CITY Magazine by COSA Media

Summer

Letter from the editor

is truly here

hat a month it has been! Our November launch issue, which coincided with the magazine’s move into new offices on the ground floor of Manhattan on the Grand Canal, was met with great excitement from the Century City community. While we would be the first to acknowledge there is always room for improvement, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive and we welcome your suggestions and comments. Century City, which is now home to around 3 500 front doors, has an eclectic mix of residential opportunities. This month, we focus on single pads as an investment and our resident décor guru Rose McClement singles out the most stylish studio and onebedroomed apartments on offer. There are also some useful tips from Property World’s Rob Downey on how you can save yourself thousands – if not hundreds of thousands – of Rand by paying extra each month into your bond. The countdown and preparations for the festive season are well underway and Chris Blackshaw, CEO of the Century City Property Owners’ Association, outlines what is being done in this regard, including extended shopping hours at Canal Walk and beefed up traffic control and security measures.

Summer is truly here and we showcase functional-but-fabulous outdoor fashion and hot hiking and camping gear, while our daredevil motoring editor Andy Mark takes you for an off-road spin in the MercedesBenz GL 350 CDI and the Jeep Patriot. We shake up a selection of summer sundowner cocktails and invite you to feast your eyes on CITY chefs’ home-cooked secrets for you to try at the big festive family dinner this year. We take this opportunity to wish you and your families all the best over the festive period. Eat well, rest well and be safe!

ity

The Official Century City Magazine

Publisher Andy Mark Editor Maggie Rowley Managing editor Nicky Mark Motoring editor Andy Mark Assistant editor Linda Scarborough Features writers Sandy Cosser Rose Mclement | Decor Copy editor Margy Beves-Gibson

Photography Anton de Beer | HDR photography (property, cars, decor) www.antondebeerphotographer.com

City Magazine is published by

Dave Pickett | Imagineering (fashion,cover) Production Lee Faurie Editorial enquiries andy@comms.co.za Advertising and sales Blake Dyason | blake@citymagazine.co.za +27 0861 555 267 Special thanks to: Mercedes-Benz Century City

Art director Gareth Grey

Copyright COSA Communications Ltd 2010. All rights reserved. Opinions expressed in this publication are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Publisher, COSA Communications (Pty) Ltd, COSA Media, and or CITY magazine. The mention of specific products in articles or advertisements does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended by this journal or its publishers in preference to others of a similar nature, which are not mentioned or advertised. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy of editorial content, the publishers do not accept responsibility for omissions, errors or any consequences that may arise therefrom. Reliance on any information contained in this publication is at your own risk. The publishers make no representations or warranties, express or implied, as to the correctness or suitability of the information contained and/or the products advertised in this publication. The publishers shall not be liable for any damages or loss, howsoever arising, incurred by readers of this publication or any other person/s. The publishers disclaim all responsibility and liability for any damages, including pure economic loss and any consequential damages, resulting from the use of any service or product advertised in this publication. Readers of this publication indemnify and hold harmless the publishers of this magazine, its officers, employees and servants for any demand, action, application or other proceedings made by any third party and arising out of or in connection with the use of any services and/or products or the reliance of any information contained in this publication.

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contents

ON THE COVER

in this issue

FESTIVE FEASTS

STUDIO CULTURE

WHAT’S YOUR FLAVOUR?

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

14 20

Century City chefs share their secret family recipes for Christmas treats.

The definitive guide to all the distinctive hotels in Century City.

SIZZLING SINGLES

Maggie Rowley singles out smaller sectional title apartments for investors.

20 14

56 58

32 38

Rose McClement discusses decor for brag pads for the young professional.

We look at a selection of lotions, potions and sun protection for your precious skin.

COCKTAIL HOUR

Why not make a date of it this summer and sample some of these sundowners at your local City café or bar?

GET LOST

...and look good doing it. We found the best in breathable materials and comfy designs to make sure you spend your day stylishly, whether you’re hiking, having a lazy summer picnic, or on the 4x4 track.

A REAL WALK OF ART

Outdoor exhibits and artwork for your viewing pleasure.

CANTER ALONG THE CANALS We pull on our running shoes and chat to the Century City Athletic Club.

On the cover Machelle | Trigger models Red dress (R550) from Soto Canal Walk Shoes (R360) necklace (R115) earrings (R50) bracelet (R100) all from Foschini Canal Walk Location: Mercedes-Benz Century City Mercantile Row Crescent +27 (0)21 528 0400

sep

oct

nov

dec

YOU HAD TO BE THERE

Recent events in your neighbourhood. You just had to be there.

62 64 67 70

CALENDAR

What to pencil into your dairies for December.

ENTERTAINMENT

What the kids can get up to these holidays, book reviews, movie releases and more.

SAVE MONEY

..and pay off your bond faster. Here’s how.

CHRIS’S CORNER

The City is ready for the festive season, says Chris Blackshaw, CEO of the Century City Property Owner’s Association.

These tales of perfect

roasts, puddings and potatoes

e asked a handful of Century Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favourite chefs to tell us about their traditional childhood Christmas dinners. These tales of perfect roasts, puddings and potatoes made our mouths water, so we begged for secret family recipes to add extra spice this season. Try one of these sweet treats in your kitchen this holiday. Even better, why not convince one of your family members to make it for you? â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Tis the season to be giving, after all.

Renee Maree | Executive Chef at Jacqui O Bistro

As a child, I enjoyed a very traditional Christmas with my family. Every household in the clan would bring their own finely-crafted, tried and tested version of a traditional festive dish to my grandparent’s home on Christmas Eve. In one of the most special rituals, we would listen to my grandfather read from the Bible, and then gather together and sing Silent Night while my uncle played the tune on the guitar. Next we would unwrap our gifts and then indulge in the feast of delicious food prepared with love and care. My grandmother, Pamela, always laid out her signature leg of lamb, which makes my mouth water just to mention it... For dessert this holiday, why not try this mousse with a twist? It’s a perfect dessert to keep in your freezer for those unexpected guests. Frozen cherry and pistachio chocolate mousse Ingredients 380 g chocolate chips 5 eggs 100 g castor sugar 11 g gelatine 500 ml cream 100 g red cherries 100 g pistachios (cleaned)

Method Whip eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Bloom gelatine. Melt chocolate over bain-marie. (Alternatively, melt chocolate in a pot over some steam.) Dissolve gelatine and add to melted chocolate. Whip cream to stiff peak. Fold chocolate into egg mixture and fold in the cream. Lastly fold in your nuts and cherries and pour in to lined dish. Freeze overnight. Chef’s tip: the chocolate and gelatine must be the same temperature!

Carlos Pereira | Operations at Braza Portuguese Restaurant

Christmas in my traditional Portuguese South African home was always a time for family and friends to get together, laugh, talk and eat, eat, eat. The women in the household, in addition to decorating the tree, cooked the traditional food and desserts that would deck the Christmas table, and bought gifts for the children. They would decide which of the senior men in the family would make a good Santa. This was generally the one who had indulged more than the rest on the Portuguese food that had been served throughout the year! For the main course it would always be bacalhau (salted Cod) on Christmas Eve. Colourful cakes and desserts all drenched in port wine or aguardiente (fire water) and then smothered with the most celebrated Christmas spice of all, cinnamon (the smell and taste of Christmas) were laid out on an elaborately decorated Christmas table cloth for all who visited. One of my favourite desserts – always good hot or cold – is what I recommend to finish off your festive meal: Arroz Doce, a traditional Portuguese Christmas rice pudding. Rice pudding – Arroz Doce Ingredients 1500 ml milk 750 ml thickened cream 250g caster sugar Rind of 2 lemons 3 cinnamon sticks 1500 ml water 1½ teaspoons of salt 675 g medium grain rice 6 egg yolks, lightly beaten Lemon rind for garnishing

Method Place milk, cream, sugar, lemon rind and cinnamon stick in a saucepan. Heat until mixture nearly comes to a boil. Remove from heat and discard lemon strips and cinnamon stick. Place water and salt in a heavy based saucepan over medium heat and bring to the boil. Stir in rice and reduce heat to low simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until water is absorbed, stirring from time to time. Add milk mixture, one half cup at a time, stirring until all the milk is absorbed. Mix in egg yolks, stirring continuously until rice is creamy. Do not overcook the eggs. Spoon the pudding into individual dishes, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar and garnish with lemon rind. Serve hot or cold.

Jonathan Japha | Chef at knife Restaurant

We all know the inspiration that Christmas should bring. It is a time of giving, of celebration and family. However if, like me, you come from one of those dysfunctional families, you will know that the festive season might not reflect the picture perfect scene on the postcard. My family’s response to this nerve-racking event took the form of champagne, and secondly, the complete Christmas Eve dinner. (The theory behind this is that if your mouth is full, there is less chance to talk yourself into a corner.) We would always start with my grandmother’s ham, slowly poached for four hours in cider and then roasted in the oven with a sticky honey, mustard and orange glaze and studded with cloves. For the main course, we’d look forward to my father’s roast turkey with all the trimmings: peas and carrots, roast potatoes, brussels sprouts and gravy made from deglazing the turkey roasting pan. Finally, a Christmas pudding that my mother made in January (which had been topped up with a half a bottle of brandy to make sure that it lasted), with more brandy butter, of course. All in all, a fulfilling meal fit for the family silver. These days, in an attempt to dissolve the dysfunctional overtones of my youth, I am trying things differently. My son Max and I make zoet koekie Father Christmas men (with icing decorations which Max describes as the important part) that are fast becoming our favourite family Christmas time treat.

Ouma Viljoen’s zoet koekies Ingredients 7 cups cake flour 4 tsp baking powder 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp each of ground cloves, ginger, nutmeg 3 tsp each of cinnamon, mixed spice ½ tsp salt 375 g butter cut into cubes 3 cups brown sugar 3 large eggs 150 ml sherry or milk

Method Sieve all dry ingredients together and add to the butter and sugar. Using your fingertips, rub in the butter to form a breadcrumb texture. Whisk the eggs and the sherry together, then add to the flour mixture and knead into a dough. Keep mixture in the fridge overnight. Roll out onto a floured surface. Using a cutter, you can make any shapes you like. Bake in 160° C to 180° C oven until the edges start to go slightly darker brown and the biscuits are cooked through.

