Izimvo would like to introduce Nic Haralambous.

Nic is well known for the fantastic work he has done on the popular SA Rocks site and exudes a rare passion for South Africa and its people.

Website: http://nicharalambous.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nicharry
SA Rocks: http://sarocks.co.za
Location: Johannesburg

Nic was kind enough to answer the following questions for us:

Personal

Q: The all important personal profile. How would a close friend introduce you at a social event?  i.e. Name, age, company, interesting fact etc.

A: My close friends would probably call me some horrid name, pinch my ass and slap my back! But other people might introduce me as Nic Haralambous, passionate South African, 25 years old who works in mobile social networking.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I don’t really have any serious phobias so that’s out. I am an atheist who was head prefect of a catholic school… how’s that?

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: It’s quite rare that I want to “Get away from it all”.  I prefer to push for my every day life to encompass the things that I love to do. It’s tough, but it makes the weeks more worth while and makes me want to run away less often.

Blogging in South Africa

Q: As a South African blogger, have you encountered any major obstacles within the “Bloggersphere”?

A: To describe the problems with the blogosphere (a word I really can’t stand) I’ll need two words: The Blogosphere.  The major obstacles are things that I encompass too I suppose, things like ego, lack of research, lack of foresight and perspective and cliques.

Q: What has your experience been working with corporate South Africa in regard to social media and the web in general? Is the perception that many companies are only now starting to see the true benefit correct?

A: I think it’s a half truth. Companies know what’s out there but more often than not there are restrictions of the bureaucratic type that make the wheels very slow to turn. In general I’ve experienced a great willingness to learn and bump heads (and budget). I’ve actually mostly run in to the most resistance at advertising agencies.

Q: Do you think services like Twitter, Tumblr, Posterous and newer technologies are “killing” blogging in the traditional sense? Is is fair to compare the content created by such services with traditional blogs?

A: I don’t think that in the long run it is fair to compare the two. I suppose that’s like saying blogging killed books. It hasn’t. Twitter isn’t going to kill blogging in the same way that cellphones didn’t kill landlines and the internet didn’t kill cellphones. Let’s not get in to print media, that’s another kettle of words we best not mix with.

Twitter should be seen as an additive to blogging I think. I have a twitter account, two blogs, a Tumblr,Posterous, FriendFeed, Facebook, Grid, Google and many, many other accounts… the ones I mentioned are almost all still very active. None have stopped or ended but many have shifted and changed in to different things from when I started using the services they offer.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: Yes I have had friends and family who have been affected by crime. It does change your perspective. I would be naive and arrogant to say that it didn’t change me. But I choose to internalize, rationalise and move forward. Studying politics has most definitely allowed me to gain some perspective on things in SA.

Q: Have you ever considered emigration? If yes, where do you think you would emigrate to?

A: I have lived in/visited many countries around the world but have never considered emigration. I think that anyone who says they never want to experience other cultures or places is mad. But right now South Africa is the place for me.

Q: If you were South African president for just one day, what would you change?

A: I would plow money in to sustainable education with a long term perspective.

Q: To which three attractions would you first take an international visitor?

A: A Sowetan shebeen, A Balloon ride over Magaliesburg and to…um, dammit it’s so tough…the Cradle of Humankind.

Life in Johannesburg

Q: What is your favorite venue in Johannesburg for those lazy Sunday lunches?

A: Tough question. Honestly I think my house, a braai, sunshine and some mates.

Q: What is your favorite destination in or near Johannesburg for those 3 day long weekends?

A: Sun City is always a winner but that really is the most obvious answer. There’s Zebula, Pilansburg, Some fantastic hotels in Joburg and many, many, many other places!

General

Q: What are you going to buy yourself as a 40th birthday present?

A: An Island.

Q: Favorite South African sporting moment of the last 10 years?

A: It’s a tough question but I think Mandela holding up the ’95 world cup was priceless. Mbeki being carried on the Springboks shoulders wasn’t bad either.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils?

A: Disgrace.

Q: Favorite South African band? Have you seen them live and do you own at least one of their albums?

A: aKing – I have seen them live numerous times and have bought both of their albums. Best band on my iPod right now.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo?

A: Johan Rupert (Would he qualify as a normal South Africa).

We’d like to thank Nic for taking the time to answer our questions and wish him every success. The work he has done with SA Rocks is a true inspiration. Recommended reading for every South African.