Way South

On Vacation

2004-12-20T15:55:00.000+02:00

Speaking of going away, Way South will be shutting down for the foreseeable future. I’m losing my Internet connection (along with my job), and won’t be posting anytime soon. My plans for the next few years are made however and I have every hope that they are going to be very busy years. You should still be able to contact me though, although you might have to wait a week or two for a response.

Steven Den Beste

2004-12-20T15:29:00.000+02:00

We'll, it does seem like we've seen the last from Steven den Beste at USS Clueless. Its a shame, because his site used to be one of the two I'd check first every time I logged on. Even though he was a bit high on america, I could understand that because I was high on South Africa . I can understand his wanting to quit though, and only wonder at how he was able to go on for so long in the first

Racist Blood Suckers

2004-12-13T16:14:00.000+02:00

John Qwelane on the recent race row over blood being incinerated because it came from black people (and the president, Mr Mbeki). Suffice to say I have decided, on a matter of principle, that I do not want any white blood in my body no matter what the circumstances. I would rather die than have the blood of a certain "high risk" race of people. This is in retaliation for the national insult

Elections in Ghana

2004-12-10T16:15:00.000+02:00

Elections in Ghana seems to have gone smoothly. This is their second election, with the same candidate winning by a slightly larger margin than before. The Head Heab has more info.

Jo'burgs Finances

2004-12-10T16:00:00.000+02:00

Interesting analysis of the state of Jo'burgs finances from Wayne over at Commentary. As Wayne points out, things are not as good as they appear. On the other hand, things arent bad either. I think the main focus should be on the fact that the system is working better, and if the system works, the market is going to reward it. He emphasised the City had observed prudent financial management,

Table Mountain

2004-12-09T15:20:00.000+02:00

Table Mountain with the University of Cape Town at its feet.

President Mbeki

2004-12-09T14:26:00.000+02:00

With what appears to be another successful African peace mission under his belt, Mr Mbeki is increasing his diplomatic clout at a steady pace (not that the west would know it, of course). South African news services had the 6 monthly "Does Mbeki spend too much time abroad" debate, which usually points to the fact that no one in South Africa really cares what happens in the Ivory Coast, would in

AIDS in South Africa IV

2004-12-09T14:12:00.000+02:00

Micheal Wines (in the New York Times interactive section "A Hollowed African City") looks at people infected with the AIDS virus on a border town in South Africa. He does some good work, talking to the people infected and the causes and extent of the disease in that community.

World Aids Day

2004-12-02T13:01:00.000+02:00

I didnt blog yesterday, but if you didnt know yesterady was World AIDS Day. Kenya Hudsun has a good roundup of stories on the the impact of HIV/AIDS on our communities.

Houtbaai revisited.

2004-11-30T17:25:00.000+02:00

Later during the day at the Houtbaai Hotel. The view might not be as impressive as from the top of the mountain, but the amenities make up for it I think.

AIDS in South Africa III

2004-11-30T17:07:00.000+02:00

AIDS in South Africa on the front page of the Washington Post website. One of 280 patients receiving medicines from a hospital in this busy river town, Malembe is proof that antiretrovirals, which have largely tamed AIDS in wealthy nations, can offer similar hope in Africa. The disease has already killed more than 15 million people across sub-Saharan Africa, and an estimated 5.3 million South

Let the Good Times Roll

2004-11-30T13:18:00.000+02:00

The news that we've been suspecting has finally arrived. South Africa's economy is growing at 5.6%, the fastest growth rate in 8 years.

Greater East Africa

2004-11-30T13:02:00.000+02:00

Is Uganda, Kenya and and Tanzania about to join together and become a single country by 2013? Jonathan reports on activities at the East African Summit, and speculates that this might have implication for the different regional trading groups (The SADC, of which Tanzania is a part, and COMESA, of which Uganda and Tanzania froms part) . Mugizi Rwebangira commments: This news appears to have

Republic of Houtbaai

2004-11-29T18:42:00.001+02:00

The view of Houtbaai from Suikerbossie Nature Reserve, Cape Town.

AIDS in South Africa II

2004-11-29T18:42:00.000+02:00

What do we know about AIDS in South Africa? About 5.3 million people of an adult population of around 33 million in South Africa has HIV according to the UN. Adult Mortality in SA in 2003 was around 450 thousand a year, of which somewhere between half to two thirds has been attributed to AIDS. (source) Lets make an assumption that the vast majority of infected people are going to die in the next

AIDS in South Africa

2004-11-29T16:29:00.000+02:00

Emotive article in the NY Times on AIDS in South Africa. Kenya Hudson at Ambiguous Adventure has been looking at the AIDS epidemic in southern africa the last few days. Just scroll down.

