Travelsmart – Issue 6

Your free in-flight magazine

Page 36

WHY ZAMBIA? Our top 10 reasons for making a visit

Page 16

GEMS & JEWELS Square-cut or pear-shaped?

Kisua

New on-line showcase for African fashion

Page 10

Issue 06

April 2014 - June 2014

© héctor mediavilla

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CONTENTS Issue 06 | April 2014 - June 2014

REGULAR FEATURES

SPECIAL FEATURES

USEFUL INFORMATION

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10 coVer story

62 63 64 64

Welcome A message from fastjet’s Chief Executive

7 fastJet neWs 44 looK InsIde Ndarakwai Ranch

48 food for thought Steaks ‘n’ Grills

50 car reVIeW BMW X5

54 booK reVIeW Abraham’s People – A Kenyan Dynasty

56 product reVIeW Smart watches

58 latest releases What’s new in your bookshop and cinema

61 KIds’ corner

KISUA – New on-line showcase for African fashion

14 craft beer Crafty secret of city’s great-tasting beers

17 gemstones Square-cut or pear-shaped?

23 World cup Africa counts down the days

26 tastIng tanZanIa Fresh artisan food is flavour of the month

30 sapeurs Africa’s free-wheeling dandies

34 KIlImanJaro marathon

travelsmart Smart thinking

Smart shopping

Smart travel

published by LAND & MARINE PUBLICATIONS LTD 1 Kings Court, Newcomen Way Severalls Business Park, Colchester Essex CO4 9RA, United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Email: publishing@landmarine.com www.landmarine.com

on behalf of

Peak performers enjoy another epic event

36 Why VIsIt ZambIa? How long have you got?

41 free thIngs Jozi’s guide to free things

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traVel InformatIon the fastJet netWorK fastJet fleet fastJet contacts

Registered Office and Head Office, Suite 2C, First Point Buckingham Gate, Gatwick Airport, RH6 0NT Tel: +44 (0)20 3651 6355 Email: info@fastjet.com www.fastjet.com The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, or any other organisation associated with this publication. No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions. ©2014 Land & Marine Publications Ltd

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FROM THE CONTROL TOWER A message from Chief Executive Ed Winter

Welcome on board Karibu kwenye ndege yetu Welkom aan boord A significant milestone has already been reached this year with the launch of our second international route in Africa Ujumbe kutoka kwa Mkurugenzi Mkuu wa fastjet Ed Winter

KARIBU KWENYE NDEGE YETU Ningependa kuwakaribisha kwenye ndege yetu ya fastjet, Shirika la ndege linalopendwa zaidi Afrika.

Tumefanikiwa kufika hatua Muhimu kwa mwaka huu kwa kuzindua safari yetu ya pili ya kimataifa barani Afrika.

Safari ya ufunguzi kati ya Dar es Salaam na Lusaka (Zambia) ilifanyika tarehe 1 Februari. Tulianza na mara mbili kwa wiki kati ya Uwanja wa ndege wa Kimataifa wa Julius Nyerere na Uwanja wa ndege wa Kimataifa wa Kenneth Kaunda. Kuanzia tarehe 15 Aprili tutaongeza na kufikia safari tatu kwa wiki hii inatokana na uwepo wa wasafari wengi. Na ndani ya miezi michache ijayo tutakuwa tukitangaza safari nyingine za kimataifa.

Safari hizi kuelekea Zambia zimeonesha kufanya vizuri kwa wazambia wanaofanya biashara ya bidhaa zinazopitia bandari ya Dar es Salaam. Ninaamini safari hizi zitakuwa na kufikia kuwa safari za kila siku hadi mwisho wa mwaka huu. Pia tuko katika mazungumzo na serikali ya Zambia

I

would like to give you my warm personal welcome on board fastjet, Africa’s most liked airline.

A significant milestone has already been reached this year with the launch of our second international route in Africa. The inaugural fastjet flight between Dar es Salaam and Lusaka (Zambia) took place on 1 February. We began with twicea-week services between Julius Nyerere International Airport and Kenneth Kaunda International Airport. From 15 April we are adding a third weekly flight in response to customer demand. Over the coming months we will be announcing more international connections.

This new Dar es Salaam to Lusaka service is proving very popular with

Zambians doing business in the port of Dar es Salaam. I am confident this route will grow to a daily operation by the end of the year. We are also in discussions with the Zambian government and aviation authorities to establish a base in Zambia, operating both domestic and international flights connecting tourism hotspots.

Records We have got off to an excellent start in 2014, with load factors at high levels and punctuality continuing to break records for African aviation. In March we carried our 500,000th customer.

Our customers have rapidly adapted to our low-cost model, booking flights early to get the lowest prices, knowing they can plan ahead confident of arriv-

Inaugural flight Fastjet arrives in Lusaka

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na mamlaka ya anga ili kuweza kuanzisha kituo cha kudumu nchini Zambia, na hii itawezesha fastjet kutoa humuma zake ndani na nje ya Zambia huku ikiunganisha sehemu zenye vivutio mbalimbali vya utalii.

Tumeanza mwaka 2014 vizuri sana, huku tukiwa na idadi kubwa ya abiria na kuendeleza rekodi yetu ya kupaa kwa wakati katika anga la Afrika. Mwezi machi tumebeba abiria wetu wa 500,000.

Wateja wetu wameweza kwenda sambamba na mfumo wetu wa gharama nafuu, kwa kufanya maandlizi ya safari zao mapema ili kupata bei ya chini, huku wakiwa na uhakika wa kufika kwa wakati na kulipia kile tuwanachotumia kwenye safari zao. Bei na uhakika wa upatikanaji wa ndege ndio vitu vikubwa ambavyo tuliviona kwa wateja wetu ndani ya Afrika na katika kipindi cha mwaka uliopita tumeweza kufanikisha vitu vyote hivi.

Fastjet inadhamira ya kuleta demokrasia ya usafiri wa anga Afrika.

Sura hiyo Muhimu unayoiona hapo juu ni ya Jimmy Kibati, ambaye amechaguliwa kuwa Meneja mkuu wa fastjet Afrika Mashariki. Amejiunga na fastjet akitokea Kenya Airways na kuchukua nafasi yake mpya tarehe 17 Machi. Ninafuraha kumwajiri mtendaji huyu kutoka shirika lenye sifa ili kuongoza upanuzi wa shirika letu ndani ya Afrika Mashariki.

Wakati huohuo fastjet imekuwa ikitumia njia nzuri na ya kisasa ili kuwawezesha abiria wake kufanya maandalizi ya safari zao kwa urahisi kupitia fastjet. com. Sasa zaidi ya mawakala wa ndege 91,000 na waendeshaji wa shughuli za kitalii duniani kote wana fursa ya kufikia mtandao wa maandalizi ya safari wa fastjet kupitia mawakala wetu au global distribution system (GDS). Pia tumeweza kupitisha makubaliano na washirika wa sekta ya usafiri ili kuweza kutoa huduma ya kukodi gari kwa gharama nafuu na huduma ya maegesho inayopatikana kwa bei ya ushindani kupitia mtandao kwa nchi ya Afrika ya Kusini.

Asante sana kwa kutuunga mkono na kwa kutupa nafasi ya kukuhudumia. Tunatumaini unafurahia safari yako na fastjet.

Wako, Ed Winter Mkurugenzi mkuu

ing on time and paying only for such extras as they need on that flight.

Price and reliability were two of the major issues we identified as key to African consumers and over the past year we have really delivered on both.

At fastjet we are intent on democratising African air travel.

An important new face at the top is Jimmy Kibati, who has been appointed our General Manager for East Africa. He joins fastjet from Kenya Airways and took up his new position on 17 March. Initially he will be based in Dar es Salaam, overseeing fastjet Tanzania. I am delighted that we have recruited such a high calibre airline executive to spearhead our expansion in East Africa.

Technology Meanwhile, fastjet has been making good use of new technology to ensure a smooth and trouble-free passenger experience. As always, the easiest way to access our lowest fares is on fastjet.com. Now, in addition, over 91,000 travel agents and tour operators worldwide can access the entire fastjet network, either via our dedicated agent portal or through a global distribution system (GDS) of their choice. We have also signed agreements with partners in the travel industry to offer low-cost car hire in Africa and competitively priced online parking services in South Africa.

Thank you so much for your support and for the opportunity to serve you. We hope you enjoy your flight with fastjet.

Sincerely,

IN THIS ISSUE Welcome

Welcome to Travelsmart.

Our cover story features a new African fashion brand. Look out for KISUA and read about the label here in Travelsmart.

Many visitors to Tanzania fail to appreciate the nation’s extraordinary cuisine and its delicious homegrown produce. Travelsmart tries to remedy this situation.

Tanzania, of course, is also famed for its precious and semi-precious stones. We see what’s worth buying.

In early March, runners turned out to take part in the Kilimanjaro Marathon, an event in which fastjet was able to play its part. We review a tough day for almost all in Moshi.

The 2014 FIFA World Cup will soon be upon us and we assess the chances of Africa’s five finalists.

Guinness, the iconic producer of Irish stout, has made much of a penchant for ‘dressing up’. We take a closer look at these ‘sapeurs’ and their extravagant tailoring.

We highlight some of Johannesburg’s microbreweries and prove that you don’t need to be laden with rand to have a great time in Africa’s most compelling city.

To coincide with fastjet’s new DarLusaka service, Travelsmart offers 10 things to see and do in Zambia.

Finally, we review BMW’s fabulous and classy new X5.

I welcome any comments you may have about the magazine.

Gary Gimson Publisher

Ed Winter

Land & Marine Publications Ltd publishing@landmarine.com

Chief Executive Officer

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Compare Fastjet Online

Our popularity soars with new routes It has been a busy and exciting time for fastjet, as we are set to welcome our 500,000th passenger and remain Africa’s most-liked airline. Here are some of the highlights, and plans for the next few months.

01 New flight schedules Among the new additions to its flight schedules, fastjet now offers daily morning and evening flights from Dar es Salaam to Kilimanjaro.

And since 13 February the airline has been operating afternoon flights on Thursdays and Saturdays from Dar to Mbeya. Timings on fastjet’s Thursday and Saturday flights between Dar and Lusaka have changed to morning departures in both directions.

02 THUMBS UP fastjet has reached 152,000 fans on Facebook and the numbers just keep growing. You can also become a fan by visiting https://en-gb.facebook.com/fastjet.

