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Welcome to the FAB! section – where we celebrate everything fab about South Africa and South Africans…and anything else (fab) that’s remotely linked to SA! In this section, you’ll find fab SA news, charities, emails, articles, websites, people, companies and much more!
Scroll down to view recent posts or use the navigation in the right hand column.
by Janine Erasmus The choir of Stellenbosch University took part in the World Choir Games in Shaoxing, China, in July, and walked off with a world title in two categories. Thousands of entrants gathered in the town in the eastern coastal province of Zhejiang for the sixth edition of the biennial competition, which ran from [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus Laser physicist Dr Christine Steenkamp is one of three African women scientists, out of a group of 12, who recently received international recognition for excellence in research. Steenkamp and her colleagues, from the Middle East, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as Africa, were honoured at the fourth General Assembly [Read More …]
President Jacob Zuma congratulated South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen yesterday for making the country proud by winning the British Open (on a day when the newly united South Africa and the world celebrated the iconic life of former President Nelson Mandela). “For a 27-year old, this is no small feat,” said President Jacob Zuma. “Oosthuizen [Read More …]
WELL DONE LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN. The 27-year-old South African golfer has just won the British Open…and the hearts of many spectators at St Andrews in Scotland who spent the week trying to learn how to pronounce his surname. The first thing Louis said was “I’d like to take this opportunity to say happy birthday to Mr [Read More …]
by Ndaba Dlamini, Lucille Davie and Mary Alexander President, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and statesman, Nelson Mandela, the world’s icon of reconciliation, compassion and goodwill, turned 92 on Sunday 18 July 2010. The day was the first international Nelson Mandela Day, as declared by the United Nations in 2009. On the day, people around the [Read More …]
Durban surfer Jordy Smith has become the first South African to win a World ASP Tour Event, after winning the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay this weekend, and is now leading the World Surfing Tour. He shot to the number one spot in the world ASP Rankings over the weekend, knocking veteran Kelly Slater off. The [Read More …]
Trenton & Free Radical are currently taking London by storm, and recently supported Johnny Clegg at his London gig. Their music draws on reggae, hip-hop, electro and global influences to create something uniquely melodic and hip-shakingly danceable. Originally from Johannesburg, Trenton is a contemporary nomad soul, a global citizen who spent his early life in [Read More …]
FREE “MR MANDELA” DOWNLOAD, FAB VIDEO, AND LIVE TRENTON & FREE RADICAL GIG IN LONDON on 18 JULY You can celebrate Nelson Mandela’s birthday this week by downloading “Mr Mandela” for free (one week only)…and then watch Trenton and Free Radical’s video of the track (see below) which was shot in and around Cape Town. [Read More …]
South African Louis Oosthuizen is in lead position at the British Open golf tournament, which has sent sporting journalists at St Andrews in Scotland scrambling to learn how to pronounce his name! On a day when rain and strong winds hindered most players, Louis – who played earlier in the day – shot a 67 [Read More …]
by Mary Alexander Less than a week after the end of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, a survey has found that 99% of South Africans did a good job in hosting the tournament, and 97% are “more proud” to be South African. The survey, conducted telephonically among households in Gauteng by Umhlaba Development Services, aimed [Read More …]
by Nosimilo Ramela Families across South Africa are gearing up to embrace the spirit of Mandela Day on 18 July and make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate. Primary school pupil Thomas Kedge, from Hyde Park in northern Johannesburg, says he’s very excited about it. He has collected a pile of toys [Read More …]
by John Battersby, London In the first African World Cup, the real contest was never going to be won or lost on the playing field – as riveting as that spectacle was. The stakes were always much higher for South Africa, and Africa: it was about transforming ingrained stereotypes of Africa and Africans and radically [Read More …]
Oh wow! How amazing was the moment when Nelson Mandela appeared at Soccer City this evening! The crowd went crazy as Mandela and his wife Graca Michel entered the stadium in a buggy. There was a standing ovation. The ROAR of vuvuzelas. Chanting of ‘Madiba’. And there was Nelson’s broad smile. His Twinkling eyes. And [Read More …]
Check out Charlize Theron in her latest role — as a fearless ninja-fighting, sword-wielding heroine who saves Brandon Flowers in the video for Crossfire, the first single from his debut solo album Flamingo. Flamingo is due out in September and marks Flowers’ first foray without his band The Killers. Watch out for Charlize this weekend [Read More …]
South African athlete Caster Semenya has been cleared to return to track racing with immediate effect. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) issued the following statement today: “The process initiated in 2009 in the case of Caster Semenya (RSA) has now been completed. The IAAF accepts the conclusion of a panel of medical experts [Read More …]
Check out this FAB promotion of South Africa. Stunning pictures! From a PDF that’s being sent around by email at the moment… If you’d like to view these pics in larger format – click here for the pdf: south-africa-dangerous
First Nelson Mandela sent a letter of support to the Ghana team before their match on Friday against Brazil. Then he sent a message of condolence to Ghana’s heartbroken Asamoah Gyan who broke down in tears after losing the match and the chance for Africa’s last hope to play in the semi-finals. And now he’s [Read More …]
