Spotong Issue 40 by 3S Media

SPOTONG Your no.1 township community magazine

INFORM • EDUC ATE • EMPOWER

SOWETO

EDITION 40

MARCH APRIL 2022

Thando Makhubo FROM COVID GRANT TO BOOMING BUSINESS

LEBO'S SOWETO BACKPACKERS: LEAVING A LEGACY

Gateway to the Kasi Economy BOITUMELO MONAGENG

DELIVERING A DIFFERENCE

SPOTLIGHT ON SOWETO

EDITOR’S NOTE

LEVELLING UP W

hen you’re nervous about something, it often means that you really care about it. You want to do well and see things turn out for the best. Top musicians still have butterflies before getting on stage to mesmerise throngs of fans, while grown men have been spotted shedding a tear on the day they tie the knot, from wedding-day jitters. While there were no tears running down these cheeks, I was nervous about how my very first issue as editor of Spotong would come out, having only recently taken up the position. Fortunately, like all great musicians, I’m surrounded by

an amazing team that has made for a seamless transition in taking over where my predecessor left off. On the topic of great things happening around us, there are so many stories ekasi of innovative entrepreneurs who are doing well in their communities, yet go unnoticed. We intentionally want to break away from the stigma attached to townships – that people there are unproductive, ignorant and don’t care for the well-being of this country. Hence through this new dawn of our publication, we aim to Inform, Educate and Empower township folk with relevant and sensible content. This magazine has immense potential and a vital role to play in this ecosystem that is the township economy.

Focus on Soweto Like most South Africans, I know a bit about Soweto. It’s the country’s largest township, laden with historic sites, and is home to some of Mzansi’s most prominent names. Whether it’s the Hector Pieterson Memorial, Richard Maponya or the landmark of a mall he built, rapper Pro Kid, or former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe – we all know something or someone from the South Western Townships. So, it was fitting for our first issue of the year to place the focus on Soweto and its people. One person the spotlight has been fixed on is Thando Makhubo, who graces our cover. The ‘Ice-Cream Guy’, as my colleagues and I refer to him, was mentioned by President Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Address this year after he saved his R350 relief grant to start his Soweto Creamery business. We don’t only shine the light on Soweto’s new flame, but also pay

homage to Lebo Malepa – a tourism pioneer who founded Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers. He sadly passed away in December last year and, in our feature on him and his establishment, his younger brother reflects on his legacy on page 28 and 29. As a country, there has never been a more opportune time to focus our energy on small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), who are immediate job creators for any economy. On page 31 and 32 in this issue, we touch base with Saki Zamxaka, CEO of the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, about the Gauteng Rebuilding Fund, which was launched to support businesses affected by Covid-19 and the July 2021 looting. We also talk to the CEO of township delivery service Swypa, Boitumelo Monageng, on page 16 about the company’s expansion into Soweto. Swypa is a business that first launched in Tembisa and now serves over 60 businesses in Soweto, while simultaneously employing Sowetans. Be inspired and enjoy the read!

Bonginkosi

If you know of a business in any township in South Africa making a difference in the community or have a story suggestion, send us a mail at info@spotongmag.co.za.

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CONTENTS SPOTONG Your no.1 township community magazine

INFORM  EDUC ATE  EMPOWER

SOWETO

EDITION 40

MARCH APRIL 2022

Thando Makhubo FROM COVID GRANT TO BOOMING BUSINESS

LEBO'S SOWETO BACKPACKERS: LEAVING A LEGACY

Gateway to the Kasi Economy BOITUMELO MONAGENG

DELIVERING A DIFFERENCE

SPOTLIGHT ON SOWETO

ON THE COVER

While many people have used their R350 grants from government for leisure or emergencies, Thando Makhubo saved his to start an ice-cream business, Soweto Creamery. Spotong has a chat with the young man lauded by President Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Address. P08

REGULARS 04 Editor’s note 07 Local Heroes: The Kasi Hero Foundation 12 Hot off the press 18 New on the shelf

MAIN FEATURE 08 Soweto Creamery – not by luck, but by preperation meeting opportunity

ENTREPRENEURSHIP 08 Gauteng Enterprise Propeller on rebuilding fund for businesses

EDUCATION 10 KFC continues to provide quality education

CHANGE-MAKERS 11 Going beyond sustainable packaging

LOCAL ARTISTS 14 Soweto's got talent! Meet local artist Kabelo Masibi

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CELEBRATING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

16 Swypa brings much-needed delivery service to Soweto

RECIPES 20 Have a great Easter weekend with Spekko Rice

SPOTONG

EDITOR Bonginkosi Tiwane HEAD OF DESIGN Beren Bauermeister CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Tristan Snijders CONTRIBUTORS Leslie Hoy, MirandaLusiba, Hope Malau, Siyabulela Ngcukana, Ester Ochse, KhayaSilingile, Dorah Sitole, Zanele van Zyl, Liziwe Yona PRODUCTION & CLIENT LIAISON MANAGER Antois-Leigh Nepgen GROUP SALES MANAGER Chilomia Van Wijk BOOKKEEPER Tonya Hebenton DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Nomsa Masina DISTRIBUTION COORDINATOR Asha Pursotham SUBSCRIPTIONS subs@3smedia.co.za PRINTERS Novus Print Montague Gardens

FAMILY 25 Why parents need to think carefully when naming their children

LOCAL LEGENDS 28 Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers

GOVERNMENT 30 GEP geared to assist businesses affected by Covid-19 and unrest

HEALTH 32 How to take care of your heart

OPINION

ADVERTSING

Ansonette Potgieter e pr@janetteconsulting.co.za c 082 319 4698 Candy Mukhwa e candy@janetteconsulting.co.za c 076 513 9892 Esai Naidoo e esai@janetteconsulting.co.za c 079 673 0672 Quraisha Moosa e quraisha@janetteconsulting.co.za c 060 841 6793 Pearl Nxongo e pearl@janetteconsulting.co.za c 084 409 7456 PUBLISHED BY

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PERSONAL FINANCE

3S Media Production Park, 83 Heidelberg Road, City Deep, Johannesburg South, 2136 Tel: +27 (0)11 233 2600 Email: enquiries@3smedia.co.za www.3smedia.co.za

34 Start 2022 money wise: time for a personal financial day

33 Empowerment Zone with Miranda Lusiba

FUNERALS 36 Financing funerals

STOKVELS 38 Stokvel planning: Reviewing your stokvel 40 Stokvel 4.0

NOTICE OF RIGHTS Spotong is published by Novus Print t/a 3S Media. All material is strictly copyright with all rights reserved. No material may be reproduced in part or whole without the express written permission of the publisher. No responsibility will be accepted for unsolicited material. The publisher accepts no liability of whatsoever nature arising out of or in connection with the contents of this publication. Whilst every care has been taken in compiling this publication, the publisher does not give any warranty as to the completeness or accuracy of its contents. The views and opinions expressed in Spotong are not necessarily those of the Publisher or contributors.

PROPERTY 42 Make an informed property purchase decision

SpotongMagazine SpotongMagazine

MUSIC & CULTURE 43 Basadi ka Dituku Gospel Festival

MOTORING 44 Finance options when you buy a car

COMPETITION WINNERS 46 Wayne Safety Boots winners

The ABC logo is a valued stamp of measurement and trust, providing accurate and comparable circulation figures that protect the way advertising is traded. Spotong is ABC audited and certified.

Print order: 55 000

LOCAL HEROES

THE KASI HERO FOUNDATION

a beacon of hope in Soweto

The heroes who take it upon themselves every day to make a difference in vulnerable communities

To get in touch with the Kasi Hero Foundation, you can contact them on 073 136 5098 via WhatsApp or send them an email at info@kasiherofoundation.org.

ot all heroes wear capes and this is evident with Tankiso Moremi, Ndivhuwo Liphadzi and Silas Mabunda, founders of the Kasi Hero Foundation in Soweto. These heroes get up at the crack of dawn each day and take it upon themselves to serve those who are less fortunate by providing daily meals to those who need it most. Tankiso, who lives in a one-bedroom shack with his child and girlfriend, has his own daily struggles but nothing stops him from helping others each day. The Kasi Hero Foundation, a registered NPO, was founded when the country was under Level 5 lockdown restrictions at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. Schoolkids were at home, as schools were closed to stop the spread, and many of their parents were unemployed.

Starting small With the school closures, the founders soon realised that many of the kids within their community were going hungry, as they normally depend on the school feeding schemes to provide daily sustenance. They then decided to come together and start a soup kitchen that would provide daily meals to the most vulnerable affected by the lockdown restrictions. The soup kitchen has grown from serving meals sporadically to now serving meals six days a week to over 700 kids. The foundation also raised funds to buy two wendy houses, which they have erected in an open space within their community to continue their good work. Besides daily meals, they have started aerobics classes for pensioners within their community, ensuring that the elderly stay healthy and strong. They have also taken it upon themselves to provide food parcels to childheaded households and families who are in need, and provided wheelchairs and sanitary pads.

Taking the next step Next on the list for the Kasi Hero Foundation is the launch of their football team, which will help in keeping kids off the streets and being part of a team they can call their own and be proud of. The foundation also recently donated 700 pairs of school shoes to kids attending 11 schools in Soweto, Giyani and Venda. As a small foundation, they are currently looking for people who will assist in volunteering, as they are planning to launch many more programmes in the near future to reach more vulnerable people. They are also reaching out to people to kindly donate to the foundation so that they can continue touching and changing lives. www.spotongmag.co.za

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MAIN FEATURE

akhubo’s business, Soweto Creamery, was founded in the middle of the pandemic in August 2020, after investing his R350 social grant to start the business from his home in Soweto. The R350 grant is meant to assist South Africans who are struggling to make ends meet and most recipients of the government allowance use it to cover basics. Makhubo is unique in the way he used his money, which he saved for a few months. “We are different. Some people that get the R350 might be bread winners, so it might be tricky to start something sustainable, like Soweto Creamery. I’m lucky I have a home and a loving mother who’s a pensioner. But it isn’t impossible – there are companies that have millions but fail. So, it’s not about the amount of money you have,” the 30-year-old Makhubo tells Spotong Magazine.

NOT BY LUCK, BUT PREPARATION MEETING OPPORTUNITY Levelling up

Soweto Creamery saw palpable success as soon as Mohale Motaung, Somizi Mhlongo’s former partner, posted an image of himself on social media enjoying Makhubo’s ice cream. “The impact is colossal. I have Mohale, the President and others who have helped with growing the brand in a special place in my heart. Mohale really

Many would’ve thought Thando Makhubo is just one lucky guy after his ice-cream business was mentioned in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address. But, as a famous philosopher once said, luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Photographs: Thando Makhubo

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MAIN FEATURE assisted with kick-starting everything – luckily most of his followers are our customers. Then President Ramaphosa took it to another level,” Makhubo says. A qualified fashion designer, Makhubo studied at the University of Johannesburg. “I’m a fashion designer yes, but I stopped because I want to change how I do things, rather than doing everything –sewing, cutting, sourcing fabric – I want to mass produce and focus on marketing; I focus mainly on designer denim and bespoke suits.” Not only is the Soweto entrepreneur fond of ice cream and making suits, he also has a passion for photography, which has come in handy for Soweto Creamery. Makhubo takes snaps of customers and shares them on social media, which helps bring in more patrons. “As soon as events, pubs and clubs were open, I went back to photography. I’ve been keeping it alive by shooting customers that come to Soweto Creamery. Photography will always be my love, although Soweto Creamery takes up more time.”

Inspirational aspirations Soweto Creamery is an inspirational business, right in the middle of Soweto with potential to

I’m a fashion designer yes, but I stopped because I want to change how I do things, rather than doing everything – sewing, cutting, sourcing fabric – I want to mass produce and focus on marketing; I focus mainly on designer denim and bespoke suits.”

www.spotongmag.co.za

I see Soweto Creamery still in Soweto, within a huge commercial area, growing into a restaurant, producing our own ice cream, franchising and having stores internationally.” grow further. “I see Soweto Creamery still in Soweto, within a huge commercial area, growing into a restaurant, producing our own ice cream, franchising and having stores internationally,” says Makhubo. Some of the popular items on his menu are Chocolate Overload, Caramel Canyon, Planet Sweetness, Junior, and Mint Immensity. He plans to add waffles, milkshakes, smoothies, coffee, alcohol and establish the business’s own kitchen. “The problem becomes the tiny space (our home) that we operate from. Our customers want to come regardless of the season – the only issue is that we are an outdoor venue, and that hurts us.” On some of the lessons he’s learnt in business that he can share with aspirant entrepreneurs he says: “Invest in you, invest in the business, contracts are a must, do research, start now, don’t compare yourself with others, customer service builds the business, and create meaningful relationships.”

