Cape Chameleon Issue 17

Issue No. 17 Cape Town Part Two 2012

Sponsored by:

The Bo-Kaapa unique area oF cape Town

our conTriBuTorS

© Cape Chameleon, published by Projects Abroad, South Africa, 2012. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of Projects Abroad. Views and opinions expressed in Cape Chameleon are not necessarily those of Projects Abroad. The publisher can accept no liability or loss in connection with the contents of the publication. The publisher has made every effort to contact the copyright holder for permission to use images.

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DirectoryEditor

Rebecca Hugo-Saraceno

Assistant EditorKelly Easton

Copy Editor Gerhard Jacobs

DesignAntonio Gallo

Fabiola SanchezLucano Maldonado

Cover imagesFront: Mark Wijsman

& inside back: Atsushi Hirao

Printed byColourtone Press

on FSC certified paper

ContactCape Chameleon

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Brodie RoadWynberg

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(t) +27(0)21 761 5707(e) press@capechameleon.co.za

www.capechameleon.co.za

Tim BroCksmiThIllinois, USA

Tim has enjoyed his time with the cape chameleon and now returns to his homeland to continue his studies of philosophy and international relations at the university of illinois.

ChrisTinE kollanDGraz, Austria

Deciding what to do for a living is what brought chrissi to cape Town. So far, she discovered her love of travelling and meeting people. Growing up will have to wait a little bit longer…

kElvin BurkarDFrankfurt, Germany

Kelvin (18) is definitely a guy to laugh with, that’s why you’ll mostly find him in a good mood. when he finishes school, he looks forward to spending a gap year abroad.

kaTharina langsEThOslo, Norway

Katharina is studying photo-journalism in norway, so she didn’t complain when she could escape the winter this year and work in cape Town. She hopes to work on documentaries, to travel and to experience new cultures.

CamillE DouxFontainebleau, France

camille (19) would like to study journalism. She has a passion for dancing and travel. She is also interested in human rights and volunteered in capricorn township.

lukas loosEBaden-Baden, Germany

after finishing school, Lukas was looking for a challenging new experience in a foreign country, which he finally found at the journalism project in cape Town. He is interested in arts, architecture and fashion.

JuliEn FrEunDParis, France

Julien has a degree in social sciences and wants to study journalism and international affairs when he returns to paris. He has a passion for music, cinema and especially for travelling.

Daan PaarDEkooPErWateringen, Netherlands

Daan (18) is starting university this coming semester. He is interested in modern culture and media. He enjoys playing the guitar and singing.

DaniEl gEorgEMagdeburg, Germany

Back home, Daniel (19) is studying journalism. During his three months in cape Town he fell in love with the city – especially with the minibus taxis. as one of the tallest guys in the Mother city, travelling on them was an enjoyable challenge every day.

Thomas ThissElinMetz, France

Thomas is a keen football fan and having managed to work hard at university and at playing the violin, he wants to reconcile this study by specialising in writing music reviews.

BEnEDiCTE gErBoTNice, France

after completing her degree in information Science, Benedicte immersed herself in the history of religion at nice university. She loves travelling and hopes to fulfil her dream of becoming an award winning journalist.

JEssiCa s. sallStockholm, Sweden

after finishing her political studies, Jessica hopes to go in to journalism with the aim of becoming a war reporter in africa. She has a passion for art, environmental issues and skydiving.

JanE sEiFriCkTexas, USA

Jane (21) studies business and journalism at home and likes Texas, travelling, truffle-fries, true personalities, Taylor Swift, tall heels and tulips.

hEnry WEBBBath, UK

Henry is currently in his second year studying geography at Bath Spa university in the uK. He enjoys travelling and learning about different cultures.

Johanna graFlunDStockholm, Sweden

Johanna just graduated from high school and always enjoyed writing, but wanted to travel before she goes to university. Therefore, it seemed perfect for her to go to South africa to mix travel and journalism!

vinCEnT ZoBlErMetz, France

Vincent has just finished a Master’s degree in european union law and would like to study journalism. He found cape Town to be full of contrasts and enjoyed his stay in South africa.

w elcome to part Two of our special cape Town issue. The Mother city is such a fascinating, eclectic place that we thought

we’d split a few thought-provoking articles into two separate magazines, with this issue focusing a little more on the up and coming cultural and design elements, as well as presenting some of the contrasts and beauties of this diverse city-space.

we take a look at the charming area of the Bo-Kaap, with its distinctive houses in the Malay quarter (pp. 2–3), which is steeped with history surrounding the removal of residents in District Six during apartheid. we also visit a township resident in capricorn for a personal account of the problems facing those without proper housing (pp. 4–5). we highlight the promise of design in creating reliable solutions to run-down spaces and enhancing society, as seen in The Fringe district (pp. 26–27) and how art can make an impact in the fight against aiDS (see pp. 24–25).

as well as celebrating cape Town gearing up for its title of world Design capital 2014, we can also be overjoyed to hear the news that the country will be leading the way forward in the arena of global science and engineering with the Square Kilometre array (pp. 16–17). This radio telescope, which is to be constructed with two of the three receiver components in africa, hopes to answer fundamental questions in astronomy, physics and cosmology. That’s one powerful piece of equipment and a great opportunity for South africa.

it wouldn’t be an issue on cape Town if we didn’t mention a few tasty eateries. after all, that’s one of the most noteworthy reasons to enjoy living here. So check out our reviews on the classic Hq – the place which demonstrates there is no need to pore over long menus (pp. 32–33) and the trendy Jackal & Hide for a delicious, opulent experience (pp. 34–35). and when you’ve satisfied your stomach, then give your ears a treat and listen to the local band The Brothers Streep (pp. 30–31) for some entertaining tunes to make you even more proud to be capetonian.

editor’s note

REBECCA HUGO-SARACENOEditor

ContentsIssue No. 17 2012

eDiTor’S noTeon ThE horiZon

coVer STorYThE Bo-kaaP

HuManS riGHTSToWnshiPs living

Green acTioninTroDuCing sEgWay

HeaLTHyoga

organ DonaTion

BrillianT BEEr

newS arenakony 2012 CamPaign

ThE sQuarE kilomETrE array

SpoTLiGHTsTrEETWirE

CollEEn’s PlaCE oF hoPE

kEiskamma arT ProJECT

arT & cuLTureThE FringE

JaZZ musiC

ThE BroThErs sTrEEP

reViewhEaDQuarTErs

JaCkal & hiDE

SporT kiCkBoxing

FaceS & pLaceS norWay

uSeFuL conTacTSDirECTory

The Bo-Kaapone worD: unique

‘The Bo-Kaap is a part of Cape Town that has a vibrant history linked to slavery, the history of Islam and the group areas’, explained Paul Tichmann, a curator in the Iziko Social History Centre. Tichmann, living in Cape Town for two years now, is responsible for the Iziko Bo-Kaap Museum. After a few minutes talking to him it is easy to recognise that his knowledge about the small residential area – less than two kilometres in length and less than half a kilometre at its widest point – is extensive. There is a lot to learn about the entire Bo-Kaap area, today home for about 300 thousand people. The Bo-Kaap, with reference to the Malay language previously known as the Malay Quarter, basically consists of four areas: Stadzicht, Schotsche Kloof, Schoone Kloof and the Malay Quarter. Most of the houses were built in the early 19th century and are an example of Cape Dutch or Georgian architecture.

Reflecting on the history The museum building at 71 Wale Street, also a characteristic of Cape Dutch architecture, is one of the oldest houses in the area – an adequate place to tell historical stories about the Bo-Kaap. In 1978, eight years after the building underwent restoration, the museum was established. At this time the house was already declared a national monument. Nowadays several exhibitions deal with the Islamic culture or the expansion of Cape Town and show the lifestyle of the Bo-Kaap community. ‘The Museum should reflect the social history of the Bo-Kaap area’, said Tichmann, ‘there are various aspects of the history of Bo-Kaap and the history of Islam in the Cape is a big part of that.’

First mosque in South AfricaIn the 18th century the area was home to immigrant artisans and craftsmen of European origin as well as ‘free black’ immigrants from Asia and freed slaves. After the emancipation of the slaves in 1834, the immigrants started to leave the area and moved to suburbs. Meanwhile many of the freed slaves moved to the Bo-Kaap. The result: a mixed neighbourhood with a large number of Muslims. Slaves from the east brought the Muslim faith in and still today the majority of the population in the area is of the Muslim faith.

WorDs Daniel George

Some places in the world can only be described in one word: unique. There can be no other comparison, as no other spot is like that one. The Bo-Kaap area above the central Business District in cape Town belongs to that rare category. The colourful, distinctive architecture combined with an eventful history makes this a unique area in the Mother city.

Cape Chameleon cover Story Issue 17 2012

Places like the Tana Baru, a Muslim cemetery that was the first burial ground for Cape Muslims, or the Muslim schools (madressas) in some of the mosques are important elements of the religion. One of the most fascinating pieces of Islamic culture in the Bo-Kaap is the Auwal Mosque, which was built in 1794 and was the first mosque in South Africa. ‘There are about ten mosques in the area. The Auwul Mosque is very significant. For me it brings a feeling of the struggles of the Muslim people and what they had to go through. For many years, Islam was discriminated against, but it survived and grew in spite of that’, Tichmann explained, highlighting the stony road of Muslim people, who were not allowed to practice Islam in public until 1804. Afterwards they were finally able to live the Muslim way of life, creating a unique part of Cape Town with a vital and varied social life.

Celebrating the Minstrel CarnivalIntroduced by the slaves, who originally celebrated their only day off work in the whole year on 2 January, the so-called ‘Minstrel Carnival’ is celebrated each year. On that day the streets are not just streets anymore, they turn into a big party place: singing and dancing everywhere, parades with carnival groups playing loud music and people wearing glittery clothes with painted faces.

‘The carnival and the carnival groups played an important role in the Bo-Kaap. A lot of people still look forward it. Actually one of the exhibitions in the museum deals with the carnival’, said Tichmann, but: ‘There is a debate going on over the carnival today. Some people feel it is commercialised. Some people do not really see it as a part of their culture.’

Against gentrificationThe debate over the carnival is not the only one going on in the area right in the heart of the city. For a couple of years the major issue for Bo-Kaap inhabitants is the struggle against gentrification. Some commentators within the Bo-Kaap argue that the authorities are trying to move poor people out of the city centre and a way to do that is to increase rates. Some residents complain that high rates are putting the people under pressure. Facing this financial pressure some of them were already forced

to sell their properties. Furthermore, the residents, often living in the area for generations, are scared gentrification is changing the nature of the Bo-Kaap. Sadly, it seems that the struggle against gentrification will continue for a while.

Tourist attractionRegardless of the gentrification issue, the Bo-Kaap attracts a large number of tourists every day, especially to see the colourful houses, beautified by their owners. Yet not only the architecture is worth a visit. ‘There are many interesting stories just waiting to be told’, stated Paul Tichmann. Take your time, talk to the residents and you will discover this rare place in the world, which can only be described in one word: unique.

Still standing: The Auwal Mosque, built in 1794, was the first mosque in South Africa.

one of the most fascinating pieces of the islamic culture in the Bo-Kaap is the auwal Mosque, which was built in 1794 and was the first mosque in South africa.

People in the Bo-Kaap are struggling against gentrification to keep their homes and maintain the charm of this unique part of Cape Town.

Characteristic colourful houses in the Bo-Kaap with Lion’s Head in the background – a picturesque view to enjoy.

Paul Tichmann points to an old picture of the Bo-Kaap. As a curator in the Iziko Social History Centre his knowledge about the history of the area right in the heart of the city is extensive.

Cape Chameleon Human rights Issue 17 2012

Township LivingTHe True Face oF cape Town

The townships are vast clusters of slums and these fragile habitats house some of the poorest people in South Africa. They are located to the east of Table Mountain, in an area known as the Cape Flats. The largest of the townships of Cape Town is Khayelitsha, which means ‘new home’ in Xhosa. It is one of the fastest-growing townships in the country, with more than 400 thousand residents and counting. The ethnic composition of Khayelitsha is approximately 90.5% black African, 8.5% coloured and 0.5% white, with Xhosa being the predominant language spoken here. When you look at the age demographic it is hard to believe that more than 40% of the people living in Khayelitsha are 19 years and younger; and one can only start to think of the social implications of growing up in such an underprivileged environment.

