No need to feel bored

• Keeping our heads above the third wave
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by this third wave then perhaps a quiet walk on Melville Koppies is just what you need. Focus on the small things. See if you can spot a solitary bee foraging on the few plants that flower on the Koppies in July. Karen of Urban Apiary said flowering trees and plants evolved alongside bees. There are over 1 300 different species of Solitary bees. Check the website JOZIBEEHOTELPROJECT for information about the Solitary bees citizen scientist project. And see if you can spot a ‘bee hotel’ at the Lecture Hut on Melville Koppies. Melville Koppies Central (Nature Reserve and Heritage Site) is open every Sunday from 8:00 to 11:30. No need to pre-book. Adults R80 and children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). All income used for maintenance and security of the Koppies – R22 000 per month needed. Security on the Koppies is provided; park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park on Judith Road, Emmarentia. Mid-week school tours and ordinary tours can be arranged. Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see.

• Adopt-a-School Foundation calls for Covid-19 relief projects in schools this Mandela Day
Sunday, July 18 marks the 12th Nelson Mandela International Day. Celebrated both locally and internationally, this day stands in honour of Nelson Mandela, his life and his values. It is a day where we celebrate and remember a man who fought for equality and social justice. We commemorate active citizenship, volunteerism, and organisations that stand on the frontline championing causes that remain crucial to our society. This Mandela Day, the Adopt-a-School Foundation (AAS), a Cyril Ramaphosa Foundation partner entity, is launching a Covid-19 relief campaign to support schools across the country. The campaign aims to address critical gaps that impede teaching and learning in schools. The Covid-19 relief campaign interventions include sanitation, digitalisation of classrooms, and the provision of infrastructure and food security. According to the Adopt-a-School Foundation Chief Executive Officer, Steven Lebere, the Foundation supports 622 schools nationally through its Whole School Development model that addresses school leadership, infrastructure, curriculum and social welfare. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges in many schools from marginalised communities. The Foundation has developed a holistic Covid-19 relief campaign aimed at addressing these challenges. To get involved in the campaign, email the Adopt-a-School Foundation Events Manager at esekgethelo@adoptaschool.co.za. For more details about the campaign and the work of the Adopt-a-School Foundation, visit www.adoptaschool.org.za.

• Climbing a great hill
On June 27 President Cyril Ramaphosa gave us the bad news that we must all stay in Gauteng instead of taking a break and going on our planned holidays to warmer places. He quoted former president Nelson Mandela, who once said that in the long road to freedom he had discovered that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are more to climb. But parks and outside places like Melville Koppies are still open. And you can experience first-hand what Mandela was talking about. At the entrance you see one hill, but just like Mandela said, when you reach the top of that ridge, there is another. But the climb is not too severe and once you’ve summitted it, you’ll be rewarded with views across the entire Joburg and a feeling that you’ve got on top of something. Melville Koppies Central (Nature Reserve and Heritage Site) is open every Sunday from 8:00 to 11:30. No need to pre-book. Adults R80 and children R40; season ticket for a year per adult – R500 (not transferable). All income used for maintenance and security of the Koppies – R22 000 per month needed. Security on the Koppies is provided; park in secure parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park on Judith Road, Emmarentia. Mid-week school tours and ordinary tours can be arranged. Contact wendavid@mweb.co.za. Check out www.mk.org.za for more detailed information about the history and what you can see.

• OR Tambo Soncini Gauteng Provincial Games
Rand West City Aquatics invites all children of the town who were born in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 to participate in the Soncini Games in October 2021. Children who are interested need to please note the following: They must know how to swim or can swim 25m without assistance; they must be in the age group indicated above; they must be a resident of Rand West City; if they are affiliated with a swimming club that will not participate at the Soncinc Games written, permission from the coach of that club is required; all race groups and genders are welcome to join; no cost involved. For more information, please contact the Rand West City Aquatics coordinator, Tyrone Rooskrans via cellphone/ WhatsApp on 083 976 9060.

