Spring Edition

LOWVELD LIVING

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THE BAREFOOT FILMMAKER | SPRING PLANTING CHECKLIST | VEGAN 101 FLY FISHING & BUSH BREAKS | INSPIRING SPACES | BEAUTIFUL BATHROOMS

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ISSUE 82 | SPRING | R30.00 (incl VAT)

spring has sprung

B

y the time you read this, we will be waking up to roughly day 160 of Lockdown. Who would have thought, after the initial 21 days announced in March, that we would still be dancing to this tune nearly six months later?

Two seasons have passed and as we enter into the third, the crisp and delightful spring, let’s take a minute to remember the good stuff in our Lowveld lives. The warmth of the sun’s rays on our faces, the bursts of green popping up, the sweet songs of nature and the taste of harvest’s bounty. I think the words of Billy Collins sum up the sentiment of spring perfectly.

TODAY If ever there were a spring day so perfect, so uplifted by a warm intermittent breeze that it made you want to throw open all the windows in the house and unlatch the door to the canary’s cage, indeed, rip the little door from its jamb, a day when the cool brick paths and the garden bursting with peonies seemed so etched in sunlight that you felt like taking a hammer to the glass paperweight on the living room end table, releasing the inhabitants from their snow-covered cottage so they could walk out, holding hands and squinting into this larger dome of blue and white, well, today is just that kind of day.

From Aimless Love: New and Selected Poems by Billy Collins, Pan MacMillan.

Enjoy our spring read and celebrate the great outdoors,

EDITOR Nicky Manson, nicky@lowveldlivingmagazine.com | EDITORIAL Nicky Manson, Diane Tippining-Woods, Bev Tucker | ADVERTISING Audrey Ford Duimelaar, 0727264660, audrey@lowveldlivingmagazine.com DESIGN Creative Union, craig@urw.co.za | PROOF READING EditPro | PHOTOGRAPHY Africa Photographic Services EDITORIAL info@lowveldlivingmagazine.com | DISTRIBUTION GMF Consulting | PRINTING Novus Print CONTACT US 076 952 7761 | COVER Elephant – Kim Wolhuter

@lowveldLiving

@lowveldLiving

@lowveldLiving

lowveldlivingmagazine.com

@lowveldLiving

© Copyright 2020 Lowveld Living. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of Lowveld Living Magazine or the publisher. The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. All editorial information contained herein is, and remains, the property of Lowveld Living Magazine and/or its writers and/or photographers. Lowveld Living Magazine, its publisher, staff and contractors accept no liability for loss or damage in any form whatsoever arising from information, submissions or opinions expressed in this publication. Public comment and submissions are published at the sole discretion of Lowveld Living Magazine. E&OE.

inside

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Play Book reviews, your September garden check list

and a trout fishing getaway to win.

Kids Kid’s stuff & beautiful ceramics just for kids.

Eat Drinks to stock up on after lockdown, plenty of

wins & the vegan trade in hospitality.

Style Stuff we want, Lowveld style wins and beautiful

bathroom trends.

Go A flyfishing gem and a bush escape for families.

Live The man behind the camera and friend of the

wild, meet Kim Wolhuter.

Spaces The spectacular Tengile River Lodge from

andBeyond and a private home in Hoedspruit.

play

play

reviews Words Nicky Manson

Big Lies in a Small Town by Diane Chamberlain: Two stories. Two artists. One set in 1940; Anna Dale wins a national competition to create a post office mural. In 2018, Morgan Christopher is offered the opportunity to restore the mural and uncover all its secrets. Pan Macmillan

The Club by Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg: The tagline reads ‘How the Premier League became the richest, most disruptive business in the sport.’ Created in just 25 years, the Premier League is a billionaire’s playground and this is a definitive account of how it took over the world.

R325, Jonathan Ball Publishers.

The Family Gift by Cathy Kelly: Freya has become quite the celebrity TV chef. She has a loving husband, and great kids. Now if she could just get rid of her inner voice who keeps telling her she is not good enough, her life would be almost perfect.

Except of course the reappearance of her husband’s ex who is a manipulative actress and wants to elbow her way back into their lives.

Fun, easy read. R285, Jonathan Ball Publishers.

MUST READ

X-Men: Mutant Empire by Christopher Golden: A thoroughly enjoyable non-stop action story about the X-Men’s latest quest.

Magneto has taken over a top secret government installation that houses mutant hunting robots. Of course it is up to the X-Men to come to the rescue. Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Two Months by Gail Schimmel: One of my favourite South African authors, her latest release does not disappoint.

Unpredictable to the end, queen of the domestic thriller genre, Schimmel keeps the pages turning. Erica wakes up with memory loss. She cannot remember the last two months and has inexplicably lost her job and her friends. And her husband won’t tell her why. Pan Macmillan.

Never Greener by Ruth Jones: When Kate was 22, she had an intense and passionate affair with a married man, Callum. It ended in heartbreak.

Seventeen years later they run into each other again. Could this be their second chance at happiness or should they just walk away?

Penguin Random House.

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MUST READ

Walk The Wire by David Baldacci: Amos Decker and his partner Alex Jamison must travel to a fracking town in North Dakota to solve a gruesome murder. With the booming industry comes all sorts of problems like drugs and prostitution. When more murders occur, the investigative duo must ramp up their efforts. An explosive thriller that delves into oil rigs, military secrets and more.

Pan Macmillan.

MUST READ

Drawing upon private papers and years of extensive research, Schwartz imaginatively re-creates the story of an extraordinary woman’s search for a new life and a place to belong. Great historical fiction. R305, Jonathan Ball Publishers.

The Shelly Bay Ladies Swimming Circle by Sophie Green: A really lovely story about four women who meet each other on an Australian beach and begin a swimming group.

Every morning, as the sun rises, they swim, talk and support each other through life’s triumphs and mishaps.

An uplifting read.

Jonathan Ball Publishers.

Vendetta in Death by J.D. Robb: Nora Roberts writes crime fiction under this name and the story follows the popular crime detective Eve Dallas. A number of men have been tortured and killed. The killer leaves a calling card: Lady Justice. A great story but the novel is set in the future and all the futuristic jargon just complicates the plot. R195, Jonathan Ball Publishers.

A Better Man by Louise Penny: I am a big fan of author Penny and her character Armand Gamache, a police detective with the Canadian Surete du Quebec. The story begins with a newly demoted Armand following up on the trail of a missing woman.

Despite rising floods and a countrywide emergency declared, he must find out the truth. Jonathan Ball Publishers.

MUST READ

The Red Daughter by John Burnham Schwartz: Running from her father’s brutal legacy, Joseph Stalin’s daughter defects to the United States during the turbulence of the 1960s. Novelist Schwartz’s father was in fact the lawyer who escorted Svetlana Alliluyeva to the United States.

9

play in the garden

september’s

garden check list Spring is nigh so get into the great outdoors and sow the benefits Courtesy of Life is a Garden

PLANT Our indigenous Clivias are favourites worldwide and it’s not difficult to see why when they bloom in September.

They showcase beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers, do well in pots, and readily multiply and spread to fill shady beds.

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TREE OF THE YEAR September always hosts Arbor Week and this year it officially kicks off on Monday 31 August and runs until Friday 4 September.

The common tree of the year is the CAPE ASH or Essenhout Ekebergia Capensis, which is a stunning, lush evergreen tree that grows in many parts of the country, except the regions with heavy frost. It has fragrant flowers and its fruit attracts many birds and mammals.

The second tree of the year is the BAOBAB or Kremetart Adansonia Digitata. Also known as the upside-down tree, it dominates the Limpopo landscape with its swollen trunk and limbs. It yields the coveted cream-of-tartar fruits and can be grown in frost-free areas.

Tip: The initiative of Arbor Week is to promote the greening of communities. Celebrate by planting either of the above two trees or any other trees or shrubs. If they are indigenous and water-wise that would be a bonus.

SOW EDIBLES There is a multitude of both flowering and edible seeds that can be sown now. Visit your local garden centre to see the range and perhaps consider one or more of the many tomato varieties available: ROMA – Firm, fleshy with few seeds. Great for canning and cooking. Fairly long shelf life. High yields, it requires a trellis or stakes.

HEINZ – Large fruit with rich tomato flavour.

One of the first tomatoes to be used to make Heinz ketchup. Requires a trellis or stakes.

CHERRY TOMATOES – Several on the market.

Bite-size and has a delicious flavour, is small and round and can be eaten whole in salads.

CHERRY YELLOW PEAR – An heirloom variety with small yellow pear-shaped fruit.

OXHEART – Another heirloom tomato with enormous heart-shaped fruit. Mild, sweet flavour. Requires staking.

Tip: There are rainbow coloured cherry tomatoes such as Green Zebra, Clear Pink, Black Striped and even Green Sausage seeds available for those of you that want to be a little different and create a talking point at the dinner table.

S P R AY Spray your fruit trees preventatively every two weeks for Codling Moths and Fruit Flies.

Only start spraying after about 80% of the flower petals have dropped so that you give the bees enough time to pollinate the flowers. Make sure you alternate the insecticides you use so that the fruit fly cannot build up a resistance to any one insecticide.

Tip: It would be wise to use spraying in conjunction with a fruit fly trap.

FEED Spring is the correct time to feed the plant roots to activate good root growth at the beginning of the season. Good roots make healthy, strong plants. This is most applicable to lawns and leafy plants. Flowering plants, shrubs and fruit trees will benefit from early season fertilising too.

