Category Archives: Uncategorized

Southdowns Shopping Centre Hours

Dear Valued Readers, 

Please note the Southdowns’ Shopping Centre operation hours have not changed. 

Apologies for the incorrect statement in this month’s newsletter.

Sincerely Yours, 

The Dairy Cow

A big thank you to all the FANS who attended, for those of you who do not know, the Beauty & Wellbeing Expo (26-27 October 2013) is a show dedicated to providing the consumer with the opportunity to get inside the hair, beauty, health and fitness industries. For all to learn more about the products and treatments, and meet the people who provide them.

Bursting with special offers, live demonstrations, stage shows and much more, our TEAM members were super excited to attend this amazing event with a surprise of their own for the guests who visited our stand.

A big CONGRATULATIONS goes to Susan Miller who was selected as the winner of our lucky draw. Susan Miller won herself an amazing stay at the African Pride Irene Country Lodge for two people.

Thank you to all who entered we certainly hope you will all be there again next year.

Diarize the below mentioned dates and avoid disappointment by making your booking now

Christmas Lunch

25 December 2013

If you enjoy a more home cooked type of Christmas Lunch with Friends and Family then join us for a Traditional Christmas Lunch Buffet across the road at the Irene Dairy Farm.  The Barn restaurant has become the quintessential family hangout. Jungle gyms and antique tractors steal the hearts of kids by the dozen, while parents get to sit down and tuck into an extensive and delicious Christmas Themed Lunch Buffet. Only R295 per person and if the kids climb down off the jungle gyms long enough to join you for lunch, they only pay half price if they are under the age of 13 years or no charge if under 6.

Saturday and Public Holidays 

Saturday Breakfast Buffet is R79.95 per person for the Chef’s Table and A La Carte will also be available at separate from 08:00 till 11:30

Braai Buffet is served from 12:30 till 15:00 @ R119.95 per person.

Sundays from 08:00 till 11:30

Breakfast Buffet is served on  @ R109.95 per person.

Sunday Lunch Buffet will be served from 12:30 till 15:00 @ R149.95 per person

Children between the ages of 6 – 12 will pay half price for any buffet meal.  There are no charges for children under the age of 6 for buffet meals.

Should you wish to have a la carte, a la carte will be served Mondays – Fridays 08h00 – 17h00 and a limited a la carte menu will be served over weekends Saturdays from 08h00 – 17h00

We do advised to book your table at The Barn Restaurant at your earliest convenience to avoid any disappointment.

Please note the Deck Restaurant next to the Farm Shop, only serves a la carte and works on a first come first serve basis.  The Deck Restaurant also does not take big groups.

During the week you can keep the little ones entertained by letting them build their own Pizza or getting some pop corn and a slush puppy at the Farm Shop for your walk to go visit the calves.

To book now or for more information contact:

Tel: 012 667 4822 or

email: barn@ireneestate.co.za

Diarise the below mentioned dates and avoid disappointment by making your booking now

Romantic Christmas Eve Dinner

24 December 2013

R300 per person Enjoy a Romantic Christmas Eve dinner with your partner and reflect on the past year, as we take you on a magical culinary experience. Indulge in our mouth-watering selection of seafood, sushi and other gastronomic pleasures. Enjoy a complimentary glass of “bubbly” on arrival and unwind in the relaxed atmosphere of the Meadow Green Restaurant. Share a complimentary bottle of Cap Classique while being entertained by our resident pianist. Bookings are essential. Click here for what is on the menu.

Christmas Lunch

25 December 2013

Bring along your family and celebrate Christmas Day Lunch with us at African Pride Irene Country Lodge where the highlight of the day will have to be our skydiving Santa Clause and his elves. GUESTS will be spoilt this festive holiday, with a stunning Christmas Themed Menu. While the kids will be delighted with an array of treats from Santa Claus himself, followed by their very own buffet and an afternoon of kiddies’ entertainment….

Old Year’s Eve Dinner

31 December 2013

R300 per person Share a special dinner with your beloved at African Pride Irene Country Lodge, before you go out and welcome in the New Year by exploring the many offsite activities Pretoria has to offer. For more information visit www.pretoria.co.za. Enjoy a delicious Seafood Extravaganza buffet comprising of prawns, sushi and many more mouth-watering dishes that makes for a special four course dining experience. Also included is a complimentary welcome drink as well as beautiful live music by our resident pianist. Bookings are essential. Click here for what is on the menu.

