Imbo Magazine September 2012

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EMPOWERING THROUGH ENTERTAINMENT

PU BE EE M E FR PT

SE

AT IC BL N IO

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balance that Letoya & Khanyi blend their calling

Cohesion IT’S ALL ABOUT COMING TOGETHER

Experience Ethiopian cuisine the Madam Taitou way

Meet The Muffinz served hot

YOUNG DESIGNERS INSPIRE THROUGH TRADITIONAL PRINTS

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contents Fashion Spread Young designers capture tradition through fashion forward trends

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Cape Indulgence

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Mopane worms anyone?

Alternative Thinking

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Discover the true you

Feel Good

Play your part in ensuring equal education becomes a reality

Festival Review

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An explosive production of Love Bombs

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Pop Culture Juggling a variety of jobs – the all rounder has the world at the palm of their hand

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Green Zone E is for elephant

Wellness Herbal remedies rich with goodness in the comfort of your backyard


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Career Advice The ancient art of tracking now a modern career

Editor-in-chief Sisanda Ntshinga Managing Editor Lindile Ndwayana Art Direction Yivani Nkukwana & Nkabanhle Mawala Junior Designer Ntsika Daki Fashion Editor Monde Mtsi Fashion Assistant Evan Williams Junior Features Writer Noluvuyo Bacela Editorial Assistant Lesley Mphanga Photographer Lynn Dreyer Intern Photographer Zizo Lunika Contributors: Kudzai Mazvarirwofa, Mawetu Matyila Khanya Ndlela, Athenkosi Peter Nasiphi Mdlulwa, Ayanda Cokoto Megan Bursey, Lerato Kuzwayo, Kate Wilkinson Naomi Meyer, Chido-Vanessa Dandajena, Modise Moloi Naomi Meyer, Baphe Phukwana, Aubrena Armstrong Rehana Rutti

Chairman: Gugu John Madlala IT Director: Nkabanhle Mawala Publications Manager: Sisanda Ntshinga Creative Director: Yivani Nkukwana Business Developer: Dominic Billy HEAD OFFICE Bambisana Media Consortium Media Quarter, Cnr Somerset & De Smidt St De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8005 Tel: (021) 418 3485 / Cell: (082) 593 3973 Email: editorial@enjabuleni.com

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Letoya & Kanyi bring balance to multiple callings

IMBO Magazine is owned and published by BMC (Reg no. 2011/073781/23) Printed by Trident Press Distributed through tertiary institutions. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission of the editor is strictly prohibited. IMBO/ ISSUE 20125 5 IMBO/ ISSUE 8/ 3/ 2012




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From the

EDITOR

A budding flower here, a tweeting bird there and colour everywhere - This is why I love spring. It always gives me a sense of renewal as we all come out of hibernation and remove all the winter layers. Most importantly I love spring because there’s always an excuse to get together for a braai at a friend’s house. It’s this same spirit of togetherness that allows us to celebrate each other and our differences. While we celebrate this spring and togetherness, September also brings with it Heritage month and with that, more to celebrate. Heritage month gives us an opportunity to showcase our cultures and traditions while learning about others. In this issue we celebrate cohesion, which is the foundation and philosophy of our country. This September issue is packed with difference and learning. The main feature (pg44) teaches us how to keep tradition within a modern society. We speak with two phenomenal women Letoya Mangezi and Kanyi Mavi, who share their fascinating journey of self discovery and how they found a balance without sacrificing either. In Pop culture (pg14) we recognise some incredibly talented young people who juggle a variety of careers and still manage to excel in most if not all of them. We go on to explore ulterior economic structures that have been around for a while but were never really taken seriously. Financial Fundi’s (Pg50) looks at how these structures including stokvels and burial societies play a major role in our economy. At Imbo experiences are all around us. We got to enjoy what felt like a midspring day in Paarl at the only wagon museum is South Africa, all in the name of fashion. The September spread (Pg18) celebrates young up-coming designers who are keeping it real with truly African creations. The day saw the most of the Imbo team at the De Poort Museum directing wagon traffic. A serving of The Muffinz is your entertainment piece (pg13) and after checking them out their album title is the only way to introduce them. ‘Have you heard the muffinz?’ Before I let you rip into this issue I’d like to remind you to write to us and let us know your thoughts on this issue, what you’d like to see and what makes us your favourite magazine. It’s the only way I can give you freebies…

Blessings,

Sisanda

Send your letters and WIN fabulous prizes with IMBO editorial@enjabuleni.com

on the cover

Jonathan wears: Cap from BabaTunde, Blazer from Swagger Diaries, Vest from Hello Again, Pele pants from Zaimba and Baldene, High-Tops by Converse at Tekkie Town Chad wears: Cap from BabaTunde, Waistcoat from Swagger Diaries, Vest from Hello Again, Pele pants from Zaimba and Baldene, High-Tops by Converse at Tekkie Town Anke wears: Hat by BabaTunde, Bow tie by Zaimba and Baldene, Vest by Hello Again, Kenya Shorts by Nefertari Couture, Stockings model’s own, Pink platforms by ZOOM Veronica wears: Hat by BabaTunde, Bow tie by Zaimba and Baldene, Vest by Hello Again, Ghana Shorts by Nefertari Couture, Leggings from Hello Again, Shweshwe wedge by ZOOM

The Imbo family at the fashion shoot at De Poort Museum in Paarl

Anke and Veronica wear jewellery from Miglio Jewellers

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out & about Busiswa Mazwana

Spring is here and so is colour. From mint shades to pastel palettes and neon flourishes. Cape Town is ready to play and has finally come out of hibernation with bright Khashif Gordon * Music: Hip Hop hues * Favorite chill spot: anywhere

* Work: Professional photographer * Music: Zero7 & Black key * Favorite chill spot: Neighborhood * Outfit inspired by: Winter

inspiring & chilled * Work: Afrikaans Artist (musician) representing M.E.K (most envied kru)

Khayakazi * Studies: Public relations at CPUT * Tweet handle: @switpoisn * Music: Kadric * Favorite chill spot: Home

Siya Futshane * Work: Manager at Jay Jay’s * Music: Country music * Favorite chill spot: Long street & Camps Bay

Namhla * Studies: Retail student at CPUT * Music: Anthony Hamilton

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ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

No tea served with these Muffinz Noluvuyo Bacela

Take five handsome young lads, add an array of instruments and harmonious soothing vocals and you get a good serving of The Muffinz things. You can’t fight what you’re called for.” When asked about struggles of breaking into the industry Skabz says “We wouldn’t have money to go to the recording studios, and we’d have nowhere to sleep after being superstars on stage but it’s been really exciting.” And according to Atomza South Africa hasn’t been grooming young musos to play music outside of jazz, because if it’s not jazz it’s not acceptable. “But there are a lot of us out there who play instruments outside of jazz.” Their different backgrounds musically help them all bring different ingredients. “As in the ingredients in a muffin,” says Mthae. The group began in 2010 when he met Simz and Atomza while singing in the University Of Johannesburg Choir, and by April 2011 Skabz and Keke had joined the band.

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weet indie-jazz sounds infused with afro-funk are the order of the day as one sits to enjoy the music of The Muffins and dare I mention the presentation of the serving. The four self-taught guitarists Sifiso ‘Atomza’ Buthelezi, Mthabisi ‘Mthae’ Sibanda, Karabo ‘Skabz’ Moeketsi, and Simphiwe ‘Simz’ Kulla together with drummer Gregory ‘Keke’ Mabusela, learnt to play their instruments online on YouTube and are nothing short of amazing geniuses. They’ve brilliantly mixed beautiful sounds of light afro-jazz, soul, pop, funk and little touch of mystery to create a

new type of band. It’s no wonder they are branded as “the best thing to come out of South Africa” and why indie recording Just Music, jumped at the opportunity of having them on their books in August 2011. But based in the depths of Jo’burg city lights where flash is everything and talent is lost in the midnight hour, they are adamant on remaining grounded and original. “We avoid the hype, hype does not define you. We are not the cool kids. We want to play places where people listen to us,” says bass guitarist Mthae. “This has been a journey of discovery. It was only six months in that we realised we can change

Atomza, the melodious lead singer is perhaps best described as a young Michael Jackson meets Usher with a twist of rock, and has a sweet harmony to him that makes the listener want to “linger longer”. Meanwhile drummer Keke turns into melancholy Senegalese sounds which meet sexy rumba rhythms and you’re only just getting there. Acoustic guitarist Mthae brings a deep R&B feel with his voice, while bassist Skabz and lead electric guitarist Simz end it off with jazzy breezy harmonies. “The music takes you into a journey….whether it be a journey self discovery or of nostalgia or a journey of love.” This is one journey made up of heartfelt melodies I’d enjoy a good serving of.

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pop culture

The rise of the all-rounder Noluvuyo Bacela

There was once a time when we had “continuity presenters”, musicians, soap actors and glamorised sports stars and they were just that. Everyone stuck to their own craft and they were doing a brilliant job. Then like some sort of evolution had transpired, everyone was branded “multi-talented”.

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emember when Disney stars were flooding our screens with their “talent”, and there was nothing they touched that didn’t materialise into a gold star on Hollywood Boulevard? One moment a starlet would be a teen in spandex, then in a matter of what would seem to be seasons they would evolve into these perfect, majestic idols that would later cheat on their spouses. And there was always a common thread be-

tween them - release a debut pop album, land a big movie role, date the lead co-star, write a book and then occasionally cause controversy in the tabloids. Cut to our local screens. Things are done a bit different here, with the same face surpassing your own daily media consumption, popping up on each and every television programme that you actually liked. Then they would collaborate on some random

song with your favourite artist, and on an odd day feature on even the ads in between. While one may argue how incredibly tenacious this young brood must be to achieve such, another could consider the prospect of say...greed, maybe? It goes without saying that the personalities we hold dear to our hearts are referred to, of late, as brands, and brands are money making machines. They even beat the lot-


pop culture “Beehive with the Queen B” on youth station, YFM. She also has a monthly column in Glamour magazine, where she shares the latest trends, gossip, events and happenings in her world. A few years back she also managed to launch her first clothing range Just B, in partnership with Legit clothing store, and has since followed that up with her own range of trendy handbags, Baby Star. Your girl B was also South Africa’s first celebrity to launch an online reality show. And while it may seem highly likely that being followed around by a camera crew and releasing albums as a ploy for publicity is the best way to achieve success, it could also cause a career meltdown. Or even expose your lack of talent in the first place. Many have gone down that road and wound up with less than what they had in the beginning.

tery machine hands down. Take the likes of Jo’burg – based Cool Kids Sizwe Dhlomo and Siyabonga Ngwekazi for instance. Dhlomo is a computer programmer, turned MTV Base VJ, turned social entrepreneur, turned restaurant owner to radio DJ and now a reality show star alongside Ngwekazi. The two have quite the badges on their media jackets since debuting into our beloved government-funded television screens just a few years back. With fully-fledged stars like Thomas Gumede and Lungile Radu, forming part of the Forever Young entourage, it would also seem that good company and a good agent breeds success. Another all-rounder to look out for is Bonang Matheba, who is deemed the most influential young South African in media. Besides co-presenting SABC 1’s LIVE, she boasts a list of accomplishments. Matheba hosts an equally popular radio show called

Take the infamous, self-confessed Queen of Bling Khanyi Mbau for one. After her short acting career on SABC2’s Muvhango, and SABC 1’s Mzansi - where she was fired from both roles, she hung up her acting gear and became a professional socialite. She amply started charging for her appearance on the social scene, released an album, and has recently released an all-revealing biography and a self-titled book “Bitch Please, I’m Khanyi Mbau”. Unlucky for her there are no gold stars for her up any boulevard, street or alley as yet.


FASHION

Fashion Ed`s Choice Monde Mtsi

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he Gladiator or Roman sandal has always been something intriguing to me. I always see it and wonder what kind of person I have to be to want to own a pair and wear them out. Well, I’ve just realised what kind of person that is, and it seems to be just in time too. Gladiators and Roman sandals are making a huge comeback but this time, in menswear. Look out for them this Spring\Summer as they dazzle in different styles, lengths, colours and textures. All you need to rock them or pull it off is either a pair of tailored shorts, dress shirt and casual sports jacket. Or you could also do a pair of cropped chinos, crew neck vest and a light parka. Either way, don’t get caught in the ring without a pair. You might not live to tell the tale.

