A host of South African celebrities have come together to launch a cover version of the 1980’s hit song ‘Shout’ to kickstart a campaign against crime.

The SHOUT campaign works in association with Primedia’s Crime Line, and is the vision of artists Danny K and Kabelo to raise money and encourage South Africans to get involved in the fight against crime.

According to Danny K he was inspired to use the music industry to get involved in the fight against crime in 2007, after the untimely death of music legend Lucky Dube due to crime. “That was the big catalyst in my mind that something needed to be done,” said Danny K.

South African R&B artist Danny K

Danny talked to his friend and fellow musician Kabelo, and together they started talking to other South African musicians and record companies to get as many as possible to throw their weight behind the SHOUT campaign. They decided that the song ‘Shout’ by Tears for Fears was the ideal vehicle to carry their message.

The result is a star-studded, world class recording and music video that features artists including The Parlotones, Karen Zoid, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Freshly Ground, HHP, Lira, Prime Circle, Hugh Masakela, The Soweto Gospel choir, Watershed, Loyiso, Steve Hofmeyer, Louise Carver, Tasha Baxter and Kurt Darren.

“Shout is about a group of musicians getting together, taking their positions as leaders and representing the voice of the people about their unhappiness about the crime situation in South Africa,” said Kabelo.

South African kwaito artist Kabelo

After the SHOUT DVD was made, Danny K’s father and board member of the SHOUT foundation, Gavin Koppel, showed it to the head of Primedia’s Crime Line, Yusuf Abramjee.

“When I looked at the SHOUT DVD it really made a major impact on me. It was powerful, the message was clear and the message was in line with what Crime Line stands for, namely, let’s shout out, let’s speak up, let’s blow the whistle on crime,” said Abramjee.

By adding their names to the campaign the artists all committed to the fight against crime. According to the MC of the SHOUT launch, Tsholo Mashishi, this comes at a time when musicians are in the media for all the wrong reasons.

Abramjee said this acts as a reminder for artists to watch their actions closely and take a stance against crime, as they serve as role models.

To loud applause, Abramjee asked South Africans to stop bribing traffic cops and buying fake DVDs or stolen or hijacked goods, and to contact Crime Line if they knew about any crimes.

He said that so far 902 arrests have been made thanks to Crime Line tip-offs, and that they were hoping to reach 1000 arrests within three weeks with the help of the SHOUT campaign.

A member of the audience at the SHOUT launch pledged to donate R500 000 to the campaign over the next five years to help the fight against crime.

According to Kabelo they hope to see more visible and tangible results from the SHOUT campaign. “When we come together as an industry, be scared, and watch this space,” he said.

The first goal of the campaign is to get as many people as possible to download the song, while raising awareness of the need to take a stand against crime. The song is available to download for R20, and all proceeds will go to initiatives that support victims of crime and projects for the prevention of crime.

Danny K said that he believes that evil prevails when good men do nothing. “I am convinced that the majority of this nation is good people and the majority of this country want change and want a difference and want to feel safe in their own homes and in our streets.”

He added that the SHOUT campaign gives South Africans an opportunity to no longer sit at home at their dining room tables moaning about crime, but to lend their voices to the fight against crime.

“Download the song, start a forum in your neighbourhood, you know, it’s not gonna change until it changes with you. That’s what SHOUT is about, making a personal change in your life that will spread like a wildfire through this country.”

For more information, visit www.shoutsa.com.

Control Room, the world’s leading producer of global music events, and FIFA have announced the first group of musicians confirmed to perform at the FIFA World Cup Kickoff Celebration Concert.

Alicia Keys, Amadou & Mariam, Angelique Kidjo, Black Eyed Peas, BLK JKS, John Legend, Juanes, Shakira, The Parlotones, Tinariwen, Vieux Farka Touré, and Vusi Mahlasela will perform at the historic event taking place the night before the first match at 8pm local time on June 10 at the newly-renovated Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

“We in South Africa are blessed to be hosting two first-time events,” said Lucas Radebe, former South African football international and participant in the Kick-off Concert. “The first FIFA World Cup held on the African continent and the first FIFA World Cup Kick-off Celebration concert.”

