You Know your Country is Bad When...

...your very own president gets robbed. That's right robbed, the president of South Africa was robbed recently. I couldn't actually believe it when I read it, but its true. It seems that the media have sort of kept it on the DL, well at least that I've seen. There hasn't been to much hype about it, maybe it's different in SA?

I did find one article which you can read here.
Apparently they broke into his property in Pretoria, the capitol city, and stole R20-30,ooo of aluminion off the roof. They only find out two days later, Yikes!

This just shows you how craze South Africa is, our own president is robbed. It wouldn't surprise me if it was an inside job. But maybe now they will wake-up and realize the situation at hand.
If the president isn't even protected, how must everyone else feel. Double Yikes.

Now let's turn our attention to the race in America, wow, its really getting interesting. I didn't realize how different the politics were in the different countries. The race for the next president is on and almost over actually. November 5th is the big day.

Keep checking back for my next post on Politics (because everyone is entitled to my biased opinion;-)

South African Slang

It feels like it's been awhile since I last posted, so I thought I'd give you a really interesting funny post. Not that my other ones aren't... but this one is a special comparison between America and South Africa.

Since I've been in the States I've been asked a number of times "What are some of the slang words you use in South Africa?" For those of you living in South Africa you would quickly be able to answer that, because you use the words everyday. BUT for me when I'm alone and someone asks, I can't think of any! The ones that I do managed to stumble out my mouth are literally impossible to explain.
For those Americans who have asked and not got a answer here are a bunch.
For the South Africans, be proud of your slang, it totally rocks.

Ag man!- This is used when you frustrated or dissappointed in something. The translation would be Oh man.

Aweh!- No English translation, but the closest thing would be Oh Yeah.

Bokkie- Refering to someone you love, like sweetheart.

Bru- Like bro, a male friend.

Dinges- Something, whatchamacallit, thingymabob.

Dof- Stupid

Dorpie- Small Town, we live in a very very very small dorpie now!

Eina!- Ouch

Ja. - Yes

Laaitie- A younger person

Mielie- Corn

Moegoe- This is referred to alot by my family as no one knows what it means here. Someone who is being stupid, irritating, coward or weakling.

Naartjie- Tangerine, also another name for moegoe.

Skrik- to get a fright

Vrot- rotten, like a fruit.

Lekker- This is one of my favourite/favorite. It can be used in many places.

• This food is lekker.
• The weather is lekker.
• That's a lekker blog.
• That was a lekker game.
• I'm lekker full.
• Rugby is lekker.

I think you get the drift.

Braai- a real barbeque

For more South African slang click here. Most of these words are Afrikaans which is one of South Africas official languages. We have 11! Some others are from Xhosa, and yes this is the language with the click.

If you still in SA and can think of some that I haven't mentioned, please feel free to let me know in the comments. I need to be reminded. Also you can sign-up to receive notices of when I make a post.

Cheers, have a awesome day!
Jonathan

Weekend

Friday is here! I'm sure you have waited all week to hear that, so I though I might just throw it in. It has been a good week for me, I have learned a good few things this week about websites. I even had a brainwave on what I'm going to start my first website about, I just need some money to get it started.

We are in the process of launching three different sites, two for ministry purpose and one for visiting Greece. You are definitely going to have to check that one out when it's up and running. Looks like you need a vacation!

As for my running career, I think it's over, since I'm sitting here typing with a ice-pack on it. I'm very upset about this. This is the one sport (activity) that you can do in the farmlands.

The Xenophobia attacks in South Africa have gotten worse over the past few days. It has now spread to other cities in South Africa including Cape Town. The blame is being placed on the government at the moment, who only recently have brought it military troups to aid in stopping the attacks.

Have a smashing weekend!

Whats Xenophobia?

I spoke to a friend on skype today and learned some interesting news of what's happening in South Africa. He mentioned the word "Xenophobia", what on earth is that? Some disease or outbreak? I had seen the word before in the news recently, but thought nothing of it, probably because it sounded to big. It is actually a phobia (fear) or contempt of that which is foreign or unknown, especially of strangers or foreign people. The term is typically used to describe a fear or dislike of foreigners or of people significantly different from oneself.

In South Africa's case it is the black South Africans not liking or fearing the blacks from other countries coming into South Africa illegally. In recent years, 2-4 million Zimbabweans have come into SA, this is a quarter of Zimbabwe's population. This is probably the result of Mugabe's(president of Zim) work in the country. I would probably want to run away from my country as well (look at me talking, sitting in America)! BUT I didn't run away from my country and I am legal, just to justify my case.

There has been several of these attacks in the poorer parts of Johannesburg, resulting in death. I'm pretty sure its in the squatter camps. I'm not taking sides on either one of theses, but if I had view the mindset of each group of people, I can understand where they coming from. The South Africans don't want people there illegally, because this is the main source of drugs and violence.If they absolutely have to come in, can't they just leave the drugs back in their country? I wonder how the country would look with no illegals. A better country or just the same? I really don't know.
Now, on the other hand, we have people trying to get into South Africa, because it's the land of gold for them. As I mentioned earlier, they are trying to get out of their countries, which are in often worse shape. Although, I don't think worse in crime sense. South Africa is ranked in the top 3 most violent countries in Africa, this includes the ones at war!

Just a quick look at what's going on back in SA, hope you enjoy!
Feel free to leave me a post to let me know what you think and keep on eye out for a reply post.
Also, don't forget you can sign up to receive a notification of my latest posts.

A little humour

I came across this website a few months ago, they really have some brilliant stuff. You might not understand it if you have never been there. Have fun anyway though.

It's great to be a Souf Efrikan...
This is a great country because .......
1. You can eat half dried meat and not be considered disgusting.
2. Nothing is your fault, you can blame it all on apartheid.
3. You get to buy a new car every 3 months and the insurance company even pays for it.
4. You can experience kak service in eleven official languages.
5. Where else can you get oranges with 45% alcohol content at rugby matches?
6. It's the only country in the world where striking workers show how angry they are by dancing.
7. You're considered clumsy if you cannot: use a cellphone (without car kit), change CDs, drink a beer, put on make-up, read the newspaper and smoke, all at the same time while driving a car at 160 kph on the highway.
8. Great accent. (!!!)
9. If you live in Johannesburg, you get to brag about living in the most dangerous city in the world.
10. Burglar bars become a feature, and a great selling point for your house.
11. You can decorate your garden walls with barbed wire.
12. The police are the first on the scene for most major crimes, without being called.
13. Votes have to be recounted until the right party wins.
14. Illegal immigrants leave the country because the crime rate is too high.
15. The police ask you if they must follow up on the burglary you've just reported.
16. When a murderer gets a 6 month sentence and a pirate TV viewer 2 years.
17. The prisoners strike and get to vote in elections!
18. The police stations have panic buttons to call armed response when they are burgled
19. Police cars are fitted with immobilisers and gearlocks!
Ja nee!! Dis baie lekker hier!!