African Pride Irene Country Lodge Lamb Spit Braai

Every Saturdays and Public Holidays – Join us for Lunch

Join us every Saturday or Public Holiday at Lakeside for a delicious Lamb Spit Braai. Bring the whole family and enjoy a lakeside view which rivals most paintings.

To book now!

Tel: 012 667 64641 or

email: restaurant@irenecountrylodge.co.za

The African Pride Irene Country Lodge and Camdeboo Day Spa TEAM made an appearance at the Galencia Property Derby last week.

A BIG thank you to all the FANS who were there 🙂 And good luck to all who entered the competition.

To those of you who were unable to attend we have decided to extend the competition, and give you the chance to WIN big.

All you have to do is like us on Facebook and send us an inbox message with the answer to our Spa Manager’s easy question…

Question: What is the name of my Day Spa?

Remember to send us a Facebook message with the answer and you could win  a stay over at our beautiful African Pride Irene Country Lodge and a Full body massage at the award winning 5* Camdeboo Day Spa.

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And the Potjiekos winners are…

I hope you all attended the potjiekos competition held on Saturday 7 September 2013; the entire day was udderly amazing if you ask me.

I would like to say a BIG thank you to all who attended and supported, it certainly was tons of fun for all!

The judges definitely must have had a tough time deciding on the winners, because MOOOWEEE those potjies were delicious!

But I can proudly state that the TEAM from my home the Irene Dairy Farm placed third, with the Godfathers in second and in first was none other than the African Pride Irene Country Lodge.

Well done to all and I hope you like the pictures 🙂

Yours Sincerely,

The Dairy Cow

Moo, moo, moving on!

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This week has been an interesting one with all the excitement and preparations going on.

The Irene Dairy Farm and African Pride Irene Country Lodge have both entered TEAMS into the Potjiekos competition taking place on Saturday 7 September from 9am – 5pm at Irene Country Club.

By the sounds of things we can look forward to some aMOOOzing potjiekos.

Why not stop by and taste, then post a picture with your favourite stand on their Facebook page.

I am not sure about you but I can’t wait to see what the day holds.

I just have to try keeping my excitement under wraps for one MOO day.

Until then I am Moo, moooo, mooooving on!

Sincerely yours,

The Dairy Cow

So we, here at Irene Dairy Farm have decided to try something brand moo to reward our TOP achievers!

If you have been chosen as the employee of the month, you get a flight in a Micro Light with company director, Adrian van der Byl.

“This was a great experience” said Stanley Sibisi one of the waiters at The Barn Restaurant and our TOP Achiever for last month.  Moooweee!  Go Stanley!

So I’d love to stay and chat but I have to get back to work now – need to make employee of the month. It’s like I can already feel the wind blowing through my hair, oh yeah!

Moo, moo moving on!

From tragic endings comes a new start for our feathered father.

Sadly due to the recent cold front (with the temperatures dropping below -4 degrees around the lake area) the eggs were not properly incubated, and after all his hard work dad was forced to cast the eggs from the nest.

In order to bring back some hope and joy for the lonely dad, we have decided to take some of the advice from our concerned fans and try to pair him with a new mate.

We are looking forward to watching his progress with the new lady.

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” ? Edith Sitwell

Winter Spa Promotions

In celebration of the winter season this year, Camdeboo Day Spa offers a Citric Scents promotion – A Mandarin and Sandalwood back exfoliation followed by an aroma hot stone massage for 45 minutes. Enjoy a hot chocolate in front of our fireplace and receive a special gift to keep your skin pampered throughout winter.

Click here for more info or to book.

If you do have a few hours to spare between Mondays and Wednesdays, invite a friend and take advantage of the Midweek Madness – receive 50% off on the second massage if you reserve for yourself and a friend, valid for the months of May to July 2013.

Click here for more info or to book.

Alternatively stay over on a weekend and experience absolute relaxation and pampering with the Spa of the Year Getaway promotion, before you retire for a night of pure luxury in one of our Superior rooms tucked away in our Serene Camdeboo Forests.

Click here for more info or to book.

Hosting a Kitchen Tea or Baby Shower? 

Camdeboo is the ideal place to host weekday events like baby showers, kitchen teas, book club lunches and ladies’ day outings. Simply let them know that you’re booking a special event and they’ll go out of their way to tailor-make your day into something truly special.

The Day Spa welcomes all young adults over the age of 16 years. Bookings are essential.

Click here for more info or to book.

