UK - Following some significant changes within their project management department earlier this year, Creative Technology (CT) has announced a further two additions to the corporate team in the UK.
Georgia Williamson has joined the company as a project manager, with almost a decade of experience in this role and within the live events industry.
The company also welcomes James Shirley who has joined as a senior account manager. James was most recently head of production for a large agency and has nearly 20 years’ experience working within the live events sector.
“I am extremely pleased to bring on board two extremely talented individuals to the corporate team who bring with them invaluable insights and experience in adding to our client journey,” says Nick Askew, head of corporate events at Creative Technology UK. “Both Georgia and James join CT from different companies, areas, and roles and this is essential in making sure we as a company are as dynamic and forward-thinking as we can be when supporting our clients.”

USA - QSC has announced senor appointments in its newly-created pro audio division. Perry Celia becomes VP global sales and service, David Fuller is VP product development, Ray van Straten is VP brand, marketing & training, and Linda Lee, sr. director, operations.
Celia takes the reins of the division’s global sales and service functions after having served at QSC for over 14 years – most recently as sr. director sales, Americas.
Van Straten joins the team as a 20-year veteran of QSC, having led the company’s retail sales, marketing, training, and brand functions, as well as previously serving as VP of its live sound business unit.
Linda Lee rejoins QSC with 23 years of progressive growth in key operations and supply chain roles, most recently as sr. director of global supply chain and operations at Identiv.
“We are ecstatic about the new leadership of the Pro Audio division,” states Jatan Shah, president and chief operating officer, QSC, LLC. “Perry, David, Ray, and Linda are each exceptional in their areas and bring decades of experience to the team.
“Effectively navigating through our pandemic-influenced world necessitates that we cultivate our relationships with our customers and business partners; serving them to the best of our best abilities, manage and solve complex supply chain challenges, and invest in our talent. We could not have asked for a better set of leaders to not only navigate through these challenging times but position the QSC brand to thrive and grow as we move forward in this exciting new phase

UK - Polar has announced the further expansion of its team with the appointment of Mark Jennings to the post of business development manager, integrated solutions. With more than 15 years’ experience of the sector, Mark will be primarily focused on helping to deliver solutions for the education market.
Mark Jennings comments: “I’m delighted to be joining Polar and look forward to working with what is a fantastic team. The importance of technology, particularly in further and higher education settings, has become more and more important as educators seek to expand the scope of teaching and learning. I’m keen to share my experience in this area with our customers and help them benefit from the wide range of options in our portfolio.”
“Polar managing director John Midgley adds: “Mark joins us at a time when our Integrated Services team is in great demand across all sectors.
The market in educational technology is strong and growing, and our comprehensive range of brands addresses a multitude of applications within the sector. His detailed understanding of the products, wide-ranging experience, and ability to communicate with clients to help them understand exactly what will work best in a given setting, make him an excellent addition to the Polar team.”

USA - Elation Professional’s atmospheric effects brand, Magmatic has welcomed atmospheric FX Specialist Joey Olaerts to the Elation and Magmatic team.
Olaerts will work with Elation’s R&D and sales teams to ensure that current Magmatic products meet customers’ needs, as well as conduct product research, testing, and viability studies to develop and market new atmospheric effects solutions.
Olaerts will also be overseeing Elation sister-company ADJ’s atmospheric product line.
Olaerts is a Halloween enthusiast and fog machine aficionado who founded Fog It Up!, a fog, haze, and snow fluid company, while in college. The company expanded over nearly a decade to include lighting and sound before being acquired by Antari Lighting and Effects. Olaerts comes to Magmatic from Antari where he worked as a sales representative while setting up their fluid production facility.

USA - Theatre Projects has announced the addition of two new full-time staff members to their team. Chris Smith joins the firm as the marketing and content manager and Ashley Keen joins their strategic planning team as a senior consultant. Both bring significant expertise in their respective fields, have backgrounds in the performing arts.
Chris joins the company’s New York office to lead marketing and PR efforts. Over the past decade and a half, Chris has worked with a wide array of non-profit organizations in Chicago, Texas, and Oregon. His experience includes content creation, digital communication, writing, brand and marketing strategy, and data analysis. Prior to Theatre Projects, Chris worked with Oregon State University, The Black Sheep Agency, 4th Wall Theatre in Houston, Echelon Design, Chicago Art Department, and the Chicago High School for the Arts.
Ashley specialises in helping performing arts organizations and venue managers plan for the future. She combines experience working in flexible spaces and multi-venue arts centres with a love of creative problem-solving to find solutions that support an organization’s strategic goals. Her new role will include working on feasibility studies, needs assessments, business planning, community engagement efforts, and more.

