Avion

C O M P L I M E N T A R Y

M A G A Z I N E

•

I S S U E

T W O

FEDERAL AIR’S FIRST CLASS FLYING

A DIAMOND IN THE DESERT SPRING MOUNTAIN MOTOR RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB

UNDERGROUND: LATEST MINING LAW & INVESTMENT RULES

TAKE TO THE AIR THE MARTIN JETPACK TRANSFORMS PERSONAL FLIGHT

TRADING UP

AFRICA THE CONTINENT’S TOP BRANDS, STRIDES IN GENDER EQUALITY & MIND BLOWING LOCAL TECH

THE STUNNING INLAND BEACHES OF AFRICA’S GREAT LAKES

F I N D I N G T H E W I F I S W E E T S P OT • T H E A R T O F K E E P I N G C A L M

C ON T E N TS

REGULAR 4 6 9 32 38 52

Letter from the Publisher Contributors To Read Route Map Breakthrough Innovations Lifestyle News

TRADE 10 12 16

Business News

18

Tax Considerations for Mining Investment

20 25 26

Mining Law Scrutinised

28

South Africa’s Own Smartphone

The World’s Top Brands Africa Brands 100

Gender Equality in Africa Finding the WiFi Sweet Spot

16 DISCOVER 54 58 60 62 66 70

The Man Guide The Wine Insider School of Etiquette First Class all the Way The Martin Jet Pack Travel & Driving Collide

40 66

EXPLORE 30 34 40 44 46

Travel News Nkwichi Lodge

09

38

Cape Town’s Best Bars Bushveld Oasis Africa’s Great Lakes

30

R E GU L A R

COCKPIT

explore...

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE: In this issue we want you to explore Africa's great lakes, trade your Smart Phone for South Africa's Own and discover the world's top brands!

Page 26 Wifi Hot Sp ots

Page 46 Great Lakes

LETTER

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Y

our nose is filled with expensive scent as smart waiters whirl around you handing out expensive champagne as well dressed men in suits straighten their ties and prepare to accept the kinds of business awards one only dreams of. You clench your fists and prepare to helter down a specially configured racetrack in a Formula 1 car. Your stomach turns as your feet lift off the ground powered by a one of a kind innovation that transformed the way the world views flight. You smile as you watch your children take in the sight of an elephant bull ambling by.

None of these experiences are yours – or mine – but with the latest edition of Avion, I feel like they were. And this is what we are trying achieve with Avion. Most of our readers traverse the vast spaces of Southern Africa on a regular basis but few have had the time, or the pleasure, of slowing down to experience what it has to offer. Planning to get away from it all is actually no easy feat and if anything, can end up feeling like another item on your already piled up plate.

So, while we can’t promise you that the smell of the bushveld or the night time calls of the cicadas will be leaping off the pages, we can give you the sights and tell you the wonderful stories of the places you’ll now plan to go to and of the great things our continents entrepreneurs are doing.

We are rushed and we are constantly on the go. That is the reality of doing business in Africa. Few have time to visit the places we want visit or see the things we wish to see, but dreaming of these experiences is something you can do right now. You might have picked up Avion in an airport lounge or on your private flight – whatever your reason for reading it, if just one article takes you someplace you have never been to before, the Avion team has done what we set out to do.

I will not tell you to travel to these places while you ‘still can’, nor will I tell you that by putting off big meetings you are going to discover what life is really about. That’s not my job. You’ll make time for this when you can – and an experience of My job is to – for a short time – give you pages you can disappear into – pages that will take you where you’ve never been.

Fanie Hendriksz Page 54 Keeping Calm 4

AVION DE LUXE | ISSUE TWO

We want to hear tales of your travels, adventures and successes in Southern Africa. Email us at editor@freeradicalmedia.co.za.

R E GU L A R

C R E W

C ON TR I BU TOR S MICHAEL FLETCHER

BOWMAN GILFILLAN ATTORNEYS

Michael Fletcher is currently the sales director for Ruckus Wireless sub-Saharan Africa, a position he assumed in July 2010. In this role, Michael is responsible for the day to day operations of Ruckus Wireless – focused on identifying and increasing the company’s partner footprint across Africa, exploring new business opportunities and driving the company’s revenue and customer outreach locally. Michael brings with him over 23 years of entrepreneurial experience in the IT Sector – establishing new businesses, penetrating new markets, managing sales teams and leading business development in regions such as Africa. Prior to this role Michael was the Regional Sales Director: Africa for Motorola (Wireless) a position he held for four years – building a track record of achieving immediate success, quick growth and rapid expansion from even a "zero" base. Previously Michael worked for Workz as the Business Development Manager for Africa and as a Senior Account Manager for MEA at Belkin Ltd – prior to which he was a business development consultant. Michael has a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) and a Diploma in Business Management. On a personal side, Michael is married with two children and has a keen interest in Motocross, fishing and sailing.

Bowman Gilfillan is a premier South African-based corporate law firm advising clients throughout Africa, while their membership of the global network of commercial and corporate law attorneys, Lex Mundi, links them to more than 160 member firms globally. Specialists in all facets of business law, Bowman Gilfillan provides a comprehensive range of legal services designed to meet clients’ needs, and exceed their expectations. Their commitment to strategically sound advice requires that Bowman Gilfillan’s practitioners clearly understand a client’s needs in the context of the broader issues at stake. Bowman Gilfillan’s clients, including multinational corporations and international finance houses, are as diverse as their practice. Local and international clients – including investment banks, industrial conglomerates, financial institutions, governments and state authorities – rely on Bowman Gilfillan for insight and advice.

Bowman Gilfillan’s attorneys have some interesting insights into the legal side of mining in Africa. Read their article on the new mining laws on page 20 and discover what the tax implications of investing in mining, gas and oil companies are on page 18.

Read about Ruckus Wireless’ assessment of the Wi-fi as a deciding factor in hotel and restaurant choices on page 30

DR LEHLOKOE Dr Lehlokoe is a medical doctor, and founder and CEO of Seemahale Investment Corporation – and is responsible for the development of South Africa’s own Smartphone! He has a special interest in ICT’s, having spent the last 12 years in companies with a strong ICT foundation.

He was, until recently, a Vice President of the Information Technology Association of South Africa, a Council Member of the Business Unity South Africa and was active in its Trade and Industry Committee. He was a director of Siemens Business Services where he headed the Public Sector business development, marketing, communications, channel management and BEE initiatives of the company under the role of Market Development Director.

He has built a strong network of relationships both in the public and private sector. He was the Chairman of Swicon Group Pty Ltd which provides HR/Payroll business solutions running on a SAP platform.

STALK US ON THE FOLLOWING SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

Read about the development of South Africa’s own Smartphone on page 35

PUBLISHER: Free Radical Media Fanie Hendriksz Managing Director info@freeradicalmedia.co.za EDITOR Nicola Weir editor@freeradicalmedia.co.za DESIGN & LAYOUT Aneska Meintjes: +27 82 851 1441 aneska@freeradicalmedia.co.za SALES EXECUTIVES Ina Snyman: +27 71 661 1820 ina@freeradicalmedia.co.za

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AVION DE LUXE | ISSUE TWO

Patricia Kinnear: +27 76 742 3523 patricia@freeradicalmedia.co.za Veronica Breedt: +27 72 328 1062 veronica@freeradicalmedia.co.za CONTRIBUTORS Bowman Gilfillan Attorneys, Nicola Weir, Michael Fletcher, Dr Lehlokoe, AFRIT, Betsie Strydom, Daniel Areias, Claire Tucker, Sibosiso Sibisi.

IMAGES © iStockphoto.com, 123RF Editor's Image by Marita Keet Kotze

Avion De Luxe Magazine is published on a bimonthly basis by Free Radical Media. Avion De Luxe Magazine is subject to copyright in its entirety. The contents may not be reproduced in any form, either in whole or in part, without the written consent of the publisher. Unless specified, all rights are reserved in material accepted for publication. All letters and other unsolicited submissions (manuscripts, art, photographs and other materials) will be considered for publication unless clearly labeled ’not for publication’. All letters may be subject to editing. Avion De Luxe Magazine is not responsible for any unsolicited submissions.

Free Radical Media reserves the right to reject any advertising at our discretion without explanation. Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of Free Radical Media or their clients. Information has been included in good faith by the publisher and is believed to be correct at the time of going to print. No responsibility can be accepted for errors and omissions. No material (articles or photographs) in this publication may be reproduced, in

whole or in part, without specific written permission from Free Radical Media.

No liability is accepted by Free Radical Media, the publishers, nor the authors for any information contained herein. Neither Avion De Luxe Magazine nor its publishers are responsible for damage or harm, of whatever description, resulting from persons undertaking any activity or health advice featured in Avion De Luxe Magazine.

Submissions of articles and photographs for publication are welcomed, but the publishers, while exercising all reasonable care, cannot be held responsible for any loss or damage.

R E GU L A R

WHAT THE MOST SUCCESSFUL PEOPLE DO BEFORE BREAKFAST

By Laura Vanderkam In this book, Laura Vanderkam inspires you to rethink your morning routine and jump-start your day. If you use your mornings wisely, you can build habits that will lead to a happier, more productive life. She also helps you to rethink your weekends. She explains why doing nothing can be more exhausting than doing something, how to balance work and play, and why Sunday nights are crucial. Finally, she challenges you to make the most of your time at the office. Focusing on matching your to-do list to your natural body clock, she shows you how to maximize your productivity so you can accomplish more in less time. By blending stories of fascinating people with cutting-edge scientific research, Vanderkam shows us how to maximize our valuable mornings, make the most of our working hours, and enjoy the results with deeply satisfying weekends.

FATHERS WHO DARE WIN

By Ian Grant Each generation probably feels the same, but it is true that being a parent has never been more challenging than it is in today’s world, and more so being a father. Western society has damaged much of the traditional role of fathers in families, and thereby the importance of the relationship between fathers and their children. Moreover, many fathers are absent from their children’s lives, whether physically or emotionally. As a series of ‘30 Awesome Dad Tips’, Ian Grant gives clear strategies to fathers on everything from being a hero to their children, to communication and discipline.

His tone is encouraging and affirming, and his information, to the point. The South African edition has been updated and revised to reflect current lifestyle issues and aspects. In Grant’s characteristic straight-talking manner, he offers lots of advice, tips and strategies for being the best father possible.

D E L A Y

FAST COOKING: REALLY EXCITING RECIPES IN 20 MINUTES

By James Martin Using good-quality ingredients, smart store-cupboard shortcuts and time-saving ideas, James Martin shows how to put delicious, everyday food on the table in next to no time. Each recipe is straightforward to shop for with easy-to-find ingredients, and can be prepared from start to finish in 20 minutes, including any accompaniments. Additionally, there are clever tips about how to adapt and vary the dishes to suit your time constraints.

Divided into chapters on starters, main courses and desserts, there are plenty of quick after-work suppers, such as smoked haddock fishcakes with quick hollandaise, or hot noodle soup with chilli and mushrooms, as well as simple-but-stunning dishes for entertaining when you're short of time, such as sushi salmon with hot sizzling sesame oil, or roast duck with cumin-spiced lentils.

Delicious yet speedy puddings include a 5-minute banoffee cheesecake, whoopee cakes and strawberries with vodka sabayon.

THE KINGS OF SWING

By Craig Urquhart The Kings of Swing is the intimate and extraordinary story of those South Africans who have won numerous Major championships. Their victories were achieved despite decades of sporting isolation and, during the postapartheid era, in the shadow of possibly the greatest athlete of all time. This is a story of plane, train and car crashes, psychosurgery, a lightning strike, a broken beer bottle, a misplaced marker, a beautiful autistic boy and a scandal that ensnared the country’s most famous sportsman and led to the resignation of a prime minister. It is a story of the power of the mind and the power of the body in this, the most fickle of all sports.

It is a story of dramatic highs and lows, of desperate poverty and fabulous wealth.

It is a rare glimpse into the extraordinary lives of South Africa’s top golfers.

ISSUE TWO | AVION DE LUXE

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TRADE SECRETS

BUSI N E S S N E WS

TOP

STORY

Going

overseas?

How to avoid your phone bill from exceeding your airline ticket costs

For most South Africans, travelling abroad is an expensive exercise, especially with today’s exchange rates not favouring the Rand. Don’t add to your travel bill by getting stung by exorbitant mobile data roaming costs that could rack up to more than your airfare in just a few days. With a bit of planning, you can still stay in touch effectively while travelling, without unnecessary sky-high costs. Just follow these 5 easy steps: 1. Switch off data roaming via your smartphone’s settings. Unfortunately, some mobile apps can bypass this and continue to update in the background without your knowledge.

2. To further avoid extra costs turn off your voice and data and only activate SMS

roaming before leaving South Africa. By using SMS roaming, people can still make contact with you using your phone number.

An SMS is also less intrusive compared to a phone call and is an ideal medium for short and succinct communications for travelling businesspersons.

3. When overseas you can hop between free Wi-Fi hotspots at cafes, hotels, and airports and even if you have to pay for Wi-Fi, it’s going to be significantly cheaper than data roaming.

4. If you do need to make a voice call, there are numerous voice over IP telephony services such as Skype or Google Hangout that can be used over Wi-Fi. 5. If you are sending quite a few SMSs while travelling, there are some handy tools available. Download an app that enables you to send bulk SMSs via an online platform. This means you can communicate over Wi-Fi and at a much cheaper price per SMS than traditional roaming.

On Vodacom, SMS roaming is activated

by SMSing ‘roamon’ to 123. On MTN, SMS roaming is activated by dialing *111*14#.

Working in-Flight Ever wished you could carry on working during a long haul flight? Tapped your fingers all the way to Tokyo thinking of those finishing touches you could be putting on that crucial presentation? Well, the Federal Aviation Administration has some good news for you!

Airline passengers will soon be allowed to use a range of mobile electronic devices in flight with very few restrictions, according to US aviation authorities. The new, more relaxed rules issued by the FAA will take effect on most airlines by the end of the year. "Passengers will eventually be able to read e-books, play games and watch videos on their devices during all phases of flight, with very limited exceptions," the FAA said in a statement.

Mobile phones still cannot be used for voice communications while in flight but the new rules mean that passengers will be able to safely use their devices in aircraft mode, gateto-gate. Browsing the internet will be possible on air carriers that provide Wi-Fi in flight, and Bluetooth technology for wireless keyboards will also be allowed.

