South Africa Blog

Sunrise over Cape Town – Photographs courtesy of and © Thaya B.

Celebrating its 14th year Decorex JHB sparkles with a new sense of glamour and a theme -  Embellishing Space – to match. Get ready for five days dedicated to décor and design with halls filled with 650 exhibitors and the finest furnishings, finishes, kitchens, bathrooms and accessories to delight décor trade professionals and home passionates. Decorex JHB won the coveted award from The Exhibition Association of South Africa (EXSA) as the best large consumer and trade show of the year in 2006. 

Calling all Colouristas: engage with colour as Plascon unveils its Colour Forecast for 2008. Anne Roselt, Plascon colour manager predicts the palette of 2008 to express many moods and emotion. The latest issue of COLOUR, Plascon’s trendsetting magazine devoted to colour inspiration will also be launched at Decorex.  At Plascon’s interactive Virtual Showroom, created by Switch Design, visitors can get intimate with the latest colours on different finishes through hi-tech software and light projection.

The new Sanlam Dream Rooms Hall is filled with breathtaking roomsettings and exuberant interpretations of the show’s new-luxe theme.   Decorex SA patron Stephen Falcke’s signature stand will once again show why he is revered the world over.        

Fresh talent shines at the unveiling of the new Decorex Limited exclusive décor range designed by Yolande Wieners. Turn up the tempo with a flourish of homegrown fabrics at the annual Sanlam Young Designers Thinking Ahead competition themed Fabric. Form. Function.

Get the latest buzz on the built environment at the dedicated Architects Conference Programme on 8 August. Keynote speaker Leon van Schaik, Professor of Architecture (Innovation Chair) at RMIT, Melbourne looks at ‘energizing cities, building design cultures’.

Admire the soulfilled nature of handmade objects at the Ceramics SA exhibition, held alongside Decorex JHB for the first time.  Connect with original art at the Decorex & Kizo AffordART collection featuring works for under R3000 to encourage living with art. A panel of art experts also carefully selected all art exhibited at the show. Revel in the uniqueness of artisinal pieces at The One of a Kind design-craft trade exhibition hosted by the Department of Trade and Industry and Tourism Enterprise Programme (TEP) in partnership with Decorex.

Turn over a new eco-sensitive leaf at the Green Living installation, as organic objects and nature-loving modern materials make their way home.  The Delicious by Design fundraising initiative challenge decorators to create beautiful table settings in aid of the Starfish Greathearts Foundation. 

When? 8 – 12 August 2007, 10 am – 6 pm daily
Where? Gallagher Estate, Midrand
How much? R50 per person (R40 pensioners and students)

Mediatech Africa is the trade fair for cutting edge technology in the Live Entertainment, Broadcast, Audio Visual and Corporate Communications industries. It has a comprehensive offering of equipment, applications and demonstrations by the industry leaders as well as both Technical and Creative conferences and workshops.

mediatech africa 2007, South Africa’s only all-inclusive broadcast, media, entertainment and AV exhibition is building momentum for a truly innovative and well timed event in 2007, as the country prepares for some big events in the near future. The biennial show will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, from 12 – 14 June 2007.
 
Organised by Thebe Exhibitions, mediatech africa 2007 showcases cutting edge technologies and services from industry leaders in television and broadcast, sound and audio, lighting and staging, animation, communication, and every related field. The combination of technology, demonstrations, networking opportunities and special events attracts top quality visitors from all parts of the media, entertainment, broadcast and communication industries.
 
“The awareness of mediatech africa has grown both nationally and throughout Africa, and we are confident of continuing to expand the numbers of visitors,” says Simon Robinson, director of Thebe Exhibitions. “International exposure has played an important role in boosting the profile of the show: in 2005, Thebe Exhibitions secured the support of the department of trade and industry (dti) to encourage visitors from African broadcasters, an initiative which boosted the profile of the show by hosting delegates from countries including Botswana, Swaziland and Nigeria,” he says.

