Search Results

It is no wonder that aQuellė was recently voted South Africa's ‘most-loved’ drink in the Askafrika ICON Brands survey. It is making a lasting impact on communities  and uplifts communities in many ways. Over the past 25 years, aQuellė has experienced tremendous growth and is widely regarded (and awarded) as a leader in excellence and innovation across the packaged water industry.   Awards within the packaged water industry are a prestigious testament to excellence and innovation, honouring the finest achievements across all categories. Obtaining such accolades serves as a significant means to elevate a brand's stature and establish recognition on both national and international stages. A particularly remarkable aspect of receiving this global award is the recognition of the aQuellė spring water brand, established several decades ago with the noble mission of supporting humanitarian and missionary initiatives. Central to its mission is the commitment to uplift the communities in rural KwaZulu-Natal, where the heart of the business lies in its bottling plants. As the largest employer in the region, aQuellė provides jobs for hundreds of individuals, most of whom hail from the surrounding rural areas. This creates a vital economic lifeline, especially in a region where employment opportunities are limited. Each employee is afforded comprehensive training that enables them to operate advanced machinery, carry out stringent quality control procedures, and adopt exemplary manufacturing practices, ensuring that they can contribute effectively to the company’s success. Nestled in the picturesque Emseni farm at the core of KwaZulu-Natal are two of aQuellė’s water bottling plants. The first of these facilities has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from a modest 360 square meters to an impressive 18,000 square meters in just a few years. The latest plant, opened in early 2021, boasts cutting-edge filling technology and utilises state-of-the-art machinery and processes, ensuring the highest standards in water bottling. aQuellė’ also has a plant in the western cape. The spring water sourced is of exceptional quality.    aQuellė is community-based and contributes to society in various ways. It reaches out through sponsorships and various outreaches, including sustainable clean-ups across South Africa, food-and-water distribution programs, and sponsorships. The company launched the Together, Let's Beat Diabetes awareness campaign a few years ago, which has greatly impacted society. Collaborating with others, it holds workshops to explain how Diabetes affects the human body and creates awareness for this horrible disease. Visit: www.aquelle.co.za

From its inception, Emseni Farming has been deeply committed to uplifting the rural community in the Kranskop area of KwaZulu-Natal. The initiative was inspired by Erlo Stegen, a respected preacher and missionary associated with the KwaSizabantu Mission. As Rev Stegen began his preaching journey many years ago, he noticed a pressing issue: many churchgoers travelled long distances over rugged terrain to hear his messages. To address this growing concern, he took the visionary step of establishing vegetable gardens to provide food for them. With a focus on fostering food security, Rev Stegen meticulously cultivated a sustainable farm that has since significantly impacted the lives of the local community and their extended families. The initiative has created numerous job opportunities and facilitated skills development across various stages of agricultural production, from the delicate process of germinating seeds to the meticulous packaging of produce for sale. Rev Stegen has passionately advocated for the importance of self-sufficiency in the community, encouraging members to grow vegetable gardens. This initiative empowers families to provide fresh produce for themselves and fosters a sense of independence, even in small ways. Through engaging, hands-on training sessions, he shared essential farming techniques, distributed seedlings, and provided the necessary infrastructure to support their gardening efforts. Rev Stegen has gone the extra mile by helping individuals market their harvests, enabling them to generate income and elevate their quality of life with greater dignity. The community and the dedicated farm owners at Emseni collaborate closely, learning from one another's experiences. Over the years, they have developed a comprehensive blueprint tailored to the unique agricultural challenges faced in South Africa, crafting innovative solutions for farms experiencing similar obstacles. What started as simple community vegetable gardens has transformed into expansive greenhouses for peppers that cover more than 11.5 hectares of land. The ambitious second phase of the pepper project, launched in 2021, features three hectares of state-of-the-art greenhouses. This flagship initiative combines cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices, and work on the third phase is currently underway to improve the community's agricultural capabilities further. The vision that Rev Stegen and his dedicated team embarked upon many years ago has blossomed into something truly remarkable. Emseni has evolved significantly, aligning itself with its core sustainability goals. Today, its agricultural endeavours encompass diverse activities, including cultivating luscious avocados and a variety of succulent fruits. The venture features a thriving dairy farm, the production of nutrient-rich compost, and innovative hydroponic systems that yield crisp lettuce and vibrant sweet peppers. The farmers are committed to using harmonious and environmentally conscious practices, ensuring that their methods nurture the land and promote the well-being of the community and the planet.  (Visit: www.emseni.co.za )