• 2021 SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge
The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge is back for 2021 and this year, the challenge is going limitless, with entries open nationwide. Along with the virtual challenge, SPAR is also bringing back the prestigious SPAR Grand Prix series, giving some much-needed support to South Africa’s professional women runners. Online entries are now open for the 2021 SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge, and SPAR is inviting women across the country to join in on September 4 anytime between 6am and 6pm (subject to government lockdown regulations). Participants can run, jog, or walk their own virtual challenge, at their own pace, anywhere in South Africa. For more information and to find out how to enter, visit www.sparvirtualchallenge.co.za. Entries are limited to 75 000 participants – enter now to avoid disappointment.

• Latest/ coming soon Movies not to miss!

• THE GREEN KNIGHT
An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, “The Green Knight” tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger. From visionary filmmaker David Lowery comes a fresh and bold spin on a classic tale from the knights of the round table. Opens July 30 

• IN THE HEIGHTS
The creator of Hamilton and the director of Crazy Rich Asians invite you to a cinematic event where the streets are made of music and little dreams become big – In the Heights. Lights up on Washington Heights – the scent of a cafecito caliente hangs in the air just outside of the 181st Street subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies this vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is the likeable, magnetic bodega owner Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), who saves every penny from his daily grind as he hopes, imagines and sings about a better life. In the Heights fuses Lin-Manuel Miranda’s kinetic music and lyrics with director Jon M Chu’s lively and authentic eye for storytelling to capture a world very much of its place, but universal in its experience. From June 11

• THE HITMAN’S WIFE’S BODYGUARD
The world’s most lethal odd couple – bodyguard Michael Bryce and hitman Darius Kincaid – are back on another life-threatening mission. Still unlicensed and under scrutiny, Bryce is forced into action by Darius’s even more volatile wife, the infamous international con artist Sonia Kincaid. As Bryce is driven over the edge by his two most dangerous protectees, the trio get in over their heads in a global plot and soon find that they are all that stand between Europe and a vengeful and powerful madman. Joining in the fun and deadly mayhem is Morgan Freeman as – well, you’ll have to see! From June 16

• SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY
Welcome to the Jam! NBA champion and global icon LeBron James goes on an epic adventure alongside timeless Tune Bugs Bunny with the animated/ live-action event Space Jam: A New Legacy, from director Malcolm D Lee and an innovative filmmaking team including Ryan Coogler and Maverick Carter. This transformational journey is a manic mash-up of two worlds that reveals just how far some parents will go to connect with their kids. When LeBron and his young son Dom are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I., LeBron must get them home safely by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’s digitised champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself. The ready-for-action Tunes destroy convention, supercharge their unique talents and surprise even “King” James by playing the game their own way. Opens July 16

• THE ICE ROAD
After a remote diamond mine collapses in the far northern regions of Canada, an ice driver leads an impossible rescue mission over a frozen ocean to save the lives of trapped miners despite thawing waters and a threat they never see coming. Opens July 16

• GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE
Sam (Karen Gillan) was only 12 years old when her mother Scarlet (Lena Headey), an elite assassin, was forced to abandon her. Sam was raised by The Firm, the ruthless crime syndicate her mother worked for. Now, 15 years later, Sam has followed in her mother’s footsteps and grown into a fierce hit-woman. She uses her “talents” to clean up The Firm’s most dangerous messes. She’s as efficient as she is loyal. But when a high-risk job goes wrong, Sam must choose between serving The Firm and protecting the life of an innocent eight-year-old girl, Emily (Chloe Coleman). With a target on her back, Sam has only one chance to survive: Reunite with her mother and her lethal associates, The Librarians (Carla Gugino, Michelle Yeoh and Angela Bassett). These three generations of women must now learn to trust each other, stand up to The Firm and their army of henchmen, and raise hell against those who could take everything from them. Opens July 23

