Latest news with #Georgiou
Daily Maverick
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Maverick
Food for life — Three women, one recipe for reinvention and resilience
Andriëtte Georgiou, Ivy Mjojeni and Nazreen Gamet prove that cooking and baking is about more than providing sustenance – it's survival, joy and power When retrenchment ended her music career, Andriëtte Georgiou turned to baking and built South Africa's most heartfelt cookie business. Inside a teal and white warehouse, the smell of butter and vanilla hangs in the air. Georgiou arrives a little late, apologising with a smile. The businesswoman and self-taught cook was on the phone – someone always needs something. That's what happens when you've built a cookie empire from the ground up. She tears up easily, tells stories effortlessly and talks about her business like it's a living, breathing thing. Because to her, it is. Music and mouthfuls 'People don't even know I was a musician,' Georgiou laughs from behind her desk at Mondvol HQ. These days she's known for cookies – the gooey, gourmet kind that go viral on Instagram – or as a season four MasterChef South Africa finalist. Food has always been a love language for her. 'I enjoy the hosting aspect. Spoiling people is something I really, really love. There's a creative element to making food,' she says. During lockdown, this love turned into a baking obsession. With the help of Instagram reels, Georgiou taught herself to bake. 'The cakes were a mess most of the time,' she says, 'but it was a lot of fun and I learnt a lot.' After one too many rants about work, a friend nudged her to start sharing her creations online. She even gave Georgiou an idea for a name – Mondvol (Afrikaans for 'mouthful') – and so the brand was born. Flour, fire and finding her feet In 2021, retrenchment forced Georgiou to turn her baking hobby into a lifeline. She turned to her estate WhatsApp group and with an old oven, a bar fridge and her grandmother's ancient Kenwood mixer, she started to churn out cupcakes to pay her rent. Then came MasterChef – a cooking show another friend encouraged her to sign up for. 'I was like, you guys are crazy! MasterChef is just way too big for me; I don't have that level of skills,' she remembers. But she filled out the form anyway and from 300 hopefuls she made the top 20. Georgiou struggled with imposter syndrome during the six weeks of filming, constantly doubting herself. Though she didn't win, she stood at the final, hearing the words 'And the winner is…' – and realised for the first time that she could do this. Read more: MasterChef SA's go-getting winner leads a Mother City hat trick Back home, with a newfound confidence, she turned her parents' garage and spare bedroom into a bakery. Even though the power tripped almost four times a day, she made it work. Her now husband, Andrew, who has a business background, pointed out the obvious: her business wasn't scalable. Apparently, the home-baked goods market is competitive among the tannies of Durbanville. It was Andrew who suggested she look into cookies – the giant, gooey kind that are popular in America. After researching brands like Crumbl and Brooki, she saw a gap in the South African market. If she could ship cookies, she'd have the whole country at her disposal. There was just one problem. To get started, she needed to buy a minimum of 2,000 shipping boxes. And not just any boxes – she wanted to get the branding right. The upfront cost was R40,000. At that time, her grandmother passed away, leaving her the R40,000 she needed, and it felt like a sign. 'No one had tasted a cookie from me,' she says. 'I had just spent R40,000 on these boxes and nobody even knew about this product.' By December 2023, after four months of running the business, she had to order more boxes. Sweet supply, limited edition Mondvol is run mostly online, but there are nationwide pop-ups and a new storefront at its Durbanville warehouse. It also has a big online community, in part thanks to its Cookie Club, a quarterly subscription box of cookies that is delivered to your door. The club is capped at 500 members and has a waiting list of 2,000 people. The subscription model plays nicely into Mondvol's branding and marketing strategy of scarcity, intimacy and FOMO. After outgrowing her parents' house, Georgiou opened the Mondvol warehouse on 19 July, complete with a production kitchen, office space and a cookie counter for walk-ins. 'Remember Mieke' Two weeks ago, Georgiou received an email that reminded her exactly why Mondvol exists. A man explained how he and his wife, both Mondvol fans, each secretly ordered the Father's Day cookie box to surprise each other. His wife was pregnant. After prematurely giving birth to their daughter, Mieke, his wife passed away at the age of 30. Her last letter to her husband was from that cookie box, saying, 'You're going to be the best daddy in the world.' Mondvol had been their thing, he told Georgiou. Now he's raising Mieke alone and promises she'll always know the joy they shared over cookies. 