FIRST QUARTER PROGRAMME – 2013
JANUARY TO MARCH
WALKING TOUR
‘FROM CONCESSION TO CO-OPERATION’
SATURDAY, 26th JANUARY
Join us on a tour of Modderfontein. The history of the area is intrinsically linked to the development of Johannesburg as Africa’s power house.
Discover the stories behind the growth of explosives in the Mining Industry and the move into less dramatic activities.
The distinctive "village atmosphere" of a bygone era covers nearly 120 years.
Many of the century old buildings are still in use today, including some with strong Anglo-Boer war connections. Add to this many interesting personalities and there is a recipe for a fascinating exploration of a Johannesburg suburb.
Join Keith Martin, Clare van Zweiten and Janet Hughes at 14h00 at the Museum – the cost is R80.00 for members and R110.00 for non-members – which includes a donation to the Modderfontein Conservation Society and the duration is approximately 3 hours.
Should you require directions / further information please ‘phone Eira Bond on 011 482-3349 every weekday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
FEBRUARY
WALKING TOUR
‘WITS MEETS BRAAMFONTEIN’
SATURDAY, 2nd FEBRUARY
This tour will focus on the eastern side of the Braamfontein East Campus of Wits University. Wits has gradually taken over an historic corner of Braamfontein and saved an interesting range of heritage buildings in the process. This south eastern section of the University is dedicated to the arts. The Old School of Dentistry (an architecturally important Fassler building with an early Villa art work is now home to the School of Arts. The old University Corner (once Lawson's building with its revolving restaurant and garage) has been given a new and very visible new life as the Wits Art Museum.
The tour will be led by the very knowledgeable Professor Kathy Munro who spent her academic career at Wits and has developed a passionate interest in heritage buildings. She will be joined by Flo Bird, Chairman of the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation.
Meet them at the basement lifts on the Jorissen Street side 1t 14h00 and safe parking has been organised In Senate House basement. The cost is R85.00 for members and R115.00 for non-members which includes refreshments.
Should you require directions / further information please ‘phone Eira Bond on 011 482-3349 every weekday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
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BUS TOUR
‘OVER THE GARDEN WALL’
SUNDAY, 17th FEBRUARY
A chance to peep over the garden walls and view the lovely gardens one never sees from the road. A little history and gossip goes a long way towards a casual Sunday afternoon outing.
Meet Winnie Job at 14h00 at the Sunnyside Park Hotel, 2 York Road, Parktown. The cost is R145.00 for members and R175.00 for non-members - IT IS ESSENTIAL TO BOOK.
Should you require directions / further information please ‘phone Eira Bond on 011 482-3349 every weekday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
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LAUNCH OF THE
JOHANNESBURG HERITAGE DINING EXPERIENCE FOR 2013
WALKING TOUR
‘THE ORIGINAL CHINATOWN AND THE SWALLOW INN’
SATURDAY, 23rd FEBRUARY
Probably not the first Chinese Restaurant in Johannesburg but Den Adams remembers only two in the CBD in the 1950’s – the Little Swallow, now the Swallows Inn, but still in the same position in Commissioner Street, and the Dragon’s Pearl, in Delvers Street, the latter now gone.
Not even the present owners of the Swallows Inn can remember the history, but we are keen to open our Restaurant Programme here. It follows the start of the Chinese New Year and it gives us another chance to visit this part of the City and possibly hear about some of the re-development plans for this area. This tour will incorporate a walk, a talk and a lunch. We plan to meet at the Sunnyside Park Hotel, sort ourselves into cars, drive into the City, park and walk around the area for about 1,5 hours and then go to the Swallows Inn. It sounds like a five to six course lunch, but simple Chinese-style, and it comes with a talk on the history of the Chinese in the area.
Join Den Adams and David Forrest 10h30 – PLEASE NOTE EARLY STARTING TIME – at the Sunnyside Park Hotel, 2 York Road, Parktown - hopefully some of you will volunteer your cars to carry some of those who don’t want to drive into town. We will then go to Swallow Inn and park in the vicinity of 6 Commissioner Street (opposite John Vorster Square). Duration is 4 hours and the cost is R160.00 per person including meal and tips. Any drinks will be for your own account.
Should you require further information please ‘phone Eira Bond on 011 482-3349 every weekday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
MARCH
WALKING TOUR
‘ADLER MUSEUM’
SATURDAY, 2nd MARCH
Visit the Adler Museum of Medicine and see interesting collections depicting the history of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy through the ages. There are hundreds of items of medical historical interest on display including documents, sculptures, pictures, videos and philatelic and medallion collections relating to medical history. See reconstructions of an African herb shop, a patient consulting a sangoma (traditional healer), a 20th century Johannesburg pharmacy, a doctor's consulting room, a dental surgery, an operating theatre, an optometry display of the same period, and an exhibition of early electro-medical equipment.
