Where's Polly Gone

The Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus)is in trouble. Trouble is there are only about 1 000 of these wild birds left in the entire world. So each year a dedicated band of bird lovers go out in the freezing cold and attempt to count what's left of these rare birds. This year I joined these happy campers and went in search of this noisy bird. The main problem is as usual loss of habitat. Our pioneering forefathers were probably singing a version of Monty Pythons "I'm a Lumberjack song when they decimated massive forests of yellow wood trees so the gentile folk of towns like Pietermaritzburg could have nice wooden floors and furniture. Cape Parrots only nest and feed in old yellow wood trees. Hundreds more were captured for collectors to keep in cages around the world. Today a breeding pair can easily fetch R120 000. We eventually found a small flock (50-60) of these birds feasting on exotic pecan nut trees in the Bulwer area of South Africa. Filming them was no easy task but with patience and much strain on the old neck muscles we got the shots. Hopefully the numbers are stable for now but the day that endangered "tick" is removed from their species is a long way off.

(One week Later)
IOL Myrtle Ryan May 18 2008

Six men who cut down 86 yellowwood trees - some as old as 500 years - in the Gongqo-Gongqo State Forest near Umzimkulu in 2001, were given stiff jail sentences this week. Victor Terblanche, 65, and his sons Morne, 35, and Pierre, 39, were sentenced to an effective eight years' imprisonment, while their accomplices, Chief Wilson Ntlabathi, 66, Eric Sithole, 58, and Siphiwe Satywa, 68, received effective five-year jail terms. Chairperson of the KZN Wildlife Crime Working Group Rod Potter said "This case is the first of its kind in the country, both in the magnitude of the offence and seriousness of the damage to the forest, comparable to environmental rape" .

Fishy Stories

Durban’s Bay has seen many incarnations. Hundreds of years ago it teamed with hippo and crocs. Then came the city of Durban and the bay became the harbour after much dredging and modifying. River courses were altered and the cities storm water drains now empty their load of litter into one of Africa’s busiest harbours. In all this time fishermen have been allowed to ply their trade here in ever decreasing and restricted zones, some for recreation and for others their livelihood. Not even shark attacks have kept them from fishing this rich harvest of food. Nine eleven was the turning point for them. New security legislation deemed these people a possible threat. First the boats were banned and then anyone fishing from the shore. On Sunday 27 April a gathering of fishermen defied the authorities and threw out their lines from the shore. A group of bored looking water police ignored them and cruised away in their naval patrol boat.

29/04/08 Latest...Seems like the boats can still fish for now and no action will be taken against the shore fishermen for a while)

Drowning in Rubbish

I was sent on a story looking for dead fish from a recent sewerage spill in the Umgeni River near the Athlone Bridge. No dead fish (probably eaten by birds) but mountains of rubbish and litter washed down by the river waiting to be deposited on Durbans "Golden Mile" As thousands of commuters rushed over the bridge encapsulated in their cars I wondered how many were aware of their modern lifestyles and how this was impacting on the environment. To get to the river one has to clambour down a steep bank and walk through sticky mud so I guess only desperate fishermen, hobos and the like venture into this world of plastic debris. Oddly enough there is still a vibrant bird life on the Umgeni mud flats who happily forage amongst the garbage looking for food.

Splashy Fen

Mud Glorious Mud turned Splashy Fen into Splushy Fen for the first two days. The sun then appeared and 9 000 party animals did their thing. With over seventy bands ranging from folk singers to hard core rock there was never going to be a dull moment. The Splashy atmosphere is hard to describe and one needs to be there to experience it. There is an overall sense of relaxation and peace. It is a small capsule away from the constant crime and violence that sometimes plagues SA. I guess it is simply a bunch of people who all have the same intentions. Have a good time and chill. Next year will be the 20th anniversary and promises to be a biggie.

Sad Day

A 21 year old Hillcrest girl is gang raped in front of her tied up father while they were walking their dogs at a nearby dam. A private investigator easily tracks down five of the seven alleged rapists within days of the crime. Up to a thousand people arrive at the initial court hearing to make their voices heard. From schoolgirls singing Amazing Grace" to heavies in bandanas with megaphones, they were all there. In the meantime the police having got wind of the protest had simply switched the planned court date to the previous day. When the crowd found out they vented their frustration and anger on any police vehicle arriving at the court gates and rocked them off their wheels. They then proceeded to the Hillcrest police station where the offenders were being held and blocked roads and shouted death threats to the nearby holding cells. The police threatened some of them with arrest but gave up when the entire mob demanded to be arrested and thrown into the same cells with the alleged rapists. Part two will play out at the next appearence in a few weeks. Never a dull moment!!