As South Africa enters its last week of hosting the 2010 Fifa World Cup, President Jacob Zuma has said in an interview with Fifa that his country’s organisation of the tournament has exceeded expectations – and confounded the sceptics. Speaking at the presidential residence in Pretoria, Zuma discussed the legacy of the tournament, its effect [Read More …]
A joke from an email doing the rounds… The boys are pushing and shoving in the tuck-shop queue: and then the tuck-shop teacher hears one of the boys say “jou ma se @#*$” She is outraged – and sends him off to the headmaster’s office. The headmaster asks him: “So what did you say?” “Nuthing [Read More …]
by Jennifer Stern Walking is much more than a way to get from A to B. It’s a meditation and a pilgrimage. The late Boudewijn Wegerif, a Swede who walked from Stockholm to Cape Town in 1999 to protest world debt, called walking “brain aerobics.” He maintained that the regular movement of your left leg [Read More …]
From an email doing the rounds – vuvuzelas have been annoying people since 1660…
by Bongani Nkosi Abject poverty in some African communities could soon be tackled in formidable fashion, if a newly launched five-year campaign – led by famous US designer Tommy Hilfiger – has its way. The Tommy Hilfiger Group has launched a campaign to support Millennium Promise, an international NGO working towards achieving the Millennium Development [Read More …]
What matters is what we are creating together. Lets not stop now! Watch the video of a powerpoint made by two young South Africans, Anthony Prangley and Rebecca Sehloho — which has been emailed around the world. It is being shared in association with the Homecoming Revolution. We’ve also transcribed the most important message from [Read More …]
South African former Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock is to marry her prince. The Royal Palace of Monaco today announced the engagement of Prince Albert II and Charlene Wittstock (proving that Southern African girls are the most popular with princes…well at least with Prince Harry and Prince Albert!) The couple met 10 years ago when Charlene [Read More …]
Charlize Theron’s beach house is available to lease for July and August. So if you’ve got a cool $50,000 to spare per month – you could be languishing in this 3-bedroom home in movie star paradise, Malibu Beach. The oceanfront property on California’s famous Pacific Coast Highway is perfectly positioned, so you can sip cocktails [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus Legendary African footballer Roger Milla and Fifa are to tackle malaria by joining the United Against Malaria partnership. The former Cameroonian forward, whose Milla jiggle is said to have sparked the popular trend of dancing in celebration when a goal is scored, joins fellow football stars such as Kolo Toure and Didier [Read More …]
South Africans are rallying behind their national football squad with an enthusiastic show of support for “Football Tuesday”, the day Bafana Bafana take on France in their final match of the opening round of the 2010 Fifa World Cup. The initiative is modeled on Football Fridays, a long-running campaign in which South Africans have been [Read More …]
Bishop Desmond Tutu has told David Beckham the world is a better place because of people like him. The England footballer, who has been unable to play due to an achilles injury, has still come out to South Africa for the World Cup. During a surprise visit to The Desmond Tutu Peace Centre in Cape [Read More …]
Royal Princes Harry and William will be attending the match between England and Algeria tonight. As seen in the photos below (scroll down), the Princes have been thoroughly enjoying their visit to Botswana and Lesotho in the last few days, on their way to South Africa. It’s the first time the brothers have carried out [Read More …]
by Bongani Nkosi Cobus Potgieter, a self-taught South African drummer, is an authentic international trendsetter who’s capturing the hearts of fans the world over. The 23-year-old East London-based musician has found his niche on the internet, using social networking sites to grow his support base in the global music market. He’s amassed more than 100 000 [Read More …]
In the past week South Africa’s been inundated with international celebrities flying in from all over the world. Some even flying themselves in – like actor/pilot John Travolta and his wife, actress Kelly Preston, who jetted in on his own Qantas aeroplane. Travolta was actually in SA to support Australia’s team, the Socceroos – although [Read More …]
Today’s Youth Day – when South Africa remembers the young people who lost their lives in the Soweto riots of 1976, fighting against Apartheid and Bantu Education. President Jacob Zuma’s speech at the National Youth Day celebrations at Thulamahashe, Mpumalanga Province is printed in full below (with the best bits in bold for your easy [Read More …]
As South Africa prepares to play Uruguay today, Nandos has issued another quirky ad. Remember last time they offered the Mexicans free chicken if they lost. This time they’re offering the South Americans free coke. The small print says: No, not that kind of coke – we’re a family restaurant. We will, however, give all [Read More …]
by Nicky Rehbock With the spotlight firmly fixed on South Africa during the 2010 Fifa World Cup, it’s easy to forget what the game of football is like elsewhere on the continent – played far, far away from glitzy stadiums, often in remote dusty villages with hand-made balls, bare feet and a couple of crooked [Read More …]
by Bongani Nkosi As the 2010 Fifa World Cup kicked off, one avid South African football fan began a record-breaking attempt to attend 38 out of 64 matches. The 30-year-old Thulani Ngcobo, from Soshanguve township, began his countrywide trip to stadiums in all nine host cities at Soweto’s Soccer City on 11 June, where hosts [Read More …]
