Tag Archives: ANC

Flame of Democracy

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Under strict instructions from Son no 2 to do a post today so have forced myself to sit down and write.

Been another busy week – such a huge relief to be busy though so won’t complain.  Was rather worried a few months ago when there was no work in sight.

I don’t usually like to comment on political matters but the leading political party in South Africa, the ANC, really surprised me today by suspending Julius Malema.  Political parties are like banks – they are all as bad / good as each other.  There has been so much controversy over Julius Malema lately and I must admit I think they have done the right thing.  The ANC has also shown that they can take control when necessary – so bonus points to them this time!

We are busy looking at installing a beam of light in one of the towers at Constitution Hill which is now home to our Constitutional Court.  Have a look at the following site for more information about our Constitutional Court : http://www.constitutionalcourt.org.za/site/thecourt/thebuilding.htm

This light will shine into the sky at night and represents the Flame of Democracy.  In fact there will be an actual flame burning 24 hours a day in the tower itself and the light will shine at night. The 10th of December marks the 15th anniversary of the signing of our constitution by our first president, Mr Nelson Mandela. 

We tested one of the lights on Tuesday evening and took some photographs.  There will be 30 of these lights installed at the top of the tower to the left of the picture.  These lights will be switched on at an event on the 10th December 2011.

We had my brother and his family over for a traditional South African braai on Saturday.  Although my brother and I see each other a few times a month, we so seldom get to socialise together with our respective families.  It was so nice to see our kids all getting along so well.  We each have 4 children and the only one missing was son no 2 who of course is based in Dubai.

Son no 3 is now writing exams so I find myself doing so much more driving.  School run at 7am, then at 10.30am and then again at 3pm.  You won’t believe how much it interferes with my working hours.  Most of my work is done in the mornings in peace and quiet and of course that time is now interrupted by having to drop everything and do a school run in the middle of the morning.  Anyway – only 2 weeks of it left.

Joburg weather has been magnificent recently with temperatures of around 30 – 33 degrees.  Get to have a swim late afternoon with the kids – pool temp now at 32 degrees.  Feels like bath water – absolutely perfect!

Birthdays and Events

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It has been a busy 2 weeks. 

First it was Hubby’s 50th last week.  So now I am officially married to an old man – especially seeing as though I am 35 (in spirit!)  We didn’t do too much – went for lunch with some friends to celebrate.  Felt rather guilty as I could not think of a decent gift for him.  What do you buy a man who has everything (he has me after all)?  Anyway, a few little metal and wooden puzzles made the gift list from the kids and I owe him a gift still. 

Our event is finally over.  It was at the ITB building at OR Tambo International Airport.  The event was the Official Launch Of The Oliver & Adelaide Tambo Foundation And Inauguration Of The Oliver Tambo Memorial Lecture Series, hosted By The Airports Company Of South Africa. 

All and sundry from the ANC were invited, along with the CEO’s of most big companies I know.  We were dealing with the Tambo Foundation and dealt extensively with Dali Tambo. It was a high class event with a proper sit down, plated dinner for 500 people.   Now I had my reservations about the event and I anticipated a language barrier- especially seeing as though I have a very British accent. 

I was pleasantly surprised and met some wonderful people.   I met a very sweet lady from the Black Sash.  I met Justice Albie Sachs who flew in specifically for the event.  I met loads of people from the OR Tambo municipality in the Eastern Cape and met the ladies from the Watville Church in Benoni.  They were all extremely nice, easy to talk to, very welcoming and all extended their appreciation for a wonderful evening.  In fact I received an email from the lady from the Black Sash this afternoon thanking us once again. 

Our President, Mr Jacob Zuma gave a speech.  Now you cannot have an event without something going wrong – and guess what happened – the frigging fire alarm went off just before the President was to give his speech.  So we had to pause the event for 15 minutes while we found the ACSA maintenance manager to sort it out.  Everyone was quite happy to enjoy a breather from the speeches and the alarm going off was well timed.  Maintenance guy sorted the problem out and the event continued. 

My main function for the evening was to supervise the accreditation process and handle any problems which arose.  Security was extremely tight as we had the President there and loads of ministers etc.  So I had to go through a security check point every time I went into the venue.  I was going in every 5 minutes to deal with different issues and of course they instead on scanning me and my PINK iphone every time I went in.  Now I was stationed about 2m away from them and I was clearly visible to them every second, but they still insisted on me placing my phone in the little tray and it going through the scanner – EVERY TIME. 

Event was well received by all and have had nothing but compliments from all and sundry.

Got home around midnight after the event and now we start production for the next event….

Birthdays and Events

Posted on by
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It has been a busy 2 weeks. 

First it was Hubby’s 50th last week.  So now I am officially married to an old man – especially seeing as though I am 35 (in spirit!)  We didn’t do too much – went for lunch with some friends to celebrate.  Felt rather guilty as I could not think of a decent gift for him.  What do you buy a man who has everything (he has me after all)?  Anyway, a few little metal and wooden puzzles made the gift list from the kids and I owe him a gift still. 

Our event is finally over.  It was at the ITB building at OR Tambo International Airport.  The event was the Official Launch Of The Oliver & Adelaide Tambo Foundation And Inauguration Of The Oliver Tambo Memorial Lecture Series, hosted By The Airports Company Of South Africa. 

All and sundry from the ANC were invited, along with the CEO’s of most big companies I know.  We were dealing with the Tambo Foundation and dealt extensively with Dali Tambo. It was a high class event with a proper sit down, plated dinner for 500 people.   Now I had my reservations about the event and I anticipated a language barrier- especially seeing as though I have a very British accent. 

I was pleasantly surprised and met some wonderful people.   I met a very sweet lady from the Black Sash.  I met Justice Albie Sachs who flew in specifically for the event.  I met loads of people from the OR Tambo municipality in the Eastern Cape and met the ladies from the Watville Church in Benoni.  They were all extremely nice, easy to talk to, very welcoming and all extended their appreciation for a wonderful evening.  In fact I received an email from the lady from the Black Sash this afternoon thanking us once again. 

Our President, Mr Jacob Zuma gave a speech.  Now you cannot have an event without something going wrong – and guess what happened – the frigging fire alarm went off just before the President was to give his speech.  So we had to pause the event for 15 minutes while we found the ACSA maintenance manager to sort it out.  Everyone was quite happy to enjoy a breather from the speeches and the alarm going off was well timed.  Maintenance guy sorted the problem out and the event continued. 

My main function for the evening was to supervise the accreditation process and handle any problems which arose.  Security was extremely tight as we had the President there and loads of ministers etc.  So I had to go through a security check point every time I went into the venue.  I was going in every 5 minutes to deal with different issues and of course they instead on scanning me and my PINK iphone every time I went in.  Now I was stationed about 2m away from them and I was clearly visible to them every second, but they still insisted on me placing my phone in the little tray and it going through the scanner – EVERY TIME. 

Event was well received by all and have had nothing but compliments from all and sundry.

Got home around midnight after the event and now we start production for the next event….