GEORGE EZRA – LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA THIS AUGUST!

UK singer-songwriter and double-platinum selling artist, George Ezra, will be joined on stage by some of our best local acts during his upcoming tour at the end of August.

 

Seed Experiences and 5fm are proud to announce that Beatenberg, Freshlyground, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Hot Water and BCUC have all been confirmed for various cities to support the unassuming, folk singer behind hits like “Budapest” and “Blame It On Me” during his SA Tour.

 

For the Durban show at the Durban Shongweni Polo Club on the 28th of August and the Cape Town show at Durbanville Racecourse on the 29th of August, Beatenberg, Hot Water and Bongeziwe Mabandla will complete the line-up. For the Johannesburg concert on the 30th of August on the Festival Lawns at Carnival City,  Freshlyground, BCUC and Bongeziwe Mabandla have been added to the mix to support George (or “Geoff” as he is known to his fans) during his set.

 

Ezra made headlines recently when his debut album “Wanted On Voyage” hit the one million UK sales – a mere 11 months after its release and there is no slowing down for the 22 year-old as he continues to mark a trail of sold out shows across the globe.

 

"Selling a million albums almost doesn't feel real," George told OfficialCharts.com. "I don't actually think I've ever seen a million of anything. Thank you so much to anyone who has bought the album and has enjoyed it. "I always wanted to be thought of as an album artist so over everything that's happened this means the most. Thank you."

 

Wanted On Voyage has also spawned two hugely successful Top 10 singles; Budapest (Number 3) and Blame It On Me (Number 6). To date, tracks downloaded from his album total 1.31 million, have been streamed 107 million times and viewed on video streaming sites in the UK 43 million times. With a top 10 single in 11 countries and his #1 Album, Wanted on Voyage, Ezra is already basking in world-wide success.

 

George was nominated for four prestigious Brit Awards, including Best Male Artist and Best British Album in 2014 and his debut album, Wanted on Voyage, has since gone double platinum in the UK and both its lead singles, “Budapest” and “Blame It On Me”, charted in the top 10.

 

He delighted fans with his performance at Glastonbury this year – highlights of which were shown on BBC 3 – have a look for a small taste of what’s to come our way: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1BzSmvKAVY

 

With over 2.5 million single sales, 105 million views on YouTube and over 235 million streams on Spotify, South African audiences will be treated to one of the biggest rising stars in music today when this massive talent hits our shores this August.

 

George Ezra – Live in SA Tour Dates:

 

Durban

Venue:                                 Durban Shongweni Polo Club

Date:                     Friday, 28 August

Standard Tickets: R575* pp.

Premium Tickets: R865* pp. (Includes: priority parking, priority entrance, exclusive bar and ablutions)

Gates open:       17h00

Support Acts:     Beatenberg, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Hot Water

 

Cape Town

Venue:                 Durbanville Racecourse

Date:     Saturday, 29 August

Standard Tickets: R575* pp.

Premium Tickets: R865* pp. (Includes: priority parking, priority entrance, exclusive bar and ablutions)

Gates open: 13h00

Support Acts: Beatenberg, Bongeziwe Mabandla, Hot Water

 

Johannesburg

Venue:                 Outdoors at Carnival City on Festival Lawn

Date: Sunday, 30 August

Standard Tickets: R575* pp.

Premium Tickets: R865* pp. (Includes: priority parking, priority entrance, exclusive bar and ablutions)

Gates open: 12h00

Support Acts: Freshlyground, Bongeziwe Mabandla, BCUC

 

*Excludes Booking Fee. Tickets on sale via our ticket office at www.seedtickets.co.za or Nutickets.

