Monday, May 18, 2009
The ROOTs Cause
I pretty much use this blog as a reference site, as I recently started a fresh 'New Worldly Music' blog at The ROOTs Cause.
I will be updating there as often as I can, as I am unfortunately not able to sustain myself in the music industry alone, after we were forced to close down Peak Performances at the beginning of 2009 due to a whole stack of clients who didn't pay for the music after the fact. A sad state of affairs.
But the music continues, and so at The ROOTs Cause I will carry on the stories, giving the inside track to so many of our wonderfully talented musicians, and reminding you of some of our musical history.
The fat lady hasn't sung just yet!
I will be updating there as often as I can, as I am unfortunately not able to sustain myself in the music industry alone, after we were forced to close down Peak Performances at the beginning of 2009 due to a whole stack of clients who didn't pay for the music after the fact. A sad state of affairs.
But the music continues, and so at The ROOTs Cause I will carry on the stories, giving the inside track to so many of our wonderfully talented musicians, and reminding you of some of our musical history.
The fat lady hasn't sung just yet!
Labels: African, music, south africa, world music
Thursday, May 31, 2007
EverestSA2007 Final Update - Coming Home
The Everest SA 2007 team of my uncle John Brand, my 2nd cousin Michael Patteron, and team leader Ronnie Muhl will finally be arriving at Cape Town International Airport at 19h35 tomorrow.There hadn’t been much news of late after Mike & Ronnie had successfully summitted on the 23rd of May. John obviously didn’t have any way of communicating with home after he had gone down to Base Camp from about 7 800 meters, and from there to Kathmandu, and only after Mike & Ronnie were on their way down did updates come in.
The trio was reunited on Sunday the 27th, and have been spending this week relaxing and getting their energy back.We’re incredibly proud of all 4 of the team; Ronnie, Mike and Andy van der Velde for reaching the summit, and John for going almost a 1000 meters higher than he had been before. If John (58) had reached the top he would have been the oldest South African to summit, but this time the honour had to passed on to someone else, and younger in the family with Mike (55) now holding the record.
Amazing stuff!
Labels: 2007, everest, final update, south africa
Just Jinjer’s June Jol’s
Its always exciting hearing about South African groups kicking some ass on the international music scene, and Just Jinjer is one of the hottest exports at the moment. Based in the USA for most of the year, the guys are doing gigs at some of the top clubs and music festivals, there.They will be coming back to our shores later this year, and as we have said, they’ll be available for gigs in SA during November and December. (And we’re going to have some exciting news about this a little later, once all the contracts have been signed, and the deposits paid… suspense!)
In the meantime, if you aren’t lucky enough to be on this wonderful continent and the word ‘BUSH’ makes you want to be Canadian, as opposed to thoughts of Deurmekaarbos, Dwerg-blinkblaar-wag-'n-bietjie bos and Kameeldoring boom, then you can get excited about some of the gigs listed below:
JUST JINJER kick off June at LA's legendary Viper Room this Friday night (June 1st) at 11pm. This month, JUST JINJER will also be hitting up Toronto (for the NXNE music festival), Buffalo, and New York City's famous Mercury Lounge.
JUST JINJER @ The Viper Room
Friday - June 1 - 11:00pm
The Viper Room
[West Hollywood, CA]
JUST JINJER @ Thursdays At The Square in Buffalo NY
Thursday - June 7 - 5:30pm
[Buffalo, NY] Free show!
JUST JINJER @ The North by Northeast Music Festival
Saturday - June 9 - 1:00am
[Toronto, ON, Canada]
JUST JINJER @ NYC's Mercury Lounge
Tuesday - June 12 - 10:00pm
Mercury Lounge
[New York, NY]
Here is a recent clip that was featured on CNN:
But back at home, hierso innie bos, don’t forget that you can vote for JUST JINJER's "Till I'm Done" on 5FM: Text your vote as many times as you like and watch JUST JINJER's latest single "Till I'm Done" conquer the charts!
SA residents text: Hi5justjinjertillimdone to 33345
US residents text: Hi5justjinjertillimdone to +27 33345
Labels: Just Jinjer, music, pop rock, south africa, USA
Thursday, May 24, 2007
EverestSA2007 Update 12
Mike Patterson (my cousin) & Everest team-leader Ronnie Muhl summitted Mount Everest at around 02h30 yesterday! I’ve been in bed with flu, and so this announcement might be a little late – having been on the front page of the Cape Argus yesterday afternoon, but it is still an achievement that needs to be celebrated!We received the following sms from Mike's wife Chez:
Mike called @ 02.45 from THE TOP OF THE WORLD – he sounded Gr8+laughed wif his SHERPA when I said hug him frm your FAM+a thumbs up frm SA+he gave a good chuckle when I said he is SA’s new no 12+OLDEST @ a record age of 55yrs-wind died down+Ron did his summit about 10 mins ealier, MAGIC MORN
Then on the EverestSA2007 site there is the following:
Report from Glenda Muhl
Ronnie, Mike and sherpas (Lhakpa Randu and I don’t have the other wonderful man's name) summited at 2:30am our time today. We had a sleepless night waiting for the call. I am so proud of their achievement - the 11th and 12th South Africans to stand on top of the world and Mike at 56 years, the oldest South African to be there. Ronnie could not speak for long but I detected a lot of emotion in his voice.
