RSA-Overseas - The Expat Portal: Weekly Magazine

Washington D.C. - The renowned photographer Constance Stuart Larrabee, famous for her photographs of ethnic South African cultures, died on July 27th of respiratory failure at her Heron Point, Chestertown home. She was 85.

Larrabee was born in England, although she grew up in Pretoria. She left South Africa in the early thirties to study in London and Munich, after which she returned to South Africa. She earned a living by taking portraits of leading citizens.

On her own, she worked to record scenes of Johannesburg, and the diamond mines of Kimberley and the Bo Kaap quarter in Cape Town.

In her twenties and thirties, she photographed the Bushmen, Zulu, Swazi, Sotho and Transkei people of South Africa.

She also created photo portraits of the luminaries of the day, from composer and dramatist Noel Coward to members of the British royal family.

She was the first woman correspondent who documented the Allied armies in World War 2 during 1946. She was assigned to the South African 6th Armoured Division in Italy and the 7th American Army in France.

She spent six weeks in Egypt, and followed the Allied sweep through France and Italy. After the war, Larrabee returned to South Africa and exhibited her photographs. She worked on assignments for Harper’s Bazaar and Libertas magazines. According to The Sun, Spotlight printed her diary of World War 2 experiences titled “Jeep Trek.”

Larrabee was also the photographer for Alan Paton’s novel, “Cry, the Beloved Country.”

Larrabee settled in Chestertown in 1949, where she bred prize winning Norwich and Norfolk terriers at her King’s Prevention farm.

She also devoted her attention to the arts program at Washington College and underwrote the cots of renovating an old campus powerhouse for a student art studio.

She exhibited her works at Washington College on numerous occasions. The college awarded her an honorary doctor of arts degree in 1986.

The president of the Washington College, John S. Toll, told The Sun that Larrabee was the driving force behind improving arts at the college.

“She worked diligently to provide the resources from art supplies and scholarships to a creative arts faculty for students of the visual arts,” he said.

In 1997, Larrabee donated all her African work to the National Museum of African Art at the Smithsonian. Her World War 2 photos went to the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington.

Her husband of 26 years, Colonel Sterling Loop Larrabee, died in 1975.

Larrabee is survived by a nephew, Bruce Roberts of Cambourne, England, and a niece from Yzerfontein in the Western Cape, Maureen V. Clarkson.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

Katie Koekblik Column
Ilda Jacobs

Washington D.C. - Vandag is die kleur van die lug in Washington, soos ek my altyd voorgestel het New York moet lyk. Grou en warm en neerdrukkend.

Maar ek is nie 'under the weather' nie, ek is op my stukke vandag. Ek het goeie nuus van die Home gekry, een van Suid-Afrika se top alternatiewe bands,die Springbok Nude Girls, is oppad New York City toe.

Ongelukkig gaan hulle nie iewers speel nie, maar hulle gaan wel die produksie vir hulle nuwe cd doen saam met Kevin Shirley, die Aerosmith klank ingenieur.

Die joernalis wat ek is, het natuurlik hierdie mal idee gekry. Vir die Nude Girls se debuut in New York, sal dit dalk van pas wees om hulle na 'n All nude XXX rated go-go bar te neem in die hartjie van Manhatten. Dit sal mos wys van watter vlees die manne gemaak is. Vir die wat (nou nog) nie weet nie, die Springbok Nude Girls is mans, nie meisies nie. Hulle naam kom van daardie ou Springbok plate met die meisies in bikinis op die omslag. Die hoofsanger het glo 'n droom gehad, en op sy band se naam besluit.

So van drome gepraat, Suid-Afrika spook die laaste tyd in my drome. Die familie, my honde, die huis wat ek agtergelaat het - dit is al meer as 'n maand gelede en ek voel alreeds asof ek eeue weg is.