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LONG HAUL

Apple of the Eye

The Brand World’s

THE 2013 100 BEST GLOBAL BRANDS REPORT WAS THE MOST SURPRISING IN ITS HISTORY. AFTER HOLDING A POSITION AS THE WORLD’S TOP BRAND FOR 13 YEARS, COCA COLA WAS KNOCKED OFF ITS PEDESTAL BY APPLE, AND EVEN FELL BELOW SECOND PLACE WHICH WENT TO GOOGLE. DOES THIS INDICATE THAT INNOVATIVE TECH BRANDS ARE NOW RULING THE WORLD? IN THE NEW AGE ERA, IS THE GLOBAL CORPORATE LANDSCAPE SET TO BE DOMINATED BY MOUNTAINOUS TECHNOLOGY RELATED BRANDS?

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I

nterbrand is known as the world’s leading brand consultancy with 40 offices in 27 countries around the world.

Interbrand is most widely known for their annual Best Global Brands report, the definitive guide to the world’s most valuable brands. Interbrand’s Best Global Brands methodology was the first of its kind to become ISO certified. It analyses the many ways a brand benefits an organization, from delivering on customer expectations to driving economic value. When determining the top 100 most valuable global brands, Interbrand examines three key aspects that contribute to a brand’s value: the financial performance of the branded products or service; the role the brand plays in influencing consumer choice and the strength the brand has to command a premium price, or secure earnings for the company. This year, the total value of all 100 Best Global Brands is USD $1.5 trillion – an 8.4% record increase over the total value of the 100 Best Global Brands in 2012.

In addition to identifying the top 100 most valuable global brands, this year’s Best Global Brands report also examines the evolving role of leadership as it relates to brands. Interbrand contends that leadership must now be shared. CEOs, CMOs and consumers all have the power to drive the value of the brands they manage or admire. “In today's global and social media-obsessed marketplace, brand leaders recognize the need to be highly collaborative,” notes Jez Frampton, Interbrand’s Global Chief Executive Officer.

“The top 100 most valuable global brands are unlocking their value by participating, listening, learning, and sharing – and not just with leaders from within their organisation, but with consumers too. Brands that learn to think differently about the role they play in consumers’ lives – and how to fulfill that role – have an opportunity to change the world in ways they never imagined.”

The Winner

Apple has appeared on Interbrand’s Best Global Brands ranking since 2000, when the ranking debuted. In 2000, Apple ranked #36 and had a brand value of USD $6.6 billion. Today, Apple’s brand value is USD $98.3 billion – almost 15 times the amount of its brand value in 2000.

Apple’s meteoric rise in brand value can

LONG HAUL

be attributed to the way it has created a seamless omnichannel experience for customers. By keeping consumers at the centre of everything it does, Apple is prescient – continually anticipating what consumers will want next – and breaking new ground in terms of both design and performance. With 72 million Macs in use and record-breaking sales of both the iPhone and iPad, Apple has made history by unseating Coca-Cola and becoming Interbrand’s most valuable global brand of 2013. “Every so often, a company changes our lives – not just with its products, but with its ethos. This is why, following CocaCola’s 13-year run at the top of Best Global Brands, Apple now ranks as number one,” said Frampton. “Tim Cook has assembled a solid leadership team and has kept Steve Jobs’ vision intact – a vision that has allowed Apple to deliver on its promise of innovation time and time again.”

2013’s New Entrants

Discovery (#70): The Discovery brand makes its debut on the Best Global Brands ranking after a record-breaking year. Discovery-branded channels are now available in 217 countries and territories and in 45 languages, reaching more than 1.3 billion subscribers outside the US. In the six years since David Zaslav took over as CEO, the company has grown from making an estimated USD $720 million in total profits to making USD $721 million from its international business alone.

Duracell (#85): Duracell, a Procter & Gamble-owned brand, makes a comeback this year after falling off the list in 2010.

Until 2010, Duracell had appeared on the ranking each year since 2000 and, in 2009, was #85 with a brand value of USD $3.563 billion. Today, Duracell holds 25 percent of the global battery market share. Trust in the brand remains high thanks to key marketing partnerships, including serving as the official battery of the American National Football League (NFL).

Chevrolet (#89): Accounting for 50% of all vehicles GM sells globally, Chevrolet secures

a position for the very first time in this year’s brands ranking. Under the leadership of Global CMO Tim Mahoney and SVP/Global Head Alan Batey, Chevrolet has aligned its engineering, design, and retail operations behind a single vision and communications platform: “Find New Roads.” While the brand has gained momentum in the US market, Chevrolet is using this platform to drive sales in markets such as China, India, and Thailand.

2013’s Top Risers

Facebook (#52, +43%): As the leading (and only) social media brand to claim a position on this year’s Best Global Brands ranking, Facebook has succeeded in boosting both revenue and earnings per share in the past year. Facebook increased its global user base by 26% since its IPO over a year ago while mobile users grew by 51% in the past year with mobile ads poised to account for more than half of their advertising dollars. With former Google executive Gary Briggs recently named the company's first CMO and by acquiring companies like Instagram, Facebook’s growth is likely to continue for years.

Google (#2, +34%): Due to evolutionary changes to its core offerings (Search, Android, and Gmail) and new innovations like Google Glass and its self-driving car, and by continuing to move beyond search and placing big bets on innovation, Google will impact the way its consumers live and behave worldwide – and increase the value of its brand in the process.

Prada (#72, +30%): Prada’s increase in brand value reflects the organisation’s ability to strike a harmonious (and profitable) balance between honouring its Italian heritage and producing innovative designs. By effectively intertwining its digital and physical touchpoints and with Prada Foundation’s support of the art world, Prada has been able to engage with its customers in more meaningful ways – and expand its global footprint in the process.

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Apple (#1, +28%): Despite having its reputation tarnished by patent spats with Samsung and the Foxconn labour conditions scandal, the Apple brand proved to be resilient. To maintain its #1 position over the next year, Apple will have to slow rival Samsung’s momentum in the mobile market and never lose sight of what it does best: “Think different.”

Amazon (#19, +27%): The e-commerce innovator continues to differentiate itself from rivals by taking on initiatives such as Amazon Appstore. Amazon has also expanded into new businesses such as original programming, the Kindle, and same-day grocery delivery. Such initiatives, if successful, could mean Amazon will play an even greater and more holistic role in its consumers’ future retail experiences.

Technology Dominates

Most valuable sector with a combined brand value USD $443.154 billion

Out of this year’s top 10 brands, seven hail from the tech sector. Furthermore, four tech brands make up this year’s top five rising brands: Facebook (#52, +43%), Google (#2, +34%), Apple (#1, +28%), and Amazon, (#19, +27%). Tech brands continue to dominate this year’s report – underscoring the fundamental and invaluable role they play in consumers' lives. Due to its commitment to product innovation and its massive marketing spend, Samsung (#8, +20%) has surpassed Apple in smartphone sales and appears to be leading the tech sector in terms of connectivity and home automation. Samsung, which had one of the strongest increases of absolute brand value this year, continually anticipates what consumers will desire next. Despite the strong performance of many brands in this sector, a number of tech and consumer electronic brands did not rise, or even earn a position, on this year’s ranking.

Most notably, one-time category leaders, Yahoo! and Blackberry fell off this year's ranking entirely, while Nokia (#57, -65%) experienced the largest decline in brand value in the history of Best Global Brands.

Nintendo (#67, -14%), and Dell (#61, -10%) also experienced a decline in brand value. In the fast-changing world of mobile, digital, and social media, these brands have struggled to articulate their respective

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LONG HAUL

attributes and deliver meaningful and seamless experiences across all platforms and touchpoints.

Luxury Brands Stay Strong

Despite the fact that China’s GDP growth has slowed, luxury brands performed solidly in this year’s brand ranking. Seven on this year's list hail from the luxury sector, and each increased its brand value by five percent or more. The top luxury brands of 2013 include: Louis Vuitton (#17, +6%), Gucci (#38, +7%), Hermes (#54, +23%), Cartier (#60, +26%), Prada (#72, +30%), Tiffany & Co. (#75, +5%), and Burberry (#77, +20%). Key drivers of growth for the luxury sector are likely due to a renewed sense of consumer confidence, increased store openings – particularly in the US and China — as well as the brands’ strong focus on linking the brick-and-mortar and digital brand experiences each has to offer.

Financial Services: Is consumer confidence on the rise?

Eight of the 11 financial services brands in this year’s ranking experienced an uptick in brand value. American Express leads the category at #23 and increased its brand value by 12%. The other top risers in the financial services sector include HSBC (#32, +7%), Goldman Sachs (#44, +12%), Citi (#48, +5%), AXA (#59, +5%), Allianz (#63, +8%), Visa (#74, +11%) and MasterCard (#97, +8%). And while many brands' external messaging reflect a primary goal of "rebuilding trust,” studies confirm that the industry, as a whole, may already be well on its way. A study concluded in May 2013 found Americans' trust in the financial services sector had risen 13% since 2012.

Still, some financial services brands like Morgan Stanley (#71, -21%) continue to struggle.

9

AUTOMOTIVE BRANDS EXPERIENCE DOUBLEDIGIT GROWTH

14 of the top 100 most valuable global brands hail from the automotive sector, including: • Toyota #10, +17% • Mercedes-Benz #11, +6% • BMW #12, +10% • Honda #20, +7% • Volkswagen #34, +20% • Ford #42, +15% • Hyundai #43, +20% • Audi #51, +8% • Porsche #64, +26% • Nissan #65, +25% • Kia #83, +15% • Chevrolet #89, new entry • Harley-Davidson #96, +10% • Ferrari #98, +6% The auto industry has been on a steady path to recovery after experiencing production setbacks due to two natural disasters, both of which led to severe shortages of vehicles and parts.

Nonetheless, US car sales jumped by more than 13 percent in 2012, the fastest growth rate in more than two decades. For the second consecutive year, Toyota is the top ranking brand within the automotive sector. While Toyota suffered a number of setbacks this year – including a boycott in China and its largest single recall ever – it quickly recovered to reclaim its global sales leadership position—a testament to the automaker’s resilience, leadership position, and enduring appeal. Other automotive brands that experienced strong growth in terms of brand value were Porsche and Nissan. Porsche increased its brand value by 26 percent and Nissan increased its brand value by 25 percent.

THE TOP 10 BRANDS IN RANDS

1. ...... Apple:......................... Brand value worth R983 Billion 2. ........Google:...................... Brand value worth R933 Billion 3. ........Coca Cola:................. Brand value worth R792 Billion 4. ........IBM:............................ Brand value worth R788 Billion 5. ........Microsoft:.................. Brand value worth R595 Billion 6. ........GE:............................. Brand value worth R469 Billion 7. ........McDonald’s:............... Brand value worth R419 Billion 8. ........Samsung:................... Brand value worth R396 Billion 9. ........Intel:........................... Brand value worth R372 Billion 10. ......Toyota:....................... Brand value worth R353 Billion

TO SEE THE REST OF THE LIST VISIT BESTGLOBALBRANDS.COM.

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AFRICA’S

Top Brands THE 2013 BRAND AFRICA 100 LIST HAS BEEN RELEASED NAMING MTN, SHOPRITE AND WOOLWORTHS AS THE CONTINENT’S TOP RANKING BRANDS. SOUTH AFRICAN BASED COMPANIES DOMINATED THE LIST ALTHOUGH MANY OF THESE COMPANIES EXTEND THEIR OPERATIONS INTO OTHER REGIONS. WE TAKE A CLOSER LOOK AT THE TOP 10 RANKING BRANDS AND TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE METHOD USED TO CALCULATE EACH BRAND’S RANKING.

B

rand Africa 100, established in 2011, is based on the realization that one of the key catalysts for Africa’s growth, competitiveness and reputation for investment, tourism and citizenship, lies in developing and growing African and global businesses and brands in Africa.

The Most Admired and Valuable Brands in Africa are limited to listed

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Africa Brand Value 2013

Africa Revenues

BV Change from 2012

South Africa

5,172

4,655

90%

-1%

Woolworths

Retail

South Africa

1,294

1,294

100%

24%

Shoprite

Retail

South Africa

1,115

1,115

100%

4%

Pick ’n Pay

Retail

South Africa

1,035

1,035

100%

89%

Globacom

Telecoms Services

Nigeria

655

655

100%

13%

Castle

Beverages

South Africa

340

272

80%

3%

Tusker

Beverages

Kenya

222

222

100%

561%

Dangote

Consumer, Non-Cyclical

Nigeria

216

216

100%

3%

9

Guaranty Trust Bank

Banks

Nigeria

201

201

100%

-36%

Food Diversified

South Africa

201

201

100%

11%

10

Tiger Brands

Country of Domicile

Telecoms Services

Industry Group

MTN

Brand

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Rank

Global Brand Value 2013

Top 10 African Brands

Top 10 Global Brands in Africa

BV Change from 2012

United States 34,205

3,420

10%

27%

Shell

Oil & Gas

Netherlands

29,752

3,273

11%

6%

Samsung

Electronics

South Korea

58,771

2,939

5%

121%

Vodafone

Telecoms Services

Britain

27,009

2,328

9%

4%

Nike

Apparel

United States 14,943

1,943

13%

-20%

Toyota

Auto Japan Manufacturers

25,979

1,819

7%

-10%

McDonald's

Retail

United States 21,642

1,082

5%

-11%

Pepsi-Cola

Beverages

United States 18,701

935

5%

-2%

Airtel

Telecoms Services

India

3,746

899

24%

30%

Honda

Auto Japan Manufacturers

16,114

806

5%

8%

Country of Domicile

Beverages

Industry Group

Coca-Cola

Brand

Africa Revenues

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Africa Brand Value 2013

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Global Brand Value 2013

A Global Brand in Africa is a global multi-national brand developed outside Africa, with a primary listing outside Africa serving African customers that contributes to Africa’s global reputation as a destination for economic growth and investment.

Rank

consumer brands or corporate brands that provide a significant endorsement to their consumer brands, operating in at least one market beyond their domestic market, and trading with a uniform brand identity and/or name. The valuation is limited to the estimated proportion of parent company revenues attributable to the brand on the African continent.

The list of the brands that qualify for inclusion in the study is based on a multi-country consumer survey across Africa to determine the 100 Most Admired Brands in Africa.

They define an ‘African Brand’ as a multi-national brand developed ‘in Africa, by Africans,’ with a secondary or primary listing in Africa, serving customers primarily in Africa, with a growing international recognition and/or footprint, that contributes to Africa’s economic growth and global image and reputation.

Brand Africa 100 is based on a multi-tier royalty relief methodology that blends a brand’s financial performance and consumer admiration scores to create a unique index and ranking. Financial accounting and reporting standards require a clear definition of what intellectual property is included in the definition of a ‘brand’. Brand Finance defines a brand as the “Trademark and associated IP including the word mark and trademark iconography”.

Brand Finance calculates brand value using the Royalty Relief approach.

This approach involves estimating the likely future sales that are attributable to a brand and calculating a royalty rate that would be charged for the use of the brand.

