Opulent Living Magazine no 11 by Florian Gast

“FANCY YELLOW DIAMONDS, DISTINCTIVELY YOU.”

Extraordinarily rare and mesmerising, Fancy Yellow Diamonds capture the warmth of the African Sun as they sparkle with the most magical golden hues. Expertly selected by Shimansky directly from Kimberley and the West Coast, these rare gems are beautifully transformed into exclusive Shimansky creations â&#x20AC;&#x201D; allowing you to take the South African Sun wherever you go.

TRUE BRILLIANCE V&A WATERFRONT, THE CLOCK TOWER WATERFRONT, CAPE TOWN INTL AIRPORT, CANAL WALK, TYGER VALLEY, SANDTON CITY, THE PAVILION WESTVILLE. www.shimansky.com

OL11_Ads.indd OpulentLiving.indd 1 3

11/11/14 2014/11/14 11:53:10 10:10 AM AM

unleash, transform,

uplift

OL11_Ads.indd 2 PCGLPSCLL001.indd 1

2014/11/14 10:11 AM 13/11/2014 11:50

Opulent Living Welcome

“The very essence of instinct is that it’s followed independently of reason.” – Charles Darwin

Barbara Lenhard and Florian Gast, founders and owners of Opulent Living

PHOTOGRAPH: ANDREW SWARTS

e can’t believe it. Another magazine has come together, Edition 11. If we think of where we started and what we publish today – is this what is known as evolution? Of course, when we think of evolution, Charles Darwin is the person who immediately springs to mind. According to Darwin, the most successful species are not necessarily the most powerful ones, but are those that most readily adapt to whatever nature throws at them. And as we thought about the next evolutionary step in our business,

we were invited to a talk by a man who believes that you always need to be ready to adapt to change. Clem Sunter is a world-renowned speaker and scenario planner, and the author of many books, including The Mind of a Fox: Scenario Planning in Action – and he really impressed us. The more you find out about this man, the more you want to meet him. And, of course, as publishers and curious media people, we wanted to interview and photograph him, too. In this edition, we bring his fascinating story and insights to you, our readers – the people who have been part of the evolution of Opulent Living. As part of our ongoing evolution of the Opulent Living brand, we are looking to significantly improve how we engage with our readers in print, through the events we create and operate, the travel business we run and via our social media platforms. We think of you – as you are holding this magazine – as a member of our brand. We want to understand you better, so we are always grateful to receive your valuable feedback. Our brand would be nothing without you! With this in mind, let us take you on a journey through our evolution. We adapted to the needs of our readers and brand members by establishing Opulent Living Travel, a boutique tour operator that looks after both your business and leisure travel needs. We also created Opulent Living Experiences, which both conceptualises and organises successful events, from product launches and showroom openings to open-air concerts

and black-tie fundraiser galas. But we’re convinced that won’t be all. We’re small and able to adapt to whatever comes our way – and, more importantly, to whatever feels right for us. And we like it that way! It’s good be a successful species that over-delivers rather than over-promises. So what do you feel like reading? This is a challenging question but I am positive that some of our well-researched and well-written stories will appeal to you. We want you to enjoy the magazine over a weekend when you have some time to fully indulge in its pages – because this is not a normal publication. Did you know that you can’t buy this magazine? You will find it only in select places, where we know people appreciate quality more than quantity, and classic style over mass-produced trends. We feel strongly about always delivering quality reads, forging top brand alliances and giving you beautiful layouts. Connect with us and allow us to say “Thank you” for being part of our brand. We love to engage, and we hope you do the same by emailing us at feedback@ opulentliving.co.za, or joining us on Facebook and Twitter. Or you can call us – it’s old school but it’s often so much easier and so much more efficient – on +27 (0)21 433 1699. Now, put your feet up, enjoy a good read and (re)discover the finer things in life!

Carpe diem! Barbara & Florian

Opulent Living

OL11_Welcome.indd 1

2014/11/18 7:15 AM

Contributors

Imprint

The creative minds who crafted our features Anne Duncan first started writing about travel 20 years ago when she began her magazine career. A longing to explore beyond southern Africa saw her leave for the UK where, in between working on various food, décor and lifestyle titles, she hopped on as many flights to the Continent as possible. Now she lives at the Cape seaside and works as a freelance editor. Watching Sleeping Beauty at age six was the spark that ignited Capetonian Catherine Eden’s

Publisher: Barbara Lenhard barbara@opulentliving.co.za Editorial & Creative Director: Florian Gast florian@opulentliving.co.za Managing Editor: Anne Duncan Designer: Deborah Poswell Contributors: Sebastian Bartlett, Pippa de Bruyn, Michelle Snaddon, Keri Harvey, Richard Holmes, Liesl King, Zaid Kriel

For advertising and sales please contact sales@opulentliving.co.za

interest in ballet. She has 25 years’ experience in magazines and works as a writing coach, communication consultant and freelance writer. memoir writing, and facilitates programmes of

Newspace Publishing CC Cape Town, South Africa

journal writing for personal growth.

Edition no. 11: published November 2014 Edition no. 12: to be published in May 2015

Ian Macleod stumbled into writing after

Distribution: throughout South Africa and internationally via preferred partners · in first and business class on selected airlines · in exclusive lounges, showrooms and boutique stores · nationwide via direct mail · internationally via selected distributors

studying business and making the harsh realisation he’d never be the greatest squash player who ever lived. Now based in Joburg, he writes on everything from sport to travel. This is the first time he’s explored ‘foxy’ thinking but now believes we should apply some level of Clem Sunter’s method to everything we do. Travel came before writing for Kit Heathcock, who combined gourmet food and luxury walking holidays in Italy, prior to settling with

Nominal charge: R180 Printed in South Africa by Tandym, Cape Town www.opulentliving.co.za www.facebook.com/opulentliving @liveopulent www.youtube.com/opulentliving

her family on a small farm outside Cape Town. A freelance writer, she’d be over the moon if her pen were a Montblanc, but is happy to settle for less than the Big Five in her herb garden, despite her interest in wildlife conservation.

Opulent Living

OL11_Contributors.indd 2

Opulent Living magazine is published by Newspace Publishing CC. Copyright Newspace Publishing CC. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from Newspace Publishing or the authors. The publishers are not responsible for any unsolicited material. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Newspace Publishing or the editors. Opulent Living is a registered trademark of Newspace Publishing CC.

COVER IMAGES: GROOTBOS, MERCEDES-BENZ, PIAGET, LONG BEACH MAURITIUS, TINTSWALO

She also offers courses in creative, travel and

With us from the beginning, Harry the hippo.

2014/11/14 2:58 PM

Toll Free: 0800 600 035

- The City, London -

OL11_Ads.indd 5

Piaget Altiplano 900P, The worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s thinnest mechanical watch: 3.65 mm, a total fusion between manufacture-made case and movement. Piaget, the master of ultra-thin.

piaget.com

2014/11/14 10:11 AM

Design, illuminated. The new Mercedes-Benz CLS CoupĂŠ. Mercedes-Benz introduces the first-ever lighting technology thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s as advanced as the human eye. New integrated MULTIBEAM LED headlamps adjust 100 times per second just like the human eye. A lighting innovation that forms a central part of the cars aesthetic character and radiates sensuousness. Available for the first time with a 9G-TRONIC gearbox, standard on the CLS 350 BlueTEC and CLS 500. Visit mercedes-benz.co.za Vehicle specifications may vary for the South African market.

OL11_Ads.indd 6

2014/11/14 10:13 AM

OL11_Ads.indd 7

2014/11/14 10:13 AM

Gondwana Game Reserve · Garden Route safari

Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge · African homecoming

CLEM SUNTER INTERVIEW · A FOX AND HIS SCENARIOS

South Beach · Beach bliss redefined

Long Beach Mauritius · Place of natural enchantment

Tintswalo Safari Lodge · A celebration of Africa’s great explorers

Taj Cape Town · Banking on heritage

102

Kichaka Private Game Lodge · Romance and adventure in a tranquil wilderness

108

Lodge 23 · Exotic sanctuary

114

138

Opulent Living

OL11_Contents V2.indd 2

2014/11/14 2:52 PM

102

Contents

114

Opulent Living

OL11_Contents V2.indd 3

2014/11/14 2:53 PM

OL11_Ads.indd 8

2014/11/14 10:15 AM

OL11_Ads.indd 9

2014/11/14 10:15 AM

Opulent Living Style

The ultimate sailing challenge · At sea with the Volvo Ocean Race

A story of craftsmanship · How age-old skills inform luxury brands

A spirit of generosity · The success of ‘Chefs who share - the ART of giving’

The beauty of dance · Celebrating 80 years of Cape Town City Ballet

Re-writing history · The fountain pen as a functional collector’s item

Building on the legacy of an icon · Jaguar’s new F-Type

A celebration of the rose · Piaget’s exquisite jewellery and ultra-thin watches

Opulent Living Essence · Stylish must-haves with timeless appeal

Opulent Living

OL11_Contents V2.indd 4

2014/11/17 8:49 PM

CROSSING THE GLOBE IN TWO SECONDS.

Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Duo. Jaeger-LeCoultre Calibre 854/1. Two dials driven by a single movement: for the very first time, the iconic Reverso reveals a second face within its ultra-thin case. It combines two back-to-back dials to offer its owner a fascinating journey through time. A refined blend of style and watchmaking performance stemming from 180 years of expertise cultivated by the Inventors of the VallĂŠe de Joux.

YO U D E S E RV E A R E A L WATC H.

Grand Boutique Melrose Arch +27 11 684 1380

OL11_Ads.indd 11

2014/11/14 10:17 AM

Contents

162

Opulent Living Photo Feature The Little Five 路 Looking to the future of conservation

121

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve 路 In harmony with nature

132

Machaba Camp 路 A thrilling wildlife adventure that captures a bygone era

138

Opulent Events 路 Stylesetters and newsmakers

158

Opulent Living

OL11_Contents V2.indd 6

2014/11/14 2:56 PM

OL11_Ads.indd 13

2014/11/14 10:18 AM

Gondwana Game Reserve ∙ South Africa

Garden Route safari With breathtaking views of the Langeberg mountains across a unique combination of game-filled grassy plains and fynbos-covered hillsides, Gondwana’s eden offers a serene respite on what is the Southern Cape’s only private reserve featuring free-ranging Big Five. And increased wildlife populations have made the safari experience better than ever…

Opulent Living

OL11_Gondwana2.indd 2

2014/11/14 10:56 AM

The setting sun casts a golden glow over the Nauga Valley, part of the 11 000-hectare Gondwana Game Reserve that protects endangered flora and fauna in the Western Cape.

OL11_Gondwana2.indd 3

2014/11/14 10:57 AM

Game populations were significantly expanded in 2014, with lion cubs born and 800 new antelope introduced. A new family herd of elephant, white rhino and a female cheetah were also added to the reserve.

rriving at dusk just as the yellow pincushions are catching the late evening light, the air is filled with the tang of fynbos. An abundance of proteas and dusty pink ericas bloom in swathes across wild expanses of hillside, an integral part of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the world’s smallest and richest floristic region, found nowhere else on earth. Within minutes, large eland appear around the next bend, still damp from a light afternoon shower, their fur glistening in the setting sun and their distinctive dewlaps swaying gently as they come to a halt. Silence envelops the scene as the sun finally dips below the horizon. Situated four hours’ drive from Cape Town in the heart of the world-renowned Garden Route, this 11 000-hectare bush escape is named for Gondwanaland, the southern subcontinent that existed over 200-million years ago and from which the extraordinarily diverse landmass of Africa was born. Its undulating valleys, once home to an abundance of wildlife, are slowly being restocked, so that the fynbos reserve is home to all the Big Five, plus many endangered species. Blending seamlessly into Gondwana’s hills is Kwena Lodge, a series of round

African huts with dome-shaped thatched roofs designed to echo the traditions of the Khoisan people who once lived on this land. Offering 180-degree views and skylights for star-gazing, they offer a unique Garden Route experience. Inside the open-plan suites you’ll find luxurious interiors that combine the best of crisp white linen with earthy tones reflecting the palette of the outside landscape. Comfortable living areas feature clay-pot fireplaces for cosy warmth on winter evenings, while en-suite dressing rooms lead through to spacious bathrooms complete with deeply inviting baths for a fragrant soak after a long day. Outside, covered patios look over two waterholes across the valley and towards the craggy Langeberg mountains beyond. The large infinity pool is positioned in the centre of the semi-circle of 14 standalone huts, with a boma nearby for breakfasts and al fresco dinners on hot summer nights. Up at the main lodge, elongated African fishing baskets form hanging lights that cast beautiful shadows over dining tables, lending a welcoming ambience to the open-plan living and bar area, where guests relax and enjoy an early evening

Opulent Living

OL11_Gondwana2.indd 4

2014/11/14 10:58 AM

drink while sharing the day’s sightings. With elephant and lion cubs on the reserve, rangers share their experiences of recent arrivals – not only offspring but new game introductions, too. Late 2014 saw the arrival of five elephant as well as 800 antelope, including new species such as waterbuck and the southern reedbuck to bring the total number of antelope species on the reserve to 14. Other highlights include eland, gemsbok, blue wildebeest, springbok and red hartebeest. A new pod of hippo will also add their grunts to the waterholes, and a female cheetah will join the males already hunting in the fynbos. Gondwana Game Reserve’s Endangered Species Protection Programme has seen the reintroduction of many species that have been on the verge of extinction, including the endangered desert black

rhino, bontebok, cheetah and Cape mountain zebra, giving guests some thrilling and meaningful game encounters. But there are behind-the-scenes stories to share too, those of clearing alien vegetation and introducing sustainable honey production – all equally important in the journey of conservation. Even the pioneering elephant herd of four ‘orphaned’ adults that have enjoyed the sanctuary of Gondwana for the past seven years and are now a fully established breeding herd, have provided the basis of critical research on elephant conservation in a fynbos environment – another feather in Gondwana’s cap. Game tales over, it’s time for dinner. The wine begins to flow as delicious dishes created from locally sourced ingredients emerge from the kitchen. In winter there are hearty soups and stews served with

Kwena Lodge comprises 14 luxury open-plan huts set in a semi-circle around a pool and boma. The domed thatched roofs are fitted with a central skylight for nighttime star gazing.

Opulent Living

OL11_Gondwana2.indd 5

2014/11/14 10:58 AM

Lehele Lodge (right) provides a social hub for private villa owners, as well as a wedding and corporate events venue. Gourmet meals are a highlight at Kwena Lodge, where the dining room is a welcoming space warmed with log fires and the ambient lighting of traditional fishing-net lights.

homemade bread, while the summer menu makes way for lighter fare – served al fresco on the covered veranda furnished with handmade oak tables and comfortable chairs, as well as three fireplaces to keep guests cosy on milder nights. Come morning, boma breakfasts are served fireside. Sample buffet treats that include homemade muffins and muesli or order an omelette accompanied by local farm bacon and sausage. And if you’re still hungry at lunch time, you’ll find platters designed to share, each with six small dishes of offerings such as sticky pork ribs, Zulu cabbage and potato wedges. For those who prefer to be independent

in the bush, Gondwana also offers Private Bush Villas. Ideal for families or groups of friends travelling together, the privately owned villas sit on large stands of twoand-a-half acres each, affording guests exceptional privacy. Each villa sleeps six to eight people, and features a lounge, dining room and kitchen with fold-back doors that lead onto a wraparound deck with aweinspiring views. The en-suite bedrooms are as luxurious as a hotel with fourposter beds romantically draped with mosquito nets – although the reserve is malaria free – and everything from fluffy bathrobes to turndown treats. Children have space to roam – when they’re not having fun on Gondwana’s Junior Ranger programme – and every need is thoughtfully taken care of. Available on various meal and game drive packages, the villas are an excellent base for exploring not only Gondwana but the Garden Route. A mere 45 minutes from George and numerous golf courses, as well as close to the scenic towns of Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, the villas offer the best of both worlds: absolute peace and serenity in a fynbos landscape surrounded

by game, as well as perfect positioning for day trips along the picturesque coastline. Returning after a day on the beach to gather around a bush fire in the boma as the inky black skies reveal a thousand twinkling stars, it’s easy to understand why owners Mark and Wendy Rutherfoord realised their dream here. The option to build and own a private residence was central to their bigger vision for the reserve and they were the first to offer private property ownership within a Big Five area in the Western Cape. Only a few stands remain for sale, including some unique larger land portions. Private property owners are privileged to enjoy Lehele Lodge, too: a hilltop venue where they meet neighbours to socialise over drinks or share a meal. A real Gondwana community is developing, with multinational villa owners participating in annual conservation weekends and holiday festivities. Lehele Lodge’s infinity pool, spectacular deck and fire-pit area that extends over the valley below all have magnificent wraparound views of the reserve and mountains beyond, making it one of the most romantic wedding venues along the

Opulent Living

OL11_Gondwana2.indd 6

2014/11/14 10:59 AM

PHOTOGRAPHS: GONDWANA GAME RESERVE, LIAM SNADDON

Garden Route. That said, it’s equipped for every high-speed need required by corporate events too, creating an ideal breakaway for business associates who enjoy nothing more than a late-afternoon game drive and outdoor boma dinner after a successful day of strategy. But Gondwana’s magic is equally memorable for the guest who spends only a night in one of Kwena Lodge’s romantic traditional huts, rising before dawn to share

a steaming mug of coffee and homemade rusks and muffins with their ranger, before heading out into the bush. The chef ensures that delicious early morning breakfast snacks are packed for a coffee stop along the way before everyone climbs aboard. Snuggling under the blankets on the back of the game vehicle, and taking in a deep breath of fresh air, it’s possible to believe that there can be no better place to start the day. n Michelle Snaddon

Gondwana Game Reserve

Near Mossel Bay, Garden Route, Western Cape, SA Telephone: +27 (0)44 697 7002 or +27 (0)21 555 0807 Email: reservations@gondwanagr.co.za Website: www.gondwanagr.co.za Situated 60km west of George, and only 30km from Mossel Bay on the Indian Ocean, Gondwana Game Reserve’s setting in the idyllic Garden Route is easily accessible by car. It’s a four-hour drive from Cape Town and 45 minutes from George airport. Helicopter transfers can be arranged.

Opulent Living

OL11_Gondwana2.indd 7

2014/11/14 10:59 AM

Lasting memories. Per litre. The new Porsche Macan S Diesel. 2015 South African Car of the Year finalist. Do intense moments have to be fleeting? With high performance engines and technologies tested on the race track, the new Porsche Macan S Diesel provides a lasting endorphin rush, with minimal fuel consumption. Performance and efficiency, highly intensified.

Fuel consumption in l/100 km: city 6.7; highway 5.7; combined 6.1 • CO2 emissions: 159 g/km • Power: 180 kW (245 hp) • Torque: 580 Nm • 0 - 100 km/h in 6.3 seconds

OL11_Ads.indd 14

2014/11/14 10:21 AM

www.porschesouthafrica.com

Porsche Centre Johannesburg Tel: 011 540 5000

Porsche Centre Cape Town Tel: 021 555 6800

Porsche Centre Umhlanga Tel: 031 514 3000

OL11_Ads.indd 15

2014/11/14 10:21 AM

Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge â&#x2C6;&#x2122; South Africa

African homecoming

From its enviable position under a canopy of leadwood trees overlooking a game-rich waterhole and the open savanna of Madikwe Game Reserve, Jamala Madikwe combines the intimacy of an exclusive-use villa with all the luxuries of a boutique lodge. Playing host to just 10 guests in five spacious suites, it offers intelligent, highly personal service and what has been voted the best safari cuisine on the continent. No wonder so many come back for more.

Opulent Living

OL11_Jamala Madikwe.indd 2

2014/11/14 11:30 AM

Opulent Living

OL11_Jamala Madikwe.indd 3

2014/11/14 11:31 AM

Meals are a definite highlight of any stay at Jamala Madikwe, whether it be a sumptuous high tea or an elegant dinner under the stars – and the lodge was awarded ‘Best Safari Cuisine in Africa’ in the 2014 Safari Awards.

“A

ll of a sudden three leopards, two brown hyenas and a black rhino appeared at Jamala’s waterhole. Dinner had to wait…” A combined sighting like this would be incredible anywhere, but this description, posted by a recent guest to Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge, is a classic example of what owner Rodney Steyn calls the lodge’s “sofa safari”. “Actually it was one of our guests who coined the phrase. He was sitting in the main lounge, looking at a group of zebra and buffalo make way for a huge herd of elephants,” explains Rodney. “He just couldn’t believe it – that he could be witnessing such a show, without having to leave the comfort of the couch.” Jamala’s waterhole – viewed from all five villas as well as the open-plan lodge – is what is known in safari parlance as “productive”: a place where many species congregate in numbers to slake their

thirst. If the aim of your safari is not only to see animals but also to mentally defrag, then you’ll appreciate the meditative experience of simply watching, slouched into deep cushions, an attentive barman at your side. Not that you’re confined to the sofas – you can spot what’s ambling up while lolling around on your huge four-poster bed, or cooling off in your very private plunge pool. Better still, from your private dining table, set up in Jamala’s newest venue, the aptly named Watchtower, a comfortably furnished thatched turret that grows out of the front deck, used for sundowners, romantic dinners and sleepouts. “We get a lot of photographers coming to Jamala,” Rodney explains, “and we thought an elevated platform overlooking the waterhole would provide them with an interesting vantage. The results have been amazing, particularly at those times of the day when the animals are reflected in the

Opulent Living

OL11_Jamala Madikwe.indd 4

2014/11/14 11:33 AM

water. From up there you also get a real sense of how vast the reserve is.” And vast it certainly is. Located right on the Botswana border, the 75 000-hectare malaria-free Madikwe Game Reserve offers one of the most diverse ecologies on the continent, its acacia-dotted savannas offering a typically African landscape, and a far greater chance of spotting endangered animals like cheetah and wild dog. “With Unique Air now flying three times weekly between Kruger and Madikwe, we are finding that Jamala makes an excellent and easy add-on to a Sabie Sand experience,” says Rodney. “We’re also picking up more clients after their Okavango Delta safari – it’s just a short charter hop from Maun to Gabarone, and then a hassle-free 90-minute transfer by road to Jamala. So guests can experience a game drive in two completely different areas in the same day.”

It’s not just the game viewing that is superb. Each Jamala villa is the size of a small house, with luxurious interiors incorporating a lounge with fireplace, and outdoor facilities that include an individual rim-flow pool and sala, expansive wooden decks and a private outdoor shower. But it’s the level of intimacy that really sets this lodge apart. The general rule of thumb is that you require 12 to 18 units before what the number crunchers call ‘economies of scale’ kick in enough to offer additional luxury services that so enhance the guest experience. Jamala must be the only lodge in Africa that offers this level of luxury (there’s even a spa, with a full time therapist) – for just five rooms. “We prefer it this way,” says Rodney. “It allows us to really get to know each of our guests. We also appreciate Madikwe’s policy of limiting the number of beds in each concession. It means that visitor numbers

The Royal Spa offers a range of relaxing body treatments using products rich in nurturing African ingredients such as Baobab Oil and Kalahari Melon Seed Oil.

Opulent Living

OL11_Jamala Madikwe.indd 5

2014/11/14 11:33 AM

While guests enjoy a “sofa safari” from the comfort of the open-plan main lodge, watching the parade of animals come to slake their thirst in the waterhole, the animals get to look back at this.

also the general manager – and the author of Savannah to Sea, a beautiful hardcover book featuring recipes developed during a decade of working in the most prestigious lodges in southern Africa. Nico takes the dietary requirements of his guests very seriously, but for him this goes way beyond allergies or intolerances. “We like to design our menu daily around guests’ palates – they may be happy to eat red meat but much prefer beef to lamb, or be more inclined to vegetarian, or be more attuned to savoury than sweet. We get to know each guest’s preference, then source the best quality produce, prepare it simply and present it beautifully. Simplicity is key – to be innovative without overcomplicating things. But this level of flexibility and customising is only possible in a lodge this small. It’s very intimate.” No wonder guests can’t wait to return. “About 60 percent of our visitors are repeats,” says Nico. “They add new safari destinations to their itinerary but they keep Jamala. They say coming here feels like coming home.” n Pippa de Bruyn

Jamala Madikwe Royal Safari Lodge

Madikwe Game Reserve North West, SA Telephone: +27 (0)82 927 3129 or +27 (0)82 929 3190 Email: info@jamalamadikwe.com Website: www.jamalamadikwe.com PHOTOGRAPHS: JAMALA MADIKWE ROYAL SAFARI LODGE

overall are strictly controlled, and the sense of escaping into the wilderness is never compromised. But mostly we just like offering a highly tailormade experience.” That said, the interest and care is never intrusive or cloying. Staff clearly love working here, and the joy is contagious. You leave Jamala feeling lighter in every respect. Except perhaps, your waistline. Recipient of the Best Safari Cuisine in Africa in the 2014 Safari Awards (based on the votes of more than 4 000 vetted tour operators, travel agents and travel journalists), meals here are legendary. But then food has always been integral to the Jamala experience: executive chef Nico Verster, who helped design the lodge, is

Opulent Living

OL11_Jamala Madikwe.indd 6

2014/11/14 11:34 AM

OL11_Ads.indd 17

2014/11/14 10:26 AM

THE FOX AND HIS SCENARIOS Former Anglo American chief and renowned scenario planner Clem Sunter has enjoyed a varied, fun and impactful life – guided by his philosophy that you need to keep your options open and always be ready to adapt to change.

“ „ It was the Greek poet Archilochus

who, in about 650BC, said ‘the

hedgehog knows one big thing, whereas the fox knows many

little things’. Chantell Ilbury

and I thought that was a lovely metaphor to contrast our way of thinking about the future

with what was being taught in

management textbooks.

Clem Sunter’s life is a strong advertisement for the benefits of the mental litheness he champions in his role as South Africa’s most highly regarded strategist and scenario planner. The executive high-flier who set up Anglo American’s scenario planning unit in the 1980s and served as the multinational mining company’s CEO in the 1990s has staked his success on thinking outside the box – and encouraging others to do the same. His famous alternative future scenarios for apartheid South Africa, presented during the conflict-ridden 1980s, saw him discuss strategy with both the outgoing apartheid government and future president Nelson Mandela. Now best known for his bestselling book, The Mind of a Fox, which predicted the terrorist attacks on US soil that came to pass in New York on 11 September 2001, he’s given scenario presentations around the world. His bold thinking and inspirational seminars have also seen him voted by leading South African CEOs as the speaker who has made the most significant contribution to, and impact on, best practice and business in South Africa. And it’s all down to thinking like a fox, he says.

A foxy metaphor “It was the Greek poet Archilochus who, in about 650BC, said ‘the hedgehog knows one big thing, whereas the fox knows many little things’,” says Sunter, explaining how he and Chantell Ilbury came up with the title of their 2001 bestseller. “Chantell and I thought that was a lovely metaphor to contrast our way of thinking about the future with what was being taught in management textbooks.” That conventional wisdom applied a hedgehog mentality: set your vision, get everyone marching towards it, ignore everything not relevant to achieving the target. “Foxes, however, keep their options open because they know there is a level of uncertainty in the world and they will have to adapt to changes in the game,” says Sunter as he goes on to explain his technique for scenario planning. “You identify the flags that impact most significantly on you, consider the scenarios they might produce and tailor your strategy accordingly.” An English fellow It’s a bold technique that has served Christopher Louis Sunter, born in the UK in 1944, well.