Tip: When you ask your local garden centre for advice be sure to mention your preference for either chemical or organic fertiliser.

CELEBRATESPRING | 2020

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WAT E R W I S E

Phlox are easy to care for as long as you understand that they prefer moist soil and that drying out too much hinders the growth and flowering.

Both the Kingfisher Daisy (Felicia Bergeriana) and the Blue Marguerite (Felicia Ammelloides) have striking small daisy-like blue flowers with yellow button centres and are indigenous. Both have variegated forms and are gems in the front of garden borders or in mixed contained.

BEDDING PLANTS Focus on annual Phlox. The flowers are mostly flat and starshaped in a variety of colours including violet, pink, blue, red, white and cream. Flowers are fragrant and should be deadheaded regularly to encourage more blossoms. Phlox prefer full sun to light shade, require good drainage and well-composted soil.

New beds on a slope and newly terraced areas should be planted up with groundcovers so that they can bind the soil before the summer rains. For a design element, consider beautiful arches, arbour benches, obelisks and other decorative items that will add a new dimension or feature to your garden.

The indigenous Cape Honeysuckles (Tecoma Capensis) flower mostly in Autumn but sometimes bloom sporadically throughout the year. They can be used as a formal or informal hedge.

BALCONY OR POT PLANTS We love Cape Daisies or Osteospermums: These indigenous eye-catching flowers come in a range of colours. Easy to grow, they flower freely and love to cascade over the sides of pots or troughs.

The Cape Daisy

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i

kds

kidstuff What the Ladybird Heard Cookbook by Julia Donaldson: Packed full of sweet treats, healthy snacks and simple meals – all based on the three bestselling What the Ladybird Heard picture books by Julia Donaldson and Lydia Monks. Make your own ladybird pizzas, vegetable patch pies, cowpat cookies and a showstopping ladybird celebration cake. Just lovely for picnics, packed lunches and parties. R256, Pan Macmillan.

stuff Family fun The HUAWEI MatePad T8 Tablet is a brand-new smart tablet for study and entertainment for the whole family.

It sports a slim, lightweight design, yet is robust enough for use by all family members. Great battery life, light in weight and features an 8-inch display. It also offers a dedicated area for kids, the Kids Corner, where parents can set a password for kids to access educational content.

To promote healthy device use, the Kids Corner includes four eye-protection modes - blue light filter, posture alerts, bumpy road alerts, eBook mode – to provide a more comfortable experience. R2 999, available from Takealot, Makro and Game.

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Fun with print We love the assorted, colourful goodies from Creative Nature. Home to James Campbell Photography, you can find a variety of toiletry bags, masks, wallets, cushion covers, pencil bags and more adorned with Campbell’s gorgeous wildlife photos. Pop in and view the selection for yourself. Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre, R40, White River.

A Wishing-Chair Adventure: The Witch’s Lost Cat by Enid Blyton: A brand new full-colour short story from Blyton’s magical Wishing-Chair series. Join Mollie and Peter as they fly into new and exciting adventures on their wishing chair. R100, Penguin Random House.

Don’t Tickle the Dinosaur, You Might Make It Grunt: A gorgeous book of pics and sounds – little ones just won’t be able to resist tickling the touchy-feely patches to hear each dinosaur make a sound in this hilarious novelty book. An exciting new series for babies and toddlers Penguin Random House.

kids

cool ceramics

MonĂŠ van Rooyen is a stay at home mom of two (with one on the way) who has taken a passion for pottery and turned it into a successful business Words Nicky Manson Photos Flash That Studio

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kids

“WHAT IS NOT TO LOVE?!

I GET TO PLAY WITH MUD ALL DAY LONG!”

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kids

owner of

Moné Ceramics & Art, Moné van Rooyen turned her back on her job as a Learning Support Facilitator to spend more time with her kids and follow her creative dream. “I do pottery from home, if and when my children give me a gap.

Otherwise I spend long hours at night painting and glazing products.”

We chat to Moné about her life changes and love for ceramics.

How did you get into ceramics? I have always loved art, and would’ve loved to study art – but things worked out differently. So I only started with pottery five years ago, shortly after my daughter’s birth. I felt the need to do something creative. I started with classes once a week and slowly built up my own studio.

What do you love making? I go through different stages, but if I had to choose it would be something to do with children’s products like plates or tiles for nurseries, mobiles etc. I still have a lot of plans of where I want to take the children’s ceramics, but for now I’m taking it slow.

Tell me more about your kids products? I have always been drawn to paintings and drawings that children love like book illustrations. I decided why not paint something on a plate that tells a story; something kids will enjoy either eating out of or hanging in their room. So I started making and painting plates for family and friends’ children. I have started with matching bowls and spoons too. I also make mobiles and small tiles, which can be framed for nurseries and kids rooms.

What else do you make? I have been making platters of different sizes, salad bowls, plates, tiles to frame, different planters, pots and earrings.

I ‘ve also been in collaboration with KOP, where I make small ceramic skulls. With pottery the sky’s the limit.

Where is your studio? At the moment we are busy rebuilding my studio at our house in Alkmaar. It’s the most beautiful space and I can’t wait to see the end product and get to work there.

How can we buy your products? Have a look at my website and social media accounts to see what is available. Otherwise if you have something specific in mind and you like my style, give me a call or send me an email.

Favourite part about your job? What is not to love? I get to play with mud all day long! But more seriously, I love the process. I love seeing how a lump of clay can actually transform into something beautiful and sharing it with people who appreciate my work.

Most challenging part? I think it took me a while to accept that I can’t rush the process. I had to accept that clay has a life of its own – whatever you think the end result is going to be, it’s not. So some days it can be very challenging and other days it is also exciting to see how different a product turns out to be.

FYI! When my studio is finished I am planning on having days where whoever is interested can come enjoy the pottery experience. I would also love to have mommy-and-me classes where moms can bring their little ones and get messy. Keep an eye out on social media for dates and times.

INFO 072 880 9410, monevanrooyen@gmail.com, www.moneceramicsart.co.za. Instagram & Facebook/mone.ceramics.art CELEBRATESPRING | 2020

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subscribe & win

Sign up to the LL experience and the latest copy will be delivered to you. For only R222.84, you will receive a year’s subscription of six editions of Lowveld Living Magazine. Subscribe in the months of September and October 2020 and you stand the chance to win two nights at Katrinasrust Trout Farm for you and nine friends. Stay on this beautiful farm, just outside Machadadorp, and enjoy some well-deserved downtime.

Stay in the beautiful Wisteria Cottage, an old farmhouse that has been lovingly restored and updated to create a stylish and comfortable home away from home.

Guests can stay in the five spacious and elegant bedrooms with modern bathrooms, and views of the garden.

A large dining room with its own fireplace ensures festive get-togethers. The beautiful living room has plenty of space for family and friends to relax by the fire, take in the views and catch up.

Try your hand at fly fishing at two of the farm’s dams, take a tour of the trout breeding facilities and enjoy the river walk. Go walking, biking, bird watching, fishing, picnicking or just chill – the farm is yours to enjoy.

INFO INFO 087 802 0758, alice@katrinasrust.com, graeme@katrinasrust.com, www.katrinasrust.com

Win a getaway to Katrinarust Trout Farm valued at over R8 000

To Subscribe: CALL: 079 523 4671or EMAIL: lowveldliving@gmfc.co.za, info@lowveldlivingmagazine.com Ts & Cs The prize includes a self-catering two-night stay for 10 guests with fishing rights and rod hire. Valid for six months. T & C’s apply. Magazine: Rate applicable to one-year subscription of six editions at R222.84. Processing of the subscription may take up to a week.

eat

drinks

drinks

time It’s heating up and so should your drink choices. We are advising on the hottest drinks so you will be in the know when lockdown ends

Spier Secret Sparkling has a fresh look thanks to its eye-catching new label. Think floral elements, elegant typography and pretty pops of pink. Discover strawberry and raspberry aromas with a hint of Muscat on the nose and a crisp honeyed finish. And, a classic Champagne-style cork replaces Secret’s former bottle cap. R95, available from liquor stores. www.spier.co.za

Quoin Rock Méthode Cap Classic (MCC) from the Elgin region is a mix of Pinot Noir 54% and Chardonnay 46%. The 2013 vintage offers notes of green apple, honey-oats, biscuit and lime. The delicate mousse and tiny, persistent bubbles complement the crisp, refreshing acidity and creamy palate of this elegant Brut-style MCC. We love it with sushi. www.quoinrock.co.za A single block in winemaking terms is special because it is a pure expression of that corner of the world for a particular year. This wine tells the story about the relationship between the land and the varietal and so Writers Block was born. This award-winning Pinotage reveals a ruby red colour. On the nose, a balance of mulberry and blackberry, with mocha chocolate and Indian spice, underpinned by a hint of bramble and mint. The palate showcases strawberry, cherry, and blackberry wrapped up in hints of oak, vanilla and dark chocolate. A host of flavours you will want to try. Sublime with a curry. R290, available online from www.wine.co.za and www.flagstonewines.com.

The Sexton Irish Single Malt, from the Truman & Orange family, is fairly unique as single malts are a rarity in SA. The Sexton is made with 100% Irish malted barley, distilled in copper pot stills and exclusively matured in sherry casks to achieve a perfect balance between rich dried fruits, and memorable toasted oak notes to offer a smooth finish. Like most Irish whiskeys it’s also triple-distilled. It sports a distinctive, dark hexagonal bottle. R499, available from liquor stores. RECIPE: Try a Barista’s Old Fashioned – The Sexton Single Malt Irish Whiskey, coffee liqueur, angostura bitters, maple wood chips and an orange twist.

