Just the Way You Are ... Celeste Vinassa, Bernadette Rigney & Terry-Ann Adams

The purpose of the Casual Day Ambassadors’ Programme is to provide inspiration and motivation to participants and beneficiaries, thereby driving sticker donations. Casual Day ambassadors create awareness by telling their own stories and their quest is for respect and acknowledgement for persons with disabilities. Casual Day ambassadors bring magic into the lives of children and adults with disabilities.

 Bring Out The Bling on the iStart2 Show

We chatted to Casual Day Project Leader,  Celeste Vinassa, Bernadette Rigney and Terry-Ann Adams, two of Casual Day's ambassadors.  “Casual Day relies on volunteers and people who use their celebrity status to bring about greater awareness of the mission of Casual Day," says Celeste. "They are happy to speak about their own experiences to give their followers a deeper understanding of what Casual Day is and how it benefits persons with disabilities. They assist participants and beneficiaries to raise donations, appearing on TV and radio shows as advocates for the project.”

Bernadette Rigney, Transformation and Disability Awareness Officer, City of Johannesburg, was born with a rare condition called Arthrogryposis, which affects the joints and limits the range of motion in her hands and legs. Bernadette is also a motivational speaker and she says she stays positive by surrounding herself with amazing friends who don’t see her as disabled. “I don’t see life as a challenge, it’s more of an adventure,” she says. “Dreams have this li’l habit of coming true!” She has an infectious smile and a sunny outlook which attracts positive and happy people to her.

Terry-Ann Adams: “I have cried many tears, experienced prejudice and mocking; I have been spat on, laughed at and thrown around all because of my disability. But I have achieved much. I have learned to fight. I have learned that life does not come easy. Most importantly I have learned that my albinism does not define me.”

It is so easy to support Casual Day! R10 can make a huge difference in the lives of so many people.

Get your Stickers! Bring out the Bling!

Get your stickers for Casual Day! Available Now from GAME and DIONWIRED! Available from EDGARS, EDGARS ACTIVE, RED SQUARE, EDGARS SHOE GALLERY, LEGIT, BOARDMANS, SHOPRITE, CHECKERS, CNA, TOYS’R’US, ABSA, ALPHAPHARM, JET & JET MART in August.

To listen to the show, just click play:




Thought of the Day:

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time).

Newsflash: Winners of 2014 Annual Business Day Basa Awards to be announced tonight

The winners  will presented with their awards at a gala ceremony in Johannesburg on 25 August

Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) is an internationally recognised development agency, which incorporates the arts into, and contributes to, corporates' commercial success.

It was founded in 1997 as a joint initiative of the Department of Arts and Culture and the business sector; it encourages mutually beneficial partnerships between business and the arts, in order to grow shared value.

The finalists in the 12 categories were evaluated on the success of each partnership in achieving its objectives, and in bringing genuine value and benefit to both partners. The awards are audited by Grant Thornton.
The winners of these categories, along with the Art Champion and Chairman's Premier Award winners, will then be presented with their awards at a gala ceremony in Johannesburg on 25 August.

Says judging panel chairman and Mastrantonio Group CEO Giovanni Marian: “I believe that arts and culture are manifestations of our nation's soul. Business support for the arts creates the fabric of our society. As Business and Arts South Africa, we are proud that through the BASA Awards we can recognise the excellence where business and arts meet.”

Media consultant, editor of Destiny Man and judge Kojo Baffoe reflects on the challenges of picking out the winners: “Every year, it gets harder and harder to judge the BASA Awards with the calibre of entries".

“It is always heartening to see the real commitment that parts of corporate and business South Africa are making towards building and sustaining the arts in this country. This is our soul, and business should be – and looking at the BASA Awards, is – an integral part of. More can always be done but I do believe we are on the right track.”

The panel also consists of Sunday Independent arts critic Mary Corrigall, independent arts consultant Nicky du Plessis, television host, arts advocate and National Heritage Project Company CEO Dali Tambo, 5fm DJ Fikile Moeti, Ogilvy and Mather experiential marketing director Thresho Selesho, and academic and practising artist Roelof Petrus van Wyk.

