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#WhatTheFanta 2.0: Introducing a mysterious new taste

by Tania Griffin
written by Tania Griffin

Fanta® has released its newest creation in the What The Fanta (WTF) line: a unique themed flavour which, for the first time ever, combines scrumptious dessert-inspired notes with an enticing purple hue.

The same Fanta® that you adore has been reinvented with a new taste and a dash of fruity flavour, bringing you an unforgettable fizzy adventure. The newest release under the WTF umbrella, which forms part of The Coca-Cola Company’s ambition to continuously innovate and provide choices across its beverage portfolio, swirls the joy of a premium dessert experience with an aesthetically pleasing, Instagrammable purple colour.

With no added sugar and the perfect balance of tangy and sweet, the new purple Fanta® is a delicious mystery waiting to be solved. Each sip will reveal a riddle for the taste buds, encasing an undisclosed dessert-themed flavour.

“Fanta® is renowned for exciting and engaging consumers with fun new flavours and inspiring campaigns. #WhatTheFanta brings together everything Fanta® does best: disrupting the category by entertaining its growing fanbase while bringing innovative new flavours to market in exciting new ways to recruit new fans,” says Ramokone Ledwaba, marketing director for The Coca-Cola Company in South Africa.  

Are you still on the hunt for more clues? The thrilling adventure extends beyond just the clues on the WTF website. You’ll go on a fun and exciting journey as you run through the streets of Mzansi to find Novel Fanta Token (NFT) clues, which have been carefully dispersed among participating retailers. This will help you submit your guesses for the indulgent new #WhatTheFanta flavour. Everything hides in plain sight – it won’t be a breeze, but it will be worth the while.

Figuring out the mystery flavour can win you amazing prizes including colour-popping Crocs, the new iPhone 15, Airbnb experiences, vouchers and more. Don’t miss out on this mystery flavour hunt!

For more about the indulgent mystery flavour and to submit your guesses and join the hunt, visit the website.

Everyone is invited to explore this new flavour, take a guess, and savour the mystery!

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FunPress ReleaseToys

Flykids online toy store – where imagination takes flight

by Tania Griffin
written by Tania Griffin

Flykids, South Africa’s premier online toy store, has launched its latest range of innovative and engaging toys for children. With a mission to provide “Cool Toys for Cool Kids”, Flykids is dedicated to fostering creativity, learning and fun through its carefully curated selection of toys.

It’s more than just a toy store; it’s a child’s gateway to adventure and discovery. The online platform offers a variety of toys that challenge the imagination and encourage active play. From the magnetic allure of the SnapStack to the transformative Shapeshifter Cube, each toy is selected to support the developmental needs of children while ensuring they have a blast.

Flykids believes play is an essential part of growth. Its toys are designed to stimulate creativity, enhance problem-solving skills, and provide hours of entertainment. The company stands for quality, safety and the joy of play, offering products that parents can trust and kids will love.

Useful tips for shopping with Flykids

• Explore the range: With toys like Magnetic Rings, Ball Bottles and Zip Chips, there’s something for every child’s interest.
• Safe and secure: Enjoy peace of mind with safe payments through Payfast and a secure checkout process.
• Delivery made easy: There’s an R89 delivery fee, waived for orders over R850, and free returns for 30 days.

Flykids offers toys for children of various ages. Safety is a top priority, with all Flykids toys made from non-toxic materials and complying with safety standards.

The company’s commitment to quality and service has earned it a 5-star rating from parents like Sara K., who says: “Good quality toys; the magnets are nice and strong. Arrived quickly, and kids won’t put them down.” P. Le Roux echoes this sentiment, “Best service! Quick delivery – my boys love their new toys!”

Join the hundreds of happy Fly Kids customers and give your children the gift of play that educates, entertains and inspires. Visit the Flykids website today – where every playtime is an opportunity for kids to soar to new heights.

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FunPress Release

Meet Twende, the boda boda-driving pangolin

by Tania Griffin
written by Tania Griffin

Twende, the first Showmax Original 2D animated series, premieres on Friday, 1 December 2023, with five episodes available to binge.

Twende follows a pangolin of the same name, the slowest moving animal in the savannah. “Twende’s belief that ‘life is about the journey, not the destination’ is constantly at odds with his job as a boda boda driver in the bustling, fictional East African city of Milima,” explains South African showrunner, Greig Cameron.

