The South African 13 -20 May 2014

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13 - 20 May 2014

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DA wins 84% of overseas vote amid ballot controversy

| The Democratic Alliance received 84.44 percent of the overseas vote in the 2014 South African election – but ballots from four foreign missions were not counted as they did not make it back to South Africa in time before the deadline

INSIDE:

by staff reporter The Democratic Alliance (DA) received 84.44 percent of the overseas vote in the 2014 South African general election, the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) has revealed.

Of the 18,132 total valid votes cast on Wednesday 30 April at 116 foreign missions, 15,311 were cast in favour of the DA. This is more than double the number of overseas votes cast in favour of the DA in 2009.

Despite difficulties such as the need to travel great distances and a London tube strike, 68 percent of those South Africans who were eligible to vote abroad cast valid votes, only slightly lower than the 73 percent voter turnout back home.

South Africans living overseas were the first to cast their votes, a week before the rest of South Africa, to allow sufficient time for the ballots to reach the IEC results centre to be counted and verified.

Unfortunately, however, votes from four overseas missions were not counted because they did not make it back to South Africa by the deadline of 9pm on Friday 9 May. It is believed that ballots cast in Toronto (Canada), Havana (Cuba), Lubumbashi (Democratic Republic of Congo) and Madrid (Spain) were delayed or withheld by the customs officials of those countries.

There were 395 South Africans registered to vote in Havana, 267 in Toronto, 78 in Madrid and 11

p2 | ANC wins another term in power – with reduced majority

p4 | Madiba sign language interpreter is back in viral online ad p7| The Final Braai: Mat Hartley’s challenge is nearly complete

ELECTIONS 2014: INTERNATIONAL RESULTS Party

l DA volunteers in London on voting day. Photo by Katia Frank in Lubumbashi, according to IEC chief communication officer Kate Bapela.

“We understand that the IEC have done their best to get the votes back to South Africa, but of course will be taking this up with the IEC and will work together to avoid this in future,” said DA Abroad global

chairperson Ludre Stevens.

Stevens said the result in favour of the DA reflected support by South Africans around the world “who continue to take an interest in the country and may return, and who support the DA’s offer of clean government and job creation.”

He added, “We know that the journey to the voting station was not easy and deeply appreciate the incredible efforts made around the world. We will work hard over the next five years to improve overseas voting procedures and justify their faith in us to create an Open Opportunity Society for All.”

Valid Votes DA 15,311 ANC 1,508 AGANG 328 EFF 255 VF Plus 198 ACDP 184 UDM 128

% Vote 84.44% 8.32% 1.81% 1.41% 1.09% 1.01% 0.71%

See which countries saw the highest SA voter turnout page 3

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| 13 - 20 May 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

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ANC wins another term in power – with reduced majority

Editor: Heather Walker Production & Design: Deva Lee Registered office: Unit C7, Commodore House, Battersea Reach, London SW18 1TW. Tel: 0845 456 4910 Email: editor@thesouthafrican.com Website: www.thesouthafrican.com Directors: P Atherton, A Laird, J Durrant, N Durrant and R Phillips Printed by: Mortons of Horncastle Ltd

| In the final results of the South African election, the ANC received 63 percent of national votes while the Democratic Alliance (DA) increased its support to 22 percent, up from 16 percent in 2009

by staff reporter The ANC has won itself another term in power after clinching 63.15 percent of national votes in South Africa’s 2014 General Election.

The ruling party received 11 436 921 votes, which equals 249 seats out of a total of 400 seats in the National Assembly in Parliament.

In the 2009 elections, the ANC obtained 264 seats.

The party is still in control in eight of the country’s provinces, with the exception of the Western Cape, which remains under the Democratic Alliance (DA), with 59.38 percent of the provincial vote.

Making the official announcement at the National Results Operations Centre in Pretoria on Saturday evening, Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of South Africa chair Pansy Tlakula said she was satisfied with how the elections were conducted.

“I hereby, on behalf of the Electoral Commission, declare the 2014 national and provincial elections free and fair,” she told the guests during the ceremony, which was attended by President-elect Jacob Zuma and representatives of most of the political parties that participated in the country’s fifth democratic elections.

On Wednesday 18 million South Africans (73.42 percent of registered voters) went to the polls in the 2014 national and provincial elections.

Of the 29 parties that contested the elections, only 13 received sufficient votes to have representation in the National Assembly, including four newcomers: the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), the National Freedom Party (NFP), African Independent Congress (AIC) and Agang SA. For a political party to obtain one seat in Parliament it needs about 0.25 percent of the national vote, or between 37 000 and 50 000 actual votes, depending on voter turnout.

The party to obtain the second highest amount of seats in the

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Map of final results:

National Assembly was the Democratic Alliance (DA) which increased its support nationally to 22.23 percent (4 091 584 votes), giving it 89 seats in the National Assembly in Parliament. In the 2009 elections the DA obtained 67 seats.

Newcomers, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), emerged as the third most popular party after the ANC and DA, with 6.35 percent. The party, which was formed eight months ago by Julius Malema, received more than one million votes in the national ballot, earning it 25 seats. It has also become the official opposition in North West and Limpopo.

The Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) received the fourth highest number of votes with 2.4 percent (441 854 votes) which secured 10 seats. In the 2009 elections, the party had 18 seats.

Its breakaway party, the National

Freedom Party (NFP), came in fifth with 1.57 percent (288 742 votes), garnering six seats. This was the first time the NFP contested a national election.

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) increased its support from 0.85 percent in 2009 to 1 percent (184 636 votes) and earned four seats with the sixth highest share of votes.

The Freedom Front Plus also earned four seats after improving its support from 0.83 percent in 2009 to 0.9 percent (165 715 votes).

The Congress of the People (Cope), African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) and AIC each got three seats.

Agang SA won two seats while the Pan African Congress (PAC) and its breakaway party, the African People’s Convention (APC) each

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got one seat.

A total of 251 957 votes were spoilt nationally, up from 239 237 in the last poll, which may be attributed to a campaign calling for disgruntled ANC voters to spoil their votes.

At Saturday’s event, which was also the 20th anniversary of late former President Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as democratic South Africa’s first president in 1994, Tlakula urged the parties to “serve South Africa with pride, honour, integrity and humility.”

Both the African Union (AU) Observer Mission and the Electoral Commission Forum of SADC (ECF) have congratulated South Africa on a free, fair, transparent and credible election.

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Election results reshuffle SA political landscape despite ANC victory | Despite another landslide victory with more than 62 per cent of the vote, the ANC will likely face its most challenging opposition in parliament yet as South Africa enters its third decade of democracy

by sERTAN SANDERSON German statesman Otto von Bismarck is widely accredited for having said that politics is the art of the possible. If the 19th century leader had known about South African elections, he

Continued from page 1

Country

might have amended that quote to saying that politics is actually the art of the impossible.

There was a lot to be predicted about the elections, of course, such as the ANC’s landslide win and subsequently its guaranteed

grasp on power with 62.15 per cent of the vote. No surprises here – despite the fact that there seems to be a downward trend for the ANC, which, if it continues, might likely see the century-yearold political institution fall below 60 per cent in future elections.

But for now, the ANC must celebrate before it comes to the daunting task of building the next government. Much is expected to remain the same here as well, with the ANC party list looking like a who’s-who of South Africa’s political heavyweights, featuring President Jacob Zuma at the top of the pyramid.

