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.

Cosatu protest

Cosatu members participate in a mass protest in Johannesburg against labour brokers and the new e-tolling system in Gauteng.

Meadowdale shooting

A man was killed in an apparent gang related hit in Meadowdale near Johannesburg in the morning. He was dropping off his wife at work when two balaclava clad men fired 17 shots through his window killing him and critically injuring his wife.

Malema

Julius Malema during a press conference held in the foyer of Luthuli House in Johannesburg. Various leaders of provincial branches gathered to show their support of Julius Malema in the face of his suspension from the ANC.

EFC 12

Jeremy "Pitbull" Smith and Garreth "Soldierboy" McLellan slug it out during the Middleweight Title fight at EFC 12 held at Carnival City, near Johannesburg.

Jeremy gets Garreth in a deep guillotine choke to win the fight.

The main card fight was the highly anticipated Middleweight Title Fight. Both these fighters are extremely tough and capable of great wins. The fight was intense, with the crowd support for both fighters creating an electric atmosphere, both fighters fought their hearts out, but in the end a single mistake by McLellan allowed Jeremy to get him in a guillotine choke, and it was game over. One thing that impressed me was McLellans graciousness in defeat. He was visibly upset, but he acknowledged the good work by Smith on a couple of occasions. So, Jeremy Smith is the new Middleweight Champion, at least for a while until some new contender enters the frey.

When Fantasy Becomes Reality

Co-Authors of the new book about Lolly Jackson and the underworld he was involved in "When Fantasy Becomes Reality", Sean Newman, Karyn Maughan and Peter Piegl (not pictured) sign books at the launch held, 1 March 2012 at the Rosebank Mall in Johannesburg.

There's quite a few of my pictures in the book, I covered both the death of Lolly Jackson and his funeral, not to mention spent a bit of time in the Rivonia club, I know what you're thinking and NO, I was only there to take pictures, but I did hang around a bit afterwards, just to monitor the situation :)