Twende is voiced by Junior Nyong’o (The Legend of Lwanda Magere, Hamlet), while June Gachui (Crime and Justice, Nairobi Half Life) plays his unlikely best friend and navigator, Nuru – a whip-smart bird who always looks out for her bestie, even if his chilled out vibe drives her crazy sometimes. (Fun fact: Nuru is a lilac-breasted roller, Kenya’s national bird.)

Kalasha Awards nominee Elsaphan Njora (Super Sema, Kati Kati) voices Boss, the perennially broke and exhausted hyena who owns the boda boda agency where Nuru and Twende work. He’s a single dad with more mouths to feed than he can count. 

The all-Kenyan voice cast also includes Charles Ouda (Crime and Justice) as showy stunt driver Kimbe and Mkamzee Mwatela (Mali) as Boss’s rival, Madam Mongoose, CEO of the evil tech empire Goober.

Although poaching is not dealt with directly in the series, pangolins are the most trafficked animals in the world and are now on the endangered species list. “It’s such a shame that this is happening to this amazing and unique animal,” says Kenyan executive producer Kwame Nyong’o, who was also part of the team behind the multi-award-winning Most Eligible Bachelor Tinder campaign with the Ol Pejeta Conservancy for the last northern white rhino on Earth. “Twende is a super silly show, but we hope that, between all the humour and all the hijinks, our audience will fall in love with pangolins as much as we have, and do their part to help protect them.”

Twende‘s creators Charlie and Regan Maas came up with the concept as they toured East Africa. “My older brother is always late, so we were constantly yelling at him, ‘Let’s go! Let’s go! Let’s go!’ And the guide started saying, ‘Twende! Twende!’,” says Charlie. “So his nickname for the trip became Twende the Pole Pole Man. We wrote the original theme song in the back of that Jeep and sang it about 100 times over the next few days.”

“Driving through Nairobi later, we were astounded by the traffic,” says Regan. “We couldn’t believe the many matatu buses and boda boda drivers weaving in and out of traffic. That really left an imprint on us, so we started to imagine the slowest man on the savannah driving a boda boda, and what that might look like. And so, in true Twende fashion, it took a long, meandering yet overwhelmingly positive journey to get from there to where we are now.”

Key to that process was leaning into local creatives. “If you want to accurately reflect the feel of the streets in Africa, you need people who drive on them daily,” says Charlie. “We knew we needed to go out and find the best African writers, directors and animators to make this.” That’s exactly what they did, in partnership with London-based Braintrust and Johannesburg-based Mind’s Eye Creative.

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FunMoviePress Release

All movies, all sites for only 60 bucks… all day on Black Friday at Ster-Kinekor

by Tania Griffin
written by Tania Griffin

Step away from the crazy Black Friday retail frenzy and into your favourite Ster-Kinekor cinema to catch one of the blockbuster titles currently on circuit – for just 60 bucks!

This special deal applies to all movies and all screenings at all cinema sites, but only on Black Friday. And Ster-Kinekor is sweetening the deal with a small drink and popcorn for R39. This special R99 price tag is for all 2D movies. 

With the release of both Disney’s new movie Wish and the epic Ridley Scott–directed Napoleon on 24 November, Ster-Kinekor’s Black Friday deal presents the perfect opportunity to catch these two big titles on release day. Wish follows a young girl Asha, who wishes on a star and gets a more direct answer than she bargained for when a trouble-making star comes down from the sky to join her. 

Napoleon takes a personal look at Napoleon Bonaparte’s (Joaquin Phoenix) origins, and his swift and ruthless climb to emperor viewed through the prism of his addictive, and often volatile, relationship with his wife and one true love, Josephine (Vanessa Kirby).

The fifth instalment in the Hunger Games franchise, Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is in its second week, so why not use the Black Friday deal to catch it on the big screen?

Black Friday bookings for these three titles, plus all the other great movies showing on Friday, 24 November, can be made through the SK website, the SK App (Google Play or Apple App Store) and at the self-service kiosks at all the cinemas.

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FunSafetyTravel

Enjoy a safe day outdoors by keeping personal safety top of mind

by Tania Griffin
written by Tania Griffin

Summer is a beautiful time to relish the numerous outdoor activities South Africa has to offer with family and friends. If you’re planning a trip to somewhere like the picturesque Hartbeespoort Dam for a braai or picnic, with the warm sun overhead and the gentle summer breeze rustling through the trees, Fidelity ADT encourages you to prioritise safety. This is especially important if you are venturing out alone.

