ULTRA SOUTH AFRICA 2019 Final Line Up

ULTRA South Africa lands in just one month, with six stages and an incredible showcase of (100) artists, featuring some of the hottest acts in the world on the most spectacular stages in both Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Here are the stages along with the Phase 3 artists.

Main Stage local support includes the best of the best, from Ultra SA veterans Dean FUEL, Fresh and Euphonik – each massive celebrity DJ’s in their own right, to the new Prince of SA Dance Music, Max Hurrell, as well as No Method on the back of a massive 12 months with the lauded release of both City Lights and Wasted Love. They are all prepared to bring some serious heat to Ultra SA, getting the crowd going ahead of international legends including: The Chainsmokers LIVE, Martin Garrix, Infected Mushroom and many more.

RESISTANCE is bringing Black Coffee and his most talented friends to delight your eardrums, along with Thor Rixon LIVE, MKLY, Vicmari, Pierre Johnson and Dwson in Cape Town and Lemon & Herb, Aero Manyelo B2B Bruce Loko and Avi Subban in Johannesburg. Expect hypnotic, deep and dirty sounds from RESISTANCE, keeping fans dancing all night long.

Johannesburg has TWO additional stages: Until Until and Samsung Galaxy.

Samsung Galaxy will feature local celeb DJ’s including 5FM’s Roger Goode, Das Kapital and Kyle Cassim as well as Kyle Watson, Apple Gule, Timo ODVand many more.  This will be the biggest Samsung Galaxy stage to date with some exciting new features, including it’s new space at Nasrec to accommodate its size.  Samsung is always pushing boundaries, and their stage, lineup and overall experience at Ultra SA 2019 will demonstrate just that. 

Until Until, Joburg’s coolest party promoters, have their own stage again which will feature the hottest local hip-hop talent in the country, guaranteeing a fully rounded festival experience.

Dj’s on the stage will include Major League, DJ Spontaneous, Banques, Frank Casino, Menzi XL, Lubonk and many more.

Set times are soon to follow, remaining tickets are limited, make sure you get your tickets today at UltraSouthAfrica.com/tickets

Ultra South Africa 2019 is Presented by SAMSUNG and 5FM.

TICKET PRICING

Cape Town —

General Admission:

Tier 1 – SOLD OUT

R650 – Tier 2

R750 – Tier 3

VIP:

Tier 1 – SOLD OUT

R1250 – Tier 2

R1500 – Tier 3

Johannesburg —

General Admission:

Tier 1 – SOLD OUT

R800 – Tier 2

R950 – Tier 3

VIP:

Tier 1 – SOLD OUT

Tier 2 – SOLD OUT

R2000 – Tier 3

VVIP:

R3000 – Tier 1

R4000 – Tier 2

Johnnie Walker launches new campaign inspired by iconic and pioneering South Africans.

South Africa is filled with many powerful stories of ordinary and extraordinary people who create change for themselves and their communities. Johnnie Walker is proud to announce its new brand campaign commemorating South African achievement and progress. It’s an evolution of the iconic whisky brand’s drive to inspire progress.

Nelson Makamo, Motheo Moeng and Enhle Mbali

The world-famous adjure to ‘Keep Walking’ is particularly meaningful in a South African context. Consumers no longer want to be dictated to and are looking for brands to partner with them in how they are represented and tell their stories in an authentic way. The ‘Keep Walking’ campaign is a push to move forward with optimism and celebrate every milestone reflective of real, inspiring stories.

“Johnnie Walker as a brand exists to inspire personal progress and this campaign has tested our ability to really connect with our local audience under this mission” says Zumi Njongwe, Marketing & Innovation Director at Diageo.

The brand has brought together the likes of South Africa’s most famous media export Trevor Noah, the country’s first black female pilot Refilwe Ledwaba , actress and businesswoman Enhle Mbali and Olympic swimmer Chad le Clos as part of the faces of this campaign.


Enhle Mbali

“In tune with the growing importance of authenticity in storytelling and finding people in different fields who truly embody the brand, we specifically selected South Africans who have had impact both locally and globally in their respective fields. As a brand we realise that South Africans are ambitious and determined. We want to salute those who have taken their steps today, to be an icon tomorrow. A multitude of people, progressing with purpose” says Njongwe.

Other recognizable faces featured in the campaign include fashion designer Thebe Magugu, artist Nelson Makamo, businessman Ze Nxumalo, cinematographer Motheo Moeng and leading female trombone player Siya Makuzeni.

Ze Nxumalo, Refilwe Ledwaba and Nelson Makamo

Njongwe believes that the brand is succeeding in its quest to dispel the stereotypes that exist around whisky lovers and the ‘old boys club’. “Beyond the number of powerful and accomplished women featured in the campaign, we enlisted one of the country’s leading directors, Dani Hynes from Egg Films to help us connect with a broader, previously untapped audience” says Njongwe.

The result is a campaign that pays homage to moving forward together, led by a global champion of ambition and perseverance in the form of Trevor Noah.

The campaign is an important addition to the South African progress narrative.

‘’We chose to shine the spotlight on prominent South African achievers who have contributed to a nation’s growth through times of transition and uncertainty,’ she explains. ‘Every South African – whether they are in the public eye or not – has a role to play and a story to share. By honouring our heroes, and remembering how far we’ve come, we hope to inspire South Africans to always “Keep Walking” Njongwe concludes.

Stay connected with the House of Walker on @johnniewalkersa (Instagram), @johnniewalkersa (Twitter) and Johnnie Walker South Africa (Facebook) #KWSA

Review: The Award-Winning Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL

This past seven days I got to understand why the Suzuki Swift won the best Budget Car award at the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards. The car ticks the majority of the of boxes, it super fuel efficient, drives really well and has enough boot space. In terms of the fuel consumption at some point I thought the petrol gauge was not working as I drove the car for quite some time and there was absolutely no movement on the petrol gauge. It lives up to its claimed fuel consumption of 4.9 litres/100km in a combined cycle, which gives it a range of more than 750km on its 37-litre tank.

