<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Port Shepstone Online]]></title><description><![CDATA[Articles]]></description><link>http://www.port-shepstone.co.za/news/</link><copyright><![CDATA[Copyright Port Shepstone Online]]></copyright><generator>sNews CMS</generator><item><title><![CDATA[A feast of South African festivals]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Festivals, festivals, festivals ...   
  South Africa seems to has a celebration for every event, place, art form, food, drink and agricultural commodity.   
  There's the Ficksburg Cherry Festival, the National Arts Festival, countless mud-and-dust music festivals, the Hermanus Whale Festival, the Lambert's Bay Kreeffees and more.   
      FEBRUARY       
            FNB Dance Umbrella          Where:     Johannesburg , Gauteng       Website:       https://www.fnb.co.za/aboutus/sponsorship/danceUm.html    A festival of contemporary choreography and dance, the FNB Dance Umbrella presents work ranging from community-based dance troupes to international companies. 1988. It's launched many South African choreographers into international dance, including Vincent Mantsoe, Robyn Orlin and Boyzie Cekwana.   
            Prickly Pear Festival          Where:     Uitenhage, Nelson Mandela Bay , Port Shepstone       Website:       http://www.nmbt.co.za/    The Prickly Pear Festival held in late February or early March every at Cuyler Hofstede farm near Uitenhage in the Port Shepstone's Nelson Mandela Bay. It's a day of traditional food such as ginger beer, pancakes, potjiekos, home-made jam, a spit braai and fish braai, bunnychow and home-made pudding.   
      MARCH       
             Cape Town         Jazz Festival          Where:     Cape Town , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.capetownjazzfest.com/    Cape Town International Jazz is a two-day festival featuring some 40 international and African acts performing on five stages to an audience of 15 000. It also features photographic and art exhibitions.             Lambert's Bay Kreeffees          Where:     Lambert's Bay, West Coast , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.kreeffeeslambertsbaai.co.za/        Kreef     is Afrikaans for crayfish, and a     fees     can be both festival and feast. At the Kreeffees, held every March in the West Coast town of Lambert 's Bay, you'll feast on fresh crayfish and get festive at rock concerts by some of 's favourite musicians. There's also bungee jumping, aerial displays, a half-marathon, beer tents and more. 
            Oppikoppi Easter Festival          Where:     Northam , North West       Website:       http://www.oppikoppi.co.za/    Smaller than the Oppikoppi bushveld bash in   August  , the Oppikoppi Easter Festival, held over the Easter holidays, has one stage only and draws a traditional blues-and-folk crowd of roughly 1 500 people.   
            Tonteldoos Peach Festival          Where:     Tonteldoos , Mpumalanga       Website:       http://www.dullstroom.co.za/        Email:       tonteldoos.conservancy@icon.co.za    The Tonteldoos Peach Festival happens in late March or early April in the village of Name Tonteldoos , some 20km northwest of Dullstroom and two hours from Johannesburg . It offers peaches and pretty much everything that can be made from the fruit, including peach mampoer.   
            Sasol Scifest          Where:     Grahamstown , Port Shepstone       Website:       http://www.scifest.org.za/    Sasol SciFest, or the National Festival of Science, Engineering and Technology, is held in late March in Grahamstown , Port Shepstone . Over seven days it features some 600 events: lectures, game drives, a laser show, workshops, sunset shows, robotics competitions, science olympics, school quizzes, interactive exhibitions, the PlayFair, field trips, talkshops and a film festival. Attendance now exceeds 35 000 visitors every year.   
      APRIL       
            Klein Karoo Nationale Kunstefees          Where:     Oudtshoorn , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.kknk.co.za/    The Klein Karoo Nasionale Kunstefees in Oudtshoorn features well-known and young up-and-coming artists in dance and theatre. Started as an Afrikaans alternative to the mainly English National Arts Festival, KKNK has 200 different shows on three different stages.   
