Julius Malema - An Interesting Article

Hey everyone,

After a fascinating conversation with a Zimbabwean living in Capetown, I did some reading and found two articles worth 'educating yourself' over.

Realising that, due to the racist rantings of ANCYL Leader J.M. - myself (a hardworking white south african) and my new friend (a hardworking zimbabwean) BOTH feel the same: as if we don't belong. Despite the fact that the SA Govt has granted her legal residency, and that I am a third generation South African with a passport and I'd document that state - SOUTH AFRICAN. Apparently I am NOT African at all. Apparently my friend is not African enough...despite the fact that BOTH of us (and Mr Malema as well) were born and bred on the continent of Africa.

Now, instead of being derogatory (I try to refrain from that avenue) I am *trying* to understand what J.M's motives are. I must say, I am battling to do so. He seems to want good things for 'his' people. I just don't understand why we *all* are not his people, we are African. Could he not pick up the slack where Madiba let go? Could he not channel his seemingly gifted ability to make headlines by fighting for positive change and 'hope'? Without ostracising portions of the population? Without breeding fear and inciting violence, condoning the murder of our very important providers- farmers? I sometimes think that he is not in it for 'the people' but perhaps,... He is in it for the glory. Read on, these articles are interesting and offer new insight into this complex public figure. I personally hope and pray that he amasses positive change for ALL South Africans:

" Pointing to the clause that says "The national wealth of the country....shall be restored to the people", he demands the nationalization of the mines. Pointing to the clause which says that the land "shall be re-divided among those who work it", he demands the expropriation without compensation of both white-owned farmland and the mines. He is, of course, careful never to quote the Freedom Charter's first line, "South Africa belongs to all who live in it, black and white"
Quote: RW Johnson "Making sense of Julius Malema"

Here is the full article entitled:
"Making sense of Julius Malema"
By RW Johnson written, 28 June 2011.
(( http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page72308?oid=243160&sn=Marketingweb+detail&pid=90389 ))

Also, the wikipedia article about Julius Malema, for your perusal -
(( http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julius_Malema ))

Have a good day,

Sandy Bigara

< -------------- >
Photos: Author RW Johnson sourced from www.politicsweb.co.za and, Julius Malema ANCYL sourced from www.rivercity.co.za
< -------------- >

Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Fat Guilt

I watched a couple walk up the road, a woman with a curvy figured, slightly overweight, next to her was her man. He was slightly built and lean... The two of them laughed and chatted all the way up our street. I noticed two things: One, He was very much in awe and in love with her. And two, she was loving the attention and walked as if she was Catherine Zeta Jones...

So why do we as Caucasians feel embarrassed about our bodies if we have one iota of extra weight? Media is to blame to some degree, seeing the 'edited' and 'un-edited' Magazine covers opened my eyes to the lie that is popularised glam media. These ladies have eyes that are uneven, cellulite, chicken wings, flab, orange peel, forehead lines (notice how awful the names are for parts of our precious bodies?)

I feel challenged: LOVE YOURSELF. A sexy girl is a confident girl.

Sandy Bigara
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Questionnaire 2011

1
What is your occupation right now?
Slightly Insane Show Director!Producer/Entertainer
 
2
What colour are your socks right now?
White. Meh. 

3
What are you listening to right now?
Francis washing dishes
 
4
What was the last thing that you ate?
Mince, tomato, mushroom and cheese pasta

5
Can you drive a manual car?
Yeah

6
Do you like the person who sent this to you
Hells Yeah!

7
How old are you today?
30

8
Favourite drink?
Nestle Hot Chocolate

9
Favourite colour?
My children's Cheeks, hair and eyes :)
 
10
Favourite Perfume?
DKNY
 
11
Have you ever dyed your hair?
Most months yes...

12
Favourite food????
Medium Well done steak fillet old man from Roma Revolving Restaurant...

13
What is the last movie you watched
Cars...

14
Favourite day of the year?
17th Jan, 3rd July and 17th July (Sav B-day, Wedding day, Kels B-Day)
 
15
How do you vent anger?
I write horrible short stories where people DIE. No really. :)

16
What was your favourite toy as a child
My giraffe Dorothy, as a 5 month old I used to 'chat' to her for hours.
 
17
What is your favourite season???
Spring/Autumn

18
Cherries or Blueberries?
Blueberry on top of cheesecake
 
19
Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?
*sigh* Yes -.- ....... Just kidding hahaha

20
Who is the most likely to respond?
I dunno...

21
Who is least likely to respond?
Mmm...
 
22
Living arrangements?
Francis - love slave, Savanna - slave master 3yrs, Kelsey - Apprentice to the Slave master, Skippi - dog with half a brain.
 
