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. Like and tag the onRoute Magazine Facebook page and add #GautrainLinks onto your post to stand a chance to win! PIXEL PASS Take a PIC
ON THE MOVE Take a 90 second VIDEO
GOLDEN GUILD Write 150 WORDS of your experience
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
CHILDREN CROSSING
HIDDEN ENTRANCE
4 @southafrica
39 Kids Pull-Out Section
70 Secret Gems In SA
CONTENTS
SCENIC ROUTE [PHOTOGRA P H Y ]
[ FO R T H E K I DS ]
[ BL I N K A N D YOU ’ L L M I S S I T ]
LIFE GUIDANCE
PITSTOP
47 The wheel of life – Kids’ style
74 Pre-Holiday Prep 74 See Better, Drive Better! 76 Healthy Winter ahead
[ K ID S S E C T I O N ]
[ H E A L T H & F A S H I ON ]
DETOUR
[LOCAL TRAVEL]
PARK OFF
52 Top Eating Experiences in Your City
[EVENTS]
79 Event Guide
CROSSROADS [FEATURE S ]
8 Magical Maldives 13 High Expectations
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK [THE I NS ID E S T O RY ]
21 Dual Citizenship
CREATIVE ROAD
BUMPY ROAD AHEAD
[D I Y FUN ]
[ S P O R T & A DV E N T U R E ]
24 The Storage crate
58 A Bird’s Eye View
THE ARCADE [GAME R E V IE W S ]
27 Best Blockbuster Games
THE MALL
BEHIND THE WHEEL
31 Switch to Solar
80 Interview with with Bakwena CFO Vikki Staegemann
[TECH RE V IE W S ]
[ Q& A ]
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
WIN!
63 Fractional Ownership
WIN a Mall of the North gift voucher worth R2500 just in time for the Easter weekend!
MEN AT WORK
www.mallofthenorth.co.za
[ P RO P E R T Y]
THE GARAGE N3 SIYANAMUKELA!
TOURISM ASSOCIATION
[CAR REVIE W ]
[HEARTS&HEROES]
35 Making waves in a 66 Travel Experiences fund Humanitarian Programmes crowded pool
Visit onRoute’s Facebook page, Like and Share the Mall of the North post! T&C’s apply. Competition closes 30 April 2017.
THE TEAM EDIT OR DE S IG N Elka Schaimberg Janine Louw elka@contactmedia.co.za SALES C ONT RI BUTORS Damian Murphy Carrie Cleminson Melanie Scheepers Eugene Yiga Michelle Jones Damian Murphy Paul Styles Dawn Jorgensen Sean Press Nafisa Akabor
MA N A G E M E N T CEO & Development Director: Sean Press Publisher: Donna Verrydt General Manager: Lesley Fox Production Coordinator: Gwen Sebogodi P RIN T IN G Paarl Printers Gauteng
P U BL I S H I N G H O U S E Contact Media & Communications (Pty) Ltd Block A, 388 Main Avenue, Randburg Tel: 011 789 6339 Fax: 08650 42443 email: pressman@contactmedia.co.za
D IS T RIBU T I ON production@contactmedia.co.za
Copyright © 2016 Contact Media & Communications. onRoute 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 onRoute are not necessarily those of the Publisher or contributors.
THE SCENIC ROUTE [PHOTOG RAPH E R F OC US ]
SCENIC
ROUTE
@southafrica
Tha t Fou road be ri t Pho esburg ween C to b l y @ in the F arens a jacq ree ues Stat nd van wyk e. _
PHOTOS BY TRAVELLERS FOR TRAVELLERS
the tlines along Striking coas il near Knysna. tra le vil k er rk wy Ha pjvanschalk Photo by @
www.onroutemag.co.za
Little bit of lov Photo by @n e for South Africa atassjy
4
e dolphins
Bottlenos
.
er Park
sfronti
n adi Tra Kgalg in the lerasmus e h c e rè Lion c by @mork Photo
e coast cruising th
Incredible colours in the Kruger. Photo by @shannon__wild
h Africa. e and Sout peschak ozambiqu as between M Photo by @thom
Fun and games in Orange Farm. Photo by @jefflovesphotography ft @wendy_ntinezo
One of the better looking Hout Bay residents. Photo by @ridzdesign
Taken by ordinary South Africans, the @southafrica account on Instagram showcases the best photos of our amazing country. Take a scroll through thousands of incredible images and be inspired to explore more, find unique places to visit, and seek out great new adventures!
For a daily dose of South African awesomeness, follow re. ing creatu oit of an amaz ut ReflectionsPhoto by @marlond
@southafrica on Instagram now!
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No matter who you voted for today, you voted for South Africa and that means everything. Photo by @its.just.al
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THE SCENIC ROUTE [PHOTOG RAPH E R F OC US ]
Pret
oria
with
a st r Pho ong Jac to b y @ aranda unc lesc game! rooc h
p. t in Bo-Kaa Hanging ou dapperlou Photo by @
Catching the
last of the lig
ht from Maid en’s Co Photo by @b ve. 2two
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SCENIC
6
ROUTE
@southafrica PHOTOS BY TRAVELLERS FOR TRAVELLERS
Field-snoozing in the Midlands, KZN. Photo by @small_creature
CROSSROADS [G L OB AL RE PORT ]
Magical Maldives PARADISE ON EARTH
By Michelle Jones
At some stage, we’ve all heard of this magical place called the Maldives and then had our friends bedazzle us with photos and highly recommend that we put it on our bucket lists. Yes, we nod vaguely and carry on with our day. But a recent trip to Club Med on the insanely gorgeous Kani Island in the Maldives has suddenly made us realise what all the fuss was about!
F
there are still about 900 totally uninhabited islands. Being off the Sri Lankan Coast means that it’s sunny year-round but more importantly, you will be spoilt with a warm, crystal clear ocean and underwater paradise while meeting the friendly locals. For the nitty gritty of your unforgettable trip to the Maldives, we would suggest that
you fly to Singapore first and then catch a connecting flight to Male – the Singapore airport is an experience in itself. You can visit butterfly gardens with natural skylights and eco-friendly terminal lifts, the orchids are jaw-dropping (and are scattered around the airport), go to the movies, go on a shopping spree or relax over an amazing meal. If you stay in
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irstly, if you – like us, have no clue where the Maldives actually are then this is for you. The Maldives consists of a cluster of islands off the Sri Lankan Coast. (If you need a little more help, Sri Lanka is an island off south-east India). The Maldives has 200 islands inhabited by locals, nearly a hundred have been developed as tourist resorts, but
Take a sea plane excursion
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Images courtesy of ClubMed
Enjoy activities such as Fly Boarding and Snorkeling
Singapore for the night, you can take advantage of the free tour of the capital to give you a real feel for the city of the future. This is why you fly over the Maldives and then catch that connecting flight! Another stopover option is Dubai with a connecting flight to Male which is about four-and-a-half-hours. Just enough time to regroup for the next part of your adventure. The ever important ‘what to wear’: assume Durban’s summer heat and humidity and wear respectful, light, comfortable and cool clothing for when you arrive in Male. Then as each day will be spent enjoying the marvels that the Maldives has to offer, we suggest a large beach bag, for the novel you are going to read while basking in the sun, unless you go with the kids in which case it will hold everything and the kitchen sink! As well as sunscreen, sunhats, costumes, shorts, a few sarongs and very light clothing, but tuck in a few items of evening wear as there is a special activity each night. And, you won’t be able to make your friends envious if you can’t charge your electronics, so pack a universal plug!
As Kani is an island itself, we were fetched by boat in Male and in no time, we saw our first glimpse of our home for the next few days on the horizon – postcard turquoise water and white sandy beaches. The short 25-minute boat ride meant that my body didn’t get time to manage a seasick revolution (mine is a master), which made the welcome by the Kani staff all the more special. To get our bearings, we were taken on a tour of the gorgeous island that is well-known as a honeymoon venue and couple’s escape but fear not there are also family suites so you can take all the kids too.
Luxurious Finolhu Villas
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Much to our excitement, the Maldivian Rufiyaa pretty much has a 1:1 exchange rate to the Rand. However, dollars are the currency of choice and they are accepted everywhere. Tipping is always a tricky travelling question, so to clear that one up, tipping is appreciated and is recommended, so you might want to exchange some dollars to Rufiyaa so you can spread the love.
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CROSSROADS [G L OB AL RE PORT ]
We also discovered (super sleuths that we are) that on a nearby island, the Club Med Exclusive Collection has private eco-friendly Finolhu Villas that come with your very own pool, steps from your suite straight into the ocean and a personal butler! There are exclusive spa massages in the comfort of your villa, a private beach, fine dining and all the luxury your heart could desire. Of course, honeymoon packages are available, and all you have to do is be in love and fall in love with the sumptuous island. Should you feel up to a bit of adventure – Kani is a short boat ride away. If you are still tripping over the word butler, then fear not! Kani has another romantic option that will blow your socks off. The Manta Lounge are suites built on stilts out over the ocean. Each suite has its own private terrace, comes with a four-poster bed (everyone secretly wants to be a princess), a bath with lagoon views and private sea access. To make it all that more romantic you can have side-by-side spa treatments, the overwater swing to compliment special or romantic moments, yoga on the beach or just snorkel hand-in-hand just off your terrace. For the surfers, apparently, this is also home to some of the world’s finest breaks – in case you needed an added incentive.
Being off the Sri Lankan Coast means that it’s sunny year-round, but more importantly, you will be spoilt with a warm, crystal clear ocean and underwater paradise while meeting the friendly locals. If you are reading this in the car with two or more squabbling children and are about to leave them on the side of the highway, there are options for you on magical Kani too. They offer deluxe couple and family suites with different options. As the Maldives is known for its underwater fairyland of marine life and is blessed with crystal clear water, you can snorkel for hours. The only snorkelling requirement is that you need to be able to stay afloat – a word of warning though, wear a long sleeve rash vest and lather on that sunscreen as while you are enjoying the underwater wonderland you are getting burnt. And, when a bale of curious turtles (did you know that’s what a group of turtles is called?) comes along to say ‘hi’ there will be no getting any snorkelling child out the water for a long while! For scuba divers, you need to bring along your certification and log book, but the diving is captivating. With global warming and some storms there has been some coral damage, but scientists are reporting that the coral is slowly regrowing which is great news. You can also visit
Romantic Manta Loungers
the wonderful coral preservation programme. Other water excursions include a glass bottom boat which is just phenomenal, a submarine outing and the usual water sports activities. Surfers don’t feel left out; the best waves happen in June and July. By the time the evening has arrived, you would think it would be time to wind-down, but Kani offers an indulgent fusion of Japanese, French, Italian and Chinese dining. There are five speciality restaurants on the island, including the Sunset Beach Bar and Velhi which offer daily scrumptious buffets. Want something different, try out the beach barbeques and their entertainment. Evening parties are certainly one of Kani’s highlights, and there is no charge for alcohol, so it’s a cocktail bonanza. If you want to take a break from the beach, then head to the boutique shop where you will find clothing items, knickknacks and presents for the people you miss back home. With global warming and the Maldives being a group of low-lying islands, there is a very real possibility that Kani might become part of our modern day Atlantis.
