Samsung Mobile have invited me to the launch party for SA Fashion Week which is sponsored by Sanlam. I'm quite excited to be attending as a blogger as these kinda' events are usually reserved for mainstream media and there's supposed to be a secret launch-within-a-launch to look out for at the event.

I guess with my journo/blogger reputation I get access to the best of both worlds so it's going to be a great evening and I'm looking forward to seeing what Samsung Mobile has up their sleeves.  read more here »

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I thought it best to be a good blog citizen and mention that voting for the 2008 SA blog awards is underway with just a week and a half to go until showdown. Please go over to the site and cast your clicks for the best blogs in SA in 2007.

C'mon it'll be good practise before national elections next year.

Just remember as always to make an informed choice! 

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I celebrated my 24th year of life on earth and was graciously treated to an exciting night on the town by Mervyn, my loving partner. We've been together for nine years and a bit, but can you believe, we've never spent my birthday alone. I've always tried to organise dinner for two on my bday, but when you're part of a very loving and close family, it's hard to say no to big, family meals together on your special day.

Alas as luck would have it, I did most of my birthday celebrations beforehand, as I'm off to have a nice, relaxing holiday in the Garden Route this coming weekend. You'll have to read my blog for more on the past weekend's merriment at the Civic Theatre and 88 in Norwood.  read more here »

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I was watching television the other day and it surprises me how much of the 30sec spot I miss when I’m being absorbed by what goes on the Net. I find it remarkable that nowadays I come home and instead of wanting to vegetate in front of my tv set, I want to get back online and check out what my friends and peers are saying on Facebook and the like.

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So upon entry into the South African blogosphere, along with the warm reception I’ve gotten from my peers, I have also received an invitation to take part in The Samsung Blog.

The site allows people to come and share their experiences and suggestions on the latest Samsung Mobile technology and handsets. It’s quite a funky idea that is being taken up by young South Africans and makes for a cool space in which to share your views and reviews of Samsung handsets.  read more here »

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This bears testament to the true potential of social media in South Africa and the global impact of online media and communications.

For years, people have been trying to find better ways to connect and be part of a social network, and now there’s something that is sticking like glue.

Social media aids those who want to be part of the larger community as well as those who want to have a say in their communities. Hence the rise of citizen journalism, podcasting and blogging projects by big media houses in South Africa.

It is important to remember that South Africa’s media market has been founded on grassroots journalism since back in the 60’s. What that means for us in modernity now is that so much of what we are bombarded with everyday, might not be relevant for an individual at all, and therefore people are dusting those mics and putting fingers to keyboards to write more inspiring and relevant ‘spoken word’.

Even though we have reached the digital media era, so much of what we still see, touch, taste and hear has been driven by the need for the next big marketing spend in terms of advertising and marketable trends. That being said, consumers are realizing more and more that they should actually be dictating what their likes and dislikes are. And with that power comes, in theory, a more discerning buyer/consumer who is able to control just how pervasive they want the media to be in their lives.

Obviously there can never be total control because the same people that are instrumental in moving the social media cause forward, are the same people who get dressed every morning and head to their ‘media controlled’ jobs.

Most corporate heavyweights in South Africa like those of SAB, Samsung Mobile SA and even Naspers have started the great migration to the world of online media and social engagement with their very sociable consumers. This is what media pundits are now deeming enterprise media and social corporate engagement.

The big question is whether our youth and even our elders have enough information to sustain the engagement, and to a further extent realise the impact that their use of social media will have on their lives and the lives of the ones around them? Because it goes without saying that it is not enough that we must engage with the world and that we have the power now to do so, it is the responsibility of all social media lobbyists to educate each other in being ‘socially responsible’ with that power.

So if it is worth your while to engage, just say something…

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So this is it… A final l  read more here »

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