My f1rst Blog - A Media Trip to South Africa as an Official Photographer

A handsome male lion at 5.30am.

This is my first attempt at Blogging although I was first introduced to it quite some time ago. Just never have the urge to do so until now. Why now? Anyway.....

The very first story I am sharing is my Photo Assignment in South Africa some 8 years ago, in 2001 from the 18th to 31st August. It was a Media Trip jointly organised by the High Commision of South Africa in Malaysia and the South African Tourism. The entourage consist of 26 members from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.



Members of the entourage from Malaysia are Bernama, Majalah 3 (TV3), New Straits Times, The Star, Berita Harian, Utusan Malaysia, Sin Chew Jit Poh, Guang Ming Daily, See Hua Daily, The Edge, Nanyang Siang Pau, China Press, Business Times, Sarawak Tribune, The Sun, World Asia Media Publishing House (Travel & Dine Asia, Hospitality Asia) and of course, myself.

The Philippines representatives are The Philippine Star and Manila Enquirer while Indonesia was represented by the Jakarta Post.


Her Excellency Ms. Lindiwe Mabuza

And guess what? The Tour leader of the entourage is non other than Her Excellency, Ms. Lindiwe Mabuza, the High Commisioner of South Africa for the few countries, assisted by the then 2nd. Secretary of the High Commission, Mr. Skhu Xinwa.

So who am I and how am I involved in the whole entourage is itself another story. To cut the story short, I still remember quite clearly of that afternoon, after I was interviewed by the 2nd Secretary of the High Commision, Skhu Xinwa, he said " ......... actually we do not have enough budget to pay you for the trip. However, we will cover all the expenses except pocket money for your shopping. Do you think you are still interested to be our Official Photographer for the media trip?"

I answered calmly, ".....emm, I think I will take up the assignment." Deep inside I am bursting with joy.

The rest of it are history.


Yes. Its me with the Rangers of Mala Mala Game Reserve.

Q : So exactly what is my assignment?

A : To cover all the events of the trip, which include visits to some ministries and authorities, dinners with Provincial Premiers and officials, business visits (including some Malaysian companies in SA), safari parks and games reserves, some out-of-bound venues as well as some tourist locations including the Sun City (where we visited the Presidential Suite frequented by Michael Jackson which cost US5,000.00 a night), and I was further told by Skhu that ".....just make sure you take whatever the journalists may need during the trip, including those wild life animals in the safari parks and national parks. Shoot as much as you need or can."

Yes that was my assignment.


A nyala was spotted munching leaves just outside our game reserve lodge, early in the morning.

Q : So what am I equipped with for the trip?

Nikon FM2 with MD12 Motordrive
Nikon F2S
Nikkor 24mm f2.8
Nikkor 50mm f1.4
Nikkor 105mm f2.8 Micro
Angenieux 180mm APO f2.3
Sigma 135 - 400mm f3.5 - 5.6 APO AF lens
Tamron 35-105mm f2.8
Sunpak G4500 Flashgun (GN 45)
Sunpak Auto 200DZ FLash
Manfrotto #190B with Grip Action Ball Head (Joystick)

Q : Was there any pressure as the Official Photographer for the Media Trip since everyone would expect to get the photographs from you to publish in their respective newspapers and magazines, especially if they didn't have the shot themselves. Most of them have their little compacts though.

A : You bet. Imagine, no digital LCD monitor to scroll thru to see whether you get the right exposures, right expression, etc... all the things you do on the Digital SLR, I have almost nothing of it during those days.

And Imagine this : we move around all the time. No permanent address, means no easy way to process your films and slides. Moreover I do not dare to let any lab in the city there to try develop those precious negatives and positive! You want to risk leting any of the shops there to develop? And even if you want to, you can't find one! In the safaris?


A young lion lighted by a Ranger's spot light. Shot with Angenieux 180mm at f2.3 wide open.

OK.
Let's start with the Preparation. I can't tell you how excited I was the moment the High Commision confirm me as the Official Photographer. We were even invited to the Residence of the High Commisioner in Kuala Lumpur for a Briefing Dinner and get to introduce ourselves and get to know each other as a team.

Gearing up for the trip itself is another exciting story to tell. I bought a brand new Sigma 135-400mm APO lens just because of the trip and stocking up the films and slides, equipments, accessories, ........insurance. All the excitement and anxiety was overwhelming.

The Day we flew off. We were so lucky, I believe about 13 of us were upgraded to Business Class from KL to Jo'Burg! I cant imagine being flown in in Business Class. That was with compliments from MAS - MH201. What a start!

Day 1.
Arrived Johannesburg and was met by ERM Tours and subsequently departed for Soweto.


A typical street life in Soweto.

Soweto (South Western Township), also Johannesburg's twin city and the largest black township in the country, was developed for exclusive black occupation under the apartheid system from the early 1950s. The area comprises the largest population of 2 million people and most of Soweto's residents belong to 9 ethnic groups, with Zulus and Xhosas predominating the population. The predominating languages are Zulu, North and South Sotho, Tswana and Xhosa.




Meeting local kids near Mandela's Orlando West home.

It is also Nelson Mandela's former Orlando West home, where the former President of South Africa lived while practising law in Johannesburg in the 1950s. Freedom Square in Kliptown near Soweto is a historical monument to the struggle where the Congress of The People signed the Freedom Charter in 1955.


Some souvenirs for tourists.

For most of us in the media trip, it is not a sight that anyone are too proud of, except maybe the souvenirs and the street children's joy and innocense but something of significance to the people there. You get to see one of the poorest part of South Africa compared to the other cities.

After the tour, we had lunch at Wandie's Tavern in Dube. Its a 'sheeben' or rather township style pub that serve authentic local South African Cuisine. Very unique and cosy.


The cosy Wandie's Tavern.

In the late afternoon, we proceed to check in at the Westcliff Hotel (part of the Orient-Express Hotels), which is one of The Leading Hotels of the World. I was again amazed and impressed when I realised we are all put in our individual rooms, no sharing!


I am always with my East India Camera Vest.


Guess where is the TV? - The Westcliff

Dinner was hosted by Dato' Choo, former Malaysian High Commisioner to South Africa at the Saxon Hotel, Johannesburg.




Entertainment by some famous local community singers.

Sweet Dreams> to be continued