Why your business needs social media presence?

Social media should be part of any business’s marketing strategy. It is a powerful tool needed by companies to reach prospective clients and increase their ROI (Return on Investment) as an important performance measure.

This is achieved through social media platforms that have built-in analytics tool to measure engagement rates, post reactions, organic reach etc as well as Facebook insights, LinkedIn visitor and update metrics together with Pinterest website analytics.

What brands don’t understand is that their customers are already on social media and the only way to get your message across is by interacting with your target audience on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Tumblr etc.

Thorough understanding of social media and great marketing on these channels can bring exceptional results and success to your business, build brand awareness, generate leads and encourage engagement.

Social media is a significant part of your business marketing and if your brand does not have it as part of its strategy then you should ask yourself what is it that you are not doing right.
Take the first step, open social media account and start engaging with your customers to get real results.

CANYON COAL’S PHALANNDWA COLLIERY

Reading or studying about mining is one thing, but being on the ground and experience the operation
and watch all unfold right before your eyes, that, that is a thrill. Like an adrenaline junkie, Phalanndwa
Colliery at that moment made me feel like I can sky dive without a parachute.

The colliery is primarily a source of ROM (run or mine) coal located almost 15 km east Delmas, the area
is commonly known for its farming and mining reputation, situated in Mpumalanga province. The plant 
became operational in October 2010 and has a life span of nine years, producing about 120 000 tons per 
month and an estimated annual production of 1.4 million tons, with a 60% yield and 40% waste, but have
a total reserve of 16 million tons.

It is an open cast operation with its safest traditional truck and shovel mining methods even though
explosives and blasts are the order of the day. This is probably a home of quality thermal coal which
contributes to 30% domestic consumption and 70% Carters for export markets. When I visited the site
was fascinated by the operations and equity invested in the business.

Phalanndwa Colliery is vast and its scenarios are captivating, from the allocation of equipment and
machinery, the colours of different soil layers and texture and to the heaps of coal and sand, it is like it
was purposely designed to instil beauty in this dusty and dirty but rich business. This place is a source of
employment to 224 people.

Despite the explosive blasts and the presence of the heavy machinery, including the 28 tons per hour
filter press system, crushing, screening and washing plant, the site is the safest place. Although in a
working environment like Phalanndwa, safety measures are a priority, therefore, at the entrance everyone
is required to take a breath test (by breathing in a breathalyzer) and when found positive to drugs and
alcohol, access to entry is denied.

It is also mandated to wear helmets and working boots on premise at all time, and visitors are not allowed to
 wander around without a guide or escort. The process is simple but effective.

In addition, it is also evident that the company offers opportunities to both the youth and women; it shows
that the company notices the significance of economically empowered youth to the three fold development
of the country. For the past decade, there has been a radical transformation in favour of women
empowerment in the mining industry and it is a pleasant feeling to not only see women working at the site,
but also knowing that they are doing well with a 16.8% woman rate of their staff.

Phalanndwa Colliery is running like a well-oiled machine, however, they are facing the water shortage
and illegal mining challenges.

Simphiwe Ngema lets go of her wedding ring

By Cherrol Skosana

The South African actress and choreographer Simphiwe Ngema known to her fans as ‘Thuli Nkosi’ on Muvhango has finally found the courage to let go of her wedding ring.  Simphiwe is admired by many for her strength following her husband’s death in August last year.  Simphiwe says the reason she has kept her ring it’s because she was still holding on to Dumi Masilela who was the rhythm city actor and singer.

“We have a love-hate relationship, sometimes I look at you and I smile. Sometimes I look at you and my heart bleeds. It’s almost time to let you go and the thought of living without you makes me anxious but holding on to you is more painful. I promise to keep you safe and to one day give you to the woman who will be Kgosi’s heart keeper. I will love you, forever and always” she wrote

Dumi passed away last year after he got married to Simphiwe for only two months. His death was a tragedy and became a national topic. Dumi was shot following a car hijacking in Tembisa, Gauteng. He then fought for his life in a hospital then death failed him. Simphiwe has then been expressing her eternal love to her late husband and reliving all the memories they shared.

