Nando's feature Colonel Gaddafi and Saddam Hussein in commercial

Today, saw a commercial and wanted to write about it before they ban it. Nando's has released a controversial TV commercial which shows the deceased world dictators, such as Saddam Hussein and Colonel Gaddafi joking about with each other. Watch and enjoy:

The 45-second TV commercial, called ‘Last dictator standing’, originates from Nando's in South Africa and opens with a Robert Mugabe lookalike wistfully picking up a Colonel Gaddafi place card from an empty dinner table. In a dream sequence he is then met by the deceased Libyan dictator who starts a water-fight with a golden AK-47.

Mugabe is then seen frolicking with Saddam Hussein, South African apartheid leader PW Botha and former Ugandan President Idi Amin before the dream sequence cuts out. Nando’s 6-pack meal is then advertised in its place.
"One of the biggest news stories of 2011 has been the downfall of dictators around the globe as ordinary people have taken back their power," Nando's South Africa said. "In true Nando’s style, this incredible movement towards democracy cannot escape without comment and the brand has set its sight on these and other dictators of the past in its latest campaign."

"The central idea of Nando’s festive season campaign revolves around one particular African dictator, let’s call him ‘Bob’, a dinner party he throws for some likeminded friends and his memory of the good times".

Nando's South Africa gave a tongue-in-cheek response to the expulsion of Julius Malema from the African National Congress, releasing a commercial which stated "Juju, you've been served". The firm also responded to the South African Protection of the State Information Bill (referred to as the "secrecy bill") by releasing a commercial with blacked out words - parodying censorship in the media.

A Nando's UK spokesman confirmed that there are no plans to bring the ad over to Britain.

Russian vodka named after Gaddafi

How about this? After reading about Pakistan’s move to export beer, here comes yet another interesting news -- Gaddafi Vodka brand gets seal of approval. Yes, Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi appears set to join an exclusive roster of revolutionaries and powerful politicians after a local Russian alcohol retailer registered the slain ruler's name as a trademark this week.

This is not the first time Russia is naming liquor after politicians. Vodka brands named after Russia’s leading politicians are very popular there. A vodka brand was even named after President Vladimir Putin in 2003 as Putinka. It appeared on shop shelves in 2003, becoming Russia's most popular brand within a year. Putinka was manufactured by the state-owned Moscow Distillery Crystal company and since Putin was in power, the company played upon the name and Putin's popularity among Russians, even after his departure from the Presidency and accession as Prime Minister. Need not forget, Putinka received several awards. In 2004, advisory council of ‘Superbrand’ chaired by Alexander Shokhin awarded it the title of vodka ‘Superbrand of 2004’. In 2006, it received a national award as the product of the year in the vodka category.

Now, Aleksandrovy Pogreba, a Russian vendor selling wine and vodka, patented the “Commendatore Muammar” trademark at the RosPatent intellectual property registry, according to Kommersant radio reported on November 23.


Representatives for the alcohol retailer are not denying reports that they are on the brink of bringing out a new Gaddafi line, although they would not confirm them either, reported RIA Novosti news agency. It is believed that ‘Commendatore Muammar’ could join Aleksandrovy Pogreba’s existing ‘Commendatore’ marketing line, which currently bears the face of Che Guevara.


When President Dmitry Medvedev came to power in 2008 to become the junior partner in Russia’s so-called tandem, numerous patents such as ‘Medvedka’ and ‘Tsar Medvedev’ were registered overnight. But the authorities eventually became disenchanted with what they saw as flippant branding.

In October 2010, Rospatent denied a request by the Royalty alcohol producer to name a drink ‘Volodya and Medvedi’ which evoked the diminutive form of Vladimir Putin's first name as well the surname of President Medvedev (Medvedi, meaning ‘bears’, is literally the plural of Medvedev). A legal battle ensued, however, and Royalty appealed the Rospatent decision at the Arbitration Court as recently as November 8 this year. No such issues are envisaged for the Gaddafi line.

Support for Gaddafi remained high in Russia throughout the civil uprising against his regime and he still remains popular in the wake of his brutal slaying last month. Earlier this year, green stenciled graffiti appeared on the pavements of Moscow saying “73 percent for Gaddafi” advertising a website that supported the dictator.

Thus far, it is unclear how strong the ‘Commendatore Muammar’ beverage will be.

Pakistan to export beer

When I came across the report that Pakistan is going to export beer, for a moment I wondered if I’m reading it right. Yes, I was right. Indeed, Pakistan is poised to become an exporter of beer! And interestingly, Pakistan is an Islamic republic where alcohol is forbidden to 97 per cent of the population. That means 97 per cent -- 173 million people-- of Pakistanis cannot legally buy beer and offenders can face 80 lashes of the whip as a penalty under law, though no one has been lashed for drinking since the 1980s. So, if a person is a Muslim, he/she can't drink alcohol legally in Pakistan. The minority Christians and Hindus can and do drink -- one brewery, the Zoroastrian-owned Murree Brewery. Under such circumstances, I doubt if the move will not anger religious conservatives. 

An official in the Ministry of Commerce in Islamabad told The Times that a ruling this month by its Economic Committee on Trade would allow Pakistan to export beer and spirits from next year. "India would be the largest market for our alcoholic products. It would be exported through non-Muslim enterprises to non-Muslim countries," the official said.

The change in law, which requires final approval by the Prime Minister, was welcomed today by Sabih-ur-Rehman, a retired army major who runs Murree, the Pakistan brewery, in Rawalpindi. It is licenced to produce beer and spirits for consumption by foreigners and Pakistani minorities, including Christians and Hindus. "The sky is the limit. If we get the permission we plan to distribute everywhere," he said.

