Moti Group’s abuse of the process of court
The investigative news agency has overturned a gagging order brought by the Moti Group
Johannesburg
Riding the Wave of Marine Certification Opportunity
Global leader in non-destructive testing (NDT), inspection, certification and consulting services, Dekra Industrial SA, has achieved DNV GL certification, an international certification that ensures the reliability of components and systems in the face of marine hazards. As a global company with a 98-year track record through its global parent company, Dekra Industrial SA is renowned …
Retail campaign envisages futuristic fashion
True to its promise to stay at the forefront of the African retail landscape, Sandton City (www.SandtonCity.com) in Johannesburg has taken another leap forward. Last year, the centre launched its “City of Icons” campaign, profiling iconic fashion staples such as the little black dress, denim, trench coat, hoodie and suit, with shoes, sunglasses, handbags, and lipstick, all must-haves for any fashion forward shopper. Now, the esteemed shopping centre has taken the campaign to another level, inviting shoppers to imagine what the city of icons will look like, in the future, featuring these iconic items, tech-nified.
Driven by a futuristic vision, tech savvy shoppers will be delighted to see artificial intelligence (AI) generated iterations of these items, and others, crafted in the same approach, that propel the imagination on a futuristic journey. Generated using a Midjourney Bot on Discord, a generative artificial intelligence program, the campaign aims to help visitors to the centre envisage incorporating these essential items into their future fashion routines and to imagine future possibilities, where technology and icons integrate.
The technology-driven communication elements will naturally reside in the digital space, adorning the screens throughout the centre. The messaging will be amplified on Sandton City's social media by “friends of the brand,” such as Naqiyah Mayat, Kyle Clark, Zoe Msutwana and Victoria Duckitt, as well as by thought leaders in fashion, beauty, accessories and technology, including Nafisa Akabor, Angie Detsikas, Europa Art Group's Director and Buyer Melina Lambrakis and Dior South Africa's General Manager Armine Anders.
To view the first video, click here (https://apo-opa.info/3JJ4c3Y).
More video – (https://apo-opa.info/3NAOcSK).
Sandton City will also be producing a futuristic docuseries featuring these individuals, that takes shoppers on a behind-the-scenes journey to unveil how the AI was leveraged. The six-part series, to be showcased on social media, also gives insight into how different retailers in the centre are embracing AI technology to improve and personalise the retail offerings in the centre.
This exceptionally forward-thinking campaign, not only rises to the occasion, but simultaneously showcases the future of retail marketing. An AI model, ChatGPT, was leveraged to script the centre's social media component of the campaign, whilst an AI text to speech generator enhanced the voice over recorded for the videos. By leveraging this iconic technology, the ambition is to enhance its relationships with visitors to the centre, and play a role in the future of their imagination.
"Pioneering the evolution of retail through cutting-edge innovation is a key priority for Sandton City,” said Dimitri Kokinos, General Manager of Sandton City. “By continuously pushing the boundaries, we aim to remain ahead of the curve and to inspire our shoppers with the belief that the future is an exciting space, filled with limitless possibilities for all of us” he added.
For more information and regular updates go to www.SandtonCity.com or follow the centre on social media @SandtonCitymall.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Sandton City.
About Sandton City:
Sandton City Shopping Centre is renowned amongst both local and international visitors as one of Africa's leading retail destinations. With an impressive retail, office and leisure space ranking as South Africa's top performing retail destination in terms of trading density, Sandton City has an effective tenant leasing strategy and a low vacancy level. The shopping centre is home to over 300 of the most exciting local and international brands and presents you with a world of luxury in the exclusive Diamond Walk.
Sandton City is six-star green-star rated by the Green Building Council of South Africa. This is the first super-regional shopping centre on the African continent to achieve such a prestigious rating, representing world leadership in environmentally sustainable operational efficiencies. In accordance with the SHORE accreditation standards by international certification body SAFE Asset Group, Sandton City is certified COVID-19 compliant and has also achieved gold level status as a safe retail destination for its ability to prevent, adapt, respond to, recover and learn from operational disruptions. Adjacent to world-class hotels and mega corporate headquarters, winning multiple Best Shopping Mall awards each year, Sandton City continues to be a leader in mixed-use properties.