How did they appear? The townships are a product of the apartheid government. On 7 July 1950, the Nationalist government introduced the Group Areas Act, forcing different racial groups within South Africa to live in areas set out by government. These areas were generally far-removed from city centres and as such all non-whites were moved to the outskirts of urbanised areas. An example of this is the case of District Six, an area of Cape Town formerly inhabited by predominantly coloured people.

District Six used to be one of the most culturally diverse and vibrant areas of Cape Town, before the apartheid government decided to impose the Group Areas act on this community. In 1966, the government said that this area was

WorDs Camille Doux

informal settlements, more commonly referred to as townships, make for hotbeds of crime due to the large number of impoverished people living in them. These settlements contain the largest portion of the greater cape Town population, with around a million people estimated to reside in these areas.

to be inhabited by whites only, and the demolition of the district began in 1968. In the 15 years that followed, 60 thousand people were moved 30km away from town, to an area known as the Cape Flats. With the exception of religious buildings, the whole neighbourhood was razed. Today the District Six Museum recalls the atrocities of the apartheid era and the culture and history of the region before the transfer. In addition to its function as a museum, it also serves as a memorial to a decimated community, a meeting place and a profound legacy project.

Since the fall of apartheid in 1994, the South African government has recognised the claims of former residents of the region, and pledged to support the reconstruction. In 2003, work began on the first new buildings: 24 houses were reconstructed and handed back to previous inhabitants. On February 11, 2004, exactly 38 years after the area was rezoned by the government, former president Nelson Mandela handed over the keys to the first returning residents, Ebrahim Murat and Dan Ndzabela.

Living conditions30-year-old Colleen has been living in Capricorn, a township near the Cape Flats, her entire life. She inherited the house her father built using recycled materials like cardboard, plastic and corrugated iron. The interior is in a desperate state though, with the carpet laid on bare sand, offering little insulation. Colleen and her three children share the space of just 20 square metres and sleep in the same bed. Yet they place themselves among the lucky ones. Most

of the houses in this area are not more than 10 square metres, highlighting the overcrowded nature of the townships.

With her home falling apart around her due to age, Colleen must do what she can to make the best of her current living conditions – on rainy days she uses pots and pans to catch the water leaking through the roof. Toilets are located outside of the house and shared with neighbours (seven people in total using one toilet). The latter are almost never cleaned and the door has been damaged by the wind. Hygiene and privacy remains to be desired and due to the lack of plumbing there is no shower. To wash, Colleen fills a bowl with water. For food, chicken, rice and potatoes are a daily staple; they’re cheap and fill your stomach, but when Colleen has no money, bread and tea will have to do.

An oppressive atmosphere prevails in the townships. Colleen never leaves her house without supervision, because the neighbourhood children, many of them part of gangs are constantly on the lookout for easy targets.

‘They wait for the first opportunity to rob you,’ she said. The lock on the door is a simple padlock and the windows are plastic, so it is very easy to enter the house. It is also risky when Colleen goes to bed, as a woman and three children can easily be attacked. The night is never quiet: many people abuse alcohol, a tell-tale sign of socio-economic degradation; some organising dog fights for money and others fighting each other. Colleen went on to say, ‘It is even more dangerous to walk alone in the townships

present, according to government reports. The misery is expected to increase, though, with the economic downturn affecting the country for the first time in 17 years.

‘Although South Africa has not been as affected as other countries (by the crisis), its consequences now clearly affect our economy. We are in recession,’ said President Jacob Zuma in his 2009 State of the Nation Address. ‘The economic downturn will affect the rate at which our country will be able to address the economic and social problems, but this will not affect our goals for development,’ President Zuma added immediately after. During his election campaign, the now South African president pledged to do more for the most disadvantaged among people living in the townships: ‘We must act to minimise this negative impact on the most vulnerable,’ he had said. ‘Our employees are struggling to feed their families and struggling to find work, communities are without clean water, decent housing and proper sanitation, children cannot afford to have a good education. The fight against poverty remains the cornerstone of our government’, he later added. ‘The people demand decent housing, job creation and more efficient public services’.

With the decentralisation of housing development from national government to provincial governments, the pace of construction has increased. The red tape involved with the allocation of funds has been reduced and more and more people are enjoying the right to safe and clean living circumstances. There is, however, a

Colleen’s house in Capricorn is only 20 square metres and there is no water and electricity for the four people it shelters.

Colleen’s house has only two rooms – the one is divided into both a kitchen and a living room and the other is a bedroom for four people.

long way to go before the wrongs of the past are regressed and it will not be easy. Corruption, tender fraud and an escalating amount of homeless people add to the pressure on provincial governments to perform and only time will tell whether definite progress has been made. There is, however, hope in the form of private investors and non-profit organisations helping out where possible.

If the township legacy left by the apartheid government could teach us one thing, it is that the human spirit can endure more than anyone can imagine; and that transparent and efficient governance creates an environment where economic growth becomes a reality to all.

when you‘re a stranger, because you can be robbed and killed.’ Fighting is part of daily life for people in the townships and this is true even for children, who take their cue from their parents. However, according to Colleen, the police are quick to respond if you call them for help.

Colleen has been unemployed for two months. She used to work at ‘Little Eagles’, a nursery near her home, but even then her salary was barely enough to survive on. ‘I resigned because my boss did not pay me the last month without explanation,’ she said. The government, however, provides a child welfare grant of R300 per child, which is barely enough to buy clothes, food and school equipment. Colleen is also fortunate enough to not have to pay for medical care, because there are public hospitals. These are overcrowded though and patients can wait up to a day before seeing a doctor for a consultation.

Despite all the adversity she faces on a daily basis, Colleen is very optimistic. She plans to find a new job and become more independent, to send her children to good schools, and above all, have her own brick house. Two years ago she applied for government housing, but the demand far exceeds the supply and the waiting lists are long.

The future ... Since the end of apartheid many advances have been made, including the construction of 2.8 million homes. The amount of families living in slums has dropped from four million during the apartheid era, to around one million at

Photo: Camille Doux

Colleen’s toilet is outside her house and seven other people share it. The door was broken due to the force of the wind.

Cape Chameleon Green action Issue 17 2012

Introducing SegwayTHe perSonaL TranSporTer

Ever heard of a Segway? The Segway Personal Transporter (PT) is a high-tech two-wheeled device, operated by computers and electric-motors that can travel up to a speed of 21kph. It is the world’s first self-balancing transporter. By leaning slightly forwards or backwards, the PT moves in the same direction. To turn left or right the driver simply has to move the handlebar either to the left or to the right. The Segway PT makes it possible to move through places where cars and bikes cannot. Even off-road tracks are not a problem, as there is a specific off-road version with bigger tyres and a bigger, stable body part. This model is named the Segway x2, which can be seen as the ‘Land Rover’ in the Segway world. The standard model is called the i2 and is more agile than the x2. In addition both models are available in different versions. How it all began? The Segway PT was unveiled for the first time in 2001 on the ABC News morning programme ‘Good Morning America’ in Manhattan. Since then it has caused much sensation. Steve Jobs for instance called it ‘a bigger deal than the PC’, but a few others also called it a geeky or nerdy vehicle, which is useless and unneeded, as a result it was often made fun of in comedy series and cartoons.

But when petrol prices started their endless ascent and emissions and environmental awareness became more important, the Segway PT became more attractive and worthwhile, which also has a lot to do with Segway developments. More sporty models are available and its design and analogue control have been edited. The PT has become so popular that not only has it appeared in numerous films, but there is even a film just about Segway PTs themselves. The film was produced by two young men who quit their jobs and began the adventure of their lives – riding from Seattle to Boston on a PT. The documentation of their trip has brought them a lot of positive feedback. The New York Times’ has even called them ‘pioneers’.

WorDs Kelvin Burkard

is it not one of the greatest feelings to ride your bicycle through a terrific forest and enjoy nature? others may say walking through a forest is even more exciting, but aren’t both methods better than using a car? apart from not being able to see much from the car and not getting to breathe in the great fresh air, cars also pollute our environment and have high fuel costs. So can you imagine an alternate means of transport that is non-polluting, effortless and offering one a fun ride?

The Segway PT provides an excellent way to get around town without worrying about parking or to explore parks and rough terrain when it’s too far to walk.

Photo: courtesy of Segway Inc.

The Segway pT is a valuable vehicle with many useful functions. it has managed to find its way into many important institutions, for instance police departments have their own individual model, the Segway patroller, with specialised gadgets.

Despite the fact the ten-year lasting patent revealed that there are not too many competitive companies, there are inventions like a two-wheeled electric scooter similar to the Segway and also a version without steering post, as a special feature. And the Honda U3-x which is a single-wheel transporter manoeuvred in seated position, designed as a transporter through offices and in public buildings. And still there are more to come... Where is it used?The Segway PT is a valuable vehicle with many useful functions. It has managed to find its way into many important institutions, for instance police departments have their own individual model, the Segway Patroller, with specialised gadgets. Segway PTs were even used by special police forces at the Olympic summer games in 2008 and at many other events. Nevertheless, as it is also fun to use and as a result it has found its way into the sports world too. In 2004, Segway Polo began, which today is an international sport with its own world cup and championships of all kinds. It seems like PTs are popping up all over the place, nowadays even pizza is delivered on them! The owner of an Italian restaurant in New Hemisphere, Florida stood up against high fuel prices by coming up with this idea. Apparently, the Segway PT is a great alternative to other common vehicles, but with a price of R80,000–120,000 not many are willing to buy it just yet. What’s next?After the Segway PT became successful, certain developers have now come up with new concepts and ideas for its use. One of them is the Segway Robotics Mobility Platform (RMP), which is a type of robot. It is not meant for public transportation, but instead for robotic research, scientific works and engineering – they can even pull trucks. They are little remote controlled ‘boxes on four wheels’ which can be equipped with all kinds of research tools. Other RMP models can look like the Segway PT with a table on top of it instead of a steering post. Since 2009, two other very interesting and extraordinary projects have been in progress: the PUMA (Personal Urban Mobility & Accessibility) concept and the EN-V concept, which both could be future alternatives to the car. The PUMA and EN-V are both two-wheeled electric vehicles with top-notch flexibility and movement.

With such a great success rate and constant new initiatives, in no time we’ll all want to be the proud owner of a Segway PT. So whether it’s for business or pleasure, the Segway PT definitely offers a non-polluting, effortless and a fun ride!

The Segway PUMA prototype is the next step in the product range, designed for longer distances yet still combining energy efficiency,

comfort and enjoyment for the user.

While you’re having so much fun you can rest assured you’re not damaging the environment.

Cape Chameleon Health 1 Issue 17 2012

Yoga TrYinG ouT THe TrenDY SporTWorDs Jane Seifrick

i’ve had a stressful day. usually when i need to relieve some stress or work out, i will go running or cycling outside. The idea of being stuck in a gym surrounded by the same things while i work out just doesn’t appeal to me. unfortunately, i suffered a stress fracture in my foot from running too much and too often about a year ago. i was completely devastated. How was i going to release my stress if i couldn’t run or do any of my normal exercise routines because of my foot? That is when a friend recommended yoga.

I had taken a few yoga classes before, but never got totally into the whole yoga craze. Yet in a desperate state of mind where I felt the need to work out somehow, I forced myself to go to a class.

After getting there 30 minutes early and signing in, I entered the room and immediately grabbed a spot in the back, not wanting to embarrass myself in front of the rest of the class whom I assumed had to be pros. The few people also in the room were lying on their backs on their mats, eyes closed and arms to their sides and palms

facing upwards. Not knowing what to do, I just decided to mimic them and do the same thing, even though it felt sort of strange at first – this pose is known as ‘Savasana’ and is commonly called the ‘corpse’ position and now happens to be one my favourites because it just involves relaxing. Towards the start of the class, more and more people kept piling in: men and women of all different shapes and sizes. It actually surprised me how many men practiced yoga.

