Looks like Google Earth also has World Cup Fever. It’s integrated an awesome 3D look at every single World Cup Stadium in South Africa into its mapping system. Brilliant mix of Football Fanatic and Tech Junkie. I like it.
Posts Tagged ‘South Africa’
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World Cup Thoughts
The World Cup Concert last night was disappointing to me. Don’t get me wrong, I love my country but that Shakira’s Waka Waka song is absolutely KAK for a World Cup song held in South Africa.
Firstly, there’s not a single Zulu/Xhosa word in the song, which should definitely have been included… but they do use words from west africa. I can understand the whole “Africa” tie-in and everything… but not a single word? Come on. Besides it is a shit song, people only watch it for Shakira.
Reviving Dr.Alban’s “Hello Africa” would’ve been a much better song. And whose brilliant Idea was it to have Alicia Keys? “New York” is a nice city and the song is brilliant, but wrong bloody context don’t you think? and throwing in “Joburg” at the end of the song was just cheap.
Did anyone even notice Freshly Ground? showing up for three seconds at the end. Come on man…
But Enough of that… SA Drew against Mexico in the first match and their First goal was AWESOME! Bloody Hell. What a rush. The boys played well, they did not disappoint.
All the naysayers about SA hosting the World Cup can have a nice supper of their words right about now.
Go SA! ===<() *PAAARP!*
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Review: “Behind the Rainbow” Documentary by Jihan El-Tahri
Coming from the World Premiere of “Behind the Rainbow“, which was held last night at Maponya Mall in Soweto, one can’t shake the feeling of how the media has actually shaped the perceptions of the man on the street with regards to South African politics and especially with regard to the personalities behind the politics.
Behind the Rainbow, directed by the seminal Jihan El-Tahri, covers South Africa’s political history focusing on the internal struggles and challenges faced by the ruling party, the ANC. One can’t help being moved by the understanding of the conflicts within the party as we see very different personalities coming up against each other; each with their own way of working and their own visions of the future of their organisation and their country, even though they subscribe to the same Charter.
Of particular interest to me was the focus on the very recent events in which Thabo Mbeki (ex-President of South Africa) went up against his life-long friend and fellow comrade in the struggle for th ANC, Jacob Zuma. Two very different personalities by all accounts and the events which lead up to these two going up against each other at the Polokwane conference in 2007 and the recent “re-calling” of Thabo Mbeki by the ANC. Everything is covered… Corruption, The arms deal, Jacob Zuma’s Rape Accusation, the un-wielding support of Jacob Zuma by ANC members, the mindset behind the ANC Supporters and the Youth of the ANC in general, Black Economic Empowerment, etc. All of which give you a holistic understanding of what the ANC faced as they were put into power.
Many members of the ANC were present at the premiere itself… Mac Maharaj, Andrew Feinstein and some others who were featured in the documentary as well. The personal interviews with both Mbeki and Zuma, as well as personal perspectives of Members within the ANC make the documentary more personable than any other recent documentary done on the ANC and its internal workings. The fact that the documentary covers aspects right up until the recent appointment of current President Kgalema Motlanthe (who is also featured prominently in the documentary), shows its relevance to the here and now.
Overall, it was a very well researched documentary on the current state of South African Politics and the direction was nothing short of brilliant. It doesn’t slow and make you lose interest in any way and keeps you hooked onto pertinent topics without straying or becoming boring. The points hit home hard, everything we’ve read in newspapers, seen on tV and analysed among friends is covered and criticised by the ANC members themselves.
A definite must-see for any South African interested in the past, present and future of the country they live in.
Directed by: Jihan El-Tahri
Produced by: Steven MarkovitzTechnorati Tags:
Jihan el-Tahri, Behind the Rainbow, Documentary, South Africa, Politics, Jacob Zuma, Thabo Mbeki, Nelson Mandela, Chris Hani, Andrew Feinstein, Mac Maharaj, ANC, African National Congress, Polokwane, Steve Markovitz -
Blog Action Day: Conquering Poverty in South Africa
Today is Blog Action Day: The Conversation on Poverty
With regards to the current context in South Africa, poverty is ,and always has been, a very big problem. Most people even point this out as the source of all the other problems which South Africans face on a day-to-day basis. Things like violent crime, lack of education, corruption, etc. are all rampant in South Africa at the moment.
But let’s not all this deter us from one simple fact: WE ARE DOING NOTHING! except, ofcourse, COMPLAINING. Right, get off your asses and high horses and do something concrete to uplift your communities. There are NGO’s and other institutions available and you also have your own God-given brain to figure something out to help out people who really do need helping out.
