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Last Update: December 09, 2001 |
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SA's Big Brother: Ferdi's a Brother in a million For three months much of South Africa and parts of Africa were gripped by Ferdi fever. On Sunday night Ferdinand Rabie became the first millionaire of Big Brother South Africa. And the reality is that despite his vile, crude and uncultured behaviour, the Judge is a man with an essentially good heart. How long Ferdi is going to stay a millionaire is hard to tell. He is going to keep that cool million in his bank account for a month, he said at a press conference on Sunday night. Then he plans to share some of his prize with all his housemates, his family, charitable organisations and even his staff. "And hopefully there's some for me after that," he said. Riaad, Nobesuthu and Vuyo each won a holiday of their choice to the value of R40 000, R50 000 and R60 000 respectively. "I'm just glad to be out,'' said Riaad. "This was a journey of useful lessons,'' said Vuyo. "What I've learnt no one can take away from me and that is like winning the million on another level." Not in her wildest dreams did Nobesuthu believe that Big Brother would reach such cult status. "It is humbling to know that there are people out there who take the time to show their support." Half an hour before Ferdi was declared the winner the two "main moms" - Ferdi's and Vuyo's - had been "holding thumbs" together. Ferdi's mother, Rehanna Rabie had made a pact with Vuyo's mum, Lily Tofile: "Whatever the outcome, we've decided to swap sons for a month or two. We think we need a change," laughed Mrs Rabie, who was re-doing her lipstick every 20 minutes. Since the launch of Big Brother, on August 26, this was Ferdi's mom's fifth trip to the house. Then there was Ferdi's granny - Bettie Groenewald. Ferdi's mom thought it might not be a good idea for granny to hear her grandson's "in-house highlights'' as he discussed the pros and cons of masturbation up on the big screen... Granny told me she had only voted once: "I voted for Nobesuthu's guitar, to get it out of the house." As the final countdown continued, first Riaad, then Nobesuthu danced down the red carpet into the arms of their families, leaving just Vuyo and Ferdi in the house. The two finalists were then joined by Big Brother presenter Mark Pilgrim, who decided to abseil over the wall and enter the house for some up close and personal chat . As the final announcement was made, the two mothers Rehanna and Lily stood almost shoulder to shoulder, eyes shut and gripping the hands of family members. The shout went up for Vuyo, as the final evictee and both moms hugged. Interviewed by a large group of press, Riaad, Vuyo and Nobesuthu agreed on one thing: "Ferdi has issues, he came into the house with a lot of baggage, but he's a good guy, even though he just doesn't know when to admit he's not right." Nobesuthu couldn't wait to get home and "hear isiZulu" spoken again. She was also "shocked" to hear of the death of Joe Modise. Vuyo was stunned to hear the rate of the dollar against the rand. Oh, and why did most of the women get evicted early on? Nobesuthu: "Because the women in the house were so strong, the men felt they had to get rid of them." And Ferdi? He just can't wait to get back to that travel company of his. He was even selling tours to journalists in the room: "You'll all be coming on my tours won't you?" Thanks to IOL.co.za [ Top ]  Kytie Koekblik ColumnKytie Koekblik Washington D.C. - Soms is ons klomp Suid-Afrikaners darem maar cheapskate. Dis omdat ons altyd moes afknyp in Suid-Afrika. Ons almal weet mos die jongste kind kry altyd die oudste kind se klere. En daarna word dit aangepass van cousin na cousin. En ek is seker ons het almal op ‘n tyd moes kerk toe gaan in jou skoolskoene want die tyd was net nie reg vir ‘n nuwe paar skoolskoene nie. Hier in Amerika het ek besef wat dit beteken om in ‘n disposable society te bly. Jy sit eenvoudig jou ou hangkaste en meubels op die straathoek neer as jy moeg is daarvoor, of jy laai jou ou (en nuwe!)klere by die Salvation Army trok op die Safeway parkeerterrein af. Dis hoe ek al my aardse besittings bymekaar maak. Die Big Cheese klim in sy Honda met die Bakgat-nommerplaat en ons laai goeters op, soms computer screens waarmee ons vistenks maak; soms koffietafeltjies; soms lessenaar stoele. In fact, my hangkas het ons op straat opgetel. My dubbelbed het ‘n ryk lady uit haar gastekamer se balkon afgegooi. My bedside table kom van die Auburn Avenue hoek se dumpster af. Ons is cheapskate. Ons hele office bestaan omtrent uit goed wat ons gesave het van ‘n gewiste gebruikersdood. Ons het ons neighbor se beautiful lessenaar gered en ons het ‘n ou computer by ons printer opgetel voor hy daarvan wou ontslae raak. Die regte egte printtable het ons ook op die een of ander hoek opgetel. Meeste mense is te trots om ander mense se ou goed by die straathoeke op te laai. However, een of ander Slim Jan het besef daar is wel