Greenacres Shopping Centre held an auction that was organised by three interns who are also NMMU students.

The auction was called 27 Years of Excellence as Greenacres was celebrating their 27th Birthday in October.

The auction was well organised (big-ups to the girls – you guys rock!) and the proceeds where donated to charity.

There were amazing prizes that ranged from Continental tyres to Fischers watches, from spa vouchers to two night stays in a bed and breakfast.

A huge thank you to all the sponsors that took part, the auction was a huge a success.

The Greenacres Shopping Centre had a Fashion Show, which was also part of their 27th Birthday celebration, where local designers and our retail fashion houses were showcasing the latest fashion.

Among the models were prominent PE business men who also had the opportunity to strut their stuff on the catwalk.

They and Greenacres made a donation to the Khayalethu Youth Centre.

This was at the Uniglobe Bay Travel Birthday Party.

They were celebrating their fifth birthday party and lots of prizes were given away.

The shoppers had to fill in an entry form and every hour a winner was drawn.

Shoppers could not wait to fill in those form and there was also a kids drawing competition where this cute little girl won first prize.

This was at the Boardwalk at the Toy Run Media Launch.

The Toy Run is an event where different organizations and bikers come together to raise funds for different charities.

On the November 29 at the Vodacom Ampitheatre there will be a pre-party for 280 children from all these different charities.

All the bikers and members of the community pick a child’s name on the list and buy a Christmas present so that all these kids can have a present for the festive season.

This was at The Boardwalk at the Media Launch of the Herald VW Cycle Tour which is taking place in January.

I was informed that I have to start the race and lets just say that I have to practice vigorously as I do not know how to ride a bicycle! So sad I know!

You might be shocked but I have never been a fan of bicycles – I guess sometimes in life you have to face your fears and starting this race will be my first step to healing!

This was taken at Dora Nginza Hospital.

The head social worker, Pam Rubushe, invited me to come and have a chat with some of the teenage mothers that attended the session.

Teenage pregnancy is a very huge problem affecting our youth today, not just in PE but the whole of South Africa. I was not there to lecture them, I went in there to share my views and my opinions about teenage pregnancy, I was merely there to motivate and encourage them to strive for better lives.

I told them that they might be wondering what do I have to say about this topic , me not being a mother – how could I understand their situations? But I told them that I am also a young person and I was a teenager once.

I understand how we think as young women and I would think I sometimes know why we make the decisions we sometimes make.

I told them about the risks - they shared their stories, their inspirations and I was very touched. It was a very informative and I wished that there were more girls in that room that could share that day with us.

Hummer – Hummer. What a car!
I had the privilege of going on a Hummer Extreme Tour at the General Motors plant in Struandale. I could not get enough.
The whole track is a course that takes you through different kinds of obstacles that you can drive the Hummer in. From deep puddles of water, to big logs, from huge rocks to a a very steep incline which was my personal favourite. There were so many bends it felt as if the car would topple over.
The car can literally drive anywhere and I’ve always been a fan of the Hummer, but when I saw what it could do I know that one day I will have to get one.
I really had a wonderful time and given the chance I would do it again and maybe even drive it myself!

This was taken at the Uniglobe Bay Travel Year End Function which took place at The Hellenic Hall in Parson’s Hill last month.

Their whole theme was an Arabian night – which reminded me of my trip to Dubai.

The whole function was very well planned, the food was divine and the were prizes that were given away, including weekends away.

I really enjoyed the night and re-lived Dubai.

Needles to say I left with a huge Henna painting in my foot, just like I did in Dubai.

This was taken outside Khayalethu Youth Centre.

This was a hand over of the money that was raised when Spar and the St Albans Correctional Service joined forces for a walk to all the Spar’s in Jeffrey’s Bay and PE to raise funds for three local charities, including Khayalethu.

This is me with seven-year-old Addo resident Maliza Xolilizwe at the first Mondi Packaging Addo Mountain Bike Challenge, run in assocation with The Herald.
When this little girl came up to me and asked me if I was Nono , I was surprised.

She was so excited and asked to take a picture with me. The thought and the feeling of someone as young as her looking up to me is simply amazing. It makes me want to do more and be a true example to young girls. I was really touched.
The overall atmosphere of this day was awesome.

I really enjoyed being there and since I have never been to Addo, it was a beautiful first time experience, but the weather…..PHEW!!!!

This was at the La Femme Breast Cancer Tea at the Boardwalk.