What is different, however, are the challenges that Zuma and company will have to face in parliament. With almost two out of five voters not giving their voice to the ANC, a colourful opposition is beginning to emerge, which might turn into as much of a headache within the opposition itself as it is bound to be for the ANC. A victorious Julius Malema is expected to arrive in parliament and take up 25 seats for his party.

That is one MP provided by the

INTERNATIONAL VOTER TURNOUT

BY VOTING STATION (TOP 20 ONLY) Voting Station

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) per ten seats to be occupied by the ANC; not a bad result for a first-timer, although analysts predict that the extreme left-wing views of EFF will not lead to much constructive lawmaking.

Still, the EFF even has a number of greater victories to celebrate in some of the provincial elections, such as in Limpopo Province, where it managed to come in ahead of the Democratic Alliance (DA) as the main opposition.

However, the real challenge for the ANC will be the threat of a strengthened and growing DA. With more than 22 per cent of the vote, the DA will take up 89 seats in parliament – almost a third more than all other opposition voices put together. The party could potentially have performed better; a botched merger with Agang SA cost both parties credibility points, leading to newcomer Agang gaining merely two seats in parliament, which is likely to be occupied by Agang leader Dr Mamphela Ramphele – plus whoever she chooses to hold her hand. But for the time being, the DA is celebrating while

Agang is consoling its supporters, with DA leader Helen Zille ruling out any future merger between the two political parties.

Another sore loser, the Congress of the People (COPE), suffered the heaviest of all set-backs, going from 30 seats in parliament to a mere 3, as other opposition voices appear to have swayed parts of the previous the COPE electorate in their favour. Along with the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), the National Freedom Party (NFP), the United Democratic Movement (UDM) and a few other small parties they will join a group of single-digit MPs per party as part of Mzansi’s rainbow democracy.

Compared to the 2009 elections, the ANC lost a total of 15 seats while the DA managed to gain 22 and EFF, a newcomer, managed to carve out 25 seats for itself.

While this implies a moderate level of voter defection away from the ANC, it does not account fully for the changing dynamics in South African parliamentary politics, proving once and for all that in SA, politics is the art of the impossible.

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Approved VEC10

Votes Cast

Voter Turnout

United Kingdom

London

9,863

6,809

69%

UAE

Dubai

1,539

1,143

74%

Netherlands

The Hague

667

529

79%

Qatar

Doha

557

475

85%

Australia

Canberra

1,243

460

37%

UAE

Abu Dhabi

541

458

85%

USA

New York CG

605

438

72%

Ireland

Dublin

466

345

74%

Sudan

Khartoum

458

304

66%

Botswana

Gaborone

357

294

82%

Namibia

Windhoek

361

273

76%

Switzerland

Berne

342

269

79%

Korea (South)

Seoul

345

267

77%

China

Hong Kong

330

261

79%

Mauritius

Port Louis

302

258

85%

Singapore

Singapore

297

252

85%

DRC

Kinshasa

773

225

29%

Belgium

Brussels

281

224

80%

USA

Washington

355

215

61%

Germany

Munich

291

210

72%

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London debate: South Africa after the 2014 elections

| Held a week after the South African election, this panel of experts will examine the results and assess what they tell us about the political positioning of South Africans today, reflecting on the past 20 years of democracy and sharing forecasts on the country’s political future by staff reporter

| The Tsutsumani ext 7 polling station in Alexandra is a hive of activity during the 2014 general elections. Photo by GCIS

Following the passing of Nelson Mandela and 20 years since the end of apartheid, South Africa’s national election took place at a significant moment in the history of the country’s young democracy.

In recent years, critics of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) have multiplied in number – a result of political scandals, widespread corruption, a stagnant economy and chronic failures in the delivery of many basic services. Looking at the election results, the ANC appears weakened, particularly after the recent withdrawal of support from its traditional ally, the National Union of Metal Workers.

Dissatisfaction with the ANC has also prompted voters to look to opposition parties, such as the Democratic Alliance (DA) and

Julius Malema’s more radical Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF).

Held a week after the election, this Royal African Society event with a panel of experts will examine the elections results and assess what they tell us about the political positioning of South Africans today, reflecting on the past 20 years of democracy and sharing forecasts on the country’s future.

Speakers: • Richard Dowden, Director, Royal African Society • Desne Masie, Analyst; • Xolani Xala, Chairman, ANC London To attend this and all other Royal African Society events you must first register on the website.

After which you will be able to register for free to this and all other events.

Madiba sign language interpreter is back in viral online commercial | Remember Thamsanqa Jantjie, the bogus sign language interpreter who became famous at late President Nelson Mandela’s memorial service? It appears that he’s back with a vengeance, selling an app called Livelens by sertan sanderson Remember Thamsanqa Jantjie, the fraudulent sign language interpreter who became famous for botching the sign language translation at late President Nelson Mandela’s memorial service last December?

The one, who in all sincerity said in sign language: “cigarette join bringing together in different to you a circle and would like to pray this offering” and later attempted to defend himself by saying that he was hallucinating angels? The man, who had previously been convicted of theft and accused of rape as well as attempted murder?

Well, he’s back in the limelight, and this time he returns as the most unlikely spokesman you

can possibly imagine, featured in a strange viral ad for a new app developed in Israel, called “Livelens”.

In the online advert for Livelens, Thamsanqa Jantjie, 34, mockingly apologises for the mistakes made at the funeral service, saying “I’m really, really sorry for what happened” – before cutting away to a montage sequence celebrating his new-found celebrity following the event. “Now I want to make it up to the whole world,” he even adds later.

The new app that employs as their reluctant poster-child Jantjie allows its users to broadcast live video footage via various social media applications. Livelens representative Sefi Shaked defended the idea of using Jantjie

for the online commercial as a perfect way solution: “We needed something surprising. We wanted to choose a presenter who is the worst presenter for a live app possible.”

Having made a worldwide sensation of himself, Jantjie is currently receiving treatment at Sterkfontein Hospital outside of Johannesburg, suspected to be suffering from schizophrenia. The company in charge of filming the ad allegedly conned the hospital to get Jantjie out of the facilities for the day of filming by having a South African journalist pose as a family member.

A bogus family member to bail out the bogus sign language interpreter for his stint in a viral campaign? Only in Mzansi…

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Children more likely to be sexually abused in South Africa than not | No one likes to read about terrible stories of abuse – but one photographer took it upon herself to spend a decade uncovering harrowing stories of rape in order to educate victims and foreign audiences alike about these harrowing realities of living in poor communities across Africa

by sertan sanderson A new photography book entitled My Piece of Sky attempts to tell the painful story of sexual abuse, especially child rape, in Africa from all angles imaginable.

Photojournalist Mariella Furrer has spent more than ten years to document instances of widespread practises of child rape, culminating in her 700-page strong photo-book.

It may be the most comprehensive documentation of abuse anywhere in Africa yet, as victims are often reluctant to share their stories of abuse with others, despite recurring media coverage and public awareness campaigns.

“The most important thing about this body of work really is to try to get people to speak out about their abuse – to have the courage to speak out about it, because there’s a lot of shame and guilt attached to it,” Furrer says about her work.

In her extensive grand opus, Furrer tries to remove false notions of guilt from the victims that she speaks to, hoping to alter the stigma that often comes hand-in-hand in many traditional societies with being a rape victim.

“Child sexual abuse is particularly prevalent in South Africa, but it is a global problem,” Furrer said, adding that it is a growing phenomenon that “transcends any social, economic, and racial boundaries. And it’s everywhere.”

