2011 will be the year of HWB Digital

2011 will see the launch of HWB Digital which will handle the social media platforms for new and existing clients. We look ahead with this viewpoint from socialmediatoday.com:

We can expect to see the rapid development (and disappearance) of new tools and concepts over the next few years. Today Twitter is on top of the microcontent heap, but tomorrow it may be identi.ca or Plurk--or perhaps standalone microblogging won't end up being sustainable to a large audience. In the Social Network world, consumers have already shifted from Friendster to MySpace to Facebook, and all three sites continue to seek new tools (and business models) to draw and keep users.

The explosion of social concepts will continue with multiple tools and sites competing to solve a wide array of overlapping needs--social documents, crowdsourcing, video sharing and editing, geolocation, customer service networks, wikis, social bookmarks, product ratings, lifestreams, and social concepts we can't even yet imagine. It will be a dizzying and confusing time as organizations track, assess, test, implement and reject different Social Media sites, tools and approaches.

We'll come to appreciate (as we did with the Internet) that Social Media is not monolithic; it is not a single set of tools or strategies that every organization can simply plug and play. Best practices are still evolving, but soon it will be understood there are no simple checklists. Brands and organizations will share some similarities in the way Social Media is adopted, but there will be important and strategic differences that reflect and help to create points of differentiation.

Much like in the era before the Internet matured and tools converged, companies that stay abreast of the rapid changes and embrace small risks will gain competitive advantage, evolving their tactics and programs as Social Media evolves. Those that sit on the sideline and wait for it to get sorted out will quickly find themselves at a competitive disadvantage.

Every relationship consists of three components: The two parties and the environment in which the relationship develops and is maintained. We've thus far explored two of the three components--your customers and the Social Media environment--but what about you? With rapid changes coming to consumers and the Social Media world, how will your enterprise change?

Spier Hotel celebrates ten year anniversary

The 4 star Spier Hotel celebrated its 10^th Birthday this past week end.

As one of the biggest employers in the Stellenbosch area, the success the hotel has enjoyed over the past 10 years has been of huge benefit to the region.

Spier used this milestone to reflect on the history of the heritage estate - one of the oldest wine farms in the Cape - where it has come from, where it is today, and its vision for the future.

The Enthoven family hosted a celebration for 300 invited guests. The Hotel was transformed into a mystical wonderland, reflecting the vibrant and conscious energy for which the historic wine farm is renowned.

Prominent choreographer, Jay Pather presented an exquisite outdoor dance piece that reflected on Spier and the region's past, present and future.

The avenues and courtyards of the village-style hotel came to life with these performances and dazzling displays of light.

When the 155 bedroomed hotel was built in 2000, care was taken to complement Spier's heritage buildings, and the design is reminiscent of the historic Bo-Kaap and Mediterranean villages where pedestrians have right of way, and the hotel was one of the first in South Africa to be awarded the Fair Trade in Tourism SA accreditation in 2004. In 2007, Spier won a prestigious Condé Nast Traveler World Saver Award, as well as a Gold at the Virgin Holidays Partners in Sustainability Award.

www.spier.co.za

Spier’s Frans K. Smit 2006 vintage has been awarded 5 stars by Platter

Read more about Spier's award winning wines.
http://www.spier.co.za/our_wines/awards/2010_awards/

Spier’s flagship wine named after Cellar Master Frans K. Smit get a 5-star rating.

Spier’s Frans K. Smit 2006 vintage has been awarded 5 stars by the prestigious Platter Wine Guide 2011. Spier’s Cape Winemakers Guild Merlot 2008 and its Private Collection Chenin Blanc both received 4½ stars.

The Platter Wine Guide is internationally recognised as South Africa’s leading consumer wine handbook. It is an authoritative reference guide that covers all aspects of wine in the country, giving ratings and tasting notes for thousands of local wines. Of the 58 5-star rated wines, 30 were white and 28 were red.

The previous vintage of Frans K. Smit(2005) was also rated 5 stars in last year’s Platter guide, and this wine is still available for sale. Frans will only release the 2006 vintage to the market when he feels it is ready.

“The 2006 growing season proved to be the coolest of the three vintages so far,” says Frans. “This led to the production of a blend with very fresh natural acidity. The deep purple-red colour of the wine is testament to this, as are the strong tannins – both of which indicate that this particular vintage will age incredibly well.”

True to his belief in the role of consistency, Frans looked to the same vineyards he had used in previous years. The selected grape varieties were aged in French oak barriques for 16 months before the first tasting and re-tasting took place, and then another 27 months to gauge the aging potential of the wine.

The final blend shows more diversity than the preceding year, largely due to the cooler ripening phase. At 29%, Cabernet Sauvignon from Stellenbosch and Darling still sits at the heart of the blend, while Paarl’s exceptional Shiraz makes up a further 21%. The remaining 50% is made up of equal parts of Cabernet Franc, Pinotage, Malbec and Merlot.

MyCiti around Cape Town

Thanks to Bruce Sutherland, the city's official photographer, for the incredible job he did for us last weekend. Assisted by Cape Town Traffic he followed two of the MyCiTi buses around town, and took some incredible pictures.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/group.php?gid=225617504133

Public Relations Global Network Announces Addition of Two New Agencies

Public Relations Global Network (PRGN; www.prgn.com), the international network of independent public relations agencies, announced the addition of two new members in India and Russia. The worldwide network now numbers 40 independently-owned public relations agencies on six continents. The PRGN members approved the new agencies at its semi-annual meeting in Mexico this month.

