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Fact file: South Africa accounts for almost 25% of the GDP of the entire African continent.

So we’ve just passed the 50 day mark to the big ceremony extraordinaire, and with that fact, the news that Bafana Bafana have only a nail-biting four friendlies left to refine their field performance. With President Zuma vocalizing his backing of the team – and urging every South African to get behind them too – I’m sure there will be fewer un-manicured nails than possibly anticipated. And while they are abroad and planning to come back (with the rest of the globe’s stranded air travel passengers), with their return and the World Cup will come more good news to contribute to South Africa’s success as a tourism hot spot!

Did you know that South Africa is the cradle of mankind? Did you know that the world’s best whale-watching spot is right here, in the sleepy seaside town of Hermanus? And bonus draw-cards like these (and then some) are responsible for facts like: The number of tourists visiting our country has grown 200% since 1994. What was originally 3 million per annum then grew to over 9 million in 2007. And not only is this impressive for us locally, it turns international heads too! By 2006, South Africa’s tourism had grown three times the global average. Tourism is good for everyone and whether you are directly related to it or not, its ripple effect will be duly felt. Considering that 50 000 black middle class families (“black diamonds”) are moving from the townships to the suburbs monthly, proves that the economy in this country is pretty healthy. That can be accredited to many things and tourism is no doubt on that list. Viva to us! Viva South Africa!

Muzi Mohale

Photo: Jason Cartwright

There are few things South Africans living overseas long for as much as biltong. Personally, I think it’s because this spicy dried meat encapsulates the sunshine and the wide open spaces of South Africa.
But it could also be because it’s so damn delicious.

America has its distantly-related-version of biltong, called beef jerky, but I’ve tasted jerky and it is nothing on biltong. Here’s why:

•    You can get biltong made out of all sorts of animals. The most popular are beef and kudu, but I’ve also seen springbok, ostrich and even giraffe biltong (?!) If that makes you a little uncomfortable, just stick with the beef.

•    It comes in all kinds of flavours: plain, spicy, chutney, chilli, you can choose if you want it hot or tasty.

•    It comes in all shapes and sizes: droewors (dry sticks of biltong), shaved, slices and snapsticks (meatier sticks of droewors).

•    It’s the perfect snack, any time of day or night (I once had biltong and litchi juice for breakfast on New Year’s Day – how’s that for a proudly South African way to start the year?)

And lastly…
•    Anyone you share your biltong with will love you forever, because most people aren’t foolish enough to share their biltong with anyone!

Fact file: Dedicated express lanes will be provided in all the airports to be used for some categories of travelers, and are intended to speed up the immigration process of clearing and admitting travelers into the country.

Good news today is that, whether you are abroad and looking to get home, or here and looking to go abroad, air travel has resumed (in part) as authorities watch the ominous cloud of ash from a distance. Mind boggling stuff, this whole Iceland volcano debacle has been. The ripple effect has no doubt frustrated, angered and infuriated many – soccer stars included. The UEFA Champions League has seen teams taking 11 hour bus trips. This is something that is, surprisingly odd to them. We South Africans, on the other hand, are used to road trips. It is such a synonymous part of South African culture. And, with such a beautiful and varied landscape, I often wonder why anyone would want to fly. Whether you are taking your annual trip to the sea side in December or the journey home to see your family, South Africans have never been strangers to long trips on the open road.

And because travel is the big word on everybody’s lips these days (hoping for the best influx possible), it’s great news to hear that the Department of Home Affairs has come to the party to make inbound travel as easy as possible for soccer fans – and their families. A FREE, 90 day FIFA event visa has been created that will be issued to those coming to the event. It is validated by a confirmed return ticket, match ticket booking voucher, valid passport and two ID photo’s, and they have said that processing each visa should take no longer than nine days. This is great news for tourism and assures us that no gremlins in the system will hinder the arrival of keen supporters and eager tourists. Another feather in the cap, for the proudly South African, 2010 World Cup!

Muzi Mohale

Photo: rieh

There are few things as South African as a nice hot cup of Rooibos tea. The name literally translates from Afrikaans as ‘red bush’ and is completely natural and caffeine-free (and a lovely reddish-brown colour when brewed).

