FEATURED BLOG : Touchee Feelee

This weeks featured blog post is from Euodia Roets, the artist, illustrator and designer for Touchee Feelee - A South African home ware & pamper boutique. 

"We all live in a world of mass production where the touch of a hand has value. I have no interest in mass production, but rather take pride in creating tactile pieces. My art and products have been sold across South Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia, Canada and the US." - Euodia Roets

Euodia Roets was approached by Woolworths to feature her products in their new artisan range and while this kind of approach is nearly every business owners dream, for Euodia it was a living nightmare. 

It is never okay to treat anyone badly in business but for such a huge name in South Africa, their behavior was just disgusting... some of you may have heard of this kind of thing happening with Woolworths but it was a first for us. 

We think it is only fair that because they have such a 'great' name in SA retail, (what we thought in any case) people need to know that this is how they are treating the you's and the me's running our own businesses, trying to make a living. 

They should really be ashamed of themselves....

  

Click HERE to read her Blog post

UK Scholarships open for South African's - Lead SA Report

We came across a really interesting article on the  LEAD SA website and we wanted to Feature it this week - Maybe someone you know could benefit from this great program...

______________

Applications for 2014/15 Chevening Scholarships and Chevening / Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Scholarships in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland are now open.

Chevening / African Fellowship Trust Scholarships in South Africa are also open for applications..

Chevening scholarships are the UK government’s global scholarship programme which gives outstanding scholars with leadership potential from around the world the opportunity to study postgraduate courses at universities in the UK.

The scholarships not only offer financial support to study for a Master’s degree at the UK’s leading universities, but the opportunity to become part of an influential and highly regarded global network.

The programme seeks nationals of Lesotho, South Africa and Swaziland, of any age, with a couple of years work experience and a commitment to making a difference in their home country.

The scholarship includes:

• a monthly stipend, travel to and from your country via an approved route, 

• an arrival and excess baggage allowance, 

• a thesis or dissertation grant, 

• the cost of an entry clearance visa and full tuition fees (with the exception of MBAs which have a global Chevening cap of £12k).

While applications from a wide range of subject areas are accepted, applications in the following fields are particularly welcome:

• Health & Education

• Governance and Human Rights

• Economics and Finance

• Science, Engineering and Technology

• Education, Arts, Culture and Sports

Read more on the scholarship as well as how to apply for a Chevening Scholarship in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Click here

Who is LEAD SA?

"YOU can change the world. Lead SA is a personal call to every person to make a difference. We all have a responsibility to make the world a better place. It could be as simple as making a stranger smile or as big as fighting to further the rights entrenched in our Constitution. Each act makes a difference. This website tells the stories of people who are making our country a better place."

SA vs New Zealand

WHAT A GAME!

The rugby game between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park (05/10/2013) was a game that will never be forgotten. Everyone who watched the game (and then everyone who lives within a 2 mile radius of them, I'm sure) would have spoken about the game in one way or another... so we don't need to get into how hair raising it was or how many new swear words you made up because in the end, we all get to the same conclusion: we lost... Okay, so maybe one thing about the game did anyone else feel that the decision to take the du Plessis brothers out the scrum was a case of: "If it aint broke, don't fix it!" or Meyer's choice to take the Beast off might not have been the best idea especially when we found ourselves getting somewhere and perhaps looking at a potential win? .... okay... that will be the sum total of our 'game politics' for this post.

Besides the odd "what the hell is he DOING?!" moments, it was a great game, and for once it wasn't us getting all the yellow cards!!  Nigel Owens did a really good job reffing - He mentioned before hand that it would be one of the biggest he's reffed. Lastly the support from our country as well as every Springbok supporter everywhere was outstanding! We were all right behind them... WELL PLAYED BOYS

Here's a look at a few things SA / NZ rugby related - some old and some new... enjoy!

MOER HULLE HAKKA

This was so funny, really worth watching more then once, their song is amazing!

NANDO'S STRIKES AGAIN

You can always rely on Nando's to get right in there - I love how they have always managed to capture great South African humor in their adverts (this is from a few years back but it's still very apt to all the SA NZ games)

1995 RUGBY WORLD CUP

This is really long, but remember you can watch the closing ceremony or skip parts and get to the game OR what most people are after is getting another look at the winning conversion ... but for whatever reason you might have to watch it, here it is (better yet, add it to your YouTube favorites and always have the best rugby game of all time at the tip of your fingers. No Bok supporters YouTube will ever be complete without a link to the 1995 RWC!)

