Photo by Cooper Browning

While spending several months in South Africa, I had the most amazing oppurtunity to help a very special organization.  The organizations name speaks for itself “Siyanakekela,” Zulu for “We Care.”  Located in the heart of the Umlazi township on the East Coast of Durban, South Africa, the small yet significant organization raises through crime and poverty to aid the hunger of Aids/HIV inflicted children. 

Working closely with Cooper Browning, an American amassador of goodwill for the organization, I had the chance to experience the hardships and triumphs of such a remarkable foundation.  Browning, a US student with independant studies of Nutrition and Aids/HIV, discovered the organization while persuing her degree at Global College.  She worked alongside the organization for 4 months. In her quest to expand the organization’ s mission to relieve hunger, upon her return to America, shes has since brought the cause to international attention. 

Browning will soon work to develope a US non-profit oragnization that will aid Siyanakekela and her sister organizations.  The Spirrs Team will work closely with its progress. We are proud supporters of Siyanakekela and Cooper Browning in their efforts to end hunger amoung the growing Aids Orphans population in Umlazi, South Africa. 

Please stayed tuned for more posted on the developing organization and my life changing experince.

For more information on Siyanakekela click here.

As, we were casually perusing through the abundant labels in a speciality wine store, we came across this. What a find! This might have been one of the best purchases I’ve made while in South Africa.  A wine called “Hat Trick.” The taste was just as brilliant as the label. At a heafty cost of around 300 Rand (approximately 30 USD) it was amazingly expensive compared the the wonderful wines you can get at a fraction of the price. 

So, for the Spirrsguy’s take on Welbedacht’s 2005 Hat Trick:  Full Bodied, a bit woody, lots of essence fig and berries, finishes nice, smooth and fresh on the back palate.  Excellent wine, and a good year. It’s called Hat Trick for goodness sake!

Be sure to bring one back as a WC2010 SA souvenir.  Cheers!

Here are some cool images of the New World Cup 2010 Stadium being built in Cape Town.

Fifa.com-Cape Town is building a new stadium for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. The stadium will be in the suburb of Green Point, which the stadium is also named after.  Fans will be a stone’s throw from the ocean and the mountains of Cape Town will be the backdrop for matches.  The location is ideal as it is a short walk from the transportation hub of the city. The new stadium precinct will be built on part of the land currently occupied by a golf course.  Upon completion, Green Point stadium will have a gross seating capacity of 70,000 and it is scheduled for completion by 2009.  Cape Town has another world-standard stadium, Newlands, but is primarily used as a rugby union stadium. The stadium has, however, hosted Tottenham Hotspur in 2003, as part of their South African tour.  The 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa has offered the city the opportunity to build a multi-purpose international stadium that will be used for a variety of events after the tournament has left Cape Town’s shores.

These photos where taken from the top of Cape Towns famous Table Mountain, overlooking all of the Cape.

So, while I was in South Africa I did have the luxury of fine eating and drinking.  When we weren’t on the town at posh new restaruants and classic eateries, we did get to make our own meals.  When I returned to the states, I seemingly lost 20 pounds.  Now, it might have been the lack of training/lifting, and the lost of muscle mass.  And some might joke around, but I contribute it to the ‘squirrel’ diet as we like to call it, other might call it the re-cooper-ation diet.  Above, is a picture of such a meal. 

Description (lower right, clockwise): carrot medallions, mushroom slivers, grape tomatoes, carrot STICKS…beat and carrot mixed bowl…cheese slices…ginger ale, Gin, Vodka, tonic, and Cuervo.

Please note: It is ill-advise that anyone try this as an entire meal.  For any normal person, this should be a supplement to an full coursed meal.

Now, one of South Africa’s most popular snacks is something called Biltong.  If you don’t know what Biltong is, here is a beautifully depicted story of Biltong.  Much like beef jerky here in America, it is enjoyed by many through the country.  My personal favorite is the Ostrich Biltong.  And if your up for a more gamey taste, try the Spring Bok.  You’ll get the “essense” of South Africa.

These photo were taken in the famous Gateway Shopping Mall in Umhlanga, Durban.  Please note: You can get Biltong anywhere in SA…I mean anywhere. Also, just as a precaution. If you fell in love with the delicacy as I did, and you decide that it would be the perfect gift for friends and family back here, just be sure not to tell customs on your return trip to the states.  U.S. Customs regulations aren’t too found of foreign cured meats entering the country.  But I’ll tell you what…I know a couple Custom Agents who don’t know much about South Africa, and they LOVE Biltong.

Cheers!

You walk away a lot cleaner when you bath in the daytime anyway. Durban Beach.

This was taking prior to boarding a small tour boat in St. Lucia.  “Offenders will be Eaten”

This photo was capturedd on the boardwalk of durban beach.  Truely amazing how the the country’s sport can be so outwardly banned.  Perhaps its good intentions are reserved for “player safety.” I mean who doesn’t hate them damn “dogs fouling” ya!?

“In a changing country , a new voice has rise.  In a transforming society, a new generation has evolved.  In a modernizing South Africa, a new way of thinking has developed.”

There has always been debate on political, cultural and society issues of a country torn by apartheid, but now more than ever voices and opinions of those once limited technology and opportunity can be heard.  With the ever growing trend of blogging and the use of the web, the South African youth is finding it a bit easier to interact, critique and discuss national issues.  One such weblog arises from the communities of Phoenix of Durban, SA.  It’s called “Youth In Short.” A blog determined to “uplift the South African youth” and to empower youth through education, discussion and critical thinking.  Simply put, author Quinto Kippen describes, “We are here to share ideas and engage in wholesome discussion for the youth globally.” 

Kippen, author of five books on life, religion and philosophy, is an advocate of educational empowerment provides his community with a supplemental experience of learning and an alternative to traditional school by holding Leadership and Team-Building Camps.  Needing to broaden his audience, Youth in short not only becomes a local medium for voices to be heard, it creates a collective national and global background for voices to interact.

To learn more about the topics discussed, Visit Youth in Short.
To Learn more about Quinton Kippon, Visit My School Days.

Click to Download Kippon’s publications below:

And, PLEASE, if there is some place you found pub-crawling one night, that is not on the list, but is on your TOP 10, you have to leave a comment telling us all Where? What? and How? it was…and spare us the detail…this is not that kind of website. Cheers!

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Remember… Let Us Know the places you’ve been to, places you’ll go back to, and the places you would never…and yes, please keep it clean!

To read more about each one of Bars, Clubs, Lounges or Social Gathering Sites seen on this map, Go to the Bars and nightlife page where you can read reviews and experience on all fun and not so fun places…

Here is a list of other interesting things to Explore in South Africa:

• Things to Do
• Cities
• Culture and Language
• Food and Drink
• How to Get There?
• Living
• Transportation
• Random Stuff
• Maps