Tutu step up to the plate

2004-11-29T15:36:00.000+02:00

Tutu: Thank you Mr President for telling me what you think of me, that I am - a liar with scant regard for the truth, and a charlatan posing with his concern for the poor, the hungry, the oppressed and the voiceless. I will continue to pray for you and your government by name daily as I have done and as I did even for the apartheid government. God bless you. (source) Ouch. I'm thinking Thabos

So it goes

2004-11-26T16:53:00.000+02:00

Tutu: We should not too quickly want to pull rank and to demand an uncritical, sycophantic, obsequious conformity. Mbeki:One of the fundamental requirements for the rational discussion suggested by the archbishop is familiarity with the facts relevant to any matter under discussion, as well as respect for the truth. (source) That should put him back in his place! Is it just me or is it strange

The Law

2004-11-26T14:53:00.001+02:00

Absolutely fascinating, that’s what it is. I haven’t been able to put my books down since I’ve started studying business law, which is a good thing as its slower going than the road to Colesburg. Since my wife has forbade me from the bedroom if I start talking about it, I'll post a few comments. If you have no interest in South African law or your knowledge is more advanced than someone whose

Dont Worry

2004-11-26T14:53:00.000+02:00

If youve been wondering why all the economic news in South Africa has been good? Dont worry. The gold price will fall. $450 an ounce isnt really that much. The Rand will come down. R7.80 to the Euro isnt that strong after all. The Oil price will rise again! Whats a 25 cent drop between friend? We've still got AIDS, crime and BEE to worry about. Which reminds me, to the blighter who went of

Be Grateful!!

2004-11-25T13:42:00.000+02:00

France is having some problems in the Ivory Coast. Jim Hoagland suggest the French should be grateful to the Americans because ... they did nothing! The Bush team's decision to ignore the temptation to stick a finger in Chirac's eye in revenge for the past should be recognized and publicly acknowledged in Europe -- most of all in Paris. It was a cost-free gesture from Washington that is

Be Afraid

2004-11-24T15:58:00.000+02:00

Be very, very afraid. (Yes, its an offical site.) Via DefenceTech. He also has a story about South African anti-mine vehicles developed during the border wars of the 80's being used by the Americans to sweep for IEDs in Iraq.

Letter From Africa

2004-11-24T13:30:00.000+02:00

Sharon Lafraniere writes in the New York Times on President Mbeki, the race card and rape. I've never heard about this story, but then I tend not to keep track of every little spat. Interesting to see what the NY Times finds news worthy. Update: Seems this little spat occured at the end of September (the article in the NY Times doesnt say). Here the BBCs take in October. I wish I could work for

Blogmove

2004-11-22T14:37:00.000+02:00

Rethabile has moved his blog, On Lesotho, to Sotho. Give him a visit.

Southern Africa

2004-11-18T17:16:00.000+02:00

Just a reminder, but if this is your first time to the Southern Africa part of the blogosphere perhaps you'd like to see visit some others? Just follow the blogring!

Suburbia

2004-11-18T15:12:00.000+02:00

Nice colllection of photos from suburbia South Africa. Boom gates, green lawns, Maids and armed responce. Ahh, that brings back the memories. (via Gareth)

Save the Shark

2004-11-18T13:50:00.001+02:00

Im with the Shark on this one. Its horrible, but great whites are as much a part of Cape Town as bergies are. A few of us are going to get chowed every few years and were going to have to live with it. (Yes, I have some tough bergies in my neighbourhood). Instead of killing the shark, or even worse, installing shark nets (Damn the DA and their politically opportunistic ways anyway), the money

Gun Safety?

2004-11-18T13:50:00.000+02:00

Wayne posts on the horror that seems almost to have become a part of our daily lives. Everyone has a story about violent home invasions or car hijackings. Im very happy to hear that Wayne’s friend is going to make it, and I think he made the right decision when he took on the robbers to stop them finding out his wife was in the house. The gun issue is another kettle of fish however. First of

Wishful Thinking

2004-11-10T17:49:00.000+02:00

Norman Geras links to an article in the Telegraph by Christopher Munnion about tensions between COSATU and the ANC over Zimbabwe and suggests that a split might be likely. Lets see if I can practice my highly developed skill of understatement. "And pigs will fly in a cold day in hell"! Mr Munnion is practicing that highly respected foreign correspondent tradition of 'reporting as news every

Killers?