PHOTOGRAPH: FIONA MACPHERSON FOR OPULENT LIVING

by Ian Macleod

Opulent Living

OL11_Clem Sunter.indd 2

2014/11/14 1:32 PM

OL11_Clem Sunter.indd 3

2014/11/14 1:33 PM

“ „ The mindset of a hedgehog

continues to roar. America has

the vision of creating nations like theirs. They’ve spent

something like six trillion dollars

in Iraq and Afghanistan. Have they created the societies you’d call

worthy of that expenditure? No!

America needs the mindset of a fox in order to find a way to co-exist.

Just consider the night in 1964 when a young Clem’s student band shared a bill with the greatest rock group of all time. The hedgehogs of Oxford University, where Sunter read politics, philosophy and economics, might have been in their studies, quietly dedicating themselves to a mission statement. An altogether louder, groovier scenario was playing out under their feet. “Every Friday and Saturday night we had these sort of student evenings in the cellars underneath the university,” reminisces Sunter. “I had a band with a friend of mine, Johnny Young, and we’d alternate playing with other groups. It was on a summer ball at Magdalen College when we played and one of the other bands happened to be The Rolling Stones. So I shared a stage with Mick Jagger!” It was another tale of adventure and boldness that helped turn an otherwise unremarkable day at the sea into the spark that would bring Sunter to South Africa and enable his ascent to the helm of Anglo. “I was on the Cornwall coast in 1966, not long after leaving Oxford, and I needed a partner for a dinghy race. I saw this girl dangling her legs over a wall by a pub and said to her, ‘Do you want to come and crew for me in this race?’. We didn’t do very well, but afterwards she invited me to dinner with her parents. It wasn’t the romantic story you might be expecting, but it turned out her dad was the MD of Anglo American.” That chance meeting led to Sunter taking a post with the multinational mining firm in Zambia, a stepping stone to his long career in South Africa. “If it hadn’t been for that moment in Cornwall,” he says with earnest, “I would probably have spent the rest of my life in England. It is incredible how small things can lead to complete changes in your life.” The Africa scenario The shrewd youngster joined the Anglo American Corporation in Lusaka, Zambia in 1971. About two years later, he was transferred to the corporate head offices in Johannesburg. Sunter roared up the hierarchy, focusing on the gold and uranium operations, and set up the group’s scenario planning unit in 1982. His term as CEO, from 1990 to 1996, covered a spell when the resources behemoth was the world’s largest gold producer.

Perhaps more importantly, the forwardlooking Sunter applied his strategic thinking to the bigger South African picture: the fraught transition out of apartheid. Having done much to popularise scenario planning already, Sunter began presenting his work on South Africa’s prospects in the mid1980s. Hundreds of audiences took in his ‘High Road/Low Road’ talk, where he conveyed two routes to democracy – one a peaceful and prosperous one, the other characterised by civil war and economic implosion. One meeting in particular illustrates the impact the native Englishman was having on the biggest thing happening to Africa. “I had the privilege of meeting Nelson Mandela,” he announces in his chatty Oxbridge tone. “He was in Victor Verster at the time and it was just weeks before he was released from prison, although I didn’t know that. He wanted to talk to me about the future, so I had five hours one-on-one with old Nelson - no one else in the house. I had the perfect meeting with him. He even gave me lunch. Imagine that, I’m with the most famous prisoner in the world and he’s asking me if I want ham! He just blew me away with his spirit of reconciliation. And he maintained that desire to reconcile the groups when he became president. I don’t think his successors have had that same passion.” FW de Klerk’s National Party cabinet even had the ace strategist in to shed light on their precarious situation. Sunter even found a humorous moment in it all. “I always remember,” he almost chuckles, “at the end of the talk de Klerk turned to Pik Botha and said, ‘Do you think this guy is for real?’ And Pik, bless his cotton socks, simply replied ‘Yes’.” Global thinking Part of the Clem Sunter legend is a tale that he predicted Al Qaeda’s 2001 terrorist attacks on America on September 11. Re-told at management seminars and over pub lunches the world over, the story has taken on a near-mythical status, occasionally evolving into something it wasn’t. Sunter is quick to dispel the apocryphal attribution of any fortune-telling powers onto him and explain the extraordinary but scientific forecasting capabilities of his methods. “I had teamed up with Chantell Ilbury, whom I now work with, in 2000 after she sent me her

Opulent Living

OL11_Clem Sunter.indd 4

2014/11/14 1:33 PM

MBA thesis on the topic of scenario planning. It was such good work that I said, let’s collaborate on a book. It took us five months to put together and we published in June 2001. “To begin with, it wasn’t much of a success. But then something happened to make it a bestseller overnight: the 9/11 attacks. Why? Well, if you’ve read the book, you’ll know it included a letter that we wrote to George W. Bush when he had just become president of the United States. Here we suggested that part of his legacy as president would be determined by the ‘foxiness’ of his response to potential extreme futures that might come his way. We also nominated as his number one extreme future a massive terrorist strike on a Western city, which would completely transform his presidency and possibly lead America into a gilded cage, shutting itself off from the rest of the world. About three months later those planes hit the World Trade Center. “So, it’s not that we got it exactly right. We hadn’t forecast the method used. But you need inside knowledge to get the precise nature and timing of an event. What our thinking allows, is a good idea of the event.” As with all of their scenario planning, Sunter and Ilbury had identified certain “flags” – any important event, idea or state of affairs that has a meaningful impact on your given situation – and considered the potential scenarios that these might feasibly produce. Sunter continues, “We had two flags indicating this was the principle threat. The first was the growing confrontation among major religions, particularly Christianity, Islam and Judaism. Second, there were the two attacks on US embassies in Africa, one in Kenya and the other in Tanzania, by Al Qaeda, in 1998. We felt these were mere dress rehearsals for the real thing on American soil. “This all made Chantell and I quite big celebrities. It was a very dramatic way for our methodology to be validated. Now we work around the world, looking at different flags and how they are changing the future for organisations, advising on how they can adapt their strategies to cope with flags as they arise.” It’s not just corporations who seek this wise counsel, either. In 2006 Sunter was invited into the very heart of communist China’s decision-making machine. As one of the few

Europeans ever given an audience at Beijing’s Central Party School, he not only taught his hosts, but brought home valuable insights he makes use of in his consulting work. “The Chinese wanted to understand my technique so they could road test their fiveyear plans. At one stage I asked the question: Is there any scenario where you evolve into a multi-party democracy? In response, one professor who obviously knew about my past, stroked his beard in a distinctly Confucius-like manner and said, ‘Tell me, Mr Sunter, do you have a political opposition in Anglo American?’ I had to say ‘no’. He had made his point. “That’s the way China has been run, very successfully, for several decades. In 1978, when Deng Xiaoping became leader, their economy was ranked 100th in the world. Now they’re number two – they may even be number one, ahead of America, on purchasing power parity. That’s over a span of just 36 years!”

SMALL THINGS CAN LEAD TO BIG CHANGE

A fox and his flags Still bright-eyed and bushy tailed at age 70, Sunter remains at the cutting edge of his field. So what are the flags he reckons will shape our world in years to come? “The number one red flag is still religion – this clash of ideologies. That’s why tactics in Syria and Iraq have to be different to the wars that have been fought in the past. America is fighting this dispersed enemy, because it’s an ideology. However, the mindset of a hedgehog continues to roar. They have the vision of creating nations like theirs. They’ve spent something like six trillion dollars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Have they created the societies you’d call worthy of that expenditure? No! Nobody has yet come up with a way to handle this thing constructively, but you cannot have both sides intent on degrading and destroying each other. America needs the mindset of a fox in order to find a way to co-exist.” Vladimir Putin and the rise of China are another two keystones around which Sunter plays out scenarios globally. Others include climate change, the ‘grey’ flag (ageing populations), Ebola and growing anti-establishment feelings among the middle class. Sunter has several game-changers and scenarios for post-credit crisis South Africa, too. “In one scenario, we stay in the ‘premier league’ of world economies. We’re the 33rd

Opulent Living

OL11_Clem Sunter.indd 5

2014/11/14 1:33 PM

Nelson Mandela. He wanted to

talk to me about the future, so I had five hours one-on-one. He even gave me lunch. Imagine

„

that, I’m with the most famous

prisoner in the world and he’s asking me if I want ham! He just blew me away with his

spirit of reconciliation. I don’t think his successors have had that same passion.

YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO ADAPT

largest economy in the world, so we’re in the relegation zone here. If we don’t get our act together, we’ll follow our second possible route, which is dropping into the ‘second division’ of nations. Business can still make some money on this path, but it is a disaster for government because tax revenues dwindle. Third is an off-the-wall option: we become a failed state and public violence becomes so prevalent that we could head towards civil war. Initially we gave this zero probability, but the Marikana tragedy illustrated such tension that we give it a small chance of happening. Certainly another Marikana could be to this scenario what the Tunis demonstrations were to the Arab Spring. We must not allow anything like that to ever happen again.” Sunter offers three flags that will determine the country’s negotiation of this precarious future. To climb back up to the middle of the premier league we need inclusive leadership, replication of our pockets of excellence, especially educational ones, and nurturing of entrepreneurial spark. “People think politicians are what make countries great,” argues Sunter. “They’re not. It’s the entrepreneurs.” The story of a rocketeer If that all sounds too academic, Sunter never passes up an invitation to tell the Siya Xuza story as a real, living example of positive potential in this country. It’s an opportunity that arose from his role as chair of the Anglo social responsibility scheme, the Chairman’s Fund. This enabled him to turn his fiery belief in the powers of education into action, with millions of rands to deploy. “We gave at least 40 percent of the money to education,” he says proudly. “Our approach was to find champions and back them, regardless of the facilities they had. This often meant we interviewed some of the brightest young kids around. But there was this one youngster from Umtata, Siyabulela Xuza, who had developed a rocket fuel that helped to break the national amateur altitude record. He got a scholarship to attend one of our real pockets of excellence, St. Johns College, and went on to study engineering at Harvard University. He did so well there. On the second-last launch of the Space Shuttle Endeavour he was given a special tour of the facility with a couple of other guests, Barack and Michelle Obama. The

guy is a superstar - just the sort of person we need to support in South Africa.” Man of the moment And finally, what flags will weigh in on the scenarios for Clem Sunter’s next chapter? Well, just recently back from Vancouver, there are few signs he’s slowing down as a hugely in-demand consultant and speaker. He remains a prolific writer for a variety of media and even chanced his arm with a special appearance as a radio host not long ago. You’ll agree Sunter has earned the right to indulge in the finer things in life. So what’s his answer to the favourite Opulent Living question: what does luxury mean to you? “Gee, I live such an ordinary life. As I get older I spend less and less. At one stage luxury was driving the very first edition of the BMW M5. What a luxury that was! But now I’ve got a Mini Cooper S. In the 1960s it was the car to have, but I couldn’t afford one then. I suppose I’m reliving swinging London. Oh, and when I’m in the Cape, lunch in the winelands is a real treat.” A thoroughly social being who would “rather talk to people than ‘ching, ching, ching’ sit and type away on Twitter”, which historical figures might Sunter like to invite to lunch at a picturesque vineyard? “First would be Charles Dickens. I think he gave a very good picture of life in Victorian England. He must be one of the greatest novelists ever. Next I’d say Elvis Presley, but not in his later years when he was in that white suit. Blue Suede Shoes was the first record I ever bought. I’d just love to go to some fast food place with Elvis and say, ‘Let’s do a duet!’ And number three, well, I’ve kind of already had that one: my meeting with Madiba. Though all three at one table would be quite funny!” On hints he’ll soon make a permanent move to Cape Town, his favourite city in the world, he can only slyly advise we “watch this space”. It’s difficult to discern a single, major goal carved indelibly in stone. But did you expect one? Remember, “You can never know what your life is going to be.” So you’d better think like a fox.

Clem Sunter met with Florian Gast and Tessa Bailey for an interview and photo shoot in Cape Town.

PHOTOGRAPH: FIONA MACPHERSON FOR OPULENT LIVING

“

I had the privilege of meeting

Opulent Living

OL11_Clem Sunter.indd 6

2014/11/17 8:40 PM

BUILDING YOUR WEALTH LEGACY SINCE 1834.

SPEAK TO THE EXPERTS ABOUT SECURING YOUR LEGACY. 0860 111 263 or nedbankprivatewealth.co.za

Nedgroup Private Wealth (Pty) Ltd (Reg No 1997/009637/07), trading as Nedbank Private Wealth, is an authorised financial services provider and registered credit provider through Nedbank Ltd, and a member of JSE Ltd through Nedgroup Private Wealth Stockbrokers (Pty) Ltd.

11864 NB LegacyPrint 320x240 rev.indd 1 OL11_Ads.indd 19

2014/11/14 5:12 PM 2014/11/17 8:46 PM

Opulent Living

OL11_South Beach_V3.indd 2

2014/11/14 12:14 PM

South Beach ∙ South Africa

Beach bliss redefined

Camps Bay, with its vibrant sidewalk cafés, fashionable crowd and famous white sands, has long been Cape Town’s trendiest beach scene. Now you can enjoy its vibrant atmosphere in five-star comfort from the independence and privacy of sparkling South Beach, where the sophisticated sea-facing apartments are a pristine canvas for you to rethink your own brand of beach holiday.

Opulent Living

OL11_South Beach_V3.indd 3

2014/11/14 12:15 PM

With chic interiors featuring original art by Lionel Smit, South Beach epitomises modern-day luxury in sophisticated Miami style. Camps Bay beach is just metres away, or you could stay in and relax next to the sparkling pool.

aking up to a sun-drenched day in a bed that looks out through a line of palm trees to blue ocean waves, and then slowly sipping a freshly brewed Nespresso on a balcony overlooking the same seaside scene, marks the perfect start to a holiday morning. When those palm trees belong to trendy Camps Bay beach, only a minute’s walk away, and you’re cocooned within a South Beach luxury apartment, you know you’re in for a special holiday indeed. Light and airy, South Beach’s nine sophisticated apartments all face the ocean and ooze understated contemporary chic in silver and white. These stylish, delightfully uncluttered spaces – the walls featuring original artwork by acclaimed South African artist Lionel Smit, commissioned especially for the space – perfectly set the scene for whatever your idea of holiday bliss might be. Lazy lieins, energetic sightseeing, sunbathing on the beach or vibrant café culture, it’s all at your fingertips in Cape Town’s most fashionable area. The luxury apartments from Blue Views, experts in catering to independent visitors to Cape Town, combine all the comforts

of a five-star hotel with the convenience and privacy of your own self-contained and spacious studio apartment. While guests might only use the fully equipped kitchen for midnight snacks and light breakfasts, it’s tempting to bring back baskets of artisan goodies from one of Cape Town’s wonderful food markets and throw together a casual meal, or stock the fridge with enough wine and bubbly picked up on a tour of the Cape Winelands to throw a select party for two every night of your stay. The apartments are, of course, fully serviced every day, plus there’s a friendly concierge who can recommend and book everything from wine tours to restaurants, shark diving expeditions to Robben Island boat trips. There’s plenty to fill the day on your doorstep, too. Energetic guests might like to set off on South Beach’s complimentary retro-cool bicycles for a scenic ride along the coast, or hike one of the mountain trails above for spectacular views among the fynbos. Otherwise put in your daily exercise on the Power Plate machine in the downstairs gym, before strolling down to swim in the sheltered sea pool or sunbathe on the secluded Bakoven beaches.

Opulent Living

OL11_South Beach_V3.indd 4

2014/11/14 12:36 PM

A pristine swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers and lawn is another relaxing space to while away a few sunny hours. When it comes to dining, there’s a happening Camps Bay spot whatever flavours you crave – long Italian lunches at Zenzero, coffee and patisserie at la Belle, Umi for sushi, or sundowners and an electric vibe at Café Caprice. And it’s only a short drive into central Cape Town for more top restaurants and night spots. Cocooning back home is also an attractive option. Snuggle into the softest bathrobe after luxuriating in the Italian rain shower or soaking in the big tub with the gorgeous Modadji amenities, the underfloor heating banishing any evening chill, and settle down for a relaxed night in. With a state-of-the-art entertainment system, a classic movie from the house DVD collection and drinks and snacks from the minibar, the apartment is transformed into a cosy home cinema. There’s also complimentary Wi-Fi as well as an old-school landline phone should you wish to catch up on communication with the outside world. Set slightly back from the main coast road on a street that is also home to the

charming and intimate Theatre on the Bay, the apartments are just far enough from the buzz and bustle of the main Camps Bay strip for peace and tranquillity, but close enough to tap into the energetic vibe any time you fancy. Luxurious as the apartments are, South Beach hasn’t forgotten that for some the independence of self-catering is about having all the facilities of home. So there is a self-service laundry for those who like to take care of chores themselves, and a top-notch iron and ironing board in each apartment, while the concierge is also happy to send out laundry for you. Secure parking at ground level is accessed with your personal key card, and after dark a friendly night porter is on hand with a genuine welcome. The enthusiastic acclaim that has met South Beach since its opening proves that Blue Views owner, Tony Stern, has got the recipe for luxury holiday living spot on. After all, what could be more perfect for a Cape Town vacation than a tranquil, extremely comfortable apartment only a stone’s throw from the most fashionable beach scene in South Africa? n Kit Heathcock

South Beach

Camps Bay, Cape Town, SA Telephone: + 27 (0)21 438 0032 Email: info@blueviews.com Website: www.blueviews.com South Beach is part of the Blue Views collection of properties, which comprises self-catering villas and apartments in Bakoven and Camps Bay. It has nine apartments, located only 50m from the Camps Bay beachfront. The V&A Waterfront is a 10-minute drive, while it’s just 30 minutes from Cape Town International Airport.

Opulent Living

OL11_South Beach_V3.indd 5

2014/11/14 12:37 PM

Long Beach â&#x2C6;&#x2122; Mauritius

Place of natural enchantment Ribboning along a white beach on the east coast of Mauritius, Long Beach is both expansive and enchanting. Much more than a hotel, it is an evocative tropical village on the waterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edge that offers chic, contemporary rooms, varied world-class dining experiences, luxurious spa treatments and hi-tech sports facilities to give guests a beguiling mix of relaxation and a buzzing party spirit.

Opulent Living

OL11_Long Beach.indd 2

2014/11/14 11:45 AM

A village fronting the Indian Ocean, Long Beach is set on one of the largest natural beaches on Mauritius.

Opulent Living

OL11_Long Beach.indd 3

2014/11/14 11:47 AM

As well as a large, family pool, the resort offers a smaller, adults-only pool where parents can zone out on the loungers sans interruption.

turquoise ocean that’s warm and welcoming. Palms rustling along a perfectly white beach that wraps the shoreline in a wide, sandy swathe for a full kilometre. Soaking sunshine that beckons long days outdoors; balmy nights that are alive with festivity. This is Long Beach on the exotic island paradise of Mauritius, a sliver of pure tropical heaven. At Long Beach, modern Mediterraneanstyle architecture flirts with tropical flora and all is liberally dusted with the heady offerings of colourfully diverse Mauritius. The resort is contemporary in style with open-plan, glass-fronted rooms tucked amid lush green gardens. It all blends seamlessly into the tranquil natural surroundings. But vibrant energy lies at the heart of Long Beach – more specifically in the central villagestyle piazza – with festive clubs, inviting bars and enticing restaurants built right around it. “This unique concept is the result of a worldwide architectural competition,” explains World Leisure Holidays Managing Director, Johann Strydom, “and it was won by the innovative South African collaboration of Keith Interior Design and Stauch Vorster Architects who came up with the unique ‘urban village’ design. Their concept works so well because Long Beach nestles into a natural basin that was optimised by this design, so it blends effortlessly into the surrounding natural flora.” Long Beach was also one of the first properties on the island to break with the traditional Mauritian architecture of hotels there. “It’s a complete village at the sea, running along an expansive beach,” says Johann. “There is plenty of space, so it may take a few minutes to reach the village centre, depending where you are, but you can either walk along the beautiful beach or hitch a ride on the complimentary golf carts to get where you are going.” The resort has many guest rooms, arranged in semi-circles facing the beach, to create a true village atmosphere, but never is there any

congestion since Long Beach is spread out across such an expansive area. Every room has a view of the ocean and a stretch of ‘personal’ beach space. Inside, the rooms are spacious, airy, airconditioned and have everything from satellite TV to Wi-Fi, iPod docking stations, mini bars and beverage stations – all the comforts and modcons guests could possibly desire to make an idyllic holiday even better. While there are various room categories and configurations, all are created with a sense of flow that epitomises indooroutdoor living. So whether inside or outside, the ocean is right there, viewed from a day bed on your private deck or from the sofa in your lounge. Interiors are in the cool colours of the surrounds – apple greens, sea blues and soft coral tones to subtly reflect the natural environment. In short: it’s exquisite. At Long Beach, days are languid, relaxed, fluid – lived in step with the sun and tides. A beach service, with your own personal waiter, will serve you drinks wherever you choose to chill on the sand, between dips to swim or snorkel in the warm Indian Ocean. There’s a host of other watersports to try too, from glass-bottomed boat tours and kayaking to deep-sea fishing, waterskiing or kitesurfing. Or guests can choose to stay within the comfort of the resort and plunge into the vast heated pool or the cool dedicated adult pool – sans children – with loungers alongside to laze on. If you prefer to swim for exercise, the Sports Centre has a lap pool and lots more to raise your heart rate, or you could try wall climbing, archery or play a gentle game of tennis. Activity options are virtually endless. The emphasis by day, though, is certainly on rejuvenation and bliss. More so, if energetic children and teens are having the time of their lives at the Angels Kids Club or Waves Teens Club. Programmes are designed around their ages and interests, and children meet peers from around the world, too. Importantly, they can opt in and out of the system

Opulent Living

OL11_Long Beach.indd 4

2014/11/14 11:49 AM

The resortâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 255 rooms are arranged in three semi-circles so that each has a view of the Indian Ocean through large glass sliding doors that maximise indooroutdoor flow and allow easy access to the expansive beach.

Opulent Living

OL11_Long Beach.indd 5

2014/11/14 11:50 AM

By day, the resort is designed for relaxation with daybeds and loungers on the beach, but at night there’s a party spirit at venues such as Bombora Bar & Nightclub.

at any time and rejoin their parents. Always, kids are delivered to parents and collected from them, and they are constantly supervised while at the clubs – so safety and security is assured and parents can relax completely. While the kids are safely ‘clubbing’, you may want to indulge at the Sea Spa, created just for Long Beach guests. There are 12 treatment rooms, as well as double rooms for couples to enjoy therapies together. Treatments are created around traditional Thai therapies as well as thalassotherapy, with the intention of engaging and soothing all the senses. There is even a Turkish hammam, modelled on the Middle Eastern tradition of private but communal bath houses for men and others for women. Or the outdoor Spa Pavilion is another choice setting for massages while overlooking the pond – and the Spa Health Bar serves food to keep you fit and lean. True to the full village experience, everything desired for a beautiful life is available, not forgetting a Beauty Parlour too. At Long Beach, pleasures are never guilty. By night, Long Beach transforms and

the village is alive with activity and vibrant energy. It all happens around the central piazza, surrounded by restaurants, pubs, clubs and other entertainment options. Music spills out into the street as couples and families gather for dinner at five restaurants offering super cuisine from around the world. It’s a microcosm of life in a trendy international village with an atmosphere that’s festive and enchanting. Carts on the piazza also sell authentic homemade crafts from coloured raffia or bright fabric, so the full village experience – including shopping - is right there to experience. Feel like eating Italian? There’s Sapori restaurant serving authentic deli-style cuisine using the freshest ingredients. Le Marche specialises in Mediterranean dishes as well as flavoursome local Mauritian cuisine, and has an open kitchen so you can see dinner in progress, while Hasu is thoroughly Japanese and Chopsticks is all Chinese and very casual. If you love fresh seafood, Tides would be a good choice and offers fresh fish caught locally as well as from waters afar.

Opulent Living

OL11_Long Beach.indd 6

2014/11/14 11:50 AM

Five restaurants offer a variety of culinary experiences, from Italian and French to Mauritian and Japanese, as well as modern and traditional Chinese in the warm and relaxed atmosphere of Chopsticks (below).

Shores is the cocktail and lounge bar with a thoroughly urban atmosphere and abuzz with activity. It overlooks the beach and is open from 10am until late. So maybe a tropical cocktail will entice you inside – one that includes fine Mauritian rum and tropical fruit – or maybe afternoon tea and cake is your favourite, or decadent late-afternoon pancakes. During the day, island cocktails and a full list of international drinks, along with snacks and light meals, are also served from Tides Restaurant and Beach Bar at the poolside. “I love the concept and design of this ‘urban lifestyle at the sea’,” adds Johann. “Another differentiating aspect is that the restaurants are part of the half-board package. Most hotels in Mauritius have one restaurant and do buffets. We have the five uniquely styled

Long Beach Mauritius

PHOTOGRAPHS: LONG BEACH MAURITIUS

Belle Mare, MAURITIUS For more information contact World Leisure Holidays Telephone: +27 (0)11 285 2500 or +27 (0)860 954 954 Email: res@wlh.co.za Website: www.wlh.co.za

restaurants, so guests can dine around and it’s easy since it’s included in the half-board rate, with the exception of Hasu the Japanese restaurant. So we really encourage guests to dine diversely and experience all we have to offer. The food, without exception, is top class too and watched over carefully by our Michelin-starred chef.” Johann confirms that the average stay

at Long Beach is seven days, although 10 days is also a popular time allocation. “There really is so much to experience,” he adds, “that you really don’t want to come for a short stay.” In fact, the list of what guests can see and do, and experience and enjoy at Long Beach is about as long as the magnificent sandy swathe in the sun where Long Beach lives. n Keri Harvey

Five-star Long Beach is part of Sun Resorts, which also owns and operates Sugar Beach, La Pirogue, Le Touessrok and Ambre in Mauritius Kanuhura in the Maldives.

Opulent Living

OL11_Long Beach.indd 7

2014/11/14 11:51 AM

Handy and handsome a rare combination.

J19995-LorenziOLDec2014.indd 1 OL11_Ads.indd 20

2014/11/05 9:15 PM 2014/11/17 8:54 PM

Designer flair, time-honoured craftsmanship and a commitment to superb performance characterise the premier offerings in this section

PHOTOGRAPH: ISTOCK

celebrating the finer things in life.

Opulent Living Style

OL11_Style opener.indd 1

2014/11/14 3:01 PM

Dossier

Opulent Living

OL11_Volvo Ocean Race.indd 2

2014/11/14 2:20 PM

THE ULTIMATE SAILING CHALLENGE Pitting sailors against nearly 39 000 nautical miles of ocean, the Volvo Ocean Race – now in its 12th exhilarating edition – marks the pinnacle of long-distance yacht racing.