TOP TRAVEL TIPS
Family Suite
• Dress modestly in the capital, Male where the religion is Islam; this also makes the Maldives one of the safest travel destinations in the world. • You need a valid passport with at least six months before it expires. • South Africans don’t need a visa for the Maldives or Singapore. • South Africans don’t need a visa for Dubai unless they are leaving the airport.
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• January to April are the best times to travel, but you are promised sunshine year-round.
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• Wi-Fi is available on the island (no need for social media withdrawal!)
COSTS AND PACKAGES Choose to dine fully inclusive at Kani
www.visitmaldives.com or www.clubmed.co.za for further information.
Bridges have since turned the need to get from here to there into an unforgettable fear-facing, vertigo-inducing adventure. We have hand-picked some of the world’s most spectacular pedestrian bridges of our time!
Images courtesy of Shutterstock
AMAZING WALKING BRIDGES OF THE WORLD!
View from the Caminito Del Rey Bridge, Spain
SPAIN
CAMINITO DEL REY THE MOST DANGEROUS WALKWAY IN THE WORLD!
Caminito Del Rey, Spain
If you’re afraid of heights, this is the stuff of nightmares! Caminito del Rey was once known as Spain’s most dangerous path, or the most dangerous walkway in the world. More than 100 years old, the walkway is pinned along the steep walls of a narrow gorge, featuring a boardwalk built into the side of a cliff face that hangs 100 metres above the Guadalhorce River. There have been at least five deaths along the seven-kilometre Caminito del Rey, all occurring before the extensive ¤3.12 million (R44 million) restoration programme. Battling it out before its transformation would have ranked right up there with camping on an erupting volcano or scuba diving with great white sharks, without a cage. Large gaping holes in the concrete were common. Sometimes whole sections of the treacherous walkway were completely missing, after crashing down to the bottom of the canyon. But luckily, after more than a decade of being off limits and four years of reconstruction, it was reopened to the public as a much safer route to tackle. Aging concrete was replaced with wooden slats and glass panels with a handrail. Now tourists can safely dare to cross the dizzying hanging footbridge that stands 105 metres high and enjoy the views of this magnificent canyon. Although the bridge poses no risk to their lives, it certainly requires a certain level of physical effort and skill to get to it. But, that’s exactly what makes it such an alluring adventure.
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CROSSROADS [TRAVE L ]
HIGH EXPECTATIONS
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CROSSROADS [TRAVE L ]
FRANCE
AIGUILLE DE MIDI STEP INTO THE VOID
It may be small, but it is no less terrifying. It’s also the highest in our collection, measuring at 3 842 metres above sea level! This bridge receives half a million visitors a year, placing you as close to Mont Blanc – the highest peak in Europe – as you can get without having any mountaineering experience. The bridge has been drilled into the Aiguille du Midi Mountain, and the summit contains a panoramic viewing platform, a café and a gift shop. Even in summer, temperatures in the open viewing areas can drop to -10 °C, so make sure you’re wearing warm gear and sunnies as it’s super bright up there!
Aiguille De Midi Bridge, France
And if the bridge isn’t enough to scare you, they’ve just built a glass skywalk alongside it, called “Step into the Void”. Three glass walls, a glass floor and glass ceiling panels, allow the visitor a unique experience, enhanced by a dramatic perspective – the view of which is 1 035 metres straight down! A further tourist development currently under construction is ‘Le Pipe’ – a tubular walkway that will completely circle the summit.
SWITZERLAND
TRIFT BRIDGE
THE LONGEST PEDESTRIAN-ONLY BRIDGE IN THE SWISS ALPS
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If you see a picture of the Trift Bridge suspended between two glaciers, the tiny antlike figures crossing it are some of its 20 000 annual visitors. The longest pedestrian-only suspension bridge in the Swiss Alps spanning 170 metres, the Trift Bridge boasts a height of 100 metres and hangs proudly over Lake Triftsee.
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Trift Bridge, Switzerland
To reach it you will need to get a cable car ride that leaves every 12 minutes and carries eight passengers at a time. After which, expect a not-so-easy uphill hike for about two hours to the bridge. It is spectacularly beautiful – offering fresh mountain air and views all the way up, making it well worth the trek. Although, you wouldn’t want to get stuck up there when a blizzard hits, so make sure to check the weather report ahead of time as winds can blow through the gorge at 200 kilometres per hour! In fact, the original bridge was replaced with this one to prevent dangerous swaying.
CROSSROADS [T RAVE L ]
CANADA
CAPILANO
2 200 VISITORS WALK ACROSS IT DAILY!
This simple suspension bridge is not for the faint-hearted. Perched 70 metres above the Capilano River in Vancouver, it spans 140 metres and sees around 2 200 visitors walk across it daily, all in single file of course, and trying not to look down at the river below. That’s approximately 800 000 visitors a year! The bridge has seen its fair share of tragedy. Back in 2010, a teenage tourist, high on LSD, climbed over the fence and fell to his death. And, ten years earlier, a mother dropped her eighteen-month-old, disabled child off the bridge, claiming she stumbled and the kid slipped out of her hands. Amazingly, the child was unharmed. As well as the bridge and Treetop Adventures, the park also features rain forest ecotours, awardwinning gardens and nature trails. Capilano Bridge, Canada
RUSSIA
SKYBRIDGE
A FOOTBRIDGE IN THE SKY
The 439-metre long SkyBridge rises 207 metres above the Krasnaya Polyana valley. The footbridge can carry up to 30 000 people at a time and includes two observation platforms, each offering panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the Black Sea coast. And if walking across it isn’t adventurous enough for you, you can also bungee jump off it or zip line along it. According to its creators, the impressive SkyBridge can supposedly withstand earthquakes, hurricane winds, rain, snow and ice. Whether you choose to walk, bungee or zip line, we’d recommend you do so on an empty stomach. Skybridge, Russia
SOUTH AFRICA
STORMS RIVER SUSPENSION BRIDGE
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As you meander through the Tsitsikamma’s incredible coastal forest, taking in spectacular views of the sea, coast and river mouth, you are bound to come across this 77-metre long suspension bridge crossing the Storms River Mouth. It hangs just seven metres above the churning waters of the river as it enters the foamy Indian Ocean. Standing on this dramatic piece of engineering, visitors are really able to take in the unspoilt beauty around them. Storms River Suspension Bridge, South Africa
Images courtesy of Shutterstock
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EXPANSIVE VIEWS OF UNTOUCHED WILDERNESS
ugu jazz festival
deep sea ocean safari
sardine beach tour
UGU Sports & Leisure Centre Gamalakhe
Scottburgh to Port Edward
24 June
June/July
Scottburgh to Port Edward
maidens ceremony
south coast lionS show
MALLARDS MERCURY SKI BOAT FESTIVAL
KwaNyuswa Eqzinqoleni
Port Shepstone Country Club
Shelly Beach Ski Boat Club
8 July
11-15 July
June/July
12 -15 July
BOTH SIDES OF A DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD Everybody loves a backup plan, or at least that’s what they tell you when they have two passports. “If the s#!t hits the fan at least I know I can jump ship without hassle”, but what is the real benefit of having a second nationality? Is it allowed? And how far will your South African passport actually take you? We have all the answers. By Damian Murphy
W
e all have a friend that has a maroon passport or an American passport, and they are never shy to tell you that they will never let it go, followed by how unfortunate you are not to have one. But the exciting thing to know about being a South African in 2017, is that the world is almost completely open and connected, so there’s very few places on earth you can’t go to if your affairs are in order and your passport is valid. In fact, South Africa ranks 54th in the world on the Visa Restrictions Index, and there are 97 countries you can get into without a visa, or with a visa on arrival. Regions like Asia, Southern Africa, South America and Central America all allow South Africa citizens easy access to their borders without much hassle. It’s when you want to travel to Europe or North America that things become a little more challenging. This is when having a second passport comes in handy. According to the South African High Commission, a South African citizen needs to apply for permission to keep their South African citizenship before applying for foreign citizenship. If a South African citizen doesn’t obtain this prior permission, they will automatically lose their South African citizenship on voluntary acquisition of a foreign citizenship. What this means is, if you are over the age of 18 and you wish to acquire the passport of another country, you need to apply to the government in South Africa for permission to do so. The only time you don’t require this permission is if you get dual citizenship before you turn 18. So, if your father was born in another country that allows his South African-born child to gain citizenship, then provided he applies for your dual citizenship before you turn 18, then you may hold dual
citizenship. If that application happens after your 18th birthday, then permission from the South African government is required first. Once you have obtained your dual citizenship, it’s important to note that it’s an offence for a South African citizen with dual citizenship to enter or depart the Republic using their passport from another country. Once a person has been granted dual citizenship, the holder must always enter and depart South Africa on their valid South African passport. What they do outside South Africa’s borders is completely up to them.
“…it’s an offence for a South African citizen with dual citizenship to enter or depart the Republic using their passport from another country.” It’s also important to remember that South African citizens by birth, who lose their citizenship through this application process, will never lose their right to Permanent Residence in South Africa. Should they permanently return to South Africa, they will be able to apply for the resumption of their South African citizenship from within the country. Having dual citizenship can save you a few hundred rands on the occasional visa. Unless you travel very regularly, don’t be ashamed when someone says that not having dual citizenship is like living with handcuffs on.
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OFF THE BEATEN TRACK [THE I NS I D E S T ORY]
DUAL CITIZENSHIP
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WIN YOUR SHARE OF R30 000 WITH ONROUTE 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 onRoute 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
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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!
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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 onRoute Magazine website for details. • For further information please contact info@onroutemag.co.za
Travel in style from a plane, to the Gautrain, to your destination
Integrated Transport. Connecting the dots.
www.gautrain.co.za
Wherever your starting point is, Gautrain has made public transport so much easier.
