20/10/2014 – Johannesburg, with over 150 Women SMME’s in attendance, the Inaugural Women in Transport Forum became the highlight of the Gauteng Transport Month Campaign.  

Invigorating discussion with between the private sector, MMC Christine Walters and MEC Dr. Ismail Valdi definitely spoke to the women and encouraged them to employ “think differently” mindset to the sector in order to offer innovation and participation for more women participants in the transport & logistics industry.  

The insightful forum offered over 150 women awareness into how to become more visible in the Transport sector and offered them a better knowledge of the investor cycle and mindset of investors when embarking on funding women transport owned businesses. MMC Christine Walters opened the forum giving her message of thanks to the women and encouraged more women to move past the common barriers and align themselves with orgnaisations that can facilitate and fast track the interaction of women in the sector.  

MEC Dr. Ismail Valdi deliberated a keynote on the road map for Transport in 2015 and urged more women to think big in tackling issues in the Transport Sector. MEC Dr. Valdi and MMC Christine Walters presented the winners of the Women in Transport Forum awards of acknowledgement.   The City of Johannesburg and the Gauteng Department of Road sand Transport awarded 5 women the award of acknowledgement. The awards were a token of appreciation for the role the women are playing in community upliftment through job creation while being able to transform the industry through their respective organization.     As we unpack and address the issues facing women in the transport sector, the Women in Transport Forum aims to engage more women in the sector that looks to create sustainability women in transport while drive the economic agenda.  

For additional information, please contact Yasmine Kazadi at 011 027 5842 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Mercatique Consulting  

Mercatique Consulting is a 100% Black Owned B-BBEE Level 1 Communications Firm, focusing on providing primarily the finest Marketing, Media, Publicity, Events, Communications and Project Management Solutions for Small, Medium, Micro and Large organizations, both locally and internationally with a global reach and an exciting service offering, delivering innovative ideas across the continent and the globe.   We are dedicated, creative thinkers, which bring this association to life, offering clients a one stop offering, extending a message to a wider audience.   As a service company, our people are our most important asset and it is their contributions which drive the ongoing success of our organisation. www.mercatiqueconsulting.co.za

What has Talent Management and Organisational Energy have in common?

Well, Service delivery for one thing! And Service Delivery is a Hot Topic because it impacts all of us! Organisations worldwide are currently experiencing a complex and dynamic environment in which most businesses must compete to remain sustainable. Most of these organisations realise that their competitive advantage lies within their intangible assets, namely employees (Chabault, Hulin & Soparnot, 2012; Collings & Mellahi, 2009; Kaye &Smith, 2012). Talent and brainpower are thus becoming the predominant currency in the new era of globalisation (Cheese, Thomas and Graig, 2008; Tymon, Stumpf & Doh, 2010; Sahai & Srivastava, 20

‘Act Local but think Global’ was Professor Nicolene Barkhuizens' crisp reply to my question ‘What makes this Year's Talent Blueprint Conference organised by Northwest University, Mafeking Campus so special?’

'We all aspire to Global Best Practice on Sustainable Talent Management, but each industry and organisation and even Country has its own unique challenges. We invited internationally acclaimed thought Leaders to speak at this conference like Professor Lidewey van der Linde as well as Local Experts, like Dr Lynne Derman, who is a renowned expert in the field of organisational energy and whose Doctoral Study was the first to investigate organizational energy in the South African context.’

‘In her study Lynne also found that Organisational energy can enhance the well-being of employees in South African organisations. Since completing her PhD Lynne has done a lot of consulting in organizational energy and has also validated a measure thereof for the South African context. Her research as well as her expertise in organisational energy makes an important contribution towards creating new knowledge in field as well as important practical contributions for organisations.’

The Talent Blueprint Conference is being held on 16-17 October at the Sunnyside Hotel in Parklands, Gauteng. Nicolene has about 100 scientific publications which include books, chapters in textbooks, journal articles and peer reviewed conference proceedings. Nicolene regularly participate as keynote speaker at various business conferences. She is a registered industrial psychologist and global remuneration practitioner.

