Child Magazine | Durban March 2010

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DURBAN’s

MARCH 2010 Issue 32

Circulation 35 019

D U R B A N ’ s

b e s t

g u i d e

f o r

p ar e n t s

www.childmag.co.za

the working parent’s

world cup action plan

easy as pizza

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your own oven in 15 minutes

tips

for travelling with children

family

holidays 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 23).

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 P U B L IS H I N G

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 Tracy Ellis • durban@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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Editorial Assistant Lucille Kemp • lucille@childmag.co.za Copy Editors Nikki Benatar Debbie Hathway

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

Advertising Director Lisa Mc Namara • lisa@childmag.co.za

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Durban’s Child TM is published monthly by Hunter House Publishing, PO Box 12002, Mill Street, 8010. Office address: 1st Floor, MB House, 641 Ridge Road, Overport, 4091. Tel: 031 209 2200, fax: 031 207 3429, email: durban @ 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 Durban’s Child TM . 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.

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contents

march 2010

upfront 3

a note from lisa

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ver to you o readers respond

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features 12 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 18 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 20 f asten your seat belts Siviwe Minyi helps parents travelling with children enjoy a smooth(er) ride

10 d ealing with difference Gill Cullinan offers practical exercises for children with dysgraphia 23 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

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regulars 7

wins

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pfront with paul u swimming is an essential life skill, says Paul Kerton

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health Donna Cobban takes a look at the debate around private and public stem-cell banks 29 a good read new books for the whole family to get stuck into 30 what’s on in march 34 l ast laugh Sam Wilson has to admit that in some cases her children know much more than she does

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classified ads 32 family marketplace 33 it’s party time

this month’s cover images are supplied by:

comstockcomplete.com

March 2010

comstockcomplete.com

thinkstockphotos.com

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letters

over to you 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!” 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.

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,

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“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

your magazine is a great help I am a remedial therapist, and also a mother of a twoyear-old 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

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 parents 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 articles such as these. Tips, resources and advice are always appreciated and would be welcome.

Liz Fisher

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.

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upfront with paul

at the deep end A good swimming teacher is worth

Paul, Sabina and Saskia

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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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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).

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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

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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 durban’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

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dealing with difference

the write stuff GILL CULLINAN takes a look at dysgraphia, and offers practical exercises for children needing to improve their drawing and writing abilities.

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 the time I wondered whether 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.

You can teach your child and “have fun at the same time. Star jumps on the trampoline and painting lazy eights in shaving cream on a mirror will help.

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“We look at pencil grip, for example,” 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 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-bystep 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 at the same time,” 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 at home.”

try this at home 10 exercises to help your child develop stronger motor control

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

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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.

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

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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.

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To help children with spatial problems and visual closure, photocopy a picture from a colouringin 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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PHOTOGRAPHS: COMSTOCKCOMPLETE.COM

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.

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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.

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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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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

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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.

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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 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.

dustbin pizza

Your own pizza oven in 15 minutes

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 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 19)

the best pizza dough

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,

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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 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.

PHOTOGRAPHS: DUANE HOWARD/EVAN HAUSSMANN

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

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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

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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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.

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 precrushed 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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

shared secrets KwaZulu-Natal

spa

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

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

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

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

Ocean Eden 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 durban’s

The Oyster Box Hotel 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

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 are 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

beach night including bed and breakfast. Contact: 031 514 5000, email info@oysterboxhotel. com or visit oysterboxhotel.com

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

Limpopo

Mama Tau Tented Camp

Halkett Country House

This luxury self-catering tented camp, situated in the heart of the Waterberg, 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

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

Mpumalanga Forever Resorts Mount Sheba

Izintaba Lodge 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.

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 March 2010

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

Verlorenkloof 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

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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

Western Cape Berghoff Mountain Top Chalets 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 Situated close to the Palmiet River in

the Elgin Valley, these luxury safari tents are set among indigenous trees. Each self-catering tent has its own deck and the camp has a sumptuous lapa, complete with DStv. The estate offers several eco-trails 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

La Ferme 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.

