Kingsley at a Voodoo market in Togo **Image courtesy of kingsleyholgate.net

His tightly knit team comprises of his wife Gill, his son Ross, daugher in-law Anna, his grandson Tristan as well as humanitarian volunteers and journalists. He believes that “a person is a person through other people” and it is this motto that has managed to see Kingsley and his team reach some of the most remote parts of Africa. Whether it’s an expedition to Somalia to distribute thousands of mosquito nets to pregnant mothers and children, or embarking on a 448 day journey around the outline of Africa covering 33 countries, their work knows no bounds.

Team Holgate at the Cape of Goodhope **Image courtesy of kingsleyholgate.net

We will be following the Holgates on their latest adventure and providing updates and interviews as they carry out their latest mission. Details to be released soon!

Kingsley with his Grandson Tristan who travels with the team on their adventures **Image courtesy of kingsleyholgate.net

In the mean time, visit the Kingsley Holgate website for more information on previous expeditions. Here’s a link to a video interview that was done on a mission called “Boundless Africa”.

South African funny man Trevor Noah made his debut appearance on America’s favourite late night talk show “The Tonight Show” with host Jay Leno last week. Trevor is currently one of SA’s leading comics and his brief stand-up stint during the show was well recieved by the American studio audience. We wish Trevor all the best for his future endovours in the US and have every faith that he will do SA proud.

Incase you missed it, check out this video…

Trevor Noah on The Tonight Show

This development is further emphasized by goals of doubling the number of scientists, quadrupling the number of doctoral graduates as well as increasing the number of doctoral staff at universities from the current 34% to 75%. The interesting point to note here is the length of time that this plan has been given to take place when compared to the success and progress of a country like Brazil who have put similar measures in place to spark technological advancement in their country rather than just continuing to lose its intellectual capital to first world nations.

With South Africa being the most junior member of the Brics collective, its clear that we will be needing to punch way above our weight if we plan on becoming a giant amongst the developing nations of the world. Brazil and China’s economic growth is proof that education is instrumental to development and that there is no reason why it should take a country with a much older and established range of quality tertiary institutions so long to obtain the targets they have set out.

Below is a link to the full article on the M&G website:

http://mg.co.za/article/2011-12-09-where-the-2030-vision-blurs

“I have been in South Africa for exactly two months now, but I feel like it’s been ages. Let’s say about eight months; I feel like I am already part of the country; I feel like I shouldn’t even be exited about it. Why do I feel this way?

 My colleagues at work at Heart radio, at Creative Consulting and Development Works (if I could…), friends I stayed with at the back packers lodge and not to forget even those I met on the streets while going about my business in the city, all played a huge and magnificent and tremendous role in the time I’ve spent in the country thus far.

 I have opened my eyes and heart to various things I found here in South Africa -the culture, the people, the unpredictable weather that caught me unprepared when I arrived (oh my!), name it and the good news is, it’s not going to stop here. I will certainly take such type of discipline wherever I go.

 My experience here has been wonderful and I have to take time to get this message out of so people can actually come here and know what I’m talking about. I feel so good right now. I am proud of myself that I have accomplished a great task and I am ready to face whatever may come my way not just because of my internship and the way it has shaped me, but also because of the people I met here.

 My supervisor, Melani Jones jokingly told me that I have changed (with an angry face, by the way!). Now, to her she was kidding, but to me I never took it as a joke, because in deed I feel I have changed, for the better. I am not the quiet and boring Rachael who came into the office the first day, but I am now the Rachael whose personality has been better shaped for the real, hectic and vibrant world. I learnt this from Mel and the rest of the breakfast team at the radio station. I’m not too sure if I would have learnt this elsewhere, but every experience I’ve had here has got something different to learn from!

 I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate Lindy, Jessica, Michelle and the entire team at Creative Consulting and Development Works (if I could…) for this wonderful and brilliant opportunity, you are absolutely, without doubt impacting this world greatly!

 Melani Jones, Phat Joe, Julian Naidoo, Francois, Nick Feinberg , Gavin,Vernon and the entire Heart radio for not only this great opportunity, but also shaping me to be a competitive and outstanding person.

 My entire family for making this happen!

Thank you!

To you all, whatever success I will hold will not only be mine but yours as well!”

 With love,

Rachael

Working with Heart radio has changed my thoughts and behavior towards life, but let me not go there yet.

I work with the “Phat Joe morning breakfast show” so ultimately I start my day very early than I normally do when I am back in school; I walk some distances to catch up with a cab which at such a time is the only available and closest means of transport and then head to Heart radio where as soon as I check into the production room where I operate from, phone callers from different callers, awaits me. One call after the other, one call after the other, until the breakfast show is done for the day- this can be overwhelming, but the experience is certainly rewarding! This is just part one, by the way!

Looking for content that Phat Joe can read on air and deciding which promos should be used is another task altogether. It’s not just getting any content, but the content I get has to be able to match our target audience’s interest, be interesting and produce responsiveness from our listeners. This is what I normally accomplish as a production intern, together with my fellow teammates, Melanie and Francois. It’s come to my attention that production is about creativity and the energy in you. Unfortunately, it can’t take on a subtle personality.

I am sent out to the streets to interview different people and extract their opinions on the daily breakfast show and also find out what they think about the characters of the breakfast team which includes Phat Joe, Nick and Julian. My first trial was petrifying, but the second trial was terrific and has completely shaped my personality and skills into something substantial and distinctive.