The finalists are listed below. 

Innovation Award
Vaal University of Technology – Agents of the 3D Revolution
Radio Sonder Grense RSG – RSG Kunstefees 2013
TBWA\South Africa (Pty) Ltd – Rocking for Room13
De Beers group Services (Pty) Ltd – Shining Light Awards &Vuyani Dance Theatre
Absa Bank Limited – Southern Guild International Exhibitions Programme 2013

First Time Sponsor Award
Pam Golding Properties Knysna – Knysna Literary Festival
Easigas (Pty) Ltd – OF SOUL & JOY Project
Auto & General Insurance Company Limited – Auto & General Theatre on the Square
Clear as a Bell – SHOWTIME 2013: Travelling Light
Auto & General Insurance Company Limited – Naledi Theatre Awards

Increasing Access to the Arts Award
Sasol – Sasol Free State/Northern Cape Schools Festival
Rand Merchant Bank – National School of the Arts Festival of Fame
Radio Sonder Grense RSG – RSG Kunstefees 2013
Tsogo Sun – Tsogo Sun Arts Academy
Rand Merchant Bank – The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative, Extended Rural and Local Outreach

International Sponsorship Award
Samsung Electronics Africa – Amaze Africa
Rolex – Rolex Mentor and Protégé Arts Initiative
Mercedes-Benz South Africa – 21 Icons South Africa
Absa Bank Limited – Southern Guild International Exhibitions Programme 2013
Bank of America – Gerard Sekoto: Song for Sekoto Exhibition

Long Term Partnership Award, supported by Stephan Welz & Co.
Nedbank – The Arts & Culture Trust Professional Development Programme
Rand Merchant Bank – Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company, Instrumental Training and Development
Standard Bank of South Africa Limited – Standard Bank Jazz Festival, Grahamstown
Solms Delta – ATKV-Oesfees
Hilti South Africa (Pty) Ltd – Umculo Cape Festival, Fairy Queen

Media Sponsorship Award
The Witness Newspaper – The Witness Hilton Arts Festival
DeskLink Media – Arts & Culture Trust Awards
The Citizen (Pty) Ltd – City
Die Burger – Die Burger City of Cape Town Suidoosterfees
South African Art Times – Professional Practice in the Visual Arts seminar

Small Business Award
Buz Publicity – ASSITEJ SA
Clear as a Bell – SHOWTIME 2013: Travelling Light
Trainiac SA (Pty) Ltd – Hillbrow Theatre Project
Artslink.co.za – National Eisteddfod Academy Young Performer Awards
Ristorante La Trinita – Gauteng Opera, Dinner at the Opera

Strategic Project Award
Standard Bank of South Africa Limited – Mobile Sculpture for New Standard Bank Offices, 30 Baker Street, Rosebank
Telkom SA SOC Ltd – Telkom and UJ Design competition
Mercedes-Benz South Africa – 21 Icons South Africa
KPMG Services (Pty) Ltd – “We are KPMG”
Nokia – Nokia Nothing Else Comes Close
Spier – Sightlines' at the 2013 FNB Joburg Art Fair

Sponsorship in Kind Award
Webber Wentzel – Gerard Sekoto: Song for Sekoto Exhibition
University of Johannesburg – The Forgotten Angle Theatre Collaborative, Dance company in residence
Adams & Adams – Design Indaba
Deloitte – Artist Proof Studio
PaulCluver – Hope@PaulCluver

Development Award
Spier – Spier Arts Academy
Tsogo Sun – Tsogo Sun Arts Academy
Redefine Properties (Pty) Ltd – Buskaid Music Academy
De Beers Group Services (Pty) Ltd – National English Olympiad (De Beers English Olympiad)
University of Johannesburg – Think Theatre Promotions, Othello

