What caught my attention more than the captivating story itself, is how many families she is now part of. Take a deep breath. Her search for ubuntu saw her being embraced by 92 families of 13 different cultures in and around 121 towns.

What is your story? Tell us in the comments. Share your videos, pictures and writings with us here.

Off we went on our 18 hour journey back to South Africa. While chatting and reminiscing with my friends I kept thinking about home and what awaited me back home. I thought about how much I had missed pap, gravy and home made stew; how I don’t want to see a slice of pizza or a REALLY BIG burger for a while. I thought about the children who played on the street so joyfully while I sat with friends on my granny’s stoop and spoke about how great life is. I thought about going to lectures in the winter rain and taking walks around this beautiful town, Stellenbosch. So many things I missed about home that just makes South Africa a part of  my heart.

We landed in Johannesburg and waiting for me was my mother with a warm arms and her famous “I missed you” smile. Just seeing her face made me glow like never before. Shortly after briefing my mother of all the happenings in the passed five weeks I got onto the flight to Cape Town. When walking out of Cape Town International Airport I was hugged by the cold breeze. I took a deep breath and smiled; I knew I was home and that is where my heart is. I really missed the little things about this country and I’m glad we got  the chance to show the world what we are capable of.

South Africa is me and I am my country. I’m glad to be back.

What do you think matters now? Tell us in the comments.

We’d like to share your stories as well. Click here to publish your pictures, short articles and videos that amplify Mzansi.

What do you think matters now? Tell us in the comments.

We’d like to share your stories as well. Click here to publish your pictures, short articles and videos that amplify Mzansi.

What remains constant is this video of Japanese business people who have been in Johannesburg for 6 months. Their overall experience of South Africa has been of a welcoming and comfortable place. However, the Japanese World Cup loss against Paraguay still does not sit well with them.

Take a look at the video below.

What has changed for you in the past few days? Tell us in the comments we would really like to know.

The Danish fans I met, after being to the Cradle of Mankind, also assert we are all originate from the same place. And it’s somewhere next to Pretoria.

Denmark fans predict the score from Brand South Africa Blog on Vimeo.

When I met Kris Fernandes at the OR Tambo International Airport, it was clear that he is a regular traveler. You know, one of those people who are just comfortable in places and you can’t distinguish from the masses till they speak.

Little did I know that he was also journalist who is here to document the World Cup. He is from Inside Soccer Magazine, a Canadian soccer magazine.

My interest in capturing his story had more to do with what he is looking forward to while in South Africa. And as it turns out, he might just bungee jump the Bloukrans Bridge before me.

Quick question: Did you know that South Africa has one of the highest commercial bungee jumps in the world? It is the Bloukrans Bridge.

While he is in South Africa, he is also looking to go diving with the sharks in Cape Town.

View the video and let me know what you find most adventurous about Mzansi.

With Kris Fernandes from Canada from Brand South Africa Blog on Vimeo.

Besides the fabulous overhaul of Cape Town Station (as well as my local Plumstead Station – now known as Plumstead Precinct), new shuttles have been introduced in the city centre that make hopping about the city a real pleasure. The overhaul is not only evident in the infrastructure of our city, but also in the happy, smiling faces of everyone we see. Capetonians are extending a very warm welcome to all its visitors, but are also treating each other with warmth and familiarity that comes with the euphoria of being hosts of this important, historic event.

I’m still amazed at the infectious vibe that is present everywhere I go. I’m not a football fan, but I’m starting to feel the green and gold in my blood come to life as my spirit soars to the heavens with the cacophony of craziness that pervades every conceivable space. Vuvuzelas can be heard early in the morning till late at night. I reckon the supporters blowing them need the practice – foreigners and South Africans alike! In St Georges Mall today, hundreds of supporters from all over got a taste of things to come as they blew horns, whistles, sang and danced together in celebration.

The 2010 World Cup fever is hitting me hard. I’m feeling a strange desire to paint my face in my country’s national colours and ululate at the top of my voice.

I plan to be at the Fan Park on Friday as the first match kicks off so I can add my bit to the football fever gripping the world. I’ll be the one in the Bafana Bafana T-shirt with a flag for a face, a vuvuzela for a voice, and doing the Diski Dance!

Flags, Zakumi’s (official World Cup mascot), soccer jerseys everywhere makes me feel that we can unite as a country, evident in the progress made.