Shadwick Southgate | Pastry Sous Chef at African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa

Christmas tradition in our home, as in many coloured households, was more focused on the alluring lunch affair than dinner. Preparation would start days in advance and the shopping would be done a month ahead. The exciting part was all the chopping and peeling and stuffing and rubbing of the delights to come. For the huge Christmas lunch, pots and pans would take strain from all the continuous cooking. The fragrance of a fresh-cut pine tree in the foyer would say, “It’s Christmas and time to celebrate!” The table would be set up with the best crockery and cutlery and stemware. The family would start arriving in droves – invited or not – and there would be laughter all round with the anticipation of lunch just around the corner, everyone still wearing their church best. We’d sit down, put on the paper hats and pull crackers (to the delight of the kids), say a prayer of thanks, and begin. Legs of lamb, vegetables in butter sauce, rice and roast potatoes and more were gobbled up. Desserts were always a treat: trifle, jelly and ideal milk, éclairs, fridge tarts, all the traditional stuff that would bring family and friends together. Late that afternoon we would enjoy sweets, cakes and tea – or something stronger. The ‘lunch’ would really only end the next day as it was tradition to go to the beach with all of the leftover Christmas food… and another feast in the sand would start all over again. One of my favourite after-dinner delights:

Chocolate hazelnut baklava rolls Ingredients 1 jar of Nutella 1 packet of frozen Phyllo pastry (thawed in fridge) 1 cup chopped hazelnuts (or any nut you prefer. Almonds are great, too) 1 bar of your favourite chocolate 1 stick of butter or butter-flavoured spray oil Method Cover Phyllo with a damp towel. Preheat oven to 180°C. Melt butter in a coffee mug in microwave. Place Nutella in microwave for minute or so to melt and soften. Pull out a sheet of pastry, brush the melted butter evenly across the sheet with a brush, or spray evenly with butter-flavoured oil. Top with more sheets and repeat process until you have 6 layers in total. Spread a third of the Nutella on the top layer and sprinkle a third of your chopped nuts on top. Roll the pastry into a long tube, cut into 3 pieces and place pieces on cookie sheet. Repeat this process twice more until you have used all of the pastry, Nutella and nuts. Place the rolls in the oven for 15-20 minutes or until lightly browned. While they are in the oven, melt your chocolate bar in a double boiler, add a little bit of cream or milk to thin it just a tad. Drizzle the warm rolls with this melted chocolate and serve with vanilla ice cream and seasonal berries for a tart flavour.

Enjoy luxury self-catering accommodation in the heart of Century City. Central but serene, Manhattan Suites commands a prime position on the banks of the Grand Canal, just a bridge from the Canal Walk Shopping Centre, and a ten-minute drive from both the airport and the CBD. Ideal for both business and leisure travellers, we offer state-ofthe-art conference facilities for up to 50 delegates. Services and facilities include spacious, fully equipped apartments with spectacular views, secure underground parking, a luxurious guest lounge and the Jacqui O Bistro, open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Phone: 021 555 8610 Email: res@manhattansuitescapetown.co.za www.manhattansuitescapetown.co.za *Valid until 30 November 2010. Terms & conditions apply.

a tour of the

Century City hotels

What’s your Hotels to suit any taste in the City

ooking accommodation in a foreign city (or even your own) can give the best of us hot hives and cold sweats. What if, after that planning and paying, you don’t like the décor, the view, the amenities – or even that intangible factor, the ‘vibe’? To save you the trouble, the CITY team did you a favour (we’re cool like that) and took a tour of the Century City hotels on a mission to find out that certain je ne sais quoi of each. We met, we wooed, and we discovered that every one has its own unique charm, whether it’s timeless elegance, a playful attitude or simply making you feel right at home.

African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel and Spa: Sensuous eye-candy The African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel and Spa offers a truly out-of-this-world experience. Thanks to the intriguing lighting displays, use of silvery spacey fabrics and the scented mist which travels through the ventilation system, your senses will tell you that you are on another planet entirely. Diversions such as The Ruby Bar (evoking the deep red tones and sparkle of a jewel), two themed private pods, luxury spa and the floating pool deck (visible from the street below) make this hotel perfect for entertaining business colleagues or friends. The deli just off the lobby sells homemade and handmade treats ...wait for it 24 hours a day. Modelled on the Melrose Arch ethos of interlinking live, work, eat and sleep, the hotel provides thoroughfare to Canal Walk and numerous private or shared dining options. Conferencing facilities can accommodate 350 people, with nine additional private boardrooms. One of the standout features is the floating boardroom cube suspended above the entrance hall, which is literally a ‘think tank’ for corporate guests. From the ceiling to floor windows of the (sophisticated yet quirky) suites, views of ‘big five’ can be savoured: Robben Island, Greenpoint Stadium, Signal Hill, Lion’s Head, and the iconic Table Mountain. Modern shower tubes catch your eye in the open plan bathrooms, and to keep the areas clean and uncluttered, tricks such as a tucked away TV (which rolls out from the foot of the bed) results in eye candy hospitality at its best. See more at www.africanpridehotels.com/crystaltowers

a tour of the

Century City hotels

Manhattan Suites and Conference center: High-rise sophistication Adaptability is the key word at Manhattan Suites, which offers comfortable hospitality in all its forms. Business guests can use the self-catering apartments as a base while on conference downstairs, and holidaymakers and their families can settle into the perfectly located suites on their breakaways. Guests are welcome to make full use of all the hotel services such as 24-hour concierge, laundry services, breakfasts and housekeeping to really live the life of luxury. However, with amenities such as wash/drier combos, dishwashers, high speed Wi-Fi and DVD players in all the rooms, families will feel more at home in the privacy of their apartments. The suites overlook the canal and are less than four minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; walk away from Canal Walk shopping centre and Jacqui O bistro is right next door, meaning that a variety of fine wining and dining options are at your fingertips. Catering to overseas tourists and local visitors alike, Manhattan Suites can arrange shuttles to the airport, as well as a tour guide for those yearning for the sights. For more family-oriented fun, the hotel is a mere three minutesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; drive away from kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; entertainment haven Ratanga Junction and the fantastic security in the area makes it safe for families to go walking along the canals and to Intaka Island. Of the 28 suites, ten are executive two-bedroom, with nine each of deluxe one-bedrooms and studio suites. In exciting news for Manhattan, Signature Life Hotels has just taken over management, so feel safe knowing an expert team is looking after your every need. Find out more at www.manhattansuitescapetown.co.za

Protea Hotel Colosseum: Colossal service and luxury Have you ever been in a hotel which gives you your very own pet? The Protea Hotel Colosseum is unusual in that it offers loyal guests a live-in ‘roommate’ in the form of a goldfish, which they can name and that inhabits their room upon their return. Guests are offered the pet after their sixth stay at the hotel and, when they leave, they are regularly updated on the creature’s well-being along with the hotel’s specials. The hotel attempts to find out as much as possible about its guests (in a non-intrusive way) in order to ensure that they get the best tailor-made customer service the hotel can offer. The Protea Hotel Colosseum is a four-star luxury hotel in Century City, which boasts 68 suites and conference facilities. All rooms are fully air-conditioned, fitted with a semi self-catering kitchenette, plasma televisions, a separate lounge area, and extra length king-sized beds. It has 34 deluxe suites, 24 executive suites and eight modern spacious penthouses with balconies overlooking Table Mountain. Guests can treat themselves to fine dining in the hotel’s restaurant, CinCin, with a changing seasonal menu and enjoy a full breakfast, including hot and cold buffet. The hotel is famous for its Sunday lunch buffet which can be enjoyed at R150 per person. Business travellers can make use of its conference facilities, which includes an executive boardroom, and provides seating for up to 20 people. For active holiday makers there are a variety of golf courses and squash courts within a 10-kilometre radius. Swimming pools (heated and outdoor) are in close proximity to the hotel. For more information about the hotel, visit www.proteahotels.com/ protea-hotel-colosseum.html

a tour of the

Century City hotels

The Island Club: Classic comfort This cosy hotel is classically decorated to offer beautiful finishes with a familiar feel. Close to all the office parks in the area, The Island Club is not only convenient for business guests, but also an ideal leisure spot for the family and kids. Breakfast is served looking out onto the canal, and from this spot it is less than a minute’s walk across the bridge and up the stairs into the wealth of options on offer in the shopping centre. The Island Club’s two blocks, Majorca and La Savina, offer spectacular views of the water or Table Mountain; and guests can dip in the outdoor pool and sip refreshing cocktails. Gorgeous free-standing baths and timber flooring are a feature in every unit, as well as ADSL, air-conditioning, and satellite TV. The upshot of the relatively small number of units – 11 deluxe rooms, nine superior rooms, and three suites – is special care and attention for each guest. The superior room sports a spacious balcony looking out over the canal and its teeming birdlife, and the top-end suite boasts a separate lounge and bedroom. All units are semi self-catering, with a sink, mini fridge, kettle and microwave discreetly tucked away. One of the most attractive features of the Island Club is that you can get the best available rate if you book in advance. Find out more at www.proteahotels.com/islandclub

StayEasy Hotel: Simple, affordable elegance The Southern Sun StayEasy hotels offer customers comfort, exceptional value and is ideal for business travellers or families looking for affordable accommodation with good service. Century City’s StayEasy offers weary travellers a good night’s rest and a complimentary continental breakfast for the busy day ahead. For tourists and families, the added advantage is that the hotel is close to Canal Walk. The centre offers an array of entertainment options, shops and restaurants right on the hotel’s doorstep. Rooms are informal but chic and offer views over the palm-lined canal of Century City. A family of four can stay in a room for R799 per night, including a free breakfast. Rooms are air-conditioned. Canal Walk Shopping Centre is nearby, offering a weatlh of amenities. The Century City’s StayEasy hotel boasts 175 air-conditioned bedrooms, a bar and Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel. Its meeting room for business guests can seat 30 delegates in cinema style and can be utilised at a mere R1 400 a day. For more information about Southern Sun’s StayEasy hotels, visit www.southernsun.com

