Bridget

Not long ago Lynda reprimanded me when I spoke about receptionists. She said that receptionists are a very critical element of any company, sort of like gatekeepers between the real world and the company they represent.

Now Bridget is our receptionist of eKayaMedia, the Brand and Marketing Department of Bosasa, so she plays an important role. Here she is, our multitasking Very Important Person.

Sandra

With the Digital Team at Bosasa Operations highlighted in my past posts this month, it is about time to start spreading across to the other side of the office, namely the Design Team. So today, I'll start off with Sanda, a graphic designer, with her music and the all essential coffee close at hand.

Uhmmm... Oh dear I just realised that although it is just a short walk down the passage, I don't know much about the Design Team. Oh well I am sure I'll get to know them as I go along.

Life full of Colour

As this horrible long weekend draws to a close, I spot a dash of pinkish red in my garden. Why haven't I seen the roses before? The yellows and pinkish red roses are in full bloom. And there I was head down, depressed, and grey, whereas my garden was full of life. Full of colour.

Soldiers for Jesus

Power was restored at the end of Day Three with our fridge been the worse casualty. So far this weekend has not been a good one for us and all we have to fall back on is our faith. This battle has been hard, this war tough. With many cuts and bruises, to whom do I turn my head to? When all else fails there is only one thing that remains and that my friend is Jesus. The only hope I cling too is the knowledge that the war has been won.

As the song Inside Out plays, my heart, my soul cries out.

When all else fades...

Everlasting, your light will shine when all else fades.

Never ending, your glory goes beyond all darkness that I see before me.

Eish Eskom

It is Day Three with no power, and Eskom finally arrived mid-afternoon to repair the break in the cable, eish!

In my attempts to keep the fridge and freezer cold, it looks like I fried the fridge which is just over 6 months old, double eish!!

Now I am in the dog box. This is going to be a very long, long weekend, eish!!!

Matthew, my China

Day Two with no electricity at home and no light at the end of the tunnel, excuse my pun. While it is Matthew's turn to be with me, I gave him a choice, stay at his mother's or he can come the weekend but no guarantees on the electricity. He chose the unknown.

I just uploaded Matthew's Thailand photos to his Facebook profile today, and if you friends with me you should be able to view. Part One, Two, and Three.

Winter Rose

With the cold front passing yesterday, today is left with beautiful clear blue skies but the air was icy cold. Typical of Johannesburg winters, while rain floods the eastern coastal areas, snow falls in the mountains and the rest all freezing the balls on a brass monkey.

I arrived home after work to find no electricity since 2 this afternoon. This was not my cup of tea, so I suggested going out for a nice warm meal. We ended up at the Brazen Head, Authentic Irish Restaurant and Pub in Fourways, which was nice and warm inside to make it inviting enough out of the cold weather. Only one drawback was the stench of smoke in the non-smoking area which put us off but we were hungry and cold and didn’t want to brave outside again so we grinned and bared it. Blame it on the inversion layer.

Other than the smell, the décor was cosy and homely with a real fresh rose on each table. Lynda ordered a Steak and Kidney Pie with vegetables and some dry white wine, while I settled with a Beef and Guinness Pie with chips and Kilkenny draft, yummy.

A long time later, we braved the cold, with our warm satisfied tummies only to find our home still in darkness leading me to expect something more sinister at play.

Ella and Des

With the first month here at Bosasa coming to an end, work load is increasing by the minute. But so far I am enjoying the challenge being the coordinator of new media, in other words the interweb.

Here is Ella, the graphic designer with Desmond aka Des the motion graphics specialist. To infinity and beyond.

Imbizo

Here is the Imbizo, the gathering place in the gardens of Mogale Buisness Park. It is right next to my office and with a few steps out of the sliding doors I find myself in this garden flanked by peahens and peacocks. It seems so peaceful here, away from the blaring radio, only to the sounds of birds and falling water.

Zuma, the ANC, and their eTolls

Sigh, as we near the elections, it is hard not to stay clear of all the politicking. My biggest concern and to majority of road users in Gauteng is the ANC's greed called the eTolls. What tools they are to think that this is above board when the main benefactors are to remain a secret to the voting public. Yes a large portion of the revenue will not go to the roads but to an Austrian company called Kapsch TrafficCom. What a bunch of thieves SANRAL, ANC, Kapsch, and their hidden benefactors are. Like this drawing that I saw outside a shop in Benoni this afternoon, even the children are being affected by the eTolls which are proudly brought to us by the African National Congress. Please be aware that there are plans afoot to roll the eTolls out in the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.