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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 mountainbike 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

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 Rates: from R850 per day per cottage.

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

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 fully-

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equipped 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);

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

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 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

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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 below) 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.

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 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 animalpetting 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

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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.

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 Situated in the central Drakensberg, this hideaway offers a range of activities and facilities including fishing and golfing.

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 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 family safaris cater for families with children age 5–12. Jungle drives are geared for children under 4 and parents are also welcome, if they behave like children.

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

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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 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 and 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 where 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.

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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 below) Situated 75km from Cape Town, bordering the Kogelberg Biosphere, this reserve has a river that’s perfect for flyfishing and swimming.

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

Eight Bells Mountain Inn 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.

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 vibrant Long Street – with its rooftop trailer park – mixes offthe-wall décor with the comfort of a family

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

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 Feast on great food and wine at the resort’s restaurant and look out onto the private harbour.

Rates: from R500 per unit per night.

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

getaway.

Rates: from R1 200 per room per night.

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

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

March 2010

27

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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March 2010

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 Acorn Cottages are situated in central Drakensberg, offering a variety of accommodation options.

Rates: from R275 per person per night (self catering) or R350 (includes breakfast). Minimum charges apply for children. Contact: 036 468 1674, email info@acorncottages.co.za or visit acorncottages.co.za Ardmore Guest Farm There’s a choice of mountain- or garden-view cottages with en-suite bathrooms, fireplaces and tea- and coffee-making facilities.

Rates: from R395 per person per night, dinner, bed and breakfast.

Children 3–12 years pay half price, children under 3 stay free. Contact: 036 468 1314, email info@ardmore. co.za or visit ardmore.co.za Holland Farm and Guest House is a working Anthurium flower farm situated inland from Ballito. There are six en-suite bedrooms with private garden patios.

Rates: from R435 per person sharing per night (bed and breakfast). Dinner by arrangement. Children pay 10% per year of age. Contact: 032 942 9042, email guesthouse@hollandfarm. co.za or visit hollandfarm.co.za Inversanda is a guest farm situated in the KwaZulu-Natal midlands. Activities

include horse riding, fishing, swimming and walking.

Rates: from R250 per person per night (self catering). Children from R90–R125 per night, under 3 stay free. Contact: 033 234 4321, info@inversanda.co.za or visit inversanda.co.za Mini Villas Situated on Blythedale Beach on the North Coast, the villas sleep four to six people each, and are serviced daily. There’s also a fenced swimming pool. Activities include nature trails and bird watching.

Rates: from R375 per villa per night (self catering). Contact: 032 551 1277, email minivillas@mweb.co.za or visit minivillas.co.za

durban’s

books

a good read for toddlers read & play

for preschoolers

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).

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.

for preteens and teens r cleve d rea

parenting books

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.

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 earlyinfant 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.

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.

durban’s

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.

March 2010

29

calendar

1 monday Absa L’Atelier Art Competition is South Africa’s most prestigious art competition, held annually for artists aged 21–35 years.

The competition gives emerging artists the opportunity to develop their talents abroad.

Entries must be submitted between 1–5 March at artSPACE, 3 Millar Rd, Durban. To download an entry form: visit absa.co.za Crocodile feeding time Also see aligators and other reptiles. Crocodile Creek has the largest collection of crocodiles in South Africa. Buy refreshments on site. Time: feeding times vary from 10:30am–3:30pm.

Venue: Crocodile Creek, Tongaat turn off from the N2, 40 minutes north of Durban.

Cost: adults R50, children 11–18 R30, children 4–10 R20, children under 4 free.

Contact: 082 920 0730 South African wine course Topics include wine styles and the effect of wine on the taste of food. Weekly until 29 March. Time: 6pm–8pm. Venue: Westville International Hotel School. Cost: R975.