SOME FACTS

• The Boks have won eight of the 13 Tests played against the All Blacks at Ellis Park.
• The two traditional opponents last clashed at Ellis Park in 2004. The Boks won by 14 points.
• The Springboks won the previous two Tests against the All Blacks at Ellis Park with bonus points. 
• Only two Springboks have managed to score a hat-trick against the All Blacks: Ray Mordt (1981) and Marius Joubert (Bryan Habana also scored a hat-trick against the All Blacks but did it while playing for the Barbarians in 2009.)
• The NZ National team, the All Blacks, was founded in the 1880's, before the country gained independence.
• From 1896 to 1956 the Springboks were unbeaten in a test series - a period of 60 years.

WHO WON WHAT WHEN

This is said to be the history of Rugby Union matches between SA and NZ... all the way back to 1921

___

5 October 2013 - Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg  27 – 38  NZ

14 September 2013 - Eden Park, Auckland  29 – 15  NZ

6 October 2012 - FNB Stadium, Johannesburg  16 – 32  NZ

15 September 2012 - Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin  21 – 11  NZ

20 August 2011 - Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth  18 – 5  SA  

30 July 2011 - Westpac Stadium, Wellington  40 – 7  NZ

21 August 2010 -  FNB Stadium, Johannesburg  22 – 29  NZ 

17 July 2010 - Westpac Stadium, Wellington  31 – 17  NZ

10 July 2010 - Eden Park, Auckland  32 – 12  NZ

12 September 2009 - Waikato Stadium, Hamilton  29 – 32  SA

1 August 2009  - ABSA Stadium, Durban  31 – 19  SA

25 July 2009 - Vodacom Park, Bloemfontein  28 – 19  SA

16 August 2008 - Newlands, Cape Town  0 – 19  NZ

12 July 2008 - Carisbrook, Dunedin  28 – 30  SA

5 July 2008 - Westpac Stadium, Wellington  19 – 8  NZ

14 July 2007 -  Jade Stadium, Christchurch  33 – 6  NZ

23 June 2007 - ABSA Stadium, Durban 21 – 26  NZ

2 September 2006 - Royal Bafokeng Stadium, Rustenburg  21 – 20  SA

26 August 2006  - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria 26 – 45  NZ 

22 July 2006 - Westpac Stadium, Wellington  35 – 17  NZ

27 August 2005 - Carisbrook,  Dunedin  31 – 27  NZ

6 August 2005 - Newlands, Cape Town  22 – 16  SA

14 August 2004 - Ellis Park, Johannesburg  40 – 26  SA

24 July 2004 - Jade Stadium, Christchurch  23 – 21  NZ

9 November 2003 - Telstra Dome, Melbourne  29 – 9  NZ

9 August 2003 - Carisbrook, Dunedin  19 – 11  NZ

19 July 2003 - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  16 – 52  NZ

10 August 2002 - Kings Park Stadium, Durban  23 – 30  NZ

20 July 2002 - WestpacTrust Stadium, Wellington  41 – 20  NZ

25 August 2001 - Eden Park, Auckland  26 – 15  NZ

21 July 2001 - Newlands, Cape Town  3 – 12  NZ

19 August 2000 - Ellis Park, Johannesburg  46 – 40  SA

22 July 2000 - Jade Stadium, Christchurch  25 – 12  NZ

4 November 1999 - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff  22 – 18  SA

7 August 1999 - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  18 – 34  NZ

10 July 1999 - Carisbrook, Dunedin  28 – 0  NZ

15 August 1998  - Kings Park Stadium, Durban  24 – 23  SA

25 July 1998 - Athletic Park, Wellington  3 – 13  SA

9 August 1997 - Eden Park, Auckland  55 – 35  NZ 

19 July 1997 - Ellis Park, Johannesburg  32 – 35  NZ

31 August 1996 - Ellis Park, Johannesburg  32 – 22  SA

24 August 1996  - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  26 – 33  NZ

17 August 1996  - Kings Park Stadium, Durban  19 – 23  NZ

10 August 1996  - Newlands, Cape Town  18 – 29  NZ

20 July 1996  - Lancaster Park, Christchurch  15 – 11  NZ

24 June 1995 - Ellis Park, Johannesburg  15 – 12  SA

6 August 1994 - Eden Park, Auckland  18 – 18  DRAW  

23 July 1994  - Athletic Park, Wellington  13 – 9  NZ

9 July 1994 - Carisbrook, Dunedin  22 – 14  NZ

15 August 1992 - Ellis Park, Johannesburg  24 – 27  NZ

