Child Magazine | Cape Town March 2010

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Cape Town’s

MARCH 2010 Issue 68

Circulation 40 162

C a p e

To w n ’ s

b e s t

g u i d e

the working parent’s

world cup action plan

f o r

pa r e n t s

www.childmag.co.za

easy as pizza your own oven in 15 minutes

7 family holidays

tips

for travelling with children

health

education

entertainment

i’m notoriously bad at organising...

I try, I really do, but I seldom manage to get all my ducks in a row. Somehow I manage to forward plan for work but, on the home front, I’m a disaster. Termly or monthly lift clubs allude me. I play it day by day – and I only have two children!

Birthdays spring up out of nowhere and well, as for holidays, my husband and I were together for 10 years before we managed to plan our first December getaway!

You may think our March issue is all about providing you with a heap of holiday options and solutions (which it does), but actually I need March to be the holiday issue so that I can plan my life for the rest of the year. If you don’t book some time away as a family now, you won’t get in until 2011. So make the most of our list of great hideaways while your must-visits are fresh in your mind (see page 28).

So here it is, our amazing Family Holiday issue, jam-packed with where to go, what to see and if you are staying at home – we also have plenty for you to read and do.

Happy planning and happy holidays.

Hunter House PUB L IS H ING

Publisher Lisa Mc Namara • lisa@childmag.co.za

Editorial Managing Editor Marina Zietsman • marina@childmag.co.za Features Editor Elaine Eksteen • elaine@childmag.co.za Calendar Editor Lucille Kemp • lucille@childmag.co.za

monthly circulation Cape Town’s ChildTM 40 162 Joburg’s ChildTM 40 135 Durban’s ChildTM 35 019

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Art Designers Mariette Barkhuizen • mariette@childmag.co.za Nikki-leigh Piper • nikki@childmag.co.za

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Client Relations Client Relations Manager Michele Jones • michele@childmag.co.za Client Relations Consultants Taryn Copeman • taryn@childmag.co.za Lisa Waterloo • capetown@childmag.co.za

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Cape Town’s ChildTM is published monthly by Hunter House Publishing, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. Office address: Unit 7, Canterbury Studios, cnr Wesley and Canterbury Streets, Gardens, Cape Town. Tel: 021 465 6093, fax: 021 462 2680, email: capetown@childmag.co.za. Annual subscriptions (for 11 issues) cost R165, including VAT and postage inside SA. Printed by Paarl Web. Copyright subsists in all work published in Cape Town’s ChildTM. We welcome submissions but retain the unrestricted right to change any received copy. We are under no obligation to return unsolicited copy. The magazine, or part thereof, may not be reproduced or adapted without the prior written permission of the publisher. We take care to ensure our articles are accurate and balanced but cannot accept responsibility for loss or damage that may arise from reading them.

March 2010

contents

march 2010

upfront 3

a note from lisa

6

ver to you o readers respond

8

r eader’s blog choosing a pram is much like rocket science, says Bronwyn Burdis

14

features 14 t he world cup holiday club don’t know how to keep the children busy during the four-week midyear school break? Christina Castle comes up with creative suggestions 20 a ll fired up in an extract from his book Cooked in Africa, Justin Bonello shows you how to make your own outdoor pizza oven 24 f asten your seat belts Siviwe Minyi helps parents travelling with children enjoy a smooth(er) ride

regulars 9

12 d ealing with difference Gill Cullinan offers practical exercises for children with dysgraphia 28 r esource: family getaways we bring you some old favourites, introduce you to new hideaways and offer you a list of fabulous pet-friendly options to inspire you to plan some time away

28

wins

10 u pfront with paul swimming is an essential life skill, says Paul Kerton 11 h ealth Donna Cobban takes a look at the debate around private and public stem-cell banks

35 a good read new books for the whole family to get stuck into 40 what’s on in march 50 l ast laugh Sam Wilson has to admit that in some cases her children know much more than she does

20

classified ads 40 family marketplace 47 it’s party time

this month’s cover images are supplied by:

comstockcomplete.com

March 2010

comstockcomplete.com

thinkstockphotos.com

Cape Town’s

Cape Town’s

March 2010

letters

over to you feed the creative urge ADHD and diet In your Dec/Jan issue there was a letter from Brigitta Gaylard about ADHD, and supplements she gives her son. Could you please let us know how old her son is? My son is eight and on Ritalin, but I’d like to try something else.

Anonymous As grandparents of a seven-year-old we find your magazine articles a real source of support when trying to help or guide a child.

Our grandson has been diagnosed with ADHD and his mom has to make the decision whether or not to use Ritalin when he goes to Grade 1.

In a letter, Brigitta Gaylard refers to a natural way but does not mention the age of her son. We would like to know before we try her method.

Anonymous * Brigitta did let us know that her son is nine years old.

March 2010

From observation of 32 descendants, may I comment on the article “discipline the peaceful way” in your Dec/Jan issue. Underlying the all-too-common sulky moods of teenagers – especially the more talented ones – is, I believe, frustration. They have innate creative urges for which no outlet has been provided.

Babies like banging a drum. The noise they themselves have created satisfies the innate creative urge. When a boy shows an interest in, say, woodwork, provide him with the means for expression, achievement and contentment, through woodwork. Give him a space, some elementary tools, a bench and some wood.

HDL Corby

your magazine is a great help I am a remedial therapist, and also a mother of a two-yearold son. I always read your magazine from cover to cover and never throw them away, as I find the articles very useful at home and at work. Especially articles like the one that covered autism and the “is left right?” article in the February issue. All the teachers and moms at school enthusiastically await the delivery of the magazine every month.

Annemarie Long

how do you know when you’ve had enough children?

I have always believed that, when it comes to children, two is just the right number. Two adults with two children allow the perfect distribution of attention and resources, I reasoned. With only two children in the family, the siblings are forced to become close friends because they have no alternative. But with three there is bound to be one feeling left out, or so I thought…

Now that I’ve had my second child, we are contemplating my husband getting the snip so that we can go back to behaving as if we’re “young and reckless”, knowing that there’s no chance of an “oopsy”.

But now we are having cold feet.

It seems the universe wants me to have another child.

Everywhere I turn I am confronted with people from big families who talk about how wonderful their growing up years were and how close their families are today. I have also come across parents of three-child families and have quizzed them about their children’s relationships with each other. All the replies were positive.

But larger families aren’t necessarily the answer.

Both my parents come from big families, with relatives spread all over the country. They hardly ever hear

Cape Town’s

from each other and when they do meet up, there is often fighting. Then I look at my own small family and realise we are so blessed to be so close to each other.

I think when a family gets too big, the possibility of differences between family members can harm the bond between siblings.

There is also the obvious issue of money. Schooling, clothing, extramurals and entertainment must all be paid for. How will we be able to afford the best, which is what we want for our children?

Please someone tell me the secret? How do I know when I have had enough children?

Suellen Daniel

home schooling your children First, well done on an excellent magazine. It’s informative and helpful.

I’d also like to make a suggestion. If possible, it would be nice to have an article every month for moms doing home schooling. I have two boys, aged five and eight, and I home school them. I know there are a lot of other moms in the same position that would benefit from these articles. Tips and resources would also be welcome.

Liz Fisher

Cape Town’s

it’s a crime not to buckle up I want to congratulate you on a great magazine. I read it from cover to cover every month. Having a two-yearold child, I find the articles very interesting and the advertising very informative and helpful.

Secondly, I need to touch on an issue that has been raised in your “letters” section several times. I am shocked that parents can be so negligent as to not buckle up their children. Every day I see cars with children bouncing around without seat belts – this applies equally to very fancy vehicles and the overcrowded ones, with children piled into the backseat on an adult’s or older child’s lap.

I am the lady who shouts, “Buckle up your children!” This is not very effective, and I usually receive the “finger”. Otherwise people ignore me or shout “keep your mouth shut!”. I believe these reactions are often as a result of parents knowing they are wrong.

Parents are committing a punishable crime, and are putting their children at risk of being catapulted through the window and left brain damaged for life.

In most first-world countries, it is a crime not to buckle up your child. I feel that many South Africans have an “it will never happen to me” mentality. And yet, “each

year, thousands of children are killed, permanently injured or suffer life-long disabilities as a result of car accidents.

At the Red Cross Children’s Hospital alone, an average of 20 children a month are treated for injuries sustained in motor car accidents, 80% of whom were not restrained in any way” (citizen.co.za).

I’ve been wondering how I can get the message across. Now I have printed a bumper sticker that reads “You are the adult, buckle up your kids”.

Thanks again for a magazine that reaches thousands of parents.

Gia Janks

write to us We would like to know what’s on your mind.

Send your letters to: marina@childmag.co.za or PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. We reserve the right to edit and shorten submitted letters.

The opinions reflected here are those of our readers and are not necessarily held by Hunter House Publishing.

March 2010

blog

it’s all in the pram

There’s a lot to consider when purchasing a pram, says

c

hoosing a pram is one of the many difficult decisions parents make before baby arrives. You are looking for an indestructible yet versatile piece of equipment that serves as a baby transporter, lunch trolley, shopping cart and travel bed, which sloughs off dirt like a duck.

My husband and I are not the best people to speak to about brands – we barely know our Gucci from our Graco! We tend to make purchasing decisions based on a weighted average of functionality, lifespan and price.

We lucked out on the pram though, and managed to get a deluxe, top-end, 4x4 model for a bargain.

In the end, the pram lasted just seven months and two days. She survived 20km of weekly walking and injuries incurred on multiple flights, but met her demise in the baggage halls of America’s domestic airports. The principal culprits contributing to her early passing were the airlines and shopping.

Generally, a pram is permitted as airline carry-on luggage and handed in at the door of a plane – on a

March 2010

LOFO (last on first off) basis. When you step out of the door, your pram is waiting for you.

LOFO is convenient but not incident free. The disappointment of a fellow passenger’s broken dutyfree is shared when you discover his bottle of liquor has seeped into your pram’s seat, sides and sun visor. While the smell of Amarula may conjure up fond memories of home, it can be nauseating on a hot day in Amsterdam.

People who sneak in 50kg carry-on bags as LOFO cause pram death. When the aircraft moves, so does the luggage – usually onto the frame of your pram!

Once you’re at your destination, there’s nothing a little retail therapy can’t cure. We’re always on the lookout for one-trip treasure. The thing is, we tend to find more than one and run out of hands in which to carry them, which is where pram handles come in handy.

Hanging bags is fine, as long as baby is acting as a counterweight. If your counterweight needs a cuddle, gravity wins. A word of caution: if you are trying to

discourage flight staff from weighing your hand luggage, make sure your counterweight stays put at check-in.

Learn from our mistake: hanging too much off the handles is not okay for the pram’s longevity.

A good thing about our pram’s death in the US was that there they are cheap. We bought a “dirt cheap” functional stroller with none of the features of our original pram.

Now Baby 2 is on the way and we are in the market for a new model. We need a horizontal-folding, spacesaving, Scotch-Guarded, metallic carbide-plated, twoseater model with additional stowage capacity. I don’t think NASA does prams…

Readers, this is your page – it’s a space to air your views, share a valuable parenting lesson, vent your frustrations or celebrate your joys. Send your writing to elaine@childmag.co.za

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ILLUSTRATION: NIKKI-LEIGH PIPER, COMSTOCKCOMPLETE.COM

Bronwyn Burdis, especially if you’re partial to travelling…

wins

giveaways

in march Childlike vooma!

Baby brag time

Kiddimoto is a wooden push bike for two- to five-year-olds, which teaches balance and coordination, and develops movement skills necessary for mastering two-wheeled cycling. The Kiddimoto will help keep your child physically active and healthy and comes in various themes and colours. Kiddimoto is made from renewable wood sources and has a one year guarantee. For more information call Andrew on 082 953 1256 or visit kiddimoto.com Cape Town’s Child is giving away one Kiddimoto ride-on push bike valued at R1 600. To enter, email your details to win@childmag.co.za with ‘Kiddimoto CT Win’ in the subject line or post your entry to Kiddimoto CT Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 31 March 2010. Only one entry per reader.

Show Ackermans your smiles in The Ackermans Mom & Baby photo competition and stand a chance to win one of three Ackermans gift cards. The first prize is R5 000, the second prize is R3 500 and the third prize is R1 500.

Send Ackermans a clear, close-up colour photograph of you and your baby together with the completed entry form to The Ackermans Mom & Baby Photo Competition, PO Box 1910, Cape Town, 8000. The competition closing date is 31 March 2010. Terms and conditions apply.

Swim fun SwimFin gives learner swimmers greater confidence in the water, easing them through the “learning to swim” phase. Attached to your child’s back with elasticised straps, this flotation device will not obstruct or restrict your child’s movement in the pool. The SwimFin provides support while helping to maintain a good position in the water, and works effectively with any stroke. It is suitable for all ages and abilities – the more submerged you are in the water, as is the case of beginners, the more support the SwimFin will give you. For further information on the Swimfin visit swimfin.co.za. SwimFin is available from Splash Swimming on 021 762 9357, or Lee-Anne: 072 432 6118, email info@splashswimming.co.za or visit splashswimming.co.za Cape Town’s Child readers stand a chance to win one of two SwimFins, valued at R325 each. To enter, email your details to win@childmag.co.za with ‘SwimFin CT Win’ in the subject line or post your entry to SwimFin CT Win, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010 before 31 March 2010. Only one entry per reader.

For an entry form get to your nearest Ackermans store.

Congratulations to our Dec/Jan winners Lynn Kerchhoff, Anolda Daniels, Lyndon Arendse, Janice Sprag, Colleen Whitelaw, Wendy Kotze, Pierre Snyders, Dorianne Abrahams, Rachel Moore and Sarah Brocklehurst who each win a place on a week-long King’s Camps holiday camp; Giuliana Sabbatino, Lauren Blight, Betty Zwick, Teri Kruger, Zeenat Ahmed, Tracy Vianello, Tracy Grant and Helia Nel who each win a hair accessory pack from Cosmic Fashion Options; Bridgette Hendricks, Marlene Pereira, Angelique Alves, Nikki Burrell, Di Dennis, Dewaal van Niekerk, Nicola Noland, Mareli Smit, Alrese Barry and Patrick Aaron who each win a Sumos Official Fun licence; Tina Rosslee, Muneeba Ebrahim and Johanna Vink who each win The Kids Are Alright electronic game; Noah Arelisky who wins a mini micro scooter and Rifaad Esau and Lauren Younger who each won tickets to see the SpongeBob Squarepants theatre production in January.

Cape Town’s

March 2010

upfront with paul

at the deep end A good swimming teacher is worth

Paul, Sabina and Saskia

a

s I circled over the suburbs waiting to land for the first time on South African soil, Johannesburg reminded me of Los Angeles. Little sparkling blue lagoons littered everyone’s back gardens, no matter how big or small the property.

