Lisa Colquhoun, actor

Please have a look, Lisa is a close personal friend of mine, recently moved to London. She is an amazing dynamo of talent and her star is on the rise!

http://www.castingcallpro.com/uk/view.php?uid=464609

Thank you in advance!

Sandy Bigara

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A Real Mermaid... Sort Of ;o)

Theme: Nature vs Nurture

 

I sat for hours (hours and hours and hours...and some more hours) and made my little girl a mermaid outfit, she chose the fabric, details and watched me like a hawk every stitch!

 

You see, she is 4 and her dream is to be a *real* mermaid...

 

We went down to the beach today and even with the wind whipping around us and the water being cold, little Savanna was a very professional mermaid. Even though she ended up in tears a little bit because she was cold, she told me later on, wrapped in a blanket in the car: "Thank you for making my dream come true"

 

This was truly a case of Nature (the beach) vs Nurture (a mother's time and love)

 

Hope you "like" it :o)

 

 

It is entered into this months photo competition: The Lens Affair

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151015986156746.416717.654046745&type=1#!/photo.php?fbid=10151015995641746&set=o.167003226659454&type=1&theater

WOOLWORTHS Racist Employment: CEO Replies

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY:

You may be aware that over the past few days, Woolworths has been accused of racist recruitment practices – specifically, of not employing white people.

We want to reassure you that this is SIMPLY NOT TRUE.

The rumours apparently were sparked by some of our recruitment ads that designate certain posts for certain groups, and are being fuelled by an organisation that has called on its members to boycott us.

As a Woolworths customer, we thought you'd like to hear the facts:

Woolworths DOES employ white people. We employ women and men of all races – white, black, coloured, Indian, as well as people with disabilities, and will continue to do so.
We're a passionately South African company, so diversity is important to us. So is offering fair career opportunities. There are some areas of our business where certain groups are seriously under represented. These are the positions where we actively look for qualified candidates from specific groups.
Most other businesses do the same to bring diversity into their workforces. In fact, in South Africa all businesses that have more than 50 employees are required to do this.
We believe the responsible thing to do is to be open and transparent in our recruitment ads about the type of candidates we are looking for. Integrity is one of the values we hold dear.
As a born-and-bred South African company, we care deeply about the long-term sustainability of our country. With your help we've made significant contributions, through programmes like MySchool, to socio-economic development. We'll continue supporting transformation and socio-economic development because they're essential for our country's (and our company's) future.
We hope that we've answered any questions that you might have had about what's been posted on social media and reported in the media.

Thank you for your continued support.

Ian Moir
CEO - Woolworths

------------------------

Just thought it would be prudent to post this here, I'm being bombarded with BBM's that are filled with heresay and nonsense, trying to incite drama.

BBEEE (BBBEE? BEE? EE? BEBEB??) is flawed, it is also unfair, but Woolworths is bound by the laws of this country just as all of the other big team players are. Focus your rage and 'upset' on government, send written petitions to government. Lashing out at a Service provider for being honest in their advertising is silly. Pardon me for saying so.

Sandy B
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Neil Armstrong Has Died RIP

It is almost 1am and I am just home from performing...

Sad to see Tweets about Neil Armstrong's death.

Neil Armstrong has passed away at the age of 82 from complications following heart surgery, his iconic phrase "One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" has inspired us for generations.

The following article contains the full report of his death:
http://m.news24.com/news24/SciTech/News/Give-Neil-Armstrong-a-wink-when-you-look-at-the-moon-family-20120825

My heartfelt condolences to his loved ones.

Sandy
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Illegal taxis: Minister has no plan

As I mentioned the other day, I have been requested by a local DA representative to post certain articles. I think that this one has merit - there are too many road deaths daily due to negligent Taxi drivers and sub-standard Taxis.

Sandy B
--------------

Democratic Alliance press statement
Ian Ollis MP, DA Shadow Minister of Transport
Date: 22 August 2012
Release: immediate

Replies to DA parliamentary questions have revealed that 2353 panel vans have been illegally converted into minibus taxis and are likely still on our roads.

The unsafe, unstable converted panel vans were officially declared to be illegal in late 2007 and are currently the subject of a national investigation by the Public Protector.

Transport Minister Ben Martins has admitted that his department has no plan in place to address this issue. He is essentially conceding that his department is not taking any steps to change a situation in which the lives of thousands of commuters are put at risk daily.

It not clear how many passengers are currently using illegally converted vehicles. The Minster and his department also "does not have information on the number of persons who have died in such minibus taxis."

It is the responsibility of the Minister and his Department to ensure that public transport is effectively regulated, safeguarding the lives of the passengers who use it.

I will be calling on Minister Martins to appear before the Transport Portfolio Committee to answer questions on this issue and on why the lives of South Africans continue to be put at risk.

The City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government is clamping down on illegal minibus taxis and have increased their impoundment capacity for private vehicles and taxis. Impoundment centres in Maitland, Ndabeni, Beaufort West, George and Hermanus allow for illegal taxis to be removed from the streets and have proven to be a powerful weapon in the city and province's fight against illegal taxis - largely because its effects are immediate and cannot be laughed off by the guilty party.