03 Compare Fastjet Customers can now compare fastjet’s flight schedules and prices against those of other African carriers via www.skyscanner.net following agreement with Skyscanner, the award-winning flight comparison company.

Visitors to the site can then link directly to fastjet’s website and book their flights.

04 Zambia sales office A Zambia sales office was introduced by fastjet on 9 January. Zambian customers can now contact the airline’s recently appointed sales agent, Voyagers Zambia, for all their bookings and inquiries. They can access the best fares by calling Voyagers on +260 211 256864 or visiting www.fastjet.com.

FREE A free airport shuttle bus service was launched by fastjet in Mbeya on 7 March to save passengers money and get them to their flight on time. The pick-up and drop-off points are the Hill View Hotel in Kaunda Avenue and the Beaco Resort Hotel in Tunduma Road.

Departure times are 05.35 on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and 12.15 on Thursday and Saturday. Journey time is about 30 minutes.

Free ride Mbeya shuttle bus

Follow us

By booking early you have better chance of getting the best possible price

www.fastjet.com m.fastjet.com www.facebook.com/fastjet www.facebook.com/fastjetza www.twitter.com/fastjet

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Guts2Glory team Fastjet provided flights

05 Fastjet supports Guts2Glory Fastjet has played a key role in the campaign of Guts2Glory, a non-profit organisation that raises funds to help disabled and underprivileged athletes realise their dreams of representing their country at the Paralympics. The airline provided flights for the whole Guts2Glory team who climbed Kilimanjaro during their ‘No Limits’ Freedom Tour.

DID YOU KNOW ?

Book your ticket the quick and easy way with multiple payment options at www.fastjet.com

Dar es Salaam to Mwanza New evening flights have been added to our schedules.

06 New travel services On 28 February fastjet signed two agreements with partners in the travel industry, marking the launch of ancillary products on fastjet. com. The first, with Rentalcars.com parent company TravelJigsaw Ltd, will offer low-cost car hire in Africa through fastjet.com and the second will deliver competitively priced online parking services in South Africa in partnership with Looking4Parking.com (L4P).

07 Fastjet goes global Travel agents across the world now have access to fastjet flights following an agreement with sister company Hahn Air Systems to use its e-alliance product. Some 91,000 travel agents and tour operators can access the whole fastjet network either via the airline’s dedicated agent portal or through a global distribution system of their choice.

Commenting on the collaboration, Alexander Proschka, Managing Director of Hahn Air Systems, said: “fastjet, as one of our first customers in Africa, extends our airline portfolio of e-alliance® with pan-African routes and competitive prices for global distribution. Hahn Air Systems is looking forward to a fruitful cooperation with fastjet entailing joint sales and growth.”

Ellis Cain-Jones, fastjet’s Head of Commercial, said: “After the success of establishing fastjet in our local markets, we now want to export access to our affordable pan-African flights. Both our new partners will benefit fastjet’s drive for costefficient global distribution in both traditional and digital arenas.”

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e n i l A U n se o KIS a an w c e N ow ric sh r Af n fo shio fa

ry o t S er v o C

n rica l f A ur tiona o f o na ican d r u e t pro our in e Afr r� y r e e e v while s to tak nsum r a “We roots, ables u obal co en the gl p u set- ion to fash e lob he g Africa,e t s os s in rop Acr erate nd Eu

a op UA rica KIS Ame

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travelsmart

CoverStory

African fashion A new brand

Y

ou may not have noticed yet, but you will. There’s a new African fashion brand around – or at least it’s out there in the ether.

Launched in October last year, KISUA (always written in capital letters, apparently) is a new African label brimming with ideas.

“The aim was to create a go-to commercial platform for African fashion talent,” says founder and chief executive Samuel Mensah. “And I believe we have created an exciting, innovative showcase for both established and emerging designers from across the continent.”

International operations It’s hard to pin down KISUA’s operations to just one spot because they are spread across three continents – Africa, America and Europe. The brand has production facilities in South Africa, Mauritius, the USA and the UK. “We are very proud of our African roots, while our international set-up enables us to take African fashion to the global consumer,” says Sam. In fact, the company’s philosophy is simple and straightforward – it’s all about the celebration of African culture through fashion.

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The language of good design is clearly universal, and KISUA aims to contribute an African voice to this global dialogue. African fashion is, of course, colourful and passionate; but KISUA fuses traditional elements with a modern vision that appeals to style-savvy customers looking for high-quality, trendled fashion from the continent.

Global Don’t be confused into believing that KISUA is a new African brand with its sights set only on rich kids in Europe and North America. According to Sam it is a truly global brand serving Africans and non-Africans alike. “We are very pleased that Africans at home and in the diaspora form a significant part of the KISUA customer base.”

Customers can rest assured that, where possible and practical, KISUA sources its materials from Africa.

Sam admits, however, that in order to provide customers with the best

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quality product, it is sometimes necessary to supplement African sourcing with materials from other locations.

In addition to its own unique designs, KISUA is working hand in hand with outside, but like-minded, designers on a series of capsule collections. One such designer is Jamil Walji.

Sam describes the Jamil Walji signature style as ‘New Edge Africa’.

The ‘KISUA by JAMIL WALJI’ collection is said to marry modern structure with feminine fluidity, integrating panelled tailoring into the construction of each garment. Walji first studied and then lectured on fashion design at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in Malaysia before moving back to Nairobi to pursue his own label, ‘Jamil Walji’.

Walji’s Far Eastern training and sharp eye for precision, combined with his love of Kenya, make for a novel interpretation of African style; and this is reflected in his collaborative collection with KISUA. Look out for further collaboration partnerships with exciting young designers from across the conti-

African fashion Colourful and passionate

nent. For example, the label is about to launch a new KISUA in-house brand by South African designers.

The plan is to create ongoing relationships with designers. “It’s exciting to be working so closely with emerging talent to build fresh, authentic collections that speak to the growing global consumer demand for African fashion,” says Sam.

Focus For the time being the focus is on women’s wear; but KISUA may consider introducing a men’s range in the future.

Don’t expect to walk into a mall anywhere in Africa and find a KISUA store, however. The brand is only available on-line. “KISUA is the first of its kind to bring African e-commerce to the world,” says Sam. “We also offer an online magazine full of stories about African fashion, music, art and culture.”

Who is actually buying KISUA on-line? Sam suggests that the USA, the UK, Nigeria, Germany and Ghana are its top five markets in terms of orders.

KISUA wants to be more than a mere brand; it wants to assist African designers to realise their dreams.

So the KISUA African Designer Fund has been established to financially support African designers who collaborate with KISUA. Through the fund, a portion of every sale is paid directly to the relevant designer.

And what could be fairer than that?

CraftBeer

Crafty secret of city’s great-tasting beers

© SMACK!

Johannesburg, the city of gold, is fast becoming known as the city of golden brews

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BEER

Craft beers SMACK! collection

travelsmart

SMACK! Republic Brewing Co (Sundays 10 am to 3 pm. Arts on Main on 266 Fox Street. Tel: +27 (0)84491-0779) is located in a building within Maboneng Precinct that is over 100 years old. It hosts live brews and beer-food pairing events. The three microbrewers use ingredients such as pepper and citrus peel. They recently added the Hillbrow Honey – a speciality ale brewed with Rooibos and fermented with honey – to make up their collection of four craft beers. The sweet new addition will surely appeal to the fairer gender.

Speaking of which, the Oakes Brew House (Closed on Mondays. Cnr Main and 33 High Street, Modderfontein.

Tel: +27 (0)83 260 7960) is the first allfemale brewery in the country. The name is a tongue-in-cheek play on words as the homophone ‘okes’ is a

© Oakes Brew House

© Soweto Gold

© SMACK!

Thirst for perfection Brewing is an artful balance

Restaurants and brew-pubs have welcomed the trend towards artisanal beers and many of them stock local and imported craft beer. Order my favourite: the Bone Crusher, made by the Cape Town-based Darling Brew. Yes, the name may be odd, but the coriander aroma and herbal notes of this Witbier will have you banging the table top to order another. But you don’t have to take my word for it; have a look at the most highly rated craft beers as per the app’s users.

The Griffin It’s best to go to The Griffin (Closed on Mondays. Cnr Corlett Drive and Oxford Road, Illovo. Tel: +27 (0)11 447 9842) on a Thursday night. This gastro pub stocks over 40 craft beers with eight on tap and has an array of imported labels to swig, too. One of the owners is a chef, which means the food is just as crafty.

If you fancy a gourmet burger, head over to The Wolfpack (21 4th Avenue, Parkhurst. Tel: +27 (0)11 447 7705). Better yet, wash it down with any of the seven craft beers on tap

Beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage and South Africa, like the rest of the world, is experiencing a craft beer boom

© SMACK!

SMACK!

South African colloquialism meaning men. The three female co-owners hit the spot as they specialise in both kinds of brew: hand-crafted beer and on-the-spot-roasted coffee. And they can serve either with your breakfast.

Another testament to the changing times is Ndumiso Madlala of MadMead Brewing Co (Closed on Mondays. Ubuntu Kraal on 11846 Senokonyana Street, Orlando West.

Tel: +27 (0)79-890-8321), who is set to open the first majority blackowned microbrewery in late April to coincide with 20 years of democracy.

The former master brewer from South African Breweries has already released his 5.2 per cent Soweto Gold Superior lager in a can. In the next few years Madlala hopes to graduate to brewing 5 million litres annually.

Further out of the city centre, in Ngwenya Village, is Gilroy’s Brewery (Closed on Mondays. Just off the R114, T-junction Beyers Naude M5, Muldersdrift. Tel: +27 (0)11 796 3020).

Many Jo’burgers visit the quaint village on a day trip to watch glassblowing at the factory and to buy curios and antiques. Brew master Steve Gilroy provides a humorous insider’s look into the brewing process on the beer experience tour.

Live music fills the beer garden at weekends.

Johannesburg hosts no fewer than 11 annual craft beer festivals, where golden merriment flows from taps, accompanied by live entertainment.

Find out about festivals with the free My Beer Craft app and its events calendar. Using Google maps, it pinpoints microbreweries, lists their beers and alcohol percentages and identifies their stockists. The extensive list of craft beers one can savour around the city is also classified according to 54 styles, from Ale to Witbier.