23
When was the last time you cried?
On tuesday night, at home alone with the girls, all 3 of us sick and me at the tail end of 3 live shows ... It was the ugly cry of 2011.

24
What is on the floor of your closet?
Shoes/some kids toys

25
Who is the friend you've had the longest that you are sending to?
Rachel Basckin

26
What did you do last night?
I packed up 50kg of baggage, took myself and two small girls to King Shaka Airport and flew to Capetown... In one piece!!

Send this around, just add your own answers :)



Sands
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Crit: The Crush Hopper @ Catalina

[In the photo: Sandy Bigara and Mandisa Haarhof]

I was pleasantly surprised (see: ecstatically thrilled like a teenage girl at a Bieberfest) when we were invited to watch the opening night of Crush Hopper at The Catalina Theatre Wilson's Wharf.

We arrived at the theatre and the atmosphere was buzzing, even outside, people were laughing and mingling, networking and generally being very, very excited. I was personally love-mauled by Madame Diva Pinkie Mtshali (The Durban Diva's) followed closely by a dive tackle love hug from songbird Thulile Zama (Heels Over Head) and her awesome side-kick Marshall. Upstairs I had the pleasure of seeing Samantha Govender (watch this rising star - incredible actress), my old friend Ntando Mncube (Spice n Stuff), Thobani Mbhele and Chantal Snyman (Green Revolution) and a few others.

As the show started I really didn't know what to expect (the name is very open ended). Once Mandisa came on stage, it took me about 10 minutes or so to really warm up to the character, but boy, once I had connected, it was a rollercoaster ride of mixed emotions for me. She took me back in time to my own childhood were we all played the same games it seems, I laughed, I sang along, I felt guilty, I felt a kindred tie weave it's way through the crowd.

I thought, earlier on, that the show would follow the 'expected' racial path...but it didn't. It was an open, honest diary of the internal life of a young person searching for her identity. It was refreshing. It was worth seeing again.

I let my eyes wander the audience, each audience member was engrossed, most were laughing, a few were uncomfortable - which is a good thing! The subject matter is funny and accessible but, it holds a very large mirror up before the audience, causing us to look at ourselves from a new perspective.

The question that I was left with, and one that I have mulled over since watching the show is this:
"Am I proud of who I am? Do I know who I am? Should I apologise for who I am?"

I really would recommend this show, please note that there is use of English, some Afrikaans and minimal isiKhosa in the show...and no subtitles.

Sandy Bigara

---------
Press Release:
Crush Hopper is a one woman show conceived, written and created by Mandisa Haarhof in collaboration with her director Ntokozo Madlala. The play was first performed at the Musho Theatre Festival in Durban in January 2011 where won the festival's Audience award, as voted for by the audiences! It is a beautiful true tale of a young woman searching for love and identity in the midst of trying circumstances. Through crushing and crushes, she finds a way to cope with her displacement and an escape from her numbing reality!

Dates:
Thursday June 16 at 8:00pm until June 26 at 10:00pm

Times:
Thurs - Fri @ 8pm
Sat @ 5pm & 8pm
Sun @ 2pm & 6pm

Tickets:
R65 pp
R40 student/pensioner

To book:
031 3056889 /

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217742878255044
---------
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Lunar Eclipses And Their Effect On Babies

Well, well, well, ...tonight we decided to be legendary and wait up to see the Lunar eclipse (Like normal people who aren't exhausted parents of young children).
We ordered a Pizza and Coke, stayed up later (let the girls stay up an hour later) and then we sat in the cold watching the eclipse until we couldn't keep our eyes open. That was 3 hours ago.

I am currently sitting in my pink fluffy dressing gown at 1am, on the couch. While 11 month old Kelsey sings, burps, crawls and slingshot's around the lounge. This is the first time this has happened. Ever.
My dear husband, after battling out the 10:30pm-midnight titanic toddler/parent fight for sleep avoidance/deprivation with me as his bleary eyed assistant, has succumbed to the almighty sleep and left me, uh, holding the baby so to speak.

We have Shushed, Rocked, Wrapped, Fed, Smacked, Cuddled, Ignored, Medicated and Cried to try and get her to sleep. But it's not. Gunna. Happen.

"It looks like.... ..... .... ..... She's awake"
YEEEEEEEAAAAAHHH!!!!!
*Horatio put on sunglasses and places hand on hips*

Sorry, I am sitting at the tail end of an incredibly busy few days (I am completely and utterly exhausted) and I can see no conceivable way that I will be getting any sleep tonight.