Strange but True

This school yard is normally full of noisy kids doing their thing. Last Thursday about eighty out of 450 were suddenly smitten by a mystery ailment. They were vomiting had stomach cramps head aches and skin irritations. One collapsed and was airlifted to hospital. The governing body took action and closed the school. After three days no one had come to check what the problem was with rumours from toxic substances in the air to toxic chemicals in the air con. I stepped into the suspect class but it just smelt musty from being closed up. Some parents vowed not to let their kids back until the culprit was found. Some guys did apparently arrive to take air samples. All most odd!

Road Carnage

I was called to a scene of horror first thing this morning. A bakkie carrying ten people was travelling on the north bound freeway when the driver lost control. In a bid to avoid the bakkie, a Fiat Palio heading in the same direction also lost control. Both cars then went across the centre medium and into the south bound lane. The bakkie then collidied head on with a red Citi Golf, before flying down a steep embankment.The bakkie landed about 25m from the south bound freeway. Two occupants of the Golf died on impact and fire fighters had to use the Jaws of Life to extricate them. Another eight people from the bakkie were declared dead at the scene. The scene inside the Golf will haunt me for some time. All this after two days ago I witnessed a cyclist being hit head on by a car who flew through the air then landed in front of me bleeding profusly and with a broken neck. Managed to apply a bandage to the wound until the ambulance arrived. His bike was in two pieces. Just another day at the office. (above: eTV crew do their thing)

Hijack

Someone must have talked! These two baddies hijack a car then collect three more thugs and head off for an unpleasant mornings shopping. However waiting for them at the Marianhill Toll Plaza is half of Durban’s special police. When one character reaches for the cubby hole (glove compartment) they shoot his thumb off. The five are then unceremoniously thrown into the back of a police van to bake in the sun and atone for their evil deeds while forensic staff leisurely comb the hijacked car for evidence. Two loaded hand guns with serial numbers numbers filed off are found. No doubt they will be back on the street on bail soon as they await their trial.

Sticks and Stones

I am really struggling to get my head around the problems on our campuses. Today a small bunch of students (200) at UKZN's Howard college marched around the campus and forced students out of some of the lecture rooms. When I tried to film I was warned by a young girl that they would attack me. I called her one side and asked how it was that a small minority could control a large majority. She reckoned that if she could not study then no one else should either. I then chatted to the "evicted" students and they said they were scared of the weapons (sticks knobkerries etc) some of the protesters were carrying so they abandoned their lectures. Grievances are over accommodation admittance and fees.

Free electricity

The current electricity crisis in South Africa has caused a mad scramble for alternative sources of power. The tourism and hospitality industry have been particularly hard hit with many having to install generators to keep their customers happy. A small resort in the Drakensberg that has been self sufficient for all their power needs for the past four years is wondering what all the fuss is about. iKhayalamafu (Home in the Clouds) is adjacent to Monks Cowl in the central Drakensberg. It is well known to hikers and nature lovers for its scenic beauty and wide variety of flora and fauna. Four years ago Paul Brogan left the world of engineering with a major corporate and bought iKhayalamafu consisting of ninety acres of land including strong mountain streams. He investigated the feasibility of a joint solar and hydro scheme to power his small resort.
A small hydro electric generator that was sourced in Vietnam only requires nine litres of water per second to produce the two hundred and thirty volts required to charge an array of batteries where the power is stored. An inverter then converts the stored battery power up to 220v AC required for domestic use. Backing this up is a large solar panel in case of drought.
The solar hydro combination provides ample power for all the resorts electrical appliances and home comforts. Paul has calculated that even with a complete hydro and solar failure he has enough power for a week. Computer and Internet connections are via satellite allowing guests to make online bookings at any time. Even large washing machines required for the resorts laundry have enough power.

Litter

It was back to work today after a six week break. First assignment was to travel to the city of Pietermaritzburg to find out why half of the three thousand participants in the worlds biggest canoe race became ill after and during the race. Seems like the city's sewer system can no longer cope with the rapidly expanding population and semi treated sewerage is entering the famous Umzinduzi river. As one of our erstwhile ministers commented recently on the power outages " We are victims of our own success". Does this mean citizens will be asked to restrict their visits to the loo in future? As I stood next to the river I wondered why it was that many South Africans are unable to use the ample bins provided and prefer to throw their rubbish outside these receptacles.

