Some local events

Here's a guide to some of South Africa's best excuses for a party:

Aardklop Arts Festival	Klein Karoo Nationale Kunstefees
Arts Alive	Knysna Oyster Festival
Cape Town Jazz Festival	National Arts Festival
Cape Town Minstrels Carnaval	Oppikoppi Bushveld Festival
Hermanus Whale Festival	Spier Summer Festival
Joy of Jazz	Splashy Fen

Amazulu World

AmaZulu World will incorporate the culture and natural history of KwaZulu Natal, with features that will transform the development into a world class destination. It will cost close to R44 billion, but the features and design of AmaZulu World will be like nothing ever seen before in South Africa, or Africa for that matter. One of the biggest attractions to the complex, will be the internationally branded theme park, of which there will be two, and on completion, AmaZulu World will offer approximately twenty hotels, residences, a golf course, nature reserves, a sports village development, a marina, shopping complexes, resorts, community facilities, and spas. It is estimated that it will take about twenty-five years until AmaZulu World is complete, as it will be constructed in phases, but with each phase another of the various attractions to AmaZulu World will be added.

AWB vs ANC

I saw this on a blog!?

AWB was better than ANC

‘n Foto met ‘n ongehoorde stelling is besig om die rondte te doen. Dit toon ‘n groep betogende swartes wat hul misnoeë met die huidige bewind in geen onduidelike terme te kenne gee nie.

Met erkenning aan mnr. Dan Roodt

http://roodt.org/?p=37

Zuma Tzunami

What is the True Meaning of “Zuma Tzunami” ?
Back in December 2007, when Zuma swept through like a wave and won the bitter electoral battle for ANC supremacy at Polekwani, this was considered at that time by political commentators and academics alike as the “Zuma Tzunami”.
In April 2009 at a meeting at UCT, Julius Malema was quoted as saying “Jacob Zuma is unstoppable. Zuma is a biological tsunami.”
In the run up to the South African Presidential elections, Zuma made promises to everybody from foreign investors to millions of poor blacks living in shanty towns in his quest for votes & popularity.
South Africa is now in the grip of its first recession for 20 years and the people in the townships are complaining that after 15 years of ANC rule they still don’t have basic housing, electricity or water.
The “Zuma Tzunami” wave may still come back to drown him. Zapiro’s cartoon of the 23rd July 2009 in The Times illustrates this graphically.
For more Zapiro cartoons visit http://www.zapiro.com

South Africa Lions

Activities in Karoo Wilgewandel

http://www.wilgewandel.co.za/afrikaans/aktiwiteite.htm

• By Wilgewandel Vakansieplaas is daar ‘n verskeidenheid pret aktiwiteite vir jonk en oud teen bekostigbare pryse.
• Ons maak voorsiening vir kinderpartytjies, spesiale funksies en skoolgroepe. Ons het ook spesiale pakkette vir skoolgroepe van meer as 20 persone.
• Kameel ritte: Ons het sewe vriendelike drommedaris kamele. Hulle name is: Abraham, Joshua, Moses, Vossie, Josef, Tabo, Nelson.
• 18 Gaatjies Ghwarra-Ghwarra Golf: Mini golf vir oud en jonk. (putt-putt).
• Donkiekarrite: Hier kan die gaste ‘n rit op die donkie kar neem.
• ‘Foefie slide’: 100 meter lank en 6 meter hoog oor die plaas dam.
• Plaas atmosfeer: Vind stilte en rus aan die voet van die Swartberge.
• Plaas diere om te voer: Hier kan die gaste diere voer, soos bevoorbeeld: Ganse, volstruise, boer bokke, varke, hasies, poue, alpaca’s, skape en donkies.
• Stamp bootjies: Bootjies op ‘n plaasdam, veilig vir oud en jonk.
• Wipmatte: Hier kan die kinders lekker spring en van hulle oortollige energie ontslae raak.
• ‘Quadbuggies’: ‘n Spesiale baan, wat baie veilig gekontroleer word.
• Pret Hindernisbaan: ‘n baan met baie hindernisse, toue en mure om oor te klim, moddertonnels en ander hindernisse wat baie veilig is.

