Durban, South Africa - 30 June 2021: South African businesspeople Nigel Gibb and Barry Tuck have partnered with four icons of the European surfing community, Gony Zubizaretta, Kepa Acero, Marlon Lipke, and Roby D’amico, to take emerging lifestyle brand Ûs the Movement to a larger global market. A former professional surfer himself, Gibb worked as the Sales Director for Billabong EMEA while Barry Tuck is an established marketing and tech entrepreneur who brings a wealth of core and non-core marketing, strategic and entrepreneurial experience to the company.

With a primary focus on eyewear, but also offering a small range of accessories and apparel, the core vision of Ûs is to provide consumers with stylish but responsible fashion options. 

“Ûs is not just a brand, it is a movement,” says co-founder and European surf industry stalwart, Nigel Gibb. “It is a movement born out of the realisation that our current practices are not sustainable - environmentally, economically and ethically. Our vision is to manufacture beautiful, high quality products as sustainably as possible today, with zero waste as our goal for tomorrow.”

Starting with using the most sustainable materials and environmentally-friendly packaging available, Ûs is out to prove that a planet-first philosophy belongs at the core of every business. Finishing with an uncompromising commitment to quality and a flair for style, the brand’s sunglasses, accessories, and apparel are the manifestation of the belief that sustainable and low impact business models are the best solution to many current challenges.

The eyewear range forms the backbone of the Ûs offering, with an initial range of 13 styles, each available in three to five different colour variants. With the brand’s focus on sustainability, the sunglasses are crafted using Rilsan® Clear G820 Rnew®, a high performance, bio-based, transparent polyamide.

Aside from being light, flexible, durable and fatigue resistant, Rilsan® is a bio-material produced from castor oil, giving it a significantly reduced carbon footprint. The brand’s commitment to uncompromising quality is further entrenched by the use of triple barrel steel hinges and high optical grade lenses (polarised and non-polarised).

“Our goal is to make a product that is as durable and sustainable as we can,” Gibb says. “Central to this vision is product longevity, and it is underpinned by a commitment to quality. All of our shades are made in Italy with the most resilient and sustainable materials we can find and using timeless styles that won’t date with fluctuating seasonal trends.”

The brand is positioned as a stylish and functional option for the conscious and eco-friendly outdoor enthusiast, and has attracted a broad range of artists, designers, riders and makers as Comrades. Aside from the co-founders – Zubizaretta, Acero, Lipke and D’amico - the list includes surfers Ricky Basnett, Damien Castera, Avuyile Ndamase, and Adin Masencamp; kitesurfers Paul Serin, Matt Maxwell and Titouan Galea; artists Leigh Bisset and Leigh Vermaak; actors Brando Pacitto and Cokey Falkow; and photographers Matt Georges, Kasia Hryciów and Marc Dura.

While still in its infancy, Ûs the Movement has rapidly grown its footprint in France, Spain and Portugal, and is now looking to expand into the rest of Europe, the US, Australia, South Africa and other key markets, and is opening negotiations with distributors and partners in each region.

“We have received incredibly positive feedback from retailers and consumers alike,” Gibb continues. “People are genuinely blown away by the quality of our products and our ethos, so we feel we are perfectly positioned to enjoy significant growth over the remainder of 2021.”

The Summer 2021 range is available in retailers across the Ûs territories, as well as on the brand’s e-commerce platform, and includes several new styles and an expanded range of wallets, belts, headwear and socks.

Ûs the Movement’s products are available in a growing number of stores across Europe, or via the brand’s website - usthemovement.com

For retailer or distributor queries, please contact Nigel Gibb on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

If you’re looking for an easy, efficient and eco-friendly way of removing rubble, waste, or any form of materials that you no longer need, then look no further than the 33m3 containers at Bluesky Skips!

They specialise in the safe and clean removal of any unwanted materials, in a timeous and professional manner, and can carry up to 5tonnes per load. Bluesky Skips offer their removal services on a once off basis, as well as a longer, contractual one. Any project can be altered to fit your personal or business needs.

