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Miscellaneous

This category includes posts about things we really want to share with our readers but don’t “fit into” any of our standard categories. Posts include general news and things we are proud of … Visit SA-Venues.com to explore our beautiful country, South Africa.

Tuesday, 27 October 2009
Going Wild

Big 5 or Bust?

Something that always amazes me is the modern day traveller’s overwhelming desire to spot the Big 5. This is not to say that I don’t appreciate such a sighting and relish every moment watching Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Buffalo and (for me, the as yet unseen) Leopard in the wild, but when lucky enough to spend some time in South African Game Reserves, any sighting fills me with joy … Continued

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Article by: South Africa Editor
Thursday, 15 October 2009

Winners 2010 SAGA Calendars

CONGRATULATIONS to the following 10 people who have won a copy of the 2010 SAGA Calendar:

  • Lynne Bindeman (South Africa)
  • Dale Burns (UK)
  • Valerie Elizabeth Burns (South Africa)
  • Janet Churchill (South Africa)
  • Holly Godfrey (South Africa)
  • Debbie Greener (UK)
  • Bev Isaacs (Israel)
  • Pauline Prinsloo (South Africa)
  • Rebecca Sims (USA)
  • Patrick Taylor (South Africa)

Continued

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Article by: South Africa Editor
Thursday, 1 October 2009

Keep your tea bags!

T-Bag Designs

T-Bag Designs

How many cups of tea do you have during a day? And if you are in an office how many tea bags do you think get put into the bin at the end of the day? Even if you only use one tea bag a day don’t throw it away, keep it because there are some special people located in the Imizamo Yethu informal settlement in Cape Town who could really turn your old tea bag into something special.

“Original T-Bag Designs is a collective of artists who live in an informal settlement in Hout Bay, South Africa. With recycled tea bags as their canvases they are painting themselves out of poverty”.

If you haven’t yet heard of the Original T-Bag Designs then you are missing out, this is such a unique and creative way of job creation and utilizing the creativity of people … Continued

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Article by: SA Events Editor
Wednesday, 30 September 2009

Why support organic and local, and where to get it in Cape Town

Organic Cape Town

Organic Cape Town

Everyone’s talking organic and local. Eating organic is obviously a lot better for you, given the lack of chemicals used in growing the food. But is it always the best choice for the planet? And where do you go to find it?

Organic produce is important. We have spent a great deal of the 20th century adding synthetic chemcials to our food supply and the organic movement is a return to the kind of farming that was ‘conventional’ before all this tampering with our food began … Continued

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Article by: Wanda - Urban Sprout
Wednesday, 23 September 2009

CSIR International Convention Centre brings happy smiles to abandoned children

The CSIR International Convention Centre (ICC) has donated chair covers, notepads, pens, 1 000m2 of carpets (with underfelt), shirts, jackets, bags and more than 200 tablecloths to the Mohau Children’s Home in Atteridgeville.

“The children have been very cold lately as a result of cable theft, and the carpets could not have come at a better time,” says centre manager Ester Jaca. According to Jaca, the facility has also been in need of tablecloths for some time as their dining tables were bare. “Our dining room and boardroom will look very bright and welcoming with these smart new tablecloths,” she smiles … Continued

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Article by: SA Travel News Editor
Monday, 21 September 2009

Win 2010 SAGA Calendars (closed)

SAGA 2010 CalendarA very worthy cause was recently brought to our attention and we thought we’d support the cause by giving away 10 of these beautiful SAGA (South African Guide-Dog’s Association) calendars, which feature photographs taken by 13 top South African Wedding Photographers. Simply complete the easy entry form (competition closed – view winners), find out more about how the calendar came into being or, if you’d rather not wait to win, order your calendar and support SAGA and the important work they do. Continued

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Article by: South Africa Editor
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Eco-Tourism in August

Celebrating Mother Earth in the Mother of all Cities

Country comes to town - ‘From the Earth’ Expo

If you’re one of those city dwellers who yearn to exchange the mad rush of the city for the peaceful yet adventurous life that the country and farm offers – even just for the day, From the Earth is the expo for you. This unique concept of bringing everything that is homemade, healthy and natural right to your doorstep will take place in the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 16-18 October 2009 … Continued

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Article by: Cape Town Editor
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Eco-Tourism in August

Neutralise your “carbon footprint” – Grow a Tree

posted to: Miscellaneous
Grow A Tree Starter Pack

Grow A Tree Starter Pack

Neutralising one’s “carbon footprint” seems to be the catchphrase of 2009. What does this mean exactly? Well the basic idea is to plant a tree to negate the effects of all of the carbon emissions we are responsible for, in our daily lives. The rule of thumb is:

“For every 5000 km you travel in a car or for every 5 hours you spend on a plane, you should plant 1 tree. If you never travel in a car or a plane, you should plant 10 trees to neutralize the effects of your household.”