Alcohol exports were banned by Pakistan in 1977 by the then Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the father of Benazir Bhutto, in a move to favor Islamist groups. "Pakistan is known for a lot of bad things but it is time for us to be known for some good things too, like our beer," Isphanyar Bhandara, whose family owns the brewery, said.

Traditional dhow exhibition in Qatar

The first traditional dhow exhibition started on November 15 and will be on till November 19 at Katara. We went to see the event yesterday and over 60 dhows, cultural bands, pearl diving competition, speakers and lecturers, museum displays and galleries from across the GCC had participated in the 5-day event.

 

Venue: Katara Beach
Programme list

Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Exhibition Opening (Ministry of Culture) 4:00 pm
Traditional Gulf Bands and Music 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Children’s Workshop 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Dhow Historian Lecture/Discussion Session 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Lighting Show (Shown Hourly) 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Exhibition Closes 10:00 pm

Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Morning Schedule – Public and Schools
Exhibition Opening 9:00 am
Traditional Gulf Bands and Music 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Children’s Workshop 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Dhow Historian Lecture/Discussion Session 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Exhibition Closes 12:00 pm
Afternoon Schedule – Open to Public
Exhibition Opening 3:00 pm
Traditional Gulf Bands and Music 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Pearl Diving Competition Departure 4:00 pm
Dhow Historian Lecture/Discussion Session 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Lighting Show (Shown Hourly) 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Exhibition Closes 10:00 pm

Thursday, November 17, 2011
Morning Schedule – Public and Schools
Exhibition Opening 9:00 am
Traditional Gulf Bands and Music 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Children’s Workshop 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Dhow Historian Lecture/Discussion Session 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Exhibition Closes 12:00 pm
Afternoon Schedule – Open to Public
Exhibition Opening 3:00 pm
Traditional Gulf Bands and Music 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Dhow Historian Lecture/Discussion Session 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Damah Tournament 6:00pm - 8:00 pm
Lighting Show (Shown Hourly) 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Exhibition Closes 10:00 pm

Friday, November 18, 2011
Open to Public
Exhibition Opening 3:00 pm
Traditional Gulf Bands and Music 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Pearl Diving Arrival Ceremony 4:00 pm
Dhow Historian Lecture/Discussion Session 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Damah Tournament 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Lighting Show (Shown Hourly) 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Pearl Divers Awards Ceremony 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Exhibition Closes 10:00 pm

Saturday, November 19, 2011
Morning Schedule – Public and Schools
Exhibition Opening 9:00 am
Traditional Gulf Bands and Music 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Children’s Workshop 9:30 am - 10:30 am
Dhow Historian Lecture/Discussion Session 10:30 am - 11:30 am
Exhibition Closes 12:00 pm
Afternoon Schedule – Open to Public
Exhibition Opening 3:00 pm
Traditional Gulf Bands and Music 3:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Dhow Historian Lecture/Discussion Session 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Lighting Show (Shown Hourly) 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm
Exhibition Closes 10:00 pm

Brazil-Egypt Football Match in Qatar

Qatar hosted an international friendly between five-times world champions Brazil and seven-times African champions Egypt on November 14. The match was held at Al Rayyan Stadium, and started at 8 pm.

Vendors selling flags

Al Rayyan Stadium

Brazil was set to play two games against Egypt. The First match on November 14, 2011 in Qatar, the second match in February 2012 in Cairo. The two sides were originally supposed to meet in a friendly at the beginning of September. However, Egypt withdrew due to commitments in the African Cup of Nations qualifiers, and were replaced by Ghana.

Vij bought two tickets nearly 20-25 days back to watch the match and he failed to convince me to accompany him. He took Umer along with him and from the photographs it was clear that both enjoyed the event a lot. It took them nearly one-and-a-half hours to reach the stadium, thanks to the traffic.

Valencia forward Jonas fired Brazil to a convincing 2-0 victory over Egypt in a friendly international at a packed Al Rayyan Stadium. The 27-year-old broke his international duck in style, finding the net once in each half as the five-time world champions, fielding a second-string side, totally outplayed the ailing African giants on a pleasant evening in Doha.

Jonas, who last month created a sensation when he scored the second fastest Champions League goal in history by finding the net inside 10.5 seconds against Bayer Leverkusen, proved quite a handful for the Egyptians with his versatility on the pitch.

Despite the absence of several stars, including Kaka, Marcelo and Neymar, Brazil were never found wanting in any department as they dominated possession throughout the match, hardly giving the Egyptians a chance at goal.

After a slow start, Brazil stepped up the pace and parked themselves in Egyptian territory to keep their goalkeeper Ahmed El Shanawi on his toes as the Selecao, led by Porto star Hulk up front, looked like scoring at every opportunity.

Hulk once again failed to break his scoring drought for the national side in what was his seventh match, but he set up the first one when he slipped in a pass from the edge of the box for the unmarked Jonas to tap the ball home in the 39th minute.

The Egyptians conceded another goal in the 59th when El Shanawi failed to collect the ball cleanly on a header and Jonas made no mistake with the rebound.

American Bob Bradley, who took over as Egypt coach recently, cut a forlorn figure as he watched his team get a lesson in football and the former US handler has a task on his hands as he attempts to rebuild the team who were not long ago the kings of African football.

He is due to watch several Egyptian domestic matches over the next few weeks to select a pool of players to help the country qualify for the 2014 World Cup after agonisingly losing out to bitter rivals Algeria last year.