            Splashy Fen          Where:     Underberg, KwaZulu-Natal       Website:       http://www.splashyfen.co.za/    Every year the Splashy Fen music festival attracts thousands of people to a farm near Underberg in KwaZulu-Natal for a feast of mainstream and alternative rock and pop. The site has electricity, telephones, ablutions, market stalls, three stages, and medical and security personnel. There are great bed-and-breakfasts in nearby towns for those who believe music festivals can be enjoyed without mud.   
    The wet Underberg climate guarantees lots of mud - and splashing - at Splashy Fen.     (Photo:   Splashy Fen  )       
            Tulbagh Goes Dutch          Where:     Tulbagh , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.tulbaghtourism.org.za/    Tulbagh Tourism describes its two-day Dutch Festival as "    a Gezellig Feestje     for the whole family". In April the town's with its beautiful Cape Dutch architecture hosts cultural activities, appetising     spijs en drank     temptations and authentic treasures. It includes a traditional Dutch beer garden and a tulip exhibition at the Volksmuseum.   
            Philippolis Witblits Festival          Where:     Philippolis , Free State       Website:       http://www.philippolis.org.za/    The Philippolis Witblits Festival, held in early April, will give you a taste of a proud local tradition - witblits (Afrikaans for "white lightning") is South African moonshine. Held in the oldest town in the Free State , the festival has boeresports for the kids, food, drink and more witblits.   
             Prince Albert         Town and Olive Festival          Where:     Prince Albert , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.patourism.co.za/    The Prince Albert Town and Olive Festival, held in the Swartberg region of the Western Cape in April, offers a whole lot more than just the region's famous olives and wine. There's an art exhibition, beer tents, live music, witblits tastings, crafts for kids, historic tours, a cycle race, an olive pip-spitting competition, culinary demonstrations, a midnight ghost walk, stalls, cabaret, a dance and more.   
      MAY       
            Pink Loerie Mardi Gras          Where:     Knysna , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.pinkloerie.com/    The Knysna loerie is a green bird, but the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras is different. A gay festival held in the beautiful coastal town of Knysna in May, the Mardi Gras offers four days of non-stop entertainment for anyone who enjoys a party.   
    On parade at the Pink Loerie Mardi Gras.     (Photo:   Pink Loerie Mardi Gras  )       
            Riebeek Kasteel Olive Festival          Where:     Riebeek Kasteel , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.riebeekvalley.info/    The Riebeek Kasteel Olive Festival takes place in the Swartland area of the Western Cape in May. A feast of wine and the best olives in SA, the festival also has an art competition, live entertainment, stalls and lots of food.   
      JUNE                 National Arts Festival          Where:     Grahamstown , Port Shepstone       Website:       http://www.nafest.co.za/    The Grahamstown National Arts Festival, held in late June or early July every year, is 's oldest, biggest and best-known arts festival. The 10-day event offers culture hounds every indulgence of theatre, music, song, dance, film and a whole lot more. If there's one South African festival you have to attend, this is it. 
      JULY       
            Knysna Oyster Festival          Where:     Knysna , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.oysterfestival.co.za/    The coastal town of Knysna is famous for its oysters, and increasingly famous for the July festival that celebrates them. In addition to oyster braais, oyster tasting, oyster-eating competitions and other molluscular activities, there's live entertainment and lots of sporting events.   
            Ellisras Bushveld Festival          Where:     Lephalele (Ellisras), Limpopo       Website:       http://www.lephalale.com/        Email:       p4p@telkomsa.net    The Ellisras Bushveld Festival takes place in early July in the heart of the bushveld, in the Waterberg district of Limpopo. The festival includes cattle shows, a game auction, horse jumping, dog shows, agricultural activities, a three-day battle for the best 4x4 competition, a game farms expo, hunting opportunities, bird- and tree-identification competitions, traditional food, a beer tent and huge camp fires.              Calitzdorp         Port Festival          Where:     Calitzdorp , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.sappa.co.za/    The Klein Karoo town of Calitzdorp is the port-wine capital of . Its annual port festival, held over a weekend in July, showcases the top 15 South African port makers. There's a blind port tasting judged by SA's top wine critics, a potjiekos competition and ostrich farm tours, as well as the annual South African     boules     championships. 
