The Casual Dork Weekly #27

Sulaiman Hassiem
November 26, 2024

your weekly tech, internet and music update.

TECH

Is This Ever Going To Happen?

the government has beeeen talking about this…

I recently read a crazy statistic that says that the government pays around 150 MILLION RAND a year to keep the analogue and digital signals operational.

That’s insane, considering the plan to migrate the country’s TV broadcast signal to fully digital began before the 2010 Soccer World Cup. It’s been at least 15 years, and we’re still not there.

We must consider that many low-income households (about 70% of our population) can’t afford to buy a new TV and might still be using an old CRT television. This has put plans for a full digital migration on the back seat for many years.

Even though there are talks that the final deadline for switching off the analogue signal is 31 December 2024, I wonder how serious this is as we have heard this warning many times over the last 15 years and then it just delay after delay and we get nowhere.

The SABC is in trouble.

According to MyBroadband, The SOS Coalition sounded the alarm for the SABC's impending crisis in October 2024. They revealed that the public broadcaster is at risk of a major setback, potentially losing a large chunk of its viewers. This warning comes at a time when the SABC is already grappling with financial challenges.

The coalition's coordinator, Uyanda Siyotula, highlighted the severity of the situation. She pointed out that the SABC has already experienced a significant decline in viewership, losing almost half of its audience when analogue TV signals were discontinued in several provinces across South Africa. This new deadline could further exacerbate the broadcaster's struggles.

Only time will tell if this saga will ever come to an end.

MUSIC

MUSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!

new album by k.dot…

Rap’s undisputed heavyweight is back, and he’s swinging hard.

Kendrick Lamar’s surprise drop of GNX is a cultural moment, cementing his dominance in 2024. This album isn’t just music; it’s a statement. The soundscape is skeletal yet massive—menacing basslines, Latin vocal chops, and haunting instrumentals that feel alive. Add Jack Antonoff’s masterful touch (yes, that Jack), and you’ve got a sound both fresh and fierce.

Lyrically, Kendrick is sharper, angrier, and more reflective than ever. Tracks like "Wacced Out Murals" and "Squabble Up" are straight-up war cries, with bars that cut deeper than his infamous Drake beef. Meanwhile, collabs like "Luther" with SZA showcase his softer, more soulful side. The beats are pure West Coast swagger, balanced by moments of reflection, like "Man at the Garden" where Kendrick flexes while questioning his own greatness.

The standout? "TV Off"— a fiery anthem with beat switches, Kendrick’s volcanic delivery, and a guest spot from Mustard that’s already meme-worthy. And just when you think you’ve got the vibe, he flips it with the reflective closer "Gloria," pairing SZA’s ethereal vocals with profound meditations on love and legacy.

GNX is more than an album—it’s a victory lap, a blueprint for the next rap era. Kendrick reclaims the West Coast sound and shapes it into something both nostalgic and progressive. This isn’t just rap’s GOAT delivering bars; it’s Kendrick defining the culture again.