The Young Nelson Mandela

Victor Kuster is a young up and coming artist who found himself as a teenager in conflict with the law and landed up at the Bosasa Youth Development Centre in Krugersdorp. Destiny had other plans for this young man; the National Youth Development Agency has put Victor on a route to hone his creative side. Now at the age of 21 Victor has returned to the Youth Development Centre to teach art to teenagers who also find themselves also in conflict with the law just like he once did.

Victor is an inspiration to other young men and you can see by his painting that he created of the young Nelson Mandela wearing a t-shirt with two hands, one white, the other brown, and together the hands are holding a young plant, nourishing and caring for it so that it may grow tall and strong.

Patagonia Couple in Love

In trying to conform to a politically correct business park, Bosasa diversifies its animals at the Mogale Business Park, there are zebras, black and white stripes of course, but it doesn’t stop there. Along with the normal coloured springbucks there are the black springbucks, same with the white speckled black guineafowl as there are plain white ones too.

Now this racial policy has also crossed over to the swans, as we have a pair of the white Mute Swans which originate from Europe, a pair of Black Swans from Australia, and this beautiful pair of Black-necked Swans from Patagonia region of South America.

Clearly this beautiful Patagonian couple are inseparable and in love.

Peacocks on the Mashi

It seems that the cold front has finally reached Gauteng but I don't know why the Capetonians were worried about snow. Due to the temperatures dropping to the low teens, I stayed well put in my air-conditioned office looking out across the beautiful gardens of Mogale Business Park. Despite the weather the peacocks enjoyed ambling across the mashi golf course while on the lookout for the peahens which I am sure were trying to keep out of the cold.

Paballo’s Mug

Yesterday was Radio 702’s Walk the Talk which Paballo did the 20km Freedom Walk to celebrate 20 years of democracy. She is one fit cookie to do the long slog instead of the 5km or even 8km routes as I would have done. Here Pabs recuperating with her yellow and black mug filled with water.

Swinging in the Park

It is Sunday and it is about time for a picnic in the park. My dogs were way overdue for a walk but one of our favourite places was slap in the middle of the Radio 702’s annual Walk the Talk. The area was shut down traffic wise so we had to try another place and somehow we ended up at Albert’s Farm.

It was lovely having a picnic in the weak winter’s sun at the park. The dogs were running around all excited while Matthew and Lynda enjoyed the swings.

Cat Television

Finally we moved forward in setting up our fish tank. It has been in the plans for some time but today, the heater was bought and 8 small tropical fish. Minky our monkey like cat was very intrigued with the tiny critters. She tried every possible way to catch the fish. Now that Minky is hooked to this square box, we are now calling the fish tank, the cat television.

Bosasa Dzunisani Hosi

This evening Bosasa held a Power of Prayer evening at the Imbizo which is situated in the centre of the Mogale Business Park. The world is full of troubles and it is hard to see the good from the right but let everything praise the Lord. My heart is crying for the Christians in Palestine, the Lord God has heard your prayer, has seen your suffering, and has remembered your faithfulness. Soon the Messiah will return, soon.

And all we can do is pray into the situation and praise I AM as he is in control. Praise the Lord. Prys die Here. Dumisani uJehova. Bayethe Mhlekazi. Louez le Seigneur. Bokang Jehova. Louvado seja o Senhor. Kafu Afetor. Bakang Jehofa. Yabo ya tabbata ga Ubangiji, Dvumisani Simakadze, Tonu Ja, Msifuni Bwana. Mwebwe mukora. Rumbidzai Jehovha. Ka Yâwɛɛ láa maa tɛ́. Dumisani uSomnini. Mwathani Agoshwo. Shangazaleni Shukulu Kalunga. Mukama yebazibwe. Rabbiga ammaana. Hambeleleni Omuwa. Ruoth opaki. Nhyira nka Awurade. Dzunisani Hosa. The whole of Africa praises the Lord God.

I am not but I know I AM.

Falling Skies

What is happening in the skies these days? One after another planes are falling from their lofty heights albeit most by intervention of forces on the ground. We had to take Bradley to Lanseria airport this evening to catch a flight down to Cape Town. Kulula are now using the new Boeing 737-800 in their fleet. Thank goodness as those McDonnell Douglas MD82 where getting rather long in the tooth.

The Itch

You know when you get that itch that drives you nuts because you just can’t reach it to give it a good scratch. So how you reach that itch that can’t be scratched?

Well researches now have found a way to fool your brain into thinking relief is at hand, excuse the pun. They have tested that by using a mirror you can scratch the opposite side of the itch and lo your mind is fooled into thinking you are scratching the itch but this Duiker hasn’t got a mirror and has to stretch all the way back just to reach that right spot.

