Saturday, November 21, 2009
Friday, 22 May 2009 - AT & Sherry arive in Cape Town after a week in the Kruager Game Reserve. I am glad that hey were able to gave a great game experienceand capture some really good shots.Cape Town - though out of season - gives them an opportunity to experience the fun party scene of South Africa. We started with dinner at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant and cocktails in the One & OnlyHotel, Sol Kerzner's return to hotels in South Africa - where he started.
We had a great time out with my friend Roxanne Cloete. That wasn't the end of it though. We followed this up wit a drive to Lanzerac the next day where we had lunch and were able to experience some ignature wines, and ended the day with afternoon dessert in Franschhoek. It made me realise how much I missed my life in the tourism sector and how easily I could fall back into this lifestyle.
Monday, 1 June 2009 - Me with AT & Sherry Howe at Zimbali Lodget during their honeymoon in South Africa.
AT and his family have been my dear friends since we meet in BostonMassachusetts in the summer of 1990. AT and Sherry were married in October 2008 and decided that they would spend their honeymoon - albeit a few months later - in South Africa. They had a great time in the Kruger followed by Cape Town where I joined then and we had a chance to hang out at the One & Only; and finally ended with a stop-over in Durban.
It also gave us a chance to have dinner together with the family at Vintage, which until recently was my favourite Indian restaurant in Durban.
Confederations Cup 2009
- this is thebanner I created to support the public viewing area activation that the Province of KwaZulu-Natal hosted in four locations across the provice - Ezakheni, Esikhawini, Pieternmaritzburg and Port Shepstone.
I attended three of these before visting sites in Gauteng. The PVA on Atteridgeville outswide Pretoria was freezing cold - and unsurprisingly poorly attended.
I also attended the South Africa vs. Brazil semi-final at Ellis Park. I almost frozemy nose off! The cold was unbelievable but he fans were there in full force for a truly incredible soccer spectacle - a beautiful game indeed!
- this is thebanner I created to support the public viewing area activation that the Province of KwaZulu-Natal hosted in four locations across the provice - Ezakheni, Esikhawini, Pieternmaritzburg and Port Shepstone.I attended three of these before visting sites in Gauteng. The PVA on Atteridgeville outswide Pretoria was freezing cold - and unsurprisingly poorly attended.
I also attended the South Africa vs. Brazil semi-final at Ellis Park. I almost frozemy nose off! The cold was unbelievable but he fans were there in full force for a truly incredible soccer spectacle - a beautiful game indeed!
Saturday,4 July 2009 - Sister, Leanne Anderson and I hanging out with the Keshwars at the Durban July.
My mother stayed with their Uncle Percy when she first arrived in Durban, the big city about 50 years ago, before any of us were born.
We have know each other all our lives and over the years have grown to be friends.
A great family indeed!
My mother stayed with their Uncle Percy when she first arrived in Durban, the big city about 50 years ago, before any of us were born.We have know each other all our lives and over the years have grown to be friends.
A great family indeed!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Two weddings, several funerals, an engagement and a honeymoon ...
And that was just my personal life ....
June and July proved to be quite eventful. May ended with cousin Kurt Sass' wedding. A great chance to meet up with family, relax and have a fun time. After 20 years of gallivanting around the world, I really love these too-few-moments when we get together and celebrate just being together!! Of course the dashing groom and his gorgeous bride made the time together even more special!
June and July proved to be quite eventful. May ended with cousin Kurt Sass' wedding. A great chance to meet up with family, relax and have a fun time. After 20 years of gallivanting around the world, I really love these too-few-moments when we get together and celebrate just being together!! Of course the dashing groom and his gorgeous bride made the time together even more special!
Kurt and Auriel with his mom, his sister Danielle and her husband and three gorgeous daughters.
And of course ... the clan!! The Sass-Pretorius' ... just a few of the fifty-odd Pretorius first-cousins and the equally numerous Sass family who attended the nuptials.
Just in case you missed the suit at the back of the crowd ...
Sandy Ngema's engagement was in there somewhere with my darling girldfriends Robyn Bollay and Sindi Mabe and new friend Anebel Cele in attendance. Not to forget Peter, Sandys wonderful fiancee and her gorgeous daughters who are living proof that we are all getting older.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Celebrating with good friends ...
Sindi Mabe, Anabel Cele, Robyn Bollay and Sandy Ngema at Sandy's engagement party. And a good time was had by all ...
