Avion

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

M A G A Z I N E

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I S S U E

T H R E E

SOUTH AFRICA’S MOST EXCLUSIVE

S A FA R I SINGITA CASTLETON BECKONS

THE 2015 FORD MUSTANG • DOING BUSINESS IN KENYA • TOP 10 SMART CITIES

C ON T E N TS

24

REGULAR 6

Letter from the Editor

8

Contributors

11

To Read

38

Route Map

57

Lifestyle News

69

Breakthrough Innovations

TRADE 12

Business News

14

Doing Business in Kenya

19

Social Media in Africa

58

ExecuJet’s New Fleet

23

Crypto Currencies

62

The Man Guide

24

The World’s Smart Cities

70

The 2015 Ford Mustang

DISCOVER

70 50 EXPLORE 31

Travel News

32

Hayward Safaris

40

Fairlawns Hotel

42

Singita Castleton

48

Valley Lodge & Spa

50

Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa

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Afr ica's bigg

est w ind far

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R E GU L A R

COCKPIT

explore...

HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS ISSUE:

LETTER

FROM THE EDITOR

T

he most recent stir has been around the FIFA World Cup held in Brazil and although our beloved Bafana Bafana team didn’t do so well, the world cup captured South Africa’s attention because we cannot help remembering our hosting of this great event in 2010.

For a brief time the world’s eyes turned to South Africa and visitors from across the globe poured in to witness the spectacle – but also to enjoy the delights of South Africa and to discover what Africa has to offer. Tourism underwent a major boom as tourists were ferried off to every imaginable location from the ocean views of Cape Town and Durban to the safari adventures of Limpopo, Zimbabwe, Botswana and beyond.

Four years have passed and while the world cup visitors have left, tourists continue to visit Africa. Hosting FIFA opened a gateway and once our stunning natural land got the chance to be in the spotlight on the world stage, people around the world were captivated. In January this year it was announced that South Africa has enjoyed continued success in the tourism sector during the four years that have passed since the world cup.

We proved ourselves as a world class destination and showed that we are able to offer compelling travel offerings beyond the iconic African safari. We have such rich cultural diversity, breathtaking scenery, unmatched travel experiences, reliable comfort and unforgettable warmth and kindliness from locals.

These attributes helped win us the love of international tourists and may have even reignited it for locals who are now embracing local travel once again.

Avion aims to keep this spirit alive. We want to keep South Africa and Africa at the forefront of worthwhile destinations. Our tourism industry plays a vitally important role in creating jobs, supporting communities and preserving our natural resources.

This is why we need to work together to ensure that our world cup legacy is a lasting one and no one forgets about Africa as the time goes by. Don’t be shy to put your stamp of approval on it – 309000 world cup tourists can’t be wrong.

Nicola Weir

Africa's web structure from smart cities to the legal issues of each country's social media usage. We also explore top hotels and destinations and unveil ExecuJet's new helicopter fleet!

Page 14 Business in Kenya

Page 32 Hayward 's Grand Safar i

Page 58 ExecuJet's New Fleet

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

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C R E W

C ON TR I BU TOR S PRIYESH MODI

BRANDYN LILLEY

Priyesh Modi is a partner in Bowman Gilfillan’s M&A and corporate and commercial law practice and was admitted as an attorney in 1997. His areas of expertise include structuring, negotiating and implementing mergers and acquisitions, black economic empowerment transactions, joint ventures, company formations, corporate restructuring and share incentive schemes. Priyesh acts for a number of multi-national and local entities and has advised clients on a range of commercial issues.

Priyesh also has experience in cross border transactions and has assisted clients with managing and conducting legal due diligence exercises in various countries in Africa.

Brandyn completed his LLB at the University of South Africa and joined Bowman Gilfillan as a candidate attorney in 2011. Brandyn was admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa in February 2013. Brandyn specialises in domestic and cross-border M&A as well as aspects of corporate finance work. Brandyn has advised clients operating in various sectors in relation to corporate transactions including, sale of business and share sale transactions, angel investing, private equity transactions, capital markets, cross-border group restructurings and regulatory advice.

Priyesh has some interesting insights into the legal side of doing business in Kenya. Read his article on page 14.

Brandyn examines the regulatory currencies in his article on page 23.

issues

of

crypto

BOWMAN GILFILLAN ATTORNEYS

ROSALIND DAVEY Rosalind Davey obtained BA and LLB degrees from the University of Natal and was admitted as an attorney in 2002. She was later appointed as a partner within the Employment Practice area of Bowman Gilfillan in 2008. Rosalind has extensive experience in various areas of general Employment Law. Rosalind regularly acts for a number of large corporate clients in the mining and road-freight industries on matters relating to employment litigation. In addition, Rosalind assists and advises clients on a wide range of non-litigious employment law matters and matters of a commercial nature.

Bowman Gilfillan Africa Group is one of Africa’s premier corporate law firms, employing over 400 specialised lawyers. The Group provides domestic and cross-border legal services to the highest international standards across Africa, through its offices in South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda. Our approach to corporate law is fresh and innovative.

With a century of experience to draw on, we help our clients manage the risks inherent in bringing high stake deals home – safely, smoothly and with uncompromising professional diligence.

Read Rosalind’s take on the power that social media is gaining in Africa on page 19.

STALK US ON THE FOLLOWING SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

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 Caroline Martin: +27 72 235 5725 caroline@freeradicalmedia.co.za

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Ilse Mather: +27 83 675 0331 mediaoptions@tiscali.co.za CONTRIBUTORS Bowman Gilfillan Attorneys, Nicola Weir, Rosalind Davey, Brandyn Lilley, Priyesh Modi, Melanie Leloup, Tilly Smith PR, Atmosphere Communications, QuickPic, The Wired Corporation IMAGES © iStockphoto.com, 123RF Editor's Image by Deon van Wyk

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

THE RISE OF THE PHOENIX

By Peter Joyce In this fascinating account of South Africa’s post-isolation sporting experiences, author Peter Joyce offsets the triumphs that brought the nation glory when the country was finally reintegrated and welcomed back into the international sporting arena against events that set it apart in the dark days of apartheid. Covering the feats of our golfing greats, swimming sensations, rugby heroes and cricketing giants, this book also reveals the successes South Africans have achieved in lesserknown sporting codes, such as mountaineering and motocross. Factual yet entertaining, historically accurate yet anecdotal, this is an ideal gift book or collector’s item whether you are a sports fan, a history buff or just a proud South African.

GOURMET SAFARI

By Donovan van Staden Donovan van Staden, Group Executive Chef for Sanctuary Retreats, has compiled this mouthwatering collection of recipes that feature on the menus of the lodges, which are set in exotic locations such as the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest in Uganda, the Masai Mara in Kenya, and the Okavango Delta in Botswana.

The book is divided into chapters that cover the food served throughout a safari day, from the earlymorning biscuits before you depart on the first game drive, to breakfast, lunch and dinner, with afternoon tea, sundowner snacks and canapés in between. The food photography is a feast for the eyes and the accompanying images of the lodges, their friendly and hospitable staff, the magnificent locations and wildlife will have you cooking up a storm to invoke the safari experience.

D E L A Y

BLACK WIDOW WHITE WIDOW

By De Wet Potgieter When he first published a report on the active presence of Al-Qaeda in South Africa in 2013, all hell broke loose for investigative reporter De Wet Potgieter. Then the massacre at Westgate Mall hit Nairobi, which made the involvement of the so-called White Widow (operating on an illegally acquired South African passport) front-page news. Now, for the first time, he tells the full unsettling story of Al-Qaeda’s presence in this country. Not only is this mysterious British woman exposed, but the identity of an Afrikaans-speaking counterterrorist known as the Black Widow is disclosed. The book shows how Al-Qaeda factions use corrupt state machinery to launch attacks in other African countries. It discloses paramilitary and urban warfare training on a secluded farm and reveals disturbing details of the support received from various local extremist groups.

Based on investigations spanning two years, this book paints a frightening picture of the real possibility of future attacks from, or on, South African soil.

THE TRANSKEI RUN

By Michael Taljaard On a painfully hung-over Saturday morning two incorrigible small town scallywags, Jeremy “Spikes” Vorster and his impulsive but charismatic sidekick, Zachary Post, decide to flee their previous night’s regrets and the repercussions thereof in search of adventure in the rural Transkei. A run-in with a local taxi gang sets in motion a series of events that unravel a tense and violent misadventure as the two young rebels are forced to defend themselves at all costs. What results is a gritty, uniquely South African undertaking, complete with sex, drugs and boerewors rolls, spiralling into complete and utter anarchy. The book is also darkly, screamingly funny.

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TRADE SECRETS

BUSI N E S S N E WS DUBAI WILL SOON LAY CLAIM TO THE WORLD'S LARGEST MALL.