Joining the ranks of PRGN are Perfect Relations in India, and CROS Public Relations and Public Affairs in Moscow, expanding the network's global reach and capabilities in two of the world's fastest growing economies.

"We are thrilled to welcome Perfect Relations and CROS into our fold," said PRGN president Patricia Pérez of VPE Public Relations in Los Angeles, CA. "The primary beneficiaries of our new agencies in India and Russia are our clients who have ready access to the wealth of resources, specialized skills, and local connections our PRGN members provide."

"Our focus next year will be to market our regional scope and make it convenient for companies to work with us whether they are looking for representation in one country or one continent," continued Pérez. "Another priority is to make sure PRGN members are on the cutting edge of technology and adaptability as social networks reach their markets. While social media proliferation varies by country, its influence is clear." Bulldog Reporter's PR Agency News

Communications team's site visit of the West Coast route for MyCiti

View images of the new West Coast route for the MyCiti, Cape Towns new Integrated Rapid Transport scheme:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?aid=306969&id=541135800&page=2

PRGN selects Cape Town for 2012

The prestigious Public Relations Global Network has selected Cape Town as the host city for the 2012 conference.

Cape Town was selected at the PRGN conference in Cancun today. The conference also voted in new members "Perfect Relations" from India and "CROS Public Relations & Public Affairs Company" from Russia.

HWB is the only PRGN member from Africa. http://www.prgn.com/

Stephen Fry Kinetic Typography - Language

Donate your old jeans and help create jobs: Men on the Side of the Road & G-Star Raw joins forces

That old pair of jeans in the back of your cupboard will save you money, and can also be used by someone looking for work.

A partnership agreement was announced last night (Wednesday) at the first birthday celebration of G-Star Raw’s store at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The store is inviting members of the public to bring their old jeans to the shop and exchange them for a discount on their next purchase.

Over the next 12 months, all denims handed in at G-Star Raw’s Waterfront shop will be passed on to MSR (Men On the Side of The Road), a non profit organisation that acts as a market place for skilled, unemployed workers. In return, donors would receive a 15% discount on any denims they purchase from G-Star Raw.

Lara Sanan, spokesperson for G-Star Raw hoped that people would make use of this opportunity to support MSR.

“We thank G-Star Raw for this vote of confidence in the important work we do,” said Peter Kratz, MSR’s national director.

Customers in seven cities can hire MSR members on a part time or contract basis, that are able, trustworthy and skilled in particular areas. MSR have verified all their skills and workers have identity cards on them at all time.

With unemployment at critical levels, MSR aims to facilitate the placement of skilled and semi skilled workers in part-time or full-time work. For as little as R120 per day potential employers can hire a reliable and trustworthy worker.

Call 0861 WORKER (0861 967537) or visit MSR.org.za for more info.

MyCiti artworks

Call to Artists and Designers –
Commissions for producing original artwork
for MyCiTi Bus Stations in the City of Cape Town’s
Integrated Rapid Transit System

First round submission deadline:
13:00H 19 October 2010

Background: The first IRT stations were completed in time for the FIFA World Cup with bus stations at the Airport, Civic Centre and Stadium. Three large artworks were successfully commissioned for each of these main stations. The smaller stations are currently being completed for the rollout of services to the West Coast along the Atlantis Corridor. There is now the opportunity to integrate artwork into the entrance areas of these smaller bus stations.

Concept: The commissions provide an opportunity for the City of Cape Town to partner with design schools in the city to showcase the talents of local artists and designers in the promotion of the MyCiTi bus service. The artworks should help give an identity to the bus station along the route, taking inspiration from their unique locations, historical and geographic contexts. The artworks will have a limited lifespan of four to five years where after they may be replaced with new works.

Participants: All designers and artists are invited to present proposals. Invitations will be extended to design schools to encourage their students to participate. These schools include, but are not limited to:

• Cape Peninsula University of Technology, Design
• University of Cape Town, Michaelis School of Fine Arts
• University of Stellenbosch
• AAA School of Advertising - Cape Town
• City Varsity, Film, TV & Multimedia School
• College of Cape Town
• Ruth Prowse School of Art
• Stellenbosch Academy of Design & Photography
• Vega, The Brand Communications School - CT

read more: http://myciti-art.blogspot.com/

New Companies Act implementation delayed

The Department of Trade and Industry ("DTI") today announced that it was postponing the implementation of the new Companies Act until 1 April 2011.

Johannesburg - The implementation of the Companies Act and the Consumer Protection Act have been delayed until April next year to give the government and others time to get ready to comply with the legislation, the department of trade and industry said on Tuesday.

The decision was made after Minister Rob Davies assessed the "level of readiness of the administrative processes required for smooth implementation", and requests by affected parties to prepare properly for compliance with the laws, the department said.

"This will enable the department to finalise all processes required to effectively administer these two pieces of legislation.

"The department is in the process of finalising regulations which will give effect to both pieces of legislation, and the postponement will allow time for more consultation with stakeholders before finalisation."

The ministry said it recognised that the laws would have a significant impact on business practice. The postponement would allow affected parties to adjust their operations.

The legislation had been due to be implemented in the last quarter of the year.

However, there were repeated warnings that business needed more time to prepare to adhere with the onerous requirements in the Consumer Protection Act in particular.