*** I love SA ***

Am I going to be watching any of the matches live? Obviously! I have never been to a soccer match before and will be attending my first on Friday, where France and Uruguay go head to head (or ball to foot in this case) :). I will be glued to a giant screen somewhere before this game starts to watch RSA vs. Mexico and rooting for Bafana all the way. First live match ever, World Cup fever, feeling SA unite, can anyone say “excited”, “excited”, “excited”?

The feeling I hope for South Africa is that we stay this way long past the end game is played. Everyone is watching and can see that through working together and progress, we can be pushed into another league and be part of a set of countries people all of the world would like to visit sometime in their life.

So, Bafana, we are behind you 150%, make us proud and do your best.

Visitors to South Africa, our country is beautiful, take the opportunity to visit places off the beaten track  you’ll be pleasantly surprised and p.s. don’t forget to shop!

The final of the Super 14 rugby series (played between the 14 top teams from South Africa, Australia and New Zealand) was played at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto. The Blue Bulls Company was kind of forced to find an alternative stadium for the final, and in fact for their semi-final match against New Zealand’s Crusaders the previous week, as they had by then already handed over their home field, Loftus Versfeld to FIFA for final preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.   Orlando Stadium, to date better known for hosting football finals, was their choice.   Well done to the Bulls leadership for breaking the mould and going against the expected, the trialed and tested, the mundane.

Orlando was the perfect setting to witness how far our country has come and how patriotic we are in supporting our sports teams.  No matter where they play, we will follow them, as they are our pride and joy – the ones that make us proud. So come on South Africans let’s do the same for Bafana Bafana and get behind the boys!  They too will make us proud.

The past weekend also had a downside though.  Being a Stormers fan, it was painful to see my team lose to the Vodacom Bulls.  Very painful, I tell you! But at the end of the day, I have to admit that the best team won. Well done Bulls!

Now for Bafana Bafana!  The time is near for the players to know whether they are in Mr Parreira’s squad or not.  The team’s performance has improved and there is renewed optimism in the South African football fan base.

MY squad, whom I think should represent South Africa will probably not differ that much to Mr Parreira’s.  I personally think that some players have through their performance gone from being squad members to being in the starting 11 – notably Bongani Khumalo.  Please Mr Parriera start this boy as he has a good future ahead of him!

My squad for the World Cup is:

Goalkeepers-     Itumeleng Khune
Moaneeb Josephs
Rowan Fernandes

Defenders

Siboniso Gaxa
Aaron Mokoena
Tsepo Masilela
Bongani Khumalo
Bryce Moon
Matthew Booth
Lucas Twala
Siyabonga Sangweni

Midfielders

Steven Pienaar
Kagisho Diagacoi
Macbeth Sibaya
Teko Modise
Reneliwe Letsholonyane
Siphiwe Tshabalala
Thanduyise Khubani

Strikers

Bernard Parker
Benedict McCarthy
Katlego Mphela
Surprise Moriri
Siyabonga Nomvete

Good luck boys. Go out and make us and yourselves proud!

ROCK ON!

Rounding the bend on Jan Smuts Avenue in Parktown I belt out the refrain from the well known mid 18th century nursery rhyme “Polly put the kettle on, polly put the kettle on, we’ll all have tea.”

You see a fabulous new friend has invited me to spend Saturday afternoon enjoying high tea at the Westcliff Hotel in the northern suburbs of Johannesburg.

As I make my way through the heavily ornate cast iron gates a suave bellhop directs me to the parking bays from where I am escorted to an awaiting shuttle and whisked off up the hill. The serenity of the apricot coloured units, rose bushes and the countryside-feel of this very exclusive hotel soon have me captivated, stilling all the silly refrains in my head.

At the top of the hill the shuttle comes to a stop. Our driver jovially announces that today is a good day, as this afternoon he joins his friends at Soccer City for the historic rugby match between the Blue Bulls and Crusaders. He laughs and winks as he says, “Today my blood is blue.” I laugh and wish him a fantastic game.

I am then led into the Polo Lounge past  many more fragrant rose bushes. The atmosphere is serene and calming.

My friend has already arrived and welcomes me with open arms and a hug. Patrick, who will be looking after us, seats us at a window.

