Cotton Fest is back this March

Posted on February 8, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Organisers of the highly anticipated entertainment and lifestyle gathering, announced the return of the 3^rd annual Cotton Fest, which is set to take place in March 2022 in Newtown, Johannesburg. The theme for 2021 is “university and campus” and the organisers have created their very own university of COTTON FEST campus through which the festival will offer a multi-layered university campus experience including a concert, merch, cafeteria, sport area and even lockers for you to store your personal belongings.

With the return of the class of COTTON FEST 2019 and the sophomores from 2020, together with the freshers of 2022, it’s almost time for the graduation of the Class of 2022 at The University of COTTON FEST.

Known for merging both established and upcoming South African talent, COTTON FEST not only showcases the diversities in music while fusing the gaps within the different local current movements. With the best South African artists expected to perform over 3 stages, this action packed two-day festival returns to The Station in Newtown on the 19^th & 20^th March 2022.
Celebrating all South African talent, Cotton Fest not only showcases the diversities in music at large, but it also celebrates various lifestyle elements within our ‘culture,’ including fashion and sport.

THE CONCERT: The COTTON STAGE will feature headline and legacy artists. The Bettr STAGE will feature the New Wave of young talent. The Jägermeister STAGE will bring the best nights featuring House and Electronic talent, alongside some of the biggest names on the Amapiano scene right now.

SPORTS AREA: A half-court will be set up for basketball fans, along with a skating ramp for skating enthusiasts.

FASHION: Various merchandise hubs will stock unique pieces, limited branded fashion items and other sought after accessories.

CAFETERIA: Food Court will bring you a huge variety of delectable options and several fully stocked bars positioned around the venue.

MORE: There’ll also be photo booths set up for content creation as well as various chill areas to relax, recharge and reboot.

“Following the past 20 months that we have all lived through, we are humbled to be back yet again to make an impact in the entertainment industry. With the huge support and backing from artists from around the country, we are ready to kickstart the road back to normality in a positive way, and get the Creator Economy going again” says founder Riky Rick. “ With the industry currently flipped on its head, Cotton Fest, together with exciting partners hope to bring together the industry, and celebrate the graduation of the first class from the University of Cotton Fest 2022.”

In line with current government regulations, tickets will be limited to 2000 per day.

To ensure the safety of everyone attending the festival, ALL festival attendees – including all staff, partners and performing artists – will need one of the following to gain access into the venue:

Provide a personal fully vaccinated certificate (either printed or online)
Provide a negative PCR test, if only vaccinated with one dose, done within 48 hours of the festival (either printed or online)
Do an on-site Rapid Antigen Covid Test if you have not yet been vaccinated, which is available for R150 at the venue.

Tickets are on sale at Webtickets and Pick ‘n Pay outlets nationwide. Options include:

R200 Early Bird
R250 Day Pass
R500 Weekend Pass
R600 Merch and day pass package

This year, the University of Cotton Fest 2022 is proud to be in collaboration with Bettr.app – Africa’s first digital banking app for creators, by creators — and supported by lifestyle giant, PUMA, iconic Elixir brand Jägermeister and global digital payments leader, Visa.

Synonymous with youth culture in SA, the festival will be powered by none other than the iconic South African youth radio station, YFM.

For more information, please follow these social media handles:

Instagram: cottonfestjhb
Facebook: CottonFestJHB
Twitter: CottonFestJHB
www.cottonfest.co.za

5 Questions with 5FM’s Nick Hamman

Posted on February 7, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

5FM’s Afternoon drive show host Nick Hamman is off to Antarctica! The 5Drive presenter (Weekdays, 15:00 – 18:00) is thrilled to be heading off to the Southern-most tip of the world as part of the Matrics in Antarctica campaign with explorer Riaan Manser. The campaign was open to all Matric students, offering 5 lucky entrants the grand opportunity to head on an educational trip. The students had to write essays as an entry mechanism and the winners were selected earlier this month. Nick will be joining youngsters Anika le Roux (Paarl Girls High School), Keaton Stansfeld (Jeppe High School), Kgosatsana Mabalane (St Michael’s School for Girls), Mattheus Hendrikus (Kol) Wessels (Grey College) and Tsoaledi Mosa Hlakudi (Brainline) on the epic journey. He’s what Nick had to say about taking the trip of a lifetime.

So, on a scale of 1 to un-freakin-believable, how do you feel about your trip?

“Haha! It truly is un-freakin-believable! This is a once in a life-time opportunity that I get to share with young South Africans, where we travel to the edge of the earth at such a pivotal moment in their lives, leaving high school and entering into the world that lies beyond. It’s quite possibly the most exciting thing I’ve ever done.”

Tell us a little bit about how 5FM became involved in the project?

“Over the years I’ve always been passionate about the power of travel. Journeying to different parts of the world has been an exceptional way of sharing stories that can inspire and excite people. 5FM has given me that platform because as a station, they also believe in cutting edge content that can’t be found anywhere else. Riaan Manser is someone who shares this passion and we have come to know each other well over the years. When the idea to take young South Africans to Antarctica to share stories about this exceptional continent came about, it was a no-brainer that we would be the station to do it.”

What are you most looking forward to?

“Meeting the Matrics who were chosen to come on this trip. They were carefully picked by a rigorous months-long process of trying to find the students who most displayed qualities that meant they would be able to return to their families and communities and share stories that would make a positive impact. I get really excited by people like this and I can’t wait to be inspired by incredible young minds.”

When do you leave and what are you doing to prepare?

“I leave for Antarctica on 10 February and fly over the ocean in a 6-hour flight in a cargo plane. I am preparing to be freezing cold and to have my life changed by experiences that couldn’t be further removed from the sunny South Africa I am leaving behind.”

