&
SPICE
AND ALL THINGS (EXPENSIVELY) NICE!
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GLOBAL CHARTER SERVICE United Charter Services is proud to be a leading brand on the African continent, having flown an extensive number of global Government Officials, Ministers, State Presidents, Celebrities, Mining Executives and Corporate Executives to almost every corner of Africa, Europe, China and the United States of America. With a firm focus on simplifying complex travel needs, and a belief in offering services to suit all our passengers, United Charter Services provide solutions that range from light aircraft and helicopter transfers, to global air cargo, and executive travel. Our extensive fleet ensures that we can accommodate all your needs irrespective of where you may be based. Our flexible scheduling and personalised service are a guarantee that whether you are flying for business or pleasure, your experience will be effortless and relaxed.
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UNITED CHARTER
W
Dear valued customers and business partners
elcome to United MAVERICK’s second edition! We certainly ‘kicked the tyres and lit the fires’ with our launch edition of United MAVERICK—it has been exceptionally well received, and we thank our readership and advertisers for all the tremendous feedback. Our concept was to provide a magazine with a difference, a magazine that epitomised the quality and standard of service for which United Charter Services has become renowned within the aviation industry. We believe that, like all things United, we have challenged the norm with MAVERICK and thank our incredible team of highly creative and skilled editors, photographers, designers, writers, and illustrative artists for the amazing work they’ve done. It’s truly empowering to see the enthusiasm and passion that has gone into producing MAVERICK, and our second edition, themed, ‘Sugar and Spice and all things (Expensively) Nice’ is set to amaze once again. In this edition, we explore the record-setting, ultrahigh-speed, ultra-long-range G650. This aircraft is the flagship of Gulfstream, one of the world’s largest business jet manufacturers. It flies faster and farther than any other business aircraft in its class, and characterises the cuttingedge advances in this particular area of aviation. Back in the office, so to speak, we have been exceptionally busy! 2014 has seen an increase in the demand for private aircraft charter, in particular among our large and midsize executive jets. The nine-plus passenger capacity business jet is limited in South Africa, and United Charter Services is one of a handful of providers that can offer multiple
options in this class of aircraft. For larger passenger requirements, we manage and operate the only ‘all business class’ corporate Boeing 737 within South Africa, which boasts a sixty-four passenger capacity. Our aircraft sales division has closed a number of private business jet aircraft acquisitions in 2014, for both local and international clients, many of whom have chosen to place their aircraft under our management and operation. When the Civil Aviation Regulations were amended recently, our aircraft operating company, Owenair (PTY) Ltd, was one of only a few operators to retain both small and large aircraft commercial operating licenses. This was due to the diversity of our fleet and the industry leading structures and systems we have in place. United Charter Services have truly transitioned into one of Africa’s leading Aviation Service companies and—choosing not to rest on our laurels—we have an exciting rollout of extended service offerings planned for the near future. We sincerely thank our valued clients for your continued support, and if you are new to United Charter Services, we hope that this edition of United MAVERICK gets you excited about all things United. We look forward to hearing from you soon. Sit back, relax…and get ready for ‘Sugar and Spice and all things (Expensively) Nice!’ Warmest Regards, Jonathan Wolpe Chief Executive Officer United Charter Services
David Howarth Managing Director United Charter Services
EDITOR’S LETTER | 05
EDITOR’S LETTER Philippa Rose-Tite
B
eing involved with a book like Maverick is an enormous privilege. Not only is the editorial team given a fair amount of leeway (not always the case when writing a business publication), we have the absolute backing of United Charter Services to do what we have to, in order to make this publication the best not only in its class,
but on its continent. If that sounds a little ‘high-school hurrah’ for you, consider the following:
this edition of Maverick boasts writers and journalists who are multiple award winners and leaders in their fields (Rob Rose, for example, takes a look at the imaginary currency, Bitcoins, and Dr Lance Vogel talks us through the search for investment returns). Our Creative Director has more awards under her skirt than a teenage runaway has stolen jewellery, and our stylist took a break from Milan to pop over and work with us! In addition to all of that, we have an astounding five fashion editorials, for which we secured over a million Rand’s worth of clothes, and we are proud to feature names like Armani and Jimmy Choo right next to our equally-deserving South African designers. If that isn’t enough to make you breathe out in a whoosh, the gorgeous images from our fashion shoots certainly will be! Our cover is the glamorous legal eagle Jenna Dover, and our setting the simply sublime The Orient in Francolin Conservancy. Should that stir a yearning to travel and experience new things, take a meander over to our piece on ballooning in Cappadocia—it’s a little like taking a step back in time, or examine the Lure of the Spice Trail. This edition of Maverick will be released just in time for South Africa’s premier horse race, the Durban July. The majesty of these animals, coupled with the mystery and heritage of spice in Durban, has inspired this, the ‘Sugar and Spice and all things (Expensively) Nice’ issue of Maverick. We hope you enjoy reading it as much as we enjoyed creating it. Till we meet again
Philippa
004
UCS Letter
005
Letter from the Editor
008
Contributors
012
Thank You
013
Legend ALL THINGS NICE 048
Sport of the Would-Be Kings
070
A Modern Munnings
200
Queen of Beasts
210
Horses that made History MOTORING The Landy Legend
164
Land Rover of Tomorrow
036
160
160
200
LIFESTYLE 018
Top Hats & Tiaras
024
You Can Leave Your Hat On
036
Mad Hatter
052
Felix’s Secret Behind Dick Francis’s Horseracing Canvas
058
Rock ‘n Rolla Travellin’
126
Molecular Mixology
130
Zen and the Art of the Buddhist Retreat
TRAVEL 080
Jewel of the Orient
096
The Great Escape
136
Turning Celestial Wheels
110
Two Days on the Eastern Seaboard
144
Bohemian Rhapsody
154
Made to be Marvellous
AVIATION 170
Gulfstream G650
180
Broadening Horizons
186
United Charter Airline Specs
014
The Story Of Perfume
104
Spice It Up
118
The Lure Of The Spice Trail
122
The Orient - A Hidden Jewel
Bubbles, Bitcoins & Market Booms
176
BRICS, MINTs, BIITS & Kings
176
042
104
FINANCE
It was the Romans who understood the economic reasons behind the Arab traders’ fantastical stories. Along with the Greeks, they began to trade directly with India by sea, weakening the Arab monopoly that had been in place for over two thousand years. Even as herbs and spices became less scarce A Ponzi Scheme is a type of pyramid scheme, where new investors provide the money for the Mastermind to pay out to old investors. Eventually they run out of money to pay existing investors, and the scheme fails.
throughout the Mediterranean, their value remained high.
170
SPICE
– CONTRIBUTORS – PHILIPPA ROSE-TITE Serial student, Tequila taster Having been raised among horse people (a different breed if ever there was one), Philippa spent two years studying social work at RAU before realising this was not the path she wanted to travel. Venturing into I.T., Philippa moved to the idyllic hills of KwaZulu Natal shortly afterward while working for Mustek. Two diplomas later, she moved to a division of Dimension Data and gained her MBA while working full time, getting married, and having children. It was only in 2013 that Philippa decided the corporate world had given her all it had to offer, and with nary a care in the world, she launched business consultancy Purple Raindrop. Now spending her days developing magazines, project managing, doing corporate training, designing marketing and sales strategies for clients, as well as any one of a hundred other things, Philippa says that the diversity of her business is what keeps her on her toes. Her ambition is to read every book ever written and work her way through as many degrees as possible before she gets too old see the textbooks.
INGRID IRSIGLER Obsessionist, imbiber of chocolate milk and whisky (just not together) Ingrid is obsessed with magazines, and that’s a good thing because they’re obsessed right back! With over fourteen years’ experience as an award-winning Creative Director, working with both local and international clients, Ingrid is loving working on Maverick. This unique magazine allows Ingrid to explore her inherent design ethos of simplistic and beautiful design, while spearheading her personal crusade: ‘Print is NOT dead.’ Ingrid believes that the ancient craft of printing books is evolving far beyond the throwaway, and that the emphasis is now on collectable items that have longevity. Pushing her boundaries and furthering her passion for visual storytelling, Ingrid is now exploring the role of fashion photographer—catch her editorials The Queen Of Beasts, The Orient, Bohemian Rhapsody, Rock ‘n Rolla Travellin’, and ‘You can leave your hat on’.
KAYLENE WEST Stylist Extraordinaire. Pink Lemonade but only from bob bob Richard From the day baby Kaylene got her hands on her mother’s wardrobe, she knew playing dress up was what she wanted to do every day, for the rest of her life. Her first steps were taken carefully (one doesn’t simply flounce around in Jimmy Choos), and a star was born. After completing a degree in Graphic Design in 2000, Kaylene launched herself into the (wholly unprepared) world of styling. Now with ten years of international experience as a stylist, including décor and set dressing, Kaylene has managed to diversify, bringing her unique touch to fashion journalism, marketing, and public relations, making her a multi-talented all-rounder in this diverse industry. Now working as a freelance Fashion Stylist between London, Milan, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, she is clearly a very busy lady, and we were immeasurably pleased to nab her to style each of the unique and gorgeous fashion spreads featured in this edition of Maverick.
CONTRIBUTORS | 09
NATALIE DYBISZ Dreamscape Artist and lover of English breakfast tea. A fine art fashion photographer based in London, Natalie is half of the Miss Aniela team, an honour she shares with her long-time partner Matthew. Renowned for mixing fine art and fashion photography, this team creates a delicate balance between traditional imagery and digitally-enhanced motifs, interweaving in a surreal composition. Natalie’s ‘Surreal Fashion’ series is where beauty meets absurdity and couture meets chaos, in a series of fine art/fashion-fused photographic tapestries.
ROB ROSE Inquisitor and intrepid explorer of the finest Whisky Having qualified as a lawyer, Rob decided that 40-hours of lawyering was more than any one person should have to endure in a lifetime. The swap to journalism proved a smart one. Over the next decade and a half, he worked at Business Day, Financial Mail and then at the Sunday Times, scoring all the top journalism awards in the country, including the Taco Kuiper award for investigative journalism, the Sikuvile Journalist of the Year, the Vodacom journalist of the year, and the Sanlam Financial Journalist of the Year. In 2010, he was awarded the Nieman fellowship to Harvard, where he began writing ‘The Grand Scam’ about notorious Ponzi mastermind Barry Tannenbaum, who put together the biggest con in South Africa’s history. The book is climbing the international charts, largely thanks to its readability, humour and ‘gotcha’ style narrative. The current editor of the Sunday Times’ Business Times, Rob spends his free time playing cricket, entertaining his young son and getting up the noses of unscrupulous politicians and businessmen alike.
DANIELLE FINE Wordsmith Mama with a penchant for Margaritas Having completed her partying (sorry, we mean BSc) Honours degree at Tuks, Danielle developed software for a brief, ill-advised period. Realising that she really, truly did despise it, she began to follow her heart. Now when she is not ‘mommying’ her gorgeous little girl, she is ‘mommying’ various writers through the process of writing and releasing their books. Although she is officially a freelance editor and proof reader, Danielle also produces book trailers and spends an inordinate amount of time developing beautiful graphics.
FERDI DE VOS Motorhead and beer drinker Born in the smoky North but raised in the fairest Cape, Ferdi de Vos has always had a fascination with all things sporting wings or wheels. While he never took up flying (though he did build his own model plane air-force at age six), his penchant for everything mechanical has seen him dabble in motor sports, review fast cars, and undertake numerous 4x4 adventures. While visiting exotic locations on six continents (sometimes as a guest in the cockpit), he’s clocked up enough air miles to make even an experienced airline pilot’s carbon emission trails pale in comparison, so when presented with the opportunity to review the latest and greatest business jet of ‘em all—the Gulfstream G650—he jumped at it.
NICOLE BRUIGOM Creationist and swiller of excellent Champagne Working with creative people is meant to be hard. Isn’t it? Nicole completely obliterates that idea. Smart, beautiful, and besotted with design and all things related, Nicole is based in the luscious suburb of Hillcrest in KwaZulu Natal. A full time graphic designer for a local retail giant, Nicole fulfils her destiny as an illustrator, designer, and author on a freelance basis for many well-known brands. Her company, The Striped Flamingo, does obscenely gorgeous things to wallpaper, textiles, gift cards, fabrics, and wrapping papers.
DYLLAN MORAIS Magician, Amaretto diviner. It’s rare that a makeup artist gets recognised in the contributors section, but with Dyllan, we just couldn’t resist. Truly a man who speaks through his art and writes his own scripts using the tools of the trade, Dyllan has an absolute passion for fashion and making gorgeous girls (and boys) look even more spectacular. Dyllan brought such a sense of professionalism and sheer delight to the Maverick shoots—even though we made him meet us at ungodly hours of the morning—that we can completely understand why some models will only work with him. He describes his ideal shoot as a secluded Maldives beach, surrounded by nature, beautiful models with golden, dewy skin and wild yet lush hair, shot from amazing angles with the perfect lighting. Frankly, we think he just loves the cocktails on the beach!
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THANK YOU Just as no man is an island, neither is a production company. This beautiful edition of Maverick is the result of many painstaking hours of preparation from a diverse and geographically scattered team (thank you Skype!). United Charter Services would like to extend a sincere Maverick thank you to · Erika Pretorius for the loan of her gorgeous gray mare, Pohlands Wansuela, and the use of Summit Ridge stables for part of our Queen of Beasts photoshoot. For more information about Summit Ridge Stables, please contact Erika 0827852960 or Tessa on 0722032713 · Chantel Dartnall and Henrietta Maritz from The Orient, for their patience and hospitality as the Maverick creative crew moved in trailing curling irons, for the photoshoot. · Ingrid Irsigler for lending us her patient mare, Uphoria for Sport of King’s. · This edition of Maverick has some of the most unique and beautiful items ever seen in one magazine. We would like to sincerely thank each of the design houses who trusted us with their most precious clothes, hats, shoes and other accessories! ·
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·
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·
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·
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In addition the production team would like to thank United Charter Services for the opportunity to work on this incredible production. Maverick remains as close to our hearts as to yours.
WORDS Editor-In-Chief PHILIPPA ROSE-TITE Chief Sub-Editor DANIELLE FINE Proofreader CAREY BOLTMAN Business Writer DR LANCE VOGEL Feature Writers ROB ROSE, CLAUDIA FERREIRA Lifestyle Writers CATH JENKIN, KIM MAXWELL, MICHELLE GOVENDER Motor Writers SHANE OOSTHUIZEN, JAMES SIDDALL Aviation Writers FERDI DE VOS, DAVE HOWARTH
IMAGES Creative Director INGRID IRSIGLER Layout Artist RONEL VAN HEERDEN Illustrator NICOLE BRUIGOM Photographers INGRID IRSIGLER, OCEAN DRIVEN MEDIA, FOTO FRACTIONS Digital artist & Highend Retoucher KARIEN VAN NIEKERK Additional Images MISS ANIELA
FASHION SHOOT Photographer INGRID IRSIGLER Lighting ETIENNE CREMER INC Lighting Assistant OLIVER GODFREY Stylist KAYLENE WEST Stylist Assistant BENJAMIN VAN ZYL – BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY – Make-Up/ Hair TIFFANY WILSON Model SHINNAI VISSER – THE ORIENT – Make-Up/ Hair DYLLAN MORAIS Model JENNA DOVER – YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON… – Make-Up/ Hair TIFFANY WILSON Model ANA TRUJIC – QUEEN OF BEASTS– Make-Up/ Hair DYLLAN MORAIS Model JES FORBER – ROCK ‘N ROLL TRAVELLIN’– Make-Up/ Hair TIFFANY WILSON Models BISI SOWEMIMO & FARRYN THERON
PRINTING HALCYON PRINT SOLUTIONS Tel: 083 228 6137 Email: sarah@halcyonps.co.za
DEVELOPMENT & PRODUCTION DESIGN Maverick is published by BIGCITYLIFE AND PURPLE RAINDROP Tel: + 27 84 7422402 Email: info@bigcitylife.co.za
MAVERICK COVER: Photographer INGRID IRSIGLER Stylist KAYLENE WEST Model JENNA DOVER Green gown by KLUK Grey hat by CLOCHE Gloves by PORSCHE DESIGN Brogues by STUDIO 8
of
by Claudia Ferreira
SPICE | 15
H
ave you ever been inexplicably transported back to childhood when hearing the unique tones of the ice-cream truck? Or stopped dead in a crowded mall when a woman walked past wearing your mother’s scent? Contrary to popular belief, memory does not
reside in the deepest recesses of our minds. It lies in our senses—in touch, taste, sight, and sound. It lies in a much-loved childhood treat, an old high school love song, or the kiss of a former flame. And it lies in scent—the lingering trace of perfume in the wind. Some think perfume is a fleeting pleasure, dissipating almost as quickly as it is applied. It is the stuff of nights out on the town, illicit love affairs, and summer romances. They are deceived. Perfume holds a key place in the collective memory of our human experience, touching civilisations and marking societies with a lasting scent. This is the story of perfume.
It begins in antiquity with the use of incense. Many ancient cultures
according to popular myth, introduced the first modern alcohol-
would burn fragrant woods for religious ceremonies, paying tribute to
based perfume to Europe. As the legend goes, a monk presented
their gods and anointing their dead. The name perfume comes from the
the frail old woman with this strange new concoction. On trying
Latin phrase per fumus, meaning “through smoke.”
it, the wrinkled ruler recovered her youth and beauty, and was
It was the Egyptians who began using body scents in everyday life,
proposed to by the much younger, but immeasurably dashing,
although evidence has been found of perfumeries dating as far back as
King of Poland. From then on, “Hungary water” won fame as
the Bronze Age. In the hot, stuffy desert climate, scented oils and unguents
both a perfume and miracle tonic.
were as much a necessity as they were a luxury. They even had their own god of perfume—Nefertem, the beautiful young lord of the lotus flower.
It may come as a surprise that France did not see the general introduction of perfume until the sixteenth century. When
From the start, the story of perfume was inextricably interwoven with
Catherine de Medici became Queen of France, she brought
the stories of great historical and literary figures. Cleopatra—never one
with her a new fashion: wearing gloves scented with perfume
for understatement—is said to have met Marc Antony for the first time
to hide the pungent smell of tanned leather. The French court
travelling in a barge so coated in perfume, its scent announced its arrival
found this a sensation and began to wear perfumed garments
before it was even in view.
of every kind. Perfume production in France flourished,
From Egypt, the use of perfume spread throughout the ancient world. The Romans, champions of indulgence and excess, took its
and it soon established itself as the centre of the European fragrance industry.
usage to heights even Cleopatra may have thought a tad over-the-top.
The use of perfume during the Renaissance was heavily
They would adorn not only themselves with scent, but the walls, floors,
associated with the royal houses of Europe. Queen Elizabeth
drapes, and furniture of their homes, as well as any horses, dogs, birds,
I demanded that all public places be scented as she could not
and other animals unfortunate enough to be within spritzing distance.
tolerate strong odours. When King Louis XV came into power
So overwhelming was the use of aromatics in ancient Rome that the poet
in the eighteenth century, the French court became known as
Cicero lamented, “the right scent for a woman is none at all.”
la cour parfumée (the perfumed court) due to his insistence
Although the use of perfumes in Europe was widespread pre-
that a different fragrance be applied to his apartments each
Christianity, by the Dark Ages, it had all but disappeared. Much
day. These glamorous façades hid an unpleasant truth: strong
knowledge was lost due to barbarian invasions, and the new religion
aromas were used to mask the smell of body odours caused by
known as Christianity, frowned upon the use of cosmetics for personal
less-than-adequate hygiene.
beautification. The Islamic world, meanwhile, was experiencing a golden age. Arabs and Persians were making extensive scientific discoveries and establishing new trade routes across the old world. They developed innovative distillation processes and introduced new raw ingredients from their travels. By the Middle Ages, Arabic influence had seen a small-scale resurgence of perfumes in Europe. It was Queen Isabella of Hungary who,
Memory lies in the sound of a childhood ice-cream truck, an old high school love song, or the kiss of a former flame.
SPICE | 17
Perfume even played its part in the courtly intrigues of backbiting nobles. Many plots involved fragrances and their accessories. Some perfumers would lace the fashionable scented gloves of the day with deadly poisons. Pillbox rings, a popular way to carry keepsakes and perfume, were also used to store venoms for assassinations or suicide. The industrial revolution saw radical changes in the development of perfume, thanks to the advances in organic chemistry, and thus the role of the modern perfume designer was born. By
Catherine de Medici, Queen of France, brought a new fashion: wearing gloves scented with perfume to hide the pungent smell of the tanned leather.
the dawn of the twentieth century, perfume had become more than just a scent. The design elements surrounding it— the bottle, the wrapping, and the marketing—had gained importance, and perfumers worked closely with artists and glassmakers. No story of perfume is complete without mentioning the iconic Chanel No. 5. Clothing designer Coco Chanel developed the fragrance in 1921, intending it for the modern woman she felt she represented. The first time she wore the perfume, it literally stopped people in their tracks. On release, the fragrance was an unadulterated success, and to this day, it remains the world’s best-selling perfume. It was the Chanel model that transformed perfume into what we know today. Fragrances are now closely associated with the fashion industry, and designers frequently release their own signature scents. And just as it has always been, celebrity and perfume come together in a heady mix. Many actresses and singers follow in the glamorous footsteps of Marilyn Monroe and Catherine Deneuve as the face of luxury brands, while others go even further and release their own fragrances. Marilyn, in fact, was famously quoted as saying that the only thing she wore to bed was Chanel No.5. Next time you indulge in the transitory pleasure of your favourite fragrance, let it transport you not only to a moment in your history, but that of someone else’s. Perfume is more than just a dalliance that blows away in the breeze. It is the scent of priests and pagans. It is the scent of kings and courtiers. It is the scent of art and murder. It is the scent of history.
LIFESTYLE | 19
TopHats
Tiaras & by Claudia Ferreira
‘I daresay you haven’t had much practice,’ said the Queen. ‘When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast.” – Lewis Carroll
Imagine if you will, that you’re sitting in a darkened theatre ,
.
A man walks out onto the stage dressed in scruffy clothes and a
truly impressive stovepipe hat. He reaches into his coat and feels around for something. You wonder if he is looking for notes, or a speech perhaps. After a moment, he pulls out a handkerchief. And a second. And then another… Finally, the man speaks:
“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. I see you are
bewildered by my parlour tricks. You came here expecting to hear a history of the venerable top hat and that most noble of woman’s
accoutrements, the tiara. I am afraid, however, that I would be doing these esteemed items of clothing a disservice by drily rattling off names and dates. Rather, I would like to tell you some stories of the men and women who have made the top hat, and the tiara, the icons they are today.” The magician sweeps his top hat across his face, and suddenly he is impeccably dressed in tails and silk—the very picture of English gentility. Putting the hat back on, the magician speaks: “Let us begin.”