“I believe these historic events will go a long way towards uniting the people of our rainbow nation in South Africa as well as further strengthening our relationships with our brothers and sisters on the African continent.”

“After all, this is an African World Cup being staged in South Africa. Music and sports are the lifeblood of African culture, so to combine those in this historic event will be a true celebration of African Culture.”

FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke added:  “We are thrilled to have a concert of such magnitude and performing talent (to) raise the curtain on the first FIFA World Cup in Africa. It is testament to the universal and unifying power of football and music, and will start the competition off on the right note – of celebration.” 

Executive-produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Kevin Wall and his company Control Room, in partnership with local promoter Showtime Entertainment, the event will feature musical performances by major international superstars and popular African artists collaborating with one another.

There will also be special appearances by past and present football legends with all proceeds to benefit “20 Centres for 2010″, the Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™. Billed as the greatest entertainment event to date on the African continent, the event will be televised to millions worldwide.

Music fans around the world can purchase tickets for this once-in-a-lifetime concert online at www.computicket.com or via phone on (27) 083 915 8000. Concert tickets are priced at R450 (Outer Circle standing), R650 (Inner Circle standing), R850 & R950 (Upper Level seated), R1150 (Lower Level seated). Ticket prices include VAT, Computicket Charges and Park and Ride for all ticket holders.

On a personal note, The Parlotones is one of Howzit-HongKong’s favourite local outfits and thoroughly deserve their place on the world stage.  While we adore Laurika Rauch (and even Koos Kombuis’) version of Lisa se Klavier, we love what the guys have done with this Afrikaans classic. Here is one of our favourite Parlotones tunes:

Cheers to my good friend Mark Anderson who introduced me to Afrikaans music (and Meyers Rum) way back in Taiwan.  I still have your signed copy of Laurika Rauch’s CD. 谢谢 Xie Xie Ni Mark.

Mike Jansen

(Hong Kong)

If there was ever a challenge set for a brand-new skipper of a Springbok team, the recent call to duty for Kyle Brown is it. His side already decimated due to injury and SuperRugby call-up, the new Springbok Sevens Skipper will be leading what will be a Sevens team made up of primarily young, inexperienced players.

To add to the challenge, coach Paul Treu did not travel with his charges to Australia, choosing instead to remain behind to be by his sick mother’s bedside in hospital.

The senior players, guided by the rest of the BlitzBokke management team will be called upon to lead the preparations for Adelaide with the full knowledge that South Africa is the defending champions in Adelaide while woefully trailing the rest of the top teams on the IRB Sevens World Series log.

Thankfully, the young University of Cape Town player will have in his side one remaining former Bok skipper in Mpho Mbiyozo, ably supported by the other senior players in Frankie Horne, Rayno Benjamin, Chase Minnaar and Cecil Afrika.

Thanks to Treu’s mission of preparing all of his players to be leaders, Brown’s baptism as skipper of the 2008/2009 Series Champions will be less of a baptism of fire. Instead it will be but the next step in his development as a well-rounded international Sevens player.

We wish him and the Boys well in Adelaide and Hong Kong.

Bokke Bo!

(“Kaptein” is an Afrikaans song sung by popular Afrikaans artist Kurt Darren. “Kaptein, span die seile” translated into English means: “Captain, set the sails” While the song is primarily about a bloke and his girl, we chose to use it in this clip because it’s just such a lekker song about a captain getting ready for a challenge!)

I always thought that Fruit Dainty, or something similar can only be found in South Africa.  However, on one of my regular walkabouts, I ended up at the Park ‘n Shop International store above Admiralty MTR.  Great was my surprise when I found an Australian dried apricot snack called Apricot Coconut Slice (about HK$18 a bag).  I absolutely had to try it. 

While the squares were rather hard and chewy, it tasted much like the South African apricot squares.  The coconut topping on the Aussie product adds a delightful dimension to their Apricot Coconut Slices.