 

Seed Experiences and Nutickets partnered to introduce Mobicred to concert goers; a new payment option that will allow fans to buy their George Ezra tickets from R56 per month. No credit card required, just a simple sign-up procedure with a 24hour approval period followed by easy, minimum monthly instalments via debit order. To buy George Ezra tickets on the Mobicred payment plan, go to: http://mobicred.co.za/nutickets/

 

Seed Experiences would like to thank all the sponsors who helped to make this event possible - Jose Cuervo Tequila, Castle Lite Lime, Reload Energy and Kopparberg Cider.

 

For tour updates and more, follow Seed Experiences on Facebook and Twitter:

 

Website:              www.weareseed.co.za

                                www.georgeezra.com

Facebook:           /SeedExperiences

                                /georgeezramusic

Twitter:                @SeedExperiences

                                @george_ezra

Hashtag:              #GeorgeEzraSA

BEN HOWARD LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA - FULL LINE-UP REVEALED FOR JULY DATES IN CAPE TOWN AND JOHANNESBURG

BEN HOWARD LIVE IN SOUTH AFRICA - FULL LINE-UP REVEALED FOR JULY DATES IN CAPE TOWN AND JOHANNESBURG

TICKETS ON SALE FROM WWW.SEEDTICKETS.CO.ZA - LAST CHANCE TO CHANGE CT TICKETS!

 With a killer Glastonbury set under his belt and only two weeks to go before his first ever South African Tour,  double Brit Award winner and platinum selling artist, Ben Howard’s tour to our country just got even better with two incredible local support acts now confirmed.

The one-time journalist, avid surfer and incredible musician will be joined on stage by Bye Beneco for both cities and Farryl Purkiss during his Johannesburg show.

Fans who are yet to purchase tickets for the shows happening in Cape Town at the Grand Arena, GrandWest on the 22^nd and 23^rd and in Johannesburg on the 25^th at Zoo Lake,  are encouraged to do so soonest, as tickets are selling out fast.

Limited seating for both Cape Town shows are available to all ticket holders and ticket purchasers.  The opportunity to switch a general admission (standing) ticket to a specifically allocated seating ticket is offered on a first come, first served basis, while seating is still available. Current ticket holders will have until the 13th July 2015 at 16:00 to take up this opportunity. For an easy “how to guide” Cape Town ticket holders who wish to change their tickets to seated ones, can go to https://www.webtickets.co.za/benhoward.aspx or contact Webtickets at info@webtickets.co.za

All tickets (including seated tickets for the Cape Town shows) are on sale through Webtickets and www.seedtickets.co.za

Johannesburg ticket holders will be delighted to know that we have partnered with Park and Ride SA (Pty) Ltd to make transportation to the Zoo Lake show safe, quick and super convenient. Fans are encouraged to make use of this option as there will be many advantages, including a separate entrance at the show to avoid long queues. Tickets on sale now at:  http://bit.ly/BHParkRideJHB

Park and Ride pick up and drop off areas and *price:

- Rosebank Mall – R65 (shuttle service running every 30 mins)

- Sandton City – R120

- Cresta Shopping Centre – R120

- Cedar Square – R140

- Melrose Arch – R120

*Parking at the mall is included in the ticket price.

 

Ben Howard Tour Detail:

Cape Town:

22 & 23 July 2015 @Grand Arena, GrandWest

Doors open at 7pm

R465

Johannesburg:

25 July 2015 @ Zoo Lake, Parkview

Gates open at 1pm

R465

 

For More information:   Follow us for tour updates, support band announcements etc: @SeedExperiences

 Join the Facebook event pages here to stay up to date further info:

Cape Town – Wednesday 22nd July: https://www.facebook.com/events/1499346196997420/

Cape Town – Thursday 23rd July: https://www.facebook.com/events/1584224571790298/

Johannesburg – Saturday 25th July: https://www.facebook.com/events/1408819952753263/

#BenHowardSA

With sold-out shows across the globe and a whirlwind rise through the charts, famous songs include “The Wolves”, “Keep Your Head Up”, and more recently “I Forget Where We Were” Ben Howard is one of music’s fastest rising stars and a firm favourite in SA too. 