– The Charlatan –
T
he credit for inventing the top hat goes to one George Dunnage, but as the story goes, it was a chap named John Hetherington who brought it into the spotlight.
Hetherington was a haberdasher and a man ahead of his time. He deplored the
staid ways people wore their hats. One balmy afternoon he took to the streets of London wearing a bold new style—a lofty variation on the standard riding hat made from beaver, and covered in silk. The sight of this new headgear was such that women fainted dead away, children cried out in fear, and dogs began howling. The police had to be called to prevent a riot. Poor Mr Hetherington was arrested, charged with breaching the peace and had to pay a large fine. The damage, however, was already done. Pandora’s Box had been opened, and despite the shocking new headpiece being outlawed, it had already indelibly burned its way into public consciousness. The Times saw the world-shattering item of clothing for what it was and predicted that, sooner or later, everyone would accept this new mode of dress. If, and you’ll excuse the pun, it sounds like a tall tale, it’s because it probably is. But tell a story often enough, and you’ll find it becomes true. More people know the name of Mr Hetherington than they do that of poor, forgotten George Dunnage.
LIFESTYLE | 21
I
– The Prince –
t wasn’t long before the wealthy classes of England took to this sensational new item of clothing. The topper, as it was known (for only the plebs referred to it as a top hat), became a symbol
of class distinction—for a while, at least. Then, as fashion trends are wont to do, the style spread to the middle class and finally the lower classes. Even reprobate magicians, such as myself, began tarnishing the top hat’s good name by pulling rabbits out of it! The tasteful had become gauche, at least in the eyes of the upper classes. There was nothing respectable about the devilish top hat for a spell. That is, until a young German took to wearing it, some fifty years after it made its scandalous debut. Albert, Queen Victoria’s aestheticallyinclined husband, took to wearing hats made of fine silk shag. The once-despised hat gained a new social cachet. The dapper Prince-Consort, in his double-breasted coat and topper, set in stone the enduring image of the English gentleman in his top hat.
– The President –
P
erhaps the best-known top hat in all existence
belonged to that most venerated of gentleman, Abraham Lincoln. At six-feet-four inches, Lincoln
was already a towering figure. The addition of an eight-anda-half inch tall stovepipe hat made him stand out even more, and gave him an air of noble dignity and gravitas. Mr Lincoln was not one for pockets and instead stored important notes, letters, contracts, and bills inside the lining of his hat. The stovepipe is also said to have saved his life. While on a horseback ride, a would-be assassin shot at him but had the misfortunate to aim at his head, assuming it to be closer to the top of the hat, thus missing him by inches and merely knocking the hat off his head. Though, Lincoln would not be so lucky one fateful night when he went to Ford’s Theatre. Setting the hat aside, he watched the play until a man named Booth came up behind him and shot him in the head. It was the last time he ever wore his hat.
T
– The Showman –
he topper may have ruled the nineteenth century, but by the twentieth, it was, if you will forgive me, old hat. It continued to be worn in formal settings, but its height made it impractical to wear in an era where carriages were being replaced by low-roofed cars.
Then came a man with magic in his feet, and he renewed the reputation of the elegant top hat. A
debonair dancer named Fred Astaire took to wearing a traditional top hat and a perfectly-tailored suit as he tapped, tangoed, and cartwheeled his way into the hearts and minds of the movie-going public. Never had the sober top hat been so lively. He wasn’t the only one. Gary Cooper pulled off top hats and tails as comfortably as he did Stetsons and jeans. And Marlene Dietrich brought an androgynous sophistication to the world of the topper, effortlessly straddling the line between the masculine and feminine. I think you will agree, ladies and gents, that the top hat remains a showstopper even today. Only the sharpest sartorialists could possibly hope to pull it off.
The magician finishes talking and beckons for a woman to join him on stage. Sensuous and very beautiful, a glittering coronet perched on her jet black hair, she sashays
toward him. The magician removes his hat, takes the crown off her head, and puts it inside. Mystical words are intoned, and, breathless, you wait for the inevitable dove to emerge. Instead, a nimbus of sparkling butterflies fills the air, coming to rest upon the woman’s head in the shape of her crown. She steps forward and starts to speak:
“Tiaras, as you all know, are magical. They have
the power to transform girls into the people they were destined to be. I was a magpie before a broken crown half-buried in the ground caught my eye. The second I touched it, I was turned into the women you see before you.” She retreats and the magician once more takes the spotlight.
O
– The Empress –
nce upon a time (because stories about princesses are never measured in years), there was a woman named Josephine who fell in love with a man named Napoleon. Now, Napoleon was not the tall, noble prince you
would expect from these kinds of tales, but he did own France and was well on his way to owning half of Europe, which did somewhat make up for his shortcomings. Napoleon fancied himself an emperor and indulged in all the trappings of royalty. Seeing Josephine in tiaras got him all hot and bothered, and he spent more than a few francs amassing a simply abundant collection for her. Every princess since has coveted these beauties, from Princess Grace of Monaco to Victoria, Princess of Sweden. Emperor Napoleon also had a tiara made for Pope Pius VII, who was wearing a papier-mâché one at the time (due to the small matter of Napoleon’s troops having destroyed the previous papal tiaras and stolen the Church’s jewels). Napoleon was kind enough to donate a replacement made from the stolen jewels, but, true to type he got the measurements slightly wrong, resulting in a tiara that was both too small and too heavy to wear comfortably.
– The Royals –
W
e already know what a style icon Prince Albert was, but it must be said that the man also had an eye for jewellery design. Albert designed several beautiful tiaras for Queen Victoria, somehow
making all those fairy-tale princes the little girls dream of look like slouches in the process. Sadly, Prince Albert’s untimely death at the age of forty-one sent Victoria into mourning, and she never got to wear his exquisite creations. However, many years later, the Queen Mother found the collection lounging in a pile of unused (but still priceless) jewellery, dusted it off, and proceeded to wear it pretty much everywhere.
LIFESTYLE | 23
One of the most valuable tiaras of all time was commissioned by German Prince Guido Henckel von Donnersmarck for his second wife Katherine in 1900. In 2013 an anonymous bidder paid 12.76 million for it on auction.
$ – The Collector –
The Windsors do have an awful lot of tiaras, even for a royal family. King George V’s wife, Mary of Teck, shares some of the blame. Mary collected objets d’art like some well-coiffed dragon, often paying three times what they were actually worth for them. She would visit people’s houses, see something she admired, and casually remark how much she loved it in the hopes that her hosts would donate it to her. Yes, my good people, the British Royal Family seemed to make a habit of being gifted shiny things. The ‘Girls of Great Britain and Ireland’—the tiara that Queen Elizabeth wears on British money—was one such gift. A group of ordinary women raised five thousand pounds to pay for the beautiful piece, and donated it to the aforementioned Miss Mary for her wedding.
Suddenly, the butterflies swarm off the head of the magpie girl
and toward you. The magician says a word, and the butterflies explode into a shower of tiny diamonds. You reach out to catch them, but they dissolve as soon as they touch you. “That’s the thing about magic. It’s about misdirection. Put a tiara on a half-pretty
girl, and everyone will swoon all over her, ignoring the mess of dirty laundry she’s dragging behind her. Don’t be fooled by fairy tales, sirs and ladies. A top hat or a tiara is only as noble as the person wearing it. The magician bows, and, with a flourish of his dark coat, the two vanish.
YOU CAN LEAVE YOUR HAT ON PHOTOGRAPHY BY INGRID IRSIGLER STYLING BY KAYLENE WEST ALL HATS FROM CLOCHE
“AND NOW, I’M JUST TRYING TO CHANGE THE WORLD, ONE SEQUIN AT A TIME.” LADY GAGA
LIFESTYLE | 25
“THE WOMAN IS THE MOST PERFECT DOLL THAT I HAVE DRESSED WITH DELIGHT AND ADMIRATION.” KARL LAGERFELD
“LIKE POETRY, FASHION DOES NOT STATE ANYTHING. IT MERELY SUGGESTS.” KARL LAGERFELD
“LUXURY IS THE EASE OF A T-SHIRT IN A VERY EXPENSIVE DRESS.” KARL LAGERFELD
Inside the world of millinery
– an interview with Petro Vermeulen
“But I don’t want to go among mad people,” Alice remarked. “Oh, you can’t help that,” said the Cat, “we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re mad.” “How do you know I’m mad?” said Alice. “You must be,” said the Cat, or you wouldn’t have come here.” – Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland
LIFESTYLE | 37
T
he world of fashion is fast-paced, with trends
home the winner. Milliner (don’t you just love that word?) and owner
seemingly in today and out tomorrow. The
of Nellé Couture Millinery Designs, Petro Vermeulen, knows all too
wonderful thing about style and design,
well the anxiety and pressure behind designing a one-of-a-kind
however, is that it caters for everyone. No
piece for anyone attending the July. With the theme this year being
matter your taste or style, it often seems the
“THE BIG SCREEN,” Vermeulen has already interpreted the four
more left of centre you are, the more fashion tends to cater
possible elements: Old Hollywood, New Hollywood, Bollywood, or
for you. The fashion capitals of the world, such as New York,
Nollywood. If nothing else, the designs are sure to be unique and
Paris, London, and Tokyo, appear to set the standard for all
somewhat outrageous! Just what you need in a July hat!
things fashion, but in South Africa, we’re finding a space for
Vermeulen has a wealth of experience when it comes to designing
ourselves in the global style game. And, true to type, where
hats, fascinators, and headpieces for the July. Born in Witbank and
there isn’t space, we make it!
living in Pretoria, Vermeulen was taught the art of designing and
When it comes to looking local, Cape Town sets the
making hats by her mother. Vermeulen and her mother partnered up
benchmark for all things fabulous and fashionable, but the
to start Nellé Couture Millinery Designs in 2010 when she was barely
Mother City has nothing on Durban’s most anticipated and
into her twenties. “At age twelve I made my first complete hat, and I
extravagant event of the year: the Durban July. As one of the
just haven’t been able to stop ever since,” says Vermeulen, revealing
more notable events on the South African social scene, the
that while sitting in church, she would be watching the ladies in front
Durban July is not only for the horse-racing contingent, but
of her and plotting new hat designs, instead of paying attention to the
for the watchers of beautiful fashion and beautiful people.
lesson of the day. Her intense passion came long before she mastered
Bold designs, bright colours, and larger-than-life headpieces
the intricate design skills she would need, to actually live her dream
are de rigueur, and you would be somebody that’s a nobody if
and become a milliner, but it was this that became a driver for her
your headgear didn’t obscure your view for at least one race!
future success. Her first piece of art was a large, flat, red buckram
The key element for that perfect July outfit is a standout
hat, which was paired with a fitted pencil dress when worn for the
hat or headpiece—the bigger the better is the rule to walk
first time. “The way people, and especially other women, looked at
LIFESTYLE | 39
me was priceless. That is when I realised that I had a talent.”
events, and the on-trend colours. When designing for clients, the
There is no denying it—her talent and eye for detail is
process is a little different, with Vermeulen taking time to make sure
evident in Vermeulen’s work, and she is a strong advocate
she understands the need behind the hat purchase. It all starts with
for the ‘10 000 hours makes you a master’ school of thought.
an idea, she explains, but there is a distinct possibility of it taking
What started off as a hobby, Vermeulen saw as an
a completely different direction. “I’ve adopted the saying that a hat
opportunity, and after numerous requests from family,
designs itself. Every hat is my masterpiece, my art. Even after you’ve
friends, and acquaintances, she finally took the plunge and
bought it, in a sense that [hat] is still part of me.”
began her career as a milliner. Seeking advice from milliners
Talking design, it comes as no surprise that Vermeulen adores
in the United Kingdom, Vermeulen learned how to improve
designs that include large brims. Hats that stand out and demand
her use of certain materials such as feathers. “They sent me
attention are always her favourite. She is quite adamant that a hat
tutorials over email. This was about the same time that I
should make you feel like a lady, and if it changes your stride, it is the
became a featured milliner at the Hat Academy in the UK.”
perfect hat for you! It should make you feel special and confident, but
Her win at the Durban July (for Most Striking Couple) came
must be comfortable and well-made. This all sounds grand, but also
soon after this, following collaborations with local South
a little hard to come by. Vermeulen believes, however, that a good
African fashion designer, Monique Botha.
milliner will make certain your hat fits like a glove, does not fall off
When designing for her collection, Vermeulen keeps a number of factors in mind, including the season, upcoming
during the course of the day, and looks stunning. Ever heard someone say they aren’t a ‘hat person?’ Don’t believe it for a second. Vermeulen brings up the need to have confidence when sporting a hat. Drawing examples from our European counterparts, she comments on the number of women in Paris and Britain who wear hats almost every day, as well as our mothers and grandmothers, who weren’t shy to don the occasional cloche or beret. When asked, Vermeulen, looking thoughtful, describes the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, as a woman she’d love to design a hat for. “I would, however, like to see her in something less understated, and more over-the-top,” she muses. Well known American author, Erma Bombeck said, “I have a hat. It is graceful and feminine and gives me a certain dignity, as if I were attending a state funeral or something. Someday I may get up enough courage to wear it, instead of just carrying it.” You can say many things for hats. They look debonair or dashing on some, and plain ridiculous on others, but for once, wouldn’t you want to be the mysterious person seen leaving the millinery in an oversized hat, off to meet your destiny? Find out more about Petro Vermeulen and Nellé Couture Millinery Designs by going to www.designerhats.co.za and make certain to connect with them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/hatdesigns.
LIFESTYLE | 41
ROB ROSE TAKES A PEEK INTO
BUBBLES, BITCOINS AND
MARKET BOOMS
FINANCE | 43
FINANCE | 45
W
ho, do you imagine, is that cynic and possible
and piled in. Until late 2009, when it all came crashing down.
closet Marxist punting this dangerous notion
Questions emerged over some truly weird shenanigans—such as
that the investment markets hold more pain
“re-valuing” its 55% stake in its Nigerian arm upwards, and then claiming
than gain? This ominous warning, it turns out,
R80,5-million of this re-valuation as a profit—not to mention the fact it
emerged from a former chairman of one of the
got rid of auditors and financial directors almost every year. The point
largest stock exchanges in the United States, the NASDAQ—a man who,
about Blue Financial isn’t so much that it was a basket case, but rather
until a few years back, ran an immense investment company.
that investors ploughed in, pushing the share price to levels clearly not
Today, that man wears an orange jumpsuit and his meals are decided by
justified when it just wasn’t rational. In the case of Blue Financial, the
the US correctional supervision system. His name is Bernard Lawrence
sort of greed that would have seen someone pour R1-million into the
Madoff, or ‘Bernie’ to his friends, and his roommate in his 8-by-10 foot
company at its peak in September 2008 (of R7/share) equates to that
cell, in the Butner Federal Correctional Complex, in North Carolina.
person only having a miserly R18,571 left today.
There is no small irony in the fact that it was Madoff, a man with a keen
Warwick Business School professor Richard Taffler, something of an
sense of the fraying sleeves of the financial market, who shared this advice
expert in a field he dubs “emotional economics,” says people flock to
with American website Politico, a few weeks ago. Given this context, you
“enormously exciting” investments that promise the earth, the Aladdin’s
might be tempted to dismiss this as simply the bitter reaction of a jailbird,
lamp of return-on-equity. Only thing is, says Taffler, “there’s no such thing
to a system he used and abused before it trained its sights on him.
as magic in investments.”
After all, the public is repeatedly told that the stock market is well-
And yet, pinstriped prospectors set out every morning in pursuit of the
regulated and your best chance of making money in the long run. And
mythical pot of gold, convinced there’s some scheme out there that can
the South African JSE is actually the best-regulated in the world.
magic-wand $100 into a $1-million overnight.
In Africa, supposedly the laggard for regulation, none of the banks
This is why, as much as Ponzi schemes have been around forever,
collapsed with the same explosive vigour as Lehman Brothers, AIG, or
there will always be a market for get-rich-quick schemes from the sort
the Royal Bank of Scotland. In fact, there are few systemic failures.
of suckers who, as Taffler says “repress these feelings” and “avoid what
The few companies that have gone bust in the last decade in South
we don’t want to know.”
Africa—Leisurenet, Saambou, Tigon, and 1Time—are rare failures in
Madoff is just the newest incarnation of a trend that dates all the way
a system that theoretically, at least, should have far more failures thus
back to Charles Ponzi, the Italian-born scamster who gave his name to
separating the weak from the strong.
numerous scoundrels. Ponzi’s scam back in 1918, was to lure people into
This may be true, but where Madoff is certainly right is that investment
investing in “international postal reply coupons”—the price of which
principles fall apart when people’s “emotional difficulties” get in the way.
varied in different countries—by promising them a 100% profit within
Consider the case of a company called Blue Financial Services,
three months. At least, in the sepia-toned world in which Charles Ponzi
which was all the rage on the South African JSE a few years back. All
operated, money was tangible. Part of the problem now is that the
extravagantly-branded posters and spin, the company punted itself as a
concept of wealth is ethereal, and has delinked from reality.
pan-African micro-lender, setting up shop in twelve African countries;
Which is why we now have Bitcoin. If you were to describe the notion
including Ghana, Botswana, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Nigeria. Listed at
of Bitcoin to someone in the pub, he’d tell you it would never catch on.
R1.30 per share in 2006, Blue’s share price rocketed. Within three years,
And yet, Bitcoin is perhaps the biggest fad investment in global finance
you would have turned R100,000 into R515,000, as Blue’s R45-million
at the moment. Which, as economists and pundits will tell you, is a neat
loan book grew three hundredfold to R1.45-billion.
trick considering these coins don’t even really exist.
“We are driven by the knowledge that, handled responsibly, micro-
If you think the origin story of Mormonism beggars belief, consider
financing is a powerful tool for poverty alleviation,” bellowed the
the genesis of Bitcoin. It goes like this: somewhere in California in 2009,
baritone voice of charismatic CEO Dave van Niekerk, early in 2009.
a group of programmers under the pseudonym Satoshi Nakamoto set
“We make a point of ensuring that we have the dual effect of giving our
about developing a “virtual currency.” Using a continually evolving code,
investors a return on their money and, at the same time, empowering and
programmers can “mine” Bitcoins using a theorem that becomes more
uplifting the communities we serve.”
and more complicated. Because of the theoretical inbuilt limitations of
So, analysts and punters (who couldn’t understand how it was lending so much amid suspiciously low “bad debt” levels) shelved their doubts,
mining Bitcoins, the number in circulation should peak at 21-million coins by the year 2141.
FINANCE | 47
T
hese Bitcoins are then sold and traded between
is, Bitcoin has already had its fair share of scandal.
individuals, and each sale is recorded in a public record
In February this year, for example, the Japanese Bitcoin exchange
dubbed a “block chain.” There is no physical coin, of
called Mt Gox went bust after 850,000 Bitcoins were “stolen.” This was
course. Rather like prayer, the concept only exists because
a sizeable chunk of the money, amounting to about 7% of all Bitcoins in
people believe it works. It might sound easy enough to
existence, and worth, at that stage, an estimated $450-million. Curiously
magic-up these coins, but consider that by June 2014, there were only
enough, Mt Gox “found” about 200,000 of these Bitcoins in some digital
12.8-million Bitcoins in existence. Still, at an average price of around
wallet somewhere, but this again highlighted the problems of an artificial
$440, this means the “value” of Bitcoin is now $8.3-billion.
internet currency—including being open to hacking. It’s a scenario made
Like any good bubble, however, you can make money provided you get in at the bottom, and out before it pops. The price of a Bitcoin only
for late-night comedians. Jon Stewart, the host of the US satire news show ‘The Daily Show,’ summed up the absurdity of the Mt Gox heist.
topped $1 in January 2011, but since then it has surfed the heights of $1,151
“I don’t see what could go wrong. Nothing’s more reliable and secure
per coin in January 2014, before falling back to around $650, at the time
than the internet… It’s not like money that doesn’t really exist can just
of going to print.
disappear,” he said. “Did you try restarting? Did you check the trash bin
Consider this astounding statistic; if you’d taken a dabble with a mere
on the PC?”
$1000 back in May 2010, and bought Bitcoins when the price was less
So is Bitcoin a bubble waiting to pop? Well, not necessarily. It clearly
than 1c (in US dollar terms), you’d have turned that paltry amount into a
isn’t an out-and-out con, meant to part idiots from their cash, like most
lifestyle-securing $115-million. Even in South Africa, where people can
real Ponzi schemes. BitCoin has a rudimentary economic basis, and
buy Bitcoins on two exchanges—Bitx based in Stellenbosch and Ice3x.
enough people trading to keep it fairly liquid. But this, of course, won’t
com—the price has vaulted to north of $6,500 per coin, at time of going
guarantee its survival—as the sub-prime crash attests.
to print. Of course, it’s just that sort of crude analysis that conmen use
In mid-2007, you could have thrown a Breitling watch down Broadway
to target saps to finance their schemes, floating the idea that you really
in New York and hit twenty investment bankers who would’ve sworn that
can make millions from nothing. With these sorts of dollar signs, it’s no
sub-prime mortgage-backed securities were a new model to eradicate
wonder people are willing to ride the train to the end. The thing is, that
investment risk. And with Bitcoin, there isn’t even the backing of rubbish
end could come at any time.
home loans as a store of value. But if it does implode, the one thing you
The South African BitX exchange itself, for example, is plastered with dramatic warnings. On its website, it says: “the Bitcoin market is very
can be certain of is that there’ll be a new, equally risky scheme in a few years, promising the earth… delivering mud.
volatile and prone to bubbles and rapid price swings. The market price
The only difference now, compared to a hundred, or even thirty years
changes over time so your Bitcoins may be worth less in the future. In
ago, is the level of sophistication, and the extent to which the product
fact, they may even become completely worthless.”
itself has dissociated from reality. Some of the lick-and-spit schemes in
It adds, rather disconcertingly, that “Bitcoin is not backed by any entity,”
the past seem laughable in retrospect.
so, you should “not invest money that you cannot afford to lose.” It seems
In 1980s South Africa, there was a scheme called Vrotmelk, started
ludicrous. But is it much more ludicrous than the concept of imbuing
by an Afrikaans businessman called Adriaan Nieuwoudt. Nieuwoudt
paper with a certain denominated value, calling it “cash,” and deeming it
told people that if they bought a dry powder for about R30, this “milk
worth a value in the marketplace?
culture” called Kubus could be cultivated into a miracle ingredient
In an article entitled ‘Bitcoin is Evil,’ Paul Krugman, the Nobel prize-
for cosmetics. Nieuwoudt told “investors” to mail back the culture for
winning economist, says that people just can’t explain to him how
R10 as the “cultivated product,” which he was apparently on-selling to
Bitcoin is a reliable store of value. Others agree. University of California
cosmetics firms. But of course, there were no cosmetics firms buying
economics professor Brad DeLong described Bitcoin as a $10-billion
Kubus. Instead, Nieuwoudt’s lackeys were simply grinding up the
bubble. DeLong says at least with gold, what underpins the value is that
culture and mailing it back out as dry powder. Nieuwoudt collected
you can use it to make pretty things. With the dollar, at least the US Federal
R140-million through this classic Ponzi scheme, a scam that sparked
Reserve has promised to buy back the dollars if all else fails. There is no
a number of copycats.
such assurance with Bitcoin.