When? 12 – 14 June 2007
Where? Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
More Info? http://www.mediatech.co.za/
Accommodation & Travel: Sandton Hotels or Sandton Accommodation (Guest Houses, B&B and self Catering Options also available).

Current Exchange Rates – Foreign Currency to South African Rand (ZAR)

Hobby-X will be in Cape Town next weekend at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. (1-3 June, thats Friday, Saturday and Sunday!). So stop twiddling your thumbs and start using your Hands! It’s time for South Africa’s biggest, most exciting and colourful exhibition of all the ideas, tools and materials you need for hobbies and crafts.

Unleash your creativity. Express yourself. Get to South Africa’s biggest hobby exhibition next weekend!

Hobbies and crafts which will be represented at Hobby-X include the following:

Archery , Astronomy, Beads, Calligraphy, Candle Making, Card Making, Carving, Ceramics, Clock Making, Collectibles, Decor, Decoupage, Drawing, Electronics, Embroidery, Etching, Fabric Paints, Fine Arts, Glass Art, Jewellery, Kids Crafts, Miniatures, Mosaics, Mould Making, Needlecrafts , Painting , Paper Crafts, Philately, Photography,Pewter, Radio Controlled , Resins, Rubber Stamping, Sand Blasting, Scrap booking, Sculpture, Silk Screening, Soap Making, Stained Glass, Stencilling, Stamping, Sugar Art, Teddy Bears , Weaving, Woodwork.

1 -3 June 2007 Cape Town International Convention Centre.

This year the Cape Colony restaurant at the Mount Nelson Hotel has a new item on its menu – a series of Wine & Dine Evenings hosted in conjunction with some of the Western Cape’s most prestigious wine estates. And to add to the intimacy of each event, Executive Chef Ian Mancais will invite you into his kitchen via a live broadcast, while guest winemakers introduce you to the evening’s featured wines.

Six of the region’s most illustrious wine estates, three courses of mouth-watering cuisine, each with its own perfectly paired wine, and one unforgettable experience for you.

FEATURED WINE ESTATES:
31 May – Warwick
14 June – Hamilton Russell
26 July – Vergelegen
30 August – Mulderbosch
27 September - Meerlust
30 October - Waterford

R295.00 per person.
Booking essential.
76 Orange Street, Gardens, Cape Town.

For reservations: Call 021 483 1737 or e-mail
restaurantreservations@mountnelson.co.za

Related Sites:
Cape Town Hotels
Cape Town Restaurants

Re-discover Songs Lost in Translation with Cedric Vandenschrik and Dave Ledbetter from 10 May until 1 June 2007 every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night at the Theatre @ The Pavilion at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. Songs Lost In Translation features compositions made famous by the likes of Frank Sinatra, the Beatles, Jacques Brel, Edith Piaf, Luciano Pavarotti, Lucio Dalla, Sting and more.

In this sometimes informative, sometime hilarious, highly entertaining re-discovery of some classic songs, Cedric, accompanied by musical wiz Dave Ledbetter, winds his way through this international musical landscape highlighting the plight of some of the lyrics in the translations.

He explores the heart of many of these songs, uncovering some that incorporate two languages side by side; and offers some fresh interpretations of well-known classics.

Songs have been sung in many languages all over the world, but often the true essence of the lyrics is lost in the translation.. It is Jorge Luis Borges who said that “The original is unfaithful to the translation” A few of these songs are a definite example of this with some of them  having reached the peak of their success in the translated version!

The concert starts at 20:00 with show tickets costing R95.00 per person. The show is preceded by a buffet dinner at Fascination Café, the restaurant at Theatre @ The Pavilion, starting at 18:00. A combined Dinner and Show ticket cost R180.00 per person.For bookings or for more information contact the Theatre @ The Pavilion on 021 419 7661 or send an email to lindsay@thepavilion.co.za

Related Sites:
Cape Town Accommodation
BMW Pavilion

The 15th annual Cape Times V&A Waterfront Wine Fesival Festival is a must for all wine-lovers! Vistors can taste over 300 wines from over 75 of the Cape’s top wineries – including Steenberg, Kaapzicht, Boplaas, De Wetshof, Diemersfontein, Groote Post, Jean Daneel, Klein Constantia, Môreson, Villiera and Warwick. Guests can indulge in a multitude of interesting food and wine combinations and enjoy a large selection of cheese and gourmet treats from sushi to pesto to chocolate. . . and a plenty more.