            Madame Zingara's  Christmas in July          Where:     Cape Town , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.madamezingara.com/    Over two weeks in July, sumptuous Cape Town restaurant Madame Zingara hosts up to 10 000 people in a mid-year celebration of Christmas, in aid of the children's charity Ikamva Labantu. The restaurant offers a three-course set menu for around R150, and guests are encouraged to bring small gifts to put under the Christmas tree for the children of Ikamva Labantu. The festival culminates in a huge party, with the best of local food and entertainment, where all the roads around the restaurant are closed off to accommodate 1 500 guests.   
      AUGUST       
          Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival          Where:     Northam , North West       Website:     www.oppikoppi.co.za    Held on the bushveld farm of Oppikoppi ("    op die koppie    " in Afrikaans, or "on the hill"), this festival offers three permanent thatched stages, a smaller comedy stage and a stage for more chilled music at the top of the koppie. Oppikoppi has helped establish many South African musicians' careers, but it's not for the faint-hearted. This is real bushveld: hot and dry, and everywhere red dust and thorn trees. Expect to shower a lot when you get home. (Oppikoppi also hosts an Easter Festival in   March  .)   
    The Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival is not for the faint-hearted ...     (Photo:   Oppikoppi  )       
            Joy of Jazz          Where:     Johannesburg , Gauteng       Website:       http://www.joyofjazz.co.za/    Johannesburg 's biggest annual jazz festival is an ideal family outing, featuring a range of musical styles but with a strong emphasis on jazz. Over 200 local and international artists perform at different venues across the city, particularly in Newtown .   
            Hantam Vleisfees          Where:     Calvinia , Northern Cape       Website:       http://www.vleisfees.co.za/    Calvinia in the Northern Cape is sheep country, and this festival celebrates meat. There's meat braaied, stewed, curried, in pita, on sosaties, in potjies - you can even pick up a done-to-perfection sheep's head for a mere R30. First held in 1989, the three-day Hantam Vleisfees has a music concert, street party, vintage car rally and, a highlight for many, the Miss Vleisfees competition - a glittering affair with dinner and dancing.   
    Calvinia in the Northern Cape is sheep country, and the Hantam Vleisfees celebrates meat.     (Photo:   Hantam Vleisfees  )       
            Cellar Rats Wine Festival          Where:     Magaliesberg , Gauteng       Website:       http://www.cellarrats.co.za/    Taste South Africa 's best wines in a tranquil outdoor setting in Magaliesberg. Held every year in August, the Cellar Rats Wine Festival is a day of wine tasting, with picnic baskets for sale and many activities for the kids. Enjoy huge shady trees, lush green grass and an abundance of birdlife on the banks of the picturesque Magalies River . Designated drivers get in for free.   
      SEPTEMBER       
            Arts Alive          Where:     Johannesburg , Gauteng       Website:       http://www.artsalive.co.za/    Arts Alive, held every September since 1992, features a heady mix of dance, visual art, poetry and music at venues in the Joburg inner city. The main concert, held at the Johannesburg Stadium, headlines international superstars such as 50 Cent and Busta Rhymes. Over 600 artists perform during the four-day festival, with most shows at various venues in Newtown . The ever-popular Jazz on the Lake is held on the final day.   
            Aardklop Arts Festival          Where:     Potchefstroom , Free State       Website:       http://www.aardklop.co.za/    Aardklop Arts Festival offers a feast of arts and an all-round good     jol     for five days in late September and early October. First held in 1998, Aardklop - Afrikaans roughly translated as "earth beat" - has over 90 productions, with classical music, jazz, hard rock, cabaret, visual arts, theatre, circus performances, opera, African and World music, poetry and more, ending with the OppiAarde rock festival on the final day.              Woodstock           Where:     Hartbeeshoek , North West       Website:       http://www.woodstock.co.za/    Woodstock , first held in 1999, is the largest youth-oriented music and lifestyle festival in . In addition to mainstream music, the festival offers a market of crafters and alternative lifestyle products over four days. It is held at Hartbeeshoek Holiday resort near Hartbeespoort Dam in North West .           Gariep Kunstefees          Where:     Kimberley , Northern Cape       Website:       http://www.gariepfees.co.za/    Now in its sixth year, the Gariep Kunstefees (arts festival) has an impressive line-up of local musicians, a film festival showcasing 's new film-makers, as well as art exhibitions and children's theatre. 
