Posted by
admin on September 2, 2009 |
No commentsCaster Semenya was welcomed back to her home town last week, to celebration and dancing. After her long time away competing and staying in luxury hotels, South Africa and her people were there to welcome home their champion. Questions about her gender have plagued the track star for days, but once she stood in her home town, all of that tension seemed to melt away. Children from her town mobbed her, in the South African village of Ga Masehlong, this is a village wherein most houses do not have plumbing or electricity.
She had just finished running and winning the eight hundred meter race for the Women’s Championship in Germany. This is where the officials for the competition announced that Semenya should be tested, due to her muscle mass, her deep voice and the fact that her running times are so fast. In her small town however, which sits about one hundred and eighty miles outside of Johannesburg, neighbors and family members could not believe at just how much she had accomplished in the past few months.
They greeted her with a live band, and a tent was set up in her father’s yard for the celebrations. The children from her old school rushed to join in the festivities, one little girl stating that she wants to run like Semenya when she grows up. When Semenya emerged from her van, the band played, and about three hundred students were all dressed in blue. Speeches and songs were sung for close to two hours. She was given welcoming home presents, such as a laptop computer, and scholarship money to help her further her education. And a stadium nearby the town will be renamed after her. She expressed her gratitude to her town and to the officials, and they just stated that to celebrate in Semenya’s achievements was like celebrating the achievements of the entire village.
Tags: Johannesburg, luxury hotels South Africa, Semenya
Posted by
admin on May 18, 2009 |
No commentsSouth Africa has a rich musical tradition and it is incorporated into many aspects of residents’ lives. This year’s Africa Day celebrations will present a unique blend of African rhythms. Many of the sounds this year have an almost hypnotically lifting element that will be sure to captivate audiences. The event will feature popular and well known African artists. Among them are Asa, the internationally renowned vocalist. Africa Day is popular among residents who not only love music but strongly support their artists. For tourists who are staying in one of the hotels Johannesburg, they also have the unique opportunity to see some of the greats perform live.
Other performers on the line up include Senegalese hip-pioneer Awani, as well as Yuri da Cunha and Gang’ be. Local musicians will also be present and the Gang of Instrumentals will be among them. The Johannesburg music scene is large and diverse. Other local performers include the Gospel Choir and TheParlotones. The Parlotones are known for their upbeat melodies and will be an inspiring and fun aspect of the event. It is being hosted by the city, the Department of Arts and Culture andSABC2.
This year’s Africa Day will prove to be an incredibly diverse sound experience and will showcase performers from across the continent. Admission is free and it will be broadcast live onSABC. The purpose of this musical extravaganza is to commemorate the establishment of the Organization of Africa unity, OAU in 1963. The founding took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and leaders from 30 independent African states where there to sign the founding charter. The developers of the OAU were all driven by the common intention of decolonising Africa and working toward liberation, equality and unity. African heritage is celebrated on this day, which has become a holiday in many countries.
Tags: hotels, Johannesburg