Century City offers a wide range of studio and

one-bedroom apartments

izzling ingles tudios T

he affordability of homes has come under increasing pressure in recent years due in the main to the credit crisis, stricter lending criteria of the banks and the rise in building costs. It is not surprising therefore that the market has seen an increased demand for rental properties from tenants unable to afford to purchase on the one hand, and a growing demand for smaller sectional title apartments, particularly among first-time homebuyers, on the other. This has been extremely evident at Century City where both first-time homebuyers and investors have snapped up one-bedroom apartments and more recently studio apartments in the various sectional title developments that have become available since 2004. Investors have opted for these smaller apartments thanks to the stream of tenants ready to take them up, and they are achieving good returns on investment of between five and eight per cent, excluding capital growth. Purchasers and tenants at Century City have embraced these smaller apartments as they are more affordable and the living space and

lifestyle they offer extends way beyond their individual walls. Many of these apartments are situated in waterfront complexes that offer not only beautifully landscaped gardens and waterfront patios, but many also boast superb communal facilities which they would not have been able to afford on their own, such as swimming pools, gymnasiums, laundromats, Jacuzzis and even spas. What adds to Century City’s popularity as a residential destination is the relative safety and security of the precinct and the unprecedented array of world-class amenities; from the Canal Walk Shopping Centre and a superb selection of restaurants and cafés, to a golf driving range, a Virgin Active gym and Ratanga Junction right around the corner. And then, of course there are the five kilometres of running and walking trails; the 16-hectare award-winning nature conservation area, Intaka Island, where it is possible to commune with nature and observe nesting birds close up; the eight kilometres of navigable canals for those wishing to paddle or take a boat ride; and a variety of sports leagues and clubs all within walking distance from your apartment. The community spirit of the suburb continues to grow, evidenced by strong local support for the Century City Natural Goods Market which takes place on the first Sunday of each month; the annual Century City Sports Festival in the first quarter of the year. Carols by Candlelight in December and various networking functions held throughout the year where one can listen to a variety of guest speakers. This lifestyle appeals to both the young and young at heart, for those whose lifestyle focus is on having fun with good friends, to those who are scaling down in life and looking for a smaller, more manageable home in a safe environment and close to their favourite shops and restaurants. The same applies to businesspeople looking for a lock-up-andgo home-away-from-home while they are in Cape Town for work. It is no small wonder then that so many are choosing Century City as the place to be.

Singled Century City offers a wide range of studio and one-bedroom apartments.

heated indoor and one outdoor – and a gym.

One of the most recent developments, Waterstone East has beautiful gardens and a swimming pool. Here new studios range in size from 47 m² to 60 m² (including patio) and sell for between R570 000 and R800 000. Achievable rentals are between R4 000 to R4 500 per month. Ranging in size from 62 m² to 100 m² (including patios), one-bedroom apartments are priced between R800 000 and R1,1 million. Achievable rentals are between R5 000 to R5 500 per month.

All three of these developments were named the Top Residential Development of the Year by the South African Property Owners Association – The Island Club in 2006, Bougain Villas in 2009 and Waterstone in 2010.

In Bougain Villas, set in beautifully landscaped gardens with meandering streams and a swimming pool, resale one-bedroom apartments range from 55 m2 to 70 m2 and cost between R820 000 and R1 million. In the Island Club, resale one-bedroom apartments of 59 m2 to 90 m2 are priced from R830 000 to R1,2 million. This development includes two pools – one

At the 15-storey KnightsBridge development, which enjoys sweeping mountain, canal and sea views, resale one-bedroom units of 50 m2 to 80 m2 range from R830 000 to R895 000. This development offers a residents’ lounge, gym, swimming pool and spa. The luxury Crystal Towers Residences, aimed particularly at the business community, offer fully furnished designer studios of around 54 m2 for between R1,6 million and R1,8 million. Buyers would have access to all the five-star amenities in the complex including boardrooms, pubs, restaurants, a 24-hour deli, spa and gym.

A studio apartment is the ideal housing option

for single professionals

Studio culture – brag pads for the young professional Rose McClement | Interior Design Expert - Design Monarchy | rose.m@designmonarchy.co.za

Who’s at home? When the young professionals of the late 1960s and early 1970s decided it was time to toss aside hippie culture and step into their careers , the accommodation of the day was the bachelor pad – the forerunner of today’s studio apartment. Back then many aspired to the coolness of living in a bachelor pad, and it is no different today with regard to the trendy studio apartment culture. A studio (or one-bedroom) apartment is the ideal housing option for single professionals, as well as an investment for first-time home buyers. These individuals fall into the 20 to 30 age group and are usually members of the doctor, lawyer, IT, hospitality, property – you name it – professions. Those who enjoy the trendy inner city lifestyle will be the first in line for studio apartments in a bustling city. These youngsters have snipped their mother’s apron strings, grown out of messy student digs living, but have not yet taken on the old ball ‘n chain. They want to express their freedom and independence by inhabiting a space that they can make their own. For them, notwithstanding price, position is what counts. And this is where Century City has the edge.

The more neutral the colours and finishes of surfaces, the better. These tones on floors and walls will give an illusion of space, as well as enable you to add colour and textures by way of art, décor accessories, ambient lighting, furniture pieces and rugs. A classic example of this is Apartment 204 in Crystal Towers Residences. Walking into this crème de la crème of luxury brag pads, one is immediately struck by the fact that the neutral colour palettes set the backdrop for the other design features to pop. The complementary turquoise colours of the accessories manage to hold their own against all the other surfaces. Although a big sloth sofa is the answer to your tension release at the end of a hard day, it is not ideal for your studio. Decorating Let’s turn our attention to decorating such trendy apartments. Generally, you will find the living space is open-plan and completely seamless, with spaces to cook, play, rest and entertain all in one area. Some studios have a separate bedroom and en suite bathrooms, yet space is still a premium. One such place within the Century City district is Apartment 702 in Manhattan Towers. Upon entering, you step straight into this apartment’s open-plan lounge, very modern kitchen and dining room. Transition from one area’s activities into the next is effortless, yet provides a distinctly different feel. Entrances to studios vary, from long narrow passages to an opening straight into one of the functional areas. In Apartment 1209 in Manhattan Towers, the front entrance leads you directly into the kitchen with warm cherry wood finishes and loads of storage space. Dishwashers are standard here, very much considered a must-have appliance. Careful consideration should be given to make the studio space look and feel not only like home, but uncluttered at all times. There is a big difference between being relaxed – mags scattered here and there, the odd towel tossed onto the bed and dirty dishes in the sink – and clutter. Clutter is an energy trap and certainly does not add to the homey feel. In order to avoid clutter, the studio apartment will need to have organised storage containers which can be secretly stowed in cupboards, kitchen units and on shelves. Just take the time to shop around in the mall and you will find some cool storage containers, even ones that can be displayed.

Low, understated furniture will maintain the illusion of openness. A well-made sleeper sofa with a good mechanism should be a consideration, and coffee- and side-tables should be kept compact. Think glass and steel surface tables; not too many wooden items, which give a much heavier look to the room. Try to steer away from dark finishes and furniture, unless it’s the cave look that you’re going for. In Apartment 1209 in Manhattan Towers and D101 Waterstone West, we have fine examples of perfectly fitting furniture. Apartment 1209 has made use of the L-shaped sofa which can convert to a spare bed, and a glass dining table. The Waterstone West apartment has incorporated a compact modern sofa and glass tables, with a dining table of wood and steel – ideal combinations. Your light fittings could be tall, free-standing lamps tucked away in a corner, which will open up the space when lit. Alternatively, select and position lamps and light fittings that will say ‘feature’ rather than ‘functional’. This principle can be found in 1209 Manhattan Towers, 204 Crystal Towers Residences and D101 Waterstone West. For additional seating, if you have a kitchen island or counter space to use for eating, then go for adjustable bar seating. Thanks to the Chinese, there is an endless selection of adjustable, trendy bar seats at most of the retail outlets. Couple this with one or two compact ottomans which double up as surfaces or tables. Century City brag pads The studio and one-bedroom apartments of

Manhattan Towers, Waterstone West, Crystal Towers Residences and the Island Club are among the best in town. Each apartment is so spacious, with the sense of openness retained with effective floor and wall finishes, lighting and stylish furniture.

shower is inviting and spacious and then there is the German-manufactured kitchen and bed, which folds back to open the space even further. You can enjoy the modern attention to detail, while still feeling at home on the patio, taking in the high-rise views.

The cupboard door finishes in the contemporary kitchens and bathroom units range from warm cherry veneer to the latest foil wrap of natural cherry and walnut. The outdoor lifestyle favoured by South Africans is also on offer, with well-maintained gardens all over.

The warm African finishes of the onebedroom apartments at The Island Club include cherry wood kitchen and storage units, granite tops, strong earthy colours of the walls and the floor rug, mixed with leather colonial-style furnishings. Possibly the strongest drawcard for this apartment is that Out-of-Africa experience as you sit on the private patio, with the waterfall feature lulling you into believing that you are the only person on Earth.

Two apartments that strike as opposites are those of the Island Club and Crystal Towers Residences. Crystal Towers Residences is upmarket, very contemporary and trendy in its essence. The desert sand print wall tiles have been horizontally fixed – very now. The

All of this is proof indeed that Century City caters to all your brag pad needs.

superb moisturising

and protective sunscreens

health and beauty Umbrellas for the skin No matter what our skin tone or texture, we all need protection from the sun during summer, the harshest season for the skin. Silky soft and supple skin can still be yours, however, with these superb moisturising and protective sunscreens.

Eucerin Sun Extra Light Lotion in SPF 30 and 50 is an easilyabsorbing, non-sticky lotion which offers advanced sun care in a light and silky formulation. In clinical trials, this water resistant lotion was very well tolerated in patients with sun sensitive skin, including patients with atopic dermatitis – R149 for SPF 30 and R159 for SPF 50 at Clicks, Dis-Chem and selected pharmacies nationwide. For more information, visit www.eucerin.com.

RoC Soleil Protexion+ Velvet Moisture Spray is easy to apply and water resistant. It contains Vitamin E for moisture and Feverfew to stimulate cell defences and effectively protect against DNA damage – R165. Visit Foschini in Canal Walk Shopping Centre to purchase RoC products or call +27 (0)21 529 3000.

