She had just returned from her cycling journey around South Africa. One girl cycling around the country without support vehicles, very little sponsorship and no fancy hotels along the way. In fact, once during the calm and awe – on my part – of our conversation she mentioned how at one guest house she used up numerous towels. Apparently she arrived there after riding over 150 kilometers, in the heat we’ve come to know and love about Mzansi.

Now she’s at it again. This time the challenge includes you and perhaps a few more towels.

She will be cycling around the African continent for 40 000 kilometers and has designed an innovative sponsorship model. Every kilometer cycled signifies the involvement of every South African who is involved in the journey. Like your own kilometer of Africa.

Your involvement

Her journey includes the involvement 40 000 South Africans, where anyone who wants to get involved gets to sign her support vehicles.

The vehicles will be touring South Africa, with videos and photos taken at each stop. That’s how you can travel Africa – short of mountain-biking there yourself.

It’s simple. What began as a dream 2 years ago, is open for you to participate in and become part of a world record in the making.

Follow Jolandie Rusts’s  journey on her website, facebook page and the latest on-the-go or cycle updates on twitter.

Cape Town home. The most beautiful city in the world. So all it takes is a moment to focus on the crystal clear blue sky, fresh air and beautiful mountain to feel invigorated by the atmosphere. Such an energising moment recently embalmed my being; I packed a few essentials, donned my sunhat and hopped onto the car to hit the winding coastal road with the windows wound down, enjoying the fresh breeze and inhaling the aroma of the salty Indian Ocean.

An hour and a half later, I land up in the most quaint (not so little) town of Hermanus. Ah, I have arrived at the place of summer, sun and sapphire blue waters. This coastal town, with its country-like charm and endless galleries is a popular destination during the whale season but that is not all that Hermanus has to offer.

Walking down the towns’ centre the shopaholic in me is not at all attracted to the usual retail stores. I pop into the bait-and-tackle/ fish-and-chips shop and find a snorkel for half the price in the City and set off oceanward to explore and experience the freedom of the underwater world. The ocean seems a bit rough and I decide to go for an easy afternoon hike along the coastal path.

Upon my return the next day, with the waves still crashing a bit too vigorously to my liking, I discover a secluded tidal pool but have my doubts of seeing anything noteworthy. My word, was I wrong! Did I actually doubt that there will be little to ‘write home about’ in a tidal pool? Teeming schools of fish entertained and dodged me as they shared their world in the coldish water and wait…an octopus!

Back in town, more scenes of nature enthrall as paintings at the numerous galleries. I am inspired by the artistic expressions. From the moment I step into an interior decorating store, I am bedazzled by the selection handcrafted furniture, light fixtures and the most gorgeous chandeliers, a variety of vases and the selection of jewellery. What is even more delightful is sense of French charm which embraces one as one enters the coffee shop in the rear section of the store. Guests are entertained in an open area canopied the green leafy fruit bearing fig trees. Figs are my ultimate favourite fruit! I couldn’t help but giggle as a ripe fig or two dropped while I was enjoying the delicious Madeira cake and Rooibos tea while my eyes wandered over the beautifully decorations on the whitewashed corrugated iron sheet walls. My mention to the waitress about my love for figs didn’t go unnoticed as she presents me with a beautiful plate of them a few moments later. As I take the first bite into the soft, sweet, juicy fig, I say to myself: this is definitely the highlight of my visit…

Everything is within walking distance. The ocean, shops, picnic spots, classy yet affordable restaurants and even my favourite Woollies energy bar to replenish me after my hike. Now, for some ice-cream. Not to worry! Right on the beach road Gelato Mania is to be found. A chirpy colourful ice-cream parlour which almost gives you the urge to start licking the walls even before you tasted the silky smooth ice-cream flavours.

Whether you are an artist seeking inspiration, an executive in need of a mid-week breakaway, a home executive (Mom) who is exhausted running keeping up with everyone’s diary, a camper seeking a camping spot, a bird watcher or tourist seeking to enjoy & experience South Africa or just an ordinary person like me taking the time to enjoy and appreciate our beautiful diverse country, Hermanus is to place to be. Come and unwind, rewind and explore the summer, sun and sapphire blue waters of Hermanus.

Just when I thought – ok that’s the last of the 100 Day Countdown notifications for the week – in comes a lesson from Hollard.

Who knew you could do the Diski Dance from your desk and get some practice before embarrassing yourself in public. If you have two left feet that is.

“Get off the bench” urged former athlete Bruce Fordyce who was among the participants at Hollard. It wouldn’t have been said to a more active crowd, because this variation of the Diski Dance means even I can do it.