SMS “Alert� to 32693 for service updates Call Centre: 0800 Gautrain
CREATIVE ROAD [D I Y F UN]
STORAGE CRATE AGE APPROPRIATE: ALL AGES DEPENDING ON USE
T
he problem with kids is that they come with lots of things, which lie around waiting to be stood on or lost. Here’s a very cheap, easy and quick storage solution that will give smaller items, or items where there are many, a place to call home. We’re talking Hot Wheel cars, pens, pencils, crayons, drawing pins, phone chargers and earphones... to name but a few.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED: • A standard 30cm x 40cm wooden crate • 5cm circumference PVC plumber’s pipe (Builders Warehouse) • PVC pipe cement (Builders Warehouse) • Superglue • Small tin of paint (colour of your choice) and a paint brush Stationary Storage
WHAT TO DO: 1. Paint the wooden crate, inside and out then set aside to dry. 2. In the meantime, clean the PVC pie well then cut it into approximately 12cm lengths, depending on the size of the crate you choose, you will need about 28 pieces.
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3. Starting at the bottom of the crate, use the superglue to glue the PVC pipe to the box and the PVC cement to the next tube. Build the tubes upwards until you reach the top of the crate.
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This feature is supplied by Whippersnapper – a platform for parents and kids on creating and living an amazing childhood. We specialise in: kids travel; family bucket list adventures; pop up creative workshops; advice on how to inspire your superstars; sports talk; school issues; and latest trends. Like us on facebook: Whippersnapper Follow us on Instagram: @whippersnapper_sa Look us up on: www.whippersnapper.co.za Car garage
ADVERTORIAL
MEROPA CELEBRATES 15 YEARS OF DELIVERING SUPER-CHARGED ENTERTAINMENT
I
t’s been 15 years since Meropa opened its doors with the vision to become a preferred entertainment destination in Polokwane. Over the weekend of 25 to 27 March 2017, the casino will toast to an era with a great entertainment, loads of fantastic food and beverage specials, lucky draws and promotions.
“March will be magical month at the casino as we mark our 15th anniversary. We’ve lined up a host of entertainers and tremendous promotions to mark this milestone. We’re pulling out all the stops to make it a time to remember, not only for Meropa, but also for our loyal patrons, many of whom have supported us from the start,” says Peter Guthrie, General Manager of Sun Meropa. The past 15 years have seen the complex undergo a number of changes and enhancements to ensure that its offering keeps pace with discerning guests’ expectations. A new hotel is currently being built and is scheduled for opening in August this year. From the outset, the team at Meropa has known that its success depends on its ability to constantly deliver premium and value-
adding services, quality facilities, and an entertainment offering that appeals to its broad customer base. Over the birthday weekend (25, 26 and 27 March), guests can look forward to a range of activities. There is a share of R200 000 in prizes, including a car, cash and free play to be won in the Meropa 15th Birthday Celebration Car draw taking place on the 27th of March 2017. Draw is open to all MVG cardholders and they need to earn 10 points from 1st of March up until 27th of March 2017 at 07h00 for the draw at 20h00. In celebration of Meropa’s 15th anniversary, there will also be various food and beverage specials such as an authentic South African Braai the Lot for R60. All local beers (Castle, Hansa, Black Label, Castle Lite) will be just R15. The specials will run for three days during the celebration period. Sun International proudly supports the National Responsible Gambling Programme. Gambling is for persons 18 years and older. Winners know when to stop. National Responsible Gambling Toll-free Counseling Line 0800 006 008. Sun International Casinos are licensed casinos.
ISSUED BY THE MAIL ROOM PR ON BEHALF OF SUN INTERNATIONAL. FOR MEDIA ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT: Azelle Evans | Cell: 082 851 0090 | azelle@themailroom.co.za Cerise Mtshatsheni | Cell: 0762362702 | cerise@themailroom.co.za
Kerry Webb | Cell: 082 496 0713 | kerry@themailroom.co.za
GET IT ALL AT MEROPA GET IT ALL AT MEROPA THE HEARTBEAT OF THE NORTH
• More than 400 Slot machines THE HEARTBEAT OF THE NORTH • 17 Tables games which include American Roulette, Blackjack and Poker • Dining and Bar areas • More than 400 Slot machines • Conference centre facility • 17 Tables games which include American Roulette, Blackjack and Poker • Dining and Bar areas For more information contact us on 015 290 5400 or visit suninternational.com • Conference centre facility For more information contact us on 015 290 5400 or visit suninternational.com
SUN INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING. GAMBLING FOR PERSONS 18 YEARS AND OLDER. WINNERS KNOW WHEN TO STOP. NATIONAL RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING TOLL-FREE SUN INTERNATIONAL SUPPORTS RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING. CASINOS GAMBLING FOR PERSONSCASINOS. 18 YEARS COUNSELLING LINE 0800 006 008. SUN INTERNATIONAL ARE LICENSED AND OLDER. WINNERS KNOW WHEN TO STOP. NATIONAL RESPONSIBLE GAMBLING TOLL-FREE
WINTER HOLIDAY INDULGENCE OFFERING
De Hoek Country Hotel, recently appointed by TripAdvor as one of South Africa’s top 25 hotels is a most alluring and accomplished 5-star boutique hotel nestled in a beautiful, lush valley in Magaliesburg. Exquisite en-suite rooms await our guests after being treated with award winning cuisine in one of our two our elegant dining facilities - whether it be a five course dinner or an enticing afternoon tea. De Hoek caters for executive conferences and international business meetings in a private and exclusive setting and our bespoke wedding events are well renowned for the style and elegance which befits the event. Weekend escapes and specialized packages are available for discerning guests who would like to be thoroughly spoilt and pampered in a refined and privileged setting. Celebrations of any kind are superbly hosted at De Hoek, whether it is an anniversary, birthday or engagement.
3 NIGHTS STAY FOR THE PRICE OF 2 Offer valid for the time period 30 June to 24 July 2017 Wonderful day excursions and activities can be accessed from De Hoek Country Hotel as base and includes: Hot air ballooning • Horse riding • Canopy Tours • Cheese tasting at Van Gaalen • Harties Cableway • Shopping at Chameleon Village in Harties • In-Room treatments at De Hoek • Black Horse beer tasting and lunch • Maropeng • Lawn games at De Hoek • Sterkfontein Caves • Rhino & Lion Park • Hiking trails up the mountain and more! Contact us at: +27 (0)14 577 9600, reservations@dehoek.com or www.dehoek.com. Follow us on Facebook for all the latest promotions and events: /DeHoek
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Some blockbusters have been made into games, some games have hit the big screen, and some have been made into movies and games simultaneously. For the purpose of these reviews, we’re going to look at them all. These are our favourites…
By Damian Murphy @MotoringMurphy
BATMAN This iconic superhero first made an appearance in a 1939 comic book. Since then, this billionaire caped crusader has dominated movie theatres and TV screens. With no fewer than ten blockbuster movies starring legends of the silver screen such as Val Kilmer, George Clooney and Christian Bale, Batman has become everybody’s favourite character. With more than 30 games about the Dark Knight alone and another 15 that feature him as a character, it was tough for us to single out the best one. Over the last few years the Batman franchise really has delivered some stand out games with titles like Batman: Arkham Origins and Lego Batman, but the greatest one so far has to be the 2011 smash hit for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, Batman: Arkham City. This game took the superhero genre to a whole new height. The gameplay was intense and the storyline completely captivating. Globally it received ratings of 94% and above, often scoring a perfect ten. 2017 and beyond promises a few new releases from the Batman franchise, so hold onto your seats, because the Dark Knight is returning to your gaming screens.
FINAL FANTASY This is a popular gaming franchise that was made into a movie, although not as successfully as a movie which is made into a game. The Final Fantasy games are free world epic fantasy adventures where you quest through a magical world filled with weird and wonderful monsters. The aim is to teach yourself and your crew various skills that can help you conquer all types of imaginable villains. There is magic, weaponry and potions, and although there is definitely a clearly defined storyline, the Final Fantasy world is very much an open playground ready for exploration. The movies didn’t set the box office on fire and certainly didn’t live up to the epic grandeur created by the games, but with 15 versions of the game out and more to come, no one can doubt the brilliance of the minds behind the franchise. Our pick of the bunch was the 1997 release for PlayStation, Final Fantasy VII. It was the perfect mix of new and old and laid a path for the direction the franchise would take for several years.
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THE ARCADE [G AME RE VI E W S ]
THE BEST GAMES BASED ON MOVIES
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THE ARCADE [G AME RE VI E W S ]
ALIEN The classic movie franchise starring Sigourney Weaver still, to this day, sends a shiver down our spines. Almost immediately after the launch of the first movie, there was a game to go along with it. The original games were arcade in their style, but are still regarded as timeless classics. In 1996, following three successful movies, the franchise game developers released the game Alien Trilogy. A shoot-it-all game for PlayStation and PC that took all that was great from the three movies and arcade games that had come before and combined it into a collection of blood, guts, weapons and aliens. The PC version was a bit cumbersome, but the console version was as good as when we had played in the late 90s. There is a new movie set for release later this year that promises to give you sleepless nights, and we’re excited to see what game comes out to follow it.
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STAR WARS
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Stars Wars is a cult classic, epic space franchise based on the story of several characters set in a galaxy far, far away. Since its release in 1977, there have also been several games launched to coincide with the films and their popularity. Disney purchased the rights to the franchise from Lucas and there are several new films in production. This means that gamers can expect to see several new games over the next few years, but we’ve chosen Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens as your favourite from the franchise so far. With so many epic and graphic games out at the moment, we felt that the Lego version of this hit game was by far the most original and fun to play. Despite the fact that the characters are all plastic toys, the story is as good as if they were lifelike. There is great humour, complicated adventures and an incredible story to embroil yourself in. The game received good reviews from the critics and scored an average of 83% from the gaming community. It’s a multiplatform game, available on the new and older consoles. Expect big things from this franchise in the next 12 months.
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In South Africa we are fortunate to receive sunshine the whole year round, so we thought it best to feature some of our favourite solar gadgets for the season.
PRICE: R799
PORT SOLAR CHARGER If you’re a frequent traveller in and out of airports, the on the go Port Solar Charger is compact enough to travel with you. It’s a suction cup that attaches to any window (plane, train, bus, car, etc.) and has a USB port for you to plug a smartphone charging cable in. The charger itself comes with its own charging cable for when there’s no sunlight, so you get the best of both worlds! It features five LED status indicators, so you know how much power is available. Its integrated charger folds neatly into the side of the body when not in use.
