Gogga delights

A swarm of locusts on the horizon usually spells doom to most societies, but the VhaVenda people in South Africa's Limpopo Province welcome this natural phenomenon. In fact, it is seen as a blessing from the ancestors.
The fact that they are not an annual occurrence, like the mopane worm, makes them even more valuable.
Locusts swarm across the northern reaches of Limpopo Province only once in every 10 years. This year, they will certainly contribute to the R6-million the insect trade nets annually in the former Bantustan.

These insects are now often eaten more as a cultural treat than out of necessity by many black South Africans. Edible insects have become a more expensive source of protein than beef, lamb or chicken.
The mopane worm is the larval stage of an emperor moth, the adult moth has a wingspan of up to 13,5cm, often frightening to people as it flaps about in a bat like manner.
How to cook insects: www.earthyear.co.za

the Berg Water Project (BWP)

a R1,8-billion development on the Berg River near Franschhoek, will increase the storage capacity of the integrated Western Cape Water System by almost 20%. It is designed to capture water during the wet season for release during the dry summer months by the year 2010.
Since 1 October 2004, all water users in the Cape metropolitan area have had to comply with serious (Level 2) water restrictions, because the current bulk water storage level is only 57% at the end of the wet season.
On June 2004, TCTA signed a R21-million contract with the Department of Water Affairs and Forestry (DWAF) to augment the Assegaaibos Working for Water programme. Situated on the headwaters of the Berg River, the Assegaaibos. It used to contain a Safcol pine plantation before damage by brush fires in 1999 ended its commercial viability. Since the fires, alien plants have displaced even more endemic fynbos.
completion of the Berg Water Project in 2007

Merger new SA wine giant

Two of South Africa's largest wine producers and exporters, Stellenbosch Vineyards and Vinfruco, announced in June this year, has now been finalized with the formation of Omnia Wines, a company that is now one of South Africa's biggest branded wine exporters.
An annual turnover of +- R400 mil and annual production of +- 2.2 mil cases (80% is exported).
Among its portfolio of established wine brands: Arniston Bay, Versus, Kumkani, Welmoed and Shamwari, a joint venture with Constellation Wines, the world's largest wine company, as well as Thandi (by Paul Clüver Wines) and Vinfruco.

8th International Design Indaba Cape Town

Expect to see a surge of energy in the international creativity grid as the world's top designers gather in Cape Town 23 - 25 February 2005 to revel in one other's innovations, ideas, inspirations and creative intelligence. 10am - 6pm.
design indaba 021 418 6666
Running alongside the lectures and workshops is the 2nd edition of Design Indaba Expo, a carefully curated ambassadorial gathering of South African fashion, film, digital media, architecture, decor, graphics, advertising and publishing.

shuttleworth foundation.org

Mark Shuttleworth established this in Oct 2001. Focusing on educational challenges in science, technology, entrepreneurship and math (STEM) in an African society. My step-brother, Jandre, got awarded the Mark Shuttleworth in school. Now that's cool.

Cape Town Pass

With the Cape Town Pass a 160 page guide book in four languages with maps, information, images and opening times is included. 
The Pass is available for purchase directly from selected Travel Agents, Tour Operators, and Local Resellers, as The Cape Town Pass only or as an added value included in an operators package offer. 

The Pass gives the Tourist free access to more than 50 attractions as well as special offers on shops, restaurants and activities. The tourist is given a personalized Cape Town Pass of credit card type and a guide book, with which they can easily navigate through the different offers. The Tourist simply shows the pass at the different venues and they swipe the card for free access. 

The Pass if offered in four lengths; 1 day, 2 day, 3 day and 6 days and represents over R3000 of value.

Surf Film Festival

The Wavescapes Surf Film Festival, presented by First National Bank, launches in Cape Town, 2004. Celebrating 'Surf-Afrikan' beach culture, it is the first festival of its kind in South Africa.
Our return to the big-screen surf era is literally that - the outdoor screening at Clifton 4th Beach (free) on Saturday 18 December will utilise a 12 metre x 8m inflatable screen. We're showing big hits such Riding Giants, Step Into Liquid and the new Billabong release Blue Horizon, and including local movies such as Nic Hofmeyer's Taking Back the Waves.
Info line: 084 687 3830

www.wavescapetravel.com

Beach to Beach offers surfers and travelers a full travel service to the South African coast, including packaged or customised tours, self-drive, day trips, surf school and equipment hire. Package tours include two custom-made Xanadu surfboards, the book Surfing in South Africa, frequent travel to cooking surf spots with friendly accredited guide, accommodation (near or on beach, with breakfasts) and all transport and petrol. And a hell of a lot of other things, nothing to do with surfing.

bet on rand notes

on EBAY (auctions on the internet)
Starting bid £4.99 /Postage costs: £1.25
5 uncirculated Consecutive 1 Rand notes b/179 703453,54,55,56,57. In perfect order no crease marks or blemishes, excellent collectors piece.

bet on grand prix antique

South African Grand Prix Program 30th March 1974 held at Kyalami. This program is in excellent condition for its year. Period adverts for Lucky Strike, Volvo 164, Ford Cortina, Ford Granada V8, Chevrolet 2500, Mini GTS Alfa Romeo Berlina 2000 and others. All the drivers of the day feature. Very rare program with 70+ pages.

Postage Rates: UK £1.50 - Europe £2.50 - North America £3.50 - Rest of the World £4.50

voetsek

One of America's most intense hyper-thrash bands playing and it does the body good to see them. They finally drop their debut full-length on the planet. Tracks of thrash that is brash, rowdy, snotty, dark and violent. Heavy political punk band called Voetsek.