Tony Becca | Playing within your limitations
With what is happening in the UAE and to West Indies cricket in general, it is good to hear of some good plans for sport in Jamaica, especially for the celebration of sports in the Caribbean. Jamaica, right now and for years gone by, has been a little giant in the world sports arena. From the deeds of champions past to champions present, Jamaica is a home of champions. Indeed, aided and abetted by Jamaica’s greatness in so many sports, by the greatness of Jamaicans domiciled around the globe, by the greatness of Jamaicans in sports foreign to Jamaicans, and by the presence of so many world champions, including the fastest man and woman in the world, Jamaica can be easily described as the place for sports in the world. Jamaica, however, needs to parade before the world their stars, and, unselfishly, the stars of the Caribbean as well. The news, therefore, that the London-based Jamaican Al Hamilton is attempting to stage his prestigious event, the Caribbean Awards Sports Icons (CASI), in Jamaica sometime next year is wonderful. The CASI awards was first held in Jamaica in 2008. It was then held in the Bahamas in 2009, and after two disappointing attempts to hold it in Barbados and in Guyana, it was held last year in Antigua at the Sandals Grande Antigua Resort. Last year, the awards went to people like Sir Everton Weekes – Barbados, cricket; Dr Cynthia Thompson – Jamaica, athletics; Maurice Hope – Antigua, boxing; Kim Collins – St Kitts, athletics; and to Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce – Jamaica, athletics. Jamaica has the prestigious annual RJR Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year awards, but this one is for Caribbean icons. It would be nice if Jamaica hosted it, and in doing so, say thanks to the likes of Sir Garry Sobers, Hasely Crawford, Michael Holding, Brian Lara, and his good friend Dwight Yorke for their lovely contribution to Caribbean sports. Hosting CASI would fall in line with Jamaica’s wonderful image in sports, and help in the marketing of sports. CELEBRATING THE CARIBBEAN The West Indies went down by 133 runs to Pakistan in the second Test in Abu Dhabi last Tuesday, and with one match to go in the three-match series, find themselves in the embarrassing position of possibly losing the three-way contest, the 20-overs, the 50-overs, and the Test series by a whopping 9-0 margin. And to rub salt into the wound, all the defeats, with the possible exception of the previous one in Dubai, which now appears something of a passing mirage, was by huge, uncontested margins. The reason offered for the defeats have been the usual ‘beating horse’ of poor and careless batting by the batsmen, and with hardly any exception. The bowling, however, has proven to be just as poor as the batting, if not sometimes worse. Every now and again a bowler, just like the batsmen, turns up with a performance to tickle the imagination or to provide some semblance of hope. That hope, however, just like the one presented by Devendra Bishoo and Darren Bravo in Dubai recently, always dies as soon as it appears. On that occasion, after Pakistan had rattled up 579 for three declared, Bishoo’s eight wickets for 49 runs and Bravo’s innings of 116 took the West Indies to within 12 overs of saving the game and to within 56 runs of winning it. This time a first innings score of 452 matched by a second innings score of 227 for three declared was enough to win easily, despite a knock of 95 by Jermaine Blackwood and a West Indies second innings of 327 off 108 overs. Once again, I am at a loss to find out what went wrong, to find the cause of the now accustomed batting and bowling, and fielding, failures of the West Indies team. This time, however, Pakistani captain, the experienced and knowledgeable Misbah-ul-Haq, may have given the West Indies the answer, an answer which I have known, and have expressed, for a long, long time, ever since the Windies plunge in world cricket at the end of the last century. Others, including the late great West Indies batsman Clyde Walcott, shared the same sentiments that the problem with West Indies cricket, since the turn of the century, was that the majority of West Indies cricketers believed they were better than they were actually. The Indian commentators hinted of the same situation when, in the last series, they spoke about West Indian batsmen playing down the wrong line, playing forward when they should be playing back, and driving when they should be blocking. The real problem is that sometimes, most times, the West Indies play as if they are really better than they are, and most times they pay the penalty. Speaking after Tuesday’s match, Misbah-ul-Haq