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The latest infographic hitting the air waves:

Click to enlarge

via [Hat tip Mike]

We moan a lot in South Africa. There’s a lot to moan about.

But when we look at the bigger picture, SA is a phenomenal country. There’s so much that’s truly great about this place!

Today’s title is a bit tongue in cheek. We all know that every province is awesome in its own right. What’s special about yours? This is your opportunity to brag about your province! Hopefully we can create a useful resource for travellers and those in need of some SA inspiration. :)

So, copy and paste in the comments: [x] awesome things about [your province] and tell us why you love it!

I’ll start with the holiday province of Natal.

Awesome things about Natal:

1. We have the beach, the bush and the Berg.
2. We’re home to three of SA’s biggest sporting events: the Dusi, the Midmar Mile and the Comrades Marathon.
3. Our beaches and sea are warm. We can swim without wetsuits pretty much all year.
4. Tsonga shoes and Wedgewood nougat are made in the Natal Midlands.
5. We like technology and entrepreneuring here. As laid back as we’re labelled to be, the Silicon Coast might just give the Silicon Cape a run for its money one of these days.
6. Durban is home to the Corner Café.
7. We have the Golf Coast. It’s beautiful down there.
8. The iSimangaliso Wetland Park, a World Heritage Site. What a magical place of game parks, indigenous forests and marine reserves. Plenty of game viewing on terra firma and in the sea.
9. The famous “rolling green hills” of KZN. Whether driving or flying into Natal, they make you feel like this is home.
10. KZN weather. Durban is to Natal as Miami is to Florida. True story.

Take a look at the beauty:

Tropical Storm Irina has been big news over the last few days. Rain and wind have lashed the north eastern area of SA and many people have been affected by the storm, especially due to flooding. The Times Live ran these pictures of Richards Bay and Durban’s North Pier.

Here’s the awesomeness part: the Salvation Army is doing what it can to help victims of the storm. The Crest Online published the following article on its website yesterday.

Dozens of people have been affected by the heavy rains and gale-force winds of tropical storm Irina. The Salvation Army is appealling to the public to lend a hand during these difficult times.

The Salvation Army has been on high alert since the storm started to hit the coastal areas of the province and is already providing financial assistance for the purchase of food and blankets for people in affected areas.

“We are particularly concerned about people living in shacks in the informal settlements in the coastal areas of the province, since these structures are unstable and can easily collapse in the torrents of mud and water,” according to Major Carin Holmes, Territorial Public Relations Secretary.

Members of the public who wish to assist through the offices of The Salvation Army can do so by SMSing the keyword “Disaster” to 42290. SMS’s cost R30 each and all proceeds go to the relief effort.

Alternatively, they can contact Captains Glen and Moya Hay of the Salvation Army’s Montpelier Corps on 031 303 1812 to find out ways in which they can contribute.

Kudos to the Salvation Army for extending a helping hand and giving others the opportunity to do the same!

Were you affected by Irina? Let us know in the comments.

1. Stare at the red dot on the girl’s nose for 30 seconds.
2. Turn your eyes towards a plain flat surface.
3. Blink your eyes quickly.

What do you see?

Sometimes we need a fresh perspective on the tired, commercial Christmas season we’re used to. I came across this missive a few days ago, posted on The Crest website…

As the holidays approach, the giant Asian factories are kicking into high gear to provide South Africans with monstrous piles of cheaply-produced goods; merchandise that’s been produced at the expense of South African labour (not to mention the Earth’s resources, accompanied by huge amounts of pollution).

This year will be different. This year, South Africans will give the gift of genuine concern for other South Africans. There is no longer an excuse that, at gift-giving time, nothing can be found that is produced by South African hands.

Yes there is! It’s time to think “outside the box” people! Who says a gift needs to fit into a Chinese-made box, wrapped in Chinese-produced wrapping paper, taped with Chinese tape, draped with a Chinese ribbon and a Chinese gift tag?

