Matthew Buckland

Izimvo has the pleasure of introducing South African Internet maven, Matthew Buckland.

Named as one of South Africa’s top 100 most influential media and advertising people, Matthew’s illustrious career includes founding 20FourLabs.com and heading up Mail & Guardian Online.

Matthew has recently left the corporate world to start his own company,  Creative Spark. He has also recently launched Memeburn.com, an online publication focused on startup news and analysis.

Websites: http://www.matthewbuckland.com
http://memeburn.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/matthewbuckland
Location: Cape Town

Matthew was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: This is Matt – he’s somewhat of a geek. He’s now 35. He’s left the corporate world and now runs his own company Creative Spark, which builds websites, mobile sites and apps, but also publishes memeburn.com and amatomu.com.

Interesting fact? He started programming at the age of 7 (ZX Spectrum 48k in BASIC), did a journalism degree specialising in new media and has a wife, two little daughters and a Weimaraner.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I have a real issue with Parktown Prawns. I get irrational about them. I can be slightly OCD sometimes.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Playing squash. Spending time at the family farm just outside George at the top of the Outeniqua pass in the W Cape. Playing the odd game of geek cricket. Travelling. Playing with my two naughty daughters, Isabel and Stella.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South African would you like it to be?

A: It would be right here in Cape Town, one of the best places in the world to live. I might opt for Kommetjie though, and it would have glass walls.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property. Looking for the home that has it all? Well this R6.15m 5 bedroom home in Noordhoek has top finishes throughout the house, views, pool, underfloor heating, fireplace and much much more.

South Africa Online

Q: Congratulations on the successful launch of Memeburn. What was the impetus for starting the site and what have been the greatest obstacles in bringing the idea to fruition?

A: Thank you. There were two major reasons for starting Memeburn (pronounced “Meem”).

One: I’m just doing what I enjoy, which is writing and reading about emerging technologies, start-ups, new media and social media trends.

Two: I felt there was a gap in the market for a site that analyses social media and emerging technology trends in South Africa, Africa and broader emerging markets.

The biggest obstacle has been budget and time. Memeburn is 30% of what we are doing — but as the site grows and generates more revenue, we’ll bring onboard more journalists and a full-time editor and begin expanding to Africa and emerging markets. We have signed up some quality advertisers on the site and the site’s done solid traffic for its very first month — so it’s very promising.

Q: What advice would you offer those wanting to start an online business and is an advertising-only business model a viable option here in South Africa?

A: I think you should look at multiple revenue models, which include advertising and transactional revenue. There has been quite a bit of criticism about the banner ad (from yours truly too), but the reality is that this is what the industry knows and understands at the moment — and broadly they work.

The advertising model needs to evolve and adapt however. There isn’t enough innovation happening here. All the advertising innovation is happening at companies like Google and Facebook. The online publishing industry seems to be stuck in a rut, not sure what to do here.

Efforts to create paywalls just show a lack of imagination. Media companies can go ahead and paywall themselves into extinction: It’s a fundamental misunderstanding of what the internet is.

Q: Give us an insight into the daily running of the site. How are stories selected, how many writers do you have contributing to the site and who clicks the final publish button?

A: We have more than 70 contributors signed up, of which we have published just over half. Our contributors are industry leaders and contributors who can write well and have interesting things to say. We have a freelance writer who does the news too. I also sometimes compile the news reports. We have a project manager who subs the stories and puts them live.

Q: What were your initial traffic goals for the site and have your readership numbers been inline with your estimations?

A: I wanted 25k uniques and 50k PI’s in the first month — and it looks like we are on track for this. It’s been an amazing experience because this is a site that has been launched and marketed solely via social networks and the blogosphere. It seems to have worked.

Q: As one of South Africa’s most influential new media specialists, what are your predictions for an online South Africa? Do you think we are capable of producing the next Google or Facebook?

A: I think there are many opportunities for niche social networks. I also think that all major websites should start seeing themselves as “unrealised social networks” and build social layers on their offerings: bespoke and integrated with the world’s major networks like Facebook and Twitter. Networking and sharing is a fundamental part of humanity, why shouldn’t it be a part of the sites we read too?

Q: What can we look forward to from Memeburn in 2010 and beyond?

A: Once the revenue model has stabilised and I have a full-time editor we’ll look at Memeburn Phase 2. We need to separate opinion and news, we need to get more news and interviews. We’ll also expand more aggressively into Africa and key emerging markets elsewhere. We need to think about it though, because the current format is working well. I’ll also start paying some of our top contributors.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Yes we have, but luckily nothing severe. We had an attempted burglary in Hout Bay that was, luckily, averted. In Joburg we had a break in and car radios stolen. It just means we are more careful and take more precautions to secure our properties. It would be naive to not be aware of the vast socio-economic inequities we have in this country, which I believe is a cause of the crime problem. I’m not angry at anyone: it’s our reality.

It’s none so apparent in the place I live, Hout Bay, which features simultaneously some of Cape Town’s wealthiest houses and the very poorest. Somehow the community manages and there is a good spirit.

Hout Bay gives me hope for the rest of the country. We’ll work it out.

Q: If you were asked by the Minister of Communications for advice on how to improve Internet adoption and usage in South Africa, what recommendations would you make?

A: Aggressively promote competition. Open up regulation. Provide tax breaks and incentives for those that are contributing towards building our information economy. It’s the backbone of all business. And move at internet speed, not government speed.

Q: With less than 50 days to the first African Soccer World Cup, what advice would you offer to first-time visitors looking to sample the best in South African cuisine?

A: I’d tell them to head off to Moyos, do a “township tour” and dine out at some of Cape Town’s best such as Belugas, Five Flies, Katimas etc

Q: If you could wave your magic wand and change one thing about South Africa, what would it be?

A: The inequitable socio-economic situation we find ourselves in. We need to build a strong middle-class — this is the foundation of all successful democracies and integrated societies. This is what we should aim for.

Life in Cape Town

Q: What do you most enjoy about living in Cape Town?

A: I enjoy the tech entrepreneurial scene that appears to be growing here — and it gave me the desire and confidence to finally go it on my own. Julius Malema feels a million miles away when I drive from Hout Bay on Victoria avenue to Town, with the vast Atlantic ocean on my left and a beautiful mountain on my right.

Q: Favorite destination for a fun outing with a group of friends in or around Cape Town?

A: Groot Constantia, Llandudno beach, Betty’s Bay.

Q: If you were tasked with the building of a new tourist attraction, which other cities would you draw inspiration from?

A: I’d look at Berlin. It’s an amazing city from a historical perspective. So much happened there and so much of it is preserved and celebrated in memorials, exhibitions and museums. The whole place is like a living museum. My best city in the world, apart from Cape Town.

General

Q: If you could invite any three personalities to a poker game, who would you invite and what snacks would you serve?

A: Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama and Albert Einstein. We’d serve nachos with a healthy dose of guacamole and chilli.

Q: Which book would make required reading for all school-leavers and which book would you say has influenced you the most?

A: Netocracy. It helped me understand on a very fundamental level how the world is changing as a result of the information revolution. Also Lord of the Rings: one of the best reads ever.

Q: Given a free hour at home, which would you rather do, put your feet up and relax or look for something productive to do?

A: I like being productive. More often than not I’m working. I don’t understand what 9-5 means. My perfect situation is working on my laptop with the Test cricket in the background. I’m trying to cut down on the late nights though.

Q: What advice would most like to give the 18-year-old you?

A: Be bold. Don’t join a corporate. Start your own business. Believe in yourself more. Seek out mentors and don’t be afraid to hound them down.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: Pete Cashmore. Got any traffic to share with me mate?

We’d like to thank Matthew for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the future.

Reminder to follow @izimvo on twitter for regular updates and our Facebook page to submit question and interviewee suggestions. You can also read all of our interviews on your iPhone using the Izimvo iPhone application.

Sam Wilson

Izimvo has the pleasure of introducing the Editor-in-Chief of Women24, Parent24 and Food24: Sam Wilson.

Sam, who began her career as a commercial lawyer, became a freelance writer after the birth of her sons. Sam rejoined the corporate world as a strategist at a publishing company once her sons were at school. Today, Sam is the Editor-in-Chief of three of the largest Women’s websites in South Africa namely Women24, Parent24 and Food24.

Women24 attracts over 200 000 visitors each month and is focused on becoming a discussion hub for South African women.

Website: http://www.women24.com
Blog: http://blogs.women24.com/editor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/samwilson1
Location: Cape Town

Sam was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: “This is Sam. She’s loud and rude, but fun. Don’t let her drink all the tequila.” I can’t imagine any of my close friends introducing me more formally than that.

Bio info though: I’m Sam Wilson, I’ve just discovered that I am 36 and not 37 (as I have believed for much of this year), I work at 24.com and steer chick chat for a living.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: My full name is Samantha Patricia Wilson-Spath. When I was an attorney they had to get an especially long Commissioner of Oaths stamp made for me.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: I’m an extremist so I either like tucking myself into my family – camping, reading, knitting and cooking – or spending a night kicking off the stress by dancing til dawn with The Wedding DJs at LB’s on Long St.

Q: How would you describe your dream holiday home and where in South African would you like it to be?

A: A wooden cabin in Nature’s Valley with a foofy slide into the river, and a canoe to take me to the beach.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property. - Looking for the ultimate home only a stone’s throw from the beach. How about this 7 bedroom, 6 bathroom, double story house with a self-contained 1 bedroom flat in Jeffreys Bay?

South Africa Online

Q: Having worked online for 5 years now, tell us a little about your background and how did you first get started in the online space?

A: I practised commercial law until my sons were born, and then I switched to being a freelance writer so I could work from home. Once the boys were old enough to go to school, I got a job as a strategist at a customer publishing company, after which Media24 recruited me to give their women’s online products more personality… and I have been with 24.com ever since.

Q: Give us an insight into the daily running of not one but three popular women’s websites in South Africa?