The Drive

I thoroughly enjoyed how the car drive. When you are behind the wheel it feels sporty and light. Just like its sister (Suzuki Dzire) the Swift is smooth when driving it on the highway. The steering wheel is light and quick. The acceleration and handling of the car is really good, whilst the clutch is really smooth allowing ease on the 5-speed gear box to change gears. You can barely feel that car is moving except for when you drive on a rough surface.

The Interior

The Suzuki Swift looks really small for the outside but you once you are inside it is spacious. There is enough leg, shoulder and head room. The cabin in the car is pretty basic but then again you can’t complain about this on a car that costs less than R200 000. The boot space is sufficient and you can enlarge it by folding the rear seats.

The Swift comes equipped with manual air conditioning, all-round electric windows, power steering, a trip computer, adjustable steering wheel with audio controls, audio system with Bluetooth/USB connectivity and front fog lamps. In terms of safety, all Swift models offer a pair of front airbags, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and ISOFIX seat anchors.

The car is fitted-out with a manual air conditioning and the windows are all electric. It is also equipped with a power steering and a trip computer. The steering wheel is adjustable and has audio controls. The audio system has Bluetooth and USB connectivity.

Safety

In terms of safety, all Swift models the car is equipped with front airbags, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) and ISOFIX seat anchors.

Price

The new Suzuki Swift is available in six colours and is sold with a 5-year / 200 000 km mechanical warranty and a 2-year / 30 000 km service plan. The price starts from R160 000.

Pat(s)

  • The Suzuki Swift sips petrol which is amazing
  • It is light and drives really good
  • It is priced right

Slap(s)

  • The lack of an infotainment systems works against the car.

How influencers celebrate their Valentine’s Day

Influencers are now at dominating the conversations in marketing boardrooms as of late. Marketers are consistently trying to find ways of understanding influencers and how to use them. In an article published on BizCommunity Sylvester Chauke (CEO of DNA Brand Architects) posed a question on whether influencer marketing is still relevant. The answer is very much so, especially with continued rise on the use of social media.

Influencers are also people, they have needs and they care about the people around. Valentine’s Day is one of those days where people tend to show affection toward the things and people that they love. Also it is a big commercial day for most brands just like Christmas Day. Brands go all out to promote their Valentine’s Day special and in some of their promotions strategy they use influencers.

IndaHash – a popular platform that links brands and influencers conducted a study to understand how influencers celebrate Valentine’s Day. The study was conducted using surveys and just over 1000 influencers partcipated, globally. The aim of the study was to give brands a broader overview of their brands’ advocates behaviours as well as their competitor landscape.

The study discovered some really interesting insights. One of the major findings is that influencers do celebrate Valentine’s Day whether they are in a relationship or not. 91% of the influencers that participated in the study said they celebrate Valentine’s when they are in a relationship whilst 50% of single influencers said they do celebrate Valentine’s Day.

According to the report below is how single influencers celebrate Valentine’s Day:

  1. Celebrate with family (10%)
  2. Treat themselves to gifts or experiences (40%)
  3. Celebrate with friends (50%)

When it comes to shopping for gifts, the study found that 72% of influencers are most likely to be influenced by other influencers and women are as twice as likely to shop on a brand’s website than man.

The question is how will you celebrate Valentine’s Day? Leave your comments.

5 Tech Brands that have become generic terms

Technology has changed the way we live and how we do things. It is now at the centre of our lives because of the convenience it brings. Over the past decade or so we have seen the rise of tech brands taking the lead in terms of brand valuations. Some of these tech brands are more valuable than Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) who used to dominate the brand valuations. According to the Interbrand’s report the top four brands in the world in 2018 were tech brands. Often it does not mean that the brand is the only one in the market or it was the first in market. Some of these brands came in late in the market and surpassed the existing brands in that market due to their platforms being user-friendly, accessible and efficient. We therefore end using these brands’ names to refer to other brands or products in the same category,


The following technology brands have become synonymous with our day-to-day activities and more often than not we could be referring to other brands but we find ourselves to using their name to describe an activity related to the brand or a generic term.

1. Google – online searching
This internet giant was never the first one to launch a search engine. There were few search engines before it was established but today find people saying they will Google things whilst referring to running an online search. In 2006 Google made it to the Oxford English Dictionary as a verb. The dictionary defines of Google as search for information about ( someone or something) on the Internet using the search engine Google.

2. Uber- Ride Sharing

Before Uber there was Zimrides which later started Lyft back in 2007. Today Uber has dominated the ride industry. Most of us cannot imagine the world without Uber It has fundamentally changed how people commute. In South Africa you will often hear people saying “I will Uber home with Taxify” referring to using the Taxify app to get home. Uber is being used as a verb for ride sharing.


4. Photoshop – Photo editing

The first version of Adobe Photoshop was released in 1987. Since then, it has become one of the most popular photo editing programs in the world. It is so popular that many people now use the word “photoshop” to mean photo editing in general.

4. e-Wallet – Mobile Money

Mobile money has undoubtedly transformed how send and receive cash. It has banking more accessible to everyone more the marginalized. M-Pesa was first launched in 2007, in Kenya by Vodafone and Vodacom. In South Africa FNB launched the e-Wallet in 2009 which changed the face of mobile money. Other banks have since followed suit. You will often hear South Africans say “I will e-Wallet you money via Cashsend, it’s like ABSA’s e-Wallet.

5. FitBit- Fitness Trackers

Health and wellness has been getting a lot of attention lately. The majority of people are starting to live active lifestyles e.g they run, walk and cycle. In the process they want to keep track of their time, heart rate, pace etc.
Fitbit, which debuted in 2008 as a clip-on device, was one of the first activity trackers to get mainstream attention. Since then, most people refer any wearable fitness tracker to FitBit even though it wasn’t manufactured by a different brand.