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FASHION

Hot List Monde Mtsi

feiyue debbie- a store is good French brand plimsoll. Canvas perforated upper and leather detailing. Simple and lightweight with a touch of vintage.

ranitgael time skilalsnge o l a t i on dig our dig hot or - newt ange, y grey. Try

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NEW

NEW SEEDLINGS September is Spring and the beginning of all things new. Keeping heritage and traditions in mind, we showcase some young up coming designers who take their own personal heritage and traditions and are planting them as seeds to a better future as the next generation of fashion designers in South Africa.

photographer - Lynn D creative direction - Yivani Nkukwana fashion styling - Monde Mtsi fashion intern - Evan Williams models - Jonathan, Chad, Veronica & Anke (BASE Models)

veronica wears: Aztec print dress by Swagger Diaries, Shweshwe wedge by ZOOM, Leggings by Hello Again, Jewellery by Miglio, Turban by Adja

jonathan wears: Grey hoodie and Pele pants by Zaimba and Baldene, White high-tops by Converse at Tekkie Town

anke wears: Coral wrap dress with belt by Swagger Diaries, Pink platforms by ZOOM, Jewellery by Miglio

chad wears: Button-up hoodie and Pele pants by Zaimba and Baldene, White high-tops by Converse at Tekkie Town

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chad wears: Snood and Pele pants both by Zaimba and Baldene, high-tops by Converse at Tekkie Town, Jewellery by Miglio Jewellers

jonathan wears: Snood and Pele pants both by Zaimba and Baldene, high-top by Converse at Tekkie Town, Jewellery by missAnke IMBO/ ISSUE 8/ 2012 21


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chad wears: Hat by BabaTunde, Blazer by 466/64Fashion, Pele Denim shorts by Levi’s, high-tops by Converse at Tekkie Town

veronica wears: Cap by BabaTunde, Red and Green chained crop top with matching yellow drop skirt both by Zaimba and Baldene, Shweshwe wedge by ZOOM

anke wears: Red print hooded blazer and matching red drop skirt by Zaimba and Baldene, Aztec wedge by ZOOM, Jewellery by Miglio

jonathan wears: Hat by BabaTunde, Blazer by 466/64Fashion, Grey pencil pants by Swagger Diaries, high-tops by Converse at Tekkie Town

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jonathan wears: Hat by BabaTunde, Yellow vest with print detail and Grey pencil pants by Swagger Diaries, Jewellery by Miglio

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anke wears: Shweshwe dress by Nefertari, Neckpiece by missAnke, Belt by Swagger Diaries chad wears: Grey vest with pocket print details and Orange polka dot pants with shweshwe waistband both by Swagger Diaries, Turban by Adja, Jewellery by Miglio

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veronica wears: White shirt by Cignal is stylist’s own, Shweshwe skirt by Nefertari, Bow tie by Nefertari, Eyeglass piece by missAnke, Jewels on wrist by Miglio

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jonathan wears: Cap from BabaTunde, Blazer from Swagger Diaries, Vest from Hello Again, Pele pants from Zaimba and Baldene, High-Tops by Converse at Tekkie Town

chad wears: Cap from BabaTunde, Waistcoat from Swagger Diaries, Vest from Hello Again, Pele pants from Zaimba and Baldene, High-Tops by Converse at Tekkie Town

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FASHION

Xolisa Gaca & Jeremy Nel make up one great team of luxury by t e ark aging m che y man i n c xury agen u l the ffinity e k make a living for themselves. Xolisa was also ta an a o t recently named one of the Mail & Guard, et work rica. s ian’s 200 Young South Africans earlier this e f r t e a A year. s N n ind xury nds, i m a “The response from the top end market in ican The Lu ry brinternational r f offices, including Cape Town South Africa for our very unique affinity A u h head g lux t u and Johannesburg, it is home to over 250 marketing, partnerships and events model So ear adin luxury brands and lives with a current has been overwhelming and we are in the g n y sp s le u growth rate of over 20 new brands per process of meeting many new luxury brands o ’ y e d h l o t r month around the globe. and high-end service providers, who have w o T as e w formally applied to join our new network,” m stor e of th The two mavericks, Xolisa and Jeremy have says Xolisa. now acquired the rights to manage the Afsom olisa Gaca and Jeremy Nel rica portion of The Luxury Network agency, Jeremy Nel is the current director of Luxury

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are two young men who have brought together a list of resources, talents, contacts and characteristics to steer the ship that is locally known as The Luxury Network. The Luxury Network is possibly the world’s leading luxury affinity agency in the world. Working through marketing, partnership and events in over 17

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and it’s a definite welcomed achievement. Director of The Luxury Network Xolisa, who grew up in the humble township of Zwide in Port Elizabeth, is also the current president of the South African Interactive Youth Club, which is a development programme that promotes entrepreneurship and provides mentorship to young candidates looking to

Brands, which has access to the highest net worth individuals in South Africa and abroad, through various niche marketing initiatives. The company has been built on a sturdy foundation of marketing, and understanding the principles of fashion trends and the sociology behind consumerism and the love for one-of-a-kind luxury experiences.


FASHION

Jeremy and his team have been instrumental in launching and positioning some of the most sought after fashion brands, including G Star and Fabiani.

In a country where jobs are scarce, putting together skills that showcase creativity and consumer behaviour knowledge is vital. Fashion is an industry that allows itself to comment on all aspects of life and also a vehicle for escapism. Xolisa and Jeremy work as a team that puts knowledge, understanding and passion in the same basket to create dynamic luxury fashion solutions. In a business where buyers don’t want to feel like they’re spending and still want to be part of the brand’s lifestyle experience, understanding how fashion works and why

it sells is key to building longevity, especially in a market so niche. The Luxury Network for Africa is what LMVH is for Europe and the world. It’s an agency that creates, builds and develops luxurybrands that create not only symbolism for wealth, but also an affinity for a life larger than the ordinary. Xolisa sees luxury as an emotion as opposed to a product or brand. He says it’s essentially the feeling you experience when you acquire a specific product or brand and it should be reflected in the brand message. “Being at the head of The Luxury Network with Jeremy means we have a shared opportunity to champion Africa’s largest and most progressive luxury brands, and to assist in strategically growing their markets. I’m very excited about the developments thus far, as we have experienced excellent market support from over 20 top luxury brands in sex weeks,” says Xolisa.

* Luxury Brands has managed events for Nelson Mandela, Elton John and Small Luxury Hotels of the World * Some brands under The Luxury Network’s group include Jimmy Choo, Aston Martin and even Embraer Jets Sunseeker Yachts

The response from the top end market has been overwhelming and we are in the process of meeting many new luxury brands to join our new network.

The partnership between Xolisa and Jeremy is one that combines many factors that will help ensure their continued success and lay foundations for future generations interested in careers in fashion, that don’t necessarily involve designing and or manufacturing clothes. “In South Africa we will be bringing together a selection of the country’s finest luxury brands and high-end service providers to work together at a senior director level for mutual business and client development,” says Jeremy.

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FASHION

Merchants on Long a lifestyle salon mirrored in africa`s image and rich history Monde Mtsi

Probably the sole lifestyle salon of its kind on the continent, Merchants on Long retails work from Africa alone and promotes healthy job creation and small business development

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here’s something very drawing about the Merchants on Long building on Long Street. Long before you’ve entered through the doors, you’re bound to stop and wonder what goes on inside. I’m guilty of walking past the building and taking a photo of it every single time. To date, I have 17 photos of just the outside of the building. Step inside the building and you’re trans-

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ported to a world that only African Kings and Queens should thrive. Yet, the space provides itself as an opportunity for even a mere ‘peasant’ to make a regular living. Merchants on Long is possibly the only designer salon in Africa that houses lifestyle brands in fashion, art and homeware. The Victorian come Dutch-East building with an original terracotta façade, built in England and delivered to Cape Town in 1896, fuses many cultures and traditions in a building

rich with history and heritage, supporting a great local cause, just because they can. One is likely to be greeted by brands or labels such as MaXhosa Knitwear, BabaTunde, Lalesso, SAWA, Guidemore, Laloo and Wild Olive. From fashion knits and swimwear to beaded jewellery, handcrafted ceramics and scatter cushions. In essence, Merchants on Long fuses the culture of the craft by hand, with the skill of the retail sec-


FASHION

tor by mind. It fuses people’s ability to create with man’s obsession to own beautiful things. The space itself is filled with rich energy, from the original slate walls made of stone from Table Mountain, to the vibey and youthful energy of the coffee barrister. Merchants on Long is a guaranteed lifestyle

els, using Cape Town as a stop over point between the Americanas and Asia. After some time, the building not only secured a second floor, it also found itself catering to other needs relevant at the time, including being used an exclusive Bath House. Thereafter started its simple transformation into a high-end department store, and after many years, become what we now know as a type of boutique lifestyle store, since its reopen in 2010. “When we acquired the Merchants on Long building it was an art gallery. It had a low false ceiling and dry-walling which we removed to reveal the original slate and al

“The Art Nouveau influence is clearly stated on the delicately sculpted steel inserts on the front door. We took inspiration from this detail and commissioned a full size security door to be made in the same style. Another important project we took inspiration from and restored was the staircase. Replicating what remained of the original staircase, we built a new wooden staircase to fir into the building,” says Tammy. “The Merchants building has been an incredibly special project to work on as the place holds such a special place in so many Capetonians’ hearts. It has had an incredible history thus far and we hope it will continue long into the future.” It’s quite evident from the entire experience, the special care given to this building. The creation of the salon was a mere extension of this love for special projects, and has been extended to the salon’s work with many local communities within the Western Cape. It’s yet another extension of how fashion, lifestyle and retail can work together to showcase the manufacturing and design skills available in Africa, whilst simultaneously contributing towards the upliftment of local communities.

dating back 2010 – Merchants on Long re-opened its doors as the retail space we know today

The building’s history dates back to the formal beginnings of Cape Town. With the arrival of Jan Van Riebeeck, so did the beginning of commercialisation and the setting up of retail outlets to cater to the coastal trav-

“The Merchants building has been an incredibly special project to work on as the place holds such a special place in so many Capetonians’ hearts.”

experience that only a fashion loving brand could provide.

1903 – The terracotta façade is put on the front of the Merchants on Long building 1852 – The British took over Cape Town and the evident Victorian influence at Merchants on Long is derived from then 1850-1870 – Merchants on Long is being used as an exclusive Romanesque style Bath House

most perfect Oregon Pine timber beamed ceiling. There were one or two beams missing, which we managed to replace with original beams from the same time period,” states Tammy, current owner of Merchants on Long.

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wellness

Your Body`s ability to heal is greater than anyone has permitted you to believe Lerato T Kuzwayo

Human Beings are organic constructs and whatever the constructive deficiency the human structure should have occurs on an organic level. We can draw from this statement that for every organic problem there is an organic solution

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ou may read this and think you are dealing with yet another hippy that’s going on about the benefits of organics versus synthetics, natural versus manufactured and so on. But let’s put everything into perspective for a while and speak on the available evidence, for example in medicine. system, de-stressing, anti-spasmodic, helping with digestion, easing colic, reducing feHerbal remedies tend to have very subtle vers, relieving spasms of the digestive tract. and beneficial side effects as opposed to The herb has all these benefits and somesynthetic ones. While researching for this article and interest prior to that, I was led to a series of information on certain herbs that I had used or considered using. And the list of uses and health benefits reads like that guy at the Taxi Rank advertising the benefits of the miracle worker medicines such as ZifoZonke. For example the herb lemon verbana which you can drink as a tea, has benefits such as strengthening the nervous

heal with herbs

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times only has the side effect of a skin irritation, though this is highly rare. When you look at aspirin on the other hand, it only deals with lowering inflammation and acts as a pain killer, but it comes with extreme side effects such as internal bleeding in the stomach. An organic cure for inflammation is ginger which is also used to assist nausea and is a much safer alternative compared to aspirin.


wellness

the safety element You should also be aware that an overdose on synthetic medicines may lead to death in certain instances while it has been largely hard to quantify what an over dosage is in organic medicines. Skeptics would also argue that there are plants that are poisonous, but a herbalist would know what plant to use or not use and in what quantities to use them. The most fascinating thing is how our current society regards these natural remedies as alternative medicines as though the synthetic ones ought to be the most natural to the 21st century human being.

natural beauty If you take the beauty industry for instance, the stores are always happy to sell you the isolated chemical synthesized with others. But when you visit a cosmetologist or somatologist at beauty spas, they will admit to using a mixture of natural elements

ral ones are after all the best beauty remedies, for are we not the ones who have been ranting and raving about being children of the soil. This is who we are. although you elements such as avocado, olive or seed oil for face masks. Even the word cosmetology speaks to the cosmic energies that exists between humans and their natural habitats, inclusive to even the cosmic habitat of the sun, moon and stars. So why not consider using brown sugar with honey for exfoliate or face scrub as opposed to a product bought over the counter. The natu

natural beauty remedies to try glowing skin – Make a paste of honey, oats and egg white which can be used as a daily face cleaner – Sea salt mixed with olive oil, lemon juice can be used for a cleansing scrub that will kill bacteria Vibrant Eyes – Use cucumber slices for swollen puffy eyes. Not only are they also packed with silica which is known to reduce inflammation. – Chamomile tea bags can be put over the eyes to reduce dark circles. No more stinky eyes – Combine white vinegar to four parts water and soak your feet for 20 to 30 minutes for athletes foot. – Sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda between your toes and rinse your feet after fifteen minutes.

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CAPE INDULGENCE

Madam Taitou

the fantasy to ethiopian cuisine Nasiphi Mdlulwa

There is no better way to paint the picture of art, history, comfort, creativity and the familiarity of the space that is Madam Taitou with the traditional Ethiopian staple, called injera. Injera is to Ethiopians what pap is to Vendas, what pasta is to Italians, what rice is to the Chinese. The sourdough flat bread is traditionally made from teff but because it’s difficult to find in South Africa it is substituted with rice flour here.

I

t feels deep from the moment you walk in, from the things you hear to the aroma that fills it. Imagine a harem in the middle of the Amazonian jungle, but in Jane’s tree house, while a bar from the Ivory Coast lies beneath you. I cannot evoke the magical quality of the aesthetic of Madam Taitou but it’s as sultry as the name sounds.

The first dish I tried was Doro which is a spicy chicken stew with a hint of sweetness in the flavour. The story behind the preparation of Doro is that it’s cooked and served by a bride during the marital procedures, so the groom’s family can judge her cooking and see whether or not they are still interested in the bride. Let’s just say I would marry the woman who made the Doro I had.

Originally the plan was to visit Madame’s brother restaurant Timbuktu, but the owner felt with the summery balcony seating arrangement we wouldn’t enjoy our experience and so opted for us to go to Madam Taitou. (By the way this balcony looks like it could be part of a poets’ Italian villa, with light blue couches and settees and statues of African men) Both restaurants offer the same menu though and trust me you can order anything you like and you won’t be disappointed; by the prices, the portions or the flavour. It’s important to note that the restaurant specialises in Ethiopian food. As it was my first time having Ethiopian cuisine, the owner and genius who decorated the two spaces suggested we order Sergenya. It’s a dish that is traditionally served for festive events like weddings and contains most of the dishes served by the restaurant and I recommend it for any first timers. All dishes are served

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I also fell in love with a dish called Gored Gored which is lean beef warmed in spice butter, cooked with mitmita sauce. It’s divine and I even had the courage to tell my boss a.k.a my editor to lay off the Gored-Gored, it was just that nice. Another thing we noted was that no one meat dish tasted the same, not even slightly similar yet they were all meat dishes. And for the vegetarians, yes the nice people at Timbuktu and Madam Taitou have a place for you on their menu too. I particularly enjoyed their lentils cooked in ber-

ebere sauce. The closest thing I can describe the taste to, is lentils cooked in an almost curry-like spice, though not quiet. And I cannot forget to mention their juice. The freshly squeezed oranges made for a thick, pure and wholesome juice which is very rare even at the most “natural” restaurants and I absolutely loved it. The owner, Solomon, says that when he created the restaurant he created it, not with customers in mind but himself. This is clear in the décor and the music, which is an eclectic mix of old jazz, Ethopian music and sounds of nature. It is visible in everything that the restaurants are tangible fantasies of a travelled mind. The staff is wonderful, humble and all bear willing smiles. Don’t expect to be pestered but rather attended to as a guest in a friend’s home. For many this could be strange but it’s done intentionally to create a more pleasurable experience for the diner. In all my years and all the restaurants that I have been loyal to, I have never received a hug from a waiter and I did here. Madam Taitou on Long Street is like a tanzanite stone, Cleopatra lost in the midst of Long Street. Its precious, it’s regal, its haunting, it’s powerful, its seductive and it’s an indulgence of the mind, tongue, spirit and ear. I’m in love.