The 180 degree view of Johannesburg is stunning.  Autumn is in full swing, the world’s largest urban forest a riot of orange, red and lime green. It feels as  if the sun is out just for me this brisk afternoon.

Patrick brings the menu and shows us the buffet table. I silently wonder if the Monarch herself will be joining us. Everything from the silver milk jug to the crustless cucumber sandwiches to the salmon and cream cheese mini wraps look like they are eagerly anticipating her arrival.

I get lost in the tea menu. So many fragrant and delicious blends. Rose and hibiscus. Moroccan spice. Lavender. I finally settle for a cup of oolong from China.

The teapot arrives and with it a whole new way of drinking tea.

The pot is of fine clear glass, with a cylinder in the centre. The cylinder houses the leaves, long, fragrant and curly. Patrick pours boiling water over the mixture and sets it on a glass burner. He advises me to let the tea develop.

I watch as the water slowly mingles with the leaves. It turns a bright lemon yellow, then amber and finally black. I am mesmerised. Suddenly life has taken on new meaning, hours have stilled to minutes and even seconds matter now. I take a deep breathe and feel my lungs inhale the fragrant tea. With a huge sigh, I sit back and relax.

Four cups of tea, one more fragrant than the other, an assortment of savouries and the best death-by-chocolate gateaux, next a slice of ganache cake, then more than one decadently decorated marzipan petit-four, and I finally put my fork down.

By now my new friend and I have become old friends. Lapped in luxury, we have bared our souls, shared our dreams, and buried our regrets.

As I wipe my mouth with the linen napkin  lying across my lap, the sun is setting. The sky is streaked with orange, red and purple. Birds chirp in the distance, and for the first time I notice that the room is filled with other people. South Africans of every hue and background are enjoying the age old European tradition of high tea on a late Saturday afternoon.

A slow knowing smile spreads across my face… South Africa is truly Alive with Possibility!

My Jozi. My Egoli. My Kazi. My place. My space…

As the words roll over my painted lips my heart swells with pride. This is my Jozi, my home, my palace, my place. It is the place that brings my feet to an abrupt halt, shifts my perceptions, opens my eyes and eagerly invites my soul to participate in all that is vibrant, eclectic and energising. A social cosmopolitan metropolis of note.

If you are lucky enough to spend time in this great country, I urge you to make your way to Johannesburg and experience the vibrancy and pulse beat of our rainbow nation by checking out the following sights:

A Highveld Sunrise

There is nothing quite as spectacular as dawn on the highveld. From my favourite lookout point on Monroe Drive which gives you a birdseye view of the city, you can sit quietly and watch as darkness fades to dawn. The early morning light streaked in hues of light blue and orange, which gives way to the golden rays of sunlight as it creeps through the horizon, ready to warm the hills and concrete buildings. In summer a deligthful breeze blows,  in winter the air is crisp and fresh and lays down a thin layer of frost which melts with the first rays of morning. A perfect time to enjoy a hearty breakfast!

Gleneagles Road, Greenside

Make your way down to the leavy green suburb of Greenside. With its lush oak trees and green sidewalks and rose gardens, it is the perfect spot to find hot pastries, fresh bread and the aroma of imported coffee wafting from the myriad of delicatessens and coffee shops and Parisian style-street cafe’s, where you will be affectionately greeted by a lively waiter as he hands you your morning paper. Soon your plate will be filled with hot bacon, fried eggs and toast and coffee just the way you like it, or perhaps you prefer a bagel and cream cheese with smoked salmon, the choice is yours.

Emmerentia Dam

Enjoy a leisurely stroll at nearby Emmerentia dam where there is plenty do, such as watching the joggers, the cyclists, the dog walkers, and the canoeists as they take to the water, or feeding your leftover breakfast roll to the wild ducks who roam the embankment. Whatever the activity you are sure to strike up a conversation with the friendly locals.

Cultural Shopping

If browsing and experiencing culture is top of your mind, I suggest a shopping experience like no other. The Oriental Plaza in Fordsburg. A vibrant and deligthful bazaar with countless little shops and stalls selling anything from exotic spices for breyani; fragrant saffron to coconut milk and roti rolls, to Superga tekkies and Levi jeans. The Oriental Plaza is famous for its bargaining and trading, everything you could ever want at the price that you are willing to pay. An experience which refreshes the soul and the senses as customers are encouraged to touch, to taste and to experience the rich Indian culture and hospitality. Try a fragrant hot spiced chai tea with a side order of chili bites and samoosas, to put a fire in your belly come tea time.