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EDUCATION

KFC CONTINUES TO PROVIDE QUALITY EDUCATION

to the most deserving learners with its Ikusasa Lethu Scholarship programme

aving launched in 2021, the KFC Ikusasa Lethu Scholarship programme once again continues to grow skills and feed potential across the country, with 30 learners enrolled in 2022. The scholarship programme provides access to quality education to deserving learners whose parents work for a KFC restaurant and to children who are Add Hope beneficiaries across South Africa – many of whom come from single-mother-headed households. The scholarship was designed in partnership with the Curro Group of Schools, which has 76 campuses across our nine provinces. Learners who met the selection criteria remain recipients of the programme as long as they meet specific annual requirements, until they matriculate. “Last year, we started the programme and were not only pleased with the hard work shown and the results from our participating students, but that we are able to extend the programme even further in 2022 – offering more students the opportunity to build their futures with a strong educational foundation,” says Akhona Qengqe, chief people officer at KFC Africa.

“Good quality and private schooling education is expensive and inaccessible to a majority of South Africans. We recognise the role that good education plays in building an economy and a sustainable future, and hence our investment in this programme. It’s beyond our brand – it’s about fuelling this nation’s potential.” Of the current students, the majority this year sit in Grade 9 (16 learners), followed by Grade 10 (6), and then Grade 11, Grade 8 and Grade 12, respectively. The learners that participated last year not only received over 30 accolades and recognition awards, but produced an outstanding 96% pass rate – including Bachelor and Diploma passes.

INSIDE INSIGHTS Speaking to her experience during the inaugural year and providing advice to some of the new learners enrolled for this academic year, Phumzo Sthande Mshubi, who is in Grade 10, said: “To be quite honest, I was not expecting to be awarded this gigantic opportunity to be able to show my capability and potential at school. The pressure was and still is a lot but, with the support structure I had, I was able to pull through with

outstanding performance and hope to keep it like that this year until matric – and hopefully even into university to study medicine. My advice to other learners who would like to be granted the opportunity would be that they should change their priorities – never let the fear of striking out keep them from playing the game. We shall all make history.” And of course, any parent would be proud, Sindiswa Mshubi, who works at KFC Florentia, said: “Just like any other parent’s reaction would be, I was ecstatic about the scholarship. I always knew that there was something special about Phumzo, but her obtaining the scholarship broke the record and gave me more reason to wake up every day and perform my best at work like a true leader would. I am very grateful to my superiors and KFC for seeing her as the best candidate and giving her this opportunity.” KFC’s purpose-led culture and commitment to youth development will ensure that the scholarship continues for years to come, and that the programme is able to increase the number of selected students each year. The scholarship programme is just one of the many ways that as a business KFC is feeding people’s potential to fight inequality.

A HOPEFUL FUTURE “Over and above feeding young children through our Add Hope programme, we are also interested in who they grow up to be and Ikusasa Lethu is a platform that allows us to contribute in a meaningful way and feed our youth’s potential. The programme is focused on providing educational opportunities and upskilling our youth; making sure they have a solid platform and support system to prepare them for the challenges of adolescence and adulthood – so that they can reach their full potential. We look forward to watching our selected learners grow as well as expanding our programme to touch many more lives,” concludes Qengqe.

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CHANGE-MAKERS

GOING BEYOND

SUSTAINABLE PACKAGING A 360-DEGREE APPROACH TO PACKAGING

KFC is a committed to implementing more sustainable packaging options across all its outlets globally; however, KFC South Africa is exploring a multilayered approach to its sustainability efforts.

FC SA removed plastic straws in over 900 of its Mzansi outlets in 2019. This meant the quick service restaurant (QSR) would be eliminating approximately 60 million plastic straws a year. KFC is now considering converting its mash and gravy containers to paper. This is part of a global approach to reduce KFC’s environmental footprint. KFC Africa chief supply chain officer Siyabulela Ngcukana says the QSR is looking into more than just getting rid of plastics. “We are investigating several other avenues that will help us to effectively reduce our overall environmental impact and are in fact bolstering our full sustainability programme as a key business pillar across Africa.”

KFC SA has eliminated the use of plastics where possible. It’s also looking into using less virgin paper and incorporating recycled paper. “Paper has its own environmental impact and we have started looking at how and where our paper is sourced. We’re working with bodies like the Forest Stewardship Council to ensure that our virgin paper is sourced sustainably.” The brown KFC paper bags are made from recycled paper. There has been an increase in deliveries across all industries due to the Covid-19 pandemic and this has put a lot of pressure and demand on packaging globally.

EXPLORING ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCES KFC SA is considering supplementing their energy requirement by making use of solar energy, which is currently in a trial phase with some stores. "This will serve as a feasibility study and help determine whether converting to solar will help supplement our energy requirements," adds Ngcunkana.

PARTNERING WITH PURPOSE KFC wants to influence the entire QSR sector to become more environmentally conscious. KFC

SA plans to use its buying power to influence its network of suppliers and distributors to go green. “We are focusing on partnering with people who have the same vision as us when it comes to sustainability.”

CONCLUSION GLOBAL MEETS LOCAL KFC’s global division developed a holistic sustainability roadmap–partnering with suppliers globally to identify sustainable processes and alternatives in value chains across each market. KFC SA is following an approach that entails reducing environmental impact, reusing its waste, and utilising more recycled materials. “KFC remains committed to embarking on initiatives that uphold environmental standards. Therefore, the big question for us is how we can reduce plastics without sacrificing the good customer experience,” says Ngcukana. Siyabulela Ngcukana, Chief Supply Chain Officer at KFC Africa

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KFC prides itself on the responsibility to implement the necessary measures that will ensure it reduces its environmental impact. “We believe that being a good corporate citizen will ensure sustainable growth for our business,” Ngcukana concludes.

www.kfc.co.za

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NEWS

HOT off the PRESS Digital TV Migration – Low-income households can apply for free TV decoder The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has called on qualifying low-income households to apply for a government subsidy for migration from analogue to digital TV before the end of March. Households with an income of less than R3 500 a month can get a free TV decoder to access 19 channels, which include news, music and education channels, after the migration in March. Households that receive television signals from services including DStv, OpenView HD and StarSat and those with smart digital TVs will not be affected by the migration from analogue to digital TV. Qualifying households can apply for a government-subsidised TV decoder at the SA Post Office, provided they produce the required documentation, which includes ID documents, proof of residence and bank statements.

particularly given the challenging consumer environment. That said, a credit card is a secure, convenient method of payment that can add value to your budget and lifestyle, provided it is used responsibly,” he adds. TymeBank will ensure cardholders are armed with all the information they need to get the best out of their credit card while managing their debt. The internationally recognised TymeBank Visa credit card is offered in partnership with RCS, a leading consumer finance company and registered credit provider.

About TymeBank’s Visa credit card

TymeBank launches credit card for people earning as little as R3 000 per month TymeBank, one of the world’s fastest-growing digital banks, has officially launched its first credit card in response to ongoing customer demand. This comes as the bank continues to expand its offering with products that cater to different financial needs and life stages. “The launch of the TymeBank CreditCard is a

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significant step in our growth phase and is in line with our intent to diversify our customer profile by attracting more customers from the middle- and upper-middle-income groups,” says Tauriq Keraan, CEO at TymeBank. “The card has been in the pipeline for some time, but we thought long and hard about timing,

To qualify for a TymeBank CreditCard, applicants must be 18 years or older, employed and earn R3 000 or more per month. They also need to have a valid South African ID or driver’s licence, as well as a South African bank account. The TymeBank sleek tap-and-go credit card can be used to make online and point of sale purchases both locally and internationally at over 29 million merchants worldwide. Cardholders earn Pick n Pay Smart Shopper points everywhere they use their TymeBank CreditCard (in-store or online) and points are automatically loaded onto their Smart Shopper profile. Using the card at Pick n Pay stores will allow cardholders to double their Smart Shopper earn. Customers who sign up successfully before 30 April 2022 will enjoy an exclusive launch offer, which will see them earn up to four times Smart Shopper points during that period when they swipe and pay at Pick n Pay.

www.spotongmag.co.za

NEWS

R350 grant extended until March 2023 Millions of South Africans who benefited from the R350 Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) Grant can breathe a sigh of relief as government has extended it for a further year until March 2023. Delivering his State of the Nation Address, President Ramaphosa highlighted that since the onset of Covid-19, the SRD Grant has provided support to more than 10 million unemployed people who were most vulnerable to the impact of the pandemic. “Mindful of the proven benefits of the grant, we will extend the R350 SRD Grant for one further year, to the end of March 2023,” the president said.

Relaying the stories of some of the young people who benefitted from the grant, Ramaphosa said that some people used the money to start businesses. He told the story of Thando Makhubu from Soweto who received the R350 grant for seven months last year and saved it to open an ice-cream store that now employs four people. Another story was that of Lindokuhle Msomi, an unemployed TV producer from KwaMashu Hostel, who saved the R350 grant he received for nine months to start a fast-food stall and support his family.

Game opens rebuilt looted stores in Soweto and Vosloorus

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Following the unrest in July last year, which affected 10 of its stores, African retailer Game began revamping some of its best-performing affected stores in line with its overall turnaround strategy – Retail Reimagined. The retailer welcomed shoppers to its stores in Jabulani Mall in Soweto and Chris Hani Crossing Mall in Vosloorus, which are the first of the looted stores to boast upgrades, including a modernised look and feel and an improved store layout, which includes an interactive wellness area. “The concept of Retail Reimagined is about transforming and improving the customer experience. These specific stores are important to their respective communities and continue to attract increased foot traffic, which is why they were the first of 68 stores that we planned to revamp this year,” explains Andrew Stein, vice president of Game. The reopening of the stores was celebrated through ribbon-cutting ceremonies on 3 February in Soweto, and 4 February in Vosloorus. The stores include Game’s expanded categories such as clothing, wellness, party, baby and best-selling adult and children’s books. “As we continue to move forward with our turnaround strategy, we will be officially reopening a number of our affected stores in the coming months – including Empangeni, Pietermaritzburg CBD and Pinetown. We continue to make positive strides in our strategy while remaining committed to our value proposition of offering a wide product range at unbeatable prices for our price-conscious consumers,” concludes Stein.

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LOCAL ARTISTS

Not everyone is fortunate enough to make a living from their passion, but talented artist Kabelo Masibi is convinced that doing something you love will inevitably turn into a career.

SOWETO’S

got talent!

Meet local artist Kabelo Masibi

nything that you can do for a long time without getting paid – that’s where your money is. If you look at how cubs are playing, that’s how they’re going to survive when they become lions,” says the 34-year-old Masibi. Hailing from Madibogo-Pan village in the North West province, the self-taught fine artist Masibi began drawing at the age of six. “When I was 10 years old, my mom whipped me in front of my classmates because I had a problem of drawing in my class books. At the age of 12, I was selling comic books,” says Masibi speaking to Spotong.

HIS BACKGROUND He comes from a family of six, with Masibi being the middle child, raised by both parents. “My father survived through the taxi industry while my mother survived by making dresses.” He matriculated at G.S. Phoi High School in 2007 and went to PC Training & Business College to do a course in Music and Sound Engineering. But financial difficulties prevented him from completing his studies. “After studying, I went to look for a job and could not find one. This lesson taught me that the grass is not always greener on the other side. It showed me that right where you are, you are sitting on acres of diamonds and

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LOCAL ARTISTS

there’s always hope in life. Wherever you are and whatever you are going through, there’s always something you can do to change your situation. This revelation saw me turning to my hobby to make a living,” Masibi says.

MAKING A LIVING OFF HIS TALENT He continued drawing throughout his childhood, perfecting his art, so when his plans to study further fell through, he saw it as an opportunity to make a living off his talent. The likes of Velaphi Mzimba, an artist known for surreal self-portraits, and the internationally recognised Nelson Makamu were sources of inspiration for Masibi. He believes all his life experiences – especially the hardships he’s come up against – are his inspiration. “The challenging thing about art is that you have to work on your craft and be unique at the same time, so that your art can be recognised among the best. And when your art is too unique, it might suffer in terms of people recognising it,” says Msibi. “Visual art has always come to my rescue when things did not work in my favour. All of my experience in this industry has taught me that success is never far away – your success is within you, it is already inside of you,” Being an artist today is a little easier than it was decades ago, because today’s artists have social media to help them reach large audiences, from anywhere in the world. On how having a digital presence has helped him, Masibi says, “Social media helped me in terms of drawing the public’s eye – being known as a fine artist, getting public approval and securing clients around the country.”