World's largest

mall slated for Dubai

Home to the world's tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, Dubai will soon lay claim to the world's largest mall too. Described as a climate-controlled city by developers Dubai Holding, the Mall of the World project was officially launched in July by Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Prime Minister

of the United Arab Emirates. A firm completion date and budget have not yet been revealed. It comprises 743,224 sq m of floor space, which makes it easily the largest mall in the world, a shade larger than China's Forbidden City, and about four times the size of France's Louvre Palace.

South Africa Aims to

The Mall of the World will feature the world's largest indoor theme park, covered by a glass dome that's left open during the winter, in addition to a wellness district that caters to medical tourists. The project also calls for a cultural district containing a series of locations based upon New York’s Broadway, Barcelona's Ramblas Street, and London’s Oxford Street. A temperaturecontrolled street network that spreads over 7 km should help keep the estimated 1.8 million visitors per year comfortable while spending their money, and there will be 100 hotels and apartments, with 20 000 hotel rooms available.

TOP

Double Vehicle Output by 2020 STORY The government remains committed to developing South Africa's automotive sector, President Jacob Zuma said at the unveiling of Chinese company First Automotive Works' new truck

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manufacturing plant outside Port Elizabeth on 10 July 2014. The R600 million factory, will produce 5 000 trucks a year once it is running at full capacity, and 3 500 cars a year following a second phase of development. Zuma said the government's Vision 2020 strategy for the automotive industry aimed at doubling local vehicle production and extending and deepening component manufacture.

Part of this involved positioning South Africa as a destination of choice for the assembly of trucks and buses. Zuma said that First Automotive Works had chosen the right continent on which to invest at this point. "Africa is home to some of the

fastest growing economies in the world, and there is potential for further growth, particularly in the transport of goods, as trade volumes increase," he said.

The East African Community, Common Market for Eastern and Central Africa and Southern African Development Community are in the process of negotiating a free trade area that will bring together 26 countries with a combined population of 600-million and an overall GDP of approximately US$2-trillion. To further support intra-regional trade within the continent, a Trans African Highway programme has been established to link Africa's capitals on eight major routes.

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Kenya Doing Business in

WITH A WELL DEVELOPED ECONOMY, A FINALISED ELECTION AND A NEW CONSTITUTION, KENYA HAS A A LOT TO OFFER. BUT THE COUNTRY’S DEVELOPMENTS OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS HAVE HAPPENED RAPIDLY AND ITS ECONOMIC AND CORPORATE LANDSCAPE HAVE CHANGED. WHAT DOES DOING BUSINESS IN KENYA LOOK LIKE NOW?

By Priyesh Modi (Bowman Gilfillan)

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K

enya is considered the most developed economy in Eastern Africa and is considered the economic, commercial, and logistical hub of the entire region. Kenya’s population is estimated at 41 million with a large number of well-educated English-speaking-and multilingual-professionals, and a strong entrepreneurial tradition. It is also a very ‘young’ country with almost 70% of the population under the age of 35. With its geographic location along the coasts, it also has the most developed infrastructure and is increasingly becoming a point of entry for many multi-national businesses while enjoying notable growth in recent cross-border activity.

Kenya held elections earlier this year, resulting in a win for Uhura Kenyatta over Prime Minister Raila Odinga. After some challenges to the vote, the election result was confirmed by the Supreme Court and even though some protest was seen during the campaign, it was generally more peaceful than the previous elections in 2007.

The country adopted a new constitution in 2010 and it is anticipated that a number of legislative reforms which are business friendly will be introduced in the short to medium term. The judicial system follows English law and a number of reforms are being made to the judicial system, improving

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it constantly. The Courts, which operate on two levels, Superior and Subordinate Courts, have a suitable legal framework to enforce contracts and uphold them in principle.

With all it has to offer, it is obvious that foreign companies would consider setting up business in this developing economy and it is therefore important to know what the basic rules and requirements are.

To begin with, every person conducting a business or trade within the area of a county is required to obtain a business permit in respect of each of the premises from which the person conducts the business or trade.

Registering a company takes approximately three weeks. A private company in Kenya must have at least 1 director and there are no residency requirements for directors of companies.

It is also possible to open a bank account in various currencies.

Once a company is registered, it becomes a body corporate with perpetual succession with legal powers and capacity to do all it requires to achieve its objectives.

The objectives and constitution of the company are set out in its Memorandum and Articles of Association.

There are no minimum capital requirements on incorporation in Kenya

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LONG HAUL

and a share under Kenyan law is a moveable property and transferable in accordance with Kenyan law. Companies having a share capital must assign a nominal or par value to each share.

Kenyan private companies require a minimum of 2 shareholders. It is not always mandatory to have a local shareholder; however, in certain sectors such as telecoms and insurance, a local shareholder is mandatory. It may, however, be prudent to consider a local shareholder if this would strategically benefit the company.

Where there is a change of control pursuant to an acquisition, competition approval will be required. Currently there are no minimum thresholds triggering notification – although, this is imminent – meaning that a change of control irrespective of the size of the parties or the size of the transaction will trigger competition approval and this approval process takes approximately two to three months. In respect of due diligence exercises, particular attention must be given to property ownership rights as well as conducting a thorough tax review.

It is not uncommon for multi-nationals to use an offshore holding company to hold its in-country assets/investments in Kenya. A variety of offshore jurisdictions

may be considered and these include Mauritius, BVI, Jersey, Dubai, and so on.

Expatriates working in Kenya require a work permit and must be approved by the Security Services. The application process could take anywhere from between three and six months.

In Kenya, there are no exchange control regulations and therefore a local entity would be free to remit profits to its parent company subject to normal company taxes making Kenyan law, in this particular sense, favourable to foreign investment.

On the down side, Kenya does not have a very good treaty network. While it has a tax treaty with certain countries, the tax treaty has not yet come into force.

In the event of conflict, it is possible for parties to contractually agree to refer any disputes to private arbitration with the rules of arbitration potentially being based on the United Nations model codes, local arbitration rules, international arbitration rules, etcetera.

Kenya is without doubt the place to consider for companies looking at penetrating East Africa and it is no wonder considering the legal principles in place, why it is such an attractive destination for multi-nationals and South African companies wishing to do business in East Africa.

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The Power of

Social Media

in Africa “THE MAJORITY OF AFRICAN CONSTITUTIONS PROVIDE LEGAL PROTECTION FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH. HOWEVER, THESE RIGHTS ARE EXERCISED INCONSISTENTLY IN PRACTICE” – WIKIPEDIA. By Bowman Gilfillan

W

hen considering social media throughout Africa, it is clear that there is a need for stricter laws to be put in place and that more needs to be done in educating users of these powerful communication tools. This applies particularly to traditional media as there is often a disconnect between how social media is perceived by journalists in comparison to print media.

Considering countries such as Nigeria, Malawi, Ghana, Kenya, and Botswana, the similarities are clear and it will be interesting to see developments in the future from a regulatory point of view when it comes to enforced restrictions.

Tragedies such as the recent Kenyan Mall attack highlight the power of social media and it is no doubt only going to become more difficult to control as more and more

users throughout Africa have increased access.

It is clear that laws relating to social media use on the African continent, including South Africa, are underdeveloped. However, the risks identified apply globally and legislation needs to be implemented to avoid the potential damage that can be done with reckless or defamatory reporting.

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Africa’s Social Media Network Country by Country NIGERIA:

The use and abuse of social media is not a foreign topic in Nigeria and last month the Bureau of Public Enterprises announced that it is preparing to roll out a lawful framework for the regulation of social media. Director General of the privatization agency, Mr. Benjamin Dikki frowned at the unregulated publishing of what he called “offending materials on the numerous social networking sites”. According to Dikki, this rolling out is in line with BPE’s reform mandate to start essential policies and the legal framework for the regulation of social networks in the country.

However, in January last year it was reported that Nigeria had no plans to restrict the use of social media networks and that it was taking its online communications policy in a different direction to several other African countries such as Zambia and Malawi who were pursuing legislation to restrict it.

It was felt that social media in Nigeria had become an important part of people’s lives and it would be wrong to suppress it. Now it seems that with social media’s ability to defame and slander, the country will, in fact, be regulated in the future, which means it will be interesting to see which laws will be enforced and whether offenders will be treated as strictly as those in developed countries.

MALAWI:

In August last year, Malawi government authorities warned people they felt were taking advantage of the country’s absence of social media legislation to defame others and said that there are laws in place that can catch

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up with them. They condemn the use of social media to defame others and state that the right to privacy should be respected at all times.

In Malawi defamation can be reported to government offices and legal steps would then be taken to help the alleged victim. However, it is often problematic in that social media users frequently remain anonymous and it is therefore often costly and time-consuming finding the correct source to take action against.

