RSA-Overseas - The Expat Portal: Weekly Magazine

London - London seemed too elegant for its South Africans this past weekend.The Amabala music festival might have been a hallucination happening in the Bosveld at Oppikoppi or on the banks of the Breede river.

Home sweet home for one entire weekend in the London suburbs, with a full house of screaming South Africans on bier en boerewors at the international music venue, Shepherds Bush Empire.

The momentous making of history as our top rock bands took the stage, Karma (Henry Ate), Sugardrive, Just Jinger, and the beloved Springbok Nude Girls. Comedian Barry Hilton on boerewors and jokes and words like "Cape Town", "Ole Ole Ole" echoing across the venue.

London didn't only seem too elegant, the city seemed too reserved. We felt our authentic culture deep down in our bene, in our delirious use of words like "lekker."

No matter if this was the watered down, distorted version of South African culture which originates in the suburbs of London when homesick South Africans consolidate - somehow we all seemed to be screaming ambassadors for a nation of spontaneous, joyous people, unscarred by politics, fear, crime, unemployment and without the baggage of the post-apartheid generation.

While we merged into beats and phrase like Sugardrive's "down the road to Camps Bay", we were not asking those tricky questions which gnaws into our everyday: Who are we, step children of the world? Why are were establishing a small South Africa in the heart of London, complete with its African curios, wooden masks and Mrs. Balls Chutney?

The music provided us with the obvious answers: Our reality, our culture, our legacy will never leave us. It has shaped us into young South Africans, no matter where we are.

Nagual, who legitimately claim to be the future sound of Cape Town, provided the tastes of trippy afrobeats and kwaito. Their elusive combination of contemporary and African music, echoes the contradictions of Cape Town City, the poverty of the townships versus the charm of the laid-back, loungy tourist destination.

Henry Ate's front woman Karma brought back flashes of slick Johannesburg tunes, her big hits back in 1996 "Just" and "Henry Ate" were known to almost every single person in the crowd. Big Time Nostalgia kicked in, and those tunes are bound to be sung in the shower on grey dreary London mornings.

Up next was Sugardrive. It was as if a wave of movement had slowly come into being, bodies lost in the sensory overload of beats and trippy vocals, mesmerised by the powerful presence of the band. Sugardrive, ladies and gentlemen of London and South Africa, could be our international package. They are the most progressive songwriters in SA, being a crossover contemporary rock band who have been seduced by trip-hop and electronics.

Just Jinger and the Nudies are the best selling rock artists in the SA at present. At Amabala, Just Jinger played last, being an anti-climax after the undoubted climax, the Nudies.

Although a perfectly good, tight band with great songs, they just could not match the explosive sound attack of the Springbok Nude Girls.

The Nudies were on top form, so was the crowd. High voltage conflict. The band bombarded us with all the radio -and live favourites of the past few years, plus the gorgeous new "Smiley's Skull of Faith." The band was focused, giving one hell of a show, delivering the usual variety of songs with such conviction and energy that we all felt part of Something Big.

That was London this weekend. After being anonymous, silent faces in the tubes (underground trains) , Amabala gave us the excuse to unleash the bottled up energy.

In between sets, comedian Barry Hilton would make an appearance, inviting patriotic crowds to shout out the names of their home cities. The crowd must loved his jokes, but somehow, between vibrations of sound and energy words seemed to have no entry where the music had.

Skeptics will now jump on the "bandwagon", asking why South African bands should play to South Africans in London. What we witnessed, were top acts showcasing their flexibility and their confidence on stage, acts capable of becoming breaking it on international stage in an international venue.

From being garage bands, doing the circuit of small pubs on the Garden Route, our bands are ready to deliver a consistent, show of high standards.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications [ Top ]

Katie Koekblik Column
Ilda Jacobs

Washington D.C. - Ek het altyd gedag "Jetlag" is sommer 'n woord wat iemand uitgedink het as 'n verskoning vir vrotsige energie en moegheid. Jetlag for the rich and famous - ha! Ek het gedag dit bestaan net in teorie.

Tot ek hierdie absoluut simpele ding loop aanvang het laasweek. Na ek die Nude Girls in New York loop opsoek het in die eerste naweek van September, het 'n vreemde gogga begin byt.

Ek wou weg. Washington D.C. net al hoe vreemder begin lyk, en homesickness het my oorweldig.

Al wat ek wou hê, was Suid-Afrikaanse musiek, Suid-afrikaanse mense, my kultuur, en my vriende.

