I am the captain of my soul

Invictus (Latin for Unconquered)

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeoning of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

An amazing poem by William Ernest Henley (1849-1903). If I am not mistaken Nelson Mandela mentioned that poem in Long Walk To Freedom. And this poem, or more its title and I guess the ‘spirit’ of it, is what Clint Eastwood chose for his latest Hollywood venture. A movie about that historic reconciliation gesture by Nelson Mandela back in 1995 when South Africa won the rugby world title against New Zealand in Johannesburg.

Eastwood’s movie is set for release in December this year and has Matt Damon as Bokke captain Francois Pienaar and Morgan Freeman as Madiba.

It was 24 June 1995. Ellis Park was packed with 63000 screaming fans. The new, democratic, free South Africa was 1 year old. The unbeatable All Blacks came to town to clinch the world title. But the Springboks stopped them in their tracks. Ellis Park went mad. South Africa won 15-12.

Captain Pienaar walked to the stage in the middle of the stadium to collect the trophy. And there he stood. Nelson Mandela. And he was wearing a Springbok shirt with number 6 on. Pienaar’s number. And the world’s icon gave Pienaar the William Webb Ellis trophy. Mandela thanked Pienaar for his efforts and beating the All Blacks. Pienaar thanked Mandela for what he had done for South Africa. And Pienaar lifted the trophy. And Madiba victoriously put his 2 fists in the air. And Ellis Park went over the top. Mass hysteria. History made. A truly unique moment. Very sad I wasn’t there myself.

Eastwood’s movie has Oscar glory written all over it. Watch my words. Predicting: Best movie. Best director. Best leading actor and best supporting actor. And William Ernest Henley will make a comeback too.

Here he is....

lunch @ the Troyeville Hotel

The fact that it rained in Johannesburg last night says it all. Winter is now really over. It was welcoming rain. Nature is smiling today. For those unknown to the meteorology of the City of Gold, be advised that winter here on the so called Highveld is dry. Very dry. As dry as the Algerian desert on a hot summer day. And thus as the flowers are waking up to the new season and the birds are happily busy with a new family, the rain was very much welcomed. Drops of life.

260 Days to go to high fever. That’s 37 weeks and a few days to the kick off whistle of the opening game in Africa’s football/soccer first world cup ever. Madness guaranteed. The opening game will be played in the brand new FNB stadium in Johannesburg’s south-western township Soweto. That stadium is now officially named Soccer City. Joburg is also host to another world cup football temple. Ellis Park. I think it’s called Coca-Cola Stadium now. That is TBC.

Ellis Park lies in the middle of town. Down town is a metropolis with a bad reputation. But down town is also a city with a shiny new bus system. And a stone throw away from Ellis Park stands the Troyeville Hotel. It’s indeed just a stone throw away. You don’t even have to be an Olympic athlete to throw this imaginable stone. From the terrace of the hotel you could nearly touch Ellis Park. The giant from Gulliver’s Travel would not even have to stretch his arm. So that stone throw is for us mortals easily within reach. Unless of course you are a plastic-human, socialite type like the Paris Hiltons of this world. Then that stone throw might upset your hairdo or undo your botox treatment.

Anyway. Last Joburg winter the 4 of us were having a relaxed lunch at the Troyeville Hotel. Portuguese lunch because that is what the menu there has to offer. Simple but perfectly tasting. The company was great, the food good and the winter sun spreading warmth through the large windows. I see that this week the menu highlights grilled kalamari with chips. Mouth-watering. I wonder when a game is on in next door Ellis Park if the rolling thunder of the fans stamping their feet and blowing their by now famous Vuvuzela trumpets would tremble your plate of fine food. An Ellis Park earthquake ripple effect.

For more on the Troyeville Hotel just copy and paste this link: www.troyevillehotel.co.za



Last year November the Troyeville Hotel was also host to a pretty big and loud party celebrating Barack Obama’s victory in those historic US presidential polls. It was red, white and blue all over.