Amongst other celebrities who have lost their partners is Ayanda Ncwane wife to the late gospel singer Sfiso Ncwane who passed away due to kidney failure and Letshego Zulu who lost her husband Gugu Zulu while summiting Mount Kilimanjaro.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bl2YY4WhQaQ/?taken-by=simzngema

How fate decided on Lerato’s radio career

Lerato Maila says she has never imagined herself to be one of the people behind the mic, all she ever wanted to become was a psychologist.

By Cherrol Skosana

The passion driven radio personality, Lerato Maila, well-known on air as ‘LeeLove’ says her willingness to learn has turned her into the self –taught personality she is today. She was taught the right way to read news and do financial indicators, most of which she learned by just listening to other news readers. She taught herself to read sports and traffic because at some point on her breakfast show The Capital Breakfast on Tshwane FM, she had to host a three hour show all by herself.

HER ASPIRATIONS

Lerato has always been fascinated about the magic creation, the creation of the final product people hear on radio and see on TV. “As a child I’ve always wondered what exactly is done behind the scenes so that we could watch what we see on TV and hear what we hear on radio. But like any ordinary young child those were just questions with no answers to,” she says. As inquisitive as she was as a child, never in her wildest dreams did she ever imagine herself to be one of the people talking behind the mic today.  “I always like to say that I feel like radio chose me and not the other way round, considering the fact that fresh from matric I always knew that I’m going to be a psychologist. However, my results were not adequate to qualify me to study in the psychology field so I opted for a bridging course in Events Management at Varsity college,” she shares. And from that year onwards she would like to believe that fate had already decided that psychology wouldn’t be for her.

HOW SHE GOT INTO RADIO

Shortly after graduating for the events course at Varsity College, Lerato had no plans on what to do next with her life. Luckily enough, a friend came to her with information pertaining Tshwane FM auditions. “The initial plan was to accompany a friend to audition but to our surprise, I found myself auditioning too but I didn’t make it through. Five months later, I was called by the same radio station to come and co-host a Saturday night show which played for an hour,” she explains. Lerato gradually worked her way up into doing a weekday radio show.  A year later, she started reading news for the afternoon drive show which she later became the host of. In less than a year, Lerato had already moved on to the breakfast show of which she’s currently the host, newsreader, traffic reporter and a team leader.

INSPIRATION AND ACHIEVEMENTS

Lerato draws her inspiration from her mother, firstly seeing as a single mother her strength and firmness and her strict hand with which she was raised is to this day highly admired and appreciated. “More inspiration comes from one of the industry giants in the radio field Thuso Motaung, whom I grew up listening to every weekend ever since I can remember,” she says.  Lerato has received recognition in the radio field such as two liberty awards nominations for the best campus breakfast show and the best campus news reader. Other awards nominations include the 2018 Pheli awards for the best Radio personality and the best radio show ‘The Capital Breakfast’.

Robert Marawa’s health scare and re-appointment at the SABC

Marawa has allegedly been hospitalized again and the irregularities found in his appointment at the SABC

By Cherrol Skosana

TV and Radio personality, Robert Marawa (45) has been hospitalized again following his heart problems since 2008. Marawa has recently been reappointed at SABC and as a result two executives have been charged for the procedures followed in his appointment.

MARAWA’S HEALTH SCARE

Fans have been asking questions about Robert Marawa’s disappearance as he was supposed to broadcasting the ‘world cup’ tournament that was held in Russia live from SABC.  According to reports, Marawa was allegedly admitted in a private hospital for two weeks around Johannesburg following his health scare.  This is however, not Marawa’s first hospital admission he reportedly have been having health issues since 2008 when he was diagnosed with a heart problem. It has been alleged that his heart has been giving him problems since then.