In the UK, only the seriously stinking rich have swimming pools, which is why I am a useless swimmer. I didn’t get my “Paul Kerton successfully swam one length” certificate until I was 10. Ten! Can you believe it? Ten-year-olds in SA are playing water polo, doing synchronised swimming and getting scholarships to train in Florida. I was gasping for breath and

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March 2010

wondering what I was doing learning to swim when I lived 150 kilometres from the sea. Swimming at my school was about as popular as mud wrestling.

Yet a child’s attraction to water is magnetic and, unfortunately, they think they can walk on it. On holiday in Bali, every time we put Saskia (then nine months old), down on the ground, she instinctively turned to face the hotel’s sparkling blue pool and crawled towards it. Hence, one of the first priorities of any responsible parent in South Africa is to teach their children to swim – the earlier, the better.

Our initial learning experience was with one of those “throw them in and they will swim” teachers. Big mistake! They threw Saskia in and she sank. Consequently, it took us another 12 months to get her anywhere near a pool. Good swimming

teachers are like gold, and it is worth racing from one end of the city to the other to pick the child up, and then racing back across town to the pool for their 15 minutes of aqua fame.

The stress of getting to and fro on time is worth it, as are the speeding tickets.

It is such a relief when they finally get it; when they stop being afraid of the water and start enjoying it with confidence.

Sabina has just cracked it. We wondered why she was “swimming” a few good strokes at the swimming lesson (heated blue pool, great teacher) and regressing to babyhood – “look, I can do monkey bars” – in our own pool. A wise woman suggested: “it’s because you have a dark pool. They can’t see the bottom.”

No, I didn’t paint the pool yellow, but great insight. Luckily, as with my older

daughter, something suddenly clicked and a voice in Sabina’s head said: “Stop being such a wuss and swim”. Peer pressure, friends and family who can swim suddenly forced her to push herself and make that giant leap (okay, stroke). We now have problems getting Sabina out of the pool and she has comfortably done a length (without gasping for air) – five years before I ever did.

The next stage, if I remember correctly, involves passing all those life-saving badges. Taking soggy pyjamas off in the water, and learning how to save a stricken swimming pal. Maybe she can save me when I exhaust myself after swimming four lengths.

Paul Kerton is the author of Fab Dad: A Man’s Guide to Fathering and 82 Mistakes Parents Make (With Children).

Cape Town’s

PHOTOGRAPH: JILL BADER

racing across town for, says PAUL KERTON.

health

securing the

future?

DONNA COBBAN takes a closer look at the practice of storing stem cells.

PHOTOGRAPH: COMSTOCKCOMPLETE.COM

t

he subject of stem-cell storage is plagued with controversial debate, and with no government regulations as yet in place in South Africa, you can be forgiven for wanting to scrutinise the three local companies offering the service before handing over your newborn baby’s blood.

I call one of the local labs to check on the prices and use the moment to dig a bit deeper. I am relieved to hear that stemcell storage is enormously complex and, if done correctly, relies on in-depth medical know-how. In addition to this, the startup costs are high, and for this I imagine we must be grateful, as many fly-by-night scamsters are kept at bay.

But once up and running, who knows what the future holds? Different countries have different regulations. In the UK, Sir Richard Branson jumped on board in 2007 and opened Virgin Health Bank, which now sits alongside a myriad privately owned cord banks. Then, late last year, France finally succumbed to pressure and now proposes to lift a ban on privately owned stem-cell storage companies, much to the delight of Europe’s leading private cord banks. Italy currently remains the last EU country standing by the ban on privately owned stem-cell storage banks.

The issue is thorny to say the least, with the European Group on Ethics (EGE) entering the debate and stating that, “The legitimacy of commercial cord blood banks for autologous use should be questioned as they sell a service, which has presently no real use regarding therapeutic options”.

Furthermore EGE states that the probability of needing an autologous transplantation has been estimated as approximately 1 in 20 000 during the first 20 years of life.

On the other hand, it strongly encourages public cord banks to be used for allogenic transplantation – in which banks or registries operate much like a bone-marrow registry, rendering them accessible to anyone in need. In addition to this, a public bank would enable sufferers of diseases where a possible genetic link has not been ruled out to access stem cells other than their own.

With no public storage system as yet in place in South Africa, parents who choose to store their children’s stem cells are very Cape Town’s

much in the minority due to the costs. This year, however, things look set to change, as a feasibility study into the creation of a public stem-cell bank has been given funding. The study has the support of the Department of Health and will be led by Prof Michael Pepper in conjunction with the South African National Blood Service

(SANBS). Although they are still a long way off, Pepper stresses that it is high time the genetic diversity of the country was catered for. He believes the only way to achieve this is through a public bank with representative stem cells, which we could all make use of when and if the need should arise.

For more information about cord blood stem cells and cord blood banks visit parentsguidecordblood.com

latest findings There is increasing evidence of the use of foetal-derived stem cells in the treatment of neurological disease, and a number of preclinical studies in animal models, which suggest an improvement in cardiac function following infusion of umbilical-cord stem cells for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Commercial cord blood banks are citing such preliminary research as further potential uses in their literature.

Courtesy of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists

March 2010

11

dealing with difference

the write stuff GILL CULLINAN takes a look at dysgraphia, and offers practical exercises for children needing

“childYouandcanhaveteachfunyourat the same time. Star jumps on the trampoline and painting lazy eights in shaving cream on a mirror will help.

“

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March 2010

w

hen my son reached Grade 2 he started getting tummy aches and was reluctant to go to school. The aches persisted so I spoke to his teacher who said that my son – a chatty and confident boy at home – was anxious and quiet at school. She put this down to his probably being frustrated by his inability to translate his thoughts onto the page, which she suggested might be knocking his self-esteem. He could tell a story with ease, but writing it down was harder. At first I thought he was dyslexic, but now I realise that he might have been struggling with dysgraphia.

If you haven’t heard of dysgraphia don’t be surprised. It’s a medical term describing difficulties with drawing, copying

and writing. Occupational Therapists (OTs) in South Africa generally don’t use the term much. They prefer to talk about Visual Motor Integration, which is the combination of spatial perception, planning skills and pencil control. A developmental delay in the acquisition of motor skills is associated with dysgraphia, but there is no single cause.

what to look out for Signs may include reversal and bunching of letters, excessive pencil pressure, slowness to complete work and untidiness, or difficulty with planning. On referral, an OT assesses a range of things, from gross motor function (including postural control) to bilateral coordination (the coordination of both sides

of the body) to crossing the midline and motor planning. Lindy Kennedy, an OT based at Micklefield School in Cape Town, says that, while every child is different, there are standardised norms for specific ages.

“We look at pencil grip,” says Lindy, “which can relate to slowness of writing. If the grip is incorrect it adds extra tension to the wrist so the child writes slowly and often presses too hard. We can’t always change the grip, but the earlier we pick up the problem the greater the chance to encourage a better grip. What we can do is work on other areas that would slow that child down later.”

Lindy likens it to an aerobics class. “Not everyone finds aerobics easy because it

Cape Town’s

PHOTOGRAPH: COMSTOCKCOMPLETE.COM

to improve their drawing and writing abilities.

requires motor planning, but with practice you can be as good as the average. If your child is experiencing difficulty with drawing or writing there are lots of things you can do at home to help them.”

how you can help For starters, check their pencil grip and teach them their left and right, as well as the sounds, symbols and letter names of the alphabet. “Many children don’t know where to start on the page,” says Lindy, “so give them a step-by-step structure. Get some lined A5 paper so that they can learn to write between the lines, then use dot and finger spacing and teach them where to start when writing a letter: at 2 o’clock, for example.”

Good sitting posture is crucial, so strengthen stomach and back muscles as well as wrists. Your child should hold down the paper with a flat hand when working and her feet should be placed firmly on the floor. Colouring against a vertical surface, and exercises like netball, basketball, and volleyball, where hands are above the heart, work well for this. Swimming lengths is also a great way to strengthen muscles.

“You can teach your child and have fun,” says Lindy. “Star jumps on the trampoline and painting lazy eights in shaving cream on a mirror will help. Encourage your children to do 100-piece puzzles and use the opportunity to write words when playing games.”

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try this at home 10 exercises to help your child develop stronger motor control You stand with your legs apart – these are the goalposts.

Your child lies about a metre from you, flat on the floor on his stomach with his arms and legs outstretched and slightly raised off the floor. You roll the ball to him and he uses both hands to push it back through your legs. You block the ball occasionally with your hands. This strengthens the child’s neck, back and shoulders.

1

You’ll need a pilates ball for this one. Ask your child to lie on the ball, on her stomach with her hands on the floor.

She then walks forward until her knees are on the ball. With her arms kept straight she must move her legs up towards her chest and back again. This strengthens the stomach muscles.

2

Ask your child to lie on his back on the floor with his knees drawn up towards his chest. Then throw a lightweight ball to him so that he can use both feet to kick it back to you.

He must keep both feet off the ground. This strengthens the stomach and neck muscles.

3

Ask your child to kneel on her left knee. As you throw the ball to her call out “right” and she must move onto her right knee while hitting the ball with her left hand. Alternate left and right. This helps with motor planning, right-left discrimination and postural control.

4

Draw circles with both hands simultaneously to work on bilateral integration (the simultaneous coordination of both sides of the body).

5

Ask your child to lie on his back, holding the ball firmly above his head. Both arms should be outstretched. Then you tap the ball and try to dislodge it while he holds it tight.

This helps with shoulder strengthening.

6

Other ways to strengthen the shoulders include weightbearing exercises like handstands with feet on a wall, crawling tummy-side up with a beanbag on the tummy and wheelbarrow walking.

7

To help a child “cross the midline”, ask her to draw a lazy eight (a horizontal eight) on a whiteboard, or on a wall in water with a paintbrush. She must move the right hand right across her midline without moving her head from side to side.

Then do it with the left hand, and then draw two lazy eights simultaneously with both hands.

8

Encourage your child to cut and to draw patterns everyday. Start with cutting straight lines before going on to curvy lines. This develops good bilateral integration.

9

To help children with spatial problems and visual closure, photocopy a picture from a colouring-in book. Tippex out parts of the outline and selected detail. Photocopy your altered picture and then get your child to complete it by referring to the original. You could also photocopy half a symmetrical design (like a heart, mushroom, house or a tree) and ask your child to complete the picture by copying the existing half.

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March 2010

13

feature

the world cup holiday club

Many of us will be working during the 32-day school CASTLE suggests some creative ideas to help you design a World Cup holiday club for your children.

w

hat do you know? It’s 2010 already! It’s the World Cup, and we’re ready to wow the world. We’ve seen the stadiums constructed, the roads repaired, hotels shooting up and transport systems blossoming. The waiting is almost over and I am about as excited as a three-year-old on her birthday to be part of this once-ina-lifetime experience. But an overwhelming reality has just hit. What on earth am I going to do with my sons over the

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March 2010

World Cup holiday? It’s 32 days long! Do the maths and you’ll see that it’s a whopping four and a half weeks. And some of us have to work…

make a plan Since it’s probably March when you’re reading this, you have another three months to get yourself sorted, which is certainly doable. All you need are a few good ideas (read

on), some great contacts, a handful of friends, and your World Cup holiday might just rate as one of the best ever.

Ask around and you’ll soon discover who’s in town during the World Cup. You’ll be surprised just how many of us are going to be at a loose end and desperate for childcare solutions. Create a core holiday gang, a manageable group of friends and siblings with whom you – and your children – are comfortable. Too many may

Cape Town’s

ILLUSTRATIONS: NIKKI-LEIGH PIPER, MARIËTTE BARKHUIZEN

holiday, which is three months away. CHRISTINA

Create activities around the 32 countries participating. You’ll be travelling the world without even leaving town. Now that’s a great geography lesson and cultural extravaganza!

prove a bit messy to handle. Keep it small and simple.

Next, you’ll need to figure out who’s in charge. There are so many different options when it comes to child carers but you need to know your children are in great hands all of the time. While the old faithful au pair comes to mind first, there are also some inspiring alternatives – and good ones too.

4 weeks ÷ 4 parents = 1 week each. Sharing the childcaring load among the parents of your holiday gang over the four-week holiday is possibly the best and most costeffective solution. According to my maths, you’ll each only need to take one week of leave. However, if one week is not an option, try a granny or grandpa replacement. You might have to shell out for airfare to get them to you, but

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at least you’ll know your shift will be covered by someone who really cares for your children. Book that ticket now. guess who’s on holiday? Teachers, stooges, coaches and student teachers all have time off over this period too.

And many of them may be keen to make an extra buck while they’re at it. All have an interest in, and experience with, children and education and would make ideal World Cup child carers. Corner your favourite quickly before someone else does. oh how I love students. I’m especially fond of the ones studying for interesting careers, such as in science, who can entertain with their soon-to-be trade.

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world-class ideas So you’ve found the friends who are going to make up your holiday gang and rounded up the carers. Now you’ve got to come up with creative ways to fill in those long hours and keep the children from uttering those annoying words, “I’m bored. What can I do now?”

Structure the days and weeks so you and the gang have something to work through and look forward to. Let the crew be part of the planning process. Ask them what they’d like to do. Feed them with ideas but let them make the call. Get in the spirit of the World Cup and create activities around the 32 countries participating. Have fun exploring their art, craft, dance, music, sport and food. You’ll be travelling the world without even leaving town. Now that’s a great geography lesson and cultural extravaganza!

all the world’s a stage Put on a play. Have a magic show. Call in a performingarts student and watch the gang transform into budding actors, dancers, magicians, playwrights, directors, makeup artists and costume and set designers. Putting together a show of any kind will take a week – with the opening and closing performances on Friday night.

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oh, that’s crafty Think Egyptian masks, Aztec calendars, Chinese fans, foreign flags, Aboriginal painting, South African wire modelling, Rio Carnival costumes (okay, that one may not be appropriate), but you get my drift. The world is literally your oyster, and you don’t need to be super-arty to get the gang going. What’s more, you can have the older children researching it at the same time.

cook up a storm Take a deep breath and resign yourself to the fact that the kitchen will be a disaster area. (That said, good cooks should always clean up after themselves, even if they are only three!)

Theme your cooking sessions according to which countries are playing on the day. (And invite me for supper on the nights that Mexico, Italy and Japan are playing, please.)

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art and about Now think Salvador Dali, Renoir, Monet, Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock and Frida Kahlo. Brush up on your art history, and learn a thing or two as you take the gang on a journey of genres, styles, techniques and personalities.

