South Africa SA's Growing Democracy
Countdown to 2010: World cup 997 Days to kickoff :)
The 8 host cities around South Africa staged celebrations on Saturday to mark 1000 Days till the start of the 2010 World Cup.
The celebrations were part of the 2010 Local Organising Committee and the host cities’ plans to make the public aware of the magnitude of the soccer extravaganza which will be held on the African continent for the first time. The body wishes to give a small kick in the bum to businesses and entrepreneurs to get moving on projects taking advantage of 2010.
The 2010 World cup is a huge force for change …
Date: September 17th, 2007 |
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Helen Zille, Mayor of Cape Town: Arrested!
My heroine, Mayor Helen (of Troy) God-Zille, has been arrested this morning during a march against gangsterism and drugs.
“The question that arises is this: everyone knows who the drug dealers in Mitchell’s Plain are, and where they ply their trade why are they not arrested?” said the Zillmonster.
The childlike empress (Helen Zille) apparently knocked on the door of a suspected (known) drug dealer, which was “out of the spectrum of the march”. 8 persons including the honourable Zille were arrested for an illegal gathering outside the Mitchell Plein police station. “The last time I witnessed people treated in this way was during anti-apartheid protests. We now have a constitution and a Bill of Rights.”- Zillina.
Date: September 10th, 2007 |
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Sangomas: The South African Shamen
In the ancestor worshipping traditions held by the majority (80%) of South Africans (Zulu, Xhosa, Ndabele and Swazi) the Sangoma is the primary and sometimes exclusive healer and counsellor.
There is no governing body to control who is, and who is not, a sangoma, anyone can claim to be one (there are over 200,000!). Traditionally a new sangoma is called by an initiation illness, often psychosis, headache, stomach pain, shoulder or neck complaints. After which they will undergo “Thwasa”, a period of training including learning humility to the ancestors, purification through steaming, washing in the blood of sacrificed animals, and the use of Muti, medicines with spiritual significance. At the end of Thwasa, an animal is sacrificed to appease the ancestors.
Date: September 5th, 2007 |
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Ladysmith Black Mombazo
This all male harmonic choir is South Africa’s biggest musical export. Their distinctive melancholy sound pulls hard at the heart strings of South Africans everywhere. Perhaps a homesick Safrican will hear this somewhere and decide to come back home.
It was formed by Joseph Shabalala in 1960, who still heads up the group. They shot to international fame on Paul Simon’s album Graceland, and have won a number of Grammy’s since in their own right and 12 nominations in total (2 for their new album “Long walk to freedom….
Date: August 6th, 2007 |
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Gentrification of Cape Town train station
While Cape Town has seen massive up scale development in recent years, certain areas have been noticeably neglected, and none more so than Adderley street and the Cape Town train station.
Adderley street used to be the jewel of Cape Town, with all the major department stores and “The Golden Acre” shopping centre, which housed the finest retailers in the CBD.
Right now Adderley street is a string of low end takeaways and loan shark shops and The Golden Acre has oxidised into an extension of the train terminus. This is partly due to the emergence of the V&A waterfront and other 1st world shopping areas.
Date: August 2nd, 2007 |
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Two tourists arrested for photographing Zulu Royal Reed Dance.
Umkhosi woMhlanga is the Zulu name for the Royal Reed dance which happens every September at KwaNyokeni Palace, Nongoma, which is the Zulu nation’s royal residence.
Over 10 000 virgin maidens are invited from throughout KwaZulu Natal, to dance in the ceremony and thousands more Zulus help the prepare. The occasion marks a Zulu maidens passage to womanhood, and serves to unite the Zulu nation under the King, who presides over the ceremony. (Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu)
Many of the Zulu maidens are ritually “topless”, so indiscreet photo taking is discouraged, as are women wearing pants entering the royal residence. This season two tourist had been arrested for taking pictures of the topless Zulu maidens, but later released. “Zulu maidens are increasingly becoming targets of unscrupulous photographers and cameramen who take the pictures of maidens and flash them on Internet porn sites,” said Nhlanhla Mtaka, media director for the event.
Date: September 11th, 2007 |
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ANC Youth League chooses Jacob Zuma: He sings Awuleth’ Umshini Wami
Jacob Zuma is rallying the youth as he continues to make his bid towards presidency.
This is a frightening prospect for many people (including me) as is support base is huge, young, communist and radical.
Zuma’s singing of his signature anthem “Awuleth’ Umshini Wami”, “Bring me my machine (Gun)” recently was criticised by ANC chairman Mosiuoa Lekota. Lekota was then warned his comments could spark further rifts within the ruling party (ANC). The rift within the ANC seems to be one of Communism versus Capitalism, and dissatisfied South Africans vs New South Africans.
I can’t for the life of me understand how this man can still be in the run for the presidency with all the scandal he has been through in the last year , but somehow he has managed to come through as a hero to many. I won’t be voting for a president who wants a machine gun.
Awuleth’ Umshini Wami
Umshini wami mshini wami
khawuleth’umshini wami
Umshini wami mshini wami,
khawuleth’umshini wami
Umshini wami mshini wami,
khawuleth’umshini wami
khawuleth’umshini wami
Wen’uyang’ibambezela
umshini wami, khawuleth’umshini wami
Date: September 7th, 2007 |
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Mandela statue unveiled in Parliament Square, London.
A towering R6m ($800K) statue of South Africa’s much adored ex-president was revealed yesterday in Parliament Square in London.
The cause was promoted by Lord Attenborough, who was responsible for he 1987 film cry freedom, and it has taken 7 years to find a place for the statue.
Parliament square is home to some notable figures including Sir Winston Churchill, Abraham Lincoln and Jan Smuts, so I am sure they will have much to discuss.
Personally I feel the 9ft statue is a bit lifeless and is postured in a way that suggests you are about to be strangled, …
Date: August 30th, 2007 |
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Petrol strike causes chaos as many pumps run dry.
It is quite frightening to see how very dependant we are on the steady supply of petrol from our refineries.
This latest shortage is caused by The CEPPWAWU union striking over wages and this is causing delivery problems nationwide. The refineries are still making regular deliveries, but panic buying has caused stations to sell up to 50% more than usual, resulting in many dry pumps and more panic.
Date: August 6th, 2007 |
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Fires and floods threaten many in South Africa
We have had a harsh week of weather, with icy temperatures and driving rain, causing a significant amount of flooding.
As usual the worst hit are the poorest of the poor, living in informal settlements without drainage. 49 townships are said to be affected and 38000 people.
“It was terrible. If four major storms hit consecutively, there is nothing one can do about it. The problem is that people settled in low-lying areas,” said Mayor Helen Zille.
As it was explained to me by my Geography teacher. the Cape Point area is actually an island and the large land area in-between is basically a low lying sand bank. So when heavy rain comes they always flood.
Date: August 1st, 2007 |
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