A Visitor
I should mention that the Managing Director of the IMF (and front-runner in French polls in advance of next year’s presidential election), Dominique Strauss-Kahn, came to visit GRS in Soweto this past week. My dad worked at the IMF for many years and even worked on South Africa for a few of them, so it was cool to meet someone who had worked with him way back when and to just generally have a good sense of who all these people were and what they do. Other than that, there wasn’t much to report from it, so I’ll let the main Grassroot Soccer blog do the talking:
IMF Managing Director Calls GRS ‘Inspirational’
Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, made time during a whirlwind trip to South Africa to visit Grassroot Soccer in Soweto yesterday. In between meetings with the Minister of Finance, business leaders, and students at the Witwatersrand University to discuss the challenges facing the South African economy, Mr. Strauss-Kahn was received at the George Ndlovu Stadium by Soweto Site Coordinator Gregory Laing, where 7th graders from Paul Mosaka Primary School were playing Risk Field. After listening to the children discussing risks that can lead to HIV, Mr. Strauss-Kahn watched on as girls and boys played five-a-side soccer, and even got a chance to kick a soccer ball around himself! (“I was a rugby player,” he conceded.)
Visibly moved by the experience, he called Grassroot Soccer an “inspirational group” and wrote later, “As I watched those children play, I was filled with emotion—and inspiration. Yes, South Africa is going to meet its challenges.
So far, we’ve gotten some really cool press out of the whole thing:
Here’s DSK’s post from the imfDirect blog, which featured in many places including the front page of the Huffington Post for a few days. This, this, and this are three YouTube clips from the event. And this is a series of pictures in the Wall Street Journal from his trip to South Africa. We were definitely mentioned in the Sowetan as well, but all I can find is this article that has a picture of Greg but no mention of GRS.
A different kind of sign language
Putting aside the near-death experience in a taxi from Maputo to Joburg over the Christmas/New Years holiday, one big reason I don’t use taxi’s around Joburg/Soweto (other than the fact that I have a GRS vehicle), is that I wouldn’t even know how. From The Sowetan (do check out the slideshow):
Taxi hand Language
Taxi hand lingo is a sign language all on its own – take a look at our slideshow and discover how to taxi hop a little more effectively in and around Soweto, Rosebank, Sandton and Johannesburg.
Things you should know about travelling in a taxi:
* Fares are gathered once the taxi is full to capacity (approximately 15 passengers).
* Passengers, who sit in the front, collect and count the funds received from passengers, before handing over to the driver.
* Try have the correct fare available, as R100/R50 notes are not readily accepted by the drivers.
* The person sitting next to the sliding door is expected to open the door for passengers leaving or entering the vehicle.
* No smoking is permitted whilst in a taxi.
* Pregnant passengers or those with lots of shopping are advised to sit in the 2nd row.
* The driver prefers slim people to sit in the front with him.
* Passengers travelling far should sit in the rear seats of the vehicle.
Solano sets defensive record in win over Contra Costa
Marissa Dunn grabbed a season-high 17 rebounds to help the Solano women’s basketball team to a 63-13 win over Contra Costa College on Friday night during Girl Scout Night. The freshman center scored 15 points as the Falcons raced out to a 20-0 lead and never looked back. She also had five blocked shots, two steals and an assist while shooting 7 of 14 from the field.
Solano set the school record for least points allowed. The previous mark of 17 was set against Los Medanos in the 2004-05 season.
Tara Cooley added 14 points and three assists while Shannon Rankin had 10 points, 10 rebounds and two assists. Alesa Gilmore scored 10 points and added two rebounds and two steals.
Solano (14-9, 6-1) has won three straight games heading into a showdown with Laney College next Wednesday. Tipoff is at 7 p.m. in Oakland.
Girl and Boy scouts from the area attended the game in uniform and got autographs and took pictures with the team after the game.
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The Solano Community College women’s basketball team will be participating in the nationwide Coaches vs. Cancer initiative in the fight against cancer on February 8. Coaches from Solano and Yuba will be wearing sneakers instead of the traditional dress shoes to show their support for the cause.
All of the gate proceeds will go to benefit the American Cancer Society. Tip-off for the game is at 5:30 p.m.
The game against Yuba College also is the final regular season home game for the Falcons. The coaching staff will recognize Solano’s five sophomores – Tara Cooley, Shannon Rankin, Ruby Leon, Presley Neufeld and Kayla Campora – in a pregame ceremony with their families.
To honor the sophomores, Solano will be conducting a silent auction throughout the game. Each sophomore has compiled a “My Favorite Things” basket to be auctioned off during the game. All proceeds from the auction will go to the American Cancer Society.
Each basket contains an 8×10 framed photo of the player and a Solano women’s basketball poster given out at the Contra Costa game. Individual baskets include the player’s favorite snacks, beverage, books, movies and more!
Attendees can place bids throughout the game on the baskets and the fan with the highest bid will be presented with the basket at the end of the game. Solano’s game announcer will periodically provide updates on the bids during timeouts. Once the final buzzer sounds for the game, the bidding concludes.
If you are unable to come to the game, you can visit the Solano Community College women’s basketball team’s Facebook page to submit your bid online.
With your help, we can make this fundraiser not only fun, but hugely successful for the American Cancer Society!