Now, if you, like me, have a slight caffeine addiction, this might not be such a good thing. But rooibos has a whole host of other health benefits too, including being full of antioxidants and tannin-free. And, oh yes, delicious.

Usually drunk without milk, sometimes drunk with honey or lemon, rooibos is often simply called ‘bush tea’, and any South African household that doesn’t have some on hand isn’t really a South African household. Rooibos is so popular that when guests come for tea the first question will be, ‘Rooibos or Five Roses?’ Five Roses is probably the best-known brand of caffeinated tea and as such has become a bit of a catch-all phrase for Ceylon tea. If you go to a café and ask for Five Roses, you’ll get Ceylon of some description.

The last bit of info you need before tackling South African coffee shops is this: a red espresso is a cappuccino made with concentrated rooibos instead of coffee.  So now the only question is, “What kind of tea would you like?”

Photo: Fabio Marini

Here’s the great thing about visiting South Africa: no matter what time of year you visit, some part of the country is experiencing amazing weather.

If you come in the summer months (October to March), Cape Town and the Western Cape are blessed with long, balmy summer days. The sun stays up till after 8pm, the weather is hot and sunny, and the evenings are simply blissful, with a cool breeze to lift the heat (and the occasional vicious South-Easter wind, but we won’t talk about that).
Durban in the summer is waaay too hot – humid and unbearable. But Durban in the winter months (April to September) is heavenly: bright blue days with a chill at the beginning and the end of the day. Warm sunshine, no rain or wind, just 100% perfect weather every day.

And then there are the specific treats the rest of the country has to offer: startling electric thunderstorms rolling in over the Highveld; surprise snowfall in the Overberg; still, crisp nights in the Karoo. Never fear, whether you’re visiting for the World Cup or just to experience South Africa at its best, whatever time of year you come is the perfect time to be here.

Fact file: “Of the 2.2 million tickets sold before this week, South Africans already accounted for close to 1 million tickets.” - Sapa-dpa

Out of the fiasco of artists wagering for more exposure at the opening ceremony of the 2010 World Cup, has come the great news of the official anthem. A blend of truly first-class South African talent combined with equally talented Colombian artistry. The song, to be heard worldwide next week, is a duet by Freshly Ground and Shakira! The combo will perform the sure-hit live at the opening ceremony on June 10th to what will undoubtedly be a thrilled – and thrilling – audience.  Freshly Ground is a proudly South African talent yard-stick to be proud of, and a brilliantly accurate representation of the hybrid of cultures we are so proud of as a rainbow nation.
 
More good news is that South Africans have – once again – risen to the occasion and shopped for tickets like hot cakes. Tickets for the opening game, the final and two semi-finals sold out within 24 hours, and FIFA has said that just under 100 000 of the 500 000 available sold in the first day of over-the-counter ticket sales! What this says to me is that South Africans, despite the peripheral drama’s going on, are super hyped for this event. Those 400 000 remaining tickets won’t be available for long… watch this space. It is good to be South African, and in South Africa. These news bites are just two more in a long list that proves it!

Muzi Mohale

Fact file: for the 2006 World Cup, Portugal was presented with the trophy for most entertaining team – by Yahoo.

Never mind that computers crashed as South Africans took to outlets to do their best at getting their hands on 500 000 of the remaining World Cup tickets; it’s the zeal and passion that I think is commendable! Previously a nation that watched each other from opposite sides of the fence, we now couldn’t be more “in this together” if we tried. A huge success as far as nation building is concerned, if you ask me! And as for an entertaining team, who do you have your money on for this year’s winner?

The situation with the Official Kick-off concert has also seemed to be appeased, with the SABC going as far as to commit to playing only South African and African music on its 15 Public Broadcasting Service channels. This is an impressive commitment and means that visitors and locals alike will be eased into the vibe – African style. And with latest performance-sensation ‘Die Antwoord’ being invited to the world renowned Coachella festival in the US, it is clear that things are turning over for the local art scene – in a big way. And did we expect any less? No. With the world suddenly peeking into what they naively, previously thought was simply wildlife and elephant rides, comes the opportunity to share talent, skill and heartfelt South African passion. 55 sleeps to go. Can you wait?