Not only do they provide removal services, but they cater to your container storage needs too- for short and long term use. They are sealed tight and waterproof- so are durable under all weather conditions.

Bluesky Skips are made from discarded containers that are no longer functional. Rather than scrapping them, they refurbish them, paint them blue and convert them into fully efficient skips, to use at your service!

For any enquiries, or to get a personal quote, call Justin on 082 740 9195. Visit their Instagram account too, to keep up to date on all things @blueskyskips

The Geberit Alpha range now offers a slim 8cm cistern which is complemented with three additional actuator plate designs. These sleek new designs are elegant, modern, produced to the highest standards, long-lasting and easy to clean. The Geberit design tradition is easily recognisable.  

The Alpha range boast several benefits and features: The new Geberit Alpha cisterns can be easily installed into either an 8cm or 12cm wall, thanks to the adjustable brackets The sustainably produced and long-lasting products are premium quality, highly durable and leak-proof Water saving with dual flush technology Geberit Alpha actuator plates come in five designs and four different finishes. The Geberit Alpha cisterns combined with the small Alpha actuator plates add a discreet finishing touch to a modern bathroom. He who builds responsibly, builds sustainably.

That is why Geberit has always devoted itself to comprehensively sustainable products that meet the highest standards, thus providing innovative system solutions for sustainable building. The globally operating Geberit Group is a European leader in the field of sanitary products. Geberit operates as an integrated group with a very strong local presence in most European countries, providing unique added value when it comes to sanitary technology and bathroom ceramics.  

To find out more: → www.geberit.co.za      → This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.    → 0861 FLUSH 1

We, Kansai Plascon, have achieved one of our best B-BEE ratings to date and are recognised as a Value Adding Supplier. Our B-BBEE procurement recognition level has increased from 110% to 137.5%, which is higher than that of a non-value adding level 1 status supplier. So, when tendering for projects, our combined B-BBEE status and Value Adding Supplier position effectively make Kansai Plascon the preferred procurement choice.

Our B-BBEE status now stands at level 3, as of  September 2014, having increased from level 4 in 2013. With a score of 80.27 points, this rating cements our position as the coatings industry market leader.  

There's great news for our customers too. Companies that  purchase from Plascon will  improve their own procurement scores thereby improving their B-BBEE ratings. By partnering with us, customers benefit through improved B-BBEE procurement scores.  

In contrast, if a customer purchases products from a non-value adding level 5 supplier and not Plascon, then their  procurement recognition will amount to a far lesser 80% only. All this renders Kansai Plascon the obvious choice.  

Kansai Plascon has 125-year long history of leading quality assurance, superb formulation and trusted performance – and now, we have also secured our position as the market leader in benefitting our customers.  

- ENDS

About Kansai Plascon Kansai Plascon is a company within the global Kansai Paint group. Kansai Paint is the world’s sixth largest paint company and Japan’s foremost coatings manufacturer. With the backing of Kansai Paint, Kansai Plascon will continue to drive innovation and excellence in the retail, trade and industrial coatings market in South Africa and will further the company’s interests in Africa.  

For further information, please contact: Alex Coggins Marketing Executive, Kansai Plascon + 27 11 951 4500

The Better Living Challenge’s signature Showcase event comprised of lifesize home structures, interactive displays and a programme of lunch-time talks will be taking place this October and November at the Cape Town station forecourt.

The Better Living Challenge Showcase is an interactive event taking place from Tuesday, 28 October to Saturday, 8 November 2014. The exhibition will be officially opened by Premier Helen Zille, MEC Bonginkosi Madikizela (Human Settlements) and MEC Alan Winde (Economic Opportunities) on Thursday, 30 October 2014. There will be lunchtime talks taking place from Wednesday, 29 October 2014. Exhibition opening times are as follows: Monday to Friday from 09H00 – 17H00 and 09H00 – 13H00 on Saturdays.