Accommodation Promotions

African Pride Irene Country Lodge also offers many other accommodation promotions this winter season because for some, the changing of the seasons is very hard to accept – but you do know that winter will be fine once you have unpacked your jackets and boots from their hiding place.

The perfect Winter Weekend Getaway starts with this amazing package which includes: Accommodation, breakfast and dinner in our Meadow Green Restaurant and spa treatment credit to the value of R250 per person to use at their award winning Day Spa.

Click here for more info or to book.
Father’s Day at the Meadow Green Restaurant 

Let’s not forget that we also celebrate Father’s Day in the month of June, so warm your dad’s heart with an amazing Father’s Day lunch buffet at the Meadow Green restaurant. Enjoy a welcome drink on arrival, followed by our fantastic Family Fantasia, a decadent Seafood buffet and Carvery with relaxing piano melodies to sound track your meal. With entertainment and their very own kiddies buffet, kids of all ages are welcome to celebrate this special day.

Click here for more info or to book.

Father’s Day at Irene Dairy Farm

Just across the road is the Classic Irene Dairy Farm, where you can take your pick of several lunch options, and make use of one of the two restaurants available. The Barn restaurant offers heart-warming buffets over weekends, Jungle gyms and antique tractors steal the hearts of kids by the dozen.

Join them on Father’s Day for a traditional Buffet @ R149.95 per person; children under 12 pay half price. 

In the afternoon it’s suggested you go watch the Irene Cows being milked at 14:00, they have a special viewing gallery for this, a sight you won’t find anywhere else in Gauteng.

Click here for more info or to book.

With only 7 days remaining till Christmas Day, we are giving all our loyal Facebook and Twitter fans a 75% discount off our normal rate to come and experience the tranquility of what Irene has on offer. This amazing offer is only valid from 16 – 24 December 2012 and rooms are limited. Click on image below to read more on what this promotion has to offer or to book now!

Click to read more about this amazing offer!

Only valid to our loyal facebook fans, we have created this amazing 75% discount offer especially for you to enjoy hot summer days and the fresh country air whilst you visit African Pride Irene Country Lodge. This offer is only valid for 7 days, make use of this opportunity now, whether you have had a tough week or just want to escape the city to enjoy country relaxation, you’ll find all your worries washed away after this leisurely break.

When you arrive at African Pride Irene Country Lodge, enjoy a complimentary arrival drink before settling in or take a walk down to our Lakeside Cocktail Bar and enjoy a golden summer sunset, the ultimate time out.

Why not try our superb on-site restaurant, where each night is a celebration as there is a variety of dishes and taste tantalizing menu options to choose from. If you decide to stay over on a Saturday night, our Saturday evenings in our Meadow Green Restaurant is the highlight of our weekends. We offer an evening under the stars, Cape Classique bubbly on arrival followed by our Seafood extravaganza buffet accompanied by the enchanted piano tunes of well-known pianist “Nora Jones”, will ensure you get the deserved time out you have earned, after which you can retire for the evening and relax in one of our Luxury rooms.

No need to get up early, our breakfast buffet in the Meadow Green Restaurant is available until 10:30, on Weekends and Public holidays for your convenience. Before embarking back to the city, do not forget to pop past Camdeboo Day Spa our award winning day spa, which will leave you feeling relaxed and soothed.

Whilst in the area why not visit our renowned Irene Village Market which is opened from 9-12 on the second and last Saturday of every month, a must to visit while you are in Irene. Just across the road is the Classic Irene Dairy Farm, where you can take your pick of several lunch options, enjoy a picnic lunch under the giant ancient oak trees, or make use of one of the two restaurants available. In the afternoon we suggest you go watch the Irene Cows being milked at 14:00, we have a special viewing gallery for this, a sight you won’t find anywhere else in Gauteng.

Our additional services offered to you include:

Complimentary arrival drink

Complimentary internet (max 100MB)

Complimentary parking near your room

Complimentary use of our aqua facilities were we welcome young adults over the age of 16 years

(Inclusive of Sensation Showers, Sauna, Steam Room, Heated Jacuzzi, 24 hour Techno Gym, Swimming Pool and Sun Lounger area)

TERMS & CONDITIONS:

The Facebook promotion is only available valid from 15 Dec 2012 until 24 Dec 2012. Inclusive of Vat. This package cannot be combine with any other special or promotion and is only bookable by fans of Irene Country Lodge page. Full pre-payment required. Subject to availability. Single supplement R 395.00 per night.