Judge Gustav Hoexter, discussing one such copycat scam in 1989,
“Placing a ceiling on the value of Bitcoins is computer technology and
sought to distill the reasons people put cash into schemes destined to
the form of the hash function… until the limit of 21-million Bitcoins is
crash. Said the judge: “The probable answer is supplied by history, which
reached,” he says.
teaches us that in the human breast, greed and gullibility are often
The American regulator, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), also recently warned that investors “can be easily enticed with the promise of high returns in a new investment space and also may be less skeptical when assessing something novel, new, and cutting-edge.” As it
partners. It is on these twin weaknesses that all confidence tricksters trade, and not a few flourish,” he said. Emotions, as Bernie Madoff should well know, are the enemy of proper investment decisions.
Photography: Ingid Irsigler Styling: Kaylene West Uphoria’s halter from Western Shoppe Jes is wearing a Simone Roca dress from Studio 8 Hyde Park . Boots Photographer’s own
ALL THINGS NICE | 49
SPORT OF THE WOULD-BE KINGS by Philippa Rose-Tite
“I DON’T LIKE PEOPLE,” SAID VELVET. “... I ONLY LIKE HORSES.” ― ENID BAGNOLD, NATIONAL VELVET
W
hat seems like hundreds of hooves pound the
mucking out stables and traipsing into the dead of night to check on
grass, sounding like a discordant heartbeat
horses that one last time. And, of course, the elegant flutter through
and drowning out the roar of the overexcited
the winning circle is juxtaposed against the endless training sessions
crowd. Ribs heaving, foam flying from their
in the (often) freezing cold mornings with bad-tempered jockeys and
mouths, ears laid flat back, these magnificent
surly trainers.
animals appear to fly as they streak past me in a blur of jockey silks and
Though mentions of horse racing can be found as far back as Norse
straining muscles. It’s truly an awe-inspiring sight, and even the most
legend, the earliest recorded horse races were actually in the Olympics in
cynical of racegoers are enveloped in the romance of the track, arrested
648 BC, and they included both chariot racing and flat racing. Although
by the beauty and athleticism of these thoroughbreds—even if it only
the popularity of chariot racing has decreased dramatically (which is a
lasts until they cross the finish line and are forgotten in the swirl of
surprise, what with all the chariots we have lying around!), flat racing is
winning or losing betting slips.
as popular as ever. Simply put, this is a race over a designated distance
Horse racing is the quintessential representation of light and dark,
of between four hundred metres and four kilometres (depending on
good and evil. The beauty of the horses that fight it out on the track in
the race), between two or more horses. The majority of the time, tracks
race after race is tempered by stories of brutality and nobbling—the
are oval, but sometimes they’re in the shape of a figure eight (such as
practice of drugging a horse or somehow otherwise ensuring it doesn’t
Fontwell Park or the Royal Windsor Racecourse in the UK) and the
win. The glamour of race day is a counterpoint to the daily grind of
ground varies from grass (turf) to sand (or dirt), depending on the venue.
ALL THINGS NICE | 51
“A HORSE WHICH STOPS DEAD JUST BEFORE A JUMP AND THUS PROPELS ITS RIDER INTO A GRACEFUL ARC PROVIDES A SPLENDID EXCUSE FOR GENERAL MERRIMENT.”― H.R.H. PRINCE PHILIP
N
aturally, horse racing isn’t limited to just one discipline. You
name like ‘Hydrogen’ or ‘Light a Joint’ when they have to compete
can also experience the (more subtle) thrill of endurance
with majestic-sounding animals like ‘Red Rum’ or ‘Aldaniti’), that
racing. Or, if neither flat racing nor endurance is quite to
fetched $4.46 million in 2013 as an unproven yearling. Then, of
your taste, there’s still the most controversial form of horse racing:
course, there’s the basic stabling, training fees, veterinary fees,
steeplechasing. Having found fame with races such as the Grand
farriers, jockey fees, racing fees, registration fees, and all the other
National and movies that glamourized the race (who can forget an
odds and ends that come creeping in. It’s no wonder racing has a
elated fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Taylor dramatically crossing the
history drenched in aristocracy and plummy English accents.
finishing line in National Velvet, only to plummet to the ground,
Still, it’s now more accessible to the ‘common’ man than ever
overcome by the sheer physicality of it all, barely two seconds later?),
before—even if this only extends to being allowed to bet and win
steeplechasing, in truth, has a vivid, and often bloody, history.
(or lose) your money, as fate dictates. Often associated with the more
Horses are required to gallop distances of up to six-and-a-half
dubious of characters, with images of shady bookies meeting under
kilometres, jumping ‘natural’ obstacles such as ditches and fences
dark bridges to exchange grubby bank notes, horse racing was at one
made of trees and other brush. In fact, at the Grand National—held
time the perfect money-laundering environment for the mafia. Now,
annually at Aintree—you can find the most challenging of fences:
however, there is a skein of respectability layered over the whole affair.
Becher’s Brook. At the (not inconsiderable) height of five feet, the
Whether or not this is due to the stricter laws or the advent of online
fence is already tricky, but what non-riders don’t know, is that there’s
gambling—where the only ones likely to break your kneecaps if you
a duplicitous landing for the unwary. The ground on the landing side
don’t pay up are Visa or American Express—horse racing has become
of the fence is actually between four and eight inches lower than that
an exceptionally lucrative industry. According to Deloitte, over $100
on the take-off side. Essentially, this means the ground isn’t where the
billion is gambled on horse racing annually throughout the world,
horses expect it to be, which, as it tends to do to people, trips them up.
and, in fact, in the US alone, horse racing contributes $1.9 billion in
Only, horses stumble at incredibly high speeds and with anything up
taxes to the government. As with all gambling, there’s no guarantee of
to forty horses behind them, as well as unbalanced humans on their
winning, and the odds are definitely stacked against you. The highest
backs. Considerable effort has gone into getting the authorities at
recorded winning in the last few years was by an English gent named
various courses to make their jumps more animal friendly, as there
Steve Whiteley, who placed just two pounds on a six-race rollover
have been a number of equine fatalities over the last couple of years.
jackpot and won £1,445,671.71—but this is a rare occurrence and the
(Figures vary, but it is commonly thought to be around thirty-seven
only way to win big consistently is to bet big.
horses at the Grand National alone.)
Naturally, it isn’t just the lure of easy money that entices you to
However, animal activists aside, the races continue, and when
plonk down your hard-earned cash. It’s the excitement of betting on
you examine the money behind them, you can begin to understand
an outsider no one else thought would make it. It’s the idea that Lady
why. The cost of purchasing a racehorse, even as a yearling, can
Luck has her eye on you, and will miraculously grant your wish for
be startling, to say the least. Take, for example, the well-bred
endless riches. And, for some, it’s simply the enchantment of the track
‘Hydrogen’(on a side note: it should be illegal to call any horse a silly
and pure love for these incredibly courageous animals.
LIFESTYLE | 53
FELIX’S SECRET BEHIND
DICK FRANCIS’S HORSERACING CANVAS By Rob Rose
Horse racing
has a glamorous history on the African continent,
stretching back to the first formal race on Cape Town’s Green Point common in 1797. Now, to put that in context, this was some time before the invention of electric lightbulbs, typewriters, and even the stethoscope. It is a sport that has had a grip on the psyche of the continent for centuries, partly thanks to the colonial link to England, where racing still remains the next big thing to football. In the 2013 Economic Impact of British Racing, Delloite’s reported that over 5.6-million people attended 1,369 fixtures in the same year. Little wonder then, that if you step into the home of just about any horse enthusiast from Johannesburg to Melbourne, you’ll be confronted with bookshelves crammed with any of the forty-four novels bearing the name ‘Dick Francis.’ During the 1970s and ‘80s, Dick Francis was a publishing celebrity, spoken of in the same breath as Robert Ludlum, John le Carré, or Frederick Forsyth. Awards flowed his way, along with about sixty million book sales and the adulation of pretty much everyone. It was an unlikely trajectory.
W
ho, after all, would have put money on one of the world’s most accomplished jockeys—who left school at the age of fifteen but still clocked up three hundred and fifty career wins—
becoming a publishing sensation? Perhaps the answer lies in an instant of tragedy that would
be deemed implausible had it appeared in Francis’s own novels, an event which the Telegraph dubbed “one of sport’s greatest mysteries.” Picture the scene: it’s 1956, and Francis, already the champion jockey two years before, is the royally-appointed jockey to Queen Elizabeth. Riding the queen’s horse, Devon Loch, he is yards away from winning the most famous steeplechase of all: the Grand National at Aintree. This is the way the Telegraph described what happened next: “Fifty yards from the line and with the entire nation cheering a Royal victory, Devon Loch pricked up his ears, appeared to jump a phantom obstacle, and belly-flopped to the turf with his four legs splayed out like Bambi on ice.” Francis lost a race he seemed destined to win, and even now, there is no explanation for it. He reportedly called it a “disaster of massive proportions.” Perhaps, but from the wreckage, Francis rebuilt himself. After publishing his autobiography, The Sport of Queens, in 1957, he wrote his first novel, Dead Cert, five years later. Dead Cert, branded one of the ‘100 Must-Read Crime Novels,’ sparked a writing career that extended all the way to his death in 2010, at the age of eighty-nine. And yet, in a few months’ time, we will see a new Dick Francis novel, Damage, on the shelves, continuing the franchise without skipping a beat. This will be the work of Dick Francis’s son, Felix Francis, a man whose own story seems almost as unlikely as that of his father. Felix, now in his early sixties, and a man who studied physics and electronics before spending seventeen years as a science teacher, seemed the least likely person in the family to take over from his father as a full-time writer. Yet, speaking to Maverick about the impact the books have had globally, as well as his conversion from schoolmaster to crime writer, Felix bubbles with the sort of childlike enthusiasm for the books that makes it seem the most natural transition in the world. “I’m actually very well aware of how popular the books are in South Africa,” says Felix. “Obviously one of Dad’s books, Smokescreen, is set in South Africa, and my parents went there in the early 1970s and loved it. I also went out there, and went racing in South Africa, so yes, it is pleasing”. His father, during his stint in the Royal Air Force in World War II, also spent three years fighting in Africa, so the continent is far from an unknown proposition. Felix describes his conversion to crime novelist and successor to his father as a “bit of a mistake.” The story goes like this: he’d been looking after his father’s affairs for some years, including, he says, “doing everything from managing investments to changing the light bulbs.” But his father, who was getting on, hadn’t picked up a pen since his wife, Mary, died in 2000.
LIFESTYLE | 55
How is it that in the age of iPads, downloadable movies, and epileptic attention spans, the Dick Francis franchise has retained its allure?
LIFESTYLE | 57
I
n 2005, Felix went to meet Andrew Houston, where
all of them. Now, this man was a barrister, a QC. It was just
the agent of the Dick Francis franchise alerted him
wonderful,” he says.
to a bigger problem. “The Dick Francis books, he told me, were going
Nine books down, and with a contract to deliver one book a year, Felix is relishing the life of an author.
out of print. People were forgetting what the novels
“That is the plan, as long as the publishers want it and the
were about. So what we needed was a new front book, to jog
people want to read them,” he says. “Having just finished one,
memories and revive the back catalogue,” he said.
I have to think of another book now. It’s quite a task.”
Houston’s answer was to hire one of the United Kingdom’s
Having swapped lives, Francis, surprisingly perhaps, says he
best crime writers to keep the franchise going. Felix had a
doesn’t miss teaching. “We use books to teach people, don’t
different solution.
we? So, I still feel like I’m teaching in a way,” he says.
“I said to him, before you ask anyone to do it, I’d like to have
What was new with Gamble in 2011, was that it was the first
a go. So he gave me a shot. He gave me two months to produce
novel written entirely by Felix, without any oversight from
two chapters. I gave it to him, and he got quite excited. My
his father. The previous book, Crossfire, was a third complete
father read it, and got quite excited, and it sort of snowballed
when Dick Francis died.
from there,” he says. The first joint effort—Dead Heat—was a thundering success. One reviewer said, “Francis Senior and his new partner-in-crime offer up the ultimate armchair ride.”
So how easy was it to write the novels without his father’s eye? “Well, when we started writing together as a joint effort in 2007, he was already eighty-six-years old, so his input was
Felix has now completed his ninth Dick Francis book, and
mostly just to read it and make sure all the racing was right
to his credit, the ardour from the booksellers or readers hasn’t
and accurate. So, I suppose it was quite strange not to have
dissipated. “I hadn’t expected to enjoy it so much,” he says.
that safety net to fall back on,” he says.
“After I did it for a year, and found I adored it, I didn’t want to be a teacher anymore,” he says.
What he does have, however, is his elder brother, Merrick, who now does the fact-checking on the racing.
The transition might have been seamless enough, but it
It’s also no great surprise that Merrick Francis has lived his
was all a family tradition. Since the 1960s, the novels might
life in the racing business; first as a trainer (he trained the
have hit the shelves under the name ‘Dick Francis,’ but this
winners of a number of important British races) and then in
was more a collective pseudonym for the entire Francis clan
the racehorse transport business.
than anything else. Dick’s wife, Mary, many believed, was instrumental in crafting the novels, and polishing the words on the page.
Felix says his brother’s input as a fact-checker is invaluable. “I miss my Dad, of course I do. But it was his time,” he says. How is it that in the age of iPads, downloadable movies,
“My father was a great ideas man, but my mother loved the
and epileptic attention spans, the Dick Francis franchise has
rhythm of the sentence. People I talk to say, ‘oh, this is such
retained its allure? Especially when it seems horse racing
easy reading,’ but what they don’t know is that the entire
doesn’t have the glam appeal it had during the 1960s and ‘70s?
family worked very hard to make sure it was easy reading,” he says.
“Well, it’s true that the interest in football is now greater than it ever was. But there is still a fairly prominent interest
Felix too, played an early role as a teenager. As a seventeen-
in racing,” says Felix. “Go to the Cheltenham festival, and
year-old physics student, he wrote part of a book where a
you’ll see sixty or seventy thousand people there each day. So
bomb explodes on an airplane. This was melded into Rat
I wouldn’t say that racing is less prominent in the psyche than
Race, the book that came out in 1970.
it used to be.”
Nowadays, Felix laughs about how rudimentary some
Felix says racing continues—and gambling on horses
of the ideas might seem, with four decades of science and
certainly does too. It still has an element of mystique about
technology development. “My son, who read that book when
it in the public eye.
he was in his twenties, came to me and said, ‘Dad, what is a cassette tape?’ So yes, things change.”
His novels, obviously, help. “People like to think there’s all this skull-duggery going on
What is evident though is that Felix Francis, like most
in racing (like fixing races and drugging horses). But the truth
authors, gets a kick out of bumping into people on the street
is, there really isn’t much. There is far more dodgy stuff in my
or in restaurants who are, quite simply, fans.
books than you’ll find on the track,” he says.
With great excitement, he describes a scene, a few days
The real secret about Dick Francis’s books, the secret that
after he finished writing Damage, when he was at dinner in
has kept the franchise in such fighting-fit shape for all of these
a bistro in London with some friends and a few other people
years, is one of which Felix is very much aware.
he hadn’t met before. “Someone asked what I do… so I told him, ‘Well, I write the Dick Francis novels.’ This guy overheard us and leant over, and wanted to tell me how his wife had just given him all the Dick Francis books he didn’t have, and how he was re-reading
“The books, you’ll find, aren’t about horses and racing. It’s about people. Racing is just the canvas against which people are illustrated,” he says. And this, as any great novelist will tell you, is the trick to writing.
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LIFESTYLE | 59
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ALL THINGS NICE | 71
A MODERN MUNNINGS “WE LIVE IN THE ETERNAL DUEL BETWEEN LIGHT AND SHADOWS, DAY AND NIGHT, THE SIDE OF US WE SHARE AND THE ONE WE HIDE.” — TONY O’CONNOR.
ALL THINGS NICE | 73
The
Irish lilt washes over me like lavender oil, and words like
County Kerry (where he was born) and Cork (where he now lives) bring to mind rolling green hills, Shetland ponies, Guinness, and a simpler time when shrieking young tykes would chase tyres in a game of hoop trundling. I come crashing back to the present as the dulcet tones of my Skype failing rings through the office and I have to reconnect. The spell is broken, and I move into question and answer mode with the incredibly talented Equine Artist, Tony O’Connor. The journey to become the successful artist he is today has been riddled with detours, including a stint teaching art to teenagers (who apparently whined constantly that they couldn’t draw, thus irritating their teacher immensely), as well as almost a decade selling power tools. Had Tony followed in the family business, he would now be a sixthgeneration blacksmith, and, in fact, he did work the bellows at the family smithy when he was a boy, but he was never truly inspired by that path. Instead, Tony felt he had a more mundane calling, that of engineer or architect, and it was only in secondary school, when he accidentally took an art class, that he realised his true destiny. But fulfilling one’s destiny doesn’t come overnight, and it took a life coach pushing him—challenging him to hold an exhibition before the end of that year—before his new career truly beckoned. Believing that in order to be a successful artist you have to put all your effort into your art, Tony took the leap and committed to art as his fulltime career a scant three years ago. Not an easy decision when one has a family to consider (Tony is married to the lovely Rowena and has two small children), but the rest, as they say, is history. Tony has managed to accomplish, in such a short time, what most artists strive for forever. He has gained international recognition for his paintings and earns a living doing what he adores.
“THE HORSE, WITH BEAUTY UNSURPASSED, STRENGTH IMMEASURABLE AND GRACE UNLIKE ANY OTHER, STILL REMAINS HUMBLE ENOUGH TO CARRY A MAN UPON HIS BACK.” —AMBER SENTI
ALL THINGS NICE | 77
T
hough the horse has long been part of Tony’s heritage, and he can ride ‘well enough,’ it was never the riding—as much as the painting— of horses that captured his heart. Still, a gentle browse through Tony’s paintings reveals that
this is a man who has spent a serious amount of time with these majestic beasts and has a great respect for them. That said, the enormous gravitas of his work is almost always touched by melancholy. Perhaps it comes down to the colours he often uses—Tony is a fan of the Masters (like Caravaggio and Rembrandt)and their influence is evident in his style and use of light and shadow—or perhaps it’s simply, as Tony says, inevitable. “I don’t think that it’s something I set out to do. I think I capture the nobility and power of these animals…but our history with horses has been a turbulent one. For every horse that is cared for and loved, thousands have been abused and used as beasts of burden. I think we all share a collective consciousness, both human and animal spirits, so perhaps the pain and suffering that we have inflicted for thousands of years on these incredible animals actually shines through in their eyes, whether we realise it or not.” Campaigning on behalf of abused horses is an integral part of Tony’s everyday life, and he works with both UK and Irish charities to highlight the plight of abandoned horses and animal welfare. The discussion takes an interesting turn when I ask Tony what his secret super power would be, and, without even a beat to consider, he responds with, “The power to communicate. With animals, irrational people, and women.” At a raised eyebrow and sharp intake of breath, he hastens to add that he isn’t saying women—or animals, for that matter—are unreasonable, it’s just that he battles to understand them. Or communicate with them. While I don’t normally enjoy letting my interview subjects squirm, I allow him to do so for a minute or two before continuing our chat. But the funny thing is, Tony doesn’t seem to realise that his art communicates for him. With a prodigious online following of over eighty thousand around the world, it’s clear that people relate to his art. Comments vary from a short “breathtaking” to slightly longer messages such as this one: “I’ve always pressed the like button for your paintings, but I want to take the opportunity to tell you that from your images, I can almost hear the horses breathe. You are an amazing artist, Tony!” He already touches so many people from such varying walks of life, even those with whom he has no common language, that maybe he has actually uncovered his super power. And he gets to wield it every day. Something you don’t do while hammering horseshoes or selling drills.
ALL THINGS NICE | 79
60
SECONDS WITH TONY
1. What’s the one tool you can’t do without in your studio? Coffee 2. What’s your favourite painting? Monet’s Lilly Pond 3. Why? You can get lost in it. It feels free and so far removed from what I do, I just love it. 4. What annoys you? Sunday drivers and people who ask me ‘How long it took me to do “that”.’ 5. What’s your favourite way to paint? Big, epic canvases. 6. What makes it hard to paint? I can’t paint in silence. I have to have the radio or music playing constantly. 7. What’s your most recent award? ESMA (Equestrian Social Media Award) in 2013, I retained the title again in 2014 in the “Creative Equestrian” category. 8. What are you looking forward to? The Equine retreat in Oklahoma in June and again in October. I get to ride, and to teach people how to paint horses. I can’t wait! 9. Are you a soul man or a rent man? Oh, a soul man definitely! Even if I couldn’t do this for a living, I would be painting at night or on weekends. 10. What makes a painting finished? (Laughing) My deadline. It’s never finished, and can always be improved, but then I have to wrap it and ship it so it reaches its destination on time, so I have to stop working, but I don’t believe it’s done. 11. What will you be doing in five years? I will be running my own gallery of top equine artists! The best in Ireland! 12. Your sensual delights? Coffee, red wine, and dark chocolate. Simple stuff, really.
SPICE | 81
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SPICE | 89
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THE GREAT ESCAPE By Nori Jemil
TRAVEL | 97
G
liding over Turkey’s otherworldly
vast country and is famed for its unusual topography.