Located in the heart of the V&A Waterfront in comfortable walking distance from all the shops and restaurants, visitors to the Wine Festival can stroll through the Waterfront shopping centre and further indulge their palate with meals specially prepared by Waterfront restaurants during this period.

When? 8 – 11 May 2007
Where? Market Square, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
Telephone? 021 408-7600

According to Cyril Rhamaphosa’s good friend, Richard Holbrooke, Rhamaphosa will not return to politics and is not interested in the Presidency. This is sad for many South Africans who admire and respect him tremendously as a politician and businessman. 

Cyril Rhamaphosa is listed in TIME’s list of the 100 men and women whose power, talent or moral example is transforming the world. Ranked #83 he is listed in the Category ”Builders & Titans“. 

“Ramaphosa’s decision to leave politics was characteristic: decisive, bold and imaginative. He saw an opportunity to show the way to a generation of black South Africans who would gradually control the South African economy. He reached out to white business leaders, but he made black economic empowerment his new issue, tirelessly promoting it and warning that it had to happen. His businesses now include Shanduka Group, an investment firm, and mining and energy interests. There are many who hope that Ramaphosa, just 54, will emerge as South Africa’s next President. But even as he continues a life that includes active involvement—along with his wife Tshepo, a doctor—in the fight against AIDS, he says he is not interested in returning to politics. That would be a loss not only for his country but for the rest of us”.

This is an extract of the article that appears in Time Magazine – Holbrooke is a vice chairman of Perseus, a private-equity fund, and is a former United States ambassador to the United Nations. Read the full article at: Cyril Rhamaposa by Richard C. Holbrooke.

South Africa’s top Magician, Larry Soffer at the Theatre @ The Pavilion on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th May 2007: Champion Mentalist and Magician, Larry Soffer, will be performing from 1 May until 6 May 2007 at the Theatre @ The Pavilion. The audience will be treated to an outstanding performance of telekinesis, levitation, mind reading, metal bending and many more! With his extensive repertoire and diverse skills, Larry has established himself as one of South Africa’s leading magicians.

He has a firm philosophy of “Believe to See, instead of Seeing to Believe”. Holder of several Provincial and National Championships and with his personal blend of controversial and mystifying acts, Larry has already been placed amongst the high ranks of magical legends, David Copperfield, Lance Burton and David Blaine.

The concert starts at 20:00 with show tickets costing R95.00 per person. The show is preceded by a buffet dinner at Fascination Café, the restaurant at Theatre @ The Pavilion, starting at 18:00. A combined Dinner and Show ticket cost R220.00 per person.

BOOKINGS:
For bookings contact the Theatre @ The Pavilion on 021 419-7661.
For addition info visit the Website at http://www.thepavilion.co.za/theatre-larry-soffer.htm

Mel Miller & Friends to perform at Theatre @ The Pavilion on Wednesday 30 May 2007: Get ready for a good night of drink in hand laughter with Mel Miller & Friends featuring The Comedy Guild on Wednesday 30 May 2007 at the Theatre @ The Pavilion. The show is produced by Brent Niemandt and the line up includes Mel Miller, Gino Fernandez, Pierre Malherbe and Brent Palmer. With Cape Town’s finest talent and host Alistair Plint, this is a show not to be missed!

The Comedy Guild is Cape Town’s premier comedy group performing mainly at Cool Runnings in Observatory. The line up for each week consists of new and established underground Capetonian comedians, and is always coupled with a celebrity headliner. The Comedy Guild is an unregistered non-profit organization dedicated to the creation and promotion of stand-up comedy in Cape Town. It all began in 2006 when Brendan Murray realized there was a lack of opportunity for new comedians to break into the industry. He organized weekly workshops to help upcoming comedians develop their material and then try it out in front of a live audience. It has since grown from strength to strength with Guild comedians performing at various functions and venues around Cape Town.