said that bowling on the slow batting friendly pitches in United Arab Emrates “is difficult” and “getting 20 wickets is always a challenge”. Misbah-ul-Haq went on to say, “I believe you go there and assess conditions and play within your resources. You work out how you are going to conduct your game plan. If you stay within your limits and execute your plan according to your strength, then no matter what the conditions are, you could be successful.” He also said that Pakistan’s spinners are their strength, they were “expecting a turning and spinning wicket but this pitch had nothing for the bowlers. Today it was the fifth day and it still was flat and didn’t do much.” Pakistan have been criticised for slow batting in the UAE but their plan is to win. In their last 11 Tests played there, they have won all 11. Nobody really remembers slow batting, once it is not too slow, when your first three scores in one-day matches are centuries, when you score an undefeated triple century in Test cricket, when your team comes up with scores like 579 for three declared, 452, and 227 for two declared, and when you win matches comfortably. It is nice, especially when the opposing team fails to challenge these scores and lose easily after playing on the same “slow and batting friendly” pitches, the pitches on which both the batsmen and the bowlers of the losing team always complain. Today, the West Indies take on Pakistan in Sharjah in the last match of the series, and the hope is that they will end the contest in style and avoid the embarrassment of a 9-0 whitewash.
Chris Ross. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.netThere was something San Miguel Beer point guard Chris Ross said Wednesday night that might raise a few eyebrows considering how the last two games of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals have gone.“We’re both in the Finals for a reason,” Ross said after drilling in 23 points highlighted by seven triples on the way to a 132-94 ripping of Barangay Ginebra that gave the Beermen a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven title series.ADVERTISEMENT In fight vs corruption, Duterte now points to Ayala, MVP companies as ‘big fish’ MOST READ ‘High crimes and misdemeanors’: Trump impeachment trial begins LATEST STORIES Peza offers relief to ecozone firms Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. Nadine Lustre’s phone stolen in Brazil Gov’t in no rush to rescue animals in Taal After winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folk “It’s confusing to me and I’m sure it’s confusing to the coaches,” Ross went on. “Luckily for us, the (last two) games were in our favor.”Ginebra’s Tim cone isn’t confused at all. He’s embarrassed.And he needs to address a lot of things going into the fourth game at 7 p.m. Friday also at Smart Araneta Coliseum.After winning Game 1, 127-99, and turning all pre-series forecasts around, Cone hasn’t gotten anything going for his Gin Kings in the last two games.The 38-point losing margin is the all-time biggest in a Finals game, and for the first time since 2007, a team has lost two successive games by more than 20 points. The last time it happened, ironically, was when Ginebra won Games 3 and 4 of the Philippine Cup Finals against San Miguel.ADVERTISEMENT Bloodbath“I have nothing to say other than I am embarrassed by our performance,” Cone was quoted by Inquirer.net as saying as he left the Smart Araneta Coliseum in a huff. “They (Beermen) are too good for us.”It certainly seems that way as the Beermen slowly peeled away from the Kings in the third quarter and turned Game 3 into an ugly bloodbath.“This is another blowout, this is a championship game and we were expecting a close game,” said San Miguel’s Leo Austria after getting ahead in his battle with Cone. “I wasn’t expecting this to happen.”Renaldo Balkman has taken over, June Mar Fajardo is as efficient as ever and the Beermen have gotten even more fearsome because top overall rookie pick Christian Standhardinger is in the San Miguel rotation and is contributing solid all-around numbers.For Ginebra, losing Game 3 was quite simple to see after Cone got just two players in twin digits. San Miguel had six men scoring in double figures.Before Game 4, the league will hand out the Best Import and Best Player of the Conference awards. Fajardo is expected to grab his seventh trophy—a league record. Balkman and Ginebra import Justin Brownlee are locked in a tight race for the Best Import award.Sports Related Videospowered by AdSparcRead Next Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard PLAY LIST 02:14Carpio hits red carpet treatment for China Coast Guard02:56NCRPO pledges to donate P3.5 million to victims of Taal eruption00:56Heavy rain brings some relief in Australia02:37Calm moments allow Taal folks some respite03:23Negosyo sa Tagaytay City, bagsak sa pag-aalboroto ng Bulkang Taal01:13Christian Standhardinger wins PBA Best Player award Ginebra surely hasn’t played like it had a reason to be battling it out for the trophy, at least not in the last two games.And even the do-it-all point guard, who ended Game 3 with San Miguel’s medical team trying to contain blood from gushing out of a busted forehead courtesy of a wayward elbow from teammate Renaldo Balkman, couldn’t figure out why routs have taken place in the first three games of what was expected to be a tight series.