There was more to AFCON than just soccer

| Tuesday May 28, 2013 00:00

Day One
Six local journalists depart Sir Seretse Khama on a sunny Saturday, on the eve of the Africa Cup of Nations final. Upon touchdown after an extremely bumpy ride aboard Air Botswana, the next destination is the Soccer City (now with the dreary name of the National Stadium) for accreditation. The stage is set for a David vs Goliath final pitting the not-so-intimidating Super Eagles of Nigeria and rising Burkina Faso.

The imposing Soccer City is calm before the 'Sunday storm' and the accreditation process will drag on longer than expected. Hunger has set in and upon completion, which is late afternoon, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton is the next destination. Officials assisting with accreditation remark that the hotel is 'out of this world' and that proves to be true.

The hotel, nestled in the serenity of one of Africa's most affluent and famous suburbs, accommodates the who is who of South Africa and beyond. Room 2301 is not for your ordinary visitor.

It is for 'tenderprenuers' or families that feast on bacon and eggs every morning. It is a penthouse that rivals the Big Brother house and I find myself the fortunate occupant this time around. It has three floors with an open plan sitting area, a kitchen, a boardroom and three bedrooms right above it. The third floor has an opening to a balcony overlooking Sandton, giving a classic view atop this truly five star hotel.

After checking in it is time for a quick dinner at Moyo's, Melrose Arch. It's at night that Johannesburg becomes the undisputed entertainment capital of Africa, so it is hardly surprising that the place is fully packed. The dinner is not great, though. Actually, it is plain horrible. A visitor to any of the restaurants there is advised not to attempt having Maputo Chicken. Dinner marks the last activity of the night.

Day Two
The day produces plenty of boredom, the only activity being a hurried lunchtime visit to Busy Corner in Tembisa on the East Rand. Tembisa, established in 1957, has always been a kind home to many Africans, and on this Sunday afternoon, it is no different at the popular 'Chisanyama' spot, Busy Corner. A piece of beef and boerewors braai with pap provides consolation for a day that started off like a damp squib with bored journalists spending much of it at the hotel.

It is then a quick dash to catch a media bus at Sandton to the National Stadium. The drive is slow as thousands of fans, mostly in Nigerian colours, make their way into the corpulent facility. The media centre is overflowing with journalists from all over the continent. The downside is that the Internet service is below par, as is the match. After the game, despite earlier promises of a livelier night, we troop back to the hotel without much ado.

Day ThreeIt is 11am. The contingent, which includes six Mozambican journalists, heads to Sun City in the North West Province. It is a tedious two-hour drive devoid of any highlight. We check in at the Cascades Hotel, which is several rungs below Sandton's Radisson Blu. However, from the 10th floor, the view, as always, is breathtaking. It is a lazy end to the remainder of the day with promises of an action-packed fourth day.

Day Four
It should go down as the highlight of the tour. The group is up at 4am and it has become evident that journalists are not time-conscious. Some miss the early morning Pilanesburg Game drive. It is freezing cold in an area that usually enjoys warm temperatures. The ultimate highlight is the hot air balloon ride.

After driving for 45minutes or so through the game reserve, the tour guide pulls up in an open space where five large hot air balloons are waiting. Each balloon takes 13 passengers. We are soon flying at 9,000 feet above the ground from where we have an amazing view of the mountains below. The rising sun provides a spectacular view as the wild animals run in different directions.

We are back on terra firma after an hour, but it is only some five or so kilometres from where our journey began. Sparkling wine and a certificate are our reward for floating with the clouds. Thinking the day's highlight is behind us, we begin the journey back to the hotel. On our way an enraged elephant curiously named Amarula lies in wait.

A dozen other vehicles are stopped in their tracks by this more than 40-year-old imposing bull which, we soon learn, crushed more than six vehicles recently.

The bull forces vehicles back and we have a lucky escape when our driver is slow to react and the vehicle almost gets stuck as Amarula charges relentlessly. Finally the vehicle steers clear of the danger, but not before people literally have their hearts in their mouths from the dangerously close encounter.

Day Five
We head back to Johannesburg for a flight to the coastal city of Durban. There is nothing to write home about as we land during an extremely windy afternoon. There is a brief afternoon visit to Ushaka Marine before heading back to the hotel. It's a quiet end to the day.

Day Six
A short trip to the picturesque Moses Mabhida Stadium sees several colleagues volunteer to do the bungee swing. Having jumped before, I become a spectator and enjoy the nervous screams from the comfort of my seat in the stadium. A colleague from the Botswana Gazette, Bongani Malunga, is man enough to chicken out because the bloke can't jump 98 metres down and swing for more than 200 metres. But Tumiso 'Chilliboy' Rakgare is the ' macho man' with two jumps. From Mabhida, roads lead to the boulevard along the famous Florida Road which houses upmarket restaurants and nightspots. With exhaustion setting in, it is an early night for yours truly, while other journos remain behind dancing to pumping music that sadly does not include Durban's house music. House music by Durban's renowned artists enjoys a huge following in Botswana and Mozambique. Unfortunately, the music choice, which largely caters for the white clientele, leaves our black brothers holding their chins.

Day Seven
Departure from Durban, but this time around, I am not entirely flabbergasted may be because of the familiar surroundings. However, Durban, with its warm climate and the beach, is a popular tourist destination.