The Afropolitan Edition 28

ALTERNATE MONTHLY

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ISSUE 28, 2012

ISSN 1993-9655 • RSA R30.00 incl VAT (Other Countries R26.50 excl VAT)

in this issue

C O N T E N T S

8

11

30

6

editor's note Letter From Our Lost Youth

32

Africanista Conversations

beauty 38

Fountain Of Youth

AFRO decor

60

Make Your Outdoor Space

Work in Winter

COLUMN

Ambassador To SA Donald Gips 18 Invest in Mauritius

Condo Style!

21 The Evolution of

South Africa’s Youth

62

tsotsi in the boardroom

51 UNDERCOVER

42 45

Black Like You

53

Q&A With Off the Vine

60

How do we fix the youth?

reviews

The Dynamics Of BRICS

GEEK

Open Your Eyes, Open Your Mind

64

CD Review

67

Book Review

68

Afro Wheels

70 Gadgets

travel

ENTREPRENEUR 30

AFRO FOOD Cantare Montecasino

BUSINESS

26 Herman Mashaba

Upper East Side Hotel

53

41 PROPERTY

11 Interview With The US

26

42

Fashion

FEATURES

4

21

32

READER'S EXPERIENCE

8

18

Namibia, A Special Part Of Africa

72 SOCIALS

68

70

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e d ' s

note

the team editor

F

or many South Africans, June 16 is a day that will forever be etched in their memories. A day when the youth made their voices heard and changed the course of their future forever.

36 years later the memory still lives, but the future these brave young souls fought for may not have turned out the way they hoped. Not only with regards to economic freedom, but the way they as individuals have turned out. On page 8, Seri Mofokeng lets the leaders of the country know her disappointment on this anniversary of the Soweto Uprising.

We were fortunate to get time in the busy schedule of the United States Ambassador to South Africa, Donald Gips and his wife Liz and they share their thoughts on Africa, democracy, working in government and the youth on page 11.

We realise there is much to learn from both old and young. On page 26 we learn some valuable lessons from one of South Africa’s bestknown entrepreneur, Herman Mashaba, founder of the iconic brand Black Like Me, as he opens up about his recently published autobiography “Black Like You”.

June also brings us Father’s Day and on page 70 we have some fantastic gift ideas to spoil the men who are leading and raising our nation with dedication and love.

Brendah Nyakudya

contributors Alyn Adams Angus McEwan Ntebo Rajuili Damian Murphy Elka Schaimberg Seri Mofokena Eli Nyakudya Stacey Vee Charles Ash

publishing house Contact Media & Communications Block F, The Palms Office Park 391 Main Avenue, Randburg Tel: +27(0) 11 789 6339 Fax: +27(0) 11 789 7097 email: pressman@contactmedia.co.za web: www.contactmedia.co.za

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Copyright © 2010 Contact Media & Communications. The Afropolitan is published by Contact Media & Communications.

All material is strictly copyright with all rights reserved. No material may be reproduced in part or whole without the express written permission of the publisher. No responsibility will be accepted for unsolicited material. The publisher accepts no liability of whatsoever nature arising out of or in connection with the contents of this publication. Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication, the publisher does not give any warranty as to the completeness or accuracy of its contents.

The views and opinions expressed in The Afropolitan are not necessarily those of the Publisher, Kaya FM or contributors.

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E X P E R I E N C E

BY SERI MOFOKENG

R E A D E R ' S

While today’s youth IS fighting a different struggle to the youth of ‘76, we still face challenges that we need to liberate ourselves from.

LETTER FROM OUR On June 16 1976, hundreds of school children took to the streets in a stand against an unfair education system. What was meant to be a peaceful movement, turned into a day that changed the course of our country’s history. June 16 2012, a day that was meant to honour the death of those hundreds of school children, has today turned into a mockery. Seri Mofokeng writes an open letter to our leaders.

D

ear leaders of our country,

I am writing this letter to you, as a young black female ashamed to be living in today’s South Africa. Ashamed at how today’s youth have no conscious knowledge of our country’s history.

Generations before us fought to change their oppressive political situation, therefore allowing our generation to reap the rewards of their sacrifice. Their struggle has resulted in the freedom we enjoy today. But because we had very little to do in attaining this freedom, we do not fully comprehend 8

Policeman drags a wounded man during the Soweto Uprising in 1976

LOST YOUTH the responsibility that comes with it.

While today’s youth is fighting a different struggle to the youth of ‘76, we still face challenges from which we need to liberate ourselves. I fear, however, that we do not have the self-determination that Hector Peterson had. Today’s youth have become more focused on promoting personal agendas of selfenrichment over the betterment of our country.

Our prisons are overcrowded, not with Comrades who fought for their people but with young rapists and murderers who have thrown away their freedom.

One of the issues that contribute to us being so lost, I feel, is that we do not have a sense of identity. We spend very little time discovering who we are and what our capabilities are because we are so busy trying to fit into society's expectations of us. We need to find our identity as individuals in order to know the role we can play together to tackle the difficulties threatening our freedom.

Much like their leaders, the youth of ‘76 made decisions in the interest of the movement. The youth found their identity through their individual and collective struggles and the type of leadership that fought for them.

Honourable people such as Sisulu, Luthuli, Tambo and many others bravely stood at the forefront of the

movement to ensure that we saw an end to oppression.

Today’s leaders however, have become easily corruptible and measure their freedom by the material delusions they work so hard to possess, and this is echoed by the youth that look up to them. You, the current leaders of our country who are meant to give us direction, spend your time engaging in the controversial “politics” of politics.

You have made headlines for all the wrong reasons, teaching us that the reward of wrong doing is higher than its repercussion. Perhaps we have lost our way and taken advantage of the freedom we now possess because our leaders have done the same.

I feel that collectively, our actions have spat on the graves of those whose last breath was taken so we can breathe in a free South Africa. As ashamed as I may be in our youth, I feel deeply disappointed by you our leaders. You have desecrated the movement and its proud history of liberation for selfserving purposes. If it is true that “You get the leaders you deserve” then it is unfortunate that as free as we may be, we are not liberated enough to know we deserve better.

Sincerely, Lost youth www.afropolitan.co.za

Distributed by

011 677 0000

F E A T U R E

image courtesy of UNITED STATES EMBASSY

M A I N

Donald Gips & his wife Liz

INTERVIEW WITH THE US AMBASSADOR TO SA

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

DONALD & LIZ GIPS

T

he Afropolitan spent time with the man sent forth by President Obama to serve as United States Ambassador to South Africa, Donald Gips (recipient of the 2010 Sue M. Cobb Award for Exemplary Diplomatic Service) and his lovely wife Liz; they shared some thoughts, insights and fond memories with us on their role, which Ambassador Gips jokingly describes as “eating and drinking for their country.�

www.afropolitan.co.za

What were your initial thoughts when nominated to take up the post of Ambassador to South Africa?

Donald: When the opportunity came I was in charge of Presidential personnel so I had a bit of inside knowledge about ambassadorships and where they were going and this was the one we were most interested in. We all grew up watching the transformation in South Africa and so being able to come and participate

in that and represent President Obama - one could not have asked for a better opportunity.

Liz: Lots of excitement, yet not really knowing what to expect with regards to living in South Africa or serving in the role as wife of the Ambassador. I had done a lot of work in Kenya, from about 2006 to 2009, developing a leadership programme, which is very near and dear to my heart, so I had fallen in love with the continent before we settled here.

11

M A I N

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The Gips family with former president Nelson Mandela

lot of work to bridge those divides and progress started being made with the ushering in of the Zuma/Obama era.

Donald: One of the things that surprised me was how similar the problems in South Africa are to the problems we face back home with regards to education, unemployment, and job creation; just on a different scale and magnitude.

Even the conversations around race all felt very similar. Because we are both multi-racial democracies with all the opportunities and challenges that brings, it makes sense if you think about it, but I had not focused on it until I arrived.

A concern was that I had not realized how much the government-togovernment relations had deteriorated.

While the relationships between the people of our nations were strong, it was amazing to note the parts of the ANC and the community that we had grown apart from over the years. When I got here many people in the South African government called the Bush/Mbeki period “The Lost Years” in our bilateral relations due largely to battles around HIV/Aids, Zimbabwe, and Iraq. It took a

In what way does the foreign policy style of the Obama administration differ from the Bush administration?

12

Donald: The most obvious is that President Obama believes in a multilateral approach to problem solving whenever possible. You can see it in how he approached Libya, following the lead of the Arab League to say a “no fly” zone was the right thing and going through the United Nations (UN). His whole approach to problems is that we need global solutions to global problems.

Both President Obama and Secretary Clinton have told all of us that we need to do a better job of listening to our counterparts. Early on in my time here, I sat in meetings with Secretary Clinton where I could see the remnants of the previous era which had the “you should tell them to do this” tone to the points she was asked to convey. She took a different approach, though, and engaged

in a more conversational manner, asking questions rather than dictating answers.

I have tried to follow that example here in recognition of President Obama’s belief that this is a different time that required a change in how America approaches foreign policy.

Many Africans view the American government and country as being a “political bully”. Do you think this a fair view or is America misunderstood?

Donald: The challenge of being a global leader is that each and every person has different expectations of your nation.

How then do you project your power in a way that is constructive and in partnership with other countries? It’s not an easy position to be in – there will always be people that resent your power and there will be people that welcome you for it. While some want you to not intervene, others want you to intervene to stop crimes against humanity and protect fundamental freedoms. With power comes responsibility and it is our

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image courtesy of UNITED STATES EMBASSY

What surprised you most about the country? What concerned you the most?

F E A T U R E

challenge to find the right way to pursue that responsibility in a manner that is consistent with our value system.

What do you see as the way forward for Egypt and libya in the aftermath of the Arab Spring?

Donald: Vice President Biden, who has been in U.S. Foreign Policy for a long time, stated when discussing the Arab Spring that, “if there was ever a time for all of us to be humble, it is now. We have entered into new, unchartered territory.”

That statement stays with me. The path to democracy is never smooth. Tunisia seems to have made a good transition and we will see how the elections work out in Egypt and Libya. South Africa has a huge role to play in this as larger democracies of the world need to figure out how to help these countries achieve their potential. These countries may go through a rough period but I am confident they will be better off in the end.

The African Union (AU) recently went through a leadership election debacle, which saw factions exposed. What are your thoughts on this?

Donald: This is something Africa nations need to decide for themselves and we have been very consistent and clear that we do not have a favoured candidate. We do believe that Africa needs a strong AU 14

that can be a true partner to the UN and other agencies; however, this does not mean the AU needs to be solving each problem on its own. It should partner with other countries that have an interest in helping, just as the UN does.

We believe strongly in making the AU a strong partner of the United States but we will not get involved in the elections.

Clearly there is disunity in the organization based on what I read in the papers. But to be fair there is bound to be some disunity. All countries involved are in different states of development and are facing different challenges.

There are different languages, perspectives and history to be considered and some nations are competitors in different economic spheres. If you look at how long it took for the European Union (EU) to come together and see the challenges of actually operating the EU now, it’s clear you need to have reasonable set expectations for the AU. I am always struck when people say they want unity in Africa and that Africa needs to speak with one voice.

There are many African nations, of course, and each has its own priorities and challenges. It should not be surprising that they do not always agree on the right approach to solve very complicated problems.

In South Africa the rate of unemployment amongst the youth is a “ticking time-bomb”.

What can we as the youth do

to help ourselves out of this tragic situation?

Donald: That’s a very good question.

The youth bubble that is hitting the continent is either the greatest social challenge or biggest economic opportunity in Africa. Demanding a better education system is definitely part of the long-term answer. South Africa needs an education system that’s not just about basic education but gives children and young adults required skills.

Liz: Uganda has just started a programme that gives entrepreneurship lessons in high schools and I think that is something that every country should consider. There are so many things that people can do if they have entrepreneurial skills and some training to go along with it. Young people need to engage with their governments to remove corruption and demand better services. They need to be forces of change to drive out corruption and call for transparency as that will go a long way to securing a better future with fair opportunities for all.

Africa is a continent rich with minerals yet trade between the countries is poor. In your opinion what’s the biggest hindrance?