CAPE INDULGENCE

The mopane worm a delicacy in the south of africa Nasiphi Mdlulwa

How do you save the world, stay healthy, preserve history, contribute to the economy and indulge in a bit of adventure . Simple you eat mopane worms 1 chilli finely diced Salt to taste

preparation:

I

first experienced Mopane worms in my early teens, during a sleepover. Though I had known about the delicacy even before, being a Xhosa girl living in Cape Town, mopane worms are hard if not impossible to come by. And once you’ve acquired a taste for the worm which is actually a caterpillar, you understand why the mopane Worm also known as masonja forms part of a Multi-Million Rand Trade in edible insects in Southern Africa, and why it’s been part of Southern Africa’s diet for so long. In the 1990s, hundreds of tons were exported from Botswana and South Africa each year. And it is estimated that South Africa alone trades 1.6 million kilogrammes of mopane worm annually, and that Botswana’s involvement in this industry nets it roughly $8 million every year. The mopane worm is very popular in Southern Africa and is a popular delicacy in countries such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, South Africa and Namibia, not only for its

taste and texture but also for its nutritional value. It contains 60.70% crude protein, 16.70% crude fat and 10.72% minerals such as iron and calcium. It’s also said to have three times more protein content than beef and considering that it takes 3kg of mopane leaves to produce, whilst beef requires 10kg of feed to be produced. The adult requirements for calcium, iron and riboflavin are easily met by consuming 15 worms per day. So how does one prepare Mopane Worms? Well if you’re in Cape Town you start of by asking anyone you know who would be travelling to Limpopo, Johannesburg, Zimbabwe and all those countries I named to come back with a sack of Masonja for you the rest is easy.

In a pan fry the onions in oil over low heat till soft and translucent, turn up the heat and add green pepper along with the chilli. Stir fry for a minute and add rinsed mopane and garlic. Stir fry a further five minutes and then add ? cup water and seasoning. Cook for another 15 minutes till tender adding a little more water if necessary. Then add tomatoes and allow to cook further for another five minutes but be careful not to overcook and don’t let the dish become to watery. Note: the Mopane Worm still looks like a caterpillar after its been cooked so it’s not for the squeemish.

fact:

Gonimbrasia belina is a species of moth found in much of southern Africa, whose large edible caterpillar, otherwise known as the mopani or mopane worm, is an important source of protein for millions of Southern Africans. Like most caterpillars, the mopane worm’s life cycle starts when it hatches in the summer, after which it proceeds to eat the foliage in its immediate vicinity. As the larva grows, it moults four times in its fives larval stages, after which the mopane worm is considered its most desirable for harvesting.

Here is one of my favourite recipes

ingredients: 1 kg dried mopane worms 1 tablespoon cooking oil 1 medium onion finely chopped ? green pepper finely chopped 2 tomatoes well chopped

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FEATURE

Wathint` abafazi Wathint `imbokodo Chido-Vanessa Dandajena

My passion for what I do is what’s kept me motivated and the key to my success is my relationship with my ancestors.

W

omen’s month has just passed and the spirit of feminism is still in the air, so why not exploit what’s left of it? Wathint’abafazi, wathint’imbokodo - You strike a woman, you strike a rock. This statement could not be truer of dynamic women Kanyi Mavi and Letoya Mangezi. Lyrically and musically endowed, Mavi has a vision to take over the mother city. Mavi is a Cape Town born and bred hip-hop artist, performer, rapper, emcee, self-proclaimed “wordsmith”, role-model and woman. She has performed alongside international artist Lauryn Hill and opened for John Legend himself at the 2000 Cape Town Jazz Festival. Letoya Mangezi is equally phenomenal, and many of you may recognize as Ayanda from the award-winning local television drama Isidingo. Mangezi is an accomplished actress, talented singer, dedicated wife and mother of three. With such accolades one wonders how either of them manages a plate full of responsibilities, live balanced lifestyles along with being inyanga - spiritual healer?

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Both Mavi and Mangezi are career driven and accomplished in their own right. The performance industry is demanding in many aspects and requires dedication and commitment. Many who delve in it end up quickly retreating to their corners once the pressure begins to rise, but others excel and distinguish themselves as the crème-dela-crème of their respective fields. Despite sharing an array of accolades, Mavi and Mangezi also share spiritual aesthetics, in that they both practice as iiNyanga. Many people do not fully understand the concept or the significance to those who practice it. The traditional connotations of iNyanga are often primitive, backward and subverted portrayals which do not illustrate a substantial picture of the modern translation of this practice.


FEATURE

I haven’t compromised myself; I don’t see why I should either.

We interviewed Kanyi Mavi and Letoya Mangezi to find out more about who they are, how they manage a multi-faceted lifestyles and what they have done to succeed in such a competitive industry.

kanyi: I don’t know, and honestly, I don’t letoya: Right now my main focus is getting spend my thought on it.

letoya: They seem to forget that Ayanda is a character that I play. I am not her, even though she might have elements of Letoya within her.

imbo: Who is Kanyi/Letoya in one sentence? kanyi: I really would be cheating myself if I imbo: even attempted to sum myself up in one sentence. I think that’s best saved for my eulogy.

You are an accomplished and respected figure in the media/performance industry. What do you hope to accomplish further in your career?

letoya: Letoya is a child of the most High, a kanyi: Well, there’s a lot of work I need to Nyanga, a mother, a wife and an all-round creative soul.

imbo:

What is the biggest misperception that people have about you?

do. I feel like I’m only in my beginning stages of my career. I also want to travel the world with my music. I haven’t even begun to scratch the surface.

my tracks out. I’ve worked really hard to get my music to sound this beautiful and I hope to share it with the masses sooner, rather than later. That followed by live shows and a couple of movies...that’s what I want.

imbo: What would you say has kept you motivated throughout? And what is the key to your success?

kanyi: Music, and the role it plays in my life. A song can know exactly how you feel and that alone lets you know you’re not alone. There’s been a song for the worst and best times of my life. Plus, the instinct to survive I guess. Knowing there’s more to life than the feeling of being stagnant or

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FEATURE males in the industry. How have you coped? Have you ever had to compromise to get ahead?

kanyi: The challenges I face are no different to any other mc trying to get out there with something fresh in a world where nothing is new. I haven’t compromised myself, I don’t see why I should either.

letoya: My coping mechanism is my family, my husband and our children. Without them I’d be lost and in darkness. They keep it real with me and they love me for me. For just being Mommy and for just being the wife who cares.

imbo: What does your day-to-day routine/ schedule consist of?

kanyi: No day is the same as the previous. It really becomes a new day, but a lot of the times, I’ll be sure to land up at the studio.

letoya: Up at 6am, workout, unless I need

stuck makes me want to keep moving.

letoya: My passion for what I do is what’s kept me motivated and the key to my success is my relationship with my ancestors. As long as I stay prayerful and keep God ahead of everything, I’ll always be successful.

imbo:

What do your friends and family say about your chosen path?

point or another, but it is how you recover that stands testament of your character. What discourages you? And keeps you going and gets you back on track?

kanyi:

Negativity and self-doubt. It’s not easy to find a way out of dark situations, but if your will is strong and you actively try and counter those feelings with positivity and prayer, you will get to a better place.

letoya:

They’re all very proud of me. For having the guts to go Thwasa, the guts to stay on this gifted path and the nerve to think that I could still make it back into this crazy industry where you’re as good as your last hit.

People have been my biggest disappointment thus far. The dishonesty, betrayal and lack of love and patience that people have for one another. I don’t get discouraged very easily I guess my faith in knowing that life and everything in life is about Divine Intervention has kept me going. So when it’s not going quite my way, I stop, reflect and listen to the Gods, they’re talking. I re-align myself and thank God for my husband, who’s always there to remind me of who I am and the powers bestowed upon me.

imbo:

imbo:

kanyi: My family has always been supportive, we support each other. And the best thing about family is that they will be honest with their feelings whether you like it or not.

letoya:

Everyone gets discouraged at one

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Being one of the few successful fe-

to be on set by 7:30, then I’m up by 5am. Check with everyone how they slept. Prepare tea and breakfast, bond with my children before they need to get to school and my day gets hectic. Leave home to either go onto set, or a voice over or a session, or to studio where I’ve been working on my tracks, or I’m just running around doing grocery shopping for my home and taking care of my family as a mother should. I’m usually home around 7pm. Just in time to see Tadiwa who religiously knocks out by 19:30, depending on how hard he was playing. I read to them, pray with them and kiss them goodnight. Then I have a little time to myself to unwind before getting into scripts again. Phew!

imbo: How do you maintain a balance between your work/personal life/family?

kanyi: I’m still growing and learning how to find that balance. I would be lying if I said I’ve cracked the code, all I can say is I do what I can.

letoya: Prayers, as you can imagine that this does sometimes become very overwhelming. A great husband who’s very hands-on, and a wonderful nanny who’s essentially their other mommy. Wouldn’t be able to do


FEATURE please fill the gaps in the following sentences: imbo: The first thing I do in the morning is.. kanyi: Play music imbo:...is my most prized possession. letoya: Indumba (Surger/my practice) imbo: Things my mother used to say that I’ll never forget...

letoya: “A woman should always look after herself. Hear me as I speak to you, so that tomorrow when I’m not around, you won’t be lost.”

kanyi: “There’s a right way of doing everything.”

imbo: I wanted to be ... When I was younger. kanyi: I wanted to be ...a chemical engineer when I was younger.

letoya: Singer imbo: My first crush was.... kanyi: Someone cute whose name I never knew. what I’m doing without my support system. Love them!

imbo: What has been the most memorable performance/television moment in your career thus far? And why?

kanyi: Most memorable has to be my album launch, it was extremely amazing. The musicians who helped me put the show together, the people I work with, the crowd and of course Miss Lauryn Hill, dope.

letoya: My most memorable performances were the ones with my girl group, s’Kool Girlz. Those were the years of none stop music and going on tours with our parents. Those were the times when our mom was still around and I miss that-we all miss our mom.

kanyi: Skill and passion, in any industry and in life.

letoya:

Self-love and self-respect. When you have these two attributes, you will automatically have respect for your work. People see it and that’s what they want to be affiliated with. Even in life, you draw positive energies closer to yourself when you have self-love and self-respect. It goes back to ‘getting back what you put out’. If you put it out there that you love and respect yourself, that infectious energy makes people love and respect you too. People only treat us like we treat ourselves. Make your choice.

imbo: Next big thing for Kanyi/Letoya? kanyi: Right now, I’m promoting my album Iintombi-zifikile and hope to visit all corners of the country.

imbo: What is the most important attribute letoya: The next big thing for Letoya is her to have to be successful in the industry? And in life?

music!

imbo: If I won the lottery I would… kanyi: I would keep quiet letoya: Invest in my family imbo: …Is my favourite artist/performer/public figure.

letoya: Whitney Houston because she was just a phenomenal talent to listen to and also watch on screen as an actress.

imbo: I always…right before my performances

letoya: Well one thing I never forget to do before leaving my home and becoming Ayanda or any other character is to phahla (talk to the ancestors). I guess that’s where I get my balance. Where badimo baka (my ancestors) know that they’ve blessed me thus far and it’s just up to me to always give them the respect they deserve so that they can always allow me the creative space to become Ayanda and or other characters. While I spend most of my weekdays on set, I generally reserve my weekends for my patients.

IMBO/ ISSUE 8/ 2012 47


Exposé

Fake herbalists taint African medicine Lerato Kuzwayo

The Training or initiation processes of modern day herbalists are fraught with corruption and deception. May this act as a flag to let you know what you should look out for. In the wellness section of the magazine you will find a beautiful guide, to natural health supplements as manufactured by mother earth herself. But an issue arises with regard to these natural and indigenous medicines not being studied accurately. I’m sure you’ve come across one of those flyers, from some self proclaimed professor or doctor who happens to have a cure for everything, and I do mean everything. This includes healing a broken heart answering the age old R&B and soul singer’s conundrum. Some of these promotions are rather hilarious with solutions ranging from bringing back a lost lover, making you sure you find a job, despite never having even typed a CV and they will even offer you a chance to win the lotto. I don’t know how they give out lotto numbers or how they have any effect on the draw machines, but these professors and doctors whom I dub fake herbalist are proud to proclaim that they can do this. Anyone who has read the Story of Aladin Knows that the genie cannot make anyone love you using magic, so the lost lover claim is out the window. If you want a job, the perfect cure is a good hard education and concise CV that will prepare you for the world of employment, and by all means take chances playing the lotto, but I doubt Professor Bones Matwetwe has the numbers.

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Now the indigenous herbalist are honorable people who genuinely seek out to help those in need of real help, these other guys are really just tantamount to medical fraudsters who have cast a bad light on natural medicines. The greatest of dangers come in the form of claims such as curing H.I.V. and AIDS related illnesses, and some “pastors” are guilty of this too, but that is word for another day. In any case from such dangers of these false herbal prophets who only care for profits we find even more horrendous acts of child abduction, muti mutilation and murder, where people seek out the blood of innocents to cure the incurables. Perhaps the Health and Science departments should really invest in the education of natural medical practitioners along with informing gullible citizens on how the natural sciences actually function. In as much as Aspirin takes away a headache, I’m certain it is the glass of water with which you drink your tablet that does the most work. So people need to be informed on when it is necessary to use which remedies and what the causes might be, as a headache is usually cased by dehydration for example. The Myth of the magic concoction that heals all the conceivable disease can only be obliterated by natural scientific research; this could greatly keep people safe from profiteering pretender doctor and professors.


