Admission:                              Free.

Expected Attendees:               3 000.

at Mbolekwa Stadium

Residents of  Pretoria,Tshwane and Gautêng are in for a theatrical treat. From May 29 to June 2, five top selling theatre productions are presented at the recently refurbished Aula Theatre , on the Campus of the University of Pretoria in Lynwood road. These productions boast a dazzling variety of quality entertainment and all proceeds go to the Theatre Benevolent Fund, a charitable organisation for destitute , aged and infirm Arts and Entertainment industry professionals.

Apart from the theatrical productions, audiences have a once in a lifetime opportunity to meet , greet and pose for photographs with their favourite  tv, theatre and film celebs. Fine wines and high quality art pieces will be for sale . For the first time ever, guests can delight in a unique exhibition of  old theatre photographs, garnered from the private collections of  Industry greats.  The young professionals from the Arts and Entertainment Industry will serve as ushers and all these events are hosted by the legendary Louis van Niekerk and Wilna Snyman.

The THEATRE BENEVOLENT FUND THEATRE EXTRAVAGANZA -will take place over 5 days at the Aula in Pretoria on the UP campus.

THE (TBF ) THEATRE BENEVOLENT FUND  (TBF )THEATRE EXTRAVAGANZA IS AN INISIATIVE BY PROFESSIONAL ARTISTS AND PERFORMERS IN AID OF THEIR AGED, VULNERABLE AND DESTITUTE COLLEAGUES. ALL PERFORMERS AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS PARTICIPATING IN THIS; ARE DONATING THEIR TALENT, TIME AND SKILLS FREE OF CHARGE.

THE TBF THEATRE EXTRAVAGANZA IS PRESENTED IN ASSOCIATION WITH UP ARTS, THE TUKS ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF THE MANHATTAN HOTEL IN PRETORIA,ANNIE MALAN PROMOTIONS, STANDARD BANK AND THE DAGBREEK TRUST. 

THE TBF : THEATRE BENEVOLENT FUND was founded 50 years ago with the vision of helping deserving Arts and Showbiz professionals of every genre and every creative discipline , in their time of need. Currently the TBF permanently cares for more than twenty aged, destitute and desperately infirm Entertainment industry professionals. A number of these beneficiaries were once well known amongst audiences, and to preserve their dignity, their identity remains a secret. All funds donated to the TBF are from the private sector, mostly given by fellow Entertainment Industry pro’s. THE TBF  is a “Public Benefit Organisation” (PBO number 930 000 322) with full  tax benefits, meaning that every cent donated can be deducted from tax.

THE DATES FOR TBF THEATRE EXTRAVAGANZA ARE :

29 MAY TO JUNE 2 2013, AT THE AULA THEATRE, UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA CAMPUS, IN LYNWOOD RD, PRETORIA.

FREE SAFE AND SECURE PARKING IS PROVIDED.

BOOKINGS are now open and can be booked at ITICKETS – www.itickets.co.za

WEDNESDAY -MAY 29^TH : 16h00 – 22h00  THE TBF INVESTS IN THE FUTURE  OF SOUTH AFRICAN ARTISTS-presented in association with Actors club, SAGA and PMA.   Wednesday evening will offer a workshop for students , potential and  professional performers from all disciplines on how to run the business of show business.

Experts from various fields in the Arts and Entertainment industry will provide insight on how to become and remain a successful self employed artist . The aim is to give the students and young industry pro’s a “real” version of the Arts, Creative and Entertainment world . Speakers include : an accountant to inform re the entertainment industry and tax. A financial expert to give more information re medical aid, investments, policy’s and such. Then we will have a television director, soap producers, soap actors, writer’s , producers, agents and actors that will interact with them on a one on one basis. The workshop will stretch over 8 hours and IS COMPLETELY FREE OF CHARGE .NO BOOKING IS REQUIRED , BUT ATTENDEES MUST CONTACT GERT VAN NIEKERK AT gvnsa@msn.com with the name or names of the group organiser and the number of people attending.

THURSDAY – MAY 30TH 19H30 – 20H30 –LIEFDE , ANNA ,which is a CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED PRODUCTION. Liefde , Anna is a biographical play on the life of Anna Neethling Pohl –the respected and often controversial doyenne  of South African Theatre and founder of the TUKS Drama Deptartment and Head of tgis department till the early 1970’s. This production stars Sandra Prinsloo as Anna Neethling-Pohl The casy includes Deon Lotz and and Gustav Gerdener. The director is Louis van Niekerk.