If you know of other tech brands that have dominated the market, please feel free to leave a comment. Remember to share the article if you found it valuable.

LifeStyles Condoms to support Youth against AIDS In Southern Africa

Leading specialist consumer packaged goods distributor, ACDOCO SA has announced that it will be donating R1.00 (One South African Rand) for the next 2 years for every pack of LifeStyles Condoms sold in Southern Africa to Youth against AIDS (YAA).

Rising rates of HIV and AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and unintended pregnancies are a primary reproductive health concern for the youth, and thus awareness and education around National Condom Week is a high priority in South Africa. According to the United Nations Development Programme the youth are most affected by HIV. 430,000 youth per year are infected with the disease in East and Southern Africa, however HIV education and awareness remains below 40%. STDs continue to grow at an alarming rate including chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis which also can increase one’s risk of contracting HIV. Over 120,000 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 became registered mothers in 2017 according to Statistics South Africa.

YAA is one of the leading youth-led initiatives that provides awareness campaigns and sex education in schools & youth facilities across the world. Focussed on talking about sexuality, HIV, and other STDs in their workshops, the organisation provides a safe space for young people to gain knowledge and get educated free from exclusion or fear of stigma.

“YAA are involved in many innovative initiatives across Southern Africa including a pilot for condom vending machines in high schools. Their peer-to-peer approach is perhaps the most important, where youth engage with youth and tackle the biggest challenge which is open, candid conversation to consummately drive desperately needed education and awareness. ACDOCO SA and LifeStyles Healthcare plan to get even further involved leveraging its commercial and state networks in addition to digital and social media augmentation,” states Jason Frichol, ACDOCO SA’s Managing Director.

“At LifeStyles we are committed to work with local partners to help prevent the spread of HIV and support the millions of people living with HIV in our local communities & around the world by doing our part to raise awareness about the issues surrounding HIV and AIDS. Joint collaboration with YAA and ACDOCO SA is a natural extension of our efforts in South Africa,” comments Jeyan Heper, CEO of LifeStyles Healthcare.

“We are the generation which can end AIDS, so it is now up to us to make the difference. Together with ACDOCO SA we want to make an impact in the global HIV response. With local partners we tackle the biggest challenges and realize with our peer-to-peer approach and condom vending machines in schools first important steps in our common fight against HIV/AIDS”, concludes Daniel Nagel, Chairman & CEO of Youth against AIDS.

Production of New Ford Ranger Commences in South Africa

Ford’s Silverton Assembly Plant in Pretoria has officially commenced production of the new Ford Ranger, bringing a raft of product upgrades and refinements to one of South Africa’s best-selling vehicles and export models.

“Following the investment of over R3-billion in our local operations and extensive upgrades to our plants over the past 18 months, we are delighted to see the first of the new Ford Ranger models coming off our production line,” says Neale Hill, Managing Director, Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa Region.

“This is an extremely important and exciting year for the Ford Ranger, which will also see the launch of the first-ever Ranger Raptor that is undoubtedly one of this year’s most highly anticipated new models,” Hill adds.

“The 2019 Ford Ranger will deliver more power, greater fuel efficiency, enhanced refinement and even more advanced technologies when it goes on sale in the coming months, and we are confident it will once again set the benchmark in the extremely competitive pickup segment.”

Selected range-topping models, including the Ranger Raptor, will be powered by the all-new 2.0 Bi-Turbo diesel engine assembled at Ford’s Struandale Engine Plant in Port Elizabeth. This unit produces 157kW and 500Nm of torque – up by 10kW and 30Nm compared with the current 3.2 TDCi – and delivers up to a nine percent improvement in fuel efficiency when combined with the advanced new 10-speed automatic transmission.

Certain derivatives will feature a 2.0 Single Turbo version of this engine, producing 132kW and 420Nm of torque, mated to the same 10-speed transmission. Various other models in the line-up will retain the proven 2.2 and 3.2-litre Duratorq TDCi engines and existing gearbox options – thus giving customers the widest choice yet in this category. As usual, the line-up includes Single Cab, Super Cab and Double Cab body styles to suit customer requirements.

Along with freshened design cues, range-topping Ranger models will raise the bar once again with industry-defining safety features on the Wildtrak such as Pre-Collision Assist and Active Park Assist. SYNC 3® with Navigation remains one of the Ranger’s technology highlights as a fully featured infotainment system with intuitive voice control.

Following the launch of the ‘standard’ new Ford Ranger models, the attention will be shifted to the locally assembled Ranger Raptor that is set to create an entirely new segment in the pickup market when it makes its eagerly anticipated debut.

“There is a lot of excitement and hype around the Ranger Raptor, and this exhilarating new model will occupy a white space in the pickup market when it goes on sale in the second quarter of this year, creating the first-ever true performance model in this crucial segment,” Hill states.

“We can’t wait to get the Ranger Raptor to market, enabling our customers to experience unrivalled off-road performance, cutting-edge technologies and the most muscular design yet seen in this class.”

Some of the defining features of the Ranger Raptor include Position Sensitive Damping (PSD) shock absorbers exclusively manufactured by FOX, and an advanced Terrain Management System (TMS) that includes an exciting Baja mode for fast off-road driving. It also boasts a toughened reinforced chassis, powerful all-disc braking system and specially developed BF Goodrich tyres.

More details, including specifications, model range and pricing will be released at launch.

Review: Suzuki Dzire 1.2 GL

The Suzuki Dzire was known as Swift Dzire before Suzuki decided to make it its own model. An evolution that is quite symbolic in its nature. According to Suzuki the Dzire is the reinvention of the Swift with the added bonus of a boot. Cars.co.za reported that the Dzire makes a good contestant in the taxi and Uber market as the car offers comfortable cabins, substantial rear leg room and boot space. The Dzire characterises how a modern compact sedan should look like and how it should perform.  The iconic polygonal front grille accentuated with chrome adds to its appeal and makes the Dzire look sleeker and sharper.  It is designed for today’s wise and practical riders.

