Afropolitan 49

COVER

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

17049

9 771993 965003 www.afropolitan.co.za | 2017 | Edition 49

GREEN LIVING IN 2017 | JAZZIN' WITH THANDISWA MAZWAI | FUNDING YOUR START UP

ALL-NEW F-PACE

IT FEELS LIKE A PERFORMANCE CAR, BECAUSE IT IS.

ALL-NEW JAGUAR F-PACE FROM R9 999 P.M* Don’t let its generous proportions and everyday practicality fool you. Inspired by F-TYPE, the Jaguar F-PACE has the DNA of a sports car.

Jaguar F-PACE 2.0 i4 Diesel 132kW R-Sport Retail Price (incl VAT)

R888 666

Principal Debt

R769 893

Deposit (13.5 %) Period (months) Monthly Instalment

F-PACE’s Lightweight Aluminium Architecture is stiff and strong, for incredible agility and handling. And its Torque Vectoring provides precise braking on the inside wheels while feeding torque to the outside wheels for even better cornering. Extra spacious, powerful and nimble, Jaguar’s first performance SUV changes the game.

Rate

R119 970 72 R9 999 6.32%

Balloon Payment (30%)

R266 600

Total Cost of Finance

R976 560

Visit jaguar.co.za or your nearest retailer for more.

*Offer available from Jaguar Financial Services. Deal parameters are flexible but will affect rate and payment, contact dealer F&I manager for options. These payments are indications only and may change depending on date of first payment etc. Changes in the prime rate, currently 10.50%, will cause changes to this schedule unless calculated on a ‘Fixed Rate’ basis. Customer is responsible for Balloon Payment when and if applicable. Subject to normal credit approval as per JLR FS credit criteria. Retail Prices subject to change without notice. Advertised monthly payment includes initiation fee of R1 197.00 and R 68.40 monthly service fee and while stocks last. Jaguar Financial Services, a product of WesBank. WesBank - A division of FirstRand Bank Limited. An Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP20. Terms and conditions apply and subject to credit approval.

CONTENTS

CONTENTS 44 REGULARS

FEATURES

STYLE

TRENDING

22 STYLISH SUNGLASSES

GROOMING

12 MALE GROOMING

HEALTH

14 BE BERRY WISE

TIME OUT

16 CAPE TOWN’S BALDUCCI

TURNS 21

LAST WORD

84 2016 CAF COACH OF THE YEAR

AND SUNDOWNS COACH,

PITSO MOSIMANE

MOTORING 79

82

SMALLER SUVS MEANT FOR SUBURBAN STREETS SHOULD YOU LEASE OR BUY YOUR CAR?

FASHION

24 15 YEARS OF RUBICON

Thandiswa Mazwai

30 THE FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S WEATHER CONDITIONS 34 WHY WE SHOULD ALL LEARN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE

PROFILE

10 MEET FOOD BLOGGER AND FOUNDER OF THE LAZY MAKOTI,

MOGAU SESHOENE 42 TELEVISION AND RADIO PRESENTER, FATHER AND

ENTREPRENEUR, PROVERB

LIFESTYLE

38 AFROPOLITAN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MOËT &

CHANDON’S BENOÎT GOUEZ

BUSINESS

53 FUNDING OPTIONS FOR YOUR BUSINESS 48 FIVE TOP WAYS TO INVEST YOUR MONEY THIS YEAR

LIVING 62 58 44

2017 DESIGN TRENDS HOW TO START LIVING GREEN CULTURE THANDISWA MAZWAI ON MAKING HER JAZZ ALBUM, BELEDE

TRAVEL

70 HOLIDAY IN THE MALDIVES WITH CLUB MED 74 CHILD-FRIENDLY HOLIDAYS THAT DON’T COMPROMISE

ON ADULT LUXURY 5

FROM THE EDITOR

IMAGE Gareth Jacobs

EDITOR Lerato Tshabalala CONTRIBUTORS Zamahlasela Gabela Michelle Jones Palesa Madumo Damian Murphy Mbalenhle Sibanyoni PUBLISHING HOUSE Contact Media & Communications 388 Main Avenue, Randburg Block A Tel: +27(0) 11 789 6339 Fax: +27(0) 11 789 7097 email: pressman@contactmedia.co.za web: www.contactmedia.co.za CEO & DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Sean Press MANAGING DIRECTOR & PUBLISHER Donna Verrydt FINANCE & OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Lesley Fox HEAD OF SALES Didi Okoro SALES MANAGER Quincy Matonhodze SALES Damian Murphy Michelle Jones Charlene Heyburgh Kyle William Wentzel DESIGN & LAYOUT Quinten Tolken COVER PHOTOGRAPHY Gareth Jacobs Photography SUB-EDITOR Angie Snyman PROOFREADER Haley Abrahams PRODUCTION COORDINATOR Gwen Sebogodi IT AND WEB MANAGER Carmen Petre REPRO & PRINTING Kadimah Print

SO FAR, SO GOOD… B

y this time last year, Penny Sparrow had already called black holiday revellers in Durban “monkeys”, music legend David Bowie had died and subway stations in Brussels were hit by suicide bombers – all this before the first three months were over!

But 2017 is promising to give us the good stuff (that is, if we all squeeze our eyes closed tightly and sing “la-la-la” loudly while trying to block our ears from acknowledging that Donald Trump really is the 45th president of the US). So far, Viola Davis has won a Screen Actors Guild and a Golden Globe Award, New Edition finally got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and Beyoncé is expecting twins.

If we continue in this fashion, this year might be our best since Thabo Mbeki was president.

But I digress.

DISTRIBUTION Gwen Sebogodi & distributed by:

FOR ANY DISTRIBUTION QUERIES CONTACT: 011 401 5870 Copyright © 2016 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.

In our bid to promote 23 years of democracy, we ask three South Africans whether we should take teaching African languages in our country more seriously. Named CAF Coach of the Year in 2016, we speak to former Bafana Bafana and current Sundowns coach, Pitso Mosimane, about some of the lessons he’s learnt during his years as a player and a coach.

And after more than a decade of me refusing to interview Thandiswa Mazwai, I finally sat down with her for a chat... find out how that went.

as the colour for 2017. But, instead of being left to your own devices, we’ve enlisted the help of one of SA’s most highly respected interior designers, Ditau Interiors’ Nthabi Taukobong, to help infuse your home with greens.

Whether you’re looking to make this the year you finally go it alone, invest your money or, indeed, plan to cook better than a “Lazy Makoti”, there isn’t a subject we haven’t covered.

Personally, I’m determined to approach every endeavour with love. Whether it’s dinner with my best friend, compiling a music playlist or cooking for my beloved, I plan to approach life with the eagerness of someone who’s getting paid good money, and the passion of someone who’s living their dream. Love is trending in my life! A first ever, I sat with my friends Karabo and Vuyo, after my bestie Annie had cooked us biryani at her house, and we each created a “vision board”. Mine had the house of my dreams, holidays with people I love and loads of fabulous shoes and bags.

Whatever’s on your vision board, or on your wish list to the universe, I hope you’ll be granted all you desire.

Love & light

Going into this year, we need to be more aware of our impact on the environment, so we look at how, in whatever tiny way, we can all start living more greenly. Fortuitously, this coincides with Pantone naming “Greenery”

7

PROFILE

A RECIPE FOR SUCCESS FOOD BLOGGER AND FOUNDER OF THE LAZY MAKOTI, MOGAU SESHOENE, HAS PUT THE SEXY INTO TRADITIONAL SOUTH AFRICA FOOD

T

ell us about The Lazy Makoti?

The Lazy Makoti (TLM) began as cooking lessons for makotis (“brides” in isiZulu), with a focus on traditional South African food. It all started after a friend, who was due to get married, was (1) worried about making a good impression on her in-laws, and (2) had been labelled a “lazy makoti”, so needed lessons on cooking traditional food and had no clue where to start. TLM has since evolved into a food solutions agency. These days we do everything from cooking lessons for groups, individuals and domestic helpers, to recipe development and bespoke catering.

What makes a good cook?

As clichéd as it may sound – passion and love. Growing up, I remember my grandmother saying: “There’s no love in this food,” as if she could taste the mood you were in as you cooked. Now I’m inclined to believe that. Even the simplest dish tastes amazing when real effort and time is put into making it taste and look delicious.

Your top three South African dishes/foods are… butter chicken, chakalaka – great for our favourite pastime of braaiing; make it hot or mild, depending on who you‘re serving – and biltong. I found the American version (called beef jerky – which I absolutely hated) while in the US. No one does it better than us!

10

Mogau Seshoene

PROFILE

Who are your favourite cooks/chefs?

Chef Werner is the executive chef at The Saxon, where I did my training.

His precision and attention to detail is something I try to emulate. Nothing leaves his kitchen unless it’s absolutely perfect.

It was amazing training with him. My mother may not be a qualified chef, but her oxtail is the best there is. Television chef, Siba Mtongana – I’m a huge fan. She certainly paved the way for many young black women to see themselves going mainstream. I love how she’s true to her heritage. Food editor, Dora Sithole – I feel like I grew up on Mama Dora’s food. My mom always had a subscription to True Love magazine, where Mama Dora was the food editor for years. My mom still has a scrapbook with cut-outs of all those recipes.

It was my job to cut out and paste all our favourites in the book. And, of course, Nigella Lawson – I remember the first time I saw Nigella on television… she made a triple death-by-chocolate cake. I watched in disbelief as she used her finger to taste the chocolate icing. I’d never seen a chef who was a sexy and beautiful woman, who ate!

She tasted and visibly enjoyed everything, and not once did she say how much weight she’d gain, how bad she was being or other crap that girls like me with curvy figures grew up hearing. She’s an absolute delight.

Your best Joburg restaurant is…

Qunu at The Saxon, where I did my apprenticeship. The Steak Dianne, which is Karan beef fillet, wild mushroom ragout and steamed rainbow vegetables, flambéed at your table, is my ultimate dish.

What are your career highlights?

They range from meeting Oprah Winfrey and former president Barack Obama through the Mandela Washington Fellowship, to making some of the most celebrated lists, such as Mail & Guardian’s top 200 Young South Africans and the Forbes Africa 30 under 30. I’ve been lucky to fulfil a dream and live out my passion.

Cooking is… art – an intimate expression of love.

Besides TLM, what else do you do?

In addition to the day-to-day running of the business, we’re getting ready to shoot a television show, which I’m just ecstatic about!

What thing don’t you eating?

Gem squash. Give me pumpkin or butternut please, but hold the squash.

What are your tips for hosting the perfect dinner party?

Plan ahead. You can even do all the chopping the night before or well in advance, so all you’ll be doing on the day is cooking. This is important for great time management and to ensure you get to actually enjoy entertaining, knowing that you’re prepared. Always have extra – guests are known to bring plus ones without informing the host. And always have loads of wine. It helps people relax.

What’s your dinner party dream guest list?

The former first lady of the US, Michelle Obama – it would be amazing to just sit and listen to her. Author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, for the same reasons as Mrs Obama. The Nigerian fashion designer, Deola Sagoe – by the end of the night, she would have agreed to dress me.

Rupi Kaur, so she can recite her lovely poetry. Comedian Mindy Kaling, because someone’s gotta be funny, right? And lastly, one of the founders of Dine Diaspora, Nana Ama Afari-Dwamena. Dine Diaspora is a food and lifestyle company that hosts experiences around food, culture and heritage in the US, particularly for the diaspora – which is something I would like to achieve with our local cuisine.

Tell us about your plans for TLM's future…?

Right now, we sell a range of contemporary kitchen accessories such as chopping boards, aprons and salad forks, but the ultimate plan is to build a food empire – everything from a cookbook, TV series to retail consumer goods and kitchen accessories. All with an authentic South African flair.

Food trends 2017 are…

The colour purple, particularly food with a purple hue – purple carrots, cauliflower and even potatoes.

Repurposing food waste. Skins, leaves, seeds and stalks of vegetables are now put to new use instead of being thrown away, which is great as it cuts down on food waste and we get to take advantage of the nutrients found in these parts of fruit and veg that previously would’ve been discarded.

Plant-based proteins. Consumers are becoming more and more conscious of what they put into their bodies. They’ll continue to want food that’s responsibly

Kitchen accessories from The Lazy Makoti.

Above: Cutting boards Below: Utensils

grown and much healthier, while still being convenient.

What’s your favourite food-related reality show?

MasterChef Junior.

Who are the top foodies to follow on Instagram? @foodieinneyyork, @basil_lala, @tojo827, @lebolukewarm, @cookrepublic, @foodiemagician, @Food52

Which food reminds you most of your childhood?

Oxtail stew and dombolo (steamed bread), sorghum soft porridge and homemade achar. I used to hate making achar with my grandma – we’d make bucket loads as gifts for neighbours and friends. Our family achar recipe is made with mango, avocado, litchi, pawpaw, pomegranate and orange.

South African food is…

Hearty and warm.

11

GROOMING

YOU'VE GOT MALE THERE'S NOTHING MORE IRRESISTIBLE THAN A WELL-GROOMED MAN

Prices correct at time of print

CRABTREE & EVELYN SHAVING BRUSH AND RAZOR R3 500 TABAC GENTLE MEN’S CARE MOISTURIZING CREAM R195 TABAC GENTLE MEN’S CARE EDT R595 CRABTREE & EVELYN WEST INDIAN LIME SHAVE SOAP IN A BOWL R650 CRABTREE & EVELYN WEST INDIAN LIME AFTER SHAVE BALM R680

12

GROOMING

Prices correct at time of print

GIORGIO ARMANI ACQUA DI GIÒ PROFUMO R1 339 TOM FORD FOR MEN EXFOLIATING ENERGY SCRUB R780 TOM FORD SKIN REVITALIZING CONCENTRATE R1 995 KIEHL’S “CLOSE-SHAVERS” SQUADRON ULTIMATE BRUSHLESS SHAVE CREAM — WHITE EAGLE R275 KIEHL’S “CLOSE-SHAVERS” SQUADRON ULTIMATE MAN RAZOR BUMP RELIEF R500 YVES SAINT LAURENT LA NUIT DE L’HOMME L’INTENSE EDT R1 650

STOCKISTS TOM FORD www.redsquare.co.za CRABTREE & EVELYN www.crabtree-evelyn.co.za KIEHL’S www.kiehls.co.za RED SQUARE www.redsquare.co.za CLICKS www.clicks.co.za DIS-CHEM www.dischem.co.za

13

HEALTH

BERRIEDALIVE

BY DONNA VERRYDT

TOP FIVE HEALTH-BOOSTING BERRIES TO KEEP YOU ALIVE LONGER

S

ometimes life feels like you are being buried alive beneath schedules, schoolwork, actual work, extramurals, exams, bills, admin and conflicts, to name a few. To cope with this Ferrari-paced lifestyle we all lead, we need some extra energy – and we also need to build our immunity to fight sickness and stress-related conditions. Berries are the new superfood, and any food that is classified as “super” also carries a “super” price tag – but who can put a price on good health, right? When we talk about eating more berries, most often a smoothie jumps to mind. We have nothing against smoothies, but you can do so much more with berries. The truth is you can add berries to meals (ones that you actually chew) and gain similar benefits to a smoothie. Let’s look at the top five berries you should be eating – to help you live longer.

BLUEBERRIES AKA “THE BRAIN BERRY”

RICH IN

18 amino acids; 21 trace minerals; linoleic acid; more beta carotene than carrots; vitamins B1, B2, B6 and E; selenium and geranium and other antioxidants.

WHAT THEY DO

It’s said a handful of goji berries in the morning will make you happy for the rest of the day. Traditionally, they’re regarded as a potent food for longevity, strength and sexual virility.

These berries have also been known to protect the liver from contaminates, and a study by the Chinese Journal of Oncology found that patients with cancer responded better to treatment

when goji berries were included in their daily diet.