Cappadocian landscape before
Seemingly inhospitable, soft green and chalk-white
dawn, the only sounds are those
rocks dotted with troglodytic cave dwellings are
intermittent blasts of the burner
set alongside vertiginous one hundred and seventy
as the pilot gains altitude. As we
metre red cliffs. The neighbouring fertile Ihlara
ascend, I get an overview of the region and begin
Valley supplies the Melendiz River, which runs
to understand what draws visitors here. This is
through the stony landscape, a vital life support
arguably one of the world’s top ballooning locations.
for orchards and vineyards. The area is similarly
The skilled pilot allows us to skim the tops of the
known for its rich cultural heritage. It has been
white peaks, affording close-up views of the towers
home to a myriad of ancient civilizations; from the
and ravines, as well as time to really consider what
Hittites, who started viticulture here, to the Hellenic
makes the geography and culture of this part of
Greeks, Persians, Romans, and Christians, who later
Turkey so unique.
developed it. Tradition and history are melded into
Cappadocia sits in the NevĹ&#x;ehir province of this
the landscape alongside its geology and flora. Much
TRAVEL | 99
“All is known in the sacredness of silence.” - Rumi
of mankind’s inheritance can be found in the fabric
of a slender, eroded tower. Walking amidst them
of this land.
is as surreal as floating over them. Fatih tells me
My guide, Fatih, explains the evolution of the landscape. “About ten million years ago, several volcanoes erupted. After the volcanic ash spread, it was hardened into a porous stone, or tufa. Then locals began carving houses and churches out of
the locals call this Love Valley. It doesn’t take much imagination to see why.
OVERLAND
With Göreme as a comfortable base, we visit the
the soft rock.” Erosion, caused by wind, sand, and
region’s highlights on a series of day trips. The
water, has shaped the area into what it is today: a
underground city of Kaymakli is close by, though
surreal topography that lends itself as a film location
the darkly narrow labyrinthine passages that take
for unearthly landscapes. The ‘fairy chimneys’
us to the lower fourth floor dwellings are not for
are perhaps the most startling geological feature,
the claustrophobic, nor faint of heart. Our return
caused when a hard boulder has been caught in
to Göreme, after each night of exploring, is a relief
the tufa, eventually becoming suspended on top
with all the expected comforts; from the traditional
pide (pizza) and ocakbaşı (open oven) restaurants
scarf. Yet later, I am guided into a garden by two
to a very modern hammam, or Turkish spa. All of
smiling young women, each taking me informally
which are a welcome embrace after a long hike up
by the arm. They seem genuinely happy to have
Bozdag Mountain, the highest point in the region.
a visitor in their midst. I do not expect what this
While mass tourism has taken over some coastal
garden has to offer: eight or nine women of varying
parts of Turkey, much of the central region has
ages, wrapped colourfully in headscarves and
remained unexplored, and on one particular walk
sitting cross-legged around stone fires, kneading
from our hotel, there isn’t another traveller in
bread. They’re already smiling, but when I tell
sight. We begin early on these hidden trails, picking
them in broken phrases that my father is Turkish,
our way through orchards and ducking under
their smiles become radiant. They insist I eat
overhanging rock formations. It occurs to me that
flatbread filled with peynir (white cheese) and
these verdant valleys are a bit like returning to Eden;
bring out all the children for me to photograph. It’s
seemingly unpeopled yet full of mulberries, apples,
no exaggeration that a few words of Turkish will
olives, and grapes. One farmer hands us an apple
earn you a warm hoş geldiniz (welcome) and open
each as we pass by. Then an encounter with a local
all sorts of doors, literally.
village yields walnuts. “Here, take this! It’s for you.”
“First appeal to the eyes, then fill the stomach.” – Turkish proverb
We watch as these three friends go out of their way to climb and knock branches in an effort to feed foreigners they will never see again. Eating as we go becomes the theme of our walk.
“Speak a new language so that the world will be a new world.” – Rumi
We lunch at a riverside restaurant. It’s a rustic, al fresco affair with the food like it is everywhere in Turkey: fresh, delicious, and delicately flavoured. As the proverb suggests, it is also presented for sensory delight. The manager tells me, “Everywhere
Our trail takes us through several traditional
else, people eat to live. Here, Turks live to eat.” It
Anatolian villages, and the people we encounter
doesn’t seem like an exaggeration. Given the area’s
here are no less hospitable. On the outskirts of
abundance of fresh produce and the fact that we’re
Belisirma, an elderly woman gestures kindly from
sitting next to a trout-rich river, it’s impossible to
her doorway that I should cover my head with my
order a mediocre dish. We sit under the shade of fig
TRAVEL | 101
trees. First comes the bread, then olives and salad
Like its multi-layered spiritual past, the province
with pomegranate sauce, followed by the local
is home to artisans from stone masons to textile
fish, sizzling in its own pottery dish, served with
weavers, who practise centuries-old traditions from
bulgur wheat and almonds. As summer weather is
all over the region. On the way to the rock citadel at
always dependable in Turkey, the restaurants have
Uchisar, we manage to visit a jewellery collective and
constructed wooden struts so visitors can take
a pottery workshop. The patterns on the handmade
their coffee sitting on Ottoman floor cushions on
ceramics are varied, but the most impressive are the
platforms, suspended over the rushing water.
tulip designs copied from the ornate, ancient tiles in
We continue walking, our goal now to visit the
the Rüstem Pasha mosque in Istanbul. We continue
rock-cut churches that provided shelter for exiled
up toward the citadel. If the steps leading there don’t
Byzantine monks. The land that is now Turkey
take your breath away, the view will. The castle affords
was once the cradle of Christianity; with St. Paul
some of the best aerial views of the valley far below.
born in Tarsus just south of the neighbouring
Luckily, the cafes and restaurants here are plentiful,
Taurus mountain range, and Christ’s followers
so we stop for Turkish tea before moving on to a
first referred to as ‘Christians’ in Hatay, near the
walk along the Babayan plateau. On the way down,
border with Syria. The ninth-century frescoes in
we visit the workshop of Naile Sanat, who practises
Cappadocia reveal the stories of this past faith in
the ancient art of Ebru, or marbling with oil paint
bright orange, black, and carmine against the chalk-
on water. It seems inevitable that the intricacies of
white walls. Yet Fatih tells us, “Do not be surprised
the painting will be lost in the ripples of water, yet
to see the faces scratched away from these murals.
over and over again she reproduces the designs of
Despite embracing other cultures, Islam did not
her Ottoman ancestors. Tulips, the national flower of
allow for the worship of icons.” It’s a strange sight
Turkey, are again a favourite theme. The name itself
given the country’s assimilation of the cultures that
derives from tulbend, the Turkish word for turban,
came before it. That the frescoes remain despite
which the flower is said to resemble. It was the Turks
everything is, however, a marvel in itself.
who gave tulips to the Netherlands in the sixteenth
“I can’t stop pointing to the beauty. Every moment and place says, ‘Put this design in your carpet!’” – Rumi
century. The Dutch have never looked back.
THROUGH THE DOOR
The exchange between Turkey and the rest of the world has been fair, with Turkey giving just as much as it has received. Sufism, the mystical
branch of Islam, has its heart in Konya, a town
represent the tomb of the ego, the wide, white skirts,
approximately two hundred kilometres west
the tennure, the ego’s shroud, and the black capes,
of here. It was the capital for the Selçuk Turks,
hirka, a symbol of the grave.
standing at a prominent road crossing that once served as a conduit for the cultures and languages of passing civilizations. Today, the museum at Konya is a pilgrimage site for Islamic Sufis, who come to visit the tomb of the poet Rumi, or Mevlana. Born in the thirteenth century, in what is now Afghanistan, he made his home in Turkey.
“The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you. Don’t go back to sleep.” – Rumi Like its silk carpets, Turkish culture is a tapestry
I take a short taxi ride to attend one of the evening
of woven histories, colours, and flavours, a mix
trance-like Sema ceremonies, near Göreme. There
of tradition and modernity, Christianity and
are very few places in Anatolia where outsiders are
Islam. Anatolia embraces the stories of so many
allowed to witness this ritual. Robed devotees, called
cultures that it’s impossible to overestimate the
Dervishes—whose name, though widely believed to
impact this fusion lends to the experience of
signify the spiritual doorway through which these
visiting the country. During one stage of the Sema
Sufis pass, actually means religious mendicant—
ceremony, the devotees express “the rapture of
whirl in accordance with Rumi’s teachings, in an
man witnessing the splendour of creation before
attempt to lose the physical body of the ego, before
God’s greatness and omnipotence.”
returning to earth, ready to serve and perform their
Whatever one’s beliefs, looking down over the
everyday tasks. This circular expression of harmony
valleys in the first of the day’s light, you cannot help
between cosmos, earth, and man is accompanied
but feel something similar. Peaks become lost in
by music played on traditional instruments like
the clouds as the balloon rises higher. We’re not in
the wooden flute, drum, and bağlama, or lute. They
the spiritual realms yet, but I hope, like the Sufis,
wear three iconic—and symbolically significant—
we may have left our egos and everyday concerns
items of clothing: the conical hats, sikke, which
on the ground.
SPICE | 105
Spice it up CLAUDIA FERREIRA
Could you live your whole life without spice? Would you cross an ocean? Wander a desert? Voyage for years just to catch a whiff of a half-forgotten scent? Spice is a journey. It is the muse of travellers, poets, merchants, and adventurers. To understand the history of spice, you must look not to a history book, but rather to a map.
By Land
A long line of camels slowly makes its way across the blazing desert sands. Men in bright robes with swords at their belts travel alongside the caravan, taking care that the camels do not stray from the wellworn path into the desolation that surrounds them. Their destination: India, where they will buy fragrant bags of dried herbs and berries to trade with the men of the West.
S
pices have always been the stuff of myth and legend. The earliest recorded mention of spice comes from an Assyrian myth that claims the gods drank sesame wine the night before they created the earth. The Egyptians used spices like cumin, coriander, thyme, and garlic when
embalming, as they believed it eased the deads’ journey into the afterlife. The first Greek Olympians wore wreaths of bay and parsley to celebrate their victories. Even then, there was a sense of romanticism tied to herbs and spices. They were strongly linked to desire, beauty, and exoticism. The Bible, for example, has ample references to spices, including some unexpectedly erotic language in the Song of Solomon: “Your shoots are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, henna with nard plants, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices.”
SPICE | 107
FOR A LITTLE BEDROOM PICK-ME-UP, AHEM, USE NATURALLY SPICY GINGER, OR SCENTS REDOLENT OF VANILLA, TO SET THE MOOD.
T
he Arabs and Phoenicians were the first to trade aromatics, travelling to the spice haven of Kerala in India, and creating the so-called Golden Road of Samarkand in the process. While they were likely not the first to establish spice’s reputation
as a glamorous, slightly dangerous treasure from a faraway land, the stories they told to dissuade others from taking up the trade certainly helped. According to the outlandish tales, these alluring herbs and spices could only be found in lakes or atop high cliffs, guarded by fierce winged beasts and
deadly serpents. It was the Romans who understood the economic reasons behind the Arab traders’ fantastical stories. Along with the Greeks, they began to trade directly with India by sea, weakening the Arab monopoly that had been in place for over two thousand years. Even as herbs and spices became less scarce throughout the Mediterranean, their value remained high. Only upper class Romans could afford spices, which they would use when throwing lavish feasts. Perhaps the most astonishing fact about this historical period, is which spices were deemed to be the most valuable. Soldiers were paid in salt in the Roman Empire, while black pepper was one of the more sought-after spices to come out of India’s jungles. It is easy to get lost in the wonder of these ancient stories of desert routes and traders, but there is one less-than-savoury reason behind humanity’s fascination with spices. Food preservation was still in its infancy, and spices were all too often used to mask the flavour of old, and sometimes outright spoiled, food. No wonder the demand was so high.
SPICE | 109
THE TERM ‘WORTH THEIR SALT’ WAS COINED AS A RESULT OF THE ROMAN SOLDIERS, WHO WERE ACTUALLY PAID IN SALT. THOSE WHO DID AN OUTSTANDING JOB WERE SAID TO BE WORTH THEIR SALARIES, OR THEIR SALT.
By Sea
The captain looks through his sextant onto the broad expanse of the ocean. His ship has been at sea for months, and there is yet no sign of land. His men are getting restless. He promised them a cargo full of cardamom and saffron that would make them wealthier than they ever imagined, when they offloaded it in Europe. Every day this promise seems more dubious. Perhaps the theories are wrong and there is no
T
Western sea route to the Indies. A shout brings him out of his silent reverie. “Land ho,” cries the man in the crow’s nest as an island comes into view.
he literary reputation of spice may actually
as allspice, vanilla, and red peppers.
pale in the face of its very real historical
Ferdinand Magellan also falsely believed in a direct
importance. After all, it was spice that
Western route to Asia and ended up circumnavigating
brought about the Age of Discovery and
the world in his search. He lost most of his ships and died
shaped the world as we know it today.
in the Philippines, but his voyage was far from fruitless—
During the Middle Ages, Europeans sought new trade
or should that be spice-less? His remaining ship returned
routes to the East for the express purpose of obtaining
home laden with spices and the discovery of a new, albeit
spice. Marco Polo was one such adventurer. Setting off
circuitous, sea route to the Indies.
along the Silk Road to China, and bringing back a range
The search for spice had kicked off the Age of
of explosive new flavours to Europe—musk, cinnamon,
Discoveries. Fierce wars over the new trade routes
ginger, cardamom, nutmeg, jujube, cloves, camphor,
broke out, but it was the Dutch who were able to
sandalwood, and more—he established Venice as a key
seize control by establishing a route from the Cape to
trade port.
Indonesia. Jan van Riebeeck signed a contract with the
But the Spanish and Portuguese soon grew weary of
Dutch-East India Company to establish a refreshment
the Venetian monopoly and so funded voyages of their
station in the Cape, the southern-most tip of Africa, and
own to the East. Their explorations took them across the
European colonisation of what would become South
oceans in search of that seemingly-elusive sea route to
Africa, soon followed.
the Indies. Bartolomeu Dias followed the coast of Africa
It is staggering to imagine what the world might look
and became the first European navigator to sail around
like if spice hadn’t been so coveted. Would the Europeans
the Cape of Good Hope, paving the way for regular
have not ventured into the New World? Would
contact between Africa and Europe.
colonialism have been so expansive if it hadn’t been for
Christopher Columbus was less successful in his
the lure of exotic Eastern goods? How different would
mission—he set off to find a direct passage to the
our languages and cultures have been? Next time you
so-called Spice Islands of the East, but instead found a
reach for the salt, pepper, or cinnamon… take a moment
whole new continent. Rather than the familiar spices of
to reflect: when the winds of time blow, they carry with
the East, he brought back new, wondrous flavours such
them the scent of spice.
DAYS
ON THE SEABOARD BY CATH JENKIN
TRAVEL | 111
Y
our ticket is booked! You’re headed to the East Coast paradise of Durban for South Africa’s premier horseracing event: the Vodacom Durban July. Excellent! Durban is not the sleepy hollow it’s sometimes made out to be by its slightly jealous
Capetonian or Jozi neighbours, and we have a few tips on how you can spend your time in this glorious city of sunshine. As your plane lazily descends into Durban, not only will you spy lush, rolling green fields of sugar cane, but also an azure ocean shyly washing along the coastline. Landing at the award-winning King Shaka International Airport, you’ll be greeted by sunshine and the buzz of this busy thoroughfare. Situated in La Mercy, just outside Durban, King Shaka International Airport was voted the best airport in the world handling under 5 million passengers, by SkyTrax in 2013. Don’t forget to slide your sunglasses on as you leave the airport, and take a scenic drive toward the bustling city of Durban. After you’ve checked into any one of our gorgeous boutique hotels (think The Concierge in Morningside, adjacent to the simply delectable Freedom Café, or the effortlessly elegant Audacia Manor), pop across to the magnificent Moses Mabhida Stadium. Originally built for the
EVEN IN THE DEPTHS OF WINTER, THE BALMY SUB-TROPICAL WATERS OF DURBAN BECKON YOU WITH A LAZY FLICK OF THE WAVES.
FIFA 2010 World Cup, this stadium has become a prime tourist attraction, offering both residents and visitors a wide range of adrenaline-pumping activities and excellent entertainment. Enjoy a lazy lunch at one of the stadium’s restaurants before you set off to explore! Our favourite lunch spot is People’s Park Café, situated just outside the main stadium building. Positioned in close proximity to the children’s play area, People’s Park Café offers you a range of light meals, with something for every appetite. People’s Park is a popular spot for Durbanites, with cyclists, Segway enthusiasts (also available for hire!), and joggers a common sight. If you’re in the mood for a little workout after your lunch, you’re certainly in the right place! If, however, you would prefer something a little more exciting, take the SkyCar up to the top of Moses Mabhida Stadium and be treated to, without a doubt, the best view of Durban. You could also try the five hundred step walk up to the top of the arch, just remember sunscreen and some water, even in winter it can cook up there! If you’re a fan of even bigger thrills, book yourself in for the Big Rush Big Swing, where you’ll take a thrilling leap, swinging out into a massive two hundred and twenty metre arc that will see you soar into the centre of the stadium. The Guiness Book of Records proclaimed this Big Swing the world’s tallest swing in 2011, and we do believe the Queen jumped from here during the 2013 Top Gear Festival. She did look awfully manly when her dress billowed up around her Adam’s apple! After an afternoon spent working up an appetite for dinner with all those thrills and spills, head to the intimate Mooki Noodle Bar in Glenwood for something so delicious your taste buds may actually thank you. We suggest the Yakigori Rump Steak, which defies description!
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THE ZULU NAME FOR DURBAN IS ETHEKWINI, MEANING LAGOON, OR BAY, AND IT WAS ONLY WHEN VASCO DA GAMA STUMBLED UPON THE COAST ON CHRISTMAS DAY IN 1497, THAT HE NAMED THE AREA NATAL.
TRAVEL | 115
T
he balmy coastal evening may beckon you on to exciting things, and if this is the case, why not mosey on over to Drop Kick Murphy’s (in Florida Road) to indulge in a delicious craft beer or two. The décor is relaxed and charming, as are the patrons, and the
ambience couldn’t be more local and chilled. This is an excellent place to round off a busy day before heading home to snuggle down for an early start tomorrow. Because we just know you’re being a responsible citizen who is in bed by 10:30 PM. After a night of being lulled into a dreamless sleep by the gentle lapping of waves on the shore, take a relaxed drive to the largest shopping and entertainment centre in the Southern Hemisphere: the Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Situated in Umhlanga, Gateway is home to more than four hundred retail stores, a multitude of theatres—including IMAX and Cinema Nouveau—and a gigantic entertainment venue. Enjoy a late breakfast or an early lunch at one of Gateway’s superb restaurants before you pop into the shops to pick up an outfit or select some accessories for your day out at the races. Ah, the races. The Vodacom Durban July is held annually on the first Saturday of July, and has been hosted at Greyville Racecourse since 1879. The 2014 event promises to live up to its reputation as the most glamorous and exciting racing event in Africa. Whether you are placing bets, celebrity spotting, or attending purely to enjoy the unforgettable fashion, the Vodacom Durban July is the only place to be on the 5th of July 2014. Greyville Racecourse’s Marquee Village, which is situated on the Royal Durban Golf Course within the boundary of the actual racecourse, is where you will find the corporate suites and exclusive venues, as well as an abundance of interesting picnic spots.
A
fter the last horse has galloped home and the exuberant race-goers have run the legendary 13th race (we’ll leave that to your imagination!), you can settle in for the after-party to end all parties. The Vodacom Durban July after-party usually
includes a range of dancefloors and marquees hosted by top Durban entertainment venues. A wide variety of DJs will keep you on your feet until the wee hours of Sunday morning. If, however, you get bitten by the gambling bug, pop into Suncoast Casino—with its Miami South Beach Art Deco style architecture, decorated in neon lighting, you can’t miss it. If you’re still up, head to the SunDeck and stick around to witness a glorious sunrise over the sea, before you head off to bed. When you do finally emerge from your hotel room, take a little meander down to the Durban Beachfront Promenade for a wholesome, or simply decadent, breakfast. Pop into the fabulous Circus Circus Beach Café on Snell Parade and make sure you fight for that table on the beach itself, or give Bike & Bean a try, located at Country Club Beach. After enjoying a scrumptious breakfast, amble along this gorgeous piece of coastline, catch the local sand artists, and soak up the winter sun. Since the renovation of the famous Golden Mile, the Promenade has become one of Durban’s most popular spots, attracting a crowd of cyclists, walkers, and joggers every day, as they absorb the Durban vibe and stretch their legs. If you’re in the mood, go and enjoy the rough and tumble of Durban’s ocean waves or soak up a little sunshine on the sands before you head back to the airport. And as you wave goodbye to the East Coast on your drive back to King Shaka International Airport, enjoying the scenic coastline one last time… remember that Durban’s sunshine can’t wait to see you again!
TRAVEL | 117
Claudia Ferreira discovers the romance of spice and travel.
SPICE | 119
O
nce, spices were rare and exotic prizes. No longer, however, does salt with your evening meal entail an eighteen-month sea voyage, pirates, and a healthy dose of scurvy. It’s easy to say that shopping for spices means we’ve lost some of the allure once attributed to them—after all, pushing a shopping trolley down the spice aisle, trying to decide between mass-produced jars, is a long way from furiously
haggling with a robed merchant in a bustling Arabian bazaar awash in colour and heady scents. Thankfully, there are still plenty of spice markets around the globe, that retain an old world charm. If you are looking to spice things up (so to speak), we have some of the best places for you to visit to make the mundane, exotic again.
SPICE BAZAAR – ISTANBUL, TURKEY
(roasted grasshoppers, anyone?), the rich variety of spices and unique chillies on display makes this a market well
The byzantine Grand Bazaar may get all the publicity,
worth visiting for anyone who can’t get enough Mexican
but spice lovers should rather turn to its smaller spice-
food. Some of the locally grown chillies include the
peddling cousin when they’re putting together their
chilhuacle negro, pasillas oaxaqueño, and chile de agua, but
list of un-missable destinations. The Spice Bazaar,
the real attraction of the market is the delicious mole pastes
also known as the Egyptian Bazaar, has been selling
you can buy and make at home, by adding chicken broth.
cornucopias of nuts, sweets, herbs, and seasonings for
WU KUAI SHI MARKET – CHENGDU, CHINA
centuries. The riotously-coloured mounds of baharat (spices) that greet you as you walk through the arcade
Sichuan cuisine is noted for its heat and spiciness, so
can be confusing, so it’s best to bring along someone who
foodies who thrive on angry flavours would be well-
knows their stuff, ensuring you get all the finest local
advised to book a ticket to its capital of Chengdu.
specialities: Turkish red pepper, urfa pepper, Nigella
The Wu Kuai Shi Dry Ingredients Market sells many
seeds, and sumac.
varieties of fiery Sichuan hot peppers with their citrusy
GADODIA MARKET – NEW DELHI, INDIA
taste, alongside a veritable bounty of local chillies and seasonings. Chengdu is famed for its street food—
India was one of the earliest centres of the spice trade and
soupy hot pots, dragon prawns, Bang Bang Chicken,
even today remains the largest producer and exporter of
and noodles, among other things—most of which are
spices in the world. Khari Baoli, on the western edge of
preceded by the word ‘spicy.’