Muzi Mohale

Photo: Steven Groves

The secrets to a good potjiekos are closely guarded by those who actually own potjie pots – squat black steel pots on three legs, designed to be placed over a fire for hours.

Seeing as I don’t own a potjie pot myself, I can’t tell you the secrets. But I’ve had a few superb potjies in my life, and I know a little about what goes into them.

To start with, you have to build the fire (obviously), and then ideally hang the potjie pot over the fire, or place it in the coals (I stand to be corrected by any potjie experts out there). The pot has to be prepped with fat, and then the ingredients can be thrown in – big chunks of meat, carrots, potatoes, vegetables, water, stock, and anything else that you need to get rid of.

And then the wait begins – about 4 hours, I think, or as long as it takes for one man to drink six quarts of beer (again, I stand to be corrected).

That might be a pretty vague description of what goes into the making of a potjie, but what comes out of it I am totally clear on: delicious, meaty, rich, gravy-soaked stew. The kind of stew you dream about on cold winter nights. Slow-cooked, bursting with flavour, delicious.

Food for thought: 2010 – The Year of Brand Transparency, Honesty and Trust – Corporate Eye Blog

The World Cup has many pro’s that go with it. One of many is the audience it affords advertisers, and the branding opportunities speak for themselves. That kind of reach is stupendous – like it’s no body’s business! This means though, that the event is a magnet for the guys who want to do less work – and make as much money hightailing on the branding coat tails with cheaper rip off’s – while laughing from the sale of their cheap shirts, all the way to the bank. And, although this is not a positive thing; you have to respect WHY they want to rip it off to start with, and then remember its all happening right here! Chest-puffing stuff, in a weird kind of way.

FIFAs history with Intellectual Property laws had to really get smart in 1998 at the World Cup in France when ambush marketing by a non-sponsor obscured coverage given to Adidas. Now that the spotlight is on us, the integrity of individual’s with access will be tested – and I’m putting my money on good prevailing. It is a month of what should be goodness, and goodness only! There is more money to be made and shared all round from doing the right thing, than for a selfish few that want to do the wrong thing. And those with funny ideas about dodgy tickets for games are in for a long struggle… that security is not worth trying to beat! And, speaking of tickets: South Africans are only one sleep away from being able to buy tickets over the counter! 500 000 tickets must be sold. Just another brilliant reason to be in South Africa right now. Run, don’t walk!

Muzi Mohale

Photo: Thomas R. Stegelmann

The Long Street Baths are a Cape Town institution. Proudly occupying a corner of Long Street (Cape Town’s most popular street), their old-fashioned façade holds a world that seems stuck in a time warp.

The charming, old-fashioned signs, the pale pink and blue décor and the mural along one wall of the pool create an atmosphere that’s so delightful, it’s easy to forget that most people come here to exercise. It couldn’t be any more different to a gym if that was its express purpose.

But it isn’t. The Baths are there to provide city slickers with a place to swim, and a place to unwind. If you don’t feel like plunging into the 25-metre heated swimming pool, you can indulge in a Turkish Bath, wafting between the Sauna (dry heat), the Steam Bath (wet heat) and the Heat room (a combination of the two). Take a dip in the plunge pool to rehydrate or get a massage from one of the skilled attendants (only for women, sorry menfolk!)

Pop in before lunch if you’re looking for a serene swim, after work if you want to be egged on by the swimming clubs, or on weekends to join in the family frivolities.

Quoted: “We have freedom in the world to celebrate what we want. We will not stop the organisation of the World Cup because we got the threat.” - FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke

With 59 days to go, it’s great to see the vibe across all walks of life; from the growing number of cars that are flying their little South African flags, to kids are running around with Vuvuzela’s and crazy big glasses being sold at just about every intersection – people are buying into the vibe and playing their part! It’s genuinely refreshing! And despite the crisp fact that winter is creeping into our homes and offices, I only see the enthusiasm levels mounting.  This, even despite that pesky al-Qaeda organisation’s latest threat to target the game between England and the USA… With all the participating countries working together to make sure this is a successful event, you’d be hard pressed to find a grim face about – al-Qaeda or not. Jerome Valcke’s pledge to counteract their threat with escalated security proves that this event is going ahead – as it should – without any glitches.

