Author: Mark

In line with global trends, media consumption behaviour is changing rapidly in South Africa and Caxton Magazines has made a bold move to keep up with changing consumer demands.

 As from Monday the 29^th July, people, one of South Africa’s favourite celebrity, lifestyle and real-life magazine brands will be sporting a fresh face, exciting additional content and will remain on sale for longer.

 Editor Andrea Caknis says: “Never before has momentum in the print industry been as important and relevant as it is right now. Expanding into fresh (and sometimes dangerous) waters, delivering content differently and finding ways of standing out in a cluttered market have been driving forces behind the revamp of the now fortnightly people magazine.”

A firm legacy brand, people which has been a staple in South African homes for more than three decades, promises to get even better from here as it enters a brand new and exciting phase.

“I read a piece in a magazine the other day and it really hit home,” says Caknis. “The reality is this: no app, no streamlined website, no vertical integration, no social network, no algorithm, no paywall, no soft paywall has come close to matching the success of print in terms of its permanence and reader loyalty. And with that in mind, we have taken on the challenge to keep up with these giants, and continue to grow stronger than ever! No matter how technology advances, there will always be something human and substantial about a print publication. It’s that feel of actual paper between your fingers, knowing that tomorrow it will still be there should you want to pick it up for a re-read.”

It’s new look has seen the magazine take a giant leap forward and includes a whole new revamp, and not just in terms of design. people now showcases a wide range of interesting content in sections on Lifestyle (Fashion, Beauty, Health, Décor, Money Talks, Travel, In The Kitchen, What’s In Her Bag, DIY, What the Tarot Holds), Real Life (Human Interest Stories), Spotlight (10 Things You Should Be Watching Right Now, Movies, Book, CD, App reviews, TV Movie and Reviews) , Celeb Interviews, The Catch-up section (celebs stories you might have missed – as well as a few global interest pieces) and, of course, a beloved Puzzle section now boasting a variety of 37 puzzles.

As an added bonus in the next six issues, people is including a Young Royals special, in which the publication celebrates the next generation of the British Monarchy.

Anton Botes, Caxton Magazine’s General Manager adds: “Change is always daunting at first but we’re confident that the new fortnightly people magazine with its wonderful new content and fresh look will maintain and indeed grow the publication’s popularity amongst our readers and advertisers.”

The online version of the magazine and the website www.peoplemagazine.co.za remains unchanged. The brand can also be found on Instagram @people_sa on Facebook at People Magazine South Africa and Twitter @People_SA.

Caxton Magazines DNA

Storytelling is our business. Content is our currency. Caxton Magazines is a division of Caxton CTP Printers & Publishers and houses 12 brands in print and digital formats, primarily aimed at the women’s lifestyle segment across life stages, lifestyles and income groups. These brands are: Vrouekeur; Woman & Home; Bona; Living & Loving; People; Food & Home Entertaining; Your Family; Garden & Home; Farmer’s Weekly; Essentials; Rooi Rose and SA Country Life. Visit www.caxtonmags.co.za

Education Africa brings together like-minded people from all corners of the world to participate in arguably, the largest and ever-growing International Marimba and Steelpan Festival in the world. The festival kicks off at St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls in Boksburg on 27 and 28 July 2019.

“Marimba playing has certainly been growing in South Africa and it is really exciting to witness and be a part of this growth,” says Joan Lithgow, Marimba Specialist and Director of the International Marimba and Steelpan Festival. “It is particularly evident when looking at the ever-increasing numbers of competitors that take part in the annual festival.

It is only through tremendous efforts made in the past decade by various marimba and steelpan manufacturers, individuals, educational institutions and NGOs that marimba and steelpan playing have become sought-after activities by youth of all socio-economic backgrounds in South Africa.”

Marimba playing is popular all over the world. In some parts there are marimba bands similar to the ones we find in South Africa while in other parts we find orchestral marimba ensembles that concentrate on classical and light music repertoire. Steelpan ensembles too are found all over the world and are a great source of entertainment to all who listen to them.

Music remains inextricably linked to culture and should form part of a child’s holistic education. As such, Education Africa has embarked on the establishment of Marimba Hubs. This uniquely African instrument is incorporated into any curriculum with relative ease. “Currently we operate 17 hubs across South Africa,” confirms Lithgow. “Besides the benefits on the learners, the establishment of Marimba Hubs creates job opportunities as a number of potential marimba facilitators are trained in each hub of which several will be chosen to train the learners.

The annual festival is the culmination of a year’s work where trainers and learners display all their talent and diligence that has been put into creating incredible pieces of music,” concludes Lithgow.

“We look forward to welcoming the world back to our amazing country as the 8th International Marimba and Steelpan Festival kicks off at the end of the month.”

Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival:

Where:            St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls, Kruger Street, Boksburg

When:              Saturday, 27 July 2019, 08h00 – 21h30

Sunday, 28 July 2019, 08h00 – 18h00

Cost:

• R225 per spectator at gate for a two-day Festival Passport which includes admission to all workshops and all performances.
• R125 PER DAY: includes admission to, and participation in, all workshops and attendance at all performances.
• R70 per adult per day – admission only to the competition venue.
• R50 per school going child – admission only to the competition venue.

For more information visit www.internationalmarimbafestival.org or call Education Africa on (011) 685-7300.