'We meant something to that man and his wife and his little girl. And that's all I can ask for. That's enough. The heart of Mondvol is to spread joy and create connection. It's more than just a cookie,' Georgiou says. Now, when things get hard, the Mondvol team say to each other, 'Remember Mieke.' In this heartwarming Instagram video, the women behind the delicious Mondvol cookies introduce themselves. Where tradition meets tenacity Cape Town's bustling informal sector is a vibrant tapestry of colourful textiles and aromatic foods, often dominated by male owners. In this environment, women entrepreneurs play an important role, not only in carving out successful ventures for themselves, but also in creating jobs and opportunities for other women in their communities. One trailblazer in Cape Town's dynamic informal food scene is Ivy Mjojeni, owner of Nobantu's Restaurant on the Grand Parade. For 17 years, Mjojeni has served traditional dishes while raising four children and working tirelessly alongside her five employees to meet the demands of a bustling kitchen. She says her clientele is loyal thanks to the care she puts into her cooking, explaining: 'I cook as if I am cooking for my own family, and I make sure every dish is properly spiced so people want to come back.' Originally selling only traditional foods, Mjojeni expanded her menu by adding vetkoek stuffed with liver, Russian sausage and other fillings – a bold move that helped her business flourish. To manage her fluctuating income, she participates in a stokvel with friends, rotating funds to maintain a steady cash flow. For Mjojeni, Nobantu's Restaurant is not just a business, but a lifeline that supports her family, especially her two youngest children, who still depend on her. Grounded in faith, she draws strength from a gospel song about believing in God, which motivates her during long days that start at 4am and end well into the evening. Where customers feel like family Nazreen Gamet, owner of Cape Town's Café District Six, located at the entrance to Golden Acre mall, has run her business for 20 years and employs four women full-time. Gamet describes each day as a struggle filled with uncertainty, yet she perseveres without focusing solely on costs. She says she treats her customers like family, creating a warm, welcoming environment that keeps them coming back. Her biggest challenge is economic uncertainty and financial instability, and she often wonders if she will make it through the next month. Despite these fears, she meets each obstacle head-on. Gamet's motivation comes from supporting her family of seven members on her own. 'I keep going mostly for my family,' she says, revealing that she endures long hours to ensure they don't struggle. DM
IOL News
3 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Accelerate Property Fund reports significant credit losses and strategic disposals
JSE-listed Accelerate Property Fund has Fourways Mall as the flagship of its portfolio. Vacancies in the mall decreased to 13.7% by the en of the year to March 31, 2025, from 19% a year before. Image: Fourways Mall/Facebook Accelerate Property Fund (APF), which has Fourways Mall as the flagship in its portfolio of retail, office and industrial properties, has massively increased its credit losses to R1.05 billion due to the impairment of a related party agreement of R970.7 million. In the results for the year to March 31, rental income fell by 5.7% to R824.04m. Net property income was down by 8.3% to R494.74m. Including the expected credit loss, the taxed loss increased 103.2% to R1.27bn from a R624.74m taxed loss a year before. The big impairment related to a settlement agreement entered into in November last year, between APF and co-developer of the mall, Azrapart, that had lapsed due to suspensive conditions not being fulfilled in the requisite timeframe. Last month, Azrapart was placed into business rescue by the High Court in Bloemfontein, following an application by FirstRand's RMB and Investec, but Azrapart is appealing the ruling. Other parties to the agreement are the trustees of the Michael Family Trust; and Accelerate's former CEO Michael Georgiou, who also controls Azrapart. Although a new agreement was drawn up, it had still not been signed at the release of the results. As a result, the amount was impaired. 