More good news on the commitment to fuel the fire of enthusiasm is Sony’s announcement that it will be screening matches from the World Finals in 3D, at events in the UK and Germany. This is a great coup and no doubt a first for the World Cup, heightening the achievement because of the link to the World Cup being in South Africa and joining the prestigious list of many firsts for this tournament. The best part about this – and being South African – is that you will not need to catch the 3D games in the UK or Germany, because you are right here where it is all happening – LIVE and on your doorstep. With the opportunity to attend the actual games, or join in the festivities at one of the many fan parks, there’s just no better place to be than right here on home soil! Another terrific reason to celebrate being here, now.

Muzi Mohale

Photo: oskay

One of the things you’ll notice as soon as you arrive in South Africa is how friendly everyone is. It’s one of the main reasons I love this country.
People are authentically friendly – they smile at each other in the street (most of the time, unless it’s rush hour or a dodgy street), they greet each other, they start random conversations. It’s not unheard of to have a long chat with the cashier at the check-out, and if you’re standing in a long line you’ll often be engaged in conversation with a complete stranger.
I love it.

Brochures often talk about the warmth of the Rainbow Nation and the natural welcoming nature of the South African people, but I’m happy to say it actually exists. When you arrive in one of our international airports (for the 2010 World Cup, or just for a visit), you feel welcome. And that is quite a rare thing, I think.

If you want to be part of this friendliness brigade, here’s how to say hello in all eleven official languages:

Afrikaans: Goeiedag
IsiZulu: Sawubona (singular) / Sanibonani (plural)
SiSwati: Sawubona
IsiXhosa: Molo (singular) / Molweni (plural)
Tshivenda: Ndaa (male) / Aa (female)
Sesotho: Dumela (singular) / Dumelang (plural)
Northern Sotho: Dumela (singular) / Dumelang (plural)
Setswana: Dumela (singular) / Dumelang (plural)
IsiNdebele: Lotjhani
Xitsonga: Avuxeni
English: Hello!

Fact file: “With 62 days to go until the tournament kicks off, the OC and FIFA are confident that all is on track to host a world class tournament in June.”- Goal.com

What does the Fancourt resort in George, the Pezula Resort Hotel & Spa in Knysna, the nearby Simola Golf and Country Estate and the port city of Durban all have in common? They are set to host the Japanese, French, Danish, Nigeria, Greece, Algeria, Cameroon and Ivory Coast football teams in the week’s to come; all at pristine resorts renowned for their exclusivity. There is opinion that these altitudes will be a disservice to the performance of these teams, but I’m sure all the angles have been considered and that they will simply lick their wounds in the lap of luxury (where necessary). The real clincher is that these teams are going to be seeing what we have to offer, from what goes on behind the scenes to what happens up front.

More good news is FIFAs announcement that the tournament and its organisation is in ‘good financial health’ and are on track to deliver a successful World Cup – within budget. Only 32% of their total budget has been spent, leaving them with 68% to cover costs between now and the end of the tournament. So, it’s all looking very good at this stage of the game, and with Kelly Rowland fuelling the hype for the anthem and a search on for local flag bearers – we are very much into this thing! More on that: If you know any endearing kids between 12 and 16 years of age who want to be a part of history, get them to an Adidas retail outlet to stand the chance of taking part. It’s now or never (or not for a long time at least). Fly the flag and feel the fervor. It’s (all of) ours for the taking!

Muzi Mohale

Photo: Sampantha

Every year around Easter (March or April), a farm in Underberg, near the Drakensberg mountains three hours outside Durban, erupts in a long weekend of live music, camping, arts and revelry.
This is Splashy Fen.

The festival started in 1990 with 1200 music lovers camping out to listen to mainly folk music. These days, more than 10 000 fans descend on the farm for a four-day festival that includes rock, pop, folk, African styles like mbaqanga and isicathamiya, and a free stage for musos to jam on.