Dit is nie moeilik om aan te pas in die tipiese voorstedelike DC lewe nie. Ek voel al klaar asof ek my lewe lank hier tussen die bome woon, alhoewel ek maar skaars 'n week in my nuwe plek bly. Dit is in Friendship Heights, en die naam, hoop ek, is simbolies van al die nuwe vriende wat ek gaan maak. Een van my nuwe kennisse, so 'n tipiese gesofistikeerde New Yorker, het gedroom haar surfer boyfriend, saam met wie ek my huis deel, gaan surf in Suid-Afrika en die haaie kry hom beet. Nou wonder ek of ons gaan vriende raak en of ek te veel waarde heg aan die interpretasie?

My ander besondere goeie kennis is my nuwe dakkamertjie se lae plafon, ons vind mekaar gereeld in die donker en dit is 'n rowwe ontmoeting, om die minste te sê.

My ma in Suid-Afrika sal ook net sug, my kindjie, sal sy seg, vir wat wou jy in so 'n onpraktiese plek loop infoeter?

Andersins ontmoet ek gereelds Davids in Amerika, ek ken al drie David B's; bo en behalwe brother Dave, regular Dave en surfer Dave. En ek het sopas uitgevind dat Bill en William gewoonlik na dieselfde persoon verwys.

Praat ek van die 'loo', my 'digs' of 'digsmates', of van die 'red robot' verstaan niemand wat ek probeer sê nie. Ten minste het ek al so effenstjies die sêgoed hier begin optel. Cool is neat, of sweet as jy saam met surfers bly. Sê gereeld 'right' of 'really' of 'that's funny' en voor jy kan sê mes! klink jy soos 'n ware Yank.

Kytie K.

Kytie Koekblik would like you to respond to her tongue-in-cheek running commentary on suburban life in America in this editorial. Fresh off the boat, she is ready to explore and experiment with American bath plugs and to drive on the other side of the road.

You can contact her here.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

“Madiba” drives through the States
Ilda Jacobs

Washington D.C - Traveling through the 1 700 mile green corridor of trees from Washington D.C. to Florida, you will find yourself surrounded by New York City or other American number plates.

But the chances are that a brand new Beetle will zoom past, leaving you with a whirlwind of homesickness for the rainbow country.

“Madiba” just flashed past”, you would say to your wife. “It reminds me of home.” In the States they call them tags, we refer to them as number plates. A few South Africans in America have remained true to their roots by purchasing customised number plates in an indigenous South African language.

These nostalgic South Africans usually cough up in the region of $50 for their patriotism.

The Madiba number plate belongs to Michael Brenner, a South African in the State of Mexico who decided on the Madiba plate as a tribute to Nelson Mandela.

Bafana

Brenner is also the proud owner of an older Honda showcasing “Bafana.”

He says he got the plate in support of the Bafana Bafana during the 1998 World Cup Soccer Tourney. Probably the most classic number plate, is the word which unites all South Africans, whether you’re Zulu, Afrikaans or English - if you have experienced a hangover, you have lived the meaning of “babelas.”

Babalas

Various versions of the spelling is acceptable, but Leslie and Margaret Veldman claim the “babalas” on their VW Kombi has Zulu origins.

More Zulu words are also somewhere out there on the road in the States. Owen Greenland, whose Muslim name is Sharif Shah-Bilal, has a whole history represented by his “Mshengu” number plate on his VX station wagon.

“Mshengu is of Zulu origin,” Greenland said. “It stems from an honourary title or praise name isithakazela, which is attributed to shabalala.”

Shabalala is the name given to Greenland in Soweto, during 1970 at a Black People’s Convention meeting. He says Mshengu followed immediately thereafter.

John and Linda Barry from Wisconsin are the proud owners of the “Protea” and “Protea2”, although very few Americans realise that it is South Africa’s national flower.

Linda stopped at a gas station, and the attendant asked her if she was anti-coffee! Eventually Linda realised that he understood her to be pro-tea drinking.

