Before the intervention of the Internet, Direct Marketing Campaigns were “Big Businesses’” cup of tea. Corporations took advantage of this marketing approach to drive sales and increase market share, especially retailers. While this method is strategic and requires a lot of planning and capital outlay, it worked successfully for some and not for others.Then, came the Internet and emails which changed the entire scheme of events. Marketing is becoming very sophisticated and c... Read Full Story

In 2000 I helped set-up a music publication and a communication media in Soweto- called Samablue Music Times. My vision was to organize a team of guys and girls to structure the local music industry in preparation to create exportable quality music. Complacency and lack of originality has always stifled the potential to export our music products overseas, instead we rely on the current dying small local SA market and complain about the unprecedented piracy of our music by Chinese and Nigeria... Read Full Story

Soweto is the place to be at in 2010 for apsiring enterpreneurs and individuals who want to cash-in on the buying power of the patrons and supporters of FIFA and World Soccer Games.For the past 8 months, I have been toying around with the idea of finding something dynamic, interesting, and appealing to sell. The notion of aspiring to sell stems from the inspiration that – come 2010 there will be many people especially tourists looking to get a piece of “Africa South” memorab... Read Full Story

This past Saturday I went to a driving range with a friend to practise my golf skills in view of bonding with business contacts and increasing my chances of meeting influential people. The Kibler Park golf range is a cool place to be at; on a Saturday morning, often couples, friends, and families gather around to do their thing “chill-out.”I remember the first time when I tried hitting gold balls at the same range for 2 hours my hands and shoulders were hurting for a week. Once yo... Read Full Story

Driving around Lenasia and Lenz was rather exciting watching its landscape changes so quickly with new building and townhouse developments going up. The new shopping centre in Lenz has attracted even shoppers from Soweto.By the way, for those who do not know Lenz is part of Soweto and share the same aspirations and desires as people of Soweto. Although Lenz and Lenasia is predominantly populated by 85% Indian Community, it has its own unique atmosphere, similar to Forsdsburg.Certain parts of ... Read Full Story

Soweto’s lower-end property market is still in the increase even though the interest rates are up. While buyers in the upmarket bracket can still afford to negotiate a lower interest rate as their property portfolio of 10 years, promise a healthy bottom-line when they sell. A close friend of mine invested in property more than 10 years ago for a song and property prices were very reasonable then.With extra cash to spend, he eventually made renovations and improvements on the property wi... Read Full Story

I have always admired the pro activeness of Western people, their attitude towards life and how they deal with challenges. Soweto Life and its people are not different. Everyone is talking about progress and support of community based –projects like “Renovate My Family” Dr. Phyl’s son’s project and so on, I have yet to see volunteers come forward in our Black Soweto Community offer IT skills to the disadvantaged communities.No! am not complaining or condemning an... Read Full Story

If you can't measure it- You cannot control it! I have been speaking to several smme’s owners in Soweto, about running of their businesses, and managing them profitably. My big question was how they keep record and track of their finances and information to manage them effectively without a bookkeeper or accountant.Surprisingly enough few take information systems and business management computing very seriously, as long as their cash register is on and working properly they are cont... Read Full Story

Travellers of Time Beauty of Wings Shape of Dreams International Airport Great Leader of the ANC Read Full Story

The stock used for most soups is the water saved from cooking vegetables, corn, rice and legumes and kept covered in a refrigerator. It must be used within 24 hours.A vegetable stock can be made from potato peel, celery and carrot tops and lettuce leaves, or any other vegetable parings, washed well and simmered in distilled water. This is rich in vitamins and mineral salts.If no stock is available use hot water and a good vegetable or yeast extract, taking care not to kil the flavour of the m... Read Full Story