South Africa Media Trip Day 3

Day 3

Visited Telkom SA, the 28th largest telecommunidations operator in the world at that time, accounting for 2.2 % of South Africa's GDP.

30 % of Telkom SA was sold to US firm, SBC Corporation and Telekom Malaysia for R5.7 billion in March 1997.



The Union Buildings.

Lunch was at the Union Building.



Designed by Sir Herbert Baker and completed in 1913, was considered by many to be the architect's greatest achievement and South Africa's finest architectural masterpiece.

This was the setting for President Nelson Mandela's historic inauguration on the 10th of May 1994. The left wing of the building is being occupied by the Ministry of Foriegn Affairs.









In the afternoon, we were all excited! We are heading to the Cullinan Premier Diamond Mine.

























We were then brought to Pecanwood Golf and Country Estate, at the Hartebeesport Dam. It's a JV between South Africa and Malaysia's own Country Heights Berhad, a company owned by Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, my fellow Batu Pahat boy!





Last but not least, our next stop is the bakabuing Game Lodge, at the Pilanesberg National Park, North West Province.

Photographic Tours & Trips

One of the best thing about learning photography or just to love photography is the opportunity or rather excuse to join in a photographic trip, be it a one day trip or a 4 / 5 days tour, with or without a facilitator.


Me and my D200 with a Nikkor AFS 500mm f4.0 VR (not mine) in Sabah recently.

The very recent months, I have the opportunity to do quite a number of such trips around Malaysia and as far as to Manila.

A glimpse of what I took part in :-
1. Sabah -Sukau / Kinabatangan River Photo Safari
2. Sarawak - Kuching Photo Hunt /Bako National Park / Lemanak Long House
3. Treasure of the Rainforest Photography Challenge and Conference (Kuching - Batang Ai)
4. Glamour Model Shoot in Manila. These are "Maxim" wannabes models.
5. On my own - Rhythmic Gymnastic Photo shoot in Penang and Kuantan (where my daughter participated in the competitions)
6. An outing to Chenderung Water Falls near Tanjong Jara, Dungun in Terengganu.


The lens is Cede Prudente's. An AFS 600mm f4.0 IF-ED! I think it cost around RM25,000.00

Sukau - Kinabatangan River Photo Safari Cruise/Gomantong Cave



One such trips was to Sukau, Sandakan in Sabah for River Safari Tours, where I had the opportunity to shoot wildlives such as Orang Utans, Proboscis monkeys and some other primates, river aligators, birds of Borneo eg. Crested Serpent-eagles, Storm Storks, etc. along the wildlife rich Kinabatangan River Basin.


A photo contest was organised during the trip. - Gomantong Cave.

The programme was designed for photographers aspiring to capture images of Borneo wild places. The photo safaris will take you to places with large concentration of wildlife, unique flora and scenic landscapes of Sabah.


Kuching Photography Trip - Bako National Park - Lemanak Long House
Another opportunity I had was the recent Kuching Photo Hunt cum Photographic Trip that brought us to stay at one of the Long House of the Ibans. We also made a trip to Bako National Park where I had the opportunity to take the following photos.


Myself and the one of the village elder and dancers.

The trip was organised for photo enthusiast with plenty of photo shooting opportunities, socialising with new found friends, a taste of the life of the Ibans and a stay-over experience in a long house. There were also a photo review and sharing session for all of us.


'Nyabang' taken with a Nikkor AF 10.5mm f2.8 fish-eye lens

Activities such as 'Nyabang' (cock fights), blow pipes, 'Jala' fishing and Traditional Warrior Dance was organised for participants to test out their skills.


Taken on a 60mm f2,8 mm Micro Nikkor AF lens, of course hand held - too lazy and heavy to carry a tripod.


One of the largest pitcher plant species found in Borneo.


Taken in Manila during one of the historical Old City Tour. Nikkor AFS 18-200mm VR lens.


A rhythmic gymnast performing in Penang. AFS 70-200mm VR


Sekinchan paddy field. The width of the field alone is 6.4 km. No joke!

Will share more next.

South Africa Media Trip - Part 2

Day 2.

After breakfast, we were transfered to the office of the Provincial Minister for Economic Affairs. We were met by the minister himself, Mr. Jabu Moleketi. We were all given a nice welcome and subsequently a briefing on the economic outlook of the Gauteng Province.




The Economic Affairs Ministry in the City

After that we were divided into 2 groups where group 1 would head towards the Lesedi Cultural Village and another to the Trade and Investment office of South Africa for an overview of the South African economy and investment opportunities. Second part of it was to meet the Mr. Ian Watson, the CEO of Rand Platinum Holding who briefed the members on platinum mining and the industry in South Africa.

I was put in Group 1 for the more fun part of the trip.



Lesedi Cultural Village is a multi cultural village, located in the Mogaliesberg region. When we arrived, we were given a real African rousing welcome by the dancers and the whole tour of the village would subsequently allowed us to learned more about the traditional dances, art and the culture of the Zulu, Pedi and Basotho people, whom each would have their own mini villages within the Cultural Village.







We had a very grand traditional African-style feast for lunch at the village and was entertained with more traditional performances - some very powerful and evocative dancing and singing.




The powerful and evocative African Dance

In the evening, both groups rejoined in a dinner at a restaurant, hosted by the Premier of Gauteng Province.

Overnights at the Westcliff for the second night.