© The Wolfpack

F

or most microbrewers, the hobby begins as a late-night experiment with brew kits, plastic buckets and modified cooler boxes in the garage. They proudly show off their beer-stained kitchen walls and talk endlessly about the fermentation process. To them, brewing is an artful balance of malt, hops, yeast, a variety of unusual ingredients and a thirst for perfection.

Beer is the most widely consumed alcoholic beverage and South Africa, like the rest of the world, is experiencing a craft beer boom. Johannesburg is home to 13 microbreweries, each with an array of quirky handcrafted beers.

With a copy of ‘African Brew: Exploring the craft of South African beer’ by Lucy Corne and Ryno Reyneke tucked under your arm, head off to explore the tipsy side of town.

or 20 by the bottle. This restaurant also has a rooftop wooden deck that overlooks the trendy neighbourhood. If you drop by, ask around and you might find me there.

So cheers to exploring Johannesburg with your taste buds and remember that beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.

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travelsmart

GemStones

Square-cut or pear-shaped?

By John Tavner All pictures courtesy of Tanzanite One

A

nyone who appreciates fine jewellery or loves the subtle play of light on a well cut gemstone can indulge their passion to the ultimate degree in Tanzania.

Tanzania is one of the world’s leading producers of fine gems and today shoppers can not only indulge in a very special gift – for themselves or for a well loved friend – but can also see the stones being prepared and polished and learn more of their history.

In addition to such well known gemstones as sapphire, ruby and garnet, Tanzania is home to rarer stones such as spinel, spessartite, tanzanite and tsavorite, all of which have their own special colours and qualities. Indeed, one of these stones, tanzanite, is unique to Tanzania and takes its name from its country of origin.

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GemStones

The Tanzanite Experience Visitors can learn all about the history of tanzanite by visiting one of the three museum boutiques operated by The Tanzanite Experience in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Cape Town (with a second Arusha museum due to open soon).

The Tanzanite Experience is part of TanzaniteOne Mining Ltd, the world’s leading miner and supplier of tanzanite.

The museums and stores are full of displays dedicated to the blue-violet gemstone. Entry is free.

On a personal audio and visual tour, visitors learn about how tanzanite got its name, the Maasai tradition of gifting tanzanite, mining, factors affecting value and the art of cutting. They can also view the tanzanite gems close up and handle both rough and polished stones.

Visitors can buy tanzanite gems and jewellery directly from the source, confident of their authenticity and ethical origin.

Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 in the Mererani Hills near Arusha In Dar es Salaam, Arusha and Mwanza, shoppers will find a range of jewellery stores and other outlets where they can enjoy the thrill of choosing that perfect gemstone or item of jewellery. Some of the most exclusive pieces may involve an investment of six figures; but you don’t have to break the bank to come away with a small piece of jewellery. At Swala Gem Traders, for example, they cover the whole range, from a modest souvenir priced at $25 to the very best and

rarest of expensive gemstones and set pieces.

Clientele Jewellery is an international language; and the retailers of Tanzania cater for a diverse clientele that includes foreign tourists and visitors from other parts of Africa as well as Tanzanians.

Among the fine gemstones associated with Tanzania are: Tanzanite: Occurs in only one place in the world. Its rarity, together with

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GemStones

Where to buy Benetton Gems, located in the Sea Cliff Hotel in Dar es Salaam, offers an elegant collection of gold, silver and gemstone jewellery including tanzanite.

Collectors Corner, in Arusha, regards tanzanite and tsavorite as the crown jewels of its East African collection, which also includes garnet, ruby, spinel, sunstone and tourmaline.

Shoppers will find a range of jewellery stores where they can enjoy the thrill of choosing that perfect gemstone

Swala Gem Traders has retail stores in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Mwanza where visitors can buy loose gems as well as jewellery. Gems can also be purchased on-line from Swala Gem Traders.

The Tanzanite Experience, along with its museums, has a wide selection of fully certified loose stones and jewellery.

Outlets are in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Cape Town. The |Tanzanite Experience is part of TanzaniteOne, the world’s largest tanzanite mine.

Farhan Jewellers, in Dar es Salaam, is involved in the design and manufacture of jewellery.

Queens Gems & Jewellery, in Dar es Salaam, offers a top quality selection of gold, tanzanite, sapphire, diamond, emerald, pearl and other gemstone jewellery.

Hand-cut Craftsman at work

its vivid blue-violet colour, has made it one of the most coveted gemstones.

Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 in the Mererani Hills near Arusha.

It came to the attention of Tiffany & Co in New York, which named it tanzanite (after Tanzania, its country of origin, and zoisite, the family of gems to which it belongs).

Tanzanite is commonly used in necklaces and earrings. Its colour varies from ultramarine blue to light violet-blue.

Tsavorite: This vivid green gemstone, part of the garnet family, was discovered in Tanzania in 1967 by a British geologist, Campbell R. Bridges. He found potato-like nodules of rock containing beautiful green grains and crystal fragments.

Tsavorite is sought-after because of its fresh and vivid colour, which ranges from a spring-like pale green to an intense blue-green to a deep forest green. The few mines are on the border of Kenya and Tanzania near Tsavo National Park.

Spinel: The great impostor of gemstone history. Many famous rubies in crown jewels around the

Tanzania Tiffany’s Buy with confidence

world are actually spinels. The most famous is the Black Prince’s ruby, a magnificent 170-carat red spinel that now adorns the Imperial State Crown of England.

Spinel is mined in Tanzania, Burma, Sri Lanka and Tajikistan. In addition to beautiful rich reds, it can be found in gorgeous pastel shades of pink and purple. The recent discovery of an electric pink variety in the Mahenge area enhanced the value of spinels on the world market.

Magnificent Spessartite: Prized for its magnificent orange-red colour, the mandarin garnet is a variety of spessartite. It was discovered in 1991 by the Kunene River in north-west Namibia. Fine examples of fanta orange spessartites were found in Tanzania a few years ago. Spessartites have also been found in Kenya, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Burma, Australia and Brazil.

Tourmaline: Known as ‘the rainbow gemstone’, tourmaline abounds in vivid reds, hot pinks, verdant greens, blues and yellow colour bursts. fastjet.com

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WorldCup

BRAZIL 2014 World Cup

Africa counts down the days

By Gary Gimson

Football fans across Africa are counting down the days. World Cup fever will soon be upon us and all eyes will be on Brazil when the 2014 tournament kicks off in June >>

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WorldCup

o

ahead is a tough one.

Cameroon, drawn in Group A with hosts Brazil, would hope to bag a second-place spot ahead of Croatia and perennial participants Mexico and, as such, are probably good value at 500-1. Cameroon will look to star players such as Chelsea’s Samuel Eto’o and Barcelona midfielder Alex Song to lead their bid for glory.

Côte d’Ivoire But, as the odds suggest, Côte d’Ivoire look to have the best chance of any African team of going through as round-robin winners and ahead of fellow Group C members Colombia, Greece and the unfancied Japan. In fact, this group looks to be the most open of

© 360b / Shutterstock.com

nly eight nations from Europe and South America have ever won the World Cup. So what hope for Africa’s big five participants in this year’s tournament?

Sadly, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Ghana and Algeria all rank as outsiders when set against mighty South American favourites Brazil and Argentina and defending world champions Spain.

A quick look at the odds quoted by bookmakers will show that punters really don’t fancy African teams.

Côte d’Ivoire have the shortest odds, quoted at 100-1, while Ghana are 150-1, Nigeria 200-1, Cameroon 500-1 and Algeria 2,000-1. The task

Samuel Eto’o Chelsea’s star player

the eight. A tie against the runners-up in Group D awaits the winners.

Like Cameroon, Nigeria will be eyeing a number two spot in Group F behind heavily backed Argentina and ahead of World Cup new boys BosniaHerzegovina and Iran, positioned 19th and 34th respectively in FIFA’s sometimes controversial world rankings.

Ghana would appear to have the toughest test in ‘group of death’ G. The Black Stars are battling it out for a last-16 berth with the United States, Portugal and Germany. Despite top players such as Michael Essien (now past his prime and at AC Milan), Ghana would seem to have a near-impossible task getting out of the group.

Algeria are pitted against Belgium (tipped by me and many to go a long way this time), Russia and Korea.

Sorry to say that ‘Les Fennecs’ (The Fennec Foxes) are likely to be propping up Group H come 26 June, when the last first-round game is completed, and boarding the plane to Algiers soon afterwards.

So this is my assessment of how African teams will perform in Brazil.

Firstly, Côte d’Ivoire will do well and progress beyond the group stage. If

© mountainpix / Shutterstock.com

côte d’ivoire look to have the best chance of any african team of going through as round-robin winners

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Dider Drogba Côte d’Ivoire

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all goes to plan, then ‘Les Éléphants’, with stars such as Yaya Touré, an ageing Didier Drogba and Wilfried Bony to call on, could be joined in the last 16 by one, or possibly two, other African nations.

Expect to see two African teams in the last 16.

But can an African team actu-

World Cup BRAZIL 2014

ally progress beyond the round of 16 and win the World Cup for the first time? Stranger things have happened (Greece winning the European Championship in 2004 comes to mind); but in reality Brazil are playing at home. Other South American teams such as Argentina and Uruguay are also fielding starstudded squads. I doubt that any African team will go to the last eight.

My own forecast is for Brazil to do well (not much of a tip really), but Argentina also look good, as do Uruguay with the twin threat of Luis Suárez and Edinson Cavani up front; but it’s worth noting that ‘La Celeste’ only qualified via a play-off with Jordan.

HOW THE GROUPS WILL LINE UP:

NUMBER OF TEAMS

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And an outside bet? Well, watch out for Belgium priced at 14-1 and fifth favourites. The stellar line-up of the ‘Rode Duivels’ (Red Devils) will no doubt ensure some surprises as Eden Hazard weaves his magic backed by other English Premiership players: Simon Mignolet, Vincent Kompany, Kevin Mirallas, Christian Benteke and Romelu Lukaku.

I can’t wait for 12 June when Brazil kick off against Croatia at São Paulo’s Arena Corinthians stadium. Let battle commence.

© SJon le-Bon / Shutterstock.com

Outside bet

TOURNAMENT KICK-OFF 12th June 2014

WORLD CUP FINAL 13th July 2014

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Local produce: great prices

What a choice

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© World Food Programme

© ppart / Shutterstock.com

© ppart / Shutterstock.com

TastingTanzania

© ppart / Shutterstock.com

By Antony Shoo

Fresh artisan food is flavour of the month

O

ver the centuries the influence of diverse cultures has produced a rich array of cuisine across mainland Tanzania and Zanzibar.

