Bruce Fowler from the Southern African Association in Hong Kong (SAAHK) is inviting all Springbok rugby supporters in Hong Kong to watch Victor Matfield celebrate his 100th Rugby Test today (Saturday August 28, 2010).
The Blue Bulls’ Matfield will become only the third-ever Springbok Rugby player to achieve this milestone after John Smit last week (number 2) and Western Province’s Percy Montgomery (number 1).
The Springboks will play Australia in their penultimate Tri-Nations Test at Loftus Verfeld later today.
South Africans in Hong Kong are urged to head to the ironically Aussie-themed WoolooMooloo Restaurant in Central.
WoolooMooloo is also the workplace of Bruce’s girlfriend so needless to say happy hour prices will probably prevail. Just turn up will you?!
After 25 of making hit music, Simply Red is calling it quits.
“Welcome to the final year of 25 mind-blowing years,” lead-singer Mick Hucknall said when the band announced their final tour. “What an adventure it has been.”
“I could never have imagined my career would bring me so far,” added Hucknall. “We want to share this closing anniversary with all the people who have enjoyed our sound throughout the years. Celebrate it and gently move on to the second half of a musical story. We all hope to see you at a show somewhere soon.”
Simply Red grew out of Manchester and their first UK university/club tour in 1985 and quickly graduated to Europe and the USA in 1986.
By 1987 they had conquered New Zealand and Australia and in 1989 they toured South America and Japan for the first time. By 1990 they had become a true global arena act and continued at that level until this day. They have played 3 sold out shows at the HK Coliseum in 1992. Last year’s Greatest Hits tour notched up a further 1 million people across the World.
Simply Red will play their final Farewell shows after a quarter of a century of touring, allowing Mick Hucknall to pursue a solo career and begin a brand new chapter.
The band will play their final farewell shows in South America in April, then in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the UK from September to December.
Catch Simply Red, live in Hong Kong:
Wednesday September 22 at HKCEC Hall 5BC
Tickets: HK$380 HK$680 HK$980 HK$1280
Tickets available: at HK Ticketing and Tom Lee Outlets
Red Group Asia is an online platform that promotes and hosts some of the best events here in the SAR.
One such event is the upcoming Mix & Mingle Summer Bash with the South African Women’s Chamber of Commerce (Hong Kong).
The Mix & Mingle takes place on Thursday August 12 at The Opus Grill in Central.
(Find The Opus Grill at: 7/F, LKF Tower, 33 Wyndham St, Central, 2526 2366. Daily noon-2.30pm, 6.30pm-10.30pm or click here for the Google Map)
This event is targeted at professionals, small business, entrepreneurs and individuals who are looking to extend their business network by forming partnership, alliances and meeting new contacts in Hong Kong.
Bring yourself a friend and lots of business cards as there will be plenty of network opportunities.
A Lucky Draw can see you walk away with one of the following great prizes:
* A 500 HKD Dinner Voucher from Opus Grill.
* A 3 month supply of Spring water from Natural Springs Australia.
* 4 X ART JAM® is my BAG painting sessions, each worth HK$400 from ValuUp
Registration
You can Register here or simply e-mail sheldon@redgroupasia.com
The organisers of the 2010 SaSa 2010 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races yesterday announced that the races were to be down-scaled from a 3-day to a 2-day event due to the effects of the tropical storm Chanthu.
However, as we have always forecasted here at Howzit-HongKong.com, once again this tropical storm warning proved to be just another storm-in-a-teacup.
We we got home at about 1pm this afternoon, conditions in Victoria Harbour proved to be ideal (a flat,calm harbour) for Dragon Boat racing.
When we passed Tsim Sha Tsui East in the vicinity of the Kowloon Shangrila Hotel, there was some activity on the water.
It may have been the various teams getting in a practice run or two before the big event tomorrow, we don’t know.
So, if you’re in the mood for some great international Dragon Boat racing, head out to the Tsim Sha Tsui East waterfront tomorrow.
Read all about the Race on Howzit-HongKong.com here
South Africa’s Minister of Tourism, Marthinus Van Schalkwyk will be in Hong Kong this weekend as part of an initiative to improve the country’s tourism offering to the Hong Kong market.
