Tag Archives: Soweto Gospel Choir

WhaleTales Tourism, Food, and Wine news headlines: 23 September

WhaleTalesTourism, Food, and Wine news headlines

*   Chef Roger Jones of Michelin star restaurant The Harrow in Little Bedwyn in the UK,  is set to pop-in and pop-up at a number of dining events in the Cape in January next year.  He will be seen in action at the Vineyard Hotel on 9 January, offering a 6-course dinner with a South African and Australian premium wine pairing.  He will also be at 96 Winery Road with Ken Forrester and other top local winemakers, and is doing a ‘foraging dinner’ with Adi Badenhorst. The chef is known for his wine knowledge as well as cooking skills.

*   Low-cost Condor airline will increase it direct flights between Cape Town and Frankfurt from two to three a week from 6 November.

*   Wesgro and Cape Town NPC, the company organising World Design Capital 2014 for Cape Town, will present Cape Town’s design industry at 2014 Vienna Design Week from 26 September – 5 October.  Local designer Heath Nash will represent Cape Continue reading →

World Cup Concert kicks off the world’s greatest sport tournament

The World Cup 2010 Kickoff Concert taking place at Orlando Stadium in Soweto in Johannesburg this afternoon has been strangely shrouded in secrecy as far as the music stars performing is concerned.  It is the first step in the final countdown to the start of the World Cup tomorrow.

What is known for sure is that Shakira has arrived, and that she will be singing the official World Cup song ‘Waka Waka’ with Freshlyground.  Other performers known to attend are the Black Eyed Peas, Goldfish, John Legend, Alicia Keys, Kwani Experience, Tumi Molekane, Loyiso Bala, Lira, Angelique Kidjo, Blk Jks, Hugh Masakela, K’Naan, Juanes, Soweto Gospel Choir, The Parletones, and Vieux Farka Toure, according to the 2010 World Cup website.  The Concert has been criticised by local performers, for not including enough local musicians.

The World up Kickoff Concert will be broadcast on SABC at 20h00.  The German TV station ZDF will be broadcasting the show from 20h15, and the presenters will be talkshow host Thomas Gottschalk and ex-Miss South Africa Jo-Ann Strauss, presenting in German.

On the Grand Parade Cape Town kicks off its own “Cape Town Welcomes the World” concert from 14h00 today.   Local bands will perform, and R Kelly is the star musician who will also perform at the Kickoff Concert in Johannesburg.  More than 100 artists will perform at the Cape Town Fan Fest on the Grand Parade, reports the Cape Argus.  According to the People’s Post, Jimmy Dludlu performs at 18h00 tomorrow; Oliver “Tuku” Mtukudzi is on stage on Saturday; Goldfish perform on Sunday at 18h00; on Monday BLK Sonshine and CODA perform from 18h00;  Loyiso is on stage on 16 June, Liquideep on 17 June, and The Rudimentals on 18 June. 

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com

African FIFA Final Draw show disappoints

Given the amount of effort that was put into the production of the FIFA Final Draw show, which was broadcast to 700 million viewers in 200 countries, the one hour show was disappointing, and an opportunity lost for the marketing of Cape Town and South Africa, reflecting an ueber-African theme.   Local producer George Mazarakis’ claim that this would be the best Final Draw production did not live up to his promise.

While the footage on Sky News showed that the entrance to the Cape Town International Convention Centre was beautifully decorated with murals depicting various aspects of Cape Town, including a huge Table Mountain and other iconic visuals, and real proteas, there was no visual representation of Cape Town or the country inside the show venue, the stage being largely bare, with only the screen, the podium, and the very valuable World Cup in front of it.

Video after video was shown, largely telling the story of the FIFA World Cup.   Another showed the readiness and preparation by the hospitality industry for the big event, with not one white person featured in it at all!   Johnny Clegg was the only white performer of the show.   The visuals in the video showed some wildlife, but none of the other beautiful highlights of Cape Town or the rest of the country was shown.  The sound for Angelique Kidjo’s performance was atrocious, but improved by the time the Grammy-award winning Soweto Gospel Choir performed.

Zakumi, the 2010 World Cup mascot, looked silly, and is not an asset to the event. 

The Draw itself was presented by ‘Lady in Red” Charlize Theron, whose sole role was to look pretty next to serious Jerome Valcke, Secretary-General of FIFA.  Theron, whose dress was designed by local designer Gavin Rajah, gushed about her pride in “our country”.  Valcke said “We are ready,  South Africa is ready”, to great applause.  Speaking far too quickly, Valcke tried to explain how the complicated Draw works, and how the “geographic separation” had to be created.   This was achieved by having 8 “pots”, from which the teams playing against the 8 seeded teams (Brazil, Spain, Netherlands, Italy, Germany, Argentina, England and South Africa) were randomly selected by David Beckham, South African Springbok rugby captain John Smit and cricketer Makhaya Ntini (what were they doing at a soccer event?), Bafana Bafana’s Matthew Booth, and Olympic medallist Haile Gebrselassie.