The show starts at 20:00 with show tickets costing R80.00 per person. The show is preceded by a buffet dinner at Fascination Café, the restaurant at Theatre @ The Pavilion, starting at 18:00. A combined Dinner and Show ticket cost R200.00 per person.

For bookings or for more information contact the Theatre @ The Pavilion on 021 419 7661 or visit the Website at http://www.thepavilion.co.za/theatre-mel-miller.htm

The Franschhoek Literary Festival – A Celebration of Books and Writing – 11, 12 and 13 May 2007:
The Franschhoek Literary Festival is hosting South African writers and award-winning international authors who will interact with audiences at informal talks, readings and discussions in intimate venues in the Franschhoek village centre.

The visiting authors have been selected for their exceptional writing, their approachability and their passion for promoting reading. Our aim is to create a buzz about reading, presenting books as exciting and accessible. Franschhoek Bed & Breakfasts and guesthouses will offer special festival packages at off-season prices. Book a place and meet your favourite author at the chef’s tables being held at renowned restaurants to support the funding of a new community library.

If you love books and reading, or simply want to have a good time in beautiful surroundings, come and hear the music of words from 11 – 13 May 2007.

Visit the official Website at: Franschhoek Literary Festival
Find accommodation in Franschhoek at: Franschhoek Accommodation
Or find an hotel at: Franschhoek Hotels

South Africa’s Biggest and most spectacular Bridal Event: The Wedding Expo, held at the Coca-Cola Dome, in Northgate, Johannesburg, is South Africa’s largest bridal exhibition showcasing everything a bride and groom could wish for on their memorable wedding day. With over 200 exhibitors including the finest bridal designers, photographers, florists, confectioners, jewellers and many more excellent suppliers in the industry. If you are engaged and planning your wedding, then his exhibition is a “must-attend” event.

Dates: Saturday 5th May and Sunday 6th May 2007
Saturday 5 May: from 09h00 – 17h00
Sunday 6: May from 09h00 – 17h00
Venue: Coca-Cola Dome, Northgate, Johannesburg
Entrance: R50.00 per person (tickets at the entrance)
Telephone: 0861 113 997
By visiting Wedding Expo you will have a list of South Africa’s most respected and sought after bridal specialists in a variety of businesses, just what you need to plan your dream day!

Wedding Sites:
Wedding Expo Site
South Africa Wedding Venues (over 1200 Wedding Venues listed throughout South Africa)

South African Property – Home Loans for Africa! – That’s the Blog’s tagline and it is most appropriate.
“A blog aimed at helping the youth in South Africa find good financial advice with regards to bonds, home loans and mortgages. This is also aimed at building awareness to those in South Africa especially with our current escalation in property prices“. (Sponsored by Wizard Midrand).

Peppered with really good advice (especially for the first-time home-owner/those applying for their first bond), the site takes a down to earth approach at informing the public about everything to do with bonds. Practical tips on saving thousands of Rands … Quote:  “Did you Know? A R 500,000.00 bond at -1% costs you R 5332.15 per month BUT if you add an additional R 100.00 per month to your payment – Check this out - YOU WILL SAVE: R 258.76 per month on interest, AND, R 62,103.39 over 20 years. THINK about it. Also you will have access to the extra funds and be in a position to get a better rate from your branch. Thats where you win!” Useful advice for those those who did not know …

Apart from advice and guidance on applying for a home loan, the site publishes information about applying for a home loans from the various financial institutions, what interest rates you can expect to pay based on the amount of the loan, deposit paid etc. etc, some cautionary advice about different bond brokers … all makes for excellent reading if you are about to apply for a home loan! Spend some time on this site, familiarise yourself with the different options, take note of what to watch out for and do the math using their affordability calculator!

Visit the site at South African Property – http://sa-property.blogspot.com/