So if you never gave a 5cent piece to the guy at the traffic light begging for change, make a change and start with that. however, I do urge you to aim a little higher ;)
Here’s some South African Welfare organisations which are pretty active in helping out the indigent…
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Gift of the Givers Foundation – The Waqful Waqifin (Gift of the Givers) Foundation is a humanitarian relief organisation supporting the impoverished worldwide.
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Al Imdaad Foundation – The Al Imdaad Foundation is a non-profit humanitarian aid organisation, registered in South Africa.
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Muslim Hands (South Africa) – Muslim Hands is an international relief organisation. Website features reports from projects. Online donation system available.
- Islamic Relief – Islamic Relief provides you with an opportunity to support the poor locally and internationally, by assisting widows, orphans, disabled and the illiterate.
These are the Muslim organisations I could find off hand which are doing really good work in South Africa to alleviate poverty, not only from helping people out, but also from upgrading their skills and education to help them help themselves. Please send me links so I can add to this list of other organisations in South Africa so that we can get moving with uplifting communities out of Poverty!
The Conversation Agent site gives 3 things we can do to alleviate poverty in one way or another:
1) Volunteering
2) Mentoring
3) GivingLet’s try and do at least one of these things on an individual level to help those less fortunate than us.
Peace.
: Activism, South Africa, Blog Action Day, Volunteering, Giving, Mentoring -
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South Africa’s Government disbands, WTF?
“What the Hell?!?” is almost every South Africans response right now as the news is coming thick and fast right now with news of 11 Ministers in Government resigning today, including Trevor Manuel (No! Don’t Go!) including 3 Deputy Ministers. This after The Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, resigned yesterday citing that she wants to allow the “new president” to choose their own deputies and “personal reasons” (Yeah, right.)
The Ministers who have left are…
Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka;
Minister of Finance Trevor Manuel;
Minister of Defence Mosiuoa Lekota;
Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad;
Minister of Intelligence Ronnie Kasrils;
Minister of Correctional Services Ngconde Balfour;
Minister of Public Enterprises Alec Erwin;
Minister of Science and Technology Mosibudi Mangena;
Minister of Public Works Thoko Didiza;
Minister of Provincial and Local Government Sydney Mufamadi; and
Minister of Public Service and Administration Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi.…and that’s not including the three deputy ministers: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Aziz Pahad; Deputy Minister of Finance Jabu Moleketi; and Deputy Minister of Correctional Services Loretta Jacobus.
Following the President’s resignation, which was a blow enough to the country in terms of stability, etc. and now this… This is DEVASTATING. With no doubt, this is the biggest Political upset in South African history. No doubt, the ANC National Executive Committee is probably shitting itself after coming to the decision to chuck Mbeki out of the presidency, citing the recent case against Jacob Zuma in which the case was thrown out of court due to “political interference” (which they blamed on Mbeki)… I bet they didn’t see this coming, or maybe they did, maybe this is what they wanted.
Kgalemo Motlanthe, Zuma’s ally has already been chosen as the care-taker president since the other Deputy President had resigned, os now they have the opportunity to replace EVERYONE.
I don’t know what’s going to happen now, this cannot be good for investor confidence in the country , the Rand is most probably going to get shot to hell and there goes the 2010 Dream. Negative, I know, otherwise I’m hoping for a miracle.
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Zapiro Gives it to Zuma…
This has got to be one of the baddest cartoons I’ve ever seen and I am sure that Zapiro’s going to get in trouble with the protagonists in the cartoon, if he hasn’t already. The thing is, even though I sort of cringe at the story unfolding in the cartoon, it rings true. The thought ( or the concept) has crossed my mind a few times about Zuma and I know the same thought has crossed the minds of many others. Zapiro, utilising his creative licence just put those thoughts into pictures.
Another reason why I’m one of Zapiro’s biggest fans.
: Zuma, Zapiro, Cartoon, ANCYL, SACP, COSATU, ANC, Justince System, Rape -
Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) launches Shariah Index
I-Net Bridge just published this today and I find it extremely interesting. Since the “Oasis Crescent Equity Fund” and Oasis’s other products doing so well in the market due to the shariah-compliant investing, which has attracted lots of Muslims and Non-Muslims alike. I guess it’s all in the spirit of that one uniting driving force of humanity, making money.Here’s the story published below.
The JSE, in partnership with FTSE Group (FTSE), the global index provider, on Monday launched the FTSE/JSE Shariah Top 40 Index.
