Beating around the Bosch

with

Dear Reader,

On Tuesday afternoon, I was sitting at my computer in our newsroom upstairs, finishing up some research for an assignment, when I heard Duné, our chief Afrikaans sub-editor, shout from across the room, “Guys, is refusion a word?” It took me a moment to process what she was saying. After the moment had passed, the penny still hadn’t dropped. Feeling as though I was going mad, I swivelled around in my chair, “Do you mean refusal?” Duné gave me a blank look, her mouth scrunched into a ball like a piece of paper, her hands shot up to her cheeks, and she burst out laughing. Moments like these are far more common than people realise. When you are sitting in front of a computer racking your brain for the right words all day long, sometimes you just run out of them.

So, in honour of words and their apparent aloofness, here is a word I learnt this week that I thought was just too absurd not to share:

Brouhaha (BROO-ha-ha):

A confusing, exciting, and turmoil-rife event.

A look into current affairs, also known as brouhaha

MK’s  recent shenanigans are definitely something to call home about. MK called for a boycott of the elections if the party is barred from appearing on the ballot this year. The ANC, angered at what could be argued as the greatest and most blatant act of copyright infringement ever, has accused the party of stealing their logo and wants the MK struck off the ballot as a consequence of a bungled registration process. Visvin Reddy, an MK official, has not only called for a boycott of democracy, but a civil war (!!) and riots (yes, like the ones that KZN is still healing from) if it is decided that the MK cannot stand for election. MK’s vitriolic response to an IEC investigation raises some serious questions about the party’s support of democratic processes.

Any thoughts on this? How are you keeping up with the complete and utter (wait for it) brouhaha of our election year?

While we’re on the topic of turmoil and elections, can we please talk about John Steenhuisen’s recent stunt? The DA leader in question shouted dubula inyanga from the rooftops, under the impression that he was gracing his audience with a grandiose call to shoot for the moon, when really, translated into Zulu, he had called his audience to shoot traditional healers. Not a good look, sir.

Anyway, enough of that. Let’s turn to lighter things, because despite everything South Africa has to deal with, people adapt in remarkable ways:

Visual of the Week

Some BTS from the photographer:

Songo is a nonprofit organisation based in the Kayamandi township that aims to enrich children’s lives with sport, particularly BMX and mountain biking, as well as access to homework facilities. Founded by legendary cyclist Christoph Sauser, the Songo Champions race acts as a fundraiser for the organisation. It attracts world class athletes and Olympic medalists.

The course runs through the heart of the Kayamandi township, right past the front doors of residents.

It was my first time attending the Songo event, and after experiencing the atmosphere and the level of competition, it’s definitely an event I’d like to attend as much as possible!

The ‘downhill-slope’ part of the track immediately caught my eye and I had to get a photo of the riders coming down at speed!

Shutter speeds

Iso

All set and I knew I had to act fast, so this shot is one out of 15 burst shots :) So it definitely takes one good photo to complete your whole day!

Good reads from SMF News this week

• SU Campus Sport night kicks off with a bang

  SMF News’ Nicholas Gleeson witnessed a sporting extravaganza at the Coetzenburg Stadium, from netball and waterpolo to chess and e-sports.

• Stellenbosse pendelaars moet nóg ’n week wag vir treine

  Maliza Adendorff investigated yet another delay in Prasa’s attempts to revitalise the Eerste River tracks.

• Maties extends Varsity Cup winning streak

  Ubaid Abrahams covered yet another victory for SU’s rugby team, this time against UJ

Hop over to our website to take a look at the full range of articles we released during our second cycle. We welcome criticism (even if we cry about it), so don’t be shy!

Yours, in times of peace and (you guessed it) brouhaha

Nicola Amon, newsletter editor