BOOKINGs are open and can be booked via ITICKETS – www.itickets.co.za

FRIDAY ,MAY 31ST – 19H30 – 21H00 VERSKRIKELIK SNAAKS Friday night will consist of a performance of “Verskrikelik Snaaks ”  a top box office hit, compilation comedy show. Tobie Cronje, Melt Sieberhagen, Lizz Meiring are some of the actors appearing in this side splitting production which has been playing to full houses for a year.

BOOKINGs are open and can be booked via ITICKETS – www.itickets.co.za

SATURDAY JUNE 1 @11am 13h00 –LIEFDESNOTAS OOR LAP – an unusual,highly entertaining and gloriously glamorous fashion event with celebrated haute couturier Thomas Thomson and internationally renowned veteran haute couturier Peter Soldatos. Talented young designer Lydia Williamson. This will be hosted by Hannes van Wyk, Brumilda van Rensburg and Lizz Meiring. Guest artists include the new generation singing sensations : Hulle, Lee Scott, Bongi Mnotombeni ,musical star Marissa Drummond, the international SAMA winning guitar duo CH2.

BOOKINGS are now open and can be booked via ITICKETS – www.itickets.co.za

SATURDAY JUNE 1 – 19H30 – 21H00 features “SOLO SAAM – a unique , completely new theatrical experience. SOLO SAAM consists of a series of extracts from hit solo and two-hander shows and features : Lizz Meiring, Vinette Ebrahaim, Christo Davidz, Theodore Jantjies, Maurice Page and Ben Kruger. BOOKINGS are  now open and can be booked via ITICKETS – www.itickets.co.za

SUNDAY -JUNE 2 -15H00 -17h00  The brand new sell out hit classical with a twist show “ DIE HART IS ‘N EENSAME JAGTER”. This show premiered at the Woordfees 2013, played at KKNK 2013 and audiences were enthralled by the orchestrated version of Johannes Kerkorrel’s music; arranged by brilliant composer and pianist- Dawid Boverhoff. A top string quartet consisting of LIZELLE LE ROUX ( violin JPO), SUSAN MOUTON   (tjello JPO leader), CHRISTI-LOUISE SWANEPOEL ( double bass JPO leader )and JEANNE- LOUISE MOOLMAN ( alto violin Odeon string quartet )   perform these light classical renditions of Kerkorrel’s greatest melodies. Well known visual artist -Michelle Nigrini created astounding paintings which are projected on a big screens, as a visual enhancement to the music.

BOOKINGs are now open and can be booked via ITICKETS – www.itickets.co.za

ADDITIONAL FEATURES AT THE TBF THEATRE EXTRAVAGANZA :

The vast and beautiful, recently renovated foyer of the Aula comes alive with a celebration of creative magic.  Art pieces, donated by respected South African visual artists will be exhibited and are on sale.

Fine wines ,theatre corsages and boutonnières can be bought in aid of the TBF.

Legendary costume designer Chris van der Bergh, donated original designs from famous theatre productions. These are also on sale.

For the first time ever ; an extraordinary  display of old theatrical photographs, collected from legendary performers will be on view.

Guests and audience members can pose for photographs with their favourite celebrities. These photographs are printed on the spot, and can be autographed by the stars of stage and screen.

The young professionals of the Arts and Entertainment Industry will serve as ushers and bar staff under the leadership of the renowned theatre manager Kobus Lodewyxks, who managed the Front of House Operations at The State Theatre

Philasade’s body was discoverd in a veld in Midrand. Send your detailed anonymous tip-offs to 32211 (R1/SMS)

The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Crime Line has called for any information that could lead to arrests or shed light on the circumstances surrounding the death of 19-year-old, Philasande Ngum, who was reported missing recently.

Ngum’s decomposing bound was discovered in a veld in President Park, Midrand, on Wednesday.

“We call on members of the public to come forward with any information that can help us to find her abductor/s and killer/s. Investigations are underway to determine how she died and any information would be extremely helpful towards providing closure to the family,” said Gauteng police spokesman, Brigadier Neville Malila.

She was last seen alive at the Midrand shopping mall. The perpetrators demanded R1 500 ransom money from her mother, which she paid into her daughter’s account.