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financial fundis

Ulterior economic structures Athenkosi Peter

other forms of pooling funds and saving money exist. Burial Societies, Stokvels and Muslim Banking are such organisations. In lesser developed nations where large numbers of the population are considered ‘unbanked’ these institutions tend to be the predominant forms people utilise to pool funds either for investment or expenditure.

stokvels & burial societies Stokvels are invitation only clubs of twelve of more people serving as rotating credit unions or saving schemes in South Africa, where members contribute fixed sums of money to a central fund on a weekly, fortnightly or monthly basis.

T

he financial system is one the pillars of modern economy. It acts as a conduit, linking lenders and borrowers to transfer scarce capital resources to their highest valued user at any particular moment in time. Centuries of trading practices and financial innovation have necessitated the growth and constant evolution of financial institutions to result in the present day institutions of banks, building societies, stokvels and many other niche institutions. The sophistication and stability of a country’s financial system is a pre-requisite of a wellfunctioning economy. The most economically developed nations have some of the most developed banking and financial systems in the world to illustrate this point. Places like New York, London, Hong Kong are based in some of the most prosperous nations in the world. South Africa’s banking infrastructure is rated alongside these regions but paradoxically does not exhibit anywhere near the level of economic advancement of

50 IMBO/ ISSUE 8/ 2012

these regions. This might be due to various socio-economic imbalances due to financial illiteracy and to a certain extent the legacy of apartheid. Beyond the traditional banking institutions

Burial Societies provide ‘informal insurance’ to members in the event of the loss of a loved one. Claims can be made from the burial society to help towards funeral costs and other expenses. Burial societies are very similar to stokvels but with the caveat that there are no periodic pay outs and a new member normally has a waiting period before they can benefit from the society.


financial fundis

These two savings schemes are prevalent in African communities where there are strong communal ties. The traditional banking institutions have identified this to be a key growth area for their operations and have each looked to launch stokvel-type accounts to grow their customer bases to include individuals in these informal savings schemes. First National Bank has the FNB Stokvel account, ABSA has the ABSA Club Account.

muslim community banking Another community that is not restricted

to traditional banking is been the Muslim community. Sharia Law prohibits the fixed or floating payment of specific interest or fees for loans of money. Charging interest is considered haraam “sinful and prohibited”. Also investing in businesses that are contrary to Islamic principles is prohibited. Financial products consistent with Islamic principles have had to be developed to bring Islamic funds into the traditional financial institutions. For example FNB offers the Islamic Finance Cheque Account.

banked’ people is a positive situation for the creation of a safe, reliable savings culture in South Africa which can only enhance the prospects for economic growth. It unlocks idle funds for entrepreneurs to access from the banks that weren’t previously available (because they were under the mattress). Now the banking institutions, through their specialised knowledge and expertise in the lending of funds and risk measuring, can allow funds to be allocated efficiently in the economy and enhance the country’s economic growth.

Ultimately the development of heterodox financial products to suit previously ‘un-

interesting facts * The word bank was borrowed in Middle English from Middle French banque, from Old Italian banca, from Old High German banc, bank “bench, counter”. Benches were used as desks or exchange counters during the Renaissance by Florentine bankers, who used to make their transactions on top desks covered by green tablecloths * The name “stokvel” originated from the term “stock fairs”, as the rotating cattle auctions of English settlers in the Eastern Cape during the early 19th century were known.

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YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Deep Settle Movement Noluvuyo Bacela

Asanda, Fez, and Chris didn’t settle for less - They started a movement in the hood Unlike their aspirational would-have-been counterparts Loxion Kulca, that seem to have dissipated into an oblivion of high fashion, they hold close to the original plan, insisting on “branching out only when the opportunity arises” and remaining in Gug’s. “We are like a triangle. We share a common desire and assist each other towards our goals in unison.” Fez adds that it’s unnecessary to take individual credit and to be arrogant. “We meet two to three times during the week to discuss everything but Chris normally handles urgent issues as they come up.” Such faith comes from them maintaining a more brotherly relationship as opposed to that of business partners. “It’s like we are dating Deep Settle, we talk through our problems as they arise. Even with prepaid SIM cards, commuting difficulties and frequenting Internet café’s, we always manage to find common ground,” says Asanda.

D

eep Settle Movement was created two years ago by three super talented then Graphic Design students - Asanda, Fez and Chris after an all-consuming conversation on a train carriage. “We were from the same township, attended the same classes and rode the same train daily – so everything just clicked”. Now two full years after sticking their necks out of a Metrorail trail station and pursuing a not-so- farfetched idea of setting up a business, the now coveted township-based brand stays grounded and goal-orientated as ever. One must wonder what they did right.

Positioned outside the infamous Mzoli’s in

Gugulethu, these cats bring fresh, street style flavour to Cape Town’s favourite weekend hangout. We met up with the ambitious and talented trio at the same spot where it all began, Cape Town train station. “We started off by printing thirty units and approached the municipality to set up a stall outside the establishment and we’ve been registered for about a year now”. They say all the ambition in the world couldn’t have prepared them for the blows that lay before them. “We travelled ngamaphela and trains to get around. We still don’t even own smartphones but we are just focused on building our brand.” But Chris says as much as they would love investors and sponsors, we want people (hint hint) who share our vision .

This triangle seems to be working out for everyone. With phrases like “our brotherly love goes deeper than business” flying around, you know they’re not just feeding us stories printed on their sweaters when they add they want to build a legacy and that it isn’t [all] about the money. They are currently working on their summer range, and plan to open a store before the festive season in Gugulethu. And no worries for the CBD folk, they can find their merchandising at Hello Again stores and the BUY Network.

get hold of deep settle movement www.facebook.com/pages/Deep-settlemovement

twitter: @deepsettleM

“We are like a triangle- we share common desire and assist www.deepsettlemovement.com/ each other towards our goals in unison… Our brotherly love sales: +27766295308. goes deeper than business”. 52 IMBO/ ISSUE 3/ 2012


YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Neon Grey Creative Marketing Noluvuyo Bacela

They call it creative chaos, they call it inspired anarchy. Whatever it is…they call it Neon Grey Creative Marketing the brand is on point, no matter the market they’re in. How do you manage to work together to meet goals and deadlines? NGCM: Our end goal is to answer the brief with the best creative output and quickest turnaround time. Also, owning our business helps us find a balance with our workloads, and allows flexibility with our creative output. We pride ourselves in delivering on time, all the time.

How did you get started and were there any challenges? NGCM: In the beginning the business was

send them off to clients. We believe that our passion, professional approach, unconventional methods and determination helped us pull through and kept our clients coming back. Where did the idea of your pink panda logo come from? The panda idea started when we wanted to have fun and quirky characters to represent ourselves, and because we rarely do things in black and white (as we’re bold in everything we do), we decided that our panda is the perfect symbol.

C

reative Director at Neon Grey Creative Marketing, Clint White is synonymous for dressing in colourful pyjamas that allow him to dream on the go. While his partner and head designer Brent Peters says, the hunger to learn more about design encourages him to perfect the skill of rendering graphics. This dynamic duo tells us more about their out of the box company that knows no bounds in creativity.

“… we wanted to have fun and quirky characters to represent ourselves and because we rarely do things in black and white as we’re bold in everything we do. run on a part-time basis because we had full time jobs and actually developed our first designs via Mxit. We had no capital and very little resources. It was challenging and we developed the designs in the evening. We would communicate, take photos for inspiration and send them to each other, then develop copy and the overall design and

What does cohesion mean to your company? NGCM: Cohesion is something we practice on a daily basis. All of our designs are a collaborative effort because anyone on the team could have an amazing idea brewing. We also work with the clients on all levels, gathering valuable insights to ensure that

How do you manage issues with communication? NGCM: Within our team, we ALWAYS communicate. It’s very rare that we disagree as a team or with our clients because we all know that we have the best interests at heart. We like to get to know our clients, who they are, what they do, and what the business is all about. Asking the right questions helps us know where the business is, and where our client wants to take it. What’s your goals and vision for the brand Neon Grey? NGCM: Firstly, we want to educate people about what we do. We’re often asked if we design business cards, and we do, but there is a lot more to it than that. There’s a story behind every project we develop. We would love to increase our services scope and one day operate as a fully fledged advertising agency, but for now we plan to expand our team and open offices in Jo’burg.

info To Contact Neon Grey Creative Marketing: : +27 (0) 82 295 1521/ +27 (0) 79 375 0943 : neongreycreative@gmail.com : www.neongreycreative.co.za : www.facebook.com/neongreycreative

call

email web facebook

IMBO/ ISSUE 3/ 2012 53


NETWORKING SESSIONS

Imbo Sessions Gugu Madlala

T

he essence of networking for the young adult is vital. And we at Imbo have dedicated a whole beat to the teachings of it. Over the past six issues we went through all of the foundation phases of a solid networking path. But what good is information without practice though? Being part of a company built on the values of empowerment, education and bridging the gap between corporate and youth, we decided it was time to begin with the practicals. And these practicals will be known as Imbo Sessions.

So what exactly is an Imbo Session? It’s a specifically facilitated networking session between final year students of specific faculties and corporates from industry parallel to that faculty. We live in an ever competitive environment

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and a profit driven economy. In a profit driven economy the fundamental ideology is saving cost, and the single most expensive cost to any organization is human resources. This makes it increasingly difficult to secure employment as a recent graduate for a number of reasons, including the decreasing number of positions, the increasing number of graduates and the inability to make contact with the right people at the right places. Here at Imbo we believe that the most important people of our time when it comes to shaping and evolving our future are the graduating students. We believe that it is imperative that we share in a positive and proactive community with graduates and


NETWORKING SESSIONS different corporate representatives at the function, and getting your foot in the door. The vision is that on the open floor, in a casual environment, individuals can secure a relationship which they will then nurture and grow into opportunity when they begin applying for employment.

create opportunities for these young people to affect change. At least 100 people will be attending the Imbo sessions at a time. Seventy of the guests will be students while the remaining 30, corporate. Each session will be kept industry specific and there will be a talk on the state of that career option. Then the real networking begins when the focus shifts from the discussion, to actually mingling with the

Of course we understand that it’s not fair to keep these sessions privately between the attendees, so we have created this new beat to ensure that all the readers also have an insight into the outcomes of the session. The beat will also celebrate the session and give everybody involved recognition for taking the progressive steps which they are by being involved.

tradicting and confusing situation we find ourselves in as a nation. As the incumbent leader of the continent we find ourselves in a catch 22 situation, and again it’s a problem to be debated by government but solved by youth. So let’s start by bringing together the various student leaders and facilitate how we as young people can take control of our situation and make it our responsibility to progress ourselves, our nation, our continent and ultimately, our world.

Once you’ve seen the session you will definitely want to know more and find out how you too can get involved. By coming together on a regular basis and discussing industry we are taking our futures into our own hands. It’s the youth which are tasked with creating solutions to the con-

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AFRICA CONNECT

Ethiopia the land of zion Kudzai Mazvarirwofa

Wade through incense into a medieval world constructed from stone in Lalibela, and witness the faint line between past and present blur while taking part in striking Christian ceremonies that haven’t changed in 1000 years. This is Ethiopia. that reach up to 84,320,000 to date. Ethiopia is one of the oldest sites of human existence known to scientists. The region is said to be the region from which the homosapiens set out for the Middle East and beyond. Besides being the mother of the human race, Ethiopia is also said to be the mother of Christianity as well, with the first insurgence of Christianity and other forms of religion being stated to have started in that particular region. Ethiopia was a monarchy for most of its history, and the Ethiopian dynasty traces its roots to the second century BC, alongside Rome, Persia, China and India. The Kingdom of Aksum was one of the great world powers of the third century and the first major empire in the world to officially adopt Christianity as a state religion in the fourth century.

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thiopia’s storied and sovereign history has left its wide-ranging and fertile highlands laden with historical treasures and monuments, ranging from the ancient tombs and obelisks of Aksum to 17th-century castles and burnt-out Russian tanks. The line between pre-historic relics and post-colonial artefacts remains obvious yet striking at the same time. Ethiopia is officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia. It is located in the pointy ‘horn’ of Africa, with Eretria to the north, Djibouti and Somalia to the east and Sudan to the west and Kenya to the south. Ethiopia is the second most populous nation on the continent with inhabitants

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Ethiopia has her own script or alphabet. It is known as the Ge’ez script and it is widely used in Ethiopia and Eritrea as ‘abugida’,

which is the syllable alphabet. This syllable alphabet existed in an ‘abjad’ form, (in consonant- only). Ethiopia’s population is highly diverse. Most of its people speak a Semitic or Cushitic language. The Oromo, Amhara, and Tigreans make up more than two-thirds of the population, but there are more than 77 different ethnic groups with their own distinct

languages within Ethiopia. Ethiopia is the home to raw history. One does not venture there to sit back and relax, one goes to Ethiopia to be moved. She tells an awe-inspiring tale of trials and tribulations, heartbreak and redemption. The majority of the population is Muslim and Christian. The practice of the ill-fated Sharia law is largely frowned upon as the government in place is headed by a Christian and thus upholds a Christian standpoint in all their views. There have also been several issues with human rights as there have been several disputes about land and economic disputes and hardships. The US government provides aid to Ethiopia in various forms, including food and grants. Following the 2010 elections, there were 152 women in the 547-seat parliament, two female judges on the 11-seat Supreme Court, three women ministers among the 21-member cabinet, and four women among 53 state ministers. This has been widely acclaimed as a huge step in the right direction in terms of human rights and female involvement in the parliament. The fact that there are active females in parliament affords the younger generation with the right attitude for tackling the future.


AFRICA CONNECT

Your neighbour from Ethiopia Architecture student Selam Berhane tells us about growing up in the East, her move to the South and her big plans for the future, which include going back home and leaving her own little legacy.

growing up and studies Q. Where do you study? A: University of Cape Town. Q: What are you majoring in? A: I am majoring in Architecture, but it is still Under Graduate. Q: Where exactly do you come from? A: I am Eritrean by birth, but grew up in Ethiopia, for a few years before we relocated to Botswana. Q: When was the last time you visited Ethiopia? A: The last time I was in the North East was in 2002.

your views and beliefs Q: What are your views about the government in place in Ethiopia? A: Of course growing up in Southern Africa, even though the government here aren’t perfect, in my opinion, I believe they are better than the one in place there. Q: Why do you say that?

