Yummy Wakame

(Because I screwed up the track link last time. Weirdly this was posted a year ago to the day!)
More and more gorgeous progressive sounds are coming out of South Africa these days. If you’re a fan of Aphex Twin, Boards of Canada or múm, you might have already heard of Felix Laband… but just in case you haven’t, you’re going to love this:

Felix Laband - Whistling in Tongues

I get goosebumps from the drums near the end. Gets me all riled up!

I loved this track so much I couldn’t stop myself from buying his album. It’s infectious, delicious perfection.

The Directorate of Special Operations (aka the Scorpions) is a multidisciplinary agency that investigates and prosecutes the most serious organized crime and corruption in South Africa. These include drug trafficking, human smuggling and human trafficking, corruption in the government, serious and complex financial crime, racketeering and money laundering. This newly democratic country, a beacon of hope to so many undemocratic countries and countries in conflict, cannot afford to lose the only impartial policing we have to ensure South Africa is being governed well. The tremendous dent in serious organised crime in South Africa today wouldn’t be a reality without the Scorpions. (wikipedia)

Being completely independent from the government the Scorpions can prosecute high ranking officials in the ANC (the ruling party) for serious crimes of national impact, and have, and are currently. It is believed by many that this is the reason the government is hurrying the legislation through Parliament that by June 2008 the Scorpions will be disbanded and merged with the South African Police Service, effectively removing their power from then onwards.

The staff of 2000 Scorpions consist of the best police, financial, forensic and intelligence experts of South Africa, with an average conviction rate of 93,1% on all prosecutions. They are depending on us to do something about it.

Please sign the petition. Let’s keep it constructive! And spread the news.

The Scorpions should be protected under the constitution. This would never have happened under Mandela’s watch.

Some passionate entrepreneurs share stories, adventures and lessons in their quest to do great business on the Dark Continent. A truly inspiring blog.

Watch it on YouTube

Springboks rule the world!

South Africa are the World Rugby champions, after the Boks beat England 15-6 in a tense and attritional final in Paris Today.

Throughout the length and breadth of South Africa shouts resounded that were part joy and part relief because, heavens, it was close. Car horns blared, toasts were drunk, cheering and laughter broke out, revelry was on the cards - it was the biggest national party since 26 June 1995.
~ iafrica.com

Footskating was originally developed by people who couldn’t afford skateboards, and then also taken up by people who left their skateboards at home, but had already been dropped at the skatepark.

~ Footskating 101 The Movie

The movie is inspiring Footskaters around the world to show off their awesomest moves on YouTube. Like these dudes…

Ex-webdesign colleague and old friend Leon Potgieter has been super busy since my last blog about him. He’s still creating astoundingly beautiful and striking work in all media. The latest web project I’m aware of is Gown’s and Garters for a bridal company in South Africa. It’s modern and elegant without any of the super-sweet kitsch we’re so used to seeing on bridal sites. A very memorable and inspiring design.

And if you liked that, there’s more to gawp at over at his portfolio site - Discoball.net.