PRICE: R1 458
TOPRAY UV MOSQUITO ZAPPER
PRICE: R799
TUFF-LUV SOLAR POWER BANK For the power user going camping or on a beach holiday, the Tuff-Luv Solar Power Bank is your new best friend. Its sleek design is functional, with solar panels covering the front, and LED indicators located at the back. The power bank holds a whopping 10 000 mAh, capable of charging an iPhone about five times! The power bank itself can fully charge in 19 to 20 hours in sunlight or seven to eight hours using a USB cable. It has two USB outputs to charge two devices at a time. Now that’s what you call multitasking! www.takealot.com
Enjoying the outdoors at home or away is synonymous with dealing with mosquitoes, which is why the solar-powered UV Mosquito Zapper is something to seriously consider. The UV zapper is fully charged after eight hours, in all weather conditions, and has a high voltage shock to kill the bloodsuckers on the spot! Relaxing outdoors, in the garden or by the pool on hot summer evenings can now be buzz-free, plus, you don’t have to worry about plug points or poisonous repellents. Your mosquito zapper comes with mounting accessories and a built-in battery. cybotechsa.co.za
Prices may vary. Images are courtesy of manufacturers, distributors and stockists.
catchoftheday.co.za
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THE MALL [G I F T G UI D E ] By Nafisa Akabor @nafisa1
SWITCH TO SOLAR
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Prices may vary. Images are courtesy of manufacturers, distributors and stockists.
THE MALL [G I F T G UI D E ]
PRICE: R345
T4 TRANSFORMING SOLAR ROBOT KIT The T4 Transforming Solar Robot Kit is every bit as cool as it sounds. Assembly is fairly simple with easy to connect pieces; no batteries, glue or screws required. The robot has active movements and a safe mechanical gearbox. When assembled as a T-Rex or rhino beetle, the jaws open and legs move, while the drill vehicle option has a turning drill with moving wheels. In its robot form, it has both legs and wheels. www.yuppiegadgets.com
PRICE: R119
NEXUS ORION SOLAR GARDEN LIGHT One of the easiest ways to go green is to start off with solar lights along your garden walkway. The Nexus Orion solar lights have an elegant design - somewhat cylindrical with a glass lens, in a steel housing. A mounting spike keeps it in place in the sand, while the top end features the solar panel. It has day and night sensors. With one white LED and one colour changing – you can choose the mood you wish to create. www.takealot.com
PRICE: R1 296
LOTUS LEAF FOUNTAIN
PRICE: R149
ORGANIC SOUL OVAL LANTERN
Thinking about building a Zen garden in your backyard? The Lotus Leaf fountain is a solarpowered decorative feature perfect for your garden, backyard or terrace. It doesn’t require any cables, and the self-sustainable fountain has a seven-volt solar panel that works on its own, without requiring you to switch it on or off. The fountain has four nozzles so you can choose both the height and pattern of the water jet that suits your space and surroundings. It’s lightweight with a lifespan of 10 000 hours. That’s plenty of maintenancefree hours for a Zen garden.
If you’re invested in building that Zen garden, Organic Soul has the perfect addition for your backyard – a solar-powered rattan lantern. It has an authentic exterior design, complete with swing handle for both indoors and outdoors. It can be hung up onto tree branches or sit on any surface. A solar panel sits at the top, which takes eight to ten hours to charge, to provide six to eight hours of use. Available in white or natural.
cybotechsa.co.za
www.takealot.com
PRICE: R5 100
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ROMA PORTABLE POWER STATION
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This fully assembled portable solar power station is ideal if you love the outdoors, 4x4ing, and camping. The main power box battery pack is made with durable anticorrosive components, so it’s suitable for most weather conditions. It features a 12-volt cigarette lighter socket, two USB outputs, and one auxiliary input. It charges with the accompanying foldable solar panel. If you’re a small family, it’s great for charging either walkie-talkies, smartphones, e-books, tablets, iPads and small gadgets. www.ecoficiency.co.za
BLUEPRINT 1069/ONROUTE
IN A CROWDED POOL THE SUZUKI BALENO AND VW TIGUAN
With the new car market in South Africa feeling the pain of consumer penny pinching, it’s refreshing to see Suzuki coming out with an affordable car that’s specifically mandated to come in at an attractive price point. This obviously means certain compromises have been made, but as we found out, they were the right kind of compromises.
Images courtesy of Manufacturer
By Damian Murphy
THE SUZUKI BALENO
T
he Baleno has been launched to replace what we think is the second best Suzuki of all time, the Swift. (Only the original SX4 is better). The Suzuki Swift was a compact hatchback that became extremely popular in South Africa because of its affordable price and impeccable quality. The Baleno is set to walk straight into those shoes and take over where the Swift left off, although it’ll do this with a little less weight and a much sturdier feel. The exterior styling of the Baleno is somewhat different to what we’ve come to expect from Suzuki. In the past, Suzuki had retained a distinct identity that meant you could tell what car it was from the front, rear and side, yet the new Baleno is rather generic. Generic isn’t bad; it’s just not unique. Blending into the pack might be part of a new marketing strategy for the brand, but it doesn’t look Suzuki enough for us. The pretty but ordinary looking Baleno is, however, incredible inside! The Baleno is well-laid-out, and the dash is both practical and functional. There are wonderful accents and lighting touches that
“The pretty, but ordinary, looking Baleno is incredible inside!”
As with all hatchbacks, the boot space is not out-of-this-world big, but well within industry norms and perfectly acceptable for a family car of this size. Being able to fold the rear seats down does give the driver the ability to load nearly three times as much into the back.
bring the Baleno into the new age. The interior is nothing short of hip and sexy and has all the basic features you’d want and expect in a car built in the 21st century. The instrument display has some cool features allowing you to see the torque and power it produces under different driving conditions.
The Baleno also drives very well and although it’s not built to win a drag race, what makes this, and all Suzuki cars so good is that they drive much better than other cars in the same price range. Priced from R199 900 it’s hard to argue with the value proposition Suzuki offer with the Baleno.
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THE GARAGE [C AR RE VI E W ]
MAKING WAVES
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THE GARAGE [C AR RE VI E W ]
THE VW TIGUAN
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The baby brother of the very popular and rather expensive Touareg has been around for a while now. The Tiguan is a compact version of the large Touareg and fits the bill for a small or growing family as the perfect companion to your life. We say companion because once you have a car of this size, you’ll wonder how you ever survived without it.
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instantly why the price tag is such a bargain. “Once you get inside the The finishes and accessories available to you are well beyond what’s expected. The Tiguan, you see instantly Tiguan will make 21st century living a reality. It’s all the simple things that really set the why the price tag is such a Tiguan apart. Like being able to fold the rear bargain.” seat down with the push of a button and releasing the hidden tow bar with the simple pull of a lever. All of this adds to the ease of serious towing, but for urban life, the 1.4 litre use and practicality of a car purpose built for meets all the requirements. The Tiguan is nothing short of sexy, and when everyday life. And now for a bold prediction; we believe the it was delivered with the stylish R-pack (an Behind the wheel of the 1.4-litre turbocharged new VW Tiguan will win the SAGMJ Car of The optional extra), it took this SUV from run of Tiguan, there’s little to make the hairs on Year for 2017. Barring any surprises, for which the mill to urban chic. The aggressive lines the back of your neck stand up, but there there have been many in the last four years of and striking accents made the Tiguan look is absolutely nothing wrong with how the the competition, we can’t see any car coming more like a large sports hatch and less like small engine performs. The drive is smooth close to knocking the VW off the top. This isn’t a soccer mom car. More heads turned while to say the VW is better than any of the other driving this VW, than being behind the wheel and efficient, and the six-speed manual gearbox shifts precisely and without fault. cars in the competition, but when you compare of several German sports sedans. We’d recommend purchasing the bullet proof apples to apples, the Tiguan is the sweetest of Once you get inside the Tiguan, you see 2.0-litre diesel engine if you wanted to do any the bunch.
Keep your loved ones safe this easter
KEEPING YOU INFORMED Plan your journey in advance to avoid the peak periods Time 24h00 03h00 03h00 06h00 06h00 09h00 09h00 12h00 12h00 15h00 15h00 18h00 18h00 21h00 21h00 24h00
Code level
KEEPING YOU SAF
KEEPING YOU MOVING
With the roads much busier than • Acquire an e-tag to minimise delays usual we urge you to take special • Make sure you have your cash/ care and apply the following safety credit card handy before reaching Thursday Friday Monday measures: the plaza 13th April 14th April 17th April • Ensure your car is roadworthy • There will be no construction or lane • Stick to the speed limit closures over the Easter period • Maintain a safe following dis• During peak periods all lanes tance of at least 3 seconds including reversible lanes in peak • Don’t drive if you’ve consumed direction will be open to accommoalcohol date the traffic • Ensure you get enough sleep TIPS: before a long journey • In an emergency call our Customer • Stop and rest at least every 2 Care number on 0800 BAKWENA hours or 200km / 0800 225 9362 • Use the info on the blue km board marker when reporting accidents/ • Plan your journey in advance to avoid the peaks! requesting assistance This communique comes with the compliments of our Bakwena... • Use your e-tag! We have doubled up on route In the interests of a safe journey you, our ourpartnership valued road user. patrolsfor through Definition with Imperial/Europcar to assist Little to Slight increase in traffic volume with route surveillance & road users Volume is busy who require assistance along the route. Volume is heavy and pace is slow
BakwenaN1N4
BakwenaN1N4
| 0800 BAKWENA | 0800 225 9362 | www.bakwena.co.za
SPECIAL PULL-OUT SECTION CHILDREN CROSSING [K I D S S E C T I ON]
Welcome to ThE
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Easter Bunny Shadow M
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happy easter!
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Brazil is so large it covers three different time zones.
‘Topolino’ is the name for Mickey Mouse in Italy.
more than India is home to ! 200 million cows
There are 70 million sheep in New Zea land (an d o nly 4 mill people). ion chocolate Switzerland eats the most person per ms gra kilo 10 to equating per year.
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There are 132 rooms in the US White House.
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You can buy square watermelons in Japan (developed to stack better in supermarkets).
The longest street in the world is Yonge street in Toront o Canada measuring 1 896 km.
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CHILDREN CROSSING [K I D S S E C T I ON] Images courtesy of Shutterstock
? W O N K U O Y D I D
tries Fun Facts about Coun around the World!
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EMMA
DAN
LUKE KEVIN JOSH
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STANLEY
AUDRA
GUGU
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EMMA
WATSON STEVENS EVANS KLINE GAD McGREGOR TUCCI McDONALD MBATHA-RAW with McKELLEN and THOMPSON
© 2016 MARVEL IMAX® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF IMAX CORPORATION.
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CHILDREN CROSSING [K I D S S E C T I ON]
! c i s u M h t i Fun w
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KIDS’ STYLE!