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CONNECT WITH KABELO

www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004629947220 @iamkabelomasibi

It is through social media that Masibi’s work has been appreciated by celebrities such as SABC newsreader Lisakhanya Pepe. “I have worked on my craft in my secret place, without anyone having to clap hands for me since 2007. When I entered the public space, even celebrities clapped hands for me – I was recognised by Cassper Nyovest, Makhadzi, and more,” says a proud Masibi.

DOING THINGS HIS WAY Now residing in Soweto, Masibi has been selling his pieces to the township community. He dreams of selling his art to tourists and for his work to be seen outside the township. He’s currently planning a solo exhibition, which will

@kabelo_masibi show all his work, hence his pursuit of R25 000 to help bring the exhibition to life. As he has all his life, he’s opted to do things his way instead of going from door-to-door of every gallery for collaboration. With traditional exhibitions, the gallery takes a certain fee from your sold works that are displayed in their space. “In collaborating with galleries, I got nothing but discouragement. Most of the galleries still use old-school ways of selling art. Today’s art is entertainment; you can incorporate art with music and even with sports. The show I’m currently planning aims to incorporate my art, sports and attract sponsors in terms of marketing and promotion.”

CELEBRATING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

delivery service

SWYPA BRINGS MUCH-NEEDED TO SOWETO How was Swypa started? Swypa, the innovative township delivery My partner, Thabang Kgopane, and I started the business in service provider, initially only available 2019. We started with just four delivery bikes and a tablet, and operated out of a garage! Thabang handled orders that came in Tembisa, has grown from strength to through WhatsApp, and it was at this point in time that I had to strength and is now delivering food, liquor, learn how to ride a bike and do deliveries myself. In the months prior to us starting the business, we parcels, groceries and medicine with its approached popular food joints from Tembisa about expansion into Soweto. the idea and everyone was keen to get onboard as Spotong our suppliers. This was the easy part because we approached mostly businesses we had the opportunity profiled on a community newspaper we to sit down with ran since 2011 called Tembisa News, which Boitumelo Monageng, grew to reach two more townships. We initially tested the market by CEO at Swypa, to learn offering a service that delivered bread more about the delivery door to door, serving just over 400 service taking the houses daily in the short space of two months in 2018 using a monthly subscription townships by model. In 2019, we started servicing the storm! whole township through Swypa Delivery, which is now operating in two of the largest townships in the country, Tembisa and Soweto.

Do you still deliver bread to the 400+ households you first delivered to when you began the business? We had to halt this feature because of cash flow issues with late payments but we are bringing the model back as soon as we start doing grocery deliveries.

How many businesses are you currently assisting with deliveries in the Soweto area and how many people do you employ? We have registered 68 businesses in Soweto – mostly informal traders in the fast-food space. We now employ 46 full-time employees who ensure that every aspect of the service runs smoothly every day. Everyone that we have employed in Soweto is from Soweto and everyone we have employed in Tembisa is from Tembisa. For every area that we expand into, we will continue to source and train only local employees.

How does one register their business on your app and what’s the monthly subscription fee? We run a free-to-use service for all businesses on our platform. To register your business, all we need is your menu pictures of your products and a signed application form sent via WhatsApp to 079 572 1385 or emailed to info@swypa.app.

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CELEBRATING LOCAL ENTREPRENEURS

Has the success of Swypa not affected the running of your other business, Tembisa News?

handle Soweto). We train all our staff from scratch in scooter lessons and customer care, as well as licence them. All this is done in-house.

We closed all the publications and our focus is only on growing Swypa to be a delivery service provider of choice in all townships across the country and parts of the African continent.

What has been the biggest high on the Swypa journey?

Which application do you use to run the business and reach clients, and how has this made it easier? We started the business using WhatsApp Business and it has worked well with the contact centre we have developed. Clients are able to call in or send a WhatsApp, then the office places orders with suppliers as well as drivers – by using a live tracking system to locate all our drivers in real time – from a system we got from Mobile Mags. We are in the final stages of development with our mobile app, which is custom designed from our day-to-day operations and interactions with consumers and suppliers since 2019. We are also launching an AI chatbot to automate our WhatsApp line. All these developments will allow Swypa to offer deliveries of fast food, groceries, medication, alcohol, laundry, parcels and motor spares all on one super app!

As you noted, your company employs people from the community you’re serving. What’s the criteria your prospective employees must adhere to for them to be employed by Swypa? We employ 100% South African citizens that come from the area they serve (i.e. Tembisa is run by people from Tembisa and Sowetans

The support we have received is definitely a highlight! Since 2019, the business has attracted a lot of support from consumers, suppliers, as well as big corporates – one of which is the MultiChoice Innovation Fund, which came in at a time when we needed a partner to help us grow the business. We needed to accommodate the ever-increasing demand we were seeing in our business, which we could be by deploying a platform that sees us now operating in Soweto and an expansion plan that will see Swypa, nationally, targeting all major townships in the country.

And the lowest low on the Swypa journey? There are a few! It’s not always smooth sailing! We experience a lot of challenges in our business with load-shedding. We also struggle with connection sometimes and considering we deliver using motorbike scooters, certain days require us to park our bikes due to bad weather.

You mentioned bad weather and loadshedding as some of your challenges. Is crime not an issue for your employees that make deliveries? Because we employ locals, we have never experienced issues of crime and we make sure drivers only carry one order at a time to minimise the risk of being mugged. We also insure all goods in transit.

I think it’s unique that you’ve focused on serving townships. Do you think townships are an undervalued market by businesses in general? What are the biggest stereotypes about running a business in the township?

BOITUMELO’S TIPS FOR TOP ENTREPRENUERS

is key in anything you 01 Pdoatience in life the industry you want to go 02 Rintoesearch and assess the market size

03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10

of that industry reate a business that has a strong C social impact Employ right – make sure you employ people on merit instead of availability Never sell yourself short and always present your business as a big corporate Run a legitimate business and don’t cut corners Record every detail of your business and create a paper trail of all that you do Work towards building a business with professional systems that bring convenience to your staff and customers Every business has the potential to become an international brand – don’t limit your thinking Never stop selling your business – always work on retaining and adding clients to your profile and never get comfortable

townships because of crime. So, if you package your product on the same level as big corporates, you’re more likely to attract consumers than when you present yourself as an informal trader.

What can we look forward to from Swypa in the future? The app that we are building is definitely something to keep an eye on in the near future! We are also adding washing machine rentals in townships to our delivery service, which I know many will appreciate. Further, we are in the process of expanding into the Kathorus region.

Most corporates are afraid of trading in

Where do you see Swypa headed in the next five years? We are now in the process of raising capital that will see Swypa operating nationally and in some parts of the SADC region in countries with a similar township landscape to South Africa. This is all thanks to the MultiChoice Accelerator Programme we were part of, which exposed Swypa to a pool of international investors.

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SPOTONG l ISSUE 40 •

NEW RETAIL PRODUCTS

NEW on the SHELF Iconic Citric Rose launched – Premium and Naturally Distilled Non-alcoholic Spirit

BOS Brands

packs a powerful punch BOS Brands – the maker of BOS Ice Tea and other organic rooibos-based products – has launched a range of flavoured teas that packs a powerful rooibos punch, with added organic ingredients to provide an array of flavours. The new range has something for everyone – from seasoned tea drinkers to experimental, young consumers. Apple & Mint Organic Rooibos is a fruity but sophisticated take on traditional fruit teas and features real mint pieces. Orange & Ginger Organic Rooibos was developed as an ode to the ever-popular orange teas that exist in the market. BOS Orange & Ginger differentiates itself by having a punchy orange flavour that is matched with the spicy, sharp taste of organic ginger pieces. Chai Organic Rooibos is a spicy, rich tea that immediately evokes an exotic and luxurious mouth feel. BOS Chai is said to be different from other

18 • SPOTONG l ISSUE 40

chai products on the market because it makes use of a chai spice blend that produces a sweet and spicy tea with a flavourful ginger, clove, cardamom and cinnamon taste. Strawberry & Vanilla is the BOS take on traditional strawberry teas that are a favourite among adults, kids and teens. BOS Strawberry & Vanilla is a sweet and easydrinking tea that invokes a luxurious strawberry dessert mouth feel. All BOS rooibos is not only certified organic, but also bears the Rainforest Alliance seal. This seal enables consumers to recognise and choose products that contribute toward a better future for people and the planet. The new range of flavoured teas is available on the BOS Online store for R39.99 per box of 20 Organic Rooibos Teabags, and will be on shelves at major retailers soon.

The Iconic Beverage Company – a Cape Town-based premium beverage producer centred around producing beverages and brands that resonate with the future drinking habits of consumers – is thrilled to announce the launch of Iconic Citric Rose, a naturally distilled spirit. Iconic Citric Rose draws inspiration from the iconic natural landscapes and botanicals of mountainous Cape Town – produced from a combination of selected and natural classical London dry gin ingredients, blended and distilled to produce a refreshing citrus and floral taste. Iconic Citric Rose is rooted in natural ingredients, with a focus on zero alcohol, zero sugar and zero calories. “Our goal was to create a sophisticated non-alcoholic beverage for the discerning palate” says Anele Sikakana, CEO of The Iconic Beverage Company. According to Sikakana, consumers are becoming more health conscious and mindful of the impact that their consumption habits have on them physically and on the environment. “With this in mind, we set out to create a premium, non-alcoholic beverage using high-quality natural ingredients.” The tall ‘Empire-Haute’ bottle design resembles the iconic Empire State Building in New York. The height and structure of the bottle are unique in the gin category, which is testament to its iconic nature. “The label design draws inspiration from our bright and colourful African heritage with a contemporary take on African print. The use of metallic rose gold accents has great stand-out value and complements the overall aesthetics of Iconic,” adds Sikakana. Iconic Citric Rose can be purchased online, via www.drink-iconic.com, at a retail price of R329 per 750 ml bottle. It is also available to purchase from Norman Goodfellows nationally and has recently been listed on Drink Nil, the alcohol-free specialists.

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RECIPES

HAVE A GREAT

EASTER WEEKEND with

Spekko Rice

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RECIPES

The Easter weekend always promises family get-togethers, good times and, of course, delicious food. Try these Spekko Rice recipes – chosen because they are nostalgic, traditional with a modern twist and truly make you feel you are back at home with Gogo.

f travelling over the weekend, take along a bag of Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice to spoil the family. And remember Spekko comes from one source in Thailand and is produced by the best rice growers in the world. Goodness lies in the recipe. Greatness lies in the ingredients. Treat your family – because RICE DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN THIS.