A: I manage a team of truly fabulous women who actually do the day-to-day running of the websites… I do more steering and seagulling than editing these days. But it’s quite fast-paced, honest, very down-to-earth and a lot of fun. I manage via the spontaneous team allocation of the Tiara of Fabulousness, the Plastic Pig of Shame and the Smock of Despair.

Q: Women24 covers various topics including fashion, beauty, gossip, wellness and parenting. How do you go about selecting the topics to be covered and what are some of the sources that you and your team follow to keep up-to-date with issues concerning the average South African woman.

A: Over 200 000 SA women visit Women24.com each month, and we have hundreds of active bloggers. Our job is not so much to select topics and tell them things from on high, as a print magazine would do, but more to listen to what’s already being chatted about on our site and feed into those conversations.

Q: What are your predictions for online publications such as Women24 and Parent24 here in South Africa and what impact do you feel devices such as the newly launched Apple iPad will have on the industry?

A: I think unless women’s websites crack the conversation challenge (too many women’s magazine websites still talk at women, rather than with them)… growth is hard. Women24 and Parent24, I feel, HAVE cracked that – so I am excited about the future.

I am not sure yet that the iPad is a game-changer. My favourite iPad quote so far is: “At last! An iPhone that doesn’t fit in my pocket!” Tablet technology is still so new here (I don’t have a Kindle or an iPad yet)… but I think being community-focused and device-agnostic is the only way to stay flexible in this industry.

Q: What can we look forward to from Women24, Food24 and Parent24 in 2010 and beyond?

A: More chat, more honesty, more connections… and more breaking of stereotypes. Women are so much more interesting than we’ve been allowed to explore together and online is the perfect medium for chick chat: collaborative, circular and multi-tasking.

We’re hoping to continue to build on our 500 000+ readers, while adding new and dynamic threads to the conversation all the time.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Yes, I’ve been mugged and burgled before, but we prefer to live bravely and in the sunlight, rather than behind self-imposed bars, both literally and figuratively.

Q: What advice would you offer new parents who have concerns about the future of the South African education system?

A: There are alternatives to traditional schooling, if you need them… or additional methods of keeping your children from either turning into sheep or losing their own vitality. This I think, is the most important thing for all parents, in any country: to try to bring up children who are secure enough in themselves to be able to embrace difference. I don’t think enough parenting discussion turns on that… but, at Parent24, we sure try!

Q: With less than 60 days to the first African Soccer World Cup, what advice would you offer to first-time visitors looking to sample the best South African cuisine has to offer?

A: Food24 has the largest database of restaurants and recipes in South Africa. My own advice would be to be adventurous. Oh, and to visit the Winelands.

Q: What advice would you offer the president if given the opportunity of sitting down with him?

A: Dude. Being Captain Shagaplenty is seriously undermining the ANC’s lip service to women’s equality. If you can see women as equals, maybe more men in South African could follow your lead. And who knows how that may impact domestic violence, single-mother families and society’s respect for unpaid work ‘outside the capitalist, economic paradigm” (i.e.: at home)?

Life in Cape Town

Q: What do you most enjoy about living in Cape Town?

A: The mountain, the sea, the forests… and the idea that it’s not all about the money.

Q: Favorite restaurant for a Sunday lunch with the family?

A: I’ve actually just returned from a lovely Sunday family lunch at The Annex, the new restaurant behind the Kalk Bay Bookshop. Fabulous views, delicious food… and books! What more could you want?

Q: If you were tasked with commissioning a postal stamp depicting the beauty of Cape Town and it’s people, which image would you select?

A: Gosh. Um. Children of all races frolicking together in the Sea Point pool, with Robben Island in the distance?

General

Q: If you could invite any three South Africans to a dinner party, who would you invite and what would you serve?

A: Antjie Krog, Pregs Govender and Ferial Hafajee. And what would I serve? Well, I’m having a Terrior moment, so probably Michael Broughton‘s prawn risotto, his signature slow-roasted pork belly and cider jus, finished off with pear soufflés and Frangelico. That’s of course, if my guests do shellfish and pork… otherwise I do a good butter chicken and yellow lentil dhal. Ooh, with a stuffed naan! And… (don’t get me going on menu planning. I have a weakness there.)

Q: Which book would make required reading for all school-leavers and which book would you say has influenced you the most?

A: ONE book? Aargh, that’s impossible! Right now, I’d say all South Africans should read Ellen Kuzwayo’s Call Me Woman (now there was an ANC YL president!). And the book that’s influenced me the most? Dancing at the Edge of the World: Thoughts on Words, Women, Places by Ursula K Le Guin.

Q: Given a free hour at home, which would you rather do, put your feet up and relax or look for something productive to do?

A: Put my feet up. Definitely!

Q: What advice would most like to give the 18-year-old you?

A: Relax. You’re not as weird as you think. And bravery is really important in a woman.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: Lucien van der Walt from Wits. He’s recently co-authored a really interesting book on anarchism, The Black Flame: The Revolutionary Class Politics of Anarchism and Syndicalism… I’d like to ask him to explain how to get anarchists and trade unionists talking in South Africa.

We’d like to thank Sam for taking the time to answer our questions and wish her and her team at 24.com every success for the future.

Reminder to follow @izimvo on twitter for regular updates and our Facebook page to submit question and interviewee suggestions. You can also follow all our previous interviewees on Twitter at http//twitter.com/izimvo/interviewees

Marcel Oudejans

Introducing corporate magician and infotainer: Marcel Oudejans.

Recognized both locally and abroad as one of the busiest corporate event entertainment specialists in Africa, Marcel, at age 28, he has been performing professionally for over 10 years and has been invited to perform and attend events as far as Los Angeles and India. Apart from his world-class magic skills, Marcel is regarded as both a reliable and enthusiastic professional who is consistently recommended by his clients. Marcel serves as the current Vice-President of the Cape Town Chapter of the Professional Speakers Association of Southern Africa. As the author of “The Serious Business Owner’s Guide To Creating Customers For Life”, he regularly speaks on marketing, customer service and sales.

Website: http://www.corporatemagician.co.za
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Marcel_perform
Location: Cape Town

Marcel was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Marcel, Corporate Magician & Infotainer. “Marcel” is my real name: you’d be surprised how regularly people ask if it’s a “stage name”. I tend not to use my surname because either people don’t know how to pronounce it or they can’t spell it.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I’m a qualified Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer & worked in the IT industry as a technical support manager for 3 years before going full-time. For the last 18 months of that job, I worked from 9 till 5 and performed in the evening at a restaurant from 9 till 12. I’ve been self-employed for just over 6 years now.

I hate thrillers, horrors and medical dramas – I can’t understand why people would watch stuff that makes you afraid! I reckon that since you only have limited time to watch TV or movies, you may as well watch something funny, educational or positive.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Travelling with my family to the Garden Route, switching off all communications devices and doing as little as possible!

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South African would you like it to be?

A: My home would definitely be in Cape Town, probably in Pinelands (where I currently live). Nothing fancy, just as long as it is comfortable and easy to maintain. I’d love to have my own study with a library, luscious green garden, shaded entertainment area, a comfortable lounge, and a guest cottage for visitors.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property. Looking for the ultimate home with a self-contained separate cottage? How about this 1834 s/m, 5 bedroom family home overlooking Bishops fields.

Magic in South Africa

Q: You’ve turned your passion into a successful career. Tell us about how you came up with the idea of combining your love for magic with corporate events?

A: My Dad works in the financial sector & he would often attend company events & tell me afterwards that they had an entertainer of some sort at the event. At the time, it seemed like a good way to earn pocket-money from my skills . I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit, so I started performing in restaurants.

I’ve been performing professionally since I was 15, and from 2002 to 2007 I was performing at restaurants 6 nights a week, so it was during this time that many people saw what I could do & asked for my business card. All those hundreds of hours performing for thousands of people paid off, and through that I’ve been able to select my best material, and hone my skills. I’m pretty confident you can parachute-drop me anywhere with my suit and my bag and I’d be able to create and entertain a crowd!

When I started my own business in 2003, I realized that clients would most likely choose an entertainer based on the kind of service they received from him (or her) as they are planning the event. Since then, I’ve performed for over 150 respected South African companies because I believe in offering reliable and consistent great service, as well as world-class entertainment.

Recently I’ve decided to make some big changes and refocus from magic for “pure entertainment” to magic “with a message”, because there’s great potential for using my performance, technical and marketing skills to integrate magic with sales presentations & keynote speeches for companies.

Q: You’ve been a professional magician since September 2003. Which career milestones are you most proud of?

A: Definitely the opportunity to study with my mentor, Joel Bauer, in Los Angeles in 2007. He’s one of the most successful speaker-trainers in the world, and he’s also an experienced magician. Joel trained me on how to use my magic and presentation skills to deliver captivating & persuasive presentations for corporate clients.

I’m also proud of the fact that in 2008 I lectured and performed at the Vismayam 2008 International Magic Convention in Thiruvananthapuram, India. I was the only African magician invited to attend this convention that was attended by over 1000 magicians. It was a wonderful opportunity to meet & work with highly respected international colleagues & fellow lecturers.

Q: What are your thoughts on the industry as a whole? Do you feel that enough is being down to attract a new generation to the discipline?

A: Magic is a fairly easy hobby to get into, but it takes a lot of performance experience to become a professional magician. In South Africa there are about 10 full-time professional magicians, so the industry is very small. This means that the public here doesn’t get to see live magic performances often. There are several organizations that those that are interested in magic can join (the College of Magic in Cape Town is globally recognized and respected), and the books and DVDs are now far more easily accessible than in the past. The “magic community” is still very very small in South Africa, and even though the majority of magicians are hobbyists, I’d say we have one or two very skilful performers who could become world-famous some day.

Q: What was the first magic trick that you mastered and do you remember the first time you were paid for a performance?

A: The first trick I “mastered” was one that my Mom showed me: three pieces of rope change from being different sizes to all becoming the same size. She refused to tell me how it was done, and instead told me to read the instructions in the magic book she’d borrowed from the library. So I read the instructions, practised it & that trick stayed in my show for many years.