12 September 1981 - Eden Park, Auckland  25 – 22  NZ

29 August 1981 - Athletic Park, Wellington  12 – 24  SA

15 August 1981 - Lancaster Park, Christchurch  14 – 9  NZ

18 September 1976 - Ellis Park, Johannesburg  15 – 14  SA

4 September 1976 - Newlands, Cape Town  15 – 10  SA

14 August 1976 - Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  9 – 15  NZ

24 July 1976 - Kings Park Stadium, Durban  16 – 7  SA

12 September 1970 - Ellis Park, Johannesburg  20 – 17  SA

29 August 1970 - Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth  14 – 3  SA

8 August 1970 - Newlands, Cape Town  8 – 9   NZ

25 July 1970 - Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria  17 – 6   SA

18 September 1965 - Eden Park, Auckland  20 – 3  NZ

4 September 1965 - Lancaster Park, Christchurch  16 – 19  SA

21 August 1965 - Carisbrook, Dunedin  13 – 0  NZ

31 July 1965 - Athletic Park, Wellington  6 – 3  NZ

27 August 1960 - Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth  8 – 3  SA

13 August 1960 - Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein  11 – 11  DRAW

23 July 1960 - Newlands, Cape Town  3 – 11  NZ

25 June 1960 - Ellis Park, Johannesburg  13 – 0  SA

1 September 1956 - Eden Park, Auckland  11 – 5  NZ

18 August 1956 - Lancaster Park, Christchurch  17 – 10  NZ

4 August 1956 - Athletic Park, Wellington  3 – 8  SA

14 July 1956 - Carisbrook, Dunedin  10 – 6  NZ

17 September 1949 - Crusader Ground, Port Elizabeth  11 – 8  SA

3 September 1949 - Kingsmead, Durban  9 – 3  SA

13 August 1949 - Ellis Park, Johannesburg  12 – 6  SA

16 July 1949 - Newlands, Cape Town  15 – 11  SA

25 September 1937 - Eden Park, Auckland  6 – 17  SA

4 September 1937 - Lancaster Park, Christchurch  6 – 13  SA

14 August 1937 - Athletic Park, Wellington  13 – 7  NZ

1 September 1928 - Newlands, Cape Town  5 – 13  NZ

18 August 1928 - Crusader Ground, Port Elizabeth  11 – 6  SA

21 July 1928 - Ellis Park, Johannesburg  6 – 7  NZ

30 June 1928 - Kingsmead, Durban  17 – 0   SA
17 September 1921 - Athletic Park, Wellington  0 – 0  DRAW

21 August 1921 - Eden Park, Auckland  5 – 9  SA

13 August 1921 - Carisbrook, Dunedin  13 – 5  NZ


_______________


WE ARE GLOBAL!

Visit Our Shop

*

'Like' Us on Facebook

*

Follow us on Twitter

*

Join our UK / SA Community

*

Join our Global / SA Community

Joost van Der Westhuizen in Edinburgh - COME AND JOIN US!

COME AND CELEBRATE THE GLITTERING CAREER OF ONE OF THE GREATEST SCRUM HALVES TO EVER PLAY THE GAME OF RUGBY

15 November 2013

Former Springbok World Cup winning scrum half, Joost van Der Westhuizen will be in Edinburgh along with some other rugby celebrities to participate in a one-of-a-kind, fundraising sporting quiz and supper followed by a Harviestoun Brewery sponsored reception.

Joost was diagnosed in 2011 with Motor Neuron Disease and specialists told him that he would be wheelchair bound within a year and that he had less then a 20% chance of living 24 months. 

If there is anything we know about Joost, it's that there's no shortage of fighting spirit - He has so bravely taken on this terrible disease with the same energy he possessed on the field and he is a true inspiration to so many people in South Africa and around the world.

 Joost will be joined by law graduate, Euan MacDonald from the University of Edinburgh. Euan was diagnosed with MND 10 years ago and although he has not reached the sporting heights that Joost has, he is a huge fan of the game of rugby often attending Scottish international as well as Edinburgh rugby at Murrayfield Stadium. All funds raised on the evening will go 50/50 between Joost's J9 Foundation and The Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neurone Disease Research. The centre, named after Euan, is leading the way worldwide in Motor Neurone Disease Research.