France - Naostage has announced the appointment of experienced pro-AV professional Alexis Reymond as its new sales manager.
Reymond has worked as a freelance audio engineer, electro-acoustic consultant, sound designer and music producer for more than 20 years, most recently in a sales engineering capacity with fellow Nantes-based company Arbane Groupe (APG/Active Audio). His other experience includes spells with event specialists Videlio and Magnum, where he worked as a sound engineer for 17 years, and Disneyland Paris, where he served as a freelance AV technician.
In his new role, Reymond – who is tasked with developing Naostage’s commercial strategy and overseeing its development, both domestically and internationally – will initially focus on building relationships with major industry players in the EMEA region and showcasing the benefits of the Naostage product. He explains that he sees live shows, corporate events, performing artists, and attraction venues as priority markets for Naostage.
“My ambition is for Naostage to become, over the next three years, a major worldwide provider of automated tracking solutions by establishing ourselves as the market leader in France and establishing a distribution network across Europe, the Middle East and Asia,” states Reymond.
At Naostage, Reymond joins a team that includes the company’s founder and CEO, Paul Cales, as well as partners Olivier Le Doeuff (CTO) and Nathan Van De Hel (COO).

USA - Renkus-Heinz has appointed Sebastian Rivas as software development and research engineer. Rivas will work closely with chief technology oficer Ralph Heinz and engineering manager Chad DeFranco.
“I had the opportunity to speak with Harro Heinz about the role and found great value in learning about the history of the company and the innovative processes that have put them as the leader in beam steering loudspeaker technology,” said Rivas. “Renkus-Heinz is a leader in the audio solutions industry and I am fortunate to enter the company at a time to contribute to the sound revolution.”
Prior to joining Renkus-Heinz, Rivas worked as a professor at St. Thomas University, 2D Software Developer at Sensey Electronics in Mexico, and at Danley Sound Labs developing the Direct Sound System modelling software.
“Sebastian’s talent and ambition in the audio industry made him the best candidate for the role,” said Heinz. “I know he will be a huge asset to the Renkus-Heinz team and look forward to working with him to advance the Sound Solution.”
“The addition of Sebastian to our team will advance our software algorithms to generate FIR filters that will ultimately enhance the overall sound of our audio solutions,” added DeFranco.
Rivas joins the Renkus-Heinz team at a pivotal time as the company has just completed organizational changes with founder, Harro Heinz, retiring and appointing Monika Smetona as president of the company. The loudspeaker manufacturer has also recently debuted new products at ISE and InfoComm includin

UK - Mash P is getting a hands-on, practical introduction to the world of production thanks to the Audient sponsorship at ICMP. Enrolled on the six-month Music Production & Sound Engineering course, he is building on his talent as a musician. He performed at Glastonbury Festival this year, celebrating the release of his latest music.
“I want to say thank you to ICMP for the environment, the equipment, studios and the space for people like me to learn,” he says. “Also, thank you for the equipment given to me from my Audient sponsorship.” Audient provided him with the EVO Start Recording Bundle, which includes EVO 4 audio interface, the EVO SR1 Condenser Mic and EVO SR2000 Monitoring Headphones.
Mash, whose given name is Nathaniel Sesay, was captured by civil war rebels when he was nine in his native Sierra Leone. After the brutal civil war was over, he spent 12 years living on the streets of Freetown. When he started writing music his alter-ego Mash P was born.
“Doing music keeps me alive. I forget about my past. Music can’t judge me. The only thing I had was music. Music saved my life,” he says. He is getting so much out of his studies in the UK, he said he’d like to do more courses in the future. “It’s a pleasure to be in the school. I want to say thanks to the tutors and staff for their encouragement, as they are really helpful.
“ICMP gives me more courage and energy. Now I believe my dream is coming true,” he says. “This is what heals me. I just want to be accepted into the community for my musical talent, so

