The intention is, over time, to record little video clips of my poetry. Often, I get so caught up in how to do it properly, in terms of shooting, that I never get round to anything. This is a poem from my 2005 collection Voices In My Head. The internal debate: do I post the video, the text or the video and the text? I’ve decided to post the video.
They don’t call it ‘the beautiful game’ for nothing. For some reason, intangible to many, there is something amazingly poetic about 22 men, on a football field, making a ball do things that go beyond the magical. It is the culmination of so much that happens before and beyond that very field of green grass and white lines and it can be an experience of so much beauty.
There is an army of passionate souls, all working towards that 90 minutes (plus extra time, if need be) and their eleven men (and women) on that field. The training, the planning, the strategy …. a chess game on green grass with the potential to break hearts or inspire pure ecstasy. For each player, the game is the result of a lifetime of perseverance, determination, commitment and, sometimes, a little luck.
The boy, barefoot, kicking a ball made out wrapped plastics, as he sprints across a dusty field. Another boy, in the garden with his father, passing a plastic ball, back and forth. These boys come from different places and spaces. From the poor to the not so poor, when on that field they are equal. Somewhere the dream is realised. Many try, only a few succeed. And for those few, they shall run onto the field, with their nation’s flag on their chest and the hopes and dreams of millions, on their backs and in their hearts.
Every World Cup, the attention of millions shifts to a true feast of football. Gluttonous, we gorge ourselves with pickings from this ample buffet, stuffing ourselves with exquisite play, in celebration of our teams. For some of us, there is the privilege of watching from within the stadiums where these games are played. Regardless of where or how, we shall watch, whether in the stadiums, our homes, community centres or the neighbourhood shebeen, chop bar or café, we watch in full voice.
In 2010, these millions shall converge on South Africa. It is journey that has been filled with drama, intrigue and suspense and every day, the 2010 World Cup comes closer. Roads and stadiums are still being built. Teams are gradually qualifying. People, all over the world, wait to hear whether they can get tickets.
Since we found out that South Africa would be hosting the 2010 World Cup, all we seem to talk about is….. Politics… Administrative challenges… Social upheaval… Traffic jams…Construction… Delays… Occasional triumph… Indecision… Confusion… Anxiety… Accusations… Reassurance…
Everyone has a theory. Every day there is something new.
The pessimists see nothing but dark clouds floating on the horizons, gently coming our way.
The optimists see nothing but bright, blue expansive skies.
In the end, none of it will matter.
On Friday, June 11th, 2010, the host nation, Bafana Bafana, will open the floodgates. They will run onto the green of the aptly-named Soccer City, surrounded by an ocean of green and yellow, driven on by a symphony of vuvuzelas blown in cacophonic harmony. From that first whistle, the first touch of that leather ball, that moment, nothing else will matter, but football. Marriages shall be tested. Employers shall be challenged. Friendships will be made and lost. All because of football.
We shall submerge ourselves, lose ourselves and finally discover ourselves on the journey to the finals. It will be a full month of football that will go by too quickly. And on Sunday, July 11th, 2010, in the space where it all began, the last two teams standing shall face up, like gladiators in the arena, to determine who shall rightfully call themselves World Champions for the next four years.
All the drama, all the doomsday predictions, shall be irrelevant and the naysayers shall be silent because it is all about the football. That is all that matters. As long as we remember that, each one can contribute to creating an experience that will last forever in all our hearts.
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Not so many moons ago, when the cellphone first made its presence felt on African shores, no one could have predicted the extent to which it would truly penetrate the continent. Being a lover of gadgets, the explosion of the cellphone industry has meant that there is always something new for me to play with. And over the last two years, I’ve been fortunate enough to frequently access different ones to review.
The one challenge when reviewing phones is that, with the technological advancements, the playing field has changed and what was once unique is now standard. Across the cellphone / smartphone manufacturers, there are many features that are common. The implication is then that preference for one phone over another goes way beyond merely what the phone offers. The decision to purchase one over another is often subjective and speaks more to the image of the brand and the relationship it has with its customers.
![OMNIA%20HD%20(1)[1]](http://kojobaffoe.files.wordpress.com/2009/10/omnia20hd2011.jpg?w=167&h=300 "OMNIA%20HD%20(1)[1]")
I have never actually used a Samsung cellphone / smartphone and I jumped at the opportunity to fiddle with one for a couple of days. Interestingly enough, while I was still caught up in the image of Samsung as an electronics company so you can also imagine my surprise when I discovered that they are second in market share in South Africa and have built a solid following with some very nice phones.