MTN topped the league for African brands as the most admired African brand with a brand valuation of $4.655bn. Coca Cola is the top global brand in Africa with a brand value of $3.420bn. MTN also tops the league as the overall Most Admired and Valuable Brand in Africa.

“It is perhaps not a surprise that MTN and Coca Cola, the dominant pan-African consumer brands in Africa in their respective categories are the most valuable brands in Africa. Both brands are the standard bearers in creating a favourable image for Africa as valuable services and respected corporate citizens in Africa,” says Thebe Ikalafeng, Chairman of Brand Finance Africa and Founder of Brand Africa.

LONG HAUL

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L E G A L

Paying Big for

Digging Deep

Tax considerations for oil, gas and mining companies in Africa

AFRICA IS RICH IN MINERAL RESOURCES, OFFERING SUBSTANTIAL OPPORTUNITIES IN MINING, OIL AND GAS. POTENTIAL INVESTORS IN THESE SECTORS HAVE SHOWN AN INTEREST IN USING SOUTH AFRICA AS A GATEWAY FOR INVESTING INTO AFRICA, ONE OF THE REASONS BEING SOUTH AFRICA’S GOOD TAX TREATY NETWORK WITH OTHER AFRICAN COUNTRIES, AS WELL AS MAJOR EUROPEAN AND ASIAN COUNTRIES.

By Betsie Strydom and Daniel Areias of Bowman & Gilfillan Attorneys

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L E G A L

I

nvestors in mining, oil and gas not only have to plan for the payment of mining royalties and income tax, but they should also take into account recent changes to the law relating to the imposition of withholding taxes. Fortunately there are specific provisions aimed at the resources industry which offer attractive benefits to investors, such as the Tenth Schedule to the Income Tax Act, which applies to oil and gas companies.

Dividends Tax

Investors choosing to structure their presence in South Africa by registering a company should bear in mind that from 1 April 2012 South Africa imposed a dividends tax at a rate of 15% on dividends paid by a South Africa company. Generally, the dividends tax must be withheld by the company paying the dividends.

The Tenth Schedule provides attractive relief to oil and gas companies by reducing the dividends tax rate to 5% if the dividend is paid out of amounts attributable to ‘oil and gas income’, and to 0% where all of the oil and gas rights are solely derived by virtue of an “OP26 right” (which is an OP26 sublease or lease).

For other resource companies which are not oil and gas companies, relief may be found in the provisions of tax treaties.

For example, the double tax treaty between South Africa and Nigeria limits dividends tax to 7.5% if the beneficial owner of the dividends is a company which holds at least 10% of the capital of the company paying the dividends. In all other cases the dividends tax cannot exceed 10%.

Similarly, the double tax treaty between South Africa and the Netherlands limits dividends tax to 5% if the beneficial owner of the dividends is a company which holds at least 10% of the capital of the company paying the dividends, and in all other cases the dividends tax cannot exceed 10%. It is not certain whether these treaties will be amended.

Withholding Tax on Royalties

Many oil and gas companies use sophisticated technology which is licensed to companies in the group. Non-resident recipients of royalties are taxed on royalties. Currently and up to 1 July 2013, royalties are subject to a 12% withholding tax. However, royalties that become due and payable on or after 1 July 2013 will be subject to a withholding tax rate of 15%.

Certain double tax treaties limit South Africa’s right to tax royalties. For example (and subject to certain exceptions) the double tax treaty between South Africa and the Netherlands does not allow South Africa to impose tax on royalties beneficially owned by a resident of the Netherlands.

Withholding Tax on Interest

Non-residents who finance their African exploration, mining or prospecting operations by lending money to a South African company should note that as of 1 July 2013 there is a 15% withholding tax on interest paid or payable on or after that date for the benefit of a non-resident.

Relief from the withholding tax is offered by certain double tax treaties if the requirements of these treaties are met.

For example, the treaty between South Africa and the Netherlands does not allow South Africa to impose tax on interest paid to a resident of the Netherlands who beneficially owns the interest and does not have a permanent establishment in South Africa. The treaty between South Africa and Nigeria limits interest paid to a resident of Nigeria (without any permanent establishment in South Africa) to a withholding tax rate of 7.5%.

It must also be pointed out that treaties need to be carefully analysed as in some cases problems may arise from translations of the treaty. For example, the English and Portuguese versions of the double tax treaty between South Africa and Mozambique have different translations in respect of the clauses dealing with ‘interest’, and ‘permanent establishment’. Although it is unlikely that these differences will be relevant to exploration, prospecting or mining companies in the normal course of their operations, the differences in translation

do highlight the fact that investors should not only take note of domestic law, but should also give careful consideration to the protection offered by fiscal stability agreements, specific legislation and by treaties.

Benefits Offered

By Fiscal Stability Agreements The Tenth Schedule provides benefits to oil and gas companies that have concluded a fiscal stability agreement with the Minister of Finance. They enjoy the certainty that their taxable income will not be taxed at rates higher than those listed in the Tenth Schedule (as it read when they signed the fiscal stability agreement). In other words, tax rate increases do not apply to oil and gas companies that have concluded fiscal stability agreements. The Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act also allows extractors of mineral resources to conclude binding fiscal stability agreements with the Minister of Finance in respect of an extractor’s mineral resource right, or in anticipation of the extractor acquiring a mineral resource right.

The legislature is trying to make the landscape more attractive for investors, but there are still many variables that have to be considered by oil, gas and mining companies when planning their investments.

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Mining Law Under Scrutiny

THE DEPARTMENT OF MINERAL RESOURCES (DMR) HAS PROPOSED MAKING A NUMBER OF POTENTIALLY FAR REACHING CHANGES TO MINING LAWS IN A DRAFT AMENDMENT BILL WHICH SHOULD GO THROUGH PARLIAMENT IN THE COURSE OF 2013. MANY OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES HAVE NOT BEEN WELL RECEIVED TO DATE AND COULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT IMPLICATIONS FOR INVESTMENT IN THE MINING SECTOR. IT IS STILL TOO EARLY TO TELL WHICH OF THE PROPOSED CHANGES WILL ACTUALLY MAKE IT INTO LAW, BUT BOWMAN GILFILLAN OFFERED THE DMR ITS COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT MINERAL AND PETROLEUM RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT AMENDMENT BILL, 2012 (THE DRAFT BILL) WHICH WAS RELEASED FOR COMMENT IN DECEMBER 2012. HERE, CLAIRE TUCKER AND SIBUSISO SIBISI HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE KEY ISSUES RAISED IN THEIR SUBMISSION.

By Claire Tucker and Sibusiso Sibisi

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Transfer of mining or prospecting rights – proposed amendments to section 11 This is the most significant amendment from a commercial and transactional perspective. The Draft Bill unfortunately did not clarify the very unclear existing provisions in section 11 and the proposed amendments have unfortunately brought further confusion. The Draft Bill proposes that any interest in an unlisted or listed company which holds prospecting or mining rights or an interest in any such rights may not be ceded, transferred or disposed of without the prior written consent of the Minister and subject to such conditions as the Minister may impose.

The concept of a company which “holds … an interest in such rights” is new and is unclear. If the provision is only intended to restrict companies which are actual holders of a right or a share in a right directly, then section 11 would have a limited reach and only require section 11 applications for companies which wholly or partially actually hold mining or prospecting rights.

We imagine such an approach would be welcomed by the market but the wording of the Act would have to be amended to make it clear that section 11 does not apply to companies holding shares in holders of mining rights. This would be a significant change to the present approach and would have to be very clearly spelled out in the Act. However, if the interpretation offered above is not the intention, and the intention is rather to prohibit any company that holds an interest via a shareholding (however small) in a company which holds a right or an interest in a right (however small the interest) from any change in shareholding whatsoever, this will create absurdities for listed, as well as unlisted companies. For example, if a company in the technology sector holds a small number of shares in a listed company as part of an investment shareholding portfolio and the listed company holds a minority stake in a minority equity holder in a prospecting company, then any change in shareholding in the tech company would appear according to the present wording of the amendments to section 11 to require permission from the Minister of Mineral Resources.

Shareholding in a listed company changes hands every day, and the removal of the controlling interest limitation for listed companies is obviously wholly unworkable and would effectively mean listed companies could not participate in the South African mining sector – with devastating consequences for South Africa as this is

L E G A L

one of the major sectors in our economy.

Changes in shareholding above the listed company level can never be regulated, as listed companies have no control over such changes (except maybe for a change of control as regulated by other legislation).

Order of processing applications – proposed amendments to section 9 The DMR has experienced a number of problems with potentially fraudulent manipulation of the “first come first served” principle, as evidenced, for example, in the much publicised Kumba/ICT matter. The Draft Bill, however, proposes removing entirely those parts of section 9 of the MPRDA dealing with this principle in processing applications, and this is a big concern. Section 9 has been replaced with a section dealing with “invitations” by the DMR, in terms of which some form of auction process could be undertaken.

This is a duplication of existing provisions in section 16(6) and 22(5) of the MPRDA, which allow for such a process.

Applications for prospecting and mining rights can still be made at any time relying on the application sections such as section 16 or 22. These sections do provide that an application must be accepted if no prior application has been accepted over the relevant property and mineral, but do not deal with what happens if a prior application is or has been submitted but has not yet been accepted or rejected. This provision significantly increases the chances of administrative problems and even corruption within the system of processing and accepting applications for prospecting and mining rights and these sections should be amended to return to a first-inline system for receiving applications as per section 9. Not to do so will place Regional Offices in a difficult position when it comes to processing applications.

BEE in applications for prospecting rights – proposed amendments to section 17(1) The Draft Bill makes it mandatory for the applicant for a prospecting right to give effect to BEE objectives, specifically stating that they must comply with the Amended Broad Based Socio-Economic Empowerment Charter for the South African Mining and Minerals Industry (Amended Charter). At prospecting stage most prospecting companies are not generating any income. Small shareholders such as

community participants find it confusing to be shareholders in a company which generates no income and this often leads to disputes.

We believe it would be preferable to remove this requirement entirely, or provide for a “warehousing” approach to BEE at prospecting stage.

Mine dumps – proposed amendments to the definition of “residue stockpile” to include historic mine dumps.

The proposed change in definition of “residue stockpile” to include “historic mines and dumps created before the implementation of this Act,” is a real problem as there is no provision for a transition or conversion process in terms of which the common law rights of existing owners of these dumps are preserved. Dumps are often the private property of the person who created the dump or the person who purchased the dump from the creator. In law they are treated as a “movable” asset.

As such these amendments expropriate the existing rights of the owners of the dumps without compensation.

This is a breach of the Constitutional right to property.

A transition or conversion process similar to the “old order – new order” process created for old order prospecting and mining rights must be created for the conversion of these existing rights into prospecting or mining rights issued in terms of the MPRDA to ensure the common law rights of existing owners of these dumps are preserved.

Associated minerals and concurrent applications over the same property – proposed amendments to section 102 The Draft Bill proposes that, any person mining any mineral in terms of a mining right may, while mining such mineral, also mine and dispose of any other mineral in respect of which he or she is not the right holder, but which must of necessity be mined with the first-mentioned mineral, provided that such person declares such associated mineral or any other mineral discovered in the mining process.

This does appear to not allow for the mining of minerals which occur in a different ore body but which from a practical perspective must be mined together. The Draft Bill contemplates that a holder must be notified in the event that a third party

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applies in terms of section 16, 22, or 27 as the case may be for an associated mineral.

It does not provide that such an application must be refused. It would appear to flow logically from the first amendment that mining and disposing of associated minerals is a right that the holder has. As such no third party could apply for a right to these as the holder has a prior right.

This should be clarified by extending the application sections (sections 16, 22 etc) to provide that the application may not be accepted if another person holds or has applied for a right in respect of the same mineral or an associated mineral. The definition of “associated mineral” should be expanded to include a mineral which as a practical matter must be mined at the same time as another mineral.

The MPRDA should also deal more clearly with the manner in which cooperation agreements are to be concluded where rights are granted over the same properties for different minerals. The provisions should confirm that existing investments must be recognised and compensated in such agreements.

Alignment of the MPRDA with the National Environmental Management Act 107 of 1998 (“NEMA”) The Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) recently said that the Draft Bill was published prematurely and the DMR and DEA have not yet finalised their negotiations around the alignment between the MPRDA and NEMA. Certainly the amendments as published add to the confusion that there is in this area.

There remains a lot of uncertainty regarding this area particularly in light of the MacSands judgement of the Constitutional Court. In that matter the Court failed to clarify the manner in which the different authorisation processes should interact.

We would have expected to see clearer guidance on the conflicts between NEMA and the MPRDA and the manner in which conflicts will be resolved in the Bill.

Municipal Approval of Mining Activities The proposed amendment to section 48 of the Act provides that no mining or prospecting right may be granted in respect of “any land within an approved town planning scheme” unless special ministerial consent is given. This does

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not take into account the “wall to wall” municipalities in terms of which there is no land in South Africa that is not within the jurisdiction of a municipality.

It also does not take into account the manner in which land use planning is presently undertaken by municipalities. Most municipalities, even rural municipalities whose jurisdiction comprises mostly of farmland in rural areas, have in the last few years proclaimed a town planning scheme over the whole of their area of jurisdiction. This would inhibit prospecting activities on most land in South Africa. In many cases the proclamation of a town planning scheme over the whole municipal area was done despite the fact that prospecting rights were held or prospecting activities were being undertaken within the area over which a town planning scheme was proclaimed. Many times this scheme ignored the existing prospecting operations and zoned the relevant land as “agricultural”. The proposed amendment will put at risk existing prospecting rights holders who will struggle to be granted a mining right over the areas they are prospecting.

It is often difficult to find the relevant town planning scheme. Even municipal officials are often unaware of it, and if the Minister grants a prospecting or

mining right without applying the special decision-making consideration required of section 48, the right will be subject to challenge.

The Bill does not in any way address the uncertainty created by the MacSands judgement in respect of additional approvals required for prospecting and mining by a municipality.

Given the fact that minerals can only be mined where they are found, normal town planning provisions are almost impossible to apply within the prospecting and mining context. Although there are potentially constitutional issues at play in usurping municipal competencies in the planning area, government, particularly the DMR, needs to address the town planning issue as a matter of urgency. The present approach allows municipalities in rural areas to “ban” mining in their jurisdiction in rural parts of the municipality which are nowhere near residential or industrial areas.

This allows for a situation where minerals are simply left to lie in the ground despite a feasible resource extraction strategy and the developmental benefits which can flow from that. A new social compact which acknowledges the benefits of mining from a developmental perspective is needed to address this issue. The proposed amendment to section 48 is potentially a step in the opposite direction.