Meet Val Hammerton and Clare van Zwieten at 14h00 and park outside University of the Witwatersrand Medical School, 7 York Road, Parktown. The cost is R85.00 for members and R115.00 for non-members.
Should you require directions / further information please ‘phone Eira Bond on 011 482-3349 every weekday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
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WALKING TOUR
‘FORDSBURG – FROM MINERS TO MERCHANTS’
SATURDAY, 9th MARCH
The tour starts with the outraged miners and a very new South African Air force bombing the strikers, but damaging the Presbyterian Church instead. Government displayed many errors of judgment over the years, yet Fordsburg flourished and the Indian community thrived, developing schools and institutions despite laws which disempowered them in all aspects of life. Struggle heroes emerged, forced removals were resisted, yet many were still forced to move to Lenasia. Ultimately adversity never defeated the energy which South African Indians brought into Fordsburg. We will unveil a plaque in the Market Square on the small public lavatory block recording the final battle of the Rand Revolt. This is the only original building still standing on the square from the 1922 Strike. We will be looking at a number of charming old buildings, and visit the serene Mosque in Newtown, the site of Gandhi's passive resistance campaign.
Meet Flo Bird and Yasmin Mayet under the trees at 14h00 and park at the Oriental Plaza cor Bree and Main Streets, Fordsburg – R8.00 parking fee for your own account. Use High Street Entrance No 3 (opposite Osbro Cash & Carry). The cost is R70.00 for members and R100.00 for non-members.
Should you require directions / further information please ‘phone Eira Bond on 011 482-3349 every weekday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
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BUS TOUR
‘MONUMENTS AND MEMORIES
THE ARCHITECTURE OF GERARD MOERDYK’
SATURDAY, 16th MARCH
Moerdyk is most famous for his Voortrekker Monument in Pretoria but his portfolio includes a large and eclectic array of fine buildings dotted throughout Johannesburg and Pretoria. As one of our earliest South African architects, Moerdyk's personal history is as quintessential local as his architectural legacy. Join us on this bus tour as we celebrate the life and work of this tremendous architect. Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised!
Meet Colin Berger and Alex Parker at 13h00 – PLEASE NOTE EARLY STARTING TIME and park at the Sunnyside Park Hotel, 2 York Road, Parktown. The cost is R155.00 for members and R185.00 for non-members.
Should you require further information please ‘phone Eira Bond on 011 482-3349 every weekday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
WALKING TOUR
‘ANOTHER RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE
THE TROYEVILLE HOTEL’
SATURDAY, 23rd MARCH
Built in 1939, the Troyeville Hotel still stands proud on Bezuidenhout Street, bordering Ellis Park to the north and Troyeville to the south. Famous for its Portuguese cuisine, we have arranged to have lunch there, Portuguese-style, with platters of food in the centre of the tables, and we all help ourselves! After lunch we will visit a few of Troyeville’s main sites, including the Spaza Shop, the Park and one or two churches. Again, for those who would prefer to be lifted to the venue, arrangements will be made for you to join others at Sunnyside Park Hotel.
Meet Den Adams and David Forrest at 12h30 - PLEASE NOTE EARLY STARTING TIME - and park at the Troyeville Hotel, 25 Bezuidenhout Street, Troyeville. There is adequate parking behind the Hotel on the northern side and there is a brick staircase leading up to the restaurant deck. The walk will commence at 14h15 and last about 2 hours. The cost is R190.00 per person – all drinks for your own account
Should you require directions / further information please ‘phone Eira Bond on 011 482-3349 every weekday from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
Monday, January 07, 2013
Wednesday, November 07, 2012
Marie Antoinette, Diana & Alexandra -The Third I
In a recorded interview, the famed Zulu medicine man, psychic, artist and writer Credo Mutwa told author Alexandra Levin how Diana, the late Princess of Wales, had urgently been trying to contact him shortly before her death as she knew plans were afoot to have her murdered.
Following this a strange series of synchronistic events occurred which served to convince Alexandra that Diana herself was behind the scenes orchestrating the writing of the book. But why should Diana choose Alexandra, a relatively unknown South African author, for this mammoth task? Was it because as the wife of a prominent couturier Alexandra and her ex-husband had enjoyed a high social profile? In fact, Alexandra was once voted South Africa's best dressed woman and had socialized with the top echelons of society - as a couple they had stood proudly on the podium at Nelson Mandela's Inauguration.
In a reading with a well-known English psychic who was able to channel the late Princess, Alexandra asked Diana: "Beloved Princess, did we know each other in Versailles?" A few moments silence. Then a gentle laugh. "Yes, of course we did, dear Sister. And the irony of it is that I don't know who chose the better life this time."
'Marie Antoinette, Diana & Alexandra: The Third I' is a fascinating story intertwining the hopes and ideals of a girl from a Jewish family living in South Africa with that of Diana, Princess Of Wales.
