Top Billing’s Jeannie D and Janez, together with a whole bunch of other celebs have pledged to go shirtless until the new Springbok jersey is unveiled on the 12th of April. You’re allowed to do the same too – in fact it’s encouraged, so participate in it and for more information, join the convo on Twitter #Bokday or visit them on Facebook: www.facebook.com/springboks
I’ll happily do this shirtless thing… next year, when my gym has paid off, ha! Fun times though, nice campaign.
One of South Africa’s most celebrated broadcasters Darren Scott has resigned from Jacaranda, 94.2 FM. The Just Plain Breakfast host tendered his resignation yesterday following a racial slur at a station event at the weekend. In an interview with 702′s John Robbie this morning, Scott described the events that unfolded at the weekend.
After a team building workshop, which involved alcohol, Darren dropped the terrible k-word. He told Robbie that he was embarrassed for using the word and that he’d apologised to the person in question. Newspaper Beeld ran an article on this issue and according to Darren, the journalist only printed one side of the story and not his. As you can imagine this has become a trending topic on Twitter with loads of mixed reactions to the issue.
For me, I’m saddened by an incident like this. Darren Scott is one of the best broadcasters in this country. In addition to his work on radio, which I’ve respected for a very long time, he has been a key player in taking SuperSport‘s rugby content to world class standards. What he and his fellow colleagues have achieved to date is quite remarkable and that has set the bar really high. Having said all of that, there is no place for racial slurs like that in our country. South Africa is so racially sensitive and for him to say something like this really sets us back a lot. This comes as the IRB Rugby World Cup is set to kick-off tomorrow. All the hard work to get the nation, (Black, White, Indian, Coloured) all united and ready to support the Springboks seems to have been sidelined now by an incident like this. I do no condone behavior like this but there needs to be consistency. There have been several others issues with several other parties this year and we’ve forgiven them. How do we proceed from here? Is it time we start talking about the elephant in the room? Racism clearly is still rife in South Africa, maybe as responsible citizens it’s time to discuss this matter head on now.
Read Darren’s response to Beed’s article and his account of what ensued below: Continue reading
The film Invictus opens worldwide tomorrow. It tells the story of how former President Nelson Mandela joined forces with Springbok rugby captain Francois Pienaar to help unify a very divided South Africa through the universal language of sport. On Tuesday I got the opportunity to chat to Morgan about this role, the film and what he’s hoping people will take out of the film.
Personally, interviewing him was the highlight of my career and I thoroughly enjoyed speaking to him. He’s wise, humble and so relaxed… which helps. Trust me, walking into that interview my heart skipped a beat (or seven). What I also enjoyed about the interview was the fact that he took time to think about what he was going to say, he wasn’t just churning out a rehearsed answer for the purposes of getting it over with. I listen during my interviews, unlike a lot of people, but in this interview I felt like he was almost testing me to see if I was indeed listening. It was great, really it was. The film is also inspiring and well produced. Well done to Clint Eastwood and to his production team. I’m certain this is going to be a strong contender at next year’s Academy Awards! Check it out in theatres tomorrow!
South African fans got a taste of Hollywood last night with the glitzy premiere of “Invictus”. The film stars Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon and some of South Africa’s most talented actors and actresses. I got to hang out, briefly on the yellow carpet… yip yellow. MTN sponsored it, hence the difference… it was fun, good vibe and awesome to see and chat to some of the stars who graced the carpet! Going one on one with Morgan Freeman in tomorrow’s episode of The Von Vodcast, so be sure to check it out!