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LONG HAUL

CLOSING THE

EQUALITY GAP AFRICA’S TOP 10 MOST GENDER EQUAL COUNTRIES

LESOTHO HOLDS FAST AT THE TOP, WHILE MORE WOMEN IN THE WORKFORCE PUSHED BURUNDI UP THE RANKING IN THE WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM’S GLOBAL GENDER GAP 2013 REPORT, PUBLISHED IN OCTOBER. THE REPORT RANKS 136 COUNTRIES ON THEIR ABILITY TO CLOSE THE GENDER GAP – MAKING SURE WOMEN ARE NOT HELD BACK – IN FOUR KEY AREAS: HEALTH AND SURVIVAL, EDUCATION, POLITICS AND ECONOMIC EQUALITY. CAPE VERDE (41 out of 136) slips down six places from last year, due to a decrease in economic participation and opportunity. Cape Verde has the highest number of women in ministerial positions in Africa, coming just after Finland and Iceland overall in this area. It is also one of six African countries to have closed the health and survival gender gap.

UGANDA (46) follows next. Uganda is one of the six countries from the region that have closed their health and survival gender gaps, though it falls 18 places due to a weaker performance in education.

BURUNDI (22) follows next in the ranking, moving up two spots. Burundi ranks third for labour force participation and is the best performer from the region for economic participation and opportunity.

The country also shows the highest overall score of all low-income countries.

TANZANIA (66) shows the biggest loss compared to last year, moving down 20 places.

This is mainly due to a decrease in the literacy score and enrolment in tertiary education score, but also due to the fact that there is no data for enrolment in secondary education as it is no longer part of the UNESCO database.

41 67

MALAWI (39) is the overall top country for labour force participation and the best performer in the region for enrolment in primary education.

46 SENEGAL (67) trails just behind Tanzania, completing Africa’s top ten list.

22 66

NAMIBIA (44) loses ground this year on wage equality. However, Namibia is one of three countries in the region to have closed its educational attainment gap.

SOUTH AFRICA (17) slips one place mainly due to a light decrease in women’s economic participation and opportunity. South Africa is the second best of all upper-middle income countries. It continues to be the best performer from the region for political empowerment, holding the fifth position for the number of women in parliament indicator and the 11th for women in ministerial positions.

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26 56

44

17

16

MOZAMBIQUE (26) falls three spots this year due to losses in wage equality for similar work. Mozambique is the top performer from the region for income and the highest number of years with a female head of state.

MADAGASCAR (56) gains two places due to small improvements in economic participation and education.

LESOTHO (16) holds its place for the fourth consecutive year, despite having lost two places this year because of a decrease in women in the workforce and a small drop in wage equality for similar work. Lesotho is the only country from the region that has closed the gender gap in both educational attainment, and health and survival. Lesotho is the third best performer of the lower-middle income countries.

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SEGMENT

LIRON SEGEV

The

Hot Spot Is Wi-Fi a deciding factor for hotels and restaurant choices?

NOT LONG AGO FREE WI-FI WAS AN EXTRA BENEFIT OFFERED BY A HANDFUL OF RESTAURANTS AND HOTELS LOOKING TO LURE NEW BUSINESS CUSTOMERS. HOWEVER, AS MORE AND MORE CONSUMERS HAVE BECOME RELIANT ON ACCESS GIVEN THE PROLIFERATION OF SMART PHONES AND TABLETS, WI-FI HAS BECOME NOT JUST A ‘NICE TO HAVE’, BUT A DECIDING FACTOR FOR MANY LOOKING FOR A RESTAURANT OR HOTEL. JUST ASK THE TECHIE GUY, LIRON SEGEV, WHO HAS BEEN SCHEDULING BUSINESS MEETINGS SOLELY BASED ON THE AVAILABILITY OF WI-FI.

“I

nterestingly enough, during my search for Wi-Fi hotspots, I frequently find myself scheduling meetings in restaurants and or hotel lobbies where I know I can find Wi-Fi access,” says Segev. “And that got me thinking, how many people actually base their outings, and more importantly their hotel bookings on the availability of WiFi?” For Michael Fletcher, sales director of Ruckus Wireless sub-Saharan Africa, it’s non-negotiable. “Wireless is no longer just another amenity at hotels. It’s like having running hot water – a requirement and a prerequisite for doing business – period.

Many people frequent hotels across the country for business and require access.

The easiest and simplest method is WiFi and with hotels aiming to increase Revenues Per Available Room and maximise profitability they are jumping on the wireless bandwagon and it’s easy to see why,” adds Fletcher.

Hotel staff can use mobile Wi-Fi devices to securely access reservation and

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administration tools from anywhere on the property, ensuring high levels of service.

Wireless point of sale systems can allow staff to take orders for food and other amenities at the poolside and around the property. Wireless voice communications between hotel employees can help keep everything running smoothly. Handheld devices can be used to check guests in at valet, and hotels can offer Wi-Fi in guest rooms and common areas for free, or bundled in a communications package.

“Yet despite the hype for hotel guests there's the added frustration of inconsistency. Some hotels charge for Wi-Fi per device, others offer it for free; some chain hotels offer free Wi-Fi at their budget brands but charge for it at their luxury ones, so with no set rules, the customer never knows what to expect,” adds Fletcher. “And until some ‘rules of engagement’ are identified and agreed upon, you are going to find that the hotels that offer free Wi-Fi are going to come out ahead of the pack.”

Based on his experience Segev added:

Liron has been in the IT industry for over 20 years, where he started the first SMS consumer company called SwiftSMS, which is still running today. His speciality is being able to provide an objective view of issues, assisting businesses to make the correct decisions when it comes to the complex world of IT. In 2008 Liron started a blog called The Techie Guy which has gone on to win the 2012 SA BLOG AWARDS for Best Science and Technology Blog.

“Wi-Fi is a must. Places that offer Wi-Fi as a service to their customers see an increase in revenue. When people look for hotels, they ultimately identify their top 3 or 4 choices and a major swaying factor is the Wi-Fi facility that the hotel provides.

Those that don’t mention internet access don’t even make it onto the list. We might be on holiday, but we still want to connect with the world. This is especially true when South Africans travel overseas and want to avoid those exorbitant costs of data roaming.”

Fletcher concludes, “As the demand for Wi-Fi connectivity increases in light of a more mobile consumer, Ruckus Wireless is proud to be at the forefront of innovative Wi-Fi solutions for the hospitality industry – where we have already begun implementing our solutions in hotels operating in the South African market, with the aim of assisting this sector in meeting the needs of its customers – such as our ‘Techie guy.”

ABOUT RUCKUS WIRELESS Ruckus Wireless, Inc. is a global supplier of advanced wireless systems for the rapidly expanding mobile Internet infrastructure market. With 2012 revenues of $214.7 million, the company offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor "Smart Wi-Fi" products to mobile carriers, broadband service providers, and corporate enterprises, and has more than 21,700 end-customers worldwide. Ruckus technology addresses Wi-Fi capacity and coverage challenges caused by the ever-increasing amount of traffic on wireless networks.

For more information, visit www. ruckuswireless.com.

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SEGMENT

South Africa’s

Own Smartphone Seemahale and CZ Electronics look to bridge the digital divide by bringing affordable tablets and Smartphones to the SA market.

THE PHRASE ‘BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE’ HAS BEEN THROWN AROUND QUITE A BIT OVER THE LAST DECADE WITH NOT TOO MANY TANGIBLE RESULTS BEING SEEN IN SOUTH AFRICA OR THE REST OF THE CONTINENT, HOWEVER TWO SOUTH AFRICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPANIES WILL SOON BE MAKING THE CONCEPT A REALITY FOR MANY THAT HAVE BEEN MARGINALISED

BY TECHNOLOGY.

S

eemahale Telecoms, a level one BEE contributor and 100% black owned and managed company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding, with CZ Electronics Manufacturing, to locally manufacture and assemble and market 5' Android powered smartphones and 10.1' tablets. Seemahale Telecoms Pty Ltd is a telecoms and broadcasting infrastructure and services company and CZ Electronics Manufacturing (Pty) Limited is an Electronic Manufacturing Services company, situated in Boksburg.

In a first for South Africa, Seemahale has also agreed to acquire a 51% stake in CZ Electronics Manufacturing as part of the proposed initial transaction between the two entities.

Dr Thabo Lehlokoe, chairman of Seemahale Telecoms says: "Bridging the digital divide is something Seemahale has always been passionate about and this deal will see us bringing this dream, which many in the country have, to fruition. We will be taking to the market quality smart phones and tablets at the

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sub-R3500 price mark and therefore servicing the entry level consumer that has been denied access to such technology by the price tag associated with it. We also hope that the operators will support this initiative by making these devices available in their stores and their distribution chains."

He adds that with the popularity that the Android platform continues to enjoy, the combination of it and the affordability of the hardware will make the devices the preferred option for many entry level consumers in South Africa and soon those in neighbouring countries.

"As we bring this technology to the market, we also want it to benefit the communities in which we operate in – in more than just one way, so besides saving them money on the purchase price of a quality product and contributing towards the bridging of the digital divide, we also want to make a meaningful contribution to worthy causes by donating part of the revenue generated from our sales," states Lehlokoe. Seemahale Telecoms intends

to donate R20 from the sale of each device to a long list of worthy beneficiaries including The Nelson Mandela Children's Hospital Trust.

Sagran Pillay, CEO of CZ Electronics Manufacturing says: "We are pleased to be making an entry into the market with products that are affordable and at the forefront of mobile technology. Affordable mobile handsets and tablet computers will go a long way in benefitting human development in all facets of the community within South Africa and Africa. In the same instance, the local manufacture of tablet computers and mobile handsets will create substantial local employment and training opportunities, both skilled and unskilled. We are delighted to be joining forces with Seemahale Telecoms because its intention extends beyond just the business aspect but also to benefitting marginalised communities by providing them access to affordable, quality technology and that is what we as a company pride ourselves in doing."

E X PL OR E

DEPARTURE

Jetsetting Tech Joburg’s Targus’ latest laptop and tablet case is the perfect accessory for the serious business traveller. Mobile devices are essential components of the business traveller’s arsenal and for those who need a case to accommodate both laptops and tablets, the Targus Transit Roller offers the best of both worlds, with superior protection through high-density padded storage compartments and easy access to all compartments. In addition to separate compartments for laptop and tablet, it also features a spacious overnight clothes section with two additional mesh pockets for personal essentials. This means that business travellers can reduce the number of pieces of luggage they need to carry. A front-zipped workstation provides easy access to frequently used items such as your phone, cables or business cards. A quick access, deep-zipped pocket also safely keeps your wallet or passport close at hand while the expandable main compartment lets you carry extra capacity. The case is also constructed from lightweight materials, minimising its impact on your weight allowance.

The Targus Roller is available at selected retailers at a recommended retail price of R1 899. For more information, visit www.drivecon.net.

New Green Experience

The Kliprivier Urban Biodiversity Corridor (KUBiC) aims to establish a sustainable green, bio diverse, aesthetic freedom corridor along Kliprivier Drive. This initiative is a 3 to 10 year process of creating one of the first major green urban corridors in Gauteng. The primary purpose of KUBiC is to enhance the visual travelling experience of the South of Johannesburg as one enters from the M1 merging with renowned conservation areas in and around the Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve. The corridor will play a vital role in the promotion of tourism in the South and will endeavour to enhance the area’s aesthetic value. This project supports the Corridors of Freedom recently announced by the mayor of Johannesburg, Councillor Mpho Parks Tau. The corridors are designed to change the urban settlement pattern of the city. Corporate companies and individuals are encouraged to get involved with this sustainable greening initiative. Visit kubic.co.za for more information.

Food Routes Travelling Tool Planning your ultimate culinary travel adventure is now a piece of cake with the newly launched Food Routes platform. Showcasing unique and diverse South African culinary destinations via an interactive website, Food Routes empowers food-loving travellers to pick and plan their preferred ‘wine, dine and recline’ experiences at the click of a button. Whether you are an avid traveller or pleasure seeking businessman, Food Routes ticks all the right boxes when it comes to offering the country’s warm hospitality through a fusion of excellent accommodation offerings and memorable epicurean experiences. Via its effortless online booking system, one gets access to endless journeys of enjoyment destined to fulfil your quest for the greatest food or soundest sleep. Food Routes has also identified a selection of unparalleled and authentic dining experiences in South Africa, including some of the DSTV Eat Out Top 10 restaurant super stars of South Africa. Visit www.foodroutes.co.za to devise your next South African ‘wine, dine, and recline’ adventure.

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R E GU L A R

TRAFFIC CONTROL

Lagos

All Aboard Get your copy of Avion at any of our VIP partners

Federal Air: Non Scheduled route...

Scheduled route............

New Scheduled route...

ExecuJet: Locations: .......................

• Lanseria International Airport • Cape Town International Airport • Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, Nigeria

Rovos Rail: Train Route........

Flight Route.......

Airports This map is not to scale and highlights only some of the routes of the above companies.

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Swako Wal

R E GU L A R

TRAFFIC CONTROL

Ngorongoro Conservation Area Dar es Salaam

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

TANZANIA

ANGOLA

MALAWI Kafue National Park

E U BIQ M A OZ M

Lusaka

ZAMBIA Etosha National Park

Luderitz

Francistown Vilanculos

BOTSWANA

Windhoek

Sosussvlei Namib Naukluft Park

Beira

Bulawayo

NAMIBIA

Swakopmund opmund lvis Walvis Bay Bay

ZIMBABWE

Chobe National Park

Maun

Harare

Livingstone

Victoria Falls

Gaborone

Mariental

Phalaborwa Private Game reserves

Madikwe Game Reserve

Pretoria

Springbok

Kimberley

SOUTH De Aar AFRICA Beaufort West

Saldanha

Inhambane

Kruger Mpumalanga Airport

SWAZILAND

Keetmanshoop Bloemfontein

Sabi Sands Reserves

Maputo

Johannesburg Upington

Bazaruto

Musina

Ladysmith

LESOTHO

Pietermaritzburg

Hluhluwe Private Game Reserves/ Beach resorts

St Lucia Durban

Umtata Queenstown East London Port Elizabeth

Cape Town Mossel Bay

Plettenberg Bay

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DEPARTURE

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Enhanced but

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Nkwichi Lodge reveals a secret Africa

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IN A FORGOTTEN CORNER OF NORTHERN MOZAMBIQUE, FAR FROM THE TIDES OF THE INDIAN OCEAN, LIES SOME OF AFRICA’S MOST SPECTACULAR COASTLINE, AND ONE OF ITS BEST-KEPT SECRETS. SET DEEP IN THE AFRICAN BUSH, THE LITTLE EXPLORED SHORES OF LAKE NIASSA OFFER A LOST WORLD OF UNPARALLELED BEAUTY AND A CHANCE TO SEE AN AFRICA UNTOUCHED. Images © Kim Steinberg

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ree from the thoughtless development which has taken over the rest of Lake Malawi, the remote, eastern Mozambican shoreline of the lake is a world apart and offers a glimpse of the lake as it once was. You will still experience the famous friendliness of the lake people, and feel over-awed by the dramatic Rift Valley setting but everything else is more enhanced; the water cleaner, the mountains greener and the beaches quieter.