Donald: There are two major issues, namely corruption and inefficiency. A recent study documented how someone www.afropolitan.co.za

IMAGE cOURtESY OF SHUttERStOcK

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drove from Kinshasa to Kigali, crossing several borders, and they were stopped 72 times to get bribes! That is absolutely unacceptable and scares away investors both locally and internationally.

Inefficiency is also a huge hindrance to trade and economic development.

At the end of your tenure in South Africa what would you like your legacy to be?

Donald: There is no easy answer. I think a big part is strengthening government to government relationships. If you look around the world at countries that share incredible constitutions and multi-racial democracies, we have a fundamental belief in tolerance and acceptance of different races and religions – our two countries are fairly unique. We don’t always agree on tactics or how things should play out on a global stage but I think it’s critical that we have that dialogue and honest interchange. It’s critical that not only existing powers but also emerging democracies take a bigger voice on the global stage. We need to move into an age where we have constructive dialogue that doesn’t break down along old ideological lines. I hope at the end of my tenure we will be engaging on that level.

The United States has made a huge investment in fighting HIV/Aids through PEPFAR (U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief). A whole health care system has been built outside of the government health care system to treat HIV/Aids through Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and other parties, so we are now in a process of moving that entire infrastructure over to the primary healthcare system that Minister Mostoaledi and his amazing team are busy trying to reenergize. That’s hugely difficult. It’s a transition that involves moving funding, people and operations.

It will take five years but hopefully by the time I leave we will have left it on a very strong path.

taken their HIV/AIDS program over and done it successfully.

• Thirdly for us, is there is a big fight in the United States as to the effectiveness of foreign aid. Having a role model that shows an intervention that saves lives and can also be transitioned and become sustainable and shows that African governments can step up is critical to demonstrate to American taxpayers that their dollars are being spent wisely to strengthen countries and save lives.

• My last focus is that we hope we are able to bring more American businesses to the Continent to create jobs and development opportunities here, while at the same creating jobs back home.

Liz: As an ambassador’s spouse it’s important to find a meaningful role and so when I think of my own legacy it’s definitely in education. We have made an enormous effort to re-engage United States government resources in a smart meaningful way in the education space here. The South African Government is already spending an incredible amount of money in education, so how can we make a difference to the ministry of education and what is going into South African classrooms in a way that makes sense? We are not necessarily focused on the infrastructure side but on improving the quality of education.

We have launched a terrific project at USAID where we identify South African innovations and then help these become institutionalized at school district or provincial level. The best practice of education is pretty much well known.

You can find it in all kind of countries.

So how do we take what we know works and adapt it on this continent?

The education system here is in crisis.

But there are some very passionate people from diverse backgrounds that recognize this and are willing to come together, after hours even, to try and find solutions.

Donald: Another part of the legacy is For us this transition is important for reaching out to the youth, whether the following reasons:it’s attached to outreach programmes, • First, it’s the right way to ensure reaching out to the social media world people in South Africa get the right or the African Leadership Academy. In care. It’s a more efficient way of the United States, a leader can make a operating and will allow the maximum difference but the institutions (Congress, impact for every dollar spent.

Courts etc.) are so well established • Secondly, it’s a role model for the that the degree to which an individual leader can make an impact is somewhat world as to how aid initiatives can be limited. On the continent, however, transitioned and will be an example for other governments in Africa to see institutions are younger thereby leaving leaders the ability to make huge impact, a real example of a country that has

16

Favourite memories in South Africa • The World Cup is a given!

• Hosting First Lady Michelle Obama during her visit in 2011.

• All the South Africans we have met who have turned into friends.

• Meeting Madiba and Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

• Meeting the recipients of the community grants. The backbone of this country is these people that get up every day and give back to the community. They are not famous or well known but they are the heart and soul of this country.

• Seeing our boys settle and engage on so many different levels in South Africa, including community service projects.

positive or negative. President Obama and Vice President Biden want to support those future leaders here in South Africa and around the continent and so it was the President’s idea to reach out to the young people and help develop that next generation of leaders who will help the continent realize its full potential. As president Obama has said, “Africa’s future is up to Africans.”

You were Chief Domestic Policy Advisor to Vice President Al Gore; what were the most memorable times during that period?

Donald: I have now worked in the White House twice. While working in the White House is an honour it’s an incredibly intense responsibility. Sitting in meetings and listening to people like President Clinton and Vice President Gore debate serious issues where occasionally you are asked to give your view - you feel you are part of history in the making.

But on the other hand you also realize how impossible these jobs are. There are no easy issues in the White House, if it was easy someone else would have solved it and it would have never made it to the White House! There is also not a lot of joint problem solving. Over the years it has become very much an “us vs. them” scenario between Democrats and Republicans which makes the jobs in the White House that much more difficult with each generation. Hopefully that will all swing back and people on both sides of the issues on finding solutions to the challenges that face our nation and the world.

www.afropolitan.co.za

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

P R O P E R T Y

I N V E S T M E N T

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Development Progress For a while, residential schemes for foreigners (IRS and RES) were the obvious market to look into for investment, since it provided residency rights for properties purchased above US R4 155 000 and interesting capital growth as a long term investment. These 18

options are now losing their appeal due to a lack of new offerings on the market and the price points proposed. Indeed, the residency rights only become attractive if the foreign buyer stays in the country for more than six months, thus benefiting from a lower tax regime as taxation occurs in Mauritius and one may have the perception that capital growth is unsure given the type of

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As with any transaction the rental pool structure needs to be adequate for the buyer in order to give them the security that they will get return on investment as appropriately implemented at Long Beach. In these split structures, resorts offer the profit calculated not on the individual occupancy but the total room rental. This ensures that regardless of whether a room is occupied or not over a period of time the owner will still get a share of the profit.

While the temptation might be to purchase a larger unit or supersize villas the results are usually less returns but better capital growth potential. Smaller rooms, due to their lower rates, show slightly more returns for investor. This has been so successful that more than 70% of the units have been sold since the launch of the Long Beach scheme in September 2010, making it an investment worth investigating.

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imageS COURTESY OF WORLD LEISURE HOLIDAYS

put on the market, we note the creation of a new scheme below that has proved successful so far.

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FEATURE

The Evolution of South Africa’s Youth Generation

At 19, Teboho Tsietsi McDonald Mashinini was at the forefront of the Soweto student uaprising of 16 June 1976. One of his favourite poems was the Charge of the Light Brigade by Alfred Tennyson and he often quoted from it “When can their glory fade? O the wild charge they made”.

Abey Mokgwatsane - CEO Ogilvy South Africa

www.afropolitan.co.za

I

n 1990, Mashinini died in exile in Guinea, his body was repatriated to South Africa where he was buried. His grave bears the epitaph “black power”. Today, very little is remembered about Mashinini and his vision of “Black Power”.

In the 21st Century, South Africa has managed to enjoy some successes and given birth to dynamic leaders.

In 1998 Abey Mokgwatsane joined a group of “twenty something’s” to form Young Business South Africa (YBSA) – a non-profit organisation that aimed to empower a new generation of leaders. Over the last 14 years, YBSA has provided an opportunity for young professionals to network, gain insights, knowledge and experience from a diversity of leading business and political thought leaders. In his case, YBSA was where he met his partner, Wanda Shuenyane and years later, in 2005, they partnered to buy a stake in an experiential marketing agency VWV. The defining moment in his career and a steep learning curve was when VWV won the bid to produce the World Cup Closing and Opening Ceremonies. After working tirelessly in the industry he quickly climbed the ranks. At 34, he is now one of the youngest CEO’s in South Africa, having taken the helm at Ogilvy South Africa in 2011. In the same year he also made the list of top 200 young South Africans.

He explains that YBSA’s vision is about giving young professionals exposure and allowing them to see the possibilities, thereby shaping a new generation of thinkers. He also acknowledges that the organisation could do more, perhaps by hosting additional events, networking forums or increasing the number of speakers. Despite these shortcomings, he believes that the organisation is playing its part in making a difference and emphasizes that while YBSA has created a platform, it’s up to its members to harness the opportunities.

Abey however is amongst a handful of achievers who managed to get access 21

image courtesy of Abey Mokgwatsane

BY NTEBO RAJUILI

A Journey from ‘76

F E A T U R E

22

media, drug abuse is rife and exploits of sexual activity become viral on mobile phones. In 1976, pregnant teenagers could not go to school, today teenage pregnancy and abortion has spiked.

With internet connectivity and mobile phones, many young South Africans have access to free media, free expression and easy access to information - a comparable privilege to the generation of the ‘70s who only got exposure to television in 1976. In the media, celebrated youth leaders are in politics, sports and entertainment.

Many of their achievements are notable, but they don’t provide sustainable, integrated examples of what the young generation can learn or aspire to.

Abey argues that leadership is not just about technical knowledge and competence, it is also about courage, practicing good judgment, emotional intelligence, empathy and passion.

Although the generation of 1976 may not have had access to the best technical skills, their collective vision was able to change the course of history. Today,

The 30 percent exam pass rate, for example, is often highlighted as being as damaging as the apartheid government’s insistence on teaching black pupils in Afrikaans. young students, live in a global context where they consume international media with little opportunity to think deeply or explore new possibilities.

In the early ’90s, South African youth culture was driven by optimism which turned into disillusion and then fragmentation. At the same time, youth became materialistic, apolitical and swept up in South Africa’s consumer culture. It is well documented that South Africa’s youth is described as a ticking time bomb, but the solutions to tackling the problem are very murky.

Considering 40 percent of the population falls within the youth category, South Africa needs to take on the challenges with battle like precision.

www.afropolitan.co.za

imageS courtesy of SHUTTERSTOCK

roadmap for the way ahead. What aggravates the situation further is that the issues have become politicized because of the key role that the youth had in bringing about transformation.

There is a desperate need for the political will to overhaul South Africa’s education system. For the last 10 years, South African pupils have slipped down the ranks and to quality education, exposure and a being Africa’s largest economy has solid family background with parents done nothing to improve the level of who encourage him to pursue a dream education. Fred Swaniker, CEO of the with conviction. Yet despite all these Johannesburg based African Leadership interventions, South Africa is still Academy, recruits high school pupils haggling to find competent, visionary from across the continent. He has young leaders who are able to steer the spoken out on many occasions about the country into the next chapter. lack of maths and science competency in The overriding conversation in 2012 is South African pupils compared to their the thousands of young South Africans African counterparts. who are slipping through policy, Since 1994, the South African political and economic cracks. Less government has worked on numerous than 40 years ago, thousands of young policies to develop and nurture the South Africans were able to collectively youth generation. In the current context, contribute to the course of South African it’s still difficult for young South history and continue to be hailed as Africans to understand the mandate of inspirational. Soon after 1976, the South organisations such as the Umsombomvu African government bowed to political Youth Fund (2001) and National Youth pressure and ramped up the number Development Agency (2009). of schools for black South Africans. The Prior to 1994, South Africans fighting downside, of course, was the quality of for liberation expected nothing from the the training. Despite the deteriorating government. The pendulum has swung standard of education, the generation and young people are increasingly of 1976, had a shared momentum and expecting government intervention to a sense of unity that no longer exists transform their lives or private sector in the youth of today. In the build up programmes to support their ambitions. to the 1976 uprising, the teachers were So the biggest hurdle facing South instrumental in mobilizing students African youth is developing a ‘can-do’ in the fight against Afrikaans as the social psyche. language of choice. In the 21st Century As a marketer, social commentator, many teachers are far less committed to communicator, and leader, Abey has tackling the modern day challenges. The unique insights into the psyche of 30 percent pass rate, for example, is often modern day youngsters. He argues highlighted as being as damaging as the that if he were to address the young apartheid government’s insistence on revolutionaries of ‘76, he would teaching black pupils in Afrikaans. articulate the reality that their struggle Another challenge facing South would continue well into the future.