The first paying show I remember was when I was about 15 or 16 and the local library had a holiday programme. I remember having to do a 30 minute show for about 50 kids and preparing for days! I was very proud to get an envelope with my own money in it – which I spent on buying more magic props.

Q: Tell us about your creative process. How do you come up with new tricks and how many hours would you say goes into a trick before you include it in your performances?

A: I’m not a trick inventor – I prefer to learn a published effect or routine that I think matches my personal performance style, and then when I’m technically capable of performing the trick I spend most of my time making it ‘mine’. My goal is to become unconsciously competent to do the sleights required so that I can focus on improving the timing, script and audience interaction. It takes about 3 months before I can even begin to consider whether or not the new trick stays in my act. Only about 1 in every 10 new effects stay in my working repertoire.

Q: What advice would you offer parents of children who have an interest in magic?

A: Magic starts off like any hobby: it’s exciting in the beginning but most people lose interest once they’re faced with a few challenges (like needing to practise a difficult sleight, or standing in front of an audience). Rather than buying a “magic kit” from a toy shop, it’s worthwhile going to the local library and borrowing a book on magic and sleight-of-hand. By learning magic from books, you’re encouraging your child to read, follow instructions, and even do the occasional craft project to make a trick. If your child keeps practising and remains interested, then do your best to watch every new trick that he or she performs and offer constructive criticism and encouragement. My parents watched every single trick as I was growing up and I certainly wouldn’t have become as good as I am if it wasn’t for their advice, insight and most importantly, their patience.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Ironically, I’ve recently had my laptop and all my mobile devices stolen while I was doing a presentation. Two years ago my wife was hijacked outside of our house. But we’ve been blessed that we haven’t experienced any major issues with crime, and I’m really positive about South Africa! Crime is a reality that we have to face in South Africa, so you’ve got to learn how to look after yourself. Fortunately I’m blessed with highly efficient guardian angel :)

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: Nope, never considered it. If I really had to think about it, I’d say we’d go to the Netherlands or UK but that’s only because my wife and I have family in those countries.

Q: If, with wave of your magic wand, you could improve one thing about South Africa, what would it be?

A: I’d want their to be more trusted, upstanding, honest leaders in politics. Like I say in my presentations, “politicians are a lot like my daughter’s nappies: they both need to be changed regularly and for the same reason”.

Q: With less than 100 days to the first African Soccer World Cup, what advice would you offer to first-time visitors looking for the ultimate South African experience?

A: Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised by our country’s natural beauty and the hospitality of our people. Try to balance as much of your time between visiting the “must see” spots (Table Mountain, Robben Island, Kruger National Park, the beaches, etc) and spending time with the locals. Get out of the hotel as often as possible and experience what we South Africans do for fun! Don’t be neurotic about your safety, but don’t be naive either – it’s worth spending money to get an experienced and recommended tour guide as he or she will probably share some local “secrets” and make sure your visit runs smoothly!

Life in Cape Town

Q: What do you most enjoy about living in Cape Town?

A: The lifestyle and the sheer beauty of the city.

Q: Favorite restaurant in or around Cape Town for dinner with friends?

A: Tough choice! If they are family or close friends and we wanted a quieter restaurant, I’d take them to “Joe Fish” in Pinelands, or “Greek” in Mowbray. If I wanted to take them somewhere more extravagant and vibey, “Bombay Bicycle Club” on Kloofnek Road.

Q: If you were tasked with commissioning a postal stamp depicting the beauty of Cape Town and it’s people, which image would you select?

A: Table Mountain in the background – the icon of Cape Town – with a group of Cape Minstrels in the foreground, so signify the vibrancy and energy of Capetonians.

General

Q: Do you have any favorite tricks that you wish you knew the secret to?

A: Perhaps one or two of Derren Brown‘s effects – I rate him the best magician of our time! The particular effects would be those that include persuasion, influence, and “mentalism”, because I’d like to integrate them into my corporate presentations.

Q: What has been the weirdest reaction to one of your tricks?

A: I’ve been accused of being a “devil worshipper” – which is ironic, as I’m pretty conservative. Occasionally the black waiters and staff members of the venue I’m working at will run away as I approach them because sleight-of-hand really freaks them out; you can’t blame them as magic is still part of their culture and they rarely see magic as entertainment. Luckily most of them are laughing as they’re running!

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: “One Minute Millionaire” by Mark Victor Hansen & Robert Allen.

Q: Which South African personality would you most want directing you on your car’s GPS device?

A: Errrrr … Tannie Evita Bezuidenhout!

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: Cokey Falkow – one the funniest South African comedians I’ve had the pleasure to work with, and another future South African movie star. How’d he decide to go into comedy, and how’d he get the name ‘Cokey’?

A massive thank you to Marcel for taking the time to answer our questions. We’d like to wish him every success for the future.

Reminder to follow @izimvo on twitter for regular updates and our Facebook page to submit question and interviewee suggestions. You can also follow all our previous interviewees on Twitter at http//twitter.com/izimvo/interviewees

Heinz Winckler

Izimvo is honoured to introduce winner of South Africa’s first Idols competition: Heinz Winckler.

Heinz, winner of South Africa’s first Idols in 2002, has gone on to release 3 chart topping studio albums, a Live DVD, performed Chasing Shadows on the sound track of Disney’s Treasure Planet, came fourth in World Idols (Dec 2003) beating the UK’s Will Young, and has been nominated for 2 South African Music Awards. He was chosen for Cosmopolitan’s Sexy Man Calendar for 2003 and won People Magazine’s Crystal Awards for “Best Male Personality”, “Hottest Hunk”, and “Hottest Artist”.

Today Heinz is a house hold name in South Africa where he has done countless shows, including opening for Westlife. He has also guest starred on several local soapies and has been a guest on almost every local talk show. Heinz’s  recently released studio album, Ek Kan Weer In Liefde Glo, has gone gold in only 4 months.

Website: http://www.heinzw.co.za
Twitter: http://twitter.com/heinzwinckler
Facebook Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Heinz-Winckler/41471650756

Heinz was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: How would you like to be introduced at a social event hosted internationally?

A: Heinz Winckler, the pop sensation from South Africa!

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I have a Brown II belt in karate and music production is a hobby of mine.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Watching good movies or TV series, going for a walk along the beach with my wife, swimming or bodyboarding in the ocean.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South African would you want it to be?

A: It would be a Cape Dutch style home with traditional finishes, wood and leather in the interior with beautiful stylish local art and photos of family and friends on the walls. It will be a small wine farm in the Stellenbosch area where I will have a small vineyard and a state of the art studio with a guest house setup where artists and bands can come and work.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property – Looking for the ultimate Cape home? How about this R22m 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom luxury home  on a golfing and wine estate with amazing views of the mountains, fairways and vine yards.

South African Music

Q: Congratulations on the success on your latest album, “Ek Kan Weer In Liefde Glo“. Tell us a little about the album and the story behind the title track.

A: Thank you. I’m very excited about my first Afrikaans album. My supporters have been asking for it for years now and since I am Afrikaans I thought I would give it a bash doing Afrikaans in my own style.

The title track is actually based on an English pop song that we got from last year’s Eurovision winner. It is a co-write by Ronan Keating and two other writers. We translated it and changed the meaning of the song to have a more positive message of hope in love after heartbreak or disappointment. I have had many people come up to me to thank me for what the song has done for them.

Q: Can you describe the moment when you first heard one of your songs on the radio?

A: Yes! It was Once In A Lifetime and I was in the Highveld Stereo studio the morning after I had won when the played it – it was an awesome feeling! I still get goosebumps every time I hear one of my songs on the radio.

Q: Which one of your many accolades are you most proud of?

A: At this stage it’s a toss-up between playing a lead role in the US touring company of Rent and my latest album going gold in 4 months!

Q: What changes would you make to the Idols format both internationally and here in South Africa?

A: I think the format works well. The purpose of the show is to find a new pop singer based on public vote. It does just that. The main thing we need here is a better voting system that can handle any amount of votes, better broadcast sound quality and the contestants also need better sound on stage and more time to rehearse. I think that’ll help to up the level of the show locally.

Q: What are your predictions for the music industry, record labels and the manner in which music will be distributed in the future?

A: The easiest answer is to look at what is happening in Europe, the UK and the US and then know that we will follow suit in about 10 – 15 years. I think CD’s will become collectors items and/or redundant and most people will only buy online.

There will be a small market segment in SA that will get there quite soon, and the masses will only get there in a few years time as the middle class becomes stronger and technology becomes more affordable.

Artists and labels will rely more and more on ringtone downloads, internet purchases and syncing rights for income and live performing will become more important for all artists as a source (maybe even main source) of income.

I think we’ll see more independent labels doing well and the majors merging and even failing.

And lastly I think we’ll see more and more artists who become famous on the internet on their own.

Q: What can we look forward to from Heinz Winckler in 2010?

A: First of all lots of new music in the form of a few more radio singles from the new album. I will also be performing live all around the country – for more info go to www.heinzw.co.za and my fan page on Facebook. I will also be a coach on the new season of Supersterre on SABC2. And I’m playing one of the lead roles in the new season of Getroud Met Rugby as well as the movie that will follow-on the movie. There is also the possibility of doing 2 overseas trips for shows this year – but more on that later.

Life in South Africa

Q: What do you enjoy most about living in South Africa?

A: The space, the rich culture, the amazing scenery and the fact that it is my home.

Q: When asked about crime in South Africa internationally, how do you respond?

A: I tell them that yes it is bad, but that they need to take it with a pinch of salt as the media tend to exaggerate things and that I choose to not live in fear.

Q: With less than 100 days to the first African Soccer World Cup, what advice would you offer to first-time visitors looking for the ultimate South African experience?

