20th ANIVERSARY!

South Africa is celebrating this year the its 20th aniversary of first non-racial democratic elections of the April 27, 1994 (FREEDOM DAY) when apartheid was over after three hundred years of colonialism. A new democratic goverment was established, with Nelson Mandela as the main character whose aim was to build up a new state, a new constitution for the folk.This elections was the result of a long-hard fight and negotiation among organisations and politics to reach an agreement between 1991 and 1992. The South African government, the African National Congress (ANC), the South African Communist Party (SACP) and other liberation movements engaged in these talks.

For more info click here.

SWELLENBERRY FESTIVAL FUN

It is a festival of fun, with the delicious red berries at the heart of an action-packed weekend in the beautiful town of Swellendam.   

Among the berry special highlights of the weekend are:

1-Berry Race

It is an event where you have to complete tasks and solve puzzles along the way to raise money for some local charities (a local hospice, orphanage, animal charity and a busrory fund). The route is a secret and the only thing the competitors know is that the start is at the local shopping mall. In the mix are art, bees, history, entertainment and berries.

For further information click on this link: Berry race

2-The hero do berry best friend walk

Elsa, is a rescue dog who was found in a road in Johannesbourg with a chain and a wire embedded in her neck. After a treatment and rehabilitation, she has fully recovered. This dog and another ones, will lead the 3km Hero dog walk through the Hermitage Valley.

3-Patterns of nature ArtBeat challenge 

This is an exhibition which celebrates the fruits of nature and they are exhibited in the Drostdy Schuur for the hole celebration. Click here to know more about them: ArtBeat

These are some useful links if you want to discover more about this event in South Africa:

Berry Benefit Ball       

More about it     

Swellenberry Festival

We recommend you some films that are or were based in South Africa situation.

1.- Drum (2004)

Henry has been an affluent existence wandering and writing about sports in the spoken magazine, but as a result of the cruel policy of apartheid, the comfort that irresponsibly he had become accustomed is threatened; It is then when the vain journalist decides to report from the trenches, denouncing the cruel racist manifestations and certainly alienating the dominant regime. Taye Diggs (Chicago) plays Henry in this story that offers a cool vibrant, though conventional, on apartheid in the 1950s, from the journalistic perspective.

Director: Zola Maseko, Born in Tanzania during the last phase of apartheid, director Zola Maseko, takes the story of Henry Nxumalo, a journalist for the prestigious South African magazine Drum during the 1950s and in the night life in Johannesburg.

If the video does not work click here
2.- Invictus (2009)
The film reflects the character of the President in his effort to unify the country which he governs. The story focuses on the idea of Nelson Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, to break down the barriers that divided South Africa through the universal language of sport and identity.

To achieve this, President Mandela decides to join forces with the captain of the rugby team in the country, played by Matt Damond, to achieve a feat that could help the union of South Africa: reaching the World Championship 1995. 

The story focuses on a racist white South African who changed his way of thinking after the coexistence with the prisoner who cared, Nelson Mandela. In addition, the great performance of actor Dennis Haysbert makes that Mandela is shown as a man who transmitted their convictions with kindness and patience.
If the video does not work click here


3.- Sarafina! 
Believe it or not there is a musical about the apartheid featuring neither more nor less than by Whoopi Goldberg. One of the most important directors in the history of South African Cinema, Darrell Roodt (who was the first filmmaker of his country in making a film about apartheid, A Place for Weeping, 1986) adapted the musical Sarafina! which talks about the student movements against apartheid in Soweto)

If the video does not work click here
4.- Mandela, Long walk to freedom (2013)
Based on South African President Nelson Mandela's autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country’s once segregated society. Idris Elba stars as Nelson Mandela, Naomie Harris stars as Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, with Justin Chadwick directing.

If the video does not work click here