The great fissure that runs the length of East Africa left a rugged coastline filled with scattered bays, sparkling volcanic rock formations and a multitude of pristine beaches which, even by Mozambican standards, leave you breathless. Due to the years of the civil war, the area was left largely uninhabited and so most of the time you’ll have a beach to yourself.

The freshwater paradise of the lake, free from the pollution prevalent elsewhere and the threat of Bilharzia, offers an underwater world of wonder.

Safe enough to drink and swim in, the lake has been hailed by the WWF as the most bio-diverse in the world and Mozambique’s first freshwater reserve was opened on its shores in 2011. Surrounded by towering granite monoliths and schools of brightlycoloured fish, the lake boasts more species of fish than North America and Europe combined and

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exploring below the surface is like snorkelling in the world’s largest aquarium.

Perhaps the most visible and stunning difference to the more visited Malawian shoreline is the backdrop of hundreds of kilometres of virgin Miombo woodland, which cover the mountains and cliffs crashing down to the shoreline in a blanket of verdant green. Complete with game from leopard and elephant to wild dog and sable, not to mention an astonishing array of birdlife, the landscape that Livingstone walked is still as wild as ever.

And in the midst of this hidden never-never land, in the most sublime setting, lies Nkwichi, with what is recognized as Lake Malawi’s finest beach. With 4km of coastline and 8 private beaches, Nkwichi is more than just another lodge. Six hand-crafted chalets offer complete privacy and seclusion with rock-pool baths, picnics and romantic dinners on deserted beaches and a unique chance to experience the African night sky through its Lake of Stars Bed, Nkwichi will help you discover the magic of the continent’s third largest lake, and a secret Africa, now lost to the rest of the world.

For more information on Nkwichi Lodge visit www.mandawilderness.org or email info@mandawilderness.org.

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C A R G O

SA’s Own

Cyber Security Council Minister of Communications, Yunus Carrim, has officially inaugurated the National Cyber Security Advisory Council (NCAC). “The role of the NCAC will be to advise the government on cyber security policy and technical issues,” the Department of Communications (DoC) said in a statement. The DoC said that the National Cyber Security Policy Framework in terms of which the NCAC was established, was passed by Cabinet in March 2012.

According to Carrim, the policy framework seeks to coordinate government’s activities on cyber-security and also ensure more effective cooperation between government, the private sector and civil society in tackling cybersecurity threats. “With the increasing number and sophistication of cyber security threats, including online scams, data theft, and other threats, the role of the NCAC has become more important than ever,” the minister said.

He added that that cyber-security is a shared government responsibility and that several relevant departments would also be consulted regarding the advice given by the NCAC.

Rapid Test to

Fight Malaria

Need Motivation?

There’s an App for That Ever suspect you do more housework than your spouse? Or that certain tasks at work raise your blood pressure? Maybe you wonder if carbs are making you tired after lunch? Turns out, there's an app or gadget to test all of that. Advancements in wearable body sensors, mobile applications and other gadgets mean that nearly everything we do can be captured, logged and analysed. And everyday consumers are jumping at the chance to conduct their own experiments — tracking sleep, caffeine intake, or kids' studying habits. "There's an overall trend toward curiosity and proving knowledge of one's self in the world," said Ernesto Ramirez, a self-tracking devotee who helped to organise the recent "Quantified Self" conference in San Francisco.

Public health advocates and researchers say tracking technology could be used to encourage people to use less gasoline, conserve water or drive slower by giving them real-time feedback on their daily habits. Ramirez said he thinks the next step will be embedding sensors in nearly everything a person encounters throughout the day and linking that information. Think of a car that won't start if you've consumed too much alcohol or a light bulb that changes colour when it's time to go to bed.

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Award winning Australian healthcare company, Atomo Diagnostics, has launched an innovative all in one rapid malaria test. AtomoRapid Malaria, which is ideal for both professional and self-test applications, will enable quick and reliable diagnosis of malaria in the field. Rapid testing away from hospitals and clinics is recognised as an increasingly important weapon in the fight to bring infectious diseases under control in Africa. Figures from The Global Fund, state that of the 655,000 malaria deaths worldwide in 2010, over 90% of these occurred in Africa. A large scale study in Sudan revealed major user errors when using complicated malaria test kits. Through Collaborative Commercialisation, Atomo has ensured that these common errors are reduced through the integration of blood collection and delivery features into the test cassette.

AtomoRapid Malaria will be manufactured in South Africa making it not only the world's most user friendly rapid Malaria test, but an African made test that can be exported to the benefit of the rest of the world.

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Cape Town’s

Best Bars THE MINUTE YOU LAND IN CAPE TOWN, THE URGE TO KICK BACK WITH A DRINK WHILE TAKING IN THE MOTHER CITY’S ONE OF A KIND VIEWS TENDS TO HIT YOU PRETTY HARD. BUT WITH THOUSANDS OF OPTIONS, IT CAN BE HARD TO DECIDE ON WHAT WOULD BE THE PERFECT SPOT. WITH THIS IN MIND WE’VE ROUNDED UP THE BEST OF THE BUNCH FROM MOODY BARS AND ATMOSPHERIC HOTELS TO BEACH SIDE LOUNGES AND WINE LAND LOCALES SO THAT YOU CAN ENJOY YOUR FAVOURITE DRINK IN STYLE.

LEOPARD BAR AT TWELVE APOSTLES The Leopard Bar at the Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa is a buzzing hot spot, equally popular with hotel guests and Capetonians. Surrounded by nature, with Table Mountain National Park and the Twelve Apostles Mountain range in its back garden, the lauded hotel is situated at the water’s edge of a marine reserve, boasting frequent whale and dolphin sightings. Its beautiful terrace is the place in Cape Town to enjoy sundowners, thanks to the hotel offering the longest hours of sunshine of any five-star hotel in the city, and beyond! The Leopard Bar offers live music every Monday to Saturday between 18:00 and 22:30 and a wide range of cocktails and spirits, including a ‘Cocktail of the Month’. +27 21 437 9000, Victoria Road, Camps Bay

Leopard Bar

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Vista Bar and Lounge

Boasting unpretentious service in decadent surroundings, The Bungalow epitomises that Cape Town feeling of being on the very edge of the continent. The décor is a clash of concepts and a merging of vibes as baroque mixes with Mediterranean and the beach chic exterior gives way to the complete opulence within. From intimate nooks to an expansive sun dappled deck, the spaces invite you enjoy your drink your way.

Beware though that their no fuss service and wellchosen drinks selection might just keep you there all day and long into the night. +27 21 438 2018, 3 Victoria Road, Clifton

A place to experience both laidback cool or high energy in the heart of Cape Town. Situated in the centre of the lobby, within the very heart of the resort, is Vista Bar and Lounge.

As its name suggests, incredible panoramic views of Table Mountain are enjoyed through a floor-to-ceiling wall of glass. Here, guests may gather to enjoy all-day dining, a spectacular Afternoon Tea, and evenings filled with music and an electric vibe. + 27 21 431 5111, Dock Road, V&A Waterfront

WINE LANDS CHIC

THE BUNGALOW

The Bungalow

Waterkloof Estate

Taste wine in the clouds from Waterkloof Estate’s famous glass boxed restaurant, combine outdoor views with the Cape’s best steak lunch at Rust en Vrede or soak in some small town flair out in Franschhoek at Grande Provence.

Grand Daddy Sky Bar

Rick’s Café Américain

RICK’S CAFÉ AMÉRICAIN

Walking into Rick's Cafe has the same feeling as walking into a friend's home for dinner. The ambiance is comfortable to say the least with decor reminiscent of the movie classic Casablanca with its stylish colonial Moroccan tones accompanied by lounge music filtering through the 100 year old Victorian building. They have Happy Hour everyday from 15:00 until 19:00 – and serve a selection of cocktails by the jug-full! If a laid back atmosphere exuding old world charm is what you are looking for, then Rick’s Café could become the one you recommend as being "my favourite place". The free wi-fi is the cherry on top, allowing you to share photos with your friends who might not be so lucky as to be enjoying a jug full of margaritas in Cape Town. + 27 21 424 1100, 2 Park Road, Gardens

GRAND DADDY SKY BAR

Picture yourself on a rooftop towering over Cape Town. Seven vintage Airstream trailers glint in the spectacular sunset; you’re kicking back on a wooden deck and enjoying the view in your own deckchair all from the comfort and protection of a Bedouin tent. Perched in this surreal playscape your effervescent, thirstquenching champagne, cocktails or crafted beers are served while you're surrounded by Cape Town's skyline. +27 21 424 7247, 38 Long Street

TJING TJING Tjing Tjing is a unique, urban rooftop bar located in the heart of Cape Town, set on top of the renowned Dear Me restaurant, housed in an almost 200 year old building. Enveloped in the in the wooden mansards of the old attic is an eclectic mix of new and old, local and Asian, with a Japanese-shrine inspired red bar that sports black and white and Tokyo imagery. The bar opens out onto a lofty outside terrace where a variety of seasonal and classic cocktails are served alongside Jack Black on tap and fine local wines. +27 21 422 4920, 165 Longmarket Street

Tjing Tjing

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JB TRAIN TOURS

Train Tours in Southern Africa (SINCE 1975)

PREMIER CLASSE TRAIN

BLUE TRAIN

DESERT EXPRESS TRAIN

When was the last time you slept on an overnight train in South Africa? Can you remember the good food served by waiters in starched white jackets with silver cutlery?

Do you recall watching the sunset through the train’s window? Although traveling by train in South Africa is not as regular as in the 60’s and 70’s, it is still good value for money, safe, fun and it brings back nostalgic memories of years gone by.

Perhaps it is time for you to take your spouse or family on a train tour. When traveling on a holiday train, there is no rush. It is about the journey, not the destination. Sit back and relax. You’ll again have time to talk, play games, enjoy a something to drink and to eat good food.

JB Train Tours (Since 1975) hosts a variety of train tours to various destinations at affordable prices.

The tours usually last between 4 and 10 days and are available for holiday, sport, festivals, schools and group tours. Many companies book tours for incentives, team building and breakaways, as well as for board meetings, management meetings, planning sessions and small conferences.

You can either travel on the budget Tourist Class trains or the up market Premier Classe train and Desert Express train (in Namibia) or on the luxurious Blue Train. The majority of these train

tours depart from Pretoria and Johannesburg, as well as from Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

On a train you see the country from a different angle. You’ll notice again the maize fields, the mountains, vineyards, river crossings, cattle and variety of trees next to the railway line while taking in the smell of soil and bushveld.

The very popular and affordable 3-night package on the Blue Train is one you can tick off your bucket list should you choose to book through JB Train Tours. Or you might opt instead for the 7 or 10 day tour on the Desert Express in Namibia which takes you to the majority of tourist spots in the country, including the Fish River Canyon, Etosha Game Reserve and Namib desert. For a more luxurious experience, the up market Premier Classe train is ideal for family tours, weekend breaks and incentives.

TO MAKE A BOOKING, CALL JB TRAIN TOURS ON ON +27 11 913 2442 OR EMAIL INFO@JBTOURS.CO.ZA. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.JBTOURS.CO.ZA.

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Bushveld

Oasis W

hilst Tau remains a popular romantic destination, it also offers ideal family-friendly packages and the delicious food certainly proves popular with guests.

Tau offers world-class conferencing and events facilities and the reserve boasts year-round game viewing and a bird population of over 250 different species. Madikwe is one of the few reserves where one can view a wide variety of fauna, from breeding herds of Elephant to the endangered Wild Dog and Cheetah.

Accommodation at Tau includes the luxurious 20 standard chalets, 6 deluxe chalets as well as 1 family unit and 1 family suite, all overlooking the waterhole meaning that you can relax on your private deck and enjoy the animal kingdom dwellers who visit for sundowners.

Tau’s proactive hospitality initiatives include constant upgrades and improvements as well as eco-tourism, such as the Rhinose project to preserve its animal kingdom – see the live webcam

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at www.taugamelodge.co.za/WebCams. asp and follow the easy steps to log onto the Wild Earth server.

Upcoming Specials at Tau Easter 2014 at Tau promises to be another fun-filled family getaway, complete with a de-stressing Tau Spa Oasis treatment for the adults and activities for the kids. The special Easter rate is valid for the entire month of April 2014 @R9,900 per adult sharing for three nights or R29,700 per deluxe chalet accommodating 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years, including: • 3 meals and 2 game drives daily for adults and children aged 6-11 years • Daily kiddies bumble (ages 3-5) • Back and Neck or Foot Massage (30 minutes) per adult in the Tau Spa Oasis • Kids’ Easter egg hunt on Easter Weekend • Snacks and beverages on game drives

TAU GAME LODGE IN THE MALARIA-FREE MADIKWE RESERVE OFFERS AN IDEAL 5-STAR SAFARI GETAWAY, COMPLETE WITH THE REVITALIZING TAU SPA OASIS TO COMPLEMENT THE PROLIFIC GAME VIEWING FROM ROOM AND LODGE DECKS OVERLOOKING THE LARGE WATERHOLE AS WELL AS ON EXHILARATING GAME DRIVES. Their cosy Winter packages, valid from 01 May to 30 June 2014 offer prices from R2,600 per person sharing per night including 3 meals, 2 game drives, refreshments on game drives and teas/ coffees at meals per day. If you book a third night on their winter package special, you will receive a complimentary back and neck or African Head Massage (30 mins) per adult, valued at R350 per person.

Excluded from the above rates are the park entrance fees (currently R160.00 per person per night), tourism levies (currently R10.00 per person per night), airstrip fee (currently R55 per person on landing), all beverages ordered from the bar, telephone and internet usage, laundry, spa facilities, curios and any other extras.

Contact Tau Game Lodge at: Phone +27 11 466 8715 email taugame@mweb.co.za or visit www.taugamelodge.co.za.

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The

Great Lakes

of East Africa THE GREAT LAKES OF AFRICA INCLUDE SOME OF THE LARGEST AND MOST ECOLOGICALLY DIVERSE FRESHWATER SYSTEMS ON THE PLANET. TWISTING DOWN THE TWO ARMS OF THE GREAT RIFT VALLEY LIKE A CHAIN OF SAPPHIRES, THE LAKES ARE LOCATED IN SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND NATURALLY STUNNING REGIONS OF EAST AND CENTRAL AFRICA.