PHOTOGRAPHS: AMORY ROSS/PUMA OCEAN RACING/VOLVO OCEAN RACE, DAVID RAMOS/VOLVO OCEAN RACE, AINHOA SANCHEZ/VOLVO OCEAN RACE

by Richard Holmes

“I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky, And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by, And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking, And a grey mist on the sea’s face and a grey dawn breaking.” It’s been over a century since John Masefield penned his iconic verse describing the irresistible allure of the sea, but for the 59 sailors racing across the oceans of the world in the 201415 Volvo Ocean Race it is as relevant as ever, as seven teams on board stateof-the-art yachts tackle thousands of kilometres of open ocean in a bid to claim a prestigious victory. In the sailing fraternity the Volvo Ocean Race is, quite simply, the pinnacle of long-distance yacht racing. While the America’s Cup claims the longer heritage, and the Summer Olympics has the added lure of gold medals, neither quite compare to the nine months of waves and ice, doldrums and squalls that

the ocean crossings and nearly 39 000 nautical miles of the Volvo Ocean Race can muster. While the Vendée Globe race is perhaps as much of a challenge for solo sailors, “this is the premier event for crewed roundthe-world sailing,” says Jon Bramley, Alicante-based Director of News and Media for the Volvo Ocean Race. “The Volvo is the race that every race around the world has been judged on over the years,” commented Kiwi skipper Grant Dalton, whose New Zealand Endeavour took the maxi-class honours in the 1993-94 edition. While today’s Volvo Ocean Race is a media-friendly high-technology sprint around the globe, it has its roots in the rollicking 1970s when it appealed more to devil-may-care adventurers than professional athletes. More than 300 sailors and 17 boats entered the inaugural Whitbread Round The World Race of 1973-74, when three sailors lost their lives at sea. That iconic event entirely redefined the realm of oceanic yacht racing, and the race grew

In the 2014-15 race, six of the competing teams each comprise eight sailors plus one non-sailing multimedia reporter, while a seventh team, the all-women Team SCA (opposite) races with 11 sailors plus one reporter.

Opulent Living

OL11_Volvo Ocean Race.indd 3

2014/11/14 2:21 PM

With racing costs high, competing yachts rely heavily on sponsors, who fly their colours on the mainsail and benefit from the extensive media coverage that the nine-month race attracts – for the 2011-12 race, that included 1.5-billion TV viewers.

“We’ve levelled the playing field, so it’s down to the sailors themselves,” agrees Bramley. “In the past there have been some sailors scuppered by boats that weren’t up to standard.” That certainly won’t be the case with the Open 65s, which boast the latest technology from four of Europe’s top boatyards. Dual aft water ballasts and a canting keel provide greater stability and speed, sails are crafted by North Sails using groundbreaking 3D-moulding technology, and internal hull bulkheads have been doubled to withstand the testing conditions that 39 000 nautical miles of ocean will bring. “We have spent the last six months trying very hard to break [the boat], without success,” Walker told a news conference shortly before the start of the race in Alicante, Spain. “Now we’ll have to make sure we don’t!” Safety and speed aside, a further benefit of introducing the one-design format has been to slash the start-up costs for teams. With the economic doldrums of the past five years putting pressure on potential sponsors, the introduction of a standardised yacht has dramatically reduced the investment required for a team to enter the race. “The one design brings the cost of the boat down by about a third compared to its predecessor, the Volvo Ocean 70. These boats can be maintained by a single maintenance centre, where they can share spares and costs, and teams have been able to cut down dramatically on the shore crew required in each port,” explains Bramley. “We reckon we have halved the costs of entering the Volvo Ocean Race, from 20-million to 10-million Euros. These boats are also built to do two races, so it makes the cost more manageable for sponsors.” For as with everything from Formula 1 to golf, sponsorship has become a crucial aspect of high-stakes yachting events. Aside from race owner Volvo, the event has attracted brands as varied as Puma, ABN AMRO and SCA over the years. Cities worldwide also bid for the rights to host a leg of the race and while they

PHOTOGRAPHS: MARC BOW/VOLVO OCEAN RACE, AMORY ROSS/PUMA OCEAN RACING/VOLVO OCEAN RACE

NINE MONTHS OF WAVES AND ICE

from strength to strength through the last decades of the 20th century. The 1985-86 challenge saw an added dose of celebrity glamour, with Duran Duran lead singer entering his maxiyacht Drum into the race, despite capsizing and losing its keel in the warm-up Fastnet Race. The 1997-98 race was the last as the Whitbread Round the World, and the new millennium marked the rebirth of the rebranded Volvo Ocean Race with the 2001-02 edition seeing Illbruck Challenge smash the 24-hour distance record for a mono-hull yacht. While it has evolved from an adventurer’s challenge to a professional event attracting the most skilled sailors on the planet, the current 2014-15 race marks a watershed moment for the event. For the first time every team in the race is sailing on identical yachts, whereas in previous outings teams were free to design and build their own boats within a strict set of rules and parameters. However, this often meant that the teams with the deepest pockets hit the start line with a distinct advantage, having hired the best designers and boat-builders money can buy. In this race, each of the seven teams is sailing the ‘one-design’ Volvo Open 65, a 65-foot boat dreamt up by the respected Farr Yacht Design in the United States and built by a consortium of boatyards in the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Switzerland. With identical boats the outcome of the race comes down to the skill of the sailors and their ability to play the weather – and each other – to their own advantage. “If it hadn’t been for the new one-design rule, then I probably wouldn’t have done the Volvo Ocean Race again,” said Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing’s skipper, Ian Walker, sailing the race for the third time. “This will undoubtedly be the closest Volvo Ocean Race in history. Sailing identical boats means that any performance advantage will come from the abilities of the sailors and how hard they are able to keep pushing their boats without breaking them.”

Opulent Living

OL11_Volvo Ocean Race.indd 4

2014/11/14 2:21 PM

OL11_Volvo Ocean Race.indd 5

2014/11/14 2:21 PM

Mediterranean in the Spanish town of Alicante with an In-Port race in early October, before teams set out for Cape Town on the first of 11 legs that navigate the globe and finish in Gothenburg in Sweden after 38 739 nautical miles.

AT FULL SPEED 24 HRS A DAY 52

contribute financially the economic spin-off for each city is substantial. According to the report for the last race in 2011-12, Auckland’s local economy saw a NZ$4.7-million injection from hosting the race. Direct benefits aside, both sponsors and host cities also benefit enormously from the extensive media coverage generated by the ninemonth event. And the figures are impressive: 1.5-billion TV viewers tuned in to coverage of the 2011-12 race, eight million views were logged on the race’s official YouTube channel, six-million fans went to volvooceanrace.com, and there were 16-million visits to the race tracker. Overall, sponsors of teams in the 2011-12 race received a return-oninvestment in excess of 87-million Euros per team. At each stop, thousands of locals crowd the well-branded quaysides to marvel at the yachts and watch the in-port racing. The race village bustles with all the glamour of high-stakes yacht racing as VIP guests and visitors soak up the buzz of the marina. Expect celebrity appearances, interactive displays that take you inside the race, and plenty of live entertainment. In the previous race, over 25 000 fans packed the Abu Dhabi Corniche breakwater to watch Grammy

PHOTOGRAPHS: SANDER VAN DER BORCH/TEAM ALVIMEDICA

The 2014-15 race started in the

Award-winning rock band Coldplay mark the opening of the Race Village on New Year’s Eve, while Itajaí welcomed the race to Brazil with a two-week long music festival. The race stop-overs also provide a unique opportunity for corporate hosting. For while media coverage is a crucial return on the investment from each team sponsor, “the business-tobusiness opportunities are phenomenal,” says Bramley. “There’s nothing quite like putting clients on one of our boats in a competitive situation on the water with our pros in the Pro-Am series. People can get on board and see the power of these yachts, talk to the sailors and really experience the race.” Without commercial sponsorship it’s doubtful a single sail would be raised on the start line of the Volvo Ocean Race, but looking past the spreadsheets and dollar signs the Volvo Ocean Race remains a human drama; an odyssey of men and women pitting their endurance, skills and courage against both their competitors and the ocean. Oceanic yacht racing has always been a dangerous game, not least in the Southern Ocean that is considered one of the most dangerous stretches of water on earth. Deep in the ‘Roaring Forties’ storm swells throw up huge waves, while icebergs are an ever-present danger for teams that venture too far south. “All the legs are challenging for different reasons, but the leg through the Southern Ocean from New Zealand to Brazil is traditionally where we encounter the strongest winds and the biggest waves,” adds Walker from Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing. “We are always glad to get around Cape Horn and head north on that leg.” “If something goes wrong in the Southern Ocean, the nearest humanity is usually a few kilometres up above you… in the space station,” says Bramley wryly. “That said, we have a 24/7 control room that is watching the fleet every minute of the day. They are in constant contact with the boats and we have a wellrehearsed crisis management system in

Opulent Living

OL11_Volvo Ocean Race.indd 6

2014/11/14 2:22 PM

history a n d heroes.

radiomir 1940 3 days automatic (ref. 572)

Exclusively at Panerai boutiques and select authorized watch specialists. Toll Free: 0800 600 035 pa n e r a i . c o m

OL11_Ads.indd 23

2014/11/14 10:29 AM

place. We’re also in touch with all the coastguards around the world. We go to huge lengths to make this race as safe as we can, but it is a dangerous undertaking… for a lot of the sailors though, that is part of the attraction.” While lurking icebergs and sudden squalls may be some of the more dramatic dangers facing the fleet, perhaps the bigger challenge is the simple daily grind of sailing a next-generation racing yacht at full speed, 24 hours a day, for weeks on end. With the crews working in four-hour shifts, sleep and personal comfort will be at a premium. And yet, for the sailors forever trimming the sails to eke a fraction more speed out of their boat, there is perhaps nowhere they would rather be. For these sailors with a passion for long-distance sailing – and perhaps salt water running through

their veins – the Volvo Ocean Race will remain one of the high-points of their career on the water. There will be intense competition over the months of sailing that will bring the fleet home to Gothenburg, but perhaps the real joy is not the thought of a place on the podium, but the simple thrill of challenging the ocean... and winning. “I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life; To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife” wrote Masefield, in the final verse of ‘Sea-Fever’. “And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover; And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.” For the sailors who battle the winds across the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans towards the finish line, their quiet sleep is a long way off.

THERE’S NO SET COURSE FOR THE VOLVO OCEAN RACE, with the route constantly evolving as different host cities are brought on board as partners. “We look into a myriad of factors in deciding which ports we go to,” explains Jon Bramley, Director of News and Media for the Volvo Ocean Race. “First of all there’s the geographic location, as we have competition from many ports in Europe, but then also do they have deep enough harbours? Does it make sense for our stakeholders as a business destination?” In 2014-15 the race crosses 38 739 nautical miles to visit 11 ports on six continents. After setting off from Alicante (Spain) in October 2014, the fleet sailed down the Atlantic to Cape Town (South Africa), a city with a rich nautical heritage. “Cape Town is an iconic stop for any sailor, and it has a magnificent backdrop for our event,” says Bramley. “We always get great support here.” From Cape Town the fleet races north up the Indian Ocean – through the dreaded Doldrums again – to Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates). From the Arabian Gulf it’s east to the tropical resort city of Sanya (China), then south through the Pacific to the halfway point in the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland (New Zealand). The next leg through the Southern Ocean and around Cape Horn is among the most treacherous, before the run north to Itajaí (Brazil). Then it’s back across the Equator to the famous sailing town of Newport, Rhode Island (United States). The last ocean to be (Portugal) before a series of short legs that take in Lorient (France) and The Hague (Netherlands) before finishing in Gothenburg (Sweden) on 27 June 2015. When the fleet crosses the finish line, preparations get underway for the next race in 2017-18, with Cardiff, Alicante and Gothenburg already signed up as host cities.

PHOTOGRAPHS: DAVID RAMOS/VOLVO OCEAN RACE

crossed is a trans-Atlantic dash to Lisbon

Opulent Living

OL11_Volvo Ocean Race.indd 8

2014/11/14 3:15 PM

JHB/E 10015926JB/

The Lexus GS

IT’S A DARE

We dare you to meet the new spindle grille’s gaze. To experience the revolutionary remote touch system and 12.3" centrally mounted infotainment display. We dare you to test the GS’s four drive modes: Eco, Normal, Sport S and Sport S+**. And we dare you to step inside the stylishly redesigned interior. Because once you do, your standards will be raised forever. Models include: GS 350 EX, GS 350 F Sport and GS 450h SE. *Price valid at time of going to print. **The Sport S+ is available in GS 350 F Sport only. Model shown: GS 350 F Sport.

We dare you to book your drive experience at www.lexus.co.za All GS models feature a standard 4-year/100 000 km Service Plan that provides for all scheduled service items and labour.

OL11_Ads.indd 25

2014/11/14 10:30 AM

OL11_Editorial_Brandy V2.indd 2

2014/11/14 1:37 PM

A story of craftsmanship Coopers handcraft the barrels used in the decades-long brandy making process, while it takes months of painstaking labour before a Rolls-Royce is ready to receive its distinctive branding.

The ethos of the artisan runs through many of the finer things in life – from luxury cars to world-class South African brandies. by Richard Holmes

rafting the finest luxury products in the world is a delicate dance of art and science. In the world of brandy, where the mantelpieces at top South African distilleries glitter with international awards received over the past years, it’s about the cold, hard figures of temperature and alcohol waltzing with the delicate nuances of flavour and fragrance. It takes a deft distiller’s hand to know just the right moment to separate the ‘heart’ that will go into barrel from the volatile and astringent ‘heads’ and ‘tails’ of the distillation. For watchmakers at Breguet there’s the intricacy of each and every mechanism, coupled with the delicate curve of the watch hands, the luxuriant feel of the hand-stitched leather strap. At family owned luxury brands from Steinway to Riedel, it’s about building on what the previous generation has created, both honouring the past and creating the future. Acclaimed engineer Sir Henry Royce had a simple philosophy: “Take the best that exists and make it better and when it doesn’t exist, design it”. That simple principle has defined each and every iconic motor car that has emerged from

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_Brandy V2.indd 3

the Rolls-Royce production line over the past 110 years. And while the marque continues to produce new editions and innovations, the skilful craftsmanship that has long been a hallmark of its brand continues unchanged. “Every one of our cars is hand built to order and we are reintroducing craft skills that, in many cases, would otherwise have lain dormant or been lost completely,” explains Andrew Monachan, General Manager Leathershop for Rolls-Royce. Indeed, with an eye on the future, the company’s Apprenticeship Programme provides four-year learnerships for young people to train in the rare skills required to produce a Rolls-Royce. Each Phantom takes two months to build, with thousands of painstaking tasks completed by hand. It takes over two weeks and 450 individual pieces of leather to produce a full set for a single vehicle. Similarly, the woodwork is a work of art in itself, the perfect marriage of form and function. Carpenters and artisans spend a month creating the 42 wooden parts in each and every Phantom. It’s a similarly exacting process to craft a Steinway concert grand. A single piano

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 1:38 PM

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_Brandy V2.indd 4

2014/11/17 9:52 PM

A story of craftsmanship

is hand-built over 12 months, each of its 12 000 parts assembled in countless hours of fine-tuned labour by 450 craftsmen. It’s an approach to quality that has changed little since Henry Engelhard Steinway, a German immigrant, founded the now legendary Steinway & Sons in a New York City loft in 1853, and it guarantees instruments as unique and full of personality as the world-class musicians who will play them. This commitment to using timehonoured artisanal skills in an age of mass production is the hallmark of many desirable labels. Take the leather goods of Bottega Veneta, for example. Founded in Vicenza, Italy in 1966, the brand nurtures craftsmanship – and those skills spring to life in the striking signature woven leather pattern known as intrecciato; a memorable melding of designer and artisan. For artisans are the very heart of Bottega Veneta. “The product is the centre of everything,” said CEO Marco Bizzarri, speaking to British newspaper The Telegraph. “And who creates the product? Of course there is the creative vision of [creative director] Tomas Maier, but then there is the collaboration with the artisans. Your real asset is your team of people.” And the company has invested in its people. In 2006 it opened Montebello Vicentino, an atelier near Venice where skilled craftsmen collaborate with designers on the evolution of the products, and where future craftsmen are trained in the skills needed to produce them. Great artisans have never been afraid of seeing the passage of time as a tool at their disposal, not least the brandy

The bodies of Steinway grand pianos rest in a conditioning room for up to eight weeks to season the wood. It takes a similarly unhurried attention to detail to craft Oude Meester Souverein, or shape the perfect Riedel Crystal glass.

distillers at Van Ryn’s in the Western Cape, where the production schedule is marked in decades, not mere days. Crafting great brandy isn’t something to be done in a hurry, says Marlene Bester, Van Ryn’s master distiller. “Especially for the older brandies you have to wait 10 or 15 years or longer before you can begin to blend them together. It’s an exciting challenge to make sure that what we put into barrel is of high enough quality for someone to use years from now.” The proof is in the brandy balloon too: at the International Spirits Challenge in London, the Best Brandy trophy went to

Van Ryn’s 15-Year-Old Fine Cask Reserve, the fourth time the Stellenbosch distillery has won the trophy in the past decade. “On the other hand we are also taking products out of barrel that were made two generations ago. There’s a great responsibility there too,” adds Brink Liebenberg, Distell’s master distiller. When it comes to a glass in which to serve a fine brandy, it’s hard to find better than a perfectly shaped Riedel crystal balloon, its provenance also crafted over many generations, with the Riedel family tracing its involvement in the glass and crystal industry back to the late 1600s.

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_Brandy V2.indd 5

2014/11/14 1:42 PM

A story of craftsmanship

Breguet’s limited-edition Only Watch is a work of art that shows off watchmaking skills honed over more than two centuries.

Over the past 300 years the Riedel name has been associated with the finest crystal glassware in the world, but a watershed moment came in 1973 when Claus Josef Riedel recognised that the shape of the glass affected our perception of the taste of its contents. Riedel’s Sommeliers range was born, transforming the role of glassware in the world of gastronomy forever. The next-generation, in Georg J. Riedel, took the notion a step further with the creation of varietal-specific glass collections that ensure connoisseur’s get the maximum sensory enjoyment from their favourite drink.

70 60

Trademark quality, honed over centuries, is a characteristic of many premier brands, and for nearly 250 years Breguet has been regarded as one of the finest watchmakers on the planet. Earlier this year the Breguet Classique Chronométrie was awarded the Aiguille d’Or, the top prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie d’Genève, showing that little has changed since Abraham-Louis Breguet first set up shop in Paris to keep time for Europe’s aristocracy. While the technology has evolved over the past two centuries, the artisans that craft Breguet timepieces in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux honour the heritage of the brand through subtle trademarks. The manufacturing number engraved on each watch has long enabled collectors to confirm a piece’s origin and provenance, while a secret signature etched into the dial – only visible when examined in oblique light – remains a token of authenticity. Perhaps most memorable though are the hollow ‘moon tip’ watch hands that first became a feature in 1783. These slender, elegant hands proved such a success that the term ‘Breguet hands’ was soon commonplace amongst envious watchmakers worldwide. “The timepieces emerging from the Manufacture Breguet are works of art rendered unique by the artisans’ hand, and endowed with genuine soul,” says President and CEO Marc A. Hayek, whose grandfather Nicolas G. Hayek revitalised the brand at the turn of the last century. Zino Davidoff was another luxury entrepreneur who learnt a thing or two from family. Born in 1906 to a long line of tobacconists, Davidoff went on to

transform the world’s understanding of fine cigars. Widely acclaimed for inventing the desktop humidor to preserve the richness of the tobacco, Davidoff also recognised that great cigars are made in the field. Still today tobacco seeds are individually selected and hand-tended before being transplanted into the soil. Once picked, the leaves are dried, fermented, aged and blended, then rolled by the skilled hands of torcedores. It’s a process that can take up to a decade for the rarest tobaccos, and one that’s little-changed since Davidoff opened his business in Geneva. It’s perhaps no coincidence that many of the finer things in life require that magical blend of skills, craft and patience. A healthy dose of all three are needed to produce the award-winning brandies that have seen South African distilleries dominate global awards ceremonies. Some of the finest of those are to be found in the maturation warehouses of the scenic Cape winelands, where thousands of oak casks lie quietly maturing in the soft seaside air. Casks that may contain the future editions of Klipdrift Gold perhaps, an inspired blend of potstill brandies that recently collected a gold medal at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles Spirits Competition. Richelieu International Brandy won gold at the same competition, proving there’s no shortage of accolades for South African brandies on the world stage. Locally, Oude Meester brought home the honours in the recent Veritas awards with Oude Meester Demant bagging a prestigious double-Gold award, while Oude Meester Souverein 18-Year-Old went home with a Gold.

Opulent Opulent Living Living

OL11_Editorial_Brandy V2.indd 6

2014/11/14 1:42 PM

Fine South African brandies such as Richelieu, Van Ryn’s and Klipdrift have received numerous local and

PHOTOGRAPHS: DISTELL, ROLLS-ROYCE, STEINWAY & SONS, RIEDEL CRYSTAL, BREGUET

international awards.

And while there’s skill and artistry in the distilling of wine into spirit, the real magic happens during maturation and blending. That all begins with ensuring the spirit distilled from carefully vinified Chenin Blanc and Colombard grapes goes into the perfect barrel. “We train our own coopers, and it’s very much a hands-on process,” says master distiller Brink Liebenberg. “The toasting is all done by hand, it’s not temperature controlled at all. It comes down to the skill of the cooper feeling the heat coming through the wood of the barrel to get the perfect toast.” While an apprenticeship programme trains coopers in the skills of barrel making, there’s no formal training to become a master distiller. Ensuring future generations are able to blend award-winning brandies comes down to mentorship and time in the distillery. “We take people from a science background,” says Liebenberg, “but the very important aspect is tasting. We have panels that taste together, so it’s about all about practice, and tasting and learning with people that have some exposure.” It may seem old-fashioned in this fast-paced world of internet-enabled information forever at our fingertips, and yet time-honoured practices continue to define the world of luxury. Products crafted from age-old knowledge and expertise. Knowledge passed down from father to son, master to student, artisan to apprentice. There’s simply no hurrying the finer things in life – and there’s no better way to savour them than with an award-winning brandy.

RARE EXAMPLES OF THE CRAFTSMAN‘S ART For those who appreciate exceptional brandy, the award-winning Van Ryn’s Distillery outside Stellenbosch has crafted some tantalising collector’s items. In 2012, it launched AU.RA, an exclusive 30-year-old potstill brandy presented in a hand-crafted crystal decanter, adorned with a pure silver neckpiece and packaged in a handmade oak cabinet. Named for a combination of Au, the symbol of gold, and Ra, the mythical Egyptian sun god, only 107 decanters were produced and sold on application in lots over a period of time. Another exciting showpiece was produced for the 2014 Nederburg Charity Auction. Sold for R25 000, the Van Ryn’s Charentaise Collection was created from six unique, single-vintage, 10-year-old potstill brandies. The brandies were made from Colombard grapes, matured in hand-crafted French oak barrels, and distilled using the traditional Charentaise method – meaning that they were produced in an original copper potstill from the Cognac region in France. The final blend was un-chill filtered for extra flavour and texture. Van Ryn’s master distiller Marlene Bester combined the six individual brandies to create one master blend that was presented in a crystal decanter that resembles the shape of the Van Ryn’s potstill. However, with a bottle of each of the six single-vintage brandies included in the bespoke leather and wooden case, the new owner of this rare collection can interact with the brandies in the manner of a brandy master, experimenting playfully to create his own master blend. The set also included a hand-bound leather journal with a note from Bester detailing the tasting notes of the components and the master blend, as well as a Montblanc pen for the owner to use to write his owning blending notes.

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_Brandy V2.indd 7

2014/11/14 1:44 PM

A spirit of generosity The charity fundraiser includes an auction of original art works donated by acclaimed South African artists.

‘Chefs who share - the ART of giving’ draws together a network of people working to raise money for underprivileged children. by Anne Duncan

ape Town City Hall is looking its stately best. A black carpet spreads down the front stairs while in the Auditorium elegant lighting highlights the beautiful architectural features and 21 tables sparkling with shiny glassware and silver servers. As guests arrive, chic and stylish in their evening attire, the halls of this Edwardian gem come alive to sounds of animated conversation and the clink of Champagne glasses. It’s the 2014 ‘Chefs who share - the ART of giving’ black-tie gala event and there’s a heady sense of anticipation in the air. The 252 guests are here to experience a thrilling gourmet event: a four-course meal cooked by teams of acclaimed South African chefs and European colleagues from Michelin-starred restaurants, with carefully matched wines presented by top sommeliers. They’re going to be able to bid not only on original art by some of the country’s most respected artists, but on unique experiences, such as the chance to attend the Laureus World Sports Awards. But that’s not all they’re here for. Above all, they’ve gathered in a spirt of giving and sharing to raise funds for underprivileged children.

70 62

“It all started when Opulent Living did a portrait series on top chefs in Edition 6,” explains Barbara Lenhard, co-founder of Opulent Living together with her partner Florian Gast, and the woman whose passion and dedication has taken ‘Chefs who Share – the ART of giving’ from a simple idea to this much-anticipated gala event on the Cape Town social calendar. “Florian and I met so many wonderful chefs, and it was the start of beautiful relationships,” she says. “Later that year, I saw chefs Rudi Liebenberg and Bertus Basson at a function and we got chatting about how great it would be to do a charity event with chefs.” Barbara left the meeting with her head filled with exciting ideas. “I just knew it was something I really had to do.” She had a clear sense of how the event could work from the start. She knew she wanted top chefs, cooking in pairs to create fabulous food for top-tier guests. It was to be a truly gourmet experience, so pairing that food with great wine was also key, which meant experienced sommeliers were needed, too. And firmly at the core, was the guiding principle that it was all about sharing and giving.

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_ChefswhoShare.indd 2

2014/11/14 1:49 PM

Part of the winning formula is the chance for guests to experience unique food-andwine pairings and interact with

FOOD PHOTOGRAPH: MELISSA DELPORT

top chefs and sommeliers.

OL11_Editorial_ChefswhoShare.indd 3

2014/11/14 1:50 PM

Chefswho

Share THE ART OF GIVING

OL11_Editorial_ChefswhoShare.indd 4

2014/11/14 1:51 PM

2014 CAPE TOWN CITY HALL The Opulent Living portraits of the 14 South African chefs who participated in the 2014 gala evening at City Hall.

OL11_Editorial_ChefswhoShare.indd 5

2014/11/14 1:51 PM

The creators of the ‘Chefs who share - the ART of giving’ concept Barbara Lenhard and Florian Gast, and the 21 chefs and seven sommeliers (top) who worked to make the 2014 event a truly gourmet experience.

