The ramblings of a Caucasian African American
After meeting the inspirational founder of African Safari Journals this weekend, I have decided to re-invest some time and effort into my Eastern Cape site. So hopefully you will see some changes in the very near future.
If there are any design gurus out there that want to contribute to this site, I’d be very happy to hear from them.
There was a superb documentary on good old BBC this weekend about the future of lions. I mostly agreed with their ideas and views. The one thing that, although they didn’t endorse, they didn’t challenge was that hunting helps conservation.
They had this big game hunter explaining why hunting helps conservation. I couldn’t disagree more with what he said. The only chance that we as humans have to enjoy the natural brilliance and diversity that our planet offers us is if we learn to respect the natural world around us. You don’t learn to respect something if you can pay to kill it. Hunting produces “False Conservation” (like a False Economy) as a side-product, but it goes 100% against the true spirit of conservation. These people only care about the animals that they want to kill. In fact they don’t even care about that – they only care about killing the animals. This is why the deplorable practice of caged lion hunting is becoming more and more common.
The pro-hunting lobby always carry on and on about the manliness of hunting and battle and all of that crap, but essentially they are just killers who enjoy killing defenceless animals. Oh and the animals that they hunt are absolutely defenceless. There is no way that any animal is going to ever beat a gun. I can’t help feeling that anyone who wants to kill a majestic creature like a lion, must have some serious genital deficiencies! Also, being the “men” that they are, I would love to see what one of these guys would do after being shot with a 30-06 in the guts. I wonder if they will crap themselves or if they’ll try to dig out the bullets from their own guts like the animals do. I better watch out here, I might just be arrested soon!
Anyway, Kudos to Botswana for banning lion-hunting despite massive protests from some very influential people (George Bush Snr. included). I wish the SA government would follow suit. I’m going to try setting up a petition website to this end soon, so watch this space.
Did anyone read this interview? Does anyone agree that there is more to this interview than meets the eye. I’m sure I’m detecting a hint of dissatisfaction here. To be honest, it wouldn’t surprise me if he leaves office soon.
I’ve just bought a brand-spanking new Tamron 500mm (extra-zoom) lens. It cost a fortune and I’d be lying if I said I don’t feel somewhat guilty abouth the splash, but this is something I’ve wanted for quite a while. My whole reason of getting into photography really is for capturing wildlife and animal behaviour. This lens will hopefully give me that oppurtunity (he justifies). Until I get to some “proper” wildlife though, it will have to be the British garden variety!
I’ve just started a new contract in the city with a company called TMG. Sofar it looks like a really good company to get involved with.
As a South-African I am ashamed to admit this, but racism is still rife in SA sports. The powers that be discriminate against players purely because on the colour of their skin. For the non-Saffers that read this blog, we have “quota” requirements in our sports. This essentially means that a set number of players have to be a certain colour.
“Quota” (in the SA Sports context at least) is a racist principle. You can argue as much as you like for equality and nation building etc (which I’m all for), but essentialy the quota player practice discriminates against players based on the colour of their skin. This would be unconstitunional or against the law in the UK, the US or most other 1st World countries AND, dare I say it, in South Africa as well.
Can you imagine the US Government telling the NY Yankees that there must be at least 4 non-Jewish whites in the team that takes the field?!?
Oh, I forgot to mention that this time it is the whites that are being discriminated against.
Check out my best photos. All except the Mt Kilimanjaro and the Buffalo were taken with a Nikon D70 (Digital). The Kenyan head mask was taken with my new Tamron macro lens. This is an awesome piece of equipment. I’ll have some more macro images on here shortly.
Well I must say that I’m not surprised at the result. As a Bulls supporter I am delighted! They were most peoples favourites before the season even began and with players like Houghie, Foerie, Anton, Victor, Ettiene, Gary, Roetsie, the 2 Danies and the Cronje brothers you would have been silly to bet against them. Thankfully Heyneke will be coaching the Bulls in the Super 12 next year. As I have said before, with him there and the core of this team, the Bulls can with this illusive trophy.
I’m also really looking forward to see our new centre pairing in action. I think Habana is slightly small and we are going to have to keep an eye on defense, but on attack he looks like the real thing. To be perfectly honest, I am very skeptical about black/coloured players because of the flawed quota system in SA sports, but I was very impressed with his attitude in the Currie Cup. I guess time will tell whether he deserves the attention he is getting at the moment.
About the Cheetahs, I do feel sorry for the boys from Bloem. They are a class outfit and Rassie has my absolute respect. He is going to be a force to be reckoned with as a coach. If anyone had to beat us, I would have preferred it to be the Cheetahs!
After this weekend I have to pose the question. In my total unbiased (NOT!) opinion, I don’t think Freestate can stop them. I must say that Rassie is a class act and if anyone has to beat the Bulls he’d probably be my 1st choice. One tends to forget that he was in the all-conquering side of ’98.
I was pissed off at Bakkies Botha though. He always seems to be prodding and teasing the opposition. This reminds of the dark days. Heyneke should address this issue ASAP. It is something that White Jake should also keep an eye on.
I can’t wait for the Super12 next year. I know these are huge words, but with Heyneke at the helm I really think we can win it. He is such an astute tactician and we do have the players. Right now the only real weaknesses that we have are the wings. I wish we could get our hands on Ashwin!
I’ve just seen that Geo Cronje has joined Harlequins in the UK. Those of you that are interested in rugby and the Boks will know that he was involved in a ‘race’ issue in South-Africa last year. At the time I was very pissed off at the English media (see my BBC post) for the way they treated this story. They always make it sound as if all Afrikaners are racist (or as Ali G says: racialistic). In true fashion though, now that Geo will be offering his services to an English club, not a word is said. Anyway, even though I know Geo has made the best choice for himself, I do think he (and his beard!) will be missed sorely at Loftus. I thought he brought some real character to the pro game.
Attie Heunis's Journey 