Highveld in winter in Gauteng Province north of Johannesburg.

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Coordinates: 26°12′13″S 28°2′43″E / 26.20361°S 28.04528°E / -26.20361; 28.04528

The Highveld is the portion of the South African inland plateau which has an altitude above approximately 1500 m, but below 2100 m, thus excluding the Lesotho mountain regions to the south-east of the Highveld. It is home to some of the country's most important commercial farming areas, as well as its largest concentration of metropolitan centers, especially the Gauteng City Region, which accommodates one-third of South Africa's population.

Location and description[link]

The Highveld constitutes parts of the Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, North West, and Limpopo provinces, and virtually all of Gauteng and the northern Free State. The Highveld is bordered by the Bushveld and the Lowveld in the north, northeast, and northwest, the Drakensberg mountains to the east and southeast, the Kalahari desert in the west, and the Great Karoo to the southwest. The Highveld covers an area of almost 400,000 km², or roughly thirty percent of South Africa's land area.

The Highveld rainy season occurs in summer, with substantial afternoon thunderstorms being typical occurrences in November, December, and January. Frost occurs in winter.

Urban areas and industry[link]

Cities located on the Highveld include Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Vereeniging, Welkom, Carletonville, and the cities of the West Rand and East Rand. The diamond-mining city of Kimberley lies on the border of the Highveld and the southeastern Kalahari.

Approximately half the gold ever produced in the world has been mined on the Highveld since 1880. The largest deposits are located in the Witwatersrand, which centres on Johannesburg, with smaller deposits in the northern Free State near Welkom and Virginia. The Highveld is also exceedingly rich in vanadium, diamonds, coal, and manganese.

Agriculture in the Highveld is generally dominated by extensive grain production and the grazing of beef cattle, with more intensive production of maize, wheat, sorghum, citrus fruits, groundnuts, sunflowers, and vegetables, occurring in irrigated areas and farmland closer to urban areas. The peat base of the grassland acts as a natural filter providing sources of clean water.

Flora[link]

Naturally occurring vegetation in the Highveld consists of different types of well-established grassland depending on the varying amounts of rainfall across the area: subtropical and temperate grassland, with true savannah not dominating the ecosystem until more tropical latitudes. The major grass species are Hyparrhenia hirta and Sporobolus pyramidalis and among these are other grasses and herbs. Trees and shrubs never thrived due to the frequent fires that occurred in the dry season and the heavy grazing (once by wild animals and now by livestock).

Fauna[link]

The highveld is home to a number of endangered animals including Straw-coloured Fruit Bats, Africa's largest snake the African rock python (Python sebae), Mountain Zebras and South Africa's national bird the Blue Crane (Anthropoides paradiseus). The only endemic bird species is Botha's Lark (Spizocorys fringillaris) and there are two endemic mammals; Free State Pygmy Mouse (Mus orangiae) and the Rough-haired Golden Mole (Chrysospalax villosa). As well as the python other reptiles include Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) and Rock Monitor (Varanus albigularis).

Threats and preservation[link]

Like so many areas of traditional grassland all over the world the Highveld is excellent agricultural land and most of the area has been converted for farming. The grassland now remains in its original state in areas of nature reserve, which although a small portion of the Highveld are still the largest areas of remaining grassland in South Africa. The protected areas include Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve,^[1] Verloren Valei, Nooitgedacht Dam, Bronkhortspruitdam, Vaal Dam and Koppies Dam Nature Reserves and Willem Pretorius Game Reserve.^[2]

References[link]

External links[link]

• World Wildlife Fund ecoregion report

Darren "Whackhead" Simpson (born 19 April 1978) is a radio presenter (as of 2010^[update]) working for Primedia,^[2] a broadcasting company that broadcasts 94.7 Highveld Stereo and 94.5 Kfm in South Africa (Among others). Since Monday 2 August 2010 Simpson hosts 94.7's morning show Breakfast Xpress.^[3] The show was previously hosted by Jeremy Mansfield under the name The Rude Awakening. Simpson's prank call slot titled Wackhead's Window on the World remains in place on both 94.7 Highveld Stereo in Johannesburg, and Kfm Breakfast (hosted by Ryan O’Connor) in Cape Town. ^[4] His pranks are available for podcast on a daily basis by the radio stations. ^{[5] [6]}