I Love Newton Tour – submitted by The P.A.S.T. Experiences Team Hi Everyone Even though we are really busy over the World Cup we wanted to fit in a budget tour for the locals- so we have decided to do another “I Love Newtown Tour” this Wednesday (June 16th). This is a great way to [Read More …]
Oh man. Wish we could have won the match — but a draw is better than a loss! The match in question is of course South Africa vs Mexico in the opening match of the FIFA World Cup 2010 at Soccer Stadium, Johannesburg today (11 June). Final score: 1-1 Watch the video of the goal [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus Soweto came to a standstill on 10 June, the eve of the greatest sporting event Africa has ever hosted. The 2010 Fifa World Cup Kickoff Concert, held at Soweto’s Orlando stadium, showcased not only the talents of African and international musicians, but also the pervading spirit of unity, goodwill and excitement. In [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus The 2010 Fifa World Cup opening ceremony showcased the vibrancy of Africa and the colour and diversity of South Africa, the host nation. Thousands of fans packed into the magnificent calabash, Soweto’s Soccer City, to witness the official opening of the first World Cup ever to take place on African soil. At [Read More …]
The first Fifa World Cup was played in 1930 in Uruguay, where the winning home squad were awarded the Victory trophy. The 1950 Fifa World Cup had no official final match. Be the know-it-all in the stadium during the 2010 edition of the tournament with our comprehensive guide to World Cup trivia. 1. The first [Read More …]
Nandos is “offering” Mexican players free chicken IF they lose tomorrow against South Africa! Here’s a pic of the ad. The small print says: “Dear Mexican players, most foreigners think South Africa is rife with bribery and corruption. “To live up to your misconceptions, we’re offering you and your spectators a free lunch if you [Read More …]
From an email doing the rounds Tough Love vs. Spanking – Good Argument Most people think it improper to spank children, so I have tried other methods to control my kids when they have one of ‘those moments’. One that I found effective is for me to just take the child for a car ride [Read More …]
If you’re outside SA, you can still get together with other South Africans to watch the World Cup. If you have a venue, let us know at admin@sa-people.com and we’ll add it to this list. USA EXPATS 1. UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN WORLD CUP VIEWING PARTIES IN U.S.: NYC, PHILADELPHIA, ATLANTA, STAMFORD, SAN DIEGO, SEATTLE [Read More …]
Gautrain rolls out this week!!! by Lucille Davie Ministers and ambassadors were among the first people to travel on the rapid rail Gautrain, which will be running from OR Tambo International airport in time for the 2010 Fifa World Cup. (View the pics.) Gold ribbons were cut at four new Gautrain stations on 5 June [Read More …]
by Bongani Nkosi Vuvuzelas blared from the residential block of flats in Sunnyside, Pretoria’s lively, cosmopolitan suburb. South Africans hung out of their windows and burst from the corridors to celebrate and blow their favourite plastic trumpets. It was a short-lived moment, but one I had been expecting. South Africa’s national football squad Bafana Bafana [Read More …]
Here’s a special peek into new book “Should I Stay or Should I Go – To live in or leave South Africa”, taken from the Introduction by author and publisher Tim Richman: This is neither a pro-South Africa book nor an anti-South Africa book. It is a book about emigration in the South African context, [Read More …]
A new book has been released that’s sure to stir the conversation at braais and dinner parties in South Africa and across the globe: Should I Stay Or Should I Go? Yes, it’s a song by The Clash, but it’s also a defining question for the modern Rainbow Nation and now, as a Two Dogs [Read More …]
Actress, presenter and model Vanessa Haywood, who was recently voted by FHM as one the world’s 100 sexiest women, will take part in the Big 5 Challenge at the Knysna Oyster Festival. She aims to raise much needed funds for children orphaned or made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS in South Africa. The 11-day challenge starts on [Read More …]
It’s just two months since SHOUT was launched, and already the anti-crime movement is set to make its first cheque handover at the end of June. Proving that South Africans can SHOUT against crime and make a difference! “SHOUT’s message has hit all the right notes with South Africans and their unprecedented response is beginning [Read More …]
Any minute now a rocket owned by South African multi-millionare Elon Musk may blast off on its maiden voyage. This will be a trial run for Musk’s company which hopes to soon be doing the same for NASA. [Update: It's official. Elon says the Falcon 9 rocket achieved an almost perfect orbit. GPS telemetry showed [Read More …]
OK. We’ve waited years for it. And finally, the 2010 FIFA World Cup is almost here BUT do you know your team members? Here’s a quick guide – BIG PICS and just the vital info – to help you get to know the Bafana Bafana guys that you’ll (hopefully!) be supporting over the next couple [Read More …]
by Nosimilo Ramela With just days to go before the 2010 Fifa World Cup kicks off, South Africans in remote villages, high-rise cities and sprawling townships are getting ready to celebrate and support the tournament with the best local food, fun and cheer. Jonathan Foster from Northcliff in Johannesburg is eagerly anticipating the arrival of [Read More …]
Former president Nelson Mandela was only the second-tallest man in the building when he met South Africa’s final Bafana Bafana squad for the 2010 Fifa World Cup at a gathering at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Houghton, Johannesburg, on 3 June. The Bafana team, members of the Mandela family and staff cheered and sang as [Read More …]
In typical entrepreneurial South African fashion, five South African university campuses have been transformed into fun and affordable accommodation for the duration of the FIFA World Cup. So for those who are desperate to watch the games but don’t want to spend a fortune on huge hotel bills – this is a fantastic alternative. The [Read More …]