Things 2 do in South Africa

http://www.sa-venues.com/things-to-do/

Local Events

For other areas go to http://www.southafricablog.co.za/events/

July

East Coast Radio House & Garden Show

Location: Durban
More Information

July

Amanzimtoti Sardine Splash 2009

Location: Amanzimtoti
More Information

July

The Chocolate Carnival

Location: Durban, Kwa Zulu Natal
More Information

July

House of Paint Durban Airshow

Location: Durban North
More Information

July

Durban International Boat & Leisure Show

Location: Durban
More Information

July

Durban International Film Festival

Location: Durban
More Information

July

Good Food & Wine Show Durban

Location: Durban
More Information

July

Annual South Coast Lions Show

Location: South Coast
More Information

July

Hluhluwe Rhino Classic

Location: Hluhluwe
More Information

Sterling Electric Quartet

Cape Town’s instrumental supergroup Sterling Electric Quartet will be performing a free concert at Marimba’s Restaurant on Friday the 10th July 2009. Captivating audiences from all walks of life with their spectacular display of virtuosity and their energetic stage presence, this all-female outfit is fast-becoming one of the most sought after bands on South Africa’s entertainment and event circuits. The launch of their new album this year has catapulted Sterling into the limelight both locally and internationally with performances in Dubai and Portugal.

Their show contains well-known hits as well as strikingly energetic, original compositions. Sterling turns Classical favourites like Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony into contemporary dance hits which, together with their renditions of well-known South African songs and Latin House, Jazz and even disco chart-toppers, never fails to leave their audience wanting more!

http://www.sterlingeq.co.za/

Stellenbosch Western Cape

Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands

Stellenbosch, Cape Winelands

The beautiful little town of Stellenbosch, roughly an hour from Cape Town, lies surrounded by the Stellenbosch Mountains in the Jonkershoek River Valley in one of the most picturesque settings in the Cape.

The second oldest town in South Africa has fondly been called ‘Eikestad’ or city of oaks and its streets are lined with some of the most beautiful surviving examples of Cape Dutch, Georgian and Victorian architecture in the Cape. Dorp Street is a national monument and taking the time to walk around this cosy old part of Stellenbosch, with its secluded lanes, water furrows, cosmopolitan restaurants and coffee bistros, with superb views of mountain, vineyards and orchards, is an idyllic morning venture.

The name ‘Stellenbosch’ is almost synonymous with the wine industry. Not only does it have the oldest wine route in the country, and arguably the most famous, but the town has one of the most modern experimental wineries in the world, and the only viticultural and oenological department in the country at its university.

Blaauwklippen Estate, Stellenbosch

South Africa’s oldest music school, the famous Stellenbosch Conservatoire, has its home in this important cultural centre, and there is a collection of galleries and museums housing national and international art collections worth viewing.

For the nature lover there are a number of excellent hikes in the Jonkershoek Nature Reserve. The full-day Vineyard Hiking Trail, a fairly new 24 kilometre long trail, starts on the slopes of the Papegaaiberg and winds its way through vineyards, forests, olive groves and coastal renosterveld.

The Stellenbosch Tourist Information Office and the Stellenbosch Wine Route Office are in Market Street - start to your tour here! Many of the historical buildings are close by and it is possible to discover some of Stellenbosch on foot.

Vergelegen Wine Estate, Stellenbosch

R Kelly tour South Africa

Fans welcome R Kelly

Traffic Jams

Don't ever complain about traffic jams, u hear me!