Media Contact: PR This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Mzansi's music talents get to be The Ultimate Shot

We have seen television castings from back in the day when panorama was the color of classical screens to the season of shows that brings both joy and unforgettable excitements into the homes of millions around the country. In all those shared moments we have enjoyed talents rise and fall, and have seen numerous judges pour out their hearts at the stages, but we fail to consider the harsh consequences the words of most judges would have on the dreams of many trying and upcoming artistes.

After almost a decade of television casting shows, Alto Max Recordings is proud to have successfully launched a web based auditioning project that allows artistes the opportunity to compete on a versatile platform that gives ease of use and a fan base to potential artistes, with no judges but by votes with a click of a button.

The Ultimate Shot as the project is called allows contestants a shot at their talent by giving them a chance to create a fan base for themselves and market their talents through the unlimited opportunities on the internet and on social Media.

The Ultimate Shot has 2 rounds in the project and runs twice yearly, in the first round the video uploading page is made live, allowing as many contestants as possible the opportunity to record and upload a 60 seconds video of themselves singing or rapping to their favorite songs.

The contestants then create awareness for their videos to get people to watch and vote them. 10 videos with the highest votes enter for the final round in which votes are gathered and the top 3 are selected winners. 1st in place receives a record deal as well as prize money, 2nd and 3rd are given price money for their place in the final vote count.

The project kicked off in July for its first Season and successfully recorded 56 videos submission online. 10 videos having the highest votes were automatically entered for the second round of the competition that starts on the 17th of October

2014.

• The project website address is: www.theultimateshot.co.za
• Project Copyright Owners: Alto Max Recordings
• Supporting Sponsor: Mafoko Security Patrols
• Our contact numbers for enquiries are: 0127705459
• Marketing Agency: MaphorisaInitiatives, South Africa
• Public Relations: Maphorisa Initiatives, South Africa  

Anyone interested in getting involved as a sponsor, member of the press, or volunteer should contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For more information, please visit www.theultimateshot.co.za

We look forward to your support and hope you visit our website to support aspiring talents of this great nation!  

17 and 18 November 2014 will be key days for not only South Africa’s Business Intelligence community, but for anyone who wants to learn how Big Data and Analytics can bring big business results. These are the dates set for Cape Town to host Mammoth BI (http://mammothbi.co.za), a dynamic 2-day conference themed ‘Big Data in Action’ that will see global thought leaders and local experts share their insights in an exciting new IT conferencing model!

The conference aims to myth-bust conventional ideas of Big Data and Analytics and to create an informed local community understanding the latest in Business Intelligence. Speakers include prominent local business leaders and global industry heavyweights including a trio of top PhD’s - Marc Smith (Chief Social Scientist at Connected Action Consulting Group in Silicon Valley), Eric Siegel (author of best-selling publication “Predictive Analytics”), and Data Warehousing Analyst Barry Devlin (author of the book “Business UnIntelligence”). They’ll be joining a significant line-up of handpicked heavyweights that sees Anthony Miller (CEO of Lightstone Group) and Dr Jasper Horrell (General Manager for Science Computing at the Square Kilometer Array, or SKA) sharing insights from their wealth of industry expertise. 

Jason Haddock, founder of Mammoth BI and a member of the TEDx Cape Town team, will ensure that this is no ordinary conference. Drawing from his experience with TEDx, he has implemented an unconventional, interactive approach to the event. Speakers will need to deliver key thoughts in no more than 20 minutes and workshops will be held throughout the conference. The workshops will facilitate networking and a practical understanding of Business Intelligence and Analytics. 

With tickets selling for only R700, the conference aims to appeal to not only IT specialists and general businesses but also to students. Education, collaboration and the desire to make the notion of Big Data accessible has been the organizer’s focus. What’s more Mammoth BI is giving away 100 free tickets to students as further evidence of its commitment to boosting education.

The conference is a must for anyone who wishes to know how to practically adopt Big Data, BI and Analytics to work towards their competitive advantage. Keynote presentations will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, with breakaway workshops to be held at other venues in the city, to be announced as part of the conference programme. Watch http://mammothbi.co.za for real-time updates on speakers and venues. And remember; don’t think big, think MAMMOTH!   Tickets are available online at MammothBI or through Quicket.

