Monday, April 12, 2010
THE LADIES OF EXPO WP
Starting your own business is not easy, or rather it certainly isn't as easy as most people think it is. So, herewith, I pay homage and I salute as well as take my hat off to a few women whom I've recently met at EXPO WP who each run their own businesses. A short collectively description of them would be, go-getters, entrepeneurs, sole providers, mothers, wives, girlfriends and business women all of whom are doing it for themselves. They are extremely creative, very determined, highly motivated, filed with commitment, all wanting to make a difference in their lives and those of their loved ones.
Amongst them are Sumaya and Elizabeth both talented fashion clothing designers each sporting their own label with highly fashionable clothing for that exclusive lady shopper wanting to look different or unique. Sumaya isn't just a fashion designer but also a maths genius who provide maths classes to school kids in the boardroom of EXPO WP by appointment
Then there is Najma, Siyaam, Nancy and Shima all four of them excellent cooks, each having their own food store, each with delectable menus appealing to different tastes, and together they feed the EXPO WP's rainbow nation. Fatima, Antionette, and Mrs Langevelt each have their own stalls as well, a hairdresser, a bookshop and a biltong stand respectively, each one of them a vibrant business woman on the move, each with an attitude that will make a difference. Micarla, Claudia, Rhazia, Kay, Sadia, Belinda and Ruwadi are all therapists, some in beauty, some practicing alternative healing therapies and holistic healing, each with their own parlor providing a service to those who are ailed and in want of beauty, relaxation and calm. They provide services from head to toe -Indian head massage to Reflexology and other treatments far too numerous to mention. Treatments are not exclusively for women.
Ghalema and Jani are relatively unique, Ghalema is an artist and Jani is a photographer, she is one of the few female wedding photographer in a male dominated profession. She has more than 25 years of photographic experience and has her own studio at EXPO WP. Essentially she is the official photographer at EXPO WP, having taken 100's of photos of shoppers poseing with celebrities who have recently visited the EXPO WP. She was commissioned to photograph all three SA presidents since the demise of apartheid and on show in her studio, there are several portraits of "Madiba" Nelson Golithlathla Mandela, Thabo Mbeki, Kalima Motlantle and Jacob Zuma. She has also photographed numerous other politicians whose names I can't even remember neither pronounce. I have also watched Ghalema work, all original creations within record time using both water based or oil paints. You can commissions your own original painting from her, alternatively take art classes with her right at the EXPO WP.
Then there is Carla, Venice, Joy, Edwina, Farida, Sara, Armiena, Ina, Nadia, Viola, Cynthia, Sarah, Gawa, Nadia, Zubeida, Tsitsi, Dudu, Shaheeda, Muneeba, Nandiepah, Mariam, Wisaal, Sharon, Ruwayda, Luccille, Lyne, Shagoofa, Cine, Desre, Laeekah and Grace all of them business women. Their names may not mean much to you but they are amongst the "Ladies that makes EXPO WP tick". They are all set to provide each tourists with a pleasant shopping experience during the Soccer World Cup, from curios to souvenirs to food, shoes and clothing, artifacts, paintings and craft and many many items far too numerous to mention. They are responsible for the buzz, the atmosphere, the deals, they ply their trade especially for you, so it's within your interest to come meet with them, commission them, trade with them, do business with them, buy their wares, interact with them, eat from them, get to know them and perhaps you will develop the mindset to start your own business. Your first step to starting your own business is to come to the EXPO, the ladies are awaiting! After all, starting your own business may just be as easy as you thought it is.
EXPO WP OFFICIAL OPENING
The buildup to the Official Opening of EXPO WP was so cool and the hosted events attracted hoards of people like no other. There were celebrities the likes of Altus and Mandla -actors in a popular SA soap opera. The celebs were there on different days resulting in two separate photo shoots with loads of loyal fans lining up to have their photo taken by the official EXPO WP photographer Jani, owner of PhotoJani Photographic Studios whilst some came just to grab an autograph. Hundreds of people now have an official EXPO WP logo on their photographs as a momento and a reminder of the great time they had at EXPO WP.
Photographs courtesy of PhotoJani Photographic Studios at the EXPO stall C49
The Easter Weekend has come and has gone but the events and the fun we had at EXPO WP will last forever. Easter is all about Easter eggs and there was a Easter egg hunt inside the main hall for kids, it was awesome, with prizes for the best at solving the riddle to find the hidden Easter Eggs. There was also a kids colouring competition and face painting with an opportunity to have their painted faces imaged onto a ceramic mug or a sweater by Blush Media.