talle cheapskate of winskopie-jagters op hierdie planeet. En waar is nou ‘n beter plek as ‘n used-goods webwinkel. Jy hoef nie eers skaam te wees nie, jy kliek op jou muis in die privaatheid van jou huis. SO het E-Bay ontstaan. ‘n Online Auction. En saam met E-Bay het die E-bay magnate ook vinnig besef dat daar in elke goeie bedryf wins te maak is. E-bay is soos ‘n stockmarket in die kleine, jy koop en verkoop, soos ‘n World Wide Web Stock Exchange en die currency is used goods of sommer plein junk. E-Bay is die New York van Cyberspace. Natuurlik kan jy magtige winskope of rare goedere op E-Bay vir cheap-cheap optel. Darem kan jy jou mos ‘n Suid-Afrikaner se entoesiasme indink! Se WINSKOOP en ‘n ware Suid-Afrikaner se oe blink. Nou kyk, die Big Cheese het ookal ‘n ou computer by die dumpster gaan neersit en ek het gedink, wat van die arme kindertjies in Afrika sonder Word Processors. Maar toe hy van E-bay hoor, toe weet ek hier kom ‘n Ding. ‘n Nuwe Bee in sy Bonnet. Nie kort voor lank nie, toe het hy ‘n lys van “My stuff” wat hy op “My E-Bay” verkwansel. Die goeters sluit in 1)’n “Genuine Ostrich Toe. Shock your family and loved ones with this genuine toe from a domesticated South African ostrich. Makes a great conversation piece. You can keep it as it is, or consider mounting it on a rod to make a great back scratcher. The largest living bird in the world, the adult bird weighs 350 pounds and upward kick from an adult bird has been known to rip open and kill a lion.” Sommer so reg uit Oudshoorn uit. 167 mense het die allemagtig ostrich toon uitgecheck en besluit om nie daarop ‘n bod te maak nie. (Volgens die Big Cheese plaas die ostrich toe Suid-Afrika op die radar screen.) Die AUCTION het ge-end voor die Big Cheese die toon kon verkoop. 2) “African Ndebele Skirt Wall Hangings” waarvoor die Amerikaners onmiddelllik geval het. Die Big Cheese het dit destyds vir R25 gekoop. Amper tien jaar later bet die Amerikaners $25 daarvoor, en ‘n bidding war onstaan en die wall hangings verkoop uiteindelik vir $60. Ongelukkig los die die skirts toe lee kolle op die sitkamer muur. En die Big Cheese se vrou het toe ‘n mini-vulkaniese uitbarsting omdat die Big Cheese dit waag om hulle goeters van “our wall” af te haal en te verkoop. Die Big Cheese is vanmiddag hier weg om nuwe wall hangings te gaan soek om die oues te vervang. 3)Beautiful Abalone Shell - Die Big Cheese het die arme common perlemoenskulp nou al vir jare in ‘n boks. Die perlemoenskulp het hy destyds uitgeduik op Pearly Beach. Die ding is nooit gepolish nie, en lyk soos enige ander ou perlemoenskulpie wat as ‘n asbak gebruik word in enige strandhuis op Franskraal. Die Big Cheese het die vaal shell so beskryf sodat dit eksoties moet klink: “Also known in South Africa as perlemoen. The flesh when properly prepared is a delicacy. The shell reflects beautiful rainbow colours in the right light. Beautify any small table with its presence.” Behalwe dat die Baas die grootste bollie-prater in die wereld is, dink ek hy het sy call in die lewe gemis. Hy moes ‘n copywriter geword het. Ek dink E-bay moet hom employ as copy writer. Die verlepte skulp het teen $35 verkoop. En die outjie wat dit gekoop het, noem homself Bushman, maar skryf dit “booshman23.” D.w.s. daar is dalk 22 ander Booshmans in die states. Ons dink nou daaraan om bokse met perlemoen skulpe in te voer vanaf Suid-Afrika af om hulle op E-Bay te verkoop. 4) “Desert Rose from Namibia, Africa.” Sommer ou ‘n stuk klip - niemand het dit gekoop nie alhoewel dit baas dit so beskryf het. “Desert Rose, rare find from the West-Coast Dunes near the German settle town of Luderitz, in Namibia, Southern Africa. Great addition to your display cabinet.” Die picture laat die klippie moevies groot lyk, maar as jy die smallprint lees is die dingetjie 3cm groot. Die Baas glo ons gaan ryk word uit E-Bay uit. Ek dink sy vrou gaan hom skei oordat hulle beautiful African artifacts en souvernirs op E-bay verkwansel en nou is daar lee koffietafels. Meantime het hy vandag ‘n nuwe sideline- besigheid gelaunch. Hy noem homself “E-Bay Consultant.” Hy het sopas vanmiddag sy eerste klient ge-recruit. Hy het gaan soek vir ‘n African wallhanging om die voriges te vervang sodat vroulief se temper kan bedaar. Alhoewel hy geen wallhangings kon vind nie, het die vroutjie van Mali wat ‘n gallery bestuur, besluit om kommissie met die Big Cheese te split as hy haar African crafts op E-Bay sal verkoop. So daar bler ek alweer nog secrets op die web uit. Jy kan ryk word uit hierdie disposable society uit. Tot later dan Kytie koekblik. 