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isible from space, The Great African Rift Valley is the world’s largest surface ’crack’ formed as a result of seismic activity of galactic proportions carved through the African continent some 20 million years ago. This fault line that ripped through Africa from Ethiopia's Red Sea shore to Malawi and Mozambique, has segregated the plains of Kenya and other East Africa countries from the tropical rainforests and deserts of the rest of Africa. Rich in wildlife, cultural diversity and scenic splendour, the Great African Rift Valley forms one of the most fascinating areas on earth.

Three lakes in the Rift Valley region are considered to rank as "great lakes," a testimony to their size and depth. Lake Victoria, located between Uganda to the west and Tanzania and Kenya to the east, ranks as the second-largest freshwater lake in the world after the U.S.' Lake Superior. Lake Taganayika, located on the

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border between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Tanzania, ranks as one of the deepest. Each lake has its own ecosystem, dependent on rainfall, proximity to the equator and land elevation.

Lake Malawi

Also known as the Lake of Stars, Lake Malawi boasts endless stretches of beautiful white beaches. In fact the lake’s crystal clear waters make it one of Malawi’s biggest tourist draw cards.

These pristine waters extend for 500

kilometres along Malawi’s eastern border.

Picturesque villages pepper the northern shore while the southern shore is home to the stunning Liwonde National park.

Unusually, the lake has no tides or currents and this, complemented by its clean, clear waters makes it perfect for freshwater diving, swimming and snorkelling. And with around 500 species of fish inhabiting the lake these activities become all the more exciting.

There are also plenty of other attractions beckoning within Malawi’s surprisingly diverse landscape. The misty heights of Mount Mulanje and the Nyika National Park will reveal sheer escarpments, dramatic peaks and endless rolling grasslands.

Most of Malawi’s natural treasures are found around the southern end of the lake – and this is where Pumulani Lodge can be found subtly nestled in lush hills amongst forests of trees, shaded by craggy outcrops.

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Their accommodation options consist of ten villas with grass roofs to help reflect the heat and provide the ultimate in space, design, comfort and privacy. Guests can relax on the white sandy beach or enjoy an elevated view of the lake from the stylish infinity pool. For those seeking some activity the lodge offers waterskiing, sailing, kayaking, walks in the hills, sunset cruises on their hand built dhow, snorkelling and diving. Pumulani offers the perfect mix for a memorable family holiday giving guests the option to enjoy being active or simply relax in the beautiful and tranquil scenery.

Visit www.robinpopesafaris.net for more information.

Lake Victoria

Lake Victoria borders Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania – which holds about half of the lake. Boasting a surface area of just under 70 000 square kilometres, Lake Victoria not only dominates this part of East Africa but also ranks as the second largest freshwater lake in the world. Its

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murky waters are shallow though – 75 metres at its deepest – and it does attract less wildlife than the smaller Rift Valley Lakes. The area is highly populated and swimming is out the question as the water is riddled with Bilharzia. But none of this should dissuade you from making the journey to see the lakes̓ many attractions.

Several lodges offer day trips or fishing excursions on the lake while Tanzania’s Rubondo Island National Park – located in the southern part of the lake – is a major highlight for any visit. This forested Island holds a good range of game including elephants, chimpanzees and giraffes. The bird watching around the lake will delight with its some 400 species.

The Entebbe district in Uganda offers visitors the chance to soak up some of the lake’s atmosphere. Here, the emphasis is less about wildlife and more about rest and relaxation – and it is here that the Lake Victoria Serena Resort and Spa is situated.

The resort is styled to replicate the

lines of a classically rustic Roman villa, which might just as easily stand amid the sunflowers of the Tuscan Hills, as on the shores of Africa's largest lake. Rising above white-terraced rose gardens, which descend through water cascades and fountains almost to the shores of Lake Victoria, this tranquil resort offers several accommodation options housed in luxurious Tuscan style villas with a long list of amenities. The resort has everything you need from gourmet dining options using fresh locally sourced ingredients and tranquil spa to children’s facilities and several day trip and tour options. For more information visit www.serenahotels.com.

Lake Tanganyika

Lake Tanganyika is shared by Burundi, Zambia, Tanzania and the DRC. It has a lot to boast about – being the longest lake in the world, boasting a length of 676 kilometres, and the second deepest in the world, reaching a depth of 1436 metres.

It is also about three million years old and

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Lake Tanganyika

is fed by at least 50 streams and rivers.

It holds 8% of the world’s fresh water and is home to no less than 500 species of fish. Having just a single outlet also means that the lake has a remarkably high mineral content as most of the salts are left in the lake as the water evaporates. All these factors conspire to make it one of the most biologically rich and scientifically valuable habitats in the world.

From the main lakeshore town of Kigoma, many visitors set out to see the superb Mahle Mountain and Gombe Stream rainforests that border the lake.

Both parks boast dazzling numbers of chimpanzees, forest birds and butterflies.

There are several hotels and lodges in the area all strategically located to offer visitors a rewarding insight into the biodiversity of

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this famously biologically rich region – and Lakeshore Lodge offers the perfect variety of activities and accommodation to make the most of it.

Located in Tanzania, Lakeshore’s accommodation options range from camping under huge 80-year old Mango trees and budget chalets with unimpeded views of the lake to luxury beach chalets boasting private rock pools. The activities on offer range from water sports – including scuba diving, snorkelling and kayaking – to on land adventures such as quad biking, mountain biking, tailormade safaris to Katavi National Park and fly-camping on private beaches.

For more information, visit www. laketanganyikaadventuresafaris.com.

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Bouchard Finlayson Tutored Wine Tastings

Following sold-out events in 2013, Bouchard Finlayson will once again host a series of Tutored Wine Tastings in Cape Town and Johannesburg this year. Open to the public, the tastings will be held in small groups and are fun and informal, attracting wine novices and connoisseurs alike. They will be hosted by none other than Peter Finlayson, renowned winemaker and South Africa’s ‘Pinot Pioneer’, who looks forward to sharing his passion for wine. The tastings are limited to 20 guests, which allows wine fans to savour a delicious glass of wine while finding out more about its provenance and character, all in a relaxed setting. Johannesburg-based wine fans will be able to catch these tastings on 8 April. Bookings are essential and the cost is R200 per person, which includes the wine tasting and a selection of canapés. For further information visit www.bouchardfinlayson.co.za.

Let them eat cake paired with

Simonsig Cap Classiques

Follow the crumbs to Simonsig, the landmark family owned wine estate in the Stellenbosch Winelands, and discover a new tasting experience of pure decadence with signature Méthode Cap Classique wines paired with delectable cakes. The new tasting experience is the brainchild of Simonsig Cap Classique and white winemaker, Hannes Meyer. “As our trail blazer, the 2010 Kaapse Vonkel, is the perfect start to this absolute taste induclgence,” says Hannes who chose carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting for this taste combination.

“The Kaapse Vonkel 2010’s well-balanced acidity and baked bread character makes it an excellent pairing with the cream cheese frosting, whilst the subtle cinnamon of the carrot cake allows the fruitiness of the bubbly to come to the fore ,” says Hannes. Next up is Kaapse Vonkel Brut Rosé 2012, a celebration of summer in a glass, paired with a blueberry and lemon Madeleine and to end the tasting on a high note, the Simonsig Cuvée Royale 2010, a blanc de blancs made from 100% Chardonnay, is paired with lemon poppy seed cake crowned with lemon curd. The Méthode Cap Classique and cake tastings are offered daily at R50 per person at the newly renovated Simonsig Estate Tasting Room. To ensure your spot, call +27 21 888 4915 or email asmit@simonsig.co.za.

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Marine Chronometer Manufacture Ulysse Nardin defies time by extending its iconic collection of marine watches with a timepiece powered by Caliber UN-118, a technological gem. Its Caliber UN-118 is manufactured entirely in-house with its beating heart of silicon and DIAMonSIL. Available in 18 ct. rose gold or in stainless steel, the Marine Chronometer Manufacture bears the classic hallmarks of marine instruments: a generous case with a 43 mm diameter for excellent readability, a fluted bezel, solid lugs to ensure excellent stability on the wrist and a screw-locked crown guaranteeing complete water resistance to a depth of 100 meters, as well as a rubber finish for perfect handling.

Displaying Arabic numerals, the dial is available in a choice of black, blue or silver. The timepiece comes mounted on either an alligator or rubber strap, or an 18ct gold, stainless steel bracelet. Visit www.bellagiojewellers.co.za for more information.

Gemsbok Glamour The striking tan-coloured Gemsbok is synonymous with the beautiful Kalahari landscape.

However, it is not just its physical form and statuesque horns that are revered – its unique leather has also become very sought-after. Not only is it hard-wearing, durable, and boasts a rich, luxurious texture, but the large follicles present in the Gemsbok’s hide allow tanning agents to penetrate easily making the colour of Gemsbok leather richer, deeper and more luxurious. Alpine Lounge’s Gemsbok range is available in either full aniline or buffed aniline leather. Full aniline leather, where only dye is used and no pigment, shows the history of the leather, rather than camouflaging imperfections. Gemsbok aniline has a natural oil finish, so it will develop more character over time, adding value to the piece. Visit www.alpinelounge. co.za to find a retailer closest to you.

Sofas That Have Us Cornered A lounge or TV room simply isn’t complete without a couch or sofa. But, how do you choose the right one for your room? Currently, trends point towards corner suites and for good reason. Sue Scott from leading sofa manufacturer, Grafton Everest, offers some insight into the popularity of the corner suite.“It’s so important that when picking furniture for your house you consider the kind of ambience that you are looking to create,” explains Sue. She notes that corner sofas maximise space and comfort but that fabric should be carefully chosen. “If you have children, you might want to consider a hardwearing fabric, such as microfiber or chenille, or leather for your corner sofa,” advises Scott. She explains that the physical characteristics of a room, as well as your lifestyle, are crucial elements to consider when choosing a corner sofa: “A wide and spacious room can accommodate a large sofa and create a sense of intimacy, whereas a small room already crowded with furniture may suit a simple twosegment sofa.” Also, Sue advises that it is best to choose a sofa in a neutral tone – this will extend the corner sofa’s lifespan, as you can quickly, inexpensively and easily change the accessories and in the process, change the whole look and feel of the lounge, without having to reupholster your sofa. “Whatever you do, don’t buy on impulse—sofa buying is a big decision so take your time,” concludes Sue.

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MANHOOD

STRESS IS A KILLER, THIS WE KNOW TO BE TRUE. NOT ONLY WILL IT LITERALLY KILL YOU IN THE END IT CAN HAVE A CRIPPLING EFFECT ON HOW YOU DEAL WITH YOU YOUR WORK, YOUR LOVED ONES AND LIFE IN GENERAL. LUCKILY, LIKE MOST OF LIFE’S PROBLEMS, STRESS CAN BE MANAGED. ONCE YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS AND HOW IT AFFECTS YOU, YOU WILL BE ABLE TO KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON THROUGH ANY CRISIS.

The Art of

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f you work or live within a highly pressurised environment (read here the deadline you wish your boss had told you about two weeks ago) the best way to put yourself in a place where you are able to de-stress and remain productive is to first understand what stress is, how it can negatively affect both body and mind, and how you can easily and effectively manage it.

WHAT IS STRESS? Stress is your body’s way of responding to what is going on around you. If you find yourself in a situation in which your mind perceives any kind of threat that would necessitate having extra strength, stamina, and alertness, then a “stress response” is triggered. During a stress response your nervous system releases adrenaline, noradrenaline, and cortisol into your bloodstream, which basically calls your body and mind to action. Your heart rate and blood pressure skyrocket, your breathing becomes more rapid, your blood vessels and pupils dilate, you may start sweating and your liver releases stored glucose to be used for energy. This is more commonly known as the “fight or flight response” – a throwback from the caveman days where this instinctual response instantly primed your body to deal with danger.

Hard as it may be to believe, stress can be either positive or negative. When faced with a challenging situation, such as an important presentation, this stress response can keep you on your toes. Don’t forget that stress is also responsible for the excitement we feel while riding a roller coaster or those nervous butterflies you get right before asking a girl out. A stress free life might seem ideal but without it life would be just plain stale. It is a problem though when you are overloaded by stress on a chronic or ongoing basis.

The amount of stress you feel in a particular situation is directly proportional to the confidence you have in the skills and resources (including time) that will be needed. This confidence is based either on reality or your subjective assessment of your own competency. For example, someone who enjoys public speaking and has a talent for it will experience far lower stress levels than one who is shy or awkward. In a case such as this, instead of feeling ready for action, we can feel overwhelmed and paralysed by stress.

When we start to encounter a situation such as the one above on a regular or chronic basis, the body adapts by releasing low levels of stress hormones on a constant basis. The stress response is designed

MANHOOD

to help humans deal with immediate threats and challenges and afterwards the nervous system can return to normal.

A steady of stream of the hormones that are only supposed to make the occasional appearance can make you physically and emotionally ill.

THE SIDE EFFECTS OF EXCESSIVE STRESS High stress levels can affect both the body and mind in different ways causing health issues that range from diarrhoea to hair loss. Additional side effects include weight gain, decreased libido, possible erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure, insomnia, hyper-emotionality, social isolation, poor concentration and memory, fatigue, weakened immune system,

depression and the possibility of increased smoking as well as drug and alcohol abuse.

HOW TO DEAL Stress can be managed. All it takes is commitment to doing small, daily tasks that will help your life to feel more managed and keep stress levels where they should be. Negative stress arises from a lack of confidence in our skills or resources to handle a situation and from encountering stress producing circumstances on a constant basis. Therefore, when dealing with stress, you need a two part strategy that will prevent these situations from arising in the first place and learning how to mitigate them when prevention is not possible.

Since dealing with the stressor is most often unavoidable, aim instead to deal with your reaction. How you handle a situation will impact how much it will stress you out. Building resilience is the foundation of managing stress because it determines

the way in which you both act and react in the world. How quickly you bounce back from a challenge and face the world with confidence is contingent on having a resilient and positive outlook and approach to life. Without that, no other stress relieving tactics will work.

Exercise is possibly the most potent weapon we have against stress. Researchers have found that regular exercise is just as effective as antidepressants in treating clinical depression and increasing the levels of endocannabinoid molecules in our blood – the same molecules responsible for the calming properties of marijuana. Exercise not only treats but also prevents stress.

Recent studies have found that that the small amount of physical and mental stress experienced during exercise acts as a sort

of inoculation against high-stress events, creating brain cells that are better able to deal with anxiety. Exercising outdoors will be doubly effective.

Getting out in nature allows the body and mind to rejuvenate. Japanese researchers found that after a 20-minute walk in the forest, study participants had “lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rates, lower blood pressures, greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity” than subjects who spent time in the city. In a follow-up study, they found that time spent in nature increased feelings of vigour and decreased feelings of anger, anxiety and depression.

The peace and quiet will also do you good.

