African Utility Week returns to Cape Town in May

Energy expert Ted Blom believes distributed generation will slice electricity costs by up to 90% for the average household.

Blom is a speaker and advisory board member of the 18th African Utility Week that is taking place from 15-17 May in Cape Town, South Africa.

In the run-up to the event, he says in an interview that “South Africa and the world is at the precipice of revolutionary developments in energy generation and distribution, and the next 5 -10 years will render such dramatic changes that today's energy supply chain will not be recognisable, especially with the advent of distributed generation, which in many instances will kill off centralised ‘bulk’ generation and distribution. I believe this move will slice electricity costs by up to 90% for the average household, and be a boom industry for participants in the energy revolution, with concomitant radical improvements in standards of living.”

Parliamentary investigation into Eskom
Last year, the independent energy expert also testified before the South African Parliament’s inquiry into Eskom’s governance: “the Parliamentary Energy subcommittee investigation is a refreshing attempt to decipher what has gone wrong at Eskom since it was ‘commercialised’ in 2001. However, any results will only highlight that prosecution and clean-ups are long overdue, as the committee is powerless to take punitive action against wrongdoers.”

Blom also conducted forensic reviews on the Medupi, Ingula and Kusile power station contracts, “but that work is far from complete and dramatically short of resources. Another milestone is the completion of the legal preparatory work to have the first Tegeta coal supply agreement terminated, but again the action has been suspended for unknown reasons. The other two Tegeta coal supply agreements should also be terminated, but it seems South Africans do not have the political staying power to exercise their rights, with the result that Tegeta has managed to get Eskom to further increase coal supply prices, beyond the already outrageous prices- which eventually feed into new higher electricity prices. So while we appear to be winning on the ‘small stage’, we are falling further behind on the ‘Big Stage’".

“Nuclear deal will be pushed through”
With regards to the pending decision on the nuclear deal, Ted Blom says: “I am convinced that the nuclear deal will be pushed through the moment South African citizens take their ‘eye off the ball’. Zuma's government has already confirmed that it is beholden to the Russian deal, and their delivery of those contracts to Russia is allegedly behind. So expect renewed vigour from Eskom and the Department of Energy to bulldoze these through.”

The full interview with Ted Blom can be read here: http://www.african-utility-week.com/TedBlom-interview African Utility Week endeavours to provide a platform for dialogue in the industry and the views and opinions of event speakers and advisory board members do not necessarily reflect the views or position of the organisers.

Award-winning energy platform
The 18th annual African Utility Week will gather over 7000 decision makers from more than 80 countries to discuss the challenges, solutions and successes in the power, energy and water sectors on the continent. Along with multiple side events and numerous networking functions the event also boasts a seven track conference with over 300 expert speakers. The conference programme will address the latest challenges, developments and opportunities in the power and water sectors: ranging from generation, T&D, metering, technology and water.

The African Utility Week expo offers an extensive technical workshop programme that are CPD accredited, free to attend, hands-on presentations that take place in defined spaces on the exhibition floor. They discuss practical, day-to-day technical topics, best practices and product solutions that businesses, large power users and utilities can implement in their daily operations.

Industry support
Already the event has secured support from leading industry players including Landis+Gyr, Hexing South Africa as platinum sponsors while water expert company Sensus is a gold sponsor.

African Utility Week is the flagship energy event organised by the multi-award winning Spintelligent, leading Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, and part of Clarion Events Ltd, based in the UK. Other well-known energy events by Spintelligent are Future Energy Nigeria and Future Energy East Africa. 

In 2017, African Utility Week was named the joint winner for the AAXO Award for Best Trade Exhibition 6001-12000 sqm category (with the World Travel Market). Co-located to African Utility Week is another AAXO award winner for best confex, the African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit, an international platform that brings together the full spectrum of the African real estate and infrastructure sectors.

Dates for African Utility Week:
Conference and expo: 15-17 May 2018
Awards gala dinner:  16 May 2018
Site visits: 18 May 2018
Location: CTICC, Cape Town, South Africa

Website: http://www.african-utility-week.com & www.african-real-estate-summit.com    
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AfricaUtilities   #AUW2018  
Linkedin: African Utility Week

Contact: Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3558
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

BON Hotel Bloemfontein Central is donating 5 litres of water to all guests passing through on their way to Cape Town during their #halfway2everywhere campaign.