The aQuellé ViV Sports and Power Drinks range has been recognised as one of the BASES Top Breakthrough Innovations for 2024 in South Africa. This international recognition was awarded by Nielsen IQ, a global company that specialises in market research and consumer intelligence. Based on sales data, BASES evaluates products across all FMCG categories to select the best-performing new product developments. aQuellé ViV was launched in 2021, and within a year of its release, it won the Gold Pack award for best in beverages and best in plastic and an international award from Zenith for the best new brand. “We are thrilled and thank the Lord for this prestigious NIQ award. We are honoured to receive recognition from international leaders in market research and give all glory to God,” said aQuellé’s director Nico Bosman. “The ViV range was designed to optimise active lifestyles, and we look forward to exploring the potential of this sports and power drinks range.” The ViV sports and power drinks are a product of aQuellé, South Africa's favourite bottled water brand. For over 25 years, aQuellé has been refreshing consumers with natural spring water and flavoured beverages. The ViV range aims to provide optimal nutrition for active individuals. These sports drinks are free from colourants and sweetened with stevia.   The aQuellé ViV range is distinguished by a unique bottle design that fits ergonomically in the drinker's hand. This design was inspired by the goal of creating the ultimate bottle for physical activity. By using photogrammetric laser scanning, mathematical algorithms were developed for the prototyping process. The result is a bottle with excellent grip and striking aesthetic appeal, setting it apart from any other bottle in the market.   The elegant curves of the bottle required technical innovation to apply a shrink sleeve with a maximum shrinkage of almost 70% while maintaining artwork design integrity and distortion— and crease-free shrink results. Two complete vertical micro perforation lines were inserted to enable easy sleeve removal and support the recycling of the PET bottle. The ViV range consists of four unique flavours: ViV Power contains guarana and natural caffeine, while the Pineberry, Gardenfruit and Kalamansi sports drinks revive with added electrolytes and B vitamins, all made with natural spring water. FACTS ABOUT ViV ViV by aQuellé is a sports/power drink range designed to optimise active lifestyles. The unique ergonomic bottle with elegant curves fits perfectly into the grip of a hand. The latest technologies were used in close collaboration between designers, converters, and applicators, resulting in a beautifully labelled, delicious-tasting functional drink.