BOOK NOW!  Remember to type Facebook Promotion in subject!

ASSEGAI AWARDS 2012 PRESENTED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN POST OFFICE ANNOUNCES TOP DIRECT AND INTERACTIVE MARKETING WINNERS

Trends show move towards integration, augmentation of traditional with new media and multiple channel approaches

www.assegaiawards.co.za

[Thursday, 15 November 2012] The pinnacle of excellence in Direct Marketing is celebrated at the Direct Marketing Association of South Africa’s annual Assegai Integrated Marketing Awards presented by the South African Post Office.  The 2012 awards were celebrated at a glitzy red carpet affair on Thursday, 15 November at Sax Arena in Centurion. This prestigious event recognises the best of the best in direct and interactive marketing. It also celebrates creative and strategic execution of award winning direct and integrated marketing campaigns of the highest calibre in South Africa.

The industry response has been phenomenal. It’s indicative of a growing and vibrant industry. “The industry response has been exceptional despite an incredibly challenging year on both the business and legislative fronts.  This year saw 259 campaigns which made it through to the final round of judging.   Each year the Assegai Awards has grown in terms of entry numbers.  The number of final entries submitted for 2012 increased by a whopping 37% compared with 2011 figures, where 189 campaigns were entered,” says Michelle Perrow, chairperson of the DMASA.

The DMA attributes this growth to the fact that direct marketing uptake is increasing rapidly as marketers are increasingly having to show demonstrable return on investment on marketing spend.  With its fundamentals of databases and measurable ROI, direct marketing through traditional and new digital channels is a rapidly growing art and science.  The quality of the work is improving and was of the very highest standard this year.

Head International judge and direct marketing luminary, Joost van Nispen who travelled to South Africa from Spain for the judging, comments, “The standard of direct marketing in South Africa is very high and is comparable to the rest of world, often better. It was so refreshing to see the level of creativity and dare I say that South Africans are a lot more adventurous in their marketing.  The South African environment really lends itself to innovative work and it is great to see agencies and brands pushing the envelope.  I was also really intrigued to see the excellent standard of SA’s social media campaigns which were world class.”

Assegai entry numbers are growing steadily year on year by at least 30%, the quality of work is improving each year and clients are getting to see the real bottom line benefits that sit behind the art and science of marketing.  Each year an analysis of the entries reveals a telling story – more and more businesses, from small entrepreneurial outfits right through to the largest blue chips, are investing in direct and integrated marketing. Furthermore, they are seeing results which allow the industry to continue moving forward to greater heights.

“The biggest shift that I have seen is the dissolving of ‘the line.  Integration is the name of the game and we are seeing a big upsurge in direct techniques and measurable strategies being used in multiple marketing areas. Of course, each area of the mix has a role to play but the manifestation of that role has changed. In short, it’s about utilising every brand contact and intervention to build data, be this through drive to web or mobisite, through data forms completed at activations, through driving response and participation off social media platforms to the more traditional direct channels. Direct Mail has not, for many years, yielded the excellent response and conversion rate that we see currently. Bringing multiple channels together to create Surround Direct provides a powerful formula for Sales and Relationship success.  The steady and consistent growth of traditional channels alongside new media is something that the South African Post Office, our lead sponsor for the last six consecutive years is obviously delighted with.  The Assegais also provides a wonderful research opportunity to benchmark evolving trends and test new products and services aimed at the direct marketing fraternity,” says Michelle Perrow, DMASA.”

Views that digital channels such as web, email, social media and SMS would spell the end of more traditional direct channels have proven unfounded judging on this year’s entries. Integration definitely seems to be the trend and marketers are making use of multiple channels to drive response across media channels.

Janras Kotsi, Group Executive: Mail Businessof the South African Post Office comments:  “It is especially pleasing to see that the silo mentality seems to be subsiding and marketers are realising that to be a successful direct marketer, you need to embrace the versatility and appeals of different channels.  It’s a new world of direct and interactive marketing and many of yesterday’s assumptions have changed. Multi-media marketing is more important than ever, but e-mail and phone are no longer the central players they once were – it is now all about integrated communications. Direct mail is enjoying an unprecedented level of appeal and relevance and finding its place in a combined communications mecca of new and traditional channels.”

Post Office’s e-Postal Business Unit supports this evolution in the marketing and communications space.  The e-Postal business unit is an extension of the traditional mail business, offering a multi-faceted communication and transaction solution.  It includes services such as e-Messaging (SMS, Fax & Email), Hybrid Mail and Electronic Bill Payment & Presentment (EBPP).  “The EBPP component is being positioned as an enabler to offer convenient and alternative channel for SAPO customers to transact,” explains Janras.

