Last week KZN Wildlife hosted their annual Wellness day for all employees and staff were able to check their blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol, eyesite and  get a free HIV test.  Medical aid consultants were also on hand. Virgin Active trainers put visitors through their paces and  they were then  treated to some delicious smoothies prepared by Hirsch Pietermaritzburg. The Hirsch Team demonstrated how to make smoothies with a wide range of  fresh fruit. Should anyone be interested in hosting HIrschs at your place of business for a warm coffee/Muffin morning or a fresh smoothie demo, please contact Hirsch PRO, Victoria Laubscher on 033 3282700 or victoria@hirschs.co.za

Over the past couple of weeks the youth of Pietermaritzburg have spent a little time after homework writing poems to their mothers. Hirschs PMB and Capital Media Newspapers received these poems and had a very difficult and emotional time choosing the best six poems as they were all so heartfelt. The winners in the High School division won a Hirsch Cookbook for mom, R250 Hirsch voucher and 10 movie tickets while the primary schools section got the Hirsch voucher and 10 movie tickets.  Margaret Hirsch was on hand to personally hand over the prizes to the winners on Saturday morning and the most amazing thing was that the little ones spent their vouchers buying something for mom instead of themselves.  They will, however,  definitely be enjoying the movie tickets with all their friends. The winning poems will be published in the Maritzburg Sun, Public Eye and the Edendale Eyethu….. So watch the press.

In the Pic: Jonathan Heerallal & Sharitha Heerallal , Margaret Hirsch & PRO, Victoria Laubscher

The April Networking breakfast at Hirsch Pietermaritzburg highlighted Credit Card Fraud and other scams to local businesses, with fraud investigators from Standard Bank, ABSA & FNB   showing guests the different devices that are used by  fraudsters.   Said Hirsch’s Victoria Laubscher “They also had live footage on ATM card switching and robberies. The talk went on for an extra half hour as guests had so many questions for the investigators.” All Hirschs in South Africa host a monthly networking event every month in the Hirsch Stores, for any enquiries about the PMB talks, please contact PRO Victoria Laubscher on 033 3282700 or victoria@hirschs.co.za

Hirsch’s Pietermaritzburg took some time to personally visit some customers from the 80’s and found that they still had appliances purchased from Hirsch’s from when they first opened in PMB.

86 year old Mr & Mrs Laubscher  were full of stories about their Hirsch Experiences over the years. All appliances in their home had been purchased at Hirschs, the Toshiba washing machine that they had replaced was bought 20 years ago and only stopped working recently. Mrs Laubscher’s first microwave was bought in 1979 at the store in Winston street and Mrs Laubscher herself attended the microwave classes taught by Margaret Hirsch. The Laubscher’s still have their orginal Hirsch TV’s, Fridges and appliances.

The next visit was to Isabelle & Ken Steele who contacted Margaret regarding their 25 year old Whirlpool washing machine that they had purchased at Hirschs in 1988.

Ken told us that Margaret had personally sold him the washing machine that the steele’s have  used everyday for 25 years, sometimes doing up to 3 loads a day. They wash blankets, carpets and even  slippers in the machine. “A little bit of Tender Loving Care keeps appliances running for 25 years”  They said.  If the the Steeles ever need to replace the machine it will most definitely be a Whirlpool and most definitely from Hirschs.

“What amazing visits!  It makes  our job so worth while to see the joy that our appliances bring into peoples homes and in their everyday lives.”  Said Hirsch’s Victoria Laubscher.

In the Pics: Store manager, Phil Hodgson with the Steeles

Last Week Hirsch PMB ensured that customers and staff of Liberty Mall ABSA bank were welcomed with the inviting smell of freshly brewed coffee. The Hirsch team also was on hand with the new May Supplement and the Hirsch magazine full of interesting recipes and the lastest products on the market. The Hirsch team wants to show customers that “We Care” and go out to treat customers with a small thank you. Winter is knocking on our doorstep and if any business is interested in hosting Hirsch’s at their business, they can contact Hirsch PRO, Victoria Laubscher on 033 3282700 or victoria@hirschs.co.za.

In the Picture: Hirsch PRO, Victoria Laubscher with ABSA customers.

