SA Rocks

We all knew that.

What most of us don’t realise is that he’s not stupid.

I quite enjoy listening to him go on about touchy topics, call a spade a shovel and create conversation.

I’d love to say that I have read Gareth’s book yet. I haven’t. I’m looking forward to reading it once I’ve downloaded it to my Kindle. Can’t figure out why the PR company didn’t send through the Kindle version of the books to those of us with Kindle’s.

Here’s the product description on the Kindle Store:

Some people think it a very bad thing to have an opinion about anything. Blend in, don’t make too much noise, just be happy with what you know and do. I can’t do that.’

South African DJ personality and Idols judge Gareth Cliff likes to shoot from the hip. Whether on air or judging a trembling Idols contestant, he’s always quick with a point of view. In Gareth Cliff on Everything, Gareth throws caution to the wind and writes about all those subjects that make him glad, sad or simply mad.

And here’s what a friend of mine, Robyn, wrote:

Almost everyone who has seen me with this book has passed a sarky remark and then expressed shock at the absolute cheek of a man filling a book with his own opinons… and then publishing it. I mean how dare he! The irony is that most of them have never heard Gareth on air [I asked them] but along with the Parlotones and Bryce Lawrence, it seems Cliff has been added to the SA Haters list of things to Hate on.

I’m about halfway through, I’m enjoying it and I actually agree with several of his points… some of them have had me in stitches. The chapters are short, it’s a light read and he doesn’t sugar-coat anything. But be warned, if you’re easily offended, highly sensitive or incredibly pretentious, then this book is definitely not for you.

You can buy the Kindle version of the book in the Kindle Store now.

Popularity: 8% [?]

The comedic genius that is Brendan Jack has come together in a new book: EMPIRE: How to Succeed with Nothing but Passion, Great Ideas and a Wealthy Family

Straight from the website’s pages:

Do you enjoy laughing and being successful? Then get
EMPIRE: How to Succeed with Nothing but Passion, Great Ideas and a Wealthy Family

A comedy memoir about strange family history, business sense and becoming a marketing guru and triumphant human being.

If you want to increase productivity, ban something.
It’s impossible to maintain business dignity with sweet gravy smeared across your cheeks.
They don’t handcuff you in first class.
As Samson demonstrated, going bald ruins lives.

Unpaid Readers Say:
‘Very, very funny’ ~ Diane
‘Your book totally rocks’ ~ Dean
‘Funny stuff, great writing’ ~ Cheryl
‘I learnt a lot’ ~ Jayn
‘Pretty hilarious’ ~ Andrew
‘Very entertaining’ ~ Maya
‘Very funny. So many ideas on each page’ ~ John

You can buy the book straight from Amazon for the price of a cappuccino.

Popularity: 9% [?]

There is an event and it is mental. It is called the Red Bull Xalps event. The premise is a simple one: Go from Salzburg to Monaco. The difficulty lies in the details; you have to race non-stop through the Alps to the Mediterranean Sea, with just a paraglider and a pair of hiking boots to help them, their every move tracked by advanced technology and broadcasted to an audience of millions.

Here’s an intro video to the Red Bull X-Alps event:

Sounds easy. It’s not and a South African is one of a very select few people to compete. Pierre Carter is a Johannesburg Father who is 45 and crazy… about extreme sports.

Pierre has his own website for the event too, http://blog.7summits7flights.co.za/. Head over there to get more information on our local extreme superhero.

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I received an interesting email yesterday about a group in North America called Nikela who have started a movement to save South African Wildlife.

I’m not 100% sure I agree with every sentiment in the video below but it’s a great thing to see a foreign country start an organisation to help another nations resources out of the goodness of their heart.

Nice.

Popularity: 21% [?]

After embarking on a 5 week tour of Canada, the Loneraynger found his way around the beautiful western coast with his tour manager Damon, and his trusty cameraman Fausto. Damon had found a beautiful form of transport in a 1990 GMC Safari, which came loaded with cotton seats, armrests and oil stains. It was easy to fall in love with the beast, and even more so when on the second day of the tour it was tagged by a professional graffitti artist. That day, the Silver Bullet was born, and every day after that that it served the Loneraynger crew unwaveringly, drawing the attention of young- females and old motorheads alike. That was until, one warm Canadian morning, the Van met it’s fate on the highway from Whistler back to Vancouver. Up a stretch of steep tarmac, the beast caught on fire, and in no time was wrapped in ball of flames. After a quick attempt to salvage some valuables, Damon had to abandon the Bullet.

The fire had done its evil deed, leaving nothing but a shredded and devoured carcass of what glory once was; only sparse chips of an artwork left on the side of the highways.

Ray muses, “We lost almost everything in that van; $5000 worth of music equipment for the tour, a camera, a tripod, cellphones, clothes, tent, and a pair of extremely fine boxers. Despite the material possessions, it was the spirit of the van and it’s endearing quirks which we had fallen in love with, it was the embodiment of youth taking to the road and moving music for ears to hear.”

Leaving not much hope for the Loneraynger and his crew, the tour came to a screeching halt. What’s a one-man band without his steed? But the spirit of the Silver Bullet held strong.