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 [ Top ] Mbeki in China to foster economic links Beijing - President Mbeki arrived in Beijing on Sunday with an entourage of diplomats and businessmen ready to forge political and economic agreements as China steps into the World Trade Organisation. Mbeki is the first foreign head of state to visit China since it received approval to join the WTO last month and will be in the country when it officially enters the trade body on Tuesday. "We are looking at China as both a market and as an investor," said Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma. Mbeki is accompanied by the ministers of trade and industry, agriculture, tourism, foreign affairs, defence and technology and a group of business leaders hoping to make inroads into the markets of the world's most populous country. China, an economic bright spot expecting GDP growth of seven percent next year while other countries slide into recession, hopes to attract a steady flow of foreign direct investment to maintain that growth. South Africa restored full diplomatic relations with China in 1998 after it recognised Beijing's claim to govern Taiwan. Relations have since blossomed. China was South Africa's 10th most important export market last year. A bilateral commission, which Chinese President Jiang Zemin and Mbeki signed into being last year, will meet today for the first time. It will discuss economic and trade co-operation. One area of keen interest for South African business in China is gold. More than 50 percent of South Africa's total exports to China last year were mining-related, with iron ores and concentrates accounting for 30 percent. [ Top ] Marike murder suspect appears in court Luyanda Mboniswa, 21, the Securicor Gray security guard charged with the murder of former first lady Marike de Klerk, appeared in the Cape Town magistrate's court on Monday morning. Wearing grey slacks and a denim jacket, the slightly built young man spoke through a Xhosa interpreter. De Klerk was found strangled and stabbed to death last Tuesday. Mboniswa was arrested after police traced a telephone call he allegedly made to his employer from a cellphone allegedly stolen from De Klerk's flat. Mboniswa allegedly made a statement before a magistrate late on Thursday. Police have remained tightlipped about the contents of the alleged confession, but detectives confirmed items recovered included the cellphone belonging to De Klerk. Prosecutor Tessa Heunis told the packed court that the state would be opposing bail. Mboniswa did not indicate if he would be applying for bail at his next court appearance. He told the court he needed time to think about legal representation. Van der Spuy patiently explained what he was entitled to as an accused, and told him he had to remember the trial would in all likelihood be heard in the Cape High Court. He will appear in court again on December 18. Investigating officer Mike Barkhuizen was not prepared to comment on the merit of the case, but said he was quietly confident that he "had his man". He was still putting together the pieces of the puzzle, he said. Barkhuizen strongly denied reports in an Afrikaans weekend paper claiming that "a De Klerk relative, involved in diamond dealing, who was in serious financial trouble, instigated the murder". He said everything pointed to a "simple break-in which went horribly wrong". Securicor Gray, Mboniswa's employer, is contracted to guard the complex. He was not on duty at the time of the murder. A senior police source confirmed that the Mboniswa was seen entering the complex around the time of De Klerk's murder. The source said the suspect had been co-operating with investigators, but had only admitted to "being part" of the killing, suggesting others were involved. This prompted Western Cape Police Commissioner Lennit Max to announce at the weekend that more arrests could not be excluded. Barkhuizen has so far taken in, questioned and released five people. These include Mboniswa's girlfriend and a 16-year-old Khayelitsha schoolboy Mboniswa allegedly named as an alibi witness. Heunis told the court a case would be opened against the Sunday Times for running a picture of Mboniswa before he had appeared in court. Magistrate Bertus van der Spuy warned media outlets that did this would be dealt with by the law. "I have not seen the paper, but it is an offence and the director for public prosecutions has said steps will be taken. You (the media) have been warned if you commit such an offence, be prepared to pay the consequences," said Van der Spuy. Thanks to IOL.co.za [ Top ]  Nel's KitchenRagel Nel Ragel Nel Washington D.C. - Growing up on a sweltering South African Bushveld farm, I was traumatised by Christmas year after year. Between the imported American television Christmas specials with their snowflakes and horse-drawn sleighs and attempts by enthusiastic South African business owners to recreate that same type of winter wonderland in South African shop windows, I was simultaneously left enchanted and disheartened. I was of course enthralled by that breathtakingly beautiful television images of snow and reindeer and kids ice skating outside in Central Park in a world so foreign to mine, it seemed almost surreal. But with a child’s faith, I crunched up my face at the African sky every December, without fail. I was hoping that the slither of cloud on the horizon of an otherwise cloudless and perfectly sunny South African summers day, would somehow turn heavy