For your office rehearsals of the “Less Space” Diski Dance, view the short video below.

Pick n Pay took it upon themselves to adopt the beginning of these festivities. Well, former Bafana Bafana player Shaun Bartlett was more the child among the many youths dressed in South African flag colours. It seemed they were heading the activation and took it over from the organisers. Who could refuse them?

When the 100 Day Countdown was announced, it seemed we’d be out creating loads of content and guzzling the Red Bull sitting on my desk. But companies are adopting the concept and taking it further than we thought. This initiative by Pick n Pay was beyond our expectations.

The pace has been set, a fast moving one at that. Will other corporate companies play ball? We’d want to be there if they do.

This has begun a new conversation at Brand South Africa, one we are following very closely. We will be generating as much content from these events as we receive invitations. So let us know.

What was supposed to be a countdown with things winding down to June 2010, Pick n Pay launched and turned into something unexpected. What are you doing? We’d really like to know.

Game parks make for a lovely day or overnight trip. At this one in particular there was a grill area, private pool and pub specializing in local brew. My friends and I took advantage of the option to rent a jeep and the eight of us packed into a spacious safari carivan for our tour. We cruised throught the hills and valleys until we reached the predator park where lions feed.

As we approached the pride, I felt like Indiana Jones! Beasting the wild and on a milder side enjoying the beauty and excitement of nature. If you’re planning a tour, I recommend arriving at the latest by noon. Feeding time began at 1 p.m. and if you can stomach it, it’s a thrill to see the animals get ready for chow time. Our driver and tour guide was awesome. He knew everything there was to know about the park animals and had the entire caravan laughing with his jokes. And he actually put me at ease when I thought for sure, we’d end up as a part of the menu. Whe we stopped to see the lions, I didn’t imagine us being so close. The big kitties were literally 10 feet away from our open caravan, and while usually I’m not easily frightened, I nearly ran for the hills when the pride of lions approached the car in front of us. There were no wires or barriers between us and them. I took a sigh of relief when the meal truck finally arrived because I could again watch them in action from a distance, rather than up close and personal. Still it was a thrill and we managed to make feeding time for the wild dogs, and cheetahs, too. What an amazing ride! We followed the park rangers from site to site, leaving our tracks in the red dust as we ventured the wild (well kind of wild, after all it was a controlled game park). We ran into a ‘mama’ rhino and her baby on our way back, and a fleet of zebras gathered around the water hole for a cool drink. My gang and I took the same cue. We’d packed a cooler filled with water and snacks, and ate and drank along the way. Once we finished our ride, we still weren’t ready to go– we heard that there would be a tiger show, and some sort of race between a human and a cheetah. So we decided to check it out for fun! We found both and couldn’t believe how fearless the trainers were next to the mammoth-sized cats. It was also endearing to witness the uncanny bond between the ‘ring master’ and the beast, because they really were pals. The big tiger hugged his trainer, and followed him along like his best side kick. I thought wow, if man and beast can see eye to eye, than surely there’s hope for all of human kind!  Our last stop was the petting park, where we played with baby cubs for $R30.

I was wearing a straw hat, and one of the little sluggers hopped into my lap in an attempt to take it away. The cubs were so playful, and despite seeing the more vicious of the species moments earlier, I found it hard to believe that the little cubs would ever grow to be as big.  All in all it was fun exploring the game park by foot and van. The next time I go, I’d like to set up for a barbeque, or a braii as South Africans say. Cheers to action packed weekends, and get this– we only decided to go on Saturday, the night before! Game parks are definitely a fun activity for anyone, families, groups of friends, even to experience it on your own. It’s a chance to explore the wild without totally being in the wild. Regardless of which one you choose, it’s a must see!

First up was a regular “crew” who occupies a spot on the busy intersection of Bolton and Jan Smuts Roads in Rosebank. Here they carve out a living using some wire, beads and some of the most creative talent I have ever seen.

I take a seat on a empty paint drum; hand over a sandwhich and introduce myself and so starts a wonderful conversation with a Zimbabwean named Boas Manzvenga. Boas is the brains behind the operation, together he, Eddie, Telmore and Elias own and operate a rather successful wire art business.

Boas was once a successful supervisor in a chemical company in Zimbabwe but the recession and political instability forced his company to close and left him without income. After several months of fruitless job-hunting, he made his way South.

That was five years ago. Today Boas says that he loves South Africa. Here the economy is good. When times are good he can make enough money as his own boss to pay his rent, cellphone and he even bought a car and when times are not so good he finds seasonal employment as a supervisor.