When the instructor came in, she immediately turned the heat up to 41

degrees, put on calm and soothing music, and began to speak. She welcomed the beginners and instantly stressed to us the fact that yoga is not a competition and to know our limits and not go beyond them. As we lied on our backs in the relaxing savasana pose and listened to the calming music, the instructor told us to erase our minds and forget everything that had occurred earlier in the day or the week and to not think about plans for the evening or anything else. We just needed to focus on that moment, in the hot studio, concentrating on each pose.

: flic

The heart is the centre: a yoga student sits in a relaxing pose and holds good posture during an outdoor yoga festival.

Within minutes of being in the class, I was surprised at how stressfree I already felt. I instantly knew that yoga was going to become a big part of my life.

Before I became sort of a yogi myself, I was constantly hearing about it in the news, media, from friends, etc. In recent years especially, it seems that there has been a huge yoga craze amongst individuals all over the world. Celebrities endorse it. Presidents talk about their love for it. Newspapers and magazines constantly rave about its multiple benefits. I would always think to myself, ‘Why is everyone so obsessed with this whole yoga thing?’ The best way to understand the obsession is to actually attend a yoga class yourself and see its benefits firsthand.

Basic overview of yogaYoga is more than just simple stretches. It is a physical, mental and spiritual discipline. The goal of practising yoga is to attain a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquillity. By definition, yoga is focused on creating balance, strength, flexibility and relaxation in the body through a series of poses, postures, movements and breathing patterns. There are different types of yoga that all require different amounts of strength, balance, power and focus. In all types though, the concept of focused breathing while moving from one posture to the next remains constant.

In hot yoga, also known as Bikram Yoga, the temperature in the yoga room is turned up to at least 41 degrees. Bikram classes run exactly 90 minutes and consist of a set or series of 26 postures and two breathing exercises. The founder of the Bikram yoga style is a man named Bikram Choudhury who claims that his system stimulates and restores health to every muscle, joint and organ of the body. The especially hot studio is said to deepen stretching and injury prevention while reducing stress and tension. People taking a hot yoga class experience more fatigue, a higher heart rate, and a significantly greater amount of exhaustion compared to people in a regular class. In a hot room, your organs, glands and nerves are stimulated, and the heat allows for the release of toxins through sweating. Trust me, from my personal experience with hot yoga, you will be sweating a lot in a hot yoga class, especially when the class is full.

Are there downsidesto yoga?Even though yoga is critically acclaimed by so many, the popular activity actually has numerous critics as well. The most recent man to oppose this seemingly calming harmless sport is Glenn Black, ex-yogi who spent nearly four decades practising and teaching yoga. He even studied in India. To him, yoga was an obsession. That is, until he suffered a severe back injury which doctors place the blame upon his beloved yoga practice.

According to Black, students and instructors both injure themselves while practicing yoga because most of them already have underlying physical weaknesses or problems that make serious injuries stemming from yoga all but inevitable. He believes that yoga should only be for people in good physical condition or it should be used therapeutically – it should not be for the general public because it is too likely to cause harm. When yoga teachers come to

Black for bodywork after suffering major traumas, Black tells them, ‘Don’t do yoga.’

But should people really stop doing yoga? The truth is, yoga should not be any more of a risk for injuries than any other sport. Like I said, I unintentionally injured myself and suffered a stress fracture from running too often. Injuries can really happen anywhere – there is a factor of risk associated with most sports, but that is just something that people have to be careful about. Most yoga instructors as well as sports players agree that going beyond your limits in yoga or in any sport is not safe and could harm your body. For me, yoga is still a large part of my life. And it is still a part of so many people’s lives. The benefits it offers outweigh the risks, as long as you remember to not exceed your body’s limits. Despite any recent negative criticism associated with yoga, it still never fails to be so hot, so cool, and so very this minute for a wide range of individuals all over the world.

A yoga student practises the popular Warrior pose, which requires a great deal of balance, enjoying the tranquility of the beach.

An advanced yoga student balances himself carefully and steadily on his hands.

Photo: flickr.com

imagine *Lucy, a five-year-old girl who needs a new heart because she was born with a fatal condition, causing her heart to be so big that it touches her lungs. For Lucy this means that she can’t do all the things a young girl is supposed to do. She is unable to attend school and instead has to spend many days and nights in hospital, taking more than 20 different tablets a day while she anxiously waits for a new heart that will give her a future to look forward to.

Organ Donation How To SaVe a LiFe

In the year 2011, an average of 20 people died everyday while waiting for an organ that could only arrive if people were willing to donate their organs. In a case like Lucy’s this means that she will only get a new heart if someone puts their name on the organ donation list in the event where death occurs. Sadly, many people are unaware of the importance of organ donation or merely do not wish to have their organs separated from their body when they die. Who can be a donor?*Mike was a 30-year-old healthy man, a beloved husband and dad to two sons. In a tragic accident Mike had been killed by a drunk driver, but sometime before this tragic accident he had signed up to be an organ donor. Mike’s family knew that he would like to donate his organs and although they were devastated about his death they were happy to be able to help another person in desperate need. So from their tragedy there was a chance to save a life – Lucy’s life.

According to the Organ Donor Foundation, there are currently about 3,500 people in South Africa waiting for organs and it’s very clear that organ transplants have become a big part in modern surgery. However, it’s not always as simple as Lucy and Mike’s story as the condition of one’s organs and tissues decide if one could be a donor or not. So, it’s important for a donor to live a healthy lifestyle (being physically active and eating healthily with a lot of fruits, vegetables and foods high in fibre) to lower their risk of organ failure. Another aspect which plays a part in organ donation is one’s age at time of death, in other words, a newborn’s organs are often perfect, but if the donor is very old or has a medical condition some of their organs may not be used.

Today it is possible for the transplant of organs such as kidneys, liver, heart, lungs and the pancreas. It’s also possible to transplant tissue such as skin, cornea, heart valves and bone tissue. There is also the possibility for a donor to transplant an organ while they are still alive. A living individual can donate a kidney and different parts of their pancreas, lungs, liver or the intestine. During the surgery process, the organs have to be transplanted as soon as possible to ensure a successful surgery. In the case of organ donation from a dead person, there is no cost for the donor or their family for an organ or tissues donation. All the medical expenses will be covered by the hospital or state after the doctors declare that the donator is brain dead.

WorDs Johanna Graflund

The organs have to be removed and transferred to the organ receiver as soon as possible to ensure a successful organ transplantation.

Photo: Robert Linder/sxc.hu

*Lucy and Mike are fictional characters.

Organ donationPeople are doing all they can to increase the number of donors. To encourage people to come forward to be an organ donor and spread the facts about transplantations, organisations use campaigns to reach people. To mention a few of the campaigns that were organised all over the world last year: Transplant Week July 2011 in UK was one of the biggest. The theme for 2011 was ‘What are you waiting for’ and it highlighted the length of time sick patients had to wait while suffering from the lack of organs.

The South African Donor Organisation, more commonly referred to as the Organ Donor Foundation or ODF, held three big walks in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban. These fundraising events happen annually and last year’s took place throughout October. Another day of awareness is world kidney day, which is celebrated on 14 May, with the theme for 2012 being Donate – Kindneys for Life – Receive. Global Organ Donation Awareness Society (GLODAS) also does much to raise awareness and garner support for organ donations, like the cycle rally hosted November last year in Ludhiana, India. All these campaigns aim to raise awareness for the huge shortage of organs and also the illegal trading of organs.

Organ tradingDue to the fact that the request is bigger than the supply people started to trade human organs for transplantations and even if it’s illegal in most countries there is a large black market for organs. On the black market the cost of a kidney transplantation can runs to €55,000 (R600,000) and a liver up to €130,000 (R1 million) Mostly it’s people who live in poverty who are able to sell their organs for

money and people who are willing to buy their second chance to have a organ donated to them, without thinking of the human rights. The ideal organ donation is absolutely voluntary from the donors side. No one is forced to donate an organ if they don’t want to. However, organ trading doesn’t have to be voluntary by the donator. In some cases there are even people who are willing to steal others organs to earn some money. In China last year, a 17-year-old boy sold his kidney to the black market to pay for an iPad and an iPhone. Also in November 2011, three doctors were arrested for illegally harvesting organs from a clinic.

The market of organs makes a big dilemma. Prohibition of organ trade leads to people dying because they can’t get an organ in time. The ideal solution would be, of course, that more people are willing to donate their organs and give another person a chance to live.

Gift of lifeThanks to Mike’s beautiful gesture to put himself on the donor list in the event of his death, Lucy was able to have a second chance of life with a heart transplant. She could attend school, her medicines were reduced and she didn’t need to be in the hospital so often. She could almost do all activities a young girl wants to do, things she couldn’t have dreamt of doing before. Lucy, of course, is the story of many other people who benefit from organ donation.

What’s more encouraging is that not only one of the donor’s organs can be used to either save or benefit other’s lives, as up to eight lives could change with the transplant of other useful organs. There are many gifts in life, but none is more precious than beautiful gift of life.

according to organ Donor Foundation, there are currently about 3,500 people in South africa waiting for organs and it’s very clear that organ transplants have become a big part in modern surgery.

Two independent doctors will test the organ donor to ensure that they are brain dead, before the organ transplantation begins.

Brilliant BeereVerYTHinG You SHouLD Know aBouT iT

Due to the fact that almost any substance containing carbohydrates (ie. cereals) can naturally undergo fermentation, beer is thought to have been developed independently by several different ancient civilisations. It has been suggested by scholars that bread and beer are the substances that allowed these civilisations to expand and thrive. That’s why beer is such an ubiquitous beverage in so many different cultures across the world. The earliest codified set of laws, known as the Code of Hammurabi, even established a daily beer ration. This was dependent on social status – clergy members and others of high caste received five litres, civil servants three litres and labourers two. In the middle ages, clean water was difficult to come by, so many drank beer instead. Christian abbeys, often centres of agriculture, refined processes of brewing and offered the beverage to thirsty pilgrims and travellers.

However, little was known about the role of yeast in the brewing process until work done by the famous Louis Pasteur in the mid-19th century. He not only exposed the influence of microorganisms in the spoiling of beverages, but also showed how carbohydrates metabolised by yeast produced ethanol – the alcohol in beer.

Today of course beer remains a favourite. As our technology and understanding grows, entire new vistas of brewing are opened to us, and bold pioneers are experimenting daily to create even more lagers, ales and even lambic beers. As it turns out we’ve managed to learn quite a bit about the tasty, bubbly brew over the last ten millennia. In fact it seems that if enjoyed in moderation, beer can be a part of a very healthy diet!

‘By definition, beer is healthy,’ stated Dennis da Silva, trade brewer at SAB Miller, during an interview with cape chameleon. ‘The isotonic properties of beer are good for sportsmen, it contains vitamin B, it is a source of soluble fibre, and also contains silicic acid, which is good for bone development’. Though he emphasised the health benefits of beer, he was also careful to warn against the dangers of overconsumption. He suggested a

WorDs Timothy Brocksmith

rEsEarCh Christine Kolland, Katharina Langseth,

Timothy Brocksmith

Beer is the most popular and widely consumed alcoholic beverage in the world. in fact, it is the third most imbibed drink in the world after water and tea. and as the German proverb goes, ‘it takes beer to make thirst worthwhile’.

maximum of ‘…two to three drinks a day’. The adage, ‘everything in moderation’ of course applies to beer as much as anything else, as anyone who has overindulged knows all too well.

To toast a good causeTo start with the obvious, the active ingredient in beer is ethyl alcohol (ethanol). Believe it or not, alcohol itself boasts some very impressive health related effects. While overconsumption can lead to addiction and liver disease, studies have found that moderate (one to three drinks a day) consumption of alcohol is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline. There are even indications that two drinks a day can reduce the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes. These are the purported effects of ethanol, not beer, so you can derive these benefits from beer, wine, or spirits.

Brewmaster Wolfgang gives his brew a decidedly professional critical eye.

Photo: Wolfgang from Paulaners

Never fear, lovers of beer! Beer possesses unique advantages over other popular beverages. It is remarkably nutritious and has even been referred to as liquid bread. For starters, the fat content of beer is a round zero grams – a perhaps surprising figure for those familiar with the term ‘beer belly’. As Dennis da Silva explained, the so-called beer belly actually results from unhealthy behaviours associated with beer, i.e. lack of exercise, consumption of unhealthy foods or overeating and binge drinking. Enjoyed responsibly, beer itself poses no threat to those concerned with weight gain. Beer also contains almost no salt, low sodium and very little sugar. In fact, a comparison of one serving each of beer and soda shows the levels of sugar is almost four times higher in soft drinks on average.