By Donna Verrydt
I
have five kids. Their ages are 13, 10, nine, six and two! All of them are very different, and obviously at different stages of their school careers. After Term one, I asked each one of the kids (even the two year old) what their goals were for the rest of the year. The four eldest said they “want to do well” and the the two year old wanted a Laughing Cow cheese! But what does “do well” even mean? I asked them in what way they want to do well? The general answer was good marks and sports awards. Okay, then I asked how they intended to achieve these things? Blank stares! Right, it was time for the Wheel of Life – which I had encountered many times over the years in books and on the Net. (www. wheelofllife.com)
THE WHEEL OF LIFE Basically, The Wheel of Life is a way for people to take their big lives and divide it into smaller, more manageable areas, and then to set goals in those areas and plan the road to achieving those goals. Of course I adapted the concept for each child but the principle was good and I watched them (even the cheese-monster) really think about what they wanted and how they could make it happen! I also made sure they questioned their goals. I didn’t allow random statements such as, “I want to be faster in swimming”. I made sure that the goals were specific (I want to do one length of crawl in one minute); measurable (I will take times every week); realistic (if Chad Le Close swims one length in 1 minute 20, they probably won’t do it in 30 seconds). I encouraged them to plan clear steps on how they could achieve this (swimming training three times a week, etc). Below are the eight segments we used. I have given a full example of how we worked the School Work segment and some suggestions and examples for the other areas.
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LIFE GUIDANCE [K I D S S E C T I ON]
THE WHEEL OF LIFE –
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LIFE GUIDANCE [K I D S S E C T I ON]
ADVENTURE
SCHOOL WORK
MONEY
SPORT
DEVELOPMENT
HEALTH & WELLNESS
SCHOOLWORK Not every child is an academic, but every child should want to better themselves. By making kids think about what they want to achieve and what is possible, you are allowing them to take responsibility for their schoolwork. Because lets face it, Mom and Dad... you cant keep doing their projects for them forever!
FAMILY
FRIENDS
AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THE GOALS COULD WORK IN THIS AREA IS: Grade 8:
Goal: Bronze academic award for the term (70 – 75%)
How: Know the curriculum upfront; read up on each topic before the lesson; revise each day’s work for half an hour every evening.
Grade 5:
Goal: Silver academic award (76 – 80%)
How: Listen well in class; use online learning platforms (like MyCyberWall) to get practise worksheets and past papers; raise my Afrikaans mark by reading Afrikaans books.
Grade 4:
Goal: Be the top maths student in Grade 4
How: Win the Maths Olympiad and get 88%+ for maths by doing Advanced Maths classes and practise every day.
Grade 1:
Goal: Learn to read [fluently] by end of Term 2
How: Read school reader everyday; read a “home book” every week with Mom or Dad; practise writing five new words out every day.
Goal: Show and tell every week
How: Mom and Dad to discuss theme every evening with child e.g. Animals of the farmyard; read relevant stories, play relevant games; and prepare a show and tell every week.
2 year old
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(with assistance)
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SPORT
HEALTH & WELLNESS
Sport goals could be as advanced as making a provincial side or participating in national races, or as simple as taking up tennis coaching at the community centre or learning a martial art off YouTube. Whatever the goal, remember: is it specific? Measurable? Realistic?
Kids need to to buy into a healthy body mentality - what you put in is what you get out! You don’t want to restrict them or create issues around weight at such an early age, so instead encourage the set goals such as: cook or create one healthy meal for the family every week; only eat sweets on a Saturday; and drink two litres of water and eat one fruit every day.
Car Seat Checklist
Top 10 Things to do before you leave on holiday 1. Right Seat: This is an easy one. Check the orange ECE label on your car seat to make sure it’s appropriate for your child’s age, weight and height. 2. Right Place: Kids are VIPs, just ask them. We know all VIPs ride in the back seat, so keep all children in the back seat until they are 13. It is safest for them. 3. Right Direction: You want to keep your child in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, usually until around age 2. 4. Inch Test: Once your car seat is installed, give it a good shake at the base. Can you move it more than 2.5cm side to side or front to back? A properly installed seat will not move more than 2.5cm. 5. Pinch Test: Make sure the harness is tightly buckled and coming from the correct slots (check car seat manual). If you are unable to pinch any excess webbing, you’re good to go. The harness must be at or below shoulder level for rear facing and at shoulder or above for forward facing. 6. Harness check: The harness belts must not be twisted. This can interfere with the tightening of the harness and can cause bruising during a crash. 7. Airbag: If you have to install your car seat on the front passenger seat, make sure the airbag is deactivated.
8. Toys and snacks: Make sure the toys and snacks you plan for your child to use during the journey will not become dangerous missiles in the event of a crash. Keep snacks healthy and low in sugar. You do not want a hyperactive niggly child distracting you from driving. Do not provide snacks and toys that can be a choking hazard. 9. Stops: Plan stops along your journey for every 2 hours or 200km. If your child is under a year, stop more often. Let them run around and be active before you go again. Children’s blood oxygen levels tend to lower when they sleep in a car seat and a bit of activity will bring it up to normal again. 10. Sleeping: Put your car seat in the reclined position before you leave if your child is likely to fall asleep. Keep a neck cushion or rolled up cloth nappy handy and remember to use it around the front of their necks or chins and not behind. This will prevent airway obstruction. Please read the vehicle and car seat instruction manuals to help you with this checklist. If you are having even the slightest trouble, questions or concerns, don’t worry about a thing,contact us on 073-393-7356 or email peggie@wheelwell.co.za
BakwenaN1N4
BakwenaN1N4
0800 BAKWENA | 0800 225 9362 | www.bakwena.co.za
LIFE GUIDANCE [K I D S S E C T I ON]
FRIENDS Wow, this area can be a rollercoaster for kids and parents! One week they’re friends, then they’re being left out. Remember that as they grow, friends will come and go. Sometimes your kid will be on top and sometimes they will be at the bottom, but the wheel will always keep turning. Encourage your kids to set goals that will help them expand their circles, such as: speak to one new person every week who you have never met before; phone an old friend every week; or do one act of kindness every day.
FAMILY Family is very important because it is the fundamental support structure for your kids. Disharmony in the home may throw kids off balance in all areas. Goals in this area could be: do my chores before I am asked everyday to avoid conflict with Mom and Dad; no fighting with a sibling for at least a week; tell your family about your day, everyday.
ADVENTURE
DEVELOPMENT This is the personal interest segment, where kids should be encouraged to set goals in line with their interests. Right now our Grade 8 child would like to become a physiotherapist. She has set a goal to do “free work” with a physiotherapist in our area every Saturday morning for one month. She starts this Saturday!
Finally ‘adventure’ is where the fun is at! Encourage your kids to set a realistic adventure bucket list goals of cool things they would like to do, such as: surf lessons; quadbiking; zip-lining; or a 10km hike. Then use these ‘goals’ as an incentive for them to achieve their goals in other areas. Example: an achievement of a bronze academic award in term two = zip-lining at Sun City. Bucket list goal, tick!
MONEY
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Teaching your kids to budget and save is one of the most valuable lessons they will learn in life. If they get pocket money weekly, then encourage them to set savings goals, such as: save half every week or find an innovative way to double your pocket money and then Mom and Dad will match that amount. Example: wash family cars every Saturday for R10 per car x three cars = R30 per week x four weeks = R120 per month x 12 months = R1440 per year. Goal is to save R1440 per year.
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In conclusion: the task of setting goals in all areas will not only stimulate your child’s thinking and their ability to plan, but it will also boost their sense of responsibility and achievement, all the while bringing you closer together as a supportive family unit. But be sure to allow them to think about what they want and to set their own goals and not to plan to achieve things that they know you want them to achieve.
Go get ‘em tigers!
This feature is supplied by Whippersnapper – a platform for parents and kids on creating and living an amazing childhood. We specialise in: kids travel; family bucket list adventures; pop up creative workshops; advice on how to inspire your superstars; sports talk; school issues; and latest trends. Like us on facebook: Whippersnapper Follow us on Instagram: @whippersnapper_sa Look us up on: www.whippersnapper.co.za
DETOUR [L OC AL TRAVE L F E AT URE ]
TOP EATING EXPERIENCES
IN YOUR CITY
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Ever spoilt for choice, South Africa commands recognition as a top culinary destination with a food and drinks scene that is undeniably one of the country’s greatest draw cards. Exploring the cities tastes, we find a melting pot of culture and flavours. It is a place where strong international influence is matched by delicate Cape Malay and Indian infusions, traditional African and beautiful fresh produce. Add to that the rise of artisan producers, as well as the philosophy of most chefs to have a real relationship with their suppliers, and you will understand that food is an art we should all be appreciating.
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CAPE TOWN: THE MOTHER CITY The Cape Town restaurant scene is ever evolving with hot new chefs and favourite spots coming to the fore. Whether it’s casual tapas or internationally recognised fine dining, hip coffee shops, a traditional steakhouse or coastal restaurants that specialise in sustainable seafood, there is an abundance of choice.
