Lavender Hill

I stood outside the gates of the Living Hope Community Centre, catching a breath of fresh air while documenting a project for disables children. After being reminded of the gang wars by the volunteers inside the centre, I tried to imagine gangsters racing down these streets with gunshots, chaos and fear ruling the lives of the families in this area.

It was a perfect day. Kids playing in their school clothes on the sidewalk, a man finding his way home on his bicycle and a dad with his daughter on their way to a park. All this normality happened right in front of me against this massive industrial gray backdrop in the heart of Lavender Hill. A beautiful moment.

AGOF Year End Dinner

In the near future, a new generation of passionate and innovative individuals will be at the forefront of South Africa's economic and social transformation. Allan Gray Orbis Foundation (AGOF) exists to develop these high impact entrepreneurial leaders to realise this vision.

Having documented this programme for many years, I always leave their events inspired by the positive energy manifested through these youngsters! Thus, with this blog I thank them!

Dan Sleigh

One of South Africa's most renown authors, Dan Sleigh, in his living room. Seen through a window from his porch during an interview with Murray La Vita. Read the article on http://blogs.dieburger.com/Murray24/dan-sleigh-se-persiese-towertapyt

Feel It, It is Gone!

A few immortal Vuvuzelas and odd sized Bafana shirts are still hanging in stalls around the city... Slowly but surely pushed to the side by the ever-popular African arts and crafts, the 2010 Fifa World Cup has had a full live in Cape Town.

As vendors packed up their merchandise on a rainy Sunday afternoon, I found this scene in Burg Street. The end of a magical time in South African history.

The World Cup is dead. Long live the World Cup!

Breakfast with a Malachite Kingfisher

Getting out of bed at 6am on a Sunday morning is not the easiest task for me, but to have witnessed this beautiful Kingfisher have breakfast was a real treat!

Around 8am he was enjoying his fifth catch. The other photographers and I were amazed, wondering how many he could fit into his tiny stomach.

This is an event everyone should have on their 'Bucket List'!

Ian McKellen

Sir Ian McKellen will be performing in 'Waiting for Godot' at The Fugard Theatre, Cape Town, from 13 July - 14 August. To be honest, I didn't know who McKellen was until 'Gandalf' came to greet me in the foyer of the theatre. A man with a passion for his work... Truly inspirational!

Check out http://www.thefugard.com/ for more info!

Cold Water Warriors

A handful of swimmers travelled all the way to Fraserburg in the Northern Cape to make history as the first to do a one mile ice swim. The water temperature at the 'Nuwedam' measured a mere 3'C... It was perfect.

This was not a race. Finishing the swim was the only objective. These professionally trained swimmers spent an average of 20 minutes in the water, resulting in their body temperatures to drop to the high 20'C... Hypothermia was inevitable. A medical team spent up to 45 minutes to get their body temperatures back to the normal 36'C with heaters, hot water bottles and blankets.

I have only one word to describe them... Warriors!

In The Clouds

Looking for a 'weatherpic', I found myself in the clouds on Signal Hill, Cape Town... Not great for my assignment, but I had a great time playing with the elements.

Jack Parow

Jack Parow, the king of 'Zef', is currently giving South African music icon, Steve Hofmeyr, a run for his money on the local music charts. Parow, known for his rude (but honest) lyrics, has the whole of South Africa singing along to his Afrikaans rap tunes.

This photograph was taken at the 'Burger Fair' in Bellville, where the music video for 'Cooler as Ekke' was made. View the video on Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRzFqW4Xh2k

Final Touches

Some minor leaks are attended to on the roof of the Cape Town Stadium. With less than a month before the kick-off of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, we can surely feel the 'Gees' in and around the city!

Archbishop Desmond Tutu

I had the privilege to photograph Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu at the 'Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation' in Milnerton (Western Cape). Read more about the interview by Murray La Vita (Die Burger) at http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Weve-lost-our-pride-Tutu-20100504

Moorreesburg Endurance Riding

Endurance riding hosted in Moorreesburg, a “not so one-horse town” only an hour away from Cape Town and 70 kilometres from the West Coast. Shimmering summergold wheatfields set a tranquil countryside atmosphere. Each horse has to go through a vet-check every 30 kilometers in order to ensure that this loyal animal is fit to continue. The sport has become a popular pastime, especially amongst small-town nature-lovers. (Cherene Pienaar)

Steyn Von Ronge

I was assigned to photograph Steyn Von Ronge, the new AWB (Afrikaner Weerstands Beweging) leader, on his farm just outside Zastron in the Freestate. We spent more than 10 hours travelling between Cape Town and his farm, for no more than 20 minutes of shooting time. The light was harsh and the subject... Nonetheless, I got my shot and the Picture Editor was happy!

Von Ronge welcomed us with some birthday cake (which was the previous day) and Rooibos tea... In general, a pleasant man. Early the next morning he left for Ventersdorp to attend the funeral of his leader and dear friend, Eugene Terre'Blanche.

8 April 2010.

South African Wrestling Scene

I drove by a poster advertising a wrestling competition in the Civic Centre, Parow. I was intrigued to find out more about the wrestling sub-culture in South Africa. Knowing its enormity in the US, I didn't expect the same flashing lights and fireworks here, but it surely had the hotdogs with chips, wide-eyed screaming kids(young and old!) and with no exception... Sweat and blood, and lots of it!

Rabbit Culling on Robben Island

The estimated 25 000 rabbits on Robben Island are currently being culled. Due to their overpopulation, the habitat of indigenous wild are in such a state that many already starved to death.

With Cape Nature Conservation and private companies working together, the rabbits are providing food to needy communities all around the Cape Peninsula. Nonetheless, as a 100% organic and disease-free meat, this is not a low-class product... It also caresses the pallets of tourists in upmarket restaurants in the Cape Winelands!

As an animal/nature lover, I was hesitant about doing this story... Going on an overnight trip to Robben Island for a 'Cute Little Bunny-rabbit Killing Spree' wasn't really my idea of having fun, but I quickly realised the importance of this project. The Island is in desperate need of rehabilitation and the culling was done in the most humane and professional manner possible. The hunters were trained professionals with years of experience, and were regularly monitored by SPCA inspectors.

The image of the heads facing the lens might seem a bit graphic to some, but it is purely to illustrate an interesting fact: Apparently, during World War II, cat meat were falsely used as rabbit meat... by keeping the heads on, the buyer can identify the animal by inspecting the teeth on the carcass.

Sunset Soccer