Lawrence of Bosasa

Lawrence has been with us for a few months now as a videographer in our upstairs studio and I am pleased that he is now permanent. A few weeks back my son Matthew was at Bosasa and I must say I was very impressed how he took Matthew under his wing to tutor him of what it is like to be a videographer.

Winter Fire

Winter in Africa is a dry time, well except for the Cape which is wet and cold, so dry that we have frequent grass fires or veld fires. As you know air that is hotter than the surrounding air rises until it reaches the same temperatures but in winter we often get what the weather people call an inversion layer. This occurs when the air gets warmer the higher you go and this traps the rising hot air or in our winter’s cause the smoke from the veld fires.

This smoke then sits low along the ground. It gets even worse as along with this veld fire smoke, the coal and wood smoke from the shack dwellers just thickens this smog of carbonised pollutant to such an extent that I battle to breathe.

It is times like these that I wish to be in the mountains, with icy cold streams tumbling along rocky valleys. Somewhere peaceful that you can hear a tree grow and most of all breathe fresh clean air.

Heavy Metal Emo

Today was a day to head down to the Southern Suburbs of Johannesburg. At first we dropped off Bradley at the Glen Shopping Centre and off we went to chase Ingress portals in the deep south. Later we returned to the Glen where we met up with Bradley and Shalyn for a late afternoon lunch. As you can see by their hairstyles that emo is back in fashion but this time accessorised with heavy metal t-shirts.

Old Man Patch

News this week came in the Patch’s younger sister Venus who happens to also be Maxy’s mother passed away. Yes Patch is getting on in years, over 15 human years that is. Although he suffers a little during winter of arthritis and doesn't like getting out of bed until the sun has warmed up the yard he is back to his bouncy self.

We spent the afternoon at the World of Dogs and Cats looking for something new for our Italian Greyhounds and the rescue cats. At the Greyhound Rescue Group South Africa we bought Patch this lovely blue winter jacket which he is now modelling. Now Patch has no excuse to get out of bed in the mornings. Oh well this winter has been cold and Patch is an old man so he can stay in bed as long as he likes.

67 Minutes in Juvenile Detention

My heart tore into many pieces as I walked through the awaiting trial, substance abuse treatment, diversion, to finally the sentenced children.

Today is Mandela Day and most South Africans are getting involved in some community service for 67 minutes for the 67 years spent by Nelson Mandela in prison. How can today be more different when asked to cover the visit by the Kenny Morolong, Deputy Executive Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), to the Mogale Youth Development Centre or as I simply called it, Juvenile Detention.

The NYDA was there in force to do their 67 minutes of cleaning, painting, and preparing a room to become the new Library, then later they mingled with the Diversion Programme children. I am not sure if I’ll get this right but what I understand these are derailed children that are diverted from getting a criminal record by being placed on a programme to get them back on track. Sort of like a second chance. This place opened my eyes as it is not just a detention centre as I initially thought but it is more of a Youth Development Centre.

Even so just being here, affected my spirit deeply, as some of my closet friends and family might know that I spent time in an orphanage or so called place of safety when I was a young boy which has scarred my memories of social workers. So here I found myself among children in conflict of our country’s laws, children who are hurting, and the thought that kept running through my mind as I looked at each young teenager, was what if this was my son, what would I do? Awaiting trial children, what would I do? Substance abuse children (for example children on drugs, and or alcohol), what would I do? Children on the Diversion Programme, what would I do? Or even children that have already fallen foul of the law and have been sentenced to juvenile detention, what would I do? 67 minutes, what will you do?

What will you do?

Grey Crowned Crane

After work when riding out of the Mogale Buisness Park, I stopped at the security gate and while stopped this pair of Grey Crowned Cranes came loping towards Scarlet, my red Vespa. It must be something about red which these stately birds must like. I could simply reach out and touch them as they inspected the red bike but I quickly fumbled for my cellphone to take some photographs.

Red Vespa Down

When riding a motorcycle you have to always be alert of all possible outcomes ahead of time. All possibilities of what other road users can do have to be taken into account before they even think of doing it, that way you stay alive another day.

I found out yesterday that Craig while riding his Vespa along Malibongwe Drive was sandwiched between two trucks and was luckily to sustain no injuries other than this poor red Vespa GTS 250ie which was taken down. The damage is repairable but I am not sure Craig is in the position to do this right away. Poor thing.