Let them experiment and put on an exhibition at the end of the week. And don’t forget to send out invitations…

amazing race While the real Amazing Race takes the armchair traveller around the world, the home-based Amazing Race is a raucous scramble around the house and garden following a trail of instructions. Have the gang break into teams of two. Each group has a chance to map a route,

be a sport You just have to watch the Summer or Winter Olympic Games to get a feel for the variety of sporting codes around the world. While soccer, rugby, netball, cricket and hockey are, perhaps, more familiar to us, why not experiment with a few sessions of croquet, boule, frisbee throwing, handball or synchronised swimming?

And try calling in a coach for a bit of support.

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write instructions complete with detours and roadblocks. Get creative and make each room in the house a different destination.

After all of that, it’s back to school. The World Cup will be over and your gang will have had a holiday to remember.

And you’ll be in dire need of a holiday of your own.

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book extract

all fired up In an extract from his book Cooked in Africa, cooking adventure show host and local food-lover JUSTIN BONELLO shows you how to make pizza in your own back yard.

To start you’ll need a metal dustbin.

a

cheer on the artists. This event has done a lot to shape authentic South African contemporary music and showcase our very own fusion of styles and cultures.

It’s been great at fostering a feeling of togetherness between previously diverse artists and, most of all, it’s a really good jol. Although it was wet underfoot we stayed high and dry. But before setting off I prepared a little soul food to keep the band and crew rocking for the longest time.

PHOTOGRAPHS: DUANE HOWARD/EVAN HAUSSMANN

fter an incredibly humbling visit to an authentic local home in the Lesotho Mountains, where we were treated to a deliciously simple snack of freshly baked mountain rolls, and I was able to look on and learn how it’s done, we hotfooted it down the Sani Pass to the Underberg. Splashy Fen music festival is held on a farm here in the southern Drakensberg every Easter weekend and we were ready to take in the music and

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dustbin pizza Before you start, buy yourself a metal dustbin with a lid, or score a 45-gallon metal drum (the kind that we used to halve and turn into braais). These old drums are becoming rare so go down to a scrapyard and have a look around, but first have a squiz because you just might have one gathering dust behind the shed in your own back yard. If you find one, wash it out thoroughly – in fact, give the inside a good scrubbing just to be sure. Also pop down to your local hardware store and pick up two unglazed quarry tiles made from red clay (terracotta tiles). Make sure they’re

Your own pizza oven in 15 minutes

unglazed or you could end up poisoning the masses.

If you’re doing this at home look for a quiet unused corner in your garden.

Lay down the drum on its side and cover with soil. Clay has the best insulation properties of all soil and will keep your pizza oven piping hot, so if this is going to be a permanent fixture (and, trust me, it will), try to get hold of some clay – otherwise use whatever soil you have.

Place three bricks on either side of the drum to keep it from rolling and dislodging the soil. (Cooking instructions on page 22)

the best pizza dough 500g white bread flour a big pinch of salt 10g yeast 325ml warm water

Combine the flour and the salt in a large mixing bowl. Activate and dissolve the yeast by placing it in a bowl and adding the warm water. (The water must not be hotter than 45°C as this will kill the yeast.)

Give it a stir, and sprinkle a handful of flour over the mixture to prevent the yeast from forming a crust. Leave the yeast mixture for 10 minutes – it’ll begin to froth – and then gradually add it to the flour, mixing it well until it forms a dough. The only way to do this is with your hands. If the dough is too sticky, add a bit more flour; if it’s too dry, add a splash more water, and so on.

Knead for 10 minutes until the dough has a smooth, elastic consistency. Sprinkle some flour on your work surface, place Cape Town’s

the dough on the flour and cover with a damp tea towel. Leave the dough to rise for 30 minutes – until it doubles in size.

The damp tea towel will prevent it from drying out. Sprinkle some flour on a clean work surface and then tear off a fist-sized piece of dough. Using your fingers or a rolling pin spread it into a circle about the same size as the clay tile. Make the dough as thin as you like – just be careful not to tear it. The border can be slightly thicker as it will give the pizza a lovely crispy edge when baked.

Once you’ve perfected the base, let your imagination run wild. The numbers of pizza variations you can make really are endless.

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ready for action Drain the tin of tomatoes. (I use the liquid from the tinned tomatoes to make a killer Bloody Mary to sip while I’m doing the rest.) Using your hands, mash the tomatoes into small chunks. Season with salt and pepper. Using the back of a spoon, spread the flavoured tomato evenly over the base – not too much or the pizza will become soggy. Drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle over some parmesan and garlic, rip up a couple of basil leaves, and finally top with pieces of mozzarella and some wafer-thin slices of pancetta.

Make a fire with real wood or charcoal in the back of the drum. Never ever use briquettes as they give an awful flavour to anything that you cook with them, and what gives home-made pizza its authentic taste is the wood smoke in the oven. Don’t go mad – it’s an oven, not a furnace. Next, stack the two tiles horizontally towards the front of the oven and allow them to heat up. The tiles are essential because they ensure that when you bake your pizza, it’s

heated from the bottom and you end up with a crisp crunchy base. You may need to add another piece of wood every now and then to keep the heat up.

Place your pizza on the heated tiles and tilt the lid over the mouth of the bin to keep it insulated. Crack a cold one, and come back in six or seven minutes, or slightly longer if you prefer a crispier base.

Remove and eat immediately.

Hot tip: It’s very important always to make sure you have oven gloves on a hot standby. The drum is made from steel, and obviously heats up, so always use gloves when going anywhere near the oven or moving the lid.

If you are too slap gat to make your own oven, at least buy some unglazed terracotta tiles and try this in your normal oven.

Preheat to 250°C and bake your pizza for 6–10 minutes. It won’t have that lovely wood flavour but it still works pretty well.

something extra – marshmallow tree The Acacia erioloba or, as it is more commonly known, the camel thorn tree grows ear-shaped pods that are to heffalumps what honey is to Winnie-thePooh and as a consequence they’ll pretty much go to any lengths to get their trunks on them. We followed their lead – just added our own sweetmeat.

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my favourite pizza toppings • tin of whole peeled tomatoes – preferably Italian • salt and fresh crushed pepper • olive oil – use any one of the many great local olive oils around • finely grated parmesan cheese • roughly chopped garlic (not the pre-crushed stuff) • fresh sweet basil • a block of mozzarella cheese – roughly sliced • home-made pancetta

about the author Justin Bonello is a South African filmmaker, cook and presenter of the popular cooking and travel show Cooked. This book is a compilation of the places, flavours and fascinations that he focused on while filming his TV series and it combines three of Justin’s favourite things – Southern Africa, food and friends. Cooked in Africa is published by Penguin Books South Africa.

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feature

fasten your seat belts Travelling with children can be an exciting adventure – or a nerve-jangling endurance test. Father of two SIVIWE MINYI offers tips for enjoying the journey.

i

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PHOTOGRAPHS: COMSTOCKCOMPLETE.COM

am father of two children and I travel a lot. It’s worth mentioning, too, that I am a Xhosa-speaking man.

I come from a culture that taught me to believe that men do not engage in activities with children.

This is normally left to mothers. Conventional belief says that men who are in the constant company of children – feeding them, changing nappies and taking charge of them while travelling – are “dull”. This is not a compliment; it’s an insult, one that is not swayed by being in possession of a clearly contradictory personality. It’s a label that sticks.

But I’m not bothered by insults. I’ve learnt a lot through travelling with my children, and it has strengthened my relationship with both of them. Over the past 10 years, I have had frequent opportunities to explore this country’s airports and roads with my son and daughter. Our travels have taken us from the Western Cape to Gauteng, and beyond.

Travelling with young ones can be an adventure. I have learnt a few tricks en route, tips that should be of benefit to any dad travelling with small children.

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1

don’t worry about what other people are thinking

It was my first flight with my then two-yearold daughter (she’s now 12). We were travelling to Johannesburg. On taking our seats, I noticed there was a well-dressed executive type seated opposite us. He was visibly annoyed that my daughter was being chatty and looking for some attention. She had started reciting one of her favourite songs loudly. At first I began to panic. Then I had an idea: I’d involve Mr Exec and others in a sing-along.

I called out, “Come on everybody, let’s all sing together!”

This was followed by an outburst of laughter. Happily the story ends well. The gentleman leaned over to say hello to my daughter and the two of them chatted for a short while until she lost interest, which brings me to my second tip.

2

stash a surprise bag of toys in your on-board luggage

Children want to be kept entertained and, let’s face it, a sing-along will get tedious after a while and irritate you

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(and the other passengers). I like to put together a bag of new toys (these don’t need to be expensive things: think notebook and coloured pen, comic book, even last Christmas’s cracker fillers will work). The trick is to reveal the bag’s contents slowly, bringing out the toys one at a time. This makes things more fun and fills children with anticipation for what might be hauled out next.

3

be prepared for ear pain

One of the challenges of travelling with my son in particular is that he suffers from earache when flying. My first air-travel experience with him was not good.

He screamed and yelled for what felt like most of the journey. Some passengers were clearly not happy with me.

One even shouted: “Take your child outside…”. All very well if you’re in a restaurant but not so if you’re mid-air, 1 000 feet or so above ground level. Before our return flight, I made some enquiries at a pharmacy. Within 15 minutes of take-off on our homeward-bound leg, I’d persuaded him to take a dose of Calpol, which worked like magic. Now it’s a standard in my hand luggage.

At first I began to panic. Then I had an idea: I’d involve Mr Exec and others in a sing-along.

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…all hell broke loose. It took a good 10 minutes to bring about peace in our war-ravaged backseat.

But I had learnt a valuable lesson that, as a dad, I need to answer questions more accurately. gadgets – such as a torch or a lock and key – and he’d set us the assignment of figuring out how the devices worked.

I remember loving the challenge. I have used this on a number of occasions when driving with my children, and it has worked very well. A note to the dads: be prepared to deal with the questions that come later – brace yourself, so to speak.

5

4

give them something fascinating to figure out en route

My father used to enjoy driving us to faraway holiday destinations. He was not the sing-along type. To keep us entertained, he’d have collected a number of

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be factual, or at least attempt to be precise

When my son was five years old, he seemed to live in a world of numbers. To him everything needed to be quantified. His questions included things like: “How many blue cars are on the road today?”. As someone who is arithmetically challenged, I found some of his questions difficult to answer. Once, while driving back from the Southern Cape, my son asked: “So, how long will it take for us to get home?”. I responded too quickly, “About an hour but you can start counting now because I am not sure,” which is exactly what he did, in seconds, …43…42…41 and so on. The problem was that the rest of us were not aware of his mission. Well into his countdown, his older and taller sister asked him to shift a little so that she could create a little legroom for herself. This interrupted his rhythm and all hell broke loose. It took a good 10 minutes to bring about peace in our war-ravaged backseat. But I had learnt a valuable lesson that, as a dad, I need to answer questions more carefully and accurately.

6

mind your language

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consult the gang in the planning stages

I enjoy talking to people. I do this all the time. On one of my trips with my son, then five, I started up a light-hearted conversation with the petrol attendant while he was filling my tank. As soon as we’d pulled away from the garage, my son started to use words like “chappie” and “my brother”. He wanted to know what chappie meant and whether I was related to the man at the garage.

My children are getting older, and planning trips has become more consultative. We have now resorted to convening a household parliament where I preside as the president and I have veto powers. After all, we live in a democracy. A 12-year-old girl has developed her own set of ideas of places to visit while a nine-year-old boy, if he’s anything like mine, is more obsessed with cricket and other sporting activities. On one of our trips, the siblings fought endlessly, arguing over preferred radio stations, what to see, and where to visit first. We have now learnt to involve the children in our trips. Prior to departure we give full details of where we’re going and what we might be able to do. We listen to them and get a sense of what they might like or dislike. We have found that listening to them makes travelling more enjoyable for all of us.

Happy travelling!

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resource

family getaways We’ve rounded up a few of our secret addresses, old favourites and some pet-friendly places to inspire you to gather the children and head off for a fun weekend away.

KwaZulu-Natal

spa

Natal Spa Hot Springs & Leisure Resort This family resort is situated on 800 hectares of bushveld between Vryheid and Paulpietersburg and features five hot mineral pools.

Other features include a 110-metre supertube slide, adventure golf, horse riding, hiking, quad- and mountain-bike trails, squash, tennis and fishing. The Wellness Centre and Beauty Spa offers various treatments and packages.

Rates: from R550 per person sharing per night, bed and breakfast.

Self-catering and children’s rates on enquiry. Contact: 031 337 4222, email selfcat3@goodersons.co.za or visit goodersonleisure.co.za

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Situated in the seaside village of Pennington, this beach estate is made up of three luxury villas. Each villa has air-conditioned bedrooms, DStv, outdoor showers and a private pool and Jacuzzi. There’s direct private access to the main beach where families can enjoy the tidal and rock pools, snorkelling, horse riding and fishing. Pearl Villa sleeps 14, Cowrie Villa sleeps 12–14 and Coral Villa sleeps eight.

Rates: from R300 per person per night, (self-catering); children 5–9 years R150; children under 5 stay free. Contact: 082 815 1000, email hatton1@mweb.co.za or visit oceaneden.co.za

Zinkwazi Beach House This spacious holiday home, with sea views from all the bedrooms, is situated 400 metres from Zinkwazi beach and accommodates eight people. Features include a swimming pool, large garden and an outdoor terrace. Cleaning and babysitting services can be arranged.

The house overlooks seven kilometres of lagoon, which is perfect for water

sports, canoeing and swimming. The beach is also safe for swimming and low tide allows children the chance to explore rock pools. The adjacent coastal forest attracts a wealth of birdlife.

Rates: from R3 500 per day (selfcatering). Contact: +39 328 429 2924, email mkvanettinger@gmail.com or visit zinkwazibeachhouse.com

Penny Farthing Country House This historic country house is situated on a 3 000-hectare cattle and game farm in the Biggarsberg mountains near Rorke’s Drift.

All bedrooms have French doors leading onto the large garden, complete with a fishpond and swimming pool. Attractions include abundant birdlife, hiking trails and fishing. Owner Foy Vermaak is a registered tour guide and takes guests on tours of the nearby battlefields, which include Rorke’s Drift, Isandlwana and Blood River.

Rates: from R512 per person sharing per night (bed and breakfast); R610 (including dinner). Children 3–12 years R256; children under 3 free. Contact: 034 642 1925, email foy@pennyf.co.za or visit pennyf.co.za

beach Roseleigh Country House Situated on the outskirts of New Hanover in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, this working farm accommodates up to 14 people. Enjoy the abundant birdlife, country walks and mountain-bike trails.

Other features include a swimming pool, a fireplace, a games and entertainment room and an outdoor patio for lazy meals.

Children will love the family of goats,

and spacious garden in which to play. Nearby attractions include the Albert Falls Dam, The Wartburger Hof Hotel & Restaurant and the Noodsberg Golf Course.