For more info: 021 889 8844 or visit capewineacademy.co.za

treating childhood illness the natural way.

Time: 9am–10:30am. Venue: Alberlito Storks Nest Clinic, Alberlito Hospital, Ballito. Cost: free. Contact: 032 946 6956

3 wednesday This month at IMAX: Ultimate Wave Tahiti Featuring nine-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater, Ultimate Wave Tahiti will immerse audiences in the story of an ocean wave and the lives it impacts and transforms. From astounding 3D surfing action to the chaos of ocean storms, the film leads audiences on a quest to understand one of this planet’s most intriguing and dramatic phenomena. Time: tbc. Venue: IMAX, Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

Cost: adults R42, children R32. Contact: 031 566 4414/15 or visit imax.co.za

4 thursday Whisky tasting and a five-course meal.

Time: 7pm. Venue: Dish Restaurant, 6 Palm Boulevard, New Town Centre, Umhlanga Ridge. Cost: R225. Contact: 031 581 8181 or visit royal-palm.co.za

5 friday

4

Kloof Junior Primary School open day

Children and parents are invited to a short talk followed by a tour of the school and tea. Time: 9am–10:30am. Venue: 30 Abelia Rd, Kloof. Cost: free. Contact: 031 764 3157 or visit kloofjp.org.za

2 tuesday Tots n Pots children’s cooking workshops This month’s menu includes Rice Krispies lollipop treats, pizza snails and Easter treats. Time: varies. Venue: Umhlanga, Amanzimtoti or Ballito. Cost: varies. For more info: visit totsnpots.com Moms and Babes support group Homeopath Varuna Singh speaks about

30

March 2010

NWJ Bridal Fair showcases dream wedding solutions. Highlights include fashion shows, workshops, competitions and a groom’s room where grooms-tobe can relax. Ends 7 March. Time: Friday, 5pm–9pm; Saturday, 9am–5pm; Sunday, 9am–4pm. Venue: Durban Exhibition Centre, 11 Walnut Rd. Cost: R50. Contact Jade: 076 107 0108 Alice in Wonderland This much-loved classic comes to life on the big screen.

Starring Johnny Depp as the Mad Hatter and Helena Bonham Carter as the Queen of Hearts. Venue: various theatres Ladies with babies golf lessons Learn to play with weekly lessons from a UKqualified PGA professional while your little ones are being taken care of by experienced carers. Time: 10am–11:30am. Venue: Kloof Country Club. Cost: R900 for four weeks.

Contact: 031 764 4715 or kloofproshop@ telkomsa.net Live interactive drumming sessions every Friday and Sunday evening in March.

Family friendly. Time: 5pm–10pm. Venue: African Drumshack, Stables Lifestyle Market, Jacko Jackson Rd, Morningside. Cost: R20.

Contact Jonathan: 083 704 4879

6 saturday CANSA Shavathon Show your support by having your head shaved or sprayed in a colour of your choice at your nearest shopping centre. You can also organise

email it to durban@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 TRACY ELLIS.

6

Feed the Babies Fund charity event

Enjoy a breakfast and a talk by guest speaker former Bafana Bafana coach Clive Barker. Time: 9am– 11am. Venue: DHS Founders Room, 255 St Thomas Rd, Musgrave. Cost: R150.

Contact Shirley: 031 201 4682 Feed the Babies Fund is a nonprofit organisation that supplements the feeding of thousands of malnourished babies and children, from birth to six years, in crèches throughout KwaZuluNatal. The cost to feed a baby over the age of six months is approximately R30 per month. Crèches apply to the fund for assistance, an on-site visit is done and successful applicants are entered into the programme. Fortified breakfasts and lunches are then provided as needed according to the number and ages of the children in each crèche.

your own event with your company.

Time: 9am–3pm. For more info: visit shavathon.org.za Children’s story-time at the newly opened Book Boutique every Saturday morning, followed by a craft or activity.