EVENT DETAILS:

Date: 17 & 18 November 2014 Main Programme

Venue:  Cape Town International Convention Centre Workshop

Venues: To be Announced as part of the conference programme

More info: http://mammothbi.co.za

[ENDS]

About Mammoth BI:

Mammoth BI - http://mammothbi.co.za - is a two-day ‘Big Data in Action’ Conference. The event, hosted in Cape Town on the 17th and 18th of November 2014, will bring global industry experts together with local leaders to share the latest in Business Intelligence.  

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY: Lauren Shantall (Pty) Ltd

Contact:
Leon Jamarie
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Tel: 021 685 1382

We are thrilled to announce that both the public and private sectors appear to recognize the value of board diversity as BPW SA has been approached in the last month alone, to assist with eleven board vacancies for women on our Register.  Women and men have different interests and perspectives in important areas, and boards are starting to see the importance of utilising these varying experiences to tackle the tremendous challenges. 

BPW SA and the Department of Trade & Industry (the dti) want boards of directors to widen the search for talent by looking beyond the traditional pool of executives and bring new potential to light.  It is for this reason that we have joined forces to provide a Women on Boards programme to create a Register of female leaders in South Africa who are excellently trained and, as a result, are highly sought after by Boards.  After all, why on earth would you voluntarily exclude half the smart people?

Our first group of 19 senior women, all thoroughly trained through our 9-month Women on Boards director development programme and certified by the dti, are now available on our register of Board Potential Women Directors and we urge companies to contact us for potential female directors.

Seven of our graduates are in line for board interviews , many have been interviewed by the media – both radio and magazines – and all will be profiled in the KZN Chamber of Commerce Power Book (2015). As an ongoing service to the graduates, BPW SA continues to raise their profile in an effort to access suitable board placements.  We have proven that board diversity is not a supply problem, but rather a demand problem.

BPW SA is proud to announce that we have incorporated an international module into the Women on Boards programme.  Business acumen - incorporating business finance and strategy - a must in today’s complex landscape. Business acumen is a keen understanding of what it takes for an organization to make money.  It combines financial literacy – the ability to interpret numbers on financial statements – with business literacy – recognizing how strategies and decisions impact these numbers.  Call it a sophisticated business simulation. Call it an exercise in experiential learning. Or call it a board game. Whatever you label it, the simple fact is that the training is fun and will gives participants a true competitive edge.

A recent Women on Board graduate, Tebogo Maziya, who holds a Masters degree in Science, a postgraduate diploma in finance and a B Comm degree says the nine-month journey has been fulfilling. “I learnt there’s a risk and that that risk is manageable. So it’s important for the board to be transparent and accountable and for a board member to be aware of decisions made because they will be held accountable.”  Another graduate, Amantha Maharaj, a BSc electrical engineering graduate with an MBA, who works a top management level at an engineering consultancy says of the programme: “It teaches one to know how a board is structured, what to do, and questions one needs to ask when sitting on a board. It also teaches business risk and how one should view business from a higher level. It was certainly value for money.”

For more information about our Women on Boards Programme, please visit our website at www.bpw-jhbsa.co.za or contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (011) 794-4991.

Southern Africa’s very own 30% Club is now a reality, following a launch at a special event in Sandton on 11 September.

The launch was held in association with UK Trade & Investment at a private dinner, with Guest of Honour, Baroness Patricia Scotland, the British Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to South Africa.   The 30% Club - initially a UK initiative - is now an international grouping of chairmen, CEOs and senior partners of private sector organisations that are committed to bringing more women onto the boards of directors. This is done because they believe it is good for the overall effectiveness of the boardroom, which translates into it being good for business.

The 30% Club is present in Hong Kong, Kenya, USA, Ireland and now Southern Africa. Clubs in Australia and Canada are launching this year.    The Club itself takes its name from the fact that 30% is the widely-suggested proportion required for the contributions of a member of a minority group to become valued in their own right, rather than merely as representatives of that group.  