Magqhogo Farm, located in the Tugela Valley beside the river, is a remarkable success story. Although this area has the potential to excel in agriculture, the community faced years of struggles to grow food successfully. That changed when Rev Erlo Stegen, a missionary from a neighbouring successful farm, reached out to them and taught them how to cultivate food for themselves and others. With a year since Rev Stegen's passing, it is fitting to honour his incredible legacy by celebrating the fruits of his life’s work, which has helped millions and will continue to inspire future generations. This legacy reflects the extraordinary growth and countless blessings from the community's dedicated efforts. Magqhogo is just one aspect of Rev Erlo’s remarkable impact. Situated in rural areas near Kranskop, it is about a 45-minute drive from the KwaSizabantu Mission, the self-sustainable mission station established by Rev Stegen. The farm and its community offer inspiring stories and insights into the generous spirit of the missionary. Land managed by Canadian missionaries in the 1980s was provided to Rev Stegen around 2009. The Canadians had worked the farm for several years with limited success. They requested that he take over the management while teaching the locals how to farm based on the successful practices of KwaSizabantu. At that time, the Magqhogo land was virgin and untouched. Peet Simonis interviewed Rev Stegen about ten years ago (the video is still available under the title, Magqopo Kwasizabantu Mission Tugela Valley ). Rev Stegen shared that when he first arrived in the area, he found only thorn trees, goats, and a few cattle. He told the community, "This is a paradise. You have everything you need to succeed in farming, but you are the poorest of the poor. You can change it." Initially, the community was sceptical, asserting they had unsuccessfully planted fruit trees and vegetables. The harsh environment, constant droughts, and lack of job opportunities made it difficult for locals to earn a decent living or farm successfully to meet their needs. Rev. Stegen agreed to take over the farm and provided the infrastructure (such as electricity), and they began cleaning up the area together. Not long after he took over management, they harvested papayas and pineapples while testing different plants and trees. Community gardens were developed collaboratively, and avocado and Moringa trees were planted for the community's benefit. KwaSizabantu supported them by offering seedlings, fertiliser, water, and essential training. As local farm owners witnessed the progress, they requested assistance and offered land in exchange. Today, Magqhogo spans many hectares of diverse fruit trees, including many hectares of dragon fruit, mangoes, lychees, and pomegranates. Around 25 additional hectares remain available for planting, and more than 50 hectares in Ntsongeni are under irrigation. Grass and lucerne are baled to support the local communities' feeding their animals. Hundreds of households now benefit from the successful farming initiatives, which provide employment, skills development, and training. A government official once remarked during a visit to the farm, "This is a win-win situation where the community and farm owners work together for sustainable farming that benefits all stakeholders."   To learn more about the work of Rev. Erlo Stegen, follow this link: https://online.pubhtml5.com/asxvv/xzrv/ . You can also watch a related video here: https://youtu.be/P9p_jRpJb71?si=8jTqK873hVh1ugb2/ .

Missionaries are special people with extraordinary qualities. They selflessly help those in need without expecting anything back in return. Most missions are dependent on others to support their work. Still, South Africa boasts a mission station that has grown extraordinarily over the years and expanded by creating several branches nationwide and abroad. The KwaSizabantu Mission in KwaZulu-Natal continued to grow after the tragic death of its founder, Rev Erlo Stegen, a year ago. For November, we honour the work of this extraordinary missionary who dedicated his entire life to helping others by sharing a few of his achievements. At the heart of a Christian mission’s work lies the profound commitment to teaching, healing, helping, and spreading the gospel. This dedication inherently involves reaching out to those who are broken and marginalised, serving individuals and communities in desperate need of support. To fulfil the divine calling set before him, Erlo Stegen has, with the help of a few co-workers, tirelessly orchestrated a wide array of projects over the years—from building initiatives to agricultural endeavours—all aimed at creating diverse income streams that directly uplift the community. These efforts addressed immediate needs and cultivated long-term sustainability for various outreach programs that empower and enhance lives. Nestled in the picturesque landscape of KwaZulu-Natal, the KwaSizabantu Mission stands as a unique beacon of hope and resilience. This self-sustaining mission station has been meticulously developed and devoted to profoundly serving the community. The auditorium, a central hub for worship and community gatherings, is especially significant within the mission’s vibrant history. The original auditorium, completed in 1990, was an architectural marvel capable of accommodating approximately 10,000 worshippers. Its construction stretched over an arduous decade, representing the collective spirit and commitment of the community. Tragically, this beautiful structure was lost to a devastating fire in June 2008, a calamity that could have derailed the mission’s work. Instead, it ignited a wave of support as churches and organisations from around the globe rushed to extend their assistance. Volunteers and skilled experts, locally and internationally, united with purpose and compassion to help rebuild. Remarkably, in less than a year, a stunning new 10,000-seater auditorium was completed, symbolising the resilience and unwavering faith of the KwaSizabantu Mission. The Mission is a learning centre, and during the rebuilding of the auditorium, Rev Erlo identified a need for adult learning. He started an adult learning program to help the workers better communicate. Later, the Domino Servite School was founded, an independent English-medium Christian school that also provides schooling for workers and co-workers. The school has grown from humble beginnings in 1986 into a private school, now also catering to children from across the globe. The Mission has a tremendous positive impact on the children's development, and the school encourages young adults to hold onto the good Christian values they have learned. Grade 12 learners write the IEB Senior Certificate Examination, and the school has achieved a 100% Matric pass rate since it registered as an examination centre in 1988. In addition, the Mission’s Cedar International Academy NPC, has recently celebrated 30 years of service excellence. (Learn more about the work of Rev Erlo Stegen by following the link: https://online.pubhtml5.com/asxvv/xzrv )