2004-11-10T14:33:00.000+02:00

The most dangerous animal on the planet! Hippopotami kill more people in Africa than any other animal. The reason for this is that they feed at night on the banks of the rivers, but feel very threatened if people come between them and the water. People use the paths created by the hippo's to collect water in many rural communities. Hard to believe, but Hippos can run up to 40 kilometers per

Blog Explosion!

2004-11-10T13:13:00.001+02:00

Gareth pointed me to Blog Explosion as a way to grow traffic. I think the graph speaks for itself. I’ve little interest in boring people with my interests in South Africa and Africa however. Seems to me forcing people to surf blogs they would usually never go to so that your stats counter can grow seems a bit inane. Nevertheless, you can only grow your audience if you get exposure so I'm

American Interest

2004-11-10T13:13:00.000+02:00

Americas interest in the African continent since the end of the cold war, in which is was the front line, can at best be described as benign neglect. This is all set to change once again as an increasing percentage of the worlds oil production is set to come from African shores. The 'war on terror' has accelerated the pace of American involvement in the continent as it tries to deny international

Mostly Africa

2004-11-09T16:16:00.000+02:00

Mostly Africa is back after a blog hiatus.

African Sunset

2004-11-09T15:43:00.000+02:00

Chicken Joke

2004-11-09T13:49:00.002+02:00

Its been that kind of day.

Happy Days!

2004-11-09T13:49:00.001+02:00

The guys in Joburg have some good news to report. I dont know what the hecks going on in Cape Town.

Whats your Political Persuasion?

2004-11-09T13:49:00.000+02:00

Its stupid and so american it hurts, but how can I resist? You Are a New School Democrat You like partying and politics - and are likely to be young and affluent. You're less religious, traditional, and uptight than most Democrats. Smoking pot, homosexuality, and gambling are all okay in your book. You prefer that the government help people take care of themselves. What political

From the Corner Office

2004-11-09T10:58:00.000+02:00

Colin makes some interesting points. He leaves the piercing insights for another day though.

Spammers!

2004-11-08T18:06:00.000+02:00

I found a new spammer scam thats sure to irritate the living s*** out of everyone.Spam Blogs! All I can say is I hope they catch a tropical disease. I was using the next blog feature and I ended up on Spam blogs 5 blogs in a row. How does that work? Next blog rates blog by when the last post was, well, posted. So even though these spammers are posting in random intervals (about half an houre

Putting your foot in it

2004-11-08T16:32:00.001+02:00

Explaining how the world works. Here is an idea Uncle Moody, let us try not to piss of the nutter in the White House ok? Dam you.Messed coffee all over the keyboard.

Who you gonna call?

2004-11-08T16:32:00.000+02:00

Thabo Mbeki! The African Union on Sunday mandated South African President Thabo Mbeki to launch an "urgent mission" to resolve the crisis in Ivory Coast. I mean, blowing up their whole air force??? Is that any way to treat your collonial subjects friends? The Ivory Coast government carried out a devastating air raid on a French army camp on Saturday killing eight soldiers, prompting French

Who's afraid of the big bad Bush

2004-11-08T16:11:00.000+02:00

Noam Chomsky Mike Golby sees the hordes of Satan descend on the innocents of Falluja. Its really just a victory celebration, you see. The people in Falluja are innocent innocents. Sheep like, really. Lambs to the slaughter. In fact, there is no difference really between Saddam and the US. Once the bloodbath happens, we wont even hear about it. After all "the declaration of a national State of

Gay Pride

2004-11-08T10:01:00.000+02:00

I wanted to post this Friday, but blogger seemed to have experienced a melt down. With the 'anti-gay marriage' won Bush the election meme going around, I was reminded of the party of the year in Cape Town , or so I hear. Africa's biggest Queer Tribal Gathering - Cape Town's 11th annual MCQP costume party Queer Tribal Gathering Cape Town is made up of many queer tribes. Once a year, in December,

Bored?

2004-11-04T13:34:00.000+02:00

Pretty tough flash game. Scenta should keep you busy for the rest of the day. Still, doesnt come close to the soothing waves of Fishy. Now you know what it takes to avoid the US elections.

