Wow! 7 months of nailbiting is too much for almost anyone to bear! But at last we have clarity and direction, and our Ngikwazi friends are running very fast now. Elaine has jumped right into the fray, and is running all over the country making sure we’re shipshape and ready for action for launch day (which will be announced any day now).

We’re all having a little ‘dododododo’ moment, though. When the Lottery was suspended way back in March, I wrote a tongue in cheek blog about when it may be re-established. http://www.avovision.co.za/2007/04/11/lottery-update/. My mom, who was on a course learning how to use a pendulum to answer questions (VERY dodge, I know), asked when the lottery would be re-established. The answer was: “Gidani will get it, but only in October’. When she told us, we thought she was losing it - there was no way, we thought, that it was going to take so long. And suddenly, here we are, getting ready to launch in October! Just think how much better we all would have slept, if only we trusted more in matters hocus pocus. Andre Grobler said he would never doubt again after our first encounter with the ‘ghost of Avo past’ (incredibly long story!), but he did. He doubted. And now it has come to be!

So the score has to be: hocus pocus dudes 2, realists 0.

Good luck, Kwazis! We’re rooting for you all!

So, I was contemplating blogging about my new tattoo today, but we’ve just recieved the cutest pictures of Rochelle’s gorgeous new baby boy, so there was no contest really! (Be not despondent, a whole blog about my new tattoo will be up soon!).

Baby Seth arrived this past Sunday at 9:22pm.

Apparently dad Conrad is already onto his second video tape!

I say keep that camera glued to your hands, pretty soon you’ll catch him doing something you can use against him as ammunition when he’s older!. (The 21st bash works well for that!).

Congratulations Keysers, we can’t wait to meet him in person!

The Guys from WBHO just continue to amaze the Avo Team! Every time we have the privilege to work with you, we discover that your rock solid authenticity, your passion for WBHO and your pride in what you create is what makes you stand out both as individuals and as an organisation.

Let’s take the Amazing-zing Race as an example. When I met you in the foyer, I thought…these guys are exhausted. But as soon as the first challenge was given, you were on track! A serious hunt for clues began on the way into the CBD. The race down Main Street was just that: with some of you tearing back to find that first clue you missed at the start. Then Elaine miraculously found us all steaming hot coffee. That fuelled the mad race to the top of the Carlton: this time the security guards assisted rather than hindered some of you! One of the finest moments was trying to find the clue…which was being hidden by an innocent bystander…as I said, “the answer was there all the time…”

From there to Hillbrow. Wow. Will I ever forget the faces of that choir as you so generously gave them a whopping donation. The song, “thank you!” bursting out, their beautiful voices filling the room! I need to tell you that George e-mailed me and asked that I convey the following message to you:

“Cordial greetings !

What an emotional time that was for everyone. Thanks so much!

Your comments (were wonderful, thank you!): On the Amazing Race

In closing, Jimmy said of us: “stay as you guys are!”. Jimmy, you put our feelings towards you in a nutshell too!

In closing, Jimmy said of us: ‘Stay as you guys are!”.
Jimmy, from myself, Grant, Hilary and Jules: we send the same message. You put it perfectly!

I have just had a heads up from Jules, that Elaine is going for her second tattoo!! I have it on good authority that this is the design she is thinking about! Apparently, i have finally got through to her about visible tattoos and she has chosen the slightly less visible belly button area.

Elaine used to have a belly ring! She said it was damn sore - so will rather maximise her belly button area with a tattoo!! (Not as sore as that scar, she got in a bar fight - what did i tell you about these tattoo types!)

Why the word mom - well she thinks it will give the tattoo a slighlty more redeeming quality. We managed to disuade her away from the monkey’s bottom - can’t put the graphic on this site - not suitable for sensitive viewers - plus, i was scared Jules would kick my butt!

I had such fun last night, and no it did involve a tattoo, a beer, a pool table or anything of the sort. I went to watch the Jeppe Boys production of Scapino.

The play was absolutely enjoyable, the costumes were sweet, the singing delightful, the dancing charming, the script entertaining, the set fantastic, the casting marvellous. For the first time in a long time I laughed and laughed and laughed some more. It was good clean fun…Much like getting a tattoo done . It really was so funny, I split my sides. The play was entertaining, refreshing and well worth giving up precious sleep. You okes do of course know that sleep time for me is at 19H30 which is when the play starts.

Come on guys you have to get out to Jeppe to see Jono in Scapino. He plays Elandro, and the character suits him perfectly. Our dearest Jono has got that dapper, suave, charming, roguish thing going on…and it is absolutely delightful. Jono the Italian stallion rides again. Funny, I was watching him on stage last night and I could not reconcile the Jono I met 4 years ago with the dashing, excepotionally good looking, and wonderfully talented, confident young man on stage. It was as if he has just grown up over night. Jono, you were awesome and you did exceptionally well and I am so very proud of you. Well done, well done, well done.

