We used to be a member of (the old) Zoopy.com when they were still a user-generated video uploading site. They have since morphed into a 90-second news site and we like (and support) their new direction all the way.
Eish! They ARE South African after all.
So, in support of CEO Jason Elk and the rest of the amazing team over at Zoopy.com, we decided to feature some of their content right here on Howzit-HongKong.com for the benefit of all our South African expats here in Hong Kong (and all over the world where Howzit-HongKong.com is read). Hey, we get around, I’ll have you know.
Here’s the first instalment (below).
With the Apple iPhone, iPad and iPad2 so big in Hong Kong… reason for concern?
Here at Howzit-HongKong.com/BlitzBokke.com HQ, we do a lot of stuff.
Stuff that gets us around.
Stuff that gets us to network with lots of interesting (and sometimes, boring) people.
But most of all, stuff that we love doing.
For free. Vir niks. For mahala.
But as the saying goes, man shall not live by bread alone.
It’s the thanks that we receive from readers and Sevens rugby supporters from around the globe that sustain us.
OK, OK, while I love my bread (well, a fresh baguette to be specific) for sustenance and getting thank you e-mails from around the world, nothing makes me more happy than when the DHL-man knocks on my door unexpectedly.
Look what he brought me today:
Can I get a Whoop Whoop for my Zoopy-branded Flip Video Camera!
I have been a member of and contributor to the old Zoopy.com since their inception a few years ago.
On my profiles of KaapseKlonki and lately HowzitHongKong, I uploaded many of the video-clips that I embedded on my blogs and websites.
However, in an attempt at keeping up with the ever-changing trends in South Africa, Zoopy.com recently changed tack. In a shrewd business move, CEO Jason Elk and his gang reinvented themselves from a user-generated content media sharing website, to an inhouse, made-for-mobile news content website. (Try saying that fast!)
While I cannot upload videos anymore, hopefully I (and you) will still be able to add to this groundbreaking, exciting new direction of Zoopy.com
You can assist by sharing with them what you are watching or, if you’re abroad, what the news in your neck-of-the-woods is.
Selaelo Selota was born and grew up in a rural village in the northern region of South Africa near Pietersburg where he was greatly inspired by the traditional musical practices that were around him.
On completing high school, and not having financial resources to further his studies, he found employment in gold mining. Working in the mines and living amongst the migrant workers, he was exposed to the traditional songs and dances from many other Southern African tribal groups. After three years, he left the mines and went to Johannesburg in search of new directions in life.
In Johannesburg he worked at the Market Theatre as an usher and later as a cleaner at Kippies Jazz Club. He seized every opportunity to learn from the musicians he heard performing there. During that year 1988; he bought his first guitar and began studying music theory through FUBA (Federated Union of Black Artists) Academy.
We’re not going to post too much information about this week’s featured artist because we have an extra video to show where you can hear Selota speak to Jason Von Berg. You can read more about Selaelo Selota from our source, Music.org.za
Here is Selota speaking for himself on the Von VodCast:
Howzit-HongKong.com will feature a YouTube clip of one South African music legend every Friday as part of what we like to call The Victoria Harbour Sundowner Sessions. I am fortunate to be living right next to one of the most stunning working harbours in the world… Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour. I often find myself staring across the Harbour at night, with the lights dimmed and one of my favourite musicians from home over the speakers. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do…
On this website’s homepage, I write of how I often meet fellow-South Africans around Hong Kong and how easy it is to recognise our countrymen and women in this cosmopolitan city. Funny enough, I probably meet most Saffas in the party-district of Wan Chai. Regular readers of this Blog will know that I hang out at Delaney’s Irish Bar because we often meet there to watch rugby (they have a satellite dish that picks up Supersport). Whenever I cover a major Hong Kong sports event, Wan Chai is often where after-work drinks are to be had.
So it was, late one night during the 2009 UBS Hong Kong Golf Open. A friend and I literally bumped into a Saffa coming out of, shall I say, one of the popular ladies establishments in Lockhard Road. He recognised us because we were speaking Afrikaans and the connection was immediately made. The next day I followed that guy for the first couple of rounds at the Fanling golf course where he was playing.
James Kamte is a real stand-up bloke and a good golfer, though not in Hong Kong last year.
Here are some of the pics I took of “The Cobra” on the second hole at the Hong Kong Country Club:
Jason Dasey wrote this article about James Kamte in today’s Sunday Morning Post:
Memories of how Jason Hak took the golf world by storm 12 months ago will spur on competitors at this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open Qualifying Tournament.
The talented teenager seized his chance last year when he qualified for the main draw and went on to become the youngest player ever to make the cut at a European Tour event.
A total of 42 Hong Kong players will be aiming to emulate Hak when the qualifying tournament is held this Thursday and Friday (15-16 October) at the Jockey Club Kau Sai Chau Public Golf Course.
“It is a fantastic chance for Hong Kong players to rub shoulders with some of the best golfers in the world,” said Hong Kong Golf Association chief executive Iain Valentine. “Jason showed how to do it last year when he came through the qualifying tournament and then raised his game to a whole new level at the UBS Hong Kong Open.
“I’m sure the memory of his astonishing achievement last year will be the perfect encouragement for the players at Kau Sai Chau this week.”
Hak – born in Hong Kong and now resident in Florida – sent shockwaves through the golf world when he carded two rounds of even-par 70 to make the cut at last year’s UBS Hong Kong Open.
Local teenager Jason Hak (Picture: Two Up Front)
At 14 years and 304 days, he eclipsed the European Tour record set by Sergio Garcia of Spain , who was 15 years and 46 days when he made the cut at the Turespana Open Mediterrania in Valencia in 1995.
Hak has no requirement to compete at Kau Sai Chau this time as he has received an exemption into the main draw from title sponsor UBS.
The field – comprising 25 professionals and 17 amateurs – will play two rounds as they chase four slots in the US$2.5 million showpiece. The 2009 UBS Hong Kong Open will be staged at the Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling from 12-15 November.
The world class field will be spearheaded by Korean ace Yang Yong Eun, who became Asia ’s first Major winner when he triumphed at the US PGA Championship in August.
Also in the line-up will be defending champion Lin Wen Tang of Chinese Taipei and the man he beat in last year’s unforgettable playoff duel, brilliant Northern Irish youngster Rory McIlroy.