Another challenge when it comes to taking legal action in a defamation matter is that the victim has to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the statement(s) have caused real injury to them or their business. It is often unreasonable too for those in the public eye to never expect to be defamed in any way as they are, of course, open to public scrutiny.

GHANA:

As in so many African countries, the use of social media in Ghana is growing and there is a calling for regulations to be put in place to control this. An example of the popularity of social media is when Ghanaians across the country took to various social media channels to monitor the final verdict of the Supreme Court in their 2012 elections.

It was also an example of the public’s ability to voice their sometimes unpopular opinion and, in the case of the elections, proceedings on the various social media platforms at times elicited severe condemnation from the nine justices of the Supreme Court, who cited “contemptuous utterances posted or twittered by the public”.

As a sign of the increasing importance of social media to

its people, Ghana hosted its first ever Social Media Awards in March this year where it was said that “social media has evolved into the most powerful, galvanizing catalyst of our time – for better and for worse. It is arguably as significant an event in our shared human history as the industrial revolution. In Ghana we see social media as a catalyst for large scale positive change and a leveraging force. But, let’s be clear: social media is a neutral entity. It is the human use of it that matters”.

And that human use means legislation is needed to ensure it is always used appropriately.

KENYA:

Kenya is yet another country lacking guidance around social media and its uses, particularly when considering journalists and media houses.

Hate speech in the Kenyan media was blamed for contributing to the widespread violence that followed the presidential election of December 2007 where more than 1,100 people were killed and 650,000 others displaced after the disputed results triggered violence. The postelection violence highlighted the role that media can play in inciting conflict and, with journalists favouring social media; subsequent legislation has attempted to prevent a repeat of it. However, this legislation has not been effective around social media as Kenya again saw some users engaging in online warfare around the March 2013 elections.

These laws, which govern the use of hate speech as well as libel and defamation, apply equally to traditional media and online publications, blogs or posts on social media.

However, too much focus has been put on traditional media and the perceived anonymity of social media creates a feeling that rules that regulate traditional media do not apply online. There are also no clear policies to guide individuals, including journalists, with experts saying that unlike print and broadcast media, online media has remained largely unregulated.

Some media bodies have instituted company policies and guidelines to regulate how staff use social media but often journalists feel that they are communicating in their personal capacity when not using the traditional journalists tools and do not appreciate that they are, in fact, always representative of the media.

BOTSWANA:

It was reported in January last year that Botswana’s army has banned soldiers from using Facebook, Twitter and other social media sites for security reasons with soldiers complaining that this interfered with their freedom of speech. Many soldiers, for example, used Facebook as a way to communicate with friends and family back home and without it they were very

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NIGERIA GHANA

KENYA

isolated. However, the director of the army’s Directorate of Protocol and Public Affairs, Mr Tebo Dikole, stressed that the move was purely a safety measure and that it was a way to guard against soldiers revealing classified information.

Given that the ban also included soldiers not being able to remark on any political issues raised by their friends on social networks, many felt that it is extremely restrictive.

In August 2012, IT Web Africa reported that Judge Justice Key Dingake, who was speaking at the official launch of the Botswana Press Council (BPC) website, said those in media need to apply ethical standards as far as social media is concerned.

"The growth of social media poses many ethical dilemmas, which the media must address," he explained.

Botswana’s government has been debating the importance of state regulation when it comes to social media and in 2012, the Communications Regulatory Authority Act was passed merging regulation and licensing under the Botswana Communications Regulatory Authority (BOCRA) but it was not well received by many who felt that it favours state-owned media and could also be used to monitor social media networks thereby limiting freedom of speech.

MALAWI

BOTSWANA

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Crypto-Currency The truth behind alternate currency transactions happening below the regulatory radar.

SO-CALLED CRYPTO-CURRENCIES, THE BEST-KNOWN OF WHICH IS BITCOIN, ARE A REGULATOR’S NIGHTMARE BECAUSE THEIR VIRTUAL NATURE MEANS THEY CAN EASILY CIRCUMVENT SOUTH AFRICA’S EXCHANGE CONTROL REGULATIONS, AS WELL AS ITS TAX

By Bowman Gilfillan REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

C

rypto-currencies are decentralised, peer-to-peer virtual currencies that are used like money to purchase goods or services, or can be exchanged for conventional currencies like the US dollar or rand. There are approximately 12.8 million Bitcoins in circulation, according to Wikipedia, and 25 new ones are created every ten minutes. “Because of their intangible nature, and lack of transparency and disclosure, crypto-currencies have become a nightmare for regulatory authorities around the world, including South Africa,” says Brandyn Lilley.

“Unlike conventional currencies, crypto-currencies are completely decentralised, operating without a central authority or bank, and not backed by any government. The identities of transacting parties are encrypted, and no personal information is exchanged.”

This ability to transact with such a high degree of anonymity is ideal for transactions associated with criminal activities, particularly fraud and money

laundering.

Without the involvement of banks or other central authorities, it is difficult to follow the flow of money, and enforcement officials may have difficulty seizing or freezing illicit proceeds held in cryptocurrencies. Also, unlike money held in a bank, crypto-currencies may not be held by a third-party custodian.

“Indeed, they have many of the characteristics of a tax haven, where earnings are not reported and users enjoy a degree of anonymity,” says Lilley.

The anonymous nature of these transactions facilitates the circumventing of currency controls, and this was the case with post-bailout Cyprus where certain funds leaving the country in 2013 were attributed to high volumes of Bitcoin transactions.

“In South Africa, all foreign exchange transactions are subject to exchange control regulations governed by the SA Reserve Bank. The use of cryptocurrencies will make it increasingly difficult,

if not impossible, for the Bank to monitor the value of these inflows and outflows,” says Lilley.

He adds that the SA Revenue Service (SARS) has yet to issue a guiding statement on the tax treatment of cryptocurrencies. Arguably, SARS may follow the route of the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) which, according to a recent notice, describes how existing general tax principles apply to transactions using virtual currency.

This approach seems sensible, says Lilley, as it reminds taxpayers of basic tax reporting requirements for cryptocurrency transactions having real world implications.

“Crypto-currency transactions know no national boundaries, and regulators in each jurisdiction will have to consider their own legal and regulatory framework.

However, as the use of crypto-currencies increases, it’s likely that there will be a degree of international co-operation among regulators.”

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Smart

Cities The world’s top 10 smart cities – with Johannesburg following not too far behind!

THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENTIATING FACTORS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO A CITY BEING CLASSIFIED AS ‘SMART’.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS FOR INSTANCE, RANGE FROM A CITY’S SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS TO ITS TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT WHICH RESULTS IN UPWARD MOVING CITIZENS AND A THRIVING ECONOMY.

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L E G A L

J

ohannesburg is speedily gaining ground through the BWired Network with Metrowired spearheading the nationwide broadband projects. BWired boasts a technologically advanced network being the first of its kind in South Africa. The solution will advance service delivery, create business opportunities, and ultimately contribute towards a better standard of living for the Johannesburg citizenry.

The concept of smart cities is not a new one.

For years, many cities around the world have been working consistently to improve their smart city status, with many amazing success stories to speak of.

As Johannesburg and other African cities are working on their smart status, here are 10 global cities which have made it into the ‘smart city’ category:

1. VIENNA

Vienna trumps the list with great city innovation, being a regional green city, quality of life and digital governance.

Vienna is establishing bold smart-city targets and tracking their progress to reach them, with programmes like the Smart Energy Vision 2050, Roadmap 2020, and Action Plan 2012-2015. Vienna’s planners are incorporating stakeholder consultation processes into building and executing carbon reduction, transportation and land-use planning changes in the hopes of making the city a major European player in smart city technologies.

2. TORONTO

The highest rated smart city in North America, Toronto also scores high in its smart city efforts. Recognising its importance in the movement, IBM opened a Business Analytics Solutions Centre in Toronto. Toronto is also an active member of the Clinton 40 (C40) megacities, which seek to transition to the low-carbon economy. Toronto also cleverly began using natural gas from landfills to power the city’s garbage trucks.

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L E G A L

taking a real leadership role in sustainable innovation. The city has committed to carbon neutrality by 2025 and 40% of its citizens regularly commute via bicycle.

Furthermore, their mayor Frank Jensen recently articulated the role of cities as growth engines and the potential to stimulate the economy through clean tech innovation.

3. PARIS

Paris fares well in the innovation, green cities in Europe and digital governance sectors, with the city implementing a successful bike sharing programme called Velib. Cleverly named, the term is a portmanteau of the French words vélo or in English, ‘bicycle’ and liberté which means freedom.

