Madame Zingara's

Went to a great event last night. It's called Madame Zingara's. It's one of Cape Town's gems and best loved restaurants. Once nestled in the heart of the Mother City, this candle-lit bohemian delight is known both locally and internationally. You're first instructed to leave your cares at the door and enjoy an evening of "decadent delight," as they call it. Then you feast and watch the show!

Madame Zingara has given back to the community over the years. Through financing of community projects, support vehicles, educational programmes and subsidised housing, the relationship with the city of Cape Town has always been an intrinsic cornerstone of the business.

However, after six prosperous years, the restaurant was tragically lost to a fire which started in the new roof garden.

Between staff, owners, partners and friends, it was decided to take a new path, one that will allow the spirit of the restuarant to flourish once again. A mobile tent was then constructed. The show/dinner theater now travels between London and Cape Town. This was one of the last nights the event was held in Cape Town. How perfect.

The food is remarkable with a full steak dinner that is drizzled in a chocolate chilli sauce that is unlike anything I've ever imagined. Very tasty.

e.News Press Release

Hi,

Below is a press release that went out to media this morning regarding the launch of the eNews Channel in June. This launch will be a historic moment in South African broadcasting history.

eNews Channel launches on DStv in June

The South African television news environment will change forever in June with the launch of South Africa’s first 24 hour news service, the eNews Channel. The channel will only be broadcast on DStv’s premium and compact bouquets.

Chief executive officer of e.sat (e.tv’s sister business), Marcel Golding says, “This is an historic moment for the broadcasting industry in South Africa. In a developing country with so many challenges and issues, a 24 hour news channel will contribute to keeping society abreast of what is happening and can play a critical role in informed debate and discussion. We believe the eNews Channel will become an important voice in South Africa’s democracy.”

The eNews Channel will be found on channel 403 on DSTV.

MultiChoice South Africa Chief Executive Officer, Nolo Letele says, “We are very excited to add the eNews channel to our DStv platform. We believe the channel will enhance our news offering by bringing high quality, insightful and independent reporting alongside our other successful News channels.”

Editor-in-chief of eNews, Debora Patta says, “The eNews Channel will offer South African, regional and international news including live reports, breaking news, sport, weather, entertainment and financial information. Included in the line-up will be current affairs shows, which will look at issues in-depth.

“eNews Channel is going to offer viewers a chance to watch South African based and interpreted independent news when they want to. It’s going to be prime time news, all the time.

“The on-air team is going to be lead by experienced journalists Redi Direko and Jeremy Maggs, who will host News Night, weekdays from 7 pm to 9 pm.”

Patta, has been a broadcast journalist and editor for more than 15 years. She has successfully headed up e.tv’s news department for four years and has led a team that’s made eNews the most watched English language television news bulletin in the country.

Bantry Bay, Rugby and a Peugeot

This past weekend was quite eventful. I purchased a vehicle ( a white Peugeot 206 with a roof rack for surfing/kayaking and biking!), moved into a new place, attended my first rugby match and found a church that I enjoy.

The rocky coast pictures are taken from my flat in Bantry Bay. The mountain in the back ground is called Signal Hill. You can run to the top of the hill and can even para-glide off the mountain as well. Everyone is Bantry Bay is quite athletic. They run and bike everywhere it seems. I think it will be good for me because I enjoy being/getting into shape. I run along Beach and Victoria Roads which follow through Sea Point, Bantry Bay, the Clifton Beaches, and into Camps Bay (where I stayed the 1st time I was in Cape Town).

I enjoy living along the ocean for a couple of different reasons. First off, E.tv rented me a flat in the City Center (locals call it the CDB) for the past month or so. It gave me the flexibility of deciding where to call "home" on a more permanent basis. I have always strived to live in an studio apartment downtown of some big city. After living that life for a while, I realized how hectic it is. The noises, the people, the constant traffic, the busyness. It just wasnt for me. I started to gravitate towards the ocean, which is only a 10 minute drive over the mountain and to work anyway. After a month of searching and praying for the right car and right place to live... I ran into a guy, who is now a running/surfing mate of mine. He's from the UK and purchased this lovely flat with the crazy exchange rate from Pounds to Rand (Zar). Side note; if you want to make some real money, move to the UK and invest in property in South Africa. You'll make a bundle. Anyway, after looking at the flat and agreeing to a lease, he asked if I was looking for a vehicle. (He was in my situation of owning nothing in a foreing country nearly 10 years prior) I literally was 3 hours from purchasing a Volkswagon from a dealership that I wasnt overly thrilled about anyway. I was simply sick of annoying used-car salesmen and the whole hassle behind buying a car, that I just wanted it to be over with. Then came along this great opportunity for a spectacular price and I went for it. The timing couldnt have been better. Few!