A: Well it’s the little things like the fact that the country is a little bit behind on production and thus has to accept hand-outs as well as dictations from their benefactor. Meaning that in a way, the country is not as democratic as it appears. Q: What do you think about the type of coverage that Ethiopia gets in the media? A: Well the thing is, there are places where bad things happen, but it is not all bad. There are beautiful places too. Ethiopia is wealthy in terms of history, monuments and what-not. That is not properly covered in the media. Q: What is your view about the religion practised in the North East? A: Well all I can say is I am ‘Christian’ Q: Why the quotation marks? A: Well because I can’t say I am atheist, it’s too drastic. I am agnostic really.

home is where the heart is Q: What is your favourite ethnic dish? A: Wow, where do I start? I’d have to say injera (sour chapatti/ flat bread) and tsebhi

sega (which directly translates to meat stew) Q: What is your fondest memory? A: Well my fondest memory was a trip the family took a while back. My cousins and I came across a little deli, for lack of a better word, which was in a dingy back alley of some road. The fact that this place was named after me, (it was called Selam Eatery, again direct translation) we all decided to go in. The place was swarming with fat cats that had scars and things. The food was prepared by the owner, very simple, fish moulded into batter and put in the clay oven. That was by far the best fish I have ever had to date. We weren’t worried about hygiene or anything because the food was that good. Q: Do you ever plan on going back to the East after graduating? A: Well yes. I am hoping to do so next year. With my architectural degree, I have high hopes of being able to build something that is distinctly original, without having to change my ideas or design just because someone is paying for it. It is my way of making my own little history.

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Campus connect

Stellenbosch a student`s paradise Megan Bursey

Growing up, discovering new spaces, honouring heritage and celebrating culture, the non-stop nightlife and oh don’t forget classes. That’s Stellenbosch University in a nutshell.

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remember the first time I laid eyes on the small town of Stellenbosch – I was starting my first year of varsity and my parents had driven me all the way from the Eastern Cape to ‘set me up’ for my studies. As I drove up the main road with the imposing, beautiful mountains surrounding me, I remember feeling, that this town had so much to offer. The streets were neat and lined with lusciously green oak trees. Students were cycling from one place to another and the clean, white campus buildings looked so impressive and important. After three and half years spent in Stellenbosch, I feel that I have come to know the town and the characteris-

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campus connect store at three in the morning after a night out on the town. You’re never bored in Stellenbosch as the town is situated in the very heart of the winelands, with over 200 wine farms in the surrounding region. One of the pleasures of being a student here is being able to go on a ‘wyn toer’ or wine tasting with friends at a nearby wine farm. And for around R30 you can get five tastings of wine and an expert explanation of what you’re drinking. Many of the wine farms have their own restaurants, and although they cater primarily for the tourist market, it is well worth treating yourself and someone special to a meal out. And each restaurant you visit has its own distinct traits and character, with some of the most amazing meals on offer.

tics that make it so unique. The population of Stellenbosch is not enormous, but the presence of the students is something which comprises a fundamental part of it. There are approximately 25 000 students who form part of the University, and it is around the students which a large number of businesses have grown to function for and depend upon. In recent years and much to the delight of the students, the local McDonald’s has adjusted its hours in order to cater for hungry students around the clock. It is not uncommon to see groups of festive party-goers visiting the fast-food

Summer in Stellenbosch is something quite special, and there is no excuse to be indoors with the various trails and mountain

walks you can experience. With the beach only 25 minutes away, weekends are often spent lazing on the stunning sands of Koel Bay. For the more adventurous types, Stellenbosch is a prime spot for hiking, mountain biking and trail running. The Jonkershoek Nature Reserve offers a number of serene trails through the forest, and for the not-sofit student, there is an exciting walk up to a large waterfall in the reserve. The nightlife in Stellenbosch is something which has to be experienced. There really is something for everyone; from the more chilled after-work drinks at a cocktail bar, to the traditional Irish pub with its revered beers at The Brazen Head, to the generously sized jugs of concoctions served at DeLapa, there is room for everyone. Bohemia is a stalwart in the student life scene, and offers a varied menu with its legendary pizzas, drink specials every day, local and up and coming bands every week and its

widely supported Bingo night every Sunday, where competitors can win generous bar-tabs and hampers. A good night out often begins at Bohemia and then moves in the direction of your choice. If you are into your drum and bass, dub step and electro music then Die Mystic Boer is definitely where you want to head. For those into the more commercial pop music and sokkie, Catwalk is your scene. Terrace, notorious for being down-right-dirty, is always an option if you want to let completely loose and get jamming with your mates. Stellenbosch is such a vibrant and diverse town, with something for everyone. When your feet first touch the ground, roots start to form making it a place difficult to leave.

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LIFE SKILLS

Embracing One Another As Fellow Human Beings Modise Moloi

The key question is how long are we going to tip toe around the fact that we are not embracing each other as human beings? Saddening stories that we witness daily are a clear indication that there is a huge problem. The challenge is that, we have mastered being deaf to the crying voices, mastered blindness against human injustices and have become heartless to the people that are in dire need of our help. It has become easier to see a young girl or an old granny being raped by a number of so called men and yet decide to be silent about it. We have masked ourselves with fake smiles and meaningless handshakes and speak about equality yet degrade one another.

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ur past has shaped us to be who we are and what we know has caused us to react the way we do every day. Our differences have made us the product of mediocre. And instead of embracing one another, we have rather chosen to classify each other according to race, colour and status. Every day we are faced with challenges including crime, racism, tribalism, nepotism, sexism, extreme income inequalities, xenophobia, manipulations and hatred against one another. These simply perpetuate animosity against one another despite the fact that we all have the same colour blood. The truth of the matter is that South Africa is known as a rainbow nation and a place that has been an example of reconciliation

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to the global village. However, we are still facing a titanic challenge of embracing one other beyond our cultural backgrounds, language, geographical location etc. The desire to be better than others has perpetuated greed, hatred and corruption in all levels of our society. These challenges will always be with us until we are ready to confront them. It is often easier to mask unity when looking for an opportunity to feed our greed from someone’s lack of education, access to resources, skills and power. If those who are in economic and political power had the best interest of humanity at heart, South Africa would not be having so many pay increase and service delivery protests, with some ending in the loss of lives.

This status quo and many unspeakable injustices will never be changed until such time that we are ready to acknowledge and confront these challenges. It will firstly need us to have changed attitudes, perceptions and assumptions about one another. If we don’t change this, we will never have a situation where a Mosotho treats uMzulu as a human being or different races respecting each other as fellow human beings. Secondly, we need to have honest and courageous conversations regarding these challenges, so that we can have real solutions that aren’t based on cooked statistical data. Thirdly, the leaders in our nation need to lead as example by embracing each other as human beings and not as enemies. Lastly, this challenge needs the public sector, private sector, churches, and non-governmental organisations to acknowledge that we need one another. We need to embrace each other as human beings. Motho Ke Motho Ka Batho.


CAREER ADVICE

On the right track Lindile Ndwayana

Sanbona Wildlife Reserve Ranger Manager Danie Lourens talks to us about the art of tracking

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s a Ranger Manager Danie Lourens has done his fair share of tracking animals and gained vast experience through working side by side with some of the most gifted trackers in the country and even beyond our borders. He gives us some insight on this ancient science.

How did you discover “Tracking”? DN: From a young age I had an interest in the outdoors and wildlife and spent hours of my time walking around in the bush looking for any signs of animals, whether it was something big or small. It became a challenge to try and figure out what it was and what it was doing and I guess this way I discovered that lots can be learnt from tracking. Why did you want to work for a Game Reserve? DN: My interest is not only in tracking, but also in wildlife management, nature guiding and guide training. Working on a game reserve therefore creates an ideal situation to combine these interests. What studies do you have to pursue to become a tracker? DN: There are various training providers in South Africa who offer tracking courses. Some specialise in the tracking of humans, used for anti-poaching operations and some providers specialise in animal tracking. There is no minimum qualification required to do a tracking course, as many experienced trackers are illiterate, but have vast experience in tracking and for many of them tracking forms part of their day to day existence. What interesting stories can you tell the reader about your career as a tracker? DN: One of my personal highlights was when I was called by a farmer who had lost 13 sheep in one night. They were killed by some kind of predator and of course the blame was immediately put on caracal, black-backed jackal or leopard. I started early morning by investigating the scene

and soon discovered it was none of the above predators. After about three hours of tracking I found the culprits on the neighboring farm. Two stray dogs. What kind of personality would best suit this career? DN: Doing tracking requires a lot of concentration combined with patience. Besides being mentally and physically fit, I would say that a calm person with the ability to persist when faced with a challenge, best suits this line of work. What traits has the modern tracker learned from “original” trackers such as the Khoisan? DN: In my opinion the San bushman trackers are some of the best trackers in the world. Being an ancient culture in Southern Africa I would say that the tracking done today is very much based on their tracking methods. Has “tracking” evolved into something else? DN: I think that tracking is no more only an art to track animals for hunting as done by traditional trackers, but it has become an important tool used in our modern day conservation approach. What purpose does it serve? DN: Tracking is mainly used in game reserves and national parks as a method to control poaching, to monitor wildlife and to gather data for management purposes. In most reserves guides also have a tracking qualification in order to enhance the guest experience on drives and walking safaris. I feel it is an art and tradition that we should keep alive.

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Alternative Thinking

What am I? Khanya Ndlela

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verything on this planet is reflective of the same thing. All fruits and vegetables are reflective of the human anatomy in some way or other. All animals mimic some human quality in some way or other and all things upon the earth can be given a shared denominator through a ratio calculation. In plain, all things are one. All things are I. The journey or rather the quest to the discovery of answers into our existence has been the focus point of human existence for times beyond our current comprehension. We come from a time when ancient civilizations spent all their focus stretching their minds in vain of discovery, progression and ultimately evolution. Over the past five hundred years there seems to have come a certain dumbing down of general society, and the hunger for discovery has certainly slowed to a point where today most have not asked themselves the most basic and crucial question of existence, ‘What am I?’. It is this fundamental question and more so it’s asking than its answer which holds the key to our pro-

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gression at this complicated intersection of our society. When we ask the question ‘What am I’, we are pushing the limits of our existence and putting ourselves in the frame of mind the ultimate creator or creative force had intended us to reside in at all times. This question is the most intense question we could possibly ask of all the questions conceivable. It is the courage to ask this question which leads us to the fascinating and terrifying truth that the possibilities are infinite and that there are many ‘not-wrong’s’. It is this infinite possibility which has made the discoveries of knowledge and technologies possible. It is the notion and existence of the term ‘not-wrong’ which has allowed for collective thinking to be radically revolutionized in as little as a generation, which has found the earth to be round and not flat and most recently has given us the discovery of multiverses. Without the fundamental question ‘What am I’, the world would not be the place it is today and we would not be what we are

today. It is the key to our discovery, our progression and our evolution. We live in a time where there are incredible changes taking place on all levels. We are seeing the global systems of law, finance and governance systematically fail and break down. We are seeing people move away from the culture of consumerism and disregard for our environment. We are seeing a mass realization by the people that there is something incredibly wrong with the way we live and the need for urgent, radical and positive change. Evolution. The question ‘What am I?’ is what will facilitate our discovery of the solutions and our collective way forward at this time. When we ask the question ‘What am I’, we are not asking what religion am I, what race am I, what sex am I, what nationality am I. We are asking ‘What am I’. What am I as this thing which is all things, this thing which is the mountains, the fish, the air etc. The time has come for us to awaken and discover our true self and true ability and true desire and true existence. It all starts with one question; ‘what am I’.


FEEL GOOD

The fight for the right to equal education Kate Wilkinson

textbooks at the end of the school year, and running late-coming campaigns at schools in Khayelitsha. To advance a campaign to have one library in every school, EE opened The Bookery in Cape Town in 2010. The Bookery acts as a depot where the public can donate books suitable for high schools. These books are then catalogued by volunteers before being placed

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n the next two months the Bhisho High Court will begin hearing one of the most important court cases of our young democracy: Equal Education vs. Minister of Basic Education. This case will hear the norms and standards for school infrastructure, which will define the right to education under our Constitution.

in schools. Through public support EE has been able to open 17 libraries in schools across the Western Cape. EE’s campaign for school libraries grew into a larger campaign for school infrastructure. For the last two years EE has campaigned on a simple premise: that every school in the country should have the same basic level Since 2008 Equal Education (EE) has campaigned to improve the quality and equality of South Africa’s education system. Twenty years after Nelson Mandela’s release from prison the education received by young people in South Africa remains vastly unequal. Despite attempts to overhaul the system, class and race-linked inequalities remain entrenched. Education was the foundation upon which inequality was fashioned during the years of apartheid, but unequal educational opportunities still remain amongst the greatest obstacles to equality, dignity and freedom in today’s South Africa. EE has tackled a broad range of educational issues. This includes producing DVD’s that encourage learners to return their

of infrastructure. Almost 3,600 schools do not have electricity, 92% of schools do not have a functioning library and in the Eastern Cape there are still 395 mud schools. There are 2,402 schools that do not have water supply and 913 schools still do not have any toilet facilities.

The right to a basic education cannot be seen as separate from the conditions under which learners are taught. If there is no electricity at a school they can’t have computers, photocopy machines or overhead projectors. Without water supply leaners have to go the whole day without a drink or walk kilometres to reach water. Without a library learners cannot conduct research or read for pleasure. Without toilets learners have to wait all day to use their toilet at home or relieve themselves in the veld. Ensuring a basic level of infrastructure in all schools is an important step in bringing equality to the South African education system. Thousands of people across the country have joined EE’s campaign. Learners, staff in schools, parents at home and communities have rallied together to improve South Africa’s education system. In 2010 learners fasted for 24 hours to draw attention to the lack of functioning libraries in South African schools. Last year EE held a sleepin and candlelight vigil outside Parliament in Cape Town and 20,000 learners marched through Cape Town on Human Rights Day. Earlier this year EE decided to institute legal action against the Department for Basic Education to force them to set standards for school infrastructure. EE calls on all South Africans to join its campaign for equal and quality education. Contact EE at myschool@equaleducation. org.za or 021 387 0022.

