Day two of the conference started with the same vigour as day one and although the entire program was captivating, the highlight for me was the talk by Dr Brand Pretorius who is the former CEO of Toyota SA Marketing and McCarthy Limited and currently the Director of many listed companies. He spoke about the Guidelines  for business success in a rapidly changing South Africa.

He said that to be able to be successful in business, one needs to take cognisance of the following.

• embrace change
• Be socially responsible
• Be the best in leadership
• Embrace empowerment
• Keep in lines of principles
• behave with integrity within our businesses
• be the best in innovation
•  be the best in marketing and sales
• be the best in customer satisfaction and retention

He shared his key lessons he learnt through his journey and said that

• if you want to lead others you must have the ability to lead yourself.
• Leadership is about influence, the ability to influence is one that needs to be earned. He went on to say that it is important to set the right example and deliver the results.
• You need to understand management, therefore learning how to execute effectively is important.
•  One needs to develop their your own authentic leadership
• Only ethical leadership can translate to effective integrity
• Learn to translate vision into reality

Dr Pretorius made an interesting quote by Mandela, “I am not here to lead, I am here to serve. This quote rings so true. In the business and work environment so many managers fail in their role, instead of seeing their role as an opportunity to lead by example which brings  trust and respect, they opt for a more dictatorial approach.

After all that has been said and done, the day brought about topics that will assist not only for moving forward in an economy that is rapidly changing.

PHOTO  AND VIDEO CREDIT : DIGIN PHOTOGRAPHER

The grand finale activation took place on the 6th November 2016 at Eyadini Lounge in Umlazi. The august event was in anticipation for the fabulous Essence Festival that is hitting our shores between the 8th to the 13th of November 2016.

The star studded line up included the best that South Africa has to offer with Cassper Nyovest, Riki Rick, DJ Zinhle but just to name a few.

The audience got to dance the night away at the stirring event.

This was my second visit to a township but my first visit to a township event, and to be able to be in the midst of the excitement was nothing short but entertaining.

Eyadini Lounge is a premium Ekasi Shisanyama restaurant in the heart of Umlaiz and was pinned to host the Essence Festival activation event.

If you have never had a township experience, then I highly recommend a visit to Eyadini Lounge in Umlazi.

PHOTO CREDIT :

5 STAR DURBAN

EYADINI LOUNGE

DIGIN PHOTOGRAPHY

The Good Food and Wine Show Township Cookout

The afternoon started of like no other, besides abandoning my car at the side of the road, I hoped onto a bus, yes, a bus in anticipation for my very first township experience. In true Durban weather, the sun shone its very brightest as if teasing me because there was no air-conditioning in the bus. But that did not distract me from what awaited.

Seven celebrity chefs and food personalities who are part of the Food and Wine show eagerly awaited the arrival of media and bloggers who were treated to a cook off at the award winning Cafe Skyzer in Chesterville.

Durban Tourism who are proud platinum partners with Fiera Milano Exhibitions Africa will be hosting the Durban Food and Wine Show.

Meet the Chefs

1. Claire Allen is a Cape Town based chef however was originally residing in Dundee in KwaZulu Natal. Claire was an entrant is Master Chef South Africa in 2014, but has since then spent her time travelling the world and learning more about her art. Last year she launched Short Chef Skinny Chef with Siphokazi Mdlankomo.
2. Jenny Morris who you may know as the Giggling Gourmet. She has many accolades under her belt including author, radio and TV presenter as well as chef to name but just a few.
3. Kamini Pather won the title of Master Chef South Africa in 2013 and has since continued living her food dream.
4. Lents Bhengu is a proudly Kwazulu Natal product, after showing keen interest in food enrolled in the Culinary Academy in the Cape Winelands. Lents is a regular MC and chef of food festivals, events and expos.
5. Neill Anthony is a Cape Town based private chef who trained in the kitchens of Gordon Ramsay, Marcus Wareing and other big international cooking greats.
6. Sherwyn Weaich also known as the Gourmet Bushie has travelled across South Africa and Europe cooking alongside great local and international chefs.
7. Siphokazi Mdlankomo who was a domestic worker, stole the hearts of many as she cooked her way to the final of the third season of Master Chef South Africa.

The seven celebrity chefs cook off in Chesterville as part of the Durban Good Food and Wine Show was a great success, not only did we get to meet the chefs, but we got to experience them in action, and the best part was that we got to sample their cooking.

PHOTO CREDIT : 5 STAR DURBAN