Rates: from R150 per person per night (self-catering); children 2–12 years R75; children under 2 stay free. Contact: 078 301 4347, email julie@impo.co.za or visit roseleigh.co.za

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Compiled by Tracy Ellis, Lucille Kemp and Chareen Penderis. PHOTOGRAPHs: COMSTOCKCOMPLETE.COM

shared secrets

Ocean Eden

The Oyster Box Hotel

Western Cape

Situated on Umhlanga beach, the newly refurbished Oyster Box Hotel features 86 rooms and villas, including family suites.

Facilities include fabulous restaurants, a state-of-the-art Fitness Club & Spa, and the Children’s Holiday Club. Childminders can be booked. Nearby attractions include Gateway Theatre of Shopping, Sibaya Casino and uShaka Marine World. Enquire about special-occasion packages.

Rates: from R2 650 per room per night, including breakfast. Children under 12 sharing with two adults stay free. Children 12–16 sharing with two adults R400 per night including bed and breakfast. Contact: 031 514 5000, email info@oysterboxhotel. com or visit oysterboxhotel.com

Berghoff Mountain Top Chalets

Limpopo Halkett Country House

bush Jock Safari Lodge Jock of the Bushveld is revived at this luxurious lodge situated in a private concession of the Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga. All suites offer a private deck with a plunge pool and thatch sala for you to soak up the surrounds. The lodge boasts a Relaxation Retreat with sauna, steam room and hydrotherapy bath as well as a dedicated Kids On Safari programme.

Rates: from R1 500 per person sharing. Children 3–12 years R150. Includes all meals, game drives and selected beverages. Weekend and seasonal surcharges apply. Contact: 041 407 1000, email reservations@mantiscollection.com or visit jocksafarilodge.com

Step back in time to the days of polo tournaments and tea and scones on the patio. This colonial-style bush getaway is set in the Waterberg, far from the stresses of city life. Enjoy a hike on the farm, go horse riding or relax by the pool, while your children run wild across the ambling lawns.

Pets are welcome too.

Rates: from R995 per person sharing (includes all meals and afternoon tea). Contact: email info@halkett.co.za or visit halkett.co.za

offers the opportunity to interact with rare white lions. The camp has four large thatchroofed tents overlooking a small dam, where zebra and antelope drink. Listen to the roar of lions in the distance or enjoy a guided drive among brown and white lions.

Rates: from R490 per person per night.

Contact: 014 763 3661, email info@ mamatau.com or visit mamatau.com

Izintaba Lodge

Mpumalanga

The lodge is situated in the Waterberg’s newly proclaimed biosphere reserve, Izintaba, which means “place in the mountains”. This self-catering bushveld getaway is home to several species of game, bird, reptile and insects. Guests can enjoy mountain biking, hiking and walking trails, bird-watching and swimming within the reserve.

Rates: from R250 per person per night; children 3–12 R125; children 0–2 free.

Minimum rates apply on weekends. Contact: 082 705 7708, email izintaba@telkomsa.net or visit izintabalodge.co.za

Forever Resorts Mount Sheba Nestled in a rainforest above the old mining town of Pilgrim’s Rest, this resort’s wellappointed rooms (all with fireplaces and private patios) offer breathtaking views across the Mount Sheba Nature Reserve.

Nature enthusiasts and the adventurous can enjoy trout fishing, forest walking trails or the abundant bird life.

Rates: from R767 per person sharing; R195 per child 2–12 years sharing. Contact: 013 768 1241, email shebares@foreversa. co.za or visit mountsheba.co.za

Oliver’s Restaurant & Lodge Mama Tau Tented Camp This luxury self-catering tented camp, situated in the heart of the Waterberg,

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Situated in the exclusive White River Golf Estate and surrounded by a pine forest, Oliver’s Restaurant & Lodge is an intimate

A two-hour journey from Cape Town takes you to Porterville. Near here, 1 000 metres above sea level and surrounded only by fynbos and magnificent views, guests can spend their days hiking or paddling on the dam. The self-catering chalets are fully equipped, complete with hot-water bottles for cold nights and a free crate of wood per day for the fireplace and braai.

Rates: from R165 per person per day; children 4–12 years R85; children under 4 stay free. Contact: 022 931 2937 or visit berghoff-fynbos.co.za

Elgin Hills Tented Camps

and cosy country escape. Spacious ensuite rooms are individually decorated and come with private patios or balconies with stunning views across the golf course. This is an ideal base to discover the game and adventure activities of the Mpumalanga Lowveld.

Rates: from R850 per person sharing; R55 per child sharing. Includes breakfast.

Contact: 013 750 0479, email info@ olivers.co.za or visit olivers.co.za

Situated close to the Palmiet River in the Elgin Valley, these luxury safari tents are set among indigenous trees. Each selfcatering tent has its own deck and the camp has a sumptuous lapa, complete with DStv. The estate offers several ecotrails and a barge on the river is available for sundowner cruising. Quad-biking can be arranged by prior request. Nearby activities include canoeing and rowing, mountain-bike trails, 4x4 routes, fishing, apple-packing tours and hiking. Children under 10 years are not permitted unless the entire camp is booked by a single party. During winter, bring a 4x4.

Rates: from R650 per two-person tent per night. Contact: 021 846 8119 or visit elginhills.co.za

Verlorenkloof

La Ferme

Escape to a luxury Huckleberry Finn-style retreat where trout fishing, horse riding and swimming in rock pools is part of everyday farm life. Verlorenkloof is surrounded by beautiful mountain kloofs, natural waterfalls and dams. The self-catering stone chalets accommodate six to eight people, and the holiday programme offers children the opportunity to “adopt a calf”, allowing them to feed and nurture the animals.

Rates: R2 000 per six-sleeper chalet (midweek); R4 500 per six-sleeper chalet (weekends); eight-sleeper chalets are also available. Contact: 013 256 9314/5, email natalie@verlorenkloof.co.za or visit verlorenkloof.co.za

These four-star child-friendly self-catering cottages, situated in the winelands between Paarl and Franschhoek, offer wonderful wildlife spotting – springbok, deer, ducks, geese, horses, ostrich and a variety of beautiful birds. The Wemmershoek River is the perfect place to cool off on hot summer days. Children’s activities include horse riding, pony rides and access to foefie slides. And for grown-ups, fly-fishing is available in one of the four dams, or you can go bassfishing across the river.

Rates: from R850 per day per cottage.

Contact: 021 867 0120, email mercedes@ laferme.co.za or visit laferme.co.za

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farm

Langebaan Houseboats An hour’s drive north of Cape Town, you’ll find Nirvana, an upmarket houseboat in the West Coast National Park that’s surrounded by turquoise waters and pristine white beaches. It comes fullyequipped for self-catering use. You may leave the boat and go on a variety of jaunts or simply relax on board.

Rates: R650 per person per night for the first 16 people (self-catering); R450 per additional guest; maximum 24 people; minimum 10 people (R6 500 per night).

Catered rates: from R1 050 per person per day (includes dinner, bed, breakfast, lunch, two teas and pre-dinner snacks); minimum 10 guests. Contact: Tony or Cleo 021 689 9718 (9am–2pm), email langebaanhouseboats@mweb.co.za or visit houseboating.co.za

Lebanon Citrus Holiday Farm This is a peaceful camping and caravan site (comprising 15 sites) where guests can relax on the manicured lawns on the edge of Clanwilliam Dam. Activities include horse riding, fishing, walks and bird-viewing, plus water-skiing, mountain biking, parasailing and jet-skiing with your own equipment. Enquire about the selfcatering cottage and rondawels.

Rates: R200 per night per large camp site (sleeps up to six people); R180 per site (sleeps four people), R50 per extra person. Contact: 027 482 2508, 082 467 1171, email lebanon@hantam.co.za or visit lebanon.co.za

Phantom View River Resort Situated on the Knysna Lagoon with uninterrupted views of the river and the Outeniqua Mountains, these wooden selfcatering cabins have wide, shaded verandas and are each equipped with a mini library.

On-site facilities include canoes, fishing boats and, for those wishing to bring their own boat, the resort provides mooring.

It’s within easy distance of the beaches at Brenton on Sea and Buffels Bay, and the Knysna Forest, where elephants still roam.

Rates: from R 1 395 per unit per night.

Sleeps six people. Contact: 044 386 0007, email info@phantomview.co.za or visit phantomview.co.za

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Tarentaalkraal Farm Cottage This charming traditional cottage is set on a working farm in the picturesque and peaceful valley of Greyton, a 75-minute drive from Cape Town, and is equipped with gas appliances and in- and outdoor braai facilities. Activities include hiking through fynbos, swimming in dams and the river, bird-watching and fishing. Enquire about the mountain-bike trail and guided farm tours. Fishing rods, tubes and canoes are available for hire.

Rates: from R350 per night (two people) and R450 (four people) for a two-night stay or more.

Contact: 082 926 2850, email middelplaas@overberg.co.za or visit greyton.net

old favourites Eastern Cape Blanco Holiday Farm & Guest Resort This popular family retreat is situated at the base of the Winterberg Mountains in the Eastern Cape interior. Facilities include mountainbike trails and children’s playgrounds.

Rates: from R365 per person sharing; from R40 per child. Includes full board and activities except horse riding. Contact: 045 846 9163, email info@blanco.co.za or visit blanco.co.za Kob Inn (pictured below) This seaside spot on the Wild Coast offers visitors the chance to spend their days fishing, boating and canoeing, or enjoying hiking trails and mountain or quad-biking.

Rates: from R540 per person sharing; children pay 10% per year of age. Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner. Contact: 047 499 0011, email info@kobinn.co.za or visit kobinn.co.za

Trennery’s Hotel Situated at Qolora Mouth just north of East London, this landmark hotel delivers old-fashioned hospitality. Try your hand at fishing, tennis, horse riding, a 4x4 adventure, canoeing, or enjoy a nature trail.

Rates: from R535 per person sharing (includes breakfast and dinner). Contact: 047 498 0004, email info@trennerys.co.za or visit trennerys.co.za

Free State Wyndford Holiday Farm (pictured top page 31) Nestled below the Maluti Mountains, Wyndford offers a family holiday where you can reconnect with the serenity of nature.

Rates: from R560 per person sharing; R80–R320 per child depending on age.

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Includes all meals and tea. Contact: 058 223 0274, email reception@ wyndford.co.za or visit wyndford.co.za

Gauteng Egoli Lodge Conveniently situated in Dowerglen, close to the airport, freeways, shopping centres and casinos, Egoli Lodge is a comfortable home away from home with a distinct African ambience.

Rates: R450 per person (single); R200 second person sharing; children 2–12 years R150. Contact: email reservations@ egolilodge.co.za or visit egolilodge.co.za Teak Place (pictured below) Only 40 minutes from Joburg, this is the perfect base from which to explore the Cradle of Humankind. You’ll find a variety of activities to keep the children occupied, such as an animal-petting and -feeding park, an exotic bird park, jumping castles, swimming pools and a bike track.

Rates: from R495 per person sharing (includes breakfast). Children under 12 stay free and pay for breakfast. Contact: 011 461 6486, email info@teakplace.co.za or visit teakplace.co.za

KwaZulu-Natal Bayete Zulu Boutique Lodge Here, you’ll find luxury en-suite rooms set on the Zululand Rhino Reserve. Children’s Pumba Club offers daily activities and entertainment. Enjoy bush dinners, game drives, and interaction with elephant and rhinos.

Rates: from R1 399 per person per night (includes dinner, bed and breakfast).

Children under 11 stay free, except for meals. Contact: 074 100 5221, email reservations@bayetezulu.co.za or visit bayetezulu.co.za Cane Cutters Resort is set on a working sugarcane farm in Sheffield Beach.

Enjoy the lagoon, volleyball court and fishing. Child-friendly attractions include a playground, trampoline and pony rides.

Rates: from R150 per person per night; children R100 per night. Dining is à la carte. Contact: 032 947 0851, email stay@canecuttersresort.co.za or visit canecuttersresort.co.za Cathedral Peak Hotel Indulge at the spa, take a helicopter tour or enjoy a walk in the uKahlamba Drakensberg mountain range.

Children’s attractions include adventure golf, pony rides, a playground and a heated paddling pool.

Cape Town’s

Rates: From R790 per person sharing per night (includes dinner, bed and breakfast). Children from R350–R555 per night, children under 2 stay free. Contact: 036 488 1888, email info@cathedralpeak. co.za or visit cathedralpeak.co.za Cecelia’s Holiday Manor This informal yet luxurious establishment on Zinkwazi Beach offers privacy and personalised attention. Plus, the area is rich in authentic history and cultural events.

Rates: from R1 200 per family of four (2 adults, 2 children under 7) per night (includes breakfast). Contact: 031 564 2524, cecelial@mweb.co.za or visit cecelias.co.za Champagne Sports Resort (pictured below) Situated in the central Drakensberg, this hideaway offers a range of activities and facilities.

Rates: from R1 095 per person sharing per night (includes dinner, bed and breakfast).

Children from R185–R520 per night.

Contact: 036 468 8000, email reservations@ champagnesportsresort.com or visit champagnesportsresort.com

Dragon Peaks Mountain Resort This Drakensberg resort offers country charm and activities such as fishing, abseiling, hiking and horse riding.

Rates: from R90 per person camping (low season) to R425 per person (luxury self-catering thatch cottages in high season). Contact: 036 468 1031, email dpp@dragonpeaks.com or visit dragonpeaks.com Pumula Beach Hotel Set on a protected South Coast beach, this family resort offers daily childcare services, a children’s dining room, heated swimming pool, trampolines and more.

Rates: from R785 per person per night (all inclusive); children from R190–R395 per night. Contact: 039 684 6717, email reservations@pumulabeachhotel.co.za or visit pumulabeachhotel.com Salt Rock Hotel & Beach Resort is nestled among palm trees on a sandy stretch of beach lapped by the Indian Ocean. It has a child-friendly play area, games room, beauty salon and private swimming pools.

Rates: from R540 per person sharing (includes breakfast). Children 6–12 years 30% of adult rate, children under 6 free. Contact: 032 525 5025, email hotel@saltrockbeach.co.za or visit saltrockbeach.co.za Umngazi River Bungalows & Spa This family resort on the Umngazi River mouth offers beach and river activities, childcare services, a spa and various lounges and decks for relaxing.

Rates: from R670 per person sharing per night (all inclusive). Children from R170–R580 per night. Contact: 047 564 1115/6/8/9, email stay@umngazi. co.za or visit umngazi.co.za March 2010

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Zulu Nyala Game Lodge Attractions at this luxury lodge include nocturnal game-viewing, a swimming pool and children’s bush activities, as well as the chance to view a wealth of animal and birdlife.

Rates: from R1 155 per person per night including breakfast; R330 per child aged 3–12 years; free for children aged 0–2 years. Contact: 035 562 0169, email reservations@zulunyala.com or visit zulunyala.com

Limpopo Makalali Private Game Lodge (pictured below) is a five-hour drive from Joburg and was voted by Tatler magazine as “the most innovatively designed hotel in the world”. Four exclusive camps each offer a swimming pool, open-air boma and an enclosed dining area. The mini-rangers programme caters for six- to 12-year-olds.