Everyone – yes, everyone – gets their hair cut – right? How about a gift certificate from your local South African hair salon or barber? What about gym membership? It’s appropriate for all ages who are thinking about some health improvement.

Who wouldn’t appreciate getting their car serviced? How many people couldn’t use an oil change for their car, truck or motorcycle, done at a shop run by the South African working guy? Small, South African-owned shops and car washers would love to sell you a gift certificate or a book of gift certificates. Are you one of those extravagant givers? Fine! Perhaps that grateful gift receiver would like his driveway paved, or the lawn mowed for the summer, or games at the local golf course.

There are a trazillion owner-run restaurants – all offering gift certificates. And, if your intended isn’t the fancy eatery sort, what about half a dozen breakfasts at the locally-run restaurant? Remember, folks, this isn’t about big national chains – this is about supporting your home town South Africans with their financial-lives-on-the-line to keep their doors open.

Thinking about a heartfelt gift for Mom? Mom would love the services of a local cleaning lady for a day. Or, a gift voucher for a pedicure/manicure/facial at your local beauty salon. Or, you could give of your time to the elderly and offer a foot massage or a manicure or do some shopping for them? Hand them a card with what you can offer.

My computer could use a tune-up, and I KNOW I can find some young guy who is struggling to get his repair business up and running. OK, you were looking for something more personal? Local crafts people spin their own wool and knit them into scarves; they make jewellery, and pottery and beautiful wooden boxes. Contact a local handyman to do something special for someone who’s been wanting those pictures hung up or that paint job sorted out.

Plan your holiday outings at local, owner-operated restaurants and leave your waiter/waitress a nice tip. How about going out to see a play or ballet at your hometown theatre? Musicians need love too, so find a venue showcasing local bands.

Honestly, people, do you really need to buy another ten thousand Chinese lights for the house? If you have that much money to burn, leave the postman, litter-man or babysitter a nice big tip.

You see, this season shouldn’t be about draining South African pockets so that China can build another glittering city. Christmas is now about caring about US, encouraging South African small businesses to keep plugging away to follow their dreams. And, when we care about other South Africans, we care about our communities, and the benefits come back to us in ways we couldn’t imagine.

This must be the new South African tradition.

If these particular suggestions aren’t your cup of tea, use your imagination to come up with your own ideas!

What’s your take on Christmas and presents?

Can you believe that we’re in September already? I can’t, even if I sit and think about the year and everything that’s happened, I still can’t add things up to present us with September. It honestly feels as though this year has come and gone right before my eyes!

I know it’s Spring time though, my bonsai’s are growing at a rapid rate and leaves are appearing on all of the ones which shed their leave.

Anyway, an Ode to Spring:

“Spring has sprung,

The Grass has riz,

I wonder where the birdies is?

The little bird is on the wing,

But that’s absurd!

Because the wing is on the bird!”

Summer’s on the way folks!

A few minutes ago @TylerReed sent out a tweet about a movement on the Internet in hot pursuit of tracking down a missing person, Duncan Allan. I read the story about Duncan and decided that I would assist by blogging about it.

Duncan, 20, is a student at the University of Pretoria who went to collect his car at Lynnwood Motors in Atterbury Road, Menlo Park. The car went in for a service and the service was finished. Camera’s show Duncan waiting for his car at Lynnwood Motors, but they don’t show him driving off.

Duncan has been missing ever since. His parents are heart broken, his friends don’t know what to do and the Internet appears to be standing up and assisting with trying to track him down. There are tons of tweets flying around and Facebook has created a great deal of awareness. Hopefully this blog post will assist in inspiring other bloggers to take the time to create even more awareness.

Duncan’s car is a green VW Jetta with registration: DJY 086 GP. If anyone knows ANYTHING about this, please contact the investigating officer Wattrant Officer Denny Phatshwane on 082 319 9647