Speaking to Sunday World Marawa made it clear that his health issues have nothing to do with news. “There are many things that can be written about, and besides, I never said I was not well,” he says

Let us rewind a bit, Robert Marawa’s article with the Oprah Magazine South Africa back in 2012 he mentioned that since that day in 2008 he has learnt to appreciate his life more. He then took a decision with his then-girlfriend to start a family. “I’ve realized that although work is important, it’s really not the only priority in life. Most of us wouldn’t hesitate to take our cars in for a service yet we don’t think to look after our own bodies. Take time to rest and get your cholesterol and blood pressure tested regularly – you might think it’s a waste of time, but it could save your life,” he shared.

ROBERT MARAWA’S RE-APPOINTMENT AT SABC

In July last year, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) Sport parted ways with Robert Marawa following his decision to discard his contract with them.  The SABC reportedly went to greater lengths in re-appointing Marawa back on its sports team. His re-appointment allegedly costs the public broadcaster millions of Rands.  According to reports the deal between Marawa and the SABC was a three year deal worth R5.5 million of rands. However, Marawa’s re-appointment was followed by a lot of speculations on whether correct procedures were followed in hiring the sports anchor. This resulted in SABC’s former acting CEO Nomsa Philiso probing into Marawa’s appointment.

  

SABC EXECUTIVES CHARGED MILLIONS OVER MARAWA’S HIRING

According to Sunday World , SABC’s new chief operating officer Chris Maroleng and acting group executive for SABC Sport Marcia Mahlalela were charged for irregularities in the multimillion rand contract they gave to Robert Marawa for his re-appointment. Mahlalela resigned immediately after being charged for her role in Marawa’s appointment and the allegations that she demoted her junior for refusing to draft a memorandum motivating for Marawa’s appointment. According to Marawa’s employment contract of which he signed, the sport’s anchor is set to be earning a monthly of R154 000. The contract also stipulates that he’ll be making R1.8 million per year and that is R5.5 million by the end of his term in May 31 2021..

In relation to the above mentioned Robert Marawa couldn't be reached for comment after several attempts to get him to comment.

Sipho Makhabane PRIORITIZES YOUTH DEVELOPMENT IN MPUMALANGA

‘The big fish’ on his musical journey and talent search in Mpumalanga province.

By Cherrol Skosana

Award-winning, legendary gospel singer, Sipho Makhabane gives back to his community with his search for raw talent in Mpumalanga.  “I’ve been discovering artists from other provinces, it’s time to take it home,” he says.

MUSICAL JOURNEY

Known for unearthing new talent in the gospel industry, Sipho Makhabane has released over 30 albums in his music career.  Speaking to Move! , he says one of the things that kept him going is that he never allows circumstances to determine his future. “I struggled like many artists, started by doing odd construction jobs before I could receive my breakthrough in the industry”.  There was point in his life where his home was burnt and he was left with nothing but the clothes he was wearing then. Sipho had to drop out of school and do odd jobs in construction so that he can maintain a living. By God’s grace, he became a technician at Telkom, where he developed passion for gospel.

His breakthrough came in 1992 when he released his big-selling album Yek’intokozo. This is the album that gained him recognition and opened many doors for him. Sipho began to produce his own music on his third album and from then onwards he produced all his albums.  With only grade 5 education he has done well for himself and many other artists in the industry.  

DISCOVERING RAW TALENT

His first talent search was in Swaziland, the first artist to discover was UShongwe and Khuphuka Saved Group back in 1999. Followed by Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors, France Dlamini (Khuz’izono), these were the first three groups he discovered and developed.  “I then jumped to South Africa and discover Hlengiwe Mhlaba , Thobekile, Israel Mosehla, Tshepiso Motaung to name a few. This are people from different provinces, it’s time to prioritize the search to my province,” he shares. This is a development project that continues to grow, he has been working with Mpumalanga Department of Culture, Sports and Recreation.  