But is beer actually good for you? Well, the short answer seems to be yes! It is far richer in B vitamins than wine while having almost as many antioxidant properties. It contains potassium, magnesium, and also significant amounts (roughly ten percent of daily recommended values per litre) soluble fibre and protein, nutrients that neither wine nor spirits can claim to possess. Furthermore, the important trace nutrient silicone, deficiency of which is implicated in osteoporosis, is found in beer in its more absorbable form, silicic acid. However, these benefits are heavily outweighed by the negative consequences of overconsumption, so be careful!

My kingdom for a beerNow we’ve explored the history and the potential benefits of the beverage, and we’re getting thirsty. So is there anywhere to get a good beer in Cape Town?

Absolutely. As anyone will tell you, Cape Town boasts a rich beer culture. If you’re up to learning a little history, visit the SAB Miller Brewery in Newlands, where cape chameleon met with Mr da Silva. You can take a guided tour and learn about the colonists that began the first breweries. You’ll also get to view some fascinating artefacts’ from the time including original brewing equipment and even beer advertisements from the time! If you’re a beer aficionado living in Cape Town you owe it to yourself to stop by.

Cape Town has old favourites, many of them brewed by SAB Miller such as Black Label and Castle Milk Stout, but there’s an enormous variety of beer to be found in microbreweries, and any self-proclaimed beer lover should go check them out. &Union at 110 Bree Street, St Stephen’s Church is one such venue. They brew pricey but delicious German-style beers. Another craft brewery, Birkenhead, has beers available at several Cape Town locations including the Wijnhuis in Newlands and La Perla at Sea Point. There’s also Jack Black, a household name in Cape Town and available at many Cape Town establishments and more.

The BrewmasterThe Cape Chameleon was fortunate to speak to a true beer brewing expert, Brewmaster Wolfgang Kodel of the Paulaner Brauhaus at the V&A Waterfront. It took Wolfgang twelve years (and goodness knows how many beers) to earn the title Brewmaster. For Wolfgang, brewing is a way of life and his passion for great beer is evident in every word and gesture. He brews his beer according to the German purity law, which according to Wolfgang allows for only four ingredients: water, malt, hops, and yeast. For those interested in the health aspects of beer as we at the cape chameleon most certainly are, beer brewed in accordance to the purity law takes it one step further by ensuring that there are no preservatives or other chemicals added during the brewing process.

Wolfgang spent many years at the V&A Waterfront brewing his own, often award winning beers at the Paulaner Brauhaus, located across from the Nelson Mandela Gateway to Robin Island at the Clock Tower precinct. When asked about the beer culture in Cape Town, Wolfgang told us that more and more were turning to smaller craft breweries for their beer. ‘People are getting more curious about beer. Statistically, at least every Capetonian should have had at least one litre of my Weiss beer,’ he told us proudly. ‘I created a bit of a beer culture on top of what was already a beer-drinking country… with the help of microbrewers [like] Jack Black… [There has been] a bit of an avalanche regarding craft brewers in the last several years.’

Even if you’ve never been much of a beer drinker, it’s absolutely worth seeking out interesting and unique beers that this beautiful city has to offer. Who knows? You might just find that special brew you can fall in love with. Remember: It’s delicious, it’s bubbly and it’s good for you!

A chart showing the long-term effects of ethyl alcohol.

‘He was a wise man, who invented beer.’– plato

many of those soldiers could be children1.

In May 2010, USA President Barack Obama signed into law the Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and Northern Uganda Recovery Act legislation to stop Kony and the LRA. The USA has also named the LRA a terrorist organisation and its leaders are wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes and crimes against humanity2.

Invisible ChildrenInvisible Children is a non-profit organisation which aims to bring awareness of Kony and the LRA’s activities. The organisation wants 2012 to be the year that Kony is finally apprehended, which is the reason for the Kony 2012 Campaign. On their website, they describe themselves as ‘storytellers, activists and

everyday people who use the power of media to inspire young people to help end the longest running armed conflict in Africa’. Their main aim is to put an end to the practices of the LRA: the abduction and abuse of children and forcing them to be soldiers3. This organisation focuses its activities where the LRA continue to operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic and South Sudan, fortunately, in 2006, the LRA left Uganda. Invisible Children promote their cause by putting films on the internet, and giving speeches at schools and colleges in the USA. However, they have received both praise and criticism for their methods used to create awareness on the Kony matter. They have received several awards, but have been criticised for their use of funds, facts, and their support for the Sudan

Cape Chameleon news arena 1 Issue 17 2012

Kony 2012 Campaign

SHouLD we SupporT THe conTroVerSiaL FiLM?

Joseph Kony and the LRAJoseph Kony was born in a village called Odek, in Northern Uganda, in 1961. He was a one of the Acholi people, an ethnic group located in Northern Uganda. He formed the United Holy Salvation Army (UHSA) in 1987, although it changed its name to the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) in 1992. The LRA begun in Northern Uganda, but spread to the Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan. Unfortunately there have been reports that as many as 66 thousand children have been abducted and two million people displaced since 1986. Sadly, family and neighbours are also often killed, meaning that these children have no choice but to fight. Fortunately it was reported that in 2012 only 250 people are still fighting as part of the LDA, but sadly

WorDs Henry Webb

Joseph Kony, the head of the ugandan Guerrilla group, Lord’s resistance army (Lra), has evaded capture since being indicted for war crimes in 2005, by the international criminal court in The Hague. it has only been now that the charity invisible children launched the ‘Kony 2012 campaign’, to make Joseph Kony internationally known, so that he can be arrested in 2012. However, this campaign has not been short of its own controversy.

Joseph Kony, the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA).

People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) and the Ugandan Army, that have both committed similar atrocities to the LRA.

Invisible Children began in 2003, when one of the founders, Jason Russell visited a town in Northern Uganda called Gulu, where children stayed at night, in case they were abducted by the LRA. While there Jason met a boy called Jacob and did not expect some of the things that Jacob was about to say. Below is the transcript of the conversation that Jason and Jacob had.cape chameleon didn’t obtain this transcript, the following text was obtained

from the Kony 2012 Campaign video released on 5 March 2012 – which has subsequently caused lots of debate.

Jacob: It is better when you kill us and if possible, you can kill us, you kill us. For us we don’t want now to stay.Jason: You don’t want to stay on earth?Jacob: We only two, no one is taking care of us, we are not going to school.Jason: You would rather die than stay on earth?Jacob: Yes.Jason: No, even now?Jacob: Even now. How are we going to stay in our future?

The conversation ends with Jacob crying and Jason saying, ‘We are also going to do everything that we can to stop them.’4

1 Mike Pflanz, Joseph Kony 2012: profile of the leader of the Lord’s Resistance Army, 2012. The Daily Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/uganda/9131627/Joseph-Kony-2012-profile-of-the-leader-of-the-Lords-Resistance-Army.html

2 Lord’s Resistance Army Disarmament and northern Uganda Recovery Act of 2009.

3 Invisible Children: http://www.invisiblechildren.com/index.html

4) YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4MnpzG5Sqc

5 Elizabeth Flock, Invisible Children responds to criticism about ‘Stop Kony’ campaign. The Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/invisible-childrens-stop-kony-campaign/2012/03/07/gIQA7B31wR_blog.html?wprss=blogpost

6 Alex de Wall, Don’t Elevate Kony. World Peace Foundation. http://sites.tufts.edu/reinventingpeace/2012/03/10/dont-elevate-kony/

7 Mike Pflanz, Joseph Kony 2012: growing outrage in Uganda over film. The Daily Telegraph.

Pros & consThe Invisible Children campaign to bring Kony and the LRA finally to justice, by the end of this year, begun with this short film. It was shown on websites such as YouTube and Vimeo, and has already had over 85 million views. However, this short film lead to much controversy.

The American magazine, Foreign Affairs have alleged that Invisible Children manipulated the facts for their own strategic purpose, by exaggerating the scale of the LRA abductions and murders5. Invisible Children defended themselves by

saying that ‘the Foreign Affair magazine accusations were serious and that they have no substantial evidences to back up their claims’. This magazine was not the only source of attack on the Invisible Children.

Since the video’s release, there has been criticism for simplifying the events in the region too much. Also, for providing too much of a black and white picture, instead of encouraging viewers to learn about the situation. However, the CEO of invisible Children, Ben Keesey says that Kony and what he’s doing is black and white. Mikaela Luttrell-Rowland, the Liason Officer at Clark University’s Strassler’s Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies stated that, ‘it’s irresponsible to put across simplistic messages over complex history’. This means that this person thinks that it

is bad to put across simplistic messages over a complex history involving Kony and the LRA. A researcher on Africa, Alex de Waal, said that the film was ‘naive’ and was ‘promoting Kony as a global celebrity, when instead he should be exposed as a common criminal’6. According to the Human Rights Watch, however, Kony deserves global notoriety for his war crimes and crimes against humanity, and should be brought to justice in 2012.

There was also mixed thought on the film in Gulu, which was formally a centre for the rebel activities, since the film fails to clearly state that Kony and the LRA fled Northern Uganda six years ago. The director of a community health organisation in Gulu, Dr Beatrice Mpora, said ‘There has not been a single soul from the LRA here since 2006’7. Not everyone in Uganda had that view though, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Henry Oryem Okello said ‘the criticisms of the film and Invisible Children are unfounded, and they have done visible things such as offering scholarships to thousands of children’.

Even though there has been much support and criticism of the film and Invisible Children’s activities, in the end we will decide whether we should support the Kony 2012 Campaign, by watching the film. Invisible Children’s CEO, Ben Keesey stated that the charity make films ‘with compelling narratives, promote international advocacy, and run on-the-ground initiatives’. However, it’s up to you if you agree with this statement.

This LRA victim’s hands have been mutilated, and the scar on the head is from being burnt.

One of Invisible Children’s Kony 2012 Campaign posters

Cape Chameleon news arena 2 Issue 17 2012

The Square Kilometre ArraySouTH aFrica To HoST THe worLD’S MoST powerFuL TeLeScope

WorDs Vincent Zobler

An exceptional pre-existing environmentThe current astronomical facilities in South Africa are already exceptional and could be envied by a lot of countries. The Southern African Large Telescope (SALT) is one of them, built in 2004 and 2005, it is actually the largest single optical telescope in the southern hemisphere. It gives researchers the opportunity to observe stars and galaxies that are a billion times too faint to be visible to the naked eye.

The MeerKAT is another one of these extraordinary facilities. Although under construction until 2018, at the moment it presents seven dishes (KAT-7) which have already delivered their first pictures of space. It will be composed of 64 dishes, 13.5m in diameter each and when completed, it will be the largest radio-astronomy facility in the southern hemisphere. The MeerKAT telescope arouses great interest worldwide and more than 500 astronomers have already asked to use it once completed.

An unrivalled but undecided projectThe SKA is destined to be the MeerKAT successor, but it is still a more large-scale project. SKA got its name from the exceptional combination of signals from all the antennas, which create a telescope with a collecting area equivalent to a dish with an area of about one square kilometre. That would make the telescope sensitivity increase a hundredfold compared to the biggest existing radio telescope. Thanks to this sensitivity, it would be able to survey the past by observing radio signals from the immediate

South africa has always been at the forefront of astronomical research. nowadays this domain remains financially dependent on the state, in order to remain in competition with other countries – it gives South africa the opportunity to present some exceptional facilities that enable the highest quality observation of our universe. The Square Kilometre array (SKa) will soon become the most powerful radio telescope in the world and it shows the rising scientific power of South africa.

aftermath of the Big Bang. Additionally, it would address unanswered questions like how the first stars were formed, how galaxies evolved since the Big Bang, the nature of gravity and even the possibility of life beyond earth. More generally speaking, it would help to comprehend the formation and the composition of our universe.