Foetsak

Some South Africans are unfortunately getting a bit rusty on the finer points of Die Taal. South African Peter Goldin wanted the number plate on his car to read “Please go away” he thought a well known expression straight from die volksmond would be true to Die Taal.

”Voertsek” is the term you use to tell your dog to leave pretty soon, and despite the best of intentions, Goldin’s number plate on his jeep reads “Foetsak.”

The word “Johannesburg” is not only featured on the huge billboard on Times Square in New York City, both Peter Friede from Georgia and Cary Schoeman from Florida drive around with Joburg on their plates. Schoeman, a long distance truck driver, regularly attends braais and other South African events all around the country.

The number plate RSA2USA reveals that this South African couple obviously hails from South Africa. The US representative for TUKS Alumni, Elna van Greuning and her husband Hennie, has a number plate which reads RSA2USA.

Most plates make you proud, or nostalgic, and they evoke a friendly toot from fellow South Africans who cling on to their pasts psychologically. But when explaining the tag “U Doos” to Americans, most South Africans prefer to blow it off as a family joke or someone’s initials.

Journalist Clifford Matheson talked his wife out of a semi-customised number plate which supported conservation a few years ago, Matheson went ahead to order his “Bakgat” number plates. He originally wanted “Kunjani”, but felt unsure about the spelling. “Lekker” was already taken, so he settled for “Bakgat” - the coolest word meaning cool.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

Femi Kuti and The Positive Force performance in Washington
Ilda Jacobs

"1997! 1997!" the packed club chanted to the frenetic beats. A banner of the African Continent guarded over Africa's stepchildren in the "land of opportunities."

Fema

"1997" was a song which Femi dedicated to his father, the political revolutionary and afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.

The Femi Kuti and The Positive Force performance in Washington was a benefit for the aids campaign Africa Alive!, and part of Femi's three months tour of the Europe and the United States to promote his latest CD, Shoki Shoki.

It was a special occasion, this gathering of the disciples of Nigeria's African prophet in the heart of the United States. Fela Kuti died of AIDS after a life of suffering and torment under the Nigerian government, and the concert commemorated his death three years ago.

No-one other than Femi could have delivered such a potent message that was so enthusiastically absorbed. The Kuti's had their house ramsacked, and his father was detained and severely beaten on several occasions for his political beliefs.

Kuti

"My father influenced my life tremendously, both in terms of politics and music." Kuti told African Eye News this week from his hotel in, Washington's Georgetown neighbourhood.

"Fela Kuti inspired me." He said. Kuti decided to disclose the fact that his father died of aids. He has become a fierce advocate aids advocate, and an essay which he wrote was included in the UNICEF report on aids.

The crowd felt it. Femi's fired-up vocals, his lean body torn apart by the dense rhythms, he seemed to be transformed by sound waves.

The connection with the "sick patient", as Kuti calls Africa.

Kuti believes Africa has lost its pride due to their leadership, and his personal crusade is to restore that and affect change.

"Everywhere Africa is going down, South Africa, Zimbabwe, there is nothing left, we need leaders," Kuti said unashamedly.

His whole body tensed up when he spoke about these issues so close to his heart a heart that obviously resides in his African home. The voice that can seduce so smoothly when he is on stage, rose in pitch and volume. "Don't these leaders feel ashamed when they go back to their countries after they've been to first world countries?" Kuti asked.

If this Afrobeat ambassador could lead the African Renaissance, Africa would be a place where trains will be "going from South Africa to Nigeria all the time."

There would be flights all over Africa, and food, phones, jobs and comfort for everyone.

Although idealistic, Kuti's proclamation is made with such vigour and determination that one could is rather tempted to describe him as an anarchist. Or a revolutionary, like his legendary father who declared their Kalakuta home an independent republic.

But Kuti is not a revolutionary. He believes Africa has had enough bloodshed. At the moment he is embittered about the state of Africa, and these social and political themes are reflected in his music.