The World Cup is almost upon us. And maybe you’re not really a football (or soccer) fan. Or you’ve been living outside South Africa for so long you’ve never heard of a vuvuzela. So, here’s a quick World Cup for Dummies guide to help you navigate your way through the next month. 1. So what [Read More …]
Instead of bringing you yet another paparazzi picture of Charlize Theron looking ‘gaunt’, leaving the gym or buying a diet shake (wow — is she being harrassed or what by the paps since breaking up with Stuart Townsend), here’s some news of the good work that Charlize does without much fanfare AND which you can [Read More …]
To celebrate the 2010 World Cup SAReunited is offering users 30% off smart ads during the tournament. The eyes of the world will be focussed on South Africa for the next month as the 2010 Fifa World Cup arrives in South Africa. SAReunited is offering small businesses the the opportunity to create, preview and publish [Read More …]
by Fiona McIntosh Environmental activist Lewis Gordon Pugh’s recent record-breaking plunge through the frigid waters of a Himalayan lake has capped an illustrious career of extreme swimming expeditions, which began off the coast of South Africa 23 years ago. Pugh’s latest feat, a 1km swim across Lake Pumori beneath the summit of Mt Everest, was [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus The charismatic and highly committed Mbuyiselo Botha of the Sonke Gender Justice Network is a man with a mission – to challenge patriarchal thinking which, he says, is crippling South African society. Sonke is an Nguni word meaning “together”. As the NGO’s media relations manager, and the man who spearheaded the recent [Read More …]
by Brad Morgan South Africa’s national football team, known as Bafana Bafana (“The Boys”), has a relatively short international history. That’s because the first team to represent all South Africans only played its first match in 1992 – two years before the country’s first democratic elections. Bafana’s first match was played in Durban, against Cameroon, [Read More …]
Need to learn the words of the Anthem for the World Cup? Here’s a simple guide for English speakers. It’s as easy as doh-ray-me…or N-CORE-SEA. Source: a PDF that’s doing the email rounds. Download the PDF here. To make sure you’re singing in tune, watch/listen to the video here.
by Fiona McIntosh At 07h45 on 22 May 2010, Mandy Ramsden was on top of the world. Literally. The South African mountaineer had just reached the 8 848-metre summit of Mount Everest. And she had plenty to be excited about. Not only is she now the second South African woman to climb Everest, she is [Read More …]
From an email doing the rounds at the moment: Here’s the new High School Exit Exam – you only need to get four correct in order to pass. Can you do it (without scrolling down to see the answers first)? 1) How long did the Hundred Years’ War last? 2) Which country makes Panama hats? [Read More …]
by Nosimilo Ramela With the 2010 Fifa World Cup only three weeks away, Cape Town-based company Elolo is joining the excitement by selling weird and wonderful little dolls for fans to take home as mementos after the tournament – all made by members of an impoverished community. Affectionately called SA Soccer Dollies, the figurines are [Read More …]
by Fiona McIntosh South African climber Mandy Ramsden is not well-known outside mountaineering circles, but she’s on the brink of a remarkable achievement: becoming the first African woman to climb the highest peaks on each of the world’s seven continents. Few people know that Ramsden, a banker from Johannesburg, is currently poised to summit 8 [Read More …]
by Nosimilo Ramela New York’s prestigious Tribeca Film Festival has named the South African film Father Christmas Doesn’t Come Here its best narrative short film in an indigenous language. Funded by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF) the film was chosen from 47 finalists as one of the Indigenous Language short film contest winners. [Read More …]
Zimbabwean Chelsy Davy was all smiles today at boyfriend Prince Harry’s Pilot Course Graduation. She simply sizzled in a gorgeous cream dress and blazer at the Army Aviation Centre in Andover, England (see pics below). The 24-year-old trainee lawyer was seated next to Princess Diana’s sister Lady Sarah McCorquodale for the ceremony, and looked on [Read More …]
With less than 40 days to go to the kickoff of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, both individuals and companies are being urged to take up the national “Fly the Flag” challenge – to buy, distribute and fly the South African flag. From 1 May, fans and companies can make their flag pledges by texting [Read More …]
With just over 40 days to go until kickoff, the 2010 Fifa World Cup Organising Committee has released a comprehensive, easy-to-read and colourful 92-page guide to the tournament, packed with practical information on stadiums, host cities, fan parks and much more. There’s useful information on everyday matters such as banking and food, as well as [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus Swaziland’s Thuli Brilliance Makama is one of six recipients of this year’s prestigious Goldman Prize for outstanding environmental work. The Goldman Environmental Prize, often referred to as the Green Nobel Prize, is the most generous award of its kind, and one of the most coveted by champions of the earth. Makama, an [Read More …]
by Bongani Nkosi Jakhalsdans, a new South African film, has become an almost instant box office hit, setting new standards for the Afrikaans-language movies. The feature film, which opened in South African cinemas on 23 April, earned R600 000 (US$80 123) in its opening weekend, making it the most popular Afrikaans motion picture since the [Read More …]