70 66

Pulling these strands together came relatively easily. “The chefs were wonderful,” she says. “We approached 15, and 14 immediately said ‘yes, we would like to be part of this’. They’re busy people, and we don’t pay them, but they were so willing to give their time to a good cause.” “It just makes sense to be involved,” says Jackie Cameron, the award-winning chef who made her name at Hartford House in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and has now opened the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine. “It’s a unique event on all levels. It showcases the finer things in life and it raises money to support and upskill underprivileged children. I take away a good feeling knowing that I’ve contributed to helping others.” The chefs were key in fine tuning the details around exactly how the gourmet experience could work. They also approached the sommeliers, who in turn came on board with their expertise and contacts. “The sommeliers approach their suppliers to donate the wine for the evening,” explains Barbara. “That’s what is so great about this event – it’s a whole network of people working together to make it happen. It’s an amazing team effort.” “I think ‘Chefs who share’ shows the compassion and heart of an industry that often has a relentless and boorish image,” says sommelier at large Higgo Jacobs, coordinator of Nederburg’s auction selection tastings and Tasting Director for the Top 100 SA Wines Challenge. “There is a lot of camaraderie and charity that happens in restaurants among their staff every day, albeit in a tough environment. This event takes it to a glamorously public level.”

With key hospitality industry players on board and numbers established, it was time to ensure that the giving at the heart of the idea could be as generous as possible. And for that, sponsorship was needed. One of the first companies that Barbara approached was Mercedes-Benz, who loved the concept and agreed to come on board as a presenting partner. Their generosity, and that of other corporate sponsors who donate many of the items needed for the black-tie gala, means that every cent raised from the R3 000-a-head ticket sales and the auction goes to two chosen charities. Barbara and Florian also work hard to ensure that the sponsors get their rewards, too. Mercedes-Benz presented its new S-Class at the 2013 event, and in 2014 the new CLS 63 AMG was on display in the City Hall. With a guest list that reads like a who’s who of South Africa, it’s the perfect audience for premier brands. In fact, the synergy advantages are such that Mercedes-Benz is already signed up for the 2015 event. Another key strand in the event’s DNA was that South African art was to be part of the experience, with an auction to raise funds for charity. Here, too, key partnerships were forged with artists who agreed to donate their work to the cause. “It’s a great initiative,” says Lionel Smit. “I work with one of the beneficiaries, MAD Charity, quite often and I believe they really do make a difference. Plus my work gets exposed to some of South Africa’s most influential people.” Sculptress Jean Doyle also believes strongly in giving back and, like Smit,

Opulent Opulent Living Living

OL11_Editorial_ChefswhoShare.indd 6

2014/11/17 9:04 PM

A spirit of generosity The beautiful Auditorium in Cape Town City Hall provides a graceful setting for the exclusive event, which hosts just 252 guests.

has donated to both the 2013 and 2014 auction. “‘Chefs who share’ is superbly organised and brings a refreshingly professional slant to charity drives,” says her son Anton Doyle. Of course, an auction needs an auctioneer, and here again, collaboration was the name of the game. Florian and Barbara met Iain Banner when Opulent Living researched a feature on the Laureus World Sports Awards, which Banner had helped develop during his time as sponsorship director with Richemont. Florian had seen him act as auctioneer at a charity function, and had been impressed by his charisma. So Barbara grabbed the opportunity to present the ‘Chefs who share’ concept, and soon Banner had joined its network of supporters. Finally, in September 2013 all the strands of collaboration wove together and the stage was set for a star-studded black-tie gala evening at City Hall. The landmark building had been transformed into a high-end party venue and a 42-metre-long catering tent set up in the lane behind. “Setting up is a two-day process,” says Barbara, “and involves hundreds of people working behind the scenes. But that’s also what makes the event so amazing. People donate their time and put in long hours to make it happen.” The night was a resounding success, with guests enthralled by the graceful setting, the superb meal that allowed them to get up-close-and-personal with heroes of the food scene, and the polished entertainment. And by the time the auctioneer’s hammer fell on the last piece of art, R1.195-million had been raised for charity.

Indeed, the 2013 event was so well received that ‘Chefs who share – the ART of giving’ could not but become an annual event. But how to give the 2014 event that extra bit of flair? City Hall couldn’t accommodate more guests, but how about more chefs? A friendship with Chef Andreas Mayer, based at the Schloss Prielau hotel in Zell am See, Austria, saw Barbara hit on the idea of adding seven highly acclaimed European chefs to the mix. In the spirit of sharing that characterises the event, Mayer spread the word among his network of contacts and soon had a list of chefs who were willing to give up their time, for free, to travel to Cape Town and participate in the gala evening.

“The international chefs definitely added an interesting spin to the event in 2014,” says Jackie Cameron, while Higgo Jacobs describes a fun evening of networking and banter with some great personalities. “The chefs and sommeliers are the real heroes of the evening,” says Barbara. “They help serve the food, and really engage with the guests.” Indeed, it’s part of what makes such a winning formula, and why tickets for the 2014 gala evening were sold out within four days. The 2014 event also doubled the takings for charity, raising R2.5-million. “You could feel the generosity in the room,” says Morné du Plessis, Springbok rugby legend and Chairman of Laureus SA.

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_ChefswhoShare.indd 7

71 67

2014/11/14 1:52 PM

A spirit of generosity

In 2014, Swiss International Airlines flew seven awardwinning chefs from Austria and Germany to Cape Town, where they added an exciting international element to the black-tie event.

The money gets split between the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and MAD Charity, both of which have a strong focus on youth development: Laureus through sports-related community projects and MAD through a mentorship programme. But it’s not just through these charities that ‘Chefs who share’ assists youth. The Veggie Box Initiative grew from the table decorations used in the first event. Rather than spend a fortune on flowers that would be thrown out the next day, the operations team decided to use fresh fruit and vegetables in the elegant centrepieces. The next day, they took the produce to a township school, where they cooked up a hearty, nutritious meal for 250 children.

Guests at both the 2013 and 2014 gala evenings were also encouraged to ‘buy’ a Veggie Box for R1 000. “Not every guest can spend R50 000 or more on an auction item,” Barbara explains, “but they can afford a R1 000 donation.” It’s an initiative that has grown rapidly, and beyond the boundaries of ‘Chefs who share’. Opulent Living Travel promotes the initiative on its invoices, and other partners are now doing the same. The money raised goes into a special fund and is donated directly to well-established charities that provide Cape Town children in need with healthy meals and education on nutrition. “We’re here to share, we’re here to give, but we’re here to have a whole load of fun as well,” said TV and radio personality Jeremy Mansfield when he welcomed guests to the 2014 gala evening. It seems to sum up what has made this such a successful charity fundraiser: the combination of world-class food and wine, entertainment and art make it a glittering occasion not to be missed, while the charity initiatives add a wonderful feel-good factor. With the 2015 Cape Town event already in the planning stages, the next step is to take the ‘Chefs who share’ concept to other cities around the world, using the same winning formula. “I truly believe we can achieve greater things when we all work together,” says Barbara. “It is humbling to be part of ‘Chefs who share’ and witness the generosity of everyone who comes together to make it such a special occasion.” Visit the Opulent Living website to view videos of the event: www.opulentliving.co.za

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_ChefswhoShare.indd 8

2014/11/14 1:53 PM

WELCOME TO GROENVLEI LAND OF PETER FALKE WINES LEAVE YOUR WORRIES BEHIND, LET THE EMOTIONS COME THROUGH YOUR SOUL

OPEN TUESDAY TO SUNDAY FROM 11AM–7PM FOR CHEESE PL ATTERS, SALADS & SUNDOWNERS – FOR PRIVATE EVENTS PLEASE CONTACT US ANNANDALE ROAD . STELLENBOSCH . SOUTH AFRICA . 7613 .

OL11_Ads.indd 27

+27 21 8813677 . .

+ 2 7 2 1 8 8 1 3 6 6 7 . W W W. P E T E R F A L K E W I N E S . C O M

2014/11/14 10:31 AM

OL11_Ads.indd 32

2014/11/14 10:36 AM

The beauty of dance

Cape Town City Ballet dances into its ninth decade, becoming ever more versatile, innovative and committed to keeping ballet alive and well in the Mother City. by Catherine Eden

PHOTOGRAPH: KEITH MACKINTOSH

hen the Artscape Opera House curtain went up on Cape Town City Ballet’s first performance of John Neumeier’s ballets in September 2014, the audience was in for a triple surprise: firstly, because the acclaimed Hamburg-based choreographer’s works had not been presented on the African continent before; secondly, because the pieces were different and demanding; and thirdly, because the quality of performance was so exciting. It’s not that the dancers’ ability was in doubt. It’s just that there had never been a vehicle quite like this one to showcase their versatility. Since the box office accounts for 66 percent of its income, the safe thing for Cape Town City Ballet (CTCB) to do would be to stick to the popular, magical productions that guarantee full houses. Staging the three complex works in Spring & Fall was perhaps a risk, but one that the company embraced with enthusiasm. The great classics will always be a muchloved, necessary part of the repertoire, but for dancers to thrive and for ballet to remain vital, there must also be constant development and innovation. “That is why, when the opportunity arose

to perform Spring & Fall, I was keen to take it, even though it was one of the most expensive productions in our history, for which we had to do extensive fund raising,” says Keith Mackintosh, former lead dancer, ballet master and now Artistic Executive and Director, Outreach and Planning. “The dancers are always looking to extend themselves and I think they pulled off this challenge spectacularly. Spring & Fall is an artistic milestone for the CTCB in this, our 80th anniversary year.” The company’s feisty attitude has been honed by weathering dramatic changes over the years. Evolving out of the University of Cape Town Ballet Company, started by Dulcie Howes in 1934, it later became the Cape Performing Arts Board (CAPAB) Ballet Company, under the directorship of David Poole. “We were fully state funded in those days,” says CTCB’s Honorary Executive Director, Professor Elizabeth Triegaardt, who has had a 48-year relationship with the company, moving seamlessly from principal roles on stage to becoming its executive head. “Money was plentiful. We could have new sets and costumes for our lavish productions; we could employ a full orchestra and our 60

Phyllis Spira and Eduard Greyling formed one of Cape Town’s most enduring ballet partnerships, taking centre stage together for 17 years.

Opulent Living

The beauty of dance Laura Bösenberg and Milwhynne Williams in John Neumeier’s

Le Sacre, part of the critically acclaimed Spring & Fall production that set an artistic milestone for the company in its 80th year.

or more dancers’ salaries were secure. This is no longer the case.” When national funding was reduced in 1997, the company, now named Cape Town City Ballet, became a nonprofit organisation. “We’ve had ongoing support from the Western Cape Provincial government, for which we will be eternally grateful, but even so, we have to cut corners,” says Triegaardt. “Today there are only 26 full-time dancers; we re-use sets and are probably the world’s greatest costume recyclers.” The up-side of living on the edge is that the company is extraordinarily active. “I don’t know of

Opulent Living

any other company that does so much,” she says. “There is a new production roughly every three weeks. The dancers have to be super fit to cope with the work load, but this also means that they have much more opportunity and variety than they might have elsewhere.” This opportunity extends to up-andcoming choreographers who are adding

to the richness established by their predecessors: Veronica Paeper, who took over from David Poole as Artistic Director in 1990, and whose ballets were predominant for 15 years; Norman Furber, who choreographed major works for the company before returning to London; Erica Brumage; and Sean Bovim, whose energetic, fun creations have become firm favourites. Robin van Wyk, CTCB’s current Artistic Director, excels at choreographing for youth ballet, and managed 90 young dancers in the 2014 production of Thumbelina. The July 2014 Ballet Beautiful featured works by Yarisha Singh

PHOTOGRAPHS: PAT BROMILOW-DOWNING. MAIN PHOTOGRAPH (FOLD-OUT): MICHAEL GROENEWALD. STYLING: CHRISTIEN COETZEE KLINGLER

and Kirsten Isenberg, both of whom came through the university ballet school that still serves as the company’s headquarters. The 80th anniversary gala performance in November 2014 paid tribute to all these contributions. All in all, CTCB has produced 34 new ballets, including works by significant international choreographers: David Nixon, Heinz Spoerli, George Balanchine, Kenneth MacMillan, Hans van Manen, Rudi van Dantzig, John Neumeier, André Prokovsky, Choo San Goh and Robert North. The company has toured to Ireland, China, Namibia and Botswana, and has attracted many great guest dancers from around the world, such as Margot Fonteyn, Daria Klimentová, Agnes Oaks and Thomas Edur. There have been guests from Cuba, Latvia, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Norway, USA and the UK. “It’s always exciting and stimulating to have guests, but we adhere to Dulcie Howes’ philosophy that they should not detract from our local dancers, who should mainly take the stage,” says Triegaardt. “And we are proud of the dancers we have produced. The partnership between Phyllis Spira and Eduard Greyling was particularly successful, but there have been so many others. My 48 years with the company has been a lifetime of sheer joy and challenge; there is nothing more satisfying than watching our performances come together.” Like other companies, one of the difficulties CTCB has faced is finding good male dancers. “Boys tend to start ballet late, and then in a class of girls,” says Mackintosh. “Fortunately, there is

less of a stigma now, as people appreciate just how strong and athletic male dancers have to be. I established the Male Development Training Programme in 2000, to encourage and empower young dancers and boost their opportunities. The demographic in the company has changed and it’s encouraging that we now have a pool of talented young men to draw on.” The company has collaborated with the Zurich Junior Ballet, Introdans from the Netherlands, Hamburg Ballet and the Royal Ballet Covent Garden. Locally, it has shared performances with the Cape Performing Arts Company, Jazzart, Freeflight Dance Company, South African Ballet Theatre, Dance For All, UCT School of Dance and the Cape Junior Ballet. It has a close association with the ZAMA dance school in Gugulethu, and invests considerable energy in its outreach programmes, training girls and boys from disadvantaged communities, and running graduate and audience development programmes. “We bring those children into our performances and offer price concessions to make ballet accessible to their communities,” says Mackintosh. “Our hope is that audiences will see CTCB not just as a company that performs heritage pieces but also as one that is truly innovative. Funding is an ongoing issue, and the reality is that all the work we put into developing and training dancers can be lost if they feel there are better prospects overseas. For this reason, we are constantly working to set things in place that will secure the company’s future.” Ballet requires relentless discipline and dedication, and these qualities

are focused in the offices at the UCT School of Dance, where Triegaardt and Mackintosh do double duty, running the company, updating archives, fund raising and managing projects. It’s busy and sometimes crazy, but clearly, they love what they do. Triegaardt, who has lost none of the commanding presence she always had on stage, is emphatic in her answer about the way ahead: “I believe we appeal to a much wider audience than we used to. And besides, we’ve been going for 80 years, so we certainly aren’t going to give up now.” And there you have it. The dance will definitely go on.

Laura Bösenberg and Thomas Thorne in

The Sleeping Beauty, one of the classics that are a popular part of the repertoire.

Opulent Living

samsonite.co.za

Re-writing history

The fountain pen has found a new lease of life as an eminently collectable and desirable piece of functional art. by Kit Heathcock

hat is it about fountain pens that attracts us? In this age of technology when we’re more likely to communicate through our laptops, smart phones and tablets than on paper, the traditional fountain pen retains its allure and is a more enduring status symbol and object of desire than any gadget. Give a son or daughter the latest iPhone as a graduation gift and it will be supplanted by a new model within a year; give a Montblanc fountain pen and it will be cherished for the rest of their life. It’s the fine craftsmanship, the skill that goes into shaping the perfect nib, the satisfaction of the ergonomic design that fits so comfortably into the hand, the sensuously smooth flow of ink onto paper that makes the fountain pen more than just an object of nostalgia, and takes it into our modern age with new meaning. It is no longer a purely utilitarian tool. Writing with a fountain pen on paper is now a choice, one that conveys thoughtfulness and underlines the significance of what is being written, whether it’s a personal note or the signature to a global treaty. The names of the makers of great fountain pens resonate with a sense of history – Montblanc, Sheaffer, Conway Stewart,

Parker, Montegrappa, Waterman and others have been making quality pens since the 1920s or earlier. Devotees of vintage pens seek out mint condition examples of landmark pens from the early days of their manufacture, such as the iconic ‘Big Red’, Parker’s bright-red Lucky Curve duofold – which was, in 1921, one of the first pens to use the newly available bright coloured celluloid, and a forerunner of funky modern pens. Vintage pens range from the very affordable under R2 000, to the record £183 000 bid at a Bonhams auction in 2000 for a 1928 Dunhill-Namiki ‘No 50 Giant’. The value of vintage pens is established according to rarity, condition, attractiveness and place in history and like any investment or collector’s item can rise and fall with the economic situation. Modern day luxury pens are equally collectable and often even more valuable, with Montblanc in particular designing exclusive series of limited-edition pens to commemorate historical figures or important occasions, often decorated with precious jewels and metals. Whatever the glitz and glamour added by diamond designs and 18-karat gold barrels, at the heart of a quality pen is

A white star representing snow-capped Mont Blanc, finely crafted nibs and a cigar shape characterise Montblanc’s iconic Meisterstück pens, such as the 2014 Patron of the Art Edition honouring German piano maker Henry E Steinway.

Opulent Living

OL11_Pens.indd 1

2014/11/17 9:26 PM

Re-writing history

The unique Montblanc Wedding Pen, inspired by the architectural elements of the Palais Princier and embellished with precious stones, was made for the wedding of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco in 2011.

Montegrappa’s Bespoke Portrait Pens are hand-engraved with a portrait of the buyer’s choice, anything from an historical figure to a picture of a loved one.

OL11_Pens.indd 2

its craftsmanship and a long history of excellence. Montblanc started as the Simplo Filler Pen Co in 1908, building on a revolutionary new filling technology that allowed pens to be blot and inkwell free. Offering top quality ‘safety’ fountain pens from their base in Hamburg, the Montblanc name was adopted soon after, initially as the name of a pen model and in 1924 extended to the company itself. The curvy six-pointed white star, representing the snow cap of the mountain peak, then became its memorable emblem. In the world of luxury pens there are different types of collectors. Some aim to possess a few desirable models for their own everyday writing use, choosing pens such as the Montblanc Writers’ Limited Edition 1992 Hemingway, of which 20 000 were made with the famous writer’s signature engraved on the nib. These collectors will enjoy the technical perfection and beauty of each pen and write with it every day. Others seek out the rarest and finest, looking for the most exclusive limited editions that run to less than 100 individual pens and collecting them as objects of beauty and rarity to treasure in a display case. Mel Wilmore is one such collector, whose notable Montblanc collection sold at Bonhams in New York for over US$1-million in 2012. One of his prize pieces, revealing the true passion of a dedicated collector, was a set of 11 pens designed to celebrate Nelson Mandela’s 80th birthday. The edition was limited to 80 sets, the first a gift to Mandela himself. According to Bonhams, the 80th set was intended for the South African government but Wilmore’s determination

and persuasive skills won him the coveted prize of the last available set. It sold at auction for US$41 250. Many of Montblanc’s most collectable models are based on its iconic Meisterstück, first made in 1924. It translates as ‘masterpiece’ and ever since has been renowned for its fine craftsmanship and skilful design – and its fat cigar shape has been much imitated. Vintage models of this pen in all its incarnations and sizes are much in demand. The contemporary limited editions have been brought out every year since 1992, each edition telling the story of a special person with exquisite design and decoration to tempt the most selective collector. There’s the Writers Limited Edition with engraved signatures paying homage to those whose written works have made a lasting impact, the Great Characters, honouring those who’ve had the courage to break tradition and change the course of history, and the Muses, a tribute to women who have dazzled with their character and charisma. Then there’s the Patron of the Arts series, which each year commemorates significant sponsors of art and culture, from Queen Elizabeth I and Lorenzo de Medici to Andrew Carnegie. This limited edition runs to 4 810 pens (the magic number is the height of Mont Blanc, hence this number being engraved on the nibs of the Meisterstück range), and there’s a special precious edition of 888 pieces. The making of pen nibs is a specialised art in itself and top-of-the-range nibs, of gold with iridium tips, are still handmade by master craftsmen using precision handgrinding techniques to create the perfect

Opulent Living

2014/11/17 9:26 PM

writing instrument. Italian luxury pen company Omas takes the artisan approach throughout its production and its creative director Gianluca Malaguti Simoni uses a traditional test to determine a gold nib’s perfection, by writing a few letters with it against the delicate skin of the neck: it should feel smooth without scratching or hurting. Montblanc artisans work in silence as they perfect each nib and test it meticulously, listening attentively to pick up the slightest dissonance that would indicate an imperfection; they liken the making process to the composition of music, the pen to an instrument with a soul of its own. Decades ago, when everyone wrote with a fountain pen, even at the lower end of the pen market there was a wide choice of nib sizes and styles. Today they have become more standardised and often the only choice is between a fine or medium nib. Already offering a choice of eight different nib widths as standard, Montblanc

recognises the individuality of handwriting and in 2012 introduced a bespoke nib service for its most discerning customers, which marries a high-tech approach with artisan skill. A unique software program, available at selected boutiques, analyses a customer’s handwriting, measuring speed, pressure, inclination angle, pen rotation and swing range and will recommend the perfect style of nib to suit. This is then handmade by the master craftsmen of the Hamburg atelier and ground to the exact form to fit your writing style. It can also be engraved with your name to make it even more personal and one of a kind. Collectors who want an even more unique pen can collaborate directly with the Artisan Atelier in the design and production of a bespoke pen created entirely to their own specifications. One such Création Privée masterpiece is the pen designed in 2011 for Prince

Albert II and Princess Charlene of Monaco for the signing of their wedding documents. Solid white gold embellished with diamonds and rubies, the design is inspired by the architectural elements of their official residence, the Palais Princier. Romance and state union are symbolised by the dove, rings and crown engraved on the hand-crafted gold nib. Elegant people who leave a legacy of glamour and great work are those who Montblanc honour with their specialedition pens and Princess Grace of Monaco was a natural choice for an especially refined and exclusive collection in 2012. The champagnecoloured solid-gold fountain pen, in a limited edition of three, is already destined to become a priceless heirloom and the rarest of collectors’ items. Their names may not be so well know to the general public as Montblanc, but there is a

In honour of its centenary, Montblanc collaborated with Van Cleef & Arpels to create the Mystery Masterpiece. Set with rubies, sapphires or emeralds, and accented by diamonds, only nine pens were made – and sold for US$730 000 each.

Opulent Living

OL11_Pens.indd 3

2014/11/17 9:27 PM

Re-writing history

Artisans at Montblanc’s Hamburg atelier spend months crafting the details on special editions such as the New Artisan Collection Genghis

are more likely to be kept in a safe than to be used as practical writing instruments, the technical precision of their design is accessible in more workaday (and more beautiful to the true pen connoisseur’s eye) ranges by the same makers. There are as many motivations to collect as there are collectors, ranging from those who appreciate the fine craftsmanship and practical use of a few carefully chosen pens, and who select a pen to write with each day according to mood and inclination, to those who build a secret room to display a valuable collection that will rarely be written with, and others who never even remove a valuable new pen from its packaging to maintain its investment value. Whatever your reason for collecting, the timeless appeal of the fountain pen never fades, and brands like Montblanc maintain and even increase in value over time, making them both practical and enduring pieces of functional art.

PHOTOGRAPHS: MONTBLANC, MONTEGRAPPA

Khan fountain pen (below).

roll-call of notable pen companies that resonate with a frisson to the serious pen devotee. Omas are renowned for fine craftsmanship and elegant Italian style; Montegrappa is another top-tier Italian pen maker using traditional materials such as celluloid and silver and highart designs. British firm Conway Stewart has been resurrected after failing in the mid-1960s under the influx of ballpoint pens and is known for high-quality pens faithfully recreating the colours and patterns of its mid-century glory days. Japanese brand Namiki is sought after for its precision pens with beautiful Maki-e lacquer work designs. Italian maker Visconti does a fine line in exquisite pens made with gold and precious stones, while for over-the-top sparkle there are the oneoff pens thickly encrusted with diamonds made by Aurora and Caran d’Ache costing over US$1-million each. While these particular examples stray into the extravagant realms of the Fabergé egg and

OL11_Pens.indd 4

2014/11/17 9:29 PM

OL11_Ads.indd 31

2014/11/14 10:35 AM

Building on the legacy of an icon

An icon of performance and design, the Jaguar E-Type is a hard act to follow. But with the F-Type, the British marque has created a sports car with the roar and grace to match its predecessor. by Zaid Kriel

ometimes the products of human ingenuity transcend their intended function, surpassing their purpose to become more than just tools or decorative accoutrements. They become legendary – icons of their generation. Such is the tale of the Jaguar E-Type. Among car enthusiasts, this British sports car is regarded as a very special beast indeed. Introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961, its graceful aesthetics wowed motoring pundits from the get-go. Now a design legend, the Jaguar E-Type roadster is one of only six vehicles to feature in the permanent design collection at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. It’s become a vehicle that is more than just a collection of mechanical parts put together to achieve movement via combustion – the E-Type is considered a work of art in its own right. Its beauty is in its simplicity, in its lack of drama and in the pure, simple lines that give it such a distinctive feline grace. The architect of the E-Type’s trademark curves was aircraft and car designer Malcolm Sayer, who joined Jaguar in

OL11_Jaguar.indd 2

1951. He spent 20 years at the company, where he was responsible for other Jaguar legends such as the C-Type, D-Type, XJ13 and XJS – but it’s the E-Type that remains his signature creation. After Jaguar’s racing successes throughout the 1950s with the C-Type and D-Type, Sayer and his team were tasked with using the winning D-Type’s construction approaches to build a road-going sports car. While the car that fulfilled that brief is celebrated for its lithe features, Sayer didn’t set out with the aim of creating a good-looking car – its beautiful form is merely a by-product of its revolutionary engineering. For Sayer was a first and foremost a brilliant mathematician. He had designed planes for de Havilland and the Bristol Aeroplane Company during World War II and, when he made the transition to motor cars, he brought with him his expertise in aerodynamics. It was this passion for the mathematics of the perfect aerodynamic curve that informed the purity of his designs. A former Jaguar worker, Mike Kimberley recalls Sayer’s apoplexy when a colleague

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 1:55 PM

A blue Jaguar E-Type roadster is part of the permanent design collection at New York’s Museum of Modern Art - a true testament to its legendary form.

“Simply one of the most exciting cars ever created”

Opulent Living

OL11_Jaguar.indd 3

2014/11/14 1:56 PM

Building on the legacy of an icon

destroyed a curve by adding a Jaguar badge. “Someone decided the bonnet would look nice with a Jaguar badge on it and he carefully indented it, all 1.5mm deep, so it was flush. And when Malcolm saw it he literally took off. He insisted it was removed.” Jaguar’s former chief test engineer, Norman Dewis, remarked that Sayer’s design sketches were so filled with numbers that one could be forgiven for thinking they were just complex mathematical formulae rather than drawings. “He would have a foolscap sheet the full length of his wall,” says Dewis. “All across that sheet were coloured curves and lines. Every six inches were vertical lines with figures. I used to say to him ‘I can’t even see a car’.” For Sayer, the Jaguar E-Type’s elongated bonnet and rounded haunches were primarily about function – although their form is so perfect one could argue that the mathematical formula he created to draw their curves is the formula for beauty itself. Certainly everyone who saw the car at the Geneva Motor Show was immediately captivated – and no less a motoring authority than Enzo Ferrari called it “the most beautiful car ever made”. Petrolheads and celebrities clamoured to get their hands on it, with notable owners including Steve McQueen, Tony Curtis, Britt Ekland, Brigitte Bardot and Peter Sellers. Frank Sinatra is reported to have exclaimed, “I want that car and I want it now.” That sincere and genuine endorsement by those human icons of 1960s style only enhanced its sex appeal.