It was argued that companies would have to make a vast financial investment to devise new sales and marketing, pricing, refunds and accounting policies and procedures; conduct extensive staff training; review and reconsider all contracts and product labelling; and purchase or upgrade information technology systems. fin24

Cape Town Book Fair ads nominated

The advertising campaign put together for the CTBF has been nominated as a Loerie Award finalist to see it go to Cape Town Book Fair - "Where the Story Begins"

Circulation figures for half year mark 2010

The Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) has released circulation figures for the second quarter of 2010 (April to June) and the stats makes for some interesting reading and serves as an indicator of the health of specific consumer publications.

FinWeek and the Financial Mail meanwhile continue to battle it out for top circulation spot in the weekly business segment. FinWeek has a higher paid-for circulation (25 562) than FM (24 139) and pushes more free bulk circulation than its rival thus, ensuring top spot with a circulation of 28 358 (down from 31 817) to FMs 26 224 (also down from 27 253).

Cleo, Cosmo, Elle, Fair Lady, Glamour, Marie Claire and a number of other female interest titles all saw drops in circulation. Cosmo shed nearly 10% of its circulation. Move! dropped by nearly 12%. O - The Oprah magazine brought more bad news for Associated Magazines with a decline of 17%. Ideas/Idees and Essentials both managed slight gains, as did Your Family and Soul. Woman and Home saw a respectable increase of nearly 5.4%.

Among the Afrikaans giants, Rooi Rose gained ground, upping circulation to 118 395 (from 107 568) while Sarie fell from 139 031 to 132 646. Finesse declined to under 90 000 while Leef experienced a mini aneurysm with a decline of nearly 20%.

In the home category, Elle Decoration experienced a serious drop to under 20 000 copies. House & Leisure fell by nearly 13%, SA Home & Garden fell by 11.6% and SA Garden/Tuin Paleis fell by nearly 20%.

Food & Home Entertainment, meanwhile, showed positive growth, as did Top Billing.
On the newspaper front nearly all the dailies lost circulation. The Cape Argus, recently rocked by the brown envelope scandal, declined steeply from 60 394 to 52 304. The Daily Sun dropped from 501 734 to 433 224, or by more than 13%. The Star declined from 162 935 to 154 092.

The Citizen broke the sector's losing streak and increased its circulation from 64 685 to 71 757. Son, Isolezwe and Volksblad all saw small improvements.

On the weekend front, the relaunch of City Press in May this year couldn't save it of a drop of 9.5%. Rapport fell by nearly 10% while the Sunday Times declined by more than 8% to 462 372 from just over the half million mark.

Isolezwe ngeSonto showed everybody that the vernacular is growing, with an increase of more than 22% to 67 483. Tabloid Sondag grew from 34 146 to 47 124 and Sondag Son came in at 64 290 with its first ABC results. The Sunday Independent grew to 40 041.

Ilanga also showed growth, climbing from 98 224 to 102 995. The Mail & Guardian declined from 51 166 to 45 745 and UmAfrika fell from 27 819 to 19 576. biz-community.com

Implosion of Athlone Cooling Towers

The implosion was four minutes earlier than scheduled, it was raining and the light was poor, nevertheless, here is this amazing footage, the best video of the day.

credit: Sarin54 YouTube

Athlone Cooling Towers demolished this weekend

Cartoon: Cape Argus

The City has identified two areas from which a limited number of people could view the implosion of the two cooling towers at Athlone Power Station namely the Clyde Pinelands Sports Club and Rhodes Memorial. Visit http://tinyurl.com/2uctajw

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=154050117943296

Athlone was previously known as West London and had its name changed to 'Athlone', in honour of the Earl of Athlone, who served as Governer General and Commander in Chief in South Africa in the 1930's. He was also a member of the British Royal family (an uncle to King George IV) and was married to Princess Alice, (the granddaughter of Queen Victoria).

Almost 70 years after the Earl of Athlone arrived here, Athlone really grew into a melting pot of different cultures. The Athlone City Centre is filled with a daily hub of grocers selling their fresh delicious fruits and Veggies, to residents selling bric 'n brac. It has become an example of how different cultures can join together and become a single society. http://www.athlone.co.za/heritage/history/2212200501_history.php

SA journalists fight proposed media laws

South African journalists have launched a campaign to fight what they say is an attempt to curtail media freedoms in a nation known for one of Africa's freest and most open Constitutions.

In a declaration published in all main Sunday newspapers, the South African National Editors' Forum said media restrictions proposed by the African National Congress threatened free expression that was the "lifeblood" of the country's democracy since the end of apartheid-era rule in 1994. Those proposals include a new media law and a special tribunal for journalists.

One major newspaper even began running small notices alongside important stories that tell readers, "you would not be reading this story" if new media laws are passed. Mail & Guardian.

http://www.sanef.org.za/

Exhibitors Promise To Return To Book Fair

Exhibitors pronounced the Cape Town Book Fair a great success on the closing day of the fair yesterday. Sales were better than expected, they had made valuable contacts in Africa and internationally and they would return next year, many of the publishers and authors said.

33 488 people visited the fair and there were 273 exhibitors. More than 200 journalists attended.

The Cape Town Book Fair thanks all exhibitors, trade visitors, authors and everyone who was part of this great experience, for participating in the 5th edition of the Cape Town Book Fair.

This year's Cape Town Book Fair had a lot of "firsts" on offer, one of them being the Trade Day that was dedicated to exhibitors and trade visitors exclusively. The Pickn Pay Chef's Theatre presented great chefs on the public days of the Fair.