The price for a table at this event is £350

10 people at a table.

For anyone looking to attend this fundraising event but not able to get together a full table of 10, the 

HOUSE OF BILTONG would like to offer you the opportunity to come along and join us at one of our tables! 

Here is all the Info:

£35pp

• Friday 15 November 2013

• 7pm - Midnight

• President Suite, Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh 

• A chance to mix and mingle with Joost and other well known rugby celebrities

• Sponsored drinks reception by Harviestoun Brewery

• A cheese platter for each table   

• Sporting quiz with top prizes  

• Free Prize Draw  

• One course hot fork buffet  

• Club house priced Bar – cash and credit card facilities available  

• J9 Foundation bracelet  

• A great night with loads of laughs and fun

 MC for the evening will be Scott Wilson!

Scott has been on the radio for more then 20 years (Radio Clyde, Radio Forth, Talk 107 and Radio Scotland). He is the voice of Edinburgh and Glasgow Airports, Barclaycard, Richard F Mackay

and many more brands nationwide. Sports is also very much apart of his working life as he is also the voice for the Edinburgh Monarchs speedway team, Edinburgh Capitals ice hockey Club and on matchdays he can be heard as the HEARTS stadium announcer at Tynecastle! 

WILL YOU BE JOINING US?

Email us and let us know if you would like to book a seat (or 2 or 3) and we will supply you with all the details and availability. We have been told that the tables are going fast so let us know asap so you can reserve your seats!   info@houseofbiltong.co.uk

____________________________________

WE ARE NOW GLOBAL!

Visit Our Shop

*

'Like' Us on Facebook

*

Join our UK / SA Community

*

Join our Global / SA Community

*

Follow us on Twitter

Fatal Shark Attack in J-Bay

A SHARK REPORTED TO BE OVER 4m HAS KILLED A SWIMMER AT LOWER POINT NEAR ALBATROS BEACH IN JEFFREYS BAY. 

Picture: Facebook

The man has been named as 74 year old local resident, Burgert van der Westhuizen. 

The avid open water swimmer had started training again for the up coming open water swim season, but swam regularly as apart of his normal routine. He always parked his vehicle at the petrol station and walked down to the beach entering the water from Boneyards across from the Checkers. His aim was to swim to the next beach break that was to the East towards Kabeljouws at Albatross and he was about two thirds of the way when the shark attacked him. He was then pulled further out to sea. 

Terry Olivier was in his kayak and made his way over to the scene finding Burgert lying face-down in the water. The shark was thrashing around, taking bites out of the body and Terry tried fending it off with his paddle but his attempts were in vein due to it's sheer size. The shark then disappeared underwater with the torso and Terry quickly headed back to shore getting himself out of the water and out of a very dangerous situation.  

There were several witnesses to the attack, one of them, a Member of the Supertubes Surfing Foundation, Allison, said that her son Zach witnessed the attack and told his mother that he saw the shark was "lifting the man up and down out the water." Allison rushed to the beach, grabbed her binoculars and said that she could see that there was a lot of blood everywhere. "I have seen fins in the water before, but this time you could see a lot of the sharks body. I could see the man's blue swimming cap." 

Some first believed it was 2 sharks because of it's length but the local media later reported that it was just one shark. It is not clear what breed was involved but locals and some officials are certain it was a Great White. 

The National Sea Rescue Institute said that a volunteer rescue crew was sent out to the scene at around 11:30am local time.  "On arrival on-scene remains of a body, believed to be those of an adult male, have been recovered from the water and handed into the care of the police and the forensic pathology services." 

According to a statement by the Kouga Municipality the beach was to remain closed for the weekend: “We will be re-assessing the situation on Monday.”  The Municipality reminded people that if they entered the water, they were doing so at their own risk.

This is the first fatal shark attack at Jeffries Bay which is hailed one of the top 5 surf spots in the world.

According to the International Shark Attack file at the Florida Museum of Natural History, there were 4 shark attacks in South Africa last year, three of which were fatal.


Everyone at the House of Biltong and the Daily HoB would like to extend their deepest condolences to Burgert van der Westhuizen's family and friends for his tragic passing.

Sources:

Reuters UK

AOL

SKY News

St Francis Chronicle

WaveScape

Joost bid to stop book dismissed

Joost was in court today (Friday) to hear the final outcome of his court case against the publication of a tell-all book about his stormy marriage to Amor Vittone.