As you know, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape have been hit hard with a severe drought and are currently on level 5 water restrictions – with the dams at less than 13.5%, residents are limited to 87 litres per person per day and Day Zero is looming. BON Hotel Bloemfontein Central has stepped up to the plate by offering all guests passing through on their way to Cape Town a 5-litre bottle of water as a donation.

Pieter van Rooyen, General Manager at BON Hotel Bloemfontein Central, says that when the rest of the country rallied to assist the Free State during a recent drought, especially the farmers who were in dire need of water, he thought it fitting to pay back the kindness and return the favour.

BON Hotel Bloemfontein Central is #halfway2everywhere, so, if you are travelling to Cape Town, why not make a pitstop? - all guests staying at the hotel will receive 5 litres of water on check-out to take along with them. Deon Smit from Water Shortage South Africa is collecting around SA, and can be contacted for locations of the water drop-off points. If Day Zero happens, every Cape Town resident will have to queue for water at one of the 200 collection points across the city, and will be rationed to 25 litres per person per day. We urge you to please join this water drive to help the people of Cape Town.

Contact BON Hotel Bloemfontein Central
051403 8000
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Contact Deon Smit
0827382702
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First year township magic student makes community proud

Eleven-year-old Anathi Fodo, Gugulethu’s rising young juggling star held parents, students and guests at the College of Magic’s 2017 Annual Graduation ceremony at St Anne’s Primary in Plumstead in thrall with his gravity-defying act on Saturday 25 November 2017.

Now in its 37th year, the College of Magic is the only organisation of its kind in the world and offers a six year on campus diploma that covers all aspects of the magic theatrical performing arts.Each year, the College of Magic, based in Claremont, honours its exemplary students at two graduation ceremonies, one for the junior and one for the senior students.A highlight of these ceremonies is a performance by its most accomplished students in magic and its allied arts, including juggling.

When Fodo enrolled for his first year of magical studies at the College of Magic in January 2017, it was quickly apparent that he had an innate ability for juggling. Over the past year, that extraordinary natural talent, sparked by Sinethemba Bawuti and further nurtured by Michael Barta, the College’s juggling instructor of more than 20 years, has seen this shy but mischievous youth grow from strength to strength.

The impressive Fodo, who can now balance as many as three balls and clubs for long stretches of time, has participated in some of the College’s mega magical events including his amazing juggling and impressive clowning feats the Imagine! Family Magic Spectacular at the Artscape Theatre in June and, together with juggling partner Ayabonga Tshofuti, was awarded the Colin Marshall Memorial Trophy for their clowning and juggling in the Imagine! show.

The youngster was exhilarated after performing and wowing the crowd alongside his fellow jugglers on stage at the junior graduation ceremony:

“Juggling is a difficult performance method to learn but when I am out there, balancing my props in the air, it makes me so happy. I spend most of my time practicing and it is wonderful to be recognised for how hard I work at this art.”

In 2018, the College of Magic will welcome a new generation of would-be magicians. When asked what his advice to new magical recruits hoping to follow in his wondrous juggling and magical footsteps would be, Fodo replied:

“Study magic and its allied arts because you love it and pay close attention to everything you are taught in class. The College of Magic is a wonderful place to learn all of these amazing things.”

In addition to the Junior Graduation, the College of Magic hosted a senior ceremony for its older students who are progressing to the next captivating level of their wizardry training and the 2017 Course Six graduating class.

Learn the art of magic at the College of Magic in 2018!

Registration for the College of Magic’s entry level Course One for budding magicians is now open. Course One will commence on Saturday 3 February 2018 and fees are R520 per month or R2 850 for the entire course (Includes lessons, notes, magical equipment and allied arts such as puppetry, juggling and mime and clowning sessions).

For more information, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com or call +27(0)21 683 5480.

Global flexible office space specialists, Regus – with over 55 centres in South Africa and another 3 opening in December – is one of the key sponsors for Team Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag, the inaugural Hong Kong entry into the Volvo Ocean Race. The race – considered one of the world’s toughest – left Lisbon for Cape Town on its second leg of almost 7000 extremely rough nautical miles on 5 November 2017The opening of the action-packed Race Village on 24 November adds to the excitement and this is where the proud Regus team base will host the crew, media, guests and VIP’s.