Information about CTBF 2011 will be available shortly.

Overseas media on the World Cup

On the outward journey, we wondered if South Africa would be worthy of the World Cup. We left for home today with the uneasy feeling that the World Cup had not lived up to the welcome and the facilities provided by its hosts.

They gave us their vast and spectacular new stadiums, their best shot at building an integrated transport system from scratch and their kindness and consideration at just about every turn. We gave them a rubbish final from which only the winners could take genuine pleasure.

read on: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/12/world-cup-2010-real-legacy

Plus more coverage:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/0714/1224274658288.html

Mandela Day 2010: Make SA work, and fix our schools

Members of the public can donate money towards the restoration of local schools, as their way of commemorating Mandela Day 2010.

On July 18 this year, all South Africans have been invited to give 67 minutes of their time to projects that honour the life and spirit of Nelson Mandela.

The NGO Men On the Side of the Road (MSR) has thrown its full support behind the Mandela Day campaign. MSR is a marketplace for casual workers where men gather at organised collection points in seven cities across South Africa.

MSR has decided to focus on the restoration of schools, as a way of linking with the education theme of this year’s Mandela Day.

“Not everyone can give their time to the Mandela Day campaign. Instead, why not donate 67 minutes of their earnings,” suggested Peter Kratz, national director for MSR. “Our registered painters and builders in seven cities can be called in to fix local schools in dire need of a facelift. The money donated by members of the public will make this restoration work possible and cover the costs of hiring workers and purchasing materials.”

Customers in seven cities can visit MSR collection points if they are looking for workers, on a part time or contract basis, that are able, trustworthy and skilled in particular areas. MSR have verified all their skills and workers have identity cards on them at all time.

With unemployment at critical levels, the MSR aims to facilitate the placement of skilled and semi skilled workers in part-time or full-time work. For as little as R120 per day potential employers can hire a reliable and trustworthy worker.

Kratz hopes that members of the public will nominate a school in their community which is in need of restoration work. The money they donate will be used for work on that specific school, to help make quality education a reality for its learners.

Donations can be deposited at Standard Bank, account name MEN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, account number 070-956-383 (reference MD).

Call 0861 WORKER (0861 967537), email info@employmen.co.za or visit www.employMen.co.za for more info.

Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. MSR is a client of HWB.

Nobel Laureates, Tutu, Soyinka at Cape Town Book Fair

The 5th annual Cape Town Book Fair kicks off on 30 July with a day for the trade, a new innovation for the fair. Then from 31 July to 2 August this popular event opens to the public. Over the past four years tens of thousands of visitors have flocked to the CTBF to meet authors, take part in discussions and listen to lectures. This year the CTBF will be opened by Archbishop Desmond Tutu who will be launching his Children’s Storybook Bible at the Fair – a launch that will go out live to publishers around the world from the Cape Town Convention Centre.

Professor Wole Soyinka will be the keynote speaker at the opening – two Nobel Laureates on one stage. This year the CTBF is focusing on trade and on being the book fair in sub-Saharan Africa. There will be publishers from around the world at the fair, including a large delegation from Arab countries.

Another innovation is the test kitchen where some of our finest cooks will be demonstrating their work. With a special programme for children in the Children’s Zone, a feast of books and authors there is something for everyone at the CTBF.

Join the Facebook group to take part in discussions and competitions and add your voice to the discussion http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cape-Town-South-Africa/Cape-Town-Book-Fair/277677959363?v=app_2347471856&ref=ts

More information available at www.capetownbookfair.com.

Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. The Cape Town Book Fair is a client of HWB.

Historic Napier retirement village launched in the Overberg

A complete renovation of a 1907 school in the historic Overberg village of Napier into a retirement complex was announced this week. Purchase prices and monthly levies are far below that of similar schemes in Cape Town.

The Napier Retirement Village is complete and ready for viewing with occupation from around September 2010. The village will offer several choices for the retired person, with a wide range of accommodation types at differing prices starting from R442 000. The project operates on the Life Rights system of ownership. The health care at R6900 will be run on a not for profit basis which is half the price of Cape Town.

On sale and ready for occupation are 25 assisted living units, plus a further seven terraced houses. Purchasers requiring more independent environs can buy traced houses from R599 000 or one or two bed cottages priced from R745 000.

Nic Border, spokesman for the developer Prescient says, "this is a unique property that offers people the chance to retire to the Overberg at prices that are nearly half that of what people are currently paying in Cape Town. Napier Retirement Village has the advantage of being complete and ready for occupation with full healthcare services and a well-equipped, beautifully restored Victorian club house, while surrounded by a genuine kind-hearted and supportive community. A professionally managed Health Care Centre offers a full range of nursing services covering a wide range of needs. "

"The town of Napier is one of those picturesque stress free villages that are perfect for retirement and in close proximity to the other villages and towns in the area such as Hermanus, Standford, Swellendam, Bredasdorp and Arniston. The historic school building has been given a new lease on life and has been restored and converted to serve a whole new purpose.

http://www.napiervillage.co.za/

Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. Prescient Properties is a client of HWB.