6. TOKYO

Last year, the city announced plans to create a smart town in the suburbs. In partnership with Panasonic, Accenture and Tokyo Gas, the eco-burb will contain homes that integrate solar panels, storage batteries and energy efficient appliances all connected to a smart grid. Tokyo is also focused on promoting smart mobility solutions.

9. HONG KONG

The city has been a leader in the use and adoption of smart cards, which are already used by millions of residents for services like public transit, library access, building access, shopping and car parks.

4. NEW YORK

New York partnered with IBM in 2009 to launch the IBM Business Analytics Solution Centre to address “the growing demand for the complex capabilities needed to build smarter cities and help clients optimise all manner of business processes and business decisions.”

7. BERLIN

Berlin is the city to be in if it’s innovation, green-ness and quality of life you’re looking for. In collaboration with Vattenfall, BMW, and others, Berlin is testing out vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technologies in the hopes of creating a virtual power plant from electric vehicles.

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The city is a pioneer in smart city and low-carbon solutions. It was among the first in the world to introduce a solar thermal ordinance about a decade ago and recently launched the LIVE EV project to promote the adoption of EVs and charging infrastructure, and the city also recently announced a major partnership to develop a living lab for smart-city innovation.

CITY OF JOBURG FREE WIFI ROLLOUT

5. LONDON

London is well recognised for some of its sustainability innovations such as congestion tax and its efficient transit system.

10. BARCELONA

8. COPENHAGEN

Copenhagen was rated number one on the green scale in Europe by Siemens.

All with good reason: Copenhagen is

The City of Johannesburg has embarked on collaboration with the CIDA City Campus University that will enable the training of 3000 Digital Ambassadors to assist with the role-out of 1000 free WiFi hotspots around the city. Johannesburg

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Mayor Parks Tau flew to New York and signed a memorandum of understanding with New York-based firm Africa Integras that will fund the initial phase of the training.

Mayor Tau talks about how smart cities are becoming an integral part of the changing urban landscape. Signed and sealed, this is a deal that will enable funding for digital champions that will fan out across to Johannesburg and create opportunities for communities to access web based technologies, as Mayor Tau explains. “We’ve said we’re rolling out free WiFi hotspots but that’s not enough.

It’s going beyond providing the free hotspots – it’s about creating accessibility, about people knowing how to take full advantage of what technology provides.

And that’s very exciting, because this would empower people. People would look at educational opportunities, research opportunities, networking opportunities and people would actually be able to take the future into their own hands.”

After walking the streets of New York, Mayor Tau explains that his is a vision of Jo’burg that is better integrated, one that can overcome a history of segregation; a city defined by equitable access.

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“In an ideal city, comparative cities function in a way that creates greater integration, closer proximity for people to what the urban amenities provide and that’s really what makes cities tick; it is people’s access to and closer proximity to the urban amenity. Whether it be research agencies, universities, commercial employment opportunities, recreation and other amenities that a city provides.”

Since 2003 Johannesburg has been a twin city with New York – a framework that allows for closer collaboration across sectors, from policing and security, transportation, parks and recreation to climate change.

With over half the world population already residing in town and cities, this is where the post-2015 task will be won or lost, as Mayor Tau elaborates.

“Reality is that local government is where the rubber hits the road, that’s where you need to provide electricity, water, sanitation, how you design the urban system, how you provide public transport. You are able to influence the spatial forms, social process axis that’s so important in how city life develops.

So in many instances, the fact that more and more people are going into cities

and more and more people are looking for opportunities in cities means that we have that responsibility to ensure that they have equitable, and or at least adequate access, to what the city amenity provides.”

With experts predicting that as federal governments become increasingly dysfunctional, cities become the most important governments in the lives of people.

“It’s a daunting one but it’s also an exciting prospect because Johannesburg is a city in transition, it’s the economic capital of Africa, it’s the platform from which we can continue to grow, not just opportunities for our own city but opportunities throughout the continent. It is a platform from which you can facilitate trade and investment in Johannesburg, in Gauteng, in South Africa and certainly in the entire region. For us, we think that it’s a great opportunity to be part of a community of global cities that work together towards the prosperity of humanity overall and that’s the role that cities are going to have to continue providing and playing,” adds Mayor Tau. Where rubber hits the road and where the effective use of technology is likely to make the ride that much smoother.

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Tintswalo at Waterfall A Room with a View Where Luxury is the Deal-maker Situated within the Waterfall Equestrian Estate and less than 30 minutes drive from O.R. Tambo International Airport, this city escape has been fashioned to capture opulence and world-class standards, while emulating conventional barn-style decor with thick stone-clad walls, double volume spaces and heavy bolted timber roof trusses throughout the boutique hotel. The hotel has 16 luxury suites that offer superb views of the distant Magaliesberg Mountains, a pristine polo field, an estate dam, and surrounding countryside. The hotel's offering is completed by state-of-theart conference facilities and the Feedroom restaurant that serves unparalleled, delectable cuisine. The five-star hotel is renowned for its elegance, exquisite sophistication and tranquillity, and is ideal for business or leisure visitors. For more information, visit www.tintswalo.com.

The Blue Views Collection has announced the opening of South Beach Camps Bay, situated less than 50m from the beachfront. The pool level apartments have exclusive use outdoor areas with direct access to the pool whilst the other two levels include private balconies. The apartments will be serviced daily and come equipped with a Nespresso machine, 47 inch TV, sound bar, wireless headsets, the finest linen and towels, air-conditioning and complimentary high speed Wi-Fi. Available to all guests will be the use of the 9m swimming pool and sundeck, access to a private gym and allocated parking. A concierge service on arrival for assistance on activity bookings will also be available. Within easy walking distance to some of the best restaurants, bars and the world renowned Camps Bay beach, it will take your idea of self-catering to new levels and make it one of the most desirable destinations for summer 2014.

Heaven in Kilimanjaro’s Shadow Shu ‘mata Camp is located at the foot of Kilimanjaro, deep in Masai land, in an area known as South Amboseli. Seasonally, the surrounding savannah bush is home to large herds of elephant, eland, zebra and wildebeest, Oryx and gazelle. Shu’mata means “heaven” in the language of the Masai and visitors will find the camp heavenly indeed once they are welcomed into one of the luxurious, spacious tents. All tents are equipped with an en suite bathroom and private veranda and are furnished in a unique combination of Masai, Hemingway and Arabic styles. At night, when the locusts clitter, zebras bay and hyenas can be heard laughing from afar, a Hemingway whiskey near the open fire will trigger feelings of adventure and romantic safaris – especially under a full moon, when you can look up the slope of the majestic Kilimanjaro to see its glistening glaciers. For more information visit www.shumatacamp.com.

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Angels Wish to Tread The Ultimate Group Safari

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THE GROUP TRAVEL INDUSTRY, COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS THE MICE INDUSTRY – MEETINGS, INCENTIVES, CONFERENCES, EVENTS – AS A WHOLE IS BOUND DIRECTLY

BY ACCESS TO VENUES THAT ARE ACCESSIBLE. IF THERE IS NO VENUE IN A REQUIRED DESTINATION THEN THERE IS NO EVENT IN THAT DESTINATION, IT’S THAT SIMPLE. BUT THAT EXCLUDES HUGE REGIONS IN SOUTHERN AFRICA, REGIONS THAT COULD MAKE FOR IDEAL PLACES FOR BIG CORPORATE EVENTS.

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erein lies the dilemma. Many hundreds of event planners, professional conference organizers and incentive managers for corporates dig through the same pile of venues daily – searching and looking, all trying to find something suitable for their next event.

Is it close enough? What's the budget?

Can it accommodate my group? Have they been there before? Can you access the venue? What does it cost to get the group there? Can the venue deliver on its promises? Will my guests be blown away by this concept? These are just a few questions that need to be answered every time an event is planned.

Southern Africa is vast. There are still so many places the local MICE industry has never considered because there are no existing venues in the desired region, or there are none big enough or good enough to handle the complexities of the event being planned. And worse still, once a venue has been done, it’s done! Well, this

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is where Hayward's Grand Safari Company comes into its own unique strength.

“It's possibly the toughest thing in the world to keep coming up with unique, never been done before type event ideas, but it’s our forte,” says Celia du Preez, Production Manager of the Hayward’s operation. “We pride ourselves on creating magnificent venues in off the beaten track regions,” she explains.

Hayward’s was conceptualized and designed by Peter Hayward in 1999 to handle many of the above dilemmas. They can place a grand safari tented camp wherever you need it – all one hundred bedroom tents of it.

Hayward’s is a fully qualified 5 star venue (Tourism Grading Council of South Africa) that is award winning and way beyond expectation. It's a fully operational tented hotel – mobile and capable of making your next event, wherever it may need to be, spectacular. Each bedroom tent comes complete with a shower and toilet and the camp also boasts two

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conference tents. A full dining tent seating one hundred and fifty guests around silver and crystal bedecked tables, kitchens and chef teams serving delectable eight course dinners, cloakrooms, a Safari Club lounge and library, a mobile spa and full staging and lighting to provide outstanding entertainment each evening are also on offer.