He has Risen

On this Sunday, the cross is empty as we find that the Messiah who we put to death on Friday has risen. He is alive. Today is the most important day in our Christen calendar, the Resurrection Sunday. It is finished.

Gum Tree Row

It is in the middle of a long weekend. Last night BBC was packed to the seams, with cars parked down the road and around the corner. I think a better contingency plan is needed for services like these. But that was Friday, Sunday is a coming!

Today we had two appointments to look at some potential homes and the last one has lots of potential but prayer is needed to make sure if it is the right move. Near the first house we looked at was this row of gum trees along the road. They are also known eucalyptus trees they originate from Australia and are water thieves, stealing from the local tress the insufficient water. Now I am used to the rows of oak trees in Benoni, but here in the West Rand, not to be out done, they have rows of gum trees.

It’s Friday, But Sunday’s Coming!

It is the day that we remember the cross, that terrible instrument of execution used over 2000 years ago by the Romans. But why are we so sad, it may be Friday, but Sunday is a coming.

I remember the famous sermon done by Tony Campolo, done on this very topic, it's Friday, but Sunday is coming. Well! You can hear the sermon here but it all builds up towards the end where Tony ends up in a preaching competition with the head pastor at his Southern Baptist Church that he attends. Preach it brother! Another website recalls it well so I will repeat it below.

Tony tells how he preached the perfect sermon in every way and had taken the congregation to "the heights of glory". Go on brother, preach it! As he sat down beside his pastor, Tony patted him on the knee and simply said, "Top that." The older black pastor looked at him and said, "Boy, watch the master." Then Tony recalls for us the very brilliant message which followed. The following is a short printed version of the 45 minute sermon, the printed version doesn't really do justice to the original, but you can at least get an idea what the last part is like:

It was a simple sermon, starting softly, building in volume and intensity until the entire congregation was completely involved, repeating the phrases in unison. The sermon went something like this.

It's Friday. Jesus is arrested in the garden where He was praying. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The disciples are hiding and Peter’s denying that he knows the Lord. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is standing before the high priest of Israel, silent as a lamb before the slaughter. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is beaten, mocked, and spit upon. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Those Roman soldiers are flogging our Lord with a leather scourge that has bits of bones and glass and metal, tearing at his flesh. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The Son of man stands firm as they press the crown of thorns down into his brow. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. See Him walking to Calvary, the blood dripping from His body. See the cross crashing down on His back as He stumbles beneath the load. It's Friday; but Sunday's a coming.

It's Friday. See those Roman soldiers driving the nails into the feet and hands of my Lord. Hear my Jesus cry, "Father, forgive them." It's Friday; but Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, bloody and dying. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. The sky grows dark, the earth begins to tremble, and He who knew no sin became sin for us. Holy God who will not abide with sin pours out His wrath on that perfect sacrificial lamb who cries out, "My God, My God. Why hast thou forsaken me?" What a horrible cry. But Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. And at the moment of Jesus' death, the veil of the Temple that separates sinful man from Holy God was torn from the top to the bottom because Sunday's coming.

It's Friday. Jesus is hanging on the cross, heaven is weeping and hell is partying. But that's because it's Friday, and they don’t know it, but Sunday's a coming.

And on that horrible day 2000 years ago, Jesus the Christ, the Lord of glory, the only begotten Son of God, the only perfect man died on the cross of Calvary. Satan thought that he had won the victory. Surely he had destroyed the Son of God. Finally he had disproved the prophecy God had uttered in the Garden and the one who was to crush his head had been destroyed. But that was Friday.

Now it's Sunday. And just about dawn on that first day of the week, there was a great earthquake. But that wasn't the only thing that was shaking because now it’s Sunday. And the angel of the Lord is coming down out of heaven and rolling the stone away from the door of the tomb. Yes, it's Sunday, and the angel of the Lord is sitting on that stone and the guards posted at the tomb to keep the body from disappearing were shaking in their boots because it’s Sunday, and the lamb that was silent before the slaughter is now the resurrected lion from the tribe of Judah, for He is not here, the angel says. He is risen indeed.