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drink

The Pogues Irish Whiskey is a blend of malt and grain whiskey produced in small batches and created by master whiskey maker Frank McHardy, at the most exposed and southerly located distillery on the Atlantic. Discover malt, roasted almonds, spice, and dark chocolate on the nose. And on the palette, find citrus, spice, cracked pepper, dark fruit and a hint of sweetness. All with a delicately balanced finish, rounded and long-lasting. Enjoy neat or on the rocks. No-Under 18.

WIN a Pogues hamper with a bottle of The Pogues, a case of Hall & Bramley soda water and branded glassware. To enter email your contact details to info@lowveldlivingmagazine. com and put “The Pogues” in the subject box. Ts & Cs apply. Closing date is 30 October 2020.

Graphite Gin is a hand-crafted culinary delight infused with Périgord Truffles – the black diamonds of France. Brought to the Lowveld by Tailored Bev Co, it boasts an unusually dark hue that is unchanging, even when mixed with tonic. Graphite creates a visual intrigue that is magnified when the light hits it and the colour becomes a deep purple-red. Wafts of truffle, Turkish Delight and liquorice follow a more fresh and floral palate. This multilayered gin makes the perfect companion Introducing Africa’s first canned to tonic or as a base for any traditionally water, DAY. With its slick, minimalistic gin-based cocktail. R550, available from can design, it offers consumers an Tops Riverside, Tops Carolina, Liquor City alternative choice to plastic. It takes Hendrina, and Komati Liquors. about 60 days for a can to be recycled www.tailoredbevco.co.za

and repurposed into another usable can – make the better choice for our environment. 300ml DAY is R5.99, available in both still and sparkling variants from PicknPay.

WIN a bottle of Graphite Gin. To enter email your contact details to info@lowveldlivingmagazine.com and put “Graphite Gin” in the subject box. Ts & Cs apply. Closing date is 30 October 2020.

Gin & Co has been busy creating different flavours during lockdown and the end product is its new Dollie Gin Company Lowveld Dry Gin. With its distinctive floral label, the gin boasts Juniper, Coriander, Angelica, Cassia Bark and Lowveld citrus for a refreshing, new taste.

WIN a bottle of Lowveld Dry Gin. To enter email your contact details to info@lowveldlivingmagazine.com and put “Gin&Co” in the subject box. Ts & Cs apply. Closing date is 30 October 2020.

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eat

why

vegan

Hayley Cooper has started an interesting and unique business that delves into the world of veganism. What began with a career in hospitality, has organically moved over the years into consulting services for lodges and more specifically, vegan consulting Words Nicky Manson

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eat

originally from

the UK, Hayley fell in love with the Kruger while on a holiday here and decided to put down some permanent roots. Now based in the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve, she runs her company Wild Dreams Hospitality. But what is vegan consulting and who needs it?

We chat to Hayley about this niche market.

How did you get into vegan consulting and what is it? I have experienced the struggle first-hand that vegans can have when going out to eat. I have had numerous negative experiences and most of the time it’s due to the staff (front and back of house) not being confident in catering for, and serving, vegan guests. There is also a huge difference between ‘’serving’’ vegan guests and actually ‘’attracting’’ them. I also believe in the power of the ‘veto vote’. This is when there is a sole vegan in a group of friends/family. By default this person will choose where they all go to eat.

Therefore if establishments aren’t offering vegan options they are missing out on customers. I inform hotels and lodges about veganism and help them with vegan options and practices.

Why the interest in veganism? I have always loved animals, keeping in mind the wildlife in Kruger was the main reason I moved my life across the world. In the UK I used to eat strictly free-range meat as I was under the impression the animals were ‘’happy’’, however once I moved to South Africa I found it harder to access free-range options so I progressed to eating less and less meat to the point I would only eat fish every month or two.

A friend once asked me why I didn’t eat meat and it was actually the first time I had really thought about it but I realised the only answer was that I didn’t want to eat animals.

I also rehabilitate wildlife in the Timbavati and have a very special relationship with one of my rehabbed animals in particular – a female bushbuck that I raised from 10 days old and who is nearly four. Being so close to her, understanding her personality and the bond we have, made me question why I was eating other living beings.

After this, I started doing more research and was shocked to learn some facts about the dairy and egg industry, which I wasn’t aware of. I went vegan overnight.

CELEBRATESPRING | 2020

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eat Since then I have also learnt about the environmental impact our food choices have, and how much healthier a plant-based diet is.

Who is your customer? My services are offered to restaurants, hotels and the lodge industry anywhere in southern Africa. It is a personalised service depending on the specific company requirements ranging from menus, labelling, wine lists, staff training, sourcing of products and marketing of their vegan options.

Things about vegan food we would not know?

• Vegan food can be very affordable, think rice, beans, pasta, legumes, pap, veggies, fruit, and potatoes to name a few.

• There are some amazing vegan products out there that you would never know were vegan if you tasted them.

• Vegan food gives you all the nutrients and vitamins you need. (It’s recommended to supplement B12 only.)

• It’s actually very easy to cook vegan food.

Most under-rated thing about veganism? Probably the actual ‘’official’’ definition of veganism: “The word ‘veganism’ denotes a philosophy and way of living which seeks to exclude – as far as is possible and practicable – all forms of exploitation of, and cruelty to, animals for food, clothing or any other purpose; and by extension, promotes the development and use of animal-free alternatives for the benefit of humans, animals and the environment. In dietary terms it denotes the practice of dispensing with all products derived wholly or partly from animals.”

Most over-rated thing about veganism or being a vegan? Most believe that all vegans are super healthy.

Many vegans who eat whole foods are healthy but there are many processed, oil-rich foods for vegans available – vegan junk food if you will.

Vegan myths you are hoping to dispel? One of the biggest myths is the fact you don’t get the nutrients you

VEGAN-CURIOUS DOCUMENTARIES ENVIRONMENT BASED – COWSPIRACY ANIMAL WELFARE BASED – DOMINION FITNESS BASED – THE GAME CHANGERS HEALTH – WHAT THE HEALTH

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need eating vegan, and in particular protein and B12.

Most people don’t realise that the protein that comes from animals is due to the fact that they eat plants. By eating plants and not animals, you are in effect cutting out the ‘middle man’ and getting plenty of protein directly from plant sources. The largest study ever done actually proved that on average vegans get 70% more protein than they need daily. Think about all the largest animals – elephants, rhino, buffalo – what do they eat?

Vitamin B12 is also misunderstood as it is indeed found in animal products but not because they naturally produce it. It is traditionally found in certain bacteria in soil and dirty water, which the animals would get by eating plants. However, as most animals are now factory farmed, their B12 is actually injected into them or put into their food as a supplement so meat eaters are getting B12 as a supplement through the animal, while vegans just need to take a supplement of B12.

Vegan stats in SA? Interest in veganism is at an all-time high in SA. We rank within the world’s top 25 nations where veganism is popular and we are the 23rd most travelled to country by vegans, another reason why we must be able to cater for them.

Advice to people wanting to move to a vegan diet?

People decide to become vegan for different reasons so it’s important to know why you are wanting to make the change. I would suggest joining vegan groups on Facebook, especially South African-based ones as people share information about different vegan products you can buy. You can also use Youtube as a free way to research recipes.

INFO WhatsApp 078 918 1038, hayley@wilddreams.co.za, www.wilddreams.co.za

style

snippets

it

want

Plump your skin We are loving Nuxe products at the moment and our favourite lockdown product has to be Nuxe Creme Prodigieuse Boost Energising Priming Concentrate. Yes, it is a mouthful but it really works. Pat it gently on morning and night before your day and night cream and experience brighter and tighter skin. It has been a blessing while beauty spas were closed and has kept our skin healthy and revitalised. Available from Woolworths, Truworths and Foschini stores.

Sooth your spring Plascon introduces a soothing new colour palette for spring, Gentle Serenity. In these uncertain times, bring peace and the tranquillity of an oasis to your space. Think fresher tones of blues and greens, and soft pinks and lavenders. We love the hues Misty Dawn, Maple pecan and Choccachino. www.plascon.co.za

Hopelessly in love Davines is making sure all our haircare needs are met during lockdown. Founded in Italy, they produce high-end hair care products and are available exclusively from Mink Salon at Casterbridge Lifestyle Centre in White River. We love their products especially The Renaissance Circle Hair Mask which is described as ‘a hopeless hair extreme repair mask’. An antibreakage solution made especially for people on the go. #wecare

On trend Rebel Walls’ new collection Moss & Coral is an intriguing interpretation of the world’s flora and fauna designed by Tess Callervik. The moss-green and coral-colored hues that recur in these wallpapers are derived from the natural biotopes of terrestrial and aquatic animals. Available in five wallpaper patterns, exclusively from St Leger & Viney.

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WIN a Davines hair hamper from Mink Salon, including The Renaissance Circle Hair Mask, Hair Refresher dry shampoo, OI mini shampoo and the OI mini conditioner. To enter email your contact details to info@ lowveldlivingmagazine.com and put “Davines” in the subject box. Closing date is 30 October, 2020. Ts & Cs apply.