Last Friday 18th, I was assigned and as well given the opportunity to interview a new music artists like “Claudia  Mohr”- who launched her album-“GO IT ALONE”,  at The Fugard theatre here in Cape Town where I  managed to interview not only Claudia Mohr, but her entire family and invited guests. It was such an amazing experience especially  for my first interview. I was nervous, but I did it!

I am waiting and looking forward for more tasks that can challenge me and eventually unchallenged me!

To South Africans, this passing is a step backwards in what was a once-attempt toward a democratic country.

It’s a major issue at the moment, and if you are at all interested in human rights, communications, and social justice, it is something worth reading about!

To learn more, check out some blog posts:

News 24

Mail & Guardian

Creative Consulting& Development Works

As well, some of our If I Could…staff members attended the protest at Parliament. Check out some photos of the event:

According to the African National Congress, they need to update ‘apartheid-era legislation safeguarding valuable information by all organs of state.’

It’s being hugely debated around the world, and heavily protested within South Africa.

To learn more, read the Guardian’s article here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/nov/21/black-tuesday-protests-south-africa-secrecy?newsfeed=true

{this post is from Rachel Petua, one of our interns currently working in Cape Town’s mega radio station, Heart 104.9 FM. This will be a weekly blog series highlighting her time in Cape Town. enjoy!}

Upon being given the opportunity to work in Cape Town and also discover this amazing city, I did my personal research which didn’t necessarily turn out to be what I wanted it to be. It was all about crime in Cape Town and trust me, I was completely baffled and frightened for my safety, but on the other side I really wanted to spot and experience the city that everybody is hyped and ecstatic about! Cape Town, it is!

Everyone right from the taxi drivers, regular street walkers and everyone else around Cape Town, is full of energy and excitement in them. I kept wondering if some of these effects were from the presence of the beautiful Table mountain that surrounds most parts of the city, but am yet to prove myself right on this one. It just shocked me especially due to the fact that I am came from a less energetic country where everything is on the low, but it was a different situation in Cape Town. Everybody seems to be friendly, but at times you can get shocked with some of the answers coming from people. The best thing is to ignore them and move on. I am really impressed with the technological development as well. It’s incredible and at such a stage, Cape Town can even be compared with some countries in Asia. With regards to safety, to be honest, it’s not that bad.

I must confess that Heart 104.9FM, a famous radio station in Cape Town), where I intern during the “Phat Joe Breakfast show” is not just an opportunity for me, but a blessing. I interned with Heart for only a period of two months, but to be honest, I feel like I have interned with them for a period much longer than even 5 months due to the much experience I have gotten from it: screening callers before we eventually get them on air; following up callers to get hold of certain comments we as the team want to have recorded for promos and repeats; going out to interview people on the streets are one of the toughest tasks I have ever undertaken in my life. I feel so nervous when I am told to ask anyone random questions without preparing questions. With this, it came to my attention, that in life, we have to overcome our fear and think fast. Sometimes there’s just no time to prepare and the top dogs need the work done and the organization moving. I am much more confident than I used to be before I got to intern in Cape Town and I am ready to serve similar commitments that I had to leave pending due to my lack of confidence and little inexperience with regards to talking to people.

When you’re in Cape Town, you don’t only have to be really cautious of yourself, but walk like a Capetonian or like you’re very familiar with the city and its happenings. Ultimately, you have to be relaxed and enjoy yourself. It’s really an opportunity just to even step in Cape Town as many people out there may not have such a chance, so grab it wisely!

The New York Timesincluded Cape Town in its list of “Hip Cities That Think About How They Work.”

Amongst a list of top-notch locations such as Barcelona, Copenhagen, and Berlin, Cape Town was highlighted and commended for its efforts to be environmentally friendly, active, vibrant and take large strides in reducing crime and violence.

The article highlights:

Wedged between sea and mountain, Cape Town’s natural setting is stunning. Nor does the city — with its colorful neighborhoods, historic sites, and easy charm — disappoint.

It goes on to mention the city’s 3.5 million residents as it becomes one of the world’s top tourist destinations.

Other fun mentions include:

Four major universities and many research institutes make Cape Town one of the continent’s bustling research centers. Named the 2014 World Design Capital last month, the city government is encouraging a cluster of design and creative firms in a neighborhood called the Fringe. The 2010 World Cup of soccer was a boon for infrastructure, especially public transportation. A new bus system, with dedicated lanes, has been rolled out in recent years to keep the many suburbs connected and alleviate crushing traffic.

Very favorable mention…go Cape Town!!

This is HUGE news for the Western Cape.

The Vote for Table Mountain campaign first created THIS video when we were made aware that we became a finalist:

Table Mountain: New7Wonders of Nature finalist from Flow Communications on Vimeo.

After hundreds and thousands of votes, the committee made the decision to include Table Mountain. Watch their announcement video:

The New7Wonders of Nature are:

1. Amazon

2. Halong Bay

3. Iguazu Falls

4. Jeju Island

5. Komodo

6. Puerto Princesa Underground River

7. Table Mountain

Spokesman Martin Jansen van Vuuren, added the following:

“South Africa will gain an additional 108,000 international tourists a year due to the increased exposure of Table Mountain as a New 7 Wonder,” he said.

“The value of this tourism increase is estimated to be approximately R1.4 billion per year for the first five years following the inclusion.”