Today, in the staple food of citizens, it is still possible to see regional influences shaped by local agriculture and local traditions. These range from the cosmopolitan mix of Swahili Coast dishes to the rich fish diet enjoyed by those who live around the Great Lakes.

An exciting new addition to the food scene in the urban centres of Tanzania is the Farmers’ Market. In contrast to the rural market, where local producers sell to villagers and trade livestock, this form of retailing gives city dwellers the chance to meet artisan food producers and buy their products. This new approach to food trading originated in cities across Europe and North America. It was due in part to the rising consumer demand for food that was fresher – because it spent less time in transit – and had more local character.

© World Food Programme

Delicacies The World Food Programme (WFP) together with the European Committee for Education and Agriculture (CEFA) launched Tanzania’s first Farmers’ Market in May 2013. Their intention was to create a trading forum where consumers would have the chance to see what Tanzania has to offer in terms of ingredients and delicacies grown, cooked or produced locally and naturally.

“We wanted to create greater links between Tanzanian vendors, farmers and suppliers, and the local and expat communities,” explained the WFP’s country director, Richard Ragan, in a report issued by the organisation at the launch of the market in Dar es Salaam.

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The market now has over 20 stands, representing some of the finest artisan food producers from across the nation pupils. The milk is also made into yogurt and a range of cheeses that includes fresh mozzarella, pizza mozzarella, cream cheese, ricotta, asiago, scamorza and caciotta (with chilli or black pepper or plain).

Enterprising One of the most exciting producers to emerge from this new wave of food suppliers is Chocolate Mamas, launched by two enterprising women who now run a production site in Dar es Salaam. As the first and only indigenous producer of gourmet chocolates, the company pays about 20 per cent more than the market value for the cacao beans.

This ensures access to the best local beans as well as nurturing positive working relationships with farmers.

The premium cacao beans are stored, roasted and winnowed at the company’s site. This produces a perfect bean for chocolate production.

The manufacturing process creates a chocolate with no emulsifiers, fat additives, gluten or other chemicals.

The result is a delicious range of milk, dark, cooking and speciality chocolates. The bars are wrapped in eco-friendly packaging with sustainable paper made out of maize husks. The striking paper designs are created by a team of artisans with special needs from the Neema Crafts organisation.

Njombe Milk Factory is a social

dairy that opened in 2002. It employs about 40 people and processes about 3,000 litres of unpasteurised milk daily. Most of the pasteurised fresh milk is distributed to 58 schools across the district, providing milk for over 25,000

Farmers

Fresh food Locals swarm the market

The dairy receives and processes the milk of local farmers, typically families owning one or two cows.

Today it offers a secure income for 400 cattle farmers while giving work directly and indirectly to more than 800 people.

Having a new place to market and

sell their produce has boosted the income of enterprises such as the Regent Estate Senior Women’s Group (RESWO), which has a garden plot and office in Dar es Salaam. Group executive Freda Chale told the WFP: “At the first market we earned TZS 450,000 and at the second TZS 220,000 which is more than we have ever made selling from our office.” RESWO grows various plants and vegetables such as Malabar spinach and blackjack.

The latter can brewed into a tea with lemon grass, ginger and lemon.

RESWO has published two recipe books for Tanzanian traditional food and has also set up gardens in 10 primary schools, five community co-operatives, five other institutions and over 60 home plots.

These companies are now offering an exciting range of produce to a growing number of consumers. They are also generating income for many deprived communities and equipping their workforces with food processing skills. It is hoped their offerings will inspire other entrepreneurs to follow their example and create fresh local artisan food for Tanzanians.

© World Food Programme

The safety of consumers is given top priority by vendors and the organisers insist that products brought to the market should be fresh, unexpired and unspoilt.

The market now has over 20 stands, representing some of the finest artisan food producers from across the nation. They include dried fruit from the Upendo Development Group, jam made by the Bomalang’ombe Village Company and artisan bread by Sweet Rebel Home Bakes. Other companies offer honey, tea, coffee, indigenous herbs, juice, smoothies and even ice cream.

© ppart / Shutterstock.com

TastingTanzania

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Š HÊctor Mediavilla

Sapeurs

Africa’s

By Iga Motylska All pictures courtesy of Guinness ©Héctor Mediavilla

free-wheeling dandies It is difficult to keep up with the rules that govern fashion, but the sapeurs of central Africa are rewriting these rules – and they’re doing it in style.

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streets of Brazzaville are his catwalk.

He is one of many well groomed and perfumed members of the Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (‘society of trend-setters and elegant people’) or La Sape.

Sartorial

© Héctor Mediavilla

You may have seen these African dandies featured in the ‘Made of More’ Guinness advert or Solange’s music video for ‘Losing You’. And perhaps you’ve read ‘The Gentlemen of Bakongo – The Importance of Being Elegant’ by photographer Daniele Tamagni, in which case you will know that this sartorial subculture, inspired by high fashion, is much more than vanity or the self-

© Héctor Mediavilla

rtur* struts around in his brightly coloured threepiece suit, the kind with a pocket square from a high-end designer store in the fashion capitals of Europe. Utmost attention is given to every detail of his outfit: the ensemble between colour and texture; the bowler hat that complements his shoes.

In peacock style, he flaps his suit vents and runs his finger down his silk cravat. Between his lips is an unlit wooden pipe. A stomp of his right foot rouses the dust and directs onlookers’ attention to his crocodile shoes.

This dapper Congolese gentleman is a ‘sapeur’ and the dusty, crumbling

Super smart head to head

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© Héctor Mediavilla

importance of designer labels.

But it’s Guinness that has really brought these extravagant dressers to global prominence.

Sapeurs dismiss such arrogance.

They are humble and uphold a code of honour that is peace-loving and well mannered. Their philosophy is to live with ‘ joie de vivre’. It’s not about the cost of the suit but the worth of the man wearing it.

After work, these blue-collar workers metamorphose into figures of elegance and grandeur; they mimic the lifestyle of white-collar workers. To some, this is excessive and frivolous behaviour in times of hardship. Sapeurs dress beyond their means and many spend the lion’s share of their pay on their wardrobe, yet continue to live in poverty. Like some teenagers, you will not find Artur wearing the same outfit twice.

The cost of maintaining such a lifestyle leads many members to borrow outfits from each another.

There are various theories about the origins of this subculture. It is believed to have begun when the country was still under French rule and the colonials paid their workers with their cast-off clothes. After independence on 15 August 1960 many Congolese studied in France and on their return they donned French attire. Those now living abroad received endless requests for outfits; others who could afford the luxury travelled to Paris to buy signature suits.

The 1970s saw President Mobutu Sese Seko enforce Congolese national identity and indigenous culture; he prohibited all aspects of western influence. The sapeurs, encouraged by musician Papa Wemba, waged an ideological rebellion against the corrupt dictator through their dress.

© Héctor Mediavilla

Sapeurs

For sapeurs such as Artur, it is a way of life. The older generation grooms youngsters to keep the society alive, and the intricacies of the movement are often passed on from father to son. There are sub-groups, too. Members of the Piccadilly Group dress as Scotsmen and even wear kilts. Some sapeurs choose a distinct item of clothing, an accessory, a certain style or colour combination that becomes their idiosyncratic mark.

Sapology To the delight of onlookers, bars are the scenes of friendly jousts; the stomping of feet, twirling of parasols, flipping of bowler hats, swinging of walking sticks, tweaking of bow ties and the flurry of suit jackets draped across shoulders. To them, ‘sapology’ is an art, a science, even a religion.

Across the Congo River in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, there is a similar fashion movement, though not as prominent. And in South Africa there are the smarteez of Soweto – a pun on the brightly-coloured sweets called Smarties. Most of these smart-looking youngsters are fashion designers who use their clothes as a form of self-expression and rebellion against the conformity of mainstream fashion. Unlike the sapeurs, they prefer to use local

A way of life Sapeur society

textiles and many of them make their own outfits. The smarteez are the modern-age pantsulas – fashionable urban black men; but their cause is less politicised because most of them are ‘born frees’ – born into a democratic South Africa where dress knows no colour.

After work, these blue-collar workers metamorphose into figures of elegance and grandeur Being a sapeur is not about the crocodile shoes or being practical for that matter; it is a lifestyle, a form of escapism and expression, despite hardship. *Artur is a fictional character based on the collective sapeurs of Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo.

To view Sapeurs.......

To view the new Guinness advert and watch a feature documentary on the ‘Sapeurs’ please visit www.guinness.com

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KilimanjaroMarathon

All pictures courtesy of Kilimanjaro Marathon

Peak performers enjoy another epic event It’s now a major event – one that is anticipated almost as soon as each year’s races are completed. This, then, is the Kilimanjaro Premium Lager Marathon, held this year on 2 March.

Naturally, fastjet played its part in the event by offering group discounts to runners on fares to and from Kilimanjaro International Airport.

Mountain backdrop Tough road ahead

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KilimanjaroMarathon

W

hile not everyone was able to fully appreciate the view as they try to complete the course, Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Kilimanjaro towers over the runners doing the Full Marathon (42.2 km), Half Marathon (21.1 km), or Fun Run (5 km). Moshi is 890 metres above sea level, so anyone who arrived for the event from sea level needed to get acclimatised to achieve their best performance.

The main race took athletes on a challenging marathon route in and around Moshi. Small children ran alongside competitors for stretches of the road. The event drew runners from all over the world, although the top places were dominated by East African athletes.

The route for the full marathon headed out from the stadium in Moshi and along a fairly flat Dar es Salaam Road and then turned back to the stadium before running the tougher half marathon section of the course, which has a 250 metre gradient over the first 8 km. The route then threaded its way back to the stadium.

Excitement The route passed through many smallholdings, villages and parts of Moshi town as well as banana and coffee plantations and forest.

The races provided tremendous excitement for local residents, who encourage and roar on the runners.

Water points and sponge points are amply supplied along this route at 4 km intervals.

There was also a 10 km wheelchair and hand-cycle race for disabled athletes and an easy 5 km fun run for those not up to the half marathon The lively atmosphere out on the course was nothing, however, compared with the excitement as the runners returned to Moshi

stadium with bands playing and boisterous crowds clearly enjoying the refreshments from sponsors Kilimanjaro Premium Lager.