11th time host, Cape Town, is recognised for the iconic Table Mountain, its love of football, wine and sailing and will welcome the entrants near the 27 November. With it, comes a welcome economic boost to the city and country’s economy with the 2014 event having contributed over R540 million.Established in 1973 the Volvo Ocean Race is considered one of the sports’ toughest and most dangerous races – taking the teams over 45 000 miles to 12 host cities across the world. Regus, who shares the Volvo Ocean Race values of commitment, quality, camaraderie, professionalism and a little adventure, were there to support the team when they left Lisbon and will do so again when they arrive in Cape Town.

Seasoned skipper of the Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag, David Witt, returns after 20 years with a strong team and the grit and determination to win. He is keeping his cards close to his chest. “You’re not going to win the race in the first leg. No one is. It is not the first 100 yards that counts. It’s the last 100 yards.”

He says of his team, ‘The Volvo Ocean Race is the absolute pinnacle of the sport. It’s such a big achievement to even get to the start line, never mind winning the trophy. I want to finish with the same guys we start with – I want them to sail every leg together. Out of that, comes friendships and relationships that you’ll keep for life – you can’t get that just having a beer in the pub.”

The travelling Race Village offers a new upgraded pit lane, featuring new and exciting team bases. You can experience the history of the race, rubbing shoulders with key players, while enjoying activities on offer with family and friends. The Race Village is an experience that will bring you as close as possible to the action.

For those fortunate enough to visit the Regus team base there will be the additional allure of the In-port Race, meeting the Sun Hung Kai/Scallywag crew and retreating in the lounge with a glass of boutique French wine, courtesy of Chateau de Berne wines straight from Provence. What could be more perfect?…………….……

........Winning.

Disruptive work environment brand, SPACES, is expanding its South African footprint with two more prime locations opening in December 2017. The new centres in Long Street, Cape Town and Atrium on 5th in Sandton, bring SPACES’ innovative and inspirational office and meeting solutions to like-minded communities. This takes to 8 the number of branches opened since the global brand launched in South Africa in September 2017. 

Long Street, known as the Soho of Cape Town, complements perfectly the artful contemporary style that reflects the creative culture of SPACES. Wide walkways and casual seating areas, cultivate and present the opportunity to meet and collaborate with other professionals. Fast, unlimited WiFi and sophisticated technology is a standard SPACES offering to guarantee work efficiency. 

Local coffee bars, restaurants, craft markets, bookshops and backpackers’ lodges make for an interesting distraction whether you are a business tourist or a local. 

The second new centre is located in Atrium on 5th, previously known as the iconic Sandton Twin Towers. Having undergone major refurbishment, the building is cloaked in a revolutionary high performance double-glazed frontage to lend a modern feel and increase floorspace. Most notable, is the building’s sustainable and energy efficient initiatives, with developer Aurecon being awarded the ‘Best Quality Submission’ by the Green Building Council SA (GBCSA) in September 2014 for the project. An impressive green wall in the atrium houses a unique crate system made from recycled material.

Both centres provide high-energy, aesthetically pleasing environments perfect for entrepreneurs or business travellers needing a professional place to work and host clients. Started in Amsterdam, the SPACES brand and their motto, ‘Success breeds success’ attracts global appeal with entrepreneurs, start-ups, corporate and creatives who prefer their innovative approach to work.  

Their flexible contracts and memberships for progressive offices and fully equipped stylish meeting spaces are presenting a particular allure. To add to their holistic offering, they also host networking events, training, hobby and health events directed towards their immediate community. These range from salsa dancing to yoga classes.  

Another reality SPACES addresses, is the isolation that entrepreneurs and business tourists may often experience working at home or in hotels. Providing open areas where guests can mingle and activities they can join in on, breeds inspiration and a happier, more productive work environment. This can only be good news for the busy economic hubs of Cape Town and Sandton. 