On show at this event is a display of solutions by the finalists and exhibitors whose projects were entered into the Better Living Challenge. These innovative, affordable and green solutions aim to address some of the problems faced by people living in low-income communities.

Better Living Challenge finalist, James van der Walt’s SolarTurtle solution, will power the entire exhibition off-the-grid at the Cape Town station forecourt. SolarTurtle is a solar-powered energy distribution point securely housed in a 6m shipping container. The container is fitted with a solar battery charging station capable of charging hundreds of battery packs every day. In low-income communities, SolarTurtle functions like a local spaza shop where a local resident will own and operate the SolarTurtle and neighbours will bring their own batteries to be charged, thus providing electricity for the homes . The SolarTurtle prototype can power up to 300 rural households with basic electricity for lights, radios, phones and TVs.

Amongst several other structures being erected at the station forecourt, is an example of a self-build concept that utilises the current sandbag housing technology to work in an incremental way. Known as the UBU Process and entered into the competition by Barry Lewis, the process will commence with the building of a skeleton of a timber frame, clad in zinc prior to the exhibition opening. The incremental part of the build with the sandbags will be done in collaboration with members of a community from Philippi called Sweet Home Farm; an informal settlement that has been in existence since 1996 and has upwards of 17,000 people living in it.

Better Living Challenge has collaborated with Home Innovations Labs to help test some of the solutions in the home. Home-owners from NY147 Street in Gugulethu who implemented these sustainable innovations in their home, have also agreed to assist the Better Living Challenge Showcase as House Hosts at the exhibition on the Cape Town station forecourt.

The Better Living Challenge is a design competition calling for green and affordable products, systems and services, to improve the homes of people living in low-income communities. The Better Living Challenge has been on the hunt to uncover solutions and ideas to improve the lives and homes of people living in low-income areas. Groundbreaking products and innovations that are affordable, well designed and green are being brought to life through this competition.

Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister of Economic Opportunities, said: “In the spirit of our motto, “Better Together”, we put the challenge out to our residents to come up with innovative, sustainable solutions for low-income housing. The entries we received far outweighed our expectations, and I am looking forward to seeing the winning concepts brought to life in a way that improves livelihoods in our province”.

The Better Living Challenge Selection Panel of 47 industry experts identified 21 finalists and 33 exhibitors – out of an impressive number of 130 total entries received. These solutions to be showcased, embody the aims of the competition. The Panel nominated 3 finalists in the Connected Home category, 7 in the Comfortable Home category and 11 finalists in the Structural Home category. In addition, the Selection Panel identified a further 33 projects of merit that will exhibit as part of the Showcase, but are not in line to win an award. To ensure fairness, the selection process was independently observed by KPMG.

There are 3 grand prizes that each consist of half a million rand’s worth of support services to enable these solutions getting to market. 3 student entries will each receive a R40 000 cash prize. The concept facilitates the concept-to-market value chain for innovative and affordable home improvement solutions. The project is specifically aimed at lower LSM groups, although innovations can apply across various communities.

The Better Living Challenge is project-managed by the Cape Craft + Design Institute (CCDI), on behalf of the Western Cape Government’s 110% Green initiative, which encourages organisations to commit to the Green Economy. The Better Living Challenge is a collaborative project between the public and private sector, and civil society demonstrating that these partnerships work to promote economic development. It is an official project (WDC#204) of the Cape Town World Design Capital 2014 (WDC2014) programme. 

Emission reduction equivalent to offset planting of 17,737 trees in one year and 37,412 trees in four years  

JOHANNESBURG September 17, 2014

The City Lodge Hotel Group cut its total greenhouse gas emissions by 16.5% in the year to end June and has slashed its emissions by 28.3% over the past four years as part of its major focus on energy efficiency, sustainability and environmental responsibility.