OL11_Jaguar.indd 4

In keeping with Sayer’s intention, it also had the go to match the show. Under the E-Type’s long, bullet-like bonnet sat Jaguar’s 3.8-litre six-cylinder XK6 engine – the same engine that had powered the D-Type to three consecutive Le Mans wins in 1955, 1956 and 1957. The E-Type could easily crank it up to 250 kilometres per hour. Moreover, for a sports car it was amazingly affordable. It cost a fraction of the price of an Aston Martin or Ferrari, but offered the same, if not superior performance. It was destined to have a 14-year production run, through various models, and was only discontinued in 1975, four years after Sayer’s death. But that was not the end of the E-Type’s tale. “Half a century of progress has not diminished the significance of the E-Type,” said Mike O’Driscoll, Managing Director Jaguar Cars on the occasion of the car’s 50th birthday in 2011. “It was a sensation when it was launched, and remains Jaguar’s most enduring and iconic symbol. The E-Type is simply one of the most exciting cars ever created and a legacy to the genius of Jaguar’s founder, Sir William Lyons.” Given these stirring words it’s perhaps no surprise that Jaguar decided to give the E-Type one more chapter, an epilogue if you will. When the Lightweight E-Type racer was released in 1963, it was meant to have a run of 18 vehicles; but only 12 were built. Half a century later, the company’s Heritage Business announced it would be building the six ‘remaining’ Lightweights. The new cars would use the unused chassis codes and be hand-

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 1:57 PM

Jaguar made history when it released six â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;newâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Lightweight E-Type racing cars in 2014, built to the exact specifications of the 1963 model.

Faithful to the originals right down to the chassis numbers allocated to them in the 1960s

Opulent Living

OL11_Jaguar.indd 5

2014/11/14 1:58 PM

Building on the legacy of an icon

built to the exact same specification as the originals. Intended for track racing, the Lightweight E-Type was constructed from aluminium instead of steel, and had souped-up versions of the six-cylinder engine to give them extra grunt. They never achieved the racing success of the D-Type, though given that only a dozen were produced, they soon became highly sought after collector’s items. Apparently the idea to complete the 18car Lightweight series first came up over drinks in 2010, although it was then more a wishful fantasy than anything else. However, when Jaguar created its Special Operations Division, with a mandate to deliver halo vehicles, bespoke commissions and heritage products, David Fairbairn, the company’s strategic global business manager, saw a chance for a fanciful idea to become reality. He approached Department Head John Edwards with the idea and the green light was given for work to begin on the production of six new E-Types. The project was unlike anything any motor manufacturer had done before. Jaguar wasn’t interested in simply producing accurate replicas of the Lightweight E-Type, instead it planned on completing the special edition’s run using the same materials and manufacturing processes used in 1963. The new six would be faithful to the originals right down to the chassis numbers that were originally allocated to them in the 1960s, and would be built at the Browns Lane plant in Coventry, England, where Jaguar has been making cars since 1951.

OL11_Jaguar.indd 6

It would prove to be no easy task. Many of the skills, tools and processes used to hand build a car more than five decades ago had long since fallen by the wayside. Jaguar still had the blueprints and documentation for the cars but tracking down the right tools and, more importantly, the people who knew how to use them, was the highest priority. On the plus side, as the Lightweight series was built primarily for track racing, Jaguar didn’t need to concern itself too much with 21st-century requirements for making a car roadworthy, or comply with modern standards for fuel economy and carbon emissions. Only one concession was made: the underbody was strengthened to make the car more rigid, and safer in the event of a crash. The six new cars were quickly sold, for between US$1.65 million and $2.47 million, with varying customer specifications accounting for the difference in price. But none of the cars will be sitting in museums or private garages. Jaguar insisted on selling the cars only to customers who would use them in competition, or lend them back to the auto maker for use at events like the Goodwood Festival of Speed, a hill climb for vintage motor-racing vehicles held every year on the Goodwood Estate in West Sussex, England. This faithful reproduction of a car according to its original specs was a remarkable feat, and one unlikely to be repeated anytime soon. But the very fact that it was even considered, much less done, speaks volumes for the esteem in which the iconic E-Type is held.

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 2:02 PM

Sixty years after the D-Type racer made its debut, Jaguar has launched the F-Type Project 7, a limited-edition convertible with a powerful V8 engine.

Jaguarâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most powerful production car everâ&#x20AC;Ś Only 250 will be made, setting it up to become highly sought-after

Opulent Living

OL11_Jaguar.indd 7

2014/11/14 2:02 PM

Building on the legacy of an icon

However, car manufacturers need to look to the future as well as the past. While the E-Type was, and still is, an icon of the Swinging Sixties, when Britain was the world capital of cool, not all car enthusiasts want to drive a vintage model. It was time for Jaguar to move beyond the shadow cast by the E-Type’s phenomenal success – which seemed to suggest it was Jaguar’s last, and best, word on what a two-seater roadster needed to be – and finally deliver a follow-up ‘Type’. The result is the F-Type, a two-seater sports car that has seen Jaguar re-enter this segment of the motoring market with a mighty roar, delivering first a convertible and then a coupé to evoke the spirit of the legendary E-Type. Jaguar says the new cars are “engineered for high performance and responsive handling with supercharged engines, lightweight aluminium body construction and advanced driving technologies” – and motoring journalists have been quick to dish out praise to the sexy new feline on the roads. “It boasts jaw-dropping looks and a driving experience to match,” said UK newspaper The Telegraph of the coupé, going on to praise its automatic gearbox and gutsy engine that makes it “wonderfully easy” to drive. BBC’s Top Gear was no less complimentary about the convertible, calling it “an exceptional sports car, sharp, invigorating and charismatic” and saying it’s “the most

OL11_Jaguar.indd 8

exciting (and arguably significant) car to be launched in Britain this year. Maybe even this decade.” Jaguar has launched various models for contemporary petrolheads to choose between. The entry-level F-Type and middle-range F-Type S (featuring an adaptive Sport suspension) come as either a convertible or a coupé and feature Jaguar’s new 3.0-litre V6 supercharged petrol engine and an eightspeed QuickShift ZF transmission. And for those who demand even more power under the hood, there are the 5.0-litre V8 models – the F-Type V8S convertible and the F-Type R coupé. Then there’s the range-topping F-Type Project 7 convertible. Jaguar’s most powerful production car ever, it aims to capture the legendary looks and extraordinary profile of the Le Manswinning D-Type. Only 250 will be made, setting it up to become a highly soughtafter contemporary classic. So will car enthusiasts still be paying tribute to the F-Type in 50 years’ time? Perhaps. The car has certainly been as well received by the buying public, and Jaguar’s profitability has soared as a result. The E-Type’s DNA is clearly evident in its classic long nose and short tail, and it’s drawing plenty of tributes for is chic, classy styling and dynamic performance. Living up to the legacy of “the most beautiful car ever made” was never going to be easy, but Jaguar has certainly come really close.

“Jaw-dropping looks and a driving experience to match”

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 2:04 PM

With a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine and an adaptive sport suspension, the range-topping F-Type R coupĂŠ has been described

PHOTOGRAPHS: JAGUAR

as brawny but sure-footed.

OL11_Jaguar.indd 9

2014/11/14 2:05 PM

A celebration of the rose

A passion for perfection and the beauty of the rose is at the heart of the exquisite watches and jewellery crafted by Piaget. by Liesl King

In 2014, the Piaget 900P Altiplano set a world record for the thinnest mechanical watch, at only 3.65 mm thick. In order to achieve this extreme thinness, the white-gold caseback was machine-tooled to accommodate the mechanical components.

70 88

OL11_Piaget2.indd 2

o flower has been so revered or so loved as the rose. It is a symbol of love, beauty and even war, yet its origins go back in the mists of time, long before even the existence of man. Thought to have originated in Central Asia about 60 or 70 million years ago, roses spread over the entire Northern Hemisphere, where a single rose left its imprint in slate deposits in Colorado, 40 million years ago. Fast forward through the centuries to a mere thousand years ago and, at the foot of the newly built Hildesheim Cathedral, you will find a wild dogrose, clinging to its walls. Despite only its roots surviving the Cathedral’s destruction during World War II, the thousand-year-old dogrose proved to be as tenacious as its forbearers, blooming again to become the oldest living rose. The stuff of legends, myths and love stories, the rose has played a starring role throughout history. It is also the symbol of Piaget, whose story started just across the border from

the Hildesheim rose, in the small village of La Côte-aux Fées, in the canton of Neuchâtel, Switzerland. For in 1874 on the family sheep farm, high on the mountain slopes and isolated from the outside world by heavy snow during the long winter months, the 19-yearold Georges Édouard Piaget turned his hand to designing watch movements. In his small workshop, Piaget produced movements of such quality and precision that his fame soon spread far beyond the snowy mountains of Neuchâtel. Within two generations, the Piagets had abandoned sheep farming to concentrate on movement making. Third son Timothée took over the reins from Georges in 1911 and was later joined by sons Gérald and Valetin, with the partnership producing movements for most of the top Swiss watch brands. With such a demand for Piaget movements, Timothée and his sons took the bold step of registering the Piaget brand in 1934. For the first time, the Piaget family business was producing its own creations. Orders came pouring in, necessitating the building of a new manufacturing facility in La Côte-aux

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 2:19 PM

In 2013, Chinese actress Tang Wei became the face of the Yves Piaget rose and the jewellery it has inspired, such as the Piaget Rose Limelight Party Ring in white gold set with brilliant-cut diamonds and a round pink sapphire.

Fées in 1945, which is still in use today. It is here that Piaget began to build what is today its “signature”, the ultra-thin movement. It introduced the famous 2mm-thick hand-wound Caliber 9P in 1957, followed in quick succession by the Caliber 12P in 1960, the world’s thinnest automatic movement at 2.3mm. With the creation of these movements, Piaget made an indelible mark on the history of watch-making. The 1960s saw a boldness of style and more pushing of boundaries, with Piaget introducing dials made of precious stones and the cuff watch. A Piaget watch stands for quality, innovation and the ability to stand the test of time. None more so than the iconic Piaget Polo, with its stripes of glossy and matte gold, launched in 1979 and to this day still a firm favourite of the international jet-set, with actress

Opulent Living

OL11_Piaget2.indd 3

2014/11/14 2:16 PM

A celebration of the rose

In 2010, the brand introduced the fun Piaget to Drink rings (above), representing various cocktails with colourful gems. Château de Malmaison (below) is famous for the rose garden planted by Empress Joséphine.

THE MAN AND HIS ROSE Yves Piaget, the great-grandson of the Swiss watchmaker who founded the illustrious Piaget brand, has had a life-long passion for roses. Born in 1942, he joined the family firm in the 1960s, which was when the rose motif first started appearing in its creations. He’s served on the jury of the Geneva International

Taylor Momsen recently sporting a Polo in the video for ‘Make Me Wanna Die’. Gérald Piaget retired in 1982, and his son Yves Piaget became President and Managing Director of the company. Six years later, Cartier acquired Piaget and the brand joined the Vendôme (now Richemont) Group. Remaining at the helm, Yves Piaget was instrumental in taking the company to new heights, keeping founder Georges Éduoard’s motto of “always do better than necessary” firmly in mind. The new millennium saw an explosion of almost 30 new movements and in 2001, the company opened the new Manufacture de Haute Horlogerie Piaget in Plansles-Quates outside Geneva, venturing outside of La Côte-aux Fées for the first time as it marked 127 years of making watch movements.

Relentlessly pushing the boundaries, Piaget set two world records in 2010, producing the world’s thinnest automatic movement and the thinnest automatic watch. In 2014, the iconic brand that had started 140 years before in a tiny Swiss village unveiled the Altiplano 900P. It consists of 145 parts, some thinner than a human hair and described by one admirer as “the galaxy on my wrist”. It is the world’s thinnest hand-wound watch at 3.65mm and, in the words of Piaget CEO Philippe Léopold-Metzger, “the ultimate fusion between the watch and its movement”. Piaget is, however, not only a manufacturer of exceptional watches, but also of exquisite jewellery, and at the heart of its collections lies the symbol for which it has become renowned, the Piaget Rose. A passionate grower of roses and a

Competition for New Roses for many years and in 1979, Piaget’s workshops crafted the golden rose that serves as the winner’s trophy. In 1982, the winning new rose, created by famous French rose breeder Francis Meilland, was christened “Yves Piaget” in his honour. A peony style rose with lush layered petals and a heady fragrance, it’s since become the symbol of the company. “The rose brings my childhood back to me,” said Piaget when he opened the Garden of Old Roses at Château de Malmaison on Piaget Rose Day in June 2014. Once the home of Joséphine Bonaparte, the Château was famed for the gardens created by the Empress, and included 250 species of roses. With sponsorship from Piaget, the rose garden has now been restored to its former glory and is open to the public.

70 90

OL11_Piaget2.indd 4

Opulent Opulent Living Living

2014/11/14 2:16 PM

PHOTOGRAPHS: PIAGET

jury member of the Geneva International Competition of New Roses, Yves Piaget introduced his favourite flower as a motif in the brand’s jewellery as early as the 1960s. His love for roses was publicly acknowledged in 1982, when the Geneva Competition winner, a pink peony rose, was named the “Yves Piaget”. Since then, Piaget has regularly dedicated entire collections of watches and jewellery to the “queen of flowers”. In 2012, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Yves Piaget rose, the brand created its Limelight Garden Party Collection. For its launch, Cartier’s boutique in London’s New Bond Street was transformed into a real garden with luxurious foliage and blooming Yves Piaget roses filling the rooms with their heady fragrance. It was another ardent lover of roses who inspired the most recent Piaget Rose collection. Joséphine de Beauharnais, the wife of Napoleon I, created an extensive garden at her Château de Malmaison outside Paris as she attempted to make it “the most beautiful and curious garden in Europe, a model of good cultivation”. She grew over 250 varieties of roses, importing plants from all corners of the world. The garden was held in such high esteem that during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, the English allowed plants for Joséphine to cross the blockades and even permitted her gardener to travel freely across the English Channel. Sadly, her magnificent rose garden was not maintained, but Piaget took on the project of restoring the rose garden at Château de Malmaison to its original glory.

OL11_Piaget2.indd 5

In tribute to Joséphine’s extraordinary life, it also launched the Piaget Rose Passion High Jewellery Collection in 2014. These 75 jewellery pieces and 25 watches, all a statement in feminine elegance, are sprinkled with yellow diamonds, emeralds and pink sapphires. The new collection made a glamorous debut at the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles this year, worn by Anna Kendrick and Kirsten Bell. Kendrick opted for a single Rose ring in white gold and diamonds, while the white gold and diamond Rose necklace and Rose earrings perfectly complemented Bell’s strapless gown. As one of the world’s most highly regarded watchmakers, Piaget reigns supreme in the field of ultrathin designs. And it is nature’s perfect design of exquisite beauty and vibrant colours that has allowed it to produce equally extraordinary pieces – messages of love and eternity that enhance the beauty of sensual and exuberant women across the world. Author Emma Goldman once wrote: “I’d rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck”. With a dazzling Piaget rose piece, there is no need to make a choice.

The Piaget Rose Passion brooch in white gold, with diamonds and pink sapphires forms part of its 2014 High Jewellery Collection inspired by Joséphine Bonaparte.

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 2:17 PM

presented by

A romantic evening filled with love songs by the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra and special guests.

The classic-meets-pop open-air concert in the Castle of Good Hope, Cape Town. Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s evening, Saturday 14 February 2015, 20h30. Tickets are available at Computicket, for limited VIP-tickets please contact valentine@opulentliving.co.za

A special evening created by

Opulent Living

OL11_Ads.indd 34

XPERIENCES

2014/11/17 9:31 PM

Meticulous craftsmanship, quality materials and fine design come together to create these premier products, all of which capture the essence of classic style.

Opulent Living essence Compiled by Florian Gast Words by Anne Duncan

Opulent Living

OL11_must haves.indd 3

2014/11/14 2:07 PM

Karl Lagerfeld for Louis Vuitton n It was Georges Vuitton, the son of Louis, who created the French fashion house’s iconic monogram in honour of his late father. Now, to celebrate the luggage label’s 160th birthday, six artists have each given the interwoven initials a modern twist in a range of limited-edition accessories. Fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld created an extravagant boxing suite, complete with punching bags (in various sizes), a mat, gloves and a trunk which, with its removable shelving, can serve as a case for the punching bags or a travel closet. www.louisvuitton.com

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra ‘Golf’ n To celebrate its expanding presence in the world of golf, which includes working with star players such as Rory McIlroy, Swiss watchmaker Omega has launched a ‘Golf’ edition of its famous Seamaster Aqua Terra, with a distinctive green minute track and central seconds hands that recall the sport’s verdant courses. The 41.5mm stainless steel case is fitted with a stainless steel bracelet or a brown Barénia strap crafted from the finestquality leather. The watch is water resistant to 150 metres and equipped with Omega’s new Master Co-Axial calibre 8500 – a self-winding, anti-magnetic mechanical movement characterised by improved chronometric performance over time. www.omegawatches.com

Graff Heart Shape Glen Grant 50 Year Old

Diamond Bracelet

n Speyside single malt distillery Glen Grant has released an exceptionally rare edition,

n This timeless line bracelet from luxury British

crafted by its master distiller Dennis Malcolm over half a century. In October 1963, a young Malcolm hand-filled a special cask that he has watched slowly mature to become a robust, full-bodied and perfectly balanced single malt of distinction. Each of the 150 bottles of this exclusive collector’s edition whisky is handcrafted in every sense. It’s presented in a handblown crystal glass decanter, designed to replicate Glen Grant’s tall, slender pot stills, and each is hand engraved, hand numbered and finished with the number 50 in 18-carat gold lettering. It is housed in a copper-lined Scottish oak box and comes with a certificate of authenticity, signed by Dennis Malcolm and every craftsman involved. www.glengrant.com

jeweller Graff Diamonds features an intricate array of beautiful heart shape diamonds of 22.02 carats. Graff is involved in every stage of the jewellery making process, from the sourcing of each rough stone, right through to the cutting, polishing and final setting of each exquisite jewel, and this glittering piece – handmade in London by Graff’s master craftsmen – marries sublime design with meticulous attention to detail. www.graffdiamonds.com

MIMCO x Frends headphones n Australian accessories brand Mimco has collaborated with US-based headphone

makers Frends to deliver a range of five statement headphones for women. Featuring the quirky, creative design ethos that characterises both brands, and crafted from premium leather and metal, they bring a fun sense of fashion to what’s become a key accessory in the digital age. Designed especially for women, the premium electronic devices feature a slimmer silhouette for a more comfortable fit, angled ear cushions so they can be worn with earrings, and a collapsible design to allow them to fit into any evening clutch. www.mimco.com.au, www.frends.com

80 Opulent Living 94

OL11_must haves.indd 4

2014/11/14 2:07 PM

Porsche Martini Racing aviator sunglasses n The Porsche Driver’s Selection offers Porsche drivers and enthusiasts high-quality branded products in the sporty, elegant and minimalist style that characterises its muchloved sports cars. Its aviator sunglasses offer a fresh take on a design classic, featuring a frame in the red and blue colours of the Martini Racing team and grey lenses that offer 100 percent UV protection and category three glare reduction. www.porsche.com

Shimansky tanzanite ring n Shimansky Jewellers specialises in top-quality

certified tanzanite rings that capture the essence of Africa and its alluring beauty in exclusive designs. The continent’s rarest of gems – sourced only from the hills around Arusha in northern Tanzania – is available in a selection of designs and settings, complemented by brilliant-cut diamonds that offset its unique blue-violet colour beautifully. www.shimansky.com

Lorenzi handbag n South African handbag and accessories label Lorenzi is synonymous with fine leather

and even finer craftsmanship. Founded by Renzo Caon, who trained as an artisan in Italy in the late 1950s before moving to Johannesburg, it produces a wide range of elegant designs in high-quality calf leather and exotic ostrich, buffalo and snake skins. New for Spring Summer 2014-15 is this classic single-volume clutch bag, crafted in either ostrich or buffalo leather and available in a range of fashionable hues. www.lorenzi.co.za

Andrew Dominic server n Furniture designer and maker Andrew Dominic

champions traditional craftsmanship with a contemporary yet practical edge. Trained at David Savage in North Devon, one of the UK’s most respected furniture-making schools, he worked with prestigious clients such as Heal’s of London before creating his own workshop in Cape Town in 2009. Here he works closely with a small team of craftsmen that he trains up in his classical technique. While he specialises in private commissions, he has also launched a Signature Range, a collection of limited-quantity pieces that represent his aesthetic and distinctive approach to furniture making. www.andrewdominic.co.za

Opulent Living

OL11_must haves.indd 5

2014/11/14 2:09 PM

OL11_Tintswalo.indd 2

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:47 PM

Tintswalo Safari Lodge ∙ South Africa

A celebration of Africa’s great explorers

It’s a taste of evocative old Africa, as if stepping back in time to the age of the great 19th-century adventurers. Tintswalo, in the Manyeleti Game Reserve bordering the Kruger National Park, is a unique offering to modern-day explorers seeking the safari experience in complete comfort. Here, their every whim is catered to with care and the personal pride of a family-owned and -run game lodge. And it was all blessed by the local Shangaan tribe from the very beginning… Opulent Living

OL11_Tintswalo.indd 3

2014/11/14 12:48 PM

magine. It’s the 1860s and a family is travelling through Africa. They come upon ruins that look like the dry stone walls of Great Zimbabwe, and set up tents for the night. A fire is lit, a sumptuous dinner is cooked, and they sit around the fire telling enchanting stories of Africa and adventures across the continent. This is the story of Tintswalo. Its architecture resembles the dry stone structures of ancient African kingdoms, and its guests are the new explorers – modern-day nomads with a love for Africa without rough edges. Tintswalo is their Shangri-la, their Mecca or their “soul haven”. That’s exactly how coowner Gaye Corbett describes Tintswalo, and adds: “I am completely at peace here. The stars are bright and the bush is alive. Wonderful guests come to visit here too.” Tintswalo means “the intangible feeling of love, gratitude and peace bestowed upon someone offering you a meaningful and worthy gift”, and the lodge is located within the “place of stars”, or Manyeleti Game Reserve, in Mpumalanga. With neighbours being the Timbavati Private Game Reserve in the north, the Kruger National Park in the east, and the Sabi Sand Reserve to the south, Tintswalo is in prime game-viewing territory and

enjoys an unfenced border with the game-rich Kruger National Park. So wildlife, including the Big Five, and bird life are prolific. The Corbett family didn’t know it, but Tintswalo was written in the stars for them from the very beginning. As property developers in nearby Bushbuckridge, Hazyview and Nelspruit, the family business has long been involved in the area. “Our philosophy has always been that we need to give to the community and then we would also receive,” explains Gaye. “So we used only local contractors in our various building projects and mentored them at the same time. Then we started teaching local teachers how to study - the actual techniques of study - and in the holidays we ran courses at the shopping centres for kids to brush up on school work they were struggling with. There was a dramatic increase in their pass rate, and this we saw as real empowerment – much more so than simply giving out money.” Fast forward to the early 2000s and the Manyeleti Game Reserve put out a concession for tender in order to commercialise the reserve. “The local community asked us to tender because they believed we had empowered them,” says Gaye, “and we were lucky to win the tender.” She laughs when she admits

Dinner under the stars in the tree-enclosed boma is accompanied by the nocturnal sounds of the surrounding bush, which is home to all the Big Five, and large herds of buck, zebra and giraffe.

OL11_Tintswalo.indd 4

Opulent Living

2014/11/17 9:36 PM

One. With the power of Two. AWAR D-WI NNING

Double Serum速 Complete Age Control Concentrate

Double anti-aging performance: Powered by 20 pure plant extracts and potent high-tech molecules, Clarins combines two age-defying formulas into one groundbreaking serum that targets all aspects of skin aging. In just 4 weeks*

87% Firmer skin 79% Reduced wrinkles 88% More even skin tone 88% Less visible pores Proven for all ethnicities, all skin types, all ages.

90%of women agree that

ective Double Serum速 than their regular serum**. Find out why. Satisfaction test, 197 women, 4 weeks. Satisfaction test, 126 women, 4 weeks.

www.clarins.co.za N O W AVA I L A B L E I N A 5 0 M L LU X U RY S I Z E

OL11_Ads.indd 37

2014/11/14 10:38 AM

Serene, muted colours, raw stone and unpolished wood characterise the seven luxury suites, each of which leads onto a private deck with an intimate plunge pool and overlooks the game-friendly, seasonal Nwaswitsontso River and magnificent sycamore groves.

100

OL11_Tintswalo.indd 6

that at the time nobody in the family had even stayed in a five-star luxury game lodge, never mind built and run one. But son Mark was already a successful property developer, daughter Tracy had drawn up the winning tender, and second daughter Lisa was married to a game ranger. So the family had the full package needed to create a unique fivestar lodge with soul. And then a green mamba blessed the entire project. “While we were standing discussing exactly where the lodge and suites should be located,” continues Gaye, “a green mamba slid past us, and that is a sign of good luck among the local Shangaan. So then we had no doubt that all would be well. “First we wanted a tented camp, and then we settled on a design that resembles old African stone kingdoms. We used natural materials from the area, hired local hands, and nine months later we’d created a unique safari lodge.” All the staff at Tintswalo are also drawn from the local community, and the entire Corbett family is still hands on to ensure standards and service are impeccable and personal. Resting under ancient sycamore fig trees and overlooking a waterhole where herds

of elephant come to drink and splash, Tintswalo Safari Lodge has just seven suites for guests. These are connected by wooden walkways and each is highly personalised and honours one of Africa’s great and iconic explorers. From Samuel Baker to Mary Kingsley, David Livingstone to Richard Burton and John Hanning Speke – the great adventurers are all there. Number seven is the Baines Suite – for explorer and artist Thomas Baines – and is also the presidential suite equivalent with two bedrooms and a lounge and kitchen between them. At full capacity, Tintswalo sleeps just 16 guests. The exclusive-use Manor House nearby is often the choice of families and sleeps eight people. A personal touch is a complimentary massage from the Vital Source Spa offered to each guest, and they can also visit the secluded spa for other body and massage treatments done with evocative Africology products – so completing a thoroughly African luxury bush experience. Still today, the local community remains a top priority for Tintswalo, with the education of local children being the focus. “Children are key to the future,” says Gaye, “so we teach them how to

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:50 PM

The lodge serves contemporary cuisine in a variety of romantic venues and meal times are designed around guests to create the ultimate five-star dining experience.

Tintswalo Safari Lodge

PHOTOGRAPHS: TINTSWALO

Manyeleti Game Reserve, Mpumalanga, SA Telephone: +27 (0)11 300 8888 Email: res1@tintswalo.com Website: www.tintswalo.com

study effectively, and educate them in conservation. We’re doing lots of work with them around rhino conservation, because there would be no rhino poachers if the community were against them. So we have taken community children into the bush, they have seen rhino being darted and we educate them about their importance in the wild. We need them to take ownership of the rhino so they

understand the need to protect them for future generations. The community is key to the future of conservation and saving rhinos from extinction.” As Tintswalo continues to uplift the local community, the reward is of course ‘tintswalo’. And the Corbett family knows first hand that as you give, you get. It’s simply African karma at work for the better of everybody. n Keri Harvey

Manyeleti Game Reserve adjoins the Kruger National Park, Timbavati and Sabi Sands. Guests can fly from Johannesburg to Hoedspruit, or from Cape Town to Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and then transfer to the lodge by light aircraft.