New Delhi’s old city, is home to Asia’s biggest wholesale
MARKET SQUARE – ST GEORGE’S, GRENADA
spice market, which sells both the familiar Indian Spices —such as cardamom, cumin, turmeric, and cinnamon—
Nutmeg is king in Grenada. The Caribbean nation is
as well as more exotic wares from further afield. It is a
the second largest exporter of nutmeg in the world
place where men balance burlap bags of spices on their
behind Indonesia, and holds at least twenty percent of
heads as they head to market, and every narrow alleyway
the market. Not bad for a tiny island with a population
yields a new treasure.
of barely one hundred thousand people. The visually
MELLAH MARKET – MARRAKECH, MOROCCO
arresting Saturday Morning Market is the best place to pick up the island’s signature crop—not just its fresh and
Get lost in Marrakech’s labyrinthine souks (as you
dried forms, but in wines, lotions, jams, essential oils,
inevitably will), and you will find yourself in colourful
candies, and more. It’s also worth picking up cinnamon,
bazaars you thought only existed in The Arabian Nights,
ginger, peppers, allspice, and cloves, as well as some of
with snake charmers, desert nomads, sword-swallowers,
Grenada’s excellent cocoa.
acrobats, and storytellers all wandering the streets. The
FORT KOCHI – KERALA, INDIA
city of Marrakech was once a gathering place for the spice caravans of Arabia, and its fairy-tale character remains.
No other place in the world has its own history as closely
Mellah, the city’s historical Jewish Quarter, is famed for
intertwined with that of the exchange of spice. Throughout
its astounding Friday spice market, where a canny buyer
history, traders have come to the Kochi region to partake
can pick up fresh saffron at incredibly reduced prices.
in Kerala’s abundance of spices. The Broadway Market
BENITO JUÁREZ MARKET – OAXACA, MEXICO
is the centre of the city’s shopping activities and boasts a mind-numbing variety of aromatics. It’s worth seeking
Oaxacan cuisine is renowned for its diverse flavours and
out the medieval Jewish quarter, Mattancherry, to explore
complex sauces. While a few of the foods on display at
antiquated warehouses that are still used for spice storage
the Benito Juárez Market might not be to everyone’s taste
to this day.
SPICE | 121
MERKATO MARKET – ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA The largest open air market in Africa, Merkato is anything
CASTRIES MARKET AND VENDOR’S ARCADE – CASTRIES, SAINT LUCIA
but picture perfect. It’s a crowded, chaotic, disorganised
When on the island of Saint Lucia, it’s easy to find the
maze of stalls that assaults the senses at every turn. It’s also
Castries Market—just head toward the bright orange roof.
a vibrant slice of Ethiopian life, with flashy merchants
There you’ll find an authentic island marketplace that sells
hawking just about everything under the sun for bargain
crafts, dry goods, meat, fish, and fresh produce. Saint Lucian
prices. The market is gargantuan, but visitors who don’t want
cuisine draws heavily from Creole cooking, and that means
to walk several kilometres can head straight to the Baltena
there are always plenty of amazing spices available for
section and sift through mountainous piles of whole and
purchase. Visitors can sip on Saint Lucia’s famed spiced rum
ground spices for the perfect Berbere mix, a key ingredient
while deciding which of the tasty hot sauces they want to
in Ethiopian cooking.
take home with them, or they can simply enjoy the vibrant
DARAJANI MARKET – ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA With its hodgepodge of African, Arabic, Indian, Portuguese,
sights and sounds of this colourful Caribbean culture.
OR TOR KOR MARKET – BANGKOK, THAILAND
and West Indian influences, it comes as no surprise that
This upscale Bangkok market is said to be one of the best
Zanzibar’s livelihood and life’s blood has always been spice.
produce markets—not just in Thailand, but the world.
The Spice Island was so named due to its importance as an
Visitors will be swept away by the absolutely incredible
Indian Ocean trading hub for nutmeg, cloves, cardamom,
variety of foods on offer, from ready-to-eat meals to the
cinnamon, and pepper. Spice tours to the many plantations
freshest ingredients. Lovers of spicy Thai cuisine have
are a wonderful way of experiencing the island’s rich history
much to choose from, including some extraordinary curry
of aromatics, followed by a trip to the Darajani Market in
and chilli pastes made on the spot!
Stone Town, where the local farmers and plantation owners sell their fragrant products. Black pepper, vanilla, and cloves can be found in abundance.
OTAVALO MARKET – OTAVALO, ECUADOR
KASHGAR SUNDAY MARKET – KASHGAR, CHINA If you’ve ever wondered what life was like for the daring spice traders who travelled the punishing route between China and Rome, Kashgar might just provide the nearest
The Andean Highlands city of Otavalo, was an important
experience. The town was a vital stop on the ancient Silk
centre of business dating as far back as pre-Colombian
Road, standing on the edge of the unforgiving Taklamakan
times, when the Inca Empire dominated the land. Today, it’s
Desert. The Sunday Market is an anachronism, operating
known as one of the most spectacular shopping destinations
much as it did centuries ago—spice merchants ply rows of
in South America. The indigenous people of Otavalo are
cardamom and saffron as their forefathers must have done,
famous for their high quality, colourful weaving, but in
and haggling can take a whole day. It is one of the most remote
fact there is an enormous range of other goods on sale at
markets in the world, so don’t expect tourist flourishes. Many
the famous Saturday market. Hand carvings, cured leather,
of the wares, like the town itself, are decidedly off the beaten
bespoke jewellery, and many more artisanal delights are ripe
path—dried snakes and live scorpions abound—but there is
for the picking. A visit to the food section yields an array of
less exotic fare on offer, like the delicious spiced lamb kebabs
regional spices such as achiote (a spice typically used as a
that dominate the local Uyghur diet.
food colourant), and it’s a treat to taste a little of the warming, spiced alcoholic drink, Canelazo.
LEVINSKY MARKET – TEL AVIV, ISRAEL
THE WARWICK TRIANGLE AREA – DURBAN Spice aficionados needn’t travel far to get their spice fix. Durban’s spice markets have a rich history and an even richer
The Levinsky Market is a decidedly more modern affair
variety of goods. The Victoria Street Market, also known as
than many other markets, but it’s no less worth a visit. This
the Vic, has been around in various forms since the 1870s,
bohemian market is essentially a five-block neighbourhood
when it was established by indentured Indian labourers,
of top class delis with strong immigrant influences—
whose descendants continue the trade today. The spices are
Yemeni and Iranian shopkeepers have made this one of the
plentiful, the colours flamboyant, the aromas intoxicating,
Middle East’s finest spice districts. The must-try ingredient
and the curries formidable. Other must-visit markets in
here is za’atar—a blend of sumac, sesame seeds, salt, and
the area include the more informal Early Morning Market,
herbs—used as seasoning or mixed with olive oil and eaten
and the Herb Market, where muti merchants sell potions of
with bread.
dubious value for whatever ails you.
TH E OR I E N T
–A HIDDEN JEWEL– BY P H I L I P PA R OS E - T I T E
TRAVEL | 123
M
y trip to The Orient was… eventful. Leaving my snug bed in Durban at around 4 o’clock in the morning, I made my bleary-eyed way to King Shaka International Airport to catch the 6 AM flight to Lanseria. I was astounded to discover (as I narrowly evaded a
newly-constructed barrier), that the airport had changed their parking configuration, and long-term parking had been relegated to the proverbial boondocks. Stomping my feet in childish temper, I harrumphed my way to the departures terminal, checked in, dropped my bags, and collected a scalding (I was to find) coffee on my way to the gate. Upon landing at Lanseria Airport, I ventured up to the United Charter Services offices for a quick cup of coffee (because you just can’t compare their delicious coffee to any other served at Lanseria), and to collect some lighting equipment left by our photographers the previous day.
Onward HO! Into my hire car, and off I went, careening toward the little red icon my GPS so confidently displayed.
bringing me to an almost comically slow stop. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Earth-coloured ramparts soared toward the sky. The
That is, until I realised that I was in Pretoria East… not the Crocodile
tinkling of a water fountain and chattering of local birdlife immediately
River Valley where I was supposed to be. The GPS coordinates I’d
communicated a sense of calm, and Moorish-style arches beckoned me
downloaded from Trip Advisor not only took me to a simply horrific
inside. I was enchanted!
Tuscan-esque monstrosity that was nothing but an ode to bad taste, but I
Being a keen explorer, the child in me revels in secret nooks and
was plainly not where I was meant to be … and now I needed a bathroom.
hidden crannies, tucked-away corners and small doors concealing
I won’t bore you with the details of my GPS issues, but suffice it to say that
stairways that lead to possible treasure. At The Orient, I was in my
1) The apparent bandwidth outage at every cell mast between Pretoria
element. An outside door, virtually hidden by flowing vines, opened
and, well, just about anywhere, did not help my situation one iota, and 2)
into a breathtakingly sumptuous movie cinema named Petit Alhambra
I was ultimately an hour and a half late for the photo shoot with the entire
(meaning the citadel of Moorish Kings). Rich, red velvet drapes
Maverick creative team. Did I mention the fact that it was I who had that
darkened the room, and the enormous armchairs were clearly designed
one vital piece of equipment for the photographer in my car? Being the
to envelope those lucky enough to sit there.
editor does have its perks though, and thankfully no one actually threw anything at me when I finally arrived.
With only nine suites, The Orient epitomises the term Boutique Hotel. Each room is decorated to reflect its name; for example, the Samarkand
I was completely unprepared for The Orient.
Suite (named for the one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world) is
My Creative Director had assured me that “there’s nothing like it
designed in warm earth colours and completed by the addition of a little
outside of Morocco”, but—knowing creative types—I had simply
harem room. My favourite, however, has to be the Constantinople Suite.
assumed wild hyperbole. As I flew through the enormous, welcoming
Based on the fairy-tale palaces of the Ottoman Empire, the feel is one of
wooden gates, my jaw dropped and my foot slipped off the pedal,
sumptuous decadence—all floating curtains, marble and dark wood. But
T H E P L U S H FA B R I C S, D E C A D E N T C O LO U RS, A N D S E C R E T I V E A R C H I T E C T U R E L E N D T H E M S E LV E S TO A V E RY A D U L T G A M E O F H I D E AND SEEK.
that isn’t why I love this room so much. Neither is it the palatial bathroom nor the private balcony... I love it because of the swing! The room has an indoor swing complete with plush cushions and hand-carved supports! Oh the delight; the sheer, unbridled delight! When you finally make your way into the gardens, it’s clear that the attention to detail and insistence on beauty has been extended
even here. With The Orient set in the Francolin Conservancy in the Crocodile River Valley, the looming presence of the Magaliesburg Mountains just to the north, cannot be ignored, adding drama to an already dramatic setting. A gorgeous pool, with sweeping views and what feels like acres of paving, is nestled behind potted plants, and though the weather was a tad chilly, I found myself itching to submerge
R O M A N T I C C U RTA I N S B I L LOW IN THE BREEZE THROUGH OPEN PAT I O D O O RS, A N D E V E RY W H E R E YO U LO O K YO U A R E G R E E T E D BY M A J E ST I C A R C H WAYS.
my being into the beckoning waters. There are sculptures dotted
passion, consistency, and simplicity.” Chantel is in her kitchen, cooking
everywhere, with Tienie Pritchard’s seminal 1974 work ‘Life Cycle’
alongside her team for every meal at Mosaic, and is available to answer
greeting you outside the main doors.
any questions her patrons may have. With a menu that changes every
Even with the incredibly beautiful architecture and glorious gardens,
season, and includes items such as ‘Pebbles on the Beach’ (a delicious
it’s not only the sheer joy of being in a unique setting that reels you in.
Baby Langoustine, Citrus, and Seaweed), as well as ‘Pumpkin Patch’
The Orient has been graced with simply wonderful staff. They ooze
(Foie Gras, Butternut, and Monbazillac), you can see why diners may
hospitality, and as one is gently pressed into ‘just another small cup’ of
have a question or two.
coffee, you are left with the distinct impression that not only is nothing
The autumn menu, crafted by Chantel for Mosaic, includes three
too much of a bother, but they feel almost lucky to be able to assist. The
variations: ‘Petit Dégustation’ and ‘Grande Dégustation’ and even a
internationally trained (resident) sommelier, Germain Lehody, is on
‘Vegetarian Dégustation.’ With a delectable seven and nine courses
hand to recommend any one of the fifteen thousand bottles of wine,
respectively, the menu was specifically designed to take advantage of
from either of their two cellars on the premises, to complement your
the season’s bounty, and Chantel’s extensive training and love of food
meal or sip under the trees while you contemplate life.
are obvious in these well-thought-out menu items.
Talking of meals…
Attention to detail seems to be the pervading theme of this unique
Not satisfied with being a world-class, 5-star hotel, The Orient also
venue. Our day at The Orient had been frenetic—with an entire crew
boasts the heavenly restaurant Mosaic, run by Patron-Chef Chantel
photographing beautiful girls, in even more beautiful clothes, draped
Dartnall. Having been awarded American Express Platinum Fine
across the décor, but, as the sun set in front of me and our convoy
Dining status each year since 2007, as well as a myriad of other awards,
drove out the gates and down the pebble road leading to ‘civilisation,’
it’s easy to see why the clientele keep coming back. Chantel’s ethos is
I couldn’t help wondering if in fact, we had just left possibly the most
simple. “There are a few fundamentals when it comes to being a chef:
civilised place on earth, in our dusty rear-view mirrors.
LIFESTYLE | 127
MOLECULAR MIXOLOGY BY CLAUDIA FERREIRA
T
hey say that any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. Never does Arthur C. Clarke’s old adage ring more true than when faced with the newest breed of bartenders, creating drinks that aren’t drinks using molecular mixology.
Ordering a mojito and receiving it in cotton candy form is
enough to make anyone wonder what arcane powers are at work. Or, what about that spoonful of caviar that isn’t caviar at all, but pearls of absinthe? And that innocent-looking scoop of ice cream you’ve just bitten into? That’s a caipirinha made with liquid nitrogen. It’s like watching a magician make an elephant disappear— you know it is a trick, you know it involves some combination of smoke, mirrors, and misdirection, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive when the curtain falls, and the elephant is nowhere to be seen. Molecular mixology doesn’t quite reach the scale of Copperfield’s greatest hits, but its subtler charms draw you in on a more personal level. The illusion is more sensual and allencompassing than the visual trickery of stage magic. You can smell, touch, and taste the odd shapes these morphological marvels come in. Of course, there is no real magic involved. It’s all an offshoot of that peculiar and wondrous discipline known as molecular gastronomy—the science of food. Anyone who was lucky enough to dine at Ferran Adrià’s El Bulli in Barcelona or simply watched Heston Blumenthal create one of his fantastic feasts on TV will be familiar with the idea of this experimental cuisine. It combines creativity and scientific techniques to push the boundaries of what we think of, as food. Hot ice cream that melts as it cools, powdered olive oils, salads in gel form—the only limits are one’s own imagination. With the exciting variety of possibilities offered by molecular gastronomy, is it any wonder that bartenders and other creators of drinks should also begin experimenting with scientific techniques? While the art form itself is relatively new—less than a decade old—the techniques themselves, in their most basic form, have been in play for centuries. Layering cocktails by using varying densities of liquids was the earliest example of these principles at work. A Springbok anyone? While this particular brand of mixology may be in its infancy as a recognised discipline, its proponents are building upon the theories and foundations of molecular gastronomy and establishing an exciting presence in the drinks industry. There is a strong relationship between the practitioners of molecular gastronomy and the pioneers of its mixological counterpart. Big names include Tony Conigliaro, who has partnered with Blumenthal to create the cocktail menu for his restaurant, The Fat Duck, and Eben Freeman, who has worked with, and been inspired by, burgeoning chefs in the food science industry to bring molecular mixology to the masses. At its most experimental and impressive, molecular mixology births palate-defying cocktails that blur the boundaries between food and drink, liquid and solid, even edible and not-so-edible. Fancy a cocktail sphere that explodes
in your mouth? Or one infused with the taste of cigar? Or how about a crispy whiskey sour that resembles a paper napkin? An eggnog truffle, or gin marshmallow, that appeals to your sweet tooth? Maybe you would just like one that goes down like normal but looks like it was inspired by an acid-soaked trip taken by Hunter S. Thompson. All these and more might make for an unusual Friday night at the bar, but there is no denying their wow factor. Some of the more deceptive-looking ones (and their unusual shapes and textures) might be the only thing you remember about the night before. But magic is ephemeral. Sceptics might argue that, while impressive, molecular mixology presents little more than novelty value—that once you’ve seen one cocktail gel, you’ve seen ’em all. That’s only half the story. It would be rash to call this kind of molecular magic a gimmick, as it is underpinned by a strong foundation of knowledge. Molecular mixology is about more than just appearance; it is about understanding what tastes and textures work well on a genetic level, what techniques enhance the taste and experience of drinks, and what concentrations of flavours are ideal from a scientific point-of-view. A good cocktail created using the principles of molecular mixology might not look at all out of place—the difference would lie in the taste. That said, there is no denying the appeal of serving your friends a glass-less cocktail. Home bartenders and drink enthusiasts have taken to molecular mixology like ducks to water, for obvious reasons. What better way to show off your mixing skills than by serving up something that looks as if it was conjured from an episode of Harry Potter? Here is where the term ‘molecular mixology’ is misleading. It sounds daunting, as if you need a PhD and secret lab just to create a martini, but much of it is having a sound knowledge of the ingredients you are working with, and knowing how to apply the right techniques. The experts may use sci-fi devices like rotary evaporators and liquid nitrogen machines, but there are plenty of simpler and more budget-friendly ways to get involved. Think jello shots, or alcoholic ice lollies taken to the next level. The first thing to do is get your hands on your own conjurer’s bag of tricks—in this case, a molecular gastronomy starter kit, which includes the essential tools and food additives that go into making foams, airs, gels, and spheres. Some recipes also require equipment that any well-equipped home chef might have—ice cream makers and kitchen blowtorches. There are many resources online that offer molecular mixology recipes, but they key is to find those that are detailed and doable. Save the tough stuff for later and get acquainted with the basic principles first. Then put on your mad scientist lab coat, and it’s time to get experimentin’. Learning the secret to orchestrating an illusion often takes the fun out of it, but knowing the tricks of the trade behind molecular mixology does, in fact, make it even better. Far from being a fad, molecular mixology is leading to better cocktails and more skilled bartenders. It is the next step in the evolution of drinks, and one can only wonder where the mages of martinis, the wizards of whiskey, and the sorcerers of spirits will lead us next.
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ZEN
AND THE ART OF THE
BUDDHIST RETREAT BY DANIELLE FINE
W
hen you first think of spice, spirituality probably isn’t the word that immediately leaps to mind, but herbs and spices have actually been used throughout history not only to nourish the body, but also
nurture the spirit. Whatever you’re looking for—be it increasing your psychic ability (saffron), boosting your self-esteem (cumin), or indulging in a little spiritual purification (turmeric)—there’s a spice believed to help you on your way. Still, while I can’t personally report any clairvoyant episodes after having extra cinnamon on my
As someone who has never attended a retreat, the concept makes me nervous. Do I need to shave my head? Will I rock the saffron robe?
pancakes, it’s difficult to deny our increasing appetite for remedies that promise healing beyond the body. Next time you’re out and about, rushing from one commitment to another, stop and take a look around—it’s not hard to spot the reason for this growing interest in the spiritual. Despite our enormous advances in technology, and the theoretical improvement in quality of life this promises, society as a whole seems to be unhappier and unhealthier than ever. Think about the people you see every day— the pinched faces of the commuters next to you in the traffic jam, the empty expressions of your fellow sufferers in the bank queue, or the hunched shoulders of your co-workers anxiously bent
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over their computers rushing toward deadlines. Consider that
but devoted, communities across the country ever since. There are
around one in six South Africans suffer from anxiety, depression,
around one hundred and fifty thousand Buddhist followers in South
or substance-abuse problems, an estimated six million South
Africa today, most of whom are converts to the discipline, but it
Africans are living with PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)
isn’t necessary to be a Buddhist to take part in one of its integral
and approximately one out of seventy-five people worldwide has
practices: spiritual retreats.
a panic disorder.
A retreat is defined as an act of moving back or withdrawing. A
If that has you reaching for a little spicey pick-me-up, put down the
spiritual retreat is a chance for you to do just that: move away from
nutmeg and back away from the spice rack. Help is at hand. There are
the pressures and concerns of your life, withdraw into yourself, and
plenty of spiritual practices available these days to promote healing
allow yourself some quiet and contemplation. Which—after a day of
and relaxation: kinesiology, meditation, aromatherapy, floatation
hustling to get the kids to school, yourself to work, traffic, meetings,
and Reiki to name a few—but we are going to be exploring the more
wrestling the trolley with the wonky wheel through the grocery
intense tradition of Buddhism, and in particular, how to get your
store, attempting the kids’ homework without embarrassing
Buddhist retreat on.
yourself too badly, subduing dinner, braving gym, and then finding
Buddhism is a nontheistic discipline (one which doesn’t worship a deity) started by Siddhartha Gautama, known as the Buddha—
time to sleep before doing it all over again—sounds great (okay, freaking fantastic!) but what does it really mean?
the awakened one—around two and a half thousand years ago.
As someone who has never attended a retreat—or even done as
It focuses on ending suffering and the cycle of rebirth through,
much as wander mistakenly into a New Age shop—I have to admit
mindfulness, wisdom, compassion, and letting go of desire and
that the concept makes me nervous. Will my newbie status flash in
attachment. It advocates daily practice to achieve enlightenment,
neon letters on my forehead as I walk through the door? Do I need
with an emphasis on meditation. First coming to South Africa in the
to shave my head? Will I rock the saffron robe? I mean, I’ve seen Eat,
seventeenth century from Southeast Asia, it has flourished in small,
Pray, Love—heck, I’ve even read the book—but that can’t be right.