Watch him perform "I Forget Where We Were” at Glastonbury for just a small taste of what's to come when he performs LIVE in SA, here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2CPW_1SgW4&index=71&list=PL5A4nPQbUF8D4mZdRBxTsQb53GUZw4WEn

 

 

Samsung Unveils New Samsung Stores and Store Revamps

Samsung Electronics South Africa has announced plans to open two new Samsung Stores in Polokwane and Nelspruit to complement the 17 stores that are already operational across the country. The Mall of the North in Polokwane and the Riverside Mall in Nelspruit will be the latest additions to have premium outlets showcasing the full range of Samsung products including visual display, digital imaging, digital appliances and integrated mobility.

 

“Ideal for the Samsung enthusiast and the discerning shopper alike, the new stores will ensure immersive and exciting experiences for consumers,” says Michelle Potgieter, Director of Corporate Marketing and Communications at Samsung Electronics South Africa. “Our Samsung Stores are designed to inspire our users and provide them with easy access to our latest technology, cool innovations and exciting new releases.”

 

The Samsung Mall of the North Store is set to open on July 17^th and the Samsung Riverside Mall Store on July 24^th. The Galaxy A-Series, the new Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, the impressive range of Samsung SUHDTVs and the innovative Samsung activ dualwash washing machine will all be on display, allowing consumers first-hand interaction with the technology, with professional advice and support from the helpful Samsung floor salespeople.

 

“Samsung Stores strengthen our commitment to engaging with our customers, helping them to get the most from their products and experiences and ensuring that they have access to an impressive array of solutions and services,” adds Potgieter.

 

In addition to the new outlets, a number of stores will also be revamped in July to ensure that these meet the latest in design standards. The Samsung Stores at Masons in Benoni, Gateway Mall in Durban, Sandton City and Strubensvalley in Johannesburg will all be undergoing complete facelifts.

“The Samsung Stores complement our extensive partner network and serve to grow the Samsung brand across the country. These new additions further demonstrate our commitment to delivering personalised experiences and meeting the needs of Samsung consumers,” continues Potgieter.

 

New Samsung Stores opening dates:

·         Date: 17 July, The Mall of the North - corner of the R81 and N1 Interchange, Bendor, Polokwane

·         Date: 24 July, Riverside Mall - on the R40 from Nelspruit towards White River

 

“These stores will extend the Samsung footprint further to ensure that we can provide superior service and products to a wider consumer footprint and create loyal brand ambassadors across the country,” concludes Potgieter.

Is Your Smartphone Authentic?

Counterfeit goods have become an increasingly worrying problem in South Africa. Not only is the clothing industry suffering under the scourge of counterfeit goods but the Electronics industry has also been under fire¹. Consumers who purchase a smartphone device from unauthorised dealers are at risk of losing out financially, as there are limited options they can resort to should they subsequently discover that the device is faulty.

 

Richard Chetty, Service Director at Samsung Electronics South Africa, says, “Samsung is committed to providing its customers with the best service, with regards to solutions and devices, which is reflected in the quality of after-sales service, customer and technical support. The problem facing consumers who do not purchase their device at a Samsung approved dealer, is that there are no consumer care or repair options available to support any of the device components, or any way of being compensated if the product turns out to be a counterfeit.”

 

“If the purchase price is too good to be true, then it probably is. For example, if a Samsung Galaxy smartphone is found on sale at a much reduced price, we urge consumers to check with our customer care centres before purchasing the device, or else they may be left with a fake product”, says Chetty.

 

Examining the physical differences between an authentic Samsung smartphone and a counterfeit model can help identify an imitation phone. The Samsung logo on counterfeits is slightly raised, like a sticker. The screen will also appear a tad lighter than on a genuine device.

 

“A closer look at a genuine Samsung device will reveal sensors on the forward facing camera, which do not appear on the fake unit. When a genuine product is placed next to a fake one, a customer will easily recognise the lack of quality in the counterfeit version of the phone just by comparing the rear facing cameras,” adds Chetty.

