,” vertel hy. “Om te sien hoe hy sy musiek na mense bring, het my oe laat oopgaan.

“Destyds het my skoolmaats almal na groepe soos Wham! en Twisted Sister geluister en hulle het erg gefrons as ek met my David Kramerplaat onder die arm op ‘n partytjie aankom.” Die twee broers se persoonlikhede pas baie goed by mekaar en daar is min struwelinge tussen hulle. “Ek is die prater,” erken Christo.

“Wanneer ons op die verhoog is, praat hy met sy musikale vermoens en ek met my groot mond.”
Hulle het drie jaar gelede nie net by ‘n platemaatskappy, Maroela Musiek, betrokke geraak nie, maar ook hul eie klankateljee in Kaapstad begin. Ook daar pas die twee baie goed by mekaar. “Ek het bemarking geswot. Cobus het weer ‘n B.Mus.-graad wat hy uitstekend gebruik wanneer ons verwerkings doen en in die ateljee werk.

“Ons kombineer baie goed en die een sal nooit in die ander se skaduwee staan nie. Vir ons is alles ook onderhandelbaar behalwe gehalte.” Die alewige gestry en baklei in die Afrikaanse musiekbedryf steek Christo dwars in die krop.

Christo en Cobus was met die afgelope KKNK een van die groepe wat feesgangers saans in Huisgenoot se tent vermaak het en was ‘n reuse sukses. As daar nou ‘n groep is wat ‘n partytjie aan die gang kan kry, is dit hulle. Die reaksie van feesgangers was ongelooflik,” se Christo. My telefoon het nog nie ophou lui nie en ek kon nie se dat ons nie genoeg CD’s saamgeneem het om te verkoop nie. Om duisend mense elke aand vier uur lank te vermaak, is nie maklik nie. Maar dit is een van die hoogtepunte van ons loopbaan.” Die broers erken die soort musiek wat hulle maak, was ‘n kommersiele besluit. Hulle ken hul mark en gee hulle wat hulle wil he.

Maar net soos jy ‘n verpligting het teenoor jou aanhangers, het jy ‘n verantwoordelikheid om nie te veel van jouself prys te gee nie,” se Christo. Kunstenaars wat ‘n sekere soort musiek maak net om die geld te laat rol, maak my kwaad. Jy moet die goue middeweg vind en musiek maak wat jou aanhangers en jouself gelukkig hou.”

Date: 13 Augustus 2010

Time: 18H30

Venue: Pottersplace – Jeffreys Bay

He’s made a name for himself in the Eastern Cape as a gifted singer, songwriter and entertainer, but Robert Gillmer is taking his talent to the TV Screen this month, with appearances on both Kyknet and Mnet. He has been selected as one of the top 100 in this year’s Idols competition from over 15 000 entrants nation wide.
“I will be featured during the Kyknet ‘Kom ons Karaoke’ competition on Saturday, August 07 at 21h00 and again during the Mnet Idols competition on Sunday, August 08 at18h30,” says Gillmer.

Eastern Cape audiences will know him for his many performances on weekends live at The Boardwalk and at other venues around town and a number of his songs have been aired on local Radio stations. Not only is Gillmer musically gifted, his toned body and confident attitude earned him a place as a finalist in the Mr PE competition in 2008. He also won third place in the SA National Body Building Competition in 2009. He is also a qualified fitness instructor and Swedish Masseur!

“I started singing and performing at a very young age,” says Gillmer. “I sang in school choirs and performed many solo gigs. I started taking my career more seriously in 1999 when I formed a duo with a friend and we sang at national arts festivals.”

Support Eastern Cape arts by rooting for Robert Gillmer this weekend. His performances will be screened live during the Kyknet ‘Kom ons Karaoke’ competition on Saturday, August 07 at 21h00 and during the Mnet Idols competition on Sunday, August 08 at 18h30.

Media release for EC Talent (A project by Siyathetha Communications)
Contact: EC Talent/Siyathetha Communications:
Claire Warneke: 041 582 3750, Sibongile Xaluva: 041 582 3750
Robert Gillmer: 082 490 1389

We have now added a Links page to our Menu to provide you with the opportunity to add your Port Elizabeth related website to our Links page. All we ask in return is that you link back to us from your site.

Once you have filled out the form we will review your link within 24 hours. If approved by us then you may Link to Us.

Here’s to getting connected!

Regards

PEVibe Team

Thand’usana Babies Safe Home volunteers with coordinator, Audrey van Wyk (top right), will be selling sweet and plastic dummies for R10 in shopping centres on Saturday and at NMMU North and South campus on Friday. Proceeds of the sales will go the babies’ safe home.

Be a sucker for love

The Thand’usana Babies Safe Home, a place of love and care for abandoned/abused/neglected babies, affiliated with the Newton Park Methodist Church, is hosting its second ‘Sucker for Love’ campaign after a successful run last year.