A: Eat the food, because it will lead you to the people, and the people are what makes this country great. There is too much to experience, and you will not get to everything, so do what you can and come back for more later. But my top three activities would be to take the cable car to Table Mountain, drive the pass from Gordon’s Bay to Kleinmond and do some wine tasting at the Stellenbosch, Paarl and Robertson wine farms.

General

Q: Which of your lyrics would you most like to be remembered for?

A: It’s Your Song, and no one can take it away. Just let me sing along, to your song, we’ll sing all day long, to your song. (It’s from Real Song from the new album and song is a metaphor for the calling and purpose we each have.)

Q: Do you follow any rituals before getting up on stage to perform?

A: Just practical stuff – pray, warm up the voice, drink water, tune the guitar and make sure I know my set list.

Q: If you were to write a message for your unborn son to open on his 18th birthday, what would it say?

A: I’ve actually already wrote him a song that I surprised my wife with on her baby shower.

It’s in Afrikaans though – but the jist of it is based on the meaning of his name (Lian) which means Willow and is connected to my wife’s favourite scripture, Jeremiah 17:7,8. So the lyrics are something like this:

A willow Tree
By a waterstream
No worrying in drought
Son of promise
Son of hope
Man of God

Your mom and I stand together
And bless you in Jesus’ name

My son, my blessing
Borrowed from our creator
To raise and to cherish
To lead in the fear of God
My son

Q: If you could invite any three South Africans to an intimate dinner party, who would you invite and what music would you play in the background?

A: My wife and my parents. Beethoven.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you like to ask them?

A: Jacob Zuma. What is your true, actual vision for this country.

A massive thank Heinz for taking the time to answer our questions. We’d like to wish him every success for the future and wish him and his wife, Alette, all the best with the birth of their first child any week now.

Be sure to follow @izimvo on twitter for regular updates and our Facebook page to submit question and interviewee suggestions. You can alos follow all our previous interviewees on Twitter at http//twitter.com/izimvo/interviewees

Ryan Sandes (Photo by Nick Muzik)

Izimvo has the great honour of introducing running phenomenon: Ryan Sandes.

Ryan’s amazing story begins in 2006 when he finished in the top 20 of his first ever marathon: a race which he only entered as an excuse for a party in Knysna. Looking for an adventure, Ryan went on to win every stage of the 2008 Gobi March, a desert race considered as one of the toughest endurance races on the planet. Ryan followed this amazing achievement by winning The Sahara Race and breaking the race record of the 2009 Jungle Marathon.

Ryan’s goal for 2010 is to complete and win every race in the 4 Deserts series. The challenge starts on the 7th March with the Atacama Desert Race in Chile and ends in November with the Last Desert race in Antarctica. “Wandering Fever” is a documentary that will follow Ryan’s attempt at becoming the first person to win all of the 4 Desert Series races.

Named as one of Runners World Magazine’s “Top 5 heroes of running”, along with the likes of Usain Bolt and Haile Gebrselassie, Ryan has cemented his place as one of the greatest athletes of all time.

Website: http://www.ryansandes.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ryan.sandes
Location: Cape Town

Ryan was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Ryan Sandes, 27 years old. Nicknames: Hedgie (from school), more recent is Sandman. Profession: Studied to be a Quantity Surveyor and worked for Faircape Property Developers for two and bit years. Now I am a full-time professional athlete.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I have a phobia about snakes but this was cured during the Amazon Jungle race. People I most admire are Nelson Mandela, Lance Armstrong and my grandfather. Favorite Food is steak and movie is Snatch. (I do not get to see many movies these days)

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Hanging out with friends and having a few beers over a braai etc. I struggle do the late night partying these days and it does not fit in with my training. I also enjoying spending time on the beach and try to get a surf in every once in a while. Running in definitely the best way to get away from it all, my only worry is to put my one foot in front of the other.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?

A: I would like to have two homes, one in Cape Town as I think it is the best city in the world and we have it all, mountains, beaches etc. My other home would be more of a holiday home up in the Drakensberg where I could go and train at high altitude and get away from the city life.

This question has been proudly sponsored by Private Property – Looking for the ultimate apartment in Cape Town. Look no further! Take a look at the virtual tours of this amazing R13.9m V & A Marina apartment. Simply stunning.

Long-Distance Running

Winning the Sahara Race 2008 (Photo by 4deserts.com)

Q: Tell us about how you go from the Knysna marathon in 2006 to winning every stage of the 2008 Gobi Desert race, a seven-day event considered to be one of the toughest endurance races on the planet?

A: Running the Knysna marathon was more of an excuse to go up to Knysna and have a party than any thing else – I would have run the half but entries had closed. The feeling of fulfillment I had after completing the Knysna Marathon hooked me. Before I knew it I was spending my weekends on the trails instead of all night parties with my friends. I am one for extremes and after a few local trail races I decided to look for another challenge and stumbled upon the 4 Desert website and the rest is history.

Q: “Wandering Fever” is a film that will follow your attempt at becoming the first person to win all 4 of the RacingThePlanets 4Desert Series races. Tell us about how the movie came about and do you think it will have any impact on your performances?

A: I am good friends with one of the owners of The African Attachment, the film company who is making the documentary. When I told him I was running the Gobi March he asked me why? I did not have an answer… After getting back from the Gobi we discussed making the documentary on why I am participating in these extreme endurance races hence the name “Wandering Fever”. It sounded like a great idea and they have been following me around ever since then. I don’t think the documentary will impact on my performance but hopefully by the end of the 4 Desert series I can explain why I compete in these extreme races.

Q: The 4Desert series ends in Antarctica this November. Besides training in large cold rooms, what are the other main differences in training for cold weather events?

A: When running in hot conditions you have to get your body used to the heat. However in cold conditions if you have the correct clothing and equipment you can insulate your body from the cold. The hardest part is getting used to breathing in cold air and making sure you don’t sweat too much under all the layers of clothing as your sweat freezes and can make life very uncomfortable. So my main challenges will be getting used to breathing in very cold air, making sure I have the right clothing and getting used to running with all the layers on.

Q: Which part of your preparation for an event is the most difficult, the physical or the mental?

A: I would say physical as you have to spend months training for an event, but it is just as important to be mentally fit. However I believe you are either born with mental fitness or it comes from years of racing.

Q: What advice would you offer the 10km runner who has aspirations of completing their first marathon?

A: You have already done all the hard work by getting out there and running 10km races. Increase your distance slowly, never give up and with enough hard work and dedication you will be crossing that marathon finish line before you know it.

Q: What will be the best way for us to follow your progress during the 4Desert series?

A: I will be doing a blog on my website www.ryansandes.com or on the 4 Deserts website www.4deserts.com you can sign up for breaking news and they have all the latest results, videos, pictures etc on the site.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Yes, the crime rate in South Africa is very high and my family and I have had to start being a lot more cautious when it comes to crime. When I was a kid we never locked our doors, hijackings were unheard of etc. But we live in a really beautiful country and after spending lots of time in other countries around the world I believe we have one of the best qualities of life in the world.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: No I never plan to leave South Africa on a permanent basis – proudly South African!

Q: How have you found the perception of South Africa while competing internationally?

A: The first thing most people say when I come from South Africa is…. Nelson Mandela.. I get asked about the crime and safety factor in South Arica a lot but people are also very positive about how beautiful and the potential South Africa has.

Q: South Africa’s greatest athlete is?

A: That’s a hard one…..I would have to say Elana Meyer as in her day she broke National and International records from 5000m up to Marathon distance.

Life in Cape Town

Q: What are the benefits of living in Cape Town for an extreme athlete?

A: I am surrounded by mountains; there are some really big sand dunes as well as other types of terrain which make conditions perfect for trail running. It also gets very hot in summer and wet in winter which helps prepare for extreme races. The only thing we don’t have is high altitude.

Q: Favorite restaurant for a lazy Sunday lunch with a group of friends?

A: Caprice in Camps Bay is always very festive on Sunday.

Q: Top 3 train running routes that you would recommend to runners visiting Cape Town?

A: One of my favorite routes is from the Lower Cable Car Station along the pipe track to the “Block House” and back – the route has awesome views of Cape Town CBD and Robben Island and it is a very runner friendly route.

Any trail in the Cape Point Reserve is very cool with loads of wild life and then another favorite trail of mine starts from Suickerb0ssie restaurant up Landudno Ravine and to the Table Mountain dams and then down to Constantia Neck.

General

Q: What are your must-have luxuries that accompany you to every race?

A: An iPod for long waits at the airport, laptop and Salomon relax shoes. These items all get left behind during a multi day race and there are not a lot of I luxuries I take – every second day I treat myself to a stick of Droewors ! My new Oakley Jawbones are super cool and are a must for every race!

Q: You break your races up into shorter distances that you tackle one at a time. Do you apply this tactic to any other aspects of your life?

A: Yes definitely, I apply this tactic to all aspects of my life. When I am really busy I focus on just getting one task done at a time and before I know it everything is done. It helps simplify life and I don’t get stressed out.

Q: Favorite snack after a long training session?

A: A fruit smoothie loaded with whey protein etc.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: “It’s Not About The Bike” and “Every Second Counts” both books are by Lance Armstrong. They are both really inspiring books and show anything is possible with enough determination.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: Lance Armstrong – do you think you can win Ironman Kone (Ironman World Champs)?

We’d like to thank Ryan for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success for the future.

The first of the 4 Deserts races, the Atacama Crossing in Chile, starts on the 7th March. Be sure to follow Ryan’s progress on his website and his Facebook page. You can also follow @RacingThePlanet on Twitter for regular updates throughout the series.

Ard Matthews

Today’s talented voice belongs to the lead singer of Just Jinjer: Ard Matthews.

Since igniting the local music scene in 1996 with their debut album, “All Comes Around”, Just Jinjer have become South Africa’s biggest selling rock band of all time. The band, with 6 number 1 hits and two double-platinum albums, recently returned to South Africa after a decade of touring and performing internationally.

Consisting of Durban born lead singer, Ard Matthews (vocals/guitar), Brent Harris (drums/vocals) and Denholm Harding (bass/vocals), Just Jinjer are currently promoting their latest album “Milk and Honies” in Kwazulu Natal.