Nivea Sun Invisible Protection is a clear, lightweight formula which doesn’t leave any residue. Its unique, invisible formulation is ideal for all skin types and is available in SPF 30 and SPF 20. A refreshing spritz of fastabsorbing Invisible Protection works immediately to protect your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays, and keeps skin moisturised – R99.99 for SPF 30.

Labello Sun protects lips efficiently against UVA and UVB rays with sunscreen film while moisturising and smoothing your best feature. Containing protective vitamin E, one of the most effective anti-oxidants, this balm will support your skin’s own protection system to prevent skin damage and early skin ageing – R16.99.

Pep up potions These potions and lotions for men and women will care for and replenish the skin after the late nights and long sunny days of the festive season.

Tres-Joli Nail and Beauty salon loves Vitaderm, a proudly South African results-oriented range which combines the latest advances in ingredient research, with natural plant extracts and essential oils to achieve maximum therapeutic benefits. Tres-Joli’s skin experts recommend Vitaderm Peptide Serum with botanical extracts of ginger, jasmine and clary sage, and the famous Vitaderm Anti-ageing eye cream. Visit Tres-Joli in Shop 16 on the ground floor of the Colosseum on Century Way in Century City or phone +27 (0)21 552 8571.

Sun and pollution cause oxidative damage in the skin, resulting in dehydration, dullness, tightness and uneven tone. The RoC Hydra+ Anti-fatigue range is formulated with natural antioxidising and energising agents to boost the skin’s anti-oxidant defences and neutralise free radicals, visibly reducing the signs of fatigue while intensively moisturising the skin. Choose from the light cream for the day (Hydra+ Anti-fatigue Light – R225), a nourishing night cream (Hydra+ Anti-fatigue Nourishing Cream – R225) or a revitalising eye cream (Hydra+ Anti-fatigue Eye Cream – R165). The Foschini branch in Canal Walk Shopping Centre stocks RoC products. Visit them or call +27 (0)21 529 3000.

Nivea for Men Revitalising Energy Gel comes in a handy dispenser with an instantly energising effect and refreshing scent. Its ultralightweight gel consistency is instantly absorbed without leaving a sticky or greasy film on the skin. The revitalising power of the Q10 formula wakes up the senses and mint extracts cool the skin –R112.99.

Sparkling service D

iamonds really are a girlâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s best friend, but how that perfect stone is crafted and set remains a mystery to many. Wolf Brothers Jewellers makes sure that you can immerse yourself in the experience of how designer luxury jewellery is made. The jeweller encourages you to witness manufacturing first hand with a tour of the workshop. Here, you can watch as experienced craftsmen plate and melt metal and make up exquisite pieces to exact specifications. Purchasing that perfect piece of jewellery for an engagement or special anniversary can be a daunting task. With so many cuts, shapes and metals to choose from, it can be very confusing, but Wolf Brothers puts the fun back into selecting that perfect piece and their experts go out of their way

to educate you and your partner about the four Cs (cut, clarity, carat and colour). You can choose from a wide selection of luxury watches, designer engagement and wedding rings, and fine jewellery. Designer watches are also on offer from a host of well-known brands including Tag Heuer, Rado and Michel Herbelin.

has six branches; four in Cape Town and two in Johannesburg. It was one of the first jewellery stores to secure space in Canal Walk. The jeweller distinguishes itself from others in the industry by offering personal and individualised customer service with a quick turnaround time. The store boasts a computer imaging system, which accurately photographs your precious jewellery in high definition â&#x20AC;&#x201C; perfect for valuations and to send to your insurance company for a quote. If your gems need resetting, or your jewellery needs polishing or rhodium plating, Wolf Brothers can conduct its service while you wait or continue with your shopping. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not necessary to hand the jewellery in or have it sent away. The service is affordable, too. Plating a white gold ring to its former glory will set you back only around R180.

Watches can also be repaired by the master watchmaker. For a reasonable fee, he will replace batteries of all luxury watch brands while you wait. If a specific part of the watch needs repair or to be replaced, the item can be specifically manufactured in the store if the part is not readily available.

Wolf Brothers Jewellers is a reputable family owned business which specialises in bespoke jewellery and designer watches. The business opened its doors in 1902 in Adderley Street, Cape Town. Now the jeweller

You can be assured that all diamonds sold by Wolf Brothers Jewellers are quality checked and have been sourced by legitimate sources, from businesses that support the Kimberley Process*.

To find out more about Wolf Brothers Jewellers and our products, visit one of our stores and we will help you choose a piece of jewellery that meets your tastes and personality. To save you time, you can also browse on our website at www.wolfbros.co.za. *To find out more about the Kimberley Process, visit our website.

All smiles T

here is a wise old saying that a good smile warms hearts and opens doors. Sadly, many people are too shy to show off their lessthan-pearly whites, and being unwilling to smile can put a real dampener on their social life and confidence. Your smile is your personality made visible. A poll conducted with 1 000 adults between 18 and 50 years of age asked about the importance of smiling in various aspects of life. Seventy-five per cent of the respondents viewed a good smile as an important factor in job

interviews and when trying to attract members of the opposite sex. The survey results also showed that a sparkling smile can have a dramatic effect on a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s quality of life and self-esteem. These findings make it clear why increasing numbers of consumers are opting for cosmetic dental work. With aesthetic dentistry, it is possible to improve a smile with quick, simple and painless treatments. Patients who have undergone treatment can grin, beam and twinkle with confidence for the first time, knowing how their smile will benefit them in their personal and professional relationships.

Aesthetic dentistry refers to a host of dental treatments designed to enhance the smile and correct chipped, cracked, discoloured and unevenly shaped teeth. From teeth whitening, dental implants and porcelain veneers to dental bridges and orthodontics, patients can choose from a variety of cosmetic solutions to restore the health and vitality of their smile. For more information, contact De Necker Dentists, where post-graduate training, the latest techniques and top class materials are combined to provide aesthetic, metal-free dentistry of a high quality.

sample some of these sundowners

at your local City cafĂŠ or bar

ktails

eels, coc

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At the peak of popularity in the late 90s, thanks to the Cosmo-swigging gals of Sex and the City, cocktails have had quite a chequered history. The first mention of a cocktail in print media was way back in 1806 in New York, when a writer claimed that it “renders the heart stout and bold, at the same time that it fuddles the head”.

Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa

The Ruby Bar

Today’s mixed drinks have come a long way from the sugary and overpowering concoctions of the past: the fresh ingredients and innovative recipes below do anything but fuddle. Why not make a date of it this summer and sample some of these sundowners at your local City café or bar?

The Ruby Ingredients: 1 tot (25 ml) Smirnoff Red Vodka 1 tot (25 ml) grapefruit syrup ½ tot (12.5 ml) grapefruit juice ½ tot (12.5 ml) lime juice Method: shake well and strain into Martini glass. Garnish: lime wheel on rim of glass.

Dracula’s Kiss Ingredients: 1 tot (25 ml) strawberry pulp used to rim glass and run down walls of glass 2 tots (50ml) Vanilla Stolichnaya vodka 1 tot (25 ml) Martini Extra Dry 1 tot (25 ml) strawberry liqueur Method: shake and strain into Martini glass. Garnish: strawberry fan on rim of glass.

Towers Passion Ingredients: 1 tot (25 ml) Bacardi Rum 1 tot (25 ml) Triple Sec 1 tot (25 ml) Gomme Syrup 1 tot (25 ml) passion fruit pulp used to run down walls of glass in spiral motion 4 lime wedges, muddled 1 tot (25 ml) strawberry liqueur Method: muddle and build with crushed ice. (Optional: top up with soda.) Garnish: wedge of passion fruit rind on rim of glass.

African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa

The Ruby Bar

Sour Paulse Frappe Ingredients: 2 tots (50 ml) Bombay Sapphire Gin 1 tot (25 ml) lemon juice Half a peeled grapefruit 35 ml Gomme Syrup Method: blend with ice and strain in Margarita glass. Garnish: grapefruit slice on rim of glass.

Bombay Revival Ingredients: 2 tots (50 ml) Bombay Sapphire Gin 1 tot (25 ml) lime juice 1 tot (25 ml) Gomme syrup 3 tots (75 ml) Revive vitamin water Method: blend with ice and build in hurricane glass. Garnish: six basil leaves around walls of glass, topped with a basil leaf stalk and a lime wedge fan. All cocktails were created by Cameron Paulse, except for The Ruby which is the signature cocktail for the Ruby Bar.

Protea Hotel

Colosseum

Colosseum Mojito Ingredients: 4 lime wedges 6 mint leaves 2 tots (50 ml) Bacardi Bianca rum ½ tot (20 ml) Giffard elderflower syrup 1 tot (25 ml) La Fruitiere pear puree Method: muddle lime in base of highball glass and add all the ingredients into the glass. Add crushed ice and a dash of soda water. Churn with bar spoon. Garnish: mint sprig and a straw.

Passion Fruit Colada Ingredients: 2 tots (50 ml) Bacardi Bianca rum tot (25 ml) Giffard coconut syrup tot (25 ml) cream 2 tots (50ml) La Fruitiere puree Method: blend all ingredients with 500 ml cubed ice and pour into hurricane glass. Garnish: granadilla seeds.

Watermelon Cosmo Ingredients: 1½ tots (37.5 ml) vodka 2 lime wedges, squeezed ½ tot (12.5 ml) Giffard watermelon syrup ½ tot (12.5 ml) Giffard Triple Sec 1 tot (25 ml) cranberry juice Method: place all ingredients into shaker, add ice and shake. Fine strain into martini glass. Garnish: flamed orange peel.

Strawberry Daiquiri Ingredients: 1 scoop of ice Fresh strawberries 2 tots (50 ml) Sirop de fraise 1 tot (25 ml) Bacardi 1 tot (25 ml) strawberry liqueur Method: make a pre-mix base by blending two punnets of fresh strawberries and 50 ml of sirop de fraise. (This is a non-alcoholic mixture so you can use it for milkshakes as well.) Blend the base with ice and add Bacardi and strawberry liqueur. Garnish: serve in a sugar-rimmed hurricane glass garnished with a fresh strawberry and one long black straw.

Tequila Sunrise Ingredients: 1 scoop of ice 2 tots (50 ml) JosĂŠ Cuervo Gold Orange juice Grenadine Method: fill a hurricane glass 3/4 full with ice and add the tequila. Fill glass with orange juice and splash grenadine for the sunrise effect. Garnish: serve in a hurricane glass, garnished with an orange wheel and one long black straw.