The conversation went something like this: "It's been a long haul, but here I am - it's incredible Glen - tell the children... here comes Mike - I haven't seen him since the 2nd step - he will be with me in about 10 minutes - I have to go - need to put my oxygen mask back on again....."
Mike called his wife a few minutes later saying, "I am top of the world" with the voice of Lhakpa Randu cheering in the background.
We are still waiting to hear of their safe decent; including more information from my unc John, who should be waiting from the team down at Base Camp.
Coming down is considered to be almost more dangerous, than the going up – I suppose the elation of pushing towards a goal is very energy sapping, while the downward trip is a battle of strength and will. So we are looking forward to news.
Labels: 2007, everest, SA record, south africa
Monday, May 21, 2007
EverestSA2007 Update 11
In what looks to be a record year for most Mount Everest summits (there have been about 362 so far and the record is 486) we haven’t heard much from the South Africa team last few days. The team, excluding Andy van der Velde who summitted early on the 16th, were preparing their assault and had had computer problems last week, so no email.
This morning Ronnie had contact with KFM from their camp at 7,800 m, and said that my unc, John Brand (right), had gone a little moggy due to suffering from altitude sickness, and had been escorted by a Sherpa to a lower altitude. I think that this is it for John, and that his quest to summit will have to be put on ice for awhile.
We are very proud of him, for having gotten so far, but would prefer it if he just got his ass down to where there is an abundance of thick wonderful air.
I have been following a number of expeditions up the hill, and heard very similar stories that do strengthen the worry. The Discovery Team wrote about Gavin Bate, and how just a few hours of oxygen at Advanced Base Camp (and a cuppa tea) transformed a man from a wreck near the brink of death, to a very grateful rosy-cheeked mountaineer.
Cousin Mike & Ronnie still feel positive about their own summit plans, and I am sure we will hear more as it happens. Today was the day they had hoped to reach the top of the world, as there has been a pretty good weather period, and this has allowed a number of groups to achieve their aim.
Our thoughts go to the families of those who won’t be going home this year. Already there have been a number of deaths (5) – not that this is a deterrent – on what is quite a busy season on Mount Everest.
This morning Ronnie had contact with KFM from their camp at 7,800 m, and said that my unc, John Brand (right), had gone a little moggy due to suffering from altitude sickness, and had been escorted by a Sherpa to a lower altitude. I think that this is it for John, and that his quest to summit will have to be put on ice for awhile.We are very proud of him, for having gotten so far, but would prefer it if he just got his ass down to where there is an abundance of thick wonderful air.
I have been following a number of expeditions up the hill, and heard very similar stories that do strengthen the worry. The Discovery Team wrote about Gavin Bate, and how just a few hours of oxygen at Advanced Base Camp (and a cuppa tea) transformed a man from a wreck near the brink of death, to a very grateful rosy-cheeked mountaineer.
Cousin Mike & Ronnie still feel positive about their own summit plans, and I am sure we will hear more as it happens. Today was the day they had hoped to reach the top of the world, as there has been a pretty good weather period, and this has allowed a number of groups to achieve their aim.
Our thoughts go to the families of those who won’t be going home this year. Already there have been a number of deaths (5) – not that this is a deterrent – on what is quite a busy season on Mount Everest.
Labels: everest, KFM, south africa
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
EverestSA2007 - 1st Summit!
Andy summits Everest!We received an sms early this morning stating that Andy van der Velde summitted Everest during the night, and that he arrived safely at Camp 4 @ 5am this morning!
We are very happy to hear that he got there and back safely, and that he is the first South African in 2007 to stand on top of the world!
More as we get it!
Labels: 2007, Andy van der Velde, everest, south africa, summit push
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
SA is alive with music!
One of the things that I have always told people I meet, and especially foreigners who enquire about the state of South Africa, is that we have so many possibilities here that no dream is too big and small (right - like the San appearing in clubs)We haven’t got all the answers, and there are still so many solutions to be worked towards, but that doesn’t mean that South Africans will give up. We have a big job to do in this country; so I feel that we might as well enjoy doing it!
I wanted to present a little clip given to me by Pops Mohamed, who is currently performing in Oslo, Norway, for which he created the music. It is from the S.A. Alive with possibilities ad campaign, where Pops created the soundtrack using all the day to day sounds that fill the air on our streets. I really felt uplifted after watching it!
Hopefully you’ll feel the same!
Labels: music, Pops Mohamed, south africa
EverestSA2007 Update 9
The big push is on! The South African team, which includes my uncle and cousin, are making their big push for the summit in the next week, after having rested and finished their acclimatization lower down the mountain. Now its a case of watching the weather, and waiting!John got to Base Camp on the 10th, reuniting the team after their break at Shigar, and the team set off immediately with a whole team of porters to carry all their personal gear, and they covered the 11km’s to Intermediate Base Camp in 4 hours.