Ribs with lentils and rice Serves 6-8 An easy one-pot meal suitable for feeding up to 8 people. To make this for a crowd, simply double up the ingredients. Ma Dorah Sitole developed this recipe for Spekko Rice. Cooking time: 2 hours 2 tbsp olive oil 1 kg meaty beef short bibs or pork spare ribs 1 large onion, chopped 1 clove garlic, crushed ½ each green, red and yellow peppers, diced 1 bay leaf ½ tsp dried thyme 2½ tsp dried rosemary Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 cups water ½ cup IMBO black lentils ½ cup Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice 1 X 410 g can chopped tomatoes 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley 1. Heat oil in a large ovenproof casserole and brown ribs in batches on all sides. Remove ribs and set aside. 2. Add onions, garlic and peppers to casserole, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes. 3. Return ribs to casserole; add bay leaf, dry herbs, salt and pepper. 4. Add water and bring to the boil, cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 1 hour or more until the meat is cooked. 5. Stir in the lentils, rice and tomatoes, cover and simmer for a further 30 minutes or until the lentils and rice are cooked (add more water if stew is too dry). 6. Remove the bay leaf, adjust seasoning and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

Spicy boerewors and rice casserole Serves 4 This is a filling ‘end of the month’ recipe. Instead of boerewors, use chicken sausage or budget Russian sausages. Cooking time: 60 minutes 15 ml (1 tbsp) turmeric 750 ml (3 cups) chicken stock 500 g boerewors or spicy sausage, sliced crosswise 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil 1 onion, chopped Salt and pepper to taste 1 red pepper, thinly sliced 250 ml (1 cup) peas 125 ml (½) cup semi sweet white wine or chicken stock 1¼ cups Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice 125 ml (½ cup) chopped flat leaf parsley 1. Preheat oven to 180°C and butter a medium casserole dish. 2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, stir together turmeric and stock. Bring to low boil then remove from the heat. 3. In a large pot over medium heat, heat oil and cook sausage, stirring occasionally, until the sausage is browned. Transfer to a plate and keep warm. 4. Add onion to the pot and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent. Season with salt and pepper. 5. Add the red pepper and peas and cook, stirring for 1 minute to heat through. 6. Add wine and deglaze pan, using a wooden spoon to scrape the browned bits from the bottom of the pot. 7. Stir in rice, parsley, stock and sausage; bring to a boil; carefully transfer mixture to casserole dish and cover with foil. Bake for 45 minutes, or until liquid is absorbed. Remove foil and continue to bake for 10 minutes or until casserole is lightly browned on top. Sprinkle with parsley and serve. Chef: Khaya Silingile

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SPOTONG l ISSUE 40 •

RECIPES

Rice and beef stuffed cabbage rolls cooked in tomato sauce Serves 4 An easy, satisfying family meal from Chef Khaya Silingile. Cooks on the stove top. Cooking time: 45 minutes 1 medium cabbage, with fresh green leaves 500 g lean beef mince 15 ml (1 tbsp) butter 1 onion, finely chopped 30 ml (2 tsp) BBQ spice ½ tsp pepper ½ tsp dried thyme 410 g can chopped tomatoes 30 ml (2 tbsp) brown sugar ¼ cup water 15 ml (1 tbsp) lemon juice 500 ml (2 cups) cooked Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice 1 egg, lightly beaten

Hope’s curried cow heels and rice bowl Serves 6 Whether you call them mazondo or amanqina, stewed cow heels are a comfort food throughout Southern Africa. Chef Hope Malau loves his curried and served with a fragrant yellow rice. He says there is nothing that makes his family as happy as a bowl of this curried, absolutely fingerlicking sauce. Preparation time: 15 minutes Cooking time: 2-3 hours For the curry 30 ml oil 1 onion, finely chopped 5 garlic cloves, chopped 2 cm fresh ginger, grated 4 cloves 10 ml turmeric 5 ml ground coriander 5 ml cumin 6 cardamom pods, smashed 1 cinnamon stick 2 red chillies, halved 400 g can chopped tomatoes 600 ml water 10 ml brown sugar 1 beef stock cube, crumbled 2 kg cow hooves, par-cooked for one hour 4 potatoes, quartered Salt & pepper to taste Handful coriander, chopped

22 • SPOTONG l ISSUE 40

For the yellow rice 45 ml oil 500 ml Spekko India Gate Basmati Rice or Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice 50 g raisins 5 ml sugar 5 ml turmeric 4 black peppercorns 1 cinnamon stick 5 cardamom pods, smashed

1. Steam about 12 leaves of the cabbage until soggy. Drain and set aside 2. Heat butter in a large pan. Add onions and sauté. Once onions are translucent, add mince and cook until browned. Add BBQ spice, pepper and thyme. Transfer to a bowl and set aside to cool. 3. In the same pan, add chopped tomatoes, brown sugar, water and lemon juice. Stir to combine and bring to the boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer. 4. Once beef is cooled, combine with rice and stir in the egg. 5. Lay cabbage leaves on a flat dry surface and put about ¹/3 cup of the rice mixture onto each cabbage leaf. Fold in the sides and, starting at the edge nearest to you, roll leaf to fully enclose filling. 6. Place cabbage rolls carefully in the tomato sauce. Spoon some of the sauce over the cabbage. Simmer on low heat for 20-30 minutes, spooning sauce over rolls occasionally.

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add onion and cook until soft, stirring regularly. 2. Stir in the garlic, ginger and cloves and cook, stirring for 2 minutes. 3. Add the turmeric, coriander, cumin, cardamom pods, cinnamon stick and chilli. 4. Tip in the tomatoes, 600 ml water, sugar and the stock cube. 5. Add the cooked cow hooves and cover. Simmer for 90 minutes. 6. Stir in the potatoes and coriander, cooking for a further 30 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve with yellow rice. 7. For the yellow rice, put the oil, rice, raisins, sugar and spices in a large pot with 600 ml water and salt. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10-20 minutes until the rice is cooked. Cover and set aside for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork. If using the Basmati Rice, only boil for 10 minutes and drain. It will be cooked.

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RECIPES

Jollof rice with chicken, peppers, carrots, green beans and cabbage Serves 6 Jollof rice is somewhat of an institution in West African countries. It originated in Senegal and is known in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Liberia and Ghana. This version is full of spices and has green beans, cabbage and tomatoes in the mix. Cooking time: 45-60 minutes 30 ml (2 tbsp) oil 8 chicken portions 2 onions, chopped ½ each red, yellow and green pepper, seeded and cut in strips 3-4 cloves of garlic, crushed 2 cups Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice 60 ml (¼ cup) tomato paste 2-3 ripe tomatoes, chopped 1¼ litres (5 cups) chicken stock Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 large carrots, chopped 100 g green beans, sliced 1 small cabbage, finely shredded 1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat and brown chicken. Spoon out and set aside. 2. Sauté onions and peppers until onions are soft and add garlic. Sauté for a few minutes, then add rice and fry for another few minutes. 3. Stir in tomato paste and tomatoes and cook for 3 minutes. 4. Add chicken pieces and stock. Season to taste, cover and simmer for 20 minutes. 5. Stir in carrots, beans and cabbage and simmer for another 15-20 minutes or until the rice is tender and the chicken is cooked. Season to taste and serve.

Creamy tripe on rice with madumbe mash on the side Serves 4-6 Tripe is loved all over Africa. This version from Ma Dorah Sitole contains stirfried vegetables and cream. Cooking time: 3-4 hours

From the

500 g sheep’s tripe, cleaned well Spekko Kitchen 750 ml (3 cups) beef stock 45 ml (3 tbsp) butter • You can double this dish 1 onion, thinly sliced for a crowd. 2 cloves garlic, crushed 15 ml (1 tbsp) grated ginger • Always make sure 150 g leeks, julienned your tripe comes from a 200 g carrots, julienned reputable butcher, Salt and pepper to taste and is fresh. 500 g madumbe or sweet potato, peeled 45 ml (3 tbsp) harissa paste 15 ml (1 tbsp) fresh parsley, chopped 250 ml (1 cup) Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice Boiling water Salt to taste 1. Cook the tripe in stock until soft ± 3 hours. Remove from stock and allow to cool. When cool enough, cut into very thin strips using a pair of scissors. 2. Melt butter in a saucepan and sauté onions, garlic and ginger until soft. 3. Add leeks and carrots, stir fry for 5 minutes, season with salt and pepper to taste. Add tripe and cream and simmer gently for 20 minutes. 4. Cook madumbe or sweet potatoes in boiling water until soft, drain from the water and add harissa paste and chopped parsley. Mash until smooth. 5. Cook Spekko Rice in boiling water as instructed on packet, season with salt. 6. Serve the creamy tripe on rice, with madumbe mash on the side. www.spotongmag.co.za

SPOTONG l ISSUE 40 •

RECIPES

Chef Zanele’s Spekko Rice breakfast Serves 4-6 Cook a bit of extra rice for dinner and use the leftover rice to make up this sensational breakfast dish. Cooking time: 20-30 minutes 15 ml olive oil 8 slices streaky bacon, chopped 10 ml curry powder 6 eggs, beaten 1 cup frozen peas 4 cups cooked Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice 410 g can baked beans in tomato sauce Salt and pepper to taste Sliced spring onions Chopped fresh red chillies Chopped fresh parsley 1. In a pan, heat the oil and fry the bacon until done to your liking. 2. Stir in the curry powder and then add the eggs. Scramble lightly. 3. Add peas and then the rice and stir. 4. Drain the beans and pour into rice mixture. Keep stirring and cook until heated through. Season to taste. 5. Garnish with spring onions, chillies and parsley. Chef: Chef Zanele van Zyl

Liziwe’s heartening holiday lamb stew with sriracha rice Serves 6 4 tbsp olive oil divided 1.3 kg lamb shank slices 1 large onion, diced 6 garlic cloves, crushed 1 pinch coarse salt and freshly ground pepper ¼ cup flour 3 ½ cups beef stock 400 g can tomato puree 2 tbsp tomato paste 2 beef bouillon cubes, crushed 1 tsp finely chopped fresh rosemary 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley 2 bay leaves Salt and pepper to season Cooking time: 3 hours For the sriracha rice 5 cups chicken broth 1-2 tbsp sriracha sauce 2 cups Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice Salt and pepper, to taste 1 cup frozen baby peas Chopped spring onions for garnish, optional 1. Heat half the oil in a Dutch oven or wide pot. Add lamb and brown all sides. 2. Add onion and garlic and toss and cook for 4-5 minutes on high heat. 3. Add the stock, wine, tomato puree, tomato paste, bouillon and herbs. Bring to a boil then turn the heat down to medium. 4. Cover and simmer for 2 ½ hours, or until meat falls apart. (Add more liquid if the meat is still not tender and the liquid is reduced.) 5. To make the sriracha rice: In a medium saucepan, whisk together the chicken broth and sriracha sauce. Bring to a boil over high heat. 6. Add rice, salt and stir. Reduce heat to low and cook, covered, for 20 minutes. Remove rice from heat and add peas and quickly mix it in and let sit, covered, for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until rice is tender. 7. Once the meat is cooked, remove and discard the bay leaves. 8. Garnish with parsley and serve with the rice. Chef: Liziwe Yona

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FAMILY

WHY PARENTS NEED TO THINK CAREFULLY WHEN NAMING THEIR CHILDREN A name is probably the first gift a parent gives their child. We’re talking about something they will be identified by throughout their lives, given they don’t pick up a nickname that sticks so hard no one ever knows their real name. So, it’s important to put some thought into it.

eople give their children names based on a variety of reasons. While some parents view the baby-naming process as an opportunity to pay homage to someone they idolise – with the hope their child is as esteemed as their namesake – other parents seem set on making life-long statements with the names they choose… take for instance names like Godknows, Lovemore or Eversmile – all names arguably deserving of a ban. The name Lucifer is banned in New Zealand, France and Italy. The governments in these countries feel compelled to get involved, should they think a baby’s name will endanger the child’s well-being by being exposed to mockery. A judge in the US lost his job after

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SPOTONG l ISSUE 40 •

FAMILY

denying parents who wanted to name their newborn Messiah. The decision was overturned on appeal and by 2018, over a thousand newborn babies were named Messiah – including 33 girls. For other parents, the time and circumstances in which their bundle of joy enters the world will determine their name – i.e. a baby born during the first rains of summer would be fittingly named Tsheola. One of the Shona people’s naming beliefs is that if a newborn cries relentlessly, the elders will take that as a sign that one of the child’s ancestors want the wailing baby named after one of them.

26 • SPOTONG l ISSUE 40

LIVING UP TO YOUR NAME Is the meaning of a person’s name directly linked to their personality or character? Former President Jacob Zuma’s other name is Gedleyihlekisa, which roughly translates to “the one who laughs in your face, while he stabs or scars you from the back”. Go figure! Being the first of my parents’ four children, my brother was aptly named Vus’umuzi – Vusi in short. Directly translated, it means “resurrect the home/household”. The name is one of our country’s most popular – together with Jabulani, Themba, Lerato, Sibusiso, Mduduzi, Lebo, Thulani, Sifiso, Tumi and Palesa. I bet you my pair of socks that four out of five people reading this have had at least one interaction with heirs of the aforementioned list of names. Some parents go for these names simply because of the popularity and people’s general familiarity with them.

On the last day of 2015, Twitter user Karabo Mahlase (@Spoonkz) tweeted, “2016 is the year for acting like you don’t know how to pronounce white peoples [sic] names”. And so the #TheYearWeMispronounceBack was born. Black Twitter took a stand and began renaming Johnnys to Jabulanis and Lindseys to Lindiwes. Most black people sympathised with Mahlase’s tweet because they’ve been victims of Caucasians’ ignorance towards black names. I think this is one of the reasons the standard combination of African-English names has decreased among black South Africans in recent years, with new-age parents opting for their kids to have only African names with some significant meaning. Simphiwe Dana’s 2004 debut album Zandisile was named after her daughter. The title track is a compelling ode to the musician’s girl-child, which inspired a friend of mine to name his son Qhawe, which means conqueror. The process sounds a graceful one, compared to names some black Americans choose to bestow on their offspring – Shaniqua, Fo’Landra, Tay Tay or Barakisha. And because some of the parents have a fetish for automobiles, and an appreciation for a particular brand, names like Mercedes and Lexus aren’t uncommon in the streets of the USA. At the end of the day, naming your children is pretty much entirely up to you, but just remember that they’re the ones who have to live with it!