by Mary Alexander South Africa’s La Colombe has been named the 12th best restaurant in the world, and the best restaurant in the Middle East and Africa, in the 2010 edition of the prestigious S Pellegrino World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, produced by the British Restaurant magazine. The awards organisers said the restaurant “effortlessly combines [Read More …]
Jacob Zuma led Freedom Day Celebrations today in South Africa, 16 years since the country held its first non-racial democratic elections in 1994. Some of the highlights of the South African Presidents speech were: As taught by our icon President Nelson Mandela, we must remain steadfast in our determination that never, never and never again [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus Google South Africa is getting in on the 2010 Fifa World Cup action by inviting local school children to enter their football-themed Google logo into an international Doodle4Google competition and stand a chance not only to win enticing prizes, but to have their entry displayed on the search engine’s home page. Based [Read More …]
South African supermodel Candice Swanepoel helped launch Heavenly Flowers fragrance in Soho, New York on Saturday (April 24, 2010). For your viewing pleasure, here are a few pics of Candice at the launch, with her fellow Victoria Secret’s Angels – Alessandra Ambrosio and Miranda Kerr. Update: We’ve had a few request for less “dress-y” shots [Read More …]
If you want to meet hot South African supermodel Candice Swanepoel, simply get yourself to New York tomorrow afternoon (that’s Saturday April 24, 2010). Update: The event is (obviously) over – but you can check out pictures of the launch here. Candice will be hosting the Heavenly Flowers fragrance launch, alongside fellow Victoria’s Secret supermodels [Read More …]
So who’s Charlize’s mystery date? It’s the question newspapers all over the world were asking this week after the South African actress attended a basketball game in Los Angeles with an unidentified male friend. As these pictures show, the two appear to be close friends or colleagues, and the gorgeous beer-sipping Oscar winner didn’t seem [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus South Africa’s environmental affairs department is to launch a new crack squad, known as the National Wildlife Reaction Unit, to tackle ongoing rhino poaching, and other matters relating to care of the environment. The formation of the elite unit was announced in April 2010 by Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica [Read More …]
Here’s President Zuma’s keynote address which he made today, 21 April 2010, at Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberley to mark 50 Days to the 2010 FIFA World Cup Countdown. We’ve bolded the best bits for you: It feels almost like a dream to say that today marks exactly 50 days to go before the kick-off of [Read More …]
Time for Africa, a collaboration by Colombian pop star Shakira and South African band Freshlyground, has been named as the official World Cup anthem. Shakira and Freshlyground will perform the song at the World Cup kickoff concert at Soweto Stadium on June 10, as well as before the start of the World Cup final in [Read More …]
by Bongani Nkosi Ernest Maduna, in his early 20s, spent the night outside Maponya Mall in Soweto, just to be part of history – to be in the stadium at 2010 Fifa World Cup matches in his home country. From Carltonville, about 75km west of Johannesburg’s city centre, Maduna knew scores of football fans from [Read More …]
Ashley Hayden’s in the final two of South Africa’s Celebrity Survivor and she needs YOUR help please! “After a stinky hungry month on Santa Carolina I am in the final two of Survivor,” says Ashley, “and having totally pissed off the jury along the way as I voted them out, I desperately need the viewers’ [Read More …]
A brand new hominid species, which may just be the missing link, has been discovered in South Africa. The discovery of a young male fossil was quite aptly made by a young male – the 9-year-old son of a Wits palaeoanthropologist Professor Lee Berger. The discovery of the new species was made in August 2008 [Read More …]
Starfish Greathearts Foundation is a UK & SA registered charity which aims to bring life, hope and opportunity to the children of southern Africa who have been orphaned or made vulnerable by the devastating HIV/AIDS pandemic. Starfish focuses on helping each and every child as an individual. The charity does this by working in partnership [Read More …]
We thought a little bit of light and fluffy news may just cheer us all up. So here goes. Zimbabwean Chelsy Davy – girlfriend of Prince Harry – has lost weight after giving up burgers! Yes, that’s it. As exciting as the good news gets! According to the Daily Mail in the UK, where Chelsy [Read More …]
by Bongani Nkosi Interpol, the global police organisation, has given its assurance that the strictest security measures are in place for the 2010 Fifa World Cup in South Africa. Ronald Noble, Interpol secretary-general, announced a massive collaboration plan with the South African Police Services (SAPS) at a recent media briefing at OR Tambo International Airport [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus Namibia-based conservationist Laurie Marker, co-founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, is one of two recipients of the 2010 Tyler Prize for environmental achievement. She shares the accolade with academic Stuart Pimm, the Doris Duke Professor of Conservation Ecology at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. Pimm is also a regular National Geographic [Read More …]
Former Oasis band member (and song writer) Noel Gallagher and his long-term partner Sara MacDonald apparently had such a great holiday in South Africa, they’re now expecting their second child. British tabloid The Sun reported that a three-month-scan has confirmed the pregnancy, which means the baby was conceived during their South African vacation. Noel (42) [Read More …]
It’s time to SHOUT for a safer South Africa. Let YOUR voice be heard! SHOUT is a movement that hopes to encourage ALL South Africans who want to live in a safe country – and who currently feel frustrated, hopeless and powerless – to feel positive, and to see and believe that they can actively [Read More …]