After Nelson Mandela's Inauguration as President, life in South Africa was turned upside-down and her world with it. Alexandra Levin's book, whilst easy to read, produces great sympathy and empathy for her life and with life as a whole. A remarkable story, which leaves the reader thinking!
Website copy
AUTHOR ALEXANDRA LEVIN
South African born author, Alexandra Levin, a BA (Drama) graduate from the University of Cape Town, is the recipient of numerous advertising awards during her long and successful career as an advertising copywriter at Grey, BBDO, Young & Rubicam and Ogilvy-Mather.
Alexandra’s most remarkable book to date: her spiritual autobiography Marie Antoinette, Diana & Alexandra – The Third I published by Strand Publishing (London) 2012.
Hoping to update her book Out of this World – The Alternative South African Experience, in 2005 Alexandra visited the well-known medicine man psychic, artist and author, Credo Mutwa. Credo declined to talk about himself saying that “Everybody who has written about me has been murdered as I know too much.”
Credo then began talking to Alexandra about how, shortly before the accident that took her life, Princess Diana had been urgently trying to contact him as she knew that plans were afoot to have her murdered. With Credo’s permission, Alexandra, with her small, hand-held tape recorder, recorded all that he had to say.
Since when a strange series of synchronistic events served to convince Alexandra that Diana herself, from the spirit world, was doing all in her power to make the contents of Credo’s interview known.
“I knew that I could no longer ignore writing the book was when a friend of mine loaned me one of Credo’s books Africa is my Witness. I opened it on the following paragraph: I wish I did not have to write this book, but something is telling me that I must. Whether that something is a Night-Walking Demon or a High God is something that I cannot decide. Of one thing I am quite convinced: I am not writing this book at my own initiative.
“A spirit appears outside my bathroom window each night. Some psychics have said that it is an angel. At any rate, it is a whitish-yellowish figure with its arms outstretched. The bottom of this apparition is in the shape of a giant warning bell. From another angle the figure looks like the final piece in a jigsaw puzzle. “
Alexandra attributes the “jigsaw puzzle piece” to something Credo told her on a subsequent visit.
“I asked Credo who had, in fact, been responsible for the death of Diana and Dodi. He replied that the same hit squad who took out King Moeshoeshoe III of Lesotho in the January preceding the car crash in the Pont de L’Alma, also were responsible for the death of Diana and Dodi, as the details of both car crashes bear remarkable similarities.”
Credo also told Alexandra about the small AIDS hospital he intended building – as modest hospital has, in fact, been built in the interim by Credo and his wife, fellow sangoma, Virginia in Kuruman in the Eastern Cape where they are now living … but the hospital is desperately in need of funding. “I feel sure had Diana lived, she would have helped with money for the hospital,” concluded Alexandra.
Where does Marie Antoinette fit into the picture? Alexandra says that when her life of wealth and privilege disintegrated before her astonished eyes, causing her to follow a more spiritual path, as the mansion was auctioned off, as she packed away her ball gowns and the couple’s collection of valuable antiques and pictures was sold, she knew that she had undergone similar hardships in Versailles.
In a channelled interview with a well-known English psychic who channelled Diana Alexandra asked: “Beloved Princess, did we know each other in Versailles? A few moments silence. Then a gentle laugh.
“Yes, of course, we did, dear Sister. And the irony of it is that I don’t know who chose the better life this time.”
Marie Antoinette, Diana & Alexandra – The Third I is available from leading UK bookstores, Amazon.com and Kalahari.com.
Proving her versatility as a writer, Alexandra’s next book Sexty, published by Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie (UK) in 2011 is as raunchy and light-hearted as her spiritual autobiography is serious.
In her hilarious new book Sexty, author Alexandra Levin, herself a Baby Boomer, comments in wry fashion about what it’s like being a Golden Oldie determined to live life to the full. Partying until the Grim Reaper beckons because ones achy-breaky heart has just about given up the ghost.
How do you go about dating when you thirty-something year old marriage falls apart at the seams … rather like those well-worn bell bottoms that you have lovingly kept in mothballs ever since you went to seed and no longer got high on weed? What about those single parties for over +45’s where your partner’s arthritic legs make a wooden chair a more supple partner? How about joining the gym when the last strenuous exercise you had was sex in those distant days when your partner was still up to it? And how do you appease the other angry passengers when your plane’s scheduled to depart in less than five minutes and you’ve carelessly misplaced your passport to pleasure in all that battered baggage you’re taking through life?
Baby Boomers, you’re going to love Sexty - particularly if your sense of humour is still intact.