AQuellé, the water bottling plant in Kranskop, KwaZulu-Natal, has been a driving force in the community's clean-up efforts. Their initiative, started three years ago, has significantly improved the health and cleanliness of neglected areas. Their vision is to create a cleaner South Africa, leading to a healthier country. Gladson Songelwa, the coordinator, highlighted the importance of working together to clean the environment:  "Three years ago, we observed a lack of awareness for clean environments in our community. The litter around the community shops was a sore-eye and posed potential health risks, so we started to clean up. Our endeavours also include eco-systems. Our collective responsibility is to act and ensure the long-term sustainability of our water ecosystems. Clean and healthy rivers and streams are the lifeblood of our communities. It provides us with drinking water, crop irrigation, and a habitat for countless wildlife species. Our community clean-ups form part of our bigger community outreach programme. It has become synonymous with our brand due to our wide-reaching footprint. We believe our partnerships will help us achieve greater awareness and sustainability.” This approach ensures that the clean-ups are impactful.  Various groups have joined the aQuellé-team over time to participate in clean-up efforts. These include community radio stations. Private companies have recognised the importance of sustainable clean-ups and joined these initiatives in their respective areas. The Natal Sharks Board has also joined the clean-up efforts, focusing on townships near the sea. They have specifically addressed the impact of plastics and litter on sharks and have made significant progress in cleaning the area. Volunteers from different organisations collected hundreds of bags of litter, and community members took part in clean-up operations in areas such as Durban harbour, Ntuzuma, and Klaarwater townships and even extended their efforts to Newcastle in the KZN Midlands. “One of the areas we cleaned showed us it was a high alcohol-using area”, said Gladson. “We saw hundreds of empty bottles lying around, and cleaning that area took some time. This area had dirty water running through the township, and only mobile toilets were used for usage, resulting in life-risking raw sewerage across the place – even in the areas where children were playing. This was the worst we have seen, but it broke our hearts because our communities are not supposed to live in these unhealthy circumstances. We want to change this status quo”. To find out more about the clean-ups and how you can become involved, visit www.aquelle.co.za/KHULA  or www.facebook.com/aQuelleKhula

Cleopatra Chitsa  (30) is proudly born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and currently residing in Ivory Park - Tembisa in South Africa. Ngonidzashe, as popularly known , is a beautiful model, healthcare assistant and a founder of Patracre Agency ( an agency helping the youth obtain jobs regardless of race , gender  or nationality ). Taking us through her journey, Ngoni said: “ Travelling from one country to another to look for greener pastures has never been easy. My career as a part time model for boutiques started in Botswana in 2013 where I experienced lot of challenges including learning Tswana culture and adjusting to a new environment. I appreciate Moretele family for taking me as part of the family” she said. In 2019, she graduated from School of Khanya as a certified Carer / Nanny and volunteered to work at an old age homes and clinics. Moving to Johannesburg - Yeoville, South Africa was another big mountain to climb. “I was only 20 years, first born in my family  and had to look out for a job in order to survive. I hustled by doing odd jobs at restaurants and as a cleaner. I had to be strong and fight to survive in so called “ City of Gold ”, she added.  Many people are going through a lot in their marriages / relationships and kept quiet for the sake of love or kids. Ngoni has chosen not to keep  quiet and entertain nonsense . “I survived gender based violence in my past marriage and decided to assist young males and females who go through such abuse. People must NEVER feel pity for themselves and never tolerate physical, emotional or verbal abuse” she added. One of the biggest challenge in the modelling industry is lack of endorsements and agencies who requires funds to get gigs for models. Her biggest highlight was doing a catwalk at Ann Ribbons show for 5 times and wishes to assist youth to get jobs regardless of their background. “Youth ended up being involved in prostitutions or young marriages because they have nothing to do and this must be considered. I would like to thank Rise Africans Newspaper for a wonderful platform to share my story, my late mom for bringing a tough young lady into this world and my life partner for all the support” she concluded. More info about her work can be found - email : cleopatrachitsa@gmail.com

