Transkei Stories
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 ต.ค. 2023
- This is the introductory episode to my TH-cam series called Transkei Stories. I explain what the Transkei is, why I'm here, what I'm doing here, why I'm doing it and what I hope we're going to achieve.
This episode gives you a taste of what is coming up. Some of the content is filmed on my cell phone, some of it comes from hours of drone work and some of it is more photographic and cinematic. The Transkei is very photogenic. I shoot with a Sony A7, a DJI Air 2s and an Iphone 14. I edit and finish everything on DaVinci Resolve and can produce, edit and release entirely on location. I travel with tents and a trusty old 2x4 Toyota Condor, so I'm able to stay pretty much anywhere. Unless I really need 4x4. I get stuck often.
I guess that what I do is more documentary than vlogging, but I see the two genre's are slowly coming together. I'll be releasing one video a week for at least the next 12 weeks. The type of content is quite diverse but is all somehow connected to the sustainable development and conservation of the Transkei region.
Mpondoland in the Transkei is a globally recognised biodiversity hotspot. The conservation of global biodiversity and Mzansi biodiversity is reliant on the conservation of the Mpondoland hotspot. In general, the Transkei is a good mirror to all the challenges that South Africa (Mzansi) faces. There are hot debates happening about the development of the Transkei, especially between mega project developers backed by the South African government and the ruling African National Congress (ANC) and small scale farmers and eco tourism operators who want to focus more on the conservation of the Transkei's natural resources. Like Davids against Goliaths, Mpondo villagers have managed to temporarily put a stop to Oil and Gas exploration in their ocean and the mining of Titanium on their precious coastline. But these projects have not gone away, and there are strong forces still trying to revive them.
The content of the channel includes stories that reflect on tourism, tourism development, sustainable development, community challenges, rural life, land issues, development issues, politics, the clash between capitalism and socialism, South African sociology, South African history, African history, IsiXhosa, Abathembu, AmaMpondomise and AmaMpondo, adventure, fishing, camping, 4x4, exploration, culture, spirituality, fun, humour and road trips.
Well done Ben - beautifully done! I will be staying tuned in .....
Brilliant! So looking forward to stories as they unfold. So fresh and relevant.
Your support means a lot. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼❤️❤️❤️
This is going to be a fabulous journey. Ben's style and approach is unpretentious and just so welcoming. Looking at culture, life and costal issues from this languid travelogue vantage point is such a relief. He makes us feel we are along for the ride and what a ride, what a place and what people! Each episode is like a mini-breakaway from our urban cages, into something older, untainted but also so fragile. I'm sure he will soon be clicking away in isiXhoza too. On an aesthetic note, I vote for Ben never fixing his front tooth!
Thank you Brent! Your kind words are a wonderful encouragement. And you get what it’s about! I’m looking forward to the episode where we go fishing together. We can talk about life! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
What a fantastic story to follow. I have liked,subscribed and shared. 👋👍🇿🇦
Ben that’s really great mate. It’s honest. I certainly feel it. Super impressive and engaging and already rather deep and thought provoking. I want more. Well done.
Thanks Mark. You’ve played a big role in getting it this far. You are an important player in the Transkei. Got your head screwed on right. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I am so very pleased you met and interviewed Nonhle.
Part of the challenge for you, perhaps, will be in the difficulties that come from asking the right sort of questions.
I wish you everything of the best - and - thanks for explaining the tooth. 🙂
Thank you. Yep, Nonhle’s episode is going to be engaging. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
@@Transkei_Stories like I say, ask the right questions. I deeply respect that fine lady and what she stands for. Good luck.
Love the whole energy about what you're doing and the way you present it. You have my supoort for sure.
Thank you @janine1428 That means a lot to me. Be sure to tune in this afternoon. New episode loading and it’s a very important one.
I can't wait for this incredible journey, all the best champion!
Love this so much and can't wait for more!!
Look forward to your next one!
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Amazing introductory episode, the conversation about Mkambati Matters project development is gonna be interesting.
