Lighten Up

                                                     picture by doug_wertman


Lead SA has come up with another interesting initiative for South Africa. We have been challenged to drive our vehicles during the day with our headlights on. Apparently, research shows that when we drive with our lights on during daylight hours as well as night, accident statistics decrease. The lights make us more noticeable and we are seen more clearly by other drivers and pedestrians. The lights also make our vision clearer, particularly our peripheral vision.


In a country with such high traffic accident stats, we should surely do anything in our power to make the roads safer. I put my lights on today, and although I saw many other drivers with their headlights burning, there were still many more who had no lights shining. It is something to remember. During my second trip of the day I only remembered halfway to my destination that my lights were off. I am fortunate enough to have a car that beeps at me when I leave my headlights on, as there could be a problem if I wasn't reminded to turn my lights off at the end of the drive.


So, how about it? Wake up tomorrow morning, leap into your faithful carrier and turn on those lights. You will find yourself smiling at every other driver who has their lights on, as if you all belong to some secret superhero club.

Rabies Warning

As I drove past this sign today I had to wonder if it would be found in many other countries of the world, and if so, would it be in a First World country. Oh, I love the surprises and serendipities of South Africa.

Hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup

Now that South Africa is no longer playing in the World Cup, I have been heartened to hear all of the positive reports about South African's picking up the gauntlet to continue hosting the event with enthusiasm and "gees". 

I heard an interview with a German journalist on the radio yesterday where he was raving about South Africa's hospitality and I read a wonderful letter from a young American woman based in South Africa over the last few months and how she praised us for our warmth and acceptance of foreigners. Again, I heard an Aussie journalist this morning praising us for the best World Cup he has attended in the last four. All I can say is may we keep it up. Go South Africa.

The Bluff Aliens

http://www.bingegamer.net/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/lego-men-in-black.jpg

The close knit community of the Bluff in Durban, KwaZulu Natal is abuzz with nervous excitement over the alleged sightings of giant like forms on the beaches and in the community.

I write this purely from hearsay and have no proof whatsoever, just stories passed on from those who have friends on the Bluff.

According to my source there were three separate incident of “alien” sightings recently on the Bluff. One of the sightings was from a lady who was walking on the beach when she noticed two people far ahead of her on the beach. They were both dressed in long coats and seemed to be rather large. Being a little nervous she decided to leave, but was intrigued because they seemed strange. As she got a little closer she could not see them clearly but noticed that they were extraordinarily tall, like giant men. She did not stick around to check them out.

The second incident was from a young woman who was leaving early in the morning for work while it was still dark. As she drove up her driveway her car suddenly stopped and would not restart. In the beam of the headlights she noticed some huge men in overcoats standing before her. In panic she reached for her mobile phone, but it was dead, so she screamed in terror. Her scream seemed to cause reaction from them and they disappeared into the darkness. As soon as they left, her car started and her phone came back to life.

The final story revolves around someone my contact personally knew. He is a young man who was in the car with some mates one night. One of the guys wanted a smoke, so they stopped the vehicle and he climbed out to puff away on his cigarette. While waiting, the driver turned on the headlights to check that they were safe in the area. Once again, caught in the beam of the headlights were huge beings dressed in long coats. He yelled at his mate to get in the car and the “aliens” vanished in the darkness.

Intriguing and creepy, all at the same time. A part of me believes them and a part of me dismisses it as nonsense. So I decided to google “Bluff Aliens” and found a forum from Africa Aviation where the vast majority of contributors were cynical and making tongue in cheek remarks. I did however find one interesting comment. 

“On the serious side. We get constant calls from that area on the NSRI cell phone for the strange lights sightings offshore. It’s got to a point where we will do nothing about it unless we get more than three separate independent sightings from different points on the bluff.”

I also found a blog by Graham Linscott on the same subject, which makes interesting reading. 

http://graham-linscott.blogspot.com/2010/04/idler-thursday-april-29.html

According to my source, there have also been sightings of lights and activity at night at the old unused Naval base in the area.

I have absolutely no idea what to make of it. Most people seem to blame it on what’s being smoked on the Bluff. Whatever it is, it sure generates excitement. Maybe the movie, District 9 wasn’t so far-fetched after all. Perhaps the sequel to District 9 could be called “The Bluff Aliens”.

One Hundred Days until the FIFA World Cup

One hundred days to go until the FIFA 2010 World Cup.  There is celebration and excitement all over South Africa.  Roads are closed and traffic is extreme as South Africa gears up for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.  Celebrations in Durban are being held at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and in Johannesburg in Sandton, where streets are being closed for an all day street party.


A Nation Celebrates
It is wonderful to have something to celebrate as the nation looks forward together in anticipation to the spin offs of hosting the World Cup.

worldcup.blogsfc.com

There are people in yellow Bafana Bafana jerseys all over the place, supporting and encouraging our local team.  We are all hoping that our boys will get through their first match, however, regardless of the result, soccer fever is viral in South Africa at present.  Everyone is joining in the spirit of the soccer World Cup.  

A Challenge is Given

With a hundred days to go, the challenge has been presented that we, as South Africans, only speak positively about our nation.  Speaking positively for the next hundred days can only have a good impact on the future of the country.  I say, "Let's do it!"  Go, Bafana Bafana!  Viva South Africa!

Does Crime Pay?

I woke up this morning to hear the news on the radio that our local supermarket had been robbed by 3 car loads of thugs in the early hours of the morning. I live in Gauteng Province, also dubbed "Gangster Paradise" by many and have had 2 experiences with thieves and survived to compare horror stories at dinner parties.

Worldwide Escalating Crime Stats

So many South Africans have fled to distant shores already to find a better quality of life, yet I wonder. I have travelled extensively and still love the nation I was born in, despite the crime. I do not see a crime free existence in Britain or the United States when I watch CNN and Sky News, instead I see escalating crime statistics.

Living in South Africa

Living in South Africa raises a nation of entrepreneurial, resilient and street-wise people. People who know how to go the distance, who know what it is to work hard and achieve, and who live fully alive every moment that they are alive. Anyone brought up in South Africa has had ample training to live anywhere in the world. South Africans are used to diversity, and although there are the few extremists who spoil everything, generally the Rainbow Nation lives up to it's picture of different cultures living side by side.

Challenges abound and crime is a royal pain in the ass, but crime will eventually have it's day and the real men and women of the nation will stand tall!

Let's hear what you have to say.