African youth in the 21st Century is That political, economic and social undoubtedly, a lack of access to higher emancipation would simply change education. Forty percent of matriculants, form and be replaced by a new set of who successfully complete high school, circumstances. He reflects on his success have little or no access to tertiary as a combination of exposure and being education. It’s then no wonder that the challenged to walk a tough path between debate around a youth wage subsidy is success and failure. so hotly contested. While a handful of The negative and positive trends South Africans enjoy the privilege of of South African society are sharply good education, university and possibly pronounced in the younger generation. gap years, the majority continue to sit on Images of school pupils drinking on the the sidelines of society, with no national way to school are splashed across the

At last I have found a funder with a soul

And so can you with the NEF As an agency of the dti mandated to grow black economic participation, the NEF provides funding ranging from R250 000 to R75 million to blackempowered enterprises for start-up, expansion and equity acquisition purposes. The NEF is unique and believes in the right of black business to exist, and to succeed. That is why we offer free mentorship and we

are not afraid to invest where commercial banks would shy away from. The NEF will make your dreams come true, like we have done for the hundreds of black entrepreneurs who have benefited from the R3,7 billion that has been approved for B-BBEE businesses to date.

Over 27 000 decent jobs have been supported as a result.

The NEF, making the dreams of black business a reality.

If you are a black South African and have a business idea that needs funding, please call 0861 843 633 (THE NEF) or go to www.nefcorp.co.za, www.nefbusinessplanner.co.za.

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.

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Time is what you make it.

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

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boar d room Herman Mashaba, one of South Africa’s most loved entrepreneurs is no stranger to hard work, challenges and the ultimate sweet taste of success. His autobiography aptly entitled “Black Like You” is an honest and inspiring read that is a must have for every single South African’s bookshelf.

Herman Mashaba

Black Like You On Entrepreneurship How did you get into the hair business, which you are so well known for?

My schooling was full of disruptions as a result of the period in which I grew up. When I went to University the idea was to study law but I was advised against it as my Afrikaans was rather dismal. So I studied for B Admin degree majoring in Political Science and Public Administration. In the second year of my studies the university closed down and I found myself at home with no education, work experience or future prospects.

I managed to get a job but after working for a salary for several months I realised that I wasn’t going to get anywhere. I value my independence, so in 1982 I bought a car and started working as a door-to-door sales rep selling dinner services and hair products from the boot of my car. Within 19 months I knew that I had to move on,

Time is what you make it.

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.

What do you think is the secret ingredient of a successful entrepreneur?

One has to have a strong work culture.

That is not negotiable. You also need stability in your life. One decision that I treasure in my life was to get married 30 years ago to stabilise my life because I knew I wouldn’t be able to get far without any personal security. One must also be a risk-taker. Being a successful business person requires one to be able to take risks and do what others haven’t done before. You have to push your own boundaries!

When your factory burned down did you think that was the end of your dream?

I remember that morning being interviewed by television journalists whilst the factory was burning and the thing I said to them was, “We will bounce back” and like they say the rest is history.

What inspired you to tell your story?

As black people we tend to downplay and skirt around issues that have affected us deeply. We don’t deal with these matters openly. What happened to me was not of my own making but I am not ashamed of it. 90 % of the people I grew up with didn’t survive and I feel that as a people we need to evaluate and possibly change our value system and the way we operate by acknowledging and discussing the way we conduct ourselves as a people.

Justice Moseneke describes you as a “true son of the soil”, what traits do you think make you fit that term?

Capitalist Beliefs Why did you get involved in the policy advocacy group, the Free Market Foundation?

For the past 18 years, the left has understandably, dominated our country’s economic landscape as we were coming out of the apartheid system and many were of the impression that capitalism was oppressive as it was adopted by the apartheid regime. As chairman I am excited to be in a position where we can engage the South African public and show them that there is an alternative economic system that is endorsed by us. I am a firm believer in a capitalist free market and so I find it a privilege to be able to educate people about the free market.

Being a successful businessperson requires one to be able to take risks and do what others haven’t done before. You have to push your own boundaries!

What are the plans for the Free Market Foundation going forward?

As a body we have adopted three initiatives that we will focus on this year. The first one is the Citizen Empowerment Project where we will be going into the townships and communities with an aim to educate everyone about free market principles across all the media platforms.

The second initiative will be to challenge the Labour Laws in the Constitution Court as we believe our current labour laws are responsible for

the country’s failure to produce black entrepreneurs and for the high levels of unemployment in our country. At the moment we are engaging but if forced to we will take this to the Constitution Court. Our last initiative is to bring in international luminaries from all over the world to share their experiences with free market principles. We will be running workshops, seminars and even road-shows in our schools and universities to spread the wealth of knowledge and share this ethos.

Are you expecting a fight from Cosatu with regards to labour laws?

Many people ask me that question but considering that when it comes to the high level of employment they will gain the most, I believe that Cosatu should be our biggest supporter. They have a critical role to play because as much as one supports Free Market principles we cant be naïve and think all business people are ethical. There needs to be a body that regulates and ensures workers are not exploited.

Youth Issues What one thing worries you about the youth?

Young people need to know that everyday a person needs to wake up and either go to work or go to school. We need to eradicate the culture of doing nothing while waiting for a social grant.

A living is earned not handed to you. I have learnt early on in my life to take responsibility for my life and not expect anyone to drive my life or blame anyone for my circumstance. It is this that led to my involvement in the Free Market Foundation as I am totally against the socialist movement as it gives people the misguided notion that leads to entitlement. The role of the government is not to give hand-outs but to create an environment that supports 50 million players, not just you as an individual!

You have to fight in order to survive in that crowd.

What can you say is the reason for the anger in the youth at the moment?

A lot has gone wrong with the youth and I place the blame squarely at the feet of

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To be honest I don’t know. I didn’t go into business to be a role model. I went into business to survive. But along the way one has to give back to the community. You have to be good to your staff and the people around you as that is what sustains your business in the

long run. My overall agenda is executed with a realisation that my survival and protection is dependent on the wellbeing of the people around me. Once you have people around you living a life as successful as yours that’s when life has meaning and becomes exciting!

image COURTESY OF Victor Dlamini imageS courtesy of HERMAN MASHABA

even though I was the top salesman in the company. I wanted to take personal responsibility for my life. At that time hair salons were mushrooming all over the place in townships; I saw market potential for the product and since I had prior knowledge of the industry it was the next best step.

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18.

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My overall agenda is executed with a realisation that my survival and protection is dependent on the wellbeing of the people around me. the older generation. We are leaving kids to their own devices from a very young age. As parents we are not fully invested in our children.

If you look at other races, parents protect their kids and get involved in their lives even before they are born. They plan for their kids; it just doesn’t happen by mistake as seems to be the norm in our black communities! As a result they are responsible for them throughout their lives. Yes, mistakes happen but a large majority plan for their kids.

Our young women need to be dissuaded from having kids without knowing who the father is, and young men need to be told that having children all over the place and not taking responsibility for them does not make them men.

This debate is uncomfortable but necessary as this kind of lifestyle catches up with us as a community.

All children born out of these conditions end up abandoned, angry, and on the streets committing all sorts of heinous crimes. We need to stop and look at ourselves as a people and question the way we are raising our families and if changes need to be made, be honest with ourselves and make the change.

As the older generation we have to take a proactive role in guiding the youth. We can’t sit back and wait for fate or luck.

Social Ills There is a lot of concern about the lack of skills and training among the black collective in business. How can this be resolved?

I never got to finish my education so I am a firm believer in partnerships.

People should surround themselves 28

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with the best personnel that they can find. I am not adverse to buying people that possess a skills set that I need in my business. When I started Black Like Me I didn’t do it alone, I put a team together that had the skills I needed from production, sales and financial and that’s what made us successful.

Can the gap between rich and poor still be blamed on apartheid?

Absolutely not! We’ve had 18 years to address this issue and our failure is obvious. The past happened yes, but if we really want to move on, we need to concern ourselves with our future.

Lets open the market, teach our kids to be entrepreneurs and make it easy for the market to employ our people. Our restrictive labour laws make it difficult for our people to get jobs. All these issues are post apartheid!

What advice would you give government to eradicate poverty?

We need to invest in educating our children. At the moment our education system is in crisis and we are failing our people. As an employer as much as I would like to hire children from the current learning system, I find they are not functional. The quality of skills among our people is shameful and we are not taking education very seriously. For government to give the impression that we are making strides is disingenuous. The least they can do is to admit it’s failing and work towards finding a solution.

Government also needs to focus less on getting equity for black people and prioritise skills development. Big corporates can be pulled into these initiatives. Equity requires money which people don’t have access to.

But if businesses invest in good social programmes that help young people get the best education this will ensure that they will be productive members of society without disrupting business.

BEE should be run, not as a punitive measure, but as an incentive for people to do good deeds.

What is your business philosophy?

My philosophy is simple. I have to wake up every morning and go to work in order to survive! www.afropolitan.co.za

F E A T U R E

Off the Vine

Growing up Howard Booysen was taught that “It’s a tough world out there, and you need to be responsible for your actions”. From dabbling in IT and signing up as a deep-sea engineer, these lessons have inspired the young winemaker to not only learn from his mistakes but to also pursue his true passion with sincere determination. This has seen him become one of South Africa’s most promising black winemakers to date!

Howard Booysen

Growing up did you have any interest at all in winemaking?

No way! I think people would have questioned the reasoning behind a child wanting to make wine at a young age if his father wasn’t a winemaker. It might have been seen as early signs of alcohol abuse! Although I knew the concept existed, it seemed only for the fortunate and rich. So I headed into IT (Information Technology), which was in line with my subjects at school. I didn’t like any part of it, but it seemed like a good idea at the time. That lasted almost a year, until I just pulled the plug on unhappiness.

What led you to try out being a deep-sea engineer?

To be honest I went to sea as a trainee engineer to let the danger-pay assist in repaying my studies and I was selected for my aptitude for technical and logical

thinking. Though I was desperate not to let my parents or myself down again, I did eight months later by escaping the sea after hating my job.

The wine industry is full of big brand names, how has that impacted you in your efforts to make a name for yourself?

What challenges have you faced The best brands are normally built via an excellent marketing team or campaign. breaking into the industry?

The challenges start at tertiary level. The competition at college level to become one of the 20 cellar students in the final year is fierce. Once you complete this, finding a job or internship is even harder. My experience was not only to study the product, but also to study the industry and its people. How it works, who’s who, and how they achieved their success. On my first encounter with the CWG (Cape Winemakers Guild), I made sure I studied all their names, faces and their latest accolades off a brochure, and greeted everyone by name. Lesson: become memorable!

My brand has been built via word-ofmouth and people acknowledging that I’ve worked my fingers to the bone to achieve what I have.

How have people embraced your brands?

A big part of a brand lies in its presentation, packaging and the story behind it. I really wanted a label that is simplistic yet catchy on the eye. A bottle that is different, but not new. A colour that is fresh, not offensive. I needed to think of a name that matches the face and the story, which is not fabricated.

image courtesy of HOWARD BOOYSEN

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

Q&A

E N T R E P R E N E U R

And with all this in mind and executed, the public embraced it with both arms.

What assistance did you get, if any, from individuals and corporates that helped you on your way?

I try to be as independent as possible, to try and show the youth out there that might be interested in starting their own thing one day, that there are ways and means without taking hand-outs.

No, the government has not assisted me in my cause, but yes, I did have to get a silent investor to help with the start-up costs. In order for the business to grow generically, I work as a sommelier in the evenings to sustain myself, and have no fixed employees which makes my model quite dynamic.

What motivates you and what do you love most about what you do?

My motivation is definitely reflecting over the past 12 years, and realising how far I’ve come to make the impossible seem possible, and this is only the beginning of a long journey. I came to love the unpredictability of my lifestyle, you never know what curve ball is going to be thrown at you. Every good thing or challenge is but an email or phone call away. I love that at the end of it all there’s a product to show for all the blood, sweat and tears I’ve endured that everyone can enjoy and share with me.

And that is magic!

You were involved in the TV programme “Exploring the Vine”, what did you learn from the whole process?

Exploring the Vine was one of the most interesting projects I have experienced.

The most significant thing I learnt was how effective it can be to merge two completely separate but mainstream industries, which have a mutual goal. But there was a myriad of new things that opened up my world, like doing research on every topic for the weekend’s shooting, covering the wines, winemakers, estates, history, dynamics and public opinion. The reward once again is to see the final product, and sharing it with everyone.

What do you want consumers to know about your wines?