From IBC, they got caught in a big snow storm that lasted through the night, but didn’t stop them from reaching Advanced Base Camp after another trek of just under 5 hours.
We got an sms from Mike to say that their computer had crashed, so they have been having to get their weather reports from other camps, but that they were all feeling great, and that they are looking forward to just the right weather window to start their summit push.
On Sunday the 13th, after much debate, Andy decided that he would make a summit push with Lima Sherpa, who has 6 summits behind him, but that he would go without the rest of the team.Ronnie, Mike and John must have felt that there wasn’t enough of a weather window, which is why they have decided to stick it out a bit longer – I suppose that they aren’t as young as Andy, so either experience has held them back, or they feared that they might hold him back – either way, Andy has joined about 150 other climbers that are going for it.
So – our thoughts are with him. The last I had heard (07.05.10) some 26 climbers had reached the summit, so things must be getting very busy on the mountain!
If Andy has separated from the rest of the group, I don’t know where the SA record stands – they were going for the most South Africans on the summit at once, and the oldest SA member (yip – that’s my unc John who’d have that honour at 58) – but at this stage, the most important, is to make sure they all get down!
Labels: 2007, everest, south africa, summit push
Thursday, May 10, 2007
SA Music shouldn't be 2nd best!
What happens when you are passionate about putting projects out into the public; have willing and able artists to create an awesome event; but can’t get sponsorship, because you’re not headlining an international act?Some years ago we hosted a music event called Ubuntu Nights; an evening of music, colours and passion; hosted in an intimate setting, we wanted to bring the artist off the stage and into your life. To create an atmosphere where we would be able to instigate and propagate inter-racial collaborations, not only on the stage, but out in the audience too – where Cape Town society still needs it so badly.
We featured Amampondo & Freshlyground (left), a DJ/VJ keeping the groove alive before, during and after, and a pretty mixed jar of M&M’s in the audience – for our first event. It was an awesome success, leaving us glowing for days afterward.It just the kind of event we were hoping for, with great feedback and lots of business cards, but after all the costs had been taken care of Len & I went home poorer. Hell, we did it, we loved it – and loved the great music that was made!
We’ve grown up a lot since then, and now we make sure that things happen! We’re passionate about getting artists like Amampondo (right - Mz, Brian May & Len @ 46664), Busi Mhlongo, Dozi who is like an Afrikaans Zulu, our wonderful friend Pops Mohamed, Shannon Mowday, Arno and both his groups SNG & New Porn, Chris Chameleon who has given us Monkey Punk and adult contemporay pop in English & Afrikaans, Gloria Bosman, and all the other awesome musicians that make our cultures so exciting, out into the market of other cultures.That’s what it is – it’s a new integration, through the beats and sounds that make this country rock.
Fuse it together and life gets exciting; put a single stringed Uhade slap bang in the middle of an electric duo of modern strings; have north Africans sounds dancing to Zulu rhythms; the San performing the most ancient trance dance today; – isn’t that what life’s should be about? Mixing more, learning more, feeling more?
Last weekend, at a local in the area, we sighed into our seats for a nightcap and were astounded to be surrounded by people dancing to music that my mother danced to at that age (she’s still young and gorgeous! Love you mom!). I’m just worried we’re preconditioning another generation into thinking that American & British music is still the only belle of the ball, while there is so much funky stuff right at our fingertips now! (Amampondo left @ Green Point - 46664)So, where we need to be now in the wonderful country of ours is to support our artists - they deserve it for making our lives here more understandable. South African musicians are representatives of who we are as a people.
At the end of it all - we are just a jar full of M&M's.
Labels: music, south africa, support
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
EverestSA2007 Update 8
There was an article in today's Cape Times, quoting from the newsletter that was sent out by the South African team that are preparing to tackle Mount Everest on or around 21 May - depending on the weather of course!I won't repeat all that was printed, or in the newsletter, except a few highlights, such as:
07/05/05 Just before we left Advanced Base Camp we met Greg Child, the famous Australian climber and then on Saturday we met Conrad Anker, who was the climber responsible for finding the body of George Mallory on the slopes of the North face in 1999.
In Greg's latest piece he mentions Wim Hof - the Hollander who is attempting to summit Mount Everest in a pair of shorts... Kaaskoppe...die zijn gek! But good luck to him anyway!07/05/06 John arrived in Shigar this afternoon from Base Camp and he is well and happy that he has completed his acclimatisation process. It is fantastic that he is back on track.
07/05/07 Ronnie, Mike and Andy drove back to Base Camp, while John stayed on in Shigar for a few extra days’ rest. Ronnie’s back is perfectly healed and everyone is well-rested and ready to tackle the next two weeks - the final push to the summit of the ‘Mother Goddess of the Universe’ Junko Tabei the first woman to climb Everest had this to say, “Technique and ability alone do not get you to the top. It is the willpower that is most important. This willpower cannot be bought with money or be given by others, it rises from the heart.”
We are all critically aware that getting to the summit is optional but getting down is mandatory.
