Lock Them Up and Throw Away the Key

I'm a huge survivor fan, the American version. I could watch that show for hours and never once having the inkling to change the channel. However, I started watching the South African Survivor, the celebrity season and although it's gotten a bad rap in the media, I sort of enjoyed it. I don't like the fact that we piggyback on the American shows, but show me a country that doesn't do that? They've set the benchmark.

So while watching one evening, one contestant stood out for me, Jub Jub.....What's in a name you say? His arrogance and ego mania made me quite angry and I was disappointed that South Africa was being represented by a person like that. However, he left, due to a "life threatening" rash and I was happy to continue watching. But a shocking and bone chilling story has hit the media in full force about this South African rap star, that is sure to have the country reeling for some time to come.

Firstly, the charity that he had chosen to support didn't exist. It was actually a fund set up by his mother. Pocketing money that was supposed to have gone to charity.....it makes the skin crawl. But it gets worse, much worse. Jub Jub and a couple of buddies decide to drag race on a two way street in Soweto, drunk and high on cocaine and landed up killing four school children when they crashed, which we all know was inevitable. Certain rules in this life apply purely for safety reasons, it's not a hard concept to grasp.

I cannot even begin to imagine how the parents of those young boys must feel right now. Four senseless killings at the hands of a person who is clearly a detriment to the South African community. This is a man, that I am quite certain, has been put up on a pedestal by many young South African children, aspiring to live the rap stars dream. And this is the example he sets. Drugs, stealing, drag racing and just an overall attitude that reeks of arrogance and selfishness.

I believe that justice needs to run it's course and that these men MUST be held accountable for their reckless actions. You're not a hardcore rapper if you haven't gotten yourself locked up but somehow I don't think our Jub Jub is going to make it in the merciless prisons of South Africa. In everything there is a lesson to be learned, get ready Jub Jub, this is going to be a hard one. To the families of the victims, we send our condolences.

Spoiler Alert! And The Oscar Goes To....

The Oscars, the creme de la creme of award ceremonies, was held last night. Not that I need to tell you that but as for us South Africans, we will have to tune in tonight to revel in the glitz and glamour of pure Hollywood. However, the news is rife with stories on who won and who won for what. And curiosity definitely killed this cat....

In the 82 year history of the Oscars, there has never been a female director that has won the coveted Best Director title, until now of course. Kathryn Bigelow was awarded the prestigious award for directing The Hurt Locker. The Iraq War drama also won best picture and five other prizes at the Academy Awards including Best Director. There is always one movie that walks away with a dozen tiny gold men and a thousand smiling faces. It's the Hollywood Game and we love it!

Of course, it wouldn't be the Oscars without a couple of first time winners. The ones who have the "OH MY WORD, I JUST WON" and give a speech that could last a lifetime, if it wasn't for the music being cued to let them know that it's time to get off the stage. So who did the Oscar go to for the first time? First-time winners took all four acting prizes: Sandra Bullock as best actress for The Blind Side; Jeff Bridges as best actor for Crazy Heart; Mo'Nique as supporting actress for Precious; and Austria's Christoph Waltz as supporting actor for Inglorious Basterds.

Who knew that Sandra Bullock, the witch in Practical Magic and the Wild Cat in Speed, would be accepting a best actress Oscar? It goes to show that anything really is possible. According to her speech she realized this herself, joking that she had "finally worn them down". I still haven't seen the blind side but I almost started crying on the preview, so I can only imagine the emotional state you're left in when the credit rolls on that one.

I think congratulations are in order, once again the Oscars never fail to disappoint and I can only imagine how many star hang overs are being nursed right now, all in the name of acting. Congrats!

Old Before Our Time

While putting on eyeliner in front of my mother, I could see her curious gaze in the reflection of the mirror. I stopped and asked if she wanted to use some, her reply was curious in itself, "I'm too old for that!". She's 46 years old. I began to wonder if maybe this was becoming a ridiculous norm, this "I'm too old" attitude. Granted, she has had a checkered life and now that she's in her late forties she's understandably tired but what if she refocused her perceptions?