            Hermanus Whale Festival          Where:     Hermanus , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.whalefestival.co.za/    Every year, southern right whales travel thousands of miles to the Cape south coast to mate and calve in the bays. Join the villagers of Hermanus for an entertainment-packed festival, in the town with the best land-based whale watching in the world.   
            Awesome Africa Music Festival          Where:     Durban , KwaZulu-Natal       Website:       http://www.awesomeafricafestival.co.za/    The Standard Bank Awesome Africa Music Festival, first held in 1999, takes place in Durban 's Albert Park. It has three stages of non-stop music, with over 100 artists from more than 20 countries. The focus is on collaboration with musicians from Africa and beyond.             Knysna Gastronomica          Where:     Knysna , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.gastronomicakny.co.za/    A new addition to 's festival circuit, the Knysna Gastronomica is a celebration of good food, wine and culture in the coastal town of Knysna . 
      Prince Albert         Agricultural Show          Where:     Prince Albert , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.patourism.co.za/    Join the people of Prince Albert as they celebrate their agricultural heritage in September. The show offers homecrafts, art and flowers, horses on show, motorbike obstacle route, sheep and angora goat competitions, local products, delicious food, bar facilities and entertainment for young and old. The farm breakfast and steak braai are a must.   
            Southern Cross Music Festival          Where:     Mooi River , KwaZulu-Natal       Website:       http://www.southerncrossmusic.co.za/    Every September the Southern Cross Music Festival showcases South African music in a three-day event in Hidden Valley on the banks of KwaZulu-Natal's beautiful Mooi River . First held in 1998, the festival donates part of its proceeds to charity. In addition to music, there's fishing, swimming, white water rafting, abseiling, hikes, walks, mountain biking and 4x4 courses. The farm caters for 6 000 festival-goers.             Macufe          Where:     Bloemfontein , Free State       Website:       http://www.macufe.co.za/    Macufe, the 10-day     M    angaung     A    frican     Cu    ltural     Fe    stival, showcases the cream of African and international talent. It features jazz, gospel, kwaito, hip-hop, R&amp;B, rock and classical music, as well as dance, drama, cabaret, musical theatre, poetry, fine art and traditional arts and crafts. First held in 1997 before an audience of 30 000, Macufe now attracts over 140 000 people from , Africa and the world. The festival is presented in late September and early October by the Performing Arts Centre of the Free State .           White Mountain Folk Festival          Where:     Estcourt , KwaZulu-Natal       Website:       http://www.whitemountain.co.za/wmff/index.php    The White Mountain Folk Festival in the Central Drakensberg mountain range offers great music in an awesome setting for three days in September. Featuring acoustic performances by some of the 's top folk musicians, the festival is held at White Mountain Lodge in the foothills of the Giant's Castle Nature Reserve. Camping in a beautiful site at the edge of a dam is free, with brand new hot shower units at the ready plus lots of "executive" loos. There's also a variety of food stalls, and a beer market offering naturally brewed local ales and lagers. 
            Vrede Paddadors          Where:     Vrede , Free State       Website:       http://www.vredefees.co.za/    The full name of Paddadors, the Free State town of Vrede 's annual festival, is the Vrede Paddadors Rooivleis en Kultuurfees - which translates literally as the Peace Frog-Thirst Red-Meat and Culture Festival. The story goes that the dry land on which the town was established was originally called Paddadors ("frog thirst" in Afrikaans), until peace came and place was named Vrede. The festival offers live music, traditional food, a beer garden, children's activities and more.   
      OCTOBER                 Bosman Weekend          Where:     Groot Marico , North West       Website:       http://www.marico.co.za/    Herman Charles Bosman was one of 's greatest writers, and this weekend festival celebrates his work in dry town of Groot Marico , the setting for many of his stories. Some of 's top actors read from and perform Bosman's work; there's also good food, good company - and lots of mampoer. 