Suitable for ages 3–8 years. Time: 10am.

Venue: 26 Rockview Rd, Amanzimtoti.

Cost: free. Contact: 031 903 6692 or thebookboutique@gmail.com Kip McGrath study skills course Every Saturday in March, Grade 8–12 students can learn to set study goals, manage their time and overcome procrastination. Ends 24 April. Time: 1pm–2:20pm. Venue: 125 Ridgeton Towers, Umhlanga. Cost: R600 per month. Contact: 031 566 1110 or visit kipmcgrath.co.za Ashton International College open day A chance to view the school and ask questions. Time: 9am–noon. Venue: Albertina Way, Ballito. Cost: free. Contact: 032 946 2096, marketing1@ashtonballito. co.za or visit ashtonballito.co.za Cliff Richard and The Shadows are bowing out after their final world tour.

The band formed in 1958. Time: 8pm.

Venue: ICC Durban. Cost: R221–R476.

Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com African Soul Day featuring local singing sensation Xolani Zondi, a children’s creativity corner and jumping castle as well as tea garden. Time: 8am–noon. Venue: Hillcrest Aids Centre Trust, Old Main Rd, Hillcrest. Cost: free entry. Contact: 031 765 5866 or visit hillaids.org.za

Applicants are reassessed every six months and the allocation of food and other items is revised if necessary.

Although numerous requests for assistance are received each month, the fund can only add a crèche when they have enough funding to commit to providing ongoing assistance. The fund relies completely on donations and fundraising events. The Sponsor a Baby initiative is a fundraising effort that ensures a consistency of funds for the charity.

How can you help? By sponsoring a baby with a monthly debit order of R30 or multiples thereof. All sponsors receive regular newsletters and updates on the work, initiatives and successes of Feed the Babies Fund. To sign up or for more info: 031 201 4682, info@ feedthebabiesfund.org.za or visit feedthebabiesfund.org.za

7 sunday Mind Body Soul Fair showcasing natural, esoteric and metaphysical tools and products such as aromatherapy, reiki, tarot, numerology and crystals. There are prizes,

5

Sticker- and card-swap party with RNA

Does your child need to complete their sticker or trading card collection? Take them to Galleria Mall or The Pavilion 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

PHOTOGRAPHS: COMSTOCKCOMPLETE.COM

what’s on in march

For a free listing, fax your event to 031 207 3429 or

durban’s

dancing and food. Time: 10am–5pm.

Venue: Westville Civic Centre, Buckingham Terrace, Westville. Cost: free entry. Contact: 072 428 3431

8 monday Newmarket Stables horse riding lessons held every day except Sunday.

Offering instruction in riding lessons and horsemanship, enabling riders to develop their ability. Time: call for availability.

Venue: Newmarket Stables, cnr Goble Rd and NMR Ave. Cost: R120. Contact: 031 303 1529

9 tuesday 13th Time of the Writer Festival Highlights include evening readings, book launches, seminars and workshops. Ends 13 March. Time: varies. Venue: Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. Cost: varies. Contact: 031 260 2506/1704, cca@ukzn.ac.za or visit sneddontheatre.co.za Dangers of social networking workshop Parents are made aware of the dangers associated with applications such as Mxit, Facebook and Twitter and will be equipped with the tools to eliminate threats to their children. A similar workshop aimed directly at teenagers takes place on 18 March. Time: 9am–10:30am. Venue: tbc.

Cost: R150. Contact: 031 582 7414, sam@ the-guardian.co.za or visit the-guardian.co.za

10 wednesday Books 2 You is selling books suitable for preschoolers to teenagers. Also 11 March.

Time: Wednesday, 10am–4pm; Thursday, 7am–3pm. Venue: Crawford Preparatory School Hall, 79 Armstrong Ave, La Lucia.