Charnel Hattingh, group head of Marketing and Communications at Fidelity ADT, reminds us that personal safety is a shared responsibility between the police, private security and other stakeholders and each individual member of the public.

“It’s wonderful to explore new places and see things through different eyes, but be aware that venturing into the unfamiliar does make you vulnerable to getting lost or perhaps making a bad judgement call,” she says. “Unfamiliar areas and routes may also be prone to rapidly changing weather or terrain, and many nature spots also do not have good cellphone reception.

“To ensure any outing you undertake is memorable for the right reasons and that you are able to get help in an emergency, it is advisable to explore trails in groups. Steer away from isolated areas unless you are accompanied by a guide.”

Hattingh further offers these 10 tips for a safe outing:

  1. Never hike alone; four or more in a group is safer.
  2. Always tell someone where you are going and what time you expect to be back. Send a pin location if you can.
  3. Have at least one fully charge cellphone with you and enquire beforehand about reception in the area. Save emergency numbers.
  4. Carry a well-stocked first-aid kit and be aware of anyone in the group with a medical condition or allergy etc.
  5. Plan your route and stick to designated paths to avoid getting lost. Allow for ample time to finish the hike before it gets dark. If you are battling in daylight, things are bound to become much worse if you lose the light, too.
  6. Don’t take risks or shortcuts and always respect restricted areas – there’s a good reason the sign says ‘no entry’.
  7. Preferably don’t carry other valuables apart from a phone.
  8. Be wary of everyone you come across, especially suspicious ‘hikers’ who aren’t wearing hiking clothes or carrying a backpack. If you are confronted by a mugger, hand over your stuff without resistance. The mugger can be armed with a knife or gun, and your cellphone or hiking boots are not worth your life.
  9. Pack sufficient water and snacks.
  10. Dress appropriately. Pack a warm jacket, no matter what the weather. The weather can change quickly on hiking trails.

Emergency phone numbers to save on your phone:

  • SAPS – 10111
  • Crime Stop – 08600 10111
  • Mobile phone emergency – 112
  • The control room of your private security provider

“Let’s not beat around the bush – criminals take advantage of any situation and do appear on hiking or cycling trails and rob people. It is advisable to stay away from deserted picnic areas or isolated sites, and do some research before deciding on your outdoor adventure,” Hattingh advises.

“Even if you know the area like the back of your hand, rather be safe than sorry by taking the necessary precautions before you set off. This way, everyone gets to keep special memories and return home safely. Much of what keeps us safe is nothing more than common sense. Enjoy the beauty of summer responsibly – and stay safe!”

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Education & LearningFunPress Release

Don’t miss out on the epic WILDED Holiday Camp hosted at Crocworld

by Tania Griffin
written by Tania Griffin

Anyone who missed out on last year’s WILDED Holiday Camp won’t want to make the same mistake twice! Book now for this immersive and adventurous day holiday camp running from 18 to 22 December at Crocworld Conservation Centre in Scottburgh on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast.

The camp will be back at Crocworld Conservation Centre, offering a world-class adventure conservation-based experience focusing on personal growth and social development. Youngsters participating in the camp will develop a love and appreciation for all things natural while understanding how to live in a more environmentally positive and socially responsible way.

“Following last year’s unbelievably successful holiday camp, we’re excited to announce we’re bringing it back this festive season,” comments WILDED Holiday Camp director, Matt Machell-Cox. “Last year was such a wonderful growing experience for all the kids and staff, so we’ve designed a programme that builds on our experiences there and elsewhere.”

He explains that safety is at the heart of everything the team does: “We operate along international best practice standards with regard to child safeguarding, safety management plans, and everything we do. We believe that when children feel safe, they can have fun – and when they’re having fun, they’re willing to learn.”

Machell-Cox – who runs student expeditions, adventure programmes and holiday camps for organisations and schools all over Asia, Africa and the Middle East – will be leading the WILDED Holiday Camp. He will be supported by a solid staff team of outdoor and education professionals and, of course, the animal experts at Crocworld Conservation Centre.