HEMELHUIJS, CITY BOWL Chef and patron Jacques Erasmus’ of Hemelhuijs invites you into his ever-changing interior space with its imaginative displays of fresh flowers and collectables. The restaurant is a small oasis in the heart of Cape Town and brings an ideal escapism from the hustle and bustle as you sit and watch the city go by while indulging in jewel coloured juices or one of their custom blended coffees. Breakfasts here delight, try the scrambled farm eggs, ‘mosbolletjie’ toast and smoked trout. All is served up on their beautiful crockery. www.hemelhuijs.co.za
Hemelhuijs, City Bowl
Images courtesy of Featured Restaurants
BREAKFAST:
LUNCH: LA COLOMBE, CONSTANTIA NEK Widely acclaimed as one of the best restaurants in the country, the legendary La Colombe is a unique dining experience not to be missed and has a reservation book that holds the names of lucky locals and tourists alike. The sensational taste experience is heightened by the sophisticated interior dining rooms and tranquil beauty of the surrounding Silvermist Wine Estate. Dining here is a special experience, and you’ll want to allow plenty of time. Off the menu – try the Lamb loin, tongue, sweetbreads, asparagus, pea, kohlrabi, and for the vegetarians the sweet potato, smoked garlic and Jerusalem artichoke. www.lacolombe.co.za
La Colombe, Constantia Nek
La Colombe, Constantia Nek
DINNER: Aubergine, one of Cape Town’s culinary highlights, is tucked away and too often overlooked, unless pointed out by a local. Found in the Gardens area, they bring you superior, contemporary cuisine from the à la carte menu, which bursts with flavours, aromas and textures. During the summer months, al fresco lunches are enjoyed on the lush terrace and dinners under the stars. In winter a fireplace ensures a cosy atmosphere. A strong emphasis is placed on food and wine pairing, and the chefs and sommeliers team up to create inspired combinations. Chef-patron Harald Bresselschmidt offers a caviar menu, and seasonal dishes like standout cured springbok with dark chocolate, quince and mushrooms. www.aubergine.co.za
Aubergine, Gardens
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AUBERGINE, GARDENS
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Hot in climate, character and local curry, Durban lays itself bare with a relaxed and uncomplicated confidence. Delicious curries and fine seafood are putting this east coast city, and its surrounding areas of the north coast, on the culinary map, as are the burst of new openings and the rapid growth of the restaurant scene. Durban is popular all-year-round with new bars, fine restaurants and casual café-style fare part of the drawcard. Images courtesy of Restaurants
DETOUR [L OC AL TRAVE L F E AT URE ]
DURBAN - OUR SULTRY CITY BREAKFAST: FREEDOM CAFÉ, GREYVILLE Casual being key, starting a day at Freedom Café is bound to set the scene. Originally cooked up as a small, relaxed restaurant adjoining The Concierge Boutique Hotel, over the years it has become the heart and soul of the hotel. A union of stylish interiors and a love of everything fresh and green, the recent revamp and updated menu has transformed this space into an oasis with the best brunch in town. Try the chakalaka on your eggs, or opt for steel-cut oats and fresh robot juices. I know it’s brunch, but if you can, the koeksister ice cream is a must. www.tastefreedom.co.za
Freedom Café, Greyville
LUNCH: 031 BAR AND RESTAURANT, MORNINGSIDE The little known Durban craft scene is headed up by the impressive Distillery 031 in a repurposed building in Morningside, which now serves as home to a collective of creatives, boutique stores and coffee shops. While the alchemists are at play, enjoy a tasting of the 031 gins, vodka, rum and absinthe. For lunch, give their sweet-and-sour pickled onion bhaji, zucchini fritti and truffled biltong mac ‘n chini balls a try. The Who’s Your Daddy deep fried truffled mac and brie cheese and Prohibition Waffle with tender chicken are popular choices too. www.distillery031.com
031 Bar & Restaurant, Morningside
DINNER: THE OCEAN TERRACE AT THE OYSTER BOX, UMHLANGA ROCKS Get there early enough to watch the light soften over the Indian Ocean, drink in hand, the iconic red and white Umhlanga lighthouse as a backdrop. The Oyster Box Hotel must be one of the most glorious hotels in KwaZulu-Natal and their balance of opulent luxury, polished service and relaxed ambience, a magical combination. Bringing a diverse offering of dining options, I suggest a meal in the Ocean Terrace, home to the most impressive curry buffet where two tandoori ovens produce fresh naan and roti daily. Go hungry, as one serving simply won’t be enough.
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www.oysterbox.co.za
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The Ocean Terrace at the Oyster Box
29 SEP- 1 OKT 2017
SANDRINGHAM - STELLENBOSCH www.kaapvakansieskou.co.za info@kaapvakansieskou.co.za Tel: 082 553 3041
WOONWAENS & RYHUISE BOSWAENS & SLEEPWAENS KAMPEER TOERUSTING BESTEMMINGS
OPPAD NA DIE KAAP
@rapportshow
Fast-paced Johannesburg offers one of the most varied dining scenes in South Africa, from groundbreaking inner-city revivals and Chef’s challenging the gastronomy world to family run favourites and trendy new hotspots, the choice for hungry Joburg residents and visitors, is plentiful. Images courtesy of Restaurants
DETOUR [L OC AL TRAVE L F E AT URE ]
JOHANNESBURG - URBAN GASTRONOMY BREAKFAST: THE WHIPPET, LINDEN Visiting The Whippet will always feel a little like visiting with friends. Inspired by the notion that each neighbourhood has a unique story, their mission is to gather people together over good coffee, fine food, art, design and architecture. Leading by example with locally sourced offerings, they excel at breakfasts with oats cooked in coconut milk and swirled with cinnamon and berry compote – a go to for their vegan patrons. The coffee is sublime, and the varied, fresh smoothies will have you leaving with a bounce of goodness in your step. But’s it’s the home-baked bread that will make you return for more. www.thewhippet.co.za
The Whippet, Linden
LUNCH: THE COUNTESS, MELVILLE A new foodie destination set in the thriving hub of Melville, The Countess is known for serving up innovative cuisine and has a comprehensive menu that is known to combine unusual ingredients, creating notable twists. Describing their style as diner and smokehouse food with a twist, the steampunkinspired restaurant is styled to match a restored warehouse, where moody-blue drapes fall in direct contrast with glistening copper pipes. Their much-loved smoker makes beautiful ribs, wings, brisket and more, and for those wishing to share a dish, the Charcuterie and Fromage Plank is bound to please. www.thecountess.co.za
The Countess, Melville
DINNER: LUKE DALE-ROBERTS AT THE SAXON, SANDHURST In true Joburg style, go big or go home. The Saxon, one of the city’s top hotel’s just got the edge with the addition of Luke Dale Roberts X the Saxon. Here Chef Candice Philip employs exceptionally high-quality produce as well as herbs, fruits and vegetables grown in the hotel’s garden, to recreate the country’s top Chef Luke Dale-Roberts’ imaginative and detailed dishes. Highlights include a sea bass ceviche with charred broccoli, hazelnut salsa and miso aioli; famed pork belly with blue cheese and compressed apples; and springbok loin with black garlic salsa. Whatever you select, the flavours will be alluring.
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www.saxon.co.za
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Luke Dale-Roberts at the Saxon
BUMPY ROAD AHEAD [S PORT & AD VE NT URE ]
A BIRD’S EYE VIEW INTERVIEW WITH A BUSH PILOT
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Chase Wells is a pilot for a charter company in Maun, Botswana. He flies guests, staff and freight into camps all around northern Botswana, operating into approximately 15 different dirt strips – in the Okavango Delta, the Kalahari and the Linyanti and Chobe area. With his love for flying, coupled with his passion for photography and wildlife, his job has afforded him the opportunity to capture some great moments...
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Airstrip Maun, Botswana
Chase Wel
ls with ba
by Elepha
nt Naledi
“Passengers should remember that... the sick bag in the back of your seat pocket is there for a purpose!” Elephants crossing the Okavango Delta
Images courtesy of chase_wells
What attracted you to aviation? My first experience of flying was when I was only six months old. My mom and I flew up to Maun, Botswana in a small aircraft with a family friend. This was to become a regular part of my life, as I was fortunate enough to spend many school holidays flying up to Maun and into the delta with my godmother, who is also a pilot. I guess these experiences as a child stayed with me, and that’s where the passion began. It was always a dream of mine to work in the Okavango as a bush pilot.
From the air, one is able to see large herds of animals from quite a distance. Buffalo are often easy to see as dust in the air usually gives away their position. I once flew over a large herd of buffalo, about 500 or more. I circled over them and just on the edge of the tree line and out of sight of the buffalo was a pride of lion that was following them. Quite an interesting thing to see from the air!
What is the best and worst part of the job? The best part of the job is that we’re our guests’ first introduction to the delta and give them their first impression of what they can
Wildlife Sighting, Botswana
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What have you witnessed from the air that you would never have seen from the ground?
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BUMPY ROAD AHEAD [S PORT & AD VE NT URE ] expect on safari. It’s an opportunity for us to get them excited for what lies ahead and to show them this beautiful landscape from a perspective they can’t get on the ground. The overnights in the beautiful camps are definitely also a highlight! The downside to the job is the paperwork and regulation that comes with aviation, but I guess we have to do some real work at some point.
Top three things you never travel without? My camera, a hat and my satellite phone! That’s all you really need out there.
What personal qualities do you need for a job of this nature?
from the nearest tree, and then coming around a corner to find a herd of elephant crossing the channel. It’s an amazing ecosystem, and a paradise in the middle of a desert, any person who has an appreciation for nature should put it on their bucket list!
bit hair-raising as you can often approach a blue wall of rain and thunderstorms. But as long as you think quickly and make a plan to divert or go around it, it’s an amazing place to fly.
What’s on your bucket list of other places to fly? Have you ever experienced neardisaster or a life-threatening I would love to fly in East Africa over the emergency situation that you can Serengeti and the Mara River during the migration. And some flying between islands in recall? I’ve been lucky enough not to have had any close calls while flying. Weather during our rainy season can make things tricky, and flights down into the Kalahari are often a little
the Seychelles or Indonesia would definitely be something I think I might enjoy.
Follow chase_wells on Instagram to see more of his photographic work
One needs to be outgoing, have a love for aviation as well as for the outdoors, patience and a good sense of humour.
What should every passenger on board your plane keep in mind?
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Passengers should remember that the pilot is also planning on reaching the destination alive and they will not put you in danger intentionally at any point. Also, that we don’t have control over the bumpiness of the air and that we’re not bumping the aircraft on purpose. And lastly that the sick bag in the back of your seat pocket is there for a purpose!
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Your favourite part of Botswana and why? Botswana is an incredibly diverse country considering it’s mostly desert. I would have to say that there is nothing more special or unique than travelling down meandering waterways in the heart of the Okavango Delta. With many different bird species skimming the water ahead of you, fish eagles crying
Waterfall view at sunset
Images courtesy of chase_wells
Lions at play in Botswana
EXPERIENCE
LIMPOPO
SEE, TOUCH, HEAR, FEEL & TASTE Limpopo is an ancient land of myth and legend that is broad, boundless and exquisite. She beckons with a mystic allure that travellers far and wide find impossible to resist. This is the land of the Golden Rhino, the Rain Queen Modjadji, The Kruger National Park, the proud and majestic Baobab Tree. Whatever your pleasure, whatever your game, come and experience the warm hospitality of our people, our mouth-watering cuisine, the diversity of wildlife, the vast landscape, history and a melting pot of cultures that is admirable.
LIM1016_2026_AA Traveller
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Break away and make Limpopo your fortress. Enjoy the culture, explore nature and chase the adventure. Visit www.golimpopo.com or call 015 293 3600 to discover the beauty that Limpopo has to offer.