What can listeners expect from 5Drive while you’re on the trip?

“Expect to tune into the radio and find out first-hand what it is like to be in Antarctica. Just like I have brought shows live from across the country and continent I am going to be using theatre of the mind to transport anyone listening on a journey to the edge of the earth.”

Be sure to tune into 5FM’s 5Drive and keep an eye on the station’s social media platforms for content on Nick’s journey.

Visit 5FM online at http://www.5fm.co.za or on the following social media platforms:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ThePowerof5FM

Twitter: https://twitter.com/5FM

Instagram: https://instagram.com/5fm

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2NrMnw60a-Z-E77FfMKqkA

SnapChat: Thepowerof5fm

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@5fm

2022 Interior Design Trends with Kim Williams

Posted on February 6, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Mindful Living Botanics by Sphere Studio

The homes of 2021 and 2022 have shifted to reflect our new practices of holding the home at the centre of our lives. Through incorporating our memories, technology and nature we have created spaces that are sanctuaries for our souls to rest and recharge and spaces where we can express important aspects of ourselves that make us so unique.

Creative behavioural strategist focused on designing interior spaces, Kim Williams, shares her top insights into the trends that will influence our world in 2022 and the behavioural motivators behind them.

Kim Williams Design – Framed By Claire Photography

Rise of virtual reality

Biophilia Sustainable Living Room make over by Koala Furniture – The Design Files

The last year has seen a massive increase in our need to make virtual connections as we try to substitute our social nature in a time where connecting in person is not necessarily safe. Our need to connect our online behaviour with our physical space is evident in the new technologies that help integrate these two worlds, such as the increase in AI in our domestic spaces.

Existing in these new virtual realities for more of our time every day has also given us new insights into our own behaviour thanks to the tracking algorithms they are built on. This is leading to a higher degree of self-reflection – especially among businesses – than ever before.

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CATRICE announces Minki van der Westhuizen as New Brand Ambassador

Posted on January 28, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

A new face has joined the CATRICE family. Beloved South African model and television presenter Minki van der Westhuizen, who most recently premiered her very own Afrikaans talk show simply titled “MINKI” has been named the newest local brand ambassador for the German makeup brand. As part of her partnership with the brand, Minki will star in the MinkiXCATRICE campaign.

Willemien ‘Minki’ van der Westhuizen – the former presenter of “Pasella” on SABC 2 and the Afrikaans dating reality series “Boer Soek ‘n Vrou” – is admired not only for her drop-dead beauty, but also for her amazing character. The mother and wife who has won many hearts with her outstanding presenting skills is a role model for many people. This is an aspect that has made her acquire more than 192 000 followers on Instagram and 199 000 on Facebook. In an Influencer capacity, Minki was voted the most approachable, sincere and trustworthy by women in South Africa in a recent Garnier influencer survey.

Inspired by the trends in the fashion capitals of the world, CATRICE is an innovative and luxury-inspired makeup line with an affordable price tag and clean products you can feel good about. Professional makeup artists and influencers alike have been raving about the brand’s game-changing complexion products that rival the formulations of high-end brands, namely the HD Foundation, Liquid Camouflage Concealer as well as the Prime and Fine Primers and Sprays. Beyond that, CATRICE does not carry out or commission any testing on animals. Currently, more than 80% of the range is vegan, however, the brand is moving towards being 100% vegan.

Speaking on the partnership, CEO of Cosmetix Cindy Nell-Roberts says that Minki is the quintessential CATRICE woman – she is authentic, glamorous and has long used and loved CATRICE makeup.

“Minki – who is relatable as a mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend – values the high quality of CATRICE at affordable prices with no smoke and mirrors, giving all the savings back to our customers. What’s more, we are excited that she is passionate about helping her fans and followers learn how to do their makeup.” Cindy concludes, “Working with Minki is always a pleasure – her unique personality and enthusiasm for life embody the CATRICE brand values.”

Minki made her debut brand appearance for the MinkiXCATRICE campaign in December 2021. She will showcase the same talent that makes her one of the media and entertainment industry’s most wanted names alongside fellow brand ambassador Anele Zondo. CATRICE’s range of cult-favourite face, lip, eye and skincare products are available at selected Clicks, Dis-Chem, Superbalist, Takealot.com and House of Cosmetics.

MSC launches Ocean Cookbook 2022

Posted on January 27, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

The Marine Stewardship Council (MSC), the ocean not-for-profit responsible for the world’s leading sustainable seafood ecolabel, has launched its Oce an Cookbook 2022. The free digital cookbook with the message ‘fish for tonight, and for tomorrow’ is a global collaboration between 18 award-winning chefs and 18 sustainable fishers from around the world, united in the belief that sustainable fishing is a must if we are to protect our oceans.

Using seafood from 18 MSC certified fisheries, the cookbook highlights how easy it is to rustle up healthy, sustainable seafood dishes at home. The cookbook is the centerpiece of the MSC’s communications and marketing campaign for the new year, traditionally a time for healthy and more environmentally conscious eating.

Included in the choice of recipes are a simple and delicious Cape hake recipe by Cape Town based cookbook author and food stylist, Georgia East; Scottish haddock recipe by Cornish restauranter and UK MSC Ambassador Mitch Tonks; and roasted flaked Pacific halibut in a salad topped with crunchy seeds from Canadian MSC Ambassador, Chef Charlotte Langley. On the other side of the world, MSC Chef Ambassador, Kaoru Ariga chose whole Icelandic capelin to top her Japanese Somen noodle soup and encouraged us all to minimise food waste by eating the whole fish.

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