S.A. HAS Got Talent!

I'm blown away by "S.A.'s Got Talent", aired on e-tv on Thursday nights at 8:30pm! (Click here for the official site).Without a doubt, it is my No.1 show on the box!

The variety of talent, and the degree of skill in many cases, is quite astonishing, particularly when so many of the successful contestants have minimal formal training. I find the enthusiasm among the contestants, so many living under very trying circumstances, to be very inspiring indeed.

Three acts in particular brought literal tears to my eyes - and the judges seemed similarly effected; the final act of the first show (30th Aug.), the singing twins from Cape Town who stunned audience and judges alike into a state of awe and disbelief, the 15 year-old dancer in last night's show who is physically disabled but one of the most "abled" people in body and mind that I have ever had the privilege of seeing, and the 11 year-old girl, also in last night's show, who "recited" poetry (including one of her own poems), but in fact grabbed us by the minds and made us live her words, rather than just reciting.

Those three acts were the most emotional experiences, to my mind, so far, but there were so many more that were so entrancing, exciting, inspirational and left one applauding and shouting excitedly even in our own homes!

The judges, in my opinion, are knowledgeable, fair, direct, but human (and humane) and encouraging. Even if Randall does seem to have less than an affinity for guitars (perhaps he prefers Bach's "Air on a G-string"), one feels that they're involved, caring, and just as enthusiastic as the contestants are, rather than some of the harsh, judgmental personalities that one might find on shows of this nature.

This show is impossible to watch without becoming emotionally involved (positively so), even for the calmest of us. If you haven't watched it yet, make a date for S.A.'s Got Talent next Thursday night on e-tv at 8:30pm.

Got Questions about Christianity?

GotQuestions.org is a Christian website that I am happy to recommend to anyone who wants straightforward, no-nonsense answers to questions pertaining to the Christian faith. I now subscribe to their weekly "Question of the Week", which comes to my mailbox every Friday.

I welcome an organization where one doesn't have to wade through a maze of dogma to get to unbiased, comprehensive answers to simple questions - questions that are relevant today as well as to any other period.

More strength to GotQuestions.org.

Double-Edged Spear

There's a lot of controversy here about the painting by Brett Murray, entitled  The Spear, depicting President Jacob Zuma with exposed genitals. The argument seems to be raging about "Freedom of Expression" versus the infringement of rights to personal dignity.

Freedoms are accompanied by responsibilities. In my opinion, while freedom of expression is a right of great importance, the abuse of it is not a right. Whatever Brett Murray may think of  Zuma the man, the highest office in the country deserves some measure of respect. Freedom of expression to expose wrongs or maladministration is laudable. Cheap shots to boost oneself are not.  In this case, the so-called Freedom of Expression does nothing to expose any wrongs, or to improve any situations. All it achieves is to display a total lack of respect, in a country where respect is already an entity in short supply.

It doesn't build, it simply breaks. To my mind, Brett Murray has simply gained himself some publicity at the expense of the nation's dignity.

Jozikids - My No.1

When I first wrote about Jozikids, it was a relatively new website. Since then it has exploded into one of the most relevant local websites in its genre on the web.

Now that my grandson is a mighty presence, my daughter and I have been using Jozikids as our first - and usually last - port of call for just about anything imaginable regarding kids. Whether the question is about birthday parties, activities, child-rearing, classes, suitable gifts - you name it - Jozikids has the answers and the relative links. The site is bookmarked on both our phones and enjoys an exclusive spot on my site links here.

I recently stumbled upon Chai FM, a local radio station (101.9), while driving, and discovered that Merle, the dynamic mother of two and creator of the Jozikids website, had a regular spot on Chai FM in peak time, with updates on activities for the week and to discuss relevant issues.

For those of you parents in the Johannesburg / Gauteng areas who haven't yet discovered Jozikids, I strongly recommend that you visit the site and subscribe to their regular newsletter.

Merle, you and your team really rock! You've become a site that no "Bookmark" should be without.

Naught No More!

Recently, my neighbour's little boy asked me how old my grandson is.
"11 months," I replied.
He looked confused. "How much is that?"
"Well, in another month he'll be one," I said.
He looked puzzled. "Does that mean he's still naught?"

That's downright demeaning! For someone who is "naught", he is - and has been - one Mighty presence!!

Well, good news, My Boy - today is your last day of being "naught"!! Tomorrow is the big day when you become ONE! And, of course, the next day, Saturday, we'll celebrate your first Birthday Party, which your mother is getting into a frenzy arranging.

I guess that means you were under age to be driving before tomorrow?

Go get 'em, Tiger, this is South Africa! You can always bribe your way out of it with your birthday money....

....if they can ever catch you!