Phuthu Stay Phut, Don't go!

The silly season is upon us and that means the roads are going to be busy. So if you’re travelling long distances or even just locally, please drive carefully and bear the following safety tips in mind:

1. Obey the rules of the road and carry you drivers license with you.
2. Plan the route to your holiday destination and allow you enough time to reach the destination.
3. Make sure that your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition before departure. All lights and indicators, windscreen wipers, brakes, steering, exhaust system and tyres should be carefully examined for faults.
4. Do not overload.
5. Try to avoid driving after dark if possible.
6. Have a good rest before you embark on your journey.
7. Take safety breaks every 2 hours or 200km.
8. Do not drink and drive – Use a designated driver!
9. Try to recognize potentially dangerous drivers on and pedestrians alongside the road and keep well clear of them.
10. Be visible – drive with your lights on.
11. Headlights should be dipped well before an approaching vehicle is within range of the main beam.
12. Always wear your seat belt and see that everyone in the car is wearing theirs.
13. Drive defensively.
14. Stay within the speed limit at all times.
15. Only overtake when it is absolutely safe to do so.
16. Maintain at least a 2 second following distance – this distance should be increased at night, in foggy or rainy conditions and when the road is wet.
17. Expect others not to be as obedient to the law as you are.
18. Be courteous towards fellow road users – keep your temper and resist the temptation to retaliate.
19. Avoid distractions while driving – Be alert at all times!
20. Remember that emergency info is available on your cellular phone at ArriveAlive.mobi

Useful emergency numbers:

In an emergency, call the SAPS Emergency number, this number will allow you access to flying squad, fire department and ambulances: CALL: 10111

If you have any information about a suspected criminal or suspicious activity meriting police investigation and response, call Crime Stop 08600 10111

For poison information services in all areas call: 0800 33 3444.

Share these suggestions with your family and friends – And may you and your family have a happy and safe festive season!!

Ref: www.arrivealive.co.za

It’s that time of the week again. Can you solve the following MATHS equation-

A ship is twice as old as the ship’s boiler was when the ship was as old as the boiler is. What is the ratio of the boiler’s age to the ship’s age?

Oh and by the way, I require the full solution with workings and everything, no pressure or anything.

Answer in tomorrows biztip, unless Chris gets it first

The 32 teams participating in FIFA World Cup^TM,  discovered their fate this weekend when the Final Draw for South Africa 2010 took place in Cape Town.

Though most people will hope to see South Africa go far in the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM, Bafana Bafana may have to work there ‘togos’ off to make it to the next round. Bafana Bafana will open the tournament against Mexico and will then have to face two-time champions Uruguay as well as 2006 runners-up France. Shu! I keep having flashbacks of our recent game against Iceland and wondering if any of this is possible, there is however cause for optimism that the side can continue the record of every FIFA World Cup host getting at least to the second round.

Here is how the draw panned out for the rest of the teams

<let out steam>

I just. Don’t. Get it.

By now most of us have come to realise that our seasons are a bit messed up and each of us have an opinion as to why that is. But that’s a story for another day. A more pressing problem is that I have nothing to wear (is this just me?). Sounds very girly, I know, but this is actually a very practical, even logical complaint – a left brainer.

It’s like this: We live in KZN which means it’s not always freezing cold during the winter months. Yet every clothing shop (chain or private) stocks a full-on winter range – no exception. And I’ m not talking light garments - oh no – jerseys, jackets, scarf’s, you name it. Heaven forbid we break the rules and think out of the box. Surely there should always be at least a ¼ of summer stock or visa versa? How can this not be obvious? I would think these guys all gather around a table and plan their seasons, not?

I have a big problem with companies who have a “no-exception” policy as it leaves no room for growth; People who do business (or anything else for that matter) in a certain way because it has always worked that way. It’s so old school. My suggestion would be to implement some wild and wacky brain storming sessions. If I’m a shop owner or manager and I find that it’s been raining for four months non-stop, I will apply some logic and flexibility and bend the rules just a tad by ordering a percentage of light winter’s stock. It makes good business sense.

If you are a shop owner or manager, why can you not come to this conclusion too?

</let out steam>

By Elzet

A spectacle of lights and artistic performances at Spier Wine Estate!

Celebrate the festive season with Spier’s beautiful light display as well as a diverse collection of artistic performances to be held on the 4th December 2009. Enjoy a picnic on the lawns listening to the soothing sounds of Abgondisi Brothers, a ten-member acapella-style music group. Follow the ‘Angel of Light‘ on stilts and a penny-whistler through the estate to witness numerous light installations with highlights including a dance piece choreographed by the renowned Jay Pather, a burning sculpture, and a display by FireTribe-a group of spectacular fire-dancers.

You will be given a balloon with a light inside it and a piece of paper tied to it. You will be encouraged to write a message of goodwill and all the balloons will be released together, spreading positive vibes around the area.

Once again Cape Town have found an unique way to celebrate Christmas in true African style and once again I have considered moving to Cape Town, so that I can experience firsthand the magical entertainment that the province offers.

Photo By Spier

Photo By Spier

Photo By Spier

Oh my soul, did I find something so refreshing, so hot and so exuberant! And I’m not talking Nando’s sauce or zinger wings. Nope. I’m talking Zumba. To be expressed with vigour and volume, I hear.  An aerobic exercise routine inspired by Latin dance. The music alone is enough to get me to every class.

A Zumba instructor combines slow, fast and resistance moves as to tone your body while you’re burning that malicious fat. Add some vibey Latino tunes to this mix and you have yourself a Zumba class.

I attended my first class last night and boy, was I in for a surprise. I love dancing and I can usually get the moves quite easily whether it’s hip-hop, krump or pantsula – even a waltz. So I figured I’ll be able to dance myself slim and fit without putting in too much effort. Good golly… I had to swing, shake, push and roll every part of my body.. yes, especially my lower uhm body. I’ve decided that I’ll choose my spot quite strategically next time; far away from windows and glass doors.

After the first “warm-up” song I was ready to have some water and start my stretching routine to cool down. This music is fast, the moves are even faster and the vibe is just crazy. I love it! I’m almost sad that I’ll be 60 one day, which means that I won’t be able to do this forever and ever!

Isn’t exercise supposed to be fun? We should all want to exercise. I can’t remember when last I felt that want. I usually do it because I just have to keep on going.  An exercise routine shouldn’t be boring and monotonous and we shouldn’t have to drag our unhealthy behinds to the gym. I can simply not wait for the next class… Truth be told, I’m actually considering buying the DVD to get the moves down so that I can really gooi’it in the next class!

How did it start?

Celebrity fitness trainer “Beto” Perez stumbled upon this brainwave in the 90′s. Where was I? Prancing around in my aluminous leg warmers and jumping to the beat of Jamie Lee Curtis’ Perfect. Lufly.

Anyway, he walked into his aerobics class one fortunate day and realised that he forgot to bring his music. He grabbed one of the other tapes in his backpack, comprising of the traditional Latin salsa songs he so loved. He improvised the moves and the rest is history!

In the past years the Zumba movement has spread like a wildfire and positioned itself as the single most influential movement in the industry of fitness.

With this MamaZet turns to leave, but not without first doing a slow bum bounce, Zumba style.