KAP International appoints HWB

KAP International Holdings Limited has appointed HWB Communications Pty Ltd to assist them with Public Relations and media strategies. KAP is listed on the JSE Securities Exchange South Africa under the Diversified Industrial sector, and is a holding company of subsidiaries and associate companies invested in a portfolio of diverse manufacturing businesses. These include fresh and processed meat, maize milling, leather products, footwear, speciality fibres, bottle resin, automotive products and towelling products.

http://www.kapinternational.com

Victim empowerment in SA: visit the blog and comment

TAKE THE POLL

We’d like to hear your stories. If you have been a victim of crime in South Africa, tell us what it was like.

Use as much or as little detail as you’d like. Did you have a good experience with the police? Did you receive information about your case? What was the worst thing about the experience? Did you feel empowered after reporting your crime? Did you report your crime?

We want to know how your experience could have been better so use the comments here to tell us hhttp://victimempowermentsa.wordpress.com/

On the bus! HWB joins media and City Councillors on ride to new airport

Cape Town is World Cup Ready!

Albie Sachs italk to Futuregrowth clients

Watch this interview for more on Albie Sachs
http://fora.tv/2010/01/21/Albie_Sachs_The_Strange_Alchemy_of_Life_and_Law

Press release issued by Futuregrowth at talk given to clients:

The Constitution of South Africa is a significant barrier to risk, according to Albie Sachs, the lawyer and former exiled political activist, who last night called on South Africans not to devalue the hard-won freedoms that are entrenched in its framework.

Sachs, who two decades ago was among the people who drafted the Constitution, was speaking to members of the investment community at an event hosted by Futuregrowth Asset Management.

“The Constitution is bearing up remarkably well. When you have a robust and strong foundation as we do, it can be of enormous significance to the life of a society; it can contain the tensions and fears that could otherwise tear the country apart.”

The former judge said that because of this framework and the entrenched freedom of expression, all South Africans had the right to enjoy being who they were in a free country, but could ask to what extent the experiences of pre-democratic lives were an influence when making objective judgments.

“The matrix of the constitution and the hopes and idealism that inspired it should be what influences the way we make our judgments on people.”

“The combination of a robust economy together with this idealistic constitution makes me very optimistic about South Africa,” he said. “We are sustaining our constitution and the country is functioning even though we have setbacks including crime and a heartbreaking degree of unemployment.”

Andrew Canter, Futuregrowth’s chief investment officer, describing Sachs as a “man in the mould of Mandela”, said that the integrity of the constitution was a strength South Africans could draw on in the present uncertain climate.

“Without this, there would be risk,” he said. “It is more than 20 years since Abie Sachs argued that the constitution should identify rights to housing, water, healthcare and a clean environment and it is against this background that Futuregrowth has been channeling pension fund money into long-term sustainable growth.”
Futuregrowth, which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary as an asset manager, has played a pioneering role in development funds for the past 15 years.

A number of once-emerging businesses have gained leverage from its funds including SA Taxi, the Trust for Urban Housing (TUFH) and Capitec Bank. Futuregrowth was Capitec’s first third party lender when it started gearing up and was also the first private sector investor in Nurcha, the construction finance company. This month a new funding partnership with Nurcha was announced which enables Futuregrowth’s retirement fund clients to invest in on-the-ground service delivery, for the first time.

Futuregrowth managing director Paul Rackstraw said that company’s track record of socially responsible investment (SRI) showed that social impact and investment performance were not mutually exclusive. In the newest pioneering initiative, Futuregrowth is launching an agricultural fund which will contribute substantially to land reform in South Africa, providing opportunities on three million hectares of fallow land.

“Development funds are having a beneficial impact on the lives of thousands of ordinary people in South Africa,” said Rackstraw. “We are launching another agricultural fund with international money and hope to get further funds from institutions in Africa and South Africa.”

Groote Schuur Community Improvement District moves closer

Cape Town Mayor and W Cape MEC hand over the keys to new housing

The Cape Town Community Housing Company's Morgen's Village 3 was recently visited by Cape Town Mayor, Dan Plato and the MEC for Human Settlements Bonginkosi Madikizela. Here they are pictured handing over the keys to a new house to the new occupants.

CTCHC http://www.ctchc.co.za is a social housing organisation that has housed 10 000 people in Cape Town in recent years. Launching in July 2010 will be West Cape, a new GAP housing development aimed at families with joint income around R15 000 per month.

From left to right: Bonginkosi Madikizela, MEC for Human Settlements, Anastacia Nefdt and her husband, Byron Nefdt with Mayor Dan Plato in front of the Nefdt's new house in Morgens Village 3, developed by Cape Town Community Housing Company in Mitchell's Plain.

Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. CTCHC is a client of HWB.

HWB welcomes Mediation & Transformation Practice - SA as new client

HWB is happy welcome the Mediation & Transformation Practice (MTP), is an African-based organisational transformation unit as a new client. The organisation embraces the values of democracy, constructive conflict resolution and development of people and society.

Managing Director, Craig Arense says "We are committed to professional conduct, service delivery, speedy and reliable establishment of peace options and the values of democracy." Craig's resume includes work as an experienced peace negotiator and conflict solutions developer. He has facilitated workshops and training programs in Indonesia, Beirut, Sierra Leone, USA, Belgium, Jamaica and Sweden.

Albie Sachs talks to Futuregrowth clients

Former South African constitutional justice Albie Sach spoke on 12 May to selected guests, clients and media at an event hosted by Futuregrowth Asset Managers, a client of HWB. Justice Sachs spoke about his life in exile, the creation of the South African constitution and about his new book, The Strange Alchemy of Life and Law.