It seems as though several forces are at play stopping Kelsey's sleep:
a. She has a sleeping issue (slept through for the first time at 10.5months)
b. She has acid reflux and it seems to be particularly bad tonight.
c. She has reached a big milestone (last two days) and is now tentatively walking.
d. She has had a speech breakthrough saying new words. Daddy, Dum, Mum, Nanna, Ottle, Grancie, NumNum.
e. There was an eclipse and she is now part werewolf (would explain the nasty wolverine poohs she's been leaving in her nappies)

All of these or one of these could be the cause. I just don't know, I'm too frikkin tired.

Nice eclipse though.

Sandy Bigara
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Little Red Riding Hood @ Catalina Theatre

Little Red Riding Hood – the all-time favourite children's story will be brought to life this holiday at the Catalina Theatre in Wilson's Wharf playing mornings from 29 June until 16 July. It is being presented by the Dingalings Production Company who presented the enchanting Cinderella last holiday season. 

Directed by Kumseela Naidoo the play showcases Dingaling comedians Henry Ramkissoon,  Koobeshen Naidoo, Katinga Baserello, Nirvana Naidoo and Yuvaan Naidoo. Complete with the magic of song, dance and a witty script audiences from ages two to 102 will be kept thoroughly entertained with the zany antics of the two wolves, an over protective mother and Red Riding Hood's adventure on the way to Grandma's house. 

This promises to be an entertaining morning with a boat ride around the harbour after the show.

 

Tickets:

R40 (for the show only)

R55 Show and harbour boat ride)

 

Where:

Catalina Theatre @ Wilson's Wharf

 

When:

29 June – 16 July

The show runs from 29 June until 16 July at 11am daily.  

Book by calling the Catalina on 031 3056889.

 

 

 

 

 

~ Let's support local theatre - Hope you all can get there!

Sandy Bigara

Crush Hopper @ The Catalina

Crush Hopper is a one woman show conceived, written and created by Mandisa Haarhof in collaboration with her director Ntokozo Madlala. The play was first performed at the Musho Theatre Festival in Durban in January 2011 where won the festival's Audience award, as voted for by the audiences! It is a beautiful true tale of a young woman searching for love and identity in the midst of trying circumstances. Through crushing and crushes, she finds a way to cope with her displacement and an escape from her numbing reality!

Dates:
Thursday June 16 at 8:00pm until June 26 at 10:00pm

Times:
Thurs - Fri @ 8pm
Sat @ 5pm & 8pm
Sun @ 2pm & 6pm

Tickets:
R65 pp
R40 student/pensioner

To book:
031 3056889 /

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=217742878255044

Hope you can make it! Hopefully I can poat a crit soon!

Sandy Bigara
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Rising Star Theatre Auditions KZN

Youth Theatre Auditions

Rising Star Academy Productions
is proud to announce their 2011 Youth Theatre Production "Galaxy Rock!"

An original rock musical performed for the first time on the Durban stage.

Auditions
• We require a strong acting, singing and dancing cast of 30 – 35 performers.
• The audition is open to all students Grade 5 - Grade 11.
• Auditions will be held Saturday 16th July at Westville Theatre Club, Attercliffe Road, Westville 13h00 - 16h00.
• All attending must bring a resume with headshots; prepare a 1 min monologue, 1 min dance and 1 min song. The song must be sung unaccompanied.
• Whilst not every part requires skills in all the above performance areas we would like to get an idea of the all-round ability of each performer before casting.

Rehearsals
• Rehearsals will start Saturday 23rd July 13h00 and take place every Saturday until the 29th October.
• Rehearsals will be held at Westville Senior Primary School (central location for all)
• Final tech and dress rehearsals will take place at the performance venue
• Rehearsal attendance is compulsory.

Performance
• The show will be staged at Seabrooke's Theatre, Durban.
• The show will run 9th November - 13th November 2011.

Please direct all enquiries to the Production Director Andrea Nel
082 994 0984 /andrea@risingstaracademy.co.za.
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Warm Winter Stew

This stew is one of my own creations - a wonderful Warm Winter Stew. The spices should not turn it into a curry, but they should lend just enough warmth to the aftertaste to remind you that it is a 'Warm Winter' Stew! Children and Adults love it.

Enjoy and Bon Apetit!