SKA Long term benefitsBesides the technical aspects, the significance of this project also assesses itself through the repercussions on South Africa. Dr Bernie Fanaroff, SKA South Africa project director, told Cape Chameleon that ‘the SKA project had the potential to accelerate Africa into the wider global knowledge economy, a critical factor for the development of the continent’. According to Dr Fanaroff, the benefits brought by the SKA project for South Africa would be numerous. They included: ‘Attracting the world’s best scientists and engineers, providing unrivalled opportunities for scientists and engineers from African countries to engage with transformational science and cutting-edge instrumentation and collaborating in joint projects with the most renowned universities and research institutions in the world’. The location of the project for SKA Africa, in the remote area of the Karoo, would also ‘go beyond socio-economic development and would strengthen self-belief and identity, as well as position Africa as a continent of choice for future science and technology projects’. Finally, ‘the SKA would expand the imaginations of people everywhere and raise the general appreciation for science and inspire the next generation’.

Who made the race?Victory – the act of defeating an opponent in a competition can be quite a glorious feeling, although it might be even more of a victory if one can share success. On 25 May 2012 the Members of the SKA Organisation agreed to construct two of the three SKA receiver components in Africa (with the other located in Australia and New Zealand). The SKA will be about 50–100 times more sensitive than any other radio telescope. Its construction is expected to cost about 1.5 billion Euros.

South Africa fulfilled criteria such as; minimal radio interference, appropriate climate conditions, reliable distribution worldwide, high-performance networks, financial aspects, preservation of human interference and most importantly progressive and forward thinking in astronomical research. In addition, South Africa did not only manage to gain the support of the African union but also the European Parliament.

The science and technology minister Naledi Pandor was congratulated by the trade union (UASA) in Johannesburg when they announced the final decision for the placement of the Square Kilometre Array in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Although it is a combined venture, South Africa will benefit greatly from this opportunity, economically as well as astronomically.

The SKA is said to be 50 times more accurate than any other telescope available for now, just another contributing factor that shows people the extraordinary possibilities that the Square Kilometre Array brings to the African continent. What is there left to say at this point? Not much, except congratulations to a country that has once more clearly proven the point that it is capable of much more than most expect.

The South African Large Telescope and the Belt of Venus.

The MeerKat is actually under construction. Seven dishes are already available.

‘...the SKa would expand the imaginations of people everywhere and raise the general appreciation for science and inspire the next generation’. – Dr Bernie Fanaroff, SKa South africa project director

now that South africa is one of the lucky countries to host SKa, it will be an unprecedented opportunity to securely place africa on the world map for good, among other leading nations in astronomical research.

Cape Chameleon Spotlight 1 Issue 17 2012

StreetwireinSpireD BY LiFeWorDs Johanna Graflund

The ideaStreetwire was founded in 2002 by Patrick Schofield, Winston Rangwane and Anton Ressel. They saw the great opportunity to create beautiful art and provide employment through the use of wire and craft. Streetwire will soon celebrate its 10th anniversary with more than 90 happy people and creating unique art.

The day Cape Chameleon visited the Design Studio, at Streetwire, everyone was busy working on different prototypes. Sitting down beside a woman named Dumie, she explained that she had been working there since the beginning of 2002 and is now working in the Design Studio, in the team called ‘Sample Team’. The Sample Team is a team with six members who do the first prototype from the order of the customer requirements.

The products When Dumie and her team members are done with the prototype and have worked out the initial costing, they pass it on to an artist who creates the final product. The Sample Team is always working on product development and every piece of art from Street Wire is unique.

At the time, Dumie was working on a lantern. She was almost finished with it and when I asked how long it took

her, she said, ‘just a couple of hours’. By using just hands and wire these creative beings create everything imaginable. From masterpieces like a full-sized lion or a fully decorated Christmas tree to small things like fridge magnets or beautiful key-rings.

They have a motto ‘anything you can dream up in wire we will build’ they are really living up to those words!

Origins of wire artNo one is certain of how the origin of wire art came up. However, most likely it goes back to the time of the herd boy who created toys out of natural materials, like wire or craft. The inhabitants realised this amazing work and started to create and sell their own wire toys to visitors. Today those art pieces are a common demand among tourists. You could find many products that are useful for the house or for the office. Beside this opportunity to sell wire art Streetwire also aims, by providing workplace and access to resources, to create long term employment for the artists.

Heart of StreetwireEven though Streetwire is located in Cape Town they have foreign retailers all over the world. You could find handmade art from the artists in South Africa in the USA, Germany, Australia and Sweden.

Hundreds of years ago, a young herd boy just wanted a small toy to play with. He made it with any material he could find, wire and natural scraps. Little did he know that today a company called Streetwire would be creating beautiful art pieces with wire, craft and beads every day. Located in the city Bowl area of cape Town, the workers of Streetwire, who were previously unemployed, are always inspired by their projects.

To learn more about Street Wire, Cape Chameleon was given a tour around the building. They have the whole company, from artists to the management team in the same building, working together. On the first floor they have all the artists, a really busy area where one could feel the heart of Streetwire. The artists were full of activity pumping out art pieces for the shop upstairs. Streetwire’s staff would love to see the company grow, but also find it better to all work together under the same roof. Having everything in the same place doesn’t just add a personal touch to the company, it is a great way to keep control over the quality of their art and make sure that the workers are treated well, so that the products are delivered to the customer at the right time. Another good thing about being in the same building is that Streetwire can offer a wire workshop for tourists or people who are genuinely interested. They love taking people around and having them meet the artists, see them work, chat to them and get the bustling feeling of their office.

Finally getting visitors to go upstairs to the shop and purchase some beautiful gifts is a great way to finish off this memorable trip to the bright orange building (you can’t miss it!), located on 77 Shortmarket Street in the City Bowl area of the Mother City.

Located in 77 Shortmarket Street it’s impossible to miss this shop. The building is bright orange with a welcoming sign.

Dumie is showing the lantern light she is currently working on, it takes a good few hours to complete the intricate wire and bead work.

Guy with christmas angel: One of the artist’s who has almost finished with his Christmas angel, which can be found in the shop when it’s finished.

The hand-made crafts create beautiful gifts and memorabilia for tourists to take back home.

The beautiful shop upstairs, where you find all the different crafts the artists worked on.

Photo: Johanna Graflund

Colleen’s Place of Hopea HoMe For aBanDoneD cHiLDren

Mitchells Plain is a housing development located in the Cape Flats, an area to the east of the southern and northern suburbs of Cape Town, where most of the resettlement areas are situated. The settlement is vast and considered to be one of the most densely populated in the area with around 400 thousand people living in Mitchells Plain, according to the 2001 South African Census – the 2011 Census will not be published until 2014, but figures will most likely have increased exponentially within a decade.

WorDs Jessica S. Säll

Beacon Valley – located in Mitchells plain – sounds comforting, inviting and very much like a place you would like to call home. The previous nationalist government, commonly referred to as the apartheid government, gave many of its resettlement areas appealing names. The reason for this was to reassure the people forced to move there that indeed this was a delightful place to live...

In the resettlement areas the black and coloured populations were not only separated from the white minority, but also from each other. Some areas became typically back and others typically coloured; Mitchells Plain being predominantly coloured. 2011 Census figures indicated that approximately 264,022 coloured people lived in Mitchells Plain, compared to the 131,663 black people. This separation ultimately led to tension and fractioned relations between the above-mentioned groups.

The orphanage sign seen from the street has been welcoming abandoned children since Colleen started the orphanage 21 years ago. Now the orphanage is in danger of being shut down by SASSA.

These areas are far from ideal and are plagued by gangsterism, drugs and violence. There are, however, people who have made it their life’s work to help those in despair and improve their lives one small deed at a time.

The orphanageColleen Naidoo and her husband Farell run an orphanage where they currently take care of 30 children – ranging from infants to young adults – in a house built for only ten people, a home they call Colleen’s Place of Hope. Down a narrow lane in Beacon Valley, in a simple home very much like the rest of the residences in Mitchells Plain, Colleen’s Place of Hope provides shelter and a safe home for children abandoned by their biological parents. Colleen started the orphanage on her own and has been taking care of homeless and abandoned children for 21 years. Currently, 30 children live under her roof and they all call Colleen their mother.

‘I wouldn’t have been able to go on if it was not for my children, I feel like a rich woman when I see a mile on their faces,’ said Colleen. ‘I have gone through a lot myself as a child. And it is not easy to talk about the past… but if I had not gone through

‘You run this race to become a champion. and even if it’s hard sometimes, and even if there are scars, you run and you don’t give up. if you can’t give it all then don’t give at all. Because this is not about you anymore, you have to put yourself aside and you run this race.’ – colleen naidoo

Colleen is mother to up to 30 children and even though she admits it is a tough job – often heart-breaking – she thinks of all the children as her family.

all of those things I would probably not be doing this. It has never been easy running this orphanage, but all the time it has been worth it.’

She never speculates over the fact that she survived a tough childhood, with both her biological parents absent, she admitted that ‘bad things happened to me and brought me down and many times I asked myself how I will make it, but I did make it and now I have to challenge myself every day’.

As an orphan herself, Colleen said she identifies with the children in her home. This is one of the reasons why she is now taking care of orphans and abandoned children herself.

Together with Farell and with the assistance of a couple of volunteer caregivers, Colleen bathes, feeds and dresses her children every day, as any mother would. The children all come from different backgrounds and circumstances, but are usually from the surrounding areas. Many of them suffer from withdrawal and are very hyperactive due to their biological parents being drug addicts. Some have been abused physically, while others were diagnosed with HIV from birth, others were merely left on the street. One of the older girls living in the orphanage was found in a plastic bag, no more than a few hours old, with her umbilical cord still attached to her belly.

‘You run this race to become a champion. And even if it’s hard sometimes, and even if there are scars, you run and you don’t give up. If you can’t give it all then don’t give at all. Because this is not about you anymore, you have to put yourself aside and you run this race.’

Colleen’s Place of Hope gets most of its funding from the charity project, A Reaching Hand, which distributes funding from its supporting sponsors, both private and corporate. The donations manage to pay for food and clothes for the children, but she still lacks the resources to get them proper medical care, which many of them are in desperate need of. Additionally, the resources are not enough to provide a bigger home to accommodate the 30 children.

Future hurdles Many of ‘her children’ grew up at Colleen’s Place, but the South African Social Services Agency (SASSA) is forcing Colleen to limit the amount of children living at the orphanage, leaving half of them at risk of losing their home and ending up on the

Cape Chameleon Spotlight 2 cont Issue 17 2012

One of the reasons for starting the Colleen’s Place of Hope is due to the

fact that she was once an orphan herself, Colleen Naidoo explained.

One of the youngest members in the Naidoo family and at the orphanage are being fed by Stephanie Herold – one of the current volunteer caregivers helping

Colleen and her husband take care of the children.

Photo: Jessica S. Sall

Even though many of the children at the orphanage have a been abandoned by their biological parents at a very young

age and experienced a rough childhood they always smile and want to play with

each other.Photo: Jessica S. Sall

A lot of the biological parents leaving their children at the orphanage say they will return, but for many children hours and days turned into months and their parents never show up again. Soon half of the children could be living on the street, according to Colleen.

The premises of the orphanage is not made to accommodate 30 children, but the Naidoo family has made the best out of the situation. The paintings of the bathroom doors is one example of trying to make their small house more fit for the children.

streets; even worse, they stand to lose their mother, brothers and sisters. Not only are there a limited amount of orphanages, but specifically ones able to meet the changing needs of the children, according to Colleen.

‘It is so sad to say no if someone is begging you to take their child. And you have to tell them that there is a law which says I can’t do it.’

At the beginning of 2011, staff from SASSA visited the orphanage. ‘They came and they asked for all the names of the children.’ They then informed Colleen and Farell that the orphanage is too small for 30 children and that she has to expand the building, otherwise she will have to give up some of the children.

‘I haven’t told anyone yet that some of the children must go. I have to stay focused for the children and pray it will be ok.’Another problem is that Colleen does not have the legal documentation to prove that some of the children are hers, even though she is their mother, she legally has no right to keep them, regardless of where they will end up if she doesn’t take care of them.