The rape statistics in South Africa are heartbreaking indeed and speak for themselves: The Tears Foundation says that the child rape rate in SA is 45 per cent; the Medical Research Council puts that number even higher at 50 per cent. These estimates are largely based on cases that are reported to the police; the dark figure is likely to be considerably higher, making it more likely for a child in SA to be subjected to sexual abuse while

growing up than not. The statistics can also be misinterpreted, as they don’t necessarily include instances of rape with murder.

“Most child sexual abuse is unreported,” Furrer said in a television interview, “as we don’t speak out the perpetrator will continue.”

She approaches the subject of sexual abuse with a unique sensitivity, owing to the fact that she was abused as a child herself while living in Kenya. Furrer has spent her entire life living in Africa despite hailing from Swiss and Lebanese roots. Through her work she tries to relate to victims of sexual abuse as much as trying to understand what motivates the perpetrators.

“Every day they wake up they are reminded [of the abuse] through either a scar on them or a ‘tattoo’ that dad has put on them – you know, like saying ‘Daddy loves you.’”

The accounts that Furrer shares from her victims are graphic and deplorable in content, but this might be what it takes to educate people about the issue. In addition to focusing on paedophilia and child trafficking, Furrer’s book also examines the rise of childon-child rape cases based on the photographer’s long-standing quest to tell the stories of all sexual abuse victims.

In one instance, she recounts the fate of a nine-year-old boy with his picture sitting in a car on his way to meet with a social worker. Furrer says that he was “gang raped and beaten with metal pipes and sticks by his ‘friends’, two eight-yearolds, three eleven-year-olds and a thirteen-year-old.”

The boy never reported the crime, so his abusers walked off scot-free.

Perhaps with the help of this photobook, more and more young victims of sexual abuse will step up and speak up against rape.

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www.gordonglyn-jones.com | An image from Mariella Furrer’s My Piece of Sky

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Mandela inspired concert and exhibition hits Wandsworth

| Local music academy to hold an art showcase promoting cultural diversity and integration between South Africans and Wandsworth residents this month

By Esi-June Mittee Adabunu World Heart Beat Music Academy is to stage musical, literary and artistic events revolving around the philosophies and impressions of late South African leader Nelson Mandela this week.

The concert and exhibition will showcase how musicality and art can be used to advocate similar views to those of Mandela. The World Heart Beat Academy believe music is able to form unity despite cultural, economic, political and linguistic differences.

Sahana Gero, founder and director of World Heart Beat Music Academy, said: “It is fast becoming a place of music excellence in the bloodstream of the nation. We teach our children that music has the power to change our lives for the better. Music can also bring a community together.”

In line with these beliefs Gero promises “a concert for everyone to

enjoy, celebrating the significance of Nelson Mandela and the value of all people in society”.

The show will be directed by jazz pianist Trevor Watkis and the young musicians of the academy will be performing a diverse range of music genres including jazz and reggae. There will be visual accompaniments to the show.

A presentation by Alex Pascall OBE will feature in the line-up.

Pascall has played a role in bringing diversity to the UK mainly through the media and cultural events such as Notting Hill.

The event is part of the Wandsworth Art Festival and Fringe 2014. World Heart Beat Music Academy will also be holding an exhibition of the Madiba: A Schools Art Exchange project in conjunction with Wandsworth Museum throughout May. Madiba: A Schools Art Exchange creates common ground between

Wandsworth schools and children in South Africa through art. The pupils devised artwork and poems using Nelson Mandela’s quote, “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again” as inspiration.

An exhibition of Paintings of Love, inspired by Nelson Mandela, will run from 7 to 16 May between 2pm and 8pm. After this the artwork will be sent to South Africa to be distributed by the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund.

The concert will take place on 13 May at the World Heart Beat Music Academy, 58 Kimber Rd, SW18 4PP at 7pm.

To book call 0208 870 3042.

Proceeds of both events will go to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital.

More details: worldheartbeat.org

| Scholars Dieu Merci and Sian Kelly

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The Final Braai: Mat Hartley’s challenge is nearly complete | As Mat Hartley from Braai 365 prepares for his 365th daily braai, he reflects on his challenge and the past year

By Conrad Brand On 17 May 2014 Mat Hartley will light his braai for the 365th time, bringing to an end his quest to braai every single day for a year.

I met up with Mat in Wimbledon on Sunday and while the flames eagerly licked the fresh air, we had the opportunity to reflect on the past year.

What would you say was your highlight of the past year and what would you like to forget?

It’s all been a highlight. A few moments that stick out though include getting a braai and charcoal across to Paris on the Eurostar for the Springbok game, watching my £15 gazebo (braai shelter) making it through a rough winter and receiving the support I have throughout this year. I can’t thank those that have chosen to support me enough! Can’t really think of moments to forget, possibly waking up at 4am to get the braai on before heading to conferences.

What kept you going through the cold winter months when some of your followers enjoyed the sun in Africa?

Seeing pictures of people back home on the beach while I was braaiing under my gazebo in gale force winds made me wonder what I was doing! But I set myself a challenge and was determined to make it through. Being honest with myself, if I hadn’t done it for the rhino, I probably would have given up mid-December. The rain was pretty hectic, but luckily we weren’t hit as hard as the rest of the country.

I suppose you met a few interesting people during the year? Did you meet any famous ones?

It’s just been great to meet so many South Africans and other nationalities who all share my passion for our rhino and the braai. Everyone’s offered incredible support, at events, on Facebook and Twitter, which I am so grateful for! In terms of anyone famous, Sanlam Private Investors invited me to the Saracens v Sharks game and I got to meet the players after the game. I was also invited to have a braai with the Saracens squad after their captains’ run and the guys were great, so it’s been an awesome year meeting some great people!

Tell me the best joke you heard around the fire this year?

There have been a few! I hate to disappoint though, I’m never good with remembering jokes!

What was your favourite recipe and that of your partner Mich who had no other choice but to join you on your quest?

Steak would top it, my method seems to be going down well.

Other than steak there have been a few; made some chicken curry braai pies, which I think everyone should try! Then something I didn’t do before this year was pizza, which comes out pretty awesome on the braai! Mich reckons she loves my garlic prawns and beer chickens, she also enjoyed her birthday cake that I made on the braai.

Dare I ask? Did you have any braai disasters?

I hate admitting it but of course there have been a few! The one that sticks out was at Christmas.

Mich bought me a new grinder and couldn’t work out the attachments. As a guy I just went ahead and ground away. My boerie came out looking more like a red pork sausage coil, but I wasn’t going to let good meat go to waste so I threw it on the fire.

It wasn’t that great, but filled the gap!

When we met a year ago, you had some goals you wished to achieve. Did you achieve those?

The main goals were to raise money and awareness for our rhino population, and also prove that you can braai on charcoal or wood every day. So far Braai 365 has raised close on £7K with more to come. This is quite a hot topic at the moment, with so many incredible people doing their bit, and hopefully I have added to the awareness.

Tell me more about The Final Braai?

It’s going to be a great day in May, 300 tickets have been bought and it was sold out in a week and a half. Basically, just a good South African day out in London, with boerie rolls and spit braais going. £3,000 has been raised by the event, which will be going to our beloved rhinos.

What is next for Braai365?

Will you pass the torch to another or keep going?

I need to do this in the Southern hemisphere still, so won’t pass the torch on just yet! Not only that, but there’s a lot more money to raise!

