Pesto Princess Praised!

We are very excited for Afripreneurs, Pesto Princess who just received a great review from Pick n Pay, Africa's largest and most consistently successful retailers of food.

Well done! Keep up the great work and supplying our tastebuds with a little taste of heaven!

Here is a snippet of the review:

"Dive into a new range of delicious homemade pestos. As far as I'm concerned, the secret to a good cook is someone who knows what ingredients to always have on hand. Good olive oil, great parmesan, fresh fruit and vegetables, and pesto.

Think about it - what other foodstuff can you use on pizzas, in pastas, on toast and crackers, as a dip, mixed in with mayonnaise, or as a salad dressing? Truly, pesto is a marvelous chameleon.

But there's pesto, and then there's pesto. Some pestos are thin and low on flavour, or have a funny texture, or don't pack a punch. And then there's Pesto Princess. Free of preservatives, flavourants and colourants, this is pesto handmade with love. And fresh ingredients."

Click here to read the full review

Interview Series Started

Dear Afriversity Friends,

With our New Year energy we are kick-starting an interview series with African entrepreneurs who recently started up a business, want to do so soon or have an existing business that they wish to promote.

These interviews are published across multiple platforms including the Afriversity network.

Would you like to showcase your company or business plan to a worldwide business audience interested in Africa?

Please send me an email asap: nna@afriversity.org

Kind Regards,

Natasha

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone from the Afriversity Team! ♥

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Melinda French Gates: What nonprofits can learn from Coca-Cola | Video on TED.com

Afriversity @ Connect Estonia

Click here to see some more photos from Afriversity´s visit @ Connect Estonia!

Season Greetings from Afriversity!

Dear Afriversity Friends and Family,

Please take a few minutes to watch our Christmas Greeting and Appeal for Sponsorship.

If you are interested in sponsoring Afriversity please contact us at hope@afriversity.org

Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and healthy New Year!

Love from the Afriversity Team

A little reading for our Swedish friends

On the 20th October, Afriversity CEO Thorgeir Einarsson was invited to speak at the annual Skandinaviens Enskilda Bank( SEB) charity convention, featuring some Sweden´s largest corporations, charities and foundations.

The function´s aim was to help deepen the dialogue on how different actors in society can cooperate and work together in addressing urgent global challenges while upholding Corporate Social Responsibility. Of course, Thorgeir was a great success and SEB decided to feature his story in their latest newsletter. 

The article is in Swedish only

http://www.scribd.com/doc/45412470

Afriversity debuts in Estonia!

Afriversity CEO and Founder, Thorgeir Einarsson has been invited by Tarvo Tamm, Managing Director of Connect Estonia to present Afriversity to its members at their annual Christmas event on December 16th. Connect Estonia has chosen Africa as their focus this year and aim to explore the entrepreneurial potential that exists in the continent.

Other speakers will include Danish entrepreneur Kresten Buch who will share his experience of doing business in Kenya and will also give an overview of start-up event IPO48, the boot-camp-style initiative which received a lot of local and international attention and resulted in the birth of some very exciting new businesses.

For more information on Connect Estonia go to www.connectestonia.net

 
  

Our inspiration today!

Gosh it isn´t even lunch time and I already feel so inspired. I just finished a call with Gina Levy, Founder of Supernews.co.za, a wonderful multi-media, online, Citizen-Generated News & Idea Network located in Cape Town, South Africa.

A few months ago, I uploaded the Afriversity video to their website and Gina took immediate interest in the project, so much so that she decided to attend Afriversity´s networking event in November. When I spoke to her today, she said that she didn´t know what to expect but she left the seminar feeling inspired and humbled. She agreed with us that these are the stories that need to be told...the stories that will help inspire and communicate the amazing potential that this continental has to offer. 

These are the stories that give us strength, increase awareness, influence new ways of thinking and give us HOPE!

So now Gina and I are working on a strategy to work together and do some wonderful things. I am soooo exciting and feeling full of energy and purpose. So I am going to leave you with this little video as a mini introduction to Supernews. 