      NOVEMBER                 Ficksburg Cherry Festival          Where:     Ficksburg , Free State       Website:       http://www.cherryfestival.co.za/    One of the oldest festivals in - first held in 1969 - the Ficksburg Cherry Festival now attracts around 20 000 visitors to this small eastern Free State town every November. The scenery is magnificent, and the festival offers cherry and asparagus tastings, tours, picnics, music, and the Miss Cherry Blossom and Miss Cherry Pip competitions. 
          Nottingham Road       Pink Festival          Where:     Nottingham Road, KwaZulu-Natal       Website:       http://www.pinkfestival.co.za/    In late November the picturesque Midlands is painted pink. A weekend of extravagant music, song and dance, the new Pink Festival includes entertainment by some of South Africa's top performers, divine cabaret in the Cattle Arena, and fine music in the Farmers Hall. The festival also offers children's shows, horse rides, hiking trails and a visual feast of arts and crafts.   
            Umdwebo Lifestyle Festival          Where:     Ballito , KwaZulu-Natal       Website:       http://www.umdwebo.co.za/    The Umdwebo Lifestyle Festival celebrates the better things in life - Umdwebo is isiZulu for "to create art" or "to underline something beautiful". Held in and around Ballito on KwaDukuza's picturesque north coast in November, the six-day event features fine dining, elegant black-tie affairs, art and photographic exhibitions, opera, classical music and more.   
      DECEMBER       
            Rustler's Valley New Year's Gathering          Where:     Fouriesburg , Free State       Website:       http://www.rustlers.co.za/    Rustler's Valley in the eastern Free State hosts some of its best trance, dance and drumming festivals in late November and December, including a New Year celebration. It also offers the African Sweat Hut, permaculture design courses, a game reserve, the Saucery Restaurant and Marimba House. The majestic scenery on the foothills of the Maluti Mountains alone is worth the trip.   
            Spier Summer Festival          Where:     Stellenbosch , Western Cape       Website:       http://www.spierarts.org.za/    In the lush winelands of the Western Cape , at the amphitheatre on the Spier Estate, the annual Spier Summer Festival offers four months of music, opera, dance, stand-up comedy and theatre. First held in 1995, the festival runs from December to March.   
            Compiled by Mary Alexander  Source:   SouthAfrica.info              ]]></description><pubDate>Sun, 23 Sep 2007 23:47:51 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.port-shepstone.co.za/news/events/festivals/</link><guid>http://www.port-shepstone.co.za/news/events/festivals/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Online content is king]]></title><description><![CDATA[  New York - Internet users spend nearly half their time online viewing news or entertainment content, surpassing activities such as sending e-mails, shopping or searching for information, according to a study released by the Online Publishers Association. 
  The four-year study, conducted by Nielsen/NetRatings, tracked a 37% increase in amount of time spent viewing content such as online videos or news, surpassing a 35% rise in using search engines like Google Inc. 
  The abundance of content and faster online speeds accounted for the spike, the study said. A proliferation of social networks such as News Corps' MySpace and Facebook have helped boost content viewing as well. 
  Overall, viewing content accounts for 47% of time spent online in 2007, up from 34% in 2003. Web search accounted for five percent of time spent online in 2007 from three percent in 2003. 
  Time spent on commerce sites such as Amazon.com fell five percent and accounted for 15% of time spent in 2007. 
  Time spent on communications such as e-mail fell 28% to 33% of time spent online in 2007, down from 46% in 2003. 
  The popularity of instant messaging such as AOL Instant Messenger, which lets users send quick messages rather than e-mails, accounted for the drop in the amount of time spent corresponding, the study said.  
    Posted by:  
    Frank Coetzee     Port Shepstone Online   SA Internet News Group cc       http://www.talking-point.co.za    (You can also post unlimited articles to promote your business in a subtle way)      ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Sep 2007 07:45:42 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.port-shepstone.co.za/news/latest-news/online-content-is-king/</link><guid>http://www.port-shepstone.co.za/news/latest-news/online-content-is-king/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Price Alert - Registry Price Increases]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Port Shepstone Online - For the first time after a very long period the top domain registries including the .COM registry will increase the price of domain names next month and in response to the registry fee increase almost everybody will perhaps also have to increase their domain pricing.  