Rates: R1 575 (single), R1 050 (second person sharing), children 2–12 years, R635 per night. Valid for South African residents only. Contact: 011 676 3123 or visit makalali.co.za

Northern Cape Daberas Adventures – Augrabies Wildlife Resort Though the rocky terrain of a Northern Cape getaway is not for everyone, it will satisfy any adventurous soul. Once you’re there, take the family 4x4 cruising through breathtaking scenery.

Rates: guesthouse: from R120 per person sharing per night (excluding breakfast), children under 12 from R60. Enquire about camping costs. Contact: Hannecke or Kobus 083 384 7188, 083 304 2682 or 083 656 4498

North West Province Jaci’s Lodges Set in 75 000 hectares of Big Five territory in the malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve, Jaci’s Lodges offer exclusive, upmarket accommodation. Unique safaris cater for families with children age 5–12.

Jungle drives are geared for children under 4 and parents are also welcome.

Rates: from R1 895 per person sharing; children 2–12 years R699. Includes all meals. Single parents pay a sharing rate.

(Quote Child Magazine when booking).

Contact: 083 700 2071, 083 447 7929, email jaci@madikwe.co.za or visit madikwe.com Maropeng Hotel Less than an hour’s drive from Joburg in The Cradle of Humankind is an escape with breathtaking mountain views and loads to explore.

Rates: from R980 per adult sharing (includes breakfast). One child sharing with parents stays free of charge but pay for breakfast (R10–R60, depending on age). Two or more children need an extra room, rates on application. Contact: 014 577 9100, email info@maropeng.co.za or visit maropeng.co.za

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Valley Lodge Set on the banks of the Magalies River, the lodge is surrounded by a nature reserve on extensive grounds.

Enjoy walking trails, bird watching, flyfishing or a treat in the wellness centre.

Rates: from R860 per person sharing.

Children 1–5 years R300; children 5–10 years R350; children 10–14 years R400.

Includes breakfast. Contact: 0800 120 777, email info@valleylodge.co.za or visit valleylodge.co.za

Western Cape 45 Marine Drive These seaside selfcatering apartments in Hermanus offer panoramic views of the ocean. A variety of beaches – where families can play, snorkel and surf – make it a firm favourite.

Rates: from R740 per two-bedroom apartment per night. Contact: 028 312 3610 or visit hermanusesplanade.com Amathunzi Private Nature Reserve Explore the reserve on foot during the day or take in an evening game drive – and relax.

Rates: from R850 per cottage per night (self-catering unit or one-bedroom cottage).

Contact: Louise 074 199 4487 or Kate 079 913 6111, 023 348 5686, email mail@ amathunzi.co.za or visit amathunzi.co.za Aquila Private Game Reserve (pictured below) is less than two hours from Cape Town. Here you can enjoy quad biking, game drives or horse riding safaris (minimum age 16 for horse riding safaris).

Rates: from R2 110 per person per night.

Contact: 021 431 8400, email res@ aquilasafari.com or visit aquilasafari.com

Arabella Western Cape Hotel and Spa This luxury hotel, voted Leading Family Resort in 2008, in the Kogelberg Biosphere offers whale watching, golfing, quad biking and mountain biking, among other activities.

Rates: depends on season. Contact: 028 284 0000, email reservations@ arabellawesterncapehotel.co.za or visit westerncapehotelandspa.co.za Arolela Guest Farm Parents get to relax while Arolela entertains children with animal feeding and other activities.

Rates: from R250 for person per night; children 2–12 years pay R150; infants stay for R50. Contact: 028 284 9855 or 082 387 2416, email info@arolela.co.za or visit arolela.co.za Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat Experience a sunset nature drive and take the family on an early-morning rock-art excursion.

Rates: from R1 750 per person sharing per night, discounted rates for children. Contact: 021 481 1860, email info@bushmanskloof. co.za or visit bushmanskloof.co.za Buttonquail Nature Reserve Tented Camp (pictured top page 33) Situated 75km from Cape Town, bordering the Kogelberg Biosphere, this reserve has a river that’s perfect for fly-fishing and swimming.

Cape Town’s

Rates: R950 per couple per night sharing; R300 per extra person sharing. Children under 10 years R100, children 10–16 years R200. Contact: 082 449 3005, email jlg@yebo.co.za or visit buttonquail.co.za

Cape Royale Luxury Hotel This five-star gem in Greenpoint treats children like royalty and offers all the trimmings of a luxury hotel.

Rates: from R2 270 per room per night.

Children under 16 years free. Contact: 021 430 0500, email reservations@ caperoyale.co.za or visit caperoyale.co.za Club Mykonos Samos (pictured below) Feast on great food and wine at the resort’s restaurant and look out onto the yachts of the private harbour.

Rates: from R500 per unit per night.

Contact: Richard or Val 083 235 3316 or visit capestay.co.za/samos

Eight Bells Mountain Inn (pictured below) Situated on the Garden Route, this cosy retreat offers an array of activities.

Rates: from R420 per person per night; children 9–12 years R180; children 2–8 years R100. Includes full English breakfast.

Contact: 044 631 0000, reservations@ eightbells.co.za or visit eightbells.co.za

Frog Mountain Getaway Farm Children get to test-drive the kayak and foefie slide while parents relax and fish in the Buffeljags River just outside Swellendam.

Rates: from R600 per rondawel per night. Contact: 028 512 3732, email info@frogmountain.co.za or visit frogmountain.co.za Fynbos Mountain Retreat Only an hour from Cape Town, it offers swimming and walks in the gardens, vineyards and nature reserve. The Victorian farmhouse and cottages serve delicious food and wine.

Rates: from R220 per person per night; children pay discounted rates. Contact: 022 487 1153, email info@fynbosestate.co.za or visit fynbosestate.co.za Garden Route Game Lodge This lodge is close to Albertinia, a three-and-a-halfhour drive from Cape Town. Home to the Big Five, the lodge offers children’s game drives and guided bush and insect walks.

Cape Town’s

Rates: from R965 per person sharing.

Overnight rates include breakfast and dinner, including one morning and one evening game drive. Contact: 028 735 1200, email reservations@grgamelodge.co.za or visit grgamelodge.co.za Grand Daddy (pictured below) This luxury hotel in Cape Town’s Long Street – with its rooftop trailer park – mixes off-the-wall décor with the comfort of a family getaway.

Rates: from R1 200 per room per night.

Contact: 021 424 7247, email info@ granddaddy.co.za or visit granddaddy.co.za

L’Olivier Wine & Olive Estate An elegant, Georgian villa in Stellenbosch is a haven of tranquillity and offers interesting vineyard and olive tours.

Rates: cottage from R650 per night per person or per couple sharing. Contact: 021 881 3218, email info@lolivierestate.com or visit lolivierestate.com Mount Nelson Hotel From high tea to a luxurious spa, this iconic, five-star hotel mixes old-world romance with modern luxury. Complimentary bed-time milk and cookies for children.

Rates: from R6 140 per room per night. Contact: 021 483 1000, email reservations@mountnelson.co.za or visit mountnelson.co.za One&Only Located at the V&A Waterfront, this luxury hotel offers a 24-hour butler service and Gordon Ramsay’s famed eatery Maze. The Kids Only programme includes jewellery making and ostrich-egg painting.

Rates: from R4 290 per room per night. Contact: 021 431 5800, email reservations@oneandonlycapetown.com or visit oneandonlycapetown.com Rietvlei Holiday Farm near Montagu offers charming self-catering cottages. There’s a sandpit for toddlers, and children can feed the farm animals or enjoy a tractor trip.

Rates: from R190 per adult; children 3–18 years R70. Contact: 023 614 3071, email holiday@rietvlei.co.za or visit rietvlei.co.za.

Round the Bend Lodge Take the family to a place on the banks of the Breede River in Swellendam. Activities include river rafting and abseiling plus there is a climbing wall and foefie slide. Rates: R845 per person per night; R745 per child 12–18 years per night; R645 per child under 12 years per night. Price includes accommodation, meals and activities.

Contact Felix Unite: 021 702 9400 or visit felixunite.com Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Home to white lions and big game, Gondwana Family Lodge also offers an array of indoor and outdoor activities for children as part of its Kids On Safari programme.

Rates: from R1 750 per person sharing per night (includes meals and game drives); children under 12 R250. Offer for SA citizens only. Contact: 041 407 1000, email reservations@mantiscollection.com or visit sanbona.com

BLANCO

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Somerset Gift Getaway Farm (pictured below) Situated 15km outside Swellendam, this farm offers fishing, canoeing, hiking, mountain-biking and swimming in rock pools and waterfalls.

Rates: from R700 per cottage per night. Contact: 082 726 8029, email somersetgift@polka.co.za or visit somersetgift.co.za

Southern Right Hotel This seaside hotel in Glencairn is a hotspot for in-season whale-watching from the deck of the hotel’s restaurant.

Rates: from R360 per person sharing per night. Contact: 021 782 0315, email info@southernright.info or visit southernrighthotel.com South Hill Situated in the Elgin Valley, the Guesthouse and Pumphouse suite is an en-suite luxury villa that offers fully catered or self-catering options.

Rates: Villa (self catering) from R3 750 per night; by room from R400 per person (includes breakfast). Contact: 021 844 0033,

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email info@southhill.co.za or visit southhill.co.za The Moorings Premier Hotel Knysna Get treated like royalty in this pristine setting. Activities include safe swimming in the nearby rivers and lagoons.

Rates: from R435 per person (includes breakfast). Children under 6 stay free; children 6–12 years free but pay R60 for breakfast. Contact: 086 111 5555 or visit themoorings.co.za The Post House Greyton Country Hotel and Guesthouse Frozen in time, this country-style hotel has a cosy pub.

Rates: from R495 per person sharing (bed and breakfast). Contact: 087 808 1513, email reservations@theposthouse.co.za or visit posthouse.co.za The Spier Hotel This stylish hotel allows children to experience the wonders of outdoor life. Parents can enjoy wine tasting or spa treatments.

Rates: from R1 620 per room per night.

Contact: 021 809 1100, email info@ spier.co.za or visit spier.co.za The Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa This luxury five-star boutique hotel welcomes children and pets. .

Rates: from R5 325 per room per night.

Children under 12 stay free when sharing with two adults. Includes breakfast. Contact: 021 437 9000, email bookta@12apostles. co.za or visit 12apostleshotel.com *Please note: rates correct at time of going to print.

pet-friendly places Arniston Seaside Cottages Just a stone’s throw from the cottages are rock-pools where, in season, you can gather your own oysters.

Rates: from R250 per person sharing per night. Contact: 028 445 9772 or email: cottages@arniston-online.co.za or visit arniston-online.co.za Bird Cottage This quaint Victorian cottage, situated on the slopes of Franschhoek Peak, has a Christopher Robin children’s loft above the lounge.

Rates: from R220 per person per night.

One-night bookings over weekends are not permitted. Contact: 021 876 2136 or email cindy@kingsley.co.za Die Houthuis This laid-back getaway in Bonnievale, with its dormitory-style accommodation, is ideal for big families.

Rates: from R75 per person per night.

Contact: 082 978 7095 Petersfield Mountain Cottages These self-catering cottages near Citrusdal are situated more than a kilometre apart, offering complete privacy, and each has its own plunge pool.

Rates: from R600 per cottage per night for two guests. Contact: 022 921 3316 or email info@petersfieldfarm. co.za or visit petersfieldfarm.co.za Simonskloof Mountain Retreat Hide out in this country getaway situated

in the Langeberg Mountains near Montagu or get stuck into the hiking, mountain-biking, abseiling, kloofing and canyoning.

Rates: from R380 per night for two people. Children (4–12 years) pay R70 per night. Contact: 023 614 1895 or email info@simonskloof.com West Coast Holiday House Set on a tranquil, sheltered bay, this self-catering option in St Helena is the ideal place for swimming and water sports.

Rates: from R680 per night; stay a minimum of two nights. Contact: Annami 082 535 8499

Cape Town’s

books

a good read for toddlers read & play

Driving Down to Grandma’s

By Ian Whybrow (Macmillan Children’s Books, R90) Join in the fun as three little bears set off on a chaotic car journey with their mom to Grandma’s house. With lots of vehicle noises to mimic, and a bee to spot on every spread, this book is sure to entertain little ones. There are plenty of glugs, honks, brums and neenors to get them to join in the tale. Ed Eaves’ vibrant and endearing illustrations will keep toddlers interested.

Dogs

By Emily Gravett (Macmillan Children’s Books, R185) Emily Gravett celebrates a child’s best friend in this delightful book with a clever twist. Big ones, small ones, stripy ones, spotty ones… with so many different types of dogs, how is it possible to choose one you love the most? Children aged two to five will love the playful pencil and watercolour illustrations (and so will adults).

Cape Town’s

Barry The Fish With Fingers

By Sue Hendra

Super Safari

By Tony Mitton and Ant Parker

(Simon and Schuster, R121) The fish at the bottom of the ocean have never seen a fish with fingers. That is, until they catch sight of Barry, who is about to put his fingers to good use. Life under the sea will never be the same again... The highlight of the story is when Barry saves the puffer fish from disaster by being able to point out the terrible danger that is about to befall him. Children as young as three will love this playful tale.

(Macmillan Children’s Books, R165) Children can join Rabbit, Mouse and Bird as they bump across the African savannah in their jeep, meeting a host of animals along the way. It is the perfect book for creaturecrazy youngsters. From a hippopotamus lolling in the mud to a pride of lions on the prowl, there’s a different animal on every spread, plus many additional creatures to spot along the way. Rhyming text will guide your toddler on this unique safari.

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books continued... for preschoolers

Yummy: My Favourite Nursery Stories

By Lucy Cousins

The Sun, the Moon and the Blanket of Night

By Wendy Hartmann

(Walker Books, R215) Maisy creator Lucy Cousins shifts gears to retell her favourite nursery stories in bold language and cartoon-like pictures. She gives the famous characters new life and imbues their great adventures with her own modern magic. Cousins’ characters, even the bad wolves, are so cheerily depicted in a style similar to the Maisy books that they lack the creepy edge of traditional tales for older readers. Included here are popular tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Billy Goats Gruff.

(Songololo, R61) One day, the Sun selfishly decides he wants to shine throughout the day and night. But the Moon sends him a simple message…

Beautifully illustrated, this gentle tale reminds us that there is a special time and a place for everything and that when we are afraid, there is a light to guide us. The book is illustrated by Alzette Prins, who also illustrated the very popular We’re having a party. Author Wendy Hartmann won the 2008 M-Net/Via Afrika literary award for Nina and Little Duck.