Marcus Aurelius once said, “What a small portion of infinite and immeasurable time is allotted to each of us. It is so quickly swallowed up by eternity. How small is a clod of earth on which we crawl about. Remember all these things and consider nothing great but this do what nature bids you and suffer what life brings.” Warmest regards to each and every one of you.Yesterday I was forwarded an sms that said the following:
The team met with their Sherpa's this afternoon to discuss the summit plan. It went well and everyone is very excited. Tomorrow is the last day at Base Camp, the team will do final weather updates in the morning but there are some big storms heading toward the mountain within the next few days/weeks. The plan is to get to ABC and wait for good weather.
The sms came to me via my mother, who received it from Shez, wife of cousin Mike Patterson... so I can only presume it was him. As mentioned before - John isn't that great with technology!
Its getting tense on the home-front as we listen and wait, from afar.
Labels: 2007, everest, south africa
Sunday, May 06, 2007
EverestSA2007 Update 7
After yesterdays sms from Andy regarding John’s progress, here are some further updates as to what is happening to the SA team on the slopes of Chomolungma, the beautiful Tibetan name for Mt. Everest.The group has been split, because John was suffering from altitude sickness and had to move down from Advances Base Camp to Base Camp to recuperate, so now it means that while one part of the group is up, the other part is down. (Right - The cousins have been split - John & Mike)
On the 28th of April Ronnie, Mike, Andy and their Sidar Lhakpa Randu decided to climb the icy head wall of East Rongbuk Glacier to the North Col (or saddle – Col is a Welsh word). It’s a hell of a trip, making use of crampons and fixed ropes up the final stages of the North Col, to camp at 7050m…
John had reached Base Camp at this stage, but was exhausted, suffering from a tummy bug we've heard, and he needed medical attention as well as rest. And good ol' thick air!
The North Col is the low point of one the three big ridges that emanate from the summit of Mount Everest, and after some accounts I have read I know it is an achievement in itself! They descended to Advanced Base Camp the following morning. (pic show camps of the Bate 2002 expedition)
On the 30th of April the group heard that two climbers from Kazakhstan, Max and Musili (right - "no water for 48hrs during summit"), had summited without oxygen. They were the first climbers of the season to summit, but not without drama.
The climbers from Kazakhstan were in trouble on the descent and that they called for help at 4am in the morning. Sirdar Lhakpa Randu (left), from Arun Trekking and a very experience mountaineer, dashed up the slope with oxygen, rounding up additional Sherpa’s along the way, to the rescue (which took 16 hours). But as the Discovery Channel team tell in their blog, it was successful! The S.A. team had the Discovery TV crew interviewing and filming them during the day, which my unc manages to evade, not too fond, I think, of those "media opportunities"!Ronnie, Mike and Andy packed up their gear on 02 May and walked down to Base Camp, through a snow-storm, to rest. Along the way they met John, on his way back up to Advanced Base Camp, and said he was in high spirits, looking forward to his climb up to 7 000m – so the Base Camp MD sorted him out!
On 03 May John climbed up to the North Col, which is something we’re very proud of, because this is higher than Aconcagua (6,962m / 22,841feet), which he had previously not been able to summit, and we're looking forward to hearing more… Ronnie, Mike and Andy left Base Camp for Shigar (4 300m), where they are spending 4 nights, resting, recuperating and preparing for their final push when they return to the mountain. (right by Sergio Schmiegelow in 2005)Our Cousin Mike’s sister, (cousin) Carol joined the group in Shigar, from China and having hiked via Base Camp, where she has been working for the last year. I can imagine it must have been an awesome surprise! My mother was told that the group enjoyed their first shower in over 2 weeks – but they had to boil the water to get it hot!
Because John is acclimatizing by himself, we will only get more information when he is back from his climb.
There were a few American climbers arrested by Chinese authorities at Base Camp on the 25th of April, for protesting against China’s rule over Tibet.I found a short clip that explains more, but the reason is that a Chinese group is taking the Olympic flame up the mountain for the Beijing Games, and Tibetans are angry about this - "One World, One Dream, Free Tibet 2008" said the banner, playing on Beijing's Olympic logo of "One World, One Dream". Drama at altitude!
The more I read about this expedition, the more I want to know about the mountain. It has a strange appeal – but it's certainly no walk in the park, and it is still early days for the team to become the first South Africans to summit from the North East. More, as we hear it.
UPDATE 17h15: As fate works, John called us earlier this afternoon from Shagir (about 140km from BC @ 4300m), where he is resting after his first trip over 7000m. Although tired, he sounded chuffed with the way things are going. He'll be resting a few days, and then he is hoping to be back at ABC by the 12th. He also told us that contact was going to be more difficult from now (so don't stress mom!), but that we should listen out for the Monday morning broadcast on KFM for more details.
See... told you I'd give you more AS I heard it!