Sandton City is co-owned by Liberty Two Degrees, Liberty Group and Pareto Limited, and managed by JHI Retail Proprietary Limited.
For more information, please visit either www.SandtonCity.com, www.Liberty2Degrees.co.za, www.Pareto.co.za.
A launchpad for success
Innovation is all about forward thinking. It starts with a new idea and culminates in its successful implementation. It could be a new way of doing things or a new product, but the end goal is to add value to the market, the industry, and all relevant stakeholders. And this, in a nutshell, is what …
When the Car JUMPS out of the Billboard
June 2023, Johannesburg — In a first for an automotive brand in South Africa, Audi has launched a series of innovative 3D anamorphic billboards in Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Umhlanga, as part of their out of home advertising approach in showcasing the Audi grandsphere concept vehicle. This visually exciting campaign aims to captivate audiences with …
Fikile Mbalula in row over luxury house preservation order
Affidavits claim he borrowed R3-million from Lottery bigwig’s wife
Year Three
JOHANNESBURG – Mitsubishi Motors SA has been recognised for exceptional aftersales performance for the third consecutive year. In the last five years Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA) have put a tremendous amount of effort into ensuring that their customer service, customer retention and positive brand image have been improved from their already high levels. The …
Ratepayers should not have to pay higher rates until objections are resolved
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has written to the City of Johannesburg asking for rates increases based on reassessed property values to be suspended until the objection process is finalised. Though property owners may have sighed with relief when MMC of Finance, Dada Morero, announced an increase in property rates of only 2% earlier …
Labour court fires dishonest National Lotteries Commission employee
The client liaison officer was originally given a suspended dismissal for ten years for gross dishonesty on condition she did not re-offend
Innovative campaign gets attention on a world stage
Johannesburg, 26 June 2023 – Volkswagen clinched two awards at the recent Cannes Lions Awards – a Bronze award in the Outdoor category and a Silver award in the Industry Craft category for the Blind Spot campaign. With the support of creative agency Ogilvy South Africa (SA) the campaign submission was amongst 26,992 entries received …
SITEX – The largest trade exhibit in South Africa
Two major Sri Lankan export companies participated in the South African International Trade Exhibition (SAITEX) 2023, an annual multi-sector trade-show, held at the Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg, South Africa from 18– 20 June 2023. This year, more than 120 exhibitors from 37 countries participated at SAITX attended by more than 3500 attendees representing importers, wholesalers, retailers, product manufacturers, distributors, agents, government bodies, and entrepreneurs.
The leading Sri Lankan food products company, Ceylon Biscuits Limited (CBL) and Atlas Axillia Co. (Pvt) Ltd (Atlas Sri Lanka), a leading stationery manufacturer and supplier participated in this year's SAITEX.
CBL promoted a wide range of confectioneries including biscuits and crackers, chocolates, nutri foods and cereals. They introduced a new cereal product called “NatuNu” which is designed especially for the African region. CBL currently exports Milk Short Cake product to South Africa and exports their products to 60 countries including Ghana in West Africa. CBL is now exploring expanding to South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and Mozambique in East Africa. Sri Lanka is represented in these countries by the Sri Lanka High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa.
Atlas Sri Lanka promoted their stationary products including books, other school products like pens and pencils, bottles and boxes, educational toys, and office stationary products. Atlas has been a leading stationary manufacturer in Sri Lanka for over 60 years and also has successfully entered international markets, especially India and UK. They are now exploring opportunities in African countries.
During a reception hosted by the High Commissioner Prof. Gamini Gunawardane both companies stated that the trade exhibition was successful. CBL stated that they received many trade inquiries and offers from several South African and other African country companies this year compared to the previous year and stated there would be a potential increase in their current export volume to the African region. The High Commissioner appreciated the effort taken by the companies to expand exports and earn much needed foreign exchange for Sri Lanka.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka.