'As at the date of this report, Mr Georgiou (on behalf of the related parties) has not signed the new settlement agreement,' Accelerate's directors said. They said that despite its challenges and the geopolitical and economic headwinds, the group focused on strategic objectives - optimising the balance sheet through disposals to reduce debt and the concomitant reduction of SA REIT loan-to-value. During the year, eight assets were disposed of with a combined lettable area of 63 284 square metres, for R694m. After the financial year-end, Erf 7 Roggebaai and 1 Charles Crescent were transferred with a combined area of 15 547 square metres. The proceeds of R62.4m were used to settle debt. Sale agreements for a further four properties were concluded to the value of R688.5m, with a lettable area of 41 719 square metres, and a combined vacancy of 28.8%. The group's average collection rate was 98.9%. The directors said the formation of the Government of National Unity had improved investor confidence, and GDP growth was projected to accelerate to 1.5% in 2025 supported by stabilising electricity supply. Inflation had moderated. Regarding the outstanding related party matter, the directors said preliminary legal advice suggested the company's claims against the related parties were unlikely to have prescribed. 'However, certain aspects of the legal position remain under consideration.' Operating costs fell by 13.5%, largely due to decreased staff costs, but legal fees increased after the conclusion of sale agreements, related circulars, redrafting of related party agreements and the restructured finance agreements. Disposals unlocked proceeds of R694m utilised to reduce interest-bearing borrowings. During the year, R110.4m was spent on properties which includes investment properties and non-current assets held-for-sale. This was funded from available funds from facilities as well as specific facilities put in place for Fourways Mall. Vacancies decreased to 19.4% as at March 31, 2025, from 21.1% as at the same time a year before. Vacancies in Fourways Mall decreased to 13.7% from 19% following an aggressive drive to attract new tenants. The SA REIT LTV decreased to 48.3% from 50.3%. This was mainly a function of the disposals and LTV was expected to improve as the disposal programme progressed. On July 25, 2025, the company successfully raised R100m through a fully underwritten rights offer. Visit:
Hindustan Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Love Island USA: Former contestants Hannah and Charlie rekindle romance off the island
Love Island Season 7 is in full swing and it appears that some islanders know how to take their love off the island as well. In a video posted on social media, former islanders Hannah Fields and Charlie Georgiou can be seen doing a reel trend together. The pair were formerly a couple while on the island and needless to say fans are going gaga over them rekindling their love in the real world. Love Island USA: Former contestants Hannah and Charlie rekindle romance off the island (lilbabyhann/Instagram, charliegeorgio/Instagram) Their on-island romance The pair first began their romance when they were coupled together on the show and ended up being an instant fan-favorite. However, in the June 15 episode, residents of the Fiji villa opted to banish Georgiou from the island, hence bringing their short-lived romance to a brief and abrupt end. Fields initially found the separation tough but soon began rethinking her long-term commitment to Georgiou once she was paired up with fellow islander Pepe Garcia. 'I just don't know if there's still a romantic connection, especially after the connection I had with Pepe,' she told E! News following her elimination. 'I don't know what he's open to.' As fate would have it, Fields too was eliminated in subsequent episodes. 'When they first explained their reason for voting me out, I didn't understand it. I thought circling back around would maybe change my thoughts, but no. I'm still confused,' she told Elite Daily about her elimination from the island. 'I was upset. I did have two connections, because my first was sent home by the same people. It felt like I could never really catch a break. It's really hard being thrown in there. You don't know if somebody's being genuine, and you're trying to figure that out. I did do that, and it ended up not working out in my favor,' she added. Future plans Shockingly enough, Georgiou was not Fields' first pick when asked about her post-elimination plans. 'I have a really good connection with Pepe and we talked a lot about the outside world. Only time will tell. Whatever's meant for me will be, so I have no expectations,' she previously told E! News. 'I just don't know if there's still a romantic connection, especially after the connection I had with Pepe. I don't know what he's open to.' When asked about where Georgiou stood in the equation, she revealed that she would meet him but as friends. 'It's actually his birthday on [June] 27, so I was gonna tell him, 'Happy birthday. I was keeping track of the days in the villa. I'd be like, '10 days until Charlie's birthday!'' she added. Only time will tell whether this rekindling has a romantic or more of a friendly tone attached to it. Love Island USA Season 7 episodes are released from Thursday to Tuesday at 6 PM PT/ 9 PM ET on Peacock. – By Stuti Gupta
