Tag Archives: South Africa

Rhinos and Elephants in Danger

As you might guess, it is illegal to kill elephants and rhinos in Africa. However, with ivory and horns in high demand, it hasn’t stopped poaching. Most of the world’s population of rhinos is found in Africa – about 25,000. Of that, the organization Save the Rhinos estimates that 21,000 are in South Africa. But, the rhinos are being killed in almost record numbers by poachers. This year, 633 rhinos have been killed. The elephants of Africa aren’t faring much better. There were mass killings in both Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Why are these animals being … Continue reading →

Where to Catch Some Rays Without Breaking the Bank

It’s not every day that you can get round-trip airfare and three nights’ accommodations from the West Coast to Hawaii for less than $900. (For an extra $120 you can get the same deal to paradise from New York.) Because May is typically a slow month for hotels in the “Aloha State” several tour operators are offering outstanding deals to Hawaii. For example, the Keauhou Beach Resort package is being offered for $894 if you are departing from Phoenix, Arizona. The rate includes round-trip airfare to Kona (located on the western side of the Big Island) on U.S. Airways and … Continue reading →

Kudos to Oprah for Dreaming Big in South Africa

Yesterday, January 1, 2007 will make for a significant date in the lives of 150 girls in South Africa. 150 very fortunate girls began school at the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, in Henley-on-Klip which is just south of Johannesburg. The academy is open to girls, ages 11 and 12, who show strong academic and leadership potential and whose families make no more than $787 dollars per month. It will eventually accommodate 450 girls. The $40 million dollar facility is lavish for sure, boasting an on site theatre, top notch study and science lab facilities, a library and a … Continue reading →

Pop Culture and Religion—Part 2

In my previous blog: “Pop Culture and Religion—Part 1” I discussed the news that a major Hollywood movie studio was planning to mass-market family friendly Christian themed movies. If you thought that was earth-shattering news (hey, you don’t hear the words “family friendly” being tossed around the entertainment world everyday), wait to you hear what is happening in South Africa. According to news reports, in an attempt to modernize scriptures, South African Christians seeking a quick spiritual boost will soon be able to download the entire bible on to their cellphones. (Nothing like having the Bible at your fingertips.) The … Continue reading →