New level of design One of AXOR’s most exciting developments is the AXOR Signature – a range of different material finishes for your MyEdition faucets and mixers. Go with glass, wood, marble or even leather for a sensual and exciting look and touch. Revolutionise your bathroom. Axor MyEdition is a product of Hansgrohe. www.hansgrohe.co.za

style wins CORAL STEPHENS HANDWEAVING is the legendary weaving studio based in Piggs Peak, Swaziland. They specialise in customised handwoven décor, fabrics and carpets and have a small shop which sells beautiful hand-spun mohair and cotton blankets, throws, shawls and bath mats. Due to COVID-19 the shop is closed, but you can buy online at coralstephens_shop on Instagram and visit Facebook/Coral Stephens Handweaving for daily posts and information. Get in touch, 083 450 3444.

WIN a double sized (1.70m x 2.50m) cotton throw, which is hand dyed and woven from 100% South African cotton. It is soft and warm, yet durable and is valued at R1350; ideal for the Lowveld climate. Keyword ‘Coral Stephens’.

Moné van Rooyen is the owner of MONÉ CERAMICS & ART. From her studio in Alkmaar, outside Mbombela, Moné makes her magic. Inspired by children’s story books and tales, she illustrates her handmade plates and bowls with delightful animals, full of colour and fun. (Read more about Moné’s work in the Kid’s section).

WIN a Moné Ceramics plate & bowl to the value of R550.

Keyword ‘Moné Ceramics’.

We have some stylish Lowveld wins for you.

From handwoven throws to beautiful ceramics and sleek woodwork. Enter now!

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win ESRA BOSH is a ceramicist known countrywide for her attractive range of individual and functional ware. Her work reveals excellent decorator skills, a flair for colour and an impressive sense of pattern. Esra’s dedication to her craft spills over into her surroundings, and she has created a warm, welcoming atmosphere at her studio – The Esra Bosch Studio – which bears the inimitable stamp of Esra’s late father, celebrated artist Esias Bosch. Visit the studio on the Plaston Road, outside White River, between 7am and 3pm or get in touch, 082 823 7591, esra@esrabosch.co.za.

WIN an Esra Bosch hand painted platter accompanied by two side plates to the value of R1100. Keyword ‘Esra Bosch”.

To enter, send your contact details to info@lowveldlivingmagazine.com and put the key word in the subject box. Closing date is 30 October 2020. Ts & Cs apply.

Phillip Eloff of ELOFF FURNITURE makes custom designed furniture for lovers of wood and original design. His creations are made from Meranti, Saligna, Rubberwood, Oak, and Ashwood, with a variety of finishes and paint techniques. He is based at his workshop on the Plaston Road outside White River and it is here he cuts, carves and melds the wood to his will, creating one-of-a-kind pieces of furniture; beds, tables, chairs, servers and so much more. Get in touch, 082 464 9688, phillip.j.eloff@gmail.com, Facebook/ Eloff Furniture WIN two Eloff Furniture paddle boards valued at R600. Keyword ‘ Eloff Furniture’.

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bathroomfocus These blissful spaces prove that bathrooms don’t have to be a bore. Just look at it as an extension of your personal style and create a bathroom with serious chemistry Words Mandy Allen Production Sven Alberding Photographs Greg Cox/ Bureaux, Warren Heath/ Bureaux

White Haute

Why be basic when you can be extra? This bathroom elevates traditional elements such as the classic combination of white and brass vanity mirrors as well as old-school basins by combining them with show-stopping features that include: a custom-designed extra large round mirror; contemporary hexagonal tiles; and bare bulbs hung from cord cables that, creatively, have been positioned on the wall with bespoke brass supports rather than being suspended more conventionally from the ceiling.

Tips • Mirrors in bathrooms, strategically positioned, will make the space feel bigger and lighter.

• A niche recessed into the wall and hung with floating shelves is a space saver as well as an eye-catching architectural feature.

• Maximise storage wherever you can. Here, open brass shelves form part of the basins and provide space for bath and hand towels.

• A round tray can easily be converted into a quirky, compact table that’s ideal for the bathroom – a simple DIY job using hairpin or wooden furniture legs.

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Material World

In this bathroom, the juxtaposition of texture and finishes delivers major character and visual interest. A modern, dramatic overall effect is created by polished stone countertops, square tiles, a glossy concrete floor, ornate glass wall sconce lights and curvaceous, oversized basins contrast against an exposed stone wall, painted white, a distressed oversized mirror, chunky exposed ceiling beams and smaller details such as a rough-cut stone stand for soap and body products in the shower zone.

Tips • A reflective floor can effectively serve to bounce natural light.

• It’s not always necessary to tile an entire wall, which in turn will save on costs. As this space demonstrates, a large section of tiled wall suffices in the shower zone, the remaining wall acting as a frame.

• Think about shape when creating contrast: the square tiles in the shower area connect visually with the mirror, their differing textures amplifying the interplay between rough and smooth, old and new.

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Jewel Room

The North African influence remains a magic formula for statement bathrooms as is evident in this breathtaking steam and shower room. The main event is, of course, the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling tessellated Zellige tiles in lapis blue with their subtle variations in texture and colour. Restraint in the design details – a simple timber-framed glass door, brass light and shower fittings and a dramatic marble basin and polished stone shelf, set low to the ground – ensures the finished look is classic and contemporary, never gimmicky.

Tips • Creating a bathroom on a budget? Invest in just one ‘wow’ piece – a show-stopping basin, a beautiful light or a tiled or wallpapered feature wall – and keep the rest of your fittings and decorations simple, minimalist and timeless.

• Wet/steam rooms require ample ventilation.

• While there’s nothing quite like the real thing, photo-real vinyl stickers are effective in cheating the North Africaninspired tiled look.

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Pretty in Pink

Don’t shy away from all-over colour in a small bathroom or washroom. As well as enlivening the space, colourful walls will deflect attention from any design shortfalls. Pink, a shade that has crossed the line from accent colour to full-on classic, is a fun, lively and fresh choice.

Tips • Repurpose an office drawer by painting it a fashionable shade to use as a quirky bathroom storage unit.

• When not in use, leave the bathroom door open: a pop of bright colour adds joy to a home when it catches the eye, especially in a small space.

• Take your passion for colour to the next level and extend the wall colour onto the bathroom door, both inside and out.

Shades of Grey

Old meets contemporary meets futuristic in this striking bathroom that boldly places grey on grey on grey. Glossy subway tiles and a painted concrete floor look unexpectedly fresh in combination with vintagestyle pressed ceiling panels (who needs wallpaper?) that lend texture and pattern. The interplay of old and new is taken to the next level here: an antique walnut plant stand and ornate period lights (given an update with white paint), as well as the nostalgic aesthetic of the pressed panels act as a bold counterpoint to the fluid curves and ultramodern design of Patricia Urquiola’s Pear vanities for Agape.

Tips • Introduce gloss and matt surfaces for a mood that is very of-the-moment. This nifty style trick also creates a sense of layering and energy in a space where colour has been purposely edited down.

• The introduction of pops of colour – in the form of an art print and indoor plants – as well as natural wood lends warmth and personality.

• Revive second-hand Victorian brass wall sconces and other period lighting with a coat of paint in fresh white or be bold with colour.

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Pale & Interesting

A monochromatic scheme makes this bathroom feel poised and contemporary. While simplicity reigns, there is still plenty of interest: From the contrast of the shiny tiles with the matt finish of the bagged stone floor and main walls to the play of angular shapes (the taps and bespoke black metal cupboard) versus round (the mirrors, basins and pendant lights). The basin stand – made from reeds that have been lashed together and set on bespoke white-painted steel legs – is an unusual choice of material but effective in injecting an element of texture and warmth.

Tips • Play with shapes such as circular elements in rectangular rooms. Round mirrors and curvaceous vases are a good starting point.

• When limiting colour it’s still possible to create interest with contrast – think matt versus glossy and sleek versus tactile.

• To keep a monochromatic palette fresh and modern, curate your colours carefully and stick with blacks and whites that have the same tonal depth.

Industrial Luxe

In an open-plan bedroom, the bathroom zone has been defined by a raised concrete platform. The industrial-style glass and steel shower cube is a showstopper, the restrained glamour of the space enhanced by elegant details such as tessellated Zellige tiles, an oak bathroom vanity, a shell chandelier, a large framed mirror and decorative ladder used for towels rather than hooks. The limited colour palette gives the area a clean, fresh look.

Tips • Take a note from the stylists and lean decorative items such as mirrors, artworks and ladders instead of affixing them to the wall – it’s called casual chic, darling!

• You can never have enough baskets in the bathroom (or your home, for that matter).

Larger ones will work as a laundry basket while smaller baskets can store everything from cotton wool and plasters to toiletries, make-up and hair accessories.

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Roughed Up

Unique details, layered textures and a rich, warm palette give this space its inviting character. The ruggedness of the raw brick wall has been exaggerated by a distressed finish and, while it is the main architectural feature, it harmoniously aligns with the raw concrete that makes up the rest of the flat surfaces. Vibrant plants with reflective, waxy leaves and the high-sheen copper ball-and-claw tub provide a smooth, glossy contrast to the rustic textures. Furniture, accessories and fittings bring a touch of nostalgia and individuality, the end result being the antithesis of showroom sterility.

Tips • The bathtub has been slightly raised on a tiled platform, drawing the eye and introducing a sense of architectural layering.

• Indoor tropical plants thrive in a steamy bathroom environment but remember that natural light is still important to their wellbeing.

• A plumbed enamel basin on a converted dresser makes for a beautiful and unique bathroom vanity.

