yes only in Johannesburg do you get snow in Summer. You wondering what the hell I’m going on about…well…last Friday saw me caught in a fierce hectic Hail Storm in Johannesburg. It hailed so much and so badly i was wondering if my poor car would survive the onslaught. The ground became iced sleet and the side walks, roofs, gardens covered in ice that blanket every surface making it look like snow.

Another year in Johannesburg, completion of my second to be exact, but its my third Ramadan here. If people tell me once more that life gets easier remind me to cut them off from my life. Life doesn’t get easier, it gets weirder and at times harder.

Ramadan is one of those difficult times in the year. Times like these you wish you were at home surrounded by family. Mum who somehow even though she is working has food for iftaar ready, and dad who is always there making sure you wake up for sehri.

But truth be told, even though Ramadan is difficult alone, I love the month. It’s a time when I seek myself again. When I try and figure out who I am and where I want to be in the next year.

Ramadan for a person staying away from home always starts at least a few weeks earlier. Especially if they the unmarried ones [yes meaning me].

So what do I mean by weeks earlier. Well the usual preparations may happen at home as per normal, but ours begins with the first phone call from mother dearest. “You want samoosa’s, pies what else must I prepare for you.”

Dearest mum is trying to freezer pack everything she can for me. Which also means that a special trip to Durban would be needed to ensure that I collect everything or hopefully a friend will be able to bring it up.

But I’m the weird kind. I hate putting my mum out of her way so I tell her not to make everything and I will be fine. So I head to Durban over the long weekend for my cousins wedding and sure enough my mum has stuff ready for me. Not as much as the last two Ramadans, but enough that I know for at least 2 weeks I wont need any fries or pies.

Love my mum for doing this but there are also the calls from my aunts and most def my grandmother. Love them all to bits but seriously there is only so much place in my freezer and I share it with 2 other girls.

And the really really bad thing about it is that when I fast and I break fast I need FOOD. Not samoosas and pies but food. Yes I’m that kind of person. I wont need a lot but I will want and need food.

So the long rambling process that I am getting to is that people please check out Ramadan.co.za for full world coverage of this years fast. Get in touch with your spirituality, find some good recipes and live everyone’s experiences and understand the similarities and differences of Muslims from across the world.

Inshallah this year I hope to get a chance to blog from Maputo, Mozambique for the blog. Somehow I always get sent for work around Ramadan. I think it’s a test and I welcome the experience. Last year was Ghana, this year Mozambique…next year who knows.

Remember me in your duas and remember your fellow Muslims across the world.

Ramadan Mubarak!!!

Picture taken on Hajj trip 2005/2006

Proud supporters of the South African National Team

Been meaning to post my thoughts on the previous matches I attended but I’ve just gotten more and more carried away with events happening around me. Some may find this post seriously delayed but this is my blog [I reiterate] and I have the joy of posting what I want, when and how I want it.

Honestly no matter what people say and the shitty press coverage South Africa seems to garner… there’s just one thing I can say… SOUTH AFRICA YOU CAN BE PROUD!!!

These last few weeks of intense football has shown the world we can pull it off. Bring on World Cup 2010, bring on the world!! We have what it takes and we going to show you how a nation still stands together. A nation just in their adolescent years.

I am proud and honoured to be a South African. To being in the stadium last night [25 June 2009] and singing the national anthem with pride and a little tears in my eyes. To hear 49 000 people cheering on both teams and to know that on the world stage ‘Our boys’ [Bafana Bafana] can perform.

We did not stand in awe of the likes of Kaka and Robinho but fought to the end to win and be the champions, to be the ones who go into the finals knowing that a nation stands behind pushing, encouraging and blessing you for bringing us all together.

But alas that was not so. We lost but only in the dying minutes and I am proud of the way my country has performed. From where we were three months go to playing like this. I am loving it.

The Confederation Cup is seen as the pre-empt to the World Cup and as a training so that the world cup can go smoothly. Well this was indeed a training mission for the South Africans and the Gauteng administrators.

I have to say that there definitely were teething problems, but as I said it was TEETHING issues. Nothing majorly catastrophic like a stampede.

My first match was the Egypt vs. Italy match and the major concern I had after the match was the ‘Park and Ride’ facilities. It was at this point that I realised that a lot had to do with poor organisation and the nature of the crowd. Yes this is my one and only grip with the Local Organising committee.

The park and ride worked beautifully going to the ground, as most supporters arrive in various different batches. It’s after the match when things get a bit ‘unruly’ and crowd control is lacking.

My second match was the Brazil vs. Italy at Loftus, Pretoria. The organisation on was perfect and brilliant. Clear boards pointed you to your awaiting buses, people were helpful and friendly, no pushing and no shoving, but then again the crowd here was mediocre.

SO I know that this Confederation Cup was a test and I hope the guys in Johannesburg will learn from their counterparts in Pretoria.

Many have complained about the Vuvuzelas at the game, but this is South Africa, this is Africa. It is part of our games and it should stay [even if I at times get irritated by them]. Why? Because Fifa you brought the beautiful game to Africa, so let us have our African atmospheres, shouting, laughs and tears. Europe it may disturb and infuriate you but this is AFRICA and not Europe. Give us our freedom of expression!!!

South Africa I am proud to be called South African, I am proud to be living in this country during this historic moment and I am proud of our players, supporters, organisation and friendly smiles.

I am proud to be able to watch a match where our supporters come from every race, creed and background. TO know we have come this far from being nowhere.

I am a PROUD SOUTH AFRICAN today!!!!
SA fans in action

for more videos check here
for more pictures from Egypt vs. Italy, Brazil vs. Italy and SA vs. Brazil

An Hour for Earth

With the way the world is turning and destruction is following the human race, whether natural or ‘economica’, it makes you wonder…WHY?

Maybe its our own fault that the world is finally crying out to be rescued, and well you can!!! March 28 is the day we all do something so small as turning off all our lights and electricity in celebration of Mother Earth. March 28 is Earth Hour. Switch of your lights at 20:30 for an hour to help save our world.

So do your part register yourself for EarthHour by clicking on the banner along side or following this link.

Here are a few words from the site:

Earth Hour 2009 is a global initiative by the World Wide Fund for Nature which acts as a worldwide call to action to every individual, business and community to take a stand against Climate Change. To show your support, sign up now and commit to switching off your lights for one hour on Saturday, March 28th at 8:30pm. Originating in Sydney, Australia in 2007, the Earth Hour initiative proved more than worthwhile when it witnessed 2 million people coming together to switch off their lights for one hour for this vital cause.

Who’s involved?
Current Ambassadors include:

Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Andrew Boraine
Bryan Habana
Charlene Truter
Dave Pepler
Deon Meyer
Derek van Dam
Etienne van Heerden
Francois Groepe
Francois Pienaar
Freshlyground
Jo-Ann Strauss
Laurence Mitchell
Leon Schuster
Marc Lottering
Mayor Amos Masondo
Mayor Helen Zille
Moroka Swallows
Patricia de Lille
Plush
Ryk Neethling
Soli Philander
Tammy-Anne Fortuin
The Parlotones
The Stormers
Valli Moosa

That’s an awesome list of people. So join them.