AWB Judgement

 AWB (Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging - Afrikaner Resistance Movement) members outside the Ventersdorp Magistrates court in the North-West province, during the judgement of Chris Mahlangu and Patrick Ndlovu, two farm workers that are accused of murdering the AWB leader Eugene Terreblanche. Mahlangu was found guilty, whilst Ndlovu was found guilty of housebreaking.

 Protesters outside the court support Mahlangu and praise him for killing the right-wing leader. The situation was volatile as Mahlangu supporters taunted the usually militant AWB, but the police presence kept the situation relatively calm.

DA COSATU clash

COSATU (Congress of South African Trade Unions) members waited for a march to their head office in Braamfontein, Johannesburg by the Democratic Alliance (DA) to deliver a memorandum to urge the trade-unions to support a youth wage subsidy. They blocked the route to the office, resulting in a tense stand off which eventually broke into violence when certain members of COSATU hurled bricks into the DA crowd. I was surprised to see quite a few of the bricks being flung back at COSATU. Things got out of control quite quickly after that.

The "stand off" as both groups are seperated by meters, a few cops and some journalists.

 A lone cop tries unsuccesfully to contain the COSATU crowd.

DA Leader Helen Zille addresses the crowds in the face of  the singing  COSATU members.

A DA Supporter lies in the street after being hit in the face with a rock during the DA march to deliver a memorandum erupted into violence.

Implosion

Nedbank Gardens in Rosebank, Johannesburg being imploded to make way for new developments in Rosebank. Rosebank is developing at a record pace due to various reasons including the new Gautrain Station that now links it to the CBD, OR Tambo and Pretoria.

Nike Run Jozi 2012

The Nike Run Jozi 10km night race was held in the Johannesburg CBD on the 21st of March 2012. Ten thousand people dressed in the neon yellow shirts supplied by Nike took part in what was billed as an attempt to reclaim the streets of Johannesburg. These streets have been no go areas for a long time now due to crime.

The race started in style at the iconic Nelson Mandela bridge illuminated by green lights and blazing fireworks. As the runners crossed over into Newtown they winded past Luthuli House and Beyers Naude Square, the headquarters of the ANC and the park where most political and social protests take place. All the way down Market Street and into Bertrams, past the imposing Ellis Park, the location of the Springbok's historic Rugby World Cup win of 1995.

The runners continued through Doornfontein and on into the notorius Hillbrow. The race ran through some of the dodgiest areas in the CBD, that are well known for crime, these places are no go areas for pretty much anyone that has a choice. The people of these areas lined the streets supporting the runners, many of which would have never been in Hillbrow before in their lives.

The support in these areas bordered on riotous, but not once did I feel unsafe, as I noticed the police always stayed close by, watching. Next up Constitutional Hill and a well needed breezy down-hill past the Metro Center followed by a right into Bree street and a long run to the finish at Mary Fitzgerald Square to collect our medals. 

Being a journalist and spending much of my time in these areas, I'm sure nothing would have been changed by this run, but at the very least, some of the privileged few got a small glimpse, (albeit a watered down version) of the "other side". And as far as I know it went of without a hitch and was a great success. I also know that next year I will be there running it again.

Rico, the Rhino Dog

The Endangered Wildlife Trust welcomed Rico, a two year old Belgian Malinois that arrived from Germany, he is being trained as a wildlife sniffer dog, but with an emphasis on detecting rhino-horn at OR Tambo International Airport just outside Johannesburg.