Poms Revisited

Durban's NSA Art Gallery was purpose built for the trendy art set in town. The architects thoughtfully included an open garden area where people could sit and take in the great summer evenings. At the last members exhibition opening I had the chance to hear the South Jersy Pom Poms again. This time I could hear them and take a few pix. The waffle brigade were suitable spread out on the open lawns and the music lovers amongst us gravitated towards the band who were in fine form.

Praying Mantis

My last week of leave so lots more time (especially during the power cuts) to observe the strange creatures I find in my garden. This Praying Mantis reminded me of some prehistoric monster. Imagine being ripped apart by those fearsome claws.

Poms and waffle

It's been a while since I attended a CD launch. I think the last one was Scooters Union at the Bat centre some years ago. Anyhow the South Jersey Pom Poms had a nice ring to it so I braved the Durban Beachfront by night and paid the twenty bucks to get in to the venue. The Blue Waters Hotel was an ideal setting for this mellow group of musos who hark back to a bygone era. There were a few tables and chairs and I was pleased to see the audience was for the most part a mature one ( I thought). After an hour or so the band ambled onto the stage and after a brief intro they launched into some of their songs. The Pom Poms are almost an acoustic band with singer Eva Jackson from the Francois Hardy singing school. No yelling or shouting. By now the audience had swelled considerably and many appeared to be there to chat and waffle to their mates. Some didn't even bother looking at the band but proceeded to catch up on all their festive antics. The sound system was no match for these waffle machines. At the first break I ran off into the steamy night clutching the CD I had bought on entering and popped it into my car system. What bliss as the smooth mellow sounds gently lulled me home. Still beats me that their fans could be so insensitive on this special occasion.

Old Wrecks

Spent New Years near the Berg at a guest farm. Just outside the village of Bulwer we came across this wreck in the veld. I wondered what stories this car could tell. We then ambled through the local grave yard attached to a quaint Yellowood church and tried to match some of the 100 year old names to the car. Who knows?

Choppers

For some its a lifelong passion. Take a 1600cc customised bike engine and build a frame around it. Add a few extras and be prepared to write out a cheque for half a million rands. I was covering a car show at a local casino and came across these hand built choppers. One was dedicated to the local Sharks rugby team. Each part including a realistic shark fin on the tail had been hand made albeit some with the aid of computer technology. These machines became so powerful one could not apply full power on take off for fear of shredding the belt drive. The problem was solved by transfering power via a separate drive belt from the engine to the gear box. (thanks Mr Jee) They should really be displayed in an art gallery alongside the more mundane works of oil and pastels. I will be taking a break over the festive season so this blog will probably be a lot quieter as I attend to my overgrown jungle at home.

Christmas Shopping

Need some extra cash for Christmas. Why not hit a convenient cash exchange office next to one of Durban's top shopping centers.

A brazen gang took on the Musgrave Centre office block but had to hand back the $90 000 they took after stabbing staff and holding up an unguarded office. Two baddies were grabbed by police and one took his chances to behave like superman and jumped from a seventh floor window. After breaking a leg he was overheard telling the ambulance man to call his grandfather and tell him there would be no turkey on the menu this Christmas. Terrence Stone from eTV news was on hand to capture the action.

Lunch Time Music

Every two weeks the Durban Playhouse hosts a freebee concert in their Grand Foyer. The idea is to give local musos and performers a platform for exposure. This year alone 600 wannabes have strutted their stuff to appreciative audiences. Today was the grand finale and the lunch time crowd was treated to everything from traditional isiZulu singers to dudes playing John Lennon songs. Never a dull moment in this town!

Surf City

Durban is not called “Surf City” for nothing. It is host to a number of top rated international surfing competitions. Hard to believe that for years the Gunston 500 was the surfing event in South Africa. I never once saw a surfer smoking a Gunston while riding the waves. What a bizarre concept to set fire to a bunch of dried weeds and then place them in you mouth. Anyhow I digress. Today saw the finals of the Roxy Wahine cup which is SA’s biggest surf event for girls. Commercialism being what it is the event is held at a prominent Casino not known for great surf. Surf veteran Heather Clerk knows a thing or two about waves and took home the winners purse of R10 000 . I quote from the interview I did with her.

“I was the oldest in my heat. all the others were fourteen, fifteen, sixteen, seventeen. they gave me a run for my money. the day I have my walking stick on the beach is the day I'll give up surfing.”

Budds

One of Durban’s best kept secrets lies hidden amongst the hustle and bustle of Durbans harbour. “Budds on the Bay” offers some of the finest foods one can find in Durban.. If you stroll down from the deck of Budds there is a great view of some rustic old yachts hidden amongst the last remaining mangroves of Durban. Well worth a visit just watch out for the container trucks on Bayhead road.