It was my first time at this event and I am definitely attending the next one.

Janez was the guest speaker.

Well, well, well – where do I begin? LOL

Meeting Janez was fabulous. When I saw him before I got introduced to him, I did not know what to say to this DIY man…I knew I could not say "You are so cute" ….LOL

But as I went up to him, he stood up shook my hands and said “ Hi gorgeous!!!” yeah LOL

He asked about what I was doing this year and what am I involved in and so on. But I have to say that he is a very down to earth, humble and a true people’s person and not forgetting VERY HOT!!!

In his speech he told us about how he grew up and how he got to where he is today. He also told us the very touching story about his mother, who also suffered from Cancer. He was passionate about the topic and you could hear it in his voice that it is something that is close to his heart.

He is one of those people that you could listen to for hours, going on about his adventures while travelling around the world.

I also had the privilege to help him take off his shirt.

All I can say is the man is JUST FINE!!!

Michelle Brown - you made my day!!!

This was taken at the Special Star Awards which took place at the Boardwalk on August 21. In this picture is ….Michael Mol from Top Billing and Thembi who accompanied me to the function. There were different shopping centers that were nominated for different awards.

Greenacres Shopping centre who are also one of my main sponsors won two awards. I truly had a wonderful time and meeting Michael Mol was definitely the highlight of the night.

He is so well spoken and was a very good MC.

During the awards ceremony there were some moments where the winners where not present and co-workers had to take the awards on their behalf.

In this picture a woman won the Award and needless to say a man came to accept the award! It was hilarious, and it did not happen only once but several times!

This was taken recently at the Grey High School Pavillion.

ADT invited me to attend their awards prize giving and asked me to hand out some awards for them.

I really had a nice time and it was great meeting the whole team. Michelle Brown was the guest speaker and she spoke about Customer Service, which I found very interesting since I am in the field of dealing with customers.

This was taken at the Business Person of the Year Function.

This is ME and Yvonne Chaka-Chaka….another celebrity

She is such a stunning woman, she was sitting in the same table I was at.

She is very humble and funny as well. She’s got such a beautiful voice and she asked me to sing with her….

Now you can imagine me singing.

LOL….good thing I knew the words, would have been such an embarrassment but I managed to not hurt anyone’s ears…LOL

This one is definitely a picture that is going to be framed and displayed in my own home one day.

I was so honored to meet her. She is an amazing woman. Tito Mboweni was the guest and he made a speech about our economy as a whole and about the interest rates that is going up.

I personally found the speech very interesting and for the first time I actually understood how interest rates work and what exactly causes them to go up.

This was taken at Brylin Primary School.

I was a judge there and all the kids were so cute – strutting their stuff on the ramp.

I should have asked them for lessons in the walk department before I entered Miss PE.

They were oozing with confidence and had the right attitude.

This was taken at Mrs Gutshe’s house.

There was a brunch held at the Gutshe home called Animal Welfare’s Circle of Friends. Mrs. Gutshe is one of the most humble women I have ever met, she and her husband welcomed us to their home with open arms.

I have to say they have the most beautiful house ever…one of those Top Billing houses’ - seeing their house motivated me even more.

Mrs. Gutshe is the President of Animal Welfare and she made a speech and told us what the Animal Welfare Society is all about – she is very passionate about animals, and I was very moved by her speech.

Edith Venter was one of the guests…so also got an opportunity to rub shoulders with her…WOW

An initiative called Unite Against Hunger invited me to volunteer an hour to help out serve food to all the people around the Motherwell area.

The event was called the Tastic Winter Warmer Kitchen, and it was based at Emmanuel Haven, outside Motherwell.

The feeding took place over a period of 4 days, from the 18th to the 21st of June. The kitchen was operational daily between 7am and 7pm. I took sometime out to go and volunteer by helping to serve food and also have a chat with some of the people that came to eat.

Some of them could not believe that I stay in Motherwell as well and some were very happy to see someone they could relate to.

While many of us are walking around in our warm jackets and delicious hot meals to keep away the cold weather, sadly an overwhelming number of South Africans are suffering and are in poverty, having to sleep without a decent meal.

I had a walk around the Emmanuel Haven in Motherwell and went to a crèche which is in the same building. There were about 20 little kids (some of them were orphans) laughing and playing, who don't have a care in the world.

They asked to sing me a song (and I had to hold back my tears)

They sang loudly, jumping up and down, smilling, and do not have the slightest clue of the positions they are in.

