Mhambi started out at Mhambi.blogspot.com in April 2006. It was born out of a need to try and make sense of political and social upheaval in South Africa: The unraveling of a dream, the fading of the rainbow nation.
I chose the word Mhambi, because it means traveler in isiZulu. I am currently part of the South African diaspora but have not settled in any particular country.
This blog mainly covers current South African social & political events, but does at times meander to take in other issues as well, like art, photography, technology and film, as well as history.
My name is Wessel van Rensburg and I work as a web producer & documentary maker. Besides this blog I keep another together with Gerrie Smits on Social Media, Video and Digital strategy called RAAK.
You can follow me on Twitter here.
I used to work as an investigator and evidence analyst for the South African Truth & Reconciliation Commission, where I specialised in investigating a number of high profile massacres that took place in the early 90’s.
Before that I was a young activist and the editor of the University of Pretoria’s student newspaper – Die Perdeby – circa 1994. Hence my keen interest in the South African transition.
I studied law in Pretoria (Tswane) , but I also have a degree in Hypermedia at the University of Westminster (London).
Motherland Azania
PS: The picture in the masthead of this blog is of General De la Rey, one of South Africa’s great leaders. He embodies courage, integrity, and a human touch.
In the masthead he wears Che Guevarra’s iconic beret, but although he was a decorated war hero, De la Rey was against war, so his beret has a dove as an emblem.
18 responses so far ↓
1 Msengana // Jun 1, 2009 at 9:01 am
Well, thought provoking, I must say.
2 Rachel // Oct 28, 2009 at 12:57 pm
In the article I read about you in The South African News it mentioned that you read news from SA each morning as well as studying up on the “inner workings of South Africa’s power complex.” I’m wondering what sources you find best for people living abroad who would like to stay current on SA politics as well as gain a better understanding of the political structure and problems. Thanks! R
3 Kameraad Mhambi // Oct 28, 2009 at 7:54 pm
Rachel Phew.
Well the Mail & Guardian and Business Day is very good I’d say and they both contain more analytical pieces.
Politicsweb.co.za is also good.
I’d also recommend Constitutionally Speaking, a blog, as well as Saffer politics for very good debates. I link to them to the right.
But recently I found that following the right people on Twitter is best. You often get the story before the papers do on Twitter.
4 Rachel // Oct 29, 2009 at 3:48 am
Thank you so much!
5 Rachel // Oct 29, 2009 at 4:07 am
Oh and any good book recommendations while you’re at it?
6 Kameraad Mhambi // Oct 29, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Will write a blog post soon on a reading list and let you know.
7 marlee // Feb 4, 2010 at 10:40 am
I just heard about Dieantwood today and loved finding your site because i wanted to know more about them. I love the statements they make in their songs, even if the lyrics are thought of as a tad repulsive, i enjoy them
~US citizen
8 marlee // Feb 4, 2010 at 10:41 am
i spelled it wrong! its 4am here im sorry!
9 Kameraad Mhambi // Feb 5, 2010 at 4:23 pm
No worries.
10 russwilliams_uk // Apr 11, 2010 at 1:21 pm
Shamefully, I know next to nothing about SA, but have found your site bloody interesting. I will continue to check it out.
11 Wynand Boshoff // May 3, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Kameraad Mhambi, your website reinforced my belief that nuance is still possible in SA’s current black-and-white (not race) politics. Living in Orania, I firmly maintain that Afrikaner survival does not mean racism. Unfortunately most commentators disagree.
12 Henrik Glette // Jul 8, 2010 at 10:12 am
Hi,
I really enjoy your blog, even though my original intention for coming here was to slag you for using my pic from the Xenophobia camps without asking. Please do use it, but credit me as photographer, not merely as “uploader” of the image.
Keep up the good work, and don’t hesitate to ASK if you’d like to use any of my images again.
Regards,
Henrik
13 Kameeraad Mhambi // Jul 8, 2010 at 10:29 am
Hi Henrik
Night in the camp?
When you upload a photo you should check your settings. Above this photo, when I navigate to it, theres a button, publish it to your blog, and this is there because you allowed it to be there.
It works the same as Youtube inbeds, you can disable it if you want. If you did that now, it will disappear from my site – its in your hands.
14 Henrik Glette // Jul 8, 2010 at 10:38 am
Hi,
Indeed it is technically possible, but that doesn’t make it less polite to ask
Henrik
15 Kameraad Mhambi // Jul 8, 2010 at 11:02 am
Nevermind, I removed it.
The text below the picture is added by Flickr, not by me – automatically, because they (and I) don’t know if indeed you are the photographer of the picture.
Here we have somebody accusing others in public of being inpolite, and not crediting them for their pics, when all I did was do what is now common usage on the net and what they expressly allowed.
Even when I try and point out to you and help you, you don’t acknowledge it.
You are dear Henrik, a stuck-up poephol. If ever I chance upon your pictures I will try and remember that no matter what you put your settings to, you want your arse licked first.
16 Henrik Glette // Jul 8, 2010 at 11:15 am
The only reason I accused you “in public”, was that you didn’t give an email for me to contact you.
As I also pointed out, please use it, but please ask. Your confrontational tone after I actually complimented on you blog, is just unnecessary.
H
17 Kameraad Mhambi // Jul 8, 2010 at 12:32 pm
Right, on reflection – I over reacted. Apologies. You have some great pics, keep up the good work.
18 Henrik Glette // Jul 8, 2010 at 1:47 pm
Thanks, appreciate it.
Will read you blog from now on as well. many interesting postings.
Cheers,
Henrik
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