DEAR MEMBER

The month of August is a special month….a month where we celebrate the strength and determination of special women in our country and commemorate those women that were part of the struggle fifty four years ago to fight for freedom and to secure a better life and future for their families and children. Just as these women had fought in the struggle, our fight today is against poverty, crime, sickness/disease and to save jobs!

Unified as a nation, with one goal, as in 1956, once again South Africans demonstrated to the world that nothing is impossible and that we are a country of miracles with many unsung heroes. The recent 2010 FIFA World Cup has had a huge psychological triumph for our country. It has instilled an unprecedented feeling of national pride and self-esteem. It has led to an explosion of patriotism that extended to the entire continent. This magnificent event showcased the vibrancy of our beautiful continent – Africa and the colour and diversity of South Africa, the host nation.

We have all heard the pleas for a more united South Africa and now more than ever it is time to be Proudly South African, not only in words but in action. Let us not only commemorate what these brave women did in the past but honour their actions by looking forward and working towards a decade of creating equal opportunities and promoting gender equality in our country.
We should capitalise and build on the momentum and self-confidence we have seen in these four weeks to achieve similar successes in other areas of our national life and transform the lives of our people in a manner that can deepen the unity we have seen and experienced. Women in South Africa are playing an important role in ensuring that we are part of the process to contribute to economic growth that will help address the challenges of unemployment with the necessary urgency and speed

Another important Campaign has been launched on the 4th of August 2010 to encourage all South Africans to get up and “Take the Lead” and make a difference wherever you are. We can continue to play the “Blame Game” or we can change our own attitude and behaviour to change everything around us. We have to start at the core, from the heart, start doing small things for others and those in need. We need to root out all evils of abuse – abuse to women and children; disrespect to the elderly, our parents, authority, and laws of our country; fight against corruption; crime and instill new morals and values. We have to start looking within, be the change for a better South Africa you want to see and live in.

We have to start at our homes, our families doing special things and spend quality time with our loved ones. Visit our neighbors, community, our area. Take the lead to fix problems in your area. Start with your staff at your office, start doing the right things by changing attitude and changing behavior. The World Cup has shaken us out of our deep sleep and comfort zone – to show us what can be achieved if we stand and work together as a Proud and unified nation with one vision and one goal. Collectively we can do this, endorsing a campaign to bring change and to build a great country for our kids and grandchildren.

I would like to thank all the Proudly SA staff members who took time out of their weekend and made the effort to “Pay it Forward”; where they offered 67 minutes of their time to serve others in need. Your efforts are recognised as part of the change we want to bring in our country. This month’s newsletter again features some inspiring stories on ordinary South Africans who are making an extraordinary effort to support those less privileged.

Our first Proudly South African town, Clarens, was awarded third place in the Rapport & KykNet / Kwêla’s National town of the year competition and first place as the most popular and best town in the Free State.

Clarens has an estimated population of only 6 500, Clarens received 10 105 votes while the national winner, Graaff Reinet, who has a population of over 70 000 won with 27 099 votes. If you add up all the figures you can easily see who the real winners were.

Never the less, we want to congratulate Clarens and its citizens for their outstanding achievements. To Garth and his team from Speckled Bean, who were driving this project, congratulations, we know you are proud of your beautiful Free State town This competition generated approximately R600 000 worth of media coverage and publicity for Clarens. For those of you that haven’t visited this picturesque town in the Eastern Free State, you need to make the effort to go and spend a weekend in this tranquil, magical town known as the jewel of the Eastern Free State and rid yourselves from the Gauteng rush and stresses.

I am sure all Proud South Africans will join me in wishing Bafana Bafana the very best for their match against Ghana on Wednesday, 11 August 2010. I know that they will certainly get thousands of hoots of encouragement from the South African’s Vuvuzela’s – uniquely and proudly South African. Wear your Bafana Bafana shirts and show your support.