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSGinebra beats Meralco again to capture PBA Governors’ Cup titleSPORTSAfter winning title, time for LA Tenorio to give back to Batangas folkSPORTSTim Cone still willing to coach Gilas but admits decision won’t be ‘simple yes or no’Confusing“It’s just confusing,” Ross said of the results that have taken place in the first three games of the series, something which has never happened in the 43-year history of Asia’s pioneering pro league. Lights inside SMX hall flicker as Duterte rants vs Ayala, Pangilinan anew Palace OKs total deployment ban on Kuwait OFWs Judy Ann’s 1st project for 2020 is giving her a ‘stomachache’ Perpetual, Benilde finally victorious View comments
In his powerful Commencement Address last Saturday to the Graduating Class of Cuttington University, Daily Observer publisher, Kenneth Y. Best, gave several warnings to the people and government of Liberia.He first told them that Liberians were losing their country FAST. How? He said leading families and ordinary ones, too, were leasing their prime properties to foreigners for 30 to 60 years for pittance. In so doing, they were mortgaging the inheritance of their children and grandchildren and these properties may be lost forever.Mr. Best included some of the nation’s churches in this property surrender—properties that were acquired by the missionaries over 70 years ago for education. Look at what has happened to the Methodist property on Tubman Boulevard. They have mortgaged it until they have squeezed themselves off their own land, and hidden way behind the Methodist Girls Hostel, which for generations accommodated young girls from upcountry attending the College of West Africa and older girls from out of town attending the University of Liberia.Mr. Best warned, secondly, that huge tracks of agriculture land, mineral mines and petroleum blocks were being handed to foreign conglomerates—all with NO Liberian participation.The Cuttington Commencement Speaker warned, thirdly, that the Liberian economy was now totally in the hands of foreigners, leaving Liberians in continuing poverty and powerlessness.He warned thirdly that thousands of youth from abroad were invading Liberia annually to take the jobs in business houses that Liberian high school and college graduates could be trained to do. This crisis, he said, was being actively facilitated by the Ministry of Justice, especially its Immigration arm, and the Ministries of Commerce and Labor, who are responsible for giving out residence permits, business licenses and work permits. Mr. Best warned, fourthly, that if the government did not require these business houses to train Liberian high school and college graduates to take responsible jobs, instead of having the country invaded by foreign youth every year, this could spell trouble tomorrow.The speaker’s fifth warning was that foreign businesspeople had a spell upon Liberia’s lawyers, judges, politicians and government officials and were therefore in the habit of humiliating the poor Liberian boy and girl, man and woman, keeping them continually poor, vulnerable, subservient and powerless in their own country.The Commencement Speaker said he knew of NO country in the world who gave foreigners in their midst that kind of power. And he warned that the Liberian government would maintain this status quo at its own peril. Why? because the people will develop a sense of hopelessness since they feel they have no stake in their country, Liberia. They would be ready and willing to join any insurrection s (rebellion, revolt) and again destroy its infrastructure. He then gave this candid and helpful advice to government: Every foreign business person who runs a business worth US$50,000 and up should have at least one Liberian partner. That is the way to empower Liberians. So many other countries have done it, thereby enabling their people to take a substantial stake in their economy.Mr. Best charged Saturday’s Cuttington graduates become the ones who will REDEEM Liberia. They can redeem