Bloodriver Battlefield KZN

Museum Visitors Centre

Laager

Monument 3,000 Zulus

After the Voortrekkers had failed to negotiate with the Zulus the secession of land for settling and grazing, and had endured a number of catastrophic assaults, they assembled at the Ncome River for a decisive battle. On December 16, 1838, 464 Boers under the command of Andries Pretorius defeated more than 10,000 Zulu warriors. The deeply religious Boers did not ascribe the military victory to their technically superior armaments, but interpreted it primarily as a sign of God. Before the battle, they had prayed and made a vow that if God would grant them victory over the Zulus, they would commemorate the event annually. With that battle behind them, they believed even more strongly that white predominance over blacks was Gods own will.
The monument at the Blood River, a fort of cast-bronze wagons, brings to life the terrible events of 1838, which meant the beginning of the end of the Zulu Kingdom. This monument stood alone for many years as a reminder exclusively of the heroism of the white settlers, who suffered no fatalities at Blood River on that day.
Finally, in December 1998, a memorial for the 3,000 Zulu soldiers who died in the battle, was inaugurated by Zulu Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi across the river from the Afrikaner monument. The historic anniversary of the Day of the Vow has been renamed Reconciliation Day in the New South Africa.

Local Lingo

Just for Fun - In-Jokes

SA dictionary :-)
• Amped – Excited
• Aries – Afternoon
• Awe – various meanings
• Babbalas– Hangover
• Baggies – Boardshorts
• Bakkie– Pick-up truck
• Ballie -old person
• Bankie – Bank bag filled with dope
• Biltong– Jerky
• Bleak – Disappointed
• Biscuit – Term of affection
• Blind – Embarrassing
• Boet –Friend
• Bokkie– Girl/woman
• Boot – TrunkBru – Friend/person
• Bunny Chow – Curry inside a loaf of bread
• Café (pronounced: ‘caf-fee’) – Corner store
• Check – Look
• Cherrie – Woman
• Cheers – Thanks / Good-bye
• China – Friend
• Chips – Look out
• Chop – Moron
• Cotch – Vomit
• Classic – Awesome / excellent
• Connection – Person
• Crash – Sleep
• Chunder - puke/vomit
• Dagga– Marijuana
• Dof– Dumb
• Deck – Punch
• Dodgy – Suspiscious
• Duck – Leave
• Doss – Sleep
• Dummy – Pacifier
• Eina!– Ouch
• Eish! – Exclamation / confessing confusion
• Fong-Kong – Fake
• Full on – Absolutely
• Gafoefel– To fidget with / To fool around with
• Gatvol – Fed Up
• Goofed – Stoned
• Graft – Hard work
• Granadilla – Passion Fruit
• Hectic – Extreme
• Hone – Stink
• Hooter – Car horn
• hose – Laugh
• howzit! – Hi!
• Izzit / Is it?– Oh really?!
• Jislaaik – Holy Crap!
• Jol – Party
• Juice – Petrol
• Just now – Later
• Kak – crap
• Kief– Cool/awesome
• Koki – Permanent marker
• Kombi – Minibus / Small van
• Koppie – Small hill / small person’s head
• Kreepy / Kreepy Krawly – Pool skimmer
• Kwaai– Cool
• Laaitie – Child
• Lank – A lot
• Lappie – Cloth
• Larny – Fancy
• Lekker – Cool/awesome
• Location – Informal settlement
• Lus– Craving
• Matric – Final year of high school
• Metro – Traffic officers
• Mielie– Corn
• Mif – Disgusting / upset
• Mission – Awesome / Difficult
• Moffie – Homosexual
• Muti– Medicine
• Mal – Crazy
• Naartjie– Tangerine
• Nappy – Diaper
• Né?– hey?
• Now now – Soon
• Oke– Person
• Ola– Hi!
• Pavement – Sidewalk
• Phuza– To drink
• Piss-cat – Heavy drinker
• Plakkies – Flip-flops
• Pomp– To have sex
• Pozzie– House
• Pull in! – Come around!
• Robot – Traffic light
• Rock up – Arrive
• Rods – Underwear
• Scale – To steal / To jump over
• Sharp – Fine/ intelligent
• Shot – Thanks
• Shweet – Cool/awesome
• Sif – Disgusting
• Skat– Term of affection.
• Skedonk – Battered old car
• Skinner – Gossip
• Skollie– Riff-raff
• Skop en donna– Fighting
• Skyf– Cigarette
• S.M.S. – Text Message
• Smaak – To like/love
• Snollie– Snot
• Sosatie– Kebab on a stick
• Space Case – Pencil Bag
• Squatter camp – Informal settlement
• Squif– Skew
• Sucker – Lollipop
• Swak – Bad
• Swimming Costume – Bathing Suit
• Spliff – Joint
• Takkies – Sneakers
• Taxi – Minibus
• jommie– Friend
• Tomato Sauce – Ketchup
• Toppie– Old person
• Torch – Flashlight
• Trek – Walk
• Tune– I’m telling you
• Veld – Wilderness
• Vienna – Hotdog sausages
• Vrot – Stale
• Vetkoek – deep fried bread dough
• Yebo – Yes
• Yoh! – Expression of amazement