I agree! 🙏🏼
Dont forget the wild cost is only part of the transkei... People tend to forget about us in South Drankensberg. The Intetwine culture of Basotho, amaXhosa, amaHlubi, Abaphuthi, abaThembi and so many other cultures that are considered minority while they still live there and exists. Obviously the beautiful Drankensberg Mountains and gateway to Lesotho
You are sooooo right! I look forward to exploring your part of the world. So much to do… so little time! 🤣🤣🤣 Thank you for reaching out! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Can’t wait to visit next month! Thanks so much for making this channel!
Thank you for finding it! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Quite unexpected, Ben. Beautiful production I’ll pass it around.
Hi Ben,
This is some lovely work you are doing! I am one of the grandchildren of the late freedom fighters and Chiefs on Comrade King. We would love to have you at our homestead in Bhaziya, west of Mthatha in the Transkei.
Hi there. I would love to visit. I hope to be in your area in January. Maybe we should do an episode on the next generation. Thanks for reaching out to me. And thanks for the encouragement.
Wonderful idea. Thank you for the trouble you are taking to show us this part of the country in the way you do. CapeTown
👍🏼
Great introduction Ben🙌🏼 this is fascinating!
Thank you for this! It’s a start of something good.
Thanks Lungelo. I certainly hope so, and with your support, it is possible. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Love it !!
🙏🏼
Thank you thank you for doing this. For many years we have been visiting, hiking the coast, doing horse trials...the place and it's people are imbede in our family stories
Once you catch the Transkei bug… that’s it! So glad you like the channel. Hopefully we’ll create a rich record of Transkei Stories. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼
I like the isiXhosa subtitles ❤
Excellent. Some of the episodes will not be subtitled. I will see how many people comment, then decide if we are sticking with the subtitles. Sofar it looks like we should.
Sharing with global film and music addicts Ben.. kudos to you...
Thanks Stephan! Need all the help I can get.
Excited to hear the stories!
Thank you for your information, we are looking to relocating to the Lujazu area soon. We getting to learn all about the area because of your videos! ❤ Amazing
Beautifully done brother Ben.
Thrilled to have discovered you on Instagram by chance. Subscribed and looking forward to future content. The Transkei was a part of my youth as my father farmed at Ncora. We spent many holidays exploring the extraordinarily beautiful Wild Coast. Time to go back. From another dreamer and idealist.
Welcome on board!! Thanks so much. This is very encouraging. Hopefully it will remain the extraordinary place that it is. 🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
Awesome....lived in Coffee Bay once upon a time
I’m looking forward to getting to know Coffee Bay. Thanks for watching. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Looking forward to this series! Why not keep the chipped tooth (it looks great!) and do an episode showcasing what it would take for a local person to access dentistry care if they had the same injury you did?😂
Andrew, that’s a great idea! Thank you!
Love this idea and your taster of what's to come is too mouthwatering! So glad I stumbled on this
So glad you like it! Welcome to Transkei Stories. 🙏🏼🌟🙏🏼🌟🙏🏼
Stumbled across this, looking forward and best of luck!
Very exciting. Getting very encouraging responses. What a journey!
I would not leave living here for all the money in the world .what could be an added bonus if it to could be managed with more love .
Everything needs a lot more love! Absolutely! ❤️❤️❤️
Stunning!!!!! Just did the sea-to-sea motorbike event there, a beautiful place with beautiful people.
Looks like we need an episode on sea-to-sea biking. Intriguing. 🙌🏼🌟🙌🏼🌟🙌🏼🌟
Well done Ben. Mark Auret shared with me. I will definitely be following your channel
Thanks Barry! Welcome. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Just found your channel. As someone who wants to explore living in the eastern cape, this is valuable info for me. Thank you
Thanks for the encouragement. I’m really excited about the next phase of this adventure.
Nice Ben. Now I know how you chipped your tooth. I was wondering about that. Great job
Nice Ben great story
ben this is amazing thanx brother
Loving it already ❤
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
I just had to pause the film at 2:07🥰
Looking good 🎉❤ thankyou Ben
Thank you! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Transkei is so many different cultures. You seem to be up in the Northern coastal part mainly (Pondoland, if it is still called that) around Msikaba which is culturally very different from Port St Johns, Umtata etc. I spent a lot of time around Msikaba in the 1970s and early 1980s.