What is next for our rhinos?

That’s the toughest question to answer. We all know the statistics, we’ve seen how many have been slaughtered in the past few years.

Many people believe this is the end of the road for our rhino. But the optimist in me believes we can win this war. Monetary donations and anti-poaching measures have increased dramatically, and of course we all need to be thankful to the men and women on the frontline who are doing an incredible job. There have also been education programs in the East, which hopefully will start to get through to open ears and minds. There is no one right answer, I wish there was, but I know, believe and pray that one day this senseless poaching will stop.

What have you learnt through the whole experience?

Another tough question, because there’s been so much. If it’s about the rhino, I’ve stayed close to the incredible efforts throughout Africa to save this wonderful species and I am grateful there are so many people helping out

there. As the year has gone on, my passion for our grey unicorn has increased and left me wanting to do more for them. As for the braai, it’s cemented my passion even more. A lot of people have asked me if I hate firing up a braai now, it’s been the opposite. There’s nothing better than lighting up and watching the best television in the world. Lastly, I’ve realised that I have an amazing better half – Mich has had to put up with a lot this year, and can’t thank her enough.

Mat Hartley, with my hat in my hand I thank you – you are a true ambassador, not only for our braai, but our wildlife heritage as well.

Braai 365 might have its final braai on 17 May but it does not end there – you can still offer your support by visiting Mat’s website at www.braai365.com.

Now is the time to stand up and help – last year saw 1004 rhinos poached, almost three a day.

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Royal Court Theatre presents New Plays From South Africa

| On the 20th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s inauguration (10th May 1994), the Royal Court Theatre in London will stage a series of readings from 12th to 17th May 2014 offering an insight into South African life today two decades after the end of apartheid by staff reporter Six new plays will be presented as a week of rehearsed readings in the Jerwood Theatre Upstairs in New Plays from South Africa: After 20 Years of Democracy, part of a longterm development project between the Royal Court Theatre and the British Council and is part of SA– UK Seasons 2014 & 2015.

The project is part of the British Council’s Connect ZA programme and a line-up of events will run alongside the week of readings, including a panel discussion, a poetry evening featuring top spoken word artists from South Africa and a late night music event.

The Royal Court has been working with a group of 12 young playwrights from across South Africa for a year, as part of the theatre’s international remit, which supports and develops playwrights and theatre artists around the world in 70 countries, in over 40 languages.

Led by British playwrights Leo Butler, Winsome Pinnock and International Director, Elyse Dodgson, these six plays, presented as works-in-progress, look at absent fathers, political corruption, sexuality, race and religion in contemporary South Africa and the legacy of the new generation of children, growing up as ‘born frees’.

The Royal Court’s relationship with South Africa dates back to 1971 when, during apartheid, a mixed company came to the Royal Court and performed three works

by Athol Fugard, including The Island and Sizwe Banze is Dead.

On the 20th anniversary of South Africa’s first democratic election, the Royal Court will mark this moment, staging work by South Africa’s new generation of writers.

Vicky Featherstone, Artistic Director of the Royal Court Theatre said, “Our six South African readings, alongside our Ukrainian play brought together from testimonies from Maidan Square over the last three months are an important

| 13 - 20 May 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

reminder of the reach of the Royal Court in uncovering stories from all around the world. Voices which remind us what the Royal Court is for – to ask the questions of our time, to express the ideas of the future and the world we live in through theatre. These pieces offer a unique insight into these places on the cusp of political change and upheaval and we are honoured to offer this platform.”

Programme Monday 12 May, 7pm A New Song

By Napo Masheane Directed by Richard Twyman Thokoza is a domestic worker who persuades her sister workers to get involved in the Anti Pass Book campaign of the 1950s. The women whose voices took centre stage in the “struggle” are vividly brought to life in this celebration of political action, song and friendship.

Tuesday 13 May, 7pm NewFoundLand

By Neil Coppen Directed by Simon Godwin Jacques is an anaesthetist working in a hospital in a rural community.

Sizwe is a dancer who is connecting with his ancestors. When they meet for casual sex, memory and tradition collide. A hallucinatory exploration of sexuality, race and religion in contemporary South Africa.

Wednesday 14 May, 7pm Fana Le Fale (Here and There)

By Omphile Molusi, translated from Setswana by the playwright Directed by Dawn Walton Street clown Wilfred and his girlfriend Cindy live in a shack of corrugated iron. Joined by their young relatives, “born frees” with very different dreams, they start a fight against a corrupt housing system to drag themselves out of life in the slums.

Thursday 15 May, 7pm Brave

By Mongiwekaya Directed by Phyllida Lloyd Ben and Skinn are out on a joint run. With the weed still burning a hole in their pockets they’re stopped

by the police. The drive home from a night out turns into a brutal journey which leaves the accused and his accuser changed forever.

A suspense drama that looks at old divisions in a new country.

Friday 16 May, 7pm All Who Pass

By Amy Jephta District 6, Cape Town, 1974. The inner-city neighboured is being forcibly cleared by the apartheid regime. 2013, a daughter returns to claim her inheritance and exorcise the ghosts of what took place there. A journey to a landscape of memories past and present.

Friday 16 May, 8.45pm Performance Poetry from South Africa Curated by poet, singer, spoken word artist and writer, Leeto Thale, the night includes a guest slot from Thabiso Mohare (aka Afurakan) ‘the crown prince of Johannesburg’s underground slam poetry scene.’

Followed by South African music and DJs in the Royal Court Bar & Kitchen ‘til late.

Saturday 17 May, 3pm The Last MK Fighter

By Simo Majola Directed by Ola Animashawun Mshiyeni lives with the nightmares of his comrades who were left behind in Angola fighting for South Africa’s freedom. And fights with his son, who blames him for the years he was absent as a father. A heartbreaking story searching for a new understanding of the sacrifices made for one’s country.

Saturday 17 May, 4pm Panel discussion (Free but ticketed) New Writing in South Africa, with playwrights Simo Majola, Mongiwekaya, Amy Jephta, Omphile Molusi, Neil Coppen, Napo Masheane, hosted by the Royal Court’s International Director Elyse Dodgson.

Jerwood Theatre Upstairs, Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS Tickets for all readings £8 available at www.royalcourttheatre.com 020 7565 5000

Ons praat Platteland | Along come mavericks like Steve Hofmeyr, Bok van Blerk and many others who refuse to play out their lives in another language and within two decades, Afrikaans music, theatre, literature and festivals are the cool things to be involved in

The Optimist

Karen de Villiers

There we were, in a coffee shop in the heart of London’s New Bond Street, having never met before, ‘praating’ the taal. Not all the time, but it seemed so appropriate to throw in the odd, phonetically luscious word, a petite passport to our common past.

Julian, my ‘tres’ enchanting coffee co-pilot, once wrote a personal, but thought provoking article on the future of the Afrikaans language.

Called ‘Lost for words’, he delves into the post-apartheid attitudes regarding a language so keenly associated with all that is white, oppressive and forever linked to an indefensible past. That was a number of years ago, a decade in fact, but it had me wondering how things are looking in the garden of the ‘taal’ monument of late.

Back in the day, Afrikaans was anything but cool. No matter how you looked at it, Gé Korsten and Bles Bridges were not cool. My aunty thought so, but then she only read Huisgenoot. The films we watched at the drive in, with names like Dans van die Flamink, not cool.