Sexty is available from leading UK book stores, Amazon.com, Kalahari.com and at Exclusive Books.
 |
| Alexandra I of South Africa in one of her vast collection of ballgowns designed by couturier Chris Levin |
Following this a strange series of synchronistic events occurred which served to convince Alexandra that Diana herself was behind the scenes orchestrating the writing of the book. But why should Diana choose Alexandra, a relatively unknown South African author, for this mammoth task? Was it because as the wife of a prominent couturier Alexandra and her ex-husband had enjoyed a high social profile? In fact, Alexandra was once voted South Africa's best dressed woman and had socialized with the top echelons of society - as a couple they had stood proudly on the podium at Nelson Mandela's Inauguration.
In a reading with a well-known English psychic who was able to channel the late Princess, Alexandra asked Diana: "Beloved Princess, did we know each other in Versailles?" A few moments silence. Then a gentle laugh. "Yes, of course we did, dear Sister. And the irony of it is that I don't know who chose the better life this time."
'Marie Antoinette, Diana & Alexandra: The Third I' is a fascinating story intertwining the hopes and ideals of a girl from a Jewish family living in South Africa with that of Diana, Princess Of Wales.
After Nelson Mandela's Inauguration as President, life in South Africa was turned upside-down and her world with it. Alexandra Levin's book, whilst easy to read, produces great sympathy and empathy for her life and with life as a whole. A remarkable story, which leaves the reader thinking!
Website copy
AUTHOR ALEXANDRA LEVIN
South African born author, Alexandra Levin, a BA (Drama) graduate from the University of Cape Town, is the recipient of numerous advertising awards during her long and successful career as an advertising copywriter at Grey, BBDO, Young & Rubicam and Ogilvy-Mather.
Alexandra’s most remarkable book to date: her spiritual autobiography Marie Antoinette, Diana & Alexandra – The Third I published by Strand Publishing (London) 2012.
Hoping to update her book Out of this World – The Alternative South African Experience, in 2005 Alexandra visited the well-known medicine man psychic, artist and author, Credo Mutwa. Credo declined to talk about himself saying that “Everybody who has written about me has been murdered as I know too much.”
Credo then began talking to Alexandra about how, shortly before the accident that took her life, Princess Diana had been urgently trying to contact him as she knew that plans were afoot to have her murdered. With Credo’s permission, Alexandra, with her small, hand-held tape recorder, recorded all that he had to say.
Since when a strange series of synchronistic events served to convince Alexandra that Diana herself, from the spirit world, was doing all in her power to make the contents of Credo’s interview known.
“I knew that I could no longer ignore writing the book was when a friend of mine loaned me one of Credo’s books Africa is my Witness. I opened it on the following paragraph: I wish I did not have to write this book, but something is telling me that I must. Whether that something is a Night-Walking Demon or a High God is something that I cannot decide. Of one thing I am quite convinced: I am not writing this book at my own initiative.
“A spirit appears outside my bathroom window each night. Some psychics have said that it is an angel. At any rate, it is a whitish-yellowish figure with its arms outstretched. The bottom of this apparition is in the shape of a giant warning bell. From another angle the figure looks like the final piece in a jigsaw puzzle. “
Alexandra attributes the “jigsaw puzzle piece” to something Credo told her on a subsequent visit.
“I asked Credo who had, in fact, been responsible for the death of Diana and Dodi. He replied that the same hit squad who took out King Moeshoeshoe III of Lesotho in the January preceding the car crash in the Pont de L’Alma, also were responsible for the death of Diana and Dodi, as the details of both car crashes bear remarkable similarities.”
Credo also told Alexandra about the small AIDS hospital he intended building – as modest hospital has, in fact, been built in the interim by Credo and his wife, fellow sangoma, Virginia in Kuruman in the Eastern Cape where they are now living … but the hospital is desperately in need of funding. “I feel sure had Diana lived, she would have helped with money for the hospital,” concluded Alexandra.
Where does Marie Antoinette fit into the picture? Alexandra says that when her life of wealth and privilege disintegrated before her astonished eyes, causing her to follow a more spiritual path, as the mansion was auctioned off, as she packed away her ball gowns and the couple’s collection of valuable antiques and pictures was sold, she knew that she had undergone similar hardships in Versailles.
In a channelled interview with a well-known English psychic who channelled Diana Alexandra asked: “Beloved Princess, did we know each other in Versailles? A few moments silence. Then a gentle laugh.
“Yes, of course, we did, dear Sister. And the irony of it is that I don’t know who chose the better life this time.”
Marie Antoinette, Diana & Alexandra – The Third I is available from leading UK bookstores, Amazon.com and Kalahari.com.
Proving her versatility as a writer, Alexandra’s next book Sexty, published by Pegasus Elliot Mackenzie (UK) in 2011 is as raunchy and light-hearted as her spiritual autobiography is serious.
In her hilarious new book Sexty, author Alexandra Levin, herself a Baby Boomer, comments in wry fashion about what it’s like being a Golden Oldie determined to live life to the full. Partying until the Grim Reaper beckons because ones achy-breaky heart has just about given up the ghost.