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Baroque & Roll

What at first seems to be a traditional bathroom space reveals itself to have a modern edge thanks to contemporary drop-pendant lighting, a beautiful gold side table with a delicate profile and a deep Victorian-style ball-andclaw-foot bathtub that has been updated with a coat of glossy graphitehued paint. The carved framed mirror – an antique shop find – is a dramatic focal piece and connects visually with the ornately framed portrait by South African artist Andrew Putter from his African Hospitality series.

Tips • Indulgence and functionality don’t have to exist separately in a bathroom situation. Introduce elements such as beautiful lighting, a feature rug and a striking piece of furniture for a feels-likehome statement.

• As long as a bathroom is well-ventilated and light, there is no reason not to introduce a few artworks. Just make sure they are not in the direct line of the bathtub or basin steam.

• Engineered hardwood has the look and feel of solid hardwood flooring and, under certain conditions, can work well in a bathroom that is properly ventilated, not overly humid or prone to frequent flooding (kids, we’re looking at you).

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2 Tiles and bathrooms go hand in hand and Decobella’s new range of bathrooms styles will make your space a stylish one.

Available from Mpumalanga Blinds and Flooring, Mbombela. www.decobella.co.za

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Back to Basics

If ever there was the perfect marriage of restrained industrial cool and freeform organic spirit then this bathroom is it. Every element is perfectly curated for functionality as well as aesthetic balance: from the precise lines of the bespoke black galvanized steel shelves set against creamy white, artfully imperfect Zellige tiles to a collection of apothecary bottles filled with scented bath salts and the untamed arrangement of air plants hung from a metal chandelier frame. Large white marble floor tiles and a tree stump table further enhance this union of nature and machine-made, rustic and modern.

Tips • Air plants are ideally suited to the steamy bathroom environment, not to mention those who need their living accessories to be low-maintenance.

• Beware of overcrowding. A space like this calls for decorative restraint to allow the balance to be maintained and the beauty of the features – the tiles, bespoke shower fixture and shelving – to stand out.

• An all-white palette will be given grounding and modernity by interjections of black, living greenery as well as coloured glass, in this instance the warm amber of apothecary-style bottles.

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7 8 Some favourites: 1. Fiorella Martia 0807 – BLU: 150mm x 150mm porcelain pattern tile. 2. Riad Qaudrado Red 0810-RED: 100mmx100mm Rustic wall tile. 3. Arte White Anti-slip 0028- AW: 250mmx250mm tile ( 4x completes a pattern). 4.

Daroca Blue 0809 – BLU: 150mm x 150mm vintage inspired pattern tile. 5. Village Mint Green 0531MNT and Emerald Green 0531-GRN: 65mmx132mm metro wall tiles. 6. FS Faenza A 0013 -BLU and FS Faenza N -0013-BLK: 330mm x 330mm Morrocan pattern inspired. 7. Tin Tile Copper 0010-BRN: 440mm x 440mm porcelain tile with a metallic glaze and pressed with a pattern. 8. Denim Washed Blue 0811 -BLU: 140mm x 140mm tile with an authentic, digitally printed denim finish.

TRAVEL SAFE Obey the rules of the road Take rest stops every 2hours Do not drink and drive Stay focused Buckle up

0800 87 22 64 www.tracn4.co.za facebook.com/TracN4 instagram.com/TracN4 @TRACN4route TRACN4

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farm getaway New Lowveld gem warms our heart

Words Nicky Manson Photos Alice Brewer

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accommodation slowly opens up, look no further than Katrinasrust Trout Farm for a breakaway. Set on a charming farm just outside the small town of Machadadorp, Katrinasrust is like a little English isle amidst the Mpumalanga mountains. Under the watchful eye of the Elands mountain range, in the middle of a valley, this working farm is a trout breeding centre and stocks many of our local stores and restaurants.

Katrinasrust Trout Farm has been in the Brewer family for over 60 years, beginning with Avril and Eric Brewer, with various family members having lived and worked on the farm. Today, the farm’s emphasis is on recreation and taking on this new direction is Alice Brewer and her fiancé, Graeme Gullacksen, who moved to Katrinasrust at the end of 2018.

There are two cottages on the property although the word cottage is hardly apt for the expansive farmhouses they really are. Sitting next door to each other, you have the choice of Wisteria Cottage and The Oaks.

Both sit in the middle of expansive gardens and are fully fenced so dogs are welcome. Wisteria Cottage is the original farmhouse on Katrinasrust. Wisteria was the home of Eric and Avril Brewer. Avril was very fond of gardening and in the warmer months the garden still bears the fruit of her hard work – a typically English-style space with a wealth of beautiful creepers, lush beds, manicured lawns, rambling roses and of course, an abundance of wisteria. The garden also conceals many little hidden pockets,

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Wisteria Cottage and its secret garden.

Alice and Graeme and their family.

And the beautiful spaces within Wisteria..

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which make exploration much fun.

Wisteria has had an expansive makeover and now sleeps 12 very comfortably in five rooms. Three are ensuite, with two sharing a bathroom. The kid’s room has two enormous handmade bunkbeds, which children will adore. While the bathrooms are modern and spacious, boasting walk-in showers and an eggshaped bath you may fight over, the rooms are elegantly fitted, have great linen, comfortable beds and all boast views of the garden.

The kitchen is the original old farmhouse kitchen. Snug, traditional, it offers modern appliances and leads onto a scullery and mud room; great for all kinds of fishing and outdoor gear. The living areas are spacious and elegant.

Both the dining room and lounge lead out onto the garden. Both have fireplaces, making them ideal spaces for relaxation, meals, board games and reading with family and friends. There is also a firepit, braai and pizza oven outside, which I have no doubt will be hugely popular in summer. There is no Wi-Fi or phone connectivity at Wisteria, which for us just added to its charm. For those who can’t live without it, a small lounge area with Wi-Fi is being built between Wisteria and The Oaks for all guests to enjoy.

The Oaks is the original fishing lodge and has not been updated but don’t let that put you off; it showcases a quaint charm reminiscent of the old farm days.

Nestled between ancient oak trees in a private fenced off garden, its shaded pergola offers an ideal place for outside dining as well as a braai, and a pizza oven.

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The Oaks sleeps 10 comfortably in three double rooms and one bunk room for children. It has a large, fully equipped kitchen and a lovely cosy living room with a fireplace. Although the architecture of this cottage is old, the rooms also boast great linen and comfortable beds.

We visited in June and the temperatures in this area are not to be trifled with. At 7am, the temperature gage had still not moved from 0 degrees but thanks to electric blankets, plenty of hot water bottles and two raging fires, we were very happy to stay indoors.

However, the gorgeous scenery did beckon and the Lowveld in winter is a splendid mix of colours and wildlife. The farm is 500 hectares and there have been sightings of grey duiker, grey rhebok, Cape Clawless and Spotted Neck otters, porcupine, serval, civet, genet, caracal, slender mongoose, bush pig, black backed jackal and the side striped jackal.

The area is ideal for bird viewing too, in fact there are over 200 confirmed bird sightings on the farm and you can look forward to the Katrinasrust Bird Book in the future. Apart from the beautiful wing span and familiar call of the fish eagle you may also spot little grebe, half-collared kingfisher (as well as malachite, brownhooded and giant), Narina Trogan, longcrested eagle, malachite sunbird, gurney’s sugarbird, secretary bird, woodpeckers (olive and golden-tailed), buff-spotted flufftail, scaly-throated honeyguide and more.

There are many walks and trails to explore, one being the river walk which takes you through the forest, along the stream, across wooden bridges and

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This spread reveals The Oaks, one of the bedrooms, the large farmhouse kitchen, and the expansive garden.

The farm offers a number of walking opportunities.

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magical trails under a canopy of trees.

Of course if you are a fisherman you may be wondering about the fishing.

There are two dams on the property. One is a considerable size and backed by the forested mountainside. Named the Island Dam, the water is clear and a little row boat can get you to the middle island.

The other dam (Bottom Dam) is slightly smaller but no less picturesque and we moved between the dams daily, fishing and picnicing the hours away. Nearby you will discover the trout-holding pens for breeding, grazing cows and sheep, with the odd quack from the resident black ducks coming from above.

Alice offers new arrivals the opportunity to buy a wonderful array of freshly grown veg and homemade marmalade, lemon curd, honey and trout pate. Preorder your favourites and they will be popped into your fridge before your arrival.

INFO 074 152 7527, alice@katrinasrust.com, graeme@katrinasrust.com, www.katrinasrust.com FYI Both cottages serviced daily • Dogs allowed • Fishing rates applicable • Rod hire is available • Self-catering only • Homemade picnic hampers can be pre-ordered • Fresh produce includes: Hot-smoked trout and trout pate, Seville Orange marmalade, fresh eggs from the Boschveld chickens, honey, homemade spaghetti, vegetables and herbs.

Ask Graeme for a birding walk – he is quite the expert • For all live trout sales, contact Graeme.

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A secret hideaway in the Sabi Sands Words & photos Dianne Tipping-Woods Wildlife photos Villiers Steyn, Owen Grobler

it’s like

having your own house in the bush, without the hassle. These words from Pippa Moolman flash through my mind as my two children boisterously play in the pool at Tumbeta House in the Sabi Sands. A troop of vervet monkeys is watching them from the branches of the nearby Marula tree. Occasionally a ripe fruit falls to the ground with a fragrant thud. It’s a time of plenty in the bush and the air is full of butterflies and birdsong.

We’ve just arrived back from our morning game drive, where we tracked no less than three different leopards, flushed a pair of harlequin quails (often heard but never – until now – seen) and almost got stuck in the mud at a sighting of the Talamati pride of adult and sub-adult lions.