No school teacher, anyone at the landbou ko-operasie or deacon in the church was cool. Pitiful really, trying to find a hip role model in my town.

After the big bang of democracy, Afrikaans went into hiding, a refugee. Linked to all that was easy to blame, few kept the flames kindled under cover. Afrikaners

don’t do the lying down well; think about all those treks and battles, and bliksem, it’s time to ‘boer’.

Along come mavericks like Steve Hofmeyr, Bok van Blerk and many others who refuse to play out their lives in another language and within two decades, Afrikaans music, theatre, literature and festivals are the cool things to be involved in.

Gone is the guilt, the hierarchy of ‘grumpy’ suits in government and church; this generation are free of their need to suffer for their kin or country (older generations loved to talk about the suffering). The new Afrikaners are South African first, not relegated to skin colour or class, but embracing another truly indigenous language. The modern Afrikaner is thriving thank you.

Difficult though, is getting enough investment to foster the arts in Afrikaans. The world is not exactly standing in line to produce a film in this medium and I doubt support is forthcoming from the government. So there are still some dodgy movies and productions out there. With the success of festivals such as KKNK however, and the inexplicable (for me anyway) popularity of groups such as Die Antwoord on foreign shores, things are pumping. More significant is the avid interest in South African art; Irma Stern’s ‘ Zanzibar Woman’ reached a record price early his year.

There has been much written about typical Afrikaans words like ‘kak’, ‘donder’, ‘ lekker’ and so forth; brilliant descriptive words but those become clichéd. It is the worlds of Nataniël, Antjie Krog and Marita van der Vyver, amongst others, that will touch your heart.

I have seen the lyrics of a song in Afrikaans make grown men cry.

Powerful, eloquent, evocative.

‘Dis in ons are, dis in ons bloed.

Dis mos my storie.

Kom saam met my.’

thesouthafrican.com | 13 - 20 May 2014 |

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SA pianist to perform new piece by Neo Muyanga in London

| On 15th and 22nd May South African-born pianist Renée Reznek will give performances of new works written by Sadie Harrison and Neo Muyanga

by staff reporter Renée Reznek is a South Africanborn pianist who specialises in recitals of 20th and 21st century music. Her CD Piano Recital with music by Janacek, Debussy, Messiaen, Stravinsky and David Earl was on Fanfare’s front cover in May/June 2013 and earned her many excellent reviews.

On 15 and 22 May at 7.30pm Renée will give the first London performances of two new works written for her by Sadie Harrison and Neo Muyanga.

Harrison’s Par-feshani-ye ‘Eshq is an exquisite set of miniatures based on translations of an 18th century Persian Sufi poet, Bidel. “This imprisoning world has weight of fetter’s links: But promise also of justice and heavenly hyacinths.”

The theme of earthly suffering, joy and redemption is compatible with the other premiere, that of the South African composer Neo Muyanga’s ‘Hade Tata’ (Sorry Father), a tribute to Nelson Mandela which celebrates the 20th anniversary of

the first democratic elections in South Africa. Both these pieces will be first performed in Cambridge at Homerton College on the 26th April, the eve of that anniversary.

Muyanga’s piece combines traditional Nguni melodies with the call and response music of the Basotho as well as struggle songs and Cape Malay jazz. It seeks to convey Mandela’s state of mind as he leaves prison to face the expectations of the world. That Muyanga feels we have not met Madiba’s expectations of us infuses the work with sadness as well as celebration and explains the title.

The programme includes the meditative pieces of Graham Lynch from White Book 1, Hendrik Hofmeyr’s Preludio and Umsindo from Partita Africana and works by Satie and Debussy.

Further details and tickets: www.1901artsclub.com and www. reneereznek.com “A fascinating and distinguished recital..an artist of scrupulous sensitivity and intelligence” - (The Daily Telegraph)

No ordinary walk in the woods

| If you’re on social media – and your friendship circle happens to include anyone living in the UK – your timeline of events is more than likely to be flooded, at this time of year, with photos of green and purple

by Katy Potatie If you go down to the (Hook) woods today, you’re in for a big surprise.

EG (English Gentleman) and I took the pooch for a new adventure in the woods that lie just outside of Beaminster. Up on a hill that overlooks a beautiful heavenly valley, the Woods, also home to one of the divisions of the Architectural Association’s School of Architecture – the Hook Park campus, lies on a little hill on the outskirts of our little valley and is often the destination for all sorts of organised mountain bike challenges and runs, but for us locals, it’s the perfect playground of streams and puddles, graveled roads and tree canopied umbrellas allowing dappled sunlight to give your Saturday-morning stroll a diamondlike effect.

The pooch didn’t really know what to do with herself – the puddles are usually her utopia – but

after a sporadic cloudburst, puddles had turned into lakes into which she simply had to delve. And she did.

English Gentleman and I marvelled at the beauty of the neon-green foliage that had started to appear on the trees, and saplings that had shot up almost overnight.

A wonderful testament of the warm sunny days, and here-and-there rain showers that Dorset has been experiencing lately.

But what left us absolutely speechless was something far more special. If you’re on social media – and your friendship circle happens to include anyone living in the UK – your timeline of events is more than likely to be flooded, at this time of year, with photos of green and purple. Lots of them.

I’m not talking about the jersey of a particular sports team – or a weird music festival – I’m talking about nature’s abundance that you’d spot in almost any Monet or Renoir piece. I’m talking about a

purple haze that almost always goes unnoticed on a painting of English countryside, unless you knew it was there.

I’m talking about bluebells.

There they lie. Like a blanket of lilac covering mossy stones, tickling the barks of huge, overhanging trees. They grow in their tens of thousands, and line the floors of woods and forests as if planned. Look carefully, and they’ll line the Dorset roadsides too, along with their elderflower, wild garlic, cow-parsley, shepherd’s-purse and little mouse-ear counterparts.

They are magnificent and even the sternest, coldest of workaholic will struggle not to pause, and catch-their-breath as they turn a corner and view the beauty of the bluebell.

We stand for what feels like half an hour, just watching, admiring, taking photos, and making videos – as the pooch picks up on our wonder

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| 13 - 20 May 2014 | thesouthafrican.com

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Riaad Moosa and Vincent Ebrahim in ‘Material’

“It’s never been a better time to be a filmmaker in South Africa”

| Film director Craig Freimond talks about filmmaking in South Africa since the start of democracy – and reveals that he is developing a script for top comedian Trevor Noah

by Marianne Gray

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‘Material was a very interesting film in terms of the new South Africa’, says Craig Freimond, writer and director of Material, the film just released on iTunes to celebrate the anniversary of 20 years of democracy in South Africa.

Material is a comedy-drama about a young Muslim man who works in his father’s material shop but dreams of being a stand-up comedian. It played on the circuit in the UK in 2012.

‘We chose to tell the story of a Muslim family and always knew that if we got it right we would have a willing audience from the Muslim community. What we didn’t realise is how much the film would be loved not only by the Muslim community but by all South Africans. We often heard the comment ‘It made me proud to be a South African’, which was not something we anticipated.

‘The film also reminded us of our commonalities. Another comment we heard was, “It started off as a film about a Muslim family but after a while it just became a film about a family”. I think Muslim people were also very proud of it and loved the idea that it was simply a film about a family and avoided any kind of stereotyping.

‘I guess part of the problem with a film industry from a country with a turbulent past like ours is that tremendous pressure gets exerted on our films to try and reflect, analyse and understand our past.