Leading Big 5 walking guides are used

by Hayward’s to ensure the outdoor bush experience is superb. A range of activities from hot air ballooning to guided game drives, scientific excursions and animal interactions are all a matter of course on a grand Hayward’s safari.

With over 15 years of dedicated big group safari experience in running some of southern Africa’s most prestigious events, the Hayward's tented safari camp has a variety of combinations that suit most VIP event budgets and most event planners’ dreams.

Hayward’s have been the key suppliers in mega safari events throughout southern Africa, performing award winning events for leading international corporations for their product launches, incentives and

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private event affairs.

Operating across southern Africa from Namibia to Zambia, Botswana and many of the great game parks of the continent, Hayward’s are based in Dinokeng, a 30,000 hectare Big 5 game reserve being developed by the Gauteng Government just north of Pretoria. “It’s our secret weapon” says Peter Hayward, founder of the company. “We are finding that many organizations are carefully considering their budgets for their big events and launches and return on investment is fundamental to their thinking. Our base outside Pretoria allows them to easily see our product on site and discuss with us how best their forthcoming event be designed to maximize the effect.”

With an average of 9.6 to 10 across 22 points of Guest Feedback consistently since their inception, the safari journey with Hayward's is a legacy event that sets the bar for many.

Revisit this concept now and do a Grand Safari. It's the authentic African thing to do. Visit www.haywardsafaris. com for more information.

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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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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

akopmund Walvis Bay

ZIMBABWE

Chobe National Park

Maun

Harare

Livingstone

Victoria Falls

Gaborone

Mariental

Musina Phalaborwa Private Game reserves

Madikwe Game Reserve

Maputo

SWAZILAND

Keetmanshoop

Springbok

Kimberley

Bloemfontein

SOUTH De Aar AFRICA Beaufort West

Saldanha

Inhambane

Kruger Mpumalanga Airport

Pretoria

Johannesburg Upington

Sabi Sands Reserves

Bazaruto

Ulundi Ladysmith

LESOTHO

Pietermaritzburg

Hluhluwe Phinda Private Game Reserve

St Lucia Durban

Umtata Queenstown East London Port Elizabeth

Cape Town Mossel Bay

Plettenberg Bay

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NESTLED IN THE LUSH SUBURB OF MORNINGSIDE MANOR, SANDTON, FAIRLAWNS BOUTIQUE HOTEL & SPA IS RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL, ROMANTIC AND EXCLUSIVE HOTELS IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Sandton Sanctuary Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa

T

his established hotel and spa is one of Sandton’s best-kept secrets, where guests are treated like royalty, and their privacy is important to staff. Fairlawns is that five-star home away from home, where exclusivity is key and the city seems far, far off in the distance, yet the major business and shopping centres of the thriving metropolis of Sandton are only minutes away by car.

The vision of the owners, John and Anna Thacker, was to create a unique 5-star Hotel where guests feel embraced by the elegant grounds, service and ambience, without losing the flexibility which they consider essential to the raison d’etre of Fairlawns. Thinking like guests rather than hoteliers is their motto.

Villa d’Este on Lake Como in Northern Italy and Easton Manor in Surrey, England, were the inspiration behind the Palladian architecture and general design style of the Hotel. The result is a timeless classicism infused with modern facilities.

The hotel launched its Private Villa Residence as well as the new Victoria Tea Lounge as part of its 2014 expansion plan. The 43 opulent suites and Presidential Suite complement the timeless Palladian architecture.

Fairlawns accommodates both local and international guests, corporate and leisure, all of whom seem to regard the hotel as their private sanctuary when in Johannesburg. Apart from the marvellous cuisine on offer in the Terrace Restaurant, which is open to non-resident guests,

the Balinese Spa is also available to day-visitors who want to enjoy any of the varied treatments and packages on offer. The private Bali-inspired Spa gardens, with the sound of running water and birdsong, are a true restorative for the soul, if even for an hour or two.

Golfers are never disappointed as Fairlawns has a partnership with the nearby Johannesburg Country Club, which offers two world-class golf courses.

To contact Fairlawns Boutique Hotel & Spa, call +27 11 804 2540/1/2, or email reservations@ fairlawns.co.za. For more information, visit www.fairlawns.co.za.

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Wildly

Exclusive

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SINGITA CASTLETON OPENS IN SABI SAND FOR AN INTIMATE, EXCLUSIVE-USE SAFARI EXPERIENCE IN SOUTH AFRICA

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ingita, Africa’s most inspiring safari specialist, has launched Singita Castleton in the heart of South Africa’s Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Formerly the family home of Singita founder, Luke Bailes’ grandfather, the lodge is one of the group’s 12 properties in Africa and will be available for exclusive rental.

With the opening of Singita Castleton, the brand will lead the trend for a new style of safari experience, taking private rental to the next level and offering exclusivity within exclusivity. The result is more reminiscent of a private villa experience in the heart of the bush than a traditional safari lodge shared with other guests.

Set within 45,000 acres of private reserve, Singita Castleton consists of a main house with communal living spaces, and accommodation located in six individual cottages within the grounds, catering for up to 12 people. It is steeped in history, capturing the spirit of the original Castleton house, giving the lodge a historical and comforting nature.

Singita Castleton has been designed to combine the best elements of a private safari lodge with the rustic charms of a

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IT IS STEEPED IN HISTORY, CAPTURING THE SPIRIT OF THE ORIGINAL CASTLETON HOUSE, GIVING THE LODGE A HISTORICAL AND COMFORTING NATURE.

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CHECK-IN In an age where the accelerating destruction of pristine wilderness is beyond repair, Singita is making a profound difference in many parts of Africa. Orchestrating an interdependent relationship between communities, wildlife and tourism that ensures true sustainability, Singita is blazing a trail which is seldom achieved on this scale anywhere else on the continent.

country farmhouse, with the added benefit of extensive high-end facilities, including a vast garden, swimming pool, wine cellar, gym, tennis court and spa treatment room. Guests can relax together in the courtyard, gather around the traditional ‘boma’ or meet in the country-style kitchen, yet the individual cottages allow guests to retreat to the privacy of their own space as and when it’s needed. All of this is overlooking a waterhole where animals regularly gather to drink.

Décor is rich throughout with splashes of colour contrasting with traditional tartans and classic prints. Botanical art references, country furniture and flagstone floors also add a nostalgic, relaxed ambience to the lodge, which comes complete with a private guide, tracker, housekeeper and chef. The former Senior Sous Chef at Singita Lebombo Lodge in Kruger National Park, Chef Calum Anderson, will head up the kitchen at Castleton.

The Sabi Sand Game Reserve borders the Kruger National Park in northeast South Africa. It is the oldest private reserve in South Africa and is recognised globally for its formidable concentration of the big five, especially frequent leopard sightings.

To ensure the Singita experience is truly unrivalled, Singita Castleton can easily be combined with Singita Sweni Lodge in the neighbouring Kruger National Park – a tranquil sanctuary flanking the Sweni River and also available for private rental for up to 12 guests – or Singita Pamushana Lodge, situated in the south east of Zimbabwe, with sensational views over the Malilangwe dam and sandstone hills.

For more information, visit www. singita.com.

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SABI SAND GAME RESERVE IS RECOGNISED GLOBALLY FOR ITS FORMIDABLE CONCENTRATION OF THE BIG FIVE, ESPECIALLY FREQUENT LEOPARD SIGHTINGS.

Focused on eco-conscious hospitality, sustainable conservation and evolving local communities, Singita’s vision is to share a unique part of the world while respecting the natural environment and challenging today’s notion of luxury.

Recognized internationally for providing the best safari experience in Africa, Singita includes 12 iconic, low-impact, luxury lodges and camps in five African destinations: Kruger National Park and Sabi Sand in South Africa, Grumeti Reserves and Lamai in Tanzania and Malilangwe Wildlife Reserve in Zimbabwe.

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Leave

Winter Behind

VALLEY LODGE & SPA IN MAGALIESBURG IS OFFERING DELECTABLE WOMEN’S DAY SPA AND LATE WINTER PACKAGES. WHO COULD IGNORE THEIR COSY FIREPLACES STRATEGICALLY SPREAD AROUND THE LODGE, COUPLED WITH SEAMLESS SERVICE AND FRIENDLY SMILES? ON TOP OF THAT, THERE IS THE SPLENDID SPA, OFFERING DE-STRESSING TREATMENTS SURE TO REVIVE BODY AND SOUL AND RID YOU OF THOSE WINTER BLUES. 48

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alley Lodge & Spa received three Gold Awards in the 7th West Rand Tourism Awards: the Gold Awards in the Accommodation, Food and Beverage (Buffet) Category as well as Conference and Wedding Venues categories. The hotel also won the Steady Star Award in the 2014 Essential Travel Awards, the 2014 Up & Coming Spa Award in the Professional Six Sensational Skincare and Spalicious Recognition Spa Awards, and the Gold award for the Best Accommodation & Restaurant on the West Rand by West Rand Tourism for 2013.