I had the car for a week and I was very impressed with how the car drives. The Dzire boasts a smooth and comfortable drive. The 1.2 GL petrol engine is quiet and frugal. The frugality of a car is desirable in these tough economic times where the cost of petrol is high. The average fuel consumption on Dzire is 4.9/100KM.

The Interior

The interior of the car is nothing to ride home about from a technology point of view. I found the car’s Bluetooth quite tricky to use. However, the AUX input and USB console boxes made life easier. The all electric windows and steering wheel controls are quite cool. I liked the sporty feeling of the steering wheel.  In today’s world where almost everyone has a smartphone, the 12V accessories sockets in the centre and rear console come in very handy in case the need arises for anyone inside the car wants to charge their smartphones. What also stood out for inside the Dzire is the rear air-conditioning vents, which is unheard of in an entry-level sedan.

Suzuki Desire Interior

Storage

There are storage pockets on front doors offer extra storage as well as the bottle holders on all doors. For someone who is always carrying a 1 liter bottle of water I found it quite special. There is also a rear console tray providing convenience for passengers to put in their cellphones whilst charging their phones. The boot space is large enough to fit about two medium-sized travelling bags. To be precise the boot size is 378 litres.

Suzuki Desire Boot

Safety and Security

In terms of safety and security the car has two front airbags for front passengers and an immobilizer/alarm.

Pricing

The Dzire is competitively priced, starting from R161 000 for the 1.2 GA manual model. The 1.2 GL model (which is the one I had for a test) starts from R178 900 and the 1.2 Auto starts from R192 800.

In conclusion here are the Pats and Slaps of the Suzuki Desire 1.2 GL manual


 Pat(s)

  • The fuel consumption of the Dzire is a winner in the car.
  • The car really drives smoothly
  • The car had sufficient storage space especially the bottle holders on the doors and the boot space.
  • The car comes with an impressive 5-year/200 000 km mechanical warranty and 2-year/30 000 km service plan.

Slap(s)

  • The lack of technology features in the  car e.g an infotainment and seat belt reminder is off putting especially for a modern car.

The most powerful Golf ever sold by Volkswagen South Africa

In the four decades since first launching in South Africa, over 350 000 Golfs have been sold in the country. Since the launch of the seventh generation Golf model range in 2013 the Golf GTI, Golf GTD and Golf R models have made up more than 45% of all Golf sales in South Africa.

Volkswagen is adding more power to the seventh generation Golf R performance derivative by increasing the power output to 228kW from 213kW – making it the most powerful Golf ever sold by Volkswagen South Africa.

The seventh generation Golf R continues to be a benchmark for driver assistance systems in the compact class, employing technologies that significantly improve safety. These include the optional Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Traffic Alert as well as Adaptive Cruise Control with Front Assist and Autonomous Emergency Braking System.

DESIGN

New exterior design highlights include the optional R Performance Titanium exhaust as well as optional R Performance brakes with brake calipers painted black with the ‘R’ logo. Standard features include the ‘R’ designed bumpers, LED headlights and LED taillights that create a design that gives the Golf R a dynamic look. The tailpipes are placed further out to the sides giving the car a wider appearance. The exterior mirror housing caps come in Matte Chrome or optionally in Carbon. There are also various 19-inch wheel choices – the standard being the “Spielberg” 19-inch alloy wheels or the optional 19-inch “Pretoria” alloy wheels in grey metallic.

As with Golf derivatives, the infotainment systems, such as the 
optional 9.2-inch Discover Pro with gesture control are also available in the Golf R.

Standard on the Golf R is the Active Info Display, panoramic sunroof and drive profile selection which includes the Sport Human Machine Interface (HMI) feature. Adaptive chassis control in an optional extra and offers the same feature – Sport HMI. In the Sport profile, the ‘Sport HMI’ of the infotainment system on the centre console shows current engine parameters such as power output and G-forces in play.

The Golf R is offered in the following colours: Tornado Red, Pure White, Atlantic Blue Metallic, Indium Grey Metallic, Deep Black Pearl Effect Oryx White Mother of Pearl Effect and the classic Lapiz Blue Metallic paint finish.

PERFORMANCE

2.0 TSI with 228kW. The Golf R rockets to 100 km/h in a swift 4.6 seconds thanks to 228kW of power and 400Nm of torque. This gain in dynamics is attributable to an extremely fast-shifting 7-speed DSG and the standard Launch Control feature as well as the overall high engine output.

Recommended Retail Price (VAT and emissions tax included)

2.0 TSI R 228kW DSG                                            R676 000

The Golf R comes standard with a 5 year/90 000km Service Plan, 
3 year/120 000km warranty and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. Service interval is 15 000km.

How university students can build their personal brands

Most students go to university with the sole purpose of getting a degree and be out. There is nothing wrong with this mentality, however those students end up missing out on some of the great opportunities universities provide for their growth. Universities provide an excellent platform for students to grow and build their personal brands. Many great entrepreneurs, politicians, artists etc built their brands whilst enrolled at some university irrespective of whether they finished or not. For example the late great Nelson Mandela’s political career started when he was enrolled at Fort Hare University and there are many other great examples.

There are many benefits of building a personal brand as a student, you become known for something and it allows you distinguish yourself from rest. Having a personal will help you standout. You can easily notice the person dressed in yellow in a sea of black clothing. Personal branding builds credibility and increases your chances of getting employment or clients or investor should you decide to start a business if you are into entrepreneurship.

There are various ways in which students can build their personal brands, below are some of the practical ways in which students can build their personal brands:

  • Be involved

There are various student bodies or societies that students can be a part of that will give them hands-on experience about working in a team, networking and mobilising resources. Also some of the big industry bodies also have student chapters that students can be involved in e.g the Black Management Forum (BMF) or the South African Institute of Electrical Engineers. Furthermore these student chapters provide unique opportunities for networking, mentoring and bonding over common interests.