Labels: 2007, everest, south africa
Friday, May 04, 2007
EverestSA2007 Update 6
I received a message this morning from Andy van der Velde, via my mother who has been pretty stressed at not hearing anything new from the slopes of Everest. It can freak you out just not hearing anything, and one tends to fear the worst! (My dad & unc in December right)Andy's sms said:
Hi, this is Andy. John got quite sick, mostly due to a tummy bug and lack of sleep. He went down to Base Camp where a doctor fixed him up. He’s looking fit and strong now. He’s running a few days behind us, we are down at 4200m and John is up at 7050m. We will all be back on schedule together in a few days. I will pass on your wishes. Don’t worry, as I saw him 2 days ago and he really is better. AndySo – that’s as much news as we’ve had. Everest is a hell of a thing. If you don’t know anything about it, check out the program that has been showing on Discovery Channel ‘Beyond the limit’ – its very sobering!
Labels: 2007, everest, south africa
Sunday, April 29, 2007
EverestSA2007 – Update 5
We’re pretty worried about my ‘unc’ John Brand, as it was reported on Thursday that he had been sent back to Base Camp from Advanced Base Camp to rest for a few days, because he was/is suffering from altitude-related illnesses, and we haven’t heard any more. (right - ABC taken from Camp 4)My mother, who is the early bird, said that there was no mention about it on KFM’s morning cross-over to Ronnie on Friday morning, but then we have noticed that the station is more interested in getting their ‘breakfast show mug' to the top, than what is actually happening on this expedition… Marketing and advertising at all costs!
John has suffered in the past from altitude related illness, and has had to turn around on
“Acclimatization is an adaptive process that allows human beings to tolerate high altitude. It is a great example of how the human body can adapt and respond to a hostile environment. The process of acclimatization begins immediately but requires several days to be notable and requires weeks to be near complete.”
“High altitude illness describes several syndromes that can occur in un-acclimatized individuals shortly after ascent to high altitude. These illnesses usually occur at altitudes of greater than 2,500 meters (8,200 feet)…”
So we are just hoping that the rest will get his system back to normal before he attempts any further climbs! These mountaineers are pretty tough characters!
o further news from the mountain was that on 19 April Mike, John and Andy spent the day at Intermediate Base Camp, while Ronnie stayed in Base Camp resting his back. The higher up the mountain you are, the less conducive it is to recovery from illness or injury, so it is best to stay as low as possible when dealing with any unfortunate mishaps.
Over one ton of equipment, food and oxygen left Base Camp on the 19th on the backs of 29 yaks.
There were some technical problems, so Ronnie wasn’t able to communicate with the guys up at Advanced Base Camp.
I found this very interesting little BBC doccie on a team of Doctors who set up a tent-clinic at Base Camp, which I thought very interesting. It’s a relief knowing that medical care is available in the event of it being needed, and it is amazing that it is pure passion that drives people to risk their own lives to ensure the safety of others.
Ronnie left Base Camp on the 21st, and reached the rest of the team the following day – but not before getting stuck in a snowstorm! (And you thought
On the 24th Mike, John and Andy prepared their climbing gear and proceeded up to the base of the Fixed Lines beneath the North Col. Andy climbed to 6 900m, while Mike and John climbed to 6 750m and 6 650m respectively, leaving Ronnie to relax at A.B.C. – this is the whole acclimatization process.
We haven’t had any replies to our emails – they did say they were having problems setting it up – but I will post the replies when and if I get them.
Labels: 2007, everest, south africa
Saturday, April 28, 2007
13 & still going strong!
It’s the first day of our 13th year of freedom; 13 years of new hope; 13 years young and still going strong!
Long live South Africa!
Yesterday brought back the very powerful memories I have of standing in that long-snaking queue, the chill and cloudy weather daring us to flee for shelter and warmth of a secure home; half the whities trembling anxiously – would the rumours that had been whispered quietly around dinner tables, in car-parks and during business meetings actually happen? Would they be swept into the sea, followed by the coloureds, the Indians and the Asians? Would the swart-gevaar finally become a reality?
Thirteen years later, I think that the only danger we have had is in our own fears and inaction. It has been our lack of understanding, a hesitancy to go out and break down barriers, to forge new relationships and find acceptance of our vast diversity, that has held us back. I am talking about the man on the street, the people who share this wonderful country, together, regardless of who is in power, or what our past has been – it is the us on the street who makes this country what it is.
Our country has a long history; a history that includes many cultures, much hardship & suffering, and unfortunately we can’t say that that is all in the past, because there are still tough times ahead – but I am excited to be a part of this re-growth. I look ahead, and try to enthuse others to feel the same excitement; of building a future together, and being proud of our place in the international community. (Jasper & his buddy Chantal)
These are exciting times.
Last night I went to dinner with some of the brilliant young minds of Cape Town, enjoying a great meal at the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant, who played host to the April get-together known as the 27 Dinner. Techies, internet fundi’s and some pretty awe-inspiring bloggers met to talk about innovation on the net; projects that they are working on; enthusing these passionate people who are part of South Africa’s new media. They are making a difference, though I feel it is still only the beginning!
Hosted by the infectiously energetic Dave Duarte, I was chuffed to meet and listen to the words of people like Graham Knox of Stormhoek Wine, Uno de Waal, Tania (who knows just everybody), cartoonist Mike Scott, Rowan from MyVideo, the whole team from Zoopy.com, the Hunter of Genius Maximillian Kaisen , and Glen from The ZA Show…
I felt inspired, and am looking forward to helping bring South Africa towards that place it rightly deserves to be. A place we can safely leave to our children.