Liberia by loving, fearing and serving Almighty God, and He, in turn, will protect, sustain and prosper them in EVERYTING they do. They must love their country, Liberia, and love, serve and support their fellow Liberians. They must, in everything they undertake, be honest, patriotic, conscientious, hard working and time-conscious. “When you are called to be a partner in any business,” he admonished, “be a good, reliable, dependable honest and productive partner.” Mr. Best told the graduates that they could redeem Liberia by going out and starting businesses and thereby soon become part of the emerging Liberian middle class.He recalled that twice before, in 1972 and 1989, he had given similar warnings, but they were ignored. The 1972 warning, in a speech at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI) was followed by the 1980 coup d’état. The 1989 warning, at the same Cuttington, was followed 12 days later by Charles Taylor in Buutuo, Nimba County igniting the civil war.Mr. Best urged the government to take action NOW, and redeem Liberia, and not sit and wait for more trouble.Share this:Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A teenager who was nabbed after he stole a phone was on Monday set free after he appeared at the Georgetown Magistrates’ Courts, after the victim refused to offer evidence against him.Eighteen-year-old Daniel Wilson stood before Principal Magistrate Judy Latchman and denied that on November 10, 2018, at Croal Street, Georgetown, he stole one LG cellphone valued $36,000; property of Kesha Blackman.The Virtual Complainant in a statement told the Magistrate the she does not wish to pursue the matter against Wilson and will not be offering any evidence against him.As a result, Wilson’s freedom was restored after Magistrate Latchman without hesitation dismissed the charge of simple larceny against him.
FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. – The City of Fort St. John says that the two outdoor hockey rinks, as well as the skating loop in Matthews Park should be ready by the middle of next week.The City’s Grounds Manager Chris Murphy says that city crews have been flooding the three sites since the beginning of the week, when the arctic air caused temperatures to drop. Murphy explained that crews need the temperature to consistently stay below -10 degrees in order to properly flood the rinks. Crews have been using water trucks to flood the rink sites, and will be using the sidewalk sweepers, along with re-floods to maintain the ice sheets for the duration of the winter.Murphy says that crews anticipate being finished flooding the rinks by the middle of next week, when they will have laid down the required six inches of ice. He added that the six inches of ice are required in the less controlled environment outdoors, as opposed to the 1 ¾ inches found at the city’s two indoor facilities.- Advertisement -The two hockey rinks are located in Kin Park and Centennial Park on the former site of the Visitor Information Centre, while the skating loop is located in Matthew Park.
0Shares0000Tusker FC winger Noah Wafula vies for the ball with Sony Sugar’s Derrick Otanga during their Kenyan Premier League match at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on April 18, 2019. PHOTO/Timothy OlobuluMACHAKOS, Kenya, Apr 18 – In a snoozing encounter devoid of a single shot on target in 90 minutes, 11-time Kenyan Premier League champions Tusker FC and Sony Sugar served up perhaps one of the most uninteresting league matches as they settled for a barren draw at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos on Thursday.The late kick off in any multiple-header KPL ties are always a reserve of mouth watering fixtures, but none of either Robert Mboya or Kevin ‘Saha’ Omondi were forced to work, save for collecting cross balls and restarting play. The only exciting piece of action the entire match was a Tobias Otieno freekick nine minutes from time at the edge of the box that rattled the crossbar.Chances were few, very few, and far in between. Former KPL player of the year Mike Madoya was handed a rare start by coach Robert Matano, but he struggled to make an impact and was hauled off at half time for Bill Oporia.The closest any team got to scoring in the opening 45 was five minutes from time when Timothy Otieno headed the ball for Clyde Ssenaji inside the box with no one marking him, but he skied the effort with the keeper at his mercy.In the second half, Sony had a chance six minutes in when skipper Enock Agwanda set up Maxwel Onyango but his shot went over.Four minutes later, youngster Joshua Otieno who had come on for the injured Ambrose Ayoyi had a chance thanks to some poor defending by Tusker but he could not get a shot on target.Tusker skipper Otieno had a brilliant chance when substitute Jackson Macharia flicked him through on goal but the striker shot wide one on one with the keeper.0Shares0000(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)