Opulent Living

OL11_Tintswalo.indd 7

101

2014/11/14 12:50 PM

Taj Cape Town ∙ South Africa

Banking on heritage The marble halls of yesteryear’s grand banking establishments exude elegant new life at Taj Cape Town, while The Reserve, sited next door to the main hotel, gives the Mother City an impressive venue for conferences, exclusive banquets and glamorous events, while preserving the heritage and history of an iconic Art Deco building.

ore than 100 years of history at the centre of Cape Town’s financial district leave an imprint on a building. A subtle aura of power, wealth and world affairs permeates its very stones, so that when its marbled banking halls are re-invented as a luxurious five-star hotel, it retains the heritage and gravitas of old. So it is at Taj Cape Town, strategically placed on the most attractive corner of the city’s historical district, opposite The Company’s

102

OL11_The Taj.indd 2

Garden and St George’s Cathedral. Once the South African Reserve Bank, built to impress with Renaissance Italian architecture inspired by the Palazzo Pitti in Florence, and the Board of Executors building (also known as Temple Chambers), the renowned luxury hotel brand has remained faithful to a sense of place and history in its restoration process, while adding the lavish touches of contemporary opulence suitable for today’s sophisticated travellers.

In 2014, a third historical building was added to the Taj’s luxury enclave. Recognising Cape Town’s need for a grand and impressive meeting and function venue, the hotel has restored the adjacent original African Banking Corporation building to create The Reserve. Here a sense of history resonates deeply, every care having been taken to preserve its heritage features while adding all the latest technology and modern conveniences. Colossal bronze doors open from the pedestrian precinct

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:39 PM

OL11_The Taj.indd 3

2014/11/14 12:39 PM

The Chairman’s Office in The Reserve, with its original teak panels and period fireplace, offers an atmospheric dining room or cigar lounge for entertaining VIP guests.

104

OL11_The Taj.indd 4

of St George’s Mall, leading invited guests over the red carpet and into the original lobby, now the gloriously decorated ABC Bar with murals and marble panelling giving an updated 1920s energy and style. Here guests might enjoy cocktails and canapés before proceeding into what was the main banking hall, its grandeur now transformed into an elegant banqueting hall or a conference room for up to 240 cinema-seated delegates. The deep and secret heart of a banking institution is its vault, hidden away deep down in the earth and accessible only to the highest echelons of the banking hierarchy. The ABC vault no longer holds undreamed of quantities of gold and diamonds, in transit from South Africa’s rich mines to European trading centres, but instead lines its walls with parallel quantities of liquid gold, thousands of bottles of prestigious South African wines, creating an atmospheric 120-square-metre venue for special dinners and parties. Simply called The Vault, it’s reached by an original vintage wooden lift that feels like travelling back in time. Another exceptional space steeped in history is The Chairman’s Office with original teak panels and a period logburning fireplace, frequented by captains of industry of an earlier time and now once again hosting the modern equivalent in its role as an exclusive dining room or cigar lounge. With its separate street entrance and own identity, The Reserve is a selfcontained venue independent of the hotel, but is connected by a candlelit subterranean corridor tunnelled between the two buildings, so that Taj service and cuisine can flow effortlessly between the two establishments to delight guests banqueting lavishly at The Reserve. The obvious place to accommodate guests and conference delegates when planning such an exclusive event, is right next door in the Taj itself, just two steps away along the pedestrian precinct and with equally imposing and substantial architecture, a legacy of its own rich banking history. Entering into the grand hotel lobby, once the main banking hall of the South

African Reserve bank, lined by Portuguese Styros marble columns, it’s impossible not to feel a degree of awe at the majesty of a bygone era of architecture, imbued with tradition and wealth. The Taj has managed to preserve this sense of grandeur in the original buildings of the hotel and matched it with its contemporary equivalent in the modern 17-storey tower block that soars behind its older siblings to offer inspiring views from rooms and suites over Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and the city. There is a huge choice of rooms and suites, from the elegant Heritage rooms and suites on the lower floors in the historical buildings to the contemporary Tower rooms enjoying panoramic views from walk-out balconies. The pinnacle of these is the enormous Presidential Tata suite occupying the whole top floor, with two bedrooms, dining room, lounge, study, massage room, several bathrooms – one with a rim-flow bath overlooking Table Mountain – and a huge wraparound roof terrace with fire-pit and dining for 12. The Hästens suite is the choice for an exceptionally comfortably night’s sleep – the legendary Swedish maker of the best handcrafted mattresses in the world has collaborated with Taj to provide one of its exclusive beds for its guests. Then there is the Taj Club floor accessed only by those with key cards, ideal for business guests who need an extra level of support and pampering, with personal butler service and afternoon tea, complimentary canapés and drinks provided in the private lounge. The hotel’s central location is perfect for both business and leisure travellers who want to experience authentic Cape Town. It’s within walking distance of museums, markets, boutiques, cool coffee shops and nightlife, and a stone’s throw from the city’s business hub and parliament. While there are a number of renowned restaurants close by and the hotel’s Jaguar XJL to chauffeur you there in the utmost luxury, there’s no need to leave the hotel at all. Genuine Indian flavours are served at the Bombay Brasserie in sumptuous style. Relax in the upholstered armchairs lit by sparkling chandeliers as course after

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:40 PM

The Reserve combines the substantial opulence of the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s banking heritage with contemporary glamour. The ABC Bar (top), The Vault (above) and the main banqueting hall (left) provide the ideal framework for an exclusive event.

Opulent Living

OL11_The Taj.indd 5

105

2014/11/14 12:40 PM

course of the chef’s tasting menu delights and stimulates the palate, accompanied by the finest South African wines from a wellchosen cellar. Or relax into the evening at The Twankey Bar, the hotel’s glamorous oyster and champagne bar patronised as much by locals as by hotel guests, then enjoy an informal dinner with innovative cuisine at Mint, with tables spilling out onto pedestrian St George’s Mall for openair dining on summer evenings. Keeping a fitness routine going away from home can be hard, but not at the Taj, where there is a long, heated indoor pool, perfect for swimming laps, and a fully equipped Technogym. Finish off in the sauna and steam room with a dip in the vitality pool, or if your schedule allows, repair to the pampering of the Jiva Grande Spa for a traditional Indian wellness treatment healing mind, body and spirit. The Taj’s luxury ethos reflects the majestic richness of the company’s Indian palace roots, at the same time embracing the heritage of its unique Cape Town location and melding old tradition with new. With The Reserve added to its already legendary offering, the Taj is now securely established as an icon among Cape Town’s luxury hotels. n Kit Heathcock

Taj Cape Town

Wale Street, Cape Town, SA Telephone: +27 (0)21 819 2000 Email: sales.capetown@tajhotels.com Website: www.tajcapetown.co.za Taj Cape Town offers a choice of 176 suites and luxury rooms in a prime location in central Cape Town, close to Parliament, the city’s law courts and financial institutions. The Reserve, its function, banquet and conference venue, lies adjacent to the hotel’s main entrance on historical St George’s Mall. Both are a 15-minute drive from Cape Town International Airport.

PHOTOGRAPHS: TAJ CAPE TOWN

Tower rooms give views of St George’s Cathedral, The Company’s Garden and Table Mountain, while the Jiva Grande Spa promises holistic pampering inspired by traditional Indian healing wisdom.

106

OL11_The Taj.indd 6

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:41 PM

OL11_Ads.indd 39

2014/11/14 10:39 AM

Kichaka Private Game Lodge â&#x2C6;&#x2122; South Africa

Romance and adventure in a tranquil wilderness The malaria-free hills of the Eastern Cape have become a sought-after safari destination as exclusive lodges offer Big Five game viewing just a short drive from the ever-popular Garden Route. With just a handful of sumptuous suites, Kichaka Private Game Lodge offers the perfect blend of luxury and wildness.

Privacy and panoramas define the luxury experience at Kichaka. Each suite boasts its own plunge pool, while the main lodge overlooks a game-rich waterhole.

108

OL11_Kichaka.indd 2

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 11:36 AM

t’s savvy travellers indeed who choose to round out their South African adventure with a safari experience in the malaria-free Eastern Cape. Here, in the rolling bushveld hills a short drive east of the seaside city of Port Elizabeth, a clutch of luxurious game reserves provide a wonderfully wild book-end to exploring the coastal towns and dramatic scenery of the everpopular Garden Route. These hills have a long history of frontier wars and farming, but today it’s conservation that is the driving force behind this magical corner of South Africa. As the land is restored and rejuvenated, the hills once again

echo with the throaty rumble of lions and trumpet of elephant, the thunder of antelope hooves across grassy plains. A land once tamed, has become wild again. And there are few better places to soak up the wonder of the Eastern Cape bushveld than at the five-star Kichaka Private Game Lodge. A romantic escape that is both secluded and easily accessible, Kichaka’s 10 opulent suites offer a boutique safari experience. Each suite is crafted of stone and thatch to blend seamlessly into the surrounding landscape while offering perfect peace and privacy. Decorated in a rich African motif, tones of mahogany, stone and ebony reflect the bushveld views

stretching away from your spacious private deck. Plunge pools with a view offer a welcome respite from the African sun, or you can cool off in your secluded outdoor shower. While the focus at Kichaka is on discovering the wilderness that lies beyond the deck, there’s no shortage of civilised comforts. Every suite is airconditioned and comes fitted with modern conveniences that range from iPod docking systems to international plug adapters. There’s even complimentary Wi-Fi if you simply have to stay in touch with the outside world. But why would you want to, when the sparkling private plunge pool and

Opulent Living

OL11_Kichaka.indd 3

109

2014/11/14 11:36 AM

The Kichaka experience is as refined as it is wild, with lantern-lit dinners on the deck and gourmet dinners to round off a day of adventure.

110

OL11_Kichaka.indd 4

complimentary mini-bar will no doubt tempt you to while away a languorous afternoon on your deck. Or you could sink into even deeper relaxation with an indulgent spa treatment in the safari-style Wellness Suite. Trained therapists offer a menu of body and facial treatments, all using the acclaimed Africology range of products that focus on destressing, antiageing care and cell renewal. If youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d prefer, wellness treatments can also be conducted in the privacy of your suite. Meandering walkways through the bushveld link each suite to the main lodge, where a cosy library overlooking the waterhole is another quiet sanctuary to spend the hours between morning and afternoon game drives. Unlike many other safari destinations, guests are welcome to wander freely around the camp, safe in the knowledge that discreet electrified fencing keeps larger animals away from the main lodge and guest suites. But out in the reserve there is no

shortage of close encounters and, despite its modest size, the 7 500 hectares of Kichaka are home to a wide array of wildlife. Twice-daily game drives set out in the pre-dawn light and late-afternoon sunshine in search of the animals that call Kichaka home. On the open plains itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s not unusual to see four of the Big Five on a single drive, with lion, elephant, rhino and buffalo all found on the reserve. Cheetah also stalk the open plains here, keen eyes fixed on the antelope that roam the grasslands. Game walks can be arranged for the energetic and adventurous, while twitchers should keep their binoculars handy for sightings of everything from pale chanting goshawks to booted eagles and snake-hunting secretary birds. On night drives the highly trained guides keep a keen eye out for the riveting nocturnal residents of Kichaka: the likes of the elusive aardvark, genet, bat-eared fox and shy aardwolf.

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 11:37 AM

140 BBDO_809334_OL

Not for Sale to Persons Under the Age of 18. OL11_Ads.indd 41 OPULENT LIVING_R1.indd 1 809334 OM RESIZE

2014/11/14 11:47 10:39 AM AM 2014/11/03

OL11_Kichaka.indd 6

2014/11/14 11:37 AM

PHOTOGRAPHS: KICHAKA PRIVATE GAME LODGE

Spacious suites provide a restful haven between game excursions into the Big Five reserve, where buffalo and cheetah roam. Or you can relax in the pool overlooking the waterhole and watch the hippos at play.

If you find yourself entranced by the bushveld at night, Kichaka also offers Cosmic Safaris that will introduce you to the wild wonders of the Milky Way. In perfect darkness the stars all but leap out of these unpolluted night skies and, with the aid of a high-powered telescope, Kichaka’s knowledgeable guides will take you on a safari across the skies, from how to find your way home using the Southern Cross to the tales behind Orion’s Belt. After your evening game drive, dinner awaits back at the cosy lodge. The fires are lit and hurricane lanterns light the path to your table. Gourmet experiences are a true highlight of a visit to Kichaka, with each meal transformed into an occasion. Expect inventive South African cuisine, which could either be enjoyed in the stylish dining room or out on the deck under the stars, the double-hoot of a spotted eagle owl the soundtrack to savouring a delicious five-course dinner.

The lodge’s impressive wine cellar stocks some of the finest wines produced in South Africa, including both iconic estates and boutique producers. There’s also plenty of Méthode Cap Classique sparkling wine on offer, and if you’re celebrating a special occasion – or planning to pop the question over a romantic meal for two – the ever-helpful lodge staff will be only too happy to prepare a candlelit dinner in the privacy of your suite. Each night is a new opportunity to create unforgettable memories of your time at Kichaka. As you enjoy an after-dinner Cognac, wander down to the deck overlooking the waterhole. Down below, a pod of hippo chuckle heartily to themselves in the warm African evening, their deep bellows echoing across the hills. With the Southern Cross up above and pristine bushveld surrounding you, it’s not hard to feel that you’ve happened upon a particularly special corner of Africa. n Sebastian Bartlett

Kichaka Private Game Lodge

Assegaai Bush, Grahamstown, Eastern Cape, SA Telephone: +27 (0)46 622 6024 Email: info@kichaka.co.za Website: www.kichaka.co.za Kichaka is just off the N2 highway, about 100km east of Port Elizabeth.

Opulent Living

OL11_Kichaka.indd 7

113

2014/11/14 11:38 AM

114

OL11_Lodge 23.indd 2

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 11:39 AM

Lodge 23 â&#x2C6;&#x2122; South Africa

Exotic sanctuary Everything about Lodge 23, the exclusive-use villa overlooking the wild expanse of the Kruger National Park across the gently flowing waters of the Sabie River, is about relaxing and creating special memories with friends and family. And the Moorish design influence adds the extra delight of a roof-top retreat with far-reaching views.

adding barefoot up the stairs to the game-viewing terrace on the rooftop with an early morning cup of tea to witness the break of dawn is a bush experience that always leaves you yearning for more. Breathing in a deep lungful of the freshest air, redolent with the scent of recently grazed grass still moist with dew, is the most distilled moment of each day - time to curl up in a chair under a blanket and wake up gently while watching the age-old rituals of bushveld mornings when

game begins to emerge quietly from the bushes and drift down to the water to drink. Hippos grunt and snort in their favourite pool near the boma, and a chorus of birdlife surrounds a lone buffalo idly chewing in the steadily warming rays of sunshine. At the same time of day, in exotic lands as far away as Morocco, Zanzibar or India, muezzins can be heard across the roof tops where everyone gathers to share meals or simply chill when the heat of the day calls for a siesta or a

Opulent Living

OL11_Lodge 23.indd 3

115

2014/11/14 11:39 AM

Lodge 23 is designed for relaxed family living, with warm and welcoming living areas both indoors and out.

card game together, a way of life that Lodge 23 owner Sue Lederle wanted to recreate in her bushveld villa, and even more so after a holiday in Vanessa Branson’s extraordinary boutique riad in Marrakech, El Fenn. Inspired by the colours, lifestyle and design of historical Moroccan riads, Sue returned to her bushveld project with a new vision. The four-bedroom family villa that was being built in Elephant Point, a 290-hectare private reserve bordering the Kruger National Park, was to have a game-viewing terrace with a bar and lounge area, as

116

OL11_Lodge 23.indd 4

well as an uncovered rooftop deck for sun worshippers to enjoy. Together with designer and architectural advisor, Jack Andrew, she interpreted what was needed to adapt the plans for the villa on the banks of the Sabie River. Railings were sourced from a global artefacts trader in Johannesburg, and their Indian design used as the inspiration for the custom-made wrought metalwork over the windows. Sue, an interior designer and travel agency owner who has travelled frequently to far-flung corners of the earth, instinctively knew what it was

about Morocco that resonated with her desire to create a distinctive style for her new bushveld home. Everything about the architectural proportions of the ancient riads and the relationship with the elements of nature made sense – whether it was the effect shafts of sunlight cast through a tiny square window at a certain time of day, or the patterned shadows created by decorative wrought-metal window screens. Inspired by the architectural details, Sue decided that all wood, especially the local dark meranti, would be aged. It was ‘literally pickled in vinegar’

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 11:41 AM

Fresh palettes of colour were used in the four riverfront suites, each one individually decorated and a soothing sanctuary.

to achieve the grey-blue tones in the ceilings, doors and windows. Once that look was achieved, the villa was beautifully finished with alcoves, tiling detail and clever design elements seen on her travels. Today, a citrus-filled, tiled courtyard has become a green oasis cooled with the tinkling sound of the water fountain, bathrooms are lit with a magical array of candles at night, and bunches of fresh roses add rich reds and pinks to the exotic touches of colour that’s become her signature throughout, especially in the open-plan living area. A bright and breezy space, it’s easily the

heart of this home-away-from-home and the kitchen is a dream to cook in together as a family or with friends. Here you’ll find nothing less than a Lacanche stove, and everything from an icecream maker to Kitchen Aid appliances and a bread maker. An ex-chef herself, Sue has second-guessed the fact that her guests might never have made their own bread so she’s thoughtfully shared her recipes for faultless loaves (after all, being in the bush means that you can’t jog down to the nearest bakery) and even handmade pizza bases for the popular pizza oven.

For guests who book this exclusiveuse self-catering villa, an extensive shopping service is provided before arrival, so that the fridges are stocked with everything from favourite wines to the best cuts of meat for an outdoor barbecue. The latter can be held under the stars in the circular reed boma, set down near the river where the hippos love to come up onto the sandbank, and protected by a gully behind. Lanterns are lit and meals outdoors on balmy evenings are unforgettable. If cooking’s not your thing, a private chef may be booked for an additional fee. Housekeeping, however, is daily and discreet, giving guests maximum privacy and downtime. Breakfast is a laid-back affair if no game drives are planned, especially if everyone simply chooses to laze about around the pool. After stepping off the plane at Skukuza, and taking a 45-minute game drive through the Kruger en route to Elephant Point (about 17 kilometres from the airport), a lie-in for the first morning is excusable. Besides, a good range of antelope or even an elephant or two can be spotted from the comfort of the chaise longue on the deck. It’s best to have the binoculars at hand for some bird watching, too. But self-drive game

Opulent Living

OL11_Lodge 23.indd 5

117

2014/11/14 11:42 AM

The striking front door is one of many characterful architectural features. It and all the meranti used in the house was aged in vinegar to give it a blue-grey effect.

Lodge 23

Elephant Point, near Kruger National Park, Mpumalanga, SA Telephone: +27 (0)21 761 6565 Email: sue@lodge23.co.za Website: www.lodge23.co.za

118

OL11_Lodge 23.indd 6

in the boma beckons, it’s time to slip upstairs again for cocktails on the roof deck and do a last spot of game viewing and bird watching. Slowly, but surely, the stress of the city dissipates, and the real meaning of a holiday in the bush begins to take shape. And as the heat of the day subsides, elephants move away, following each other along the wellworn river pathways and the hippos once again fill the night skies with their playful snorts and deep grunts… one of the many unforgettable sounds of the African bushveld that will be etched in memory forever. n Michelle Snaddon

PHOTOGRAPHS: LODGE 23

viewing in Kruger is easy enough in the eight-seater Hyundai available for hire with the villa – and, more importantly, whenever it suits everyone. Time is blissfully unstructured but for anyone keen on taking a guided game walk on foot, private rangers can be booked, as well as open game vehicle drives at dusk and dawn. And for avid golfers who feel they’ve done enough game viewing, a Gary Player golf course is 10 kilometres away, as are a multitude of other attractions in the area. Whatever the day’s activities though, as the sun dips and an evening barbecue

Lodge 23 is set on the banks of the Sabie River about 11 kilometres from the Paul Kruger Gate to Kruger National Park. It’s 17 kilometres from Skukuza Airport, or a five-hour drive from Johannesburg. The four-bedroom lodge sleeps eight and is booked on an exclusive-use basis.

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 11:44 AM

OL11_Ads.indd 43

2014/11/14 10:40 AM

www.luxuryinsouthernafrica.com facebook.com/LuxuryInSouthernAfrica @LisaKnowsYou youtube.com/LuxurySouthernAfrica

Finally! Easily search and book 5-star accommodation using the world’s most comprehensive luxury directory for Southern Africa, East Africa and the Indian Ocean islands.

The all-in-one solution: • Direct and real-time bookings • No booking fees • Concierge service available • Images, videos and specials • TripAdvisor comments • Advanced search functionalities • Mobile-friendly site

www.luxuryinsouthernafrica.com

OL11_Ads.indd 44

2014/11/14 10:41 AM

THE LITTLE FIVE ARE THE FUTURE Feature by Florian Gast Words by Kit Heathcock

Conservation success lies in providing protected habitats in which the offspring of the Big Five can grow and flourish.

The cute factor is undeniable; big paws and furry baby faces, awkwardly clumsy trunks and wobbly knees appealing straight to our hearts. But the Big Five babies play a far weightier role than that of delighting safari travellers with their antics. The Little Five are the future of conservation. Breeding populations of endangered animals are evidence of an eco-system regaining its balance; where there are babies there is hope. Conservation has made huge strides in recent years, helped immensely by increased interest in safari travel, and while lion, leopard, elephant, rhino and buffalo are often the star attraction, many other smaller creatures benefit from the same conservation measures. Pangolin, aardvark and wild dogs are just a few other endangered animals that have a better chance of survival now the Big Five are leading the way. Safari companies provide jobs for local communities and many fund community projects, education and research, encouraging locals to value and protect the animals that they once saw as a threat to their livestock and livelihood. But there is still a long road to travel to secure the future of both Little and Big Five.

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_Little5.indd 1

121

2014/11/14 1:18 PM

PRINCES OF THE PLAINS

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK, GREATSTOCK/MASTERFILE

A sighting of a lioness with her cubs is a safari moment that stays in your heart for a life-time. This majestic predator is a symbol of Africa for many. The top of the food chain, the lion is only threatened by man. The main threat is habitat loss, as previously undeveloped land is taken over for agriculture. This in turn leads to increasing contact with humans and lions attacking livestock as their natural prey decreases, provoking farmers to retaliate. Organisations such as the African Wildlife Foundation fund research and work with governments to plan buffer zones between lion territory and humans to reduce the conflict. Private game reserves also play a huge role in extending lion territory. For example, Tswalu, the private reserve created by the Oppenheimer family in South Africa’s Northern Cape, allows the beautiful Kalahari lion to roam in a landscape rehabilitated from the devastating effects of cattle farming to a once-more pristine ‘Green Kalahari’ grassland eco-system.

122

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_Little5.indd 2

2014/11/14 1:19 PM

OL11_Editorial_Little5.indd 3

2014/11/14 1:20 PM

Young elephants are almost as vulnerable as human babies and it’s a wonderful sight to see a new-born being gently cared for by the herd. Elephants can live to 60 or 70 years and their slow reproduction rates make them especially vulnerable to man. While rhino poaching has taken over the headlines, elephants are still being poached for their ivory. They are also vulnerable to habitat loss; used to roaming huge areas, when confined to small reserves their feeding can have a devastating effect on vegetation. Wildlife corridors linking national parks along migration routes is one solution being worked on. Then there are success stories such as the Eastern Cape’s Addo Elephant National Park, established to protect the last 11 elephants of the area in 1931 and now home to over 600 of the pachyderms – and a prime spot to encounter large breeding herds.

124

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK, GREATSTOCK/MASTERFILE

A WRINKLE IN TIME

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_Little5.indd 4

2014/11/14 1:21 PM

OL11_Editorial_Little5.indd 5

2014/11/14 1:21 PM

ON THE HORNS OF A DILEMMA

PHOTOGRAPHS: GREATSTOCK/MASTERFILE, GETTY IMAGES/GALLO IMAGES

A young rhino is not a target for poachers, but what about when he grows up and his horn is worth a fortune on the black market? Poaching is the biggest threat to this most critically endangered of all the Big Five. Reserves and national parks spend huge amounts on security to protect their rhino, working against organised crime, where one kilo of horn fetches US$65 000. AWF and Wild Aid aim to raise awareness and dispel myths in Asia, where demand for rhino horn is centred, with public-service announcements from Prince William, David Beckham and Yao Ming. Celebrities, including Sting, Elton John and Ellen de Generis, support the Save the Rhino campaign, which funds anti-poaching initiatives and community education and conservation programmes. Practical measures driven by the safari industry include the Rhinos Without Borders programme, which relocates rhinos in danger zones to protected areas of Botswana.

126

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_Little5.indd 6

2014/11/14 1:22 PM

OL11_Editorial_Little5.indd 7

2014/11/14 1:23 PM

The shy and elusive leopard often seeks out the most remote and rugged terrain to raise her cubs, hiding them until they are old enough to learn to hunt and play. As adults they are solitary and nocturnal, as well as well camouflaged, making them one of the rarer safari sightings. Their beautiful coat is one reason leopards are under threat, hunted for their fur, and also when their paths cross farmers, who retaliate for lost livestock. The Kruger National Park and the adjoining private game reserves between them create a vast unfenced wilderness area that allows leopards space to thrive, and the Sabi Sands has one of the densest leopard populations in South Africa. Extensive research and monitoring of leopards is also being undertaken at Kariega and other private reserves in South Africaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Eastern Cape. Here great investment has been made in rehabilitating marginal farmland to pristine wilderness, re-introducing native species and giving the small remaining leopard population a natural refuge.

128

PHOTOGRAPHS: SHUTTERSTOCK, GREATSTOCK/IMAGE SOURCE

GROWING INTO THEIR SPOTS

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_Little5.indd 8

2014/11/14 1:23 PM

OL11_Editorial_Little5.indd 9

2014/11/14 1:25 PM

The vulnerable wobbly kneed buffalo calf has a formidable protection from the herd, which fights off predators, often ‘tree-ing’ lions that threaten their young. The least endangered of all the Big Five, the buffalo has healthy populations in much of sub-Saharan Africa. One threat is disease, although this is being countered by controlled breeding programmes for disease-free animals at wildlife sanctuaries such as Karkloof Safari Spa in KwaZulu-Natal. As a migratory species, another threat facing the buffalo is the breaking up of habitat and interruption of migration patterns by human development, such as fences and new roads. Wildlife corridors linking national parks, such as the proposed one between South Africa’s Madikwe and Pilanesberg parks, giving game greater freedom to roam and follow their natural migration patterns, are one solution. Another is the transfrontier super park concept, driven by Peace Parks Foundation, of which the largest is the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Park. This involved taking down fences between South Africa’s Kruger National Park, Mozambique’s Limpopo National Park and Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park and various linking land areas, to allow buffalo and elephant to migrate over the borders of the three countries.