For the next few hours, I simply have to relax in what is one of the most beautiful, widlife-rich settings in the world; a little corner of the Djuma Private Game Reserve in the renowned Sabi Sands. We’re amongst this new lodge’s first guests and because it’s an exclusive use property, we have it all to ourselves.

Pippa, co-director of Djuma with her husband Jurie, finished renovating Tumbeta House in February 2020. She had stopped by the day we arrived to water the indigenous garden, and to see if the crested barbet chicks she’d been watching had fledged. “Of all the Djuma lodges [Vuyatela, Galago and Tumbeta], this is the one I want to stay at,” she said, checking the nest where the chicks were still happily and noisily nestled.

I know what she means. If I had to imagine my own little house in the bush, Tumbeta is pretty much what would come to mind. It’s comfortable, down-to-earth and totally private. It started life as Pippa’s sister-in-law’s personal house on the reserve, and then was home for some of the visionary Safari Live team, who have made Djuma even more famous through their live broadcasts of game drives on the reserve.

When the Safari Live team’s needs changed, the Moolmans had to decide what to do next. That’s where the team from Tuskers Construction came in. Owner Mark Curley was tasked with re-designing, renovating and modernising the property to make it just that little bit better suited to safari-goers in search of an exclusive, but affordable getaway in the bush.

go Tumbeta is unquestionably Pippa’s baby and her influence is everywhere, from the gorgeous mosaic details she’s created, to the daybeds on the large, covered stoep and bold pops of colour throughout the rooms.

There are creative touches that pay subtle homage to the local environment of the Lowveld, from the gables that echo the village forms of Dixie and Utah, to the light fittings that were crafted in Hoedspruit by Emmanuel Karuweni, to the large Karin Daymond on the lounge wall, purchased from White River’s Artists’ Press.

“I love getting things locally. It’s immediately gratifying,” says Pippa, whose energy is an attractive mix of creative, driven, chilled and quirky. Like her, there isn’t anything pretentious about the house, but it’s exceptionally welcoming and well thought out.

In fact, we feel like we’ve slipped into a kind of second life; one of game drives, good food and nature’s rhythms, undistracted by superfluous detail or other people. This kind of access and exclusivity for non-property owners is almost unheard of in the Sabi Sands, which along with its reputation for some of the world’s best wildlife sightings, also has a reputation for having some of the most highly priced lodges in the world. They’re not affordable for most South Africans.

That’s where Djuma really is different. Pippa, with her husband Jurie, have moved away from the highend safari model to offer guests affordable self-catering safari experiences in lodges Galago and Vuyatela, the larger properties on the reserve. “Just never employ anyone who knows less than you, and you’ll be fine,” Pippa laughs, talking through the choices they’ve made for Djuma over the years, and especially, the move from high-end hospitality to the self-catering model that sees them booked out years in advance.

The little sibling of the trio of lodges, Tumbeta sleeps just six in three en-suite rooms, with a fully-kitted out kitchen, pool, fenced garden, game drive vehicle and guide, elevated yoga deck and, in a first for Sabi Sands, an eye-level hide. Although it’s self catered, the chef Lotus Mathebula and housekeeper Thandi Manyike are part of the package.

The name Tumbeta means secret hideaway in XiTsonga, and its appropriateness is highlighted in the underground hide in front of the house. It’s the first eye-level hide in the Sabi Sands. After brunch, I sit watching as some impala come down to drink at the small waterhole in front of Tumbeta. Time slows down and like Alice in her rabbit hole, my perspective changes the minute I’m eye to eye with a grasshopper or watching perfect beads of water form on the bills of waxbills that flitter down to drink.

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The beautiful indigenous gardens are thanks to Gaia Gardens.

Tuskers Construction are responsible for the redesign of the space, as well as the bush hide pictured below.

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A leopard drinks from the waterhole in front of the hide.

Comfortable and colourful furnishings complete the picture.

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“I think it’s got the best location of all three camps,” says Michel Giradin, Djuma’s mentor in chief, who has been working with staff over the last few years to support and capacitate them further. With his long association with the Sabi Sands (he started out as a guide in the reserve nearly 40 years ago, and soon progressed to managing and assisting with transforming this world-famous brand) this is high praise. “There are places of material luxury.

And then there are places of spiritual luxury,” he says, looking around with eyes that see way beyond the furnishing and the fittings of Tumbeta, to the soul of the place.

Echoing Pippa, he says, “you can come here for four or five nights and it really is like having your own lodge. It’s very subtly curated, but there is a team on hand as needed,” he adds, pausing to watch a woodland kingfisher swoop over the pool. He firmly believes that there is a place in today’s fast paced world where spiritually rich experiences can trump material experiences, and that’s the vibe with Tumbeta. And as though the wildlife knows it, the house has always been a popular spot for the reserves fabled leopards. “Talamba, Hosana, Tingana, Tandi... they’ve all been seen here,” says Michel.

It’s also the only black-managed property in the Sabi Sands, and both the Moolmans and Michel are quick to praise the team of people who have moved up through the ranks at Djuma; like Penny Mnisi , Luzile Sithole, Rexon Ntimane, Oupa Ndziyane and Jim Reeves Nkuna (according to Pippa, the best human on the planet).

“The philosophy of Djuma has always struck a chord with me. They care about conservation and people and lead the way when it comes to supporting initiatives in the community around the reserve,” says Michel. His career has been about the development of human capital and it’s clear that’s where he gets his satisfaction from with a project like Tumbeta.

Before the game drive the next day, mist hangs over the bushveld, exaggerating the feeling of splendid isolation in our little corner of the wilderness. We’d had a peaceful night of braaivleis and star watching, and sound sleep. “Mommy, come on,” my kids call from the vehicle where guides Rexon Ntimane and Mike Mkansi are ready to go. I’m tempted to stay hidden away a little longer though. It’s what Tumbeta invites you to do.

INFO reservations@djuma.co.za, www.djuma.co.za

• DESIGN • LANDSCAPING • MAINTENANCE • NURSERY & PROPAGATION

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kaalvoet filmmaker Kim Wolhuter – photographer, filmmaker and conservationist Words Nicky Manson Photos Kim Wolhuter

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Photo: Lindy Wolhuter

Kim Wolhuter began his adventures in the bush as a young game ranger but his future was sealed when he picked up a camera. On his website, www.kimwolhuter.com, he is described as ‘a maverick wildlife filmmaker with an extraordinary ability to befriend wild animals’, and if you have ever watched one of his documentaries, you would have to agree.

“I spent my early years growing up in the Kruger. Sadly we had to leave when my dad, Henry Wolhuter, died. He was the head game ranger in the Park at that time,” explains Kim. “My grandfather, Harry Wolhuter, the very first ranger of the Kruger National Park, is a national legend being the only man ever to kill an adult male lion single handed with a knife after it had pulled him from his horse.”

Kim’s first four years of school were at Uplands Prep. “My dad was one of the first pupils at Uplands. (It was Fullers in those days.) My mom, Joan Merriman, also went to Uplands.

So did my older daughters.” After two years of national service in the South African mounted infantry and a BSC degree in Grassland Science from Natal University in Pietermaritzburg, Kim’s first job was managing a game farm in the Tuli Block, Botswana. Later he served as the warden of Mlawula Nature Reserve in Swaziland for a couple of years before taking up the camera.

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“I have been filming for the last 32 years. Today I find myself following the family tradition, although in a slightly different way, making documentaries on southern African wildlife,” says Kim. “Since 1988 I have made wildlife documentaries for National Geographic, BBC, Discovery Channel and Animal Planet.”

Kim’s documentary-making is unique. He takes time to bond with the animals first, gaining their trust and building relationships with them – all before beginning the actual filming. “I have now developed a very different niche in the wildlife filmmaking market. I spend at least two years on a production, getting to bond and develop very intimate relationships with my film subjects, all wild African animals,” says Kim. “In the past these have included leopard, hyaena, cheetah and African wild dogs. Through these intimate alliances I am not only able to document the animal’s lives up close and personal, but people are seeing these animals in a way they’ve never seen them before and are able to engage more with the animal. They can almost feel what it’s like to be that animal. I walk, run, hunt and sleep with these animals so much so that they completely accept my presence so everything I document is totally natural behaviour. This intimacy also provides a new look into animal behaviour, which at times is new to science.”

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Photo: Penny Wolhuter

Lowveld Living gets to know Kim Wolhuter a little better.

As a child what did you want to do when you grew up?

Having done my national service, all I wanted to do was to go and live with the bushmen. I was very shy, and this way I could be in the bush and away from everybody. But my mother refused and said I had to go to university. Moms are always right. Thanks mom!

Were you influenced by your grandfather and father?

I think I must have been but they both died when I was five.

But I have no shame with any job application, telling people who my father and grandfather were. It sure does help. My mother’s father, Clem Merriman, was one of the first settlers in White River and my grandparents on both sides are a part of the history of the Lowveld.

Would you say it’s in your blood?

More like it was in their blood. They shared a little with me and very much moulded me into who I am today.

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How was your love for the bush nurtured at a young age?

We left the Kruger and moved to White River after my dad died and later, I was schooled in Joburg. But my mother was amazing, always taking us to the Kruger in our school holidays. We often stayed with the legendary game ranger Mike English and his wife Andre. Their sons, Don and Ross, were our age. Mike definitely nurtured my love for the bush, so much so that I always wanted to go back. Mike, and later Ted Reilly (the father of conservation in Swaziland), very much molded me into who I am today.