Along with their 4 star rating, luxurious accommodation choices, and their award winning spa, Valley Lodge also offers convivial Sunday lunches, and private picnics on the banks of the Magalies River flowing through the beautifully refurbished destination. Hotair ballooning, bird-watching, professional conferencing facilities as well as fly-fishing activities are also available by arrangement.

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At Valley Lodge & Spa

VALLEY LODGE & SPA WOMEN’S DAY AND LATE WINTER SPECIAL OFFER Women’s Day Spa package valid from 1 to 31 August 2014 including Full Body Hot Stone Massage & Paraffin Pedicure @ R500 per person.

Winter warmer 2014 packages including bed and breakfast per night, range from: • Standard Room @ R1,600 double and R1,380 single • Luxury Room @ R1,800 double and R1,480 single • Superior Rooms @ R2,000 double and R1,580 single To contact Valley Lodge & Spa, call +27 14 577 1301/5 or email res@valleylodge.co.za. Visit www.valleylodge.co.za for more information.

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SITUATED IN THE LUXURY LIFESTYLE HUB OF CENTURY CITY IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA, LIES THE SPARKLING GEM THAT IS AFRICAN PRIDE CRYSTAL TOWERS HOTEL & SPA.

Views Postcard African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa

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his 180-bedroom hotel, designed with the exacting leisure traveller in mind, easily transcends expectation. Guests who visit the hotel love to lounge high up, surveying the scurrying world below the glass-fronted swimming pool and suspended deck over the portico, sipping a gorgeous, ice-cold cocktail from the Pool Bar, which is the “it” place to be in summer.

With a view that stretches from Blouberg to Devil’s Peak, the Pool Bar is the picture perfect postcard view of Table Mountain and Cape Town. On the cocktail menu you’ll find the traditional martinis and Cosmos, but more exciting are the bespoke cocktails such as the Crystal Towers Eclipse and Chocolate Strawberry Daiquiri.

Right next to the Pool Bar is the awardwinning Life Day Spa, which is extremely popular for a myriad of treatments including luxury facials and full body massages administered by a team of expert therapists.

Besides the Pool Bar, the hotel is crammed with exciting venues. The elegant, double-volume Ruby Bar offers guests a dazzling collection of champagnes and whiskey, as well as designer cocktails that include the exotic Minted Kiwi & Cucumber Daiquiri and the Crystal Eclipse. Those patrons desiring a more intimate experience can escape into the private bar lounges. These lounges, decorated in honour of legendary explorer Kingsley Holgate and iconic South African musician David Kramer, are the perfect rendezvous for those in the know, seeking a refuge from the world.

African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa boasts a 24-hour Deli where designer

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cakes that are works of art in their own right, vie with the neighbouring sushi bar, but the hotel’s pièce de résistance is the Towers Restaurant.

Executive Chef Terrence Ford has created a state-of-the-art menu that features a South African twist on many new modern classics, such as Rack of Lamb with smoked chilli glaze, butternut, lamb coriander ravioli, corn, tomato and Tierra coffee jus and Inkomazi Red Velvet with grapefruit gel, cream cheese and vanilla mousse.

But after dinner there’s nothing like snuggling up in bed in your ultra-luxurious room that features a crystal shower pod.

The chic, designer bedrooms are all equipped with fully appointed bathrooms, LED mood lighting, flat screen LCD TV, complimentary DVDs, mini-bar and airconditioning.

African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa is a mere 15 minutes from Cape Town International Airport, city centre, V&A Waterfront, beautiful beaches and the start of the luscious Cape Winelands.

African Pride Crystal Towers Hotel & Spa Cnr Century Blvd & Rialto Road, Century City, Cape Town +27 21 525 3888 reservations@crystaltowershotel.com www.africanpridehotels.com/ crystaltowers

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CARRY-ON

Exquisite Timekeeping The Minerva Manufacture, which would later become the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret, sparked enthusiasm among specialists when it launched its first mechanical 100thof-a-second stopwatch in 1916. Subsequent versions were equipped with a chronograph hand that requires just one second to complete a full 360° circuit of the dial. Precisely this principle is employed by the Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph 100 with its newly developed manufacture calibre MB M66.25. This high-performance manufacture calibre is embedded in a case crafted from materials which are used in racing cars and which further accentuate the movement’s innovative mechanisms. Highly advanced materials and mechanisms are uncompromisingly combined with a manufacture movement that is built in accord with the centuries-old tradition of the art of Swiss watchmaking. Meticulous manual craftsmanship and decorative finishes uphold the rigorous standards of even the most demanding connoisseurs. In the Montblanc TimeWalker Chronograph 100, Montblanc’s watchmakers have successfully united performanceoriented innovation and the finest horological tradition.

Waterkloof’s maiden

Cabernet Franc Purrs with French finesse

Waterkloof Estate has introduced its maiden Cabernet Franc 2012 to its terroir-driven Circumstance portfolio.

“At Waterkloof our bio-dynamic farmed vineyards ensure that we harness the best of nature in the most natural way.

We aim to express the terroir in each bottle and plant each varietal in the area where it will give us the best fruit,” explains Waterkloof winemaker Nadia Barnard. The Cabernet Franc 2012 spent 35 days on the skins to help integrate the tannins and was aged in French oak for 20 months. It is a stylish, classic and intriguing wine. Well-balanced and smooth, the Circumstance Cabernet Franc 2012 exudes notes of blackberry, black pepper and earthy thyme whilst its mouthfeel is long and elegant with a memorable finish. The limited release Circumstance Cabernet Franc 2012 retails at R155 per bottle and is exclusively available at the Waterkloof tasting room. Only 3 300 bottles were produced. For more information visit www.waterkloofwines.co.za.

From Classic to Contemporary Contemporary bathrooms are very on-trend right now, but achieving a minimalist bathroom that is functional and stylish can be difficult.

Minimal bathrooms are not ornately decorated rooms, but they are by no means boring and remain incredibly well articulated – where every element of the design is practical, yet striking. The trick is to keep it simple with clean, geometric shapes that add striking visual interest to the space and to stick to nature-inspired patterns and colours with a pure monochrome palette. Add some easy to clean and maintain stainless steel and a few luxe touches such as plush mats and you’ll be left with a space that is simple, yet striking. For this and everything else you need to kit out your perfect bathroom, visit www.bathroombutler.co.za.

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New Heights

ExecuJet Africa expands helicopter charter fleet EXECUJET AFRICA IS EXPANDING ITS HELICOPTER CHARTER FLEET WITH THE ADDITION OF A BELL 230 HELICOPTER IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ACHER AVIATION, LEADERS IN OFF-SHORE HELICOPTER OPERATIONS.

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IN FLIGHT

he five to six seater Bell 230 Helicopter is fully IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) certified and is based at ExecuJet’s facility at Lanseria International Airport.

ExecuJet Africa's helicopter fleet also includes a Bell 407, a twin turbine Agusta A119 and two Eurocopter EC130 B4s, plus access to other models. Greg

Binnie, ExecuJet Rotary Wing Division, says: “There has been a growing demand for twin-engine corporate and leisure helicopter charter and with our fleet expansion, ExecuJet can offer an even more versatile charter service. Leisure requests range from helicopter safaris to fishing and golfing trips.”

Mike Clark, Director of Flight

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Operations, ExecuJet South Africa, adds: “Since we formed our helicopter division in 2013 we have found our Fixed Based Operations, fixed-wing charter and rotary wing charter operations have developed exceptionally well, allowing ExecuJet Africa to offer a fully encompassing aviation solution to our clients.”

The rotary wing aircraft fleet complies with the latest regulatory requirements, and is consistent with ExecuJet’s uncompromising commitment to safety.

ExecuJet South Africa has maintained International Standard for Business Aircraft Operations (IS-BAO) certification and the ARGUS Platinum Rating for a number of years. "This is proof that we do not compromise on safety and service and we are honoured that these internationally recognised safety organisations have again recognised us for our standards," says Ettore Poggi, Managing Director of ExecuJet Africa.

ExecuJet Africa’s charter division also operates fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft to transport mining personnel, cargo and equipment between sites with basic or non-existent landing strips. Other rotary-wing support services include seismic survey operations, VIP aviation support, oil pipeline inspections and security surveillance support.