Hold on to your cap

On the way to work this morning, there was a horrific road accident along my route on the N14 which lead to the Medevac helicopter to be called in.

Soon after reaching the front of the long traffic back up, the helicopter arrived with the downwash of the rotors causing debris to fly. The rather hefty traffic officer had to hold onto her cap as it was threatening to get blown off.

DJI S800 EVO UAV

One of the companies in our group is busy testing the S800 EVO UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) and it looks like it would be the perfect Ingress partner if the price wasn’t that prohibitive.

Other than a perfect Ingress platform, with a 4kg payload capacity you can attach a Canon DSL onboard and now professional aerial photography is wide open. And the best part is the waypoint type of flying without a pilot controlling it from take off to landing by itself and you can watch via a portable handheld monitor.

BBC Construction

This is my second Bryanston Bible Church Construction site. The first was about 12 years ago when BBC expanded from the old hall to the current auditorium. Way before this blog started. And now more under construction.

Although BBC is straining at the seams this time the expansions are not to fit more people in but for more service support such as counselling rooms. Yes all this building is for the Kingdom service, amen. A bit of inconvenience such as no tea, who cares with no coffee and outside toilets as the best is yet to come. Wait a moment, this morning I could have done with a mug of java.

Bad Hair Day

In South Africa, Eskom our only supplier of electricity does a bad job supplying this basic needs to South Africans and today no surprise there was no electricity at Bradley’s home so he came over to bath in hot water.

You should have seen my surprise to see Duckface come along with his nifty mini hair straightener. Uhmmm I wonder if it could work in my beard. With this little hot device I could start looking like Rasputin, the lover of the Russian Queen, or was that a mad monk.

Rob’s New Chariot

After last night’s electricity fiasco, I wasn’t in a good mood this morning. I mean we had four people over for dinner and the electricity used on the property was way more than it was designed for. Not that it is the land lord’s problem as he puts more and more people onto this property. It has become more money for him but a slum for us, hence my foil mood this morning when I approached him.

The land lord’s answer to the problem is to put in pre paid units for all tenants. Uhmmm what an inconvenience as our contract states rent includes lights and water, plus rent went up a few months back. Now I have to budget his unplanned cost.

That was my start of the day but arriving at work all that awful mood was put behind me. Rob has been eyeing out this Audi for a while now and today he said that today is the day that the Audi becomes his. And here it is, the silver monster. Well I wish awesome travels for Rob and his family in his new silver chariot.

Why guys shouldn’t do Duckfaces?

It is pretty obvious from Bradley’s photo above that guys, no anyone, doing duckfaces are really not a good look. It never was unless you are a duck that is.

For the record duckfaces is when someone makes a face like they are kissing the invisible man or in this case woman. No wonder Minky our cat is getting out of there.

Father and Son

School holidays and Matthew has been spending his time with me at work. Well not just hanging around but learning all the different aspects of Brand and Marketing. Yesterday Matthew put his hand into branding a vehicle. Today he did story boarding, photography, and taking a video, then used this material and edited his own video. I must say not a bad video.

Here is a photo of Matthew and me, taken as part of Matthew’s material collection for his video. So here is father and son all smiles.

Cold Winters Day

Brrrr, winter is surely here with the day starting at -2˚C with it rising later in the afternoon to a grand high of 7˚C. With icy cold blue skies outside and a freezing wind cutting right through anyone brave enough to venture outside, I stayed indoors in temperature controlled office with a week winter’s sun streaming through the window. Not much to see outside as even the wild animals kept a low profile.

Tonight we expect it to drop to -5˚C, time to snuggle up in bed as there is no time for polar bear stuff tonight.

Merville Mattered

This afternoon friends and family gathered to celebrate the life of Merville Le Roux who at the good age of 77 went to join his beloved Val in heaven last week. Here is Merville’s best friend Keith showing photos to Glen while Merville’s dog Waffles keeps looking out for his late owner who has gone home. Nearer. My God, to Thee, nearer to Thee!

Now for those who knew Merville would know that he was an interesting and unusual man who was at odds with just about everybody sometime in their life but since he became a Christian over 40 years ago he was unbending in his beliefs to a state of aggravation yet one of the most caring and compassionate man anyone ever knew.

It was quoted at this celebration of his life this afternoon that the level of frustration could not be measured yet all who stood up and recalled memories were choking back the tears. After his anchor, Val, left for heaven, things for Merville fell apart. From the lofty heights of the top of business to being rock bottom but not out as Merville still had God. This unwavering belief in God remained and his never say die kept Merville going and going and going. If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.