Zimbabwe

2004-11-04T11:16:00.000+02:00

The more things change the more they stay the same. Zimbabwe is still a mess. In fact, ZANU-PF has been able to solidify their hold on power. The MDC has also been unable to rally the people of Zimbabwe in any meaningful way, and I now seriously doubt whether they can do so at all. The expulsion of the Cosato delegation was interesting if only that it has shown serious division inside the ANC's

Its Over

2004-11-04T11:02:00.000+02:00

Well, the American elections are over, and I for one couldn't care less any more. Bush won! Yeeha! Or, uhm, so what? Is there a difference between Kerry and Bush as far as we are concerned? I cant see it. South Africa and Americas relationship has been a good one since the end of apartheid (not that it was that bad during apartheid), and this generally good relationship is set to continue.

Worried about the Oil Price?

2004-10-15T10:05:00.000+02:00

"While oil prices are more than 70% higher than a year ago, they are still around $25 below the peak inflation-adjusted price reached in 1981. " link

Discovery Vitality Rip-off

2004-10-14T13:39:00.000+02:00

Last week I posted on the "premium" discovery members pay for goods from Digital Planet, when they were supposedly getting a huge discount. I posted a complaint on the HelloPeter site, and as usual Discovery replied promptly to my complaint. Hello Richard Thank you for your feedback regarding the Vitality and HP pricing structure. The retail prices for the HP products are the recommended

Sounds About Right

2004-10-13T13:07:00.002+02:00

Which Historical Lunatic Are You? From the fecund loins of Rum and Monkey. On the other hand, are the Americans winning the war on drugs? This American woman certainly needs to be on something (via Andrew Sullivan who seems to take this oh so seriously). Heres another of Carols encounters in the dangerous and hostile land that is England. In this episode a bobby, an actual policeman, speaks to

Blogabbatical

2004-10-07T11:35:00.000+02:00

Well, I’m still on blogabbatical. At least until the American elections are over. Its like a giant black hole sucking in all punditry in the blogosphere. Must....resist.... I’ve been able to sort out some personal issues (as in what the hell am I going to do for the rest of my life) and I was very happy to hear that I've been accepted for a post-graduate diploma at UCT. It’s in business,

South Africa Angers Morroco

2004-09-20T16:52:00.000+02:00

Head Heab points to South Africas recognition of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and speculates that this will make South Africas diplomatic life a bit more difficult in the Middle East in coming months. Given that my first reaction was Gawd, I hope so you will not be surprized to learn that I think this is a good news story all round. Who would have thought it? South Africa standing up

African Trip

2004-09-20T14:48:00.001+02:00

Dan from NeverBeComplete is planning a world trip, and Ive been an avid follower of his planning. He mails: I’m currently planning my African portion and having some trouble deciding on everything. There is so much to see and do. My plan is to fly into Cape Town and spend 2 weeks there. Are there other things that just shouldn’t be missed before doing this? I plan to do some surfing, visit Table

Biased Against Israel

2004-09-20T14:48:00.000+02:00

A good article on bias against Israel. ...For the Israel-hating Left, Palestine has become a religious destination, not a political question; a world of fallen and risen angels, in which facts conform to molds and evidence yields to faith. At some point, however, it will become increasingly difficult to bridge the chasm between their faith and their values. If they're not careful, it is a chasm

Ashok in Uganda

2004-09-14T15:47:00.000+02:00

Unganisha posts on his visit to Uganda. Have I said that he goes to all the interesting places?

Trouble

2004-09-14T14:51:00.000+02:00

Heh! Cool! What Famous Leader Are You? personality tests by similarminds.com Lets hope my wife doesnt find out! (via Mshairi)

Welcome Them

2004-09-14T13:07:00.000+02:00

I’ve been dreaming about a country that represent the best of Africa. Where Africans and the rest of the world dream to live and are welcomed when they come. It’s almost like South Africa, just slightly different. Its a South Africa where there is no control over who wants to live here and who does not. It is a dream that seems almost impossible to imagine. Open the Gates? Let everyone who wants

The Horror

2004-09-14T11:45:00.000+02:00

The Sunday Times runs this story at the top of its web page. African Parliament to cost SA R61m Hosting the Pan African Parliament (PAP) would cost South Africa R61 million for the first year, the Foreign Affairs Department said. Of the total, R18 million would go towards the institution's temporary accommodation as well as the construction of a more permanent building and offices at Gallagher

Security Consultant

2004-09-08T13:23:00.000+02:00

South African security consultant photoblogs his stay in Iraq (via Fifteen Minutes).