Daarom spring ek toe op die eerste beste vliegtuig wat my London sal neem vir 'n vinnige nawekie in 'n nuwe wêreldstad.

Natuurlik ook om verskeie verskuilde agendas, nie net omdat Washington D.C. en New York te blink en te plastiek gelyk het nie.

Daar was onder andere 'n Suid-afrikaans musiek fees laas naweek in Shepherd's Bush, in London. Ook is al my heeeel beste vriende in die wêreld, op die oomblik in London, soos amper 100 000 ander Suid-Afrikaanse jong mense wat besluit het daardie mistige grys plek se gras lyk groener.

Daarom is ek en Virgin Atlantic hier weg uit Washington D.C. om vir my in die London lewe in te lyf.

Vrydag na my drie-ure slaap, was ek nog adrenalien-aangedrewe. Ek wou uit my nate bars in die strate van London, voor Trafalgar Square, 'n blik op die Teems, in die Suid-Afrikaans winkeltjie wat chutney verkoop.

Vrydag-aand het ek omtrent elke tweede persoon by hierdie konsert geken waar die Springbok Nude Girls, Sugardrive, Just Jinger en Henry Ate opgetree het. Dit was behoorlik die tyd om weer vir 'n slag voor 'n verhoog te staan en skree op die grooves van die home beats saam met duisende ander Suid-Afrikaners wat Castle blikkies rondgooi.

Daardie ervaring, groots en allemagtigs. Ons rockgroepe op 'n internasionale verhoog met derduisende mense wat Kaapstad en "Ole, ole" skree. Absoluut die jetlag werd.

Teen Saterdag het my lyf 'n ander storie begin sing, Sondag was ek 'n zombie wat net nie kan ophou praat oor Suid-Afrika nie, en na my vinnige vlug terug Washington toe Maandag-oggend, is hierdie koekblikkie nog net nie weer dieselfde mens nie.

Jetlag het my lewe verander. My oë is so geswel soos iemand wat in 'n fight was as ek in die oggend opstaan, my kop suis, my lyf en ledemate sleep ek traag rond in die strate van Washington.

Maar nou ja, min mense kan rondloop en die volgende storietjie vertel: Binne een week was ek in Washington DC, New York en in London. Drie wêreldstede in een klap.

Ek betaal die prys daarvan, maar al die nuwe indrukke, die kulture, die reunie met die verwaterde, maar sterk Suid-Afrikaanse kultuur in London, alles maak die jetlag en die water-en brood-bankrot koekblik-gatsak die moeite werd.

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 ]

SA-born marries feminist Gloria Steinem
Ilda Jacobs

Washington D.C. - Once upon a time American feminist Gloria Steinem dismissed marriage for people who became "semi-non persons" as soon as they tied the big knot.

Steinem

Lately the 66 year old Ms. Steinem could be referred to as Mrs Bale, although she would object furiously.

Last Sunday, the radical feminist who has throughout her life, projected all that is not domestic, got married.

The lucky man who is not to be referred to as "husband" - because pesky words such as "wife," "husband" and "obey" were omitted from the wedding ceremony - is a South African born anti-apartheid activist.

The strident feminist's marriage to David Bale, is perhaps a compliment to South African males, who are stereotypical casted as staunch chauvinists.

Bale, known as the man who introduced the skateboard to England, married the woman who was thought of as the ultimate single girl.

Steinem coined the expression "A woman needs a man like a fish needs a bicycle" at one time.

Bale (61) is younger than Steinem, and according to Steinem's publicist, they met in October last year in Los Angeles at a benefit for Voters for Choice, an organisation which is Steinem's political action committee. His activism against apartheid and for animal rights, no doubt endeared him to the longtime feminist.

Bale is also the father of the cult actor Christian Bale, who recently starred in the movie "American Psycho."

This former commercial pilot has three other daughters from his marriage to his previous wife, who was a former circus clown and dancer. One of his daughters is an award winning theatre director, another is a musician and the other works in the computer industry.

According to a friend of Steinem's, Bale is very nice and he makes Steinem very happy. He also likes her political causes, her friend said to the Washington Post.

Steinem softened significantly over the past few years, particularly because women have been given freedom of choice. Marriage is no longer seen as "designed for a person and a half", as Steinem once insisted on.

"The symbols that we rebelled against - such as high heels, push-up bras, taking a man's name after marriage, quitting work to raise children - now are freely chosen, or the context has changed," Steinem told an audience at a large bookstore in California earlier this year.