• THE SUICIDE SQUAD
Welcome to hell – aka Belle Reve, the prison with the highest mortality rate in the USA. Where the worst super villains are kept and where they will do anything to get out – even join the super-secret, super-shady Task Force X. Today’s do-or-die assignment? Assemble a collection of cons, including Bloodsport, Peacemaker, Captain Boomerang, Ratcatcher 2, Savant, King Shark, Blackguard, Javelin and everyone’s favourite psycho, Harley Quinn. Then arm them heavily and drop them (literally) on the remote, enemy-infused island of Corto Maltese. Trekking through a jungle teeming with militant adversaries and guerrilla forces at every turn, the Squad is on a search-and-destroy mission with only Colonel Rick Flag on the ground to make them behave … and Amanda Waller’s government techies in their ears, tracking their every movement. And as always, one wrong move and they’re dead (whether at the hands of their opponents, a teammate, or Waller herself). If anyone’s laying down bets, the smart money is against them – all of them. Opens August 6

• RESPECT
Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, Respect is the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to find her voice. Opens August 13

• MORTAL KOMBAT
From New Line Cinema comes the explosive new cinematic adventure Mortal Kombat, inspired by the blockbuster video game franchise, which most recently enjoyed the most successful video game launch in its history, Mortal Kombat 11. The diverse international cast reflects the global nature of the brand, with talent spanning the worlds of film, television and martial arts. From April 9.

• JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH
Inspired by true events, Judas and the Black Messiah is directed by Shaka King, marking his studio feature film directorial debut. The late 1960s was one of the most tumultuous and pivotal periods in American history. A nation rife with political and social unrest was besieged by explosive demonstrations against the prevailing social and gender norms, the Vietnam War and racial injustice. Black communities across the country, tired of facing racial disparities in healthcare, housing, education and employment – all outgrowths of systemic inequality – had finally had enough. The film received 26 wins and 56 nominations including six Oscar nominations. From April 16.

• THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD
From New Line Cinema comes the thriller Those Who Wish Me Dead, starring Angelina Jolie and directed by Taylor Sheridan. Oscar-winner Jolie (Girl, Interrupted, the Maleficent films) stars as Hannah, a smoke jumper still reeling from the loss of three lives she failed to save from a fire. She comes across a traumatised 12-year-old boy with nowhere else to turn to. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros Pictures. From May 14.

• THE FATHER
Die langverwagte rolprent, THE FATHER, wat pas benoem is vir ses gesogte Oscar-toekennings, ses BAFTA-toekennings asook twee Screen Actors Guild- (SAG-) toekennings het op 26 Maart in plaaslike fliekteaters landswyd geopen. Dit vertel die verhaal van ’n middeljarige dogter wat besig is om haar geduld te verloor met haar pa – ’n stoute, onafhanklike ou man, wat besig is om tred met realiteit te verloor en weier dat ’n versorger na hom omsien. Sy moet trek en moet daarom iemand kry om hom te versorg. Hy, wat in die beginstadium van demensie is, probeer sin maak van sy veranderende omstandighede en begin in sy geliefdes, verstand en realiteit twyfel.

• GODZILLA VS. KONG
Legends collide in Godzilla vs. Kong (in cinemas as of March 26) as these mythic adversaries meet in a spectacular battle for the ages, with the fate of the world hanging in the balance. Kong and his protectors undertake a perilous journey to find his true home, and with them is Jia, a young orphaned girl with whom he has formed a unique and powerful bond. But they unexpectedly find themselves in the path of an enraged Godzilla, cutting a swath of destruction across the globe. The epic clash between the two titans – instigated by unseen forces – is only the beginning of the mystery that lies deep within the core of the Earth.

• THE MAURITANIAN
Directed by Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland) and based on the NY Times best-selling memoir Guantanamo Diary by Mohamedou Ould Slahi, THE MAURITANIAN is the inspiring true story of Slahi’s fight for freedom after being detained and imprisoned without charge by the US government for years. Alone, with no access to the outside world, Slahi (Tahar Rahim) finds allies in defence attorney Nancy Hollander (Jodie Foster) and her associate Teri Duncan (Shailene Woodley) who battle the US Government in a fight for justice that tests their commitment to the law and their client at every turn. Their controversial advocacy, along with evidence uncovered by a formidable military prosecutor, Lt Colonel Stuard Couch (Benedict Cumberbatch), uncovers shocking truths and ultimately proves that the human spirit cannot be locked up. The film, originally titled Prisoner 760, was largely shot in South Africa early last year and had many local cast and crew involved in the production.