He has also co-starred with Mansfield on the M-Net hidden camera show, Laugh Out Loud. ^[7] On Monday morning, 2 February 2010, at approximately 07:15 SAST, Simpson announced his engagement to Samantha Teixeira. The wedding took place on 25 September 2010.^[8]

Biography[link]

Darren was born on 19 April 1978,^[1] in Durban, South Africa.

On 25 September 2010, Simpson married his wife, Samantha.

Tom Cruise Scam[link]

On 27 January 2009, Simpson scammed Australia's radio breakfast duo, Kyle and Jackie O, making them believe that they were interviewing Tom Cruise about Valkyrie.^[9] The Australian show had ridiculed some of Darren's pranks in the past and Simpson had been planning the prank for about two months. Once on air, Darren announced that they had been scammed and congratulated the Proteas cricket team on their victory over the Australian side on the day before. The Australian station, 2Day FM, had spent approximately $150 000 on advertising the interview in the preceding weeks. Simpson commented that the entire prank cost him about R 6.00 for the phone call. The prank is track number 20 on his CD, Thrown in the Deep End.

Discography[link]

Since 2004, Whackhead has put together a yearly CD compilation of his pranks, as heard on 94.7. Following is a list of all his releases, as of 2008^[update]:

Best of Whack Heads's Prank Calls, The[link]

Released: 2004^[10]
Number of Discs: 1

Track listing

1. Intro
2. Cluck Like a Chicken
3. Citizen Classified
4. Leon Schuster Gets Pranked
5. SPCA Flyers
6. Extra Maths Lessons
7. Your Toilet is Blocked...
8. JHB Airport's New Phone Line
9. Sam Goes To Hospital
10. I Won the Lotto
11. I NEED A HEARING AID!!
12. Gambler's Anonymous
13. Dog Breeder
14. Bee Keeper, The
15. Angry Pawn Dealer
16. Engrish Resson Tutor
17. The Cat Scan
18. Huggies Nappies from Pick 'n Pay
19. Telkom Phonetics
20. Metro Police Fine Enquiry
21. John Walland vs John Walland Soundboard
22. Surname Change
23. Ordering Flowers
24. Out-takes (The Ones That Didn't Work)

Oh My Greatness Hits![link]

Released: 2005^[11]
Number of Discs: 2

Track listing

Disc 1

1. Intro
2. Graeme Smith * Minki Go Grrrr
3. Ryk Neethling * How Cold Was the Water?
4. Leon Schuster * Gets It Again
5. Pieter-Dirk Uys * Interview Query
6. Wayne Ferriera * Six love to Whackhead
7. Brian May of Queen
8. Colin Moss of Idols Fame
9. Brandon Auret of Isidingo
10. Pik Botha Minister of Affairs with Foreigners
11. Francois Pienaar * What a Gentleman
12. Eugene Terre'Blance * Ou Ryperd
13. Corrie Sanders * Heavyweight Knockout
14. John Walland * Too Many Dogs
15. Fiona Coyne * You are the Weakest Link
16. Neil McKenzie * McGregor Sisters
17. Schabir Shaik * Get Outta Jail Free Card
18. David Kau * Bleep Bleep Bleep
19. Ernie Els * Your Caddie's Gotta Go
20. Ferdinand Rabie * Big Boet
21. Simon Gear * How's the Weather?
22. Charl Pauw * Friend of the Penguin
23. Naas Botha * Naas House
24. John Walland * Indecent Proposal
25. Kurt Darren * Ou Luiperd
26. Out-takes * The ones that got away
27. Will Smith in the Worst Interview Ever!

