Invictus

I love this poem by William Ernest Henley. I'll be honest that I only really discovered it when this is what I found out the name of the Clint Eastwood-directed Madiba movie would be.

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul

The film will make its world debut on December 11. Cannot wait!

Things I Learnt while on a Tropical Island with a Handful of SA Celebs

The reality competition is called Tropika Island of Treasure. I like to think of it as Survivor for Sissies. There are ten local celebs paired up with a competition winner. The goal is to win the challenges and win the Million Rand Prize. It's filmed on a tropical island, but this is hardly roughing it. Instead of twig-made shelter and bugs for dinner, these contestants got 4-poster beds and Italian buffets. "Smooth and easy - just like Tropika," commented one of the PR people. I'm sure...

* Sometimes the Press Members are More Rowdy than the Celebs

Just because they have their names splashed in the media, doesn't necessarily mean they're the ones hogging the spotlight. But perhaps the less said about this, the better.

* Khanyi Mbau really does change twenty times a day.

She has something like a gazillion costumes - each of them more "blinging" than the other. At one stage, Mz Mbau started posing on the beach with the Masai warriors which sent the photogs into a spin.
* I should be watching more 'Sewende Laan'

Cutie pie Hendrik Cronje plays Lucas. I can't really tell you what Lucas's character is like, but this easy-on-the-eye actor is sweet and very considerate of those around him. Did I mention how easy on the eye he is?

* It's really expensive to call overseas from a hotel in Zanzibar. Or probably anywhere else for that matter.

Tasha Baxter discovered this the hard way. The Sunday Times said it was because of phone sex, but I know this mother of two better than that. She says she was told by the guy at the front desk after her first hour-long phone call the cost was 18 dollars. So she figured the next time would be the same too...

Well, that 500 thousand bucks would come in even more handy if she were to win it.

*If there's a mic, Loyiso will rock it. 

The singer at the hotel's "Souk Bar" was doing a decent job of easing folks into the evening with his guitar. But when Loyiso took the mic from him, the party really got going. When the hotel's SAPS-resembling band played for us on the Wednesday night, you could see Loyiso edging closer to the stage and then, next thing you know, he's putting his own spin on the track. Love it!

 * Trevor Noah really is that funny in real life.

Some comedians are not so funny when you have to have a conversation with them or interview them. Trevor Noah on the other hand, is an ab-workout you don't mind doing. One night, we were talking about how co-presenter Natalie Becker went running on the beach after dinner. Trevor had us in stitches as he recalled all the bad horror films he's watched as his reasons for why he was too scared to do it himself (apparently he got over this fear a night or two later). He had us in stitches with his impromptu comedy routine. I wouldn't be surprised if that material makes its way into his next show.

Drinking coconuts with Heat's Donnay Torr

Tropika Island of Treasure airs every Sunday at 6:30pm on etv.

Like A Piñata - only better!

I have never hit a piñata in my life before, but I imagine that if I did all sorts of sweets and little surprises would come out. British singer-songwriter Jack Penate's name is kind of prounounced like the word piñata and I love the little ditties he has on his album 'Everything is New'. I particularly love 'Pull My Heart Away'. It's just so grand and the song sounds more uplifting than the lyrics themselves are.

Blogging Shmogging!

It’s times like this when nothing else is more suited to the occasion than a simple postcard:

Zanzibar is gorgeous – wish you were here!

Jambo Zanzibar!

Being on an aeroplane, with no cellphone and no internet access, does much to help a girl catch up on her blogging. I’m used to travelling on my own so this flight feels a little like a school trip – only we’re grown up and there are no teachers to keep order (okay, maybe the flight attendants count). I’m with a group of ten of  South Africa's celebs and their competition winners on the 1Time flight to Zanzibar. It's for the Tropika Island of Treasure reality show that's going to air on etv from Sunday the 18th of October. The plane is mostly full of those involved in the event, but there are quite a few couples too and some families. I didn’t realize how many people go on holiday during the week – and to a place like Zanzibar. Dont they work?? Haha!


So, who’ve we got?

Sizwe Dhlomo – MTV VJ, who’s just come back from the MTV Base Africa Music Awards in Kenya.

Trevor Noah – comedian extrodinaire. In a short space of time, this guy has fast become one of the country’s funniest men.

Lira – the songstress who can do no wrong. Such a lovely lady. She’s no stranger to islands, having just recently run off to get married in Mauritius. (Note to self: Must ask her for tips about attending a wedding in Mauritius so I can be prepared for my cousin’s one next month).

Loyiso – my main man. Have been overseas with him before – in London and New York so it’s become somewhat normal to see him outside of SA!

Kelly Khumalo – have not actually ever met this kwaito singer, Arthur Mafokate prodige. She’s looking somewhat "tame" from the pictures I usually see of her.

Bianca Le Grange – looking good with her new hair colour (well, it’s new for me to see). Gone from a blonde to a light red-head.

Sashi Naidoo – pretty lass who has been to Zanzibar 5 times, she tells me.

Speedy – no towel, hahah!No, wait, I spoke too soon. There's definately a towel still draped on his shoulder!

Hendrik Cronje – stepped in at the last minute for Roland Schoeman. I don’t mind at all, he’s still quite cute and seems sweeter than the swimmer, who once asked me if I am really this short. (Um, no, it’s an optical illusion?!)

Tasha Baxter – a honey pie with a honey voice. I can still remember when she started singing back in the day in Cape Town, catching a concert where she performed with Penelope Tree and also used to sing at the Homebrew events at the Jam.

Tasha's been through a rough year - what with having her car stolen, along with all the laptop that housed all the new music she was working on. Perhaps she does need it more than the other celebs? Or maybe one of the competition winners needs it more? 

Pretty in Pink

Design for Life breast cancer awareness t-shirt, as worn by actress Terry Pheto, Dr Precious Moloi-Motsepe and Edith Venter.

Simple and cute :)