Introducing Ballito News Online
Just wanted to drop a quick note and let you know about a new project I have been working on. The site is called Ballito News Online, which is a community based site, of local news & events for Ballito, where I stay.
The site was built using WordPress & uses the Tribune theme. We will also offer news such as Community news & Neighbourhood watch news, as well as local and upcoming events.
We also have sections where people can submit news and events using Gravity Forms, which is such an awesome WordPress Plugin.
Would love to hear your thoughts and comments on the site. You can check it out on http://www.BallitoNews.co.za
Gadgets & Gizmos – The Ballito Sept
My 2nd Gadgets & Gizmos column has just been published in The Ballito magazine. The mag hit the streets of Durbs & Ballito today and covers a whole variety of stuff & events on the KZN North Coast.
This edition I covered the awesome GirlGuides.co.za site, as well as the Tech4Africa conference I attended last month. I also take a look at the new Samsung Wave, and the must have gadget for the boys for Christmas this year, a gyrocopter.
You can download a PDF copy of the article here. Would also love to hear your feedback, and see if there is anything you think I should cover.
Dead whale on Ballito Beach
UPDATE: To see what happened to the Whale and how they got rid of it, check out this post
Yesterday morning, I saw a tweet from Justin saying there was a dead whale on the beach in Ballito. Because I was still in Jozi, my wife went down to have a look and took a couple of pics. I went down earlier today, and I am amazed by the size of the thing !! It is massive.and hectically stinky !!
According to the Timeslive & IOL websites the whale is still a baby and apparently has been dead for about 4 days. By the sounds of things, it will only be moved tomorrow, where they will attempt to move it back into the sea and let nature takes it’s course.
The white marks you see on the top of the whale are bite marks from Sharks. Gonna be very interesting to see how they get it back out to sea, it didn’t look it would budge pretty easily.
Here are a couple of photos taken by my wife yesterday morning.
Brings a whole new meaning to #FailWhale :P
Prime Zulu on Idols
For the first time in a long long time, I have actually enjoyed watching Idols this season. Usually I wait till the latter stages of the competition before actually watching, but this year, I have watched both episodes that have been shown already.
Tonight’s episode was the guys & girls from my home town, Durbs by the sea. There were a couple of really good contestants this eve, and one of them that really stuck out for me, was a guy by the name of Prime Zulu. He hails from a township just outside of Durban, called Kwa Mashu. He tought himself how to play the guitar, after his father has played guitar for most of his life. He sang his rendition of John Legend’s “So High”, playing the guitar as he sang. After the judges told him that he made it through to the next round, he broke down in tears.
But, this isn’t the first time Prime has entered Idols. In fact, last year, we also entered, and also went through to the next round, but didn’t make it through oto the final. But from his performance tonight, it looks like he has upped his game. He has also ben playing regularly at a club in Kwa Mashu called The Fusion Room, usually on a Sunday afternoon set.
This from the Idols website:
Prime Zulu’s father inspired him to love music and watching his father play guitar gave Prime the resolve to learn how to play his own. His dedication comes from his love of music, and his need to succeed is born from self-preservation. When Prime entered the audition room and let his song fill the air the judges were blown away.
Here is Prime Zulus story, and below that is his audition. I really hope he gets to the finals along with last weeks star, Elvis Blue
Here is his audition:
Good luck :)
Durban needs to bid for the 2020 or 2024 Olympic Games
So the curtain has been drawn on the worlds biggest sports spectacle. The last month has literally been a blur, and every single person I have spoken to in the last month, has mentioned soccer. But it’s not only that. It is the manner in which we did this. We pulled it off. No one can say we messed up. Yes, there was a glitch with the airport in Durbs. Yes, there was a mugging here and there. But overall, I think we get a 9.999 out of 10. But what now ? What’s the next step ? Do we smile and bask in the glory of the world cup, and say “yes” we did it? We need to think forward. We need to think “What next ?”
Durban has received 2 brilliant write ups over the last week. An article by Washington Post columnist Steve Goff, entitled “Oh Durban, where have you been my whole World Cup?”, is an inspiring look at Durban by a foreign journalist. Former London financial times sports editor, David Owen, also adds another perspective to Durban in a piece called “I think I have seen Africa’s first Olympic city.“ These 2 articles add an outsiders perspective to this amazing & versatile city.
The Moses Mabhida stadium could easily be given first prize for the most picturesque stadium of the world cup. The fact that it is less than 200m from the Indian ocean, gives it a sub-tropical holiday feel when looking at it from the overhead helicopter shops. My experience of the stadium has been beyond all my expectations. From my first visit while the stadium was still being built, through to a visit with the family to the top of the arch, right through to my 2 games, I simply cannot fault it on anything. Really.
Durban has been tipped to bid for either the 2020 or 2024 Summer Olympic games. Emperor Sepp has given his blessing, as well as President Jacob Zuma. Durban & KZN are fully capable of hosting the Olympic games. The fact that 80% of the events can be held within a 3km radius from the Moses Mabhida stadium bodes well for the bid. Durban already has everything in place, and after doing a research, I can only see the need to maybe build one or 2 new venues, if that. KZN has hosted numerous sporting events over the last couple of years, with a couple big ones lined up. Pietermarizburg is hosting the World BMX championships in 3 weeks time !! We also host the world biggest ultra marathon, as one of the, if not THE, biggest river canoe race, the Duzi canoe marathon.
I been thinking about this a lot lately after reading some of the articles above, and I honestly think we can do it. Everything is in place, and with a few tweaks at the airport, which is being continuously expanded, Durban has everything in place to bid for the Olympics. After doing a bit of research I put together a list of venues, which can be used in and around Durban & KZN, for the various Olympic sports:
I really hope Durban gets their act together and bids for an Olympic Games. Imagine hosting THE worlds largest sporting event on African soil. Wow, after the feeling of euphoria after the amazing world cup, I can’t imagine how we will feel when the Olympic Flame is put out.
Below is a map with some of the venues showing their proximity:
Flickr Photos
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