Cost: free entry. Contact: 082 907 1573, 031 762 3469 or visit books2you.co.za

11 thursday Diamonds & Dust This popular show returns with a musical cast of 12 and instantly recognisable local songs such as ‘Mama Tembu’s Wedding’ and ‘Diamonds on the Soles of her Shoes’. Ends 18 April. Time: varies. Venue: The Barnyard Theatre, Gateway Theatre of Shopping.

Cost: R85–R120. Contact: 031 566 3045, gateway@barnyardtheatres.co.za or visit barnyardtheatres.co.za

12 friday Highbury Preparatory School Senior Primary open day An opportunity to view the school’s facilities, watch the learners in class and enjoy tea while the staff answer your questions. Time: 9am.

Venue: Highbury Rd, Hillcrest. Cost: free.

Contact: 031 765 9800, marketing@hps. co.za or visit hps.co.za Umhlanga College open day Meet the teachers and see the facilities. Time: 10am– noon. Venue: 21 Preston Dr, Prestondale.

Cost: free. Contact: 031 566 5736

13 saturday Mr and Miss uShaka semi-finals A chance to see which contestants will go through to the finals in April. Time: tbc.

Venue: Village Walk Shopping Mall, uShaka durban’s

Marine World. Cost: free. Contact Thresa: 031 328 8000 Clifton open morning for Grade R–7.

An opportunity to see the school in action. Time: 8:30am–11:30am. Venue: 102 Lambert Rd, Morningside. Cost: free. Contact: 031 312 2147, bmezher@ cliftonschool.co.za or visit cliftonschool.co.za SAMBA expectant parents seminar (multiple births) Parents of multiples will welcome and host new expectant parents of multiples in this informative and educational workshop. Time: 12:30pm–5pm. Venue: St Augustines Hospital boardroom. Cost: R120–R150 per couple. Contact Edie: 082 338 2625, kzn@samultiplebirth.co.za or visit samultiplebirth.co.za Beginners DIY workshop Learn to use the most common power tools, their attachments and accessories. Time: tbc.

Venue: Builders Warehouse, Umhlanga. Cost: R250. For more info: visit easy-diy.co.za Cape Argus Pick n Pay Tricycle & Junior Tours Be sure to participate in Cape Town’s coolest children’s cycling events: the Cape Argus Pick n Pay Tricycle and Junior Tours. These fun rides provide entertainment for the whole family and are perfect for children aged 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

14 sunday Kelly Clarkson live in concert on her All I Ever Wanted tour. The album reached number one on the Billboard chart. Supporting her is Idol’s winner Jason Hartman. Time: 7pm.

Venue: ICC Durban. Cost: R221–R324.

Book through Computicket: 083 915 8000 or visit computicket.com

15 monday Naturally You on DStv (Home Channel 182) Each episode tackles health issues such as heart health, children’s health and digestive problems. Time: 7pm every Monday. For more info: visit bioharmony.co.za.

16 tuesday Highway Toastmasters meet on the third Tuesday of every month for dinner and mentoring. Learn how to speak in front of an audience, improve your listening skills and your confidence.

Time: 6pm. Venue: Sandown Village, 27 Harvey Rd, Pinetown. Cost: R55. Contact: 083 308 9218 or afreed@saol.com March 2010

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family marketplace

21

Lindt Easter activities

The activities include a colouring-in competition and treasure hunt for children 1–12 years and buy-and-win prize draws for parents. Prizes include a 1.5m Lindt plush bunny and Lindt hampers. Ends 27 March. Time: 9am–6pm. Venue: La Lucia Mall, La Lucia. Cost: free. Contact Nicole: 031 705 0169

Maris Stella open evening Girls and their parents are invited to attend a presentation and a tour of the school. Learners should wear their current school uniform. Time: 6pm. Venue: 558 Essenwood Rd, Berea.