Frozen Margarita Ingredients: 1 scoop of ice 1 tot (25 ml) JosĂŠ Cuervo Gold 1 tot (25 ml) Cointreau 60 ml fresh lemon juice Method: start by chilling your martini glass while preparing this cocktail. Combine ice, tequila, Cointreau and a long pour of fresh lemon juice and blend all ingredients into a slushy texture. Garnish: serve in your chilled salt-rimmed martini glass with one short black straw and a lime wheel.

We found the best in breathable materials and comfy designs

to make sure you spend your day stylishly

Get lost

... and look good doing it

ho says that outfits for the outdoors have to be bulky and boring? When scrabbling over rocks, sliding over mud, and tramping through rivers (or watching your companions do so from safely inside the 4x4), the right fabric and cut of your clothes and footwear can seriously boost the fun factor.

We found the best in breathable materials and comfy designs to make sure you spend your day stylishly, whether youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re hiking, having a lazy summer picnic ... or rescuing a hapless traveller on Century Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 4x4 trail.

We found the best in breathable materials and comfy designs

to make sure you spend your day stylishly

Props

We found the best in breathable materials and comfy designs

to make sure you spend your day stylishly

Models:

Stylist:

Simone and Craig

Shelley K @ Bird on a Wire

from Trigger Models www.triggermodels.co.za

Makeup: Kristy Brink @ Smudge-Makeup

Constance and Mireille from Moda Models

Stockists:

www.modamodels.co.za

Kingsley Heath Due South

Photographer:

Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre

David Pickett from Imagineering Thanks to: Location:

Ratanga Golf Centre

Jeep 4x4 track, Century City

Chrysler Jeep Dodge www.sandown.co.za

hiking gear you just canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t

survive without

While the Platteklip route sounds easy at just three kilometres, the hike is physically demanding and takes three or more hours to complete. Suitable for older children and adults who are fit and frisky, the path is fairly easy to negotiate but quite steep. Your slow pace will allow you to admire the world-famous flora, fauna and scenic views.

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Due South 1: The North Face Borealis daypack – R599 2: High UV protection buff – R189 3: First Ascent scout trekking pole – R279 4: D-Latitude eyewear – from R269 5: Aardwolf folding knife – R129 6: Camelback Better bottle – R179 7: Due South first aid day kit – R99 8: Slingsby’s Table Mountain map – R99 9: Due South khaki hat – R99

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Cape Union Mart 5

1: Cape Peninsula map – R85 2: Table Mountain map – R99 3: PowerBar performance energy bar – R25 4: Cape Union Eclipse multitool – R99 5: Polar insulated water bottle – R130 6: Buff bandana – R160 7: K-Way Explorer solar shorts – R350 8: Cape Union granola trail bar – R10 9: K-Way Poly-Carbonate polarised sunglasses – R399 10: K-Way Mattock S/S Moisture Manager top – R225 11: K-Way Ridge carbon trekking pole – R320 12: K-Way Scout compass - R120 13: Island Tribe SPF30 lotion – R90 14: Deuter Futura 28 day pack – R699

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Two day hike in the Cederberg The majestic Cederberg is known for its jagged amber-coloured sandstone, interesting rock formations and San rock art. The range provides great picnic spots with waterfalls and pools for swimming, as well as popular mountain hikes including the Maltese Cross, the Wolfberg Cracks and Arch, Middelberg and Sneeuberg.

Due South 1: The North Face Fulcrum 35-litre hiking bag – R999 2: First Ascent Pathfinder trekking pole – R349 3: The North Face Tadpole 23 tent – R2499 4: Campingaz Bleuet 206 Clip & Go stove – R269 5: Campingaz Butane C206 gas – R19 6: Coghlan’s waterproof first aid kit – R199 7: Due South Taiga sleeping bag – R299 8: GSI Cascadian one-person table set – R149 9: GSI Bugaboo 8” frying pan – R249 10: Freeze Dri Back Country Cuisine – R79 11: GSI Stainless one-litre Dukjug – R169 12: Petzl Tikka Plus headlamp – R479 13: Coghlan’s compass – R79 14: Coghlan’s fire starter – R149

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Cape Union Mart 1: K-Way Kano Softshell jacket – R799 2: K-Way Zermatt 950 Eco sleeping bag – R799 3: K-Way Kilimanjaro II day pack – R599 4: Nalgene Everyday Tritan bottle – R140 5: Petzl Tikinna 2 headlamp – R199 6: K-Way two-pot cook set – R260 7: Cape Union water purification tablets – R45 8: Mosquito Click – R99 9: K-Way Treklite two-person tent – R1499 10: Leatherman Skeletool – R750 11: K-Way Ridge carbon trekking pole – R320 12: K-Way Vertical trousers – R699

Winding through the Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park in the Eastern Cape, this trail is one of the most famous and popular for hikers in South Africa. The tough 42.5-kilometre route follows the spectacular coastline from Storms River Mouth to Nature’s Valley, along cliff tops and across rivers.

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Due South 1: Karrimor Panther 65-litre hiking backpack – R1 299 2: Due South one-litre vacuum flask – R129 3: First Ascent Comfort Light mattress – R699 4: Due South Katabatic sleeping bag – R399 5: LED Lenser P14 torch – R529 6: The North Face Messo tent – R2 999 7: Due South first aid trail kit – R199 8: Sea to Summit 10-litre pocket shower – R299 9: Sea to Summit pocket towel – R99 10: Due South Xtreme Hard Case T3000 – R279 11: Sea to Summit body wash – R59 12: MSR Pocket Rocket compact canister stove – R479 13: Campingaz CV270 butane gas – R49 14: GSI Bugaboo Backpacker eating solution – R749

Cape Union Mart 1: K-Way Treklite two-person tent – R1 499 2: K-Way two-pot cook set – R260 3: Island Tribe SPF30 lotion – R90 4: Spork – R20 5: Laken Futura one-litre bottle – R160 6: Lifetime Hiker in a Bottle – R199 7: Back Country beef and pasta dehydrated food – R90 8: Firesteel Scout fire starter – R99 9: Cape Union water purification tables – R45 10: K-Way Aspen 1250 Eco sleeping bag – R999 11: Cape Union clothes washing liquid – R25 12: Cape Union Eclipse Multitool – R99 13: Sea to Summit Delta bowl – R80 14: Cape Union Martt 1 litre flask – R160 15: K-Way Advance 85 backpack – R1 399 16: K-Way Vertical trousers – R699 17: Hi-Tec Altitude Ultra WPI boots – R1 299 18: K-Way Kilimanjaro hiking jacket – R1 199

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Photographer: Anton de Beer www.antondebeerphotographer.com 17

Due South Canal Walk www.duesouth.co.za

8 6 2

Cape Union Mart Adventure Centre Canal Walk www.capeunionmart.co.za

9 3 11

W O SN K L A W L A AT CAN

10 - 30 December 10am - 10pm* *25 December: Closed. Operating times subject to change.

• Rider: • Non-Rider: • Playzone:

R60 R15 R30

Book at Computicket

Giant

Snow

Ramp

Tube Rid es Snow Play Area

400 stores, restaurants, entertainment and more. Open 9am to 9pm every day. +27 21 529 9699

•

www.canalwalk.co.za

This month, CITY Motoring takes a look at

the great outdoors

the greAT OUTDOORS This month, CITY Motoring takes a look at the great outdoors, or in the case of the Mercedes-Benz GL 350 CDI, the great indoors. This vehicle is substantial, comfortably seating seven adults in three rows of seats. (We checked out the last row of seats and the layout is impressive, with loads of space in the rear footwell and big doors offering easy access to even taller-than-average passengers.)

The GL is a sublime SUV offering significant off-road capability with impeccable onroad manners. It is this unique mix of its character that intrigued me from the moment I got behind the wheel. The vehicle offers massive space inside and yet drives with a tautness and balance some sports cars would envy. There is almost no body-roll, even when cornering quite hard on tar, helped by the fact that the suspension can be lowered and raised automatically to suit driving conditions.

of the world’s ‘greenest’ power plants: a turbo-charged three-litre V6 that barely sips fuel when it is not being stressed and leaves behind a much smaller than expected carbon footprint (reduced by 23 per cent in the latest model). It is such a pity that South Africa does not yet have access to the ultra-clean diesel fuels available in Europe and elsewhere in the world. The big SUV’s miserly fuel consumption is further enhanced by various aerodynamic tricks the engineers have developed to reduce drag – like front wheel arch spoilers and a solid three-pointed Mercedes-Benz badge on the front grille.

of the intuitive Direct Select stalk? I might just have found my favourite Mercedes-Benz. What will it cost? The price as tested (with nearly everything standard on this vehicle) is R896 400 which would translate to a monthly payment of R19 268 on a straight lease over 60 months. Alternatively, over 54 months with a 10 per cent deposit at prime, you would be looking at around R18 419. Please note that these prices are illustrative only and serve simply as a guideline for the purposes of this story. The reader can obtain a quote from

The AirMATIC air suspension is a clever piece of engineering that keeps the GL’s ride height constant, even if you happen to be transporting the entire Springbok scrum. At high speeds, the suspension automatically lowers the car by 15 mm and the system can also be operated manually, allowing for extra ride height (up to a maximum ground clearance of 307 mm) when needed. The underbody of the car is a work of art with a tough six-piece plastic guard supplementing the strengthened steel tray shielding the important bits up front.

Does the BlueEFFICIENCY diesel engine spell lack of power and the end of fun for the driver? No, it doesn’t; just because the powerplant is good for the planet, it doesn’t mean it isn’t good for the driver, too. Developing over 500 Nm of torque and around 165 kW, the big Mercedes-Benz is equally big fun to drive. It may not be the fastest SUV in this category but at no time do you feel the motor is overly stressed; and married to the excellent 7G-Tronic seven speed automatic gearbox, it feels like the car is always in the right gear for the prevailing conditions. This powerplant and gearbox combination coupled to the 4MATIC all-wheel drive with 4ETS (electronic traction system) makes the GL 350 almost unstoppable, no matter what the conditions are like.