How do you go about dating when you thirty-something year old marriage falls apart at the seams … rather like those well-worn bell bottoms that you have lovingly kept in mothballs ever since you went to seed and no longer got high on weed? What about those single parties for over +45’s where your partner’s arthritic legs make a wooden chair a more supple partner? How about joining the gym when the last strenuous exercise you had was sex in those distant days when your partner was still up to it? And how do you appease the other angry passengers when your plane’s scheduled to depart in less than five minutes and you’ve carelessly misplaced your passport to pleasure in all that battered baggage you’re taking through life?
Baby Boomers, you’re going to love Sexty - particularly if your sense of humour is still intact.
Sexty is available from leading UK book stores, Amazon.com, Kalahari.com and at Exclusive Books.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Thursday, November 24, 2011
GRAND FINALE - Mr Gay South Africa - 26 NOVEMBER 2011, THE LYRIC THEATRE, GOLD REEF CITY
The search for the ultimate gay male. A nationwide search for the ultimate gay male culminates in an extravagant gala night to crown South Africa`s representative for Mr Gay World 2012 to be held at the Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City in Johannesburg on Saturday 26th November.
Hosts for the evening are:
CATHY SPECIFIC http://www.cathyspecific.co.za/
FRANK MALABA http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frank-Malaba/105263832876754
ARISTS:
- The band ADAM featuring Joe Foster, Hugo Ludik and Reynardt Hugo (Binnelanders)
http://www.adamband.co.za/
- The bank LUDIK featuring Stefan Ludik
http://www.reverbnation.com/ludik
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stefan-Ludik/102633978019
SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS:
- MR. GSA 2011 FINALISTS: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/
JUDGES:
International panel consisting of Mr. Gay World Directors and South African representatives.
Mr. ERIC BUTTER: AUSTRALIA
Mr. DEAN NELSON: CANADA
Me NOEMI ALBERTO: PHILIPPINES
Mr TORE AASHEIM: NORWAY
Adv. THEMBA MTHETWA: SOUTH AFRICA
Mr. WILCO VAN EEDEN: SOUTH AFRICA
http://www.mrgayworld.org/index.php/mr-gay-world-2012/organization/executive-committee
http://www.mrgayworld.org/index.php/mr-gay-world-2012/organization/regional-directors/europe
Representing SOUTH AFRICA:
Adv. THEMBA MTHETWA - CEO Public Protector of South Africa: http://www.pprotect.org/leadership/leadership.asp
Mr. WILCO VAN EEDEN - CEO Club Travel Honeydew
CHOREOGRAPHER: STEFAN CARSTENS, 3 WAY THEATRE http://www.3waytheatre.co.za/
SCRIPT WRITER: WIM VORSTER
DIRECTOR: KOSIE SMIT, KOSIE HOUSE OF THEATRE http://www.kosie.biz/
SAT. 26 Nov. 2011.
Doors open and ticket collection form 19h30.
Show starts at 20h30 sharp.
TICKETS: COMPUTICKET or any SHOPRITE or CHECKERS
Price: Stalls from R150
VIP (balcony): From R250
VIP get own area, own bar, gift bags and free entry to After-Party at PLUM with Computicket ticket stub.
Online here: http://online.computicket.com/web/event/mr_gay_south_africa_tm_2011/419163511/
OFFICIAL SPONSORS: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/blog/official-sponsors-2011/
PRIZES: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/blog/prizes-2011/
MR. GSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/blog/contact-us/
AFTER-PARTY: PLUM, PRETORIA
Hosts for the evening are:CATHY SPECIFIC http://www.cathyspecific.co.za/
FRANK MALABA http://www.facebook.com/pages/Frank-Malaba/105263832876754
ARISTS:
- The band ADAM featuring Joe Foster, Hugo Ludik and Reynardt Hugo (Binnelanders)
http://www.adamband.co.za/
- The bank LUDIK featuring Stefan Ludik
http://www.reverbnation.com/ludik
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stefan-Ludik/102633978019
SPECIAL GUEST ARTISTS:
- MR. GSA 2011 FINALISTS: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/
JUDGES:
International panel consisting of Mr. Gay World Directors and South African representatives.
Mr. ERIC BUTTER: AUSTRALIA
Mr. DEAN NELSON: CANADA
Me NOEMI ALBERTO: PHILIPPINES
Mr TORE AASHEIM: NORWAY
Adv. THEMBA MTHETWA: SOUTH AFRICA
Mr. WILCO VAN EEDEN: SOUTH AFRICA
http://www.mrgayworld.org/index.php/mr-gay-world-2012/organization/executive-committee
http://www.mrgayworld.org/index.php/mr-gay-world-2012/organization/regional-directors/europe
Representing SOUTH AFRICA:
Adv. THEMBA MTHETWA - CEO Public Protector of South Africa: http://www.pprotect.org/leadership/leadership.asp
Mr. WILCO VAN EEDEN - CEO Club Travel Honeydew
CHOREOGRAPHER: STEFAN CARSTENS, 3 WAY THEATRE http://www.3waytheatre.co.za/
SCRIPT WRITER: WIM VORSTER
DIRECTOR: KOSIE SMIT, KOSIE HOUSE OF THEATRE http://www.kosie.biz/
SAT. 26 Nov. 2011.
