(vir die afrikaans weergawe, klik hier ) my new year's resolution is to do what it takes to lessen stress. it's a pretty broad swipe at a variety of causes, but believe me, it is necessary! basically, it means i have to address all those little niggles that gradually compound my stress levels. like being late. being late just isn't worth it. the stress you suffer, rushing through traffic, thinking what you'll say when you rock up late and getting mad at people who hamper your progress invariably …

Chris Chameleon gave an opening speech at Juria le Roux' exhibition 'Eligie' - a body of work consisting of 50 paintings of people who were murdered in South Africa in recent years. Juria le Roux' "Eligie" will be at the University of Stellenbosch's Art Gallery on the corner of Dorp and Bird Street until 10 January 2012... "die dood is een van die voorwaardes van die lewe, n onafskeidbare deel van die pakket. daar is niks wat n mens kan doen om dit te vermy nie. ons vrees vir die dood is …

(vir die Afrikaans weergawe, klik hier ) climate change.. now there's a hot topic. delegates have come from all over the world to discuss the matter in durban, south africa. i myself was a brief part of the event two weekends ago and only after i had done my bit, did i realise the nonsense of traveling me and my manager a total of 6800km (2 x 3400) to durban for a 3 minute song. the carbon footprint of such an endeavour vs the value added is a stupendously nonsensical mission and in some sense a reminder …

(vir die Afrikaans weergawe, klik hier ) today is black tuesday. i am not going to bore you with details of it's reference to the original black wednesday in 1977, or with long legal postulations on the flaws of the protection of information bill. those things are all in the media. the media, which is a beast we can't fully trust. the media is not some messianic institution which operates with the aim of protecting our civil liberties or reveal and rectify injustices. the media is a business. it's aim is …

(Vir die Afrikaans weergawe, klik hier ) oh well, i'm sitting in the on a paris airport runway and have been doing so for the past hour. i don't usually go through paris, it just worked out this way this time and man, do i miss my direct flight to amsterdam! this has been an exceptionally difficult trip, with my troubles starting in jhb upon check is, where i was given another passenger's boarding ticket, for a different flight! it had my surname on it so i didn't question it. only when i looked in more …

(For the English version, click here ) Die afgelope week gons die Suid-Afrikaanse media en rugbyfanatici oor die Stormers se swak vertoning in verlede naweek se Super Rugby semi-finale. Hoewel die spanse vertoning Saterdag swak was, glo ek die reaksies was in die algemeen histeries, indien nie belaglik nie. Hiermee dan n poging om die sakie so n bietjie in perspektief te plaas vir die impulsiewe, dog passievolle en dikwels kortsigtige Suid-Afrikaanse rugbypubliek. Ek tree byna elke aand op in n ander …

(Vir die Afrikaans weergawe, klik hier ) i'm writing this from a train somewhere between rotterdam and amsterdam. i came to the netherlands for a weekend to perform at the 'festival voor het afrikaans'. the festivalwas a great success! there's a genuine interest in afrikaans, the language and the culture, here in the netherlands. well, these are important links to our past and in a civilised world i think the importance of cultural relations need to be emphasised as they are an important driving force …

(For the English version, scroll down or click here ) die lyn tussen opgewondenheid en n spannende voorspooksel is eintlik nie n lyn nie. dis meer soos n wasige strook tussen die twee. en dit is binne hierdie wasige strook dat eknou myself bevind. ek het my bes gedoen, daarvan is ek seker. nou moet ek dit laat gaan en hoop dit werk. ek praat van my album - 'as jy weer slryf'. vanuit die staanspoor het ek myself in n moeilike situasie begewe. na die kommersiele en kritiese sukses van my 2005 vrystelling …

(For the English version, scroll down or  click here .)  ek kan nie onthou wanneer laas ons so n aksiebelaaide jaar gesien het nie. dis asof tyd vinniger vloei. wat ook nie heeltemal onwaar is nie. as jy 5 is, is 1 jaar 20% van jou lewe terwyl dit op 40 maar 2 1/2% is. ons het sopas weer verkiesings hier in s.a. gehad en die uitslag en verloop daarvan is beduidend van ons gesonde demokrasie en het, wat my betref, n baie hoopvolle prentjie geskets van ons land se toekoms. ons is natuurlik n …

(Vir die Afrikaans weergawe, klik hier )    with 2010 long faded in the rear view mirror i guess we're all looking towards this next year expecting things to improve a bit. the last few years have been rough for mostpeople with economic woes taking their toll on most households. of course, i wish you all improved circumstances and, whist not necessarily a return to the unsustainable crazy days 2005-2007, at least a sense of normalcy and less worry and fear and a little more comfort for …