"The music is happy" Kuti said, "because I do not want to make people depressed. The lyrics and the messages are bitter, but the music is lively to make it less difficult to swallow."

That is the beautiful paradox about this phenomenal performer: his beliefs in affecting change, and his hardhitting critical mentality which spares not a single politician.

He knows change will be a slow process. "I am fighting for the next generation" Kuti. said.

He claims most "Africans are dreaming," because they believe in the proverbial greener grass in the first world countries.

"I've seen so many drummers run away to America, I've lost many musicians on the road." Kuti said with grin.

Their American dreams usually turn into a demoting experience. "We will find them bumming everywhere, and what has become of them, nothing. Everybody is lazy." His voice rose again.

"Where is that pride, Africans have lost it." Kuti asked. Passionately. By returning to Africa and struggling for 13 years to establish himself. With a burning conviction in his eyes, he remarked: "We should listen to what Kennedy said:" It is not what the country can do for you, but what you can do for the country."

Through his internationally renowned status, Kuti hopes to attract global attention to the problems of Africa by creating awareness of the social and political issues through the medium of music.

"It is my life to achieve this goal, I want change. If I do this, then I can die." He said with that indoctrinating conviction of his. The music in his voice creates shivers down your spine, one has to absorb what he says, his presence demands so.

He paused. "I will get worked up before the concert tonight" he said, and smiled, charmingly.

It is his personal goal to affect change for Africa through his branch of indigenous music.

Their music celebrates life in all its intricate rhythms and complexities, while the audience is bombarded with very powerful social and political content.

Even in an interview, he bombards you with it, a mixture of cynical political commentary and the sparkle which he exudes on stage. "Music is life, it is the essence of life. How we walk and talk is musical, how the stars move around in the universe is musical," Kuti said. "I am completely happy with my life. I keep it as simple as possible. Simplicity is the spice of life."

He is on stage because he lives for the stage. It was obvious. The sheer joy and power.

His mind and body function together, message and melody embrace. Simplicity. His African philosophy, worlds away from the quest for variety, the pace and competition. He started speaking with a lazy smile.

"Life is better here? In America, everyone is rushing for money. In Africa we take is easy, the son is so hot."

As simple as that.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications

Tollabos in Hollywood
Ilda Jacobs

Die harte hang maar swaar hier in die vreemde met die afsterwe van die geliefde Afrikaanse grapkas, Tolla van der Merwe.

Tot onlangs het die Suid-Afrikaanse gemeenskap, en veral die Afrikaanssprekendes in die Verenigde State, nog gehoop dat Tolla sou terugkeer vir ‘n dosis goeie pap-en vleis humor.

Tolla se agent in die Verenigde State, Franciena Snyders van Kalifornië, was te ontsteld na sy dood om kommentaar te lewer. Die nuus het haar teen Maandag-middag via ‘n plaaslike joernalis bereik.

Na Tolla se optredes in die Verenigde State in 1998, het Snyders gesê mense het van sover as Kanada gekom om saam te lag.

“Die legendariese storieverteller bring nie net humor na Kalifornië nie, maar hoop vir die voortbestaan van ons taal, Afrikaans,” het Snyders gesê.

Snyders was veral verbaas omdat die jong garde sy vertoning soveel geniet het. Klaarblyklik het Tolla in 1998 na die Verenigde State gekom sonder om werklik te weet wat om te verwag. Hy was glo verbaas om te sien hoeveel Suid-Afrikaners in Kalifornië woon.

Tolla het opgetree in San Diego, Lancaster en ook in Hollywoord. Al drie vertonings was geweldig suksesvol.

Corri Rademeyers het in die Rapport berig dat“as Tolla se aanslag slaag kan hy dalk ‘n Afrikaanse weergawe van die naam Hollywood daar teen die berg laat aanbring Tollabos.”