Where did you work as a game ranger?

I managed Santhata Ranch in the Tuli Block in Botswana for three years. After which I was the warden of Mlawula Nature Reserve in Swaziland. I never really did work as a ranger, although it had always been a thought of mine to go back to my roots in Kruger.

I was talking to Mike English one day and asked him where he would retire to when he had to leave Kruger. He told me he had a small flat in Naboomspruit. Here was a man that

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had spent most of his working life in the wild and was going to spend the last years of his life in a tiny apartment in the main street. I felt sorry for him as in those days a ranger’s pay didn’t allow them to afford much else. Mike luckily spent his retirement in Macadamia Village in White River and not cooped up in that tiny flat. But it did make me realise that I didn’t want to work for Parks, I needed to go private.

Tell us about your documentaries.

I’ve been filming for 32 years and have made numerous films. In the early days, they were purely about animal behaviour. I also spent some time in front of the camera, but still shooting my own films. More recently with my understanding of animal behavior, I’m developing these very intimate relationships with my film subjects.

In the past, we had to make films that the broadcasters knew they could sell. So it was always the predators and elephants.

The natural world is so much more than just them, but we couldn’t sell a film on Impala. I did actually, but it turned into a film about all the animals that eat them. At least with all

the online and social media today, we’re able to give these ‘less desirable’ animals a lot more press. I’m currently working on a hyaena film. Hyaenas are hard to sell. But we’re dictated to by the broadcasters.

Where did you learn about photography and making films?

I never had an interest in film or photography, until filmmaker Richard Goss called me and asked if I would join him making wildlife documentaries. I had never thought of it as a career but decided to give it a go. On the second project, Brown Hyaenas on the Skeleton Coast, Richard let me loose with 10 rolls of film and said, “Go for it!” I’ve been filming ever since. It’s not every day one gets a break like that.

Thank you, Richard.

What is your process of filming animals?

I like to go into an area and spend many years there. I wanted to do a film on Honey Badgers. I checked out several locations and decided to move to the Sango Wildlife CELEBRATESPRING | 2020

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Having chosen a location specifically for the badgers, I would like to spend many years here, not only filming badgers but also to get in tune with many other species. Then I spend at least two years on the production over which time a natural story develops and my relationship with the animals grows.

How do you become trusted by wild animals?

Time and an understanding of what I’m dealing with.

Whenever I get out of a vehicle, I do so with complete confidence. This is so important as animals will very quickly pick up if I’m even the slightest bit apprehensive.

Confidence is very different to arrogance and animals understand that. I work with three simple rules.

1. I never carry a weapon. Never! This means I have total respect for the animal with no arrogant flares about me.

Animals do pick that up.

2. I never feed the animals or interfere with their food, as that as seen as competition and food for them is their survival.

3. They make the rules. It’s up to them to decide if they want to engage with me.

I do have another sort of rule – I never wear shoes. In that way I like to feel more connected to Mother Nature and to what the soft-footed animals are experiencing. The day we put shoes on our feet, we lost that connection to the natural world.

Tell us about your honey badger project.

These guys are going to be so interesting. Most of the work done on badgers has been in the Kalahari. I wanted to film somewhere different where we could expect different behaviours. It will be a project very different to my others.

With hyaenas I developed a relationship with a whole clan.

With the badgers ,it’s going to be a one-on-one relationship.

What that is going to mean is going to be so interesting to discover. Fascinating times ahead.

Any hairy moments?

Hmmmmm… which one? Unarmed on foot, I was charged by a lioness protecting her three small cubs. Scary! I had a similar experience with a leopard protecting her young.

I was chased down the road by an elephant cow and had to duck off into the bushes to get away. I also had a showdown with a black rhino just three metres away. I only just won. All these were on foot. But Joanie, my filming car, has been hit by elephants on several occasions, the side has been pummeled by a buffalo and hit by a black rhino.

Have you ever been in extreme danger when a subject has turned on you?

In quite a few of the above instances things could have gone

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“THIS IS NO JOB, BUT A TRUE PASSION HANDED DOWN THROUGH GENERATIONS OF OUR WOLHUTER FAMILY.”

Photo: Alex Cooper

horribly wrong. But with every experience one learns and understands more what it’s all about, why it happened, why did I get into that situation, how to avoid it in future, etc.

However, one particular story stays top of mind. I love baobabs and whenever I see one, I leave the vehicle and investigate. These old massive trees have so many stories to tell and they’re their own mini ecosystem. Many animals live in them, on them, and around them. Often when walking around them I try to imagine what they’ve witnessed in the thousand odd years they’ve been alive.

Several months ago, I parked my car (Joanie) and headed west off the track to a baobab I hadn’t checked out before. I was following a small drainage line to my south with dense undergrowth and a few bigger acacias. To the north, the vegetation was scrubby and fairly open. It was easy going although the devil thorns were at bit irritating on my bare feet. It was about a 400m walk to the baobab and as I approached the tree, I was talking to my phone camera about this magnificent specimen. The baobab had a fair-sized hole near its base, but not big enough for me to fit through. Strolling casually up to the tree I pushed the camera right up to the hole to film inside it, still carrying on ululating about this iconic exhibit, when in the screen of my phone I saw spots in the hole. My mouth froze and very, very silently I tiptoed out of there. I kept looking over my shoulder, but nothing stirred. I started doubting myself that there actually was anything in the hole. Safely back in Joanie, I had to satisfy my curiosity, although nervously. I drove off road, over a few Mopane shrubs. Definitely not a quiet approach. I pulled up parallel to the hole in the baobab only some three metres away. I hadn’t even switched Joanie off when there was a ferocious growl, a leopard appeared at the hole, disappeared and a second later bolted out of the hole towards me and away. I was shocked to the core. Imagine if that had happened when I walked up to the hole? I still visit baobabs, but a lot more cautiously.

Any challenges during filmmaking?

Wouldn’t life be boring without challenges. How would we ever feel we’ve accomplished anything? My biggest challenge is always trying to capture everything on camera.

And capture it in the most natural way to do it the justice it deserves. For me that is also a huge sacrifice because I’m never able to witness a scene for what it really is. It’s always through a camera lens. And I think this is something so many of us are missing out on. Especially today as everybody has a camera on their phone, and our human psyche means we want to capture and share everything we witness. We really have to try and break away from this desire and immerse ourselves in the situation and experience it for what it really is. Not how our cameras experience it.

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Favourite part?

Having got into wildlife filmmaking, a career I never thought of or imagined doing, I now realise it’s the perfect place for me. Out of all the different careers in wildlife, I get to spend more time in the field than any of the others. So much time that I’m able to develop these incredible relationships with wild animals.

Laugh out loud moments?

These should be moments where I laugh about myself. I wish I could think of many but maybe I’m too arrogant to think of any. When it comes to animals, there are many.

Hyaenas are classic humour. The excitement and laughter (literally) are so contagious especially over a carcass and when taking on lions.

But probably the best is hyaenas and wild dogs. It’s an age-old game they’ve played for millennia. Dogs are so much faster and nimbler than hyaenas and the game is just to pester them and bite bums. When they’re at it, it’s not unusual to find a hyaena with its backside in a bush facing the dogs, protecting its rear end from being bitten. The hyaena laughter and the dogs ‘twittering’ is full on entertainment. Just when a hyaena thinks it’s safe and leaves a bush the dogs come barreling in to bite its

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unprotected backside. Often the hyaenas are squealing even before the bite. Hilarious. The dogs eventually get bored and head off. It all becomes a very different story when there’s food around. The hyaenas usually dominate and take over the carcass.

Is it possible to choose a favorite animal?

Oooh, that would be dangerous. But I’ll go there. Hyaenas.

These guys are so affectionate, so playful, so intelligent, so caring, so successful. Very few people would appreciate this because we had all this myth about them drummed into us.

But if you just had a moment to experience what I do on a daily basis you will discover all that. These animals could be on everybody’s favourite list, if only people would open themselves up to understanding them.

Where are you based now?

I’m currently based on Sango Wildlife Conservancy in the Save Valley Conservancy in Zimbabwe. Over 60 000 hectares of prime African bushveld with an incredible diversity of habitats, animals, birds, etc. I came here to do a film on honey badgers and that’s still my main focus, although hyaenas have again stolen my heart and my time.

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Tell us about your experience of lockdown?

We’ve had the great fortune of being in the bush. For five months we haven’t been off the reserve and have not had to wear masks. But then I suppose our lives as wildlife filmmakers are very much based on the lockdown principles anyway. The best part for me, apart from being in the bush, is that I’ve been able to enjoy much more family time; taking them into the field with me, walking, driving, swimming in pans, and more.

Future projects or studies you would love to pursue?

I will always be doing something on hyaenas. They need to be treated and respected for who they really are. Not cast as the villains in most wildlife films. I’m also interested in doing a film on otters in the Lowveld region. There is no work on them and what interesting critters they are. Another is Ground Hornbills. These birds live to some 40 years and their behaviours in some ways are similar to wild dogs. I could just walk with them all day.

How has becoming a father again changed your life?

I have been a father for 24 years, but I become a new dad a couple of years ago. Kiki is the best thing that could have

happened to me. At this stage in my life I see her life very differently than I did with my older daughters. As a toddler I see a lot of her behaviours that are so ‘animal’ like and help me understand animals better. As humans we totally over think our situations, instead of just letting go and dealing with it in the moment.

