Tuesday, November 25, 2008

HOLD HANDS TOGETHER AND PRAY .......

2010 – WORLD CUP and Confederation Cup 2009

MEET ZAKUMI – THE MASCOT FOR THE WORLD CUP

http://www.mediaclubsouthafrica.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=743:zakumi230908&catid=46:2010news&Itemid=118

Tuesday, 23 September 2008 12:45

Zakumi is a fluffy young leopard with

green dreadlocks and a wide smile. Introduced to the world at a lavish event at the South African Broadcasting Corporation headquarters in Johannesburg yesterday,

“He’s young, vibrant, energetic, enthusiastic, sociable, self-confident and ambitious.” That’s how Danny Jordaan, head of the 2010 Fifa World Cup Local Organising Committee, described Zakumi, the football tournament’s mascot.

“Zakumi represents the people, geography and spirit of South Africa, personifying the essence the 2010 Fifa World Cup,” Fifa general-secretary Jerome Valcke said at the event.

Fifa have given their mascot a distinct personality and personal history. Zakumi was born on 16 June 1994, a day and a year of great significance in South Africa.

The 16th of June 1976 saw the beginning of the Soweto youth uprising, when schoolchildren took to the streets to protest against apartheid, many of them cut down by police gunfire.

And 1994 was the year that South Africans of all races cast their votes for the first time to elect a new post-apartheid democratic government.

With the slogan “Zakumi: the mascot with an attitude”, Fifa describe Zakumi’s personality as lively, outgoing, adventurous and spontaneous – a “shrewd little fellow”

They say he loves to perform and always follows his instinct and intuition, and has the tendency to exaggerate.

Zakumi was designed and his costume produced exclusively in South Africa. His name is a combination of “ZA”, South Africa’s domain name, and “Kumi”, which means “10” in a number of African languages.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTPKsW06At8

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1781794/zakumi_mascot_world_cup_2010/

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/081014/59/16pwv.html

Zakumi’s sister says………

Vasco da Gama of Portugal first saw the coast of KwaZulu-Natal on Christmas Day 1497 and therefore it was named Natal.

http://africaguide.com/culture/tribes/zulu.htm

The proud Zulu nation is spread out throughout South Africa, but a lot still reside either in the cities or on what they term “the farm”. Traveling north from Durban the coast is called The Dolphin Coast and further into Zululand it is called The Elephant Coast. Traveling south from Durban there is the Hibiscus Coast, which like the north coast is divided into rural and agricultural communities.

Nearer the coast, the rolling hills of Natal shimmer in the wind with their acres and acres of sugar cane, and moving inland one finds the more natural rural areas, as well as the starkly beautiful thorn bush areas. Near the northern borders is the mountain range called the Drakensberg, named by the Dutch Voortrekkers – translated means the Dragon’s berg – and some of the best privately owned game farms are nearby.

Driving up the northern coastal areas there are several National Game Parks where the big five can be found. In the little dorp, (village) near the Swaziland border, Wakkerstroom the most prolific bird life in the whole of South African can be found.

The new airport for Durban feeding the KwaZulu-Natal area will be completed before the FIFA 2010 World Cup beginning 11 June to 11 July 2010. The whole area is a-buzz with building and preparations for the fantastic event which will truly make Africa part of the world community.

The Confederation Cup which takes place from June 14-28, 2009, in four cities across South Africa will bring many visitors who will hunt for the treasure of Africa amidst watching their favourite team in the stadiums.

The 2009 competition will feature Italy (2006 World Cup champions), Spain (2008 European champions), Brazil (2007 South American champions), the United States (2007 Gold Cup champions), Iraq (2007 Asian Cup champions), Egypt (2008 African Cup of Nations champions) and New Zealand (2008 Oceania Nations Cup champions).

http://www.cbc.ca/sports/soccer/story/2008/11/21/confederation-cup.html

Sleepy South Africans are awakening to prepare for all the visitors that are expected to come. Musicians, artists, restaurant owners, tourist operators and small businesses alike are working hard at preparing the biggest, the best and the most enjoyable time for the rest of the world!!!!

Where to go, where not to go, when to go and when not to go. Where to eat, and where not to eat, what to wear and what not to wear. Where to stay and where not to stay, how to keep safe and issues such as snakes, sharks in the ocean, and crime are questions that will be answered on this blog. And our speciality, of course, where to go to listen to Durban musicians play, who are they and how to experience real African music at the grass-roots level.