Here people collect coal dust to cook and stay warm
“What is the use of being climate conscious because this duff coal is like gold to us”
Major court victory for trade union
Simunye Workers Forum is a genuine trade union, not “a vehicle for enriching individuals” says judge
Making the most of ERP solutions
By Johan du Toit, Strategic Sales Executive for SYSPRO Africa Industry 4.0 is driving manufacturers to increasingly harness and use Big Data to enable responsive, optimised outputs. However, investment in technologies is irrelevant without data analytics to understand the internal and external factors impacting on a business. Big Data gets bigger every year, and manufacturing …
Empowering youth through literacy
JOHANNESBURG, 21 June 2023: In celebration of Youth Month, Renault South Africa, in partnership with the Motus Imperial Trust, has donated a brand new library and resource centre to the Mangwele Combined School in Diepkloof, Soweto. The library, like two similar facilities donated earlier this year, is intended to promote literacy and a love of …
Above and beyond for Father’s Day
In a country where paternal absenteeism is rife, Chery went beyond lip service when the company recently celebrated Fathers’ Day, which appropriately falls in Youth Month. In two separate but connected events, the brand that has fast become an established South African favourite, both educated and uplifted parents, including reaching out and warming the hearts …
Thousands Denied Opportunities in Nasi iSpani campaign
Dear Editor “One of the most troubling aspects of this scheme is the evidence that thousands of qualified individuals had their CVs discarded, while certain applicants were barred from even applying. This raises serious doubts about the fairness and transparency of the selection process.” It is becoming very clear that Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s Nasi …
Excitement builds as Red Bull Quicksand returns to Durban
Johannesburg, 21 June 2023 – The thrilling beach racing event, is set to make a highly anticipated return to North Beach, Durban on Saturday, 15 July. This exciting competition will be unveiling the toughest course yet, and provide an unforgettable experience for participants and spectators alike. Red Bull Quicksand has gained a reputation for its …
2 Tourists Drown on Crocodile River
At 14h42, Sunday, 18 June, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam, SRU (Strategic Rescue Unit) and the SA Police Services responded to the Crocodile River, between the Lion Park and Hartbeespoort Dam, following reports of an accident involving canoes on the river with multiple casualties. NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam rescue swimmers, NSRI Hartbeespoort Dam medics, SRU rescue medics, Police …
Words are not actions
The City of Johannesburg’s ambition to become a “centre of good governance” will require more than words if the city leadership is to earn the trust of residents, says the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA). Commenting on the 2023/24 budget speech by Finance MMC Dada Morero, OUTA’s local government spokesman Julius Kleynhans says Morero’s goal …
Empowering Plants To Work Productively And Cost-Effectively
13 June 2023: There are optimistic signs that the imperative need for operations and maintenance (O&M) is at last firmly under the spotlight, around the country, with regards to the ongoing national power crisis. At the same time, O & M is of crucial importance at individual plant level, and this is where experienced local steam …
“Stop Investing in Fossil Fuels Standard Bank”
About 200 people picketed at the bank’s head office to demand it stop investing in fossil fuels
International Day of Vesak
Sri Lankans in Johannesburg and Pretoria of South Africa joined residents of Thai and Nepal origin to celebrate the International Day of Vesak at the Johannesburg Thai Temple (Johannesburg Meditation Center – JMC - in Midrand, South Africa), on June 3, 2023. Over 100 residents from the three countries attended the event.
The Chief Monk of JMC, Rev. Kitsakol, conducted the religious ceremonies and delivered blessings of Vesak to those gathered. He highlighted the universal applicability of Buddha's preaching based on the four noble truths and extended Vesak blessings to people of all religions in the world.
High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Prof. Gamini Gunawardane, at the invitation of the Chief Monk, led the gathering in reciting the traditional Pali verses for Offering of Picked-up Robes. He also mentioned how Buddhist relationship between Thailand and Sri Lanka goes back to the introduction of the Sihala Sangha to Thailand in 1425 and the introduction of Siam Nikaya to Sri Lanka in 1753 under Upali Maha Thera from Thailand and Sarankara Thera from Sri Lanka.
Ambassador of Nepal in South Africa, Dan Bahadur Tamang highlighted that Buddhism has remained one of the strongest links between the peoples of Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is one of the most desired destinations in Nepal which is visited by thousands of Thai and Sri Lankan nationals every year.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sri Lanka.
Fully automated in-house powder coating line
Consistently leading the water tank industry, Abeco Tanks has invested several Million in a state-of-the-art automated powder coating line which is now operational at its manufacturing plant in Johannesburg, South Africa. “We are proud to introduce our fully automated powder coating line designed specifically for water tanks,” says Abeco Tanks COO, Mannie Ramos Jnr. Today …