Death Cult

2004-09-07T10:03:00.000+02:00

In response to a post at Fifteen Minutes, Opinion by David Brooks in the New York Times: They're still victims of the delusion that Paul Berman diagnosed after Sept. 11: "It was the belief that, in the modern world, even the enemies of reason cannot be the enemies of reason. Even the unreasonable must be, in some fashion, reasonable." This death cult has no reason and is beyond negotiation.

Nothing less than Propaganda

2004-09-01T10:33:00.000+02:00

The SA press continues to misrepresent the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. To call it bias would be a joke. The reporting can only be described as Palestinian propaganda. The latest "news" is the two suicide bombers that killed 16 people and injured more than a hundred. Were gleefully informed that: It had been almost six months since that scene last played itself out. Israelis were jerked back

Blogging Light

2004-08-30T16:35:00.000+02:00

Blogging is going to be light for the forseeable future (or lighter, anyway). Nkanyiso has some more info on Gmail. Hope everyone thats received a gmail account is enjoying it, but thats it for now. Sorry. Ive recently become a bit more serious about my woodworking hobby, and Ive decided to start using real wood instead of the chipboard Ive been using. Trouble is this is going to mean some

African Meal

2004-08-27T14:49:00.000+02:00

Lunch at an shangaan traditional villiage. Although how traditional the lunch was Im not sure. The salad is definitely shaky. The wife said she enjoyed it though. Hmmmm. Potjie.

American Soldier

2004-08-27T14:20:00.000+02:00

Ive been linking to a blog by an American Soldier in Mosul for a while now. My War is probably one the best military blogger there is, so I wasnt impressed when I saw his site appears to have been shut down. His commanders had found out about the blog earlier this month, but appeared to not be very worried about it. Dont know what happened, and I dont want to speculate. In any case, the google

Gmail

2004-08-26T11:34:00.000+02:00

I love Google. Not just the search engine, the whole damn company. Every product they touch turns to gold. If I had any money to invest Id be buying google shares. Why? Hell, just because I could. If there was one company Id love to work for its them (if only). The search engine is superb, and rates blogs very highly. Google purchased blogger, and since then things have gone from ok to excellent

Land Redistribution in Kenya

2004-08-25T10:06:00.000+02:00

Land invasions in Kenya are increasing, but the Kenyan government seams to be dealing with it sensible. It would be interesting to hear what the Kenyan bloggers have to say about it.

Buffalo Kill

2004-08-24T16:46:00.000+02:00

My wife gets lucky sometimes. Ha. Who am I kidding. She's perfect. She shot this in the Kruger National Park yesterday morning.

Risk Culture

2004-08-24T11:24:00.000+02:00

Mercenaries, Bodygaurds, Security. South Africans are involved in the worlds conflict zones more and more. Is it all part of our risk culture?

Yank Election Coverage

2004-08-24T11:05:00.000+02:00

Im trying to ignore the American election for all Im worth. As an avid Instapundit reader I'm having trouble though, as they've decended into what appears to be pre-election meltdown. On a side note, this morning on SAFM was the first time Ive heard about the swift boat captains book from a South African news source. They gave no context and only said that a new book about Mr Kerrys war record

Jonty On Rathbone

2004-08-24T10:43:00.001+02:00

Rathbone had every reason to be jaded by the rugby administration in SA and the lack of player job security, and if his decision was based in his reasoning that rugby is a professional game, and he has merely chosen to ply his profession in another country, then so be it. The problem for him is that the South African rugby public do not treat rugby as a profession, they treat it as a yardstick of

They like us, they like us not...

2004-08-24T10:43:00.000+02:00

Metal Acrobatics has an excellent post on sport, african brotherhood, and South Africa. He's also completely addicted to Olympics. The come down is going to be harsh.

We Won!

2004-08-23T16:32:00.000+02:00

Blogging will be light until my head decides to forgive me. The Rugby Game saturday was stunning. All hail Jack White! I'll let those sheep loving Aussies say it. Reborn Boks send out warning ...since coach Rudolf Straeuli was dumped for Jake White the turnaround - with the Boks winning their first Tri-Nations since 1998 - has been both a revelation and a warning to global rivals. The Boks are

Olympics

2004-08-20T17:31:00.000+02:00

Ja, um, No, well fine. Beach Vollyball is certianly doing well this year. Yahoo has a 195 page slideshow with something for everyone.