Although she regarded the institution of marriage with contempt, labeling it as nothing more than a feudal contract, Steinem reportedly said about her marriage that " I hope this proves what feminists have always said: That feminism is about the ability to choose what's right at each time of our lives."

Steinem said she had worked for years to make marriage more equal, but she never expected to take advantage of it herself.

The ceremony took place at the Oklahoma home of Steinem's friend Wilma Mankiller. Steinem wore blue jeans.

Mankiller, the former head of the Cherokee Nation, hosted the event, which had elements of both a civil and a Cherokee ceremony.

Mankiller's husband, Charlie Soap, presided over the event along with Oklahoma Judge Sandy Crosslin.

According to the Daily News, Actress Kathy Najimy, a friend of Steinem's, said the ceremony in rural Oklahoma was "very spiritual, joyous, equal, and respectful, what you would think Gloria's ceremony would be. A lot of blessings and burning things."

Although the news about her marriage was received with shock and even bursts of laughter, other feminists have praised Steinem's decision to declare herself in a partnership that has legal sanction.

According to other high profile feminists, there is no political reason not to get married, because even gays and lesbians are doing it.

"Strike one for womanhood!" one of Steinem's fellow activists said, thrilled because Steinem snagged a younger man - and a rugged South African one at that!

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications [ Top ]

"Year of South Africa" at US University
Ilda Jacobs

Washington D.C. - The Kennesaw State University in Atlanta has proclaimed their academic year 2000 as the "Year of South Africa." A series of lectures, films and an art exhibition on South Africa will be hosted at the university until May 2001.

The "Year of South Africa" will then culminate in an extensive tour of the country during which the Americans will visit famous SA tourist destinations, experience the ordinary life in townships and even meet witch doctors.

This event is hosted by the Kennesaw State University International Center to increase international cultural awareness.

In the beginning of October, the Atlanta-based dance company of Peter Ngcobo, the "Soweto Street Beat Dance Theatre" will perform as part of the event. Ngcobo is the former South African Cultural Olympic Advisor of 1996.

Next year during March, Athol Fugard's "My Children, My Africa" will be performed especially for the "Year of South Africa."

The lectures topics offered during this special year -long event, are issue-based , and literature to politics are covered.

"Peril and Promise in the Beloved Country" is the first scheduled lecture to be given by Dr. Cedric L. Suzman, who is the Vice-President and Director of Programming at the Southern Centre for International Studies.

The lecture topics are very relevant, and according to Sharon Jardine, ex- South African and a mass media student at the Kennesaw State University, South Africans will benefit from as it provides a perspective on how South African is seen by Americans.

Lectures will cover contributions to the new South Africa, as well as the contentious issues of colonialism, apartheid and neo-colonialism will be discussed in -depth.

South Africa' multi-cultural legal tradition as well as the politics of land reform is also on the agenda.

Lectures which should be particularly interesting, are the ones on traditional African medicine and apartheid and racism in South African juvenile novels.

Jardine emphasised that the "Year of South Africa" will provide the opportunity to learn about South Africa, and for participants to share their own South African experiences with others.

She also emphasised that this event provides expats with the opportunity to share their cultural heritage and history with their children. An exciting upcoming event in January next year, is an exhibition of contemporary South African art.

Several films are being screened which cover several times in the South African history, ranging for "Zulu" (1964)and "Die Voortrekkers" (1916) to the celebrated screen adaptation of Andre P. Brink's "A Dry White Season."(1989)

"The Gods Must Be Crazy"(1980), Bopha (1993), The Voices of Sarafina (1989) and the acclaimed "Mandela" (1996) are other films scheduled to be screened during 2001.

The university is offering several academic course focused around South African politics and literature during the "Year of South Africa."

Tradition and modernity, and the history and politics of South Africa are courses offered for academic purpose, and for those more interested in arts and humanities, 19th and 20th century literature and South African film can also be included in an academic degree.

A two weeks visit to South Africa is the high light of the "Year of South Africa."

The tour will include visits to breathtaking Capetonian tourist destinations, including the "Alcatraz of Africa", Robben Island and the scenic wine route.

According to the International Centre, participants will also experience the day-to-day activities of ordinary people in the townships of Cape Town and in Soweto, the largest black city in Africa, "shrouded in muth and controversy."