It's Sunday, and the crucified and resurrected Christ has defeated death, hell, sin and the grave. It’s Sunday. And now everything has changed. It's the age of grace, God’s grace poured out on all who would look to that crucified lamb of Calvary. Grace freely given to all who would believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross of Calvary was buried and rose again. All because it’s Sunday.

At the end of the message the pastor shouts out:

It's Friiidaaaay!

And the whole congregation responds:

But Sunday's Coming!

There be Dragons

With the 4th Season of Game of Thrones just started a week ago, I am seeing dragons behind every bush. This weekend it is the first since Matthew returned from Thailand, and he returned with a dragon.

Believe

Here at the eKayaMedia, we are busy upgrading the décor of our offices. It is like creative freedom just spilled over with bright colours planned. Here is Rob’s dive into the décor upgrade and the outcome is awesome. Believe in God and all else will follow.

Amabokbok the Duiker

I am not sure how many duikers Bosasa has at the Mogale Business Park as they are very skittish creatures of the forest and are solitary creatures. I only saw her once before, on a late wet afternoon, and then again this afternoon when I was leaving work late. This time the duiker stood her ground about two metres away eyeing me out from her high ground. She is a brave little duiker, so let's call her Amabokbok as I am sure I am going to see more of her.

I just stayed awhile as the sun started setting, watching Amabokbok's nose twitched as she tried to get a scent off me. I tried the cat trick of slowly blinking my eyes just to put her at ease. After a while she slowly walked off.

Mkuseli aka Gustav

Why the aka Gustav, well as some of my South African friends can attest, I am not good with names, pronouncing them and even remembering them. Maybe I can blame my dyslexia here again, or maybe not. Hence the name Gustav which is the way I pronounce Khusta which is the shortened version of Mkuseli. Oh I better introduce Gustav before I waffle on too much, he is part of my team on the digital side where he is the developer.

Warning to Gauteng 4x4s

Yes I know that majority of Gauteng roads now require permanent 4 wheel drive due to the potholes, it doesn't mean that these large vehicles own the road at the expense of the small frugal vehicles and motorcycles that just drive normally. Maybe they just compensating for something. Anyway, I came across this notice sign.

All drivers of 4x4s

• Engage 4WD 
• Select low range 
• Lock all hubs + diff 
• Cross your fingers 

Everyone else just drive normally.

Don’t worry 4WD is not needed but it helps them justify the cost of buying or hiring one.

Colour Blocking

Yesterday and today became one long day with an all night prayer session at the Ibizo. Last night and this morning was a blur of foot stomping, hands clapping, and ululating praise and worship. I am actually worried that video may find its way onto YouTube.

All I remember leaving for work on Friday morning at 6:30am and arriving home at on Saturday morning 24 hours later. Other than the all night prayer meeting, one event stood out like a sore thumb, and that is Bongani and colour blocking dress code. This may be the first time I am using a photo from the day before but even with my shades on, I couldn't miss this opportunity.

I have seen this flamboyant style before but never heard it called Colour Blocking before today, oh sorry before yesterday. Discussing more about this style with Paballo when we were eating supper at 2am this morning, she gave me an example of colour blocking with the colours she was wearing against her friend. In my time we had the Ama-gents, with their smart attire finished off with spit and shine shoes. Now the future is so bright you gotta wear shades, eish colour blocking.

Ninja Ella

In the one corner of our office sits Ella, just outside my fishbowl. She normally has her earphones plug in, head banging, and enjoying her music. Serious!

It is still early days and I am starting to get used to my team of digital ninjas. Learning their strengths and weaknesses so that we can become a formidable crew to be reckoned with. Ninja Ella, as you were.

Siamese Fireback

While my son Matthew on the last leg of his Thailand tour, I was relaxing in the gardens of Bosasa Business Park, when a Siamese Fireback walked out in front of me. The pheasant paused in front of me while I fumbled for the camera. He then went on to give me a glimpse of golden plumage on his back which is normally hidden by his blue grey wings.

I haven't received many updates from Matthew, but no news is good news and he must be having so much fun. It takes national bird of Thailand just to show me with that glimmer of gold that Matthew is all right and that God is in control.

Shane, Small World

My mind raced back to my time in Paris as the Disneyland theme Ride, Small World's song squawked out through speakers "It's a small world after all". That tune is now running through my head as I met Shane.