Colby Gets It Right

2004-08-20T16:26:00.000+02:00

Some of the most sensible commentary on Africa Ive heard in a while by Colby Cosh. Its so rare Im going to post it in all its magnificant glory. "Famine--the lack of food--is principally a man-made condition. It is not a natural phenomenon or act of God." This was one of the hard but encouraging lessons humanity learned in the 20th century: that only command economies can make the bizarre

Blaming Capatilism

2004-08-20T16:06:00.000+02:00

The anti-globilization website, Corpwatch, isnt happy with the ANC. Privatizing Hope Ten years after the first democratic elections in South Africa brought the African National Congress to power, critics claim that privatization and neoliberal economic policies have usurped the promise of democracy. Imagine that. The ANC are all neo-libs. No wonder they dont get along with those neo-cons in the

South African Land Reform

2004-08-20T15:52:00.000+02:00

An Article in Voice of America on land reform in South Africa. In the first part of a series on the struggle for land in Africa, VOA’s Delia Robertson looks at land reform in South Africa. Land reform was a key promise made by the African National Congress when it won elections in 1994 – ending three centuries of white minority rule. I like the part in bold especially. Im sure Simon van der

Its so ... fluffy!

2004-08-20T15:12:00.000+02:00

Another human interest piece on South Africa by Michael Wines. You'd swear there wasnt any real news to report on in this country. The corn on Casparus Joubert's farm is as high as an elephant's eye, or would be, were any elephants around. There aren't - yet. But it is not out of the realm of possibility. "We'll start out with reedbuck, zebras, all the small antelope," Mr. Joubert, a big, blond

Feel the Love

2004-08-20T12:58:00.000+02:00

The your either with us or against us mentality is getting pretty old. As unimagineble as it must be to some people, there 'are' more important things to some people in the world then Al-Qaeda and winning 'the war on terror'.

Ok, Now there 'is' an Oil Crisis

2004-08-20T11:47:00.000+02:00

David Ignatius in the Washington Post opinions that this is 1973 and prices are going to soar. $50, $60, $70 and we all fall down.

Happy Birthday

2004-08-20T00:01:00.000+02:00

Well, it’s been a year and Way South is still alive and well. Its been fun. There have been plenty of changes, but I’m reasonable happy with the format of the blog at the moment. Readership has grown slowly but steadily during the year, with the only exceptions being the two periods during which I didn’t blog. (December-January and April-May). These gaps also illustrate what can only be described

Looking at Iran III

2004-08-19T15:25:00.000+02:00

The news that South Africa was to sell uranium to Iran left quite a number of people dumbfounded, including me. As we now know this was nothing but a rumour gone wrong, but the correction has not caught up with the original story yet. Shaun Laurence took it in stride however and analyzes South Africa foreign policy in light of the news that South Africa is selling uranium. Even though the story

Touring Soweto

2004-08-19T14:21:00.000+02:00

Nice article in the Washington Post on white South Africans going to Soweto. About 200,000 white South Africans will visit Soweto this year, according to the Soweto Tourism Association, up from 30,000 five years ago. About 400,000 foreigners visit annually, the association says. The owners of bed-and-breakfasts in Soweto report that white South Africans make up at least one-third of their

What Oil Crisis?

2004-08-19T14:02:00.000+02:00

Interesting take on the Oil price. ...the only conclusion can be that oil prices will fall hard — perhaps to $25 a barrel in 2005. But two conditions are necessary for this to happen: Inventory levels need to rise further and there must be no major supply interruption. As inventories rise, speculators will shift their focus from fear to fundamentals.

South African Inventions

2004-08-19T11:45:00.000+02:00

Cool pics of South African inventions that have changed the world!

Those Crazy Israelis

2004-08-19T11:44:00.000+02:00

Some people will believe anything. (See the poll at the bottom. Hi-la-ri-ous.)

Got That Itch

2004-08-18T15:12:00.000+02:00

Every now and then I get the itch to get out of the city and fast. Now my bloody camping buddy is hunting Bushpig with his bloody bow and arrows way up north, my wifes of to inspect some safari lodges and Im stuck in CT in the bloody rain. The joy. Need to make plan.

Vacation Pics

2004-08-18T13:44:00.000+02:00

Vaz is back from what appears to be paradise, and he took some photos. He's also just as worried about the South African moonbattery in Iran as I am.