INTERESTING FACT:

Tradition dictates that these berries are never touched by human hands (this would cause them to oxidise and turn black), but instead are shaken onto mats and then dried or made into a juice.

There’s a legend that says Li Qing Yuen from Tibet, who “lived to the age of 252 years” (1678–1930), ate goji berries every day.

WHERE THEY ARE FROM?

They are grown in Tibet and Nepal.

RICH IN

vitamins C and E, manganese and dietary fibre.

WHAT THEY DO

The blueberry was ranked number one in antioxidant capacity by researchers at the USDA Human Nutrition Center when compared to 40 other fresh fruits and vegetables, which makes it possibly the healthiest fruit there is. “When it comes to brain protection, there’s nothing quite like blueberries,” says Tufts neuroscientist James Joseph. “I call the blueberry the brain berry,” he says, attributing the effect to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. The American Institute for Cancer Research also said that it now knows that blueberries are one of the best sources of antioxidants – substances that can slow the ageing process and reduce cell damage that can lead to cancer. Aside from protecting the brain and fighting cancer, blueberries have also been associated with lower cholesterol and protection against heart disease, glaucoma, varicose veins, haemorrhoids and peptic ulcers.

WHERE ARE THEY GROWN? They are grown all over the world, including South Africa.

14

IMAGES Shutterstock

GOJI BERRIES

HEALTH

STRAWBERRIES RICH IN

the proliferation of HepG-2 liver phytonutrients called phenols, vitamins C and K, manganese, fibre, iodine, potassium, cancer cells. folate, riboflavin, vitamin B5, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B6, magnesium and copper.

INTERESTING FACT All that packed into one berry!

Strawberries don’t ripen any further once they’re picked, so be sure to choose shiny WHAT THEY DO berries with a deep red colour, and use Strawberries protect the heart and have them within a few days. anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory abilities.

They also help protect the brain from WHERE THEY ARE FROM? oxidative stress and age-related decline, There are more than 600 varieties of and fight macular degeneration of the strawberries, so you won’t have to look eyes. One study from Cornell University demonstrated that strawberries stopped hard to find some, anywhere in the world.

CHERRIES RICH IN

quercitrin, anthocyanins and bioflavonoids, ellagic acid and melatonin.

WHAT THEY DO

Essentially, cherries fight cancer, build immune systems, aid in sleeping better and alleviate pain from arthritis, gout and migraines. Not bad for a little berry that also tastes sweet and delicious.

INTERESTING FACT Cherries have a very short season – only three months – so you have to reap their rewards while you can. Cherries come in either sweet or sour varieties. The Bing cherry is the most popular of the sweet cherries and is best for snacking, while the smaller and brighter sour cherries are most often used for pies, sauces or other baked goods.

BLACKBERRIES AND MULBERRIES RICH IN

antioxidants, vitamins C and E, and ellagic acid. They’re also rich in the soluble fibre, pectin, and potassium.

WHAT THEY DO

These berries are more than just powerful antioxidants. They are extremely high in some of the highest forms of chronic disease and cancer-fighting compounds, and are known to lower cholesterol. Ohio State University showed that blackberries also have the ability to stop tumour formation in the oral cavity, as well as to stop the proliferation of colon cancer cells.

INTERESTING FACT

Wild blackberries are actually related to the rose – and, like a rose, they grow on a thorny bush. Because they’re highly perishable (like all berries), blackberries should ideally be used the same day they are bought, and washed just prior to eating. You can, however, also freeze blackberries, by placing them in a single layer on a cookie sheet and then, once frozen, transferring them to an airtight container. They’ll keep for about six months in the freezer. Although blackberries and mulberries are two different berries, they not only look similar but also share common positive health benefits.

WHERE THEY ARE FROM?

Mainly Mexico, but blackberries can be found all over the world.

15

TIME OUT

STAYING POWER

Balducci's re-styled interior

IF YOU’RE HITTING THE CAPE THIS EASTER, CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR OF THE SLICK RESTAURANT GROUP, IAN HALFON, TELLS US WHY CAPE TOWN’S BALDUCCI, WHICH TURNS 21 THIS YEAR, IS STILL A FIRM FAVOURITE Balducci's exterior

16

#Work The Look

Terms & Conditions apply.

TIME OUT

H

ow has the restaurant changed aesthetically over the past two decades?

When we first opened Balducci, the whole restaurant was done in solid cherry wood, designed by worldrenowned architect, Stefan Antoni. It was the architectural masterpiece in South Africa and won the PG Bison Award for design excellence. We subsequently redesigned the restaurant a few years ago and brought in lighter colours; still understated, but elegant. Balducci was totally redesigned and we imported special designs for the chairs, and also gutted the Asian sushi and noodle bar and built a very classy new structure.

Who are some of the famous people who’ve walked through Balducci’s doors?

Prime ministers, rappers, dancers, senators from the House of Congress, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former SA

Noodles and Sushi Bar with Asian head chef, Daniel Yao

Pizza Margherita

president FW De Klerk and many actors and famous people, including the king of Jordan and his family, musician Carlos Santana, the king of Sweden, Prince Albert of Monaco, former Top Gear presenters Jeremy Clarkson and Richard Hammond, former Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa, Nobuyuki “Nobu” Matsuhisa of Nobu, and Mzoli Ngcawuzele of Mzoli’s Place in Gugulethu.

What are the restaurant’s most popular dishes?

Shelfish Platter

Balducci’s butter chicken curry pasta (the chicken is first marinated in spices and yoghurt, then cooked in the pizza oven) and the tikka chicken tandoor pizza are winners.

What’s the secret to Balducci’s success?

Butter Chicken Curry Pasta

18

Passion, passion, passion! The restaurant is about attention to detail, commitment to service excellence and continual change. We have a big menu but specialise, believe it or not. The menu looks much, much bigger than it is.

Neither Doron Duveen, my business partner, nor I are chefs, but we’re passionate about food and detail. Our

love for art and music has inspired us to create the masterpiece that is Balducci.

This is why we’ve been around for almost 21 years.

Any franchising in the future?

Been there, done it, but never again.

This business is about passion and using the very best ingredients, served in style with a hand-selected team, and not so much about money. This does not tie in with franchising.

How will you be celebrating 21 years in the business?

We’ve been working on a special project to help people who are blind get corneal transplants, to provide a miracle and blessing for them. It begins this year after four years of planning.

Balducci’s signature food style is… good, fresh, everyday food made simple and uncomplicated, but consistent and bursting with passion and flavour.

Balducci – Shop 6162, Breakwater Boulevard, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town, 021 421 6002, www.balduccis.co.za

ADVERTORIAL

WIN YOUR SHARE OF R30 000 WITH AFROPOLITAN AND GAUTRAIN IN THE CONNECTING THE DOTS COMPETITION

G

autrain believes that a train journey is not just about getting from A to B, or to OR Tambo International Airport! It’s also about the journey – an experience that encompasses the freedom of innovative mobility, interaction with other people, learning new cultures, understanding diverse situations and having meaningful conversations. Many new memories made on a train!

Gautrain wants you to capture that spirit and you could win R10 000!

WHAT TO DO?

Share your Gautrain experience, by posting feel good photos, video or short stories on Facebook - Like and tag the Afropolitan Magazine Facebook page and #GautrainLinks to your post to stand a chance to win!

TO INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING, STICK TO OUR QUARTERLY THEMES (EVERY THREE MONTHS), WHICH ARE: MARCH, APRIL, MAY 2017: Heritage – our past

JUNE, JULY, AUGUST 2017: Youth – our future

SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER 2017: Public Transport Integration – accessibility

DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY 2018: Lifestyle – People on the move

Finalists will be informed after each quarter, and the winners of each theme will be announced at a red carpet event at the end of February 2018! Quarterly winners will receive R10 000 each!

Competition notes: • Gautrain brand pillars incorporate ‘pride’, ‘relationships’ and ‘freedom’; winners will be chosen on their understanding and experience of the themes • Video posts may not exceed 90 seconds.

• Written posts may not exceed 150 words.

• Terms and Conditions apply, please see Afropolitan Magazine website for details.

• For further information please contact info@afropolitan.co.za

19

WIN R10 000 WITH AND GAUTRAIN! Reflect on our past, visit places of heritage along the Gautrain route and enter the Connecting the Dots Competition by posting your heritage experience onto your Facebook page.

PIXEL PASS Take a PIC

ON THE MOVE Take a 90 second VIDEO

GOLDEN GUILD Write 150 WORDS of your experience

Like and tag the Afropolitan Magazine Facebook page and add #GautrainLinks onto your post to stand a chance to win!

First quarter of competition runs from 1 March – 30 May. Semi finalists will be announced on Facebook. T&C’s apply. Please look out for details on 2nd, 3rd and 4th leg of competition.

NOT ONLY A TRAIN...

EXPERIENCE GAUTENG’S HERITAGE!

www.gautrain.co.za

STYLE

SHADES OF DELIGHT

ATTRACT THE RIGHT KIND OF ATTENTION WITH THESE ON-TREND SUNNIES

PRADA HAVANA R3 390

PERSOL R3 390

Prices correct at time of print

RAY-BAN R2 290

22

STYLE

PERSOL TERRA DI SIENA R3 190

BURBERRY R3 190

GIORGIO ARMANI R3 690

MIU MIU R3 790

Prices correct at time of print

DOLCE & GABBANA R3 490 STOCKISTS SUNGLASS HUT | www.sunglasshut.co.za | +27 21 486 6129 LUXOTTICA | www.luxottica.co.za | +27 21 486 6100

23

FASHION

BACK TO THE FUTURE

Rubicon Spring/Summer 2011

24

FASHION

WHEN SO MANY OF HER CONTEMPORARIES STARTED DIVERSIFYING TOO QUICKLY AND ENDED UP CLOSING SHOP, HANGWANI NENGOVHELA KEPT HER HEAD DOWN AND HER STANDARDS HIGH WHILE MANAGING HER CLOTHING LABEL, RUBICON. HERE SHE REFLECTS ON THE LAST 15 YEARS, SHARES HER BIGGEST LIFE LESSONS AND FUTURE PLANS FOR HER CLOTHING LABEL, WITH LERATO TSHABALALA

Hangwani Nengovhela

“

Hangwani understands my body and always makes clothes that make me feel extremely comfortable and elegant. She was an obvious choice to be part of one of the most amazing days of my life – our wedding [to Home Affairs spokesperson, Mayihlome Tshwete]. Hang’s incredibly confident in who she is as a designer and woman, and this is reflected in the kind of clients she attracts. She is a great role model,” says radio and television presenter, businesswoman, mother and wife, Zizo Tshwete, when asked to describe Rubicon Clothing’s creative director, Hangwani Nengovhela.

Nengovhela had to shake off the insecurities of not being a textbook example of a “fabulous” designer in the fashion industry. A lisp and a voice not ideal for being in the media spotlight resulted in this now 40-year-old being painfully shy.

But Nengovhela is proof that more often than not, and in spite of yourself, your fate chooses you.

THE BEGINNING

“My mother had a clothing business in Venda, and I used to help her in it from the time I was old enough to do real work. I grew up paging through high-end fashion magazines like Vogue. I even made my first garment when I was seven years old, and my daughter still wears that garment – a skirt. People who went to

school with me in Venda say they’re not surprised that I ended up having a clothing label, but I didn’t see it coming myself . I studied marketing, because I wanted to get into business. Rubicon has always been primarily a business for me. That’s why I don’t participate in industry politics; I understand what I’m here to do.”

DESIGN YOUR DESTINY

“For me, designing is as hands-on as it is creative. I know how to cut fabric from scratch, and to this day I still have a notebook where I draw all my designs. I started off selling clothes that I would get from CMTs (short for Cut, Make, Trim) in Joburg’s CBD, while still working full time. When I decided to leave my job and properly pursue working in fashion, my vision was to produce quality clothes. I had always been a ‘typical Jenni Button girl’. But at the time, it was early into our democracy and the proudly African aesthetic [A-line skirts and traditional fabrics] were in, so that’s where we started before expanding our look as a label.”

TAKE YOUR TIME

“I started Rubicon with my own funds, and in the beginning we did so well we had a stand-alone shop in Sammy Marks Square,

25

FASHION

26

FASHION

Rubicon Spring/Summer 2011

next to the State Theatre in Pretoria. But when I was pregnant, I left the day-to-day running to others, and the very people I had trusted stole from me and squandered everything I had worked so hard to build. I had to close the business and returned home to Hurlingham to start over again. I started putting the pieces of my life back together from my garage, and the business grew to a point where we had a studio in Randburg [Johannesburg]. That was a tough time and made me appreciate every bit of fortune that came after that.”

BE YOURSELF

“In 2016, I turned 40, and it’s the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. Both my parents are healthy, I’m about to launch two brand extensions as part of the Rubicon range and I’m raising two beautiful children. But things haven’t always been so wonderful.

My issues with self-confidence were very deep-rooted, and before a television interview I would be in tears minutes before the cameras started rolling. My lisp and squeaky voice led to such shyness, which made me painfully awkward. So much so that I wasn’t popular within the fashion industry – and probably still am not – and this irked me for a long time. I would see contemporaries on magazine covers and flourishing on television and radio, and I would wish I had that level of confidence to speak. It hasn’t been an easy road, but now I accept and love myself for who I am. This is how God made me. I can only love myself. God doesn’t make mistakes.

FOR THE LOVE OF FASHION

“When Rubicon started growing again, it happened at an alarming rate. I wasn’t prepared for it and felt like I was dealing with a rebellious teenager who was going off on her own tangent.

I wasn’t ready for the scrutiny and attention. I’ve been involved with South African Fashion Week for over a decade now, and for me it was always about creating clothes that make women feel both comfortable and confident. My aim has always been to create a brand that is timeless and classic, but there was a time when my fears and painful shyness threatened to override my ambition. It’s taken training, praying and loads of support from my husband and children to get to where I am today. When I was awarded the Mbokodo Award for Fashion Design and Innovation in 2015, I felt like I was being congratulated for having fought and overcome my insecurities. If I can do it, trust me, anyone can.”

THE GIFT OF INSPIRATION

“Because of my heritage, I’ve always been inspired to create garments that not only celebrate who we are as Africans but that also show we’re a fluid, ever-changing people. Essentially, as designers, we’re creating art and art must reflect the people. My grandfather wrote a report about Mapungubwe in the Limpopo Province, and he was awarded the National Order by then President Thabo Mbeki. The area was later turned into a World Heritage Site. I had a collection in 2010 titled The Uncelebrated

27

FASHION

Several celebrities have walked for Rubicon including former miss South Africa Bokang Montjane-Tshabalala (left) and Agnes Letoya Makuene (right)

28

FASHION

Queens, and for me celebrating forgotten heroes is a crucial part of our heritage. They never made it onto the covers of magazines. My designs will always feature petals and leaves, because I grew up in rural Venda and was a tomboy who climbed trees – nature is where I come alive.

Most of my collections are conceptualised in solitude, amongst the trees and animals in the bush. I also proudly incorporate the wavy pattern of traditional Venda women’s garb in Rubicon’s designs. My work is always evolving.”

JUST BUSINESS

“The fashion industry – locally as much as globally – is notorious for being pretentious.

During Fashion Week, I always focus on the fashion and Rubicon’s brand, rather than what will please everyone during the showcase. I’ve wasted so much time worrying about not fitting in, and not being good enough, that I’m happy to be in a place where I know I am enough. At this point in my life, I want to continue making women of all shapes and sizes feel beautiful. I want to laugh more and dare to live the life I want. I got married young and I don’t regret it at all. Now I get to enjoy my life and watch my children grow into young adults. I’m not affected by the industry. I just focus on my purpose and I’ve never been happier.”