Travel arrangements and packages to participate in the event were provided by the official tour operator, Wild Frontiers, a Tanzanian inbound operator with its head office in South Africa. The company also has operations in Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Joyous atmosphere Excited runners

Supported For those who did not take part in this year’s event and are looking to enter in 2015, rest assured that the race is fully supported and manned by local organisations. Crowd and traffic control, medical assistance and communications are all provided for.

Official timekeeping is arranged by the organisers, as is an official prize-giving and the event’s main function, which is well attended by local dignitaries.

Here are the results of the 2014 race. In the headline 42.2 km event, Kenya’s David Rutoh romped home in a time of 2 hours 16 mins to claim the TSH 4 million (roughly US$2,500) prize for the winner. He was just ahead of compatriot Julius Kilimo, who also finished in under 2 hours 17 mins, as did third place Victor Serem. Kenya took eight out of the top 10 positions.

In the women’s race, Fridah Lodepa took the laurels and the TSH 4 million cheque for coming home first. Kenyans took nine of the top 10 positions in the full 42.2 km race, with a lone Tanzanian in ninth place.

Times for both the men’s and women’s races were slightly down on 2013.

Tanzanian Jackline Sakilu won the women’s half marathon in a creditable 1 hour 12.43 mins while Alfars Lagat led the way home in the men’s race posting a time of 1 hour 02.37 mins.

For those resident outside East Africa, the organisers have all kinds of packages so that runners can combine the event with other activities, including a series of post-race climbs of Mount Kilimanjaro itself – as if running 42.2 km weren’t enough for some. For those with sore feet and aching limbs, however, there are more relaxing safari packages and even an opportunity to combine the race with gorilla trekking in Rwanda.

What could be more perfect?

2014 42.2 km Full Marathon Prize Winners WOMEN Pos. Name

Age

Nationality

1 Fridah Lodepa 2 Joan Rojich 3 Jackling Kithia MEN

32 25 26

Kenyan Kenyan Kenyan

Pos. Name

Age

Nationality

1 2 3

28 34 28

Kenyan Kenyan Kenyan

David Rutoh Julius Kilimo Victor Serem

Time

2:40:26 2:44:24 2:56:12 Time

2:16:06 2:16:19 2:16:31

2014 21.1 km Half Marathon Prize Winners WOMEN Pos. Name

Age

Nationality

Time

1 Jackline Sakilu 2 Cynthia Towett 3 Naomi Maiyo MEN

27 25 24

Tanzanian Kenyan Kenyan

1:12:43 1:14:35 1:17:49

Pos. Name

Age

Nationality

Time

1 2 3

27 22 37

Kenyan Tanzanian Kenyan

1:02:37 1:03:08 1:03:23

Alfers Lagat Silah Limo Kenneth Kandie

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?

ZAMBIA Why visit

How long have you got?

W

hen, many years ago, I first saw the Zambia Tourist Board exhibiting at a major international travel trade show I thought: “Why would anyone in their right mind want to go to Zambia for a holiday?”

Well, shame on me for my ignorance. Yet at that time – and we are going back some 20 years – Zambia seemed a most unattractive destination. The country was an economic basket case and a byword for how not to run a post-colonial economy. At independence in 1964 Zambia had the highest income per capita of any African state. By the early 1990s the country was on its uppers, massively in debt, the shelves in supermarkets were empty

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and the kwacha virtually worthless.

Fast forward several years and, helped in part by resurgent copper prices, Zambia has regained its economic lustre. Today, Lusaka is hardly recognisable from the fly-blown capital of the 1980s and 1990s and is now listed of the world’s fastest growing economies.

I’ve been to Zambia on many occasions since that first unfortunate encounter at the trade show and I never tire of visiting one of Africa’s truly great destinations.

Not only does Zambia offer a warm welcome to visitors; but it’s a vast and largely underpopulated country with varying landscapes that (apart from Livingstone) are still off the beaten track.

So, to celebrate fastjet’s new Dar es Salaam to Lusaka service, I would like to share my love of Zambia with others. Not everyone will agree with my choices, but here is a list of my favourite things to see and do in Zambia:

By Gary Gimson

VisitZambia

A vision of beauty Victoria Falls

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This is a statement of the obvious, but a visit to Victoria Falls (Mosi-oa-Tunya) has to be top of the agenda in any visit to Zambia.

Take a helicopter ride – or better still a whiteknuckle micro-light flight – over the falls. Try to avoid the end of the dry season when the cascading water can become a trickle. >

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2

Still in Livingstone, I would also recommend the world’s best white water rafting in Batoka Gorge; or, in contrast, a leisurely early evening spent sipping a G&T on the ‘African Queen’.

3

Dine on the Royal Livingstone Express. This venerable steam train leaves Livingstone twice weekly for a short evening excursion on the Mulobezi line. It may not be the Blue Train or the Venice-Simplon Orient Express, but the food (from memory there are seven delicious courses) is spot-on and prepared by chiefs from Sun International.

6

A trip to Kafue National Park. This 22,400 sq km game park is home to a mere handful of camps and lodges. If I may offer a further personal tip, stay at McBrides’ Camp for a truly authentic back-to-basics safari experience.

7

Stay overnight at Shiwa Ng’andu. Set in Northern Province, this magnificent English country house was made famous by Christina Lamb in her excellent and controversial book, ‘The Africa House’. Don’t be put off by the long drive. It’s worth it when you get there.

Resting lion Kafue National Park

4

Go tigerfish fishing in Lower Zambezi National Park, one of Africa’s last great wilderness areas. LZNP is among the continent’s best administered parks, with firstclass accommodation for those who can afford it, plus more modestly priced properties geared specifically to anglers.

5

See the annual migration of bats in Kasanka National Park. Unfortunately, the window of opportunity to view this spectacular event is limited. In late October each year very large numbers of gigantic straw-coloured fruit bats fill the sky and gather in a small area of the park. It’s certainly a sight worth seeing.

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VisitZambia

Annual bat migration Kasanka National Park

8 9

Play a round at Nchanga Golf Club. Located in the Copperbelt town of Chingola, Nchanga is regarded by many as one of the world’s finest; yet the course is almost unknown outside Zambia.

Go on a walking safari in South Luangwa National Park. Walking through the park with a guide and ranger provides an entirely new perspective on nature and is much more fun than sitting in a vehicle.

10

Eat at Steaks ‘n’ Grills.

Despite the somewhat misleading name, this is the Taj Pamodzi Hotel’s restaurant and my absolute favourite in Lusaka.

Great Indian-style cuisine (but also Zambian and Continental dishes) in a classy setting where the comparatively modest bill doesn’t seem to match the delightful surroundings and tip-top service.

My list is far from exhaustive and others will have their own favourites; but I whole-heartedly recommend each and every one.

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FreeThings

By Iga Motylska

© Arts on Main

© Arts on Main

Jozi’s guide to free things

T

he afternoon sun signals the DJ to start playing music and the rooftop of Arts on Main (Sundays from 10 am. Main Street. www.marketonmain.co.za) is transformed into an open-air dance floor. It is lined with foot-tapping Jo’burgers as they sip cocktails and bid farewell to the weekend.

The flurry of skirts and synchronised salsa footwork is interspersed with the sensual kizomba and the three-step bachata. Dancers of all ages and levels interact, with the experienced dancers inviting onlookers for a twirl. Join in – you don’t have to dance a particular style to have fun. The bar provides

respite with its refreshments and the market downstairs offers delicious artisanal food. The music and dancing continue after the market closes at 3 pm.

© Arts on Main

There is much to do in the city of gold, even if you don’t have much gold in your pockets. Travelsmart gives you the lowdown on free things to do when visiting Johannesburg.

Arts on Main Night market

Markets While Johannesburg may not be the World Design Capital like Cape Town, the city is peppered with many design and decor markets. Don’t miss Collective (first Sunday of the month, 10 am to 4 pm. 3 Desmond Street, Kramerville. www.collectivejhb.com) for a gathering of over 30 designers and collectors. If you can’t make it to the market, the whole block specialises in the latest trends.

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© Northcliff Ridge Ecopark

Jo’burg landmarks Why not pack sundowners and snacks and bring along a companion to watch the sunset from Northcliff Ridge Ecopark (sunrise to sunset. Lucky Avenue, Northcliff. www.northcliffecopark.org), the second-highest point in Johannesburg at 1,807 metres. It misses out on the title to Observatory Ridge by one metre. Perhaps to compensate for this, a water tower was built on its summit in 1939 to elevate its height. Today, it is a beacon of direction for locals. Northcliff Ridge faces northwards towards the Magaliesberg mountains. It also overlooks the northern suburbs of Sandton as well as the Rosebank and Cresta malls.

On the other side of the hill is the centre of Johannesburg with its iconic landmarks, Ponte City Apartments and Hillbrow Tower, which make for beautiful photographs, too. Don’t forget your tripod if you want to capture panoramas of the twinkling roads at twilight.

The kite flyers told me to remind you to bring along something warm for the updraft. As you descend, eat at one of the many restaurants along Beyers Naude Drive or dine at Cresta Mall, which you saw from above.

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With 2,343 parks and nature reserves in Johannesburg, it’s no surprise that the city is one of the greenest. Not many cities can brag

Evening entertainment Night markets

The flurry of skirts and synchronised salsa footwork is interspersed with the sensual kizomba and the threestep bachata about having a nature reserve only 10 km from the city centre. Johannesburg’s largest nature reserve is the 680 hectare Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve (sunrise to sunset.

Peggy Vera Road, Johannesburg South. www.klipriviersberg.org.za), where zebra, buck and 240 other species of mammal roam freely.

You’ll also encounter birdwatchers with binoculars because there are over 200 bird species in the area.

With nine walking and hiking trails

of varying difficulty, one can easily spend a whole day here.

Contemporary The Goodman Art Gallery (Closed on Mondays. 163 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood. Tel: +27 (0)11-788-1113) is home to 40 contemporary African artists, from visual artist William Kentridge and photographer David Goldblatt to Zimbabwean artist Kudzanai Chiurai. Yes, it is the same gallery that opposed apartheid and

© Arts on Main

FreeThings

Botanical Gardens

Lots of choice Jo’burg is full of food markets

© Arts on Main

in 2012 exhibited Brett Murray’s painting ‘The Spear’, which depicted South African President Jacob Zuma exposed and caused a furore in its wake.