‘Some mothers just leave their children here and say they will be back in a couple of days or so, but they never return. If there is a mother standing outside of my front door and I can see she is not fit, she needs help and is not going to be able to take care of that child; what do you do? I could never say no.’

A mother’s plight A few years ago there was a mother on Colleen’s doorstep wanting her to take her baby in, she said that she didn’t want to go to SASSA and at that moment she was considering suicide.

‘She begged me to take in the child just so she could go and do something about her situation. I said to her, I can’t take your child in, there is no room. And she begged me. And then I said to myself: What if this woman does something bad to her? What will happen to the child? So I gave her R10 and said that I would.’

Sometime this year SASSA will return to the orphanage and see if the necessary changes have been made to the house; except for reconstruction, this includes the installation of fire alarms on all floors, emergency exits and so on. Besides this Colleen had to have applied for the legal documents she needs in order to keep the children. If the changes have not been made the police will come and remove the children by force. She admitted that perhaps she should have known better, but on the other hand the law has never been an issue in the past. Both police officers and SASSA staff have been leaving children at her door all the years she has been running the orphanage, according to Colleen.

‘The documents legally give me the right to keep the child. It’s just a piece of paper, but without it I don’t have a right to the child. I have been naïve all of these years when I have been taking care of the children without documents. But still, the paper does not say anything; it cannot tell you what is best for the child.’

Colleen said that even if the children are sent back to their biological parents – that is, the parent that the police and SASSA will be able to find – they will still be her children. ‘I will be wondering all the time; are they eating? Do they have clothes? Do

they have a warm bed?’ At the same time, Colleen still does not have the resources to expand her home. ‘They made it clear that I have to re-build my house, otherwise they will close down the orphanage and there won’t be a Colleen’s Place of Hope.’

Colleen explained that if there is one thing she has learned from operating the orphanage it is that she can’t change the world, and she can’t take all of the children standing outside of her door into her house.

‘We help each other even when we don’t know it. We help each other, we take care of each other and we really love each other. There may be good times and there may be bad times, at the end of the day we’re family. You can’t change that, not even a piece of paper can change that.’

Photo: Jessica S. Sall

Keiskamma Art Project FiGHTinG aiDS wiTH an unuSuaL weaponWorDs Lukas Loose

The eastern cape of South africa, the sign on a dusty road says ‘welcome to Hamburg’, run-down huts are standing on the dry grass and just a handful of people walk around. You can see that these people suffer from a disease that has invaded major areas throughout the whole continent: aiDS. with this description in mind, you would never believe that this place, full of desperation and bitterness, is the origin of an art foundation with exhibitions all over the world. in fact, the Keiskamma art project has developed from its very humble beginnings to an institution that is an indispensable contributor in the fight against aiDS. But how did this unique project develop in an area where disease and poverty are the norm and not the exception?

The local circumstancesHamburg is located in the district of Peddie in the Eastern Cape in South Africa and is an area with almost no infrastructure. The people who live here do not have access to water, food and medical care, they also have very low incomes. Under these terrible conditions AIDS and other diseases can spread fast. The poor hygienic situation, which is caused by the lack of water, leads to exploding infection rates. According to the website (www.keiskamma.org), 280 thousand of the 5.7 million AIDS-infected South Africans are children and each day one thousand people die because of AIDS or an AIDS-related disease. In the district of Peddie, 35% of the pregnant women are HIV-positive. Only a small minority of these patients can be treated by the local medical resources because the healthcare facilities are often too far away from the majority of the patients and transportation is far too expensive for them.

History of the projectCarol Hofmeyr, a doctor and talented artist, founded the art project in the year 2000 while teaching art skills to a small group of local women. Their first project consisted of collecting old plastic bags and turning them into hats and bags. The selling of these goods was a great success and helped to finance medical care for many people. After that, more and more women joined the Keiskamma Art Project in order to create serious artwork on a professional level. Already in 2002 they had their first exhibition in Newtown, Johannesburg. In the very same year the Keiskamma Art Project also had its first international exhibition in the Cotswolds and Oxford in

the UK where they presented a collection of handmade dolls. Since 2004, a 120-metre-long tapestry created by the women from the art project decorates the walls of the South African parliament building in Cape Town. This tapestry, produced with traditional techniques and consisting of many different shades of brown, shows the very complicated history of the Eastern Cape from the small villages of the natives to the settlers who occupied a land that did not belong to them. The cattle and the natives with their traditional way of life are the dominating elements of the tapestry, but also the hardships inflicted on the natives by the settlers play a key role. Finally the tapestry illustrates how the region around Hamburg became like it is today. With the increasing success of the exhibitions and the selling of the artwork, the Keiskamma Art Project helped to establish an organised medical care system in Hamburg and the area around it. This system consists of a medical treatment centre, several prevention and education programmes and a tight network of health workers who visit the villages and care for the people who are unable to get to a hospital.

Keiskamma GuernicaThis artwork is probably the most impressive one that the Keiskamma Art Project has created in its history. Stylistically it refers to a painting created by the famous artist Pablo Picasso in 1937, which is called ‘Guernica’. Picasso’s artwork shows the bombing of a Spanish village during World War II. At the time the Germans were bombing the village at the request of the Spanish government. Picasso’s Guernica has always been against anti-

democratic governments that only try to achieve their own goals and betray their people.

The Keiskamma Guernica, which is made out of the blankets and covers once used by AIDS-patients who were staying in the medical care centre of the project, is also dealing with protest. But unlike Picasso’s original, which illustrates a quick and brutal catastrophe, the South African artwork rather intends to show the very slow and painful process of the extinction of a whole community by disease and poverty. The people on the image do not scream, but they desperately suffer in silence. It seems like they gave up hope and accepted their situation. The artwork illustrates the local circumstances in a very realistic way. It criticises the government of South Africa and especially the health system, which at present covers only a financially strong minority of the society living in the urban areas. The Keiskamma Guernica tries to get the attention of the people who have no direct connection to the AIDS-problem and make them think about solutions. The huge success of this artwork in particular proves that the art project achieved its goal. Starting from the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, it made its way over Johannesburg until it was finally sold to the Red Location Museum in Port Elizabeth.

What did the project change?In the last paragraphs several achievements of the Keiskamma art project were mentioned, but now there is one question: After all that, did the art project really improve the situation of the people who live in this struggling area?

On the one hand, all the success of the Keiskamma Art Project and the improvements connected with it are only like a single drop of water in the ocean because the AIDS-problem is far too complex and far too present in the South African society. Despite the hard work of the members of the project, there is still a huge amount of people who die from AIDS because they cannot access medical healthcare, the unemployment rates in Hamburg and its surrounding area are still at 90% and there is still no functioning infrastructure.

Nevertheless the Keiskamma Art Project keeps on trying to solve this overwhelming problem in a new and revolutionary way. It is a slow process but in the first ten years of its existence the project has already changed a lot. They built up a medical care system, created jobs for the local people and, which is probably the most important aspect, they brought hope and new perspectives to a place where desperation and resignation were the ruling forces. Finally, you have to admit that art cannot stop AIDS but it is definitely an important tool in the fight against this terrible disease because it gives the thousands of infected people a voice.

Back in Hamburg, the village still looks the same: the road-sign, the run-down huts and the dusty street. But suddenly more than 100 women are coming out of their homes walking into one direction – to the Keiskamma Art Project centre where they work every day. It does not only give them a regular income but it also helps to improve the medical healthcare system in the Eastern Cape significantly.

The Keiskamma Guernica has the same scale as Pablo Picasso’s original. It shows the current circumstances in the region around Hamburg, which are dominated by poverty and disease.

Photo: courtesy of the Keiskamma Trust

Cape Chameleon art & culture 1 Issue 17 2012

The Fringecape Town’S DeSiGn DiSTricT

what’s The Fringe? a new night club on Long Street or a new american TV show? The Fringe is just the place to be for every fan of design in cape Town! Developed in 2007, this concept marks the definitive end of conventional design. indeed, in cape Town, design is urbanising. Modelled as an ‘urban science park’, The Fringe brings gritty décor to the streets of cape Town.

WorDs Bénédicte Gerbot & Gerhard Jacobs

Breaking barriersThis space is the first of its kind in Africa and as such was conceptualised without any given framework; the idea was to bring a new dimension to design in Cape Town. Due to its diversity and accessibility, The Fringe is able to attract audiences from all walks of life and as such brings people together in a city where design once separated people. With endless possibilities for redesign, The Fringe aims to position itself as one of the largest centres of design. This is done within the framework of Cape Town’s World Design Capital award, due to commence in 2014 after Helsinki.

The Fringe in a nutshellPreviously known as the East City Design Initiative, this part of Cape Town was renamed The Fringe in 2007 due to its

geography and the street names within the area. The aim is to bring a new dimension to design in Cape Town and many stakeholders have been following the projects closely, giving their support and facilitating the fruition of many of The Fringe’s ambitious plans. This could not have been achieved without the support of the Provincial Government of the Western Cape, which has recognised the importance of design in growing the local economy. Cape Town is, in fact, building a new and sustainable economy based on intellectual and creative industries, a first in Africa.

A new eraIn addition to the accessibility and cultural diversity it offers, The Fringe is also a real asset to the city of Cape Town

and its inhabitants. Old warehouses and empty streets have seen life blown into them again by quirky creatives and foodies galore. This is especially apparent in The Fringe’s favourite eatery, Field Office and the creative hub of new ideas and conceptualisation, The Bank. Other projects like the name Your Hood initiative can be directly attributed to Cape Town’s new found creative spirit and the possibilities are endless in a city with 190% more entrepreneurial spirit than anywhere else on the African continent.

Why we love The FringeThe first reason to love The Fringe is its interconnectivity. Its proximity to the city centre makes it a regular mini-bus route and although quite a large area, travelling

Charly’s Bakery is one of the proud Fringe members, as can be seen pulling in to the driveway.

Photo: Jana McMaster-Wepener

on foot can be most enjoyable. After all, the true spirit of a city or district can only truly be absorbed on foot. If for nothing else, then at least to spot the architectural gems hidden between warehouses and previously abandoned factories. The Fringe is by no means the place for an urban marathon, so as with art and design, take your time to really immerse yourself.

Another reason The Fringe deserves your attention is undoubtedly its uniqueness. This area reverses all known and accepted artistic codes and that’s why we like it. Not being held-up in a gloomy museum with multi-lingual headphones stuck to your head does wonders for the spirit; as does the freedom from banal tour guides with droning monologues. In short, the freedom of experience stolen from us by so many cookie-cutter international tours and guides has been given back to us by The Fringe’s fresh approach to sight-seeing. Like the colours on a painter’s palette, the different elements of The Fringe blend into one truly ‘new’ experience.

Aside from the traditional aspects drawing you in, the philosophical accessibility of The Fringe makes for an all-inclusive experience. Gone are the days of art snobs closed up in their galleries, where only the wealthy could enjoy this luxury that in essence is the product of the working class. Art comes from the street and has now been returned to the street. Should we pay for culture? Should we spend hard-earned money to experience beauty and creativity? The Fringe says no… except maybe paying for a binge at Charly’s Bakery. The latter is utterly unavoidable.

Besides the artistic aspect, The Fringe has opened up a range of trading possibilities and as such we have seen markets, restaurants and stores pop up everywhere. Here, shops are becoming artworks in themselves… bakeries, bookstores and

coffee shops look like pieces from an exhibition. The magic of The Fringe lies in its varied environments and sights all wrapped up in one district. From the relaxed yet intellectual vibe of Field Office to the captivating cupcakes at Charly’s Bakery and then off to happy hour at the Kimberly Hotel only to end up at Que Pasa for tequila shots and salsa lessons – never a dull moment in this once forgotten part of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

We got 99 problems, but design ain’t oneThe World Design Capital is designated every two years by the International Council for Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID), awarded to the city that manages to promote design for environment and

culture. The bid recognises and mobilises

Cape Town’s considerable design resources

towards addressing the legacies of the city’s

apartheid past. So it is remodelling a new

city without forgetting the city’s history.

Cape Town was awarded this honour not

simply based on the fact that it is a major

international city; but also because of

initiatives like The Fringe and others aimed

at gearing the city towards democratic

design and breaking down the political

barriers of the past while reconfiguring the

creative norms of the present.