Judge Bertelsmann stated that prior restraint of a publication could only be granted in extraordinary circumstances because it was a drastic interference in freedom of speech, "It should only be ordered if there was a grave risk of substantial injustice."

The case was dismissed due to the fact that Joost had failed to establish any right to such drastic inroads into freedom of expression. He went on to say that there was no allegation in the papers that the book contained lies and it must be therefore be concluded that Mr Van der Westhuizen was trying to suppress the truth.

The author of the book, Joost and Amor – Agter die Skerms (Behind the Scenes) is journalist and deputy editor of Heat magazine, Gavin Prins. Prins' defense was largely based on the fact that the relationship between Joost and Amor has been widely publicized in the media as well as by Joost himself via Twitter and that basically there was nothing much else he could tell people that they don't already know. 

Joost's lawyer said that the publication of the book could adversely effect his declining health but Bertelsmann said there was no exceptional evidence to support such a claim. A report issued by a neurologist stated that the stress would worsen Joost's condition but Bertelsmann said that there was no evidence that the neurologist had even examined Joost before writing the report - Therefore he did not qualify as an expert witness.

 "The applicant falls into the category of celebrities that can no longer expect that their private lives remain private because they themselves have made it public, "The fact is that Joost's life and illness were well known and he could not complain if it was repeated in another publication."  He added that Joost's reliance on privacy was negated by his own past action.

"The applicant has rightfully earned the respect and esteem flowing from his past achievements.
"He is entitled to understanding and empathy ... He is entitled to support even in the aftermath of scandal.
"He is to be admired for the way in which he is dealing with his devastating illness and reaching out to others.
"...But he is not entitled to stop publication of the book ... because he invited the media to share his life.".

Judge Bartelsmann concluded by saying that there was no question that the publication was of significant importance to Prins and the publishers and to the fundamental right to freedom of expression.
______________

Joost and Amor's marriage broke down after the appearance of a sex tape in which Joost was shown to be using cocaine. After a very public battle with his wife regarding their separation, children and finances,  Amor confirmed in an interview with Heat magazine in August that Joost was moving back into the family home with herself and their 2 children.  

"I’m busy transforming the kids’ playroom into a bedroom for him. Joost can’t get up the stairs anymore, so we want to make it as easy for him as possible." - Amor

Sadly, doctors have said that he will soon need to be on oxygen and won't be able to move around as often.

UPDATE: Female prison officer rescued

UPDATE: 03/10/2013 - 10.47AM

The female prison officer was rescued last night by the special forces unit when they were finally able to overpower the 4 prisoners holding her hostage. The female officer was unhurt after the 13 hour ordeal and has thanked everyone involved in getting her out safely. As a matter of precaution she was taken to the Rosepark Hospital for a medical check up and treatment.

The 13 hour ordeal started when the prisoners grabbed the officer and pulled her into one of the cells with them and locked the door. Male guards tried to pull her free as she was being dragged away but both were attacked and stabbed in their arms with what they now know to be pieces of scissors. Both the male officers were treated at the scene and their condition was deemed 'not serious'.

There was minimal force used to free the officer and no shots were fired. The hostage takers were arrested and will be charged with kidnapping and attempted murder of the 2 G4S employees who were injured earlier in the day. The prisoners are currently serving sentences for rape, murder and robbery.

A good outcome for all involved but apparently this is not the first time this has happened at this exact prison. Hopefully measurements will be put in place to make sure this never happens again but somehow this seems highly unlikely - as long as there are staff shortages, this problem will no doubt keep rearing it's head.

____________________

02/10/2013 - BREAKING STORY: What do we know?

• The female guard is being held by 4 prisoners
• No demands have been made as yet. 
• SAPS Special Task Force along with security company G4S are working on her release.
• 3 other people have been injured
• Many people are blaming the shortage of staff for this incident 

Background

Everything seems to be sketchy at the moment but apparently there were over 300 police and Prison Civil Rights Union members dismissed earlier this year and because of the staff shortage the woman guard was encouraged to help out with guarding the prisoners. G4S has said that all it's staff are fully trained for hostage situations and that they also have provisions in place for handling hostage scenarios.

G4S says that they are doing everything in their power to rescue their employee.

We really hope it's over soon for that poor woman and hope that she gets back safely to her family...

... developing story