My wines are an expression of where they come from. I use classic varietals, that are “almost extinct” to a certain extent. They were very popular 15 to 20 years ago, and now somehow forgotten.

The wines are fresh, but have the ability to age. They are made for solo consumption or with food. The wines are expressive, but not flamboyant. There’s a leanness that you can’t ignore, layered with complexity and depth. I strive for lower alcohol levels, encouraging a better outcome the morning after. It’s a fun and aromatic journey for the novice and the connoisseur.

There have been problems with transformation in the wine industry, what in your opinion, is the reason for this?

a farm, it’s tough! Then there’s also the factor that most can’t see themselves being a farm worker for the rest of their lives. This could be a lack of ambition, or the fear of being suppressed.

What are your future plans?

What is your big dream?

I need to find a home for my wine in the medium term. I also need to find ventures and expand to a point where I can focus and only make wine and retire from the restaurant business and find myself a companion. My brand needs to become a household name, and be readily available on shelves across the globe so that I can focus on building a future of my own and retire knowing that I lived my life to the fullest.

Education is always the prime factor, but also money. It’s an expensive game. Everyone knows this. There is a lack of interest from the previously disadvantaged group, thinking that it is only meant for the elite, and they would not fit in. It is tough to find ways to transform the industry if there is a lack of candidates. But, don’t force it too hard, it will happen. Be patient and wait till the right people come along and make that difference, otherwise we will degrade the value of what has been increasing in the past few years internationally – South African Wines!

How can it be rectified?

There are various ways, institutions, groups and people that have joined efforts to help the process of transformation, transition and integration. It starts at school level, University and postgraduates. But it takes years to develop a student’s career, follow their progress and encourage them to suffer a bit and hang in there before they see results. Most would fail if a support system does not accompany all the efforts. The best we can do is try as much as we possibly can, and trust that there’ll be some success stories to inspire the ones that follow.

Why do you think most young black people shy away from the winemaking industry?

For the very simple reason that there’s a lack of understanding how farming, business, and all of the above works. If you weren’t born into the trade or on

What goes into making the perfect bottle of wine?

No wine is perfect, But in short: • Finding vines grown on the perfect site is where I start (Soil, aspect, climate, etc.).

Harvest it in the right way (cool, hand-picked, softly transported and speedily processed).

• Minimal additives.

• Constant optimum.

• Temperature control.

• Sterile handling and good sulphur management is key.

• Sufficient bottle ageing before release and, voila!

F E A T U r E

CON Afr VER icanista SAT ION S

image couxrtesy of LESEGO MALATSI

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

F A S H I O N

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www.afropolitan.co.za

www.afropolitan.co.za

image courtesy of ADJOA ACQUAH

T

he last decade, however, has seen a change in mind-set and the way that designers approach their lines and this in turn has seen Africa making its mark internationally. At the Afropolitan we are in constant search of the beauty of Africa and we found it in Adjoa Acquah’s design line “Africanista Conversations” produced under her label Joansu Jewellery.

Joansu pieces are all limited edition and inspired by travel.

The current Spring Summer 2012 collection reflects the vibrant colours of Accra (“Africanista Conversations”), the sophistication of Paris (“La Lune”), the serene beauty of Cape Town (“Cape Town”), the playful beach collection (“Boju Beach”) and the elegant charm of Vienna (“Musik”).

Joansu limited edition jewellery is hand-made in London and crafted from the finest materials including precious stones such as Sapphires, Topaz and Citrine; precious metals; and clear

Q&A

Ever since the beginning of an age where people on the African continent became fashion conscious most, if not all, of their fashion preferences were of pieces with western influence. African print, colours and patterns were largely marginalised in design and hardly featured on the catwalks of Milan, Paris, New York or London.

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F A S H I O N

F E A T U R E resin. The Joansu brand logo (6 lines) mimics the Mmeeda geometrical pattern of Ghana’s Kente cloth; a pattern that means “something that has not happened before”; a subtle reminder to approach each day in that spirit: full of wonder, anticipation and love.

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

I spent my childhood living in the elegance and conservatism of Austria and the vibrant, bold colours of Ghana. Both have shaped my designs tremendously – classic pieces but daring shapes and colours. What I carry from Ghana into my designs are those memories of colour upon colour and women matching and mismatching pieces to create a statement.

I have always admired African women who accessorise fearlessly.

How has your work been received in the market?

Great feedback! African fashion is in a period of redefinition. Designers, such as myself, are embracing our personal reflections of Africa in our designs and the market is responding with enthusiasm!

What hurdles have you had to overcome in order to realize your dream?

It’s difficult to set up a business – the long nights building and creating can

African Struts its Stuff

A

look at fashion pieces found on international catwalks sees many big name designers drawing from our continent for inspiration.

At the showing of the Spring/Summer Collection 2012, legendary designers like Michael Kors, Burberry Prorsum, Donna Karan and Gucci all showcase Africa’s beauty from colourful wax prints, the Big Five and bold batiks found in Africa to enhance their designs.

This is a step in the right direction as African designers are themselves stepping out of the mould, taking pride in their culture and finding motivation not from the western world but from their own

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www.afropolitan.co.za

be overwhelming and often lonely.

I found that the hurdle is often you – the designer – and your own self doubts. It’s important to pick yourself up and have a trusted group who can help you keep moving even if it looks scary.

Africanista Conversations – what inspired this particular collection?

Do you feel people outside the continent are becoming more willing to try out African print on design?

Yes – absolutely! I think there are three fundamental reasons why African prints are slowly becoming the ‘norm’. Firstly, Africa is now a serious business partner and as it rises up in that world, the spotlight catches the

history and surroundings. In a bold move Donna Karan launched her “Haiti” collection, which was a major collaboration between her label, Haitian artisans and designers. She is not the only designer to take a keen interest in Africa, over and above using it as inspiration for their lines, “Ethical Fashion Africa” collection by Vivienne Westwood was made in Nairobi with the strap-line “ This is not charity, this is work”

were fashion alumnis including Lesego Malatsi (SA), KIKI Clothing (Ghana), Afrikanus (Angola), Smart Designers (Zambia) and TEECEE Shoes & Clothing (Nigeria).

African designers have also made their own presence felt at international Fashion Weeks with their local collections. Featured at the London Fashion Week’s Fashion Finest Renaissance 2011,

We hope this exposure and future collaborations will lead to an appreciation of the art and talent that local designers have, and lead to them being firm favourites on the international stage.

www.afropolitan.co.za

Says well-renowned African designer Lanre da Silva Ajayi “It’s time the rest of the world woke up to Africa as a fashion powerhouse. African talent and culture is finally being appreciated all over the world and it’s about time!”

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image courtesy of ADJOA ACQUAH

My African heritage is most prominently displayed in the Africanista Conversations collection; a tribute to the beautiful and revolutionary women of Africa whose conversations, passions and strength create change. I wanted to show a collection that celebrated the beauty of our cultures but in a way that really reflected my relationship with, and view of Africa.

I am one of a handful of designers who work with resin - a material that has increased in prominence over the last few years. I combine this with Ankara (wax print) and other fabrics such as Ashoke in this collection.

The prints and patterns of the African textiles have meanings that are often deeper than the attractiveness of their design.

This is what drew me to use African materials – you can tell a story with the bold colours and patterns. Capturing and encasing them in clear resin creates a unique collection of modern glamorous jewellery.

F A S H I O N

F E A T U R E rich tapestry of culture and brings it to the fore. We see this in dance, music, cuisine and of course increasingly in fashion. Secondly, African designers are more innovative with their use of prints and that innovation is naturally going to create a following from a new target market.

For example, women who are conscious that prints are too loud to wear as an outfit may be more comfortable wearing an Africanista Conversations cuff on their wrist. We are playing around with prints and adapting them. Thirdly, African prints add colour and life. The trend to see more vibrancy in fashion in Spring Summer 2012 is in direct contrast with the economic climate in most Western countries: loud colours have a terrific way of getting us to look beyond the doom and gloom!

Do you get any online orders from Africa for your pieces?

Yes – mostly from West Africa.

However it is difficult to send items, in particular jewellery to many parts of Africa. The postal system is not always efficient and the cost of sending things over (safely) is often prohibitive. Joansu launched at the Christie Brown boutique in Accra, which has been amazing in sharing the brand in West Africa. I would love to launch the branch in South Africa too – watch this space!

Stockists Neuner Schmuckatelier boutique, Vienna located on the exclusive shopping street Kärntnerstraße (www.neuner-schmuck.at)

Christie Brown boutique in Accra (christiebrownonline.com)

Online at: Joansu’s website: www.joansu.com.

For more information please contact: press@joansu.com

Web: www.joansu.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoansuJewellery

Twitter: JoansuLtd

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www.afropolitan.co.za

image courtesy of ADJOA ACQUAH

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B E A U T Y

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This award-winning body firmer from Re-Nutriv will leave your skin feeling younger and smooter.

Three of the best: winter balms

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Keep in your handbag

Balm Balm Rose Geranium Face Balm, R118 for 30ml

Badger Lavender-Rose Evolving Body Balm, R160 for 56g

This much-loved indie UK brand is now available in South Africa.

A cult favourite that comes in a cute tin – don’t leave home without it!

Old favourite Clarins Beauty Flash Balm, R365 for 50ml Movers and shakers swear by the brightening, tightening magic of this must-buy.

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NEWS Luxury in a box

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www.afropolitan.co.za

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Prices may vary. Images are courtesy of shutterstock, manufacturers and distributors.

Don’t neglect the delicate skin of your throat and upper bust; firm up with this essence from Decleor.

I

n years past, Woodstock, Cape Town has been a name synonymous with the arts and the more creative side of Cape Town, so it was only fitting that Upper Eastside Hotel and Conference Centre made its home there.

A joint venture between Swish Property Group and Madison Property Fund Managers on behalf of Redefine Income Fund, Upper Eastside Hotel and Conference Centre is an oasis of classiness and cosmopolitan ambiance in what is one of Cape Town’s fastest developing suburbs.

On arrival you may be fooled into erroneously assuming you have arrived at just another fancy hotel, but upon entering the building you realise this R420 million property is the height of “mixed-use development”, offering commercial and residential services with amenities over and above one’s expectations.

Upper Eastside Not only does it boast a top class hotel as its main offering, Upper Eastside has 225 upmarket residential apartments.

Its friendly and welcoming atmosphere has attracted not only holidaymakers and students from the nearby university, but also large corporates looking to not only make use of their remarkable eight conference and meeting facilities but to rent and make use of their office space.

When it comes to accommodation their rooms are contemporary yet luxurious, showcasing high glass windows, backlit art glass and clean stainless steel finishes.

This modern take on décor makes for a sophisticated look in both the public areas and hotel rooms! For the hotel guests and residents, Upper Eastside offers a central piazza with quality restaurants such as Liberty’s Restaurant, Vida e caffè, a convenience store, hair salon and art gallery. The lower level also boasts an indoor pool, volleyball court and a fully equipped gym. A one-stop-shop catering for all needs!

To fit in with the style of Woodstock, Upper Eastside Hotel has little quirks that will pleasantly surprise, such as the crated herb garden on its second floor rooftops, utilising the space in an environmentally friendly way. A cigar bar and cosy library, which can also be booked for private functions, all add to the allure of what is a delightfully self-contained experience.

With its “glam-with-a-touch-of-funk” interiors designed by Design Three Sixty, this little mecca in the heart of Woodstock and only five-minutes away from Cape Town CBD is fast becoming the destination of choice for well-priced yet stylish accommodation. www.afropolitan.co.za

Hotel

imageS courtesy of AL DENTE PR

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

P R O P E R T Y

41

By Angus McEwan

A F R O

F O O D

CANTARE T

his issue’s dining ‘expose’ offers you something a little different, dining with something extra! We spent an evening at Cantare, a supper club situated in that mini metropolis of entertainment, Montecasino.

For those who enjoy a flutter, a night out at a restaurant, or maybe a show, then chances are good that Montecasino will be familiar beyond its reputation. Cantare offers its patrons the opportunity to relax over a great meal and enjoy some live entertainment in a style that is intimate; so its location at Montecasino is perfect as it serves to meet the needs of those who are seeking a night out with a difference.