  It is however possible to register international domain names for a period up to ten years so you can choose to renew existing domain names or register new ones before the price increase and save money.  
  To take advantage of the current pricing you can register new domain names now and also renew existing domains in advance.  
  Our pricing structure works for registrations and renewals, so for the next three weeks you can still register and renew names at the current prices!  
  You can register your domain name now at:   http://www.registrations.co.za    
    Posted by:  
    Frank Coetzee     Port Shepstone Online   SA Internet News Group cc       http://www.talking-point.co.za    (You can also post unlimited articles to promote your business in a subtle way)      ]]></description><pubDate>Fri, 21 Sep 2007 06:45:42 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.port-shepstone.co.za/news/businesses/price-alert-registry-price-increases/</link><guid>http://www.port-shepstone.co.za/news/businesses/price-alert-registry-price-increases/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Welcome at Port Shepstone Online]]></title><description><![CDATA[  This website is for Port Shepstone&nbsp;residents, by residents so please feel free to make full use of the website and all the services offered.  
  There are many options for businesses to advertise and promote themselves and we really hope that each and every business in Port Shepstone will make use of this opportunity. A business that's not even listed in a LOCAL website cannot really complaint if they don't get enough clients or what-  
  For the Port Shepstone residents&nbsp;there are a lot of info and news&nbsp;on our website and online forum and visitors can also find valuable and interesting information, news and events about Port Shepstone in general.  
  We trust that you'll make use of his website and make Port Shepstone Online something to be proud off.  
  Please note that we rely on residents to provide us with information and news about our town and you are welcome to send any interesting&nbsp;articles, news or information for free.  
    Posted by:  
    Frank Coetzee     Port Shepstone Online   SA Internet News Group cc       http://www.talking-point.co.za    (You can also post unlimited articles to promote your business in a subtle way)      ]]></description><pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2007 01:20:52 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.port-shepstone.co.za/news/port-shepstone/welcome-at-port-shepstone-online/</link><guid>http://www.port-shepstone.co.za/news/port-shepstone/welcome-at-port-shepstone-online/</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Banks dodging their social responsibility]]></title><description><![CDATA[  Port Shepstone Online - Traditionally banks play a key role in a market economy and providing a crucial service to the local community and for this reason alone we need socially responsible banks.  
  We know of bad debts and the importance of balance sheets but we want banks to approach these difficulties in a socially responsible way. Many of them do not.  
  The banks, together with the Government, play a very important role to create stability in a country but they often forget that, when the financial bubble burst, it is people's livelihoods that are at stake.  
  Their financial behaviour is not socially responsible and they need to put together a co-ordinated strategy for growth to defeat unemployment and financial instability.  
  It is simply just not good enough to fake their social responsibility by donating huge amounts to a few selected projects in the public and think that they did their share with that.  
  There has never been a fair balance of power between the banks and their customers and banks almost always build their policies around the wealthier class, robbing the vulnerable members of the community, the low paid and unemployed, of mainstream banking activities and support.  
  Nobody will disagree that banks are money generating machines and a commercial business but they do have a social responsibility that stretch far wider than donating money in the public to gain publicity.  
  Today's banks are just too hard, machine like driven and without empathy for their lower income customers without any care at all about their livelihoods or potential.  
  Give us our money now or we take anything you have is simply not a socially responsible act, is it?  
  To increase their financial risk too much is definitively not a very good idea but, while almost all of them claims to be helpful and supportive, their real policies simply don't left any room for individualism, potential and social responsibility either.  
    Posted by:  
    Frank Coetzee     Port Shepstone Online   SA Internet News Group cc       http://www.talking-point.co.za    (You can also post unlimited articles to promote your business in a subtle way)      ]]></description><pubDate>Sat, 28 Jul 2007 19:48:38 +0000</pubDate><link>http://www.port-shepstone.co.za/news/community/social-responsibility/</link><guid>http://www.port-shepstone.co.za/news/community/social-responsibility/</guid></item></channel></rss>