With design and innovation as the

foundation, Cape Town and its Fringe

District have become the driving force

behind creativity on the continent.

A lot of the charm The Fringe has lies in its ‘human’ factor.

Cape Town is fast becoming the number one destination for designers from across the continent.

Design and innovation form the backbone of what The Fringe hopes to accomplish, art can be found and made on every street corner.

The Field Office cafe, on Barrack Street – a place to dream.

Jazz Music

BrinGinG peopLe ToGeTHerWorDs Thomas Thisselin

it was the american jazz musician Johnny Griffin who said ‘Jazz is music made by and for people who have chosen to feel good in spite of conditions’. Yet while so many activists were standing up for unpleasant past events, music – in particular jazz music – became a creative and attractive means for jazz musicians to voice their opinions and bring people together in spite of what was going on around them.

Simphiwe Dana performing at Jazz-Fest Wien 2007 in Vienna.

Photo: Tsui/Wikipedia

As a unique music genre, jazz brought literary, political and

religious visions together and this was very much the case in

the USA where it represented the hope for black people to be

equal to white Americans – reminding South Africans of their

apartheid past.

The hope they had, however, was the complete opposite of many

white racist’s ideas: blacks have to be guided (firmly); they just

have primitive cultures can’t be happy just in their traditional

structures and therefore they would not be able to form an

original modernity. The minstrels and vaudeville artists, marabi

inventors, the African Jazz personalities, the bebop musicians,

Coltrane, all the craftsmen of musical rebirth in the 70s denounce,

contradict, in music and in other ways, these prejudices. Earning

their art during a growing violence throughout 20th century, they

succeeded though their music, to transcend that violence.

It was on the jazz scene that the question of South African

identity had the most expression. This music was a means for

South Africans to artistically identify certain aspects. For example

the marabi was the sign of a modern town planner who exceeded

the social differences and the moral oppositions; the marabi, the

cyclic conceptions of African music, the European harmonies and

the American interbreeding. African Jazz enriched this, lending to

the great American orchestras, blacks, whites, or mixed.

Due to bebop, part of the jazz genre, in the time that apartheid

was institutionalised, South African jazz exhibited itself as

multi-racial with provocation: musicians, instigators, club

bosses, producers and independents that the regime wanted to

separate. Jazz is as black and various as South Africa; it is urban

and inspired by countries: formed in the past marabi, it speaks

of a present still reformulated. Jazz was one of the means to

pull the creative benefit from tensions and contradictions of the

South African society; it enabled a certain level of identification

amongst concepts of loan, appropriation and creation, between

unfamiliarity and development, culture and modernity.

South African music todayThe South African music scene continued to flourish in the 21st

century. This period has seen the rise of Xhosa singer Simphiwe

Dana, whose success gained her the title of the ‘new Miriam

Makeba’ with her unique combination of jazz, pop and traditional

music. Uniquely African music aside, the South African music

scene has, to a large extent, been characterised by bands seeking

to emulate popular genres abroad. However, recent years have

seen South African music begin to develop a truly original sound

with bands like the Skabengas and Goldfish – who combine live

instruments like double bass, saxophone, keyboards, flute and

vocals with samplers, effects, synths and of course a healthy

dollop of freeform.

Yet no matter the style, instrument or type of voice, South Africa’s

music industry continues to grow, especially since music played

such a big part in its past.

it was on the jazz scene that the question of South african identity had the most expression. This music was a means for South africans to artistically identify certain aspects.

The old strains of marabi came from mbaqanga, a mode of African-inflected jazz that had many and various practitioners with a large number of bands competing for attention as seen here in this image of The Three Jazzomolos in 1953.

Miles Davis at Rio de Janeiro in 1974. A game focused on the rhythmic aspect, the constant search for a new approach of the music (destructuring and restructuring) and with a large part given to improvisation.

Photo: Rui Britto/Wikipedia

Photo: Jurgen Schadeberg/www.jurgenschadeberg.com

The Brothers Streepa rare eVeninG wiTH THe BanD

Our destination is the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, where the band will play a charity gig for a ’25-hour cyclathon’. I’ll have dinner with the Brothers, watch the gig and talk to them for a bit afterwards. I’d listened so some of their songs before and I was very impressed. Their songs combine catchy acoustic guitar tunes and happy, harmonic vocals with comical lyrics that cover topics from blonde actresses to pending government bills. This recipe makes them particularly attractive for companies trying to advertise their products such as Pick ‘n Pay, who they wrote a song for.

Once we arrived at the Waterfront, we still had about an hour left before the band were supposed to perform, so we went off to get a quick bite, during which time I had a chat with keyboard player Tim Smith about their recent gain in popularity. The Brothers Streep have been around since 2005, and got their first international attention when they were featured on the Graham Norton Show, and became widely known in South Africa when they performed on both the first and last episode of South African Idols with their Idols-satire We’re Never Gonna Be, and they recently acquired a contract with a distribution label. In short, the Brothers are on the rise.

Dinner came and went, the ‘frontline’ (Dylan and Simon) arrived, and within a few minutes the band were on stage. They played a magnificent gig; well-rehearsed, clean and interactive. It surprised me how well-known they actually are in Cape Town; loads of people were flawlessly singing along to jolly songs. After 30 minutes, the Brothers were greeted by an ovation, and made room for a mediocre band set to perform next.

WorDs Daan Paardekooper

i’m in the back of a car with Tim Smith, richard Graham and Tim price. These three men are none other than the pianist, bassist and drummer of South african band ‘The Brothers Streep’. accompanied by richard’s wife, emma, who introduced me to these fine gentlemen, we are still two men short of the band’s full line-up, namely guitarists/vocalists Dylan Hichens and Simon van wyk. ‘They’re hosting their weekly radio show at the moment, but they’ll be in time for the gig,’ emma tells me, while the three other Brothers are discussing their latest performance opportunity with the enthusiasm of 14-year-olds. ‘after years of playing unpaid gigs,’ emma tells me, ‘paid performances like this are very energising.’ i can imagine...

After the gig we all went to a pub in the Waterfront, where I got some time to ask the whole group some detailed questions. I asked them about their ambitions. Do they want to stay at the level they are at now, or do they want to ‘go big’? Their answer: ‘We have ambition to as big as we can make ourselves go, I guess. We take every opportunity that we’re given. It never really went anywhere for a while and now I think we have the platform to grow, and the sky is the limit. We’re not really a regular band. We come up with crazy ideas and try to make them true. And ideally, we’d like to do a musical or a TV series.’

During this interview, not only did I learn about the band’s history, present, and future, I actually found them to be really friendly, funny people. They completely charmed me into buying a CD (which I do not regret).

Me, the band and the band’s large circle of friends chatted around for a bit, and soon it was time to go. Driving back over Cape Town’s highways, I had some more banter with Tim, Richard and Emma. We exchanged tastes of music and talked some more about The Brothers Streep. And one thing’s for sure; the Brothers do not lack ambition. And everyone knows you need a good bit of that to succeed in today’s music scene. So who knows, maybe in a year or two, I’ll be at Glastonbury Music Festival, watching the Brothers, and bragging to my friends about how I drank a beer with them a couple of years earlier.

The Brothers Streep has garnered major international attention by appearing on

the Graham Norton show as well as performing at the Edinburgh Festival.

A sign of their grounded nature, The Brothers Streep like to keep it light-hearted

and they are never too busy to have some fun together.

The road to success: On their way to the Edinburgh Festival, the Brothers first

major international gig.

Photo: Monique Mouissie

Cape Chameleon review 1 Issue 17 2012

Headquarters reLax & picK THe onLY DiSH: STeaK!WorDs Lukas Loose

are you tired of menus that are almost as thick as a Jane austin book? You don´t like to choose from a huge variety of meals? if you prefer the easy way, Headquarters (Hq) is the perfect restaurant for you. Located on Heritage Square, Hq is close to Long Street and to Bo Kaap. and what makes this place so special is its concept of simplicity, as they offer only one main dish: steak with salad and chips. So enter, be surrounded by mirrored walls and leather chairs, sit down and enjoy a drink while you wait for your delicious steak.

From the main restaurant-area you can watch the cook prepare your steak in the open kitchen on the right side.

All photos: courtesy of HQ

A radical concept Since it opened in December 2008 by Sean Muller, Mark Lenglois and Brendan Crew, HQ rapidly became one of Cape Town´s most famous restaurants. It is loosely based on the legendary Parisian Brasserie ‘L’Entrecôte’ which shares its passion for premium-quality-meat. The only-one-dish-concept is based on the internationally represented idea of purism, but nevertheless HQ is one of a small number of restaurants in the whole world that offer this very special kind of eating-experience. The only choice that the guests have is how they want their meat cooked and, once their meat craving is satisfied, they can choose from the wide range of desserts, from Lemon Tart to Chocolate Fondant, from Apple Tart Tartin to Crème Brûlee. But vegetarians can go to this place as well, the chef prepares organic Portobello mushrooms, stuffed with a mushroom Duxelle and gratinated with Parmesan for them.

‘Our beef comes from a farm in Namibia. We only use 35-day-aged free-range Sirlion, we then serve it with Café de Paris Butter and home-made skinny fries,’ said Cheryl Pickup, the restaurant-manager. ‘All of the other products which we use are from Cape Town and its surrounding area,’ she went on. ‘Another reason for

having only one dish on our menu is that our clients can focus on our wines better. We offer them a changing array of local wines they would rarely find somewhere else.’

The concept was so successful that the owners opened a second restaurant under the same name in Johannesburg last year. Bar and lounge Every Friday night HQ sets up a dance floor in the restaurant and invites a DJ to perform so you can rock the dance floor right after dinner. HQ is usually visited by people ready for some fun to start off their weekend on the Friday night. Sometimes HQ also organises live music and the entire Heritage Square turns into a concert scene. These events are always fully booked, so you better make your reservation early enough! The unique combination of high-quality-food and good music brings both foodies and music-lovers together by offering everyone a great night.

The bar offers a variety of extraordinary cocktails and the lounge area invites you to chill for a while after you enjoyed your steak. The very comfortable leather couches in front of the open fire place are the perfect place to end this special food-experience.

The starter: crispy lettuce with Parmesan, pinenuts and mustard vinaigrette dressing.

This is what HQ is famous for: the 35-day-aged free-range Namibian sirlion steak served with Café de Paris butter and homemade skinny fries.

It’s a full house on Friday nights. After dinner the whole restaurant turns into a nightclub with either a DJ or live music and a dance floor.

The open fire-place creates a very special and cosy atmosphere and the comfortable leather couches in front of it invites you to have your after-dinner drink there.

Cape Chameleon review 2 Issue 17 2012

Jackal & HideTrenDY euro-cHic reSTauranTWorDs Jane Seifrick & Julien Freund

after hailing a taxi, we drove a mere ten minutes to get to the middle of Kloof Street. we were in the heart of the city centre, where hundreds of businessmen, tourists, loud and obnoxious minibus drivers, honking cars, and much noise abounded. However, upon arrival to our destination, the distracting sounds of the city immediately disappear.

Here, attractive smiling waitresses clad in sexy black dresses and white aprons pleasantly welcome us. effortlessly stylish women sipping cosmopolitans and glasses of wine pass by. Men drinking gin and tonics linger near the bar. Friends immersed in each other’s company tucked into silver and grey gothic style chairs sit in the lounge area – engaging in different conversations. we are at Jackal & Hide, one of cape Town’s newest trendy restaurants.

Jackal & Hide from Kloof Street. Its large terrace offers a unique view of Table Mountain.

Photo: Julien Freund

imperfect baroque styled furniture. The walls are painted a silver-grey and include patches of the original brick building popping out in a few places in a tasteful way. The two bars are classy and the barmen make a large range of cocktails in front of you, showing their shaker-skills.

But the interior design and atmosphere are just a few of the dozens of small touches that make Jackal & Hide appealing

– enveloping the experience of the restaurant is their quite delectable continental cuisine. There is a large choice of international food with South African, French, Italian, Spanish or Arabic specialities. Some examples of the sophisticated meals you can have there are Foie Gras, served with red wine and an assortment of toasted breads or a Carpaccio, as a starter. Then for your entrée make the choice between various types of fish, meats or gnocchi. The desserts are fruity but chocolate addicts will also find their pleasure in the fondant, accompanied with a white chocolate mousse and a passion fruit coulis.