Colleen Larsen, President of the 30% Club Southern Africa commented “The launch of the 30% Club in Southern Africa represents the culmination of two years worth of hard work by Business Engage, the Southern African custodians of this global organisation, to convince enough leaders to follow the ever growing tide of enlightened businesses that are seeing the business case for having increased gender diversity at director and senior management level. It is part of a “quevolution” or a quick evolution in business, initially in South Africa. Those who are coming on board demonstrate their understanding of the change in how we will be doing business in the future, and not just because of any pending legislation.” 

Speaking at the dinner, British High Commissioner, Judith Macgregor said that she was delighted at the launch of Southern Africa's 30% Club.   “This launch comes in the same week when two very high profile women from the UK are visiting SA: namely the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Fiona Woolf and the Prime Minister's Special Trade Envoy for SA, Baroness Patricia Scotland,” says Macgregor.   “Many of their talks and contacts here have been with professional women in senior positions. I believe it is vital that women join together to remove the last vestiges of the glass ceiling and claim their place in the boardroom. The 30% Club will be a great spur to achieving this.” 

In its experiences elsewhere in the world, the 30% Club has found that companies are generally willing to share their experiences in such a collaborative manner, with the aim of collectively improving the retention of high potential women and in so doing, deepening the talent pool for all.   The 30% Club Southern Africa will adopt a collaborative approach, working closely with and obtaining support of leading businessmen and businesswomen in the region. Its partner, Business Engage, will assist in coordinating a range of pipeline development programmes, adding new ideas and encouraging companies to work together in this regard.   The Southern African chapter also plans to work with the relevant government and non-governmental entities. Moreover, it will be targeting both the executive search community and the investment community, driving forward targeted pipeline initiatives where the female attrition rate is identified as being acute.  

Baroness Patricia Scotland added that the launch of the Southern African 30% Club has brought to fruition an aspiration which was first formally expressed earlier this year, in celebration of International Women's Day.   “It is a demonstration of the energy and commitment of the Business Engage team, led so ably by Colleen Larsen, that they have achieved their goal of launching the initiative within six months.”   “I wish them well and I am sure that if the energy and dedication they have so far demonstrated is an indication of what they together will produce in the future, South Africa's private sector will be greatly enhanced,” concludes Baroness Scotland.    

Contact:

Colleen Larsen
President: 30% Club Southern Africa
Cell: 084-353-9865
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

09 September 2014 - The Eco-schools committee, overseen by Elaine Louw-Balie the Principle of the Hendrick Kanise School Alicedale, Eastern Cape, recently identified two learners based on their involvement in environmental activities, their awareness of environmental issues and leadership qualities to see who would be the most suitable to represent not only the school and the Eastern Cape but also South Africa at the upcoming World Youth Rhino Summit held in Durban from 21 – 23 September 2014.

The Group General Manager of Shamwari Group, Joe Cloete, along with General Manager Gunther Strauss of Shamwari Game Reserve   and Shamwari Lodge Manager Brian Mullins,  interviewed Sinethemba Tsamse and Athenkosi Bangela and agreed they were the ideal students to become ‘Rhino Ambassadors’. 

Comments Joe Cloete, “Naturally we are passionate about conserving a vanishing way of life and rhino in particular, as well as lions, need as much support as they can get to ensure their future. As part of our Forever Wild Campaign in conjunction with the Wilderness Foundation, we have raised over R7 million to date and this initiative to educate and empower the youth is ideal in order to ensure that the next generation of wildlife warriors prevent the extinction of the rhino.” 

These young Ambassadors will be flown to KwaZulu-Natal to attend the World Youth Rhino Summit. It will be a hugely educational trip for them where they will rub shoulders with other motivated youths from all over the world. They will be given huge exposure to environmental issues, conservation issues and of course issues pertaining to the conservation of rhino not only in Africa but the world. These young Ambassadors are encouraged to grasp this opportunity to widen their personal horizons and to return empowered to share their experiences with other learners and teachers and to spread the messages and knowledge that they will be exposed to at The World Youth Rhino Summit.