Head of Crime Line, Yusuf Abramjee said the tip-off service passed on its condolences to the family and hoped to assist in bringing Philasande’s killer to book.

“This tragedy comes amid preparations ahead of Child Protection Week. We have an obligation towards our children to ensure their right to live in a safe environment. Like any young girl Philasande was enjoying an outing to the mall, which ended tragically. It is unacceptable.

“Crime Line is anonymous and no details of tipsters are captured on our system, so don’t be afraid to tell us if you have seen, heard or know anything surrounding her death. One SMS or phone call can make the world of difference for a family that wants answers. We appeal to you to be our anonymous hero and help us catch those who are responsible for her death,” Abramjee urged.

Detailed anonymous tip-offs can be sent to Crime Line on 32211 (SMS charged at R1) or by contacting Crime Stop on 08600 10111. Online tip-offs can be submitted at www.crimeline.co.za.

Participants are selected from conferences held at participating countries, called Qualifying Labs and the winners go on to represent their respective countries at the Falling Walls Conference which will take place in Berlin on 9 November 2013.

“We are looking for innovative and uniquely South African ideas that are relevant to society, our environment, and the world. The Falling Walls Lab is dedicated to the advancement of social scientific breakthroughs,” said Wim Plaizier, an A.T. Kearney partner.

The Qualifying Labs will take place in September this year in Johannesburg and other cities around the world. The Qualifying Labs will offer the opportunity to young academics and professionals to present their outstanding ideas, research projects and initiatives in 3 minutes.

Two winners will be selected from the Qualifying Lab in Johannesburg to represent South Africa. The Final Falling Walls Lab will then be held in Berlin and will gather 50 participants, among them all winners of the Qualifying Labs.

Application process:

Anybody with a breakthrough idea between the ages 18 – 35 may enter the Falling Walls Lab. In order to apply, visit the Falling Walls website at: www.falling-walls.com/apply and follow the steps in the online application form. You will be required to fill in your basic data, explain your personal motivation and the topic you would like to present. You should also have your CV ready in a PDF format – you will need to upload it. Filling in the application form should not take longer than 10 minutes. As soon as you successfully finished your application, you will get a notification in your browser window and via email.

After the respective deadline has ended, a committee will make a preselection of candidates and we will get back to within a few days. If you are selected as one of the participants, we will then give you all the further details as well as pay for your flights and accommodation (if you stay outside of Gauteng) for your presentation at the Falling Walls Lab in Johannesburg.

It was an intricate balance between structured educational upliftment, excellent planning and co-ordination, as well as a healthy measure of fun and adventure, that saw the 16^th annual Rally to Read programme set off at the start of May to deliver box libraries and educational resources to more than 40 000 children in 120 underprivileged rural schools around the country.

This last two weekends have seen the first deliveries of box libraries and other resources to 48 schools located within 100km of each other in the Ceres region of the Western Cape, the Bultfontein region of the Free State, White River in Mpumalanga and Loteni in KZN, with representatives of Bidvest, READ (Read Educational Trust) and over 70 corporate sponsors, arriving amidst much excitement and fanfare to personally hand over the books to the overjoyed children.

Bidvest, which spearheads the Rally to Read programme as one of its flagship projects, works closely with the Department of Education and the READ Educational Trust to select the schools that are best suited to benefit from the libraries and resources.  Selected schools receive the benefit of the resources and training over a three-year period to ensure continuity and sustainability of the process.

The READ Educational Trust plays an integral role in the selection of books and resources and is responsible for the continued teacher training, coaching and support over the three year period.   . This is supplemented by quality resource provision to improve the literacy, language and comprehension skills of primary school learners in the Rally schools.

“The selection of schools which will benefit from the Rally to Read initiative is based on criteria that involves identifying schools most in need of the support, schools with principals with strong leadership skills that are situated in the right rural location within deserving communities.  What’s really key about this initiative is that schools are not only supplied with the resources materials, but also the ongoing training to support the teachers in the methodology delivery of , and in situ monitoring and evaluation,” comments Gillian McMahon, Bidvest Executive  for Transformation.

Each of the 10 rallies that take place throughout the five May weekends each year consists of 10 to 12 schools within about 100km of each other.