I think that the South African film industry suffered a great deal from that around 1994. It’s still there to a degree but I think it’s got better.

Films were mostly overtly political and often not very commercial, which partly caused a certain distrust in local films, i.e. that they were going to be extremely heavy and not much fun.’

While film can explore political ideas it can also be a yoke for an industry trying to be entertaining and vibrant, he believes.

‘I always felt that what was needed in our country was for us to be able to make a wide range of films; silly films, serious films, genre films, and this is largely what has happened over the last twenty years.’

Johannesburg-born Freimond (47) completed his drama degree at Wits University in 1988. Since then he has worked as a writer and director in theatre, television and film. His first feature film Gums & Noses, adapted from his play of the same name, won the Apollo Film Festival award for best feature in 2004 and since then he has won awards for his plays, his writing and his directing on stage, screen and TV, which includes improvised comedy series Sorted, which was nominated for an international Emmy award.

‘I suspect around 1994 we were probably making around six features a year. When I made Gums & Noses in 2003, there were around ten South African films being made annually. Now I am told the number is more like 25-30 a year.

‘For me this is great progress, there is a loosening up on subject matter and approaches. It is also giving writers, directors and actors more opportunity to develop their craft. It used to be unusual for a director to make even two or three films. Now the number of directors having made four or five films is growing. We still battle against Hollywood but so does the rest of the world.

‘Another thing that has made a massive difference in the last few years is state subsidies for films.

Both the DTI and the IDC offer significant grants and subsidies.

The film industry has been targeted as a growth industry and there

is a great deal of support from the government. South Africa is becoming an increasingly popular destination for international films to be shot.

‘This is bringing in a great deal of international money into the country which in turn is having a positive effect on the local industry. Cape Town film studios have made a massive difference in this regard helping bring the biggest films in the world to SA. ‘In many ways it’s never been a better time to be a filmmaker in SA. I also believe that the problems at the SABC have inadvertently helped the film industry. As we seem to make very few decent TV series a lot of the people who would have worked in that industry have rather turned to making films.’

Freimond’s second feature film, Jozi, about the highs and lows of life in Johannesburg, and Material strengthen his reputation as a comedic director. He is currently developing an action comedy script for top comedian Trevor Noah that is due to shoot in October/November this year.

‘Before Material I was always a bit nervous about working with comedians,’ he admits with a laugh, ‘because I felt they didn’t have the neutrality of actors. They are people who have developed their own styles of comedy and sometimes that can be at odds with the story you are trying to tell.

‘But I dealt with a whole bunch of them in Material, like Riaad Moosa, Joey Rasdien, Nik Rabinowitz and Krijay Govender.

They were all extremely open and easy to work with. A real pleasure.

When I was shooting with Nik and Riaad and Joey, I felt a real sense that I was working with three of the funniest men in South Africa and it felt really good.

Material comes out on the iTunes store in the UK on Monday April 28.

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Zimbabwe Community

Freshlyground refused entry into Zimbabwe – again | Freshlyground were turned away at Harare International Airport last week ahead of a concert for thousands of Zimbabwean fans. But the move appears to be politically motivated following a 2010 song criticising President Robert Mugabe By sertan sanderson SOUTH AFRICAN pop combo Freshlyground were refused entry into Zimbabwe to perform at a concert in front of over 4,000 fans at the Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA) on Sunday night. The official reason given for the refusal of entry was a lack of proper travel and work documentation.

Following their deportation, Zimbabwean immigration spokesperson Francis Mabika said, “The group was sent back because they did not have a valid work permit. Their permit had not been processed so they could not be allowed to enter the country.”

Mabika added that Freshlyground knew fully well why they were denied entry into the country.

It is alleged that Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe himself had banned the band from entering the country following a music video released

by Freshlyground in 2010, in which he is depicted as a chicken desperately trying to hold on to power.

The band, aware that the satirical “Chicken to Change” music video had caused such a stir with the president, tweeted about the incident as follows: “We regret to announce that we were denied entry into Zim today. ‘reasons not given’. We are hugely disappointed. Cluck cluck cluck.”

In a press release, however, the band’s management expressed its disappointment at the news:

“We are very disappointed to announce that Freshlyground were last night turned away at Harare International Airport Immigration just hours before they were due to perform for 4,000 fans at the HIFA closing ceremony. The government officials involved refused to give a reason for the deportment, saying in fact that there is ‘no official reason given or required’.”

Freshlyground’s management added that it had followed all the required protocol in advance in order to get the permit to perform, having received all indications that the band would be allowed to perform in Zimbabwe.

The official statement went on to say: “The band are hugely disappointed at the missed opportunity to return to one of their favourite performance venues, and is left saddened that once more Freshlyground were unable to connect with their fans in Harare. The band remain undeterred however, and hope that in the not too distant future will once more be allowed to celebrate a love of music and a freedom of expression with the people of Zimbabwe.”

This was the second refusal of entry that Freshlyground suffered in Zimbabwe since the release of the controversial video. The first occasion was in 2010, shortly after the “Chicken to Change” song and its accompanying music video had first been made public.

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LIVE IN LONDON! 1 & 2 August 2014 - Eventim Apollo Hammersmith A still from Freshlyground’s music video for their song “Chicken to Change”

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Travel

| 13 - 20 May 2014 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

24 hours in the Eternal City

| Sandy Cadiz-Smith delights in a whirlwind exploration of Rome

By Sandy Cadiz-Smith Rome wasn’t built in a day, but that’s no surprise. It takes time to create great things and Rome is truly a great city. Its greatness grips you, even if you only have 24 hours there, like I did.

Rome feels like the world’s biggest living museum; you’re walking through history. It’s ancient and modern all in an exciting, stylish package waiting to be unwrapped.

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Contemplate slaughter in the Colosseum This imperious structure was commissioned in AD72 by Emperor Vespasian to keep his people entertained by staging deadly gladiatorial combat and wild animal fights. Very gruesome, with over 9,000 animals killed in the inaugural games of AD80. If the arena got too bloody it was simply covered with a fresh layer of sand.

Not my idea of entertainment but even without having to witness any massacre, the Colosseum is a spectacle to behold. The feeling of magnificence and destruction is powerful and disturbing.

Guzzle gelato There are gelato shops everywhere and this deliciously sweet and refreshing confection is impossible to resist on a sweltering Roman day. Gelato is not ice cream. It has less fat as it uses more milk than cream, is churned at slower speed so it’s denser (and therefore arguably more flavoursome) and it’s served about 15 degrees warmer. So that’s cleared that up. The choice on offer at Gelateria del Teatro (Via San Simone, 70) is mind-boggling.

Get imaginative at the Roman Forum The central area around which

It makes so much sense!

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Ancient Rome was built (some of which dates back to the 8th century BC) is now a collection of majestic ruins (if ruins can be majestic).

Take a breath and imagine the civilisation it represented thousands of years ago.

the world’s largest unreinforced concrete dome. If that sounds amazing, wait until you see it. I’ve travelled a fair bit and I have to say the Pantheon is possibly the most unexpectedly breathtaking structure I’ve ever seen.

Indulge in carne e formaggio The meats and cheeses of Italy are wide-ranging, delicious and… well, seemingly endless. At Beppe i e suoi formaggi (Via di Santa Maria del Pianto, 9A/11) you can enjoy a large platter of tasty morsels and a bottle of wine before, fortified, you continue your explorations.

