08 July Weekly Roundup

The cries of despair from all around Germany could probably be heard in South Africa as a "psychic" octopus called Paul tipped Spain on Tuesday to beat Germany in the football World Cup semi-final. The eight-legged oracle who has successfully predicted all five of Germany's games in South Africa, carefully weighed up the two teams, before plumping for Spain, prompting anguished groans amongst many a German!!!

There was a moment when all of Germany thought that Paul may have been munching on some other kind of weed from Amsterdam instead of sea weed - but behold the oracle, it has spoken and pointed in eight directions!
Viva Espana! - Although an all European World Cup final on the African continent- it will be a deserved one for both teams who provided spectators amazing football.

Its been an unlikely time for South African media who's reporting seemingly has turned from specialist crime reporters to only the world cup! It is as if something is missing this past month- where are the reports of the cash heists, the rapes, the murders- all except for Jackie Selebi who is all likelihood will appeal his ruling and no bookie will give you odds that he will not receive the same treatment as Schabir Shaik...

Too many VIP's in Durban and the air traffic control at King Shaka Airport cannot cope with the number of aircraft's into the city on the last semi final day. Certainly not a good reflection for a city hoping to win the Olympic bid...


A few days ago we were treated to visuals of the great machine gun on the soccer pitch- proving yet again that he is as virile as a man half his age as he ran, dribbled, shot and fell... Yes, State President Jacob Zuma shed his suit for a soccer kit and well... danced his way in hope of being awarded the coveted title of FIFA 2010 World Cup- Player of the Year.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is to scrutinise the purchase of World Cup tickets by government departments, public enterprises and municipalities. What good is that going to do as we will still have to pay for it in our increased rates/ electricity/ water...???
Paris Hilton was arrested in Port Elizabeth with a friend for smoking marijuana at a World Cup match. The charges against her were dropped... apparently after she promised to build a Hilton Hotel in the windy city and thanked the authorities for being also being the friendly city!

South Africa’s 800m women’s world champion Caster Semenya has said that she does not “love athletics” nor is she “very excited” about participating again. “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to say that I love athletics,” she said at Tukkies where she did a fitness test on Wednesday. “I love playing soccer. The main reason I participate in athletics is because I know I can run really fast and prefer individual sports above team sports. Ahem - whats wrong with this??? After that long 11 month wait for testing and test results- this is what we hear? I presume taking one for the team is certainly out of the question with Semenya!

Rumors of Xenphobic attacks after the World Cup, a new phishing scam that uses the logos of the Banking Association SA and the SA Revenue Service has been uncovered, a man shot in his home in Honeydew after disturbing intruders and a R230 000.00 diamond is stolen from the Jack Friedman jewelery store in Sandton City... Sounds like things are returning to normal in South Africa...

Lets wait for next week to see who goes on strike first...

Peace