We heard today that the Children of Agape released a new CD. What an incredible story, where hope overcomes adversity through the unity of singing. Agape is a small orphanage in South Africa with an amazing children's choir. A film has been made of this journey, the trailer moved me to tears! I watched the 7 year girl old at the microphone, I was choked with emotion (I have a 7 year old). I can't imagine what it must be like to be an orphan so young. They are so brave, so positive.
All the profits from this CD are being donated to help children affected by AIDS in South Africa and will go towards paying the school fees for children who don't have parents and are unable to afford to go to school. When a child loses their parents they also lose the people who would normally invest in their future and encourage them to work hard at school. The profits from this CD not only pay for actual school fees, but also pay for an afterschool tutor to give the children the encouragement and support they would have received from their parents. So your support will made a huge difference to the lives of the children.
The CD makes a wonderful Christmas gift so we'd like to encourage you to get copies for your friends and let them know that their gift is making a huge difference to the lives of many children. 100% of the profits are for the orphans. Its beautiful, Bono and Alicia Keys are well impressed too. I know what I'll have playing on Christmas day!
Click here to hear some tracks and watch the inspirational trailer or donate now

We've launched a brand new dating site - using some pretty nifty software. Its new in South Africa, but the technology is already the fastest growing dating technology in the UK. I can see why, its pretty cool - there are video profiles, chat rooms, virtual gifts, a match making service, horoscopes and more. What is more, it works - I've tried it. Been winked at by some hotties, got messages on my first day. Woo hoo! Here is a discount code for you to use this December only. SAR501M . We already have a few thousand members. Because its a NEW site, the members are recent or fresh (oi, I said fresh, not frisky! ) and keen to me YOU! Try SAReunited Dating now

Rushing around like a headless chicken, not gotten around to sending your cards out yet? Too late to make the post overseas or back home, don't despair. Here is a really easy way to share your favorite moments of 2008 with your special friends and family. Load up to 5 photos, choose a background and send (and its FREE!)
This is for you, from SAReunited Team (on the right), contributors (Fazila, Jenni and family)- and my little 3 little angels Tatiana, Isabella and Nina. Click here to view the card.... OR ... click here to create your own
Happy Holidays
Amanda
Co-Founder

A few people have written to ask who to contact regarding creating an online petition for South Africans abroad to obtain voting rights. We've passed on your thoughts, but do contact the South African Youth Forum Abroad directly - www.sayfa.org.uk and email info@sayfa.org.uk. The person who contacted SAReunited was Lameez.

On Sunday (7th Dec 08) the BBC screened a Louis Theroux documentary called Law and Disorder in Johannesburg during prime time viewing.
Theroux has a gentle, seemingly naive, inquisitive way, a stark contrast to the brutality of civilians taking law into their own hands when the police are seen to be failing them. Theroux's bravery really hit me hard. Interviewing this man (on the right who candidly admits to murdering for money or putting "your baby in the oven, switching it on" if you refuse). There were moments I sat with my hands clamped over my mouth, fearing what was about to unfold or indeed happen to him or the camera crew. I wanted him to ask more questions, I wanted to know what went on in the hijacked buildings in Hillbrow, but found myself yelling at him to get out of there, let alone take the cameraman in with him! These were my genuine reactions, mixed with sadness and dismay at what has become of downtown Johannesburg and the poverty in which people live, paying their rents to "landlords" who turn out to be building hijackers. These people are forcibly and cruelly evicted by appointed squads of civilian "police" called Red Ants or Bad Boyz.

The next morning on the school run in London, I bumped into a South African teacher and another mother of two. Both immediately asked me if I had seen the documentary "last night". The teacher put her hands to her temple, looked down and shuffled her feet. The mother, said to me "I cant believe this is happening back home, imagine raising a child in there" . Tears welled up in her eyes. If one word could summarize how we all felt it would be "hopeless".

Theroux's account is revealing and brutally realistic without being sensational. As this blog post is submitted from the UK, I am able to access the documentary on BBC's iPlayer. I am not certain anyone resident outside of the UK can access this link. Ask your friends to download it or order it for you!(or google iPlayer+Theroux+Johannesburg)

We had to share this, funny and touching SAR member confession (Editor)
"I liked you since the day I saw you. I fell in love shortly thereafter! (I always had a thing for brunettes and lively, sparkling eyes.) We became friends and stayed that way. Your intimacy with others upset me. I was never one to give up easily. You sat on my shoulders at the Mango Groove concert (1992) at St George's and I remember the champagne in the pool one evening (and your 'curious' mom). Will never forget your boob tubes, and the curves beneath that drove me insane. For some reason I never could commit to that 'ultimate relationship', may even have problems with it now after 13 years of marriage and 2 kids. I can't help but wonder how things would've turned out if I'd made a few different decisions back then. I trust that your business is a huge success and that your hubby utterly adores you! The girls are awesome - can clearly see who the mom is. This is to what could and should have been.
More confessions here

...Because so many of our members own small businesses or need to advertise their services to their local community, we decided to use our advertising inventory to the benefit of the SAReunited community at large.
Most small businesses can not afford to buy big online ad campaigns, let alone the designers fees to create slick banners - but that problem is now solved.

Enter SA Smart Ads! These are adverts that members (or non members) can create in a couple of seconds, preview and publish. You decide who should see your ads.

Example: You may be a Pool Service in Cape Town, and you want men and women in CT, age 30-50 to see your ads. No problem.
Or: You are a personal trainer in London, and you want only women in London to see your ads. No problem.
Or: Perhaps you want all South Africans in South Africa see your adverts, it's totally in your control.
From as little as R40 (per 1000 views/impressions) and with NO design costs - there is no easier or cheaper way than SA Smart Ads to advertise your product/service to any market worldwide.
Click on create smart ads and you will get a log in where you can track the progress of your ads, how many have been served and how many clicks on your ads you've had.

Our present to you, use this code F484F627 before 25th December and you'll get 25% off your Smart ad. Only valid for the next few weeks! Publish a Smart Ad now.