If the student wants to be in the media industry they can join campus radio or newspaper by volunteering their services. For those that want to be in politics can join the Student Representative Council (SRC).

More often than these student bodies/societies receive a very small budget from the universities that the students can work with. The budget is often not enough for the students execute all their plans as a result the students are forced to raise funds and negotiate for discounts with suppliers – giving exposure to the “real world”.

  • Be active on social media

As the adage goes if it’s not on social media it didn’t happen. I say if you if you are not online you don’t exist but also you must exist for the right reasons. Don’t post drunken pictures or be involved in racial spats. These types of posts have the potential to damage your reputation. Optimise your social media accounts and connect with like-minded people. Your LinkedIn profile needs to have a professional headshot, your employment history, have killer summary and make more than 500 connections. If you are an engineering student you can follow people that are leading in that space.

  • Create content

You need to feed your social media accounts with content that will appeal to your connections and followers. There are various types of content that you can produce e.g written text, audio and video. You just need to produce content that you are most comfortable with. If you are good at writing then produce blog posts. The most important part of content creation is that it must relevant to the intended audience.

  • Build key relationships

It’s not what you know it’s who you know, they say. You need to establish good relationships with the right people. The right people would be those ones who are where you want you want to be or who may potentially be interested in your skills or offering. If you are looking for employment at a particular company make connections with their recruitment officers. Don’t be afraid to slide into their DMs and ask them about opportunities that may exist at their company.

  • Be kind to people

Don’t underestimate your fellow students as you may never know where they will be after you graduate. Treat everyone with respect. During his rousing speech at Havard’s 366th commencement ceremony, Mark Zuckerberg told the audience why it is important to be nice to people. The 33-year-old who had dropped out of the prestigious school to found Facebook, recalled how he met his friend, and now partner, KX Jin.

Mark recalled his first day of lecture, how disheveled he looked because he was late, and how no one was willing to associate with him.

He said his first lecture ‘was Computer Science 121 with the incredible Harry Lewis. I was late so I threw on a t-shirt and didn’t realize until afterwards it was inside out and backwards with my tag sticking out the front.

‘I couldn’t figure out why no one would talk to me — except one guy, KX Jin, he just went with it.

‘We ended up doing our problem sets together, and now he runs a big part of Facebook. And that, Class of 2017, is why you should be nice to people.’

In conclusion, building a personal brand is not a once off event but an ongoing process. It takes time, you may need to exercise patience.

If you this article valuable please share.

Review: Mahindra KUV100 NXT K8+

The Mahindra KUV100 NXT K8+ is the flagship car of the KUV100 NXT range, launched in October 2018. The K8+ undoubtedly lives up to Mahanidra’s mantra of #AlwaysUpForAChallenge. With some calling it a “Mini SUV” whilst in India they call it a “Young SUV”. I call it dynamite because dynamite does indeed come in a small package. Powered by a 1.2 mFalcon D75 turbodiesel engine the KUV100 NXT K8+ produces 57 kW and 190 of torque.  The sound it makes on acceleration is quite exhilarating.  The car is super fuel efficient, an average of 4.3 litres of diesel can give you 100KM.

According to Cars.co.za when compared to its predecessor (KUV100) the KUV100 NXT range is more refined and upmarket. The exterior execution encompasses a redesigned grille, LED daytime running lights, reshaped bumpers (with trapezoidal blacked-out sections and silver skid plates), fresh fog lamp surrounds, integrated turn signals, new-shape tailgate and spoiler, plus rear combination lights.

The K8 comes standard with a seven-inch infotainment system (with
bluetooth, a USB port and audio, image and video playback ) and rear parking censors. The gearshift is situated below the infotainment. If the driver has long fingers he or she can change the song while changing gears.

Having had the KUV100 NXT K8+ to test drive for a week, I can tell you that the Indian car maker has managed to produce a vehicle that has the ability to drive well on different terrains whether it’s on or off-road. From the outside the car looks a bit too compact but once you get inside it is surprisingly spacious. The boot is quite small however, the rear seats are fold-able giving you more room to load stuff. There is also an extra storage on the floor of the rear seats.

Pricing

Many industry experts say the KUV100 NXT is reasonably priced with an entry-level K2+ starting from R134 999 and the top of the range K8+ starting from R219 999.

In conclusion here are the Pats and Slaps for the Mahindra KUV100 NXT K8+

Pats

  • The technology in the car is amazing, instead of hearing the beeping sounds when you have not put on your seatbelt or closed one of the doors properly there is a voice that tells you to put on your seatbelt or to close the doors.
  • In these tough economic times the fuel efficiency of a car is super important and the KUV100 NXT K8+ gives you peace of mind in that regard.
  • Gearshift indicator display that prompts you as to which gear to change to.
  • Rear 12V power outlet for passengers to charge their phones or plug on an electric cooler box.

Slaps

  • The handbreak is old school you have to pull and twist it for it to engage.
  • There is no armrest for the driver and the front passenger.
  • The steering wheel controls are limited, with options to control volume and answer calls only.

Cars Consumer Awards 2018/2019

On Thursday, 24 January the fourth iteration of Cars.co.za Consumer Awards powered by Wesbank were hosted the Cars Consumer Awards at a star studded, red carpet gala event at Kyalami, Midrand. The Cars.co.za Consumer Awards powered by WesBank provides a trusted voice for consumers to consider when making that all-important car buying decision. The judging process takes place in two parts – a panel of judges (comprising motoring media, consumer journalists and influencers) and the South African motoring public – thus affording the competition its Consumer Awards’ name.

There were 13 car categories which various car brands competed in. The categories ranged from budget cars to performance cars. Some car brands were on a serious winning streak. Volkswagen South Africa was the most awarded car brand at the event, winning 4 out of the 7 awards that they were nominated for. Whilst a few brands took the audience by surprise like the Honda Type R winning the Hot Hatch category beating the BMW M140i 5-door sports and Renault Megane RS Lux. The award was Honda’s first Cars Consumer Award.   