Peer pressure is real and its unfortunate our youth are still falling into a trap. This story goes out to all African brothers and sisters who think that taking drugs is the best option to avoid life challenges. Mogau Nkdaimeng  is a 31 years old guy who grew up in Christian family in a place called Siyabuswa, Mpumalanga - South Africa but currently based in Ga Rankuwa. Born out of 5 children, Mogau started school at Phakgamang Primary School, then went to Sizamakwethu Primary and matriculated at Sobantu Senior Secondary School. “Am glad to share my story, honestly speaking I was influenced by the bad circle, I remember well in my second year at TUT ( Tshwane University of Technology ). My friends were privileged in terms of finance, they were assisting me with lots of things ended up taking drugs just to be on their good books. I did lot to be close to them and they ended up paying me amounts of money just to assist them with school assignments” he said. Asking him about his first experience after taking drugs, Mogau added that: “ We were partying hard at one of my friend’s place and I was not drinking cause I was a driver that day. I was so tired and feeling sleepy when one of my friends suggested that I must hit just one for that night. The feeling was out of this planet, I've never felt like that in my entire life.” One taste made him to go for more as far to spend R 150,00 or more to satisfy his addiction of heroin ( nyaope ) and rock ( crack cocaine ). The following year, he was forced to move out residential accommodation and look for an affordable room around Soshanguve and led him to go for cheaper drugs. “I ended up dropping out of the varsity, got deeper into addiction, arrested many times, false accusations of killings and the worse part is of being rejected as no one want to be associated with a drug addict”, said Mogau. Positive support from his brother Jimmy, cousin Pebetsi, elder sisters, Rachel and Brenda and mother of his daughter, Nkele Seanego play much role in terms of his recovery. They make a firm and strong team that is needed to conquer this monster  “I feel embarassed for what I have caused to my family and community. I wish I could turn back the time and do better as a father. I was  absent to my daughter but now am here for good, my late father must be ashamed of me - May His Soul continue to rest in peace” he said  Fortunately Mogau is currently busy writing a book about his life as an addict, on a process of operating an NPO, volunteering at an NPO in Ga Rankuwa, involved in road running sports programmes and helping other addicts who really want to change their lives. His last message to someone who just started taking drugs is stop it while its early. “What you are going through might feel fun, exciting and cool at first but once you are hooked, you will curse the first day you tried it. You are only human after all and remember tough times do not last, only people do”, concluded Mogau.