Website: http://ardmatthews.com and http://www.justjinjer.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/ardmatthews
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ardmatthews
Location: Cape Town

Ard was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Ard Matthews. Rough n tough and from the Bluff. Still on the good side of my 30s.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I’m a real geek actually. I love gadgets and tech stuff. I did a computer course a few years ago to understand more about the inner workings of these wonderful machines. To give you an idea of how bad I have it: I will have one of the first iPads in the country when they get released. (I know ppl)

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: I can lose myself in a good video game. Playstation, xbox; you name it. I’ll rock it hard. Let’s not forget that I can also lose myself with just an acoustic guitar and a few fresh melodies!!

Q: Tell us about “First Offerings” and how it came about?

A: “First Offerings” is a concept album that is 100% for the benefit of my charity called the MyLife Foundation. www.mylife.org.za. ALL proceeds go towards this cause. Unfortunately the completion of the record has been delayed but I am still working on it feverishly.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you want it to be?

A: I’m thinking about a cool, self sustainable small holding somewhere on the coast. I’m still undecided as to exactly where as it’s all just so beautiful. I still have a strong pull towards the Natal coast. I love it!!

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property

South African Music

Q: Do you remember the first time you heard one of your songs on the radio? Do you ever get used to it?

A: It’s always a thrill. I’d be lying if I said it ever got old. It’s always the biggest complement to me that someone cares enough to play it and that ppl care enough to want to hear it. Awesome feeling!!

Q: How important would you say social media is for bands? Is this driven by the band or their record labels?

A: It’s extremely important nowadays. I wish it wasn’t. Bands should be just judged for their quality of music and their live shows…not for the Myspace friend count.

Q: During the songwriting process, which comes first – the melody, lyrics or a combination of the two?

A: A combination. I try never to have any rules about my process. ‘ What He Means’ was a melody for almost a year before I wrote the opening lines lyrics..

Q: How important do you think the move to the States has been for Just Jinjer? Could you have enjoyed the same level of success without relocating?

A: Possibly. But I fear I may have lost out on sleep wondering about the “what if I hadn’t tried” aspect of that decision. I think life is all about the journey so I’m happy to have had so many stops along my way home…

Q: What advice would you give the young musician with a demo CD in their pocket?

A: Pick only 2-3 of your very best songs. DO NOT give an exec a 12 track album. They will NEVER listen past the first few songs if they even listen at all. Spend your whole budget on getting 3 songs sounding awesome rather than doing 12 averagely.

Q: Are there any new local acts which have caught your eye?

A: I’m diggin the New Holland record. Cool vibe. I also love Die Antwoord. They so funny!

Life in South Africa

Q: Living in LA since 2002, how would you describe the perception of South Africa and it’s people?

A: South Africans have a great reputation. They are known to be good; diligent workers with good manners. I knew a lot of Americans who had complete SA envy. Plus…we live in AFRICA!!! It’s just so cool

Q: Is your move to the States a permanent one or do you think you will move back to South Africa?

A: We actually moved back to SA in August last year after 10 years of representing our country abroad.

Q: To which three local attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: The Garden Route. Table Mountain then the Winelands.

Q: South Africa’s greatest export is?

A: Leon Schuster.

General

Q: What is the craziest thing a fan has done to get your attention?

A: Far too crazy for this interview. We’ll leave it to the readers imagination ;-)

Q: Traveling as much as you do, do you have any advice for those long flights? Can you tell us how many Voyager miles you clocked up in 2009?

A: We were so foolish. We only applied for our miles halfway in to our careers. If we had started collecting from the beginning, I’m sure we’d all be around a million miles.

Q: Which of your lyrics would you most like to be remembered for?

A: “that’s NOT what He means, and it doesn’t matter what Book you read” – from What He Means.

Q: Favorite flavor of ice cream?

Q: Chocolate in choc sauce with choc sprinkles and a choc flake. I like chocolate.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: I want to read about Leon Schuster and I’d like to ask him why he does not want to braai at my house this weekend already!!

We’d like to thank Ard for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him and Just Jinjer every success for the future.

Be sure to catch Ard and Just Jinger at the Durban Botanical Gardens this Sunday, the 14th Feb. The Old Mutal Music at the Lake opens at 16:30 and tickets cost R80 for adults, R20 for kids between 6 and 12 and free for kids under 6. Book your tickets here.

Gary Gold

Izimvo has the distinct pleasure of introducing the Springbok assistant coach: Gary Gold.

Gary, one of the finest technical minds and strategists in the game, is renowned for his academic and precise approach to coaching. Before joining the Springboks as assistant coach in May 2009, Gary was the head coach of Western Province and London Irish.

Website: http://www.rugbyiq.com
Blog: http://coaching.blog.rugbyiq.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/GaryGoldrugbyiq
Location: Cape Town

Gary was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Gary Gold, 40 something, current Springbok assistant coach. They might also mention that I was the former WP and London Irish Head coach. Friends have an amazing ability of keeping your feet firmly on the ground so there would be a lot said that you couldn’t print!  But if they were being generous I hope they would say that I have a real passion for what I do, and am lucky to be one of a small group of people whose job is also his passion. I have two other business interests with a rugby website rugbyiq.com and a sports video analysis software product called Sportscode that keep me on my toes.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I suppose a few things that people may not know is that I am an absolute gadget freak – a nerd in that way I suppose. I particularly love Apple products, and cant move without my Mac. Also with the website, I now write a blog every week and perhaps people who know me may be surprised to hear that. I love doing it because it keeps me abreast of current issues in the game, and it often then leads to me researching them and finding out some really interesting info about that week’s topic. A form of forced learning, I suppose you could call it.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Well obviously as I have 2 Kids, I enjoy spending time with them. They are Jamie 6 and Jemma 9. They’re becoming real little people now and I find it keeps a perspective in a life that can get quite tough at times. I am also a bit of a social guy and I really love spending time with close friends, either having a meal, a game of golf or just a great catch up – generally having fun and getting out and about in Cape Town. I really don’t read nearly as much as I should, but I do really enjoy reading and collecting autobiographies.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?

A: I enjoy space, so I would like the house on a medium size plot. Then it would be great if we could have a great view, not necessarily sea views – we currently have gorgeous mountain views. Then I’d like the house to have the necessary rooms – plus a guest room for mates to come stay and then my pride and joy: a study where I could have all the video analysis equipment I need and also all my nutcase gadgets.

Seriously though, perhaps also a cool garden for the kids, and we have a pool at the moment which is used all day by them, and me if I’m home! If we were on the beach that would be a huge bonus – there’s nothing better than to spend a sunny day on the beach in South Africa.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property

Rugby in South Africa

Q: Can you describe the moment when you first heard that you had landed the coveted position of Springbok Assistant Coach?

A: Amazing really, it was something like 4 O’ Clock in the morning!! It was in 2008 and I was with the Stormers in New Zealand, Auckland to be precise. I was told I needed to have the interview for the job and so it was arranged with some studio in Auckland. I had to be there at 11.30 at night (about midday in SA) and we did the interview, via video conference, with the panel who were in the board room at SA Rugby offices in Cape Town.

The interview, I thought, was a mess. I could hardly see the faces of the guys asking me the questions and then they wanted to show video footage of specific issues in a game, to quiz me on. The clips were totally fuzzy and I could barely make out the teams playing let alone any specific details within the ruck etc.

The interview took about 2 hours and I caught a cab back to the hotel where I lay in bed mulling it all over. I thought a lot about the interview and decided that I hadn’t done myself any good and really wasn’t confident that the interview did me any justice. But I left my phone on, just in case. At 4am Prof. Jannie Ferreria rang and broke the news to me that I had got the job. It really was the first time in my life that I can honestly say my dream came true – and it was on such a huge scale! Needless to say I didn’t sleep a wink after that. I called home and and one other very close friend, to share the news. Then I quickly realized there was still a tour to deal with. I put it to the back of my mind until we returned and focused on the rest of our Super 14 campaign.

Q: Congratulations on a very successful 2009 season. What are some of your favorite moments from the season and which tests are you most looking forward to in 2010?

A: Thank you, it was a truly special year. However, 2010 is a completely different prospect. Where 2009’s focus really was all about the B&I Lions, 2010 marks the true start of our planning and preparation for the 2011 World Cup. So many things need to be considered and done this year in order for the squad to be optimally prepared and up for it. For example, a few positions that may not have enough strength in depth, need to be identified. Then we need to focus on the potential replacements who can fill that position, should they be needed. Then we need to give the player an opportunity to play so we can see how he fares as a test player. I know Peter has thought of all these things and he is very well organized and prepared. If we do need to go this route, it may mean we have to play certain tests this year without our strongest possible team. And yet we are faced with the glaring reality that winning is non-compromisable in South African rugby – or certainly is for a large majority of the media and public! So I suppose it is all a balance – one that also throws other curve balls at us, such as injuries.

I honestly look forward to every single test with the same excitement, nerves and anticipation. But I suppose the first test of 2010 which is against France, will be a massive one for us to be able to get redemption. Then of course, as current Tri Nations Champs, it is always going to be huge when we play either Australia or NZ and with a tougher draw this year, we travel away first, it will pose us a real challenge to retain the trophy. These are all important challenges leading into 2011 because world-class teams need to form and maintain the ability to win when expectations are highest.

The two main highlights of 2009 were definitely the 2nd Test against the B&I Lions in Pretoria and the tri nations test in Hamilton. We were lucky to win the Pretoria test, but we did show an amazing amount of courage and tenacity to come back from a disastrous start. The series win, I believe, will only be fully appreciated in time to come. This B&I Lions team were really that good. After a poor week in Brisbane the week before, the guys knew they had to dig deep once again and needed to win the Tri Nations that day. They knew they could not leave the outcome to be determined the next week when NZ played Aus. It was special to win the Tri Nations in NZ, but also to beat the All Blacks 3 times in a row was also incredibly unique. It is a pity we had a poor run at the end of the year.  It seems that it is those memories that remain fresh in people’s minds. Yet the fact that we had one of the most successful years in the history of Springbok rugby remains.