with snow and transform our farm into that same magical television world in time for Christmas day. Of course, my dream was never fulfilled – hence the trauma – and my first white Christmas experience came about only after I had travelled to the U.S. (This too was quite miraculous, because typically, the snow season in Baltimore isn’t until January/February.) In order to spare thousands of other South African children from going through that same disappointment, I’ve come up with a few ideas on how to celebrate Christmas in a uniquely African way. I don’t wish to sound like Castro – I’m hoping it’s more like some of the brave animals in "Animal Farm" – but let’s revolt, people! Let’s discard all those unattainable snow coated "Miracle on 34th Street" images of Christmas in the United States and Europe. Out with the bearded Santa, I say! (The poor guy is going to succumb from heat stroke in that fur-lined, red suit while travelling through Africa. Plus, fur is passé anyway.) I think, in the spirit of the New South Africa and Affirmative Action, our Santa Claus (known as Father "Krismis") should be a black man in traditional clothing (think Mandela), and his helpers should consist of men and women (equality, remember!) from all the other ethnic groups in South Africa. That way the whole scenario will be a just portrayal of the current government. Instead of reindeer and a sleigh, a herd of Kudus (or Springboks) should be hooked up to a rickety donkey cart to get our Santa over and around the hills of rural Mpumalanga and Kwa-Zulu Natal. (It surely beats going barefoot over the Drakensberge!) For the more urban areas along the N-1, like Jo’burg and Pretoria, he can exchange the above-mentioned mode of transport for a Hi-Ace or Volkswagen mini-bus taxi. That way, he’ll be able to fit in all his helpers and enough gifts for all the children of Soweto and Mamelodi AND manage to deliver it in a record time! For gift deliveries in port cities like Cape Town, Durbs and Port Elizabeth, he can arrive in style and with great skill on a surfboard. In that case, he should also adjust his dialect accordingly ("Like, Merry Christmas, dude!"). At the end of the day, he can have a well-deserved rest (the government should invite him to a "braai" (barbecue) and a nice, ice cold Lion Lager at the Parliament building in Cape Town). As far as decorations go: people should discard of those fake shiny green Christmas trees and instead, decorate the Jacaranda trees in their streets with strings of colourful African beads. (Something practical during the slow economy, because you can wear it afterwards as jewellery. Also has great Mardi Gras style celebration potential, but let’s not get carried away.) The flour should be saved for the porridge, and not be used in an attempt to create snow on trees and in shop windows. (Much to the dismay of my parents, that’s how I ended up turning my Bushveld Christmas into a white one every year as a child.) Also, instead of having the typical Nativity scenes with shepherds and sheep, South Africans can add African flair to the scene by having the big five – buffalo, rhino, elephant, lion and leopard – gather around Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus and the wise men (all decked out in the same traditional clothing as Father "Krismis".), instead of the usual sheep and donkeys. Yes, I think it’s a fabulous idea. Suddenly I yearn for another stifling, mid-summer Christmas in the Bushveld. © RSA-Overseas [ Top ] Winnie snubs ANC, attends Marike's funeral Winnie Madikizela-Mandela staged a spectacular snub of South Africa's ruling party elite when she attended a memorial service on Saturday for the country's last white first lady, rather than the state funeral of its first black defence minister, Joe Modise. Madikizela-Mandela, former president Nelson Mandela's ex-wife, said at the Pretoria memorial service for Marike de Klerk, who was murdered last week, that the killing of the former first lady was an indictment of the country and a sign that all South Africans should fight crime. She said of former president FW de Klerk's ex-wife: "It is a tragedy that a woman who has contributed so much to the history of our country should have left us in such a tragic manner." Her presence at the memorial service for De Klerk was a clear insult to President Thabo Mbeki and the African National Congress leadership. Flags have been flying at half mast all over South Africa for Modise, who died two weeks ago from cancer. At his funeral service, held at Johannesburg Stadium on Saturday, Mbeki said a memorial would be built to the 72-year-old former defence minister who, during the struggle against apartheid, was a leader of Umkhonto weSizwe. Madikizela-Mandela was one of a few black faces at De Klerk's memorial service, which followed a private burial in Pretoria earlier on Saturday, and at which F W de Klerk led mourners dominated by former National Party stalwarts. Thanks to IOL.co.za [ Top ] |
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