Viva South Africa Viva!
Long live South Africa!
Yesterday brought back the very powerful memories I have of standing in that long-snaking queue, the chill and cloudy weather daring us to flee for shelter and warmth of a secure home; half the whities trembling anxiously – would the rumours that had been whispered quietly around dinner tables, in car-parks and during business meetings actually happen? Would they be swept into the sea, followed by the coloureds, the Indians and the Asians? Would the swart-gevaar finally become a reality?
Thirteen years later, I think that the only danger we have had is in our own fears and inaction. It has been our lack of understanding, a hesitancy to go out and break down barriers, to forge new relationships and find acceptance of our vast diversity, that has held us back. I am talking about the man on the street, the people who share this wonderful country, together, regardless of who is in power, or what our past has been – it is the us on the street who makes this country what it is.
Our country has a long history; a history that includes many cultures, much hardship & suffering, and unfortunately we can’t say that that is all in the past, because there are still tough times ahead – but I am excited to be a part of this re-growth. I look ahead, and try to enthuse others to feel the same excitement; of building a future together, and being proud of our place in the international community. (Jasper & his buddy Chantal)These are exciting times.
Last night I went to dinner with some of the brilliant young minds of Cape Town, enjoying a great meal at the Cape Town Hotel School Restaurant, who played host to the April get-together known as the 27 Dinner. Techies, internet fundi’s and some pretty awe-inspiring bloggers met to talk about innovation on the net; projects that they are working on; enthusing these passionate people who are part of South Africa’s new media. They are making a difference, though I feel it is still only the beginning!
Hosted by the infectiously energetic Dave Duarte, I was chuffed to meet and listen to the words of people like Graham Knox of Stormhoek Wine, Uno de Waal, Tania (who knows just everybody), cartoonist Mike Scott, Rowan from MyVideo, the whole team from Zoopy.com, the Hunter of Genius Maximillian Kaisen , and Glen from The ZA Show…
I felt inspired, and am looking forward to helping bring South Africa towards that place it rightly deserves to be. A place we can safely leave to our children.Viva South Africa Viva!
Labels: 27 Dinner, freedom, south africa
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Private Stash - an Indian mix
Private Stash is a truly classical Indian collaboration from South Africa (take that Bollywood!). No, no, I didn't mean a hashish mix either - its music. Music for the soul!Private Stash was founded in 2006 by tabla player Ashish Joshi who gathered a group of young South African born Indian musicians together to create a unique group. Off the top of my head, I can’t think of another group that represents the Indian culture in South Africa as this one does.
So Ashish got together with Ravi Lalloo, Bharat Gordhan, Premal Bhana and Dillen Ramjee plus guests Greg Georgiades and Maynard van der Walt, and they were recorded at The Studio With No Name, the MELT farm just outside Cullinan; a feast of sound and colour.
The whole session will be coming out soon on DVD, and I think that anyone can feel part of the relaxed ambiance of the MELT farm, & this amazing group of musicians that recorded there.Recorded by well-known sound engineer Chris Lewis, who has been an integral part of most of MELT’s vast catalogue of South African & international collaborations.
The filming was done by Lianne Cox, who was recently nominated for a SAMA for Best Music Video for her work on the late Lebo Mathosa’s video Brand New Day.
(Ok, it's not the smallest of files, but I didn't want you to listen to kak sound... so its worth it!)
UPDATE 07/05/03: Ashish sent me the names of all the artists in the above clip - so you know who they are - and can say you saw them here first! So here is the group that collborates on the project known as Sur Banditz:
Premal Bhana – Sitar
Greg Georgiades – Sarod, Oud
Ashish Joshi – Santoor, Tabla
Bharat Gordhon – Vocals, Harmonium
Dillen Ramjee – Mridungum
Wynand van der Walt – Drums, Percussion
Ravi Lalloo – Tabla, Manjira
Enjoy it again! Because you can!
Labels: Ashish Joshi, Greg Georgiades, Indian, music, Private Stash, south africa, traditional
Thursday, April 19, 2007
EverestSA2007 Update 4
This morning I received an sms via my mother, from my uncle John, who is sitting at the base of Everest, saying that he is feeling wonderful. Their internet is still down, so they are only expecting to receive emails next week. But there is worry about team leader Ronnie, who injured his back.16 April - After breakfast the team did an acclimatisation climb above Base Camp. We climbed to 5600m on fairly precarious terrain. Where on one occasion Ronnie slipped and hurt his back. The afternoon was spent preparing to move up to Advanced Base Camp.
17 April - Ronnie struggled to get out of bed this morning. His back had gone into spasm due to yesterday’s fall and he will probably not move up to Advanced Base Camp with Mike, John and Andy tomorrow, as a full recovery is imperative before going higher. He has been taking anti-inflammatories to help ease the spasm and pain. John made his famous bully beef stew for lunch, which went down like a storm. (I suppose sitting in such conditions boiled-boot would be great! I prefer John's curry!)18 April - Early this morning Ronnie was carried on a stretcher to the communications tent where a lady doctor from the Russel Brice expedition gave him some powerful drugs to ease the spasm and pain. For 6 hours he was out for a count, Mike, John and Andy left for Intermediate Base Camp and then on to Advanced Base Camp. Ronnie will join them later in the week.
