"jan -feb 2006 now Oct 2012" South Africa by kenHuocj

South Africa Travel Guide: 11,761 reviews and 27,778 photos

drumbeats that call regularly

just had an offspring visiting our country of birth

he stayed with this school buddy in one of the secure villages South of the Administrative City - Pretoria, he smiles when he talks about the 7000+ sq ft or 700 sn metres under roof,
but that is the iceberg factor of the RS, opposite polarities, the very visible and what many, self included want to void.

Growth of shopping malls, new car models, cleanliness and orderly lifestyles that appears to be continuation from WorldCup 2010 - Football-Soccer

time for a visit from me soon

a Sunny day at the Union Buildings

under the trees, amongst Ubuntu

April 27th, 1994.
a Public Holiday for celebrating the first official day of celebration,
Nelson Madela was to be the first elected President of South Africa;

having dropped spouse and girls who were involved in some flag waving for the many dignitaries driving from the presidential grounds to the Union Buildings,

i walked up to one of the accesss roads to see a few of the Presidents and Prime Ministers drive by ,including Gadaffi, Castro and Arafat, quite fascinating to see the real persons, albeit through glass of their limousines.

on the lower lawns, amongst many real SOUTH AFRICANS, me included, we enjoyed on the big screen, the handover of power from the Apartheid to a new democratically elected government.

mixxed thoughts. mixed views...
but very nostalgic . . . .wish i had more photos but the mental imagesof Uhuru are strong and lasting . ... . .

Madiba was 85 on 18 July 2003 ~ ~ thus 95 in 2013

the famous "Madiba shuffle" by Zapiro

a week of celebration for a remarkable PERSON
see also my Homepage and Travelogue below

and remember ~ The Nobel Peace Prize 1993 ~ "for their work for the peaceful termination of the apartheid regime, and for laying the foundations for a new democratic South Africa"

Every South African, irrespective of where they live cannot be unmoved by Madiba
see also
Nelson Mandela.org
Bridge in Egoli
Mail & Guardian
Speical Sunday Times report
from the BBC
the Birthday

and a few relevant quotes courtesy of Sunday Times
.........
"I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."
- from Nelson Mandela's statement from the dock at the opening of the defence case in the Rivonia Trial, Pretoria Supreme Court, 20 April 1964.

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us."

"I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society. If needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die for."

"I left prison more informed that when I went in. And the more informed you are, the less arrogant and aggressive you are."

"I will use the rest of my life to help the poor overcome the problems confronting them--poverty is the greatest challenge facing humanity."

"If you want to make peace with your enemy, you have to work with your enemy. Then he becomes your partner."

"Only free men can negotiate; prisoners cannot enter into contracts. Your freedom and mine cannot be separated."

"There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find ways in which you yourself have altered."

"When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat."

"I learned to have the patience to listen when people put forward their views, even if I think those views are wrong."

"A good head and good heart are always a formidable combination. But when you add to that a literate tongue or pen, then you have something very special."

Pros and Cons

Pros:a country - very diverse, challenging, mind boggling
Cons:Once you get AFRICANatitis - once visited, always wanting to return ;-)))
In a nutshell:Cricket , rugby, brandewijn, aids, "ICEBERG" demographics

Last visit to South Africa: Jan 2008
Intro Updated Nov 23, 2012
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Reviews (19)

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where i originated from Off The Beaten Path (2)

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See All Every home is a restaurant
Transportation (2)
See All AIR : by many International...
Local Customs (2)
See All Is it Fanagalo ???

Hotels (2)
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Favorites (1)
Table Mountain and the Cape...
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Comments (130)

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ronaldpk Nov 4, 2012 at 11:02 AM

Recently, I've felt a kind of nostalgia for South Africa that I visited for only a week but your beautiful country has left an indelible impression on me. I can't wait to go back!
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  kenHuocj Nov 5, 2012 at 12:39 AM
  
  wines are stil cheap, as is fruits ripened naturally by the sun. My son, wife and there 28 months were down in Pretoria and Paarl for a wedding
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  ronaldpk Nov 5, 2012 at 1:45 AM
  
  What a perfect place to have a wedding! Did you get my email?
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bijo69 Jun 13, 2010 at 1:14 AM

Interesting page! I'd love to be there now for the worldcup!
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elpariente Nov 5, 2009 at 7:43 AM

You worked very hard Good tips Gracias !!!!!
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lynnehamman Apr 7, 2009 at 7:37 AM

As an ex-South African I really appreciated your views & tips. Loved the Fanagalo tip! It made me laugh, recalling those expressions. I will look at your Cape Town pages soon-my home city.
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Arkeolog Feb 24, 2009 at 1:50 AM

Great page on S.Africa. congrats. Best wishes from Istanbul. Bora
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TheWanderingCamel May 21, 2008 at 9:48 PM

South Africa was a wonderful experience - one I hope to repeat some day. leyle
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mallyak Feb 13, 2008 at 1:32 PM

Most thought provoking pages on SA.Would have loved some info on Gandhi's days in South Africa..
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ronaldpk Jan 21, 2006 at 7:27 PM

Climb Tafelberg in Kapstadt for me and tell this beautiful place that I will be back one day! Enjoy the summer season in SA! See you when you come back!
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Martman Aug 25, 2005 at 11:53 AM

re: yearning for another besoektjie ;-))) Ja, dit sal eintlik baie lekker wees!
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globetrott Apr 23, 2005 at 4:52 AM

a nice page and great pics of S.A. ! b.t.w. could this escargot escape by scooter or did you catch it in time ???