The eight groups for the 2010 World Cup are the following:

Group A:  South Africa, Mexico, Uruguay, and France

Group B:   Argentina, Korea Republic, Nigeria and Greece

Group C:  England, USA, Algeria and Slovenia

Group D: Germany, Australia, Ghana, Serbia

Group E: The Netherlands, Japan, Cameroon, and Denmark

Group F: Italy, Paraguay, Slovakia, and New Zealand

Group G: Brazil, Korea DPR, Ivory Coast and Portugal

Group H: Spain, Switzerland, Honduras and Chile

Eight matches will be played in the new Cape Town Stadium, on the following dates and times:

11 June  France versus Uruguay at 8.30 pm

14 June: Italy versus Paraguay  at 8.30 pm

18 June: England versus Algeria at 8.30 pm 

21 June: Portugal versus Korea DPR at 1.30 pm

24 June : Cameroon versus The Netherlands at 8.30 pm

29 June:  winner of first group H and second group G, at 8.30 pm

3 July : quarter-final at 4 pm

6 July:  semi-final at 8.30 pm

Capetonians who joined the Fan Fest at the top of Long Street probably had the most fun, in partying the night away to music greats such as Coda, Freshlyground and more.   It is estimated that a crowd of 50 000 enjoyed itself, and entrance to more party-goers had to be barred.    Sky News broadcast from Long Street prior to the start of the Final Draw. 

Chris von Ulmenstein, Whale Cottage Portfolio: www,whalecottage.com

Mandela Day 46664 SA marketing coup

Whilst the 46664 Mandela Day concert had a low key presence in South Africa, it was sold-out in New York on 18 July, and has been a good marketing coup for South Africa.   It was only broadcast on SABC2 last night.

Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Chris Chameleon, Will.i.am, Jesse Clegg, Gloria Gaynor, Dave Stewart, Aretha Franklin, the Soweto Gospel Choir, Wyclef Jean, Cyndi Lauper, Queen Latifah, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Zucchero, Josh Groban, Angelique Kidjo, Freshlyground, Baaba Maal, Jesse McCartney, Loyiso, Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse, Vusi Mahlasela, Thandiswa Mazwai, Lil’ Kim, and Suzanna Owiyo performed at a sold-out Radio City Music Hall in New York.
 
The campaign, which was launched on Nelson Mandela’s 91st birthday, is supported by the Nelson Mandela charities as well as a number of other philanthropists and charitable organisations. It encourages people to continue Mr Mandela’s legacy by “making an imprint” and getting involved in their own communities – ultimately creating a better world for all. In short, Mandela Day celebrates the idea that each individual has the power to transform the world, the ability to make an imprint. 
“Actress Whoopi Goldberg introduced the concert, thanking the audience for attending such an important event.   “You turned out to support the world’s classiest man. Happy 91st birthday, Mr Mandela,” she said, before explaining what 46664 does and the significance of Mandela Day.   “46664 is a charity to continue Nelson Mandela’s work, in particular his fight against HIV/AIDS,” she said” says the 466664 website.
 
Speaking via video, President Obama spoke about how he had been inspired by Nelson Mandela and how it was time for people to take up the challenges the world still faced.   “This,” he said, “is the greatest gift that we can give this great man.”
 
After the address by President Obama the crowd were treated to performances from Will.i.am; Lil’ Kim and Cyndi Lauper performing a version of Time After Time; Sipho “Hotstix” Mabuse; and Suzanna Owiyo.   Following Owiyo’s performance actor Forest Whitaker introduced Dave Stewart.  Whitaker thanked Stewart for all his hard work in helping the 46664 charity before Stewart and Cala Bruni-Sarkozy sang together.
 
The show’s next act, Jesse McCartney, spoke about the impact that Mr Mandela had on every generation.   “He hasn’t only inspired his contemporaries,” McCartney said, “he’s a multi-generational inspiration. Sixty-seven years he’s put in; let’s put in 67 minutes and see what we can do. Come on, let’s make an imprint.”
 
Actor Morgan Freeman was the next person on stage. He spoke about Mr Mandela’s life in prison and how he had not sought revenge for his incarceration. Freeman then introduced the surprise of the evening – a video message to the audience from Mr Mandela.
 
“We are humbled by the call to create a Mandela Day,” said Mr Mandela. “It is not a holiday, instead it is a day dedicated to service. We thank you for participating in Mandela Day,” he said to rapturous applause.
 
“I plan to honour Mandela Day every year,” said Freeman, “and I hope you will too.”
 
Freeman was followed onstage by by actor and singer Queen Latifah, after which Chris Chameleon and Baaba Maal performed the Mandela Day theme tune With My Own Two Hands. Zucchero was next on stage, before former tennis great, Billie Jean King, introduced Josh Groban, telling the audience how Groban’s meeting with Madiba had inspired him to raise over $2-million for needy children.
 
Groban performed a track on his own before Vusi Mahlasela joined him on stage to perform Weeping. Mahlasela then performed When You Come Back, before Loyiso and then Thandiswa Mazwai graced the stage.
 
Actor Tim Robbins introduced Wyclef Jean, hailing him as someone who had adopted the selfless attitude and commitment to helping his community that was the message of Mandela Day.
 
Jean was followed by Jesse Clegg, who, together with Freshlyground, performed Asimbonanga.
 
Radio host Tom Joyner introduced Aretha Franklin, who was joined on stage by Groban to perform You Raise Me Up.
 
Actor Susan Sarandon introduced Alicia Keys and Angelique Kidjo, who were followed by the Soweto Gospel Choir before Stevie Wonder became the last artist to perform in the inaugural Mandela Day concert.
 
Wonder was joined on stage by the entire cast, who sang Happy Birthday, bringing down the “curtain” on what was described by 46664’s head of content, Cosmo Caddy, as a “fantastic success”.
Whale Cottage Portfolio: www.whalecottage.com