Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Here's an entrepreneurial opportunity you don't want to miss!

A new entrepreneurial programme aimed at empowering the youth kicks off.

Y-AGE is an initiative by the Gauteng Department of Economic Development, though the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP), that aims to encourage young entrepreneurs by providing skills development, training and mentorship. The programme will support eligible businesses and business plans with funding and advice.

How do you register?
You can register online at www.y-age.co.za or SMS “Y-AGE” to 34747 (Each SMS costs R1,50).

Who will be considered for the programme?
• Any person with business idea and who is between 18 and 35.
• Any person with a business that doesn’t have support regarding funding.
• Any person that had a business, but failed to sustain it.

Does it cost anything?
All successful candidates will be required to pay a R500 admin fee to make ensure they commit to the programme.

What does orientation entail?
You will sign a contract and receive starter material with further information. You will need a bank account to take part.

What about training?
Training is structured in two ways for the successful applicants:
1. Newbie, which is a 12-month contract.
2. Existing business, which is a 6-months contract.

Do you need a business plan?
Yes – your business plan will be evaluated by professionals to make sure that it’s a sustainable business model.

Do you get funding for your business?
Businesses must require start up capital of no less that R100 000 and no more than R1 million, of which 20% will be offered as a grant and the remaining 80% will be a loan.

What happens next?
Operation will start and you will have to hire personnel, as part of the Y-AGE initiative. Your business will be monitored and evaluated on a regular basis and as part of the programme, a mentorship in the field that you are operation your business will be allocated.

Keep an eye on campusvibe.blogspot.com for more information on the Y-AGE programme, alternatively sms Y-AGE to 34747 or visit www.yage.co.za

Do it now!

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Fw: The earth-scraper vs sky-scraper

Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless device

... the earth-scraper: Architects design 65-storey building which plunges 300 metres below ground

By Hugo Gye

Architects have designed an incredible 65-storey 'earth-scraper' which plunges 300 metres below ground.

The stunning upside down pyramid in the middle of Mexico City is designed to get around height limits on new buildings in the capital.

The subterranean building will have 10 storeys each for homes, shops and a museum, as well as 35 storeys for offices.

Deep: The 65-storey 'earth-scraper' is set to plunge 300m into the ground beneath Mexico City

Epic scale: The enormous complex is intended to get round the city's planning laws, which state that buildings can be no more than eight storeys high

Landmark: The earth-scraper would be located in the city's main square, and topped with an enormous Mexican flag

A glass floor covers the massive 240m x 240m hole in the city's main square to filter in natural light from the world above.

The design has been crowned with a Mexican flag.

Esteban Suarez, from architecture firm BNKR Arquitectura, said the building would also house a new cultural centre.

Scary: The core is all made of glass to ensure that all parts of the building receive natural sunlight from the world outside

Relaxing: Designers expect the public areas of the building to become a popular destination for those wishing to escape the bustle of the city

Heritage: The earth-scraper is expected to contain a museum and cultural centre which will explore the history of Mexico and its pyramids

He said: 'New infrastructure, office, retail and living space are required in the city but no empty plots are available.

'Federal and local laws prohibit demolishing historic buildings and even if this was so, height regulations limit new structures to eight storeys.

'The city's historic centre is in desperate need of a makeover but we have nowhere to put it, this means the only way to go is down.'

He added: 'The Earthscraper preserves the iconic presence of the city square and the existing hierarchy of the buildings that surround it.

'It is an inverted pyramid with a central void to allow all habitable spaces to enjoy natural lighting and ventilation.

'It will also allow the numerous activities that take place on the city square year round such as concerts, open-air exhibitions and military parades to go ahead.'

Unobtrusive: One advantage of the unusual structure is that it would create space in the centre of Mexico City, which is full of historic buildings which cannot be demolished

Green: The interior of the building is supposed to look natural and welcoming

Efficient: The creative use of space would allow the plaza to be used for events such as concerts and military parades

Massive: The space covering the earth-scraper will take up 240 square metres in the heart of Mexico's capital

Pyramids play a large part in the architectural history of Mexico, as the country's anicent civilisations have often build huge pyramid structures.

When the Aztecs first came into the Valley of Mexico they built their pyramids on the lake they found there.

As the Aztec Empire grew in size and power they conceived a new and bigger pyramid, but instead of looking for a new site they just built it on and around the existing one.

The traditional pyramids are therefore composed of different layers of historical periods.

Modern: Much of the building is expected to be devoted to office space

Shopping: The earth-scraper would almost certainly become one of the city's top retail destinations as soon as it opened

Connected: This picture shows the proposed metro station which would pass through the earth-scraper just below ground level

When the Spanish arrived in America and ultimately conquered the Aztecs, they erected Christian churches on top of the pyramids.

Eventually their whole colonial city was built over the Aztec one. In the 20th century, many colonial buildings were demolished and modern structures raised on the existing historic foundations.

Esteban added: 'The Earthscraper digs down through the layers of cities to uncover our roots.'

Novelty: No other public building extends so far beneath the ground

Technical: The building would be an extraordinary feat of engineering

Today: The plaza, shown as it looks currently, would be transformed by the radical plan



Friday, November 4, 2011

Usher is coming to SA (It's going down!!!!!!!)


If you thought this summer was hot - well, it's about to get hotter. It has been confirmed that Usher is definitely making his way down to SA in March 2012 See you in SA!

