This is a story I would like the kids in your house to read.
Times are tough and many of you may not get the Christmas presents that you are hoping for. Some of you may not even get anything at all.
But let me tell you a quick story. The Smile Breakfast Team visited the SA Children’s Home a few days ago. It’s a facility for children between the ages of six and 18, who are either orphaned or whose parents are not able to look after them for some reason. It’s a pleasant enough place with a stunning view of Table Mountain and some wonderful amenities for the kids. But no matter how great it is and how admirable a job the loving social workers and caretakers do, it’s not home.
When I visited, most of the kids had been sent on holiday with relatives or other families who take pity on them, not wanting them to feel alone over the Christmas time.
But there were five children who stayed behind. One of them had just graduated from college and doesn’t have any family at all, so he will be staying behind. Another 6-year-old boy had been returned to the home by the courts a few days earlier, after he went back to his mom and dad two years ago. He will also have to stay during the holidays, because there isn’t any family to go to.
Finally, I met three little girls playing out in the back yard. They had arranged chairs in two rows and were pretending to be on a bus going on holiday somewhere. One of the girls, an eight-year-old was the one with the vivid imagination. Lindy and I chatted with them a little and watched them play, happy and nowhere near as sad as we might imagine.
I’m sure you get the point by now. These kids have a roof of their heads and they are fed very well in beautiful surroundings. And yes they are shown a tremendous amount of love from the caregivers, but they won’t have their moms and dads around. I’m sure you’ll agree that that takes away from Christmas a great deal.
It’s wonderful to receive gifts, but somehow there’s something very satisfying about giving someone something they really appreciate. Seeing that happy smile on their face and knowing that you are responsible for it, is really something very special.
I haven’t been able to get those kids off my mind, especially the little girl driving her imaginary bus with her two friends pretending to be passengers. As I walked away she shouted “Merry Christmas” with a big smile on her face. It took all my might to stop from crying and hugging tightly!
But with that smile, she reminded me of the true spirit of Christmas – compassion, the joy of giving and fellowship with family. Gifts are merely a physical representation of those feelings, when you can afford them.
So on Thursday night or Friday morning, if you don’t get the gift you really really wanted, remember that it would have broken, disappeared or lost its appeal to you anyway. However, your compassion will have made a lasting impression on someone, because people don’t remember what you do, but rather how you make them feel. And warm feelings and great memories last forever!  – Bobby Brown
“Published in the Daily Voice on Tuesday 22 December 2015.”

CapeNature is giving away a three-night midweek stay for four people at our brand new Algeria cottages in the Cederberg Wilderness. Read further to find out how you can win.
To win this fantastic prize, all you need to do is email info@capenature.co.za with the answer to this simple question – Name one of CapeNature’s reserves. Use the subject line ‘Algeria competition November 2015’, provide us with your full name, email address, contact number and the answer, and you will be automatically entered.
If you need help with the answer, click here.
Scroll to the bottom of this page for competition Ts and Cs.

About CapeNature’s new Algeria cottages
The six cottages are called Waterfall, Wolfberg Arch, Maltese Cross, Cedar, Klipspringer and Grey Rhebok, named for the local landmarks and animals in the Cederberg. Purpose-built, the six new cottages were made to not only help guests blend into their surroundings, but also to provide them with a luxury experience.
Each cottage features two bedrooms, with a double bed in the main bedroom, two single beds in the second bedroom, and a sleeper couch in the living area. These cottages can accommodate a maximum of four adults, while two children under the age of 12 can fit on the sleeper couch.
The living area is tastefully decorated with images from the Cederberg, and furnished with comfortable, modern furnishings, allowing you to relax and unwind after a day out under the sun. There is also an indoor fireplace for those chilly Cederberg evenings.
The cottages are all connected to the existing electricity infrastructure in Algeria, meaning the kitchen is fully equipped with the appliances you’d expect – fridge, kettle, toaster, oven and four-plate electrical hob, as well as all of the necessary cutlery and crockery.
The bathrooms, adjacent to the kitchen, are nice and spacious, featuring a large walk-in shower, basin and toilet.
Furnished with picnic benches, the outside stoep, with a built-in braai will allow you enjoy the views of the surrounding landscape, you’ll find yourself making any excuse to get outside and enjoy the fresh air.
The cottages go for R800 per night, for four adults, in the off-peak season, and for R1200, for four adults in peak season. To book a stay at one of the six new cottages, get hold of our call centre on (021) 483 0190, or email reservation.alert@capenature.co.za.  But be fast, popular dates will go quickly!