The lessons he learnt along the way, was that he mustn’t compete with anyone. If there’s a talent he sees, he must develop it. “That’s when I started to develop artists, I made my own theme-discover, develop, expose.  I am proud, some of the artists now have their companies, it’s a nice thing because I am not competing with them rather complementing them and provide assistance where I can” he explains. 

Sipho has successfully managed to develop about 45 young people from Mpumalanga to form a group called Mpumalanga Praise.  The praise team has released 2 albums already, Mpumalanga Praise volume one and volume two. “I’m still working hard to raise these kids and I’m inviting business people who would like to assist us with a bus.  Before I die, I have a wish to see the Mpumalanga Praise band grow and on other level,” he says.

This project is to help all the young people who are unemployed. He also shares future plans for it saying he would like to see it expand and ask for fellow brothers and sisters who are doing other genres to also come when conducting auditions for talent search. “I want to give every child from Mpumalanga a chance not only for gospel but other genres as well,” he concludes.

Motsoaledi Setumo dismisses witchcraft rumors

The Queen’s actress Motsoaledi on her journey in the industry and the witchcraft rumors

 By Cherrol Skosana

Actress and radio producer, Motsoaledi Setumo (27) is known for her role on Generations as Thabitha Cele the model that got the whole of South Africa talking.  She talks about her career, woman’s month and the witchcraft speculations around her.

WITCHCRAFT SPECULATIONS DISMISSED

According to Sunday World, The Queen’s actress Motsoaledi Setumo has fled her parental home in Kagiso, on West Rand after suspecting that her enemies were casting a bad spell on her.

Speaking to the paper, a source says Motsoaledi had parked her car in the garage after arriving home from a shoot and went to bed.  According to the source, the garage and the house were repainted white as part of the renovations the family did.

“She was shocked when she woke up the following morning to find what looked like blood sprinkled on the car.  And the white wall in the garage also had what looked like blood stains. It appears the person was using something like a broom to sprinkle the liquid,” says a source from Sunday World

However, speaking to Move! Motsoaledi dismissed the allegations and said she doesn’t even drive the car mentioned in the Sunday World article and that’s that.

HER JOURNEY IN THE INDUSTRY

Being on TV has always been her lifelong dream, her big break surfaced when she join the cast of Generations the Legacy as Thabitha Cele, the model that got the whole of South Africa talking. Following her recognition from Generations she played the lead role of Tselane Dlamini on Mzansi Magic’s popular telenovela Greed and Desire. She currently plays Mmabatho on The Queen.

“So far it has been an amazing journey.  All the roles I’ve played have allowed me to better my craft. It has been a bit of a challenge but this is only the beginning,” she says.  She list that her greatest accomplishment so far as an actress is being able to give her full potential to all the characters she has played so far. “They’ve become a household name and I can safely say that they have stamped my existence in the industry,” she says.

Seeing her name on the credits of Generations, Greed and Desire, and The Queen alongside industry veterans has been one of her biggest achievements.

When Move! asked her how she deals with setbacks, Motsoaledi says acting is an emotional art so any setback helps her to perform even better on set. “It brings out the authenticity in an emotional scene. Girl, I use that opportunity to cry for real,” she laughs.

Motsoaledi admires the strong, bold and courageous woman she has become. She is a fighter on and off screen. “There’s still a lot that I am learning about myself but looking back I can say that I’m proud of who I’ve become,” she says.

She has grown immensely and it’s all thanks to her mom. “My mom is my best friend, she’s my right wing woman, and she has always been the first person I turn to for everything.  The fact that she gets excited about my career more than I do makes me to work even harder and make her proud,” she shares.

Speaking about the Women’s month sentiments, the star thinks that this month should be a yearlong celebration.  “Why are we only dedicating 31 days to celebrate such powerful humans? Anyway, I hope this year we continue shining the light on the women who marched against the extension  of Pass Laws and bring even more meaning and purpose to what the month represents,” she explains.

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