Annie Lennox will be supporting Elton John (actually Sir Elton John) at his AIDS Foundation Gala Event on Tuesday night in Cape Town. Elton’s Foundation (EJAF) considers South Africa its highest priority in its international funding because South Africa has the largest number of people living with HIV in the world. Annie Lennox created The [Read More …]
by Nosimilo Ramela A new South African film is set to draw crowds to cinemas this May. Billed as the country’s biggest romantic comedy yet, I Now Pronounce You Black and White uses humour to explore the delicate and often fraught issue of inter-racial relationships. (View Trailer). The film is set in Cape Town, in [Read More …]
Some great news from South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma. He appears to have helped make headway in talks between Zimbabwe’s power-sharing government. The coalition between longtime ruler President Robert Mugabe and former opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai, now Prime Minister, had almost faced collapse in November 2009. Zuma has released the following statement, during his first [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus Organisation of the highly anticipated 2010 Fifa World Cup Kick-off Celebration concert is underway, and the first batch of artists has just been announced. A host of international artists as well as some of Africa’s brightest stars are in the line-up, which promises to attract music lovers of all persuasions. The event [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus A copy of South Africa’s Freedom Charter will be auctioned in London later in March, and is expected to fetch anything up to £30 000 (R333 613). The Freedom Charter is an important part of South Africa’s past and was the forerunner of the country’s Constitution, universally hailed as one of the [Read More …]
Congratulations to South African golfers Ernie Els and Charl Schwartzel who transformed last week’s World Golf Championships-CA Championship into what the international sports press were calling the ‘South African Closed’ as both battled it out for first position. The duel at Doral Resort in Miami, Florida was made more poignant by the fact that the [Read More …]
Feast your eyes on a few choice photos from the Academy Awards, held at Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, last night. Pics include a radiant Charlize Theron; Matt Damon on the red carpet with his wife Luciana Barroso; Morgan Freeman with Invictus producer Lori McCreary and Morgan’s daughter Morgana Freeman. We’ve also added in some non-South [Read More …]
In case you missed our live streaming page…here’s a screengrab of Charlize arriving at the Oscars! Read more about the South African nominations and view the streaming video.
by Jenni Baxter Oscar Fever’s mounting with just hours (minutes…) to go until the 82 annual Academy Awards kicks off tonight. Here’s a breakdown of the most important awards to watch if you’re South African and LIVE STREAMING of the Oscars below: ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE Who We Want to Win: Morgan Freeman in [Read More …]
We’re pleased to report that President Jacob Zuma’s visit to No 10 Downing Street, home to Britain’s Prime Minister Gordon Brown and his wife Sarah, went without a hitch. In fact the President even got to kick a little ball in the PM’s backyard, and met with England footballer Steven Gerrard and South Africa’s captain [Read More …]
by Fiona McIntosh When his wetsuit and custom-built surfboard didn’t arrive at the invitational Mavericks Big Wave Surf Contest in California’s Half Moon Bay, things looked bad for South African surfer Chris Bertish. He’d flown for 36 hours to be there, was jet-lagged and had slept for only three hours. But he borrowed a board [Read More …]
As the 2010 FIFA World Cup draws near, the South African public is feeling overwhelmingly positive about this momentous occasion, an event they’ve been anticipating for the past few years (what will SA focus on afterwards?). Ninety per cent of respondents in a survey, conducted by an international research company, expressed a pronounced sense of [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus A passion for football and the venerable Volkswagen Beetle has resulted in the creation of a growing fleet of one-of-a-kind stretch Beetles in South Africa, vibrantly decorated in national colours and football elements. A group of four football fanatics at an unassuming panel-beating shop in the industrial suburb of Lindo Park, east [Read More …]
By Bongani Nkosi This year’s Oscar nominees will be sweetened up with more than just the promise of a golden statue: each star will also receive a delectable South African chocolate bar as a congratulatory gesture by the Los Angeles Times. Chocoholic Impact, a small company based in Krugersdorp, west of Johannesburg, is exporting the [Read More …]
South Africans celebrated 20 years since Nelson Mandela finally left prison and walked out a free man. And what an incredible walk to freedom it has been. Mandela was already an international icon at the time — February 11, 1990 — but he has been one of those rare individuals whose life, spirit and insight [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus “I wish to put it plainly that the government has taken a firm decision to release Mr Mandela unconditionally. I am serious about bringing this matter to finality without delay.” With those words, said on 2 February 1990, then-state president FW de Klerk set a remarkable chain of events in motion. An [Read More …]
Two hundred relatives, friends and fans of Mahatma Gandhi gathered in Durban to scatter some of his last remaining ashes into the Indian Ocean on 30 January. The sacred ritual was arranged by his granddaughter Ela Gandhi and marked the anniversary of the famous pacifist’s death 62 years ago. Traditionally, ashes are immersed in rivers [Read More …]
From an email doing the rounds… Recently I overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, ‘I love you, and I wish you enough.’ The daughter replied, ‘Dad, our life together has been more [Read More …]