Cost: free. Contact: 031 209 9426 or visit marisstella.co.za Durban Girls College discovery day for entry into the junior primary school. Time: 9:45am–noon. Venue: DGC Guildford Rd entrance. Cost: free. Contact Lynne: 031 268 7254, lneilson@dgc.co.za or visit dgc.co.za

17 wednesday Weavers’ Nest Pre-primary open morning A chance to view the new Weavers’ Nest facility and watch the Gr 000 and Gr 00 classes in action. Time: 9am. Venue: Highbury Preparatory School, Highbury Rd, Hillcrest. Cost: free. Contact: 031 765 9800, marketing@hps.co.za or visit hps.co.za

18 thursday Colour Me Beautiful ladies’ tea in aid of the Kloof and Highway SPCA, including a talk by image consultant Diana Leyden, music by Belinda Dolphin and teatime treats. Time: 9:30am–noon. Venue: Kloof SPCA, Village Rd, Kloof. Cost: R80. Contact: 031 764 1212/3 or janine@kloofspca.co.za

19 friday Baby Sense celebrations tour in association with Netcare. Baby Sense

23

celebrates seven years with more than 100 000 copies sold and the launch of the new edition of Baby Sense. Time: 9am–11am. Venue: Netcare St Augustine’s Hospital. Cost: R150, includes a copy of the new edition book. Contact Nolitha: 086 111 4891, seminars@babysense.co.za or visit babysense.co.za Reach For A Dream Golf Day to raise funds to fulfill the dreams of children with life-threatening illnesses. Time: tee off from 10:56am–12:48pm. Venue: Durban Country Club. Cost: R2 400 per fourball, R2 000 for hole sponsorship. Prize and goody bag sponsors are appreciated. Entry fee includes green fees, goody bag and dinner. Contact Kerry: 031 566 2220, kerry@reachforadream.org.za or visit reachforadream.org.za Hillcrest Christian Academy open day Spend a day at the school. Time: 9am.

Venue: HCA, Inanda Rd, Hillcrest. Cost: free.

Contact: 031 765 2752, admin@hca.co.za or visit hca.co.za Decorex Durban and KSA Kitchen and Bathroom Faire Trade professionals and consumers can indulge in the biggest kitchen and bathroom fair. Enjoy an array of beautiful room settings, cutting-edge kitchens and bathrooms with appliances as well as the latest in colour, fine finishes, free demonstrations and more. Ends 22 March.

Time: 10am–8pm. Venue: Durban ICC. Cost: adults R45, pensioners and scholars R35, children under 12 R5. For more info: visit decorex.co.za

20 saturday Track-a-thon Over 25 000 tracksuits have been made to date in this annual event.

Take your sewing machine or overlocker and join in the fun. Material, ribbing and elastic are provided. Volunteers are needed to cut material and fold the tracksuits which are distributed to orphans and underprivileged children in KwaZulu-Natal.

Time: 8:30am–10:30pm. Venue: Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Cost: free. Contact Joan: 031 564 1319 or joan@airnews.co.za

21 sunday The Goat Gigs The Pixie Bennett Band performs. Take a picnic or buy a boerewors roll. Local beer and Swissland cheeses on sale. Children are entertained by the herd of Swiss Saanen goats. Time: gates open 12:30pm. Venue: Swissland Cheese smallholding, off the R103. Cost: adults R50, children R25. Contact: 082 418 3440, 033 234 4042 or visit goatgigs.co.za

22 monday Maskew Miller Longman Literature Awards Submit your unpublished and original youth novel appealing to South

You’re So Vain

An insight into the life and lovers behind the lyrics of Carly Simon’s defining song. The show features covers of many of her hits as well as those of her lovers Mick Jagger, Cat Stevens, James Taylor and others. A two-course meal is included. Ends 11 April.