His book can be ordered online here http://www.amazon.com/Strange-Alchemy-Life-Law/dp/0199571791 and read about Justice sachs here http://www.constitutionalcourt.org.za/site/judges/justicealbiesachs/index1.html

Dates and venues for public meetings about Athlone Power Station site

Affected communities and the people of Cape Town have a chance to have their say about what the site will be used for once the towers come down. Come to these meetings and make your contribution. If you are a special interest group, two days have been set aside for your submissions as well. The blog will continue to communicate more information this week. Also see the facebook page.

Venues for public meetings:

10 May Pinelands Community Centre, St Stephen’s Road, Pinelands 7pm to 9pm

11 May General Public Meeting Mowbray Town Hall 7pm to 9pm

12 May Athlone Community Athlone Community Centre 7pm to 9pm

13 May Langa Community Langa Civic Hall 7pm to 9pm

25 May Special interest groups Room G1 5th Floor, Podium, Civic Centre

27 May Special interest groups Room B 5th Floor. Podium, Civic Centre

Sandi Schultz raises R45 000 for Rape Crisis in Celebrity "Survivor"

Big thank you to Sandi Schultz who raised R45000 for Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust in Celebrity Survivor Show.

Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust is a NGO that believes in challenging power imbalances in society on which sexual violence is based. We seek to confront and prevent sexual violence and empower survivors through working with individuals, communities and other social structures in order to provide accessible services. Please do contact us for advice or assistance. Rape Crisis can be reached by phone or email.

Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. Rape Crisis is a pro bono client of HWB.

HWB wins Cape Town Book Fair

WELCOME to the new edition of the Cape Town Book Fair! In its 5th year we want to add a strong trade element to this extremely popular book fair for the general public. We have a whole world of new things on offer: the trade day, the new book titles list for exhibitors to promote their exhibits well before the fair, more of Africa and more of the world in Cape Town. We look forward to welcoming you in Cape Town in July 2010!

Claudia Kaiser
Interim Director Cape Town Book Fair

Read full press release here: http://www.capetownbookfair.com/press-and-media/1/releases-and-news/92/%E2%80%98repositioning-of-fair-with-strong-trade-element%E2%80%99#start

"Repositioning of fair with strong trade element'

Cape Town Book Fair means business at LBF's Market Focus South Africa

South Africa is the Market Focus country at the London Book Fair (19 - 21 April 2010). It's an opportunity for the South African Publishing industry to showcase its rich diversity and to introduce this year's Cape Town Book Fair (CTBF) as an event "where books mean business," according to CTBF Director Claudia Kaiser.

A host of South African publishers and authors will be at the London Book Fair.

Kaiser said that this year's CTBF would be repositioning itself, "as a fair with a strong trade element. The fifth anniversary of the CTBF will be a celebration of its success with the public, but it will also be a repositioning of the event to include a strong trade and professional element. We invite all interested colleagues to attend our presentation on the CTBF at the Networking Area of the South African stand. Highlights of the fair will be presented, including the professional day with its exciting programme, as well as other innovative business tools."

Brian Wafawarowa the Executive Director of the Publishers Association of South Africa (PASA) said one of the strengths and growth points of this year's CTBF was "that there would be about 15 African publishers at the CTBF through a grant from the Goethe Institut South Africa. We want to establish the CTBF as the entry point into publishing in Africa and through the trade and professional programme acknowledge and engage visitors from the rest of the world and showcase the vast potential that exists for doing business in the African market."

Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. CTBF is a client of HWB.

HWB recommended by New York Fire Chief

HWB recently worked with the New York City Fire Department Incident Management Team. Ronald Spadafora, Deputy Assistant Chief of the Fire Department in the City remarked "The media communications class HWB gave last month at the Working On Fire Academy was very informative and will prove helpful to me now that I have returned to New York. I feel privileged to have been in attendance.

"In my capacity as an Incident Commander in the greatest city in the world (my opinion), I am confronted by the television and print media all the time. Knowing how they think and what their time constraints are will assist me during interviews. I will also convey the knowledge gained to inexperienced Public Information Officers on our FDNY Incident Management Team.

"They also must realize what the priorities of the news media are and how to develop a rapport with journalists who cover fire operations. As you stated in your lecture, cultivating a relationship with writers can pay off handsomely in getting the public to favorably understand what the fire service is doing.

Paddy Gordon appointed manager of Table Mountain National Park

Experienced conservationist, Paddy Gordon has been appointed Manager of Table Mountain National Park, (TMNP) SanParks has announced.
Prior to his appointment, effective from April 1 this year, Gordon was the Northern Area Manager (North) of the park, responsible for the area from Constantia Neck to Table Mountain.

He has also acted as interim manager of the park from time-to-time.

Gordon also developed TMNPs Visitor Safety Program in response to the growing challenge of securing visitor safety. SANParks subsequently adopted his principles towards the formulation of a Corporate Visitor Safety Strategy.

“We are very pleased to announce the appointment of a person of Paddy’s caliber to manage this iconic national park.” said Cape Cluster Regional Manager Gary de Kock.

“Paddy was appointed after a lengthy process aimed at identifying the right manager for the park. He has a difficult task, particularly as the park is so integrated into the City of Cape Town where everyone watches every move you make and has a public opinion about what you do or do not do. We are confident that Paddy will acquit himself well ”.

“I am honoured to have been appointed”, said Gordon. “Table Mountain National Park is a national asset as well as being a World Heritage site. The fact that close to 4 million people visit the park every year attests to its popularity with local and international visitors.