Right? So, what can I expect when I’m…retreating? While, as I said, Buddhist retreats are open to everyone— regardless of experience, beliefs, or background—they certainly aren’t geared for indulgence. Don’t anticipate spa-level accommodations with gourmet meals, though the rooms are generally clean and comfortable and fully-equipped with linen and towels. Food, typically lacto-ovo or full vegetarian, will be prepared
Meditation is a direct contradiction to how we live our lives: to ‘get things done.’ It is about just being. Merely melting into place like ice cream on a hot summer afternoon.
by retreat staff. In most retreats, sexes are segregated, stimulants such as alcohol or drugs are not allowed, and participation is restricted to adults. Though, apparently, not wine-swilling adults. Retreats generally take between two and four days, though some stretch to longer, and most centres offer a variety of courses as well as workshops that cater to different needs. I would strongly recommend that beginners start with one of the workshops or a shorter, introductory retreat, as long periods of silence or sitting meditation can be uncomfortable or overwhelming for those new to the practice. A lot of places also offer self-retreats, which are unstructured to allow you to spend your time at the centre as you choose—a good jumping-off point if you’re uncertain of your meditative stamina. Staff or guides are also always available
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to answer questions or assist you, so you won’t be thrown into the
your spirit. It can also lay the foundation for incorporating spiritual
deep end and expected to transcend.
practice into your everyday life, which will go a long way to reducing
The conditions at the retreat are not the only unknown. Your
your stress levels in the future, no matter your religious leanings.
personal experience at a retreat may surprise you as well. There
If you want to give retreating a try, there are a number of great
is a kind of romantic fantasy attached to the idea of retreating—
centres throughout the country. The Buddhist Retreat Centre in
assuming a graceful lotus position and breathing in the peace of
Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal has been rated one of the top ten meditation
the world until you’re slapped upside the head with insight and a
retreats in the world by CNN, and offers beautiful scenery, bird
zen-like calm—but it’s harder than you might imagine. The long
watching, and workshops throughout the year—including
hours of sitting can be uncomfortable or even painful until your
cookery, pottery, photography, yoga, and tai-chi. There is also the
body adjusts, though you can alleviate some of the discomfort by
Emoyeni Retreat Centre in Rustenburg, the Bodhi Khaya Retreat
wearing loose, comfortable clothing, and using a cushion, chair, or
in the Western Cape and the Nan Hua Temple in Bronkhorstspruit,
even lying down. It also takes a while for your mind to settle if you
amongst many more. Most websites list the retreats or workshops
aren’t accustomed to it. Meditation is not effortless—it requires
available throughout the year, but make sure to contact them or
discipline, and it’s not unusual for you to experience feelings of
book before attending a retreat. They may be relaxed, but I don’t
anxiety or agitation at your first attempt to quiet the inner chatter.
think that extends to their scheduling.
With this in mind, why attend a retreat at all? Well, while a spa might be more instantly relaxing, the benefits of a retreat are longlasting and can be profound. Not only does it allow you to put your daily stresses on the back burner for a while, it reconnects you to your inner self, re-energizes your body, refocuses your mind, and refreshes
The Buddhist Retreat Centre in Ixopo: www.brcixopo.co.za Emoyeni Retreat Centre in Rustenburg: www.emoyeni.org.za Bodhi Khaya Retreat in the Western Cape: www.bodhi-khaya.co.za Nan Hua Temple in Bronkhorstpruit: en.nanhuatemple.org
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BY PHILIPPA ROSE-TITE
A
ttending the Festival of Chariots is rather like biting into an overripe plum and letting the juices ooze down your chin and onto your shirt. A sensory overload of colour, music, people, and perfume assails me at every
turn. Gorgeous girls—resplendent in saris, adorned with jewellery, makeup, and paint—twirl using their fans as props. My heartbeat synchronises with the drums that make the floor shudder and my body vibrate. Someone grabs my hand and murmurs that if I merely touch the rope, my ascendance to heaven is all but assured. The ropes are as thick as a man’s arm and attached to one of three chariots awaiting their journey along the South African East Coast of Durban to, the main festival grounds—a journey that is made annually and began almost five thousand years ago in the holy Indian city of Jagannatha Puri. Every year, the Festival of Chariots is held in many different countries, but all retain a central theme of celebration.
BUDDHA, MEANING “THE AWAKENED ONE,” WAS ALSO KNOWN AS SIDDHARTHA GAUTAMA AND LIVED IN THE EASTERN PART OF INDIA SOMETIME BETWEEN 6BC AND 4BC.
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K
nown as Rath Yatra (meaning chariot and processions respectively), the festival is a re-enactment of the journey made by Lord Jagannath to Vrindaban, where it is said his devotees were so enthusiastic to have him
back that they ran in front of him, pulling his chariot, singing and dancing.
The South African version of the Festival of Chariots has an equally rich history, with the first event held in 1988. The authorities had no idea what to expect, thinking it would attract barely enough people to warrant a police escort, but were so bowled over by the American who came to ask for the permit, that they granted it without a moment’s forethought. The American in question was His Holiness Indradyumna Swami of the Hare Krishna Temple of Understanding in Chatsworth. In fact, thousands of people from all colours and walks of life congregated on the beachfront, much to the horror of the Apartheid government flunkies who had been tasked with managing the event, and who assumed a turnout of maybe five hundred white people. In its current form, the festival runs for four days, with the first day being the main parade. In the early morning light, a hodgepodge of humanity—small children, adults, and restless teenagers—mingle while listening to the narration of the history. Followers clad in traditional Hare Krishna robes and reflective Ray-Bans pound the drums while the Swami leads the chanting and the procession gets underway.
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T
he three chariots, each carrying a deity, Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and their sister, Subhadra, are festooned with fruit and flowers (garlands of luminescent marigolds in the case of the Durban festival), and pulled through
the streets led by sweepers, dancers, and musicians playing trumpets, drums, cymbals, and accordions. Fruit and sweets are thrown to the people who inevitably line the streets, adding their voices to the clamour, and I think to myself that I could get behind a religion that not only encourages me to dance through the avenues, but to do so barefoot and with not a thought for those who may be judging me from the side of the road. At their destination, the deities preside over the festivities. More than two hundred thousand revellers will flock to the grounds over the four-day period. Massive food tents, exclusively vegetarian, will feed fifty thousand people a day (for free), and entertainment will vary from henna tattoos and fire dancers, to yoga sessions, popular musicians, and religious instruction. A peek into every tent opens a world of historical significance and meaning. In the tent containing the tattoo artists, for example, you can witness a ritual as old as time. Mehndi, dying designs on the skin with henna, can trace its origins back to the earliest Hindu Vedic ritual books. Slightly further on, I am warmly greeted and encouraged to join the group of people meditating in a tent with a gentle breeze floating through the windows, and literature on the value and importance of meditation piled upon tables dripping with fruit and flowers. Deeper still into the festival, there are displays of jewellery, where each design has a spiritual significance and a not-too-hefty price tag. Idle chatter from the store holders confirms that the fire dancers, who will be entertaining later in the day, will dance with an enthusiasm and commitment that can’t be replicated by the posers at the organic market in the hipster suburbs, as they do it for their deity as opposed to doing it for the street cred. Whether your interest lies in the religious aspect of the celebration, the sheer entertainment value, or the free food, when you leave the Festival of Chariots, bedecked in turmericbased mehndi, drenched in jewellery and spiritual literature, and with your head whirling with the scents and sounds of the day, you’re sure to be coming away slightly more spiritually aware of the world. As you make your way to your car, now parked in by some oversized SUV, you reflect on your new understanding of Buddhism, and you can’t help but hope that Karma truly is a bitch.
FOOD FOR LIFE, THE GROUP THAT FEEDS FESTIVAL-GOERS, IS AN INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION, RUN ENTIRELY ON DONATIONS. THEY DISTRIBUTE OVER A MILLION PLATES A DAY.
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MADE TO BE
ARV From a tiny tot I wanted to be involved in food. My friends in Home Economics class said they always knew I would go in that direction.
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ELLOUS BY KIM MAXWELL
On a stud farm in the Kwazulu-Natal
Midlands, the dining is as important as the destination. Kim Maxwell chats to Hartford House chef Jackie Cameron about heritage, ambition, and why portion size matters.
O
ne of the first things you notice about blondehaired Jackie Cameron is her eyes—large and pretty, almost doll-like—but there is nothing play-play about Jackie’s manner when chatting about her pet loves: food, and
Hartford House—the Kwazulu-Natal Midlands boutique hotel she has propelled onto the map. Having been described as a social butterfly, Jackie seems very comfortable working her charm. At thirty-one, this tenacious chef and businesswoman has achieved a lot for somebody who launched a career at twenty. “I just can’t say no to an opportunity” is how she puts it.
“I’m hugely ambitious. There are always a million things going on in my life. I visited a coffee place in the Midlands recently and immediately started thinking about a Jackie Cameron coffee range. I took over the Hartford wine list because I could learn a lot about wine,” she says with a smile. “So I’m not passionate…more like obsessive. My mom says just listening to my schedule tires her.” Guests at Hartford House’s various luxurious suites fill their hours taking long walks on this scenic Midlands stud farm, admiring a garden planted with romantic trees—willows, Japanese maples, and cherry—hiking nearby Giant’s Castle, trout fishing in the dam, or riding horses. But as one of the key people responsible for their enjoyment, Jackie’s days are spent interacting with guests, overseeing a kitchen team, coordinating wine selections, training service staff, and marketing Hartford House. When not on the property near Mooi River, Jackie grabs any chance to travel, meet up with fellow chefs, and research new trends. The week I interviewed Jackie, she had squeezed in a few days of product tastings for Eat Out’s Produce Awards competition in Cape Town, and a film shoot with touring Australian celebrity chef, Hayden Quinn. Other exploits for this Christina Martin School of Food and Wine graduate, include designing a chef’s uniform range for women and producing a cookbook by the age of thirty— Jackie Cameron Cooks at Home is currently in its second print run. Unsurprisingly, this driven lady doesn’t have much time for relationships — clearly her love is food! The highlight of a Hartford stay is a five-course dinner in
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the elegant dining room or at candlelit veranda tables. Menus highlighting local produce are the cornerstone of Hartford House. “The quality of the products in this part of KZN are on a completely different level,” says Jackie with the single-mindedness of a loyal sports fan. So menus might incorporate cured ham or quail-andwild-boar sausage, grass-fed lamb and beef, free-range duck and pork, Dutch-style farm cheese, and full-cream yoghurt so thick it will make a spoon stand to attention. All produced within a twenty kilometre radius of Hartford House. Jackie was never trained in how Hartford dinners “should” be done, focusing instead on what instinctively feels right. “We pick up on techniques and skills rather than a specific style. So in every dinner dish, I like to have one technique that’s more complex. For instance, we serve a scallop dish with mojito dew drops. These are molecular-style ‘olives’ we have created that burst in your mouth, but they are filled with a mojito rum and mint infusion.” The scallop is more classic in preparation to allow for a balance. “We concentrate on what I call heritage food—going back to our roots. So our menu sentimentally lists beef fillet as roast beef with today’s vegetables but takes a different direction,” explains Jackie. Dishes of Indian, Afrikaans, Zulu, and English origin are given a new spin, reflecting the multi-culinary heritage of the kitchen team. An Indian Hotpot starter on the lunch menu is a vegetarian cottage pie, served in an Indian copper pot. African samp and beans with beef tongue, cooked using the sous-vide technique, is a dinner signature.
Some dishes reflect Jackie’s own food nostalgia. “We have a chocolate fondant on the lunch menu that I’m simply incapable of taking off—I love it too! We do it with Ultra Mel custard ice cream, sprinkled with colourful hundreds-and-thousands. When I was a child, we would have custard with sprinkles if bad weather meant we couldn’t swim.” I voice my scepticism about the stamina required to eat lunch, a five-course dinner, and a breakfast running to three plated courses. Bountiful country helpings? No, Jackie believes in portion balance. “Years ago, I visited two reputed restaurants in France. Each served a twelve-course dinner. I left the first restaurant feeling so overwhelmed at the amount of food and lack of portion control, but at the Michelin-starred restaurant the second night, I felt so different,” she recalls. “At age twenty-one, I learnt that food should be lighter, fresher, and seasonal. So at my restaurant, diners eat five courses, but most comment that they feel fantastic afterwards, not weighed down.” It’s all starting to matter. Hartford House has been featured in the top ten spots in South Africa’s Eat Out DSTV Food Network awards four times in recent years, but attaining fifth place in 2013 has moved this little country restaurant into the big league. “It’s important to be aligned alongside other SA chefs,” explains Jackie of the relevance of this accomplishment. “Those who haven’t been to Hartford probably thought we had been included previously just to have a KZN candidate. Making fifth place showed we are there because we deserve to be.”
ABOUT JACKIE CAMERON What’s your secret wish? That I could sing. Your can’t-do-without drink is... Bubbles. What do you get up to on your day off? I don’t really take days off—it’s always about learning something. I probably exhaust other people. You non-food hobby is…? None. My life is food. Favourite city. Barcelona with its tapas, and creativity that doesn’t conform to norms. Most challenging holiday. Thailand. I fell off a scooter and sprained my wrist, and returned with cholera. But the food experience and welcome from locals made it the place to which I most want to return. The best travel purchase you ever made? A beautiful, bright jacket bought in Spain. Who is your ideal dining partner? If I’m eating for research, I go by myself so I don’t get distracted.
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THE LANDY LEGEND LAND ROVER IS ON A ROLL WITH ITS CURRENT OFFERINGS, RANGING FROM THE RANGE ROVER “BIG BODY” TO THE ICONIC DEFENDER, WRITES JAMES SIDDALL.
MOTORING | 163
T
he most perennial of all motoring questions is surely, “what is the best car in the world?” Now the term “best” implies substantial subjective and emotional elements. After all, cars are emotive beasts—at least once you’ve risen past budget vehicles whose appeal is governed almost solely by economic considerations.
Mercedes-Benz claims to make the best car in the world in the guise of the new S-Class,
which is indeed a technological tour de force. But even this big Teutonic luxo-mobile doesn’t have quite the same appeal as the Range Rover, most notably the new “Big Body,” as it’s sometimes (unofficially) dubbed, to the slight horror of purists. The reason is simple. Perhaps no other large luxury machine is able to calm and balm occupants like the Rangey, while making them feel as if they’re ensconced in the rolling version of an English stately house; replete with lashings of wood, leather, and most other conceivable luxuries. This vehicle rivals, even outstrips, the likes of Bentley in terms of its aristocratic appeal. And unlike older versions, the Range Rover is somewhat more agile than a stately house, as well as crushingly capable off-road—an environment that few Rangies are likely to venture into. By hyper-luxury standards, it’s not even prohibitively expensive. Prices start at just under R1.5 million, and the evolution of the Range Rover is simply remarkable when you consider its comparatively basic progenitor first launched in 1970. That Land Rover makes a clear contender for the best car in the world is perhaps not surprising. The company— Jaguar Land Rover—as a whole has hit a sweet spot with its offerings. Its acquisition by
E
the India-based Tata Motors in 2008, has coincided with ever-more appealing products. nter the new Range Rover Sport launched last year. This is a quantum leap over the already desirable outgoing car, and it’s up to 420kg lighter—a massive weight saving when you consider that reducing vehicle weight by a tenth of this amount is often cause for celebration. So its manufacturers can hardly be accused of hyperbole when they dub it, “The fastest, most agile,
most responsive Land Rover ever.” As with its bigger brother, it’s formidable off-road, and, as with its big brother, it’s equally
unlikely to ever be called on to do anything more arduous than iron out the speed bumps at the country club, which is almost a little sad. Then there’s the Range Rover Evoque—now with a nine-speed automatic transmission and more appeal than ever with the advent of an entry-level model dubbed the Pure. Prices start at a whiff under R600 000. Yet even this, the smallest Range Rover of all, is surprisingly capable off-road, and entirely car-like on. Of course, the Land Rover Defender soldiers on. This is one of the few vehicles in production deserving of the title “iconic,” which can be one of the most misused, overused automotive terms of all. But not when applied to the Defender, which traces its lineage back to 1948, thus making Land Rover the world’s second-oldest purveyor of four-wheeldrive cars, after Jeep. After all, there are few machines quite so capable of engendering fanatical loyalty among those who love them. Production of this icon ends in December 2015, however, with a new replacement mooted. And the much-loved Discovery? Fans of this vehicle—and they’re legion, with good reason—will be delighted to know that next year it will be joined by a Discovery Sport. This will be a premium compact SUV, entering a highly competitive vehicle segment and replacing the Freelander. Expect it to be nothing short of a triumph, with long queues of buyers waving their metaphorical chequebooks in the air to laud its arrival. A triumph much like the rest of the Land Rover range, come to think of it.
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LAND ROVER OF
TOMORROW “THE CAR OF THE FUTURE WILL BECOME MORE CAPABLE, CLEANER, MORE CONNECTED, MORE DESIRABLE AND MORE INTELLIGENT.” – DR WOLFGANG EPPLE, DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY AT JAGUAR LAND ROVER. BY SHANE OOSTHUIZEN
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I
f ever there were five themes that defined the
‘SMART’ GLASS AND GESTURE CONTROL
research undertaken at Land Rover today, those
In a bid to unclutter dashboards and rid them of extraneous
would be them.
buttons and switches, Heads-Up Display—or HUD—technology
Mention the name Land Rover in conversation
will be introduced into the entire glasshouse of the vehicles.
and you’ll be met with many a mixed opinion. Land
In the Land Rover Discovery Vision Concept car, all the
Rover, as a brand, has its defenders—excuse the pun—and
windows, the panoramic roof, and windscreen are functional
its detractors, like any other. But few brands can lay claim to
interfaces, reducing the number of buttons and switches by more
taking the SUV as far as Land Rover has, both off the beaten
than fifty percent.
track and in outright technological development.
Likewise, to further aid the driver, the doors and tailgate of the
Land Rover senior researcher Dai Jones revealed that
Discovery Vision Concept are all activated by gesture control. “We
the company is investing $5.6 billion in research and
recognise that it is substantially more intuitive to use gestures
development over the next few years, and is working with
than to press a button or turn a switch,” says Dr Epple.
engineers at institutions like MIT to advance features and make them commercially viable. Land Rover illustrated their intention to dominate the SUV market when they launched the Evoque in 2011, and
‘TRANSPARENT BONNET’ One of the most fascinating of all Land Rover’s future developments, is the Transparent Bonnet concept.
again, more recently, with the launch of the new Range Rover
Cameras under the vehicle’s grille send video of the terrain to
Sport. While styling has been a focused area of improvement,
the Heads-Up Display in the windscreen, allowing the driver to
Jaguar Land Rover has pushed the boundaries even further
see terrain normally obscured by the bonnet and engine. This
with their latest concept vehicle.
allows the driver a view of where his front wheels are, in relation
The Discovery Vision Concept heralds not only a ‘future Discovery family’—including an all-new smaller Discovery Sport to replace the Freelander—but an entirely new suite
to unexpected drop-offs, sharp rocks, or changes in terrain surface. This technology can also be transferred to Jaguar’s road cars of the future, to aid in performance driving applications.
of technological advancements.
LASER COMMUNICATION AUTOMATIC TERRAIN RESPONSE
Land Rover has recognised the importance of finding ways to
As seen in the Discovery Vision Concept, the next generation
communicate visually, with other road users.
of Land and Range Rovers will likely feature an updated
The Vision Concept features Laser Referencing, which uses
version of Land Rover’s current iconic multi-mode Terrain
laser light to project images onto the road that can be seen by other
Response system. Predictive Terrain Scanning, utilising
road users. This has numerous applications, including projecting
infrared lasers to scan the ground in front of the vehicle,
warning triangles onto the tarmac behind the car, in the event of
analyses the terrain and predicts the vehicle’s reaction.
traffic stoppage or severe fog.
The vehicle will then automatically engage the appropriate
The system can also project images onto roads and walls to help
traction system to best deal with the terrain ahead, displaying
when parking or driving in congested spaces, or to assist the driver
a map of what you can expect on a screen in the dash or on
with judging tight gaps between off-road obstacles.
the Heads-Up Display.
OPULENT PRACTICALITY LARGE SCALE ‘REMOTE CONTROL’
The early Land Rovers were renowned for their functional ‘hose
In an extreme off-road situation, the driver may decide that
out’ interiors. While hardly appropriate for a premium vehicle, the
it’s safer and easier to traverse an obstacle from an outside
essence of practically hasn’t been lost in the future of Land Rover.
vantage point. Using a tablet, smartphone, or a rotary control
The Discovery Vision Concept features a highly practical, yet
taken from the vehicle itself, the driver can actively take full
luxurious interior. Design Director and Chief Creative Officer
control of the vehicle and negotiate any scenario that may have
Gerry McGovern, chose specially developed, water-and-dirt proof
proved difficult from behind the wheel. Remote Control can
Foglizzo leather for the upholstery, while the unusual wood veneer
also be used as a parking aid or when reversing up to a trailer.
floor is described by McGovern as ‘surprisingly practical’ and
“We see the autonomous car taking away the boring, the
easier to clean than conventional carpet.
tedious, the routine part of the journey while allowing the
With the Discovery Vision concept laying down the foundations
driver to actively stay in contact, do some work, or relax with
for future SUVs, there is no doubt that Land Rover is looking to
the vehicle’s infotainment system,” says Dr Epple.
defend its title as the “Best 4x4 by far.”
ALL ROADS, ON AND OFF,
LEAD TO LAND ROVER.
For over 65 years, we have built vehicles that redefine automotive standards and capabilities. Introducing the supremely luxurious Range Rover. Call us today to book a test drive.
Land Rover Waterford Cnr Witkoppen Road and Waterford Drive, Fourways.
011 658 1445 www.landroverwaterford.co.za
AVIATION INSURANCE
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AVIATION | 171
GULFSTREAM G650 The pinnacle of bizjet aviation by Ferdi de Vos
W
hen the rich and famous mention the “G6“ in casual conversation, they’re not discussing the latest mobile device or must-have handbag. No, they’re most likely referring to a plane—a very special private jet that has become one of the most impressive aircraft in the
sky today. Why? Because the G6 —short for the G650— is the latest ultra-high speed, ultra-long distance flagship, in the Gulfstream business jet arsenal, and is now arguably, the most sought-after status symbol for the bold and beautiful.
DEMAND
Customers must also sign a contract including a non-assignability clause
Currently, demand for this super-expensive super-jet is sky-high.
(essentially preventing them from on-selling their planes) to dissuade
Gulfstream stated that they received over two hundred orders on the
speculation in the marketplace. But what makes the G650 such an
G6’s debut in December 2012, and have, to date, only delivered around
impressive and sought-after aircraft?
forty of the aircraft to customers. With the three year waiting period, those customers who have not secured their orders yet, can only expect
TECHNOLOGY
to receive their G6s in 2017—an eternity for people who are used to
Well, considering that it not only flies faster, further, and higher than any
getting what they want, when they want it.
other business aircraft in its class, it accomplishes all of this with much
Some of the fabulously wealthy individuals lucky enough to have
greater efficiency.
received their very own G650 include the likes of business tycoon Warren
Carrying up to eight passengers and a crew of four on nonstop legs
Buffet (do a quick Google search on Buffet and the G650 and you will find
of up to seven thousand nautical miles (12,964 km) at 0.85 Mach or six
more than 437,000 mentions), F1-supremo Bernie Ecclestone, and “Lord
thousand nautical miles (11,112 km) at 0.90 Mach, it means Buffet can
of the Rings” trilogy director, Sir Peter Jackson. Entertainment queen
leave New York in the early afternoon and reach China in time for a
Oprah Winfrey has also indicated that she wouldn’t be averse to finding
delicious dinner of drunken chicken in Shanghai.
one in her Christmas stocking!