IN FLIGHT

EXECUJET

AVIATION GROUP’S BACKGROUND The ExecuJet Aviation Group is a leading global business aviation organisation offering a diverse range of services including preowned and new aircraft sales, aircraft management for private and commercial registered aircraft, aircraft charter, aircraft maintenance, aircraft completions management and fixedbase operations. Headquartered in Zürich, Switzerland, ExecuJet has operations in six regions – Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, Latin America and the Middle East, embracing a workforce of 975 experienced staff.

The ExecuJet Aviation Group manages 162 business jets worldwide under the most stringent safety standards. Its commercial fleet is operated under the regulatory umbrella of seven regional civil aviation issued air operating certificates (AOCs). ExecuJet has many authorised maintenance facilities throughout four regions, certified to work on most business jets. The ExecuJet Aviation Group operates 18 world-class FBO facilities worldwide. For more information, visit www.execujet.com.

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MANHOOD

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ART

The

of

Suiting Up THEY SAY THAT THE SUIT MAKES THE MAN BUT IF THIS IS TRUE, THEN NO MAN SHOULD MAKE THE MISTAKE OF MISINTERPRETING A BLACK TIE DRESS CODE.

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hen black tie appears on an invitation, it is often misunderstood. This can lead you to looking more like a young bloke dressed up for a matric dance when you should be strutting into a party looking like Pierce Brosnan in James Bond.

The truth is that buying the correct black suit is not that hard and once you know how, you’ll find that it is actually one of the easiest dress codes to plan.

The first thing that you need to know is that Black Tie is not the same as Formal Dress although it is commonly regarded as the highest standard of dress for men.

In fact, black tie evolved from what was, at the time, fairly relaxed evening attire. The tailless tuxedo jacket gets its name from Tuxedo Park, an early 20th century hot spot for young trendy New Yorkers. The highest formal dress for men’s evening attire is actually the “white tie” dress code, a similar but distinct set of clothing. In dress code terms, black tie is evening semi-formal attire. Which leads us to important point number one: black tie is not daytime wear.

The usual rule of thumb is that you dress for the time that an event ends.

So for a long ceremony that starts in the afternoon and ends after dark a tuxedo is appropriate, but for one that starts in

the morning and ends in the afternoon it is not.

So, how do you wear black tie the right way? There’s a pretty strict framework for black tie attire. It has a little flexibility on some of the small details, but by and large it’s a uniform look. The tuxedo jacket is the centre piece of the outfit as it is the item from which the whole outfit takes its name.

At its base, a tuxedo jacket is a tailless dinner jacket made of black or midnight blue worsted wool, with lapels covered – or ‘faced’ – in black silk. Most are single-breasted, with a single button, but double-breasted jacket models are also acceptable.

A few elements of the jacket have multiple accepted styles. The most formal style of lapel is peaked, but a shawl collar is equally acceptable. In a shawl collar, the lapels are joined to the collar to make an unbroken loop around the shoulders and the back of the neck. In all cases, the left lapel should have a working buttonhole so that a boutonnière may be worn.

For the facing on the lapel, satin silk provides a smooth, high-lustre surface that emphasizes the lapels. Grosgrain, with its ribbed texture, is subtler and less reflective but both are equally acceptable.

Since your neckwear will match your

lapels, be aware that a satin facing means a shinier bow tie as well.

For the slimmest silhouette and strictest formality, an unvented jacket is preferred. However, double vents (twin slits up the back) are also acceptable, and are more comfortable and allow easier pocket access. Single vents are a casual style that should be avoided.

All the buttons should match, but they may be either plain black or covered in the same facing as the lapels. The sleeve should have four touching buttons, just like a suit jacket.

Apart from those, everything should be uniform. The lower pockets should be jetted (slits, with no flaps), and you’ll need a welt breast pocket for your pocket square.

The ideal fit is a close one, with no pinching that would hinder movement or wrinkle the fabric, and the jacket should be long enough to cover your rear end down to the widest point of its curve. Basically, if it fits like a good suit jacket, you’re in good shape. There’s no substantial difference.

Black tie trousers are straightforward: they should be a perfect match to the tuxedo jacket. That means the base material is the same as the jacket. The outer seams are concealed beneath a strip of ribbon (called the ‘braid’) made from the ISSUE THREE | AVION DE LUXE

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same material as the jacket lapel facing.

The trousers need to be high-waisted, so that the waist covering (either a waistcoat or cummerbund) can cover it fully. They will be worn with suspenders, and should not have belt loops.

Beyond that, black tie trousers are simply minimal: they do not have cuffs, and the pockets are usually accessed by vertical slits at the back edge of the braid.

Pleats are optional, but plain fronts will give the most elegant look.

Black tie calls for one of two equally acceptable waist coverings: a formal waistcoat (vest) or a cummerbund (sash).

The formal waistcoat is the traditional option, and differs somewhat from the vest of a three-piece suit. It is cut low and wide, so as to show the front of the formal shirt underneath it, and has a small set of shawl lapels. Some are also backless, and fasten with a buckled or buttoning strap in the back. The vest is made from the same material as the jacket, and either the lapels or the entire vest can be faced in the same material as the jacket lapels. Both doublebreasted and single-breasted vests are acceptable.

A cummerbund is a pleated sash that wraps horizontally around the waist.

Traditionally, it is made from the same silk as the jacket lapel facings. The pleats face upward, like small pockets (which was

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actually their function, as early formal and semi-formal dress did not include trouser pockets). Some modern cummerbunds also have small hidden pockets on the inside.

Whichever waist covering you choose, it should conceal the waistband of your trousers all the way around. High-quality models will include small fabric tabs or loops that attach to matched buttons inside the trouser waist, to hold the covering in place.

Since the waist coverings are usually the first place that rental outlets start adding in colour, it’s worth emphasizing that the black tie always requires a black waist covering.

The shirt that accompanies a tuxedo should always be plain white. It functions similarly to a regular dress shirt, but has a few unique features that set it apart.

Evening shirts have a decorated rectangular panel that runs all the way up the front of the shirt. This is called the ‘bosom’ or the ‘bib’ of the shirt. The most common styles are pleated (where vertical pleats run up the shirt on both sides of the button placket) and piqué (where the front of the shirt is made from a stiffened piqué fabric, generally woven with a dimpled pattern called marcella). Both are equally appropriate, though piqué is considered slightly more formal.

Instead of buttons, some evening shirts have buttonholes on both edges, which are closed with decorative studs.

The studs are widely spaced, usually with no more than three or four to a shirt.

The French cuff is the standard for semiformal evening shirts. These fasten with cufflinks. While many tuxedos are sold with matching studs and cufflinks, it is not required. The metals should come from the same colour family, however, and the two should complement each other reasonably seamlessly — you wouldn’t want gold studs with silver cufflinks.

There are two collar styles to choose from: a wing collar or turndown collar.

Wing collars are high, starched collars separate from the shirt, with small points that thrust outward beneath the chin.

Some purists argue that the style is only meant for formal (white tie) attire, but it is worn with black tie often enough that you can get away with it. Alternatively, a simple point-style turndown collar is always acceptable. Button-down collars should never be seen in black tie.

It should go without saying, but your shirt should always be tucked into your trousers. The bottom of the shirt should be covered by the cummerbund or waistcoat, as should the bottom of the bib if it is separate from the shirt.

The tie from which black tie takes its

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THE USUAL RULE OF THUMB IS THAT YOU DRESS FOR THE TIME THAT AN EVENT ENDS. SO FOR A LONG CEREMONY THAT STARTS IN THE AFTERNOON AND ENDS AFTER DARK A TUXEDO IS APPROPRIATE, BUT FOR ONE THAT STARTS IN THE MORNING AND ENDS IN THE AFTERNOON IT IS NOT.

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A FEW FINISHING TOUCHES: The Suspenders: These button to the trouser waist (you should never be wearing clip-on suspenders with black tie). Black or white are equally acceptable. The suspenders should be hidden beneath the waist covering and jacket the whole evening, and should never be visible.

The Pocket Square: Plain white is your only option here, preferably silk.

Any fold is acceptable, and many gentlemen choose a deliberately mussed style like a puff or fluted fold to add a touch of contrast to the otherwise sharp-edged look of black tie.

The Boutonnière: A flower in the lapel is entirely optional, but is always correct so long as it is a single blossom, preferable in white or red.

name should, of course, be black, and the material should match the jacket lapel facings. Never use pre-tied bow ties. There are several styles of tie that are acceptable, mostly distinguished by thickness and by whether the ends of the finished bow are pointed or rounded. There are no hard and fast rules as to which is preferable. It is largely a matter of taste, and of choosing a style that best matches the shape of your face. Large-faced, strong-featured men want thick ties, while men with narrower features look better in skinny ties.

You have two style options for black tie shoes: formal pumps (also called opera pumps or court shoes), or black balmoral oxford dress shoes.