The ‘Sucker for love’ campaign involves the sale of sweet and plastic dummies at only R10. After costs, all these funds will go directly to the home.

“We have five babies with us at the time, from the age of one month to three years,” says Thand’usana coordinator, Audrey van Wyk.The dummies, which are fashioned in the same way as the dummy craze of the early nineties, will be distributed by volunteers at the NMMU North and South campus cafeterias on Friday, 30 July (to be confirmed) and at the Summerstrand Village, Moffet-on-Main, Walmer Park and Sixth Avenue shopping centres on Saturday, 1 August. If you find yourself at these centres on these days, don’t be a dummy – be a sucker for love!

“Last year this campaign brought in about R14 000,” says Audrey. “This year we plan to use the funds for a much needed microwave, painting, as well as for our costly daily needs of gloves, formula, nappies and food.”

“Though it is always hard seeing children severally neglected or abandoned, we rejoice in the 360 degree turn they make as they become well and whole again. From July 2009 to July 2010 we have cared for ten babies. Two babies were adopted and three were successfully placed with family,” says Audrey.

If you would like to learn more about the campaign or volunteer to help the home in another way, please call 041 365 7224.

Contact: Thand’usana Babies Home: Audrey: 041 365 7224
PR: Michelle Berrington: 041 582 3750 / 084 506 1083 (Siyathetha Communications)

Abe the giraffe arrived at Areena Riverside Resort as a five month old, three metre tall baby weighing almost 300 kilograms. His mother had died, and owners of the resort, Ed and Karen Rathbone, had volunteered to rear him on the resort’s 350 hectare game park situated near East London.

“He was bottle fed for five months,” says Ed Rathbone. “So, although he roams around the game park most of the time, he also loves interacting with the visitors.” Abe feels right at home amongst the other animals in the reserve including giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, kudu, eland and impala but will regularly come and say hello to the Rathbones and their guests.

He has learned to step over the gates of the game park and into the main resort area and often joins in with the corporate teambuilding activities. “He tries to become one of the team members!” says Rathbone. “He is extremely interested in people and likes to sniff them and give them a welcoming lick with his long, rough tongue. He even has a preference for ladies with blonde hair and will single them out within a group!”

Although his main diet consists of the foliage from the game reserve’s thorn trees, Abe enjoys snacking on mielies and potatoes too – but make sure you have an umbrella ready as he starts to salivate when he realises he’s getting a treat.

“Abe is now part of the Areena family,” says Rathbone. “He adds a special element to the resort, and guests love him. In fact, one visitor even commented that their yearly pilgrimage to the Kruger National Park had been surpassed by the ten minute interaction with Abe the giraffe.”
The family-owned Areena Riverside Resort has grown from strength to strength over the past 24 years and is now one of the most popular holiday and corporate team building destinations in the Eastern Cape.
“We encourage all of our members to market themselves based on their unique experiences – something that makes visitors want to return over and over again to the Eastern Cape,” says Ectour chairperson, Anleen Louw. Ectour is the private sector group marketing organisation for the Eastern Cape. “Congratulations to Areena for running a fantastic resort, and offering guests the opportunity to interact with wildlife on a very personal level. This is something that will certainly have people coming back for more.”

Areena Riverside Resort also offers camping and caravan facilities, and is well equipped for weddings and other large functions. “It’s great to run a resort where good friends are made, and where guests always feel welcome. Areena is definitely a place to come back to, because once is never enough!” says Rathbone.

Media release for Ectour
By: Siyathetha Communications
Contact: Anleen Louw: 082 2003489
Ed Richardson: 041 582 3750/083 656 9757

The Trans Baviaans Mountain Bike Challenge:14 August 2010

Ricardo Lindsay, a biokineticist and his cycling partner, Ian Brown, have entered the Trans Baviaans Mountain Bike Challenge. They have invited two partially blind members of Retina SA to partner them on tandem bikes to participate in the 24 hour, 230 kilometre race.

The two members are Hilmary and Wilhelm whose sight is affected by a retinal disorder known as Stargardts Dystrophy. The four cyclists will enter under the name SportsTAP Ride4Retina Team.

R100,000.00 is the targeted amount set by SportsTAP Ride4Retina Team to raise for Retina South Africa by asking the corporate and private sector to sponsor R1.00 per kilometer.

Any amount sponsored will be appreciated. You can do so by depositing directly to Retina East Cape’s account:

Retina SA East Cape Branch
First National Bank
Account# 56290039060
Branch Code 261050 (Newton Park)

Please give ‘Cycle’ as a reference
Please fax your deposit slip to 0413655964
For more information call Gail Cillie on 0827882796 or 0413655947
and visit www.retina-ec.org.za and www.transbaviaans.co.za