South Africa | Beauty & Contrast

Being a Professional Magician has been like owning a golden key. It has unlocked a door to a life of global travel and adventure.

I am writing this in Johannesburg.

My journey was straight forward - I got to Heathrow via The Elizabeth Line from Paddington Station. It was fascinating observing my fellow travellers.

Traveling is no joke.

It is long and tedious and not for the faint of heart.

The flight was eleven hours long and I was surprised how tired I was when I arrived early the following morning.

My contact Paul Maleck revealed to me that Johannesburg is above sea level. With the thin air, it hit me like a thunder bolt. This was very surprising to me simply because South Africa is only one hour ahead of the United Kingdom.

Arriving so early meant I had the whole day ahead of me. I enjoyed a good breakfast and a pleasant day at the home of Graham Swallow.

A relaxing day and evening.

A little card magic went down a treat.

The following day was spectacular.

I went to The Bothongo Lion & Rhino Wild Life Park. This place is home to White Lions, Cheetahs, Rhinos, Springboks and a host of Wildlife. Paul and his lovely wife Terry took me on a real game drive.

To visit South Africa and not photograph some wild animals is unthinkable. Africa is the cradle of civilisation, the land mass is epic and all of life began right here.

On my second day, I was taken to the Walter Sisulu Botanical Gardens. The environment was stunning and right at the very end of the gardens was a magnificent waterfall.

The Botanical Gardens was huge and very photogenic. I was besieged by Locusts and school children.

This was an excellent start to my time here in Johannesburg. The purpose for this trip was to perform at The Sapphire Convention for The Johannesburg Magic Circle. It was good to meet so many magicians and make new friends.

The Convention featured Keynote Presentations and a full scale Galla Show. I must single out two young men Nathan and Sinalo from The College of Magic in Cape Town. They did a wonderful job presenting magic.

I am very proud of these young boys, both 17 years old. They possess far more confidence than I ever did at that age.

The Convention was a big hit, lots of conversations, late night magic and building bridges. I say this because it is not lost on me the challenges this country has faced. It's a country healing from its past; with education and love it will happen.

Having my camera with me and my Telephoto Lens meant I was ready to create Portraits.These are my friends Graham, his lovely wife Sue, her mother Rae, Justin with his wife Taz and little girl.

Graham and Sue were wonderful - I felt very relaxed and comfortable in their home.

My time in Johannesburg has enriched my life. My career in magic has given me so much joy. To Travel, experience different cultures and to have my point of view and belief system completely altered by the experience.

South Africa is a very beautiful country.

It has experienced colonialism, war, civil conflict and yet, I could feel the healing processes taking place.

I like to feel that South Africa experienced my humanity.

This is my magic.

I will return x