Significantly, the reduction to 33,044 tonnes of C02 equivalent in the 2014 financial year from 39,589 tonnes in the 2013 financial year is equal to the planting of 17,737 trees as an offset to match the 6,545 tonnes decrease in emissions.

The reduction of 13,805 tonnes of C02 equivalent over the past four years is equal to the planting of 37,412 trees to offset this level of emissions.

Apart from its 51 hotels in South Africa, the group’s two hotels in Nairobi, Kenya, and its hotel in Gaborone, Botswana, are included in the latest carbon footprint statistics listed in the group’s 2014 Integrated Annual Report.

Without doubt the biggest contributor to the decline in the past financial year was the group’s sharp drop in electricity consumption as a result of a group-wide rollout of energy efficient LED lighting and heat pumps. Electricity consumption fell to 30,387 tonnes of C02 equivalent compared to 34,908 tonnes in the previous year.

In addition to electricity, the group also measures water consumption, waste disposal and business travel in its overall carbon footprint and is taking continuous steps to reduce and manage these areas of its operations.

Earlier this year the group received Green Leaf Eco Standard certification for the sustainability measures it has implemented throughout the City Lodge Hotel brand. This certification is based on Responsible Tourism Guidelines including those developed prior to the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2003.   

The group also has its own “City Lodge Earth Day” initiative which focuses on every day being earth day and encouraging guests to use resources sparingly and responsibly. 

“We have paid a lot of attention to reducing our carbon footprint over the past few years and our efforts are now paying off – both for the environment and through cost savings for our hotels,” said Clifford Ross, chief executive of the City Lodge Hotel Group.

“As a responsible and far-sighted group, we will continue to implement measures that reduce the impact of our operations and activities on our planet.

City Lodge Hotel Group 

The second development phase at Somerset Lakes, a 42-hectare residential estate in Somerset West, will be released to the market in mid September. The first phase sold out rapidly, with 114 sales being recorded within just six weeks of the launch. Construction of the first phase is well under way and occupation is expected to take place in mid 2015.

The new phase, Waterford Green, comprises 48 freestanding double-storey houses, selling from R1,3 million including VAT, no transfer duty. These two and three bedroom homes offer spacious, contemporary, open-plan living areas and private gardens. All homes include at least two bathrooms, one being en suite, and the three-bedroom design offers a garage and an optional guest toilet.

According to Dave Harris, Sales and Marketing Manager of Somerset Lakes, the new product has been specifically designed to help meet the growing demand for affordable, quality housing in the popular Somerset West area.

“We’ve been inundated with requests from buyers looking for houses,” Harris said. “People want freestanding homes with gardens, views and security, in close proximity to the centre of Somerset West, and that’s exactly what our latest product at Somerset Lakes has to offer.”

Designed by Schabort Associates Architects, the new development phase is located alongside the six-hectare lake that gives the estate its name.

“This unique feature is a huge attraction,” Harris commented. “It’s ideal for swimming, canoeing, sailing, windsurfing and fishing, and home to a rich variety of water birds. A magnificent community clubhouse on the shores of the lake, The Summer Club, will enhance the appeal of this fantastic recreational asset, providing residents with play areas, boat sheds, a sandy white beach, and a swimming pool and deck area with stunning views of False Bay and the Hottentots Holland mountains.”

The developers, Omwieco (Pty) Ltd, a consortium of highly experienced development professionals backed by financial giant Investec, have devoted no less than 40% of the estate’s total area to green, open space for the recreation of residents. This includes the lakes and other water features, a mature forest of stone pine trees, landscaped parks and gardens, and kilometres of walking trails and mountain biking tracks.

An indigenous fynbos nursery has been established on the estate, which was recently awarded the prized 2014 SALI Gold Award for landscape design by the South African Landscapers Institute.“No expense has been spared to implement the most technically advanced security system at Somerset Lakes,” said Harris. "These measures include electrified perimeter fencing with 70 high-definition surveillance cameras, which are monitored around the clock from the hi-tech guardhouse, 24-hour guarding and patrols, and an on-site rapid response team. Other advanced features include biometric fingerprint access control."