If you’d like to discover the city through the eyes of a local, it’s worth joining the Johannesburg instagrammers (@Igersjozi) as they walk the city during their instameets. This friendly crowd will show you parts of their home town that are unexplored even by some who live there. If you’re a curious snapper, like me, try an excursion with the www.meetup. com Jo’burg Photowalkers. Many of their trips are free and sometimes the organisers get complimentary passes for the group. Who knows, you may even learn a nifty trick or two from the pros.

Grab a book and picnic basket and head to the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens (sunrise to sunset.

Olifants Road, Emmarentia. www.jhbcityparks.com).

Watch rowers, canoeists and sailors train on Emmarentia Dam, then feed the ducks before retreating to a quiet spot under the oak trees. The whole garden can be visited along the pathways without backtracking. Stroll through the rose garden on your way out.

Greenside, a popular street-side neighbourhood and night-time watering hole, is just around the corner.

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LOOK INSIDE Ndarakwai Ranch

A

© Ndarakwai Ranch

nd now for something a little different. Travelsmart has profiled smart city-centre hotels, fine lodges and elegant resorts, but this is the magazine’s first ever ranch review.

Ndarakwai Ranch is unique in Tanzania. Set in 4,500 hectares on the slopes of western Kilimanjaro, this is a privately owned property with its own safari camp. The ranch began in 1995 as an experiment in self-sustaining conservation; preserving a variety of habitats that are home to over 70 mammal species and some 350 bird types.

The ranch is run by Peter Jones

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and his son Eric. “When I found it, the ranch and buildings were pretty much abandoned,” says Peter. “The land was being overgrazed by neighbouring cattle and there was a lot of poaching and tree-cutting going on. It really didn’t look like much at all, but I saw the potential. I wanted to experiment with conservation and land rehabilitation, so I took it on – and in spite of friends thinking me crazy.”

Vital routes Today, Ndarakwai is an important part of the Amboseli/Ngasurai ecosystem and helps to maintain vital seasonal elephant routes. Many

© Ndarakwai Ranch

Oh, give me a home, where the elephant roam… species (bushbuck, giraffe, Grant’s gazelle, hyena, impala, lesser kudu, warthog, waterbuck and wildebeest) are now permanent residents on the ranch, while others (including eland, elephant, buffalo, cheetah and zebra) use Ndarakwai on a purely seasonal basis.

Ndarakwai Camp is a permanent tented lodge on the property. With views of both Mount Kilimanjaro and Mount Meru, the camp is nestled in a forest of fig and yellow-barked acacias that line the seasonal Ngare Nairobi River (North).

The camp comprises 15 en-suite tents with thatched roofs, a large

Typical So how would Peter describe a typical Ndarakwai Camp guest? “He or she is either doing a safari in Tanzania or climbing Kilimanjaro. We are at the base of the western route up the mountain, which is considered one of the nicest. Safari guests

© Ndarakwai Ranch

© Ndarakwai Ranch

dining, bar and lounge area right alongside the river, and a spacious pavilion for meetings, seminars and talks and even for yoga.

Mealtimes are flexible and can be arranged with a guide and the camp managers. Picnic lunches, bush breakfasts, plus a bush campfire and a bar, offer an alternative to meals in camp. In the evening guests can gather round either of two indoor fireplaces, or round an outdoor campfire for snacks and sundowners.

Guests may glimpse the forbidding outlines of elephants as they ‘ghost’ past the camp, or hear the sound of bushbuck outside their tents, or the cries of big-eyed bush babies in the nearby trees. Delightful.

“I believe that people are looking for smaller, more intimate places to stay” also come to Ndarakwai for the walking, night game drives and [to visit] Maasai communities in the area. These are all activities not available in most of Tanzania’s national parks. I believe that people are looking for smaller, more intimate places to stay.”

Unique Ndarakwai Ranch

Guests generally stay for two to three nights, while keen birders or photographers tend to be there for longer.

Of course, there are no guarantees in terms of wildlife viewing.

“Our ranch is not fenced, so we have whatever wildlife species chooses to come and live here,” says Peter.

“This means that we always have to be at the very top of our game when it comes to security and antipoaching. An area of 10,000 acres is about the home range of just one

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LOOK INSIDE

© Ndarakwai Ranch

© Brian Derballa

© Brian Derballa

© Ndarakwai Ranch

Ndarakwai Ranch

cost. We aim to be East Africa’s most efficient sustainable camp.”

Thus, for example, meals are prepared using propane stoves and insulated clay ovens. Candlelit and kerosene lanterns provide romantic evening light. All electricity is derived from solar panels, with a rare occasional top-up by generator.

Locally sourced Ndarakwai Camp was built by, and is staffed by, people from nearby villages. Materials for the tents, the poles for construction and grass for thatching are all local. The ranch grows most of its own vegetables or buys from neighbouring farms. Trees felled by elephants provide the firewood.

Prices vary as Ndarakwai has high season and low season rates as well as various packages. A stay at Ndarakwai starts from about US$150 per person (sharing) per day. That includes conservation fees and activities.

Ndarakwai is an easy drive from Moshi or Arusha and 75 minutes from Kilimanjaro International Airport. There is also an airstrip nearby, Ngare Nairobi, that can be

Ndarakwai Ranch Built and staffed by local people

used by private aircraft and charters.

This easy drive means that guests can use their own vehicle (accompanied by a ranger) for game viewing once at Ndarakwai. “The rangers know where the animals are and also know the ranch boundaries,” says Peter.

Ranger-accompanied walks are also a feature of any stay at Ndarakwai. “For one thing you can’t walk elsewhere in any of the national parks, so it’s a great chance to really get the feel of the bush and see the small stuff. We have professional guides on staff to lead the walk, which can be as long or as short as the guests are comfortable with.”

So Ndarakwai is indeed different on so many levels. It’s certainly worth two days of anyone’s time.

© Ndarakwai Ranch

female cheetah in the Serengeti; so while Ndarakwai seems large, we actually have trouble keeping some predators. We do have a resident population of leopard – all very shy, but we see their tracks and kills. We also have hyena, both striped and spotted. Over the years several lions have visited the ranch, but they find the area too small to consider staying permanently.”

The camp places a strong emphasis on its eco-credentials. “I feel that it’s important to be as sustainable as possible,” explains Peter. “The term used to be ‘eco-friendly’, but ‘sustainable’ generally includes the communities in the area as well.

Resources are limited and we all need to make the very best use of what we have. There is no mains electricity, so solar was the only realistic way to go. Hot water is also heated by the sun. ‘Sustainable’ is also a very traditional way of living in Africa, so it’s something that fits nicely with local traditions and ethics. We are always trying to optimise our operations to fit within the available resources, technology and

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT Steaks ‘n’ Grills

For the best steak in town

A

s a general rule I’m not mad about hotel restaurants.

They always seem to lack a certain something in terms of passion or are just too ‘corporate’ for their own good.

There are exceptions, of course.

The Tatu Restaurant at Fairmont The Norfolk in Nairobi springs immediately to mind. But most are very average and cater largely for a particular hotel’s own guests and do not expect to see too many locals.

So, in spite of my own prejudices, I whole-heartedly recommend Steaks ‘n’ Grills at the Taj Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka.

Ambience The Taj Pamodzi may be the epitome of corporate hospitality, but Steaks ‘n’ Grills is anything but a business restaurant. For a start, it’s open only in the evenings and its decor and discreet location in the hotel set it apart from the rest of the property.

Featuring a thatched roof and open windows overlooking the pool, Steaks ‘n’ Grills offers a rustic and ethnic ambience with more than a hint of romance.

Despite the name, the emphasis is on Indian cuisine with six or seven such dishes from which to choose. Yet the restaurant does a memorable chargrilled sirloin steak with olive mash and it serves plenty of other grilled dishes, including a few odd ones. Continental and Zambian delicacies also crowd the menu: wasabi-infused king

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prawns, charcoal-roasted quail (with green olives, almonds, couscous and oregano), Italian chicken parmigianino and pan-seared Nile perch are all recommended.

The classy jazz band is unobtrusive, but loud enough to enjoy, managing to set just the right balance in terms of repertoire and volume.

During the cooler winter evenings – don’t forget we are eating alfresco – diners are warmed by hot braziers placed on the floor alongside tables.

These fiery braziers certainly add to the atmosphere, but can result in being overheated on one side and cold on the other.

For some, Steaks ‘n’ Grills might be a bit on the pricey side; but for sheer value for money, I believe the restaurant cannot be matched anywhere in Lusaka.

Diners are warmed by hot braziers placed on the floor alongside tables So, with superb food, spot-on service and an air of romance capable of winning over the flintiest of hearts, Steaks ‘n’ Grills is hard to fault.

Rustic and ethnic Restaurant interior

Sirloin steak Recommended dish

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CAR REVIEW BMW X5

By Karl Peskett

‘Getaway’ driving just got more efficient

B

MW’s original sport utility vehicle, the X5, has been updated recently; and while it’s dependable transport with a solid build and plenty of room, there is more capability to be discovered.

Staring across the sand, the man turns to his friend and points to the approaching car. “This’ll be interesting,” he says with a smile. But his mirth turns to incredulity as the car gets closer, churning up the sand.

There was no way a BMW should have got through that. But it did.

Its off-road ability is a hidden quality of the BMW X5 that most owners don’t know about. This is no ‘soccer mum’ car. The X5 is capable enough to ensure it won’t faint at the sight of a pebble.

Efficiency Car-like handling on-road, good ground clearance off-road, smooth styling and excellent build have always been among the appealing qualities of the X5. So why update it?

One word: efficiency.

The scalloped design of the front bumper, small cut-outs behind the wheel arches and tiny flaps before each wheel reduce drag, making the X5 about 17 per cent more fuelefficient across the range.

BMW X5 M50d

BMW X5 xDRIVE50i

Consumption

Consumption

Urban (ltr/100km)

7.6

Urban (ltr/100km)

Extra-urban (ltr/100km)

6.2

Extra-urban (ltr/100km)

8.3

Combined (ltr/100km)

6.7

Combined (ltr/100km)

10.4

CO2 emissions (g/km)

177

CO2 emissions (g/km)

244

Tank capacity (ltr)

85

Tank capacity (ltr)

Performance Top speed (km/h) Acceleration 0-62 mph (sec)

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14.0

85

Performance 250 5.3

Top speed (km/h)

250

Acceleration 0-62 mph (sec)

5.0

Hidden qualities Off-road ability

Car-like handling on-road, good ground clearance off-road, smooth styling and excellent build have always been among the appealing qualities of the X5

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CAR REVIEW BMW X5

Turbochargers also help with efficiency. The X5 M50d, for example, has three turbochargers instead of the usual one or two. The set-up virtually eliminates turbo lag but allows a 0 to 100 km per hour sprint of just 5.3 seconds. Not bad for a spacious, luxury SUV. It also handles as well as a sports saloon. Take hold of the chunky steering wheel and you’ll swear you’re driving something that weighs 500 kg less. It changes direction with mini-

mal body roll and inspires confidence to press on. The steering could use more feel, although the suspension makes up for any misgivings with a brilliant ride.

