Trials, tribulations and frustrations - Love at First Fight

[Ilse Burger] Love at First Fight is a fun roller-coaster ride through the trials, tribulations and frustrations of relationships. We attended the opening night of the show on 23 March and, as always, there was a warm and welcoming ambiance at Kalk Bay Theatre with guests eating, laughing and socialising before the show. We were heartily welcomed with some cheese and wine in the upstairs restaurant and bar area.

Digital TV here in a year

[Duncan McLeod] South African consumers may be able to begin buying set-top boxes for digital terrestrial television in little over a year from now, but the full switchover from analogue could take far longer.

New chef at Budmarsh Lodge introduces international tastes, ideas

[Gwen Watkins] Budmarsh Lodge appointed its internationally trained chef, Chris Tustian late last year and already he is encouraging its guests to experience European ideas allied to South African tastes in creating menus that underlie why this boutique hotel in the Magaliesberg so richly deserves its 5-star rating.

The IID Nemeth trend report

[Dave Nemeth] A collaboration between Dave Nemeth, a trend forecaster specialising in interior design, décor and furniture, and the IID (the Institute of Interior Design professionals) has resulted in the launch of South Africa's first specialised trend report for these industries.

Digital technology material to Apteker's new film

[Duncan McLeod] Movie making has changed dramatically in the past decade, as Ronnie Apteker, the energetic founder of Internet Solutions and now a keen filmmaker, can attest.

News24 throws its hat into the isiZulu ring

[Sipho Hlongwane] Conventional wisdom at the beginning of the last decade was that there was no way in hell any money could be made in newspapers published for the black population. The Daily Sun proved that to be humbug. The Sunday Times took it a step further when they launched a isiZulu edition. Media24 has now taken that idea online, with the new isiZulu News24.

Groupon South Africa promises you a good deal

[Herman Manson] In January 2011, they were two guys working hard to keep their group media buying site Twangoo running with a handful of freelance sales staff. Less than three months later, they have 40 staffers, a new office in Loop Street, Cape Town, and possibly the hottest thing since Facebook as their backers. That's because Groupon acquired Twangoo in January 2011 and tasked its co-founders, Wayne Gosling and Dan Guasco, with establishing the Groupon brand in South Africa.

Launch of state newspaper: MDDA reacts

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] The government's breaking news about launching its own newspaper has spread like wild fire and gotten the media fraternity heatedly debating the repercussions and best interests of such a daring - and expensive - project. Some observers believe Government could invest those resources in the 'right channels' if it aims to effectively diversify the media.

Maputo - more than you'd expect

[Brian Berkman] Most who leave Cape Town to live in Johannesburg do so to advance their careers, some leave because the weather is better - I'd leave Cape Town for Johannesburg to be closer to Maputo, just 45-minutes flight from OR Tambo.

Uproar as GCIS announces launch of state newspaper

[Issa Sikiti da Silva] It is highly irresponsible for Government to use public funds in order to gain credibility or just to cover up or deny whatever stories are run in the independent press, Shepherd Mpofu, of Wits University's Department of Media Studies, told Bizcommunity.com amid reports by City Press yesterday, Sunday, 27 March 2011, that Government is about to launch its own newspaper - which might run without commercial advertising.

SABC News (again) found guilty of broadcasting 'untruths'

[Herman Manson] The SABC News department has had more shame heaped upon it by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA) in a judgement that found it had been unfair to and broadcast 'untruths' about investigative journalist Sam Sole.

Spellbinding Saltimbanco

[Ruth Cooper] The colourful, vibrant, bustling urban metropolis of Saltimbanco is home to a myriad of interesting and crazy inhabitants, including lumo pink-and-green-striped creatures, bicycle-riding daredevils, whirling skyscraper acrobats, juggling magicians and a feisty Boleadoras slapping duo. I was lucky enough to be introduced to them last night at the GrandWest Arena at Cirque du Soleil's longest running show, Saltimbanco.

Clio RS Gordini coming to SA

[Henrie Geyser] The 1000th Clio RS Gordini has rolled off the assembly line at Renault's Alpine plant in Dieppe and the good news is that Renault South Africa has confirmed that the car is coming to South Africa.

Proper, more powerful paragraphing

[Tiffany Markman] I'm a big believer in short paragraphs. Especially for copy that will be read on-screen or under time pressure. Long paragraphs are difficult for most readers, who are busy, important and like to see a subject divided into segments for quick scanning and navigation. The length issue also becomes more pressing as screen displays narrow, thanks to smartphones and other mobile devices. So, what to do? Here are six rules...

How to look confident... even though you're speaking in public

[Douglas Kruger] Great speakers take us to unexpected realms of delight. They move us through giggling to sniffles, to deep introspection and back again. The best ones leave you thinking: "I have got to try that!" Bad speakers, on the other hand, make our toes curl. Ever watched an under-confident delivery and had to consciously unclench your toes?

Mind-blowing Mummenschanz

[Jordan Scott] My mind was blown, my imagination pulled to its limits and my cheeks hurt from smiling. This was not some huge musical or even a one-man comedy show, it was four people, with no music, no dialogue and only a few props. Everything that entertained was on their bodies, as costumes and masks, and they made those costumes come to life as one would never believe possible.