Business Class Category – Arteon. L – R: Presenter Lalla Hirayama, Martina Biena: Head of the Volkswagen Brand, Siyanga Madikizela: Volkswagen PR Manager and host Pearl Modiadie.

There was no winner in the Performance Car category as the competition was too tight. The nominees included the Audi TT, BMW M2 Competition and Porsche Cayman S Automatic.

The big winner on the evening was Toyota, winning the prestigious Brand of the Year award. Toyota had a very successful 2018 with a 10-year high market share of 24.2%.

Below are the all the winners of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards powered by Wesbank:

  1. Budget Car – Suzuki  Swift 1.2 GL
  2. Compact hatchback – Volkswagen Polo 1.0TSI Comfortline Auto
  3. Premium Compact – Mercedes-Benz A200 AMG Line
  4. Executive SUV – Volvo XC60 D5 R-Design
  5. Business Class – VW Arteon 2.0TSI 4Motion R-Line
  6. Executive Sedan – Mercedes-Benz E220d Avantgarde
  7. Compact Family Car – Nissan Qashqai 1.2 Acenta Auto
  8. Family Car – Volkswagen Tiguan Allspace 1.4 TSI Trendline
  9. Leisure Double Cab Bakkie – Volkswagen Amarok 3.0 V6 TDI 4Motion Highline Plus
  10. Adventure SUV – Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD-6 4×4 Auto
  11. Premium SUV – Range Rover Velar D300 R-Dynamic SE
  12. Hot Hatch – Honda Civic Type R

The best cars for students and graduates

When buying a vehicle, students and graduates don’t buy a car for the sake of just buying a car. Vehicle purchasing decisions are made based on lifestyle. Moving from one class or campus to another, and adhering to employment obligations, for some, can prove to be difficult without a set of reliable wheels.

According to Wesbank students and graduates encouraged to look for cars within the budget car category. The price cap for this category is R200,000 and it is aimed at identifying a stylish and trendy car for the value, in addition to the more practical aspects.

When buying a car students and graduates need to consider Fuel costs, tyres and services. Last years’ VAT increase also had a significant impact on the car buying decisions. It is therefore important them to think through the economics of a buying decision, especially because buying a car through any financial institution is a long-term commitment.

According to Cars.co.za below are the best budget cars for students and graduates  (costing up to R200k)

Kia Picanto 1.2 Style – R182 995

Kia Picanto 1.0 Style A/T

Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL – R177 900

Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL

Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.4 Comfortline – R200 500

VW Polo Vivo 1.4 Comfort Line

In conclusion it is further recommended that students and graduates do thorough research before buying the cars and to book a test drive to have a feel of how the car drives. As it said it is a long term commitment, therefore it better be a good one.

Remember to share this article if you find it valuable.

The Search Africa – Africa’s first purely digital music competition

22 year old South African born entrepreneur Tiisetso Mosholi launches “The Search Africa” which is Africa’s first purely digital music competition to be launched simultaneously in Uganda, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa.

The main aim of The Search Africa establish a proudly African music and artistic platform for emerging creatives. Thereby encouraging collaboration, sustainability, development and growth across borders.

Anyone can enter

The Search Africa is open to submissions from any musician who feels like has what it takes to be Africa’s next music superstar. Whether you are a hip hop or house artist you may enter the competition. There is also no age restriction for the competition, anyone is encouraged to enter young and old.

Entering is easy

To enter the Search Africa competition contestants will have to submit a 3-8 minute performance video via WhatsApp. The WhatsApp number will be shared on Centre Stage Media’s social media pages. The video will first be reviewed by virtual judges from each country before it is shortlisted and uploaded on social media. The public will then have to vote, also via social media.

Various stages

The Search Africa will consist of various stages. There will public
discussions about the music industry in different regions. The Search Africa will also post online challenges to keep the online audiences
engaged. “It will be an experience like no other from the comfort of your own home for both audiences and contestants”, said Tiisesto Mosholi(CEO of Centre Stage Media . Interested sponsors are to contact us directly on 0629925799 WhatsApp.

The Search Africa is launched in association with Antidote Music, Fashion Ghana.com, Slight Edge, Mid Exclusive HypeGhana , Kultured Kreatives and Imbargara Radio.

Hyundai Kona wins the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year

The Hyundai Kona and Kona Electric CUV models were together named the winner of the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year by the North American Car, Utility and Truck of the Year automotive media jury.

This is the first time that a Hyundai Crossover Utility Vehicle model has won the Utility Vehicle of the Year category. The winner of the CUV category is announced every year at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year jury is made up of an independent panel of top journalists and analysts based in the United States and Canada. Since 1994, the organization has recognized top cars, trucks, and utility vehicles. This year’s jury of 54 media outlets includes journalists from newspapers, magazines, radio and TV broadcast channels, digital columnists and freelance media.

In South Africa, the Hyundai Kona is a finalist for the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists and Autotrader’s 2019 Car of the Year prize, which will be awarded in April this year.

Apart from the 2019 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year award, the Hyundai Kona has also achieved international recognition during the past year by winning an iF Design Award in the Automobiles/Vehicles category. The award recognised the elegant and expressive appearance of Hyundai Motor’s first subcompact SUV.

Earlier in 2018 the Hyundai Kona also received a Red Dot Design Award – one of the most renowned international design and innovation prizes. The Kona, which was recognised for outstanding design and innovation, was awarded together with Hyundai’s NEXO Fuel Cell vehicle in the Cars and Motorcycles category.

Last year the Kona was also among three models for which Hyundai Motor’s design talent was recognized by the judges for the 2018 International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA), one of the world’s three grand international design prizes. The Kona, together with Hyundai’s Santa Fe SUV and the NEXO fuel-cell SUV, received silver awards in the automotive and transportation category.

The three silver IDEA Design awards are the most prestigious global design prizes won in Hyundai’s history for the automotive and transportation category. In 2016, the Elantra received a bronze award.