Numerous studies have shown that simple, mindful meditation can reduce and even eliminate many of the negative physiological and psychological symptoms of chronic stress. While you’re meditating, blood pressure normalizes, breathing and heart rate slows, and your adrenal glands ISSUE TWO | AVION DE LUXE

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MANHOOD

WHEN YOU FEEL STRESSED-OUT TO THE POINT OF NO RETURN, SIMPLY REASSURING YOURSELF THAT EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY IN THE END, WILL HELP YOU TO DEAL.

produce less cortisol. Moreover, regular meditation actually rewires your brain and makes you more resilient in the face of stress. You don’t have to meditate for long – try doing it for just 20 minutes a day and you’ll start noticing the benefits in just a few weeks. It can also help you to mentally sort through all you need to overcome.

Having a long list of things to do with an equally long list of things to worry about can create a storm of stress, restlessness and agitation. Making a list will help you articulate why you are feeling overwhelmed and gives you a chance to offload the stressors from your brain and on to paper.

Writing down small, specific, immediate things that you can do to take care of each stressor will also help you to feel more in control of your life. This technique is a great one to use when you cannot sleep. Once you have made your list, you will find it easier to fall asleep.

Sleep and stress definitely don’t go together. Our bodies and minds need sleep to help cope with stress, but stress can often prevent us from getting the sleep we need! Meditation and list making can go a long way to helping you get more shut eye. Turning off the computer and TV an hour before going to bed also helps as the light from these devices inhibits the release of melatonin – the body’s natural sleep hormone.

Once you have mastered sleep, learn to take naps! Naps offer a host of benefits, including increased alertness, a boost in your learning and working memory, and greater creativity. A nap is also a potent

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stress-fighter as it aids the release of growth hormones and serotonin, which balances your cortisol, soothes your nerves, and leaves you feeling content and rejuvenated.

Reducing caffeine consumption is the next step. Caffeine increases cortisol and adrenaline production in your body, which may make you feel better in the short-term, but will increase your ‘stressed-out’ feeling in the long-term. Cut back on caffeine and try to avoid it after 2pm to ensure you get a good night’s sleep.

Stick to a routine and plan your week ahead. The more out of control you feel, the more stressed out you’ll be. While we can’t control everything, taking charge of the things you can control, can greatly reduce anxiety. One way to feel more in control is to establish and stick to a routine.

Anything you do frequently should be worked into your routine – the more your mind knows what to expect, the more calm and confident you will feel. Having a weekly plan will ensure you don’t forget important stuff or overextend your commitments.

Moreover, having a plan will enhance your feeling of being in control. Planning ahead also means learning to take things one step at a time. Instead of focusing on the enormity of everything you are faced with, break things down into manageable chunks and do one thing at a time until you’re done.

A common response to stress is to become a hermit and while it’s healthy to get some time alone when you’re stressed, if you’re still feeling frazzled after some solitude, call a friend. Studies show

that social interaction does wonders for reducing stress. Our bodies release antistress, feel-good hormones like oxytocin when we’re around people who care for us. Plus, friends and family can offer some much needed advice and perspective that can help you manage and sort through whatever’s burdening you.

The art of saying “no” can also ensure that you don’t become overburdened.

Over committing yourself by being a people pleaser and always saying “yes” is a fast track to stress and feeling overwhelmed.

Learning to say “it will get done and will be over with” is the best way to reassure yourself. When you feel stressed-out to the point of no return, simply reassuring yourself that everything will be okay in the end, will help you to deal. Even if you have to stay up all night with a big project, this phrase prepares you to try your best and to meet any consequences that arise head on.

OUTSIDE HELP If you’re still feeling overwhelmed after doing all that you can to manage your stress on your own, it might be time to seek professional help. Reaching out for help, especially for emotional or psychological problems can be difficult as it requires us to talk about emotions and be vulnerable which means that getting help is often viewed as a sign of weakness. A trained counsellor or therapist can walk you through ways to cope with your stress that don’t involve harming yourself or others.

D I S C OV E R

T A S T E

The Wine

Insider JENNY RATCLIFFE-WRIGHT IS THE EDITOR AND WINE BUYER AT WINESTYLE MEDIA. AS CAPE WINE MASTER, SHE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR ENSURING THAT THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE ALWAYS FEATURES INTERESTING STORIES ABOUT WINE, FOOD, TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE, GETTING THE READER TO ENGAGE IN THOSE TOPICS THROUGH A RELAXING ARMCHAIR EXPERIENCE.

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his experience is then furthered by offering some of those wines for sale on the website to its wine-loving readers.

WineStyle aims to find some hidden wine gems in South Africa – wines that offer great value for money, but sometimes don’t have the marketing spend to be really well known. Jenny finds them, offering the wine drinker the utmost pleasure. In this issue of Avion, she takes a close look at two wines currently available in the WineStyle Insider’s Club Guru case.

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Newton Johnson Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Noble Hill Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

This family run winery in the Hemel and Aarde Valley near Hermanus is now in its second generation.

The Newton family are passionate about making quality wines that reflect nature, so this crisp and fresh Sauvignon Blanc exudes flavours of the cool climate where it is grown.

Expect grassy tones with some green pepper and some tropical granadilla on the finish. They also blend in a little bit of Semillon to really round out the flavours and make it fuller in body than a regular Sauvignon. It’s a wine that goes perfectly with food, especially seafood and has 4 stars from John Platter as well as 5 stars from the Wine Wizard. An excellent example of a fine Sauvignon Blanc.

The Noble Hill Estate is situated in the Simonsberg region of Stellenbosch, an area that has become known as Cabernet Country because of the beautiful full-bodied and full-flavoured Cabernets that come from the rich gravel soil.

Its neighbors are the well-known estates, Glen Carlou and Rupert and Rothschild, so there is no doubt about the pedigree of this dark and delicious wine. It has won wine awards all over the world, as well as a John Platter 4 star locally, where it is described as “powerful” with “blackberry fruit” with “a liquorice twist at the end”. A fantastic wine from an excellent year, this one is not to be missed.

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DI S C OV E R

S K I L L S

Value of courses

outweighs cost

to attendees

- says attendee of The School of Etiquette

Scho o l of Et iquette

“I AM A TOP 100 COMPANIES BUSINESSMAN AND HAD I ATTENDED SEMINARS AT THE SCHOOL OF ETIQUETTE AT A YOUNGER AGE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN A RETIRED BILLIONAIRE BY AGE 39,” SAYS A LEADING BUSINESSMAN WHO RECENTLY ATTENDED SEMINARS OFFERED BY THE SCHOOL OF ETIQUETTE IN SANDHURST, JOHANNESBURG.

“M

y daughter wanted to attend seminars at The School of Etiquette as she’d seen an editorial on the school and felt her attending a course to refine her people skills further would assist her in her business career since she graduated from university,” says this prominent international business leader with his origins in Africa.

“I accompanied her to Johannesburg, South Africa, where we had also reserved accommodation at the French-inspired Le Chatelat Residence based at the School

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of Etiquette,” he continues.

He goes on by stating his daughter being so impressed with the course she was attending, she decided to prolong her visit by attending a further seminar – Adult Finishing School. This resulted in her father deciding to join her. “I particularly enjoyed the areas on social intelligence, Deportment, tea etiquette and cigar and cognac training,” he says.

“Every employee, employer, executive, diplomat and president should attend these seminars as they would benefit enormously. Our experience was the value

T ea m

of the seminars far outweighed the cost of attending the School of Etiquette’s courses,” he says.

A recent local seminar attendee at the School commented as follows: “When I decided to attend these seminars, my colleagues said it seemed ‘elitist’; well, my experience has proved them wrong as each and every one of our Rainbow Nation needs to acquire grace and to understand the fine art of protocol. Our dearly departed Madiba was an icon of good grace and etiquette, resulting in him not only being respected by royals as well as humble servants, but loved by all he came into contact with. We need to continue his legacy by teaching by example and this is a fine way to acquire these special skills to help us realise our dreams - in relationships as well as business.”

A recent visitor from the Protocol School in Australia was of the opinion that The School of Etiquette could be classed as one of the best of its kind in the world. Welcome accolades for the CEO, Courtenay Carey, and the team at the School which was launched in South Africa last year.

Says Fraser Carey, who heads up the Success Principles seminars at the School of Etiquette: “We plan our studies, we plan our careers, we plan our home, we plan our family; WHY are we not planning our lives and gearing up for success by honing good attitude and tenacity?”

Says Courtenay: “Shakespeare said, ‘All the world's a stage…’ – and he was

DI S C OV E R

S K I L L S

right as you are always on show and your soft skills define you.

To have the self-confidence to know you are in control and doing the right thing gives you the power to showcase authenticity and refinement. Competitors may have the same technical knowledge; you can have that additional competitive edge, the 'X' factor, through your social skills.”

According to a study done by Dress for Success guru John Malloy, 99% of executives said that social skills were prerequisites for succeeding in business and social life. Eating is not an executive skill... but it is especially hard to imagine why anyone negotiating a rise to the top would consider it possible to skip mastering these very simple requirements... what else did they skip? – Fortune 500 CEO Courtenay believes individuals need to be taught correct social behavioural skills so as to become self-aware, respect themselves and thereby treating others with respect, understanding and cordiality. Social skills are not a luxury but a necessity to achieve success in today’s world.

“Good manners, charm and refined behaviour are qualities and skills that are learned. Often you believe individuals who possess these skills were born with that charisma; this is NOT so as more often than not they have been trained by an expert or acquired such skills by observing others who have mastered these skills, “she says.

Courtenay attended the Protocol School of Washington to emerge as an International Protocol and Etiquette Consultant, followed by her completing a course at the New York School of Etiquette in Social Make-over and Personal Success. Prior to this innovative US sojourn, Courtenay achieved a Bachelor of Social Science in Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree, a Postgraduate Diploma in Entrepreneurship (PDE), plus an Online Marketing Short Course at UCT; she then coached as a Neurolinguistics Practitioner.

Contact the South African School of Etiquette at: phone: 083 562 8226; fax 011 883 1676; email: info@etischool. co.za; www.etischool.co.za; Facebook: The School of Etiquette; Twitter: @schoolofetiquet; Le Châtelat, 60 Cleveland Rd, Sandhurst, Sandton (South Africa).

Courtenay Carey

Workshops and services offered by the School of Etiquette include: 13 in total: 8- Corporate; 3- Social; 2- Dining Corporate:

Outshine the Competition How to Succeed in the International Arena Dine Like A Diplomat Success and Peak Performance Happiness in the Workplace International Briefings Protocol Officer Preparing for Working World and Interviews

Social:

Finishing School for Adults Finishing School for Teens How to be a Gentleman

Dining: Sharon Carey

The Art of Dining Family or One-on-one Tutorials

Fraser Carey

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IN FLIGHT

First Class

All the Way FEDERAL AIR IS ONE OF THE MOST MULTI-FACETED AVIATION COMPANIES IN SOUTH AFRICA. THEY SPECIALISE BOTH IN FLYING GUESTS TO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL AND REMOTE PARTS OF AFRICA AND TAKING CORPORATE GROUPS OUT TO SOME OF THE CONTINENT’S MOST REMOTE MINING LOCATIONS. HOW DO THEY DO IT ALL? BRAD DICKSON, COMMERCIAL MANAGER FOR FEDERAL AIR EXPLAINS WHY IT TAKES A SPECIAL RECIPE OF OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE, EFFICIENT SERVICE AND TREATING EVERY CUSTOMER LIKE A VIP.

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DI S C OV E R

THEY HAVE BECOME RENOWNED FOR DELIVERING A UNIQUE AND SEAMLESS TRAVEL EXPERIENCE UNPARALLED IN THE MARKET.

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IN FLIGHT

ederal Air innovated the service of doing guest shuttles out to some of Africa’s most stunning five star bush lodges in the 90’s and have since partnered with world leaders in luxury safari experiences as part of their commitment to raise the bar in charter aviation. As a result they have become renowned for delivering a unique and seamless travel experience unparalleled in the market.

There are three aspects to Federal Air’s offering. They offer shuttle services to premium lodges including the Kruger National Park and private game reserves such as Sabi Sand, Timbavati, Madikwe and Phinda. They recently added a local route to their offering with a route to Ulundi linking it with Johannesburg, Durban and Pietermaritzburg. “We are still developing the market in the region,” says Brad Dickson, Commercial Manager for Federal Air. “A daily schedule is not available yet but we are excited to open a route for which there were previously no services.” Their charter services complete the Federal Air offering. For this they service corporate clients, group bookings and the tourism market to unlimited destinations.

“This offering is made possible through flexible yet thorough business practices combined with detailed attention to logistics and making the most of the various aircraft in the stable,” says Dickson. “On charter we can do two people in a Barron and can go all the way to Boeing 737 charters. In

this way we are a complete solution as opposed to the typical airplane solutions.

Going forward we are looking to grow our corporate client base as it is not as ring fenced as the leisure side. The demand in the leisure market is capped according to the capacity and peak seasons of the various lodges but the corporate market doesn’t have these limitations, so we are looking to grow and expand this area of the business.”

Growth is a realistic possibility for a company that takes its client service as seriously as Federal Air does.

“Personalised service is everything to us,” says Dickson. “When you deal with high LSM clientele like we do, heading to the cream of the crop in terms of lodges we fly them to, you have to treat every client like a VIP. It’s all built on trust. Our clients want both peace of mind and value for money and we seek to deliver this every time.

Your name is all you have and you cannot afford to put that in jeopardy – especially in the airline industry. There are a lot of competitors out there.”

Federal Air is well equipped to deal with the existing competition in the market.

They have many unique features to offer their clients starting with the fact that they are based at OR Tambo while other charter companies are located at less central locations. They also have their own lounge with direct airside access – unique in the sense that is an outdoor lounge. Both the interior and outside garden are designed to look like a game lodge with all the same 5 star amenities that you would expect from a lodge. From a fully serviced bar, showering facilities and a boutique gift shop to coffee making facilities, complimentary food and comfortable lounging areas – making guests feel as though their holiday has already started. According to Dickson this is just another example of how they are willing to go out of their way for their clients.

“No one else in the market offers a lounge ambience like this. Even though it would be cheaper for us to operate from the terminal building, we choose not to compromise on giving our clients this kind of treatment.”

The treatment does not stop there.

All guests travelling on Federal Air’s shuttle services enjoy the full range of VIP treatment starting with their friendly meet and greet service, complimentary excess luggage storage facility, and free internet access at the lounge. And if you thought it stopped there – think again.

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safety and quality management systems, professionally trained flight crews, complimentary guest parking at their lounge, and waiting facilities at OR Tambo to name but a few. They also offer a guarantee on onward flight connections for guests who book their flights within Federal Air’s minimum connection time parameters – they are the only operator offering this guarantee. And at the end of this list, tack on the fact that their flights are direct to the lodges which cuts out any expensive – and time consuming – road transfers and you have aviation services like no other.