This SUV’s dual character is further in evidence when one pops the bonnet, for underneath that svelte exterior lies one

A planet-friendly SUV with serious off-road ability and a duel personality that switches from urban to bush and back again at a tap

the Mercedes-Benz dealer in Century City.

Mercedes-Benz GL 350 CDI

The GL was originally intended to replace the trusty Geländewagen (cross-country vehicle) back in 2006. However, an outcry from fans and owners of the capable but less-than-pretty G-wagon caused a rethink. It is expected that the venerable G-wagon will continue in production until at least 2015.

This month, CITY Motoring takes a look at

the great outdoors

Just how patriotic are you? We drive the Jeep Patriot Years ago when I was a young petrol head immersed in all things motor sport, I served a stint as route director for the Swazi Sun 500 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; this entailed driving thousands of kilometres through the forests and sugar plantations of Swaziland looking for the perfect race route amongst the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s remote tracks and dirt roads. It was then that I learned most of what I know about off-road driving. The three main requirements for tackling rough terrain are adequate ground clearance, judicious tyre pressure management and, of course, a functioning brain.

There is a sign on a track in northern Namibia that reads something along the lines of “All 4x4 drivers engage low range now. For the rest; proceed normally”. Don’t get me wrong – if you’ve ever towed a boat on soft sand or tackled a steep muddy track you’ll be grateful for that low range gearbox with the locking diffs driving all four wheels. But for nearly everything else and certainly for the 97 per cent of the year spent driving on urban roads away from the great outdoors, many 4x4s are a massive compromise.

than nine Boston Acoustics speakers; a 30 gig hard drive with 4 250 song capacity; add this to the technology group and you’re also getting a six-and-a-half inch touchscreen, iPod control, Voice Command, GPS navigation and Uconnect Phone. All so easy to use, you won’t need your teenager to show you how. The 2.4 litre four provides a surprising amount of get-up-and-go without the usual fuel consumption penalty (125kW) and the planet will thank you for driving a vehicle with sensible carbon emissions. And the package looks like it belongs in wild – the Patriot’s rugged styling will be equally at home in front of the swankiest hotel as it will be parked alongside the tents on that family camping holiday. This vehicle is excellent value at under R300 000 and certainly worth a test drive if you are looking at this segment and aren’t convinced that you need permanent all wheel drive. My hardcore 4x4 driving buddies may consider me unpatriotic, but with sufficient ground clearance, the correct tyre pressure for the terrain and a fully engaged brain, this car will get you almost anywhere – using half the fuel. Please note that these prices are illustrative only and serve simply as a guideline for the purposes of this story. This vehicle is available from Crysler

This is why the Jeep Patriot is such a great car. It comes with decent ground clearance, a locking diff and traction control for when things get a little slippery and is packed so full of features for the price you’ll impress even your teenagers. Seriously, the premium sound group equipped Patriot has no fewer

Jeep Dodge Century City.

Jeep Patriot

Tyre pressures need to be reduced when tackling rocky or sandy terrain – by as much as half in some cases – the soggy tyre soaks up sharp rocks which would otherwise pierce your expensive rubber and, on sand, the fatter footprint allows the vehicle to stay on top of soft sand. It follows that tyre pressures should immediately be brought back to manufacturer’s specs as soon as the vehicle is driven at normal speeds on tar – failure to do this will result in the tyre overheating. The functioning brain is required to carefully evaluate conditions and adjust speed and route accordingly. Adequate ground clearance protects your cars underpan from rocks and saves you getting stuck on middelmannetjies.

Minimise your risk by making your home

unattractive to potential burglars

Windows An open window visible from the street may be the sole reason for your home to be selected by a burglar. Windows should have secondary blocking devices to prevent them being opened from the outside. Inexpensive wooden dowels work well for horizontal sliding windows and through-the-frame pins work well for vertical sliding windows. For ventilation, block the window open no more than six inches and make sure you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t reach in from the outside and remove the blocking device.

Lighting Interior lighting is necessary to show signs of life and activity inside a residence at night. A dark home night-after-night sends the message to burglars that you are away. Light timers are inexpensive and should be used on a daily basis, not just when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re away. In this way you set up a routine that your neighbours can observe and will allow them to become suspicious when your normally lighted home becomes dark. Use light-timers near the front and back windows with the curtains closed. The pattern of lights turning on and off should simulate actual occupancy. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also comforting not to have to enter a dark residence when you return home. The same light timers can be used to turn on radios or television sets to further enhance the illusion of occupancy. Going away If you are going on holiday, there are a number of measures you can take to decrease the likelihood of a burglary. â&#x20AC;˘ Cancel newspaper deliveries. â&#x20AC;˘ Tell a trusted neighbour or friend when you will be leaving for a holiday and when you will be returning. Do not advertise this fact widely. â&#x20AC;˘ Arrange with a trusted neighbour or friend to collect post. â&#x20AC;˘ Have a light timer installed to give the impression of occupancy. â&#x20AC;˘ Notify your security company of your absence and ensure they have your current cell number. â&#x20AC;˘ Do not leave a key for your home under a doormat or in a pot plant when away. Rather give the key to a trusted neighbor or friend and ask them to check up on your home regularly. â&#x20AC;˘ Leave your contact number with a friend or trusted neighbour so that you can be contacted in an emergency. â&#x20AC;˘ Lock all internal doors in your home. â&#x20AC;˘ Turn the volume of your telephone down so that others do not hear it ringing continuously.

â&#x20AC;˘ Never advise a stranger that you are at home alone. â&#x20AC;˘ Do not open your door to strangers. Legitimate companies require their staff to carry identification. Insist on this first and verify. â&#x20AC;˘ Do not give personal details to an unknown caller over the telephone. Shopping safety tips â&#x20AC;˘ Always be alert and aware of what is happening around you. â&#x20AC;˘ If you feel people are standing too close to you, move away or ask them to step back. â&#x20AC;˘ Keep your handbag close to you and make sure it is securely closed. Never leave it or other valuables in your trolley or pushchair. â&#x20AC;˘ Never leave your possessions unattended. â&#x20AC;˘ Avoid carrying your cellphone on a belt clip. â&#x20AC;˘ Never accept help from strangers and beware of strangers asking for assistance, especially at ATMs. â&#x20AC;˘ When eating at a restaurant, never leave your cellphone on the table. Ensure that your handbag is visible to you and out of reach to others. Avoid hanging it on the back of your chair. â&#x20AC;˘ Do not offer the use of your cellphone to strangers who claim to have lost theirs or to have a flat battery. Rather direct them to a security guard for assistance. â&#x20AC;˘ Double check that your car is properly locked and windows securely closed. Never leave valuables in your car which would be visible to others. Important security numbers CPOA Control Room: 021 552 0198 Canal Walk Security: 021 529 7200 SAPS Milnerton: 021 528 3800

NEWSFLASH for Century City Businesses! Exclusive insurance just for you. We can save you money! Cenguard is supported by the Century City Property Owners Association as a Business Insurance Policy, exclusively available to companies based in the Century City Precinct.

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Personal safety â&#x20AC;˘ Do not enter your home if you see traces of forced entry. Go to a neighbour or friend and call the Century City Control Room or SAPS. â&#x20AC;˘ If confronted by an intruder or criminal, do not retaliate. Panic can cause a petty crime to escalate into a more serious crime.

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2010/10/05 10:36 AM

Experience a number of

mosaic and sculptural pieces

A real walk of art Y

ou disappear into the dark tunnel of the mall parkade regularly, and you are on daily greeting terms with the bricks and plaster of your office building. But just a few steps off the well-worn concrete, along the meandering canal, there is a variety of colour, culture and life. Outdoor educational exhibits and artworks are all over for your viewing pleasure – all you have to do is take that first step. Of the numerous trails for strollers around the Century City canal, the Art Trail is by far the most visually appealing. The pieces of arty eye-candy are all part of the initiative by the Century City Property Owners’ Association to enrich the urban environment of the City – for visitors and residents alike. A number of mosaic and sculptural pieces sponsored by the Rabie Property Group are showcased along this beautiful trail, including a mural, a wood sculpture and thought-provoking steel works. Each route has a signage system, which carries detailed information about each exhibit in Afrikaans, English and Xhosa.

Ibis Rising (concept by Angela Wain) was developed by Mandela Park Mosaics. Partly sponsored by Harries Projects, the vibrant work draws its inspiration from the rich bird life of Intaka Island, the Sacred Ibis in particular. The artists were inspired by the surreal style of the Owl House sculptures in Nieu Bethesda by Helen Martens and Koos Malgas. Family Reunion by Right Mukore (concept by Planning Partners) is a striking sculptural piece carved from a Stone Pine tree stump. The figures in the wood depict the return of a migrant worker to his home in a rural African village. Feather Lane, developed by Mandela Park Mosaics (concept by Planning Partners), features a series of circular mosaics set in the pavement at various points along the lane. These colourful pieces reflect on how birdlife is part of the idiomatic tradition of each of the Western Capeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s three official

languages: English, Afrikaans and Xhosa. The mosaics are named kulula njengosiba (as light as a feather); die vere maak nie die voel nie (feathers donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t make the bird); and birds of a feather flock together, amongst others. Painted Tiles, made by pupils of Edgemead Primary School (concept by Planning Partners), is an example of team art. The concept incorporates organised art components by different artists into a composition. Participants each contribute a predetermined module to which they add their own imagination and technique to form an unpredictable result. In this case, the children painted colourful circles on tiles which were placed in a framed composite mosaic. Steel and Shadow (concept by Angela Wain) was developed by Theresa Joe Wessels & Artvark and Planning Partners. The inspiration for these intriguing works lies in

childhood playfulness. The shadows cast by panels and cut-outs add visual interest; they change constantly as the sun moves overhead, creating different effects as the day marches on.