Hyundai’s Kona has also received a GOOD DESIGN® Award from the Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and the European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies. Founded in Chicago in 1950, the prestigious GOOD DESIGN® Awards honour the yearly achievements of the best industrial and graphic designers and world manufacturers for their pursuit of extraordinary design excellence.

The Hyundai Kona, launched locally in October 2018, is available in South Africa in two derivatives with different engines and gearboxes. The Kona 1.0 T-GDI Executive (manual) enters the local market at a price of R379 900, while its sibling, the Kona 2.0 NU Executive (automatic), comes with a price ticket of R399 900.

Both models are front-wheel driven. The 1-litre turbo-engine delivers its power via a 6-speed manual gearbox, while the 2-litre naturally aspirated version uses a six-speed automatic gearbox with the option of manual shift.

Five things you need to start running

At the beginning of each year people usually set goals for themselves for the year ahead. Everyone has different goals, some people set goals for the number of books they would like to read before the year ends whilst others set fitness goals.  Whatever goal you set for yourself, it is valid and you should go out there and smash it.

A lot of people ask me what is it that they need to start running because they are unfit or they have never ran before. Some want to have all the “right things” in place before they start running or some simply don’t know how to start. Below are some of the tangible and intangible things that I think people need to get from the couch to at least 5KM.

1. A Prepared Mind

Most people fail to run before they even start. Starting something for the first time is usually challenging and requires a shift in the mindset, you got to tell yourself that you can do it. This might sound a bit cliché but it’s true, many marathon runners will also tell you that you after the half way mark it is your mind that will carry you through the race when your body fails you. Being mentally prepared is equally important as your physical preparation.

2. Comfortable Clothes

The beauty about running is that it a low-maintenance sport compared to cycling for example.  To ensure that you have the best experience running, you need to wear comfortable clothes that are suitable for different weather conditions e.g track suits, shorts, tights, vests etc. Nylon and polyester fabrics are usually good because they are sweat-wicking, breathable and non-absorbent. Ladies would need supportive sports bras.

3. Good Running Shoes

If there is one thing you need to invest in for running is a good pair of shoes. You need to get the right shoes for you because a good shoe for me may not necessarily be good for you. Wearing the wrong the shoe whilst running can cause you injuries. To find out which shoe is good for you, visit specialist active gear store such as The Sweatshop where experts can evaluate your foot and running style and recommend the right shoes for you.

4. Watch/Phone/App

When you run you might want to keep track of your pace, heartrate, the amount of calories you burn and the distance. There are various devices that you can use like smart watches, smartphone, chest straps, optical wrist sensors etc. If you can’t afford any of these devices you can simply use your smartphone and download a running app like Strava which keeps track of the distance, elevation gain, calories and your pace.

5. Running buddy or Running Crew

Running alone can be a bit a challenging. Izaak Walton once said “good company in a journey makes the way seem much shorter”. You need to find yourself a running buddy that you can be accountable to and that will be accountable to you on days where you don’t feel like running or the going is getting tough. You will motivate each other. You can also join a running crew, for example #RunWithPat if you are in Johannesburg.  #RunWithPat caters for both novice and professional runners.

By considering the above mentioned things you should be fine to start running. Remember you feel minor pains after running, don’t be discouraged it is normal because your body would have done something out of the ordinary.

If you found this article valuable, please share.

Suzuki sold over 12 000 units in 2018 for the first time in 10 years

Suzuki Jimny

After a decade in South Africa and with the success of models such as the Jimny, Ignis and Swift, Suzuki is now officially part of the 1 000-unit club and a Top 10 brand to boot.

Following the release of the official sales figures for December 2018 and a final calculation of the full-year sales for last year, the National Association for Automobile Manufacturers’ statistics confirmed that Suzuki sold 12 123 units in the last calendar year and grew by well over 30% in a year that the general market declined by 1%.

This singular achievement means that Suzuki is now part of the 1 000-unit-per-month club, a decade after entering South Africa officially and only 16 months after celebrating the first time it sold over 1 000 units in one month (August 2017).

“We are particularly proud of the fact that the major part of our sales – 9  375 units – came from dealer sales,” says André Venter, divisional manager for sales and marketing at Suzuki Auto South Africa. “This means that our growth is driven by private buyers who choose the brand and not by large corporate transactions that simply boost sales numbers.”

In December, Suzuki sold 938 cars and light commercial vehicles, giving it a share of 2.3% of the total market and 3.3% of the passenger vehicle market. It also cemented Suzuki’s position as number 10 in the Top 10 best-selling vehicle brands in South Africa.

“For the year ahead, we will continue to strengthen our dealer network and our product line-up to further grow our sales. We are particularly excited to have received the thumbs up from Japan to introduce our Boosterjet turbocharged engines in the new year” says Venter.

Suzuki’s innovate Boosterjet-engines uses a short intake manifold, an integrated exhaust manifold, a turbo with intercooler and Suzuki’s proprietary lightweight-engineering to offer greater fuel efficiency and power from smaller combustion volume.

One of the first examples of Suzuki’s innovative turbo-technology will be the 1.4 Boosterjet engine to be introduced in the all-new Suzuki Swift Sport. This engine will deliver 103 kW and a racy 230 Nm, while still offering a fuel consumption figure of as little as 6.1 litres / 100 km.

Suzuki will also upgrade or improve several of its family favourites, including the Vitara, Ertiga and Ciaz, while working to increase the availability of vehicles with a long waiting list, such as the Suzuki Jimny.

VW’s bold campaign encourages South Africans to drive dry

Nomuzi Mabena

Johannesburg – December in South Africa typically sees a culture of ‘the party doesn’t stop‘, #MonatiHaoFeli, until it does, #MonatiWaFela. This month, as South Africans are making their new year’s resolutions, Volkswagen in partnership with Drive Dry, a Diageo South Africa initiative, seek to make a positive change when it comes to drinking and driving by urging people to pledge to #VWDriveDry in 2019 in order to make the party stop before their life does.