I joined the Virgin Active gym that is about 5km from my flat. It is perfect running distance along the coast to go work out and come home and relax. I have a "fitness assesment" this week. Whatever that means ;-)

A few friends took me to my first rugby match of my life. I have watched it on TV before, but WOW! This game is intense. And the audience is just as hectic. The sounds of the stadium just roll through the city. It reminds me of walking to a Michigan game in Ann Arbor. The tailgating, the smell of barb-b-q's and all the hype that goes along with it. I still had my flat in the CDB which is across the street from Newlands Stadium. We met at my place and walked over to watch the South African Stormers play the New Zealand Highlanders. Very cool experience. B.T.W.-The Stormers won a decisive victory 26-9.

I have been attending a chuch in a place called Rondebosch, which is a suburb of Cape Town. The church is located in a place called Baxter Theater, which is used for plays and musicals by the University of Cape Town students. It's got a younger vibe to it, with a live band and wonderful music. The people are friendly and have welcomed me with open arms. 2 special occurances have taken place since being there. The first service I attened, they prayed over a man who was moving to Chicago, Illinois for a job offer. He had a very difficult life, living in Johannesburg for quite some time. God gave him the opportunity to move to Cape Town, which he did. His life really came together here and always had aspirations to move to the United States. It really struck a chord with me because this man was in the same situation that I was in nearly 6 weeks ago, just a complete role reversal.

I have learned (thanks to a friend of mine name Bob Deland and our wonderful Euro-adventures) to take the word "coincidence" from our vocabulary. The fact that I was witnessing this man recieve the blessing of his church to move to The United States, sent shivers up my spine. This was a moment where I beleive God spoke to me directly.

The second moment I felt God's presence was when a missionary from the Church introduced her plans to bring a group to Peru. Hmmm....very interesting. Feels like home. I am going to keep exploring for a permanent church, but this place is a great possibility. Here is a website of the church if you would like to take a gander:

http://www.capetown.hispeople.org/capetown/index.htm

Well, this blog has gone on for far too long. I have so much more to write about, but I should probably do some work. It's a national holiday here, so its a little more quiet than usual. Take care and blessings to everyone! I will update more very soon!

Derek Van Dam

E.tv's Headquarters in Johannesburg

Well, its been quite some time since I wrote on my blogsite. I have made several attempts, however the internet is so unbearably slow in this country that it has prevented me from posting. I really miss my friends and family around the globe. I pray for you daily!

An update on life...E.tv flew me to their headquarters in Johannesburg this week. They gave me an unprecendented tour of the new studios. It is phenomenal to witness television history in this country. E.tv/E.News24 is really something. Our competition is the SABC, SKY news, BBC news, CNBC Africa and CNN International. In order for us to compete, we need to "go big or go home." And "going BIG" is not an understatement.

The pictures are of the construction of the new, news sets. They have purchased numerous flat screen televisions for visual enhancement of the studio, including the largest plasma television avaiable. It is a 150" Panasonic Plasma Hi-Def monitor! Whoa!

I am thrilled to be part of something so special for South Africa. From a television standpoint, it is a historic event for this country.








I love this place more than words can describe. I really feel at home in this country and the people have welcomed me with open arms. I know their is absolutely no substitute for the city I was raised...However, this will work just fine ;-) I have found a place to live and will be purchasing a car tommorow. Both of which make me happy. I will post pictures as soon as they come through. Of course, its been a lot of work, but I can always manage to fit in some play time too. I will leave you with a snapshot of last weekend's activities. Thank you God for providing this young man with an opportunity of a life time. I give this all to my savior.

Kirstenbosch Gardens Theater, My favorite jogging spot and A Taste of Cape Town

The first picture is from Kirstenbosch Gardens. It's a massive botanical garden with plants and animals from around the world. The picture of the beach is where I like to run. The picture with a few of my mates was at "The Taste of Cape Town" food and wine festival. All of which make me happy. Life is good.

How to Install a 103" Plasma Television...

This is quite possibly the funniest scene I have seen in quite some time. This is a picture from inside our studios in Cape Town. The builders had their work cut out for them today as they moved the 103" Plasma Television screen up a flight of stairs and into the new weather department across the building. And yes...it is as heavy as it looks. Wow! Someone give these guys a drink!

~Cheers from the Southern Hemisphere~

Pictures of Weather Department

Here are a few pictures of the place I work. The builders are constructing the new weather center. It looks great so far. The weather studio overlooks the news-room. A little hectic with everyone looking at you. Although, the plasma TV will be on the side wall so it wont be a nuisance to the meteorologist. This is a before picture. The set should be completed in the next few weeks. The other pictures are just randoms. Hope your well!