Highly recommended accommodation and tour operators can be reached through this website. Safety aspects and luxury top market resorts will be highlighted and travel arrangements made. Services to stock up self-catering units is on offer and the suggestion is that fans travel to South Africa and particularly KwaZulu-Natal to see for yourselves how far your accommodation is from the stadium etc. etc. These details will also be attended to by our travel experts and the best advice will be given. The exchange rate is so favourable, start planning your trip now to save disappointment with last minute travel arrangements.

Zakumi’s sister would love some feedback.

EXPERIENCE THE MUSIC!!

email us on info@lkf.co.za for further information and feedback.

Lkf stands for Leopard Kingdom Foundation (Daniel 7 vs 6)

THE FARAWAY LAND!

Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a king. His sons and his sons’ sons, having wandered down through Africa, are now settled in the beautiful rolling hills of northern Natal in the land that is now called Zululand. Zululand, the kingdom of the people of heaven.

Nowadays the descendant of this king, King Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu is the reigning Zulu Monarch who resides at Nongoma. The Zulus are known as the people of the kingdom of heaven.

Legend has it that this king once lived in Northern Africa and is descended from the liaison between King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.

Long, long ago on the northern most part of Africa the gods left their mark, when they built the pyramids and temples along the river Nile in the reflection of the great stars of the heavens. Over the centuries these colossal witnesses have stood the test of time to inspire questioning minds to seek for the elusive truth.

Africa……. how poetic is your name?

With the Sphinx pointing to yonder star and giving us the key to asking the right questions – where is your hidden treasure? Archaeologists search in vain, digging up dust and preserving past lives and pain…- fully seek to find answers that apparently aren’t there!! And the wise men three from the heavens, watch all, patiently – waiting, waiting for that one child to be born. The seven sisters or seven lamp stands hold hands together and pray………

When, oh when will your treasure be found? Oh Africa…… release now your bounty, you beauty!

Scattered amongst the rolling hills in the most beautiful rural settings, the proud Zulu people have set up their kraals, and if you have ever had the chance to hear these people sing – you will know that they are the people of the kingdom of heaven…….. and you will know that the treasure and riches of Africa is not to be found in the resources ….. for ……..

Her treasure and her riches are…..….. the people!!!!

IT IS TIME FOR A NEW CHRISTMAS SONG!




To all musicians everywhere – you are welcome to sing this song this Christmas. Please share it with as many people as possible, bearing in mind that all music on this website is registered with the South African Music Rights Organisation – SAMRO – see www.samro.org.za – for all rights.

IT’S CHRISTMAS TIME

By Cheryl-Lynne van Egmond

16 December 1990

INTRO: C – Em – F – G – C (Waltz)

ECHO SINGS (Christmas time)

CHORUS It’s Christmas time, the season for giving

C Em F F6 G6 C F C

A time for remembering Je - sus love.

G7 C

VERSE 1 And if you hope to find another

G7 C

Who’ll share your love, this time you’ll follow,

G C

Because it’s Christmas time, the season for giving.

G C F C

A time for sharing, all of your love. Chorus

G7 C

VERSE 2 And if you hope to be reunited

G7 C

With family or friends, I hope you’ll see them,

G C

Because it’s Christmas time, the season for giving.

G C F C

A time for sharing, all of your love. Chorus

C Em F C G

CHORUS It’s Christmas time, the season for giving

C Em F F6 G6 C F C

A time for remembering Je - sus love.

G C F C

A time for remembering Jesus love.

Monday, November 24, 2008

ESCAPING THE CINDERELLA SYNDROME!

Once upon a time, in a faraway kingdom, Cinderella lived in a mansion with her stepmother and two step sisters. Whilst Cinderella was kind and lovely, her step sisters were selfish and ugly. Cinderella’s stepmother did not like her, and she made her do all the housework and sleep in the attic!!

Cinderella looked on the sunny side of life and made friends with the birds and mice whilst she did her work cheerfully.

One morning the palace messenger appeared at the door!!!!

It just so happened that the King had planned a ball for his son hoping that he would marry and settle down………

By royal command, all eligible maidens were to attend!

Of course Cinderella thought that she could go too and said so!

“Ha! Ha!” screeched the step sisters, and they began making fun of her.

Her stepmother did not see any reason why Cinderella could not attend the ball BUT ONLY……… after she had finished the housework!!!!

Cinderella hurried upstairs to find a suitable dress to wear! It wasn’t long before her step sisters called her to do some extra work and help them to prepare for the ball and iron their dresses!!!

Poor Cinderella, by the time she had finished all the work she was too late to get her own dress ready. “Surprise!” cried the mice and birds. They had scampered down, salvaged some beads and a sash that the step sisters’ had tossed into the corner, and transformed her dress.