WHEN YOU LEARN, TEACH

“One of the things I’ve realised in the past decade is there’s a shortage of ways to upskill people in design/fashion, manufacturing and business in general. Over the next couple of years as we expand the Rubicon Group, training is something we’re going to take more seriously.

I’m particularly interested in skills transfer and truly believe that the pie is big enough for all of us involved to have a slice of it. I’ll focus the training in Limpopo, because that’s where I come from and I want my people to do well.”

RUBICON. WOMAN. ROOTS

“As we move into the future, I’d like Rubicon to continue to embody traits I value highly – like love, honesty, style, elegance and creativity, and, most importantly, reflect all the different facets of me as a woman. Rubicon’s couture line will continue to design for high-end, red carpet and wedding events. Rubicon Woman will focus on our ready-to-wear range that features staple pieces for every wardrobe, and Rubicon Roots will pay homage to our heritage as Africans and where the brand first began, manifesting itself in Afrocentric designs that celebrate our heritage through great fabrics and bold designs. That being said, I’ll be taking my time and running my own race.

The day you hear me say I’m opening a Rubicon flagship store you will know, beyond a shadow of doubt, that I’ve found the golden egg.”

29

TRENDING

THE QUIET BEFORE THE

STORM

FROM FLASH FLOODS TO TORNADOES TO CYCLONE DINEO, SOUTH AFRICA HAS HAD ITS FAIR SHARE OF UNPREDICTABLE WEATHER RECENTLY. MBALENHLE SIBANYONI ASKS IF WE SHOULD EXPECT MORE OF THE SAME OVER THE COMING YEARS

O

n 26 July 2016, KwaZulu-Natal’s Mercury newspaper headlines read: “KZN extreme weather causes havoc.” In Johannesburg on the same day, Eyewitness News (EWN) led with the breaking story: “Tornado hits Tembisa, several injured,” detailing how more than 20 people had been hurt after a tornado hit parts of that East Rand community. And in November 2016, the SABC reported: “Heavy storm causes flash flooding havoc in Joburg.”

The weather became a trending topic both on social media and online news, with citizens sharing photos of the few moments when Mother Nature reminded us that we too are susceptible to natural disasters.

Some celebrities took to social media to share their views about our apparent “crazy” weather. “A basic drainage system on the Joburg highways before focusing on e-tolls might have been a good idea. #Floods“ tweeted TV presenter, Maps Maponyane.

It was during these floods that Everite Chauke hit the headlines. Many media outlets covered the tragedy of the three-

30

year-old toddler who went missing after the flash floods. In a Times LIVE editorial, titled “Father tells of moment daughter was swept away in Jukskei flood”, Shadrack Chauke recounted the heart-breaking details of how his daughter had slipped out of his grip as they clung to a tree he and his family had climbed for safety, after their shack was swept away. The search went on for two weeks before her body was found.

Since then, with headline after headline, there’s been a great shift in the mindset of South Africans who’ve thought, for as long as they can remember, that these kinds of weather events only happen overseas.

South African weather has, for all intents and purposes, been predictable. But with recent weather patterns shifting, evidently due to global warming, could it be that we’re no longer immune?

Senior scientist at the South African Weather Service (SAWS), Professor Hannes Rautenbach, says: “As early as 1896, global warming had been identified by the Swedish scientist Svante Arrhenius as posing a risk to global society.” In 2006, former United States vice president

Al Gore’s film, An Inconvenient Truth, aimed to educate citizens about global warming and the devastating impact of climate change. Most people struggled to get their heads around the fact that such a phenomenon even existed, and certainly didn’t understand its far-reaching effects.

Gore’s film is seen by many to have been the turning point at which the world woke up to the realities of climate change.

Since then, life hasn’t been the same – organisations such as car manufacturers have moved towards producing cars with fewer carbon emissions and electronic vehicles, and people have begun the journey towards being “greener” and kinder to our environment.

Rautenbach explains: “Increased concentrations of greenhouse gasses in the atmosphere could lead to more heat, which is received by the sun and being emitted by Earth’s surface, to be scattered back to the lower atmosphere of the Earth, meaning that the rate of outgoing radiation to space could gradually decrease. This will disturb Earth’s radiation balance. It is the heat emitted from Earth’s surface (related to warming and temperature) that drives

TRENDING

our weather systems (climate). This is why the term ‘global warming’ in recent years changed to the more popular term ‘climate change’.

When it comes to South Africa specifically, Rautenbach confirms that temperatures are indeed on the increase at an average of 0.14°C per decade, which is an increase that is not normal and can be associated with global warming. He says: “It is expected that this increase will get bigger in future, so that South Africa might be +3°C warmer in the 2050s and +5°C warmer in the 2080s.” Rautenbach adds that how the climate will respond to this is still an area for further research. “Whether these temperature increases are influencing our weather systems is still to be confirmed. It is too early to say with certainty whether the frequency of these weather events are already on the increase.”

IMAGE Shutterstock

DISASTER MANAGEMENT

According to a 2014 report by the Department of Environmental Affairs, titled Climate Information and Early Warning Systems for Supporting the

Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Sector in South Africa under Future Climates, the world has seen an increase in the scale, frequency and extent of natural disasters.

The report states: “These disasters have increased notably over the last several years and economic losses from weather- and climate-related disasters have also increased. Southern Africa is widely recognised as one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change because of low levels of adaptive capacity, particularly among rural communities.

The expected increase in weather-related disasters as a result of climate change pose significant challenges for South Africa and are expected to negatively impact infrastructure, food security, health and tourism, amongst others. The primary mechanisms for coping with climate change focus on either mitigation to reduce emissions, or on long-term adaptation.

It is being increasingly argued that climate change adaptation and disaster risk management need to be integrated in order to build resilience of affected communities and to develop effective early

"THE LIKELIHOOD OF AN INCREASE IN MORE EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS IS RELATIVELY HIGH"

31

E

S

T

•

1

9

7

8

Carducci Stores: Canal Walk, Cape Town & Menlyn Park, Pretoria. Also available at Stuttafords and leading Boutiques. www.carducci.co.za

: CarducciMen

: CarducciWomen

TRENDING

warning systems.” In concluding sections of the report, one of its recommendations highlights how the country needs to encourage the ongoing shift from a reactive to a proactive approach when it comes to disaster management.

The overwhelming sentiment in reaction to these events has been the feeling of citizens having been caught unawares, with little or no prior warning. Rautenbach explains: “Over the past few years, the South African Weather Service (SAWS) had great success in providing early warnings of the percentage probability of extreme weather events to develop over larger areas. The difficulty has been in the exact location of where these storms are going to occur.

“Extreme thunderstorms can develop rapidly (within a few hours). It is possible, with our most advanced weather prediction models, to forecast the possibility of extreme thunderstorms to develop over larger areas up to about five days in advance (e.g. on the provincial scale) but, at the same time, it is still very difficult to forecast their exact location.

Of great aid is the national weather radar network that SAWS has deployed, since radar images can provide real-time 3D images of atmospheric water/ice content.

Unfortunately, such thunderstorm developments can only be forecast in the range of an hour in advance. Although not perfect, with this information the public can respond and take precaution by introducing long-term, medium-term and short-term interventions, which is far better than being caught by surprise,” he adds.

IMAGE Shutterstock

ON SHAKY GROUND

As if weather changes weren’t enough to contend with, there is also the looming possibility that fault lines – lines in rock surfaces that trace geological faults – could see South Africa experiencing more earthquakes. An IOL article in March 2010 contained details of a warning by Dr Chris Hartnady, research and technical director at earth science consultancy Umvoto Africa, that SA, and particularly Durban, is at risk of an earthquake, which is difficult

to imagine. Severe earthquakes happen as a result of the movement of tectonic plates – the pieces that make up the Earth’s crust. These plates are either oceanic (form the oceans) or continental (form the continents). This movement can cause earthquakes or volcanoes. In Africa, the boundary or fault line between the Nubia and Somalia plates runs from the Andrew Bain Fracture Zone in the Indian Ocean, starting underground at Port Shepstone, up through KwaZulu-Natal and Lesotho into Mozambique and all the way through north-eastern Africa. The article also goes on to state that the most severe quake the country has seen happened in 1969 in the Ceres area and measured 6.3 on the Richter scale and that, indeed, the plate boundaries in Africa are active and moving.

Last year, Durban residents took to social media to express the earth tremor they experienced on 18 August. The Council for Geoscience reported how, even though its effects were felt in Pietermaritzburg and Kokstad, the 3.1 magnitude tremor had actually originated almost 348 km away, near the Matatiele-Lesotho border. Council spokesperson Michelle Grobbelaar was quoted as saying: “It is 3.1 [magnitude] and people usually start feeling an earthquake at magnitudes of three.” She went on to advise people to “take the necessary precautions, especially if you feel your life is threatened, [avoid] going underneath something that is more solid. If you’re outdoors, just stay away from anything that can fall down, like power lines, trees and buildings.”

In an August 2014 Citizen article, titled “Earthquakes not uncommon in SA”, written after Orkney in the North West experienced a quake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale, Grobbelaar said: “It’s difficult to pinpoint what caused the earthquake.

Because this earthquake and the one in 2005 were in the same region – a mining region – it becomes difficult to find out whether it is a natural event or caused by mining.”

In terms of an overall weather outlook for the future, Rautenbach says: “The likelihood of an increase of more

"IT IS POSSIBLE TO FORECAST THE POSSIBILITY OF EXTREME THUNDERSTORMS… BUT IT IS STILL VERY DIFFICULT TO FORECAST THEIR EXACT LOCATION" extreme weather events, like extreme thunderstorms, is relatively high. Although future local climate change projections do not indicate a significant change in our annual rainfall totals, the character of rainfall events might change. This might logically lead to more extreme rainfall events over shorter periods, with longer dry periods in between. Such changes might have an influence by damaging societal assets and infrastructure, which can be avoided through early risk-reduction planning and adaptation.”

AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE

With the reality of a future filled with an increasing number of hazardous weather events, is it time to start building underground shelters? Rautenbach says: “South Africa is in a good position, since our Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) is taking the risks posed by climate change seriously. Apart from mitigation interventions aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions (for example, through the Air Quality Act), DEA is currently in a process of implementing a National Framework for Climate Services (NFCS), which will facilitate improved communication between climatologists and society. In addition, DEA is also advancing in introducing a comprehensive sectorbased Climate Change Adaptation Strategy.

With these initiatives in place, society is urged to collaborate with the South African government and to respond to early warnings in creating an environment where we can all became more resilient to the risks posed by global warming, and eventually climate change.”

33

TRENDING

MIND YOUR

LANGUAGE MBALENHLE SIBANYONI CHATS TO THREE SOUTH AFRICANS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF AFRICAN VERNACULARS IN EDUCATION AND AS AN AID TO SOCIAL CHANGE 34

TRENDING

“IF YOU TALK TO A MAN IN A LANGUAGE HE UNDERSTANDS, THAT GOES TO HIS HEAD. IF YOU TALK TO HIM IN HIS LANGUAGE, THAT GOES TO HIS HEART”

A

IMAGE Shutterstock

2011 census put the number of South Africans who speak isiZulu as a home language at 22.7%, isiXhosa 16%, Afrikaans 13.5%, English 9.5%, Setswana 8% and Sesotho 7%.

Most South Africans are able to speak or understand either English or Afrikaans, despite these languages not being dominant against the combined number of home language speakers in the country.

The reality is that people fluent in isiZulu and isiXhosa, with the highest number of home language speakers in SA, have had to adapt to speaking English and Afrikaans.

Yes, one can bring up South Africa’s past or argue that English is the accepted business language globally to believe that this language dominance is acceptable.

But can SA afford simply to stick to the status quo with language still a hotly debated issue two decades after our democracy, particularly when it comes to its importance in education? At the heart of the debate are two motivations pushing for better local language development. One says the key to improving the standard of education in South Africa is to upskill all language teachers – no matter which language they teach. The other argues for

the promotion of mother tongue education for children (particularly in rural areas), because it’s widely accepted that children grasp complex concepts more easily when they learn them in their mother tongue.

This being the case, one can also question why this debate still exists today, when it could and should have been a vital focus for the government to have acted on in the last 23 years.

In the midst of this comes the announcement by the government that there are plans to introduce Mandarin as an elective subject in SA schools. A March 2016 Daily Maverick piece by Andrea Teagle and Calvin Chiu states: “The teachers’ union, SADTU, called it tantamount to a new form of colonisation. Others argue it will give our kids a global advantage and strengthen economic ties with China.” The article goes on to say: “Maybe we should be focusing on promoting cross-cultural understanding between South Africa’s own peoples by teaching indigenous languages.”

Could it be, then, that African languages can and should play a critical role in trying to achieve this objective of promoting cross-cultural understanding. It was our very own late president and political giant,

Nelson Mandela, who once said: “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.”

Three South Africans who aren’t able to speak an African language, and one individual who challenged himself to learn a number of vernacular languages during his university days, tell of how this has impacted their lives...

MELINDA FERGUSON, PUBLISHER, AUTHOR, RECOVERY LIFE COACH AND MOTORING JOURNALIST

I did sign up for a beginner’s isiZulu course through UNISA after leaving university in the mid-90s. I was inspired to try and learn a language that the majority of South Africans spoke. I was deeply ashamed by the fact that so few white people could converse in an African language, especially after the ANC came to power in 1994. A year later, I passed the course, but it was pretty theoretical and I didn’t really get much help with practising speaking. As a white person, I felt ashamed to show my ignorance and like many others, rather kept quiet, instead of saying something

35

TRENDING wrong and looking like a fool. I’m able to do really basic conversing, greeting, asking simple questions, but I am always shocked by how happy and impressed black people are when I greet them in their language.

So many white people have no inclination to learn an African language. I don’t think they see how absurd this “language apartheid” in South Africa is. It’s the whole “white gaze” thing, where white people are still wearing “white glasses”, seeing the world through “white eyes” and “white language”. My mother grew up near a farm and she could speak quite a lot of isiZulu. But today I know very few other whiteys who can. I was quite transfixed during the local elections by the Democratic Alliance’s Athol Trollip, the mayor of Nelson Mandela Bay, who can speak fluent isiXhosa. It was powerful to see someone respecting people through one-on-one communication. I would like to get individual tutoring in isiZulu and/ or isiXhosa and actually practise speaking to get over my awkwardness. It would change my life a lot. I’d feel less like a visitor, and would be able to really get to know people on a deeper level. Language is the bridge to understanding and real transformation in South Africa. I think if I was able to speak an indigenous language properly, it would definitely make people feel more comfortable and acknowledged when they’re around me. I’m planning to pick up the broken pieces and give it a bash again. All white people should. I feel we’ll be left behind if we don’t get with the programme.

ARRION VAN VILLING

IMAGE Shutterstock

PROJECT MANAGER

I grew up in Eldorado Park, and during those years it wasn’t very integrated. We had only one black family in the whole neighbourhood. Black people in Eldos were in the minority, so they had to speak Afrikaans. I then went to an English primary and high school and, in Grade 11, I moved to a Model C school and had my first exposure to diversity in terms of the people I was socialising with. I always knew I wanted to learn an African language, but like everyone else who wanted to, I simply didn’t take the time. During those years, I taught Afrikaans to a black friend of mine and he was, in turn, teaching me isiZulu.