Anyway, my hook-up pitches up with the Samsung i8910HD for me to play with and the first thing I discover is that it is touch screen. I’ve never really been into touch screen. I have thick thumbs and I like buttons. Aesthetically, the phone is nice! Its Symbian Full Touch Screen is a decent size (3.7” AMOLED 16m 640×360 Display) and the phone is thin, light, looks cool (or as they say these days “it’s got swag”) yet is packed with all the features one needs and more. These include: Advanced TouchWiz UI with Widget; Mobile Widget; Share Pix; Document Viewer; E-Dictionary; Biz Card Recognition; Podcasting; 3D Games (I downloaded Asphalt); Application Download; Push Email (MS Exchange); Real-time video uploading; and Smart Search. Also the GPS navigation for SA will come with a 2-year license.
Let’s be honest, very few of us actually use even 50% of what our phones have to offer and I’m one of those who tries out most features when I get the phone, then never use them again. To determine how a phone works for you, I say just use it. Don’t change your habits; let the phone slot into your lifestyle. Plus, not being an expert means I’d probably fall short if I tried to explain technical intricacies.
The i8910HD fitted perfectly into my normal routine, especially once I’d figured out how to lock the screen. First day, I had to carry it in my hand because it kept dialling people from my pocket (but that’s more me than the phone). The touch screen is comfortable and relatively responsive – each ‘key’ vibrates as you hit it so you know something happened.
You can switch from Qwerty (landscape), alphanumeric to handwriting (using your finger). Handwriting didn’t work for me. Qwerty was cool when chilling while I used alphanumeric when driving (yes, I know, I shouldn’t). I did have to constantly check whether I hit the right button because of my fat fingers and the fact that it is hard to differentiate letters by sliding fingers over buttons.
The Display does auto-rotate from portrait to landscape but I did struggle to tweet comfortably and, for those who know me, I spend enough time on Twitter. I couldn’t get it right. Twitter in the browser looked small and when I zoomed in, I struggled to scroll, so it was uncomfortable. That may speaks more to my lack of ability and patience than the phone.
The thing that attracted me most to the Samsung was, very simply, this. It can show and record video in High-Definition! I went straight into the sample videos and they blew me away. I could comfortably sit and watch a movie of this device. The quality of image on that display is something else. I am a relatively new parent and I use my mobile to film my son ad nauseum. In his two years of existence, I literally have over 100 video clips – and photos – of him taken with my phone. And now I have some shot in HD. It also helps that it comes in 8GB or 16GB to which you can add up to 32GB with a microSD card giving you enough space for music and movies. I have a friend who wants the phone after having seen just that.
Overall, I was a bit disappointed when I had to return phone and switched my sim card back to my normal phone while in the parking lot. Still not a big touch screen person but I definitely enjoyed using it.
Being a lover of the written and spoken word, I try to explore it as much as possible, often randomly surfing in search of interesting poets and writers (when I probably should be writing). A couple of years ago, I came across the website of Nigerian-American poet Bassey Ikpi and have been following her work since. I then discovered her on twitter and have interacted with her in that space extensively. So, you can imagine my thrill when I found out that she had been invited to perform at the Arts Alive poetry show, Speak The Mind.
I was blessed enough to spend some time with her while she was in South Africa, as well as to see her perform twice. Definitely on my list of favourite contemporary poets.
Bassey has a young son and wrote a beautiful poem to him before he was born. For those who know me, I dig children and was absolutely touched by the poem so I decided to share it with you.
The first poem I ever heard of hers was Homeward. A poignant piece. The struggle to find balance as both a Nigerian and as an American.
I am hoping she will put up videos of her performances in Joburg soon. Keep an eye out for them. And keep an eye out for more beautiful words from this amazing poet.
I’ve been wanting to post this for a bit but been so caught up.
A couple of years ago, researching the legendary Sipho ‘Hotstix’ Mabuse for something – think it was tv show Afro Café – I came across a name: Mpho Skeef. Word was that Ntate Sipho had a daughter in the UK who was also involved in music. Interesting but, with no real access to her music, the fascination died before it even really began, until a few weeks ago when Put Me On It’s newsletter landed in my inbox with the following heading: PLEASE SUPPORT SUPER HOT SOUTH AFRICAN/ SOUTH LONDON SINGER MPHO!
Mpho, as the cliché goes, was destined to make music taking into consideration that, while her father is Sipho Mabuse,
her stepfather is South African composer, poet, percussionist Eugene Skeef who has been in the UK since Mpho was 4. She too is a composer and songwriter and has been behind the scenes for some years now as music teacher and backing singer for artists such as Adele, Ms Dynamite and Natasha Bedingfield.
She is finally coming to the forefront with her debut album Pop Art on the Wall of Sound / Parlophone Records which has been home to artists such as Coldplay, Pet Shop Boys, Gorillaz and Tom Jones.
Her first single Box n Locks is making waves in the UK and, although it hasn’t broken into any part of the African market, it is a likeable song that serves as a great launch pad. It is infectious, catchy and fun while also giving insight into the challenges of living outside the boundaries (boxes) that society deems necessary. Mpho serves to have carved her way and it truly reflects her.