Century City Athletic Club

info

Canter along the canals with Century City Athletic Club S

ome years ago, Richard Kohler, a keen runner and paddler in the Milnerton area, decided that Century City needed a running club. The powers that be at Century City and the Western Province Athletics Association agreed and it wasn’t long before the Century City Athletic Club was born. Almost 100 keen runners have signed up as members and their yellow and black club colours are seen at more and more official races. At this rate, the club is set for great things. Located in the heart of Century City, the club makes use of a neatly designed running track that winds its way along the canal. The track is only a short distance away from the hustle and bustle of the Canal Walk Shopping Centre and Intaka Island (a 16-hectare wetland conservation area which offers safety and tranquillity), and is the perfect way to unwind after a day’s work. In addition to taking in the beautiful scenery, runners enjoy many routes past residential, commercial and retail property. The club caters to runners of all fitness levels, from beginners to regular runners and professional long-distance athletes. For example, three times Comrades winner Vladimir Kotov is the club’s brand ambassador, and has just won his fifth gold SA Champs medal this year – in Century City colours, of course. The Clubhouse, next to the new sports field on the north-west side of KnightsBridge, was built in 2006/2007. It offers ample free and secure parking, as well as showers and a fully stocked bar to toast your achievements after the run. Athletic club members share the Clubhouse

with members of the other sports clubs at Century City: Adventure Boot Camp, canoeing, five-a-side corporate soccer and rugby leagues. Century City Athletic Club is a family affair. Since the routes vary in distances, even young children can come and trot along in a safe environment or just do laps around the oval. And if that is too much for them, bring your pram along! The routes next to the canal are all paved and well equipped to push your little one for some extra upper body exercise. As Century City is located just off the N1 highway, the athletic club offers the perfect escape from peak hour traffic after work, and its close proximity to a number of neighbourhood

restaurants as well as Canal Walk ensure that you do not have to go home hungry. Stop over at one of these after your run for a bite to eat or a movie before going home. The perfect way to end your day! Runners meet every Tuesday night at 18h00 at the Century City Clubhouse. Time trials are run the first Tuesday of every month. The annual membership fee is only R75, so come run with us and share the excitement of being part of this young up-and-coming club. For more information, contact Richard Kohler on 083 299 6569 or go to our link on www.centurycity.co.za

You had to

be there

You had t Get busy living

Idols light up Canal Walk

The live electronic duo Goldfish is back! Recently returned from their world tour, they performed tracks from their third studio album Get Busy Living at Century City’s Central Park on Sunday, 14 November. From 12h00 to 18h00, the audience enjoyed the sunshine and smooth sounds while they picnicked and partied.

Idols 6 finalists Lloyd Cele and Elvis Blue met their fans in person at Canal Walk on Sunday, 31 October, their last public performance before Elvis was named South Africa’s new Idol on Tuesday, 2 November.

Brimming with ideas from their amazing experiences travelling the globe, the boys locked themselves away for the first half of 2010 to create, jam, and record the tracks that had been developing on the road. Combining their signature organic jazzy sampled sound with crisp production and incredible vocal collaborations, the ‘fishies’ are back with an album guaranteed to make your feet tap. Find out more on their website www.goldfishlive.com.

Both crooners performed a few of their favourite songs from the unforgettable season of Idols and spent some personal time with their fans, signing autographs.

to be there Golf Day gives back

Canal Walk: a decade of success

Some of the top names in business turned out to support the Canal Walk Foundation at the Canal Walk Golf Day to the tune of an astounding R95 000. Four-ball teams teed-off at Steenberg Golf Estate on Friday, 31 October 2010 for a day of camaraderie and friendly competition.

Since its debut ten years ago, Canal Walk Shopping Centre has established itself as a premier shopping destination enjoyed by local and international visitors alike. More than 400 stores and restaurants and an exciting line up of promotional and live events every week make the centre a true hub of the Century City community.

The Canal Walk Foundation was established in 2005 to support a variety of education, humanitarian and cultural initiatives that contribute to the upliftment, development and empowerment of the community, and the transformation of South African society. The day concluded with a superb prize-giving dinner, sponsored by Redefine Properties. Goodies for the winning team included an Apple iPod Nano from the iStore, and a R1 000 gift card from Canal Walk for each player. Lucky draw prizes included a weekend away for four at the luxury Shamwari Game Reserve, a Seiko F1 Honda Racing Team watch, a 24-inch monitor, a Vodacom resort midweek break for six people, a Mont Blanc pen and a Carrol Boyes collectable. All the generous sponsors of the Canal Walk Foundation are thanked for their support.

Today, the retail icon stands at a gross lettable area of 154 000 square metres, and is valued at R5,9 billion, with more than 188 million shoppers having graced the centre since its opening in 2000. Wayne Abegglen, CEO of Canal Walk Shopping Centre, said, “The incredible support from the community and the many international and local visitors to the city have all ensured that Canal Walk’s status as one of the best places to shop, see and be seen at, dine and relax in Cape Town continues to be elevated,” he said.

Intaka Island Environmental Education Centre opening The launch of the Intaka Island Envinomental Education Centre took place on 26 October 2010 at 4pm. Guests were treated to drinks and snacks and the event was a great success.

be there

16 17 18 19 20 21

may

jun

jul

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cal en dar E S LUAL A V E T M EA IC R SS G A L C

sep

oct

1 December - Century City Networking Forum Derek Watts speaks on the Carte Blanche phenomenon, the programme, the people and the stories from behind and in front of the lens. This, the last of the Century City Networking Business Forum talks of the year, begins at 07h30 at Ratanga Junction Officers’ Club. R80 includes full English breakfast. 3 December - Ratanga Junction is open Ratanga Junction opens on 3 December (until 18 January excluding Christmas Day) from 10h00 to 17h00 for all the anticipated rides, shows, displays, entertainment and more. The Cape Cobras will be there between 12h00 and 15h00 on 3 December in support of the Jag Foundation. 5 December - Natural Goods Market The Natural Goods Market will be held at Central Park on 5 December. Offering delicious meals, speciality coffees, preserves, confectionery, cheeses, beer, champagne and freshly baked farm bread, the market is the perfect place to spend your Sunday morning. There is ample secure parking and loads of entertainment for the kids including a jumping castle and go carts.

All mains R55 0r less

Time well spent, Time after Time.

Book your office party or function with us now!

10 to 30 December - It’s snowing It’s snowing in the Central Court at Canal Walk Shopping Centre! Wrap up warmly and bring your family along to enjoy the coolest entertainment this summer holiday

Tel: 021 552 8927 | Fax: 086 594 5176 info@timesquarecafe.co.za | www.timesquarecafe.co.za

nov

at Canal Walk. A breathtaking tube slide down a giant snow ramp will thrill both the young and youngat-heart. There is also a children’s play area for building snowmen and an area for parents to watch their kids. Snow will be open from 10h00 to 22h00 daily. R15 – R60 tickets available at Computicket. Don’t miss the Snowboarding Rail Jam Competition on 19 December at 18h00 where SA’s top snowboarders will battle it out for the title. Visit www.canalwalk. co.za for further information. 12 December - Carols by Candlelight Century City, in association with two local churches, will be hosting the third annual Carols by Candlelight at 18h30 at Central Park on 12 December. In addition to the singing of carols and the nativity play, the evening will offer a host of other delights including a live animal touch farm, face painters, jumping castles and a visit from Father Christmas. 18, 19 and 27 to 30 December - Helicopter flips Ratanga Junction will be offering helicopter flips on these dates. R250 for adults and children of 13 years; R150 for youngsters. Visit www.ratanga.co.za or contact Ratanga Junction on +27 (0)21 550 8504 for more information. Be sure to catch all the Christmas activities and dinner specials from hotels, shops and restaurants in the area over the festive season.

dec

Keeping kids busy

123 this holiday

Tumble in the jungle T

he perfect holiday playground, Ratanga Junction will be open to hordes of excitable schoolchildren and their families for the festive season from 3 December to 18 January (excluding Christmas Day) from 10h00 to 17h00. Bucket loads of innovative attractions, entertainment and new live shows will be on offer for young and old visitors to Century City. It’s not all white-knuckle rollercoasters, though. Many of the features at the jungle-themed park on offer are designed to amuse small children, families and those who prefer to take their thrills and spills in more manageable doses. The 30-something attractions – including 23 rides of varying levels of adventure, pedalling go carts, and kiddie play area – provide something for everyone. Make a note of the following highlights in your holiday planner. Walking Water Balls Back by popular demand, the walking water balls allow you to tread on the water’s surface encapsulated in your safe, dry bubble. R25 for five minutes of fun. Available from 3 December to 18 January (excluding Christmas Day). Animal petting zoo R10 allows you to pet the tame, cuddly animals. Open from 21-24, 26 and 28 to 31 December, as well as 1, 2, 4 to 9, 11 to 15 and 16 January.

Paddle boats Pay R40 for half an hour’s paddling on the Canal from Jone’s Landing. Variety entertainment Daily variety shows will be performed in the Walled City. Cape Town Sciencentre Show Who says science is for geeks only? These fascinating daily displays take place in the Walled City, except from 25 December to 2 January. Helicopter flips Depending on the weather, trips to the big blue skies will be available on 18, 19 and 26 to 30 December, and in the New Year from 3 to 9 January, and 15 and 16 January. Your craft will be a Robinson R44, which seats three people per flight. A maximum weight is 120 kg per seat, and a total of 270 kg together. Adults and children of 13 years and above will pay just R250 for this amazing experience, and young children R150. The youngsters must, however, be able to sit upright and be strapped into their own seat, not held on an adult’s lap. Visit www.ratanga.co.za or contact Ratanga Junction on +27 (0)21 550 8504 for more information. (Terms and conditions apply.)

reviews, reviews and

December | 2010

more reviews

movie Releases

Spud: The movie Opens 3 December 2010 | Director: Donovan Marsh | Cast: John Cleese, Troye Sivan, Jamie Royal, Sven Ruygrok, Josh Goddard, Travis Hornsby, Blessing Xaba. Spud is a boy from an ordinary background who wins a scholarship to an elite private school in South Africa. His new school is full of rich kids and Spud has his hands full trying to fit in. He also has to outwit two of the older boys who do all they can to get him expelled. Spud invites us into the mind of a boy struggling to come to terms with a strange new world; whose eyes are being opened to love and its perils, the value of true friendship and the complete insanity of life.