The #MonatiWaFela campaign which kicked off in December 2018, saw popular hip-hop artist Nomuzi Mabena who goes by the stage name Moozlie, posting images on her social media pages which were indicative of drinking and driving. She was seen getting behind the wheel shortly after partying, making stops at a popular fast food outlet at 2am with a red beer cup, sharing her secrets on avoiding metro police, and blatantly drinking what appears to be gin, all whilst behind the driver’s wheel. Her holiday culminates in a heart-stopping live Instagram video, whilst Moozlie is talking about her dreams for 2019. Within seconds there is a sudden screech and crash and the audience realises that she has been in a car accident. For 12 hours after the accident is shared across social media, fans speculated and contemplated the reality of what they had just witnessed.

After an agonising day of her fans imagining the pain she and her family must be going through and reflecting on their own beliefs and behaviours, Volkswagen, Moozlie and Drive Dry released a video which revealed the truth about the accident. The crash and all subsequent posts leading up to it were staged in order to drive a powerful message home.

With another December of devastating road fatalities, many caused by drinking and driving, Volkswagen and Drive Dry wanted to create an impactful campaign that will make South Africans wake up to the realities of the behaviours that are condoned on social media. The campaign aims to inspire drivers to make a behavioural change and think twice before drinking and driving. The campaign also hopes to encourage friends and family to speak out against their loved-ones when they identify signs of drinking and driving.

“We wanted to showcase the journey and the consequences that can occur when drinking and driving is condoned. It is time for us as South Africans to take a pledge and make the change to ensure safer roads,” said Nomuzi ‘Moozlie’ Mabena.

‘‘By tapping into the insights of social media behaviour, we wanted to create an introspective campaign, where South Africans could reflect on condoning drinking and driving. The seemingly harmless behaviour at the time can have detrimental effects on road users around you and your loved-ones that you leave behind,‘‘ commented Andile Dlamini, Head of VWSA Group Communications.

There have been close to 14 000 road fatalities in South Africa every year, for the last three years. Drinking and driving, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), has caused 58% of those fatalities. “With these kinds of statistics, our mandate is even more pertinent than ever. Our goal is to contribute to the WHO target of reducing harmful drinking by 10% by 2025. If one person decides to make a change in their behaviour, that one change could be one less fatality on our roads, and every life counts,” said Lebogang Mashigo, Alcohol in Society Manager at Diageo SA.

Take the pledge and make the change to Drive Dry in 2019. Share your pledge by hashtagging #VWDriveDry on social media.

Mazda Develops World’s First Cold-Stamped Parts Using 1,310 MPa-Class High-Strength Steel

New Mazda 3

Mazda Motor Corporation, working separately with Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation and JFE Steel Corporation, has developed the world’s first cold-stamped vehicle body parts made from 1 310 MPa-class high-strength steel. The parts are used in Mazda’s new-generation SKYACTIV-Vehicle Architecture, which will underpin upcoming models starting from the all-new Mazda3 which the Southern Africa market can expect in the second half of 2019 .

High-strength steel enables automakers to make parts from thinner sheet metal while retaining the necessary yield strength. This results in a lighter vehicle body, which contributes to improved handling stability and fuel economy. A strong body is also essential to ensure crash safety performance, and the application of higher-strength steel has been widely anticipated.

Until now, cold-stamping of vehicle body structural members has only been possible with 1,180 MPa or lower-classed steel, due to the material’s formability and the difficulty of ensuring dimensional accuracy after processing. Working in collaboration with the above-mentioned companies, however, Mazda has found an appropriate set of processing conditions that make the process possible with 1,310 MPa-class high-strength steel, according to Mazda’s in-house research.

The all-new Mazda3 uses 1 310 MPa-class high-strength steel for the front pillar inner, the roof rail inner, the hinge pillar reinforcement, the roof rail reinforcement, the No. 2 crossmember and the side sill inner reinforcement, saving about 3 kilograms over the same parts in the previous model.

Melody Miya goes back to his first love

Melody Miya

After months of speculations of whether Melody Miya  will ever go back to his first love – radio. Melody Miya is finally making a comeback. He will be joining the most loved radio station in Johannesburg, 94.7 which is home to the likes of Anele Mdoda, Darren “Whackhead” Simpson.

For those you who don’t know who Melody Miya is, he is probably the most versatile young person you will ever come across. He is a renowned Master of Ceremonies, Social Entrepreneur, Radio and TV personality and all around creative. His vision is to be the light where there is darkness.

Having called Katlehong home during his formative years. Melody is the University of Johannesburg’s alumnus, having completed a BA Sports Communications and a BA Honours Sports Management. His radio career started at UJFM as the host of trending shows namely #TheEgoTrip, #UJFMBreakfastShakeUP and later the #UJFMDrive. In 2018 he decided to take a break from radio to focus more on his MCing and social entrepreneurship duties.

In his MCing career, Melody has impressively hosted over 600 gigs in the past 3 years.  Some of the key highlights of his thriving career include hosting the Afrovibes Festival in Amsterdam, Netherlands and being named the official MC for Orlando Pirates Football Club for the 2018/2019 season. He was the host of Jimmy comes to Jozi on DSTV Channel 265 and made appearances as a guest presenter on SABC 1’s Selimathunzi.

When Melody is not on the spotlight he is working on his company Conquer MIH which he founded in 2015. His company does remarkable work in Katlehong and surrounding areas. Some of the major projects that Conquer MIH runs include Read-A-Sat and Conquer Games. Read-A-Sat aims to assist children in reading and enhancing their literacy skills. Conquer Games aims to promote healthy living through a fusion sport of indigenous and gladiator games. To date, the reading project has taught over 600 children and was awarded the Best Community Project award under education initiatives category at the Gauteng Youth Excellence awards presented by Gauteng Premier, Mr David Makhura.

This move gets him a definite Pat. For further details follow him on social media – @melodymiyavibe on Twitter and Instagram and Facebook.