Cosmetic Inside, the changes from the previous X5 are subtle. There are the usual cosmetic enhancements including new chrome trim, larger storage areas and cup holders.

But the real story is saved for the iDrive controller. It now features a ‘touch-capacitive’ top, so that with a finger you can ‘write’ letters on the dial and it will narrow down lists like an address book or a navigation destination. No need to watch the screen; as long as you scribble a letter or number, the system is smart

X5 interior Subtle changes

enough to recognise the character.

Easy-clean leather seats, superb traction control, a huge trunk, roof rails and proper off-road ability; whether it’s camping in the desert or traversing mountains to a ski resort, the X5 is absolutely built for getting away from it all.

Excellent build X5 qualities

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BOOK REVIEW

Abraham’s People – A Kenyan Dynasty

By Jane Barsby

Hotel chain founder who fled Russia in a cattle ship

I

n the 1964 musical ‘Fiddler on the Roof’, the central character, Reb Tevye, uses a combination of humour and hardihood to cope with life as a Jewish peasant in the fiercely anti-Semitic world of tsarist Russia. He dreams of a better life, but knows he can never escape his destiny.

If Tevye had somehow managed to get away from Russia and start building on his dreams, he might have been the role model for reallife Jewish refugee and successful entrepreneur Abraham Block.

Great heights From his roots in Lithuania, where Jews were also persecuted by the tsarist regime, via the grim backstreets of northern England, to war service in South Africa and then his successful business career in Kenya and eventual rise to great heights in the East African hotel sector, the life of Abraham Block is a truly remarkable story.

His escape from Russia, for example, reads like a piece of fiction.

Conscripted into the Russian army at the age of 12, Abraham was smuggled to England on board a cattle ship and later made his way to South Africa. Inspired by British promises of a Jewish homeland in Kenya, he arrived in Mombasa in 1903 with two ponies, a sack of potato seeds, £25 and the clothes he stood up in.

Like Reb Tevye, he had considerable resources of both courage and humour; qualities that enabled him to stay on terms with people across a wide spectrum of classes and races while steadily improving his lot and

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Conscripted into the Russian army at the age of 12, Abraham was smuggled to England on board a cattle ship and later made his way to South Africa

seeing to the needs of his family and loved ones.

He was also capable, resourceful and determined. In the course of a long career, Abraham Block traded in everything from pigs to carpets, and from mattresses to land, eventually acquiring Nairobi’s iconic Norfolk and New Stanley hotels.

Challenge Little wonder that English-born writer Jane Barsby was so eager to take up the challenge when invited to write Abraham’s life story by his grandson, Jeremy Block.

Jane Barsby, who has lived in Kenya since 1991, writes the kind of clear and entertaining prose that makes reading any book a pure pleasure. Jane has chosen to present the Abraham

Block story in the form of a biographical novel rather than, in her own words, ‘a dry recitation of facts’. Some liberties have been taken with dates and characters, but all such instances are covered by footnotes.

Whatever the merits or otherwise of such an approach to the life story of an actual person, Jane has produced a real page-turner. So vivid are her accounts of each romantic encounter, each canny deal, that you are swept up in the adventure.

The book is nicely presented, with clear layouts and a big selection of black-and-white photographs of the Block family and many of the buildings and places associated with Abraham Block. It also contains personal tributes, a bibliography and detailed endnotes.

QUOTE

1904 An early photograph

‘Abraham’s People’ is available in all good book stores across East Africa; or by application to janebarsby@africaonline.co.ke

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PRODUCT REVIEW Smart watches

‘Smart’ watches or smart marketing?

T

he headlong technological rush to grab a bigger slice of the burgeoning gadget markets took a new turn in 2013 with the arrival of the first so-called smartwatches.

In this issue of Travel Smart we look at three of the market leaders and investigate the future of this wearable technology.

Reality is never far behind science fiction, so perhaps it was inevitable that smart phones and tablets would eventually lead to wearable devices that you can interact with all day long. The day is not yet here when computers can be fused with the human body; but perhaps smart-

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watches are a step closer as they bring the hardware into contact with the skin and, in many cases, use data from the body to aid health and sports activities.

Limited In general, however, the smartwatch is just an extension of a smartphone and the two must be in close proximity, connected together using low-energy Bluetooth. The functionality of the first smartwatches is pretty limited in comparison with their paired devices, so it is very much a development area for many manufacturers.

Users can keep track of incom-

ing messages to their phone without taking it out of the case or bag. Some have small cameras, calls can be answered, and there are apps that can be downloaded to increase functionality, although these are still quite limited.

Of the three devices reviewed here – Samsung’s Galaxy Gear, Sony’s SmartWatch and the Pebble – each has its pros and cons as well as different functionality. Some are already in their second or third generation.

Samsung unveiled its first attempts as

Specifications:

Samsung Galaxy Gear

Sony SmartWatch

the Pebble

Dimension: 36 x 36 x 8 mm

Dimension: 52 × 36 × 11.5mm

Dimension: 56.6 x 36.8 x 11.1mm

Weight: 41.5g

Weight: 38g

Weight: 73.8g

Typical usage time: 3-4 days

Typical usage time: 5-7 days

Typical usage time: 1-2 days

Connectivity: Bluetooth® v 3.0

Connectivity: Bluetooth® v 4.0

Connectivity: Bluetooth® v 4.0

Operating system: Android

Operating system: Pebble OS (Works with iOS and Android

Operating system: Android

recently as September 2013; and while most reviews were critical of design and operation, later-generation devices are an improvement.

Samsung’s Android-based Galaxy Gear is the most expensive at US$ 420 although this includes a camera.

Serving as a companion for other Galaxy devices operating under Android 4.3, it also has a speech interface with a microphone and speaker to allow you to conduct a telephone call via your wrist.

The Sony SmartWatch will pair with any Android NFC device by simply touching devices. It is considerably cheaper at around US$ 185 but has no camera. It does, however,

feature a compass and GPS and can be used as a remote phone.

The Pebble, priced at US$ 220, with a black and white e-paper display, can connect to both Android and iPhone devices. It has the longest battery life of the three, quoted at five to seven days, and, unlike the others, is fully waterproof rather than just water resistant.

Development In a new development, the Sony SmartBand, released in March 2014 at a price of US$ 135, is different again. Designed to be worn 24 hours a day, it has no screen and records on your phone everything you

do, including places visited, music listened to, games played and books read, by connecting to an Android app called Lifelog. It also provides message notifications.

An iWatch from Apple is also rumoured to be in the pipeline.

The jury is still out on whether these devices are passing fads or will become commonplace in the future.

However, with several million already shipped, they are becoming an ‘almost must have’ accessory.

However, if the advent of the smartphone meant that you were never out of contact, then with smartwatches, perhaps there really is no escape from the office.

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LATEST RELEASES bookworm BLACK ROCK

By Louise Hoole Should ambition cease with death? Napoleon Bonaparte doesn’t think so. His ghost is actually hungrier than ever.

The exiled leader of France has no intention of allowing his premature end to thwart his destiny or threaten his legacy. Set in 1821 on the remote Atlantic island of St Helena during the week between Napoleon’s death and burial, this historical whodunit examines what powerful men do in narrowed circumstances and what ordinary men do when their lives collide with the exceptional.

Louise Hoole draws on the letters and memoirs of those exiled on St Helena to bring to life the complex machinations of those who made up Napoleon’s last court. Author Louise Hoole was born in England, spent part of her childhood on St Helena and now lives in Dar es Salaam. Her other books include ‘Seven Wonders’ (about the world heritage sites of Tanzania), ‘Talking to the Ancestors’ (about African art) and ‘Mud, Pirates, Jellyfish and Gas’ (about deepwater oil and gas exploration).

THE BIRDS OF EAST AFRICA

By Terry Stevenson and John Fanshawe In hardcover and paperback.

East Africa is one of the most spectacular regions in the world for birdwatching. This small and compact book covers all resident, migrant and vagrant birds of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. It describes and illustrates a remarkable 1,388 species in convenient facingpage layout. There are 287 new colour plates with 3,400 images by three experienced artists. Set opposite the plates are range maps and concise accounts describing identification, status, range, habits and voice for each species.

Book reviews are supplied by A Novel Idea – one of East Africa’s best bookshops and providing reading matter to suit all tastes with stores in Arusha, Dar es Salaam and Iringa. www.anovelidea.co.tz

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THE LUMINARIES

By Eleanor Catton Winner of the Man Booker Prize in 2013 and described as “a dazzling feat of a novel”, the book is organised according to astrological principles so that characters are associated with signs of the zodiac or the sun and moon and interact with each other according to the predetermined movement of the heavens. In 1866 Walter Moody goes to the New Zealand goldfields to make his fortune. He encounters a tense gathering of 12 local men, who have met in secret to discuss a series of unsolved crimes. A wealthy man has vanished, a whore has tried to end her life and an enormous fortune has been discovered in the home of a luckless drunk. Moody is soon drawn into the mystery – a network of fates and fortunes as complex as the night sky.

MUST READ...

WE NEED NEW NAMES

By NoViolet Bulawayo Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize, this is a powerful story of a young girl’s journey out of Zimbabwe to America. Darling is only 10 years old, yet she must navigate a fragile and violent world. In Zimbabwe she and her friends steal guavas, try to get the baby out of young Chipo’s belly and grasp at memories of the time before their homes were destroyed by paramilitary policemen, the school closed and their fathers left for dangerous jobs abroad. But Darling has a chance to escape; she has an aunt in America. She travels to this new land in search of its famous abundance only to find that, as an immigrant, her options are perilously few. NoViolet Bulawayo’s debut novel calls to mind the great stories of displacement by such authors as Junot Díaz, Zadie Smith and J.M. Coetzee.

BlockBusters

STAR FILMS...