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Trees IN YOUR GARDEN

rees provide habitats for many different animals. Larger trees will cater for the likes of owls (who help to control local rat populations), hawks and eagles, while smaller and medium-sized trees will attract birds such as paradise flycatchers, barbets, doves and weavers.

BENEFITS Careful choice of trees is essential. Where possible, it is best to place evergreen trees on the southern side of houses and deciduous trees on the northern side to help with summer shade and allow winter sun to filter through, warming the house. Trees are able to cool adjacent areas by about 7°C. They are able to reduce noise from surrounding areas, reduce storm damage and slow water run-off, thus contributing positively towards potential flooding.

RAND WATER

Trees play such an important role in residential gardens – providing habitats for birds, small mammals, insects and reptiles – but their positioning and maintenance are key. By Leslie Hoy

that need pruning to allow sunlight through. When pruning, take care to have a clean cut that is flush against the stem. Pruning thin tree branches off young trees using a saw and not lopping shears can result in a tree with many stubby short stems with jagged edges (where rot can enter trees).

POSITIONING It is essential that when selecting a tree, we understand how large it will grow eventually. Its height and spread in 10 years after planting is often vastly different. Far too many people have, down the line, removed trees due to too much shade over the pool, or roots lifting paving and impacting boundary walls. For a really innovative booklet that will show you how far to place trees from pipes and boundary walls, look up www.waterwise.co.za/site/industry/treerooting-habits.

MAINTENANCE Like all plants in the garden, trees require a certain amount of ongoing care and maintenance. It is important to look out for branches that are weak or

DEAD BRANCHES By leaving a small number of dead branches on trees, you add to the biodiversity in your garden. These branches provide refuge for all sorts of bugs and wood borers that in turn attract birds such as the red-billed wood hoopoe (green woodhoopoe), barbets and woodpeckers. These birds may also be able to create a nesting site in one of these larger branches.

INDIGENOUS TREE IDEAS When looking for trees, try to look for indigenous species, as they support local biodiversity and contribute valuable resources to local ecosystems. Some trees you could consider include: • Rhus lancea (Searsia lancea is the new name) or karee – evergreen and flowers feed bees. Low water use plant.

• Combretum erythrophyllum (river bushwillow) – deciduous and often has multiple branches. Medium water use plant. • Celtis africana (stinkwood) – don’t confuse this with exotic Celtis sinensis (which nurseries often do, so do you homework). Deciduous, medium water use tree whose seeds are eaten by thick-billed weavers. Leaves are usually soft with soft tiny hairs and a dull green. C. sinensis has ‘hard’ glossy green leaves. • Olea europaea subsp africana (wild olive) – Evergreen and often a little slow to take off. Produces small black seed eaten by birds. Low water use plant. • Ziziphus mucronata (buffalo thorn) – deciduous, medium water use tree. Flesh around the seed is often eaten by birds. Has thorns, so must be positioned carefully. May also need protection from winter frost for first few years. The water use described above refers to how much water to apply once the tree is established in your garden, which could be as long as a year depending on how you treat it initially. Careful choices with regard to trees will result in many years of pleasure in your garden.

For more information, visit the Rand Water website www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo, email waterwise@randwater.co.za, or call 0860 10 10 60. We also have YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

SPOTONG l ISSUE 40 •

LOCAL LEGENDS

legacy

SOWETO BACKPACKERS IS LEBO’S “The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy.” This quote describes the lives of greats like Nelson Mandela and Bob Marley, but equally so the life of Lebo Malepa – founder of Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers – who passed away last December.

o be honest, he set a very good foundation. That foundation is what’s sustaining us now in his absence, in terms of the business model. He kind of broke it down into layman’s terms,” Lebo’s younger brother, Philly, tells Spotong. I’m sitting with him under a chalet for a chat, adjacent the backpackers’ makeshift bar made from a shack painted with Rastafarian colours. Some reggae tunes are playing in the background, from speakers I cannot see. Very nonchalant and relaxed, Philly finishes what’s left of the Morvite in his bowl as he reflects on his older brother’s legacy. Situated in Orlando West, Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers is a backpacker’s hostel that offers tours around the largest township in the country. Lebo turned his grandmother’s house, which he grew up in, into what is today known as Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers.

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HUMBLE BEGINNINGS According to their website, Lebo was introduced to the tourism industry as buses started coming into Soweto in numbers in the early 2000s. He began inviting some of the travellers he met to his home to experience another side of Soweto beyond simply viewing the township from a bus window. “Selling crafts outside the Hector Pieterson Memorial, he got the opportunity to see and interact with international travellers coming in and visiting Soweto. The stigma – the fear that surrounds any township in South Africa being dangerous and all of that – existed for him,” says Philly. Despite having to fend off stereotypes about the township and not being assisted by any big-time investors, Lebo pushed through with his dream of giving tourists a unique township experience. “It was unfortunate because we weren’t telling our

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LOCAL LEGENDS local markets, but to be honest we had a solid turnout. Obviously, it’s not what we wanted it to be, but it’s better than the last 5 to 10 years.” Soweto is the most competitive township when it comes to tourism attractions because there is so much for the visitor to see and do. If it isn’t a visit to Mandela’s house on the famous Vilakazi Street, it’s the entertainment at the Soweto Theatre or the bungee-jumping Mecca of Orlando Towers… or one can simply catch a soccer match at the iconic Orlando Stadium. This makes it difficult for most businesses to stand out.

BLAZING THE TRAIL

stories in the early 2000s when it came to tourism. Guided tours and hosting tourists in the township were done by big tour operators coming in and telling township stories for us. Lebza was just on the pavement selling arts and crafts. That was his foundation, but that was not his destination.” “He planted the seed of tourism – the seed of entrepreneurship. I’m very proud. Often, we look far and wide for role models but for me, and I think I speak for other young people here, we were so fortunate to have him in our midst.” Having started in 2002, 2022 marks 20 years since Lebo opened his doors to travellers and Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers is now one of Soweto’s big attractions for travellers from all over the world. “He did it with very little capital, he didn’t have this all budget that’s available to the business now. He didn’t have all that, but he made use of our grandmother’s house; he made use of the neighbours,” Philly says. Backpacker services such as the washing of laundry, cooking of meals and cleaning were offered by Lebo’s neighbours. “He reached out to the neighbours. For every guest that came through, even right from the beginning, it benefitted more than just him – it benefitted four, five or six families around his establishment.”

BRANCHING OUT The bicycles were introduced to the business around 2006. “I even remember we bought the first three bicycles in Mayfair, Johannesburg. We took a train to the city but we rode the bicycles back,” reminisces Philly. He remembers that because there were more tourists than bikes, Lebo

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made an agreement with some of the young boys in the neighbourhood who had bicycles to hire their bikes. “He would give the kids a bit of money at the end of the day.” Today, Lebo’s Soweto Backpackers owns over 100 bikes. “His decision to go with bicycles was mainly about greening – the reduction in carbon footprint. That was key for him,” insists Philly. The Tuk-Tuks were introduced closer the 2010 FIFA World Cup as another option for people who couldn’t cycle. Lebo’s currently outsources quad bikes on request. “When we do have our own quad bikes, they won’t be for tours but for bundu bashing. There’s a space we’re developing, not far from our establishment, which was a dumping site. We’re developing it into a farm, a camping space and quad-biking trails.” Over time, the business grew to employ of 21 permanent employees who are young people from around Soweto. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, this number has been drastically cut down to eight full-time staff, with a contingent of temporary employees who are roped-in on busy days. Philly compares Covid-19 and tourism to oil and water, in how they don’t go together. “It directly affected the industry. When airports are shut down and borders are closed, it makes it difficult.” Philly says the pandemic forced the business to look inward, in terms of the patrons they attract. Before Covid, it was mostly international tourists coming to Lebo’s. The number of local visitors has grown significantly post-Covid. “Local travellers really came through for us. Many establishments gave discounts, had to reduce their prices to suit

“Being the first backpackers in a township – the first black-owned backpackers – makes us stand out. The bicycle tours innovated that. My brother took it from Europe or Asia and brought it to the township. When you speak about bicycle tours, you’re speaking about Lebo’s. When you speak about Tuk-Tuk tours in the township, you’re speaking about Lebo’s. There are many other copycats and many competitors, yes, but he’s the originator and people often want to go back to the source. On top of that, when something is unique, you’re always able to expand and grow it easily because it’s a vision that’s yours,” Philly explains. “When Lebza was conceptualizing township tourism, he took it down to grassroots level. He broke it down to a taste, touch and smell understanding of Soweto – because it was his hood. He had a story to tell. “I know he wasn’t finished. There was so much he envisioned and planned. At the same time, I’m thankful he shared and verbalised some of his vision, and we were listening and will be able to pick up on that. But there’s obviously only one Lebza and we can never walk in his footsteps – but we can carve our footsteps right next to his, guided by his teachings. We’re all determined to keep it going. Too many businesses collapse after the originator passes, but he taught us well and the baton was passed,” Philly says sombrely. Philly runs and manages the business with Lebo’s wife, Maria.

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GOVERNMENT

GEP GEARED TO ASSIST BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY COVID-19 AND UNREST The widespread looting that took place in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal in July last year rubbed coarse salt into the wounds of many businesses that hadn’t yet recovered from the effects of the pandemic and the resultant national lockdowns. Fortunately, there is some support for those hit hardest.

We have a wide variety of tailored solutions for SMMEs that include start-up finance, growth finance and contract finance, depending on the needs of the business.” Saki Zamxaka, CEO of the GEP

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t’s a fallacy to refer to the likes of Shoprite and Pick n Pay as part of the ‘township economy’ affected by Covid-19 and last year’s looting. Those hit hardest were the small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) operating without the safety net of insurance or backup funding. The Gauteng Provincial Government, through the Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) – and in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation – has made funding available for SMMEs and informal traders in the province that were affected. The GEP launched the Gauteng Rebuilding Fund, whose purpose is to provide blended finance – a combination of a loan and grant. “This specifically supports businesses that have not received other support from other funding institutions and were not insured. To qualify, businesses need to prove that they were affected by the riots or Covid-19,” Saki Zamxaka, CEO of the GEP, tells Spotong.

REBUILDING BUSINESSES “For SMMEs that qualify for support, 50% of the amount they receive is converted into a grant to help small enterprises get back on their feet by covering rebuilding costs and repairs; the replacement of infrastructure, inventory and equipment; as well as critical supplies. The GEP also provides non-financial support to SMMEs who require it as part of their rebuilding initiatives.” Zamxaka was only appointed as CEO in April last year. Prior to him taking up the role, the GEP experienced a backlog of businesses that were frustrated by the absence of a proper channel to apply for funding. “The GEP has prioritised rebuilding applications since the launch of the fund due to their urgency. The entity did not experience a backlog directly related to the Gauteng Rebuilding Fund.”

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According to Zamxaka, the GEP has assisted all enterprises that applied and qualified for funding up to this point. “We have seen these businesses rebuild their stores, and re-employ people who had lost their jobs,” says the CEO.

WHAT ABOUT KZN? Premier of KwaZulu-Natal Sihle Zikalala has also spoken about the rebuilding that’s taking place in his province. “We support small businesses; we give them loans and grants. We support them with start-up capital, but we can’t support those that are not registered. It’s unfortunate, but we can’t support an individual – it must be a business that is known and operating according to the law. That is what we are doing,” he said.

UNLOCKING THE TOWNSHIP ECONOMY Township enterprises have needed assistance long before the emergence of Covid-19, but it seems the pandemic has accelerated the need for supporting them because that’s where job creation is severely needed. “We have a wide variety of tailored solutions for SMMEs that include start-up finance, growth finance and contract finance, depending on the needs of the business. We also continue to offer non-financial support, which includes assistance with business registrations, business plans, financial systems, and skills development for SMMEs. SMMEs who seek assistance can visit our website or any of our regional offices to apply,” says Zamxaka. In his State of the Province Address in February, Gauteng’s Premier, David Makhura, made mention of his government’s plans for the township economy, specifically prioritising youthand woman-led businesses. “We have been the champion of the Township

Economic Development and Revitalisation Bill. Between 2014 and 2019, the Gauteng government supported township businesses extensively through public procurement policy to the value of more than R20 billion in buying goods from those businesses,” Makhura said in his address. The GEP assisted numerous businesses before the launch of the Gauteng Rebuilding Fund. Soweto-based Borotho Bakery and Mamelodi’s Noxolo Guesthouse are examples of such beneficiaries before the July unrest occurred. For instance, the GEP assisted Noxolo’s Guesthouse with the development of marketing tools and the implementation of a financial management system. And through the GEP’s Township Business Renewal Programme, the business was assisted with grant funding to purchase equipment. “The GEP is guided by the Gauteng Growth Strategy – titled Growing Gauteng Together 2030 – which prioritises township enterprises. As an entity of the government of Gauteng, we see it as our responsibility to support township-based enterprises that demonstrate potential to grow and create employment,” Zamxaka concludes.