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Limpopo Tourism
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Conservation, Partnerships & Ecotourism
With gorgeous golf estates and ever-enticing holiday developments popping up all over the country, there is an increased demand for people to purchase these properties. But with the cost of living increasing on a nearly daily basis, there is only a small pool of people who can purchase a second or third ‘home for the holidays’. This is where fractional ownership comes into play… By Damian Murphy
F
ractional ownership is a very similar concept to that of timeshare; you purchase your share of a property, and you split the operating expenses with the other owners. With timeshare, you purchase a particular week in the year, with 52 other owners and then you have your week guaranteed to you for life or until you sell your share. Depending on which week you choose, this often affects the value of your share, but the concept is a shared ownership. Fractional ownership is similar to that, although the number of shareholders is much lower. It can range from two to about 16 owners and their available time is also much longer than the time available to those people who own timeshare.
“Because of the complications, it’s generally best to speak to an expert before making any kind of purchase of a share in a leisure property.”
Fancourt, George
The exciting thing about fractional ownership is it gives you access to the best possible holiday homes at a portion of their listed price. You also get to split all the running expenses and property levies equally amongst the other owners. Having several investors on a single property ensures that the property is regularly occupied and thus doesn’t cost you money for an empty house. Fractional ownership is a rather complicated legal matter as we found out from property lawyer Taryn Murphy. She says that many people for affordability reasons elect to purchase property with their parents, boyfriends, girlfriends, family or friends. Since the implementation of the National Credit Act (34 of 2005), the banks have become far stricter in assessing client’s affordability and granting them a second bond. Fractional ownership always seems to be a great idea at the time; however what people fail to factor in is that relationships sour, people’s financial situations change and sadly people die. “When you buy a property, it is a legal requirement that the person/people who co-sign your loan agreement at the bank also needs to be the co-owner of the property,” Murphy said. He also added, “If anything happens to the person or the relationship with the person falls apart – then you are stuck with someone who owns a portion of your property.”
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION [PROPE RTY F E AT URE ]
FRACTIONAL OWNERSHIP OWNING A HOLIDAY HOME WITHOUT BREAKING THE BANK
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION [PROPE RTY F E AT URE ]
Even if they did not contribute to it, they could hinder you selling the property or dealing with the property as you wish to. If someone dies then their share in the property becomes an asset in their estate, and if they leave their assets to someone other than you, you could end up owning a property with someone whom you never intended to own it with. Partnership agreements can be signed to try and regulate the intended “property-purchasing” relationship, but if the relationship sours then the agreement will need to be enforced in a court and litigation is extremely expensive. Because of the complications, it’s generally best to speak to an expert before making any kind of purchase of a share in a leisure property. Some companies, like Legacy Private Residencies, offer you an opportunity to purchase a share in a luxury property and then they manage the property and its rental for you when you are not using it. This eliminates the personal nature of the purchase and can remove all complications.
Fancourt, George
Atlantic Beach, Blouberg
TAKE A LOOK AT THESE PROPERTIES!
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The Private Property website showed that some of the best estates in the country offer buyers a chance at fractional ownership and these are the ones we thought were worth a look:
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If you are looking for something close to home in Gauteng, you can purchase a share in a house in the magnificent Parys Golf and Country Estate. Only a short drive from Johannesburg, a place on the Vaal River offers you an easy escape from life, without the need to take a long road trip or pay for flights. Also, a stone’s throw from the hustle and bustle of Gauteng is the beautiful Zebula Golf, Spa and Wildlife Estate. This estate has some great amenities, and there is plenty for the whole family to do. Venturing a little further from Gauteng; Kwazulu-Natal and the Western
Cape are home to some of, if not all the best estates in the country. Whether you love golf, wildlife or just the beach, there are fractional ownership opportunities all along South Africa’s rich and diverse coastlines. Estates like Atlantic Beach in Blouberg, Fancourt near George, Pezula in Knysna and Zimbali in Kwazulu-Natal all offer the best quality homes, the highest ranked golf courses and exceptional access to the most popular tourist attraction throughout the country.
[HE ARTS & HE ROE S ]
MEN AT WORK www.onroutemag.co.za
TRAVEL EXPERIENCES 66
FUND HUMANITARIAN PROGRAMMES One Horizon is both an experiential travel company and a not-for-profit humanitarian aid organisation. Eugene Yiga spoke to founder and CEO Colin Murray to find out more. Learning the art of making Maasai jewellery from the ladies
Image courtesy of Eugene Yiga
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“...with the realisation that tourism can have a positive impact more travel agents now want to get involved.�
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[HE ARTS & HE ROE S ]
MEN AT WORK Peris at home
www.onroutemag.co.za
When (and where) did One Horizon start?
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One Horizon started in South Africa. When we started, we simply asked a concierge at one of the hotels if he knew of a community that needed help. Within thirty minutes, we were there. That was 12 years ago.
Where does One Horizon operate? One Horizon expanded into Kenya and is on the verge of operations in Tanzania. The structure of the organisation is different in each country,
which reflects social and demographic factors, the role of government in each country, and associated existing infrastructure.
future. Our other objective is to provide seed funding so that these skills and knowledge capabilities can be leveraged into people’s own small businesses.
What is the objective of the organisation?
What programmes do you run?
Our overall objective is to build people’s skills and knowledge capabilities so that they can leverage these to support themselves and their families. The skills and knowledge capabilities are considered the stepping stones to self-sufficiency, an income and a
Nutrition and feeding programmes, vocational retraining programmes for women and grandmothers, education and health programmes for children, small business programmes for women and grandparents and housing and resettlement programmes for abused women and abandoned children.
Image courtesy of Eugene Yiga Peris, Emily and their shamba
In what other ways has One Horizon grown? In Kenya, we have focused on implementing programmes and fund these through tourist visits and offering itineraries, and it’s in Kenya that the greatest growth has occurred. This is our core model of operation. It has gained greater impetus as society has changed. Ten years ago we were ahead of the game, and travel agents just didn’t get us; they couldn’t understand the concept. However, with the realisation that tourism can have a positive impact more travel agents now want to get involved.
“Our key objectives revolve around increasing the number of children receiving food by 20% a year, and we are on track to achieve that.”
‘grassroots’ appeal. The other overriding factor is that it’s something that the family can do together and that a person of any age can do. It’s all about visiting and connecting, and because One Horizon doesn’t build things, people are not required to have a skill or trade. Previously, organisations offering grassroots experiences were for adrenalin junkies and backpackers. One Horizon’s appeal is that it enables ordinary people to meet and be part of a renaissance.
What bigger impact do you hope to make with One Horizon?
Our key objectives revolve around increasing the number of children receiving food by How many tourists visit your 20% a year, and we are on track to achieve programmes each month? that. We are looking to establish about 30 more pig farms and 25 chicken farms in the International tourists average 25 to 30 visitors next 18 months that will support over 700 per month while local tourists – those that are people in self-sustaining businesses. We usually part of a local company’s corporate hope to increase the capacity of our women’s social responsibility programme – average 20 centre to ensure that 100 women are in the visitors per month. programme with each new intake. In short, to increase the number of people we touch and to establish these people with the skills to be What do you think appeals to able to support themselves and their families. them about One Horizon? And increasing the number of international The greatest appeal based on the feedback tourists to 1 000 a year is at the centre of our we get is that it’s not a ‘tour bus’ experience efforts to achieve this. and that you meet the locals. One Horizon works in local communities and hence the To broaden your horizons and expand theirs, interaction is one-on-one; it provides a go to www.onehorizon.net.
In South Africa, we fund local initiatives on approach from individual organisations consistent with our objectives; this was an evolution from taking people to centres and hosting them. Our reputation has meant that we are approached from sponsors (organisations) wanting to contribute back to society, and we are the facilitators of the programmes and funding.
Founder and CEO Colin Murray
www.onroutemag.co.za
How has One Horizon changed over the years?
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HIDDEN ENTRANCE [B L I NK AND YOU’L L MI S S I T ]
&YOU’LL MISS IT
BLINK
HEAVENLY STABLES ADVENTURE BEACH TRAILS AN UNFORGETTABLE HORSE RIDING EXPERIENCE SARDINIA BAY
www.heavenlystables.co.za
Horse riding in Sardinia Bay
Images courtesy of venues & Shutterstock
If you’re looking for the cherry on top of a wonderful beach adventure, Heavenly Stables offer a range of exciting horse riding packages for everyone from experienced enthusiasts to romantic riders. Escape from city stresses with an exhilarating gallop through the water, a peaceful canter along deserted dunes or relax and enjoy a scenic two to three-hour ride through the Sardinia Bay Nature Reserve. Here, you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of bushbuck, vervet monkeys and a huge amount of birdlife. Your host and guide, Jackie de Lange, is a one-time Springbok event rider with more than two decades of horse riding experience under her belt. Her line-up of wonderfully trained horses are chosen according to the rider’s confidence and capabilities. So, wear long pants and closed shoes and prepare for an unforgettable experience in the breathtaking adventure hotspot of Sardinia Bay.
SMOKEY TRAIN DINER A TASTY GEM IN THE LOWVELD MPUMALANGA
Jump aboard one of Sabie’s best-kept secrets! This delicious hot spot, set up in the cabin of an old train, offers a unique and relaxed atmosphere, with great service and even better food. A large variety of dishes accommodate all tastes and appetites, but definite highlights include the famous Potjie, served in a mini cast iron pot (choose from Beef Curry, Seafood, Oxtail and more!). The spareribs are said to be some of the largest around, the boerewors is delicious or simply sink your teeth into a mouth-watering steak, and their famous fold over pizzas come hot out the Engine Room. If none of that tickles your taste buds then you can choose a loaded seafood paella instead, or some of the yummiest filled pancakes in town. It’s a magical dining experience in the heart of big five country. Make sure you don’t miss it. www.smokeytraindiner.co.za
Smokey Train Diner
AURORA HEALING SANCTUARY
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FOR SOULS IN SEARCH DURBAN
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Aurora Healing Sanctuary offers ideal supportive therapies for stress management, trauma, disease and souls in search of peace. Here, in this little corner of paradise, guests experience new beginnings and light bulb moments. Choose from a blend of various energy healing techniques or a one-on-one guided retreat, complete with self-catering accommodation. All treatments infuse the healing properties of sound, colour and crystals, to suit individual physical, emotional and spiritual needs – from relaxing body and foot massages, crystal healing, energy healing and Reiki, to chakra balancing, aura cleansing, or sound and colour therapy. Design a package to best suit you and incorporate other great activities such as mandala drawing, polarity yoga and meditation to facilitate the process. Therapies are optional, and guests who wish to enjoy a stay at Aurora without any massages are also always welcome. Aurora Healing Sanctuary
www.auroraonline.co.za
Safe ! i
gesce a r u den Enco n e p nde
Kid's Haven !
r o f t a Gre rties ! pa
This is childhood - as it should be...