Europe - Martin Audio has appointed Flemming Bjerke to the newly-created position of sales manager for the Nordic region and Germany.
Bjerke will report to Brad Watson, international sales director, and his duties will include business development across the region while supporting existing sales channels and specialist partners.
Bjerke spent 19 years with distributor LydRommet AS in Norway before becoming MD of their Danish operation for 10 years and then more recently spending three years as CEO of Listen Technologies Europe.
Commenting on the appointment, Watson says: “Flemming’s experience is the perfect choice for this new role, and I am excited by his relationships and insight that will be invaluable as this business continues to grow.”
Dom Harter, managing director, adds: “I’ve known Flemming for 20 years and it’s a testament to Martin Audio’s growing reputation that we could secure his services. We see an opportunity to significantly grow our market share in the next few years and I cannot think of a better person to lead that effort in the Nordics and Germany.”

South Africa - Technological Innovations Group (TIG), which has over 120 dedicated Crestron sales professionals and offices including Experience Spaces in London, Brussels, Paris, Madrid, Milan, Frankfurt, Dubai, Oslo and Johannesburg, has appointed Wikus Botha as its new regional sales manager for Crestron's residential solutions in South Africa.
Reporting to Steven Dullaert, director residential sales EMEA, Wikus has worked in IT, AV and home automation since the age of 17, and will bring his experience, industry knowledge and skills to the newly-created role.
On his appointment, Wikus comments: "The best thing you can do in life is make the most of your skills and talents. I want to bring the very best version of myself to the best technology company in the world and assist our clients and partners to be the most successful they can be too."
Dullaert adds: "We're excited about the appointment of Wikus, who I'm certain will be a great addition to the team in South Africa. He will be the point of contact for our residential partners in the region as we expand into this rapidly growing market sector.”

USA - Loudspeaker manufacturer 1 Sound has appointed Leonardo Dani and Leonardo D’Andrea to its team as sales executives focusing on Europe, Middle East, and Africa.
1 Sound was founded in 2019 by designer Lou Mannarino and has spent the last three years growing its business in the US pro-audio market and developing its product catalogue.
Dani and D’Andrea will work together in developing 1 Sound’s global network of distributors as well as handling 1 Sound sales for EMEA, taking the US brand international.
Leonardo Dani has 15 years of experience in developing and leading international markets and distribution networks with high expertise in building and implementing market strategies. Dani has spent the last three years as Chief Sales Officer for Pequod Acoustics where he developed their international network of sales and marketing. “I am very excited to engage in this new venture with 1 Sound.”
Leonardo D’Andrea has professional experience previous to this new venture with another manufacturer in the pro-audio industry, K-array, where he was directly involved in the development of their distribution network in EMEA. “Today, a new challenge is ready and comes from a great project by Lou Mannarino, a person I have known for a long time and of whom I have always had a great respect for,” he says.

UK - Pro Media Audio Video EU, part of the Clair Global Group, has promoted Tom Williams to associate director. Working closely alongside director Eddie Thomas, Williams will now take on more responsibility for the company’s future growth.
Pro Media’s European arm has been strategically built up since its launch in Spring ’21 and with many integral project wins underway - from sporting venues to music destinations and retail activity - Williams will help to navigate the next phase of business.
Williams, who brings a wealth of industry knowledge into his new role, comments: “This is a key time to be a part of Pro Media’s growth in Europe. Our team is expanding in anticipation of some very exciting work and I look forward to further developing what we started 15 months ago.”
Director Eddie Thomas adds: “We’ve been building the brand at an impressive rate since we entered what is a very competitive European market. Our brilliant team, who provide design, support, and delivery to high end installation projects, will only be enhanced by Tom’s well-deserved promotion from Head of Engineering to Associate Director. I know Tom will continue to enjoy great success in this new chapter of his career.”
Having built up a strong reputation over the last five decades, and with deep-rooted connections in live sports in the US, Pro Media Audio Video is now forging strong partnerships in Europe. Williams will continue to operate from Clair Global Group’s Twickenham, London office, where Pro Media Audio Video’s European team is based.