Doors open and ticket collection form 19h30.
Show starts at 20h30 sharp.
TICKETS: COMPUTICKET or any SHOPRITE or CHECKERS
Price: Stalls from R150
VIP (balcony): From R250
VIP get own area, own bar, gift bags and free entry to After-Party at PLUM with Computicket ticket stub.
Online here: http://online.computicket.com/web/event/mr_gay_south_africa_tm_2011/419163511/
OFFICIAL SPONSORS: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/blog/official-sponsors-2011/
PRIZES: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/blog/prizes-2011/
MR. GSA BOARD OF DIRECTORS: http://www.mrgsa.co.za/blog/contact-us/
AFTER-PARTY: PLUM, PRETORIA
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Secrets Make You Sick
An interesting read is Durban business man Trevor Kleinhans' book Secrets Make You Sick. It i sshockingly honest and he brings the message home without ever stooping to moralise. The book is nwo available at CNA, Exclusive Books and at www.kalahari.com
The author writes:
"My life has been a journey; I have visited the devil’s den and landed in the enchanted magical garden. This is a story that will capture your imagination, as I take you through the life of a gay man living in South Africa in the early 1980s and enduring arrest. I had a childhood of living with an alcoholic father and with a sibling that sexually molested me over a six-year period. I was forced to complete two years of National Service in apartheid South Africa and witnessed horrific events in the townships whilst doing compulsory military camps along the way.
I entered into a nine-year emotionally abusive gay relationship, which made me focus instead on a successful career path. At 39 years old I was a successful businessman who never drank alcohol, or smoked cigarettes and was totally against drugs.
When I reached my forties, all this changed. I was faced with huge challenges in my career, ended my nine-year abusive relationship, found drugs, and became HIV positive. By the age of 43, I was a crack cocaine addict and came face to face with the devil; I was on the verge of losing everything, including my life. With a 3% chance of success, I entered rehabilitation clinging to the belief that I would be one of those 3 out every 100 crack cocaine addicts who triumph over their addiction. I had to believe that I could conquer this drug whose addicts are referred to in the drug world as having stooped as low as sucking the devil’s cock.
Thanks to the amazing people I had surrounded myself with, including friends and family, I managed to enter rehabilitation, and found a counselling therapist that I visited weekly over a five-year period. This biography explains the psychological journey I went through, as my counsellor helped me empty my emotional tank and rid myself of emotions that I had not been equipped to deal with as a child.
I hope to help people that are experiencing or have experienced life in a similar way. I also believe this book will help the families and friends of people experimenting with drugs, or dealing with HIV.
After everything I have been through there is not one thing I would change, as long as I know I would end up where I am at present."
The author writes:
"My life has been a journey; I have visited the devil’s den and landed in the enchanted magical garden. This is a story that will capture your imagination, as I take you through the life of a gay man living in South Africa in the early 1980s and enduring arrest. I had a childhood of living with an alcoholic father and with a sibling that sexually molested me over a six-year period. I was forced to complete two years of National Service in apartheid South Africa and witnessed horrific events in the townships whilst doing compulsory military camps along the way.I entered into a nine-year emotionally abusive gay relationship, which made me focus instead on a successful career path. At 39 years old I was a successful businessman who never drank alcohol, or smoked cigarettes and was totally against drugs.
When I reached my forties, all this changed. I was faced with huge challenges in my career, ended my nine-year abusive relationship, found drugs, and became HIV positive. By the age of 43, I was a crack cocaine addict and came face to face with the devil; I was on the verge of losing everything, including my life. With a 3% chance of success, I entered rehabilitation clinging to the belief that I would be one of those 3 out every 100 crack cocaine addicts who triumph over their addiction. I had to believe that I could conquer this drug whose addicts are referred to in the drug world as having stooped as low as sucking the devil’s cock.
Thanks to the amazing people I had surrounded myself with, including friends and family, I managed to enter rehabilitation, and found a counselling therapist that I visited weekly over a five-year period. This biography explains the psychological journey I went through, as my counsellor helped me empty my emotional tank and rid myself of emotions that I had not been equipped to deal with as a child.
I hope to help people that are experiencing or have experienced life in a similar way. I also believe this book will help the families and friends of people experimenting with drugs, or dealing with HIV.
After everything I have been through there is not one thing I would change, as long as I know I would end up where I am at present."