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HEALTH

TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART! Five ways to improve and maintain heart health The human heart is the powerhouse of your entire body, pumping 90 000 times every day. Ironically, it can also be one of your greatest weaknesses. In SA, 225 people are killed by heart diseases every day and 10 people suffer a stroke every hour, according to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of South Africa.

eart disease often progresses without any symptoms or forewarning, until a heart attack suddenly strikes. By living a healthy lifestyle and understanding your own health, you can prevent heart disease or treat it early before it’s too late. Around 80% of heart diseases that happen before the age of 65 years can be prevented by eating well, keeping active, and not smoking. In reality, the lifestyles of most people living in South Africa are becoming unhealthier: 2 in 5 South Africans have high blood pressure, 2 in 3 women are overweight, a third of men smoke, nearly half of the population is unfit, and most eat too much salt and not enough fruit and vegetables. When you care for your heart, your entire body benefits. When your heart is healthy, all aspects of your physical health will be too. A healthy heart means a better quality of life and allows us to function at our best. Here are five effective ways to improve and maintain heart health:

EAT RIGHT

Consuming the vitamins and minerals your heart needs provides the foundation for a healthy heart. Foods that support heart health by reducing cholesterol, lowering blood pressure, and reducing inflammation include: • oats and barley • fatty fish • dark leafy greens • nuts and seeds • beets • avocados • olive oil • legumes • low-fat dairy. Sodium is a silent but harmful ingredient in most processed food. By limiting the amount of processed foods you consume, you may be able to eliminate excess sodium from your diet. Looking for an alternative to salt to flavour your foods? Try adding a bit of lemon, vinegar or different herbs. This adds flavour without the negative effects of sodium.

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GET ENOUGH SLEEP

Not getting enough sleep puts you at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease regardless of age, weight, smoking and exercise habits. Sleeping too little changes the way our body functions and can affect blood pressure. This also goes the other way – too much sleep can also negatively impact heart health. Make sure to get the recommended seven to nine hours of sleep every night, and you’ll be on track for supporting better heart health.

EXERCISE DAILY

Three types of exercise are vital to heart health – aerobic, resistance and flexibility (e.g. running, strength training and yoga, respectively). By varying the type of exercises that are performed every day, you can strengthen and train the heart in different ways. Get the minimum of 30 minutes a day of movement to get your heart pumping.

STOP SMOKING ASAP!

Smoking is detrimental to heart health and the cause of many diseases. By simply quitting smoking or avoiding it altogether, you’re saving your heart from almost inevitable complications.

MANAGE YOUR STRESS LEVELS

We all have busy lives and stress is inevitable. While we can’t avoid it entirely, we can make attempts to manage stress in a healthy way. Take a brisk walk outdoors, set aside 30 minutes of ‘me’ time, or practise deep breathing. A little goes a long way in time and stress management.

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OPINION

Empowerment Zone with Miranda Lusiba #BasicFinancialLiteracy – Financial Lessons learnt during two years of Covid-19

he last two years have been very hard for most people and have taught us both hard and good lessons on leading our lives going forward. One of the lessons I’ve learnt is that one’s future and financial well-being are not guaranteed. This is based on how many people we, unfortunately, lost due to Covid-19 and the fact that people found themselves with a job one minute and then jobless the next. Nothing destabilises one’s life and financial planning more than uncertainty or a lack of security. Employment for most people is the security that is needed to plan for a better financial future and when that is taken away, it messes up all the financial plans that one might have had.

RETHINKING FUNERALS But I digress; let me go back to the financial lessons learnt during the two years of Covid-19. One of the most important lessons that we learnt as a family is how much we were spending on funerals in the past and how some of the things that took a chunk of our policy money were unnecessary. The Covid-19 lockdown regulations changed various practices, especially regarding the number of people that could attend funerals and how catering was not encouraged because of how opportunistic the virus was and still is. The precautions and Covid-19 restrictions that still exist include ensuring that we wash our hands or regularly sanitise, wear our masks when interacting with others, and adhere to social distancing requirements. These have made us understand the need to be cautious about interacting with large crowds, especially in unventilated venues. Because funerals were deemed significant spreaders of the virus, it forced everyone to think about whether it was essential to have as many people as we’ve had in the past attending funerals. The large numbers that we had at

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funerals in the past meant that it cost a lot to bury a loved one. The basic requirements that need money when organising a funeral include the following: the casket or coffin costs, the grave fees, the tombstone, undertaker fees, transport costs, food and catering, venue and tent hire, as well as flowers. Some of these costs were exacerbated by the large number of people that a bereaved family would also have to cater for in its preparations for the day of the funeral, especially when it takes place over the weekend. Other costs would be those associated with the week running up to the funeral because the bereaved family would have to cater to people who visit the house daily to show their condolences and hold pre-funeral prayers — not forgetting the after-tears on the day of the funeral once all the formalities are over.

Miranda Lusiba is the founding director of Strangé Consulting – a boutique PR agency specialising in communication, freelance writing, media relations, reputation management and media training. and unnecessary costs out of our funerals is that we would like to leave some money for those that are left behind. Instead, we would like to use most of the policy money to create generational wealth rather than spend too much on one day because that will leave our children or grandchildren with nothing to survive with or even make unjustifiable debt for them.

A NEW APPROACH In my family, we’ve realised that most of these things are not necessary – for instance, expensive coffins, elaborate catering and decorations, the pre- and post-funeral sessions, to name but a few. We’ve decided to stick to the Level 5 regulations regarding the number of people attending our funerals and that is 50 people. Our family funerals will in future all happen during the week with family members and friends available at that time. We’ve realised that 50 people is sufficient to give a decent burial to a loved one. One of the main reasons we’ve decided to take the extravagance

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PERSONAL FINANCE

START 2022 MONEY WISE: TIME FOR A PERSONAL FINANCIAL DAY The year 2022 has started and it always comes with new year’s resolutions and plans. But what are your financial goals for the year? What are you going to do for yourself in 2022 to set yourself up financially? By Ester Ochse Product Head: FNB Money Management

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PERSONAL FINANCE

his is a great time to invest in yourself and your financial future, by spending time on a personal financial day. This is where you have a good look at what your financial position is at that moment and then decide what you want to have by the end of the year. Some examples of financial resolutions can be paying off a debt, saving towards retirement, or even setting up a will. It is also a good time of the year to have an overview of what your financial situation is and what areas you need to focus on for the year ahead. To help you plan for this journey, we have put together a checklist of the items you need to consider...

BUDGET OR SPENDING PLAN A budget is basically a plan for how you are going to spend your money each month. A budget will help you keep track of your expenses and where your money is going. Keeping track of your spending will also show you where there is unconscious spending, or “money leak” of small amounts that add up to large amounts. Think to the daily coffee or takeaway you buy – e.g. R100 twice a week quickly adds up to R800 per month. Use tools that are available to you, such as the FNB Smart Budget Tool.

DEBT AND CREDIT STATUS Make a list of all the credit that you have – from the home loan to short-term debt, even including the small amounts you owe to family and friends – if applicable. There are two ways to pay off credit: you can either prioritise paying off the credit with the smallest outstanding balance first or the credit with the highest interest rate first. Each method has its advantages. Another option is that you consider credit consolidation, which will free up some cash. The trick is to use that freed-up cash to pay off the debt sooner. However, the idea is to get a full view of your credit position and what steps you can take to be credit free. In the long run, adding a small amount extra to paying off your credit means you pay it off faster while saving on interest over the credit term. Check your credit status to see some of the steps that you can take to improve your credit status.

The trick is to use that freed-up cash to pay off the debt sooner. However, the idea is to get a full view of your credit position and what steps you can take to be credit free.”

EMERGENCY SAVINGS The guideline here is to have between one and three months’ worth of income immediately available as emergency savings. This is money to be used in an emergency, such as a burst geyser or unexpected medical expense. Put a plan in place to build up your emergency savings for the year ahead. Adding small amounts into a savings account each month will go a long way – e.g. R200 a month is R2 400 per

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year. The best tip is to automate your savings every month, so as soon as your income is deposited, that money is transferred into a savings account. You can open a savings goal on the FNB App under nav» Money.

INSURANCE Under this heading, make sure that you have the right short-term insurance in place to cover your car, home, and home contents. Check what you are paying for and if you are covered correctly in the event of an accident or any other event. Also check your long-term insurance or life cover, to make sure that it is sufficient. This is especially important if there has been a major life event in the last year, such as a marriage or new child. You can check your net worth under FNB My Net Worth on the FNB App under nav» Money as a guide on the minimum amount of life cover that you need – but it is important to get proper financial advice to ensure that you are fully covered.

RETIREMENT It is also a good time to reassess what your retirement goals are and if you are tracking towards those goals. Even adding a small amount to retirement provisions at this stage will have a substantial impact in the long run – think, for example, the cash that you freed up from paying off debt sooner. Getting financial advice on how much you should be saving towards retirement is essential.

WILL A will is a document that needs to be checked on a regular basis to make sure that it reflects your true wishes, in the event that you pass away. This is especially important if there has been a major life change or event. These are just some of the steps that you can take to set yourself up for the year and ensure your financial goals are met along with your other new year’s resolutions. While finance may seem daunting and complex, set a goal and then break it down into small manageable steps as mentioned above.

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FUNERALS

FINANCING FUNERALS Cutting costs should be the norm in a post-Covid world. By Bonginkosi Tiwane

he most extravagant funeral service I’ve ever witnessed was the burial of a big-time drug lord in Tembisa a few years ago. The decor under the swanky tent would have had couples from Our Perfect Wedding green with envy. The turnout was such that vehicles of attendees filled the adjacent local soccer field and it was only inevitable for the jovial after-tears to last long after the deceased’s coffin hit the ground.

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The magnitude of that burial might sound like an exaggeration, but funerals can be quite pricey depending on the send-off you want to give a loved one. But if there’s any good to come from the Covid-19 pandemic, it’s the opportunity to rethink funeral services as a cost-cutting measure. During hard lockdown levels, government stipulated that a funeral could not have more than 50 attendees, no night vigils were permitted, nor after-tears,

and the duration of a funeral was restricted to a maximum of two hours. These conditions have helped some families drastically cut unnecessary funeral costs.

A COSTLY AFFAIR According to Elsabé Basillio, national secretary of the National Funeral Directors Association of South Africa, a funeral or cremation service can cost anything between R12 500 and R80 000 depending on the family’s needs and funeral home. These costs include the coffin, catering and the mere organising of the service. It isn’t unusual for families to be

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FUNERALS if you do take out funeral cover, it is with a reputable funeral home that is underwritten by an insurer. The family’s needs are the most important factor that plays a role when it comes to expenses. Funeral homes provide what the family needs.”

EXPECTATION AND TRADITION

left in debt months after the burial, due to the pressure of trying to uphold a particular standard when burying someone under the guise of providing a ‘dignified’ funeral. Through unfortunately losing family members in two consecutive years – pre-Covid and in the midst of it – I’ve seen the costcutting benefits of a small-scale funeral. Even though we still opted to cater a full meal at my brother’s funeral in 2020, there were far fewer attendants than at my grandmother’s burial in 2019. I still have a sense that we missed an opportunity to be completely radical by just offering funeral-goers a cup of tea and a sandwich. But we would probably have been berated and labelled as stingy or not having ubuntu for serving a snack at a funeral.

