Blog

Dirty Paraffin is "genre-defying"

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5hvSTsYTGk&w=500&h=307&rel=0] We’ve been following The Fader’s Pitch Perfect documentary series since the start of the World Cup two weeks ago. In episode 2, The Fader documentary team receives a “short history of SA dance pop” from Johannesburg’s “genre-defying” duo, Dirty Paraffin. I’ve never heard of these guys before but after watching this video, I’m hooked. […]

African Child

The comedy "Get him to the Greek" is a forgettable vehicle for Russell Brand, except for the spoof music video "African Child" opening the film.

The Ugly American

US writers about soccer beginning to display the same kinds of sports-commenter crypto racism that has been pretty standard issue in Europe for quite a while.

Pitch Perfect Friday

Africa is not just represented by five nations in the World Cup. Its diaspora is also here courtesy of Euro-American and South American squads.

'Welcome to South Africa'

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tYrSn3pL8Ws&w=500&h=307&rel=0] It’s hard to describe the vibe here. Yes, there’s the unreasonable expectations around the team (captured well by my man Tony Karon on Time magazine’s World Cup blog) and the vuvuzelas may be annoying. But yes you can feel it. It is the World Cup. And away from the big stadiums and the tourist […]

ESPN observes Youth Day

I went to ESPN’s website to check WC scores and was surprised to find two short videos on its soccer homepage commemorating the June 16, 1976 student uprising in Soweto. A day which is now recognized as “Youth Day,”  a national holiday. Check them out for yourself:

Adopting Africa

We should talk about American celebrities' obsession with adopting African babies. The mostly unfunny comedian Pauly Shore is not our guide.

Long Live Busi Mhlongo

Some sad news–amid the euphoria of the World Cup–from journalist Bongani Madondo: Busi Mhlongo passed away 9:19 pm South African time, Tuesday night, some hours before June 16 Commemoration. Long Live The Quee. Long Live The Zulu Rock Queen. Long Live Queen B! Busi Victoria Mhlongo: 1948-2010. For those who missed Bongani’s last post on […]