About SPACES
SPACES offer an inspiring work environment for professionals and growing businesses.Next to office space, there are memberships and meeting rooms to help you think, create and interact with like-minded people. Spaces’ goal is to offer inspirational surroundings withan entrepreneurial spirit where ideas are born, a company evolves and valuable relationships are built. 

For more information or to contact a specific centre visit: www.spacesworks.com 

CONTACT PERSON: Louise Rebstein
Regional Marketing Manager – SPACES
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+2711 534 8697 / +27 766776397

FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Gidgette Osborne
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+2782 574 2308

The bustling town Piketberg in the Western Cape is now the proud hometown of nineteen of the brightest young magic stars who have graduated from the College of Magic’s Juggling and Cards Skills course at the awards ceremony, held at Steynville Primary School on Tuesday 19 September 2017. 

The Juggling and Cards Skills Course, a six-week training programme, which ran from Tuesday 15 August to Tuesday 19 September, forms part of the College of Magic, Cape Town’s only magical arts organisation’s Hope in Flight rural community project, and is funded by the National Lotteries Commission (NLC). 

The thrilling and interactive six-week course has seen the eager-to-learn youngsters, who are all learners at Steynville Primary School. successfully master basic card tricks and the hand to eye coordination necessary for juggling, under the magical tutelage of their course instructors Anele Dyasi and Olwethu Dyantyi.

 Dyantyi, a renowned South African magician and the face of world-famous beverage brand Coca Cola’s global relaunch campaign, is also the proud programme coordinator and is in awe of the new graduates: 

“It has been amazing to see how learning the art of magic has changed these students’ lives in such a short period of time. Their renewed sense of purpose and confidence are a great indication of how necessary the Hope in Flight programme is in rural communities and I hope to continue its success to other areas next year.” 

One student who is on a promising magical studies trajectory is 10-year-old Patricia Links. A studious young girl who impressed her course instructors with her willingness to be the first routine performer in class each week, Links is thrilled with her diploma:

 “I really enjoyed the challenge of learning a new magic effect and performing it for my classmates! I’m so keen to learn more about magic and visit the College of Magic in Cape Town someday”, says the thrilled learner.

The College of Magic, now in its 37th year of teaching the magic theatrical performing arts and its allied arts (including juggling, puppetry, mime and clowning), with a social and life- skills component to children and adults, is a non-profit organisation, based in Cape Town, and the only one of its kind in the world. 

The Juggling and Card Skills course forms part of the College of Magic’s community training programme, the Hope in Flight project, funded with a grant of R500 000 from the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) which supports disadvantaged students. The ‘Hope in Flight’ community programme is an extension of the College’s successful Magic in the Community programme, which provides young people from poor communities with the opportunity to participate in an innovative performing arts training and development programme and promote a platform for the understanding and affirmation of South Africa’s cultural diversity. 

The College of Magic is thrilled with the programme’s success: 

“It’s been an exciting year for our organisation as we’ve rolled out the Juggling and Cards Skills course to learners across the Western Cape, with the generous support of the National Lotteries Commission. Seeing the remarkable difference learning the art of magic has made in these youngsters’ lives and giving them hope for a better future has inspired us to double our efforts in continuing the Hope for Flight rural community project in 2018” says David Gore, director of the College of Magic. 

The NLC relies on funds from the proceeds of the National Lottery. The Lotteries Act guides the way in which NLC funding may be allocated. The intention of NLC funding is to make a difference to the lives of all South Africans, especially those more vulnerable and to improve the sustainability of the beneficiary organisations. Available funds are distributed to registered and qualifying non-profit organisations in the fields of charities; arts, culture and national heritage; and sport and recreation. By placing its emphasis on areas of greatest need and potential, the NLC contributes to South Africa’s development. Please visit the National Lotteries Commission website www.nlcsa.org.za to find out about the NLC mandate and other projects they fund. 

Dates for the 2018 Juggling and Cards Skills course will be announced soon. 

For more information about the College of Magic and its social outreach initiatives, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com.

In the spirit of continuing Women’s Month celebrations, a group of female magicians, from Claremont’s College of Magic, donated their time, skills and 34 care packages to young children at the St George’s Home for Girls in Wynberg on Saturday 2 September 2017.

