Category: Observations

AMAZWI
Landing the beast at uShaka International
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Landing the beast at uShaka International

Our resident aviatrix lands her 737 at South Africa’s newest airport.

In a huff and a puff
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In a huff and a puff

The Athlone cooling towers, recently blown up for safety reasons, were part of the Cape Town skyline for half a century. Fatima Jakoet shares some memories.

One School At A Time with Pepe Marais
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One School At A Time with Pepe Marais

One South African, Pepe Marais, has been interested in changing the face of education for a while now. If you think that is a tall order for one person, that makes two of us, says Mongezi.

What's in a Name?
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What’s in a Name?

Chez Pool, aka The Puddle, returns to BSA blog after far too long a hiatus with some riffs on the names of people, places and sweet things.

The best kept secret...
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The best kept secret…

Fatima Jakoet salutes sunny warm winter days, with snow capped mountains visible from Cape Town, lush green fields of wheat and the blossoming of the bright yellow canolas in the countryside.

Chilz of joy
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Chilz of joy

Banele Lukhele heads home after a couple of months in the US at part of the South Africa Washington Internship Programme. Absence, as they say, makes the heart grow fonder.

Joburg to Japan
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Joburg to Japan

Mongezi vlogs a Japanese perspective on South Africa and the World Cup: happy to be here, not so happy about the loss to Paraguay.

Orange in a free state
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Orange in a free state

A pair of Dutchmen has Mongezi quietly rooting for the Netherlands to win on Sunday.

Other than jobs and skills and hope...
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Other than jobs and skills and hope…

Boris Johnson, mayor of London, considers the World Cup legacy for South Africa, and, with a nod to Monty Python, likes what he sees.

The seamless, steamless Gautrain
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The seamless, steamless Gautrain

Fatima Jakoet, having watched the Gautrain being built from her office in the cockpit of the SA Airways jet, takes a ride to Sandton.

Cape Town and Chez Reach Fever Pitch
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Cape Town and Chez Reach Fever Pitch

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

Generations of Comrades
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Generations of Comrades

Last weekend one of the world’s greatest ultra marathons took place on our doorstep, writes Bethany Joy.

Mark Fish on rugby in Orlando stadium and the Bafana selection
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Mark Fish on rugby in Orlando stadium and the Bafana selection

What a weekend this has been! Together with millions of fellow countrymen and women, I have experienced what will be recorded as not only a historic event, but also one of the most significant bridge building events in our country’s transformation.

Too Sick to be Saved
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Too Sick to be Saved

Bethany Joy writes of difficult choices, death and four-part harmony in Kwazulu Natal.

The highest of high teas
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The highest of high teas

On a crisp autumn afternoon, a fabulous new friend takes Nadine Khan to tea at the Westcliff Hotel overlooking the leafy northern suburbs of Johannesburg.

South Africans and their bicycles
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South Africans and their bicycles

A simply amazing project.

Jo'burg Rhapsody
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Jo’burg Rhapsody

Why would anyone prefer Johannesburg to Cape Town? Nadine Khan knows the answer.

Proud South African
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Proud South African

From Mxit to jacarandas to a cool constitution, lots to be proud about, writes Stellenbosch diarist Banele Lukhele

Strong Women
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Strong Women

This week the forests around our house are being transported to the homes of rural folk on the heads of African women, writes Bethany Joy, a native of Ireland, presently living in KwaZulu Natal.

Shoebox TV
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Shoebox TV

We are seduced by the world of instant gratification. So much so, that my nephews find it hard to believe that their Dad and I grew up without a television in our household.

Gone golfing: Mark Fish on golfing and Bafana
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Gone golfing: Mark Fish on golfing and Bafana

To the team, my team and your team, Bafana Bafana: keep working hard guys and believe in yourself and in each other, no matter what others may think and say. When the whistle blows we – the nation – will be behind you.

Going Green. Jo's Vintage Experience...
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Going Green. Jo’s Vintage Experience…

Although many a vintage enthusiast would give their right hand for Uncle Archie’s Morris Minor, at the time, all I could think was the irreparable damage it was doing to my social life to be seen in one!

The Cape is alive with the sites of progress
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The Cape is alive with the sites of progress

Have you been to the Cape Town International Airport lately? Have you driven along the N1, taken the M5 turnoff and seen the bridges rise up in front of your eyes? Shana Kay has.

Ticket Day!
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Ticket Day!

South Africans (inluding Local Oganising Committee CEO Danny Jordaan, left) jumped at the chance to purchase tickets at shopping malls around the country, writes Mark Fish.

Lunch date with a twist
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Lunch date with a twist

In which our multi-talented contributor Fatima Jakoet interrupts a delightful lunch in a panic that she may have left the stove on at home.

The Sound of Cape Town in the Morning
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The Sound of Cape Town in the Morning

Unafraid to push boundaries, Nigel and his team — sports and news presenters Brandon Baatjies and Sandra Rosenberg and Knobbo “the sidekick” — set out to wake up the city with all sorts of crazy antics and discussions.

The Blue Bulls take it off in support of Bafana Bafana
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The Blue Bulls take it off in support of Bafana Bafana

Traditionally, there used to be a rift between soccer supporters and rugby fans, but this change completely transforms the outlook I had, says Mongezi Mtati.

Bafana great Mark Fish joins Team BSABlog
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Bafana great Mark Fish joins Team BSABlog

Having travelled to Hong Kong, Senchzen and Guanchou, I’ve found the optimism and the excitement in the East very encouraging and a bit contagious. The rest of the world are as excited as us Africans about the 2010 World Cup

Summer, sun, sapphire blue waters and figs
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Summer, sun, sapphire blue waters and figs

Fatima Jakoet heads to Hermanus to enjoy a glorious late summer day by the sea and eat some figs.

100 Days!
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100 Days!

Since I arrived three weeks ago, South Africa has welcomed me with open arms– and although I’m an American, there’s a special excitement I feel whenever I see someone waving a South African flag because I then begin to realize that the World Cup is really happening, that it’s almost here, and that I am actually going to be apart of the experience.