South African Fame

Top 10 reasons South Africa is famous this week:

1. Missing exchange student from the Netherlands, gone since the day after Christmas, but police have a few leads. Family is here helping search, along with police from her home country.

2. Very, very rich Norwegian ex-husband of Diana Ross, fell to his death on a mountain nearby yesterday. Farm manager from the college sent as part of search and rescue team to pick him up.

3. Worst AIDS stats, almost.

4. Worst drought in 100 years. Bleak forecast for food, fuel and affected product prices as a result.

5. "The Ranch" brothel owner on trial, trend-setting trial for other potential prostitution charges.

6. Equine flu nearly under control - loss of millions in the racing industry thus far. Horses start light training this week - but it's too late for thousands of donkey-cart beasts, for whom the vaccine was too late.

7. Hefer commission winds up report on corruption in a government department.

8. Immelman may win the SAA golf tournament - he's from my little town, and it's being played yere!

9. Farmer demolishes school on eve of new school year in an attempt to get the government to make good on their promises for SAFE facilities. Other schools set to re-open without roofs.

10. Homeowners in Cape Town receive cheque for R2,000 and notice that their homes have been sold at (secret) auction to unknown person. No prior warning. City council to investigate what the heck is going on.

And all this time you thought it was the wine, sunshine, good-looking girls and Table Mountain that made us famous!