But after a short while, he disappeared and that was the end of the language lessons. I then went to study in Cape Town. I was 18 years old, going on 19, and felt awkward being a coloured person from Eldos living in Cape Town. I didn’t fit in very well with the coloured people there. I made friends with a group of black guys who were from Johannesburg and were also studying in Cape Town. I made a conscious decision

“…CHILDREN GRASP COMPLEX CONCEPTS MORE EASILY WHEN THEY LEARN THEM IN THEIR MOTHER TONGUE”

to immerse myself in the group and decided early on that I had to learn their languages. Through my group of friends, I was exposed to Setswana, isiXhosa, Sepedi and Xitsonga. My roommate was a Xhosa guy and he started teaching me how to speak and write in isiZulu. I knew I couldn’t let barriers – like the fact that I was learning new languages much later in life – discourage me. But I must admit it was difficult. I had to throw away all that I thought I knew, because the process of learning a language was also learning everything about the culture. I’m quite sociable and whenever I go anywhere and interact with black people, I naturally go into speaking vernacular and they’re amazed. Most people automatically assume that with my high level of fluency, I must have grown up on a farm. They’re actually quite surprised when I say I learnt to speak vernacular at varsity. As a result of African languages, I make a tremendous amount of friends and my network is phenomenal.

FAAIZA HAAFAJEE MONTESSORI TEACHER:

I grew up in Azaadville, which is a very Indian-dominated area, and our household was very much based on our culture and heritage. I went to school in Azaadville, married there and still live there. We’re situated a couple of kilometres away from Randfontein, Krugersdorp and Kagiso. The entire community is mostly Indian, but we do have a few black families who have now

moved in. When I started school in 1990, by then South Africa had changed a lot; I had friends of many different cultures.

However, English and Afrikaans were the dominant languages – to the point where if you failed one of those subjects, you’d fail the entire year. Those languages were the only options we had at our school. I remember doing one isiZulu lesson in Grade 1 and then it sort of phased out. I suspect there wasn’t a demand for it, so we ended up not even having the option to choose it. Now, as a Montessori teacher and working at a school based outside of where I come from, being able to relate with everybody else is great. I realise that being exposed to different languages and cultures is so enriching. As South Africans, we have a common base, so I can only imagine how much better this understanding would be if I knew Setswana. There simply aren’t people who speak African languages in Azaadville. I do wish I had learnt at least one African language. I’d really love to learn isiZulu. My dad is originally from KwaZulu-Natal and when he speaks the basic isiZulu greetings that he knows, I can see that it reduces the perceived barriers between people. I’d definitely support having African languages offered at schools. South Africa has changed so much and having exposure to African languages is important. Even if they’re not a tested subject but are still introduced to little children, it would make a difference and open up so many more opportunities for them later in life.

37

LIFESTYLE

MASTER GLASS MOËT & CHANDON’S CELLARMASTER, BENOÎT GOUEZ, INVITES A FEW CHAMPAGNE ENTHUSIASTS TO LUNCH TO TALK GRAND VINTAGES AND HOW BEST TO SERVE HIS AWARD-WINNING BUBBLIES, WRITES LERATO TSHABALALA

38

LIFESTYLE

”

2002 was the perfect year for champagne,” declares chef de cave at Moët & Chandon, Benoît Gouez, to a captivated audience at an exclusive wine bar in Joburg.

Before you’re put off by too many French words, know that a chef de cave is the cellarmaster in charge of the winemaking team at a champagne house such as Moët & Chandon. Not a single person at the table, occupied by some of Joburg’s most loyal champagne enthusiasts, questions Gouez’s bold assertion. When you consider that this man, who was voted as the Winemaker of the Year in 2013, blends more than 26 million bottles of Moët & Chandon annually since taking up the job in 2005 at the impressively young age of 35, you simply count yourself lucky to be in his presence.

Gouez, who joined Moët & Chandon in 1998, says, “Champagne is about sharing; it’s a rich, passion-filled world. I love to celebrate!” And this passion is evident in how he describes to get the best out of his vintages, which hail from arguably the most well-known champagne house in the world, established in 1743 by Claude Moët. Back in Joburg, The Afropolitan is highly honoured to have been the only publication given access to this exclusive opportunity. It’s not often one gets to sit down over lunch and quiz the man behind some of the most famous vintages in the world. Such lunches may be rare for South Africans, but Gouez is renowned for defying the myth of the elusive winemaker; he often travels the world to promote

PART OF 1 POPULAR CULTURE

Jean-Rémy Moët, the grandson of the founder, made the story of Moët & Chandon virtually the story of champagne itself when he assumed control in 1792.

2

In 1987, the Louis Vuitton Group merged with Moët & Chandon to create LVMH (Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy).

3

For almost two decades, Moët & Chandon has been the official champagne of the Golden Globe Awards.

39

LIFESTYLE

“THE BEST WAY TO ENJOY CHAMPAGNE IS IN A LARGE GLASS. REMEMBER THAT CHAMPAGNE IS WINE, AFTER ALL." the pairing, and indeed the pouring, of his creations. How the wine is poured is crucial to how it tastes, says Gouez.

“The best way to enjoy champagne is in a large glass. Remember that champagne is wine, after all. Use a tall, elegant glass that allows the wine to breathe and reveal its richness to you gradually,” he advises sagely. It’s no secret that Gouez is not a fan of the champagne flute. It’s been said that most Michelin-starred restaurants in France almost exclusively serve champagne in wine glasses these days. For Moët & Chandon’s first multi-vintage champagne, the MCIII, Gouez suggests serving it in his “ideal” Zalto Denk’Art crystal glass (generally considered to be a Bordeaux glass).

“MCIII is a state-of-the-art champagne, a synthesis of all our knowledge and experience poured into this cuvée,” the Frenchman from Normandy told UK’s The Telegraph in 2015. A unique blend that took two decades to perfect, the MCIII

4

40

Moët & Chandon has been the exclusive champagne of the Academy Awards/Oscars since 2009.

blends six vintages across three separate ageing processes (stainless steel, oak and glass). “It’s not a shy champagne,” he says.

He may not have grown up “in the world of vintners”, as he’s been known to say, but he still enjoys his creations with the food he grew up eating.

Gouez’s grandfather was a lobsterman in Brittany, so it’s no wonder then that for this special gathering in Joburg, lobster tail is served as a second course of the four-course meal. 2002, 2004 and 2006 Moët & Chandon Grand Vintages are the preferred bubblies, along with Nectar Imperial and Brut Imperial. Gouez says that “Brut Imperial is the most difficult wine I make”. Difficult it may be, but it’s also not the first time Gouez displayed his well-seasoned prowess in winemaking.

In 2011, he launched a world first with Ice Imperial, the original champagne to be drunk over ice. According to him, Ice Imperial is “sweeter, more intense and less fizzy. It’s freer and less formal than the Brut Imperial.”

5

As part of the LVMH Group (the holding company for Louis Vuitton, Moët & Chandon and Hennessy), Gouez’s innovative flair, relentless pursuit for perfection and ability to move with the zeitgeist has allowed him to diversify the brand in an ever-changing world. Working for a company that has fragrances and a top fashion label, and with colleagues such as Louis Vuitton creative director, Nicolas Ghesquière, Gouez is not one to rest on his laurels, having witnessed the retail industry see its toughest times yet in recent years. Gouez knows that sometimes it’s often the harshest and coldest winters (as the Champagne region is known for experiencing) that produce the best blends.

But he’s often had to rely on instinct and timing to know when to declare a vintage year, which is incredible considering his past success and the high expectations that his work carries. Like Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “In victory you deserve champagne, in defeat you need it.”

A-list celebrities are invited to sign the biggest Moët & Chandon bottles at the Oscars, the Golden Globe Awards, major film premieres and various international film festivals. These one-of-a-kind oversize bottles are then auctioned off to support various charities from around the world.

10 000 employers trust us with their employee benefits.

LIBERTY AD We don’t know what keeps your employees up at night. We don’t know whether it’s worrying about the future or their finances. But we do know that lost productivity due to sleepless nights can cost your company up to R46 000 per employee.

That’s why we give your employees real support, and peace of mind, with comprehensive benefits like Trauma Counselling, Retirement and Life Cover. It’s why more employers trust us with their employee benefits than any other.

To give your bottom line the Liberty Corporate Advantage, speak to your Financial Adviser, visit liberty.co.za or call us on 011 408 2999.

The Advantage of Knowing

Liberty Group Ltd – an authorised financial services provider in terms of the FAIS Act (Licence No. 2409). Terms and conditions apply.

PROFILE

JACK OF ALL TRADES

Proverb

SOUTH AFRICAN IDOLS PRESENTER, HOST OF THE KAYA FM TOP 40, RAPPER, SPEAKER AND ENTREPRENEUR, PROVERB (REAL NAME TEBOGO THEKISHO) TELLS US HOW HE’S TRYING TO MASTER IT ALL 42

PROFILE

I

am… blessed, happy and grateful for everything I have and everything I have been through, as that has shaped who I am and who I want to be.

Tell us about your show on Kaya FM… I host the Kaya FM Top 40 on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm. My show’s a chart show, but more than just radio and music, it’s a lifestyle show that seeks to speak to Afropolitans – everything from our finances, careers, culture and habits to our aspirations. I invite experts and engage with them on various topics, but also try and take the show out of the studio and broadcast from events and venues.

You’ve worn so many hats professionally. How do you describe yourself to people who don’t know you?

I’m an entertainer and a highly driven individual in constant pursuit of the level beyond the next. I never limit myself to any one thing, but rather pride myself on always seeking to learn, to grow and to diversify. A jack of many trades, striving to master everything from music, television, radio and public speaking to writing, business and everything else in between.

How would you describe your journey from being a rapper to an entrepreneur?

The truth is I’ve always been an entrepreneur; even as a rapper, I’ve approached everything as a business and sought to build a brand. I’ve diversified substantially over the years, as a result of

constantly seeking to learn and empower myself with information. After completing sound engineering, I started in radio as a technical producer for DJ Fresh back in 2003. Later that year, I got my first television gig on Channel O hosting a hip hop segment, and then got my recording deal in 2004 and released my debut in 2005. Since then, I’ve continued on that path and exposed myself to different avenues of entertainment and beyond.

I’m now exploring business outside of entertainment as well.

Both

it takes that day. I either head to my office, where I co-own a television production company (SIC Entertainment), to work on the TV properties we’re producing such as SA Idols and Miss SA, or prepping for my radio show, which I host on weekends on Kaya FM – the Kaya FM Top 40. If I’m not doing that, then I’m in studio recording new music. This, of course, is when I’m not away hosting auditions, MCing functions and/or speaking. What I spend most of my time doing is creating new business through networking, online and through social media, and seeking profiling opportunities to market my brand. I have a few other business interests that I invest a fair bit of time in as well.

What are you currently listening to?

What’s the one thing we would be surprised to know about you?

Television or the microphone?

Black Coffee – The Journey Continues Tima Reece – 9 De La Soul – and the Anonymous Nobody…

John Legend – Darkness and Light Stogie T – Stogie T

What are the top lessons business has taught you?

Re-invent or be extinct.

Network to build your net worth.

Little business is better than no business at all. And repeat business is even better than new business.

If you don’t know, ask – question, research, explore, try, fail, try again, learn, share, teach and learn some more.

What does a typical day in your life look like?

Truthfully speaking, there are no typical days; no two days are the same. The only regular thing about my day is that I take my kids to school in the morning, then it’s onto the hustle in whatever shape or form

I’m an introvert and a homebody.

Fatherhood has taught me… selflessness. It’s taught me unconditional love, it’s given me a whole new perspective on life and even though I raise my kids, I feel they have raised me. My children are the best part of me and I think the way I do because of them. They’re my priority and come before anything else.

What’s the one rap verse you wish you had written?

I’m still to write it.

Music is… my life

I know for sure that I’m loved… for starters, my love for self is greater than it’s ever been. Since learning self-love, I no longer need external approval or affirmation. I am complete.

43

LIVING

ALL HAIL

THE KING!

44

LIVING

A DECADE AFTER A DISASTROUS FIRST INTERVIEW, LERATO TSHABALALA DECIDES TO OVERCOME HER FEARS AND SIT DOWN WITH ARGUABLY ONE OF SOUTH AFRICA’S BIGGEST, LIVING MUSIC STARS, THANDISWA MAZWAI

F

ifteen years ago, after only two years working as a journalist, I watched as Thandiswa Mazwai walked out of our interview without so much as an announcement of her exit. The interview had already been strained by Mazwai’s impatience with my line of questioning, and while I was in the middle of asking her something else, without saying a word, she got up and left. Stunned but mostly confused, I sat at Full Stop Café in Parkhurst, hoping for the best but knowing that our interview was done like cassette tapes. I was mortified, but grateful she had at least given me 20 minutes. I wouldn’t be going back to the newsroom empty-handed, as had happened to so many of my colleagues. Mazwai was known to put journalists in their place before walking out of interviews.

I had been assigned by the magazine I was working for to interview “the lead singer of Bongo Maffin”. It was 2001, and the group had just released its Bongolution album. Her vocals were so sweet, all everyone wanted to know was when she was going to leave the group and give us more of those buttery, sweet African sounds. That was the question I couldn’t come back to my editor without having gotten an answer to. I suspect, but can’t confirm – mostly because my mind has chosen to block it out – that this was the moment when Mazwai decided she was no longer interested in anything I had to say and dispensed with all niceties. For the next decade, I would out-and-out refuse to interview her, because of that experience. However, in that time, I also became a huge fan of her music. My feelings of inadequacy as a journalist (having bungled an interview with one of our few real stars) never clouded my love for the sheer brilliance of her musical prowess. Her debut album, Zabalaza – released three years after that disastrous interview, would win her the Best Female Artist South African Music Award (SAMA).

But because the universe has a sick sense of humour, 15 years later, I find myself in Parkhurst again, about to interview her for the first time since “the incident”. The restaurant where we’re supposed meet initially turns out to be closed, and so Mazwai tells her publicist that she’ll meet me at Vovo Telo. I chuckle as I read the text message from Maria McCloy... Vovo Telo is the scene of the aforementioned crime, although it was Full Stop Café all those years ago. Believe me, the irony is not lost on me. Suddenly I’m 21 again, sweaty-palmed and frazzled. I can’t parallel park; I drive around the block three times like a crazy person. Mazwai is an hour late and in that time, I start having conniptions – what if she doesn’t come? Maybe I should bail out and send her questions instead? Luckily, before my thoughts swallow me whole, King Tha aka Red aka Gunzah Blaze walks in and gives me a hug. I exhale. This level of intimacy is not something we associate with the singer. Even she acknowledges this. On 14 June 2006, she posted a note on her Instagram page: “I’ve only recently learned to hug my friends. I was always so afraid of the intimacy,” and it is accompanied by a caption that reads: “Strange how love can be scary”. Time, I make a note, has softened the woman The Guardian newspaper called “South Africa’s finest female contemporary singer”.

When I mention her apparent new sunny and equally easy-going disposition, especially around journalists, she smiles politely.

“At that time, I was meeting a lot of journalists for the first time and they were meeting me for the first time. When a journalist would ask me an inappropriate question, that you wouldn’t ordinarily ask another person, I would be mystified… because I know how to talk to journalists, how to be in the public eye, I know how to do that. The last person to whom I would choose my words with is a journalist. Ordinarily I’m incredibly meticulous about which words I choose. That said, though, I was a different person then, yes. I was young but I knew what I wanted, how to articulate it and would never allow anyone to misrepresent me.

I would tell journalists that my parents were journalists and I recognise the power of words. There’s no way me of all people, especially considering who raised me, would have a problem with journalists,” laments Mazwai. When your father is publisher and entrepreneur Thami Mazwai, and your sister's a poet and singer respectively, then words are part of the fabric of your being.

“SHE’S PERFORMED A DUET WITH PAUL SIMON, HAD LUNCH WITH BOTH MADIBA AND MICHAEL JACKSON AT THE SAME TABLE…” Mazwai’s late mother, Belede (after whom she titled her new jazz album), a Pan-Africanist and a journalist for The Star newspaper in Johannesburg, died when Mazwai was only 16. Three years after her mother’s death, Mazwai recorded Uzobuya Nini with Jack Knife, and her music – whether solo on 2009’s Ibokwe or on Bongo Maffin’s New Construction – would subsequently become the voice of her generation. Yet, the truth is we’ve observed as Mazwai has tried to wade through the waters of grieving for her mother while under public scrutiny during her 22-year music career. It then makes perfect sense that after turning 40 last year, she would release an album named after her mother.