Q: If you were to select a South African all-star team with players from any era, who would pick as captain?

A: As good as some of our captains have been in past eras, my pick would really have to be John Smit. That choice isn’t because I have the pleasure of working with him now, but because I believe he has what it takes to lead men with varying talents and from all walks of life.

I also doubt there can be any other professional sport in the world that has more off-field complicated issues to deal with such as the Springboks. John has an incredible knack of dealing with them all, without compromising his ability to earn his place in the team or his playing ability. He is also is our most experienced captain of all time.

So as I said, as much as I truly believe we have produced some other great captains, in my eyes, John’s appointment is a no brainer.

Q: What advice would you offer school-boy coaches in terms of preparing talented players for the off-field demands of a professional career?

A: I definitely believe that schoolboy coaches have a much greater role to play in the “Life skills” elements of talented rugby boys’ lives. Plainly speaking, one of the biggest problems that young pro rugby players experience is the radical change to their profile and bank balance. This may, and has in certain cases, led to the young men getting ahead of themselves and losing focus on their primary job of playing and training, to be the best they can be.

Also, through a disciplined environment, schoolboy coaches have the opportunity to really enforce how vitally important it will be for the boys to keep a perspective about his achievements. Coaches allow him to see that he will have a role to play in the community and that his life will one day be viewed through a microscope by his young fans. They will look to emulate his every move and may believe that if high profile rugby players can act in a specific way, then so can they.

In short, they can play a massive role in teaching them humility.

Q: What do you think the impact commercialization has had on the school boy game?

A: It has had a profound impact. The game of rugby has now become a full time, multi-million rand business, and players, being the most valuable commodity in this empire, are being sought after at a much younger age.

Rugby, like any sport , is generally won by the team with the best players. So the drive and focus on signing the best players as soon as their talent has been identified, has meant that scouts, certain unions and clubs now look to sign the best school boys as soon as they show any sign of being able to make it in the big league.

Consequently, schools have realized that commercial opportunities can also be found by having their teams play in big games and get more TV airtime, so they too are now looking to offer bursaries and opportunities to young boys who are talented. This may not necessarily be a problem situation, but perhaps there may be a case for schools, or boys under a certain age, to be governed by a salary cap.

In the UK they do have some tight controls on how much the young academy guys can earn until they get a full pro contract. I don’t see it as a problem at present but it should be monitored.

Q: What are your predictions, in terms of technological advances, for the next generation of players?

A: I think because of what big business sport has become, it has also now become more important that decisions made on the field of play by officials need to be accurate. The result of a game should not be affected by officials making errors and they need not be if we use technology correctly.

In rugby league the referee may look to the TV adjudicator to assist him on almost all his calls. In fact the 4th official may actually notify the ref of an incident he has missed without being called upon for an opinion. Similarly, American Football has full video reviews and the NFL believe that it adds to the occasion.

Certainly in the recent cricket series between SA and England, the teams were allowed to call on video reviews. I believe the crowd actually enjoyed the tension of waiting for the outcome, and ultimately everyone is happier if the correct decision is made.

So in rugby I see it as a matter of time before more decisions are allowed to be reviewed by video officials, so that they are given more latitude to overrule a decision made by the match ref if it is blatantly incorrect or may affect a score. There will be some people who won’t want change, but rugby is in danger of being left behind as other sports embrace technology to assist in the correct decisions affecting outcomes. I am sure we will see more technology being introduced in the near future.

Life in South Africa

Q: South Africa’s greatest export is?

A: In sport, I think Gary Kirsten taking India to the No 1 position in World cricket has to be our greatest export presently. In stores around the world though, I think Oumas rusks, Biltong and some of our wines. These were always sought after and deemed our finest exports by South Africans during my time in London.

Q: What about life in South Africa did you miss the most while coaching London Irish?

A: The list could be endless, but I definitely think our lifestyle here in SA cannot be beaten by any country in the world – matched perhaps, but never beaten. Sadly we only realize how beautiful SA is when we are away from it long enough. We truly have a privileged lifestyle here in Cape Town, not only with its beauty, but also with the great weather and the amazing places to spend time at – right here on our doorstep.

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: We have, but thankfully not seriously. It certainly did however give us a wake up call that we need to be more vigilant.

It didn’t change my perception of the country, it just made me realize that we need to adapt certain habits to ensure we are safe as possible, but not let it affect every minute of our day.

Interestingly, spending time in the UK has also taught me that the grass is certainly not greener on the other side. There are so many great things about SA and our people, and those positives and prospects far outweigh the hangover we are still experiencing from our unfortunate past.

Q: If you were given the opportunity of sitting down with the president, what advice would you offer him?

A: Far be it for me to be giving him any advice, but I would dearly love to see him administer a government that is sincerely focused on health, education and of course security. How amazing it would be if every SA citizen could receive health care if they needed it, an education through to tertiary level and a safe and secure environment to live in. It would be great to see the people who work in these sectors i.e. teachers, nurses, doctors and police, be rewarded with substantial benefits and incentives. It might make their so often thankless tasks so much more appreciated, and it could in turn encourage more people to want to seek a career in these fields. I think it should be the priority of the government to subsidize these professions so that they thrive instead of being compromised due to lack of funding.

Sadly though, if I did that I fear he may start asking me why we falter in the scrums, or didn’t manage to beat France and Ireland, and then I suspect he may tell me to leave him alone and focus on my own job, whilst he focuses on his! Then I think I may just obey him and slip away quietly.

Life in Cape Town

Q: What do you most enjoy about living in Cape Town?

A: Everything except the traffic! Cape Town is an amazing city, possibly one of the most diverse and beautiful in the world. It really can be 4 seasons in one day and we have one of the most loyal and supportive sports crowds in the country. As a guy involved in a professional sport, I couldn’t have asked to do my job in a better city.

Q: Favorite restaurant in or around Cape Town for dinner with a group of friends?

A: So many great restaurants but the New Grand in the Waterfront is special.

General

Q: Which non-rugby coach do you most admire and why?

A: Alex Ferguson. He has successfully broken the mould of so many incorrect theories that surround coaching and the role of coaches. Phil Jackson – NBA coach for the LA Lakers and previously Chicago Bulls. An amazing man manager who really seems to understand the essence of getting the very best out of his players consistently. Also, mainly due to his spiritual outlook on life, he seems to have mastered the art of keeping perspective. He is a man who has achieved incredible success and great disappointment, yet he is able to stay consistent in his philosophy and behavior. I believe this is ultimately why the successes have far outweighed the disappointments.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all school-boy rugby players?

A: As I shamefully admitted, I do not read nearly enough. But if I was to choose a book that had a profound affect on me, it is the best selling “A New Earth” by Eckhart Tolle. He discusses the dangers of an out of control ego and has so many lessons that are needed by an individual embarking on the challenges of pro rugby – and of life. If that is too heavy, and you were to ask specifically for a rugby book, then John Smits – Captain in the Cauldron tells a great story of his journey, yet shows his ability to stay normal and humble through all of his success.

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

A: Right here in Cape Town. I’ve been away too much lately so home feels like a holiday! But the sound of the sea and to wake up breathing the sea air, would be a great bonus.

Q: How many Voyager miles did you clock up during the 2009 season?

Q: About 150 000 miles.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Tiger Woods. Would ask him if we could play golf together now that he has a bit of time on his hands.

We’d like to thank Gary for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him and the Springboks every success for the 2010 season.

Herman Heunis

Izimvo is truly honoured to introduce the founder and CEO of MXit, Herman Heunis.

MXit, a true South African success story, was the first mobile instant messenger of its kind in the country. Today, it is used by over 15 million users in 120+ countries and transmits upward of 250 million messages per day. Since launching in 2005, the product has evolved to include various other services including e-commerce, music, dating and gaming.

Website: http://www.mxitlifestyle.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/HermanHeunis
Location: Cape Town

Herman was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Knowing some of my friends, this could be embarrassing as their introduction would most probably be “This is Herman, he used to be normal before he started MXit, but now I’m not so sure ….” :)

Anyway, I have been a software engineer since 1980 but for the past few years I had to exchange that wonderful life for a management role, which has its own challenges and rewards. In my spare time I’m a very keen wildlife photographer and I am also keen on windsurfing and mountain biking.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: At heart I’m an artist, hence my love for software engineering – one of the ultimate forms of creativity. All my aptitude tests at varsity confirmed that I should have become an artist – a sculptor or painter to be exact and shortly before varsity started, I was still seriously in two minds as what to study, a degree in Arts or B.Comm. It was a matter of head overriding the heart– I did the B.Comm as the employment potential for artists at that stage was not great.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Traveling and exploring new places is certainly at the top of my list and when you can combine it with photography, even better. My wife and I have traveled more than 100,000 km, (mostly by adventure bike) through various parts of Southern Africa over the past four years and I wish we could do more.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South African would you like it to be?

A: Where I live and work now is the ultimate for me. Somerset West with the Helderberg in the background, vineyards almost on our doorstep, and the ocean on the horizon -it’s really a great place to live. Working in Stellenbosch is also very special – one of the most beautiful towns in the world with so many creative minds walking its streets.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property

MXit

Q: Can you tell us a little about the R&D project that lead to the development of MXit? What were the goals of the project and when was the eureka moment?

A: We had this “urge” to create a community using mobile phones and we thought a massive multiplayer game would do it, but we were wrong. The game was re-shaped several times but eventually we realized that the number of hurdles were just staggering, so we parked it.

Months later, we hit upon the idea of a mobile search engine with social aspects that was followed by a community classifieds element – but also no joy here.

Then one day we decided to drop all the fluff surrounding our offering and just focus on IM. If you look carefully at what we did, we just switched the primary and secondary objectives. Initially it was a) offer gaming (or search or classifieds) and b) offer messaging as a secondary. With MXit, we a) offered messaging as primary and b) used the IM to offer gaming, classifieds, etc.