Disc 2

1. Intro
2. The Glass Shop
3. Smoking Laws at Work
4. Casino Lost and Found
5. Neighbour: The Newspaper Thief
6. British Alarm Clock Sales
7. Road Block Dodger
8. Kiwi Radio Station Interview
9. Van the Cheetah Fan
10. Westlife Hotel Requirements
11. Hotel Food Gave Me Gas
12. How to Book a Golf Game
13. Towing vs Petrol Price
14. Rat in Me Phone
15. Lost Virginity at Hotel
16. Tiger Tiger Nightclub
17. Where's your Gym Card
18. Locksmith Help
19. Father's Day: U My Daddy
20. Van Again: SARS Call
21. Hotel Guest Dodgy Video
22. Terminator Soundboard
23. Tové [Kane] I need motivation
24. Asda Announcement: Ben Laden
25. Pick 'n Pay Announcement: Rich Head

Whackhead's Window on the World[link]

Released: 2006

Track listing

Disc 1

1. Intro
2. ASDA PA Announcement
3. Helium Balloon Hire
4. DA Delivers
5. ANC Acronym Caller
6. AMC & BP Election Parties
7. Finance Guru Greg Volkwyn
8. Riaan Cruywagen
9. Cricketer Kevin Pietersen
10. Johan Walland upsets the UCB
11. Dodgy Fortune Teller
12. Australian Cricket Team
13. Polygraph Test
14. Madonna Ticket Winner
15. Toys R' Us Daycare
16. Dial-A-Bed Customer
17. Chinese Takeaway Derirary
18. Minki Go Crrrr For Me
19. Car Delivery From PE
20. Headache Clinic
21. John Walland Interviews Herschelle Gibbs
22. BBC News Tip
23. Comedian Riaad Moosa Flies
24. Fast Food Outlet Drive Thru

Disc 2

1. Mercedes SLK Loan Car
2. Helen Naude: The Voice of Telkom
3. Hanging On The Roof
4. John Walland in the Military
5. Idols Runner Up Gift Gwe
6. I Need A Boob Job
7. Cellphone Contract Problems
8. Bafana Bafana Coach Stuart Baxter
9. Next Bafana Coach Ted Dumitru
10. Lost In Builder's Warehouse
11. Elton John's Manager
12. Waiting Waiter
13. Where's My Red Underpants
14. John Walland Vs Supermodel Caprice Bourret
15. Camel Toe Podiatrist, The
16. Hi My Name Is VUK
17. Bongani Nxumalo
18. Fruit And Veg Shop Lady
19. Marriage Of Convenience
20. Chinese Gibberish
21. Day Care Quotas
22. Locked Inside My Car
23. Pastor Du Plessis 6 June 2006
24. Jeremy [Mansfield] Gets Pranked In London
25. The Day They All Got Revenge

Serial Prankster[link]

Released: 2007-11-05 ^[12]
Number of Discs: 2

This is the first album to offer bonus tracks from its official website.^[13]

Track listing

Disc 1

1. Foreword by Alex Jay
2. Iraq Body Guarding Job
3. 3am Wake Up Call Service
4. Train Station Pizza Order
5. Piet the Receptionist Part 1
6. Whacks Takes Gabby to Manhattan
7. Organ Donor Foundation
8. 2006 Number Change
9. I.T. Support Problem
10. Cellphone Echo
11. Old Dude Marries a Young Chick
12. Celebrity Challenge: Joey Rasdien
13. Schoolboy in Trouble
14. Celebrity Challenge: Mark Pilgrim
15. Name in Public Toilets
16. World's Worst Afrikaans Interpreter
17. Dr I Have a Burping Condition
18. Hypochondriac Waiting for Ambulance
19. Heathrow Announcement for Bokke
20. UB40 Interview

Disc 2

1. Show and Tell Mommy
2. Telemarketer from Hell
3. International Call Delay
4. The Pirate CD Seller
5. Piet the Receptionist Part 2
6. Mr T Soundboard
7. CUM Books
8. Garmin Sat Nav Problems
9. Vasectomy, Dude Your Wife is Pregnant!
10. Zimbabwe Border Patrol
11. Idols Judge Randall Abrahams
12. The Percy Montgomery Fan
13. The Indecent Proposing Traffic Cop
14. Engagement Ring Diamond Switch
15. Kieno Kammies Runs for the Hills
16. How Many Accents Does He Have?
17. Post Office Packaaaaage