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“Even if it’s 50 people, if the family’s lineage (i.e. the ancestors) and tribe require a goat, cow or chickens to send off their loved ones in that manner, that can still continue if the family has the budget for it,” says traditional healer Itebogeng Phalatse. “We understand as traditional or cultural people that death is also part of existence – it’s a part of life. So black people have a way of preparing for death – that’s why we have di society. When you welcome a person into this world, there are rituals that must be performed and when you send off a person, you do it with dignity according to the customs of your tribe or ancestral lineage,” adds Phalatse. It’s undeniable that funerals have a way of bringing people together, particularly through dining with mourners after returning from the cemetery and the controversial aftertears. Funerals become a makeshift reunion or a simple social gathering, with friends and family seeing each other again for the first time in a long while. “I don’t think it’s about financial issues, but the tradition needs to be conducted as it should. The only thing that can be cut might be the number of people. But also those people come to hold space for the relatives that have lost their loved one – they come to help the family,” says the Pretoria East-based inyanga. “Every person experiences it differently – for some families, the coffin is the most important and for others the catering plays the biggest role,” Basillio says. “South Africans spend money on funerals that they cannot afford. They do not make provision for funeral costs and therefore place themselves in debt to pay for elaborate funerals. You must ensure that

CREMATIONS ON THE UP It takes quite some time for people rethink the way they’ve been doing things all their lives. One thing that’s rapidly changing in South Africa is the general view on cremation. “Cremations have increased in the last 10 years but more so during Covid-19. Different cultures have now considered cremation, where previously they would have never considered it due to their cultural beliefs. Bereaved families experienced smaller funerals during Covid-19 and I believe we will witness smaller funerals in future. It has become a trend,” Basillio says. “On the issue of cremation, personally I don’t know where it started or where it comes from,” admits Phalatse. Contrary to the trend highlighted by Basillio, according to the healer, people were traditionally buried under trees, atop mountains or nearer to rivers. “I’m not sure about the burning of the body – because we believe that when the spirit goes, it resurrects and reincarnates back into this life, so if you’ve burnt their remains, it presents a challenge when we want to go speak to the spirit… there is no sense of connection. “We don’t bury people [covered] in plastic; we used to use animal skin. When a person dies, we try by all means to honour them, there are certain clothes we send them out with, and certain herbs they also go out with. The pandemic has affected this because there are people who buried their loved ones covered in plastic and when spirit beings are transitioning, there might be a blockage somewhere.”

LET ONE TREND STICK Tradition doesn’t bow to trends, but only time will tell post-Covid whether people will remain rooted to their customs. But if there is a trend that should stick, it’s that of having respectable and modest funerals that won’t inundate loved ones with the stress of funeral debt.

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STOKVELS

STOKVEL PLANNING Reviewing your stokvel I

t’s a brand-new year and this might be the motivation you need to take a hard look at your current stokvel/club. Just like we plan for new things in the new year, our stokvels need this planning too – by just reviewing whether the group is still on the right track or what to improve.

CONSTITUTION REVIEW As your stokvel is a standalone entity, it is important to keep your stokvel’s paperwork

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up to date, especially when there are changes to membership, contributions, rules, etc. Your group constitution governs your stokvel, so it is important that all members are familiar with it and – most importantly – that it is up to date. So, the first planning meeting of your stokvel this year should include reviewing this legally binding document, to check if it still reflects everyone’s interests that they signed up for. Should your group feel it needs serious changes or to be redone, it is best to get a legal person/

lawyer or an expert to assist in creating a new professional constitution. This is especially important if your stokvel is going to be getting into big deals this year. This document is the core of what makes your stokvel genuine and legal, so make it as detailed as possible and signed by all members. It must be a PROPER, PROFESSIONAL and LEGAL document.

MEMBERSHIP REVIEW Usually after December pay-outs and rotations,

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STOKVELS in January, some members withdraw from the group/club or there are additional members or member issues. It is better to ‘take stock’ of membership early in the year, as this will affect a lot of things in your stokvel group. Review your membership, check if all members are still committed to the cause of the stokvel, and reconcile membership numbers – taking into account withdrawals and additions. This will affect the stokvel contributions and budget, so this review is good for planning.

CONTRIBUTIONS REVIEW A good start of planning is first reviewing what was done previously. Have a look at the past year's contributions, what went right and what went wrong, which members are not consistent or were not contributing (affecting the running of finances of the stokvel) and decide what can be done about this, as per the constitution. To keep up with the time value of money, it is important to review contribution amounts too. Ideally, each new year contributions should increase by at least 10%, so if each member was contributing R500 in 2021, in 2022 it should be R550. This yearly increment should be in the constitution too. This will be reflected in the budget of the stokvel for the year. Yes, stokvel groups should BUDGET! It is one of the duties of the Treasurer of the stokvel to budget so, in order to assist them, this type of planning during contributions review will be important. Any changes on what to do with contributions this year (like investing instead of consuming all), should be documented and

added to the constitution if all members agree and sign on it. Ideas that will make the stokvel progressive and grow can be welcomed as long they not a scam and are legal.

REVIEW DEALINGS OF YOUR STOKVEL Scam-proof your stokvel! Do your due diligence on your stokvel – like where contributions are being kept (hopefully a bank), invested (with a registered financial service provider) and ensuring they are used legally only. There have been a lot of scams disguising themselves as stokvels. This year, make sure you and your stokvel don’t fall for them either.

There have been a lot of scams disguising themselves as stokvels. This year, make sure you and your stokvel don’t fall for them either.”

Financial education: empower yourself and your stokvel members with financial knowledge, read relevant financial books, attend workshops and consult with experts – and you will know how to spot a scam. Greed: as much as growth and progressiveness are encouraged in modern stokvels, check greed! We all want to make money and stokvels are a great vehicle to raise capital to make more money with, but do not be greedy and want your stokvel to participate in every ‘good deal’ available, as this will expose the stokvel to the temptation of taking on scams. Objectives: check on the objectives of the stokvel in the constitution. Yes, they can be amended but always stick to the goal of what the group wants to achieve and has agreed on. One of these goals should be NO SCAMS.

REVIEW YOUR STOKVEL INTENTION Remember why you started or joined your stokvel and keep working on that. And make the stokvel you are in work for you!

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STOKVELS

STOKVEL 4.0 T

he term ‘stokvel’ dates back to the 19th century, evolving from what British settlers in the Eastern Cape called ‘stock fairs’. These stock fairs were rotating cattle auctions that took place across the province and saw labourers gathering, socialising and even pooling

resources to purchase livestock together, for their collective benefit. Through this, the essence of the stokvel concept was born – the idea of coming together to socialise with one’s peers and financially benefit as a group. Nedbank has attracted 129 495 stokvel members since it first established a

Stokvels have a long history in our country and continue to play a key role in the financial security of many South Africans. Combining rapidly evolving technology with the tradition of the trusted stokvel, the Nedbank Stokvel Account is the ideal group savings solution for the 21st century.

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designated account for stokvels in 2018. The most popular types of stokvel are listed below. Savings stokvels: this is where members contribute a fixed amount of money to a common pool and this is done mostly monthly; however, some stokvels do it fortnightly or even weekly. Members receive the lump sum on a rotational basis. Grocery stokvels: This has become popular in the last decade or so, where stokvel members collect grocery or cash coupons that members receive from supermarket chains when they buy provisions for stokvel parties throughout the year, and distribute these coupons at the end of the saving period. Some stokvels will distribute

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STOKVELS the actual groceries at the end of the year, which are usually made up of sacks of mielie meal, rice, cooking oil, and other basic household food staples. Burial societies/stokvels: A burial society provides informal insurance to assist families with the costs of a funeral in the event of a death. Burial societies also provide practical support for the family during the preparations by, for example, helping to prepare food the night before the funeral and cleaning after the burial. This is like a stokvel, in that monthly fees are collected. However, the potential downside here is that members can contribute for a decade but, if during their 11th year, they decide to leave the stokvel for whatever reason, they will not receive a pay-out or any lump sum – or be reimbursed for the payments they were making in the last decade.

NEDBANK STOKVEL ACCOUNT Stokvels are still a relevant savings mechanism

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for South Africans. They continue to play an important cultural role and provide a sense of belonging to their members. The Nedbank Stokvel Account has competitive interest rates, zero monthly account maintenance fees, and there’s a R10 000 funeral cover for each stokvel member for only R25 per member per month. The only requirement is that members must be between the ages of 18 and 65 years to qualify for the funeral cover. Stokvel members also qualify for grocery and school supplies discounts, but that’s dependent on certain terms and conditions. Each stokvel member can open a Nedbank Pay-As-You-Use Account on the Nedbank Money app and pay zero monthly maintenance fees. Stokvels are also afforded R500 Makro discount vouchers to the first 400 Nedbank stokvels to opt into the Nedbank campaign at Makro. This will be an enticing proposal

to most stokvels, as the majority of their members are mothers who are dependent on bulk-buying offers, which Makro supplies without having to compromise on quality. The informal group saving is still looking to do more with their money and require tailored banking solutions, which will cater to their various needs. Over the last year, Nedbank has seen a significant uptake in the use of the USSD channel for stokvel onboarding, as well as digital deposit capabilities like deposit-accepting ATMs, EFTs, etc. An end-to-end digital solution is high on Nedbank’s list of priorities.

THINKING DIGITAL The bank is encouraging stokvel members to think more digital in their transactions. This is a great idea for stokvels who have fallen victim to crime – such as being robbed while dividing money among each other. To add insult to injury, some members of stokvels have been suspected of inside jobs, colluding with these very criminals. So, simply put, going digital is a safer and smarter way for stokvels to operate. EFTs (electronic funds transfers) can be used to pay into your Nedbank Stokvel Account. Further, stokvel members can simply deposit their stokvel contribution at any depositaccepting Nedbank ATM or use the Nedbank Money app to make a payment. To take any hassle out of making regular payments, members can also use the app to set up a debit order for their stokvel contribution. And when it’s time for stokvel pay-outs to be made, members simply complete the appropriate forms to have funds paid into the stokvel members’ individual accounts. With all these digital options available to stokvel members to make payments, transactions end up being safer and requiring less admin. Stokvels, which are mostly run by black women, have proved that the township economy has implemented its own saving mechanisms that work – informal though they may be. But now, in partnering with authorised financial services providers such as Nedbank, there is a clear indication of the vast growth potential that lies within stokvels. Among their many benefits, such stokvels create a culture of saving, which is a great habit and skill to hand down to the next generation. But more than that, it’s about saving together with a community of people you trust.

SPOTONG l ISSUE 40 •

PROPERTY

Make an informed

PROPERTY PURCHASE DECISION

by asking these questions first

resident Cyril Ramaphosa announced the commencement of the Property Practitioners Act (PPA) from 1 February 2022, which is expected to bring significant changes to the property sector. The PPA is a consumer-focused piece of legislation designed to protect consumers in the property industry. One of the significant changes includes property defects, which is a critical element all sellers and landlords need to be aware of. It is now mandatory for all property sale and lease agreements to include a comprehensive property defects disclosure document as part of a property transfer. No mandate may be accepted from a seller or landlord without this document, which will also then form part of the sale or lease agreement. Sellers aren’t the only ones who need to prepare for a show day. It’s important that buyers attend a show day armed with the questions that will give them the information they need to make an informed property purchase decision. If you’re a potential buyer, ask these questions for each room of the house:

KITCHEN Has the kitchen been renovated at any point? If it has, what kind of renovations were done? Renovations are always a huge plus, as nothing in the kitchen would have to be replaced for a while – which saves you a substantial sum of money. TIP: If the kitchen has linoleum floors, wood panelling or wallpaper, chances are that it hasn’t had a renovation in a while.

LOUNGE What is underneath the carpets? Was the flooring recently redone? It is important to know whether the subflooring beneath the carpets is going to need replacing soon. Redoing a floor is a large expense and replacing it could be a deal-breaker. Have there been any infestations of cockroaches, ants or other pests? If the home has experienced an infestation in the past, it is likely to experience an infestation in the future! Find out where and how the damage has been fixed.

42 • SPOTONG l ISSUE 40

TIP: Infestations are likely to have occurred in the skirting boards and window frames, so these are good places to check.

home, e.g. a wendy house? What are the body corporate rules about pools, fencing, etc.? Boundary lines are important to know, particularly if a buyer is planning to extend the house. If it’s a sectional title property, the buyer should get an idea of what the general rules are and whether that will work with their lifestyle or not. If there is a pool, it’s worthwhile to see what kind of condition it’s in and whether that will be an added expense.

GENERAL BEDROOMS What are the dimensions of the bedrooms? Make sure you know the exact dimensions of your furniture, to make sure it will fit into the bedrooms. Things like beds, desks, dressing tables and bookshelves should be measured in advance. TIP: Ask about the dimensions of the bedrooms to figure out whether it’s necessary to spend money on new furniture.

BATHROOMS Have the pipes ever given any issues? Is there a knocking sound when you turn on the shower or bath? Is there low water pressure? Is the drainage adequate? Issues in the bathroom can be costly to fix. Ask about noisy pipes, water pressure issues, drainage and hot water issues. These answers will indicate whether the pipes are stable or are coming loose and will need replacing soon. It would also indicate whether there are any geyser issues and if the pipes are clear or blocked.