All activities will be varied and age-appropriate. These include:

• Animal encounters at Crocworld;

• Animal feedings at Crocworld;

• Beach clean-up and recycling;

• Tree planting;

• Hiking;

• A lighthouse beach adventure; 

• Wilderness skills; 

• Orienteering; 

• Team survival challenges; and 

• The iconic Adventure Race.

“Getting outdoors and connecting with nature through play fosters a lifelong love for the natural world around us. This is fundamental in developing environmental responsibility for young people,” concludes Machell-Cox.

WILDED Holiday Camp details

Dates: 18 to 22 December
Times: 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m.
Ages: 8 to 14 years

Cost:

  • Early-bird special before 30 November: R1 450 for 5 days, or R330 per day
  • Normal price: R1 750 for 5 days, or R390 per day

Price includes Crocworld entry, all activities and materials, animal encounters, specialist equipment and professional camp leaders.

To sign up, click here or email camps@wilded.co.za for more information.

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FunLifeStylePress Release

A spectacular adventure for the whole family to embrace the great outdoors

by Tania Griffin
written by Tania Griffin

Looking for a memorable hiking experience in the breathtaking countryside, followed by warm camaraderie around a crackling campfire with your family and friends? Look no further!

Mark your calendars for 16 to 18 February 2024, because Hi-Tec is excited to announce its inaugural Festival of Hiking. This exciting event is not just for avid hikers but also a fantastic event for families looking for a fun weekend getaway in the beautiful Durbanville region. With perfect weather and Hi-Tec’s enthusiastic involvement, this event promises an unforgettable experience for hikers and their loved ones.

The Go! Festival of Hiking offers three unique hiking experiences over a weekend starting on Friday with a 5km fun walk at Meerendal, which is the perfect trail for families. Thereafter, families can enjoy dining at Meerendal’s restaurants, and explore local dining in Durbanville. Saturday’s activities include hiking the surrounding farm areas and end off with a relaxed 10km hike culminating in a closing ceremony and prize-giving on Sunday. Each hike starts and finishes at the picturesque Meerendal Wine Estate.

“We are looking forward to being part of the festival of walking,” says Louise White, integrated brand manager at Hi-Tec. “This event is set to be a weekend of fun for the whole family”.

To ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience, participants are advised to bring appropriate footwear suitable for dirt and farm roads – and Hi-Tec’s Geo Trail running shoes come highly recommended. The lightweight, high-performance shoe has a fastening system that reduces friction points and creates a sock-like feel. The Dyna-Cradle shock-absorbing rebound layer together with GEO-engineered EVA foam allow speed and comfort simultaneously.

For accommodation, participants can arrange their own lodging in the area or opt for on-site accommodation, including tent options and limited rooms in a four-star boutique hotel. Unfortunately, caravans, campers, tents, portable stoves or fires are not permitted on site.

It’s a great opportunity for hiking enthusiasts, nature lovers and families to have a great time while interacting with the Hi-Tec brand. Come and enjoy a variety of activities, making it an ideal weekend for bonding with friends and family, all set against the backdrop of stunning Durbanville landscapes. But act fast and register no later than 4 February 2024 – spots are limited!

To register and secure your spot, visit the Top Event website and select all the elements in which you wish to partake – and don’t forget to visit the Hi-Tec online store to shop quality products that will ensure a comfortable hiking experience.

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EventsFunPress Release

Joyful kids’ musical returns after popular demand

by Tania Griffin
written by Tania Griffin

A Year with Frog and Toad, an enchanting children’s musical romp, returns to the National Children’s Theatre (NCT) this month, ready to entertain young audiences with its cheerful animal characters, fun storyline and positive message.

The play is based on the award-winning Broadway musical, and takes a happy, interactive journey through the seasons with a cheerful group of animal characters. The show returns by popular demand, after its run was cut short two years ago.

The story and lyrics are written by Willie Reale, and the music by Robert Reale, based on books by popular American children’s author, Arnold Lobel. The South African production is directed by Ivor Jones, and is a fun song-and-dance show suitable for children aged 3 and up.

A Year with Frog and Toad centres on two best friends – the outgoing and optimistic Frog, and the timid and cautious Toad – who go on a series of adventures over the course of a year. The show also features a fun African-summer Christmas theme, in keeping with the holiday season.