Terms and Conditions
This competition is open from 30 November 2015 until 6 December 2015. All entries must adhere to the guidelines stated above to be considered. The prize consists of a mid-week three-night stay in one of CapeNature’s six new cottages in the Algeria section of the Cederberg, and is valid for up to four people. The prize is not transferrable. The prize is valid for booking and travel before May 2015. This competition is not open to employees of CapeNature and any associated marketing partners including, but not limited to, employees of Smile FM. CapeNature does not accept responsibility for any injuries and/or losses incurred as a result of entering and/or winning this competition. By entering, you absolve CapeNature of any liability. Entrants accept that CapeNature will subscribe them to the CapeNature monthly newsletter. Entrant’s details will be kept private, and shall not be shared with any third parties. All other standard competition terms and conditions not mentioned herein apply.

Smile 90.4FM is your BIG TICKET to live music concerts this summer!
Roxette… Lionel Richie… Rodriguez… Chris de Burgh… Iron Maiden… and Josh Groban..!
We’ve got 250 tickets to give away to all 6 BIG international shows BIG Concerts are bringing to Cape Town early next year.
Tune in to Smile 90.4FM from Monday 09 November to Monday 30 November, weekdays 08:00 to 16:00, to find out how you can win your BIG TICKETS.

See full terms and conditions here.

In October we’re going 80s crazy..!

From Monday 19 October to Friday 23 October, between 9am and 6pm, we’re counting down Smile 90.4FM’s Top 500 GREAT 80s songs.

YES, BETWEEN 9AM AND 6PM, WE’RE PLAYING ONE HUNDRED PERCENT EIGHTIES..!

And, you can win R8000 by correctly predicting which song will be our number one!!

SMS your name plus the title and artist of your prediction for number one to 45729. SMSs charged at R1.50.

On Friday 23 October, just before 6pm, we’ll play our number one GREAT 80s song; and right after that, reward someone who predicted it correctly with R8000 in cash.

You can send as many predictions as you like…but don’t wait…start sending now! SMS [your name] + [title and artist] of your prediction for number one to 45729.

Good luck! Enjoy the GREAT 80s!

It’s the most important day of your life… the day you’re going to look your absolute best… where everyone’s attention is focused squarely on you and where all your childhood dreams come true. It truly is the most important day of your life, and The Wedding Expo® is there to make sure it’s your most memorable. With the most comprehensive and creative bridal exhibitors in the country, all showcasing a wide variety of wares and services, this is the event that will ensure your day is without doubt the start of your ‘happily ever after’.
After 15 years and 27 incredibly successful shows in Johannesburg and a show recently launched in Durban, The Wedding Expo® is finally making their debut in Cape Town at the Cape Town Stadium on the 3^rd  and 4^th of October 2015. This is a wedding expo you don’t want to miss! Get ready for matrimonial madness…
Think of it as a personal guided tour through everything you’ll need for the big day…minus the stress. Here you’ll find everything from the perfect stationery, beautiful blooms and breath-taking wedding gowns to gorgeous jewellery, tantalising table décor and hedonistic honeymoons. Also on hand will be South Africa’s top wedding planners, photographers and caterers, each with a wealth of experience, expertise and advice on how to tailor your wedding to your individual needs. And all this comes at no cost whatsoever…it’s just part of the awesome experience that is The Wedding Expo®.

Dates: 3^rd and 4^th of October 2015
Venue: The Cape Town Stadium
Tickets: R 80.00 per adult, R 30.00 for children aged 2 to 12
For more info visit: http://www.wedding-expo.co.za/wedding-expo-cape-town/

To WIN tickets to the The Wedding Expo®, simply answer the easy question below. (Winners will be notified via email)
Question: How many years has the The Wedding Expo® been running in South Africa?
Please select a valid form.