Onwards and upwards!

Hello you amazing people

Hopefully we are all doing great!


I just want to thank each and every one of you guys who's forever been supportive ever since I started blogging.

Well I've got GREAT news, as promised. I now have my very OWN Personalised domain site!!! yes you heard right!

I will not be blogging via this blog anymore - please follow this link www.sandynene.com and see my new home!!!!!



Stay amazing :)

Keeping Up.....

Yet another amazing week, aren't we just blessed to have been able to see this day?

Hello friends, hope all is well.





I have been very busy in the past week, I think I am really growing. I know how much i have been complaining about how much busy I am - I am not really complaining because everything that I have and committed to right now is all that I have always wished for.



My love for Social Media and Digital grows each day as I am learning thanks to working in an Online medium. Studying via tutorials at Hootsuite University is one of the most amazing things that has ever happened to me in the year 2013, it's just so much great! I also get introduced to new things and experienced people everyday.



I have been working on all new things, amazing projects and huge ventures - if all goes as well as I have planned I will be announcing the news soon.





Some of you who follow me on twitter know that I have been doing some opinion pieces on www.News24.com - the views are hilarious, I have only posted 3 articles so far but already have 3k views and 40 comments. If you would love to read them as well please go to www.news24/user/sandynenesa.



Great news are that I am your official Vodacom entertainment/youth scene correspondent. This is going to be so much FUN! I have already posted my first article, expect great content and proudly South African posts. To view my regular posts please go to www.vodacomcolor.co.za/blog.



Have a stunning week.



Keep intouch:

YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/sandynenesa

About me: www.about.me/sandilenene

Instagram: SandyNeneSA

Vine: SandyNeneSA

Twitter: SandyNeneSA

LinkedIn: Sandile Sandy Nene

Column: www.zagossip.com/author/sandilenene

My Opinion on the African Gay Wedding...

Firstly i would love to say I am very much proud of Thoba and Cam, due to some complications i could not attend their wedding - though I was invited BUT i made it a MUST that I attend their after party which was at Joe Cools in Durban.

I believe it takes guts for an individual to come out to their community, friends and family about their sexuality.

Young gay men are murdered, abused and discriminated everyday in our country - what Thoba and Tshepo did will bring more of an understanding and respect to us young gay men.

They've made history, you may think they did this for attention and to be followed by the media BUT i know they free'd someone. They encouraged many other people who live in a shell of fear, shame and hate.

If they hadn't done it then who would have?

It's pretty much obvious that someone had to BREAK a record as usuall. Mandela became the first black president, someone very invented cellphones replacing Tellephones and Mbeki made Gay marriages Legal - now why can't we allow Thoba and Thsepo to be the first to have a traditional wedding in the country?

That's how life is, My Question to you is.... Throwing unreal biblical insults to them will make you a better person? will it make you look better somehow?

Conversation LAB and Hirsch do a deal

Hot on the heels of signing Mr Price Sport, Conversation LAB now secures Hirsch, another top South African retailer, to their fast growing and impressive stable of clients.

Conversation LAB has been appointed by Hirsch to develop a ‘mobile first’ strategy to support their drive into e-commerce and m-commerce. Conversation LAB will implement a new mobile platform and strategy that affords total flexibility and control to all of the Hirsch stores to drive custom deals and offers via mobile. Conversation LAB’s launch idea is based around “flash deals” that will be set at any time of day or night, for a limited time only – sometimes as short as 10mins – that customers will need to “claim” on their phones and then redeem in-store. The mobile experience will be ‘pulled’ into Facebook for increased exposure and to ensure talkability and socialising of the great Hirsch deals.


Commenting on the new business win, Kevin Power, Managing Director of Conversation LAB said: “This idea hits the sweet spot, maximising buzz and conversation for Hirsch that will directly drive sales. But more than this, we anticipate it will create behaviour change where customers and new customers will become comfortable buying over mobile”


“Hirsch has always looked to innovate around their ethos of putting the customer first and is the perfect brand to be making headway in this exciting mobile space, importantly they are a trusted brand and thus likely to succeed”, added Power.


