Representah! A Day in the Life… Jozi 2010
We’re really excited about our new crew of citizen journalists writing for Represent and giving us even more juicy content for you darling readers – here’s our debut submission from a very loyal Representah Linda Soga who took time out to attend the Inner City Summit last weekend – for anyone that’s interested in the plans for the city from now to the big bang in 2010, read all about it! Some very exciting moves – by the way, anyone know what’s happening with ConHill – seems to be moving a little slower than planned? i.e. Where is that Hyatt hotel? Sharpile Linda – uyarocka. A Day in the Life… Jozi 2010 I roll out of bed…growling at my alarm clock as I rub the sleep out of my eyes… I look at the time; “Yikes! Late again”. I take a quick shower, dress, grab my bag and set off at a trot down to the bus stop at the corner, pausing only to say hello to the doorman at the front of my apartment building. I’m just in time to catch the bus; one minute later and I would have had to walk the five blocks to the train station (in these heels, girlfriend? I don’t think so!) I get on the bus, sit down and start to breathe normally. In fifteen minutes, I’m at the office, and as the day goes by, I start planning what to do later on… it’s Friday. A few phone calls tell me that it’s all happening in Newtown tonight… Oh yes, I live in downtown Jozi, and the year is 2010, although you’d be forgiven for associating the scene I’ve just described with Manhattan, London or some other metropolis. Or picture this… I haven’t driven my car in over two weeks. Oh, there’s nothing wrong with it; I just have not needed to. I live downtown, a walking distance to work. There’s a shopping arcade across the road from me, for those quick after-work purchases. And for entertainment, I’m spoilt for choice – there’s the gallery around the corner, the movie house two blocks away and Joburg City Hall, always good for live music. This is the Joburg of the (not too distant) future. This urban landscape was painted by the City of Johannesburg at the Inner City Summit which I attended last weekend – of a city in which one will be able to live, work, and play. The Summit was held at the Braamfontein Recreation Centre, next door to the recently refurbished Parktonian Hotel. There was a large turnout, of people from all walks of life – property developers, business people, investors, and...
firstwednesdayfilmclub@atlasstudios.do.come
Ye old faithful Representer’s may remember the early days of Represent where we regularly profiled the free Wednesday Film Club events organised by John Barker and Ziggy Hofmeyer through 2005 at Atlas Studios (see here). Well they haven’t stopped and there’s one happening next week. Entitled FRESH DIRECTIONS, join a whole bunch of film lovers on Wednesday the 2 May and catch 3 short films at Atlas. Contact Rachel with any queries on info@atlasstudios.co.za. FRESH DIRECTIONS 2 May 2007 Join us as we screen 3 fresh short films from recent graduates: VUURDOOP – Baptism of Fire Running Time: 15 mins Afrikaans with Subtitles Genre: Comedy Format: 35mm Vuurdoop (Baptism of Fire) is a uniquely South African comedy about braai culture – about the coming of age ceremony that all South African boys go through. Today is Boytjie’s (Wehmeyer Deas) day – except for one problem… he’s a Goth and he can’t braai. Click here for more… Pinky Pinky Shot on Super 16mm (Oct 2005) Delivery format – DVD (PAL) / BETA SP Pinky Pinky is a teen horror film with comedic elements set in a private girls’ boarding school. The election for prefects and head girl is approaching and two rivals, Precious and Caitlin, have cutthroat campaigns. Click here for more… Escudo Director – Wolfgang Muller Producer – Lucia Meyer Cast – Tema Sebopedi, Yule Mabhena Fransisca, a Mocambican girl, is tired of her simple life. She doesn’t want to be like her mom: working everyday picking and selling clams for minimal wage. She knows she is different and that she is destined for greater things. She finally decides to take the leap and leave Mocambique for Johannesburg – a place she believes will help her to be great. Click here for more… DIRECTIONS: If you are coming from Pretoria, take the M1 towards Joburg, take the Empire Rd Offramp. turn right into Empire road. I think it’s the second robots, take a left into OWL rd (you go under Barry Hertzog flyover), Atlas Studios comes up on your left hand side, it’s the old Bakery building… you turn left into Frost avenue and you can’t miss the entrance. ITS FREE – only R10 for...
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...
Represent Review: Triptych @ the Market
Thanks to Debs our resident Represent theatre guru for her time and words: A triptych (pronounced “trip-tick) is a work of art (usually a panel painting) which is divided into three sections. The central panel is the most important one, and this is flanked on either side by two lesser but related paintings. The whole is intended to be greater than the sum of the parts. Wikipedia This aptly named play is currently showing at the Market Theatre. It is a play about three women: a wife, a daughter and a mistress. Each is in love with the same man: the husband, father and lover. To continue the theme, I suppose that it is appropriate that I should be in ‘three minds’ about the play. Let me break it down… Edna O’Brien’s writing is clever, funny; ironic and heartbreaking. This makes for a very solid script and foundation for the show, giving the play a wonderful balance of laughs and tragedy. The design, both for production (Nadya Cohen) and costume (Margo Fleisch), is innovative and interesting, yet functional.The configuration of the performance space, a passage with audience on either side, creates the illusion of constant transition and passing of time. The costumes have been carefully selected to give an insight into the characters through their individual style of dress. The star of the show, and the main character/central panel, is brilliantly portrayed by Terry Norton. She is captivating. She has a very light touch, allowing us the luxury of choosing how we feel about her character. She doesn’t ever seem to say ‘watch this part, this is really sad!!!’ or ‘This is very funny’. She just flows between the two with ease and we flow with her. Her co-star is the incomparable Dorothy Ann Gould; she plays the other woman – magnetic, skilful and powerful. She speaks volumes with her silence. It must be a real privilege to share the stage with these great actresses, but this is a double edged sword, it only serves to highlight ones inexperience and limitation. Cody Caprari is the 16 year old actress who plays the daughter; it’s a good try but she still has a long way to go. All the ingredients are there, I’m just not absolutely sure the batter has been fully blended. Perhaps the show needs to run in a little more or perhaps the Director has taken the cake out of the oven a little early. That said; the play has been playing on my mind since. I’m glad I saw it, catch it if you can. TRIPTYCH 6 April – 6 May 2007 Market Theatre – Barney...
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...
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