With a freezing cold river for refreshing dips when the sun gets too hot, a number of food stalls (including the ever-popular Hare Krishna vegetarian food tent) and a craft market with everything you might need to kit yourself out for a weekend as a hippy, Splashy Fen is an institution amongst South African youth. The nights are freezing, the days are boiling, the music is constantly playing.

What more could anyone ask for?

Fact file: South Africa has the longest wine route in the world, the R62 wine route.

While we might be focused on sport – and the World Cup specifically – there are other sporting headline makers that are generating hype outside of the soccer-ball-ring.  Caster Semenya. Hasn’t she had a rough deal? Uniquely South African (obvious jokes aside), stellar athlete and the focal point of international attention – for all the wrong reasons. Imagine being her; seriously… Tremendously talented at what she does and then given all sorts of grief – publicly – for just wanting to do it… as everybody else in the league does… and then has to go through a plethora of red tape. It’s not like she is a bank teller that can take or leave work. She’s a super athlete. She needs to run. It is her calling. And since when did genetic tests take months? You can do a paternity test with haste; so what’s the hold up with her issue? But all that aside, and not here to hurdle onto the gender bandwagon, I would like to celebrate Caster Semenya!

She is South African. She is brilliant. She works hard and is a role model for kids everywhere. She’s had a hard time in and out of the press, but she has endured. A typical South African quality that fuels the spirit behind the sentiments of Shosholoza – for all sports! I think she is reason enough to celebrate for today’s blog and, fitting that lawyers have now decided that she can compete as a female. Who else has such a uniquely talented – albeit tormented – sports person? There are so many rich stories behind our sports heroes; rugby, athletics, cricket, soccer and the lot! And the best part is their support for each other! It shouldn’t be lost on us that Caster’s return to the track is in the same month that the World Cup kicks off – giving us plenty opportunity to shout loudly for more than just one event. Open a bottle of our renowned wine and toast to being proudly, uniquely South African. Just the way we like it!

Muzi Mohale

Photo: sarahemcc

Kruger Park – like Table Mountain – is one of those attractions that are talked about so much it seems like they could never live up to expectations.

But, in my humble opinion, Kruger does. It’s much larger than any other game reserve in South Africa, which has its Pros and Cons. The Pros are that there’s a lot more game, and a variety of different habitats, which makes game viewing constantly dynamic, constantly changing. The Cons are that because there’s so much space, the animals can be on the other side of the park and you might not see them.

Still, it’s an enormously impressive park, home to some extraordinary big game (and lots of little game that’s just as beautiful to look at, but not as rare, so not as exciting to see).

A drive around Kruger will give you a sense of what South Africa used to look like, and if you happen to see a giant herd of elephant, with babies, giving each other dust baths (as I did last time I was there), it’s a sight that will stay with you forever.

Fact file: South Africa’s water is of a far higher quality than that of many developed countries. High-quality tap (faucet) water is available almost everywhere, treated to be free of harmful microorganisms and both palatable and safe to drink straight from the tap. Johannesburg's water, for one, is as good as anything you'll get in a bottle. – mediaclubsouthafrica.com

Recent bad news and the association with politics and violence has brought out more opinion from those far and wide, and even more assurance from those locally. I quite fancy the local opinion (once more). It speaks of the optimism associated with sport in general – and now the World Cup specifically. The vice-president of Race Relations, Lawrence Schlemmer says that the tournament will go along way to easing racial tension in the country, and that the World Cup will channel passion rather than evoke conflict. The powers that be are already seeing the results of their tough stance on crime. Let’s focus on that and the other plethora of good news about South Africa right now, and for those who are obsessed with the bad news, maybe you need a news revolution.

Have a glass of premium South African water, and then consider starting your news revolution here: Bafana Bafana’s recent trip to Brazil has brought the team back beaming! Nine games, five wins, three draws and one loss (2-1, against Santos). The team is obviously firing on all cylinders and feeling the positive effects of the hype and good luck associated with being the home team! They were welcomed home in true South African style with much hype and fervor at OR Tambo International, yesterday. This is a great vibe for our team and the nation to go into the upcoming World Cup on and is, in itself, a great reason to feel good about being in South Africa right now. Beam brightly Bafana Bafana! The stadiums are ready. The team is ready. Are you?