I Wonder Why: Farm Animals

By Karen Wallace and Nicki Palin

My Brilliant Book

By Michael Broad

(Macmillan Children’s Books, R138) In this charming book, gentle cows are milked, clucking hens lay eggs, and woolly sheep are herded by sheepdogs. Children can uncover the answers to questions about these familiar creatures, and look out for unexpected scene changes as they flip the flaps. The I Wonder Why series helps children develop language and literacy skills, encourages interaction and improves their knowledge and understanding of the world.

The book comes with a handy and easy-touse back index.

(Simon and Schuster, R95) The story is told through the eyes of Sam, who made this book all by himself. It has all sorts of “brilliant stuff” in it, like hairy monsters, giant bugs, dinosaurs, aliens, a flying train and more. Sam was tired of all the old books under his bed; some too young for him, some too old and others he had read “a squillion” times. The only solution was for him to create his own book. Children are encouraged to explore their own creativity, which is why there’s a surprise empty book tucked in at the end.

audio books

These CDs are a delight for parents, grandparents and children alike.

Sparky’s Magic Piano, Tubby The Tuba and other children’s favourites Compiled by Peter Dempsey (Naxos Audio Books, R214,95) Since the beginning of the recording era, an unforgettable list of classic children’s stories have hit the airwaves. On the double CD compiled by Peter Dempsey, many of the finest songs are performed by stars from the past: Danny Kaye presents “Tubby the Tuba” and others; Spike Jones sings “Old Macdonald had a Farm” and Paul Robeson sings “Little Man”, “You’ve Had a Busy Day” and many more.

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March 2010

Cape Town’s

for grade 1 to grade 3

Girls F.C. 1: Do Goalkeepers Wear Tiaras?

By Helena Pielichaty (Macmillan Children’s Books, R84) Nine-year-old Megan Fawcett loves football and is desperate to be on her school team.

She tries everything to get the coach to notice her, even wearing a tiara! But nothing works. Then she has a brainwave – she’ll set up her own team. An all-girls team.

Now all she needs is a pitch, a coach… and 10 other players. In the midst of soccer fever in South Africa, this is a great read for young girls. It’s all about competing, staying humble, the love of sport and exercise and “making it in a boy’s world”.

History Spies: Search for the Sphinx

By Jo Foster and Tony Robinson (Macmillan Children’s Books, R75) In the next book in the very popular History Spies series, Charlie Cartwright’s destination is Egypt, 1333 BC. Tutankhamun is 11 years old and has just become Pharaoh. The Department of Historical Accuracy needs a fearless history spy to report back. Who better than Charlie? His mission is to walk like an Egyptian, talk like an Egyptian and learn to decipher hieroglyphics. And he gets to find out what it’s like to be king when you’re only a young boy!

Fairytale Poems

By Clare Bevan (Macmillan Children’s Books, R75) This book reads like a shopping list for a perfect fairy tale: a shivery spell, a spooky wood, a wise wizard, a kind fairy, a ragged child, a good dragon, a silver thread to weave and wind, a looking-glass in need of mending, and most of all a happy ending. Little girls will fall in love with these poems with witty inserts and advice from the author and fun illustrations by Lara Jones. In Big Bad Wolf, Bevan advises: if you happen to meet a tall gentleman with pointy ears and enormous teeth, please don’t tell him where your granny lives.

Stealing Emerald

By June Crebbin (Walker Books, R83) The Merryfield Hall Riding School series has been a big hit with young girls. In the first book, Saving Oscar, readers met Amber, who rescues Oscar, a pony who has been neglected by his owner and bullied by boys.

In Stealing Emerald, Princess Rana is visiting the riding school. Amber and Molly are very excited about the princess’s visit but Amber cannot understand why she doesn’t want to ride. Then Rana shares her secret about her precious “Emerald”. When someone tries to steal it, it’s Amber to the rescue.

The Secret Seven – Fun for the Secret Seven by Enid Blyton Read by Sarah Greene (BBC Audio Books, R209,95) Enid Blyton’s The Secret Seven needs no introduction.

On this double CD, the Seven step in to aid an old man, Tolly, and his sick horse Brownie, in a thrilling mystery.

The Seven are desperate to help the pair, who has been badly treated by farmer Dinneford. But where can they hide an old man and his horse? These two audio books are available from all leading book stores as well as The Listeners’ Library.

Cape Town’s

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more books... for preteens and teens

Pocahontas: The Prophecy of Doom

By Caroline Corby

Meet Just William Again

By Richmal Crompton, adapted by Martin Jarvis

(Macmillan Children’s Books, R99) The native Americans of Virginia had a prophecy: that strangers would come to Chesapeake Bay and destroy them. So when a group of English settlers land in 1607, Chief Powhatan forbids his people to approach them. But his daughter is too curious to obey him. Are the pale men to be trusted, or will Pocahontas see the prophecy come true? This exciting series looks at the early lives of some of history’s most charismatic characters who, in shifting dangerous worlds, struggle to make their mark and grow into the heroes of the future.

(Macmillan Children’s Books, R109) Richmal Crompton, who wrote the original Just William stories, was born in Lancashire in 1890. In total, 38 Just William books were published. Martin Jarvis, who has adapted the stories for younger readers, made his first adaptation of a Just William story for BBC radio in 1973 and since then his broadcast readings have become classics in their own right. In this bumper collection of funny stories, Just William is accessible to today’s teens; whether he’s dodging his rotten sister Ethel or getting into scrapes with a band of outlaws, there’s never a dull moment.

The Magic Thief: Lost

By Sarah Prineas (Quercus, R96) This is the second book in the fantasy trilogy of wizardry and adventure. Apprentice mage Conn is still without a “locus magicalicus”, since his old one was destroyed saving the city of Wellmet. Without a locus, he can’t do magic, or even study at the “academicos” – but he can hear the city’s magic speaking whenever he sets off an explosion. He starts experimenting with explosives, but things go terribly wrong, and he ends up being exiled.

His only clue that trouble is brewing is that the deadly shadows, now haunting Wellmet, are somehow tied to the desert city of Desh, ruled by a sorcerer king. Conn manages to attach himself to a diplomatic mission heading that way, and adventure naturally follows.

r cleve d rea

Kingfisher Knowledge – Human Body

By Richard Walker (Macmillan Children’s Books, R105) The Kingfisher Knowledge books take readers into the heart of a subject. Stunning photographs and digital artworks capture the essence of each topic, while compelling text guides the reader through a wealth of information. Human Body explores the most complex machines in the universe – ourselves. Find out how our bodies are organised and the part DNA plays in our make-up. Then see the body in action, from the muscles that allow us to blink an eye to the body language we use to help us communicate.

Each chapter encourages children to discover more through links to websites, books and places to visit, and also suggests possible career opportunities.

Train your Brain to be a Genius

By John Woodward (Penguin Group, R200) Put your grey matter to the brain-training test and see how you measure up to some of the greatest thinkers in history. Test yourself with a series of mind-expanding puzzles, games and optical illusions that will fine tune your brainy bits. You can explore the incredible potential of your mind – from creativity, problem solving to personality – and you can explore how your brain shapes you. The book is loaded with graphs, illustrations, photographs, fun facts and information on some of the great thinkers such as Albert Einstein, Charles Darwin and Leonardo da Vinci.

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March 2010

Cape Town’s

parenting books parent ing pick of the month

Baby Sense

By Megan Faure and Ann Richardson (Metz Press, R140) For the past seven years Baby Sense has remained the bestselling babycare book in South Africa. It has been translated into several languages and won the prestigious IK Practical Pre-school Awards Gold twice. The book focuses on why babies are different, how parents can help their babies maintain the calm alert state, and details the relationships between tiredness, crying and breastfeeding. Included is an expanded section on early-infant crying and colic, with step-by-step responses to colic. The section on postnatal depression has been updated and refined based on current thought. The concept of parental distress is also introduced.

for us

The Baby in the Mirror: A Child’s World form Birth to Three

By Charles Fernyhough

Daddy’s Girl

By Margie Orford

Key to Cape Town

By Toast Coetzer

(Jonathan Ball Publishers, R157) Riedwaan Faizal is a member of the South African Police’s elite Gang Unit. He is used to being a target, but then the danger of his one-man anti-gang war envelopes his only daughter, and he becomes the prime suspect in her abduction.

Faizal turns to Dr Hart, a sharply intelligent and beautiful investigative journalist-turned-profiler. Dr Hart is sceptical of Faizal’s motives, but she knows only too well what happens when little girls are abducted. Daddy’s Girl confirms Orford’s reputation as one of South Africa’s most outstanding crime writers, deserving of her international acclaim.

(Sunbird Publishers, R175) This illustrated easy-to-use guide captures the very best of what the Mother City has to offer. With all the maps you’ll need, it suggests itineraries to suit your interests and to maximise your stay in Cape Town, whether it’s for a day, a week or maybe forever… Or you can simply plan your own itinerary from a selection of 115 ideas. If you want to know where to go tandem paragliding, where to take your children for a ride on a camel, where to find the best sushi or discover lesser-known, off-beat destinations and things to do, Key to Cape Town shows you the way.

Cape Town’s

(Penguin Group, R140) What is it like to be a newborn baby, an infant just learning to talk, or a toddler noisily testing the limits of their own autonomy?

In this fascinating book, developmental psychologist and novelist Charles Fernyhough sets out to answer these questions in an engaging, childcentred way. Combining cutting-edge science with his own intimate observations of his daughter Athena, he vividly describes the extraordinary journey a child makes during the momentous first three years of life.

The UK’s The Sunday Telegraph UK calls it “the most poetic popular science book of the year”.

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calendar

2 March – King’s Camp

1 monday

2 tuesday

Little Cooks Club cooking programme For mothers with children aged 2–6. Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Time: weekdays 3:30pm–4:30pm; Saturday 9:30am–10:30am. Venue: Blouberg and Tableview. Cost: R90 per class. Contact Katherine: 021 554 4959, megawlk@ absamail.co.za or visit littlecooksclub.co.za Continuing education programme at Bergvliet High School Educators can attend a course on classroom management, learners can go on a driver education course, and you can take a course in business finance or art and design. Time: varies. Venue: Bergvliet High School. Cost: call to enquire.

For a course programme contact Katharine 021 712 0979, kathy.miles@ananzi.co.za or visit bhs.org.za

Book your child’s Easter camp early with King’s Camps and qualify for the discount rate, available until 14 March.

The Easter camp is from 29 March–1 April.

To make a booking or for further details: 021 300 1011 or info@sa.kingscamps.org Autism support group meeting at Planet Kids for parents of children living on the autistic spectrum (ASD). The talk is by Axel Gudmundsson on the topic, The Davis Dyslexia and Autism Approach.

Time: 7pm. Venue: Planet Kids, 3 Wherry Rd, Muizenberg. Cost: free. Contact: 021 788 3070 or info@planetkids.co.za

3 wednesday Talk on rose care at Super Plants, which includes demonstrations and refreshments.

Also talks on other topics on 10, 17, 24 and 31 March. Time: 10am. Venue: Super Plants, 1 Link Rd, Bothasig. Cost: free.

Contact Marga: 021 558 0190 Drum Mania workshop for adults Also 10, 17, 24 and 31 March. Time: 8pm– 10:30pm. Venue: The Tafelberg Restaurant & Bar, 6 Roodehek Terrace, Gardens. Cost: R40 for the workshop; R20 for drum hire.

Contact Stephan: 082 855 5053, info@ drummania.co.za or visit drummania.co.za Compassionate Friends of Cape Town meet tonight This support group offers friendship and understanding to bereaved parents. Time: 8pm. Venue: Milnerton Medi-Clinic. Cost: free. Contact Suzette: 084 568 8402 or 0861 CARING. They also meet on 8, 17, 20 and 23 March at various venues; call for details.

family marketplace

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March 2010

Cape Town’s

PHOTOGRAPHS: COMSTOCKCOMPLETE.COM

what’s on in march

For a free listing, fax your event to 021 462 2680 or email it to lucille@childmag.co.za. Information must be received by 4 March for the April issue and must include all relevant details. No guarantee can be given that it will be published. Compiled by LUCILLE KEMP.

Constantia Tots n Pots cooking classes Recipes for the following days are, 3 March: Tuna Pasta Bake; 10 March: Rice Krispies Lollipop treats and 17 March: Mini Pizza Snails. Time: 2:30pm–3:30pm. Venue: Daisies Coffee Shop at Garden Centre on Doordrift Road. Cost: R80 per class or R720 for 9 weeks (or a minimum of R480 for the first 6 weeks). Contact Chene: 083 649 7405 or visit totsnpots.com

4 thursday Sign up for an Equal Zeal holiday workshop The studio offers selfdevelopment workshops and coaching to help children and families overcome the demands of modern everyday living.

Registration closes 26 March 2010. For the northern suburbs contact Angelique: 082 453 4313 or angelique@equalzeal.com.

For the southern suburbs contact Steph: 083 567 5572 or steph@equalzeal.com

textiles, painting, drawing techniques, felting, colour and mixed media. Classes run depending on how many children sign up for the class. Ideal for children 6–10 years. Enquire about art programmes during the holidays. Also 6, 12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 March. Time: Friday, 2pm–3:30pm; Saturday, 10am–11:30am.

Venue: 7 Capel Rd, Highlands Estate, Oranjezicht. Cost: R140 per child per class.

Contact: 021 461 3840, 082 864 6769 or ameliaaudinwood@gmail.com Alice in Wonderland premieres in 3D For Alice Kingsley, life is about to take a turn for the unexpected. During a Victorian garden party thrown in her honour, Alice dashes off without explanation after a rabbit she’s spotted running across the lawn wearing a waistcoat and a pocket watch. Venue: various theatres 5 March – Children’s creative workshops

Cape Argus Pick n Pay Tricycle and Junior Tours registration at Canal Walk Ends 12 March. Time: 9am–9pm daily. Venue: Central Court Stage St Cyprian’s open day A short talk by the principal at 9am is followed by a tour of the school. Tea is served from 10:30am and the music department will give a short concert. Contact Cherry: 021 464 6068 or visit stcyprians.co.za Rand Merchant Bank FNB Starlight Classics Diski Dance and FNB 20 Tenors are just a couple of the spectacular performers who take to the outdoor stage with the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra.

Time: gates open at 4pm. Show starts at 7:30pm. Also Saturday 6 March at 7pm.

Venue: Vergelegen Wine Farm, Lourensford Rd, Somerset West. Cost: Friday, R125 per adult, R115 per child; Saturday, R135 per adult, R125 per child. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000

5 friday

6 saturday

CANSA Shavathon Show your solidarity with a cancer survivor by shaving off your own hair. Today is the workplace shavathon. Tomorrow, 6 March is the public shavathon, which will be taking place at various shopping centres. For more info: visit shavathon.org.za Children’s creative workshops Amelia’s Artworks teaches skills in printmaking,

Nutwood Forest annual family fun day Highlights include pony rides, a silent auction and a puppet show. Time: 10am– 2pm. Venue: Nutwood Forest Preschool, 3 Braemar Rd, Greenpoint. Cost: free entry.