Conversation LAB have also been tasked with rapidly growing Hirsch Facebook numbers, and will develop a range of fan acquisition campaigns promotions supported by a monthly media spend.
Shaun Reid, Marketing Manager, Hirsch stated: “We really liked the simplicity and ‘mobile first’ approach proposed by Conversation LAB that is completely measurable with a direct link to sales. The excitement and anticipation that the ‘flash sales’ will create, which is only ‘claimable’ through mobile and social is exactly the kind of idea we were looking for to give our digital strategy the edge”
The new mobile platform and campaign will launch this month and be supported through the line including in-store.

Studio Cocoa Moon

All the jewellery pieces are distinct and they tell a story. The value is in their originality,
creativity and exclusivity.

 Each piece is hand-made by Nancy Nichting in her home-based
studio. Growing up in the Netherlands around her creative family has inspired her throughout
her eco-friendly jewellery business. The materials she uses for the jewellery pieces are
mostly re-purposed; she also uses odd metal pieces, driftwood, leather, rubber, vintage
pieces and any kind of material that looks interesting enough to have the potential of telling a
story or become (part of) a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Each jewellery piece is unique and
eco-friendly. Many trendsetters and professionals in the fashion industry have described the
jewellery designs as absolute fashion must-have!



IT STARTED LIKE THIS…..
"I grew up in the Netherlands and was always surrounded by creatives. Both my grandfathers painted, my father is also a very talented painter, and my mother is a great sculptor. We also had musicians, actors and writers in our family and amongst our friends. I guess they all contributed to my creative madness, so much gratitude to all :-)

I came to South Africa in the early nineties and have since been involved in jewellery design, interior design and fashion design. In early 2011 I decided to focus on my true passion: creating jewellery".





SHOP Online NOW

REVIEW: @NoDough2MoDough #FlashWear

You guys have probably seen my tweets about NoDough2MoDough.

It's actually an entertainment Pty company that was founded in 2010. They produce their own music and their merchandise (Of which i am very in-LOVE with) includes of Flash Wear clothing and earphones (That i will be soon giving away)

Most of you are probably confused what is Flash Wear?

Flash Wear is an important accessory for concerts, discos, parties and even raves!
Flash Wear has a FULLY functional Eletro Luminescence panel with a battery pack concealed discretely in a pocket inside the T-shirt, you can also clip it onto trousers belts too - depends which you find comfortable.

The end yet so amazing results is a sound sensitive music T-shirt that commands attention.

I received an AWESOME package of three amazing T-shirts from NoDough2MoDough for me to review the brand and tell you guys all the COOL stuff that makes it stand out from other urban/flash wear brands.

I was so much excited to do this review, you all know that i am an events person and this accessory is the best for me to stand out!

before i received the T-shirts i was a bit confused on how will i be able to wash the T-shirt after wearing it?
what's cool about the flash wear is that you can remove the flash kit then wash, the flash is very much powerful and it felt like the music is running through my veins.

Good quality and unique.

If you would love to purchase these contact the guys on the following details:
e: info@nd2md.co.za
w: www.nd2md.co.za
m: 076 109 0246
Twitter: @NoDough2MoDough

They deliver as well so don't worry about the distance.

What's up with Sandy?

Hi friends, it's a new week and i am pretty much excited. I don't really know why but it's become something normal for me. I get very much excited everytime a new week starts, it's random i know but for me Mondays have turned out to be my favorites - i believe starting of a new week gives you an opportunity to start afresh, achieve all that you were hoping to achieve on the previous week and keep chasing those goals.



Is this because i have the coolest job ever or simply because i work with the most amazing team? maybe both.



I have been focussing on learning, growing and being independent - these are the three things i wake up everyday striving for.

To some of you guys who have visited my blog before, i am sure you can see a few changes - maturity and looks more organised now. I would love to thank @TamerinB for helping me redesigning it and creating a simple yet #OnPointPoint header.



There is just so much that has been going on my life lately, i thought i should keep you guys in the loop.



Twitter:



I keep saying this all the time, i wouldn't be where i am today if i weren't signed up on twitter - i meet amazing and influential people everyday. I learn different techniques about social media as well.

