Longevity teamed up with Dermalogica and Sun International to raise funds for the www.joinFITE.org campaign (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship), a global non-profit organisation that provides micro-finance to women.

Longevity Publishing Editor -- Gisèle WERTHEIM AYMéS hands over Longevity's donation for FITE to Cherie KEATING MD of Dermalogica South Africa and her team

The vision for this partnership is to raise funds and help FITE fulfill its aim of empowering more women throughout Africa, but specifically here in South Africa. Through this initiative, Longevity and Dermalogica hope to educate the public about the positive societal impact and ripple effect that can happen when a serious commitment is made to invest in women.

Dermalogica has already pledged donations through a percentage of its cosmetic sales to boost FITE’s funding.

Five former holders of the Miss SA title – Karen Sickel-Wucherpfennig, Wilma van der Bijl, Amy Kleinhans-Curd, Kerishnie Naiker and Nicole Flint – donated their time to this worthy cause by being photographed for the December/January 2012 cover of Longevity and sharing their success stories.

We would like to thank everyone, sponsors and importantly readers, who helped contribute to this initiative by either buying a copy of Longevity or attending our charity auction in Cape Town.

Longevity was delighted to hand over the net proceeds of these activities  to Dermalogica of R 27 000. This money will be used to fund a FITE project in South Africa.

Longevity and Dermalogica are committed to the campaign for 2012, so watch the magazine and website for more details on our next initiative and join our FITE!

Last weekend saw the Reebok CrossFit Games Regional take place in the beautiful city of Cape Town. Camps Bay was swarming with the fittest men and women in SA, all looking to secure their place in finals in California later this year.  The sport is growing at a rapid pace in South Africa, and involves both strength and endurance workouts. It combines a wide variety of exercises to continually use all your muscle groups for maximum benefits.  Other countries continue with their regional competitions in the next few weeks. To find out more or to watch videos of the workouts visit games.crossfit.com.

Pictured: Danie du Preez, personal trainer and owner of B4C Fitness. He won Fittest Man in Africa in 2011 and came second this year.

With just 80 days to go until the start of the 2012 Olympic Games, Virgin Active is pleased to announce the launch of SWIM. A programme developed by their swimming ambassadors, gold medalist Ryk Neethling and endorsed by Olympic hopeful Chad le Clos. Its aim is to get more people swimming in SA using the Olympic Games as a catalyst and to help Virgin Active utilise their pools better. As a 4-time Olympian, Ryk is passionate about the sport of swimming on a competitive level, but he would also like to focus more on the many health benefits of swimming as an alternative exercise method. The programme has been designed for everyone in mind – young, old, fit or unfit. It will roll out in Virgin Active clubs at the end of this week.

Sorbet, the renowned national beauty salon chain, has launched an exciting new events management business called Sorbet Events with former Miss South Africa, Claudia Henkel, at the helm. This dynamic new division brings a whole new meaning to ‘pamper party’. Not only will they organise and manage large- and small-scale events, including baby showers, weddings, product and business launches, but they will handle all aspects of the event, from basic elements like décor and food to entertainment, fashion shows and even choreography if necessary.

If it’s pure pampering you are after they also offer a collection of their own special events. I think the Sorbet Rejuve weekend sounds like the perfect Mothers Day treat, it’s a weekend trip at an exclusive 5-star destination for one night and two days. You will have access beauty, health and wellness advice through various activities geared towards encouraging you to love their bodies. If you prefer something a little more low-key try out their Pamper Session, held at Sorbet Events’ exclusive private pamper lounges. It includes an express manicures and pedicures, shoulder and neck massages, hair styling by Gary Rom, make-up application by Maybelline as well as cocktails, snacks and fantastic gifts to take home.  - Candice Tehini, beauty editor.

I just received this little teaser from Virgin Active… I don’t know about you but I am taking up swimming in May!

Will keep you updated with more details as soon as I get them. – Candice Tehini, fitness editor