“Being based outside of the main terminal is also great for our staff. As a small company, every employee has more than one role to play – around half of the upper management are pilots right up to Evan Baillie, the CEO,” says Dickson.

Everyone playing different roles also means that potential clients get a personalised service like no other. “I might sign a deal and end up flying the clients personally putting a guarantee on our service that

other companies would find hard to beat.”

This has a huge appeal for corporate clients especially when you consider that a lot of the smaller aircraft that Federal Air uses do not have cabin attendants so the face that clients see and deal with is oftentimes the pilots themselves. The pilot assists the guests in handling the baggage and giving them information on the company, the route and the flight. For this reason Federal Air puts a lot of energy into finding good quality people to come on board – so to speak – and keep this multi-faceted personalised service profile alive.

Most companies lay out their mission and vision and place emphasis on bringing these into the day to day operations of business. Federal Air is a bit different. Their core business values and objectives are a direct translation of what they do every day.

Their service levels and the way in which they do business are conducted in a manner

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that merits being listed on their website – not the other way around. “This includes practices such as putting the customer first and making sure that everything you do is in the customer’s interests,” Dickson explains. “I would even go so far as to say that we sometimes make decisions that are not best for the business but work for the customer and in so doing we get a lot of return business. This is why the lodges that we fly to trust and use us time and again to fly their guests out.”

“We really want every guest to walk away from their interaction with us just feeling happy. In fact if the guest completely forgets their flight experience that’s ok with us because it means that they were satisfied with it and felt comfortable enough after the flight to just carry on with their holiday.

We are just the enablement service. These clients did not come all this way for the flight after all. They came for an experience at Ulusaba or Singita. We have to make sure that our part in this is a positive influence on the overall experience.”

Part of this overall service, as with any other aviation operation, is a strong safety track record. “Federal Air has been operating for going on twenty years in very challenging environments. We fly into bush runways that are not fenced with lots of wildlife around, potholes and stones on the runway are an everyday reality for us.

And we have done it without major incident now for almost twenty years. From a safety stand point that speaks for itself. This

proves that the safety standards that we have in place work,” Dickson confirms.

This kind of safety record is sure to give them an edge on the competition – but according to Dickson, this is not the only area in which they have an edge. “In the charter sector it comes down to reputation and location – being located at OR Tambo gives us an edge on our competitors located at the peripheral airports. In terms of getting bookings it comes down to a combination of factors from price to the kind of aircraft you offer and reliability.”

Dickson says that personal relationships also play a role as does how quickly you are able to provide a solution to the customer. “This will often win you a lot of business and this is what makes us unique compared to our competitors.”

Corporate clients needing big groups brought in from different locations, needing breakaways in between and who may be moving on to the a second and third location need a company who has the intelligence, the knowhow, the network and the experience to stitch the whole picture together. Dickson explains: “It should be as easy as them giving us the numbers and locations and us taking care of the rest.

Overall though we believe that competition is healthy and we believe in our product.

If you are offering the right combination of price, service and always being on time, the business will come to you regardless of price as a factor.”

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ALTITUDE

Skies Conquering the

The World’s First Practical Jetpack

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ALTITUDE

THE MARTIN AIRCRAFT COMPANY HAS, IN EVERY RESPECT, MOVED THE WORLD. TASKED WITH THE MONUMENTAL INVENTION OF TAKING MAN INTO THE AIR WITH NOTHING BUT AN APPARATUS ON HIS BACK, THEY SET ABOUT ACHIEVING A GOAL THAT MAN HAS BEEN OBSESSED WITH SINCE DA VINCI FIRST LAUNCHED HIS FLYING MACHINE. AFTER YEARS OF RESEARCH BY AN EXCEPTIONAL TEAM OF INNOVATORS, THIS DREAM IS NO LONGER OUT OF REACH.

Glenn Martin, Inventor of the Martin Jetpack and Managing Director of Martin Aircraft Company

F

or a small country, New Zealand has built an international reputation for delivering the innovative, the recordbreaking and the breathtaking. The Martin Jetpack, the world’s first practical jetpack, is all of these. Oshkosh, Wisconsin was the launch pad for a world first in personal flight when in 2008 the Martin Aircraft Company launched the ultimate personal flying machine.

The Jetpack has been a major goal of the aerospace industry for over fifty years.

This goal has been achieved by the Martin Aircraft Company. Martin Aircraft was founded in 1998 specifically to research and develop a jetpack that could fly 100 times longer than the 26 seconds of the Bell Rocket Belt. The project was based on a concept developed by Glenn Martin in 1981 and verified by the University of Canterbury, Mechanical Engineering Department, in New Zealand.

When Glenn Martin, Inventor of the Martin Jetpack and Managing Director of Martin Aircraft Company, got together with

an impressive group of avionic, technical, design and production experts to invent a jetpack that people could just strap on and fly, the rest of the world said it wouldn’t hold its breath on that one. In 2005, the ninth prototype achieved sustained flight times, laying the foundation for a viable and successful pre-production prototype to be developed – and after 30 years of research, they showed the world that sustainable personal flight is now possible. The Martin Jetpack delivers on the long awaited dream of personal flight without being enclosed in a traditional aircraft. “We’ve made it possible to fly the dream,” says Martin.

“But the best part of this is that it’s not just our dream. It belongs to everyone.”

The Jetpack consists of a purpose-built gasoline engine driving twin ducted fans which produce sufficient thrust to lift the aircraft and a pilot in vertical take-off and landing, enabling sustained flight.

Two versions of the Martin Jetpack are in the final stages of development. An unmanned remote-controlled (UAV) version

is well advanced in its development, with successful field trials being run since mid 2011. The Jetpack is creating a new segment in the aviation and recreational vehicle markets. Initially designed with the leisure market in mind, commercial demand for the Martin Jetpack has seen the research and development programme focus on readying the product for use in a number of sectors including emergency response, defence and recreation, with numerous applications in each sector.

It has first mover advantage in the untapped jetpack market. “We have a leadership position and have cornered the technology, rolling out protection for our four key break-through patents across 55 countries. We are advised by leading US IP law firm Christie, Parker, Hale LLP on new patent applications,” says Martin.

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compliance with US Ultra light regulations and the Martin Aircraft flight training programme. The Jetpack is fuelled by regular gasoline and no pilot’s license is required to operate it.

The first serious attempts to build a Jetpack were instigated by the US military in the 1950’s. The idea was to build an ultimate “all terrain vehicle” to move military commanders around a battlefield.

Several models were built, the most successful of which, the Bell Rocket Belt, first flew in 1961. Unfortunately, it only flew for 26 seconds, leading Mark Jannot of Popular Science Magazine to say in March 2006: “I myself was most disappointed to discover that a Jetpack that will burn for longer than 30 seconds is out of reach.”

For Martin it was the moment when a lifetime of research and development and, as he says “the sheer bloody-minded persistence of a group of people who refused to believe it couldn’t be done” came together. For everyone at the Oshkosh unveiling, it was history in the making.

The world class research and development capability at Martin Aircraft Company is backed by an astute management team, a highly experienced board and a global network of advisers. The board, management and current shareholders are dedicated to achieving rapid growth for the company; initially through revenue from sales of jetpacks to specialist commercial users in defence and civil defence, and later through sales of jetpacks into the wider marketplace.

Martin Aircraft Company has already signed a country-specific joint venture for the delivery of more than 500 Martin Jetpacks a year for emergency response, and is in active discussions with four other defence companies for other territories.

“We are in the final stages of research and development to meet early interest from key market sectors,” says Martin. “The experience gained from the UAV trials will significantly improve the capabilities of the Martin Jetpack for both manned and unmanned flight – further widening the scope of commercial applications for the Jetpack in these sectors.”

ALTITUDE

Bell Rocket Belt The first serious attempts to build a Jetpack were instigated by the U.S. military in the 1950’s. The idea was to build the ultimate "all terrain vehicle" to move military commanders around a battlefield. The most successful Jetpack was the Bell Rocket Belt, which first flew in 1961.

When the Bell Rocket Belt was introduced to the public in the James Bond film Thunderball, Bell was inundated with thousands of requests for sales and demonstrations. Thus, it also proved the marketability and promotional impact of the Jetpack. However, the Rocket Belt had one major problem –with a full tank of fuel it could only fly for 26 seconds!

Thus the Bell Rocket Belt was destined to be used only in movies, TV programs and demonstrations. The Martin Jetpack delivers on the long awaited dream of sustained personal flight without being enclosed in a traditional aircraft.

The History of Personal Flight

For thousands of years people have dreamed of flying. At one time birds were the only term of reference and so, not surprisingly, myths and stories had us strapping wings or feathers to our arms and flapping!

In the 15th century, Leonardo Da Vinci documented the first scientific study of flight and his vision of a flying machine. The understanding emerged that to fly man would need some type of mechanical assistance. Not until the early 20th century did technology and science have the tools to make flight a reality. The popular story of the Wright brothers, working alone in a small workshop, has captured the imagination of the world. The reality is, they spent years experimenting and documenting their progress in a manner that any academic institution would approve of. The Wright flyer was the last in a long line of prototypes.

In a few short years the aviation industry has achieved a lot. The world has been circled, world travel and wars will never be the same.

It would therefore be easy to assume that aviation had conquered all! However, the goal of personal flight had still to be achieved.

As the general public became more technically educated, the idea of strapping on feathers was replaced by an image of strapping on a rocket or jet. This concept was so appealing and persuasive that it has been ingrained in our collective psyche. Ask any 5 year old boy what a flying jetpack is and he will draw one!

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DRIVING

Desert A Diamond in the

Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club

SPRING MOUNTAIN IS WHERE YOU GO WHEN YOU’RE SERIOUS ABOUT SPEED. IT’S A PLACE WHERE YOU CAN KICK BACK OR KICK IT UP. YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE SHEER EXHILARATION OF CORNERING THE LATEST CADILLAC V-SERIES – BUT IF A V8 IS TOO SLOW FOR YOU, YOU CAN ALWAYS HOP INTO A RADICAL LE MANS THAT WILL TAKE YOU FROM 0 TO 120 IN THREE SECONDS. AND WHEN YOU FINALLY COME TO A HALT, A COLD BEER, GREAT FOOD AND 5 STAR ACCOMMODATION AWAITS.

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pring Mountain is located just one hour's drive from the glittering neon lights of the Las Vegas strip. There is nowhere else to find that many fivestar resorts, celebrity chefs/restaurants, entertainment, spas, and gambling in one city. Popular hotels including Bellagio, Wynn, Caesars Palace, The Mirage, Mandalay Bay, and many more invite you to embrace the decadence and debauchery that are synonymous with Las Vegas. But one thing that the sunset strip cannot offer you is a high octane experience in the never to be forgotten landscape of the Nevada Desert. Both stunning and devastating in its natural beauty, it is here that Spring Mountain Resort constructed a race way to rival any Formula 1 track.

Situated on 313 acres with 7 miles of racetrack surrounded by the panoramic Mojave Desert and mountain range boasting 300 days a year of sunshine, Spring Mountain is quite possibly the world’s greatest travel destination for

DRIVING

motoring enthusiasts. It is a true driver’s paradise for every skill level from first time drivers, and novices to experienced race car drivers.

And while the sheer magnificence of the track will hold any motoring enthusiast in awe, the perks don’t end there. The resort consists of Mediterranean-style club buildings, garages, condos, covered fire-pit patios, dedicated buildings for the Chevrolet sanctioned-and-blessed Ron Fellows Corvette Performance Driving School, GM’s new Cadillac V-Series Driving Academy, Spring Mountain’s own Radical School, sales offices for Radical West (which currently sells more Radical race cars than anywhere on earth), tuner shops, putting greens, a fitness facility, 40foot swimming pool, 12-person Jacuzzi, an indoor firing range and more surrounding almost seven miles of smooth, beautifully presented racetrack sections that can be knit together into more than 50 different configurations.

RELAXING OFF THE TRACK

Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch offers amenities that entice both leisure and racing-oriented travellers making it the perfect place to visit with friends, loved ones or even your whole family. The resortstyle environment has plenty of facilities where you and your family can relax and play once the racing day is done. Whether you’re looking for after-race camaraderie and cocktails, additional sports activities, or just a relaxing private room, they have you covered.

Explore the clubhouse with outdoor patio, fire pits, pool area and workout facility, or continue your sporting day at the indoor racquetball court or gun range. If pure relaxation is more to your liking, book a massage with one of the massage therapists on staff, or retire to your on-site condo.

The accommodation is located right at

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DI S C OV E R

the track and consists of beautiful Tuscanthemed condominiums with luxuriously appointed rooms with all the bells and whistles.

All guests of the driving programs relax off the track at the ultimate destination for discriminating motorsports enthusiasts.

The luxurious country club environment is the perfect place to unwind after a long day of adrenaline-filled racing!

TIME TO RACE

Guests, depending upon their passion for cars, select a high performance driving experience that caters to their personal style geared to fulfill the passion for driving on a racetrack – and taking the skills learned and applying them to everyday driving. Starting with the new 2014 Corvette Stingray at the Ron Fellows Corvette Performance Driving School, the official school of Chevrolet, where beginner Level 1 classes are offered for three full jam-packed days and participants lap up to 250 miles on the racetrack. Programs start at $3,895 per person. Then there is the Cadillac V-Series Academy, an exclusive racing experience featuring the Cadillac CTS-Vs – Sedans, Coupes and Wagons on the demanding

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DRIVING

1.5 mile configuration racetrack at Spring Mountain. The programs are available as one or two day packages and start at $1,295 per person.

THE DRIVING

Spring Mountain’s unique driving programs integrate a dynamic series of car control exercises and manoeuvres to help drivers coordinate their eyes, hands and feet, providing a baseline for lapping the world-class racetrack with speed, confidence and finesse. Their goal for all levels of their programs is to provide a challenging, exciting, educational and adrenaline-charged experience.

The Curriculum for the driving program was developed by Corvette Racing Legend Ron Fellows. Mind-speed processing is a key element in the high-performance world and their step-by-step program helps participants process information quickly and accurately – the most important skills in racing – which will ultimately improve driving skills on the racetrack and on the streets in everyday driving. All the programs include wet and dry car control exercises while the participants are given step by step instruction via 2-way radios keeping

you in communication with the instructors at all times.

Spring Mountain also offers customized one day or more private driving instruction in Corvettes or Radical SR3 Race cars.

These are popular programs for those who choose to have one-on-one instruction in a luxurious environment with professional driving instructors.

After you’re done, relax in the pool, get a massage or kick back in the Southwesternstyle clubhouse full of desert light and plush leather couches, where you can play cards and watch games. Then retire to a luxurious condo and do it all again the next day.

Visit www.springmountainmotorsports. com for more information.