USA - Clear-Com has announced the appointment of Calvin Long to the company’s applications engineering team. Based in the South Eastern region of the US, Calvin brings industry experience and knowledge with a focus on both remote and hybrid broadcast operations from his time at Black News Channel (BNC) as broadcast manager of operations for the live news channel.
Calvin was a first-hand Clear-Com user in his previous role, configuring the intercom system to enable remote and hybrid broadcast workflows for the anchors, production team and engineers.
“With our customers increasingly moving to an IP-based workflow with both hybrid and remote operations, it’s especially important to bring on board Applications Engineers who have the kind of real-world AoIP experience that Calvin brings to the role,” remarks Justin Emge, applications engineer manager. “Calvin’s enthusiasm for wanting to make a difference and support our users is a quality we value. We are delighted to have him join our team.”

Germany - Optocore has appointed RadhaMohan Rajani, who joins the technical sales support team and will work across both Optocore and sister company, BroaMan.
After studying Visual Communications, Rajani joined Warren Dsouza’s Mumbai-based rental company Sound.com in 2014, where he first started using Optocore devices. This was specifically on the large stadium events and opening/closing games ceremonies in which Sound.com specialises.
In 2016, he relocated to Poland to work for Fotis Sound (another Optocore client) -working on festivals, tours and concert set-up prior to the pandemic. In 2019, he underwent his full Optocore Certification Training (OCT) at company HQ in Munich.
As a member of the Tech Support team, he will focus on client communications and relations with a particular emphasis on building BroaMan’s presence in the market.
BroaMan MD Tine Helmle, says: “It is good to have someone with Mohan’s experience who can hit the ground running. He will prove to be a valuable asset, in particular for BroaMan as we continue to build market profile.”

UK - Severine Anvoner is Martin Audio’s new HR manager. Born and brought up in France, she has lived in the UK since 2001 and now considers both the country and the area of Bucks where she resides as home.
Anvoner has considerable experience in the corporate world including at Coca-Cola Enterprises and more recently at Seagate Technology. “But I realised that a new industry would provide a different challenge and I also wanted to move away from the big corporate world,” she admits. “Although there are many positives about big corporations, the downside is there are many layers of management, and I wanted to interact more, and become closer [to the workforce]. This industry is dynamic and exciting.
Unlike her previous trans-EMEA roles, at Martin Audio her challenge will be more UK-based, offering more flexibility and versatility than she has experienced previously. “My role is Jack of all trades,” she says. “You have to be more adaptable in a small company. I am there to support, care for, nurture and where necessary offer a shoulder to cry on - to be part of a wide family and help the organisation to grow and sustain.”
Welcoming the new HR manager, Dom Harter says: “Severine has been a great addition to the management team. Alicia Cousins, who had previously led our HR function, was promoted to lead the Focusrite Group which was a great affirmation of the team here and an example of increased opportunities for our staff being part of a wider group. But that obviously did leave a gap for us, and I’m delighted with the progress and

USA - With summer productions back in full swing, Bandit Lites has announced the hiring of Kelly Feild, Tim Keller, Hayley Elliott, and Katie Feltes as full-time, touring lighting technicians.
“Bandit is pleased to announce the addition of these four great people to our full-time team, on the career path.” says Bandit Lites chair Michael T. Strickland. “Please note that three of the four hires are women, another indication of our focus on gender equity. But do not believe that is what this is about, it is not. We bring on the best and the brightest and Kelly, Katie, Tim, and Hayley are just that – stars! We thank thme for joining the team and look forward to long, accomplished careers for each of them!”
Feild graduated from Belmont University with a BBA in Music Business before working full time as event staff for Belmont's Curb Event Center arena. Feild then began touring with Bandit Lites team in 2018 and has worked as a lighting technician on various productions including ZZ Top, Reba McEntire, and Jason Aldean.
Keller previously worked at a production house in North Dakota where he honed his skills providing lighting, video and audio for corporate events and concerts for three years. He has already provided support on multiple Bandit Lites gigs including Jackson Browne, Hangout Festival and Zach Williams.
Elliott graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Show Production from Full Sail University. While in school she worked as a local hand for Rhino Staging. Her current Bandit credits include Zach Williams, Black Music Honors and