On stage, there were a number of music groups and the one that grabbed my fancy was a group playing Flamenco Music whilst the MC was giving away prizes galore. It is absolutely certain that all the kids where blown away by their prizes which ranged from a bicycle to a weekend getaway for 2, as well as dozens of meal vouchers from Burger World, Ming's Halal Foods, Moparks, Miller's Corn, Waffle Mania, Food Palace, Hassan's Fisheries and Fancy Nancy Restaurant.
The opening specials on meals, were very appropriate and really inexpensive. I treated myself to a platter of Crayfish Curry from Food Palace and 2 Lattes from Craving Coffee, all for under R50.00. Talking about coffee, Shaun from Craving Coffee makes a really mean cup of coffee and his white chocolate is to die for. On Monday Radio 796 was in attendance and the crowd that they pulled was huge, all the vendors were really busy attending to them, but at the food court they could hardly cope with the masses.
Photographs courtesy of PhotoJani Photographic Studios at the EXPO stall C49
This is really the ultimate Tourist stop and no tourist should leave Cape Town without at least visiting the craft stalls. At Kreations I witnessed some amaizing beadwork -a VOLVO logo made of beads. Shaheeda of Kreations can replicated a photo of yourself with beads and frame it. But the best to me was an elderly gentleman who owns Nematombo Stone Gallery who carved a giraffe from soapstone along with all its patches completely freehand. All I could say was WOW! to his shear raw talent. seriously, don't take my word for it, come view their creativity for yourself.
Friday, March 26, 2010
EXPO WP COUNT DOWN
DONT GET LOST, GET TO EXPO WP
However, others seems to have had no idea where EXPO WP is, so if you were among them, I am here to help you get there. Some how, certain people were under the miss information that the EXPO WP is behind Grand West Casino, but that's not exactly true. Admittedly its not too far from GW but certainly not near enough to qualify as an exclusive landmark. Speaking about landmarks most men or rather males will identify with a motor spares yard when mentioned, so if you guys have any idea where Bonerts Motor spares in Bofors Circle Epping is, EXPO WP is just 300 meters further away in the same road. The ladies I'm certain would more readily indentify with Epping Fire station situated on the opposite side of the road away from Bonerts, hence away from the EXPO... so ladies please drive in the other direction, with the old Epping Fresh Produce Market behind you. Essentially away from Pinelands.
Below is another Map with an aerial view, soley for those arriving by plane, so have a good look at where EXPO WP is, yes its exactly on the spot where the RED A is, so now you have no excuse not to be at EXPO WP this Easter.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
CARS BOOM BOXES & VUVUSELAS
The car sound-off of the weekend has come to an end and the judges announced the overall winner of the competition which was held over two days. I'm almost certain the music could be heard for miles in fact even after the event whilst blogging at home, I could still hear the pounding of the music inside my head. Twas amazing and was very well attended because when I arrived there, I had to park my car a good half kilometer down the road.
As of tomorrow the countdown to the official Easter Opening will begin, its kinda like the countdown to the Soccer World Cup. Speaking of the Soccer World Cup, BLUSH MEDIA a stall inside EXPO WP is the official distributor of Vuveselas, South African flags, Soccer Balls as well as plastic helmets for FIFA. I hope there won't be a vuvesela sound-off at EXPO WP in the near future or at anytime.
EXPO WP tenants are well represented by South Africans from all areas -Northern Suburbs, Southern Suburbs, Townships and the Locations with wares that appeal to one another. All the craft sold at EXPO WP exudes the talent of its creators and just to spend time with these artists is an experience in itself.
As of tomorrow the countdown to the official Easter Opening will begin, its kinda like the countdown to the Soccer World Cup. Speaking of the Soccer World Cup, BLUSH MEDIA a stall inside EXPO WP is the official distributor of Vuveselas, South African flags, Soccer Balls as well as plastic helmets for FIFA. I hope there won't be a vuvesela sound-off at EXPO WP in the near future or at anytime.
A Soccer stand full of Vuveselas, is way louder than an Alpine Horn. |
Not only amazing sound but lights display that goes with it. |
Blow that Vuvesela... |
A sound system that would put most audiophiles to shame. |
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