This is in many ways one of the most isolated parts of South Africa and people live pretty much as they did back in the 1970s and, likely even going back 100 years before that.
Yes, it is beautiful. But you can't eat beauty.
You’re right. 🙏🏼
Subscribed!!!
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Nice film. I'm from Transkei as well, between the coastal town of Port St John's and Lusikisiki, I must commend you for this. Made me nostalgic.Really appreciate it. This is the most underdeveloped part of the Eastern Cape and that's why people don't even bother to know that there are actually 27 towns in Transkei but just because it's not luxurious or rural a lot of people just reduce it to Transkei 😂 which is funny and infuriating.
Just to touch on what the spokesperson of Amadiba Crisis Committee (ACC) is saying, which is one of the most talked about subjects in the region, The Wild Coast project has to be implemented, the ACC is very narrow or selfish in its articulations and I strongly disagree with them, Transkei cannot be a poor rural region forever, at some point it has to be developed. Of course views of local communities have to considered, which is what I strongly believe in, engagements must be at that level not through lobbyists that's why people end up dying, corrupt people like to manipulate divisions and capitalize on them but if it's community-led it's a different story. I understand a lot of ACC members have died as a result of the project, we don't take that lightly but we need development in that region otherwise we will forever be dependent on Bhisho or National government for self-sufficiency (which have neglected the region). Also what ACC fails to acknowledge or appreciate, is that the N2 will only cover a few kms in the Bizana area and downwards to Lusikisiki, Port St John's, Coffee Bay & etc which are not entirely opposed to the project. I hope they will be persuaded on their position.
Otherwise nice film, looking forward to more if this. I've subscribed and liked the video as well.
Thank you so much for your well considered response. I definitely need to do an episode that reflects your point if view regarding development along the wild coast. I am looking for the right character to represent that point of view. Maybe you can suggest someone.
That would be great, I think the most senior person who represents this viewpoint is the late King of AmaMpondo, His majesty King Zanozuko Sigcau. He was one of the ambassadors for the project when he was alive, since he's no more, I think the royal family is firmly behind the project and can shed a some light. Ingquza Hill local, Port St John's and Nyandeni municipalities respectively might also be helpful to understand the perspective of government. Otherwise that side you will meet many folks who are not opposed.
@@10sofHimYes, thanks. I’ll find the right people. I think I must get to meet Chief Lunga Baleni too. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
you such a beautiful soul
Looking forward to seeing more Ben. When will the wedding be up?
😊
Hi there... probably Xmas day!!!
you know , its sometimes beautiful how things can be either accidentally or intelligently hidden in names. Gwe gewe to me sounds close to Isgwegwe , a word to primarily to discribe bowleg disformity but also metaphorically , a word to describe a path or condition that did not go straight 🙂, and that is very fitting to the development if this lodge,, ineyGweGwe shame
Beautiful story. I am a videographer based in Joburg. I do editing, sound design and colour grading. Maybe I could be of good use to you.
Hi. I would love some help, but it’s just not within budget yet! Thanks for the offer. Where can I see your work?
Me and my wife did a 100km hike threw the transkei and to be honest you need to cover the fact that there is only alcohol spazas and no food being sold especially fresh food even the flour we bought was off
And the way the locals treat the Forest is appalling they burn them to plant cannabis
There's allot of reasons why the transkei will never be a tourist haven because everyone living there also has a very strange attitude towards change and development
They're destroying nature and want to claim it's theirs to destroy
The up sides of transkei are still visible nevertheless I'm not a pessimist butt a realist
Yep, it’s clearly not all good, but there is so much good too. I hope my stories will be balanced. The conservation issues, like burning forests, might make a good story. Perhaps you could give me some leads. Thanks for the response, gives me lots to think about. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Where abouts? You will likely get different experiences in different parts of Transkei.
I once walked from Msikaba to PSJ. Fantastic walk, but we we were fearful of being robbed in one area.
Amazing Ben.
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