HIDDEN ENTRANCE [B L I NK AND YOU’L L MI S S I T ]
STABLES LIFESTYLE MARKET HOME-GROWN SHOPPING DURBAN
This really unique shopping concept isn’t only a haven of great goodies but a mustsee on the local Durban scene. Here, more than a hundred horse stables have each been transformed into attractive shops and businesses. Go wild - from clothing, collectibles, books, arts and crafts; to toys, beautiful art, paintings, embroidered items and much more - all with an emphasis on being a 100% home-grown. And, to add to the equestrian ambience, each row of stalls has been named after a famous racehorse. Shop under the stars, at what is also known as ‘The Moonlight Market’, as Stables operates twice a week from six to ten pm (and full day on Sunday). Browse through a huge assortment of arts and crafts in true market style, and when you need a break, the food stalls offer up cuisine from all over the world. Plus, there’s also pub for thirsty market-goers. Visitors are often treated to live musical performances, to add the cherry on top of this great market experience. The festive energy is enough to keep you shopping, eating, drinking and then shopping some more! Stables Lifestyle Market
www.stableslifestylemarket.co.za
Msinsi Resorts and Games Reserves...
your passport to nature!
ing brat Cele
25 y e a
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Reconnect with nature by visiting any of our six Msinsi Resorts and Game Reserves, somewhere away from the stresses of work, the tensions of the city, the bombardment of technology, and feel the feeling that washes over you when life becomes simple. Msinsi has a resort just for you situated on KZNs largest and most exquisite dams in spectacular settings: • Hazelmere Dam & Resort in Durban • Shongweni Dam & Game Reserve in Durban • Inanda Dam & Resort in Durban • Nagle Dam & Game Reserve in Durban • Albert Falls Dam & Game Reserve in Pietermaritzburg • Bon Accorde Resort in Pietermaritzburg Our resorts are not more than a half hour drive from either Durban or Pietermaritzburg offering the wonders of the African bush, water-sports and a range of activities to suit everyone of every age.
Central booking – tel: +27 (0)31 765 7724 Website: www.msinsi.co.za like us on Facebook: Msinsi resorts & game reserves Follow us on instagram: @msinsiresorts Follow us on twitter: @Msinsiresorts
Nature is the remedy for so many ills, and the more we connect with it, the more invigorated and energised we become.
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Visit www.boschservice.co.za for your nearest Bosch Car Service workshop. facebook.com/BoschServiceSA @BoschServiceSA Customer Care Line 0861 267 247
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A safety PREP! system before PRE-HOLIDAY your very eyes.
Easter holidays are here at last! But, while you get ready to sit back and relax, your vehicle has a lot to cope with. The greater load, high speeds, and long downhill stretches are a source of immense strain on your vehicle. To make sure your car gets you safely to your destination it’s well worth giving some thought to our top ten safety checks...
ZEISS DriveSafe Lenses
FIVE GREAT TIPS ON HOW TO BEST PACK YOUR CAR Have you any idea how much force can develop inside a vehicle on full braking or in an accident? Objects flying around, as a result, are often the cause of serious injuries to passengers. Avoid these situations by following these tips on packing your car:
TOP FIVE SAFETY CHECKS 1. Tyre inflation pressure should be adjusted to the next highest total vehicle weight for safer driving, to reduce fuel consumption and tyre wear.
1. Heavy objects should be stowed right at the bottom of the trunk directly behind the backseat. 2. Never pile luggage up above the height of the backrests in vans.
2. Don’t load the vehicle beyond the limits specified in the vehicle documents.
3. Try not to leave any gaps and pack individual items of luggage as closely together as possible.
3. Check the condition of the jack, tool kit, and first aid kit and replace if necessary.
4. Fix the load in position with straps or use nonslip mats.
4. Check the levels of windshield washer fluid and antifreeze.
5. Make sure the driver’s vision isn’t obstructed in any direction.
5. Check the oil level and top off if necessary.
SEE BETTER. DRIVE BETTER! ZEISS DRIVESAFE LENSES Would you put a R50 tyre on your car? Why then would you choose to use sub-standard lenses in your glasses?
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ZEISS Drivesafe Lenses – available in single vision and progressive lenses – minimize this
ZEISS DriveSafe Lenses An everyday lens for safer and more relaxed driving. • Better vision in low-light conditions such as on rainy days • Glare reduction at night • Fast focus between road and dashboard visual stress when driving and make it easier light conditions; a reduction for drivers to see, enabling you to arrive at in glare; and for progressive your destination safely and stress free. ZEISS lenses, improvements in DriveSafe lenses combine an optimised lens refocusing and field of vision. design with a new coating to offer three benefits: detection of objects in low Findimproved more information at www.zeiss.com/drivesafe www.zeiss.com
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PITSTOP [HE AL T H ]
HEALTH & SAFETY
A safety system before your very eyes. ZEISS DriveSafe Lenses
// INNOVATION MADE BY ZEISS
ZEISS DriveSafe Lenses • • •
Better vision in low-light conditions such as on rainy days Glare reduction at night Fast focus between road and dashboard
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An everyday lens for safer and more relaxed driving.
Find more information at www.zeiss.com/drivesafe 75
PITSTOP [H E AL T H ]
HEALTH & SAFETY
HEALTHY WINTER AHEAD Enjoy a clean bill of health this season by warding off the extra kilos, sickness, stress and dry skin with these healthy winter tips…
S Images courtesy of Shutterstock
oothe stress, sleeplessness and skin with a 10-minute warm bath. Afterward, apply moisturizer while your skin is wet. That will trap moisture in your top two layers of skin. Drinks lots of water to keep your body hydrated and take omega 3 oils to keep your body ‘oiled up’ internally and keep to you at your mental peak.
“In order to maintain a good immune system, try get 7 – 8 hours sleep a night. Keep your fluid intake up, especially water, regular exercise, a balanced diet and zinc supplements, and not too much of a daily sugar intake,” says NHC Health care practitioner Dr Leanne.
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Colds and flu are not caused by the colder temperature as most believe. In fact, closing all windows and doors to keep warm also keeps the bugs warm and thriving, so allow fresh air into your office, car and home. Humidifiers work well in a dry climate like Gauteng and can prevent allergies which can lead to colds and flu.
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To keep your weight down check that you’re really hungry before you opt for that chocolate and sugary snack as hunger is often mistaken for thirst. Drink water and herbal teas, especially green tea and rooibos as too much caffeine will dehydrate you.
Who offers you all services around your car?
Repair, maintenance and service for all vehicles and all brands.
Visit www.autocrew.co.za for your nearest AutoCrew workshop. facebook.com/AutoCrewSouthernAfrica Customer Care Line 0861 267 247
26 – 28 MAY
BUSHFIRE FESTIVAL
SWAZILAND
Named Africa’s Top Festival by the BBC, and known as one of the most inclusive and diverse festivals in the world, the Bushfire Festival is entering its second decade with its commitment to the arts, the environment, and social change with more passion than ever. Be one of around 25 000 music fans from across the globe to gather in the scenic Malkerns Valley of Swaziland to experience the internationally acclaimed event. More than simply a music festival, MTN Bushfire is a holistic experience made up of a rich texture of arts, cultures, crafts, food and people, carefully curated into specialized zones, to create an explosive three-day event and a memorable take home, family–friendly experience.
GAUTENG, KWAZULU-NATAL & EASTERN CAPE Culture vultures will relish the return of The Royal Moscow Ballet Troupe who will hit a variety of South African stages with a brilliant programme. The company consists of graduates of the best Russian choreography schools who have toured successfully around the globe, performing to sold-out seasons. Their “Tribute to Great Russian Composers: Sergei Rachmaninov, Pyotr Tchaikovsky and Aleksandr Borodin” is an enchanting new programme that will delight and inspire, promising to captivate ballet lovers of all ages. www.computicket.com
Images courtesy of Event Management & Shutterstock
ROYAL MOSCOW BALLET
4 – 15 MARCH
www.bush-fire.com
SA CHEESE FESTIVAL WESTERN CAPE Everyone say cheese! This year’s mouth-watering outdoor culinary event is set to tickle your taste buds even more than last year with a showcase of the widest variety of cheese and complementary products like superb wines, spicy preserves, fresh fruit, as well as indigenous teas and exotic drinks. The gastronomic affair doesn’t end there, with entertainment that includes outstanding music, presentations by celebrity chefs and fun activities for kids and teens. Enjoy time out from your busy schedules and spend a relaxing day outdoors with your family and friends.
AFRICA BIKE WEEK EAST LONDON All motorcycle enthusiasts, riders, their families and friends from across South Africa and internationally are invited to attend the biggest free biker bash on the continent! Expect great live entertainment, Harley-Davidson merchandise, free Harley-Davidson test rides, trade markets, a Custom Bike Show, where you can see spectacular bikes, a mass ride and much more. It’s also a great chance for H.O.G members to meet and interact with other riders from across the globe. www.africabikeweek.com
www.onroutemag.co.za
www.cheesefestival.co.za
27 – 30 APRIL
28 – 30 APRIL
PARK OFF [E VE NT S ]
EVENTS CALENDAR
79
BEHIND THE WHEEL [Q& A]
BEHIND THE WHEEL... WITH BAKWENA CFO (CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER) VIKKI STAEGEMANN What is your favourite part of our country?
What is your all time personal worst road trip experience?
The nature and game reserves in our country are the best.
Getting stuck without fuel, just five kilometres from filling station on our way to Mossel Bay and the debate and ideas of how to get fuel.
Can you pinpoint one of our most scenic routes and why? The garden route is my most scenic route, you experience the beauty of the fynbos and lakes all whilst driving along the coastline.
How do SA roads compare worldwide? My personal experience is that South African roads are as good as anywhere else in the world.
Why in your opinion is The best holiday you’ve had in SA travelling by car (taking a road trip) better than flying to and why? one’s destination? Touring the winelands in the Cape, tasting You get to see and experience all the historical and scenic spots our country has to offer. Every road trip is a learning opportunity.
some of the best wines in the world whilst enjoying stunning views.
I never travel without… My Leatherman (which has a cork screw).
“My personal experience is that South African roads are as good as anywhere else in the world.”
Vikki Staegemann
One of your biggest pet peeves on the road? Unroadworthy vehicles that puts all road users at risk.
All local South Africans must visit… Dullstroom - my favourite weekend getaway. It’s a little gem with ever unpredictable weather. But there’s nothing better than having to build a fire in mid-December whilst covered in mist at 4pm.
Fun things to do in the car with the One law of the road that you would family? implement I spy with my little eye is an all time favorite. Lots of singing!
Keep left, pass right.
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