“For a long time, I deified my mother; I would go as far as to say I ‘iconified her’. Losing her at such a young age was a huge moment in my life. My mother died when she 34 years old, and I remember when I was her age praying that God doesn’t take me, because I didn’t want to leave Malaika without a mother,” explains the mother of one. Mazwai has a teenage daughter with

45

Bain’s Single Grain Whisky is uniquely double matured made from 100% South African grain.

We first mature it in specially selected first-fill Bourbon casks for a period of three years, we then transfer it to a second set of first-fill Bourbon casks for a further 18 to 30 months to ensure maximum extraction of flavours from the oak with a finish of spice and toffee.

To truly capture the very essence and inspiration of our single grain, simply add a dash of still mineral water to reveal its wonderful bouquet of flavours.

LIVING Bongo Maffin bandmate, Stoan Seete. “I didn’t want her to make the same mistakes I had made, because of having lost my mother so early in life. It was a fear of mine. Motherhood reveals you to yourself. And for the first time in my life, there’s a sense of joy when I talk about my mother. I feel like I’ve come full circle,” she says warmly.

When putting together the tracklist for Belede, her third album, she wanted to celebrate the music she grew up hearing but which signified the time we live in now. The first single, Jikijela, is a Letta Mbulu – she who provided the sensuous Swahili chant in Michael Jackson’s Liberian Girl – struggle song, recorded during the apartheid era, where Mbulu refers to black South Africans throwing stones against the tyranny of the apartheid regime.

“When I saw the images and news clippings of the #FeesMustFall movement, I knew I had to record that song, because of how relevant it was to the student uprisings we were experiencing in 2015,” says Mazwai. At the launch of the album, held at the Soweto Theatre, “ekasi” (township) where she grew up, Mbulu and Caiphus Semenya, her Academy Award-nominated husband (for the original score for Steven Spielberg’s The Colour Purple), were there to watch Mazwai sing Mbulu’s song.

However, the stand-out performance of that night came when Mazwai moved all of us to tears with her rendition of the Xhosa gospel hymn, Wakrazulwa. “Busi Mhlongo had recorded the song on her last album, Amakholwa/Believers, and because of my emotional connection with her – she was like my second mother – I needed to record that song,” Mazwai says softly. Mhlongo, who refers to Mazwai as her “musical daughter” in that album’s thank-you note, recorded the song (about Jesus dying on the cross for our sins) while battling cancer. The song starts softly, with Mhlongo sounding almost resigned to the reality that cancer might take her life. But a minute into the song, it takes an upbeat turn and that Zulu gruffness we knew Mhlongo for pierces the sadness and softness and, rather eerily sounding like Mazwai’s vocals, returns to the song again. Life, the melody invokes, is fragile. For Amakholwa, Mhlongo enlisted the talent of Nduduzo Makhathini, who is also the pianist for Mazwai’s Belede (along with bassist Herbie Tsoaeli and drummer Ayanda Sikade). “I wanted to record Wakrazulwa,” says Mazwai, “but it refused to be sung in the way I had wanted originally. Something was missing.

It wasn’t coming through the way I thought it would and so I sat with it for a long time, not knowing how to make it better.”

After months of vacillating, she went into the studio to record the second part and the ancestors finally came to bless her. “When Busi knew she had hit a good one, she would say: ‘Siy’bulele madoda’ (we’ve killed it, man) – and that’s what happened when I started calling out her clan names during the song. I could feel her spirit was with me when my voice went hoarse. I knew I had it,” she says, both forlornly and proudly.

At 40, Mazwai has lived the kind of rich life that very few of us who, like her, come from Soweto but will rarely ever experience.

She’s performed a duet with Paul Simon, had lunch with both Madiba and Michael Jackson at the same table, she’s raised a child, had an almost decade-long beautiful love affair with her partner, Anika, and allowed us to travel deep within the recesses of her mind, giving us sassy in Zabalaza’s Lahlu’mlenze and sexy in Ibokwe’s ultimate love song, Ingoma. So, what else is left to do when you’re considered to be one of SA’s living legends?

“I have had the honour of knowing and having friends who are real legends, like Bra Hugh Masekela. People who’ve survived life’s struggles, made music and lived rich lives. I often paraphrase a quote by Mark Twain by saying I truly believe that the report of my greatness has been grossly exaggerated. I’m still young, I still want to break the rules. I want to make an erotic album, I’m planning on recording music in Mali and I’m about to record an album with the Blk Jks. I’m not done, I still have so much to do.”

“I TRULY BELIEVE THAT THE REPORT OF MY GREATNESS HAS BEEN GROSSLY EXAGGERATED” At the end of the interview, after an hour-and-a-half of chatting, witnessing Mazwai in her new incarnation – open, animated, free – and having shared a dessert with her, I remind her of our unfortunate first meeting almost 20 years ago. She laughs hard.

“Hahaha! Seriously, did I do that?” she pauses to consider the thought… “Actually, I can believe it. My friend Bonnie (Mbuli) reminded me recently of how much we just didn’t give a damn back then…” She releases another mischievous belly laugh and, before grabbing her car keys, turns to me and says, “I love that I could stand up for myself like that at that age. I was such a badass,” she says, walking away while laughing raucously.

As if she ever stopped being a badass.

47

BUSINESS

THERE’S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO START INVESTING SOME OF YOUR HARD-EARNED CASH, REGARDLESS OF YOUR INCOME BRACKET, SAYS ZAMAHLASELA GABELA 48

IMAGE Shutterstock

I N V E S T T O D A Y, PROFIT TOMORROW

BUSINESS

T

here’s a common misconception that investing is for the super wealthy, but really, it’s for everyone.

All you need is the right advice and some capital to make the investment, and you’re on your way.

Here are five investments you should consider making in 2017:

EXCHANGE TRADED FUNDS

This kind of investment, also known as ETFs, is described by the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) as “listed investment products that track the performance of a group or ‘basket’ of shares, bonds or commodities”. Former founding CEO of Opulous Management Consulting and current founder of Verify, Sakhile Mabena, says, “Passive funds such as ETFs offer a low cost and diversified investment with no securities tax.” Mabena adds that “only one in five actively managed funds outperform passive funds, like ETFs”. This type of investment is also actively traded on the JSE, so it’s easy to buy or sell.

GOVERNMENT BONDS

This form of investing isn’t a new one.

Diederik Viljoen, an advisor from one of Johannesburg’s leading investment management companies, maintains, “Government bonds are good to buy right now.” And because of how they’re traded on the JSE, it’s easy to keep track of them.

The JSE describes government bonds as being “when government entities issue bonds and list them on the JSE Debt Board to raise funds for large capital projects such as roads, power stations and hospitals.

Investors lend money to these entities by buying the bonds they issue and list on the JSE Debt Board. Listing the bond on the JSE Debt Board improves the entities’ ability to raise finance because it allows investors to sell the loan to other investors, should they wish to.”

But if you feel this type of investment isn’t for you, then perhaps the more conservative option – which might also help you ease into investing – would be RSA Retail Savings Bonds. These bonds were launched by the National Treasury more than a decade ago, and many still consider them to be a really safe way to

invest. There are no service fees attached to making this investment, and no third party is involved. Investing can be as easy as visiting a branch of the South African Post Office, visiting the Retail Savings Bonds website or calling the National Treasury helpline. They’re even available at Pick n Pay stores countrywide. The RSA Retail Savings Bonds website states: “Retail bonds are the smartest way to save. Your money is invested with the South African government, meaning the capital amount invested is guaranteed. Interest and capital is paid electronically into your bank account, which is a safe way of investing.”

MONEY MARKETS

These were initiated in South Africa in 1995 and are just like having a savings account, but with more of an investmenttype option. One of the advantages of this type of investment is that it’s done on your behalf through a bank or institution that offers the service. If you already have a portfolio of investments, you might consider including them.

TOURISM

It’s important to understand that making good investments is often about investing in many different markets. This could either be done by having something as simple as a unit trust account – where your bank makes investments in a market on your behalf, depending on the type of return you’re looking for – to your broker facilitating the diversity of your investments portfolio. Mandla Ngubane, an investments expert from Durban, says: “A lot of people are definitely diversifying by creating a basket with a lot of things in it. From stock or shares, bonds and money markets to commodities in a portfolio, you

"MAKING GOOD INVESTMENTS IS OFTEN ABOUT INVESTING IN MANY DIFFERENT MARKETS"

South Africa has been nominated as a top dream destination on various platforms over the last couple of years, and it doesn’t look as though our popularity will be slowing down anytime soon. Investing in something that tourists consume, take part in or purchase might just be the kind of investment opportunity you’re looking for. First National Bank recently reported: “A weaker rand makes for a favourable exchange rate for foreign tourists travelling to South Africa. Locals who would have otherwise travelled abroad will most likely travel within the country, creating a greater income stream for tour operators, transport, hotels, and bed and breakfasts.”

COMMODITIES

directly, such as food, or used as building blocks to create other products. These materials include energy sources like oil and gas, natural resources like timber and agricultural products, or precious metals like gold and platinum.” Given the level of exposure we have in South Africa to a host of diverse commodities, including them into your investment portfolio could be a good option.

The fourth-largest financial services and mutual fund group in the world, Fidelity Investments, says: “Commodities are raw materials that are either consumed

should be looking at each one of them.

Invest in that which gives you exposure to everything.”

When it comes to the type of currency you should be buying or trading in when making your investments, the general trend has usually been the US dollar. But, with Donald Trump having been voted in as president, this may see a bit of a decline.

Viljoen says: “The pound also used to be a very safe or secure, bet but with Brexit on the horizon, we may see this drop as well, with investors rather unsure of the implications. Africa is going to be the place to be, with cooperation between China and the African continent increasing steadily.

Nigeria is looking very favourable.”

Ngubane’s view on this is similar, but

49

BUSINESS

IMAGE Shutterstock

“INVEST IN THAT WHICH GIVES YOU EXPOSURE TO EVERYTHING”

has a particular sentiment towards using different currencies when investing.

“People are now looking to diversify their exposure to currencies. The pound is still considered a stable currency despite Brexit, so a lot of people are investing offshore and opening accounts overseas.

They’re investing in pound-bearing interest accounts, which can be quite expensive, but if you take a long-term view on it, it could be worth it,” he emphasises. Ngubane continues: “People are also investing in the dollar and euro, and they’re just diversifying their portfolios and exposure.

So, if something happens to the dollar and only 10% of their stock is in dollars, it won’t be too bad.” The impact that fluctuating currencies have on shares performance varies. Viljoen says: “Currency fluctuations directly reflect the international markets’ ‘confidence’ in that country or its currency.

Its effects on the shares themselves are not directly linked. For example, the JSE hit historic highs in the last five years, in spite of the fact that the rand has depreciated.”

So, where does mining fit into the scope of things, and exactly how does it affect share prices? Viljoen surmises: “The short answer is Anglo, which is a dollar-based company that effectively controls the entire mining industry here, plays a big role on our exchange. The strengthening of the dollar means that it is cheaper for them to mine here and to buy here, thus they do more business here. More business means more money and that means the companies have more capital and greater growth.” Ngubane also adds that “the price of oil is dollardominated so, for example, there’s a direct effect on the price of petrol”.

On whether to invest on your own or through an advisor, Mabena feels: “It’s often better to consult someone. The right advisor can help manage your risk and generate the best possible expected return net of costs, net of taxes and net of your own behaviour. However, you should seek transparent financial advice and asset management. A financial advisor will work on building your right portfolio and monitor it for your required goals.”

Investing is more about managing your risk than actually picking stocks or funds.

“DIY can be a disadvantage if you are not disciplined and are reactive to short-term market performances. Average investors lose 2.5% each year by buying and selling at the wrong time. However, before you decide to consult someone, consider commissions and fees, as every additional 1% in fees can erode 20% of your investment return over your working life,” he adds.

Investing, when done correctly with the right advice, need not be difficult. Whether you’re doing it yourself, through a bank or an advisor, by making the right decisions you can get good returns, even in a seemingly difficult economic climate.

51

Priced fro m R1.19 - R4 .5 milli o n.

No Tran sfer Duty

B

Fully Furnished Show Unit available for viewing.

edfordview is considered to be the city’s ‘Jewel of the east’. It is highly sought-after for its leafy surrounds, generous space, and easy access to

greater Johannesburg and Ekurhuleni. Modern and slick, Infinité Bedfordview is characterised by light, comfort and the muted hues of charcoal, stone, brushed steel, oak and iceberg white. There are quality finishes, including porcelain tiles, and the latest Bosch and Hansgrohe appliances and fittings.

Large windows open each living space to expansive surrounding views.

MUST WATCH: YouTube video - Search: Infinite Bedfordview (Fatasy Property Developers) ON SHOW: TUESDAY - SUNDAY 10am - 5pm.

Pointers from Nicol and Bradford Rds. Opposite Eastgate Mall (JHB).

JOHANNESBURG EAST SPECIAL PROJECTS Glen Bester 082 870 4264, Office: 010 595 4300 pamgolding.co.za/infinite

BUSINESS

START IT UP WITH GOVERNMENT’S GROWING PUSH TOWARDS SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, ZAMAHLASELA GABELA TAKES A LOOK AT DIFFERENT FUNDING MODELS TO GET YOU STARTED 53

Your Cuisine, Michelangelo Towers Mall Maude Street, opposite Sandton Convention Centre +27 (0) 11 245 4000

www.TowersMall.co.za

Our Legacy...

Pigalle Restaurant Knead Bakery The Raj VIP Lounge Parc Ferme Piccolo Mondo

+27 (0) 11 884 8899 +27 (0) 11 884 9449 +27 (0) 11 783 1521 +27 (0) 11 783 2200 +27 (0) 11 245 4846 +27 (0) 11 282 7463

BUSINESS

THE MOST VIABLE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF THE CROWDFUNDING MODEL IS OVER THE INTERNET

E

ntrepreneurship can be seen in two ways: you’re either fully prepared to dive into a thrilling adventure, or doubtful about the concept of succeeding on your own. When it comes to pursuing the idea of starting a business, one of the biggest hurdles for many entrepreneurs is capital. Now more than ever, with our fluctuating markets, it’s become increasingly crucial to investigate ways to come up with the funds to start a business.

GLOBAL TRENDS

Business funding around the world is not as clear-cut as one might think. A leader in the enterprise and supplier development (ESD) industry, Edge Growth, has been a specialist in growing small and mediumsized enterprises for a decade. Head of project management at Edge Growth, Tshepo Ntlamelle, says: “Global trends with regard to start-up funding are largely shaped by the economic development policy of the specific region. In the developing world, ventures that display high job-creation

potential have become significantly more attractive to funders, whereas the more disruptive technological ventures are able to generate funding a lot easier in the developed markets.” With regard to the South African landscape, Ntlamelle emphasises that when it comes to choosing the right direction to take, “it really depends on your enterprise and the industry within which you operate.

B-BBEE has created favourable funding terms for black-owned enterprises which include below-prime lending rates and, on occasion, grant funding. Depending on the industry, various funding options are available.”

HERE ARE SOME IDEAS ON HOW TO KICK-START YOUR IDEA, AND TURN IT INTO A FEASIBLE REALITY: CROWDFUNDING SEED FUNDING

IMAGE Shutterstock

The South African Investment Network describes seed funding as “a form of financing that’s typically used in the early stages of a new business project or start-up; this form of financing is typically used for market research, product development and proof of concept”. This company brings together entrepreneurs who need capital with those who can provide it. It goes on to say that this kind of funding usually comes from “the entrepreneur themselves, friends or family, or outside investment”.