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OPPOrTUNITIES BUSARIES Sentech Engineering and science bursaries Applications close: 31 July (close) Bursaries are offered to Electronic Engineering ,Computer Engineering and Computer Science study fields. Conditions of Bursary: Service binding contract after graduation for a period equal to the tenure of the bursary. Current students at university and Grade 12 learners can apply for this bursaries. Required Subjects :Maths and Science Enquiries :Administrator, Sentech Educational Fund, Private Bag X06, HONEYDEW 2040 : Fax: (011) 691-7119 or Tel: (011) 691-7080

Volkswagen Community Trust Bursary Scheme Fields of study: Science, Commerce Applications close: 31 July (close) Bursaries are offered to BSc (Computer Science) and Commerce study fields. Conditions of Bursary: Service binding contract after graduation for a period equal to the tenure of the bursary For Bursaries: Must be residents of Uitenhage and rural surrounding areas Applications available at: http://www.vw.co.za/ Bursary enquiries: The Secretary, Volkswagen SA Ltd, PO Box 80, Uitenhage, 6230

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Bursary SA Eagle Fund Fields available: BA majoring in maths and science Who can apply: SA citizens intending to study full time at a South African university Requirements: Matric exemption with maths and science, minimum D average (HG) Applications and more info: c/o SAIRR, Bursary department, PO Box 32597, Braamfontein, 2017, E-mail: bmokone@ sairr.org.za or Bursaries Coronation Study Trust Bursary Scheme for Commerce and Science fields Applications closes August every year. If you interned to study Science ( BSc (Statistics) ) and commerce , you can request commerce and science bursary application forms by sending email to info@studytrust.org.za. WHO CAN APPLY: Current students at university already studying BCom (Accounting) ,BBScience (Finance) ,BBScience (CA Stream), BCom (Economics) , Grade 12 learners with South African ID number, who are Permanent residents in South Africa. Who have You can apply for this bursaries if you have Mathematics (HG), minimum B symbol and English (HG), minimum B symbol..more info on bursaries commerce and science


OPPOrTUNITIES

SSI Engineers and Environmental Consultants (PTY) LTD Fields of study: BSc/BEng Civil, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Applications open – close: January – July every year Applications available at: www.ssi-dhv.com or angenitavt@ssi.co.za Bursary enquiries: Angenita van Tonder angenitavt@ssi.co.za Fields of Study Engineering and Built Environment. BEng or BSc Engineering (Mechanical). BEng or BSc Engineering (Electrical) BEng or BSc Engineering (Civil) Conditions of Bursary: Service binding contract after graduation for a period equal to the tenure of the bursary

Office of the Auditor-General Fields available: All degrees appropriate to continue study towards a chartered accounting qualification Who can apply: Scholars with a matric exemption Requirements: Minimum C symbol for maths and English (HG). Favourable AARP scores will be taken into consideration Service contract: Three-year training contract on completion of degree Applications and more info: Office of the Auditor-General, PO Box 446, Pretoria, 0001, Apply Bursaries for 2013 online

Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) Bursary Scheme bursaries are offered to Engineering, Science and Commerce study field Applications closes June every year Applications available at: Career Wise (see Resources section) Bursaries are offered to Engineering Computer and Computer Science study fields. Conditions of Bursary: Service binding contract after graduation for a period equal to the tenure of the bursary For Bursaries: Mathematics (HG), minimum C symbol and Science (HG), minimum C symbol Bursary enquiries: http://www. csc.com/

Mick Leary Educational Trust bursaries in South Africa Fields available: All degree areas Who can apply: Previously disadvantaged students with epilepsy Requirements: Must be prepared to participate in epilepsy awareness programmes and act as role models Applications and more info: c/o Epilepsy South Africa, PO Box 73, Observatory, 7935 Mick Leary bursaries for 2013 Application form NB: Most 2013 bursaries applications will be open on march 2012.

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GENERAL JOBS OPPOrTUNITIES INTERNSHIPS Engineering Industries ship Programme The National Cleaner Production Centre of SA Internship Programme offers students in the field of engineering the opportunity to become part of this initiative and programme and gain valuable in-plant experience Requirements: A 3-year National Diploma, Bachelor’s, BTech or Honours qualification in any engineering field. To apply, please go to www.csir.co.za/ apply.php and select the relevant reference number, complete the application form and attach your CV. Closing date: 7 September 2012

GroupOn Business Internship Requirements: Business science or B.comm degree preferred with specialisation in information systems. You must have excelled academically in your degree; strong IT skills and high level of comfort working with MS Office (specifically advanced Excel skills); Attention to detail and ability to focus on routine processes; Overarching desire to become an integral part of the fastest growing company in the world All Groupon internships are paid internships and you are eligible to join our subsidised medical aid scheme. For more information please visit www.grouponjobs. co.za Contact Wendy-Anne Bailey at Groupon South Africa on 021 201 7091.

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ditorial Intern To qualify, you should be passionate for the web, drive, a can-do-attitude, have a sense of humour, love tech news, trends and digital media. Understand the difference between news writing and feature writing; excellent command of the English language; tertiary education or relevant industry experience. Have at least 50 Twitter followers Be knowledgeable of Mac OS, Windows, iPhone and Android and be able to debate about these devices To apply, contact Michelle or Hendri on info@memeburn.com

Creative Spark PHP Developer Internship PHP 5+; Database development using MySQL and SQL Server; Basic understanding of Linux command line and shell scripting; CSS styling and page layout Must have experience working with Wordpress. Some Drupal experience would be a big plus. These skills would be a big plus: Design skills; AJAX/Advanced Javascript and DOM model engineering; J2me, Android or Objective CPersonality: Good communication; self-motivated, take initiative and be independent; Genuine interested and passionate about technology. GEEKS ONLY PLEASE!! To apply, mail covering letter, CV, code examples and project examples to jobs@creativespark.co.za


OPPOrTUNITIES

Digital Account Executive - Internship To qualify, you should be a Cape Town resident. Apply ONLY via email, phone-in candidates will not be considered. R.O.I. Media is looking for a young, self-driven extrovert with fantastic communication and organisational skills. Qualifications: Marketing qualification or diploma; University graduate; understanding of SEO, web, social media and mobile technologies would be advantageous Only short list candidates will be contacted telephonically Please limit all contact to email correspondence only. R.O.I. Media careers@roimedia.co OR Apply with your Biz CV Create your CV once, and thereafter you can apply to this ad and future job ads easily. Posted on 13 Aug 12:06

Graphic Design Intern Fresh Brand Activation, is a band of creative, smart and experienced marketing and advertising professionals. Our “HQ” is based in Parklands, Cape Town and we are looking for a highly talented graphic design graduate to intern with us. So, if you have fresh ideas, fresh concepts, a fresh approach and are seriously keen to get into the industry pronto, then this could be a great opportunity for you. Requirements A degree or diploma from a reputable university or college and Indesign, Photoshop and Illustrator skills. Advantageous: Digital experience, Prezi presentations, great communication and presentation skills and ability to deliver under pressure. To apply, contact Ari Salvarto on 021 556 3867 or ari@ freshba.co.za

Unit Manager Intern M-Net Magic Factory in Randburg, Gauteng is offering an exciting opportunity to an Employment Equity (African Candidates Only) to work as an Intern: Unit Manger. The duration of the internship programme is six months; from October 2012 to March 2013 .The intern will be responsible for overseeing the Unit Department and its staff; liaising between the crew and the Location/Set. The intern will also be responsible for managing all logistics in Basecamp and on Set/Location and will report into the position of Production Manager. Closing date: 7 September 2012. For more information, please go to: http://multichoice. erecruit.co.za

Make-up Artist Intern M-Net Magic Factory is offering an exciting opportunity to an Employment Equity (African Candidates Only) to work as an Intern: Make –up Artist. The duration of the internship programme is six months, from October 2012 to March 2013.The intern will be responsible for researching and compiling hair and make-up styles for all characters. This position will report into Mentor: Make-up Artist. Closing date: 7 September 2012. For more information, please go to: http:// multichoice.erecruit.co.za

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OPPOrTUNITIES JOBS Trainee Assessment Coordinator Drake Personnel client based in Southern Suburbs is looking for a trainee assessment coordinator Must have: Matric Diploma/degree - advantageous SETA accreditation Min two years assessment role work experience within a training facility. Computer literate - Word, Excel Advance level (Graphs and spread sheets) Own car valid drivers’ licenceDuties: Ability to co-ordinate, administer and manage all training assessment related functions in CT at a level of efficiency that will optimise the effectiveness of the Business Schools service delivery to its customers Please call Benita on 021 425 3300, please do not apply online, and call first http:// za.drakeintl.com/default.aspx Contact details Benita van Wyk Drake Personnel 27 21 425 3300 benita@ drake.co.za

Junior Developer A wonderful opportunity to learn, grow and self manage. My client has a culture of passion, eagerness and willingness to learn and of course the fun of technology Requirements: • Matric • Relevant degree/diploma/courses • Javascript • Jquery • Perl • HTML • mySQL A strong numerical competency would be preferable. You will be working in a team but should show high levels of creativity and initiative and be able to work without much supervision. For more information, call Sam on 021 551 0378 and send your CV to sam@nu-beginnings.co.za (email subject line: SH Dev).Contact details Sam Nu Beginnings IT Recruitment Specialists 021 551 0378 sam@nu-beginnings.co.za

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National Arts Council Bursaries for Post-graduate and Undergraduate studies The National Arts Council of South Africa is a funding institution for the arts. This entity of the Department of Arts and Culture also awards bursaries in arts fields such as theatre, dance, crafts, literature, music and visual arts; and it is currently inviting applications from suitably qualified persons and educational institutions for the academic year of 2013. .Closing date: 14 September 2012 Outcomes available on 09 December 2012 Application forms are available from the National Arts Council office or can be downloaded below: Bursary Application form 2013 Academic year For more information, contact the Arts Development Officers at the NAC office. Postal address: National Arts Council, PO Box 500, Newtown, 2113 Physical Address: 66 Margaret Mcingana Street, Market Theatre Precinct, Newtown, 2113.

Studio/Photography Manager Highbury Safika Media is seeking to appoint a studio/photography manager for their in house photographic department that will report to the managing director. Key duties include: • Manage in-house photographic team and studio • Develop, manage and market HSMimages website • Monitor internal and external billing in collaboration with HSM administration • Ensure commissioned images meet legal and HSM requirements • Generate stock image content for HSMimages • Build and maintain a strong relationship with clients and agencies to establish trust and confidencePersonal Skills/Attributes • Excellent communication skills • The ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines • Good leadership skills • Attention to detail Contact details Jade Higgins Highbury Safika Media (Pty) Ltd Vacancies@hsm.co.za


OPPOrTUNITIES

Mid-Weight Designer This position entails the conceptualisation and development of a wide variety of design elements which compliment variety client requirements from packaging design, webdesign (not the back-end), static design, signage design and layouts, vehicle graphics and the like. Developing design solutions which are consistent throughout collateral elements required, and using your understanding of business outcomes for our clients is essential. The successful incumbent will have the ability to multi-task, and switch quickly from one job to another in this high paced environment. Personal Skills/Attributes People’s person, who is punctual, friendly and not satisfied until the job is done - even if it means putting in a few extra hours. Contact d tailsCIndy Betteridge Logogistics cindy@gisticsgroup.co.za

Computer Technician This Cape Town based company is looking for a computer technician to join their team. Requirements Qualifications and accreditations- MSDT (MCSA preferred) or relevant tertiary education will be advantageous.A+ certification will be an added advantage.- Minimum of 2 (two) years’ experience in Windows 7 and XP desktop support environment including application support.- Experience in antivirus software and Sophos.Experience in printer troubleshooting skills. Please e-mail a word copy of your CV to rita@datafin.com and mention the reference numbers of the jobs. We have a list of jobs on http://www.datafin.com DataFin IT Recruitment - Cape Town Jobs. Contact detailsRita Broodryk Datafin 021 409 7820 rita@datafin.com

Regional Promotions Assistant - Recruiting and booking of promoters to work in-store promotions and events. - Distributing promotional items to promoters as per distribution list. - Ensure the effective completion of the campaigns according to the company standards. - Supervising all campaigns over weekends and week days. - Recruitment of promoters on an on-going basis as per set target, and according to client standards. Requirements Must be able to work long hours if needed. Excellent crisis management skills. PC literate (Word, Excel and PowerPoint)Excellent communications skills, professional approach. Thorough planning and scheduling Attention to detail. Must be able to handle pressure. Must have own vehicle. Contact details Coral. Keynote Communications coral.warner@keynote.co.za

2013 Social Work Scholarship – Department of Social Development • The requirements for the Department of Social Development Social Work scholarship are as follows: •Be a South African Citizen •Comply with the entry requirements set by the University •Fully and correctly complete the Scholarship Application form •Be prepared to enter into an agreement with the Department (More details will be contained in the agreement) •Must complete the qualification within the minimum period as prescribed by the University What should I attach to the application form? The department insists that you attach the following: Certified copy of Grade 12 results Certified copy of Identity Document of applicant Certified copy of ID and Proof of income of Parent/ Guardian Certified copy of Identity Document of applicant Certified copy of Academic record on the official letterhead of the University (If already a student Closing date is 31 October 2012.