12 YEARS A SLAVE Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael K. Williams, Michael Fassbender Director: Steve McQueen Genre: Biography This Oscar-winning film is based on the true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. In the face of cruelty from a malevolent slave owner, portrayed

by Michael Fassbender – as well as unexpected kindnesses – Solomon struggles not only to stay alive but to retain his dignity. In the 12th year of his amazing journey, Solomon’s life is changed forever by a chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt).

UNDER THE SKIN Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Paul Brannigan, Jessica Mance Director: Jonathan Glazer Genre: Horror, sci-fi, thriller Scarlett Johansson plays an alien seductress who preys on hitchhikers. In the persona of a beautiful young woman, the alien travels the country in a Transit van, picking up men and harvesting their bodies. But her encounter with a lonely and disfigured man leads to an identity crisis as she becomes more conscious of her human body. Many of the scenes in which Johansson’s character picks up men were filmed on the streets of Glasgow and in other Scottish locations using non-actors, unscripted conversations and hidden cameras.

AMERICAN HUSTLE Starring: Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Bradley Cooper Director: David O. Russell Genre: Comedy crime thriller ‘American Hustle’ is a highly enjoyable period heist movie from the director of ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ and ‘The Fighter’. Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale) is a successful con artist working with his partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams). When the pair end up working for FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper), they enter a world of murderous mobsters which they may or may not get out of alive. ‘American Hustle’ is a crime caper with an amazing cast fortified with performances by Robert DeNiro, Jeremy Renner and Jack Huston.

THE RAILWAY MAN Starring: Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Hiroyuki Sanada Director: Jonathan Teplitzky Genre: Biography, drama Eric Lomax was one of thousands of Allied prisoners of war forced to work on the construction of the Thai/Burma railway.

His experiences, after the secret radio he built to bring news and hope to his colleagues was discovered, left him traumatised and shut off from the world. Years later, he met Patti, a beautiful woman, on a train and fell in love. Patti was determined to rid Eric of his demons. Discovering that the young Japanese officer who haunted her husband was still alive, she faced a terrible decision.

Should Eric be given a chance to confront his tormentor?

JACK RYAN: SHADOW RECRUIT Starring: Chris Pine, Kevin Costner, Keira Knightley, Kenneth Branagh Director: Kenneth Branagh Writers: Adam Cozad, David Koepp Genre: Action, drama, thriller Based on the character created by Tom Clancy, the story follows Jack Ryan (Chris Pine) from 9/11, through a scarring tour of duty in Afghanistan, and into the Financial Intelligence Unit of the CIA where he works under Harper (Kevin Costner). When Ryan believes he has uncovered a Russian plot to collapse the United States economy, he goes from being an analyst to becoming a spy dedicated saving countless lives, including that of his fiancée, Cathy (Keira Knightley).

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CLASSIFIEDS

P.O. Box 3030, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Tel: +255 (0) 22 264 7620 info@hotelwhitesands.com

www.hotelwhitesands.com

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CORNER Q: What did the big watch hand say to the small hand?

Q. Why was the broom late?

A. It over swept!

Q: What can you hold without touching it?

“Got a minute?”

A: A conversation.

Q. What kind of hair do oceans have?

A. Wavy!

Q: On what nuts can pictures hang?

Q: Why are rivers lazy?

A: Because they never get off their beds.

Q. Why did the child study in the aeroplane?

A. He wanted a higher education!

Q: What cat lives in the ocean?

A: Walnuts

riDDle me this...

A: An octopus

SILLY JOKES!

Q. What runs but never walks?

A. Water!

Q. How do you make milk shake?

A. Give it a good scare!

Q. What’s red and flies and wobbles at the same time?

A. A jelly copter!

Q. Waiter, this soup tastes funny?

A. Then why aren’t you laughing!

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TRAVEL INFO visA inFormAtion Most nationals require visas to enter East Africa. Citizens from the five East African states require no visas while those from the Common Market of East and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states have relaxed entry requirements into East Africa.

However, East African member states have their own visa requirements for various nationals.

tanzanian visas All foreigners from non-Commonwealth countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have agreements with Tanzania under which the visa requirement is waived.

Exemptions: Citizens of Commonwealth countries are not required to obtain visas unless they are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, New Zealand or Australia.

Tanzanian visas are issued by the following: • The office of the Director of Immigration Services, Dar es Salaam, and the office of the Principal Immigration Officer, Zanzibar.

• Entry points to the United Republic of Tanzania: principally Namanga, Tunduma, Sirari, Horohoro, Kigoma Port, Dar es Salaam International Airport, Kilimanjaro International Airport, Zanzibar Harbour and Zanzibar Airport.

• Any other gazetted entry point.

• From Tanzania High Commissions or embassies abroad.

For more information on Tanzanian diplomatic missions visit: www.tanzania.go.tz

heAlth Vaccination requirements for international travellers • No cholera vaccination certificates are required of travellers coming from all over the world.

• Only valid yellow fever vaccination certificates are required of all travellers over one year old, arriving from yellow fever infected countries mainly in central and West

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south African visas Visitors’ visas are a requirement for many travellers entering South Africa on a temporary basis. The purpose of visit can be for either business or leisure but is restricted to 90 days or less when using a visitors’ visa. For longer trips a different type of visa is required and information regarding this can be obtained from the Department of Home Affairs.

The visa application must be produced on arrival and visitors are restricted to the activities given as the reason for travel during the visa application process. For a smooth trip, ensure that visas are applied for before departure as they are not issued on arrival in South Africa. Moreover, the visa must be fixed to a passport and shown to immigration upon landing. Visa applications do not need to be submitted in person but can be submitted on behalf of the traveller, for example, by a travel agent.

There are other visa requirements that must be adhered to for entry into South Africa: • A valid passport needs to be produced which must not expire for at least 30 days after the duration of the intended visit • At least one full, unused page left in the passport • Travellers also require a completed application for visa form • A yellow fever vaccination certificate if over one year of age and travelling from a yellow fever belt country • Documentation confirming the purpose of stay • Two colour passport photographs • A return or onward ticket is also a necessity There is a fee associated with obtaining a visa, this fee can change often but can be checked by contacting the Department of Home Affairs in South Africa. For this and further information on visa requirements for entering South Africa visit www.home-affairs.gov.za

Africa, South and Central America South East Asia, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh.

• Vaccination for international travellers are obtainable from all international air and sea ports, city and major municipal councils NB: Make sure you get your yellow fever shot in good time since the yellow fever certificate is valid for travel use 10 days after vaccination.

The fastjet

network Kilimanjaro Mwanza Mbeya

Dar es Salaam

TANZANIA

ZAMBIA Lusaka

Johannesburg

SOUTH AFRICA bAGGAGe sAvvy Airlines have varying baggage rules that can often be confusing and can lead to unforeseen costs at the airport. An outline of the fastjet baggage guidelines will help make your flight smooth and enjoyable.

If booked prior to departure each passenger is entitled to one bag that can be checked in and placed in the hold at the cost of R60 or Tsh 10,000. If hold baggage is not booked in advance it is still possible to check one bag per passenger into the hold while at the airport on the day of departure, this is at the cost of R100 or Tsh 15,000. All baggage being checked into the hold must weigh less than 20 kg but if baggage weighs more than 20 kg arrangements can be made to carry it at an additional cost of R50 per kilo. However, maximum weight for any single piece of hold baggage is 32 kg due to health and safety restrictions and no passenger can check in more than 50 kg of baggage.

a maximum of 56 x 45 x 25 cm and anything measuring larger than this must be checked and placed in the hold. However, hand baggage must be able to be placed in and retrieved from the overhead lockers safely but there is no weight restriction on hand luggage. If hand baggage is larger than the specified dimensions it will be necessary to check this into the hold at the specified fees and charges. Infants travelling without a seat do not have hand baggage allowance.

For further rules on fastjet’s baggage allowances please visit www.fastjet.com

Each passenger is entitled to carry only one item of hand luggage, which could be one brief case, one handbag, a rucksack or a suit or dress carrier. Hand baggage can measure

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FLEET INFO

FASTJET CONTACTS TANZANIA

Airbus A319 QUICK FACTS Length: Wingspan:

33.84 m / 111 ft

Height:

11.76 m / 38 ft 7 in

34.1 m / 111 ft 11 in

Maximum capacity: 156 seats

23.78 m / 78 ft

Range: 6,850 km / 3,700 Nm

Cabin length: Maximum speed:

Mach 0.82

Number of aircraft:

3

fastjet Tanzania & Dar es Salaam ticketing & reservations office Plot No 767/39, Samora Avenue

Sales: +255 767 007 903 Tel: +255 222 125 912/3 Email: sales.tanzania@fastjet.com

fastjet Arusha ticketing & reservations office Blue Plaza, 2nd Floor, Indian Street

Tel: +255 (0)27 254 5211 Tel: +255 (0)783 540 540

fastjet Zanzibar ticketing & reservations office Cine Afrique Building, Stone Town

Tel: +255 (0)24 223 5110 Tel: +255 (0)762 540 540

Kilimanjaro International Airport Tel: +255 (0)756 540 540 Tel: +255 (0)27 255 4282 Mwanza Town New Mwanza Hotel, Ground Floor, Kenyatta Road

Tel: +255 (0)767 540 543

Mwanza Airport Tel: +255 (0)756 540 549

South africa fastjet South Africa Reservations Office

Greener flights through innovative design fastjet operates a fleet of A319 jets manufactured by Airbus as part of the A320 family of aircraft. Identical to the A320 except in length, the A319 is a single aisle twin-engine jet designed to carry 156 passengers. These highly efficient aircraft have a low environmental impact, while the innovative wing tip Sharklets can reduce fuel consumption by more than 3.5 per cent. Moreover, comfort has been improved for the smaller jet and the state-of-the-art A319 has a wide single-aisle fuselage, which gives a generous seat width, thus helping to maintain the high level of comfort that modern air travellers have come to expect. fast jet’s South African launch will be operated by Federal Air and in the short term flights fulfilled by a Boeing 737-300 aircraft until fastjet’s uniquely efficient aircraft is introduced.

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Holiday House, 156 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg, 2194

Tel: +27 11 289 8090 Sales: 0861 FASTJET / 0861 3278538 Email: sales.southafrica@fastjet.com customer.southafrica@fastjet.com

Zambia fastjet Zambia Reservations Office Suez Road PO Box 37609, Lusaka

Sales: +260 211 256864 Email: sales.zambia@fastjet.com