As cheesy as it sounds, Mpho (which means ‘gift’ in Sotho) is extremely gifted and is set to reach heights her talent deserves. And she brings with her a refreshing sound that breaks the monotony of the more dominant US music machine that often consumes our ears. Definitely looking forward to hearing more from her and perhaps even catching her on Mzansi (South African) stages in the near future.
This is a potential performance poem I am currently working. While I am still going to be building it, I need to lock down the first part to possibly perform at a gig. My people at Twitter suggested I upload here for comment. It’s also sitting on YouTube.
Feeling a bit self-conscious about this one for some reason. It’s probably because it is coming on two years since I really wrote and completed a new piece. I have notes, thoughts, scraps, scribblings, but nothing I consider any where near completion. I obviously still haven’t found the rhythm or ‘voice’ for the piece but I hope it is coherent enough.
Recently, I was humbled by a comment on my Imperfect Poetry blog from Thesz Eyz about one of my poems, closed doors. This space served as my ‘online poetry diary’ where I wrote and posted the results of my almost daily writing sessions. The poems are raw, unedited and often really just residues of potential poems. Haven’t maintained it much lately but Thesz Eyz wanted to combine the piece with a graphic.
I am hoping she will honour me with a couple more collaborations like this. It is through interaction with others that we continue to be inspired.
I just finished watched Soul Men with Bernie Mac & Samuel L Jackson and was moved by the added footage of Bernie Mac in the credits. I have been a fan for many years & was saddened when I heard of his passing. Below is a mini-tribute / profile I wrote for a magazine in South Africa at the time. Just thought I’d share.
On August 9th, 2008, actor and comedian Bernie Mac departed from this realm; the laughter he brought to our lives only to be relieved in what was captured on film and television. Born Bernard Jeffrey McCullough in Chicago 50 years ago, Bernie’s career took off late when he won the Miller Lite Comedy Search at the age of 32, which then led to his featuring on Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam and the rest, as they say, is history.
His stand-up career was built on honesty, a unique voice and the willingness to unapologetically talk about the stuff that we all think, but are afraid to talk about. Finally getting recognition as a comedian, he started getting bit roles in film, in particular ‘black films’, such as Mo Money, Above The Rim, House Party 3, Friday, Booty Call and Def Jam’s: How to Be a Player, in which he always made a memorable impact regardless of size of role. He also featured in Spike Lee’s acclaimed film on the Million Man March, Get On The Bus, as well as the Eddie Murphy / Martin Lawrence comedy, Life.
Interestingly enough, it was Spike Lee’s filming of The Original Kings of Comedy, the groundbreaking comedy tour with Steve Harvey, Cedric The Entertainer and D.L. Hughley, that would launch him further into our consciousness. Undoubtedly one of the best ever live comedy shows, Bernie Mac was his usual hilarious, biting self and this launched him into the mainstream getting a deal to do The Bernie Mac Show (which only flighted one season in SA), loosely based on his life and a comedy skit from his stand-up. The show ran from 2001 to 2006 netting him multiple NAACP Image Awards for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series and numerous award nominations.
He also had a regular featured role on Brandy’s Moesha and continued to entertain us on the big screen in a range of films, including: What’s The Worst That Could Happen?; Head of State, with Chris Rock; Bad Santa, with Billy Bob Thornton; Guess Who, with Ashton Kutcher; Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle; Mr 3000 and Transformers. He was a supporting actor in the Ocean’s film, with George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Don Cheadle.
He recently completed Soul Men (with Isaac Hayes who ironically passed away the day after Bernie) and Old Dogs so, though he is gone, we shall still experience his unique spirit. We pay tribute to a man who overcame hardship to bring us laughter and cheer. Bernie Mac.
I love gadgets & technology. I’m not an expert but I like what gadgets & tech can do for my life. I own two cellphones. Yes, one is a Nokia. If you have interacted with me, you will know that I am passionate about Africa. And I believe that, if there ever was a time for Africa to start realising its true potential, it is now. Information, content is king. The means of accessing and hoarding information is easier. Well, easier than it was trying to establish oneself during the industrial age.
No-one expected the cellphone to penetrate the African continent the way it did. And Africans use mobile technology in ways that were not initially imagined including as a cashless transfer system. Travelling in places like Ghana, I found that people, especially in the media, are using the cellphone to record audio & video and upload to YouTube & other sites. Any limitation they may have in terms of infrastructure is countered by the cellphone. Limited fixed line possibilities, slow internet connectivity, etc – the cellphone.
And in many instances, that cellphone is a Nokia. Nokia is one of the most recognisable cellphone brands on the continent. And it does seem like they are looking to do more than just sell handsets: Nokia Research Africa. Only time will tell how much they do.