This column appears in the current edition of Sport magazine. Download the free iPad app from the Apple Newsstand, and follow on twitter@sportmagukEven when Man City were stealing last season’s league title from Liverpool, I rather liked Manuel Pellegrini.The Chilean with one of the most high-pressured jobs in football has always seemed to go about his business with a relative insouciance, his watery eyes peering inscrutably out from under a forehead populated by more lines than an Ordnance Survey map.No matter that Alan Pardew thinks he’s an old chunt; no matter that half his team have been on a footballing vacation this season, when they should have been trying to make half a decent fist of their title defence; and no matter that he currently looks about as likely as Newcastle fall guy John Carver to be in his job next season. Pellegrini has always seemed to retain a quiet dignity.But then Chelsea, and his old La Liga sparring partner Jose Mourinho, won the league on Sunday – and the City manager finally snapped. “We did the same that Chelsea did this year, but we scored 158 goals last year,” he said after his side’s 1-0 win at Tottenham later that afternoon. “It is important for the fans to play attractive football.”And thus did Pellegrini – elsewhere more than gracious in his praise of the new champions – display the sour grapes that will have had Mourinho purring over a celebratory glass of red on Sunday. It also made little sense to remind Mourinho and Chelsea of how hard it will be to retain the title next season, bearing in mind that the same combination of manager and club did just that in the 2005-06 season.Much like his captain, Mourinho doesn’t meet with universal affection outside Stamford Bridge – but he is about to see off Pellegrini, continues to have Arsene Wenger in his pocket and will likely keep Brendan Rodgers firmly in the role of apprentice when Liverpool visit on Sunday.Louis van Gaal and Manchester United may fight back next term, but for now the Chelsea boss is sat comfortably atop the Premier League perch. He may be there for some time. ‘He’s behind you…’ 1
Portsalon Golf NewsAfter the hectic couple of weeks which saw both Donal Callaghan’s Captain Day and Wm Mc Cleary’s President’s Day it was a case of back to basics at Portsalon golf club last week end with the weekly open and members competitions. The winner of the Sunday member’s competition which was an 18 hole stroke event was Ken Mahon (20) 69 nett, 2nd Stephen Connolly (6) 71 nett, gross Pascal Cullen (5) 82 nett. The CSS was 74. On Wednesday 24th the winner of the open competition was John Logue (12) with 41 points runner up John Mc Ginley (22) 41 points Gross Ryan Mc Gettigan (8) 31 points, 3rd Cathal Toland (12) 39 points. The CSS was 37 points.On Saturday the club staged a classic in aid of the Ray Resort Centre. The event attracted a large turnout and the organiser would like to thank everyone who played and a special thanks to the sponsors of the event. The winners of the even Sean Barrett, Noreen Mc Conigley, Deirdre O’Toole and Jackie Friel with 92 points, runners upNoel Nicholl, Sarah Nicholl, Davy McLaughlin and Wm McCleary with 91points, 3rd Rory Kenny, John McGettigan, Donal McCafferty and Noel Gillespie with 91 points.4th John Shields, Cathal Toland , Patrick Crerand and Donal Barrett with 88 pointsCaptains OutingThe sheet containing names for the Captains week end away is filling up at a rapid pace and due to the demand additional places are now available. The vice captain D P Logue has this year arrange a remarkable golfing feast with golf to be played on both the prestigious Portstewart golf links. With hotel accommodation arranged at a very keen price. As places are limited for further details contact the clubhouse on 0749259459. To ensure your place all names must be registered on the notice which is in the club house and booking deposit of €50 must be paid.Events On Saturday 3rd September there is a gents 18 hole open competition and on Sunday 4TH September there is a members competition and on Wednesday 7th September a gents open stableford competition. A time sheet is in operation for all competitions contact 0749159459 or go online to portsalongolfclub.com.Team NewsOver 50’sAfter some confusion over the date for the return leg of the over 50’s match against Ballybofey, we can now confirm that the match is scheduled for Saturday 4th September with a 3 p.m. tee off. Going into this