Off the Hook[link]

Released: 2008
Number of discs: 2

Track listing

Disc 1

1. The Whackhead Song
2. Nataniel I Need Some Backup!
3. T.V.License Has Expired
4. Biggest Loser Feat 3Talk Noeleen, Kurt Darren & Minki
5. Piet the Receptionist Part 3
6. Where Are My Cats I'mso Horneee
7. Shopping Mall Accident
8. The WhackHead Imposter
9. Pizza Delivery from JHB South
10. Your Credit Card's Cancelled
11. Rent A Hubby
12. Gerald de Kock Joins 702
13. Burglar Calls the House
14. My BEE Partner Nomalanga
15. Don't Call Me That, This Is Business!
16. Angriest Guy In The World Ever
17. James Blunt: The Legendary Interview

Disc 2

1. Roxy Louw the Movie Star
2. Blockbusters DVD Ransom
3. Woolworths Strawberry Account
4. Piet The Receptionist Part 4
5. Bailey Schneider On Air Disaster
6. Piano Player of Note
7. Police Interrogation From Hell
8. Pensioner's Visa for U.K.
9. Kirby Telemarketer Calls Me!
10. Learners License Oral Exam
11. Creen My Carpret Prease
12. Tour de France Emergency
13. Paraplegic Parking Bays
14. Internet Account Usage Dispute
15. Modelling Agency Prime Candidate
16. Whackhead the April Fool

Thrown In The Deep End[link]

Released: 2009
Number of discs: 2

Track listing

Disc 1

1. Wayne Brady Introduction
2. DSTV Touch Tone Terrorist
3. Simon Gear vs Derrick van Dam
4. Piet the Receptionist Best of 2009
5. Julius Malema Goes Down
6. The Ear Shocking Phone Gadget
7. A Mouth Full of Teeth
8. Nommies Calls Bafana Bafana Captain
9. Christina Storm's Stalker
10. Accident at Work Claim
11. This is One Seriously Angry Dude!
12. Senseless Survey Best Bits Part 1
13. Your Babies Name Gotta Change
14. Telemarket Thizzzzzzzzzz
15. Hello it's Jonathan Sir!
16. The Chinese Rapping Florist
17. ARU Pays for Caster Semenya
18. Traffic Fine Has Not Been Paid
19. Apple Support Centre USA
20. Matt Damon Gets "Interviewed"

Disc 2

1. Pieter de Villiers Calls John Walland
2. Crazy Old Hairdresser Lady
3. Eish! Meet My Boyfriend Daddy
4. Math's Teacher Vacancy in China
5. SA Air Force Top Gun Application
6. The Infamous Bachelor Party
7. Telemarketer of the Year!
8. Kid Chris Calls the Doctor
9. Your Credit Card's Being Hacked Now!
10. Phone In to John Perlman's Talk Show
11. Landlord Goes Mental
12. Senseless Survey Best Bits Part 2
13. Gun License Competency Exam
14. You Can’t Marry Your Sister Dude!
15. Asda in Wales Pizza Dilemma
16. My Phone is Broken
17. Is My Boyfriend Cheating?
18. What is Your Surname?
19. Kyle Sandilands 2Day FM Oz

Phowned[link]

Released: 2010
Number of discs: 2

Track listing

Disc 1

1. Opening By John Edward
2. Indian Takeaway vs Chinese Takeaway
3. The Boob Operation
4. Hey Baldieman
5. Senseless Survey Best Of Part 1
6. My Cataract Appointment
7. I Need To Put You On Hold Sir!
8. Chocolate Starfish TV In 2010
9. Reverse Charge Call Going mental
10. Your Wife Is Hot Dude!
11. World Cup Ticket Man's Amazing Laugh
12. Grandpa Louis the Tombstone Seller
13. Where is My DVD My China
14. Schoolboy In Headmasters Office
15. Piet The Receptionist
16. Insurance Voice Analyser