Angel Fundraise is another platform that connects entrepreneurs with investors in just three steps. The first is registration, then you submit a proposal on the portal and, in the third step, you connect with the relevant investors. In an economic climate like ours, it’s often unlikely that an applicant will get the entire amount requested. One reason for this is that an investor may have only reserved a certain amount of capital per annum for investing in a new idea, or simply that the investor may feel the risk of investing the entire amount is too high.

Investors often give a portion of the

capital, leaving you to come up with the rest yourself. But this doesn’t mean that seed funding needs to be written off. It’s an extremely viable way to get capital.

Swiss company Seedstars World saw fit to create a competition where start-ups in the seed stage compete for funding.

The company picks 65 local businesses from each of the regions that Seedstars runs in cities across the globe, trains them on how to deliver a pitch and then listens to what they have to say at the annual Seedstars Summit. The ultimate winner, who’s picked from the local winners from each country, gets the title of Seedstars World global winner, along with a cool equity investment of up to US$500 000. We currently have our own local winners from Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban, who’ll attend the Seedstars Summit in Switzerland in April. Visit Seedstars World at www.seedstarsworld.com to track who the ultimate winner will be.

LOOKING FOR SEED FUNDING?

If you’re new to the “investment talk” game, crowdfunding is perhaps the most “fun” way to raise capital for your business. Over the years, crowdfunding platforms and companies have grown increasingly creative in the way they attract investors. According to Investopedia, a financial education platform, crowdfunding “is the use of small amounts of capital from a large number of individuals to finance a new business venture”.

The most viable and effective use of the crowdfunding model is via the Internet, where businesses set up profiles on the necessary platforms and encourage investors to make a contribution towards the target goal. The perks are that you really get to relay the “heart” behind your business, while also being clear about the financial objectives.

LOOKING FOR CROWDFUNDING? Start me www.startme.co.za Crowd Invest www.crowdinvest.com Thundafund www.thundafund.com

4DiCapital www.4dicapital.com Corculture www.seedinvestments.co.za Savannah Fund http://savannah.vc

55

BUSINESS

What does having a business consultant mean for your business?

VENTURE CAPITAL FUNDING

If your business has a riskier profile that could possibly build great results, then this funding model is for you. The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) was founded in December 2004 as a division of the Department of Trade and Industry (dti). SEDA’s role is to provide support for the development of small businesses.

It describes venture capital as being a part of private equity, which is when capital is put into a business in return for a share of the profits, or even sometimes a form of partnership. According to SEDA, “venture capital funds overseas generally take the following approach: out of every ten investments they make, six will probably fail, three will ‘break even’ (won’t fail, but won’t make a killing either), and one will make a lot of money for the venture capitalist. South African venture capitalists don’t have the stomach for such a model and rather tend to play it safe.”

IMAGE Shutterstock

After last year’s budget speech by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, the Southern African Venture Capital and Private Equity Association (SAVCA) felt that there was a lot of promise for this form of funding. In commentary it provided after the speech, it expressed that “the stated intention by Government to reduce the regulatory burden for business investors will help attract foreign and local investment into the South African economy – including investment by private equity and venture capital”. This undoubtedly means a larger pool of investors for the development of small business. In the same commentary, SAVCA also felt that what was “encouraging was the assurance provided that National Treasury will examine measures to encourage venture capital funding for small businesses through an assessment of its Section 12J Venture Capital Company (VCC) Regime. The VCC incentives were introduced in 2008 to provide tax relief for investors into venture capital and SME investments.”

LOOKING FOR VENTURE CAPITAL? eVA Fund www.eva-fund.com Intel Capital www.intelcapital.com Village Capital www.vilcap.com

56

GOVERNMENT FUNDING

One of the objectives that the Department of Small Businesses Development focuses on, is providing the necessary tools (including information and services) for SMME’s to succeed in South Africa’s economic climate. These tools will help increase participation in this sector. From funding to the need for mentorship and training, the department strives to be a holistic hub of information for business owners.

LOOKING FOR GOVERNMENT FUNDING?

The Department of Trade and Industry www.thedti.gov.za National Empowerment Fund www. nefcorp.co.za National Youth Development Agency www.nyda.gov.za

Starting a business needn’t be as daunting as you might think.

Once you’ve got an initial idea, the type of funding you’re looking for will become clearer. There’s no excuse to bury your dream of doing something meaningful this year – all you need to do is start!

By Tshepo Ntlamelle, head of project management at Edge Growth The shape and form of business consultants has evolved in the South African landscape, and is varied.

The business consultant grouping comprises of mentors, coaches and the traditional management consultant.

All forms seek to provide business development support aimed at obtaining a sustainable competitive advantage for the enterprise over its peers. Typically, the process of achieving this begins with a diagnosis of the health of the enterprise, and identifying possible constraints and opportunities for growth. Subsequent to the diagnostics, a prioritisation of interventions to be undertaken by the enterprise is conducted with the help of the business consultant.

Over an identified period and aided by the consultant, the entrepreneur executes the interventions, which may seek to address a range of areas of the business development needs, i.e. marketing, human resources, market access, operations and systems, and management capabilities.

Since there is no well-established regulatory body for the industry, selecting a reputable business consultant can be difficult. However, here are a few key questions that the entrepreneur needs answered: • Can the consultant provide me with access to new markets?

• How long has the consultant been in the game, and what testimonials do they carry?

• Can the consultant assist with mediating relationships with funders?

• Does the consultant have a structured and well-articulated methodology for business development?

• Does the consultant have the appropriate networks for me to leverage?

AD

LIFESTYLE

LIVING THE GREEN LIFE THERE WAS A TIME WHEN GREEN LIVING WAS SEEN AS THE LIFESTYLE OF ECCENTRIC, RICH WANNA-BE HIPPIE TYPES SPENDING LOADS OF MONEY ON SLOW, UNATTRACTIVE CARS. BUT THESE DAYS, IT IS POSSIBLE TO GO GREEN WITHOUT LOOKING PRETENTIOUS, SAYS PALESA MADUMO

G

reen living is no longer associated with privileged First Worldproblem snobbery, as it was a decade ago in South Africa. With the country’s water, electricity and food restrictions, more and more of us are becoming aware of our impact on the environment and are seriously practising sustainable, energy-efficient living. Being environmentally friendly – or “going green” – simply means that you live with an awareness of the environment and its well-being.

Although you’ll still catch the odd South African throwing litter out of a moving car, there is a definite uptake when it comes to recycling. PlasticSA reported that in 2011, an estimated 230 111 tonnes of plastic in total was recycled – a number that increased to 292 197 tonnes in 2015. That’s 20.8% of all plastic redirected from landfills over the period. And who can forget the social media backlash when Woolworths packaged their eggs in plastic?

There are varying degrees of a green lifestyle, of course. Based on living standards in the country, there are those who have arguably been living green as a result of restrictions to access of certain products and services, and have had to

58

make do with what they have – such as waste material to build shelters. Then, there are those who make up the middle class of the population and who are either on or off the green boat, depending on their preferences. And then there’s the selected few who have the privilege of choosing to add some luxury to their green lifestyles – such as purchasing products like BMW’s i range of all-electric vehicles for R597 800 for a standard model, or even solar-powered geysers, which range from R10 000 to as much as R35 000 for South African homeowners.

Depending on where one fits in, it’s either relatively easy or quite difficult to adjust to a green lifestyle. More often than not, it requires people to step out of their comfort zone (literally) and do things differently.

But going green is increasingly becoming the way to live.

Green living extends to home, work and play, and although there isn’t one standard measure for it, the hypothesis that if we continue living the way we do, by 2030 we’ll need two planets to sustain us, is no longer the stuff of science fiction movies. One of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisations, the Worldwide Fund for

Nature (WWF), encourages every citizen of the world to consider changing their habits by simply understanding the following: (1) water and electricity are precious, so treat them as if they cost much more; (2) find out more about the products you buy, to make better green choices; (3) shop less and buy only what you mean to keep, pass on or recycle; (4) buy local, seasonal and only what you can eat before the sell-by date; and (5) donate to green organisations to help the sustainability of their efforts.

WWF has made it even easier for the regular Joe Soap by creating an eco-friendly guide with some pretty nifty tips, such as cleaning the coils on your fridge (those things at the back of the fridge), which can actually improve your fridge’s efficiency by 30%. When the coils are dirty, it hinders the amount of heat dispersed by insulating the coils and, as a result, the fridge needs to use even more energy to keep cold. The WWF’s comprehensive list can be found at www.wwf.org.za/act_now/green_living, and if you want to take it a step further, scroll down on the website and calculate

LIFESTYLE

THE TOP 5 GREEN CITIES IN THE WORLD (IN ORDER) ARE: your carbon footprint and get tips on how to reduce it.

The Green Building Council of South Africa (GBCSA) is an independent, nonprofit company that was formed in 2007 with the purpose of greening South Africa’s commercial property sector and to promote green building practices across the country. Its green building measures include: • careful building design to reduce heat loads, maximise natural light and promote the circulation of fresh air • energy-efficient air conditioning and lighting • using environmentally friendly, nontoxic materials • reducing waste and using recycled materials • water-efficient plumbing fittings and water harvesting • using renewable energy sources • sensitivity to the impact of the development on the environment.

Although the GBCSA focuses on commercial buildings, its measures are quite easily applicable to the creation of your very own green home, like ecoconscious Ghanaian-born architect, Joe Osae-Addo. The principal of architecture practice Constructs LLC, with offices in Accra and Tamale, Ghana, and in Washington DC and Los Angeles in the USA, Osae-Addo coined the phrase “innonative” for his approach to contextual modern architecture – a philosophy based on reintroducing traditional organic materials and methods in modern urban planning. He is popularising this concept in his hometown Accra, Ghana, through his firm, and it is also something he practised himself when he built his own humble, yet beautiful, abode in 2004.

“It is not about edifice but rather harnessing the elements – trees, wind, sun and water – to create harmony, not the perfection that modernism craves so much,” he said in an interview. His home in Accra, which he shares with his wife and young son, stands out among Ghana’s typical concrete architectural style, which

1. AMSTERDAM – Possibly the most bicyclefriendly city in the world. In fact, Amsterdam has more bicycles than people.

2. COPENHAGEN – The capital city of Denmark has clean waterways and won the European Environmental Award in 2006. The city has more than 5 600 windmills that supply over 10% of the country’s electricity.

3. SAN FRANCISCO – Known as the first US city to ban plastic grocery bags, it is also known as America’s leader in solar energy use. Local artists also do their bit by incorporating recycling into their art to inspire others to do the same.

4. BRISTOL – Located in the south-west of England, this city has doubled its number of cyclists over the past few years and was announced Europe’s greenest city in 2015.

5. STOCKHOLM – Sweden’s capital city encourages people to cycle, and has proper recycling practices that are high on their list of green priorities.

So, instead of packing your bags, organising a visa and uprooting your life for a greener one, it would be worthwhile, perhaps, to think about how you can be more eco-conscious through your own actions – or, like architect Osae-Addo, even turn your business green.

For useful tips on how to put your city on the green map, visit the GVI’s local website (www.gviafrica.co.za).

59

LIFESTYLE

Amsterdam is known for having more bikes than people

stems from colonial times where houses were built with imported English Portland cement. Instead, to build his house he created his own formula – an adobe mud block, different to the traditional way in which building blocks are made using compression machinery at high pressures to form blocks. Osae-Addo took advantage of a more natural approach, which involves forming dirt-like blocks usually found underground and crafted near water, and which don’t require compression. Instead, they solidify through chemical changes that take place as they air-dry. He also used locally sourced dahoma wood to create a hardwood, slatted deck – that allows water to seep into a concrete pan which then empties into the main drainage system – for his two square metre shower that’s ingeniously caged using bamboo poles.

Accra’s average temperature is around 28 degrees Celsius, making air conditioning a necessity. However, so as not to compromise on his vision but still keep cool without impacting on the environment, Osae-Addo simply raised the structure of the house almost a metre off the ground on a wooden deck, to take advantage of cooling under-floor breezes that help to ventilate the entire open- plan house.

Going green also has significant health benefits. Many consumers are unaware of some of the allergens, irritants, solvents and chemicals that exist in household products like detergent and dyes, that can damage skin and even affect the central nervous system.

A local supplier tackles this issue head-on by providing environmentally healthy, effective and affordable alternatives for household cleaning, living and personal care. Sustainable.co.za’s vast product range is biodegradable, gentle on skin and contains simple ingredients, such as natural enzymes and plant extracts. You can buy anything from hemp socks and compostable flower pots to Eskom-approved solar water-heating technologies.

If you’re an aspiring eco-conscious citizen, there are plenty of initiatives that you can get involved with in South Africa.

They include:

SOUTHERN AFRICAN SUSTAINABLE SEAFOOD INITIATIVE (SASSI) HTTP://WWFSASSI.CO.ZA

South Africans can support retailers, restaurants and suppliers that are engaged in WWF‑SASSI’s Retailer/ Supplier Participation Scheme, which aims to meet targets set for sustainable seafood sourcing. It addresses all aspects of the seafood supply chain – from the fisherman’s hook, to the seafood vendor, to your fork.

ZANDO WWW.ZANDO.CO.ZA

If you shop at Zando, South Africa’s largest online mall, you help the WWF shop benefit from all marketing and communications with Zando’s customer database of more than two million registered active users.

THE GIANT FLAG WWW.GIANTFLAG.CO.ZA

This project is building a giant South African flag, made up of millions of coloured desert cacti and succulents, and a 4-megawatt solar field, on previously barren land in the Camdeboo Karoo region of South Africa. The construction and maintenance of the Giant Flag will create hundreds of green-collar jobs, with women constituting the majority of the labour force. All you have to do to contribute is adopt a plant, and you’ll receive a certificate with your name and the GPS coordinates of your plant – how cool!

EARTH HOUR™ WWW.EARTHHOUR.ORG

This annual global event, usually held at the end of March, aims to engage businesses, governments, communities and individuals to combat climate change by harnessing the power of the crowd to switch off their lights for one hour. Best part? You can participate from anywhere in the world.

If you’re wondering how cities on the African continent fare in terms of greenness, you’ll be sad to discover that no African cities made the cut in the Global Vision International (GVI) Top 5 Green Cities in the World in 2016. According to the GVI: “Green cities are the ones who encourage and live the most sustainable lives. These cities implement things such as recycling programmes, bike lanes, community parks, and high water quality standards. Despite the traffic, masses of people and air pollution associated with cities, green cities have an active approach towards fighting climate change and being environmentally friendly.”

GO GREEN TODAY: • Use natural household cleaners (www. sustainable.co.za is an excellent resource).

• Grow your own produce (it’s cheaper than buying organic products).

• Don’t waste food when eating out (let your waiter know if you won’t be eating the chips that come with your meal, and don’t ask for tap water unless you’re planning on actually drinking it).

• Arrange your errands in one location, so you can park your car and walk more instead of driving (the exercise is a plus).

• Unplug devices in your home that aren’t in use (even though they’re switched off, they still consume energy).

61

LIFESTYLE

GO WITH

GREEN IN 2017

“GREENERY”, PANTONE HAS ANNOUNCED, IS THE COLOUR FOR 2017.

LERATO TSHABALALA CHATS TO MANAGING DIRECTOR OF DITAU INTERIORS, NTHABI TAUKOBONG, ABOUT SOME OF THIS YEAR’S BIGGEST DESIGN TRENDS

62

LIFESTYLE

B

What are the biggest design trends we can anticipate in 2017?

A return to more earthly, natural and purposeful living – be it in our eating habits or lifestyle choices. Growing and consuming organic food, buying locally manufactured goods or building green homes.