Ray also met some insane talent in Mike. Here’s a bit about their meeting and a video:

Before the incident, the crew had been driving around small town Osoyoos, trying to find the venue for his next gig, when they pulled over randomly to ask for directions. It turned out they had asked Mike, a local aspiring rapper who instantly made a comment about the ‘sick paintjob’ of the van. Ray told him he was a beatboxer from South Africa, and Mike made him get out the van. Right there and then not a minute after they had met, they performed on the street, making plans to perform impromptu later that night at the gig. The connection was made.

Popularity: 34% [?]

Don is a very good mate of mine and I think he should win Mr South Africa. I hear you asking why. Let me show you:

That is why. Incase you missed it, this is the original that is being parodied.

Popularity: 25% [?]

It really isn’t often that I ask for help. But I think that this time it’s warranted.

My godfather (In the Greek culture that basically means a guardian of sorts) runs an NPO called Footprints PLAY that aims to participate in the lives of African youths (P.L.A.Y). They take care of, shelter, clothe and feed many, many young South African children. This is an incredibly admirable thing to be doing and one that I admire.

But Footprints are in a bit of a pickle and need help. Here is the email I received from Terry, my Uncle. Please, if you know of anyone who can assist this fantastic organisation please get in touch with me: editor@sarocks.co.za

Let me be straight up and to the point. HELP

Bus to transport the children is down. Engine blown or something like that.

Our options are as follows plus minus 25k to get this one on the road again that is a rebuild. We would be willing to put company name etc on the bus if we can get financial help to get it on the road. Other options if anyone knows someone in the motor industry a New bus would be great or maybe an engine for a VW Microbus 2.1 I.

We have all the necessary PBO and NPO numbers in place should anyone require them. Charity can be viewed on www.footprintsplay.co.za .

Thanks much,

Terry Zaf

Popularity: 19% [?]

The incredible part about this story is not that DJ Black Coffee set a new record, ’cause he did. That part was seemingly easy for the man. The tough part for me to comprehend is that he did it with one arm.

DJ Black Coffee set a new world record for spinning by doing his work for 60 straight hours.

From the Telegraph:

Nkosinathi Maphumulo, 34, completed the challenge on Sunday at a charity event in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The dance music DJ, who lost his left hand in an accident aged 13, hopes video footage of the event will win him a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

He said: “I stayed strong. The music kept me going. I’m going to be a better DJ as I was doing it for a greater reason.
“At some stage I held back tears.”

Nkosinathi, who uses the stage name Black Coffee, started his record attempt in a shopping mall at midnight last Thursday.
Under the rules of the record attempt he was allowed a 20 minute comfort break every four hours.

But his manager told South Africa’s Sowetan newspaper he finished in style by playing the final 15 hours without stopping at all.

Wow. What an amazing achievement.

[blacknotes / Telegraph]

Popularity: 28% [?]

At the SA Blog Awards on Saturday the lovely people from ZA News were present. Their Helen Zille Puppet was present too and yes, you guessed it, so was Helen Zille herself.

Firstly let me say that since moving to Cape Town I haven’t had the pleasure of hearing the Western Cape Premier speak in person so I was quite happy to know that she would be attending the blog awards. Helen Zille did not disappoint. From what I’ve heard she never does in fact. She was funny, humble and very switched on about her audience, their interests and her relevance to the occasion. Nice one.

But on to the fun stuff. The folks at ZA News wanted to meet Helen and moreover wanted their Helen to meet Helen. So the Helens met:

Compliments to Dave Duarte for the photograph. Nice work.

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I have been asked to comment on the strikes taking place in South Africa. Obviously it’s relevant for the “SA Rocks guy” to have an opinion on something this controversial in SA right now.

I’ll give it my best go.

I think that teachers, doctors and nurses deserve to be paid a wage that reflects their value to the community and legally if they feel they are not being paid sufficiently they have the right to strike.

In my head striking involves a lack of action or inaction. A conscious decision to NOT work. Not to work at destroying structures, people, businesses and potential killing patients and babies at hospitals. This is inexcusable.

There is no problem with not going to work. There is a problem when you prevent people from entering hospitals, when you raid operating theaters and abandon other peoples children when you are responsible for their lives. This, I have a problem with.

Ivo Vegter has written a fantastic article on the topic over at the Daily Maverick. Read it, it has great value and one of the smartest things in his article is his calculation that ultimately what is being asked for by strikers is equal to a 20% increase. I’m sure there are many, many people the world over who would like a 20% wage increase but it just doesn’t work that way. I’m also sure there are many people who wish to resort to violence and blackmail when they don’t get the increase they desire but blackmail is illegal. Striking, however, is not illegal in South Africa.

Let me state the following as clearly as I can: I do not berate the rights of people in South Africa to strike. I am berating their choice of striking methodology and the helpless, innocent people they have been placing in harms way.

I also need to openly state that I don’t believe that the actions of the few reflect the state of many. I believe there are doctors, nurses and teachers who deserve an increase and are hoping for the issue to be resolved quickly and quietly. I don’t think that SA sucks because a mob got out of hand, I don’t think this is a problem that is unique to South Africa. I just think that it is a problem we are experiencing right now and it too shall be resolved and pass over like many other strikes we have experienced over many years.

South Africa is as unique as any other country, let the naysayers not be so brave as to state that we are the only country in the world that has striking civil servants, we are not. Let us not be so brave as to think that our country will never incur problems and when we do let us not be so stupid as to feel shocked, appalled and offended that we do have problems. Not every problem (however unnecessary or violent) warrants the end of days.

Popularity: 16% [?]