return leg Donal Callaghan’s team have a lead of three and half matches to Ballybofey’s one and half matches. A lot of work has still to be completed if the Kingdom team are to reach their second successive final outing in this competition.Donegal League. The finalists for the 2011 Donegal League has now been confirmed as Rosapenna overcame Buncrana in the second semi final. The final will be contested between John Logue’s Portsalon team and our near neighbours Rosapenna golf club. Official dates for the matches have to be confirmed.Past CaptainsCalling all past captains of Portsalon golf club, the prestigious J J Wall Past Captain’s cup will be staged on Saturday 10th September and the first tee is reserved for the past captains from 12.20 p.m. A time sheet is in operation for all competitions contact 0749159459 or go online to portsalongolfclub.com.Match Play Members are reminded that the all match play who are due to have their match played should note that in the event of the matches not being played by the due date a draw will take place to determine who proceeds to the next round.MembershipAll members who are paying their fees by the instalment method should note that their payment is now due.On Line BookingMembers and visitors to Portsalon Golf Club should note that on line booking is now available for all competitions at Portsalon at the flick of a button go to portsalongolfclub.comDivot BagsMembers and visitors please note that divot bags are now available on entry to the first tee box. Please ensure that you pick up a bag and assist with the course maintenancePORTSALON GOLF CLUB NOTES was last modified: August 30th, 2011 by StephenShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)Tags:Portsalon Golf Club Notes
Two newborn puppies found abandoned in Co Longford are looking for loving homes after being transferred to Donegal.Buzz and Woody, who were found alongside four other puppies in a cardboard box, were taken to the ISPCA’s Donegal Animal Rehabilitation Centre near Letterkenny, where they have been placed in foster care.BuzzWoodyApart from being cold and hungry, all six puppies had no health issues and they are getting stronger by the day. ISPCA Centre Manager Hugh O’Toole said: “Leaving such young puppies without their mother most definitely put their lives at risk and it is impossible to understand how someone could just leave six defenceless puppies, on the side of a road, left for dead.“It’s simply inhumane. We exhausted our efforts to locate the mother dog as we are worried she could be suffering from mastitis and may need veterinary attention.“She is likely looking for her puppies and we are appealing to the public to get in touch if they have any information.”The ISPCA added: “These adorable little fluff balls are growing into such sweet little characters. “Typical of any puppy, they have tons of energy and they love nothing more than playing with their toys and getting up to all kinds of mischief.“They will grow into large dogs so they will require a secure garden, lots of exercise and ongoing training.“If you are interested in offering one of these puppies a new loving home, please get in touch by visiting our website or by emailing info@ispca.ie, call 043 33 25035 (0) for more information or contact the Donegal ARC by email at donegal@ispca.ie or call 074 9152360.”Woody and Buzz looking for new Donegal homes after being found in cardboard box was last modified: August 30th, 2019 by Shaun KeenanShare this:Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)Click to print (Opens in new window)
Eastern Cape Province: The road past rural homesteads in Qholora Bay. Mohair-producing Angora goats on a farm near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape. A flat-topped mesa in the Koranna Mountains in the Eastern Free State. (Images: MediaClubSouthAfrica.com. For more free images visit the image library) MEDIA CONTACTS • Sandi Mtati Coordinator: Social Engagement Project +27 11 834 1444 RELATED ARTICLES • Nikon to nurture young photographers • SA student is world photo finalist • Liliesleaf: keeping the memory alive • ConCourt art tells South Africa’s story • SA-France in cultural exchangeWilma den Hartigh A group of French and South African photographers are embarking on a photo shoot of a different kind. They are travelling across the country to gather images that capture what South Africans think about issues around land, ownership and belonging.The travelling photography initiative, known as the Social Landscape Project, is using the visual medium of photography to start a conversation about these important issues.