An email doing the rounds… FYI – IMHO stands for In My Humble Opinion
If you’re in Johannesburg and free this weekend – P.A.S.T. Experiences would like to invite you to “experience Soweto the way we all should”!!! The day will begin when you board Joburg’s newest public transport system – the Rea Vaya which will take you to Soweto! Meet the locals and have a relaxing journey on [Read More …]
From an email doing the rounds… WOW!!!! The astonishing scene of a leopard savaging a crocodile has been caught for the first time on camera. A series of amazing pictures were taken at the Kruger National Park in 2008. It’s thought to be the first known time that a leopard has tackled and overcome a [Read More …]
by Janine Erasmus The 2009 Nestlé Milo Champions tournament brought almost 6 000 schools from around South Africa together in Soweto to compete for the trophy, as well as R100 000 (US$13 300) for the winning school to invest in a health, wellness or nutrition initiative. With the 2010 Fifa World Cup now scant months [Read More …]
by Jenni Baxter Invictus is already chalking up a number of accolades. The Hollywood movie about the role that Nelson Mandela and rugby hero Francois Pienaar played in bringing a nation together through sport, has been nominated for various awards – including the Oscards and Golden Globes – and, with its recent Board of Review [Read More …]
We’ve received a mountain of amazing, inspiring emails during the course of the Luxury Woolies Hampers give-away competition. Here’s a sample of some that touched our hearts. We asked visitors to the site to tell us who they thought deserved to win a free luxury Woolies Hamper. Here’s what they said: Nominee: Ethel Cronje Nominated [Read More …]
The third ticketing sales phase for South Africa’s 2010 Fifa World Cup has seen the number of tickets applied for hit the 500 000 mark in the first 10 days. South Africans made 77% of the requests, or 386 300 ticket applications, and the rest of the world 114 237 applications. The US was the [Read More …]
NOW YOU CAN HAVE THE PERFECT GIFTS DELIVERED ANYWHERE IN SOUTH AFRICA Always looking for ways to make your life easier, Woolworths has just introduced an online gift hamper solution just in time for Christmas. Now no matter where in the world you live, you can have the perfect gift for any occasion delivered anywhere [Read More …]
PACE – Promoting Access to Carbon Equity – is a non-profit organisation that runs a programme called “Credible Carbon”. Through this programme PACE encourages businesses and individuals to reduce their carbon footprint. This has seen PACE invest in solar water heaters in Benoni, solar panels in Welbedacht township, and bioethanol gel stoves the rural Umdoni [Read More …]
In the build up to next year’s football tournament to be held in South Africa, Engen has launched a TV, radio, print and Internet campaign to show the world our African face. The campaign, known as African Welcome encourages each and every South African to express their support for the upcoming tournament under the banner [Read More …]
Caster Semenya – the South African athlete who has been dogged by controversy over her gender – is apparently going to be allowed to keep the gold medal that she won in the 800 metre race at the World Championships in Berlin in August. According to South Africa’s sports ministry the International Association of Athletics [Read More …]
Past Experiences is a fabulous new Johannesburg company that specialises in archeological experiences in South Africa and offers unique tours around Jo’burg for the locals. We spoke to archeologist Jo Buitendach, whose inspiration it was to start this company. Tell us a little about Past Experiences As a company, one of our most important values [Read More …]
(an old one, but a good one…) Dear Tech Support, Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a distinct slow down in overall system performance, particularly in the flower and jewellery applications, which operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance [Read More …]
Just seven months after being elected President of South Africa, Jacob Zuma has received the prestigious African President of the Year Award for 2009! The award, an initiative of the African Consciousness Media and the Kenneth Kaunda Foundation, is bestowed upon an African leader to recognise and honour their achievements. During his speech – at [Read More …]
Six married men will be dropped on an island with one car and 3 kids each for six weeks. Each kid will play two sports and take either music or dance classes. There is no fast food. Each man must take care of his 3 kids; keep his assigned house clean, correct all homework, complete [Read More …]
by Bongani Nkosi It also recognises Mandela’s “leading role in and support for Africa’s struggle for liberation and unity, and his outstanding contribution to the creation of a non-racial, non-sexist democratic South Africa”. The UN invited all member states, its organisations and other international organisations, as well as civil society, including non-governmental organisations and individuals, [Read More …]
photos and text by Bongani Nkosi Scan the crowds at any major football match in South Africa and what will immediately stand out are the elaborately carved and colourfully decorated plastic hard hats settled on fans’ heads. Known as the makarapa – isiXhosa for the migrant workers who wore hard hats on the mines – [Read More …]
Raise more than a smile this Christmas! Make sure your Christmas cards get delivered on time by sending a digital greeting card that supports the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund (UK) to your friends, family and cilents. Every card sent raises at least £1 for the NMCF UK’s work in South Africa. For more information visit [Read More …]
Satan visits Cape Town and meets Gatiep. “Do you know who I am?” says Satan. “Nay,” says Gatiep, “gie my a hint.” Satan says, “I am the Prince of Darkness.” “Fok!” says Gatiep, “jy’s mos die CEO van Eskom!”