Those black and white movies of the Forties and Fifties depicting supper clubs that played host to great swing bands, where revellers enjoyed a cocktail or a glass of champagne, a meal and then danced with such style, have influenced supper club dining ever since. Cantare has adapted their version, incorporating some of this musical and fashion heritage and adding a sassy, sexy twist that reflects that wonderful tradition we know as burlesque. This is certainly apparent by the sexy outfits of the bar staff where the guys may be in shirtless waistcoats and the girls in corsets and stockings, a theme that reveals itself further when the Varga girls perform their show.

The layout of the venue provides us with a variety of spaces to relax. There is a bar immediately to the left upon entering, for those wishing to enjoy

MONTECASINO

a few drinks without eating (we have no doubt it gets very festive there).

Seating comes in different styles; the traditional table and chair combo as well as long, comfortable looking couches, some partitioned off by glass, creating separate areas within the restaurant that are nevertheless very much part of and party to it. Then there is a balcony allowing a great view of the stage, no doubt, as well as a great perch from which to do some people watching!

Central to the whole experience for Cantare’s patrons is the stage, veiled from view behind stage curtains, and toward which much of the evening is focused.

42

www.afropolitan.co.za

Personally, we are fans of jazz and swing music so hearing the silky smooth voice of Michael Buble filling the restaurant when we arrived immediately put us into relaxation mode. Seated, as we were, up front and centre to the stage provided a front row seat for the show, which was great but would prove to be sub-optimal later in the evening when the ‘disco’ music kicked in at an uncomfortable volume!

Having set the stage (so to speak) let us say that Cantare’s kitchen delivers first class food. Its owners are Greek and whilst its menu offers diners a broad variety, the Greek influence and expertise reveals itself.

Our starters were Il Carpaccio. Cantare serves this using thinly sliced beef, sprinkled with black pepper, pesto, olive oil and balsamic vinegar, Tuscan style!

Everything about this dish was sumptuous, succulent, delicate and deliciously flavoured. Chosen in the hope that it would be both light and tasty, it scored high on both and a perfect entrée to the main course. Our other choice was Haloumi, which they serve with Cypriot cheese grilled “the traditional way.”

This was served Jalapeño style (optional), which we can recommend. Upon arrival at the table the Haloumi was warm, if not quite hot, and really melted in the mouth.

We’ve never experienced it

www.afropolitan.co.za

like that previously and what a delight!

Although our appetite was such that we would normally gobble our starter, we really took our time and savoured each mouthful; almost hoping at this stage that the stage curtains would pull back to reveal Michael Buble, perched on a stool!

Cantare’s menu offers a good variety, the choices are wide, and picking the Lamb A La Klaftiko proved to be an inspired choice. Prepared in the Greek traditional way, it’s served on Risotto rice with veggies of the day. This dish had a ‘Wow’ factor for two reasons.

Firstly, the size of the piece of lamb is

IMAGES COURTESY OF CANTARE

One of many dining areas to choose from

generous and will attend to the bigger appetite. Secondly, the lamb really fell off the bone and melted in the mouth. The risotto rice might easily be enjoyed by itself as a vegetarian dish and the veggies of the day round this off as a delicious, balanced meal.

Our other main course was their Veal Alla Mario.

This is veal scallops topped with dumplings and creamed spinach, coated with a paprika béchamel sauce. The veal was succulent; the dumplings are bite-size, the paprika béchamel sauce subtle rather than striking; overall, a delicious plate of food in keeping with the rest of our meal.

The show, delivered by the Varga Girls, was performed in two sets of 15-minutes. Three sexy girls, ably supported by two fellas, deliver a fun mix of songs from old and new, dressed always with a touch of risqué and performed with an appropriate twinkle in their eyes. We found this light-hearted, entertaining and an important feature of the whole experience.

At around dessert time and after the second set was over, the DJ cranked up the disco and pretty soon the dance floor was full, though the dancing won’t win any competitions. However, Cantare offers us a night out with fine dining, a song and dance show, and finally an opportunity to let our hair down on the dance floor. So, the next time you’re in this mood and wondering where on earth to go, head off to Cantare and have yourself a fun night out!

43

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IMAGE cOURtESY OF SHUttERStOcK

BY ELI NYAKUDYA

B U S I N E S S

B U S I N E S S

BACkGROUND AND POLICY BRICS refers to a collective economic acronym describing the alliance between Brazil, Russia, India, China and recently, South Africa. Goldman Sachs and Jim O’Neil first devised the term in 2001: Population size, rate of economic growth potential and contribution to overall global affairs were all measures considered in the formation of the bloc, symbolizing the transferral of global economic power from the customary established economies to the developing countries. The federation officially met in 2009 under the acronym “BRIC” and later in 2010 as BRIC (S) reflecting the inclusion of South Africa into the group.

Mutual aspects represented by the countries characterise the connection between the members. For instance, China and India are key players in the global supply of manufactured goods and services, while Brazil and Russia are comparably major contributors in the supply of raw materials. The four countries combined contribute to 40 % of the world’s population and cover over 25 % of global land amounting to a

collective Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Purchase Power Parity (PPP) of over 18 trillion dollars.

During the fourth BRICS summit in New Delhi (29 March 2012), the federation declared that the overall intention of its formulation was to setup a framework that would accommodate shared growth amongst its members, further addressing concerns linked to sustainable development and environmental change. When considering their declaration, the federations’ policies appear to reflect that of the United Nations. Their intended contribution to global affairs is extended from resolving situations in Syria, Iran, Afghanistan and the Middle East. Further, the bloc claims

As A Country it CAn beneFit From JoininG briCs, obVious FACtors suCh As eConomiC trAde GAin And GlobAl eXPosure Are oFFerinGs thAt the CoAlition Presents. to optimistically improve global health systems, rapid economic growth and energy based on fossil fuel making it seem like a new world order.

CRITICISM Except for their conjectured policies in their declaration, the BRICS share no other common goal. Considering all other respects, their interests and values, political systems, and objectives are substantially diverse.

To illustrate, Russia, has drifted away from democracy toward strongman rule under Vladimir V. Putin. China is the world’s largest authoritarian state and has by far the largest and most powerful economy in BRICS, which creates a complicated dynamic. China is the

heavyweight, and thus the natural leader of the group, except that it is the political outlier. As such, distrust is high between India and China, whose border dispute, which goes back decades, is fuelling a quiet military build-up on both sides.

The group has also been criticised for basing their policies on estimated growth and the assumption that resources are limitless and will always be available.

BRIC(S) AND SOUTH AFRICA In the original concept of the BRIC federation O’Neil predicted that the economies with the most potential to become members would be South Korea and Mexico. However at China’s invitation, and their own insistence, South Africa was included in the coalition on December 24, 2010 even though South Africa’s GDP and population size is less than a quarter in comparison to any of the original BRIC members. Considering the strengths that the four countries maintain, many have inquired as to what South Africa’s role and contribution is to the already formidable entity of the four BRIC members? For while the country is growing, their growth rate does not warrant being called one of the fastest developing emerging economies.

In the New Delhi declaration the bloc emphasized their position as that of not being a trading association or a political coalition but rather a peace seeking organization advocating global growth and stability yet South Africa emphasizes the economic gain of trading with the other BRICS members. The last number of years has seen the Chinese make major headway in their efforts to stake a claim of Africa as they take on major construction and infrastructure projects across the continent. As a result, concerns have been raised on whether the inclusion of South Africa was to further enable a pathway into Africa and its resources or was it to genuinely aid development.

The original members have a symbiotic relationship with each country offering more than South Africa could, especially considering the nations already depleting resources. With an impressive population of more than 162

Experience Africa’s Business - First

IMAGE cOURtESY OF SHUttERStOcK

The framework of the contemporary era has been structured by transformations in technology, society and more importantly shifts in global economic power. A more economic multilateral approach as opposed to unilateral structures has provided a platform that facilitates the empowerment of economic underdogs as countries join to form and shape a new global economic world order.

B U S I N E S S

BENEFITS Despite its controversial inclusion in the coalition South Africa has to find ways so as to capitalise their much-coveted position. As a country it can benefit from joining BRICS, obvious factors such as economic trade gain and global exposure are offerings that the coalition presents. Much can be done to ensure reaping the benefits of being part of this economic power force which will, according to Abdullah Verachia, head of the India-Africa Business Network at GIBS (Gordon Institute of Business Science), make up 50 % of global market capitalisation by 2015.

India has pushed the launching of the BRICS Development Bank, an idea that has been adopted by all member countries and set for implementation in 2013. This initiative would be the vehicle used to fund infrastructure in the countries and looks to position itself as an alternate moneylender to age old institutions such the World Bank and other finance bodies. Should it be successful, the Development Bank will firm up BRICS position as a global decision maker, placing South Africa in a very coveted position.

Albert Khamatshin from the Centre for Southern African Studies at the Russian Academy of Sciences believes South Africa will benefit most because the primary focus of the bank will be development projects within BRICS. And it would seem South Africa is already gaining from their status in BRICS as bilateral trade between India and South Africa increased by 43% last year and improved the fiscal engagement between the two countries. Following negotiations with China, South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry will be holding exhibitions in China where South African manufacturers will be showcasing their goods to the large Chinese contingent of buyers in a bid to improve the trade pattern that currently sees South Africa exporting raw material to China and importing manufactured goods.

shiFts in GlobAl eConomiC Power Are the hiGhliGhts oF the 21st Century As deVeloPinG nAtions Present themselVes As PotentiAl reGulAtors oF the ContemPorAry AGe These negotiations could see an increase in the export of manufactured goods, which will in turn increase employment opportunities in South Africa.

South Africa has also sent delegations to Brazil, hosts of the 2014 World Cup, with an aim to assist with stadium construction and a department has been established to explore business opportunities for South African firms in that country.

Shifts in global economic power are the highlights of the 21st century

as developing nations present themselves as potential regulators of the contemporary age. While the concept of BRICS cannot be analysed at this stage considering that most of their policy is structured as prospects and not yet been implemented, it is imperative that South Africa ensures it receives maximum benefit as much as it will benefit its fellow partners. One can only assume and sincerely hope that theory will be capable of turning into practicality and BRICS will deliver what they have declared for all involved.

IMAGE cOURtESY OF SHUttERStOcK

million, compared to South Africa’s 50 million, it would seem oil rich Nigeria was a more suitable candidate to be considered for member status.

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BY CHARLES ASH

U N D E R C O V E R

G

oogle Chrome has recently overtaken Microsoft Internet Explorer as the world’s most popular web browser, adding to Microsoft’s woes as the company struggles to maintain relevance in a world utterly enamoured

by Google and Apple.

Perhaps now would be a good time to introduce you to a few of my favourite open source applications. Programs that are so powerful, yet so free, that you almost feel guilty for downloading them and using them on a daily basis in place of their commercial counterparts.

Since turning my back on the Microsoft world four years ago, I honestly cannot remember the last time I bought a closed-source software package. Don’t get me wrong, I often do buy software, but I buy mainly web applications and I always buy software that is open-source so that I can customise it exactly to my requirements.

Before I dive in, here’s a primer on the open-source versus closedsource world. Open source software is released with the source code clearly and easily available to anybody to read and (if you’re sufficiently technically

G E E K that has resulted in the Linux operating system being more secure, incredibly so, than Windows for example. Linux has hordes of geeks the world over tinkering, fiddling with and improving the system to make it better... Microsoft on the other hand has only its army of employees to work on and improve Windows.

When it comes to Linux, there are a wide variety of different “flavours” of the operating system available.

My personal favourite, one that is a derivative of Mark Shuttleworth’s incredibly popular Linux distribution, Ubuntu, is the irrepressible Linux Mint (www.linuxmint.com). It’s very easy to get your feet wet in the open-source world, all you need to do is go to www. linuxmint.com and download the latest version of this exceedingly solid operating system and you’re ready to get started.

It’s very easy to install Linux Mint alongside your existing operating system (like WinDoze) and then “dual boot”.

Simply burn the Linux Mint ISO image you’ve just downloaded onto DVD and reboot your desktop/laptop. Linux Mint will startup from the DVD and you’re presented with the opportunity to

frontier that in all likelihood will start a lifelong love-affair with Linux and open-source software.