I will return to the Park ‘n Shop International store soon to see if they have the regular (no coconut) Apricot Delight or better yet… the Pineapple & Mango Bites.

Lekkerrrr!

So it was, late one night during the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Golf Open.  A friend and I literally bumped into a Saffa coming out of, shall I say, one of the popular ladies establishments in Lockhard Road.  He recognised us because we were speaking Afrikaans and the connection was immediately made.  The next day I followed that guy for the first couple of rounds at the Fanling golf course where he was playing.

James Kamte is a real stand-up bloke and a good golfer, though not in Hong Kong last year.

Here are some of the pics I took of “The Cobra” on the second hole at the Hong Kong Country Club:

Jason Dasey wrote this article about James Kamte in today’s Sunday Morning Post:

Here is what the week looks like so far:

Wednesday March 24, 2010  Kowloon Rugby Fest 2010

Venue: Kings Park Sports Ground, Wylie Road, Kowloon

Wednesday & Thursday March 24-25, 2010 GHF HKFC Tens

Venue: HK Football Club, Happy Valley

Friday March 26, 2010 Cable & Wireless Worldwide HK Women’s Rugby Sevens

Venue: HK Football Club/HK Stadium (Cup Final)

Friday – Sunday, March 26-28, 2010 Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens

Venue: HK Stadium, So Kon Po

Other rugby-related events:

SAAHK Sevens Dinner

The Southern African Association in Hong Kong’s annual Sevens Dinner takes place at the HKFC on Wednesday  March 24.  This year’s guest speaker is the popular TV commentator Hugh Bladen, also known as the voice of SA rugby.  The Springbok Sevens Team will of course also be in attendance.

Hugh will probably also have several other speaking engagements around the city and we’ll bring you news about that as it becomes available.

Tens Dinner

The Ten’s Dinner will this year be open to the public.  It takes place at the HKFC on Thursday evening (March 25)  Fee: HK$300

More information about these and other events will be updates as they become available.

This past week, on a weekly shopping trip to the Japanese Justco outlet in Whampoa Garden (Hung Hom) we noticed this whole, frozen abalone going for an amazing HK $563.20 each!  We had to do a double take because initially we thought that it read HK $563.20 per kilogram.  Alas, it selling at that price each.

If the South African abalone stock wasn’t on the brink of extinction, I’d move back to the Western Cape in a flash to become an abalone farmer…

                       The seafood refrigerator at Justco, Whampoa Garden (Pic. Mike Jansen)

                      Marine ‘Gold’ Abalone going for HK $ 563.20 each (Pic: Mike Jansen) 

Simon Williamson March 10, 2010

Back when I spent time in the UK, I was eating breakfast in a hotel one morning when the waitress carrying a coffee pot asked if I would like some coffee. “Just now” I replied with my glintiest grin. “Ok” she said and promptly poured the coffee into my cup.

I was on the verge of a massive irritation attack – something which I am prone to at times – when I realised this poor Moldovan/Polish/Czech/Hungarian/Bulgarian/Serbian woman had probably never heard the term in her life before. In fact, no one outside of South Africa knows what it means. And that’s not the only time we confuse them: walking kaalvoet in the lank rainy weather, picking up stompies, stupid mamparas etc. leave them scratching their heads, wondering what the devil we’re on about.

So for the benefit of those arriving in South Africa for the World Cup, a quick course is required in learning to understand the South African babble we throw your way.  Much like original English adopted (stole) tonnes of words from other Latin-based languages, South African English has ripped words from the dialects and tongues abundant in this beautiful land of ours.

Bare-feet is called kaalvoet in Afrikaans (Pic: spazazen.com)

Afrikaans would be the language from which English has borrowed the most words here. We drive bakkies, not pickups, utes or light delivery vehicles. We eat biltong, not jerky. The flossies make salads while the okes cook the braaivleis, after downing a few Klippies. It’s pretty shweet.

Collectively, our friends/pals/tjommies‘ names are bru, boet and china.

