Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines
* Johnny Clegg has been added to the Birthday List of Queen Elizabeth II, for an OBE (Order of the British Empire), reports Business Day. Continue reading →
Tag Archives: Johnny Clegg
‘Hayden Quinn: South Africa’ episode 12: Rhino spotting, Zulu dancing, more Woolworths deceit!
Last night’s episode 12 of ‘Hayden Quinn: South Africa‘ showed many South Africans an area of the country they have little exposure to, being Shakaland, a Zulu Cultural Centre, where Quinn was exposed to Zulu stick fighting, dancing, and traditional food and beer. The link to Woolworths in rhino spotting and to Shakaland is not clear, other than that Woolworths sells Rhino-themed shopper bags.
The Wildlife ACT (African Conservation Trust) Rhino monitor guide Zama Ncube took Quinn and Justin Smith, Head of Sustainability at Woolworths, to track black and white rhino, finding fresh dung and tracks of the rhino in the thick grass, and they were able to spot them too. Woolworths’ shopper bags with rhino visuals were plugged, as was the My Planet shopper card, proceeds of which go to the Wildlife ACT program. 
The link between Woolworths’ Sustainability focus and Wildlife ACT was not explained. Quinn then took to the skies in a helicopter, flown by pilot Etienne Gerber of the Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing of Project Rhino KZN, making it far easier to see the rhinos from above, and to control their movement and protection. Quinn was spoilt with sightings of zebra, giraffe, and buck. He was told that there are 20000 rhinos now. Continue reading →
Hollywood comes to SA with new animated 3-D ‘Jock of the Bushveld’
The 1907 South African classic novel by Sir Percy Fitzpatrick about the famous Staffordshire bull terrier Jock, set in the time of the gold rush in the Eastern Transvaal more than 200 years ago, has been made into an animated 3-D movie, and ‘Jock of the Bushveld’ will open in local cinemas on 29 July. International distribution is being sought, which could put South Africa on the world cinema map.
Hosting a cast of international voice stars, including Donald Sutherland, Oscar winner Helen Hunt, Ted Danson, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, William Baldwin, Mallory Hart, Makenzie Hart, Robert Hobbs, Theo Landey, as well as the voice of and music by Bryan Adams, the world premiere of the movie takes place at Montecasino in Johannesburg as a charity function on 19 July, reports the Sunday Times. Landey said of the movie, in which his voice is used for Fitzpatrick: “The film is uniquely South African, the story is a classic and the artwork is brilliant”. Johnny Clegg, Nianell, and Craig Hinds of Watershed also performed music for the movie.
The concept of the movie came from director Duncan Macneillie, who also wrote the script and was involved with the previous movie based on the book. Tim Rice of musical writing fame with Andrew Lloyd-Webber, who had written the lyrics of ‘Lion King’, is said to be a backer of the movie. His brother Andy, Johannesburg-based advertising and marketing strategist, is the Marketing director for the movie, which tells the story of how Jock, the runt of the litter, became the hero of the Bushveld.
Rice has indicated that more money will be made from merchandising than from ticket sales, and licences have been sold for the 14 characters in the movie. Penguin Books will be publishing a new abridged version of the book, and is printing stickers and colouring-in books. Toys, games, children’s wear, and bedding will soon be for sale, sporting Jock.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com Twitter:@WhaleCottage
AquaFestival rocks in the V&A Waterfront
Capetonians are in for a summertime treat with a variety of AquaFestival shows presented almost daily, until 6 January, in the V&A Waterfront.
Based on past Aqua Opera performances, the new AquaFestival show has been expanded to change its focus every 3 days or so. It started off with H2Opera earlier this week, features the popular Parlotones on 18 December, Freshly Ground on 19 December, a Jazz tribute to Miriam Makeba from 20 – 22 December, AquaCarols directed by Richard Cock from 22 – 24 December, Johnny Clegg from 26 – 28 December, AquAbba from 29 – 31 December, AquaJazz on 1 January, AquaBallet on 2 and 3 January, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo from 4 – 6 January. The Zip Zap circus performs daily until 31 December.
Performed on a stage built on a floating barge moored close to the Aquarium, with Table Mountain as a magnificent backdrop, the setting in good weather is exceptional. Even the singing seals trying to out-do the opera singers added an interesting touch to the concert. The H2Opera was performed by local singers Pretty Yende and Otto Maidi, while Oleysa Petrova and Brad Cooper are two visiting singers, from Russia and Australia, respectively.
Further details can be obtained from www.aquafestival.com. Tickets can be bought at Computicket.
Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com