Archive for the ‘General’ Category
July 19th, 2011
Wendy Tsotsi (left) with trainer Neville van Wyngard
Full marks for training and education has helped specialist tool, jig and die maker, DKT Engineering of Port Elizabeth to qualify for Level Three BBBEE status.
The company, which designs and manufactures tools for the automotive, food and other industries, scored maximum points for skills development after it opened a dedicated training centre in 2010. The centre trains artisans in order to meet the growing requirements of the South African market. “Qualified tool, jig and die makers often end up specialising, which means that you get a CNC machinist, or turner, who will do little more than stand behind a machine for the rest of his or her career. Due to this, critical skills are often lost to industry.
“At DKT, we produce artisans that can meet the diverse requirements of the South African market. We want to be recognised for the quality of training provided,” says DKT Engineering managing director Pieter Erasmus. The training centre can accommodate up to ten apprentices, with the current intake including two women. Although she has several years’ practical experience of the industry, apprentice Michelle Kitching signed up to the school to further her skills and knowledge.
Posted in
July 17th, 2011
Algoa FM’s Morning Show team will be going to jail to mark Mandela Day on Monday, July 18.
They will be broadcasting from the Seaview police cells outside Port Elizabeth, and the special morning show will include clips from speeches by former president Nelson Mandela. Former political prisoner and activist Khusta Jack will also join the team in the studio from eight to share his experiences.
“The team decided to do something special to make a statement about Mandela Day, and thought that broadcasting from a cell would do that”, says Algoa FM programme director Alfie Jay.
“We sometimes lose sight of how great a man Nelson Mandela is, and his international stature. He is a son of the Eastern Cape, and we need to honour that. All the speech clips we have selected talk about reconciliation and unity – two messages which remain important to the province and all our listeners”, he says.
In addition to the Morning Show, Algoa FM’s Saturday evening presenter Slyso will be joining a celebration at the Nelson Mandela Youth and Heritage Centre in Qunu, where he will be spending time with young leaders who have grown up in the same area as the former president. These leaders have been inspired to give back through various initiatives at schools and in the communities surrounding them. Slyso will be crossing live to Algoa FM to share the Qunu activities with listeners. After they have been released from jail, the Morning Show team will be planting a vegetable garden at The Quest School for Autism as their 67 minute contribution.
“Madiba was president from 1994 to 1999, and there is a whole generation who have grown up perhaps without a full understanding of the contribution he made to our lives.
“Through our broadcasts on Monday we hope to convey some of the ‘Madiba magic’ that makes our first president of a democratic South Africa such a giant on the world stage”, says Jay.
June 26th, 2011
Jaco Steenekamp, General Manager: Sales & Marketing at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles handing over the keys of the Amarok bakkie to Elvis Nageng, a member of the rhino protection unit at one of the North West Parks & Tourism Board’s game reserves.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles today announced the sponsorship of six Volkswagen Amarok bakkies to the Rhino Protection Initiative at a media conference held at the Johannesburg Zoo. The R2-million sponsorship is part of the partnership between Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and the Wilderness Foundation, the pioneers and administrators of the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative. Internationally Volkswagen has developed strategy around a responsible approach to environmental issues called ‘Think Blue’. It begins with the range of the highly efficient low emission BlueMotion cars, to energy efficient production plants and the support of appropriate environmental projects such as the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative.
“Volkswagen is in the process of rolling out ‘Think Blue’ strategy in South Africa. Our current model range includes BlueMotion Touaregs, Tiguans, Golfs and Polos. Similarly, we have ground breaking initiatives at our production plant in Uitenhage and the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative is the first of four environment projects we will be announcing in the next few months,” said Matt Gennrich, General Manager: Communications at Volkswagen Group South Africa. The Amaroks were handed over to the conservation agencies in high priority areas of Mpumalanga, North West, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal. The conservation agencies that will benefit from the partnership are SANPARKS, North West Parks & Tourism Board, Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency, KZN Wildlife and Eastern Cape Private Game Reserves Association (Indalo). The vehicles will be primarily used in proactive rhino protection and anti-poaching activities.
June 26th, 2011
Kids will have the chance to go wild, under supervision, at the 2011 Absa Kirkwood Wildlife Festival kids zone from July 1 to 3. Parents will be able to enjoy the hours of shopping, live entertainment, expos and food and wine tasting with the peace of knowing their children are well occupied and safe.
“It is important for us that the whole family is able to enjoy the festival so that no-one is left at home,” says Jenni Honsbein, festival director. Kids can participate in bead workshops, biscuit decorating, colouring-in, train rides, jumping castles and games and watch Popsi and Hobi the clowns create balloon animals and magic shows – all for only R50 for two hours. An extra R50 is charged for every 30 minutes after two hours and children under four years are to be supervised by parents. An evening child minding service is also available from 6pm to 11pm while parents enjoy the evening entertainment. A R50 per child fee includes a light meal and drink. No children under 4 and an extra R50 charged every 30 minutes after 23h00.
Entry fees for the festival on Friday and Sunday are R70 for adults and R30 for children; and R100 for adults and R50 for children on Saturday. Visit www.wildsfees.co.za for more information.
June 26th, 2011
In its commitment to environmental awareness, the Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees will be hosting the inaugural Growing Green Expo: Ethical and Sustainable Agriculture and Gardening. The expo will contain the latest practices and products of the Permaculture and Biodynamic movements.
“We have invited knowledgeable experts in these fields from the Western Cape to bring the Eastern Cape up to speed in ways to lessen our impact on the environment,” says Jennifer Honsbein, festival director.
Permaculture and Biodynamics are global environmental movements which promote natural and sustainable methods of farming and gardening. Permaculture (from permanent agriculture) is sustainable land use design based on ecological and biological principles, often using patterns that occur in nature to maximise effect and minimise work.
“It’s a way of letting nature take care of itself,” says Hazel Mugford of Wild Olive Farm near Stilbaai, which offers courses in permaculture practices.
Biodynamic agriculture is a method of organic farming that treats farms as unified and individual organisms, balancing the holistic development and interrelationship of the soil, plants and animals as a self-nourishing system without external inputs. As in other forms of organic agriculture, artificial fertilizers and toxic pesticides and herbicides are strictly avoided.
At the Wildsfees, the Growing Green Expo will contain demos and displays of chicken domes, worm farms, a compost heap which heats water, and a natural vegetable patch. Also on display will be Flowforms, inspirational sculptures which combine art and technology to bring out the regenerative movements found in naturally flowing water. These sculptures are appealing to the eye, enhance the mood of a garden for relaxation and meditation, and oxygenate the water which enhances the health of aquatic life, vegetables, flowers and scrubs.
“So for the green fingers out there who are looking to make their gardening practices even greener and environmentally responsible, this expo will provide the answers and tools,” says Honsbein. The Absa Kirkwood Wildsfees will be held from 1 to 3 July 2011. Entry fees for the festival on Friday and Sunday are R70 for adults and R30 for children; and R100 for adults and R50 for children on Saturday. Visit www.wildsfess.co.za for more information.
