South Africa’s Online Reputation #Fail

Everyday my blood boils as I read yet another negative story on the South Africa’s ability to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The lack of any concrete base in all of the accusations made against South Africa’s ability really frustrates me.

My top 5 reasons why South Africa will #fail in hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup:

• Because you’ll get shot by Zimbabwe farm raiders. Aiden Hartley from The Daily Mail

• Blacks are allowed to run around freely in the street. Sheldie Cohen of AspenWebcam.com

• The pitches are so bad in Botswana that New Zealand refused to play, therefore we are not ready

• Air horns (vuvuzela’s) are allowed in South African stadiums (There are even Facebook groups to ban them)

• Crime epidemic, check South Africa’s YouTube CV (pretty scary)

Disclaimer: I work on a 2010 World Cup good news activation, Shine 2010

My theory = brand recognition = votes

I have a theory that the general population votes on band recognition. It’s this theory that I use to explain the voting of George Bush into two terms of office and the same theory that governs that Jacob Zuma will become South Africa’s next president.

Perhaps this is just denial on the fact that the majority of the public actually chooses these people as the counties rulers? Advertisers sell on the same theory right?

So if my theory is correct I have a feeling that popular brands would do well in an election. Perhaps the Hanna Montana Party would do well in a general election.

Or what about a brand such as OMO. So many South African’s are brand loyal to OMO. You do not need to be literate to recognise and place your cross next to your favourite brand on the ballot list!

The world is China’s bitch

It appears as if the world is bending over backwards for China. More concerning is that our own government is leading the pack in bowing down to the Chinese.

I believe that the rule of the Chinese is nothing short of evil. The control they have Tibetans’ is unarguably terrible what it is truly unexplainable in my eyes is the control they have over their own people.

China has recently blocked YouTube! There is no logical explanation for blocking citizens from the site. The South African government’s decision to not allow the Dalai Lama into the country is one of the worst decisions that I’ve seen in a while from the SA government (that’s saying something). How long till our YouTube access is blocked?

What would be really cool is if the Chinese government blocked my site for this blog post!

Bandwidth Killers

At my agency we work damn hard, we also invest/waste hours every day trawling the web. In fact prioritising work only starts after checking and interacting on all our social networks in the morning.

Here is a list of some of the cool stuff that I love on the net from around the world with a few local inspirations, inspired by Greg Ruffer’s list of the 99 things you should of seen on the net unless your a loser or something old.

• Charlie the Unicorn – This one isn’t for everyone, but the first time I saw it I found it hilarious. Think how funny this must be for stoned people!
• Shadow Puppet Show – Love this, its really true talent.
• Mentos and Diet Coke – Try this, it actually does work really well!
• Numa Numa- I wish I bust a video this funny created by a friend on his computer.
• Animator vs Animation – Any who has used Photoshop will approve of this one.
• Peanut Butter Jelly Time – Try not sing along with this, its pretty hard not too.
• Dramatic Chipmunk – Only 5 seconds long, yet brilliant!
• Britain’s Got Talent – This guys story with his audition gives me goosebumps.
• Fail Blog – After subscribing to this site I now continuously point at things and shout fail!
• Gearge Bush says the Darnedest Things – There are so many videos on this, but thats just because the man says so many stupid things!
• Cute Overload – This one is def for the ladies!
• Rick Roll – The sad thing is this wasn’t created for a laugh, its real!
• Bert and Ernie Rap – Someone had too much time (and we thank then for it).
• Classic Malema -  Love this dedication to hte greatness that is Julius Malema.
• “Leave Britney Alone” – Rumours has it this guy got an acting contract out of this little “performance”.
• Laughing Baby – Honestly I dont get this, but everyone else love it!
• The Chairperson Falls – South Africa’s own claim to fame on YouTube.
• Ms. South Carolina Answers A Question – Hey another SA mention, I wonder if she could find it on a map?
• Tom Cruise Kills Oprah – Scarily this video doesn’t even need to special effects.
• Aussie Party – This teenage twit has shot himself to international stardom. In fact you can now hire him as a  party planner, you have to admit he is legendary.
• Look At The Horse – Ad people can be retarded, don’t believe me? Watch this Katana Sword
• Asian Backstreet Boys – Pretty darn funny.
• Sneezing Panda - Note to self, stay far away from sneezing panda’s.
• Christian Bale goes crazy – I’m not convinced this was not a publicity stunt, your thoughts?
• Matrix Ping Pong – There are a few different versions of this, most are pretty cool.
• Daft Hands – I think they should of used this as the music video.
• Scary Maze Prank – This isnt funny, no wait its pretty funny.
• Tranquilized Bear Hits Trampoline – Lets hope this bears friends dont have access to YouTube.
• Malema Prank Call – I cant believe that he could be so rude on the phone.

President Thabo Mbeki has been fired!

Can you believe it the president of South Africa has been recalled (i.e. fired). The most shocking thing is how clam South Africans are in such political uncertainty.

Thabo Mbeki will step down as president

Thabo Mbeki has more than likely been fired for his political conspiracy to frame ANC president Jacob Zuma, also for his failed mediation in the Zimbabwe crisis. Although quite diplomacy has possibly resulted in the South African president being fired its more likely that he has been asked to step down in the suspicious case against Jacob Zuma.

Its possible that Thabo Mbeki has been implicated in a political conspiracy to get rid of Jacob Zuma. Its also possible he has been fired to prevent Jacob Zuma from being re-trialled for corruption.

Either way South Africans should be concerned the economy will take a knock, the rand will weaken and white south Africans will emigrate!

Update:21 September 2008
President Thabo Mbeki has officially announced his resignation in a speech that showed him as more of a leader than his last year in office. The effective date of his resignation is to be decieded by South Africa’s parliament. Its yet to surface who the acting president will be.