And remember to watch this space!

<3 Natasha

Population growth explained with IKEA boxes

Explaining population growth requires simplification, but not oversimplification.

In this TED video, Hans Rosling explains why ending poverty – over the coming decades – is crucial to stop population growth. Only by raising the living standards of the poorest, in an environmentally-friendly way, will population growth stop at 9 billion people in 2050.

Wealthy South Africans generous!

Wealthy South Africans are the second most generous nation when it comes to giving money, and rank fourth in volunteering their time to worthy causes, according to a report.

“South Africa was found to be the second most financially generous nation behind the United States, and when it came to measuring which nations were the most generous in giving of their time, South Africa ranked fourth behind list-topping Ireland,” said Absa Wealth in a statement on Tuesday. 

Read the Full story here:

http://www.iol.co.za/business/business-news/wealthy-south-africans-generous-1.891355

Let the children play - Help Shana with her toydrive!

Feed your heart this festive season. You know how good it feels to do something good, so go oh, help out this year by giving to Toy Drive. We are passionate about happiness and helping children who have no families to support them. BUT at the end of the day, a child, no matter what.. 

Afriversity participant, Shana Kay has started a project called The TOY DRIVE which is aimed at raising toys for Hospital play areas, orphanages and charities with a youth focus.

She started the TOY DRIVE as a way to help those who would like to give back to society, but not sure how. Being a frequent visitor at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital as a child due to Epilepsy (which she has since outgrown), this is one of the ways she gives back.
 

How can you help? Easy, attend, drop a toy or some cash, have fun and that’s it. Should you choose to participate in the delivery, let me know. Else, your part is simple and you get to have some fun.

Annual Toy Drive is set to be loads more fun this year. Get involved today!

Go to:  http://www.annualtoydrive.org/

Tony Robbins motivates you in 20 minutes: TEDTalks

Tony Robbins talks about how to unlock your true potential -- and high-fives Al Gore in the front row! A fast-paced, mind-expanding, motivating TEDTalk for high achievers and those who wish to be.

INTEGRATED BUSINESS & OWNER ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

Preparing for 2011 - is it back to business as usual, is it about growth, sustainability or just survival?

Apply for Afriversity's Phase One

Business Owner Assistance Program

2011 Program Dates:
i) 8, 9, 10 Feb – 8, 9, 10 Mar – 12, 13, 14 Apr

ii) 24, 25, 26 May - 21, 22, 23 Jun - 19, 20, 21 Jul

iii) 16, 17, 18 Aug - 13, 14, 15 Sep - 11, 12, 13 Oct

Sessions start at 08h30 and finish at 13h30

This 3-month intensive development opportunity will change the way you do business now and in the future.

Cost: R7500 for the full program. (Subsidies available)

Register here and we will send you more details...

Contact: adminsa@afriversity.org - call 021 418 0450

Meet Comessa Foods - A company thinking about your health!

Afriversity CEO and Founder, Thorgeir Einarsson is visiting Cape Town this week to connect with our South African Team and meet some of the Afripreneurs. 

One of the first Afripreneurs that Thorgeir met with was Zoegdie Essa, Founder of Comessa Foods.

Comessa Foods have created South Africa´s first ever flavoured Tortilla wraps and healthy popcorn! 

Their products have become known in the food industry not only for the health attributes and nutritional profiles, but also for taste. Their brand also carries the seal of GIFSA and is DIABETICS SA Endorsed because their products are low in fat, low in sodium, zero cholesterol level, high in fibre and offer natural energy. Thus becoming the ideal snack for slimmers, active people, diabetics and people who care about what they eat.

Zoegdie and his team measure their success not only in the market price but by the growth of their people and the communities they serve in. As a 100% Level 3 Broad Based EE business, their roots stem from previously disadvantaged backgrounds and they are strongly committed to the upliftment of fellow female colleagues.

We thank Comessa Foods for their commitment to providing healthy food options and supporting their local communities.You are an inspiration to us all!