ROOF How old is the roof and when last was it replaced? How old is the plumbing and wiring? What kind of roof is it? TIP: A general guideline on roofing – asphalt shingles last 15-20 years, metal roofs last 20-40 years, wood shingle and shake roofs last 20-30 years, and tile and slate roofs last 50 or more years.

GARDEN Where does the property begin and end? Are there any extra items being sold with the

Are there any known problems inside or outside the house? It’s easier to put all the home’s problems on the table immediately, rather than the buyer finding out later and it leading to a legal issue. What are the neighbours like? Good neighbours can add to the security of the property. It’s also good for a buyer to know if the current owner has had a dispute with a neighbour or if they’re on good terms. After all, they are going to be neighbours in the future! What are the local amenities? If buyers don’t know the area, it’s a good idea to find out from the current owners what the best local amenities are. What do the current owners pay for rates and municipal services? This is imperative for a buyer to know in order to work out an estimate of what their monthly expenses would be. How old is the property? This will impact the likelihood of home maintenance being needed more or less frequently. Why are they selling? Also, if the owners need to sell quickly, the buyer may have some wiggle room with the price. Were any additions done to the house? What exactly was done? Who did it? Were the additions legal? If any additions were done to the house, buyers need to make sure that planning permissions were acquired first and that they were done by a reputable contractor to avoid having any issues at a later date.

MUSIC & CULTURE

Basadi and their Tukus:

Back to Soweto Theatre for a fun day There’s a stereotype etched in society’s mental fabric that says women cannot work together because of PHD (pull her down) syndrome, which sees women undermining each other and infighting in female groups. But events like Basadi ka Dituku clearly dispel these notions.

asadi ka Dituku has proven to us as women that we are stronger together. The concept has definitely been designed to dispel the notion that women hate each other or that we can't have fun without the other gender. Through song, dance, food and our tukus, we have in the seven years proved that the future is female,” event co-founder Prince Shabalala tells Spotong. What was a problem at first for one woman has turned into a strong movement for black women who hail from different walks of life through the Basadi ka Dituku annual event, which takes place on 30 April at the Soweto Theatre. “Basadi ka Dituku was inspired by the story of a black woman who worked in corporate who went to work in a headwrap/tuku and it became a problem. Headwraps have always been a part of our African heritage, hence we saw the need to celebrate that because it is our crown,” says Shabalala. “We then took advantage of the number of women at our disposal, designing a lifestyle even meant to bring women together to tackle socioeconomic challenges, with GBV being a top priority through all our messaging.”

A COMMON PURPOSE There are few clothing items black women wear that are symbolic as a tuku. They are worn as a sign of respect, in mourning, or simply to cover one’s head on a bad hair day. Having a whole event around this simple cloth speaks volumes of black women’s inventiveness and resourcefulness. “We are different people brought together by a common purpose and the tuku becomes a sign of unity and solidarity. The tuku eliminates the issue of women looking down on

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each other because of class, academics, etc. The domestic worker and the CEO become one on the day we all wear our crowns/tukus with pride. The symbol of the tuku reinstalls self-pride and reminds us that our paths are different, but our values and challenges are very similar. So yes, the tuku is a must on the day,” Shabalala says. This event has taken place consecutively for the last seven years, with consistent growth. “The first two years, we visited different restaurants, as the audience was much smaller (600 to 1 000). The demand became bigger and we sold out the Soweto Theatre in our third year, hosting over 4 500 women. Our fourth year was also a sold-out affair at the theatre. We were planning a huge celebration at a local stadium in 2020 to celebrate our fifth anniversary but Covid-19 cut our dreams short,” Shabalala says. Despite Covid, the event has taken place on a smaller scale over the past two years of the pandemic. “We now usually host over 4 500 people; however, due to observing Covid protocols, we had to scale the number down in line with the restrictions.” Rightfully so, the event’s male

EVENT: Basadi ka Dituku

WHERE:

Soweto Theatre

WHEN:

Saturday 30 April 2022

to female ratio is 98% in favour of the fairer sex. “We are still looking to get stats on our LGBTQIA+ audience,” adds Shabalala.

THIS YEAR’S EDITION This year’s instalment is themed the ‘Gospel Edition’, and will feature prominent gospel artists such as Lebo Sekgobela, Taki Ndou, Dumi Mkokstad, Aandile la Majola, Fikile Mlomo and Zaza Mokhethi. The line-up will also be made up of motivational speakers who will help young and old women navigate through the twists and turns of life. “We theme every event differently. These themes are guided by different elements and vary vastly depending on what the national conversation is,” says Shabalala. “We’ve celebrated Mama Winnie in song (she didn’t die, she multiplied), we hosted a 100-women cycle celebrating the Mandela Centenary, and we’ve remembered all women who’ve died at the hands of their lovers. We’ve had an all-male line, titled 'I Am My Sisters Keeper', asking men to declare war on GBV. The format of the event remains the same irrespective of the theme: music, motivational speakers and trade stalls (supporting and celebrating the female hustler),” Shabalala concludes.

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MOTORING

Most people don’t have the cash to buy a new or even second-hand vehicle and have to consider different options when looking to finance a vehicle. If you are looking to purchase, you should have checked your creditworthiness, done your calculations and checked for affordability already. Now it’s time to decide how to finance your wheels.

THINKING OF BUYING A CAR? Let’s look at the finance options available

here are a number of options when it comes to financing a car. Each has advantages and disadvantages, depending on what you are looking for. Here are some guidelines to help you on your journey:

on your vehicle, this will work in your favour and lower your monthly instalment, as the repayments are worked out by calculating the purchase price of the vehicle while factoring in the deposit that is put down. The longer the term, the more interest you would pay.

INSTALMENT FINANCE Instalment finance is the most common car payment method. You pay off your car in monthly instalments for up to 72 months and this can be done with or without a deposit. If you are lucky enough to put down a deposit

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RESIDUAL-INSTALMENT FINANCE WITH A BALLOON PAYMENT This option is similar to the instalment finance agreement except that a portion of the purchase price is set aside so that the

repayments are calculated on a lower amount. Simply put, balloon payments are like deposits except they are payable at the end of a term instead of at the beginning. Buyers must be careful of the amount put into a balloon because they will be responsible for the lump sum once the finance term is finished. After paying that instalment for all those years, the car is still not yours – that big amount that was taken off to lower your instalment to something you could afford is now due.

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MOTORING

LEASING Leasing a vehicle is just what it says: you pay for the use of a vehicle for a set period and return it at the end of the term. The lease agreement gives you the right to use the vehicle as your own, without owning it. It has its pros and its cons, such as restrictions on the vehicle’s usage, but it also means that the instalments are more affordable. You can drive a new car every two to four years and enjoy the benefits of the latest models. When the lease lapses, you do not have to worry about selling or trading in the car – or settling any outstanding money owed to your bank. Monthly repayments are more affordable, and there are no service and maintenance costs as these are covered by the service and maintenance contracts. On the other hand, lease agreements have strict limitations and penalties, so you need to ensure you get the car serviced at the specified intervals, repaired by approved repairers, and adhere to the mileage limits.

GUARANTEED BUY-BACK/ FUTURE VALUE Guaranteed future value (GFV) is becoming a more popular option of vehicle finance in South Africa. Any new car starts to depreciate the second you drive it off the showroom floor; a GFV plan, therefore, determines what the future value of your car will be if detailed terms and conditions regarding the vehicle condition, mileage and maintenance are met. This means that you will be aware of what your car will be worth once the contract term

(usually between three and four years) is reached. You are then given three choices – you can either: enter another GFV deal and drive away in a new car; settle the outstanding amount and own the vehicle; or return the vehicle to the dealership and walk away (provided you did not exceed the agreed-on mileage, and the vehicle is in an acceptable condition as stipulated in your plan). If you do plan on choosing this type of finance, you need to make sure that you read and fully understand the fine print.

WHAT IF YOUR CREDIT SCORE IS LOW? If you have a low credit score, buying a vehicle through a dealership and getting it financed through one of the bigger finance houses is going to be a big challenge! There are certain dealerships that have their own in-house finance available to you and will assist but you will probably end up paying a much higher interest rate with higher monthly repayments. The chance of your car being repossessed after missing a payment or two will also be high, as the dealership is the one taking the risk.

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SPOTONG l ISSUE 40 •

COMPETITION WINNERS

CONGRATULATIONS to our

Wayne Safety PU Gumboot Winners

ayne Safety has been Africa’s gumboot specialist for over 80 years. Since 1940, no other manufacturer has supplied more industrial and safety gumboots into the African market. Wayne Safety started manufacturing gumboots an incredible 80 years ago, with Wayne Rubber producing rubber gumboots in KZN. This began a long tradition of manufacturing superior quality gumboots and serving workers right at the heart of industry. Today, Wayne is one of the foremost PVC and PU gumboot manufacturers in Africa. The Wayne range of PU gumboots offers a variety of enhanced features and benefits, catering to sectors from food processing and hygiene to light and heavy duty agriculture. While PVC gumboots are reliable and economical, polyurethane

(PU) gumboots are rapidly growing in popularity – and for good reason. One of the key advantages of PU gumboots is that they can last up to 3 times longer than PVC boots, giving you a longer lifespan and greater value for money with no compromise on protection and resistance. To fully understand the benefits of PU gumboots, let’s look at the Wayne Pure Max PU boot as an example. Vertically-injected air bubbles in the Pure Max give the boot a lightweight, comfortable feel, while maximising resistance. An inherent cross-link structure delivers enhanced flexibility and strength, and gives the boot excellent insulation properties against both heat and cold. A multi-stage curation process results in a protective ‘outer skin’, which increases resistance and durability, while ultra-sonically welded controlling particles impart greater resistance to abrasions – further extending the life of your boot. Adding to these structural benefits, Wayne’s Pure Max gumboot has a range of added benefits. A unique

tread-groove and depth gives our PU boots the highest possible SRC slip resistance rating. Optimum hygiene is ensured through the boot’s moisture wicking functionality, and anti-microbial and anti-fungal treatment; and a lightweight composition paired with a unique footbed results in all-day comfort. Last but not least, antistatic properties give the wearer peace of mind. But at Wayne, we know it’s not enough to tell you that our boots can deliver a longer lifespan of comfort, resistance and durability – we have to prove it. That’s why the Pure Max is flex tested to over 900 000 flexes, far beyond the industry standard of 30 000 flexes, showing no significant deterioration – that equates to over 900 000 steps, or over 700 km! Trust in Wayne, Africa’s gumboot specialist for 80 years and counting, and get your Pure Max PU gumboots today. Find out more about Wayne’s range of superior gumboots at www.waynesafety.com.

Congratulations to our 10 winners: Teboho Motloung, Alick Banda, Wyona Landman, Brian Stanfield, Phumzile Reginald Pauls, Mlindeli Welcome Gayago, Sipho Dennis Mpempeni, Amini Phiri, Kingstone Chisi, and Emanuel Zuma. Here are some of the lucky winners at work:

Amini Phiri

46 • SPOTONG l ISSUE 40

Brian Stanfield

Emanuel Zuma

Kingstone Chisi

Teboho Motloung www.spotongmag.co.za

HYDROZONING

Hydrozoning in landscapes Why is it important to hydrozone in landscapes and gardens? Hydrozoning saves water and money. It improves the landscape design, mimics natural plant communities, minimises the impact on the surrounding natural environment, and simplifies maintenance The concept of hydrozones (hydrostations) is based on the theory that the correct plants should be planted in shade, semi shade or sun depending on plant requirements, as defined by the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS), developed by the University of California. The Landscape Irrigation Model South Africa (LIMSA), developed by Dr Leslie Hoy, is consistent with the WUCOLS model and focuses on individual assessment of each hydrozone within a landscape. Hydrozoning, in this context, is defined as: • • • • •

A grouping or bed of plants, Plants with the same water (hydrozone) requirements, Plants are watered with the same correct amount of water, Plants are positioned correctly in the landscape, Each hydrozone has it’s own control valve, and their own specific irrigation system.

The intention of this model is to allow for a more accurate water use on any landscape site to be determined. This is particularly important for sites that will rely on any form of supplementary irrigation over and above rainfall of the area where the landscape is located. This will also apply to sites that require additional watering beyond the initial establishment period.

www.randwater.co.za and click on the Water Wise logo FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON WATER WISE, PLEASE CONTACT US ON: 0860 10 10 60

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