Michelle from the DMA adds:  “Marketers are starting to break through the silo mentality and integrate all media channels including social across the marketing organisation.  Consumers expect brands to have a multi-faceted presence.”

The 2012 Assegai Integrated Assegai Awards is headline sponsored by the South African Post Office for the sixth consecutive year, and once again is generously supported by a host of category and support sponsors including:

• Absa
• African Bank
• Blue Label Data Solutions
• Bytestream
• Computer Facilities
• Demographica
• Edcon Group
• Information Capital
• Nedbank
• O’ Keeffe and Swartz
• P:Cubed
• Placecol Skin Care Clinic and Dream Nails Beauty
• Standard Bank
• List Perfect
• The Focus Rooms
• 5^th Dimension – who are also responsible for the development of this year’s Assegais campaign
• Teresa Settas Communications – who are also the coordinators of the Assegai Awards
• Burlington Data Print
• Inter-Net

2012 Assegai Integrated Marketing Awards Winners

The awards were individually scored by an expert panel of judges and the final scores were audited by an independent auditor. The Leader awards, which were introduced in 2011, are those entries that could qualify in terms of their final audited scores for an Assegai award.   From the leader awards, the top scoring campaigns are then awarded gold, silver and bronze awards.

The Inkosi award – given to an entry that has excelled above all others across strategy, creativity and return on investment – went to The Foschini Retails Group for “Search for Santa Mobile Campaign 2011”.

For more information visit www.assegaiawards.co.za or alternatively contact the Assegai Awards office on 011 894 2767 or e-mail info@assegaiawards.co.za

Ends…                                                                                                                                   

Issued on behalf of:                Michelle Perrow

Chairperson – DMASA

By:                                           Teresa Settas Communications

(011) 894 2767

e-mail:                                     teresa@tscommunications.co.za or info@assegaiawards.co.za

Date:                                       16 November 2011

More than 13 000 spectators packed the grand stands and the various marquees at the Avis South African Derby 2012

The 2012 Avis South African Derby was held from 3rd to 7th October at Kyalami Equestrian Park. The equestrian festival spans over a full 5 days. The event really came to life from the Saturday as families and friends descend on the grounds to take in the food, wine, entertainment and sport with Sunday remaining the pinnacle. The theme for this year’s Sunday event was “In Black and White” and with African Pride as one of the main sponsors on this day, the highlight was definitely the sky divers landing on the winning markers.

Bringing the passion of Porsche together, with this year’s theme ‘Fascination’- this was well accompanied by the picturesque beautiful lawns. Beautiful cars with lots of sunshine made the day a huge success!

Click here to read more about this amazing event or watch the slide show below:

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Over the past two days, SAX Arena played host to the Protea/African Pride Hotel workshops, where Protea Hotels preferred supplier,Travel with Flair invited some of their clients to come and experience the variety Protea/African Pride Hotels have to offer.

African Pride Irene Country Lodge is pleased to announce the appointment of Robyn Ward as the new Sales Manager, seeking to ensure their clients are being well maintained.

“I believe it is important to spend as much time listening to your clients and making sure you action their requests as soon as possible,” says the young and energetic Robyn. “High levels of service and attention to detail are vital in this industry to stay ahead of client expectations.”

Armed with her wide-ranging of sales experience gained from sister hotel, African Pride Mount Grace Country House & Spa, Robyn wants to ensure her experience grows in getting to know the Pretoria Corporate Market.

A lover of the outdoors, karate and traveling, Robyn says a holistic lifestyle has always been close to her heart.

She has been part of the Protea/African Pride Sales TEAM for the past 4 years, under the wing of Charmaine Hardwick, Sales Director for Protea Hotel.  “This has armed me with all the tools to make a success” says Robyn

Irene Dairy Farm has sponsored 10 eager walkers to take part in the Discovery Jacaranda FM Spring Walk on Saturday, 15 September.

As we agree it’s lekker to be healthy, any person who spots an Irene Dairy Farm automatically WIN a Wholesome Home-cooked Dinner for a family of 4. To WIN all you need to do is take a photo with one of the TEAM and post it on our Facebook page  before Monday, 17^th September.

To read more about our Wholesome home-cooked meals, see below.

Thank you Tunet for this amazing post!