Learn more about this great company now!  www.comessafoods.co.za

More contact information:
Unit 107 Sussex Road Wynberg, Cape Town
Tel+27 21 797 3376
info@comessafoods.co.za

Start with WHY!

I have just finished watching Simon Sinek´s TED lecture on inspirational leadership all starting with a golden circle and the question "why". In 21 minutes, he explains how with a little discipline, anyone can learn to inspire.

Why? How? What? This little idea explains why some organizations and some leaders are able to inspire where others aren’t. Every single person, every single organization on the planet knows what they do, 100 percent. Some know how they do it, whether you call it your differentiated value proposition or your proprietary process or your USP. But very, very few people or organizations know why they do what they do. And by “why” I don’t mean “to make a profit.” That’s a result. It’s always a result. By “why” I mean: what’s your purpose? What’s your cause? What’s your belief? Why does your organization exist? Why do you get out of bed in the morning? And why should anyone care?

START WITH WHY offers an unconventional perspective that explains WHY some people and organizations are more innovative, more profitable, command greater loyalties from customers and employees alike and, most importantly, are able to repeat their success over and over. These are not the one hit wonders. These are the ones who change the course of industries or even society.

Don´t believe it? Watch and be inspired! Simon Sinek - Start with Why!

Join our Business Owner Networking and Sharing Party

It is Global Entrepreneurship Week (15-21 Nov 2010) and you are invited to join the Afriversity team, fellow business owners and key enterprise development stakeholders as we celebrate Cape Town Entrepreneurship Week (CTEW).

Business Owner Networking and Sharing Party with Afriversity
Tues 16 November 2010,
Time: 17h00 - 20h00

The River Club, Observatory

This invitation is OPEN to all small business owners, past participants of the Integrated Small Business Development Programme (iSBDP), the Strategy Development Programme (SDP), and all other AFRIVERSITY friends and those committed to sustainable business practices.

Come and share your story (successes and challenges) as we journey together to grow business and develop Cape Town as a hub of business innovation and success.

Afriversity is a not-for-profit organisation founded to train, support and provide incubation for promising business owners.

Over the last three years Afriversity has impacted more than 350 local business owners. Our Afripreneurs are highly capable and motivated individuals who are dedicated and passionate about building sustainable businesses.

You can expect an exciting and an inspiring event where serious networking, learning and deal-making will happen.

We asked a few business owners to address us on their business journey. This, together with some dynamic speakers the evening is billed as a not to miss event on the Cape Town Entrepreneurship Week calendar.

The networking session will encourage business owners to hook up with other business owners and a prize will be awarded for the most valuable deal struck at the end of the evening.

Book NOW - click here

Brian Adams for the Afriversity Team

021 418 0450 - adminsa@afriversity.org

Don’t let limiting beliefs hold you back!

Don’t let limiting beliefs hold you back from achieving your dreams and living Your Most Joyful Life. Want to feel enthusiastic, inspired and empowered to Rock your Happiness and Tune Into Your Joy?
 

Come and join us for an inspiring, fun and interactive Get Your Glow On™ Workshop with Bettina in association with Talent Fusion.

You’ll be empowered to:

• Power Up your Self-Belief!
• Be Your Most Wonderful You!
• Rock your Passion and Get on Purpose!

You’ll gain new insights, and learn helpful strategies.

You’ll leave with enthusiasm, tools, resources and a printed and digital workbook to empower you to Get Your Glow On™.

Bettina brings an engaging, empathetic and FUN approach to her workshops which will leave you enthusiastic, inspired and empowered to Get Your Glow On™

Bettina is a writer, speaker and mentor. She founded GloWoman® to Empower and Inspire women to Get their Glow On and live their Most Joyful Lives.