Not a pick-up or ute, but a bakkie (Pic: sanparks.org)

When we shout “chips” we mean watch out, but if we say it we’re giving you either crisps or French fries. Oh, and our farts don’t smell – our baffs hone.

Thin people are skraal and old battered cars are skedonks. While you deal with other people’s drama, we deal with their snot en trane. Your pictures hang skew while ours are squiff, and you wear trainers instead of tekkies. We waai when we’re woes. You leave when you’re angry.

Not runners, but tekkies!

You arrive at your friend’s house to see their young mongrel, and are hungover after a meal and a few drinks. WE pull in at our mate’s pozzie, and when we meet their new pavement special puppy we go “ag shame” or we think it’s sif. After a graze and a few dops we feel a bit sat and we crash, expecting a babbelas in the morning.

Coming from KZN where most people in the province speak Zulu, it took me moving to Johannesburg before I referred to a bulldozer as anything other than a gandaganda (correct word is ugandaganda). To this day I still refer to a doctor as the dokotela and an injection as a jova (umjovo). Meetings are often referred to as indabas (a bastardised plural form of the word), motorbikes as istootoot (terrible vomity Anglicised version of isithuthuthu) and trains as stimele (another bad adoption of isitimela). When we’re sick we take muti and then dudu.

So although it may sound like we’re speaking foreign, it’s not too higher grade. Print this useful piece out and keep it as you flit around our good land, come across our good people, and wish you were South African.

I just caught the Cathay Pacific television advertisement for the 2010 Hong Kong Sevens on local English-language TV channel Pearl TV. Cathay Pacific is, of course the national airline/carrier of Hong Kong and co-sponsor together with Credit Suisse of the BIGGEST Sevens on the IRB Sevens World Circuit.

The tag-line for their 2010 advert is “The Fun Is Back”  but with the Adelaide Sevens looming (in the way) a week before, at this stage of the season we should amend that to “The Fun Is (Almost) Back. For now.”

Be that as it may, for any serious Hong Kong Sevens fan now is the time to start preparing for Hong Kong’s un-official rugby week.

If you haven’t yet done so, put in that saved leave-days at the office to make sure you have a least 4-5 consecutive days come March 26-28, 2010.

“But the Sevens is only three days long” I hear you protest.

Hey, trust me… you’ll need 4-5 days.

Three days for the Cathay Pacific/Credit Suisse Hong Kong Sevens, one (or two) days before to get into the spirit by catching the GFI HKFC Tens over at the Football Club, maybe even the Cable & Wireless Worldwide HK Women’s Rugby Sevens (same venue) on the Friday and, most importantly… a day (again, or two) after March 28 to recuperate (aka sleep-it-off).

On the home-front Boys, now is the time to bank some extra time in the ‘good-house.’ You do not want to be sleeping on the sofa after HK Sevens. Once more, trust me… you’ll need that good-house-time more. The boss can be worked with paperwork, but the Missus…neva!

Now is the time to be doing all those chores you’ve been putting off till ‘tomorrow.’ Arrive home with take-outs or a nice bunch of flowers (yes, you know by now: or two) or give her a totally un-expected, un-begged-for full body rub (or more) until you’re dead on your knees or back (or whatever rocks her world).

You’ll thank me after March 29.

Whether you take my advice or you have your own, do it now because, in the words of Cathay Pacific:

                                                             The Fun Is Back!

                              See you on March 26-28 at the Hong Kong Stadium.

Cathay Pacific is running a competition where you can enter a video to win some fan-tastic prizes like flights, event tickets and many more. Simply go to their FaceBook page and enter your Sevens video.

(Fan-pic by: rugbydump.blogspot.com)

Howzit-HongKong.com believes that, together with the vuvuzela, the Meerkat will be another winner during the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa later this year.

How can you not love these little rodents!

Have a look at how cleverly Pepsi used the cute Meetkat (and Lionel Messi) to further their 2010 cause:

Viva the MeerKat Viva!

Ke Nako. Celebrate Africa’s humanity.

Bring on 2010!