130

PHOTOGRAPHS: GREATSTOCK/MASTERFILE, GETTY IMAGES/GALLO IMAGES

PROTECTED BY THE HERD

Opulent Living

OL11_Editorial_Little5.indd 10

2014/11/14 1:26 PM

OL11_Editorial_Little5.indd 11

2014/11/14 1:28 PM

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve â&#x2C6;&#x2122; South Africa

In harmony with nature Grootbos may have begun life as a humble weekend getaway for the Lutzeyer family, but has since evolved into a world-class conservancy and one of the finest eco-escapes in the Western Cape, combining luxurious accommodation, exquisite cuisine and memorable experiences in the great outdoors.

132

OL11_Grootbos.indd 2

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 11:04 AM

OL11_Grootbos.indd 3

2014/11/14 11:04 AM

A playful element of organic modernity underpins the design ethos at the Villa, where private suites spill onto decks boasting panoramic views.

134

OL11_Grootbos.indd 4

t is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful corners of the Western Cape. Here, where the sandy beaches and steep cliffs of Walker Bay embrace the Atlantic near the southern tip of Africa. Where whales leap from the seas and sharks patrol the icy depths. Where fynbos-covered hills roll down to meet the ocean, and valleys hide ancient milkwood forests. The fynbos-clad hills and dramatic sea views are without doubt the defining feature of Grootbos Private Nature Reserve, and yet the array of luxury accommodation and guided activities on offer at this 2 500-hectare conservancy combine to make it one of South Africa’s most remarkable eco-tourism destinations. For as much as the reserve allows guests the unique opportunity to experience this corner of the Cape Floral Kingdom, the accommodation deftly blends the great outdoors with discreet eco-sensitive luxury. The jewel in the crown is the Villa. A triumph of design, luxury and service, its secluded location makes it one of the most exclusive private getaways in the Cape. Six elegant suites accommodate up to 12 guests, with all-inclusive rates

boasting a private chef, guide and butler service. While the service is discreet, the accommodation is sure to be memorable. Airy living areas spill onto sheltered decks and courtyards that boast panoramic views of the surrounding hills. Works by some of South Africa’s most notable artists – the likes of Skotnes, Pierneef and Kentridge – adorn the walls, perfectly matching the striking architecture and modern décor that imbues every corner of this remarkable escape. While the Villa is ideal for larger groups, families and couples are similarly spoilt for choice with two unique lodges. Garden Lodge is in many ways the more traditional of the two, and yet retains a lively African feel through bright colours and vibrant décor. Set in and around fynbos gardens and wide manicured lawns, this gorgeous eco-sensitive lodge crafted from stone, thatch and timber blends seamlessly into the surrounding hillsides and is especially well suited to families travelling with children. The lodge offers both one- and two-bedroom suites, and a recent refurbishment has made the already stylish accommodation even more impressive with the addition of a new

Opulent Living

2014/11/17 9:37 PM

The elegant décor and design embraces, rather than excludes, the remarkable natural landscape. It’s an organic approach that informs the cuisine too, where fresh local produce dominates the menu.

family suite, revamped exterior deck areas and luxurious new soft furnishings. While Garden Lodge is classically elegant, Forest Lodge pitches modernity against the gnarled milkwood forest in a perfect dance of nature and design. The aesthetic here reflects the ever-changing moods of the distant ocean and so hues of grey, blue and green offer a cool, calming palette interspersed with eye-catching African furniture and objets d’art. Forest Lodge is also the destination of choice for gourmet travellers, with its array of food-focused experiences. The Champagne Bar is the perfect place for an apéritif and to toast the sunset as it dips beneath the Atlantic. Afterwards wander over to Red Indigo, the lodge’s flagship restaurant, where more superb views of Walker Bay will do their best to distract you from the culinary magic on your plate. There’s a firm focus on farm-to-fork dining here, with much of the fresh vegetables and herbs used in the kitchen sourced from the estate’s ‘Growing The Future’ initiative. This innovative social upliftment project has trained local women in producing organic eggs, honey, pork, vegetables and fruit, all of which

are sold back to the Grootbos kitchens. With the ocean just a few kilometres away there’s no shortage of seafood on the menu either, and the emphasis on fresh and local remains. “If there’s no fresh fish at the harbour, there’s no fish on the menu,” says Executive Chef Benjamin Conradie, who buys his seafood straight off the boats at nearby Gansbaai and Hermanus harbours. That attention to detail carries through to the wealth of unique culinary experiences on offer beyond the walls of Red Indigo. A candlelit staircase descends beneath the restaurant into the romantic wine cellar, where bespoke dinners for up to 12 guests are served in a private space amid the estate’s remarkable wine collection. When the weather’s fine, candles light the way along the forest pathways to where the Boma hides in a forest of milkwoods. White linen and flickering lanterns add a dose of fairytale magic to the scene, while the Grootbos chefs whip together a magical feast that could be a fine-dining extravaganza or an authentic South African braai with a gourmet twist. While many guests visit Grootbos to indulge, relax and soak up the luxurious serenity of their suite, there’s certainly

Opulent Living

OL11_Grootbos.indd 5

135

2014/11/14 11:07 AM

136

OL11_Grootbos.indd 6

row seat to the action, while boat-based whale-watching tours from local harbours can easily be arranged. These waters are also home to healthy populations of great white shark, with cage-diving operations offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences for adventurous travellers. Quad-bike tours are also available throughout the year, offering a thrilling new perspective on the surrounding forests and mountains, but if you’d prefer to relax there are numerous Blue Flag beaches a short drive away. The lodge kitchen will be only too happy to pack you a picnic basket! The reserve also makes an ideal springboard for exploring the surrounding area. Cape Agulhas, the southernmost tip of Africa, is an hour’s drive away while the acclaimed wineries in and around the Moravian mission village of Elim, itself worth a visit, produce top-notch Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. The choices of how to spend your days here are, not unlike the fynbos that covers the hills, wonderfully diverse. Whether you choose to luxuriate in your suite, dive with sharks or discover the Cape Floral Kingdom, Grootbos never fails to excite. n Sebastian Bartlett

Grootbos Private Nature Reserve

Gansbaai, Western Cape, SA Telephone: +27 (0)28 384 8008 Email: bookings@grootbos.co.za Website: www.grootbos.com The 2 500-hectare Grootbos Private Nature Reserve is close to the popular holiday town of Hermanus and just a two-hour drive from Cape Town. There is also a private airstrip for plane and helicopter transfers.

PHOTOGRAPHS: GROOTBOS PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE

no shortage of activities on offer in and around the reserve. Spring is perhaps the best time to visit, with an abundance of flowers bursting into life across the fynbos-covered hills. The reserve is home to more than 750 species of fynbos, with expert guides leading daily 4x4 excursions into the surrounding hills to reveal the secrets of this corner of the Cape Floral Kingdom. If you’d rather stretch your legs, a number of marked trails weave through the fynbos, allowing guests to explore at their own pace. Alternatively, a guided walk offers the opportunity for the Grootbos naturalists to help you unpack the myriad attractions of the reserve. The remarkable diversity of the endemic fynbos means there’s something to marvel at year-round, and with more than 120 bird species on the reserve – including a number of endemics – Grootbos is a paradise for twitchers. In winter the reserve is just a short drive from some of the most spectacular whale watching on earth, as southern right whales migrate north from Antarctica to breed, calve and nurse their young in the warm waters of Walker Bay. The craggy cliffs of nearby De Kelders offer a front-

Forest Lodge is a masterpiece of sophisticated contemporary design, with even the bathrooms taking full advantage of the views.

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 11:28 AM

The finer side of wine.

Sideways is your new luxury partner, your companion for the best things in life. It will find you the most exclusive winelands adventures and flavours, quickly and effortlessly, using a powerful search engine.

Combine this with curated lists, unique rewards and smart filters, and you’ll gain access to bespoke experiences that are only available to a select few. Whether it’s the highest-rated South African wine or the most luxurious wine farm accomodation – Sideways will help you harvest the best of the winelands.

Uncover the best kept secrets of the winelands by downloading the Sideways app for free from the App Store from the 24th of November 2014.

OL11_Ads.indd 47

@exploresideways www.exploresideways.co.za

2014/11/14 10:43 AM

Machaba Camp 路 Botswana

A thrilling wildlife adventure that captures a bygone era Set in one of the most iconic wildlife areas of the Okavango Delta, with a river running through it, Machaba Camp epitomises old-world luxury and charm. The magnificent tented camp offers guests an authentic African safari experience, while ensuring minimal impact on the pristine surrounding environment.

138

OL11_Machaba.indd 2

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 11:58 AM

long time ago three close friends had a dream. In 2012 that dream grew wings, and in early 2013 it took flight as Machaba Camp in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Alistair Rankin and Murray Collins have been friends since they were seven years old; Chris Hatshe joined the trio 20 years ago when Alistair had his first job as a ranger in Botswana. They’re a formidable group with a wealth of local knowledge that immediately sets them apart from the crowd. Machaba is the Setswana word for the sycamore fig tree, also called the tree of life in Botswana because of its abundant fruit. It’s also a fitting symbol for Machaba Camp, already a favourite destination in the delta. Immediately on opening, it was invited into the Classic

Safaris portfolio – the only camp in Botswana to be incorporated – and in its first 18 months, it was nominated for five prestigious awards, including ‘Botswana’s Leading Tented Safari Camp’ in the 2013 World Travel Awards. “It’s a wonderful success story,” says Managing Director Alistair modestly, “and the growth has been natural and organic. The camp has been filled with guests wanting an authentic, unobtrusive bush experience in this game-rich area. There is always an incredible wildlife intensity around Machaba Camp and it’s active and engaging throughout the year, so this is a great drawcard.” The 10 tented suites that are Machaba Camp thread along the treeline that fringes the languid Khwai River. Camp views are across the majestic Moremi

Game Reserve of eastern Okavango, proclaimed a protected area by the visionary widow of Chief Moremi III back in 1963. It was the first reserve in Africa to be proclaimed by local people, and it remains the only officially protected area in the Okavango Delta. Not only is Moremi coveted by safari visitors and wildlife lovers, but it’s of supreme importance for conservation, scientific and environmental reasons, too. And Machaba Camp is right there.

Machaba Camp’s tented suites are beautifully appointed, with neutral tones and textures ensuring an atmosphere of coolness and calm.

Opulent Living

OL11_Machaba.indd 3

139

2014/11/14 11:58 AM

Tucked into the treeline along the banks of the perennial Khwai River, each of the tented suites meshes with its surroundings. And with the camp open to the river, game viewing is excellent without having to leave the comfort of your private veranda.

140

OL11_Machaba.indd 4

“We wanted a camp that is simple but luxurious,” continues Alistair, “and which at the same time echoes the era of the 1950s African explorers. No, there are no pith helmets or gramophones to be found here, but it does look like the camp can be quickly dismantled and moved as if you were on an old African safari. While that feeling may not appeal to everyone, for us it is offering guests an authentic African bush experience. We also want people to hear the lions roar from their tents, without air-conditioners muffling the sound. We want them to experience real Africa, but in full luxury.” Machaba treads lightly, even though its 10 luxury tents are large and spacious, with living areas and verandas overlooking the river, en-suite

bathrooms and romantic outdoor showers. Two tents are even bigger than the rest and serve as family suites (children of all ages are welcome at the camp) that can be zipped into two private rooms if desired. Décor throughout is cool and creamy, in canvas, raffia, linen and mohair. Colours are soothingly neutral with a single pop of colour in the floor rug grounding each suite. Furnishings and appointments are all inspired by the colonial era, but spaces – which are splashed in sunlight all day – are purposely kept uncluttered and relaxing. The abundant year-round sunshine in the Okavango is also harvested by Machaba to run a thoroughly green, eco-friendly lodge. A solar farm supplies 90% of all the lodge’s energy requirements and a

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 11:59 AM

small, silent, ecopack generator is run for just an hour each day for high-draw appliances. “But our aim is definitely to go completely off the grid as soon as possible,” confirms Alistair. “That is a goal that we are all driven to achieve.” Since it opened, Machaba Camp has run a grey-water system, too. Grey water is purified in an extensive five-stage filtration process and then sprinkled back onto the earth, where it greens the area behind the lodge, while at the same time replenishing the underground water table. The philosophy is to take as little as possible and return as much as possible to the earth – water included. Drinking water is provided in Machabalabelled, BPA-free-plastic water bottles that are reusable and recyclable. So Machaba Camp’s water ‘footprint’,

though surrounded by the Okavango Delta, is minimal. “The uniqueness of the Okavango is that it’s in full flood when the rest of Botswana is bone dry,” explains Alistair, “so it’s a huge attraction for wildlife, which then concentrates in the delta. Then when the summer rains come from December to March, the herds move into the surrounding mopane woodlands and disperse. The concentration drops a little but the diversity remains. That is why the Khwai River area is one of the best game viewing places in Botswana, because there is always game there.” Game viewing is by vehicle, on traditional dugout canoes or ‘mokoro’ on the quiet backwaters of the delta, or on foot accompanied by an armed ranger. Guests are encouraged to experience all

three, because each offers a completely different vantage point. Mokoro trips are a gentle float in the stream as you watch wildlife go about its business. Elephants may even cross in front of you, unperturbed at your presence. Depending on the season and the height of the grass, bush walks allow personal, close encounters with wildlife at ground level, while game drives offer elevated and aerial perspectives on the surrounding environment. Night drives

The main area includes a dining room with picturesque views over the Moremi Game Reserve, as well as a library and swimming pool.

Opulent Living

OL11_Machaba.indd 5

141

2014/11/14 11:59 AM

are also offered and reveal a completely different facet of the African bush with a whole new variety of nocturnal animals to see. Then again, you don’t even need to leave Machaba Camp to enjoy incredible wildlife sightings. From your tent, you can look out over the river and watch huge herds of elephant, a variety of antelope and plentiful predators moving along the river through the day. Eight leopard are resident in the area and two packs of African wild dogs also live close to the camp. One pack has denned for a decade just 10 minutes’ drive from Machaba Camp. Plus the Khwai River is full of hippos and the bird life is spectacular. “Having guided for 20 years, I don’t like rushing around,” admits Alistair. “So when I have a chance, I’ll drive down the track along the river. I take four hours to drive three kilometres because the wildlife and bird life is so phenomenal. “You’ll see 50 species before you know it, saddle-billed storks fishing in front of you, black egrets hunting, prolific game, hippos, crocs and elephant. Then you’ll

hear an impala barking, and when you go and have a look, there’ll be a leopard or a lion. The wildlife here is interactive – an impala will try and swim the river, wild dogs will chase a leopard up a tree; there’s an ongoing pulse of life. The proximity of the river and it’s attraction for wildlife has a lot to do with it.” Wildlife lovers, yes. But Alistair, Chris and Murray are dream weavers too. Their dream was born out of a lifelong love for the Okavango and a driving desire to create “a little piece of heaven here for others to also enjoy”. “What we want more than anything is to fulfil people’s dreams,” muses Alistair. “For many guests, visiting here is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we want to ensure it’s completely unforgettable. As a small, independent and owner-run camp, we can focus on details and personal touches. It should feel like coming home to guests, with unfettered luxury, excellent food and outstanding service. It’s really quite simple.” The trio’s combined passion for the bush and realising dreams guarantee just that.  Keri Harvey

The décor and appointments at Machaba Camp have been carefully chosen to create a serene atmosphere that doesn’t compete with the surrounding environment, but rather naturally complements it.

Machaba Camp

Khwai River, Okavango, BOTSWANA Telephone: +27 (0)82 579 5249 Email: enquiries@machabacamp.com Website: www.machabacamp.com

PHOTOGRAPHS: MACHABA CAMP

Guests to Machaba can fly from Johannesburg to Maun, from where a charter plane takes them to Khwai Airstrip, a 20-minute drive from camp.

142

OL11_Machaba.indd 6

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:00 PM

Seeff Property Services was founded in 1964 by Geoffrey Seeff. 50 years of age is a defining milestone in anyone’s life and is certainly an equally momentous landmark in the life of an organisation. Since taking over the reigns of the company in 1984, I am most proud when looking back and reflecting on what we have been able to achieve as a company and to be a part of celebrating this auspicious occasion. While Seeff has evolved in both stature and size over the years, I am equally proud to see that we have done so whilst being able to remain true to the family values on which the company was originally founded - those of integrity, passion and commitment...the same values that have given rise to the core values that define us today. As we know, any organisation is only as strong as its people and I would personally like to thank all those licensees, agents, staff members, partners and of course, clients that have touched our brand in some way and who over the past 50 years have helped to build it into the undeniable success that it has become today. Let us all celebrate this special year and as we look back at what we have been able to achieve, also look confidently to the years that now lie ahead.

Samuel Seeff, Chairman

OL11_Ads.indd 49

2014/11/14 10:43 AM

Suspended in the forest Bantry Bay, Cape Town Designed by award-winning Cape Town architects, Van Der Merwe Miszewski, this contemporary home is a symphony of light, steel, glass and timber that maximises its position high on the slopes of Lionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Head in exclusive Bantry Bay. The four-storey villa merges seamlessly with the spectacular Atlantic Ocean views and integrates into the branches of the surrounding bluegum trees to make the forest part of the living experience. Bantry Bay is one of the most sought-after residential strips on Cape Townâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Atlantic coastline, with homes enjoying spectacular sea views, including glorious sunsets, and often beautiful mountain views as well. Added to this, it has one of the best wind-protected micro climates on the Cape Peninsula, and is within easy driving distance of the city centre and the many attractions and beautiful beaches for which Cape Town is so acclaimed. Demand for property here consistently outstrips supply, giving it attractive investment potential as well. This four-storey home is an elegant example of modern contemporary design that incorporates For more information contact Lance Cohen +27 (0)82 416 6103, lance@seeff.com SEEFF BANTRY BAY

natural materials in a simple, tactile arrangement. Arranged around a central atrium that stretches the full height of the house to maximise the feeling of space and light, the ground floor incorporates a sleek open-plan kitchen and spacious reception areas that flow onto outdoor

Telephone: +27 (0)21 434 9175

decks. Upstairs, five bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms open onto wraparound verandas through

Website: www.seeff.com Web ref: 332652

large glass sliding doors that let the glorious views in. A sparkling swimming pool, level manicured

Asking price: R58-million

lawn, two garages and four additional parking spaces complete this exclusive offering.

144

OL11_Seeff.indd 2

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:02 PM

Pinnacle of luxury Camps Bay, Cape Town Located in the cosmopolitan playground of Camps Bay on the desirable Atlantic Seaboard, this handsome villa sits neatly between the lapping ocean waves and the rugged cliffs of Table Mountain National Park. From its vantage point high on the mountain slopes, it looks down onto the palm-fringed white sandy beach for which Camps Bay is famous – as well as the trendy strip of world-class restaurants and bars that contribute to the suburb’s trendy beach scene and exuberant nightlife. The glass-fronted villa, set over three levels, has been superbly designed to maximise its location and bring the far-reaching sea and mountain views into each and every room. The ground and first floors operate as a five-star boutique guesthouse with luxury suites that all ooze sophisticated seaside chic in neutral tones. Each is spacious enough to include a lounge area as well as a lavish en-suite bathroom with high-end finishes and equally stunning views. The entire third storey, meanwhile, is given over to a two-bedroom owner’s penthouse with a separate entrance. All three floors have wraparound terraces, giving the home a light and airy indoor-outdoor feel and adding to the all-encompassing views.

For more information contact

Interiors are a study in understated elegance, with either sumptuous carpets or marble

Rochelle Serman +27 (0)72 239 4449,

tiles giving a luxurious feel underfoot. The marble flooring extends out to the ground-floor

serman@seeff.com

terrace, which ends in a large 12-metre infinity pool that brilliantly merges with the blue ocean views to create a postcard-perfect tableau. The entire property extends over 1 192 square metres and includes a manicured lawn that

Lyn Pope +27 (0)82 575 1999, lyn@seeff.com SEEFF CAMPS BAY Telephone: +27 (0)21 438 1055

extends around the front of the house, and a beautifully landscaped garden. There are also

Website: www.seeff.com Web ref: 319674

two garages and parking for an additional two cars.

Asking price: R32-million

Opulent Living

OL11_Seeff.indd 3

145

2014/11/14 12:03 PM

Four secure, lock-up-and-go family homes offer luxurious indoor-outdoor living and superb views over the Atlantic Ocean.

Tranquil family living Camps Bay, Cape Town A new development in sought-after Camps Bay on Cape Town’s sparkling Atlantic coastline, Little Glen offers exclusive family living in a beautiful greenbelt ravine on the slopes of Table Mountain. The four spacious homes enjoy wonderful sea views and are within easy distance of both the area’s Blue Flag beaches and it’s excellent infrastructure, which includes good schools, private hospitals and a wealth of shopping and entertainment venues. The brand-new villas are luxuriously appointed with top-of-the-range designer fittings and set the standard for privacy and style within a tranquil, natural setting. They sit in a lush greenbelt that has a mountain stream flowing through it and ends in a beautiful park. Top security also offers the ideal lock-up-and-go city lifestyle. Interiors are sleek and elegant and designed to maximise both their verdant surroundings For more information contact

and the glorious sunset views over the ocean with floor-to-ceiling windows. Freeflowing

Pola Jocum +27 (0)83 261 0116,

living spaces are generously sized and geared to luxurious multi-purpose living. They’re filled

jocum@seeff.com

with natural light and open out to spacious outdoor terraces to give the home a relaxed

Rochelle Serman +27 (0)72 239 4449, serman@seeff.com SEEFF CAMPS BAY

indoor-outdoor atmosphere that’s perfect for both family fun and laid-back entertaining. The ground floor flows out to a sparkling pool surrounded by a level lawn that allows families

Telephone: +27 (0)21 438 1055

to enjoy Cape Town’s outdoor lifestyle, while accommodation is in four en-suite bedrooms.

Website: www.seeff.com Web ref: 335681

Each villa sits on over 400 square metres and includes a double garage and parking for an

Asking price: From R12.15-million

additional two cars.

146

OL11_Seeff.indd 4

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:04 PM

Beachfront masterpiece Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route This exclusive property is situated in Whale Rock Beach End, one of the prime estates on Plettenberg

For more information contact

Bay’s coveted coastline, and enjoys direct access to Robberg Beach via a boardwalk. Whale Rock

Alet Ollemans +27 (0)83 657 5678,

Beach End offers an unsurpassed lifestyle on the Southern Cape coast. It’s seven kilometres from

alet@seeff.com

the centre of Plettenberg Bay, one of South Africa’s most famed coastal holiday resorts, and offers spectacular vistas over the Indian Ocean, Tsitsikamma Mountains and the area’s iconic Robberg Peninsula. Great care has been taken to preserve the unique beauty and natural integrity of the eco

SEEFF PLETTENBERG BAY Telephone: +27 (0)44 533 0311 Website: www.seeff.com Web ref: 324735 Asking price: R44-million (including VAT)

estate and homes comply with strict architectural and environmental protocols. This ultra-modern home was designed by eco architect Paul Oosthuizen and sits over 550 square metres on a large plot that guarantees privacy and peace. The open-plan living areas are enclosed by large, floor-to-ceiling windows that bring the expansive views indoors. They flow out onto an extensive patio area in a secluded inner courtyard that features a barbecue area and a solarheated pool. Overlooking the courtyard is an indigenous roof-top garden that blends the home into its magical setting. Back in the house, the BBC-featured kitchen was designed by chefs for chefs and includes a cold room, scullery and laundry shoot. For those colder days there is a crackling fireplace, as well as underfloor heating throughout. There are five bedrooms, five and a half bathrooms as well as an upstairs family room that could serve as a sixth bedroom. Additional features include a garage, garden irrigation and alarm system. The home is wheelchair friendly and is being sold with its exquisite furnishings, excluding art and personal items.

This modern eco home, set within metres of the breaking waves of Robberg Beach, is light and spacious thanks to large windows that bring the far-reaching sea views inside.

Opulent Living

OL11_Seeff.indd 5

147

2014/11/14 12:04 PM

Serenity in the city Annlin, Pretoria It’s rare to find such a large, hidden gem in the midst of the hustle and bustle of northern Pretoria, but this spectacular stand offers a tranquil oasis over nearly five acres. Perfectly suited to top-level business executives, foreign diplomats or government ministers who need to be based in South Africa’s administrative capital, but who want a home that offers a peaceful refuge away from the daily hubbub of the city, it’s a truly high-end property of timeless charm and prestigious beauty. From the very first moment you enter this immaculate property, you are immersed in a serene environment that offers breathtaking views over the Jacaranda City – so called because of the quiet avenues lined with jacaranda trees that come alive with purple blossoms in spring. Despite the feeling of seclusion, however, this Annlin mansion is very centrally located, and offers easy access to the central business district, the north-south highways that link Pretoria to nearby Johannesburg, and OR Tambo International Airport. Drive into the extensive property and you’ll be greeted by a koi pond filled with colourful fish. Enter into the home itself, and you’ll find nothing but the very best in terms of luxury finishes. From the beautiful marble floors to the intricate cornice designs, every detail has been meticulously planned and implemented. Living areas feature beautiful light fittings, while in the bathrooms, there are designer taps and basins for a truly lavish feel. There’s a strong European influence in the design and the décor, which also lends a classical opulence to the interiors.

With luxury finishes reminiscent of a Renaissance palace and extensive grounds that include a private heli-pad, this home is built for top-level executives who want a tranquil base close to the country’s main seat of power.

148

OL11_Seeff.indd 6

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:06 PM

The multi-level house, linked via mezzanine levels, features a variety of formal and informal reception spaces, making it ideal for entertaining high-level guests. All have wide windows that let in plenty of natural light and take in the green views over the large grounds. And to keep out the chill in frosty Gauteng winters, there are fireplaces as well as underfloor heating to keep the whole home comfortably warm. The main house features six spacious bedrooms, each boasting either a walk-in dressing room, a study or a living area. The master bedroom features both his and hers dressing rooms and a extra-sized bed that is fit for a king. All bedrooms have large en-suite bathrooms, two of which include saunas. Private balconies are also standard, allowing guests to relax in their own space

For more information contact Lynne de Vos +27 (0)82 627 7693, lynne.devos@seeff.com Corne Kotze +27 (0)83 225 5246, corne.kotze@seeff.com

overlooking the manicured lawns, with the master bedroom leading out to a generous veranda

Anton van der Merwe +27 (0)82 805 6044

of 460 square metres.

SEEFF JAKARANDA

The extensive grounds feature wide manicured lawns, mature trees, a large heated swimming

Telephone: +27 (0)12 940 5484

pool and a number of fountains. A gazebo next to the pool offers a large outdoor entertainment

Website: www.seeff.com Web ref: 336768

area that incorporates a bar and barbecue area with built-in fridges.

Asking price: US$5.5-million

The estate also incorporates a conference facility with a separate, private entrance. This includes a double-volume executive lounge that can comfortably accommodate up to 130 guests and features a service counter and a small kitchenette. A bar area also spills out on to the patio where al fresco meals can be catered on a gas braai. Eight garages supply plenty of parking, plus thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a heli-pad with a custom-made hangar to clinch the deal. All furniture is also included in the sale.