I was offered vouchers from PlayBoy Mag South Africa for me to host a competition on twitter - the people's response was unbelievable!!! @TanyaPlayBoySA (Tanya Goodman) was impressed - this means i will be offered more vouchers to giveaway! yayy!!!!!



@SABloggers:



SABloggers is a movement i started last year September, i saw a need for me to create this platform because most bloggers deserve to know other bloggers, read other blogs and share ideas and same interest with other bloggers as well. Most people have been benefiting a lot through this account and the love is beyond anything else in this world. I managed to get 1300 followers in less than 6 months and followed by huge brands like @KFCSA, @RedBullZA, @MGD_SA, @MRPriceSport etc.



I was approached by @UrbanEnzo who does social media for @FordSouthAfica to host a competition via the @SABloggers account for Ford. More people began to follow and more brands started paying attention to the account as well. Other huge companies have also started sending me partnership requests too - i am not accepting any yet! @SABloggers is still my baby, not matured yet haha. There's just too much that has been happening with SA Bloggers and if you guys follow, i am sure we've all been seeing this as well.



Blogging:



I have so many COOL competitions, interviews and features as well. I have been doing whole lots of Contributions on various online publications, my recent interview was published on www.balque.co.za and i just joined @ZAGossip as their KZN's correspondent. Read my articles HERE.

MTN SAMA 19 TICKETS GO ON SALE

FANS CAN NOW BOOK FRONT ROW SEATS

Tickets for the eagerly anticipated music event of the year, the 19th Annual MTN South African
Music Awards (MTN SAMA 19) to be held at the Sun City Superbowl on Saturday 11 May 2013
have gone on sale at Computicket outlets countrywide.

Fans wishing to witness the glamour and excitement of this incredible event can purchase tickets
for gallery seats which have been set at R330.00 per person including entrance to thePublic After
Party in the Hall of Treasures. Golden Circle will for the first time be available to the public this
year (there are very limited spaces) and these coveted tickets will go for R400.00 per person and
will also include access to the Public After Party in the Hall of Treasures.

If the reaction to the nominations announcement is anything to go by, the 19th Annual MTN
South African Music Awards (MTN SAMA 19) promises to be the best ever yet as the top artists
go pound for pound against each other in some of the most mouthwatering contests seen in
years.

The MTN South African Music Awards exist to recognize accomplishment in the South African
recording industry and will be broadcast live to millions of viewers on the country’s favourite and
biggest channel, SABC 1.

Book your tickets early on www.computicket.com and avoid disappointment. For further details,
please visit the official website - http://samusicawards.co.za

A chat with the Blackberry 2013 Ambassador - Thobeka Mthembu

 
Hey guys, i know i have been away for a while - i have been too much busy with work and my other freelance work. I am sorry  - i know i was meant to launch my new site this week (1st of April) but that couldn't happen to due certain problems. Well to apologise i have an interesting read that i am sure most of you will enjoy.


READ Below:

I had an awesome chat with the newest Blackberry Ambassador
Thobi M - she told me all the interesting things about this new
machine which has been trending before the day it was even
released. Thobi gave me a full review of the new Blackberry Z10, seeing
that as an Ambassador, she already owns one. She also gave me
cool hints on how can one be a Brand Ambassador - what to do,
what not to do, what to expect as well as the advantages and the
disadvantages.



This is how the interview went:

Getting to know Thobi

-Tell me more about your personality, your strengths and weaknesses....
Well I’m considered quite the loud mouth. When I meet people I might be a bit too much
which could be considered a negative but hey my personality has literally gotten me to
where I am right now so I love me. My positives are that I tend to over care and over
love, I extend myself to people I care about and I love that. I love being a positive in
anyone’s life.
-How creative are you?
Creative… I’m not even sure what creative is, but I’m very open minded. I love
recreating and restructuring. I’m not an artist creative but I’m very much an ideas person
and love executing ideas. So let’s say I’m quite creative.
-What item do you wear most?
You can’t go wrong with a good pair of leggings, what were we even wearing before
that?
-Makeup or no makeup?
No Make-up, I’m really trying to keep my skin healthy so I hardly wear make-up but
when it’s needed, I do. Plus a bit of lip gloss and eyeliner never hurts.
-Are you currently studying? if yes - what is it that you are studying?
Yes, I am finishing off my degree in Corporate Communications.
-What are resolutions did you set this year and have you achieved some of them?
I wanted to expand brand ME. Yes I feel like I owned everything that I’ve gotten and
wanted. I have definitely achieved all I’ve wanted and its only March, imagine? I’m quite
excited for the rest of the year and I’m sure God will bless me more. I wanted to be an
Ambassador, I wanted to be an Entertainment Writer and I’ve achieved both, now I want
to be a Hype man/woman lol
-What's you star sign and do you believe in horoscopes?
OMG I’m a Libra, proudly so. Funny enough whenever I meet someone the 1st few
questions that always come out of me is “What’s your star sign?” I actually do but not to
the extreme I just believe that stars and moons and all that are all connected to us and
yes, I’ve seen certain traits belonging to certain star signs.
-Where were you born and what do you miss about your Childhood?
I was born in KZN, in Newcastle. I really miss a lot about it, being care free and not
being judged for the crazy thing we did, I Miss playing outside for hours, making mud
cakes, being dirty, making drama’s and shows for my parents to watch, the shows we watched etc. I actually loved my childhood.
-In your own opinion, what are characteristics of an "IT" girl? “IT” girl?
 I’ve always had
a problem with this as it’s so hard to even explain. For me it’s not even about being
“cool” or even being a Celebrity. Being an “IT” girl is someone that is inspiring, someone
that people gravitate towards, it’s someone that carries herself in a positive light, she’s
beautiful inside and out, and not afraid to be her in any setting, sets trends, a leader in
her own right. She’s that person you see and want to know and be around. That’s what
“IT” means to me.

The Blackberry Z10

-What do you find interesting and special about the new Blackberry Z10?
1stly it’s such a sexy phone, wow. I love its picture quality it’s an 8MP and has a really
cool feature called face detection, also you can actually make a “movie” which is
awesome using your images and videos, I also love the NFC feature where you don’t
need to ask for pins, you just tap your phone against another and you’ve automatically
added that contact. The battery life is also amazing wow. I also love how you are
consistently swiping to get to the next thing which it quite cool, the touchscreen is
amazing. Also the Hub is amazing, shows you all your notifications from emails, to twitter
etc. What’s also awesome is how when you type a message it will automatically show
you words that it thinks you will type and you can swipe up, so typing is quick and it
remembers words that you type and creates its own dictionary. There’s more but let me
stop there.
-How many apps do you have on your new BB Z10 so far?
I’m a girl and I really don’t know much about which apps I should have, but I’ve got 6 so
far I’m sure this will be increasing soon. Plus I’ve only had it for 2months.
-How different is it from other Blackberry handsets?
It’s just that step above, its totally different. This is that elite smart phone. The way in
which it operates is different, its look, everything but it’s also easy to switch from the old
ones to this one.
-I've used a Blackberry before and i know how the battery doesn't last much - especially
if you have all the social networks logged in at the same time, is the Blackberry Z10
somehow different?
Yes, it really is. This battery is so much more improved but also in order for your battery
life to extend there are certain things you can do to do that. I’m highly impressed with my
Z10 battery.
-Tell me about its internet speed?
It is really really fast. I won’t lie. You can download a song in 10seconds that’s how fast it
is. It doesn’t freeze or anything. I love how fast it works and I’m sure many people would
be surprised by how quick it actually is.
-Are there new apps that came along specifically for the Blackberry Z10?
Kindle for BlackBerry 10, Songza, Slacker Radio, BlackBerry Travel im sure there are
more.

-What is your favourite app thus far?
Angry Birds Star Wars, a friend told me about it and I’m hooked. Also Foursquare and all
those photo editing ones.
-If you were to convince me to purchase the Blackberry Z10 - what 3 words would you
use to describe it?
Keeps you moving.
-How does this new Blackberry Z10 makes a life of a Socialite or a Business personality
easy?
That’s it. It fuses both lives, its two phones in one. You can have your business things
on one side and social on another which helps especially when you’re working in the
corporate world where a business phone is needed. The BBM is different in a good way,
I love its setting. It also fuses other social networks together, but its business side is also
amazing, it’s easy to email with it or even send documents and even edit them.