We may just get to see a Southern African become the next addition to the British Royal Family. Prince Harry and Chelsy Davy seem to be back on again…with bookies in England lowering the odds of them getting engaged before Christmas to 4/1. They were seen together at the rugby at Twickenham over the weekend. [Read More …]
Just a little email to brighten your day: Always try to help a friend in need Believe in yourself Study hard Give lots of kisses Laugh often Don’t be overly concerned with your weight, it’s just a number Always try to see the glass half full Meet new people, even if they look different to [Read More …]
Submitted by: Laura Pugliese, Development Officer The South African Education and Environment Project (SAEP), is a programme that provides education support and capacity building initiatives in Cape Town. SAEP’s work includes an innovative Early Childhood Development Programme, which partners with creches in Philippi, Mitchell’s Plain and Samora Machel townships, providing them with resources and training [Read More …]
Charlize Theron proved she’ll do anything for charity…by kissing a woman to raise money for children in need. The 20-second kiss took place on stage at the OneXOne Fundraiser in San Francisco on October 22. Charlize had offered the kiss up for auction after a lacklustre response to her original (fabulous) package of a trip [Read More …]
South Africans featured in “Life of Pi” by Yann Martel (winner of The Man Booker Prize 2002) OK, so they’re not exactly South African people, but a whole colony of meerkats appear in the middle of Pi’s survival adventure in the Pacific Ocean. “But it was the meerkats that impressed themselves most indelibly on my [Read More …]
According to a new survey the majority of South Africans are feeling optimistic about SA and its future. (Click on title to read more.)
Unlimited Energy is a project development and consulting firm offering services for emission reduction projects, such as the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Voluntary Offsetting projects; renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and carbon offset. Unlimited Energy’s Project Development and Consulting Services include: * Carbon Projects * Climate Change and Energy Strategies * Renewable Energy [Read More …]
Ideate is a South African blog about business written by real business owners. Read more…
written by Fred Roed from Ideate 1. We are resourceful We make it happen, despite the odds. Forget stories about wind-up radios or the CT Scan (which are pretty cool in their own right), this picture says it all… 2. We have aliens living amongst us Here’s to District 9 being the first of many [Read More …]
If you can’t find the book you want You’re probably shopping at the ……….
More than 100 surfers rode a wave at the Earthwave beach festival in Muizenberg, Cape Town on Sunday 4 October to break the Guinness World Record for the ‘most surfers riding the same wave’. “We estimated that there were more than 120 surfers on the fifth of the seven waves surfed at Muizenberg during Earthwave,’ [Read More …]
Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits they become character; Watch your character; it becomes your destiny
- Ons is altyd laat. We would have missed all 4 flights. – We talk loud and would bring attention to ourselves. – Met free kos en cooldrink oppie plane, we’ll sommer forget why we’re there. – We praat with our hands, so we’ll continually be putting the weapons down. – We would ALL want [Read More …]
Written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of ‘The Plain Dealer’, Cleveland , Ohio: To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I’ve ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more: 1. Life isn’t fair, but [Read More …]
An oldie, but a goodie… When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, When 24 hours in a day is not enough . . . remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee. A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class [Read More …]
BobbiBear exists to rescue and uphold the rights of sexually abused children in South Africa…
A special Woman’s Poem vir die mans wat hul vrou wil he soos ma was.
A class of five-year old students are learning to read. One of them pointed at a picture in a zoo book and said, “Look at this! It’s a frickin’ elephant!” The teacher took a deep breath, then asked…”What did you call it?” “It’s a frickin’ elephant! It says so on the picture!” And so it [Read More …]
See what happens if you sleep around: It’s ALWAYS the kids that suffer!! Her Name is Debra! Better than Zonkey, I suppose…
Onthou jy die Coppertone-meisie met haar hondjie wat haar blou swembroekie afgetrek het in die 60’s en 70’s? Wel, sy het groot geword en woon deesdae aan die KZN Suidkus, naby Margate iewers, en lyk deesdae so: (Blaai af) …die hondjie is dood.