From the time you login to Linux Mint, you will be greeted by the crisp interface of a new, inviting digital landscape just beckoning you to step in.

Linux Mint is powerful. You’ll notice this when you navigate the menu system. It comes pre-installed with all the latest and greatest open-source software applications on the planet, saving you the time and trouble of having to discover and install these yourself. Need an office application, it comes preinstalled with the ultra-capable Libre Office; need a graphics tool, it’s got GIMP (an open-source graphics program that’s modelled on Adobe’s Photoshop); need a FTP solution for copying files to web servers, FileZilla is preloaded; need a solid video player, VLC media player comes built-in with all its codecs; need a solid email client, then look no further than ThunderBird (preloaded of course), the super-functional email client from heaven. This and a whole lot more is available in a new, standard Linux Mint installation. No license keys, fees, no viruses, spyware and other such

eyes open your Mind Open your competent) to fiddle with and improve.

Closed-source software on the other hand is released pre-compiled, encrypted and uncustomisable, leaving you very much in the dark as to what’s going on in the background code. Of course not everybody’s interested in the technical wizardry that powers most software, but in a world of digital privacy, numerous corporate incursions on that privacy and the ever-present spectre of digital criminality, isn’t it comforting to know that technically competent people are able to analyse and verify the functionality of the opensource software you’re using? It’s this ability to view and analyse the software

install Linux Mint to your hard drive.

Simply follow the steps and be sure to specify the option to install Linux Mint alongside your existing operating system. The installer will ask you a few questions and then, once it completes within an hour or less, you’ll be able to select “Linux Mint” as a boot option when your computer starts up.

At this point it is vital that you keep an open mind. You’re about to launch an operating system that is the epitome of global collective intelligence, is free, powerful and a pleasure to use.

Forget your emotional attachment to other operating systems; you’re on the verge of entering into a new digital

nonsense to worry about, just solid, robust, reliable computing.

And if you need to broaden your software horizons, Linux Mint comes with an amazingly functional application called the “Software Manager”. It’s like an app store (where most of the apps are free), built right into your operating system and allow you to trawl over 30 000 solid applications in various areas, be it games, programming, science, education and a whole lot more.

So, here’s my challenge to you, give Linux Mint a try and let me know about your experiences with this gamechanging operating system.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of The Afropolitan

www.afropolitan.co.za

51

SEE IT. TO BELIEVE IT.

www.namibiatourism.com.na

BY ELKA SCHAIMBERG

trave l

Namibia

A Special Part of Africa imageS COURTESY OF NAMBIAN BOARD OF TOURISM (Ute van Ludwiger)

“Everyone from the soul searcher to the adventure seeker will find what they’re looking for...”

www.afropolitan.co.za

53

trave l

N

amibia is a country of endless horizons, from the golden dunes that stretch across the coastline to the towering red sands of the ancient Namib Desert. You can drive for miles with nothing but ever-changing landscapes to keep you captivated. It’s the fourth-largest country on the African continent, but with only 2.2 million inhabitants Namibia is seemingly empty and virtually untouched. Those who call it home are a diverse multicultural cross-section of 13 ethnic groups that speak 29 languages among them. The locals all live in harmony under the safety of a long-time democratic government.

This is a country blessed with 300 days of sunshine a year, the skies are always blue, and the untamed natural beauty is enough to overwhelm you. Everyone from the soul searcher to the adventure seeker will find what they’re looking for in this special part of Africa.

Just a short two-hour flight from OR Tambo International Airport will get you to the capital city of Windhoek - this is the ideal point from which to begin your journey through the country. The city of Windhoek is quite literally locked in by 360 degrees of natural beauty.

www.afropolitan.co.za

Although the city beats with luxury hotels, museums, galleries, breweries, shops, restaurants and friendly faces, its modern architecture is framed by surrounding mountains and open plains. It’s not uncommon to spot wildlife as you make your way in, but with so much to see and do you don’t want to stay in the city for too long.

The quaint little seaside town of Swakopmund, also known as ‘the adventure capital of Africa’, is where the ocean meets the desert. This tourist hot spot is characterized by its golden mountains of sand that offer adrenalinjunkies their shot at sand-boarding, quad biking, and 4x4 adventure driving.

Simply running down the side of a dune is enough to feel the free abandon of childish pleasure as you play in God’s great sand-pit. The small village is neat, pretty, and cocooned by a sleepy seaside air that immediately inspires you to unwind. It offers an unusual timelessness with an interesting combination of historic architecture that resembles the German colony it once was. The strong German influences, felt throughout, make beer and bratwurst the order of the day, although a fresh seafood platter or large plate of prawns are just as easily enjoyed.

imageS COURTESY OF NAMBIAN BOARD OF TOURISM (Ute van Ludwiger)

Walvis Bay

Swakopmund

55

T R A V E l ExCLUSIVE OFFERS

PRICE: • From R19,620.00 per person sharing • Single supplement of R4,164.00 (based on min 2 pax) • R630.00 per person supplement for flights from Cape Town return • (Rates valid until 31 October 2012)

INCLUDES:

ExCLUDES: • • • • • •

Other flights, airport taxes and visas (where applicable) Other Conservation Fees/Entrance Fees Meals not indicated above Porterage & gratuity fees Optional activities Other expenses not specifically mentioned in the quote

Visit the Afropolitan website on www.afropolitan.co.za/travel.html for more details on the above package as well as other holiday packages.

56

Sossusvlei

Walvis Bay is a short 20-minute drive away where a harbour cruise is the perfect introduction to the ocean life that roams the area. Enjoy fresh Namibian oysters and champagne provided on board as you watch the Dolphins play in the bay. Venture north to the pungent colony of seals where you’ll see thousands of them basking on the beaches next to pink flamingos and white pelicans. Namibia is well known as a birdwatchers paradise, boasting 620 species of bird.

You cannot leave Swakopmund without meeting Tommy of Tommy’s Living Desert Tours. Born and bred in Namibia, the man is a proud conservationist and a legend amongst the locals. The desert comes alive with Tommy’s enthusiasm of the habitat.

With the endless dunes spread out before you, he proceeds to tie his shoes to the bumper of his old military vehicle and welcome you to his ‘office’. It’s an eye-opening experience, as Tommy introduces you to the hidden life of this apparently barren landscape. His large stories about little things are not only entertaining but full of insight.

Famous as the only pit-stop on the way to Sossusvlei, mystic Solitaire greets you with rusty old vintage cars and antique memorabilia that make you feel like you’re stuck in a time warp.

This quirky oasis offers the comforts of any good pit-stop, where you can fill up and fix up. Whatever you do, don’t dare leave without tucking into Solitaire’s legendary baked apple pie!

Namibia’s Atlantic coastline stretches on for miles, with several sprawling government-protected inland wilderness reserves. The long road to Sossusvlei will eventually get you to the Namib-Nauklaft

Park, officially the entrance to the highest dunes in the world! Exploring this harsh paradise is well worth the challenge. Climb the famous soaring Dune 7 and view the red stony terrain of Sossusvlei from the top – it looks very much like the surface of mars. The natural wonders you find in this part of the country will be etched in your memory like tales from a long forgotten time. Make sure you experience the thrill of the Fish River Canyon and the lost land of Dead Vlei.

Sossusvlei will also invite you to enjoy the most spectacular sunsets and night skies so dark, they seem to hold the stars like sticky Velcro. Here, there is nothing more to do but turn your cell phone off and absorb the timeless energy.

To really enjoy Namibia to its fullest, you need lots of time. Although, if you’re lucky enough to get just a little taste of the country’s stark contrasts, one thing is guaranteed - you can leave Namibia, but it will never leave you.

For more info: www.namibiatourism.com

tommy of Tommy’s Living Desert Tours

www.afropolitan.co.za

IMAGES cOURtESY OF ELKA ScHAIMBERG

• Flights from Johannesburg to Windhoek and return on Air Namibia • (subject to availability in price class quoted and Airport tax subject to change) • Flights from Cape Town on the abovementioned supplement • 6 days’ car rental – Group K (Nissan X-Trail or similar) • 6 nights’ accommodation (2 x Sossusvlei, 2 x Swakopmund & 2 x Windhoek) • 6 breakfasts • 4 dinners • Guided excursion of Sossusvlei • Living Desert Tour in Swakopmund • Dolphin Cruise from Walvis Bay • Sossusvlei Park Fees - 2 days • 1 set of Travel Documents

to Frankfurt and beyond

to Accra and beyond

Luanda

Bring back the

smile

Lusaka Katima Ondjiva Rundu Mulilo Victoria Falls

Ondangwa

Windhoek

Maun

Walvis Bay Gaborone Luderitz

Return flights

Johannesburg

Oranjemund

on Air Namibia inclusive… Cape Town

Fly From Johannesburg to: Windhoek R2618.00

Walvis Bay R3544.00

Harare

Accra R5671.00

From

From

From

Lusaka From R3770.00

Harare From R2740.00

Gaborone From R3604.00

• ----- Effective 2012

Fly From Cape Town to: Windhoek R3494.00

Walvis Bay R3206.00

Accra R6721.00

From

From

From

Lusaka From R4430.00

Harare From R5540.00

Gaborone From R3704.00

*T&C apply, contact us for full details. Rates are per person and subject to change based on availability in U-class. Note limited seats per flight for this promotion available.

Tickets are non refundable and change fees apply.

• Tel: 0860 109 716/ 011 783 8022 • Email: reservations@airnamibia.za.com Winner of the Feather Awards

• Best Regional Airline - Southern Africa • 2009, 2011 - O.R. Tambo International • 2008, 2010, 2011 - Cape Town & O.R. Tambo International

T R A V E L

A D V E R T O R I A L

Duty of Care How

Do You

Measure Up?

W

hen travelling overseas on behalf of their employer travellers’ expose themselves to the potential risk of terrorism, violent crimes, natural disasters, infectious diseases, travel accidents, and many more. According to Themba Mthombeni of Duma Travel, corporates are often unaware of their Duty of Care, which presumes that they have legal obligations to their employees when they are travelling and should act in a manner to avoid the risk of reasonable foreseeable injury. Failure to do so may result in damages or criminal prosecution.

Steps to take in the development of an integrated Duty of Care Strategy: Risk Assessment • Carry out proper risk assessment, 58

understand the risks involved in travelling to specific locations.

• Have employees complete and sign risk assessment forms i.e. valid driver’s licenses, health conditions etc.

• Assess if your company is meeting its Duty of Care obligations.

Strategy/Planning • Design and implement an organisational structure and culture that supports travel management and Duty of Care.

• Develop an integrated Duty of Care strategy and implementation policy that governs business travellers.

• Develop and maintain crisis management plans with contingency plans in case of an emergency.

• Investigate cost/benefit of insurances and third party assistance.

• Investigate third party travel tracking systems.

• Know the employees itinerary, whereabouts and contact details.

• Implement real time communication systems.

• Show your company’s commitment

with detailed communications/ education before a trip: • Drivers regulations – speed limits, alcohol limits, use of mobiles phones, toll roads.

• General safety risks.

• Outline emergency procedures: • 24 hour emergency hotline.

• Rehearsals and training of crisis management plans.

Control • Ensure employees compliance.

• Ongoing assessment to ensure employer is meeting Duty of Care and ethical responsibilities.

It is of utmost importance that employers realise their responsibility in the Duty of Care. This enables them to reduce risk to employees through the implementation of an Integrated Duty of Care risk management strategy that continuously assess, communicates, informs, updates and assists employees wherever they travel on behalf of their employers. www.afropolitan.co.za

AFRO DECOR

Make Your Outdoor Space Work in Winter There’s nothing quite like entertaining outdoors or simply enjoying your morning coffee on the patio. But when the winter chill sets in, so many people abandon their beautiful outdoor areas to retreat inside. Why should the enjoyment of your outdoor space end when summer ends? Here are some great ways to make your outdoor area work in winter.

Heating Options: www.heatwave.co.za 0860 4328 9283

Know your Heating Options There are several outdoor heating options for those extra chilly evenings. Gas heaters look great and they’re portable, making them easy to move to exactly where they’re needed. Electric patio heaters are more permanent fixtures mounted high to radiate heat down. An outdoor fireplace is also an excellent option, but if you’re looking for something a bit more rustic, a fire pit is perfect! What you choose depends entirely on the look and feel you are trying to achieve as well as the type of heating you want to create.