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OPPOrTUNITIES JOBS Programme Executive (Broadband Project) Closing Date: 13 September Programme Executive (Broadband Project) at Department of Economic Development and Tourism in Cape Town Sub-Category: project manager EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WHO WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE POSITIVE ABOUT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. Programme Executive (Broadband Project) (3 year contract position) Cape Town Remuneration : All-inclusive salary package of R 1 076 619 p.a. (Salary Level 15), highly negotiable. (Ref: SMS 20/2012/IT) Disabled candidates are encouraged to apply and an indication in this regard would be appreciated. Closing Date 8 June 2012 For more information and to apply please visit “Western Cape Government Jobs”:http://www.westerncape.gov. za/jobs

Communications/Marketing Coordinator SIC • A tertiary qualification in marketing/three-year diploma• Proven competence in advanced desktop publishing programs • Proven experience in marketing communications• Proven organisational skills• Well-developed written and verbal English skills, and presentation skills • Staff supervision experience. Multilingual skills will be advantageous..The annual remuneration package, including benefits, is between R238, 359 and R322, 428. E-mail: lily.nombombo@uct.ac.za; Telephone: +27 21 650 5084 IAPO website: http://www.uct.ac.za/ about/iapo/overview/welcome/ The application form can be downloaded athttp://web.uct.ac.za/depts/ sapweb/forms/hr201.doc Contact details Lily Nombombo University of Cape Town 27 21 650 5084 lily.nombombo@uct.ac.za

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Developers Employer of choice is seeking C# developers to be involved in a variety of development projects, including the building of web and desktop applications. This is a cutting-edge environment that encourages constant learning and growth as a developer. Email Lee-Ann on lee-ann@emerge.co.za or call her on 011 463 3633 to discuss this and other opportunities. www.e-merge. co.za Requirements • IT related tertiary education • At least two years commercial development experience within the .Net Framework • Strong C# and ASP.Net development experience • Experience in web services • A deep understanding of RDBMS Contact details Lee-ann Wood e-Merge IT Recruitment 0114633633 lee-ann@e-merge.co.za

SHE and Quality Manager My client based in Ottery is looking for a safety health environment and quality manager within manufacturing. Must have: -* Matric * Degree/diploma in an engineering/manufacturing related discipline * SHE and quality formal qualification (degree/diploma), * Qualified /courses done in - ISO 9001/OHAS18001/ISO14001 - All three and active work experience three and a half years (implement and compliance)* Own transport essential * Able to travel when required * Requirements - Min three and a half years as a SHEQ manager within a manufacturing concern, * Duties: - • Manage staff, train staff, • Implement health, safety and environment policies and regulations, • High desire of achieving excellence in customer satisfaction, • Process and product quality and reliability.• Computer literate - ability to do reports, graphs and charts * Preference to AA/EE applicants.Contact details Benita van Wyk Drake Personnel 27 21 425 3300 benita@drake.co.za


OPPOrTUNITIES

Digital Production Manager A very successful ad agency in Cape Town has a vacancy for a digital producer.The successful applicant will be heading up the producer team and managing the studio’s workflow and process, whilst enjoying working on top brands.Three year relevant degree/ diploma • A minimum of three years related work experience as a digital producer. • Passion for digital communication • Excellent Project management skills• Strong sense of team • Excellent attention to detail • Excellent written and oral communication skills • Strong technical knowledge of front and back end web technologies • Experience in delivering website builds and social media campaigns • Strong understanding of marketing principles and requirements and their relation to user experience • Strong desire to keep up to date with emerging technologies • Ability to inspire, communicate and collaborate with colleagues and agency partners • Strong problem solving skills

Social Media and Email Planner - Relevant tertiary qualification in marketing, communications or journalism. Experience and skills - Two years working experience in a digital/online marketing capacity including practical experience in creating and executing on social media strategy on Facebook and Twitter and preferably Pinterest. - Experience in managing email marketing campaigns. - Extensive knowledge of social media space (Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google +). - Knowledge of email marketing.- Actively participate in social media personally. - Experience in copywriting, journalism and/or public relations.- Experience as a brand manager will be an added advantage. - Exposure to working with retail brands and/or within a direct marketing environment will be an added advantage. Contact details Rita Broodryk Datafin 021 409 7820 rita@datafin.com

Application Developer My client is an innovative and ambitious market leader intent on growing their global presence. They are a leading supplier of on-line payment and fraud screening Services. They are looking for someone to maintain and develop their Applications Requirements • Matric• Experience in C# or VB .NET • MS .NET language • Java and or VB 6 advantageous • Formal training in development • Diploma with Computer Science and/ or Business Systems as majors. • Minimum 5 years development experience • Windows development using MS .NET language. Preferably C# or VB .NET. Knowledge of Java and/or VB 6 an advantage.• Exposure to MS SQL Server or equivalent RDBMS • Development of applications making use of Structured Query Language • Systems analysis and design work Contact details Kaylee Nu Beginnings IT Recruitment Specialists 021 551 0378 kaylee@nu-beginnings.co.za

ice Services Team Leader/Supervisor Matric - essential B.Comm Degree or similar - essential. Drivers licence and own reliable vehicle - essential. Must be a South African National - essential. Seven years experience within a Client Services environmentin professional services/financial services/ legal/corporate head office environment. (No chancers please). Ability to analysing and manipulate information, working with spreadsheets and databases and understanding the logic relating to date e.g. fields, filtering and search queries. A hands on approach in terms of practically and physically delivering what is required e.g. moving boxes, dead filing, walking the floor, retrieving unused (excess) stationery, delivering/collecting urgent documents, being available after-hours. Willingness to serve others. Exceptional computer literacy in MS OFFICE suite. Phone Veronica on 021 425 3300 during office hoursVeronica Drake International 27 21 425 3300

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sport

Canoeists paddle SA onto the map Noluvuyo Bacela

Often besotted with the marathon races at the Olympics, water sports finally made its way to the dinner table through inspirational stories that aroused a little interest

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hen Bridgitte Hartley crossed the line in third place in the women’s K1 kayak 500m sprint in London, she not only put South Africa on the map by creating history, but she also made a significant number of fellow South African’s sit up and take note of the sport. South Africa is blessed to boast some world class Dusi, Fish River and Berg River canoe

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marathons, which are often coined the most extreme courses with grade V sections. In case you’re wondering, grades are the different river levels that change with flow. They are arranged in numbers, with the highest one holding the most difficultly according to the International Scale of River Difficulty. Top paddlers Thulani Mbanjwa and Sibonelo Zondi are products of development initiatives that have assisted young people from disadvantaged communities to

participate in the sport, fostering social cohesion with the so-called “elite” in the area. And according to the KZN Canoe Union, where the Unlimited Disi Canoe Marathon is held, resolutions in the reintroduction of sport as part of the school curriculum have resulted in identifying paddling as one of the sport codes in their schools. Even so, concern from our national team locker room rings on with regards to coach-


sports

es. “We have very few coaches in South Africa, so there are smaller groups all over S.A training together, but we have not had national team training camps for a long time,” says Kayak Olympian Tiffany Kruger. Hartley was fortunate enough to travel with coach, Nandor Almasi, who also doubles as the Austrian coach. This enabled her to train in Europe with her rivals, courtesy of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee. Kruger followed a separate path to the Games, starting with a camp held by the International Canoe Federation in Poland

ahead of the first World Cup. She had been training at the Natal Canoe Club in Pietermaritzburg before heading to Europe with her Hungarian coach Attila Adrovicz. She was part of the large domestic elite squad that spent two years preparing for Olympic qualification. Kruger urges the SASCOS to understand that canoeists need infrastructure and coaches and to cut out much of the travel to Europe. “If they can do that we will soon have others ready to do what Bridge (Hartley) achieved in London and maybe even better.” So far canoeists Hartley and Kruger, who represented us in the Olympics, mark the prestigious event the biggest highlight in their careers. “This is what every athlete dreams of. It’s the most amazing thing that has happened in my life so far,” says Hartley. And Kruger notes it was the pinnacle of their sporting careers because it’s where they all go to test themselves. “I believe the big Canoeing SA residential squad that was initially selected started a very good base for many of the sprinters

in South Africa, it encouraged the athletes and gave them opportunities to be able to reach their goals. Having a big squad also motivated the athletes to always perform at their best,” she says. Coach Nandor says he firmly believes that the dedication and discipline required for paddling gives people a confidence in themselves which carries over to all aspects of their lives particularly for those interested in losing weight. “It’s a chance to work and socialise with a team whilst getting the opportunity to have a great upper body through having an aerobic workout, honing your coordination, flexibility and patience.” Pullquote : “We have very few coaches in South Africa so there are smaller groups all over S.A training together but we have not had national team training camps for a long time”.- Tiffany Kruger

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TRAVEL

A Mountain`s Legacy Rehana Rutti

Stretching along the whole of KwaZulu-Natal’s western boundary it’s no wonder the Zulus call it ‘Ukhahlamba” - the barrier of spears - and the Voortrekkers called the Drakensberg ‘The Dragon Mountain

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undreds of kilometers of unspoiled escarpment await more and more people who are discovering a desire for them, and a powerful solace in them. At the bottom, mountains, like all wildernesses, challenge our complacent conviction. The magic and mystery of the Drakensberg is alluring, captivating and breathtakingly beautiful. A heritage that South Africa is truly contented with. That very heritage in South Africa teaches us to embrace the wisdom and the cultural diversity of this land. We are fortunate to learn and grow and celebrate what is ‘proudly South African.’ Our history has offered an opportunity to keep moving forward no matter what. From the massive basalt cliffs of its northern reaches to the soaring sandstone buttresses in the south, the Drakensberg offers a myriad of delights. Spectacular views and a multitude of activities along with rich historical value draws many annually to witness its beautiful vistas, prolific flora and fauna, crisp mountain air and crystal clear waters. The Drakensberg is divided into three sections. The northern Drakensberg, which runs from the Golden Gate Highlands National Park to the Royal National Park, and includes towns such as Harrismith and Bergville. The central Drakensberg’s main feature is Giant’s Castle Game Reserve which is the largest national park in the area. Northwest of Giant’s Castle is the Cathedral Peak wilderness area. And the towns of Bergville, Estcourt and Winterton are all adjacent to the central Drakensberg. The southern region runs down to the Transkei. This area is less developed than the others, but is no less spectacular. There’s a huge wilderness area, and the Sani Pass route into southern Lesotho.

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TRAVEL

best time to visit The best time to visit the Drakensberg is usually in the spring (September, October and November) as well as in autumn (March, April and May) when there is stable weather. You might want to stay away during the other two seasons because summer is characterised by dramatic thundershowers, and in winter it can get very cold with snow. Where to stay Accommodation in the Drakensberg Mountains is plentiful and includes B&B’s, hotels, and guest houses. If you’re more of the adventurous type, there are also options like camping and caravanning, self-catering, bush camps, lodges and resorts.

tractions. There is truly, something for everyone.

did you know?

what you can get up to You can try your hand at almost anything in the Drakensberg Mountains, from easy, guided walks and fly fishing to rock climbing and hot air balloon rides over hidden valleys. You’ll also marvel at the towering cliffs, unspoilt forests, soaring peaks and rich animal life, including eagles and eland. You can swim in crystal clear rivers, explore the area by mountain bike or just chill and enjoy the glorious vistas. Golf courses, spas, and a range of cute coffee shops, funky craft shops, art studios, breweries, cheese factories and other rural delights complete the list of at

* In 2000, The Drakensberg Mountain became a world heritage site. * The Drakensberg majestic mountain range is Southern Africa’s highest range and its highest peak is 3 482m * The site’s diversity of habitats protects a high level of endemic and globally threatened species, especially plants and birds with the rare bearded vulture, being one of the real mega-ticks of the area. * This spectacular natural site also contains many caves and rock-shelters with the largest and most concentrated group of paintings in Africa south of the Sahara, made by the San people over a period of 4,000 years. * The rock paintings are outstanding in quality and diversity of subject and in their depiction of animals and human beings. They represent the spiritual life of the now extinct San people.

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Green Zone

Save the elephants Aubrena Armstrong

The slaughter of elephants for their ivory tusks is a vile crime that should be dealt with more effectively. Because of poaching the elephant population is decreasing, posing a threat to the rest of the environment.

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he conservation and protection of the elephant is vital in supporting the future of these beloved creatures. Elephants are considered to be a keystone species and play key role in the ecosystem. They only use 40% of their daily vegetation intake, leaving undigested or partly digested vegetation in their feces. This undigested vegetation generates new plant growth as it is deposited on the elephant’s travels. It is estimated that at least one-third of the tree species in West Africa rely on the elephant’s digestive system for germination. Elephants impact the environment in various

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ways. Their migration patterns create trails that other animals and humans use to travel. And they use their tusks to dig wells, generating multiple water sources throughout the habitat. The large size of the elephant brings down vegetation, which then becomes more accessible to smaller species. Threats facing the elephant One of the major threats facing elephants is poaching. Between 1979 and 1989, the worldwide demand for ivory caused the elephant population to dramatically decrease. According to wildlife experts, 2011 was the deadliest year for elephants since 1989. More than 24 tons of ivory has been seized

from carcasses that have been slaughtered across Africa and Asia. Africa’s elephant populations have been cut in half due to poaching fueled by ivory sales. In 1977, 1.3 million elephants lived in Africa, by 1997, only 600 000 remained. In 1990, the Convention on International Trade in endangered species (CITES) imposed a ban on international ivory sales. In 1997, CITES voted to partially lift the trade restrictions to allow Zimbabwe, Botswana and Namibia to sell stockpiled ivory to Japan. Many conservation groups, however, fear that this will rekindle poaching throughout the elephant population.


green zone Despite the efforts of wildlife conservation groups, the illegal slaughter of elephants is on the rise Officials say around 5000 elephants have been killed by poachers over the past five years around the Nouabale Ndoki National Park in the Republic of Congo. Humans and elephants There have been incidents where elephants have been violent towards people. This has caused a great deal of elephant- human conflict. Because of rapid growth of the human population, there has been an increase in settlement development. Some human settlements are located near or on elephant habitat and this has forced elephants to become domesticated. When we hear stories of these animals being violent there aren’t incidents of elephants attacking people without being provoked. For the most part, elephants react well to humans, yet they won’t tolerate being treated terribly. Humans have to understand that they are imposing on the natural habitat of the elephants. Humans are the only real predators of elephants. The fact that we continue to destroy the natural habitat where these animals live is upsetting. Thanks to the efforts of many conservation groups, pressure is being placed on governments and on society to

stop these changes and indecencies. Only

time will tell if their efforts are enough to make it successful or not. There are many ways in which you can help this injustice towards the elephant population. You can start by opposing the sale of any items sold at any animal’s expense, and ensure the protection of a species.

did you know? * The elephant is distinguished by its high level of intelligence, interesting behavior, methods of communication and complex social structure. * Elephants seem to be fascinated with the tusks and bones of dead elephants, fondling and examining them. The myth that they carry them to secret “elephant burial grounds,” however, has no factual base. * Elephants are very social, frequently touching and caressing one another and entwining their trunks. * Elephants demonstrate concern for members of their families. They take care of weak or injured members and appear to grieve over a dead companion.