The story begins in spring time. Frog and Toad awake from their hibernation with plans to renew their friendship – starting with a swim. But Toad is anxious about being seen in a bathing suit. Will they manage to have as much fun as they used to?  

“Parents can be guaranteed their kids will have a fun interactive morning, while learning about the value of love and friendship,” says Jones. “The show is geared to keeping the children’s attention throughout. We’ve made it as visual as possible, with short snappy dialogue, lots of song-and-dance, and constant interaction. We’ve done it before, and we know the kids just love it!”

Says NCT CEO Tamara Guhrs, “We’re thrilled to be bringing back A Year with Frog and Toad. NCT did it two years ago, and it was a huge success. Unfortunately, the run was cut short due to COVID-19. Now we’re back by popular demand!”

The show was originally presented on Broadway. NCT presents the show by arrangement with DALRO.

A Year with Frog and Toad runs from 18 November 22 December at the NCT Imagination Theatre at 3 Junction Avenue, Parktown. Cost is R130 per person, and school block bookings are welcome. Shows are at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for the public, and at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. for schools.

To book, contact Angie Litabe at angie@NCTheatreSa.org.za or call 011 484 1584 or 071 429 2570. Or book via Quicket.

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Education & LearningFunPress ReleaseToys

The benefits of board games for preschoolers

by Tania Griffin
written by Tania Griffin

It is no mystery that a lot is learnt through play. Board games that are family-friendly and created specifically for pre-readers are a fun, educational and inspiring form of organised play.

Below are some of the key benefits:

Connecting as a family. Board games provide the opportunity to slow down and become immersed in a task, which is deeply satisfying. When sitting in a group, family bonds strengthen, and the proximity to one another allows for conversations to happen and take shape around playing. Games such as Cobra Paw and Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza are great for this.

There are rules and instructions, which means kids need to listen and apply what they’ve heard, which helps develop their auditory skills, and also teaches them how to figure out how to play and win within boundaries and restrictions. Furthermore, understanding instructions is an essential skill that a child will keep developing through school and life.

Games such as Dixit and Rory’s Story Cubes encourage linguistic mastery and imagination. They help develop language as children articulate their thoughts and expand vocabulary, which they learn from other players. Common sense is another core skill that is shaped.

Another benefit is that games help train the higher cognitive functions of the brain, including spatial awareness and visual skills. Spot it!, a game where the aim is to match a symbol on two cards, requires a sharp eye and quick reflexes, making it an ideal activity for brain training. And it’s fun!

Board games help build confidence. Children who are shy or are less open to trying new things benefit hugely from the interactions required when playing games.

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FunMoviePress Release

Luxury cinemas get new sheen at Ster-Kinekor Cavendish

by Tania Griffin
written by Tania Griffin

The two luxurious Cine Prestige cinemas at Ster-Kinekor’s Cavendish Square complex in Cape Town have enjoyed a full-body makeover in time for the festive season. Movie lovers are invited to come and enjoy the refreshed cinemas and lounge area to experience the ultimate in business-class movie viewing.

Enjoy all of Cine Prestige’s signature comforts on display. Guests can savour the premium cinema experience, where luxury meets the magic of the big screen. Featuring a sophisticated private lounge area and a bar service offering wines, beers and delicious hot drinks, guests will certainly be treated to great moments at their greatest. A gourmet menu including paninis, toasties and mud pies complement the go-to movie musts of popcorn, cooldrink or slushie and sweeties, to satisfy any hunger pangs.

The best part is that all these catering options can be ordered and delivered to your seat, while you are enjoying all the action on the big screen in the comfort of the fully reclining, large leather seats – making Cine Prestige the go-to cinema to enjoy movies with a touch of luxury.

As if the luxury cinema experience is not enough, the movie line-up in Cine Prestige for the coming weeks should satisfy all tastes and genres: The Marvels and Killers of The Flower Moon, and then the much-anticipated release of the new Hunger Games franchise title, Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, releasing on 17 November.

“This exclusive cinema format epitomises film-viewing heaven and pure luxury rolled into one. The two Cine Prestige cinemas at Cavendish, fitted with 45 and 41seats respectively, are a combination of single- and double-recliner chairs that ooze lavish comfort. We are looking forward to welcoming all our movie lovers back to our new-look Cine Prestige lounge and cinemas for the most luxurious big-screen movie experience,” says Lynne Wylie, chief marketing officer of Ster-Kinekor.

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