Route 62 Western Cape

Cape Route 62 that meanders between Cape Town and Oudtshoorn runs through the Breede River Valley.

The Breede River Valley stretches from Gouda in the west and McGregor in the south, to Montagu in the east and the Karoo in the north.

South Africa’s Route 62 was named after the famous Route 66 in the United States of America, a highway that connects the urban and rural communities between Chicago and Los Angeles. And like its namesake, it is an adventure to follow this route, which offers the traveler much more than picturesque scenery and some of South Africa’s finest wines.

The South African Route 62, is the traveler’s route which meanders between Cape Town, Worcester, Montagu, Barrydale, Ladismith, Calitzdorp, Oudtshoorn and on its way to Port Elizabeth. Route 62 also passes through historic Amalienstein and Zoar, and the fruit growing and wine producing towns of Ashton and Robertson, with McGregor, Wolseley, and Tulbagh all offering interesting side excursions.

It is advertised as the longest wine route in the world, including the wine cellars and estates of Paarl, Wellington, Tulbagh, Worcester, Robertson, and Klein Karoo Wine Routes, of which Calitzdorp is a part, producing the world famous Calitzdorp Port Wines.

Route 62 is one of three major routes connecting the hinterland of South Africa with Cape Town, and it is definitely the most spectacular as far as scenery is concerned. There is such a kaleidoscope of variety in the scenic experiences available.

Bizarre red rock formations around Calitzdorp are known as ‘Red Hills’ and here geologists have been able to trace the earth’s development over the last 600 to 800 million years. The sea left the red tinted deposits against these Klein Karoo Mountains over 125 million years ago. This phenomenon is said to be found at only two other places in the world. This scenic area is a must for visitors. This area has some wonderful unspoilt natural beauty.

And of course Calitzdorp and the whole Klein Karoo area is known for its ostriches. These unusual birds can be spied throughout this area as you motor along the highway. Weary, stressed out city visitors to Calitzdorp might also like to relax at the hot mineral baths at The Spa.

There is history in every kilometer of this road from Bushmen paintings to architecture, from war memorials to national monuments. As example Montagu is steeped in history and is famous for its, orchards, vineyards, local herbs and healing hot mineral springs. Natural phenomenons are there for exploration with possibly the internationally known Cango Caves being the most popular place to visit and a comfortable hour’s drive from Oudtshoorn.

For nature lovers it is interesting to know that the fynbos vegetation supports a number of South Western Cape Endemics, one of which is the Cape Sugarbird and the orange-breasted Sunbird. There are many Nature Reserves where motorists can take time out to do a spot of bird watching, or study some of the rare plant species. The Gamka Nature Reserve 22 km from Calitzdorp offers hikes, bird watching, floral walks, 4 x 4 drives, and has recently upgraded its Bush Camp accommodation.

Route 62, also known as the Mountain Route, offers the visitor range upon range of striking mountain edifices, snow capped in the winter, with the rich agricultural farms nestling in the valleys at their feet.

You will find hiking trails and 4 x 4 routes, fishing opportunities, a whole gamut of restaurants to suit every pallet, legends and stories, grape picking, and much, much more tourists who have traversed Route 62 once, return time and time again, and they declare that this road provides all of them with an adventure. The scenic splendours alone are fascinating and, for example, the majestic Huis Rivier Pass, begins its twists and turns right on the outskirts of Calitzdorp.

And last but not least, whilst heavy traffic dominates the N1 and N2 routes, Route 62 offers leisurely driving with plenty of time to explore the surrounding areas.

Amphitheater Drakensberg Mountains

Cape Town Aerial Photo

Click for larger view!