Spar and Correctional Services had an initiative called WALK FOR YOUTH ( A walk for 7 days) – they walked a total of 140KM starting from Jeffrey’s Bay and all the way to PE.

They were going around all the Spars within PE collecting donations for various charities, including my charity The Khayalethu Youth Centre.

When the walk started in Jeffrey’s I also took part and walked with them. If I didn’t have to work I would have definitely walked the whole 7 days.

I made some really good friends with all the prison wardens and we still keep in touch from time to time.

I was so excited about taking part in the Bridal Fair.
Firstly since I opened up the show – that to me was huge!!!
Just knowing that I set the scene for the whole show – that alone gave me the chills. I was a little nervous because the last time I was on stage before the Bridal Fair was when I was crowned Miss PE and the nerves I had that day ( walking on stage ) was the same as what I felt at the Bridal Fair….

Luckily, for me I gained some confidence because I was wearing a dress by Jason Kieck. Who wouldn’t feel great in a Jason Kieck Bridal Gown?
The whole weekend was fabulous…and since I am such a sucker for romance I definitely enjoyed it.
The fair also gave me guidelines (from wedding gowns, bouquets, photographers, cake etc.) for one day when I decide to get hitched :)

What do you wish for?

As human beings we all have wishes that we want fulfilled, and we may not realise that the things that we have are things that other people wish for.
I also have wishes and one of my wishes is to see the Khayalethu boys being educated, being disciplined and being successful.
There are so many things that we have that we don’t use, things we keep that we don’t need. How about putting one morning or one afternoon aside and go through all those things you may not use or need. The feeling of giving is magnificent. It will be hard work going through all those items, but in the end it will be worth it.
“Good Samaritans" let us put a smile on these kids’ faces and in turn warm our hearts.
Below is a List of things that Khayalethu needs, from a Minibus, toothpaste to second-hand clothing. Any donation, big or small, will be appreciated.
There is a quote by Maya Angelou; it says “When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed.”

1) Clothes

· 35 x Jeans
· 35 x 2 Socks
· 35 x 2 Briefs
· 35 x 2 T-shirts
· 24 School Jerseys
· 35 x Takkies
· 24 x School Shoes
· 35 x Shorts
· 35 x School Rucksacks
· 35 x Towels (Same Colour)

Need urgently for the winter
· 35 x Blue Wind Breakers
· 35 x Track suit pants
· 35 x Track suit tops

2) Other Important Needs:

· 35 x Chairs
· 8 x Steel Tables
· School Stationery (Pritt, Pencils, Pens ect)
· Urn
· Large Pots
· Microwave Oven
· 35 x Pillows
· 35 x Duvets (Same make/kind)
· DVD Player
· 2 x Lounge Suites
· Kombi / Minibus
· Lockable Trailer
· 3 x Ceiling Fans
· Tiles for Bathroom and Kitchen (Approximately 200 square metres)
· 4 x Extractor Fans for Bathrooms
· Video Contract during winter

3) Monthly requirements for the boys:

· Toiletries = R800
o 35 x Small toothpaste (monthly)
o 35 x Roll on Deodorant
o 35 x Spray Deodorant
o 35 x Soap
o 65 x Toilet Paper
o 4 x Vaseline

4) Petrol for transporting the boys to and from the different schools = R2 500 per month.

5) Medication

· Flu injections – (+/- R50.00 per child)
· Panados
· Dispirin
· Med-Lemon
· Plasters
· Betadine Ointment
· Coughing Mixture
· Bandages
· Antiseptic Wound Cleaner

6) Cleaning Material

· Jik
· Handy Andy
· Dishwashing Liquid
· Jeyes Fluid
· Domestos
· Doom
· Steel Wool
· Sunlight Laundry Soap
· Washing Powder

7) Other Necessaries

· Equipment to keep buildings in good condition
e.g Drill and Drill Bits, or any other equipment (Tools)
· The children’s bathroom needs an upgrade and need to be painted
· Tiles for the bathroom
· Eight of the boys will go in June for their National grading (first Dan in Black belt) in Karate. The cost will run R500.00 per child

Khayalethu

Hi, Heres a link to http://www.khayalethu.org.za/ my chosen charity for the year

Last year I was still an intern at Business Connexion, where I am currently working.

My fellow interns nominated me to make a speech in Johannesburg at a function where interns from all the other provinces attended.