A Taste of Cape Town

Finally feeling a little more settled into this wonderful country. I have made my way to the beach a few times. I have a new running spot that follows right along the Altantic and it is quite the sight. Around every corner I turn their is something new to discover. I was able to fit in another festival between the craziness of work. "A Taste of Cape Town" showcases all the best resturants and chefs in the city and Western Cape. All the chefs come to this event and you sample thier food. This is the first time I have ever tryed Alligator. It was quite tasty, at least the way it was prepared. ;-) This uber-fancy event was held on the cliffs along the side of Signal Hill. It overlooked the ocean with a sunset that was breath-taking. Thank you God for this moment in my life.

I have been to a few braai's at friends houses. Last night I went with co-workers and bosses to a beautiful home near the Kirstenbasch Gardens. The food was served with Cois-Cois (A South African Dish that I may have spelled wrong) and smoked tuna. The South Africans are really interested in American Politics, so we discussed some very interesting things. Becuase this is an open blog, I will refrain from writing any thoughts and/or comments that where made ;-)

I miss everyone back home so much. However, this transition has been quite smooth. Thanks for your support and your prayers and I will post pictures sooner than later hopefully.

Derek

Rolling Blackouts and Starting a Weather Department...

This has been one of the more exciting/adventuresome days that I’ve had to date. I am sitting in the complete dark, at a new flat on the other side of Cape Town (Behind Table mountain). There, of course, is a reason why I am in the dark right now. As my mates say to me often, “Welcome to Africa, man.” This is certainly not America, nor Europe, nor New Zealand…this is Africa, and it serves the greatest learning curve known to man-kind. But, I thrive off it. It makes me feel alive. South Africa is in a serious energy crisis right now. They have scheduled “black out” times when certain areas have electricity, and other areas wont. I, of course, happen to be in the dark as we speak. Luckily I recharged my Apple before I got to my new Flat.
The other learning curve that took place today was remembering how to drive in the Southern Hemisphere. I have had plenty of practice in other countries, including South Africa. However, no matter how much you think you know, you still need to concentrate like crazy when traveling the roads. Not to mention, I am now using a station vehicle. YIKES!!! So I get in the Volkswagen, and figure out the alarm system…then I offer a prayer to God. I pray that he keeps me safe as I travel these uncharted territories, in a strange place, in a new car, with no directions to my final destination. I make it “home” and I find myself writing here, in the dark.
I want to fill you all in on the most spectacular opportunity that I have ever been offered in my life. Heading up the weather department at a major National television station, is likely the biggest challenge I have ever faced. I have been working since the first day I got here. It has been very hectic, but in a good way. I arrived and was picked up at the airport by a friend. After being majorly jet-lagged, I had a meeting with my station manager from Johannesburg. He is a very good guy that has worked hard to get me into South Africa, and for that I am appreciative.
Either way, we went out to breakfast with a woman that was a previous weather anchor at E.tv (she is now a reporter). It was a breakfast with a view of the Atlantic Ocean to the left and the Indian Ocean to the right. It was certainly one of those moments where you need to pinch yourself to make sure your not dreaming. It was at that time where I was “handed the keys” to the development of a 24-hour weather department. What a thrilling moment! I oversee every action that is decided upon when creating this department; what weather equipment to use, what satellite provider to work with, who to hire on my team, where to place the 103” plasma television screen and how to structure our daily weather forecasts. I have even created the shift schedules for our 24-hour crew (whom I have not hired yet). The next task is finding and ultimately hiring the appropriate people that have a meteorological background and are good broadcasters for on-air television.
Yesterday, I traveled with a fellow from Germany to The South African Weather Service (SAWS) located at Cape Town’s International airport. It was an urgent meeting because we needed to use the technical expertise of the German in order to speak with SAWS about the products we need. However, the Germans (our graphical provider) had an international flight to catch. So time was limited to say the least. We explained our proposal to the South Africans. It was received well. However, one thing that people need to understand (especially my friends and family from The United States) is that some things do not work the way you would expect them to. The government supports the National Weather Service in South Africa, but they do not get nearly the funding that NWS in the U.S. gets. Their radar system is nothing like the United States, however it will have to do.
So what to do, right? Well, you have to work around the difficulties and make the best of whats around. That’s what’s tended to happen, and its worked well so far. I will try to post some pictures when I get the chance. However, I have been very busy. Tonight I am going to “A Taste of Cape Town,” which is a festival that samples of food from the finest restaurants in Cape Town (and trust me, there are plenty). So I will leave it there and look forward to another entry as soon as I can. Take care everyone!
Derek