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Cousin Kurt Sass's wedding, Uvongo KZN
Saturday, 16 May 2009 - Mom Bernadette Pretorius, sister Leanne Anderson, nephew Joshua-Claude and niece LeJeay arriving at Stephward Estate in Uvongo KZN for Kurt's nuptials and celebration.
Indaba 2009, Durban South Africa
Meeting with Mme Linda Sangeret, SAT Country Manager France ... discussing opportunities to position KZN in France in the build up to 2010 FWC.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
CEO's Breakfast: Indaba 2009 - Durban
Phindile Makwakwa, Chief Director 2010 KZN during a media interview.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Please follow the links to the second largest newspaper in Spain (EL MUNDO).
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/04/22/internacional/1240400735.html
http://www.ocholeguas.com/2009/04/21/cronicasdeunnomada/1240305663.html
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2009/04/22/internacional/1240400735.html
http://www.ocholeguas.com/2009/04/21/cronicasdeunnomada/1240305663.html
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
KZN 2010 Team arrive in Spain
Ms. Phindi Makwakwa, KZN 2010 Co-ordinator arrives in Madrid Spain for the KZN 2010 REady to Host/South Africa Day Celebration together with Claude Pretorius, Tony Nkadimeng from Tourism KZN, DJ Tira, Ihashi elimhlope and his group.
KwaZulu-Natal 2010 Team Wows in Madrid, Spain
KwaZulu-Natal 2010 Team Wows Crowd at South Africa Day Celebration in Madrid
KZN 2010 Co-ordination Team takes KwaZulu-Natal Readiness Campaign to the world’s leading soccer nation.
In its continued efforts to promote KwaZulu-Natal as a unique tourist destination ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and to further its goals in hosting some of the big FIFA nations in the province, the provincial Government in partnership with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and Ambassador Vusi Bruce Koloane of the South African Embassy in Madrid hosted a crowd stopping event at the Ambassador’s residence in an affluent suburb of Madrid, Spain. The delegation was led by the Provincial 2010 Co-ordinator in the KZN Office of the Premier, Ms Phindile Makwakwa and included the popular Maskande group, Ihashi Elimhlope together with one of SA’s hottest musicians, DJ Tira both rooted in KZN.
Commenting on the hosting, the Provincial 2010 Co-ordinator, Ms Phindile Makwakwa, said “The provincial government was honoured receive the invitation from Ambassador Koloane to be part of South Africa Day celebration in Spain. Spain is the world top soccer nation with an ardent following of fans. We believe this initiative will go a long way to provide destination information to football fans, the national soccer federation and other visitors who will be making their way to South Africa for the World Cup. Our message to them is simple: KwaZulu-Natal is a must-visit destination. Furthermore, we plan to roll out the red carpet during the World Cup so they come back for more long after the last whistle has been blown”. Ms Makwakwa’s presentation at the event showcased the tourism offering of KZN, the infrastructural development in the province highlighting the Moses Mabhida stadium and the new King Shaka International Airport, as well as the ability to host national teams in KZN and the alternative viewing opportunities offered by Durban’s fan park and the public viewing areas which will be hosted around the province.
Ambassador Koloane said: “I frequently invite provincial delegations from South Africa to showcase their cultural, business and tourism offerings to the people of Spain. This event was an absolute success and as a native of KwaZulu-Natal I felt especially proud of the strong positive invitation that was delivered to the guests.” Guests included prominent Spanish businessmen, members of the royal family, the soccer fraternity, tour operators, media and friends of South Africa.
Ihashi Elimhlope stole the show with their charismatic and energetic performance. DJ Tira had all four hundred guests rocking to the unique yet catchy beats of kwaito and urban African dance beats.
Concurrent with the event in Madrid, the KZN 2010 team together with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, Joburg Tourism and the SA Embassy in Spain, hosted four journalists, who represent some of Spain’s top-end travel and lifestyle print and electronic media. The journalists spent seven days in KZN and 2 days each in Johannesburg and Mpumalanga sampling the range of attractions that the three provinces offer, from luxurious to relaxation to authentic cultural experiences. The group returned to Spain yesterday with very positive feedback, already having filed several print and online pieces while they were travelling in South Africa.