Usher Raymond, the legendary US music icon will kick off the “Hansa Festival of Legends” string of concerts brought to you by Big Concerts and Hansa in South Africa by making his way down to the mother city, Cape Town. [Sowetan]

Oppenheimer family pockets R40bn


Anglo American (AGL) has agreed to acquire the Oppenheimer family's 40% interest in De Beers for US$5.1 billion. This will take Anglo American's current 45% shareholding in the world's leading diamond company to up to 85%.

Anglo American said on Friday it has entered into an agreement with CHL and Centhold International Limited (CIL), together representing the Oppenheimer family interests (CHL Group), to acquire their 40% interest in DB Investments and De Beers sa for a total cash consideration of US$5.1 billion, subject to adjustment as provided for in the agreement. [IOL]

Police: Bieber sexual tryst may be investigated

A woman who claims Justin Bieber fathered her baby in a backstage bathroom could be investigated for having sex with a minor because the singer was 16 at the time.While no crime has been reported, Los Angeles police Cmdr. Andrew Smith told The Associated Press on Thursday that the department could investigate after Mariah Yeater filed the paternity suit against the teen heartthrob [Newsday]

Kim Kardashian unfollows soon-to-be ex Kris Humphries on Twitter

Kim Kardashian dealt a second blow to her soon-to-be ex Kris Humphries when she unfollowed him on Twitter Wednesday, two days after filing for divorce.

Kardashian, 31, whose Twitter profile boasts 10.9 million followers, appeared to abruptly kick Humphries out of her inner circle of 151 "friends" on the microblogging website.

Meanwhile, Humphries, 26, continues to list Kardashian as one of the 51 people he follows. That number includes several members of the Kardashian clan, including Kim's sisters Khloe and Kourtney and their, mother Kris Jenner. [NyPost]

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Yahoo is coming to South Africa!

Internet company Yahoo is coming to SA. It plans to launch an SA news and information portal this month, TechCentral has established.

The move would put it in direct competition with Microsoft’s Howzit MSN, which is operated under licence by Kagiso Media.

Unlike Google, Yahoo has never had a substantial presence in SA. Yahoo’s SA portal is slated to go live on 17 November, according to the company’s Facebook page. It has already recently created a Twitter handle called “Yahoo! South Africa” at @YahooNewsSA. [TechCentral]


Wednesday, November 2, 2011

SABC 1 Presents a New Show - Club Culture (DJ Fresh and Euphonik)

Saturdays are in for a serious make-over on SABC1 Mzansi Fo Sho with the introduction of, Club Culture – The Movement, a fresh and electrifying dance-music-world show scheduled to air on the channel from Saturday 05 November 2011, at 18:30.

Club Culture is a weekly youth music show presented by 2 of the coolest DJ's in Mzansi today, DJ Fresh and Euphonik. The show aims to celebrate dance culture as expressed through music, the players and its followers. More excitingly the show will provide viewers with an insider's perspective of the club scene by featuring a range of hot spots and talent across Mzansi.

"We have always maintained that SABC1 is not just about television but is also a serious player within the youth cultural space. Club Culture affords us the opportunity to play that role as we bring to our viewers the hottest and latest beats straight from the dance floors locally and abroad," says Vukile Madlala, the Channel’s Publicity Manager. "We encourage our viewers to tune in to the new show as it captures a variety of elements to cater for the broad needs of dance-music lovers everywhere," she adds.

"Club Culture has been a long time coming and only SABC1 could have done this justice," comments DJ Fresh and Euphonik. "Finally dance music has a home on SABC 1 Mzansi Fo Sho!."

"We look forward to seeing Club Culture grow into a significant platform, because it will truly become a multisensory experience from television to events to content downloads. We also want to finally display the depth and range of talent in Mzansi," said Tumi Rabanye for Bonngoe Productions, the tv show's production company.

Key segments within the show include: Top 5 tracks of the week, hottest international and local Music Videos; exclusive videos created weekly for the show, capturing the essence of the hottest tracks on the dance floors. The Event Report ‘Club Culture Style’ will show audiences where the vibe is. DJ 101 will provide up and coming Dj’s hot tips presented by Dj Zinhle. Finally because South Africa is such an influencer in the dance scene Club Culture will profile local talent that is bubbling under, as well as feature a Celebrity DJ, Producer, or Artist from the dance scene.

Beyond television Club Culture will utilize a multiple platforms to interact with audiences and to push the music, including: New Media (website, active face book group, twitter, you tube uploads); Radio (partnerships with relevant stations); Downloadable Mobile Content (including the exclusive music video, behind the scenes content, entertainment industry 101 = education & aspiration); Activations (large-scale national events) and, Merchandise beginning with Club Culture t-shirts soon to launch. .

Catch Club Culture – The Movement – from Saturday 05 November 2011, at 18:30 – exclusive to SABC1 Mzansi Fo Sho!!

Watch this space for more exciting developments from SABC1!

Two Iranian football players given the red card... after 'inappropriate' buttock squeezing goal celebration

Iran's football federation has suspended two players for the ‘inappropriate’ goal celebration of buttock squeezing.

Mohammad Nosrati appeared to briefly put his hand on Sheys Rezaei as players of the team Persepolis huddled together to celebrate a goal against Damash Gilan in a televised match on Saturday.

The pair were also reportedly fined almost £25,000 each and their actions might have caused little comment in the West where fans are used to ‘laddish’ behaviour by football stars, but it caused outrage in the Islamic republic.

Jalal Yahyazadeh, a cleric and member of parliament, called it a ‘shameless act’ and added that it had ‘upset, angered and outraged’ all sports fans. [DailyMail]