Drink beverages in the Piazza Navona This bustling square is the perfect place to people watch, relax and recharge. There’s no shortage of delectable Italian drinks, depending on your mood.

Just remember not to order a latte – you’ll get a glass of milk. It’s important to ask for a caffè latte when you’re in Italy.

Gasp at the Trevi Fountain One of many, many fountains in Rome, this is no ordinary fountain.

The first time I saw it I nearly burst into tears. You have to throw a coin in. One coin means you’ll always return; two you’ll meet a lover in Rome and three, you’ll marry them. Our American guide threw three in when she arrived in Rome and, guess what, she married a Roman. Worked for her.

Be dazzled by the Vatican One of the busiest attractions in Rome, it’s best to pre-purchase a guided tour to escape the (often very long) queues. These knowledgeable guides can make your day. The winding corridors and grandeur of the Vatican, its amazing museum, Raphael’s Rooms, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica will leave you feeling dizzy from their beauty, history and sheer magnitude.

Taste the flavours The Campo de Fiorio (field of flowers) market was originally a meadow. Public executions were held here regularly. In 1869 it became a daily fish and vegetable market. The only hanging you’re likely to see now is herbs, garlic, flowers and dried chillis. That’s more like it. And there’s the unmistakeable aroma of bread and pizzas cooking. At the Forno Campo Fiori you can watch the bakers at work, inhale the scents and munch on warm pizza bianca straight out of the oven.

Marvel at The Pantheon This incredible circular structure was built as a temple to all the gods of Ancient Rome. It’s still

Fall in love on the Spanish Steps Again, these are no ordinary steps. In Woody Allen’s To Rome with Love, American tourist Hayley falls in love with her dreamy Roman, Michelangelo here. Worst case scenario, you’ll fall in love with Rome.

I can say again with confidence that Rome wasn’t built in a day (that happened over several centuries). But the most amazing thing is that it doesn’t even take close to a day to fall completely in love with it. Throw that coin in that fountain. I have to return.

If you’re looking for an expert guide to make your day even better I highly recommend Antiqua Tours www.antiquatours.com

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thesouthafrican.com | 13 - 20 May 2014 |

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Zimbabweans can apply for the UK Ancestry Visa

| BIC is glad to inform Zimbabwean clients that they are able to apply for the UK ancestry visa, should they meet the requirements

by JP breytenbach Following queries from BIC, the UK Home Office has confirmed that although Zimbabwe is no longer part of the Commonwealth, they are treated as such for the purposes of UK Ancestry applications.

Zimbabwe nationals can thus apply for the UK Ancestry, should they fulfil the requirements of the UK Ancestry Visa. (South Africans do also of course fulfil the requirement of the Commonwealth citizen).

What are the advantages of the Ancestry Visa?

The main advantage of this type of visa is that one can work without restrictions in the UK. Not only will you be able to work for an employer, but the visa will also allow you to be self-employed. The only thing

that clients have to keep in mind in this regard, is that in order to be eligible to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain at the end of the five year Ancestral visa, is that you will have to provide evidence that you have been working during the five years of the Ancestral visa.

The other main advantage is of course that the visa leads to permanent residence in the UK. At the end of successful completion of a five-year period on an Ancestral visa, the holder can apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain, subject to certain requirements. If the applicant does not meet the criteria required to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain then an application may be submitted for the extension of the Ancestry Visa status.

Spouses, civil partners, unmarried partners and dependent

children can join the Ancestry holder in the UK and they will be granted the same period of leave as the main applicant and be able to work without restriction.

If you are interested in applying for this very advantageous visa, or would like to obtain more information, please contact our offices at info@bic-immigration. com or visit our website www. bic-immigration.com for more information.

JP Breytenbach Director of BIC, Breytenbachs Immigration Consultants Limited.

Naturalisation for those working in the UK Armed Forces | From this week the Citizenship (Armed Forces) Act 2014 will make it easier for South Africans in the British armed forces to become British citizens is a demanding requirement for a serviceman, who will often have no choice as to where his is stationed.

This position has now been remediated in a new Act which passed with cross-party support in March. The Act will come into force from 13th May 2014. The Act allows the Home Secretary a discretion to ignore an absence at the start of the 5-year (or 3 year) period leading up to the naturalisation application, where the applicant is or was a member of the armed forces. Absence should normally be overlooked if the person was outside the UK on military duty. Many Southern Africans have joined the British Army after 2000 and will have one less barrier to acquiring British citizenship.

by passportia Under the current law, naturalisation is normally only possible after 5 years’ residence in the UK or designated service (3 years if married to a British citizen on date of application). In addition, the applicant must have been physically present in the UK on a day exactly 5 years before the date of application (3 years if married to a British citizen). The absence from the UK might have been for a few days a business trip to Paris or Dublin.

This means that members of British armed forces who apply under the 5-year route may be prevented by their absence from the UK 5 (or 3) years before the date of application, even where that absence was due to UK military service overseas. This

SA to London and back: Insights from a globally mobile South African

| As the Careers in Africa London Summit draws closer, Monique Tenderini from Global Career Company’s Johannesburg office offers an insight into the career of a globally-mobile South African

By Staff reporter “I left South Africa for London in early 2007 as my husband was offered a great job opportunity there. It was the right time to embark on an exciting adventure, to leave Africa behind and head for London and all it had to offer.

“When I arrived in London, my initial priority was to find a job, and that was when I got involved with Global Career Company.

Ironically, I was now working for

a company that was created from an initiative by Nelson Mandela to encourage South Africans living in London to return to a post-apartheid South Africa and become part of building the rainbow nation.

“A unique concept at the time, we focussed on assisting the diaspora to make their move home, while helping companies expanding into and within Africa, addressing the skills and talent

shortage they were facing with a focus not just on South Africa but the rest of Africa as well.

“It was when I was presented with the opportunity to assist GCC in opening their first international office in Johannesburg that I felt I was ready to return back to Africa, taking the skills and experience I learnt with me. Looking to continue to develop the Careers in Africa Summits back in the country, where local talent were just as important to recruiting companies as well as the diaspora.

“Going back I found both South Africa and Africa booming! More and more international companies are expanding their African footprint and are choosing Johannesburg to base their African operations and the war for talent is on.

“As for Global Careers Company and our Careers in Africa Summits, we continue to be the market leader for returning African talent, with our next Summit taking place in London on 16-18 May.” Details: www.careersinafrica.com

LONDON, 16-18 MAY 2014 CAREERS IN AFRICA RECRUITMENT SUMMIT

Apply now at careersinafrica.com for the best opportunities in South Africa THE BRIGHTEST SOUTH AFRICAN TALENT MEETS THE BIGGEST BRANDS FOR THREE DAYS OF NETWORKING, INTERVIEWS AND HIRING. ATTENDING CLIENTS INCLUDE:

FOLLOW US @CareersinAfrica

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| 13 - 20 May 2014 | thesouthafrican.com Follow us on Twitter: @TheSAnews

SERVICES

SA SHOP DIRECTORY The Chichester Biltong Company www.biltongcompany.co.uk The best of British from a friendly bunch of South Africans who made Sussex our home. But there was one thing we couldnt live without from our native land..Biltong!

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The Springbok Café The Springbok Café offers traditional South African food, wine and beers served with a smile in a friendly atmosphere. All this plus the option to grab your favourite S.A. groceries before you leave after relaxing and kuierring with us for a while.