The runner up of the selection process Ayanda Mpahla won herself a behind the scenes trip to Shamwari Game Reserve to learn more about wildlife and the protection of rhino in particular.  

www.youthrhinosummit.com
www.shamwarigroup.com

This press release has been distributed on behalf of our client, Shamwari Group.
For further media information please contact:

The P.R Team
Cape Town,
South Africa
T: + 27 (0) 21 419 2390/1
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Clem Sunter, the now legendary futurist and strategist, is the keynote speaker at the 2nd Annual project and Construction Project Management Professions conference on the 20- 22 October 2014. Sunter will provide unique insights into the latest global economic scenarios and the possibilities they hold for the South African construction industry.  

This event is the industry’s only Project and Construction Project Management event endorsed by the department of Public Works where you will hear from industry thought leaders about the latest construction and project management trends, the role of built environment professionals in Infrastructure development and the 2014 construction regulations.  

The 2014 conference will address growth , development, and transformation of the Project and Construction Management Professions in South Africa and the continent.   Clem will offer the delegates his view on the world & South Africa beyond 2014 and the implications for the construction industry, how a fox sees it!  

For conference registration and information visit www.events.sacpcmp.org.za     

Event Information:

Date: 20 – 22 October 2014

Venue: Gallagher convention Centre, Midrand  

Contact

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tel: 011 318 3402   Book your seat to the conference!

The transport sector has been highlighted by the government as a key contributor to South Africa's competitiveness in global markets and government has unveiled plans to tremendously increase its spend on improving the country's roads, railways and ports. As part of the solution it’s important to promote collaboration and coalition building among women entrepreneurs as a way to develop women in the industry as well as to advocate policy actions that support this.

As transport month draws closer, Mercatique Consulting in association with Women Economic Forum will be hosting The Women in Transport Forum, a one day medium where ideas and views on creating opportunities and addressing skills gap for woman in Transport sector will be addressed.

“Wits Centre for Entrepreneurship (CfE) has partnered with Mercatique Consulting on this event. CfE welcomes this opportunity and looks forward to its full development and successful implementation.” Chimene Chetty, Director, Wits Centre for Entrepreneurship

The Women in Transport Forum is a platform for all leading organizations and government to discuss possible implementation strategies and provide solutions to the challenges currently faced by women in the sector. If you’d like to RSVP or find out about the forum, Please contact Calvin Ncube on 011 027 5842 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Forum Details:

Date: Thursday 16 October 2014
Time: 08:00 - 17:00
Venue: Donald Gordon Auditorium, 2 St. David’s Place, Parktown, Gauteng

Contact Person

Calvin Ncube
Tel: 011 027 5842
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

When searching for a responsible and effective way to keep your pets clean, probiotics might not immediately come to mind. We mainly associate these clever, beneficial bacteria with human health, but new research and product development has taught us otherwise. Probio, a South African producer of probiotic based chemical alternatives, has developed two products that use probiotic technology to control odours and clean animals without the potentially harmful side effects caused by chemical-based soaps and shampoos.  

The Probio Pet Care range consists of two versatile products: Coat Care and Pet Odour Away. These products introduce probiotic microbes onto your pet’s coat and skin, neutralizing odours and contributing to dermatological health as well as overall cleanliness.  Alastair Burns, a partner at Probio, confirms that ‘these products don’t only clean your pet’s coat, they promote future cleanliness, making your pet cleaner for longer’.  This is possible because of the lasting effects of probiotic technology. The animal or area being treated is populated by good bacteria, which defend and protect against harmful germs. 

Coat Care can be used daily as an alternative to shampooing or bathing, and its gentle herbal fragrance and transparent colouring make it pleasant and safe to use on your pet. It also requires no rinsing, and is a quick and convenient alternative to bathing. This product will boost the sheen and luster of your pet’s coat, making it fragrant and soft to the touch.

Pet Odour Away neutralizes almost all pet associated odours, completely removing any unpleasant smells related to indoor accidents, litter boxes, sleeping areas and wet fur. It also combats pet stains and can be used in almost any pet related accident. When used in conjunction with Coat Care, this product will ensure that both you and your pet are always healthy and happy.

These products are made with purified water, SCD Probiotic Microbes and natural herbal extracts, which provide added health benefits. Like all Probio products, they contain no hazardous ingredients and are in no way harmful to the environment, making them the smart and sustainable choice when it comes to all-round pet care.