Anyway, a couple of weeks ago, I attended the launch of the Nokia N97 (and N86) in Johannesburg and fell in love, although I only fiddled with the phone for a couple of minutes. I am still hoping to get some quality time with one <<hint, hint>> and will share thoughts on that at a later stage. The thing that intrigued me the most was a competition being run by Nokia in South Africa: Calling All Innovators competition.
Because my one cellphone is a Nokia N96, when Nokia started murmuring about their Ovi Store, I signed up, downloaded application for my phone and explored. Didn’t get anything but it is filled with a growing collection of “applications, games, videos, podcasts, productivity tools, web and location-based services”, etc. Some free, some priced in Euros. Occasionally, when engaging with things of this nature, I ask myself: how does Africa get in on the action.
They finally answered with Calling All Innovators which is a competition for mobile and web application developers to create locally-influenced, mobile applications for South Africans. First question that did come to mind is how many local developers do we have and, considering it is open to all, are there any developers across the continent who can take advantage of this competition. For $85,000, I’m on a crash course hoping I can get something done before the October 31st, 2009 closing date. And beyond that, publishers of content on the Ovi Store get 70% of the customer price.
For full details on the competition, Calling All Innovators.
And consider the opportunity. Even if you do not enter and win. It is a platform for African developers to get beyond our borders.
Many moons ago, when I was a bit younger than I am now, my younger siblings attended high school in Grahamstown, a small town in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Very much a school town, with Rhodes University at its core, Grahamstown didn’t have much by way of retail. Every school holiday, I would make the drive from Lesotho to pick my siblings up, usually leaving at 6am & spending about 12 hours on the road – 6 hours there & 6 hours back. On one of my many trips, I had a couple of hours to kill, waiting for siblings to be allowed out so I strolled into the local Musica to see what they had. This was around 1996 and as I was flipping through the pile of cassettes (yes, cassettes) I came across a tape by a fellow with a big afro called Maxwell.
I remembered having recently seen his music video for … Till The Cops Come Knockin’ and liking it so, on a whim, I picked up a copy of Urban Hang Suite for the drive back home. I played it, and only it, for the next couple of days, falling in love with Sumthin’ Sumthin’, which still remains one of my favourite Maxwell songs. From then, Maxwell became an integral part of and soundtrack to many a late night. Then he was gone. The music stayed, but he disappeared to wherever it is artists go when they seek to get away from our prying eyes.
Fast forward eight years later. I start hearing murmurings on Twitter about a new Maxwell single Pretty Wings.
Then someone sends me a link. I watch. I listen. I am hooked. I want more. I phone Sony Music in Johannesburg. I get onto the invite list for the Listening Session to launch the album BLACKsummers’ night in South Africa. That was last Thursday. I have listened to BLACKsummers’ night, and only BLACKsummers’ night, for 3 days now and, as I write this, it is playing in the background. The album is distinctly and unmistakably Maxwell. He may have been gone for a bit, but he has become the kind of artist who just needs to ‘do him’ and he will remain relevant. It is gentle, engaging and elegant. Every song. Track 1, Bad Habits, had me pulling faces in traffic mesmerised by every instrument and every ebb & flow of his voice. And it doesn’t stop.
Yes, I love the album. I am no expert but this is good music. I can’t even begin to imagine what it must sound like live. It’s meant to be heard live. Because he’s taken it to that space. To a place of honesty and purity in creation and performance. Others who know better may tell you about chords and notes and …. All I can tell you is ….
When it plays … I want to put the little one to bed early …. turn down the lights …. dance around the living room with the missus …. and …..
Or …. get a babysitter…. book into a spot somewhere …. with a fireplace …. and ….
(and that’s not my traditional modus operandi)
Every time I decide that one song is my favourite, another one comes on…. though … Bad Habits, Help Somebody and Fistful Of Tears tend to be repeated a lot more. And Pretty Wings? It keeps getting better every time I hear it.
The only disappointment is that, with 9 songs, of which the last, Phoenix Rise, is only 2.41min, it feels like there should be more. Also, the album itself only runs for just over 37minutes.
You’ve probably already heard how BLACKsummers’night is the first instalment of the BLACKSUMMERS’NIGHT trilogy with blackSUMMERS’night and blacksummers’NIGHT expected in 2010 and 2011 respectively. Hope the concept works.
For now, I will continue to submerge myself in the very beautiful BLACKsummers’night. A return to what soul music is. A return to a gentler, more open, more musical space. A refuge from the sex-driven and orgy-filled ‘music’ that seems to be the order of the day. Others have kept that space slightly open, Maxwell has just thrown the door open.
No, they aren’t paying me to say this. Get yourself a copy, if you haven’t already. There is a Limited Edition Deluxe CD/DVD with videos of old & new songs which is a nice to have, but it is still to hit Mzansi’s shores.