The speech was about how we found the whole internship programme, what were our experiences of the corporate world, how did BCX help us as graduates and also how did the programme benefit our economy as a whole.

As we all know skills shortage is one of the key challenges facing corporates and South Africa as a whole.

Our Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka also attended the event and this picture was taken when she was handing certificates to everyone who participated in the Programme.

All I need is a Groom :) LOL

I felt like Cinderella in Jason Kieck’s designer bridal gown.

That dress is to die for, simple but very elegant.

This was shot at The Plantation, an absolutely beautiful venue for weddings…

There is an outdoor church surrounded by trees and a long pathway that goes up to the entrance of the church.

The whole venue is romantic and I am a sucker for Romance!

“Diamonds are a girls best friend”

I really agree with this statement.

When Tanya from Francarlo said I could get whatever I wanted my face felt like a cartoon – The pupils in my eyes turned to diamonds! LOL

I had so much fun trying everything out, everything from elegant pieces to more trendier pieces.

Thanks to Tanya and everyone at Francarlo for a wonderful experience…..

I bet you want to know what I ended up getting? :)

This was at the Spar Pasta Party at Rome restuarant the night before the Spar’s Ladies Race.
It was supper with representatives from Spar and some of the more competitive women that were going to run the next day.
They were given their numbers and where prepped for the next day’s race.

As I said before the food at Pumba was absolutely divine.

I love food..Ok let me rephrase that, I love good food!
We were treated like queens and the food was so well prepared we felt as if we were celebrities.

All the finalists will agree with me when I say that we ate till to our heart's content.

I loved riding in those game viewing vehicles! LOL….

I don’t know what you call them…but they are the vehicles we used to go on the game drive.

It was my first time on a game drive. Those 4X4 can get through anything, they propably use them to make paths for people to walk.

Tuna Classic Competition..

This is the youngest boy to participate in the competition..he is sooo small yet he can hold a fishing rod like a grown up…

Never been so close to a fish before!!

This was at the Ladies Spar Race

Here I am with the top three winners…I felt so unfit just standing next to them

LOL..but at the same time I wanted it to be a FAIR RACE and that is the reason why I did not participate ..should I have ran…Yho!!!!

The Day after

This is the day after I won.. already fulfilling my duties.

KTV was celebrating their birthday and they chose to spend the day with Khayalethu…donating money , soccer balls…playing games and so on.

I was fortunate to also get taught how to hold a cricket bat..since I had no clue...LOL

Michelle Wilson from General Motors South Africa showing me where to sign for my brand new car…

I love the Aveo. A very nice, safe drive and it is an automatic so the days of rolling back on hills are over..

It also has an air- con, no more rolling down my windows during those hot PE days… thank you General Motors!

Nimrod and Me.

Me and a celebrity( who would have thought?)…very funny guy!!!

He really made the show more fun…backstage he kept saying "You guys look great..just go out there and have fun,"

Really did I win???

I was still hung up about being in the Top five….now I’ve been crowned the new Miss PE ..this is crazy…on my birthday nogal…these are some of the thoughts that were going through my mind…

I was really surprised…don’t my 2 princesses look fab!!!!

The 3 Musketeers

This is my charity, The Khayalethu Youth Centre, which is situated in North End.

It is a home for former street boys, between the ages of 8 and 18 years. Dr.Marietjie heads up the house with the help of her staff. As in any healthy home the boys are nurtured physically, emotionally and intellectually with the aim of preparing them to be responsible, contributing members of society.

This year I will be dedicating my time and efforts to helping Khayalethu in every way that I can with the help of my sponsors and community members around the Nelson Mandela Bay.

All the finalists on the last day of our Grooming Weekend.

Everyone was happy, we were smilling..but personally deep down I was sad to leave…Saying goodbye to all the food, the exquisite rooms, the animals, the scenery..the food again..LOL

The chefs can really do their thing!!! I had a fabulous time at Pumba..

Just got off the Imperial vans…as we walked towards the entrance to check in the whole atmosphere was filled with excitement….everyone was excited and eager to explore what Pumba had in store for us…

What fun all of this was!

It just does not get any better that this.

These thoughts were going through my mind. Pumba was divine and absolutely fabulous.

We were about to go on a game drive when this picture was taken…I have never been on a game drive before and I remember thinking to myself as I was getting ready…"What if by some weird, crazy, coincidence I get attacked by the Lions?" But nevertheless I would have died a happy person. ha ha ha LOL