Time: varies. Venue: Heritage Theatre, Hillcrest. Cost: R165–R190. Contact: 031 765 4197 or visit heritagetheatre.co.za Support the Tyrese Trust Fund by attending You’re So Vain on 23 March for R200. Contact Karen: 083 328 1938 or karenkzn@telkomsa.net

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it’s

25 March – SPCA golf day

party time

African youth between the ages of 13–18 years. Entries close on 30 April. Get your entry form at mml.co.za

23 tuesday Mingle With Singles evening Meet new people for loads of fun, laughter and food in the Gecko Culinary Kitchen. Everyone must book with a friend of the opposite sex. Time: 6pm. Venue: Musgrave Rd, Berea. Cost: R220. Contact: 082 467 8088, 031 209 4555, megan@geckoschool.co.za or visit geckoschool.co.za

24 wednesday

World TB Day This year marks the halfway point for the global plan to stop TB (2006– 2015). The 2010 campaign focuses on individuals around the world who have found new ways to stop TB and can serve as an inspiration to others. Visit the World TB Day blog and find out more about the campaign at stoptb.org Scifest Africa The national science festival takes place in Grahamstown and features workshops and exhibits that make science fun. Ends 30 March. Time: 8:30am–8pm.

Venue: 1820 Settlers National Monument, Grahamstown. Cost: free exhibitions, events from R8. Contact: 046 603 1106, info@scifest.org.za or visit scifest.org.za

25 thursday Easter specials begin today on selected merchandise at Reggie’s toy stores in the KwaZulu-Natal area. Ends 28 March.

To find your nearest Reggie’s branch: 011 606 3700 or visit reggies.co.za

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Earth Hour

is a global call to action to every individual, business and community. People across the world from all walks of life turn off their lights for one hour and join together in celebration of our planet. Switch off your lights between 8:30pm and 9:30pm and you’ll be joining iconic buildings and landmarks from across the world. Pledge your support at earthhour.org

SPCA Golf Day Play to support a worthy cause. Tee and prize sponsorship needed.

Time: varies. Venue: Royal Durban Golf Course. Cost: R1 600 per four ball alliance.

Contact Caroline: 031 579 6535 or 083 661 0995

26 friday South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is calling for all South African citizens to donate blood ahead of the 2010 World Cup. Donor centres are located throughout the city and outlying areas. Mobile clinics are available throughout the province. For more info: visit sanbs.org.za

27 saturday Baba Indaba Everything from prams and bottles to vaccinations and maternity fashion. Daily Takalani Sesame shows will keep little ones entertained. Ends 22 March. Time: 9:30am–5pm. Venue: Durban Exhibition Centre. Cost: R45, children under 5 free, grandparents free on Friday.

For more info: visit babaindaba.co.za

28 sunday Inchanga Choo Choo Journey on an old-fashioned steam train through the scenic 1000 Hills to the Inchanga Station Craft Market. Time: 8:30am and 12:30pm.

Venue: Kloof Station, Stokers Arms. Cost: adults R130, children R110. Contact: 082 353 6003, 031 303 3003 or visit umgenisteamrailway.co.za

29 monday @TAP Holiday Care for children 3–12 years.

Ends 1 April. Juice and biscuits provided daily. Time: 7:15am–1pm. Venue: Durban North Baptist Church, Mackeurtan Ave, Durban North. Cost: R30 per day. Contact: 031 563 0882 or 031 563 2678

30 tuesday African Colour Notes An exhibition by Zimbabwean born Nicky Chovuchovu. His paintings portray the people of KwaZuluNatal. Ends 27 April. Artist-in-residence: 30 March–1 April from 11am–3pm. Gallery open: Tuesday–Sunday, 10am–6pm. Venue: Tatham Art Gallery, Chief Albert Luthuli Rd, Pietermaritzburg. Cost: free. Contact: 033 392 2800/1

31 wednesday Wessa Treasure Beach Centre open day includes a visit to the rocky shores followed by tea at the centre. Time: 9am–noon. Venue: 835 Marine Dr, Bluff.

Cost: donations welcome. Contact Dina: 031 467 8507/8 or visit wessa.org.za durban’s

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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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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.

durban’s

PHOTOGRAPH: Andreas SpÄth

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