Q: Since launching in May 2005, MXit has shown explosive growth and has introduced many new products including classifies, music, gaming, counselling etc. Which of these products are you most most proud of and what can we expect in 2010 and beyond?

A: Every product was special in some way, some more than others. If I have to rate one highly, it would be our latest, a multiplayer game called tiXi. You play the game within MXit which is great -a brand new game and a brand new concept. I’m really looking forward to seeing what will happen when we start promoting the game, especially since it has an education value to it.

I think MXit Xchange, our classifieds, was also a highlight. It started off as a simple prototype developed within a very short timeframe. We learned quickly that user moderation does not always work and we had to change the software numerous times to allow for moderation before the ads go out. Today we have more than 1.3 million users of MXit Xchange which is quite an achievement for a product only 6 months old. With regards to the future, we hope to focus on more entertainment offerings.

Q: Question from Mike Sharman (@mikesharman) – What are your thoughts and plans for location-based services, considering future trends of Twitter / Facebook as outlined by @mashable?

A: I have not looked in detail at the Twitter and Facebook plans, so I cannot comment. Our own plans will revolve around the importance of location-based information to our users when it comes to searching for, or engaging with, other people or products. One obviously needs to be aware that there are privacy/security issues when it comes to location-based information.

Q: How do you hire great talent?

A: This is really difficult and requires a tremendous effort but is worthwhile when you get it right. Great companies are made up of a collection of great people with great ideas and lots of energy and passion. Hiring the right skills and personalities is probably the most important aspect of a company. We have learned that a process must be in place to enable you to choose and then to screen vigorously until you find exactly what type of individual you are looking for – from an experience, talent, attitude and personality perspective. If you can’t find the right person, you might be better off not employing anyone.

Q: What advice would you give young Internet entrepreneurs starting out with little or no money?

A: We have learned so many lessons over the years – some of them were VERY expensive which I would never wish to repeat again. To highlight just a few:

• Do your market research and make sure that your product is much more than nice pictures and a cool website.
• Make sure you have something that has a very unique appeal to a vast number of people. Bottom line, how will your product or service be different to what is currently available and what will entice people to use it? Price is not always the best differentiator.
• You have to think “out of the box” when it comes to revenue generation. With so many fantastic free services out there, you might have to think about other ways (sometimes unconventional) to generate revenue. In our case we make tiny amounts, but the volumes are high.
• If you cannot compete in a certain category, create a new one.
• Be prepared to fail before success is achieved. The fact is, to be an Internet entrepreneur (today) is not the easiest of jobs and where it was virgin territory in the 90s and early 2000s, today it is a super- overcrowded red ocean where you will compete against hundreds or even thousands in certain areas.
• Funding is mostly a major issue for startups and dealing with VCs, banks or other investors can be stressful. My advice is, do your homework and prepare a proper business plan before you engage with them. Focus on things such as amount of funding required, competitors, your unique offering, potential revenue projections and so on. There are many examples on the internet of how to do this. Also, be careful who you approach for funding and see if you can rely on references – the last thing you want is to be involved with a bunch of unscrupulous people in your business. Make sure your funding partners can add more than just money.
• Make sure your paperwork is in order right from the word go. Sort out company structure and shareholder agreements and especially what happens when you have differences with your partners. Make sure you have written documents and contracts with whomever you working to avoid expensive misunderstandings/interpretations in the future.
• I cannot stress enough the importance of choosing the right partners/co-shareholders – things tend to get tough at times and the last thing you want is a partner (or funder) who does not have the stomach for it and wants to bail out during the launch or at some other inconvenient time.
• Be aware of hidden costs when it comes to hosting, bandwidth, development, IP, software licences and so on. The reality is that certain parts of the solution such as bandwidth are quite expensive in SA.
• Marketing your idea (or company) once it is launched is the golden key. Traditional advertising might not work or it could be horrendously expensive. Buy yourself a book on guerilla marketing and try to get into that way of thinking.

Q: What advice do you offer parents of young children using services such as MXit, Twitter and Facebook?

A: The concept of privacy and personal information is something young people don’t always appreciate and since they don’t always comprehend the full implications of personal information in the wrong hands, they get into all sorts of trouble. If I had to highlight one bit of advice, not only for kids, but for all Internet users – it would be that a significant percentage of Internet users are not who they say they are. Role- playing is a big thing and will continue to be – and, sadly, criminals are using it too.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Yes, but thankfully not seriously. We have some immense challenges in this magnificent country of ours and crime is right at the top of the list. Until now, government has failed in solving this and as a result it impacts everything, from job creation to economic growth. I think we need to re-look at the entire system, from our justice system to correctional services and ask assistance from countries that have solved these problems. Maybe we need to introduce a form of national service for all jailed criminals or hard labour as it looks like jail terms are not enough of a deterrent.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: Never. I’m an African and Africa is in my blood – the sky is different and the land smells different and we have so much space. I cannot see myself living in another country.

Q: If you were given the opportunity of sitting down with the president, what advice would you offer him?

A: It is clear that many departments in government need all the help they can get as they are failing him and the people of this great country. If I was him, I would re-structure government departments to enable them to implement the knowledge and processes of the private industry. I would employ ex-CEOs of very successful companies, and give them the power to turn the dysfunctional departments around.

Q: In your opinion, what is South Africa’s greatest technological export?

A: Sadly, it is expertise. We have lost, and are still losing, people with vast spheres of invaluable knowledge that is, in some cases, impossible to replace. You know, there are great similarities between people and trees in forests. Every knowledgeable person is almost like a mini eco-system, similar to big trees in a rainforest, under which new talent is born and growth is stimulated. Look at the devastation of some of the rainforests in the world and see what remains – deserts. Quite sadly we have vast areas of deserts in certain areas such as education, safety/security, ICT, health and many others. We need to keep people here and we need to persuade the ones that have left to come back – at all costs – unfortunately most left because of crime and crime is still unacceptably high.

Life in Cape Town

Q: Best spot for a romantic night out?

A: A wine farm in Stellenbosch.

Q: Favorite venue in or around Cape Town for team building?

A: I like to support Stellenbosch and the surrounding areas.

Q: What are your thoughts on the Silicon Cape Initiative?

A: I have not had the opportunity to attend any of the meetings due to my hectic traveling schedule but I think any attempt to bring the ICT fraternity together has merit. Time will tell how successful it will be.

General

Q: Which South African blog do you read on a daily basis and why?

A: I wish I had the time to do that :)

Q: If you were able to pick anyone as your mentor, who would it be and why?

A: Richard Branson. Obviously he is a very successful entrepreneur and when you read his autobiography, you cannot but have respect for what he has achieved. I always liked the fact that he’s a maverick.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: “Multiple streams of Income” by Robert Allen.

I would also make chess a compulsory “subject” from primary school. Many of our kids have not mastered the art of thinking for themselves. We have launched a chess initiative on MXit now and we hope it will gain significant traction.

Q: Favorite South African brand?

Q: Mrs Balls chutney / “Rust en Vrede” wines / Rooibos tea

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you like to ask him?

A: Richard Branson. How would he fix the myriad problems we have in this country of ours.

A massive thank Herman for taking the time to answer our questions. We’d like to wish him and the team at MXit every success for the future. If you have not tried MXit, be sure to download it from this address: http://www.mxitlifestyle.com/how-to-get-mxit

Paul and Tracy Raphaely

Izimvo is honoured to introduce the husband and wife team behind NoMU, Paul and Tracy Raphaely.

NoMU, first started by Tracy in December 2000, produce a range of food products from their factory in Cape Town. Currently available in 38 countries, NoMU has grown to become a brand known for its quality and high impact, innovative packaging.

Website: http://www.nomu.co.za
Location: Cape Town

Paul and Tracy were kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event? i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: This is Paul and Tracy. They make their living flogging and exporting food across South Africa and to 38 countries. He’s 34 and she’s not telling. They have a cute kid called Joseph with another on the way and while Tracy says her baby is the most beautiful boy in the world (obviously), Paul says he takes after their two mongrel dogs; Tag and Izzy. Tracy wants Paul to become a farmer and learn how to cook. Paul wants Tracy to let him go back to Kung Fu eventually…

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: Even though we are mocked endlessly for moving to the ‘Burbs (to be close to schools), secretly we actually love it and Paul delights that his friends now call him “Lawrence of Suburbia”.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: Absolutely anything that involves proximity to the sea and our dogs.

Q: How would you describe your dream home and where in South African would you like it to be?

A: A completely private and very simple beach house, overflowing with books, beds, hammocks and couches, with an unobstructed view of the sea but still close enough to Cape Town to be practical but also far enough away still to be “away from it.”

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property

NoMU

Q: Can you tell us about the impetus for starting NoMU and share some of the companies biggest milestones?

A: We are AWFUL employees. Therefore entrepreneurship was sort of unavoidable. Tracy had been a caterer too. She was bored of the stresses of commercial cooking and decided that she actually wanted a deli or a specialized food shop of some kind. We both came up with the name by accident and we felt it was worth field testing it as a brand on its own instead. Somewhere between then and now, it became an actual business.

In terms of milestones:

Our first export order was a big one and that came within our first year of trading. When we realized that after 5 years we suddenly needed to finance and build a factory of our own and then taking that plunge. That wasn’t easy…

Almost losing it all to a large export client who went under with a lot of cash still owing to us. That was a lesson in ‘never again.’

Winning an International design award for our Vanilla Paste at the SIAL Food Fair in Paris in 2006.

Securing Private Label contracts with Woolworths at the end of 2008 was a huge success for us and would prove critical in the following two years.

Q: What were the greatest challenges you faced when starting NoMU in 2000?

A: Being a married couple – finding a way to preserve the fun and the magic of the relationship while facing all the predictable pressures has been our biggest challenge. We have developed some quite effective coping mechanisms.