“I take my appointment very seriously and I will do all in my power to preserve this spectacular park for today’s visitors as well as those who want to enjoy what the park has to offer in future. I see role as a custodian of a national treasure,” he said.

Born in Somerset West, Gordon has always had a love for nature and the outdoors. “It was instilled by his father, Peter an educator, who frequently used the local Helderberg to extend the development of his learners beyond the confines of the classroom.”

Unable, because of apartheid, to attend an institution that provided specialized training in conservation, Gordon did a Bachelors of Science Degree, and furthered his studies with postgraduate qualifications in Science, Education and Business Management. Gordon joined SanParks in 1989. He was the first black appointee to professional conservation. He has subsequently worked in a total of five national parks with stints as Park Manager, of the Mountain Zebra National Park, near Cradock and Park Manager of the Richtersveld National Park in Northern Namaqualand.

“I see one of my major challenges in this new post is to strive to meet the requirements of a divergent population whose enjoyment of this asset has to be accommodated within the mandate of protecting a world renowned biodiversity heritage. “ he said.

Gordon is married to Emelda and they have three children Robyn, Chelsea-Lee and David.

Issued on behalf of SANParks (Table Mountain Nation Park)
By HWB Communications Pty Ltd

HWB Tweet: Cape Town City International Soccer Challenge

Groote Schuur Community Improvement District (GSCID needs your support

DOWNLOAD THE GSCID PROPOSED MAP HERE http://www.hwb.co.za/media-article.php?id=210

The Groote Schuur Community Improvement District (GSCID) team is working hard to generate support from commercial property owners in the area to sign up for the GSCID.

University of Cape Town (UCT) has already committed itself to sponsoring R4.5 million towards the establishment of the GSCID as well as signing up their 53 properties in the area at a recent public meeting.

One of the largest property groups in South Africa, Growthpoint Properties Limited, has also pledged its support for the GSCID. David Stoll, Regional Manager of Growthpoint Cape Town said: “As a board director of the Claremont CID (CIDC) I’ve seen firsthand the value that City Improvement Districts (CID’s) bring to an area. Not only do they preserve the cleanliness and safety of an area but also promote the upgrading of public space while enhancing property values.

“It makes sense for us to be part of this initiative, particularly as many of our property portfolios fall within other CID boundaries such as the CIDC and City Central Improvement District (CCID). We are excited to be part of the GSCID and what it will bring to this area,” said Stoll.

With the second UCT student, Dominic Giddy, murdered in the past 4 months on 12 February the urgency for the formation of a CID in this area is more vital than ever. UCT vice-chancellor Max Price said: “Our hearts go out to the Giddy family as they face this tragic loss. We spend millions on campus security to safeguard our staff and students against crime and we have been successful at driving crime down. We are a relatively safe campus yet our students and staff become victims in the areas around campus where they live.

“UCT is this year leading the way in establishing the Groote Schuur Community Improvement District which I hope will reduce crime in the areas bordering on UCT and covering most residences and digs.”

Anthony Davies, coordinator of the GSCID and formerly founder and Executive Manager of the Claremont Improvement District Company, said “This tragic incident highlights the urgency of implementing a CID in this area. We are in the midst of an intense campaign to fulfill the statutory requirements to establish the GSCID. We therefore appeal to commercial property owners to agree by voting ‘yes’ for its formation on or before 25 February,” said Davies.

The area under consideration is situated along and adjacent to the Main Road from Sans Souci Road at the Newlands swimming bath, to Anzio Road at St Peter’s Square in Observatory.

Special Rating Area’s (previously known as CIDs) are established in terms of a City of Cape Town By-Law. In the case of the GSCID, levies will be charged to commercial property owners in order to fund this work. Residential property owners will not be required to pay the levy, but benefit from a cleaner, safer, more pleasant environment. UCT proposes to partner with commercial property owners within this area to establish the GSCID.

For more information or to download the consent form visit www.gscid.co.za or contact the GSCID office directly on 021 671 9462.

Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. UCT is a client of HWB

Tweet this news: The Southern Most Tip of Africa

Did you know there's a contest to find the best way to symbolize southern most tip of Africa?
agulhas@hwb.co.za

Visit the HWB Press Room

Visit the press room on the HWB website to see the latest press releases

http://www.hwb.co.za/press-releases.php

HWB'S Jennifer Crocker profiled in The Times

Click on the article to enlarge.

Report: Firebreaks set for Outeniqua Mountains

FIREFIGHTERS from six Working on Fire (WoF) teams will start cutting firebreaks today in the Outeniqua Mountains above the Garden Route Dam in George.

This is to eradicate old and alien vegetation and it will be followed by controlled burns starting in three weeks time, to improve water run-off into the catchment area of the dam.

Due to extreme drought conditions in George, the dam level has dropped to 18,2% and has been stretched to supply Wilderness residents with water after the Touw River stopped flowing last week.

Eden disaster management head Gerhard Otto said yesterday it was decided to use the extra WoF teams brought in from KwaZulu Natal and the Free State last week to help contain fires between Bitou and Still Bay.