How has the African aesthetic changed over the past decade?

the top. As we’ve gotten deeper into understanding who we are and how we want to experience and live life, the African aesthetic has also adapted. We remain expressive, bold and colourful in our dress and sense of style. In our living spaces, we now tend towards minimalist yet comfortable interiors with room to breathe, natural colours and subtle finishes.

What five essential items does every interior space need? Both residential and corporate.

It depends on what you perceive as an African aesthetic. I believe it was previously Once the floors, walls and ceiling finishes interpreted as colourful, bold and over are done, essential to finishing off are:

I PREFER STYLE INSTEAD OF TREND. TRENDS ARE HOT ITEMS FOR NOW, BUT YOU DON’T WANT TO MAKE COSTLY INVESTMENTS, ONLY TO CHANGE THEM SOON THEREAFTER

An interior space designed by Ditau Interiors

63

LIFESTYLE

• FURNITURE – Buy quality furniture that will last at least four to five years.

• LIGHTING – Good lighting creates immediate ambience in a room. A chandelier can define a space with its scale and proportion. A side lamp creates a soft, relaxed yet elegant mood. Lighting can make or break a room. It’s wise not to under-budget on it or leave it to the very end.

• ARTWORK/PHOTOS – These are the final accents and touches. A selection of key art pieces brings personality, style and history to a space. However, be mindful of the level at which art is hung.

The general rule is at eye level, to be appreciated by all.

• RUGS – A rug is like a frame around an artwork; it brings together an entire scheme and pulls the look and feel of the space into a central point of attention.

It ties together colours and themes by picking up accents and tones. It’s a great design secret – when you’ve furnished a

64

room and want all the items to “speak to each other”, add a rug. The bigger, the better!

• ACCESSORIES – The final essential items, not to be compromised on. Add cushions and/or throws to sofas, and chairs at the end of the bed. Well-positioned artefacts, books, decorative glass or ceramic objects, and mantle pieces are other examples. This is the “layering” phase of a space to give it a sense of character and style.

As a designer, what kind of plants work with home spaces?

Bring in plants that are low maintenance, such as an areca palm – it adds a tropical feel to a home and can grow up to 2.1m, if necessary. It’s perfect for a lounge or study where you have a “dead” (empty) corner that you want to bring to life. It can also bring visual height to a room where all the furniture is low, and a bit of “drama” is required. They can also be used on a covered patio, or in a reading corner behind a lounge chair.

Delicious monster leaves are always a design secret of mine. They grow in most gardens and cutting off two or three medium-sized leaves and placing them in a glass vase with fresh water can completely transform your entrance, dining room or patio table.

Small variations of aloe vera succulent plants in white or tin containers are my favourite for around the kitchen, on the shelves or on a windowsill – they love sunny indoor spaces and are easy to maintain.

Pantone recently announced “Greenery” as the Colour of the Year for 2017. Other than plants, how else can you bring green hues into your home?

In feng shui, green represents balance and harmony. Green also means being ecofriendly, being at one with nature and good things related to the earth. Bring it into a home through plants, paint, accessories, artworks and key furniture pieces.

LIFESTYLE

NTHABI’S TOP TIPS FOR USING GREEN: In interior spaces I love deep, dark, masculine green – it gives the sense of being grounded, safe and nurtured.

In children’s bedrooms or play areas A fresh, bright green wall makes children feel happy and adds a sense of playfulness and cheer.

On patios Cushions with beautiful tropical plant leaf prints are wonderful and make your patio feel like tropical paradise all year round.

On wallpaper Leafy, tropical plants and exotic animals are my favourite in guest toilets and reading rooms.

In artwork A touch of green (be it a direct plant translation or a black and white abstract with a splash of masculine green) is great in a lounge area.

On a velvet sofa My all-time classic and personal favourite is a bottle green, deep-buttoned sofa. I have had one in my home office for almost 10 years. It’s my go-to chill spot – the deep green combination with my black-andwhite Andrew Martin oversized zebra cushions relax me completely.

Vases Green vases with gold accents are great on a coffee table grouped in varying sizes on a bamboo tray.

Plascon offers a shade called ‘Green Heart’

Green isn’t gender specific, so certain tones of green work well in certain areas of a home, and can be seen as masculine or feminine depending on the hue and tone of the colour. I’m not surprised Greenery is the Pantone colour for 2017 – it’s my alltime design colour must-have!

How do you put a personal stamp on a living space when you’re not even sure what your personal style is?

Bring in what you love and are instinctively drawn towards. The fear with decorating is thinking our choices are permanent. If you need help, ask a

professional to set the tone for you, then you can shop for suitable pieces, all in good time. Your decisions don’t have to be immediate. Mix it up and make your space uniquely you. My kitchen walls are covered with my son’s schoolwork, artwork and certificates because that’s important to me. Our home is full of photos of family, friends and happy memories. I love having books everywhere and candles in almost every room.

What role do trends play in the items we see in the stores?

Trends influence buyers who, in turn, influence shoppers. But you’re free to choose trends that work for your space.

Nthabi Taukobong

65

LIFESTYLE

DESIGN DO’S AND DON’TS DO ask for professional advice.

DON’T clutter. Less is more. Invest in good art; it’s a lifetime investment.

DON’T take decorating too seriously.

DO take measurements. Never have curtains that are too short.

DON’T buy it just because it’s expensive; buy it because it speaks to your soul.

Bring nature into your home through accessories says Taukobong

I prefer style instead of trend. Trends are hot items for now, but you don’t want to make costly investments, only to change them soon thereafter. Not all things need to be of a certain style or trend. Keep your basics timeless, then accessorise with trendy items like vases, glassware, cushions or throws. A trendy paint colour makes for a strong accent in a dull passage. Trends can be tastefully added to a home. Select wisely.

Who’s in your top Instagram follow-list for design?

I love @zuri_home for its natural, organic, tribal, clean-living and raw designs.

66

Perfectly imperfect. That’s what life and design are all about.

A home is not a home without…

Love. No amount of furniture can turn a house into a home.

Give us a brief history of Ditau Interiors I’ve been an interior designer since 1996, and started my consultancy in 2005. I once dreamed of simply owning a beautiful office, but now am working on growing a luxury African lifestyle brand made in SA, and inspired by Africa and other tribes

around the world! I used to think the aim of interior design was only to create opulent interiors with glamorous furniture and expensive accessories. But after 20 years in this demanding industry, I needed to dig deeper, strip myself of the glitzy, over-the-top glamour and seek authenticity in my design process and what I was bringing to a space.

Ditau Interiors specialises in luxury homes and leisure projects such as hotels, guesthouses, game lodges and spas throughout the continent. Our scope is vast – homes in Johannesburg; holiday homes and homes for royalty; villas for presidents

LIFESTYLE

PAINT THE TOWN GREEN!

during the AU summit; state houses in Ethiopia, Ghana and Rwanda; hotels all over South Africa; and corporate interiors for top business executives.

Ditau Interiors is about more than just interior design; we create liveable spaces for everyday life with a distinct focus on comfort and effortless luxury, which also incorporates the hearts and souls of local artists. Our product offering even extends to an exclusive home fragrance range – called TAU by Nthabi Taukobong – which includes candles, ceramic burners and diffusers, all made and packaged locally.

Your biggest lesson so far?

Four years ago, while on a summer course in Florence, Italy, a lecturer stood in front of us – students from all around the world – and told us that the aim of the course was to share the secret and passion of the Italians, of all that is uniquely theirs, and help us return and do the same with our own country’s artisans. What an awakening… a skilled professional telling us to be proud of our own heritage! I’d travelled all that way to be told to go home and turn my own unique African heritage into gold.

INSPIRED BY PANTONE’S COLOUR OF THE YEAR – GREENERY – PLASCON OFFERS A SIMILAR SHADE, CALLED GREEN HEART. HERE ARE FIVE GREAT WAYS TO USE THIS HUE: • A front door painted in green adds a pop of colour to a neutral exterior and complements the greenery in a garden.

• Bedroom walls painted in Green Heart will create a calming space.

• The right shade of green can turn your bathroom into a soothing sanctuary.

• Shades of green contrast beautifully against a monochrome background.

• Green is a stress-relieving and balancing colour. If your decorating scheme isn’t working, try adding plants to balance it.

www.plasconspaces.co.za

FOLLOW ON INSTAGRAM: @ditauinteriors

67

ADVERTORIAL

68

ADVERTORIAL

T-BOSE SERVES THE BEST T WITH SOUL T

habo “T-bose” Mokwele is always on time. His studio etiquette and professional conduct are testament to how much he loves his job as the popular host of Best T in the City and Touch of Soul. He greets everyone he meets as he walks into the foyer of the Kaya House studios, then quietly goes almost unnoticed preparing for his show after 180 with Bob on weekdays. “I never thought I would end up on radio as I’m a chemical engineer by training. However, my love for music and people interaction changed all of that. I love music, but I don’t derive the same joy when I’m alone as I do when I play it for others,” says a contemplative Mokwele.

Twenty years in broadcasting is a phenomenal milestone for the presenter who started his career as a student at TUT. “I was on campus, TNT now TUT (Tshwane University of Technology) (Soshanguve) 1993. After lectures, when everyone went for the extramural activities, I chose radio – the only place I felt welcomed.” As part of the team which established the community radio station on campus, his passion for radio didn’t go unnoticed. He was recruited to YFM, and then years later by Romeo Khumalo to host a show on Metro FM. Since joining Kaya FM he’s not only attained career milestones, he’s also picked up some accolades along the way. For example, in 2011, he won

the Best Music Presenter (MTN Radio Awards), then in 2016, the ‘For the Love of Radio’ Award (Kaya FM staff awards); but most importantly, he’s still winning over the hearts and minds of the many South Africans who tune in daily across the country.

When Kaya FM announced line-up changes in 2016, the Sunday show Touch of Soul, hosted by Mokwele, was launched. The show is the brainchild of Kaya FM Managing Director Greg Maloka and has been a few years in the making. Mokwele is also a sought-after MC and husband to radio and television personality Mapaseka Mokwele. “I have come full circle with radio in terms of progression. I started on campus radio, which soon turned into community radio, then I got my first commercial radio gig with a youth station (YFM), was headhunted for the young adult radio brand Metro FM, and soon I earned my stripes as part of the adult contemporary brand that is Kaya.”

T-bose attracts fans and critics alike with his unusual and intuitive understanding of his female listeners in particular. He has a charming and disarming way with his audience on his shows: Best T (weekdays) and Touch of Soul. The Sunday show reaches right into the homes of over a million Afropolitans who love his unmistakable soulful sounds while relaxing at home with friends and family over a sumptuous meal while reminiscing about the best times of their lives. “There are songs on albums that are far better, musically speaking, than the most popular song. But they never gain prominence or get airplay. Touch of Soul is about that other song. It’s a show for everyone, and everyone can relate to it one way or another.”

Touch of Soul continues to draw new listeners and, even though it’s essentially the best of My Top 10@10, if it does draw some comparisons Thabo makes sure it’s in a league of its own. “The response has been phenomenal. Everybody thought this show was meant to replace Eddie Zondi’s Sunday repertoire and soon they realised that it was in no way close nor comparable. This show is neither repetitive nor predictable – unless you predict great-quality music!”

KAYA HOUSE 195 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parktown North, 2193 TEL 011 634 9500 WEB www.kayafm.co.za

69

TRAVEL

PARADISE ISLAND

THE MALDIVES LAYS CLAIM TO SOME OF THE MOST SPECTACULAR BEACHES IN THE WORLD. MICHELLE JONES TICKED VISITING THIS BUCKET-LIST ISLAND DESTINATION OFF

I

Lying to the west of Sri Lanka are the nearly 1 200 islands that form the archipelago which is the Maldives. Of these, only 200 are inhabited by local Maldivian people, nearly 100 islands have been developed as tourist resorts and the remaining islands are uninhabited. Sunny all year round, with azure seas like nowhere else, the Maldives is generally warm and humid, and has a monsoonal climate. There are two distinct seasons: the dry season (with the north-east monsoon) begins in November and runs through to April, and the wet or rainy season (with the southwest monsoon) begins in May and lasts through to October.

of Kani. The resort comprises 75 luxury rooms and suites, and for the ultimate indulgence, you can dive straight from your suite into the ocean if you stay at the 5-Trident Luxury Space overwater bungalows. There are also 52 luxury villas available at the exclusive Club Med The Finolhu Villas, adjacent to Club Med Kani.

Designed by the world’s most inspired architects and designers, the rooms, suites and villas are unique. Whether you sleep in in the mornings and steal as many naps as you possibly can in your exquisite private space, or laze endlessly on the beach or around the impressive pools while sipping on creative tropical cocktails, you’ll be hard-pressed to match the experience.

Club Med is renowned internationally for its fabulous holiday packages. In the Maldives, you can revel in a romantic breakaway or a once-in-a-lifetime family adventure on the postcard-perfect island

PACK LIGHT

70

I was glad to have been advised to wear light, cool and comfy clothing, as the heat upon arriving in the Maldivian capital of Malé, compounded by the

humidity, was most uncomfortable. Don’t forget your travel pillow – what with the overnight flight taking about 10 hours from OR Tambo to Singapore, and then the connection to Malé taking four-anda-half hours. Thereafter, all you really need is a beach bag, sunnies, sunscreen, a hat, swimming costume, sarongs, casual evening wear and light clothing for other activities during the days.

PARADISE FOR WATERSPORT LOVERS

I was totally mesmerised by the colourful tropical fish and turtles swimming around us as I tailed our guide into the crystalline water, having put on my snorkel and flippers. For something less genteel, a speedboat ride might just be the thrill your spirit is yearning for, while other marine activities include scuba diving, submarine and glass-bottom boat excursions, and

TRAVEL

IT’S ADVISABLE RATHER TO CONVERT YOUR RANDS TO DOLLARS

71

Enjoy

#HerSummer

www.kayafm.co.za

TRAVEL

a coral preservation programme. The pristine turquoise water and always perfectly flat horizon of the Maldives are really something to behold.

EATING AND DINING OUT

Five speciality restaurants feature on the island, including the Sunset Beach Bar and Velhi restaurant, offering scrumptious buffets daily. The cuisine at Club Med Kani is some of the best I’ve ever tasted, and is a fusion of Japanese, French, Italian and Chinese. Beach barbeques with entertainment and evening parties were most certainly a highlight for me, with a big plus being no charge for alcohol as it’s included as part of your package.

WHEN IN TRANSIT…

Use your trip to the Maldives as an excuse to explore a little bit of Asia. A free Singapore tour whilst in transit affords you the opportunity to enjoy a walk through history at Merlion Park, or take in panoramic views of the city with a backdrop of the Singapore Flyer ferris wheel and Gardens by the Bay. There are two different tour routes to choose from.

If your stopover is five hours or more, add the free Heritage tour to your itinerary.

And if it’s six hours or more, you can enjoy the City Sights tour. Each is two-and-a-half hours long, and is jointly organised by Singapore Airlines, the Singapore Tourism Board and Changi Airport. Simply register at least one hour before the start of the tour by visiting the Free Singapore Tour (FST) registration booth (near Transfer Lounge F in Terminal 2, or Transfer Lounge A in Terminal 3) upon arrival.

MONEY MONEY MONEY

The currency is the Maldivian rufiyaa, with a rand exchange rate pretty close to 1:1. However, it’s advisable rather to convert your rands to dollars – they are the preferred currency that’s accepted everywhere. To give you an idea of what your rand can afford, I bought a sarong at the resort boutique for 120 rufiyaa, which amounts to about R120 (approximately $9). Tips are recommended, and switching some dollars (or rands) into rufiyaa for this purpose is advisable.

USE YOUR TRIP TO THE MALDIVES AS AN EXCUSE TO EXPLORE A LITTLE BIT OF ASIA

Top things you need to know • Dress modestly in Malé, as it’s largely a Muslim city and island.