For him—and other business moguls—the value of this particular
Corporates are also clamouring for the jet being touted as the “pinnacle
Gulfstream can be calculated in terms of time saved when jetting
of business aviation,” with retail giant Walmart, oil conglomerate
from continent to continent at close to the speed of sound. Featuring
ExxonMobil, and shoe manufacturer Nike already having taken delivery,
twin Rolls-Royce BR725 engines, the G650 produces fewer emissions,
while international resorts mogul Steve Wynn, was apparently one of
operates more quietly than other business jets, and has a high cruise
the first customers to receive the G650 back in 2012.
altitude which allows it to fly above inclement weather and airline traffic.
While the G650 has become a hot topic among wealthy jetsetters,
Considering its size, the G650 also has remarkable versatility,
Gulfstream executives are at pains to point out that it’s actually “not a
delivering excellent take-off and landing performance with a balanced
status symbol” for celebrities, as the vast majority of the current two
field length of just 5,858 ft (1,786 m). While this suited most owners and
hundred plus orders are from corporations and not individuals.
operators, it apparently did not suit Mr Ecclestone…
This may be true, but it doesn’t detract from the fact that demand for
While “Mr F1” was, in all likelihood, impressed with the speed and
the $65,5 million (R678.3 million) super-jet is exceptionally high, and
distance of his G6, he was clearly ill-advised on this purchase. According
G650s have been resold—or “flipped,” in business parlance—for up to
to Bizjet Blogger, he quickly found it could not take off from short runway
$7 million (R72 million) more than the original asking price!
airports close to his multiple homes, while fully loaded. He promptly
This has led to Gulfstream threatening to cancel warranties if those who’ve ordered the aircraft sell them before they’re delivered.
sold it to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, a Thai businessman and owner of Leicester City Football Club.
The fuel-efficient G650 has also claimed an incredible forty-two speed and distance records since being introduced in March 2008 (while still in development). Some of these records include: circling the globe westbound in forty-one hours and seven minutes, and flying 10,943 kilometres from Honolulu, Hawaii to Singapore’s Changi airport in just fourteen hours and six minutes. Recently, it set a new speed record flying between White Plains, New York, and Mumbai, India—a distance of 13,177 kilometres—at an average cruise speed of Mach 0.85. To date, the G650 fleet has accumulated more than fourteen thousand flight hours and over six thousand, six hundred landings.
SIMPLE LUXURY Winfrey and Jackson will probably appreciate the style and opulence of the G650’s cabin, taking into account the particular attention Gulfstream engineers have paid to the passenger environment. It is cavernous, allowing for considerable comfort and space for its passengers and crew. Oprah could choose from twelve select floor plans to configure the G650 to meet her specific requirements— for instance, setting it up with a large stateroom for resting up during the long haul from Chicago to Johannesburg. She probably will also approve of the well-designed interior with its upmarket materials and fittings, beautiful wood veneer, and fine leather seat trim. A one hundred percent fresh-air system allows for much greater oxygen flow throughout the cabin, which automatically makes flying less tiring, and the toilet facilities are simply fantastic, even featuring a floor-toceiling closet! Of course, dinner is no simple affair. Oprah could order sterilised water from the galley, to go with her bottle of Cristal Champagne, as well as a gourmet meal served on the china and crystal flatware that comes standard on the G650. To ensure complete comfort, the leather-clad seats (even more sumptuous than those found in top luxury vehicles) have built-in footrests, and can swivel and fully recline. Their large armrests hold a variety of controls (one can even monitor the drinking water levels on board), storage space for phones, and Jackson should appreciate the touch-control entertainment system with a state-of-theart BluRay/DVD/CD player, two large HD LCD monitors, and a stereo speaker system. As a known technology geek, he could even control the cabin entertainment, temperature, and lighting with an app he downloads to his Smart device, which seamlessly integrates into the Gulfstream Cabin Management System. One of the most frustrating aspects of daytime flights is the limited natural lighting. Gulfstream have attempted to remedy this, by placing much larger windows, what they call ‘panoramic windows’, into all G650s.
AVIATION | 173
A PILOTS’ PLANE Wanting to ensure that Gulfstream retained their reputation for safety and cutting-edge technology, the Gulfstream 650 enjoys Enhanced Vision System (EVS) II, Heads-Up Display (HUD) II, and Synthetic Vision-Primary Flight Display (SV-PFD). It also features a full three-axis fly-by-wire system. Pilots will appreciate the Planeview II cockpit, now enhanced with four 14-inch (36 cm) adaptive liquidcrystal displays and PlaneBook computer tablets, as well as a fully automatic, three-dimensional scanning weather radar. This full array of sophisticated, next-generation technology improves situational awareness and safety—all contributing to enhance its image as a “pilots’ airplane” and ”ultra-long-range business jet class champion.” The success of the G650, and the new G380, has positioned Gulfstream as the profit leader within the General Dynamics Corporation. In anticipation of projected sales, Gulfstream has expanded its facilities in the US and Britain through a $500-million, seven-year plan, to ensure that they are prepared to meet future demand for business aircraft and support services. Thus, the desirability and increased demand for its top product has contributed greatly to cementing Gulfstream’s position as the undisputed leader in business aviation. Buffet, feeling that increased time-savings were not enough justification for having a jet, christened his first plane “Indefensible,” but later was heard referring to a business acquaintance’s jet as “Indispensable.” He certainly changed his tune, and, just maybe, this name might be applicable to his G650 in a couple of years…
— INTERIOR —
— GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS — Type:
Ultra-high-speed, ultra-long-range business jet aircraft
Total interior length:
53 ft 7 in/16.33 m
Crew:
2 pilots
Cabin length:
46 ft 10 in/14.27 m
Capacity:
8 passengers
Height:
6 ft 5 in/1.95 m
Powerplant:
2 × Rolls-Royce Deutschland BR725A1-12 turbofan
Width:
8 ft 6 in/2.59 m
Thrust:
16,100 lbf (71.6 kN) each
Cabin volume:
2,138 cu ft/60.51 cu m
Baggage volume (Gross): 195 cu ft/5.52 cu m — PERFORMANCE —
Cabin pressurization:
10.7 psi (73.8 kPa)
Maximum speed:
Mach 0.925 (530 kn, 610 mph, 982 km/h) Fast cruise
Cruise speed:
Long-range cruise: Mach 0.85 (488 kn, 562 mph, 904 km/h).
Normal cruise: Mach 0.90 (516 kn, 595 mph, 956 km/h)
Height:
25 ft 8 in/7.82 m
Range:
Long-range cruise: 7,000 nautical miles (8,050 mi, 12,960 km).
Length:
99 ft 9 in/30.40 m
Fast cruise: 6,000 nmi (6,906 mi, 11,112 km)*
Overall span:
99 ft 7 in/30.35 m
Take-off distance:
(MTOW, SL, ISA): 5,858 ft/1,786 m
Wingspan:
93 ft 8 in/28.55 m
Wing area:
1,283 ft2 (119.2 m2)
— WEIGHTS —
— EXTERIOR —
Aspect ratio:
7.7
Basic operating:
54,000 lbs/24,494 kg
Wing loading:
77.7 lb/ft2 (3.72 kPa)
Maximum fuel:
44,200 lbs/20,049 kg
Wing sweep:
36 degrees
Maximum landing:
83,500 lbs/37,876 kg
Maximum payload:
6,500 lbs/2,948 kg
Max payload full fuel:
1,800 lbs/816 kg
Maximum ramp:
100,000 lbs/45,360 kg
Maximum take-off:
99,600 lbs/45,179 kg
Maximum zero fuel:
60,500 lbs/27,443 kg
*Range with 8 passengers, 4 crew, NBAA IFR reserves. Actual range will be affected by ATC routing, operating speed, weather, outfitting options, and other factors.
THE NEXT GENERATION
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HASSLE-FREE SERVICE FROM HANGAR TO HOTEL United Flight Support offers a full service for all your flight and ground support service requirements. We are dedicated to providing comfortable and worry-free air travel. We offer our clients customised trips, suited to their preferences, and meticulously managed and planned to the finest of detail.
24/7 FLIGHT SUPPORT Need to make an unexpected trip from South Africa to Zurich in only three hours? Organising a multi-destination journey around the continent on short notice? Have to urgently arrange clearance for a remote airstrip in Russia? United Flight Support takes care of all the logistics so you don’t have to!
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w: www.unitedflightsupport.com e: info@unitedflightsupport.com, c: +27 (0) 83 270 8886 f: + 27 (0) 11 507 6814, 24/7: +27 11 788 0813 a: Office 9, first floor, Main terminal building, Lanseria International Airport
Experience the
of the White Stallions ! Performances every Sunday at 10h30 in the Indoor Arena at the Lipizzaner Centre No. 1 Dahlia Road, Kyalami Special performances on Valentines Day, Mothers Day and Fathers Day Carols by Candlelight Shows at Christmas with the Welsh Male Voice Choir of South Africa Book at
or buy tickets at the door.
Tel: 011 702 2103 083 601 2104 082 457 9725 E-mail: lipizzaner@hixnet.co.za Website: www.lipizzaners.co.za
BRICS, MINTs, T H E S E A R C H FO R G LO BA L R E T U R N S BY L A N C E VO G E L
FINANCE | 177
I
nvestors looking for returns outside of traditional Developed
significant potential: Brazil, Russia, India, and China—was born. Nearly
Markets (DM) have been searching the globe for opportunities
ten years later, South Africa has been added to this group (as a political not
for the last five years. The global financial crisis of 2008 took an
an economic player), and now the BRIC has become the BRICS.
extremely heavy toll on countries such as the USA and Japan, as
In 2013, Mr O’Neill coined the term MINT, suggesting that, outside
well as regions such as Europe, as the historically strong nations
of the big four BRIC nations, Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Turkey
buckled under the effects of a liquidity-starved environment. To make
were nations poised to deliver good economic growth, and thus provide
matters worse, investors in the US equity markets had been starved
investment opportunity. South Africa was never punted by the acronym-
of any real return for nearly a decade when the crisis hit them. Global
makers as an economic powerhouse, and the arrival of the MINTs was
Emerging Markets (EM) then reappeared on the radar screens of these
the first signal that SA was going to be overtaken by Nigeria as the most
investors, freshly fuelled with heaps of newly-injected liquidity from
important economic player on the African continent. But all was not
Central Banks desperate to avoid financial ruin in their once-powerful
well with many EM economies, and the reliance on “double deficits”—in
economies. Jim O’Neill (at Goldman Sachs) was the first to highlight
fiscal and current accounts—was highlighted (in 2013) by Alan Ruskin of
Emerging Market opportunity through an acronym in 2001, and so the
Deutsche Bank, suggesting that some Emerging Markets could shatter
concept of the BRICs—a collection of newly-advanced economies with
into BIITS where structural and political weaknesses would materialise
in Brazil, India, Indonesia, Turkey, and South Africa, also subsequently
inadequately researched, and, in many cases, excluded from investment.
called the “Fragile Five.�
Presently, they follow an initial investable universe of forty Horizon
BRICS to BIITS attempts to define a path from optimism to anxiety or,
Markets outside of the seven largest Emerging Markets: Brazil, Russia,
more appropriately, from opportunity to risk. The recent events in Russia
India, China, Korea, Taiwan, and South Africa. These Horizon Markets,
and the turmoil in Turkey nearly a year ago, highlight just how risky some
including countries such as Indonesia, Chile, and Kenya, are home to
of these regions are, and China will forever remain a puzzle for Western-
almost a thousand stocks, a market capitalization of more than $3 trillion,
centric investors. The pitfalls of investing in Africa were also exposed
and a daily traded value of $4.8 billion.
in 2011 with the revolution in Egypt, a country that had been a darling
Frontier Markets are also defined as pre-Emerging Markets, where
of investors in Africa for many years. With a firm focus on the African
investors could be exposed to significant returns, even though the risks
continent, we are now being directed to the KINGs. A recent report on
are high. While Frontier Markets could offer the benefit of low correlation
Moneyweb refers to a chap by the name of Belgrad Kenne (an analyst at a
to Developed Markets and thus provide good diversification, political
company called Phase One Associates) who posted this new acronym on
instability, poor liquidity, inadequate regulation, sub-standard financial
Seeking Alpha in an article that suggests Kenya, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and
reporting, and large currency fluctuations pose very significant risks.
Ghana are a good collection of sub-Saharan countries, which, he argues,
Argentina, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Nigeria, Pakistan,
will outperform over the next few years.
and Lebanon are examples of Frontier Markets.
With many Emerging Markets recovering at a much more pedestrian
However, with the benefit of more than a decade of investment acronyms,
rate than their Developed Market counterparts, intrepid investors are
we should pause and consider what outcomes we may have faced (for those
sharpening their focus, and we now have Horizon and Frontier markets
who didn’t follow) or what outcomes actually materialised (for those who
to consider as well. Investec Asset Management refers to Horizon Markets
did). Over the last twelve months, Seeking Alpha reports that exchange
as an entire investable universe, comprising smaller Emerging Markets
traded instruments, providing exposure to Turkey, Indonesia, and Russia,
and Frontier Markets that are underrepresented, poorly understood,
have fallen by 29%, 23%, and 16%. For Brazil and Mexico, the numbers show
FINANCE | 179
a decline of 14% and 11% respectively. Also, be aware that the Guggenheim
demonstrated an insatiable demand for commodities. What is also clear
Frontier Markets ETF has fallen by 11% in the last twelve months (even after
is that this relentless search for returns has often been a rocky road for
a 12% rise in the first quarter of this year). This ETF has 57% invested in just
many investors and remains so for those still invested in some of these
five countries—Chile, Colombia, Egypt, Argentina, and Peru. By way of
themes and strategies.
comparison, similar exposure to South Africa has shown a gain of just over
While it is not prudent to ignore or dismiss potential investment
4% over the last year. Looking back a little further, the SPDR S&P BRIC 40
opportunities, it is equally important to have a well-grounded investment
ETF has fallen by just over 6% per annum (in USD) for the last three years.
strategy. The correlation between the FTSE/JSE All Share Index and the
The Templeton BRIC Fund (managed by a team led by the highly-regarded
MSCI Emerging Markets Index is currently very high, and since global
investor Dr Mark Mobius) has fallen by more than 11% per annum over the
equity markets turned in the first quarter of 2009, this correlation has been
same period. Contrast this with our FTSE/JSE All Share Index that is up by
more than 90%. When making a decision as a South African-based investor
an annualised 5% (in USD) over the same period, and the top fifty shares in
to commit assets to Emerging Markets, the question of diversification is
Europe that are up by nearly 15% (per annum). The annualised differential
particularly relevant. In addition, it is important to note that the FTSE/
in returns over the last three years between the S&P 500 Index in the USA
JSE All Share Index is not a collection of shares that accurately represents
and those of aggregate Emerging Markets is in excess of 17%.
the South African economy. Many of the locally-listed companies have
It is clear that the pursuit of investment returns outside of traditional Developed Markets over the last decade has been relentless. This activity
exposure and revenues that are more representative of global companies, and many have exposure to revenues from elsewhere in Africa.
was initially driven by poor investment returns over a long period of
Investing globally is a joint effort between multi-managers, fund
time in domestic DM economies, and then impetus was added as EM
managers, and the management of the companies in which we are
economies became an ever-growing contributor to global GDP. Asian
invested. A judicious selection of local and global equities should provide
economies grew rapidly and fuelled what subsequently became known
well-diversified global exposure to current and future opportunities, in
as the commodity super-cycle, as these economies, led by China,
which all parties are focused on the risk/reward equation.
BROADENING OUR HORIZONS DAVE HOWARTH LOOKS AT UNITED CHARTER SERVICES
U
nited
Charter
Services
has
undergone unparalleled growth in the past twelve years of operation! What started as a pioneering Private Aircraft Charter brokerage has
evolved into a turnkey Aviation Services company, employing more than thirty staff members, with locations at both Lanseria and Cape Town International Airports. The success and growth of the company is directly attributable to our people as well as our strategies for growth. As CEO Jonathan Wolpe explains:
“The people working within the various divisions of the company are of paramount importance. We have been very careful to invest in the right people, at all levels, as we believe that this pays dividends. Our people are excited and energised by the workplace environment, as well as the company’s goals and growth strategies.” Each member of management and every single staff member across the organisation is handpicked and interviewed by Jonathan. They are recruited because of their passion for aviation, high levels of customer service commitment, and above-industrystandard skillsets. Jonathan firmly believes in Sir Richard Branson’s ethos: “Train people well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don’t want to,” and, so far, this has resulted in an efficient ninety-nine percent staff and management retention. The result of investing in people is obvious. Our people are United, and each one is committed to going the extra mile for the company, and, more importantly, for our customers as well. Part of our strategic growth plan was to expand the operation to include a greater service offering to our clients, and the initial stages of this plan were accomplished with the acquisition of Owenair (PTY) Ltd in 2009.
AVIATION | 181
– OWENAIR – Owenair commenced operating aircraft for charter and aerial work out of
UNITED CHARTER SERVICES AND OUR SUBSIDIARY COMPANIES ARE PROUD TO OFFER THE FOLLOWING AVIATION SERVICES:
Youngsfield Aerodrome in Wynberg, Cape Town. It was started by ex-South
· Private Aircraft Charter—both Fixed Wing, and Helicopter, passenger, and cargo operations. · Aircraft Management, including maintenance management. · Aircraft acquisitions and sales. · FBO Services (FBO - Fixed base Operations). · Flight Support. · Part 91 Flight Operations support. · Crew Hire. · Corporate Flight Department services.
commercial aircraft operating license. Not only did Owenair offer private charter
African Air Force pilot’s staff shortly after the end of World War II. The company grew to employ over forty staff members and had sixteen aircraft on its services, but it provided flight instruction, aircraft maintenance, aircraft sales, and was an authorised Cessna Aircraft Dealer. From the 1950s all the way until the late 1980s, Owenair was a key role player in the private aircraft charter business. However, when the business was purchased by United Charter Services in 1990, only two aircraft were operating on a Part 121 Air Operator Licence—a Challenger 300 and a Learjet 45. Since 2009, United Charter Services has nurtured Owenair to its current position as one of only a handful of Air Operators who are authorised to run both Part 135 and Part 121 commercial aircraft operations in South Africa. This means that Owenair is authorised to operate aircraft ranging from smaller piston aircraft, turbine aircraft, jet aircraft, to commercial airline type aircraft. Its current Part 121 and 135 Air Operators Certificates incorporate over twenty
Owenair is a well-established air operator… In fact, it’s one of the oldest air operators worldwide, having been incorporated in 1946!
individual aircraft, the largest being South Africa’s only corporate Boeing 737. A recent annual audit by the South African Civil Aviation Authority resulted in Owenair being commended as a benchmark operator for its systems and processes supporting Operations, Quality Management, and Safety Management. In addition, Owenair is SGS HART Aviation approved, as an aviation service provider, and is audited bi-annually by SGS HART Aviation. Owenair has built its reputation not only on its safe operation of aircraft, but also its complete aircraft management solutions. United Charter Services are extremely proud custodians of Owenair (PTY) Ltd and its heritage.
AVIATION | 183
– UNITED FLIGHT SUPPORT –
– UNITED AIRCRAFT SALES –
In 2012, after careful consideration, United Charter Services (UCS)
United Aircraft Sales has been an integral part of United Charter Services
opened United Flight Support (PTY) Ltd. This was a strategic
since inception. Its reputation for integrity, reliability, and service
move to contain the escalating costs of utilising third-party flight
orientation has understandably won us significant repeat and referral
support service providers. This change allowed UCS to provide
business. As United Aircraft Sales is provider agnostic, we’re able to
its private aircraft charter clients with the financial benefits of
offer a complete (turnkey) aircraft sales and acquisition service that’s
a reduction in direct aircraft operating costs. But United Flight
completely unbiased when it comes to aircraft manufacturers. This
Support doesn’t limit itself to Owenair and United Charter
enables us to provide professional advice to our clients, ensuring that
Services, it also provides third-party flight support services to
we provide customers with the best possible guidance throughout the
clients worldwide.
aircraft acquisition process. Post-acquisition, customers benefit from
Flight Support is a highly specialised and complex business,
comprehensive after-sales support with respect to managing their asset
operating in a global context. The primary functions are the
and the associated auxiliary services. Due to the scope of United Charter
arrangement and coordination of flight permits, fuel, ground
Services as an organisation, customers can even obtain an income from
handling, and concierge services. We are pleased to say that since
their aircraft through UCS, who will place the aircraft on Owenair’s air
the start of business, United Flight Support has made its mark
operator’s license, thus providing an avenue to generate income from
within the aviation sector, and our client base is expanding daily!
their asset.
WE ARE A PEOPLE COMPANY… Driven to achieve the highest levels of customer service. Our clients’ needs come secondary only to our commitment to safety. · Our people are our most important asset. · We are experts in the aviation services we offer. · We are transparent. · We take accountability seriously. · Honesty and integrity are inherent qualities of both our business and our staff.
– OUR FUTURE PLANS – By broadening our service base to include aircraft operations and management, aircraft acquisitions and sales, as well as flight support services, United Charter Services has grown to become a holistic Aviation Services company. We continue to explore exciting and innovative ways to grow the business within the Aviation sector. Plans to develop a world class Aircraft Maintenance organisation are underway! When it comes to United…watch this space!
PREMIUM AIRCRAFT SALES IMAGINE‌ YOUR AIRCRAFT. YOUR CREW. YOUR SCHEDULE. 24/7 READINESS.
