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Grand White Dinner in St Georges Park

The Grand White Dinner has taken place in London, Paris, Berlin, Cape Town and now Port Elizabeth.  On Saturday afternoon I got to attend the first Grand White Dinner taking place in the Friendly City with compliments of the organisers of the event.  I wasn't sure what to expect but was blown away from the moment we walked through the gate.  Everything was laid out perfectly with somebody on hand right from the start to show guests where to go. Best of…

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10/03/2014
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Cradock Tuishuise

 I often wonder how many people who have visited Cradock would never have stayed over in the town if it wasn't for the Tuishuise.  The Tuishuise on Market Square was built between 1840 and 1870 and housed artisans like harness makers, wheelwrights, smithies and carpenters who made a living from the horses, oxen and wagons passing through on their way north.  Unfortunately by the early 1900's oxen and wagons where replaced by trains and cars and the artisans started to loose their livelihood. …

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10/03/2014
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Skateboard rink

The new skateboard rink at Kings Beach has become a very popular spot with both young and old

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09/03/2014
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“South Africa is different” promotional video

https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/qjjA9cZfg7M&source=udsSouth Africa is a popular tourist destination and visitors often just come here for the scenery and wildlife, leaving with so much more.  South Africa has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world and the wildlife experiences are unequalled, but it's also about the people, the cultures, the food, the rural country side and the urban vibe.  One thing that many people don't expect is how modern South Africa is, how you can go from a small village in the middle…

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07/03/2014
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Identities under the freeway

After yesterday's post of the bus station art, we are staying on Strand Street under the freeway.  Ten art pieces called Identities by artist Lubhi Mtathi can be seen on the freeway pillars.  The series are all powerful and evocative portraits that depict young South Africans from a range of cultural backgrounds dispelling racial and cultural stereotyping. 

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07/03/2014
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Bus station art

Everybody who has taken the bus into town and gotten on or off in the downtown bus station would remember how dark and dodgy it used to be.  Since it's been opened up as part of the Strand Street and Route 67 redevelopments things have changed a bit and its a lot more open and lighter.Adding even more colour and cheerfulness to the area is the Route 67 Bus Station Mural by 4BlindMice celebrating public transport and the daily journeys…

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06/03/2014
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Cradock’s Mother Church

The Dutch Reformed Church at the top of Church Street in Cradock is probably this Karoo town's most imposing landmark.  The first Dutch Reformed congregation in the town was established in 1824 and the church was the town's first.  Paul Kruger, who went on to become the President of the Transvaal Republic, who was born on a farm near Bulhoek south of Queenstown in 1826 was christened (by a Welsh pastor) in the original church and his name appears in the register. The present building,…

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06/03/2014
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Kings Beach lake

I took a late afternoon walk around the Kings Beach area a couple of weekends ago and just realized again how the development has enhanced the beachfront.  The small lake really is a great addition to the area even though a lot of people are moaning about it, but it seems that some folk would always nitpick and look for something to complain about.  The lake however is having a couple of problems but the Mandela Bay Development Agency who is…

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05/03/2014
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Elements Tower Sculpture

Route 67 has some very distinctive art pieces, some easily identified for what they are and others a little more abstract.  At the bottom of the Donkin Reserve at the start of the winding Election Queue walkway stands the very abstract tower sculpture.  The Tower Sculpture acts as a beacon at the start of the journey onto the Donkin Reserve.  The design allows for the tower to respond to the surrounding elements to allow wind and light to bring it to life. …

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04/03/2014
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South Africa’s National Anthem – Nkosi Sikelele’ iAfrika

South Africa's National Anthem is a combination of Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika ("Lord Bless Africa" in Xhosa) and the previous national anthem, Die Stem van Suid-Afrika ("The Call of South Africa" in Afrikaans).   The anthem as we sing it today has been in use since 1996 when it was released as the new national anthem of South Africa under the new constitution.  The anthem uses several of the official languages of South Africa.  The first two lines of the first stanza are sung…

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04/03/2014