South African Music Rights Organisation To Open An Office In NMB

The days of music composers and authors in Nelson Mandela Bay and the greater Eastern Cape province spending money on travel between Eastern Cape and Gauteng to inquire about their royalties and related matters will soon be a thing of the past, thanks to the hard work by Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Film and Music office, South African Music Rights Organisation (SAMRO) will officially open a satellite office in Nelson Mandela Bay. 

Members of the media are invited to attend and cover this important event that will be held at the City Hall, Jennys Room.

SAMRO's primary role is to administer copyright in music creators and publishers intellectual property (i.e. their Performing Rights). It does so by licensing music users (such as television and radio broadcasters, live music venues, and establishments that play music, such as retailers, restaurants and shopping centres), collecting licence fees and distributing royalties to music creators.

SAMRO also plays a vital role in funding and supporting music and arts education through the SAMRO Foundation. It also boosts the local music industry by hosting regular seminars and workshops.

It also helps to foster and develop creativity across all categories and genres of music.

Mandela Funeral Funds Scandal: Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs confirms arrest of Buffalo City Mayor Zukiswa Ncita

The Eastern Cape Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs has just confirmed the arrest of three top officials at the Buffalo City Local Municipality, including the Mayor, in connection with the Mandela funeral funds scandal that rocked the province early this year.

"The Department of Local Government and Traditional Affairs (DLGTA) wishes to confirm the arrests this morning of the Executive Mayor of Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Councillor Zukiswa Ncita, her deputy Mr Themba Tinta and Speaker Councillor Luleka Simon-Ndzele," the department said in a statement.

"The arrests are in relation to the Nelson Mandela Memorial saga which is currently under investigation by the Office of the MEC for DLGTA as well as the Hawks.

"The department cannot comment beyond this point as the case is still in the hands of the Hawks. The accused remain innocent until proven guilty."

Rugby News: Wales vs EP Kings - Welsh South Africans torn as international friendly approaches

JUNE 6, 2014: AS the EP Kings prepare to face-off against a formidable Welsh side in an international friendly that will set the tone for months of world-class rugby at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, some fans face a dilemma of national proportion.

FAMILY FACE-OFF: Welsh descent, Roberta Jones (56) and son James (25) are at loggerheads when it comes to supporting their favourite rugby team this Tuesday

Well – at least that’s what the Jones’ feel as the family prepare to have their loyalties tested ahead of next Tuesday’s game. Mother and son duo are completely split down the middle as to who they will be supporting.

Roberta Jones falls squarely on the side of her home country, Wales, and her son James, who has lived in South Africa from the age of one, is fully supportive of the EP Kings, representing his adopted home country and the local side.

“I’ve been living in South Africa for 22 years, and even though I’m Welsh at heart, if South Africa plays any other country, I am one hundred percent behind them. But I’m a passionate Welsh supporter and South Africa – and the EP Kings – is no match for my loyalties. I am positive that Wales will absolutely trounce the Kings,” said Roberta.

James on the other hand says he can’t resolve not supporting the home side: “Although I was born in Swansea, I was formed in South Africa, PE in particular, the EP Kings might be the underdogs in this match, but they fully have my support.”

The rugby alliances are causing some friendly competition in the household, Roberta added, clinging to her good luck emblem, a daffodil – the official Welsh flower, while James sports his Kings jersey around the house to rile his mother up.

The Jones household is not the only one to be divided over the coming game. Katherine Liebenberg was brought up as a “thorough-bred” Wales supporter by her late Welsh father, David Turner, a staunch devotee of the ‘Dragons’. 

“My dad was Welsh and we were brought up supporting Wales through thick and thin, even when they played South Africa. We always promised him that we would continue the tradition and keep the Welsh flag flying in the family,” she said.

“We are definitely going to watch the game and although I don’t know much about the Welsh side playing on Tuesday, but I have my Welsh jersey on proudly in memory of my dad. My husband, however, will not be joining me – as an Afrikaner he has an obligation to support the South African side. But at least he and my father always had a shared love of rugby. No matter the side they supported and they never missed a game.”

Wales take on the EP Kings on Tuesday June 10 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium at 7pm. Tickets are available at the stadium or from Computicket and prices range from R50 to R110. For queries contact 041 408 8900.

Meanwhile the Get the Ticket campaign for a package of top-flight rugby matches, which includes the Wales game, the International Test Match between South Africa and Scotland and all the EP Kings Currie Cup Premier Division home matches is still on sale for just R500.

How to minimise your bank charges

When it comes to bank changes, don't we all think banks over charge us - and most of the time feel there is nothing we can ever do. Well, there is actually a lot that you can do to save on changes. See below.

To avoid fees you should follow these easy guidelines:

•               There are many different bank accounts out there, select the most cost-effective account for your needs. Make sure you know what your account fees are and what you are getting for them.

•               Make purchases using a cheque or debit card. It is safer, more convenient and free of charge. Most stores offer a Point-of-Sale device which will allow you to swipe your card when you purchase goods in the store instead of paying with cash. You can also draw cash at these Point-of-Sale machines in stores such as Shoprite, Checkers, Boxer and Pick n Pay stores.

•               Find out what rewards come with your bank account. Many banks will often reward or give value added services to customers to incentivise them to continue banking with them and to bank in a cost effective way.