Sandy Bigara

-------------------------

1/2x large Onion or 1x small Onion
2x skinless Chicken breasts cut into cubes
2x large Potato's peeled and cubed
2x large Carrots peeled and diced
1x tin Chickpeas drained
1x tin chopped Tomato
Ina Paarman's Tikka Masala Spice
Robertson's Raja's Mild Curry Powder
Pinch of Salt
Half packet of Cream of Tomato Soup powder
1x cup warm Water
(Makes 4 portions)

1. Fry onion in a splash of olive oil with salt, and both Raja's and Tikka to taste.
2. Add chicken and fry till tender, coating the meat in the spiced oil.
3. Empty tin of Chickpeas into the stew and turn until coated with spiced oil.
4. Mix in tin of tomato and leave to simmer.
5. In a separate pot bring carrots and potato to the boil until soft, drain, and add to the stew.
6. Sprinkle the Tomato Soup over the stew - add 1 cup of warm water to the stew and mix.
7. Serve with white rice and sambals if needed.
8. An alternative is to liquidise and turn this into a rich tasty winter soup - just add half a chicken stock cube and 2 cups of warm water.
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

Top Five Regrets of the Dying by Bronnie Ware

I thought this was beautiful,

Sandy Bigara x

----------------------------

Top Five Regrets of the Dying
by Bronnie Ware

For many years I worked in palliative care. My patients were those who had gone home to die. Some incredibly special times were shared. I was with them for the last three to twelve weeks of their lives.

People grow a lot when they are faced with their own mortality. I learned never to underestimate someone's capacity for growth. Some changes were phenomenal. Each experienced a variety of emotions, as expected, denial, fear, anger, remorse, more denial and eventually acceptance. Every single patient found their peace before they departed though, every one of them.

When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again. Here are the most common five:

1.I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.

This was the most common regret of all. When people realise that their life is almost over and look back clearly on it, it is easy to see how many dreams have gone unfulfilled. Most people have had not honoured even a half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made, or not made.

It is very important to try and honour at least some of your dreams along the way. From the moment that you lose your health, it is too late. Health brings a freedom very few realise, until they no longer have it.

2.I wish I didn't work so hard.

This came from every male patient that I nursed. They missed their children's youth and their partner's companionship. Women also spoke of this regret. But as most were from an older generation, many of the female patients had not been breadwinners. All of the men I nursed deeply regretted spending so much of their lives on the treadmill of a work existence.

By simplifying your lifestyle and making conscious choices along the way, it is possible to not need the income that you think you do. And by creating more space in your life, you become happier and more open to new opportunities, ones more suited to your new lifestyle.

3.I wish I'd had the courage to express my feelings.

Many people suppressed their feelings in order to keep peace with others. As a result, they settled for a mediocre existence and never became who they were truly capable of becoming. Many developed illnesses relating to the bitterness and resentment they carried as a result.

We cannot control the reactions of others. However, although people may initially react when you change the way you are by speaking honestly, in the end it raises the relationship to a whole new and healthier level. Either that or it releases the unhealthy relationship from your life. Either way, you win.

4.I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.

Often they would not truly realise the full benefits of old friends until their dying weeks and it was not always possible to track them down. Many had become so caught up in their own lives that they had let golden friendships slip by over the years. There were many deep regrets about not giving friendships the time and effort that they deserved. Everyone misses their friends when they are dying.

It is common for anyone in a busy lifestyle to let friendships slip. But when you are faced with your approaching death, the physical details of life fall away. People do want to get their financial affairs in order if possible. But it is not money or status that holds the true importance for them. They want to get things in order more for the benefit of those they love. Usually though, they are too ill and weary to ever manage this task. It is all comes down to love and relationships in the end. That is all that remains in the final weeks, love and relationships.

5.I wish that I had let myself be happier.

This is a surprisingly common one. Many did not realise until the end that happiness is a choice. They had stayed stuck in old patterns and habits. The so-called 'comfort' of familiarity overflowed into their emotions, as well as their physical lives. Fear of change had them pretending to others, and to their selves, that they were content. When deep within, they longed to laugh properly and have silliness in their life again.

When you are on your deathbed, what others think of you is a long way from your mind. How wonderful to be able to let go and smile again, long before you are dying.

Life is a choice. It is YOUR life. Choose consciously, choose wisely, choose honestly. Choose happiness.
Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!

There's No Business Like Show Business...

I have snurched a few verses from one of my favourite songs, any Performer/Director will testify to the truth in these lines :) this is why I do what I do!

Enjoy!

Sandy Bigara


"There's no people like show people,
They smile when they are low
Even with a turkey that you know will fold,
You may be stranded out in the cold
Still you wouldn't change it for a sack of gold,
Let's go on with the show.

There's no business like show business,
And I tell you it's so.
Travelling through the country is so thrilling,
Standing out in front on opening nights,
Smiling as you watch the theatre filling,
And there's your billing out there in lights.

There's no business like show business,
Like no business I know,
You get word before the show has started,
That your favourite uncle died at dawn.
Top of that, your pa and ma have parted,
You're broken-hearted, but you go on.

There's no people like show people,
They smile when they are low
Yesterday they told you - you would not go far,
That night you opened and 'there you are!'
Next day on your dressing room,
They've hung a star!
Let's go on with the show!

Let's go on with the show!!"

Sent via my BlackBerry from Vodacom - let your email find you!