Issued by:
The Provincial 2010 Coordination Office
Ms. Phindile Makwakwa
Provincial 2010 Co-ordinator
Office of the Premier: KZN
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Claude J. Pretorius
Director: Marketing, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
2010 Co-ordination
Mobile: +27 82 415 7269
Tel: +27 33 341 4772
Fax: +27 33 394 4110
KZN 2010 Co-ordination Team takes KwaZulu-Natal Readiness Campaign to the world’s leading soccer nation.
In its continued efforts to promote KwaZulu-Natal as a unique tourist destination ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup and to further its goals in hosting some of the big FIFA nations in the province, the provincial Government in partnership with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and Ambassador Vusi Bruce Koloane of the South African Embassy in Madrid hosted a crowd stopping event at the Ambassador’s residence in an affluent suburb of Madrid, Spain. The delegation was led by the Provincial 2010 Co-ordinator in the KZN Office of the Premier, Ms Phindile Makwakwa and included the popular Maskande group, Ihashi Elimhlope together with one of SA’s hottest musicians, DJ Tira both rooted in KZN.
Commenting on the hosting, the Provincial 2010 Co-ordinator, Ms Phindile Makwakwa, said “The provincial government was honoured receive the invitation from Ambassador Koloane to be part of South Africa Day celebration in Spain. Spain is the world top soccer nation with an ardent following of fans. We believe this initiative will go a long way to provide destination information to football fans, the national soccer federation and other visitors who will be making their way to South Africa for the World Cup. Our message to them is simple: KwaZulu-Natal is a must-visit destination. Furthermore, we plan to roll out the red carpet during the World Cup so they come back for more long after the last whistle has been blown”. Ms Makwakwa’s presentation at the event showcased the tourism offering of KZN, the infrastructural development in the province highlighting the Moses Mabhida stadium and the new King Shaka International Airport, as well as the ability to host national teams in KZN and the alternative viewing opportunities offered by Durban’s fan park and the public viewing areas which will be hosted around the province.
Ambassador Koloane said: “I frequently invite provincial delegations from South Africa to showcase their cultural, business and tourism offerings to the people of Spain. This event was an absolute success and as a native of KwaZulu-Natal I felt especially proud of the strong positive invitation that was delivered to the guests.” Guests included prominent Spanish businessmen, members of the royal family, the soccer fraternity, tour operators, media and friends of South Africa.
Ihashi Elimhlope stole the show with their charismatic and energetic performance. DJ Tira had all four hundred guests rocking to the unique yet catchy beats of kwaito and urban African dance beats.
Concurrent with the event in Madrid, the KZN 2010 team together with Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, Joburg Tourism and the SA Embassy in Spain, hosted four journalists, who represent some of Spain’s top-end travel and lifestyle print and electronic media. The journalists spent seven days in KZN and 2 days each in Johannesburg and Mpumalanga sampling the range of attractions that the three provinces offer, from luxurious to relaxation to authentic cultural experiences. The group returned to Spain yesterday with very positive feedback, already having filed several print and online pieces while they were travelling in South Africa.
Issued by:
The Provincial 2010 Coordination Office
Ms. Phindile Makwakwa
Provincial 2010 Co-ordinator
Office of the Premier: KZN
For more information, please contact:
Mr. Claude J. Pretorius
Director: Marketing, Communications & Stakeholder Relations
2010 Co-ordination
Mobile: +27 82 415 7269
Tel: +27 33 341 4772
Fax: +27 33 394 4110
Vusi Bruce Koloane with Ms Phindi Makwakwa KZN 2010 Co-ordinator and the performers
Ambassador Koloane. Phindi Makwakwa, KZN 2010 Co-ordinator and Tony Nkadimeng of Tourism KZN during a photo-op with Ihashi Elimhlope.
Ihashi Elimhlope wows the crowd in Madrid
Ihashi Elimhlope, South Africa's pre-eminent Maskande artist took his charismatic and energised performance to the Spanish people as part of the KwaZulu-Natal 2010 Ready to Host! Campaign. The audience was visibly excited and drawn into the very physical and vocal performance of him and his group!
Ihashi jams with Arturo Lledo
Arturo Lledo performed at the Cape Town Jazz Festival 2009 together with his band. Arturo left Spain for Brazil at the age of 11 months and returned when he was 25 years old. His music is inspired by a fusion of Brazilian, Spanish and African sounds. Without previous practise, the duop established a synergy and jammed during the activities.