Nine of the College of Magic’s students and graduates spent an afternoon treating the Home’s wards, aged between 3 and 15 years old, to card tricks, balloon modelling, rope magic effects and stories about how studying magic has changed their lives, before doing an official handover of the care packages to the Home’s manager Graeme Cairns.

The care packages, filled with treats and female necessities, were lovingly and creatively decorated at the College of Magic’s Ladies of Magic event, an annual celebration held for the organisation’s female magicians, in August 2017. 

St George’s Home for Girls, a non-profit organisation providing nurturing care and a home for young girls, was delighted and thankful for the College of Magic’s support:

“We aim to provide our girls with the best care and help them to know that there are people out in the community who care about them. We thank these ladies of magic for spreading a little bit of joy and putting a smile back onto our girls’ faces ”, says Cairns. For more information about the Home, please visit www.st-georges.org.za.

Michelle Gore and Linesri Thaver, graduates of the College of Magic and organisers of the Ladies of Magic event and donation drive, are passionate about spreading love and magic to girls and women in disadvantaged communities:

“The Ladies of Magic event began as a means of empowering young women and fostering a sisterhood in an otherwise male-dominated performance art.Over the past four years, we’ve seen how magical and important that sisterhood and support for our girls has become and we wanted to share that with others. The St George’s Home for Girls was the perfect fit for us. We thank them for welcoming us and allowing us to share the wonder of magic with them”, says the enthusiastic duo.

Celebrating its 37th year of teaching the art of magic and its allied arts as well as vital life-skills to children and adults in 2017, the College of Magic is a non-profit organisation and the only one of its kind in the world.For more information about the College of Magic and its social outreach initiatives, please visit www.collegeofmagic.com.

Johannesburg, South Africa, 23 August 2017 - RS Components the global distributor for engineers recently partnered with the Cape Peninsula University of Technology to kit out their new engineering labs in Bellville, Cape Town. RS Sponsored equipment to the value of R250 000 to be used in the project labs which are run by the Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering (DEECE).

The four project labs will be used by over 450 students annually, to learn about electronics, mechanical and electrical engineering. The students will get the opportunity to learn about and work with actual engineering equipment by doing various assignments and projects according to their course curriculum.

The Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) is the only university of technology in the Western Cape and is the largest higher education institution in the region. The equipment supplied to the labs is from RS’s private label range, called RS Pro – short for ‘professional’.

This range has grown to more than 50 000 high-quality, competitively priced industrial products and electronic components that have been developed over a period of 80 years in conjunction with global manufacturers.“RS Components has always been engaged in developing and supporting engineers and in recent years our involvement with education has grown in line with the demand for young people with STEM skills in South Africa,” said Brian Andrew, GM of RS Components South Africa.

“Being the global distributor for engineers and technical professionals, it made sense to partner with the CPUT as they are developing the next generation of technicians and technologists who are going to be required to be multi-skilled across engineering disciplines. We wanted the students to have access to the necessary tools and equipment so that they could practically put the theory they are studying into practice and have a taste of what the professionals use. Our RS Pro range matched the requirements of the labs by having great quality and performance while being affordable. We are extremely excited to see what these young students will be cooking up in the labs.” The official opening of the labs will take place on the 24th of August at the CPUT Bellville Campus.

There will be an opening by the Dean of the Faculty followed by a tour of the project labs.

About RS Components 

RS Components is the market leader in the high service level distribution of electrical, electronic, mechanical, tools and industrial products. Operating in 26 countries whilst serving a further 100 through third-party distributors, RS serves every sector of industry in the procurement of their products relating to maintenance, repair, operations, low volume production, research and development.   

With over 500 000 products across 2500 leading brands, the company is committed to ensuring that their 1,5 million customers have fast access to a broad, as well as deep range, of products and technologies, all under one roof. RS’s customers, whether ordering single or multiple items, experience a quick, easy, secure, painless and cost effective process. 

The RS catalogue, available at za.rs-online.com, offers full colour pictures with extensive clear product specifications.  Free access to thousands of datasheets ensures the correct product choice.  Order placement is easily facilitated through za.rs-online.com, the call centre, e-mail, fax and trade counter.  Locally held stock is delivered to customers within 24 hours, and products held internationally, within four to six working days.    