No cash has always been a big problem. We have done our best to try and function with what we have had available. This has meant we have had to temper our dreams as we have gone along but that was also part of growing up. Finally, we have always created products for ourselves and so the emphasis has been on quality or ingredients and packaging. This has left nothing for actual marketing and so spreading the word about our range has always been the most difficult and challenging aspect to what we do.

Q: What advice would you give young entrepreneurs starting out with little more than a dream?

A: Just to make sure that before they start, they must know 100% that they are passionate about their dream. If you have passion then the work-ethic will flow and with that, you get practice and from practice you get success. Besides, people respond to people with dreams, when it’s convincing – it’s hard to turn people like that away and doors will often open.

NoMU Gift box

Q: NoMU makes use of very distinctive, environmentally friendly packaging. Just how important is packaging for a brand?

A: Critical to a brand like NoMU. It depends on the brand obviously. In our case you can’t see, touch, taste, feel or smell our stuff and yet we are also asking you to pay a significant premium for what we tell you is the best quality. It’s a lot to ask.

If the packaging didn’t do all of that work for us in convincing the consumer, we would be dead in the water. What people often forget is that even their service is part of their packaging and a drunken plumber is less likely to get repeat work than a sober one.

Ultimately we are all just sales people and everyone is selling something. Packaging of a service is everything.

Q: Besides your popular monthly recipe mailer, which other forms of online marketing have you used? Which of these have been the most successful?

A: We rely very heavily on our website and we also try to work as closely as we can with various online foodie authorities to secure their endorsement for their brand.

Social networking and online marketing in our view is quickly becoming one of the most decisive and important methods of generating meaningful buzz and ‘stickiness’ for brand. That said, our Recipe Mailer is now going out to over 12 200 people and so this gives us an enviable reach and direct access to our consumers.

Q: Paul, joined you at NoMU as Marketing Director. What is it like working with a spouse and would you recommend it to other married couples?

A: Absolutely not. Paul and I refer to our professional relationship as “conveniently codependent”, it works for us because of who we are and we have a lot of need and mutual respect for one another’s contributions to the business. It is a fairly lucky combination though and the simple fact though is that if we could, we would never work together. It can get a bit blurry sometimes and we will be the first to admit that it must be AWFUL for our staff sometimes…

Q: What can we look forward to from NoMU?

A: Who knows really? The brand is still an enigma to us. Let’s just say there’s a lot of flexibility and potential there. A lot! Stay tuned to this radio station…

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Ah, the crime question. Yes we have but also No – it has not changed our perception. We don’t live with blinkers on and we all understand the risks and exercise due caution and vigilance to do our best to make sure nothing will happen. Eyes open, eyes front, chin up etc.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: Yes but fleetingly. We are both far too committed and in love with South Africa. This is our home; this is where we will stay. We can’t comprehend of a life anywhere else, nor would we want to.

We are lucky though; in so many respects perhaps our attitude is a bit spoilt. There are many millions of South Africans with many more justifiable reasons than we have to leave or to be angry.

The best thing for Paul and I to do right now (we think) is just to shut up and get on with helping to do our best to preserve the promise of a New South Africa. That’s the least we can do for everything we have just been given already, which is a lot.

Q: If you could, with the wave of a magic wand, change one thing about South Africa, what would it be?

A: Hard question. There is a lot we would do but how about new legislation that at the end of only a SINGLE allowable term in office, our leaders would always be put on trial to review their time in office?

Their performance would need to be viewed dispassionately in light of their failures and successes and only if they win that “trial” would they then be entitled to any state remuneration or succor. No guaranteed pension, no spousal benefits and the possibility even of imprisonment if the job wasn’t done right. A nice, clean, Spartan solution to making sure the right kind of person gets the job who really wants it and understands the risks and the benefit.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: Make them climb Table Mountain – the hard way.

Make them spend a night in a township B&B. Any one.

Take them to Robben Island and make them stand in Madiba’s cell, just to prove a point worth proving and then directly off to Caprice for cocktails just to underline the whole experience.

Q: South Africa’s greatest export is?

A: Probably Madiba’s lessons in forgiveness.

Life in Cape Town

Q: What do you enjoy most about living in Cape Town?

A: That everywhere you look (almost) is simply beautiful. We never get sick of it and we never take it for granted.

Q: Favorite kid-friendly restaurant in or around Cape Town?

A: Our personal, parental favorite after a walk on Noordhoek Beach on Sundays has to be Café Roux. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Q: How have you found running your own business in Cape Town?

A: Cape Town is fine but once again, we will be the first to say that we have been lucky. Power supply was only an issue for a relatively short time and because we have been growing based mainly on export business, we have been able to take most of our frustrations out on doing business with other countries actually. Other than that, we feel that Cape Town is also the foodie and publishing capital of the country and so it has been useful to be so close to the herd if you know what we mean?

General

Q: If you could invite any three South Africa’s to dinner, who would you invite and what would you prepare?

A: Madiba – because we love his significance. We would cook anything he wanted, no matter what.

Helen Zille would get our Seafood curry because we know she’s partial to curries and we like our dinner guests political and inspiring.

This last one is technically impossible but we would have loved to make David Ratray the best Poytjie he has ever had. So sad.

Q: If a genie granted you three wishes, what would be your first?

A: 1) No more short-term debt please. That would be nice.

2) That our children will always be safe and happy.

3) That we could utterly erase from modern memory, ALL of the three most recent Star Wars movies. Oh, and the last Indiana Jones movie too please.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield.

Q: Favorite South African brand?

Q: Um, NoMU I guess – we live our brand and we believe in it but apart from that we can’t exist without Mrs. Balls. However to be fair we are also quite partial to Goldfish and the Dirty Skirts: both great brands in their own right.

We’d like to thank Paul and Tracy for taking the time to answer our questions and wish them and the team at NoMU every success for the future. Be to sure to visit their website and lookout for their wonderful products at you nearest retailer.

Rafiq Phillips

Izimvo has the pleasure of introducing SEO specialist and popular blogger, Rafiq Phillips.

Rafiq, winner of the 2007 Top ICT Youth Innovator in Africa, works as an SEO specialist for Naspers as well as running iDrive.co.za and popular South African blog, Web AddiCTs.

Rafiq was featured on MNet’s Carte Blanche on the topic of Social Networking and Communication. Link to the video.

Website: http://www.idrive.co.za
Blog: http://www.webaddict.co.za
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/rafiqphillips
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rafiq
Location: Cape Town

Rafiq was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event?  i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: Rafiq Phillips, 26, work as an SEO specialist at Naspers’ www.mihswat.com consulting to some of the largest Internet companies throughout the developing wwworld during the day while at night my project www.idrive.co.za which connects learner drivers with the best driving schools in South Africa. I’ve been blogging since 1999- coding HTML in notepad.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I do not eat butter or margarine, ever. Never have, never will.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: I really enjoy fishing in the mountains just outside Cape Town. Do not get there nearly enough.

Blogging in South Africa

Q: Which local blogs do you read on a daily basis?

A: I usually catch up with blogs on my mobile phone using Google Reader mobile before I go to bed. There are too many to mention. Best see my Google Reader Shared items on my profile http://www.google.com/profiles/rafiq.phillips

Q: What advice would you give to South African bloggers wanting to turn their passion into a career?

A: Don’t give up your day job. It takes a lot of patience and consistency. I’ve heard many people talk about starting their blogs for many months even years and have not gotten as far as writing their firsts posts. Jut do it!

Q: There is a fine line between promotion and spam, how did you promote your blog in the early days?

A: I didn’t :) I used www.webaddict.co.za as a testing bed for seo and blogged about technology that I was passionate about or found interesting. There was a very small tech blogging community back in 2005/2006 and we just happened to stumble upon each others blogs while Googling.

Q: As a local technology enthusiast, which South African technologies have you the most excited?

A: There is not one specific technology that really excites me. Rather the way in which technology is used to solve South African problems. A few examples would be Reconstructed Living Labs http://www.rlabs.org/ who are using a host of technologies to battle drug abuse, gangsterism and raise HIV/Aids awareness.

Q: What are your thoughts on the Silicon Cape Initiative?

A: Any initiative that focuses attention on the local tech scene is a good one.

Q: Can you tell us about some of your most popular posts on Web AddiCT?

A: You are able to view the popular posts from any page on Web AddiCT(s); A post becomes popular once it receives continuous media attention or becomes mainstream. I didn’t really answer that did I?

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: I do not believe there is a person in any country that has not been affected by crime. You should always take precaution no matter where you are. A little common sense should keep you safe.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: NO.

Q: If you were given the opportunity to sit down with the president, what advice would you offer him?

A: Don’t preach what you practice.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: Table mountain, Cape Point via Boulders beach and the Waterfront.

Life in Cape Town

Q: Favorite restaurant for a romantic dinner?

A: Tought one, there aren’t many Halaal restaurants in Cape Town that can be considered romantic.

Q: Who makes the best coffee in Cape Town?

A: Our coffee machine at the MIH SWAT office by far.

Q: Which of the various malls in or around Cape Town would you recommend for Christmas shopping?

A: The Internet. I don’t do Christmas shopping and am not a big fan of malls.

General

Q: If you could pick anyone as your mentor, who would it be and why?

A: MXit CEO, Herman Heunis. I Admire the way he runs his business.

Q: Favorite South African sporting moment of the last 10 years?

A: 1995 Rugby Word Cup final.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: Robert Kiyosaki’s Cashflow Quadrant. You’d have to read Rich Dad, Poor Dad too

Q: Where would you like to wake up tomorrow?

A: Where I’ll be waking up on the 21st of December: next to my wife :)

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Gavin Marshall

A massive thank you to Rafiq for taking the time to answer our questions. We wish him every success for the future.

Reminder!
Don’t forget to enter our competition as announced on yesterday’s interview with Springleap.com co-founder, Eran Eyal. To enter, simply become a fan of the Izimvo and Springleap Facebook pages. Winners will be announced tomorrow morning at 9am. Good Luck!