Die Tuindwergies

These boys don't waist their days hanging around in the gardens of weird old people's homes in the Northern Suburbs... Actually, the only 'old school' thing they do (and they do it well) is rock and Roll. 

Remember Bruce

Mention the Comrades Marathon, the world-famous 90-kilometre run between Durban and Pietermaritzburg, and one name still springs to mind: Bruce Fordyce, the "Comrades King", and one of the all-time greats of ultra-marathon running.

Fordyce won South Africa's gruelling ultra-marathon an incredible eight times in succession, and nine times overall, to make the race his own throughout the 1980s.

At a time when some runners were contenders on the Comrades "up run" (Durban to Pietermaritzburg) and others contenders on the "down run" (Pietermaritzburg to Durban), Fordyce broke the record in both directions. (http://www.southafrica.info/about/sport/greats/fordyce.htm#ixzz206VWbvPy)

This year Bruce completed his 30th and last Comrades Marathon. This image of him and the trofee was taken at the Comrades Expo two days prier to the race. 2012/06/01 – 11:38:06 AM

Cloudy Cape Town

With my camera in hand, the changing of seasons are always celebrated with a visit to Signal Hill. When the cold fronts come moving in over the city, a photographer's kitbag undergoes some adjustments too. The faded old cap is replaces with a 'beanie' and the sunblock makes space for a raincover for the camera.

This panoramic is a combination of 6 images stitched together in Photoshop. I included the bus to emphasise the significance of Cape Town as a tourist attraction with masses of tourists still visiting the Cape even this time of year.

A Summer Past

It's that time of year when you realise the summer is coming to an end. Sunrise is a few minutes later every mornings and the evenings bring with it a fresh chill as autumn approaches. I found this jogger admiring the clouds covering Sea Point with the sun setting behind a cargo ship on the horizon. 19:07pm.

Stef Bos

Stef Bos, the highly regarded and popular Dutch pianist, songwriter and actor, will be performing at the Fugard Theatre in Cape Town on the 27th and 28th January, 2012.


Bos was born in the Netherlands and has worked extensively around the globe during his professional career. He will be performing for two nights only at the Fugard Theatre and local audiences can expect his usual mastery behind his grand piano in this show.

Bos began his career as an actor and cabaret artist and his breakthrough as a musician came in 1990 when he impressed audiences with his hit song "Papa" that went to double platinum status. He is known for his unique style of linking his music to his theatrical performances and he has won several prestigious awards including the Golden Harp (Holland) and Edison (America) Awards.

After the birth of his son in 2010, Bos started creating a new solo-show combining his vocal, piano and lyrical skills to bring to life a brand new musical journey. European critics cited the show as the most surprising, honest and best that Bos has presented to date, with the perfect balance between humour and honesty that moves his audience.

Performances commence at 8pm and tickets cost from R100 to R140 via Computicket or the Fugard Theatre box office on 021 461 4554. Friends of the Fugard benefit from generous discounts through the theatre’s box office. Advance booking is recommended. (http://www.thefugard.com/)

Bo-Kaap Brothers

This image came to me as I was about to jump in my car after a job in Wale Street in the Bo-Kaap, Cape Town. The image on the left grabbed my attention moments before I noticed the happenings at the house next door. Thus, the framing of the two images together.

Guy Fawkes

Hundreds of people gathered on 5 November to enjoy the fireworks display at Campsbay, Cape Town. With my camera set on a tripod with a slow shutterspeed and a little moonlight peeping around Table mountain, I got this shot within the first 20 frames.

Lost in the Stars

Tazewell Thompson, director of the musical Lost in the Stars wat which will be showing at Artscape, Cape Town, from 24 to 27 November 2011.  This trulry South African story has been told in American teater for many year, and is finally brought to South Africa by Thompson. A must see!


The musical plays of in August 1949 in the South African village of Ndotsheni ("The Hills of Ixopo"). The black priest of St. Mark's Church, the Rev. Stephen Kumalo, learns that his sister is in trouble, from a letter from his brother, John Kumalo, who lives in Johannesburg. Stephen decides to travel to Johannesburg to help his sister and also seek his son, Absalom, who works in the mines ("Thousands of Miles"). In Johannesburg Stephen learns that his sister will not leave but she asks him to take care of her young son, Alex. He finally locates his son Absalom, who had been in jail but now plans with his friends to steal so they can get enough money to avoid a life in the gold mines. Absalom's pregnant girlfriend Irina tries to convince him not to take part but he goes ahead with it ("Trouble Man"). During the robbery, Absalom kills Arthur Jarvis, a white friend of his father, Stephen. As Absalom is jailed, Stephen wonders how to tell his wife, Grace, and realizes he is facing a crisis of faith ("Lost in the Stars").


Stephen knows that his son could either tell a lie and live, or tell the truth and die. He prays for guidance ("O Tixo, Tixo, Help Me"). At the trial, Absalom's two friends lie to the court and are freed, but Absalom, truly repentant, tells the truth and is sentenced to hang ("Cry, the Beloved Country"). Stephen performs a wedding between Absalom and Irina in prison, then returns home to Ndotsheni with Irina and Alex. Alex and the child of Arthur Jarvis meet and start to become friends ("Big Mole"). Steven tells his flock he can no longer be their minister, and their faith is now also shaken ("A Bird of Passage").

On the still-dark morning of the execution, Stephen waits alone for the clock to strike ("Four O'Clock"). Unexpectedly, the father of the murdered man pays a visit. He tells Stephen he has realized that they have both lost sons. Out of recognition of their mutual sorrow, and despite their different races, he offers his friendship—and Stephen accepts. - Wikipedia

Fields of Gold

Experiencing the sheer beauty of the Canola fields in the Overberg region, should be one of the top 10 events in every photography enthusiast’s diary. Take a daytrip between Swellendam, Caledon and Bredasdorp during this time of the year, and you’ll be rewarded with breathtaking scenes of golden hills and landscapes.

I took this photograph on the R319 between Swellendam and Caledon. The old farmhouse and windmill created the perfect setting for the contrasting green and gold lines of the canola field in the background. I had to walk up a hill to get this angle, but it was well worth the effort. Remember to set your aperture as small as possible for maximum depth of field and take advantage of the landscape’s lines to guide the viewer’s eye into the photograph. Use the rule of thirds and you are destined to create a masterpiece!

So, fill up the tank, pack some boiled eggs and ‘sarmies’ in the trusty Tupperware and get out there! Oh, and please respect the farmers. Don’t jump fences and ask permission before trampling their crops.

International Ballet Gala

Hyo Sean Park watches Hyo Jung Jun and Unkyu Jang Jun in 'Don Quixote'.

Thoriso Magongwa

Andile Ndlovu

The International Ballet Gala will be at the Grand West Arena, Goodwood, tomorrow night (29 June 2011) for one performance only. Dancers from across the globe will showcase their skills at this prestigious event. I had the privilege to spend this afternoon at their full dress rehearsal. Spectacular!

 Hyo Sean Park watches Unkyu Jang Jun in 'Don Quixote.