Arts & the Environment Award, supported by Nedbank
Siemens (Pty) Ltd – Tree of Wisdom
Radio Today – iStart2 Challenge
Johannesburg Development Agency – Shadow Boxing public artwork
MasterCard – Winter Sculpture Fair presented by MasterCard
Nashua – Nashua Art in the Park

Mentor of the Year
Pamela Grayman – Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra
Dale Smith – Johannesburg Youth Orchestra Company
Veronica King – Johannesburg Art Gallery
Leanne Gitlin – Wits Art Museum

Nomvula (After the Rain) ... Sibongile Mkhabela

"Mandela left us a future. He taught us to dream big and not to be afraid," says Sibongile Mkhabela. And the CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital Trust does just that. She lives her dream of making tomorrow better for our children and is adamant that South Africa needs far more than one children's hospital to ensure a healthy future for our children.  



As a teenager, she was one of the leaders of the 1976 Soweto uprising and an executive member of the Soweto Student Representative Council and the South African Students Movement's general secretary. Sibongile consequently spent four years in prison, partly serving time for ‘sedition’.

"iStart 2 think about how intergenerational communication

can take us further in connecting the dots"

- Sibongile Mkhabela

We talked to Sibongile about her life, her book "Open Earth and Black Roses," her views on creating a more sustainable world and  the legacy of Nelson Mandela. Sibongile is concerned about the fact that  "Green Environment" issues are often elitist. She asks questions about who really benefits from going green and feels strongly that the time for Africa to be a basket case is over.


To listen to the story and wisdom of Sibongile Mkhabela just click play below: 



Thought of the Day:

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time).

Join the iStart2 cause www.iStart2.com

Jamming ... Michael Stevens

Jam's about my pride and truth I cannot hide
To Keep you satisfied.
True love that now exist is the love I can't resist
So jam by my side
- Bob Marley

He traveled the world (and fondly remembers Bob Marley playing on the radio on a trip around Bali), he experienced and survived one of the worst accidents humanly possible and has found his calling as a volunteer that helps children with amputations get back on their feet. A double lower limb amputee, Michael Stevens sustained a 33 000 volt shock when he was 12, suffering third degree burns over 70 percent of his body.

Now 34 years old, Michael is a volunteer for Jumping Kids, an ambassador for the Vodacom Change the World Foundation and has recently been appointed as a Casual Day ambassador.

The iStart2 Team with Michael:
"iStart2 talk to people to make things happen".

Michael will be leveraging his celebrity status to help children who need prosthetics, as well as all persons with disabilities who receive assistance through Casual Day. His efforts have already helped several children in Casual Day participating schools. Join Michael and the Casual day team to "Bring out the Bling" on 5 September 2014.


We had the honour of interviewing this incredibly courageous man on the iStart2 Show this week about his story, his views on sustainability and his calling to create a more sustainable world: "I believe in South Africa. I believe in its people and in our potential to be great". To listen to the show, just click play:



Thought of the Day:

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time).

           Join our challenge at www.iStart2.com

Earth Song ... Eco Forum

ECO FORUM is an environment and sustainable living resource hub and coordinator for Environment journalists. Their mission is to provide a platform for journalists, media houses and media stakeholders to be empowered, capacitated and mobilized around reporting environmental and sustainable living issues and topics in an objective and positive way.

Tapiwa Chinowaita from Ecoforum

We chat to Tafadzwa Fortune Ndiyamba and Tapiwa Chinowaita about their work, challenges and how they are progressing with their initiative. "EcoMedia Forum is a progressive organisation that seeks to bring to the fore the state of the planet, steer discussions and improve reporting on environmental & sustainable living issues which will then lead to better informed actions to save the planet," says Tafadzwa

To listen to the show just click play:

Thought of the Day:

Tune in at 17h30 to the iStart2 Show on Radio Today 1485 AM in Jozi, Nationally on DSTV Audio Channel 869 or worldwide on www.1485.org.za. Show hosted by Pierre du Toit and the beautiful Keitu Gwangwa. The show is broadcast every Monday at 17h30 and repeated on Thursdays at 17h30 (SA Time).

Join our challenge. Visit www.iStart2.com