Tuesday 22 January 2013

Win a copy of Maggie Stiefvater's 'The Raven Boys'



Win one of two copies of Maggie Stiefvater's latest book The Raven Boys. All you have to do is take two minutes to fill in the Supernova online survey.

Follow this link to complete the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/F6R3R7T

Your name will automatically be entered into our lucky draw. All the best!

*Closing date is 27 January 2013. Competition open to children aged 18 and younger.
*Look out for a review on The Raven Boys in a future issue of Supernova.

Friday 18 January 2013

You can help, a message from the children of South Africa


Press release

South Africa is rich in values, tradition and culture, a truly wonderful country, and one that is admired around the world. Yet, as South Africans, we sometimes forget what our great nation has achieved and remains capable of achieving. It is in times like these that we need to be reminded of the greatness inside all of us, and what is possible when help is joined to common purpose and courage to necessity.

At 18:57, on 17 January 2013, FNB launched a new brand campaign with a live broadcast to South Africa. The broadcast carried a message from the voices we don’t often hear, the children of our great country. A message we believe will inspire the nation.

In September 2012, we undertook what is likely the most current snapshot of the opinions of the youth, their views on our country and the role of help. Help, not in terms of coordinated interventions, but little, everyday help; and the power help has to make a big difference. The survey was completed by HDI Youth Marketeers, an independent research firm.

In assembling these views and opinions, we spoke to over 1300 learners and students (ages 10 to 22) from around the country and from all walks of life. We learnt that today’s youth are losing their innocence, not to apartheid, but to the many social ills and tragedies that came after it. One child said, “If I was President for a day, I would make South Africa safe for children, women and teens who are abused." Another 10-year-old boy added the following, "I get scared when people are killing each other."

But though some of what they had to say was hard to hear, we learnt too that our youth carry inside them a fire that burns with hope and positivity. Their sense of identity is astounding, and they have an unprecedented interest in working as a community to improve our society and environment. A 12 year old said, "When we help people, we make them feel like they're somebody". Another child said, "If we help each other, we raise our country". Yet another student, aged 10, said “In the future I want to live in South Africa... I know South Africa is full of crime, but if I didn’t live here I don’t know who I would be.” A 15 year old said, "We help each other because we are one blood, one soul, with a 13 year old saying, "If we don't help each other, who will help us".

“The intention of the campaign is not to talk about ourselves, but rather to be a brand for betterment by providing the youth of our country with a stage to voice what impacts the daily reality of many South Africans through the lens of our brand’s core positioning of ‘Help’, says Bernice Samuels, FNB Chief Marketing Officer.

”FNB is a brand of high ideals and has a long history of leading from the front, not just in terms of product and service innovation, but also in terms of its social focus on building a stronger, unified and values-based nation, referring to our Praise Singer, Anthem, and Dog ads to mention a few” adds Samuels.

The chosen venue for the live advert, Naledi Secondary School, played an integral role in the events of 1976, a time when the youth of South Africa sent a message that could not be ignored, and in doing so, helped change the future of our country.

Jason Levin, Managing Director of HDI Youth Marketeers said; “The survey provided a good overall snapshot of the South African youth opinion and was hugely rewarding as it helped us gain insight into how the youth view South Africa. The research was truly inspiring. It is only through projects like this, that true feelings are clearly reflected.”

FNB also created a dynamic online portal to support the campaign and everyone is encouraged to visit the blog site, youcanhelp.co.za to participate in the ongoing national discussion we believe will be triggered by the campaign. The campaign is integrated across all platforms, including TV, OOH, digital (youcanhelp.co.za) and social media on Facebook and Twitter (#littlehelps).

“All of the great things we've done, we've done together by helping each other. Perhaps it's time for us to listen to the voices we seldom hear, the youth of our country, because it is the South Africa we build today that will be the country they will inherit tomorrow," concludes Samuels.

In Nelson Mandela’s words, “If there are dreams about a beautiful South Africa, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness." Let us join hands in helping to build this beautiful South Africa we all dream of.

Tuesday 15 January 2013

Have fun while learning and playing on My Cyberwall

Media Release

What if there was a way to combine doing your homework, projects or exam revision AND playing fun activities and games? Now there is a website called My Cyberwall (www.mycyberwall.co.za) that does just that and more! The website has been designed for kids in Grades 4, 5 and 6 and is an entertaining way to learn and improve your school results, complete activities and play games, or get advice and ask questions about real life issues. 

My Cyberwall’s Get Smart section includes modules on Maths, English, Natural Sciences and Geography to begin with. Each subject is broken down into the main areas that are covered at school. That means the time you spend on My Cyberwall will improve your test results and help with projects, homework and revision, as it adds to what you have been taught. Your parents and teachers will be happy to know that you can save your progress as you work through the modules, so they can see how well you are doing!


Other sections on the website include Save Your Planet that will teach you how to protect and care for the environment and Live Life where you can get advice and tips from the six members of the My Cyberwall Gang on how to deal with tricky issues you might be facing at home and at school. 

ThePlay section includes free games that can be played when you need a break from studying. In the Widget Wall section, you can customise the site to suit your personality, save your favourite games, videos and activities, as well as choose useful mini-applications that will make your life easier.


Getting high marks at school is very important for your future. By getting a good education and doing well at school, you will one day be able to make a contribution to the success of South Africa.

For more information, please follow @mycyberwall, join our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MyCyberwall, visit our YouTube channel by searching www.youtube.com for My Cyberwall or visit the website directly at www.mycyberwall.co.za. 


Look out for a rave review and a competition to win one of five subscriptions to My Cyberwall 
in the next issue of Supernova, the mag for curious kids!

Wednesday 9 January 2013

New banking details

Please note that BK Publishing's banking details have changed. If you would like to purchase any of our publications, or take out or renew your subscription to Supernova, the mag for curious kids, please contact andrea@bkpublishing.co.za or scroll down on the 'Subscribe' page on the Supernova website for the new banking details: http://supernovamagazine.co.za/3%20-%20SubRedo.html


Win a historic set of silver coins worth R12000!