It is now the Minister's turn.

Minister Martins needs to roll out a national plan of action to eradicate these unsafe vehicles from our roads. To ensure the safety of minibus drivers, passengers and other road users, we need a plan which all nine provinces buy into and implement.

Media enquiries:

Ian Ollis MP
DA Shadow Minister of Transport
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Pinotage on Tap 2012 with Diemersfontein Wines

Free-flowing Pinotage party to kick off at Salt Rock Durban: Pinotage on Tap 2012

Wednesday, 30 May 2012: It's voluptuous, vivacious and velvety; and its annual vintage release is the reason that thousands trek to their regional capitals for the Pinotage party to end them all. The Original Coffee Chocolate Pinotage wine from Diemersfontein is about to be unveiled for vintage 2012 at Pinotage on Tap, kicking off on 1 September at Litchi Orchard in Salt Rock, Durban.

The venue has changed from the midlands, the location in previous years, to enable easier access for KZN residents. In addition to unlimited pourings from barrels of Pinotage, white wine and artisanal beer will be available for enjoyment with a generous selection of tasty, filling foods. Popular local performers will add to the market-style atmosphere and warm, relaxed vibe for which the event is famed.

The Gauteng event will follow on Saturday 15 September at the Forest Camp, Cradle of Humankind Restaurant, Lanseria, while the Cape Town event will be held at the home of 'the People's Pinotage', at Diemersfontein in Wellington on Saturday 13 October.

The ticket price of R250 for the Durban event includes food vouchers, the bands, and the famous 'bottomless' glass of Diemersfontein's Original Coffee Chocolate Pinotage. Ticket sales open on Monday 2 July at computicket.co.za and early bookings are advised. For further information visit www.diemersfontein.co.za and follow the links to the Pinotage on Tap page.

------------------

For more information about this incredible farm, contact:

Diemersfontein Wine & Country Estate
Deidre Taylor
Marketing Manager
Tel: 021 864 5050
Cell: 082 776 9154
Email: marketing@diemersfontein.co.za

Media enquiries:
Erica Meles Public Relations
Erica Liebenberg
Telephone: 021 852 5648
Cell: 073 221 2353
Email: erica@melespr.co.za

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Touching Base! Hello There!

Morning all, just touching base to say hi and mention what has kept me away from writing for the blog!

I have moved away from Industrial Theatre (doing road shows to hundreds of schools, mainly disadvantaged and performing in all kinds of weather!) And I've taken the leap towards mainly doing live shows at different venues (piano and vocals), and traditional theatre shows. Added to my already hectic schedule doing school edu-tainment shows, running a music school, and home schooling my children... Gah!

My new show BESWITCHED has taken over every spare inch of time that I used to have, and launches this Thursday!

Tickets are R50 and Shika Budhoo and I are so excited about it! It will run at The Catalina Theatre, Wilson's Wharf Durban, from Aug 16th till Sept 02nd.

If you are feeling especially kind today, and you live in Durban/KZN please copy paste this as your FB status or BBM status - so many of our friends/contacts have already and we're so grateful!:

"#Beswitched runs @CatalinaTheatre 16 Aug- 2 Sept. New Comedy with Sandy Bigara and Shika Budhoo 031 3056889 to book! Only R50/ticket"

In the show I play 9 different characters - white, indian, australian, afrikaans, zulu and more ...... Fun! Stressed! Happy!

So yes, for now I have been asked personally by the Durban South Constituency of the Democratic Alliance to post specific articles written by leaders of the DA and so I will do so, I also post articles that interest me: I sometimes copy the article text for ease of reading but always post the link to the original (there will be follow-up articles on the topic on the original news pages) - I share what grabs my attention and, yes, I ramble (hence the blog name) and I hope you're alright with that 'cos it aint gonna change... When I have a break from writing scripts and working on my two new novels, I will put up some self-written articles. Right now I'm lying in the dark typing on my Blackberry... Not ideal!

xxxxxx

Here is the Press Release for the show:

"BESWITCHED- Best friends, one Indian - Leela, and one White - Pamela.
Leela is marrying Pamela's brother Eric and, the morning after a disastrous engagement party the two friends sit and share a disjointed cup of tea... The result is that due to Granny Vashti's "Special Tea" the girls swop bodies... The problem is this: The wedding is TOMORROW!!

Filled with gorgeous memories and flashbacks to growing up in the 80's and 90's in Durban, audiences will see "both sides of the coin" and meet many zany and outspoken characters along the way.

This comedy with a dramatic twist will have audiences smiling, remembering and hopefully even tapping their feet as Pamela and Leela try to "Make the circle of love complete" and Be-switch-ed back before Leela's wedding!"

xxxxxx

Have a fab day people and please let me know of any interesting news links etc that you'd like me to consider for posting!

Get in touch with me on Facebook xx

Sandy Bigara
www.facebook.com/sbigara
Sent from my BlackBerry®

Earthquake in Iran

This article is taken directly from: http://m.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/desperate-search-for-survivors-after-massive-iran-quakes-20120812-2428j.html pasted here for your convenience. Please visit m.brisbanetimes.com.au for more information.