Thank you once again to all our Proudly South African members by adhering to the Campaign’s uplifting criteria, continue to promote sustainable economic growth and contribute to support the virtuous circle of Buying Local.

We can come together as one voice and see the amazing impact it will make. We can become the solution to DO things and not wait or hope that others will speak about or do things – we can be the ones to start the “Movement of Change!” Together, as strong leaders we can harness and build on the spirit of Ubuntu and the Proudly South African ethos and create a better world for all.

Victor Hugo said: “There is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come” This is each Proudly South African’s time to stand up, bring change and take the lead!

Remember to Switch-Off, Recycle and Re-Use!

Yours Proudly
Dalene du Preez
Executive Manager: Marketing & Communications

Be Proudly South African. Buy local to create jobs!

New Members

Suid-Afrikaanse Vrouefederasie (SAVF) (Gauteng)

Contact Person: Marieta Kemp
Contact Number: 012-325 3920
Contact Email: transform@savf.co.za
Website URL: www.savf.co.za

Vukani Range Creation

Stand a chance of winning this autographed pillow from Winnie Madikizela Mandela, created by Vukani Range Creation.

Question:
What does the acronym: WMSC stand for?

Background

The Winnie Mandela Signature Collection by Vukani Range Creation” It is a Lifestyle & Fashion Brand that is sophisticated, contemporary, refined and elegant brand that speaks about love, integrity, compassion, boldness, leadership and richness of spirit. The brand is established in order not only to inspire, but also to inform, and to give back.

Clarens awarded third place in the Rapport & KykNet / Kwêla’s National town of the year competition

Our first Proudly South African town, Clarens, was awarded third place in the Rapport & KykNet / Kwêla’s National town of the year competition and first place as the most popular and best town in the Free State.

EARTHY BEAUTIES - MISS EARTH SOUTH AFRICA 2010

The 8th Annual Miss Earth South Africa 2010 in association with Consol, will be crowned at a Gala event held at the Emperors Palace in Gauteng on Saturday the 11th of September 2010. This spectacular event not only showcases the best beauties in South Africa, but is a platform that empowers young women and encourages them to make a difference in protecting the environment.

EVERY SWIPE COUNTS!

There is a valuable Proudly South African initiative that has contributed to the improvement of education and society at large since 2004, called MySchool Programme.

‘GET YOU HOME SAFELY’ - A PROFILE ON WESTHOUSE PROTOTYPING

South Africa has one of the highest rates of fatal motor vehicle accidents in the world, many involving motorcycles. Yet this increasing problem can be curbed through the use of technology and Westhouse Prototyping has ‘made a plan’.

VUKANI! FASHION AWARDS - Creating the Stars of Tomorrow

The 16th Annual Vukani! Fashion Awards took place on the 26th June 2010 at Ubuntu Kraal in conjunction with Metropolitan, Bernina, Dad Fund, Webo amongst other sponsors. It was an event of colossal magnitude with the finalists raising the bar in standard of product quality, innovation, creativity and ingenuity and only three talented young designers were awarded for their outstanding creations at the event. The three winners, Jane Wolff, Zanele Ncane and Yolande Maree scooped prestigious awards for their creations from a selection of 14 finalists across South Africa, competing in the prominent competition.

Boost for black-owned firms in SA

Black-owned emerging businesses are set to receive a welcomed boost from a revised empowerment scheme recently introduced by government. The Department of Trade and Industry (the dti) relaunched its Black Business Suppliers Development Programme in Pretoria on 28 July. It will offer financial support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through a grant-application process.

LETS SUPPORT THE CLASS OF 2010!

‘Let’s support the class of 2010!’ is a campaign launched by The Department of Basic Education during the 2010 FIFA World cup. The aim is to encourage grade 12 learners, parents, and teachers to work together to support 2010 grade twelve learners as they prepare for their national senior certificate (NSC) examinations.