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
SA GLAAD Praises Unexpected SA Government Support Of UN Statement On Human Rights
On behalf of SA GLAAD, we would like to express our gratitude that the government of South Africa has signed the statement issued at the UN Human Rights Council, which was signed by 85 countries, entitled "Ending Acts of Violence and Related Human Rights Violations Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity."
The news was recieved this morning with a mixture of elation and surprise, as it was generally expected that South Africa was not going to sign the UN statement, as it had not supported similar UN statements addressing the topic of homosexuality in the past, and had been in international news on several occasions recently for reportedly saying it would not support this initiative.
We also wish to express our thanks and appreciation to those who organized and supported petitions, both internationally and locally, for people to express their wish that the SA Government sign the statement, and for the attention which other human rights bodies, local and international, have given to this issue.
Over the past few weeks there has been a great deal of confusion among human rights advocacy organizations caused by conflicting reports about South Africa's willingness to support this initiative. This situation was exacerbated by our country's past failure to support a similar initiative in 2008, as well as the puzzling lack of effective official communication from the SA government to the Pink Community on this issue. We hope that in future such misunderstandings and miscommunications can be avoided.
Showing support for our community's human and civil rights as enshrined in our country's Constitution in both local affairs and foreign policy is no small thing, and will not be taken lightly. We are hopeful that this is an indication that government is indeed taking a keen interest in the welfare of ALL its citizens and that it bodes well for the future.
We also take this opportunity to praise the three other African countries who supported the UN statement - the Central African Republic, Rwanda and Sierra-Leone - for holding high the torch of equality, liberty and human rights in Africa. It is our hope that South Africa will lead the way in advancing equality, prosperity and humanity in Africa, and that this be the beginning of a new era of ubuntu on our continent.
It is indeed of grave concern that so few countries in Africa view LGBTI people as deserving of recognition, dignity, equality and decent treatment - and it is disturbing that so many African states view oppression, intolerance, persecution and cruelty as justifiable and even morally correct.
We encourage South Africa to associate more with African countries which cherish the ideals enshrined in our Constitution, and who seek to become like our rainbow nation - and to show them support, leading by example - rather than maintaining ties and shameful associations with states which demonstrate little or no regard for the human rights and dignity of their own people or for the value of human life.
As citizens of South Africa, we would prefer to see our tax Rands and economic contributions invested in uplifting Africa better applied in building a spirit of ubuntu and promoting the values we as South Africans stand for, as enshrined in our Constitution - rather than used to fund and support regimes which devalue human life, make a mockery of democratic principles - and embarrass our nation.
Once again, thank you South Africa for making our voice in the international community of nations, and our Constitution, count for something good and positive - and for making us Pink South Africans proud too for a change.
We hope it will not be the last time.
Kind regards,
------------------------
Christina Engela
South African Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (SA GLAAD)
Member of the Board, Press & Media Liaison
Email: Christina.saglaad@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36473738726&ref=ts
Blog: http://saglaad.blogspot.com/
The news was recieved this morning with a mixture of elation and surprise, as it was generally expected that South Africa was not going to sign the UN statement, as it had not supported similar UN statements addressing the topic of homosexuality in the past, and had been in international news on several occasions recently for reportedly saying it would not support this initiative.
We also wish to express our thanks and appreciation to those who organized and supported petitions, both internationally and locally, for people to express their wish that the SA Government sign the statement, and for the attention which other human rights bodies, local and international, have given to this issue.
Over the past few weeks there has been a great deal of confusion among human rights advocacy organizations caused by conflicting reports about South Africa's willingness to support this initiative. This situation was exacerbated by our country's past failure to support a similar initiative in 2008, as well as the puzzling lack of effective official communication from the SA government to the Pink Community on this issue. We hope that in future such misunderstandings and miscommunications can be avoided.
Showing support for our community's human and civil rights as enshrined in our country's Constitution in both local affairs and foreign policy is no small thing, and will not be taken lightly. We are hopeful that this is an indication that government is indeed taking a keen interest in the welfare of ALL its citizens and that it bodes well for the future.
We also take this opportunity to praise the three other African countries who supported the UN statement - the Central African Republic, Rwanda and Sierra-Leone - for holding high the torch of equality, liberty and human rights in Africa. It is our hope that South Africa will lead the way in advancing equality, prosperity and humanity in Africa, and that this be the beginning of a new era of ubuntu on our continent.
It is indeed of grave concern that so few countries in Africa view LGBTI people as deserving of recognition, dignity, equality and decent treatment - and it is disturbing that so many African states view oppression, intolerance, persecution and cruelty as justifiable and even morally correct.
We encourage South Africa to associate more with African countries which cherish the ideals enshrined in our Constitution, and who seek to become like our rainbow nation - and to show them support, leading by example - rather than maintaining ties and shameful associations with states which demonstrate little or no regard for the human rights and dignity of their own people or for the value of human life.
