Archive for the ‘General’ Category
January 19th, 2011
A definite trend towards domestic tourism led to a surprisingly prosperous holiday season for a large number of Eastern Cape tourism products. Members of Ectour, the private sector group marketing organisation for the Eastern Cape, were very positive about the increase in tourist numbers over the December 2010 – January 2011 period.
“Despite the unusually rainy weather in some parts of the province, and the drought in others, some Ectour members experienced a very positive increase in bookings compared to 2009,” says Ectour chairperson, Anleen Louw.
According to Annabelle Hobson, owner of the Angler and Antelope near Somerset East, holiday makers are now including the ‘journey’ as part of their holiday. “Travellers are breaking up their trips into smaller distances and finding places to stay overnight,” says Hobson. “Once visitors have experienced our product, they tend to stop over on the way back too.”
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January 12th, 2011
The Eastern Cape will be treated to four months of fabulous fun as one of the region’s most popular radio stations celebrates its 25th anniversary. “We are really pulling out all the stops to show our listeners that we appreciate their support,” says Algoa FM managing director, Dave Tiltmann. “Not only have we put together an incredible line-up of entertainment, we have also developed a number of charity events to help give back to the community.”
This year, listeners can stand the chance to win tickets to see U2 live in Cape Town including all flights, accommodation, tickets and R5000 in spending money. Listeners will have the chance to get up close and personal with their favourite Algoa FM presenters later this month as they travel around the region.
Algoa FM will also host a Concert in the Park in February and the station’s 17th annual Charity Golf Day will take place on March 18, 2011. In a new charity drive, Algoa FM has formed a partnership with Pick ‘n Pay and The Herald to help raise funds for New Borns. The public is invited to add R10 to their grocery bill at all Pick ‘n Pays in the Eastern Cape to raise R500 000 to purchase six incubators for the Dora Nginza post-natal ward in Port Elizabeth.
January 11th, 2011
Life St George’s trauma sister Leonie York (left), Gardmed owner Dave Gardner and senior paramedic Craig Schwartz are ready for any emergencies at this year’s The Herald VW Cycle Tour. Photo: Full Stop Communications
The legislative legacy of the 2010 Fifa World Cup will ensure that major events like The Herald VW Cycle Tour – an annual highlight on the Eastern Cape’s sporting calendar – are a safer experience for participants and spectators alike.
Promulgated in August last year, the Safety at Sports and Recreational Events Act 2 of 2010 is government’s attempt to ensure the physical well-being of people at large events.
The Act aims to prevent tragedies like the 2001 Ellis Park Stadium disaster when 43 soccer spectators died during a stampede.
“It’s a very positive step,” said Dave Gardner, whose ambulance service Gardmed will be supplying paramedical support for the 26th annual edition of the cycle tour in Port Elizabeth on February 5 and 6.
“Too many people have marginalised the importance of medical assistance at events,” said Gardner.
“Especially at sporting events, people assume that participants are strong and fit,” he said, “but even seemingly healthy 25-year-olds can suddenly require emergency medical care.”
The Act broadly defines events as activities that take place at stadiums and other venues or along a route and classifies them as low, medium or high risk. Organisers must adhere to the safety requirements for each risk profile and have comprehensive contingency plans in place.
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January 3rd, 2011
Over seven thousand children were kept safe on Nelson Mandela Bay beaches over the height of the holiday season thanks to the Lost Kids campaign initiated by Go Big Events.
Of the 7610 children whose details were taken and recorded on armbands, 91 were lost – and all reunited with their parents, according to Greg Moses of Go Big Events, official organisers of the NMB Summer Season.
The rainy and windy weather on New Years weekend did not keep Nelson Mandela Bay visitors and residents off its biggest beaches – as shown by the number of children “tagged” on January 1 and January 2. Over 4760 children under the age of 12 were tagged in the Nelson Mandela Bay Lost Kids campaign over the weekend across the city’s busiest beaches. The children were fitted with a bracelet with their names and contact details of their parents or guardians.
A record of 2410 children were “tagged” on January 2. “Over the New Year’s weekend, the Lost Kids crew located and successfully reunited 64 lost children,” says Moses. At Hobie Beach, the Lost Kids Campaign tagged 200 children on the 31st, 400 on New Year’s Day and 110 on Sunday the Second. At King’s Beach, 200 children were tagged on Friday and 800 each on Saturday and Sunday.
December 20th, 2010
: Reach for a Dream hospital entertainer Teaspoon (left) and Powerade special events team leader Danny Williams were on hand to see five-year-old Alyssa – who suffers from a life-threatening illness – receive her dream pink bicycle. Photo: Full Stop Communications
When hundreds of healthy children hop on their bicycles to join the fun of The Herald VW Cycle Tour next year, they will be helping other kids too sick to do so.
Reach for a Dream – the charity that makes dreams come true for youngsters with life-threatening illnesses – will be the beneficiary of Powerade’s Family Challenge (30km), Kiddies’ Challenge (3km) and Toddlers’ Dash (600m) at Hobie Beach in Port Elizabeth on February 5.
“Reach for a Dream is all about children and families and for us that link is important,” said PE branch manager Inge Human.
She said their participation in the road race was invaluable from both a fundraising and awareness perspective as the global recession had impacted on donor funding.
Human was speaking at the Protea Hotel Marine last week where five-year-old Alyssa’s dream of owning a pink bicycle was realised.
According to Shane Bradfield, race director of The Herald VW Cycle Tour, volunteers from the organisation would man the bright yellow registration gazebo on race day, act as marshals and supervise the children’s play area.
“These are people who give everything and don’t expect anything in return,” said Bradfield. “This is our way of saying thanks for the work they do as well as giving them some additional exposure.”
Events and outings co-ordinator Michelle van Huyssteen said the money from the entries would be used to fulfil dreams in the new financial year.
“We cover the region from PE to George and realise about 120 dreams per year.” She said they helped children aged three to 18 regardless of socio-economic status.
Reach for a Dream’s Jabulani hospital entertainer Teaspoon, who was a hit when he jumped on a bicycle to start the Kiddies’ Challenge last year, will once again keep the little ones entertained.
Participants will receive medals and goodie bags.
Powerade, the tour’s official drinks sponsor, has extended its involvement to title sponsor of the children’s events in 2011.
“We have been involved with the race since its inception and have seen the kiddies’ races grow rapidly,” said special events team leader Danny Williams.
“The cycle tour has a family atmosphere, which is what our company is all about. Powerade is now preservative-free and a healthy alternative for active people of all ages.”
Entries for the 30km Powerade Family Challenge cost R50 per person, while the fees for the 3km Powerade Kiddies’ Challenge and 600m Toddlers’ Dash are R30.
The 105km feature race takes place on Sunday, February 6, with the mountain bike events the day before at Addo.
Register online at www.heraldcycletour.co.za or collect an entry form from any cycling shop in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Supporting sponsors are: Boardwalk Casino & Entertainment World, Life St George’s Hospital, Mountain Rescue Club, Gardmed, Powerade, Tony’s Appliances and Beds, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Bukani Print, Town Lodge, Addo Elephant National Park and Action Cycles.