Over 70 corporates from a broad cross-section of industry are involved in Rally to Read.  These corporates sponsor libraries of books and material that they deliver to the selected schools during their Rally Weekend. About 160 to 180 volunteers participate in each rally.  At a higher level of sponsorship, companies may choose to get involved in the project as hosts of the various rallies, sponsoring the costs of accommodation for the respective corporate sponsors which enables them to deliver the libraries and resources to the children.  The hosts for 2013 are United Bulk, Shell, Mercedes Benz, Lanxess, SITFE (Sugar Industry Trust Fund for Education),  FirstRand Group, Bidvest Financial Services, Idwala Lime, Finch Petra  and Telkom.

This year’s rallies take place in the Western Cape’s Ceres district and Free State’s Bultfontein area in the first weekend in May; in Mpumalanga’s White River area and KwaZulu-Natal’s Loteni area in the second May weekend; in Northwest’s Wolmaransstad and Eastern Cape’s Whittlesea and Queenstown areas in the third; in Mpumalanga’s Malelane and KwaZulu-Natal’s Weenen areas in the fourth weekend; and in Limpopo’s Giyani and Magoebaskloof areas and the Northern Cape’s Danielskuil area in the fifth weekend. Two of the regions are in the first year of the programme, two are in the second, and the rest are in the third and final year of the programme.

Bidvest manages the entire programme and sponsors all the management, administration and logistics costs to ensure that the donations from sponsors are free of any administration costs and can be donated in full to the libraries and resources for the schools. McCarthy supplies vehicles to the sponsors, which are loaded up with the boxes early on the morning of the Rally – and then driven by the rally participants in convoy to deliver to the beneficiary schools.

“The rallies are, by their nature, very exciting for the participants, sponsors and hosts alike, who have the amazing opportunity to get personally involved in the programme. However, the rally is about the children, for whom this weekend is the highlight of their year, and the full focus of the rally weekends is on contributing to their wellbeing through improved educational resources. We look forward to spending the rest of our May weekends brightening the lives and futures of children all over South Africa,” concludes McMahon.

Meditation is all about individual inner peace. But over 500 studies from more than 200 International Universities, including Princeton and Harvard, have proven that mass meditations can improve the quality of life for everyone.

So what better way to celebrate Africa Day, than a mass meditation for peace for the African continent?

“Regular meditation, say of about 15 minutes a day before you turn in, can be fruitful…” Nelson Mandela – The Authorized Biography by Anthony Sampson (pg 252).

It’s the first time thar all corners of the continent will be united through a webcast meditation – led by world leader and peace ambassador Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

Participating countries:
 Ghana
 Kenya
 Mozambique
 Cameroon
 Senegal
 Ivory Coast
 Malawi
 Uganda
 Tanzania
 Tunisia
 Nigeria
 Botswana
 Zimbabwe
 Rwanda
 Namibia
 Mauritius
 Morocco
 DRC
 Zambia
 Ethiopia
 Togo and
 South Africa

South Africa will host 3 public mass meditations in Durban, Cape Town and Gauteng. More than a thousand people are expected to attend at each of the venues. With a quick 3 minute ‘what is meditation video’ and then the webcast meditation with 21 African countries, and several other international countries participating as well – it is sure to be a blissful event.

Gauteng
Time: Seated 4:45pm- 6:30pm
Venue: Midrand Conference Centre
Address: 661 Pendululm Road, Halfway House, Ext 12 Midrand
GPS coordinates: 26°00’18.29”S / 28°07’53.67”E
Contact: Vani Pavadai 082 641 6049
vanishree@artofliving.org.za

Western Cape
Time: Seated by 4.30pm – 6:30pm
Venue: Bergvliet High School Hall
Address: Firgrove Way, Bergvliet
Contact: Elizabeth Roux 082 442 3953
elizabeth.roux@axxess.co.za

KwaZulu Natal
Time: Seated by 4:45pm- 6:30pm
Venue: Chatsworth Youth Centre
Address: RK Khan Circle, Arena Park, Chatsworth
Contact: Latha Ramkisson 083 778 5004
latha@phoenixgalvanizing.co.za

Itekeng Primary School is supported by the African Feeding Scheme who provide a daily meal to the children. They requested FTFA help this school with fruit and indigenous trees to supplement their diets, reduce the wind that howls across the premises and give them shade.

