Week 1 - Johannesburg, South Africa

I am on sabbatical for 3 months. I still can't quite believe it as the count down to this has been extremely annoying for all around me. It was something that had been thought about for ages and then talked about for ages, but the minute I landed in Johannesburg just over a week ago, it felt like exactly the right thing to do.

For the next few weeks, I will be based in Sandton which gives easy access to most of the city. I've already managed to cram into my first week a host of parties and events like The Channel O Awards, Nigerian Record Label Storm's party at top nightspot - Hush (which used to be Moloko), The Feather Awards, The Album release party for South African soul artist Loyiso and the MTV Base Africa Press Launch for the Mama's in Lagos next month but more on these later...

I also spent the day at The Apartheid Museum, something I would strongly recommend for a deeper understanding and appreciation for this country. It's hardcore as it strips down and displays the bare bones of the system and how it affected people. There was a lot that stunned me into silence bringing tears to my eyes, but there was also much that inspired not just the gallery dedicated to Madiba, which I want to re-visit but also the spirits of so many people who played a part in the struggle. Make sure you reserve the entire morning or the afternoon as it's the kind of place you want to see everything.