Related through marriage, Shane works at the same company as I do, it is a small, small world after all. In his own words, cuzzie, twice removed, through an aunty's great uncle's sister, married to the father of the brothers' daughter, once removed.

Golden Pheasants

Along with the tradition South African wildlife in this Eco Park where I now find myself spending my working hours, there are some exotic ones as well like some Golden Pheasants. Being dyslectic I better make sure I didn't write erotic. You see I didn't even spell dyslexia right.

Along with the dull looking females, I spotted a pair of colourful male Golden Pheasants. One shown above was wearing his deep orange cape over his flamboyant colours, the other was a yellow colour mutant that is appearing in these birds while in captivity. I'll post another time on this plain yellow Golden Pheasant.

In the meanwhile, I'll take a break sitting on a bench in these awesome surroundings watching these two males forage not even a metre away from me. My future looks golden.

Paballo's New Tattoo

The weekend has been good. It was Lynda's birthday and she was spoilt with Spa treatments, Matthew climbed over 300 steps to reach the Wat Pra Thad Doi Suthep temple and rode elephants in Thailand, and Paballo got a tattoo. Excitement all round.

Paballo, is part of our dynamic team at Bosasa, she is responsible for the Social Media and is all fired up with what the future holds.

Transforming Lives

Transforming lives is what BBC is about. Here is Rob, Tracy and Gary, together after the service at BBC. These three along with others do a lot in transforming lives of those who are struggling in life to that what is pleasing in God' sight. I must clarify that they are not perfect but their hearts are in the right place.

Smile Hands on Spa

It is Lynda's birthday and yesterday I had booked a treatment at the Hands on Spa. It was a surprise which she didn’t expect until we stood in front of the receptionist and heard me say that we here for her booking.

For two hours, Lynda was pampered and all her stress from the year so far, massaged out of her in tranquil surroundings. I waited in the tea room, a little disappointed that they didn't have a large range of desserts, oh well it supposed to be a health spa but I too like to be mollycoddled.

Lynda walked out feeling like a queen with a big smile and all pampered up. Thank you Hands On.

Francis, Jenna-Lee and Gwen

Friday didn't feel like a Friday should feel, strange normally I couldn't wait for the weekend but this Friday I enjoyed being at work, strange indeed.

After finally dragging myself out of work, I headed home and got ready for the Alpha get together at the Lonewolf Spur in Randpark Ridge. It was great just winding down with friends, Bob, Liesl, Kelly, Nicholas, Francis, Gwen, Jenna-Lee, Keegan, Lynda, Eric, Gill, Chris, and Natasha. Spur, a taste for life, except for my cold food, it was an awesome get together with friends on a Friday evening. Here is Francis, Jenna-Lee, and Gwen, giving big smiles for the camera.

Springbokke

Working at the Bosasa Group's Head Office in Krugersdorp has its perks. I mean my office is situated in this lush eco-park far away from the bustle of the fast paced Sandton. With a mashie golf course, rolling lawns, fountains, and ponds, it is a haven for wildlife. Here are springbucks or springbokke in our local language grazing on the lush lawns while a pair of guineafowls ample past. There are some many bird species that I’ll soon need a bird book to help me identify some of them. Speaking to the grounds man, he was telling me that they even have some barn owls who keep the rodents down during the night. I believe they want to introduce some falcons for day time pest control.

Robert not Richard

Here is Robert, the Head of Department of the Marketing and Branding of Bosasa Group, my boss man to whom I report to as the New Media Coordinator. As some of you may know the my dyslexia gets me into trouble sometimes and this time it was me emailing Robert last month and starting the mail as "Hi Richard". Maybe because my old boss man was Richard. At least Robert took it well with a threat of it ever recurring, pushups will be in order. And trust Lynda to think of my good health by encouraging Robert to upload the video onto YouTube. Not a good first impression but it can only get better from here.

Nyala

Forgive my double negatives but this aren’t no April’s Fools, but this is the view from my new offices, Bosasa in the Mogale Business Park. Driving in here is like driving into a bird sanctuary with more local bird species seen navigating to my office than seen in the whole year so far. Other than many birds, I have seen tortoises and springboks in the few months leading up to me joining this digital team but today within 5 meters from me this Nyala with his harem of 3 females ambled past grazing.

Now pray tell how on earth I am going to settle down and get work done? At least I should have many blog subjects in the coming weeks.