We come across stories all the time of people who are in their 80's getting degrees, fulfilling their life long dream of an education, I doubt their attitude was, "I'm too old to do that" They took a hold of their life and applied the cliche "sleep when you're dead" to conquer something before the end of their life. And I can almost guarantee if you ask them, they'll tell you that even though they are in their 80's, life is surprisingly short. Too short to waste on statements like that.

The news was, as usual, depressing and had serious shock value to it but I came across a story of a woman called Flowers. That's not her real name, it's her DJ name, DJ Flowers. She's 69 years old. She has spent the last 4 years learning how to use the equipment and she enjoys bringing people together through the medium of dance. If that's not bridging the generation gap, I really don't know what is. It's amazing how a passion can be discovered so late in life and yet pursued, successfully. She's a big hit with the French. Her inspiration came after she attended her grandson's birthday party.

I'm hesitant to use the "Anything's possible" cliche so I'll leave you with this:
You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.
Joe Lewis

Oh Joy.....

Ask any parent and they'll tell you the same thing. The question is asked time and again and the answer never changes. "So what's it like to have kids?", there's a distinct pause before a "It's definitely an experience" reply. And it is. It's an amazing, wonderful, difficult, stressful, tiring, worrying, funny, crazy experience. It's a package and as with everything in life, it comes with the good and the bad. There is nothing more fulfilling than hearing a stomach laugh from your tiny creation, or having them imitate you on the phone when they can barely talk. However, there is nothing more irritating than wanting to sleep and having to sit up with a teething child or changing the stinkiest nappy known to man.

But one thing all parents are all in agreement on is that its all worth it. I've come to work too many times to count wishing that I could close my eyes for just five minutes but I think of a little girl at home getting the sleep she missed out on and I find myself pushing through and finding contentment in that thought. Uma Thurman was recently quoted in the news as saying "Motherhood can be difficult", I couldn't help but let out a chuckle at that. Understatement? I think so. But it's something that people won't understand until they experience it for themselves.

Uma goes on to say that she tries to remain "steady" in front of her children and I couldn't agree more with that concept. I was raised in a household filled with nervous tension and it's something I've carried through to my adulthood. I'm a wreck in certain situations and I think if there is one important lesson in all this, it's that life is just too short to be a worry wart so don't impart that onto your children. It takes a concerted effort, but it can be done.

As human beings, I believe we are constantly learning and growing and when you have children, that learning rate is accelerated. And the amazing part of nature is that a human being that is barely a year old can teach you more than the most distinguished professors in the world. Learn from your children, embrace them, love them, teach them and above all enjoy them. They are the future.

It'll be a Breeze!

When mentioning the lap of luxury, images of crystal blue pools and king sized beds with crisp white linen springs to mind immediately and when luxury cruise liners are thrown into the mix it's a recipe for instant success. This is what tourists can look forward to in the festivities of the FIFA 2010 World Cup.

As the city livens and the people express their excitement by blowing a vuvuzela, three luxury cruise liners are expected to dock here for the World Cup offering tourists everything from spas to sports activities, wine cellars, shops, libraries and a casino. The MS Amsterdam, a five-star floating hotel similar to those that will dock in Cape Town during the tournament, arrived in the city this week. The MS Amsterdam's sister ships, the MS Noordam and the MS Westerdam, are expected to sail into Cape Town on June 10 for the soccer extravaganza. The vessels have been described as the world's most luxurious cruise liners, and are scheduled to remain in South Africa until July 12, a day after the World Cup final.

The clear view of the impressive Green Point Stadium and world renowned Table Mountain are all part of this glorious package. But remember to experience all that Cape Town has to offer in the city and in the further reaches and what better way than with Tourism Radio and Hummba.com? You'll be amazed what can be seen and done in the mother city, take advantage of it and let us help you along the way. Or upload a breadcrumb so we can all see what it would be like to appreciate this man made marvel. Looking forward to seeing you on Hummba!