I’ll be keeping a close eye on updates, and will post anything I hear. Lets hold thumbs he gets sorted out!
Labels: 2007, everest, south africa
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
EverestSA2007 - Update 03
I received this update this morning from my uncle and the 2007 South African team attempting to conquer the N.E. Ridge of Mt. Everest. It incorporates some of what I have already updated, but this is straight from the horses mouth!
Everest Newsletter 16th April 2007
The South African Everest team met in Kathmandu on the 3rd of April. We spent four days doing our final preparations before departing for Base Camp. The drive of 350km was taken over 5 days, so that we could carefully begin our acclimatisation process. Base Camp is 5 200m above sea level and the views of the mountain are spectacular from here.
We have settled into Base Camp life and will spend 6 nights here before we move up to Advanced Base Camp at 6 450m above sea level. The weather has been superb although the nights have been cold with temperatures dropping to minus 15ºC.
Our high-altitude Sherpas and kitchen staff moved up to Advanced Base Camp on Saturday, along with 20 yaks each carrying 60 kgs of communal equipment and food.
On Sunday morning we managed to have a warm shower - our first clean-up since leaving Kathmandu on the 7th of April. Baby wipes have had to suffice for the last 8 days.
The team have decided upon their climbing strategy and we are all getting on extremely well. We remembered to pack in our sense of humour and consequently are enjoying some great laughs together.
Roberto Trostli once wrote "To walk along the level road requires little will but climbing up the mountainside develops strength and skill and those who choose to stay below may seek and never find the riches that will be revealed to those who dare to climb."
Warmest regards from Base Camp
Everest Newsletter 16th April 2007The South African Everest team met in Kathmandu on the 3rd of April. We spent four days doing our final preparations before departing for Base Camp. The drive of 350km was taken over 5 days, so that we could carefully begin our acclimatisation process. Base Camp is 5 200m above sea level and the views of the mountain are spectacular from here.
We have settled into Base Camp life and will spend 6 nights here before we move up to Advanced Base Camp at 6 450m above sea level. The weather has been superb although the nights have been cold with temperatures dropping to minus 15ºC.
Our high-altitude Sherpas and kitchen staff moved up to Advanced Base Camp on Saturday, along with 20 yaks each carrying 60 kgs of communal equipment and food.
On Sunday morning we managed to have a warm shower - our first clean-up since leaving Kathmandu on the 7th of April. Baby wipes have had to suffice for the last 8 days.
The team have decided upon their climbing strategy and we are all getting on extremely well. We remembered to pack in our sense of humour and consequently are enjoying some great laughs together.
Roberto Trostli once wrote "To walk along the level road requires little will but climbing up the mountainside develops strength and skill and those who choose to stay below may seek and never find the riches that will be revealed to those who dare to climb."
Warmest regards from Base Camp
Labels: 2007, everest, south africa
Thursday, April 12, 2007
EverestSA2007 Update 2
The 2007 SA Everest expedition, of which my uncle John is a member, met their Sherpas last Friday (070406) at a monastery known as Pal Gyi Dingri Langkor Jangsem Kunga Ling (try pronouncing that!) where their Kathmandu Puja ceremony was held. As individuals and as a team they were blessed by His Holiness Tsering Wangdu Norbu Rinpoche. “It was a very special ceremony indeed and extremely important for our Sherpas.”The group left Kathmandu on Saturday (070407) morning for Base Camp, the trip taking up to 5 days the group to get there. They said that the drive up the Sun Khosi River to Kodari was magnificent, before they crossed Friendship Bridge into Tibet.
As I mentioned before about my family being pretty technologically backward, Ronnie (team leader) had to teach John how to send an sms, but he ended up phoning my mother anyway!
After heavy rainfall that night, they left Zangmu early so as to avoid the resulting landslides which were expected later in the day. “We arrived at Nyalam in time for brunch and then did a climb up to 4 100m to acclimatise. We rested this afternoon in the cold Snow Land Hotel where the four of us are sharing a room.”
On Monday, they did another acclimatisation climb up to 4 300m and got back to the village just before it started to snow. My cousin Mike and Andy inadvertently swapped thermal long johns, and they say the guys will never be the same again.
On Tuesday they drove to the little village of Tingri which is 4 200m above sea level. We’ll spend two nights there and do some further acclimatisation, but we are very pleased to hear that all is going well.
I'll keep the updates coming!
