When was the last time you did something for the first time? Can't remember? Well Vodacom is giving you the chance to do something for the first time.

This year Vodacom will help 10 people do something amazing for the first time. You could be one of them, just tell us what you want to do and we’ll do the rest.
Earlier on this month I attended the Vodacom Firsts Launch and it is there where I learnt about this new brilliant campaign. It was a breakfast so before sitting down to hear what this Firsts thing was about, all guests were treated to a lovely creative breakfast.

Breakfast

Once it was time for the presentation all the guests went downstairs and we were treated to videos and speeches about what we can expect in the campaign.

As we celebrate 20 years of democratic freedom in South Africa, Vodacom also celebrates 20 years of empowering people and connecting human beings all over the world.


So what is Vodacom Firsts:

Doing things for the first time keeps the world interesting. It helps us progress and discover. But there has to be someone who’s prepared to step over the edge. It takes courage to cross an ocean or set foot on the moon. But it also takes collaboration, ambition and effort.

All around us people are doing things for the first time and we want to help them get there. We want to share their stories, because when technology and human endeavour come together, amazing things happen.

Presentation Time

As mentioned above, Vodacom is allowing you to do something for the first time. Whether you want to go to Paris for the first time, or bungee jump for the first time, it does not matter. No first is too little or too big. You do have to be 18 to send in your first but that does not mean you cannot provide a first for someone else. For example, Jean Marie in the video below wants to help people call home for the first time.



Watching the videos on the site reminds you that human connections still exist despite all the technology around us that we used to connect and communicate. Vodacom allows you document and share your human connections.

Obviously the first thing one would think of when given this opportunity would be to do something for themselves for the first time but if possible do something for someone else, even if it is not part of the Vodacom Firsts campaign. I am definitely inspired to do something for the first time, whether it be helping someone else achieve something for the first time.



How to enter

1. Decide what you'd like to do for the First time.
2. Submit your initial idea through our website.
3. If it qualifies we'll ask you to explain it in more detail. This is the bit where you can bring your idea to life and persuade us why we should pick you. What kind of equipment will you need? Do you see any barriers to you achieving it? Who will it involve? Are there any time constraints?
4. Make sure you get it to us before 21:00 SAST, 7 August 2014. The judges will make a shortlist of up to 10 entries before the public vote on which one to bring to life!

Important information

1. You must be over 18 to apply.
2. Please check that you live in a country open to entries: Egypt, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Qatar, Romania, Spain, South Africa, UK.
3. Your First must be achievable between 1 October 2014 and 31 December 2014.
4. All pitches must be received by 21:00 SAST, 7 August 2014.

If you are not inspired yet, do yourself a favour and watch all the videos on the Firsts.com site. Thank me later. What will you do for the first time this year? Enter your first at firsts.com.

Thank You Vodacom

This year I had the opportunity to be part of the Sunday Times Next Generation campaign. When I went to the Shooting Studio in Rosebank, I knew I would one day find myself in the Sunday Times Newspapers, however I did not think so many people would actually recognise me.

It was a rainy day in Pretoria and I had just come from fabric shopping when I received an e-mail which asked me to be part of a photo shoot. Being the curious person I am I said yes to the shoot and found myself in front of a camera and imitating poses I saw the Spice Girls do in their film, Spice World. 
The photo shoot was amazing and I left thinking to myself, even if I don't make the final cut, I'm glad I did it, glad I was in front of the camera for once.

A couple of weeks go by and while finishing some school work, my mother sends me a message asking me if I am an ambassador. Because I had already forgotten about the photo shoot, I really had no idea what she was talking about. She then sent my sister and I a photo of the newspaper insert and it all made sense.

I made my first appearance in the Sunday Times a month ago and I have been receiving phone calls ever since. Not only did I receive phone calls I would even have people stop me in my tracks to ask if I am the girl in the Sunday Times.
When I arrived at my aunt's house, two weeks ago, the security guards stopped me and asked if they could work for me. Even if they could just be my driver.
Besides people asking to be my driver, I had numerous Facebook friend requests come in every day and e-mails where new blog readers would ask if I could be their friend.

"Now in its 10th year, the 2014 Sunday Times Generation Next Brand Survey Awards, reveals what the South African youth, aged between 8 and 22, deem cool." - Sunday Times Next Generation Awards
The Sunday Times Generation Next campaign is brilliant and I am not saying that because I am part of it. Youth live most of their days through social media channels and broadcast what they love in hopes that their peers can love it too.


"Sunday Times Generation Next is the annual survey conducted by HDI that captures SA's favourite brands as voted by the Youth. Teens like Zovuyo create their personal brands via social media and have strong opinions about other brands which they instantly share.

Zovuyo's identity is her brand. How would yours look? You can create your very own brand at: www.stgenerationnext.co.za and you could win 1 of 3 R2000 Game Vouchers."
It is an honour to be part of this campaign and all thanks go out to the people who found me and made it work. Yes, all the attention was very awkward but I appreciate all the phone calls, Facebook statuses, Tweets, Instagram posts, it has made all the attention bearable.

Be sure to check out the Sunday Times Generation Next Awards Facebook page and Website to learn more about the awards.


stgenerationnext.co.za | Sunday Times Generation Next Awards Facebook Page