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St Marcus One of the most amazing emporia the capital offers to the carnivorous gourmet. People have been flocking to St. Marcus for their amazing range of Biltong & Boerewors Visit us at: 1-3 Rockingham Close, Priory Lane, off Upper Richmond Road West, Roehampton, London SW15 5RW Call us at: 0208 878 1898 Online: www.biltongstmarcus.co.uk sales@biltongstmarcus.co.uk

KALAHARI MOON The Southern African Shop in Bristol.

Wide range of stock including excellent boerewors and biltong. Centrally situated, friendly service.

Connecting South Africans. Tel: 0117 929 9879 Address: 88 - 91 The Covered Market. st Nicholas Market, Corn Street, Bristol, BS1 1JQ Email: Info@kalaharimoon.co.uk Website: www.kalaharimoon.co.uk NO1 South African Shop Lots of lekker stuff for a taste of home. Including fantastic biltong, droewors and boerewors. 5 Marlow Drive, St Catherines Hill, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 2RR. The shop is about 2 miles north-west of Christchurch town centre and 6 miles north-east of Bournemouth town centre. There’s loads of free parking and the shop is easy to get to from the A338.

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Susman’s Best Beef Biltong Co Ltd If you’re missing home give us a call, supplying you with all your favourite South African products and more. Phone: 01273 516160 Fax: 01273 51665 Web:www.biltong.co.uk Email:sales@biltong.co.uk Cambridge & Villages Toft Shop – Village Shop & Post Office With a South African section selling all your favourite tastes from home! Pop in and pick up your treats – Biltong; Boerewors; Koeksisters; Rusks; Sweets; Chips; Groceries etc. Web: www.

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thesouthafrican.com | 13 - 20 May 2014 |

Sport

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An O2 Touch Team By Any Other Name Would Not Play As Sweet | With all London venues now in full swing, touch rugby madness is sweeping this fine capital of ours. From Monday to Thursday nights you’ll see players pouring from the tube stops, off buses or cycling on their bikes, showing off some pretty amazing kit

by Jessica Powell All teams that registered and paid for the spring season received FREE (yes, FREE) O2Touch reversible touch shirts (if you keep an eye out on the parks and common, you will be sure to spot one).

However, some teams chose to be different, they want to dress how they play – with flair!

Taking the pitches of Clapham Common, you will spot fluro, striped – neon coloured rugby shirts fashionably paired with some remarkable leopard print playing shorts.

Yes, they are none other than – THE JIBBERS! With skill and ability to match the outfit, they pull it off like no other team could.

Another team taking the fashion pitches, are the amazing “London Moths – like the wasps, except we stay out later at night”.

Each week they take to the field like a runway in their amazing Batman themed shirts (and underwear over the shorts of course).

With fashion pushed to the limits on the pitch, that isn’t the only place teams will indulge in a little creativity.

Another season, another game – and another chance for teams to ‘outwit and out name’.

With the usual suspects of Touching Cloth, Touch n Go… and any MC Hammer references (Can’t Touch This, You Can’t Touch this) each new season brings a new set of names into the mix.

With a handful of the most outrageous, creative, hilarious, socially current – and downright ‘hitting the nail on the head’ names, we give you – the Top Spring Team Names of 2014 (so far).

We have the play on words team of ‘Mother Touchers’.

Keeping up with the times, we have the Carly Rae Jepsen fans in the team delightfully titled – ‘Touch Me Maybe’.

‘Divine Interception’ is another fantastic use of touch terminology.

Then we have ‘Show me on the Teddy Bear’, ‘Switcharoos’, ‘Bunch of Flankers’ and the ever popular ‘Ralph Wiggums Wingmen’.

We then have some great names that definitely give away it is a mixed team – ‘Holes and Poles’ & ‘Nuts & Bolts’ would be two of the best!

It’s not only our social teams though that love the play on names though – our Superleague teams also have fun with it!

Playing in the mixed division, we have two well-known London teams, Bareback Riders and Hot Custard!

With Spring names already setting the bar, what will Summer have in store…?

To find out which other team names are setting a trend or even to enter your own team or join as an individual, go to www. in2touch.com/uk or email tracy@ in2touch.com or jess@in2touch. com

Visit us online or in-store Victoria Station Tel: 0207 931 9314 (open Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-6pm) London Bridge Shop Tel: 0207 357 9314 (open Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-6pm) Raynes Park Shop Tel: 0208 4170044 (open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-5pm) Southfields Shop Tel: 0208 780 3727 (open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-5pm)

Liverpool Street Shop Tel: 0207 374 4994 (open Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat 10am-4pm) Wimbledon Shop Tel: 0208 971 9177 (open Mon-Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 11am-5pm)

W

Paddington Shop NE tel: 0207 262 4646 (open Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-6pm) /theSavanna

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13 - 20 MAY 2014

All London O2 Touch venues now in full swing p15

NEWS FOR GLOBAL SOUTH AFRICANS

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Blitzbokke grab London Sevens Plate title | Free-scoring Seabelo Senatla helps South Africa to London Sevens Plate final victory at Twickenham

l South Africa beat Kenya to win the Plate at the ninth and final round of the HSBC Sevens World Series in London. Photo by IRB/Martin Seras Lima By staff reporter Inspired by the in-form Seabelo Senatla, the Springbok Sevens defeated Kenya 38-14 in the Plate Final of the Marriott London Sevens to finish the HSBC Sevens World Series in second place behind New Zealand at Twickenham over the weekend.

The speedster was in superb form and his three tries against Kenya was in fact his second hat-trick of the day after he led his team to a thrilling 24-17 comeback victory against Samoa in the semi-finals. He finished the tournament as the top try scorer

after collecting an impressive 13 tries over two days.

The Blitzbokke were missing Kyle Brown, Cecil Afrika and Stephan Dippenaar, while Werner Kok also suffered a leg injury on Sunday.

South Africa lost 32-5 against rivals New Zealand in the quarterfinals and had to dig deep against Samoa, who led halftime 17-0. However, a hat-trick by Senatla and a try by Philip Snyman paved the way for a Plate Final showdown with Kenya.

Kenya beat South Africa in the Plate semis last week in Scotland and the Springbok Sevens were in

no mood to suffer a similar defeat on Sunday at Twickenham.

Senatla opened the scoring and he was quickly followed

by Kwagga Smith and Frankie Horne, enabling the Blitzboks to enjoy a halftime lead of 19-7.

Senatla then scored a quick brace after the break, while Jamba Ulengo also added his name to the scorers list.

Afterwards, Springbok Sevens coach Neil Powell said he was proud of the way his team fought back after their loss against New Zealand.

“We set high standards for ourselves and the players wanted

to show they can play much better,” said Powell. “We showed good fighting spirit against Samoa after a poor first half.

Against Kenya we controlled the match from the start and scored a deserved win,” said Powell.

Powell, in his first full season in charge, led the Blitzboks to two Cup titles – in Port Elizabeth and Las Vegas – and his outfit also played in five consecutive Cup Finals.

New Zealand won the HSBC Sevens World Series title for a fourth consecutive year after finishing the season on 180 points.

The Springbok Sevens finished

second on 152 points.

Ahead of the London Sevens, South Africa’s Kyle Brown was also one of four players nominated for the 2014 IRB Sevens Player of the Year. Fijian flyer Samisoni Viriviri was named the winner on Sunday evening.

The final World Series standings after the Marriott London Sevens 1 New Zealand 180 points 2 South Africa 152 3 Fiji 144 4 England 134 5 Australia 116

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