Supernova team supports Tekkie Tax

The Supernova team supported a variety of different causes on Tekkie Tax Day, 27 May 2016. The team bought Tekkie Tax Day stickers and donned their coolest pairs of tekkies to work.

Supernova team's super cool tekkies

This great campaign gives Supernova team members the opportunity to give to a few of SA’s largest and most accountable welfare organisations. There are 11 National Beneficiaries, representing more than 1000 local non-profit organisations. If that isn’t a good cause, we don’t know what is!

Did you put your best foot forward on Tekkie Tax Day? Did your school or work place show support? Tell us what you got up to on Tekkie Tax Day!

By Andrea Vermaak

Nickelodeon's 'Dora the Explorer Live! Dora's Pirate Adventure'

Two new Jo'burg dates added for South African tour

Nickelodeon has teamed up with Life Like Touring and Blu Blood to bring Dora the Explorer and her friends to South Africa this winter. Dora the Explorer Live! Dora’s Pirate Adventure will take place at the ICC, Durban (1-3 July), Emperors Palace, Johannesburg (7-12 July), and finally dropping anchor at the Grand Arena, GrandWest Casino in Cape Town (15-17 July).

In response to popular demand, the producers have added two new Johannesburg dates for Dora fans: the show will now run 6 days and 18 performances at Emperors Palace, Johannesburg,  from 7-12 July.

Families and kids are invited to join Dora and her pals, Boots and Diego, on a voyage of discovery as they embark on an exciting trip to Treasure Island in search of the ultimate pirate party. Help them navigate over the Dancing Mountain and through the Silly Singing Bridge in pursuit of the Pirate Piggies. Along the way, Dora the Explorer fans will use their map-reading, counting, musical and language skills to help Dora successfully reach Treasure Island and avoid that pesky fox, Swiper!  

"We are pleased to partner with Life Like Touring to bring their new production of Dora’s Pirate Adventure to audiences in South Africa,” said Thomas Kingsley, Senior Manager, Recreation Business Development at Nickelodeon. “Now seen by families in more than 30 countries worldwide, our Dora Live! productions continue to engage fans of Nickelodeon’s beloved television show, while introducing children to the unbeatable experience of live theatre.” 

Commented Tasania Parsadh, Channel Director, Nickelodeon, Africa, “Dora’s Pirate Adventure incorporates the interactive and educational elements that make Dora the Explorer such a hit with kids - both here in South Africa and around the world. Live shows allow Nickelodeon to bring Dora and her world vividly to life on stage for kids and families.”

Added Osman Osman, Managing Director, Blu Blood, “We are pleased to be partnered with Life Like Touring and Nickelodeon in this new stage production of Dora’s Pirate Adventure.  The show has travelled around the globe, and we are thrilled to add South Africa to the list of countries that Dora has visited on her latest adventure.”

Dora the Explorer live stage shows have enjoyed success around the world and have now been seen by more than four million people including audiences in Australia, the United Kingdom, Egypt, Kuwait, Russia, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Singapore and New Zealand.

Dora the Explorer is a play-along, animated adventure TV series, following Dora and her best friend, Boots, as they explore their world. Since its launch on Nickelodeon in 2000, Dora the Explorer has emerged as a global phenomenon, seen around the world and translated into more than 30 languages. The show has received numerous international industry awards including the Peabody, NAACP, Alma, Latino Spirit, Gracie Allen, several Parents' Choice Awards, the Television Critics Association Award and 15 Daytime Emmy nominations.

Tickets for Dora’s Pirate Adventure are on sale at Computicket outlets, on www.computicket.com or 0861 915 8000, and at Checkers and Shoprite stores nationwide.  Tickets are also available at the Emperor’s Palace Box Office and the Box Office at GrandWest Casino. Supernova, the mag for curious kids is also giving away tickets in June on Facebook!

Dora’s Pirate Adventure is brought to South Africa by Blu Blood and Life Like Touring in association with Nickelodeon.

For more information on Dora’s Pirate Adventure, please go to www.nickelodeonafrica.com, follow us on Twitter @NickAfrica, on Instagram @Nickelodeon_Africa, or like us on Facebook at Nickelodeon. To join the conversation about the show, please use the hashtag #DoraLiveSA.

Press release by MS Publicity.

Teen talent named Forever Changed Brand Ambassador

Up-and-coming 15-year-old actor JC Du Toit’s career has skyrocketed in an incredibly short space of time. The recent winner of Mr Personality and 1^st Prince at the Mr and Miss Willowridge High School competition, JC has also been selected as an ambassador for the Forever Changed cancer awareness campaign. The talented teenager is not only aiming to make his mark as a performer, but is totally committed to raising awareness for a worthy cause – Forever Changed.

Du Toit became interested in the world of entertainment at a young age. As a child, he was fascinated by movies. He would watch TV for hours on end. “I love powerful characters and good storylines. I was mesmerised by movies like The Godfather and Goodfellas,” notes Du Toit. “I would rerun the scenes in my head and act them out.”

At the age of 10, Du Toit asked his mom if he could take drama classes. At first, she wasn’t convinced. She thought it was a passing phase, but he kept asking and showing interest. He also took part in all his school productions. Eventually, she realised he was serious. The school’s drama teacher encouraged him, realising his potential. Eventually, his mom contacted Melissa Lottering, a professional acting coach, who immediately saw his incredible talent.

The rest of the story follows a whirlwind of acting classes and auditions. Lottering introduced Du Toit to casting agent Addi Lang. “JC has a natural ability to act. He is determined to do his best to make his mark on the entertainment industry,” says Lang. "He is well on his way to being a sought-after performer.”

Du Toit has also been selected to attend the Applause Rising Talent Showcase (ARTS) held in the USA in July 2016. ARTS is a highly competitive talent showcase. “We are proud of what JC has accomplished in a short time,” says Lang, “and we are thrilled to have his voice behind the Forever Changed cancer awareness campaign as one of our acclaimed brand ambassadors. He is incredibly talented, and his natural empathy and willingness to be part of an international campaign will be highly beneficial for all involved.”

As part of his role as an ambassador, Du Toit will assist in creating awareness for the 
campaign  through community events. Brand ambassadors may choose to arrange a 
screening  of the Forever Changed documentaries, or set up a talent contest at their school 
or in their community. 

JC is the first ambassador to be hosting the Dance of The Butterfly event on 28 May 2016 
in South Africa with guest  performers Robyn Angela Leal, Winston and Delia Ho and 
Jezriel Skei. 

“Being a Forever Changed Brand Ambassador means I can make a difference by helping those who have been affected by cancer.”  Du Toit is thrilled to be involved in a cause that is close to his heart “because this campaign can change so many people and their perceptions, and can save lives”

His career to date has included several auditions for a selection of films, TV shows and print advertising campaigns, including the Ford Motor Company and Rand Merchant Bank. “I will always be grateful to Addi Lang for her guidance and help in getting my career going,” says Du Toit.