The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (3-D) Opens 10 December 2010 | Director: Michael Apted | Cast: Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes, Georgie Henley, Simon Pegg. In the third Chronicles of Narnia film, Edmund and Lucy Pevensie and their cousin Eustace return to Narnia. Together with King Caspian and a warrior mouse named Reepicheep, they find themselves swallowed by a painting and on the fantastic ship, the Dawn Treader. Their mission â&#x20AC;&#x201C; on which rests the fate of Narniaâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; takes the courageous voyagers to mysterious islands and a river that turns to gold, to fateful confrontations with magic creatures and sinister enemies, and to a reunion with their friend and protector, the great lion Aslan.

December | 2010

Yogi Bear Opens 24 December 2010 | Director: Eric Brevig | Cast: Anna Faris, Justin Timberlake, Dan Aykroyd. This classic cartoon will hit the big screen as a 3D live-action/CG animated adventure. Jellystone Park has been losing business and is in danger of being shut down and the land being sold. Yogi and his pal Boo Boo face being tossed out of the only home they’ve ever known. In his biggest challenge ever, Yogi must prove that he really is ‘smarter than the average bear’ as he and Boo Boo join forces with Ranger Smith to find a way to save the park from closing forever.

Due Date Opens 17 December 2010 | Director: Todd Phillips | Cast: Robert Downey JR., Zach Galifianakis, Michelle Monaghan, Juliette Lewis, Jamie Foxx. Two unlikely companions who are thrown together on a road trip that turns out to be as life-changing as it is outrageous. Downey plays Peter Highman, an expectant first-time father whose wife’s due date is five days away. As Peter hurries to catch a flight home from Atlanta to be at her side for the birth, his best intentions go completely awry when a chance encounter with aspiring actor Ethan Tremblay (Galifianakis) forces Peter to hitch a ride with Ethan on what turns out to be a cross-country road trip that will ultimately destroy several cars, numerous friendships and Peter’s nerve.

The Town Opens 31 December 2010 | Director: Ben Affleck | Cast: Ben Affleck, Rebecca Hall, Jon Hamm, Blake Lively, Pete Postlethwaite, Chris Cooper. A bank robber becomes romantically involved with one of his victims, a bank manager who doesn’t know of his extramural activities. Their relationship jeopardises the robber’s gang members, who are being pursued by an FBI agent, who’s also interested in the bank manager.

A brief look at

CNA

bookreviews

CNA’s latest novels

Conversations with Myself by Nelson Mandela (a memoir) (Pan Macmillan) Conversations with Myself draws on Mandela’s personal archive of never-before-seen materials to offer unique access to the private world of an incomparable world leader. Journals kept on the run during the anti-apartheid struggle of the early 1960s; diaries and draft letters written on Robben Island and in other South African prisons during his twenty-seven years of incarceration; notebooks from the post-apartheid transition; private recorded conversations; speeches

The Red Queen by Philippa Gregory (Simon and Schuster) The second book in Philippa’s stunning new trilogy, The Cousins’ War, brings to life the story of Margaret Beaufort, a shadowy and mysterious character in the first book of the series – The White Queen – but who now takes centre stage in the bitter struggle of The War of the Roses. Recommended selling price: R185.00

Torment by Lauren Kate (Random House Struik) In Torment (the sequel to the international bestseller Fallen), fallen angel Daniel and his mortal love Lucinda think they are safe but evil forces are massing against them. As Luce learns more about her past, and discovers that the lives she’s already lived hold the key to her future happiness; she starts to wonder if Daniel has told her the whole truth. What if his version of events isn’t the way things happened? What if that means that she’s really meant to be with someone else? Recommended selling price: R164.95

and correspondence written during his presidency - an historic collection of documents archived at the Nelson Mandela Foundation is brought together into a sweeping narrative of great immediacy and stunning power. Conversations with Myself illuminates a heroic life forged on the front lines of the struggle for freedom and justice and, for the first time, allows unhindered insight into the human side of the icon. Recommended selling price: R290.00

Paying off

your home loan sooner

Save money and pay off your bond faster Rob Downey | Sales Manager of Property World in Century City

o be bond free is everyoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desire and dream, but this is not easy to achieve, particularly if you are living on a shoestring budget. Some easy tips can help you pay off your bond faster than the contract period and, in so doing, save yourself thousands â&#x20AC;&#x201C; if not hundreds of thousands â&#x20AC;&#x201C; of Rand in interest payments. The philosophy is simple: every extra Rand paid into your bond over and above your monthly instalment will make a difference. A property purchased at R1 000 000 at an interest of 10 per cent over a period of 20 years will eventually cost you R2 316 000 over the full term of the bond. However, paying an extra R650 into your bond on a monthly basis will shorten the life of the bond to about 16 years, resulting in a saving to you of around R463 000. The best place to start is to secure the best home loan rate possible. If you already have a home loan in place and you can prove that you are a good client and have paid your bond when due, you are in a stronger position to negotiate a better rate with your bank.

R156 000, which represents more than a 15 per cent saving over the life of the bond. This type of saving will only cost you a bit of time and effort. In a climate of dropping interest rates, the bank will automatically reduce your payments to the new lower rate. You would do well in such a situation to contact your bank and maintain your repayments at the old rate. This will amount to extra cash paid into your bond which will kill off interest over time without changing your lifestyle. Arranging an access facility on your home loan account is advisable for people who get their salaries paid earlier into their bank account. By means of Internet banking, this money can easily be switched between your accounts allowing you to pay it into your bond for a few days before switching it back to your current account in time to cover any stop orders or payments due. Even if this money is in your home loan account for only a day or two, it will show a positive result on the interest charged.

If you need to swap to an institution that will give you a better interest rate, make sure that the cancellation fees and costs do not exceed any interest rate saving. Every 0.5 per cent reduction in the interest rate on a home loan of R1 million represents an interest saving of around R78 000 over a 20-year bond period; and at 1 per cent, equals a saving of R650 per month, or

If you are fortunate to receive a 13th cheque at the end of the year, be disciplined and instead of blowing it on lavish Christmas presents, deposit it into your bond account. This will keep your bond account in advance status and help with the interest charged on a daily basis. Paying off your home loan sooner is undoubtedly the best tax-free investment you can make. It is vital that we become more disciplined, particularly in these tough economic times, and think twice before we decide to spoil ourselves on things that will be short lived. Rather try to think of the enormous savings a few Rand a month will make down the line to help you realise your dream to live bond free.

Right in the heart of Century City, opposite the banks of Intaka Island, is a hive of activity burgeoning with things to do, places to see and people to meet. If you have not already, don’t wait to discover the hub of Century City and all it has to offer. The focal point is Central Park, a 4500m² grassed oval, where a wide array of sporting events, corporate gatherings, family recreation and other lifestyle happenings take place including the Century City Natural Goods Market which is held on the first Sunday of every month.

Bordering on the park is the Century City Clubhouse that plays host to a range of sporting activities, including the: • • • • •

Century City Running Club Century City Canoe Club Century City Corporate Touch Rugby League Century City Corporate Touch League and Adventure Bootcamp

Then there is the jewel of Century City - Intaka Island - our 16ha award winning wetlands conservation area. This green lung of our city now boasts a state - of-the art Environmental

Education Centre to assist the wetlands nature reserve to fulfill its enormous educational potential. From here you can also take relaxing boat trips on the canals, which is an great way to take in the picturesque scenery of Century City. In close proximity to Intaka Island and the Clubhouse is Century City House, the home of the Century City Property Owners’ Association, which maintains the pulse of all of this activity. For further details contact the Century City Property Owners’ Association on 021 5526889.

Cocktails on the canal On a chilly night in October, COSA Media hosted an epic party to celebrate its new offices, business successes over the past year, and the entry of CITY Magazine into the hearts and homes of Century City residents. Loyal clients of COSA, as well some new supporters, were ferried along the sparkling canal before being showered with cocktails and snacks in the warmth of Jacqui O Bistro. Guests were also treated to a spectacular flaring display by SA champion Travis Kuhn on the deck.

Century City ready for

Century City ready for festive season

Chris’s corner

festive season

t’s that time of year again and preparations for a bumper festive season at Century City are well underway.

The Operational Management Forum, which is driven by the Century City Property Owners’ Association (CCPOA) and which co-ordinates and facilitates law enforcement, security, traffic and disaster management issues within the precinct, has been proactively preparing for the 2010 festive season in conjunction with representatives from Canal Walk, Ratanga Junction, City Traffic and the South African Police Services. In terms of traffic management, timing settings of key traffic signals at the Sable Road bridge and the N1 entrance to Century City will be adjusted to accommodate the increased number of vehicles and different traffic patterns and will be closely monitored. City Traffic will increase patrols in and around Century City while extra parking assistants will assist traffic flow at Canal Walk which is offering extended shopping hours over the season. From Friday, 10 December to Thursday, 23 December, the centre will trade from 9am until 10pm and until 9pm on 24 December. Per previous years, trading is optional on 25 December but selected stores will be open. From December 26, Canal Walk’s normal trading hours of 9am to 9pm resume although stores will have the option of closing at 7pm on New Year’s Day. With regard to public transport, the operating hours of the Century City Shuttle will be extended to 11pm where necessary to accommodate Canal Walk’s longer trading hours; Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) and minibus taxi operators have been advised of the extended shopping hours and a GABS inspector will be at the Public Transport Interchange on a daily basis.

Security is also being beefed up and all Century City security service providers will be on heightened alert. Both Canal Walk and Ratanga Junction will be stepping up their security for the season. SAPS has also included Century City in their festive season plan and will have foot patrols in Canal Walk and its parking areas, mounted horse patrols and random morphed touch operations (fingerprint detection) aimed at increasing their visibility and policing in the area. The CCPOA is subcontracting two City Council law enforcement officers to be dedicated to Century City and an additional CCTV surveillance operator is being deployed to the Century City Control Centre from 1 December. Please note that in the event of a trafficrelated or other emergency, the Century City Control Centre should be contacted first and they, in turn, will contact the City Traffic Control Centre or relevant emergency services. The Control Centre number to phone 24 hours a day for emergencies is 021 552 0289. On a lighter note, the annual Century City Carols by Candlelight community event, hosted in association with two local churches, will be held at Central Park on December 12 from 6.30pm. In addition to the singing of carols and the nativity play, the evening will offer a host of other delights, including a live animal touch farm, face painters, jumping castles and the always-anticipated visit from Father Christmas. We would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your families a very happy and peaceful festive season. For those lucky enough to be going away on holiday: travel safely!

COMPLETION 2011