It is proven that departments traditionally spend 80% of their time sourcing products that account for only 20% of their total procurement spend. RS is focussed on reducing the customers “total cost of product ownership” by reducing the need to make multiple calls to various companies to source products, reducing supplier related administration and allowing for the amalgamation as well as consolidation of supplier bases.  Through this process, procurement efficiency is improved and time is freed up to concentrate on the more important business decisions. 

For more information, please visit the website at za.rs-online.com 

For more information contact
Shaun Watson
Account Manager
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+27 (0) 87 941 3497

“The results to date speak for themselves”

Spintelligent, the multi-AAXO-award-winning Cape Town-based trade exhibition and conference organiser, had a strong first half of 2017 with all of four of its flagship events: African Utility Week, Agritech Expo Zambia, DRC Mining Week and Eduweek, pulling off record results and an exciting new Property Buyer Show drawing large crowds.

Spintelligent MD David Ashdown says "Exhibition and conference revenues are up year-on-year and attendee numbers are growing exponentially. The demand for face-to-face events as a platform to share knowledge and facilitate trade is increasing and proven to provide African buyers and sellers an improved ROI over traditional marketing medium."

“Winning four major AAXO event industry awards at the beginning of 2017 was immensely rewarding but it has also inspired us to work even harder and not rest on our laurels and the results to date speak for themselves,” says Spintelligent MD David Ashdown. He adds: “I am very proud of my team for their effort and commitment and am confident that the rest of the year will be as fulfilling and successful.”

• Education
  Most recently, the 11th edition of Eduweek took place at the Gallagher Estate in Johannesburg from 12-13 July and gathered 3,738 attendees over two days, 90 expert speakers and 161 exhibitors.
  
  
• Mining
  DRC Mining Week in Lubumbashi, DRC in June showed an astounding 67% growth with 2,691 attendees from 32 countries over three days with 131 exhibitors.
  
  
• Power & Energy
  In May, Cape Town’s CTICC once again hosted African Utility Week and this year also did not disappoint. The 17th edition of the event welcomed 7,477 attendees from 91 countries who attended the three-day event – this was up from 6,445 attendees last year. The expo featured more than 300 exhibitors from 11 different countries and 284 expert speakers and 66 utilities from 20 African countries were represented.
  
  
• Agriculture
  Agritech Expo Zambia in Chisamba in April featured a record number of more than 18,000 visitors, seven international pavilions and a VIP attendance that included five cabinet ministers and the Zambian President Edgar Lungu who visited the event for the third year in a row.
  
  
• Real Estate
  Spintelligent also launched its first Property Buyer Show in Cape Town in April, a unique exhibition aimed at first-time residential buyers or property investors, which drew some 3,100 visitors. Spintelligent’s Publishing division has also been very busy so far this year.

Says David Ashdown: “besides never missing a day to deliver daily headline news, we have published 14 editions of our long-running, leading trade publications ESI-Africa, Mining Review Africa, Metering & Smart Energy International and look forward to another 12 content-rich editions until the New Year.”

He continues: “our prestige publications are boasting a new layout, the African Power Elites 2018 has achieved new heights by doubling incoming nominations in comparison to 2017, whilst for the first time, our African Mining Elites 2018 opens the door to new and exciting awards, highlighting excellence in the mining industry. Our Global Smart Energy Elites 2018, featuring the latest insights into the global leaders of the international smart energy network, is due to be released in October.”

Africa, a continental approach
“Spintelligent has a busy five months ahead,” says MD David Ashdown, “particularly rolling out our new Future Energy franchise of energy conferences and exhibitions across Africa” and in the process renaming some of Africa’s most iconic regional power events in East, West and Central Africa, including EAPIC and WAPIC, reflecting the optimism and potential of the energy and power sectors on the continent.”

He adds: “Africa continues to show economic development and growth, and we look forward to continuing to realise our potential and, while growing our key sector portfolios organically, our strategic path also includes being open to partnership and acquisition opportunities.”