 

Battery size is another obvious giveaway especially on the Samsung Galaxy S4. The genuine battery is much larger, has higher quality labels and well-designed positive and negative nodes. “The battery is probably the most important determinant of a fake device as it will impact how the device is charged,” warns Chetty. “The design of the battery compartment is very different with softer connectors on the genuine phone while the sticker displays the IMEI number clearly alongside the ICASA branding.”

 

Other elements that determine the validity of authentic Samsung smartphones:

 

Authentic Smartphones	Counterfeit Smartphones
·         The genuine device has around seven to eight screws.	·         The counterfeit device has only two or three screws and the rest are imitations.
·         The Samsung Galaxy S5 comes in a genuine Samsung box.	·         The counterfeit Samsung Galaxy S5 also comes in a genuine Samsung box, it is advisable to open it first to ensure it is a genuine device.
·         On screen off mode, the authentic device’s screen appears darker.	·         The counterfeit appears much lighter.
·         Samsung uses a variety of manufacturers across the globe to produce its smartphone batteries. These batteries will always specify where the ‘cell’ was made and assembled.	·         A fake battery will always say ‘Made in Korea’, with no specific mention to where it was assembled.
·         Samsung smartphones are sold at authorised Samsung dealers or local operators.	·         Counterfeit Samsung smartphones can be sold anywhere, including off the street. ·         Online purchases that do not allow for returns are not sold by genuine dealers.
·         Ensure your purchase comes with the Samsung South Africa two year Warranty	·         Samsung smartphones that do not carry a two year Warranty are not authentic.

 

Sources:

1.     Norton Rose Fulbright

 

 

Wireless Charging as an Industry Standard

In 1891, renowned inventor and futurist Nikola Tesla became the first person to introduce inductive charging when he successfully demonstrated the wireless transfer of energy. However, it took over a century for this technology to find its way into mainstream consumer use.

 

“Over the past few years, wireless charging has emerged in the consumer electronics market space, mainly in the form of smartphones and smartphone accessories,” explains Craige Fleischer, Director of Integrated Mobility at Samsung Electronics South Africa. “This technology is now being integrated into a variety of technological devices, appliances, public spaces and even vehicles, as companies look to make power cords obsolete and turn the world into the Tesla-envisioned reality,”

 

Until now, commercial products have mainly used the “magnetic-inductive” method of charging which involves connecting a device to a physical dock. If you have ever used an electric toothbrush or shaver, then you are probably familiar with this type of inductive charging.

 

Consumer Benefits and Industry Solutions

A simple wireless charging solution eliminates the need to carry several different chargers for multiple devices. The goal has been to provide consumers with the ability to utilise one wireless charging dock that is compatible with all the devices they already own, as well as all the devices they may buy in the near future.

 

Fleischer continues, “The industry has been collaborating to establish a series of organisations to standardise wireless charging technologies. Currently there are three such organisations, namely: the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the Power Matters Alliance (PMA) and the Alliance for Wireless Power (A4WP). Samsung is a member of all of these three groups.”

 

In January of this year, the PMA and A4WP announced that they would join forces to offer even better wireless charging features for a variety of devices. This means that soon, restaurants, airports, public spaces, vehicles and living spaces of all description will finally unburden consumers of having to remember to carry multiple power cords everywhere. Soon the anxiety of running out of battery power and the hassle of all the charging cables taking up unnecessary space in their bags could be obsolete.

 

Samsung’s Commitment to a Wireless Future

“In late 2000, Samsung created a task team to exclusively focus on wireless charging and began extensive research and development. Our goal was to develop a technology that was easy to use and convenient for consumers, in order to promote and drive the widespread adoption of wireless technology standards. Several obstacles had to be overcome for wireless charging technology to succeed in the market, most notably the size and price of some of the most crucial components,” Fleischer adds.

