NEWS
July 11, 2013
Photos: RC Myburgh
14 OBSERVER polokwane
Cutting the cake at the launch of the new interactive i-View touch screen is Mr Sammy Mokhele (Meropa General Manager) with Messrs Serobi Maja (Limpopo Gambling Board Chief Executive Officer) and Mark Bricknell (Meropa Slots Manager) looking on.
Mandela Day>> Take action, inspire change and make every day a Mandela Day Mariëtte Snyder >> mariette.observer@gmail.com Despite ongoing concern over the health of former President Nelson Mandela, Limpopo will be joining the rest of world in celebrating Nelson Mandela International Day on 18 July by giving 67 minutes of their time to making a difference in the communities in which they live. This year’s celebrations will mark Mandela’s 95th birthday and the fourth Nelson Mandela International Day. The theme for 2013 is ‘Take action, inspire change and make every day a Mandela Day’. The message is simple - Mandela gave 67 years of his life fighting for social justice and human rights, take 67 minutes of your time and everyday thereafter to give back by either supporting a charity or serving your community.
One organisation that has taken up the challenge since its inception, is the South African National Blood Service (SANBS). The service has adopted July as Mandela Month and is calling on all South Africans to make a difference in the lives of others by donating blood. Their theme,“Take action, Inspire Change. Make everyday a Mandela Day” is aimed at creating awareness and making blood donation an ongoing contribution towards saving the lives of others. Ms Dottie Pinn, SANBS Limpopo Public Relations Practitioner said blood donation is one of the simplest ways to make a difference to the lives of others and it is something you can continue to do every 56 days. “Pledge your commitment to this cause today and continue making a difference to the lives of others,” she appealed.
Department of safety celebrates Madiba Day Mariëtte Snyder >> mariette.observer@gmail.com The Department of Safety, Security and Liaison will partner with the Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (Popcru) to celebrate International Mandela Day on 18 July at the GMM Phasha Centre for the Blind at Makgodu Village in the Moletji area. Mr Molebatsi Masedi, Media Liaison Officer of the department said in a press statement
that the centre provides tuition and accommodation for ten visually impaired students so that they can find their way around in life. “On Mandela Day the MEC, Ms Florence Radzilani will join the national and provincial leadership of Popcru in handing over beds and cupboards to the centre. After the hand-over ceremony the entourage will then embark on a clean-up operation of the premises and the surroundings of the centre,” the statement read.
Local charities to benefit from Madiba Day Mariëtte Snyder >> mariette.observer@gmail.com “Nelson Mandela. His name is synonymous with love, peace and togetherness. He is the man who has been accredited, rightfully so, with bringing together the people of South Africa.” These are the words of Mr Cameron Barnes, Chief Executive Officer of a marketing and advertising company that has put together a
chain of charity events continue the good work previously accomplished by them and others in Limpopo. Ngwana Baby House in Polokwane, Regaugetswe Old Age Home and Beulah Care Centre, both in Seshego, were identified as the beneficiaries of this initiative that will take place from 15 to 20 July. For more information regarding the events or to get involved, contact them on 082 296 0648.
Closing date: 29 November 2013
New interactive gaming now at Meropa RC Myburgh >>rc.observer@gmail.com
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ast Wednesday marked the launch of a new interactive feature on all Meropa Casino & Entertainment World’s slot machines, the i-View touch screen. Meropa’s Marketing Manager, Ms Refilwe Tlhabanyane explained that this new technology brings the convenience and opulence of a touch screen to a customer’s gaming experience. “It allows for more transactional functions that have full colour visual interactivity and state-of- the-art communication capabilities. At any given point whilst playing on the machine, a customer can swipe through the menu options on the touch screen to find out about entertainment schedules, food and beverage specials, accommodation offerings and many alternative activities on the complex. This function will allow us to consolidate the total value proposition to our customers as many will also be introduced to activities in our non-gaming offerings on complex,” she said. Messrs Sammy Mokhele, General Manager at Meropa and Serobi Maja, Chief Executive Officer of Limpopo Gambling Board presided over the cutting of a celebratory cake after which the guests could enjoy more delicious snacks, some festive traditional drumming as well as the spectacular fire eating skills of Messrs Stefan Swanepoel and Nick Nirvana from Smashing Promotions. Sun International is the only group in South Africa that has customised its technology to
Views
meet the needs of its customers. Tlhabanyane explained that time was spent with the developers of the technology, Bally to ensure that the total customer experience is enhanced and up to Sun International’s unparalleled standards. “This multi million rand investment is being rolled out to all Sun International casinos in South Africa and other parts of the world. Our customers will still have the convenience of a group integrated system where our player cards will still work in all Sun International casinos anywhere in the world,” she confirmed. Sun International and particularly the management and staff of Meropa Casino & Entertainment World are quite excited about this system upgrade. “We are convinced that our customers will enjoy this new experience and can confirm that they will not find this version of i-View anywhere else besides with another Sun International casino. We have worked tirelessly together with the developers, in-house staff and teams across the group as well as the Limpopo Gambling Board to make sure that there is little interruption to the customer during the ten hours shutdown,” she added referring to the installation procedure. Customers can look forward to a whole new buzz on the floor with state of the art gaming experience with an interactive communication channel that is easy to use. You do not need to be a techno wiz to operate the i-View as friendly and dedicated staff members are available to help customers find their way with this exciting new feature.
on national / provincial / local issues
Polokwane residents air their views about the viability and future of Mr Julius Malema’s newly established political platform, Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).
Ms Sonja van Wyk: “He doesn’t deliver on what he promises. He needs to start thinking of the people and start delivering on his promises.”
Mr Hannes van der Walt: “This new party may not work out in the long run, it is a waste of time.”
Mr Pano Vogdanos: “The EFF is not going to work at all, he (Malema) has no control over all the things he says.”
Mr Jerimiah Pitja: “I really don’t know but anything is possible. People still like him and given that kind of love anything is possible.”
Mr David Modiba: “The party will be a major force in Limpopo because people still love him.”
Mr Joseph Chokoe: “Malema has our support. He is a powerful young man and I think he can go all the way.”
Mr Vusi Toni: “I don’t see the party becoming a reality. It won’t work . I don’t know why but it is just a feeling I have.”
Mr Mpho Maswanganyi: “Change is good and Malema is the man. I think the new party will go far.”