View from a Watchers Point of View
Every now and then we like to scan some international newspapers to check out what they’re saying about either Johannesburg or South Africa. Often their reporters have an “outsiders POV” – so to speak- and are able to write about situations with less emotional attachment than us local journo’s. Simply put, they often tell it how it is with little or no homegrown bias, hidden agenda’s nor editorial policy at play – it’s interesting to compare. So today we’re sharing some of their stories with you… under the international buzzwords JOHANNESBURG, 2010 and CAPE TOWN. We search Reuters, the New York Times and the Times UK. JOHANNESBURG Reuters is a good place to start. Reuters is like the mothership of journalism, their writers and photographers are spread throughout the world, all sending their words or images back to the central planet for distribution to outlying stars. Their local correspondent Rebecca Harrison recently wrote a feature entitled: “Witness: Pizza and machetes: living with crime in Johannesburg” which shed’s light on the day to day motions of living in Jozi. You know how the perceptions go… I say Jozi you say crime… Jozi…?… Read more here. “One break-in, one stolen car, one gate ripped from its hinges, an attack for a slice of pizza and two men ambling through the garden with axes: do you stay until you’re killed for a cell phone? I have lived in Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic capital, for about 2-1/2 years and have been a victim of six different crimes. Thankfully, none was violent. But after the latest break-in at my house in broad daylight, I am starting to wonder what will happen next. Crime in South Africa is haphazard. Some people, even those who have lived here a long time, have never directly experienced any crime at all. But plenty of others I know have suffered badly, including one who was shot in the arm and another who was tied up and locked in the trunk of her car while burglars looted her apartment. These incidents pale in comparison to the murders that fill the newspapers: five small children killed and piled up in a bath of soapy water, or three women beaten, stuffed into washing machines filled with chemicals then strangled with ropes. “ ************************* 2010 The muchos respected New York Times (hope you all read the fantastic NYT supplement free every Sunday in the Sunday Times Lifestyle section) talks about 2010 with the headline “South Africa vs. Itself, in Race to Get Ready for World Cup” (you may need to subscribe to read this story). The article is written by Joao Silva and was published on the 22 April. Read full story here. “A giant...
1time sale on till Saturday…cheaper than driving.
So some of us managed a break over Easter – some would say already a distant memory….and others didn’t. We love the creative and timing of 1times current promotion, fly anywhere in the country for R185. That’s less than a tank of petrol! No lies there. Click on the image to see the promotion and click here to fly to 1time. Go GO...
Thembi Ngubane – sharing her HIV journey
Represent would like to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY today to Thembi Ngubane from Khayelitsha, a brave and courageous young HIV+ South African woman who is telling her personal story both digitally and through touring both the US and SA to help in the fight against HIV/AIDS. Thembi turns only 22 today and judging from her story, has single-handedly done more for the fight than many corporates or businesses have through her Radio Diaries project. She spent a year recording her life and experience of living with HIV/AIDS, her haunting words can be heard at the AIDS diary Project. Be strong sisi, we love you. From Thembi’s blog: My name is Thembi Ngubane and I come from a township outside of Cape Town in South Africa called Khayelitsha. I look taller in these pictures than I really am. I am currently doing a tour of my country speaking about what it is like to live with HIV and AIDS. This all started with an audio diary that I began to keep in 2004 to be broadcast on National Public Radio in the United States. At first I wanted to keep my identity anonymous. But I began to love the diary and it became part of me. At the same time people around me were dying of HIV and AIDS so I felt that I had to disclose. I was invited on a five city speaking tour in the US in 2006 presenting to high schools, colleges, community centers and even for places like CNN and MTV. At this point I saw people”s positive response and I decided that this documentary must also reach people South Africa. Reaching people with my story in South Africa is the most important thing I have done. This is because in my country everyone is either infected or affected by this disease. This blog is a recollection of this two week tour of my...
Map of Gun Crime in the world
It’s troubled times for the US as they deal with the aftermath of the 32 people killed at the Virginia Tech. The UK Guardian tells us that the 23 year old Korean sent a video to the NBC after his first rampage. “The Virginia campus killer paused in the two-hour gap between the first and second shootings to post a package containing a video, photographs and a multi-page statement to a US television headquarters. NBC News received the package yesterday and handed it to the FBI. It included a digital photograph of Cho Seung-hui, 23, with his arms spread wide, a handgun in each. He was wearing a black baseball cap backwards, black gloves, and a vest with an array of pouches – the same clothes described by witnesses to the shooting.” More here. Check out this map from CNN (Thanks Aquoibon) here that shows the frightening amount of gun crime in the world. Sadly South Africa fits into the HIGH zone. Eish. Not...
Represent Recommends: Sophiatown in Newtown
If you love Newtown like we do and want to know about what’s going down from entertainment to downtown rejuvenation, then visit the official Newtown website – subscribe to the newsletter which updates you on all the news. Click here to zoom there. Always loving Newtown! Check out the list of Newtown restaurants here. Visit the Sophiatown restaurant on the ground floor of the KAYA FM building on Mary Fitzgerald Square. Service is still getting there and the menu was still en route when we went but the decor is stunning and the vibe on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon is great. Chilling out in the city having a glass of great wine and watching people go by! Thanks to Lungi and Shereen for the intro and one of the best afternoons in Newtown. From the Newtown site: “Located at No. 1 central Place, Sophiatown is set to be another huge attraction in the Newtown Cultural Precinct. The atmosphere at Sophiatown is laid back and stylish, with Jazz and African marimba beats playing while people come together to enjoy a meal with great company or just have a few drinks in the cigar lounge. Sophiatown can seat up to 180 people and is available as a venue for functions.Sophiatown is open during the week from 10am-11.30pm, and on weekends until late. Contact (011) 836-5999 “PIC and words above: http://www.newtown.co.za/ PIC and words...
Zap ’em in the Zoopy!
Congrats to the team behind SA’s very own YouTube http://www.zoopy.co.za/. You know we love YouTube as it’s such an unbelievable global platform for story-telling and is frequented by web users the world over (besides all the other amazing things about it) but it’s fantastic to welcome our very own South African version which takes all the effort out of searching for SA visual content. Welcome ZOOPY! It’s superniche and filled with our own wicked sense of humour and weird nuances that make you feel right at home… It’s also encouraging people to share their stories and lives, something along the lines of what we try to do – bring people closer together and encourage communication and citizen journalism. A fantastic example of people power in action on Zoopy is the FNB anti-crime ad that was pulled before going live on tv – whether you like it or not, at least you can get to see it and make up your own mind. See it here. So – use it don’t use it, but we say: use your phone, use your video cam, get shooting and upload your stories...
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