The index will open up many opportunities for those interested in Shariah compliant investment, including the 850 000 strong South African Muslim community, the JSE said.
The index is a selection of Shariah compliant companies from the FTSE/JSE Shariah All-Share Index. The calculation of the index and the treatment of corporate actions are similar to the FTSE/JSE Top 40.
“Internationally the market for Islamic investment products is growing exponentially, at an estimated 15-20% per annum,” said Ana Forssman, Senior General Manager: Information Products Sales at the JSE. “This index gives Muslim investors access to the top performing listed companies in South Africa without compromising religious beliefs. With approximately 1.5 billion Muslims worldwide, there is huge growth potential for investment vehicles with a faith-based mandate,” said Imogen Dillon Hatcher, Managing Director, EMEA – FTSE Group.
“Shariah compliant investment is one of the fastest growing new areas of finance globally. The FTSE/JSE Shariah Top 40 index will provide institutional investors with an accurate Shariah benchmark as well as help providers create structured investment products tailored to the Islamic market. Today’s launch demonstrates FTSE Group’s commitment to providing innovative solutions to investors both in South Africa and worldwide. ”
The constituents of the FTSE/JSE Shariah Top 40 Index are screened by Yasaar Research Inc, a well-respected authority on Shariah law. To qualify as a constituent of the index, companies undergo a detailed screening process, which filters out any organisations considered unacceptable or non-compliant according to Shariah-law, including businesses involved in conventional finance, alcohol, pork-related and non-halaal food, entertainment, tobacco and weapons.
The remaining companies are then further screened according to Shariah compliant financial criteria. In order to remain in the index, the companies are reassessed by Yasaar quarterly, the JSE said.
: JSE, Johannesburg Stock Exchange, Shariah, Investing, Index, Shariah-index -
So Who is this Madiba Chap? eh?
What can I say… the man is an inspiration to millions, but what I’d like to highlight about his life is a fact which he mentioned himself…”I was not a messiah, but an ordinary man who had become a leader because of extraordinary circumstances.” He was just a man… just like any one of us, but what made him great was his purpose and his dedication which he stuck by and fought for till he achieved it. That’s what catapulted him out of the ordinary, doing the things which others shied away from or were to fearful to carry out.In the face of death, detention and exile he persisted. We all need to learn from his lesson that the greatest obstacle can be overcome by simple, truthful ideals.
Happy 90th Birthday! I’ll catch the Hyde Park dedication concert on TV tonight.
: Madiba, 90th Birthday, Hyde Park, Lesson -
Thoughts on Youth Day…
It seems unreal how far South Africa has come since the beginning of the fall of apartheid, that infamous day, June 16th, 1976. This day always serves to make me realise how important it is for us, as human beings and as South Africans, to remember our vibrant past with all its struggle and adversity as well as our progression and success. We cannot allow the same oppression to exist anywhere, let alone our own country.The xenophobic attacks were a shameful reminder of how close can come to reverting to the worst of ourselves. The thin line between Love and Hate. I understand there were many factors around these attacks but the fact remains, we had intolerance and discrimination vividly emblazoned on the screen around the world. How far a cry is it from the days when we seen the pictures of Hector Pietersen being carried away dead during the June 16th, 1976 uprising… and not forgetting the sacrifice of other youth across the world, Mohammed Al Dura in Palestine being shot while his father tried to protect him; or Victor Hugo Daza in Cochabamba, Bolivia who was killed by the military in protests against Bechtel trying to privatise Bolivia’s sources of water.
We need to also be aware of oppression around the world and either fight against it physically or by some action or at least to speak out against it. We owe it to ourselves as human beings and South Africans to do this at least. China’s oppression of Tibet and support of oppressive regimes in Africa, the conflict in Sudan, The oppression of the Palestinian people on a daily basis, the Middle East, etc. We can not sit back and idly nod as we read about these things in news papers and through our RSS feeds. We need to do something, say something.We are all too aware of chaos theory and how little things affect greater outcomes and events. We could be that little change.
Let’s hope for a greater world… and one in which we have played our part.
Peace.
Link: The Front Line
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South Africa to Launch Battery-Powered Car
In some positive news from South Africa, a battery-powered car is being developed and will be unveiled next year (no, it’s not a toy). This announcement was made by the Deputy Science and Technology Minister, Derek Hanekom. Given the effect on the country with the recent oil price increases and lack of investor confidence with the xenophobia crisis, a new alternative which would help people save money and provide a viable alternative is very welcome.Read the full story here.
: Links and Aggregation
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