Devoted NEWSLETTER 1

ISSUE 1 The official wellness magazine newsletter More great reads Good to be back inside this issue: WRITTEN BY GERDA POTGIETER AS WE ENTER THE NEW NORMAL - 2 It has been a while since our last issue of Devoted, but we always bounce back! Issue 27 is now ready for a read! The world as we know it has changed tremendously since it was first hit by the novel coronavirus, now called COVID-19. This “new normal” saw the “normalizing” of strange practices such as social distancing, mask-wearing, extensive sanitizing, constant complaining and a “culture of negative conversations”. This has prompted us and given us the opportunity of re-launching the magazine and positioning ourselves in an environment where there is a great sense of anxiety, stress, and hopelessness as a result of the effect that the corona virus has had on the global economy where the unemployment numbers are increasing daily at an alarming rate.

ISSUE 1 To Positively Impact Communities OUR AIM Since the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic across the A hearty welcome to our newest member, Nerésa (Vogel) world, businesses were forced to drastically alter and Bowen, our Communication Specialist. Since Nerésa has evaluate how they do their businesses. This pandemic has joined the Devoted-family, our social media platforms are also seen the closure of many businesses which has seen the reaching even higher levels. demise of numerous magazines. We were, however, astute in our planning by adapting our business model that would best Devoted has a good track record because of its appeal to an work in a post-pandemic world. We have re-evaluated and audience that appreciates quality and the authenticity of the re-invented the magazine where we are now able to position articles published. I would like to end on this high note by our magazine going forward. sharing with you the heartwarming feedback from one of our loyal readers and to thank my team of dedicated people who We have moved from a magazine-centric to a reader-centric are essential to the production process: “Dear Ms. Potgieter, business model centered around our readers and their needs. I just finished reading your latest edition of the Devoted We will continue our publication online in order to keep Magazine and once again I was not disappointed in either the abreast of the evolving digital transformation going into the content or the presentation and layout! What a pleasure it is 4th industrial revolution. In doing so, we are now able to to know that the magazine is a true and relevant expand our reach which embraces a more diverse audience representation of what we as South Africans need to know domestically, regionally and internationally. and what an absolute thrill it is to receive what you present, especially knowing that the sources can be trusted. Keep up Devoted, our flagship product is a magazine that is designed the good work and may you continue to grow Devoted to educate, inform and create awareness by highlighting Magazine!” (Dion Knoesen, CEO, Corporate Performance certain issues relevant to communities. As such, it Improvement – See www.cpis.co.za) contributes positively in a way where we focus on the positive rather than the negative by publishing articles that In our next newsletter we will share with you inspiring brings hope and inspiration to all. Devoted primarily focuses stories of people who have used the pandemic and forced on lifestyle trends that provides products and services that lockdowns to reinvent themselves and their businesses. As a nurture a balanced, spiritually fulfilled and meaningful life. result of the effect of the devastation caused by the Editorially, our magazine celebrates topics such as health, pandemic around the world, we are witnessing the resilience wellness, food and nutrition, business, travel with a purpose of the people who are rising up like 'the phoenix from the and, a wide variety of other insightful and authoritative topics ashes’. If you have a similar inspiring story, write to us on: of interest. The unique value proposition of our magazine is [email protected] the motivation, encouragement, hope, positivity and basic www.devotedmag.co.za facebook: devotedmagazine human values that we share with our readers in a world Until next time, Gerda Potgieter where people no longer know right from wrong. Our aim is to positively impact communities that we come into daily contact with and, to bring a message of hope to all. We are targeting a diverse audience who are interested in a living a balanced and fulfilled lifestyle, despite the challenges. Over the years we have managed to establish solid relationships with like-minded people and institutions that have contributed to our magazine and our events in various ways in order to help grow our readership and glorify God through our work. We will continue to do so and this will enable us to expand our contributors’ list.