This weekend’s Tourism Workshop which Howzit-HongKong.com will be attending, comes at a very opportune time after South Africa’s recent triumphant hosting of the world’s biggest sports event: the 2010 World Cup. Now is the time to make the best of all the positive exposure and Van Schalkwyk and his team are seizing the moment.
Meanwhile, SouthAfrica.info reports that the Minister has been appointed to chair the World Economic Forum’s tourism council.
Van Schalkwyk, who has been part of the South African delegation to Davos for the past two years, was invited by World Economic Forum (WEF) executive chairman Klaus Schwab to chair the WEF’s Aviation, Travel and Tourism Industry Agenda Council through to 2011.
Hopefully we’ll be able to congratulate Minister Van Schalkwyk in person this weekend.
Read the full story on Van Schalkwyk’s appointment here
The South African Women’s Chamber of Commerce of Hong Kong, in conjunction with the Royal Overseas League Hong Kong (ROSL) would like you to join them at the residence of Ms Tembi Tambo (SA Consul-General) for a performance by the legendary PJ Powers.
Powers last appeared at The Fringe Club in Central in 2008 after which she promised to return to Hong Kong. If you missed her then, this is your chance to catch her performing live right here in the SAR.
Come and watch the sun set whilst enjoying a glass of wine and canapes. You can also try your luck at a lucky draw to win some exciting prizes.
Venue: South African Consul General’s Residence: House 10, 74 Mt Kellett Rd, The Peak
Time: 18:30 – 21:30 Date: Saturday 31 July 2010
Cost: HK 380 members or HK 450 non-members
All the information about registration and payment options can be found here
The SaSa 2010 Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races moves back to Victoria Harbour this year.
This year, the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races celebrates its 35th anniversary and at the same time marks the 20th anniversary of the International Dragon Boat Federation. Hong Kong is the birthplace of modern international dragon boat racing and is well respected as the ideal place for international dragon boat racing. Modern competitive dragon boat racing began back in 1976 in Hong Kong and is now practised in over 65 countries/ regions. To mark this auspicious and remarkable milestone, it was decided to move the international races back to iconic Victoria Harbour for 2010.
This outdoor fun-fest, organised by the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Association and co-organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, is the biggest event of the Hong Kong Summer Spectacular. This is going to be a wild carnival filled with sports, culture and culinary treats that you won’t want to miss!
Paddlers from around the world will descend upon the waters of Victoria Harbour vying for international glory during the 35th staging of the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Races.
Meanwhile, on land, participants can indulge in great food, beer and entertainment at the nearby San Miguel Beer Garden. It’s great way to experience the living culture of Asia’s world city.
I speak under correction, but South Africa must surely be the only country in the world who has witnessed and experienced two national miracles in the space of only two decades.
In 1994, we witnessed and participated in our country’s first-ever democratic elections which heralded the handing over of minority political power without any large-scale violence and bloodshed.
On June 11, 2010 we witnessed the stunning Opening Ceremony of the world’s biggest sporting event. The first ever event of its kind to be staged on African soil. An event most believed South Africa was not capable of delivering. It’s been just over 2 weeks and already pundits are cautiously calling it the grandest football gathering ever. FIFA should be pleased because before a single ball was kicked, the world body was already assured of the biggest profit from a World Cup ever.
But that is not the 2010 miracle I am referring to. The miracle is what is happening on the streets of South Africa at this very moment. South Africans of all hues, backgrounds and persuasions are showing our proud colours; on our cars, on our homes, on our clothes. In fact, we show our pride in every conceivable way we can. We are proud to welcome visitors to our country, proud to host this massive event for a world-wide audience of millions.
Simply put: we have re-discovered our national identity and we’re celebrating it!
The 2010 World Cup has also given some of us an opportunity to showcase our creativity. From the huge selection of multi-coloured Makarapa’s, beautifully decorated Vuvuzelas to the ingenious costumes worn to our beautiful new stadiums.
During a gathering to celebrate and to watch a broadcast of the 2010 Opening Ceremony at the Foreign Correspondents Club (FCC), using her handy iPhone, Lyndsay Walker read a poem that she had penned in honour of our national football team Bafana Bafana.