FTFA has thousands of applications on file for trees and food gardens from schools like Itekeng Primary and raises funds to help as many as possible. This project has been selected to benefit from funds raised by the non-profit through the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge.

Grade R learners from Iketeng Primary School

FTFA’s new Spin-2-Zero cycling team focuses on climate change. Not only will cyclists be riding for the environment and decreasing their carbon footprint, thereby spinning closer to zero, they will be able to raise funds for 50 trees to be planted at Itekeng. Cyclists are asked to ride for a purpose with the FTFA Spin-2-Zero team and raise a minimum of R500. They will receive a Spin-2-Zero cycle shirt that will highlight their efforts to decrease the impact of climate change on the poorest in South Africa and this ride will benefit Itekeng.

“This is a no-fee school, which means that we do not have much money, not only to feed the children, but to afford trees so necessary for a healthier environment,” said Mrs Jwalane Molaba, from the African Children Feeding Scheme. “Trees will prevent the roof from blowing off during the windy season, which has happened before. They will create a green belt between the school and the surrounding settlement, provide a place of safety and add vitamins to their diets.”

“We started this campaign as we see the effect of climate change increasing daily on South African’s whose voices go unheard, especially children. We believe that each cyclist can make a difference and we will turn climate bystanders into climate activists” says Lindsey Tainton, Spin-2-Zero Team Leader. “The more trees we plant, the more schools we will be able to help. Ride for us today and help us plant a healthier environment for tomorrow.”

For more information please visit www.trees.org.za or contact Lindsey Tainton at lindsey@trees.org.za or 011 656 9802/3

BYM is ayouth-driven registered non-profit and public benefit organisation that channels the hearts and minds of young people into initiatives that have a positive impact. The organisation identifies 100 of the brightest endmost passionate young people in the country, equips them as responsible leaders with an innovative mind-set and mobilises them to be change agents by creating opportunities to positively affect society.

BYM will be inspiring bright young minds to act as change agents for Africa’s future during a five day summit
held in Johannesburg from the 23rd to the 28th of July 2013. ‘Make Shift Futures’, the theme central to this
summit, was born from the understanding of the status quo and the urgent need for the youth to redefine
their own futures. The adjective ‘makeshift’ is defined as “acting as an interim and temporary measure” and is
the recourse or substitute solutions we arrive at when no other solution seems viable.

This holds truth in countless contexts in Africa where the opportunity for a sustainable future calls for substitute solutions today. The phrase ‘make shift’ is defined as to “do what one wants to do in spite of not having ideal conditions.” Inorder to secure the futures of youth in Africa, young change agents need to make a shift today.
Since the year 2000, annual BYM summits have been attended by South Africa’s brightest young minds who
proceeded to become successful scholars, social innovators, entrepreneurs, and more. Some successful BYM
alumni include 17 Rhodes Scholars, 18 Mandela Rhodes Scholars, 16 Abe Bailey Scholars, Fulbright Scholars, a
Commonwealth Scholar, a Clinton Democracy Fellow, the founder of Twenty30, the founder of Women in
Engineering, the founder of Young Women in Finance, two of the four founders of TSiBA, the first South
African to be published in Harvard Business Review, and winner of South African ‘The Apprentice’.
DryBath™, the world’s first germicidal Bath-substituting™ skin gel, was founded by BYM alumnus Ludwick
Marishane. He was the youngest patent holder in the country at the time, was on the 2012 Mail & Guardian
top 200 Young South Africans list, was honoured as the 2011 Google Zeitgeist Young Mind and has been
featured in several publications including the Huffington Post and Popular Mechanics. Further entrepreneurial
ventures founded by BYM alumni include Sibanye ‘Township’ Restaurant, Edge Campus, Personera, Chetty
Law, Founders@Work, Clyral, Experience This, One Over Zero, Prefix Technologies, Print to Advertise,
Silversoft, Xstream Flow, and more.
Applications for the 2013 BYM summit close on the 24th of May. Successful BYM delegates are exceptional
individuals who demonstrate both active and potential leadership; seekers of academic and/or professional
excellence in business, public administration, arts, sports or the non-profit sector; active contributors to civil
society using their extraordinary creativity, energy and resources; positive, young change agents who tackle
current societal challenges, defy the status quo and write their own futures; and are between the ages of 18
and 30.
What are you doing to make a shift for the future?
Please visit www.bym.co.za for more information or to apply.