USA - James Suit has re-joined ACT Entertainment’s regional sales team for the New York City Metro area. Previously, he had served as northeast regional sales manager for the brands distributed by ACT.
“We’re very excited to have James back on-board and to take advantage of the expertise, values and skills that make him such a good fit for the ACT team,” says Doug Mekanik, ACT Entertainment director of sales.
Suit began his professional career in 2005 when he joined 4Wall in New Jersey as a moving light tech. He spent seven years in system integration and sales for Starlite Productions in Moorestown, New Jersey. He later moved to Ushio America where he served as regional sales manager for entertainment, covering the Eastern US for the lighting manufacturer and distributor.
“I’m happy to re-join ACT to continue building relationships with designers and customers that were cut short by the pandemic,” says Suit. “I look forward to working with everyone on the ACT Entertainment team to bring fresh, innovative products to the creative people who need them.”
Ryan Hindinger, ACT Entertainment market manager: concert touring & live experiences, concludes: “James has superb product expertise and never fails to see customer wants and needs in a way they often don’t themselves, which makes him an excellent fit for the ACT Entertainment family.”

UK - Following recent contract wins at three of the UK’s leading event venues, AV and entertainment technology company Anna Valley has promoted Dan Orchard to the role of venue director. The newly created position sees Orchard assuming responsibility for both commercial and operational aspects at all the venues where Anna Valley is the preferred audio-visual partner, reporting directly to the board.
Over the last 18 months, Anna Valley has established itself as a significant service provider to the UK’s venue sector. The company signed a preferred partnership agreement with ExCel London in December 2020, was appointed by Tobacco Dock as their new AV service partner in June 2021 and expanded their existing AV maintenance contract with The NEC Group to help deliver events at the venue as part of their Preferred Supplier Programme in January 2022. Anna Valley is also the in-house audio-visual supplier to the Emirates Stadium and The Grove Hotel.
The dedicated venue managers and on-site teams at each venue will now report to Orchard who will be responsible for ensuring that Anna Valley’s exceptional client service and delivery standards are upheld at each location as well as for building a strategic model for expansion.
Orchard joined the Anna Valley team as director of business development for the rental division in 2017 after four years as group business development manager at Blue-i Event Technology. Since joining, he has been instrumental in establishing Anna Valley as a leading technology and service provider to the event industry, growing

USA - Xytech has appointed Keith Buckley as the company’s president and CEO, succeeding Richard Gallagher, the company’s founder. Gallagher will now advise the company’s board as envisioned when Xytech was acquired by Banneker Partners in December 2021.
Most recently, Buckley served as the CEO of Federos, an AI-optimised analytics and automation software solutions provider for complex networks that was recently sold to Oracle. He previously served as president and CEO of The Switch Enterprises.
“I’m joining Xytech as the company is poised for significant growth, and look forward to leveraging Xytech’s highly skilled team, strong base of product offerings, long history of core successes and its world-class customer base,” Buckley says. “The investments we’re planning and will execute upon in the immediate future will substantially increase Xytech’s value across the media and broadcast industries.”

Denmark - DPA Microphones has welcomed an array of new team members. The additions are company-wide, with new hires in product management, research and development, sales, marketing, and production.
Among the recent hires is Helga Somava, who recently joined DPA as one of the brand’s directors of product management. A graduate of Copenhagen Engineering College with a focus on export engineering, Somava brings leadership experience from past directorial and managerial roles at Bang & Olufsen, GN Netcom and most recently at NUORI ApS, where she served as COO. In her new position, Somava will oversee the development of new products as they align with DPA’s goals in the industry.
Another recent addition to the team is Torben Ekenberg, the company’s new head of research and development. In this role, Ekenberg, who holds a variety of degrees in electro-mechanical engineering and business, will lead the research efforts needed for the creation of new technology and equipment. A previous R&D manager for Brüel & Kjær’s Transducer department, Ekenberg comes to DPA with a familiarity of the brand and its technology. Most recently, Ekenberg served as the director of program management at BK Medical and has also held various executive positions with NNE Pharmaplan, Contex AS and Glunz & Jensen.
Further additions to the team include Nikolaj Vejen as senior product manager, Richard Watts as regional manager - Southern UK, Konrad Majchrowski as area sales manager - Poland, JC Bittence as area sales manager - Midwest US, Carlito Cobos as a