Education Africa DNA:

Established in 1992, Education Africa strives to reach and uplift the poorest of the poor. This non-profit organisation aims to assist disadvantaged South Africans in their quest to obtain a quality, relevant education in order to ensure that they are in a position to become global citizens and a competitive, productive element in the local job market. With the continued help and support of dedicated volunteers and sponsors, they continue to fulfil their mission statement: to deliver relevant, quality education to the poorest of the poor.

Michael King: Head of Reprise Digital South Africa, an IPG Mediabrands company

 When thinking ‘search’, you’d be forgiven for assuming that Google leads the pack. A global study has shown that consumers begin their retail related searches on Amazon first (46%) followed by Google searches (34%). That may seem surprising considering that Google has traditionally dominated the online product search space – that is up until a few years ago when Amazon grew exponentially and became the front runner for retail related searches.

Between 2015 and 2018 Amazon grew from 46% to 54% with Google declining from 54% to 46%. Amazon is so popular that the site has grown 46% per annum with ad spend on the site reaching $6.3 Billion. These are impressive figures indeed, especially over such a short period of time.

Consumer purchasing behaviour has undoubtedly changed over the past few years with more and more people (87% in 2018) beginning their product searches on a digital channel vs 71% in 2017. If we look at local online behaviour here in South Africa we can absolutely see the same pattern emerging.

There’s no clear indication (yet) that Amazon will reach South Africa’s shores but this is telling consumer behaviour that retailers should be cognisant of. It’s interesting to note that as an example, Takealot has had been growing at a compound rate of 107% over the last few years, and by all indications e-retail behaviour in South Africa is following the same kind of trend.

It’s certainly an interesting space for brands to be playing in.

Reprise Digital SA DNA

Reprise is a digital-first agency, and everything we do is rooted in understanding how consumers interact across apps, sites, IOT-devices, bots, search engines, and social platforms. We uncover your audience based upon their digital fingerprints – and build a media approach to help transform your business digitally. Reprise has the ability to fuse smart digital approaches for our media agency partners in smart and sophisticated ways.

When it comes to music it’s not just about the auditory sense! Studies show that listening to music can benefit overall well-being, help regulate emotions, and create happiness and relaxation in everyday life. In addition, marimba playing  helps improve fine and gross motor skills, language development, focus, memory, maths skills, discipline and teamwork and plays a major part in building self-esteem and confidence.

“This year, close on 90 different schools and institutions will be descending at St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls, Boksburg, on the 27^th and 28^th July 2019 for the eighth Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival and will see over 2000 participants with kids travelling from as far as Zimbabwe, Botswana and Nigeria,” says Joan Lithgow, Marimba Specialist and Director of the International Marimba and Steelpan Festival.

Education Africa launched its International Marimba and Steelpan Festival (The Festival) in 2012 to create an awareness worldwide of the educational value that marimba playing has while also creating an international platform for our marimba and steelpan players in South Africa to perform on.”

The Festival has become one of the largest of its kind in the world and takes place annually in Boksburg over a period of two days. It is fully inclusive and caters for people from all walks of life including deaf and special needs bands. Over the weekend, marimba and steelpan bands take part in various competitions divided into age sections and various categories.  A prominent feature at The Festival includes fringe events which feature guest performances and approximately 90 workshops.

“500 disadvantaged children are also being looked after over the weekend, with The Festival sponsoring meals, some accommodation and transport,” says Lithgow.

In order to facilitate the tightly timed competitions, two sets of adjudicators have been selected with each including international and extensive local experience. Adjudicators include five-time Grammy ballot-nominee, Jason “Malletman” Taylor, Sasha Sonnbichler, Nobathembu Yvonne Raedane, Naledi award winning Musical Director, conductor, arranger, composer and educator, Eddie Clayton, Mokale Koapeng and SAMRO award winning composer, Dave Reynolds.

The Festival comprises six sections for Primary Schools, High Schools and Open Bands split between small and large ensembles and within each, a number of categories include Battle of the Bands, In the Mix, Strictly Classical and Proudly South African/African Prestige Bands.

“We would like to take the opportunity to thank our sponsors, especially Business Arts SA (BASA) and the SAMRO FOUNDATION for their continued support. We’d also like to thank the educators and we applaud the considerable effort and hours of learning and practice that each musician has put into their instrument of choice,” concludes Lithgow. “We look forward to another spectacular weekend of incredible music, learning, friendship and camaraderie.”

Education Africa International Marimba and Steelpan Festival:

Where:            St Dominic’s Catholic School for Girls, Kruger Street, Boksburg

When:              Saturday, 27 July 209, 08h00 – 21h30

Sunday, 28 July 2019, 08h00 – 18h00

Cost:

• R225 per spectator at gate for a two-day Festival Passport which includes admission to all workshops and all performances.
• R125 PER DAY: includes admission to, and participation in, all workshops and attendance at all performances.
• R70 per adult per day – admission only to the competition venue.
• R50 per school going child – admission only to the competition venue.

For more information visit www.internationalmarimbafestival.org or call Education Africa on (011) 685-7300.

Education Africa DNA:

Established in 1992, Education Africa strives to reach and uplift the poorest of the poor. This non-profit organisation aims to assist disadvantaged South Africans in their quest to obtain a quality, relevant education in order to ensure that they are in a position to become global citizens and a competitive, productive element in the local job market. With the continued help and support of dedicated volunteers and sponsors, they continue to fulfil their mission statement: to deliver relevant, quality education to the poorest of the poor.