After lunch Boas sits back and picks up his wire art creation once again; he is beading the intricate body detail of a giraffe. He talks at a moderate pace; looks me in the eye; cracks a joke and every now and then lovingly strokes the body of his creation. I am transfixed by the speed at which this intricate animal is being shaped.

Asked where his passion for wire art comes from he smiles and says it started with “streetcars” — small wire cars he and his friends used to make as children.   Later,  he attended a technical training college in Zimbabwe where he learnt the sculpture of anatomy and beading.

The others join in the conversation.  Their stories are similar.

The Goodman Gallery across the street has given them a space where they can display and sell their art to customers ranging from serious art collectors to visiting tourists. “South Africans are good people” he says, “they do not bother us and like our art.”

When I ask if there is anything else they can make besides African animals,  they grin. Eddie points to a giant beaded afro comb, a sewing machine and even a satellite dish.

I get up to leave and they all jump up, thank me warmly for taking time to talk to them and hand over their business cards. I take them with a smile.

It seems when it comes to creativity all you need is your imagination, wire and beads, and a busy intersection in South Africa.

Do you have what it takes to create a sizzling ad — print, web banner, video — that captures the essence of South Africa, the energy, humanity, humour, creativity and resilience of our people, the richness of our cultures, our music, our art, the astounding beauty of our landscape and the astonishing bounty of every kind that it yields.

Well, here’s your chance to prove it.  South Africa’s International Marketing Council in collaboration with the Chief Marketing Officers Council, representing 5 000 senior marketing executives around the world, and zooppa.com is  launching  a first of its kind competition using social media to “crowdsource” creativity, inspiration and insight from every corner of the world to showcase South Africa as a vibrant and competitive nation brand.

With world attention fixed on South Africa as we host the 2010 FIFA World Cup, there may be no better opportunity to get your talent seen and recognized.

South Africa sponsors ad contest on zooppa.com

This initiative, a partnership between Brand South Africa and MAN Bus and Coaches),  will tour the country, bringing the excitement of 2010 home to South Africans in communities nationwide. “The People’s Bus allows us to reach people with passion outside big cities” said CEO of Brand South Africa Paul Bannister.

First stop Tembisa, which probably would not have been the first choice of many of my media colleagues. My observation is that the World Cup has brought us closer. Like kids on a school tour, everyone rushed for seats on the bus and it was off to, yes, a school.

The seemingly endless supply of Vuvuzelas was finished by both media and passersby long before our departure for Reagile Primary School. There was also a group of MAN employees swapping yellow for black, which according to them meant they were Chiefs and Pirates supporters. When we reached the school, before we could even speak to the staff, it was the sound of singing toddlers that stole our attention. Even our mission there was no match for them.

With only 111 days and only 16 Football Fridays left till kickoff on June 11 this synergy increases momentum.

The bus leaves Johannesburg for the North West on June 20 and will be coming to a city near you. We will be following it as much we can along with the people they meet.

It seems the school children at our last stop were more active than the adults. After all, what would a People’s Bus tour be without the Diski Dance?

“I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherised the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die”

Famous words spoken My Nelson Mandela at his trial in 1964 and first heard by me at his address to the rally in Cape Town on his release from prison twenty years ago.

Come with me back in time to the scene in my living room. My father and uncles and other family members are seatedin front of the television. My teenage girlfriends and I are lying on my bed drooling over a poster of Terence Trent D’Arby, with his piercing blue eyes and long dreads. Back then I was not allowed to add his poster to the fan-wall in my bedroom because he was black.

My father calls us to come and see the face of the antichrist, the man who would lead to anarchy and watch as we were all killed in our beds. My mother whimpered.

I was surprised the “antichrist” was older and humbler then I ever imagined. I sat down and watched the procession unfold. As Mandela walked down the the street holding Winnie Madikizela Mandela’s hand.

As I watched this quiet unassuming prophet take to the balcony and deliver his speech, I knew that my life would never be the same. That afternoon my entire future took on a different direction.

Twenty years on, much has changed. I have my own home, my fan-wall is now on facebook and my best friend is black. A gift which I will never take for granted. Thanks to the gargantuan efforts of Madiba and my fellow South Africans, I now live in a country where I have been blessed to be able  marry and raise children in a happy inter-cultural marriage; my domestic worker is protected and has “wife” rights in her polyganomous marriage; and my girlfriends enjoy Employment Equity (EE) status.

But the greatest gift of all is when on our way to school this morning, my 11 year old daughter looks at me and with big big eyes  says “Apartheid was wrong and Mandela should have told them (his imprisoners) that what they are doing is wrong, because our constitution says that you can never treat someone badly, based on his culture, colour or gender.”

Madiba you have set us all free!