Overall, it is safe to say that Jackal & Hide is a place where charm abounds – charm and quality in hand – be it in the delectable cuisine or in the contemporary-cool and intimate ambiance.

A view of the sophisticated lounge area from one of the outside trestle tables.

One of the attractive and welcoming waitresses looking after the lounge area and the terrace.

The cosy dining area is ideal to get a little more privacy while being in a busy restaurant.

A big part of the charm and intrigue of Jackal & Hide is without a doubt the large balcony that boasts magnificent views in all directions. Eyes gazing upwards, you will see views of Table Mountain in all of its magic and allure. Downwards, views of the adjacent Kloof Street and the distant bustling city will please you. The long wooden tables found here seem especially ideal for hosting large groups of people. We particularly found this peaceful atmosphere quite an idyllic place to enjoy a nice meal.Inside in the dining and lounge areas, the vibe is more sophisticated and intimate. Here, poetically skewed tall white candles and ornate flower arrangements offset the perfectly

Spacious tables inside the restaurant with baroque style chairs, situated next to one of the two bars on the right.

Photo: Julien Freund

Photo: Julien FreundPhoto: Julien Freund

Cape Chameleon Sport Issue 17 2012

KickboxingGLoVeS & BruiSeSWorDs Christine Kolland & Kelly Easton

He’s jumping back and forth with his tight fists up against his face. His attractive bright satin shorts, thick over-sized gloves and his fierce facial expression suggest little until he throws a mean punch knocking out his opponent and winning the fight. He’s a kickboxer – strong, determined and has enough discipline to know when to use his body as a weapon to defend himself. He’s one of many, but he’s probably the perfect example of someone passionate about kickboxing as a competitive sport. even though it all seems rather violent and unnecessary, kickboxing, like many other forms of martial art, promotes self-respect, self-control and a whole lot of self-worth!

Evolving mainly from karate and with a strong influence from western boxing, kickboxing – as the name suggests – is a contact sport that involves boxing and kicking. Despite the fact that it’s often associated with bloody noses and bruised stomachs, behind the gloves and fierce expressions, kickboxing definitely develops self-confidence. And this certainly was the case for the late South African kickboxing champion, Mike Bernado who once confessed:

‘The reason why I started was because as a youngster I was quite tall but not strong. A lot of children at school were in gangs and they would always pick on me and beat me up because I was a big guy so they could prove to their friends they were

stronger. I took up martial arts lessons and went back to school and when they started to pick on me again and try to beat me up, I beat them all up.’

With his story in mind, the idea behind kickboxing is not merely to go around ‘beating people up’ but rather to acknowledge that your body can become a fierce weapon to help you in dangerous situations.

So, there’s no doubt that this sport requires complete focus and this will help determine either your loss or victory in a fight.

During a semi-contact kickboxing fight, a female fighter tries to score a point as she kicks her opponent.

Photo: Peter Jerovsek

Jabs, hooks & mouth-guards ‘Kickboxing is a form of self-defence, but when compared to karate it’s a very practical style and a good way to keep fit,’ explained Sensei Ian Arendse, from Shorin-Ji Martial Arts Centre in Cape Town. The first thing you will learn when you start kickboxing is to keep your arms up – all the time! If not, your opponent’s fists will remind you each time you forget. So, there’s no doubt that this sport requires complete focus and this will help determine either your loss or victory in a fight. Although strange, there are some who would proudly show off a bloody nose and there are others who would prefer to be left unscarred, and because kickboxing caters for the individual, it is divided into different styles.

In full-contact kickboxing, male fighters are expected to wear appropriate kickboxing shorts but are to be bare-chested and only have the protection that is provided by their boxing gloves and basic gear like mouth guards, kick-boots, hand-wraps and protection pads for sensitive areas. The females practising this sometimes painful

In full-contact kickboxing, male fighters are expected to wear appropriate kickboxing shorts but are to be bare-chested and only have the protection that is provided by their boxing gloves and other basic gear.

sport are dressed very similar, other than wearing chest protection and a sports bra or top. Clothes, however, are the only glamorous aspect of full-contact. Some of the obvious rules allow the fighters to strike each other above the hip, and even though elbow and knee strikes are not allowed, a winner will only be determined after the various rounds when a fighter, their fighting corner or the referee wants to stop and of course in the case of a knockout. If neither of these occur then, after all the agreed upon rounds, judges will decide who the winner is based on each fighter’s score during each round. Indeed very intense, so for the less experienced and perhaps passive person there is light or semi-contact kickboxing, taking place on a ‘tatami’ (a mat). Bearing in mind that their uniform often includes headgear and a covered chest, the idea of this particular style is to use practice techniques and lightly strike the opponent past their guard in a controlled manner and focusing mainly on timing. The referee will stop the fight after each point and points are then given to the fighter who scores punches and kicks that are the

most controlled and, instead of awarding the last man standing, the winner would’ve followed the rules and remained completely focused. Some of the well known and very effective kickboxing techniques include the Jab (a straight punch from the front hand), the Hook (a curved punch), the famous Uppercut (an upward facing punch to the chin) and the Front Kick (kicking with the heel of the foot).

Motivation & success Apart from competing (and winning), there is another thing a kickboxer strives for. Adopted from karate, a kickboxer has a coloured belt to indicate his grade. From the first belt, which is coloured white, and later going on to the higher brown belt and of course the black belt. The grading is definitely motivation for a kickboxer and one can tell if someone regularly practises kickboxing. It is great training for the entire body, especially the backbone and the back muscles as well as the abdominals. So whether it is for self-defence, fitness or the excuse to take your frustration out on someone, kickboxing is a sport worth trying.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Cape Chameleon Faces & places Issue 17 2012

WorDs Katharina Langseth

Norway LanD oF HiGH MounTainS & Deep FJorDS

Norway has a beautiful and unique nature and in the winter you might be lucky enough to experience the beautiful aurora borealis (northern light). This is something I recommend for everyone. Nothing is like the magical feeling you get, standing outside under the stars watching the northern light. You can combine it with renting a nice cottage on the mountain, using the day to go cross-country skiing or snowboarding and the night watching the sky. Yet this is not the only special thing about Norway…

The perfect vacationEvery summer since I was a little girl, I spent my summer vacation on the west side of Norway. And I must tell you, it was the best summers I’ve ever had. I loved sitting in my grandfather’s boat,

Have you ever had the opportunity to look up to the sky and watch the aurora Borealis? or maybe go skiing in the woods or on the mountains with hot chocolate and an orange in your backpack? what about spending a day on a boat in the fjords, fishing for delicious seafood? no? Then let me take you to norway.

fishing for all types of sea creatures and exploring the most beautiful fjords; Sognefjorden.

By the coastline you can find a lot of beautiful spots. ‘Norway’s most beautiful beach’ is placed in Måløy. It is a tiny island with only 3000 citizens. Kalvåg has my favourite beach, Grotlesand. But you ought to be a bit tough if you want to take a swim in the ocean in Norway. The north sea is not for sissies.

What I like most about the small places around in the country is that the community is very loving. It is almost impossible walking down the street without meeting someone you know. It may take a little while just walking from the store and home.

Geirangerfjord in Møre og Romsdal is a 15km fjord and a part of Storfjord. This fjord is one of the most visited places by tourists and is definitely worth seeing!

My city OsloIf mountains and fjords are not for you, then you should visit Oslo. The capital is increasing by the day, with a lot of new building projects going on. At the moment there are 600 thousand people living in Oslo, and even though it’s a bit crowded, the capital still has a lot of green areas.

My favourite place during summer must be ‘Frognerparken’. This is the perfect place to hang out with your friends and have a nice picnic. The park is also very famous for its sculptures. With 214 different sculptures, it is one of the main tourist attractions in Oslo. In the centre of the park is the ‘Monolith’, which is a 17m high sculpture with 121 different figures in it. What makes this park special is that every sculpture is of children, grown ups and animals in different settings, which can describe different aspects of life. The fact that the park got 214 naked sculptures makes it very special, and probably something that would never have been made today. Although the park is now protected.

Another place worth visiting whilst in Oslo, is Aker Brygge. Here you can go shopping, and relax in one of the many restaurants by the water. The only negative thing is that it is very expensive there. You can also just buy yourself a one-time-use mini grill and go to the nearby ‘Akershus Festning’. Since it is on a hill you will have a beautiful view over Aker Brygge and the City Hall.

Oslo has a great culture life; opera, theatres and festivals are only a sample of what the capital can offer. The opera building is quite new and represents an iceberg in the end of the Oslofjord. The opera is open for everyone and you can walk around on the roof enjoying the view or have a look inside at the great architecture.

22/7 The country is still affected by the tragedy of the terrorist attack 22 July 2011. It is the most dramatic event that has occurred since World War II. Little Norway had not expected anything like that. The horror was so great that it is still difficult to comprehend. It’s been six months since the attack now, but it’s still sore. What was most special after the attack was the solidarity and love the people showed. An expression used after (2011) 7/22 was ‘if one man can show so much hate, imagine how much love we can all show together’.

Frognerparken is a sculpture-park filled with lots of interesting art forms.

It is very popular to go skiing in the mountains during winter.P

Photo: Markus Österberg/sxc.hu

Cape Chameleon useful contacts Issue 17 2012

Useful contacts

> Bo-Kaap MuSeuM71 Wale StreetCape Town(t) 021 424 3846(e) info@bokaap.co.za www.bokaap.co.zaThe Bo-Kaap Museum is furnished as a house of the 19th century

period and hopes to document the history of the Cape Malays.

> Hq reSTauranT100 Shortmarket Street Cape Town(t) 021 424 6373(e) info@hqrestaurant.co.zawww.hqrestaurant.co.zaHQ (Headquarters) is loosely based on the famous Parisian

restaurant Le Relais de L’ Enrecote and offers a very straight

forward but delicious menu.

> KeiSKaMMa HamburgEastern Cape(t) 040 678 1177(e) enquiries@kieskamma.orgwww.keiskamma.orgKeiskamma is a community organisation, which works to

foster hope and offer support for the most vulnerable through

holistic and creative programmes.

> newLanDS BrewerY3 Main RoadNewlands(t) 021 658 7440(e) newlandstours@za.sabmiller.comwww.newlandsbrewery.co.zaWith over 150 years of collective brewing experience from

around the world, Newlands Brewery ensures that only the

finest beer is enjoyed.

> orGan Donor FounDaTionChristian Barnard Memorial Hospital162 Longmarket Street Cape Town(t) 021 426 0198(e) capetown@organdonor.co.zawww.odf.co.zaThis foundation aims to educate the public on organ donation

and increase the number of organs donated in South Africa.

> SeGwaY SouTH aFrica(t) 011 728 6059(e) jonathan@segway.co.zawww.segway.co.zaSegway South Africa (Pty) Ltd is the sole distributor of the Segway PT and its associated accessories.

> SHorin-Ji MarTiaL arTS cenTreThe Moth HallChildren’s WayBergvliet(t) 082 710 7734(e) ian@kickboxfitness.co.zaShorin-ji offers self defence, kickboxing, muaythai, karate and

fitness training.

> SKa SouTH aFrica17 Baker StreetRosebankJohannesburg(t) 011 442 2434(e) enquiries@ska.ac.zawww.ska.ac.zaThe SKA will be one of the largest scientific research facilities

in the world and will consolidate Southern Africa as a hub for

astronomy in the world.

> STreeTwireS77 Shortmarket StreetCape Town(t) 021 426 2475(e) info@streetwires.co.zawww.streetwires.co.zaAt Streetwires the empowerment of individuals through

dignified meaningful work is seen as an essential part of their

vision for job creation.

> Yo YoGaCavendish CloseWarwick StreetClaremont(t) 021 671 0888(e) contact@yoyoga.co.zawww.yoyoga.co.zaYo Yoga offers bikram and vinyasa flow yoga, with the aim to

improve both your physical and mental wellbeing.

Cape Chameleon Issue 17

journalism project

south africat

projects abroad4th floor

challenging new experience

university of illinois

daniel georgemagdeburg

new cultures

international relations

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