Durban or the Funshine City will also be included in the tour, this city being described as a "world in one province." Participants will get to meet traditional healers, walk on the "endless golden beaches" and participate in a "Zulu cultural experience."

Time has also been allocated for visits to the Natal Game Reserve, Johanesburg, the Drakensberg and the Victoria Falls.

Clifford Matheson, editor of a newsletter about South Africa which is widely read in the States, said many of the students exposed to South Africa in this in-depth programme are likely to retain a long term relationship with South Africa country, resulting in increased business and tourism.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications [ Top ]

US to open door to biltong, wors...
Ilda Jacobs

Washington DC - Biltong, Boerewors and other meats from South Africa may soon be imported into the U.S. A US Dept. of Agriculture decision has eased restrictions on imports of SA beef and lamb. However the meat must originate in SA, and not its neighbors. Pork will continued to be barred. Before the meat can be imported, however, a "full-time salaried veterinary official" will have to certify that the meat is not only disease-free but as having been bred in SA.

© RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications [ Top ]

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Features & Briefs

ROBBIE FINALLY APOLOGISES
Radio 702 talk-show host John Robbie on Wednesday apologised to Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang at the start of his programme for last week's acrimonious interview after the African National Congress backed down from initial demands for his dismissal.

Robbie said he also appreciated the fact that the party had not made complaints to the Broadcast Complaints Commission.

He said he had listened to the interview again and realised that he had been unprofessional in cutting of the interview by slamming down the phone.

"No rudeness was intended, I lost my temper out of frustration," he said.

Robbie said he was not modifying his views on the minister's performance in the interview but said his comment that she was talking "rubbish" was directed at her performance and not at the minister.

FOOT AND MOUTH IN SA
Foot and mouth disease has struck South Africa for the first time in 44 years, veterinarian authorities said Sunday, expressing fears that this would lead other countries to ban imports of South African farm products, especially grain.

Police and troops began closing roads Sunday around the infected farm in the Camperdown area of KwaZulu-Natal province, near Pietermaritzburg, the provincial capital, and setting up road-blocks to disinfect vehicles.

The outbreak has killed 70 pigs, and authorities said they were planning to destroy more than 600 cattle and burn their carcasses to prevent the disease spreading.

18,000 SA PRISIONERS RELEASED
The release of some 18,000 prisoners from South Africa's overcrowded jails ran into fresh criticism Sunday when the Sunday Times reported that one man accused of car theft pointed a pistol at a woman's head and stole her car less than 24 hours after being released.

Police caught him after a high-speed chase during which they shot and wounded an accomplice.

The release last week, mostly of suspects awaiting trial who had been offered bail of 1,000 rand (140 dollars) or less but had been unable to pay it, sparked initial criticism when it was revealed that 160 prisoners facing trial on such charges as murder, attempted murder and indecent assault had been released in the Western Cape in error.

About 33 of them were still at large Saturday, the Sunday Times reported.

Judge Johannes Fagan, who drew up the release order, said the cabinet had known dangerous prisoners would be freed.

"Cabinet decided that all prisoners excluding rape (suspects) should be released," he said. "Everyone knew what the implications were."

The guidelines were tightened after media began reporting that dangerous prisoners were being released, and correctional services commissioner Lulamile Mbete said the prison officials who freed dangerous suspects had not understood the release order.

207 MORE ZIM FARMS SET FOR ACQUISITION
The Zimbabwe government Friday listed a further 207 white-owned commercial farms for compulsory acquisition and redistribution to landless blacks.

The latest list published in the state-run daily The Herald brings the total number of farms to be acquired to 2,309.

The government, under its controversial "fast-track" land reforms, plans to take 3,042 farms and resettle them with black peasants before the onset of the rains in November.

In all, Zimbabwe's authorities intend to expropriate some five million hectares (13.35 million acres) of land, mainly belonging to some 4,500 white commercial farmers.

The government does not intend to financially compensate the farmers for the farms, arguing that the land was stolen from Zimbabwe's ancestors by British colonial settlers.

18 KILLED IN ANGOLA
Up to 18 people were killed in two separate attacks blamed on UNITA rebels, southeast of Luanda, the government daily Jornal de Angola reported Friday.

The attacks occurred at Chivaca and Kuamba in Bie province 700 kilometers (450 miles) south east of the Angolan capital.

The attack on Chivaca also left 15 people injured, said the paper.

Rebels of Jonas Savimbi's Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) were blamed for the attacks and five of its members were said to be among the dead.