Arriving in Europe
Friday, 24 April 2009 5:30 am
Transit lounges at 5.30 in the morning …
I know why it’s so hard to meet anyone interesting, sexy and cool … and again I am reminded of why I love airports … and train stations in Europe. This is where they all are, getting ready to board a flights to some interesting destination. I have been flying for 25 years and it always feels this good. It doesn’t matter how stressed I am or how insane the deadline, it doesn’t matter the destination, there is something about getting on a flight – be it to Cape Town or P-Town – that always gets my alpha waves centred and my entire being back into equilibrium.
Reading three of the international dailies on board I am brought back to the reality of the financial crunch. Our daily lives in South Africa are virtually untouched when compared with the prominence of the recession international. As painful as our imminent job losses are, and as clear as it is that South Africa will have to tighten the cinch as well, I am constantly amazed at how financial sectors in the West have achieved losses of $4.1 trillion. What is $4.1 trillion? Is it real? Where would you put all that money? How do you lose so much money?
On a much lighter note, long haul flights help me catch up with all the movies I miss when work takes the front seat – as it is doing right now! For all the complaints about SAA, I still think its Business Class cannot be beaten, and if you are as unfortunate to fly in economy as I did on this flight – Lufthansa – I certainly missed my personalised screen and being able to go through as many movies as possible in 8 to 9 hours.
I love the European music sentiment though and it was great listening to the eclectic mix of Nellie Furtado in duet with James Morrison, Mraz, Kevin Rudolph, a great sounding Philipino living in Germany who I have never heard of before named Jennifer Kay. Of course, I can’t get enough of Jennifer Hudson’s album right now, and for all her bubble-gumminess and her private escapades, Rihanna’s Rehab is a pleasant little jingle … and Sugar Plum Fairies … I must get more of them – there seems to be a very retro sound in Europe right now.
I have been through worse airports than Frankfurt Airport, and at least I did not have to walk the requisite marathon that is the norm in many international hubs. The two hour wait at least gives me a chance to focus on the intense work schedule in the few days ahead and be sure that we effectively … BRING KWAZULU-NATAL’s 2010 READINESS CAMPAIGN to the heart of the leading soccer nation in the world. Next stop MADRID, SPAIN!!
Transit lounges at 5.30 in the morning …
I know why it’s so hard to meet anyone interesting, sexy and cool … and again I am reminded of why I love airports … and train stations in Europe. This is where they all are, getting ready to board a flights to some interesting destination. I have been flying for 25 years and it always feels this good. It doesn’t matter how stressed I am or how insane the deadline, it doesn’t matter the destination, there is something about getting on a flight – be it to Cape Town or P-Town – that always gets my alpha waves centred and my entire being back into equilibrium.
Reading three of the international dailies on board I am brought back to the reality of the financial crunch. Our daily lives in South Africa are virtually untouched when compared with the prominence of the recession international. As painful as our imminent job losses are, and as clear as it is that South Africa will have to tighten the cinch as well, I am constantly amazed at how financial sectors in the West have achieved losses of $4.1 trillion. What is $4.1 trillion? Is it real? Where would you put all that money? How do you lose so much money?
On a much lighter note, long haul flights help me catch up with all the movies I miss when work takes the front seat – as it is doing right now! For all the complaints about SAA, I still think its Business Class cannot be beaten, and if you are as unfortunate to fly in economy as I did on this flight – Lufthansa – I certainly missed my personalised screen and being able to go through as many movies as possible in 8 to 9 hours.
I love the European music sentiment though and it was great listening to the eclectic mix of Nellie Furtado in duet with James Morrison, Mraz, Kevin Rudolph, a great sounding Philipino living in Germany who I have never heard of before named Jennifer Kay. Of course, I can’t get enough of Jennifer Hudson’s album right now, and for all her bubble-gumminess and her private escapades, Rihanna’s Rehab is a pleasant little jingle … and Sugar Plum Fairies … I must get more of them – there seems to be a very retro sound in Europe right now.
I have been through worse airports than Frankfurt Airport, and at least I did not have to walk the requisite marathon that is the norm in many international hubs. The two hour wait at least gives me a chance to focus on the intense work schedule in the few days ahead and be sure that we effectively … BRING KWAZULU-NATAL’s 2010 READINESS CAMPAIGN to the heart of the leading soccer nation in the world. Next stop MADRID, SPAIN!!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
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