So, now that you know what to do, how and where can you do it? Continued

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Article by: South Africa Editor
Saturday, 8 August 2009

Women’s Day 9 August

posted to: Miscellaneous

Have you ever wondered why we celebrate Woman’s Day on the 9th August in South Africa? It has nothing to do with honouring women just because we need another “Mother’s Day”, this day commemorates the 9 August 1956 when women participating in a national march petitioned against pass laws … Continued

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Article by: SA Travel News Editor
Friday, 7 August 2009

Puss in Boots and Other Tails

Join a troupe of talented actors in a whirlwind journey of comic excitement as they set out on their big adventure in Puss in Boots and Other Tails at the National Children’s Theatre (NCT), 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown from Monday 7 September to Saturday 17 October 2009Continued

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Article by: SA Events Editor
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Eco-Tourism in August

How to Go Green

posted to: Miscellaneous
A solar collector

A solar collector

The time is NOW, the colour is GREEN and the question is: “What are you doing to save our Planet?” Eco living is on everybody’s lips and if it isn’t, it should be! Recycling, conservation and renewable energy have been around for many years.

Fossils fuels are polluting our environment and alternative energy sources are here! Many establishments are already saving the planet 1 kilowatt hour at a time by using various energy saving ranges, which are becoming increasingly affordable and available in South Africa and the world over. Continued

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Article by: Cold Core Solutions
Wednesday, 22 July 2009
Adventures in South Africa

Shark Tales

Great White Shark

Great White Shark

The following aquatic conversation is based (albeit very loosely) on true fictional tails. The names of the Great White Sharks have been concealed in order to protect their predatory identity.

Overheard on location in Gansbaai:

Shark 1: “Where are they? They know its winter and we’re practically lurking around in schools this time of year!”
Shark 2: “I don’t know but I didn’t floss my pearly whites on seaweed to impress the sardines, they better show up soon I’ve got some scaring to do” … Continued

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Article by: SA Activities Editor
Friday, 17 July 2009

67 minutes of your time …

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela

Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, known affectionately as Madiba, will be turning 91 tomorrow, Saturday the 18th July 2009. This is a milestone for anyone, however at 91 years Madiba continues inspiring and encouraging South Africans and the World to better themselves and those around them, when most individuals could only hope to make even a slight impact on their immediate surroundings at this age …

In an effort to celebrate Madiba’s legacy the Nelson Mandela Foundation is urging the globe to join together in their bid to create an official Mandela Day (18 July). This day will not only be symbolic in celebrating the man who changed South African history, but will enable and encourage individuals to improve the circumstances of those around them. This global movement for positive change will only be made possible by individuals giving of themselves … Continued

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Article by: SA Events Editor
Friday, 17 July 2009

The Oliver Foundation has a mission …

Oliver Foundation

Oliver Foundation

The Oliver Foundation has a mission. To work with local communities to help build a sustainable future for people and the environment. The UK-based organisation made a commitment in 2007 to focus its support in the Eastern Cape. It works predominantly in rural areas, bringing about change by developing and supporting programmes that have a social, environmental, educational and economic impact on those it effects.

And with good reason. Over seven million South Africans live in dire circumstances,  surviving on less than R5 a day. 26% of the country’s poverty stricken households are based in the Eastern Cape. As a result of a lack of proper education, unemployment rates are believed to be as high as 70% … Continued

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Article by: SA Travel News Editor
Wednesday, 13 May 2009
Happy 10th Birthday!

SA-Venues.com celebrates its 10th birthday

posted to: Miscellaneous

It is an appropriate moment to announce our 10th anniversary that also just happened to fall a few days ago, on the 10th May 2009!

SA-Venues.com

SA-Venues.com

The eyes of the world have been focused on South Africa recently for obvious reasons – the Dalai Lama’s unfortunate banning from the conference intended to tackle racism ahead of the 2010 World Cup, our new president, our banks have remained largely protected against the direct effects of the global financial crisis, and the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa.

The tourism industry also reported a buoyant year in South Africa for 2008, despite the global slowdown. Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk has commented that although the industry is not immune to the effects of the crisis, we can still expect a target figure of 10 million visitors next year. Continued

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Article by: South Africa Editor