Comments on: Google Maps for Africa

By: Uno de Waal

Uno de Waal — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 15:52:51 +0000

I’ve been driving through district six lately. That would be an awesome spot for the stadium. But that debate is over now.

By: tripeak

tripeak — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:58:47 +0000

Escalating costs… thats what I call the FIFA world cup 2010. You guys should see the signage at ex Jo’Burg International – “Welcome to OR TAMBO International” not “O.R. Tambo”

By: coda

coda — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:50:11 +0000

Est you brainiac, spot on. I checked the Wikipedia entry out of interest:

The name is Middle Dutch for "seal island" (or to be strictly accurate, "island of seals", because Robben is plural). [Incidentaly, "Seal Island" is a different island in nearby False Bay.]

And further on:

Robben Island was first inhabited thousands of years ago by stone age people, at a time when sealevels were considerably lower than they are today and people could walk to it. It was then a flat-topped hill.

Which makes my proposal sound all the more worthwhile, haha! Fascinating reading.

By: Est

Est — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 11:49:09 +0000

Heh-heh. Fantabulous ideas Dames! But…the pedantic linguist in me must just note: I’m pretty sure “Robben” has something to do with “seals” (rob is seal in Afrikaans, I think?), so it’s basically Seal Island like approx. five billion other islands off the coast of any English-speaking (seal-breeding) coastline (including Mossel Bay!).

By: Other-Duke

Other-Duke — Mon, 13 Nov 2006 08:54:20 +0000

I drove through the Hugenot Tunnel yesterday and was thinking that if a feat of engineering brilliance of that magnitude can happen in South Africa, there is no reason why they can’t make that “Gateway” a tunnel on the ocean floor. I’m totally against ruining a magnificent view, but i’m also all for a road/railway link between Blaauberg and Town. Kitesurfers can build a wooden structure like skateboarders used to do in the library parking lot :)

By: warrenski

warrenski — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 18:10:56 +0000

Great stuff! Finally, we’re getting noticed! I see that Google’s also recently re-updated their satellite imagery for Cape Town.

By: coda

coda — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 14:45:56 +0000

I was taking the piss David ;) ...damn, lost in translation, haha Robben Island is a World Heritage Site. When are you visiting? We'll get in a game of golf before the course is flattened! (Check out this Flickr photo and this Google Earth capture for reference.)

By: David

David — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 13:39:51 +0000

I’m with you, even though I don’t know what Robben Island’s for in the moment and where the Metropolitan Golf Course’s situated. Your arguments sound clear and easy to follow – like always.

By: nrgza

nrgza — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 10:50:42 +0000

Yeah! Nothing like a big concrete eyesore to unite us!