ROAR Awards 2017

Earlier this year Spintelligent won four major awards at AAXO’s ROAR Organiser and Exhibitor Awards in Johannesburg:

• Best Trade Exhibition 6001-12000 sqm category: African Utility Week, joint winner with World Travel Market
• Best Trade & Consumer Exhibition +12000 sqm Award: Agritech Expo Zambia
• Distinction in Social Responsibility Award: Agritech Expo Zambia
• Best Confex Award: African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit
• Social Responsibility Award (finalist): DRC Mining Week

Upcoming Spintelligent events in 2017

• 13-14 September:  Future Energy Uganda, Kampala
• 2-3 October: Future Energy Central Africa, Yaoundé
• 4-5 October: Eduweek Western Cape, Cape Town
• 16-19 October: Nigeria Mining Week, Abuja
• 25-29 October: African Real Estate & Infrastructure Summit and Property Buyer Show, Johannesburg
• 7-8 November: Future Energy Nigeria, Lagos
• 13-14 November: Kenya Mining Forum, Nairobi
• 29-30 November: Future Energy East Africa, Nairobi
• 29-30 November: AgriBusiness Congress East Africa, Kampala

Spintelligent is well known for organising exhibitions and conferences across the continent in the infrastructure, real estate, energy, mining, agriculture and education sectors.  Its publishing division reaches the key sectoral decision makers for metering, power and mining. Spintelligent is part of the UK-based Clarion Events Group.

Website: http://www.spintelligent.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/spintelligent

Media contact
Senior communications manager:  Annemarie Roodbol
Telephone:  +27 21 700 3500
Mobile:  +27 82 562 7844
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Cape Town, South Africa, 25 July 2017 – The Spaza Agency launches today, headed by a small team of dynamic individuals with over 40 years of combined experience in advertising, public relations, content creation, design and events management. The new agency is focused on developing innovative experiential marketing campaigns and leveraging on unpaid media to help small businesses and start-ups in Cape Town and South Africa achieve market presence and improve their visibility in the local and global media landscape. 

The agency management team comprises of a couple, Lawrence and Rachel Stevenson, who come with decades of agency experience marketing global and start-up brands in South Africa and Singapore, and Dylan James, a seasoned business developer in the local start-up scene and Director and Board Secretary of the South African Small & Medium Enterprise Federation or SASMEF. 

“When it comes to the marketing of small businesses and startups I have noticed that they face a common issue – they are not able to break through the clutter. This is where we can help. With a good marketing strategy that addresses the different needs of these small businesses, we can achieve positive market presence and share of voice for them locally and internationally,” said Dylan James, Creative Partner of The Spaza Agency. 

The Spaza Agency is an affiliate of Empower Marketing Asia, an integrated marketing solutions company with offices in Shanghai China, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.  

“South Africa and Asia are both growing economies that are seeing an upsurge of start-ups and small businesses. We see a lot of synergy in these markets and believe we can cross sell across many different platforms to help our clients achieve results and effectively engage their target markets and stakeholders,” said Rachel Stevenson, Creative Partner of the Spaza Agency. 

"The addition of The Spaza Agency to our existing network of affiliates is timely and of great strategic importance to Empower because South Africa is a key market for some of our existing multinational clients," said Kelvin Phang, founder of Empower Marketing Asia. "Having worked with Rachel on successful campaigns across multiple markets in Asia, we have no doubt that Spaza will be a great success and will certainly extend our reach and capabilities beyond Asia Pacific."

About The Spaza Agency

The Spaza Agency is a small integrated marketing solutions agency focused on innovative and holistic marketing campaigns for small businesses and start-ups in South Africa. The creative team is made up of three Creative Partners who bring with them over 40 years of combined agency experience in marketing. For more information please visit thespazaagency.com.  

About Empower Marketing Asia

Empower Marketing Asia is an independent micro-network agency that has been delivering integrated marketing solutions for clients across Asia since 2012. With offices in Shanghai, Singapore, Malaysia and a strong network of affiliates across Asia, we partner our regional and local clients to engage their customers and audiences through strategic marketing communications and transformative brand experiences. We work closely with our clients and their stakeholders to fully utilize Paid, Earned, Owned and Shared media, while not forgetting the importance of O2O (offline-to-online, online-to-offline) in all brand communications. For more, visit www.empowerasia.biz. Visit our Facebook page @empowerasia  

For media enquiries, please contact

Dylan James
Creative Partner,
The Spaza Agency
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T: +27 (084) 244 6389