SA Rocks

I am suitably impressed with a news article that I was emailed by a South African friend of mine (Thanks Courts) living in Australia. The article is fair, just and doesn’t bounce about the fact that SA has problems. But it is well-balanced and positive too.

Let me just specify however, that this article was not written by a journalist but an Australian living in SA.

Here’s a little excerpt:

Is South Africa up to hosting an event of this size? Until about a month ago, many locals would have said “no”.

Spookily reminiscent of Sydney immediately before the 2000 Olympics, the locals seem to have passed through an arc of emotions ranging from “no one is going to come” to “the transport is going to be a disaster” to their current mind-set: “This is going to be a hell of a jol [party].”

If Sydney is any guide, the South Africans will spend the latter stages of the tournament putting their case that they hosted “the best World Cup ever” and be properly morose when it is all over.

Do yourself (and me) a favour and go and read this short and interesting article. It’s worth the read.

Popularity: 5% [?]

SouthAfrica.info has a fascinating story providing insight in to the 72 days that may have shaped SA.

I wont go in to too much detail but here is an excerpt:

Just how miraculous was South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy? How close did the country really come to civil war?

Check out our press clipping snapshots of the 72 days leading up to Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as SA’s first democratically elected President in 1994 – and see how heavily the odds were stacked against the rainbow nation.
1 MARCH 1994
Walvis Handover ‘a triumph’

Walvis Bay – South Africa’s last remaining dispute with the international community was formally ended at midnight last night as the South African flag was finally lowered in Walvis Bay and the Namibian flag raised in its place.
The formal handing over of the enclave ended a worldwide campaign for its incorporation that had been linked with the demands for Pretoria to surrender control of Namibia and to end apartheid in South Africa.
The last lowering of the orange, white and blue flag was watched in silence by a South African delegation headed by Justice Minister Kobie Coetzee, Namibian President Sam Nujoma and by representatives of African states and the Organisation of African Unity.
The Star, Tuesday 1 March 1994
2 MARCH 1994
IFP, ANC in ‘breakthrough’

The IFP is to consider provisionally registering for the April 27 elections. This emerged after several hours of talks between the African National Congress president Mr Nelson Mandela and IFP leader Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi in Durban yesterday.
Both the IFP and the ANC are also to explore possible international mediation to resolve outstanding constitutional deadlocks.
Buthelezi said the IFP was determined to contest the election, but added that his party’s demands, as contained in the Freedom Alliance’s proposals, had to be met.
The Zulu king’s demands also affected the IFP’s participation in the elections, he said.
The Sowetan, Wednesday 2 March 1994

Please do yourself a favour and read the rest of the article. It’s extremely interesting and relevant to each and every one of us today.

Source: SouthAfrica.info
The all-in-one official guide
and web portal to South Africa.

Popularity: 7% [?]