Formal pumps are made of patent leather or highly-polished calfskin, with a black grosgain ribbon on the top. These formal shoes are the ideal complement to

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a tuxedo, but as they are expensive and single-purpose, many men shy away from purchasing them. If you don’t want to shell out for formal pumps, a pair of highlypolished Oxfords is also acceptable.

Thin black socks should be worn with whatever style of shoe you choose but avoid thick cotton socks, even if they are black.

As with anything in fashion, there are always going to be exceptions. Many sharp dressers have made their own tweaks over the years. If you feel the need to deviate from the gold standard, do it with care and restraint. One small exception to the rules is more than enough. Within a dress code as strict as black tie, a single change stands out as a bold statement.

Remember, at the end of the day (or night, more appropriately), black tie is a gesture of respect.

Watches: Classic evening wear does not include a watch of any kind (the implication that you would check the time is considered rude to the hosts). These days, however, a wristwatch is tolerated, so long as it is slim, with a black band and metal detailing that matches your studs and cufflinks. A pocket watch makes an excellent alternative that can stay hidden until you discreetly check it.

Outerwear: A dress overcoat in black, navy blue, or charcoal gray wool is acceptable. A black or navy blue fedora or homburg is acceptable, but top hats are not — those are a formal accent reserved for white tie attire. Scarves, if worn, should be white.

R E GU L A R

C A R G O

South Africa Launches one of Africa's biggest wind farms The R3-billion Jeffrey's Bay wind farm, located between the towns of Jeffreys Bay and Humansdorp in South Africa's Eastern Cape province, was officially inaugurated last week.

Built by a consortium led by British company Globeleq, the 138 megawatt (MW) wind farm is one of Africa's biggest – larger than the 120 MW Ashegoda wind farm that was unveiled by Ethiopia in October 2013, though not as big as the Tarfaya wind farm in southwestern Morocco, which started producing energy in April and will eventually generate up to 300 MW of electricity. The Jeffrey's Bay wind farm, comprising of sixty 80-metre high turbines spread over 3 700 hectares, will supply enough clean, renewable electricity to power more than 100 000 homes a year, helping South Africa to avoid production of 420 000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually. The facility was built under the government's renewable energy programme for independent power producers, which aims to add 3 725 MW of wind, solar photovoltaic and concentrating solar power to South Africa's energy mix.

The Ultimate

Personal Watercraft

FingerReader

Helps Visually Impaired Read in Real-Time Our age-old instinct to point at things we'd like to know more about has inspired a device that assists the visually impaired consume written text. FingerReader is a 3D-printed device that is worn as a ring on the index finger and uses a built-in camera and haptic actuators to read aloud as the user traces lines of printed words. Researchers at the MIT Media Lab were looking to develop a device to help the visually impaired read text that would feel more natural than other solutions on the market. Aside from combining real-time audio feedback with the tactile, natural feel of running a finger-tip along a line of printed text, FingerReader is designed to make the experience closer to the physical act of reading. The algorithm scans multiple words at once and is then able to guide the user, making sure they don't veer off the line of text. FingerReader is currently purely a concept prototype.

The researchers will now set about making it faster, more reliable and smaller, while exploring ways it could be enhanced through pairing with mobile devices.

The Wet Rod is being developed at the moment and when it arrives on the market it will come in the form of a 16 foot jet-ski type craft made from a carbon fibre/epoxy body, which will be powered by a V8 300hp 5.7 litre engine. Kurt Strand, the owner of StrandCraft, believes that one of the most important qualities to designing yacht and watercraft, along with creativity, is the ability to be able to listen to what the client wants. The designer says that the jet propulsion craft will travel at speeds of up to 65mph.

The luxury watercraft will come complete with an ice box, neatly packed under the seat, which can store drinks. The watercraft is able to carry larger items in a waterproof luggage box and of course added extras can be ordered to make the craft unique.

The Wet Rod luxury watercraft will be available later this year and it is thought that it will start at a price of US$49,000.

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Horsepower

as You’ve Never Seen It The 2015 Ford Mustang unveiled on African Soil THE NEXT CHAPTER IN THE LIFE OF ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST ICONIC CARS BEGINS WITH THE ALL-NEW FORD MUSTANG. LOADED WITH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES AND DELIVERING WORLD-CLASS LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE AND STYLE, THE 2015 MUSTANG IS READY TO TAKE ON THE WORLD.

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T

he all-new Ford Mustang fastback and convertible models promise exceptional performance and refinement while embracing the Mustang’s half-century of heritage and status as a global icon. Notably, it will be the most modern Mustang to date, boasting independent rear suspension, a first for the vehicle that will transform the way it handles. Equipment levels will also be on par with what customers have come to expect of Ford’s smart vehicles, including technologies such as SYNC2, Blind spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert, and other driver aid systems.

“Few other cars inspire passion like the Mustang,” says Mark Kaufman, vice president of marketing, sales and service, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA). “The iconic design and visceral sound of Mustang resonates with people, even if they’ve never driven one. It’s

DRIVING

definitely more than just a car – it is the heart and soul of Ford.”

More than 9 million Mustangs have been sold since it was first launched in 1964. The world’s most-liked vehicle on Facebook, Mustang has made thousands of appearances in film, television, music and video games, and is one of 17 new vehicles that Ford will launch in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa by the end of 2015.

“With a formidable reputation, both on and off the track, as well as its iconic status as a symbol of freedom, Mustang’s reputation precedes it even in those parts of the world where the car has never been sold,” continues Kaufman. “It epitomises Ford’s aggressive product acceleration; technologically advanced and forwardlooking, and embracing the heritage that has inspired Ford customers for generations.”

The new Mustang has been developed with impressive performance, driving dynamics and usability in mind – and includes a significant amount of advanced driver convenience and driver aid technologies.

“We’re proud to have Mustang back in South Africa – and this model is the best Mustang yet,” says Kaufman. “Long time admirers will be able to see an icon return to South African roads, and we are confident the new Mustang will bring even more fans to the brand.”

UNMISTAKABLY MUSTANG

The clean-sheet design of both Ford Mustang fastback and convertible evokes the essential character of the vehicle, retaining key design elements of the classic Mustangs, recognisable to car

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The all-new Ford Mustang equipped with the new 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine will offer 228kW and 440Nm of torque, while the Mustang equipped with a muscular 5.0-litre V8 engine will generate 320kW with 536Nm of torque. Both engine options will be made available to customers in South Africa when the all-new Mustang goes on sale late next year. Ford also announced at Go Further that order books for the new Mustang officially open in January 2015.

fans across the globe, including the long sculpted hood and short rear deck, with a contemporary execution.

“You only get one chance to make a first impression and when you see this car, you immediately see a Mustang strong and true,” continues Kaufman.

Several key design features define the new Ford Mustang, including a low roof height and wide stance, a sleek profile enabled by steeply sloped windshield and rear glass, three-dimensional tri-bar tail lamps and contemporary execution of the iconic car’s signature shark-bite front fascia.

Ford Mustang convertible drivers will appreciate the standard multilayer insulated cloth top that gives the car an upscale appearance and a quiet cabin.

The top has a sleek profile when folded for open-air motoring.

Large, clear instrumentation puts vehicle information right in front of the driver in the roomy cabin with an aviationinspired cockpit, while ergonomic and tactile switches and knobs provide

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control. The vehicle’s width and new rear suspension contribute to improved shoulder and hip room for passengers and a usefully shaped bootspace that can accommodate two golf bags.

A MUSTANG FOR THE TRUE DRIVING ENTHUSIAST

The new Ford Mustang features all-new front and rear suspension systems. At the front, a new perimeter sub-frame helps to stiffen the front structure while reducing mass, providing a strong foundation for more predictable wheel control that benefits handling, steering and ride. The new double ball-joint front MacPherson strut system also enables the use of large, powerful brakes.

At the rear is an all-new integrallink independent rear suspension. The geometry, springs, dampers and bushings all have been specifically modified and tuned for this high-performance application, and are well-suited to high

speed driving. New aluminium rear knuckles help reduce unsprung mass for improved ride and handling.

The new Mustang features a significant number of innovative technologies providing drivers with enhanced information, control and connectivity when they want it. The advanced, Ford-developed stability control is tuned to maximise the new Mustang’s dynamic capabilities with features like torque vectoring that directs engine power to individual wheels to keep the car on course. When the time comes to turn up the wick at the track, manual transmission variants of the Mustang GT include standard launch control that enables drivers to achieve smooth, consistent starts every time.

Advanced driver-assist features include standard Ford SYNC® with Voice Control and Touchscreen, that lets drivers control their entertainment.

Ford South Africa will announce at a later date final specification and details for all-new Mustang models for South Africa.