(Cheers Bruce Fowler for sharing this!)
WOZA NKOSI
Bafana Bafana, your people are here
We’re proud of you Yellows, and shout a big cheer
Haaikona Group C, Haaikona Group D
Come face our Boys, their power you’ll see!
With love and with passion, vuvuzelas and drums
Makarabas and diski, the magic she comes…
Like an African Queen with fire in her heart
Ke nako, Ke nako, let doubts fall apart
The manna are waiting, the mamma’s are too
The kids on the street are all praising you
The flags they are flying, the spirit we got
The colours are bright, football fever is hot
Madiba is watching – FW too -
They’re longing and praying and counting on you
Gaan kry daardie rainbow, sit dit bo Tafelberg
Wys die res van die wereld, Suid Afrika’s sterk!
Only God has the power to hold you guys up
He helped us before, in the other world cup
He can do it again, let’s fall on our knees
With Ubaba’s support, success is a breeze
Woza woza, Nkosi, come take our hand
Woza lapa, Nkosi, please hold our land
Woza woza, Nkosi, Shosholoza our team
Woza lapa, Nkosi, God Bless Our Dream
For those not familiar with some of the South African-isms:
Woza Nkosi – Come God
Bafana Bafana – Boys Boys
Haaikona – No / By no means / No way
Vuvuzelas – Stadium blow horn
Makarabas – Miner’s hard hat, now decorated soccer fan hat
Diski – South African World Cup soccer dance
Ke nako, Ke nako – It’s time, it’s time
Madiba – Mr Nelson Mandela
FW – Mr FW de Klerk
‘Gaan kry daardie rainbow, sit dit bo Tafelberg, wys die res van die wereld Suid Afrika’s sterk !’ – Go get that rainbow, put it above Table Mountain, show the rest of the world that South Africa’s strong!
Ubaba – Father / God
Shosholoza – Move forward
Woza lapa Nkosi – Come here God
Enkosi kakhuli, Lyndsay! (Thank you very much, Lyndsay!)
The family and I returned from our outing watching the England vs. Germany (22h00) game at, what could only be described as a “Hong Kong Fan Park”here in Tsim Sha Tsui East, The Empire Centre (just above the new Sticky Fingers). In fact, it’s been about about 2 hours since we came back and the Missus and kids are fast asleep while I’m typing this.
Be that as it may, what an outing! Not privvy to Would Cup TV reception at our place, we ventured out to the nearest mall in our neck-of-the-woods that has a big screen with some chairs set out for the “common people” to watch the World Cup.
When we got there about 5 minutes into the game, as expected the viewing area was already packed to the rafters so we joined the few up on the second floor balcony.
And what a game! The son and I even got a chance or two to blow our Vuvuzelas when Germany scored!
After the halftime break, the Missus managed to secure a seat or two and we joined the 50-odd folk in front of the big screen watching Germany nail the Poms in the second half!
Me being me and Hong Kong security guards being Hong Kong security guards, it was quite an effort getting a Vuvuzela tune and a swig (or ten) of CarlsBerg in when the moment required it.
At the end of a fun evening, Germany disposed of the English and I managed to finish 2 cans of Carlsberg (for the Poms) and 2 cans of weisbeer (for the Germans) and all was good again!
Germany won 4-1 and the Poms were dutifully kicked out of OUR World Cup.
Nuff said.
It’s 02:15 on this side of the noodle-curtain and I’m off to watch Mexico take on Argentina while the family is safely tucked in…
How’s that for being AYOBA?!
The SA mascot outside the alfresco dining area in TST East (next to the Shangrila Hotel) (pics Mike Jansen)
Bafana Bafana may have made a graceful exit from the 2010 World Cup, but the Gees (Spirit) around the biggest sporting event in the world is far from over.
Roger Chan at Sheffied Ltd. informed us that they have supplied Langham Place in Monkok with enough South African wine to last until way after the tournament ends.
Now you can watch your favourite team play in the World Cup in the luxury that only Langham Place offers, with FREE-FLOWING South African wine nogal!