Merville knew how to push your buttons with his long emails and only getting to the point right at the end of his message. So much so that I once threatened to put his email in my spam list just so I wouldn’t get his blunt, annoying emails. I can imagine I will be getting an email from him from heaven. Yet Merville with his big smile had so much empathy for the down and out as he without many worldly possessions went out of his way to help others with no thought about himself or praise from others. He mattered to many people who could not help themselves. You could say that his mantra was if your problems are too big than your God is too small as he left a legacy that everyone mattered.

Previous posts of Merville serving coffee, he was part of the Launch of Metal Cross, and then there is the Merville post which flooded the memories back and I battled to hold back the tears. Merville mattered.

Zandile in Concert

After getting low down and dirty with 1000 bikers yesterday, it was time for some culture and we found ourselves at the Theatre on the Square to watch a concert recital by Zandile Mazazi.

Growing up in my twenties and working at the Natal Playhouse, I saw my fair share of ballets, plays, and operas but now it was for Lynda’s first operatic recital, and she totally enjoyed Zandile putting her voice through its paces. Here is Lynda being a tourist in Nelson Mandela Square.

1000 Bike Show

The Classic Motorcycle Club is holding their annual 1000 Bike Show this weekend and the Vesparados decided to join the thousands of motorcycles descending on Germiston.

After a late start, we couldn't join the Vesparados for breakfast and a ride out to Germiston together so we headed out to join them an hour after the Vesparados planned leaving time. Arriving at the venue we were greeted by thousands as the famous Vespa brand was recognised and no bike show would be complete without the famous Italian marque. We were the only Vespa who arrived as I heard later that one of the Vesparados vintage Vespas broke down and they stopped for drinks while it was repaired before setting out for Germiston.

It was great when the Vesparados finally arrived as they drew a crowd and it was awesome to have my modern Vespa GTS300ie Super next to the 9 vintage Vespa models comprising of a number of PX150, Sprint, Rally, Primavera, and a beautifully restored Vespa 150 GTR so that the bikers could compare the differences. Sadly no Lambrettas arrived but maybe next time. There were many motorcycle clubs represented to support the Classic Motorcycle Club and as usual the Vesparados saved the day for Vespa as the modern Vespa South Africa with their VLV Social Club once again missed the boat.

Woza Weekend

Although I enjoy it here at Bosasa, it has been a long week and at the end of it the cry goes out "Woza Friday! Woza Weekend!"

After this peacock was strutting his stuff for the females, he turned around and walked away. I am not sure what he didn't like. Maybe it was me, or maybe it was my reflection in the window. I was in the process of setting up a great image with my camera balanced on the low wall but this peacock didn't have any patience.

Woza, it is time to call it a day and walk away from this desk, this office park, and this week. That is till next week.

Terrible Ivan

Bosasa is a big user of signage so off we went to see all what is on offer and what is new in the industry at the FESPA Africa 2014 event being held at Gallagher Convention Centre.

I am from the interweb side of the digital industry and found myself a fish out of water amongst all the wide format printers, vehicle wraps, branding, laser cutters, signage technology, and screen printing. But it was a learning curve seeing all the different competitors jockeying for our business.

The biggest surprise was running into an old friend from the Macromedia days, Ivan. I last saw Ivan way back in 2008. Not sure why I called this post Terrible Ivan, maybe it was because I am the terrible one for forgetting to answer the last email Ivan sent last year or was it this year. Sorry that it was such a short catch up but we should do coffee sometime.

Jazzed up Velile

The creativity makeover of our offices continue with Velile putting a bit of soul into his office. Osho once said that "to be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it".

So as we get older we find that life is not all that it seems. "We need to jazz it up a bit" pronounces Velile. Here at eKayaMedia, we don't want to conform but to take the lead, and just get up and dance to the alluring sounds of the saxophone.

And what brings music to my ears is that Helkom aka Telkom finally delivered a week late their promised LTE interwebs and now as a result I am surfing the web at 35.89Mbps. Yay, this is way better than a big fat zero from Cell C.

Tree of Creativity

Here at eKayaMedia we don't like having a bland office environment, not while our offices sit in the lush wildlife garden of Bosasa's Mogale Business Park.

So given licence to fashion our own office space, we created and a tree grew, joining all what we do in the digital realm to the soul of creating something new. Here are Viandre and Ernest applying our Phase One to the bare brown cupboards all the while our graphic designer Ella continues to inspire.

Our theme grew into the Tree of Creativity, it is here among its branches that we allow our imagination flourish and bring new life to Bosasa's New Media. As CS Lewis once said "You never too old to set another goal or to dream new dreams".