Photo: Thin Lizzy



Muzi Mohale

Photo: afromusing

It’s difficult to understand South Africa today without understanding our history: the past that shaped our present and, indeed, our future. The most striking element of this past is obviously Apartheid, and to get a vivid picture of what the Apartheid days were like, what both sides were fighting for, and the depth of segregation enforced in that dark period in our history, there’s no better place to visit than the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

It won’t be as fun a visit as many of the other tourist attractions on offer, but it will be one of the most informative, and will leave a lasting impression on you. That I can guarantee.

Plan to spend at least half a day wandering around the museum, known far and wide as the pre-eminent museum in the world dealing with 20th century South African history. Through varied displays of blown-up photographs, metal cages and numerous screens showing continuous loops of apartheid scenes, artefacts and newspaper clippings, visitors are made to feel part of the museum, beginning with their entrance ticket: a plastic card stamped White or Non-White which indicates which door you can enter through.

Interestingly, the museum was entirely funded by a casino consortium... Bidders for a new casino had to include a social responsibility project, and the winning consortium dedicated themselves to building this powerful museum.

Fact file: “Despite the Transkei losing out on an opportunity to be part of the Soccer World Cup, traditional leaders have launched a R100 000 soccer tournament for the Easter Weekend. The three-day tournament is set to bring the rural areas alive when it kicks off at his Lower Ngqungqu Great Place in Mqanduli.” – Daily Dispatch Online

Question-and-answer forums and debates is what I said two days ago. I get it, and I would think it would be a far more proactive and positive way of entering any debate – World Cup-related or not. People (with not enough real work to do) are still whinging on about whether or not hosting this World Cup here is a good idea. Err… it’s happening in 67 days! Why not climb on the bandwagon with your vuvuzela and get involved as opposed to getting bored? Should South Africa be spending £800m in public money hosting a football tournament with all its other problems? Absolutely! This is a down payment as such for what will be an economic boost five times that figure, by the arrival of fans and the money they will spend. Then let’s talk about how well that profit can be spent. So… are you still looking into the middle distance pondering how to stop this event?

A biggie on the concern list has always been security. This is also something we have not just woken about. 41 000 police and security officers have been deployed for the World Cup alone and fans will be well educated on where to be – and where not to be. And with such a beautiful country we live in – there is A LOT to list of where to be. The more these nervous foreigners – and their vociferous journalists – see of what we have to offer, the sooner the whinging will stop. The World Cup has, and will be, an opportunity for our officials and locals to ascertain what needs to be done – and then Just Do It – and with a uniquely South African flavour at that! There is a lot that makes us global (Easter egg hunts and the celebration of today being one example) and there is a lot that makes us very different from anywhere else on the planet. I know that once these journalist and opinion sprouters have actually been here… they will be awash with our very same sense of positivity. How could they not be? Happy holiday-weekend to everyone! Be safe. And keep sharing the positive attitudes!

Muzi Mohale

Photo: Shine 2010

There’s really only one way to travel between Cape Town and Pretoria, and that’s on the ridiculously luxurious, gloriously old-fashioned Blue Train.

Depart in the early morning from a special lounge in Cape Town’s train station, and you’ll spend the next 24 hours chugging through stunning scenery (the Winelands, the Karoo, the vast outskirts of Gauteng), being wined and dined, and feeling like a colonial lord or lady. The food is outstanding – three course silver-service meals for lunch and dinner – the service is impeccable, and the cabins are simply delightful, with large picture windows so you can watch the world go by.

Best of all, all food and drink is included, so you can happily sit in the view car right at the back of the train drinking in the view while sipping on a gin and tonic sundowner, or indulging in an aperitif and star-gazing through the windows on all sides.

It’s not a taste of the ‘real’ South Africa, but it is a wonderfully decadent way to get to Pretoria, and a beautiful trip through some of the country’s most striking landscapes.