Contact: 021 439 4874 The MTB Challenge is a two-day event that caters for all riders, from families who’d like to introduce their children to the sport,

Cape Town’s

5

Sticker- and cardswapping party

Does your child need to complete their sticker or trading card collection? Take them to Canal Walk or N1 City Mall to swap their extras. Ends 7 March. Brands catered for are Ben10, Disney Playhouse, Harry Potter, Africa Cup, Princess and the Frog, Pretty Princess, UEFA and Match Attax. Time: 9am–6pm.

Cost: free. Contact: 086 100 7827 or promotions@rnad.co.za

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6 March – Story time at the Book Lounge

to the hardcore competitors who are in it to win it. Spectators can bring a blanket, relax on the lawns, taste some of the local estate wines and enjoy a great family day out. Also 7 March. Time: 8am. Venue: Boschendal Wine Estate. Cost: from R75 for competitors.

Contact: 021 763 7960, info@cycletour. co.za or visit mtbchallenge.co.za.

Story time at the Book Lounge Time: 11am. Venue: 71 Roeland St. Cost: free.

Contact: 021 462 2425, booklounge@ gmail.com or visit booklounge.co.za Art and aromatherapy morning A wellness day that offers moms or carers of young children art therapy sessions as well as time with a registered aromatherapist.

Enquire about Monday sessions. Time: 9am– 2pm. Venue: Malcolm Rd, Rondebosch.

Cost: call to enquire. For enquiries and bookings contact Angela: 021 683 9654 or angrack@mweb.co.za Oude Molen Eco Village craft market and Talent Exchange market Enjoy a wide variety of local crafts and at the talent exchange market experience trade done in talents, an alternative form of currency.

Time: 9am–2pm. Venue: Alexandra Road, Pinelands, just past Vincent Pallotti Hospital.

Cost: free entry. Contact: 021 447 9165 Reading and phonics workshops for parents and teachers Fabulous ideas for children 3–7 years using what you have at home to play up a storm. Time: 10am– 11:15am. Venue: Somerset West Library.

Cost: R70. Contact: rlighton@mweb.co.za or visit reneelighton.co.za Family sleepover at Two Oceans Aquarium (member event) Pack your sleeping bag, picnic supper and enjoy a fabulous overnight adventure. Enquire

about the yacht trip on 13 March. Event is for Solemates members of Two Oceans Aquarium. For further information on how to become a Solemate member, contact: 021 418 3823 or members@aquarium.co.za Noordhoek Farm Village children’s Saturday activities 6 March: Puppet Show Mania; 13 March: Science Day; 20 March: Magic Show and 27 March: Shell Craft Day. Time: 10:30am–12:30pm.

Venue: Noordhoek Farm Village. Cost: free. Contact: 021 789 2812 or visit noordhoekvillage.co.za

7 sunday Goldfish performs at the Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts Time: 5:30pm–6:45pm. Venue: Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, Rhodes Ave, Newlands. Cost: adults R95, children R70.

Contact: 021 799 8783/8620 or visit sanbi. org. To book visit webtickets.co.za Pippi Langkous Afrikaans theatre performance The show is centered on nine-year-old Pippi, an unconventional, assertive child. Also My Naam is Lollos is showing on 14 March in Afrikaans and English. Time: 10am. Venue: Oude Libertas Kinderteater. Cost: R30. For bookings contact: 021 809 7473 or 021 809 7380

8 monday Tomfoolery A witty, off-beat international musical revue with loads of attitude and satire. Today you can buy one ticket and get one free. Ends 13 March. Time: Monday–Saturday, 8pm. Venue: NewSpace Theatre, 44 Long St. Cost: tbc. Contact: 021 422 5522. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

9 tuesday Grease the musical at the Artscape In an all-South African cast production, this celebrated show brings audiences an experience packed with songs. Catch tonight’s performance at 8pm. The show runs from 6 March–11 April. It promises to be a real party. Time: show times vary from 2:30pm to 6pm and 8pm. Venue: Artscape Opera House. Cost: R100–R350. Contact Artscape Dial-A-Seat: 021 421 7695 or book through: Computicket: 083 915 8000

10 wednesday

7

Mini spa day

Relax while the children play. Time: 9am–2pm.

Venue: The Play Shed.

Cost: mini pedicure R126,50, manicure R115, file and revarnish R60, add R18 for French varnish and R45 for paraffin dip. For a price list and bookings, contact: madre@iafrica.com

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March 2010

Showcase of Dance Twenty of the foremost dance teachers in the Western Cape showcase the talents of top dancers.

Ends 13 March. Time: 4pm or 7:30pm.

Venue: Artscape Theatre, DF Malan Str, Foreshore. Cost: R65. For more info: 021 439 1613, 082 779 9906 or book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 Sandboarding for children nine years and older every Monday and Wednesday. Only groups of 10 or more. Time: 10am–noon and 1pm–3pm. Venue: Atlantis Sand Dunes.

Cost: R50 and R9 entry permit. Contact Haadin: 021 696 3631, info@adventure4u. co.za or visit adventure4u.co.za Ideas Festival open day at Cedar House School Time: 8:10am–2:30pm. Venue: Cedar House, 5 Ascot Rd, Kenilworth.

Cost: free. Contact: 021 762 0649 or cathy.taffinder@cedarhouse.co.za Cape Town’s

11 thursday Rock climbing for children Every Tuesday and Thursday. Only groups of 10 or more, children 9 years and older.

Time: 10am–12pm and 1pm–3pm. Venue: Table Mountain Quarry. Cost: R50. Contact Haadin: 021 696 3631, info@adventure4u. co.za or visit adventure4u.co.za 11 March – Rock climbing with Adventure4U

Workshop at Stark Ayres with Jane Griffiths, author of Jane’s Delicious Garden. Time: 10am for 10:30am–1pm.

Venue: Starke Ayres Garden Centre, Liesbeek Parkway, Rosebank. Cost: R200. Contact Lucinda: 021 685 4120 or lucinda@starkeayresgc.co.za Baby Sense celebrations tour More than 100 000 copies of the book Baby Sense have been sold and a new edition has just been launched. Time: 10am–noon. Venue: Netcare Blaauwberg Hospital. Cost: R150, which includes a free copy of the new edition of Baby Sense. Contact Nolitha: 086 111 4891 or seminars@babysense.co.za.

Day two of the celebration tour is being held on 12 March at the Netcare Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital in Gardens

12 friday St Joseph’s yoga weekend retreat Ends 14 March. Time: Friday 5:30pm–Sunday 1pm. Venue: Betty’s Bay. Cost: R1 200 per person for the weekend. Contact Julia: 021 685 1257, 021 686 8426, kajl@global. co.za or visit sjjosephsaep.co.za to register online. Enquire about St Joseph’s courses and workshops held every Saturday.

Children’s yoga class with Holistic Kids Time: 9am. Venue: Viveiros School of Dance, 9 Barrow St, Monte Vista. Cost: R40. Contact Charne: 082 466 7925 Concert at the Deutsche Internationale Schule Kapstadt (German School) Entertainment includes performances by Checked Zebra and school bands from Herzlia and Jan van Riebeeck High School.

Time: 5pm–9pm. Venue: DSK (German school), 28 Bay View Ave, Tamboerskloof.

Cost: R70. Contact: chrismarie.braun@ gmail.com Wetpups’ annual carnival The community is invited to come and enjoy 12 March – St Joseph’s yoga weekend retreat

Cape Town’s

the festivities. Time: 3pm–10pm. Venue: Western Province Prep School, 49 Newlands Road, Claremont. Cost: free entry. Contact Caron Perrott: 021 761 8074 or marketing@ wetpups.org.za

13 saturday Mountain biking every Saturday in March for children 10 years and older only, who have their own bike. Time: 10am–noon and 1pm–3pm. Venue: Tokai Forest. Cost: R40 and R25 entry permit. Contact Haadin: 021 696 3631, 083 356 5591, info@adventure4u.co.za or visit adventure4u.co.za Sugar and Spice Nanny Training Kids Play workshop Nannies learn how to make play dough and bake as well as paint, cut, stick and learn resourceful ways to have fun in the garden. The

Kids Play workshop is also being held in Greenpoint on 20 March. Time: 9am– 12:30pm. Venue: Constantia. Cost: R400.

Contact Kirsten: 083 406 0028, kmcintosh@ telkomsa.net or visit nannytraining.co.za.

Call to enquire about other Sugar and Spice nanny training courses held in Panorama, Claremont, Noordhoek and Greenpoint.

Cape Argus Pick n Pay Tricycle and Junior Tours Whether your child rides a bicycle, tricycle or a pushbike, they’ll be sure to enjoy the Mother City’s coolest children’s cycling events: the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Tricycle and Junior Tours. These fun rides are perfect for children 2–12 years. Distance: Tricycle Tour: 1.5km; Junior Tour: 5km and 10km. Venue: Youngsfield Military Base, Wynberg. For more info: visit tricycletour.co.za or juniortour.co.za

SPCA cycle challenge Making your 2010 Pick n Pay Cape Argus Cycle Tour race count a little more, you and your child can support the SPCA by taking part in the Cycle the Hills for the SPCA challenge. Venue: Cape Town City Centre, outside the Civic Centre.

Cost: R300 in donations. Contact Natasha: 021 700 4155, awareness@spca-ct.co.za or visit spca-ct.co.za CBC St John’s Parklands parenting conference A variety of presentations engage parents with children from 3–18 years. Childcare facilities available. Time: 8:30am–2pm. Venue: CBC, Parklands.

Cost: R120. Contact Cathy: 021 556 5969 or office@cbcstjohns.co.za Kildare Pre-Primary School Annual Easter Fair Visit for games and entertainment, toys and book stalls, a tea garden, food stalls, an Easter egg hunt and March 2010

43

much more. Time: 9am–1pm. Venue: 75 Kildare Avenue, Newlands. Cost: adults R5, children free. Contact: 021 674 4360 or kildare@megaweb.co.za

such as heart health, children’s health and digestive problems. Time: 7pm every Monday. For more info: visit bioharmony. co.za or dstv.com

14 sunday

16 tuesday

Cape Argus Pick n Pay Cycle Tour Find your place on the sidelines to cheer on the participants for the 110km race.

Time: race starts at 6:15am. Venue: Cape Peninsula. Cost: free for spectators. Contact: 021 763 7960 or info@cycletour.co.za Family photo day at The Play Shed Photographer Heidi Louw takes your family’s photos at R150 for five printed photos. Venue: Oude Molen Eco Village, Alexandra Rd, Pinelands. Contact: madre@ iafrica.com to book your photo session

3-in-1 workshop Julie Ranzani (fashion forecaster) talks about winter fashion trends, Maryann Gillett (a professional organiser) gives tips for organising your life and Angela Hutchison (parenting skills coach) shares advice on how to manage your relationship with your partner. Time: 9am–noon or 6pm–9pm. Venue: tbc in the southern suburbs. Cost: R150. Contact: to book call 082 829 4552 or for more info magillett@ mweb.co.za, julie@stockcounters.co.za or angelah@telkomsa.net

15 monday

17 wednesday

Naturally You on DStv (Home Channel 182) Each episode tackles health issues

Kelly Clarkson in concert This pop superstar stages her All I Ever Wanted tour tonight. Time: 7pm. Venue: Grand Arena, GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World. Cost: R246–R399. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000

13

Miracle Kidz fundraising day Pack a picinic

and enjoy a day on Cymbidium Farm. Take along some scraps to feed the sheep, goats, ponies, rabbits, tortoises, pig, calves, chickens, ducks and geese. Your children will also enjoy the tractor rides and jumping castles. Time: 10am–3pm. Venue: Cymbidium Farm, Vineyard Ave (off Alphen Dr), Constantia. Cost: R30 per person for adults and children, all activities included. The full ticket price goes to Miracle Kidz, a safe house where abandoned and abused children are fed, clothed and tended to medically. Contact Janet Lightly: 021 794 6451. If you can’t make it to the picnic, but would like to support this great cause you can sponsor Janet and Kevin Gaynor, who are riding the Absa Cape Epic eight-stage mountain bike race (21–28 March) in aid of Miracle Kidz. For more info on sponsorships contact Janet: 072 571 2293, stevejan@cyberdale.co.za or Kevin: 084 840 3018 or kevg@tbst.co.za

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March 2010

18 thursday Visit the West Coast ostrich ranch Tours include entry into the breeding enclosures where you can watch newly hatched ostrich chicks take their first steps.

Time: Monday–Sunday, 9am–5pm. Venue: Van Schoorsdrif Rd, Philadelphia, off the N7. Cost: adults R55, children 6–16 years R45 and children under 6 R15. Contact: 021 972 1955, info@ostrichranch.co.za or visit ostrichranch.co.za

19 friday Cape Town Festival Cape Town’s annual arts festival sets the city alight with the best in South African and international music, performing arts, comedy, spoken word and visual arts. Ends 22 March.

Time: varies. Venue: a variety of theatres, universities, libraries and museums. Cost: most events are free. For more info: visit capetownfestival.co.za

20 saturday Out The Box Festival of Puppetry & Visual Performance Be entranced by puppetry, installations, performance

21 Celebrate Human Rights Day with The Sport Relief Mile This is the inaugural South African fundraising event and money raised will go to the child protection and HIV/Aids programmes of Child Welfare SA. If you are entering the fun run or walk, be sure to raise funds by finding sponsors for your participation. You can run or walk 1.6km, 4.8km or 8km. Entry forms are available at various sport stores, Cape Town Tourism offices and all Cape-based Sportsmans Warehouse stores. Time: race starts 9am. Venue: The Lookout, V&A Waterfront. Cost: entry fees are R35 until 14 March. Late entries at the V&A Waterfront from 19–21 March: R40. Contact Sportsvendo: 0860 460 906 or visit sportrelief.co.za

art, kinetic sculptures, object theatre, shadows, film, multimedia and stop-motion animation. Ends 28 March. Time: starts 9am daily. Venue: Baxter Theatre’s stages, gallery, foyers, staircases and gardens. Cost: R30–R50. For more info: 021 462 5811 or visit unimasouthafrica.org or book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 MTN Sciencentre and Popular Mechanics family fun weekend An opportunity for the whole family to get closer to science. Ends 22 March. Time: 9am–9pm. Venue: MTN Sciencentre, Canal Walk. Cost: R75 for two adults and two children. Contact MTN Sciencentre: 021 529 8100

21 sunday The Cape Philharmonic Orchestra performs at the Old Mutual Summer Sunset Concerts Time: 5:30pm– 6:45pm. Venue: Kirstenbosch National

Botanical Gardens, Rhodes Ave, Newlands.