Time: Thursday evenings: 6pm – 9pm Time: Saturday mornings: 9.30am – 12.30pm
 

Date: 13th, 20th, 27th November 2010
 

or

Date: 4th, 11th, 18th, 25th November 2010
 

Where: Sea Point, Cape Town
 

Costs: R275
 

Bookings: Bettina Bets@GloWoman.org cell: 082 851 6974 Lianne lianne@talentfusion.co.za cell 082 498 0981
 

www.GloWoman.blogspot.com www.facebook.com/GloWoman

“Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go and do it. Because what the world needs, is people who have come alive.” ~ Howard Thurman

Afriversity Founder to speak at SEB's Trust Conference

Afriversity is pleased to announce that Thorgeir Einarsson, CEO and Founder of Afriversity, has been invited by Christina Backman, Head of Skandinaviens Enskilda Bank (SEB) Foundations in Gothenburg, to speak at one the largest charity event in Sweden. Thorgeir will be a highlight on the chosen speaker roster that includes Stefan Einhorn, author of the bestseller book "The Art of Being Kind".

This function will help deepen the dialogue on how different actors in society can cooperate and work together in addressing urgent global challenges while upholding Corporate Social Responsibility.

"We are thrilled to be invited to SEB's event where all the participants have a shared vision to give. Corporate Social Responsibility is about human dignity and about contributing in a positive way to the development of society." says Thorgeir Einarsson "The lesson is simple: we need to have a coordinated approach and we are thrilled to be associated with SEB, as they are acknowledged for work with the community and their global responsibility."

"Entrepreneurs are recognized as the engine of economic and job growth, combining creativity and capital to bring new ideas to realization. Afriversity is focused on creating and supporting a new breed of world class, socially responsible, global entrepreneurs that will help Africa prosper in the new millennium" says Christina Backman "We at SEB believe that fulfilling our social responsibility through our business activities is important and we are delighted to invite Mr Einarsson to share his knowledge and experience with us"

SEB's charity convention will take place on the 20th October, featuring some Sweden´s largest corporations, charities and foundations.

Help Ludwick bring the prize home!

Afriversity supports and endorses Ludwick Marishane of Headboy Industries and appeals to all Afripreneurs and friends of Afriversity to help him bring the Global Student Entrepreneurship Award to Africa.

Please read this letter from Ludwick:

"My company is working with 4 student-entrepreneurs to help them bring their innovations to market, so our primary focus is not only innovation, but also to act as a major enabler to many of South Africa’s young entrepreneurs.

We are in a situation where our cash flow has been extended to these projects, and we cannot cover the costs we foresee incurring in our goal to bring the GSEA prize to African soil. We are in this financial situation because we are vigorously trying to enable others; we now need a little enabling ourselves.

The costs for flights, accommodation, etc, are covered by Entrepreneurs’ Organization, but there are still certain miscellaneous expenses that I need to cover (like buying plug adapters for my laptop to work in the US, etc). I would like to shoot a series of short documentary videos in the next few weeks to use in the final presentation. I was notified about my being a finalist only last week, so we have no product samples (of DryBath™ -my company’s flagship product) and the lead-time for my manufacturer is 6 weeks. We will thus also require financial assistance to create a suitable sample-substitute to show off at the finals.

The total budget required should not exceed R10 000.



We are requesting donations from organisations/individuals to cover these costs and make sure we bring the award home next month (sadly I am not a charitable organisation, so the donation will not be tax-deductible). I am hoping that you will be able to donate R1000 or more to this cause. And because we know business is about giving others value in exchange for their money, we will publish a list of all the funders on our blogs. Those funders who make substantial donations will be allowed to make media requests on myself or the company for their own benefit.

 This is an opportunity to show the world that South Africa can compete effectively on the world stage (World Cup- Part 2!). But this achievement can only be achieved if those with the ability to make it happen combine their resources and do it as a team effort.



When I first found out I was a finalist, it felt surreal; it had not sunk in until the middle of this week. I now realise that I have the weight of my country (maybe even my continent) on my shoulders, and as I venture out into the world to show that South Africa’s best can beat the best from the rest of the world, I would feel even more confident knowing that I have my country with me by my side!"

More information may be found at:



http://LudwickMarishaneTheHeadboy.tumblr.com (personal blog)

Http://HeadboyIndustries.Tumblr.com (company blog)


If you are interested in sponsoring Ludwick, please contact us now: info@afriversity.org

Thank you!