GET COSY WITH AMERICAN SHUTTERS A shutter-enclosed patio becomes a beautiful extention of your home and is the ideal way to create extra space and increase insulation. AMERICAN shutters' Larchwood shutters are ideal for exterior use. Made from a high density timber, these shutters have an inherent raw natural beauty and unsurpassed durability. They come with a choice of either adjustable or fixed louvres and can be customised to fit your patio and colour scheme. For added security, AMERICAN shutters durable and robust range of aluminium security shutters offer quality, style and beauty and are also ideal for enclosing a patio area.

AMERICAN SHUTTERS:

www.americanshutters.co.za 0860 748 8837 for nationwide distributors of AMERICAN shutters

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Larchwood exterior shutters: From R3 175 incl vat and installation Aluminium security shutters: From R3 900 incl vat and installation

www.afropolitan.co.za

Images courtesy of Shutterstock AND AMERICAN SHUTTERS

BY ELKA SCHAIMBERG

D E C O R

MOBELLI:

www.mobelli.co.za 0861 66 23 55

Platform Collection

Choose MOBELLI OUTDOOR Furniture Normal indoor furniture wont last a season outdoors because it is not built to survive harsh weather conditions. Rain, dust, exposure to the sun and wind are all factors which can cause your furniture to fade, rot or rust.

Comfortable outdoor furniture which is not only manufactured expressly for the outdoors, but which is stylish to boot, is now readily available. Mobelli offers quality high density polyethylene wicker in all shapes

and forms; comfortable sling chairs; and rust free aluminium furniture with cushions covered in treated outdoor fabrics. For those with limitless budgets, outdoor furniture manufactured from glass fibre and Kevlar provides super-stylish outdoor furniture which lasts. Mobelli’s comprehensive range of outdoor furniture solutions offers boundless designs to choose from, from their popular wicker range to their chic retro Salone collection.

Winter weather can be depressing but a great way to combat this is by adding colour! Accessorizing an outdoor space with colour can immediately add an element of warmth and create a bright and inviting space.

Start by adding a brightly coloured outdoor rug and some pot plants – these are subtle ways to infuse colour. You can also brighten up furniture by piling on some colourful cushions, cosy blankets and warm throws - your guests will also make use of these for extra warmth.

Colour:

www.home.co.za 011 244 8980

Images courtesy of MOBELLI

Add Colour

BY ALYN ADAMS

C O L U M N

How do we fix the youth?

Have fewer, for starters...

and try again. Sounds draconian? A bit Nazi? Well, we have to do something “A wasted youth,” – they already outnumber us. There Meatloaf once sang, aren’t enough mature, loving parents to go round – and if you don’t have those “is better by far than a raise rug-rats right, it’s Lord Of The wise and productive old to Flies time... age.” I can’t confirm the I know where of I speak – I’m raising two and putting a third through school. wisdom or productivity I didn’t spawn them myself; I just of old age, but I do know took on a few pupped by irresponsible heterosexuals. (Ha! Like there’s another he was right about kind...)* But it’s hard work, teaching youths. Get ’em wasted right from wrong by example. I have enough, and they’ll nothing but respect for biological parents – at least I got mine when they do anything... were old enough to fetch beers from the (Just a little joke from fridge. A newborn is utterly terrifying.

It can grab, suckle, cry and vent nasty someone who had an fluids from both ends – that’s all. adventurous youth in Everything else, they need mom or dad the Eighties; no offence for.

Then they grow into “the youth”, and meant...) your job still isn’t over. Now you’re up against raging hormones and a brain busy rewiring itself – and as it has since infancy, it learns by experience. une 16 is Youth Day. “Write about Loving, disciplined parents raise loving, the youth”, the ed said. Okay, I thought. Easy enough – there are so disciplined children. Sadly, the opposite is also true. And it does take a village many of the little blighters.

– or at least a parental partner. Single Too many, I reckon. When it comes to women’s rights to reproductive choice, parenthood isn’t wrong or immoral; it’s I believe abortion shouldn’t just be legal; just a lot harder than having someone it should be available postnatally. If kids to share the load of breadwinning and grow into responsible adults their moms child rearing.

But the bottom line should be: don’t feel they can unleash upon the world, make them unless you’re prepared well and good. If not, we compost them to stick around and ensure they turn

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out okay – something I’d really love to drum into men who spread their seed like confetti but never bother with fatherhood.

“How do we fix the youth,” you ask?

Taking responsibility for those we spawn would be a start! I’m not a fan of fascism, being a big ol’ bleeding-heart* liberal, but if the choice boils down to letting “the youth” grow up feral, then composting the ones who turn out antisocial, or forcing men to take responsibility for their ejaculations, I vote we make the grown-ups act like they are.

We have laws to compel biological fathers to help maintain their offspring, but how much of a deterrent is another court order going to be to a bloke who already has countless kids by different mothers whom he’s not bothering to raise? Three strikes and you’re out, I reckon. Once a happy bachelor has pumped out his third unwanted, uncared-for sprog, off to the publicly funded free clinic with him (the one that also gives women access to free contraception and sterilisation). A quick snip; and they send him home with a packet of frozen peas. Problem solved.

You think mandatory vasectomies are going too far? Maybe, but they’ll guarantee one thing: contraception will immediately become a man’s responsibility, too... *Ha! Like there’s another kind! This is not the insult some people think it is; compassion is not a vice.

www.afropolitan.co.za

BLUE FLAME ADV/80425

The Joburg Market.

Open to the man on the street. And woman.

TAKE A FRESH LOOK AT THE MARKET

R E V I E W S

BEAT BOX

The Gospel In Me Concert [ Sony/Native Rhythms ]

T

here are very few things in life that come together like jazz, soul and gospel.

These genrés not only make for sensational listening pleasure but also have the inexplicable ability to touch the innermost heart and souls of a listener.

Three South African musical giants, namely Gloria Bosman, Loyiso and Pu2ma, came together at The Lyric Theatre and fused these genres together to produce what is an amazing tribute to the gospel genre as they give their take on popular gospel and contemporary tunes on both the local and international market.

While these artists are not all traditionally gospel singers they tear down any misgivings from the minute they open up with “Can’t give up now”, a track originally performed by Mary Mary. Each singer is strong in each of the three genres that the sum of their efforts makes for incredible sound and spiritual upliftment.

The playful jazzy opening strings of “Blessed Assurance” featuring Loyiso and Pu2ma leave you in no doubt of the talent that graced this album and Loyiso takes much-loved track “Paradise Road” and makes it his own with Gloria Bosman’s signature voice adding a powerful twist to it as they croon over a reggae twist in the middle of the song. “Wethembekile” is Gloria Bosman’s ultimate offering as she gives all she has to the performance, managing to take the audience with her on a musical thrill.

As a show recorded live it successfully manages to incorporate the musicians engagement with the crowd, to make this a must-have for any music lover.

Don’t be fooled, this album is not merely a gospel album – it’s a celebration of music, local artists and their beliefs.

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www.afropolitan.co.za

Images are courtesy of NATIVE RHYTHMS

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

C D

R E V I E W

word on words

Open Book CAPE TOWN

F

rom 20 to 24 September 2012 Cape Town will be hosting Open Book Cape Town - an annual literary festival. The brainchild of Mervyn Sloman and Ben Williams, Open Book Cape Town has, since its inception in 2011, grown into a festival with close to 150 events, featuring

Ifeanyi Ajaegbo

N

igerian born Ifeanyi Ajaegbo is a development consultant and communications practitioner who lives and works in Port Harcourt in Nigeria. His writing has won awards and fellowships, including the 2005 African Regional prize for the Commonwealth Short Story competition. Sarah House is his first novel, which he wrote as a means “of introducing the problem of human trafficking and sexual slavery into popular discourse without relegating it to just developmental or academic literature.”

Sarah House “What I could not escape is that there would be a next time. In this world such times did not end until death. Tega had made sure I understood that. This was a world of the damned. A place where few survived. And those that survived were never the same again.”

Fast-paced from the very beginning, Sarah House is a heart-wrenching tale of the pain that human beings can cause each other and the tenacity of the human heart. Set in the dark seedy parts of Nigeria we follow the journey of Nita, a naïve village girl lured into the dark and seedy world of prostitution and organ-harvesting and her battle to not only avoid death but to survive. Ajaegbo has the ability to set the scene so vividly that it has the reader experiencing every emotion, pain and humiliation endured by these victims of the sex trade.

www.afropolitan.co.za

almost 100 authors!

In a time when reading is losing its appeal for many of our youth, Open Book festival is a much-needed initiative that attracts top writers from around the world. It’s a fantastic showcase of the best writing Africa has to offer and makes a significant

and sustainable contribution to our future by building a love of reading among the youth of Cape Town.

Nadine Gordimer and Ifeanyi Ajaegbo are two authors who will feature at the festival.

Nadine Gordimer

N

adine Gordimer is one of South Africa’s critically acclaimed authors. Born in Springs to Jewish immigrants, Nadine has always been interested in issues that push economic and racial equality. Her many novels include The Conservationist, joint winner of the Booker Prize, Get A Life, Burger’s Daughter, July’s People, My Son’s Story and The Pickup. Her collections of short stories include The Soft Voice of the Serpent, Something Out There, Jump, Loot and, most recently, Beethoven Was One-Sixteenth Black. She has also collected and edited Telling Tales, a story anthology published in fourteen languages whose royalties go to HIV/ AIDS organisations.

No Time Like The Present At a time when inter-racial relationships were a crime punishable by imprisonment, two individuals fighting for racial equality fall in love and get married. In telling the tale of Jewish born Steven Reed and Jabulile Gumede, a black Zulu woman, author Nadine Gordimer paints a historic picture of the landscape of South Africa at a time when it was going through its growing pains. From the couple’s own personal struggles to social political issues such as Aids denialism, President Jacob Zuma’s rape and corruption case, xenophobia and crime. Gordimer holds nothing back in recounting South African flaws and shortcomings. While No Time Like the Present is not an easy read both in prose and the sheer brutal honesty in Gordimer’s observation, it is a much needed mirror for the citizens of a country that has so much potential to either succeed or fail.

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imageS courtesy of PAN MACMILLAN

BY BRENDAH NYAKUDYA

B O O K

BY @carandgameguru

A F R O

W H E E L S

Volvo, meaning “I roll” in Latin gave birth to its first car in April 1927, a two litre cabriolet nicknamed Jakob. The idea to produce Volvo cars was conceived some years earlier when Assar Gabrielsson and Gustaf Larsson decided that Sweden needed a car more suited to the Scandinavian climate than the popular American imports in Sweden during the 1920s.

This brand would grow into the Volvo we know today. Now 85 years later, the principles that made Volvo what it is, are still the building blocks for every car that rolls off the assembly line. The Volvo brand has a history that spans eight decades and in this article we will explore one of Sweden’s most famous exports.

The History of The ‘20s & ‘30s:

Images courtesy of VOLVO

In 1927 the first Volvo was born!

Made up of imported parts and assembled in Sweden, 297 open top cars were sold from a calculated 300 (a closed top version came later) and Volvo was off as the biggest venture in Swedish industrial history. Volvo realised commercial vehicles were the answer to big growth, so as early as 1928 Volvo began to manufacturer trucks, taxis and bigger vehicles for commercial use. By the end of the ‘20s, Volvo had produced an impressive 3 000 commercial vehicles. The ‘30s were very much about variety and growth as Volvo produced a number of cars that filled many gaps in the commercial market as well as a few closed top passenger vehicles. With World War II starting in 1939, Volvo placed big emphasis on reducing the dependency on fuel. They spent time and money researching gas powered engines and towards the end of the decade and by the start of War, Volvo had started production of producer gas units.

Volvo Amazon/120

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VOLVO Volvo ÖV4 "Jakob"

The ‘40s & ‘50s The early ‘40s were plagued with war and Volvo’s passenger vehicle sales were down, but they used this as an opportunity to expand their operations into defence technology.