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GADGETS

Gadgets that do more than expected Mawetu Matyila

Cohesion in the world of physics is a force that holds together the atoms or molecules in a solid or liquid, as distinguished from adhesion. As a non scientist, that sounds like a load of hogwash to me. In layman terms it is the act or fact of forming a united whole. Now with regards to gadgets, I’ve selected a few gadgets which I think would help you and your lover would enjoy either together or stop you from physically pulling each other’s teeth out.

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the xbox 720

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adies the XBOX 720 is purely for the happiness and joy of your male counterpart. It is due to be released in 2013 and has been deemed to be the pioneer of new gaming, with rumours of it also having a TV connection. Your man will not bother you when you need not be bothered.

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kymaro`s rechargeable hair straightener

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tereotypes aside, Ladies love their hair. And men love their ladies’ hair. So what better way of making both parties happy? Kymaro’s Rechargeable hair straightener will definitely achieve this by giving your lady super smooth, silky long hair in a matter of minutes. Whenever. Wherever.


GADGETS

iphone 5

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n establishing absolute unity, communication is the most pivotal tool. Without communication you and your other half are doomed. The iPhone 5 is the perfect tool of communication as it embeds a world of apps. It has also been voted the peoples favourite gadget since the very first one was released. The rumoured release date is September 12.

autodrive mini car usb flash drive

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hese are high quality scaled-down exact replicas of the original cars such as Lamboghini, Mini Coopers and the Audi TT. Each car shaped USB drive comes with 4GB flash memory, and features nice details and beautiful colours. Once the mini car is plugged into USB port, the headlights will light up. Apart from that the USB connector on AutoDrive can retract so it doubles as a toy car.

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GADGETS

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the boogie board paperless lcd writing tablet

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hen you first hear the term boogie board you automatically think about those little foam boards you use to ride waves. But this is a different kind of board. The Boogie Board Paperless LCD Writing Tablet takes going green to another level. It’s basically a replacement for a pen and paper to take notes, jot down ideas, draw pictures, or play games. And you can easily erase your image with the touch of button. The Boogie Board tablet is an ultra 1/8 inch thin and is easy to take with you in a purse, scheduler or backpack. Write or draw with the included stainless steel stylus or any other suitable instrument, even your finger. You’ll never need to search for a pen or pencil again.

airstash wireless flash drive

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veryone loves extra storage and everyone hates cables, so whenever a device promises some extra wiggle room with no strings attached what’s not to love. Air stash is one part wireless flash drive, one part media streamer and all things versatile. The flash drive lets you expand the capacity of your mobile device up to 32GB at a time through swappable SD cards freeing up local storage for apps. The Airstash also has a built-in web server for file sharing and up to eight people can connect to the same one simultaneously. It gives you the freedom to enjoy movies, TV shows, and music wherever you are.

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GADGETS

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beewi - bluetooth controlled car

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he BeeWi-Bluetooth controlled car is sheer driving pleasure of your male or female counterpart. It’s a Bluetooth controlled car which is controlled to your android or symbian phone via Bluetooth and then away you go. This can be a lot of fun around any office and even be a delivery vehicle of office supplies.

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the magic cube virtual keyboard

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he Magic Cube is a compact and versatile product. It’s a projection keyboard and multi-touch mouse, all in one easy-to-use product. It easily connects to the latest iPad, iPhone and android devices. The Magic Cube wirelessly pairs with your mobile device which will enable the virtual keyboard and Mouse.

9 jabra street 2

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abra Street 2 is designed to merge all your music but at the same time maintain your above standard swag. Jabra is a dog tag which handles your multi media and voice calls, hands free. It not only looks good, its sounds great too.

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REVIEWS

reviews book

books of change Ayanda Cokoto

Fighting for Justice By: Jay Naidoo

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his is an autobiography by Jay Naidoo where he tells the story of a young Indian boy growing up during the apartheid era. For a long time he didn’t pay attention to his background and identity and saw himself as a black South African fighting for a free South Africa for all. Indians in general were suffering from an identity crisis. Born South African but from Indian descent. He tells the remarkable story of his great-grandmother who came to South Africa on a Ship so long ago. Tracing his history from this amazing woman helped him to find his true identity. This is a story of a man who dedicated his life to the fight for justice in South Africa. This book shows the strength of a man who knew what was right and was prepared to go the extra mile. It’s a moving story about the struggle for justice and freedom in a country riddled with pain and sorrow and a hunger for an equal life for all.

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Inter-Group Relations By: Marilynn B Brewer & Norman Miller

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his is a thought provoking book and some may go as far as calling it a text book. Nonetheless it touches on important issues that we as South Africans have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. Inter-group relations looks at a wide range of personal, interpersonal and social issues from psychological and ideological perspectives. An intergroup relation is based on research that the authors have done. It talks about how people from different backgrounds interact with one another, and the way segregation has become a part of life. Interesting topics like land and gender with regards to women’s work are also discussed. Another interesting topic that is discussed in the book is homelessness. The numbers of people on the street makes this issue a critical social problem. The identification of homelessness chapter is a must-read. This book gives an educated perspective to the social issues that we deal with everyday. The authors have done research on a lot of different topics or issues that impact our daily lives.

Black Sash: The beginnings of a bridge in South Africa By: Kathryn Spink

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athryn Spink writes about an organisation named Black Sash formed in 1955 by a group of white middle-aged, middleclass, liberal-minded English ladies who met for tea on 19 May 1955 to discuss the inequalities and injustices that were felt by the non-whites in South Africa. Within 24 hours of their meeting they had assembled a group of women who were ready for action. They had a petition drawn up to fight against the Senate Bill that was devised to prohibit black votes. The Black Sash ladies went on to do amazing work during the Apartheid years holding peaceful demonstrations and over –night vigils whenever the government made a decision that was against the constitution. It is an insightful and powerful story about a group of women who were determined to do the right thing and held firm in their belief that we are all the same and therefore should be treated as such. The book is more than just a window to South Africa’s interesting history; it is a recount of a painful era that inspired this group of women to be the heroines of apartheid.


REVIEWS

reviews music

musical enchantment Baphe Phukwana

Moneoa – Is’bhanxa

Karmin – Hello

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uo Amy Heidemann and Nick Noonan are Karmin and gained worldwide success with their single ‘Broken-hearted’. Previously known for their covers which include Chris Brown’s “Look at me now” and Nicki Minaj’s “Super Bass”, the couple have finally released their debut album “Hello” through Epic Records. The album embarks on a pop journey that will leave you breathless. The albums lead single “Brokenhearted” showcased Karmin’s fun and poppy mainstream sound as well as their quirky rap pieces which have been compared to rap sensation Nicki Minaj. The song hello is a feel good track that proves that the new sensation is definitely worth a listen.

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outh Africa’s latest sensation Moneoa has released her first official single ‘Is’bhanxa’ which has taken SA by storm. The 22-year-old Moneoa hails from Durban and is a professional dancer turned vocalist. She stepped into the music scene when she was featured on former Skwata Camp member SugaSmax’s song ‘Take It Easy’. In her new single, Moneoa describes her disappointment of being in love with a guy who is, well ’just really not that into her‘. Her strong storytelling ability is displayed through a narrative she sings with male vocalist Shatti. The ballad is deeply intimate and tells the story of a man who has been trapped in a dark place looking for the right lady to light up his life. The single is lifted from her debut album “Coming From Going To” and her voice is paradoxically chilling, yet soothing. And her music is an interesting blend of afro pop and neo-soul delivered through a rare, vulnerable emotional catharsis.

Emeli Sande – Our Version of Events

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aving written songs for acts like the Sugababes, Leona Lewis and Cheryl Cole it’s no wonder Emeli Sande album Our Version of Events topped the charts in the United Kingdom. The album was released in February this year, and won her the Critics Choice Award at the BRITS Awards 2012. Her first official single ‘Heaven’ peaked at number two in UK singles charts, later becoming an international success charting within the top ten globally. Her third single ‘Next To Me’ became a global anthem charting in the top five both in the USA and the UK. The entire album lives to the hype that has preceded it and is filled with well crafted, expertly produced love songs. However one of the songs that stand out is “Clown” which was written during her struggle to sign a record label. A re-release of the album is due out later this year and will include three new songs. It goes without saying that Emeli Sande is an artist to look out for.

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REVIEWS

reviews movie

mzanzi movies Lerato Kuzwayo

Mad Buddies

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eon Schuster is at it again, this time with Kenneth Nkosi. He’s puts together a classic story of Mzansi folklore, Boetie and the Beast. Boetie is played by Schuster himself and Beast is portrayed by Nkosi. Schuster is quoted saying the film has a thin plot and is thickened by classic Schuster style pranks. The plot being Boetie and Beast embarking on a road trip from KZN to Gauteng, flavoring the film with a scenic reflection of Mzansi’s beauty, a kind of Sho’t Left meets Schuster slapstickery. When looked at with a simple eye for enjoyment sake, the film is sure to have you in stitches. Just don’t read too deeply into it as some film experts would. Schuster always makes it a point to have South Africans laughing at ourselves, all the stereotypes we attach to our society, which also serves as a form of edu-tainment purposes. Perhaps Schuster’s formula is one that serves us best, it seems we learn best when we laugh.

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Super Helde

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uper hero comic books birthed the bookworm in me as a young boy, sadly though there has not always been a great culture of comic books in the country as reflected by the film. Super helde is an Afrikaans film about a comic book store under threat of being closed. The owners and workers of the store, all comic book enthusiasts, fight to keep the store open while a villainous property buyer seeks only to demolish the place. It’s a race against time as the young owners and artists band together to come up with a grand idea that will save the store with the entire community behind them. So the heroes who are played by Ivan Botha and Niel Sharim take up their imaginary capes and conquer their fears to overcome the challenges. Director Stefan Nieuwoudt makes use of the graphic novel artworks in the film, which add a quirky and funny dimension. It’s not necessarily my kind of humour, but it has its moments and looks like it was as much fun making it as it was watching it.

Drum

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hen I dug into the local crate I found the DVD of the movie Drum, which is directed by Zola Maseko and stars Taye Diggs who plays Henry Nxumalo in the film. Having Hollywood stars acting in African films always baffles me, even though it reflects the seriousness with which the international market takes our stories. The Story of Drum Magazine is an inspirational one for both writers and readers. The story takes us through the life of Mr Drum - Henry Nxumalo and his family relationships, along with business friendships that include the greats of South African literature such as Can Themba, played by Tumisho Masha. The Cast is a strong one and the Story reflects a history we all ought to remember.The Sophiatown vibrations are palpable through the screens, we are carried into a world of Shebeen queens and Jazz Songstresses with velvet voices and exquisite dresses to match. The story reflects the style of the time, despite the fact that black people were living an oppressive existence. These are the great beginnings of humble men destined and bound to be our history’s literary greatness, a true inspiration for all writers.


REVIEWS

reviews festival

the love bombs film festival explodes in cape town Naomi Meyer

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ith at least 1200 movie goers making their way to the Labia Theatre this past August, The Love Bombs Film Festival was a major success. The short films, produced by the Film Kru of Joshua Generation Church, were shown to sold out audiences throughout their run. The film festival showcased three locally produced short films - ‘The Second Day’, ‘iBalaclava’ and ‘The Prodigal’ which are hard hitting, and cover a range of genres, from science fiction to action and experimental drama. Movie-goers loved the films and were impressed with the production value of the local production despite the small budget. Director of iBalaclava, Neville Sandama, says while growing up, he faced various challenges, but he never gave up. And in his pursuit to become a film maker, he was and still is challenged in many ways. But he remained focused on his dream and never allowed himself to get discouraged. “Many of the people within the townships can relate to the lead role, because his story is a common one. So I really feel that this film can be used as a powerful tool to accomplish God’s purpose within peo-

ples’ lives,” he says. While Michael-John Phillip, director of The Prodigal says his film tells a story about living in darkness and realising that it is not all it’s ‘cracked up’ to be. “In fact, the dark can be a pretty lonely and depressing place. For me, this film is about redemption.” And director of The Second Day,Howard James Fyvie, says one of his highlights on set was seeing 120 extras show up in full post-apocalyptic wardrobe, screaming and chanting, and giving it their all. “The team, the crew, people all sacrificing so much, and doing it with a smile on their faces – all volunteers. “ On the opening night Howard shared in greater detail about what it meant to be part of the Love Bombs project, with 300 volunteers from across Cape Town, coming together with the hope of changing lives ... one film at a time. The next Love Bombs event will be on the 14th-15th September at the Labia on Orange. For more information and to book your ticket go to www.lovebombs.co.za .

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Jonathan Butler Evolution Venue: Grand West, Grand Arena Date: Wed 12 September 20:00pm Price: R285.00

ABDULLAH IBRAHIM SOLO PIANO Venue: Everard Read Gallery Date: 18 – 22 September 19:15 pm Price: R250.00

Hip Hop Indaba

Venue: GoodHope Center Date: Sat 1 September 13:00 pm Price: R50.00

Hip Hop Kaslam Awards Venue: Baxter Theatre, Concert Hall Date: Sat 15 September 17:00 pm Price: R40.00

Music Comedy Lifestyle

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Siv Ngesi presents RACE Venue: The Baxter theatre Date: 3 October 20:15 pm Price: R80.00 – R100.00

THE FNB VARIÉTÉ FESTIVAL Venue: The Baxter Theatre Date: Sunday, 14 October at 16:00 pm Price: R180.00

Trevor Noah – That’s Racist Venue: The Baxter Theatre Date: 17 to 27 October 10:00am– 3:00pm Price: R180.00

Jou Ma Se Comedy Club Venue: Players Café at The River Club in Observatory Date: Every Thursday Time: 8:30pm Price: R80.00/R40.00

Rocking the Daisies 2012 Venue: Cloof Wine Estate Date: 4 to 7 October All weekend Price: R520.00 – R600.00

McGregor Food and Wine Festival Venue: McGregor, NG Church Hall and Marquee Date: 1 September Price: N/A

Whiskey Live Festival

Venue: CTICC Date: 3 - 5 October 18:00 pm to 22:00 pm Price: N/A

BOSMAN RELEASE WEEKEND Venue: Lelienfontein Farm, Wellington Date: Mon 24 September 11:30 am Price: R300.00

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