“How can I ever thank you enough!” gasped Cinderella.

She slipped on her new dress and blew them a kiss as she hurried out the door.

Drizella and Anastasia were being given a last minute check by their mother and the carriage was waiting for them outside.

The step sisters were shocked to see how beautiful Cinderella looked and noticing the beads around her neck and that she wearing Anastasia’s sash, the step sisters ripped off the sash and snatched the beads from her neck. They tore off all the frills and bows, leaving Cinderella’s dress in tatters.

Then the three of them sailed through the great front door and left in the waiting carriage.

Cinderella rushed into the garden and knelt by a stone bench, sobbing her heart out.

Even though Cinderella had always believed and had faith in her dreams, she cried, “I can’t believe, not anymore…. there’s nothing left to believe in.”

Suddenly a kind-faced little lady appeared sitting on the bench next to her, saying “You can’t go to the ball looking like that!” But we’ll have to hurry…….”

“Oh! You must be …..” said Cinderella.

“Your Fairy Godmother, of course!” said the little lady with the kindly smile.

Then with a few waves of her wand she began making magic! She found a PUMPKIN and turned it into a COACH, Cinderella’s MICE FRIENDS into HORSES, the HORSE, Major, into the COACHMAN, and Bruno, the family DOG, into a FOOTMAN!

“Off you go then, don’t waste any time!”

“But….” Cinderella looked at her tattered dress in dismay!

Suddenly the Fairy Godmother realized this, then with a wave of her wand and the magic words “Bibbidi, bobbidi, boo!” – a shower of starlight whirled around Cinderella. As it melted away, there she stood in a magnificent ball gown and glass slippers.

“It’s like a dream!” exclaimed Cinderella.

“But like all dreams …..this won’t last forever, you only have until midnight and then the spell will be broken….”

Cinderella kissed the Fairy Godmother and away she went in her enchanted coach racing toward the palace.

The King was feeling very grumpy as his son the Prince was not co-operating at all. Just then Drizella and Anastasia were being presented – the Prince just rolled his eyes!

Something caught the Prince’s eye – a beautiful young woman was wandering in the hall just outside the ballroom. She was by far the loveliest maiden that evening. The Prince hurried out of the ballroom, he bowed to Cinderella and taking her by the hand, they walked slowly into the ballroom and began to dance.

Cinderella and the Prince waltzed around and around. Cinderella was sure she was in love, as they had eyes only for each other. They strolled into the garden together and danced beneath the stars. Just as the Prince bent to kiss her, the palace clock began to chime midnight!

“I must go!” said Cinderella.

“Wait!” cried the Prince, “I don’t even know your name!”

But Cinderella ran down the staircase to her coach. In her hurry she left one of her glass slippers behind on the stairs.

The Prince recovered the shoe and took it to the Grand Duke, who issued a proclamation that every young maiden in the kingdom should try on the slipper, until he found the maiden with whom the Prince had fallen in love.

Meanwhile the coach bearing Cinderella was racing home. As it reached the twelfth chime the coach disappeared and Cinderella was left sitting on a pumpkin beside Major and the four mice, with just one twinkling slipper!

All night long the Grand Duke went from house to house trying the glass slipper on all the sleepy maidens. Only when the search reached Cinderella’s house did she realize her dance partner had been the Prince!

Cinderella’s stepmother quickly became suspicious of her dreamy appearance and heard her humming music from the ball. When Cinderella raced upstairs to brush her hair she quickly locked Cinderella in her room!

Anastasia and Drizella elbowed each other out of the way to be the first to try on the glass slipper. They pushed and squeezed as hard as they could, but it was no use.

Meanwhile, Jaq and Gus, the two little mice hurried downstairs and managed to steal the key from her step mother’s pocket. They dragged it upstairs, and set Cinderella free by unlocking the door!

Just as the Grand Duke was leaving he heard a voice calling, “Please wait! May I try it on?” There was Cinderella standing in her work clothes.

As she stood on the stairs, the Grand Duke took one look at her feet and smiled. “Come, my child,” he said, leading her to a chair. But the angry step mother tripped the Footman as he carried the slipper over, and smashed it to pieces.

“Oh no!” wailed the Grand Duke.

“Perhaps this would help,” said Cinderella, taking a glass slipper from her pocket. “I have the other slipper.”

The King jumped for joy, and in no time at all, the Prince married his Cinderella and they lived happily ever after!

Abridged from Disney’s “Charming Tales”

http://www.fln.vcu.edu/grimm/cinderella.html