------------

"TEHRAN: Rescuers in northwest Iran are striving to dig survivors from the rubble of twin earthquakes that have levelled villages and killed at least 180 people and injured 1300 others.

The scale of the disaster is still emerging with emergency teams in the devastated zone northeast of the city of Tabriz pushing through the night after the Saturday quakes.

With telephone communications interrupted, officials say they're relying on radios and travelling in person to hard-hit villages to assess and rescue.
The quakes, which struck within 11 minutes of each other, measured 6.2 and 6.0 on the moment magnitude scale, according to Tehran University's Seismological Centre.

The US Geological Survey, which monitors seismic activity worldwide, ranked them as more powerful than that, at 6.4 and 6.3, respectively.
"Unfortunately, the toll is mounting and we are now at 180 dead and some 1300 injured," Khalil Saie, the head of the regional natural disasters centre, told state television on Sunday morning.
"Up to now, there are no deaths reported in the cities and all the victims come from rural areas," he said.
Earlier he told the television: "We are asking people to not panic. Help is arriving and rescuers are already at the scene."

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's office has posted a statement on its website expressing condolences to those in the disaster zone and calling on authorities to "mobilise all efforts to help the affected populations".

An emergency services official said 66 rescue teams were at work, using 40 devices and seven dog squads to detect buried survivors. He said 185 ambulances had been sent to the area.
Those hurt were taken to hospitals in Tabriz and Ardebil, the two biggest nearby cities, both of which escaped relatively unscathed by the temblors.
Villages outlying the towns of Ahar and Varzaqan, 60 kilometres from Tabriz, were decimated, being closest to the epicentres of the two quakes.
Dwellings close to Heris, another town close by, were also badly shaken.

Residents in the region were terrified as their homes shook around them when the quakes hit and they fled into the streets for safety, according to reports.
Tehran University Seismological Centre said the first earthquake happened at 4:53 pm (2223 AEST) with an epicentre just 60 kilometres from Tabriz, close to Ahar, and at a depth of 10 kilometres.

The second - actually a big aftershock - rumbled through from nearly the same spot. A series of more than 17 smaller aftershocks rating 4.7 or less rapidly followed.

The disaster zone is located around 90 kilometres from the borders with Armenia and Azerbaijan and around 190 kilometres from the border with Turkey.
Iran sits astride several major fault lines and is prone to frequent earthquakes, some of which have been devastating.

The deadliest was a 6.6-magnitude quake which struck the southern city of Bam in December 2003, killing 31,000 people.
AFP"
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TNT Live Media's Presenter Search!

TNT Live Productions presents "TNT Live Media's Presenter Search!"

Enter now to become TNT Live Media's Video Presenter for 2012! Stand a chance to present the "I love Student Lyf Concert" on the 31st August and 1st September 2012 on camera‚ and rub shoulders with some of SA's biggest DJs!

Weekly prizes:
- T-shirts
- Photoshoot Vouchers

Grand Prize:
- TNT Live Media Video Presenter Contract (valid for 2012)
- 1 week Television mentorship with Mandisa Nduna (SABC 1 Class Act 2011 Finalist)
- A TNT Live Media Photoshoot
- A TNT Live Media Video shoot
- Spa treatment in your own home! By Fleuritious Mobile Spas

All you have to do is "like" the TNT Live Productions page (on www.facebook.com)‚ post a 30sec video of yourself on the TNT Live Productions wall‚ and get your friends and fans to "like" the page AND VOTE by liking your video! Weekly winners will be announced every Sunday!

On-location auditions will be held soon in an area near you‚ so keep your eyes on the page for more details!

The lucky winner of the grand prize will be announced on Sunday the 26th of August 2012!

Happy posting! And good luck! :D

Western Cape School Closures vs. KZN School Closures

So the ANCYL want to march in Cape Town for the closure of 27 schools?...interesting! Read on...

 

 

Written by: Sizwe Mchunu , DA Leader in KwaZulu-Natal
10 August 2012

The KZN Education Department's announcement that hundreds of small, non-viable schools would be closed in the province has been met with deafening silence by the ANC and alliance partners.

...

 This is despite a barrage of threats and provocation from the ANC and COSATU in the Western Cape about the Education Department's proposal to rationalize non-viable schools in the same way.

The ANC's silence is precisely because they know that better education opportunities need to be found for learners at non-viable schools with multi-grade classes and limited resources. But they cannot resist the opportunity to mindlessly politicize decisions that are made to improve the learning circumstances of learners.

We support the KZN Education Department's attempts to secure better opportunities for these learners in the same way we support the Western Cape Education Department. Tom Stokes, the DA's Education spokesperson in KZN, has submitted parliamentary questions to MEC Senzo Mchunu to ascertain how many schools have been closed since 2009 in KZN – an answer we anticipate soon.

The hypocrisy of the ANC's vastly different reaction to these two decisions brings into question why they've been so vocal in the Western Cape alone.

Marius Fransman and Tony Ehrenreich have some explaining to do.