The esteemed water-bottling brand, aQuellé, located in Kranskop, KwaZulu-Natal, has garnered multiple awards for its commitment to quality and community service. This innovative company collaborates with local authorities and communities to revitalise neglected areas, breathing new life into them. aQuellé actively engages with communities, providing education on the importance of maintaining a cleaner environment and highlighting the myriad benefits this brings to residents and the ecosystem. Their efforts are about cleaning up and inspiring a healthier, more sustainable future. By partnering with local government bodies, aQuellé effectively identifies areas needing improvement. Together, they work towards finding sustainable, practical solutions that enhance the community's overall well-being. Their efforts improve the landscape and foster a sense of pride and ownership among residents, encouraging a shared responsibility for their surroundings. The project coordinator, Gladson Songela, said, “Sometimes, the problem is much bigger than we can manage, requiring a workable solution that benefits all. For instance, through our joint clean-ups, the teams have identified a massive problem of disposable nappies in some rural areas, taking over the areas and creating health risks. The team is now busy with research to see how they can use the waste better. In this case, we are talking about nappies, which pose a huge problem in certain areas”.  This innovative approach to waste management is just one example of aQuellé's impressive capabilities. The team also shows schoolchildren how to use empty plastic bottles and other waste to make toys. This helps children become aware of the meaning of environmental protection and reducing waste, especially plastic. They also work together with Emseni Farming’s vegetable garden’s outreach project. The project focuses on schools where schoolchildren are shown how to turn a small area into a vegetable garden at home or in schools. Empty plastic bottles are then used as mini hothouses to protect small plants and help them grow into healthy crops that they can use or sell for an income. The team is dedicated to revitalising overlooked areas within the community that pose a health problem. Some local authorities launched an engaging “adopt-a-spot” initiative to pinpoint neglected regions. This event encourages community members to identify spaces that can be transformed into functional areas, such as vibrant vegetable gardens, to serve the community's needs. In this collaborative effort, local authorities lead the charge, ensuring that the transformation beautifies the environment and fosters a sense of ownership and engagement among residents. The  aQuellé brand has received numerous well-deserved awards over the years. It was recently voted South Africa's most-loved bottled water brand, and it's easy to see why. The brand benefits the community by creating a model for collaborating with local authorities to develop sustainable, clean areas. The inspiring impact of these initiatives is a testament to the power of collective action and community involvement. To find out more about the clean-ups and how you can become involved, visit www.aquelle.co.za/KHULA  or www.facebook.com/aQuelleKhula

Rise Africans newspaper had a wonderful chat with a music producer, DJ, Sound Engineer from Nigeria. Justice Itua Iyere ( 33 ) was born in Edo State, Ekpoma and attended University of Benin. Dj MK Groove, as popularly known , is an Esan by tribe and believes in nothing but a hardwork. “I  experienced numerous things in the music industry  in the past 5 years, but pushing more harder made me feel special. I love music with all my heart and I know that tomorrow will always be better than today, where there is hope there is life”, said MK Groove  In 2022/23, he was busy with an album, which  includes tracks such as “ Good woman ”, “Odogwu ”, “ Poverty no good ” and others. When asking him about a motive behind a song “ Poverty no good ”, he said: “there were tough times where I had nobody to assist me financial to be able to push my music. Days were dark and that is where I realised that poverty is to be blamed in lot of things” His dream is get and exposure and perform internationally. Currently DJ MK Groove has managed to entertain his fans at a place called The Rock Garden in Abuja and want to see himself performing in places such as South Africa. “All aspiring artists must never give up on their art, life is too short, keep pushing and remember that no pain no gain. Thanks for all the support and lookout for my upcoming hot album” he concluded. Bookings can be done: 08133288722 Whatsapp number | DjMkgroove tiktok | Justice groove fb

A 17 year old Grade 11 learner from Queenstown, Eastern Cape Province in South Africa will never let anyone to distract her talent. Alizwa Langalakhelihle Bakubaku  is a writer/ poet who has written unpublished 70 English  poems, 5 iSiXhosa  poems and 10 short stories. “Coming from a low income family inspires me a lot. I started writing in Grade 6 when I was at Edlelweni PPS but I wasn't serious. Arriving in high school changed my perspective and enthusiasm.  I saw different people,  a whole world in one school. My journey of writing was influenced by Likhona Mgweqi.  She encouraged me to do best and move out my shell. I let my pen and paper to  create a unique fantastic combination of words that can heal people and give lessons” she said. However, many people were not impressed by her poems, saying they are not good enough. Little they knew that it is what motivates her to keep writing. Last year she wrote poems and short stories,   Yomelela Makhwenke  and  that has boosted her confidence in writing. “My dream is to reach an international level and inspire more people with my work. I want to be a script writer and assist writers who comes from poor background like myself. Last message to aspiring writers out there is  put your mind to what you love,  do it no matter the limitations and don't satisfy others but strive for what makes happy”, she concluded. She can be contacted : 067 007 0522. On Facebook, tiktok and Instagram @Langa bakzit