UK - LSi is sad to report that John Simpson, co-founder of White Light and chairman of technical entertainment charity Backup, passed away on the morning of 11 June after a short battle with cancer. He was 79 years old and is survived by his partner, Sue, and three children.
In a tribute to its founder, White Light has published the following statement: “We are heartbroken to bring you the news that our founder and former chairman John Simpson passed away (…). Those of you who were lucky enough to know John, or work with him, will know what a brilliant person he was and how this is not only a huge loss to White Light but also the wider industry. John had a lifelong passion for theatre lighting and his co-founding of WL was both a pioneering and revolutionary move; forever changing the way the industry would operate. Not only did he have incredible foresight but, most importantly, he was warm, caring, approachable and had complete respect for all of those who worked with him; never believing in hierarchies. His attitude was embodied in how WL operates as a business, with its core values of being dependable, friendly, knowledgeable, adaptable, and customer-focused at the heart of the organisation.
“John was born in 1942 in Devizes, Wiltshire. Later on the family moved to Chipstead, Surrey where his mother became very active in the local amateur dramatics society. All her children were encouraged to participate and John developed a quick obsession with the technical aspects of the theatre - in particular the lighting side. Although, back the

USA - Bandit Lites has announced the promotions of several major leaders with Brent Barrett as vice president of business development, Roth Edwards as vice president of operations and Jake Tickle as vice president of business and innovation.
“Every great firm is defined by their great people,” says Bandit chair, Michael T. Strickland. “Bandit Lites is no exception. Brent Barrett, Roth Edwards, and Jake Tickle exemplify that dynamic. Each a long time Bandit, they have from day one contributed at a level far beyond what was asked of them.”
Barrett now takes the helm of VP of business development. “Bandit has been a part of me most of my life,” Barrett reflected. “For me, Bandit started with a friendship with Michael during our elementary school that continues today.
Roth Edwards entered Bandit as an assistant warehouse manager and appeared on the cover of a major industry publication his first month at work.
“Roth is simply amazing” says Strickland. “There is nothing Roth will not do, not take on or not learn. His thirst for knowledge along with his desire to make himself and Bandit better is second to none.”
As Bandit moves into the very bright future, Jake Tickle sits at the forefront of leading the firm on all subjects technology related. “There is simply no title large enough to cover Jakes phenomenal contributions at Bandit Lites,” says Strickland.

USA - Calibre has appointed Mike Novak as sales director for North America. Novak hits the ground running with the Calibre New Product Preview Showcase event in Las Vegas revealing a One Canvas Solution incorporating the Calibre LEDFusion Pro with splicing features across multiple screens.
Novak is based in Buffalo, New York. He has taken up the position at Calibre from Daktronics, where he managed various verticals including airport and transit, out-of-home advertising, spectaculars and reseller/AV groups, and developed new markets and revenue streams.
“The Americas is the single largest market for growth in high-performance LED systems and solutions,” says Steve Su at Calibre. “I’m delighted to welcome Mike Novak to the Calibre team during our rapid growth phase. His leadership, collaborative style and experience in setting up sales strategy and channel development will be leveraged to establish Calibre as a preferred supplier of LED video displays.”
Mike Novak adds: “Joining Calibre at this stage of their evolutionary growth is an exciting prospect. Calibre is already well known for their reliable processing technology and customer service and we will build on that foundation with localized support for our growing customer base, expanding into new markets and applications.”

South Africa - Stuart Andrews will take on the position of projects and operations manager at DWR Distribution.
“I’m so positive and happy to be back in South Africa and at DWR,” said Stuart, who has lived in Rwanda and Dubai for well over a year since the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think this move had been on the cards for some time, to be honest. I had wanted to change out of the rental and production side of the industry for some time now, and I’ve always been close to the people at DWR; a company respected within the industry and one with extremely high standards in terms of service delivery and client focus.”
Andrews has enjoyed a vibrant career in the live events industry for the past 30 years. He started working as a sound technician in 1992 while completing a bachelor of commerce degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, juggling between his student commitments and his involvement in the student radio station.
Once he had graduated, Andrews freelanced as a sound technician in Durban for smaller companies until he took on a permanent position at the Wild Coast Sun, taking care of the theatre, show bar and conference centre’s audio requirements. There, he met his wife Debbie. The couple then moved up to Johannesburg when Andrews joined Caesars Palace, today known as Emperors Palace, before relocating to Dubai in 2000 for three years, where Andrews headed up the AV department at the Jumeirah International Hotel Group and worked as a project manager at Protec (Production Technology).
Upon returning to South Africa in 200