Obsidian Potency 3.0
Pretoria or Tshwane?
posted Monday, 14 February 2005
This past weekend was spent at Sascha's house in Pretoria, the capital of South Africa. I've been there many times before, but always for a specific purpose (Julian's wedding, AIESEC parties). This time, it was for the University of Pretoria's RAG weekend and to hang out with Sascha before I leave.
Friday night was a concert series featuring various South African bands. Highlights included Skwatta Kamp, a hip-hop act, as well as Fuck Off Police Car (punk band) and The Narrow (metal band). The Narrow was especially enjoyable for the simple reason that they had a talented rhythm section, and it's been so long since I listened to live metal. I found that it was actually quite refreshing and cathartic.
We then went to drink in Hatfield Square with Jean and some Germans. Sascha's dad works at a snazzy German school; as a result, he seemeingly knows practically every German in Pretoria. And there are a LOT of Germans in Pretoria. Plus, they have a sweet house with a heated pool; we took plenty of advantage.
Actually, the ANC has moved to change the name of the city from Pretoria to Tshwane. I suppose since Pretoria was (and in many ways still is) a stronghold for Afrikaners and still holds a great deal of historica significane to them, it's no surprise that Mbeki's party would move to change the name. However, I'm sad to say that ANC officials can't really explain their name choice. Apparently, Tshwane does not represent the name of any ethnic group that used to live in that area, or a person whose name holds special significance there. Frankly, it seems a bit arbitrary, but since the ANC has such a huge majority, they can do stuff like this. It seems like an unnecessary way to alienate the country's Afrikaans-speaking populace, but what do I know.
Anyway, Saturday we saw the Voortrekkers monument and the Union bulidings. The monumnet is a large, overblown tribute to the brief and overglorified history of Afrikaners in South Africa. The place remains a very interesting study in one-sided representations, condescention and racism. For instance, one area houses the "light of civilization" which the Boers allegedly brought to southern Africa. Marble sculptures along the wall described traitorous Zulus butchering helpless Boer women and children. The manifesto written by P. Retlief on the one hnad complained about the British abolishment of slavery, then on the other hand claimed that the Boers would live at peace with neighboring tribes. I guess Retlief didn't think about where his former slaves were coming from.
That evening, we went to Cool Runnings (a Jamaican-themed restaurant/bar), then to a bar whose name I forget where I FINALLY had some strong mixed drinks! South Africa is one of those dumb countries that sets a limit on the maximum amount of alcohol that is allwed to be in a mixed drink (21/2 shots). The two faux Long Islands I had were definiutely stronger than that.
Then we went to the big outdoor RAG party, with DJs and drinking. We followed that up with a visit to the Drop Zone in Hatfield, a place known basically for being overwhelmingly Afrikaans and not charging a cover. I got obliterated, and ran into a German girl I had met in Cape Town. Shockingly, Sascha did not know her.
Amelia and I returned Sunday night and saw the movie Ray. It was great, and I'll write a review (and send pics of my weekend) soon.
Friday night was a concert series featuring various South African bands. Highlights included Skwatta Kamp, a hip-hop act, as well as Fuck Off Police Car (punk band) and The Narrow (metal band). The Narrow was especially enjoyable for the simple reason that they had a talented rhythm section, and it's been so long since I listened to live metal. I found that it was actually quite refreshing and cathartic.
We then went to drink in Hatfield Square with Jean and some Germans. Sascha's dad works at a snazzy German school; as a result, he seemeingly knows practically every German in Pretoria. And there are a LOT of Germans in Pretoria. Plus, they have a sweet house with a heated pool; we took plenty of advantage.
Actually, the ANC has moved to change the name of the city from Pretoria to Tshwane. I suppose since Pretoria was (and in many ways still is) a stronghold for Afrikaners and still holds a great deal of historica significane to them, it's no surprise that Mbeki's party would move to change the name. However, I'm sad to say that ANC officials can't really explain their name choice. Apparently, Tshwane does not represent the name of any ethnic group that used to live in that area, or a person whose name holds special significance there. Frankly, it seems a bit arbitrary, but since the ANC has such a huge majority, they can do stuff like this. It seems like an unnecessary way to alienate the country's Afrikaans-speaking populace, but what do I know.
Anyway, Saturday we saw the Voortrekkers monument and the Union bulidings. The monumnet is a large, overblown tribute to the brief and overglorified history of Afrikaners in South Africa. The place remains a very interesting study in one-sided representations, condescention and racism. For instance, one area houses the "light of civilization" which the Boers allegedly brought to southern Africa. Marble sculptures along the wall described traitorous Zulus butchering helpless Boer women and children. The manifesto written by P. Retlief on the one hnad complained about the British abolishment of slavery, then on the other hand claimed that the Boers would live at peace with neighboring tribes. I guess Retlief didn't think about where his former slaves were coming from.
That evening, we went to Cool Runnings (a Jamaican-themed restaurant/bar), then to a bar whose name I forget where I FINALLY had some strong mixed drinks! South Africa is one of those dumb countries that sets a limit on the maximum amount of alcohol that is allwed to be in a mixed drink (21/2 shots). The two faux Long Islands I had were definiutely stronger than that.
Then we went to the big outdoor RAG party, with DJs and drinking. We followed that up with a visit to the Drop Zone in Hatfield, a place known basically for being overwhelmingly Afrikaans and not charging a cover. I got obliterated, and ran into a German girl I had met in Cape Town. Shockingly, Sascha did not know her.
Amelia and I returned Sunday night and saw the movie Ray. It was great, and I'll write a review (and send pics of my weekend) soon.
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