Looking At Iran II

2004-08-18T13:04:00.000+02:00

In a previous post I listed a few responses South Africa can or will likely have to Irans attempt to go Nuclear. Little did I suspect that selling Uranium to Iran and being open about it is going to be the way we go. (Hattip Steve) Ok, Im calling it. SA Foreign Policy is completely at odds with our national policies. Supporting Mugabe, making excuses for Sudan, holding hands with Fidel Castro.

Come on Home, ZombyBoy

2004-08-18T12:44:00.000+02:00

ZombyBoy want to come and live in 'Africa', but One of the things that makes my dream harder to achieve is the constant turmoil that plagues the continent, leveling the most beautiful nations under murderous tyrants, genocidal rabble, disease, and hunger. What you might not know is just how sick it makes me to watch, helpless, from a distance as Africa burns. Wish it was burning a bit more

Love That Game

2004-08-18T11:48:00.000+02:00

Ahh, my new favourite sport! Womans Beach Vollyball. Watched the Brazilians playing the Italians last night. Damn! Got to feel sorry for the guys in Iran.

Witch Doctors

2004-08-18T10:36:00.000+02:00

Article by Micheal Wines in the New York Times on 'traditional medicine'. Eight out of ten South Africans consult Witch Doctors, and there are 14 'traditional healers' for every western doctor. That is 1 in every 150 people is a healer, given Mr Wines number of 23,000 doctors. Nice to see South Africa get so much news coverage in the Times.

The Evil Eye

2004-08-17T11:41:00.000+02:00

Ive got that feeling that the evil eye is upon me, so blogging will be light until the witch doctor clears me.

Waterfall

2004-08-16T17:12:00.000+02:00

Glad to Know

2004-08-16T11:46:00.001+02:00

Always happy to see ignorance in action. ...Africa, for example, is a continent possessed of vast and incredibly expensive natural resources, and yet, outside of major metropolitan areas, which is to say, 99% of the continent, paved roads can hardly be found, much less indoor plumbing. The governments of the continent consist mainly of autocracies of various stripes, most of whom are more or

The Coming Energy Crisis

2004-08-16T11:46:00.000+02:00

An interesting conversation on Oil Prices.

Watch the Numbers

2004-08-16T10:53:00.000+02:00

Well, it has been 4 days since the drop in interest rates and the Rand is still trading at R6.48 to the US Dollar but has weakened slightly against the Euro to R8.01 from R7.89 (That’s about 1%). That is, the Dollar was weakened slightly compared with the Euro with the Rand standing pretty much firm. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Rand was to strengthen in the next few days as the traders

Nick on BIG

2004-08-16T00:20:00.000+02:00

Nick has an interesting post on the Basic Income Grant (BIG) idea that has been bandied about the last few years. (Permalinks Nick?) The government struggles to release pensions and other social grants on time and without significant skimming through corruption (just go to the Eastern Cape to see what I mean), so who’s to say the distribution of a BIG would be any better? I say, wait until the

Camps Bay

2004-08-13T13:47:00.000+02:00

The most fiendishly conceived German trap in the history of mankind! Otherwise known as Camps Bay and Clifton. If you look past Lions Head Hill you can see Robben Island to its left.

Positive on South Africa

2004-08-13T13:35:00.000+02:00

Must read article on South Africa in Reason magazine by John Blundell, director general of the Institute of Economic Affairs in London. In the end I went with my eyes, and my training as an economist, in judging South Africa’s prospects. Yes, there is crime, unemployment, and AIDS. But from my perspective on the street, in the heart of it, I don’t believe the problems are as big as the reports

Basketball

2004-08-13T12:43:00.000+02:00

Got to love Americans. While driving across Namibia it occurred to me that 4 weeks in a remote village in Malawi might not offer as much opportunity for activity as, say, Atlanta. I wondered “what will I do with all that free time?” Moments later the solution presented itself: I should build a basketball goal and teach the kids how to play the game. Some very cool pics.

Blame the UN?

2004-08-13T11:40:00.000+02:00

The UN gets blamed for a lot of things. Should the UN be blamed for the events in the Congo as well? I worked in Bukavu for three years with MONUC, the U.N. mission in Congo. The recent fighting erupted as I was about to leave the region. For me and many of my colleagues, the fighting came as no surprise. It had become obvious that the various factions in the recently formed transitional