Read the full text of this report at http://www.theherald.co.za/article.aspx?id=531642

Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. Working on Fire is a client of HWB

Join Evelyn online

Evelyn Holtzhausen's fortnightly column from the Cape Times has moved to its own online home. Follow Evelyn's thoughts at this blog address:

http://evelynjh.blogspot.com/

Spier launches its new Creative Block Wines

Spier Wines last night debuted its Creative Block wines to the Cape Town media. Creative inspiration for the branding is taken from Spier's patronage for the arts. Guests were invited to assemble their own collections from the range of unique blocks of art - all created under Spier's tutelage.

Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. Spier is a client of HWB

No more awe fatigue after hearing a whale breathe close to me

EVELYN HOLTZHAUSEN'S SECOND LAST COLUMN FOR URBAN EDGE, CAPE TIMES.

Compassion fatigue. Can you believe it ? What next?

I heard the term for the first time this week. I don’t think that Mother Theresa ever got it, but then she was a Saint. Or did that only happen after she was so totally compassioned out that she had to leave the planet? I suppose you get it from being too compassionate or maybe for being compassionate for too long. I am not sure that there are degrees of compassion. Its like you cant be half pregnant, either you are or aren’t.

The more, it seems, that more we move away from responsibility for our actions the quicker it appears that labels are invented to legitimise whatever behaviour it is that we elect to adopt.

My mother was once asked whether she knew that I was attention deficit, or had ADD, because I am always on the move. “No,” she replied “ there is nothing wrong with Evelyn, he has always had ants in his pants.”

Ants in the pants, or an ant in the pant, as they may say in Cape Town, transforms from a quirk into a deficit with the simply addition of a label. On the plus side I suppose labels do provide us with guidance in getting a grip on things that go bump in the mind and which are often than not a lot more difficult to grasp than herding cats.

Vegetarian is also a label. For me a few days ago it translated directly into a reduction of stress. There I was paddling off Blauberg beach with John in the back of the kyak when I noticed a huge rock ahead of us. ”That rock wasn’t there last week” I remarked as I dipped my paddle into the icy water. “Because it’s not a rock,” said John. “It’s a whale, with a calf!” “But don’t worry, “ he added as my shoulders hunched with tension, “ Whales are vegetarian” So we kept our distance, playing “find the whales” as they disappeared underwater then remerged here and there for a puff of air.

And what awesome experiences to be so close as to hear a whale breathing. Reason enough I would argue never to suffer awe fatigue.

Carolyn, who knows these things, read from a book on the subject after I told her of my encounter. “If whale shows up,” she read, “ it means express yourself through your voice by singing, humming, or chanting simply the pure joy of doing so…”

Indeed. I recalled a moment of joy recently when the group with whom I was hiking stopped at a secluded waterfall in Table Mountain National Park.The water falls down a steep rock face into a funnel-like gorge creating a wonderful echo chamber. Yoga teachers, say that the chant of Aum, calms the mind, it is the the sound with which the universe vibrates. So we did that at the foot of the waterfall. It was a wonderful uplifting spiritual experience.

Compassion fatigue, I wonder, does that mean we get too tired to care ? I hope not.

evelyn@hwb.co.za

Iconic Ideas Competition for Africa’s Southernmost Tip in Agulhas

A continent-wide competition has been launched to mark Africa’s real Southernmost Tip, at L’Agulhas, where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge.

The area where the southernmost tip falls is a nature reserve owned by South African National Parks (SANParks). Nearby is the historic L’Agulhas lighthouse precinct, which will also be upgraded to include a new visitors’ centre. Over the past year, the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT) has been involved in projects to beautify the area, most notably through the erection of a boardwalk and benches.

The ‘Iconic Ideas’ competition, launched by DEDAT in partnership with SANParks, will run from the 26^th of January until the 10^th of March 2010. The competition will be calling on all people of Africa to create or design an iconic concept to celebrate the continent’s most southerly point. It should be a structure or symbol that can blend well with the surroundings at the Agulhas National Park, without causing damage to the environment. It should have continental significance, and be something that people can identify with. Mostly, it should encourage an environment where people can re-connect, spiritually or otherwise.

Anyone interested in entering the competition should send their concept idea, written out in no longer than one A4 page and a drawing (if necessary). Entries can be emailed, posted or faxed, all clearly marked as SOUTHERNMOST TIP OF AFRICA COMPETITION - please send entries to finmin@pgwc.gov.za/ Ministry of Finance, Private Bag X9165, Cape Town, 8000/ fax (+27)21 483 3892. For the competition brief, click to http://www.hwb.co.za/media-article.php?id=191

Read full press release here
http://www.hwb.co.za/media-article.php?id=191

Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. Southernmost Tip is a client of HWB

Spier's "Eight" farm to food restaurant gets rave reviews

READ THIS REVIEW IN FULL FROM THE LINK BELOW

"Before the word gets out, I thought I’d share my addiction to the latest restaurant to open on the Spier Wine Estate in Lyndedoch Road, Stellenbosch. Eight at Spier serves good wholesome breakfasts, brunches and lunches on the grounds of the popular weekend destination. The restaurant is child-friendly, affordable, and one of very few restaurants with a green ethos where environmental consciousness and commitment to the Earth is a high priority. Most of all, the restaurant lacks pretentiousness, and easily ranks as one of the best places to get a decent, healthy breakfast over a weekend …"

Address: Eight at Spier, R310 Lynedoch Road Stellenbosch
Telephone: +27 (0)21 809-1100

Read full review: http://blog.sa-venues.com/provinces/western-cape/eight-at-spier/
Posted by HWB Communications, Cape Town's premier PR agency specialising in crisis communications & media relations in South Africa. Spier is a client of HWB