The last few weeks have been slow in the South African blogosphere. The most exciting thing happening this week is the is that nominations have just opened for the second annual South African blog Awards. There are 14 categories including: South African blog of 2005 – The best of the best from SA, most humourous, best political, best photographic, best new, best food. best group and best design. .

Other big news in the blogosphere over the past week has been the terrible fires burning out of control on Table Mountain and other parts of the Western Cape. A British women, a tourist, was killed when she was hiking on Table Table Mountain and was overcome by the smoke. Ironically, the fire was started by another British tourist when he dropped his still burning cigarette butt on the ground. The man concerned has been criminally charged, and goes to court sometime this month. Cherryflava comments, “What where you thinking dude? You don't see Safricans trooping through Buckingham palace, flicking cigarettes around trying to set the thing alight do you?” Lusharazzi is thankful for the great work done by our fire fighters, “To the more than 200 firefighters who have worked non-stop throughout the night in heavy winds, difficult terrain and massive fires, WE SALUTE YOU!” The latest fire, which on Thursday 2nd February was still burning out of control along an 80Km line is in the Overberg region of the Cape. South Africa blog relays the news, “What was described as “the worst fire in memory” destroyed large swathes of the Overberg and Swartland, ruining farms and wiping out precious fynbos. It continues to burn.” Sadly, according to the Overberg fire chief, this fire was also caused by human negligence under conditions of extremely high winds and temperatures.

A new South African blog has recently come on the scene. African Voices and Visions is written by young a documentary and filmmaker with a passion for Africa, and she travels widely through the continent. Her content is original writing with lots of photo's, and she documents some of the fascinating people that she's come accross like the Voodoo Pope from Benin and other interesting characters. Here she writes about Fort Jesus, Mobassa a place “that connects all continents”

It has been standing for almost five hundred years and remains a fine example of 16th century military architecture. It was designed by an Italian and built by the Portuguese in 1583 who wanted to secure their position on the best harbour on the coast of East Africa. There were countless battles as the local Swahili people refused to accept foreign rule which led to Mombassa becoming known Vita or a place of war. Alaway Abzein, the Administrative Officer of the Fort, tells you about how his heroic grandfather was imprisoned in the Fort for standing up against colonial rule.

To end off on a lighter note, we had a new cartoonist on one of our online news sites and he's a blogger. Lots of cultural and social commentry on offer at Urban Trash.