Soccer festival craft sales top R589 000

Western Cape craft producers have netted R589 000 from 10 June to 11 July during the soccer mega-fest, as well as developing valuable contacts and boosting exposure of the craft sector to visitors and locals.

TREASURY PROBES MONEY SPENT ON WORLD CUP TICKETS

Early this year The Minister of Finance, Pravin Gordhan, warned public officials to abide by the Monetary Policies. Not to overspend and most importantly they were warned against spending astronomical amounts on World Cup tickets.

Understanding the impact of HIV/AIDS on your company

There is no doubt that the productivity of the South African workforce is decreasing as a result of HIV/AIDS. It is increasingly recognised that the HIV/AIDS pandemic not only presents a human tragedy but also has a profound effect on the economic health of many companies.

Step 7: Make the big calls: your car and your house

Having developed a better sense of your financial situation, and having negotiated better payment terms with your relevant creditors, you may feel you are still way behind the game.

“Working Together for Equal Opportunities and progress for Women: Forward to the Decade of African Women”

It all started in 1956 when over 20 000 women marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to protest against the apartheid laws of that time.

ANGEL FOR ALEX AIDS ORPHANS

There are those South Africans who have a strong desire to serve the community they live in and won’t sit back and allow situations to reach detrimental proportions. They see within themselves the ability to change the circumstances in their community. They recognize that they are the solution, IT STARTS WITH THEM!

BURSARY FUND OPENS DOORS FOR YOUNG BLACK ACCOUNTANTS

Nonkululeko Gobodo is committed to increase the number of black women in the accounting profession. This passionate Chartered Accountant, and founder of Gobodo Inc, is working hand in hand with Thuthuka Bursary funds (TBF) and the SA institute of charted accountants (SAICA) to make this dream a reality.

International year for the rapprochement of cultures

The different nations of the world have been experiencing an unharmonious relation towards other cultures because there has not been a unifying element that has brought people around the world together. The international year for the rapprochement of cultures is a catalyst driver that aims to bring people of all cultures together and also aims to enhance the tolerance of cultures that do no live in harmony because of the past occurrences such as xenophobia.

International honour for Vergelegen camellia collection

South Africa has a new national treasure – its first International Camellia Garden of Excellence, one of only 17 such gardens in the world, and the second in the southern hemisphere.

RE: DONATION OF CLOTHES FOR CHILDREN AND GRANDMOTHERS AND HELPING WITH PACKING AND DISTRIBUTION OF FOOD PARCELS

On behalf of children orphaned and made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS and their grandmothers, the Alex Aids Orphans’ Project would like to afford this opportunity to extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to you, the staff and management of Proudly South African for responding to the call beyond compassion. We are truly honored to be the recipients of your generous contribution and touched by your team’s dedication and hard work during the distribution of food parcels to our orphaned families. Proudly South African, thank you so much for selecting the Alex Aids Orphans’ Project as a charity of your choice for the month of July and your team for spending more than 67 minutes of their time with families in need.

Al Prodgers

Let me start off by saying I’m not xenophobic. I wish xenophobes would just push off back where they came from, okay? So this is not an article picking on citizens of other countries. It’s a blog about us.

South African rugby had a hard few weeks. Our team took a battering, some of it even from the opposition. But a lot has been home grown. Of course we have problems when guys like Bakkies follow their own head, but let’s drop the fake surprise. He’s named for a tough bundu-bashing vehicle, not called “koeksister”. Although that would be a cool name for a wrestler. I’m not suggesting that criticism isn’t justified; I just don’t understand why we internalise foreign media reports about us and allow them to spin us into a spiral of self-doubt and panic.

Even when we do well, we absorb uncertainty. Golfer, Louis Oosthuizen’s superb win at The Open was soon received with doubt. We echoed the nasty, little media trolls who were “worried” that he might not sustain his good form.
“Will he be able to win it again?”, they fretted, even before he finished winning it this time.
If they were so concerned for his well being, they’d have learned to pronounce his name.