During the war, Volvo built a host of prototypes, and even managed to buy their gearbox supplier Köpings Mekaniska Verkstad AB. The ‘40s never quite took off until the very end of the decade and production of Volvo’s PV444 couldn’t have come any sooner.

The PV444 became one of the most popular Volvo’s of all time with 12 000 produced and with the PV444S sports version launched in 1949, things were looking up.

The ‘50s were all about capitalising

on a recovering economy and by 1952, the PV444 had seen its third remodel leave the factory floor as well as its 25 000th car. The people’s car was a very popular choice, but the biggest news of the ‘50s was the Volvo 120. Known as the Amazon in Scandinavia, the Volvo 120 introduced a number of features that set the motoring world alight such as convex unsplit windscreens and the safety belt anchorage standard in the front. Volvo became the first manufacturer globally to equip three point safety belts in their cars as standard and to this day, Volvo does all it can to produce the safest car for drivers and passengers. www.afropolitan.co.za

The ‘60s & ‘70s production mark. In this decade the Amazon P120 was phased out after 14 years. This car was an excellent example of Volvo’s philosophy of manufacturing reliable car models. Producing the same car over many years saved Volvo money on development and thereby enabled them to bear the cost of investments in safety and quality. The ‘70s saw Volvo focus on development of the 140 and across the decade they only made minor design changes.

Volvo 850 GLT

The ‘90s The ‘90s marked the biggest technical transition for Volvo in terms of how Volvo cars were to be designed and built. Volvo introduced the 850 GLT, a car with four world firsts: the transverse five-cylinder engine with its transmission and front-wheel drive integrated into a compact unit, the delta-link rear suspension, the SIPS (side impact protection system) and the ARH belt reel with its automatic height adjustment. The 850 became the basis for most Volvo models of the ‘90s from entry-level models all the way through to the prestige versions. Other new cars were the Dutch-built S40/V40 and the prestigious S80 in ‘98, which again marked a new era of technology and innovation. The new models at Volvo were placed into three categories; S for Sedan, V for Versatility and C for convertible. Today these categories still apply to Volvo.

Volvo P1800

The ‘80s Volvo produced its first turbocharged car the 240 Turbo and the Volvo Concept Car to test the technical solutions in the fields of energy and the environment. In 1981 Volvo watched as its one-millionth Volvo bound for North America left the assembly line, a silver 240 Estate. By the late ‘80s, Volvo had introduced cars with catalytic converters and the Lambda-Sond to Europe, which represented major progression in the environmental field. The ‘80s also introduced a series of safety accessories for children, such as side-collision protection and a child booster cushion integrated into the rear seats, attracting much attention for Volvo worldwide.

The 2000s and beyond The new millennium saw the development of the V70, XC70 and the S60. It was a time of growth and development for their safety and environmental products too. In 2002, Volvo’s first SUV, the XC90, was launched and quickly became a best seller for half a decade. Between 2003 and 2006, a new series of compact Volvos, the S40, V50, C70 and C30 were launched, to target a somewhat younger group. 2006 also saw Volvo open a production plant in China, symbolising

the global growth of the brand.

Volvo hasn’t always been the sexiest car in the world, and it wasn’t until recently with the new range that people saw Volvo as something other than a safety wagon. One thing that can never be taken from them is their uncompromising pursuit of driver safety and satisfaction. We have reviewed a number of Volvo models in Afropolitan and loved every one, so here’s wishing Volvo another successful 85 years.

Did You Know?

Volvo got its name because they first produced ball bearings.

The Volvo brand symbol comes from the sign for iron and is referred to as the Volvo Ironmark. www.afropolitan.co.za

Volvo S60

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imageS courtesy of VOLVO

The ‘60s represented global expansion for Volvo as they opened new plants all over the world. Volvo’s expansion led to the production of a sports car, the P1800, the evolution Amazon, the Amazon 121 and later that decade a Volvo 145 family estate. The ‘60s also saw the introduction of head restraints in the front, seat belts in the rear seats and electronically heated rear windows.

In the ‘70s Volvo weathered an oil crisis, increased sales and passed the 2 million

Gadgets for Dads Gifts galore for every kind of dad – just in time for Fathers’ Day

FOR THE KITCHEN DAD Microplane Long Zester

Nespresso Essenza Titan

R295

R1 799

If you don’t own a Microplane zester, then you can’t call yourself a serious foodie!

For dads who are a whizz in the kitchen, this new longer version of the original Microplane zester has a soft-touch handle for a better grip, and the end is designed not to leave scratches on your marble counter tops. It’s 30 centimetres in length, and is perfect for grating anything from gorgeous strands of lemon zest to waferthin slices of parmesan cheese over your pastas dishes. It’s the kitchen gadget of the year!

For more info: www.yuppiechef.co.za

Bear Grylls Ultimate Knife R2000

For coffee-lovers, nothing says: “I love you” quite like a Nespresso machine!

This compact, automatic espressomaker will fit neatly in your father’s study, office or in a corner of the kitchen. Simply pop in a Nespresso capsule, wait 30 seconds while the machine heats up and get ready for one of the best cups of java you’ve ever tasted. The Essenza Titan has a one litre tank capacity for water.

When you’re done, lift the handle and the empty capsule ejects. Presto!

For more info: www.yuppiechef.co.za

FOR THE OUTDOORSY DAD

The star of the Survivor series on Discovery Channel has teamed up with Gerber to produce the Ultimate Knife.

It’s designed to help you survive in the wild and is the perfect gift for the dad who likes to spend his time outdoors.

The half serrated high carbon stainless steel drop point blade stays sharp, and the stainless steel pommel in the base can be used for hammering.

You can use the ferrocerium rod in the sheath as a fire-starter, and the sheath also incorporates a sharpener.

It comes with Bear’s Priorities of Survival Pocket Guide, and an emergency whistle integrated into the lanyard cord.

For more info: www.beargrylls.co.za

FOR THE FUN DAD Gear4 Angry Birds Docking Station

Bushnell Laser Rangefinder Sport 450 R2 680 The Bushnell Yardage Pro Sport 450 laser rangefinder 20-1916 is the Bushnell compact laser rangefinder. Featuring a weather-resistant design with a textured grip, five yard minimum distance, and a sleek streamlined casing, this Bushnell Sport 450 rangefinder is a great addition to the Bushnell 2005 line-up. The 4x Sport 450 rangefinders 201916 takes nine Volt batteries, and comes with a carry case and strap.

For more info: www.technopro.co.za

R1 250

If your dad is an Angry Birds addict, then he’ll love this quaint docking station to play his tunes through. The officially licensed Helmet Pig Speaker is our favourite, because frankly – he always gets a bad rap! (Also available in the Black Bomber Bird and the Red Bird). This dock is compatible with most generations of iPod/iPhone, and you can also connect other music-playing devices using the 3.5 millimetre jack. It has volume and bass controls, and also comes with a separate remote control.

For more info: www.takealot.com

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www.afropolitan.co.za

Prices may vary. Images are courtesy of manufacturers and distributors.

BY STACEY VEE

G A D G E T S

FOR THE TECHY DAD Apple iPad 3 (16GB, Wi-Fi only) R4 999

From R1 600

R199

The next time Dad’s in a meeting, he’ll thank you for his Echo Smartpen.

Not only does it record everything that is said in the boardroom, it’ll take all the handwritten notes that he scribbled onto the special Livescribe paper notepad and transform them into electronic documents (for instance, a Word doc). The 4GB model can record and store up to 400 hours!

There are also a huge variety of apps that can be downloaded that interface with the Livescribe range that can help improve productivity and education, if he’s also using his Echo Smartpen for study notes and lectures.

For more info: www.smartscribe.co.za

FOR THE ON-THE-GO DAD TomTom Navigation iPhone app

$59.99 (from the App Store)

Your dad can get the latest, most up-to-date maps on his iPhone or iPad with the TomTom Navigation app. Map Share technology allows you and the community of TomTom users to update maps, and share this information. IQ Routes is constantly tracking speed data, even if you’re walking in the shopping mall with your iPhone, or stuck at a robot – so you’ll get the most accurate travel and arrival times possible.

The HD Traffic function is available to South Africans, updating your GPS unit every two minutes with live traffic information. No excuses for being late again, Pops!

For more info: www.tomtom.com www.afropolitan.co.za

Prices may vary. Images are courtesy of manufacturers and distributors.

Livescribe Echo Smartpen 4GB

THE CORPORATE DAD The Mini Mouse M187 is extra small, fitting snugly into a laptop bag for fathers who travel often for business. It even fits into a pocket. The nano receiver that connects the mouse to your device is so tiny that it plugs into a USB port and doesn’t hook or catch onto anything.

When you’re done using the mouse, simply hide the nano receiver back in the casing so that it doesn’t get lost. The M187 comes in a variety of colours, and also has a three year limited hardware warranty. Available at Incredible Connection, HiFi Corporation, Makro and DionWired.

For more info: www.logitech.com

R5 999 You might have noticed that the ‘Ericsson’ has been dropped from the next generation of Sony Smartphones. The Xperia P has a Reality Display that is powered by Sony’s incredible mobile Bravia engine. The one gigahertz dual-core processors make for snappy performance – the camera can go from sleep to snap in just over one second at the press of a single button. The Xperia P transforms into an entertainment centre when plugged into SmartDock and connects to the television in your lounge. You can even use your Sony television remote control with it.

For more info: www.sony.com

What sets the new iPad apart from its predecessors is the inclusion of Apples incredible Retina display, which is also in use in the latest iPhone. It has four times more pixels than the previous iPad, which means that text is crisper and the colours in photos and movies is richer and brighter.

The battery life has also been improved, as well as the camera. The iSight camera is five megapixels, and also allows you to record in 1 080 pixels. The bigger models of the iPad 3 are also ready for the faster 4G LTE networks, but this technology is not available in South Africa as yet.

For more info: www.myistore.co.za

Logitech Wireless Mini Mouse M187

Sony Xperia P

GIVEAWAY We’re giving two lucky readers who own an iPhone or iPad the TomTom Navigation app for free!

To enter go to: www.afropolitan.co.za

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S O C I A l S

AFROPOLITAN COGNAC TASTING April 4, 2012 saw the coming together of the finer things in life under one very stylish roof when The Afropolitan, Chateau D’Ax, Bisquit Cognac together with Woodmead Motors hosted a whiskey tasting at the Chateau D’Ax showrooms in Woodmead. The evening had Afropolitans not only savouring specially selected whiskey and food but also being treated to a showcase of exquisite Italian furniture and vehicles.

Jonga-Mazizi Sibaca, Helmuth Kisting, Nelisa Ramphomone, Afrikayethu tyulu, Andrew Freese

chateau D’Ax

thobeka chanco, Nonkululeko Shabalala

charmaine Olivier, charlene Smuts, Makha Mchunu, Lucy Ntsane

tshepo Matlala, Prudence Mabele, Kenyan Ambassador to SA tom Amolo, thobeka chanco, Helmuth Kisting

Kamogelo Kekana & Amanda Jane Wilde

chateau D'Ax & Woodmean Auto

IMAGES ARE cOURtESY OF GINA ARAUJO

Greg Maloka, Vince Verrydt, Sean Press

Bisquit cognac

Drink Responsibly. Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18 72

www.afropolitan.co.za

IWC Portuguese.

Engineered for navigators.

Always on course.

Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph. Ref. 3902: “Please make a U-turn if possible.” The instruments used by sailors in the tradition of Vasco da Gama are less intrusive. One of the legends of navigation is the Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph. Its IWC-manufactured movement with flyback function and automatic double-pawl winding guarantees precise landings. And even if you happen to head off in the wrong direction, no one’s going to start nagging you. IWC. Engineered for men.

Mechanical IWC-manufactured movement (figure) | Flyback function | Automatic IWC double-pawl winding system | Date display | Antireflective sapphire glass | Sapphire-glass back cover | Water-resistant 6 bar | Stainless steel

IWC Schaf f hause n, Swit ze rland. w w w.iwc.com Johannesburg: Charles Greig Jewellers, Hyde Park • Elegance Prive, Bedford Centre • Elegance, Melrose Arch • Emanuels Jewellers, Nelson Mandela Square Cape Town: Charles Greig Jewellers, V & A Waterfront • Durban: Beverley Jewellers, The Pavilion