-

Becoming The Ambassador

-What motivated you to enter the competition of becoming the Blackberry 2013
Ambassador?
I literally was on the net and saw something about it, I then decided to enter online
because I knew I could be an amazing asset to BlackBerry. Also I love the brand.
-How has your role as the Blackberry 2013 Ambassador changed your life?
I literally eat, sleep, talk BlackBerry hey, I’m always with my BlackBerry phones. I’m
always using them for everything whether its work, school etc. so it’s basically integrated
into my life.
-Being a Brand Ambassador for an International brand is the dopest thing a young,
vibrant and ambitious individual could ever wish for thus far - how did you take these
amazing news?
I was quite scared because my Interview really challenged me and there were many
young, influential people that entered. I literally was in awe when I found out, it was quite
weird because I was at school and there were many people around me when I found
out. I’m really blessed to have gotten this opportunity.
-What do you love most about being a Brand Ambassador?
We haven’t really gotten into the swing of things but what I’m really looking forward to
be changing people’s lives. I also want BlackBerry to be seen and known especially on
campus. I’m excited to be working with an amazing partner that I can learn from and that
challenges me. I can’t wait for people to say “Wow, BlackBerry did that”. I just can’t wait
for the ride, recreating and amplifying.
-Have you ever represented a brand or became a brand ambassador before? if yes
which brand was it?

Before, No. Although after the appointment at BlackBerry I was appointed as an
ambassador for a well-known alcoholic beverage so I’m also excited about that.

-What are the advantages of an ambassador?
There are many. 1stly we are BlackBerry so when someone sees you, they see
BlackBerry. You get exclusive invites to certain events. You also meet influential people
that could possibly make your career grow. You become that person whenever we
activate or just seen at certain events. You are the brand.
-And the disadvantages?
There are no disadvantages, I mean this is an opportunity of a lifetime and it will be hard
work that I’m willing to put in. Well if not sleeping is one, and then yes I might add that.
-Most people think being a brand ambassador is all about the glitz, the glamour and
having free access to most things. Is this true?
No its not, yes that’s what people see but there is a lot of work that is put in. Clients want
to see results and that’s on us. We need to actually work, we do strategies, we meet up
with people that could work with us, we negotiate etc. It’s not all that, it’s about creating,
rather recreating a brand and restructuring it in terms of your segment that’s what we do.
We bridge the gap; we research and try giving the audience the BlackBerry experience.
-What is required for you to do as the Blackberry Ambassador?
You need to be totally YOU. Open-minded, creative and know show to strategies. You
need to also know a lot of people and have a following around you. We need to always
represent the brand and be that link between BlackBerry and people that they want to
target. We inform, engage and share. We need to be on top of the social scene, trends,
fads etc.
-To people who are aspiring to become brand ambassadors of major international brand
like Blackberry - what can you say to inspire them?
I always say you need to own something before you get it, if you actually really hungry
for something you will get it. Also people must realise how important it is to do things,
even if you’re not getting paid, beef up your CV. I think that if you work on your positives
and always are yourself then all is well. Work on brand YOU and always be an asset in
any company.
-Tell me more about the Do's and Don'ts as a Brand Ambassador?
You need to realise that where ever you are, you are representing a brand. You need
to conduct yourself in a way that will reflect well on that brand. You can’t be dancing on
tables and getting crazy drunk, always be aware of your surroundings and the people
around you in case you say things that people will take and see as being negative. Also
we can’t put down competitors but we also can’t be seen representing competitors.
Always be you and bring that YOU to the brand.
-In one word, what is expected from each and every brand ambassador or a brands
face?
Originality

Interview with Nhlanhla from @KulumaTV and Miss Eshowe at #KZNTopModel 2013

Hey guys, as y'all all know that i attended the 2013 KZN Top Model - i did a few interviews for my YOUTUBE Channel. I know they are not in good quality BUT please forgive me. haha! i'm still growing in this Video Blogging Thingy

Watch This with Miss Eshowe 2012

Khuluma TV is a new Online TV run by young film, TV and production students.

I had an interview with Nhlanhla who is one of their presenters - Watch below