Lazy day in SA

What a week!
Thank goodness there is a Public Holiday in South Africa today (Wednesday) that we can all just lie in bed late and take a breather from the events of the last few days.

Just what Public Holiday is it though? I have no idea. I may need to Google that one to find out. It seems like Public Holidays in South Africa are only used to demarcate your next leave application, rather than being of any particular significance…

So – so far this week we have ousted a President and found ourselves a new mascot.

Events appear to be moving at quite a rate, and I don’t fully understand what is happening… What I do know is that Thabo is no longer President, and the new fellow has a name I couldn’t even begin to try to spell, so let’s just say, we have a new President.

It also appears that 14 cabinet ministers have resigned in support. I think it is 14 – I lost count at 10 (ran out of fingers). The strange thing is that some of those ministers are saying they are resigning in support of ex-President Mbeki. But they will go back into their posts if asked to by the new President. That doesn’t sound very supportive to me – but then I am not a politician – what the heck do I know?

Our finance minister – having previously said he would stay on regardless, was one of those that did resign (but will return if asked). Unfortunately, the markets didn’t hear the last part and only heard “I resign.” As a result they have all tumbled like a cheap house of cards, and the exchange rate is now R15,17 to the Pound. So our Christmas trip to London just got more expensive. Thanks Trev!


But talking of Leopards changing their spots – South Africa found itself a new leopard this week in the form of Zakumi, the mascot for the 2010 Football World Cup. Demonstrating some rather fabulous soccer skills (can we use the mascot in the national team?) Zakumi was unveiled to the media. Young, hip and a leopard with attitude” – though it remains to be seen exactly what attitude…. Nonetheless, sporting a fantastic afro-type hairstyle, Zakumi is here….

Let’s hope he isn’t ousted before his term of office is up in 2010!

Mother City visit: Miserable Mom gets a facelift

When I was growing up, there would be Winters in Cape Town that would be cold, and grey and wet. This weekend is just like those Winters of my memories.

Having landed quite late on Friday evening, I was fortunate to get to my parents just minutes before the heavens opened and the rain poured for quite some time. Saturday morning was quieter, but no less grey and ferocious. The Northerly wind is blowing at gale force strength at times, and it is really not a pleasant experience going out. I took some photos while out today, but as you can see, could not even SEE the mountain through the cloud and precipitation.

I was out today, travelling to Somerset West and to Big Bay in Blouberg. And I got to see that, despite being miserable (well, this weekend anyway the Mother City is preparing herself for the football World Cup, under going a fairly major facelift in areas – preparing herself to not just looking beautiful, but to be more welcoming to visitors.

And that got me thinking, there was and continues to be a lot of argument about the pros and cons of hosting such major events as the Olympics and the Football World Cup. But the “success” of such events is very subjective. South Africa’s Beijing Olympic Games experience was anything BUT a success – with just a single Silver medal. Businesses, sponsors and corporate partners will measure “success” purely in monetary terms.

But perhaps more importantly (in my mind at least) is the legacy that such an event creates for the general public, the people living in the host country.


And it occurred to me that in the years I lived in Cape Town, I cannot recall the N2 motorway ever undergoing such building work. I cannot recall the amount of road works that I saw today, as the transport system of Cape Town receives some long overdue attention.

To my mind, the legacy of the event, the manner it enriches the lives of the people of South Africa – not in monetary terms but in uplifting their lives and way of life – these are the measures that will ultimately prove whether the Football World Cup is a success or a failure.