Cost: adults R75, children R50. Contact: 021 799 8783/8620 The Absa Cape Epic This race is held over eight days and leads amateur and professional mountain bikers from around the world through the unspoilt nature of the Western Cape. Ends 28 March. For more info: 021 426 4373 or for registration that is accepted via email only: registration@ cape-epic.com or visit cape-epic.com

22 monday Buy and sell your second-hand school uniforms online Listing service is available 24 hours a day. Cost: listing is free of charge. Contact: nicky@theschoolshop. co.za, janneke@theschoolshop.co.za or visit theschoolshop.co.za

23 tuesday Visit the Rust-en-Vrede Cultural Centre The Durbanville Cultural Society offers visitors a clay exhibition, art classes, a bead shop, Rust-en-Vrede Art Gallery and the Gallery Café. Time: Monday– Friday, 9am–4:30pm; Saturday, 9am–1pm.

Venue: 10 Wellington Rd, Durbanville.

Cost: free entry. Contact: 021 976 4691 or rustenvrede@telkomsa.com Moms and toddlers group meets at Enchanted Garden Family Centre This relaxed group of moms meets every Wednesday morning for friendship and support while their children learn to socialise. Time: tbc. Venue: Enchanted Garden Family Centre, Noordhoek. Cost: free. Contact Julie: 021 785 2888. The centre also holds other talks and courses.

Contact them for information

24 wednesday Shaolin Monks Wheel of Life tour See these highly trained and exceptionally skilled Masters of Kung Fu in action. Time: Wednesday 24 March, Thursday 25 March and Friday 26 March, 8pm; Saturday 27 March, 2pm. Venue: Grand Arena, GrandWest Casino and Entertainment World. Cost: weekday tickets: R99–R300.

Weekend shows Friday 26 March and Saturday 27 March: R150–R325. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

Cape Town’s

Cape Town’s

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Fine women business network breakfast Today’s topic is “I am not afraid of the ‘F’ word” – 50 lessons to learn to avoid failure in business. Time: 8am. Venue: The River Club, Liesbeek Parkway, Observatory. Cost: R125. Contact: 021 448 6117, info@riverclub.co.za or emily@finewomen.co.za Easter holiday club with Kidz Discovery For children 3–7 years. A funfilled morning spent crafting, baking, face-painting, dressing up, clambering on fun climbing walls and a jungle gym, dancing and enjoying storytime. Time: 9:30am–noon. Venue: The Drive, Camps Bay. Cost: R90 per child per morning.

Contact Kathy: 083 654 2494 or visit kidzdiscovery.co.za

25 thursday Kirstenbosch Biodiversity Expo Learn about ecosystems, species, genes and how to become involved in conservation. There is also a special Earth Hour celebration on 27 March. Ends 28 March. Time: 25–26 March, 9am–4pm; 27 March, 9am–3pm; 28 March, 9am–2pm. Venue: Old Mutual Conference Centre. Cost: free entry.

Contact: a.morkel@sanbi.org.za or visit sanbi.org.za Herbs & Cooking talk at Stodels by Di-Di Hoffman. Time: Belville 10am and Milnerton 1pm. Venue: Belville, Eversdal Rd or Milnerton, Racecourse Rd. Cost: free entry. Contact Belville: 021 919 1106, Milnerton: 021 528 4000 or customercare@ stodels.com Reggie’s toy stores’ specials start today on selected baby, toy and gaming products.

Stores located in Cape Gate, Cavendish Connect and Mitchell’s Plain. Ends 28 March. For more info: 011 606 3700

26 friday Open market day and term two registration with Kidz Discovery The market offers exciting goodies, books and toys for young children, while also providing the opportunity to register for the fun workshops for parents with children 3 months–5 years. Time: 10am– 2pm. Venue: Kidz Discovery, The Drive, Camps Bay. Cost: free entry. Contact Kathy: info@kidzdiscovery.co.za or visit kidzdiscovery.co.za Lindt Easter children’s activities and colouring-in competition. Children can also play in the Easter garden. Ideal for children 1–12 years. Ends 4 April. Time: 9am–7pm.

Venue: V&A Waterfront. Cost: free. Contact Sarah: 021 407 7700 Easter holiday arts and crafts workshops Take your child along to have fun with mosaics, painting, fabric and fibre art, sand art, beadwork, collage and clay.

Time: 10am–noon. Venue: Funky Fox Art and Craft Studio, Beach Rd, Noordhoek.

Cost: R95 per child including juice and a snack. Contact Mel: 072 356 7127 or godfreymelanie@yahoo.co.uk The Play Shed is open for the school holidays Time: Tuesday–Sunday, 9am–5pm.

Venue: Oude Molen Eco Village, Pinelands.

Cost: varies depending on age; call to enquire. For more info: 074 196 2778

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March 2010

29 March – Bird presentation at Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre

27 saturday Franschhoek Oesfees Celebrate true Cape tradition with a rousing, authentic feast of Cape music and lekker Kaapse kos. Time: gates open at 11am, festivities from noon–9pm. Venue: Solms-Delta Wine Estate, Delta Rd, off the R45, Franschhoek Valley (40 minutes from Cape Town). Cost: R160, which includes a R60 food voucher.

Free entry for children under 12. For more info: visit solms-delta.co.za Easy DIY workshops Discover how easy it is to do-it-yourself with the DIY Divas, who provide hands-on training with power tools and provide all sorts of hints, tips and techniques. Every Saturday. Time: 9am– noon. Venue: Builders Warehouse stores throughout Cape Town. Cost: R250. For more info: home-dzine@iburst.co.za or visit easy-diy.co.za Buy your Sea Point Rotary Club raffle ticket Proceeds benefit a number of charities. The final draw will take place at the Glen Country Club (date tbc). First prize is an all expenses paid trip for two to the Neptune Resort Hotel in Zanzibar. Cost: R100 per ticket. For tickets contact Eva: 021 439 7657 or 083 454 8788 The Ugly Duckling and Other Stories at the Baxter Theatre with The Lilliput Children’s Theatre Company. Ends 10 April. Time: 10:30am. Cost: R35. Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com. For block bookings or queries, call Elton: 021 558 2650, 083 364 8284 or call the Baxter Theatre: 021 685 7880. For more info on the Lilliput Players: visit lilliputplayers.co.za Petzl climbing day at Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre Children of all ages can free-climb or race against their friends. Time: 10am–6pm. Venue: Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre, Canal Walk Shopping Centre. Cost: free. RSVP: 021 555 4692 or cwac@capeunionmart.co.za Nitida’s Farmers’ Market takes place on the last Saturday of every month. While you shop for an array of fresh and local produce let the children enjoy sand art and candle making in a safe environment.

Time: 7:30am–noon. Venue: Nitida Cellars on the M13. Cost: free entry. Contact Getha: 083 651 0699 Climb like a Girl workshop is holding a rock climbing workshop for women. No skills needed. Time: 8:30am–1pm. Venue: Pinnacle Point, Lakeside. Cost: R360.

Contact Megan: 074 143 3756, megan@ runlikeagirl.co.za or visit runlikeagirl.co.za Holiday fun at Tyger Valley Centre Children can enjoy storytelling and can play dress up amongst other activities.

Ends 11 April. Time: 10am–5pm. Venue: Kidzville, Tyger Valley Centre. Cost: free.

For more info: visit tygervalley.co.za

28 sunday Vintage Fair Enjoy a relaxed day out eating, drinking and discovering quirky collectables at this weekly market. Time: 10am–3pm. Venue: The Old Biscuit Mill, 373–375 Albert Rd, Woodstock. Cost: free entry. Contact: 021 788 8088 or visit vintagefair.co.za Dance4Fitness workshop Stretch your mind and tone your body. Time: 11:30am. Venue: Girlsworld, 36 Franklin Rd, Claremont. Cost: R100. Contact Nicky: 083 627 2553 or visit dance4fitness.co.za

29 monday Bird presentation at the Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre Meet a collection of feathered friends. Time: 11am–noon.

Venue: Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre, Canal Walk Shopping Centre. Cost: free.

RSVP: 021 555 4692 Kidz Playzone Easter holiday arts and crafts workshops Ends 9 April. 29 March: make Easter bookmarks; 30 March: magic show (11am) and make Easter egg holders; 31 March: make Easter pencil tops.

Call to enquire about activities running into April. There is an Easter egg hunt following the magic shows. Time: Monday–Saturday, 9am–4:30pm; Sunday and public holidays 9:30am–2pm. Venue: Durbanville Business Park, Durbanville. Cost: no extra charge for the holiday programme. Contact: 021 979 4872 or Bev: 084 575 2546 Gold of Africa Museum holiday programme Children discover the music, stories, games and art of West Africa. You may sign up for one day or all four days.

Suitable for children 7–12 years. Ends 1 April. Time: 9am–noon. Venue: Gold of Africa Museum, Strand St. Cost: R50 per day. For more info: 021 405 1540 or museum@goldofafrica.com Sporting Academy holiday clinics and activities Featuring rugby, soccer, swimming, horse riding, dancing, hip hop dancing and pottery. For children ages 5– 13 years. Ends 1 April. Time: 9am–1pm and 1:30pm–5:30pm. Venue: Meadowridge FC, Bergvliet, Constantia, Newlands and Simons Town. Cost: R90 per day. Contact: 084 777 1212

30 tuesday Snake presentation at the Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre Time: 11am–noon. Venue: Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre, Canal Walk.

Cost: free. RSVP: 021 555 4692 or cwac@capeunionmart.co.za

Bushmans Kloof Easter family bush break from 30 March–2 April and 2–5 April. Venue: Bushmans Kloof Wilderness Reserve and Wellness Retreat. Cost: from R6 900 per person sharing for three nights. Discounted children’s rates.

Contact Bushmans Kloof reservations: 021 481 1860, info@bushmanskloof.co.za or visit bushmanskloof.co.za Visit Bugz Playpark at Cape Garden Centre This popular venue has a giant outdoor and indoor play area for children to explore, climb and slide. Time: Monday– Sunday, 9am–5pm. Venue: Cape Garden Centre, off the N1 at exit 34. Cost: tbc.

Contact: 021 988 8836

31 wednesday Millstone Farmstall & Cafe Holiday programme Mosaic workshop for children 6–12 years. Time: 1:30pm–4:30pm. Venue: Millstone Farmstall & Cafe, Oude Molen Eco Village, Pinelands. Cost: R150. Contact: 021 447 8226 from Tuesday–Sunday 8am–5pm Earth Fair Market Stock up on your weekly food supplies. Time: every Saturday 9am–2:30pm and every Wednesday 3pm– 8pm. Venue: South Palms, Main Rd, Tokai.

Cost: free entry. Contact 084 220 3856

Scifest Africa National Science Festival Your child can explore science by taking part in workshops, attending talks and enjoying exhibitions.

They will realise the fun side of science through: • the science Olympics • soap box derby • science shows • educational theatre.

They will learn about: • nutritional ecology • therapeutic cloning • 2010 stadium building • space tourism.

They

can

watch

Arthur

Benjamin multiply numbers faster than a calculator, hear what it’s like to work as a physiotherapist for the Boks and learn how to memorise 100 digits of pi. Ends 30 March.

Time: 8:30am–8pm. Venue: varies in Grahamstown, Eastern Cape.

Cost: exhibitions are free, most other events cost from R8. Contact: 046 603 1106, info@scifest.org.za or visit scifest.org.za

24 Cape Town’s

it’s party time

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it’s party time continued...

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last laugh

things your children know that you don’t SAM WILSON discovers a couple of phases parenting

Joe, Sam and Benj

t

here’s so much written about parenting little people aged six and under, and so much less written about from primary school up, which is why I find this stage of parenting chockers with fun surprises.

Fun, I tell you... this age is so much better than the nappy stage. Like the sense of humour thing. I didn’t expect my children to be so funny from so young. I am not sure why, but I didn’t expect them to be entertaining company until they were at least 18. Just the other day Benjamin popped his head around the lounge door and commented dryly, “Hey Mom! I am thirsty, but I need to pee. Isn’t that ironic?”

I thought that was so funny, I found I needed to wee too.

But one of the best bits about parenting primary schoolers is that – seemingly all of

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March 2010

a sudden – they have all these skills you don’t have.

Josef, for example, has mastered the recorder and has now moved on to the clarinet. As someone whose entire musical education consisted of four months with her thumbs in castanets during Spanish dancing class, I am too, too impressed.

“So all those squiggly dots and lines actually make sense to you?” I’ll ask him, my voice awash with wonder, as he dexterously puts all the bits of his clarinet together.

“Ah, yes Mom,” he’ll say with an oddly knowing and excitedly condescending smile.

“It’s what we, in the Land of Instruments, call ‘Music’.” See? Funny, I tell you.

I feel the same about Benjamin’s manners. As someone who interrupts constantly, hardly ever remembers names or faces and swears like a sailor, having a charming, “well brought up” son has come as a giant surprise.

“Pleased to meet you,” Benjamin will say upon meeting anyone new, straightening

his back, extending a hand for a firm shake and making very pleasing eye contact.

“Are you well? I myself am fine, thanks.

Have you met my mother, Sam?” Cue embarrassed eight-year-old giggle from me.

Then of course, they are slap bang in the Earnest Facts stage. Even the shortest walk around the park becomes a showcase for “things we can’t believe Mom didn’t know”.

“Aah, isn’t the air lovely and fresh!” I said recently, as we strode along under the trees. “Just breathe in all that lovely oxygen!” To which Joe and Benj exchanged a raised eyebrow.

“Actually, Mom, the atmosphere is almost 80% nitrogen. Only about 20% of it is oxygen,” says Joe, in that singsong, I-learnt-this-in-class voice.

“Really? I replied. “I actually think you are wrong there, honey. Isn’t there a lot of carbon dioxide in the air? It’s what we breathe out, isn’t it?”

The boys both stopped walking, as if it had become clear to them that their mother can’t walk and think at the same time.

“No,” said Joey, very patiently. “Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas and makes up less than 1% of the earth’s atmosphere.

Currently, it’s higher than at any other time in history and has led to something called global warming, which is a really big deal for our generation.”

Benj then reached over to grab my hand comfortingly. “It’s okay Mom. We can Google it when we get home so you can learn more about it.”

Yip. That’s something they don’t write about in parenting manuals. The kindly condescension phase, and how it makes your maternal heart burst with pride.

So here’s to parenting primary schoolers. And them parenting us.

Sam Wilson is the Editor-in-Chief of Women24, Parent24 and Food24. She recommends Derrick Jensen for anyone who wants to read up on global warming.

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PHOTOGRAPH: Andreas SpÄth

manuals don’t warn you about and is, as ever, slightly bemused.