•               Don’t withdraw at an ATM that belongs to another bank. These fees are very high and can quickly add up.

•               Avoid going into a branch where possible. Check to see what electronic or digital services your bank account allows you to do. Most transactions are far cheaper and it’s more convenient. Deposit money at an Automatic Deposit Teller (ADT) instead of inside the branch.

Ensure there are sufficient funds in your account to cover all transactions and avoid unnecessary fees.

Eveready launches Make Your Like Count in Port Elizabeth

Throughout June, Eveready will be making its likes count by donating R1 per Facebook like and Twitter follow to Animal Welfare and Isithembiso Baby home in Port Elizabeth.

As part of its Positively South African campaign, Eveready is focused on making a positive difference and highlighting all that is great about our nation. Liza Kingston, Eveready brand manager comments saying: “In February we asked our followers for their positive story, a favourite positive saying or quote and they stood the chance to win R1 000. This is another way for us to use social media to share our ethos and make a difference.”

Isithembiso Baby Home was part of the company’s Random Act of Kindness earlier in 2014 where its employees donated items the home needed as well as light bulbs and batteries. Kingston added “We were really touched by their work at Sithembele and Animal Welfare does fantastic work in Nelson Mandela Bay and wanted to assist them also.”

So in June go and Like the Eveready Facebook page or follow them on Twitter and make a positive difference.

Competition and Workshop for Entrepreneurs in Port Elizabeth – Call for Entries

Free Entrepreneurial Training: Register NOW for this opportunity

Is your small business or business idea brilliant? Do you know how to pitch your business or idea effectively? Would expert business advice and guidance help YOU take your business to the next level? Do you need help pitching your business to potential investors or bank managers?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, ENGEN Pitch & Polish is the solution for you. Register or enter now for the workshop and competition where we will share with you the tools to grow your business.

Engen Petroleum Ltd has partnered with business incubator, Raizcorp, and media partner SAfm, as well as local stakeholders, Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber and local media partners, Your Money and Kingfisher FM, to bring you the fifth annual free Pitch & Polish workshop which promises to be bigger and better than ever before!

Over the years Port Elizabeth has shown us their incredible entrepreneurial talent: in 2012, Bhongolwethu Sonti (photograph attached) made it all the way to the final and dazzled the audience with his community farming idea. In 2013, Samantha Conway pitched her way to the semi-final with her healthy and nutritious treats business. Also in 2013, Roland Jordaan, was the SAfm Wild Card winner who went straight through to the semi-final with his coffee growing idea.

The ENGEN Pitch & Polish free workshop and competition will be held in Port Elizabeth on Saturday 28 June 2014. Round 1 winners go through to Round 2, those winners along with the winner from the SAfm Wild Card go to the semi-final, and the winners from the semi-final compete at the glitzy final event in Johannesburg, September 2014.

Steps to be part of the free ENGEN Pitch & Polish programme:

·         Decide whether you would like to register as a delegate or contestant (delegates and contestants participate in the workshop throughout the day but only contestants compete by pitching their business to the delegates who are encouraged to role-play as investors and bank managers)

·         Choose the city closest to you where an event will be held alternatively; follow the SAfm Wild Card round in August to pitch on-air

·         Register online at www.pitchandpolish.com or sms PITCH and your NAME and CITY to 48421 (charged at R1.50 an sms) or email pitch@raizcorp.com or call on 011-566-2000

·         Arrive at Feather Market Convention Centre, Cnr. Baakens and Military Road, Port Elizabeth on Saturday 28 June at 8 am to sign in and enjoy a full, fun day of learning

·         Refreshments will be provided

This unique experience-based form of training makes ENGEN Pitch & Polish a one-of-a-kind entrepreneurial programme which aims to empower and motivate budding entrepreneurs.

Giving you the tools to be a successful entrepreneur!

Advance registration is essential as seats are limited. Register now for ENGEN Pitch & Polish. Registration is easy, go online to www.pitchandpolish.com or SMS “pitch” and your name and city to 48421 or call on 011 566 2000 or e-mail pitch@raizcorp.com

Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says work to improve water supply to Uitenhage suburbs progressing well

The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says work to improve water supply to Uitenhage suburbs progressing well.

“Residents are, however, requested to use water sparingly over the next two weeks while important work to improve the water supply to some Uitenhage suburbs is progressing well at this stage,” said the municipality’s Communications Office.

“The water supply concerns to Rosedale, Kamesh, Tiryville, Mountain View, Thomas Gamble, Allanridge West, Blikkiesdorp, Joe Slovo, McNaughton, Mandelaville, Greenfields and the Kabah / Langa areas necessitated an emergency replacement of the pump supplying the three reservoirs which are fed through the Rosedale pump station.”

This work started on Monday.

“In the meantime, the area is being supplied from the Fairbridge Heights reservoir via the Verwoerd Drive booster pump station but the current demand is exceeding the capacity of this supply, causing the higher lying areas to be without water during certain periods. Residents are therefore requested to use water sparingly,” the municipality said.

“Water tankers have already been deployed in the area as a precautionary measure.
Please call the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality’s 24 hour call centre at 0800 20 50 50 for all municipal-related enquiries.”