Disc 2

1. I’m Cutting Your Power Off!
2. The Call That Will Melt Your Brain
3. TV Show Vote Line Abuser
4. NATASHA
5. The Cameroon Flag Burner
6. Senseless Survey Best Of Part 2
7. The Telemarketing Therapist
8. Ivan From Serbian TV Channel
9. Broadcasters Hearing Test
10. You Built My Wall Skew
11. Your Voice Mail Has A Glitch
12. World Cup Accommodation Inquiry
13. Will the Real Govender Please Stand Up
14. Workplace Moment Of Silence
15. The Rigged Rugby Competition
16. Iburst Or Is It I-Bust
17. Chris Rock Gets Owned

Epic Fail[link]

Released: 2011
Number of discs: 2

Track listing

Disc 1

1. The Nicest Sherwin in the World
2. Chatline Power Tools
3. Haunted Real Estate
4. Au Pair Agency London
5. Golf Estate Window Smasher
6. What Is Your Surname
7. Telemarketing at its Finest
8. Destroyed Wedding Dress
9. Farmville Addict
10. Same Again Chinese DVD
11. Text Speak ROTFLMAO
12. Dad I Really Need This Job
13. The Great Switcharoo
14. Senseless Survey Best of Pt 1
15. Wheel Spin Payment Scheme

Disc 2

1. Chatline Gargler
2. Dog Shelter Guilt Trip
3. Telemarketer Who Snaps
4. Marius Needs Voicemail
5. Timeshare Call Gone Wrong
6. End of the Road
7. You Have Got Mail
8. Hooter Salesman
9. Adele You Should Be On Idols
10. South Oke and His BO
11. Arno Carstens Opening for U2
12. Neighbours’ Cats
13. SA National Blood Service
14. Senseless Survey Best of Pt 2
15. Your Piercing is Infected
16. Chatline Shav-A-Thon

References[link]

1. ^ ^{a b} Presenters: Jeremy Mansfield et al. (2008-04-18). "The Rude Awakening". Johannesburg, South Africa. 70 minutes in. 94.7 Highveld Stereo. 
2. ^ "Primedia Website". Primedia. http://www.primedia.co.za/. Retrieved 2008-02-03. 
3. ^ http://www.news24.com/Entertainment/SouthAfrica/Whackhead-has-own-breakfast-menu-20100729
4. ^ "Darren Whackhead Simpson". Jam Ally Entertainment. http://www.jamally.co.za/darrensimpson.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
5. ^ "94.7 Highveld Stereo - Podcast page". 94.7 Highveld Stereo. Archived from the original on 2008-01-05. http://web.archive.org/web/20080105191030/http://www.highveld.co.za/podcast/podcast_whackheadswindow.asp. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
6. ^ "94.5 KFM - Podcast page". 94.5 KFM. http://www.kfm.co.za/podcast/listenondemand.asp. Retrieved 2008-02-03. 
7. ^ "Darren Simpson". TVSA. http://www.tvsa.co.za/actorprofile.asp?actorid=5107. Retrieved 2008-01-06. 
8. ^ Presenters: Jeremy Mansfield et al. (2010-02-08). "The Rude Awakening". Johannesburg, South Africa. 75 minutes in. 
9. ^ "MSN news article". MSN. http://news.ninemsn.com.au/entertainment/733461/kyle-and-jackie-o-pranked-live-on-air. Retrieved 2009-01-27. 
10. ^ Best of WHACK HEAD's Prank Calls, The (Compact Disc). All Tracks C Control. 2004. 
11. ^ Oh My Greatness Hits! (Compact Disc). 2005. 
12. ^ Serial Prankster (Compact Disc). 2007. 
13. ^ "94.7 Highveld Stereo - Serial Prankster (Official Site)". 94.7 Highveld Stereo. http://www.highveld.co.za/thelounge/events/WhackheadCD20071105/main.asp. 

External links[link]

• Laugh Out Loud, official site
• Unofficial YouTube Channel
• Podcast mp3 file of the Tom Cruis prank