All homes in the estate will be hardwired with fibre-optic cabling for superfast internet access, DStv and VOIP telephone connectivity, which will allow free telephone calls within the estate.

A Curro Castle School is being constructed on the estate and is due to open its doors in 2015.

Convenient access to the Somerset West village has been provided by the developers through the R16 million construction of Reunion Drive, which links the main entrance of Somerset Lakes to Sir Lowry’s Pass Village Road under a specially constructed railway bridge. Just a few hundred metres from this entrance, an upmarket new shopping centre is now under construction, where Checkers, Woolworths Foods and Clicks will be the anchor tenants.The Vergelegen Mediclinic and the Somerset West CBD are less than two kilometres away, while popular Somerset Mall shopping centre is just 3,5 kilometres from the estate.

“When you consider the amazing lifestyle advantages Somerset Lakes offers, the security, the convenience of the surrounding amenities, and the incredible natural beauty of the estate, I have no doubt our second phase will sell as fast as the first one,” said Harris.“I strongly advise anyone interested to register online for an invitation to a pre-launch sales opportunity, ahead of our public launch in mid September, to avoid disappointment.”

For further information visit www.somersetlakes.co.za or phone 021 202 2200.

Further recognition of the City Lodge Hotel Group’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility

Johannesburg, June 27, 2014

The City Lodge Hotel brand within the City Lodge Hotel Group has been certified  by the Green Leaf™ Eco  Standard, acknowledging the significant improvements that have been made in the important areas of energy efficiency, water efficiency, waste management, responsible procurement and staff and guest awareness of environmental responsibility issues.

While the certification  initially applies only to the City Lodge Hotel brand, the group has largely implemented the same technology and procedures in its Courtyard Hotel, Town Lodge and Road Lodge brands.  Green Leaf™ Eco Standard is an initiative of the Wilderness Foundation, aimed at enabling and certifying the balance between business and nature.

Over the past three years, the City Lodge Hotel Group has rolled out a group-wide energy efficiency initiative across all four of its brands with the emphasis focused on the installation of LED lighting (around 40,000 bulbs) and heat pumps and the monitoring and reduction of energy consumption. The group is also a member of Eskom’s 49M energy efficiency campaign which commits partners to a 15% reduction in electricity usage.

Concerted efforts also focused on water efficiency and responsible waste management 

More recently, the group has embarked on a water efficiency programme across the City Lodge Hotel brand, focusing on efficient flow technology on shower heads and taps, dual-flush toilets and the re-using of towels.  The intention is to roll this out across the other three brands.

Attention has also gone into improving waste management as part of the certification  for the City Lodge Hotel brand. This has included the separation of different types of waste on site, the transport of waste to recycling centres and the transport of non-recyclable waste to landfill sites

.According to Clifford Ross, the group’s CEO, “We’re proud of achieving this latest certification  as it recognises the serious attention we have paid to reducing our carbon footprint and maximizing our effective use of electricity and water and responsible disposal of recyclable and non-recyclable waste,” said Ross. 

“Standards for responsible tourism have also been incorporated into the certification  we have received, further demonstrating our commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility in our operations,” he added.Andrew Phillips, CEO of Green Leaf™ Eco Standard said: “I have had the pleasure of witnessing the leadership group of City Lodge initiate a responsible tourism mind-set change throughout its hotel brands and to now formally sign-off on core certification under the Green Leaf™ Eco Standard certification programme is recognition well deserved.”    

Significantly, City Lodge’s Green Leaf certification  ideally complements the City Lodge Earth Day initiative, which was launched on social media platforms at the beginning of June.The core message of this campaign is that every day is Earth Day. The pay-off line is “no planet no you; no you, no us.”Marketing collateral is being developed to communicate this messaging to guests within hotels enabling them to participate in the campaign in a practical way.