Malaysian Reserve
28-06-2025
- Business
- Malaysian Reserve
Xlence as Diamond Sponsor of The Trading Show 2025 in Casablanca
Award-winning CFD broker to showcase cutting-edge multi-asset technology and thought leadership on 12–13 July at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca DUBAI, UAE, June 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Xlence, a rapidly expanding worldwide CFD broker, has been named a Diamond Sponsor of The Trading Show 2025, which will be held on July 12 and 13, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca in Morocco. This sponsorship marks the end of a record-breaking quarter for the company. At the Smart Vision Summit in Oman in March 2025, Xlence was named the Fastest-Growing FX Broker. This showed that Xlence was making progress in extending market access and innovation across North Africa and beyond. The Trading Show is Africa's biggest event, bringing together institutional investors, brokers, fintech pioneers, and exchanges to define the region's financial future. The broker aims to strengthen its ties with North African traders by attending the event in Casablanca. Nicolas Georgiou, PR & Communications Lead at Xlence, remarked, 'Casablanca is quickly becoming a hub for CFD trading in North Africa.' 'Our Diamond Sponsorship shows that we are committed to this area for the long term and gives traders a chance to try out our conditions and talk to our team directly.' Morocco's rapid adoption of electronic trading and the Casablanca Stock Exchange's record-breaking success in 2024 make it an ideal location for Xlence to expand. The broker's cloud-native architecture and dedication to trader education make it a suitable choice for both institutional and retail clients seeking performance, transparency, and scalability. About Xlence Xlence is a global CFD broker committed to delivering a transparent, innovative, and comprehensive trading experience. Headquartered in Dubai and expanding globally, Xlence combines cutting-edge platforms with professional support to help traders excel in dynamic markets. Website: Media ContactNicolas Georgiou – PR & Communicationsinfo@ 96199856 Risk Warning: All trading involves risk. Please ensure you fully understand the risks involved. Logo – View original content:
Associated Press
28-04-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
MentalHealth.com Acquires Provider of Mental Health Resources and Clinical Guidelines
ATLANTA, GEORGIA / ACCESS Newswire / April 28, 2025 / Leading health technology company is pleased to announce its acquisition of online mental health resource and clinical guidelines provider, Founded in 1996, has been a longstanding provider of research-based mental health information, serving clinicians, policymakers, and patient advocates. Committed to advancing evidence-based care, it has collaborated with leading organizations, including Abbott Laboratories, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Solvay Pharmaceuticals, and Bristol Myers Squibb, to develop and distribute practical clinical guidelines that enhance mental health treatment and decision making. 'As mental health faces a pivotal moment driven by unprecedented demand, investing in high-quality resources that support informed decisions is essential to helping people regain well-being,' said Daniel Rivette, CEO and Co-Founder of 'By integrating its guidelines and research-backed content into our platform, further enhances our reach and deepens our connection with those seeking support.' This acquisition builds on a series of milestones for including the acquisition of the introduction of the Wellness Portal, and the launch of the Mental Health Network. In the coming months, will announce key partnerships and acquisitions, along with new additions to its Venture Advisory, Clinical Affairs, and Public Oversight Teams, further reinforcing its mission to develop the world's most intelligent mental health technology. To learn more about and its vision to support the mental health of one billion people, please visit: About is a health technology company guiding people towards self-understanding and connection. The platform provides reliable resources, accessible services, and nurturing communities. Its purpose is to educate, support, and empower people in their pursuit of well-being. Contact InformationHelena Georgiou 1-800-834-8587 SOURCE: LLC press release