Hirsch’s PMB recently visited ABSA bank in Chatterton street with warm coffee on a cold and very wet Pietermaritzburg morning last Friday. “We made cappuccinos for staff and  customers and handed out the Hirsch magazine –  and flyers for the weekend sale. Some customers commented that they could smell the inviting aromas from outside the bank and were pleasantly surprised to find friendly Hirsch staff welcoming them with a cappacino as they entered the bank. Even our very own Varsity College masterchef, Jenna Starr joined us for a cuppa.”  Said Hirsch’s Victoria Laubscher

Hirsch staff visit business offering free coffee and muffins as a gesture that Hirsch Cares. If anyone would like to host a free coffee morning at their business they are welcome to contact Hirsch PRO, Victoria Laubscher on 033 328 2700 or victoria@hirschs.co.za

Last week Hirsch PMB hosted their 4^th Domestic workers course of 2013 with Tammy Simpson from Blinds Decor training on the proper use and cleaning of Blinds and wooden flooring, she wowed the guests  with the remote operated blinds and showed them how to clean newly installed wooden flooring. Tammy covered all the basics of cleaning blinds and shutters and demonstrated how to open blinds without getting the cords tangled. Hirsch PMB hosted Monthly domestic workers courses free of charge and anyone interested can contact PRO, Victoria Laubscher on 033 3282700 or victoria@hirschs.co.za

In the Pic: Guests at domestic training together with PRO, Victoria Laubscher and Tammy Simpson

On a chilly April morning, Woodlands Primary were treated to the first Hirsch coffee morning of the cool season. With the icy nip in the air, the teachers and staff  came looking for the inviting aromas wafting out of the staff room. Freelance PRO, Tracy Goodam thanked the Hirsch staff for the special treat and said it is a great start to a time of hardwork as the school is about to undergo a major revamp, thanks to the generousity of the Pietermaritzburg community and businesses. Hirsch staff in all stores visit businesses and treat the staff to some great coffee and sweet muffins. With Winter on our doorstop, businesses are welcome to contact Hirsch PMB Public Relations Officer, Victoria Laubscher to arrange a informative and fun morning at their own offices. 033 3282700 or victoria@hirschs.co.za

In the Pic: Woodlands Headmaster, Mr Jason, Hirsch PRO Victoria Laubscher, Hirsch Sales Consultant Susan Benecke Woodlands Freelance PRO Tracy Goodam

CChild Kinectigist Dewald De Beer was the guest speaker at Hirsch PMB monthly Networking Breakfast. Dewald had some powerful words to share with the guests and informed parents how a child developments naturally and how to ensure that the childs mind properly stimulated. Dewald grew up as a dyslexic child with Teret Syndrome as well, He was told that he would never get more than a standard 6 but with hard work and dedicated parents Dewald went to university and finished B. Sport Sci, PGCE and a B. Sport Sci Hons. With specialization in Child Kinetics. A truly inspirational man said Hirsch PRO, Victoria Laubscher. Dewald told guests that 35% of American citizens suffer from Morbid obesity and South African is not far behind, she showed guests simple tests that can be used to identify problems within a childs normal growth. Hirsch’s hosts monthly networking breakfasts in all stores with informative speakers. Any enquiries can be directed to Victoria Laubscher on 033 3282700 or victoria@hirschs.co.za

In the Pic: Sebongile Mxhosa, Dewald Debeer, Puleng Maphela and sales consultants Susan and Zenobia

The Girls of Russell High were given a great surprise recently when they were called to an unscheduled assembly. Waiting for them was Business Women of the Year & “old girl” from Russell High Girl, Margaret Hirsch. Margaret got the girls excited from the start and had  them proudly shouting “ it’s possible” that could be heard from the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg. The Girls listened attentively when Margaret briefly shared her life story with the girls and motivated them to set goals and look at these goals everyday. She stressed that they only use positive words and  believe in themselves.. Margaret informed the girls that statistics show that of the 9 million Schoolgirls in South Africa, thousands of them are unable to go to school for one week of the month due to their menstrual cycle. The objective of the day was the Girls With  Dignity Project, which was started by the BWASA (Business women’s Association of South Africa) and clothing designer, Sue Barnes. Margaret has taken on the project of visiting schools around the country to distribute stylish Panties together with re-useable and fully washable menstrual pads.

She  went on to challenge the girls with a holiday task in writing an essay , the winner will receive R 5000 but the girls have to also include what they would do with the R5000 should they win it. Moira Potter from Russell High thanked Mrs Hirsch for such motivational talks that benefits the girls and all she does for Russell High.