 

“This hard work came to fruition in 2011, when we introduced our first commercial wireless charging pad for Droid Charge (SCH-i510) in the US. Since then, Samsung has provided wireless charging covers and pads as a core accessory alongside many of its flagship smartphones, such as the Galaxy S4 and Galaxy Note 3 in 2013 and the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy Note 4 in 2014.”

 

A key factor to make wireless charging technology more widely available has been making the production costs more manageable by strategically partnering with the right raw material suppliers and component companies.

 

Samsung also developed innovative ways to merge and combine components more efficiently, this allowed the technology to generate more power and take up less space. In the early stages of inductive charging, the Galaxy S4 charging pads were comprised of about 80 separate elements. For the Galaxy S5, developers were able to reduce the number drastically, to a much more manageable 50 elements and efforts are being made to decrease this number even further. The company’s unique ability to combine parts that are capable of handling more than one function, has allowed commercialisation to finally become a reality.

 

Wireless charging has also come a long way in terms of charging speed. Two or three years ago, it was only twenty to thirty percent as efficient as wired charging. But since then, the speed has been doubled.

 

2015 – A Landmark Year for Smartphone Wireless Charging

Last year, parts that support multiple standards on a single chip were released. Given that it usually takes around 6 to 12 months to integrate new components and put them on the market, it is expected that several of these products will be available to consumers this year.

 

This comes as the ecosystem for wireless charging continues to rapidly grow and mature. In addition to IT companies, leading brands from a wide range of industries, such as consumer electronics, semi-conductors, mobile services, automotive, furniture, software and others have joined the effort and are working closely together.

 

Samsung has led the way with wireless charging, showcasing the latest technology with its flagship smartphones, the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. “It is expected that 2015 will be a landmark year for the growth of wireless charging deployment, as wireless charging stations will begin to appear in more and more public places as well as in cars and secondary battery packs. Samsung will accelerate its efforts to make wireless charging technology widely available. With the Galaxy S6 smartphones, users will be able to enter a new wireless world like never before,” concludes Fleischer.

Samsung Delivers Accessible Healthcare to the Community of Hammanskraal

Samsung Electronics South Africa is addressing the need to provide accessible healthcare services in the Ga-Ramotse community in Hammanskraal. As part of its commitment to the communities in which Samsung serves, the organisation donated a Solar Powered Health Centre (SPHC). The SPHC supplies a variety of screenings, equipment and offers treatment to members of the community in need.

 

The Ga-Ramotse Clinic was built in 1987 by the Amandebele-Ba-Lebelo tribal authority and is located north of Pretoria. It provides comprehensive primary healthcare services such as minor emergency services, treatment for TB, HIV/ AIDS, mental healthcare, family planning and ward-based outreach services to over four villages in the region. The community has a high unemployment rate making the clinic even more valuable to those that can’t afford to travel far distances for medical assistance.  

 

Samsung’s SPHC provides a central place where diagnosis and healthcare assistance is offered to people through the use of diagnostic systems, managed by a purpose-built application.

 

Pitso Kekana, Head of Corporate Citizenship at Samsung South Africa says, “Access to health facilities are a major concern in rural areas and Samsung aims to help people live healthier lives, by using our technological expertise to develop affordable and reachable healthcare solutions.”

 

The SPHC is a 7-metre long truck which includes a mini laboratory where blood analysis can be done. Testing for malaria, diabetes, high blood pressure and other conditions can also be done, with the convenience of having results immediately. A prescription can also be printed and given to the patient, who then needs to collect the medication from the nearest government clinic or hospital, such as the Tshwane District Hospital or the Steve Biko Academic Hospital.

 

 

“The health of individuals in our communities is a major priority. We aim to use these centres to help combat the challenge of providing quality health care to those who live in more rural areas. We are confident that this solution will provide the support needed to improve health standards in the Ga-Ramotse community,” concludes Kekana.