Labels: 2007, everest, south africa
Monday, April 02, 2007
EverestSA2007 - Update 01
In 1922 George Leigh Mallory wrote the following "The first question which you will ask and which I must try to answer is this, 'What is the use of climbing Mount Everest?' and my answer must at once be, 'It is no use.' There is not the slightest prospect of any gain whatsoever. Oh, we may learn a little about the behaviour of the human body at high altitudes, and possibly medical men may turn our observation to some account for the purposes of aviation, but otherwise nothing will come of it. We shall not bring back a single bit of gold or silver, not a gem, nor any coal or iron. We shall not find a single foot of earth that can be planted with crops to raise food. It's no use. So, if you cannot understand that there is something in man which responds to the challenge of this mountain and goes out to meet it, that the struggle is the struggle of life itself upward and forever upward, then you won't see why we go. What we get from this adventure is just sheer joy. And joy is, after all, the end of life. We do not live to eat and make money. We eat and make money to be able to enjoy life. That is what life means and what life is for."
Two weeks ago Mike and John left for Nepal and finally Ronnie and Andy’s turn has come around. Before Mike flew to Kathmandu, he had this to say: “I guess the show is on the road for John and me. It’s been a hectic few days and will be some relief to get on the plane to Nepal.Thanks for all your inspiration and support during the lead-up and it’s been a privilege being associated with you. I think we’re going to make a really good team and look forward to hooking up in Kathmandu.
I know you guys will be very busy in the workplace over the next two weeks – but vasbyt and don’t stress too much – the mountains beckon!!!”
It has certainly been a hectic and stressful 2 weeks, but the mountains do beckon and we’re on our way.
The first radio crossing with Nic Marais and KFM took place this morning at 07:45 am.
These crossings will take place from now on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning at the same time.
Watch this space for updates!!
With warm regards from the South African team.
UPDATE 17H00: As fate would have it, we just received the following mail from cousin Mike, and my uncle John, which I add below:
From: "Mike Patterson"
Subject: everest 2007
Date: Mon, 02 Apr 2007 12:24:20 +0000
Hi all
John & I have just returned to Katmandoo after a great climb in the Langtang Valley which is just south of the Tibetan border. We managed to include 3 climbs ranging between 4700 & 5000 m and are now fully acclimatised to this altitude; we’re .both well and in good spirits.
Ronnie & Andy arriving tomorrow am - we have a hectic few days ahead of our departure for Tibet on 7/4. Looking forward to a few steaks at the Everest steak house in order to put on a few lost kilos.
best regards
Mike & John
Labels: 2007, everest, south africa
Friday, March 16, 2007
EverestSA2007 - Inspirational!
In my previous post I mentioned inspiration; how we need people who inspire us by the things they do, whether big or small. I don’t have to look too far to find it, as my uncle John Brand (that's him right - promise) from East London and my 2nd cousin Mike Patterson from Cape Town, both avid mountaineers, will be attempting to summit the north side of Mt Everest next month as part of a 4-man South African team (with team leader Ronnie Muhl and Andy van der Velde).The thing about John is that he had a micro-lite accident 11 years ago, breaking his legs and resulting in years of operations and the fear of not being able to walk, run or climb again properly. But the man is a determined one (or should I say a Brand!), and was up and training again as soon as he could.
He's done loads of Argus Cycle Tours, 2 Oceans Marathons, even a couple of Comrades Marathons are now jotted down on his CV. He and Mike had family and friends in Cape Town and East London in a flat spin when we didn’t hear from them while they were gallivanting on Aconcagua, located in Argentina. It’s the highest peak in the Americas, the highest in the Southern Hemisphere, and the highest peak outside of Asia. He has also been on Denali (The High One in the Native Athabascan language) American word for North America's highest peak, Mount McKinley in the mountain chain called the Alaska Range. John also climbed Mera Peak in the Himalayas. John, Mike and his sister Carol tackled Kilimanjaro - Africa's majestic mount! (Pictured left to right Mike, Ronnie, Andy and John)Mike is one of those guys you see going up Table Mountain for a morning jog, and he's 'done' Denali and Cho Oyu (8201m) in Tibet in 2005.
Ronnie, from Kommetjie, has written some books about his inspirational experiences, having climbed four the Seven Summits already: Aconcagua in South America, Denali in Alaska, Kilimanjaro in Africa and Mount Elbrus in Russia, and then last year when he had to turn back from the summit of Mt Everest because of a faulty mask and the wind wanted to send him crashing – 148 vertical meters from the top. Juslike! Andy has reached the summits of Kilimanjaro, Elbrus and Aconcagua.So now it’s back to Mt Everest – just this time with my uncle. Pretty inspirational. The group’s website Everest Expedition SA 2007 is going to follow their progress – I can’t imagine John sending any emails as he has just mastered the SMS! They are involved in some unique medical research , where it is likely that they will be recording the highest ECG curves ever taken - they'll be using an Event Recorder, which will measure their heart rate which info will be emailed to doctors at the base camp below. Higher up they might have to write it down... .
They arrive in Nepal on the 3rd of April 2007 and leave Kathmandu on the 7th of April for Base Camp, to begin their acclimatisation process. They hope to summit towards the end of May.It’s pretty hectic stuff. Almost like – cool, but rather someone else’s family… But. He and Mike are putting their noses to the wind and following their dreams. Makes me want to do the same. Go South Africa! Go family!!!
John is a Brand, so you can be sure he’ll keep his shorts on! Ill keep you updated.
Labels: 2007, everest, south africa