United Charter Services Aircraft Sales provide an unbiased aircraft sales service, and are not affiliated with any particular aircraft manufacturer or agency. This allows us to provide you, our valued client, with a range of aircraft that will suit your individual requirement allowing you to make your choice from a selection of suitable aircraft. We manage the entire aircraft sale process from procurement, to delivery and take care of all the regulatory red tape associated with purchasing assets of this nature. We also provide a dedicated aircraft management solution and if you so wish, United Charter Services can provide additional income by putting your asset to work within our aircraft charter division. Take to the skies with the freedom of aircraft ownership.
we offer the following aircraft for sale... vip airliners
VIP airliners offer the highest standards of comfort, luxury, and diversity of amenities. Championed by world famous offerings like the Boeing Business Jet, VIP airliners truly offer you a home or office in the sky. With ample space for passengers, luggage, and even cargo, these airliners are the optimal choice for those who want to travel long distances in luxurious comfort, without concern for aircraft limitations.
airliners
Airliners are designed for large groups of passengers, and/ or large cargo transportation. Passenger capacity can range from 30 passengers to upward of 500 passengers, depending on the particular aircraft chosen. Ideally suited for domestic and regional travel, the airliners generally need to operate into and out of larger airports.
jets
Business jets can be chosen to meet diverse requirements. Business jets are the optimal choice for fast luxury transport - short, medium or long range. Business jets are available with various performance attributes and passenger capacities.
turboprop
Turboprop (turbine propeller engined) aircraft are not quite as cost-effective to operate as piston engined aircraft, but can provide greater average range, speed, and comfort, than piston aircraft. Turboprops can maintain speeds of up to 450 km/h and typically have a range of some 1800km. Turboprops are cheaper to operate than jets and are commonly used for short to medium distance flights - with the added advantage of being able to take off and land using virtually any airport runway (including grass or sand).
helicopters
Helicopters (selectable from a wide variety of models) allow short to medium distance flights. They are useful where landing strips are not available. Helicopters can be reconfigured to serve diverse missions. Helicopters often provide VIP Â transport for executives travelling city to city. They can also perform cargo missions, medical evacuation flights, and offer versatile passenger transport.
24-Hour Hotline:
+27 (0) 11 788 0813
w: www.unitedcharter.co.za
e: info@unitedcharter.co.za
a: Office 9, First floor, Main Terminal building, Lanseria International Airport
AVIATION | 187
UNITED CHARTER aircraft specs
U
nited Charter Services is proud to be a leading brand on the African continent, having flown an extensive number of global Government Officials, Ministers, State Presidents, Celebrities, Mining Executives and Corporate Executives to almost every corner of Africa, Europe, China and the United States of America. With a firm focus on simplifying complex travel needs, and a belief in offering services to suit all of our passengers, United Charter Services can provide solutions that range from light aircraft and helicopter transfers to global air cargo and executive travel. Our extensive fleet ensures that we can accommodate all your needs irrespective of where you may be based. Our flexible scheduling and personalised service will ensure that whether you are flying for business or pleasure, your experience will be effortless and relaxed. United Charter has access to an unparalleled fleet of aircraft, including modern wide-bodied, luxury jets from the Falcon, Challenger and Gulfstream series, all with intercontinental capability and customised seating for up to 15 passengers. For larger parties, specific long-range airliners such as the V.I.P. Boeings and Airbus aircraft, specially configured for between 25 and 100 passengers, are also available for charter. PLEASE NOTE: The following list, is just a snapshot of the available aircraft we have on offer. For a full list and specifications on Fixed Wing, Turbo Props, Helicopters and Cargo aircraft, please view our website on: www.unitedcharter.co.za
SHORT RANGE BEECHCRAFT PREMIER 1 – multi-engine jet –
A light multi-engine jet designed and manufactured by Raytheon/Hawker Beechcraft it accomplished its goals of being the fastest light jet with the largest cabin cross section, when it entered service in 2001. The composite carbonfibre/epoxy honeycomb fuselage, swept metal construction wings, T-tail and two Williams-Rolls FJ-44 turbofan engines makes this sleek aircraft the perfect light corporate jet.
*
6 2
CITATION MUSTANG – multi-engine jet –
A business jet that has been specifically designed with the new jet-set in mind. Comfortable club seating is the order of the day, and there is no need to pack light with the ample external and aft baggage areas. This plane has true jet speed that will chew 630km in an hour and keep doing so over a three hour period. It effortlessly combines efficiency with performance and great, sleek looks. 4 2
MID RANGE BEECHCRAFT KING AIR 200 – multi-engine turboprop –
The Beechcraft King Air might just be the world’s most popular turboprop aircraft. Originally developed as a compromise between pistonengine and jet aircraft, the King Air flies further than a piston-driven engine can, and lands on runways far shorter than a jet can handle. This T-tail, twin-engine, craft remains a firm favourite in commercial and civil aviation, as well as with military buyers.
8 - 10
2
*
Passengers
Flight Deck Crew
Cabin crew
AVIATION | 189
BEECHCRAFT 1900 C/D – multi-engine turboprop –
The big brother of the King Air 200, the Beechcraft 1900 was developed for the regional airline market. The lengthy fuselage (there is stand-up head room in the D model), powerful engines, modified tail with tailets, and stabilons on the lower rear fuselage, improved both comfort, and hot and high performance. 19 2
BOMBARDIER LEARJET 45 – multi-engine jet –
A private high-quality jet that combines new technology with a tried and tested design; the cruise performance is fabulous and it handles exceptionally well. Swivel, recline or track in the comfortable cabin space that includes a dedicated temperature control system that is separate to the cockpit, fold-down tables and a noise level that does not exceed 72dB. 8 2
BOMBARDIER LEARJET 60 – multi-engine jet –
The Learjet 60 serves a niche market for jets that climb to cruise altitude quickly, has an impressive cruise speed, operates economically and of course, is completely reliable. It has the largest cabin in the Learjet line and has added space where it counts the most. The aircraft was built using NASA/Boeing Tranair CFD software, resulting in a particularly aerodynamic design. 7 2
HAWKER 700 – multi-engine jet –
Meet our quiet, mid-size jet with advanced avionics and high performance qualities that make it the perfect choice for short to long-range flights. A wide cabin that is devoid of noise, easily seats eight passengers, travels at 720km per hour and can comfortably reach distances over 3,000km. 8 2
BOEING 737-200 – multi-engine jet –
The Boeing 737 twinjet is the world’s most successful jet airliner model. It was built in response to airlines needing a slightly higher passenger load for their short and mid-range flights. The 737-200 stretch model, features aerodynamic refinements and a range of improvements. 105 2 6
LONG RANGE BOMBARDIER CHALLENGER 300 – multi-engine jet –
The Bombadier Challenger 300 started life as the ‘Continental’ due to its ability to fly coast-to-coast in the USA. A large cabin, lower direct operating costs and its capacity for relatively short field performance also sets it apart. 8 2 1
*
Passengers
Flight Deck Crew
Cabin crew
AVIATION | 191
BOMBARDIER CHALLENGER 601 – multi-engine jet –
The jet of choice for governments, the armed forces and the rich and famous – more airliner than private jet – the Challenger 601 is economical and large among its class, particularly where it matters: in the cabin. The cabin is also well isolated from noise and vibration, and the plane has two engines and four back-up power systems.
8
2 1
GULFSTREAM GIII – multi-engine jet –
The third generation in a highly successful family of private jets, the GIII was designed to supersede its predecessors. The two-engine configuration provides the performance capability whilst keeping costs low. The 10% extra wing achieves a significantly improved range and Whitcomb winglets further reduce fuel burn. 14 2 1
GULFSTREAM GV – multi-engine jet –
The first ultra-long-range private jet that is capable of flying nonstop from New Zealand to San Francisco or Cape Town to Beijing, the Gulfstream is an extremely reliable, high performance aircraft. In an exclusive and very competitive class the Gulfstream V holds its own. It is ideal for anyone who needs to go cross-country or fly internationally quickly and reliably. 14 2 1
HELICOPTERS BELL 206 JETRANGER The Bell 206 helicopter is a single engine turbine seating up to 6 passengers, and is perfect for flying domestic distances in and around your region. 6 1
BELL 206 LONGRANGER The Bell 206 LongRanger offers a light helicopter with greater capacity and utility over the JetRanger. It is powered by a single engine turbine engine and has a maximum cruise speed of 230 km/hr with a non-stop range of 690km. The LongRanger seats up to 6 passengers. 6 1
BELL 407 The Bell 407 integrates reliability, speed, performance, and manoeuvrability, with a cabin configurable for an array of missions and payloads. Its Rolls Royce 250-C47B turbine FADEC engine delivers exceptional hot & high performance, with the ability to cruise at 140 knots (259 km/ hr). The 407’s spacious cabin seats up to five passengers in wide-open clubpassenger seating. For added passenger comfort, the Bell 407 also provides an exceptionally quiet and smooth ride in virtually all weather conditions. 6 1
EUROCOPTER EC120 The Eurocopter EC120 is a single engine turbine helicopter and seats up to 6 passengers. The design of the helicopters cabin makes it suitable for a wide variety of missions, such as utility transport and corporate transport. This is a popular charter helicopter owing to its versatility, range and speed. 6 1
AVIATION | 193
CARGO AIRCRAFT BOEING 737 CARGO The B737-200 Cargo is a twin-engine, Short to Medium range jet aircraft and has a max load of 15 tonnes. 2
BOEING 747 CARGO The B747 is a 4-engine, Long range jet aircraft and has a max load between 95 - 120 tonnnes.
2
BEECHCRAFT 1900 Short to Medium range twin-turboprop aircraft with a max load of 1.95 tonnes.
2
ILUSHIN IL76 The IL76 is a 4-engine, Medium to Long range jet aircraft and has a max load of 45 tonnes. 2
AVIATION | 195
INTRODUCING OUR
CORPORATE BOEING 737 [Corporate]: of, relating to, or formed into a unified body of individuals
United Charter Services’ operates and manages the only privately owned Corporate Boeing B737 aircraft in Southern Africa that is available for charter. Ideal for group travel for up to 64 passengers in an all business class seating configuration. Sit back, relax and enjoy our industry leading on-board services. 64 2
AVIATION | 197
Full catering and amenities included in your flight. Three private bathroom facilities and hot meals available onboard. Passenger capacity: Interior seating length: Cabin height: Baggage volume: Maximum speed: Maximum range (distance): Maximum range (time): Engine type: Flight deck crew: Cabin crew:
1-118 pax 23.03 m 2.11 m 875 cu.ft 780 km/h 3500-4300 km 5h Multi engine jet 2 4
WORLDWIDE AIRCRAFT CHARTER
FLY FIRST CLASS
AIRCRAFT MANAGEMENT
AIRCRAFT SALES
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Enjoy the comfort and pleasure of executive
Dedicated to customer service since 1946. At
Our charter service offers a comprehensive
VVIP
5*
Owenair we pride ourselves on our steadfast
fleet of aircraft at your disposal. However
catering, privacy, comfort and luxurious
reputation and long standing relationships
complex
planes, direct routing, access to 10 times
with our many repeat customers. We have
requirements may be, we can provide any
as many airports as commercial airlines,
perfected the art of executive air travel. Our
type of aircraft for your private aircraft
executive in-flight amenities, freedom from
experience allows us to ensure your journey
charter requirement. We offer, Light Aircraft,
crowded terminals and private check in, by
is a safe, happy and stress-free experience.
Helicopters, Turbo Props, Executive Jets,
service.
24/7
flight
support,
OWN THE AIRCRAFT Need to purchase your own aircraft? a
loss
with
your
current
time
critical
your
travel
Business Jets, Airliners and Cargo Planes.
our staff in our exclusive lounges.
At
or
Aircraft
OWN THE SKIES
OWN YOUR TIME
Our Aircraft are available worldwide at short
You can fly whenever and wherever - we will
notice.
take care of the logistics. You can take to the skies in under two hours from confirmation,
Management solution? WE
FLY:
Presidential
&
Government
supported by our 24/7 operations centre.
Owenair looks after all details of your
Officials,
Corporate
With Owenair, the sky is no longer the
aircraft ownership and procurement. We
Clients, Diplomatic Officials, Mining & Oil
limit... it’s the backdrop to your travel and
offer a comprehensive aircraft management
Companies,
flight adventures.
and sales solution.
Charter, Elite Families & Cargo.
V.I.Ps,
Celebrities,
Executive
Charter,
Leisure
Lanseria International Airport
Cape Town International Airport
24/7: +27 83 270 8886
Office address: Office 9, first floor,
Signature Flight Support Centre.
e: info@owenair.co.za
Main terminal building.
t: +27 21 934 1174
w: http://www.owenair.co.za
t: +27 11 788 0813
f: +27 11 507 6814
f: +27 11 507 6814 Owenair is a proud member of the United Charter Group Of Companies.
United Charter Services Lanseria International Airport Office 9, First floor, Main Terminal Building. 24/7: +27 83 270 8886 t: +27 11 788 0813 f: +27Â 11 507 6814 e: info@unitedcharter.co.za w: www.unitedcharter.co.za
United Flight Support Lanseria International Airport Office 9, First floor, Main Terminal Building. 24/7: +27 83 270 8886 t:+27 11 788 0813 f:+27Â 11 507 6814 e: info@unitedflightsupport.com w: www.unitedflightsupport.com
Owenair Cape Town International Airport Signature Flight Support t: +27 21 934 1174 e: info@owenair.co.za w: www.owenair.co.za Owenair is a proud member of the United Charter Group Of Companies UCS Maverick w: www.unitedmaverick.co.za
ALL THINGS NICE | 201
QUEEN OF BEASTS Photography by Ingrid Irsigler Styling by Kaylene West
Dress by Kluk Boots Photographer’s own Hat Stable’s own
ALL THINGS NICE| 203
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Pohlands Wansuela Dress from Lunar Black riding boots from Western Shoppe
And Allah took a handful of southerly wind, blew His breath over it, and created the horse.... Thou shall fly without wings, and conquer without any sword. Oh, horse. Bedouin Legend
Dress by Mary Katranzon from Studio 8 Hyde park Black riding boots from Western Shoppe Hat Stable’s own
ALL THINGS NICE | 207
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BY DANIELLE FINE
WHEREVER MAN HAS LEFT HIS FOOTPRINT IN THE LONG ASCENT FROM BARBARISM TO CIVILIZATION, WE WILL FIND THE HOOF PRINT OF THE HORSE BESIDE IT. – JOHN MOORE>>
H
orses have graced our planet for roughly fifty million years, evolving from forest-dwelling creatures the size of a dog, into the beautiful animals that have walked and worked beside humankind for more than five thousand years.
They’ve done everything from carrying soldiers into battle to taking part in the more modern rite of film-making, making it hard to gauge the impact this relationship has had on history, though it’s a safe guess that the world would be a very different place if it weren’t for these gallant animals. It should come as no surprise then, that the list of horses that have risen to fame is a long one - far too long to be properly explored in the confines of this short tribute, though we will take a quick peek into the lives of a very few of these star-studded equines. It’s a testament to the courage and heart of horses that so many who have served men in war, are remembered by name - Copenhagan, for example, ridden by the Duke of Wellington in the Battle of Waterloo; Marengo, Napoleon’s favourite horse through countless campaigns; Kidron, ridden by General Pershing in World War I (and through the Victory Arch in New York City at the end of the war); Traveller, ridden by General Robert E. Lee during the American Civil War...and on and on, stretching back to the earliest wars.
RECORD-BREAKING HORSES: Oldest horse: Old Bill, born in 1760, lived to be 62. Tallest horse: Big Jake, a Belgian gelding, measuring around 21 hands high. Smallest horse: Thumbelina, a miniature brown sorrel mare, measured only 44.5cm. Highest jump: A racehorse named Huaso jumped a record-breaking 2.47m in 1949 Fastest speed for a racehorse: Winning Brew recorded a speed of 70.76km/h over two furlongs at the Penn National Race Course. Most expensive horse sold at auction: The Green Monkey was sold for $16 million at an auction in Florida. First cloned horse: In 2003 the Italian-based Laboratory of Reproductive Technology successfully created a cloned mare, Promotea.
ALL THINGS NICE | 213
LOOK BACK ON OUR STRUGGLE FOR FREEDOM, TRACE OUR PRESENT DAY’S STRENGTH TO ITS SOURCE, AND YOU’LL FIND THAT MAN’S PATHWAY TO GLORY, IS STREWN WITH THE BONES OF A HORSE. – ANONYMOUS
the neighbourhood quiet on nights before races, fed him oats mixed with gold flakes, housed him in a marble stable, and even intended on making him a senator— until his assassination put the brakes on that highly sensible plan. Then, of course, we have the slightly less pampered racing star, Arkle. The famous Irish steeplechaser was
There can be no doubt that one of the greatest horses in antiquity
born in 1957. He won twenty-seven out of his thirty-five races, and
was Bucephalus, belonging to Alexander the Great. Bucephalus was
has the highest Timeform rating ever awarded to a steeplechaser. (A
offered to King Philip II, but he refused as the animal appeared to
Timeform rating is essentially a mathematical expression of a horse’s
be unbreakable. A then thirteen-year-old Alexander promptly tamed
merit.) Such was his prowess, that the racing authorities in the Irish
and won the horse, which went on to serve him in many battles in his
Grand National used a separate weighting system when Arkle was on
attempted conquest of the world. When the great steed died in 326 BC,
the turf. When he died, his skeleton was put on display in the Irish
Alexander founded a city, Bucephala, in his honour.
National Stud’s museum. In April 2014, a bronze sculpture of Arkle
Many years later, but no less noble, we have the only recovered survivor of Custer’s Last Stand, Comanche. Though other horses lived
and his jockey was erected in Ashbourne to honour this fine horse and his first of a hat-trick at the Cheltenham Gold Cup races.
through the Battle of Little Bighorn, they were taken as spoils of war by
Though our next entry didn’t get a statue, his home country, New
the Western Sioux tribes. Comanche was left behind, gravely wounded
Zealand, honoured him with his very own stamp. Cardigan Bay, the
having been shot seven times. He was discovered two days after the
“million dollar horse,” was the first Standard-bred horse to win a
battle, nursed back to health by the Seventh Cavalry, and later went
million dollars in prize money in North America. For those who aren’t
on to be honored by the title of “Second Commanding Officer” of the
in the know, standard-bred horses are uniquely built with shorter
Seventh. He was one of only two horses in US history to receive a full
legs and the longer bodies that are particularly well-suited to harness
military funeral, though his remains were preserved and can still be
racing. Cardigan Bay was the only horse to beat the three US Hall of
seen today in the University of Kentucky’s Natural History Museum.
Fame horses of the time: Overtrick, Bret Hanover, and Meadow Skipper,
Another highly-ranked horse, Sergeant Reckless—a Mongolian mare
and he was one of the first horses to be inducted into the New Zealand
of only fourteen hands high (that’s pony height really)—was purchased
Trotting Hall of Fame in 1998, along with greats like Caduceus and
by the United States Marine Corps in 1952 and used to carry supplies and
Highland Fling. He even appeared on the Ed Sullivan show alongside
evacuate wounded soldiers during the Korean War. She soon became
the Beach Boys!
a mascot for her unit, and was allowed to sleep in the marines’ tents on cold nights and eat almost anything, including scrambled eggs, bacon, buttered toast, chocolate bars, mashed potatoes, coca-cola, and beer. The Marines trained her to avoid several hazards, including barbed wire, and to lie down under fire. She even learned her supply routes,
SOME OF MY BEST LEADING MEN HAVE BEEN DOGS AND HORSES. – ELIZABETH TAYLOR>>
enabling her to make deliveries on her own—once making fifty-one trips to resupply front line units in one day, thus earning her the rank of
Cardigan Bay wasn’t the only horse to get his moment in the
corporal. After being wounded twice, she was retired with the rank of
spotlight—horses have been used in film and television from the
sergeant with more than few awards under her belt: two Purple Hearts,
earliest days of the medium. In the 1940s, two horses—White Cloud
a Presidential Unit citation, the National Defense Service Medal, and
and Tarzan’s White Banner—brought joy to small children everywhere
a Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal… to name a few. LIFE magazine
by playing Silver, the Lone Ranger’s iconic high-rearing grey stallion.
recognised her as one of America’s one hundred all-time heroes in 1997.
Fury, a gorgeous American Saddlebred, played Black Beauty, along with many other award-winning roles—including starring alongside
A HORSE GALLOPS WITH HIS LUNGS, PERSEVERES WITH HIS HEART, AND WINS WITH HIS CHARACTER. – TESIO While the next horse on our list, Incitatus, never took part in a
Elizabeth Taylor in Giant, and reportedly stealing the final scene from his two-legged co-stars. Roy Rogers, one of the most popular Western actors of his time, insisted on giving his horse, Trigger, equal billing in more than eighty movies they appeared in together. Having learned around one hundred and fifty tricks, Trigger, “the smartest horse in the movies,” got no less than he deserved.
battle, it seems his owner, Caligula, the third emperor of Rome, was
Though the role of the horse in modern life is undoubtedly smaller
as devoted to him as Alexander to Bucephalus…or, just maybe, ever-
than it used to be, they continue to entertain and inspire us, carry us
so-slightly more. While it’s uncertain whether Caligula’s treatment
through competitions and into adventure, and remain worshipped and
of his horse was a sign of insanity, an elaborate prank, or made up by
adored by little girls everywhere. And rightly so. Few animals have had
later historians, the legend lives on. According to the stories, he held
a greater part to play in history, and surely none with more dignity and
birthday parties for the chariot-racing champion, had his soldiers keep
spirit than the mighty horse.
EPIC STORY TELLING ON A GRAND SCALE
“Thou shalt not’ is soon forgotten, but ‘Once upon a time’ lasts forever” Philip Pullman
We love stories. We specialise in gathering dry data and through design, concept and photography, weaving them into a tapestry that resonates with the hearts and souls of the people. We recognise the power of storytelling and its potential to shape lives. Engaging stories are what drive great brands to BIG success. The most successful companies understand that ‘brand’ is just another word for ‘story’. Every business has a story to tell. Let us find your ‘once upon a time’ and help move you toward ‘happily ever after’ one page at a time. Whether it’s conceptualisation and production of a fashion shoot for a campaign, development of a corporate marketing strategy (for both print and digital) or design and development of a print or digital magazine, we have the design solution for your brand. Telling the story of your brand through narrative and design. m: +27 847422402 e: info@bigcitylife.co.za w: www.bigcitystudio.co.za Be: www.behance.net/bigcitylife fb: www.facebook.com/bigcitylifemag t: www.twitter.com/bigcitylifemag
BigCityLife is one of Africa’s leading media and production companies
Photographer: Ingrid Irsigler, Model: Eleanor Cooper, Dress: Julien MacDonald, Headdress: Velvet Eccentric by Della Reed, Shoes: From stylist’s studio, Stylist: Minna Attala, Hair:Doubravka Marcinkova, Makeup:Erin Kristensen, Stylist’s assistant: Claudia Walder
THANK YOU FOR FLYING UNITED CHARTER SERVICES We trust you enjoyed your flight, and look forward to many happy travels as your trusted charter company Warm Regards Jonathan Wolpe