Or perhaps you are desperate to buy trinkets for the folks back home. I suggest you make your way to the Rosebank African Craft Market, where you will be able to indulge your wild and curious side. Experience the continent of Africa under one roof. Explore traditional clothing and jewellery, ceramics, hand made paper, wooden and stone carvings, wood furniture and masks, to beaded dolls and wire art. Journey from the Ivory Coast to the Democratic Republic of Congo and from the Kalahari to Cameroon at the many stalls. The African Craft Market is a delight for all to see and hear. Indulge in the many different languages and accents being spoken and set your imagination free, to consider a grass mat or a cow hide carpet or a Springbok leather purse.

Historical Culture Experience

No trip to Jozi will be complete without a historical visit. It is only in looking back at the atrocities committed by the apartheid government that you can truly understand the lesson in forgiveness that gave birth to the rainbow nation you see here today.

Visit the old fort at Constitution Hill and walk in the place where Gandhi and Madiba were incarcerated, or go next door to experience the hollowness and sadness of the primitive and deplorable female prison where prisoners like the famous poisoner Daisy de Melker were held.

From there I urge you to continue south and make your way to the historical Soweto. Visit the Hector Pieterson museum, pass the home of Archbishop Desmond Tutu and take a tour of Nelson Mandela’ home. Walk the famous Vilikazi street which is home to the two Nobel peace prize winners. En route,  stop at one of the shebeens (a local pub or bar) and have something to drink. The people and atmosphere will be alive and welcoming, and you are sure to catch up on the football scores and the local gossip.

From there, make your way to Nambitha’s a traditional restaurant famous for it’s flavourful home cooked meals and generous portions. Here you will find old favorites like spinach and morogo, pap and vleis, mogodo (sheeps tripe) and dumplings (a home made bread) served with chips, rice, samp and South Africa’s top wines, imported beers and numerous well known spirits.

Soweto is a cultural hotpot of people and experiences and gives new meaning to the expression “local is lekker”. Here you will hear and appreciate stories from far and wide as the people are genuinely caring and express themselves in great spirit.

Bars

By dusk time it is time to hit the party scene and where better than to make your way back to the ubercool Circle bar, situated in the Rosebank Hotel. A great place for after dinner drinks which sizzles with afrofusion and funk. Enjoy a drink while seated on a perspex bar stool or sink into a leather wingback chair or order an ice bucket and enjoy it in one of the intimate booths with cascading glass bead curtains and colourful lights. The perfect place to see and be seen.

Restaurants

Next up is the dinner scene. Here we do not ask how you would like your meat done, but if you would like meat at all? Variety and choice are at your fingertips.

Fancy something European and then make your way to Melrose Arch. The city within the city, where you can experience New York style burgers, steak and meat grilled to perfection; prawns, calamari and fish like you caught it yourself; or pasta cooked to suit your particular dente. And if you crave a taste of Africa,  why not make your way over to Moyo’s and taste African tradition at its best.

Perhaps you prefer something a little more exotic and spicy. Then experience the magic of Thai food at Wanghtai Restaurant in Sandton Square where the many flavours and fragrances are sure to seduce your palette.

And when the last drop of wine has been drunk and the last morsel of food has been wiped from your plate it is time to get your dancing shoes on.

Dancing and Culture

Feeling sentimental. Make your way to Katzy’s in Rosebank and enjoy an evening of fine spirits, cigars and top notch jazz. Feel the buzz, man!

Or take in a show, something “local and lekker”. Sit back, relax and enjoy exploring our unique culture at the Alexander theatre in Braamfontein, or the Market Theatre in Newtown, as you are captivated by the enchantment of a live performance.

Or perhaps it is time you kick off your shoes and line up the shooter glasses as you make your way to upmarket, trendy nightclub Taboo in Sandton. And if you are a trendspotter or a die hard fashionista then the fashiontv-I-see-it-first-on-tv venue in Fourways is the place to be, dahling.

But the best moment has to be when in the wee hours of the morning you finally make it back home, kick off your shoes and crawl into bed. And just before you close your eyes, you realise that this is the best place on earth to be. That you are truly blessed, because tomorow you get to spend another day in the City of Gold!