As citizens of South Africa, we would prefer to see our tax Rands and economic contributions invested in uplifting Africa better applied in building a spirit of ubuntu and promoting the values we as South Africans stand for, as enshrined in our Constitution - rather than used to fund and support regimes which devalue human life, make a mockery of democratic principles - and embarrass our nation.
Once again, thank you South Africa for making our voice in the international community of nations, and our Constitution, count for something good and positive - and for making us Pink South Africans proud too for a change.
We hope it will not be the last time.
Kind regards,
------------------------
Christina Engela
South African Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (SA GLAAD)
Member of the Board, Press & Media Liaison
Email: Christina.saglaad@gmail.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=36473738726&ref=ts
Blog: http://saglaad.blogspot.com/
Monday, March 14, 2011
SPONSOR FOUND FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S BID FOR MR. GAY WORLD 2012
Mr. Gay South Africa (Pty) Ltd. is proud and grateful to announce that Wilco van Eeden and Club Travel Honeydew – previously nominated by TOPCO as one of South Africa’s top performing companies - has again, as they have done in the past, offered to sponsor a gay event in South Africa when it was needed the most: the company will sponsor the travel and accommodation costs of the South African bid committee for Mr. Gay World 2012 as well as the current title holder, Francois Nel.
PHOTO: FRANCOIS NEL – MR. GAY SOUTH AFRICA™ 2010 (middle), André Lammers (first prince right) and Karl-Heinz Michel (second prince, left)
Francois, Mr. Gay South Africa™ 2010, will be representing South Africa in Manila, Philippines, from the 9th until the 13th March 2011 at Mr. Gay World 2011. The Grand Finale will happen at Club Mwah in Manila on Sunday evening, 13 March 2011 (see http://www.mrgayworld.org/) where the host of next year’s competition will be announced.
The organisers of Mr. Gay South Africa™ will do a presentation and an introduction video to Mr. Gay World in support of South Africa as host of Mr. Gay World 2012 starring Cathy Specific, the hostess of Mr. Gay South Africa™ Grand Finale 2009 and 2010, Charl van den Berg, the current Mr. Gay World, Francois and some of the sponsors and organisers. Although most events in 2012 will be centred in and around Gauteng Province should South Africa receive the nod, an after-event excursion to the Cape is also in the works.
The chances of South Africa being chosen is regarded as very good, as an African country has not had a chance to stage Mr. Gay World yet and South Africa has proven that it has the ability to present competitions of international standard.
Other businesses and companies such as Babylon Nightclub in Pretoria, Kat-Man-Doo Gay Male Retreat in Dullstroom, Nomdeni Lodges in Nelspruit, Maria Garcia International™ Skincare, Foreplay Energy Drink and Bodyworks in Pretoria have also contributed greatly to the cause and the funds will be allocated to insurance, transport, expenses and to stage a first-class presentation in Manila, as well as an event in 2012 which South Africa’s LGBTI community would be proud of.
Coenie Kukkuk, Director of Operations of Mr. Gay South Africa™ said that without the support of Club Travel Honeydew and the sponsors mentioned above as well as contributors from the community such as Alan Retief from Caar'i Flora, Nicholas de Klerk and other buyers of the products sponsored, the bid would not have been possible. Kukkuk said: “We are very thankful to Club Travel Honeydew and the donors who have come to the table once again and supported this bid, which will have a huge impact on drawing the attention of the world to the plight of LGBTI people of Africa and give our bothers and sisters on the continent hope that they may one day achieve what we have achieved in South Africa. Never give up hope. That is our message.”
Francois commented: “We are very grateful to Club Travel Honeydew for this opportunity. I wish to add that one of our activities in Manila will be an Outreach Programme at Gawad Kalinga, see - http://www.gk1world.com/NewOurVision . One of their essential needs is school supplies. They have asked Mr. Gay World Ltd. if we can assist by giving them used English children's books as gifts for children aged 5-9 years old. If you have any of these to donate, please contact me, Francois Nel, on francois.stylist@gmail.com . I will be much obliged!'”
In the mean time, voting for Mr. Gay World 2011 People’s Choice Award has opened and readers are encouraged to vote for their candidate of choice here: http://www.mrgayworld.net/. One vote every 24 hours is allowed.
For all your travel requirements, contact Wilco on wilco@clubtravel.co.za .
ENDS
PHOTO: FRANCOIS NEL – MR. GAY SOUTH AFRICA™ 2010 (middle), André Lammers (first prince right) and Karl-Heinz Michel (second prince, left)
Contact telephone : 0787399366
Drawn up by : Coenie Kukkuk, Director, Mr. Gay South Africa (Pty) Ltd
E-Mail address : coenie@mrgaysouthafrica.co.za
Website : www.mrgaysouthafrica.co.za
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