Opulent Living

OL11_Seeff.indd 7

149

2014/11/14 12:07 PM

OL Travel Advert OL11.indd 2

2014/11/14 3:31 PM

SHUTTERSTOCK

IMAGE COURTESY OF CRYSTAL CRUISES

IMAGE COURTESY OF MORE HOTELS

YOUR BESPOKE JOURNEY BEGINS HERE

We know.

Southern Africa, East Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands is our territory. A dedicated team will book your bespoke holiday with hotels, lodges and resorts known for their quality and service, or turn your dreams of an ocean cruise into reality. Unforgettable moments included. +27 (0)21 433 0526 office@opulentliving.travel www.opulentliving.travel

Opulent Living

OL Travel Advert OL11.indd 3

RAVE L

2014/11/14 3:32 PM

This large executive home, built around a covered patio that gives easy access to a sparkling swimming pool, is set in an acre of indigenous gardens.

Larger than life Bryanston, Sandton, Johannesburg This unique master-built home sits on a large, one-acre property in an exclusive estate in Bryanston. Designed for an executive with a lavish lifestyle, it offers everything a homeowner could possibly want, including privacy, security, unspoilt views and birdsong to lift the soul. An entertainer’s delight, the interleading living areas all flow out onto a covered patio and indigenous garden. The beautifully tiled spaces never feel the cold due to underfloor heating, and are light and airy thanks to wide windows and sliding doors. Catering, too, is a dream with a large chef’s kitchen fitted with smart white cupboards, black granite countertops and high-end Smeg appliances. There’s also a separate scullery and laundry. Additional highlights include a study with a separate entrance, a wood-panelled snooker room and koi ponds. Stylish accommodation is provided in an upstairs bedroom wing. There’s an ultra-spacious master For more information contact

bedroom featuring his and hers en-suite bathrooms, and an additional four double bedrooms,

Riki Scruton +27 (0)82 558 5086,

each with a superbly appointed en-suite bathroom.

riki.scruton@seeff.com

Outside, the large indigenous gardens feature a dry river bed, as well as a sun-drenched swimming

Rene Ozen +27 (0)83 777 3963,

pool and a boma for entertaining. Watering is taken care of with a computerised irrigation system.

rene.ozen@seeff.com

The large grounds of the estate also include a club house with an indoor heated lap pool, a sauna,

Stan Selikow +27 (0)83 272 7888, stan.selikow@seeff.com SEEFF SANDTON

squash court, tennis court and a fully equipped gym. The home is fully alarmed and comes with a back-up estate generator, five garages and a double staff suite.

Telephone: +27 (0)11 784 1222

Bryanston is highly sought after for its quiet, leafy residential avenues, its upmarket shopping

Website: www.seeff.com Web ref: 330962

centres and good sports and medical facilities. It offers easy access to the Sandton CBD and is

Asking price: R26-million

close to a number of good private and government schools.

152

OL11_Seeff.indd 8

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:09 PM

Classic meets modern Sandhurst, Sandton, Johannesburg An exclusive residence set on 6 000 square metres in the heart of Sandhurst, Harrow House caters

For more information contact

for families looking for a top-notch, blue-chip residence that literally has everything. Designed by

Corinna Lowry +27 (0)82 652 8891,

Arlene Rottanburg of Summersun Property Designs, who was inspired by the work of architect Ken

sandhurst@seeff.com

Tate, the glamorous home is built in the New Classicist style, blending classical and post-modern architecture to provide an executive offering that oozes luxury and unparalleled innovation. The porticoed entrance leads through to a double-volume entrance hall with a chandelier, black-

George Papadopoulos +27 (0)84 454 1834, sandhurst@seeff.com SEEFF SANDTON Telephone: +27 (0)11 784 1222

and-white floors and a sweeping staircase. This gives on to a formal lounge with a wood-burning

Website: www.seeff.com Web ref: 333731

fireplace, a dining room with a built-in server and a study surrounded by a cascading water feature.

Asking price: R60-million

The sleek white kitchen is fitted with Miele appliances and has a butler’s pantry and walk-in chiller room, as well as a separate scullery and laundry. Outside, the large patio features a Chad-O Chef barbecue as well as hot and cold food-prep areas. Accommodation is in five en-suite bedrooms, all with patios and views over the landscaped gardens, and there’s also a large family room and lounge. For sheer opulence, the beautiful pool with teak decking leads to a hotel-type spa with a Roman hot pool, steam room, sauna and a massage room opening onto a lemon and lavender orchard. Other special features include an 18-seater home cinema and a fully equipped gym as well as an entertainer’s summerhouse gazebo – with wine cellar, billiard room and a first-floor restaurant – overlooking a championship tennis court. Large staff accommodation, parking for up to 20 cars, air-conditioning, underfloor heating, superb home automation, security and borehole irrigation complete the impressive package.

OL11_Seeff.indd 9

2014/11/14 12:10 PM

Embracing nature and design Mahathunzi, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal For more information contact

Situated 10 minutes from Pietermaritzburg and with Hilton College and Karkloof Safari Spa as its

Tim Johnson +27 (0)82 424 6202,

prestigious neighbours, Mahathunzi is set to offer premium living for only 49 owners in 1 000

tim.johnson@seeff.com Mark Johnson +27 (0)82 600 6286, markj@seeff.com

hectares of authentic African terrain, complete with wildlife. The development is the brainchild of Fred Wörner, managing director of Skema Holdings, who also created the multiple-award-winning

SEEFF DOLPHIN COAST

Karkloof Safari Spa. Wörner’s vision is that of creating an opportunity to live among wildlife, while

Telephone: +27 (0)32 586 0170

leaving a minimal footprint on the landscape, and with no change in land use.

Website: www.mahathunzi.co.za

The 49 plots range in size from 20 to 30 hectares each and present a choice of views and

Asking price: R4-million to R6-million

landscape. Each stand has been selected to present a clearly identifiable flat section where a single residential building can be positioned and constructed. No earthworks or cutting will be utilised in integrating the dwellings with the natural surrounds, so safeguarding the ecological status of the landscape. The design aesthetic, developed by Neil Hayes Hill, George Elphick of Elphick Proome Architects and Andrew Makin of designworkshop : sa, is for low-slung, understated single-storey buildings, walls of glass and visibly natural materials that will be arranged to spatially and experientially integrate with the landscape. The development offers a special opportunity to live in complete privacy and have unparalleled interaction with nature, yet enjoy all the facilities of nearby Pietermaritzburg. The land supports established populations of wildebeest, giraffe, reedbuck, eland, kudu, impala, nyala, blesbok, zebra and warthog, as well as abundant birdlife, and residents will be able to use the more than 46 kilometres of all-weather shale roads within the property for game-viewing routes, as well as take advantage of the expansive freedom to enjoy mountain biking, walking and trail running.

154

OL11_Seeff.indd 10

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:10 PM

Prime coastal living Zimbali Coastal Resort, Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal From its elevated position within Zimbali Coastal Resort, this contemporary home commands far-

For more information contact

reaching views over the award-winning residential and golfing estate towards the Indian Ocean.

Sally Edlmann +27 (0)79 773 6431,

Geared for luxury family living with four bedrooms and bathrooms, the double-storey home

sally.edlmann@seeff.com

enjoys a modern design aesthetic that maximises its setting in the indigenous coastal forest and offers every contemporary comfort. Floor-to-ceiling windows bathe the reception rooms in natural light and bring the ever-present ocean views into the interiors. Large porcelain tiles unify

SEEFF DOLPHIN COAST Telephone: +27 (0)32 586 0170 Website: www.seeff.com Web ref: 330294 Asking price: R11.95-million

these spacious downstairs living areas, which flow out onto a sunny pool deck with expansive views. Around the back of the house, meanwhile, is a flat and inviting garden offering an extended entertainment area and space for children to play. At the centre of the open-plan ground floor is a gourmet kitchen, perfect for maximising social interaction while preparing meals. It features white fitted cupboards and cream granite countertops, a separate scullery and well-positioned island that allows the cook to enjoy the ocean views. A designer staircase in steel and wood leads up to the first floor and three en-suite bedrooms. All face the ocean and lead on to wide, sunny patios. There is also a well-appointed guest suite on the ground level with a private patio leading onto a garden. Zimbali Coastal Resort borders the popular holiday town of Ballito on KwaZulu-Natalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s sunny Dolphin Coast. Set within 425 hectares of coastal forest, it provides nature trails and a splendour of birdlife, but is within close proximity of Durban and King Shaka International Airport.

This four-bedroom family home features expansive living spaces that flow out onto a pool deck offering far-reaching views over indigenous coastal forest to the Indian Ocean.

Opulent Living

OL11_Seeff.indd 11

155

2014/11/14 12:11 PM

Grandeur fit for a princess Upper Constantia, Cape Town Tarrystone in Cape Town’s leafy Upper Constantia was formerly owned by Earl Spencer, brother to the late Princess Diana, who often visited him there. The magnificently renovated property comprises around two acres of land that enjoys magnificent views over False Bay. The grand double-storey home has about 1 100 square metres in floor space with large rooms and double-volume ceilings, plus there are several For more information contact

guest cottages, a manager’s office, two separate staff quarters, a tennis court, fully equipped

Marie Durr +27 (0)83 269 8608,

gym room, Jacuzzi, koi pond, swimming pool and a vineyard that currently produces about 300

marie.durr@seeff.com

bottles of private-label Pinotage a year.

Janine Stevenson +27 (0)73 168 4749,

The home and cottages are beautifully furnished by an internationally acclaimed decorator-

janine.stevenson@seeff.com

owner and can be sold fully furnished with or without the art. The bespoke finishes include

Liza Snijman +27 (0)82 805 7005, liza.s@seeff.com Priscilla Young +27 (0)82 324 3793,

imported Venetian chandeliers, fireplaces, marble and solid-oak wooden flooring, underfloor heating and air-conditioning, a fully integrated home automation system, a fire sprinkler

priscilla.young@seeff.com

system with smoke detectors and more.

SEEFF CONSTANTIA

The main house features a spacious entrance hall that is glass-fronted for stunning views of

Telephone: +27 (0)21 794 5252

Table Mountain and False Bay and an indulgent powder room. There are a multitude of living

Website: www.seeff.com Web ref: 277828

rooms, including a family room with a bar, dining room, 10-seater cinema/media room, study,

Asking price: Tenders accepted

library and wine cellar. The state-of-the-art kitchen boasts integrated Gaggenau appliances, such as gas cookers, a large double fridge and a chef’s fridge. It has a separate laundry area, and also flows to a conservatory-styled breakfast room that opens to a private courtyard. There

156

OL11_Seeff.indd 12

Opulent Living

2014/11/14 12:12 PM

This Constantia estate, which features a grand main house as well as guest cottages and staff

are four spacious bedroom suites, all luxuriously finished and furnished. The uber-luxury main

quarters, can be purchased fully

suite includes a dressing room, over-sized bathroom and study and opens to a private balcony.

furnished with or without the art.

Next to the swimming pool and Jacuzzi is the fully equipped gymnasium with a steam room, sauna and bathroom. An outdoor entertainment area with drop-down blinds that includes a lounge and dining area with a bar and barbecue facilities overlooks the garden and swimming pool and enjoys stunning sea and mountain views. The guest cottages are all privately located. Each is fully self-contained with a kitchenette, dining area and a lounge with fireplace. Two of the cottages have two bedroom suites with each suite containing its own living area and kitchenette. The property has garaging for five vehicles as well as extra secure parking. In addition to the main entrance, there are a further two service entrances to the estate. There is also a borehole and automated irrigation for the garden. The estate has a three-metre perimeter wall with electric fencing, a guard house and a state-of-the-art security system that includes CCTV. Located against the back slopes of Constantiaberg, Constantia is steeped in history and has retained a rural tranquillity. It is the oldest wine-producing valley in the country and is home to prestigious wine estates such as Groot Constantia, Klein Constantia and Buitenverwachting. Oak tree-lined streets, a number of greenbelt areas and walking and bridle paths all add to its attraction. Top schools, shopping centres and restaurants also abound in the upmarket area. No price is attached to the property and it is being offered for sale by tender.

Opulent Living

OL11_Seeff.indd 13

157

2014/11/14 3:22 PM

Gourmet charity gala ‘Chefs who share - the ART of giving’ presented an evening of exceptional food and wine, musical entertainment and art in Cape Town’s City Hall in September, raising R2.5-million for youth development charities.

uests in glamorous evening attire alighted on to a black carpet outside Cape Town’s stately City Hall as they arrived for the second annual ‘Chefs who Share’ black-tie gala evening. The unique event, created by Opulent Living Experiences and presented by Mercedes-Benz, drew together the crème de le crème of the South African social scene for a truly gourmet experience. Seven teams – comprising two top South African chefs, an award-winning European chef and an acclaimed sommelier – each presented a four-course extravaganza of perfectly matched food and wine to 36 guests. With the chefs bringing the food to the table, it was a unique opportunity for guests to interact with the heroes of the local and international food scene. The Auditorium of the City Hall was transformed for the occasion, with glamorous lighting, state-of-the-art audio visual systems and 21 chic tables adorned in opulent purple and orange. Included in the evening’s proceedings was an auction of 14 original works donated by some of South Africa’s most respected artists, among them Lionel Smit, Dylan Lewis and Marieke Prinsloo-Rowe, whose sculpture ‘Dreaming of flying’ sold for R240 000. Also in the line-up were luxury experiences and products, including a once-off Opulent Living Taunina Bear which sold for R55 000. The spirit of generosity was strong, with many of the items – auctioned off by well-known Cape Town businessman and co-founder of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, Iain Banner – exceeding their indicated values. Guests were also invited to contribute to the Veggie Box Initiative, a scheme that raises money to support children in Cape Town’s challenged communities with fresh produce for healthier meals. A donation of

158

R1 000 bought one Veggie Box, with the money going directly to well-established charities that provide vulnerable children with better nutrition. TV personalities Gerry Elsdon and Jeremy Mansfield acted as MCs at the glittering event, which also saw performances from the Zama Dance School in Gugulethu, singer and songwriter Ard Matthews and musical theatre star Kim Kallie-Banner. The event raised R2.5-million, with all proceeds going to MAD Charity and the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, both of which support youth development in South Africa, MAD through a mentorship programme and Laureus through sportsrelated projects.

Opulent Living

OL11_EVENT_ChefsWhoShare_2014.indd 2

2014/11/14 2:40 PM

Opulent Living events 02 03 05

13 12

[01] The stately Cape Town City Hall. [02] The Zama Dance School performed for guests. [03] TV personalities Gerry Elsdon and Jeremy Mansfield acted as MCs for the evening. [04] Event organisers Barbara Lenhard and Florian Gast. [05] Francois Pienaar with Sarah and Peter Wharton-Hood. [06] Gert Tuppinger with jewellery designer Akshar Choudree. [07] MornĂŠ du Plessis and Graeme Smith. [08] Jacqui and Dr Michael Mol. [09] Singer Kim Kallie-Banner. [10] Iain Banner conducts the auction. [11] Mercedes-Benz SA group corporate affairs manager Mayur Bhana. [12] Chef Jackie Cameron serves dessert.

Opulent Living

OL11_EVENT_ChefsWhoShare_2014.indd 3

159

2014/11/17 9:47 PM

[13] Jen Su and Nerine Winter. [14] Artist Heike AllertonDavies and Camilla Bernal. [15] Elihle Mnguni and Claudia Walters. [16] Sue Main and Florian Gast with the Opulent Living Taunina Bear. [17] Austrian chef Andreas Mayer and Barbara Lenhard. [18] Chef Chris Erasmus with artists Lionel and Anton Smit. [19] The 21 chefs and seven sommeliers receive their Present of Recognition. 13

The event is presented by

With generous support of

Flights sponsored by

Hospitality partner

Visit the Opulent Living website to view a video of the event: www.opulentliving.co.za

4 Opulent 160 Opulent Living Living

OL11_EVENT_ChefsWhoShare_2014.indd 4

2014/11/17 9:48 PM

OL11_Ads.indd 53

2014/11/14 2:47 PM

[01] TV presenter Liezel van der Westhuizen. [02] Chefs Vanessa Marx and Neil Jewell. [03] Radio personality Ian Bredenkamp and Chef Pieter de Jager. [04] Photographer Adrian Steirn. [05] Pop trio BlackByrd. [06] Dr Quinton Martins, founder of the Cape Leopard Trust. [07] FNBâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Marius Pentz with Ian Bredenkamp. [08] Etienne van Dyk of Sandown Motors and his wife Ashleigh. [09] Property magnate Pam Golding. [10] Elana AfrikaBredenkamp talks to Demetri Pappadopoulos. [11] Opulent Livingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barbara Lenhard and Florian Gast. [12] TV presenter Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp tucks into one of the delectable desserts.

proudly presented by

with generous support of 09

Visit the Opulent Living website to view a video of the event: www.opulentliving.co.za

162

Opulent Living

OL11_EVENT_CapeLeopardTrust.indd 2

2014/11/14 2:43 PM

05 08

Lunch for a spotted cause To commemorate the 10th anniversary of The Cape Leopard Trust, Opulent Living Experiences planned a fundraising lunch at Leopard’s Leap Family Vineyards in August, raising R592 000 for conservation.

G 12

uests at the relaxed luncheon, held in the light-filled restaurant at the Franschhoek wine estate, were treated to a fun display of culinary skills and top musical entertainment as they came together to raise money for The Cape Leopard Trust. Three chefs – Pieter de Jager of Leopard’s Leap, Neil Jewell of Bread & Wine at Môreson and Vanessa Marx of Cape Town brasserie Dear Me – were joined by celebrity guests Braam Malherbe, Liezel van der Westhuizen and Laura Santoni as they demonstrated how to prepare the delicious dishes on the menu. These included a MCC, truffle and pea risotto, slow-cooked rotisserie meats and a brightly coloured friandise – accompanied by wines from Leopard’s Leap. Well-known TV and radio personalities Ian Bredenkamp and his wife Elana Afrika-Bredenkamp acted as MCs for the event and kept up a lively banter with the chefs and their celebrity helpers to keep the 184 guests entertained.

After lunch, auctioneer Philip Powell got bidding underway for 12 exciting lots donated by companies and artists keen to support the important conservation work done by The Cape Leopard Trust. Lots included a week in Namibia with Wilderness Safaris, three nights at Ulusaba, Richard Branson’s private game reserve, and a Bill Harrop’s Original Balloon Safari. Also on offer was a chef’s table for eight guests at Pierneef à La Motte, dinner for 12 at Tulip House hosted by Opulent Living, a Wildlife of the Winelands Conservation Day Experience and a leopard art print by Adrian Steirn. Cape Town pop trio BlackByrd put on a superb musical performance to round off the day’s proceedings, which raised an outstanding R592 000. Founded in 2004, The Cape Leopard Trust looks for solutions to the predator conflict problems faced by small livestock farmers in the Boland, Karoo and Namaqualand, and so helps to conserve the endangered Cape leopard.

Opulent Living

OL11_EVENT_CapeLeopardTrust.indd 3

163

2014/11/14 2:44 PM

Symphony of giving Gideon du Plessis of Old Mutual Wealth hosted his annual Charity Golf Day and Symphonic Ball at Fancourt Golf Estate in November, raising funds for George Child and Family Welfare.

he Fancourt Banquet Hall came alive to the sounds of the Cape Philharmonic Orchestra as Old Mutual financial advisor Gideon du Plessis hosted his annual Symphonic Charity Ball to round off a Charity Golf Day on the fabled Links course of this prestigious golfing estate near George. Guests at the ball, which included a three-course gourmet meal, were able to dance the night away to the romantic sounds of a 40-piece orchestra, which was accompanied by singer-songwriter Ard

164

Matthews as well as the legend of South African musical theatre, Judy Page and her daughter Kim Kallie-Banner, singing popular favourites. Lots at the fundraising auction included two sculptures from South African artist Keith Calder, as well as the chance to play a four-ball with professional golfer Ernie Els and his father Neels at the Oubaai Golf Course near Herolds Bay. At the end of the evening, a cheque for R800 000 was handed over to George Child and Family Welfare.

07 10 [01] Jason and Cecile Eaglestone. [02] Julian and Marion Roberts with the George Child and Family Welfare. [03] Neels and Hettie Els. [04] Alix Verrips, Debbie Ihlenveldt and Liezl Clause. [05] Ard Matthews and Kim Kallie-Banner. [06] Gideon du Plessis with Opulent Livingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Barbara Lenhard and Florian Gast. [07] Ghia du Plessis and brother Deon du Plessis. [08] Carlo and Juanita du Plessis. [09] Crispin Sonn. [10] Jaco and Susan Raath.

Opulent Living

OL11_EVENT_GideonduPlessis_Golf Day.indd 1

2014/11/14 2:37 PM

Celebrating craftsmanship

[01] South African music icon PJ Powers. [02] Alex Innes of Rolls-Royce and Brink Liebenberg of Distell. [03] Lola Newbury and Peter Wharton-Hood. [04] The Rolls-Royce Wraith. [05] Yvonne Johnston and Connie Malusi. [06] Distell Managing Director Richard Rushton. [07] Fashion designer David Tlale and friend. [08] Alex Innes and Mutle Mogase. [09] Lonwabo Masora and Yolande Tabo. [10] Barbara and Geoff Rothschild with Opulent Living’s Barbara Lenhard. [11] Modern sculptures captured elements used in crafting brandy, such as the copper used for the pot stills. [12] Rolls-Royce staff demonstrate the fine art of leather stitching.

Distell master brandy distiller Brink Liebenberg and Rolls-Royce bespoke designer Alex Innes convened at the Hyatt Regency Johannesburg in June to discuss the art of craftsmanship in their luxury brands.

oth Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in the UK and Van Ryn’s Distillery in the Cape Winelands have a proud heritage of quality craftsmanship stretching back over 110 years. To celebrate this, Distell invited Liebenberg and Innes, who flew in specially for the occasion, to discuss the skills needed to

make a car fit for a queen, and a world-class, award-winning brandy. Conceptualised by Opulent Living Experiences, the discussion took place before an audience of select guests, who were also treated to a tasting of AU.RA, Van Ryn’s 30-year-old pot-still brandy, as well as a live performance from musician PJ Powers.

04 05

05 07

Opulent Living

OL11_EVENT_Brandy Evening with RR.indd 1

165

2014/11/17 10:03 PM

A thoroughly stylish affair The Mercedes-Benz Opulent Living StyleNight, held at the African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa in Cape Town in July, was a glittering celebration of design and dream cars.

ressed in ‘opulently fashionable’ attire, around 700 invited guests gathered in the sophisticated foyer of the Century City hotel in celebration of quality design. The glamorous evening was also the launch of Opulent Living’s Jubilee 10th Edition, which included a unique photo feature that showcased the work of 10 top South African fashion designers, modelled by performers from the Zip Zap Circus School. To bring the feature to life, the Zip Zap performers made an appearance at StyleNight too, wowing guests with their amazing circus acts and elegant attire, which included a robe by fashion designer Gavin Rajah. Mercedes-Benz introduced guests to its new C-Class and the E-Class Cabrio, and had both stylish models on display for guests to admire. Said Divisional Marketing Manager for Mercedes-Benz SA, Selvin Govender, “At Mercedes-Benz we’ve always valued innovation and style; it translates into the iconic cars we continue to build.” Vivacious TV presenter Jen Su acted as MC for the event and introduced Opulent Living’s Florian Gast and Barbara Lenhard, congratulating them on the success they’ve had with the coffee-table magazine, which

launched in November 2009, and Opulent Living Experiences, their stylish events branch. Editorial and Creative Director Florian Gast thanked guests for coming and introduced the Opulent Living app along with the new edition. Guests were treated to MCC from JC Le Roux, as well as Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky, on offer in the hotel’s Ruby Bar, another showcase of quality design for its glittering interior décor. Canapés also flowed from the kitchens, with guests especially taken with the trays of desserts that included colourful macaroons and raspberry cheesecake brownies.

Visit the Opulent Living website to view a video of the event: www.opulentliving.co.za

166

Opulent Living

OL11_EVENT_StyleNight.indd 2

2014/11/14 2:49 PM

Opulent Living T YLE N I G H T

25 July 2014 | Cape Town

[01] Gary Koetser, Braam Malherbe and Florian Gast. [02] Annie Claude Bergonzoli and Camille Guibert with Opulent Living’s Barbara Lenhard. [03] Performers from the Zip Zap Circus wowed onlookers. [04] Radio host Africa Melane and friends. [05] Sabine van Rensburg from the Zip Zap Circus. [06] Opulent Living’s Florian Gast and the event hostesses with the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabrio. [07] Jen Su poses with the Jubilee 10th edition of Opulent Living. [08] Guests mingle in the foyer of the African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa. [09] Marios Atzemoglou and Barry Langenhoven. [10] The Ruby Bar featured Bain’s Cape Mountain Whisky for the evening. [11] Stefan Antoni, Barbara Lenhard, Carla Antoni and Florian Gast. [12] Selim and Cavina Kagee. [13] Claire Wiese, Tanja Mackay-Davidson and Conchetta Rothschild. [14] The new Mercedes-Benz C-Class. [15] The grand entrance to the hotel.

Opulent Living

OL11_EVENT_StyleNight.indd 3

167

2014/11/17 10:08 PM

Five-star golden jubilee South Africa’s first five-star hotel, and the first to be designed and built by hospitality industry icon Sol Kerzner, The Beverly Hills in Umhlanga celebrated 50 years with a spectacular party in November.

he grande dame of the Tsogo Sun hotel portfolio, The Beverly Hills showcased its gracious hospitality and award-winning service in grand style at its 50th anniversary. There were spectacular displays of food, including gravadlax salmon and prawns set in ice carvings, and a theatrical parade of chefs

168

04 03

presented hand-crafted desserts sprinkled with gold dust. Inspired by Sol Kerzner’s career, Lira performed a rendition of Frank Sinatra’s ‘My Way’, while an operatic performance by ZigZag, complete with trapeze artists suspended from the iconic building, was another highlight of the evening’s spectacular entertainment.

11 [01] Barbara Lenhard with Sol Kerzner. [02] Shaun Wheeler, Dennis Verbundrun and Mike Jackson. [03] Moses Tembe and Ron Stringfellow. [04] Marcel von Aulock, CEO of Tsogo Sun. [05] Ndabo and Mpume Langa. [06] The electric violin performance by Caitlin De Ville. [07] Sol Kerzner with his daughter Andrea Kerzner. [08] Executive Chef Tony Kocke. [09] Patricia and Jabu Mabuza with Sam Croft. [10] Vanashree Singh and Priya Naidoo. [11] Dean and Michele Gorrie.

Opulent Living

OL11_EVENT_Beverly Hills.indd 2

2014/11/14 2:34 PM

Where can instinct drive you? To a world of thrilling possibility– with a 2.0l, 4 cylinder turbo petrol engine, the Infiniti Q50 achieves 155 kW of power and 350 Nm of torque. To world-first technology like Direct Adaptive Steering, and our dual touch screen Infiniti InTouch™ infotainment system. Let instinct lead you to the Infiniti Q50. www.infiniti.co.za facebook.com/InfinitiSA

FOLLOW THAT INSTINCT.

The new Infiniti Q50