• South Africans don’t need visas for the Maldives or Singapore. However, if you travel via Dubai and plan to leave the airport during your layover, a visa is required.

• January to April is the best time to travel to the Maldives because it’s the dry season, with no monsoons and balmy temperatures.

• The Maldives is one of the safest destinations in the world.

• Free Wi-Fi is available.

www.visitmaldives.com www.clubmed.co.za

73

TRAVEL

Bazaruto Island Resort

FOUR TOP SPOTS TO HOLIDAY WITH KIDS

WHEN A DESTINATION IS LABELLED ‘KID-FRIENDLY’ IT CONJURES UP IDEAS OF CROWDED RESTAURANTS AND MENUS OF BURGERS AND FISH FINGERS. BUT IT IS POSSIBLE TO FIND HOLIDAY SPOTS THAT ARE CHILD-FRIENDLY WITHOUT COMPROMISING ON ADULT LUXURY, WRITES LERATO TSHABALALA

74

TRAVEL

Anantara Pool Villa main bathroom

ANANTARA BAZARUTO ISLAND RESORT, MOZAMBIQUE

Some 30 kilometres east of the Mozambican mainland and less than an hour’s boat ride (there are also direct flights from Joburg), you arrive at what possibly could be nirvana if you’re a parent yearning for some sophisticated downtime. With sea and beach views, this resort is the ideal destination for families who love water. Dune boarding, waterskiing, banana boating and a traditional dhow ride are possibilities if you like a little adventure. But if you want to fit in more mental stimulation, take the family snorkelling or on a boat trip to Paradise Island, where they can spot turtles, dolphins and the elusive dugong (usually seen only seasonally, so check with the hotel when booking). Looking to explore the island on horseback? Anantara Bazaruto offers trips with stable masters on the island’s Boerperds, a breed of South African horses.

For mothers craving some much-needed rest and recuperation, the spa has a wet room, hydrotherapy pool and rhassoul chamber and offers a traditional Thai massage (considered to be “passive yoga”). If you’re in need of some “vitamin sea” without compromise, this is the holiday spot for you. www.anantara.com

Drakensberg Sun Resort

DRAKENSBERG SUN RESORT, KWAZULU-NATAL

Overlooking Cathkin Peak and other mountains in the Drakensberg region near Winterton, this resort got a facelift two years ago, and is the perfect place for couples and families. Yes, people with children need no longer worry about being given dirty looks by those without children – miffed by the intrusions of restless toddlers and grumpy teenagers – on their romantic getaway. At Drakensberg Sun, children have their own dining area with a television, a kids’ entertainment itinerary for holidays and weekends, and there are babysitting services. On days when the weather isn’t great, quizzes are organised to keep young minds entertained. With high-speed Wi-Fi available throughout the resort, kids can share on Facebook what they’re up to on holiday. Teens can go paintballing or horse riding, too. With only 78 en-suite rooms, couples are also catered for – and you can go hiking, canoeing and mountain biking. A late check-out is available upon request, should you still be hunting for teddy bears to pack, as is often the case when holidaying with kids. www.tsogosun.com

75

Complete your bedroom with the

Best Night’s Sleep

Visit www.pharmaline.co.za or call us on 0861 60 60 60 for your nearest showroom

TRAVEL

AVANI VICTORIA FALLS RESORT, ZAMBIA

adventurous nature-loving children of all ages will relish the freedom to explore the safe, outdoor destination with almost yearround sunshine. There are various “funducational” activities to enjoy, including informative marine walks with diverse fauna and flora, guided birdwatching, ecoquad biking, picnics on the beach, treasure hunts, swimming, tennis or croquet. One of the highlights for all visitors is the shoreline, which offers some of the best whale watching in the world – 40% of the global southern right whale population use these waters as an annual breeding ground.

In peak season, between 80 to 300 whales can be seen in the bay; they generally leave by the end of November.

Family rooms at Avani Victoria Falls accommodate two adults and two children, and there’s Wi-Fi in all the rooms. Open to children between the ages of two and 12 (although children between two and four years old need to be accompanied by a childminder or parent), AvaniKids is a place where kiddies will enjoy the jumping castle, games and nature walks. To see one of the seven wonders of the world, go on a tour of the majestic Vic Falls (as an Avani guest, you have unlimited access to the falls). But if you’re looking for a bird’s eye view of the falls, get a different perspective by booking a helicopter ride. Bring your binoculars and book your family on a river cruise on the African Queen or African Princess along the Zambezi River, and check out the birdlife and animals that call it home. For those looking for an authentically “rural” experience, the resort offers a Zambian village experience, where tourists get to see how the locals live on a day-today basis.

www.dehoopcollection.com

www.avanihotels.com/victoria-falls

De Hoop Vlei cottage

DE HOOP NATURE RESERVE, WESTERN CAPE

The De Hoop Reserve – a perfect stopover en route from the Cape Winelands to Plettenberg Bay – is a 36 000 hectare conservation area in the Overberg region. It’s a bountiful haven that offers everything from self-catering cottages to upmarket, fully catered suites that can be configured to accommodate families, friends or couples looking for a romantic escape. Its luxurious spa is a partnership with Africology, a brand which draws on the healing powers of nature. De Hoop also has activities (such as star-gazing) within the Elim Wine Route, which is hugged by two oceans and falls within the Agulhas district along the Cape south coast – one of the most well-known wineproducing regions in the world. Best of all, Avani room

77

MOTORING

Mazda CX-5

CITY SLICKERS MADE FOR CONQUERING THE SUBURBS, WHAT THE VW TIGUAN AND THE MAZDA CX-5 LACK IN SIZE THEY MAKE UP FOR IN POWER, REPORTS DAMIAN MURPHY

S

ports utility vehicles (SUVs) are probably the most popular cars on the road by sheer growth within the last two decades. But when you consider all they offer, it’s little wonder they’re so popular.

The VW Tiguan has been around for a while now, and is the smaller brother of the quite popular and rather expensive Touareg (R384 000). Compact, sexy and striking, the stylish R-pack (an optional extra) took this SUV from run-of-the-mill to urban chic. The aggressive lines make the Tiguan look more like a large sports hatch and less like a “mommy-mobile”.

Once you get inside the Tiguan, though, you immediately see why the price tag is such a bargain. The finishes and accessories are well beyond what’s expected of a smaller SUV. It’s the simple

things that really set the Tiguan apart. For instance, you fold the rear seat down with the push of a button, and can release the towbar with just the pull of a lever. These features all add to the ease of use and practicality of a car built for everyday purposes.

Behind the wheel of the 1.4 litre turbocharged Tiguan’s small engine, performance is smooth and efficient. If you want to do serious towing, however, the bulletproof 2.0 litre diesel engine is for you – but for urban life, the 1.4 litre answers all the questions.

I’m going to make a bold prediction now: the new VW Tiguan will most likely win the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ) Car of the Year for 2017. Barring any surprises this year, I can’t see any car coming close to knocking this VW off the top spot. This isn’t to say the VW’s outright better than any of the

79

MOTORING

other cars in the competition, but when you compare apples with apples, the Tiguan is the sweetest of the bunch.

The Mazda CX-5 is yet another budget-friendly offering in the compact SUV market. It seems that every time you turn a corner, someone’s driving one. This is as much due to the stylish design as it is to the intelligent drive system that Mazda has built, to make sure that the CX-5 performs beyond its affordable price tag.

Starting at well under R400 000, you’d expect the CX-5 to perform like a knockoff version of the more popular SUVs you see on the roads today. But thanks to Mazda’s very clever SKYACTIV technology, the CX-5 is able to deliver sporty responses and nimble handling, yet also achieve amazing fuel economy.

VW Tiguan

The Mazda CX-5 is an SUV created with a different perspective.

It has elegant lines, graceful details and a well-planted footprint [HLA1] that stands it apart from all other SUVs. The CX-5 has the power of an SUV and the handling of a sports car. There is very little body roll and it performs well through corners, which gives the driver confidence behind the wheel. Much like the VW, the CX-5’s engine is not going to set your world on fire, but it certainly won’t leave you wanting for anything.

As with all cars built for the modern generation, it’s the technology inside them by which they will be judged, and the Mazda certainly delivers. It has sophisticated, driver-oriented sports instrumentation with push-start technology. You can control the audio, cruise control and Bluetooth functionality from the steering wheel. The 7.0-inch MZD connect screen

THE NEW-GENERATION SUVS ARE SMART VEHICLE CHOICES; THEY’RE ALL ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY, SAFETY AND PRACTICALITY comes standard and works as a multiinformation display showing all the controls you may need, including Internet radio functionality through mobile applications. The USB, Bluetooth-compatible MZD system all work and connect to the car’s six speakers. And, if you choose the Individual or Akera models, then you can expect concert-quality sound through the 231-watt Bose premium audio system with nine speakers.

VW Tiguan interior

The new-generation SUVs are marketing themselves as smart vehicle choices; they’re all about the technology, safety and practicality.

As times have evolved and the urban jungle has expanded, the SUV is less about getting out of the city and more about conquering it.

81

MOTORING

LEASING VS BUYING THE DECISION TO LEASE OR BUY CAR IS A TRICKY ONE. DAMIAN MURPHY GIVES YOU THE PROS AND CONS OF BOTH of it automatically. You simply pay to drive a car for a set period and then return it. Ownership is one of the options available to the customer at the end of the contract, should you wish to do so. But once the vehicle has been returned to the leaser, you can choose to initiate a new lease for a new vehicle.

THE PROS AND CONS OF LEASING VERSUS BUYING

KEY THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE FINANCING OR LEASING A CAR

Financing and leasing offer different benefits. An instalment sale agreement involves getting a loan to finance the full purchase price of the vehicle, or part of it. “You can reduce the loan amount by placing a deposit or sign for a ‘balloon’ payment – a repayment of the outstanding sum made at the end of a loan period. Once the loan has been paid in full, ownership is transferred from the financier to the client,” says Mahoney.

According to Nicholas Nkosi, head of Standard Bank Vehicle and Asset Finance – Retail, leasing a vehicle means that you enter into a contract for the use of a vehicle, but you never take ownership

WHEN LEASING, YOU SIMPLY PAY TO DRIVE A CAR FOR A SET PERIOD AND THEN RETURN IT 82

The advantages of leasing a vehicle are that you get to drive a new car more often and there is no need to sell it once your lease is up. A lease agreement generally has cheaper monthly instalments over shorter periods of time. “There are ways in which you can structure the lease agreement so that insurance and maintenance are included in the deal,” Mahoney explains. This will eliminate any unnecessary expenses during the loan term. The downside is that you’ll never own it and will be limited to how much use you can get out of it. Most lease agreements set the maximum number of kilometres you may drive, and exceeding that distance will result in a penalty.

As South Africans become more financially savvy, trends have shifted towards the leasing structure. Nkosi says that according to Standard Bank’s figures, only about 5% of all financed vehicles are paid off and kept for the full term. Many choose to upgrade early after about three years, and a lease agreement would give you the flexibility to get a new car without paying the early sales agreement cancellation penalty.

It’s not administratively difficult to get out of either agreement, but you may be liable for early termination fees of over R250 000 on sales agreements, or penalty fees that are dependent on the terms of your lease agreement. This is because these contracts fall outside the National Credit Act, as there is no capital amount being lent.

When choosing a new set of wheels, consider what your end goal is: to own a car, or to drive something new every two years – especially knowing you won’t get a return on investment when you come out on the other side.

IMAGE Shutterstock

N

According to Rudolf Mahoney, head of Brand and Communications at WesBank: “Leasing has grown from being almost non-existent in South Africa five years ago, to becoming a more popular option, mainly in the top end of the market. But 90% of vehicles financed today are still done through the traditional instalment sale agreement.”

The upside of a sale agreement is that at the end of your contract, you own the vehicle. While paying off the car, there are no limitations with regard to your use of it, or the number of kilometres you can do. Mahoney reminds us, however, that the biggest disadvantage of choosing to finance your car is that you’ll suffer its depreciation in value, and your asset will never match the initial sales price. And, if you include the interest you’ll be charged, your losses will be substantial. You’re also responsible for all servicing and maintenance of the vehicle and should you wish to upgrade, you’ll have to sell the car yourself.

LAST WORD

WINNING

FORMER BAFANA BAFANA PLAYER AND COACH, PITSO MOSIMANE, GUIDED MAMELODI SUNDOWNS TO THEIR FIRST CONTINENTAL TITLE IN THE CAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE IN NOVEMBER 2016, WHICH GOT HIM VOTED CAF COACH OF THE YEAR THIS YEAR. WE SPOKE TO THE 52-YEAR-OLD SERIAL WINNER

Pitso Mosimane

A COACH IS a visionary, a leader, father, friend and he’s also a motivator.

WHAT’S YOUR MANTRA? “Hard work and focus” is a constant phrase in my life. I like to be in a happy environment.

I HAVE FOUND PLAYING TO BE MORE SATISFYING THAN COACHING. You just pitch up and get told what to do. You get satisfaction as a player because you’re driving your own vehicle. As a coach, you rely on your players for results.

TO KEEP STAR PLAYERS IN LINE YOU NEED to have a vision and drive it, and for everybody to buy into it. The best thing you can do to get that support is to be honest with everybody. When you’re honest and consistent with people, you’ll earn their respect. You must also know that earning that respect is not going to be easy, because you’re taking people out of their comfort zones. Just be genuine and don’t try to be popular.

I WAS HAPPIER ABOUT WINNING THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE THAN I was about getting CAF Coach of the Year. The Champions League is good for the team, the brand and very good for South Africa.

But it’s also good for me, the PSL, and other coaches in the country.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I LEARNT FROM PLAYING OVERSEAS WAS responsibility and professionalism. You have to look after yourself. You have to take your life into your own hands, nobody is going to nurture or babysit you. That said, the different weather and conditions were also character building.

THE BEST THING ABOUT COACHING SUNDOWNS IS that it’s a big team and I get to make people happy. If you want to see how big Sundowns is, come to Pretoria. I recently watched a video clip where the players were coming out of the stadium after we’d beaten Kaizer Chiefs. Everyone was happy and just kept on singing and singing. It felt good for me to have contributed, in a small way, to their memories and happiness.

THE MOST DIFFICULT THING about it is the pressure, expectations, demands and accountability that come with coaching a big team like Sundowns. Those are not easy things to get done. It’s also trying to keep everyone happy, and we all know you can’t keep everyone happy.

I’M NOT ALWAYS AS INTENSE AS I LOOK… 84

THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON I LEARNT FROM COACHING BAFANA BAFANA WAS on a personal level. I learnt that you have to be as good off the pitch as you are on it. So, if you’re a good politician, you’ll survive easily. As a coach, there’s a lot to learn, because you’re playing against tough opponents with different mentalities.

IT’S DIFFICULT TO SAY WHAT’S HOLDING SOUTH AFRICAN SOCCER BACK from realising its potential. First, you have to think of where our country comes from; we were excluded from the rest of the world. We still don’t properly understand international football. We value our local product more than we do the international one. We need to think outside the box and look at our football as a global game, not a local product. That applies mostly to our leaders and coaches, and then our players.

SOUTH AFRICA IS STILL THE COUNTRY I LOVE THE MOST. I’ve travelled the continent a lot over the last two years but I love going to Egypt because of the culture.

THE THREE THINGS I CAN’T TRAVEL WITHOUT ARE my phone, iPad and shaver. I suppose my wallet as well.

I’M NOT ALWAYS AS INTENSE AS I LOOK. I like small things like stupid jokes. When people look at me working on TV, it’s like watching someone act on Generations and thinking that’s how the guy lives. I don’t like a stressful environment – I like having good people around me. I like to laugh.

IMAGE Simphiwe Nkwali

STREAK

Bidvest McCarthy Renault www.mccarthyrenault.co.za