Living in SA
24 February 2009
As 2010 creeps closer, the World Cup becomes more of a reality. On 19 Feb, World Cup ticket sales began in South Africa. We (South Africans, that is) can buy tickets at affordable prices; for a first round match, the cheapest ticket is R140. Buying tickets is a process, which you can find out more about on the Fifa website (where you can buy online) or through First National Bank, where there are brochures explaining how to do it. Not normally a soccer fan, I cannot bear not to be part of such a huge sporting event when it is happening right under my nose. Remember though that it's a massive event, and if you want a ticket it might be best to make your move now.
Labels: Fifa, soccer, World Cup, World cup tickets
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Won't be here on 22nd, but want to vote?
If you want to vote on 22 April, but cannot because you will not be in your voting district, visit the IEC website to see if you qualify for a special vote. If you do, you need to download the VEC 10 form from the website, and get it to the IEC before 27 February 2009. There are only 3 days for special votes: 15 April to vote at foreign missions outside South Africa, and 20 and 21 April to vote in South Africa. This may be a very important election; I am not going to be here on 22nd, and I will try and arrange my flights to make the 15 April foreign mission voting. So if you are not going to be here on election, day but want to vote, visit the IEC online to see if you can. ¶ [url for this post] [0 Comments] [Links to this post]
11 February 2009
The date for the next election in South Africa has been set for Wednesday 22 April 2009. The political landscape has changed significantly since the last election. A new party, COPE, has appeared; the ANC has suffered the defection of longstanding members; we are part of a world in economic turmoil, and have witnessed the inauguration of the first Black American president. Interesting times indeed, which will no doubt make for an interesting election. Whether our politicians are going to deal with this in interesting new ways, as Barack Obama did, and continues to do,by using digital media to great effect; (see for instance the live question and answer session at Ft Myers posted on the White House blog yesterday) remains to be seen.
Judge for yourself whether our politicians are up to the challenge by visiting the websites of the main players:
African National Congress (ANC)
Congress of the People (COPE)
Independent Democrats (ID)
Democratic Alliance (DA)
Judge for yourself whether our politicians are up to the challenge by visiting the websites of the main players:
African National Congress (ANC)
Congress of the People (COPE)
Independent Democrats (ID)
Democratic Alliance (DA)
Labels: 2009 election, ANC, COPE, DA, ID, South African election
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06 February 2009
J0-Wilfried Tsonga in his match against Denis IstominAs a school girl I spent quite a few hours watching tennis, and vividly remember seeing tennis greats like Evonne Goolagong and Billy-Jean King when they played here in tournaments.
Start of doubles match: Baghdatis and Chardy v Levinsky and Scherrer
Last held in 1995, the SA Open has returned as part of the ATP circuit. It is being played at Monte Casino in Johannesburg from 2 - 8 February.
Start of doubles match: Baghdatis and Chardy v Levinsky and ScherrerLast held in 1995, the SA Open has returned as part of the ATP circuit. It is being played at Monte Casino in Johannesburg from 2 - 8 February.
Marcos Baghdatis in the doubles matchYesterday I had a wonderful afternoon and evening of tennis there. Although the two remaining South Africans in the singles, Rik de Voest and Izak van der Merwe both lost their matches, the fact that this tournament is back can only mean more and better opportunities for South African players. So great to see players of the calibre of Marcos Baghdatis and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the flesh; tv tennis cannot compete with live tennis in my book., nothing can beat the atmosphere and tensions of the live match. Hope this tournament goes from strength to strength. The SA Open tennis website has live scoring, news and all the results.
Labels: ATP circuit, Baghdatis, de Voest, SA tennis open, tennis, Tsonga, van der Merwe
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05 February 2009
Have a look at Virtual Tour Guide, a great site which lets you go on virtual tours of South Africa. Here is a taste:
Union Buildings sunset in http://www.360cities.net/area/tshwane
Just one thing, the Union Building does not house parliament, as the site says, but the executive of the SA government. Parliament is in Cape Town. Great visuals though, so slip forgiven! (And thanks to Nic Haralambous and SA Rocks for alerting me to this).
Union Buildings sunset in http://www.360cities.net/area/tshwane
Just one thing, the Union Building does not house parliament, as the site says, but the executive of the SA government. Parliament is in Cape Town. Great visuals though, so slip forgiven! (And thanks to Nic Haralambous and SA Rocks for alerting me to this).
Labels: Union Buildings, virtual tours
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03 February 2009
The Proteas, taken at the Oval in Aug 2008Last Saturday the international arrivals hall at OR Tambo airport was packed with people welcoming the Proteas home. Over one thousand people showed up to congratulate the team on their historic victory against our arch rivals the Aussies: the Proteas beat Australia 2/1 in the test series and 4/1 in the ODIs. (If you missed out on the action, details are on the Cricket SA website.) Some of the players looked a little stunned as they came through the doors, but they fully deserved the welcome they got and it was great that Graeme Smith who came home early with an injury, and Makhaya Ntini, who came home early to be with his family who were in a car accident, could also be there to share in the celebrations. Australia arrives in SA later this month for a series consisting of three tests, five one days and two Twenty20 matches. If I know the Australians, they will come here determined to even up the score; something to look forward to indeed. Viva cricket viva.
Labels: cricket, Proteas, South African cricket
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These are pics of a Barthroated Apalis. I saw this bird in my garden for the first time on 29 January 2009. Okay, I did need help finding out what is was, (thank you Martin) and would not have been able even to ask for help without the pictures, which were tricky to get because it hardly stayed still for a second. It was eating the remains of flying ants from the paving. This January we have had some very heavy rainfalls, and quite often in the evenings after the rain, flying ants appear. One evening the sky was crowded with hundreds of bats preying on these insects. I have never seen so many together at once, and it was magical to watch them weaving and swooping. Not a patch of sky was left batless and the air was full of their chirps and clicks. Next day the birds came to clean up the leftovers, as the Barthroated Apalis is doing here.
Labels: barthroated apalis
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