That aside it was fabulous to see the talent and spirit in our country. Oh dear, I sound quite old don’t I ? Well, anyway it was fabulous to see our youth on stage having the time of their life, they absolutely sparkled. It was definitely a magical evening with a fair amount of fairy dust, excitement and adrenalin in the air. It was a wonderful performance and well worth a late night (eish my age again) . So if there is anyway you can get out to Jeppe Boys at 19H30 please do, these guys can do with the support, they have worked their behinds off and are just dying to show you what they can do. You won’t be disappointed!

I have enclosed a link to a webiste which will give you some insight into the storyline :http://arts.belhaven.edu/Theatre/Scapino.htm. Take a moment to look up the website, and get yourselves to Jeppe Boys. The show starts at 19H30 and runs till the 15th of September. The cost is R30-00 per person.

You will have an absolutely enjoyable evening…guaranteed and if not I’ll get another tattoo !

I have the coolest news about my brother and I! First I will tell you about my brother. Well, two weeks ago Nqobi went for rugby trails and guess which team for? The Golden Lions under 16 rugby team, and YES the Provisional Team! So my brother is a junior Lion. He is sooo excited and I am sssooo excited for him. Look at him, he looks so cute in his Lions outfit, sweet man!!!!!!!! This message is for Nqobi - I am so proud baby Bro, AKA (Twana). You have done very well and words can not explain how proud I am of you. More about my brother; he played the junior Bulls this past weekend and this coming weekend he is playing the junior Sharks. He says he is having an such an amazing time. And I agree with him, he is ‘The Man’ but just don’t tell him because I will not hear the end of it!

Now about me: The true face of Avo, yes I said it The one and only true face of Avo. Well I am off to Cape Town next week, I am leaving all you beautiful Avo people to go be on top of the mountain. I will be attending a leadership course called ‘Lucca Leadership Programme’. What is the Lucca Leadership Programme? - It is registered non-profit organisation, established in 2002. It’s a transformational leadership programme making a difference in communities all around the world, by helping young people to discover their purpose, clarify their visions and develop the skills required to make a change. Okay that’s a little bit about the Lucca Leadership Course. So I will be flying to Cape Town on the 21st Sept 2007.

I am ssssooooo excited, I am counting my sleeps and I have 8 of them. The only thing I am worried about while I am away is my dog - humans can take care of themselves, meaning my brother and Frans, but I still love them! But hey, I’m gone!!!!!!

Thats right, more of our fabulous articles have been published online.

To find out more about why succesful negotiation entails finding a solution that benefits all the parties involved, click here.

See the online version of our 24/7 Manage your life article that appeared in the Citizen.

Or you could find out more about Persuasive Conversations with HR Future.

With so many to choose from, you better get started soon!

The words bar fly and tattoo are quite synonymous with each other - one would put them in the same category if doing a ‘mix and match’ activity, they go together like coffee and rusks, avocados and guacomole. A sailor draped over a pool table in a bar, sporting a tattoo - no problem - it is the stereotypical norm!!

However - how about this - director of the company (you work for), draped over a pool table (during working hours) and other director (of the same company) going to a tattoo parlour for a quick tatoo (during work hours) - how does this sit with you?

No it is not a dream - it is reality - it happened and we have proof!!!

We are finding it very difficult to deal with this incongruent behaviour - and in fact - are feeling very vulnerable about it.

More than anything - we are worried that this behaviour might be emulated by some of our more impressionable members of staff! Because we hold our boss chicks in such high regard - it might seem that this is acceptable behaviour.

You can understand our dilemma and concern - anyone out there who has a similar problem - your advice would be greatly appreciated.

Please leave your comments on this site - i’m off for a beer, a quick game of pool and if time permits, a piercing or two!

Hey Hey Hey, Charles here. At Jeppe I’m known as ‘’THE INVINCIBLE'’ or the ‘’BEAST'’ on the rugby field.

Its a pity the rugby season is over but at least I had the matric dance to look forward to on the 4th of August. The night was so stunning that the word ‘over-joyed’ is under-statement. The beautiful goddess in the photo is Sharon from Jeppe Girls and what a beautiful smile she has hey. I didn’t want the night to come to an end but the rate at which time flies can not be controlled. I wish I had some kind of Superman’s magic to fight the time system. Ah well, its over now as my Oribi (my hostel) boys would say.

The dance took place at the Turfontein Race Course and I think the venue was amazing but we could’ve organised a better DJ. I mean, how do go from playing slow jams to rock-like music in less than 10 minutes?!. Enough about the dance and the venue and the DJ, the real dance came to reality at Catwalk. Oh my gosh, I never thought I was such a good dancer but ja that was Charlie showing his hidden talent at Catwalk.

Now I understand why I’m known as the ‘’BEAST'’ or ‘’THE INVINCIBLE'’.

I guess I’ll see you all later, coolaz.

Hello All, This is Tshepo (a.k.a black diamond) and I am a new fresh Avo.

Coming from a corporate background where I was 24/7 stressed and strained, now I’ve found a home and am able to taste relaxation - this is Avo for you! This Avo family is full of women and my goodness they always make me feel special, they never know when to keep mum, but it’s all good.

I am learning a lot from the Avos, about things like different backgrounds, cultures and office management.

Looking forward to many years of service with Avo and other developing opportunities with the group.

Bring it Avos!