How involved is your daughter in your projects?

In my projects going forward, I will be including my family a lot more. My wife Saskia ,and Kiki will become an integral part of my films, through our daily lives and using my relationship with them and especially Kiki to educate youngsters.

Is there anything you would change about your life?

Not at all. It’s been an amazing journey. One thing I do wish though; I wish I was a better tracker. I’ve always wanted to spend time with the Bushmen and learn to track from them.

Sadly in my whole career I have never worked with a tracker.

INFO wildhoot@mweb.co.za, www.kimwolhuter.com Facebook/Kim Wolhuter, Instagram/Kim Wolhuter, YouTube/Kim Wolhuter. Watch his films on MAN, CHEETAH, WILD on the Discovery Channel.

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tengile river lodge andBeyond’s newest Sabi Sands camp has an uber-chic yet laidback ethos Words Bev Tucker Photos andBeyond

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it’s understood

that a lodge with Tengile’s status should offer a bush experience with all the finest bells and whistles. And so it does. There are enormous 200m² suites with private sunken verandahs, glorious bathing facilities, private pools, river views, unbeatable proximity to wildlife, privileged privacy and elegant spaces delivered via inspired décor. Quite rightly, guests can expect to be cosseted in supreme luxury in the midst of this wild setting. This is a given. So what makes it stand out from others in its league?

Firstly, there’s the very special setting in the Sabi Sands private concession. Furthermore, it was purpose built.

This was no awkward revamp grappling with inherited problems. Designed by architects Nicholas Plewman and Ursula Randall, at a glance the structure’s low profile and contemporary construction speaks to an interpretation of bush architecture that moves the conversation forward in a non-clichéd way.

That said, when I venture that the building looks almost urban Plewman ahems gently, “Not urban, rather, it revisits traditional Lowveld architectural forms, in particular, the wide covered “stoep” as a way to bridge between the built environment and the bush. To maximise the views we arranged the layouts bi-axially, unlike the usual mono-axial arrangement of lodges. The choice of materials is in fact very vernacular: gumpoles, stone and in this case, rusted metal, and railway sleepers, inspired by the old Shelati railway.”

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The construction had to take into account a right-angle bend in the river. The solution was the bi-axial design he refers to, resulting in views to both the north and east. On the basis that the camp was to be visually and materially empathetic with the surrounding bush, Plewman explains, “We decided to inhabit the space between the ground plane and the tree canopies, thereby having a minimal impact on the existing environment. The flat and very slender profile of the roofs allows deep eaves without excessive volume.”

Plewman’s approach is sensitive to the environment, and also draws on a site’s history and sense of place. He was behind the design of andBeyond’s Sandibe Lodge in the Okavango, which shares Tengile’s commitment to good environmental practices. A steel frame structure minimised the need for intrusive foundations and excavations, and the design called on the colourful early-Kruger era through the use of repurposed materials from the old Shelati line.

Plewman is particularly pleased with the roofs. “They were waterproofed using a PVC membrane coated in sand drawn from around the site. They blend into the environment more flawlessly than any design, with the exception of turf roofs.”

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made from the old Shelati railway line. The final polishing revealed beautiful variety of colours in the aggregate. The dark greens, shades of rust and black were worked into the rich interiors by designer Michele Throssell. She took other cues from the dappled shade and textures of the surrounding indigenous bush and the historic romance of the area’s pioneer Harry Kirkman, the hunter-turnedconservationist who had a homestead at Kirkman’s Camp in Sabi Sands, also in andBeyond’s stable.

Her use of unrefined dark steel, sandblasted timber, stone and burnished cane orchestrate strong interiors that are saved from feeling heavy by high ceilings and shafts of natural light. The textures of tree bark and animal hides play out in the use of fabrics like velvet and frayed-edge upholstery. Huge lighting features stretch out overhead emulating trees while stone, steel, marble, wood and leather lend warmth and layering. Michele called on Cape Town artist Emma Nourse to create a beautiful organic oil on canvas for each bedroom, with interesting wool and stitch details. Organic elements meet the contemporary and modern-colonial ones in a seeming contradiction. The result is a collaboration of SA design with stupendous wow factor, but also the self-assurance to step back as a frame for the bush experience.

INFO www.andbeyond.com

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find it Architect: Nicholas Plewman Architects, www.plewmanarchitects. co.za Interiors: Michele Throssell, www. michelethrossell.co.za Art: Commissioned canvasses by artist Emma Nourse.

Rugs: Designed by Michele Throssell, manufactured by Lund Rugs, www.lundgallery.co.za Lighting: Egg Designs did lighting and some furniture, www.eggdesigns.com Soft finishings: Coral Stephens Handweaving made the throws and scatters, www.coralstephens.com

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www.chicshakinteriors.com

This traditional bush home is located on a private estate in Hoedspruit, Mpumalanga. With the owner living abroad, Louise Worthington of Chicshak Interiors was brought in to be the ears and eyes of the project Words Nicky Manson Photos Tim Bynam

Celebrate your space

+ 27 84 381 7071 louise@chicshakinteriors.com

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‘‘ my signature

look is a neutral colour palette with an East African and bush lodge feel. My client has similar tastes and so the house is full of neutral colours, and natural materials and textures with pops of colour woven here and there,” says Louise Worthington of Chicshak Interiors.

Apart from project managing, Chicshak Interiors contributed largely to various elements of the house’s design and style. They selected all the finishes including the bathroom fittings and light installations. They also equipped the house with everything from crockery and cutlery to the game drive vehicle. “I knew what would be important to my client. For example, we enlarged the workable space in the kitchen as I know he enjoys cooking,” explains Louise. “We created an outdoor cocktail bar so guests could enjoy a cold cocktail from a Martini seat in the pool and we included outdoor showers off all the bathrooms as these are used and enjoyed far more than the indoor showers.”

The owner was raised in Kenya but has deep roots in southern Africa and so the home showcases this blend of East African and South African cultures. A traditional dhow (named “Bahati” - which means luck in Swahili) sits in the study. The owner spent much of his childhood watching these boats ply the shipping lanes between Dar-es-Salam and Mombasa. A solitaire set waits on the desk; crafted many years ago by artisans in Madagascar, and a Kisii stone chess set was sculpted by craftsmen in Southwestern Kenya.

The Bruce Backhouse artwork above the main bed creates a feeling of endlessness and open space. Many pieces of furniture and décor were custom made in Kenya and Zanzibar such as these ornate chests.

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Louise has many favourite aspects of the house but she simply adores the Oggie wooden flooring. “It is just beautiful. The owner wanted the wooden floors throughout to create a warm, buttery, natural look.” Much of the artwork reflects the owner’s childhood like visiting the baobabs Jul-2020-LL-Walter_forprint.pdf 1 2020/08/03 12:08 in Meru National Park with his mother.

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Above: This beautiful chair is from Kenya.

Left: Engraving these doors is a dying craft in Zanzibar so it was difficult to find someone to make them and importing such large items was a challenge.

Louise fortuitously stumbled on a local craftsman who had been taught the craft and he came on board to hand carve the doors to fit the space.

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One of the home’s statement pieces is its large, carved door which is modelled on the traditional style seen in Zanzibar. “Typically the Zanzibar front door was a visual statement of the owner’s status in society,“ explains Louise. “The carvings can represent religious text, owner’s names and dates and the conical brass bosses are a decoration that has grown from the original metal spike that was used to deter elephants.”

The furniture in the house further represents the owner’s culture and was selected specifically for the different spaces. “Having handmade pieces of furniture or artefacts that originate from different parts of the world always add so much character to a home,“ says Louise. “The desk in the study is made by Amatuli from reclaimed wood. Although the look and feel of the home is more conservative, the desk is a thoughtful, creative piece that I enjoyed introducing into the study. The chairs were handmade in Kenya.”

One of the biggest focal points is the art collection. The majority of the pieces were commissioned from local Mpumalangan artist Walter Voigt and reflect parts of the owner’s childhood. For example, scenes of the Indian Ocean reminiscent of the coastline near Mombasa; baobabs in Meru National Park where the owner loved spending time with his mother, and scenes of Kilimanjaro near where he had his first driving lesson in an old Land Rover Defender. “It was amazing to be part of the art purchasing and commissioning of new pieces especially when we worked with South African artists.”

Of course, every build has its challenges and this project was no different.

The biggest trial was the owner being based abroad and Louise being based in Joburg. “I was lucky to make many lovely trips to Hoedspruit. We built, furnished and stocked the house in six months to be ready for the owner’s first visit.” Another major challenge was more schematic. “Assembling the gorgeous Melville and Moon Roorkhee chairs that are used around the firepit nearly finished me off. I do think a degree is needed for those,” Louise laughs.

“The most important part of any project is to really understand your client, how they live and what motivates a harmonious environment for them. We loved working with this client, incorporating references from his childhood experiences into the house was a privilege.”

find it Interiors and project management: Louise Worthington, Chicshak Interiors: 084 381 7071, louise@chicshakinteriors.com, chicshakinteriors.com Outdoor lighting: Private House, Kramerville Architect: Förtsch & Associates, 013 752 2583, admin@fdparchitects. co.za, www.fdparchitects.co.za Landscaping: The Plant Whisperer, Faan Boshoff Furniture: Block Chisel, SHF, Melville and Moon, Upholstery and Design.

Floors: Oggie Flooring Construction: Property Projects Bathrooms fittings: Flo Taps Artworks: Walter Voigt, Bruce Backhouse, Paul Augustinus, Keith Joubert

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