Die meeste Suid-Afrikaners was verbaas oor Tolla so plat op die aarde was. Na elke vertoning het hy CDs verkoop en met die gehoor gemeng.

“Ek dink die mense het dit vreeslik waardeer dat Tolla agterna met hulle kom handeskud en gesels het,” het Snyders gesê. “Selfs al is hy die bekendste storieverteller in Suid-Afrika, en een wat die meeste in aanvraag is, het Tolla nog die dood gewone mens gebly.”

Die Afrikaanse-Amerikaners het dit vreeslik geniet om in letterlik Afrikaans te lag. “Julle is blerrie goed! Vir ‘n paar ure het ek weet tuis gevoel,” het Jacques Pieterse laat hoor. Tolla is bedank vir die “goud in die mond” en die “wonderlikste ondervinding wat ek nog gehad het in Amerika nogal!

Ene Ma Anna wat op besoek in Amerika was te bly om so baie Afrikaners in Amerika te ontmoet. “Ons kom al die pad vanaf Suid-Afrika om hier te kom konsert kyk, dit voel soos by die huis,” het sy gesê.

Tydens sy besoek het Tolla Disneyland en Kalifornië verken, asook die bekende Hollywood walk, Las Vegas en Mexico.

Tolla se CDs word al die afgelope twee jaar in die Verenigde State bemark.

Features & Briefs

E.T. JAILER FINED R2000
Correctional Services spokesman Russel Mamabolo was on Monday sentenced to a R2000 fine or six months in prison on a charge of contempt of court, after he criticised a judge for granting bail to AWB leader Eugene Terre'Blanche.

Pretoria High Court judge Johan Els suspended a further six months prison term for three years on condition that Mamabolo not be convicted on a similar charge in that time.

This followed a remark Mamabolo made to the Beeld newspaper that Els had wrongfully granted Terre'Blanche bail on August 10.

Thanks to www.eep.co.za

FOREIGN JOURNALISTS 'SPIES'
Matheson Communications announced the arrival of Ilda Jacobs to their team. Matheson Communications, U.S. Representatives for Africa Eye News Service, recruited Ilda as part of their continuing commitment to provide opportunity for young journalists in South Africa to gain valuable experience abroad.
Ilda graduated from Rhodes University, Grahamstown, in November 1999 with an honors degree in Arts Journalism, Drama and Afrikaans-Dutch.
We want our readers to be the eyes and ears for Ilda as she fulfills their commitment to provide news coverage to South African newspapers, magazines and various news services.
Please don't hesitate to email us leads, story ideas and assistance.
Ilda is interested in a broad spectrum of stories, ranging from hard news to Africa or South African related information.

FOREIGN JOURNALISTS 'SPIES'
Four foreign journalists arrested in Liberia last week were charged with spying Monday and remanded in custody by a court in Monrovia.

State security forces arrested Britons David Barrie and Timothy John Lambon, South African Gugulakhe Radebe and Sierra Leonean national Samura Sorious on August 18, declaring that the men intended to provide "false and malicious information" about the country to "foreign powers".

Liberia's Justice Minister Eddington Varmah told reporters on Saturday that the four, who were working for Britain's Channel 4 television station, had "passed themselves off as journalists" making a documentary in the country.

Thanks to www.eep.co.za

DON'T ATTRIBUTE BLAME: DLAMINI-ZUMA
Foreign Affairs Minister Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma on Monday cautioned against attributing blame for the weekend's setback in the Philippine hostage negotiations, and the return of South African hostage couple Monique and Callie Strydom.

"I think it does not help to try and attribute blame and counter blame. What we really want is progress, and to get the hostages released as soon as possible," she told reporters in Johannesburg.

Dlamini-Zuma was reacting to a question on whether she believed that reports of a Filipino military build-up on Jolo island, where the hostages are being held captive, had scared off their captors. "I really think we should not be standing on the rooftops and blaming people while the process is going on."

Thanks to www.eep.co.za