“With this project we want to show that photography has social relevance, it is not just an aesthetic project,” says Molemo Moiloa, the manager for public programmes and development at the Market Photo Workshop.Land has always been an emotive and complex issue in South Africa. During apartheid, forced removals, land dispossession and the establishment of homelands displaced many people. More recently issues surrounding land reform, mining, housing and service delivery have also been very contentious.But South Africans also have positive associations with land such as security, belonging and memory.“We want to stimulate conversation about how we as South Africans think about land, our associations with it and how we relate to it,” says Moiloa.The Social Landscape project is a collaborative effort between the Market Photo Workshop, a photography school, and the Rencontres d’Arles photography festival in France.The photography project is one of the flagship events of the 2012/2013 France – South Africa Seasons cultural exchange.Significant locationsTwelve French and South African photographers will travel across the country for a period of three months, stopping over at selected sites in different provinces.South African photographer David Goldblatt, renowned for his iconic images of South Africa’s apartheid years and more recently the country’s landscapes, was instrumental in selecting the sites.He has been behind the lens for more than 50 years and helped to select sites with historical, socio-political, economic and environmental relevance.The photographers will work in and around Johannesburg, in various parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Kimberley in the Northern Cape, Magopa in the North West province, and the Karoo.“We wanted to find off the beaten track stories and places to document using photography,” Moiloa explains.The project also doesn’t shy away from controversial locations, such as Magopa in the Rustenburg area, near where the now infamous Marikana mining incident broke out.An Eastern Cape photographer, Cedric Nunn, will focus on the Grahamstown and Hogsback region where the historical Xhosa British wars occurred.Photographers participating in this project are, from South Africa, Zanele Muholi, Pieter Hugo, Jo Ractliffe, Santu Mofokeng and Thabiso Sekgala. The French photographers include Alain Willaume, Raphael Dallaporta, Thibaut Cuisset, Philippe Chancel, Patrick Tourneboeuf and Harry Gruyaert.Public participationThe Social Landscape project isn’t only about the professional photographs. Community participation, through the public engagement component of the project, is an important aspect of the initiative.The public are invited to submit their own snapshots through social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, to show how they perceive issues of land and belonging.“Photography is the most accessible medium to capture these stories,” Moiloa says.“So many people have access to photography. Anyone with a cell phone can take a photo and the project wants to engage people’s own photographic ability. “This is why the initiative also has such a prominent social media presence. “It is one of best ways to ensure that people see the images,” she says.A powerful visual mediumThe travelling photography project is about more than taking pretty pictures. It can play an important unifying role in South Africa, bring about healing, encourage reconciliation and change perceptions around the sensitive issue of land.“The visual medium is accessible and goes beyond any language,” says Moiloa. “It is open to interpretation and that is what makes photography such an amazing medium to communicate meaning.”More project outcomesThe Social Landscape Project also includes a training and research programme, two publications and an archive, and will end with a public engagement exhibition.The exhibition will take place at the Market Photo Workshop premises in Newtown, Johannesburg, on 24 November, where different panels covering media, literature, photography and art will discuss issues around landscape photography.“The publications will be a fundamental addition to landscape photography in South Africa,” Moiloa says.The research component is ideal for people who are interested in landscape photography history and it will cover issues such as memory and land, or how the Truth and Reconciliation Commission serves as memory in oral form and how photographers engage with that.Some of the most powerful memories of South Africa’s history have been captured in a few iconic images that have become known worldwide.This photography initiative will deliver a new collection of images that celebrate South Africa’s history of landscape photography, and produce an important archive of one of the country’s most important challenges.